What a month this has been!
I completed my first 30-Day Writing Challenge!
I cannot believe I was able to post every single day of the month. It was definitely a challenge, but I felt that it has greatly helped me with more healing as well. I’m so thankful to have triumphed in this challenge, and I cannot wait for more writing challenges in the future.
A huge thank you to anyone who’s been following along through this. I realize not every post was as deep as others, and I meant for them to be that way. I feel that it’s more exciting changing up the moods of these posts, rather than keeping them on a constantly deep level. I do enjoy writing pieces that are more playful and easier to read. Although many of my posts seem like they’re my own personal journal entries, I hope that they helped or inspired you in some way and provided some food for thought. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I loved writing them.
Entertainment
Streaming service(s) might change from the time of writing this post due to the services’ contract with the movie/TV show networks.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
I do not watch many musical films, but I was highly impressed with Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story. It managed to make me tear up… all three times that I’ve seen it. I love everything about it – the actors, the music, the setting, the story – everything. This is a beautiful and moving Christmas story that I think captures the essence of Christmas that many of us have forgotten throughout the years.
Maturity Rating: PG • Genre: Musical, Family • Original Language: English • Streaming Service: Netflix
THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES PARTS 1 (2018) AND 2 (2020)
I have seen the first part before, but I figured I’d watch it again this month. I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed watching it a second time. I became even more ecstatic having discovered that there was a sequel, and watched it right away. I do wish some things were done differently, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I also became more of a fan of the song, “O Christmas Tree,” thanks to the second movie. Check it out (available on Netflix)!
Maturity Rating: PG • Genre: Family, Comedy • Original Language: English • Streaming Service: Netflix
POSSESSED (빙의) (2019) | 1 SEASON, 16 EPISODES
All I wanted was a decent horror film to watch while eating dinner. Did I expect a thriller TV series that had me bawling my eyes out by the tenth episode until its finale? NOPE!
Possessed is the second Korean supernatural TV series I watched, but the first to actually complete. I really wasn’t expecting anything other than some spooks here and there, but was happy that it had an interesting storyline and characters. I fell in love with Go Joon-Hee and her portrayal of someone who has supernatural abilities. What impressed me the most was the show’s interesting portrayal of love, sacrifice, and possession. If you watch this, do prepare some tissue, especially when you’re nearing the end of the series.
Maturity Rating: TV-MA • Genre: Crime, Thriller • Original Language: Korean • Streaming Service: Netflix
JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY SOUNDTRACK
I absolutely adore this soundtrack and its movie. The soundtrack, I feel, provides a lot of uplifting and motivational messages that I find to be very comforting.
CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST
Since I’ve been feeling homesick this holiday season, Christmas music has been my go-to comfort music, and I’ve been listening to them quite a lot this past month.
Food & Drinks
BAGOONG RICE MEDLEY
Was I the only one who didn’t know that Goldilocks, a Filipino bakeshop, sold full meals and not just baked goods? I am so grateful to the person who got us a delicious meal from their shop. I was mind-blown at how good it was, and so, naturally, my friend and I had to get it once more. The meal I’m talking about is the Bagoong Rice Medley. It is fried rice sautéed with shrimp paste and topped with crispy diced Lechon Kawali (pork belly), tomatoes, mangoes, and eggs. Just writing it out makes me crave it again. Give it a try!
PUMPKIN CREAM COLD BREW, PUMPKIN BREAD, PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
I was so excited to try this. I actually tried Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Bread, and Pumpkin Spice Latte…in one sitting. I completely disregarded (forgot) the caffeine in the two drinks, and I had about 4 hours of sleep in two days. But, on to more important matters – I thought the Spice Latte tasted okay. I had to try it a couple of times to get used to it. I do love the Cream Cold Brew and bread though. They were more on my tastebuds. Other than that, I’m so grateful to have done this goal. It made me try new things and I enjoyed them.
Products
BATH & BODY WORKS AROMATHERAPY BODY WASH
I’ve used body soap all my life. I didn’t really get into body wash until I saw my friend using it. Tried it out, and I fell in love with it ever since (honestly, it was just this month, but who’s counting ?). Anyway, the only body wash I’ve been trusting so far is from Bath & Body Works. I was already a huge fan of their Aromatherapy scented candles, so I figured I’d try their Aromatherapy scented body wash. I’M HOOKED. I’m currently using: Eucalyptus Tea (Stress Relief), Lavender Vanilla (Sleep), and Orange Ginger (Energy).
Note: Only use the Sleep body wash when you’re truly ready to go to bed because this knocks me out within 20 minutes after applying it. Also, Orange Ginger is a scent that takes some time to get used to (or not at all), but it does the work and I’m able to avoid taking naps throughout my day when I use it.
TRAVEL JOURNAL
I love collecting memories. And I’ve been wanting a travel journal for some time now to start my travel memory collection. I was gifted this travel journal by a friend, and I’m so in love with it. I think the size, design, and content are perfect and I’m so excited to be filling it in with tons of photos, notes, memorabilia, and much more (of course, once traveling is safe).
HARRY POTTER MUG
I am so happy to have gotten this magical Harry Potter mug! Ahhh! I love Harry Potter and have a bunch of their items, so I’m very excited to add this mug to my collection. It’s a heat-sensory type of mug, meaning that an image will appear when hot liquids are poured inside it. In my case, it’s the Marauder’s Map! I find this so fitting as I have a shirt of the Marauder’s Map as well. Check out the video below to see how it works! I’m still working on my filming, so please excuse the shakiness and weird angle. Also, this mug was gifted by a friend as well, so I’m not too sure as to where she got it from.
Events
MY BIRTHDAY
This past month, I am very grateful to have celebrated my 26th birthday, as well as my goddaughter’s 1st birthday (at least from a video call). If there’s anyone I’d have the same birthday with, I’m ecstatic that she’s my birthday twin.
For my birthday, my friend and I just quickly went out and bought some Christmas gifts for ourselves and family. I’m grateful to have received the “favorites” products I mentioned earlier, as well as chocolate fruits, a balloon, flowers, and island treats and snacks from my lovely friends. I’m grateful to have eaten delicious meals and desserts. I love everything, and this year I’m extra grateful that I got to spend it with a close friend, as well as video chatted with my parents and other close friends.
To be honest, I wasn’t looking forward much to my birthday because I was still on edge about turning another year older, and not being accepting and grateful of everything I’ve achieved so far in life. I was expecting to be much further along in my journey, both in my career and personal endeavors. I was scared that I was running out of time and that I was never going to achieve all of my dreams. When, in reality, I’m right where I need to be. I’ve learned to focus on my own path, keep grinding, and remain patient. All of my blessings will come to me when it’s the right time, and that age isn’t a defining factor of what I can still achieve in life.
So, here’s to 26!
Gratitude
I AM GRATEFUL FOR...
- Welcoming another year on this Earth;
- Posting every single day of the month;
- Being more productive throughout the month;
- Receiving fresh flowers;
- Trying new food.
A gratitude list does not have to include major life events (but include them when they do happen). Simple blessings, such as showering with clean water, are overlooked privileges to be grateful for.
Incorporate or reserve at least 10 minutes of your daily routine to write at least three (3) things you are grateful for.
We all need a good reminder to keep our feet on the ground.
