• Travels,  USA

    Peek-a-boo

    April 3, 2024

    Hey! I’m so excited to share our recent trip to Sarah P. Duke Gardens with you all. It was one of those perfect spring days where the sun was shining, and the air was filled with anticipation. The warmth of the sun and the clear blue sky set the perfect backdrop for our adventure.

    We had our hearts set on seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom. While they were playing a bit of peek-a-boo with us in the gardens, we were thrilled to discover a stunning display of cherry blossoms on the Duke University campus! The sight of the delicate pink petals against the blue sky was absolutely enchanting.

    Everywhere we looked, there were bursts of color and the sweet fragrance of flowers in the air. We couldn’t help but pause every few steps to take it all in.

    One of the highlights of our day was visiting the Duke University Chapel. Its intricate architecture left us in awe. We spent some time exploring the grounds, taking photos, and simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

    But you know what the best part was? It wasn’t about the cherry blossoms or the grandeur of the chapel. It was about being together as a family, sharing laughter and creating memories that we’ll cherish forever.

    Our stroll around the campus and gardens wasn’t even planned, but sometimes the best adventures are spontaneous. As we strolled hand in hand, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for moments like these. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that bring us the most joy – like spending a beautiful day surrounded by loved ones in a place as Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

    After our unplanned stroll, we headed to Red Crab Juicy Seafood for dinner. I had been eagerly anticipating some large sea crabs, and my cravings for seafood were finally satisfied – from succulent shrimp to juicy crab legs, all seasoned to perfection.! The delicious meal was the perfect way to end our day.

    Sure, we may not have found what we were originally looking for in the gardens, but what we discovered was so much better: the beauty of nature, the warmth of family, and the joy of being present in the moment.

    I am already looking forward to more unplanned trips like this one, where the unexpected becomes the highlight of our day.

    Sending you all lots of love and sunshine from our springtime adventure at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Duke University campus, and our delightful dinner at Red Crab Juicy Seafood!

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  • Travels,  USA

    By The Lake

    March 30, 2024

    Our trip to Jordan Lake was a spontaneous plan, thanks to my brother-in-law and his cousin, who also live here in North Carolina. We decided to spend an afternoon there, and it turned out to be a memorable day. We packed our lunch and snacks, opting for Popeye’s, which was a hit with everyone. With our food and essentials ready, we headed out to enjoy some quality family time by the lake.

    The weather was scorching hot, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. I had a lot of fun, especially chasing after my energetic nephew. Though I have to admit, I did get quite a bit of sun. Running around in the heat left me feeling like I was baking in the sun!

    Mom had an interesting outfit choice for the day—she wore long sleeves, thinking it might be chilly. Unfortunately, she didn’t anticipate the warm weather, so she ended up quite uncomfortable. It was a bit of a funny sight, seeing her dressed for cooler weather in the blazing sun.

    Despite the heat and a few wardrobe mishaps, our afternoon at Jordan Lake was filled with laughter and good times. The delicious Popeye’s lunch, the beautiful lake, and the joy of being together made it a day to remember. I look forward to more spontaneous adventures like this with family.

    After our picnic, we went to HMart, an Asian grocery store. It was my first time setting foot in the store, and I was amazed by the wide variety of Asian groceries and vegetables available. After our grocery shopping, we headed straight to Rajha’s cousin’s house for dinner. I had no idea why we were going to their house; I thought we were just sightseeing. It turned out they had prepared a dinner for us.

    The meal was incredible, with so much food that I couldn’t even try everything. I particularly enjoyed the fish, which I focused on while missing out on some other dishes. This unexpected dinner added another layer of joy to our day, making the entire experience at Jordan Lake and beyond truly unforgettable.

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  • Travels,  USA

    My FIRST International Trip

    March 25, 2024

    Yes, we’re going to North Carolina, USA, finally to visit and spend some time with my nephew. Yeah, this is my FIRST international trip, and I wanted to document everything.

    We arrived at the airport really early at 12:30 am. Better to be early than miss the flight. We spent our time on the benches near the check-in counter until it opened. We hurried to line up as soon as the counters opened. They asked me to pay the travel tax, which I had not done because my sister said that it was included in the ticket. Turns out it was not the same tax mentioned on the ticket. After checking in, we were immediately assisted by the assistance service. Everything happened so quickly after immigration; we were already sitting on benches near the gate. The wheelchair assistance was a great help; there were no long lines in immigration, as they took us straight to our gates.

    Our trip was from Manila to Hong Kong, New York, and finally Raleigh. I will never forget what happened in Hong Kong airport. After being dropped off at the gate, I went to the restroom. When I returned, there were barricades on my way. But there was no other path, so I lifted it and walked through. A staff member approached me. I told her I went to the restroom, and Mom was sitting in the front row. Her approach was a bit odd.

    Another unforgettable experience moment was at the New York airport. My bag kept on going back and forth through TSA, which made me very nervous. It turned out to be my nephew’s J&J cologne I packed. We also had a long walk to our gate. I cannot imagine myself traveling alone and navigating the huge airport.

    Finally, we arrived in Raleigh. It was quick, and soon enough, my sister and her family welcomed us. I finally got to see my nephew—he’s the cutest, and I really miss him.

    After our mini reunion, we went straight to eat. I ordered shrimp, and there were so many in one order. I thoroughly enjoyed them. We went to Walmart for groceries after our meal and then went home.

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  • Life Lately,  Random

    Mixed Emotions

    March 21, 2024

    Tomorrow is my last day at the LPI office for a while. I’ll be gone for 28 working days, almost 45 days in total. It’s a strange feeling; I’m not quite sure what to make of it. There’s a mix of emotions swirling around inside me.

    I’m excited and thrilled because I’ll be accompanying my mom to the USA. It’s a big trip, and the thought of it fills me with anticipation. But I’m also trying not to get too excited just yet.

    My sister told me that as soon as we get our passports, she’ll book our trip immediately. It’s going to be that quick! The idea of everything happening so fast is both exhilarating and a bit nerve-wracking.

    As I prepare for my last day at the office, I find myself reflecting on my time here. I’ll miss my colleagues and the routine we’ve built. But at the same time, I’m looking forward to the adventures that await.

    So, here’s to hoping for fantastic trip ahead. I’m ready for the change, even if it comes with a few jitters. Tomorrow will be a day of goodbyes and see-you-laters, and then it’s on to new experiences and memories. After a long vacation, I’ll be back, hopefully refreshed and full of new stories to share.

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  • Travels

    Sales and Engineering GOES to Pangasinan

    January 15, 2024

    January 12

    I can say, finally, it’s time for the Sales and Engineering Teams to unwind together! This outing was supposed to happen last December, but due to many being unavailable, we had to reschedule. Organizing outings is not easy, but we managed. Since many of us had not been to Pangasinan, we decided on Hundred Islands for Day 1 and Bolinao for Day 2.

    After work, we headed straight to Sir Chino’s place. We hit some traffic along the way, and I ended up falling asleep in the car. We had dinner there. Thanks, Bokkii. We left Bulacan around midnight with the rental van.

    January 13

    We arrived super early and had breakfast at McDonald’s. We had hoped for something hot, like goto or mami, but no luck. Thankfully, our Airbnb host allowed us to check in early so we could finally rest for a bit. I was really sleepy by then.

    Around 8 am, we set out in our island-hopping attire. Our tour guide was super energetic, making the experience even better. For lunch, we bought Bilao thinking it might be cheaper than buying on the island. It turned out to be the same price, with the only difference being the Coke, if I remember it correctly.

    I won’t list all the islands we visited because I cannot remember them all. We took lots of photos, thanks to Ma’am Julia’s phone. We also tried the banana boat. I was hesitant at first, but I decided to go since they needed one more person.
    In the late afternoon, we made a quick stop at Bolo Beach. We had our snacks there but didn’t swim—just a quick visit to take in the scenery. Afterwards, we headed to the market to pick up ingredients for dinner.

    After dinner, instead of the planned liquor session, some of us were too tired and went straight to bed. As for me, I decided to catch up on some Netflix instead. It was a relaxing end to a long day.

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  • Personal

    Dear Me

    November 17, 2023

    Dear Me,

    I want to take this moment to honor the journey you’ve been on — the one that spans eleven years filled with love, dreams, hope, and, yes, pain. You invested so much time and emotion into something you believed in, something you hoped would last a lifetime. And even when things started to change, when the distance grew between you two, you held on. You stayed hopeful, waiting for clarity and honesty that never came.

    It hurt deeply to realize that the future you imagined wasn’t going to happen the way you thought it would. To learn, unexpectedly and silently, that he got married without telling you—it felt like the ground beneath you gave way. His silence was louder than any words he could have said. I know that pain feels raw and heavy, and it’s okay to feel betrayed, confused, and heartbroken.

    But through all of this, I want you to recognize your incredible strength. You faced a truth that many would avoid. You found the courage to end a relationship that no longer honored your worth or your heart. That was not an easy decision. Ending such a long chapter wasn’t giving up—it was an act of bravery and self-respect.

    Remember, healing is not a straight path. There will be days when the pain feels overwhelming, when the memories flood in, and when you question if you’ll ever fully move on. Those days are part of the process. But with each sunrise, you are moving forward, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Every tear you shed, every moment of reflection, and every small step you take toward self-care is progress.

    You are deserving of kindness — especially from yourself. Speak gently to your heart, nurture your soul, and allow yourself the grace to heal at your own pace. You are not defined by this loss, but by your resilience, your capacity to love, and your willingness to grow.

    You are whole, even when you feel broken. You are enough, even when doubt creeps in. And this journey, painful as it has been, is shaping you into a stronger, wiser, and more compassionate version of yourself.

    Keep trusting your intuition. Keep believing in the love you deserve — starting with the love and respect you give to yourself. The future is still unwritten, and there are brighter days ahead. When you’re ready, open your heart again—not just to someone else, but to the beautiful possibility of loving yourself fully.

    I am proud of you, and I will always be here for you.

    With all my love and compassion,
    Me

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  • Random

    Thank You Note

    November 2, 2023

    Hey everyone, I’ve got some exciting news to share—I’ve been promoted to a Senior position, Senior System and Application Engineer! It’s a pretty big deal for me, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. But you know what’s on my mind now? Sending a thank-you note to my Head. Yep, it’s important to show appreciation, and I want to make sure I get it just right.

    So, “thank you for the promotion” is a good start, but I think I can do better. After all, this isn’t just any promotion. How cool is that? I’m thinking of putting a little extra effort into my thank-you note to really let him know how grateful I am.

    I mean, they appreciate gratitude, right? And what better way to show it than with a heartfelt thank-you note? It’s like saying, “Hey, thanks for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity.” Plus, it’s a chance for me to express my excitement about the new position and all the cool stuff I’ll get to do.

    But where do I even start? So yeah, sending a thank-you note might seem like a small thing, but I think it’s important. It’s a chance for me to acknowledge all the hard work that went into getting me to this point and to show my boss that I’m ready to step up and make the most of this incredible opportunity.

    Wish me luck!

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  • Personal

    Letting Go After Eleven Years

    October 1, 2023

    It’s been a while since everything happened — since I realized that the relationship I had held onto for eleven years was no longer what I thought it was. For over a decade, we shared moments, dreams, and a future I believed in. But somewhere along the way, after a difficult cool-off period, honest conversations stopped.

    I remember when he told my family that after his sister’s wedding, we would get married. I felt relief, like finally, there was clarity and hope. But after that, we never spoke about us again. The silence lingered, growing heavier each year.

    August 2023, I found out by chance that he is in New Zealand — not from him, but from outside sources. Later, I discovered he had gotten married before going to NZ without ever telling me. When I confronted him with what I discovered, he didn’t say a word. That silence broke something inside me. It forced me to face a painful truth: I needed to let go.

    Ending an eleven-year chapter was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it was necessary. It’s okay to feel hurt, confused, or betrayed. What matters most is that through it all, I found strength and courage I didn’t know I had.

    I want to remind myself — and anyone who reads this — that our worth isn’t tied to the length of a relationship or someone else’s choices. We are whole on our own.

    Healing takes time. It’s a journey of kindness toward yourself and openness to new beginnings. And when the time comes, love will find its way back — starting with loving ourselves first.

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  • Random

    40 Before 40

    September 23, 2023

    I am not sure how it happened so fast. It has been a month since I turned 39. In less than a year, I will be FORTY. And not even far enough in life.

    See: How I Celebrated My Birthday

    Honestly speaking, I could not be more excited. It cannot be avoided. That is life.

    Life begins at 40, they say.

    But before I turn that age, I want to accomplish things that I felt I should have done in my twenties. I want to complete at least a handful of these before I reach it.

    I have been meaning to write this list for a while now, but I always got distracted. But I am determined to make it happen. I know it is going to be exciting.

    40 things in less than a year is a lot, but I will try my best ticking most before I am 40 or even 50. This is all about having fun chasing dreams.

    See: {Travel Bucket List} 80+ Challenges

    Here are my 40 goals before I turn 40.

    1. Travel somewhere SOLO – It scares and excites me in equal measure.
    2. Book a photoshoot session – Capture this moment in time.
    3. Take a road trip – I started driving this year; now I’m ready for an adventure.
    4. Celebrate New Year in a different province – Ring in the New Year somewhere new.
    5. Do a five-kilometer run – My first marathon attempt.
    6. Get in shape – Reach 65kg and feel confident in a bikini.
    7. Develop an exercise routine – Make fitness a habit.
    8. Enjoy a spa day every now and then – Regular self-care.
    9. Launch a YouTube Channel – Maybe about road trips? Let’s see.
    10. Try a short haircut – But not shorter than last year.
    11. Give my hair a lighter hue – Step out of my comfort zone.
    12. Get rid of credit card debt – Financial freedom by forty.
    13. Have savings and insurance – Start a side hustle if needed.
    14. Complete a 30 to 120-day “No Spend” challenge – No Shopee/Lazada, no FoodPanda.
    15. Build a capsule wardrobe – Find and stick to a style that works for me.
    16. Plan my 40th birthday with family – A celebration to remember.
    17. Buy/Get myself an amazing 40th birthday present – I deserve it.
    18. Write in my blog every single day – Consistency is key.
    19. Ride a motorcycle – Recently learned and planning to own one.
    20. Become a morning person – A lifelong challenge for this night owl.

    Continue reading, we are only half way there.

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  • Next Question

    How I Celebrated My Birthday

    August 24, 2023

    I cannot remember the last time I shared my birthday celebration with my colleagues. Usually, I take vacation leave to spend it with my family or friends. This time, I have decided to go to work on my birthday, since I am saving the remaining 1-1/2 leave credits I have for the Christmas Holiday.

    Since, I know my colleagues very well, I was not expecting anything from them. Never in my thoughts had a slightest idea.

    My colleagues were taken aback when I showed up early than my usual. Their hands were full putting up the birthday banner they diy-ed. I could not help but giggle at their faces. They were caught off guard. Anyways, I let them finish whatever they are doing.

    At around 11:30am, my sister and nephew called. My nephew got me the sweetest birthday wish. And as we were talking, I was surprised to hear my colleagues singing behind me.. The cake and the gesture.

    Sales and Engineering Team

    I took SNM/ENG out to lunch and PMD colleague to dinner.

    Later that night, I took a walk around the neighborhood. It was so nice to just enjoy my own company.

    Happy Birthday, Self.

    Thank you everyone who wished me a happy birthday.

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