When Introverts Do Get Out | 2023 Year-In-Review

I am 80% introvert. The home is my life. Give me a book or in our generation now, the internet, and I can spend the entire day just reading. I sometimes forget to eat. If only books are edible, too. lol

If I’m not reading, then I’m tinkering with DIY projects. I love systems and processes and deciphering how things work. I just hate Math though, so no formulas and computations, please. But if you’re a Mathematician, do know that I’m very much intrigued by how your brain works. 😀

But as we all know it, adulting requires we do more than just read books or devote our entire time to hobbies or projects. We don’t have a choice, do we?

So, that 20% that I do get to go out to buy stuff that I need, do important errands, or spend quality time with people I love, I make sure the experiences will be worthwhile and definitely one for the books.

I also prefer to commute via public transportation when going out. I get to observe people a lot and this is how I get ideas for my next story. The solo backpacking concept has always been a dream of mine. But I already dismissed the idea because nowadays, traveling alone to unfamiliar places is not safe, especially if you’re a woman.

What Introverts Do When Outdoors

So, where do introverts like me go when not hibernating? Here are some places where you can find them.

My first BIA flight. Thanks to my sis-in-law, Heather, for this awesome capture!

Do watch these breathtaking videos of Mt. Mayon during my flight. She’s simply stunning, always a “Daragang Magayon.

How to get to places without getting bored inside the car? Take selfies. lol
Farm girl mode featuring the Japanese Tunnel during World War II.
Tinipak River
That photo where the subject became part of the background. lol
Sorsogon Boulevard Sunset
Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon
Baguio City’s Session Road
Palogtoc Falls/Irosin, Sorsogon
UP Diliman Bike Ride
Mt. Daraitan Peak w/ my hubby. This was a “budol” climb because we weren’t informed it’s not for beginners. lol But thanks be to God, we made it to the top ALIVE. 💪

I thought about writing this year-in-review (or year-end review) because I usually do a social media hibernation every December as part of my birthday prayer and fasting. I’m going to be another year older, yet another year wiser. 37 years have been tough, but I’m looking forward to what lies ahead than what is behind.

P.S. All credits go to my husband for taking these photos. Today’s Day 1 of us living apart, too, so I’m posting these photos as a remembrance of another meaningful chapter. It’s painful to lose people, but I know this is God’s way of testing my faith in Him, a way to refine our characters so we can be deserving to be called His sons and daughters.

Pained but sanctified. ❤

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” – Proverbs 31:25

P.P.S. I still have 115 rough drafts of articles that I need to revise and post here. They are more than enough for this year even if I post every day. lol How to stop the brain from thinking? 🤔

8 Signs You’re A Literature Major

Not everyone loves books nor enjoyed reading. There are those, however, who love books as if they are the only things that matter in this world. If you’re a Literature lover and a Literature major (like me), read on. 😉

A Literature Major: It Takes One to Know One

1. If you’re a Literature major, your syntax is different.

2. If you’re a Literature major, the way you write your sentences is patterned after academic journals and scholastic readings.

3. If you’re a Literature major, you write in the passive voice excessively.

4. If you’re a Literature major, you have a hard time meeting the grade 6 and below reading level in Hemingway.

5. If you’re a Literature major, you have studied prominent literary works in all eras starting from the medieval ages to the contemporary period.

6. If you’re a Literature major, you have no favorite book – you’ve read an enormous compilation of awesome books selecting one favorite is EXTREMELY difficult.

7. If you’re a Literature major, you have the perfect balance of literary theories, English language usage (not 100% perfect though), and different writing styles.

8. Last but not the least, if you’re a Literature major, you have read no less than 50 books in your major classes alone.

Being a Literature major is like choosing a course which you can never, ever take lightly. However, it can also be fun especially when your favorite hobby is LEARNING.

I became a Literature major by choice back in 2002 but I believe God made it to be that way – His gift for a certain and greater purpose. 🙂

Even if you’re not a literature major, what are your all-time favorites when it comes to books or novels? I’d love to know what they are. ❤

Always learning from the heart first and the mind second,

P.S.

I am writing/typing this on my mobile phone because this week’s a bit hectic. My parents are here for a medical checkup and my Mom’s cataract surgery. I am the one assigned to accompany them (with pleasure though). I thought I’d just whip up something short (I only have about 10 minutes). Yes, short but still interesting for my #everyFridayblogpost. I hope this article got you interested. 😀

If you’re reading this as a student, you can include this as your option for the course you plan to take in college. If you already graduated, you might, one day, opt to pursue a graduate study in this course.

Here are some links which can help you decide whether to be a Literature major or not in the future. 🙂

Featured image copyright: siue.edu

The 10 Books Challenge

Tin Ginete

E-book, PDF, paperback edition – for as long as it is something I can read, I’ll read it. 😉

I was dared by my cousin Nadja and friend Nina for this 10 books challenge which I really had a hard time doing as I LOVE BOOKS aside from the fact that I have a bachelor’s degree in literature and making me choose among the 100+ books I have read is far too tasking. But I was more than glad to join the ride, thus challenge accepted. 🙂

Here it is:

“Friends, you need to list down 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take more than a few minutes and don’t think too hard. They don’t have to be “right” or “great” works, just the ones that have touched you. The idea is to instill the nostalgia of vintage books in the online community. Tag 10 friends including me so I can see your list.”

1. THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde
2. LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott
3. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
4. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte
5. A NEW EARTH by Ekhart Tolle
6. THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de Saint – Exupery
7. A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeline L’Engle
8. THE ART OF WAR by Sun Tzu
9. THE DEVOTIONAL STUDY BIBLE
10. THE PURPLE BOOK by Steve Murrell & Rice Broocks

P.S.
11. BRIDA by Paulo Coehlo
12. THE WISHSONG OF SHANNARA by Terry Brooks

I made it 12 because I just can’t make it to 10. Sorry, I really am that deviant. What is in your list? 🙂