Day in the life of a Filipina Nurse Practitioner

Good morning.
Today is March 2, 2026 — and it’s another beautiful day to be gorgeous, stunning, amazing.

And also… slightly bloated.

Today is my first day back at work in San Francisco.

I tried on my regular scrubs this morning and — wow. Tight. Like why are we fighting for our lives in this fabric tight. I definitely gained weight during the Philippines trip. And I knew it. I felt it. But nothing humbles you like scrubs that used to fit comfortably.

So yes. We are signing up for the gym.
Yes. We are watching what we eat.
Yes. We are back to routine.

But here’s the difference: I’m not spiraling. I’m not shaming myself. I’m just… aware.

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Jetlag, Shrimp Curry & 20 Patients

I got home around 8:00–8:30 p.m. last night. Instead of unpacking like a responsible adult, I cooked. I had frozen vegetables and frozen shrimp, so I made shrimp vegetable curry for lunch today.

Jetlag is no joke. I barely slept. My body still thinks it’s in Asia. I’m thirsty. I’m exhausted. And I have 20 patients scheduled — the most I’ve ever seen in one day.

But I signed up for this.

Driving through San Francisco this morning felt surreal. The air is colder. The energy is faster. The province still lingers in my bones — slower mornings, softer sounds.

Now it’s back to Venmo routines. Calendar blocks. Inbox zero. Clinical mode.

And yet, I felt grounded.

Last night, being back with my partner — feeling loved — reminded me that I’m not doing this alone. That stability matters. That softness exists even in busy seasons.

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I Survived

It’s the end of the day now.

And I survived.

Jetlag.
Twenty patients.
Full schedule.
No lunchtime diary because I was running nonstop.

But I made it.

And I need to say this out loud: I am really lucky. My staff. My co-workers. The system I work in. It’s not perfect — but it’s supportive. And today proved that I can handle more than I think.

I’m exhausted. The kind of exhaustion that settles behind your eyes. I’m going to sleep early tonight.

But first… pizza.

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Pizza Therapy & Real-Life Conversations

We used a sourdough starter pizza kit — $10 for three pieces. Is it worth it? Debatable. It’s basically flour, sauce, and convenience. But tonight wasn’t about perfection. It was about ease.

Life is easier when you make it easier.

We made two pizzas:

• Hawaiian (yes, ham and pineapple — don’t fight me)
• Mushroom and ham

My mom was half-asleep. My partner was teasing me about making my own dough next time. We talked about rugs, Costco, Amazon returns, and random household things that somehow feel intimate when you’re tired and together in the kitchen.

Simple domestic moments.

And honestly? That’s the soft life.

We laughed. We debated cheese amounts. We waited for it to cool down. We burned our tongues anyway.

It tasted amazing.

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Health Without Hate

Yes, I gained weight.

Yes, I need to get back into the gym.

Yes, my cheeks look fuller.

But here’s what I’m not doing:

• I’m not calling myself ugly.
• I’m not punishing myself.
• I’m not undoing the joy I experienced in the Philippines.

I gained weight because I was happy. Because I let myself eat. Because I was healing.

Now I’ll lose weight because I love my body — not because I hate it.

There’s a difference.

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New Beginnings

We also got approved for a new place.

We met the landlord. She was warm. She brought pastries. The neighborhood felt right — beautiful architecture, walkable streets, that feeling of home when you don’t even live there yet.

I can’t wait to decorate. To build a space that reflects this version of me.

Grounded.
Healing.
Jetlagged — but steady.

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Today was proof.

Proof that I can come back from softness and still perform.
Proof that I can face tight scrubs without shame.
Proof that growth doesn’t disappear when vacation ends.

March 2, 2026.

Back to San Francisco.
Back to responsibility.
Back to routine.

And still — another beautiful day to be gorgeous.