Just recently, I thought of going back to writing here. It’s one thing that I continue to pay for the domain and hosting, but lately I haven’t felt stimulated enough. It’s as if I’m just existing and not really living. I remember blogging and having online friends to share my personal life with—so 2000s, right? I want to express myself in writing again, like a journal.

For now, let me keep a bullet account of my September:

• I celebrated my 35th birthday—had so many cakes to munch on, though I didn’t get to eat them all.

• I finally got to dine at Gordon Ramsay’s Bar and Grill. Lyan remembered this from last year. I later learned he was supposed to bring me to Bayleaf Intramuros, but something went wrong with his reservation, so he didn’t push through.

• Had dinner with my parents on my actual birthday! Rare moments when they’d go out of their way to see me??? But also because I asked to borrow Mama’s luggage.
• Oh, I got a gift from work and we had food to share. Look at the cake I got from them—lol.

• I traveled to Bangkok for the second time this year!! Very unexpected, but a welcomed rest. Glad I was approved to take time off. I booked the latest flight on a Saturday evening (cheapskate mode), enjoyed some me-time since Lyan flew earlier.

• We went to new places and restaurants in Bangkok—Sri Trat was an absolute favorite, especially the durian dessert which could be considered ginataang durian.

• It was our first time visiting Bangkok’s Chinatown—o wow, it was a long strip! We didn’t go deep, though. Instead, we went to Song Wat Road to explore the area and bought small souvenirs—of course, all cat-themed items.
• But of course, I still had Thipsamai (twice), moo ping (twice!!), and green mango!

• I achieved 10K steps almost every day, averaging 8,000 per day. There was one day I didn’t get up because I was too tired of dressing up. I only had the energy to dress for the breakfast buffet—lol.
• I went to the Trillion Peso March. I just had to be there—to express my anger toward people who abuse their power and positions, draining taxpayer money for personal and political gain.

Looking back, September felt like a quiet celebration of life—of aging, of movement, of showing up. I’m still figuring things out, but maybe that’s the point. I’m here, and I’m trying.