They say some people wake up with a song in their head. Me? I often wake up with a storm of thoughts—an entire journal’s worth of reflections swirling before I even sip my first coffee. It’s why journaling has become more than a habit to me—it’s a lifeline. It helps me untangle the chaos, celebrate quiet victories, revisit the lessons, and stay grounded when life moves faster than I can keep up with. And today, as I sit with a full heart and a clear moment, I want to look back at the month that was—June 2019. A month of momentum, movement, and small miracles that stitched themselves into the fabric of my everyday.

THANK YOU- JUNE

June was a whirlwind in the best possible way. The biggest blessing, hands down, was receiving my NMC Decision Letter—a long-awaited, deeply prayed-for moment. It was a silent breakthrough that made me whisper, “Thank You, Lord,” with tears in my eyes. Alongside that, I completed my full 3-dose Pre-Exposure Anti-Rabies Vaccine, opened our humble KNN store, and saw it take off better than I imagined. I showed up for my spiritual self too, making it a point to attend Sunday Masses faithfully, which always centers me when I start to feel scattered.

In between all the to-do lists and deadlines, I made space for little joys. I found myself rewatching John Wick 1 & 2—probably for the sheer adrenaline of it—and balancing it out with the soft, heart-fluttering calm of the Chinese drama Put Your Head on My Shoulder. Somehow, both felt therapeutic in their own way. I spent late nights falling down rabbit holes of house tour videos on YouTube, visualizing a home of my own one day—one filled with light, books, and a little garden just outside the kitchen.

Food was a comfort too, as it always is. I indulged in sweet and sour shrimp, tempura with spicy dipping sauce, the occasional KFC meal for comfort, and our ever-dependable homemade pork adobo—a dish that tastes like home no matter where I eat it. Music-wise, I bounced between the emotional intensity of the Fifty Shades soundtrack, the angsty nostalgia of Linkin Park, and the carefree joy of George Ezra’s “Shotgun”—which I played on repeat every time I needed a mood lift.

As for books, I finally finished Believe You Can by John Mason and started Change Your Thinking by Brian Tracy. Both felt like soul vitamins—reminders to trust not just the journey, but the strength I’ve been building quietly along the way. And the biggest lesson that stayed with me? That God’s delays are not His denials. That just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t. And that faith, more than anything, is about learning to wait well—with open hands and a heart that keeps believing.

Of course, it wasn’t all wins. I missed out on printing and photocopying some important documents—an annoying but important reminder to always triple-check deadlines. But even that was part of the learning. I’ve come to realize that growth isn’t always about getting everything right. Sometimes it’s about how gracefully we recover, how quickly we forgive ourselves, and how committed we stay despite the small stumbles.

Above all, I’m thankful—for God’s gentle guidance, for every new breath and second chance, for the unwavering love of my family, and for Jan Helge, who remains my calm through all the noise. If there’s one thing June taught me, it’s that progress doesn’t always feel loud. Sometimes it’s in the quiet victories. The stillness. The days when healing happens in the background and doors open where we didn’t even know we were knocking.

So here’s to growing through what we go through. Here’s to July—whatever it brings.
With gratitude, always.
— Anj 🤍