I remember it was summer of 2003 when I created my first blog. I did it out of the need to channel my inner Hulk who gets infuriated at life's slightest inconveniences into something rather creative. Then I got through that teenage angst phase and became mature (surprisingly). Started…

Perhaps I have not made it very obvious but I've said this before: I am addicted to boots —even if it is something I know I cannot wear regularly here in the tropics. Anyway, I finally got my very first Dr. Martens!  Hands down to the coolest, sickest, and most badass shoes I've e…

I don't remember the last time I wrote something serious.  And I think this post will be serious. And long. And unrelatable. And boring.  And... anyway.  Let me start this with our daily scuffle:

I am silently panicking. I never thought I'd experience a heartbreak far worse than a break up.

I grew up in an era where the concept of Wishlist  did not exist. In those days, whenever there was an "exchange gifts" during Christmas parties, the giver carried the burden of gift-giving—one that I carried ever since I started high school.

I was never really a sandal girl. My toes look funny and ugly to be wearing one. But I have always wanted a pair of Birkenstock. They are not exactly attractive but they go well with my manly feet. They are also easy to wear and can go with anything—jeans, shorts, even dresses! The malls …

When you become a mom, you take on not just one, not two, not even three, but multiple roles.  As a mom of a teen, toddler, and a baby, I can be a referee, teacher, nurse, storyteller, an entertainer, event planner, a coach, caretaker, driver, repairman. And if I have the whole day, this …

Of course, the whole world has to know. Because I feel like a domestic goddess after doing such feat. And just in case it doesn't happen again. I don't know if there's a household chore more tedious than folding clothes. I would have seizures just thinking about it. Plus, it r…

You know what I miss right now? It's waking up early in the morning, then enjoying some freshly-baked pandesal dipped in hot coffee while having a little chit-chat with the family... at the beach. For almost a week, that's how our mornings were spent during our vacation a few mon…

At this point, I think I already lost the ability to write. I find it hard to write anything even when there is so much to share the past three months. This is probably the longest time I have been gone—in the blogosphere at least. I would have started this comeback post with an apology f…

I know it's already a week late for this. But just in case you are wondering if Jan and I are still okay because I have not posted anything on our anniversary —which is very unusual because I do it every single year—yes, we are okay. Very much okay. It's just that, I TOTALLY forgo…

It may not seem like it but, truthfully, I am terrible when it comes to parenting. A lot of moms probably feel the same way, too. It's just that people don't really talk about it. The truth is, parenting is something most mothers struggle to enjoy. It is a hard and thankless job.

Unfortunately.

"Kamukha ng tatay noh?"  Those were the doctor's exact words when I gave birth to our daughter two days ago.  I rolled my eyes in disbelief. That was the most difficult pregnancy and the most painful (albeit the fastest and shortest)  labor experience  I ever had. Tapos magi…

My Trafalgar Law hoodie arrived a few days ago. It reminded of the first time I had laid my eyes on this badass tattooed doctor with a goatee *gasps*. It was law at first sight.  I have also been binge-watching and catching up with One Piece lately and I remember the fun times I had with…

I thought I would have a long, uninterrupted sleep last night because for the first time in almost two years, I let our toddler sleep with my mom.  But that much needed rest never happened. I was so uncomfortable with this belly that could pop anytime, the perpetual back pain, the need to…

But unlike Eve, the devil had nothing to do with it.

I swear. Jan and I never ever thought that one day we would be called landlords.  We think it's a title only given to the asset rich, cash rich. Since we are neither, becoming a landlord has never really sunk in even though it has been seven months since we had our first and brand new…

Women my age don't get knocked up easily. Or so I thought. It takes a lot longer to get pregnant again. Or so I was told. So we made love unprotected. And surprise, surprise! It only took less than two months to miss a period. While the news was one of the best we received, it honestl…

2021 took so many twists and turns. But despite the grey skies that have been looming since 2020 that honestly seems like a hundred years ago, there have been those little ray of lights that seeped through from time to time. And as this year comes to a close, I would like to express my gr…

If there is one positive influence I have on Jan, it has got to be this. This is his second time to summit the Philippines' highest mountain. His first climb without me (yep, partially bummed because I couldn't go) and probably his worst hiking experience by far—with plans almost…

It was twelve years ago when I pushed a giant papaya out of my lady parts. And fifteen months ago, I did the same thing. I wish I could say that having a baby at 24 isn't all that different from doing it at 35. But nope. I sneezed my first born out. The second one, however, felt like …

I take pride in my DIY skills .  I was born creative. But if we're going to be honest here, I only do it because I am  cheap practical. If I can do something with what's available, I will do it if it means saving more money for better things like books I don't get to read.

I remember reading a friend's post on Facebook that said he will never ride the jeepney ever again. Another also shared about his first jeepney ride after so many years like it's a lifetime achievement or something. Knowing that they're not even someone you can consider rich ,…

Scenario at the vaccination site:  Kuya assistant: "Diri ang mga buntis." And he guided every pregnant woman out of the queue but me.

Okay. This is not something that a lot of people can relate to. But in case you are wondering, this is how I got by those raging pregnancy hormones during the isolation. I've heard a few kids play this but from what I know, this game kept A LOT OF PEOPLE (mostly adults) from spiraling…

I often find myself reminiscing about the old days. Those days when we get to eat out and go on spontaneous road trips every week. The time when we don't celebrate special occasions over food deliveries. The time when we conveniently fake fever to have an excuse for skipping work. Or …

I have been solo-parenting for almost a week now.  And that's because our cat, Appa, bit Jan on his left leg. While Jan thinks the biting was an accident, I think otherwise. That cat has been plotting to kill me since day one but was miserably unsuccessful so it decided to take it on…

I was asked to do a speech after my name was announced. I don't exactly have an affinity for speaking, let alone an impromptu one. Usually, the words I compose in my head are not the same words that come out of my mouth. I only wanted to be grateful but instead, I uttered: "I wro…

Last year, we celebrated the Kadayawan Festival at home. Wait. Let me rephrase that. Last year, we stayed at home and did our usual routine—otherwise known as work—without even knowing that it was already Kadayawan. This year would definitely be different. We plan on having a feast from d…

I was mindlessly scrolling Facebook, when this appeared on my feed:

For the first time in 486 years, we were finally able to do something fun outside our house. We took a breather at Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort —probably the most expensive and most magastos one-night getaway we ever had. But it's definitely worth it (and bitin ). We went there…

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…

It has been thirteen years since I got myself a brand new phone. It died on me five years later and ever since, I lived with hand-me-downs and secondhand phones.  I wouldn't say I am a technophobe. But let it be known that I am one of those people who is totally unconcerned about usin…

Two years before getting married, Jan and I bought a house . It was a reopened unit from a low-cost subdivision and we got it for a preselling price. Yes, nakajackpot kami don! A house and lot unit that's ready for occupancy with same specs but smaller and farther would cost about Ph…

It has been over a year since the Covid-19 pandemic. While 50% of the workforce is probably back, others have already adapted to the work-from-home setup. Some, on the other hand, are still adjusting, and may find it isolating and challenging, especially to those who have young children l…

The idea of raising a child in a limited screen time environment is something the husband and I planned to do. So, even if our baby was still at 4 months, I already started scouting for toys that spark curiosity and encourage imaginative play. I wanted something that's mainly wooden b…

I remember back when I was a pacool kid, I avoided getting rickrolled like plague. I don't like the idea of falling for a trick where I end up watching a video of a little white guy with a big black voice and his terrible dancing. But now? I seek it out and willingly rickroll myself …

Two things. One. I am addicted to rolled oats soaked in plain Greek yogurt and cinnamon. I prepared one for the bunso but he doesn't seem to show interest in it. It was so good that I had to ask the husband to buy more for my own consumption. Whatever I eat, the baby eats anyway.  Tw…

I fell off the the world for a bit, but for one good reason. Last February, we opened our online toy store  and I became too preoccupied ever since. I have been doing feasibility studies, market research, financial mapping, and business plan—which is actually just daydreaming about making…

I am so active on Facebook nowadays. You see, I have been replying to every inquiry on every listing I made. It's tedious, honestly. Especially when the answers to those inquiries have already been posted. But I'm not complaining.  If anything, I would like to keep those " hm…

I have been reading someone lately. And it's not because he is famous nor do I find his life interesting. I know this blog can be described exactly the same way, but nope, this is not about me. He was also a competitor from the last blogging contest I joined. And even though I wanted …

I got my new driver's license today. After one year and eight months of marriage, I finally have a valid ID bearing my husband's name.  Honestly, I could have just waited one more year to have my license revised and renewed at once (would have saved me time and money). But I think…

I think I have already done all kinds of haircuts and styles. Pixie, bob, short, medium, long, wavy, curly, side-swept bangs, curtain bangs, blunt bangs, corncrows, name it. But the most liberating of all is this:

I think I now know what hell is like. It's where you have all the delicious food you can eat right before you but can't because your stomach is on a rather violent protest.  Food poisoning. That's what you get for committing one of the seven deadly sins. In my defense, I was j…

Every day I wake up feeling like those Instagram moms who seem to have figured out motherhood only to become borderline psychotic when faced with Rhett's homework. Of all the evil that's happening in the world, Math is probably the worst. I have been stumped multiple times by elem…

Sometimes, I amaze myself with my adulting, considering that my hormones are still on overdrive. You see, I have written a complaint—after making countless of calls and follow-ups on not having an internet connection for almost two months—in the most diplomatic way. For someone whose life…

All this time I thought I am prepared for this. But I must have pushed that button resetting all the things I already learned about newborn care.  I find myself Googling about things I was certain I knew before. Cord stump care, what a normal poop should look like, how much can a newborn …

Tiny beautiful human. We nicknamed him Paopao because he looks like a siopao.

I know you've been reading (especially from me) a lot of these off-putting things about pregnancy. Well, every horrible thing you hear every mother is going through is all true and would even be an understatement. What you don't hear more often are the beautiful things that happe…