Hello there. I am Jan. Maybe you’re wondering about this phrase “sa labas ng mandaluyong.” Literally, it means outside of Mandaluyong – a city within MetroManila, Philippines. Among the landmarks in Mandaluyong is its mental institution. I do not live in Mandaluyong nor had I been an inmate of this hospital. So far.
Or maybe I should. Well, I sometimes I entertain this notion of escaping the clutches of men in white toting the straitjacket. This no doubt tickles me no end. Simply because I have not gone completely bonkers after all despite being driven up the wall so many times.
Quitting and Muddling Through
Because I have a couple of vices I need to toss overboard. Heading that list is to quit smoking. This addiction has bedeviled me since college. If there’s one milestone I want to achieve in life it’s this: that I have licked my nicotine addiction. Nothing beats rising above your weaknesses, and in no small measure gain a mastery of your life.
I had vowed to my mother I’d quit smoking years ago. She had been dead a couple of years and I still have not honored my promise. My significant other had given up on urging me to kick the habit. Even my sweet dog scampers away whenever I light up, sneezing on its way to safety. It’s not too late to win back my dog’s wavering affection then.
And this is only one area in life I need straightening out. Other issues hound me. But you might run away and leave me talking to myself. So I will bide my time and not scare you too much. Promise.
Starting Over
So this is my chronicle then of my attempts at bettering my life. It’s for the best I share my efforts at self-improvement with you. The good thing is you can always chime in and tell your story. Anytime. It’s most welcome. So we can draw strength from our conversations. And any grand schemes we can cook up. And finally lose those pesky voices in our head. My head rather. Hahaha.
