Thursday, September 29, 2011 | By: Jenggai

Back to basics

I wasn’t able to go to work last Tuesday due to Typhoon Pedring. I texted my boss before 8:00 am that morning to ask if work for that day is suspend. He replied that it’s not though I could file a leave upon my return if I couldn’t make it. I only have five remaining service incentive leaves so I really wanted to go to work because I am saving my SILs for Andrei’s birthday and for my hubby’s arrival in November. However, when I looked out the window, I saw the fierce wind and rain. I know I could get through the rain, but how about the wind? My three-fold umbrella could not stand that wind! And so, as much as I wanted to leave the house, I stayed home.

As early as 8:00 am, electricity had been cut off. That means no TV for Andrei and no internet surfing for me. Cell phone signal is not that good also so I couldn’t use mobile surfing as well. After lunch, I took Andrei to our room for his afternoon siesta. Although it was cold and rainy, Andrei is still sweaty. Good thing I was able to recharge the battery of his rechargeable fan/light. I was able to charge my laptop the night before so Andrei was able to watch Thomas and Friends from my laptop before going to sleep.

With no electricity and with my laptop battery drained, I found myself lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. I can’t help recalling the days when the country had to endure the scheduled brownouts everyday. I was in high school back then and I remember doing my assignments beside our emergency lamp or candle and listening to my battery operated pocket radio. It was like being back to basics. And on weekends, me and my cousins would play hide and seek under the moonlight or ask our lola or tita for ghost tales. There were even days when we felt disappointed that the electricity was back on because we know that it was time to go back home. 


Life was simple back then. No cell phone, no laptops and computers. How lucky are the kids these days! But I am still thankful that I was able to experience such basic life as it made me appreciate the things I have today.

3 comments:

Michi said...

we're lucky to experience the life without gadgets. my son was crying last tuesday because he can't watch his favorite dvd. it's hard to explain how electricity works and if there's no elec. TV will not work and any other appliance. well, that's my dilemna if there's no elec.

Jenggai said...

I, too, didn't know how to explain to Andrei that the TV won't work without electricity when he asked me to turn it on. I was just lucky that I was able to charge my laptop the night before.

MACY said...

agree! so let's appreciate the simple things we can still enjoy..=)

-Macy
www.maccyy.blogspot.com

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