NEW PODCAST, SAME CRAZY DREAMS I released a new podcast series on my YouTube and yes, Spotify! Oh gosh, it’s been a dream. But turning a dream into reality is the craziest thing ever. Do I care if it’s crazy? Not really. I’ve been chasing so many crazy things lately anyway. I think we can all agree… a lot has been going on in my life these days. I’ve learned to weigh what I really want to do, and honestly, I love doing a lot of things. I guess that’s something I’ve fully embraced about myself. So now, I just do what I can think of. As a mom and a wife, it can get pretty overwhelming, especially since I do most of it myself. But I know I’m not alone. With God’s grace, and the support of my family (moral support, mostly), I’ve been able to do so much. It doesn’t feel like work, and I guess I shouldn’t feel too guilty about doing something new, especially since my line of work is so unconventional. I started doing things I loved when I became a streamer, and now I’m a writer. I’ve always called myself a writer, even though most people use the word “author.” I guess it’s because I feel like writers like me just write what’s left to be written. I’m just a messenger for a lot of stories God wants me to tell. Some are mine, and some are probably yours. So calling myself an author still feels like a huge deal. I’m still getting used to it. I don’t know what the future holds, but one thing I know for sure is that I’ll get to where I’m meant to be. I’m not doubting it, it’s just a matter of when. To get there, I know I’ll have to give up a lot of things. But giving up things you love doesn’t mean you can never go back to them. My husband always reminds me that I can still be that person if I want to, it’s just that some things can wait. And it’s not a bad thing to pursue something you truly believe in. Trust me, it’s easier said than done, but seeing the smile on people’s faces and giving others a glimpse of hope—without giving up—can be transformative. A kind of kinetic energy that can’t be created or destroyed. I guess I see myself as a game character. I’ve passed level one, two, or three, and now I’m heading into level four. New challenges are up ahead, but I’m not backing down. Kweezyfiction is a new level of storytelling I wanted to challenge myself with. I’ve never really seen an author put their story out there (for free), but I’m already over the moon just knowing I did it—that I finished a book and launched it with my bare hands. To be honest, earning from this is a huge bonus I’d gladly take—maybe as a sign that I did a great job—but money isn’t everything. The truth is, the greatest prize is you. Whoever you are reading this—you’re a gift from God to me. The fact that you even care about someone like me? I never thought this could truly happen, and I’m so grateful God allowed this in my life. Now that I’m writing, I finally understand the parts of my life that didn’t make sense before. Writing made me reflect and see the world in a different light. And to be honest, I’ve started to understand God a little better. It’s not easy seeing your characters live out their own free will—because even I, as the writer, can’t fully control them. And yet, He gave all of us that freedom: to think, to love, and to create something entirely our own. Because I get to do what I do, I realize just how deeply God loves me. If you had met me five years ago, I was close to giving up—not just on art, but on life itself. So this letter is really for Him—for the One who made everything possible for me. Now I know that my tears didn’t fall for nothing. And all my hard work will pay off in the end. I hope you, dear reader, find that same truth in your life too. Back to My Diary

JUST RELEASED BOOK 1, SO WHEN IS BOOK 2? That’s exactly what’s happening right at this moment. I just released the first-ever book I’ve finished into the world. It’s overwhelming, and it’s the first time I’ve sat down in a very long time. Today (well, actually yesterday, since it’s 5 a.m. as I write this), I received the great news that my book finally made it to the Google Play Store. I wasn’t sure it would be approved, especially since I also almost applied for Amazon. But after thinking long and hard about whether that was the best route for me, and with the final step just being to hit that submit button, I didn’t give in. I chose the harder path—the one where I wouldn’t have to give the rights to my book to a multimillion-dollar company that doesn’t guarantee visibility or success. I know it could help—they’re successful for a reason. But I had to pause and really take it in. I’m the kind of person who sits down, stares at the blinking cursor on the screen, and takes my time thinking about whether a decision is truly right for me. I was so scared, because Eyes See You is my baby. And I know I’m not the only one who’s had to make this kind of tough call. Some went through with it. Some didn’t. And for that reason, I had to call on the One who knows everything—God. I really wasn’t sure. These kinds of decisions… no one really knows what you’re going through. I come from a humble family. We have nothing to our names. It’s easy to think we’ve got nothing to lose, and that making it in life would be a blessing. But deep in my heart, I knew this book—I wrote it with the same passion I had when I was 10 years old, scribbling stories in my yellow notebook. If that counts, I’ve already written hundreds of short stories. Some of my classmates enjoyed them. Some even gave me five pesos per story. And now I realize—that same little girl is still here, typing this. I know I wouldn’t be happy just earning from my hard work. It helps, sure—but money isn’t everything. So I wouldn’t let it be the reason behind my choices. I want to find the right people who will enjoy my art. Because this story? I birthed it with my pain, my sorrow, and my love for storytelling. I want to inspire younger Christines out there to dream. The truth is—I want to win for them. So they don’t give up.   To be honest, I’m enjoying every second of this dream. Even though not many people have seen my work, just being appreciated for what I’ve done is the best kind of payment I could ever ask for. And if God allows this to succeed, I want to help others write. Because that’s what I did when I had nothing. I just kept talking on the page—even when no one seemed to be listening. But it’s not true. Someone up there always was. I hope whoever reads this receives all the desires of their heart. That they never get lost in the sauce, and that they keep going—especially when the road gets tough. I’m actually crying as I write this, because while I created a fictional story, the real one is right here. And she made it. She did what most people doubt they could ever do. Sorry, I know I’ve been rambling. But now that Book 1 is finally out, maybe you’re wondering… When is Book 2 coming? The answer is: next year. It’s all here in my heart—finished. All that’s left is for me to put it on paper. Like always. To my real-life Juni—I love you. Thank you for inspiring me to write again. Losing you was the most painful thing, but I know if you were here, you’d be the first to proofread everything. This book is for you. See you when the time comes for me too. Love, Christine Back to My Diary