There's no place like home

Forgive the pun of a blog title, but I just can't help it. I went to Hogwarts! This is a little late but  it was actually last December when I went. I honestly - and a little proudly - admit that I did teared up a little when I first stepped on the cobblestones of Hogsmeade which ended up with my brother giving me a weird "Are you stupid?" look. Aside from being very crowded (as most theme parks in Japan are), it was perfect. Bloody perfect.

On 2016

This might be a little late (or maybe not), but Happy New Year, dear reader/s! I said it already in my instagram birthday post, but I will say it again. 2015 was a very great year for me. 2015 was the year that I made many of my dreams come true, such as going to Universal Studios for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I honestly admit that I teared up when I stepped on the replicated cobble stones of Hogsmeade, drank butterbeer, and went on the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride. I also cried when I almost lost my Hermione wand (but the staff found it!).

I was also able to get a working visa here in Japan, so I can now live in my dream country. I still consider Philippines as my home, and nothing beats home. But for now, Japan is where I need to be. Here, I am my own woman. Here, I rely on myself, and it's a very liberating feeling. 

I do get sad and lonely sometimes. I look for my mother's touch on days when I am sick; I miss being driven to places by my Kuya; And I miss the ruckus and noise of my family on holidays. But I just think of the sadness and loneliness as experiences that I need to become stronger, and I believe that I've become more stronger than when I was in the Philippines.

I'm looking forward for this new year, because this year, I am open to new things. Last year was all about fulfilling my dreams, and I did it. Thus, for this year, as I live my dreams and continue to fulfill more, I want to see new things, feel new things, and experience new things. So I say, bring it 2016!

Great Scott!

If you're a fan of Back to the Future, then you probably already know that 2015 is the future. I was  browsing my photos for the last few months, and saw these:

These were taken last April when my mama and brother went to visit me again. It's in a car museum in Odaiba called "History Garage". I don't know why I haven't blog about Odaiba yet, despite working there for five months. Anyways, I love, love visiting that car museum from time to time since I quit my work in that area. Cars and vintage are two things I like together. But last month, there was sort of a car festival, so there were also some racing cars.

Marty:

"Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean?"

Dr. Emmett:

"The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?"

Spring

Spring is settling in in this part of the world, and it actually feels like it's battling with summer already (blame global warming for that). It's my second time experiencing spring and, for me, it's definitely not the same as before.

3.28.15

Today marks my first year here in Japan. The picture above is the same picture I used when I blogged about my arrival. It was my morning view. Back then, everything was fresh; everything was a challenge. I was scared and sad at first, being away from home and all. Now my morning view has changed as I've moved to a different apartment. Most streets are familiar. Routines are engraved into my being. I've achieved a lot and failed a lot. I quit from a job that was my only lifeline here. I was terrified. I was a bum for a few months. Found a better job. And now I'm just starting to get back from being "stable". There's such just so much that the future holds.

Life abroad has taught me so many things. But I think what struck me the most is how much sacrifices a life here would cost. It has been the best year, and I can't still believe that I'm here. But honestly, I'm currently homesick. I miss my own bed. I miss my own bedroom window. I miss how the summer sunshine wakes me up instead of alarm clocks or the bitter cold during this time of the year. I miss  having food in the table when I go downstairs for breakfast. I miss watching TV. I miss the grocery drives. I miss Jollibee. I miss the silence of our house whenever I go down in the middle of the night to pee or get a drink. I miss the smell of home. I miss my friends. I miss my family. I miss my mama.

It's a little sad but whenever I see myself going back to the Philippines, I see a dead end. There's nothing for me there. That's why I have to continue. Through all this, I'm happy that I still have the inspirations to go on with this life. That,  I think is the most important. Inspiration.

A Catch Up

"When was  the last time you did something for the first time?"

To say that I'm 'quite' busy is an understatement. My last post was when my first school term ended. And now, my second term has started and I'm midway through my two weeks summer break. Japan has been surreal. There are days when I feel like everything is mundane and routine, but then there will be days that everything is new and exciting. I like it. I like how erratic things are. I like change. I love change. Nothing makes me happier than knowing how I'm different from the person that I used  to be. I love how living here in Japan has given me the chance to reinvent myself - or at least just some parts of me. It's tough, and it will always be. But I think I'm getting comfortable with trying despite my fears and of taking chances despite not knowing what the consequences may be. I'm learning a lot. And I'm looking forward to learn more.

P.S. Pardon the dramatic tone of this post. I was  feeling reflective tonight. Plus, I missed blogging so much.

Asakusa

My first term in my Japanese language school recently ended. Surprisingly, I got decent grades  for someone who hasn't practiced Japanese in a long time. I'm looking forward  to next term!

Anyways, as the title states, this post is about my first time in Asakusa. We went there directly from Tokyo Sky Tree (by biking of course). When we arrived, it reminded me of  Divisoria and Ongpin, but cleaner. We went on a Saturday so the place was packed with tourists, making it very difficult to take lots of pictures.

To Tokyo Sky Tree

One of our bike adventures led us all the way to Tokyo Sky Tree. That's two hours away from Kasai, where I currently live, so we biked for four hours (to and from) that day. My bottoms hurt, but it was all worth it.

On Frustrations

I have to admit something. Living here in Japan, for a month and a few days now, is not all fun and games. Yes, I'm greatly enjoying my time, and I'm amazed about the things I get to experience here. But, when I'm alone or there's nothing to distract me, I get frustrated, scared, and homesick too. I left all my comforts and all the people I love back in the Philippines hoping for a more secured future. So there's nothing I can do to but to devise my own ways on how I can overcome these overwhelming feelings. I have to find ways to keep sane because now my friends and family are not 24/7 available to listen to my frustrations in life. Today, I wrote three reminders in my journal that I'd also like to share with you (to the few people who reads my blog and to those who are  just passing by),  hoping that these would also help you out in keeping your goals and keeping your strength as a person.

Bike Away

Welcome to the bikers' club! No, I'm not actually riding a motorcycle - just a bike, with pedals and all. I've been here for a month now, and most of my Saturdays or Sundays were spent biking around Tokyo with some of my new friends here in Japan. Our main tour guide is Kuya Ralph who we met at the nearby church. So far, we've been to the nearby park, Disneyland, and the farthest - wait for it - Tokyo Sky Tree. I know, I know. That probably didn't have an effect on you. But I live in Kasai, which is south east in Tokyo, and is less urban than what we often think about Tokyo. So, try asking Google how far Kasai is from the Tokyo Sky Tree, and maybe you'll understand why I have to quote Barney Stinson earlier (besides the fact that I'm a big fan of HIMYM). First stop, Kasai Rinkai Kouen (park).

Harajuku: Takeshita Dori

It was surreal for me being able to step into the streets of Harajuku for the first time. Next to Kyoto (which I learned from Rurouni Kenshin), Harajuku was the part of Japan that I used to read a lot about before. When I was a kid, my papa used to bring home airline magazines whenever he comes home from Saudi. One particular magazine, which I still have with me (locked back home), has in it cover two Harajuku girls. Of course, I didn't know that before. But after reading the main article about Sundays in Harajuku, I was hooked. It was also the article that caused my brief fixation on Lolita fashion (hence, my twitter and instagram username 'chabilolita'). I used to save pictures and pictures of dresses in Lolita style, and I even wanted to dress up as one.  Eventually, as I learned more about the cosplay culture in Japan, my love for Lolita fashion died down, but my want to go to Harajuku remained the same.

Omotesando

Last week, I wanted to visit Daiso in Harajuku because I wanted to see what other school supplies are available there. There is a Can Do (100yen shop or  hyaku-en shappu) near our place, but it's rather small, so it gave me enough reason to explore other options. Since the street where my school is located intersects Omotesando, I can walk Harajuku in about 20-30 minutes -  in Japanese walking manner. But since I was just on my second week and still on tourist mode, I took the time to take everything in. I took a lot of pictures (using my G15 again). Good thing that there were other tourists around the area, so I didn't look like a crazy tourist taking pictures of  random things.

Unfortunately, Fortunately

Ever since I came here to Japan, I've realized that aside from having opportunities to improve my skills for the career that I want and contribute more to my family, I am also given the chance to experience other things, even smaller things, that I won't be able to in the  Philippines. For example, spring. Where better can I experience it first? Here in Japan, of course!

On the Way to Hachiko

Trains

 “I like trains. I like their rhythm, and I like the freedom of being suspended between two places, all anxieties of purpose taken care of: for this moment I know where I am going.”
― Anna Funder, Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall

Photo Diary | 4.1.14 | A Morning Walk

Yesterday, we went to the city hall to apply for health insurances and then to the post office to open our bank accounts (yes, you can open an account in the post office). I didn't have my camera yesterday, so I wasn't able to take any pictures of the things that interest me. Today, I was ready.

Hello Japan

It's official. I'm in Japan. It's my fourth day, and I'm learning a lot already. Honestly, my first day was tough. I wanted to cry because I miss my family so much, especially my mama. I cried a little before I went to sleep. Yesterday, I got to talk to mama over Skype for the first time, and I did cry - like a baby. But now that I've cried and we figured out our Skype schedules, I feel much, much better. I'm missing a lot right now, but I know I'll get by. I think. I know.

Yesterday, some of my new friends here and I went to a nearby church. We got lost finding it, so we asked a nearby old Japanese guy for directions despite our meager Japanese skills. We thought he'll just give us some directions. To our surprise, he took us to church, which was around 5-10 minutes walk! I was surprised by how kind he was to us. We also met a lovely community of Filipinos in church. Even the priest was a Filipino. After mass, they invited us for pizza, so we  had free dinner. I spent the rest of  the night doing a little laundry, while watching 2 Broke Girls and New Girl episodes.

Right now, I'm still in the settling-in period. I've been busy buying stuffs that I need, and trying to hold back on the things that I don't need (it's tough!). I don't know how to ride trains yet, but I'll probably learn this week. School hasn't started yet, but  I'm actually looking forward to that. So far, I'm doing good here in Japan. Hopefully, I get accustomed to things around here soon!

P.S.

I know I promised I'd blog about how I applied for a school here for my next post. I'll do it as soon as I'm well settled-in!

xoxo,

A Sharing

There's no better or other way to say this, so I'll just make a go at it:

Yes, you read that right. I'm going to Japan to study their language - intensively - for a year! Finally! Finally! I've been holding it in for weeks, and I leave in a couple of days. Everything is surreal, and sometimes I still can't believe it's true. For the past few weeks, I held small parties at home and went to different dinners with friends. I even cooked for some of them, and it's one thing I will miss. As much as possible, I wanted to get as much as time with people I care about before I leave. Today, I'm running a few errands and will be visiting our province to spend time with my cousins, uncles, and aunts.

Throwback Thursday (way, way, back)

It's my 100th post! I know I don't post much, so I consider that as an achievement. Today, I'm going back to the year 2009. For me, it was a year of opportunities and misfortunes. I was a senior in college and president of our professional organization. I was handling an organization whilst juggling thesis writing and other school responsibilities. In addition to that, I also have my personal life and relationships that I was trying to hold on to. During that time, I was given a chance to visit Japan for 10 days to attend a seminar at Fukuoka University. For ten days, I was one of the happiest people on Earth. However, when I came back, reality slapped - nay - kicked me so hard, that I didn't know how to get up at once. Our thesis was in a stalemate; I got betrayed by someone I trust my life with; and responsibilities from the organization came crashing in like a tsunami. I was miserable. I was heart broken. Thus, I wasn't really able to fully share my Fukuoka experience to anyone, except some of my family and some friends. I didn't even posted it in Facebook! But now that I'm out of that awful past, now that I've moved on from that, and now that I've learned my lessons, perhaps it's time I look back on those wonderful ten days.

Hello Japan!

 Disclaimer: What you're about to see are photos taken using a digital camera in 2009. I know. They're a bit bad. But hey, they're worth it. Also, you will also see a clueless thin version of me. A.thin.version.of.me.

Little Tokyo

Since the beginning of January, I started attending a Japanese Immersion class. The class is sort of about what to expect when going to Japan, and it will end soon in mid-March. Yes, I do have some plans of going to Japan this year (eep!), but I'm still earnestly praying that everything falls into place. Anyway, yesterday, our class, led by our sensei and her friend, had a small field trip to Little Tokyo in Makati as a follow up to our lessons on Japanese food and table manners.