My 2020

What a year it has been!

For most, if not all, it was not really a good year.

At the beginning of the year, I remember Taal Volcano erupted.  We are miles away from it but I remember it happening as a number of people are still reeling from the earthquakes in December 2019.  Classes were cut short and Christmas break came early at that time.  I remember the Taal Volcano eruption since Chesca's Kindermuisk classes had some changes to synchronize with their schedule in Manila.

I turned a year older in January.  All I can remember was that on the eve of my birthday, Chesca came to the room bringing a cake with a candle, which we blew together.  I cannot honestly recall how I spent my birthday.

February went on normally, although news about the Coronavirus started coming in.  JJ had to leave for Australia to study.

In the middle of March, classes were canceled. We stayed in our own house for about a week or two.  But when it became clear that the lockdown would be for a month or two, we decided to move to my parents' house as it is bigger and with more company, both for my parents and Chesca.

Our longtime helper was also asked by my Mom to leave due to misunderstandings.  So they were without any helper as well.

My second semester classes for Law School continued online.  I have already finished my classes and exams with my undergrad class for AdDU.  I was not able to give an exam for my UIC classes though.

Chesca did not have any issue staying at home for two months.  I think she enjoyed being with all of us, all day and night.

In April, we celebrated Chesca's 3rd Birthday party with a "Jungle Theme".  She still had fun with her stuff toy as her guests.  She enjoyed blowing her birthday candle several times and of course, opening her gifts.  I was so happy that I was still able to give her a themed birthday party.

During the two-month lockdown, I think I went out twice to buy stuff.  

Restrictions eased a bit by the middle of May .  I started reporting to the office.

I also got appointed as Assistant Dean of the AdDU - College of Law, which I am truly grateful.  I was not totally expecting it as it just came out of the blue.  I do remember that I received the news on Mother's Day.  

As the days went by, things got more busy with Law School as enrollment began.  Of course, a lot of transitioning happened with online delivery.  I had to attend meetings and training everywhere.  Add to the fact that I still had some lawyerly stuff to do.

Conducting online classes was not the easiest stuff to do, not to mention that I was handling 8 units for the first semester (What I was thinking?!?). Thankfully, I was able to manage all of it, though, I still have to finish checking the exams and submitting the final grades as of this writing.

I also had one undergrad with UIC.  It was not easy as well as I had to record all of my lectures.  The students did not have that much luxury being online with unstable internet connection and data consumption usage.  Yes, I talked to them and conducted exams wherein all I see are their profile pictures.  

Prior to the lockdown, Chesca started not wearing diapers during day time.  I wanted to use all her diapers first before to discontinue using it during night time.  But when I noticed that she does not pee on her diaper that much in the evening, I decided that it was about time.  So, it was in August were she started with no diapers at all.  It was such a breeze!  From the time she started not using diapers in the evening, I think she peed on the bed for less than 5 times.  At the onset, I brought her to pee in the middle of the night.  As the days progressed, she would also wake up and tell me she will go wee wee.  A few times, she went down the bed to go to the CR by herself (Of course, I noticed it and went with her).  

Chesca has her online classes as her school.  I think it does good for her.  But this is one thing that I had to juggle as well as I have to go home before her classes start at 4:00 pm, 3x a week.  Although, I am blessed that Johanna can cover for me at times.

Looking at Chesca watching Youtube videos of Disneyland and other places makes me sad as I want her to experience all of this.  We were supposed to go to London this December and I know how much she would have loved traveling.  I am really praying for better times, the sooner the better.

I still get teary eyed whenever I go to the mall and I see the Kidzoona and all those play areas closed and I can still all the toys.  

Watching and hearing the news are truly disheartening with the economic effect as a lot of people lost their income.  I continue to pray for better circumstances fo everyone.

Of course, there is that constant worry about this virus and constantly praying for protection for my family and friends all over the world.

Nonetheless, I am still grateful for our family is still surviving.  

Prior to the pandemic, I was extremely busy.  Things did not actually change after the two-month lockdown as I was still busy from May up to the present, maybe even more busy.

I am juggling things - taking care of my toddler, keeping our "room" clean and orderly, managing my classes and some administrative stuff, and coping up with my private practice.

I admit things have been hard between me and my spouse.  I am praying for things to be better.  

Here I am saying goodbye to 2020.  Yes, it was not that all bad for me.  I still do have a lot to thank for the year that was.  And I am so looking forward for better things this 2021!

Work It!

I chanced upon this one while "facebooking".

Not leaving the office on time - been there, done that! And I am actually "proud" of myself having undergone such process, like a badge on my sleeve.

I am not saying that everyone should choose to experience working endless hours in the office or wherever their workplace may be. But to go through such phase is quite an experience and you get to appreciate life more!

"Work is a never ending process. You can never finish all the work" - I remember one of my Indian team mates telling me "When I leave the office, you are still here. When I arrive in the morning, you are already here. Work will always be there, you will never run out of work." I laughed and gave him a big smile and to this day, I will always remember what he told me ;)

I can even remember those times when I had to leave work at around 12 mn to 2 am and be back at the office the next day at 8 am. I even found it "amusing" that the bus still had passengers at around such time because it was during December. One time, the bus was even quite full - all seats taken!

One time, I was at the office for 24 hours! I was supposed to leave earlier but the one who should relieve me woke up a bit late since she also worked overtime the day before. I didn't take it against her though because I understood her situation. I wasn't ready for that overtime so I had no extra clothes with me, no toothbrush! I just didn't know what to say when I met one of my managers on my way out and he was just coming in for work and I was still wearing the same clothes from the previous day. He gave me a funny puzzling look and somewhat said "You're only leaving now?"

I even remember that time my last day of work before the Christmas vacation. I reported early on a Friday and my flight for Davao was the at around 5 or 6 am the next day. I do not know what got into me but by Thursday night, I had all of my stuff ready. Maybe I already had a feeling that I was going to work late. And work late I did! I asked my housemates, who would be on the same flight with me to please bring my luggage and fetch me at the office at around 2 am. And off we went to the airport, with me wearing the same clothes I wore the day before. I tried to sleep while waiting for our flight but I guess I, together with my Davao friends, was just excited going home for a vacation. When we were seated, I immediately dozed off. I woke up and thought we were already in Davao. My friend told me we were still in Manila and apparently, there was a problem with regard to a baby who was a passenger in the said flight. I was just so tired that I went back to sleep .. hehe

I try to come to work early - at least before 8.00 or 8.30 am because I do not want to get caught up in traffic or find myself waiting for a ride for quite some time. Admittedly, there are times when there is not much work, but I still stay at the office because it is so hard to get a ride when the bus or the jeepney is full plus I have to consider the additional time I have to spend in traffic. So, I would rather stay late.

And there was even one whole month wherein I spend every single day at the office - yes, including Saturdays and Sundays! I know! Tsk, tsk

I also read one time that the overtime we do is usually the reason why we need to work overtime the next day or why we need to work more hours. Our average capacity is 8 working hours. Beyond that, we are prone to errors and mistakes - in other words, despite the long hours, we are actually less productive. Beyond the 8 hours, we think less clearly and become less focused. As such, errors and mistakes will arise. Thus, additional hours will be needed for reworks and remedies.

As I look back to those days, I do not regret experiencing it. I have learned a lot from my experience. But I am happy that it is over, hehe.

Nowadays, I rarely do overtime work as a practicing lawyer. Although, I usually arrive home late, it is because I teach at night. I do some teaching work at home though - checking papers, preparing test questions and studying for my lectures. But teaching gives me such joy ;) So, it's not really overtime .. hehe