Sometimes I find myself funeral planning for my own demise. Sick, right? Is that still healthy? Nope it’s not something that happens regularly nor something I enjoy thinking about. It’s just that there are times when I can’t help but think about the future, as in the morbid possible future.

Especially now that I already have a family of my own, I wonder and worry about what would happen to them in case something bad happens to me. I want andrea to be able to rely on a backup plan if things take a sudden turn for the worst – something like, this-is-what-I-want-you-to-do-if-I-die kind of talk or plan.

I’m not being pessimistic or anything but I am looking at a month or so in another country away from them – a place I’ve never been to nor a place I where I have the slightest control of. I don’t know for certain what awaits me but I know the responsibilities that I carry.

As for my part, however, I will do my very best to take care of myself and my health. I just hope nothing bad comes to me or my family.

Being practically newlyweds still (only been married for 5 years) and newbies at independent living, we’ve always shied away from insurance agents and products. I mean, why wouldn’t we? We’re young, healthy, and practically far from accidents, or so we thought. I guess it’s the common folly of youth – living in a delusion where you think you have much control about everything.

It wasn’t until last year when a major typhoon drenched the whole country with 5 to 10 feet of flood water that we started considering the possibility of getting insured. I can’t help it. People close to us went through incredible ordeals because of the sudden and unexpected flooding. Among the many vehicles that were soaked, only cars insured with acts-of-God insurance came back from alive. The rest just simply died and gave up.

Who wouldn’t feel vulnerable after that? Now we have more respect for insurance quotes and pay more attention to insurance details than before. As the saying goes, better safe than sorry.

Cleaning the garage, giving the dog a bath, and cleaning the mop are duties that I basically have monopoly in. It’s just a fancy way of saying that I’m the only one in the house in charge of those chores. And I have no complains about that. I actually am proud of how I manage to accomplish all of them even before andrea and mateo wake up.

However, last month, after a routine rundown of the three, my hands and feet showed a nasty allergic reaction. Actually, up to now, I still have no idea which allergen triggered the whole thing. Bumps just started showing up on my palms and the soles of my feet, AND THEY WERE ITCHY – like mind-blowing itchy!

It was a good thing we had a doctor neighbor for a quick consultation. She told me to just drink antihistamine for allergy relief and to apply a corticosteroid ointment to lessen the itch and bring the bumps down. Fortunately, it did.

Now, where the bumps used to be, I am shedding portions of my skin. I think whatever reaction my body had to that mysterious allergen more or less caused my skin to die and start sloughing off. My hands look like something from silence of the lambs, but at least they’re ok. No more bumps and no more itch!

I can finally go back to cleaning again. (just have to be remember about the cleaning hazards)

To keep telling myself we’re doing the right thing, I’ve been trying to recall all the good points about moving. Here are the things I’ve got so far.

1. Moving back means being closer to everyone else – mateo’s grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts (oops well not aunts because the only blood-related aunt he has is staying behind, all the rest are second degrees or in-laws).

2.  Moving back means we’re freeloading. Although I’m deeply embarrassed about it, freeloading provides us a way to get by for the meantime, at least while we wait for our departure.

3. Moving back makes it easier to meet up with friends we left behind in QC. (Ahem! Poker time na ba to?)

4. Moving back means being closer to UP – the picnics, jogging, casual strolls around the academic oval, fishballs, etc. Since I’m not considering weight loss pills anymore, might as well make good on my promise to keep fit. Ultimate Frisbee, anyone?

5. Moving back also means being able to visit SM North more frequently again. It’s not for any fancy reason though. It just holds a certain significance in our life since andrea and I used to spend a LOT of time there when we were still dating.

I’m going to miss a lot of things though, but I guess that’s for another post.

Diet pills may not be the most accessible form of losing weight, but they certainly are starting to gain popularity quickly. Especially with the busy lifestyles and hectic work schedules of people nowadays, they seem to be the most convenient way to remain slim. I used to believe that too until I recently came across hydroxycut advanced reviews.

Searching for the best weight loss pill in US brought me to hydroxycut products. However, after some research I discovered that the FDA recently discouraged the use of the products because of having been implicated for several health issues. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked but at the same time grateful – shocked that such a product made it so far only to be deemed unhealthy and grateful that I don’t have the means to get diet pills. Haha!

At least now, I know better. I’m sticking to good old sweating to keep fit and light. Never mind about the effort. At least I know it’s safe and free.