Here I am again, immersed in the activities that fill the hours of my so-called Barretto life. As boring and repetitive as that may seem here on the blog, I’m not complaining. I had a bit of an epiphany this morning. Between not being able to shake the feeling of impending doom and my fantasies of going back in time for a do-over life, I’m forgetting to live in the moment and enjoy the days I’m blessed with living, no matter how many I may have left. I’ve made that mistake before, as revisiting my old posts about my last year in Korea has reminded me. I was sad and lonely, looking forward to moving to the Philippines, yet unable to let go of the heartbreak of the past. But now, when I look back from the perspective of eight years on, I see what a happy time that could have been if I’d opened myself to all the positive aspects of that life. Hell, I was living in a palace paid for by the government, I had a six-figure salary plus my monthly retirement pension. I was surrounded by beautiful countryside. I was climbing mountains and hiking riversides. Work provided some substance and meaning, along with the companionship of my coworkers. I don’t have any regrets about retiring when I did, but I wasted a year lamenting what I’d lost and thinking about a future that hadn’t yet arrived, instead of living in the moment. So now I’m resolved and committed to embracing what I have today and appreciating this life for what it is.

Okay, with that out of the way, let me share the story of my yesterday. Our driver, Swan’s friend Mercy, picked us up from the Wave Song Resort at 8:30. I had it in mind to treat everyone to breakfast at the FRA in San Antonio, which has a great kitchen, at least the last time I visited. I entered the venue into Google Maps for directions, and we were off. Or the app was, because the direction it wanted to take us didn’t align with my memory. Who you gonna believe, GPS or a feeble brain? Eventually, I just had Mercy take the route I knew to the main highway, and we went from there.

We were the only car in the parking lot when we pulled into the FRA. I planned for us to sit in the outdoor dining area, so I went to the service window to fetch a waitress. It was empty inside except for one young woman behind the counter. I asked if they were open (it was after 9 now), and she said yes, then added that the kitchen staff had not yet arrived. I asked how long it would be until they got here, and she didn’t know. Hmm, okay then. I heard the FRA was going downhill, and this seemed to be confirmation. So, we reloaded into the car and hit the road for Barretto.

I was hungry, but unfamiliar with alternative options in San Antonio. I remembered a place in Castillejos called Mukbang, but as we passed, it was closed. There is a place called Spice Restaurant in Subic that I’ve always wanted to try, but it wasn’t open yet, either. As we entered Calapandayan, I recalled a new resort that had recently opened. We did a walkthrough on a previous hike, and it looked nice. So, we pulled in to give it a try.

The gals all got traditional Filipino breakfasts, and since I was hungry, I of course went with the Hungarian breakfast.

Anyway, it turned out to be a nice enough place to enjoy a bayside meal.

Back home safe and sound, I set about my usual afternoon routines of napping and blogging, then showered up and headed into Barretto for the first time in days! I needed to hit the ATM, and It Doesn’t Matter has a good one, so that’s where we kicked things off. The ATM worked fine, but sadly, IDM isn’t what it used to be without Cliff and Ashley running the show. A totally different vibe these days, not unfriendly, but not warm and welcoming like we were accustomed to. I’m sure we’ll still visit occasionally, but there are plenty of bars to choose from here in Barretto.

Not as many restaurants these days (yes, still missing John’s place), but I offered Swan three dining options all within a block of IDM: Jewel Cafe, Myleen’s, or Foodies. Swan chose Myleen’s because it has the best (and only) birria tacos in town.

Myleen’s was busier than I’ve ever seen it, but they handled it well. As a long-time customer, I’m on friendly terms with the manager, Eve. Which means I subject her to my warped sense of humor, and she doesn’t get offended.

Swan said the dipping sauce was much better than what they had served during our previous visit. I passed that along to Eve, and she said she’d let the chef know.

After our meal, we crossed the highway and did our nightcap at Cheap Charlies. They were fairly busy as well, and we sat near several folks we are acquainted with, so we had some nice chitchat while we drank our beverages.

Well, there was a surprisingly brisk breeze blowing last night, and that made Swan chilly. Poor girl has never experienced what a real winter is like. She says she wants to, though. Maybe I’ll take her to Korea in January before I die.

Since we had already had dinner, I didn’t order food for the girls or buy them an overpriced lady drink. I did give each of the staff (seven in all) a 50 peso tip. Then we headed home for bedtime.

Until I die, I’ll keep exploding heads on Facebook with crap memes like this.

Still February 2018 in the LTG archives and in a rare positive post from back then, I talk about My Beautiful Life. It shouldn’t be hard to focus on the good in life. I’m going to do my best to get better at it.

Although I accept that time travel is not in my future, you can still visit the past via YouTube videos, such as this one about saloon life in the Old West. Honestly, I don’t think I’d enjoy drinking piss-warm beer and hanging out in joints like those. But I guess there weren’t any other options back then.

I haven’t lost my sense of humor. Such as it is:

So, now it’s time to get out and enjoy the things I have in my life while I can. I know folks who are crippled up and homebound, but I hope that if that day ever comes for me, I’ll make the best of it. Life truly is a gift.