What I've learned this year, 2023

Another year will soon finally ends. A few more weeks before 2024 and I'm still overwhelmed with a lot of happenings from the year 2023. As you can see, (if you have noticed some of my post from a few years ago) I always leave sentiments whenever a year ends. This 2023, I just wanted to share some of my learnings and thoughts as I finally open a new chapter of the year 2024. This year, I've learned a few things just like any other years that had already passed. I feel motivated to write this entry because there's a lot of things that I wanted to share. 

05

Reading Mitch Albom's new book, The little liar. It's been a while since I've read about war books, Holocaust etc. It's timely and significant in line with what's currently happening in the world today. I always like books that tells about human struggles, triumphs and experiences that shapes who they are. 

DISNEY PIXAR: Soul (2020)

It's been a long time since I've watched Pixar movies. I decided to have an entry for this animated Pixar movie, Soul. I have a lot of takeaway from the story which really inspired me to do this post. In the movie, I had some realizations. 

[! SPOILER ALERT]

In Pixar Animation Studio film “Soul,” Joe Gardner is a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. A single unexpected step sends him to the cosmic realms where he finds the “You Seminar” - a fantastical place where Joe is forced to think again about what it truly means to have soul. These are some of the life lessons or my realizations from the movie. 

Apologue Coffee & Pastry, Binondo Manila

I've been to Binondo many times, but it was my first time to see a cafe in Benavidez Street at Binondo, Manila. I'm so glad to discover this newly opened cafe as it seems rare to have aesthetic cafe around Binondo and it's walking distance away from our school. Before we visit the cafe, we went to a Chinese restaurant because my friend introduced us to oyster cake.

04

01

I'm not feeling well tonight. I just felt weak and I decided to use a benztdamine spray to soothe the pain in my throat caused by cold. I can't sleep even when I played Ruby by Foster the people. I even watched Based on a true story and finished three episodes already. I did try reading for a bit, but I have not yet been visited by sleepiness that I decided to just write an entry for this blog: 

03

01

It was Friday when we arrived in Manila from Bicol, today is Sunday afternoon and time had gone so fast but it feels like my mind is still in a full vacation mode. Yesterday, it took me time to process that I need to finish reports and essays that are due next week. I miss my hometown and the slow mornings, where time doesn't move forward when its supposed to.

Bye Prelims, welcome midterms

One night, as I was busy strolling outside a nearby mall, I checked my phone for messages. I saw 24 messages. I realized that our professor scheduled us to join a meeting for a grade consultation. I was relief to be accepted in the online meeting despite of being late. She said that my grades are improving and that I was included to those who somehow got a high score for the prelim exam.

02

01

Yesterday, I stroll around the streets of Escolta and Ongpin. As I ride at the back of an old tricycle going to the Lucky Chinatown mall and seeing lots of Chinese arcs and the big dome shaped Binondo Church, I remember lots of fond memories while growing up. We used to have our family's old office in Escolta. When the pandemic happened, we are forced to leave our office behind and moved the office back into our home, when the term "work from home" started. 

O1

01

We define ourselves with the things we're good at. From all the things we love to do. If you're good at painting, you're a painter. If you can sing, you're a singer and if you're good at swimming, you're a swimmer. But what if you're not so good at something you do? What does that make you? 

2023 reads

Hi Readers! It's been a year and a half since I updated you with a list of the books I've read. It took me a year to finish books because of a busy schedule and lots of school stuff. This is another list of all the books I've already read since the start of the year 2023. This list will go on, as long as the year finally ends. I hope you find it an inspiration to somehow find happiness in reading books and making time for the little things you love. 

Two versions of me

Those days, I long to be mature and independent. I just can't wait to turn twenty-something years old while imagining myself being on my 20s hustling and doing a profession I really aspire to be. I imagine myself being a medical student or some college degree that could lead me on becoming a Doctor. Now, I'm 25 and I'm still finding my purpose. I'm still the younger version of me clueless about everything. I still feel like a kid sometimes and I tend to be anxious and afraid. 

Corner Cafe + deli : Banawe, Quezon City

 

Corner Cafe + deli is located at the corner of Catalina Street in Banawe, Quezon City. The cafe is not quite crowded but there are a few guests visiting from time to time (I visited the cafe during weekdays) maybe, it's different when it is weekends. I rode a Jeepney going to Del Monte and walked a few minutes to Catalina Street. The street is quiet and empty full of Big houses with large gates and I noticed that there are only private cars and trucks. Also, it's a sunny afternoon when I visited. A perfect time to avail their Iced Matcha Latte and a heavy Ham Egg drop Sandwich while enjoying my favorite TV show, Modern Family.

Cold Treats: Intramuros, Manila

After a few minutes of walking around the walled area of Intramuros, we came across a cafe. Cold Treats is located along Real Street, a small coffee shop that offers refreshing drinks and some pastries. It's good to discover this cafe since we've visited Instramuros during a hot, sunny afternoon. Intramuros is known for its Churches, historical museums, walking tours and bamboo bike tours. There are also nearby Colleges in the vicinity of Real Street. 

Baked By Trimy: Banawe, Quezon City

I'm halfway through the pages of Minka Kelly's memoir which I'm currently reading as I sat here at the cafe. I've been wanting to visit this cozy little cafe for so long since I've heard honest reviews about it. A while ago, I visited Baked By Trimy in Banawe, Quezon City. I was greeted by friendly staff and it feels like I've rented the place because there are no other guests and it isn't crowded despite of being a small cafe. I guess I'll be back there soon. The place is quiet, cozy and it has a relaxing ambiance because of the mellow music. There are also Pastries and cakes that you definitely should try because it tasted good aside from the aesthetic. 

Marian Orchard: Lipa, Batangas

It was Saturday, I'm so in the mood to go outside and have fun. These past few days has been so stressful and I really want to have a little escape. After a few weeks of not seeing each other, I called my boyfriend and we decided to go to Lipa, Batangas to check out our newly found place, The Marian Orchard.

Time and Awareness

These past few months, I've got tons of exams and OSCE but I managed to get pass through it. I felt relieved when I got home and saw my dad in his usual place in the corner of our house where he worked and sing along the computer like it's a free karaoke. Four days ago, when he had a heart attack. 

When in Binondo

I usually spend free days visiting museums and get fascinated about these historically filled exhibits and true enough, the story behind these beautifully curated objects holds a great value. I never expected that there's a museum that can be found in 4th floor of Lucky Chinatown Mall located in Binondo, Manila. I've been there a lot of times, but I never heard of it.

Bliss

I choose to spend the long week with my relatives in Bicol and also used it as an opportunity to introduce my boyfriend to my family. I guess spending days like this with important people in my life really matters. At first I was shy and hesitant about it. It's my first serious relationship and I guess I'm still on the phase where I had to keep some things private without sacrificing about letting everyone aware about our relationship.