I’ve been blogging for a long time. It’s one of my favorite things to do. It gives me a space to express how I feel, to share stories and reflections that feel worth putting into words. Writing, whether in my personal journal or on my blog, has always been a grounding ritual for me. There’s a deep sense of fulfillment that rises from crafting something meaningful out of my thoughts.

But life isn’t always kind to our passions. Somewhere along the way, the joy of writing started to fade into the background, overshadowed by work, endless errands, deadlines, and the responsibilities that never seem to pause.

Still, writing never left me. It has always lingered quietly at the edges, reminding me who I really am beneath all the roles I play.

For years, I’ve wondered what I want to build long term, something that matters. Something that doesn’t just pass time, but adds value. Maybe something that solves problems, encourages others, or simply reminds someone out there that they’re not alone. I didn’t have all the answers. But one thing I knew: writing was the tool that could help me try.

One quiet afternoon, during a rare pause in my routine, I found myself reflecting on what I’d like to do when I retire. Not retirement in the traditional sense but more like this question: What legacy do I want to leave behind? What can I give back to the world, even if I’m just an ordinary person with an ordinary life?

And that was my lightbulb moment.

I may not have everything figured out, but I know this: each of us carries life skills shaped by years of living, working, failing, surviving, and trying again. We each have insights earned, not taught, that are worth sharing.

So I asked myself, what’s mine?

I’m a breadwinner. A woman in tech. A Filipina expat who’s been away from home for over a decade. And I love to write.

What I can offer is perspective, real, raw, and lived. I decided to write my very first book, and with that decision, a spark of purpose reignited in me.

The book is called Uptime, Downtime, and Me-Time. It’s a collection of lessons, reflections, and hard-earned life skills woven through stories of being a working woman in tech, a long-time breadwinner, and an expat who’s built a life through endurance, reinvention, and hope. It’s part memoir, part survival manual, and part encouragement letter to anyone who’s ever felt tired of being strong.

I want to create something for the unsung heroes, the breadwinners who carry so much on their shoulders yet rarely get recognition. I want to create a space where women in tech, especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, can feel recognized, valued, and truly seen. Despite it being 2026, I know too well the challenges and biases that still exist in our field. And after two decades of overcoming them, I feel called to tell the truth not for pity, but for progress.

Seeing more and more young women entering tech gives me hope. It drives me to pour my experience into words they can carry with them. Words that might soften their path. Or simply remind them that it’s okay to rest.

Over time, my dreams have been redefined. I no longer seek speed, status, or noise. I want a slow, meaningful life even while working in tech and still being the family breadwinner. It may sound paradoxical, but it is possible. It means honoring my limits, making space for quiet, and creating a rhythm that lets me breathe. This book is part of that rhythm.

This book isn’t just a project. It’s my offering.

It’s a hand extended in solidarity. A voice saying, “Me too.” A gentle reminder that your quiet resilience deserves to be honored, and that storytelling is how we heal, connect, and keep going.

So yes, I’m writing a book. Because stories matter. Because your story matters. And because mine finally feels ready to be told.