Drinks – Page 2 – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

10-Minute Warning CXCII

What can I write here in under ten minutes?

Let me just list down what happened today:

Lately, I have been drinking FRESH POTS every morning. Again. Today is no exception. 2010 Dewey is screaming with joy.
I recited Steiner Math at home. Again. HOLLA IF YA HEAR ME!!!
I walked from my mall of choice to the nearest hospital. That’s 1 km.
I walked from the hospital lobby to the 12th floor through the emergency stairway to buy my dermatologist’s medicine.
After going down to the hospital lobby via elevator, I walked from there to the mall. That’s another 1 km.
I met with my Mother, my cousin May, and my Tita Maggie, and we had a lovely merienda at Paul. I ordered a tartine salmon, and paired it with a refreshing glass of mango juice. It was excellent! I’d order a tartine salmon from Paul again.
I walked around the mall to cool down further. I almost tried a different cafe that also serves affogato.
I was mocked by a group of people because of my face. I know because when I passed by them, I heard them saying, “Pogi ang pananamit, pero ang pangit ng mukha.” (The style is nice, but the face is ugly.) I’m aware that I don’t have the face of a matinee idol. In fact, I have been insecure about my looks for a long time, and their mocking didn’t help at all. I was really hurt. Thanks for that.
To calm myself, reset, and feel better, I dropped by my favorite cafe again, and I had a hot Earl Grey tea. This time, I only stayed for around ten minutes. I already did my Monday ritual anyway, so I’m good with a quick cup of tea.
I went home with my parents and my cousin May.
And now I’m writing this post.

Oops. My ten minutes are up. See you in the next post.

A part of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2025).

Header image: Edward Eyer of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Song of the Moment CII: Piano Project’s “Hurt” (A Johnny Cash/Nine Inch Nails Cover)

Last November 19, at night, after enjoying a refreshingly hot Earl Grey tea while sitting in Oversight, I walked around the nearby business district, and I saw all the buildings and lamp posts decorated with Christmas lights. For the first time in years, I felt the Christmas spirit early. It must be because I have had a long streak of happy moments lately, and seeing those bright Christmas decorations and feeling the holiday cheer early is another win for me. At that moment, I felt like I had won 21 straight wins at WrestleMania like The Undertaker did.

Then, as I continued walking, I decided to listen to something I discovered on Spotify two weeks ago: Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt” (Johnny Cash’s cover of the Nine Inch Nails song).

Side note: Two mentions of the word “cover” in one sentence. Damn.

Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt”.

Anyway, I may have had many happy memories lately, but I admit there are still a few demons and ghosts left. But I decided to listen to the hauntingly beautiful piano cover of “Hurt” during my late-night stroll, not out of pain; I need to listen to “Hurt” to be calm and grounded.

I have experienced so many joyful moments lately, and it’s been a total pleasure looking back at them… but I don’t want to get stuck on cloud nine. If I do that, I might lose sight of reality, and if that happens, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goals (long-term or short-term, present and future) and create more happy moments. Thanks to Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt”, that calmness was achieved, and I feel grounded on earth again. I walked around the district with “Hurt” on repeat, clearer eyes, a refueled soul, and a gleeful heart, and then I ended the hour of wandering with these words:

Onto the next mission.

And that is why Piano Project’s cover of Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt” is my Song of the Moment.

See you in the next post.

A part of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2025).

Header image: Jonathan Meyer of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Updated on November 25, 2025.

The Recently II

I have been working on a new Listen post dedicated to a new favorite song (clue: it’s a new Foo Fighters song), but I’m setting that love letter aside momentarily. Why? I’m also mentally preparing for the Seoul trip with my family. Sure, the essentials have been assembled, and my flight attire is ready. But recently (I mean, tonight), I need to psych myself up for the upcoming trip through music, and that means a lot of K-pop.

Oh, yes… that’s a clue to what I listened to recently. With that, I kick off the second edition of The Recently (the newest blog series on The Diary), where I share what things I did recently (e.g., what I listened to, what I read).

Anyway, are you ready?