I pack my bags and prepare to go back home. My connecting flights were long, from Myrtle to Philadelphia, then Doha to Manila. I departed on Saturday afternoon and arrived in the Philippines on Monday morning.
I was here for a week now and I'm still getting used to the temperature, the weather, and whether or not the smells matter (just a bit, sorry just being honest). Allow me to share with you what I have already completed and what is remaining on my to-do list. I have a lot of ideas and things to catch up on since I am now back home.
My youngest sister’s 18th birthday
When I arrived home, I might have hit two birds with one stone. One day prior to my youngest sister's debut, I arrived in the Philippines. She made the decision to celebrate it with her close friends, family, and relatives. A three-day trip to South Korea is her birthday present to us. My younger sister was content with simple things in life, like video games, that brought her joy so she was not used to gifts and fancy things. Of course, as a "balikbayan," I have a suitcase full of presents for my family. It's been said that Six Doors Buffet is a great buffet restaurant these days, so I was eager to try Filipino food again, including my favorite Kare-kare and lechon, among other things.
My partner’s Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE) oathtaking rites
I also considered my arrival as a blessing because it allowed me to attend my partner's induction ceremony as a registered nurse. I felt emotional since I was there with her through all of her breakdowns and hardships. I watched her eureka moments, and my words of affirmation were the only response I had to offer given this LDR. So I felt thrilled when I saw her at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) exit.
Attended my college buddies’ wedding
After the PNLE, my girlfriend returned to Bulacan (her hometown), while my sister and I headed to Cavite to attend my two college friends' wedding. It was a garden wedding and my first time attending a Filipino-themed wedding. The location was remote and hidden, but Waze performed admirably that day. The garden was big enough to accommodate the guests, and the organizer coordinated it wonderfully with the theme. I got to see my other college buddies and we shared nothing but laughs and classic memories. We got excited to find out that our circle had grown by another child. I really missed them since our bond was so strong, and I also missed laughing and being myself.
Colleagues night out
My only break was to take a deep breath. Lol. Kidding aside, another set of strong friendships planned to meet up with me. They wanted to have dinner and coffee afterward so that we could spend more time. We ate at Ooma in the Power Plant in Rockwell. It was my first time dining at that place since it's pricey, but believe me when I say it was well worth it.You know how obsessed I am with Japanese cuisine. After that, we went to a nearby Starbucks and just drink our coffees while reminiscing our stories; I was smiling and laughing the entire time and thanked God for allowing me to be in my element again.
After a few days, one of my relatives died from a sudden acute liver injury. This was a bittersweet week to me and to my family because It came as a shock to our family. So I chose to stay at home and mourn.
Since Visita Iglesia is just around the corner, I will be able to attend and celebrate with them once more. Also, one of our dogs is pregnant, so my future plans are on hold. I believe it is important to rest after a week of being busy and attending various events.
All I can say is that when you move out of your comfort zone, everything changes, whether for the better or bad. Who wanted the worse, right? It's also nice to return to the point where your smile became genuine, your laughs were louder, or you were the best version of yourself. Always remember that family is still at home; spending time with your partner is an amazing way to recharge, as are friends.
This concludes another blog. I hope you're doing well and making arrangements to Holy Week.
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All images and video clips are mine unless stated otherwise