This post was supposed to be about routine—returning to normal as a teacher and a parent. A check-in. A reset.
And then January 7th happened.
I fell down a familiar rabbit hole, doomscrolling and sitting with words that kept surfacing: mother and poet. Two labels I carry. Two labels many women carry quietly.
I found myself thinking about legacy—about what remains after the noise fades. After reading Renee Good’s family post about closing their GoFundMe, I thought about what people choose to show, and what they leave behind.
I am a teacher in a red dot in Texas. I wasn’t born here, but my upbringing—Filipino and East Texan—shaped me to make no big waves, only ripples where I can. Smile. Be respectful. Stand your ground quietly.
I was nine and a half when I moved here. I had summers without screens, ran wild with neighborhood girls, pretended to be witches. I watched my mother work as a charge nurse—smart, unyielding, kind when necessary, sharp when needed. She came home and still carried the household. A strong woman taught me duty without complaint.
I grew up surrounded by Filipina women who carried power without spectacle. Silent strength. Courteousness. Truths held close.
No waves. Only ripples.
I didn’t realize the weight of microaggressions until adulthood—questions disguised as curiosity. I smiled and answered anyway. I never felt out of place because I learned how to make my own place.
A poet and a mother. That is who died.
A poet and a mother. That is who is typing this.
Mothers do not stand idly by. We protect. We shape what comes next. I want my daughter to know she comes from a long line of quiet, unyielding strength.
I am a mother and a poet. Here are my words today.

How are you making waves today?

Dear 2025, You've been a good year. If I had to rank all my bad years, you wouldn't even crack the top 10. Let's face it, I've had harder years. I traveled a lot more this year than I ever have. My family and I have traveled across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma. We even made a brief corner appearance in Utah and Arizona at the Four Corners. We went on road trips and flew to the Sunshine State. I am loving this chapter of our lives where our kiddos are a little more independent and it's easier to breathe instead of my past hovering.  
That's not to say that we haven't experienced hard times all year either. I've definitely prayed through some tough moments. As I get the house cleaned and ready to welcome the new year, I can't help but reflect on what we accomplished this year. Here is a look back at our 2025. May the Lord continue to bless us with many more happy memories, lessons, and strengthen our resolve during the hardships. 

January. The year started with us at our annual first of the year hike. This was our 2nd year in a row to hike in the piney woods. A few weeks later, we would have snow! Lows: R had eaten brisket that may have cross contaminated with shellfish. We made it to the emergency room in the icy roads where he was given an epipen and oxygen. ​

February highs: baby shower for a friend! We also went to our annual SciTech at one of the high schools in our area. Lows: my niece went to the hospital for a week for her high risk pregnancy. 

March saw me doing a 5k run in the neighborhood. I did not completely run but I did cross the finish line. It was great to be able to do that with someone who talked through the entire process, so I wasn't focused on the pain and the time. We spent Spring Break camping which was the best decision. I enjoyed the time in nature and camp with my family; we chose one close by a beach and we went sightseeing around the area. My Texas history loving men enjoyed visiting Goliad and being able to walk the grounds that Texas was fought over and founded. A milestone: my daughter (the one who started it all) turned 13!

April highs: my little guy turned 9 and took his first STAAR test. 

May ended with me packing up my classroom and shoving my stuff in a storage unit. Our school started construction into the new wing. We embarked on our weeklong road trip. We made it through Texas by visiting as many state parks as we could and closed out May in New Mexico.

The first week of June and we were still on our adventure. We made it to Colorado where my children got to experience the breathtaking joy of being surrounded by mountains. We rode a train up to Durango and walked around. I'm a beach girl as I was born in the Philippines but there is something so magical and ethereal about walking so close to the clouds and seeing a town opening up below. 

From Durango, we went north to Colorado Springs and took in a sunset walk around the Garden of the Gods. And from there, we made the long way home, stopping in Oklahoma to visit old friends. 
June lows - I ended up having walking pneumonia and was essentially confined to the bed and my home for 2 weeks. 
My kiddos did manage to do summer camp while I was out - he did a week of golf camp while she enjoyed theatre camp. Another low: this was done as a solo parent. My husband ended up going to UAE for work (oil). 

July highs: I did a solo parent fly out to Pensacola where we spent a weekend at the beach. My babies were able to close out their summer vacation learning how to boogieboard and dive headfirst into the ocean. 2 babies were born at the tail end of this month. 
​August: the only highlight that matters. After a month of being in an oil rig, my husband finally made it home. 
September: we finally met the July babies. 
October: I was finally able to take my family to the Filipino Street Festival in Sugar Land. I also took them to the Tween Book Festival (also in Sugarland) and my own babies got to see authors whose books they read and listen to them speak about their experiences and the work from where we sat to where they are now. I loved watching my girl's face and the excitement she felt about the possibility that one day, this could be her. 
November began with a Dia de los Muertos celebration. This year, we decided to start an ofrenda and put up pictures of our loved ones. We also talked about death, what comes after and all the ways we can celebrate and remember the ones who passed. This month also marked my little guy's last elementary school field trip. I managed to get listed as a volunteer teacher to assist. 
December gave me high hopes to close out the year. Our final elementary school winterfest for the little guy and a joyful and much needed rest in our small town. The passing of a friend's wife was not on my list and I'll think about them as I close out the year. 

So, here's to you, 2025. There was a lot of things packed in a year. I am walking into 2026 hopeful for whatever comes next. I know resolutions are at the forefront of everyone's minds, but I truly just want to be healthy, more productive, and walk in and out with little to no regrets. The past few days I've been thinking about how our tomorrows are never promised and grateful that every day I get to wake up to my family who love me unconditionally. I plan on writing more this year, to continue to write and get my work out there; to ensure that my children know all the ways and words that I love them. I've hiked up some steep paths and know that my body can be pushed to do more. I am the only one stopping myself. 
​Closing out to say, what a year. Thank you. 

Thank you for reading all the way through.
Here’s to a new year of words, becoming, hope, and the everyday moments that shape us. I’m aiming for 52 posts this year — one for each week — to keep showing up with honesty, heart, and the stories that matter.
If this post resonated, you can find more reflections here on the blog and in my books of poetry and prose:
📖 [link to my Books here]
What about you? What are you carrying into 2026 with you?

To my loves,
We went to a beautiful service yesterday. The congregation was full, her casket was open and for a moment, I worried about what this memory would bring for you. You both clung on to us. R kept rubbing his face and I knew he was not okay. He was putting himself in his friend's shoes. Right there in the front row, seeing where his mama laid. I was trying to contain as much of the tears, but they came anyway, especially during the part of the service where we sat as music played. 
The pastor spoke a summary of her life; as a person who served others, an educator, a mom and a wife. I had the privilege of seeing her for some big moments in her life: seeing how my friend's face light up as he introduced us to her; watching them dancing on their wedding day; holding her little bundle. These small moments woven into her short 41 written chapters. 

During the service, both the pastor and his wife spoke about her faith. This was the thing that I will always remember her by and why I shed the most tears. Her faith was genuine and tangible. You could see it in everything that she did and I am sorry to say that she was one of a handful (1 of 4, to be precise) that I have ever met in my life that was the embodiment of a Believer; a true Christ follower. I mourned for the things that she could have accomplished and people who she may have helped had she had more time. 
And selfishly, funerals also shine a bright spotlight into our own lives. How are we living? Are we walking testimonies of faith? Or a mirror of disillusionment? Am I fully aware of my mortality and that tomorrow is never promised? Or am I walking around unaware and pretending that I have all this time?

I've never seen a dead body up close. This is actually my fifth funeral and the other times; the casket was closed. After the service, they led us to the aisle to where she lay to say goodbye before exiting the church. I held my little man's hand, and we walked up and I whispered my goodbye.
Truly, what a privilege to have known you. I only wish you had more time with your little man. I know he will be loved on, cared for and hear about your stories; your memories will be preserved. And of all the stories told about you, I know the part about your faith, your walk in Grace and unabashed and unapologetic love for Christ will be the one story most people will tell. 

If you’re still here—thank you.
I write about motherhood, faith, grief, identity, and becoming—both here and in my poetry and prose.
📖 You can find my books here: [link]

I am sitting with some heavy news that I've been trying to process for 24 hours. Yesterday, I was boxing up my classroom - moving rooms in January - running to the conference room to do special education (SPED) paperwork, when a text came through. It was one of those 'that's not true,' and 'oh my,' and all the thoughts that came flooding in and tears threatening to come to the surface. 
Out of respect, this is the only mention of that moment.

This morning, I woke up at 5:29 and the clarity came, albeit brief. But this mama has decided to start documenting what I hope is a letter of love to my babies. 
On our millionth viewing of Hamilton, the words, "who lives, who dies, who tells your story," hit hard and different. There are going to be people who love me and will eulogize me: family and friends, and my own kids. But I also want to leave a permanence - the story of how we began; the story of us, the journey from then to now. I want them to look through this diary of sorts and know truly that mom will never true leave their side. The forehead kisses, the hugs, the 'I love yous," that are sometimes taken from granted, I want them to sit with my words. See our pictures; see my love and I hope it fuels them to continue and do their amazing things. 
While this is still my advocacy blog - more exciting news on that - but then, stripped away of my titles, I'm a writer hoping to leave something behind for her babies. So, if you're still interested in this next part of my random corner of the web (my age is showing), thank you. 

It's been almost a month since school ended and I have been resting - both mentally and physically. Lots of cat naps, binge watching (currently going through the 9-1-1 Lonestar series) and staring at the wall contemplating at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
And an email came through about my poetry collection that I had sent out to the Universe almost 2 -3 years ago. I told myself that this was going to be the last time I'll send it and if it comes back to me, I'll self-publish it myself. 
I wish I could say the next few words are....guess who's going to pick up this baby and go?  Unfortunately, I got 0-5. But I got an email about a journal who had short-listed me. The words of encouragement and the constructive feedback filled me with hope. And as I work through this collection with edits and with care of someone who hasn't really read this thing in 2-3 years time. One of the critiques was my hesitation. Because I had written poems some due to what was happening to Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, I also held myself back to not sound so angry. I hesitated because I wanted to make sure people who could potentially read my work doesn't associate me as an angry Asian woman........but the past few months, especially, I feel like my anger has increased and so has my fear. 
I'd like to channel that to strengthen some poems but anchor in the hope of what being an immigrant means to me; how growing up as an "other" fit into my psyche. 
So, without further ado......... I hope to celebrate the start of Filipino American Heritage Month (September) with the book in your hands. 

*not the actual cover. But edit-in-progress happening over here. 

**The post below was originally written in May 2021. I feel like there is this whole world and an ocean between this time and today. In the years following this blog post, I can say I've become a paid public speaker thanks to Momma's Voices and have gone onstage to share our story. I've written a memoir and poems. I've been on camera and our story lives on somewhere in the files of Texas Health and Human Services department. I got to share my story in the halls of Congress. When I wrote what I wrote in 2021.....I couldn't even fathom this current chapter. I wouldn't have dared to guess or hoped of all the things in between, the people I've met. I am both grateful for that time and am humbled by the outpouring of support, of love and strength. 
Today begins both Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Preeclampsia Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the ways all 3 identities and experiences have shaped me.

I come from an island made of jungles,
built by fire, 
conquered and colonized but our
tongues hold our ancestral cries. 
I am a survivor.

​It also welcomed strength, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. There would be no crying at our reality or our missed bonding time as you were wheeled away into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) over an hour away. Instead, I had to summon whatever will and adrenaline coursing through my body and demanded it heal so I can be closer to my heart. Tears would come later. And as I sadly learned, tears would come in waves that crippled and made me wonder where that strength went all those days and weeks I spent by your isolate in the NICU.

I don’t know for sure how I lived to see you celebrate your first birthday, when every image I’d see, you were surrounded by tubes and wires and your heart monitor constantly beeping.
Somehow I did learn to move freely. I learned to save my tears in the shower. I learned to whisper prayers of gratitude every night as I watched you sleep.
As I started to accept the idea that there would only be the three of us - you, me and your dad - I learned I was again expecting.
This did not bring me joy. I met this news with anger and I tried for a long time to be happy. You were a beautiful four year old. I survived our first year and I was becoming less afraid of your future.
When I heard the heartbeat, I didn’t want to know the sex. I couldn’t give this heart a name.
I didn’t want to write to-do lists and there was no dream like stupor, either. I was a mom on a mission and my mission was to live so I could go home to you and our life.

​I thought I welcomed him in my arms. I thought I kissed his head as he was wheeled to the NICU. I thought I was doing okay until I wasn’t.
Until I didn’t hear him crying even when he was next to me.
Until suddenly, the idea of leaving you and him seemed like a rational action.
Motherhood has defined me in ways I never knew I'd be defined by.
While I knew motherhood gives you a different identity and purpose. Mine came with a two time Preeclampsia survivor, a parent to premature babies, and NICU graduates. I also had to include on postpartum depression survivor - an identity that I didn’t know I’d endure and survive.
​
And while the story of ours is still writing itself, I am hopeful that you and your brother can overcome any obstacles in life. After all, the strength I had to push through my storms were reflected in your eyes. You gave me courage. I choose to live bravely because of you. My purpose isn’t to understand why the story of ours began the way it did but how our story could give a voice and comfort to another.

For more of my preeclampsia and postpartum depression story, please see here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073MVG4R4/

You ever have one of those days where you can't quite figure out why there's a buildup of energy and emotion?
I wanted to fight someone yesterday. I lashed out at people I cared about. And I didn't know why.
I'm not one to sit down and share my feelings easily. I handle my own emotions and carry on....... and yes, there will be a one-off moment where I'm wired, cranky, overstimulated, overwhelmed and frustrated ... but there was this rage about something I couldn't voice.... something I couldn't place.
And today, I just happened to really take a good look at my April calendar.
13 years and 1 day ago, I took my 31 weeker home. This was the happiest day of our lives.
Almost 9 years ago, I was breaking down into hives and hiding my panic attacks from ptsd. I was 32 weeks and felt an implosion coming. Around this time, 9 years ago, I was on the verge of what would later be postpartum depression, and my body remembered the rage.
I was so angry and exhausted; frustrated at everything and everyone.
9 years ago, at this time.... I was writing my goodbye letters to my little girl.
And my body remembered everything.
My heart and soul and their scars remembered what my mind thought was gone... forgiven, forgotten. I was (am) free from those dark days and it's been a long time since I've experienced this sort of loss, rage, sadness and guilt.
Yesterday, I couldn't place myself.
Today, I am listening and validating.
I was not ok.
I am now doing ok.
Time is still healing us.

When I was a young girl, I too thought of my parents as just "parents." They were there to teach, support, and help us. I don't think I knew what my parents wanted to be when they grew up. Their dream and passions were just a foreign concept. We were their world and nothing more.
So of course, I understood when my girl was telling me what her passions are and seriously stated that she didn't think I had any passions. After all, I work so much - both in and out of the home. She catches me reading books and knows I had written a book or two. But she's never seen me light up nor she read anything of mine.
I was not offended, mostly a bit surprised and a little hurt.
I stated my passion is you. I finally told my girl that I was a mental health advocate because of her. My journey from whispering into the night to ask if I was alone to then sharing my story to 500 + strangers on a stage. I've talked about her in front of a camera. I've spoken about her spirit at a march. I went to DC to share our birth story. My hopes and dreams for women who went through the same journey has been written.
And it started because of her.
She dreams of wanting to inspire the world and I told her she already has. At least, I hope ours is inspiring someone.
One day, we'll have that hard conversation about my postpartum depression.
One day, I'll show her why I wrote what I wrote.
One day, I'll tell her why I do gratitude nightly prayers.
But last night, I hugged both my babies & simply said I love you.
And if one day doesn't come.... at least they'll know mama wrote it down. A YouTube video and a slew of articles of our story exists. They'll always know they were my inspiration.

#stormofhope #ppd #preclampsia #nicubabies

This was me:
My first novel, a YA Romcom (Love, Defined) written in college and published by a small indie publisher in 2015. I have learned so much and even though it's small, I am thankful I still get some royalties.
I wrote Storm of Hope as a way of healing, following a second preeclampsia diagnosis and postpartum depression. This memoir of sorts is a combination of poems and journal entries. Written around the birth of my son 2016, self-published in 2017.
In my moments of darkness, I wrote goodbye letters to my daughter. They were thrown away during my healing journey. I did, however, think about a story that revolved around letters that a mom might leave behind for her daughter to find. Letters of hope, love and forgiveness. This was a hard one to write and I managed to wrap it up in a novella, Letters to Lenora. I had submitted this story to an anthology, got accepted and within a year, got my rights to it back. I self-published this one in 2021.
I am still a caffeinated mama who gets awestruck at fireworks.
I am faithful to Christ, but I question my faith every day.
Most especially, the role that church plays in its hand at the evil happenings in the world. I am amazed daily that my daughter has such faith in herself and God..... even if her mom has to swallow every bit of cynical retort.
I'm still writing; just less happy thoughts on faith and romance.
In 2025, I would love to write another novel, publish my full poetry collection and be confident in how I speak at panels, in person, with friends and strangers.
Each of the above was written in different seasons (college, ppd, the hopeful after). Stay tuned for what else I can do.

It snowed here in Houston! The last time this happened, the power went out. It was hard to enjoy the cold whenever you have to come in to a cold house.
The warmth from the oven (baking bread this morning) and the heater on has definitely made the transition from outside to inside so much better.
My early birds and I enjoyed the quiet weather in our backyard before hearing the neighbors.
They threw snowballs and listened to the crunch beneath our feet.
We marveled and noted when the snow swirled around us as a gust of wind blew past.
We stood in silence.
We laughed with delight.
I tried to capture as many photos to hold on to this moment. This bliss. This pure peace in the whiteout.
And we trudged back inside, drank our hot chocolate and coffee while looking through the photos.
Hope all my Southeast Texas friends are staying safe and warm. Enjoy the peace the snow brings...... it'll melt away fast before we know it.