Author: Hajer

In my senior year of high school one of my favorite subjects was Religion. It was because of my teacher. She used to be a nun. She left the service (if that’s the right term) and somehow ended up in our (strict!) then all-girls Catholic school.  She was passionate, firm but kind, and funny. Oh,… Continue reading Divorce (in the Philippines) →

Do I believe in prayer? The truth is a part of me does and a part of me doesn’t. I live far away from most of my family & friends. When I watch tv, hear a song, see something on the street…. when I’m doing something or nothing a memory comesuninvitedbut not unwelcomed.It comes like… Continue reading Do I Believe in Prayer? →

September 27 is apparently World Tourism Day — so i’mma get in my soapbox for a min… or so.🙈 14ish years ago, I graduated with a BS in Tourism in the Philippines. The world was full of one promise — travel! It was a tourism student’s battle cry and the answer to… everything. Job? Travel!World… Continue reading World Tourism Day →

Out of the blue, I remember hot, humid, summer nights. I could be watching TV, reading a book, studying, doing nothing, when suddenly a faint voice calls out:“Baluuuut! Penoyyyyyy!Baluuuut! Penoyyyyyy!”And slowly but surely like a drum beat, it gets louder and louder…“Baluuuut! Penoyyyy!”Just those 2 words on repeat. A soloist playing to the night. And… Continue reading A June 12 Shoutout →

I love being in my 30s. Life is often tough and challenging but that’s also empowered and strengthened me.  I don’t aim for happiness anymore, I’ve proven that to be fleeting and a state of mind. I just aim to live… and live well. 2 years in this little corner of the universe. My little… Continue reading 513 S 6th →

Circa Halloween 2021. No costumes for me. Instead of dressing up, I was dressing down. Ok, more like stripping naked.   I got accepted to a 10-Day Vipassana silent retreat, after diligently applying for months. Centers are worldwide. I live in Philly & Delaware is closest to me. My best friend in the Philippines did… Continue reading Vipassana →

Dear child, happy (un) birthday to you!