Back to civilization

Edsa is such a nutcase even on Sundays. Road repairs were left unfinished, causing major roadblocks that choked Edsa near Ortigas area. Now I remember why I don’t want to go back.

But I want to sleep in my own bed. *Sigh* Hopefully next year I don’t have to confront Edsa daily.

We should have been at home by 1:09 pm but I decided to drop by SM Makati to grab stuff that would keep the girls occupied now that their classes are over. They have their birthday money to use for whatever so they were free to buy even useless things.

Then we decided to eat out and not bother cooking at home. After four days of resort food, we had some comfort food.

Gyoza. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
Salmon roll. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
Demolished. She’s so proud of herself. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
Her comfort food. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

I’ve been trying to book Zennya massage 💆 but couldn’t find any available therapist. I think I may have to walk to the nearby spa to have my diving-induced body aches attended to. I’m too tired to bother now. Tomorrow I will be so busy (I have to drive all the way to Conrad Hotel) to attend a stockholders meeting and press conference. No time for massage. 😔


I had my consultation with my shrink yesterday (via Google Meet) and she said I’m making good progress now that I can handle myself without alprazolam. The stress and anger I had when I discovered the unfair treatment at work didn’t cause me the same level of anxiety as much as J did, so I didn’t have to take alprazolam. I’ve been handling work-related stress and anger for 22 years so in the grand scheme of things it has been inconsequential compared to the triggering effect J has on me.

Because of my progress, my shrink said we would only meet every other month. Great! My shrink was happy that I was finally happy. When we were talking, she saw I was dripping wet as I just came onshore from my dive that afternoon. She said it was good that I am finally doing things that I loved to do and was no longer living inside my head. I was no longer stuck. She said I have already entered the stabilization phase.

I hope there would be no more triggers. But just in case my shrink said if something happens like in February, I shouldn’t wait two months before I talk to her—I need to schedule a session with her, ASAP.

Magandang umaga

Breakfast by the sea. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

The best breakfast is breakfast by the sea with the sound of waves and sea breeze ruffling your hair.

Photo by CallMeCreation.com

The tide is fast coming in, rising to engulf the rocks again.

Photo by CallMeCreation.com

Very clear waters. ❤️

Photo by CallMeCreation.com
Posing for Instagram/Facebook. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

In a few hours we’ll be driving back to the real world and I will be facing a hectic Monday again. 😔

Jumped to Eagle Point

View from Eagle Point. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

We transferred to Eagle Point this morning because we decided to extend our stay in Anilao but Blue Ribbon no longer has rooms for us. Because you know, revenge travel.

But before we left Blue Ribbon, we had to consume our breakfast that came with our room.

Breakfast of champions. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

I had calories. Lots of it. I knew I would be expending energy when I dive in the afternoon.

Of course, the obligatory selfie. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
Leni Robredo watch. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

My sister bought 4 of these as part of the campaign fundraising for Leni. Most of the campaign funds for Leni and all campaign sorties are arranged and funded by volunteers. My sister gave two to my twins and I tried one. Looks cute.

Meanwhile…

Despite the multiple application of sunblock, these kids still got toasted. Well, they started swimming in the morning until sundown everyday. 🙄

Low tide. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

We waited for the waves to calm down and for the tide to ease before snorkeling in front of the resort. I couldn’t dive much because I needed to guide my mom as she latched on to the diving buoy. She didn’t last long though, probably just 30 mins.

My older sister was with me but I still couldn’t dive because the resort didn’t have the rope and weights that would keep the buoy in place. It would be such a hassle if that thing escapes. Next assignment: buy rope and weights.

I was in the sea for 2.5 hrs though and it made the trip here worthwhile.

Another beautiful Anilao sunset to take home with me. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

Hopefully we will have more sunsets like this before the southwest monsoon starts. I’ll take a leave probably next month and bring the girls here again. I’ll check another diving resort that is near a marine sanctuary, probably Arthur’s.

Here’s to more freediving, mountain climbing, and camping. ❤️💪🏕️

Flexible office

Photo by CallMeCreation.com

This has been my office since yesterday. Sometimes I work at the restaurant but it’s quieter up here in our room’s balcony.

The long fins are wonderful! I can go deeper with less effort compared to my old fins. The length and the material (sort of rubber?) that makes the fins flexible do make a lot of difference. Now all I have to work on now is my breathing so I can stay near the corals longer before ascending. The diving buoy was also worth every peso I paid for it. I don’t have to swim so hard to reach the spot where I want to dive and it’s so convenient to have the baby shampoo within reach when my goggles need defogging. It also helped when the currents were strong this morning at Sombrero island and at Sepoc beach.

Maricaban island. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

We left the resort at around 7:30 am. It was high tide so the currents were strong around Coral Garden so we were brought to a place that has less currents with corals that are not as bright as those in the Coral Garden. But still, the currents were strong and we had to battle with these while we dived. That’s why my body is aching right now.

Cave at Sombrero island. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

Twin I has become an excellent freediver now that she has my old fins. She has been swimming on her back and flipping underwater. Twin A has improved a lot and has been diving for the corals as well but she preferred to stay close to me because of the strong currents.

That’s someone else’ kid on the sand while Twin I snorkels for shells. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
Clear waters. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
With my mom. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

We went back to the resort at past 10 am since my nephew still had online quizzes and classes. My twins enjoyed the pool for a bit and they took a nap with me. Of course, I still worked and edited a lot of stories today. The resort’s internet connection is decent for emails and browsing but for video calls, better use your Smart data for steady connection, which I did.

Anilao always had lovely sunsets. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

To cap the day and to give me energy (I didn’t have lunch because I slept), I had this…

Chocolate milkshake, fish and chips. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

Tomorrow we transfer to Eagle Point Resort and we got a loft unit that has a lot of beds and is near the restaurant. We don’t have to go far to dive in a marine sanctuary because it’s just right there in front of the resort.

My body is aching. Diving with strong currents is definitely a whole body workout But I won’t exchange it for anything else in this world.

MISOGYNY, GASLIGHTING AND PARTNER AS AN APPLIANCE

I got triggered with this viral post that the original poster has already taken down because it backfired. I wanted to cry, I feel so bad for many women out there who are reduced to being appliances and servants of their partners, becoming cleaning ladies instead of real partners.

Summary, the wife said:

“It has been 10 years since I graduated, it seems like I don’t have personal achievements”

To which the guy immediately responded:

“Don’t say that. My achievements are your achievements. I can’t do them without you.”

Then he listed all the things he made his wife do, like–no joke– he said:

  • the small things that I don’t notice anymore because you are there, like you pick up the towels I throw down anywhere
  • You flush the toilet when I don’t
  • when I throw out my clothes and I don’t notice anymore because I know you are there…

THIS MAN DOES NOT HAVE A WIFE. What he has is a nanny. An appliance.

Misogyny (/mɪˈsɒdʒɪni/) is hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women. It is a form of sexism that keeps women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the societal roles of patriarchy.

HE GASLIGHTED HIS WIFE. She is asking for personal growth, he dismissed her concerns and he put himself at the forefront of this narrative, citing all the things he made his wife do and he said that his achievements are also her own personal achievements. THE FACT THAT SHE ASKED THIS THING means she is looking for some personal fulfillment outside her role as caretaker. He made it like, your role in life is to support me and not have your own personal dreams and ambitions.

A caring partner would respond like this:

Why do you feel that you don’t have personal achievements? What are your personal goals? How can I help you achieve them?

Sadly, I have yet to hear those words spoken to me, ever, by anyone who had been with me. I felt like I was alone in my battles, in my climb to where I am now. Love meant sacrificing yourself, your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, leaving you not even headspace for yourself, without receiving the same in return.

I can feel now hot tears rolling down my cheeks.

I remember after changing J’s bed sheets at his condo and had lain on the bed because I was tired since I cleaned the bathroom and swept the floor. Then he pointed to the groceries that are yet to be unpacked…I was hungry because I didn’t have lunch that day. I ordered Grab and he demanded why? “It would take you longer!” he angrily said. I responded weakly that I was already dizzy because of hunger, let me eat first. He wanted to get rid of me quick. I asked, why are you treating me this way?

It’s so hard to live in a world where women are reduced to being servants instead of partners. And yet they demand more…then leave you on the wayside all dried up and empty. They leave you for somebody who still has the flush of youth, undamaged by childbirth and age, because these women have yet to run on empty like you did. They leave you for somebody shinier because you’ve already lost your luster in the course of serving them head to foot.

It’s hard to live in a world where your partner has just reduced you into a caricature of your former self.

How many are we out there, victims of misogyny, who are left licking our wounds, trying to find our dignity, self-love, and self-worth? How many are we out there, trying to heal from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, as Hamlet once phrased it?

I pity this woman, this man’s wife. Girl, I hope you find your footing because once your husband has sapped all of your strength and dignity, he will just leave you like one leaves an old appliance.

I didn’t know I still had tears to cry. I thought I’m done. I’m still bleeding from my chest.

One day these will just be scars. One day.