2. It was pure satisfaction to type “ready for launch” for a demanding yet very exciting project.

3. Instead of my usual huge backpack, I packed a luggage with wheels for the Banaue trip. The principle of travelling light gave way to the need for warm clothing and insulation, since we plan to sleep in tents. My back will be well protected by rubber matting, and I also stowed away a comforter, socks and a malong for extra warmth.

2. Kuya Jing the mighty cook saves part of breakfast for me, and I savor whole oatmeal with fresh strawberries. Instant mush does not hold a candle to the real thing.

2. Ate KC proposes a last minute market trip and I am ecstatic at finding vegetables and fruit for such a low price. For under a hundred pesos, I buy a HUGE orange, romaine lettuce, purple curly lettuce and carrots.

1. Little hiccups are inevitable when traveling, and we experienced a seemingly major hitch when we boarded the bus to Baguio. Victory Liner had double booked the seats for our group of six, to think that we had made reservations ahead of the other passengers. Mercifully, some of the other passengers volunteered to move to a later trip and the conductor helped calm frayed nerves. And Jenny got her wish: she and Irish were given the last vacant seats in the first row.

2. Baguio greeted us with a misty sunrise and cups of strawberry taho.

3. Our trip coincided with the Listening Retreat of ASDECS, and we soaked up the wisdom of the elders as we had a whirlwind tour of the city.

2. It is my Ian’s first time to experience a bentosa massage. He seems to like it. My back is now a mass of huge purple circles. They look scary, but I actually feel pretty good.

3. My bedtime should be, must be at midnight. Not 2am. I wish.

The straw that almost broke me is an INC still appearing in my transcript one year after I’ve submitted the needed requirements. After a year of not being able to reach my professor for that subject, I finally pray an ultimatum: “Lord, if I am not able to meet that teacher today, I quit.”

Lo and behold, while I was about to leave the college, my professor suddenly appeared at the entrance. And promised to look into my records this week. I am too deflated to feel elated. Apparently, God is not letting me off the hook that easily.

2. A one-hour interlude in the afternoon reminds me why I chose to pursue an MA in Education in the first place. There is joy in learning and in helping others to do so, indeed.

3. I feel better after a steaming bowl of miso soup and fried fish fillet with mixed rice for dinner.

4. I need a hug and a massage.

2. My Ian and I are both working from home today, and we are both experiencing technical hiccups. Normally, we would just shrug off slow laptops and fluctuating Internet connections. However, we both end up feeling unusually frustrated about it. The blessing here is that we have a clear sign from God that we seriously need to go on a vacation. Guilt-free. And realizing how much comfort and encouragement we can give each other even when we are far apart.

3. And my status today is:

I miss my former happy-go-lucky, on-the-go, chirpy, bouncy, enthusiastic, friendly, adventurous, playful and optimistic NON-thesis self.
But this alien focused, diligent, serious, detailed and pensive thesis-self has a purpose.
This too shall pass.

2. I have butterflies the size of elephants before my topic defense. Fortunately the panel approve my topic and give very useful suggestions for the outline.

3. “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

2. We go to our favorite hotpot place in Podium, and my Ian says grace before we dig in. “Lord, thank you for the past…(quickly counts mentally) 16 months…” Time flies when you are having fun indeed.

On our way home, we have a conversation that makes me realize we need the help of our friend Paul, to help me get rid of the 16 or so pounds I gained in the past year:

She: Am I fat?
He: You’re delightful.
She: You didn’t answer my question.
He: (grinning) I know.

3. Minions, all together now! I want to watch Despicable Me!

bah bah bah, bah bah na na bah bah bah, bah bah na na na
BAH NA NA AH AHHH POH TAE TOE NAH AH AHHH BAH NA NA AH AHHHH
tokali no pukato leekani bahlo bahni kahno deekah bah bah bah bah nah nah.
YO LAH NO BO! LA PAH NO NO TOH! MAH BAH NA NA LA KA MOPITALAMO?
BAH NA NA bah bahh bah bah na na POH TAE TOH OH OHHH
tokali no pukato leekani bahlo bahni kahno deekah bah bah bah bah NA NAHHHHHHHH!

2. Impromptu coffee dates are the best. Ate Charms, my small group leader during one of the rollercoaster times in my life (is there any other kind?) is in one of her rare trips to the metro. So we end up spending the next 8 hours catching up on a year’s worth of news. She tells me of her amazing progress as a businesswoman/florist, and she lets me rant about my thesis. And tells me, “Finish what you started.”

3. We schedule a date later this month to Som’s. Just so two of the closest people in my life can finally see each other, and that they are not the figments of my imagination. And she promised: if you b – - a – r- – s next year, I’ll make you a chocolate – o u – - – - . And keep a few pieces loose for you to eat. Hmmm….

2. I submit the copies for my proposal and other documents an anti-climactic 2 days after I printed the proposal. Too brain-tired and heavyhearted to feel happy. But a long walk, a sunset, and an impromptu chat set me to rights.

3. “It’s one or the other,” my Ian advises about my summer. He’s right. So I chose the path that will get me to my goal faster.