Saturday, October 31, 2020

Nobody Sleeps In The Woods Tonight

 Watched another Netflix (international) film while bracing for the impact of #TyphoonRolly .  It is signal number 1 in our area; but, there are predictions that signal number 4 may be raised to areas on its path.  Pray that this typhoon weakens.

The movie "Nobody Sleeps In The Woods Tonight", by its title, is a horror movie.  In time for Halloween?  The movie relies on gore for its scare.  Ho-hum.

Kids were in a camp to "detoxify" them from gadgets, social media, etc.  They'll be experiencing adventure in nature.  But unbeknownst to them, twins that were mutated by an object that fell from the sky while they were young have escaped (by killing their mother who locked them).  And the gore begins..  Ho-hum.

Data Blocker

 This video was shared in one of my Viber groups.  The one who shared it works with a cyber security company.


So ordered one from Amazon.  Supposed to receive on November 23; but, it arrived today.  That was fast! πŸ˜€

Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds

Already watched the sequel of "Along With Gods:  The Two Worlds".  I did not know that "Along With The Gods" is a film series.  Enjoyed the "Along With The Gods:  The Last 49 Days"; thus, I have to watch the first of its series.

When people die, your guardians bring you to the afterlife, and defend/ protect you in your seven trials.  If you pass all seven, you will be able to reincarnate.

Firefighter Ja-hong died unexpectedly and was taken to the afterlife by three guardians.  According to the laws of Afterlife, all deceased must go through 7 trials over 49 days, divided into 7 sin categories:  betrayal, violence, filial piety, murder, indolence, deceit, and injustice.

The movie have a lot of stories carefully intertwined.  In fact, since I already watched the second movie of the series first, already saw the characters there in the first movie.  The movie is a mixture of action, drama and comedy.  Like!

Friday, October 30, 2020

The Queen's Gambit

Usually share here the movies I watch on weekends.  But with the #COVID19 pandemic, watching a movie in cinemas is not possible (and I dare not even if movie theaters are already open).  Thus, have to make do with streaming services.

I have just finished a Netflix limited series "The Queen's Gambit".  


It is the the story of Elizabeth Harmon, who learned the game at the basement of the orphanage and eventually be known in the world of chess.  It is her fight to be the one she wants to be (with all the ups and downs), battling for victory and peace.

A must watch.

Very Early Christmas Shopping

Our office requires that we use ten of our fifteen vacation leaves benefit until end of September 2020 else it will be forfeited.  But due to the #COVID19 pandemic, most were not able to take their leaves; thus, it was extended until the end of the year.  I filed my remaining leaves on dates near the holidays.  And today is one of it.

Decided to do my early Christmas shopping and charge my purchases.  It will be at my favorite mall, Glorietta.  It is already decked with Christmas decors.  It is best I already ticked-off some on my list.  I don't think I would be able to do my usual shopping.  I would be buying a birthday gift and several Christmas gifts.


First stop is Kamiseta.  Some of their items are on sale.  Was able to buy the birthday gift and Christmas gift for the two in my list.  Passed by the kiosk of Tribu, which is also on sale.  Bought some items.

Went to National Bookstore to buy red envelopes to put money gift in (there is no money enclosure card available).

Bought a bottle of hydrogen peroxide for my gargle solution (one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts water) at Mercury Drug.

And then to Bench for more Christmas gifts.  Was able to tick-off five more on my list.


Armed with my purchases, left the mall.  Although I still find shopping enjoyable (retail therapy?), it is not that enjoyable anymore due to the virus.  With fear of catching the #coronavirus one has to have already their list ready, identified the stores they will shop, go in, buy and leave.  My shopping only took about an hour.  Usually spend the whole day at the mall, browse items, eat and watch a movie in between my shopping.

We passed by StorageMart to store some more items, and to SM Hypermarket to buy turon before proceeding home.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

No Punch Keyboard Tray

Must be because of the #COVID19 pandemic, we spend most of the time on our computers.  Thus, have been focusing on how to improve my computer space.

Already did that in my office.  Cushion to increase seat height and monitor stand to align top of monitor with my forehead.

At home, wanted to have a keyboard tray to put on my wireless keyboard and mouse for my laptop without the need to punch holes on my desk.  Finally, my order arrived today and have set it up as soon as I came from the office.  I ordered same item from another seller and it did not arrive.  Found another seller which sells the same item.  It is a long wait; but boy, I am not disappointed.  Using it now with my Fineday retro mechanical keyboard while typing this. πŸ˜†


Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Mechanical Keyboard

I don’t know but I am into mechanical keyboards.  Love hearing the clackity-clack of the keys as I type.  Guess missing the time when we still use the ever reliable typewriter.

I remember that my Nanay had me enroll (with my other cousins) for a typing class one summer.  Because of this, I am able to type fast without looking at the keys.  Also learned β€œrules” like two spaces after a period, press lever twice for the next paragraph, etc.  In my mind, if you see typewritten pages with two spaces after a period, that person would have attended formal typing classes.  Hehe!

Started with the Ajazz mechanical keyboard.  I paired this with my personal laptop which I use at the office.  Today, I received the Fineday retro mechanical keyboard, which I will be using at home.  I already loved the Ajazz keyboard; but, I loved the Fineday keyboard more.

Now, to find something to type... Perhaps, a novel? 😁

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Undas 2020 during COVID-19 Pandemic

During All Saints Day, I usually go to the cemetery to visit our dearly departed.  But with the #COVID19 pandemic, everything has changed.

To control the crowd, the different local government units issued the closure of the cemeteries on the week of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (undas).  They also limit the number of people allowed inside the cemeteries as well as the day of the week you are allowed to visit based on your residence.

I would have visited my aunt and uncles at Manila Memorial Park at Sucat, Paranaque, which my Nanay (+) usually do.  Unfortunately, was not able to get information on the schedule mandated by Paranaque City.  Would visit my Nanay, Tatay, Lolo, Lola and uncles at Sgt. Mariano Cemetery in Pasay City.  We can only visit on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Edgar, the driver, would pick me up at the condo around 5AM.  He will already be bringing the flowers I ordered for my parents.  I already bought the candles.  Good thing, even, if we were that early, the gates of the cemetery is already open.  And good thing, too, there are still no policemen at the gates.  This means, we can bring the car inside.

Lighted candles, sprinkled holy water and prayed for the souls of my parents and relatives.  When we left the cemetery, the police is still not there. 😊

Went to McDonald's to buy food to-go.  It will serve as "pagpag".  Normally, we would have eaten our very early breakfast at the fast-food store.  Nope.  Not with #COVID19.  Drive-thru would have  worked; but given the number of food I would be buying (my nieces already gave their "order"), it is better to stop and buy food-to-go instead.

Passed by StorageMart to keep in storage some items before proceeding home.

Friday, October 16, 2020

Headache, Nausea

 Have been experiencing headache (headband area) for two or three days, the next day after the first sign of headache, feels squishy in my stomach.  Thus, the first thing this morning, sent a message to my doctor's secretary if I can revert the dosage of Euthyrox from 50mcg to 25mcg.  She informed my doctor, who agreed.

Because of these symptoms, been searching the internet if it is related to COVID019, tension (for the headache which also can also cause nausea) or the medicine itself.  

It's worrying if it is the first (COVID-19).  The second, maybe because enjoyed my one week leave and am back to the grindstone.  But focused first on the last.  I was supposed to take the medicine an hour before breakfast.  Even before I sent the message to my doctor's secretary, already took the 25mcg dose.  The whole day in the office has been fine already, with a slight prick of headache from time to time.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Ergonomics

 Watched a video on YouTube regarding ergonomics and decided to set-up my desk at the office given I spend many hours there.  Been walking for five minutes every hour (reminded by my Garmin activity tracker).  Maybe it's about time to be healthy even when not walking?  Hehehe!

For my seat, I bought a Mates memory foam aerowedge to sit on so it can increase my height.  The chair is set at its highest, my arms are now L-shaped and so are my legs.

For my office PC desktop, bought a monitor riser so that the top of the monitor is on level with my forehead.  Have set it up to be an arm's length away.  I have a Logitech bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

For my personal laptop, I have a laptop stand, Logitech bluetooth mouse and Ajazz bluetooth mechanical keyboard.  I luv the mechanical keyboard as you hear the sound of clickity clack as you type.  Hehehe!

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Binge Watching

My usual activities when I take a week long leave during my birthday week is to go the mall, window-shop, eat and watch movies.  With the #COVID-19 pandemic, this is not possible.  But still, took my leave from the office.

Aside from the days I go out to take rapid antigen test, buy food for my birthday, etc., I watch movies and TV series in Netflix.  For 9 days, I have watched the following:

Movies

  • Urban Legend
  • The Binding
  • Vampires vs. the Bronx
  • Hubie Halloween
  • Blumhouse's Fantasy Island
  • Blumhouse's Truth or Dare: Extended Director's Cut
  • The Babysitter
Series

  • Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
  • Bring It On, Ghost
  • Nightmare High
  • The Worst Witch
  • Mystic Whispers
  • Wizards:  Tales of Arcadia
  • The Haunting of Bly Manor
  • Trollhunters:  Tales of Arcadia
  • Carmen Sandiego
  • Signs
Interactive

  • Carmen Sandiego:  To Steal or Not to Steal

Friday, October 09, 2020

My Day

Will be leaving my "nest" for now.  Already arranged with Edgar, the driver, where we would be going for the day.

Supposedly, we should start by going to Sto. Nino de Paz Community Chapel (a.k.a. Greenbelt Chapel) by thanking Him for all the blessings and grace He has showered to me and my family.  But, received an SMS informing me that the item I ordered online has arrived, so passed by the office first to pick it up.


According to the guard, the chapel opens at 11AM.  Still, went and thanked Him.

I will be buying lunch for my staff and drop it off at the office.  Walked my way to Glorietta.


Have to pass by The Landmark on my way to Glorietta.  But, bought a timer first at the store before proceeding.

Glorietta is already decorated with Christmas decors.  How festive!

I am the first customer of the "targetted" restaurant, El Pollo Loco.  Hehe!  It recently opened here in my favorite mall.  Whenever I go to SM Megamall, I make it a point to eat there (during the pandemic, buy food to-go).  Their SM Mall Asia branch has closed down--too bad.  But much happier that it is now at Glorietta.

Bought food to-go and dropped them at my office.

Next stop will be our food at home.  Decided to go to Emerald Garden Restaurant (although I have heard rumors that it has closed due to COVID-19 pandemic).  This is where my Lola and my Nanay celebrate their grand birthday party.  I often buy my birthday and New Year's Eve food here, too.  Thier waiters, receptionist, cashier, etc. are the same people who served us for years.  Something good which can be said about the restaurant's owners.  And true, enough, the restaurant has closed.  I feel sorry for the owners and their employees.  Am sure it is very hard for them to part ways.

So, went to The Aristocrat instead to buy the food.

Then, proceeded home.

Received a birthday cake from Dulcis Cake House from my cousin and Tiger Sugar Ice Cream Bar from my nephew.  😊


Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Rapid Antigen Test

I am scheduled for a rapid antigen test today.  Our company arranges these tests to their employees once a month for office workers and every other week for their front liners.  So, even if I am on leave, will go to the office to take the test.

My schedule is for 2:30PM.  Even if I arrived before 2PM, was already lined-up for the testing.

Result:  Negative.  Thank God!

Instead of going home immediately, passed by The Landmark Supermarket to buy the sanitizing gel and kitchen towel for my office use.  Also went to Mercury Drug to buy Lutax 20. a lutein food supplement.

Monday, October 05, 2020

Teleconsultation with my Gastroenterologist

Start of my one week leave from office.  Already set a teleconsultation with my doctor around 2:30PM.  Already submitted the result of my laboratory test when I made the appointment.

Everything is a-OK.  My next set of tests would be on November.  She did add a test for Vitamin D. πŸ˜‰

Saturday, October 03, 2020

Teleconsultation with my Endocrinologist

 Already set an appointment with my doctor.  I am scheduled for 6:30AM today.  Frankly, I prefer the teleconsultation than waiting for my turn at the doctor's clinic.  For one, feel safer to wait at home for my turn to call what with the #COVID19 pandemic.  Secondly, it does not feel like you're waiting since you can do lots of things at home until they advise you to call.

Unfortunately, my doctor advised me that she wanted to see me for my next consultation in six months.  That means, I have to go to her clinic.  Hayyy...

She increased the dosage for my thyroid (Euthyrox) to 50mcg from 25mcg.  Still take my 10mg Avamax and 1000 IU Vitamin D3.  The last one, I take 2000 IU.  Shhh....

Since there's no cable in my condo, we make do at watching shows available in the internet:  YouTube, Netflix, Viu, etc.  And here are health tips which I observe and will observe (as I just watched it recently):

Health lies in healthy circadian habits (by TEDx Talks)

https://youtu.be/erBJuxVR7IE


Go for a walk after you eat (by CNN)

https://youtu.be/IKWht-cZw7o


Friday, October 02, 2020

Birthdays and Pillows

It is my niece's birthday.  Already ordered food at Amber's Restaurant to be picked-up by Edgar, the driver, around 1:30PM.

The last working day for the week and I would be enjoying a very long weekend.  I usually take a leave for a week during my birthday week.  And since a friend who has recently retired knows these, she left her gift for me today.

After office, decided to go to SM Mall of Asia (MOA) because I wanted to buy the pillow I can seat on in the office.  I already checked out Mates Memory Foam Pillows stall at The Landmark yesterday but the one I wanted is not available.  Checked online and learned that they have a branch at MOA.


First, picked-up my niece at Glorietta and dropped her off at the condo before proceeding to MOA.


The mall already put up Christmas decorations.  Went to their Wellness Zone where I was able to find the stall.  And the item I wanted is available!  Bought it.

Then, proceeded home.