somewhere in the city
More than just pursuing higher studies, I intended on leaving Manila to have a new life. Manila, although a bustling metro, can feel constricting at times.. It's the same crowd you see everyday, same places you hang out in, same parties, and just really too much unwanted familiarity. Although I have to admit, this familiarity is comforting in a way, I somehow felt like I was not growing. Besides, at that time, I was nursing a broken heart, and a getaway seemed perfect.
bondi beach during winter
somewhere along campbell parade, bondi
the usual suspects
As you can see in the photo above, we have the mainstays of my life -- the people who make familiarity bearable and enjoyable. I think this was the hardest part about leaving.. being separated from friends whom I've grown to love and care for as my family. Life was gonna go on for them in Manila -- what with their boyfriends, families, jobs, school.. and they would all have each other to cling on to should anything come up. But here I was, leaving this great support system behind to venture a part of the world on my own. But you know what?? I was extremely lucky, because no matter how far away I was, they remained to be a text message away. Funny how technology has the power to make home a few clicks away -- the distance doesn't hurt as bad that way..
at ikea tempe
panoramic shot of circular quay
manly beach
sydney harbour bridge
museum station
Moving to a new city, no less a new country, more so a country you have never been to is challenging. I didn't know anyone, didn't know anything about the place, didn't understand the transport system, didn't feel comfortable.. Sydney was worse than familiarity, it was totally alien to me -- and to make matters worse, I had arrived right in the middle of a rainy winter day.. I wondered about the warm Sydney sun I had seen in photographs.. the Sydney that greeted me was bitter and cold.
downing centre
random hotel in surry hills
sydney alley
flatiron building look-a-like
central station
illustrated man tattoo shop
central station
passion pit concert at enmore theatre
There's a lot you learn about yourself from being alone.. As for me, I am your typical extrovert. I am always out with friends and I feel offended when I ask someone to hangout and they don't want to.. I've never understood why people liked taking time apart from the world and just enjoying their own company. However, upon moving to a place where there was no one to ask out.. I took it onto myself to still have a good time -- even if it meant doing fun things alone. Below, you can see me attending a concert alone for the first time ever.. Now I have to warn you, this was a pretty radical move -- and although I thoroughly enjoyed my time at that concert, I wouldn't really recommend you guys trying it. Some things are really done better with the company of friends..
front row at the passion pit concert
concert set up
best concert everrrr
sydney opera house
Sydney was so beautiful and cold at the same time. She reminded me of the girls who so nonchalantly flip their hair but know that men nearby are looking closely. Sydney honestly felt like a bitch the first few days. The city won my heart, but it didn't love me back just yet..
sydney opera house shot from a moving ferry
my fave fastfood joint
an empty bondi beach
by the opera house
along george st. i think
view of the sydney harbour bridge by the opera house
sydney harbour bridge
selfie by asb (australian school of business UNSW)
Aside from all the personal realizations I gained by living alone, that was beside the point of going to Sydney. I went there to study... and study is exactly what I did. 5 difficult months of being immersed in a totally different world faced with not only with cultural but even more, intellectual challenges, but it was also 5 months of making new friends that I can keep for life. I'll try and look for a photo of all of us that I can share with you all.. I've learned so much.. not only about my course but about myself, how strong I can be, how determined I am, about life, people, hard work, and the value of a dollar.
w/ ruchi during the ncv sydney tour
with da provider/number 1 fan/stage mom
along UNSW's main walkway
aaaaand a photo of a guy unbuttoning his girlfriend's top at school
