This week Gail McMeekin writes “By keeping our intuitive channels and our senses open to discovery, we can capture our unique inspirations” (page 22). It’s not always easy to keep my senses open. I live in a big city. Actually, a huge city of 11 million people. I happen to live in the business district, so I’m surrounded by tall office buildings and condominiums. There are next to no parks, only giant malls. I’m living in an urban jungle. Unconsciously I shut down my senses as much as possible, it’s so overwhelming: too many cars, too much noise, too many people, too much polution. Nature is normally a big source of inspiration for me and I find it hard to see beauty in surroundings like these.

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. ~ Henry David Thoreau

I love this quote. It inspired me to make a collage for this week, to remind myself that it’s not what I look at that matters, but what I see. Beautiful things are everywhere, you just have to be willing to see it. Picking up a silky white frangipane flower that has fallen off a tree on the side of the road and putting it in a glass of water on my table brings a little piece of nature into my apartment. The jeepneys on the street are noisy, but often they’re very colourful too, with intricate lettering and great art painted onto them. And even though the tall buildings prevent me from seeing the actual sunset, I do love the way the sun reflects in their many windows. This week I want to train myself to consciously look around and see beauty and inspiration in unexpected places. Instead of speedwalking on autopilot without seeing anything, I’m going to leave a few minutes earlier and take my time to look around, open for inspiration to come to me in whatever form.

Yesterday was my granpa’s birthday. Or it would have been. He died almost three years ago. It didn’t really matter, I wished him a happy birthday anyway. I imagined him sitting at his usual spot at the table, pretending to be slightly annoyed with the fuss of birthday wishes (and kisses!), but secretly enjoying it. In my mind we ate his favourite cake, the one he always wanted when there was something to celebrate. With whipped cream. Lots of whipped cream. My grandpa didn’t believe in diets. It showed, both on him and on his dog.

Can you still wish someone a happy birthday, even when they’ve passed away? I believe so. The love we felt for someone doesn’t all of a sudden disappear when they die. That bond is still there. Remembering their birthdays and celebrating it in some way is celebrating the lives they had and expressing gratitude that they were part of yours. The memories of my grandpa’s past birthdays and imagining how it was made me feel close to him, even though he’s no longer here.

Coming back from a diving day trip yesterday I couldn’t stop watching the full moon while my friend was driving. It was so beautiful and bright, illuminating the clouds that framed it.  It reminded me of all the times I sat in the back of my parents’ car, looking at the moon, convinced that the moon was moving with us, accompanying us on our journey. Twentyfive years later I still feel that way, that the moon is always there to light my way and to tell me that I’m not alone, that she’s watching over me. At a full moon anything is possible, it’s when the magic is at its strongest.

My dreamboard for this moon is all about my theme for 2009: Adventure. I figure a good start is a job half done already. I’m inviting adventure into my life, I want to explore and discover new treasures, whether they are new foods to taste, new friends to meet, new places to see, new activities to undertake, new books to read, new movies to see, new songs to dance to, new meditations to relax to, etc. I have taped it onto the giant mirror in my living room, so that it’s the last thing I see before I leave my apartment and the first thing when I come  in.

Secret 1: Acknowledging Your Creative Self

When I was younger, I considered myself to be a-creative. My friends were all so much better in drawing/singing/dancing/writing/acting, or at least that’s what I thought. I had a part in a school musical when I was 12 where I had to sing a few lines, but I backed out because my friends told me I couldn’t sing. Ouch. Whenever I felt the urge to do something creative after that, I suppressed it. No way was I going to give other people the chance to tell me how bad I was.

Traveling through India in 2004/2005 I met a photographer who told me about Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. It was a turning point. Being creative isn’t about being good or bad, it’s about playing, about having fun and enjoying the ride. Sometimes I forget this and I get caught in the “this isn’t any good, other people are so much better than I am”-trap, but it happens less and less. It’s taken a long time, but finally I’m learning to not only acknowledge my creativity, but to fully embrace, honour and celebrate it:

• taking part in this book blogging group
• dancing around the living room in my payamas
• doing The Artist’s Way with a circle of wonderful women
• putting wishes in my Wish Jar
• singing in the shower
• by diving, surrounding myself with all the underwater wonders and colours
• not just playing with my camera, but signing up for a Basic Photography course with a well-known photographer here (starting in February)
• treating myself as a Creative Goddess in the Creative Goddess Course with Goddess Leonie (starting next week)
• colouring my heart out with all the stuff I splurged on a few weeks ago
• making dream boards

These holidays was the first time I was celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve all on my own. It was an interesting experience, not necessarily one I’d like to repeat, but I don’t regret it. It was my choice to move to the Philippines and leave all my friends and family behind and being alone over the holidays was a consequence of that decision. And despite many people feeling sorry for me, I didn’t feel sorry for myself. At all. I relished the opportunity to see how I’d deal with it, what I’d come up with. I had all the time in the world I wanted to read the books that were on my bedside table. I spend hours reflectin on and contemplating all the things that 2008 brought me, feeling so blessed and grateful. I envisioned what I want in 2009. I took a scuba diving course, which totally rocked.

When I booked my diving course a few weeks ago, I didn’t want to be alone all the time over the holidays. I wanted to see more of the Philippines, explore new places and meet new people. I didn’t know how amazing it would be, what a sense of freedom it would bring me to go down and be part of this whole new world underwater. It was such a fairytale to see the vibrant colours of the big starfish draped on the bottom of the sea. There were  clown fish like Nemo peeking out of their anemones and different school of fish navigating around each other like a fully choreographed ballet and so many exotic marine life I’d never seen before. Floating on my back and watching the air bubbles coming out of my regulator glimmer in the rays of sunlight that penetrated the water while dancing up to the surface gave me such joy.

(Pictures by my friend Sharon)

Back in Manila I couldn’t stop thinking about what an adventure and how much fun to explore and discover all the beauty and wonders. And I realised that it’s essential for me to explore and discover new treasures, because that’s when I feel most alive and happy and best. Last year for me was about Connections, not only with other people, but even more with myself and my soul. In order to feed and nurture that connection with my soul, this year will all be about Adventure, about exploring and discovering and stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things. They don’t all have to be big adventures, like diving, they can be small too. Like not always wearing my oh so comfy jeans. Trying new recipes. Saying ‘yes’ to invitations I would previously not have accepted, because I feel too shy. Looking for an elegant red dress with matching shoes to go out. Anything can be an adventure.

What’s your word for this year?

To be honest, I wasn’t really looking forward to this trip. I’d seen the program and there was a lot of teambuilding on it. I just wanted to relax really, not get tired running around. Well, how short sighted of me. We were divided into 4 teams, eacht with their own colour t-shirt, and what followed was an afternoon and evening full of fun, silly games, good naturedness and laugther. I’ve never seen more than 100 adults running around on the beach in a game of Dragon Tails or trying to find their teammates while they were blindfolded while making animal sounds. It sounds stupid and lame, but I laughed so much my belly hurt and I almost wet my pants. It was like we were all kids again, playing around and enjoying ourselves.

After the frolicking there was time for relaxing and swimming and kayakking and doing whatever you wanted. It was just so beautiful, the colours were so vibrant, the mangoes were so sweet and juicy and the sky was so blue. It was an exhausting weekend, but oh so much fun. I can’t remember the last time I went swimming at 3 am, but I’m planning to do it more often…

With all the beauty, the lovely people, the silly games, the fun and laughter, the patchwork of colours that surrounded us and the bit of time I spent alone with my camera this was a delicious break, soul nourishing and rejuvenating.

After the breakthrough I experienced a few days ago, I was a little afraid to try again. What if it didn’t work? What if I’d made it all up, it was all in my head? I went to sleep very late, just like the night before, so I would be tired again in the morning. Starting my MP’s I asked for a sign during the day, something that would prove to me this was real, that I wasn’t making it up. I felt a bit embarrassed asking for a sign, it’s so cliche. Why did I need a sign? Why did I start doubting it was real all of a sudden? I felt that presence taking over my pen again, guiding me. I was reading what my hand wrote down. I read that it was ok to ask for a sign, that it was human nature to want to see proof of things. If I wanted a sign, I would get a sign.

My working day didn’t start too great. Actually, most of it wasn’t great. After 2 nights of only a few hours of sleep I was tired and there was just so much to do, so many problems to take care of. Until I was talking to someone whom I admire and greatly respect professionally. I was telling him about some of the plans and ideas that I have to hear his thoughts about them. He liked what I was saying. In fact, he proposed I write them down in a business plan and present them to the big guys in our company. And then he offered to be my mentor! My jaw literally dropped. I’d been asking for guidance and help to find the path to do my job as good as I can and poof, two days later I have a mentor. If that isn’t a sign…

I only had about 4 hours of sleep last night. Normally I go to bed quite early, I like my sleep. For some reason I kept putting off going to bed, because I really needed to do some handwash laundry and I really needed to read the Filippino Cosmo and I really wanted to see some show on tv. This morning when I woke up I was tired and my eyes looked all red and puffy. I started my MP’s by asking myself why I stayed up so late and telling myself off for not going to sleep earlier. I went on about feeling nervous for work and that being tired wouldn’t help. And then all the answers to my questions the day before were being answered. I wrote down exactly where to start, where to look, what to look for and how to organise the information. I wasn’t making it up, I was just getting it down on paper, as Julia described it. Not once did I think about what to write next, my pen just kept going and going, not pausing for a second. After the work related stuff, it went on to personal things.

I was flabbergasted. There I was, propped up against my pillows, writing down what were not my own thoughts. This was the very first time I experienced what Julia described in TAW, to just show up at the page, ask a question and listen for the answer. I’d had glimpes of it before, flashes of insight that are gone before you realise what it was telling you, but you feel it was significant, that there is something or someone that does have all the answers. I’d never experienced anything like this before.

I held the pen, but it wasn’t me writing. It wasn’t me saying the reason I stayed up so late yesterday, because feeling tired would help me switch off my brain and be open for the answers to the questions I’d asked previously. “Just write, don’t think”. That’s what I did this morning and I’ll be trying it again tomorrow.

This is my biggest breakthrough so far in the process of doing TAW. I’m truly grateful that I got to experience it. Without the support of the amazing women that I share this journey with, I wouldn’t have made it this far, thank you all. Your encouraging words and kindness and just knowing that we’re in this together have helped me so much. I feel connected to each and every one of you and I am honoured that life brought us together.

So far whenever I felt the urge to create something, I reached for my new camera. Yesterday that wasn’t enough. I felt like treating myself, and treating myself I did. Watercolour pencils, wax crayons, felt pens, coloured ink cartridges for my fountain pen (I did my MP’s in red this morning!), a few girly books, textile paint, some brushes, plain index cards in 2 sizes and a stash of Filippino magazines. It was exciting picking out the magazines, as they were all packed in plastic, so I literally had to judge them by their covers.

Unpacking everything at home I felt like I’d gone a little overboard. I wondered if I needed all this stuff. I don’t draw or paint, so why did I get the watercolour pencils and the crayons and the felt pens and the textile paint? Why did I not just choose one of them instead of buying them all? I looked at the receipts for the returning goods policy. It stated they only take back goods if they’re damaged. My purchases weren’t damaged, so I couldn’t return them. I had them, so I’d better use them, right?

In the beginning I didn’t know what to do, how to use the materials. I was getting discouraged, because it all looked horrible. Until I realised the whole point of me buying kids’ stuff was having fun like kids do! So I made a mess. My whole table was covered with crayons and cups of water and coloured paper. I was colouring and painting and I didn’t care what it looked like. It was an afternoon full of playing, enjoying, relaxing and connecting.

Starting with the taxi driver in Manila who had no idea whatsoever where our apartment was and in after half an hour of aimlessly driving around suggested we’d take another taxi. We got home around 1 am, where I unpacked the suitcase I’d packed for Hong Kong and packed it again to go to the beach in Cebu. At 7 am we left again for the airport, travelling with only hand luggage. I’ve travelled happily all over the world with this suitcase as my handluggage, but Cebu Pacific made me check it in, because it was too big. In Cebu we took a taxi to the port of Hagnaya, where we’d take the ferry to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island. Arriving an hour before the ferry was scheduled, we were told it was actually cancelled. The next and last ferry would leave in 3 hours. We called the hotel where we’d reserved rooms to tell them we’d arrive a bit later than planned, only to be told that they’d given our rooms away. They’d try to get us rooms at other resorts. When we finally did arrive, the rooms they’d booked for us turned out to be more than double the price than the rooms we’d originally booked. Staying calm and with a big fake smile on my face (by that time I’d be on the road for more than 30 hours already, sleeping just 4 hours) I managed to secure 2 rooms in the resort next door for the same price. All we wanted was some food and a bed!

Waking up the next day revealed the beauty of Bantayan Island. Wow, it really was like a postcard! Sipping fresh coconut water on the beach, swimming in the coral blue sea, looking for shells on the beach, the cool breeze in the evening, the bright starlit sky, it was amazing. Even the fact that I was red all over within no time and looked really goofy with my straw hat couldn’t spoil the joy I felt. We had a lovely day full of relaxing.

We left a bit earlier than planned the next morning, in case another ferry was cancelled. We’d arranged for the same taxi driver to pick us up in Hagnaya and drive us back to the airport. We had a few hours to spare in the afternoon and decided to go shopping. The driver dropped us at a mall and agreed to be back 1,5 hours later. As soon as he drove away, my travel companions realised they’d left their bag on the back seat. In it were their passports, their credit card, their mobile phone and their brandnew digital camera. Very close to panicking, we tried to ban all worst case scenarious from our minds and stay positive, the taxi driver had seemed like a kind, reliable man. Unfortunately the card with his mobile number on it was also in the bag, so we couldn’t call him. We tried calling my friend’s mobile phone in the hope the driver would pick it up. After countless times he did. He promised to head straight back to the mall to deliver the bag. A very long 15 minutes later, the crisis had passed.

At the airport we didn’t have to check in our handluggage this time, although when boarding the plane, my friend wasn’t allowed to bring his suitcase into the cabin, it had to be checked in again. At least this time he didn’t have to pay for it. Ah yes, and the plane was delayed, so we didn’t arrive back in Manila until after midnight. But we made it. And it was an adventure. I loved it.

Yes, a lot of things did go wrong, but so what? In the end we had a great trip. Would we have done it if we’d have known beforehand it would take us a day to get to our destination and a day to get back to spend just 1 day at the beach? Probably not, I suppose we’d have looked for something a bit nearer. Travelling in Asia often means expecting the unexpected and journeys almost always take longer than you think. Travelling isn’t just about the destination, the journey to get there can be just as interesting. Although I have to say in this case, the destination was simply stunning.

I’m at the airport in Hong Kong at the moment, while my flight left an hour ago. We weren’t allowed to check in, because we didn’t hold an onward ticket out of Manila. Four weeks ago we didn’t hold an outward ticket out of Manila either and there was no problem, but now we were refused to check in. We need to present proof that we’re leaving the Philippines within 59 days, because our visa doesn’t allow us to stay longer than that. Yes, I hear you thinking “Why did you not check this before!”. I did. I checked with the consul who approved my visa. And like I said, 4 weeks ago everything was fine. But not now. So here I am, together with my colleague and our boss, who’s visiting from Dublin, trying to figure out our best option. Because the next flight, tonight at 10 pm, is fully booked, so we’re on standby. The problem is, we have a flight to Cebu (which is in the Philippines, so no use of our visa problem) tomorrow morning before 10. It’s a bank holiday weekend in the Philippines and we thought we’d grab the opportunity to make our first trip and see if the beaches are really as beautiful as the pictures we’ve seen. For the past hour we’ve talked to various members of staff of Cathay Pacific, but it seems very hard to locate a supervisor. I’m trying to not get too stressed about it and think of it as a funny travel story, but boy, I do hope we’ll find a solution soon!

We’re in week 6 now, which is when I normally drop out. The theme for this week is abundance, taking a look at your attitude towards money. I guess money can be a difficult topic.  I consider myself to be quite sensible when it comes to money, i.e. I put part of my salary into a savings account every month, I don’t spend money before I actually have money to spend, in the supermarket I look out for saver deals and seasonal produce, I shop around before making big purchases and I don’t mind to pay more for good quality, because I think cheap is expensive in the long run. On the other hand, I do buy every book I see that looks interesting and I when I still lived in Dublin, I loved meeting my friends in our favourite cake cafe or going out for a meal.

Today I decided to hire the services of a cleaning lady once a week to clean my apartment. This may seem a simple decision, but I had to convince myself to actually do it. Because I live on my own and the apartment isn’t that big, I felt I should really do it myself. Back in Europe I wouldn’t even consider this, but here in Manila I can afford hiring someone. I felt like a snob. Don’t ask me why, I just did. Until this afternoon. This afternoon I decided to not feel guilty, but hire someone. So I did. She’ll start tomorrow.

This will cost me 7 euro.  Seven euro will provide me with a free weekend to do whatever I want, whether it be travelling, photography, sleeping or anything. I feel so happy knowing that after putting in more than 50 hours at work during the week, I won’t have to spend my weekend cleaning my apartment. Or doing laundry,  because while I was at it, I decided to bring my laundry to the launderette across the street. So that I don’t have to waste any free time on household chores, but I can do what I want to do most: enjoy myself. Now that’s what I call abundance.

I love seeing little snippets of people’s lives. You can click on the links and see the whole blog post they wrote, but I like just reading the bits and pieces:

• are amazing, as is the organization in it’s entirely I feel blessed beyond measure that I was placed where I was, and know without a doubt that everything happens for a reason and where I am right now really is God’s place for me.
• I actually feel I’ve been unbelievably lucky in love.
• I was just reading my old Livejournal posts looking for something (at this point I don’t even remember what), and I started just reading through and after sometime, I came to the realization: I don’t even remember the person that wrote those, nor do I ever remember feeling that optimistic.
• I love meeting new people and just having that quick bond and you FEEL it.
• I need to go to Walgreen’s (feel uncomfortable around this guy, like I normally would in real life).

1. I sing so badly that it even hurts my own ears
2. I don’t like showing my knees, because I was such a tomcat as a kid they have quite a few scars
3. I’ve stopped watching the news and reading news papers, because it didn’t make my life happier
4. Sometimes I wish I were a hermit, living alone in a little cottage, just me and my goats
5. I haven’t done any sports in over 5 years, but I’m trying to take up swimming again
6. I’ve read all books in the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabott - as an adult, that is

I won’t tag anyone to do this meme, but if you feel like revealing 6 things about yourself, go ahead and please leave a comment, I love reading other people’s secrets!

Yesterday I saw a show about a tattoo shop in LA and one in Miami. They showed the stories behind the tattoes, many of which were very touching. And as I saw the creativity the artists put in their tattoes, a thought formed in my head. If I were to get a tattoo, what would it be and where would I want it? It would be something small and private, not somewhere for everyone to see. A symbol maybe, or a word. But what? Which symbol? Which word? If I ever were to get a tattoo, it would have to express who I am, my soul. I can’t stop thinking about it. I don’t mean about the tattoo, but in what way could I express who I am in my soul, so that I would be reminded of that every time I see it. Something that gives me courage and reassurance, that can serve as a guideline of how I want to live my life. It’s an interesting question that deserves time and attention.

I live on the 12th floor. I’ve never lived higher than the 3rd floor. I’ve also never lived in a building with a swimming pool and a gym or with staff that open the door for you or in a city with so many other high buildings. The view is ok during the day, the buildings right across the street are lower, so sitting on the sofa, I can see the blue sky. During the night, the high buildings provide a beautiful skyline.

My Buddha statue and Wish Jar to feel at home

One of the guys actually spends the night at his desk sometimes, because the journey to his house takes 3 hours, more if traffic is really bad and sometimes it’s just too late for him to go home. Yesterday was one of those nights. I knew there was no way he was going to accept my offer to sleep on my couch, so my male colleague tried to convince him to spend the night at his couch. He refused and slept at his desk. This morning when I came in, I didn’t know where to look. He was wearing a clean shirt, but looked exhausted. I’d love to help him, but how?

I viewed a loft type apartment the day before yesterday and I thought it could feel like a home, although I wasn’t 100% sure. The conditions however were ridiculous, in my opinion at least. Here in the Philippines, it’s custom that landlords take a security deposit of 2 months rent and also expect 2 months rent in advance. This owner wanted the deposit and 6 months rent in advance. I’ve also seen apartments where they wanted 12 months rent in advance! I was negotiating the terms of the contract and in the meantime looking at other apartments too, in case this one didn’t work out. So when I got an email this morning from a real estate agent I’d enquired with that said he had exactly what I was looking for, it sounded promising, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high. But as soon as I entered, I knew I was going to rent this apartment. It looked well cared for, with a fresh coat of paint, it was fully furnished and the owner had eye for detail when she decorated it. As an added bonus, it’s in the same building my friends will be living.

I was so happy when I made a little dance when we left the building. After moving into my own place, I can finally start to settle and begin to feel at home.

In the office, the Christmas frenzy has started as well. Names have been put into a bowl for everyone to participate in an anonymous Christmas gift exchange, which will take place during the weekend of 13 and 14 December - not in the office, but on a beautiful beach about 3 hours from Makati, for a weekend long Christmas party! And that’s all before Christmas is even here… I’m curious to see what will happen next.

Somewhere between Dublin and Hong Kong

Yes, we’re really there!

The stunning view from Victoria Peak

Being a real tourist with the wax Bruce Lee

And more tourist stuff: the Avenue of Stars

With stars that I’ve never heard of…

I just love all those vibrant colours you see everywhere on the street!

Kowloon Park - even though the Olympics are over, the reminder remains.

Going for dinner

Taking the Star Ferry back from Hong Kong Island by night

At lunch time I had an appointment to view some apartments. As soon as I entered the first apartment, I knew that was the one I wanted. Unfortunately the price was a bit higher than I expected, so I looked at other (studio) apartments as well, but they just wouldn’t do after the one I saw first. I made an offer to the real estate agent to lower the rent a bit and now I’m waiting to hear back from her whether the owner has accepted my offer. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

Yesterday was not one of my best days, as was probably obvious from my post. Today turned out to be better. We set out to find a supermarket to get some fresh fruits and veggies and did some exploring of the neighbourhood. It was sunny and hot and very bright and things didn’t look as bleak as they did yesterday. Not too far away there is a giant shopping mall, bigger than any I’ve ever seen before and I was happy to find some well stocked bookshops. I also got myself a pair of swimming goggles and a swimming cap. The building I live in has a swimming pool and I intend to get back in shape by swimming a few laps before I go to work every day. We found a supermarket and it was huge. It looked they have everything, even some imported cheese from Holland! That will definitely help in not getting home sick, as I’m addicted to cheese. Picking out fruit was a bit of a challenge, but with the help of a friendly staff member I bought 2 papayas and 2 mangoes. Oh, the taste of that fruit! It’s so sweet and juicy and fresh and yummy!

So far I’ve noticed two things I’ll really need to get used to when shopping here. The first is when entering a mall or a big department store, there are security personnel to check your bag and make sure you’re not bringing in anything illegal. Of course the same goes for leaving; again you have to pass security people who’ll scan you and your bag. There are security staff everywhere, for every hotel entrance and every parking lot and every office and in every shop, no matter how small. This area has a reputation to be safe, but I have to admit it does scare me a little.

The other one is the way store assistants treat customers. For example, whenever you enter a shop, the nearest member of staff will welcome you in by saying “Welcome ma’am” or something similar and when you leave “Thank you for coming, ma’am”. They’re very customer friendly, it seems, but it can be a bit unnerving when you’re checking out the different kinds of toilet paper and the shop assistant asks if she can help you.

Tomorrow is the first day of work. I’m excited to meet my new colleagues, some of whom I’ve had contact with on msn and to start my new role. I’m curious to find out if working here is very different from working in Dublin. I’m a bit nervous, but they’re the good kind of nerves. Let’s see how it all goes…

What is a journey? A journey is not a trip. It’s not a vacation. It’s a process. A discovery. It’s a process of self-discovery. A journey brings us face to face with ourselves. A journey shows us not only the world, but how we fit in it.

Does the person create the journey or does the journey create the person?

(Louis Vuitton ad on my flight from Hong Kong to Manila)

It’s the first of November today, which means the start of NaBloPoMo. It also happens to be the start of my life in the Philippines. We arrived today, after spending a few days in Hong Kong on the way over from Dublin. Hong Kong was amazing; it was unlike any other place I’d ever been to. I was thrilled to be there, taking the ferry to Hong Kong Island, travelling on the peak tram to Victoria Peak, walking on the Avenue of Stars, trying all kinds of new food, gazing at the millions of twinkling lights of the Hong Kong skyline, photographing the flamencos in Kowloon Park, looking at fake Rolexes and anything you can imagine at the night market in Temple Street and window-shopping in Nathan Street. I loved every moment of it and I’m already looking forward to my next trip there at the end of this month.

We’re in Manila now. And to be honest, I’m not quite as thrilled about it as I was about Hong Kong. Actually, it’s been a bit of a shock to be here today. Instead of feeling excited I feel anxious. Instead of going out and exploring I want to do nothing more than stay inside and watch tv with the curtains closed, pretending to be home. It’s a holiday in the Philippines today and Makati City, where we’ll be living and working, is deserted. Apparently it’s always deserted during the weekend, as it’s the business district of Manila and consists more of offices than of apartments, but even more so during a holiday. There are hardly any people on the streets and all restaurants are closed, even a fast food chain like KFC. Fortunately there’s no lack of 7/11 shops around here, so we could at least buy water and some snacks. At this moment the prospect of staying here for at least 12 months is not one I enjoy.

My journey has brought me to Manila and face to face with myself today. Right now I don’t seem to fit into the world I’ll be living in for the next year. Right now I don’t want to be here, even though it was my choice to come. Right now it’s my exhaustion talking. My body hasn’t gotten used to the 8 hour time difference yet, so I’m awake during the night and only fall asleep around 7 am. The past four days I’ve slept only 2 or 3 hours per day and it’s catching up.

I know it will just take some time to get settled and that it will be easier once my body has adjusted to this time zone, the heat and the humidity. I jumped at the opportunity to come here and not just because of a new job. My first day in the Philippines wasn’t what I’d hoped for, but I’m determined to make the most of my stay.

These are my last days in Ireland, I’m leaving the day after tomorrow. The past weeks have been filled with packing, organizing and saying goodbye. I never get used to it. No matter how many times I’ve done it before, I’m still no good at it. As the French say: “Partir, c’est mourir un peu”. To leave is to die a little.

As excited as I am about going to Manila, at the same time I’m sad to leave Dublin. I’ve lived here for over 2 years and it has been a wonderful time. From the moment I arrived I’ve loved the city. I spent numerous afternoons wandering around, exploring the many secondhand bookshops, farmer’s markets and galleries. I’ve sung along with all the Irish pub classics in the pubs until my voice was gone. I love having little chats with random strangers in the bank and shops and how the Irish talk to anyone anywhere. I will miss the vibrance of the city centre with all its musicians, living statues and comedians performing on the streets.

Wrapping up the last loose ends of my life here I can’t help but think about the wonderful time I’ve had. Ireland has given me so many things and experiences for which I am truly grateful, I can’t even begin to list them. The people I have met, my dear new friends, the places I have visited, the new things I’ve tried, the experience I gained. I feel rich and blessed. My new adventure in Manila means the end of my adventure here and it’s hard to let go of something that you cherish deeply. To leave is to die a little, even if you leave to go somewhere you really want to go.

Manila.

Manila.

Manila.

The word is a new mantra for me. Consciously and subconsciously I think about it all the time. I try to imagine what it will be like to live there, how the heat will feel after the coldness of Dublin, how I’ll get hopelessly confused converting pesos into euros. I wonder how it will feel walking the streets, getting to know the city, trying to uncover its many hidden treasures, hearing a language that sounds so unfamiliar. I don’t know what adventures will await me there, but one thing’s certain: no way I will be bored when I’m there.

Whenever I see this pictures, I get all excited and I can’t wait to go!

Skyline of Makati City (Picture from Wikipedia)

Puka Beach, Boracay (Picture from Wikipedia)

Mt. Mayon volcano (Picture from Wikipedia)