MY MOST outrageous September Project was in 2015, when I endeavored to find a boyfriend online via the social media platforms.
Among the other September projects I’ve undertaken was buying some property the following year.
It’s crazy because it takes more than a month to process everything from initial talks to arriving at a clear transfer of title.
***
In 2017, I started my world tour in September.
It was a slow start: Philippines and Greece in September, and Spain in October.
And in November, the frantic 14-country tour of Europe.
Which ended in Ireland and the UK in December.
***
This year, my September Project is building the La Choza de Dom Pedro at the Hacienda Dom Pedro.
Work officially started on August 28, and still we aren’t finished.
I have high hopes for a completion by September 30, but I’m not holding my breath for it.
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La Choza, the hut, is really a treehouse.
But it’s not child’s play.
Because of some happy coincidences, I ended up having a hardwood two-story treehouse instead of just nipa and bamboo.
It is located on top of my small hill.
And still, it stands 35 feet tall.
So imagine if my hill is another 40 feet above the neighboring properties.
***
I had a quick overnight trip in Escalante, Negros Occidental in the middle of the month.
It was a RO-RO experience crossing the Guimaras Strait.
There were some long distance driving, and a food fest.
In 32 hours, these: kansi, puto Manapla, Chicken Belly boodle fight-style platter, pan Bisaya, grilled tuna panga, seafood fare in a floating restaurant, and Manokan Country inasal.
***
The peso continues to fall behind the dollar.
Last Friday, it was P58.50 to a dollar.
(Although to be honest, I only benefitted when I got a rate of P57.20 to a dollar.)
I don’t stress over centavos and single digit differences.
It’s just money. Haha.
***
I’m a little irrational sometimes, but things work well for me.
Because I noticed that the construction work drains my peso bank account much faster, I cashed out some of my dollar accounts.
My joke was: Let’s see if it is going to make a dent in my dollar savings.
Now, to be fair, it felt like the expenses slowed down.
***
You may argue that the expenses stopped because I already bought the materials with my peso savings.
Or that I have already paid the carpenters’ wages in advance using my cash pesos on hand.
But, you mustn’t deny me the satisfaction of feeling that Philippine costs cannot shake my dollar savings accounts. Haha.
***
September is a little expensive for me this year.
It’s all cash out at the moment.
And I’m feeling the strain.
Friends have been asking me if I have any return of investments for all the things that I’ve been spending on.
I’m thinking, not all ROIs are in the form of money coming in.
What about Happiness?
What about Doing What I Want?
What about Satisfaction?
What about Living the Dream?
***
True, I’m spending more than what I am willing to pay.
But I’m also very happy.
I do not settle for instant coffee.
I do not save by using the coffee packs I have purchased in the US.
But I like my little P12 per cup at the public market.
And I can drink two cups in the morning.
Last week, I discovered another coffee shop.
My kape barako is P20 per pot, and a pot is like 1.5 to 2 cups.
***
Because I take a photo everyday, I notice how happy I look these days.
Sunburnt and a little aged, yes; but looking so happy and content.
Like, it’s the smile of someone who is 40M confident.
Sincere smile, genuine joy—as a friend described.
***
On social media, you see me with flowers on my ear, or in my hair.
Roadside flowers that I pick.
I’m still waiting for people to arrest me for picking their flowers.
Sometimes, you’d see me eating flowers raw, too.
Because why not?
My favorite salads are bluebellvine (blue ternate), and gumamela (hibiscus).
I’m a flower-eater!/PN
