So, how are things going in your area?
Last week was rather disrupted. Monsoon rains affected the vicinity of the apartment that the streets were flooded and anytime we had to leave the apartment for work or to run an errand, you had to wade in floodwaters that, depending on raining conditions, were either ankle-high to knee-high. For the entire week, there was flooding in the streets that I had to evacuate Big Red and it had to stay at the office during the nights and moving it to pay parking during the days.
When the rains didn't cease Monday evening, I was forced out of bed at around 10:30pm to wade the rising waters in our street to drive Big Red to safety. Our kapitbahay said he placed their car at McDonald's PRC which had upward sloping parking spaces and he suggested I put our car there. But that was PRC which was notorious for their chest-high floods so instead of turning right at JP Rizal, I turned left and headed for Makati Avenue while I thought of where to park Big Red. I finally decided to just head off to the office where I knew Big Red would be safest. And then, it was a wet walk to Ayala to hope to catch a jeep ride home. No luck. I then walked towards Columns where I rode a tricycle at the Makati Fire Station. Of course, the trike driver charged a fare higher than normal but at 11:30pm, sleepy and wet, I was in no mood to argue. Floodwaters already reached Trabajo Street, the lead-off street to Fortuna Street where I lived and the trike could no longer handle the already calf-high waters. I disembarked and waded the rest of the way home. By then, the waters in front of the apartment gate was already a little past the knees but thank goodness it didn't reach yet the apartment's ground level.
Ikai didn't have school the entire week and while that meant more TV and play time it also meant she will have a hard time getting back to her school groove. It already started to show with her constant deferring of reviewing for their 2nd Mastery Tests which were supposed to be scheduled last week. My guess is that the tests will be moved this week so starting tonight we'll be cramming to review.
Being cooped inside the house for the entire week also made the two little ones cranky. One minute they'll be playing together and the next minute they'll be tearing at each other. Issa's favorite tactic is a sudden kalmot or kagat. Ikai, in fairness, tries to remain non-combatant but at times she could not contain herself especially when the bite from her little sister BITES. Instinct and reflex kicks in and she lashes out with a kick or swipe at the unfortunate little one who remains on the offensive. We, adults, are usually able to prevent the two from going at each other but at times, they still manage to let out a swing or a bite before we could step in.
Disruptions to the cable TV last week also spelled hell because then that means that the cranky kids become even crankier as they're not able to watch their Disney Junior shows.
Since I had secured Big Red already, all throughout the week, all we had to be wary about was the possibility of flooding in the first floor. Unlike Ondoy in 2009 however, the floods didn't reach the apartment's ground floor this time around despite the non-stop rains which was a blessing. Otherwise, we would've been scrambling to get furniture and appliances to the second floor. Buying stuff from the talipapa at Sacramento however proved a chore as it was submerged in waist-high waters. But business still continued although there wasn't that much on stock.
I actually managed to report for work for most of last week (had to take a leave on Friday to do daddy-duties) so I witnessed first-hand how torrential the rains were. Tuesday was declared no-work day but I still had to drop by the office to check on Big Red. From the office, with the rains pouring, I headed off to Greenbelt to buy some groceries at Rustan's. What was normally a well-lit Greenbelt was rather dim as many of the stores were closed. I had to buy something at National Bookstore and I was able to persuade the guards to allow me to enter even though they were already closed (they closed shop at 4pm, got there at 4:15pm). I was out of NBS in 10 minutes. After buying what was needed at Rustan's grocery, I decided to stay a little dry and opted to take the walkway to Dela Rosa Street. I passed by Greenbelt and many of the high-end retail establishments were closed as well. Only a few restos remained opened.
Wednesday, I again reported for work despite the floodwaters and the never-ceasing rains. I arrived at the office wearing my tsinelas and cargo-shorts and quickly changed when I got up. While I did manage to get stuff done (mostly those pending items that relied solely on my own resources) the absence of others however didn't allow for completion of bigger tasks. Plus, by 3:30pm, the Desk announced an early-out for employees. My wife and I met up and we proceeded to Landmark to buy more groceries just in case. And yes, Big Red was left in the office again.
Thursday had better weather and more employees managed to report for work. We finally took Big Red home as the floods in our street had already receeded by the afternoon.
So, how did your week last week fare? Weather reports say that another typhoon is coming mid-week and it'll be enhancing the monsoon rains again. Stay safe, folks. Be prepared.
