When I packed for Thailand, I already knew that pulling off an outfit would be a struggle. On one hand, I wanted to respect the culture and keep things conservative. On the other hand, Thailand's unforgiving hot and humid weather would want me wear as little as possible. Temples and c…
Jan and I absolutely love Japan. The first time we went there, we stayed for 8 days. And let me tell you, 8 days in Japan is like getting one sushi roll when you want the whole platter. We tried to cram everything in— ramen in Tokyo, temples in Kyoto, USJ in Osaka, deer in Nara, beef burg…
We kicked off 2024 at Haven's Dew Resort in Kapatagan, Digos City for the incredibly important reason that...
And, we did it again ! SarWrites has been recognized as Best Personal Blog at the Davao Blog Awards 2024 , and I’m over here grinning from ear to ear! 😊 When I first started this little corner of the internet, it was a hodgepodge of random musings, over-shared opinions, and self refle…
The past few months have kept me busy with a number of blogging events, leaving me to rummage through my shoe collection in search of something to wear. It was a fashion crisis of epic proportions. I only wanted to wear one specific pair of shoes. The thing is, I don't even have it. …
A few weeks ago, Jan and I were in Thailand. And while writing about our experience at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, it dawned on me—I never wrote about our trip to Singapore last July 2023. How could I have missed that? We've been to Singapore twice before, and the third trip was espe…
I love watching watching documentaries about ancient cities—their mysteries, their cultures, and the stories they tell through the remnants of their architecture. So when I had the opportunity to visit Bangkok, I couldn't let the chance to actually stand in the ruins of a city that on…
Since having kids, Jan and I have struggled to find time for just the two of us. Our best moments alone often consist of quick meals in a parking lot. As much as we wanted to travel as frequently as before, it wasn’t in our cards to travel this year because, as I mentioned in my previous …
Did you know that Cebu Pacific now flies direct from Davao to Thailand? Yes, you read that right. You can now enjoy flights to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) 3x weekly! I never really thought I’d be traveling to another country this year, especially since Jan and I have already …
I remember I was in 2nd grade, around 1993, when our class adviser called the top students in front and handed each one of us what seemed like a certificate. It turned out to be a ticket to the Royal London Circus, something I had never heard of before. Fast forward two years, another cir…
Payakap naman guys, resbak ako agad. A friend posted this on Facebook. Out of concern, I reacted to the post with a "care" emoji and asked if he's okay—which was met with a "haha" reaction followed by an "OK kaayo!"
While my first tattoo (a compass) was and still is significant to me because I love to travel , I told myself that if ever I will get another one, it has to be drawn and designed by me. You see, I used to work as an illustrator and a graphic/web/software/UIUX designer. I designed all ou…
In 1977, a vision grew from a newly founded gravel and sand company, laying the foundation for what would become a leading force in the national building sector. As the enterprise expanded into construction and property development, it became clear that its ultimate mission was to enab…
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…
I was thinking of blogging about something because I wanted to take a break from the long-ass essay that I have been writing. I thought I could pull off what my favorite author, Brandon Sanderson, can do. He writes something different if he's feeling burned out. He takes a break from …
Dry patches, dark spots, visible fine lines, blemishes, and an overall lack of glow that screams "I haven't slept in the last three years"—that's what you get when you're into the thick of motherhood. With two little humans and a teen to take care of, pressing chores…
We finally got to see Jack Johnson live! And he did not disappoint! OMGAEOFIJASFJHGVOAHIJROARLOJSDFJAF!!! Allow me to share with you all a story of our greatest weekend in 2024 yet. *deep breath* Here goes... Jan and I didn't know about the Wanderland Music Festival until we saw o…
I love online shopping and traveling, that's why it is imperative that I return to work to continue funding my hobbies. So I looked into the job market, and I was mildly horrified. The last time I had a job interview was in 2016. That was eight freaking years ago. Plus, in my line of …
I would have turned this into a parenting blog—where I may never have to run out of things to write and, therefore, make a living out of it—but it will only reveal the sh*t mom that I am. You would probably read nothing but parenting fails. I would be shamed for being the kind of mother w…
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 verbal diarrhea 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 …
For this year's year-end post, Jan takes the center stage. Again. -------- It was around January this year when I noticed one of my fingers started swelling. I thought it was just a simple case of a sprained finger. But one inflamed finger led to another, until I could not twist open …
A few Sundays ago, I decided to hit the road to fetch Jan in General Santos City. Honestly, with the cost of fuel consistently going up where a 500-peso worth of gas won't get you anywhere, I could have just let him commute because that would have been obviously waaaay cheaper. But a…
You are probably here because you wanted to hear about the tale of a murder mystery that unfolded on the night of December 2nd. While the scent of frustration and betrayal still linger around some of the sorry victims, allow me to recount the story of this seemingly innocent lady, who ca…
For the first time in my entire life, I got scammed. I thought I was smart enough not to be fooled, but here I am. I was on Facebook, mindlessly viewing how my friends spent the last 24 hours. And in the middle of these stories, I came across a video ad. I didn't even bother to watch …
I have always talked about my shoes. Thought maybe I'd also talk about my feet. Haha. Ugh. 🙄 And here's the thing: I don't like my feet because they're ugly. You could say they're a whole new level of hideous. Dry, cracked, calloused, wrinkly, and veiny. (Which do…
Sitting behind the computer screen all day can be pretty exhausting. But believe me when I say that sprucing up your boring workspace is important for your mental health and your productivity too. I find it truly amazing how something so small and simple as the color of Post-it note can …
A few days ago, I decided to cast my votes for the barangay elections. It shames me to admit this, but this is actually my first time to participate at the barangay level. So the first ignorant thing I said when the ballot was given to me was, " Ay, isulat diay (Oh, so we're wr…
I remember the time Dr. Martens opened its doors here in Davao (yes, it's about those goddamned shoes again). I first laid my eyes on the 8-eye 1460 cherry red boots. It looked so badass that it made me believe in love at first sight. But priced at around Php 9k, it would be a cold da…
It's the first day of October and the first thing I read on my Facebook news feed today is my friend's call to ignore messages coming from her account. Apparently, she was hacked and the said hacker had been asking money from anyone on her friends list. This is not the first time…
It all started when Jan went to Mr. Big's concert and all he wanted was to bring a small, minimalist wallet that could carry an ID, a card or two, and a little cash with him. One month later, he now has three (3) minimalist wallets. All thanks to these YouTube videos that introduced…
Two of my friends have had their photos used by imposters to scam people on Facebook just recently. Friend #1 learned about her imposter when it tried to sell baby stuff on Facebook and her friend from another city saw the listing. The imposter's fake profile was reported and taken …
I still remember the last time I drew something. It was Valentine's Day four years ago when, like any other Valentine's, Jan and I had nothing better to do. It was a year before the pandemic but staying home was already a much better choice that day. So Jan challenged me to draw s…
The past few days had been quite a challenge because I was left alone to deal with two wild toddlers and a teen with raging puberty hormones. And as I watched them destroy the house while I slowly sipped my coffee, feet up, I had been thinking about how I will be rewarded for being great …
July 22, 2023. 15:00 | HOME I looked out the window and saw dark, heavy clouds looming over. Five minutes later, it began to pour. I took a sip of my coffee and realized it wasn't warm anymore. I put the cup down and started heading back to the bedroom. Getting snuggled underneath all…
No one asked but one of my favorite things in the world is pockets. Then the skinny jeans took it all away. I remember Jan having pockets in his pants that can fit a phone, a wallet, a large bag of Cheetos, a laptop, our fat cat, and possibly the entire city of Atlantis while I, on the o…
And guess what? I did not leave with a basket full of bright, colorful, and aesthetically pleasing stuff that are absolutely unnecessary. I could have done it, you know. The husband was a thousand miles away and no one else can dissuade me from buying whatever useless knickknack I fanc…
I have been here for about an hour now. While I try to make out what is being broadcasted over the speakers because I can only hear muffled and distorted sounds as if the announcer is gargling the microphone, I have been watching people. And so it occurred to me that airports are a home…
I don't really get my fingernails done. My hands look too manly that no amount of hand spa and nail color can make it ladylike. My day to day activities are also not very friendly for long, prettyfied, manicured nails (I wash my children's bum, no thanks). So yeah, a trip to the …
Do you remember the time when I could not be bothered to look good because I paid so little attention to my outfits? Well, my blog does . 😅 Then I realized how making a simple upgrade to my style just made me feel better overall. It does feel empowering, you know. Every outfit that I ch…
Because I am sick and all of my fingers are broken . But if I'm not going to do it now, I'm not going to remember any of it and this will never be written at all. This is something that doesn't happen often. Thought about writing this to remind us that we survived this ordeal…
There is a reason why I haven't been posting dancing content on TikTok lately, why my face is getting "rounder" each day, and why we have to hold off or probably let go of our plans to immigrate to Canada (cold weather is a huge trigger). It's crazy how life can change …
Got this from Kryz Uy's post . I find it a bit relatable (except the being wealthy part), so I thought I'd do the same. 4 years later... Our marriage so far: bought a small home (applied in 2017 but it was turned over a few months after our wedding) traveled as married couple had…
I have a new pair of shoes! And it's one of the most beautiful shoes I've ever laid my eyes on. I know I don't need another one. Call it absurd , a weakness, a toxic trait, or whatever. But shoes do make me happy. Probably because I may have been healing from my "past tra…
Much has happened the past weeks. I don't even know where to begin. But I guess, I'll start with the news that we now have two feral toddlers to keep an eye on. Our little girl, Isabel, turned one this month. And I know I have already said that we won't be traveling until she…
Yes, folks! I still play (with really long breaks in between). And yes, after 1,3xx hours, I am NOT YET DONE. I strongly believe that no Resident Representative (a.k.a Player 1), not one, has ever finished this game. I lost count on how many times I've tore down some parts of my islan…
I have been skinny for as long as I can remember. While I can devour a truckload of burgers and still not gain a pound, being cursed with a metabolism that burns up calories more quickly than I can eat isn't always a good thing. I always had trouble finding clothes that fit me well. …
Minsan blogger, madalas tamad.
