We went to UP Town Center today to check out some craft stores and books. I held myself from buying more books because I still have dozens at home that I have yet to finish. I just checked out some titles that I had put in my mental checklist of “things I will buy next time when I stop being a tsundoku.”

I was looking for more Diane Wynn Jones but none came up. I think I have completed her titles.

Since the girls were given birthday money by their aunt, Twin A was able to buy a manga that she liked.

I remember when I was growing up, we had a Booksale branch just outside the university campus. I bought books there every week whenever I received my allowance. I had many joyful afternoons spent there, rummaging through used books and seldom did I come out of there empty-handed.

My SIL told me that the franchise holder for the lone Bookesale branch in our town already moved to another town so they had to close the shop. I told her that one day when I decide to slow down, I will get a franchise from Booksale and open a branch with a coffee shop. I need to buy real estate though, because rent is expensive in the same area where the first Booksale was located. I don’t want to be a slave to landlords anymore.

SIL said it’s also her dream to run a bookstore and she will partner with me if I do decide to do that.

I just need to build up my savings again and generate enough capital for that bookstore venture. My plan to have a small house in Anilao would have to be pushed back further.

I love books and it has been my secret dream as a teenager to open up a bookstore so I can read all the books I want while still running a business. It will not generate much income but it’s something that I can do on the side while doing something else that earns me enough to live on. It didn’t occur to me at that time that the complementary activity to that is being a writer and deriving my main income from writing could be possible.

See? I may not live a high life but things like these bring me joy and contentment. Only a few people are lucky enough to be able to live comfortably on an income of a writer. I shouldn’t lose sight of that and shouldn’t be distracted by the noise that pushed me to look for alternative careers because I need to prove that I’m successful and had to keep up with the Joneses or with superficial people that I had once been with.

This sums up my fantasy business: books, art, and a coffeeshop where artists and writers can hang out, where ideas are exchanged. Just like the European salons of the past where artists and intellectuals usually hung out. Where art exhibits and poetry reading can be held. Where musicians can play acoustic sets if they want to.

But dreams do come true, right?

If I put my mind to it, I can make it happen ❤️