The Bachelor

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I recently finished reading The Bachelor by J.D. Ruiz. The novel is set in the US, and while it was loosely based on the reality show of the same name, there were many differences depicted on the novel. I liked the novel better than the show, to be honest, because the author gave the girls more air time and the protagonist, Zach, was not a heartless, opportunistic sadboi.

The dialogue was witty as its female protagonist, Julianne. She was a novelist who was forced to join the reality show by the producers in order to snag a coveted writing job. It was an interesting premise which was spiced up by the fact that she was not dressed skimpily unlike the other girls. She dove right in there with her comfortable clothing, unkempt hair, and thick glasses. Just when she thought that she was in the clear when it came to attracting Zach, she actually caught his attention from the very start due to her nonchalant attitude. Hilarity ensued when Zach does everything to win her heart, and Julianne continues to become the bestselling author that she is.

I learned from this novel that love is not a formulaic plot that is written for TV. It is an unscripted story between two people who consciously win their own battles in order to pursue the person that they choose to be with each day. It is a touching reminder as our own lives are closely resembling reality shows with our increasingly ubiquitous presence on social media. Real love takes work, effort, and dedication. It is up to us to discern whether the love of our life makes each gesture worth it.

If you enjoy romance, reality TV, and honest to goodness banter, check out The Bachelor on Wattpad. You will not be disappointed.

Iced Coffee Trip

I was craving for some me time earlier this week, so I headed to Cinema ‘76 Cafe for an afternoon by myself. I ordered their delicious iced latte and tried their oatmeal cookie. It was a winning combo that I will definitely order again!

I love indie cafes like this one because they have soul. I feel more aligned with myself after some coffee and a pastry. It is a privilege to enjoy a few hours by myself during the pandemic. I look forward to having coffee again next week in order to regroup and reflect on my life and plans.

Auric and Ice

I am happy with my latest jewelry purchase. I got Auric and Ice’s crescent flatback for my conch and I am really impressed with the quality, craftsmanship, and sparkle! They used G+ colored diamonds for this piece, and it is internally-threaded. It is the perfect piece for downsizing my conch piercing.

For genuine gold and diamond local piercing jewelry, follow Auric and Ice on Instagram! This is not a sponsored post. I am simply a satisfied customer.

5 Things that I’m Good At

Today, I picked this card for my BDJ Dare To Be Creative deck:

Make a list of 5 things that you’re really good at

”What do you do and give so effortlessly? Think of what other people ask you help for.”

Here are the 5 things that I’m really good at:

  1. I am good at writing

  2. I am good at playing the flute by ear

  3. I am good at taking photographs

  4. I am good at crochet

  5. I excel at cardio, especially Zumba

And here are ten more things that I’m really good at:

  1. I am good at identifying local businesses to support and promote

  2. I am a good and fair product tester

  3. I am a good singer

  4. I am a good foodie in the sense that I am effective in sharing restaurants and delicious dishes

  5. I am a good and effective brand ambassador

  6. I am good in public speaking

  7. I am good in building and following routine

  8. I am good in giving gifts to people I know well

  9. I am a talented commuter!

  10. I am good at walking

Bonus: People ask me to pray for them, so that makes me a good intercessor!

I can do all these, and more!

Sloane Specs

I have been a longtime fan of homegrown optical shop Baobab Eyewear. Their lightweight frames have become a staple in my wardrobe, and their functional gadget safe lenses help me work with ease. I am delighted that they keep on improving their inventory, and they recently released specs that are both gadget safe and sun adaptive!

I knew that I had to get these, as I am already aware of the quality of Baobab specs. I got myself the Sloane in rose gold, while I got my partner the Mason in black. Both pairs turn into sunnies under UV light, and they are safe to use in front of blue light. I have tried using mine and they just feel weightless! I am really happy with my purchase.

Again, this is not a paid advertisement or a sponsored post. I highly recommend Baobab because they have provided me with affordable optical solutions. For graded specs, visit their website. For non-graded gadget safe specs, you may visit their Shopee page.

Stay safe, everyone!

Passing It On

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I received a thank you card from my World Vision sponsored child. J is now a teenager, and she’s an honor student. I am proud of my girl, and sponsoring her has given me a sense of purpose through the years. Even if jobhunting and freelance work has been challenging, I still feel determined because my advocacy for child sponsorship has given my earnings more significance. 

Twelve years of child sponsorship has given me an appreciation for my work, blessings, and voice. I am thankful to have made an impact in a child’s life. She inspires me to continue job hunting and writing stories. She may be thanking me for a gift that I sent to her last Christmas, but I’m really the grateful one. Because of her, I am motivated to create a better life for myself, so that I can continue sharing my blessings with her.  

I hope that you will also consider child sponsorship with World Vision today!