Kumustahan #12: Hey, I've been less sad lately. Got tipsy for being workaholic this week. To read and to watch is to save yourself.

It's been a damn long time since I made my last entry here. 

Life, that relentless juggernaut, has a way of shoving you into the margins of memory. I’ve tucked you away there, where at times, without any grand promises of return. Whenever I am nowhere from being miserable, I bury you like one of my deepest secrets that even myself is ashamed to revisit. You might have seen and noticed the pattern, and I confess, I'm more than guilty of only seeking you out during my darkest hours. 

Remember those nights when I craved the company of Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath? Their words, like lifelines, pulled me from the abyss. And when I felt like rotting, I'd hit desperately that retweet button on depression-laden tweets, as if sharing collective pain could somehow lighten my own. 

But today, I come to you with a different intention. Not to wallow in melancholy, but to share an embarrassing secret:

I've been less sad lately.

Strange, isn't it? So here I am, baring my soul once more. Maybe, just maybe, this strange feeling will lead me to a new chapter—one where happiness and vulnerability coexist.

INTERMITTENT FASTING

Over the past month, I’ve been fully committed to self-improvement. I’ve adopted Intermittent Fasting, fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window. It hasn’t been easy—especially when work stress tempts me to binge-eat—but I’ve resisted. I’m building a healthier relationship with food. While I can’t say definitively if it’s working well for me, I’m determined to continue and observe the results. I’ve learned not to rush things; sometimes progress burns slowly. Additionally, I try to work out for an hour on weekends, though not religiously. Pairing intermittent fasting with movement feels like a balanced approach.

READING...READING

Recently, I’ve been diving back into reading. It had been quite a while since my last book, but now I’ve finished two. I’ve also added a few more to my shopping cart because, after completing “Babaeng Misteryosa,” a Tagalog novel, I’m hungry for fresh reads.

Before “Babaeng Misteryosa,” I delved into “I Sat on Fire When I Lay Down on It.” This book is a collection of personal narratives that offer glimpses into the author’s life and thoughts. One chapter stood out to me: it introduced me to an Indonesian word, “Belum.” When translated to English, it signifies “continuing possibility.” I found that concept incredibly beautiful—a discovery beyond mere words.

As for “Babaeng Misteryosa,” it was a good read overall. However, I felt a pang of disappointment—I couldn’t quite put my finger on what to share about it. Perhaps my expectations were too high, and I hoped for something more substantial that eluded me during my reading journey.

CINEPHILE KUNO???

Over the past few months, I’ve watched several movies. The most recent one, which I finished last night, was an Indian film called “The Lunchbox.” It left a profound impact on me—it tugged at my heartstrings. The central concept of exchanging letters through a lunchbox fascinated me. Imagine the anticipation each day, the excitement of opening the lunchbox and finding a letter waiting inside. These letters were more than just words; they were conversational and philosophical.

In the film, I discovered the significance of the horizontal and vertical plot. Saajan, one of the characters, specifically requested the horizontal plot for himself. His reasoning? He had spent his entire life standing in buses and trains—why should he die standing as well?

Then there’s the timeless adage: “Sometimes the wrong station leads you to the right one.” In a way, the misdelivered lunchbox brought Saajan and Ila together, saving them from their individual grief. Their connection wasn’t a typical love story; it was about finding solace in each other. They discussed life’s mundane yet thought-provoking aspects. I vividly recall Saajan’s line in a letter to Ila: “You forget things when you have no one to talk about them with.” It resonated deeply with me.

Today is Saturday. Originally, we planned to take Pino to the vet for his booster shot and visit Blue Bay for a park outing. Unfortunately, Mama isn’t feeling well, and the day feels gloomy. As I write this, drowsiness settles in—the post-lunch Saturday slump. I’ll likely drift off to sleep soon. 

I am not sure if Batman and I will talk later tonight.