Things I learned while living alone...

This is my third week of living alone here in Quezon City. It has been quite an eye-opener for me. Circumstances have brought about this situation that I won't elaborate on. Suffice to say that I get to rest a whole lot more and have more time on my hands for work. Anyway, it's a crash course on life. Maybe it's applicable to just me, maybe to some of you out there too. Here's my list.

1. Living alone makes me thin.

Yup, moved down a belt notch since moving. Since I don't cook, I buy food. I found that I've limited myself to one serving of rice and viand. O_o;;

2. Living alone makes me spend less.

So far, I think this is true. I'll know for sure in about two months time.

3. It's a bitch to ferry your dirty laundry from one side of the metropolis to the other.

Yup, I have them laundered now or wash them here in QC. Perish the thought that I get held up and all I could fork over is a bag of soiled undies. O_o;; I'm now fwends with the laundry gurls across the street.

4. Walking is zen... Biking is zen... Ikot is zen...

Used to do these in college. Nice rediscovery. Bought a foldable bike to ferry myself around campus. But...

5. No matter how invincible you think you are, a storm, is a storm, is a storm.

No amount of raincoat and umbrella protection while riding a bike with small wheels in the rain will keep you dry. I got soaked, drenched, got sick and eventually missed classes. Related to this...

6. Being alone while sick is a bitch.

Waking up with a fever staring at an unfamiliar ceiling with no one to call on is a very rude awakening.

7. No matter how tough you think you are... No matter how much you love cold climates... Cold water in the morning is cold water in the morning.

I now heat my bath water. O_o;;

8. I can live without cable. But I can't live without a net connection and cellphones.

Related to this, I used to think that a tech person is only as good as his gear. Now I think a tech person is only as productive as his connectivity. It was a shock to see how reliant I was on the net. My temporary connection was via 3G using a Smart LG phone. In fairness it's a good back up. But it's a bit slow. Couldn't update the SLIS websites, couldn't access my email properly, couldn't plurk, couldn't multiply, couldn't reply to SLIS review questions, couldn't access my grades and student submissions, yada-yada-yada. Bayantel only got connected today and I'm making up for lost time. Also, I think I spent too much on load these past 2 weeks. Seems a cabled net connection is still cheaper for me.

9. Distances are deceiving. And a smaller bike wheel means more pedalling.

The japanese foldable bike I bought in Greenhills had small wheels and didn't have gears. It's nice for flat surfaces but damn tough on uphill climbs of the smallest of angles. A week later, the Cycleshack stores in SM Southmall suddenly had a delivery of an updated version of the bike. It now cost a bit more but now had gears! Damn... I'm looking at those "green" electric bikes  (smart bikes) now. They travel 50kms on an 8hr charge with pedalling as an option when the juice runs out. Didn't expect KNL to be so far from the Main Lib.


10. Things change...

My mind is stuck in the 90s. I instinctively almost paid P1.25 for Ikot fare. Jeez, it's now P7.00? It used to be P1.00 before it became P1.25, then P1.50, then P2.00. etc. etc. Bus ride to Las Pinas? It used to be P14.00 for ordinary, P21.00 for aircon. Now the aircon buses charge P68.00 to P70.00. Things change.

11. Lastly, you can count on your friends... Sorta...

When I was incapacitated Ate Rhina called and texted to check up on me. So did my landlady Ma'am Mae. So did the LISSA, FLIPP and LIS16x guys. Nearby neighbor Jen thought of me... I think...

"Sir, actually dadalhan ko sana kayo ng dinner kaso hindi ko alam yung papunta sa inyo.
Tsaka natatakot me kasi may napatay dyan nung isang araw."

Quite comforting...

I'll live. O_o;;



























No, make that...



12. I'll live. ^_^