“Everything has a rhythm. You can’t go too fast or too slow; otherwise, you’ll just end up getting lost and plucking the strings randomly. It needs to be just right… like with everything else.”

~Freesia Lockheart, Like Yesterday

There were no words to describe the feeling I felt when I first heard that my book was first seen at the MIBF event last September 16, 2015 (courtesy of Mira). Hands shaking? Check. Unbreakable smile on face? Check. Blank thoughts? Check. There were so many feelings rushing inside me and it was hard to sum it up in a word or two, even in a paragraph. So I let it be. I let my mind take in the fact that an ultimate dream of mine had been fulfilled.

But for the most part, I would tell you that I was happy. Like, very, very, very happy.

And the cover design is yellow. It’s my favorite color ever since. So imagine what I felt when I saw that the book was all yellow. That alone could make my whole year. And the cover? One word: perfect. Let’s all thank Xander Ramos for that one.

The story behind the creation of Like Yesterday was mostly comprised of two things: Soul Surfer (the film) and Like Yesterday (a song by Colbie Caillat). I got inspired after watching this beautiful film stated above. Aside from the story itself, the setting and the portrayal of Bethany Hamilton (okay, so now you know where I got the surname) by AnnaSophia Robb got my attention. It sparked something in my head. That certain snap of fingers moment.

Also, back then, I was creating stories based on the feeling I felt after continuously listening to particular songs that caught my attention. It was as if creating music videos in your head. The first one was “This Heart of Mine”, which was uploaded on my old account on Wattpad (freesialockheart). It was inspired by the song of the same name by Jason Castro. After that, I created “My Kind of Perfect”, which was inspired by a David Archuleta song of the same name. Like Yesterday was the last one I did. This time, I uploaded it on a new account (crossroad). And the rest was history.  :)

Haha! Kidding. I’m going to tell you more. You don’t see me blogging that often, so I’m going to share more.

Why did I make a new account? Every now and then, I will encounter this question. The real reason was that I wanted to have a breather, and I was in the middle of a crossroad in life, literally. I particularly used crossroad instead of crossroads because I didn’t want to feel ‘plural’.  :D LOL. So anyway, yes, I was struggling with myself. There were so many things I didn’t know. And when my stories in my freesialockheart account started to gain attention, people started to notice my lack of knowledge about proper grammar and all that. The rubbing started to get to me. I will quote a lyric from the song Mean by Taylor Swift:

This was exactly how I felt. I knew all my flaws. I still do. I still know where I’m lacking and what I have to improve and all the things I still have to learn. And I think everyone else does. So why purposely make others feel bad just to make your point? Drama and all, I made a new account so that I could have a breather and start again. I never predicted that this new start would be the turning point of my life. ^^’

My readers from back then (we’re talking 2011 to 2012 here), they knew my every struggle. They’ve watched me grow up. And like they said after I finished Glass Sneakers early this year, they couldn’t be more proud. I still cry when I read their heartfelt messages to me. I’m so thankful that they never left my side. Instead, they taught me things that I didn’t know, they cheered me on, and they believed in me. A simple word of encouragement could be the key to why someone never gives up. And these little things, they’re the ones I remember the most. They’re the ones I will be always grateful for.

About the life crossroad I was talking about, it was a decision I had to make. I had to choose whether I should go on and pursue my writing dreams or have a career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist. I’m actually a graduate of BS in Medical Technology. It’s an allied health profession that mostly deals with the analysis of body fluids and tissues. Yes, we’re the geeks in the laboratories (microscope and complicated machines and all). We do all the laboratory tests ordered by doctors. :) But we don’t bite. We use needles. XD

Talk about how what I dreamed to be and what I’d finished in college were both on polar ends. They told me that since I wanted to be a writer, I should have taken English or writing-related courses. But nah, I went ahead and took a science-related course. I used to write when I was in high school, but I never thought getting published was actually possible. Oh, how wrong was I! Haha. ❤ Thanks, Summit! ❤ So I went along with what my mom wanted for me at that time. After all, at sixteen, I didn’t actually have that much of a plan on what I was going to do with my life. The best choice was still to listen to my parents. :D

And in case you’re thinking otherwise, I never regretted it. My college life molded me to who I am today. That’s another story. Maybe some other time. Plus, I met some of my greatest friends during my Medtech days. I truly enjoyed my college years. I would never trade it for anything else.

So in the end, I had chosen to pursue my writing dreams. That was the road I’d taken when I stood at that crossroad in my life. Impossible and all, I’d decided that it was never foolish to trust your heart. That it could take you where you belong. I countlessly asked God if this was what He wanted me to do. If I was making the right choice. And in my heart, I knew that He was giving me a go signal. He had a plan. He always do.

And before this night (and this blog post) ends, I want to thank every single one of you who have been my source of inspiration over the years. From my old readers to the newest ones, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You made it possible for this to happen. I’ll never, ever forget your kindness.

There’s still so much more for me to learn. There’s still a lot of stories I wanted to share with all of you. Thanks for sticking around all this while.

Here’s to you!