Feb 6, 2024

I woke up today feeling okay, I feel really good and I think I had the ample amount of sleep for me.

In the afternoon, I was on my own doing my work tasks to pass time.

Suddenly, I had an idea. I anticipated that I wasn't gonna be in a call with my friends for the evening, so I decided to treat myself outside to a restaurant. I found the best restaurant that served squid on Foursquare, and it turned out to be Wok Inn in Manila. I got my best/favorite outfit ready and I felt great. When I got there, it was freezing like hell. The place looked a little drab, but the air conditioning was top notch. They didn't have a lot of people eating, in fact when I got there it was just 1 couple eating, so I felt really awkward. Eventually, I was able to order squid and their famous fried dumplings.

The dumplings they served were totally different from the other dumplings I've tried. It was flavorful and I honestly have never tasted dumplings like that before. It was good, it was different. Then I ate some of the stuffed squid and it didn't turn out to par for me. It was stuffed with some weird vegetables that was a little too bitter for my taste. Plus the squid was really tiny. For 305 Pesos, it was kind of a letdown, but I had fun eating regardless. I walked around a bit more to a Starbucks and got a notification from Instagram about an IG Story I posted 3 years ago. I was with Angela and we ate at a samgyupsal after the pandemic. It freaked me out a bit because I was at the same spot, at the same Starbucks we were in 3 years ago. It was super freaky.

When I got home, I paid close attention to Manila's surroundings and neighborhoods. I don't think I like Manila all that much. It reminds me of bad events from the past, how I weaved through these streets 2 years ago (or more) all hopeful and happy, but now I'm pensive and alone. When I got to the SLEX highway, I was playing "Lovesick Girls" by Blackpink and it was pretty scary because I was riding at the back of a motorcycle, and we were going at 62 kilometers per hour or so. It was fun, but I felt like I was gonna die. The song was super fitting to my mood and situation, though. I think I looped the song for more than 10 times on the ride home.

I got home safe and I was able to talk to a few friends, especially Cheska. We haven't caught up in a while and I was happy to talk to her again. I had some bouts of overthinking throughout the day, but I tried my best to affirm myself that I'm okay. The thing that made this day was definitely playing "Lovesick Girls" while I was holding on for dear life. Also, that driver sprayed some good-smelling alcohol into the helmet and it left my hair smelling nice? It smells like a girl's hair and it somehow raised my mood???