where is this sun you speak of?

Had Georgie been sure of everything at twenty-two? She's had a plan. She'd always had a plan. It seemed like the smart thing to do -- have a plan and follow it, until you have solid reasons to change course. This is the first book that I bought in Abu Dhabi (and in abroad -- in general) and I got this for my birthday. Was not sure what to get though but I think I was curious about the title itself and probably because everyone in my GoodReads have read books from Rainbow Rowell so I gave it a try! Also, Young Adult books are always easy to overcome a book coma, for me at least! Readability: it was difficult to read at first as the characters are shaping up the story (not to mention, it's the first time in a long time that I have not read any books. So this is normal, I think.). However I think it was also because it made me think all the time -- what is this weird thing going on with the phone, though? It confused me for a while! But I went on with the story. T...

Mandala art for today from The Mandala Coloring Book by Jim Gogarty Reading: 'Places I want to visit someday' list in an old red Field Notes notebook. It's funny how I dedicated a whole notebook for this list alone. It's funny how ambitious I have been for years. It's funny how I still keep it around (and probably will add more cities/countries!) Writing: Coloring, rather. Mandala art for an hour. while having coffee and listening to soothing music. Listening: Come Here by Kath Bloom. It's such a sweet old song from the movie Before Sunrise.  There's wind that blows in from the north.  And it says that loving takes this course.  Come here. Come here.  No I'm not impossible to touch I have never wanted you so much.  Come here. Come here.  Have I never laid down by your side.  Baby, let's forget about this pride.  Come here. Come here.  Well I'm in no hurry. Don't have to run away this time.  I know you'...

 Today, my boss told me to never stop writing. Context: she learned I used to be a blogger and write things in a diary. . .

 I got a new hair cut - short slash style.

I found myself looking at the clock while in bed this morning. Normally, I look at the small hand and big hand and know the time however this time I found myself following the movement of the line that counts the seconds. I did not even notice what time it was but I stopped and just looked at the seconds tick. It made me think... what am I doing right now? What should I suppose to do given the time I only have for the day. Is my to-do list long enough or short enough? Should I try to cross everything in my list or do the things I love instead? Lots of questions pop in my mind that I don't even know what my mind wants to state. Then I remember the past years. It had gone by too fast but most things have been forgotten. I don't remember how exactly did I feel about each events... but I know how to explain it. It's confusing, I know. But I guess that's the beauty with time. It helps you move on from something even when you don't intend to move away. It heals. Is th...

 Fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body and spirit. Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would. How to not be hard on yourself? Your mistakes are part of your learning Don't compare yourself to others because you are not them.  There is no right way to do anything. Stand up for what you believe, even if it's unpopular. Learn from people who criticise you. Accept your weaknesses as your "features" Look at your past as an Adventurous Biography. Every single problem you have is not the same. Surround yourself with people who want you to SUCCEED Express your anger in a creative way

Dear self, you've come to a point where you don't know if where you are now is better than the life you had back in the Philippines. I think the only difference (really is that you get to do everything money-wise. But then would you really do everything you can afford? Sometimes you see yourself going back home... Of course, it is where you belong... but... you also want to travel - to see the world in small steps, know culture from different countries. You are confused but you keep moving forward. Cos I think it is the right way. You are brave, dear self. You are brave to come to a country and be away from sister, who is in another city, two hours away. You are brave for letting yourself live in one roof with other people. You are brave for going to work five days a week. You are brave for being independent - even though you still don't know how to cook anything properly - you still keep trying. You are brave for surviving every day. This city has a lot to offer. However, ...

 I am going to make everything around me beautiful - that will be my life :)

"A strong woman accepts both compliments and criticism graciously, knowing that it takes both sun and rain for a flower to grow." *** Today's recipe is Vegetable Egg Roll! Mung bean sprouts Fried tofu Cabbage Yellow onion Garlic Salt Black pepper Egg roll or spring roll Cooking oil Saute garlic and onion Stir-fry tofu Put some salt and black pepper. Then, stir. Add the cabbage Stir in the bean sprouts Transfer the cooked vegetables to a place. Let it drain. Once the veggies cool off, start making rolls. Fry the rolls.

 First day back at work. Nothing special today except that it was raining when I woke up. Sadly, though, it is not as special as waking up to cold weather and seeing raindrops on my window, and seeing nature in the background back in the Philippines. I kind of miss the place but I have no choice but to strive and work hard abroad. (For what reason exactly? I guess to find myself and learn who I am by living independently now... We'll see!)

 It feels weird knowing that this is the last day of my two-week vacation! I had such a great time!

Celebrated New Year's Eve in Business Bay to watch the firework display at The Burj Khalifa -- kind strangers happily asked us to be part of our group picture so there you can see our happy faces! So I am starting this 'series' in my blog called: "The Friday Currently". It's familiar for some people who write on their personal spaces as "The Sunday Currently". Since Sunday is a work day for me, I am thinking of doing this (hopefully for a long time!) on Fridays... if I have something to write about. ;) Reading - Thanks for The Memories by Cecilia Ahern . My roommate received this as a gift although she has not read it yet. She asked me to read it since she thinks I eat books. I have started reading a few pages already and it helped me get through a 45-minute train ride. So it should be good. We'll see. Writing - 3 new goals. I started this habit last year. Probably the time when I was bored with my very detailed to-do lists. I thought i...

 Happy new year!  Spent the New Year's Eve celebration at Business Bay with my sister Rachel and her husband Melbert. Among us are their friends in Abu Dhabi. It was fun seeing the fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa!

Dear FutureMe,  Happy New Year! Do you remember celebrating it last year? You were at Business Bay waiting for the fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa with your sister and her husband among with other expats and locals. I am not sure if you were excited seeing fireworks but you were amazed when it finally happened for sure. So how are you going to spend it now? Where and with whom? Any highlights happening on this day for sure you have to write it on your blog. That's what you do, right? You write. Everything. Even the not-so-fun things in your life. But who cares? That's what you do. So just do it. Please don't stop. Remember that book plan of yours from years ago? From when you were super crafty and creative? Look back to those days. Life may have been different now and a lot of major changes have happened in a year but please remember that it does not have to be complicated as you think it should be. Always remember that it should not always have to be that way. Stay s...