January 29, 2026
Hi everyone. Good afternoon.
Today is January 29th, 2026, and I’m outside taking a short break from work. I’m working from home today, laptop open beside me — except the Wi-Fi decided not to cooperate. After staring at a screen for hours this morning, I realized I needed to step outside, breathe, and give myself permission to pause.
And in this pause, once again, my mind wandered back to the Philippines.
Getting Closer to a Dream I Can Almost Touch
We’re getting closer and closer to our trip to the Philippines, and I feel it in my bones — that quiet excitement mixed with deep contemplation.
For the past few days, my thoughts have been circling around one central question:
How do I get to the place where I finally say yes to myself?
How do I get to a place where I feel confident and comfortable enough to take that leap of faith — quitting my job, moving to the Philippines, choosing a life that feels aligned with my soul?
Part of me is waiting for the universe to nudge me harder.
Another part of me knows… maybe the nudge is already here.
I love spontaneity. I love that mentality of “If you want something, just go for it.”
But I’m also in a really good place right now — growing, evolving, moving forward in my career as a nurse practitioner.
And both of those truths exist at the same time.
Being a Nurse Practitioner… and Feeling Its Limits
Lately, I’ve been thinking deeply about how I could continue practicing as a nurse practitioner while living in the Philippines. I know it’s possible — especially after completing six years under physician supervision, which would allow me to practice independently.
I’ve already completed two years. Four more to go.
But in these first two years, I’ve also become aware of the limitations. For example, sending prescriptions out of state that aren’t acknowledged because of my NP scope — these are small realities that remind me that even my dream career has boundaries.
And sometimes, burnout quietly whispers behind me.
I find myself asking:
Can I truly make this career sustainable for the life I want?
Or will my future look different than what I originally imagined?
Imagining a Simpler Life with My Mom
At the heart of all of this is one simple desire:
A quieter life in the Philippines… with my mom.
A life that feels slower.
A life where mornings are softer.
A life where I can spend time with her, travel with her, and show her the beauty of the world she never got to fully experience.
Time is not limitless.
And that truth gently presses on my heart.
I want to build a life that allows me to be present — not just successful.
Dreaming Beyond Medicine: Seeds of New Possibilities
As I imagine life in the Philippines, I find myself exploring other possibilities:
- Raising native chickens on my dad’s land in Tublay, Benguet
- Opening a small café or bakery
- Building something rooted in my love for baking and coffee
- Creating a brand around Philippine coffee, like Barako
I don’t yet know how much it costs.
I don’t yet know how to begin.
But I do know these ideas feel alive inside me.
I’ve baked for friends and coworkers for years — cookies, banana bread, oatmeal treats — and they’ve always been loved. Maybe that’s not just a hobby. Maybe that’s a seed.
Watching Others… and Wondering What’s Possible for Me
I’ve also been watching how expats and foreigners make life work in the Philippines — consulting, remote work, online jobs.
I know these paths are possible for me too.
But I haven’t fully committed to exploring them yet… because deep down, I haven’t fully committed to the decision.
And that’s okay.
This is a process.
Giving Myself a Gentle Timeline
Lately, I’ve been telling myself:
If the universe doesn’t push me sooner, I’ll give myself until 40.
I’m turning 38 this year.
By 40, I’ll have five years as a nurse practitioner — just one year away from independent practice.
That gives me time to:
- Save more
- Build financial security
- Grow this platform
- Clarify what I truly want
- And prepare a foundation strong enough to land on
Three years feels long… but it also feels intentional.
A Tiny Taste of the Life I Want
Next month, I’ll be spending a month in the Philippines — and traveling to Thailand with my mom.
It’s just a tiny taste of the life I imagine for us.
But sometimes, a taste is enough to awaken clarity.
I’m not forcing the decision.
I’m allowing it to unfold.
Fear, Unknowns, and Building Safety Nets
What am I most afraid of?
The unknown.
But I’ve learned that fear doesn’t mean stop — it means prepare.
If I can build:
- A strong financial base
- Multiple income streams
- A Plan B, C, and D
Then maybe this dream becomes not just beautiful… but sustainable.
And sustainability is what my heart keeps returning to.
Little Joys Along the Way: Baking, Coffee, and Creativity
Recently, I tried making a Japanese cheesecake.
It wasn’t perfect — I made mistakes — but it was still good.
And that reminded me:
Everything starts imperfectly.
Maybe one day that cheesecake becomes part of a café menu in the Philippines.
Maybe not.
But right now, it’s teaching me to keep creating anyway.
Planting Seeds in Language, Love, and Life
I’ve also been thinking about speaking more Tagalog in my videos — maybe Ilocano, Pangasinan too. Reconnecting with language feels like reconnecting with roots.
I’ve been gently planting seeds in my partner’s mind too.
He’s open to the idea.
He’s even planning to visit the Philippines soon.
We’re dreaming together — slowly, intentionally.
Trusting the Process, Even When It Repeats
I know some of these thoughts sound repetitive.
But repetition is part of becoming.
The more I speak them out loud, the clearer they become.
The clearer they become, the closer I feel to a decision.
And that alone feels like growth.
Still Becoming, Still Believing
Maybe I haven’t made the leap yet.
But I am becoming the woman who will.
And when that day comes — whether it’s at 40 or sooner — I hope I get to tell you:
I finally did it.
I chose myself.
I chose freedom.
I chose peace.
Until then, I’ll keep walking this path with intention, reflection, and quiet courage.
Thank you for being here with me in this season of becoming.
And as always —
Today is another beautiful day to be gorgeous, stunning, and fully alive.
🤍
Day in the life of a Filipina Nurse Practitioner 
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