January is an exciting time for new plans and resolutions. A lot of people would usually spend the first week of the new year in the best way possible. I wanted to — meet a good friend, try a new resto, read the first book of the year, watch the first movie of the year, return to work with a refreshed mindset.

I had lots of plans but they didn’t happen. I got sick. A slight fever that started on 28 December didn’t go away with Paracetamol, efforts to eat more vegetables & fruits and take daily vitamins. It got worse from there (terrible cough, weakness, fatigue) with intermittent moments of this-will-get-better-i-just-need-rest-and-VitC (esp. after testing negative for the Covid virus) and a persistent cough.

But of course, I didn’t spend the entire time in bed. I think I’d feel worse if I did. I was still able to do a bit of grocery buying, enjoy the buko salad at home, and join the family briefly at the stroke of midnight New year bonding and meet my brother’s family who came to visit.

Being unwell surely took away some magic at the start of the year. But what I loved about it was, during the day that I felt a bit better, I stood at the window and felt the early morning sun on my face and arms. It’s as if I’m experiencing that warmth for the first time. Also, when I went out of the house to do an errand, my knees felt still a bit wobbly but I felt so happy walking the 2 blocks from our house to the tricycle stop.

Also, I was ecstatic when I was well enough to start reading a novel (Esperanza Rising that I got from a bookstore over a year ago and discovered again recently 😀 ) last Saturday that I lingered long in the sala after everyone has gone to bed, but had to stop reading eventually at past midnight when I started to feel a bit dizzy.

Also, I did miss my amazing team at work. They were so sweet to send me a get-well-soon video. So when I finally returned to work this week, I was glad to see them again and greet them a Happy New Year.

Now, just the second week of the year, we are busy again in the Office so my colleague asked me teasingly if I really missed the Office. I smiled. I am just so glad to feel well again and I will strive to take better care of my health.

I hope you all feel healthy and well too. Eat healthy. Be healthy. Take care!