2016,
I think I'm comfortable enough to write this now...
A couple weeks ago, I finished midterms and took off to Irvine to stay at my friend's place for the weekend. It was Super Bowl weekend. I needed to get away from my life for a little bit and so I packed a weekender bag and left. I've always had this knack for running away. If I feel the need to go, I'll go, even it's just for a day or two. However, my weekend away didn't turn out quite as planned. Instead, I received phone calls and text messages letting me know that my grandmother in the Philippines was in the hospital and in bad condition.
I headed home Sunday to my parents asking me, "Do you want to go to the Philippines? We're buying plane tickets tonight." I didn't even think twice... I said, "Let's go." I remember going two days feeling numb and not knowing how to feel at all. I still had to be responsible and inform my professors and group mates about what was happening. I was going to be gone for two weeks.
Just like that, my family and I started packing. Two days later, my family and I were on a 18 hr flight to the Philippines.
As a person who has a fascination with the sky and loves airports, airplanes, and traveling, I loved the experience. But not for the reason we were going to the Philippines.
We spent our first couple of days reuniting with people and seeing old friends. I was introduced to so much people, I can never feel thankful enough for all the love and support people gave our family.
But when the time came, saying goodbye to my grandmother was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I found comfort knowing my grandmother was in peace. I sought tranquility in writing and spent time with my family to distract my thoughts and feelings.
Seeing the side of my family in the Philippines made me so much more grateful for all the people in my life. I met a bunch of my little cousins I never even knew. I got to see the people who helped raise me through my baby years. I was introduced to people, who I didn't even know were my godparents.
I got to try so much Filipino food and learn new Filipino words. I was even able to carry a conversation with my cousins! WHOO!! I loved when my parents introduced me to their childhood / high school / college friends. I loved when my parents fed me information about all the streets we passed by. I took everything in.
But the one thing I loved most? Spending time with my family. Also, seeing my parents and baby brother happy to spend time with our relatives, filled my heart with so much joy.
Honestly, I hate goodbyes. I hate the finality of it. I just don't like goodbyes. So when it was time to saygoodbye see you later, I cried (duh). It took 15 years for my family to go visit the Philippines. I promised our family and friends, it wouldn't take us another 15 to go back. That a promise I'm going to keep.
I've never taken for granted the blessing it is to be able to live in the US. However, going to the Philippines made me appreciate my "true" Filipino self. I loved the city, the people, the culture, and the language.
I can't wait to go back.
OH! I forgot to mention about my baby! [Confession: I love animals... and I've always wanted a dog.]
The whole time we were in the Philippines, we stayed at my grandparents' house. There were cats and dogs everywhere. However, my aunt's dog had given birth to six babies. I couldn't help myself but play with all the cute baby shih-tzus. Now, I'm mom to this cutie, Pringles (Baby Pri for short). :D
Next week, I take my finals and officially finish my second to last quarter of university. Then, I'm on spring break!! I can't wait to share with all of you how I'll be spending it! 'Till next time!
See You Again, Lola
Hello everyone,I think I'm comfortable enough to write this now...
A couple weeks ago, I finished midterms and took off to Irvine to stay at my friend's place for the weekend. It was Super Bowl weekend. I needed to get away from my life for a little bit and so I packed a weekender bag and left. I've always had this knack for running away. If I feel the need to go, I'll go, even it's just for a day or two. However, my weekend away didn't turn out quite as planned. Instead, I received phone calls and text messages letting me know that my grandmother in the Philippines was in the hospital and in bad condition.
I headed home Sunday to my parents asking me, "Do you want to go to the Philippines? We're buying plane tickets tonight." I didn't even think twice... I said, "Let's go." I remember going two days feeling numb and not knowing how to feel at all. I still had to be responsible and inform my professors and group mates about what was happening. I was going to be gone for two weeks.
Just like that, my family and I started packing. Two days later, my family and I were on a 18 hr flight to the Philippines.
As a person who has a fascination with the sky and loves airports, airplanes, and traveling, I loved the experience. But not for the reason we were going to the Philippines.
We spent our first couple of days reuniting with people and seeing old friends. I was introduced to so much people, I can never feel thankful enough for all the love and support people gave our family.
Seeing the side of my family in the Philippines made me so much more grateful for all the people in my life. I met a bunch of my little cousins I never even knew. I got to see the people who helped raise me through my baby years. I was introduced to people, who I didn't even know were my godparents.
I got to try so much Filipino food and learn new Filipino words. I was even able to carry a conversation with my cousins! WHOO!! I loved when my parents introduced me to their childhood / high school / college friends. I loved when my parents fed me information about all the streets we passed by. I took everything in.
But the one thing I loved most? Spending time with my family. Also, seeing my parents and baby brother happy to spend time with our relatives, filled my heart with so much joy.
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| Got my hair done and ended up looking like my adorable mother :) |
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| cousins from my mom's side |
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| mom's side of the family |
Honestly, I hate goodbyes. I hate the finality of it. I just don't like goodbyes. So when it was time to say
I've never taken for granted the blessing it is to be able to live in the US. However, going to the Philippines made me appreciate my "true" Filipino self. I loved the city, the people, the culture, and the language.
I can't wait to go back.
OH! I forgot to mention about my baby! [Confession: I love animals... and I've always wanted a dog.]
The whole time we were in the Philippines, we stayed at my grandparents' house. There were cats and dogs everywhere. However, my aunt's dog had given birth to six babies. I couldn't help myself but play with all the cute baby shih-tzus. Now, I'm mom to this cutie, Pringles (Baby Pri for short). :D
Next week, I take my finals and officially finish my second to last quarter of university. Then, I'm on spring break!! I can't wait to share with all of you how I'll be spending it! 'Till next time!
"Our family is a circle of strength and love, with every birth and every union, the circle will grow, every joy shared adds more love, every crisis faced together, makes the circle stronger."
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