Well, not entirely. I still watch a few cooking shows on Food Network and Asian Food Channel but that's just about it. With what is happening to the country and the shutdown of one of the country's trusted networks, I just cannot see any other reason to watch TV anymore. Just hearing the increased rate of COVID-19 cases daily and knowing that the government couldn't even do anything with the situation is just exhausting.
So instead of immersing on TV, nowadays, and next to spending time as a babysitter to a seven-month-old baby, the following became my substitute adulting activities:
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| Photo: Karolina Grabowska/ Canva |
I took online courses and invested time on webinars. This was something I know I should have done earlier during the community quarantine. Surprisingly, there are interesting websites and topics that one can spend their time on. For one, I vouch for the courses offered by Coursera. I just finished a course on The Science of Well Being last month. It's a free course offered in partnership with Yale University and despite the painstaking ten weeks that I spent on the course, I learned a lot from it especially on the subjects of our mind's annoying features (that hamper our happiness) and the ways one can do both physically and psychologically for them to be truly happy (and no, shopping for material stuff isn't included).
I've also opened a bank account and a PayPal account. This has been long overdue on my to-do list. Thankfully, I was able to finalize everything before our area was placed in moderately enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) during the second week of August.
The quarantine period also allowed me to practice a few skills. Three of which were using chopsticks, studying a new language, and learning the skill of touch typing. With the help of a short Youtube video, I got to learn the first skill quickly, and I'm happy that I know how to use those utensils now. About studying a new language, I've been practicing Spanish language lessons with Duolingo. I have previously created an account because I also tried learning Mandarin Chinese, but I realized the language was not for me. But I can somehow excel with the Spanish lessons. The third one, however, is a bit of a struggle. I just come to realize that learning this skill will probably take time. I am not used to the technique yet given that I have always relied on my own method for years. So, yes, I will need to make some adjustments and catching up. Hit me up with a comment if you have something to share on how I can learn this one the soonest.
And speaking of Youtube, I have been spending nights watching videos that discuss legitimate ways to earn and working from home as this might be the scenario under the new normal. I found interesting and informative channels to watch (even one that teaches how our unused internet data can be a source of passive income). There are a number of videos that discuss about possible jobs one can do at the comfort of their own homes.
I also joined the online group Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMoms) on Facebook. I've been trying to prepare and acquaint myself with the ins and outs of working from home (and the main reason why I opened a bank account and created one in PayPal) as this might be the set up if one wishes to work and earn in this time of a pandemic. They also have Youtube videos that provide information on what one needs to know about becoming a home-based worker.
And because I am no longer into too much TV, my hard drive and my laptop nowadays has become my source of information and entertainment. I have 30 Korean dramas on my external hard drive which I have yet binge-watch as I am busy with the episodes of A World of the Married Couple (dubbed in Filipino) through iWant. The drama ends tomorrow night so, maybe, I can revisit those parked titles next week.
What about you? We're almost halfway through August and just weeks before hearing the infamous Jose Mari Chan's voice again. What has been keeping you busy the last few months being on home quarantine? I'd love to hear your comments, or better yet, maybe, you can write them down too! I would love to read about them.
