Blog – Shainne Hostalero

The Philippine Book Festival is happening this 2023!

It’s not just a book fair, it’s a book experience!

Hello, fellow bookworms!

The largest traveling Pinoy book festival is happening in the country on June 2 to 4, 2023 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and on August 18 to 20, 2023 in SMX Davao.

You can purchase from thousands of books and through more than 140 publishers! The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) is the perfect opportunity to discover new titles and authors, meet and greet with renowned writers and illustrators, and participate with friends, family, and colleagues. Admission to the event is FREE!

To know more about PBF, you may visit the website https://www.philippinebookfest.com/.

See you there!

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

There is more to life than what it is, tomorrow is always another day. At least for me.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Move on and do it quick.

As a teenager, I usually overthink stuff, and get so attached to every feeling and emotion, most especially to the ones that pain me–without even realizing then that emotions are fleeting and challenges are always at bay no matter how much you aren’t in favor of it.

Whether it is about a relationship problem, a failed examination, or a family matter, I always think it through assessing what went wrong and put rather huge blame on myself–taking accountability for whatever had happened. When I entered my early 20s, I may have gotten it all wrong, still; but I slowly rebuilt everything that I felt needed to change, it wasn’t perfect and it still isn’t, and it will never be, I’m sure of that, but whenever there’s a break point, I know what I can do and cannot do now–I move on and I do it quick. There is more to life than what it is, tomorrow is always another day. At least for me.

It’s a Fact: FACTS BURGER

Their Chicken Wings are the best!

Whenever I go on dates and am asked what I want to eat, I say either burger or pasta. It’s practical, it’s easy, and it gives a hint that this woman does not follow a diet. Hehehe. There are many many good burger joints and go-to pasta places wherever, but there are very few I would go back to.

I’m not a burger enthusiast, I just have a certain taste I prefer — grilled, savory, mustard-y, and a little sweetness here and there. The same goes with chicken wings, fries, and pasta — savory. I think that’s the word.

I do cook but most of the time my schedule does not permit it, so where do we go then? We go to the best places to eat. Living in Manila (borderline Quezon City), it is easy to find good places to go to eat, but also hard to catch something that fuels the appetite. There are many reasons why–you’d probably get used to those recipes and choices, it probably doesn’t make a dent in your taste preference, your mood perhaps, and many more. But, good food uplifts your mood, always!

At the end of a tiring and toxic day (dealing with a difficult boss… haaay 2023 na! Hahaha), comfort food is the key (or stress eating? Hehe), Facts Burger is surprisingly the answer! They are also advocates of supporting the local economy by sourcing their ingredients from local suppliers. Their place is cozy and trendy, and their staffs are friendly and approachable, too.

FACTS BURGER (P199)

This is their entry-level burger, with a 100% premium beef patty, lettuce, onions, and Facts sauce.

They do have other kinds of burger choices for your preference.

TRUFFLE CREAM PASTA (P220)

By far, one of the best truffle cream kinds of pasta I’ve ever tasted! Their huge serving really gives you value for money (I even had this for take-out). The bread was also served fresh.

THEM WINGS in GARLIC HONEY MUSTARD (P259)

This is the highlight of my Facts Burger experience! Their Garlic Honey Mustard Chicken Wings. It is served per 1/2 dozen and you may choose if you want it with fries or rice. They do suggest dips too that go well with their chicken wings. This one was independent, no other sauces or dips were needed! I should’ve ordered more.

They also have other items included in their menu–sandwiches, rice meals, other add-ons, and drinks like Coke products, beers, juices, and decent coffee, too! Facts Burger indeed offers quality and delicious food, and value for money! Money well spent. I’m not a food blogger, so I don’t know how to give justice to their food offerings, but I always like to try new good places here and there. Facts Burger is simply one of those go-to places when in search of good comfort food in the Metro.

Facts Burger is located at 915 Banawe Street cor. G. Roxas St., Brgy. Manresa, Quezon City, beside Bruno’s Barber, adjacent to Z Square Mall. They are open from 12:00 NN to 8:00 PM. Parking is limited. You may opt to park in Z Square Mall (for P40) and walk a bit to reach the place.

For more information, you may visit their social media accounts:
Facts Burger Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FactsBurger/
Facts Burger Instagram Page: @factsburger

Featured Image from Pexels

Nostalgia

It was between 2004 and 2008, Jango Radio was on; was it Paramore that was playing or Keane’s new single? I remember Grey’s Anatomy on Studio 23 and the smell of Starbucks along SLEX and my unsureness of a college degree program to take because I’m painfully shy of some sort.

I cannot describe the feeling as it can also be felt. I wish it is transferable, then maybe we can further understand each other better. Today brought me back to how it was when I came across a post by Barbie Almalbis still rocking the tunes that made me learn how to play the guitar and for once, made me want to be in a band. At her 45th, she still has it, it was like nothing has changed when everything has, really.

I remember that dial-up connection in a Windows 95 then later on upgraded to Windows XP. That 5mbps internet wireless connection I raved about because of how efficient it was during that time in my old Lenovo laptop that I used to tape because its ribbons were already loose and even destroyed. Those days when I felt lucky I have a 2GB flash drive for my college papers, diskettes, and CDs for other files and installers. That Php50 CD burning service I used to save money on.

As I recall, at 16, I have high hopes for myself albeit clueless of what was going to happen to me. I am still quite clueless now, I don’t have it all figured out, at least not yet, I hope. But, sometimes, I wish I could dream and revive the journals I kept before. What was it like in 2004? How about in 2007? or those days in 2002? Was 2008 a life-changing year for me? Or was it 2005? What about when I was blasting my earphones on Blue (Da Ba Dee) by Eifeel 65 in 1999? We cannot go back, that is for sure, but sometimes it is just good to remember that things that have forgotten.

DFA Passport Renewal | 2022 December

Need help? Here is a guide on how you can renew your passport in the Philippines.

I haven’t gotten to travel abroad since 2019 (?) I didn’t want to take my chances, too, because I have a toddler then and do not want to risk getting COVID-19 (the onset was early 2020, and the vaccine roll-out happened later). With that said, I didn’t bother to renew my passport then and which expired in 2021 (I did local travels with strict protocol. Better be safe than sorry).

I took advantage of the year-end break at work to do errands, relax, and renew my passport. In early 2022, there was no available schedule for passport renewal — borders opened, businesses are too, and so is tourism.

Mid of December 2022, I was already booking the schedule before the holiday festivities, but appointment schedule slots are quick to be taken. I tried booking for a later date and I made it to the cut-off! No pictures on this post because it was not allowed to take photos on the renewal site (remember!). Here are some of the things you need to do and bring:

1. Set an appointment

You may check at www.passport.gov.ph and book an available date on your preferred Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) site (mostly SM Malls) for your passport renewal. Please be aware of the time and come in 30 minutes earlier your chosen schedule (so you are not stressed and can finish at an earlier time).

2. Enter your details accurately

Enter all your details on the Passport Application Form, and please make sure they are all accurate (but do not worry if you have chosen a different option on your address or have a minimal typo accidentally as there will also be an information validation at the site). Your primary details should also match the ones on your current passport.

3. Choose how you want to receive your renewed passport: through courier service or via pick-up

For my two previous renewals, I always choose the courier service option so it can be delivered to my home since I get too busy in the day to be somewhere else than work. You just have to also fill out the Letter of Authority or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) that will also be provided to you via email once you have confirmed your schedule. If you opt for a pick-up, DFA staff on site will tell you when the release date of your passport be and where you can pick it up. Ensure that you all have supporting documents with you for validation purposes.

4. Pay online

When I get on site at SM City North Edsa (near Pet Express – Interior Zone ), I did not see any cashier for application payment, hence all transactions are done online when you confirm your renewal schedule. It is more convenient I must say and you may use your debit/credit card, GCash, and PayMaya.

5. Check your email

During the application, you’d be asked to provide your email address so please make sure that the one you will input is active. After filling out the passport application form and paying online, all details and necessary forms will be sent to you via email. You will be asked to print the files sent to you as those will be the ones you will submit during your schedule for processing.

What to bring:

The duly filled-out Passport Application Form (sent to you via email)
Printed Electronic Receipt No. for reference
Old/current passport
Valid ID (government-issued IDs) or Birth Certificate (Original and Photocopy)

Few Reminders:

Do not wear heavy make-up that will make you unrecognizable
No sleeveless or any revealing tops allowed
Make sure your hair is neat and photos shall showcase your ears
Better to remove all accessories (earrings, necklaces, facial piercings if any)
No companion is allowed except for minors (a waiting area is also available for your companions)
Come 30 minutes before your appointment or better, an hour before

Overall, the whole process will take you no more than 30 minutes, depending on the volume of applicants but, usually, if this is already an appointment system, it will be 30 minutes tops. It took me only 10 to 15 minutes for the passport renewal, then you have to wait for its release, to be delivered or be ready for pick-up.

Something New this 2023!

Me and my lifestyle blogging career like a true sociable person that I’m not really am (but trying!)

Hello, you!

Just to share, like many of you, I’m thankful for another year. I’m grateful for life even if it is hard on us, sometimes. What we go through each day is not even a joke and must not be taken lightly, as we have our own battles — whether known and sometimes, more importantly, when in silence.

In my previous post, I said that I wanted to renew blogging. It’s therapeutic even though it seems it is so 2thousand-and-late. It wasn’t the early 2000s anymore; in fact, as you think about it, it was over two decades ago, and there, life and time flew by so fast.

With this predicament, I’d like to not overshare, but to document my experiences and how I live my life albeit boring hehe, my homecooked meals and recipes (so I have something to look back to because I always lost the papers I wrote the recipes in). I’d like to document it now because 1. I already have the time (quite! hopefully), and 2. and my main reason: ultimately help (in any way) one or two people through the things I post.

I am very excited to begin like it was in 2010! Hehe. See you around!

2022 Reads

2022 comfort and adventure.

Reading has always been a part of me, a hobby, and it intensified when my father gifted me a Kindle in 2019. The onset of the pandemic in 2020 helped me resort to reading more as a comfort to the anxiety-induced situation during the health crisis. The last two years have been good still–reading wise and this year has led me to good practices and disciplines in terms of reading because I am twice as involved and dedicated to reading; and it does not feel like a chore, because it really isn’t. It is a comfort and an adventure.

My only goal this year was to read 25 books, 60% higher than my goal in 2021 because I don’t want the pressure. Keeping count is not even a must in terms of reading; it just feels good to note everything, jot it down, and see how we improve. Numbers do not equate anything to readings, actually; it is just a measure of discipline for me. I’m sure I’ve read more than the ones I put on the list –academic articles, research, and other academic materials for my post-graduate studies, magazines even, and other blog posts; but I will only include here those books/novels I’ve read and able to take an adventure with.

Here’s the list of the books I’ve read in 2022 and some notes:

1 and 2: Priest and Midnight Mass by Sierra Simone

Okay, you don’t get to judge me, okay? These books are steamy and sinful. Hehe the writing is good and the books are unputdownable.

3. The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry

I’d be honest. I didn’t like the book and I should have dnf-ed it, but I powered through and I still didn’t like it after that. Maybe you’ll find it amusing or interesting, maybe it wasn’t just my cup of tea.

4. Before the Coffee Gets Cold (#1) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

5. Too Late by Colleen Hoover

6. The Unhoneymooner by Christina Lauren

7. Verity by Colleen Hoover

Oh the twist of this book! One of my best reads this year.

8. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

9. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

10. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

11. A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland, #1) by Judith McNaught

12. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Now I know why this book is a bit controversial. This may be where every plot like this stemmed.

13. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

14. A Borrowed Life by Kerry Anne King

This is what I bought from my Amazon credits and get me through difficulties during my travel to Bacolod this year. Haha! I remember not sleeping for two nights because of a rambunctious and inconsiderate roommate. So, there, it was a kind of memorable book because it soothed me and comforted me.

15. Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

16. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia

17. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

18. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

Kind of Verity and Rebecca vibe.

19. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Worth the hype.

20. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Not worth the hype. At least for me.

21. Dekada ’70 by Lualhati Bautista

22. What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 by Tina Seelig

23. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

24. Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

25. Normal People by Sally Rooney

26. All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

27. The Art of War by Sun Tzu

28. Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid

29. Rock Paper Scissor by Alice Feeney

You’d love the twist!

30. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

31. My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood

32. Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

Don’t read this at night, please.

33. The Viscount Without Virtue by Katherine Grant

34. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

35. The Grown Up by Gillian Flynn

36. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

37. Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster

I grew up watching Judie Abbott, the Japanese animated series. That was usually 9 or 10 in the morning on weekdays, which I look forward to seeing whenever classes are suspended. That series was based on this book. But reflecting on it, it was kind of creepy, right?

38. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

39. The Wedding Date by Jasmin Guillory

40. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Brilliant!

41. Dusk by F. Sionil José

42. Daisy Jones & The Six

43. November 9 by Colleen Hoover

44. Maybe Someday (Maybe #1) by Colleen Hoover

45. Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa? by Lualhati Bautista

46. Maybe Now (Maybe #2) by Colleen Hoover

47. Maybe Not (Maybe #3) by Colleen Hoover

48. The HatingGame by Sally Thorne

49. Class Mom by Laurie Gelman

Downright hilarious!

50. Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

51. Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo

52. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

53. Ain’t That a Mother: Postpartum, Palsy and Everything in Between by Adiba Nelson

54. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

55. The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas

56. Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

57. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

58. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

59. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

60. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

61. Dear Girls by Ali Wong

From the target of 25 books for the year, I raised it to 40 books and was able to finish the goal last July 28, 2022; and I kept going. It was a win for me to keep the discipline of reading at bay. This 2023, I wish to read more, but no pressure!

Books That Made Me Ugly Cry

I think I should pin down the books that made me cry and proved I’m not dead inside

It is the second to the last of 2022 and before I made the final list of all the books I’ve read to cap off the year, I think I should pin down the books that made me cry and proved I’m not dead inside.

Words have a way through me and before I knew it, I was crying so hard and all resonated with me. So, here are some of the books I (mostly) read this year that made me ~ugly~ cry (in no particular order):

1. Meet Me In Paradise by Libby Hubscher

With all my abandonment issues, there is this fear or anxiety of losing a loved one and this book just flared up all of those. Haha! If you have a sister and you are close to her, this is a nicer book to read. It is sweet, entertaining, sad, happy, and lonely all at the same time. Plus, breathtaking vacation views that you can duly imagine through how the book was written.

The right decision is not always the easy decision.
Meet Me in Paradise, Lubby Hubscher

If you are looking for a heart-wrenching read and want to have your own breathtaking vacation in the comfort of your seat, read Meet Me In Paradise. But, I can’t promise you that you won’t shed a tear.

2. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Oh, you know this. This book is probably on all bookstands and it does not disappoint. If you play tennis or enthusiast of the sport, for sure you’d love this good read, though it is not a pre-requisite. But surely, if you have a father or a father figure, you surely will let those tears roll.

I was just ‘chill’ reading the book, but not until in the middle of it or towards 80% of it, I turned crying. You get to appreciate people more by the end of the book, especially those who are truly dear to you.

Some reminders when we get so competitive:

And we don’t cry when we lose, but we also don’t gloat when we win.
Carrie Soto Is Back, Tayloy Jenkins Reid

And something to ponder on in this world of ours:

One of the great injustices of this triggered world we live in is that women are considered to be depleting with age and men are somehow deepening.
Carrie Soto Is Back, Taylor Jenkins Reid

3. Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Another one from Taylor Jenkins Reid–who is one of my favorite authors who I discovered this year through her book Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. If you want to get passed a reading slump, you may read this Evidence of the Affair–it is less than 100 pages and consists of letters that are “evidence” of an affair. Though it is short, I can’t guarantee that you won’t cry, ugly-cry at that, in the end.

4. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I have admired Madeline Miller for her creativity and it is evident in the book, The Song of Achilles. Incredibly good, actually! It was painful, lonely, and happy all at the same time. Plus, if you are like me that have an interest in Greek mythology or any ancient Greek folklore, this book gets a +1. And, get ready with your tissues!

5. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

If you are a reader, I guess you always come across Tuesdays With Morrie in some of the book recommendations. Well, there is a reason why–it’s that good. I read this book, hmmm, probably, 10-11 years ago (?) and I’ve read it thrice between those years, because when you are losing hope about life, it is a good book to read to appreciate life better. It breaks me every time–a good kind of break, if I may add. Do you need some pushing? Read this one by Mitch Albom.

Being with a team and somehow leading, this is what I always put in mind:

If you’re trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down at you anyhow. And if you’re trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone.”
Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom

Someone asked by what is the purpose of life (seriously) and this one gets to me as if I have only read the book yesterday:

The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.
Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom

6. Before the Coffee Gets Cold (#1) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

I have always been curious about this book and then I found myself buying it from Amazon in a jiff. I am a fan of Haruki Murakami and he is a tough act to follow for Japanese authors — well, at least to me. I did remember, it was January 2022 when I first set my hands on Before the Coffee Gets Cold, and I finished it in a day because it is that good and I bawled my eyes out.

What if there is a cafe that brings us back to before? What if we can witness the things we wanted to then? How would it make a difference in our lives at the present?

7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

If I were to be asked what book changed me, my way of life, and my reading, it is The Art of Racing in the Rain for me. I was 17 or 18 when I read this book which I got from Powerbooks (think the bookstore closed down branches in the Philippines). I was mourning the death of our dog then, and the book was torture for me, really, but it was also life-changing all the same.

Your car goes where your eyes go. Simply another way of saying that which you manifest is before you.
The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein

The book was funny and touching. It is as if it speaks to your core through the living thing–your dog, your best friend.

Books I Resonated With | 2022 Edition

This 2022, I was able to read (over) 60 books and I couldn’t be any more satisfied. It is not about the number, really, but the stories I have come across this year, and some I resonated with, others I dnf (did not finish), and others that made me swoon and/or bawled my eyes out.

Like I have always said, books can take us all to different places–reading is always an adventure. This year, here are my handpicked books and stories that I have resonated with (in no particular order):

1. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

It is about a chemist-turned-cooking show host, Elizabeth Zott, and her and women’s place in society in the early 1960s. As a woman, there are many battles we fight for especially if we are both with a career and a child (she’s in, too). Elizabeth Zott even walked me through having a smaller circle with the only ones who matter, and I can definitely relate to that because, in reality, that is what I also do.

I was glad I persevered reading the book because, in some way, somehow, I could definitely resonate with it. I was even crying at the end of the book as if it was a relief that I’d been longing for, especially for Elizabeth Zott. I could not think of a better ending for her than how this book concluded it.

Sure, grit was critical, but it also took luck, and if luck wasn’t available, then help.
Elizabeth Zott, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

This line below in the book made me laugh because I KNOW SO MANY PEOPLE! Haha

While stupid people may not know they’re stupid because they’re stupid, surely unattractive pople must know they’re unattractive because of mirrors.
Elizabeth Zott, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Or something to think about, perhaps?

Religion is based on faith. But you realize, that faith isn’t based on religion.
A conversation between Madeline Zott and Reverend Wakely

And of course, what I will always put in mind:

Courage is the root of change–and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.
Elizabeth Zott, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

2. Class Mom by Laurie Gelman

INCREDIBLY FUNNY! I laughed out loud at every chapter. As a mother with a child in preschool, I can resonate with Jen Dixon on how motherhood is in the presence of PTA association. Hehehe!

I love her witty comebacks and the e-mails she sends. Tell you what, when my child was about two to three years old, I’d always like to be a PTA President (same with Jen Dixon) because I think it was a whole round of leadership style to be done altogether (and of course, the bragging rights, come on)–I have joined a local organization’s board of directors already, risen in the academic ladder, and belted out leadership strengths through handling a huge team, and many other training and roles as a leader; but I felt that the dynamic of leading doting mothers is a 360-degree haul for me and I was challenged by that. HOWEVER, everything changed when my kid went to pre-school, and hello! yes! Jen Dixon, I NOW UNDERSTAND. My desires are off the table and I think I enjoy more being at the receiving end of all messages-to-parents I receive. Hehe

I purchased the title from National Book Store (NBS) Warehouse Sale shop via Shopee for only Php50! Really, a good buy.

3. What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 by Tina Seelig

I wish I read this book when I was 20. As an entrepreneur, I have learned so many good things from this book that I know will help me in my future endeavors. If you’re 20 or in your 20s, much better if you are in your teens, take time to read the book and it will help you have a grasp of reality there is and how you can able to survive and manage, at least.

The book is easy-to-read. Take some notes, too!

4. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Reading this book made me feel like I was part of the group, Daisy Jones & The Six. Sometimes, I do think, that maybe we are Daisy Jones at some point. This book, through the lines by Taylor Jenkins Reid, can transport you to how it was before in your life, well at least for me, I felt like my vulnerable self, then I was transported to the present, and I don’t have any words for the past but to thank “it” that “it” happened.

When you really love someone, sometimes the things they need may hurt you, and some people are worth hurting for.
from Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

And, in case you are wondering:

Women will crush you, you know? I suppose everybody hurts everybody, but women always seem to get back up, you ever notice that? Women are always still standing.
from Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I do believe in this and maybe you should, too? Hehe. In my experience, it is always almost true.

Handsome men that tell you what you want to hear are almost always liars.
from Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In case you need a reminder:

“I’m not perfect. “I’ll never be perfect. I don’t expect anything to be perfect. But things don’t have to be perfect to be strong.”
from Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I know for sure there are a lot of books and even movies you can also resonate with. This year was an adventure for me and I am lucky to come across these books and/or novels that impacted me in all good ways possible; hence, I was glad to share.

I may be a little dormant this 2022, blogging and writing-wise, (I am currently onto my dissertation soon), but I hope 2023 will be better for me. Remembering how it was in 2010 when I first started this page of mine, they gave me more satisfaction than cringe, actually. This is probably for another entry, I suppose. Hehe. And here you go, four books I resonated with this year. What’s yours?

To Resolute

Blogging.. again.

I started blogging in 2010 or probably maybe even before that when ‘blogging’ and posting it on the internet wasn’t a thing yet. I used to write notes and I kept a diary for most part of my grade school and high school years. It was an outlet really. I often jot down the books I’ve read about the stories or plots I can relate to. I originally intended the ‘reads’ part of my website to be the same case but I wasn’t following through due to all this life that is happening.

Anyhoo, I rekindled and halt this slump because I came across Bianca Gonzalez’s blog albeit it’s not updated now but still gold. It made me realize why this space is here, not that you all want to know things going on in my life and not that it’s interesting either, but it’s more documenting the life I’m privileged to have and maybe spread good vibes or something relatable even in just one reader, but I’d be more than glad if there’ll be two.

At 18 or 19 years old, I was a big blog reader of several bloggers (our generation’s influencers back then). Patty Laurel was one of those bloggers I always look forward to reading. Her contents were anything under the sun and those gave me the sense of freedom to actually be myself because that was what she does, be herself.

No smartphones yet during those times so keeping a blog was really ‘work’ for a college student like me, but seeing my entries now compare to before, there was the only thing I noticed that had changed — my time. I didn’t have that much time today that I had before because of the many other things that kept me busy — motherhood for one, my enterprise, doctorate, work, and life as it is. My hands are quite full but typing this or actually blogging for quite a long time feels good, really. It’s nostalgic.

In fact, I started some doodling and mini-journaling in September and early October of this year when I lost my voice. I was so down with a flu (COVID negative, TYL!) I went from paos to a total zero and it was so heartbreaking because I can’t communicate in the manner I was supposed to. There were so many things happening but I just can’t speak, literally. It started September first week – the whole week, and while I wasn’t 100% I came back to work like usual, then two weeks later it was flu all over again, even worse. I didn’t recover quickly because I felt I was okay and I ignored everything to actually rest. When the October flu came, I didn’t bother to contest anymore and I stopped feeling guilty about not answering calls (because I really don’t have the voice to shell out unlike the September season when I was at least just paos). I rested and rested well, I worked, but more on the pending desk work that I needed to submit and accomplish. Anyway, I’m thinking if I should share those journals I wrote, it was a good take on giving yourself the needed rest and it was also an opportunity for me to read more and start writing my book (which led me to the fact that I need to finish it).

Well, this entry is probably my resolution to blog more and give myself a little life and a little documentation of it. While I like things hidden, I don’t mind sharing some of my discoveries and thoughts. You will not find so much in the ‘Places’ section of this website, truth be told, I’m a hermit, and I don’t like going out. I think I should try to share some of my travel photos and experiences in the past to compensate hehe well, I’ve traveled well enough to know that I don’t like traveling that much — but I always like to try something new here and there.