An unexpected gap year. Part II

I'll start this with Bob Marley's quote: 

'You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have,'.

Fave spot at home in Manila -
to read books, work on my laptop and occasional journal-ling

Exercise became a lifestyle

I knew that I needed to give myself motivation to wake up every morning. So, I promised myself to jog every morning - and that is how I gladly stumbled upon a Zumba class in the neighbourhood. Almost every morning, I was present and it always filled me with good vibes - endorphins and dancing to happy tunes :)) I was one of the youngest zumba participants (along with my cousin when she was free to join) but it was totally ok hehe. Best thing was that I made friends!!! Titas older than me by 40+ years but they are so sweet. Got really close to this one Tita and she drove me home every time after class and we would drop by church to pray together. 

Scientific studies show that it takes 66 days to build a habit. And thanks to these daily practices, exercise became a daily agenda.

(stolen from Facebook heh).

But... I remember I would go home - help out with chores, have lunch and would feel lost on what to do for the next half of the day. In the early stage, I planned some meetups and would go out. This chill life went on for a little while.

Helped my cousin when she conducted sports lessons for kids

However... I could not be out all day gallivanting. I am not even earning and how can I be out going to meet friends, explore new places, spending money. I kept comparing myself with peers who were progressing with their career/studies - and meanwhile what was I doing with my life? A lot of self doubt, questions and 'why's. 

There was always a voice that resonated in me, 'trust in my plans for you, my child.'

I pushed myself to be productive. Learn Spanish, read books, worked on a side project with some friends. The side project was about commute betterment in Malaysia. 

Translated and memorized some Spanish songs to learn the language,
and this is my favourite one: David Bisbal's Mi Princesa

The startup experience, for social good
In the midst of all this, I started to look for flexible internships - places that were not very strict with the timeline (since I was not sure of how long I could commit). There was this commuting app in the Philippines sakay.ph and I was realllly interested, as it was related to commute betterment = related to the side project I was involved in.

I was sooooo thrilled when they allowed me to join them!!! It is a place where I really got to learn a lot because my coding skills were really really really super basic but my mentor was really patient and helpful. Thank you! :> Oh - also the travel was really hectic everyday - work was in Ortigas and I travel from the south. Crazy EDSA journeys, morning and night. Grateful to P for accompanying me when I headed home.

Oh hello EDSA traffic

Also, no longer fear dogs as much because
Biffy roams around the office
and comes to me while I am doing work haha

Well, I ended this internship mid-December thinking that I was heading home soon. And celebrate Christmas was family. Haha. I was wrong.

So... I got myself into another internship with ASAM.ph, (a GKonomics brand). They are the bridge between marginalised communites and the market. So for example, company uniforms are sewn by the Gawad Kalinga (GK) communities - and are marketed to big firms who need the product. Since it is not easy for GK communities to easily search for clients, ASAM is the middle person!

I am so grateful that I was given a chance to be with them although I could only commit for 2 weeks in the beginning. Got to understand more about social entrepreneurship - the challenges and triumphs that come with it, personally speak to people from the community.

Stock-take day

Visiting the sewing community in Baseco

Smokey Mountain on my last day with ASAM

From these two experiences, I observed that the startup culture differs from the big and established firms. In a startup, I get to meet everyone in the team more easily, and the team is usually smaller and thus tends to be more close-knit. Maybe flexible working hours? And!!! Got to experience working in co-working spaces. I realised that beautiful working places are actually conducive for the mind too :)

These two experiences mean so much to me and I believe it has molded me to be a person with more empathy, grit, gratitude for my privileges, and a yearning to find purpose in my career path. 

Truly, God has better plans, He knows our every need. 

Kitchen Exposure lol

If you know me, you know that I rarely enter the kitchen and... I am clueless about basic steps of cooking. Haha. At home in Manila, I learnt some recipes from my uncle and yay - I made one of the food (zaalouk) yesterday at home. Being at the kitchen helped me improve my knife skills too. Hehe no longer just doing the dishes but I can help with meal prep now!!! 

A weekend afternoon at the outdoor kitchen

Weakest point when I had dengue

Thank you Tita Doc for the blood tests, drips and numerous pocari sweats to keep me alive.

Hello needles

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As I reflect on all that has happened, this experience has definitely made me a stronger person, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. If I entered the working sphere right after graduation, I would have another outlook on life perhaps - but I am grateful for the bearing I have now.

When all seems impossible and you want to give up, remember that that is the last point you have to reach for all to get better. You reach the lowest point to bounce back. I remember that was how I motivated myself. 'Kishia, you are going through this now, because the battle is almost done. God wants to give you a last sprint, and all will be alright'

I also learnt to cherish the opportunity I have - I used to think it comes easy - aiya, Malaysia is home and I've been here all along - should be no problem. But truly - nothing can be yours forever - so cherish it when it is given to you

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I owe this little triumph to all the wonderful people around me, who have been a great source of support and love. So thank you very much!!! Love love love you. 

And to the Father above who knows everything ahead of me and takes care of all of us, thank You!!! Continue to be with me as I step into a new chapter of my life :)

An unexpected gap year. Part I

I grew up with the mindset that if I could go fast or finish fast, I should. 'Don't waste time, they say. Life is a rat race, you do not want to be left behind,'. After high school, I started to study for A-levels right away, and went into degree once I was done with A-levels. Thus, I never had an intention to take a long break upon graduating from university. The maximum would be perhaps a 3-month-break, I told myself. 

Well, God had better plans. (something that I realised after going through this season of life)

Due to visa circumstances and requirements, I returned to the Philippines and had to defer my first day of work. The processing of documents went on for a month, to two months, three months, four months, five months... until I stopped counting... I remember giving myself estimated dates/occasions on when I would be home (e.g. Mama's birthday, christmas, new year)  - but the date would pass and the waiting game continued. 

Problems are opportunities.

The best thing I could do for myself was to make the most out of my time - take this as a gap year, and do things that I will not get to do in the future, things that I would enjoy, and perhaps discover more about myself, what I enjoy and I do not.

I got to travel

Before returning to Manila, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Hoi An lanterns, Vietnam

Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, Vietnam

Tanaka in Sulamani Temple, Myanmar

Kakku Pagodas, Myanmar

My uncle, who inspires us to be an intrepid traveler

The forgotten pagoda in Mingun, Myanmar

Got super tanned after 14 days of backpacking in Myanmar
(all the picture taking under the sun for good photos haha)

The majestic Shwedagon to culminate our stay in Myanmar

Some parts of Malaysia.

Sekinchan, Selangor

Explored parts of KL like a tourist

Ban Lee Siang Satay Celup, Melaka

Foh San Dim Sum, Ipoh, Perak

In the Philippines, I went around mostly around the metro area since I never explored around before. Visited all the big 4 universities, ADMU, DLSU, UP (UPD and UPLB) and UST. Hehe. Outside the metro, rode a 15-hour-bus-ride to the Cordillera region. Hiked 2 mountains. And went to some neighbouring towns.

Batad Rice Terraces.
This place is super remote - had to hike quite a bit to reach the town but it is definitely worth visiting!
While we were here there was no electricity so the experience was really one really close to nature.

With the children in Batad while they enjoy coffee

Hanging Coffins, Sagada

My adventure buddy was running into the woods, I wonder why hehe

Mount Batolusong, Tanay, Rizal

Mount Gulugod Baboy, Mabini, Batangas

Town of Taal

We are always looking for new things to see and experience. Something I have learnt is that there is always something to discover, even in places that look simple at first glance. Know the story, enjoy the travel journey - despite the occasional long hours. 

Long rides are a good time to reflect and contemplate - especially if you have poor connection (just like me, I have no music) - you just enjoy the bucolic scenes, talk to your companion or drown in your thoughts and fall asleep halfway.

I hope this inspires you to take the road less trodden and go on an adventure :) 

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I thought I'd be able to write about my 'unexpected gap year' thoughts all in one blog post - but looks like this is just about places I visited - so stay tuned for one more post to wrap this up.

x,
Kish

Sekinchan

 Photos are in B&W for two reasons. 1. The paddy field was already harvested during our visit. It was not green just like how I wished it to be. (Yes we did no research before leaving) It was just me standing on a huge acre of plain soil. 2. The river water was not clean, it looked really turbid in the photo. I made it two-toned with a few clicks here and there, it does not look as bad anymore.

 To be honest, the boats in the fishing village looked really colourful with contrasting colours. The only thing was the strong fishy stench, but I know it is something that is present and unavoidable in fishing areas.

To me, Sekinchan is all about seafood, yummy keropok (especially the sweet potato flavoured), and a lot of picture takings. You can see everything within a day/ round trip, except when there is traffic congestion.


x,
Kishia

19

lengthy post ahead. you may just look at the photos if you wish

Birthdays are just like any normal days, except that we get some special treatment sometimes from the people around us. And I won't lie, I do like the feeling of it. Who doesn't like being remembered, being showered with love:)

Before I move on to narrate my birthday experience, I just want to thank every single person who has made my day extra special... From the small things to the big things. People may not believe me but greetings do mean a lot to me.

There were a series of events that happened, I'll try not to make it so wordy

BBQ

A few weeks before my birthday, I had my first birthday cake (it was still June haha). I didn't see that surprise coming because the plan was for two other friends. And then later they said 'there is a 3rd surprise'. I still didn't get it. We sung the birthday song, and when they said 'Happy birthday to Kishia' only I knew the 3rd surprise was for me. Haha. But when I returned to Pahang, I realised that I forgot to bring home the cake, oh welll

Some of them went home later, and I had a sleepover at Mad's (my first sleepover:)). After the others went back, those of us who stayed back talked till early morning. Missing that late night talk already

Us The Duo's concert

I also got to be at my first ever concert! US THE DUO! It was really an impromptu thing, the tickets were only out selling on Thursday, and the concert was on Sunday. I quickly told my sister I wanted to go- she said let's go, it's on me your birthday gift. SCREAMS. ok and the best part is I got to see them face-to-face at a close distance during meet and greet. 

'can I hug you both'

'yeah sure' M

the person in charge extends his hand and blocks me

'sorry no more hugs allowed' person in charge

'awwww' C

'virtual hug for youu' C

M for Michael, C for Carissa

Was so close to getting a hug. Both of them are so good looking! Michael's eyes are sooo blue when he looked up I was :))))dazed. Thankful to my sister who gave me the chance to go meet them because only one person was allowed to go. Thank you Ate napaka-selfless niya, labyu

Early birthday dinner @ Gathering

Feels like high school days being with them once again. Thank you for bringing me out and spending time with me so that I'm not a lonely kid haha. My cake was a toast. We took SO MANY selfies together because there was always one of us not satisfied, vanity level = maximum. Peiyi mailed a handmade card over when she was in Taiwan:) Simple joys. Halfway during the dinner I received an email thinking it was another spam again, but it was a birthday email from a good friend

honestly felt so special already tho it wasn't my birthday yet 

Birthday

In the morning, I accompanied mum to town to do stuff. We also went to buy flowers because mum needed it for her flower arrangement in church. So there are 2 florists in my town, and that day we went to this other one, which we normally don't go too. Upon reaching the florist,

'Are you Kishia, your name is Kishia right'

'Yeah'

'Where do you stay'

'Oh, Bentong Makmur'

'House number'

'3x0'

'Ohhhh, happy birthday to you! These flowers are for you'

'Wow who gave them oh my gosh'

Happiness level = sky level

She asked me to open the card, it was from the bestiee Sha (hopes of it coming from a suitor ruined just kidding). I was indeed very flattered, because I really love flowers and I've never received any. Was constantly admiring it at all times hehe. Not long ago when I got a corsage during prom I felt so happy already despite it being one flower. And this is a bouquet I went all awww haha

Also when greeting me, Sha gave me a blog link which read happybirthdaykishia dot blogspot dot com (not exact website as I would like to keep it private, it's something dear to my heart). Initially I thought it was a prank or what, but upon opening it was a blog with heartfelt words from few of my girls. Thankful:) And thank you for the video too

Had a simple dinner with family and we had cake. It's nice to have so many candles on the cake, the whole cake lit up:) And during the weekend, my family and I had dinner together since Ate was gone during my birthday. I asked for my craving too-Snowflake hehe.

I would like to end this by thanking everyone once again. It is impossible for me to list down everyone's name here, but you are not forgotten. Thank you for the email, the phone calls people near and far, texts, whatsapp/viber/fb messages, snaps, card, time, effort, video, blog, words, insta post, basically everything. Thank you for making me feel loved I appreciate you all. God bless your kind souls xx

Do you know

Do you know 

Where you're going to

Do you like the things that life is showing you

Where are you going to

Do you know

Do you get

What you're hoping for

When you look behind you 

There's no open doors

What are you hoping for

Do you know