Being Twentysomething

I just read this very interesting article from Thought Catalog entitled, "Why Being In Your 20s Is Awesome." I love every single thing written here because it is so straight-to-the-point and it reminded me so much of my personal experiences. Let me quote some of my favorite lines from the article.

I've always been a segurista ever since before. When I was still a student, if I knew I had an exam, I would review my books and notes not only once, but twice or even thrice, just to make sure I understood everything. I didn't want to be caught off-guard. I've always been prepared. Or so I thought. When college ended in 2010, I suddenly found  myself standing at a crossroads. I didn't know where to go. Should I try out for a corporate job? Should I intern and travel abroad? Should I help my parents' business? Hay, whatever happened to Little Miss Ready?

As I look back at the events that have transpired in my life during the last two years, I am glad that I took the road less travelled. Most of my batchmates chose to immediately work for large corporations in the country, but I opted to go for an internship in the Czech Republic! I took this big leap secretly and hastily. My parents were in fact, among the last people to know, much to their disappointment. They told me that flying to the former communist country of Czechoslovakia was an insane idea! But I was persistent and very bull-headed. I was so excited and every bit as ready "to feel and see as much as [I] can, to take advantage of not being tied down to anything and anyone and to go balls to the wall with everything that [I] do". 

My parents were initially against my European internship because they wanted me to immediately work for a multinational company and consequently map out my career path. But my sentiments back then were exactly the same as the sentiments echoed in the article. "Why the hell are we in such a hurry to live some boring grown up adult life that we saw at a Crate & Barrel? Because once we do get there, we’re stuck for a long time. [Being twentysomething] is going to leave us eventually so you better freaking enjoy it." 

Eventually pursuing my internship in the Czech Republic turned out to be the best decision that I have ever made in my entire life! I decided to let go of my segurista ways and become more spontaneous like sleep in train stations, run away from a ticket controller, enter a gay bar, explore a new city alone and a whole lot more. It was a bit frightening, somewhat exhausting, but definitely fun and life-changing!  

It has been eight months since my internship ended and not a day goes by that I don't miss my adventure-filled year in Europe. Although I feel happy and blessed with the way things are going on right now (I work for an outstanding multinational company and I get to see my family and friends often), a part of me still thirsts for that foolish, impetuous and vagabond lifestyle that I once got accustomed to.

Indeed, what the article mentioned at the very end is true, "[We] should love every single moment of this hot mess of a decade. Chances are [we’ll] miss it before [we] even get to say “I’m 30.” 

Relief Efforts for Sendong

It's been a week since the devastating Typhoon Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro. I haven't seen my hometown this bad. These are just some of the photos I took as we passed by the once glorious Marcos Bridge. Now, there's murky water everywhere.

Near the area of Macasandig, many of the houses are in topsy turvy positions after the typhoon.

This was once the site of a big subdivision. Not a single house was spared by Sendong.

Bigby's Cafe and its sister companies were among the first to respond in the relief operations. Thank you to all the generous donors!

Down to the World

The 26th day of March bears a lot of significance to me. Four years ago, I graduated from high school on this particular day. Four years later, I graduated from college on this particular day once again. 

Mina and I had our makeup done at the Student Affairs Office together with the usherettes of the ceremony. Afterwards, we met up with our respective parents for more photo up before the start of the ceremony. We, Comtech students, also had our photos taken with our Program Director, Sir Aly.

I admit I got a bit sleepy midway through the graduation ceremony because of the long speeches but when we started singing our alma mater song, the "Song for Mary", it hit me that college is finally over. I started to get teary-eyed. The past four years had been quite a roller coaster. I cried quite a lot of times, endured many sleepless nights, and did lots of stupid things. But I will certainly miss those days.  

Makeover at Orchard

Today, the three of us woke up a little past noon time. We slept so late the night before because we got so addicted to the Chat Roulette. We had a quick bite near my sister's flat and then we headed to Orchard Road, Singapore's premiere fashion district. Connected to the metro station is the newly opened mall, Ion Orchard.

Since we don't have that much money to shop, Trish and I decided to give ourselves a free makeover at Shu Uemura. I loved the final outcome!

Farewell Cory

Last August 5, we gathered at Anda Circle for the funeral of former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino. I had the rare privilege to go near the Manila Cathedral together with Sir Cholo and Johnoelle. Uniformed policemen gathered at the premises of the Manila Cathedral to control the crowd. The police were asking all the bystanders to leave the area because it was only for the media. But when we flashed our Ateneo IDs, they allowed us to stay. Sir Cholo, Johnoelle and I got the chance to see the bigwigs from politicians to movie stars to socialites.

We watched from a giant screen the mass officiated by Fr. Arevalo. His homily was very touching and the last words by Kris Aquino left us all teary-eyed.  After the mass, the rain poured so hard as we waited for the remains of Cory Aquino to pass by for the final procession. Despite the bad weather, catching a glimpse of the icon of democracy for the very first and last time is something I could proudly tell my grandkids someday

2008: The Year That Was

January. My roller coaster journey started when I applied for the Junior Term Abroad Program. I was very eager to study abroad because I have been waiting for this opportunity since freshman year. Remember, I shifted majors (from MeCo to ComTech) just so I could join the JTA Program. My mom was first against the whole idea because it would cost a lot of money.

February. The list of the accepted applicants for the JTA Program came out and I was in the 64th spot. I then applied for the USD $2000 scholarship from the JGSOM and faced the Dean for an interview. Thankfully, I was one of the lucky few who was awarded the scholarship! That time, I was set on going to Sogang University in Korea.

March. New slots for universities were opened for the JTA participants and I saw a slot for Akita International University in Japan. I decided to ask the Office of International Program how much was the expected cost of living if I were to study in this university. Surprisingly, it was cheaper than the expected cost of living in Sogang University. So I immediately wrote a letter to the Dean that I wanted to change universities. Besides, it was still within the terms of the scholarship (must be a university in Asia). When the semester ended, my friends and I headed to Subic for some R&R.

April. Just when I thought everything was already okay, I got a call from the JGSOM office while I was vacationing with my blockmates in Tagaytay and Batangas. The Dean wanted to speak to me. When I got back to Manila, I faced the shock of my life. I was told that I could no longer get the scholarship. It turned out that the scholarship is only available to those who choose to go to any Asian country except Japan. How unfair is that! But I insisted in the most respectful manner that I have inquired about the cost of living and it is even cheaper than my previous choice. But the Dean still declined my plea. I was given an ultimatum--either I go to Macau or Hongkong or not join the JTA at all. I was ready to back out at that moment When I went back to the Dean's office to tell him about my decision, he just got off the phone. He then told me that he just spoke with the head of the OIP and he was reconsidering his earlier decision because the new school in Japan is indeed more affordable. What a relief!

May. This was very stressful month because of the tons of requirements from the different subjects I was taking: Operations Management, Introduction to Finance, Introduction to Marketing, Philosophy 101 and Introduction to Multimedia. I was beginning to doubt if the JTA Program was worth all the stress. But there was a silver lining this month. I got a surprise call from the Dean. He told me that he recommended me for the JASSO scholarship, which offered better benefits than the scholarship money from JGSOM. I was over the moon!

June. My friend, Mitch, started talking about the idea of getting an internship during our short break on July and August. I was very interested because I wanted to earn some extra money before leaving for my JTA. Inspite of all my sleepless nights and very ngarag schedule, I managed to squeeze some interviews after class hours together with my partner in crime, Irma. 

July. The first JTA semester finally ended on the 13th. Goodbye stress! The Monday after that, I immediately started my internship in Korea Trade and Investment Promotions Agency. I loved the idea of dressing up and wearing heels everyday for work. I felt like a real grown up! Another thing I loved about the internship was that I got paid more than what I expected.

August. Irma, Den and I had a little R&R in my hometown, Cagayan de Oro. It was their first time to travel to Mindanao so I was very excited to show them around. We went rafting and explored Camiguin Island. After being an intern for six weeks, I finally bade my company goodbye and left Manila on the 23rd to start my Junior Term Abroad in Japan.

September. I have gotten used to my new lifestyle as an exchange student in Akita, Japan. The school load was nothing compared to my load in Ateneo so I was feeling very happy and lazy. I realized that the JTA was my reward for all the hardwork I have invested on my studies the past two years. Furthermore, JASSO, the organization that granted me a scholarship, did not disappoint me. They were very generous with the allowance they gave me. 

October. The highlight for this month was our paid community service activities. You heard it right, it was PAID. At the end of the month, Jam and I went on a three-day trip to Tokyo. We visited the major sightseeing spots and also went to Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea. This was also the month I was able to buy myself a brand new Sony Cybershot camera. 

November. After the fun-filled Tokyo trip last month, I was determined to go down South. I was a bit disappointed that Jam could not join me. Thank goodness Laura, Kathryn and Emmy decided to come with me. We went to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. 

December. It was hard to say goodbye to the new friends we have made the past few months. Jam and I cried a lot when we left Akita. We knew that we ended our Junior Term Abroad successfully because we both got straight A's. Hooray! Before leaving Japan, Jam and I travelled together to Yokohama, Nikko and Tokyo.

The Big Leap

BLOGGING. This is an unfamiliar territory to me because I am not really into writing. But after much prodding from my friends, I've finally decided to start this personal blog.

Why Little Miss Wayfarer?

My friends know that nearly every single penny I received from my parents as school allowance as well as the money I earned from my part-time jobs were spent on my travels. I love to travel because I love to wander, to marvel and to simply experience something new. I am truly a wanderer/wayfarer at heart. This blog will document all my adventures from now on. Apart from my travels, expect also to read just about anything under the sun, from the most exciting gossip to the most mundane stories.