Of certain things

Obviously the blogging thing didn't work quite well for me. Instead, here is a photo diary of my adventures. [formerly lowfatpopcorn.tumblr.com]

[dcjanine]

Singapore

Hopped on a plane with my best friend despite the (last) semester (ever) having just started. Had to miss two exams, but no regrets.

In photos: en route to Changi — Universal Studios — Gardens by the Bay — Singapore Art Museum — Serangoon — us at Merlion Park

November 2014, iPhone 5s

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instagram | vsco

[dcjanine]

Beijing

Winter holidays in the middle kingdom.

In photos: Manila from above — Summer Palace — Temple of Heaven — Forbidden City — Great Wall

December 2014, iPhone 5s

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instagram | vsco

[dcjanine]

New York City, March 2014 Canon 600D, 50mm f/1.8

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[dcjanine]

San Antonio, January 2014 Canon 600D, 50mm f/1.8

Almost two years ago and I still can't bring myself to go through all the photos.

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[dcjanine]

Katipunan in film, August 2014 Canon Sureshot 60 with Fujifilm Superia ISO 400

In photos: Katipunan Ave. —Ateneo de Manila — friends — QC skyline

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instagram | vsco

[dcjanine]

Laguna Lake, January 2015 iPhone 5s

Had an eye, heart, mind and soul-opening chance to experience and be a part of the lives in the lakeshore.

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[dcjanine]

Boracay Island, February 2015 iPhone 5s

Much deserved thesis break with college friends.

It was my first time in Boracay(!) and as commercialized as it is, it was hands down one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to.

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[dcjanine]

Beijing in film, December 2014 Canon Sureshot 60 with Fujifilm Superia ISO 400

In photos: Temple of Heaven — Forbidden City — in transit 

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[dcjanine]

New York City in film, March 2014 Canon Sureshot 60 with Kodak ISO400 35mm

In photos: Museum of Modern Art — Roseland Ballroom for Lorde concert(!) — Lower Manhattan — Statue of Liberty — Brooklyn Bridge — New York Public Library — Bryant Park — in transit

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instagram | vsco

[dcjanine]

So...

...after years of trying to blog religiously, I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s not really my thing. Instead, I’ve decided to just turn this into a photo diary of sorts of my adventures here and elsewhere hoping that it will help lead me to places. I have a backlog of a year’s worth of adventure to work on and I’m actually pretty excited to put all of them up.

[dcjanine]

Of finding a home away from home

I've been back in Manila for more than a month already, and in my 4th week as a college senior(!), yet I still have so much stories to tell from what probably has been the best five months of my life so far.

Living abroad for almost six months, I appreciated language. Being able to speak your national language while also learning to be fluent in english is a privilege not everyone gets. Our country is very diverse, with about 175 languages, but still having a formal education in english gives us an edge. Learning two different languages at the same time is hard, but since I started at a very young age, it came naturally to me. A lot of my international friends told me that they were jealous of this, because they weren't given the opportunity to study english as extensively as I did. Most started being taught once they reach high school, while some not at all that they have to be self-taught. At the same time, having friends who also have their own respective mother tongues made me appreciate mine more. It was such a fulfilling experience to teach them how to greet in Tagalog. I will also never fully understand my Facebook Newsfeed anymore as it's filled with posts in different languages - and it's beautiful.

Living abroad also made me value my own culture so much more. I'm a very individualistic person but living in a country where everyone is also individualistic makes you miss the very close knit culture of the Philippines. I will never forget that one night where I sat in the school circle with people from more than 10 countries, sharing stories and enjoying each other's presence. I am also extremely privileged to have been invited by these people to visit their home countries. You question why wars even happen when even if you have different beliefs and practices, you still complement each other. You get to value the cultures when teaching each other different ways to say thank you or taste each other's native dishes. You realize how big the world is and how beautiful diversity is.

I wouldn't deny that getting to experience firsthand the benefits of (somewhat) being a resident of one of the most developed countries in the world drew out even more all the repulsive things that has been going on in the Philippines. But probably the most important lesson I have learned from getting to meet and live with people from literally all over the world was that, despite all its flaws, I come from a beautiful country and I feel extremely privileged to have been able to show the world how rich the culture here is. As much as I would miss everything about JTA, I'm not upset to be back, because this trip made me realize that the Philippines has so much potential. Our cities and provinces have so much character, and that someday I hope to contribute to it. From the beaches to the mountains, nothing can replace the Philippines as my home.

Going to the USA wasn't my first choice for my Junior Term Abroad, but I'm beyond grateful that I went here. I didn't just experience the United States, I experienced the world. Never have I thought that I'd be this exposed to all these cultures at just 19 yrs of age. I'm so, so thankful for the people I've met who have taught me so much about life, and that I know they will always be there to welcome me and show me around wherever I go when I get another chance to travel the world.

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place." — Miriam Adeney

Xièxiè, kamsahamnida, arigato gozaimasu, cảm ơn, shukran jazilan, dhan'yavāad, tsikomo bemba, yuj wal dios, tav ta puch, dank je wel, haval lijepa, dyakooyu, obrigado, muchas gracias.

Maraming, maraming salamat.

Thank you for making me realize I have so much to be grateful for.

Thank you for making me feel alive. Nunca olvidarè.

[dcjanine]

They say home is where the heart is - and I’m pretty sure I left mine with you. Thank you for introducing me to the best people I could ever meet. Thank you for being everything I could ever ask for and so much more. I will forever be grateful and honored to have been a part of you.

Muchas gracias. Mi corazón siempre estará con ustedes. Nunca te olvidaré, San Antonio. Usted siempre será mi hogar. Te mucho quiero.

No te entristezcas porque terminó, alégrate porque sucedió.

[dcjanine]

To you,

I wish I could tell you that everything is gonna be okay, but we all know it's not. Who are we kidding—this world is a fucked up place. But what I can tell you is that you deserve to be in it. It's full of hidden gems and wonderful people—people that deserve to have you in their lives. Because you're as, if not more, wonderful as they are. They deserve to get to know you and let their lives be touched by you just like what you did with me, because honestly, I wouldn't be who I am now if it wasn't for you. 

You're not perfect. You don't have everything under control. You can't change a lot of things in this world. But you deserve to be you. You deserve to be that amazing, beautiful and all sorts of wonderful person that you are right now, inside and out. You are worth more than you think you are.

This world is a mess, but it's a beautiful kind of mess—just like you. 

[dcjanine]

Of you and me, SAT

1:30PM of February 3rd, Central timezone, marked my first month here in San Antonio. I still can't believe I've been here for already, but at the same time, only a month. I didn't realize it has been that fast; it seems that orientation week was just last week, but in reality we're already five weeks into the semester. I've already met so much people in the short time I've been here, which makes it feel that I've been here for longer than a month. Each and every person I've met is all sorts of amazing. Everyone's a mix of different cultures yet they all make you feel like you belong. In some days, I feel like a local here already because I'm not the type of person who gets homesick easily. Yes, on most days I wish my friends were here so we could experience this together, but I don't get sad or wish I could go home (at all). I easily adapt to new environments—which is both a good and a bad thing, I guess.

It's only been a month but my stay here has already made me realize a lot of things. Although I do feel bad in a way because I don't bring my cameras around—which explains why I don't post a lot (even if I should be). They've been in the closet since I moved out of the guest room into my dorm room. From this day, I would do my best to take at least one photo a day with my camera. No excuses.

I still don't want this to end—there's still so much to see, learn and experience. It's like my life back at home stopped existing for a while and I can't imagine going back anymore. But what makes me look forward to going back is so that I could apply all the eye-opening experiences I've had and will have here.

Here's to many more adventures and experiences for the next four months with you, San Antonio.

[dcjanine]

Hoping to meet you at Phoenix concert though..hahaha! But we'll see how this universe would turn around and how we'll cross at each other's paths. :)

Awww. :( :( :( In another concert, maybe? We’ll meet some time for sure!!

[dcjanine]

Advance Happy Birthday to you! Well don't be sad, just enjoy the streets of US while listening to Phoenix playlist. That would be better! Haha :)

Haha! Will do! Thank you!!! Hope to meet you soon! :)

[dcjanine]

Are you coming to Phoenix concert?

No, sadly. :( :( :( I really really want to come (especially since it’s a day after my birthday) but I’m here in the US until May. Bittersweet.