Openings

Would you believe that it's been a year since I last wrote here? I can't either! Hah!

Kidding aside, I apologize for being MIA for the whole of January. I'd love to say that I've been busy with the strenuous tasks the big bosses throw at me at my first official job...but I can't lie. Instead, though I'm not as aggressive as the ones before me, I admit I'm handling this job hunting thing pretty well. Slowly but surely is my strategy. I'm not one to rush things and regret the snap decisions I make. I'm lucky my time away has helped me discern which career path I choose, and although it's frustrating that there's not a lot of opportunities in the market for such, I'm just trusting it all to fate and to God, that He would bless me with the perfect position at the right time.

A love letter to the amazing year that was

I can't believe I even doubted you for a second. But 2012, you are enough proof that God is and always will be in control. And that He is only concerned with what's best for us.

I started the year with so much anxiety and a heavy heart, not knowing where I'll be heading after hopefully-graduating college...but I gladly end it with nothing but joy in me and the sense of direction I have been yearning for all my life. On days one through five, I thought long and hard to come up with a list of what seemed to be mediocre-but-still-impossible faith goals for the year. What with the never-ceasing issue of lack in funds, confidence, and inspiration still looming, I couldn't see how ambitions such as coming to America, forgiving my father, and figuring out what career path I truly want could ever happen. But they did, they all did. Now on day three hundred sixty-six, I tick all the boxes, leaving nothing unchecked.

Remembering it all gets me excited to move ahead and seek out what He has in store for me in fearless 2013. On the year I turn twenty-one, I look forward to witnessing (more) opened hearts, restored faiths, and changed lives for my loved ones, and for everyone as well.

More so, I thank you, my lovely reader, for keeping up with me and my faith adventures. This online journal is in fact my love letter to you and the rest of the world. I hope you still join me in the coming year because although it hasn't even started yet, I already know what I'll be sharing on my dear blog when it ends: it has again been all kinds of wonderful.

Cheers, Godspeed, and wishing you all the best today, tomorrow, and forever!

Tales of three cities

I feel jittery as I type this: I'm homeward bound and it won't be long until I get to breathe polluted Philippine air again. (Can't believe I miss that too!) I'll be on the plane in ten and a half hours, and if my calculations are correct, I set foot in Manila eighteen hours and thirty-five minutes after that. But who's counting?! I can't begin to express how excited I am! So much has changed, I'm certain. Perhaps I did too! And for the better, hopefully.

I'm also looking forward to sharing with you stories of my final adventures during my so-long-yet-so-short stay in the dream country, featuring cities* that have evoked in me deep feelings of nostalgia and that I have, a couple of times, considered to be ideal places for me to settle down in, even just for a while: Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles. But they would have to wait until I get safely to homeland. So please join me and keep those prayers coming, I really appreciate them.

And I guess this is me, saying "see you later" to the US of A. With much love!

*Geek alert: People often mistake DC for either a city or a state when it is neither. From what I gather, it's technically a federal state...not that anyone would stop making the same error. Besides, being a tourist gives me a free pass for that! Teehee.

Gobble-worthy

I know in my case there's no excuse for a long hiatus or delayed posts. But between coming up with something interesting to say and setting out on another adventure, I find myself choosing to stay away from my laptop and experiencing "life" firsthand. Which is good especially since I only have less than five days left to seek out every amazing, picturesque place thinkable.

Meanwhile, I finally get to share the Thanksgiving (my first!) photos I owe you...


The kids, while waiting for their parents to get ready


The surprisingly quick and no-sweat drive to Uncle Gi's


The feast for two kids and eight adults (No such thing as too much!)


My first time in Uncle Gi's and Tita Daisy's lovely home


Remy started his lunch with scoops of vanilla ice cream


And the host did the honor of carving the turkey
In the spirit of the holidays, though late, I offer a thank you to everyone who has helped and accompanied me, in one way or another, in this wonderful life-revealing-and-reveling journey. God has truly blessed me to have met people like you. So go out there, bless and be blessed!

Up in the air, California-bound

Thirty-five thousand feet above the ground view of my two favorite U.S. places (Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles) at night
Two months later, I'm back at Huntington Beach, greeting you once again with a good morning and a list:

1. Thank goodness for kindhearted check-in assistants; the lady let me get away with five extra pounds on my baggage without having me shed out a single cent. Note to self: learn how to travel light next time.
2. "Really appreciate your smile, Ma'am. That's hard to come around these days, especially at airports." - TSA Officer
3. Such a struggle: my stomach was already growling as I moved past the restaurants, making my way to my boarding gate with two heavy bags clinging to me. Another note to self: bring a snack or eat beforehand. And again, travel light!
4. I heard two elder ladies speaking in Hiligaynon, complaining about the ten-minute delay in our departure and I had to stop myself from joining in the conversation.
5. Who needs the bed in first class or the extra legroom in business when you have a three-seat row all to yourself in economy? I felt right at home, barely hesitating to take my boots off and stretch out my legs on the empty seats next to me.
6. I don't know what's more amusing: the sight of me carefully sipping my favorite apple juice like it was champagne while swooning over Josh Radnor (Ted Mosby!), Elizabeth Olsen, and Zac Efron in Liberal Arts (2012) or that the man who was at least forty years old and seating across the aisle from me was doing the same.
7. It's only been three hours?! I think all this travelling is starting to wear me off. Even the thought of it is already making me tired. Yikes! Not great.
8. Off to an awful start with Grazie... I had all these thoughts I wanted to write down so I tried to turn my new laptop on. And when she didn't, I almost cried and panicked for at least thirty minutes. First order of business after I get settled in: find a way to fix this.
9. Just when I was proud of myself from doing lesser eavesdropping than last time, I find out that I forgot to bring a pen with me. Again.
10. Tito Ted got off his late-night shift at work to fetch me. And if that wasn't sweet enough, he said the three words I have been dying to hear all night: Are you hungry?

And of course, a thank you to my send-off committee and my "part-family" (Joey G., 2012), all of whom I will sorely miss. 'Til next time!