Road to 36

On November 16, this year, I created this list for the road to 36. I counted days. It was 36 days before I turn 36 on December 21, which is today. Day 1 is November 1, so on and so forth. It was a lot of discovery, vision, adventure, love, kindness and gratitude. Let us get started.

Another day, another shoes, another slay. 36 it is!

1. To make it this far this 2020. It is a blessing.

2. Work can be busy, but you have to be gentle with yourself. Take a break, even if it is just a 15-minute break. It is part of your workday.

3. I have this habit of delaying things. I was cramming to send some documentation that has a deadline. Oh boy, my prayers.

4. On giving advice: Do not give any suggestion or advice especially if they are not asking for it.

5. Overtime is good but do not overdo it.

6. The obsession with Korean BBQ place is sometimes not worth it. Better read those Yelp comments.

7. It is ok to be lazy sometimes. Sleeping in, ignoring the pile of laundry and dishes, and folding clothes.

8. Do not ever go to work with a migraine. You will be useless.

9. Salmon is easy to cook and is very healthy.

10. I am very thankful for having a car. Mahal is such a beauty.

11. Even on a shitty day, work can still be fun; when you have a fabulous crew.

12. Time to be an adult and buy that mattress. Upgraded to QUEEN. Hallelu! Another highlight of the day was when I went for bloodwork and, the clerk asked me about my Last Menstrual Period. Talk about sensitivity. We need to change our electronic health system records. I am going to be an advocate for it. It will be another blog post or a podcast episode

13. When the word "Food Extravaganza" is created, I mean business. It is like a weekend food trip. Captain's Boil is a favourite.

14. How easy it is to make pork chop.

15. I get homesick. My remedy is Pancit Canton Hot Chilli flavour

16. The connection with your family and friends is super important these days. I am grateful to have them. Thankful for the facetime, dinners, texting and skype calls.

17. This pandemic has brought so many emotions. I get it. It is stressful; however, I realize that we need to think first whether it is rational to freak out and build up more anxiety in our system. Headlines are dominated by cases and places where deaths are increasing. It is crucial to seek help as well when necessary.

18. When the leaders around you are showing up during rough times, it makes me confident that we will be fine in the end.

19. I have shared a discussion with a good friend about the analogy of battery. It went like this, " You have to preserve your battery for the most important things and people. Don't waste your battery percentage on someone who will continuously drain you. Utilize it to create memories and fun times with your loved ones. Even when the battery drains, you know you used it properly.

20. Three points here: Thai food is the best, free courses on coursera.org are such a wonderful idea, how I miss a hug.

21. Sunday alone time can be revitalizing.

22. Difficult conversations at work most especially, with family are hard. Compassion and conscious listening are so paramount to alleviate their anxieties.

23. Mentoring someone is definitely a new experience for me.

24. I am proud that some of my nursing skills are still up to date. Give me some 22 gauge needles.

25. Leaders need to do dirty work, too. Put on those scrubs. In my case, it is my game face. Health care aides are rockstars.

26. I know my body is changing. Boobies flat, boobies sore. Moreover, I know my hormone therapy is working. I am happy with where I am going.

27. I write blogs, as you all know. It took me a while that my shitty first drafts are the building blocks of all the articles I have posted and written. Thank you, Brene Brown.

28. Prada shoes. You are divine.

29. I started a gratitude journal this year. I love doing it, writing down what I am thankful for the day. The thing I always forget to include on the list is MYSELF. Today, I appreciate myself.

30. My new mentor is phenomenal. Her suggestions are on point. It will be helpful in how I deal with conflicts at work. It will be valuable in my personal life, too.

31. Perspective and coping skills will get you through the hard times.

32. Thankful for my job.

33. Loving this new term, I learned, "Twisted Compassion"

34. I am not sure about this; apparently, the shape of your eyes changes overtime. Now I can wear contact lenses. Another thing, a shout out to my Lola Lilia, 83 and still rocking it.

35. Family is a treasure. I am blessed to have Kuya, Love, Biba and Jellie.

36. No matter where you go, you have to spread kindness. I am receiving messages from all over. I am happy that even though I do not realize it. I have touched lives. I have made a difference. From Ate Yessa and Lae, Sarah, Billie, Trudy and my chunkey monkey Jordan. Yes, greetings from Newfoundland and Labrador. It makes me cry.
    

You have been part of my journey by reading this. I truly appreciate everyone and this 30th birthday 6th edition is one fabulous day. I am blessed. Life is precious!