It has been a long, time since I made a personal post on this blog. Fourteen years ago, I started this blog as an online diary. A spot where I can share my random musings. To say that this blog changed my life is an understatement. It may sound cliche, but heck it is true. This has been an alternative avenue that earned me money, made new friends and traveled to many destinations. They say blog is dead but I am never going to stop writing on my blog for as long as I can.
This year, I vow to write often and share my personal journey all while writing contents that I am passionate about. Why? I think that blogging for me is a therapy. When no one listens to what I want to say, there's this blog and my dog Ollie who "listen" to me without judgment.
The Ex
Since we are still in the spirit of new year, I would like to pay tribute to the person in me in 2023. I was living in Sorsogon for the first 4 months. Only in April I decided to stay longer here in Manila after living in Bicol since 2020. It was in the height of pandemic, we went home with my 2 sisters and my dog Ollie. The reason is not really because of COVID19 but hopefully start over from a hurtful break-up.` I used to be a dependent and weak woman in a 3-year relationship that I was the only one trying to save. It still hurts to admit but there's power in being true to myself. If I will keep on not accepting the facts about it, I will continue fooling myself. There was no regret because Ollie my dog wouldn't come to my life if this did not happen.
Do I feel angry with the Ex because of what happened? No. I even wish him the best in life. It has been 3 years! When friends and family ask, I do not tell the story as if he is the bad guy. What is the point of being bitter and wishing him the worst in life? It won't bring back the past. What if he is saying bad things about me to his friends, family and the new GF? Bless him, her and their dog. I am in the position right now that I don't care anymore about what he feels about me. I wish them all happiness.
The Fling
For the past 3 years after the break up, I did not date anyone else. I was so content and most of all happy of being a single furmom. I believe I need to heal this girl in me before I jump to another relationship. I cannot stay dependent and weak or else, history will repeat itself. I will still attract another short-tempered guy who doesn't know how to see my worth. Wait, that is too much to say. I just don't want to attract another wrong guy anymore.
I removed all my profiles on dating sites and was not really keen on meeting a new soul. The Universe responded by sending another guy back whom I was seeing briefly in 2017. Several months before I met the Ex, I was seeing a guy who was backpacking in the country. When his trip ended and have to go back home, he did not say anything. I concluded he will forget me and will never go back. He was still chatting me with sweet words but I told him to stop doing so and even deleted him on my friends list on Facebook. He listened and six years have passed without hearing from at all.
Until last year, he sent a message saying he is in the Philippines for work for several months. To make the long story short, we catch up twice already. First, over a cup of coffee last November and second is breakfast before he went back to Spain.
While I don't think a romance is gonna follow because we became completely different people than we used to be, lesson for me is never burn the bridge to anyone unless it is the end of the world. It was great meeting him even this time as an acquaintance.
Manila, my second home
I missed city life so much so 2023 was the moment that I really enjoyed every moment of it with my dog. We went to many pet-friendly cafes and restaurants regardless of the price on the menu. I used to be very broke and now, I thank the Universe - it is not anymore. I can now afford eating in any good fine dining restaurants I want tagging along my dog as long as he is allowed there.
Blogging career back to life
From 2020-2023, I published very little on this site. I lost passion on blogging for so many reasons. In the last quarter of 2023, I went back to blogging because I felt like I don't want to lose this first love of mine among all things that make me happy. From blogging about travel and wellness, my interest shifted to pet-friendly travels and more. The opportunity to earn from blogging has increased too so there's no way I will let go this blog site of mine.
I am now very picky with what events I join and what brands I promote. Before, I would join all events I can to network with fellow content creators and would promote brands for perks and mostly because of pay. Now, I value my time more than anything else. Before I join any events - I see if it is worth it. If I will go home with a piece of cheapskate T-shirt and coffee cup, I would rather stay home and make relevant contents.
I am trying my best to earn passive income online through blog collaborations, affiliate marketing via Involve Asia and and brand sponsorships.
Focusing on my physical physique
I have to be honest, I wasn't the best in taking care of my own health and so my top goal now that I am turning 40 next month, is to focus on my health. In fact, I have enrolled to a pet-friendly gym in BGC called Get Fit 24/7 in Market, Market. I even hired a personal coach just to make I am in the right track. While I put no pressure on what will be the outcome, I am already loving the feeling of lifting weights and doing exercises in the gym. I used to be so scared of going to the gym thinking people there will laugh seeing a skinny and feeling old maid me. Now, I just don't care anymore :)
Lantuag sa Sorsogon Facebook Fan Page
Sorsogon is my home province. This is where I was born and my parents came here. I lived here since I was born until before college. It has been a dream of mine to start a Facebook page for all things about Sorsogon for so long. This won't happen if we did not went home in 2020. Now, we have 12, 000 followers to a Facebook page that are so active. This also paved way to work with local brands in Sorsogon city and meet fellow content creators in Bicol. Soon I will be sharing my list of influencers and content creators in Sorsogon in another blog post.
Our rented apartment for 8 years
One of the things I am really truly grateful for is having an spacious apartment with 3 rooms. We were so lucky to find one 8 years ago that is not too cheap but not too expensive. Working from home full-time means I spend a lot of time at home. I cannot live and work in a place that is small in size. Our home in Manila is also very accessible with a view of the Pasig river and the road at the same time. We also have a backyard, front yard, a gate and towering trees surrounding the building.
This apartment is located in the fifth floor of BLISS buildings. These are old but heck, I love every single second here. I wouldn't trade this to any newer apartments or condos that are cramped up and also way more expensive.
Pet-friendly travels, restaurants that allow pets and essentials Facebook group
Everywhere I go and almost every decision I choose always consider the welfare of my dog Ollie so I decided to create a Facebook group for all things pet-friendly. I created it 4 months ago and have already 2, 500 members. I have been happily sharing pet-friendly restaurants we have dined, pet-friendly hotels we have visited and more.
My Macbook Pro laptop and Iphone phone
Coming from a poor family, I knew how it feels to always have less. In fact, I only have Nokia 3210 during college. I was too shy to show it that I always hide whenever I use it. My first Iphone was the 6s given by The Ex. It was the first "luxury" phone I ever owned so I vowed myself, I will work hard to have nicer things in life. My phone is Iphone 12 and it is working fine! I will not replace this unless it is completely broken. I am not tempted to upgrade to newer versions of Iphone just for the heck of it.
My first laptops are always the cheapest and therefore very slow. I remember I had to work in the Internet cafe for the first 6 months for my first client then bought the cheapest laptop out there. I was only able to taste how does it feel to use a good laptop when I was borrowing the Ex's MSI gaming laptop and Macbook Air. Since then, I vowed to work hard to be able to afford these from my own money.
Fast forward to know, I am using a Macbook Pro laptop coming from my own earnngs.
Compassion to stray pets
Since my dog Ollie came to my life. I have been compassionate to all stray pets especially to the local breeds: aspin and puspin. In fact, I am feeding one stray dog and 6 cats that live under one of the cars in the parking area of the building where I live. For some reasons I can't explain, the moment I started giving them food - my earnings from my side gigs aka blogging have increased! I am not sure if this is just plain coincidence but I can really tell from my own experience that when you give from the bottom of your heart, the Universe gives back to you tenfolds.
No comments