The places you have come to fear the most

Packing has never been this exhausting. aside from that, it's having to carry everything from one place to another that tires me right away. Never in my life have I felt more like a nomad, until last week. After practically growing up in Iloilo, attending college in Manila, and recently flying to the United States, I'm still getting confused with my permanent address.

Don't get me wrong though, although I may claim to be worn out all the time, I love the feeling of being on the move. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but it helps me be at peace. I just can't stay put for so long. And obviously, I am looking forward to what the future holds for me here. God is with me on this!

But before I talk about my exciting life adventure, the last few photos I took from the Philippines:


We found this message hiding under the shelf of a room in Cervini. Someone must have been needing a little encouragement from his newfound college/dorm friends or a phone call from his family. "Be the best," he added (not in photo).


Our family stayed in the same guest room we were housed in during graduation.


Pushing this cart carrying two heavy boxes of college stuff (four years worth!).


Other than people, it's just so hard to let go of these materials. Tears, sweat, and blood were shed for this to happen. And who can forget all those sleepless nights?


Proud that I was able to fit everything in one maleta and that it weighed less than half of the allowed baggage. (This is six months worth of clothes...really?!)


And before saying my last goodbyes to my family, I surprised them with Maryland "postcards" (found a photo from the Internet and printed them myself). On the back I wrote lengthy love letters and words of encouragement!