The first faith test happened at the beginning of the year when I resigned from my job, began a new job, and moved cities for the second time in Japan. I wrote about it in this blog, "The Art of Changing Homes," which I wasn't able to share due to life getting in the way. I really thank God for taking care of the whole process and bringing me to my new destination safely.

Like many Filipinos abroad, the pandemic brought the toughest faith test to me. Not seeing my family and baby pets for two years was very difficult. I could imagine the hearts of others who haven't gone home for more than three years. Though we had a lot of audio/video calls throughout the year, nothing beats the physical presence of loved ones. However, God surrounded me with the right people during the pandemic who became my support system in Japan. Eventually, my worry-wart nature subsided and as a result, I was able to build strong bonds and friendships with the people He placed around me. The key for me is to support others in the best way that I could and the support goes back. 

"I will save you, and you will be a blessing." Zechariah 8:13 NIV

Anticipate Healing

This pandemic has also taken a lot of beautiful things from my family such as going home for my brother's wedding, building the dream house that we love, and receiving complete healing for the sick loved ones. But God's plans are higher and beyond what we could ever imagine (Isaiah 55:8-9). Instead of focusing on the negatives, I directed myself to acceptance and recreation and I achieved mental and spiritual healing. But of course, it still broke my heart when I heard sad news from people. The best thing that I could do is pray. Despite this, I am just grateful that many of our family and friends are alive and we're fighting the good fight of faith together. 

In my new and humble hometown, I also found healing for a health problem that I have been battling for a long time. Who could have thought I would find treatment here of all places? The clinic was just a five-minute walk from my apartment. Another surprising fact was the doctor could speak and understand English. So, I was able to go alone after my first visit. The effects of the medicine made me worry at first. But then I just trusted God and found out that it suits my body after all. As for the expenses, God provided everything. 

Anticipate His Help Through Others

I also learned how to receive help from people, which was a little tough because I grew up strong and independent with "Kakayanin ko 'to" attitude. Lol. Another fact was my love language of service was depleting due to summer vacation at that time. When I received help, oftentimes I felt that there was a need to give back at once. I really don't like the concept of "utang na loob" practiced in Filipino culture. Because I'm in Japan and living alone, it's natural that people would offer more help to me than me giving to them. So, I started changing my old mindset. I must continue to think that people help or give something because it is in their hearts to do it without receiving anything in return. Though some people treat others like this, right? Huhu. But then it's not healthy for me to think of people's intentions this way. I should also be kinder to myself and allow others to help me.

Anticipate Transformation

My character was also transformed as I dealt with social situations wherein I had to practice "pakikisama" to the nth level. It was easy for me to stick to my beliefs and ways, but it was a challenge to adjust to people from a different culture. Socializing has always been awkward and difficult, especially around people that I do not know well. I could be misunderstood or disregarded which was often caused by a lack of speaking up or direct communication. But when I knew that my heart and intentions were pure, I just let go of the need to be understood and allowed people to make their own choice of action. By God's will, I believe that things come and go; people come and leave. Everything works out in the end, always for the best.

Anticipate Promises Fulfilled

In 2019, my birthday wish was to achieve permanence in my life and I had faith in God that He would fulfill it. I am sure that placement is a different story due to the nature of my job and my ever-changing plans in life. Yet, exactly a year later, God gave permanence in a form of a person--Kensho, my kareshi (boyfriend), and soon, someone I will spend the rest of my life with. In God's perfect time, I met *whoishe?*, the guy in my weird dream in high school, whom I've not spoken about for a decade or so. God is so good and faithful! I also have an idea about where I will live at least for the next couple of years. It's now legit! Japan is home. 

The verse below was the Lord's promise when I was sitting alone in Odaiba, Tokyo, and praying for God to direct my heart to the right person. Kensho was not a Christian when I met him two years ago. But he is now building an intimate relationship with God. This verse is now rhema, God's Word in action.

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

During the last night of 2021, Kensho and I found ourselves doing the Marriage Preparation workbook. We began chapter 4: Goals at the perfect time. Writing faith goals and new year's resolutions was something that I've done since high school to singlehood. It marks as a sign that from now on,  I can look forward to doing the goal-setting with God and someone beside me to build dreams, fulfill goals, and pray with. It excites me even more that there is a great future, intricately designed for us, that we can embrace.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14 (March 12, 2021)

Passing the faith tests wouldn't be possible without God's guidance and leading. About ten years ago, a family friend prophesied, "You will see everything flash before your eyes. For this prophecy to come to pass, you need to believe and focus on God." 

Some of the things that I've been praying for then just happened last year. Truly enough, it takes anticipation, perseverance (Hebrews 10:36), and a leap of faith to believe in His promises, to keep seeking and asking, and to do His will. We need faith to look beyond what we can see and say that the Lord is good. 

Despite the saddening situation in the world, I still anticipate and decree that we can #SEE2022 with fresh eyes of faith and witness more blessings and miracles. May we taste His love pouring like wine in every area of our lives. 

Cheers to a fresh year and a great future ahead!

あけましておめでとうございます！[Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!]

Whether virtual or in person, thank you for being a memorable part of my year. <3

Last year, I know God was building up my character and my relationship with Him. He wanted me to put Him first above all. He placed me in my rightful position, right by His side, close to listen and slow to act on my own. Every move, I glided with Him. I flew toward greater things with Him.

In this blog, I share some of the most greatest realizations during my adventures with God.

COMMUNICATE.
Express yourself. Nicely. Respectfully. Talk with love. Be slow to anger.

CONTROL YOUR MONEY.
Do not let your money control you. Live within your means.

GIVE GENEROUSLY.
The greatest expression of love is to give. Give with your whole heart. Give without expecting anything in return.

LOVE BRAVELY.
In perfect love, there is no fear. (1 John) To love is to love like Jesus. Do not give in to hatred and anger.

FOLLOW GOD'S TIMELINE.
Everything is in God's hands. Make no room for worry. God is the beginning and the end. If you know the beginning and the end, anything in the middle is easy. Therefore, God knows everything from the beginning up to the end. Wait on His beautiful time.

These are just some of the learning points but these were the most important ones. I'm certain that God has more in store for me this year. He is steadfast and faithful.

One week and a few days after I got back from Korea last year, I attended a Kids Ministry bonding with our Kids Church staff and pastor. When I was walking back home that night, something terrible happened to me. Only my close friends know about this at first. But I could not hide my bruises and wounds and pain all over my body, so I had to explain briefly or elaborately to different people. Actually, I did not plan to write about this at all. But now that I am ready, I want to share what this experience taught me.

That night, I faced a deep fear within me: Fear of being alone and fear of someone attacking me. I know I am brave. But I realized I was not brave enough and I was still missing out on something important. This knocked me off hard. The following questions below were my questions and God's answers as I communed with God. These helped me overcome my fears. I pray that these will also allow you to reflect on your fears, whatever they may be, and help you overcome them later on.


1) What does fear do?

2) Why does God allow us to fear?

Oftentimes we wonder about God allowing us to fear when His love can overcome fear if we are perfected in His love. In Matthew 8, Jesus' disciples got terrified of the storm. They were so afraid of struggles that their first reaction was to doubt. However, this is not the appropriate response. For if we let that fear or doubt prevail in us instead of recognizing our dependence on Him, we will not only "struggle with the oars" but we will plunge into rock bottom. What we need to realize though is God allows these struggles to happen because these are opportunities for our faith to grow and mature.

3) How does God protect us from our fears?

As we grow and mature during and after our struggles, God makes us strong. He enables us to face our fears and do the impossible. When we rely on Him, the struggle becomes less and it becomes easier for us to bear. I remember the verse from Matthew 11:30 about having an easy yoke and a light burden. God makes these possible because His strength is more than enough for you and me.

I could not imagine being strong without God. After what happened to me, I got so afraid to go home or even walk in our neighborhood alone when darkness started to creep in. I declined almost all birthday and Christmas Party invitations then. I entered into a time of hibernation. But God gave me courage and strength during those times. It did not happen overnight. But everyday, He reminded me that I could face my fear of being alone or attacked again because I have Him. True enough, freedom from all kinds of fears can only be attained through Him.

Guided tours and tight schedules were not our preference so we chose to go to Nami Island by train and take the bus to the ferry station. We were so blessed to be accompanied by fellow Filipinas who happened to be our roommates in Mori Guesthouse and who were also bound to the same destination. However, they opted for a package to see not only Nami but Petit France and Garden of the Morning Calm. As for us, we wanted to make the most out of the island. The bus was taking so long so to save time, we walked instead. Little did we know that while walking we would meet a lovely lady that would drive us to the ferry station. We met her when we were about to ask directions from the people inside an indoor golf club. The lovely lady's house happened to be just in front of the zipline beside the ferry station so she dropped us off at the parking lot of the ferry station. Wow, see how God moves in mysterious ways!

Your excitement is my excitement. Your joy is my joy. 

I created you and I have fallen for you with my everlasting love. Do you feel it? 

Open your eyes to the beauty of everything around you.

For everything you see is my gift to you.

My desire is for you to nurture your love for children.

Keep teaching in whatever language you choose.

Also, love your neighbor as yourself. 

Remember to walk with me always.

Take my Love, fall deeper

and I will give you the desires of your heart.

Still fallin',   

Your Best Friend

Exactly three years ago, September 3, 2011, I received a prophecy from the husband of our good family friend. He was a prophet who received a Word from God to go to our house that day and share to me what God wanted to tell me about my future. What I received from God that day was more than what I expected to happen in my life. It encompassed more than where my imagination could bring me. I'm not writing to share about His Word to me. I'm writing to share to you what He always teaches me to do whenever I receive a Word from Him.

1. Fight for it.

When a person truly believes in a Word from God, he/she can stand firm in his faith. Faithfully, he/she will believe in it even though the whole world stands against it. His/her faith will linger and become stronger. Fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12)!

2. Hold your peace.

Fighting for something does not usually involve weapons and arms. In peace, a person can fight without causing pain or destruction to others and to himself/herself. I am sure holding our peace is not an easy task. But it is an act of honoring God, letting Him fulfill His promises, and letting Him fight our battles for us.

3. Remain at rest.

During a battle, resting seems odd. How can one be at rest when everything around him/her appears to be falling apart? But rest does not necessarily entail that one is lying down or sleeping. When a person holds peace in his/her heart, then he/she is capable of resting whether in stable or rocky grounds. In the book of Mark, Chapter 4, Jesus was in a storm with His disciples and He was sleeping. Then He was awakened by His disciples because they were worried that He did not care about them and they were afraid to drown. Like Jesus, we could remain at rest in a storm. He has the power to command the winds and the waters. In a storm, we can have faith in Him and His Word.

Until now, I could not picture how He is going to fulfill His Word. But I am blessed to be able to see and understand that He is currently in the process of fulfilling it. In some days, He may look like He is not working at all. But even if He is not looking like it, He is moving. He is truly the God that can make all things possible. Nothing can stand against Him. In every promise given, He only asks one thing from us. And that is to have faith in Him.

Believe that "the Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest" (Exodus 14:14).

Despite the lack of posts for two weeks due to work and studies, I have been wanting to write about what 2014 has been doing in my life.

In January, I celebrated the new year with my family in our humble home. We didn't light up any firecrackers but we still ate food and greeted each other at midnight. I also spent that morning traveling to Olongapo with my Mom, two titas, and one cousin. We visited the Merzas, our relatives from my grandmother's side.  Since it was a day trip, we traveled back home early in the afternoon. That night, I went to Genesis bus terminal in Cubao with two of my greatest college friends and we traveled to Baler, Aurora. We surfed, practiced yoga, ate, and visited one beautiful tourist spot. Being with the family and friends was a great trip to start the year.

A day of firsts.

Classes resumed once more and I was back to work and to my MA classes in Eduk. Though I missed the Christmas vacation a lot, I was energized and off to a good start. I also fasted for 5 days alongside my Victory churchmates. God guided me in making my faith goals. This time, I survived liquid fast and one-two meals each day. There was also another great challenge that God made me face. It was to stand up for my rights as an employee and let our voices be heard. After the meeting, our concerns were addressed and every detail was explained as it was supposed to be from the start. All thanks to God!

Back to school with a smile (:

February was filled with love.  Despite the great list of things to do, I felt God's love everywhere I went. I rekindled myself in His embrace as I faced each day. He guided me when I wrote the students reports and conducted the Parent-Teacher Conferences. He also boosted my strength when I started writing and rewriting my mock thesis Chapters 1 and 2 and preparing my Chapter 3 for my Educational Research class. Also, God even gave me a greater challenge when I found out that I am supposed to write another set of Chapters 1-3 for my Special Education research class. I could not complain neither to God nor to my teachers. So I accepted the challenge with a calm heart and mind. I can do this through God who gives me strength! I also continued my yoga practice despite my lack of budget and time. I entrusted my financial concerns and time management to God. And so far, I have been attending at least once or twice a month. (:

Even my commitment to volunteer in church this year has been renewed. I am now committed to joining the Kids Church Ministry for it is the only ministry that I could afford to give my time. There is no need to practice throughout the week and no need to attend rehearsals on Saturdays or early Sunday mornings. I just need to be early before the service twice a month. Honestly, I will definitely miss Music Team. But the right ministry for me was part of my faith goals. I know God is leading me back to my first calling which is to teach.


As for Valentine's Day/Love Month, I  have enjoyed and learned a lot from the It's Not That Complicated series in church. I was also blessed by the lovely people who kept on showing me love and care and inspired to witness my future love story that God has started to write for me. I know it is going to be beautifully written. For now, I will continue to have wonderful dates with my God.

Though I am not sure what God has in store for me in March and the rest of the year, I am sure that he will give me challenges that I can face and breakthroughs that will bring me joy. I am inspired to do more things for Him!

If you will have all the time and money in the world, what would you do? That question popped up when I attended a small group talk about a private franchising business last night. The first thing I thought about was to travel the world. Aside from that, I wanted to be a philanthropist and help out the children with special needs who are less fortunate through teaching. But I also want to get trained in this area. I also wanted to attend classes and be mentored in photography, writing, making music, art, or dance. The sad part was I never got to seriously do one of those in three years since I started working.

Don't get me wrong. I do love work. Teaching kids and seeing them learn something from me is a reward that is irreplaceable by fancy or material things. Making a small difference in their lives is a gift that I would never trade off for anything. But I also feel that work becomes tiring when you are deeply involved in it, day in and day out, and you are slowly losing parts of yourself. I do not want that to happen. In fact, I have been trying to savor myself from zoning out.

One way of savoring myself is through traveling. People say I travel a lot. I do it because it keeps me sane and sends me back to a different kind of happy state that I would never get from work. This does not mean that my work does not make me happy. It does! There is just an unexplainable difference that only those people who have a big heart for travel know and understand.

Another way to savor myself is to take photos and edit them. Even though I have not attended photography and photo-editing classes yet, I never stopped taking photos and learning based on my experiences. I still search and learn from other photographers online and in person. I also try to learn from the worldwide source of all information, the Internet. This humble hobby is related to my love for travel. Because if I plan and see the world, I need to capture it in good photos in order to easily return to the experience whenever I like. However, I admire what Sean O'Connell said in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty:

"If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it."

Staying in the moment is a perfect way to capture a picture. The photographer's eyes become the camera. And the moment becomes a part of the photographer's life.

Writing reminds me of who I am. Whenever I finished a poem, an essay, a paper for school, or a simply a blog entry like this one, I get really happy. Holding a finished work of writing keeps me excited even though I know it will get criticized or it will never be read. I actually do not mind showing my true self in writing. It is actually where people will get to know the real me.

Music elavates a part of myself. Whether it is music from an mp3 player, a car radio, a live musician with a band, or simply music from nature, listening to music completes a part of who I am. Singing it like owning the lyrics, playing keys on the piano, dancing to a tune, whether beautifully or amateurishly gives a sudden burst of energy. It defines the moment. Like if a caption is to a photo, a song is to a life event. A song becomes a part of the soundtrack of my life and it helps me not to lose myself to the world.

Reading also reminds me that there is fantasy, a world apart from our own. But they can be representations of the real world where we live in such as characters in novels that we can relate to. As much as reading brings me to fantasy, it also guides me back to reality. Due to this, I become more hopeful and my dreams become bigger.

The presence of people I value and care about the most also keeps me from losing myself. They are always there to remind me who I was, who I am, and who I can be. They fill in the blanks about myself that I have forgotten or have never realized. I am very grateful for the people who are still sticking with me and have stood the test of time. I do hope each one of us always have people like them in our lives.

I don't have a birthmark. I only have a few moles and some scars which I can't consider as birthmarks either. There is really nothing in my body that makes me different from anybody else in the world.

Ever since I was born, I tend to look for things around me that can complete me or at least define who I am. I grew up ensuring my identity to these things. I dance. I sing. I act. I draw. I paint. I read. I play the piano. I learn drums. I write. I play sports. But there is always something missing within me when I do these. Something greater than these accomplishments or even the lack of it.

A little girl who did not really know who/what she wants to be

When I turned 18, I started to see myself in a different light. I began dreaming of things I have never dreamt before. I began believing that someday those dreams would happen and I would become the person I dream of. I was so sure of my identity back then. Never for one second did I think that I would be someone else. I knew what I want.

But as years passed, graduation kicked in and my first job offer was given, I could not feel any certainty in the decisions I made. Though I was working in a job that I am passionate about, I was asking myself a lot of questions. But giving up and stopping in the middle of it all did not become an option. I found peace and moved on, knowing that I am in a season of finding out who I am.

A few years went by and time progressed to this day, I am still doing the same things. There is always an enlightenment along the way but I still find myself lost, trapped, and unsure of where to go. Indeed, I feel blessed with people whom I can trust and who love me for who I am and not for what I do. Despite the uncertainties, there is a hope of a brighter future ahead.

That future involved certainty from a far greater entity than the ones on earth. Through the years, I found certainty in no one else. The fact that someone so great could love me so brings me to a level of humility and selflessness. The fact that I was born as His daughter and princess supplies the meaning and purpose of my existence.

I may not have a birthmark that can distinguish me from anybody else throughout my life. But in truth, there is no need for it when the purpose of my existence is to express my love for Him and aid other people in doing the same. There is no need to be more different from other people than what we already are. We all have one birthmark within ourselves.

When I reached this point in time, the message is just too simple. I am created out of His hands, in his own grand design, marked with faith. With this truth, I stopped trying to be different. I started focusing on a magnificent identity. To know Him is a far greater purpose than to know who I am. For He knows my identity, every little thing about me, I have no reason to falter and worry.

Faith, something that surely completes who I am and who I want to be, is my birthmark. And so is everybody else's.

The world has a lot to offer. I learned that ever since I started traveling as a teenager. Maybe traveling has already grown in me ever since my parents brought me abroad when I was only two years old. But it only ignited again when I was already grown up enough to travel. 

I believe one traveller does not need to be aware that he/she is traveling. I think those are the best travels! Still, we all get to a certain time in our lives that we are ready. For example, ready enough to jump on a train and get lost. Or ready to lose something valuable in a hotel room and laugh it all off in the end. Or even sleep in a dorm room full of strangers and make friends. I believe these happen in a certain time that we are completely ready to face the world.

Travelling brings amazing experiences. These experiences are fully packed with stories that we tell to our children and our children's children. These stories are filled with people that have influenced us, surprised us, and showed us that the world is a better place to live in. 

One month and 6 days ago (Today is August 8, 2012), I flew approximately 6,296 miles from the Philippines to Copenhagen, Denmark. Though the distance did not beat the 7,345 miles from the Philippines to Los Angeles that I travelled last year, these were the most tiring travels I've had. I had to stay and wait in two airports for a day twice! Luckily, Hong Kong International Airport and Doha International Airport were two of the best airports in the world or else I would hate the travels forever. But I actually did not hate anything despite the long distance. Instead, the ups and downs of our travels amazed me. That is why I am now here, in front of my laptop, ready to share to the world the things I learned from Europe.

1. There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.

Dragør, Copenhagen, Denmark

When I first saw this sign posted at the back of the cashier of a vintage store, I immediately agreed. Whether big or small, if it made a difference, then be thankful for it. In the middle of tough times, there is always something good about to come up.

2. Master how to navigate. 

Paris City Map

If there is a time to study maps of the city and transportation routes before making the trip to the city, grab the opportunity. It is always better to be prepared and have everything planned instead of going there without a single clue. Besides, it saves plenty of time! One hour of studying and taking notes about transportation is better than one hour of finding the way or trying out wrong directions and routes.

3. Pack light. Do layering! 

This photo belongs to: noriko.stardust

Before flying, be sure to pack the right pairs of clothes. In this recent trip to Europe, I researched about the basic clothes to wear in each country I visited. I even wrote all the outfits that I  mixed and matched. Choosing the proper colors that go well with each other had made it easier as well. If there was one thing I forgot to do, it was to check the weather forecast each day before going out.

Amalienborg Slot, Copenhagen, Denmark

In Europe, the weather is very unpredictable. Summer seasons not only bring hot and warm weather but also cool and windy weather. You won't know when it will rain or shine. The weather forecasts even fail sometimes. It is still best to be prepared. 

4. Pray, pray, and pray. Travel with faith!

Travelling is not going to be as beautiful without faith and prayers. This has been proven to me several times even before I applied for a visa application and bought plane tickets to my destination. Everything will be laid out nicely, sometimes crazily when we waver. But in the end, everything will always come out beautifully.

Wing ring in Copenhagen

Wing ring in Vienna

Wing ring in Budapest

I wore a wing ring served as a sign to fly to all the places I have been through. I have handed the other wing to my Best Friend who always knows when and where to fly. Pardon me for Paris was too beautiful that I forgot to take a picture of the ring on my hand.

To make up for it, wing ring now sits on the miniature Eiffel that I bought in Paris and now sitting beside my bed.

5. Try to learn the country's language and speak the common expressions. The locals appreciate it more! :-)

6. If you can help it, stay away from technology (I'm referring to the Internet :p). Though it can help a lot if you are lost and you can just check with a free local wi-fi/hotspot, set aside a time to stay away from it once in a while. Live, live, live!

At Hongkong International Airport

7. Learn to sleep anywhere. But don't let yourself be left behind by the plane or the train. This has been proven to me when I suddenly rushed to get my things in the train from Auxerre to Paris. Because I got a painful sprain, I walked on cobble stones limping!

Slept in 5 airports since 2008 | Macau Airport

8. Maximize the use of your euro coins. Travelling in other European countries means you're going to receive different currencies. Some European countries don't accept euro coins, only bills. And they're going to give you change in their own currency. So better use up all those euro coins in transportation expenses as much as possible. 

9. Wet your hair if needed. Lately, I just realized that water is really bad for the hair. Even Europeans do not wet their hair everyday. I'm not saying that they do not take a bath everyday. Actually they really don't take a "full" bath, if you know what I mean. Honestly, I found it not so bad after all. Due to this, I wet my hair every other day ever since I came back. It actually feels softer and manageable. BUT I still can't stand it if I do not get to take a bath in the morning. I get extremely moody during the rest of the day. Try it.

10. God's angels exist. Everywhere. Have you ever experienced being lost and the right people seemed to come to you in order to direct you to the proper direction? That happened to us a lot in this trip. If only I could find them all, I would thank them again. 

11. Think positive!!! Let go of the bad vibes!!! Being hot-headed won't work, especially in a continent like Europe where noone knows your name.

12. Panicking won't bring you to anywhere safe. This is just too self-explanatory. I always learn this every time.

13. Help yourself. Secure your belongings. Hold on to your travel documents at all times. Buy a small travel bag or just put it in one pocket inside your bag. I repeat. ONE. When you carry a dSLR camera like mine, put a string on your camera and its cover lens. I really lost a lot of things during this trip. But all thanks to God.. I lost and found them all back!

Auxerre Boat Ride | Where I found my cover lens

14. Empower your camera. If you like taking pictures, then an SD with an extra larger memory and an extra-charged battery will help a lot. This can lessen the frustrations from running out of memory or battery while shooting significant views and happenings around the city.

15. Appreciate your hosts in any way that is best for them. ;) 

16. Say "thank you" or "Merci" more passionately. Do it the French way!

17. Europe is the perfect place to dream. 

The Museumsquartier Hof, Vienna, Autria (Photo taken by HenC)

At the Museumsquartier, I had a talk with my "sister" about the future 'til around two in the morning. It seems really strange for us to be walking at night in Vienna and feeling so safe. We laughed a lot about the past, acknowledged the present, and hoped for the future. Truly magical.

18. Eating bread everyday is not so bad. I already miss it. We have tons of bread now at home. Hindi nga lang 'yung matigas. :( 

Auxerre, Burgundy, France

19. Do not hesitate to ask people for directions. They will say that they speak "a little" English. I find that really cute! But they will still try to help you in any way they can.

20. Even though you are a tourist, you can still make yourself useful by carrying a MAP. Other tourists will even ask you questions. Seek help and offer help. Make it two-way! (:

21. Love the one you are with. Respect and honor your companion, whoever they are. Even though you seem to know a lot about things, let your companion lead you once in awhile. You are NOT a tourist guide. You are a loved one and a friend.

Qatar Airways: Best plane rides everrr!

22. Not everyone is a student, Teacher Kaye. :) Yes, the world is my classroom. But I am a student in it. So, even though I am also a teacher by profession, that does not mean that others are my students. Humbling myself and accepting that I may know something but I do not know everything are pretty much eye-openers for me. Speak kindly. Respect at all times. Thank you, Mom for helping me realize this.

23. Open your eyes. Men in the Philippines are not the only good-natured and good-looking men in the world. 

There he was just walking down the street... HAHAHA

24. Be friendlier. 

Some people would want to talk to you. I could have created a lot of beautiful friendships along the way if I was more open with people. My Asian default of being shy and conservative kicked in during this trip. Let's leave the explanation as that because I regretted this so much. ((:

If we are, then we will be | Vienna, Austria

There is nothing really wrong with befriending "good" strangers. Right? 

25.  You are beautiful.

I always see myself as boring and dull to look at. I do not have strikingly radiant skin, big eyes, luscious lips, pointed noise, nicely shaped ears, and a 5"6 height. However, this did not affect me when I travel at all. Although I have seen so many beautiful women during my travels, I have neither wished to be like them nor wanted to change something in me. I do appreciate their beauty. But that ends there. Every time I come home, I would see Filipino celebrities passing by and I never had the same excitement as I have had before. I also do appreciate their beauty. Still, it ends there. My view on beauty actually widened into a bigger concept, farther than the physical definition of beauty could carry. So "YOU (whoever you are) are beautiful." Believe in that.

26. Have a solitude moment!

When you're tired of walking along sunny cobbled streets, take a stroll in the park and sit on one of the benches. Think. Dream. And EAT! 

27. Don't underestimate people. 

Whether Europeans work in white collar or blue collar jobs, they seemed to not take it against each other. They all acted professionally. I was even surprised to see young blue collar workers in Vienna who happened to be so hot! It totally hit me. I really could not underestimate them just because they sell in the park or construct roads. Hahaha! 

28. There's more to France than Paris..

There's Auxerre,

Clamecy,

Vezelay,

.. and many others!

29. Sadly, Filipinos are one of the snobbish people in Europe. 

Ang taray mo talaga, Burger King clerk!!!

When I stopped by to eat at Burger King near the Opera House, I met this lady at the counter. She asked for my order and I said, "French fries and Fruita." I accidentally said Fruita! HAHAHA. How could she blame me? This was the first time I said it out loud because I have been saying "Royal" all my life. Then she replied, "Ha? It's FUN-TUH!" as she filled in my cup. She even whispered some things about being a Filipina. I didn't dare listen or reply back. Oh-em-gee! I could throw the Fanta back at her. It was a good thing I am too modest to do that at that time.

My message to you, lady: There's still room for change. 

30. Eat slowly. Enjoy eating your food. ;)

I have never eaten so slow in my entire life until I experienced service à la russe (the act of serving courses sequentially) at one of the fine dining restaurants in Auxerre. I found out that food becomes more delicious when eaten slowly. And we become more appreciative of every dish served to us, whether it's an appetizer, an entrée, or a dessert.

31. Take note of the smallest details. 

I always forget to write down or take a picture of the smallest details like the name of the restaurant we ate in or the train station we arrived at. I am really bad at remembering names though I had a snapshot of it in my head the moment I saw it. I am more of a visual person. I have been helping myself by saving it on my phone though sometimes I still forget.

32. Expose yourself to different cultures. 

Exposing yourself will enrich you, help you evaluate yourself, and discover and rediscover your own values. You will always see something different from yourself. C'est la vie (Such is life. This is just the way life is). 

My Euro Trip has never been so real to me until that day when the airplane flew from Clark to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Qatar, and Qatar to Denmark. Having a Euro Trip with my Mom has been scratched off my plans due to my job and finances. But Mom insisted on asking Dad and he said yes. Then the next thing I knew, my request for a leave and my application for a Schengen visa was approved. Wala na akong kawala. There was God, commanding me, "GO!"

Travelling has not just been about buying plane tickets, going to a distant country, experiencing another culture, spending money, and sharing stories to family and friends. It is the process of losing what lacks, searching what exists, and finding what awaits. It involves deeper sense of emotions that merely come out when one is genuinely in joy or in sorrow. It creates patterns in the path we walk on and marks out the roads where we can learn from. It develops the will to dream and inspires the spirit to achieve that dream. It even makes way for beautiful conversations to happen between God and man. In other words, travelling is the act of finding one's self, one's direction, one's life. 

When recently asked by a friend, "Ano bang nagpapasaya sa'yo? Paano ka ba mag-relax or mag-enjoy? (What makes you happy? How do you relax or enjoy?)" I quickly answered, "Traveling." She said, "Ang mahal naman ng nagpapasaya sa'yo! (Your type of enjoyment is costly!)" I just shrugged. Traveling may cause me to get so broke afterwards and to sacrifice my budget for shopping and food but it always brings me joy, the joy which only travelers understand. If I could define the feeling of traveling in one sentence, maybe it would be this: Traveling brings me to the closest place to heaven that I'll ever reach on earth.

There, I said it.

(Today is September 8, 2012. It takes a month for me to finish a blog now.)