Category: Thanks

Life is short, week 46 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

Life is short, week 46 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

One year ago today, we lost a light in the world. The whole point of my Life is short year was inspired by him. I only knew him for several months, only hung out with him a few times, but it was more than enough to be thankful for.

Today I’m having sushi for Josh because he can’t hit his “last meal place”. Every time I’m close, I will have a set at Sugarfish for him.

Life is short folks. Hold your loved ones a little bit closer. Tell them you love them more. I know I have said I love you more in the past year more than I’ve done so my whole existence.

Song of the week: Godspeed by Frank Ocean

-J

Life is short, week 34 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks · Work

Life is short, week 34 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status update: Two days of incredibly uncomfortable hearburn had me on my knees. Had me trying to figure out if giving up my start of work coffee and eventual caffeine withdrawal migraines is a bigger pain in the butt. Isn’t growing up awful?

Moments of the week:

1. Spontaneous outings that actually happen. Sunday Korean barbecue decided on 3 hours before and it actually happened. A great meal, then hanging out a friend’s place, then spontaneous massage appointments. Nothing like a super chill semi social day with people that have no expectations of who I can be besides myself. And laughing our asses off the whole time.

2. Chester’s 8th gotcha day. I have had more time with Chester than a lot of people that have come and go. It terrifies me how much of an old bun he is sometimes, but I am cherishing every second. He’s my emotional support animal, and I hope I am his. If that sounds sad, well, I just have to be okay with that.

3. Baseline setting with myself. Over and over, people keep showing me who they really are, and I want to start believing them. I am, at 36 years old, still using these filters of what I want people to be, not who they actually are. Even if they repeatedly reveal the opposite. If I want to survive this, I have to remember to just accept it.

Song of the week: Always on Time by Ashanti and Ja Rule

-J

Life is short, week 29 of 52
food · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

Life is short, week 29 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: ran out of mini cokes. Now have gone to sakto cokes. Woke up Friday night feeling like a limp noodle that got left in a wire basket in a ramen place over the weekend. Still not a hundred percent but feeling significantly better (but still on every legal remedy possible).

Here are the moments I clocked on mental snapshots last week:

1. Chester becoming my new shadow. Chester has always been the alpha bun — and very independent. Since we lost Chibi we have both found ourselves re-bonding with each other. He gets up with me to work, he asks for middle of my “night” cuddles, and he checks when I’m away for too long. While our lives are infinitely less colorful without Chibi, I’m happy he has found solace in my company, because he is mine.

2. Helping a bit. Night shift, among other things, makes me so much less useful to my parents, except for some things here and there. Last week I got to help a little, and being useful helps me balance my guilt. I hope.

3. My cousin’s chicken puffs. I think i ate 30++ chicken cheese empanada puffs as full meals for five days. They’re good, they’re easy, they’re made by family and I don’t have to worry about a lot of cleanup. Sometimes some things just make sense.

Song of the week: Love Songs Ain’t For Us by Amy Shark

-J

Life is short, week 26 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Songs to listen to · Thanks

Life is short, week 26 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status update: Migraines and insomnia. Advil close to running out, and Tylenol has stopped working for headaches. Is the insomnia causing the migraines or are the migraines causing the insomnia?

Life is short moments of the week:

1. Chipped teeth getting fixed. Teeth are expensive, and now even more so. I broke two front teeth and was semi-hillbilly like for a day. It was nice seeing the dentist I’ve seen since I was in the single digits. Couple decades later and we’ve seen her get married, have two kids, and now have one graduate college.

2. Routine checkups turning into health scares. Mom is great about regular checkups, dad not so much. She took him with her on a routine checkup that turned very scary for a couple days. Thankfully it was handled (not by me, but people who are actually awake and around when doctors are on), but here’s crossing all fingers and toes that it resolves soon. I haven’t seen my doctors since the pandemic started, but I hope it’s not terrible. (i know i know. I’ll figure it out)

3. Seeing family. Family time is amazing and is a great way to reset. We had to go home for Ninang’s 40 days, and to finally clean out Nanay’s things. As a grandkid that didn’t grow up with her and having limited shared memories, I was very thankful to have an opportunity to reminisce. Also to take some of her things home. I’m literally going to be rocking some grandma style soon and I can’t wait.

Song of the week: Hold my Hand by Jess Glynne

-J

Life is short, week 25 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

Life is short, week 25 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status update: Two almost caffeine migraines, and antihistamine sleep aids with some random af nightmares.

Life is short moments of note:

1. Learning to make a childhood favorite. I have an aunt that makes the most amazing food. She has always been skilled in the kitchen. Anything that she makes is the best version of it (but definitely the least healthy). My favorite is a squash vegetable mix that she makes with okra, eggplant, fresh shrimp shells, and apparently, the fat from frying pork. I made it this week with the shrimp shells i stuck in the freezer, but no pork fat oil. It was great, but missing squash blossoms and a bit more umami (just needs more oink). But it was great. It reminds me the next time I’m in the bay, I’ll ask her for her cooking secrets. Nobody writes anything down in this family.

2. Assembling my first desk. I have always had help with my furniture, and the last thing I assembled I’ve thrown out because of my shoddy work, and almost gave up on the replacement as well. My other desk, which was a gift, was falling apart. I was picking up screws and hinges and it was basically at risk of collapsing any moment. I knew I shouldn’t be too dependent on other, more skilled people and learn to at least put together a desk. So I did. It hasn’t fallen apart yet which is promising.

3. Baked goods. I have been having entirely too much. But in a very comforting way. I know I need to have less sugar — but it helps to stay awake. And have something nice when things are rough.

Song of the week: Have a Little Faith In Me by Joe Cocker

-J

Life is short, week 22 of 52
food · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

Life is short, week 22 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Little sleep = more migraines. But heart happy because of making time to get a life.

Life is short moments of the week:

1. Enjoying something on trend. Ikea opened up late last year, and my mom and sister got to it before I did. They took me last week and I enjoyed myself more than I thought it would. Mostly coz they were super pumped too. Even if I wanted to be rolled out of pallet by the time it was over. It was fun and I found things I liked that I don’t know how to install.

2. Making food for friends. I wanted to see my friends. My friends are busy people with lives that actually work in the days. I made food that took two days of prep and a lot of going around doing things, but it was worth every second. Not to mention they assembled my furniture for me. All in all 11/10 time used.

3. Nostalgic favorites. There’s a family recipe for iced tea that I never make because it takes so much time and I end up drinking a whole lot of it, and it’s sugary stuff. I took the time to make it last week and sure enough, I am still drinking it up to now. It’s not healthy but it does make me happy. Sugary drinks will be the end of me — but it helps with the hypoglycemia and short bursts of fun things.

Song of the week: Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship

-J

Life is short, week 20 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

Life is short, week 20 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Back to working nights, a few advils and a caffeine withdrawal migraine. A couple hive eruptions here and there.

1. Being in a completely foreign county and feeling at home. I don’t know why, but since I first visited, Orange County has felt like home. Going back — even for a week, just feels like the smells and streets are homey. I do know that most of it are the people I have other there, but I have a general sense of direction now. Which, if you know me in real life, is a big frigging deal.

2. Getting home safe. After a smidge of a delay, a health emergency, and unexpected medical costs, I finally got home. I know it could have been worse. I know I’m hella lucky to have my loved ones on that side of the world rally and take care of me and make sure I was safe.

3. The buns. Unwilling emotional support animals, agitators, my bunnies lives are more important than mine. They don’t know how much they keep me sane, keep me wanting to show up for them so I show up for me. They’re not young anymore, and I need to keep a closer eye, but they’re still here and I’m grateful.

Song of the week: Happy For Me by Kenzie

-J

Life is short: Week 17 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

Life is short: Week 17 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Zero migraines, 1 hangover. Thanks yakult for absorbing that soju.

1. My first baseball game. I’m not a sports fan, but people coming together for a common (fun) cause is exciting. Went with colleagues and I barely understood what was going on (thankful to one coworker who was explaining the rules), but I really enjoyed being in the moment at that moment.

2. Really good dumplings. It’s been a while since I’ve had fantastic xiao long bao, my favorite dimsum. We hit a really really good one and I couldn’t stop eating. And then we had ICE CREAM. Best dinner. The best.

3. Seeing another side of people. I like karaoke. Especially in a group that’s not afraid to let loose. I was fortunately part of that group last Friday and we sang every song in the book. I lost my voice halfway in (prolly also the whiskey we were downing and all the yelling) but it was worth it.

It’s definitely getting harder and harder to leave because I keep making attachments at the office.

-j