Volume 01 Issue 15 part 1
November 30 - December 6, 2020
The biggest news of the week is that Clara was discharged today! She had a ‘graduation ceremony’ today from the NICU wearing a cap and gown!! HAHAHA. Thank you for praying with us <3 I took a long leave for the holidays to spend time with the babies. Can’t wait!!
Shop Small, Love Local
I did a lot of driving for my sister this past week and every time, I wore a mask from Piesa PH. They make face masks in indigenous woven fabrics from Anthill Fabric Gallery (binakol, kantarines, inabel, etc.) with tie back ribbons instead of ear straps. The owner, Paula, was so patient with me because we discovered I have a very small face - who knew?? - and she revised her designs to fit me. I have a dozen of these masks because the fabrics are so gorgeous and they won’t give me headaches. Thank you, Paula!
Currently…
Drinking toffee nut frappuccinos. Really wish it were available year-round for us, but the seasonal-ness (seasonality?) makes it more precious. I have fond memories of grabbing a toffee nut latte or frap with blockmates, then eventually officemates, and feeling excited for the holidays. I used to be able to collect planners because I’d pop out to Starbucks a few times a week. Nagagamit ba? Hindi rin. Hahaha.
Stressing out about Christmas shopping. Suddenly it’s December and I’m panicking. I’ve had too much on my mind lately and since I’m not going to any bazaars, it’s a lot harder to pick up a gift off the shelf. I enjoy seeing the local brands that friends are plugging - we’re all micro-influencers to our own networks. Fingers crossed I can get through my list quickly.
Taking a moment to really… be in the moment. I tweeted this last Wednesday: “Pink’s Hotdog in BGC is blasting Come On Over by Christina Aguilera. I feel very blessed to be in this moment, sitting at an outdoor table, eating McDo chicken nuggets, feeling the cool breeze. December na. It’s been a tough year. This moment is good though.”
Upsizing my undergarments. I had underestimated how much better I would feel wearing a bra that fits! LOL. Will see if I can take some time this holiday break to sort and donate the clothes that don’t fit me anymore.
Longreads
The Rise and Fall of Carl Lentz, the Celebrity Pastor of Hillsong Church — Ruth Graham, The New York Times.
I clicked on this link so fast when I saw the notification come in!
Can public scholarship save your life? — Yung In Chae, Eidolon.
“Public scholarship, or writing for a wider audience... provides human connection. Public scholarship makes somebody feel like they are part of something that’s larger than themselves.” I’m sad I only discovered this journal recently, and will be going through its archives. Yung In Chae wrote that masterpiece about BTS and the classics.
Why the Same Hallmark Actresses Appear in Christmas Movies Every Year — Christopher Rosa, Glamour.
Compared to past years, I am way behind on my holiday movie list. Every free evening I have is usually a toss-up between “Catch up on BTS content or watch holiday movie?” and every time, Bangtan Sonyeondan has won. Not even a surprise, really.
Philly’s Four Seasons Total Landscaping dishes the dirt on the news conference heard ’round the world: ‘It was nothing we anticipated’ — Oona Goodin-Smith, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
I haven’t been on Facebook or (main) Twitter much so it was really by chance that I saw this. I respect their hustle!!
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Yours from afar,
Pinky