The Sunday Currently began as a writing prompt by siddathornton where on Sundays, you write a low-effort, high volume post that tackles what’s happening in your life. For more details, check out my previous issue here.
To whom it may concern,
It was a slow day at work when I was drafting this letter to you. There were not many tasks assigned to me, so I figured that I should write to you to pass the time. I recently had a four-day work trip this week, and it gave me some time to ponder and reflect on things while I was away from the hustle and bustle of the Metro.
Welcome to the third edition of The Sunday Currently, and I am more than excited to share to you my experiences as of late.
reading
I am not yet done reading Lighter from my past post.
writing / learning
Before we dive deep on this issue’s learnings, allow me to preface this with a little story. While I was out on a date with my girlfriend, I received a notification from my Masters group chat about the syllabus for our new subject. We had a change of professors for our subject in Public Fiscal Administration, and the look on my face cannot be painted when I read through it. It was a Thursday night when we received the syllabus, and I was immediately due for a reporting on Saturday. The order for the reporting was arranged alphabetically, and I was the first one to deliver, heavens be damned.
I was assigned to report on Challenges and Opportunities in a VUCA World in the context of Public Fiscal Administration1. While researching on the topic and following through the presentation outline, VUCA is filled with financial and corporate jargon—stuff that you would typically see in LinkedIn. I do agree this acronym defines how our world is right now—ever changing, ever evolving. It is up to us whether we allow ourselves to ride the rising tide or to go against the current. Apply as you see fit, may it be in academia or with your self-reflection.
listening
I found myself listening to Tove Lo these past few weeks, reminiscing how I thoroughly listened to her discography during my undergrad days while I travel to Bulacan for my field work. She’s done exceptional songwriting work on the side, but her own works that tackles taboo topics like drugs and sex along with grunge-like beats would make you listen to her tracks for days. My personal favorites are Thousand Miles, True Disaster, shedontknowbutsheknows, 2 Die 4, and her recent release, Elevator Eyes.
True Romance on the other hand does away with her usual pop sound and showcases her raw vocals.
Of course, who would not forget her most iconic track, Habits (Stay High)?
watching
I learned that Past Lives will be showing in Philippine cinemas around the end of August, but I am too broke to watch it on the big screen. Instead, I asked my boyfriend to torrent a copy for us to enjoy. Needless to say, it gave me an existential crisis with the past encounters that I had in my life so far. It explores the story of two Korean protagonists—one who immigrated to the West for a better life, and one who stayed in Seoul. It also touches on the concept of inyeon (인연) and how people are connected in a web of interactions from past lives—hence the title. Heart-wrenching and overall bittersweet, I did not regret watching this movie with my partner.
googling
Heinemann, F., & Yeter, M. (2017). Distrust in the Finance Sector: The Beneficial Impact of Innovations.
masking psychology
is twitter down today
genshin error 4201
alum in hindi
hoping
I feel disheartened that someone close to us in my Discord server has decided to leave. I did say that when kulam corner has served its purpose to its members, they are more than welcome to leave. I feel concerned though, since it seems like he is spiraling hard with what he is going through that it seems like he is beyond salvation. We could only watch as he enters his own villain era, I suppose.
I hope that the universe would be kinder to him in the days to come.
wanting/needing
I want to have the time and energy to work out again. School and work have been keeping me busy, and on my free time my mental illness decides to kick in.
I miss the moments I had during lockdown where I was able to dedicate at least three months in CrossFit, and the weather these days is making it difficult for me to go around my neighborhood on my bike. I know that I need to work on myself, considering that I have PCOS.
I just need to bide my time. Once I graduate and my schedules are free, I will be sure to dedicate some time to work out some sweat.
feeling
I feel that I am getting my groove on, may it be with work or with academics. I still have a policy paper due from my last subject and I think I will muster my cramming energies for it once more. I have a week left before I need to submit it, and if I was able to pull off a damn good presentation in two days, I am feeling confident that I can tackle this, too.
remembering
I mentioned earlier that I had a work trip this week. I went to Ilocos Region with my officemates to conduct some client-focused programs on Gender and Development, from a seminar for barangay officials on the Safe Spaces Act to distributing educational materials on government GAD programs to far-flung cities in the region.
Of course, no trip is complete with a little sightseeing. On our first day we went to walk around Calle Crisologo in Vigan and bought some souvenirs for our families. When we went to Ilocos Norte, we made some side trips to have our photos taken atPaoay Church. I was supposed to meet a space explorer who is residing in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—but we were not able to meet due to time constraints in my travel as well as some scheduling and communication issues. Kinda sucks because it’s been a while since we last met in person.
We also visited the Villa Angela ancestral house, which belonged to the lineage of a former official from the Philippine Commission on Women. Think of it as a small courtesy call of sorts, since we’re the Gender and Development team of our Bureau. Our office auditor from the Commission on Audit also treated us for breakfast in our last day at Grandpa’s Inn, and needless to say, their vigan longganisa is just [chef’s kiss].
looking forward
There is not much to look forward to, and I say this in a neutral tone—neither in a good way, or a bad way.
I tackle tomorrows by taking it hour by hour until the day ends, counting down the days until the weekend, the weeks that would follow until my pay arrives, the grueling months we had to endure in every subject—and what do you know, three months have passed. Either we have finished a term in graduate school, or I have to file my division’s accomplishment report at work since a quarter has passed.
My eyes follow the tick of the clock, watching the pages fly from the calendar. It’s the -ber months, the start of Christmas season in the country. A month will follow and it’s my partner and I’s birthdays, bonuses will rain in November until December, and we’ll finally have a term break.
Time will fly by fast, yet it paces itself slowly at the same time. I look forward on passing the time.
Final Thoughts
In such a volatile environment that we are navigating in, I am feeling unsure on how I will move forward. Times are tough and uncertain; everyday things become more and more complicated and complex. I move with decisions laced with ambiguity, and it makes me freeze up in anxiety at times. There isn’t a day where I think about sunk costs in the actions I set my mind to, always plagued with what-ifs and what could have beens.
Such is the reality of living in a VUCA world, I guess.
How about you, my space explorer? How you explore our surroundings riddled with complexities? I look forward on hearing about it.
This concludes today’s Sunday Currently. Do your best and love well.
<3, Aud
If you are interested on having my slides for the topic, feel free to send an email to me. I am more than happy to share it to you, my space explorers.
Super helpful. Continue making these please.