From Deadlines to Sunsets: A Week of Hustle and Heart

Hi guys! Jess is back.

After a long and busy week at school filled with deadlines and project work, I can confidently say it’s been one of the most exhausting yet productive weeks so far. It’s actually been 12 days ago since my last blog, and I wasn’t able to write anything on my laptop lately because I was focused on our system project. I was in charge of designing our interface using the Figma application, and just recently, I also edited our video presentation as we prepared for submission.

This is our Figma design which I created..

Last week, we had a performance task in P.E which is ribbon dance., and juggling that with our responsibilities in Calculus—which is honestly a headache for someone like me who doesn’t love math 😅—was a real challenge. Funny how I tried to stay away from math, but here I am in Computer Science, which is full of problem-solving, logic, and yes… more math!

Let me share some snaps from our project—our main system created using Apache NetBeans IDE for our OOP (Object-Oriented Programming) and HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) subjects. It’s called “Hotel_Ease”, and it’s designed to help users—both online and walk-in—reserve rooms based on their preferred location, date, and of course, payment options.

As of today, we can finally rest and sleep well, knowing that we successfully presented our system. Special thanks to our hardworking leader and to every team member who contributed to making this project a success.

Now, let’s rewind a bit...
Before all the busyness, I had a restful day that reminded me how blessed I truly am. It was April 19, the day before my dad’s birthday, and a Saturday. After Bible study and praise and worship practice, I traveled to Bunhayag for the kids’ class. I wasn’t even done with the class when Nanay Ladia messaged me to come home early—they had a surprise outing planned to Stampa Restaurant, located in the beautiful Cabantian Hills.

Cabantian Hills is such a refreshing place, filled with majestic mountain views and a peaceful atmosphere. It instantly lifted my mood. Thanks to Joesiah Dave’s phone, I was able to snap a few photos—trust me, the scenery is even more breathtaking in person.

We parked at the bottom of the hill and hiked all the way up to the top, where we could watch the sunset. It was me and Nanay at first, soaking in God’s wonderful creation as we began our little adventure.

This is Jireh Luke—he climbed with me up to the second level of the hill. He’s such a cute (and a bit stubborn) kid, but he made me laugh a lot! It reminded me of my own childhood and how little things used to bring so much joy.

While other visitors finished their photo sessions and TikToks (lol), it was finally our turn. I felt like I was glowing—maybe it was the golden hour, or maybe it was just the joy I felt in that moment. My dress stood out beautifully in the light, and I felt stunning!

We had a great time at the viewing deck, taking selfies, cracking jokes, laughing together, and just enjoying the moment.

Nanay Ladia and I also took a selfie, and there's a funny story behind it. I taught her some Gen Z poses, and she tried to copy me—she ended up laughing at herself and her attempts, and we both had a good laugh.

We also took a group picture—my extended family in the Lord. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. These aren’t just friends—they’re people who support me, pray for me, advise me, and encourage me to live a life that pleases God. These memories are truly special and will forever have a place in my heart.

As the sunset faded and the evening approached, we began our descent. I got a selfie with Dave, our multi-talented church drummer, bassist, and singer—praise God for his gifts!

I slowed down during the walk to reflect, appreciate the beauty around me, and just have a moment of peace. It was getting dark, but I couldn’t resist capturing these moments to share with you all.

This are the last passenger of pastor Jose, while going down back to the car

On the way down, Nanay Ladia got tired—her knees ached from the steep descent. Eventually, I was the last one left. Pastor Jose had driven his motorcycle to the top, while the rest of us came by car. He offered to wait for me, but I decided to run the last stretch to the parking area so he wouldn’t need to come back up. And honestly, I enjoyed that brief run—it felt like freedom.

This week reminded me that even in the middle of deadlines, challenges, and exhaustion, there’s always beauty to be found—whether it’s in the people around us, the work we’re passionate about, or the simple joys of nature and fellowship. I may have been tired, but my heart is full. I’m grateful for the opportunities to learn, grow, and create, and even more thankful for the people God has placed in my life to walk this journey with me.

Until next time, keep finding joy in both the hustle and the quiet moments. 💛