Warped thoughts at McDonald's

Some CaliFilipina girl's warped thoughts at McDonald's

I barged inside the almost bare McDonalds in De Soto Avenue. The first thing I noticed was my friend Trina on the counter, with her unusually loud voice greeting the customers. She beamed when she saw me come in. I have only been here twice, always ordering McFlurry and French Fries. I'm planning to repeat that routine today, even as my conscience is silently being tortured by guilt since I haven't exercised for a week -- totally opposite from what my family probably thinks I'm doing.

Click to enlarge. And so I discovered Instragram. Haha!

I have now been here in California for two months, and it's been great for me, relatively. I am so positive that any other international student moving alone to the United States, or any other country, would be experiencing emotional breakdowns at this time, or at most, maybe they're already recovering. But I was prepared for this. Well, except for the last minute crying at the airport because I wasn't able to hug my mom before I left, and those times I almost always resorted to dating sites because I was totally alone at my house, and I haven't had friends at that time. But I'm okay now.

Before coming here, I asked God to prepare me and my environment, and give me great friends. Lo and behold, there was divine intervention. A girl named Czarlene read my tweet about UCLA and decided to befriend me at Twitter while I was still in the Philippines. I hate to admit it, but sometimes Twitter can be helpful. Next thing I know, Spring Semester starts, and I've got buttloads of friends on Day 1 at Pierce. They were all Filipinos, and they were like a call for me to come back to earth -- figuratively, that is. There's just something about getting together with people of your own race in a foreign land. And I don't even have to worry because Filipinos are everywhere (LOL). Somehow, the idea of being with a set of people who are naturally cheerful with voices you can hear even if you are 20 feet away is comforting -- like a dose of anti-loneliness-and-depression mantra you should give yourself if you're walking in a labyrinth and you start losing yourself. But that doesn't apply to some Filipinos. I get a sudden flash of disappointment when I discover that they can't or they refuse to speak their own language, or when in their liberation, I find no traces of conservativeness (what an awkward word). Again, it still depends on the person.

Them OSAM friends I love. :) When we celebrated my 18th Birthday. 20 Feb 2012. Credits to Len for the photo.

Then there's my church. I am so blessed to be surrounded by godly men and women in my walk with Christ. It feels like home to have people of different races, ages, and genders looking at me and not judging me, and accepting me with open arms, no matter my past. For that, I am extremely grateful. It made me confident that wherever I go, I have a family in God. Perhaps that's how it will look like in heaven -- filled with different people of all colors, races, tribes, and languages worshiping the one true God.

So let's get down to the point of why I'm writing this. What triggered the writer in me today -- after a very long time -- were those surprised and weirdly happy expressions on Trina's Filipino customers when she'd talk to them in Tagalog. That, and I'm also trying to impress my crush who works on the counter. I am currently stalking him, and throwing looks at him when he's not looking (*spying skill: master level*).

Kidding aside, I have really marveled at how few the customers are in McDonald's branches here compared to the ones in the Philippines which are crowded and filled with all kinds of laughter and noises. One thing they have in common? Filipino families. At some point, it made me feel as if maybe nothing much in my world has really changed after all. And maybe Filipinos come here to feel the same way, too. To pick up something that's left to remind them of their native land -- just with the negative implication that the Filipino culture has been commercialized and dominated by alien market (haha!). Or maybe, there's this unconscious thought of bumping into one of your "kababayans". Di na nga lang uso yun. But most probably, it's because they sell cheap stuff. :P

At the very least, this place reminds me of home. Plus, who knew McDonald's could be a writing haven anyway? (And a sleeping place, too!) Then again, maybe it's just McDonald's, or maybe it's just me.

Some attempts to stay healthy

Hey guys, I'm sorry I haven't updated you for a few days. Haha. This is just to warn you that I'm posting a very long one soon. God has been revealing to me something that I've asked from Him two years ago -- my major. But let's not dig into that. Check it out from time to time, I'm sure the principles will help you.

I've actually got insomnia, and I couldn't sleep at night so I have been busying myself by keeping you posted (you will notice that I usually post from 1 to 5 AM). But I want to get rid of that lifestyle because I'm really getting fatter, and my quiet time is compromised. Since it's sem-break season (for people who are studying; and I'm on a 1-year vacation), my best friends and I agreed to jog every morning at Fort Bonifacio.

Yes, it's this road. :) Click "Portfolio" on the Navigation sidebar to see more.

The jogging area is a super long road which is closed 'til 6 AM. I used to walk there with my friends even before the road was made. For high school friendships, long walks are the way to go. Jogging really stressed me out because I only get 5 hours of sleep a day, but it did help correct my body clock. That used-to-be deserted road inspired me to write a poem which I will be posting tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend, everybody! :D I'm looking forward to your comments. Haha.

My beautiful friends. :D I love them so much. 

My jogging buddies include two girls from the photo and one guy who isn't in the photo.

Rainy Nights

Internet Photo

Last night was like this. I came home from a party when it suddenly rained harder. My best friend walked me home, and we both didn't have an umbrella. The streets were bare, and I've always enjoyed the rain at times like this. The lamp posts were lit up, and you could see through the orange lights how the tears of heaven trickle down the road. And you wouldn't hear a single thing except the beat of dripping water from the skies, and the rhythm of our own laughter.

I didn't catch a cold. Haha, I'm kind of immune when it comes to the rain. I would go out at 5:00 in the morning just to soak myself up. I would dance Jai Ho as kids run around the neighborhood splashing rainwater all around. When I was in Korea, and my black Grosser Schaten umbrella got stolen (boohoo!), I gladly walked by myself in the heavy pouring rain even when the night was cold and I knew I was going to ride an airconditioned bus for the next two hours.

There's just something special about the rain that I can't explain. The most special moments of my life happened on rainy days. Do you have crazy theories or inspiring stories involving the rain? Go on, tell me. And I might just tell you mine.

Either comment below or email me at rainfallfrustrations@gmail.com

Before the Storm

I'm baaaaaaack!

Oh well, today is the second holiday in my college life. Sorry if it took me this long to post something. It's really hard to connect to the internet. T_T

Aside from my bangs, I'm really getting fat here. The food is so good. In fact, right now I'm in "Oh My Gulay!" Restaurant in La Azotea, Session Road. MUST TRY! :) I mean the food is so yummy and the price is quite reasonable. I personally prefer the pasta "Anak ng Putanesca". It's kind of chilly but it's the best pasta I've tasted, ever. Plus, it has a lot of veggies.

And the place is really cool, too! It's like a mini museum, and very vintage ;). You definitely have to visit this place when you come to Baguio.

It's really rainy here. Which I enjoy since I like the rainfall. But I don't like being alone and caught in the rain. It's cold here. So there, I feel so lonely. Baguio did help me move on. But there's still something I know I'm missing. I just don't know what.

Soundtrip: Before the Storm by Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus.
*Makes me feel all the more lonely in this place. I miss him. :|

I have to go. Aww, I miss the internet so much. But what's good about being in the dorm and not much exposed to TV and the Internet is it makes it easier for me to concentrate on my studies. And being in UP BREHA is like having a family away from home. They know how you feel and you can treat them like your own sisters. :)

There, I guess I'll just update you about my subjects and extra curriculars on my next post. Ciao! :)

Standing out in the rain, need to know if it's over, 'cause I will leave you alone. Flooded with all this pain, knowing that I'll never hold you, like I did before the storm.