2025 #23: HIGHLIGHTS ๐Ÿ—“ | JUNE PHOTO DUMP ๐Ÿ“ธ

June Reflections: A Month of Rest, Radiant and Reset

Compared to the previous months, June was all about RESET—a much-needed pause after weeks of travel and activity. Returning to my mini family and settling back into my regular life felt like a refreshing reset, allowing me to regain balance before facing the next steps ahead.

On the first weekend of June, I had the opportunity to rejoin the staff from my previous workplace. My former boss reached out to some of us—his past employees—to help out during a special and heartfelt milestone: the store's 20th anniversary. But this wasn’t just any ordinary gathering. This year, he went all out and organized a full-on block tasting event. Yes—he literally shut down an entire street to celebrate two decades of community and flavor. Can you believe that?

At first, I was hesitant about participating. I had concerns about my health, especially being on a low-fat diet while the whole event revolved around tasting rich, savory food. But fortunately, my main role that day was manning the checkout booth—where guests could purchase the dishes they had sampled earlier. That setup worked in my favor, allowing me to stay true to my health goals without missing out on the experience.

Still, I found myself bouncing around—lending a hand wherever needed. I assisted the neighboring booth in prepping samples, and became a bit of a runner for all the merchants—fetching sliced bread, freshly cooked sausages, extra plates, and whatever else came up in the moment. When the event wrapped up, I stayed behind to help with clean-up as well. It felt good to be in the hustle again.

Throughout the day, I ran into familiar faces—former coworkers and new team members alike. I greeted everyone with warmth and understanding, letting them know that I truly empathized with the rush and intensity of working such a big event. After all, I’d been in their shoes not too long ago.

In the end, the event was a resounding success. More than anything, it felt nice to reconnect with the team, be part of something meaningful, and take a well-deserved break from full-time mommy duties—even if just for a day.

❤️๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ–ค

One of the most significant parts of this month was addressing my health. I had important doctor’s appointments that would determine whether I needed surgery at the end of the month. While this was a stressful process, I knew that taking control of my well-being was necessary. I’ll be sharing more details about my surgery experience in an upcoming blog post.

Of course, in between medical check-ups, I made sure to carve out some leisure moments with my family. One of the highlights was our trip to Gilroy Gardens with my closest friends and their mini family. Taking that chance to visit Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The weather gifted us a sweet spot—neither too hot nor too chilly—which made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

 I won’t go into all the details just yet, because I plan to write a dedicated blog post about our day at the park. 

Anywho, my friend also brought back souvenirs from her Japan trip for my baby boy, which made the moment even more special. In return, I exchanged goods from the Philippines, creating a sweet cultural exchange between us.

But in short, we had a wonderful time exploring the gardens and kid-friendly rides. Our toddler was in awe the entire time, and we’re already planning our next trip—this time for the water park experience. I can’t wait to see our little one splash around and fully embrace the joy of summer play.

Between moments of leisure, cherished family time, and my much-needed self-love rituals, I treated myself to a few new finds I’d been eagerly anticipating—each one arriving like little surprises at my doorstep. Naturally, I caught myself once again in that all-too-familiar routine of browsing and impulsively adding items to my cart. What can I say? Sometimes you just feel like trying something new, and that’s reason enough.

One of my favorite pickups was a new go-to everyday bag—perfect for when I’m constantly on the move. I paired it with my teddy Lulu bag charm, and the result? Utterly adorable. The whole look came together so seamlessly—cute, cozy, and very matchy-matchy in the best way.

Then there’s the olive oil I finally caved into—yes, that one all over my FYP, the kind everyone’s raving about as their go-to cooking essential. I almost picked it up in-store, but when I noticed their website was running a sale, I decided to go big and ordered a whole set to try.

I also snagged another bundle—a selection of dairy-free, Asian-inspired spreads. I’ve been enjoying them on toast or blending a bit into my smoothies for that extra flavor punch. It feels like a thoughtful upgrade to my usual breakfast.

Now, for those occasional sweet tooth moments, I picked up an alternative chocolate bar from Trader Joe’s. It’s dairy-free, too—fitting perfectly into my low-fat diet. There’s something deeply satisfying about indulging without the guilt.

And last but definitely not least—a sweet surprise from my husband. For Father’s Day, he gifted me a new Minnie Mouse x Starbucks collaboration tumbler. It was such a thoughtful gesture, especially since I had to part ways with my old tumbler after our baby boy chewed the straw beyond repair. It’s those little acts of love that stay with you.

๐Ÿฉท๐Ÿค๐Ÿฉท๐Ÿค๐Ÿฉท๐Ÿค๐Ÿฉท๐Ÿค๐Ÿฉท

On the other end of the month, things took a more serious turn. In the last week of June, I underwent a major surgery—one that stemmed from an emergency room visit back in April. It was my first time going through something like this, and to be honest, I was incredibly nervous. As an overthinker, I didn’t know how I would handle the physical pain, let alone the emotional toll. Writing about it now feels like therapy—my way of grounding myself through the anxiety and untangling the fear. Yet even as I try to stay calm, my mind races ahead, imagining every possible scenario.

๐Ÿค•๐Ÿ˜ท๐Ÿคง๐Ÿ›️

I'm still debating whether or not I should share the details of this experience more openly here. Maybe someday I will. Maybe this corner of the internet can be a space where vulnerability leads to connection. Who knows? Perhaps someone who’s been through something similar might stumble upon my words and feel a little less alone.

✨FINAL THOUGHTS✨

Overall, June was a slower, more reflective month—one focused on healing, connection, trying something new and preparation for the next chapter. Though challenges lay ahead, this time allowed me to embrace the small joys and appreciate the support system around me.

Looking forward to what July will bring!


 

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