The Daily Grind

I know you keep reading about it here that living in the city means cramped spaces in your home. It’s true. I am sure you agree with me on this. That’s why every corner at home is being maximized, functionality-wise. Like the photo above.

You can see that what looks like a plain wall is actually a home-office when opened. Great idea, don’t you think? I love this kind of home-office space, too. Looks cool!

I have always dreamed of owning a farm of my own. A place where the whole family can really let their hair down, unwind and relax. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Don’t get me wrong. I love my city. I love living in the city! I love the perks that go with living in the city foremost of which are the places a person can go to when bored.

But a farm can provide a place for us to spend time pondering the future. A place for us to retire to. A place for us to live out the rest of our lives if we want to.

Personally, I find it hard to think of a life outside the city. I don’t think I can stand the silence of the countryside every single day. I mean a few days like a vacation would do. But every single day with the gloomy lights and the seemingly gloomy weather in the afternoons and early evenings…

I just think that I am more at ease with the sounds of the city more than the eerie silence of the countryside. Don’t get me wrong, I do dream of a life outside the city. I do think that I can forge a life there once I am done with city life.

But as of now, I am more comfortable right smack in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city.

I’ve always wanted to have a window seat where I can just sit or lie down to daydream, contemplate life, or read until I fall asleep. Too bad our house doesn’t have the windows that can be transformed into such. Plus, it’s not really conducive to create this kind of corner here.

But soon.

I have these promises to myself that I know sooner or later I will be able to fulfill. And a window seat is one of those promises.

After a hard day at work, it feels good to come home and know that you can now relax. And how do I do that? I light scented candles, turn on soft music, and just lie down on the couch. Sometimes, instead of soft music, I turn on the tv and just surf channels mindlessly.

I love scented candles because it really relaxes me and creates a cozy ambiance in any room.

The family is always on the verge of moving out. We are selling our house and lot because we want to go somewhere more quiet. We want a more decent looking neighborhood. That’s why whenever I find an ideal set up of a room, I save it. Like the kitchen above.

That’s the ideal kitchen for me. Our family loves having meals together. Just imagine how good it would be to chat with everyone while you are cooking. I also love having everything within reach. Washing the dishes, cooking, eating… it’s all there in that area.

Flooding is very common in congested areas in the city. I love bungalow houses. But with the recent floods that devastated the country, I don’t think a bungalow house is advisable anymore. You need to have at least a second floor and a way to go up the roof of the house should another big flood devastates the country. You can never be too sure with nature.

A friend of my sister whom we chatted with told us his and his family’s experience during the flood that devastated most of the country last year. He told us that one more step and the flood would have reached the 3rd floor of their house. It was that high! I couldn’t imagine how we would have fared if that happened to the family. I am really very glad that we live in an elevated area in the city. Otherwise, we would have been one of the victims of that monster flood.

One of the things I love about living in the city is the easy way to go to any destination within it. Here in our country, you can easily ride a jeepney or a tricycle to go anywhere. There are also cabs you can hail anytime, anywhere. You can say that our country is conducive to a lot of traveling.

A week ago, I went to see my friends. We regularly see each other over dinner and coffee. Since there was a typhoon coming in the country that time and the downpour was already starting, people opted to hail cabs. It was so hard to get an empty one. What I did was I rode the jeepney to the restaurant where we’re to meet. It took me 10 minutes to get there! It was that fast!

Going around this country is really easy. All you have to think of is what’s the fastest and most convenient form of transportation available to you at this time.

I just love renovating rooms! These two bedrooms are newly renovated and as you can see, the efforts made by the owners in transforming their previously drab bedrooms paid off.

When you live in the city, space is a perennial problem. But if have a wild imagination, you can transform a small space into a beauty. Just like the photos of the bedrooms here!

Last Holy Week, the metro was a haven. Literally. No traffic, not much pedestrian, less smog. You could even cross the street without worrying that you would be hit and run over by a speeding car! It was really a fun time for us city dwellers who opted to stay in the metro while everyone went to different provinces of their own.

Every year, our family just stays in the metro. We do our annual traditions. And then we just stay home. Come Easter Sunday, we go to mass and then we eat out. That’s how we are year after year. I do think I won’t change that tradition even when I grow old.