Thinking Out Loud

Finding the Northern Lights We heard that the Northern Lights would be visible in our area in October last year, so we planned a trip with the mission that we would not go home until we saw them.  We optimistically packed blankets, water, hot cocoa, snacks, and our telescope one October weekend. With a guiding map app, we were off excitedly at about 9:30 p.m. and drove about 5-10 minutes to where we were told the Northern Lights would be visible.  We found our way to the place through dark alleys and rocky roads. At some point, we lost our internet connection and started to feel that we should not be out there, thinking that something might jump out of the road and slam into our car and that we should turn around and go home. It could be the introvert in us kicking in or the fear of the unknown. But with good faith and we don't give up, everything will be well since our car has gas and is full of food. ^-^ Once we realized we could be in the wrong place since we parked in a ve...

Building Eeveelutions  Since I have a three-day weekend, I finally had the time to do one of my favorite things - building items.  This was a Christmas present that I asked for. You better be careful about what you wish for, or you will get it. I was thrilled to get it, and now the challenge is to build all of these - I love building things because it calms me down and keeps my brain working, which is healthy. I am also very detail-oriented.  I started last night with my favorite eeveelution, before Saturday movie night. To wrap up my 3-day weekend, I completed the rest of eevelutions. Here are the completed eeveelutions: Building Eevee and its evolutions was such an accomplishment. Overall, it was a very productive three-day weekend.     

Checkmate! Last year, after seeing our special chess board game, my nephew asked me if I knew how to play chess. I told him, "I think so, but it's been a while since I played. " So, we set up our chessboard and started playing.  At first, it was confusing because our chessboard was not the chessboard I was taught how to play chess.  It's a special chessboard, as you can see from the picture. It took time for us to get used to the chess pieces. But we have played so many times that we are now familiar with which is supposed to be the rook, knight, bishop, etc.  To my surprise, I sometimes won if I concentrated and anticipated his next move. But most of the time, he would win. Probably because I was too tired to focus, LOL! So when the time came that I couldn't protect "my king" anymore, with a big smile on his face, he would proudly say,  "Checkmate!"  

New Weekend Traditions As the new year begins, we have created new traditions - Friday is card/board game night, and Saturday is movie night!  For Friday board/card games, do we get to choose which card/board games, household chores, and school we play weekly, or do we play board games? Last night, we decided to play a card game.  We played for at least an hour, which was so much fun.  The best part is that we spend an hour or so together after dinner after the work week, the week. This also gives us something to look forward to every week.  My nephew and niece asked me to play card games before bed on weekdays, and I obliged. Playing with them gives me so much joy. They are competitive, and so do I.  However, I always remind them that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose because you have to play the cards you were dealt with, or that's how the dice rolled. But they must remember what matters most—that we get to spend time together.  Tonight is movie night...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Winter is my favorite season because of the snow. I love snow but am not keen on driving on it. My first time seeing snow was in October 1998 in South Dakota. Growing up in the Philippines, I thought snow was a make-believe, something that I could only see on a Christmas card sent by a relative from the US; not to mention, I watched the making of Little Women and saw how the "make-believe" snow was used on the film.  When the snow started falling, my officemates, who knew I hadn't seen snow, excitedly encouraged me to go out. Oh my Lord, I did go out, and when the first snow landed on me, I screamed, it's real, it's real, snow is real and was very emotional! I spent the rest of the day after work playing in the snow and taking pictures (of course). It was a tough winter in South Dakota with the blizzard and snowstorm. And oh boy, oh boy, it was bitterly cold. I experienced layering up going to work (3-4 layers of clothes, the...

It's been a dream of mine to be a blogger. In fact, I started a blog during "Friendster" days. Since it's a new year, I might as well start now, so read on. Remember, I am just thinking out loud.  As time permits, I will publish a blog as often as possible.  Goodbye, 2024; Hello, 2025! Saying goodbye to 2024 was easy because half of it has been tough, but all things considered, 2024 has been a good year. I moved into an office, became a supervisor, and learned a lesson about trust. I now have a new appreciation for friendship, for I have witnessed friends who stepped in when I needed them most, for which I am forever grateful.  I also discovered who my true friends are.  The best part of 2024 was my sister and her family's migration to America after 20+ years of waiting! I will write a separate blog about them. Stay tuned! 2024 has made me stronger, more determined, and more resilient. I have high hopes for 2025 and am confident it will be a better year than las...