It’s over two months now waking up to a soundless city. There are no more honking of jeepneys, trucks and can barely almost hear the beeping of motorcycles. I have been living in the city all my life and the turn of events is spanking new to me, or I think most of us. In retrospect, it completely seems like it happened all of a sudden for us to fully adapt to the so-called new normal lifestyle.
Looking back before this ravaging pandemic happened, there were chains of natural disasters abounded like the Amazon fire and Australia wildfires. These catastrophes don’t just greatly affect the animals and the earth per se, but it does more to us that I oddly think of nature’s way to express its rage to humans. It’s undeniably a result of our noxious activities to the environment that in effect made us suffer in the end. The things we do either bad or good have a boomerang tail that eventually bounces back. Hopefully, as we go back outside, we’ll care more for our environment.
This very day, we appreciate the peace, reduced air pollution and we enjoy being laid-back at the comfort of our own homes, despite the pandemic but not some of us are “like” us. Some are enduring anxiety and depression or maybe suffering financial problems and it is okay because it is okay not to be okay whilst struggling day by day. Let us not judge those who don’t easily adapt the change and their capacity to be at ease because we are different in all ways and our upbringing may not be the same for some. Instead, we can be compassionate by lending our ears to listen without prejudice and motivate our friends, relatives, or everyone around us.
Nevertheless, what makes us uniquely the same is our will to survive and keep moving forward. For me, I am simply grateful for waking up to another day because it means to hope, to treasure moments with my family, and to hustle harder for the coming days.
To my friends and relatives that are worried right now, let’s think about what makes us happy like the things we want to work hard for, the things we want to achieve, and the food we are longing to eat so we don’t get caught by the fear that can bring us down. While staying home, we can sing our hearts out, dancing or reading books or inspiring articles online while drinking our favorite drink as a way to cope up. There is really a lot to discover while at home no matter the size of our houses especially when we think out of boredom.
As we transition to GCQ, it is important to prepare our physical and mental health and take time to process everything so that we will be prepared for the new normal living. We will be doing this for our own welfare by rising our economy again. Hopefully, the reopening of all businesses and more job opportunities mean more income to the people, more families to feed, and less deprivation. After all, economic growth is driven by business investments and our power to spend. It is also important we obey rules and government mandates like the observance of strict social distancing and hand-washing to stop the virus from spreading.
Beyond everything, our faith and works of righteousness are absolutely the perfect two life essentials so that God will always be in our lives to sustain and redeem us. I believe in the power of prayer and know for sure that it’s only God who is in control. Keep praying and doing good
Author: mahreese
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Beating the Odds
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Reflection
Originally written on the 24th of March 2020
This pandemic crisis is our retribution. Let us take this as a chance to reflect on how are we as a person, as a human. Each one of us, I suppose, must have mulled over how things become suddenly unusual from what we typically do, daily. How are we as a human before this outbreak started?
Let us also be reminded during this time that we should be gentle to the only planet that brings us life.
I have come to realize that this is what I have been longing for. To be just at home— free from noise and air pollution. I get to eat at the table together with my kids from breakfast to dinner, and unconcerned with the traffic.
I appreciate and enjoy my time more. I love how I don’t have to be “in a hurry” and my most beautiful experience during this time, is just being laid-back in the comfort of my own home. ❤️The last and most essential thing I have realized is to feed my soul and not just my body. Pray and do things in favor of God.❤️
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A wife, a mother.
How do you balance your family and work?
It’s really hard being a mom trying to juggle a full-time job with family life. Foremost, I make my mornings easier, especially that I am currently on the evening shift. I avoid starting the day on exhaustion by getting organized the night before. Before I go to bed, I prepare my children‘s food for breakfast and their clothes or outfit in the morning.
This summer is less stressful for me because I don’t need to wake up too early for school as my eldest class starts at 7 a.m. My daughters usually wake up late in the morning, so more sleep for me. During school days, I have to run her bath and prepare her lunch for school. My husband arrives at 6:30 am and he’s the one sending my kids off to school. On the other hand, my toddler wakes up at around 10 in the morning and feeds her breakfast. Also, take a shower with me as her class starts at 12 noon at the same time, I have to leave early for work on a 12-noon shift.
However, stress-free days will soon be over because the new school year is fast approaching and I get a lot on my plate but I hope I can still manage to be on top of everything the most possible ways since I don’t have control over my work schedule.
Second, I communicate with my employer or TC when something is up, like when one of my children gets ill or in case of a family emergency. For me, communication is very important, and it is key to understanding.
Third, is limit distractions and time wasters, this is somewhat inevitable because I‘m sort of hooked up with social media where I connect with my friends, especially during my off but I think I have managed to limit socials on the internet because it is the major reason I don’t get my chores done. lol. So on weekends, since it’s, my husband‘s off, sometimes we watch Netflix together or we go somewhere with kids or just the two of us.
Fourth, I make certain to create enjoyable moments with my family like making artworks together or watching their favorite movies together. We also go to malls and look for some fun when we don’t have enough time for traveling. Many activities can be found in the mall-fun rides, artworks, painting, etc. But if we have enough time, we go to the swimming pool or go to the south for a dip in the sea while my children are enjoying playing in the sand, which they enjoy the most- the heat of the sun does not bother them, anyway.
Fifth, I spend time with my husband which has so many ways even small things not necessarily fancy all the time. And of course, we want to explore places together and experience all of them together.
Last but certainly not least, I make sure I have time for myself. As a working and hands-on mom, we must keep sane all the time. Yeah. So I throw away the guilt in my gut and indulge myself whatever I want, which is, of course, reasonable. Sometimes, I want to read books. When I have more “me-time,” I continue reading the book that I borrowed from a close friend. The name is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurie which is a Gothic novel, and which is by the way, overdue already. You can imagine how hectic my time is I wish I was 18 or 20 when I had all the time in this world. Kidding aside, I am happy that my kids came into my life. I felt a sense of purpose, and I know how it is to love genuinely. Anyway, I want to have a coffee and cake/dessert in a coffee/pastry shop by myself or getting my nails done or stress-eating or trying out foods that are in the trend on Instagram and Facebook. lol. Why not? It makes our taste buds explore more than what it has already tasted. haha. It also feels great experiencing different cafes. Also, I enjoy window shopping. It is such a womanly feeling haha. Most of all, ending my day off with a great massage is perfect! It keeps my sanity. haha.
Name at least 1 challenging part you encountered being a working mom?
For me, it’s always a non-easy task to be a parent much more when you are a working parent, like me. I worry when I am away from them and when I can‘t balance time, sometimes I feel guilty. There were times that I blame myself when my children get sick because I was not by their side to take care of them. Also, when I can‘t be in their school activities and can‘t witness their performance because I needed to sleep as I have to work at night. So sometimes, there are really heart-aching sacrifices.
There are also times that my patience is tested because as you know, kids can be clumsy and stubborn but thankfully, I can discipline myself for I want to ensure I impart them with good moral values.
What inspires you the most as a working parent?
What inspires me is the picture in my thought that my family is living genuinely happy and peacefully in our dream house and my children are growing up having a wonderful life that I am trying my best to turn into a reality day by day.
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My daughters
I humbly brag to you, my two lovely daughters. On the right is Margrette, my firstborn. She fondly loves dancing, reciting, and loves Hello Kitty stuff. She also has a passion for collecting Shopkins, palace pets, and little ponies. On the left is my second daughter, Margeaux— who dearly enjoys princesses. She loves wearing dresses every single day even at bedtime! She also loves Disney princesses and her most favorite one is Princess Moana and Belle. Her Ate Margrette positively influences her the most when it comes to collecting stuff and watching youtube toy reviews. They fight frequently over toys and almost all of their stuff but one remarkable thing that both girls have mutually in common is their amiable and kind personality.