I taught in a public university in Manila where I also assisted in managing its academic affairs and administrative operations. My work of 21 years in the academe required a good deal of experience in higher education policy, quality assurance, and adherence to rules and regulations. Surviving long hours of meetings, tons of computer and paperwork, and a few nasty intrigues at the workplace were my greatest accomplishments. 

To tread the proverbial road less traveled, I turned my back on the career that promised me a secure future. I was excited to visit other places in search of the answer to the age-old question about the deeper purpose of life. Good for me, the global pandemic got in the way of my crazy travel goals, thus saving me from squandering my hard-earned savings. Stuck at home like a hermit, I find solace in the company of my cats. (Four as of this writing.)

While in quarantine, I discover the joys of vegetarian cooking and home gardening. I catch up on reading and find delight in unwrapping the books I have accumulated from my trips to the bookstores and book fairs. Staying up late to binge on Netflix shows is the least of my worries. I finally find time teaching myself how to strum the guitar that had been lying around for ages. A ten-minute meditation is a welcome respite from my daily routine. When I get bored, I talk to my tomato plants and coax them to grow and bear plump fruits for my salad. 

I realized that inner peace grows in solitude and that positivity starts from within one’s self. Writing blogs is my way of sharing with the world the simplicity of living a life one day at a time.