I was thinking the other day whether I could put transoms on top of my kitchen cabinets to let in more light. Then a thought struck me: of course I can! I don’t need anybody’s permission. That thought takes a lot of getting used to after living in houses/apartments that were not mine for 20+ years.

✅ I plan to install another wall fan in the dining area. No one is going to scold me for drilling holes on the wall. My wall.

✅ Put fairy lights on the trees. My trees.

✅ Plant the yellow bell near the base of my staircase because it’s no longer flowering. No one will tell me “no.”

❓ As my high school classmate told me last week, I could put a hot tub downstairs, which I initially thought of when I was sketching the layout of this house. But I said, nah, it’s hard to keep it clean.

✅ Less anxiety when it comes to parking.

Twin A asked me earlier today if I miss our apartment. I said no. Why, she asked. Because that apartment is always dirty, it’s old, and it has a small bathroom. The parking situation is a nightmare to boot.

Bad memories, too, I wanted to add.

I also told my girls I don’t miss the horrible traffic.

Just look at this exodus below. People had been driving for four hours or more just to escape Metro Manila for the long weekend and the upcoming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Nope, I’m staying put. No one can drag me to drive along SLEX today or any other day this week.