For the first time in such a long time, I realized that the one month that has just passed felt like a long period to me. I’ve always felt that days are just whizzing by me and that I’m not feeling them. I mean, I’m still amazed that it’s almost June, which means half a year has passed since I’m officially not employed by one company. I met with a friend from my previous work this week, and I learnt that if I ever go back with the team, half of the people there would be new to me already. Things, like people, move forward it seems. I can still remember when I would not give up my job for anything else, much less for the no-security world of freelancing.
I’m not having regrets; not yet, at least. I think I’ll only feel that when things go bonkers and can no longer find work (*knock on wood*). I feel that I’m in a good position to make use of my time, and the relative freedom, in a really good way. Somehow, I still can’t strike that balance. Work is still an all-consuming aspect of my life, and although I do enjoy it (certified workhaholic, at your service), I want to do more stuff. I know I have to look at other things in life, and I have a few in my urgently-waiting-for-your-attention list, but I’m still stuck somehow. I understand I have responsibilities, and I don’t mind that they have to be my priority at all times, but I should take advantage of my situation to reach that place where I can be confident that I’m doing things right, in the perspective of living life at its full potential. But do people ever really get there, or does that place even exist? Is it time I get a life coach or something? Or maybe I really just need to go back to the gym, burn out the negative energies, and take that creatine supplements for women, or something.
We all have something we wish we have. Of course we have those, despite feeling quite satisfied with ourselves most of the time (or not?). Like, I’ve always dreamed I can write music since the time I was a teenager taking vitamins for acne. But somehow, I didn’t end up learning that skill, or maybe that’s really just something I am not meant to do in this world (translation: I don’t have the talent). I can accept that, and it doesn’t take away my love for music despite me simultaneously realizing that I can carry a tune but that I’ll never have the pipes nor the tone like those who are really good at singing.
I was watching Sara Bareilles’ concert DVD last night and my fascination with those who write their own music, play their own instruments, and sing their own songs (for pay) came rushing back. How fun to have their job! Of course, I know it’s not as easy as it looks and that not everyone gets to make good money out of it—unless you’re supremely talented and lucky OR just really, really lucky. But I admire those who were able to stick with what their good at, which also happens to be what they’re most passionate about, as their means of living. Mostly, though, I’m really just envious of their talent (and Sara Bareilles? very witty and funny writer, too).
I know Djokovic’s current winning streak (41? as of the moment) is more than amazing. I am sure that it’s a superhuman feat, not much different from what Roger Federer used to be known for. But wait, I’m not renouncing my membership to the Roger Federer fan club; I’ll root for the guy till he can’t swing his racket anymore. It’s just that last night was the first time I get to have a glimpse (maybe more that it’s the first time I admitted to myself) of how really good Novak Djokovic is these days, and if Federer is not going to win the French, or even Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open after that, I’ll be happy to see Djokovic raise those trophies this year. Well, maybe not all because that would mean he’ll get one better than Federer for completing the calendar-year Slam.
I was watching his match against Juan Martin del Potro last night, and I’m surprised that I am actually rooting for him to win. I never felt that about Rafael Nadal, despite me always saying that I think he’s a great athlete with an endearing personality. I think I may have found a new favorite player. But, again, only as long as he doesn’t play Federer.
I hope he got some good rest, though, because del Potro took the second set and is looking really dangerous. His hotel room with hot tub cover will surely give him some needed relaxation. Del Potro’s groundstrokes are insane! I believe they call that “heavy balls” because of how how hard he hits them. At some point while watching, I was actually scared for Novak because it looks like he’s fending off bullets. I guess I’ll know later if Novak can finish off the giant, or if JMDP can be the one to stop the Djokovic Express. Either way, it’s going to be a good fight.
For those who watch Bones, which by the way has become one of my ultimate favorite series, mostly because of the adorable (more like adorkable!) cast and of course the chemistry between the two leads, the finale of the just concluded season promises to change, well, everything. If you haven’t watched the finale, and you’re an avid Bones fan and a spoiler-phobe, don’t click play or you might wish to throw me into the fire pits of hell.
Ok, I won’t say anything else. Except that I think the Seeley Booth is the awesomest guy ever. He’s just perfect.
I watch a lot of TV shows, but if I’ll list my favorites—those I absolutely don’t miss an episode of and try to watch as soon as something becomes available—that will be Fringe, Bones, and The Good Wife (Merlin is fourth). Other shows are like a 5th wheel warranty, so I’ll never run out of things to do with my nonexistent free time; besides, I do enjoy keeping up to date with pop culture offerings.
Since almost all U.S. TV shows I watch are currently on hiatus and won’t be back until September, except for Rizzoli & Isles which will return for its second season in July, I think I’ll have time to watch movies I skipped and have been planning to watch.
In the meantime, here are a few of the newly picked up shows that I think I can look forward to:
Charlie’s Angels (reboot)
New Girl (with Zooey Deschanel)
Ringer (with Buffy Summers, errr Sara Michelle Gellar)
Like I care that much.
I’ll make a bold prediction that Roger Federer will win this year’s French Open. Because I’m not going to lose or gain anything from declaring that, no matter how unlikely it seems right now with the Djokovic Express in full steam and the champion Nadal probably annoyed at Djokovic’s winnings (which means he’ll do everything by the power of his muscles not to lose the title he owned like no other before him).
I read Studio 23 wil broadcast the tournament, so that’s a good thing for me except that I’m thinking about ignoring Federer’s matches altogether for fear of needing anxiety drug treatment centers after watching a tennis match.
Here’s a preview.
When I decided to leave my full-time job, one of my main concerns is that I will lose my health insurance coverage. I inquired with one of the best known health provider in the country and I was happy to learn that individuals (self-employed, etc.) can avail of health plans as well, although I would have to pay one time for the whole year. That’s fine by me, but I got so caught up with my work that 6 months into being a full-time freelancer, I still haven’t find the time to go to their office to process my application. I still think it’s one of the most important things I should focus on completing next.
For what it’s worth, I opened another savings account with my bank because they have this Save-Up system wherein you’ll set a specific amount to transfer from your main savings account at specific points in a month (your choice), then you can watch your savings grow while you’re assured of a life insurance coverage that will give you up to four times of your current balance in case of, well, unfortunate circumstances. As long as I can keep myself from transferring back what I’ve already set as “savings,” then I think this will work really well.
Funny how I never used to think about these things and now I’m actually reading up on my options, like in Wholesaleinsurance.net. There’s even this health insurance that’s tailored specifically for women—and your choices of plans will depend on whether you intend to have children or if you think that you won’t then there are other coverage options—that my friend is telling me about. I intend to look at it as well, soon I hope.
So I decided to mind tennis again, since the French Open is just a few weeks away. I’m not delusional enough to think that Federer has better chance against Nadal now, especially since they now get drawn on the same half and hence play each other in the semis rather than the big finals—seems like it’s Djokovic–Nadal land these days—but if Roger don’t make it, I’m really interested to see how Novak will do against Rafa in a five-setter, in Rafa’s main domain where he’s considered impenetrable.
So, RF, even though I didn’t stay up to watch your game last night against Tsonga because I’m already in bed with my mud mask, I’ll always be rooting for you. And even if I’m not sure I should believe you, or have faith in you, when you said you’re getting back the no. 1 ranking, try anyway. One thing they don’t have that you do (of course besides all those Grand Slam numbers): your shiny, shiny hair:
I haven’t been watching tennis these past few months. For someone who used to forgo sleep just to watch a tennis match happening in another time zone, even to the extent of looking for streaming online sites when my cable channels are being useless, that’s quite a change. Well, if you know me you’ll know that it’s because of Roger Federer. Since he started losing his “magic”—because of age, stubborness about changing to a larger racket, the rise of the younger generation, whatever—watching tennis has become a torture for me. I thought of myself more as a tennis fan than a Federer fan, but somehow that’s not how it seem now. I don’t want to say that I prefer that he retires than watch him lose all the time; besides, that’s not how a true sporting hero should deal with decline, as far as I know. I guess I just need to psyche myself a bit more, to learn to appreciate other players from now on. Yeah I’m just being melodramatic about this. It’s just a game. And so what if the greatest tennis player of all time retires soon and focus on other things, maybe to make his own Personal Creations business?
I really should find another one to root for. Not Nadal; I like the guy enough but I’m too much of a Federer fan to wish his greatest rival gather all the trophies. Maybe Novak Djokovic. Just because he now seems to be the only one who can stop Rafa. Hehe.
Speaking of the hot weather, this makes me want to look for nearby pools to go for a swim, if I can’t go to the beach for now. Truth is, if only I can do it everyday, I’d very much love that. I know a public pool for rent—and an Olympic-sized pool at that—near my place, but I have more than a couple of problems in that regard. One, none of my swimwear will fit me now. Two, I don’t even have the time to maximize my freshly renewed gym membership, so how am I going to spare some swimming time (I know, it’s all about time management, but I’m having a hard time about that thing right now). Three, I don’t want to go there alone, mostly because I’m not really a good swimmer. Four, … ok, this is becoming annoying even to me. I’d really need to stop thinking about how I can’t do things and either just accept the fact or do it anyway. Some people even need pool lifts just to have some semblance of a swim. I guess the heat is doing unpleasant things to my brain.
