Life Lately: A Catch-Up Blog (Yes, I'm Still Alive!)

Hey hey! It’s me again. I know, I’ve been MIA from this blog for a while—sorry about that! But let me catch you up on what’s been keeping me busy lately.

WORK LIFE – Back in the Game!
Yep, you read that right—I’m finally working again! After almost a year of being jobless (ugh, what a ride), I’m officially employed. And plot twist: I ended up back at my previous company. I know, I know—sounds like one of those “kinain ko yung isinuka ko” moments, but wait! It's a bit more nuanced. I rejoined the same company, sure, but I applied for a different market this time around. Before, I was in the Australian account; now I’m working with a UK-based team.

Best part? It’s fully remote and permanently WFH. Schedule’s not too bad either, although I’ll miss a few family dinners that fall on weekdays. The only downside is starting from scratch again—hello, 6-month probation period! It’s a little nerve-wracking, but I’m taking it one day at a time.

SOCIAL LIFE – Back to Baklaan, with Boundaries
I used to say that once I started working again, I’d kiss my social life goodbye. Well... I'm kind of eating my words now. I still go out every now and then, and honestly? I think I deserve it. I’ve been easing back into my old baklaan lifestyle—just more chill now. I know my limits (and my drinks). 11 PM to 4 AM hangouts and three pints of Hoegaarden Rosée? That’s my sweet spot. Bonus points if there’s a little landi involved. 😏

FRIENDSHIPS – Still Holding It Down
So far, my friendships are in a pretty good place. I started this little habit of checking in with my favorite people every Friday—just little life updates. Some of them have picked it up too, which is kinda sweet. It’s nice knowing we still care about each other even if we don’t talk daily.

Of course, I have my moments of tampo when I feel like they’re not making time for me, but that’s part of being human, right?

Also, I love my flirty friendships—shoutout to JK and Ryuta (you know who you are). I’m that friend who says “I love you” any chance I get, and honestly? No regrets.

So that’s it for now. Life’s been a little chaotic but also kind of exciting. Praying for more good days ahead—and maybe a little more landi on the side. 😅

Til next time!

A confession letter

I don't know if this is drinker's remorse but I am feeling A LOT of emotions at the moment. It's making me questions the things I do - on how I realized that I'm looking for validation when it comes to love or sending a good night with an I love you is slowly becoming a routine.

But anyway, here's a not-so open confession letter to someone I cherish lately.

Dear (Redacted),

How are you? I hope you're doing okay. I hope you get to rest despite your busy schedule at your job.

I remember meeting you almost 13 years ago, when you were one of the assistants of our babies' choreographer for their cheerleading competition. I remember some people were crushing on you then. I wasn't that into you that time, I'm not gonna lie. I also remember you went to our house then, we had a picture.

We met again in 2015 during Clean Bandit's concert in BGC. I was happy to see you then and I think that was the last time I saw you in person.

Around the pandemic, I was showing signs that I love you but I feel like you're subtly rejecting me by just liking what I said. When my mom died, I think you started reciprocating it but not as much.

2023 I believe was the turning point of our friendship. That's when I realized that, like me, you're also a pageant fan. I think that was the reconnection I never knew I needed. I was having a break from pageants, having been part of a toxic group and having had a former friend who was also into pageants but had an outstanding balance to my best friend that was used for his Miss Universe ticket.

We started reconnecting and I remember clearly how we raved about Miss Universe 2007, which was your favorite edition because the winner was from your country.

From then I started saying good night and I love you to you almost every single night. I usually say it before I sleep and once I get a reply from you, I would then really start to sleep. Sometimes you wouldn't reply and it would keep me from sleeping early. It made me overthink at times, like right now. I'm starting to question whether my love for you is genuine or it's a routine.

Sometimes I would ask for us to meet, but our paths usually won't cross because of conflicting schedules. It didn't add the fact that you moved to Japan permanently. I lost hope in meeting you again.

But seeing your stories, I can't help but feel jealous that you get to see your friends but you don't get to see me. I really wished at some point that you wanted to see me, whether for a meal or party or something. I wanted to see you in person. I wanted to hug you and kiss you, with your consent of course. I wanted more from the friendship we recently formed online.

Despite that though, please know my love for you will never change. I am grateful that you're in my life. I may be friends with almost everyone, but there's a few people that I cherish deeply and you're included in it. I have a few friends that I consider my closest. Our friendship may be flirty at times, but I can assure you that is a solid and loving one.

Words cannot express how I love you so much. I want to be there for you - to listen to your problems, to cheer for your successes, be with you every step of your way. I want you to be in mine as well.

I know it's unlikely that we'll be a couple, but I know our friendship is made to last until I die.

I hope you know that. I fucking love you.

Anxiety strikes back yet again

Okay, so, hey everyone! Long time no chat, right?

Guess what? I've been leveling up my skills and officially finished my Executive Virtual Assistant training! I'm now in that super fun (read: slightly nerve-wracking) phase of waiting for a potential client to ping me. You know, the whole "check your email every five seconds" thing.

Last Monday, I thought I hit the jackpot! A lawyer needed help, which sounded awesome. Now, I'm usually all about seizing opportunities, but I think I might have been a tad too eager. They asked about my experience, and, well, life got in the way. I took a bit too long to reply, and bam! They went with someone else. Lesson learned: even if you're swamped, reply fast.

Then came yesterday's orientation, and let me tell you, it felt like I just entered a high-stakes video game. Apparently, we only get five client matches. Five! It's like having five lives, and if you mess up, game over. Talk about pressure! I was so stressed, I had to take a major time-out. Honestly, I was worried I'd start seeing spreadsheets in my sleep.

And to top it all off? Mercury and Venus are in retrograde, and there was an eclipse. Seriously, the universe was throwing curveballs left and right.

Anyway, I'm trying to stay positive. Maybe that lawyer gig just wasn't the right fit. I'm not giving up on finding my perfect client! I'm itching to get started, especially since, you know, adulting comes with bills, and I'd really like to tackle those one by one.

So, here's to hoping the next email is "the one"! Wish me luck! And if anyone knows a lawyer (or anyone) who needs a super-organized, slightly stressed-out (but totally capable) virtual assistant, send them my way! 😉

Guess Who’s Back? 🎉

After months of unemployment, ya girl is officially employed again!

Remember when I said I was calm? Well, that inner peace paid off because… I just got hired last Monday! Cue the confetti 🎊

Now, the only thing left to do is fix my sleeping pattern. But let’s be real—my body clock is already doing the cha-cha because I pulled an all-nighter just to finish my training modules. Worth it? Absolutely. Sleep-deprived? 100%. Regrets? Zero.

But you know what? Despite the lack of sleep, I feel nothing but grateful. Thank You, Lord—this one’s all You.

Finding Peace in the Moment

Wow, I don’t think I’ve felt this peaceful in… forever.

There’s something amazing about truly living in the moment. When you let go of stress and just be, everything starts to feel lighter. Calmness takes over, and life just flows.

That’s it. That’s the post.

Grateful for this peace. Here’s to better days ahead! 🙏✨

Celebrating My Small Wins (Because I Deserve It!)

It’s been a while since I last felt genuinely proud of myself for my small wins.

Lately, happiness has felt like a luxury—like I’ve been stuck in survival mode, tiptoeing through life, anxious about not having a job while simultaneously feeling the pressure of having one. (The irony, right?)

But at the start of this month, I decided to give gratitude journaling a shot. And I don’t want to jinx it, but…I think it’s working. Shifting my mindset—choosing to notice the good instead of drowning in the stress—is starting to pay off.

Today’s small wins:
✅ My TikTok shop orders finally arrived (instant serotonin boost!).
✅ I managed to fix a wooden laptop stand with oily glue (MacGyver mode: activated).
✅ Re-re-rearranged my room yet again—because a fresh space = a fresh mind.
✅ Heard Mass at the village park, which was a much-needed moment of peace.

These might seem like little things, but today, they felt big to me. And honestly? I deserve to celebrate them.

My reward? A well-earned episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17. (Because nothing says “treat yourself” like fierce queens and legendary lip-syncs!)

Thank you, Lord, for this productive day and for my small wins. 🌿✨

Changing things up

Today, as I am listening to The Secret audiobook, I've thought of changing things up on how I do journaling.

I've started to change how I'll blog in this. All the gratitude journaling will now be written in my black notebook that was given to me by my niece when she found out that I got laid off.

This blog will be back as my safe space. My confidant about my feelings. My trauma dump basically.

This will be a detour of my thoughts. Like a pit stop before I change back to thinking good and happy thoughts.