Thinking Out Loud

  I can't believe it has been a year since I last posted here. Somehow, time just slipped away from me.  The latter part of 2025 was a bit rough for me health-wise. I was on and off with bronchitis, and I even welcomed the New Year with it. If I remember correctly, I wasn’t feeling well for about three or four months. As for April through July, I’m pretty sure most of my days were filled with work, family matters, and the never-ending household chores! Life just went on, the days passed by, and before I knew it, summer was already here. Then came August. That was when the wildfires around Spokane started affecting the air quality—and unfortunately, my health as well. There were days when the air quality ranged from unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy, and at times, even hazardous. The smoke seemed to linger everywhere, and it really took a toll on me. I was coughing and having trouble breathing, and eventually I found out that I have underlying asthma. Suddenly, it mad...

September came and went in the blink of an eye. I still can’t believe it’s already October — and somehow, we’re nearing the end of 2025.   It’s a little surreal how quickly the months have flown by. The days have stacked into weeks, and the weeks into seasons — all leading us here, to the golden doorstep of autumn.  There were times when September felt like it was dragging, despite a full calendar and a busy schedule. Or perhaps because of the quiet, persistent weight of waiting for something to shift, something to happen. And truly, there’s nothing quite as exhausting as waiting — not actively moving, just sitting in that in-between space where nothing is certain.  September also delivered its share of unwelcome news — moments that reminded me how life can tilt unexpectedly, how even a golden month can carry shadows.  There was, of course, good news and events to celebrate. Joy doesn’t disappear just because sorrow shows up — they tend to arrive together more o...

Up, up, and away! Disclaimer: This isn’t a movie review—just a personal reflection after watching my favorite superhero’s latest film. The day finally arrived—we were off to the theater to see the new Superman movie ! You might be wondering why he’s my favorite. It’s because, as we all know, he stands for hope, truth, and justice—heroism, selflessness, compassion, and kindness. He embodies the very best of what humanity can aspire to be, showing that even those with incredible power can choose to act with integrity and heart. But more than anything, he’s my favorite because he’s the only superhero who can turn back time. To me, that symbolizes something deeply meaningful: the idea that even when we make mistakes, we can learn from them—and, sometimes, even find a way to make things right. I'm a fan of Nicholas Hoult, so I was really looking forward to seeing his take on Lex Luthor. As for David Corenswet, I hadn’t heard of him before. Out of curiosity, I started watching some of h...

Hello, July - my birth month! June came and went in a whirlwind. It was a month packed with deadlines, travel arrangements, expenditures, and the ever-important PCard reconciliations — all of which had to be completed by June 30th. It was busy, intense, and at times a little overwhelming, but I was up for the challenge. I’m happy (and proud!) to share that I met the deadline in flying colors! Working from home for most of June — thanks to ongoing road construction — turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The quieter space gave me room to focus, stay organized, and manage the workload with a little more calm and clarity. At home, life didn’t slow down either. Between household chores, car problems, and spending time with family, I found a moment to go biking around the neighborhood with my niece and nephew. It didn’t go quite as planned — I fell off after just five minutes! But as the saying goes, it’s not about how you fall, but how you get back up. And I did — brushed myself off, th...

 Hello, June! June quietly marks this midpoint—a gentle reminder that time is both fleeting and full of opportunity. With the warmth of summer beginning to settle in, the world around us seems to soften and open, inviting growth, reflection, and renewal. Nature is in full bloom, and perhaps we can be, too. Unlike January’s resolutions or December’s grand farewells, June arrives with subtlety. It doesn’t announce itself with noise, but with a warm breeze, longer days, and the quiet promise of new beginnings. In this way, June may be the most powerful time of year to start again—softly, intentionally, and in harmony with the season. The name “June” traces back to the Roman goddess Juno, the protector of women and marriage, and the wife of Jupiter, the king of the gods. Because of her, June has long been considered a lucky month for weddings—a tradition that continues to this day. In the Northern Hemisphere, June welcomes the beginning of summer, marked by the summer solstice (ar...

Me, the Moon Child In astrology, the zodiac sign Cancer (my zodiac sign) is ruled by the Moon, which makes me  the ultimate "moon child".   A moon child is sensitive, intuitive, and deeply emotional—like the tides pulled by the moon. Their moods can ebb and flow, just like lunar phases. One minute, they have cozy, nurturing energy… the next, they retreat  into a shell to recharge. They often hold ancient wisdom in their hearts.  The Moon gives Cancer that strong connection to home, family, and their inner world. Plus, they tend to feel things on a whole other level. It must have been the moon child in me that  made me endure the cold Thursday night and stay up late as we observed the lunar eclipse and witnessed  the blood moon. I usually go to bed early since I get up early. But I will not miss the lunar eclipse.  After setting up our telescope, we saw the partial eclipse and the total eclipse as seen in the pictures below:      ...