I looked over at Windy, who I just tucked inside her travel crate. I didn't utter a sound. I kept movements as subtle as possible. She's been awake since 5 in the morning. I didn't take her on her usual early morning walk; instead, she got to romp with her Corgi brother, Brooklyn, have some of her breakfast kibble on the garage, and go on an hour-long car ride with us to McDonald's. I chose to break routine because, last night, Windy threw our nightly routine out the window. She didn't pee when she should've peed. She was excited and aroused that a 5 to 10-minute relaxation session did little to slow down the panting. She nipped my hand several times as I'm about to hand feed her.She refused to go inside her crate, then . . .
Another wave to break through
Life threw a couple of really nasty curve balls over the weekend, leaving me crying, throwing tantrums, and just feeling absolutely down to the ground. It took many days before I can finally start filling this space again. But knowing that I've made myself promise to write more, I thought it best to break things down and process them as best as I can. Another wake-up call that the virus is real Friday, September 22nd - my best friend's mother passed away. COVID-19 aggravated her pre-existing conditions and took her from us. The last time I messaged, my best friend and her dad were down with the fever and are getting swabbed. It frustrates me that I'm an airplane away and can't even see her to give comfort during such a . . .
Hello, I’m here.
Hey, there. Journal, virtual space stamped with my mark—diwa. How heartwarming yet melancholic this feeling of re-entering what was once an intimate and frequented space. I've been silent, and have chosen silence, since Ama's passing and the arrival of our two new furry family members. Time, physical energy, mental strength were not on my side for the most part of 2021. The world became a blurry mess where nothing really mattered but keeping control over the house and family. Friends came and wentFamily members shared updates from their side of the worldSociety scrambled for their freedoms and incomes in the middle of lockdowns and restrictions. But this blog remained in my mind and heart. I've not touched it for close to . . .
Meet the Puppers
People cope with loss and change in different ways. Some would stay in bed. Some would go on journeys for self-discovery. I'd normally binge on my favorite food 🍫 , watch a bunch of anime shows online, or shop online 🛍️ with absolutely no restraint. Nope. I agreed to go with the most unideal, impractical, and downright dumbest way to get through the loss of my grandmother. J and I got two new puppies. Not one. Two. Having two adult reactive dogs that had history of fighting and lashing at each other, I was so fearful of having another problematic dog that I wanted a second puppy to fulfill their socialization needs. I realized it was a stupid and ignorant assumption, and have beaten myself up for it multiple . . .
Eulogy
Rather than keeping the memorial's introduction and my eulogy behind lock and key, I want to share my Ama with the world. Ama, wherever you may be, I hope these words make you happy: Introduction Last Sunday, September 13th, we sisters reunited in fear and in courage to face one of our greatest fears—Ama, our beloved grandmother, passed away in her sleep three days after we discovered she was positive for COVID-19. It was a night each of us hoped and prayed would never happen—to witness a moment so crucial in our lives, yet not be by her side and hear her last words of advice, receive her final assurances, or feel the warmth of her skin before her soul took flight. This pandemic has pushed people to limits and heights no . . .
When the Yellow Bell Petals Fell
I've been afraid—afraid to sit down and face this blank space; afraid to write about the past three months; afraid of my incapability to talk about what's wedged deep within my heart. Each time I'm on this page of Diwa Daily, I divert to a written page on my journal, a tab on my browser, a notification on my phone, an email about 30% off for Black Friday—anything to make me forget about words. Perhaps I'm afraid of the weakness of my words, the possible phrases that would ensue from the quiet. It's my inner struggle, yet I feel her voice is calling me back. I feel she's been touching my shoulder and pulling me back to my desk this past week, maybe longer. Every time I do sit, I keep turning words like a Rubik's cube over and over . . .
10 lifestyle changes I made thanks to the pandemic – June 2020
I'm writing this after waking up from a 15-minute power nap. 💤 I started doing this recently to fight my unyielding tendency to wake up before sunrise, and not get enough sleep throughout the day. Since the pandemic hit the country and we've been staying home, the fam and I have been making significant changes to our lifestyle. 15-minute naps are just one of these little shifts and changes I'm making to make each day better and more productive. For June 2020's reflection, I'm looking back and sharing 10 lifestyle changes I made since our lives turned upside down at the beginning of the year: 01: Bought and used cloth masks Last March, J and I bought two N95 respiratory masks and a box of disposable surgical masks from a . . .
10 Kickstarter projects I backed (2017-2020)
Kickstarter's my gateway to many exciting products, from brand stickers to stationery to digital games. It's also where I discover creators, some I continue to follow to this day, such as Adam J. Kurtz, Angelia Trinidad of Passion Planner, and the fellas at Prepd. Although I've spent most of my time browsing the site and admiring creators who've taken the leap, I've backed several Kickstarter projects in the publishing, gaming, and design spaces. There are projects I'm still waiting for, projects I love and continue to use everyday, and projects I was disappointed with and stopped using as soon as I received it In the mail. Here are 10 Kickstarter projects I backed since being a member six years ago, and what I think about . . .
Showcase 📽️: Midori MD A5 Notebook
Here's something that hasn't happened in a while: a finished notebook. I can't remember the last time I filled the pages of a notebook anymore. I do, however, remember a time when it happened quite often, when I spent my days writing down all kinds of ideas, poems, stories, and journal entries. I keep thinking how that was my "Golden Age" and how much I want to recreate it. So much has changed since, so I'm taking things one day at a time. A simple notebook that is optimized to make writing easy.MD Paper Products I know, it's weird quoting the actual company. The Midori MD notebook itself was an absolute pleasure to use. It's the kind of notebook that doesn't let cover colors, branding, calendars and whatnot get in the . . .
Waking up to 30
If you asked 18-year old me what my life would look like 12 years into the future, I'd probably describe something far from what it's like this very day. At one point, I told Jayson with utmost confidence that I'd have the time of my life the moment I turn 30 years old. I'd drink, smoke MJ, watch standup comedy, go on a road trip, sing karaoke all night, and eat as much cake as I wanted. Well, things didn't turn out the way I thought it would. Luckily, my birthday did start out with love and gratitude. ❤️ My sister-in-law baked me a homemade chocolate cake for breakfast, which explains why I smelled cake baking in the oven at 10:30 in the evening the night before. I never expected anything like this that I rushed upstairs to . . .
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 10
- Take Me Back