Training Day

Yesterday was a gorgeous day to drive and run some errands.  

After accomplishing some important morning tasks, I had breakfast and a couple of cups of coffee.

Then, I took a train to Cinema ‘76 to watch a movie. 

Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa was a moving love story between two people who cannot be together in real life due to convention. It still remains to be one of my favorite Filipino indie films, and I love how the film celebrates commuting, music, and walking while thinking introspectively.

I ended my me-time with some prayer and thanksgiving at St. Joseph’s Shrine, then I ran some more errands. 

I am grateful for people who care for me and check on me. Thank you for following my journey! I am taking care of myself so that I can also watch over my family and ensure that they receive the care that they deserve. 

I still have more trains to ride, movies to catch, and tests to pass. Let’s do this, 2019! 

Journey to Faith

Yesterday, I rode a couple of trains to... 

...St. Clare Monastery! I gave thanks and prayed for my personal intentions.  

I had a hearty and healthful lunch. The Wild Wild West salad from Go! Salads was so delicious. The ranch dressing definitely brought a unique punch to my midday.  

I continued to do some work on my phone while cuddling with the dogs of Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. I was welcomed by my favorite dog, Ella the chiweenie. 

Stark the pomsky was camera-shy. 

I also bonded with Ella’s son Chocnut and Happy the pug.  

It was hard to say goodbye even if I’m a frequent guest at the cafe.  

Before going to bed, I transferred these two scents into travel perfume bottles from Beabi. I was proud of myself for finding a way to transfer the DKNY perfume to the smaller bottle as it was difficult to open. Thank God for online forums, and I was able to research how to open the bottle.  

Both scents were Christmas gifts to me.  

I restore my faith by continuously praying, communing with nature (in the form of furry dogs), and surprising myself with a new skill (even if it’s as simple as transferring perfume). Life is a journey, but it can be easier with some faith and belief in oneself. 

Sunday at San Miguel

Yesterday, I went to San Beda’s Our Lady of Montserrat Abbey. I was able to witness their morning prayer or lauds. It was beautiful. 

Then, I walked to San Miguel Parish for the 8AM Sunday mass. 

Since it was Epiphany, there was a blessing of calendars. I was able to have mine blessed, along with my scapular. 

I dropped by St. Jude as this patron has been a blessing to me. I continued praying for my intentions.  

I had Go! Salads’ Sgt. Steak wrap for lunch. 

It was delicious and filling!

It was best paired with their vanilla lemongrass tea.  

I can’t get enough of churches because they are my physical link to the Lord. I also enjoy eating healthily because I would like to think that it helps with my overall well-being. I hope that I can contribute more for my family now that my father is terminally-ill. 

I hope that God is listening to my prayers for a job and continuous blessings for me and my family! 

Doing Good with Doggos

Yesterday, I had the Sgt. Steak salad again at Go! Salads. I am addicted to their chimichurri dressing. I simply can’t get enough of it.  

After my hearty meal, I proceeded to Human Nature to purchase my personal necessities and get orders for my customers. 

You too can support me and my family by making a purchase at my Human Nature online store! To all those who have already purchased, thank you for your support! Please continue patronizing my small business, and I hope that you will spread the word about my shop. 

To cheer myself up after spending time with at the hospital with my terminally-I’ll father, I visited Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe to hug my furry friends. 

I’m wearing a fabric mask because I can’t afford to catch airborne sicknesses! My dad has very weak immunity, so I need to be in tip-top shape.  

I went back to Go! Salads to try another selection from their menu. This time, I had the Bayani Salad, which is known for its adobo flakes. I liked it, but I think I’m more of a Sgt. Steak girl. 

Before going to bed, I depotted my Sunnies Face Fluffmatte lipstick in Hot Sauce. While the lipstick brand is known to break easily, it’s color payoff and opacity are out of this world. I had to salvage what’s left of my tube by transferring it in a 3ml jar, microwaving it for two minutes to set it in the container, and letting it cool on room temperature. 

I have chosen local products and produce today. Human Nature is a social enterprise, so each purchase benefits a poor community that the company supports. Go! Salads supports farmers and ensures that their produce is pesticide-free. Barkin’ Blends welcomes people of all ages, genders, and statuses in life. And Sunnies Face is part of the Sunnies Group, which is known to have charitable donations, such as their Christmas giveaway Dear Sunnies Santa. 

By taking care of myself and supporting brands that do good, I know that I am doing the right thing with my limited resources. I hope that you will also find some brands that support others, and that you will continue paying for goodness to continue growing.  

Coffee Break

Yesterday, I had lunch with a friend of mine at Sunnies Cafe. I had the caramelized spam bowl and a cold one. 

I had fun with their neon-lit washroom. 

And we went to Kape Tayo for some coffee. It was really good!

I had a lovely lunch and coffee break with an old friend. I also got to knit.

May the rest of my 2019 be just as memorable.  

Healthier and Happier

I had salad again yesterday! I wanted to eat healthful food again, so I had the Sicilian pasta from Juju Eats for lunch. 

It was refreshingly flavorful! 

Then, I proceeded to Barkin’ Blends for some cuddle time with my furry friends. 

It was a quick but therapeutic coffee break from my responsibilities.  

After running some errands, I had dinner at Go! Salads, where I had the Sgt. Steak again. Their chimichurri dressing is addicting.  

I can’t wait to see how this healthy eating spree goes. So far, I feel fresher and more vibrant now that I’m eating salads often. With some furry therapy and a some coffee, I know that I got this.  

Waking Up to Hope

Yesterday, I dropped by St. Clare to pray for my dad. I also prayed that I will have a job soon, and that I will also find someone with a good heart to date. 

I also got a Sgt. Steak salad from Go! Salads for lunch. 

I liked their chimichurri dressing and it went well with the seared steak and mushrooms!

I had Mang Cha-a iced coffee to offset the strong taste of the chimichurri. 

And for dinner, I had the meatball marinara pasta salad from Juju Eats. 

I wake up for myself, so that I can help my family during this difficult time. I need to take care of myself first by eating right and praying hard. And tomorrow, I’ll have to repeat these steps until hopefully, my dad is healed.

Here’s hoping that I’ll find more reasons to hope this 2019! 

Living Coral

Yesterday, I welcomed the new year with a living color top, my new specs, and a fresh outlook on life.  

This year, I vow to be straightforward in everything I do. If there’s anything that I want, I will go for it! Life is too short. Let’s keep it simple. 

My first lunch of the year was the Darling Breakfast Salad from Go! Salads. It was delicious thanks to the ground longganisa bits and tomato honey vinaigrette. 

After lunch and some malling, I heard mass at the Pink Sisters Quezon City convent.  

I prayed for good health, healing for my family, a job, a good boss, and most of all, a boyfriend! 

I ended my day with some baked salmon for dinner, which was a gift from a family friend.  

I am optimistic that 2019 will be a remarkable year, and I am determined to work smarter, not harder, to achieve the dreams that I have for myself and my family.

God bless us all!

A Fresh Start

Back when I was still working at Ortigas, I would have lunch at Juju Eats Podium. Their pesto pasta salad was my favorite as it was filling and refreshing! 

For my last lunch of the year, I had it again. I love their sticker: GOOD JUJU!  

I missed this salad so much!

It brought me back to the good old days. As I welcome 2019, I remain optimistic that the days will be good, bearable, and blessed. 

I knitted while having coffee.  

Then I had a chair massage after running some errands! 

I am welcoming the new year with a new bag and wallet. I chose local brand Heartstrings because all of their bags are designed and made in the Philippines! Also, this colorful rainbow design is cheery and bright. I am straight, but rainbows just resonate with me. 

I know that it’s up to me to make 2019 better than the last! So with a growth mindset and optimism, I know that I got this!

Rizal Day 2018

I’m a Rizal fan, so December 30 is always a special day for me. I celebrated Rizal Day by visiting Luneta and the National Museum! Here’s a photo dump of my adventure.  

‘Til the next Rizal Day! 

Snacking and Knitting

I had to be in the hospital with my dad yesterday, so to cheer myself up, I got myself some Potato Corner sour cheese fries. 

I also got Mang Cha-a Iced Coffee. 

It did lift up my spirits!

I carried on with my knitting and focused on the positive. 

One of those positive things was that my dad was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon. We will be back next week.  

Snacks and knitting keep me going these days! It may seem too mundane, but in these challenging times, it’s the simplest things that truly keep us alive. 

Snail Mail Faith

I received a Christmas card from my godmother in the US. It’s charming to receive greeting cards by snail mail because it is no longer customary in the age of social media and text messaging. 

I also got this letter from the Pink Sisters Convent. I am touched that they keep me in their prayers, and that my family is also remembered in their masses. 

I keep the faith through analog traditions such as snail mail which restores my faith in humanity in an automated age.

Here’s to more reasons to be grateful, and to believe more in prayer and family. 

Hospital Life

My dad is in the hospital again, and I was on-call to help with errands and tasks for my family. 

I crocheted in the hospital room. 

I ate my packed lunch, which was chicken pot pie (a Christmas gift from a family friend). 

I bought some washable cotton face masks as I’ll need to wear them whenever I’m with my dad moving forward.  

I finished crocheting the cowl! 

Then, I visited Cinema Centenario to watch Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus. The film’s lead actress, Iana Bernardez, was amazing!

Whenever I am sad, I always go to Maginhawa for a film or some comfort food. I’m glad I finished my cowl, watched a film, and got home feeling better.

Here’s to staying strong amidst struggles!

Christmas Treat

I treated our helper to some fried chicken and ice cream the other night. It was our Christmas celebration, and my simple “thank you” for all her years of service to me and my family.  

I also brought her to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe to meet my furry friends. 

Helpers are indeed part of the family, and we should all take time to show them how we appreciate them. Don’t forget to thank them and get to know them better! They’re an invaluable part of our lives. 

Boxing Day 2018

Yesterday, I got to enjoy Boxing Day all by my lonesome. I donned the Samantha dress which was a Christmas gift from my cousin Choi’s online store, Snatched. 

I ran some errands for my family, then had the grilled cheese caprese sandwich from The Sandwich Guy.  

And for some cheap thrills: I finally got a USB speaker for my handy radio/MP3 player. I got mine from CD-R King, along with the USB wall adaptor. I can finally listen to the radio without needing to put on some earbuds!

I make life work by staying positive, and treating myself within my budget. Here’s to enjoying the rest of the holidays, and getting into the spirit of giving to myself!

Christmas 2018

I was blessed to have lunch with my parents yesterday at La Creperie. For my Christmas lunch, I ordered their Angelina’s hot chocolate.  

I also had the penne amatriciana with a side of crochet.  

I got to wear my new Sunnies and shirt from Ate Tina.  

Then, I got some cream cheese and banana frozen yogurt from Elait.  

I also received gifts from Barkin’ Blends’ owner, Bernadette! 

I roamed around the mall first while waiting for my turn at the dog cafe.  

I had Sandwich Guy’s English eggs for dinner.  

And some pretty dogs for dessert! 

My Christmas Day celebration was well-spent, and I hope that yours was also meaningful. Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Eve 2018

Yesterday, I got to eat lunch with my Lucas relatives. I wore my new Sunnies Specs glasses from Sunnies Santa and applied Sunnies Face Glowboss on my cheekbones for some extra sparkle. 

We chose Katherine’s Cafe at Vertis North as they had a wide range of food for our varied tastes. Since I was craving for pasta, I ordered this Vigan longganisa and salted egg number. It was delicious!

My goddaughter Kate was ready to eat pizza and bring some Christmas cheer that only kids could give. 

I gave her kid’s toiletries from my Human Nature online store. You may still purchase last minute presents and have them delivered straight to your doorstep! Shop now!

I also got her a special toy from Toys R Us. 

I received some lovely presents and I am grateful to be part of my relatives’ shopping lists!

There are still plenty of blessings to be grateful for. Amidst all the challenges that my family is facing, I am still thankful that we get to celebrate Christmas together this year.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Sunday Hugs

Yesterday was a fun one. I started the day with Sunday mass with my family. 

I crocheted while having lunch afterwards. 

I saw We Bare Bears mascots. 

And I got to cuddle my fave dogs again at Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. 

I also saw my friend Ate Tina, who is one of the kind people behind the dog cafe.  

I ended my day with some frozen yogurt from Elait. 

As we prepare for Christmas, let us never lose sight of what matters most, such as family, friends, and fiber arts!

Reading Again

I have recently begun reading again, and it has been wonderful. I started with the book that I was asked to review a few days ago, and now I can’t stop.

I have since moved on to Nicholas Sparks’ latest novel, and yesterday, I took it with me to lunch at The Sandwich Guy. 

Ever since my dad was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I have dropped some hobbies such as reading to give way to running errands and doing some work for him. Now that I have established a routine of sorts, I can already read novels again and enjoy a good plot.

I am thankful for new beginnings, and I can’t wait to see how these stories will influence me for the better.  

Pink Christmas

I recently ordered a millennial pink unicorn from social enterprise Mayown. I recently took an advance crochet workshop with its founder, Leen, so it was perfect to gift myself with their product this Christmas. 

This little buddy will keep me company this Christmas, and beyond. I’ve decided to name him Stitch!

Leen was so sweet and she even included an octopus bag charm. 

Stitch surely looks good with Ella the knitted dog and Chubbs the cat!

Yesterday was special as I claimed my new pair is Sunnies Specs from @dearsunniessanta. 

I selected the Dakota in Pale Nude. My new specs are lightweight and stylish. 

I ended my day by cuddling with Ella from Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe and placing my glasses on various sleeping dogs. 

Times may be challenging for me and my family, but with the will to wish and the drive to celebrate small (and big) wins, I know that I will have a memorable holiday season!