Drop That Cigarette

I quit smoking because I wanted to prove that I was still in control of this nasty habit. It's now been more than a week since I smoked a cigarette and the cravings have become more tolerable. With only just that short period of time, I've already noticed the following improvement in my body/lifestyle:

Healthier Skin

A week ago, a zit on my temple, forehead, cheek, or any other area on my face was a normal sight. Today, I'm freaking out that there's a small bump under my right eye because the rest of my face had been pimple free for the last couple of days.

No More Stinky Smell

That horrendous morning breath? Gone. Cigarette smelling shirts? Gone. In roughly ten days, my body seemed to have flushed out all the smelly toxins. It's also important to note that my olfactory sense has dramatically improved ever since.

More Money

This was an unexpected treat. I didn't realize I could save this much just by quitting smoking. And was I really burning that much money for ten long years? Insane!

If you're a smoker and you've been contemplating on quitting, I encourage you to just do it. Do it anyway you want, whether gradually or cold turkey. Trust me when I say that it's going to be the best decision you'll make for yourself and for everyone you love.

Must Read: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Image Source

Green's philosophical take on cancer ,life, and death is as harrowing as his poignant story of true love in the eye of an inevitable oblivion. 

New Year Hustle

Image Courtesy of ReachingUtopia

Before anything else, I want to greet all of you  a happy new year! I hope 2013 didn't screw you up like it did me. Haha! May this new year bring us all good fortune and better lives in general.

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As you may have already known, I enrolled in Law School last year. That was probably the highlight of my 2013. Finally taking the first step towards my dream of becoming a lawyer was a rather arbitrary decision but it had to be done. I figured it was the perfect time because I was getting really bored with my job and I've got nothing better to do with my salary anyway. My sister already landed her first job so she no longer needed my support. With my money all for myself, I knew law school had to be the next order of business.

I'm Rocking the Boat

I haven't written anything since my last travel post from last year. I wish I could give a good excuse for the long hiatus, but there isn't any. It's funny because in one of my earlier posts, I promised to regularly update this blog which I obviously failed to do. So this time, I will no longer toss  promises of frequent updates. Instead, I'm just going to visit and write in this space whenever I feel like it. No pressure. 

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So what have I been up to?

Well, I'm still stuck in my monotonous and ridiculously boring job of more than three years. I've tried applying to several companies but I still ended up staying here. It was either the pay was not enough or the job they're offering was  different from the one they posted online. It goes to show that I still haven't reached rock bottom in my career dilemma. My desperation wasn't enough to give up a stable job and a very generous salary.

So what did I do about the "Oh my God, please don't make me do this  anymore" problem I have with work? I just had a change in perspective. I realized that instead of whining about how I became a machine because of the job routine, I had to do something that will make me want to not leave the company. Therefore, I decided to go to Law School. Crazy right? But here's the thing,  with this, I've hit two birds with one stone. First, is fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming a lawyer and second is staying with the company for the next five years to finance my studies. 

I've already  thought about the consequences of this plan. I'm very aware that studying while working is difficult. How much more if it's Law school and a job you hate? Surely, a complete recipe for disaster! But this is something I'm willing to take a chance on and I'm already very excited about the future, which, to be honest, is one thing I've long been worried about. So that's a good thing I guess. I've finally rocked the boat and now life is starting to get exciting again. 

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Last Monday I just had my medical examination. A few more weeks and I'll seal it with the enrollment. Ah, I can't wait to be a student again!

P.S Passing the admission test wasn't easy. The exam totally annihilated my poor brain cells.

Valentino Resort and Spa

In celebration of our 17th month together as a couple, Yam and I decided to go to this wonderful resort in Batangas called Valentino Resorts and Spa. There we had a very relaxing weekend topped with delicious food, green scenery, and a soothing massage. Enjoy the pictures below!

Leslie's Alabang - Early Lunch Buffet Down South

I celebrate the rare occasion when Yam randomly invites me to go out. It is certainly not like him to do that. He is always the uptight, “no-plan-don’t-go” kind of guy. So when he decided (out of the blue) to bring me out for an early lunch on a Sunday, I was a happy child.

On Getting Over a Sad Past

How do you deal with a future that has been tainted by a sad past?

I have been thinking about that question ever since I lost my mom to cancer a year ago. When she died , my life became a big blur of uncertainties and fear. She left me with so many questions, anger even, that have left me shaken and scared to move forward with my life.

I was 23 when she died. Most of you would agree that I was a little too young to have faced such tragedy. All along, I always imagined that I would be in my fifties, or sixties when I'm mourning over my parent's death. But no, life always had to be so unexpected, hadn't she? At an age when I barely had a stable job, she took away one important person from me. And I was left wondering why.

From then on I was scared to wake up every morning. A simple text message alarm from my phone would leave me cowering in fear thinking it's another terrible news.I was a wreck, a byproduct of tragedy. As much as I tried to relive my life, I couldn't.

It went on for months and more months. Until someone made me realize something - that life, no matter how many curve balls it will throw you, should be treasured every moment. Because there is always love that makes everything worthwhile.

And just like that I managed to slowly take back my life. Because I know that a love lost is a love found. I lost my mom, and that made me realize the value of all the people who love me. The future after all isn't as bleak as I thought it was. In fact, it's much brighter than ever.