imariejoyce

Hi!

Wow—it’s already the end of March. Time has been moving so fast. It’s been four months since my last blog entry here, and honestly, I’ve missed this. There were so many moments when I told myself, “I’ll write after work,” but with everything that’s been happening lately, I never quite made it back.

How are you? :) I hope you’re doing okay while reading this. With everything going on in the world, it’s hard to confidently say that we’re truly “okay,” isn’t it? There’s so much uncertainty. But maybe that’s exactly why it’s important to appreciate what we have right now—the present moment. Let’s enjoy the little luxuries: comfort, complete hours of sleep, working from home, giving in to food cravings, hitting our step goals, and most importantly, staying healthy.

As for me? :) Well… I’ve been busy—but in a good way.

This year, I’ve started exploring new skills, or maybe even new hobbies. I’ve been learning photography through self-study, along with video editing. So far, I’ve been really enjoying it—though it’s becoming a bit of an expensive hobby. Haha.

A few weeks ago, after what felt like such a long time, we also finally got back to playing music as a band. It made me so happy. I missed that energy so much. It wasn’t perfect—our first session back rarely is—but stepping into the studio and playing guitar again felt incredibly nostalgic. Even more meaningful was sharing that experience with new friends I’ve met here in the Netherlands.

Lately, Daan and I have also been going on a few staycations. It’s been such a fun way to practice photography and apply what I’ve been learning. There’s something deeply satisfying about gaining new skills—it reminds me how important it is to stay curious.

Since moving into our new home, I’ve also been trying new things around the neighborhood—like visiting a nearby physiotherapist and a local optician. It feels good to support local places and slowly build a sense of community. I’m also planning to try a bootcamp or maybe boxing at a nearby sports center. I’ve also been going to wellness and skin therapy sessions twice a month. I guess you could say this year is really about taking better care of myself.

As of now, I’m on a good streak with working out—walking, running, and making sure I move every day. Hearing stories from friends and family about their health has made me more mindful. I also started meal prepping last January, and I’m happy to say I’ve been consistent with it for three months now.

And speaking of something exciting—we’re currently preparing for our next adventure. I’m so excited for our one-month UK and Ireland trip with Daan. It’s going to be our anniversary trip, which makes it even more special. Everything is already booked, and now we’re just counting down the days.

In a way, all these daily movement streaks might just be my quiet preparation for the hikes and long walks we’re planning. 😉

For now, I’m choosing to stay present, to keep showing up for the little things, and to continue growing—one day at a time. That's it for now! Take care everyone!🙂 and sharing a song I’ve been playing on repeat lately 🙂

Hey y’all! It’s been a while — can you believe it’s already November? So many things have happened in the past few months! As usual, we’re still busy. We still have some moving boxes that we haven’t unpacked since we moved. It’s already been three months in our new house, but there’s still so much to do.

Last September, we finally got to celebrate our wedding with our family and friends here in the Netherlands. Some of my friends even traveled from outside NL, and I was really touched by that. Unfortunately, my parents weren’t able to come. It made me sad, of course — I’ll admit it took me a few days to feel okay again. But I totally understand them. They’ll make it up to us when everything’s fine.

So far, we’re doing well in the new house. Of course, there are still little things we notice here and there — I guess there’s really no such thing as a perfect house. As Daan and I always say, we’ll be the ones to make it perfect for us. :)

Lately, my heart has been so happy. Maybe this is the phase I’ve long looked forward to — the life I used to dream of back when I was still working hard to get to where I am today. I also went back to journaling, and it feels nice. There are times when I’m tired from work, and I start listing down things I’m grateful for. It’s amazing to realize, wow, I still have a long way to go, but I’ve also come so far. :)

Also, it is not often being talked about how great life can be when you choose the right and responsible partner. There’s peace of mind. You used to be that strong, independent woman — but it still feels different when someone comforts you when you’re tired, or when you’re on your period and not feeling your best.

Hi! Woooh! It’s been a while! So much has happened since I got back from my vacation in the Philippines! I kind of missed typing stuff out, so I figured I’d share some life updates from the past few months. :)

First big thing—I got engaged last December! Daan proposed the day he picked me up from the airport after my trip. I wasn’t totally surprised though, ‘cause when I was in the Philippines, he wrote a letter to my parents saying he wanted to settle down with me. I just didn’t expect that as soon as we got back to the apartment from the airport, he’d pull out the ring and ask the question! Haha. Of course I said yes—and I’ll always say yes. :)

The start of 2025 was pretty hectic—mostly for me. After we got engaged, I decided to try making my own wedding dress, so most of my after-work and weekend time went into sewing and practicing with patterns. Eventually, with all the planning, we agreed to go for something simple and personal, which led us to the idea of eloping!

At first, we wanted to do it in Ireland, but the visa process was a pain, so we shifted to Malta. But even with that, elopement/destination wedding stuff turned out to be a lot, so in the end, two practical people who hate unnecessary stress just decided—let’s do the ceremony in the Netherlands, then fly to Malta the same day for our after-wedding trip. :)

It felt really good. Exhausting, but fulfilling. I made my own dress, did my own hair and makeup, even made my own bouquet if flowers. It was all a lot—but so worth it. :) We hired a photographer for the ceremony and also had a shoot in Malta—and we’re both super happy with how everything turned out.

Can’t believe it’s already June. It feels like so much has happened in our life together as husband and wife in just a short time. And speaking of Malta, that trip was amazing. The place is stunning! Though I was nervous about the roads—especially since we rented a car and they drive on the left. Thankfully, Daan’s a great driver. 😄

As usual, I got anxious every time we had to go through steep, narrow roads—but in the end, I’m glad we rented a car because this happened: for the first time ever in my life, I ended up in the emergency room. On our after-wedding trip. On one of the tiniest islands, in one of the smallest countries in the world. What a story, right? 😝

So in Gozo, we were only scheduled to stay for 3 days and 2 nights—and I ended up in the hospital at 6 in the morning. I was terrified. But at the same time, I felt so much love and appreciation for Daan—he didn’t hesitate to rush me to the ER because I couldn’t take the stomach pain anymore. I could really see how worried he was. And honestly, it was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. Turned out, it was just a kidney stone (thank God), but still—damn. That pain was unreal. Good thing the meds worked, and I was out before the day ended—enough time to even go sightseeing that afternoon. 😅

And shoutout to Malta’s healthcare system—super smooth process, quick results, and even though we were on a small island, they had everything from blood work to CT scan done on the same day. I’m just so thankful it’s part of the EU, so the insurance and paperwork side was also easy.

After our two-week trip, we went back to the Netherlands—and that’s when we started house hunting. I was the one mostly dealing with scheduling viewings, and guess what? The very first house we viewed ended up being the one. We checked out a few more, but we kept comparing them to that first one. And yup—we got it!

Everything moved super fast. In less than a week we started the process, and in about two weeks, everything for the purchase was done. We’re getting the keys next month! So many things happening so quickly. We’re both super thankful and excited for this next chapter.

I’m honestly amazed by how things work here in the Netherlands—the paperwork, the legal stuff, the inspections, even the way insurance is handled. It’s all really organized and smooth.

Right now, both of us are pretty busy with work. We’re planning to take a quick break in a few weeks before the move—just to breathe and recharge, since moving is always tiring and chaotic 😆 .

Anyway, I’m just really happy these days. Work’s been going well too—we even had a chill team-building event last week. Life feels calm but exciting at the same time. And sometimes, when things are going this well, I catch myself getting scared—maybe because I’ve already been through my worsts before. It’s that weird fear when things feel too okay. But I remembered something I once heard in reality show in the Philippines lately :)

“I always imagine life as me trapped in the middle of the ocean. Sometimes, the ocean is calm, peaceful. But eventually, a wave will come. And these waves represent our problems, our pain, the challenges that we go through in life. Sometimes, these waves are big. Sometimes, they’re small. But we have no choice but to encounter the wave. When they come, we can either swim over them or under them. But if you try to fight it head on, you might drown. Just like in life—we have no choice but to face the waves and let them pass. Because eventually, all waves pass.” - River

I’ve mentioned in my earlier blogs that I’d be going home to the Philippines for a vacation. After almost two years, my whole family was finally going to be together again. I couldn’t hide my excitement. My dad arrived a few hours ahead of me, but my flight was delayed because of the storms that had just passed over the Philippines and Taiwan. Honestly, it was one of the scariest flights I’ve ever had. The plane even had to go back up mid-landing because the wind and rain were so strong. After almost 24 hours of traveling from Amsterdam to the Philippines, I finally made it.

Seeing my family again was the best feeling. There’s something about being with everyone under one roof after such a long time. I spent my first week at home, and I didn’t plan to go anywhere else. This trip was all about spending time with my family. We bonded over karaoke, good food, and endless stories. We were also busy setting up my mom’s new sari-sari store, which was my gift to her. It was simple but so much fun doing it together.

The highlight of the trip was my mom’s birthday on November 21. I booked a five-day, four-night Boracay trip for the whole family. It was extra special because it was my mom’s and one of my siblings’ first time flying. Celebrating her birthday on the island made it even more unforgettable. We had dinner at an eat-all-you-can restaurant and hung out at V-Hub. Everyone was genuinely happy, and I was even happier because it's one of my dreams - to take my whole family on a vacation.

The second day was all about relaxing by the beach. We spread out mats on the sand, swam, and just enjoyed the day. My nephew had the best time playing in the water. I stayed nearby, reading a book, watching them, and snapping some photos.

On the third day, we went island hopping. I rented a private boat just for us, and it made the experience even better. As we cruised around, I couldn’t help but feel emotional. There was something so peaceful about hearing the boat’s engine, the splash of the waves, and the laughter of my family. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

After a buffet lunch, we went back to our Airbnb, which had a swimming pool. We all jumped in before dinner, laughing and taking family photos. It was pure joy.

We also booked a land tour around Boracay. I loved waking up early to help my mom prepare breakfast. Those small moments meant so much. This trip wasn’t just about exploring; it was about making memories with my family, especially my parents, who truly deserved the break after everything they’ve done for us.

After the land tour, we treated ourselves to a massage. It was so relaxing that my nephew fell asleep during his. That evening, we hung out in the Airbnb living room, watching Netflix and sharing drinks. My dad and siblings were joking and laughing the whole time. It was the perfect way to end the day.

After two weeks with my family, I spent some time with my closest friends from college. These are the people who’ve been there through everything. We rented an Airbnb in Antipolo with a pool and a beautiful view. We spent the night catching up, laughing, and talking about life. Some conversations were funny, while others got a bit serious, but it was all worth it. Before we knew it, we were all wasted, but the memories were priceless.

During my last few days, I hosted dinners at home with my closest relatives. It was so heartwarming to share stories and laugh together. I also spent time helping my mom set up her store—pricing items, organizing inventory, and making sure everything was ready. Seeing how happy my parents were made all the effort worthwhile.

When it was time to leave, only my parents could drop me off at the airport because my siblings and nephew had work and school. It was bittersweet, but this vacation was definitely one for the books. It felt too short, but I left with a heart full of gratitude and memories I’ll treasure forever.

'twas written nine years ago...

There’s something magical about 4:00 am friends. You know, the ones who pick up the phone in the dead of night, with no judgment, just that knowing voice on the other end. They’re more than friends; they’re family. And today, I find myself reflecting on what it’s going to be like to not have those moments so close at hand.

I’m going to miss everything about you. Those late-night talks that stretched into early mornings, filled with laughter, sarcasm, and those classic “words of wisdom” that only you could deliver. Your harsh truths and unfiltered opinions that I know come straight from your heart. Our endless banter and the silly faces you’d make when we’d had just enough of each other’s nonsense.

Sleepovers were never “sleep” overs with you, not with your voice at maximum volume until dawn, filling every quiet hour with your energy. I’ll miss the way we’d plan our trips down to the smallest detail, already picturing the fun we’d have together with friends. And who else would understand me in that unspoken way? Those times when we’d just look at each other, break out in laughter, and know exactly what the other was thinking without saying a word—our “alam na this, bluetooth thinking” moments.

From “Saan ka, kita tayo!” to “Sige, anong oras?” I could count on your messages every day, just checking in or planning the next adventure. I’ll miss our apartment-hunting escapades, the hours of laughter, and even our “power punch” bouts, where laughter turned to tears and back again in seconds. And of course, I’ll miss the comforting hugs, those moments when you’d offer a shoulder just when I needed one most.

You’re more than just a friend; you’re my sister in all the ways that matter. My 4:00 am friend, my source of comfort and laughter, my other half who’s seen it all with me.

So, take care of yourself out there! Remember, I’m not around to laugh when you trip—and then help you up so we can laugh some more. I love you. Cheers to our goals and to all the moments we’ve shared. Here’s to all the ones still waiting for us. 🥂

Believe me when I say your hardest days won’t be the ones spent writing your thesis. Sure, the sleepless nights and countless revisions can feel overwhelming, but the real challenge comes after graduation. It’s when you step out of the structured world of university and face the unknown.

You’re trying to figure out what you want to do with your life. What career path should you take? What kind of person do you want to be? At the same time, you’re hunting for a job, applying to countless positions, and hoping for a callback. You might start feeling lost, like you’re unsure of your purpose, and that can lead to a mini existential crisis.

Kindness is something we all need, and it's something we can all give. Every day, our words and actions have the power to affect others in ways we might not realize. Sometimes, even the smallest things we say or do can have a big impact on someone’s life.

Be kind because you never know what someone is going through. Don’t be the reason someone skips a meal because they feel too stressed or upset. Our words can either lift someone up or make them feel even worse about themselves. Avoid saying things that make people hate their bodies. Instead, offer compliments and support.

Don’t be the reason someone feels left out or afraid to join a conversation. We all want to feel included, so be that person who welcomes others in. A smile, a kind word, or simply inviting someone into a chat can mean the world to them.

Lastly, don’t be the reason someone starts to hate themselves. The hurtful things we say might seem small at the moment, but they can stick with someone forever. It’s always better to choose kindness because the effects last just as long, if not longer.

I never thought in my entire life that I would cry because someone asked, "How are you?". We fight through our days, struggling and doing our best, that we forget to ask ourselves that simple question—how are we really doing?

Sometimes, we get so caught up in everything happening around us—work, responsibilities, and life itself. We become so focused on surviving each day that we don’t stop to check how we actually feel. We put on a brave face, keep moving, and think we’re fine. But when someone asks that question, it can make us pause. It can open the floodgates of emotions we’ve been pushing down.

I am at peace because I don’t care anymore. I don’t care about what you think of me. Your opinions are your own, and they don't affect me. I don’t care about what you are doing with your life, because that’s your journey. You make your choices, and I make mine. I also don’t care about the expectations other people have for me. I’ve realized that living for others only brings stress and pressure.

I don't know why, but I think I'm not the only one who feels this way. When you hang out with old friends after not seeing each other for a very long time, you can really see that things have changed. The feelings are really mixed up. You know you're happy to see them, but sometimes you also feel like, "Seriously, why does it seem like we're not on the same page anymore?"

I think this is normal because people really do change as they get older. I remember, sometimes the jokes that used to be super funny before, now they're just okay. Sometimes they're not even funny anymore because they seem kind of annoying now. Maybe it's because of the long time we haven't seen each other.

At the same time, you really miss the bonding with your true friends who you were with from when you were young until college. It's still nice to look back at the times you laughed together before, or the silly things you did in college.

It's funny that after such a long time, you slowly realize that you're all really growing up. Your principles and beliefs in life might be different now, but in the end, the respect for each other's opinions is still there.

I think it's interesting how we change over time. The things we found funny before might not be so funny now. Our thoughts about life might be different. But that's okay. It's part of growing up.

Even though things change, there's still something special about old friends. You have so many memories together. You remember the good times and the hard times. You remember how you helped each other grow up.

Maybe the best part of meeting old friends is seeing how far you've all come. You're not the same people you were before, but that's not a bad thing. You've all grown and learned new things. You have new stories to share.

Sometimes, you’ll realize that being content in life isn’t about grand things. It's as simple as not needing to set an alarm every day because your job has flexible hours, and you can work from home. It’s having a soft bed and pillows that make your sleep extra comfortable. You might even have gadgets that you don't use all the time, but having just one is more than enough.

You pack your lunch, grab your favorite book, and cycle just a few minutes to a serene, green space. Once there, you can sit under a tree or on a bench, and just relax. The gentle rustling of the leaves and the soft chirping of birds make the perfect background noise as you dive into your book. It’s amazing how just 30 minutes in nature can help you reset. You return to work refreshed, your mind clearer, and your energy levels higher

Another experience with magic truffles…

Written last September when the weather in The Netherlands was still warm and sunny :)

It’s Saturday, and I’ve been looking forward to this day because I’m going to try magic truffles again. For those who are reading my blog for the first time, you might immediately think, "Magic truffles? Isn't that drugs or something illegal?" And, of course, I understand if people have that reaction. But actually, I wrote about this in a previous post when I first tried it. I also did my research before trying it, especially here in the Netherlands, where recreational soft drugs like magic truffles are legal.

I’ve been wanting to try magic truffles for a while now. This will be my third time, and I’ve decided to make it a yearly experience. For me, it’s like a mental reset. Magic truffles aren’t just some make up stories to get someone to have a good trip or if they just feel like trying it—they’re used for medical purposes too. Psychedelics, like magic truffles, have been used to treat anxiety, depression, and burnout. In fact, back in 2022, I attended the Web Summit in Portugal, and one of the sessions I went to was about the use of psychedelics. Studies show that they help reconnect brain pathways that tend to weaken as we age.

Personally, magic truffles work as a reset for my mind. They release emotions and unlock my creativity. The image in this blog is actually one of the highlights of my trip. Originally, I wanted to sketch the view of the sand dunes, but I ended up drawing a detailed picture of my hand instead because it really gives you a sense of creativity to notice or focus on the small and simple things. It was my first time bringing a pencil and paper on a trip, and I thought it would be fun to see what visuals would come out of the experience. Just like the last two times, I had a good trip. It always gives me a wider imagination and vivid visuals. It heightens my creativity and enhances my thinking, especially during the trip.

It’s not just about art, though. During a trip, your imagination is your only limit. Every thought, like everything about the sun or nature, becomes a magical experience. I wrote this blog the day after the trip, and I felt so refreshed. I know the effect isn’t the same for everyone, as I mentioned in my first blog about it, but it’s important to remember not to abuse it. Anything in excess can be harmful, so I limit myself to doing it just once a year, usually in the summer, when the weather is nice and I can be in nature.

Not everything needs a reaction...

When something happens around us, we often want to do or say something right away. But sometimes, it's better to just watch and wait. This means we take a moment to see what's really going on before we decide what to do. Watching before we act or response can help us in many ways.

First, we understand things better. When we take time to watch or listen, we can see the whole picture, not just a small part of it. We also make better choices. If we wait before we act, we have time to think about what we should do or say. Another good thing is that we save energy. Not everything needs us to do something. Sometimes, it's okay to just let things be.

Watching and waiting also helps us stay calmer. When we don't rush to react to everything, we feel more peaceful inside. People like it when we take time to understand them before we say or do something, so we get along better with others too.

Learning to watch and wait takes practice. Ask yourself, "Do I really need to do or say something?" If you do need to act, think about the best way to do it.

When phones actually disconnect us...

Our phones are funny things. We use them to talk to people far away. But sometimes, they make us forget about the people right next to us. It's like our phones should be the ones to reconnect, but really, it's us who need to reconnect with each other.

Think about when you're eating with your family or friends. How many times do you look at your phone? Every time you do that, you stop talking to the people at the table. You miss out on their smiles and what they're saying. Our phones are supposed to help us talk to people, but they can make us stop talking to the people we're with.

This happens in other places too. We look at our phones when we wake up, when we walk down the street, and even when we go to bed. We're always looking at our phones instead of the world around us.

Looking at our phones all the time can make us feel sad or worried. It can make it hard for us to focus on our work or school. It can even make our necks hurt from looking down so much!

So what can we do? We can try to use our phones less. Maybe we can put our phones away during dinner. Or we can try not to look at our phones first thing in the morning. We can take walks without our phones and look at the trees and sky instead.

We can also try to talk to people face-to-face more. It's fun to see someone smile or laugh in person. We can play games or read books that don't need a phone. These things can help us feel happier and more relaxed.

It's okay to use our phones sometimes. They help us do many things. But we need to remember to look up from our phones and talk to the people around us too. The best talks and laughs happen when we're with people in real life, not just through our phones.