Casting Thoughts: 2012

Travel Diary: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

One of the many things on my bucket list is to travel the world and I'm just so glad I get to do it one at a time. It's even more special because I am now able to cover all the costs it comprise. :)

This excursion was a 3-day stop over before Anna and I landed in Manila. I consider it a free trip to Kuala Lumpur, excluding hotel accommodation and expenses, as our supposed airfare (Adelaide-Malaysia-Manila) costs almost AUS 800 was reduced to AUS 700. Thanks to our all time powerful school ID we got a student discount. :)

Left: I definitely miss the relaxing scenery and beaches in Adelaide. Right: Up above.

I had all sorts of emotions on this day: happy, sad, excited, lonely, confused - name it! It's sad to leave the people you've grown to be with for almost a year, but it also gave me shivers whenever I picture in my mind my most awaited day of come back. Hello, this has been on the top list of my imagination!

Up until today, it's so surreal that my one year journey in Australia has already ended....well, at least for now.

Left: On the way to Petronas Towers. So near yet so far. Right: Right below the famous towers.

There's not much to see in Malaysia. Anna and I opted to stay in Kuala Lumpur and just strolled around the city to save time and money. Too bad there's not a lot to explore in the area other than the many shopping centers and of course, the Petronas Twin Towers.

The weather was very much alike with the Philippines - warm and humid. From a chilly city in Australia to a sweat-all-you-can Malaysia. Haha. In all honesty, I have been in search for that yucky and dugyot feeling because I just can't stand the cold.

This is their public railway transport. Very similar to Manila's own version of MRT. I love how their train passes look like plastic coins from a board game. :)

Big photos: At the Pavilion on our first day. Small photos: On our way to Petronas Towers. Always good to experience other country's public transport. :)

We were once giants on our past lives. :)

We had to wait for the sun to set for us to see the fully lit Petronas Towers. I say, IT'S AMAZING! :))) It would be a good idea to bring your sarong, lay on the floor and to just stare. A form of stress reliever.

Left: Breakfast served on the plane. Right: Very cute serving of Milk Tea.

I'm very happy to visit Malaysia even if there's not much to see. They say:

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."

Love,
B.

9:23 AM
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I'm Coming Home

Down Under Tales

A year ago, I gathered all my courage and came to Australia with the main purpose of finding myself a career. With the help of my Uncle and his family, I was blessed enough to take a yearlong bridging course in Nursing, which eventually (as what I have in mind before) will take me to places. I was also blessed enough to reside with my Uncle’s family without paying any cent for bills or rent. Sinong suwerte? :)

First night in Adelaide - with A and my cousin, Gimi.

Just a part of my Uni.

With my Tita and cousins.

After two semesters of mega expensive course, and two sets of placements in hospitals, I successfully completed (Yes, I am saying this out loud because I’m proud of myself ;p) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Post-Registration) at a well-known university here in South Australia. Time has gone so quick that I cannot fathom the fact that my journey has come to an end.

My Asian friends! :)

Forever friends! :)

Filo friends. :)

Right now, I only have 9 days left before my visa expires. I am booked to fly on the 28^th of August. I have bought my family few pasalubongs. I go out with friends every weekend to savor every moment. I have scheduled a ‘despedida/thank you’ lunch date with my family here. I have ordered a box to put all my stuff in and have it shipped home. I work almost every day to save money to take home with me. I started packing my clothes and am running final errands.

But am I really ready to go back to the place I call home???

Without any hesitation, the answer is YES. After looking at tons of options (student visa, tourist visa and all sorts of crappy expensive visas) for me to stay here, and weighing all possible costs it would damage me and my family, the most practical way to go is to come HOME.

Weekly sleepover and gala with my favorite people. :)

Got to see Melbourne. :)

Celebrated 24th birthday.

The best choice for me at the moment is to find an employer who will sponsor me with a working visa. Unfortunately, my soon-to-be employer and I haven’t crossed each other’s path yet. Haha. So far, for some unknown reason, all my applications were unsuccessful. Maybe I am meant to come home anyway? Who knows.

Optimistic as I am, I see not the downfall but the success in every situation. :)

Who knew I’d come a long way, even distant from my family, to find my future? Who knew I’d successfully complete my bridging course? Who knew I would be a Registered Nurse in Australia? That I would find great friends? That I’d gain experiences I never thought I would (double job – personal carer and cleaner)? That distance made my relationship with family and friends stronger? That patience, courage and faith are the secret tools to survive everyday?

Got my Nursing registration. Thank you, Lord! :)

There are countless things to be happy about and not trap myself in sorrow for not finding a job. Really, all of these are called blessings from God. In other words, walang talo! :)

Maybe the main purpose of this journey was to let myself endure things that are out of my comfort zones. That God is trying to test my patience and strength. There are many reasons possible, but it is only God who knows.

I pray that He takes me to where I will be happy and successful at the same time. That’s the best combination diba? May it be here in Australia, in the Philippines or anywhere, God has set it up for me. All I need to do is wait. :)

PS. I am very much excited to come home!!! :) And yes, I still submit applications to possible employers. :)

Happy and blessed,

Biancs.

7:25 AM
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Make Over

Home

1:16 AM
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What Keeps Me Going?

Down Under Tales

Always forward, never backward. Keep walking. :)

Going overseas to try and find my future is not a piece of cake for me. I would say that I have THE life back home, except maybe for the fact that I can’t find a decent job that will take me to places. I have the best family, true friends, great boyfriend, supportive relatives and a happy life. But there would always be that stage when you have to think beyond your comfort zone.

So 10 months have passed and I am living a life that used to be just in my imagination. 10 months away from home and 2 months left before my visa expires.

So what kept me going?

The REASON why I am where I am today.

I wanted this. I would never be here if I never wanted this in the first place. I want to have a good life, not just for me but also for my family. I want to fill up the spaces my father has left undone. To make it short, I want to be successful.

My family.

My family is yet the greatest gift I have. We’re not perfect. We fight, we shout, we hate each other at some point, but in the end we give love. I thought my family would be the last group that I would miss, but I was wrong. Every day I long for them that even a Facetime/Skype/Google+/YM conversation can make my day.

The people who cared.

This journey made me realize one thing: that I am cared and loved by many. From the day I made this decision, until the day I left, and up to this point, I have received countless encouragement and support from people in and out of my circle. It’s amazing how even the least person/people you know can give you support when you need it. Thank you.

Knowing that people believe in me.

“Kaya mo yan, ikaw pa!”, “Bilib ako sayo.”, “You’re so brave.” and all that stuff makes me think that I am at the right track. It also gives me the kick to do more not for them but for myself. It’s always good to hear that people believe in me and that they appreciate what I do.

My future plans.

I once read that by law of attraction, you must think of what you want and claim it as yours. Believe it or not, I was doing this since day 1. Thank God for the gift of imagination. At this point, I see myself in NAIA hugging my loved ones with my luggage on the side. Now, I see myself posing in from of Eiffel Tower. Hahaha. Dream high. Dream big.

My friends.

I thank God for giving me friends here. If not for them I could have died of boredom or I might even end up crazy. When I’m bored, stressed or whatever, it’s good to always have someone to talk to. To see and appreciate the beauty of Australia (at least Adelaide), and to have someone to cram or complain about school/work.

Believing and trusting myself.

My greatest weapon and enemy in this fight is none other than myself. If I see myself as weak then I better go home now. “Your attitude determines your action. Your action determines your accomplishment.” – John Maxwell

I’ve learned so much in a span of 10 months. My Uni’s almost done and I don’t know what’s out there for me next. My only prayer is that God takes me to where my happiness is. August 31 ’12 is my judgment day. It’s either of the two: be employed or go back home. Whatever it is, I’m more than happy to take it as a new challenge.

Let Your will be done.

Always thankful,

7:09 AM
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Happy Mother's Day, Baby Girl! :)

Mother’s day is usually a come-and-go event for me, but this year is different (Well, everything this year is unusual). Being away from my mom for 10 months now makes me miss her every single day. I used to see her everyday and there’s just nothing special about it, really. The saying ‘You took everything for granted’ applies to me now.

In a span of 10 months, I have learned to grow, to come out of my shell and to just value what’s there in every waking days I have. One of the paramount realizations that I have so far is the fact that I am in constant desire to be with my mom.

The feeling of wanting to tell endless stories about what happened at work, Uni or placement.

The feeling of wanting to hug her while lying on bed or just because I want to.

The feeling of giving her pasalubongs or just to make her smile when I get home.

The feeling of being taken care of by always having something to eat after a long day.

The feeling of laughing or discussing about what happened in teleseryes.

The days when you try to prepare and serve her meriendas while she’s busy doing mommy-tasks.

Or just the feeling of calling someone ‘Mommy!’

All of these I could have done, or could have been doing if I were back home. Our long distance relationship is making our mother-daughter connection stronger. Ten months have passed and all it did was prove how lucky and in love I am to have ‘Baby girl’ as my mom. What’s more? I now learned to say ‘I love you’ to her, not in letters but through words after Facetime-ing with her. Haha. :)

There’s so much to say and to reminisce of but it will all just make me miss her more. I am sure that each one of us has stories to share. Coming from a run-away child (or not haha), spend each day of your life loving and caring for your mothers. Don’t take them for granted because they NEVER took you for granted. They are the reason why we were born in this wonderful world. They are the ones, with the help of our fathers, who made us who we are right now. Amongst anything else in this planet, mothers are the most wonderful creatures ever made!

Happy Mother’s day, Baby girl! I love and miss you. You know how much you mean to me. I’ll see you SOON! J

Napalayong bata sa ina,

1:00 AM
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Travel Diary: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I'm Coming Home

Make Over

What Keeps Me Going?

Happy Mother's Day, Baby Girl! :)

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