THINGS TO DO WHILE IN QUARANTINE: READING MY FAVORITE BOOKS

I haven't been updating my blog, that sucks. The last post I had was about a year back. No, I wasn't busy, I actually have all the time in the world but sadly my laziness and inconsistency rule all the fvckin time. Sorry guys. Yes, again. Ok, let's get over that and let me just ask you guys, if how have you been doing? I know that we've been going through a tough time and I just hope that all of you are doing fine, safe and sound at home. As for me, I'm doing great, yeah, a bit bored but you know this home quarantine thingy isn't new for me cause I have been working from home for years now. But still, it sucks that I can't go out to visit my family and play with my munchkins. I miss them really bad. They're all in Manila while Michael and I are stuck here in Makati. I just wish I'm with them during this quarantine time. It makes me feel sad and depressed at times, I mean, I'm with the boyfriend, I do have company but it's better I guess if we're with them so I don't have to worry about them every single day. I can feel you guys, especially those who are not with their families. The boredom, anxiety, depression and all. I know, it's torture. But guys, keep in mind that aside from staying and eating healthy, we should also take care of our mental health. The good thing is, there are a lot of things that we can do to safeguard and preserve our mental health at home. Like creating a routine. Do things we want to achieve each day to create a sense of normality and productivity.

Now that we have all the time we need, we can make the most of catching up with our neglected hobbies. Or acquire new knowledge and learn new things. Why not try blogging or vlogging? cooking? learning new languages? Sketching? name it, you can try and do it. 

Also, we can now do things that we've been putting off --like binge watching our fave tv series and K dramas. Diving into books we've been wanting to read-- and speaking of reading, here I would like to share you guys some of my fave books that you can read to pass the time, beat boredom and make you happy and entertain, give you comfort and distraction while doing your part to help flatten the curve. Here you go!

1. HARRY POTTER SERIES by J. K. Rowling

2. FIFTY SHADES OF GREY  by E. L. James

3. BOOKS by John Green

4. TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han

5. BOOKS by Nicholas Sparks

6. THE TWILIGHT SAGA  by Stephenie Meyer

7. THE HUNGER GAMES SERIES  by Suzanne Collins

8. CRAZY RICH ASIANS SERIES by Kevin Kwan

9. BOOKS by Rainbow Rowell

10. BOOKS by Jojo Moyes

There you have it guys! I hope you like the books and start reading them.Hope these books help to somehow ease your worries and keep you busy until the quarantine ends. Something romantic, magical, inspiring, uplifting, light and fun to take your mind off of quarantine and before you know it, it's over. Yey!  Just hang in there, this will be over soon. Let us all pray for that. We can do it guys. We can get through this. This too shall pass. But for now, let's just be positive and be productive even if we're all stuck at home. Keep in mind that every cloud has a silver lining and there's always a rainbow after the rain. Take care, stay safe, healthy and stay at home.

P.S.
If you do not have or can't find a print book there are PDF copies online, just search for the title then PDF copy.

xoxo
Mai

2019

Happy New Year people! I know it's long overdue but hey, better late than never. Again happy 2019! I hope you're all having a good year, cause I am. But still, I can't believe time has gone by so fast, two months have passed and I am still having difficulty workin' on my inconsistency. I know I've said this thousands of times already, sorry blog for not updating and for neglecting you. You know I am trying and I always want to write something but I am just too lazy, yeah lazy. I am really sorry. And with that being said, I am now back (again) and will share what I have been up to. So yeah,let see.

December
Let's start with the holidays. My first Christmas party in five years! Yey! We had it at Vikings Marikina and it was a blast!

Ubekeso Day

Bought a computer desk and just celebrated our 9th anniversary assembling it at home :) That's how mature couple celebrate anniversay people! Lol 

CHRISTMAS was spend with the fambam. We just ate out and spent quality time together. I didn't pay for everything this year, we go dutch. Haha! I can finally feel it, next time it will be their treat! Oh, can I just say I miss my munchkins so much! So adorable! 

January
New Year was spent at home cooking my first ever pizza! I felt like my cooking skills just leveled up.

Black Nazarene 2019 
I did it. Can't even explain how it felt after. Was able to finish it without complaining and being sungit and for Michael it's pure happiness 😂 He kept on kissing my head and told me after, very good ka 🤣😅🤣

P.S.
I am not a catholic but I respect his religion, faith and panata 😊 For the past years, was able to join him sa mga mass lang but never sa procession. This year we made it together 😍 Thank you God for keeping us safe

February 

Team building. Had ourselves pampered at Arruga Spa & Wellness garden for this quarter's team building. This place is a sure haven. Visit them people, check the link above for more info. 

Birthday

It's my birthday month! Happy birthday to me! I turned 32 this year, omg! But it's fine, age is just a number and hey, look at the photo above, do I look like I'm 32? Haha! Had an advance celebration with the team and celebrated my special day with the fambam. My heart is full.

That's it people, that how I spent the first quarter of 2019. And I am now a little busy working on a special project for my little munchkin's (Sav) 7th birthday. I am going to share it with you soon but that's all for now. 

 I really  hope I can update this blog as often as I can this year. I will try. I promise. Thank you for reading. Till next post people!

xoxo
Mai

THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY | 05

Happy Holidays guys! Oh yes, Christmas is just around the corner and it only means that it has been over a year since the last time I posted my #TheSundayCurrently, I always feel bad for not updating this blog as much as I want to but I guess I've already ran out of reasons and excuses for doing so. Again, Sorry blog.

So yeah it's here my Sunday currently.

currently..


Reading

Well, I am not sorry this time. I have been reading non-stop for a couple of months now. Good job Mai, atleast you're doing something productive aside from watching your KDRAMAs. In two months I was able to read To All the Boys I've Loved Before series, The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy by Jenny Han, I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo~just finished reading Eleanor & Park and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell  IKR. Now reading Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. I'm so proud of myself. Keep it up self!



Writing

Still working on my inconsistency when it comes to writing though. I'd hardly written anything, not even the Sunday currently. Just the 5th since I started it three years ago. Come on Mai!


Listening

Religiously listening to my OPM playlist on Spotify. So loving it.


Thinking

About so many things. I hate that I spend a lot of time in my head. I mean do I really have a choice? Can I really choose not to think? Easier said than done. Arggh!



Smelling

Fried Tinapa. Cooked fried tinapa and omellete for lunch. After three hours, the entire room still smells like it. It makes me hungry again. Gosh!



Wishing

The best for Me and Mikel. His TEKKEN dreams and my ICE-FAD dream. We can do it Baby!


Hoping

For an awesom 2019. Hoping that things will fall into place next year.



Wearing

Still in my sleep wear so obviously I haven't taken a shower yet.


Loving

The fact that I get to spare some time for my so neglected blog. Like I did something productive on a usually lazy Sunday.

Wanting

For December to come faster! I'm finally having a company Christmas party, yuhooo!


Needing

Money. A lot of money for my tuition fee. Fashion school why so expensive?



Feeling

Sleepy. Hungry. Lazy. But Happy. Positive. Inspired.

xoxo, Mai

Just Keep Fighting

First it was Demi then Selena, my favorite girls have been suffering from mental health issues and it made me really sad. I feel for them and for everyone who have been experiencing this battle because I, myself battled it out several times in my life. It is real and we definitely shouldn't take it for granted. I had my fair share of ups and downs through out the years and I'd say it wasn't easy. It all started when my Daddy died. My life stopped. I was so devastated and I felt like I'll never be happy and complete again. I was so broken. It happened again in college, when I didn't get into my dream university and my first love cheated on me and left me. I felt like for the second time around my world crumbled and my dreams crushed. I felt like my life was going nowhere and I was a complete loser. When I started working and became the breadwinner and guardian of my sisters, I got so exhausted. I felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulder. I tried my best. I worked really hard and put my dreams on hold. Then the two of them got pregnant. At first I felt betrayed and felt like I sacrificed for nothing. I failed as a sister and I wasn't good enough. And then I was diagnosed with Psoriasis and started working from home and lost my job twice. I was so depressed. Anxious. Helpless. I had low self-esteem. I was emotionally drained. I was constantly in a bad mood and got irritable and moody. I had difficulty getting along with and tolerating people. I had lack of motivation and interest in things. I couldn't even sleep. I'd often stay awake till morning thinking horrible things and talking to myself in my mind. I was always worried about the simplest things. My thoughts are consumed by fearful thoughts. I was afraid and worried for no reason. I felt so weak and restless. I was in a really bad place. It felt like I was in a warzone surrounded by the licking heat of flames and couldn't get out of it. That exactly how it felt.  It was hellish. Fighting your own mind, your own demon. It wasn't easy at all. But let me tell you this, no matter how hard it gets, you got it. You can always battle it out and win. Be strong and don't let it consume you. Always remember that you are the driver of your life and you'll get through the rough road. Yes, it isn’t a choice, but the way you handle it is. Don't feel bad about it, acknowledge it and accept it. Seek help and help yourself. Don't get stuck and don't feel sorry for yourself, it's not your fault, it's just a part of you. You're not alone. You are loved. You are special and you matter. Never quit on yourself, ever. Keep fighting. You can do it. We can do it.

xoxo, Mai

P.S.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call Hopeline at (02) 804-4673; 0917-5584673; and 2919 for Globe and TM subscribers.

SOMA-fied: SOMA Coffee Co in Maginhawa

Happy Holidays! Oh yes, Christmas is just around the corner and it only means that it's almost been a year since the last time I posted an entry here. I always feel bad for not updating this blog as much as I want to but I guess I've already ran out of reasons and excuses for doing so. I have been meaning to write something here but couldn't think of anything interesting to write. Again, Sorry blog. But worry not, I'm back  and I have something awesome to share. Yey!

So yesterday Mikel and I visited our good friends' newly open Cafe in Maginhawa (how I missed this place and our old house in Visayas Ave, it's been a while) and tried some awesome food and coffee they offer. We tried;

Ragu Alla Bolognese 175php
Lemon-Caper Creme Penne 245php
Clabatta Chicken Karaage 250php
Spicy Honey Chicken Poppers 160php
Bacon-Garlic Cheese Fries 125php

Tangerine Orange Cappuccino 16oz 165php
Salted Caramel Coffee Soda 16oz 155php

Check out their MENU , visit and like their official FACEBOOK PAGE.

Menu from their official FB Page

SOMA Coffee Co isn't just your ordinary cafe. It's more like a combination of laundromat and coffee shop that offers not just good food but also a perfect place to hangout and chill while doing your laundry. Yes people you read it right. A laundromat inside a cafe. A cafe inside a laundromat. Either way, I'd say it's one of the best and most productive places I'd been to. Located at Quicklean Professionals, 1-0 Makadios cor. Maginhawa Sts., Diliman, Quezon City (In front of Snack and Ladders).  

The food and coffees are superb! Ambience and not to mention their service are freakin' awesome. The interiors are pretty cute, you'll get this vintage vibe with their cute vintage cans and other stuff. My experience has been so good so I'll definitely comeback and try their other dishes. I just wish my house is just nearby so I can do our laundry there too. Haha! Thank you April and Maw! 

So what are you waiting for guys, conquer your laundry pile, enjoy the food and chill. Come and visit them now! 

XOXO, Mai 

SINGAPORE 2017: EXPLORING SG

Days 4&5 were spent exploring Singapore. Normally, we'll check out early so we can maximize the day but our hotel room was just so comfy and cozy that saying goodbye to our bed was really a challenge. Haha! Bandai Namco only booked a 3day-2night accommodation for the boyfriend's supposedly 3day SEAMAJOR trip but we asked them to extend his flight for 2 days. They were so generous, they agreed but we had to shoulder the hotel expenses for the rest of our stay. Unfortunately, ParkRoyal was kinda out of our budget, so on the 4th day we had to move into a hostel. Check out time is 12nn so we took advantage of the time up to the last second. Oh gosh, that was an epic goodbye! We really enjoyed our stay. Thank you Bandai Namo Asia and Playbook!

Come 12 noon. Goodbye Parkroyal! Hello, Mercury Backpackers Hostel! It was a cute and affordable backpackers hostel located at 57 Lavender St, Singapore 338714. 3-minute walk from Lavender MRT Station. We had our airconditioned room for only php1,500 a night and it's good for 4 people. We shared it with our friend Ahia who accompanied us for the rest of our trip.

Before we went to our hostel we explored Haji Lane and Little Arab that happens to be just across ParkRoyal. It's so gorg! Loving the artworks and the vibes!

We just left our things at the hostel then off we went to see the infamous Merlion! Seriously people, your Singapore trip won't be complete without  seeing the iconic half lion, half mermaid statue and taking a photo with it.

Day 5, our last day in SG was spent at Sentosa Island. We didn't get to visit Universal Studios cause our flight was at 6pm so we didn't have enough time. We just had a quick breakfast and went to Sentosa to visit Madame Tussauds cause we missed to visit it in Hongkong. The boyfriend and I just promised to go back and visit all the places we missed.

There you have it guys! May you have a Merry and blessed Christmas! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

P.S. Here's the Video of our Singapore Trip