Today, I Decided To Take an Adventure!

It's been raining non-stop for the past few days - weeks, actually.

Yesterday: The chaos was unbelievable. Many streets were already underwater, there were more people who needed saving than volunteers, it was madness!

6:30 AM: I received a text from our HR informing us that only government work was suspended. So that meant we had work.  Since it was still raining really hard, I already texted the office that I cannot go to work but I will try to do so once the weather improves.

10:44 AM: I woke up with the sun shining! :) I will go to work today. Took a shower, had brunch and headed out without checking the news. It started raining a bit in Q.Ave but I thought it was just a little rain. It will be over soon.

12:40 PM: I arrived at the office. It was drizzling.

1:30 PM: How wrong was I?! It started raining really hard = worry.

2:30 PM: Regretting that I decided to go to work. But still continued answering emails, fixing files, etc.

4:30 PM: I can't take this anymore! I want to go home, I don't want to be stranded in Makati! There's no cab outside the building and since I heard that EDSA is already flooded, I decided to take the jeep and the train. Boy, the line was really long.

5:30 PM: I'm at the Q. Ave station already. Cars were starting to counterflow on the northbound lane of EDSA. Know why? Yes, Centris is flooded already (EDSA side)! And the funny thing is, the underpass was not even flooded. After minutes of contemplating whether I will wade in the flood water, I decided that it's time for me to go home. What would happen if the rain worsens? It means that more streets will be submerged underwater and the flood would start to rise even more. Last I heard was that Philcoa was waist-deep and Maginhawa was chest-deep. Come on, I have to pass Philcoa in order to get home.

5:40 PM: I was able to get a cab after insisting (almost begging) that I have to go to UP (about 20 minutes away from Q.Ave). He probably felt pity in his heart because he agreed to take me but we have to go around Mindanao Ave, Visayas Ave and go out at Central in Commonwealth. City Hall and Circle were super traffic according to the previous passenger as the flood is really bad.  I immediately said yes despite the long route.

6:30 PM: I'm still stuck along Mindanao Ave. Traffic would literally move inch by inch = flood. Good thing manong driver still went ahead. He must have sensed my desperation. There was also a bit of a flood along Visayas Ave. but we were able to manage.

7:00 PM: I'm at the Commonwealth (Central) gate of UP waiting for my mom to pick me up. We were supposed to pick-up my brother at Ateneo but he said someone will bring him home. We ended up at MiniStop buying bottles of booze. If the rain continues tonight, I have no plans of going to work tomorrow. I will drink myself to oblivion.

So there goes my day, not much of an adventure but it definitely is one-of-a-kind. I also learned a couple of things. First is to listen to the people around me. Several people were already telling me not to go to work but the minute I saw the sun, I rushed to work. Second is I have to think of myself. I've been thinking about my unfinished work in the office that I forgot to check if I will be ok, if I can make it home without any problems. And lastly, I found out that I can be strong and I can think of a way to solve my problems. When things get difficult, I always call on my mom and expect her to fix things/ situations for me. This time, I only called her when I was in the cab already. And I'm so proud that I was able to wade in flood water. I was already thinking of crying and complaining but I did not do that. A friend told me that I have to be more careful when walking in flood water as I may step on something sharp or fall into holes. Thank God none of that happened.

Anyway, this day has not been a total waste. Yes, I could have spent time helping out in a shelter or a relief center, but that's where the universe led me. It's still a learning experience for me.

And by the way, the text I was waiting for yesterday never came. But I received it today. Thank you, you made my day. :)

Top Things To Do While Waiting For This Rainy Situation To Pass

I know. The rain is pouring non-stop and there's nothing I can do but sit and wait. Being at home with an internet connection and cable TV is apparently not enough to keep me occupied. The news is starting to depress and worry the $%^# out of me.

So anyway, here's a list of what I could do (maybe you can do these as well).

1. Check on your pets. Make sure that they are ok. In case you need to evacuate, please think of their welfare. Will you bring them with you? If not, make sure to leave them in a safe and secure place. Thinking of the pets that drowned during Ondoy just makes me sick.
2. Pray. Thank God that you are safe. Or if you're on the lashing end of mother nature, ask that help will come your way and those who need it.
3. Check on your friends. You might find that one of them really needs help.
4. Master your Tetris skills. I really suck at this game. I need to be at a certain high in order to win in this game. Otherwise, I'm probably the lousiest player ever. (Looks like I still have it, I'm still winning.)
5. Put your speakers on full volume and dance like crazy. Can't go out for a run or to the gym? This is one of the best ways to burn calories. Plus, you get to practice your mad dance moves in private.
6. Sing your heart out. Well, except for me and all the others who are tone-deaf. Let's not make the weather worse.
7. Start reading or finish Fifty Shades of Grey. Find out what the craze is all about. (I still don't get it.)
8. Stalk your crush on Facebook, Twitter or whatever social media site. Find out if he/she is ok despite all the heavy rains and flooding.
9. If you still got nothing to do, stalk your frenemies. (But you can skip this part. We can always do with a little less negativity.)
10. Watch Enchanted on Disney channel. Who knows what a little magic can do?
11. Sort your clothes and stuff. Lord knows you got several tops and bottoms that you have no plans of wearing anymore. (Well, I know I do.) Do a good deed and donate these to those in need.
12. And while you're at it, go clean your room.
13. Wrestle with your siblings. My brothers and my sister used to run around the house chasing each other and tickling and teasing each other to death. (Are we too old for that? We rarely do it nowadays.)

And if the list above is of no help, just put your phone beside you and wait for that person to text you.

Note: No need for your heart to jump or skip a beat every time your phone beeps. I bet it's 1/10 that it's the person you are waiting for.