Carpe Diem

Liza Sharp. 21. Manila, Philippines.

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When Memories Resurface: A Post That Brought Me Back to Him

Today, Facebook showed me a memory, a post I wrote for my late father two years ago. It suddenly appeared on my feed, and for a moment, I froze. It felt surreal. Has it really been two years already? Because in my heart, it feels like it was just a few months ago. Time moves so fast... and it’s scary how life goes on even when some parts of us stay frozen in the past.

I miss him.

The past months have been a blur, working, striving, hustling. I’ve been so busy finding ways to earn a living, to keep moving forward. I may not be the best in my field, and there are definitely people greater than me, but deep down I’m genuinely happy knowing I’m doing better than I used to. Every little milestone, every small win, I silently wish he could see it too. I wish he could hear me share the news, just like before.

I remember when I was starting out, I told him, “Abe, I can earn a million a month if I could sell a thousand shirts every day.” He laughed, but he believed in me. He was my biggest supporter. He saw everything, my highs and my lows, my victories and failures. Sometimes I feel like I disappointed him. But I know he only wanted the best for us. He wanted us to succeed, to be okay.

And deep in my heart, I know he worried most about me. That’s something I’ll always carry, that feeling of wanting to make him proud.

If there’s one thing I regret, it’s not being able to tell him enough how grateful I am for everything, for the patience, the support, and the faith he had in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

I pray that he’s resting peacefully now. May every good deed we do reach him in his grave. And may Allah reunite us all in Jannah, where there will be no more goodbyes. In shaa Allah.

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I was raised with the expectation that life would be easy if I just did the right things. But there’s a catch to that. No one prepared me for the things that really matter in life, the struggles, the pain, the weight that would one day break me.

Fights like this, these cycle of challenges, remind me of that one night when everything felt so dark, when we were at our lowest. I remember the pain and the endless “why’s” running through my mind. I painfully asked Abe, “Why him?” And he answered, “Walang magulang na ginusto na mapasama ang anak,” (No parent ever wanted their child to suffer) still echoes in my heart. At that moment, I understood. My pain, as much as it feels personal, is also their pain. And somehow, it made everything harder.

Some people might think I was forced into this situation, that I was somehow pressured into being with him because of everything that’s happened. But no, that’s not it. I fell in love. And love, as anyone who’s ever truly experienced it knows, is not something we can control. It just happens. You fall, and you can’t stop it.

Unfortunately, love isn’t always enough. Staying in love is hard, especially when you don’t have children, like something to fight for every day. We don’t have a little one to care for, no diapers to buy, no tuition fees to pay. No future to worry about.

It feels like I’m stuck. Like I’m standing still while the world keeps moving around me.

I want to fly. I want to soar high. I want to chase my dreams, with him. But it’s hard when there’s someone pulling you down, holding you back, anchoring you to the ground. It’s hard when you’re the only one paddling in a boat full of people, and nobody is helping you row.

It’s lonely. It’s frustrating. But what hurts more than being alone is realizing that I’m relying on someone who doesn’t have the same drive, the same ambitions. And it’s crushing.

I’ve accepted my fate. I’ll never be free from him, no matter how much I want to be. But starting today, i refuse to be in this situation ever again.

We put ourselves in situations we never wanted because we’re afraid of change, afraid of what will happen if we step outside our comfort zone. But growth comes from discomfort. And wisdom often comes with scars. The most difficult lesson I’ve had to learn is that I am the only one who has the power to change my circumstances. If I don’t take that first step, I’ll be stuck in the same place forever.

It’s okay to feel pain, to regret, to be angry. But I’ve come to understand that living in that pain without doing anything about it only hurts more. I can’t keep blaming myself for the choices I made, but I can choose to change the course of my future. I have to be the one to set myself free.

It won’t be easy. But nothing worth having ever is.

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No Capital is Not an Excuse

Lately, I’ve been feeling so frustrated whenever I hear statements like: “E wala kasing cash.” “Walang pera.” “Walang capital.”

I get it. I really do. Cash is a real limitation, lalo na kung talagang wala ka na. But what doesn’t make sense to me is when people use it as a reason to stop working altogether.

In this age, you can literally start something without a single peso. Social media is free. Skills can be learned online. Platforms allow you to sell without upfront investment. Hindi mo kailangan ng malaking puhunan para magsimula—ang kailangan mo ay pagkukusa, diskarte, at willingness to try.

But let me be clear: mindset alone is not enough. You can think all the positive thoughts in the world, but if you don’t move, nothing will happen. A proper mindset will give you direction, but only action will take you there. Mindset + action = results.

The Hard Truth About Helping Others

Another thing that frustrates me is this: paano ka tutulong sa isang taong ayaw gumalaw? I’ve seen people who only want to help if you employ them. Pero pag hindi, nawawala yung pagkukusa.

And honestly, that doesn’t sit right with me. If your only reason to move is dahil may sweldo ka, then saan napunta yung kusa? Minsan pa nga, yung napupunta sa kanila mas malaki pa kaysa sa natatanggap ng actual employees ko.

(someone make it make sense)

Breaking the Cycle

If you’ve ever felt this same frustration, here are a few reminders to keep you grounded:

You can’t save everyone. Helping someone who doesn’t want to help themselves is like pouring water into a cup with holes. Sayang effort mo.

Shift from giving to teaching. Instead of giving “fish,” teach them how to fish. Share ideas, open doors, but let them take the steps themselves.

Respect your own boundaries. Not employing someone doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you care enough not to let them fall into dependency.

Mindset + action is the only way forward. A strong mindset opens the door, but action is what makes you walk through it. One without the other will always leave you stuck.

Keep moving despite the noise. People will always have excuses. Don’t let it discourage you from your own path. Your drive will attract people who share the same grit.

Final Thoughts

“No capital” isn’t the end of the story, it’s the beginning of creativity. The world we live in today gives us so many ways to start with nothing but guts and grit.

At the end of the day, you can’t control how others think, but you can control how you react. Keep building, keep finding ways, and keep your respect for yourself and your work.

Because the truth is simple: walang puhunan is not the problem, it’s the mindset and the lack of action.

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Lately, I’ve been more mindful of how I spend my money. I’ve realized that while I might be tempted to buy things like a 3k peso dress that I’ll only wear a few times, there are people out there struggling to survive on just 500 pesos a week. It’s not my obligation to provide for them, but it makes me feel guilty knowing how much I could spend on something I don’t really need, when others are barely getting by. Just a reminder to be more conscious and grateful for what I have.

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How a TikToker Inspired Me to Live My Best Life as a Busy Woman

I recently came across a TikToker whose content blew my mind. She’s a working mom of two kids, and yet somehow, she manages to balance it all: from her full time job to running a marathon, renovating her home DIY-style, cleaning, decluttering, and even carving out time to make content! I couldn't help but think, How does she do it all?

It was like watching a superwoman in action, but what struck me most was how real and relatable she made everything seem. Her home wasn’t picture-perfect, and she didn’t pretend to have endless energy, but her dedication to making the most of her time and creating a space she loves was truly inspiring.

I found myself in awe—she's juggling so much, yet instead of feeling overwhelmed, she looks at her responsibilities with a sense of purpose. There’s something so empowering about seeing a woman not only manage, but thrive. Even though it looks exhausting at times, she emphasizes that it’s all worth it.

As someone who often feels overwhelmed with a busy schedule, I couldn’t help but want that kind of life too. A life that might be tiring but feels fulfilling. It reminded me that while I might think I don’t have time for everything, with a bit of planning, determination, and love for the things I do, it’s possible to fit in more of what I want out of life.

She’s taught me that life doesn’t need to be perfect, but it can be productive and joyful in its imperfections. Whether it's running early in the morning, tackling DIY home projects in the afternoon, or squeezing in a decluttering session before bed, she’s shown me that it’s possible to balance ambition and personal life—and that living intentionally, even when it feels hard, is so worth it.

If she can do it, why can’t I? I'm inspired to take a similar path, one step at a time, and create a version of a busy life that works for me—full of purpose, joy, and accomplishment.

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A Reminder to Myself

Lately, I’ve been feeling down. It’s hard to believe how quickly things have changed. I was traveling outside the country every month, filled with excitement and adventure. Now, I often feel like a visitor in my own life, disconnected and lonely. I struggle with insecurities about everything, my looks, my weight and where I am in life. It’s tough to see myself in this light and feel like I’m not the person I used to be. This feeling of sadness can be overwhelming, and I find myself questioning who I am and who I want to be. But as I write this, I want to remind myself that this is just a phase. I’ve overcome so much in the past—challenges that once seemed insurmountable. I’ve grown, learned, and adapted. This moment, however difficult, will pass. I need to embrace this journey, even when it feels tough. It’s okay to feel lost sometimes. It’s part of being human. I hope to find ways to reconnect with myself, to rediscover joy, and to be kind to myself through this process. Here’s to resilience and the belief that brighter days are ahead. I will come out stronger on the other side. — Me

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Sohoton | March 11, 2019

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Cloud 9, Siargao | March 10, 2019

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Space Shuttle | May 17, 2017

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Enchanted Kingdom, May 17, 2017

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Nakita mo lang naman ulit ako kasi wala na siya eh.

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Celebrating Eid at Art in Island

My husband and I celebrated Eid'l Fitr at Art in Island last July 06, 2016. It’s a museum that features 3D artworks where you’re allowed to touch, interact with and be part of it.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO ART IN ISLAND

1. Bring or wear a pair of socks. Shoes are not allowed inside to avoid damage to the artworks on the floor and your photo would look much better if you have a socks on.

2. Bring a camera or phones with camera. Note: You cant use a flash and tripod are prohibited too.

3. An extra battery or powerbank!

4. Wear comfortable clothes. You basically need to move a lot, so wear appropriate clothes.

5. Tour takes 2-3 hours. There are about 180+ 3D art paintings so it would take time to explore all of them.

6. Set up your photo. There are photo points on the floor that would help you get the right angle. You can also ask a staff to assist you.

7. There is a resting area. You can take a rest and eat there.

8. Respect others and be patient. Wait for your turn and do not intrude people posing and taking pictures.

ART IN ISLAND DETAILS:

Location: 175 15th Avenue, Barangay Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Operating Hours: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Daily.

Entrance fee is 500 for adults and 400 for students.

(NOTE: please bring school ID to get the student rate) Children below 3ft. are free.

Contact Numbers: [phone], [phone]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artinisland

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artinisland

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/artinisland

Art in Island is just located at the back of it. There’s actually an entrance at Cubao Expo to Art in Island.

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20 Facts About Me

Hi there! Since its my first blog post (char) why dont we start with you getting to know me.

1. My name is Norliza Pacalna Socor Dangcal Magarang-Pamlian, mostly known by my friends and family as “Lele/Liza/Arikingking”.

2. I am married since 2010.

3. I am a proud Maranao/Muslim.

4. I love to read. It actually started when my sophomore adviser lend me a copy of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. Since then I read and collect books. My first book were the book series of Harry Potter (my fave).

5. I am nearsighted.

6. I like Math and English.

7. I have soft hands. I receive a lot compliments and insults about it. They always say that I’m a prinsesa (princess), that i don’t do any household chores.

8. I easily get distracted.

9. I love burgers and pizza.

10. Dancing was my passion until i had to stop and pursue my artsy side which i still suck ,by the way.

11. I love black and nude.

12. I had an acne breakout when i was in senior high. It totally suck since i had to deal with it on my first and last prom, graduation, my year book. Huhu. Alhamdullillah, its gone now.

13. I prefer writing than talking

14. I don’t eat on time.

15. I have a bitch face.

16. I really want to travel. It’s on my bucket list.

17. I don’t let other people do my husband’s laundry (or at least try to). It is my responsibility as wife. I always feel guilty when someone else has to do it.

18. I have long lashes.

19. I take selfies a lot.

20. I am always late. It’s my bad habit.