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All These Things (10): Hello Again

June 5, 2017June 5, 2017 Tina Leave a comment

Just last Friday, I thought about this blog again. It’s obvious that I haven’t been here but I’ve been around here and here. I haven’t exactly disappeared, just on a different persona online.

Which isn’t really a different persona, too because it’s still me.

But yeah, last Friday I thought about this blog, and I thought of how it’s been my “home” for those turbulent times in my life (I’m looking at you, 2013-2014). It goes to show that I blog and think about things when I going through something, so this means I’m not going through anything that warrants all the blog posts about things, in love and life and all that.

I kind of miss it, though. Not the turbulence, but that I had all these things to write here. To pause and gather my thoughts about life, the ones that don’t make it in my current work-in-progress, and write them down. It’s getting harder to do that lately – to sit and pause and be intentional about something, to reflect and look back and be thankful. I get too caught up with work, and the writing progress and the TV shows that the days just breeze by and before we know it, 2017 is ending.

So here, let’s try to slow downÂ again, and let’s start easy.

–

Right Here, Right Now.

Reading

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James. I finished my first Julie James book last weekend, and why did it take me so long to read her? I don’t know. I’m reading her books partly for research because my next book is going to have enemies-to-lovers trope and I have no idea where to start with that. Hence the research!

Writing

My next book! I’ve actually started writing it sometime last year but I keep on stopping because my characters weren’t moving the way I want them to. I hit the same wall a few weeks ago, so I decided to stop writing for a while and just do some free-writing while I talk to them in my head.

I think it’s more challenging this time for me because unlike my first two books, this one doesn’t have a NaNoWriMo source. So in essence, the writing for this is really me starting from nothing. I’m still targeting a September release, so wish me luck?

Listening

Home by Reese Lansangan. Love love love this song.

Thinking

I want to write but I have work. (But look I’m blogging haha) I’m hungry and there’s chocolate here but I’m supposed to be cutting back on sugar. Do I need to prepare a presentation for tomorrow’s meeting?

Smelling

Coconut from this coconut-lychee flavored Timtams. It’s…strange but also okay?

Wishing

That the words will just flow when I start writing. And it will be the easiest thing I will be writing (haha right).

Wearing

This pretty blue and white dress that I always wear when executives visit our office, and black blazer I got yesterday. I should be in heels but I’m not. Maybe tomorrow.

Loving

That my parents are home. :)

Wanting

Mangoes. There are mangoes at home and I look forward to having that later after dinner.

Needing

To stop obsessing over the book planning and to start writing. You’ll figure it out, self, don’t worry too much!

Feeling

Happy that the work day is almost over. :)

—

I can’t promise that I’ll be posting as much as I used to, but I will try. Tell me what’s up with you right now? :)

All These Things (9): Slow Down, it’s Advent

December 7, 2015December 16, 2015 Tina Leave a comment

It took me a while to realize that November has gone by and I wasn’t able to post anything that month.Â Darn it. I was hoping to at least blog once a month this year, when I realized that I won’t be able to post as much as I used to. Not just because of life, which always gets in the way, but also because I feel like there isn’t much to write about. Here, anyway. I write a lot of emails and stuff for work, and I still struggle with my fiction writing, but writing here has been a bit slow compared to the previous years. In a way, it’s good because that means a lot of my angst (aka #hugot)Â has passed, but I also really miss writing and ruminating about life, here.

But look, it’s December. I was a little bit in denial about it last week when it finally rolled around, but I couldn’t deny that the lights were brighter and the air is cooler (my poor lungs) and my weekends are slowly being filled with parties from different groups of people. Whoa, Christmas, you’re almost here. And whoa, 2016, you’re also almost here.

Last Friday, I was at the last CFC gathering for the year and Kuya Bubi showed a video about slowing down for Christmas. How Christmas is always a stressful time for everyone because of the holiday rush, but really, Christmas – or Advent,Â rather – is a time when we shouldÂ slow down.Â Slow down so we’d have a chance to observe and participate in life. Slow down to have time with the people we love. Slow down, because Advent isn’t about rushing, and Christmas isn’t about making sure everyone has presents.Â Slow down.

My Advent last year was crazy because of work, but I remember excitedly going home so I could spend some time with my nephew, who was just two months back then. I remember finally letting my thoughts stop when I get home, as I go to their room and sit by this little boy, and listen as my breath slows down as I watch him sleep. Slow down, because grace isn’t a burden, and God comes as a babyÂ because grace is weightless.

I like that thought:Â grace is weightless.Â :)

* * *

Right Here, Right Now.

Reading

Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon by Edgar Calabia Samar. Friends have been raving about this, and I finally got copies at the last book fair because the books were on sale and the author was having a signing. The first time I tried reading this, I had a hard time with the Filipino, but now it’s not so hard. (Kind of funny how it’s a bit hard to read in my native language, huh.) I am enjoying this so far, and there was this one part that kind of creeped me out last night that I was almost hesitant to venture out of the bedroom to get something from the other room. Heh.

Writing

This blog post. Other than this, I have two short stories in progress and that novel. I writeÂ when I can, which isn’t much yet because I want to get all the work stuff out of the way until my vacation. 11 calendar days left!

Listening

IÂ have a Christmas playlist up on Spotify, and that’s been on repeat since December rolled around. Today, I discovered the Pentatonix’s version ofÂ Mary, Did You Know?Â and I got the chills. So good.

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Thinking

That it’s not so easy to do portion control over food again after months of…well, of not doing it. I signed up for Pickle Food Co this week, and it’s just the first day of the meal plan and part of me is already trying to distract myself from hunger. Haha! And there was this little birthday celebration at work today so I kind of cheated already. Oops. But to be fair, the food they provide is pretty filling — the containers are heavy and full of food. I’m planning to do this for 2 weeks for now because Christmas to try it out, then go back to it again by January. :)

Smelling

This essential oil of sorts that I bought from Rockwell last weekend. I forgot the name of the store, but it’s near Fully Booked. :D It’s calledÂ Breathe, which is supposed to be good for respiratory problems, like asthma. It smells very clean, and it has this little menthol kick. I think it’s helping, and I really hope it’s working because I don’t want to take too much Salbutamol for this slight wheezing I had early today.

Wishing

That vacation would come soon? Haha. To finish all the work stuff that I need to finish before vacation rolls around, really. And that my lungs would behave for the rest of the holiday season.

Wearing

And old YFC shirt and jammies, because this lola is so ready to go to bed.

Loving

That I have time again, especially after the whirlwind that is October and November! I’ll probably just write about these things in my year-end recap, but October and November were mostly for school, and Filipino ReaderCon. Now I have time again, and there are still so many exciting things that are yet to happen, like this:

We have some theater actors read excerpts from our books! Coming soon at romancepodcast.com! Subscribe, please? :) Fall Like Rain is the pilot episode. :)

Wanting

For my internet to stop acting up. It’s been weird the past weeks, and it’s starting to get annoying.

Needing

A decent author profile photo. The profile photos I use were from years ago, and this is the second time that I have to provide a high-resolution photo and I have nothing. Need to take this branding thing seriously now.

Feeling

Calm, which is saying a lot after all the stress of the past months. There’s still stuff I have to do and people to talk to and meet-ups I have to schedule. Perhaps making the decision to slow down is already the first step to, well, slow down?

All These Things (8): Space for what matters

October 12, 2015October 12, 2015 Tina 1 Comment

Before anything else:Â help me out for one of my final projects for school? If you’re aÂ romance readerÂ anywhere in the world, may I borrow ten minutes of your time to answer this reader survey?Â This is to profile our target market so I can create a marketing plan for indie romance books by Filipino authors. Survey is open until Wednesday, so please answer and share! Thank you! â™¥

I was planning my week last night before going to bed and while I was doing so, I started freaking out becauseÂ why are there so many things to do?Â I feel like I’m running out of time, which, of course,Â is all in my head. But I can’t help it sometimes, especially when I realize that it’sÂ almost past half October,Â and soon it’s November, and the last two months of the year is usually my busiest.

And theÂ lola in me just wants to get enough sleep.

I’m not complaining, because there’s nothing to complain about. I do know that I may beÂ too busy sometimes. My friends at work tell me this all the time, and lately, I agree. And lately, I’ve been thinking of the things and activities that I could maybe let go of, even temporarily, to make room for other things that I need to prioritize. Like writing, school, SFC, exercise, and sleep (most important!).

I guess I’m coming to a point where I realize that I don’t need to do everything. Years ago, I kept on saying “Yes” to so many things because they’re fun and I want to try new things…but maybe now, it’s time to start sayingÂ No.Â Because I only have so muchÂ time, and I need to make space for the things that matter.

Reading

The Mermaid From SiquijorÂ by Â Justine Tajonera, from the #StrangeLit Fateful Turns bundle. With all the things I need to do, I barely have the time to read, and when I do read, I want it to be as stress-free as possible. Meaning short stories, or stories that don’t make me think too much (but feels are okay!). I hang out with my Kindle and my Buqo app a lot, because paper reading makes me fall asleep too fast and I just feel guilty with the book.

That said, the #StrangeLit bundles are really fun, and I’m only about 1/5 through the stories (there are 41!). Reading these makes me wish I could write fantasy, but I think I’m really more of a reader of the genre. But who knows, maybe later.

Go get them if you haven’t – they’re Php 90 each on Buqo, with 10-11 stories in each bundle!

Writing

Sill that novel, and also some articles for work. :D I have to put that novel on hold for a bit because of school, but when I’m on break, I write some. It’s an uphill climb, but that’s good for the heart, right?

Listening

Jon McLaughlin’s new album,Â Like Us.Â Liking it so far. :)

Thinking

Of what to doÂ after this. Do I design, or do I edit?

Smelling

Nothing as of the moment, but I bought a new air purifier scent from Mia Maison last week, called Rain.Â (I may have bought it because of the association with my book. :D) It smells so nice and clean. :)

Wishing

That I be satisfied with the productivity I have every day, when I know I have exerted effort. (Because there are times when I know I haven’t, and that just feels right to feel bad about that. But I mustn’t let that get to me.)

So now my wish is that I would focus, give my all, then let go at the end of the day.

Wearing

Purple and black dress, black cardigan. It’s Monday,Â and it’s always dressier during Mondays.

Loving

Studying! It’s not easy to juggle schoolwork and work, and it’s totally not easy heading to Makati for the whole day on Saturdays, but I like being in class. Learning is fun, and meeting new people is also very fun. We had our last class for Digital Marketing Analytics 102, and we still have a long way to go with our marketing plans. But look at us, so happy in our last class picture!

We have a final defense on October 24 to get us our Specialist titles, so wish us luck. :)

Wanting

A pair of hands to help me out at work would be nice.Â What did the Gospel last week say?Â Ask and you shall receive? There. Lord, please give me someone to help out with all of this soon.

Also wanting to iron out the schedule this week – including the non-work event tomorrow at Makati, and the dentist appointment on Friday. Not looking forward to the dentist thing on Friday, but alas, it is needed.

Needing

A good workout. And not to be lazy so I can get that workout.

Also to pass the defense on the 24th.

And yes, sleep. But that’s a given.

Feeling

Slightly bit hassled because of the adulting things I need to do. Haha, but well, we cannot avoid being adults, and stuff. Remind me to call my dentist later.

I also feel like I need to hustle now. So, hustling. Don’t let the Monday blues beat you, folks!

Image credit: Time’s Up by Ana Fuentes