Aloha Bliss

Happy 250th, USA! Every Fourth of July, we realize we never really have to go anywhere to enjoy the fireworks. One of the perks of where we live is that the sky puts on the show for us. From the comfort of our own balcony—or even through our windows—we get front-row seats without dealing with the crowds, traffic, or the hunt for parking. The only challenge? Deciding which direction to…

Goodbye Sophomore Year! Summer always has this way of arriving quietly—like it was waiting just beyond the school year, ready to take over the moment the final bell rings. And then suddenly, it’s here. My 15-year-old daughter is on summer break now, fresh out of a sophomore year that felt like a whirlwind in every sense of the word. Academically, there were challenges—moments of stress,…

What’s a common misconception people have about happiness?Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a daily choice. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that happiness isn’t something you magically stumble upon after reaching a certain milestone. Yet, one of the biggest misconceptions people have is believing that happiness is the reward waiting at the finish line. We tell ourselves:“I’ll be…

Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life? Proud to be Pinay & FilAm Language is more than just a way to communicate—it’s a connection to our culture, identity, and the people around us. Growing up, I was fortunate to become fluent in two languages: English and Tagalog. Tagalog is my native language and has been a part of my life since childhood. It connects me to my…

If you had asked me years ago where I thought I’d be by now, I probably would’ve painted a softer picture. One filled with stability, peace, safety, love that felt gentle instead of heavy, and a future that didn’t feel so uncertain all the time. I imagined a life where I wouldn’t have to constantly survive. But somewhere between heartbreak, disappointment, exhaustion, and carrying more than I…

America is loud. Opinionated. Armed with certainty. Addicted to urgency. So when monks decided to walk across the United States—slowly, silently, deliberately—it felt almost disruptive. Not because they demanded attention, but because they refused to. That’s the part people miss. The Monks’ Walk for Peace didn’t begin as a viral moment or a political stunt. It began as a response to…

There’s a certain kind of dream that doesn’t just visit you—it lingers. The kind where you’re falling. Not slipping. Not stumbling.But fully, helplessly dropping into a dark, endless abyss. No ground. No control. Just that heavy, sinking feeling in your chest as everything disappears beneath you. And then—right when it feels like you’re about to be swallowed whole— something grabs you. You…

Now available on Netflix If there’s one Filipino movie in 2025 that truly understands the emotional chaos of family, it’s Meet, Greet & Bye. Directed by blockbuster hitmaker Cathy Garcia-Sampana, this film blends humor, heartbreak, sibling tension, and unconditional love into a story that feels deeply personal — especially if you grew up in a loud, messy, but loving Filipino household. And…

Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting. Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, CA There’s something almost embarrassing about admitting this: I live close to San Francisco, and I still haven’t been to Alcatraz. Not because I don’t want to—because I really do. I’ve just never quite gotten the chance, even though it’s right there, sitting in the bay like…

I’m tired.Not the “I need sleep” kind of tired — the kind that settles into your bones after years of disappointment, betrayal, and people showing you exactly who they are while swearing they’re something better. I’m tired of fake people.The ones who say “I care about you” and “we’re family” but somehow vanish the moment I actually need them. The same people who are first in line to smile in my…

What makes a good leader? Leadership isn’t about the title on your door, the authority in your voice, or how loudly you can give orders. Real leadership shows up in the quiet, everyday moments. In how you treat people when no one’s watching. In how you handle pressure, mistakes, and growth, both yours and theirs. A good leader leads by example. Not by barking orders from a distance, but by…

A new year doesn’t need fireworks to be powerful. Sometimes, it arrives quietly—wrapped in warm coffee, deep exhales, and a decision made in your chest instead of your head. 2026 is here, and I’m stepping into it with courage, comfort, and a bold commitment to myself. Not to be perfect. Not to hustle harder. But to live better. Why 2026 Feels Different (In the Best Way) If there’s one thing…

Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo — the book behind the Netflix series There are books you read for comfort… and then there are books that pull you into a completely different world and don’t let go. Shadow & Bone was the latter for me. Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel opens the door to the Grishaverse—a dark, magical world divided by fear, power, and the unknown. From the very first chapter, I felt…

Share what you know about the year you were born. I was born in 1986—a year that didn’t simply pass by quietly in the background of history. It arrived with courage, change, heartbreak, hope, and moments that reshaped the world in ways we still feel today. Looking back, it almost feels symbolic—like being born into a year that demanded resilience and transformation. Let’s start where my story…

Unseen, Still Standing I give until my hands forget what it feels like to be held. In a world that praises loud love, I practice the quiet kind— the kind that cleans up messes no one admits they made, the kind that stays even when staying hurts. Being a wife today feels like becoming fluent in silence. You learn how to swallow disappointment without choking, how to smile through…