As a mom and piercing enthusiast, I’ve always looked forward to the day my daughter, Cittie, would want her ears repierced. They were pierced when she was a baby, but her curiosity back then led her to constantly play with her earrings, which caused an infection. Her father and my…
For many millennial families, the dining table has become somewhat of a relic. What was once a central feature of family life — where meals were shared, stories told, and connections made — is now increasingly overlooked. It’s a trend I’ve seen in many homes, including my own,…
My husband, Jared, and I are navigating another significant life transition. Our daughter, Cittie, is now on her second week of kindergarten, which marks the official start of formal schooling here in the Philippines. This transition is even more pronounced because we’ve moved her from a traditional school to a…
My husband, Jared, enjoys cooking. As I write this, a pot of gumbo simmers on the stove. Its strong aroma drifts throughout our open-layout house and toward my work desk. My stomach churns in excitement. It’s his first time making this dish, but as with nearly every recipe…
I recently picked up a fascinating book, “The Courage to Be Disliked,” by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. The book dives into the philosophy of Alfred Adler, a pioneering figure in individual psychology. Adler’s ideas stand in contrast to the older, trauma-focused theories of…
Navigating life with hemophilia in the Philippines presents unique and daunting challenges. The financial burden of treatment is one of the most significant hurdles hemophiliacs face. A 1,000-unit vial of factor IX costs up to 22,000 Philippine pesos (about $377), yet the minimum monthly wage is…
My husband, Jared, and I have been working on some big home renovations lately. Under the supervision of my dad, who is a civil engineer, Jared learned how to do various jobs. He rerouted some water pipes, plugged up some holes, and painted. He also watched as an electrician installed…
I recently stumbled upon a thought-provoking post by “Typical Pinoy Crap” (TPC), a well-known Filipino digital creator who shares insightful views about social issues. The post commented on a line from a song by the all-girl Filipino pop group BINI, titled “Karera” (“Race”). The line is…
I recently received an intriguing piece of jewelry in the mail. It’s a prototype of a design I hope to sell someday. But I loved it so much that I wanted one for myself. The design is rather goth-themed, featuring a coffin-cut black onyx gem in the center flanked…
I think about my daughter’s future a lot, especially now that she’s getting older. At 5 and a half, she’s just finished senior nursery and is headed for big school in a month. She’s skinny and nimble, having lost most of her baby fat except for her cheeks. She loves…
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