I've been spending my two-week holiday break at home. Much to my relief because I'm spared from spending and fighting my shopaholic hormones. I should have more time to read and finish my pending Korean drama series. Fortunately or unfortunately? I've been spending much of time with freelance works and take home teaching jobs. For some reason, I've turned nocturnal lately. I found my much needed pace when everyone is asleep and the entire environment is in silence. My only concern with this unusual habit is the adverse effect on my health. My body clock and my meal intakes are both disrupted. But since I'm turning nocturnal on a periodic basis, I hope my health will understand and cooperate. :)


Since I started working, I have this annual decluttering tradition either before Xmas or New Year's eve. I start from clothes to little things stored everywhere. I have a small room yet I consume an entire day to finish everything. How come? Blame it on the sentimental fool in me. It's hard for me to let go of things that remind me of significant events and persons. For instance, it took me years to finally give away the blouse and dress I wore on my MBA defense and graduation. Those were the days when I could still fit to an XS from my favourite brands. The thank you letters of past freelance clients, receipts of expensive purchases because it signified that I'm a real grown up and family provider, trip tickets and baggage stickers, grade slips and registration cards from my university life and so much more personal things that I can't even mention heehee

Decluttering for some may appear like a hell of personal chore. In my case, I enjoy and look forward to this personal and recurring rite of passage before the year ends. I even find it therapeutic. :) It brings me both happiness and sadness. At some point, I find myself laughing and crying at the same time. This happened when I saw these
Old Notes back in college :) This is how I take notes during my university days. I don't entirely copy what my teacher provides. I write lectures the way I understood it. Hence, the weird language and spelling. Haha
So many books, some are still unread :) The Da Vinci Code was the first book I purchased from my first pay check. How ironic because I work for a Catholic institution :)
High School ID, back when I wasn't a huge chubby
A printed note from my class adviser from my last year in high school.. Part of her Palanca letter if I'm not mistaken 
I'm often advised to never look back. (I admit, this is a personal weakness.) This includes doing things that gives me an opportunity to hold on to something from the past. Decluttering somehow tempts me to   stick with this weakness. But once I decided to release and let go, it feels like I gained steps closer to maturity and adulthood. I feel relieved, renewed and reinvigorated.