Staying Mentally Healthy during this quarantine

Even if we were aware that coronavirus started in Wuhan sometime December 2019, nobody saw its rapid spread across the globe.  Governments made hurried decisions to shutdown the countries´borders and to confine the citizens in their home as a corrective measure.  Suddenly, we are facing a new way of life. Working from home while homeschooling our children, literally staying at home and being with our family 24/7, queuing to buy anything (medicines, groceries, pastries, etc), using face masks and gloves whenever outside.  On top of these, there is this growing anxiety as we fear for the welfare and safety of our love ones, the increasing negative news impacting our emotional state and the uncertainty of our future.  

As we face these situations, it is imperative that we do a regular check on our mental and emotional stability. As a person diagnosed with anxiety disorder and agoraphobia, I consistently and systematically check my emotions. Anxiety disorder is unlike getting a wound that you can see the cut, put a band-aid and you know that it is healing as the cut closes and dries up. It is most likely that we are going through an anxiety phase without us even knowing it. General anxiety is triggered by situations that we need to deal with. We can incorporate healthy habits in our daily living that will help us proactively shake off anxiety both in a conscious and unconscious way. 

1. It is important that we dedicate time to do mindful breathing (profound diaphram breathing) as it allows us to be present and connect to our senses.  Recommendation:  Take 5 mindful breathings everyday (close your eyes, breathe profoundly, hold your breath and release the air).
  
2. We need to rise above the negative situation and practice mindful gratitude. While it is most unfortunate that the pandemic has taken lives, employment and has shaken our global economy, there is still beauty in our life. We need to challenge ourselves to always look at the positive and bright side of life. There is always a reason to be thankful for. 

3. As the world is slowly opening and adapting to the new normal, we should ensure that we continue to have our personal space.  While I love being with my family and I am a die hard, super duper fan of working from home, I take the time to go out on the slots approved by the government for adult outdoor activities.  During that slot, I do my mindful walking - I walk at my pace, I observe my surroundings and I reconnect with myself. I use this personal time, space to find my silence and recharge. Charity begins at home. If I am not an ease or not at the pink of health, I will not be able to take care of my family. I need to be at peace with myself so I can radiate and influence positivism as well. 
  
4. We need to prioritize. We all have our plates full. We all have multiple roles - wife, mother, employee/professional, etc.  So we do not succumb to stress nor die in the attempt, it is important that we prioritize our tasks and our goals on a daily basis.  We only have 24 hours a day or 8-15 hours of productive hours. We finish what is due for today and tomorrow is another day! 

5. We need to Accept the new normal.  We need to get used to wearing mask as part of our streetstyle fashion and hopefully it will be temporary. :) 

6. We need to make the conscious effort to be relaxed, to be free from stress and anxiety. Remember, it is not about what happen to you but about how you respond to it.  Life is 10% of what happens and 90% of how you react to it. Sing, cook, read, exercise, watch Kdramas 😁, eat some chocolates, drink moderately, or do anything that will make you feel relaxed. You deserve it! 

Remember, life is beautiful; la vida es bella; kay ganda ng buhay. 😊😍😇

The New Normal 

 Not my photo. CTTO. 

Not my photo. CTTO. 

Covid Chronicles: The NEW Normal

Spain has been in a state of emergency and quarantine since March 12 due to covid pandemic.  This means that academic institutions were closed and replaced by online, virtual classes. Government has mandated enterprises to practice work from home if possible. All business related activities (tourism, etc) that cannot work from home have been shut down except in the cases of healthcare, drugstores and food/supermarkets. All with the objective to reduce people in the street and stop the spread of coronavirus.  

After 49 days, 7 weeks of quarantine, today, May 2, 2020, the adults and older people, were finally allowed to do some outdoor activity.  There is a gradual process in the exposure of the people to outdoor activities.  This is all aligned with the indicators that the Spain government, together with the WHO and the experts, have defined to limit to the minutest level the covid relapse. 

I am a stickler for routine and compliance and I can safely say that I (and my family) are following the government´s and the experts advice on  social distancing, usage of protective gears and accessories and timeslots to manage the turnout of the people on the street.  These norms are most likely to stay for quite a while until the covid vaccine is available.  These norms are our NEW normal.  Sharing with you our NEW normal as we all combat covid.  

Activity:	Pre-Covid:	Post-Covid/The New Normal:
Casual gear for a quick walk in the park, quick shopping, jog in the park etc.	Autumn and Winter:  Dress, Stockings, Socks, Coat and shoes or boots Spring and Summer:  Shorts, skirts, shirts, sandals, sneakers, slip ons and slippers	Autumn, Winter, Spring Summer:  Gear + Protective gears – mask and gloves Upon return to my home: throw rotective gears, wash hands thoroughly, disinfect  leather bag, grocery cart or reusable grocery bag  (if is cloth, put it in the washing machine), wallet, mobile phone, headset, whiteflower, rosary,   eyeglasses, shoes, etc Remove street clothes in your mudroom or main entrance Take a hot, relaxing shower
Bicycle ride in the park, basketball game in the park, etc.	Take your bike, basketball, etc and upon reaching home, park the bike and store, safekeep the basketball	Upon reaching home before parking  bike, trolley, and storing  basketball:  DISINFECT THEM.
Shopping, buying simple things from your friendly neighborhood stores (drugstores, groceries, flowers, newspapers, magazines, etc) Shopping for whims (bags, clothes, books,  fashion accessories)	Everyone is in the store while patiently waiting for one´s turn	1 – 15 clients inside the store, depending on its size, hand disinfectant and gloves are a requirement prior to entering the establishment Credit card is the promoted, preferred mode of payment Online shopping is a go to option
Church visit and church gatherings	Almost elbow to elbow “closeness” in the pews Completely filled with churchgoers	Still to be formalized and communicated but it is most likely that a 1-2m distance in the pews is going to be observed
Visitors in one´s home	Sky is the limit, after all it is your home	In our home: visitors are requested to leave their shoes in the mudroom/main room
School activities – school, lunch in school canteen, extra curricular activities (swimming, judo, painting, language classes, etc)	Crowded classrooms with approximately 20-30 students depending on the school population Common lunch time with approximately 400 – 1200 students in the school canteen depending on the school population Extracurricular with a minimum of 15 students depending on the theme	Still to be formalized.  I am certain that all parents are anxious to know the NEW normal in the schools.
Office Greetings/introductions	Formal Handshake 2 Cheek Kisses Hugs (I am a big hugger than a 2 cheek kisses person hahaha)	Acknowledgment nod with smiling eyes Beautiful, welcome smile Most likely to maximize work from home scheme to maximize social distancing and conference calls Offices will be redesigned to have at least 1-2m of distance
Public Social Gatherings	Big parties Stadium filled audience watching football games, concerts Movie house, restaurants, bars, museums	Very limited turnout, audience on public events.  The government has announced that no big summer festivities are allowed this summer 2020 to respect and promote social distancing There are machines undergoing tests to validate turnout, headcount of audience on public gatherings such as concerts, etc.  This will ensure that the expected headcount is respected and is compliant with the social distancing norms. This leaves a big impact on the businesses´ profitability
Public Transport	During peak hours: cheek to cheek mode with the other passengers.  Passengers running and pushing to get in the train or subway. Usual sight of passengers coughing, sneezing without protective gears nor usage of hands to cover the mouth. Every quarter or semester thorough cleaning and disinfection of the train and subway tracks and coaches	The usage of mask is mandatory and social distancing must be implemented (the how of this remains to be seen when we are in full force in commuting). Daily disinfection of the train and subway tracks and coaches

Let´s trust the process.  Everything happens for a reason. This too shall pass.  Let´s stay positive.  Take care. 

The New Normal:  massive use of masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Staple pàrt of our street and casual fashion. 😊😉

 Photo Courtesy of RTVE.ES

Photo Courtesy of Elpais.com

Covid Chronicles: My personal list after the quarantine

Today, April 26, after 46 days of confinement, the Spain government allowed the children, infant to 12 years old, to go outdoors.  This is a milestone as we are flattening the curve, there are lower incidents of new Covid cases and for the past few days, the statistics of the treated patients are higher than the victims.  Praise and Thank God for His mercy and healing grace. 

My son was hesitant to go out but eventually, he did go out with dad for a quick outdoor experience, complying with the social distancing and safety protocols laid out by the government. 

I hope and pray that albeit slow, we will be able to establish our lifestyle and adapt to the new normal.  I am hopeful that small and medium sized businesses, that self employed entrepreneurs will be able to get back to full operations, that we will be able to report back physically to our offices, that school will resume and that we will be able to take the public transport again and many other things, as these would signify that we are beating the covid.  

In the meantime, here is a short personal list of the shops, bars, restos and activities that I will indulge myself into when the confinement is lifted and we adjust to our new normal.  Note:  This is a very personal list.  This is a reflection of what I truly, terribly missed at a personal, whimsy level. 

I will dine at or order to go at: 
1. Bite Me Cafe - they serve the most delicious, innovative flavors of artisan vegan donuts/halos. 
2. Restaurante Veronica - they have the most delicious home made foie, good food and desserts in general, fanciful interior, amazing service and lovely people! We are regulars since 2006! They´ve seen me when I was pregnant and my son is growing up in their eyes as well! 
3. Go Hyang Mat - the best Korean restaurant in the city! And it is in my neighborhood! They serve the best JapChae, Bulgogi, Bibimbap, Jemulyeon, Rice cakes! Everything is delicious and really affordable! 
4. Hattori Hanzo - a fusion Japanese resto that serves really refreshing ramen, baos and takoyaki! Delicious! 
5. Taberna Maceira - our go to place for quick, economical, classic Spanish tapas and cuisine. They have the classic pulpo (octopus), croquettes, chorizo (I am drooling as I write this hahahah) 😊😉😋 And they have refreshing wine and classic Spanish desserts! 
6. Five Guys Burger - my go to fastfood and comfort food - hamburger or hotdog with cheese and milkshake 😋😋😋
7. Pasteleria Mallorca - freshly baked canapes, pastries and healthy comfort food 
8. O Paso De Lugo - classic spanish cuisine, really good good food - callos, tapas, lacon, everything is just good in this resto! Really love this!! And its in my neighborhood!! 

I will go to: 
1. Churches:  I would love to go back to Jesus de Medinacelli, Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Almudena Church or just simply be in the church in my friendly neighborhood. 
2. Retiro Park 
3. C/Huertas, Sol, Calle Arenal, Gran Via, Plaza de España, Callao
4. Cercedilla for a hiking or walking 
5. Paseo Castellana for a long (approx. 7,5 kms) and tranquil walk 
6. Casa de Campo for a long quiet walk and to have some sort of "nature feels" 
7. Madrid Rio 
8. Museo de Ferrocarril 
9. Museums - Reina Sofia, Thyssen, Prado

I will avail of the following services: 
1. Acupuncture, Kobido and Ventosa massage at Yo Me Cuido
2. Foot Spa and pedicure
3. Full Body Massage at The Organic Spa
4. Eyebrows waxing/trimming and facial hair removal 
5. Hand waxing 

I feel like dreaming as I write this.  I am seizing the day.  I know in God´s perfect time, everything will fall into place and we will be able to enjoy our new normal. In the meantime, let us continue to trust the process, do our part so that we will continue to combat covid and as what they say in the kdramas, "AJA! HWAITING!" (which means: Never give up, never stop fighting, Fighting!). 

Covid Chronicles: Q&A in this time of Covid

Working from home with the kiddos is literally juggling between the kids, family and work.  My 9 year old love of my life, my precious son, is always understanding with our work commitments. But there are days that he is more clingy. And when he sits on my lap and looks at me with the puppy eyes, please mom look, how can my heart not melt and give in?  In one of my conference calls, he gladly obliged for a Q&A as I cannot move away from my laptop and my headset.  😀😀

Sharing with you our random and impromptu Q&A, done on April 16, 4pm.  

I had to be somewhat present in my conference call but the important thing is my son and I had a quick yet meaningful mom and son quality time.  I love you always my son! Always and forever! 

Question	Answer
How many days are we in quarantine	A LOT (with feelings!)
What do you miss most during this quarantine	My school
Who do you miss most during this quarantine	My friends and family/relatives
What have you been eating	A LOT of stuff
What is your most favorite activity during this quarantine	Doing homework, I really like that
Do you take a shower daily	No
Do you brush your teeth daily	Yes
Have you been sleeping late	Yes
Have you been sleeping well	Yeap
What will be your 1st activity when quarantine is lifted	Go out to the park, go to school
Message to Covid	You're stupid and I hate you
Are you happy with the way the govt is managing the covid pandemic	Yes, because they are doing their best
Do you clap your hands at 8pm to salute the frontliners	Yes
What is your favorite TV program during this covid	Victorious of Nikoledeon
What is your favorite movie	Toy Story 4
Have you been spending lots of time with mom and dad	Yes
Who spends more time with you dad or mom	Both
What keeps you busy	Doing homework and playing with my toys
Have you been reading a lot	Yes
What was the last book that you read	Geronimo Stilton Wild, Wild West
What is your typical bfeakfast	Cookies, toast and milk
What is your typical snacks	Apple
What is a new skill that you have learned during this quarantine	I learned how to do canapes
What values did you learn or relearn	To be more respectful and contain my emotions especially when I want to go out
What household chore do you do	Prepare the dining table, clear the dining table and tidy up my toys
Do you wash your hands often	Yes
Do you watch Kdramas with Mom	Sometimes
Kim Soo Hyun or Lee Min Ho	None of them
Do you talk to Google Nano/Okay Google	Sometimes
What was the last song you requested from Okay Google	Follow the Leader by Wysin and Yandel
What was the last song you sang	Well, I practically didn't sing any song
What was the last meal that you ate	Chicken Curry
Who cooked the chicken curry	My Mom
Was it delicious	Yes, pretty delicious I have to say. It was the best chicken curry I've had in my life
Message	We can do this! We can beat this virus, once and for all.

Covid Chronicles: To Miss or Not To Miss.

Covid pandemic has changed our lifestyle and routine.  Am I missing my old routine or not? We are already on day 31 of the home confinement and the change has been noticeable.
While I am most grateful that I can work from home and that I am blessed with the essential resources to adapt in this home confinement. And needless to say, as an authentic introvert this home confinement has gave me so much time for my much needed retrospection and introspection.  

But, a coin always has 2 faces. There are many facets of living that I am missing while we are in this period of quarantine.

1. Cleaning up:  Read:  Dressing up, putting on very light make-up, wearing my fancy shoes, accessories and putting on my gorgeous bags.
2. Rushing :) while tranquility is good, the occasional adrenalin rush caused by almost fixed public transport schedules, one meeting room to another, etc is a good booster
3. Seeing my boylets in the office! Yes, I am married, a mom and an old woman but... that does not mean that I no longer appreciate the looks and the appeal of my colleagues. I´ve always had my top 5 in every organization I´ve been through. I miss seeing, saying hi and chatting with my top 5 at work.
4. Interacting with people - Visiting and getting in touch with family and friends. interacting and exchanging casual conversations withcolleagues and the cleaning lady at work.  It is amazing how a simple hi, hola, que tal, lead to profound conversations!
5. Doing our Family weekend routine - my personal early morning weekend run and long walks, weekend family dine out, weekend family long walks, visits to the park. Being spontaneous - not having plan and just taking the metro or having my feet lead me to wherever, especially on weekends.
6. Queuing and witnessing busy lines and almost "cheek to cheek" closeness in the supermarkets, public transports, bakeshops. :)
7. Buying my magazine supplies in my favorite magazine kiosk.
8. Doing online shopping and the operation is seamless. Nowadays, there is a seeming high volume of online transactions!
9.  Going to the church.

I maybe confined in my home but I am loving every second of it. As I stay at home during this covid pandemic, I am most grateful to:
1. Be able to fulfill this full time homemaker routine and lifestyle - household chores, domestic living, unlimited and limitless cooking
2. Have unhurried time to do all the household chores and work responsibilities
3. Have all of my Me time anytime I want to - reading time, meditation in the form of ironing the clothes, journaling (after 8 long months, I am able to update my blog, yehey!!) etc
4. Have unlimited netflix time (yes, you are talking to one couch potato here)
5. Be able to video call with my family in the Philippines, anytime. 
6. Have all the time spent for all of my indoor physical exercises and activities.
7. Have all the time with my family - spending time with my son and husband is just the best!  Family mealtime together, always! The family that eats, prays, plays, laughs, talks and does things  together, stays together.

Life is not perfect but life is beautiful.  Hopefully, we will be able to go back to our normal routine.  Resuming to our normal routine means that the covid effect is diminishing  and we are  flattening the curve;  restaurants, museums, schools and all other trade, commerce and businesses will resume operations, so hopefully the economic impact will be mitigated. 

In the meantime, let us continue to pray and seize the day. Enjoy every moment of this. There is always a silver lining no matter how difficult, gray and gloomy times may be. Hang on and keep the faith.

The Amateur Cook in Me.. Filipino Classics in this time of covid quarantine

The kitchen is my sanctuary.  I am so fortunate that in this period of quarantine, I am able to do mindful cooking. And the result is tastier, more delicious food!! My outpouring love as I cooked the dishes was so evident in the taste!! 

This is a homage to the Filipina and the Ilocana in me. :)Mangan tayon! :) 

Main dishes:  Chicken Adobo Flakes 
Ginisang Repolyo with Canned Tuna and Sardines 

Snacks: - typical during the lenten season 
Ginataang Bilo Bilo 
Biko with Latik (Glutinous Rice with Coconut Curd) 

Chicken Adobo Flakes 
Complexity: Easy 
Prep and Cooking Time:  45 minutes 

Ingredients: 
1. Chicken wings or chicken thighs 
2. Soy sauce 
3. Vinegar 
4. Lots of peppercorn 
5. Lots of garlic, minced 
6. Water 
7. Olive oil 
8. Diced potatoes, optional 
9. Ginger, optional

1. Heat the pan with olive oil. 
2. Slightly fry the potatoes until they are light brown.  Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add a portion of the minced garlic and the ginger.  Mix. 
4. Add the chicken and cook until they are brown. 
5. Add the peppercorn, soy sauce, vinegar, water and let it boil. Upon boiling set to medium fire until the water evaporates and the chicken is cooked (typically in 10 minutes).   
6. When the chicken is cooked, separate the chicken from the adobo sauce (strain). Debone the chicken and cut them into strips. Set aside. 
7. In a separate heated pan, put olive oil, the remaining garlic, the deboned chicken and the fried diced potatoes.  Pour the remaining adobo sauce and cook for additional 10 minutes until the sauce is reduced. 
8. Ready to serve and enjoy with steamed white rice!! Naimas! Masarap!! Que rico!! 

Ginisang Repolyo with Canned Tuna and Sardines 
Complexity: Easy 
Prep and Cooking Time:  25 minutes 

Ingredients: 
1. Minced Garlic
2. Minced Onion
3. Olive Oil 
4. Fish Sauce and Water 
5. Ground black pepper 
6. Cabbage thinly sliced 
7. Carrots sliced in julienne 
8. Canned Tuna and Sardines 

1. Heat the pan with olive oil.  Saute garlic and onion. 
2. Add the cabbage and the carrots. Add the black pepper. Mix. Cover and let it steam for 3 minutes.  Mix well. 
3. Add the canned tuna and sardines.  Add the fish sauce. Mix and add water. 
4. Let it boil.  And then simmer until the cabbage is cooked (additional 10 minutes). 
5.  Serve with white steamed rice!! Enjoy!! Naimas!! Masarap! Que rico! 


Ginataang Bilo-bilo 
Complexity:  Easy 
Prep and Cooking time:  45 minutes 

Ingredients: 
1. 1 can coconut milk 
2. Glutinous flour
3. Sweet potato/camote, diced 
4. Banana, sliced 
5. Optional:  langka, ube halaya, tapioca 
6. Brown sugar 

1.  To prepare the bilo-bilo:  in a bowl, mix the glutinous flour and water until they are all incorporated and sticky.  Using yours hands, form in small circles the bilo-bilo and set aside. 
2. Pour a portion of the coconut milk with water and the diced sweet potato in a pot.  Upon 1st boiling, add the rest of the ingredients - banana, langka, ube halaya, tapioca, bilo-bilo (glutinous flour), coconut milk and brown sugar. 
3. Cook until all the ingredients are properly incorporated and cooked.  
4. Serve and enjoy while still hot!! 


Biko (Glutinous Sticky Rice with Coconut Curd) 
Complexity:  Easy but requires a lot of muscle strength for mixing 
Prep and Cooking time:  45 minutes 

Ingredients: 
1. Glutinuous Rice. cleaned and washed 
2. Coconut Milk 
3. Brown sugar 

1. In a pot, put the glutinous rice with coconut milk (1 cup). Cook until the glutinous rice has absorbed all the liquid and has rice texture. 
2. In a separate pot, pour the coconut milk (1 - 2 cups) and let it boil and evaporate until all is left the coconut oil and the coconut curd.  Stir to avoid being burnt.  Set aside. 
3. In a separate pot, pour 2 cups of coconut milk and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Mix well, until a slightly thick consistency is achieved. Add the cooked glutinous rice and mix well, until all the ingredients are properly incorporated. 
4. Transfer the biko (cooked glutinous rice) in a tray and put the latik (coconut curd) as toppings.