I’m sitting at my desk at work, focusing on projects I must accomplish before the day ends, when suddenly my ringtone fills the room with the song “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” I see that my oldest son, Julian, is calling me. I smile when I…

I recently celebrated my 27th birthday in the company of family. Despite being unable to go out due to government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions, I still had a wonderful celebration at home. Although it was a weekday, our workload that day wasn’t too heavy or stressful. I was able to do enjoyable…

A few years ago, my family and I attended an inhibitor symposium in San Francisco. While the conference was jam-packed with incredible information, we did have a little free time to explore the city. Fisherman’s Wharf had great food and beautiful views of the harbor. We stood on a…

Despite skyrocketing healthcare costs, President Trump is committed to protecting the 30 million or so Americans with rare diseases and ensuring timely, affordable access to lifesaving treatments, the nation’s highest-ranking health official said. “We have to think about how our financing system can protect those with serious and rare illnesses.

Having a family member admitted to the hospital throws the entire family’s routine into absolute chaos. We lose our control of time, as well as our privacy. While it is great to see a friend or to hear good news from the medical staff, we are unable to dictate…

In the Philippines, where we live, Christmas isn’t confined to a single day. It unfolds as a season that spans about a third of the year, kicking off in the first of the “-ber” months. As a child, I cherished the joy of strolling through streets adorned with flickering…

It happened after a month of celebrations. First, it was Christmas and New Year’s. Then, it was my husband Jared’s birthday. Five days later, our daughter, Cittie, turned 3. Plus, we had just moved to a new home next to some uncles who kept inviting us to relatives’ birthdays…

I recently stumbled across a passage on social media referring to relationships: “If you want a garden? Take care of it. You want love? Love them.” Something about those simple words struck a chord with me. Instinctively, I forwarded it to my husband, Jared. “This is exactly why I’ve been…

The smell of rubber. The clanging of metal plates against one another. The sight of sweaty bodies heaving, struggling. Towels slung over shoulders. Muscles popping out of the chiseled physiques of a couple who walk through the place like a king and queen (fittingly, as they are its owners). Jared…

Managing money is an essential skill every couple must learn. From the moment they decide to live together, and especially after they decide to walk down the aisle, the health of their finances will always be a huge determinant of their happiness. This is true even if one (or…