I love LA

I'm out of exile baby.

It's about time for an update. I had hope this blog would be a way to chronicle 9 months of living in a different country. A history of transitioning from the developed to developing nation, liberal to conservative environments and it turned out to be some venting for some really shit times for the past nine months.

It's early Thursday morning and I've time travelled. I've coasted off an easy 14 hour flight. I'm blogging now from a very cold but full of warm feelings H O M E after our ritual family dinner in Chinatown aka "Little Manila" (because of the volume of Filipinos present at Mayflower, our favourite Vietnamese owned Chinese Restaurant) post an international flight.

I felt like an immigrant being welcomed into LAX, "my port of entry into the United States." I was in this almost weird state of awe and appreciation. Freeways. Variety of People, Colors and Pronunciations. Immigrants. Tourists. Travellers. Proper lighting and AC. It was cold in the best way after 9 months in humidity, heat and pools of sweat. From the little important things like efficient queues, seamless times at customs and immigrations, proper toilet paper and traffic rules...I appreciated every little thing so much. These little things contribute to a system that works, friendly and familiar.

I flew in with a bunch of passengers off an Air Canada flight, many wearing shorts and carrying there surfboards. Welcome to the Cali Holidays. Compared to Philippines though, I am really feeling the cold. The last time I was this cold was during a night sleeping on the beach in Hong Kong. It's time to unearth my flannel pjs again

There was this relieving sense of peace finally coming back home after 9 months of being away. I've been excited to be back in LA from vacations and some travels but never ever like this. I wanted to kiss the ground and my customs officers. I caught two fellow angelenos getting into a verbal smackdown. This my darlings is my LA that I love.

Obviously LA isn't perfect, nowhere is and these are all just little things to appreciate in most developed cities. Tbe best part about being back here is to be welcomed back into a loving home surrounded by two of the best and most amazing people in my life. We may fight and bitch but I am so lucky to have you to call my family. Our final crew member comes in a few days!

There were a lot of bad vibes in Pavia: internalized conflict, dishonesty, bitterness, envy, greed and this was just on the compound! Unfortunate how a place that could be beautiful has the fakeness has negativity and conflict brewing. Maybe, a lot of places with extended family has this.

There was also a lot of beauty there despite all of that: Jeff the Dog, enriching lessons to be learned and wonderful relationships with cool people like Cha, Tita Ana and new solid friends like Th3rd. I've even meet my favourite Penguin that I'm so happy to have in my life.

I've left there stronger than ever and will return one day with the renewed strength I feel. Maybe there might be some properly asphalted roads next time around.

Let critics criticize, Let builders build, Let haters hate, and Let Humans Evolve.

We all are dying and life is too short and too precious to pay attention to unnecessary people bringing you down. It's our responsibility to choose who we are despite whatever environments we find ourselves in!