Tuesday, January 09, 2024

Book Review: The Sandman: Endless Nights

The Sandman: Endless NightsThe Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finally caught up with technology and was able to appreciate this graphic novel online. I relished every page and made to appreciate per frame and the whole page layout. One can read the volumes in any order but I do find it fitting to set the mood with Death and end with Destiny. Story wise, I am biased towards Dream and enjoyed Desire. I was overwhelmed with the details of Delirium and Despair, there's so much going on that will warrant countless reread.
Frame: p61 The Palace


Transition/Movement: p120 I'll let it go

Speech Bubbles: Dream's (B&W) and Delirium's (Colorful from Destruction's volume)
Portrait: p43 panel 3 Desire and that panel zoom in of the eyes

Art and Prose: p150 ".. along with the truth of the shapes of the clouds.. the secrets the wind whispers when there is no one there to listen."

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Wednesday, January 03, 2024

2023 Year in Review

January


I'm relieved we were able to get together for the new year.  For the most days of the month, I was able to do some baking projects, very much a plantita still.  started a cross stitch project as well, to date it's 80% done with remaining back stitches to finish and I don't know where it is now.  The teen was able to make cabbage kimchi!

Capping the month with a visit to Pinto Museum, my first drive to tagaytay with D.  

February

Some more baking and cooking bento projects.  Dumplings for valentines day.  Healthy waffles for post-valentines day.  Got our ear pierced, left side for me, right side for D.  


Of course, a simple celebration as I turned 45 this year.  Pleasantly surprised by my sweet dear fried J for the birthday balloon and cake, truly an appreciated effort from miles away.

March

Spent more time with our pom, Rain.

April

Not in the mood for any prank to kick off the month.  More time with Rain.  I got covid sick in wk 3.  

May

Our first time to the beach post-covid.  

As I've said, I'm more of a PA these days and was able to chaperone D and her friend to Sky Ranch Tagaytay.


Might've gave her a slight heart attack including hubby as I broke my right side mirror from hitting a jeepney along the way.  Accidents happen, so I should know better next time.

June

I got hooked with Tsuki Odyssey.  Lala, replaced Ruby.  Here started our family's health journey as the hubby was diagnosed with chronic stroke.  Rain had a minor left leg infection.  Earned by 30 day streak in Duolingo.  

July

Witcher Season 2.  More healthier recipes.  Caught a clam with a pearl in Tsuki Fishing.  The hunt for the perfect grain mix sub for rice.  D was able to join my family for a quick beach trip somewhere north.  And...updated by LinkedIn dp to flex my new haircut.

August

Proud to have an achiever teen but what's more important is she is actually happy with her own success.  

Another visit to the hospital due to hubby's throat infection.  We also had to consult a derma for the painful bump on his right heel turned out be plantar warts.  Let me conclude this month on a happier note with some random photos I took.

September

I thought I should offer my plant babies online to earn a bit, even created an FB page but I'm not really into selling,  Turned to Tiny Tower to pass time.  Cooked and cooked some more.

October

Twenty years of marriage, photos NSFW.  Meanwhile, cheered on for D as she takes her college application exams.  Probably school load has taken it's toll and her and got sick wk 3.   On the flip side, hubby was able to resume short walks as his heel begins to heal :D

November

Yay, V spent some nights here with us.  We had a small fight but it made us understand and love each other more.

D attended her first debut party.  

December

Wk 1, we had the initial lab results of hubby and it looks promising.  Though we've yet to discuss them with his doctors come Wk 1 of Jan.  

Wk 2, Got super addicted to Duolingo trying to tick that #1 Diamond Rank.  Helped D with her year end party getup and felt the generation gap, define Rave party.

Wk 3, though luck.  Now it's my turn to visit the ER.  Got released a couple of days later.  Physically recovering, emotionally healing.

* * *

I'm sure there are lots of moments I failed to document but I trust the ones I truly treasure are stored in my core memory.

One thing I no longer struggle with is my stress in trying to be happy every day.  I eventually started to identify, accept and let go if needed and whenever possible, all the various feelings I go through.  I try to judge or invalidate other's feelings as well.  Also, I was able to really know what it feels like to be grateful.. and broke :D

So I'm thinking for 2024, I will still push for my teaching goal and will try to minimize distractions.  Build that reading list and piano repertoire.  Connect deeper with my loved ones and be more self-aware.  Keep it simple yet meaningful.