My Sick Leave Saga: Still Healing
The past two weeks have been a blur – medically, mentally, and occasionally, very strangely. It started with blood work on Tuesday (April 22). Now, let me tell you – this is never a simple thing for me. I’m that…
Jaz Beyond Teaching
Simplicity in Learning, Living, and Exploring
Jaz Beyond Teaching
Simplicity in Learning, Living, and Exploring
Expat Life & Travels
Journey with me as I navigate life as an expat, from cultural discoveries to the ups and downs of living abroad. This section covers personal travel stories, the unique experiences of adapting to new countries, and insights into global living and the unexpected adventures along the way.
April Featured Person: Gill Concha
I first met Gill Concha over two decades ago, back in 2002, when we were both teachers at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Manila for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remember him as someone who…
My Sick Leave Saga: Still in Between
This week started off with a lot of hope and preparation. I had an important government appointment early in the week, and while everything went relatively okay, something about the whole experience completely threw me off. I left feeling drained,…
My Sick Leave Saga: Between Stillness and Restlessness
Another week down. Time moves weird when you’re healing. It’s not quite fast, not quite slow. Just stretchy – like chewing gum that’s lost its flavor but won’t let go. I’m still home, still recovering from this back injury that…
My Sick Leave Saga: Staying Productive (even with a back injury)
Let’s talk about one of those days that literally knocks you off your feet. Last, last Friday (28.03) at work, in the afternoon – about an hour before my shift was supposed to end – I was helping out in…
March Featured Person: Maila Rito
I first met Maila, or Mai as most people call her, 15 years ago when I was teaching in Thailand. At the time, she was an afterschool teacher at another school. Even then, her passion for education and her desire…
Mein Deutsch ist kaputt! Real Struggle of Learning German
Learning German has been quite an adventure, to say the least. Back in early 2019, while still in the UAE, I was planning to find a job in Germany. Many schools required at least a B1 certification, so I looked…
A battle of cough, confusion, and essential oils
Winter in Germany isn’t over yet, and neither is the battle against cold-season illnesses! The lingering chilly weather has been the perfect setup for my never-ending flu, fever, and – worst of all – this incredibly stubborn cough that just…
February Featured Person: Mila Castro Blasco
I met Sister Mila in the same place where I met our last month’s featured person, Sister Ces. They were in the same ward, and I was assigned there as a missionary. At that time, she was still single and…
January Featured Person: Ces Marvilla Anama
When I first met Sister Cecille – Ces, as she’s known by most – it was back in the San Nicolas Ward in the Ilocos Norte region, Philippines. I was just starting my mission in the area, and I quickly…