20,000 Miles, Roundtrip.

Wow! I can't believe it has been several months from the last time I wrote in this little corner. To tell you why; Well I have been busy with school, and I've been doing a little bit of part time job as a caregiver of a 92 y.o. man (who is so sweet btw). Apart of it is also snapping pictures of my Photography clients. I only have 24 hrs each day which to me is quite short to allocate time on writing about my craft(s).  Maybe a 25th hour will be something that some watch companies would consider :)

Anyhow, What I am excited to share to you about is that I went home to my beautiful country; Philippines last December of 2011. I spend 15 days over there which was full of happiness, fun and tender memories me and my family made. It has been 25 months since I left Philippines, left family, left friends, left my collection of shoes and bags, and sunglasses just for sake of the love. :) My primary and sole reason for my trip is to see my family especially my very sick grandfather who has been having heart problems. I have been wanting to come home probably from Day 1 since my arrival in the States because it was very tough and hefty to leave everything behind and literally start a new life. But you see, I took my lick and sucked it up. Those strenuous days were over that I could say I am now fully adjusted with my new ways in which whenever I feel homesick I just shrug it off and I'd call my mom then I'll be fine. I'm just stoked and ecstatic that I'm finally able to come home even for a very brief time.

This is Manila. The capital city of Philippines.

(Landscape shot)

This is where I spent most of  my bachelorette time, went to college, met the most amazing friends and of course, learned to go with the flow in the city's hustle and buzzle (wink*). Boy, it was such a nostalgic moment when I first landed at the airport. I could smell those moments which were nothing like how I am living now in America. Those bright city lights as I was landing definitely brought back the salad bowl of emotions. Then, I realized; I am truly home. 

I spent the night at my mom's house here in Manila and when the dawn breaks, Me, my mom together with my sister Ken, and bestcousin Christian hauled our selves to the bus terminal and were all ready to embark a 10-hour bus ride away from Manila to my grandparents house in Bicol Province.


During my Philippine trip, I mainly stayed @ my grandparents house in the province which doesn't have internet connection, No cellphone coverage, No cable or Satellite TV, just pure laid back lifestyle. Who could have imagine that after a 22 hr plane ride, Who'll still have the guts to travel 10  more hours to get to the final destination? Viola! this girl. Right here! You'd travel for love, Baby!

To me, traveling by bus was one of the greatest experience if you want to have a little sight-seeing extravaganza.  This picture right here....

..is a typical view you'll see in that 10 hr trip to my grandpaw and maw's house.
We do have the Hawaii views! After all, the weather and climate is almost the same as Hawaii here in the Philippines.

Highlights of my trip were:

• Let's start with, when I got got sick for 5 days because I caught the flu. I bombarded myself with medicines so the bastard didn't last long. Some of my plans got paralyzed. Oh well, I'm glad they're spoiling me with so much love.

• I threw a big  Christmas eve lunch for my family and relatives. We slaughter a hog and we definitely had a feast!

  

• I got another tattoo! yeap! I'm not denying I'm a tattoo lover. It's a Hindi script which means " Always seek success in the opposite" Thanks to one of my closest buddy Jon for doing it for Free!

• I got to see my family and my Mom's boyfriend who was one of her suitors even before she met my Dad. It's more of an unforgotten love, because after 26 yrs, they were together once again. Aww. Whoop! Whoop!

• I explored Manila once again with my cousin, Rachel who is a first time Manila traveler.(I brought her with me from the province) What made our bonding time so enjoyable was when I realized she was having a massive culture shock attack of how liberated people are in this huge city. If you know what I mean... (GRIN)

• We, and when I say "WE" that includes the big gang of my relatives who gave me so much joy just seeing us cutting up, throwing unlimited jokes, and loud laughter that resonate the whole Spring resort. 

 

•  Ok... (tears) This was one of my favorite moments. It was when my grandpa were playing "Pick_up Sticks" with me and with his other grandchildren. And seeing him enjoying himself gives me so much happiness because I get to enjoy his company. Not only that, but also;  To see him play with me like how he did while I was younger. So... Naturally, he doesn't have so much hand control so he could never salvage more than 1 stick because he was always shaky and all. He always lose his game. ha ha

Pick that stick Grandpa!

• And most especially... I get to have a family portrait before something bad happens to my grandpa.  I love him and my grandma so much which happens to be the parents of my crazy, yet the most funniest mom I could ever asked for.

MEET US! 

Oh, by the way.. that's my two beautiful sisters; Karen (farthest left) and Kathleen (at the bottom).

I love them too, though they drive me crazy a lot of times.

:)

Thank you for joining me in my journey as I look back from my home, away from home.

Until next time.

--Cathy