INTRODUCTION POST: A FRESH START ABOUT MYSELF AS A STUDENT AND ADOLESCENT

Hi there! I am Mary Joyce Trinidad, but you can also call me MJ (for short).
Welcome to my little space where I share my personal stories, life moments, and everything in between such as my hobbies in life. Even cooking because I love to cook and I hope you find comfort, connection, and maybe even a little inspiration here.

I’m 19 years old and I live in the Philippines, here in the Visayas region, specifically in Cebu City, in the province of Toledo City.

Throughout my 19 years of life, I have gained valuable lessons through both achievements and mistakes. Like everyone else, I am not perfect, but I believe every experience contributes to personal growth.

I’m now in my second year of college, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Yes, I’m proud to say...I’m a future Hotelier!

Some people think this course is simple, often saying, “It’s just about cooking” However, what most people do not realize is that this field presents real challenges. It can be both financially demanding and emotionally overwhelming at times. Despite the struggles, I choose to keep moving forward. I believe that when you have already started something, it is always worth continuing. After all, why waste the effort already made? Try and try until you succeed.

I’ve come to realize that when you start to truly appreciate and love your chosen course, it naturally inspires you to keep going every day. And honestly, this isn’t just about Hospitality Management it applies to every course.There is no such thing as an easy path. Each course comes with its own set of challenges, struggles, and sacrifices.
That’s how life is, it’s a continuous process. I’m still discovering where my path will take me, but for now, I’ll keep moving forward, step by step.

Cooking is something I truly enjoy, especially when it comes to my favorite dishes like chicken and pork sisig. It’s my comfort food whenever I’m feeling down, and I find joy in preparing meals for my loved ones. Cooking for them is one of the ways I express love, and nothing makes me happier than seeing them enjoy the food I make. Their satisfaction is more than enough for me.
Besides cooking, I’m also passionate about badminton, it's my top sport. I got the chance to play during the 2024 TAPS tournament in our area, where both public and private schools compete. I may not be a professional player, but I’ve genuinely grown to love the game, and it has become one of my favorite ways to stay active.
When it comes to friendships, I live by a simple rule: if you’re kind to me, I’ll be kind to you. I used to be very friendly, but as I’ve matured, I’ve become more selective. Now, I only consider someone a friend if they treat me the same way. I believe that having fewer friends means fewer problems, but still—I’m always ready to help whenever someone needs me, as long as they’ve treated me with respect and kindness.

I come from a family of six children, with four brothers and two sisters, including myself. I am the fifth child, making me the second to the youngest. My life journey has been filled with various challenges and memorable moments, some joyful, others painful. From a young age, I have been financially independent. Even as a student, I was already managing my own finances, thanks to my grandmother, who taught me the importance of saving. Because of her guidance, I was able to buy things I wanted. Such as toys without relying on my parents.

Way back in my childhood or when I was still young,
I lived with a family that used to be happy. There wasn’t that much love, but it was still enjoyable because I had cousins who were the same age as me.
Though life wasn’t perfect, at least my childhood memories were really good.
Sometimes, I think about going back to those days when life was just all about playing.

Here I am now, with a smaller circle of friends and only a few relatives who genuinely show they care, just the ones who treat me kindly.
Even so, I’m content with the life I have today.
and still continuing studies.

I'm grateful for the Canva app because it helped enhance and improve
the pictures I uploaded here.

and I was onboarded by @antonette We met through Facebook and she oriented me on how Hive works. The reason I joined Hive is because I want to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. I'm not really a fan of sharing and expressing myself online, but I really want to try it so I can gain knowledge and learn more about it.
Using AI is strictly monitored here, but it’s actually easy if you’re truly expressing yourself and not just relying on AI.
I'm really excited to start as a newbie, I'm willing to learn more about Hive and I’m looking forward to my journey here and to posting more about my hobbies in life.
I’m truly thankful to those who read until the end.