I was unable to blog about our 5th wedding anniversary, which also marked our 10th year together—something  I do every year —because I was too busy writing another piece. I thought I could go back to blogging once I finish my long-ass essay.  But 19 pages later, I try to avoid anything th…

It was in the early 2000s when I learned how to craft byte-sized narratives (a.k.a. blog) and I have been suffering from word vomit ever since. To those who know me, it's not a surprise that when I have something to say, I don't hold back.  And when I say I have something to say, …

Dear future self, 2020 was not like anything we planned. Neither is 2021. By the time you read this, you're probably in your bikini somewhere in the tropics or maybe halfway around the world whining about the despicable freezing weather. Oh, how I miss traveling! It’s petty, really, t…

My armpits, although not perfect, is something I was not insecure about. I used to have fair armpits. It was not exactly flawless but it was enough for me to raise my arms confidently , until this pregnancy. I knew this is normal. But I also knew that having dark, unsightly underarms is…

Following our marriage last year, we have fervently prayed for a baby because, I hate to admit it, we are already in our mid-30s. We cannot deny the fact that our bio clocks are ticking. Jan and I have always wanted our own. The sooner, the better. And it was December last year when our p…

"What do you look for in a man?" one friend asked. "Syempre yung kaya akong buhayin," said another. Bigla akong napaisip. When Jan and I were still dating, it never occurred to me that one day I'll be marrying him because he can provide well for me. I CAN DO TH…

For more than a decade, I was okay with having jobs that can provide our needs, pay the bills, and splurge a bit. I have never been in debt. And that's pretty much an achievement, especially for a then single mom like me. BUT THAT WAS IT. I had no savings at all. I guess it&#…

You know how I still get "judged" for being skinny despite my reputation of being a voracious eater and having a flabby midsection (that's about 2 inches of pinchable flab, I kid you not). "Kain ka ng marami. Mas maganda kung magkalaman ka ng konti." No high w…

I MADE THE SWITCH. I am now trying to live a plastic free life. I know it won't be drastic because plastic has been practically in every part of our lives (some even disguise themselves as friends). It won't be easy to ditch plastic completely but we'll get there. Baby steps…

And down to the turtle's throat. I remember the time when I attended one of my close friends' wedding, I was asked to hold one of the dozen balloons that was to be released into the sky. I shook my head frantically and blurted with some diffidence, " Dili ko. Environmentali…

I was browsing through a thousand photos that I have just transferred from my memory card and sorted them according to the places I've been to when I said to myself, "my 20-year old self would be so envious of me". She was a carefree, adventurous, and spirited young girl b…

I don't air grievances on Facebook. Okay, I did it once. But only to defend myself from cyber attacks of people who were once significant to me. And that was it. I believe in taking the high road and not stooping down their level. I can bite my tongue and just let it slide even if t…

Not that I am a ruthless, vile, and mean girl. But I can be ruthless, vile, and mean. You just have to ask for it. For a few days, I tried unplugging from Facebook because every time I open it, I feel like I need Advil or something. I've gone as far as deactivating my account befo…

Things don't always work the way we want it to be. Because life was never meant to be perfect. Shit happens. There will always be those days in your life when you have been wronged or have made decisions you regret. Days when you've poured too much of your time, effort, and inv…

WARNING: "Adult" language, although not necessary, will be used a lot in this post. While I was taking a dump, I just realized that my presence in the internet is becoming large that I am now running the risk of being exposed to one of its dark sides: the snide comments and pe…

Do you know what Dementors do aside from guarding the prisons of Azkaban? They suck light and happiness out of you. They feed on every good feeling or every happy memory until you are left with nothing but despair. Just like everyone in the wizarding world, muggles also have dementors …

It's August. Cheeses, where did time go?! I have made it more than halfway through 2015 and thought it would be good to see how I'm doing. I know it's still early to say this but so far 2015 turned out quite well. Although turning 30 this year didn't seem to have a reall…

"All you need is love... love is all you need..." I'm sorry to burst your bubble Mr. John Lennon, but I have to disagree with you on this. Love is not all you need. Love is not enough. Yep, I say that loud and clear. When it comes to relationships, many of us overrate…

You know you're old when you start not giving a f*ck about what people will think about you; case in point, I went out in public, unkempt. If wearing a wrinkled clothing is a crime, I would now be serving a life sentence. Not that I did it unknowingly. Since I was already too late f…

I have an old shoe box that sits on top of my closet. I never got to touch it since the time I posted about the same old shoe box back in 2011. It has gotten too dusty and too frail to hold all the letters and other memorabilia that were in it. Old letters from my old shoe box My …