Got a new friend
The stranger who held
Out an umbrella
And this little act
Became a silver line
A way to a bit of fine.
(c) Artherese, 2025
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A little
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Proses in midnights
I mean, not all is lost if at least I got to get out a prose or two from restless nights.12am
It’s the first time in days that I felt I’m not being chased - by some grand ideals, by some task, from some past. Perhaps this is fleeting but still I bask. At least until dusk.2am
Then as I fall into distractions, I wonder what is still I’m escaping from?
But still, the night is young. I can break free from these shackles, and try, remember to do better.
I couldn’t ever bring back the times I lose track. It’s okay. I laughed a bit, escaped a bit - and who knows - I needed that. But after, remember. No need to wait for another moment or two to bounce back and restart.4am
I may not be getting any sleep tonight. My mind is buzzing. My heart is glad and I don’t know exactly why. Saturday nights - no limits, just chances.7am
And yes, I admit I didn’t have the most productive start - what with drowning the voices with films and clips that make one forget. Immersing myself in lives and love stories not mine.
But, just in the nick of time, I recover. Do my grounding rituals - like write & create, capture gratitude, read a book, rest a bit, meditate and ground myself, listen to music, to nature, even stretch and move. These are anchors to try, to thrive, or at least get by.
Today has so much in store. At 7am -it has been quite a ride already. Though I rested just barely, I’ll face the rest, bravely.
Catalyzing sunshines, and rising through storms.9am
What a way to start the weekend. Parking my worries, a bit. Immersing in stories. I know. Before I know it Monday, here it comes. Til then, I’ll revel in these stolen pockets. Of time. Of rhymes.(c) Artherese, 2025
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Proses in pauses
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)
And also, consuming beauty & art, every chance I get 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)
Living life with stubborn gladness, and coffee. 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
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A weekend escape
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.
Taal Lake, January 2025 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
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Sunrise & Choices
Mornings are momentous A fork in the road between The person you’ll choose To be and embody today. It’s a struggle, a chance, a dance A fight or flight response But there is peace in Knowing you can’t change What’s done, but within There’s still room to win.
(c) Artherese, 2025
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On ode to un-busy
At the busiest tiredest of nights – I find myself discovering pockets of happiness from the memories, music, and possibilities. And accepting, embracing it. That’s my version of courage, folks. To pause and make space, reflect and create, despite & within the busy.
For the night is here, time to rest and park some fears. For now. The eyes may be weary, but the heart? Remains fiery.
(c) Artherese, 2025
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Creating new rituals
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
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Magical
Musings from these two gems: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (my first novel this year – equal parts heart breaking and warming, this ride fueled me with hope and wonder) and Big Magic (my third time re-reading this but every time, I’m full of brand-new awe)
There is magic. In the fact that you’re here, despite your fears persists courage. To create. To live. To realize life as it’s happening.
Magic is an everyday choice – the pursuit of bringing forth our treasures with vigor, with awe, with wonder. Uninterrupted wonder.
There is magic. Even when it’s harsh, when the waves crash with life’s rough and ragged edges.
Again, always having and choosing to choose. To make the most, to marvel at the coincidences, and to listen – and I mean really listen – to what this universe is trying to share, show, and say: the answers you’re looking and longing for, and the questions you should replace and let go. To make space for a second chance. Or, another dance.
(c) Artherese, 2025
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First two
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.
Taken on January 4, 2025 Birthday Boracay Trip. Achieved my bucket list of seeing bora sunset on my birthday and also, treating my parents to a vacation to this magical place. My heart is full.
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
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Thank you, 2024.
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
Shot at midnight. The spectacle in the skies reflect the light inside.
This will be a year of hope & courage. I’m ready for the ride.
Artherese 