I’d like to think in the end it’s “Us” by Nina Liza

I imagine that we have built the house of our dreams, it has the front yard and backyard. We have three kids and a dog. The kitchen is all pink because I asked for it. The living room is all white, and we have this big white couch that is kind of a nuisance, since the kids stay in it so much and they make it dirty. We have a wall of books, with picture frames of exotic places and happy faces. Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and birthdays are immortalized with vases of Lego flowers because I do not accept fresh flowers and dried. 

In the Summers we have barbecues in the backyard and we will invite family and friends over and talk about life, while our kids run around and play with the other kids. Our Christmases have this big tree in the middle of our living room with tons of gifts under it. And when we’re older, our kids will still visit us every summer and Christmas. Because we have made them that way, they will bring the grandkids and the husbands and wives. And we will laugh with each other because we know we have made it. We will think to ourselves that this is the life that we have been dreaming of when we were younger. when we knew nothing about life or love. I hope that someday all of this will become our reality, and that you will be my endgame.

Orange Shorts by: Nina Liza

When I was a teenager I had these bright orange shorts, not neon, but it was bright

There was nothing special about the shorts, but it fit me really good

It even had a little hole at the back that I fixed with a dark orange thread

I used that short every chance I get, after every wash, that’s how much I like it

My favorite outfit combo is a dark blue Looney Tunes T-shirt and that orange shorts

I don’t feel particularly pretty in that outfit, but I feel very comfortable in it

I am so sure of that outfit, I can go out in it and I can certainly stay at home in it

Now, I don’t know where that shorts is, but I’m sure it doesn’t fit me anymore

Now, at nearly 28, I am wondering where the hell those shorts are

I am definitely wondering if they are giving someone the same comfort it gave me

If the bright orange has faded or if it is still as bright as the day I first got it

Well, these are just questions I thought of on a random Thursday

January 5th by: Nina Liza

Today is January 5th, 2026

I just got off FaceTime with my nephew

Before our call, I talked to my landlady

I paid her my rent and utilities for the month

Over my 4 years of stay in my apartment

We have bonded over sharing stories

And talking about public affairs

She shared, if she knew then what she knew now,

She will not get married, she will not have children

And she will spend all her life earnings 

Traveling the world and creating memories

And she will not regret one bit of it

I have been sitting with her words - pondering

I am approaching my 28th year in this world

I am unmarried, I do not have any children

I am in my 4th year of law school

I have a good job that pays well and

I have travelled to some parts of the world

In contrast, I am living the life she yearns for

And she is right, if she had my life 

She will not regret one bit of it, because I do not

Sure, there are tons of bad decisions 

I have made along the way, but it is part of life

Those decisions helped me understand “me”

However, the Universe has a funny way

Of showing us our path and where we end up

Maybe if she knew then what she knew now

And she had my life, she will resent it too

Hyper-independence is exhausting

And can eventually drive you to burnout

Maybe if she had my life, she will wish to get married

Have children, then grandchildren, and then more

I sure do, I wish that for myself, so badly

Maybe because I have pondered over what she said

I want the domesticated life, a husband who loves me

And the cute, adorable children running around

Life is messy, complicated and cruel

But it is yours, it is yours to do as you please

You can wish for things or work hard for it

Then imagine scenarios that fits your vision

Curate the life you want, one pink plate at a time

Schedule flights to places you have only seen on TV

Eat the food you can barely even pronounce

Sunbathe in the equator without sunscreen

Ice bath in the arctic with the polar bears

Learn to play a musical instrument in your 30s

Learn a new language or learn sign language

You have to understand, communication is a love language

Now, whatever you do with your life

Do yourself a favor and make sure 

It is something that your older self

Will definitely thank you for…