Quite drunk
in the airport
in life, in all sorts
of awe, of starts.
Beaches, sunsets
make my heart
flutter, fleeting
yes, yet eternal too.
2026, Artherese
The words here may be few starting this year as I’ve been capturing musings more in paper these days. The reason being, I entered a nostalgic analog era in my 29th. Still, in paper or in screen, learning and discovering every day. 💚
Weekday escapes & musings amidst the busy and what could bes. Part 1
Don’t go changing minds
You can’t go about the world trying to change opinions. That’s an uphill battle.
Instead, let them. And listen. You may pick up gems from the scraps – a lesson or at the very least, what not to be.
But also, remember that for everyone – one is the center of one’s own world. How liberating is that? Go make a ruckus, go run, embrace your own kind of sparkle, of crazy. Because while some of the time others are formulating their fleeting narratives and opinions, most times really, no one can be looking.
(written amidst a grab ride to work)
A chance to forget yourself
A passage struck me today – how creating is a way to escape and find respite amidst the things to try to forget – among all else including oneself, with its fears and regrets. A momentary bliss.
Even when it’s not yet done or accomplished, there’s progress. Marked by your scars and lessons and pages that echo your bravery, your words. Even when it’s heavy, there is space. A little pocket of time that you need not maximize, you just merely need to live and realize.
And I take solace in the fact that I’m not ever perfect, nor will I ever be, nor will anything ever be. My heavy burden lifted. No need to chase some grand ideals, then. To create is to listen, live, and catalyze. To create is to escape.
(funny how a certain passage that speaks to you can caught your heartstrings, as I find myself getting teary eyed in a cafe. That’s what art and beauty brings – magic)
Revelations from a fortune teller encounter
I got to go see a fortune teller the other day. My first. Love isn’t in my cards. Perhaps, not yet. But leaving will pave opportunities. A worthy bet. Also got a reminder. That it’s okay to feel.
I left with wonder. Empowered even. Now it’s up to me. When everything’s up for interpretation, nothing’s ever really set in stone until there is action. My own.
(c) Artherese, 2025
I was able to go back to our designated provincial hometown over the weekend. As a means to escape and also, to remember. This place never ceases to fill me with awe, and definitely a lot of musings.
Saturday
Today, I chose to disconnect
And in doing so, felt more
Alive, present, connected.
Contradictions coexist.
Life never falters to surprise
And delight, who knows
What you’ll discover,
What comes and goes?
Sunday
The possibilities are endless, even
With only all the stolen time and sidelines.
The act of creation is redemption.
(c) Artherese, 2025
Breaks are transforming into vacations. An hour-long vacay. To marvel at the tides and changing seasons. Mostly with a book. Transporting myself to worlds away and within. With relief. A breath of fresh air, a reminder, that all comes to pass. That's life - fair and square. Like this lunch. Along with everything else.
Snaps from my recent culinary adventures: a korean toastie, a mexican birria & horchata, an oriental oyster bao. Living my Eat, Pray, Love journey in a lunchtime.
(c) Artherese, 2025
This start of year, mostly finding myself speechless – in awe, in feels, in hope. May I capture them more in days to come.
A Birthday Poetry
Thank you 27
If given the chance
I’ll live you again.
Here comes 28
Not stopping to wait
Well, so am I.
The coming of age
The passing of time
Is a nudge not a judge
Like cheese and wine
Older is better
Older’s the cue
To pursue, to live true
To your calling,
Finally but not
A finale.
Pep Talks
For every leap, there’s this familiar
Aftermath - the budding fear
When things are certainly uncertain.
But still, a choice to brave the unknown
To find the beat, the rhyme, the awe
For every leap, is to live.
I’m thankful I did.
And will continue to.
(c) Artherese, 2025
Three hundred sixty six days have passed and I would like to believe that I have been courageous. I am.
The days are filled with words, surprise, laughter, and joy. The busy and the duties marry with the hopes and the possibilities. The quest for existing beyond the mundane – finding beauty in it. Being the beauty in it.
The power of choosing right, and the act of choosing when it’s easier to be on autopilot. But also, simply being and living – still grateful, still kind.
I actually have been thinking about my resolution and one of the top contenders will be, to be less kind. Initially. In truth kindness has been my one proud protest in this world, and I’ll always continue to – perhaps in different forms and shapes this time, but not any less. Never.
For this world with its rough patches and edges can sometimes demand another type, another kind of kind. The kind that embraces her power, chooses not just her battles but also goes into one and knows when to put up a fight. But also, inside, still full of peace, of delight. The kind that doesn’t depend on being liked, but standing up for what right, what feels right, and where she feels most alive.
This year, I’ve been courageous, I’ve been kind. Gone on adventures – through planes, words, music and my mind. And yes, there have been a few tears and wish for rewinds. Still – for every longing, closer to finding one’s calling.
My new year’s resolution then, is to answer.
(c) Artherese, 2025
Created a 2025 calendar this weekend as a holiday gift for family and friends. Cheers to infinite skies ahead (and productive focused weekends dedicated to creating) .
And if I’ll be honest – the process of creating this is as much gift to me as it is (and perhaps more so) for those I’ll offer this to.
Happy Holidays!
(c) Artherese, 2024
Artherese 