compendium;

someday, i will be part of the stars - i will soon gleam with an incandescent glow.

[unmooredthoughts]

an elegy to the lost cause.

it seems to start as dark, eerie, and cold

when one loses the consciousness he owns.

it starts when you have nothing left to hold.

and there lie your rotting, disintegrating bones.

everyone watched your blood run cold

as they eulogize and ponder about your life.

watch them weep on the casket made of gold,

heart bleeding with scars made by your knife.

you, ending you on your own choice

will be deemed as a lost cause

listen to the sorry's that will be said in a low voice

as they look at the ground where you once were.

[unmooredthoughts]

Parading the Queen City of the South

I closed my eyes and everything flashed back as if a film reel was playing inside my head. I could still smell the salt air and hear the rustling sound of leaves. I could easily picture the bustling alleys and the diverse crowd filled with different faces. I remembered how as soon as the plane descended in the picturesque Queen City of the South, I knew that I was hooked.

Source: CNN Philippines

The sun was high up in the air when we disembarked in the second busiest international airport in the Philippines – Mactan-Cebu International Airport. To say it simply, it was breathtaking. The high-arching ceiling and huge glass windows that show the scenic view of Cebu give a really welcoming and comfortable ambiance. It is certainly a world-class airport, but it does not miss in giving off a local vibe. The airport itself is a manifestation of what we are in for a ride - it welcomes you to what Cebu has yet to offer.

As opposed to the monochromatic and bleak streets of Metro Manila, Mactan was shining and shimmering. Blessed with a clear, blue sky and bodies of water that are within reach, it is truly a dreamy place. But one thing’s for sure, it can go head-to-head with Manila when it comes to traffic and road congestion.

First Stop: The Temple of Leah

Dreaming of visiting the Greek world-renowned Parthenon? Hoping to see first-hand the grandeur architecture of Rome? Well, The Taj Mahal of Cebu has it all.

The Temple of Leah is a relic built for Leah Villa Albino-Adarna - the wife of businessman Teodorico Adarna, who decided to preserve and profess his undying love. Mr. Adarna promised his wife that he would keep her memories stored under one roof. Mrs. Adarna adored traveling and collecting items from her travel, so the temple is embellished with her many treasures.

Saying that the temple was astounding is an understatement. Once you climb up the short hill, it would feel like you are entering Mount Olympus. The sculpture built in the center of the temple that seems like an artwork straight out of the Renaissance will welcome you to magnificence. The pictures cannot give justice to the splendor that the temple holds.

Sure, one could easily compare the Temple of Leah to the iconic Athena Parthenon but there is one thing that keeps it apart from the historic symbol of the diverse culture of Greece – the Temple of Leah is a symbol of intense love, an icon of dedication and commitment. The temple will surely please the hopeless romantics away and melt the cold-hearted ones due to its warm and passionate meaning.

Second Stop: Sirao Garden

Source: TripAdvisor

Tired of the high-rise buildings and polluted air of the city? Sick of the monotonous and dull atmosphere? Why don’t you visit the tranquil and picture-perfect garden of Sirao?

Dubbed as Cebu’s Little Amsterdam, Sirao Garden is like a portal to a well-written fairytale. Elena Sy-Chua, the woman behind the 8,000-square-meters of land decked with a wide variety of flowers ranging from roses, tulips, chrysanthemums, dahlias, marigolds, and even flowers that I could probably not be able to name.

The colorful and fragrant Sirao Garden is perfect for those who want to relish the beauty of nature. It is truly a romantic spot for those who are longing to be surrounded by the natural world, take a deep breath, and lie in a bed of roses, literally.

Breathing in the fragrance of various blooming flowers planted in Sirao Garden is like cleansing the soul – you will feel renewed and rejuvenated. The dreamy memories you will make in the garden will last forever, like a lingering kiss from your true love.

Third Spot: Mactan Shrine

Source: aRVee's Blog - Cebu & Beyond Travel Blog

The spot that encapsulates the rich history of the Queen of the South is the memorial park that exhibits the monuments of Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan – the Mactan Shrine.

Cebu is known for its rich history due to the fact that it was where the Spaniards first docked during their expedition in the 15th to find the Moluccas Island. Despite failing to find the famous Spice Island, they were lucky enough to discover the island of Cebu. During the Battle of Mactan in 1521, Lapu-Lapu together with his men defeated the Spaniards and successfully slew Ferdinand Magellan. The shrine was built to honor one of the first acts of patriotism – it was built to immortalize Filipino courage and bravery.

Walking along the memorial park is like watching the greatest film of all time unfold. It makes you feel like you are living in the 16th century, during the times when our country was still enslaved and occupied by our conquerors. The shrine is a symbol of freedom – it is known as the Shrine of Liberty.

Source: Rappler

Roaming around Cebu is cathartic, to say the least. Every corner holds a deep-rooted history waiting to be learned and known. But Cebu is more than just scenic places and historic figures, it is also a place filled with peculiarity.

One odd thing that I have encountered is habal which is a famous mode of transportation in Cebu. It is known for its convenience and its efficiency due to the jampacked road and busy streets. Riding a motorcycle is more plausible because it is faster and you can easily avoid traffic, which is a total culture shock for me who is only accustomed to cars and tricycles.

The streets of Cebu are also filled with familiar and foreign faces. It is filled with Filipinos wandering around the city but it is also packed with tourists who enjoy basking in the sun, haggling with vendors, and just taking pleasure in the scenery that Cebu has to offer.

The Queen City of the South lives up to its name – it is rich in history, scenery, and diversity. It is a perfectly painted picture of what dreamland is supposed to be.

I opened my eyes and I saw everything started fading away, just like the movie credits at the end of the film. The salt air will linger in forever and the rustling sound of leaves would be playing in my head like a broken record. The bustling alleys will be my comfort and the diverse crowd filled with different faces will be stored in my mind like a photograph. Cebu is not a fleeting moment; it is a memory worth to be remembered.

[unmooredthoughts]

The Last Great American Dynasty

“We were both young when I first saw you, I close my eyes and the flashback starts I’m standing there…”

The nostalgic melody and the plucking of the guitar strings are enough to awaken the butterflies in my stomach. A perfectly crafted love story written by an exceptional storyteller. It has been years since the world was given the privilege to listen to the song that would redefine the whole country music genre. It was the turning point for a country girl who will sweep the whole world up its feet.

Sources: Teen Vogue & Pinterest

Fifteen years ago, a young girl wearing cowboy boots and brandishing an acoustic guitar entered the music industry, not knowing how big she’ll become. With her songs centering around relatable teenage love stories, high school sweethearts, and a small girl with big dreams trying to fit in a bigger world – she was a breath of fresh air amidst the rising popularity of hip-hop music.

Do you ever wonder what would it be like if the young girl with luscious blond locks and striking electric blue eyes that encapsulates complex emotions and intense passion never had a breakthrough?

Source: Insider

Taylor Swift. One of America’s greatest musical artists. Eleven Grammy Awards. Thirty-two American Music Awards. More than 50 million albums sold since her debut. Artist of the Decade. Her lyrical genius continues to leave everyone in awe, but what is still in store for us?

Beyond her brilliance and artistry, Taylor Swift is an icon of reinvention. In every diaristic song and personal lyrics, she unravels a piece of herself, never before seen by others. Her extremely intimate songs made her a prey. Growing up with the media ready to pounce on her every move, she mastered tearing herself down and bringing herself back up.

Entering the music industry at such a young age was like watching one’s death unfold before her eyes. Taylor Swift was subjected to a lot of mockery and invalidation. She was seen as a joke; as someone who is delusional. She was undermined by her fellow musicians because she was just a young country girl. Her achievements were deemed underserved.

Out of all the female artists in the United States, Taylor Swift had her reputation trampled and sullied the most. She was dubbed as a serial dater and a playgirl because of her alleged hunger for dating men. She was mocked for writing songs about her former lovers despite the fact the other male musicians do too. However, she did not let it get to her – she used the media’s words to her advantage. She used her made-up persona they created – she became the predator. Then, Taylor Swift wrote one of her most iconic songs; a satirical pop song entitled Blank Space. Not one soul in the world would not know the lines “I’ve got a blank space baby, and I’ll write your name.”

Source: Tenor

But the flame of success could only last for so long – she got torn down again. After the Blank Space era, Taylor Swift had to reinvent herself. The once loved country girl who was considered as America’s sweetheart was hailed as a snake. This was her turning point, not just as an artist but as a person. No one physically saw her for a whole year – she was simply gone with the wind. She went on hiatus, deleted all her social media accounts and posts. To put it simply, the symbol of reinvention struggled to reset and restart.

During her year-long break, Taylor Swift had to deal with her inner struggles. She acknowledged her neglect for her body; she realized the immense pressure she has been putting on herself just to meet the beauty standards set by society. She found the love she had been seeking since she started singing about high school love stories. She found a lover worth sharing her sentiments and heartaches with. But most of all, Taylor Swift chose herself. She prioritized her mental health; she burned down the bridges between her and her toxic relationships. She neither stayed as the prey or the predator – she became the hunter.

Taylor Swift also developed the courage to finally speak her mind. Ironically, she was robbed of her freedom to speak out about her own opinions, beliefs, and advocacy due to the fear of being shut down. She was terrified that once the general public becomes aware of her own stand whether it may be on political or social issues, it would cause the downfall of her career. But Taylor Swift regained her voice – it was louder than ever. She advocated equality over genders and explicitly supported the LGBTQ+ community.

After a year of respite, free from the eyes of the media, Taylor Swift re-activated her accounts, and she posted a video of a snake – it was a teaser! A sneak peek at her new self. Once again, she made use of the thing they used to insult her and she turned it into a masterpiece. She released an album called Reputation, focusing on how the media undermined and outcasted her. She shared with the world how she found the love of her life; she professed how it will be different from her past relationships. The album itself is the manifestation of her genius mind; it became one of the best albums produce in the history of her career.

Alas, the queen of reinvention sits on the throne unbothered by the threats of future events. Taylor Swift can confidently battle them head-on; she wields the sword.

Gone are the days when her life was told from the point of view of others, she is now the storyteller. Her latest albums, Lover, Folklore, and Evermore exhibit how Taylor Swift can flourish and shine in the industry without having the need to reinvent herself. She started making up dream-like worlds and literary masterpieces through her songs. She finally reached the peak of her career but it does not stop there. Taylor Swift will continue to shine – she will not stop gleaming. She will not turn into a supernova because she is the cosmos itself.

“Who knows, if I never showed up what could've been.” - Spoken like a true ruler. She came like a whirlwind; she swept up the world by storm – she left a mark. She is made for greatness; meant to be in the spotlight. She wears the crown on top of her head, oozing with elegance, brilliance, and insurmountable skills. Taylor Swift is the last great American dynasty.

[unmooredthoughts]

When home is lost, where do we go?

They say home is where you feel warm, comforted, and loved. It is like a warm furnace in harsh winter; a cool breeze of wind in the summer. But what if your home is where your demons live?

She grew up in a violent household. A normal day would start and end with screams and yells. She was physically hurt; she was given bruises and marks. Her only choice was to stay quiet, learn how to bottle everything up. But wounds from physical violence can be cured and washed away; they can be cleaned with antiseptic and ointment. There is a much painful scar that she continuously tries to heal – the wounds caused by verbal abuse.

It started when she was young. It was just snide remarks at first but it slowly progressed to something much cruel and harsh. She was disregarded, deemed as useless and a burden, she was seen as irrelevant and was constantly compared to her brother. When you are brought up in an environment filled with bitterness and negativity, it would be miraculous to stay sane. Words cut like knives, it leaves you scarred. And unfortunately, a child can only take so little.

The bitter truth is when you incessantly hear that you are undeserving of love, you start to believe it too. She grew up believing that she is unworthy of care and affection. She forgot how to value and prioritize herself. She was stripped away of her childhood – she realized the harshness of the world far too early.

She was afraid of her own home, the very place where she is supposed to feel safe. When the pain became unbearable; when keeping up a façade became tiring, she chose to stay numb. She tried to direct the pain in her heart to her arms - she acquired battle scars, to keep herself tethered to reality. She learned how to conceal her pain, hide her cuts and scars.

Ultimately, when her home is unsafe, school is supposed to be her escape. But school was just as cruel as her home. Her classmates were unforgiving, they always have something to say. Words she hears at home became louder; her peers amplified them.

When I first met her, her mask was impeccable. I could not detect any pain or despair. But slowly and surely, I saw that the light has died in her eyes- they were screaming for help.

Meeting her is part of my fate; I was sent an angel who is lost and beaten. My best friend fought a battle alone for so long, but she now has a companion. She was so used to not having a hand to hold, so accepting mine was not a breeze. She was accustomed to faking and concealing her emotions, so opening up to me was not a walk in the park either. Slowly but surely, she is realizing the love she truly deserves. She is slowly developing the self-love she was robbed of years ago. She found a new home; she found me.

Time does heal, but it does not erase. Society often romanticizes mental illness. They think once you found a person who you believe truly loves you, everything will finally be fine. But that is not the reality; people who suffered years of depression and anxiety can relapse and spiral back down the abyss. And it is not their fault. Although my best friend is slowly learning how to finally love herself, there are times when she would feel weightless and unfeeling. She would question the love and care she is finally receiving.

Healing is a process; it is not supposed to be rushed. We should remain patient and understanding because those who suffer from mental illnesses are fighting a battle against their own selves. We should be more accepting and open-minded because sometimes, what we see on the surface is not the whole story. Mental illnesses should not be stigmatized – mental health should be prioritized. Home is where the heart lives, it should be forgiving and comforting. So, when someone’s home is lost and frightening, we should learn how to offer our arms to be their refuge– we should offer them our hearts to help them heal.

[unmooredthoughts]

A Way Out of Lockdown Slump is Through the Stomach: How to Make Chocolate Crinkles

Cracked top. Crisp edge. Top dusted with confectioner’s sugar. Wow! It’s the picture-perfect chocolate crinkles!

The onslaught of the pandemic caused normal activities and routine to come to a halt. Everyone was encouraged to stay at home to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Basically, everyone was like a prisoner in their own homes. Governments imposed strict lockdown policies to keep the citizens and to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

Staying in the comfort of our own homes can be tedious and boring. To get through the boredom caused by the pandemic, many found new hobbies and developed new skills. The youth got attached to TikTok – whether doing some cover dances and comedy skits, teenagers have done it all! But for the foodies like me, trendy foods like baked sushi, dalgona coffee, and fluffy pancakes were our pot of gold.

However, the one that stuck with me is chocolate crinkles. It is a fudge, chocolate, and delightful dessert, that has the shape of a cookie and the texture of a brownie. Now, who could ask for more, right?

Making chocolate crinkles is fairly easy – it is one of the first desserts I have learned to bake ever since baking became one of the things I adore doing. During the lockdown, I was able to practice my skills and my passion for baking intensified. It would be an understatement if I say that crinkles helped me get through months of quarantine without going insane. As dramatic as it may seem, it became one of my comfort foods especially in the midst of the mental stress that the pandemic is causing.

My mother urged me to sell my crinkles online, and fortunately, everyone we know here in Riyadh supported me. Now, I know how to make my chocolate crinkles like the back of my hand. It requires a few simple ingredients:

1 cup of Cocoa Powder

1 ½ cups of Granulated Sugar

1 cup of Vegetable Oil

2 ¼ cups of All-Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons of Baking Powder

2 teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

2 large eggs

1 cup of Confectioner’s Sugar

¼ teaspoon of Salt

The process of making chocolate crinkles is simple and quick. It is perfect for those who do not have much knowledge of baking because it is not technical. Follow along with the procedure to make the perfect chocolate crinkles!

1. In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and salt together.

2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil, eggs, cocoa powder, and granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.

3. Combine the wet and dry mixtures together. Add the dry mixtures in three separate parts to ensure that the dough will come out smoothly.

4. Once everything is well combined, the dough should not be to dry or too wet. If your dough is too dry, add some oil. If it is too wet, add some flour.

5. Cover your batter and chill for at least 4 hours. This will intensify the flavor of your crinkles and it will help in making it fudgy and smooth once baked.

6. After chilling the dough, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius). Cover the baking tray with parchment paper.

7. Roll your dough into 1-inch balls and roll it in the confectioner’s sugar before placing it on the baking tray.

8. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes for fudgy, picture-perfect chocolate crinkles!

This dessert is perfect for those who love cookies and brownies. It can satisfy those who like food with a crispy exterior with a soft and fluffy center. It is a dessert so good you will forget you are stuck at home! Bored and restless? Bake it all away! Remember, the only way out of boredom is through your stomach – eat your way out of the lockdown and expand your palate!