The last full week I reported to work was the week of 25 Feb to 1 Mar. Since then, I incurred sick leaves, leave without pay and annual leave altogether — missing work for a total of 51 working days already as of today (of which 21 days are my annual leave entitlement). I was still advised to take the full week next week off from work too, so it would be incurring a total of 58 working days by Friday next week. Truth be…Continue Reading “51 Days”

Right or wrong. Summer or winter. Day or night. Maybes. Spring and autumn. Sunrise and sunsets. I live in an ideal world of extreme opposites, of definite contrasts. That good things happen to good people and bad things to bad ones. But the intricacy of life was designed to marvel with grey areas To challenge our minds with unknown variables To stir our hearts through uncertainties and change. We only have a beginning and ending that’s absolute. But everything in between is a spectrum of…Continue Reading “Polarity”

And just like that, old wounds were scratched open again. O death, why do you have to sting this bad? It hurts probably because I seek permanence in an impermanent world. It hurts probably because I’m holding on to things which should be let go eventually. But everyday, I’ll choose to see beauty in this tragedy To leave no words unspoken To treat no gift unappreciated To cherish each fleeting moment with people Moments I’ll know that would just be memories in the end It…Continue Reading “Old Wounds”

“You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.” — Eleanor Roosevelt Date: 5 Jan 2018 Time: 8:15pm Place: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Ayala Malls Feliz Choosing to do something is a risk. Choosing not to do anything is a risk. I consider myself the type who’s afraid to do bungee jumping, cliff diving, sky diving, let alone subject myself to a water slide which leads you plunging right into the pool or the big blue sea. I also consider my palate…Continue Reading “Taking Risks”

Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life. – Author Unknown Date: 1 Jan 2018 Time: 4:25pm Place: Starbucks Coffee, SM BF Paranaque I resolved to strictly follow my nightly facial regimen, but at 1:30am, I ended up dozing off in my brother’s house without washing my face. I resolved to reduce my spending on shopping, but I happily strolled through the aisles of Uniqlo and left the shop with a paper bag filled with 4 newly bought items. I resolved…Continue Reading “New Year’s Resolutions”

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 Date: 31 Dec 2017 Time: 10:18pm Place: Costa Coffee, Eastwood There’s something fascinating about the energy of New Year’s Eve (NYE). Some families spend the entire day of the last day of the year preparing for Media Noche. Some pack their bags for a staycation, while some hit the road by dawn for an out-of-town getaway….Continue Reading “New Year’s Eve”

Travel and tell no one, live a true love story and tell no one, people ruin beautiful things. — Khalil Gibran We are drawn towards things that are beautiful, nice and happy — best exemplified when we start clicking the like and love buttons in today’s social media-driven society. But have you ever thought how we are slowly transforming our lives into something that’s fake, pretentious and empty? I like your travel photos and the way you’re slowly filling up your passport with stamps from…Continue Reading “What Lies Beneath”

“Tear off the mask. Your face is glorious.” – Rumi I was seated comfortably on the couch on a Wednesday afternoon in my counsellor’s office, facing Nina, my counsellor. Thanks to my employer’s generous Employee Assistance Program (EAP), I am able to avail of 5 counselling sessions for free, which were normally priced at A$230+ per hour. I’ve gone deep into my “dip” episode again and decided to seek professional assistance this time. Nina: How are you feeling right now? Me: I’m exhausted.  I was…Continue Reading “Time Traveler”

2008, Starbucks Gateway, smoking area. 2 friends starting to get to know each other while sipping their own frappucino drinks on 1 weekday afternoon. I’m trying to recall if I skipped class that day to spend time with him, or I did finish my classes that day. All I could remember was I was enjoying every minute of time talking to him. I was tired of getting in and out of shallow relationships for 2 years, so I cut to the chase of telling him…Continue Reading “On Your Birthday, My Love”

Hi Jarl, In a few hours, I’ll be saying goodbye to another decade of my life and will be bidding hello to a brand new chapter of life. Birthdays are always special episodes of remembering the year that was and feeling the excitement of what’s yet to unfold. But this year’s extraordinary because I’m inclined to remember the ‘decade’ that was and couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude for having reached this far in life. It’s not so much the length of time adding up…Continue Reading “To My 20 Year Old Self”