While working today, I realized that using ChatGPT is making my brain rusty, so I want to write more. So, here I am. Updating my blog – and I’m starting with what I have already written.
You never know how much you’ve accomplished if you don’t take time to reflect. That’s what I did on December 24th, 2025. I thought about the things I have (or we have, as a family) achieved.
ð We bought a car
D and I have been checking out cars. It was him who did the research on specs. All I was after is whether the car looks nice or not. I’m that superficial. The car we wanted was in demand, so we had to wait for three months to get that pearly white auto.
Dad, my second sister, and my niece accompanied D, Little O, and I to the dealer store to bring home the car. I asked D if Dad can drive it home because that was the closest brand new car I can have my dad drive. I can’t buy him his own brand new car yet. Maybe someday. Let’s see.
ðïļ We had tons of vacations
Vacation 1: Batangas for Holy Week.
We did glamping at Domescape in Nasugbu, Batangas with D’s best girl friend, her spouse, my little brother, and his girlfriend. Multiple domes were in the middle of the forest with natural pools for each dome. We also had bonfire night. It was Little O’s first bonfire and smores night, but she was bothered by pesky ants.
After a night there we went to Calatagan, Batangas for our second location. This time it was with my best boy friend. I forgot the name of the place, but it’s concept was a military bootcamp. It was simple.
Then we transferred to Canyon Cove. The hotel and resort looked promising online… but when we got there we were met with disappointments. However, we did have fun with our friends.
Vacation 2: Tagaytay
Our anniversary vacation ð It was a pretty chill vacation. We ate, slept, swam, and that’s it.
Vacation 3: Bataan
This vacation was with D’s batchmate and his wife and kid. It was around June; rainy season had just started, so we couldn’t go to the beach because of the high/strong waves. The kids had fun in the indoor playground though.
Vacation 4: Malaysia
We spent it with my side of the family (sans my dad and third sister). We had a day for ourselves (own itinerary), so D, Little O, and I went to Acquaria. We saw lots of sea animals (duh). And… I should be uploading pictures here, shouldn’t I?
The next day, we woke up early to go up the Batu Caves. Little O went up to! She didn’t back down. What’s cute is she was actually complaining. She repeatedly said “I’m tired”, but she still continued climbing up.
Vacation 5: Back to Tagaytay
Yeah, Tagaytay again. It’s as if it’s the only place to have a vacation in… We were back here because it was D’s best friend’s wedding. He was the best man and Little O was one of the flower girls (her second time this year). We also celebrated D’s birthday here with my second sister, niece, brother, and his girlfriend.
ð Little went to her “first” job as a Kiddie Crew at McDo.
She and her friend enrolled in McDo’s Kiddie Crew. It was a 5-day event and they spent two hours each session doing fun stuff. They experienced being at the cash registrar, taking orders at the drive thru, serving food, and making their own cheeseburger.
Just putting this out here – one mom was amazed because Little O put her plastic gloves on her own. ð
ðŠī Went without helper and we’re thriving!
Our ate left around July because her third daughter – the reason she needed to work – was about to graduate. Despite her leaving, D, Little O, and I are thriving.
Sometimes I’m still amazed by how responsible Little O is. There was a time when D left the grocery in the grocery box, so Little O or I (our assigned task) can put the goods in the pantry the next day. When the morning came, Little O did this – without being told.
â Quit my full-time job because my manager was toxic
I was earning a lot, maybe around Php 80,000, but I couldn’t handle my boss anymore. I had headaches which I thought was caused by my eyesight, but I changed my eyeglasses, the pain persisted. Then my boss took a week off… And I didn’t have the headaches. When she got back though, I started to feel the pain. My headache was psychosomatic. I had to quit real quick. My contract was supposed to end a week after my birthday, but I submitted my resignation two weeks before my birth month. I didn’t want to feel this agony anymore.
ð Rekindled my friend with my best friend
We lost touch last year, but we’ve started talking and meeting up this year again. I now understand why she hasn’t been in touch with me. She’s that busy with her family – and I’m not sarcastic.
Well, I guess that’s it for now. I’ll try writing more in the coming months. ð
