Volume 01 Issue 08 part 1
October 10 - 18, 2020
I realized a little while ago that it had been over a week since I had last worked out, washed my hair, or even made a salad. Why? I could point to a few things going on lately: heavy workload, a required class taking up a big chunk of my time, eye problems, ankle problems… but I think more than any of these, it’s been a struggle to stay afloat emotionally during the pandemic. Sometimes there are good weeks and sometimes not-so-good, and I suppose this week fell into the latter category. “Relax, nothing even really happened,” I scold myself. But then I tell myself to go easy: we’re in the middle of the pandemic with no end in sight; the world is falling apart; the US election is ongoing; the political climate here grows worse by the day. It’s almost ‘normal’ to not be okay now. And sometimes we just have to allow ourselves to sink into despair, let that wash over us for a while, and really feel the helplessness and frustration. Fighting the negative feelings takes more energy out of me and I have so little energy to begin with these days. I am doing my best. I am doing my best. I am doing my best. Sometimes my best can be as simple as washing my hair and working out (both things I did today!). Taking baby steps to get my head above water again, putting some structure and routine around my days again. Don’t worry though, I’m fine, or as fine as can be expected anyway, all things considered. :) Today, we took the baby for a walk to our neighborhood Starbucks. I got to see my best friend Jus in her driveway for five minutes to introduce her and my godson to our new baby. It’s the little things.
Shop Small, Love Local
Truly a joy when I see friends start new businesses or pivot to a different way of working during the pandemic. The Pajama Baker is one of those! Juno, Jus’ sister, is like family to me and it’s so thrilling to see her frozen dalgona cake business boom. I enjoy sending this as ayuda because the transaction is painless, they deliver directly, and the product is excellent. Must try! (There’s a decaf flavor too if you can’t take caffeine, or Speculoos flavor if you’re not keen on coffee.)
Currently…
Discovering really delicious red velvet crinkles made by Crae’s sister-in-law Apple. She now holds the title of “Best Red Velvet Crinkles” in my book! So fluffy and the cream cheese tastes great. Try it out at @justbakedbyapple on IG. I consider it the perfect midnight snack.
Reading the Idea of You by Robinne Lee. It was hailed as a h***y Harry Styles book and I thought, “OK yes I would like to read a romance about an older woman and a guy in the biggest boyband in the world.” Bakit kaya ito ang mood ko ngayon? LOL. It took me a while to appreciate it but I was sad when it ended and now I need a sequel. Give me more of this story!
Setting up a TV in my bedroom for the first time in my life. This feels dangerous. Haha!
Longreads
An Open Letter to Those Who Still Give a Damn -- John Pavlovitz, Stuff that Needs to be Said.
With the daily news cycle it’s really so tempting to get numb and stop caring. I’m barely plugged in and still feel the anxiety, stress, fatigue of caring so damn much.
The difference between Ask Culture and Guess Culture
Saw this a while back and then tried looking for it again and couldn’t find it, and now it has crossed my feed again! This newsletter is now fulfilling its original purpose: keeping track of links I don’t want to lose.
Don’t Grieve Alone. Reach Out. -- Nicole Chung, The New York Times.
“For many of us, finding emotional support often means turning to long-established networks already built for distance. We may be weary or fearful now, freshly cut off from familiar routines and many forms of in-person support, but there’s still reassurance and solace to be found in distanced fellowship.”
What All That Touch Deprivation is Doing to Us -- Maham Hasan, The New York Times.
As a physical touch love language person, these times of enforced distancing have been rough as hell.
When Your Child is a Psychopath -- Barbara Bradley Hagerty, The Atlantic.
I haven’t had the attention span for a longread in a while. This was fascinating.
I went to a ‘Filipinos for Trump’ Rally. Here’s what I found. -- Anthony C. Ocampo, Colorlines.
“An uncomfortable truth I’ve avoided these past four years is that I love people who love this president.”
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Yours from afar,
Pinky