The DJ who's not a DeeJay

During the pandemic, we made use of the limited space on our 22nd-floor balcony and started to plant. We tried different fruit and vegetable plants. I wanted to try growing an ornamental plant. After carefully selecting which one would most likely grow and look nice, we decided on planting sunflowers. 

We initially had three, but the other two did not survive past a few weeks. The one remaining sunflower, though, did flourish and grow to about 3 feet tall. Caring for it and watering it every morning paid off. After it reached its maximum height, it started to blossom. 

It made every morning exciting to see how the sunflower's petals would unfold. I was also surprised at how big the flower is. I wasn't able to grow a sunflower again, but I'm glad I've successfully gotten to grow one. 

My next challenge would probably be trying to grow a bunch of sunflowers together.

I received my driver's license while still in college. When I was 17, I obtained a student license and a driver's license shortly thereafter. I was fortunate because my parents occasionally let me borrow the family automobile to drive to school. We had a Ford Mustang, so driving to school in a sports car seemed cool.

"Fast forward" to now, and with over 30 years of driving experience, I've driven five different cars, logged thousands of kilometers, and have only been arrested for a traffic offense twice

I've also been fortunate to dodge a couple accidents, one of which was a little bump into a bend. I'm also glad I don't have any road rage. Being patient and calm is quite beneficial while driving.

Looking forward to getting more mileage out of my driving skills and thankful that I'm safe.

Among the things I am grateful for, I didn't need to do anything or work hard for this one. I thank my parents, particularly my mom, from whom I inherited her curly locks. 

I grew my hair long a few times just to see where the curls would go. I found out that it spirals the longer it grows.  Having wavy hair also helps cover those spots where hair isn't as abundant as before.

the longer the hair, the wavier it gets

I know that friends have remembered me for my hair, so I treat it as part of my uniqueness.

For now, I will continue to treasure the wavy hair, and I hope there will still be some left to comb and twirl in the years to come.

4. BEGIN CODE

One of the skills I that really helped me in several aspects is that I know computer programming. Nowadays, it's called coding, but back then, you needed to learn computer languages to program.

I'm thankful that my Computer Science degree in college is forward compatible with new skillsets needed today. I may not be creating programs, games, or apps, but the analytical skills, computer logic, and mindset of how a computer works has been useful in different fields. Also, being introduced to AI (Artificial Intelligence) 30 years ago surely helps now that it's mainstream. It sure helps talking to a computer easier knowing how they think and process data.

played key roles in organizing hackathons, such as Tech Canp.

I know I'm not the best, but it only takes a solid grasp of the fundamentals of programming to understand a lot of what is happening in the world of tech today.

Here's a quick list of things I've programmed/coded before:

1. a virus 

2. an anti-virus

3. a game

4. dozens of websites

5. automated processing

6. audit trails

7. content generator

8. content scrapper

9. content management system (CMS)

10. poetry simulator / lyrics generator

Who knows? May be I'll come up with some big idea soon.

END CODE

 3.  Almost became a black belter in Tae-Kwon-Do.

During summer break in my third year of high school, my parents enrolled me in a summer class of Tae-Kwon-Do at the Virramall gym in Greenhills. I was lucky to be under the tutelage of Grandmaster Sung-Chon Hong, the founder of the Philippine Taekwondo Association.

It was fun and I made new friends in the two months of training. But it ended short right after our promotion when we all underwent the proficiency tests. We all got promoted from white belt to yellow belt, some mostly low tier yellow, and some, including me, were lucky to get promoted to high yellow belt status. I also got to witness the beginnings of Monsour Del Rosario, Stephen Fernandez, and gymnast Bea Lucero, where we shared the same training area and taught by Mr. Hong.

When school resumed, I had a choice to continue my Tae-Kwon-Do training on top of my studies or stop. I wanted to continue so I had to bring my Tae-Kwon-Do uniform with me three times a week to school and take a 1 hour commute to my dojo. I continued my training for almost a year and got promoted from yellow, to blue, to red, to brown.  

Being one belt away from being a black belter, I did have my reservations about taking the promotion. And at this stage, I also had to prioritize my studies much more as I was graduating. So I opted to stop training and never did reach the last set of tests as the final promotion to black belt.

Do I have any regrets? It would have been a nice title and achievement to add to my skills but I'm just happy I've reached the brown belt status. The discipline I gained from learning this martial art has proven to be very valuable in different aspects of my life.  Knowledge of self-defense is a bonus.

Chah-ryut, Joon-bee.

Context: 
On May 5, 2024, I started a list of things for which I am grateful. It could be a talent, an event, or a memory that helped shape who I am or had an impact on my life. One blog entry, one item, one day. The items will be in random order but they will all be things that have influenced me in a small or huge manner.

Today, I will start a list of things for which I am grateful. It could be a talent, an event, or a memory that helped shape who I am or had an impact on my life.

One blog entry, one item, one day. The items will be in random order but they will all be things that have influenced me in a small or huge manner.

Domain Dreams: My 20+ Year Journey Investing in Digital Property

Back in 2001, the internet was a wild west, and domain names were like gold nuggets. I, starry-eyed and optimistic, dove in headfirst, and at one time owned over 20 domain names. Two decades later, the landscape has changed dramatically, and my digital property portfolio is a mixed bag. I computed a total of over USD $4,000. for all my domain purchases since I started buying, So, was it worth it? Let's explore the world of investing in digital property, with a dose of real-life experience thrown in.

The Allure of Digital Real Estate:

In the early days, domains felt like prime real estate in the virtual world. They offered branding potential, website-building possibilities, and even a touch of speculative thrill. I envisioned catchy names becoming valuable assets, generating income through rentals or sales.

The Reality Check:

Fast forward to today, and the picture is less rosy. Some of my domains remained unused, victims of changing trends or niche markets that never materialized. Others have seen modest value appreciation, but nothing life-changing. The initial excitement has given way to a more pragmatic understanding of the market.

Lessons Learned:

Do your research: Don't just buy domains based on whims or trends. Research the keywords, market demand, and potential uses. Remember, a domain is only valuable if you're gonna use it or someone wants it.

Focus on quality, not quantity: It's better to have a few high-potential domains than a graveyard of irrelevant ones. Invest in names that are brandable, memorable, and relevant to a specific niche.

Be patient: Building value in a domain takes time and effort. Don't expect overnight riches. Think of it as a long-term investment, not a get-rich-quick scheme.

Explore alternative uses: Don't limit yourself to selling or renting. Consider using your domains for building websites, creating content, or even developing online businesses.

Is it Worth It?

Investing in digital property can be rewarding, but it's not for everyone. It requires careful research, a long-term perspective, and a willingness to adapt. If you're passionate about the online world and have a knack for spotting valuable names, it could be a worthwhile venture. However, remember, it's not a guaranteed path to riches.

My Final Thoughts:

The domains that were the most valuable to me were the ones I actively used to build websites because they added branding, value, and searchability on the net. I still buy domains with initial concepts and ideas in mind but don't always follow through on these projects. Sometimes, I do the research and deliberation after buying. It's always a risk but a calculated one if you know how to valuate your domains and your website.

My journey with domain investing has been a learning experience. While I haven't struck gold, I've gained valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding of the digital landscape. If you're considering investing in digital property, approach it with caution, do your research, and be prepared for the long haul. Remember, the most valuable asset you have is your time and expertise. Use them wisely to navigate the ever-evolving world of online real estate.

Do you have any experience with investing in digital property? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below!

I've been having a lot of thoughts, insights, opinions, and realizations and haven't been diligently adding them to my blog. I've been a bit preoccupied with a lot of stuff left and right, but I do think it's a missed opportunity if I don't get to share my thoughts with the world.

It may be something I have just learned but known to the public or an opinion that could be a subject for discussion and insights.

Using YouTube as my preferred search engine has also sparked my curiosity in multiple directions.

So what's my thought for the day? That's my thought. And I will think about it more by writing about it.

I hope you join me and my interests. Maybe some of them are yours too!

Writing mode: on.

The theme for this year's World Tourism Day is "Tourism and Green Investments," emphasizing the need for greater and better-targeted investments for people, planet, and prosperity.

In celebration of World Tourism Day, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to catch up with my travel blogger friends and revisit their blogs.

Wendy from whywendywrites.com

I reconnected with my former colleague, Wendy Ng, who is passionate about travel and tourism. We worked as part of a Public Affairs team, but I was pleasantly surprised when I learned then that she is also a travel writer who has been writing about travel since 2013.

Wendy believes that knowing more allows us to travel better, so she writes to provide useful information to travelers and to promote appreciation and understanding of the places they visit, as well as the local communities and their stories.

Wendy's publications and guides have also appeared in a variety of media, including Tripadvisor, Klook, Skyscanner, Tripzilla, and others I personally use for reviews and suggestions. She has also worked with the Taiwan Tourism Administration Singapore, the Japan National Tourism Organization, and the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau, and she has published various travel guides for Japan and Taiwan.

Knowing Wendy's vast travel experience, I asked her what advice she could give to other travelers like me, and what her message is for World Tourism Day.

I can't say I'm celebrating an anniversary as it's not something I'd like to celebrate. But it's been just about a year since I experienced COVID-19 and acknowledging it is an understatement.

Having experienced COVID at a time when the pandemic wasn't able to assure you of getting well or having nothing to worry about is something that I will remember for my lifetime. 

(Read my personal accounts of having COVID in 2022 here)

Health and wellness monitoring didn't stop after getting well from COVID. The side effect I experienced was having asthma which is something I never had in the past. I guess now I know what it feels like and have learned how to control or avoid it. 

Fast forward to today in a world where a lot of health protocols have been suspended and are optional. It's good to look toward a new normal that doesn't involve fear of acquiring it. But I am well aware that the battle for complete eradication of the virus is not yet totally won. Staying safe is still something me and my family observe with additional precautions. It is my hope that the people who we interact and engage with face to face are also responsible for their respective health and wellness.

I think COVID-19 has managed to make everyone be more aware of their health and take extra measures to ensure they don't have the virus. On the other hand, there are some who think they are invincible, and immune, and have let their guard down just because fewer people are getting it. I pray for all of my loved ones to be safe from sickness and for doctors and scientists to continue discovering ways to eradicate this virus.

In the meantime, stay safe everyone, and don't keep your guard down.

 

We've been decluttering since we merged all our stuff from 3 different places. You'll find out that duplicates of things per household will pile up and take up space. We've covered a lot of ground, especially with clothes and books. We're now on to decors and the one thing that we found we have a lot of are picture frames.

Picture frames are a great way to display your memories and artwork, but they can also take up a lot of space. Dealing with too many picture frames can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some of these tips to declutter your frames and create a more stylish and organized home.

1. Reduce the size of your frames. If you have a lot of bulky photo frames, you can resize them, add a mat, or use a floating frame to make them smaller. This will give your frames a more modern and streamlined appearance while also saving you room.

2. Clear out your picture frames. Examine your photo frames carefully and select the ones you truly adore. Remove any frames that no longer provide you delight or that do not match your décor. This will allow you to eliminate clutter in your home and make displaying your favorite images easier.

3. Display your frames in a creative way. If you don't want to get rid of any of your picture frames, you can creatively display them. You might use them to make a gallery wall, display them on a bookshelf, or even decorate a coffee table. Mix and match and try out several looks and locations.

Yes! It's called Grey The Tabby Cat! 

Backstory: For the past two years, I've been keenly studying and following YouTube strategies and have learned a lot about strategies, content creation, and managing a channel. I thought it would be a great time to put all my knowledge to good use and prove those theories, strategies, and tips right.

My main YouTube channel, though, is really a personal one that I created way back in 2007. Since I wasn't actively recording video clips then, I was limited to the random video clips I took from my phone or of some place I visited if I brought my digicam with me. A few years later, I did a purge, removing videos that I found irrelevant or not in line with my channel. What was left were mainly music videos of me playing the piano or organ. As much as I enjoy playing music, I knew that recording music videos and posting regularly would take up a lot of time, not to mention the time I needed to practice and rehearse each song.

My channel is still there with all my music performances, but it's more for sharing with friends, and sometimes a few people like the music they hear. And I'm thankful for that. However, posting anything other than music may be counterproductive to its growth.

I created a test channel to learn more without disrupting my main channel. It helped me a lot to experience firsthand how to maximize its use, and I really learned a lot. So I was ready to create a new themed channel and apply all that I had learned. But what other topic should I consider?

I was always fascinated by how many cat videos were on YouTube, but I never thought of creating videos myself. After all, we didn't have a cat.

BUT WAIT!!!

We do have cats that visit us every day. They're feral cats that live in the neighborhood and visit most of the homes on our block, including ours. When we first moved in, we noticed a certain gray cat would roam around, seeming eager to meet the new owners. As a family, we found ourselves talking about the cat over meals, and so I figured that sharing this and our experience with a feral cat would be a nice niche for a YouTube channel. And so Grey The Tabby Cat's YouTube channel was born.

I'm happy to say that to date, there have been 13 episodes. I post once a week (every Friday night or Saturday morning) and upload a few YouTube shorts during the rest of the week.

Ready to binge-watch Grey and learn more about him and his life?

Here's an episode run-down:

1. Intro to Grey / Trailer

2. Where Is Grey’s Sweet Spot?

3. Uncovering The Secrets of the Garden of Grey

4. Grey’s Night Out (From Dusk Till Dawn)

5. How Grey Got His Name (It’s Not What You Think)

6. Grey The Scavenger or Explorer?

7. Did Food Lead Grey Here?

8. The Tale of Grey’s Tail

9. The Grey Heart (Not As Gray As You Think)

10. The Grey Montage / Grey The Model

11. 5 Interesting Facts About Grey You Didn’t Know

12. Look out Grey: There’s a New Tabby In Town

13. Could This Young Tabby Be Grey’s Daughter?

Do say "hello" to Grey the cat in the video comments!

Hope you subscribe and like the videos. 

MEOW!

Toy photography has become a popular hobby among toy collectors. It's a way to show off your collection, and it's also a lot of fun. Taking photos of your toys can be a great way to enhance your joy as a collector.

Taking Photos of Toys For Fun

Toy photography has been around since the early days of film photography, with early enthusiasts using their toys to create scenes and stories. Today, toy photography has evolved into a popular art form, with enthusiasts using creative techniques to capture images of their toys.

Toy photography can be a fun and creative way to enhance your enjoyment of your toy collection. It can also be a great way to meet other like-minded people and share your passion for toys. 

In 2020, the pandemic forced most of us to stay home in lieu of lockdowns and avoid public places. The new norm forced a lot of daily dynamics to change, including clothes.

Fast forward to 2022. Most of my clothes have either been in boxes or on hangers for the longest time. And the clothes that are in heavy rotation are my home clothes. Some of them are getting worn out. But I just realized what I wore every day during the pandemic: my slippers.

And after over 3 years of using my slippers at home, even before the pandemic began, they finally gave out last month. My most comfy pair of slippers has made its last step.

It took me a while to find a replacement of the same brand or a similar design, but I finally found one. It’s not as soft as my old pair and it needs some training because the strap keeps on twisting. In time, it will know my steps as much as Google knows my location.

It is also comforting to know that my new pair of slippers can endure the toughest mountain trails, the steepest climbs, and the most extreme conditions. But the reality is that it won't leave home for its entire lifespan. So much for adventure. But I will wear you every day with love.

Walk onwards.

(Note: I actually bought thee pairs cause it was on sale.)

You run the risk of infecting others with a viral infection whether you have COVID or not. So, the best way to stop it from spreading is to isolate yourself.

Isolating in a bedroom for a few days is bearable if you have your bare necessities. For longer periods of isolation, you may find yourself wishing you had more things in your room. You're essentially making your bedroom into a smaller version of your living space, so for the upcoming few days, your room will serve as your primary residence.

In situations where you must immediately isolate yourself, it is best to identify a room in your home and arrange items there in advance so that you don't have to worry about them and can reduce contact with your family.

To minimize risks, you should have a one-way policy. Whatever goes inside the room stays inside the room. That’s why it’s essential that you have items readily available.

Based on my experience, here are some items you’ll find handy if you have them readily available.

1. Plates and utensils. - You don’t need your entire kitchen in your room, but having your own fork, spoon, and knife, plus a plate and cup will come in handy during your meals. 

2. Cleaning solutions. - You’ll need dishwashing soap and a sponge to wash your eating utensils.  If you have a bathroom, you'll also need it to keep your bathroom sanitized.

   
   
   

3. Hygienic materials. - Have a bottle of alcohol and some anti-bacterial wipes on hand.  Sprays would also be handy in disinfecting your general area. You’ll also need a supply of masks for those instances when you need to open your door to receive something. And keep several boxes of tissue in the room. These are heavily used items when sick and you'll need more of them so stock up.

4. Medical gadgets and health boosters. - Have a thermometer to check your temperature, a blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure and pulse, and an oximeter to measure your blood oxygen levels and heart rate. For health supplements, keep a bottle of vitamins and other immune boosters handy.

   
   
   

5. Clothes. - You’ll be alone, but you’ll still need to change clothes, especially since your general area may be contaminated with germs from your infection. Prepare luggage in advance with clothes. Pack as if you’re going on a vacation because you’ll be checked into your own room for a while.

6. Cooking gadgets. - This may be optional, but it does come in handy, especially if you want a hot meal or hot drink. Having a kettle allows you to make tea or sterilize your utensils. If you have a small toaster, you can use it to toast bread or heat up food. If you have space (and an extra budget), you can also have a microwave to heat up leftover food for a hot meal.

7. Extra food. - Snacking foods like crackers or tea bags is easy to store and has a longer shelf life. They come in handy when you find yourself inside a room feeling hungry. If you have a mini-refrigerator, that could also be handy but it’s not a necessity.

8. Trashcan. - Not all rooms have a trashcan by default so better to have one handy. This also includes trash bags and possibly gloves in case you need to manage and compact your trash. 

9. Writing materials. - Have a notebook and pen ready to log your vital stats. I found it useful in writing down the dates and times I should be taking my medicine. When you’re sick, you’ll have more than the usual number of tablets to take and it may be confusing. 

10. A webcam. - This helps your family monitor you remotely for any reason at all. Some webcams, like ours, have a two-way speaker, which allows you to talk and converse. It also gives your family peace of mind when they see you’re doing ok.

Other things can help you cope with isolation, but you can prepare these beforehand so you won't have to worry about it and can focus on getting well.

I hope this helps. 

Take care.

One of the types of videos I like watching on YouTube is those of travel bloggers. Even before the pandemic, I would watch to see places I haven't visited or discover their experience in a place I may have visited in the past. Traveling also requires time, money, and effort. So these travel vloggers sharing their experiences are a great way to enjoy these destinations from the comfort of your own home.

There are a ton of travel vloggers and the types I like are the ones that don't treat their adventure like they're part of an "Amazing Race." The relaxed type of sharing is what I prefer. After all, I watch to relax and enjoy, not get stressed. Here are five travel vloggers I regularly watch and follow. 

Since the start of the pandemic, chances are that testing positive for COVID is probably among the top fears on anybody's list. My family and I have actively made efforts to protect ourselves from the virus and take strict measures to ensure our health and safety.

Adhering to health guidelines, knowing how to safeguard yourself, and monitoring developments are things we've done to minimize any risks. There are just so many uncontrollable factors and situations that make the possibility of getting infected high.

When you get it, a sense of panic will immediately sink in. As for me, I felt like a thousand thoughts and emotions rushed into my mind the moment I discovered I tested positive for COVID. 

When you've accepted the fact and regained logic, your strategy suddenly shifts from defensive to offensive. Defending yourself from catching the virus ends when you're infected and you shift to offensive to combat the virus. It's not like other illnesses where you take your meds, rest, and wait till you get better. COVID attacks your body from different aspects and you'll find yourself battling coughs, colds, sore throat, and fever at the minimum while taking the right combination of medicines and constantly monitoring your body for any irregularities.

I'm on Day 5 of self-isolation and Day 3 since I tested positive for COVID.  I am past the initial shock of discovering I tested positive and actively thinking of everything I can do to help myself recover. I was also shocked when I learned that our son also tested positive one day after me. I have to be emotionally strong so I can support my son and though I've only been infected one day ahead, I can use that experience to provide insight, guide him, and still help even while isolated and recovering.

But for now, I need to rest my body and let it heal.

More on my experiences in the next blog post.

Reflection:

Handling COVID is no walk in the park. Reflection and prayer help to clear your mind of negative thoughts and focus on a positive outlook. What is assuring is that even though I am in isolation, I am not alone.

Even in isolation, I know You are with me. Please give us the power to heal and cast away our uncertainties as we face this infection. 

March had more days than February but it still felt short. It's probably the feeling when many things are happening in life. In my planner, I've basically split my daily list into two, offline and online tasks.

The offline tasks are pretty much standard and deal with house chores like doing laundry, folding clothes, throwing the trash, sweeping the lawn, and trimming the trees. Other offline tasks include helping out my mother-in-law. 

As for online tasks, most of it is managing utilities and online accounts. One thing I miss though is receiving more emails. It somehow provides an easier sense of what you need to know or do in one consolidated.

So in no particular order, here are some things that happened during the month:

1. I discovered that the nearby park regularly sells fruits and veggies twice a week. I get to buy apples, oranges, pomelo, bananas, melon, watermelons, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber. Now it's more convenient to buy healthy food. 

2.  I revived a 12-year-old desktop that belonged to Aileen. This was a challenge I was excited about as it's been a while since I've been able to tinker with computers. Unearthing decade old apps also felt like bringing back a time machine. I was successfully able to upgrade this desktop from Windows 7 to 10. 

3. I gave an online training workshop on social media for Peace Corps Philippines. The last time I conducted training was around 5 months ago and it was just for one hour. This time, I had to prepare a workshop that would last for 8 hours spanning three days. It challenged my skills both in social media and presenting. I'm happy to say that I got good feedback from the participants and glad to know the tips and takeaways were handy for them. 

4. My toy photography-themed Instagram account has taken off to a very good start. It's also a great testing ground for me to try out the social media strategies I learned. Check it out at https://instagram.com/transformersAD

5. I won a few freebies just by posting on Instagram. One was a voucher for Philippine Presko coffee, and the other was for a Korean kimchi sauce called bibimbud.  Nice to have these unexpected surprises pop up.

Even if I've been professionally using social media and providing content, strategy, analytics, and management, I'm back to studying online, striving to learn more about everything on social media.

So that's March. Warmed up and ready to sprint.