I don't remember the last time I read a book. 

But right now, I am enjoying this:

I discovered this book a few days ago and it is very fitting to what I am up to. A sign, I would say.

It has been over a year since the Covid-19 pandemic. While 50% of the workforce is probably back, others have already adapted to the work-from-home setup. Some, on the other hand, are still adjusting, and may find it isolating and challenging, especially to those who have young children like me.

I have been working from home since the day I got my first job more than ten years ago (although, I did have some office experiences in between). And honestly, it’s not as wonderful as it seems to be. No alarm clocks? From bed to desk in seconds? Who doesn’t want that? 

But while you are stuck in 2-hour traffic fantasizing about working in your pajamas, here are some things people don’t tell you about working remotely. For all I know, this is not for everybody. Some may find this very convenient, while some may just have to put in more effort than others.

1. A dying social life - Sure, distractions are everywhere in the office. But when you spend eight hours of your day inside with little to no human interaction, you will begin to feel lonely. Constant isolation itself can become our worst distraction.

2. You are on your own - Got a question? Google it. Got stuck on a task? Figure it out yourself. While it is easy to chat with others on a Zoom or Google Hangout meeting, it’s not the same as bouncing ideas with co-workers in the same room to come up with a creative and brilliant solution. Whether it’s an impromptu brainstorming session over lunch or a scheduled meeting, the engagement is hard to replicate at home.

3. Distractions - Trust me, it’s difficult to separate life at work and home. You have household chores, kids, and probably pets that always need urgent attention. 

4. Potential burnout - In an office, there is a clear distinction between work and non-work hours. At home, your schedule may become too flexible. You may find it difficult to switch off work and clock out, leading to more working hours, and eventually a burnout.

5. Not all jobs and skills are suited for remote work.

6. Poor internet speed - you should keep in mind that to be able to work efficiently, you must have a high-speed internet like PLDT Home. Slow internet could only mean low productivity.

The Covid-19 pandemic has definitely allowed most of us to experience working remotely. If you are considering making a shift, hopefully, this will give you a realistic view of working from home. But whether working from home is suitable for you or not, always strive to be a better worker.

The idea of raising a child in a limited screen time environment is something the husband and I planned to do. So, even if our baby was still at 4 months, I already started scouting for toys that spark curiosity and encourage imaginative play. I wanted something that's mainly wooden because they are not only eco-friendly and safer than the plastic ones, but they are also far more visually appealing. And it was then when I realized there were only two or three stores here in Davao that sell the toys that I wanted, and they can be a bit pricey too (or at least, to most moms).

I scoured the internet for weeks and got in touch with different suppliers from Manila and overseas because I wanted to create a shop on my own. I aim to reach out to other moms in the city who feel the same. It was exactly February 14, 2021 when I created a Facebook page, and a day after, I already started selling online.

Little Red Lion Toys

Starting a business is risky, stressful, overwhelming, not to mention exhausting. More so during a pandemic. But running it online lessens everything but the profit. Less expenses, less stress, more sales.

I fell off the the world for a bit, but for one good reason.

Last February, we opened our online toy store and I became too preoccupied ever since. I have been doing feasibility studies, market research, financial mapping, and business plan—which is actually just daydreaming about making it big. And all these were things that seemed insane the past few weeks. 

Well, it still is. Especially now that our FIRST (emphasis on that one because we're not stopping there) physical store opens today, April 5th.

Visit this shop at The Brick Lane Square, Palma Gil & Guzman Sts., Obrero, Davao City. :)

I am so active on Facebook nowadays. You see, I have been replying to every inquiry on every listing I made. It's tedious, honestly. Especially when the answers to those inquiries have already been posted. But I'm not complaining.  If anything, I would like to keep those "hm?" and "available pa?" coming, and hope that Facebook will not flag me for replying with the same line over and over again. Please check your inbox. Thank you. :)

I cannot keep a job for more than 3 years and I do not know if that is a good or bad thing. Hopping from one job to another in a short span of time does not leave a good impression to most employers here. But my career has plateaued. If I am no longer growing and not getting any closer to my career goals, then it's love, peace, and chicken grease.

I told Jan I am quitting my job that has become tedious and repetitive. I probably might be jobless for a year, too. And he's okay with it. But that doesn't mean I will be entering the noble but cumbersome world of housewifery. I detest household chores and I will never be good at cooking. And no, I won't be practicing the art of idleness as I would have always wanted (this quarantine has definitely gotten me lazy being lazy). I am going to take care of a big baby, and be a hands on mom to two adorable boys and a blue-eyed furball who has not succeeded in killing me yet. I will also master a new programming language in between.

When people ask me about my current job, I tell them one thing. When asked about what my college course was, I tell them another. And then everybody would give me a second look in awe or most likely in utter disbelief and blurts out, "As in?! Ang layo!"  Kung sa Bisaya pa, "atik?! layua ui!"

I participated in a survey from students who are conducting a study about people who changed career paths after graduating in college. I thought of posting it online because it just might inspire other people who figured out their college course isn't all they want after graduating. So here goes.

And oh, what you will read below are not the exact words I wrote on the questionnaire.

I don't have a job right now. And maybe a lot of you are wondering how the f*ck was I able to survive three months of paying bills and tuition fees, splurging on unneccessary stuff, and gallivanting without having a stable and full-time job. I do have a few Mobile App design jobs however, and I depended so much on my savings to sustain every whim (wrong move, I know). But just when August ended, I realized that I am running out of funds. Really.

Whenever something big or a drastic change happens in your life, you end up explaining a thousand times what the eff just happened and why. Case in point, the day I said goodbye to my normal/regular (or however you call it) office day job.

I love how my close friends eagerly asked for details about what I am going through, the changes - be it negative or positive - in my life, how am I coping, and what my plans are. I am happy to know that people care. And I apologize if I'm not too keen on details. It's not that I don't have the guts to tell you about the crap I went through, it's just that I'm too lazy to lay it all down (again and again and again). I am totally fine, I promise.

Okay, that's a lie. Truth is, I never expected I'd go through a phase of separation anxiety that I found myself binge-eating on Snickers and pathetically watching videos of funny animals. And funny babies. And Spongebob Squarepants. I tried to read a book and catch up with the tv series I've been missing. Apparently, nothing works. I still feel a little bit down.