There’s a quiet truth that settles into your heart once you become a parent—your child will not always need you the way they do right now. The tiny hands that reach for yours, the eager voices that call your name, the constant demand for your attention—it all feels endless in the moment. But it isn’t.… Continue reading They Won’t Ask Forever
Author: Little Belle's Mama
A mother, wife, and leader, as well as a writer at heart who shares her thoughts and stories through blogging. Before moving to Germany, she spent seven years as a copy editor, where she developed a deep appreciation for clarity, storytelling, and the power of words. She graduated cum laude and was class valedictorian, earning her Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Management Accounting. Passionate about continuous learning, she has also completed an online Data Science course at Harvard, expanding her skills at the intersection of business and technology. A relentless pursuer of growth, she brings the same dedication to her family, career, and creative pursuits, always striving to inspire and make a difference.
Happy Mother’s Day
Today is a day wrapped in warmth, nostalgia, and quiet strength—Mother’s Day. A day where we pause, even for just a few moments, to reflect on what it means to have been raised, nurtured, held, and often saved by the women who carried us into this world or who stood beside us when life tried… Continue reading Happy Mother’s Day
A Scroll Through Wishes
As I scrolled through my Facebook Newsfeed today, I couldn’t help but notice how much of it is now dominated by discussions—heated, hopeful, and sometimes hostile—about the upcoming elections in the Philippines. It’s as if the platform transformed into a public plaza, buzzing with virtual voices of support, criticism, and speculation. Everyone seems to be… Continue reading A Scroll Through Wishes
The Beauty of Money Is in Spending It
There’s something quietly powerful about watching a bill leave your hand and turn into something more—an experience, a memory, a smile. Money, by nature, is meant to move. It’s not just paper or numbers on a screen; it’s a tool, a key that unlocks the parts of life that bring us joy, growth, and comfort.… Continue reading The Beauty of Money Is in Spending It
Discovering the Difference Between a Tagesmutter and Kita in Germany – And Which One I Prefer
Although I had been living in Germany for nearly a decade, it wasn’t until I became a parent that I truly stepped into the world of childcare here. Until then, terms like Tagesmutter and Kita were just background noise—things I’d heard other parents talk about but never had to consider myself. But after giving birth,… Continue reading Discovering the Difference Between a Tagesmutter and Kita in Germany – And Which One I Prefer
A Handprint, a Flower, and a Full Heart: My Third Mother’s Day
This weekend is Mother’s Day, and as I sit here thinking about how fast time is flying, I can hardly believe this is my third one. I still remember my first Mother’s Day so clearly—my daughter was just three months old, all snuggled up, barely holding her head up on her own, but already holding… Continue reading A Handprint, a Flower, and a Full Heart: My Third Mother’s Day
Little Heart, Big Feelings
My daughter is in such a sweet and funny stage right now. She’s starting to show her personality in the most surprising ways. Every day feels like a new discovery with her, and even in the little things, I see so much depth in her feelings and reactions. One of her current phases is this… Continue reading Little Heart, Big Feelings
The Fast-Forward Feeling of Watching Her Grow
From time to time, a colleague or two will ask, “How’s your daughter?” It’s such a simple, kind question, yet every time I’m asked, my answer always seems to carry a heavier weight than it should. I smile and say, “She’s grown so fast,” because it’s the truth—but the whole truth is something I carry… Continue reading The Fast-Forward Feeling of Watching Her Grow
Verification of Payee: The EU’s New Rule That Will Make Payments Safer by 2025
Digital payments are fast, easy, and convenient—but they’re not foolproof. Every year, thousands of people across Europe lose money to fraud or simple banking errors, often because of one tiny detail: the wrong name on a bank account. To solve this, the European Union is rolling out a powerful new regulation: Verification of Payee (VoP).… Continue reading Verification of Payee: The EU’s New Rule That Will Make Payments Safer by 2025
When Chaos Becomes a Choice: The Strange Comfort of Online Conflict
There’s something unsettling about scrolling through Facebook and stumbling upon people who seem to thrive in constant arguments. They’re not just defending their opinions—they’re starting fights. Every post is a battlefield. Every comment is laced with sarcasm, shade, or an outright insult. You wonder: how did it come to this? Why do some people seem… Continue reading When Chaos Becomes a Choice: The Strange Comfort of Online Conflict
Admiring the Fast-Movers: Why I Look Up to People in Physical Jobs
There’s a quiet kind of admiration I carry for people whose jobs require them to move fast, stay alert, and handle multiple things at once with their hands and feet constantly in motion. I’m talking about waiters weaving between tables with trays of hot food, supermarket sorters unloading boxes in rhythm, cashiers scanning and bagging… Continue reading Admiring the Fast-Movers: Why I Look Up to People in Physical Jobs
The Reluctant Learner Who Never Stopped Learning
From the moment I stepped into the first grade, I carried a small but growing responsibility on my shoulders — to do my best, and then even better. It wasn’t a burden anyone forced on me. It came from within. I liked doing well. I liked seeing the stars beside my name, the proud looks… Continue reading The Reluctant Learner Who Never Stopped Learning
Sara Duterte: The President We Never Had—But Hopefully Will Someday
In the last presidential election, many of us had high hopes that Sara Duterte would run for the highest position in the land. As the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, she carried with her the legacy of a strong and often controversial leadership. Her father was known for his firm hand, his no-nonsense approach… Continue reading Sara Duterte: The President We Never Had—But Hopefully Will Someday
Why Collaboration at Work Matters More Than Ever
Imagine a workplace where everyone does their job alone, behind closed doors, without talking to others. There are no brainstorming sessions, no group discussions, and no shared feedback. Everyone is focused only on their own tasks. While this might seem efficient at first, the truth is that such isolation often leads to limited ideas, repeated… Continue reading Why Collaboration at Work Matters More Than Ever
When It Feels Heavy, Count Your Blessings
Life doesn’t always go the way we plan. There are times when the weight of everything you’re hoping for seems too much to carry. You try, you wait, you push, but things don’t happen the way you imagined. It might be your career not taking off the way you thought it would, or your personal… Continue reading When It Feels Heavy, Count Your Blessings
The Quiet Power of the People Around Us
We don’t always notice it happening. It’s subtle, slow, and often goes unspoken. But the people we spend time with—their energy, their behavior, their outlook—start to shape us. Not because we’re weak-minded or lack a sense of self. Not because we’re trying to copy anyone. Simply because we’re human. And being human means we are… Continue reading The Quiet Power of the People Around Us
What If “The President Is Missing” Actually Happened? A Cyberattack, a Blackout, and the Quiet Collapse
I read The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton a few weeks after it was released, and honestly, it left my mind spinning. It’s one of those political thrillers that you race through because it feels like it’s building toward something huge. The story is gripping, sure—it has a U.S. president, high-stakes… Continue reading What If “The President Is Missing” Actually Happened? A Cyberattack, a Blackout, and the Quiet Collapse
A Flower Doesn’t Compete. It Just Blooms
Have you ever stopped to really look at flowers? I don’t mean glancing at them on your way to work or noticing a bouquet in a vase. I mean actually observing them—how each one opens in its own time, stretches toward the light, and stands tall, not to outshine the others, but simply to be… Continue reading A Flower Doesn’t Compete. It Just Blooms
The Shocking Cost of Getting a Driver’s License in Germany Today
Getting a driver’s license in Germany used to be a rite of passage—something young people looked forward to, a step toward independence. Today, it feels more like an expensive luxury. The costs have risen so sharply that many now delay or even give up on the idea altogether. It’s no longer just about learning how… Continue reading The Shocking Cost of Getting a Driver’s License in Germany Today
Today We Celebrate Us: A Real Labor Day Thank You
Today is Labor Day, and I just want to take a moment to say something real—to you, and honestly, to myself too. Because I’m not just writing this as someone observing from the sidelines. I’m part of the grind, part of the long days, the late nights, the problem-solving, the showing up when it’s hard.… Continue reading Today We Celebrate Us: A Real Labor Day Thank You
Why You’re Not Getting Promoted, and What to Do About It
Let’s talk honestly, the way we would over coffee or tea, no fluff, no sugarcoating. You want a promotion. You’ve been showing up, getting your work done, and keeping everything running smoothly. You’re doing what’s asked of you, maybe even a bit more on good days. So why are you still in the same place,… Continue reading Why You’re Not Getting Promoted, and What to Do About It
20 Pesos a Kilo Rice: A Clear Sign of Desperation
Lately, I can’t help but notice how desperate the Philippine government looks with this sudden move to offer rice at 20 pesos per kilo, just a few weeks before the May elections. Strangely, it’s not a nationwide offer. It’s only happening in Visayas, where it seems like they’re struggling to gain support. You don’t have… Continue reading 20 Pesos a Kilo Rice: A Clear Sign of Desperation
The Excitement and Challenges of the Upcoming Elections in the Philippines
The Philippines is once again entering a very important time: election season. This May, millions of Filipinos will go out to vote in both local and national elections. It’s a moment that brings so much energy, hope, and sometimes even fear across the country. Elections in the Philippines are never boring. They are colorful, emotional,… Continue reading The Excitement and Challenges of the Upcoming Elections in the Philippines
Nikki Reed: A Beautiful Spirit Beyond the Screen
When I first saw Nikki Reed, it was in the Twilight movies. She played Rosalie Hale, the striking, mysterious vampire who always seemed a little distant. At the time, I didn’t pay much attention to her character. Like many others, I was more caught up in the world of Bella, Jacob, and Alice. Their stories were at the center, and my focus naturally followed them. Rosalie was just another piece of the puzzle, not someone I looked deeper into back then. But life has a funny way of revealing people’s true beauty over time….
Sending Former President Duterte to The Hague Backfired: A Lesson in Respecting Sovereignty
After reading about the birthday celebration of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, or PRRD as many call him, I couldn’t help but reflect on the whole situation. Seeing how people gathered outside his detention center, bringing food, music, and smiles, turning it into almost a picnic rally, made something very clear: sending him to… Continue reading Sending Former President Duterte to The Hague Backfired: A Lesson in Respecting Sovereignty
After the Vancouver Attack: The World Feels Scarier Than Ever
Reading about what happened in Vancouver truly breaks my heart. Nine lives lost, just like that, because someone decided to drive a car into a crowd during a festival. A moment that should have been full of happiness, laughter, music, and memories instead turned into tragedy, pain, and tears. How does something like this even… Continue reading After the Vancouver Attack: The World Feels Scarier Than Ever
Meghan Markle: Standing Strong Through Scrutiny
There are some people in the public eye who you just can’t help but feel for, and Meghan Markle (Meghan, Duchess of Sussex) is definitely one of them. Watching her journey from an actress to a member of the British royal family has been like watching someone walk a tightrope in front of a crowd… Continue reading Meghan Markle: Standing Strong Through Scrutiny
One of the Teachers I’ll Always Remember: Ma’am Bariwa
When I think about the many teachers I’ve had in my life, one name always stands out, even after all these years—Mrs. Tessie Bariwa, or as we all knew her, Ma’am Bariwa. She was my very first teacher in Grade 1, and even though it has been decades since those early school days, her memory… Continue reading One of the Teachers I’ll Always Remember: Ma’am Bariwa
Remembering Pope Francis: A Soul of Humility and Hope
Today, with a heavy heart, I find myself reflecting on the life and passing of Pope Francis. The news of his death has traveled across the world like a wave of sorrow, touching the hearts of millions who admired, respected, and loved him deeply. He was not just a religious leader; he was a true… Continue reading Remembering Pope Francis: A Soul of Humility and Hope
Intermittent Fasting: A Simple, Smart Way to Get Back on Track
Intermittent fasting isn’t really a diet. It’s more like a pattern of eating. Instead of focusing on what you eat, it’s about when you eat. You choose certain hours of the day or specific days of the week where you don’t eat at all—or just eat very little—and during the rest of the time, you… Continue reading Intermittent Fasting: A Simple, Smart Way to Get Back on Track
