Paws & Whiskers

I’ve been busy creating a catio for the cats, as our feline family has grown from two to five. We now have a ginger, a calico, a pure black, a tabby, and a Siamese—each adopted from the neighborhood, picked up from the roadside, or brought in from the area where my eldest sister lives. My siblings and I got a quote to convert the balcony into a catio by installing an enclosure, so we no longer have to worry about the cats escaping when they’re left unattended. The only way we can keep an eye on them is through the CCTV cameras we’ve installed around the house.

You might be wondering why we’ve blanket-covered the house with CCTV. Well, we used to have a neighbor—a foreigner with white supremacy complex—who hated any animal sounds, especially from dogs. He and his wife even installed a device that was barely audible to humans but extremely disturbing to animals because of their heightened sense of hearing. Since he wasn’t a resident and was very unpleasant, he eventually left because we kept a close watch on him. He was known for throwing stones at our dog, and we suspect he also poisoned the dog across the street because it barked loudly. Unfortunately, since we didn’t have CCTV back then, we couldn’t prove it. It was a true injustice to that poor dog, especially with its neglectful owner.

Returning to the catio, our goal is to teach the neighboring kids the proper way to care for pets—by loving them equally and not treating them like they don't matter. Animals are living creatures with rights, and they deserve respect. Sadly, in this country, the punishment for animal cruelty is much less severe than in other places.

Now, back to the catio again: We reached out to professionals who build catios and were quoted sky-high prices just for a simple enclosure. It seems that when women ask about these things, people assume they know nothing about carpentry and try to take advantage by quoting double the actual cost. But we didn’t fall for that. We opted for a much more reasonable price, paying half of what was originally quoted. The work was minimal, and since my sister and I planned to furnish it ourselves, there was no need to build a grand structure—just a cat enclosure!

After several weeks, it’s finally complete, and the cats are thrilled. I added faux grass carpet and aerial plants since real ones would wither in the heat anyway, and I’m not exactly a plant expert—my green thumb extends only to succulents, which have a lifespan of about six months because they don’t require much water. My siblings also added Buri curtains to block out some of the sun’s heat and to give the catio a “Zen” touch.

What can I say? The cats are ecstatic. They frolic and prance around as they please. They now even have a gigantic cat tower, yet they still prefer the old, inexpensive, tattered, and ramshackle one. I don’t understand it. I guess they don’t care for anything grand and prefer life’s simpler pleasures. 🐱

Plumb

Whaddup? I’ve been on hiatus for a while because I’ve committed to focusing on my health this year. Sometimes, I find myself thinking about how it must feel to be a crab—how they molt and shed their exoskeleton to grow a new one. What would it feel like to shed your old body and have a brand new one? To feel young again and escape the fatigue that wears down your body? I dislike being on medications and dealing with their side effects, but they help prolong life. However, you can’t really have it all—be well and not face setbacks from taking them.

Speaking of science, I once watched a documentary about a child with a terminal illness. Her father, a scientist, decided to preserve her head in a cryogenic tank after she passed away, hoping that one day it could be attached to a different body, preserving her memories and brain. I think "crazy" is an understatement because if the human body can reject internal organs like a heart or kidneys, what would happen with a human head, which contains a complex brain and countless nerves? The mere thought of it makes me think of zombies.

Moving on, last month, I visited my doctor and requested a prescription because my hormones make me feel very down and even borderline depressed when I'm exhausted. He gave me a medication that, upon research, turned out to be a form of Prozac. I was a bit scared at first since it’s an antidepressant. Anyway, I tried it for a month, and I was surprised at how emotionally numbing it was. It was supposed to help me sleep, but it didn’t really address my insomnia; however, it had a significant impact on my emotions.

As I mentioned, it was emotionally numbing—you feel happy on the surface but become somewhat cold. If I had to describe it, it’s like losing track of time and becoming mechanical, as if you’re standing in the middle of the road while everything and everyone around you is in time-lapse mode, and you’re the only one who isn’t. It did help me focus, but I started losing touch with people. I could go an entire day without talking to anyone, and it would feel like just a few hours passed. I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing, but I kind of enjoyed being emotionally numb at times. It seemed to elevate my “happy hormones,” and at the same time, the world around me kept moving, with no sense of time or space.

Then I had this realization: science is so powerful that it can already control human emotions. There’s a pill for almost anything, but the benefits they bring can be temporary. That realization can be pretty daunting.

Out of Order

Year of the Wood Snake

**Kung Hei Fat Choy!** The year 2025 won’t feel complete until the Chinese New Year officially begins. The typical New Year celebration feels like just an opening ceremony, while the real festivity starts with the Chinese New Year.  

Yesterday, I went out with my sister to watch a movie and run some errands. Lately, I’ve been enjoying watching movies, especially during the first show of the day—the theater is so empty it feels like it’s all yours.  

Speaking of festivities, the mall was vibrant during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Sweetened rice cakes were everywhere, and red lanterns adorned every corner. I was hoping to see a dragon dance, but there was none. I miss watching them because back when I lived in the south, the building where I used to work—being Chinese-owned—held grand dragon dances every year. It was such a spectacle. The performances were colorful, and the loud drums were said to drive away evil spirits—and maybe even mosquitoes.

Last week, my sister and I watched *The Presence.* We’re both horror movie fanatics, so whenever a new horror film hits the cinemas, we check the schedule and go for the first time slot to avoid crowds. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy *The Presence*—it was boring and not scary enough. Maybe I keep watching horror films because I’m rarely scared by them.  

Yesterday, we watched *The Nuns,* starring Song Hye Kyo, a well-known South Korean actress. I think this was the first time I saw her in a horror movie, which piqued our interest. It wasn’t too scary, but it was incredibly dark since it tackled exorcism—a topic that has always been controversial in Catholicism.  

Before the movie, we had lunch at a restaurant in the mall that wasn’t too crowded. We asked the staff if they served vegetarian dishes, and I noticed they struggled to come up with options. It’s surprising how many people don’t realize that tofu is vegetarian. In the end, we had spicy tofu and fried rice, which was delicious and filling. The restaurant’s ambiance was lovely, and the cool air from the open glass door made the dining experience even cozier. The walls were adorned with paintings by local artists, which added to the charm.  

Back to the Chinese New Year—2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake. This year symbolizes wisdom, transformation, and personal growth, with the Wood element bringing flexibility and renewal.  

Untitled

Adieu 2024

2024 is almost coming to a close. It’s been a good year—not a great one, though—because, like any other year, it had its own challenges. As for me, this year was alright. My siblings and I adopted three strays and gave them a “fur-ever” home, which was quite unexpected. The first cat my sister and I adopted after moving up north is now 12 years old, and it took us 10 long years before we had another. That second cat is a sweet, 2-year-old Calico kitten from our neighborhood. I’d always wanted a Calico ever since I saw a massive 3D billboard in Japan’s Shibuya Crossing on social media. It featured a Calico cat staring at pedestrians, much like a real cat enjoying the view from a window, and I found it absolutely adorable.  

Most of my wishes came true this year. However, my siblings and I had been hoping for a cat of a different color, which we still don’t have. We didn’t want to buy one, as we’re against purchasing animals when so many strays need homes. Unexpectedly, my eldest sister in the south mentioned a cat family—a black mother cat and her three kittens—that had suddenly appeared at her house. My niece began feeding them since they visited frequently. When she sent us pictures, one kitten immediately caught our attention. Its eye color and fur made it clear it was a Siamese, a breed uncommon in the Philippines but often seen roaming temples in Thailand.

Sadly, one of the kittens, a Calico, passed away for reasons we couldn’t determine—maybe she was the weakest of the litter. Heartbroken, we decided to adopt the remaining three cats, including the mama. We arranged for a pet transport service to bring them from the south to the north, which took about 12 hours (because of the pets they pick up and drop off to their destinations during stops) but was a smooth and comfortable journey for them. Now, they’re all healthy and happy. This year, we had Luna, the mama cat, spayed, and our project for 2025 is to have the two boy kittens neutered to give them a better and longer life.  

On the downside, I’ve been quite complacent about my health this year, which turned out to be a mistake. I skipped my annual doctor’s visit because I hate the long wait times—seriously, doctors are always hours late. I regretted this decision when I started falling sick frequently during the last quarter of the year. Instead of spending Christmas joyfully, I had to make a mandatory trip to the doctor for prescriptions and ended up nursing a cold and a persistent cough. I was prescribed antibiotics and felt miserable while everyone else was busy celebrating. The cats, sensing my fever, swarmed around me the entire time. Lesson learned: health truly is wealth. No matter how hard you work, it’s all for nothing if you don’t take care of yourself. I’m grateful to the Almighty for not forsaking me despite all my health struggles this year.

To wrap up 2024, I’d say I explored some new places. I checked out a new Korean coffee shop in town, took a last-minute trip with my sister, and revived my love for collecting things—fridge magnets and Pop Mart’s Hirono and Skullpanda figures. I recently got a couple of Skullpandas, and I was ecstatic about how eccentric they were.  Another highlight of the year was letting go of old grudges. I forgave people who had wronged me, even if they never apologized. I realized I don’t want to harbor hatred—it’s just not worth it.  I don’t have New Year’s resolutions, but I’ve promised myself to take better care of my health in 2025. I also plan to focus more on myself instead of pouring all my time and energy into others while neglecting my own needs. Next year, I want to prioritize my well-being, do things that make my soul happy, and treat myself more. I’ve given my best to others—it’s time to do the same for myself.  So, goodbye, 2024. You weren’t the best, but you weren’t the worst either. I’m hopeful that 2025 will be brighter—not just for me but for my country as well. Despite the challenges our nation has faced in recent years, I believe this too shall pass. I remain hopeful that someday, new leadership will bring positive change.

Here’s to a better year ahead.  🎇

'Tis The Season

I don’t know why, despite living in a house surrounded by massive pine trees, I can’t seem to find peace. I guess it’s just the traffic in my head, as I talk to myself a lot. My mind is constantly jumping from one errand to another, even though I haven’t finished the task at hand—whether it’s a household chore or something I’m organizing. It leaves me feeling completely restless.  

And let’s not even talk about the season. A supposedly short trip to the supermarket drains me because of the swarm of people. The once-cold climate now feels like summer, not because of the locals, but because of the influx of people from out of town.  

Anyway, I decided to stay home instead of spending my day off outside. The sheer number of people makes me feel like water melting—I just want to seep through pipes to avoid being squished. So, I’ll keep myself busy shopping for groceries online, even if the delivery fees are hefty. It’s just more convenient during this season. Let’s face it: a trip to the local shops isn’t worth it right now. Instead, I’ll focus on planning our holiday tablescapes and menu.  

Sissy has already conceptualized our holiday tablescape, but I know it’ll change at the last minute—fickle-mindedness always wins with women. Honestly, I do the same with my outfits. No matter how carefully planned they are the day before, I often change my mind minutes before leaving, obsessing over which color combinations match my shoes or earrings.  

For now, we’re going with purple, bronze, and gold for the tablescape. I bought transparent charger plates, purple table napkins, and a tablecloth to match, but something still feels off. It doesn’t spark joy, so we’ll probably need to spruce it up—it’s looking a bit sad and outdated. 

December is, without a doubt, the most expensive month of the year. Blame it on culture, religion, and commercialism. If the Spaniards hadn’t colonized the Philippines, we probably wouldn’t even have Christmas! Gift-giving isn’t mandatory, but let’s be honest—where’s the Christmas spirit without it? It’s like an unspoken obligation, even though no one outright says it’s required.  

On another note, my senior cat has been quite sickly lately. He’s so stubborn, always licking the floor for some odd reason. Cats are truly strange creatures. I’ve been begging him to postpone his sickness because the traffic to the vet is insane, not to mention the hefty vet bills. Senior cats are a lot like senior humans—they’re stubborn and seem to take joy in breaking the rules. Tell them not to do something, and they’ll do it even more, as if the world is ending.  

This year, I’ve been the laziest when it comes to Christmas shopping. I guess it’s because everything can be bought online now, so the thrill of asking people what they want is gone—they can just get it themselves. Maybe someday, everything will just magically appear before our eyes, given how fast technology is advancing.  

As for me, my happiness doesn’t come from grand things but from tiny trinkets—bits and bobs of cute stuff. I don’t even know what they are, but I’ll recognize them when I see them.