• Life Lately

    One Week of Silence

    July 21, 2026

    It’s been a week. Seven days since I last heard from him. I still don’t know what really happened.

    Everything was going so well. We were talking every day, sharing little moments, laughing at random things, and then… all of a sudden, he just disappeared. No explanation. No “I’ll be busy.” No “I’ll message you later.” Just silence. I honestly don’t know what changed.

    Sometimes I find myself replaying our conversations in my head, wondering if I missed something. Did I say something wrong? Did something happen to him? Or was this always going to end this way?

    I don’t know. The funny thing is, whenever I think about him, I end up laughing at myself. How did I get this attached?

    I also realized something. I’m not angry. Disappointed? Yes. A little hurt? Definitely. There’s a bit of tampo. But anger? None. And I don’t know why.

    Maybe because a part of me still believes there’s a reason behind his silence. Maybe because I care more about knowing if he’s okay than demanding an explanation.

    Sometimes I wonder if I was too late in letting him know how I truly felt. Maybe I should’ve said more. Maybe I should’ve been braver. Or maybe… it wouldn’t have changed anything.

    Unlike the old me, I did not flood his phone with messages. I did not call him every hour. If this had happened years ago, I probably would’ve sent text after text until he got tired of reading them. This time, I held back.

    In three days, I only sent around six or seven messages. Yesterday, I sent just one. “Buhay ka pa ba?“ That was it. I smiled after sending it because it sounded so… me. Simple. A little playful. But underneath those three words was a question I genuinely wanted answered. Are you okay? As each day passes, I can feel the silence getting heavier.

    It’s strange how you don’t always realize how much you miss someone until they stop being part of your everyday routine.

    I miss the messages. I miss seeing his name pop up. I miss the random conversations. I even miss wondering what we’d talk about next. The silence has become louder than any conversation we ever had. I still hope he will message someday. Not because I need an excuse or closure, but because I genuinely want to know what happened. Until then, I guess all I can do is wait a little longer.

    Maybe tomorrow there will be a notification. Maybe there won’t. Either way, life keeps moving.

    But if I am being honest… I still look at my phone more often than I used to.

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  • Life Lately

    Back to Writing

    July 20, 2026

    I honestly don’t remember where I left off with my USA travel blogs.

    It’s been a while since I last wrote one, and somewhere along the way, life happened. I got busy with other things, my thoughts went in different directions, and writing quietly took a back seat.

    But I don’t want to leave those memories unfinished.

    They’re still some of my favorite memories to look back on, and I think they’re worth sharing too. So I’m picking up right where I left off—even if I have to reread a few old entries to remember where that actually was.

    More than anything, I think it’s time to start writing again.

    Lately, my mind has been so full of random thoughts that I feel like I need somewhere to let them out. Writing has always been that place for me. No pressure, no expectations. Just words flowing naturally, one paragraph at a time.

    Maybe this is the perfect time to get back into it.

    And maybe… it’s also a good time for anyone who still reads this little corner of the internet.

    If there are any readers left.

    Honestly, I always hope someone is reading these posts. Maybe someone stumbled upon my blog while searching for something completely different. Maybe someone enjoys reading random stories from a stranger. Or maybe it’s just future me, looking back years from now.

    Who knows?

    For now, I’ll focus on the travel blogs again. Well… not exactly the traveling itself. I actually spend most of my time now at home.

    Of course, I’m still manifesting more travels—especially my coming birthday. Fingers crossed. It would be nice to create new memories to write about.

    And every now and then, I’ll probably share a few personal stories too.

    Nothing too serious.

    Just little pieces of my life.

    A bit of oversharing, even though nobody asked.

    Then again… that’s kind of what a personal blog is for, isn’t it?

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  • Life Lately

    A New Step

    May 7, 2025

    Lately, my sister’s been bugging me to find work—specifically, something like a virtual assistant job. She says it’s ideal, I can work remotely. It makes sense, and she’s been suggesting this for a while. She even brought up enrolling in video editing and photography courses. But… I decided to take a different route.

    Instead of searching for online work, I finally inquired at the Caregiving Academy about their Health Care course. She’s been encouraging me for a long time to check it out, but I guess it only really sank in now that she’s being extra pushy about work stuff.

    So, this morning, I went to the academy. They asked me to be there by 9 AM—way too early for my usual schedule, but I made it. I got to speak with the Head directly. She explained the course options, including one that spans just 20 days. But the catch? An extra per day. That bumps the tuition— and that’s not even counting uniforms, apps, and other materials.

    This is it. A new chapter. It feels a bit overwhelming, but exciting at the same time. I guess sometimes, taking a different path is exactly what we need.

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  • Life Lately,  Random

    Life and Blogging

    April 19, 2024

    I woke up this morning feeling inspired to write. It’s been a while since I sat down and made a blog post. Lately, I’ve found myself turning to Instagram for quick updates, but I’ve been missing the deeper connections that blogging used to bring. Remember when we used to pour our hearts out on our blogs, journaling our lives for the world to see? Those were the days I truly miss.

    Life’s too short to live in the Instagram square; let’s break out the paragraphs and write our stories in full sentences.

    While I’ve missed spending time on my blog, I’ve been struggling to find the motivation to keep up with everything else going on. Life seems to have ramped up its pace, and finding time for everything has become an increasingly challenge.

    Anyway, let’s catch up!

    This year has been whirlwind of changes and reflections for me. I’ve found myself reevaluating my life and what I want it to look like. While my “40 Before 40” list remains unchanged, I’m excited to start dreaming again about what I want my future to hold. It feels like the right time to shed the weight of things that no longer serve me and create space for the better things waiting.

    My recent overseas stint has prompted inquiries about whether I’ve resigned from work. It’s not a mid-life crisis or anything like that; I’ve just been feeling unsure about where I want to go next.

    There seems to be more I want to do than there are hours in the day. But I’m ready to start prioritizing and making time for the things that matter most.

    As I sit down and write this blog post, I’m not just sharing updates—I’m embarking on a journey of self-discovery. I invite you to join me as I navigate through this maze called life, one blog post at a time.

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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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  • Life Lately

    Things I Am Thankful This 2020

    December 29, 2020
    Many things happened in 2020 that were not expected. Who would have thought that this pandemic would last for several months? I thought in a month or two, things would get better, but it did not. The pandemic brought us a lot of learning. Gladly, I still have work and I am working from home. My sister got back to being a nurse. My nephew turned one. Dad passed away. Typhoon Ulysses hit us and left a great impact. And so on.

    God is good.

    Even though I was discouraged by the time Daddy left us, He never left me. I have learned to accept the fate that daddy is gone and he is now in good hands. He had suffered enough. He did the best that he could.
    Life is unpredictable. It changes along with every individual. Today you have and tomorrow you may not have. Be thankful for the good that stays with you. – Rashida Rowe
    I am thankful to my family, especially my mom. Do not give up. We can do this. Keep believing and trusting. I know we can overcome all the trials we face today. To my sister and BIL, hang in there. The best is yet to come. We are all in this together. To my nephew, you are amazing. Thank you for bringing so much joy to the family. I am beyond grateful to my relatives. You are truly a blessing to us. We will never forget the tireless support, especially in times of distress. Thank you for extending your arm when we needed a hand. I am thankful for having good company and good colleagues. I am happy with the help I have received since day 1. Thank you for your usual support.

    Thank you, thank you, everyone.

    Most of all, thank you self for not giving up and for striving hard in these trying times. I am so proud of you. Always take good care of yourself.

    Just keep going.

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  • Life Lately

    Thirty-Six and Thankful

    August 23, 2020

    Would you ever know that I am now 36 just by looking at me? Nah, I bet. I just turned 36, and I am pretty proud of it. That is right. I do not have to be coy about my age. Not anymore. I used to lie about my age. Do not get me wrong. Lying about one’s age is regarded as socially acceptable. People often think that I am a bit younger than I am because of how I carry myself and express myself. I will never get tired of hearing people gasp when I tell them my age.

    This is exactly what a 36-year-old looks like.

    It is hard to believe that I am this age. I am a little past halfway through life, and I still have a lot of living to do. I am looking forward to having my own family (fingers crossed). Life requires us to keep on going.

    It is TIME for the next chapter.

    I thank God for making my life so beautiful. I am so blessed to celebrate another birthday. A lot of appreciation and love are sent to each of you for your kind birthday greetings and wishes. It means a lot when you send me greetings on my birthday. You made a great day even more exceptional. Hearing from you slightly lessened my despair at turning a year older.

    I cannot thank you enough, Lord Jesus, for bringing me this far in my life. This may not be what I had dreamed of, but you have blessed me with a life of good health, happiness, peace of mind, and good fortune. Such presents are worth more than all the money and treasures in the world. Please keep my heart away from sadness and my mind away from worries. [
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  • Life Lately

    Activities Keeping Me Busy This Quarantine

    August 8, 2020

    Aside from work, I have never been busy in my entire life. Although I wanted to take things slowly, I could not and I would not. The pandemic has driven many of us into our hobbies to keep us busy and sane. When things are back to the new normal, I will not be able to get back to those hobbies again. I will be juggling in between the demands of work and home. You know how busy we were at work before the pandemic.

    I wanted to figure out why I was so busy, but I could not find the time to do it.

    Let us take advantage of the time to make the best of it while we still can. We do not know when will this quarantine ends. But for now, just keep doing what we are enjoy doing.

    Blogging

    I made a lot of changes from the theme to the blog content. If you are a follower, you will notice the changes I have made. I have added some images and shortcodes to spice up a bit that boring post. It surely livens up that (dry) post, whatever you call it.

    Thank you, pngtree.com, for the one-line drawings.

    I enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences with this quarantine for the time being. Honestly, I love this quarantine because I am a lot more inspired and creative. With all the ideas coming up, I think my brain is about to explode. Soon, I am going to run out of ideas and completely get stuck to that blank page again. I really admire bloggers and also vloggers who still continually share awesome content and never run out of ideas.

    Exercise

    I am in love with jumping rope right now. Who is not? I started to jump around mid-May when I was mentally and physically exhausted. Remember my post, Work from Home Burnout is Real, and how I managed to get out of it and cope with it. Pandemic can be very stressful. Jumping rope is a great way to escape the stresses and combat the effects of anxiety and depression. The benefits of jumping rope are better than we know and they can go a very long way.

    BTW, I bought my first (speed) rope at @jumpmanila through the Lazada Platform. Check them out!

    What’s Cooking: Pinaupong Manok (Recipe of My Dear Aunt)

    Cooking

    Cooking is more about feeding ourselves. It could also be some kind of entertainment to distract ourselves from anxieties. Ever since I started living alone, I have been cooking more and eating out less. Eating out has become a lot more expensive these days.

    I love cooking Pork Adobo, Chicken Adobo, and Pork Sinigang. From time to time, I challenge myself to try some of dishes I have found on the internet. Cooking at home is easy once you have made it a habit.

    On my Desk: Hobonichi Techo Weeks in Green Apple, Hobonichi Techo Original A6 in Pineapple, Kraftrina Stickers and Pilot Coleto

    Journaling

    I have learned that writing has the power to calm our minds and communicate with ourselves. I admit my May and June in my Hobonichi are empty. I have lost track and interest in writing my day-to-day activities. All I wanted is lie down in bed and stare outside the window.

    Today, I am trying to get back into writing, filling up every page and not leaving a single empty page.

    Binge Watching

    I am not a fan of anime. Whenever my teammates talk about anime, I listen as if I am interested, but I am totally not. Since I have been tired of watching Korean dramas, I have given anime a chance. I enjoyed the story-line of Spirited Away, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, and The Classroom of Elite.

    My recent favourites are Food Wars, Yowamoshi Pedal, Fruits Basket, Toradora and Himouto Umaru-chan. Next up on my list are Uza Maid, Shiro Bako and Death Note.

    I would love to hear what activities are keeping you busy nowadays. I have heard many of you become gardeners and interior decorators.

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  • Life Lately

    Life Lessons Quarantine Taught Me

    July 4, 2020
    Remember that life’s greatest lessons are usually learned at the worst time and from the worst mistakes.

    Over a period of time, quarantine has taught us lessons about life. It made us realize that life is too short to be taken it for granted and to live with regrets. We do not realize how blessed we are until everything is taken away from us.

    The best lessons in life are learned during hard times.

    Every little thing in life has changed dramatically in a short period of time. It is hard to let go of our normal habits and daily routines. We cannot just go outside and live our ordinary lives.

    Being quarantined taught me a lot of things about myself and what I might want for my future. I hope that after this pandemic, we will become much better, stronger, and wiser.

    It taught me to appreciate little things. Being able to look at things with positivity is a valuable life lesson. No matter how difficult our life is, always be thankful and grateful. We will find ourselves happier and contented. We must not live with guilt and hate. There is something positive in every situation. Remember always to keep spreading positivity.

    It taught me to enjoy more of my own company. Being alone allowed us to take a chance to reflect on our lives. This quarantine motivated me to accelerate my thoughts and my feelings. It gave me the opportunity to rediscover and spend so much time with myself. At first, it really bothered me. Being alone can be exhausting and lonely. But as time goes, I learned to appreciate the perks of living solo.

    It taught me the value of our workplace. Not all have the option and privilege of working from home. But it is possible. Those engaged in manual labour cannot work from home. I am blessed to have the option of working from home. Thank you, Boss.

    It taught me that it is safer at home. By staying at home, we prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the risk of infection. Staying at home is not as bad and hard as you think it is. We should be eager to sacrifice a little bit for the common good. Find hobbies and try anything you have not tried before to kill the boredom. At first, you will find it boring, but overtime you will get used to it.

    It taught me to go back to the kitchen. Cooking is a life skill that helps us understand how to eat healthy and budget money. Cooking is not that hard; rather, it is a fun way to enjoy something delicious afterwards.

    It taught me how important it is to have an emergency fund. While we were still living our normal lives, we often forget about saving for an emergency fund. There is no better time to start than now while we still can.

    What did you learn about life in these times? No matter what life throws at us, we have to keep going.

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  • Life Lately

    What I Will Miss Most When Quarantine Ends

    April 30, 2020

    Last week, I wrote about the things I miss about normal life, like quiet mornings, hugs and kisses, the crowd of people and those times before the pandemic.

    Things will not quickly snap back to how it was before. A new normal is going to be the norm. COVID-19 has changed how we live, work, and play. What has become “normal”? The quarantines, wearing masks and face shields, washing hands, and social distancing.

    Read : What I Miss About Normal Life

    It has been roughly a month and a half since we are forced to stay-at-home. There is nothing good about being indoor all day. But surely, I will miss these things when quarantine comes to an end.

    More Idle Time

    After my post about WFH Tips from a First Timer, I was crazy having a lot of free time. My Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are no longer “working days.” They may have realized that we are buckling down even on weekends and holidays. More idle time means more time for my hobbies— blogging, journaling and jumping rope.

    It’s Okay to Have Unproductive Days

    Forget about productivity. It is all right to slow down and take a pause, and it is okay not to be productive. We are in the middle of a pandemic, and we are all coping with the best we can. But when I feel like it, I am either drafting a new blog post (just like today) or journaling in my Hobonichi or just playing My Hospital. I always make sure that I am doing something every day to keep me on track.

    Lots of Cooking

    I was able to cook and try another recipe. One of my favorites is my Sinigang na Atay. It is kind of unusual, but if you are a Sinigang lover, you will undoubtedly love its sour and savory taste. Yummy!

    Working from Home

    I have learned so much about working from home, how to be productive, and how to keep track of the schedule. Not all employees are lucky enough to work from home. I am more than grateful to be able to work from home.

    Read:{Why} Work from Home is Not for Me

    Not Having to Set the Alarm

    I have not set the alarm since Day 1 of the quarantine. I do not know how I managed to wake up between 7 – 8 am without the alarm knowing I am a heavy sleeper and not a morning person. Maybe because I was in bed early and did not have any trouble in sleeping.

    Not Rushing to Work

    I am taking my time to prepare in the morning. By 8a.m., I am in front of my laptop, either answering messages or working on a project.

    Wearing Comfy Clothes

    I regretted I did not buy more tank tops and shorts. This has been my everyday outfit, comfortable, and airy. I do not feel the need to add stress in wearing nicer clothes. I am trying to get as comfortable as I can.

    Not Leaving the Bed

    I work in bed, eat-in bed, and sleep in the bed. As if I had a choice.

    I am going to miss “Not leaving the bed” the most. What will you miss the most when quarantine ends?

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