Be Careful On What You Tell Yourself

A short random reminder to my dear self at the crack of dawn... because I was not too nice lately. My love language is words of affirmation. I have been blessed with people who know how to love me but I should not forget giving me that way of loving, too.  :)

Today is a holiday! What are you up to, friends? I hope you give yourself some well-deserved love from you. :)

God is good!

Currently Vol. 7

And so I took that leap of faith. It seemed like I was completely out of my mind, to leave everything including my job but I've never felt so sure about myself. A month after, I am starting to question myself. Crazy times!

READING

Topology by James R. Munkres. Because I need to and I am starting to love it. I am hoping it'll love me back. The. Soonest. Time. Possible.

WRITING

Answers to problem sets which I wish was as easy as writing ABC.

LISTENING

To my mind screaming for rest. And to my heart because the past days are difficult. This is harder than I thought it would be. #thestruggleisreal #gradschoolblues

THINKING
About not being too hard on myself. And how to pass all my subjects. Gosh!

FEELING

Every need for a whole body massage but I do not deserve it yet. Not yet. I am currently scared but hopeful. So so hopeful.

LOVING

Everything that is happening in my life right now except the sleepless nights and the mental blocks. I sometimes forget to be grateful for this dream that came true especially when not so good thoughts creep in but I need to remind myself that I asked and prayed hard for this. 

WANTING
To eat pasta! My ultimate comfort food.

NEEDING

To absorb all my readings, to manage time properly, to not forget to smile every hour, every minute if possible.

WISHING
For a super sponge mind.

Friends, I am currently taking up Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics at Ateneo de Manila University. I want to document this time of my life because whatever happens, I want to look back at these moments someday.

Currently Vol. 6

After three months, here is my next entry for the Currently Series. I maybe just have to accept that I'll never be an up-to-date kind of blogger. To those of you who are still sticking around after this on and off relationship with my blog, cheers! :) 

I am unusually up at this time and have no desire of getting into bed anytime soon so might as well record my thoughts and feelings. Here's tonight's currently.

READING

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks. Been reading this on random days for weeks now. I got a little less interested after watching the movie but still wanted to finish to discover the differences between the movie and the book. The movie was kinda predictable and less romantic compared with other movie adaptations of Sparks' novels. The Notebook is still my favorite. Next would have to be a tie between Nights in Rodanthe and Safe Haven. I don't like tragic endings. They break my heart but there is something so special about how Nights in Rodanthe broke my heart. I mean, the story just had to end that way. Although it was painful, it was a good kind of pain. 

via Google Images

WRITING

Several letters of requests lately. And in my mind, I am also writing letters for my heart, hushing it. Nothing else can comfort my heart but its bestfriend/best enemy.

LISTENING
To my calling because...

THINKING
Of so many things since the other day because I am about to face the most challenging chapter of my life. No, not the married life. Hehe. It's something more challenging I guess :)

FEELING

Tons of emotions. I feel like in Rapunzel's shoes after she finally jumped out of her comfort zone (the castle) - feeling accomplished at one point then really doubtful if she made the right decision after a second or two. But she finally gave it a go. Good thing for her was, she had somebody to jump out of the castle with even if it was just a stranger while I am about to jump from my castle alone! Please let these feelings end the soonest!!!

LOVING
The vision of the far future. The near future seems blurry, even dark and I am scared like a kitty cat but I am holding on to the promise of a wonderful far future. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the reward, as it is said.

WANTING
To skip this stage of adulthood because reasons. How does one unlove? Let go? Begin? (These verbs are applicable to jobs, persons, events, possibilities)

NEEDING
To release some of these heavy loads so I can travel light.

WISHING
That all will be well in the next months.

The best thing that I am learning these days is to hold on to the promises of God. There is no weapon and shield more powerful than prayer. And there is no better companion and confidant than God.

It is also true that you will just know how to get the bridge when you get there. And you may hear thousands of wise words but you'll only get to understand those which apply to you. "Follow your heart", they will tell you. Thus, befriend and know your heart well. Listen to it carefully. It does know how to lead you through.

All is well, friends! If not yet, then it will be!!!

My Current Thoughts In A Nutshell

Grabbed from the net

You know all those things you've always wanted to do?

A rewind to the day when I watched motocross for the first time and when I played as a fashion blogger (wanna-be). Is it just me or does anyone else here think that fashion blogging is the coolest thing on earth? Well, maybe next to hosting a travel show (which is by the way my wildest dream job because you get paid to travel the world!!!) 

It is no secret to my friends that I love hopping on fashion blogs and following the bloggers on instagram. There is something so magnetic and influential about them. They make all ensemble look awesome even just a white shirt, faded shorts and flip flops. Thus, I cannot help but imitate. That's how influential they are even to a manang like me. And I am always reminded by the quote that hangs on my wall: "You know all those things you've always wanted to do? You should go and do them." And so I did! :)

After this attempt I realized two things. 1) It is difficult to control a laugh. 2) It feels awkward to play candid. But of course I know these things aren't so hard for the naturals. So kudos to those wonderful bloggers I admire!

That Summer Afternoon in Manila

The rainy days have started on this side of the world and though I love watching, listening to and walking in the rain, the gloominess that it brings sometimes gets me down. Thus, I can not help but bring my mind back to that one lovely summer afternoon in Manila.

In that moment, reality was sweeter than the fictions I've been reading. Oh, sweet life!

Ilocos Diaries: Laoag for a Day

On the second day of my Ilocos escapade, I visited Laoag. This city is two hours away from Vigan. Vigan is part of Ilocos Sur, while Laoag is in Ilocos Norte. This is the farthest I've gone from home and the feeling is awesome! :) It may be a small deal for those who have travelled the world but I just wanna celebrate this little milestone and congratulate myself... and hey, great things always start from humble beginnings. 

There are tons of places to see in Ilocos Norte. It is recommended to have two-day tour, one for the southern part and another for the northern. I, however, picked only a few spots to fit into my one day stay in Laoag. Details on those tours and my travel tips will be on another post. In the meantime, here is a photo diary of that day when my meet-the-windmills dream came true and so much more.

Laoag Plaza

Ferdinand Marcos Presidential Center

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Bangui Windmills

Sand Dunes

May your travel dreams come true too, friends!