Hi there! If you happen to pass by this post, I’d like to offer you a cup of coffee, or maybe pair it up with a book as well, if that’s the only thing that will make you stay here for a little longer. I hope this first diary entry will make you follow through bits and pieces of the start of my journey. Lounge for a while – I hope you’ll indulge me.
To be honest, I still do not have any clue about how this community works, but I’m sure I’ll find my way eventually. I do love to learn new things, and I’d be happy to have your company. I’d like to introduce myself officially since I’ll be here alongside my shenanigans and hobbies – hopefully for a long time, as long as my mind and hands still work.
As one of the latest addition to this community, thank you for having me. I have always loved writing ever since I was still so, so young. This platform will absolutely reignite my passion for writing, and maybe you’ll be there to share that with me.
My biggest appreciation goes to @ybanezkim26 for guiding me. If not for his sister, Rina Ybanez, who happens to be my workmate (also the very person who introduced HIVE to me and then to his brother), I wouldn’t have been typing away on my keyboard today. These siblings have been extremely kind and supportive so they deserve the most special shoutout.
Now, spotlight on me!
"I'm nobody! Who are you?" – Emily Dickinson
Well, hello there! I'm Fritz Earlin Therese Lapitaje Pondantes. I know, it’s quite too long! But I love my name and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Let’s just assume I didn’t hate writing my whole name on red and blue line papers when I was in elementary because I covered the first 2 rows with just my name, while everyone’s already writing their answers on question 2.
I was born in Kamague, Iligan City and then grew up in Ozamiz City from childhood to elementary. We then moved to Clarin, Misamis Occidental. I graduated from La Salle University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree. I know La Salle is known to be a school for the rich, but I only got in because of the government scholarship I received, and for being a work scholar as well! After that, I also got to enjoy the benefits of being a member of the school’s official publication, so my whole college life didn’t cost a dime.
After I graduated, I moved to Cebu City and have been residing here for almost 4 years. I am currently a Virtual Marketing Assistant for an Australian Events Company and also work as a freelance Social Media Manager for start-ups, small businesses, and local brands here in Cebu.
"I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in." - Robert Louis Stevenson
My mother often told me about the time when I was still in Kindergarten, how she always used to be called over to convince me to read our books in class. When asked about why I refused to read while everyone already was, my answer went along the lines of “But I’ve read this at home already!”
I remember how I used to read our storybooks from school at home when I got bored, and I would do so over and over again so when we have to read a new lesson in the classroom, I’d already lost the interest to do so. I would get in so much trouble because I apparently didn’t want to read the same story over and over again!
I guess that’s when the book nerd in me was woken up. Ever since then, I’ve loved reading books. It’s been my constant companion no matter the day. Books comfort me. That’s how my imagination started to get so vibrant and dynamic that before I knew it, I’ve started writing as well. Mind to pen, pen to paper.
I became a member of the school publication during high school and I started as a feature writer, and then I eventually started moving up the ranks and by my last year in high school – I became the Editor in Chief. At the same time, I was the Grand Archon of the Debate Club and the Student Council President too. At this point in my life, looking back now, it was a high school experience I fully enjoyed!
When I was in my first year in college, I started applying for the university’s official student publication named “Tingog”. I could still remember how ecstatic I was when I got in and officially became a feature writer! My proudest moment would have been becoming the Feature Editor by my 2nd year. Being a part of the publication gave me so much joy and pride and enabled me to learn more about what writing could offer. After that, by my 3rd year, I became the Associate Editor in Chief, and on my last year of college – who would have thought I would become the Editor in Chief!
It was a challenging role because outside of my publication sphere, I was also a work scholar which means I had to render duty hours in my assigned office. Alongside that, I was also an active disc jockey of the school’s official radio station and an active member of the Otaku organization. It was a hard decision but I had to give up my work scholarship to focus more on my extracurricular. Good thing I was financially assisted by the publication perks and my government scholarship so I was able to make it all work.
It’s been 4 years ever since I graduated and unfortunately, I haven’t been able to venture back to writing after I started working. When I went to Cebu to find work, I was a stranger in this place. I knew no one. I came here with a friend who was as clueless as I was. I didn’t even know where to start and how to find work. My first 4 months in Cebu were a blur. Now, when I look back, I never really had the chance to reignite the writing prowess in me.
I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I had to give up a few things to move forward. But who says we can’t pick it up again? As long as it’s packed away nice and tightly, we can always take it out anytime. And with writing? It wasn’t something I abandoned. I just needed to unpack it and mold it again from the ground.
“There will never be any more perfection than there is now.” - Walt Whitman
So, what have I been doing now? Aside from working 6-3 as a Virtual Assistant and as a freelance Social Media Manager, I always make time for my hobbies which are buying/reading/collecting books. I also sometimes make English fan subtitles for Japanese dramas and movies though I haven’t been active now because I got busy with work. From time to time, I also sew – a skill I acquired during the pandemic lockdown for which I will venture into more deeply on my next blog posts!
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra
What’s up on my sleeves now that I’ve started writing again? Well, as long as I’m here, I hope you will enjoy my content about books, sewing, films and series, Japanese dramas and movies, thrift-flips, how-to’s, travel, food, being a virtual assistant, self and life realizations, literary pieces, and maybe subbing as well! Give my page a dive if you are into one of any of those mentioned above. Take a seat with me and take a glimpse into my life, as a friend!
I may not know where this will take me but one thing is sure, it always feels nice to feel that familiar sensation of putting my thoughts into words and having it heard by people who just randomly pass through my page.
I would love to make friends here. As an extrovert, I always adore being able to make new connections! If you'd like to see more about what's coming up on my page for the following days, it would mean the whole world for me if you drop a follow or maybe an upvote even. If you deem my posts worthy of your reblog, by all means, I'd be honored.
Now that was a long introduction. If you’re still here even after all of these, I appreciate you. Let me pour you another cup of coffee. Thank you for being here just as I start my journey. Maybe you’ll still be there as we flip through the coming pages.
