Bummed out. Not watching hunger games. 

That’s basically it.

11/13/2013

12:06 am

It’s a start of a brand new day but I feel like I’m stuck in time as I go through the news, as I skim through my newsfeeds, as I walk down the streets and etc.

Life after the typhoon has definitely not been the same and we are all trying to find our places in this disaster. Like how are we going to help, are our efforts enough, while we wait and worry if and when we are finally going to be ok.

My country is definitely not the same country as it was a few days ago and that can go both ways.

On the bright side,I am always brought to tears in awe of how we have been brought together as a country. Seeing how everyone is getting together to pitch in in the slightest ways possible is always uplifting.My friends have slowly reunited with their families and there has not been a shortage in help especially from other countries.

On the not-so-bright-side: There’s always doubts about our flawed government and people who have been deemed to have lost their morals, when in fact they are only trying to survive. I have friends who have not seen or heard from their families and friends of friends who are missing. And then there are the occasional 1 minute wonders who always have something bad to say and those who are just plain insensitive.

It’s not a perfect world, deal with it.

But despite all these things, no matter how imperfect we are, no matter how many times we may question these peoples morals and dignity or self control- no matter what, we will NEVER be them. We will never know what it’s like to have a hungry family with no clothes, water or shelter. We will never know what it’s like to walk among a sea of dead bodies… which is why we shouldn’t be so quick to judge.

I am deeply struck by the events that has happened to my country. Never a day has passed when I’m not checking the news, weeping for the dead and rejoicing for the living. Never a day has passed when I am not worried for my country and grateful for the aid that has been given. I still find myself in disbelief of what has happened… it still feels like our biggest nightmare magnified and materialized. It is that bad.

I know in time we will all be ok, we will come out stronger and better and braver and smarter. We’re Bamboo’s like that. But in the meantime, let us not stop helping, praying and doing our parts. We are all needed to put back the pieces of our country back together.

Bangon, Pilipinas.

I literally just woke up from the narliest dream ever.

I am soo thirsty and soo hungry and I want chicken and milk tea.. except I’ve been told to lay off the chicken. FUUUUU.

I’m so happy I get to blog again. It’s like talking but I’m not opening my mouth. Which is a good thing because my breath probably smells like alcohol and cigarettes.

Top of the morning to ya!

11/9/2013

12:54

I am writing this after having a bottle and a can of some beer I can’t even pronounce.

In my current state, I’d say I’m one of the lucky ones.Electricity is back, water is back, wifi is fully functional and well, there’s really not much I can do about my dog but at least it’s not raining which means, her ass will not be in my face the entire night. Yes, when it rains and she gets scared, she likes to strategically place her ass in my face.

Thank God that the worst is over (but I cannot attest to that) and we are all safe.

I read something on Facebook that the Philippines is stronger than any typhoon and yes, we are and above all, we are lucky/ blessed. Whichever rocks your philosophically maneuvered boat.

 Tasi, Labangon still has no electricity. I guess Paolo will have to sleep without the comforts of a fan or air conditioning tonight. My poor baby.

Good night, everybody.

Praises. (To who ever you wish to pay your praises to!)

11/8/2013

8:33 pm

Shortly after my first entry we lost electricity and unfortunately, until now, the most part of Cebu is pitch black. A part of me wants to go ghost hunting. It is still early November, after all.

The eye of the storm was not as bad as we had expected (thank god!). I am very grateful that there were no floods in the area and that we were all pretty much prepared.

Here is what I did today:

* Painted my nails… thrice!

* Slept

* Read all the newspapers and half the stalks of magazines my lola has kept under her coffee table

* Eat (bilong- bilong (my new favorite food), chicken with soup and SAYOTE!!!

* Eat (the chips my lola bought). They were useful, afterall!

I am currently at my friends house in Banilad to find relief in cans of “imported” beer Paolo decided to splurge on.

They have electricity. Lucky them -.-

Outside is still pretty loud but life is slowly going back to normal. Everyone in my family is safe (parents in V. Rama included) and my dog is still needy and has stinky breath.

I don’t know how much damage the storm has really done but I guess I’ll have all the time to figure that out when electricity at our place is back.

I hope everyone is safe.

xx,

Issa

11/8/2013

9:38 am

 It’s an estimated 2 hours before the eye of the storm hits my city. I am currently located in lot 3, blk 4, Park Vista Townhomes, Apas, Lahug where I am stuck with:

• A paraplegic grandfather
• A loony grandmother
• A pregnant maid
• The neediest dog in the entire world

I am writing because this house is too small for the 5 of us and if I don’t write, I will lose my mind. Also, I fear for my family who are all in V. Rama and I guess writing will help me get my mind of things.

Outside my window there is a fiesta of rain, wind and flying debris. Thank God, I am safe and sound with a roof over my head and wifi to spare. On the other hand of things, I do not know where my boyfriend is, I was forced to shower before the water shuts off and there’s really nothing to do at the moment but wait and worry.

My current thoughts as of the moment are: “my grandmother is going to kill all of us.” In the last 24 hours she was able to:

• NOT panic shop.
• After much persuasion from my mother and aunt, she finally did. She went out and bought… junk food. I’m going to die of starvation.
•  At 9:00 this morning, while the wind was strong and the rain was pouring, my grandmother, in all her glory, asked the maid to go out and restock on BEER and COKE which we sell at home.
  • Businesswoman of the year.

This is how I am going to die. In a two story house, in my pink and green room, with my crazy family, with my annoying dog all over me because she won’t leave me alone because she is afraid of the rain because she is wimpy and I should have traded her for a bulldog when I had the chance.

God bless you all! Live a prosperous life for me!