I had intended to find time and commit myself into writing regularly, precisely the reason for this blog. But life always seems to get the better of me: it’s always a tad faster than the leisurely pace I have accustomed myself to. Writing is only one of the many things in my long list of to do’s. And the longer I procrastinate, the longer the lists – yes, LISTS – get. Aside from things I would want to do, there’s this other list of stuff I want to buy. Wish lists, long-term and short-term. Another list for home, for work, for clients. Lists for my kids, gifts, numbers, inventories. To-purchase over the weekend, to-buys in the next few weeks. Bills, must-remembers, recipes. Ay-yay-yay.
That’s not to say that I don’t have the tools and devices to help me organize my life.
For the rudimentary lists I always like to keep on hand, there’s a teeny tiny notekeeper in my bag for those quick must-write-downs. Colorful post its to mark important papers. A document keeper for receipts, prescriptions, whatnots. Two mobile phones with mirrored contacts so that when one’s out of juice, then life would still be a go.
On my work desk, I have a medium-sized whiteboard for quick reminders on client requests. A gray planner where earlier this year I’ve started jotting down birthdays and anniversaries, what now seems to be a one of the many things that clutter my table. Alongside, there’s my desk planner, several notebooks, a gazillion folders in file holders organized alphabetically by client name, a business card holder, a photo album, a folder for databases of suppliers and partners.
It gets better at home. I have a big and chunky journal that I bought at a hefty price during the tail-end of 2006, in the hopes that it will compel me to diligently write the small nothings of my life. At its first few pages, I’ve devoted – surprise – a list of my cow collection, my CDs, my bags, gifts I received over the holidays. By my bed, I’ve two brown boxes that contain home-related documents, you know – official receipts I couldn’t throw for warranty purposes, my kids’ school records, utility bills with amounts I’ve plotted out to figure out which months we consumed electricity the most. I even have one labeled “Stuff I Couldn’t Bring Myself to Throw.” Seriously. Ok, let’s not talk about my work and home computer anymore, because I think y’all have a pretty good idea.
The fact that life catches up on me too fast too soon doesn’t really make me want to stop and give up on my lists. It makes me all the more want to continue them. And yet year upon year, I’ve accumulated, all these little widgets and doodads that I can’t seem to bear to put out in the trash. Still, we all crave to add on to the pile that seems to be taking over our house, our work spaces, our lives.
So, lemme keep with tradition, by creating my first list in blogspace. Let’s begin, shall we?
Little Things That I Like To Do
- Find time to write, whether by hand or by computer keys.
- Decide on a look for my house by selecting inspirations from my dozen or so magazines.
- Fix my kids’ study space so they will be more inspired to do schoolwork and their art. Spend more, more time with them, as much as I can pry my eyes open.
- Speaking of art, get back on doing one artwork at a time. And being more active in joining those InK meetings and activities again. Maybe joining the PBBY again this year will not leave me broken-hearted?
- Give up on things that are now bad for my health. “Life’s too short” becomes more real when it’s being threatened. On that note, consider buying a kick-ass gas/stove range so that food is still flavorful. Stock up on spices. Quit smoking.
- Save up and open another bank account. Review other sources of moolah, perhaps. Prepare for the 2008 Tiangge season. Sell custom shirts.
- Learn how to drive. Take up art lessons or consider business school. Go to ID school?
- Go on a summer holiday with the entire family, including my mom and my sisters!
- Meet up with my closest buds on a regular basis.
- Frame my completed puzzles somewhere. Don’t rush off to finishing my crosswords. Turn off the TV before going to snooze.
Hmmm, this list should be good for now. Already pretty daunting but somehow sums up the things that I’ve been so longing to do. Let’s wait and see if this time I can catch up and instead be the one to bite it on its ass.
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Pictured: Nalusuan Island, Cebu
Finally Dee 