Trial 4: My Daily Blues

The sound of my phone alarm filled my apartment room. I paused for a minute before going into a frog sitting position. I remained in a frog sitting position for a minute before switching into a normal sitting position with my feet dropped down the bed but not completely stepped onto the floor for another minute. Finally, I got out of bed. I stride into the bathroom as I yawn. Reaching the bathroom, I gargle with a mouthwash. Then, I begin cooking for breakfast and lunch. Today, I opt for a High Fiber Spinach Omelet Sandwich for breakfast. Meanwhile, for lunch, I choose Short Grain Rice in Cheesy Chili Con Carne with shredded Cabbage and Carrot Sticks wrapped in a sheet of laver. Finishing my kitchen duties, I consume my breakfast with a glass of milk and a piece of banana. Immediately after, I bathe. When done, I dress up in a jiffy and swiftly apply light makeup. By light makeup, it only consists of a makeup primer, a matte foundation, and a lip tint on a shade of glowing pink. Feeling all prepped-up, I leave for work.

Arriving at my workplace, I commence my work with my cooperative co-workers. As mentioned in our meeting the previous week, we don't have any major, luxurious event to plan so work went smoother for them this time. When the working hours were over, everybody left the office with a smile on their faces. Once out in the open, everyone went on separate ways.

I walk my way home like usual but this time. Instead of walking leisurely, my strides are longer because I want to check how much of a difference it would make in terms of the duration. As expected, the way back to my new apartment from work is shorter when walking briskly as compared to when walking leisurely. Getting inside my room, I prepare lettuce, cucumber salad with imitation crab sticks cut into cubes and whole kernel corn, and topped with melted cheddar cheese for supper. Thinking as though something's missing, I decided to prepare Greek Yogurt with some fresh chilled blueberries for dessert. As everything is set, I eat supper in delight. Then, right away, I did my oral hygiene routine. Conversely, I took my time having a body sponge bath, followed by a short body wash in my bathtub to cleanse away the dirt I incurred for the day. Of course, if there's a body cleansing, there's also facial cleansing then, the application of face and body night cream. I clad myself with my usual home clothes. Before lulling to sleep, I offered a short prayer.

This pattern of living went on until Friday came.

When I was out of the hotel that I work at, I was approached by Bianca who asked, "Hey, Alaine! How about supper together? It's my treat."

I replied, "I'd like that; however, I can't agree with your last sentence."

"If that's how you want it, then, fine; it's a "pay your own order."

"I couldn't like that any better. So, where is it going to be?"

"Hmm, let's see. How about at the plaza? There's a diner there that serves yummy pasta dishes."

"Oh! Fancy. Let's go!"

At the diner, we found a perfect spot for quiet dining that can also accommodate a friendly conversation.

Bianca suggested, "Alaine, you stay here while I order our foods. It's more practical that way since a lot of people followed in just seconds following our entrance."

I affirmed, "Yes, I agree. I'll just chat you for my order so keep looking at your phone while in the queue."

"Yup, I got that."

Bianca stands in the queue for about 10 minutes before she gets her turn.

A quarter later, Bianca returns to our chosen table with our meals on a tray.

I ordered Penne ala Puttanesca and Strawberry Gelato. As for Bianca, she ordered Arugula Pesto Penne Salad with cherry tomatoes and Taro Milk Tea.

When Bianca settled on her seat, I gave her my payment for my orders which Bianca reluctantly accepts.

Bianca initiates a conversation by throwing a question, "How is it going with your new apartment room?"

I reply, "It's going fine although the trip from work to home and vice versa is a little bit longer than when I still have my house. It's okay though. How about you? Anything new?"

"Well, I'm glad to hear that you're thriving well with your new environment. As for me, nothing's new. Nonetheless, I'm quite happy."

I nod and comment, "I'm glad you're happy" with a smiling face.

The smile elicits a raised eyebrow from Bianca who remarks, "Someone's in a good mood these days. Be honest, is there something or someone who catalyzed this good mood of yours? You're rather blooming these days."

I just laugh and say, "Well, you could say that."

Bianca was unsatisfied with my reply so she resumes pestering me, "Come on; just tell me what happened."

I gave in and confessed, "Okay, you got me. Last weekend, I got a new part-time job. I'm starting on Sunday at 4:00 pm at a residential house with a music studio which is about a mile away from this plaza."

Bianca didn't hide her amazement, "Wow! That's cool. As expected of you. Congratulations! I thought it was caused by a guy."

I laughed even louder and said, "That's not going to happen, you know; at least for now."

Bianca giggles and throws a rejoinder, "You can never tell."

We laugh even louder if that's even possible.

After laughing together, our conversation continues with a topic about skincare.

"I just consumed my night cream so I need to buy a new one. You know, I'm thinking of trying out another brand to see which is better. So, Alaine what do you think?"

"Well, I never changed my brand since high school. The only thing that changed is aside from applying night cream, I take collagen gummies daily while walking to work. Also, I do a weekly face and body scrub. Afterward, I use a facial mask. Also, I avoid staying up so late as much as possible. Having a nice sleep is the best skincare, I guess. That's about my daily blues. Going back to your question, I think if you're already okay with your current brand, don't switch to another anymore."

Bianca receives my answer positively, saying, "Touché. I'll try to avoid staying up so late."

"You should. What keeps you up so late anyway?"

Bianca reasons, "That's because I can't help but binge-watch on Netflix every night."

This time, it's my turn to give a rejoinder, "I know it's tempting but, we're aging every day so we have to get enough sleep to avoid aging more than we already do."

Bianca affirms my point by nodding.

A second later, I begin chuckling. Bianca joins in shortly.

At 7:55 pm, we finished our meals and went out of the diner.

"I had fun tonight. Thanks for asking me out, Bianca."

"Likewise; so, I'll see you around then. Bye Alaine, and take care."

"Thanks, Bianca. You too."

And we parted.

When I arrived home, I did my skincare blues.

I wanted to go straight to bed when I finished, but I felt bloated.

"I should have known that this is going to happen. It serves me right for talking and laughing a lot while eating. I regret nothing though because, by next week, I'll start working part-time so who knows, this might be the last time that I'll ever get to hang out with a good friend like Bianca. Nothing beats having someone to share what's going on in your life. Since it has come down to this, I bet I have to break some sweat to induce sleep. Although that is going to smudge off the night cream I applied on my skin but I guess it's not that bad to break the blues for once. It's good that there's no work tomorrow."

"Okay, time for a workout!"

And I spent twenty minutes straight for a cardio exercise session. My plan was effective. Being auto-lulled to sleep by the time I laid down my bed was the evidence.