Officially Mrs. Covarrubias!

This blog is my diary. So, let it be that way even though there is Facebook or Instagram. I chose the first platform, which is my blog! I posted last year on December 7th that I was engaged, and then two days later, after I announced that good news, my dad passed away. Then, things were not going so well, and the plan to get married in June 2025 was not a priority anymore. However, God works in mysterious ways. 

We proceed with our church wedding on June 28th, 2025, at St Patrick's Church, Madison. I am officially Mrs. Covarrubias! Woooot!! Thank you, Lord, for giving us so much hope and blessing us with all the good people around us who help us make our wedding happen. My dear families, in-laws, and friends from both continents —Malaysia and America —thank you so much! I LOVE all of you so much! 

To my dear, lovely husband, we have been on our journey as husband and wife for almost four months now. When we decided to choose this path, we knew for sure that our distance would become one of our challenges. However, God keep giving us strength and courage to face this with trust and faith in each other. Let's keep moving forward with faith, and one day, we will be united and serving God as a little family. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, hear our prayers! 

Travel: Pulong Tau National Park (Day 2)

My first site assessment begins today. I need to find a suitable place inside the park or adjacent to the park boundary. It is a bit challenging for me because I need to make sure this site is close (~5m) to any water sources, and flat area.  

The first site that I went is a rocky stream near one of the villager’s farm. It is a nice place because of the accessibility and it has open and falt area. However, it is near the farm and the rocky stream has one side intact forest and the other side is this villager’s farm. So, it is a disturbed areas. One of the main concerns is the safety of the weather station which I will establish. While we were there, i got a chance to look around the farm. Uncle Lian grow a lot of fruit trees and vegetables. 

Capturing memories under the fruiting ‘jambu air’. 

On the way back, we saw a snake on the branch. I thought it was a vine but, as I walk closer and saw the head, only then I recognised it was a snake. 

Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina)

Around 3pm, I went to conduct a site assessment at a different location. This time, I went with three young and energetic Wildlife Guardian Ranger (WGR). Oh my! They walked so fast and I keep on reminding them that they need to wait for me. I walked very slow due to my lack of fitness.

With Luis, Lian, and Gideon.

These is a few of our observations along the trail and when we did an hour and half of frogging. 

White-lipped Stream Frog (Hylarana megalonesa) ?????
I am not 100% confident with my identification.

Nishikawa’s Large-eyed Litter Frog
(Leptobrachium kantonishikawai)

Moses

It was a good experienced today although I think my left feet doing its thing again. I do hope it will not get worse tomorrow. I also get bitten by three leeches. 

Will continue my site assessment again tomorrow. Till then!

Travel: Pulong Tau National Park (Day 1)

 *Disclaimer: Note that my writing in this blog will have a lot of grammatical error because I have decided not to use any apps to assist me here. This is purely just the level of my English at this point of time. I wish to keepo improve my writing skills as I write here. 

Photo source: ITTO Project Document

I am going to Pulong Tau National Park for seven days and I am excited. I am thrilled to discover what new adventure awaits me at this new place. I never been to this park and not even Bario - the Kelabit Highlands - which is a famous tourist destination in Sarawak. I want to see the people, the place, and of course what animals and plants are living in this most interior parts of Sarawak. 

This trip is for one of the project that I manage at my work. This project gave me a chance to explore at least three new Sarawak’s Totally Protected Areas: Pulong Tau NP, Maludam NP, and Tun Ahmad Zaidi Nature Reserve. 

Today, I will fly to Bario via Miri and will transit Marudi. I fly from Kuching yesterday afternoon and overnight in Miri. I missed direct flight at noon because it was sold out so quickly. But, I am glad that I could get one so I can proceed with my trip. I am blessed to have my friend Fen this time because I have no idea how to plan trip rto this park. She helps me a lot with my arrangements especially with logistics. She have been working in this park for almost two years now. She knows every corner of the are. So, I learned a lot and can visualize a little bit how the areas looks like. 

I am writing this entry while waiting for my flight to Marudi and then Bario later. I am going onboard now. I will update again once I get my internet connections. Wish me luck and pray that my trip will be smooth and all is well. Till; then! 

My Reflection ~ Sign of God’s Love

This is my third week teaching Sunday School at my parish. I am glad that I really looking forward and put my heart in it this time. I used to assist the main teacher in a different parish a few years back but I always feel burdened. I always have excuses for not be able to help the formation ministries in that church. 

Today, is the first week of Lent and my nine years old students seems to be excited to be in the class. I have commited a mortal sins that I could not confess but as I teach my class today, I was touched to see the respond from my pure and naive young students. When I asked them to give me an answer to this question, “If i caught in a fire, I would………” they gave different answers. However, one of my student (let give him name Arthur), answered me with this answer…. “…I would pray to God that He will send people to help me and my family…” At the age of nine, he know who Jesus is and he have a very special relationship with Jesus. The first thing he remember is GOD. How beautiful to see this pure soul giving this answer. 

After my class, I was in dillema whether to attend the Eucharistic mass at 11.30am or just go back home and finish my packing. I need to catch a flight at 4pm, and I need to be at the airport at least by 2.45pm so I will have ample time to check in my bags. However, I decided to stay and attend the mass. I missed receiving the Eucharist, so I determined to go and confess my sin today if the confession room is open. I keep on checking if the light at that room is lit. God always makes Himself available. The priest came and ready to hear our confessions. Without thinking twice, I went. It was a beautiful confession and I feel my burdened, my worries, my stress is lifted up. He loved me so much and He has been waiting for me to repent and be in relationship with Him again. 

When I do my penance and then receiving the body of Christ during the liturgy, I know for sure, God use that boy to be His instruments and open my heart to go for a confession. God loves us so much and He will never abandoned His children alone. 

Thank you, Lord for today. I hope you also received God’s abundant love and blessings today! Happy Lenten Season! 

A Way Out from the Misery Feeling

Photo Credit to Google Image Search

There are moments when the weight of everything feels unbearable—my family, my job, my entire life. I'm exhausted, and the constant stress and drama swirling around me make it hard to breathe. Recently, I've hit some of the lowest lows I've ever experienced. Yet, I know this isn't a new feeling for me; I've grappled with these shadows before.

After returning from grad school, I began to feel a sense of healing thanks to the therapy I received while I was there. But just two months back home, and once again, the familiar triggers that send me spiraling have come knocking at my door. One particularly tough trigger? The narcissistic personalities at my workplace. I don't think I'm mentally prepared to face them again when I return. I still vividly recall how warm and inviting they were on my first day, and I unwittingly fell for their façade of 'kindness' and 'support.' Looking back, I realize it was a clever trap meant to catch me off guard.

Reflecting on my current state, I've noticed some missing crucial elements that contribute to my despair. That's when I dove into research about narcissistic and toxic bosses, convinced that these behaviors explained the turmoil I was experiencing. I stumbled upon an insightful YouTube channel by Dr. Ramani, a psychologist who specializes in narcissistic personality disorders. Her discussions about workplace dynamics resonated with me deeply, igniting a spark of hope that I could navigate this darkness once more. I've faced tough battles before and know I can emerge stronger again.

In my search for guidance, I came across an eye-opening article by Adrienne Kmetz on beenremote.com titled "10 Ways to Know You're Working for a Narcissist (and How to Handle It)." Among her valuable insights, I want to highlight six pivotal tips that can make all the difference when dealing with such toxic environments. Reading these suggestions struck a chord with me, and I realized with a pang that I could have approached my situation differently. My reactions in the heat of the moment were far too emotional, and I allowed myself to sink into self-pity.

So, here are the six tips to keep in mind if you find yourself in a similar situation. For a more in-depth look, I highly recommend checking out Adrienne's article:

1. Try not to ruminate
2. Set boundaries
3. Focus on your own well-being
4. Document everything
5. Find a mentor or support system
6. Consider leaving

These strategies may just be the key to reclaiming my sanity and stability amidst the chaos.