Oh how time flies...
It seems like it was only yesterday when I was putting together a weeklong beach vacation, and now, here I am, bundled up in 5 layers of clothing in a country without snow, but could just very well have snow with all this chill in the air. To top it off, I'm 24 hours away from spending my first night in my first ever apartment. Yes, MY APARTMENT. Which I will be paying for. Which I will be furnishing. Not to mention cleaning.
Oh how time flies indeed. Living on my own used to be a difficult goal to achieve. Now its the only way to go. Somehow I feel embarassed...like I'm growing up so late in life. But then again, it isn't uncommon for those in situations similar to mine anyway.
In less than a month, it will be Christmas. And this will be my first Christmas away from home, away from family and on my own. Contrary to what people may think, the thought doesn't depress me. Its sad, sure. I'll miss the family and our simple Christmas traditions. But at the same time, I've always clamored for some alone time...and alone on Christmas is as 'alone' as it can get...
That makes me think though...maybe this whole trip, instead of taking me out of whatever shell I was in, is actually sucking me in deeper? I've been wanting to move into my own place and wanting to settle in so I can curl up and watch cable all day. I've been repeatedly saying that I wanted to go to places where I can just 'kick back' and avoid the crowds because I have no strength to exert effort and meet people.
I guess in a few weeks I'll find myself feeling differently. That's just how it is, after all. Things change and they keep changing.
Nov 30, 2008
moving again.
If things go well, I'll be moving in to my new home today.
If they don't...I'm homeless starting today.
If they don't...I'm homeless starting today.
Nov 23, 2008
holiday lights
Dublin's City Centre is lit with christmas lights as with previous years. I read somewhere that its also supposed to encourage people to shop, shop, shop and help with the recession.
The spirit is willing...but on other accounts, I am weak.
Photos of this year's christmas tree on O'Connell are posted on my flickr.
Dublin Spire
Taken November 2, 2008 less than 24 hours after my plane landed. The spire is Dublin's major architectural piece and landmark. Read more about it here.
Nov 22, 2008
how do you like it here?
Do you like Dublin?
I've been asked this so many times in the three weeks that I've been here. To be honest, I don't quite know yet. And to be honest, does it even matter? I'm here for as long as I decide that I want to leave...does it matter if I like it or not? Even if I didn't, its not as if I would pack my bags and go back home. That's simply not an option in the short term.
In the next week I'm hoping that things will continue to fall into place, they way they have been in the past days. Slowly, I'm starting to really feel like I'm here for the long haul. However, long that may be. Slowly, I'm starting to make plans --- normal plans --- like what type of bath and laundry products to buy, what type of food to stock up on in order to cook whatever type of food. Slow...but progress still.
I've been asked this so many times in the three weeks that I've been here. To be honest, I don't quite know yet. And to be honest, does it even matter? I'm here for as long as I decide that I want to leave...does it matter if I like it or not? Even if I didn't, its not as if I would pack my bags and go back home. That's simply not an option in the short term.
In the next week I'm hoping that things will continue to fall into place, they way they have been in the past days. Slowly, I'm starting to really feel like I'm here for the long haul. However, long that may be. Slowly, I'm starting to make plans --- normal plans --- like what type of bath and laundry products to buy, what type of food to stock up on in order to cook whatever type of food. Slow...but progress still.
Nov 10, 2008
lost
I've been telling some people I feel lost lately. By that I don't mean "not knowing where I am". In fact, since I got here, I generally know where I am and where I'm supposed to be headed.
I just haven't been feeling like I know this is where I should be. I don't feel it. Yet. I don't sense that the place has opened its arms to me and welcomed me. I guess because I'm too far from where the "real city" is most of the time.
I hope that its only because I've only been here a week. It should get better when things are normal. It should get better when I can finally stock up on house items that I know I won't have to move out a few weeks later.
I just haven't been feeling like I know this is where I should be. I don't feel it. Yet. I don't sense that the place has opened its arms to me and welcomed me. I guess because I'm too far from where the "real city" is most of the time.
I hope that its only because I've only been here a week. It should get better when things are normal. It should get better when I can finally stock up on house items that I know I won't have to move out a few weeks later.
Nov 5, 2008
Nov 1, 2008
On Day 80
After 79 days, day 80 was surprisingly less stressful for me. I've packed my suitcase and decided which of my things stay and which can come with me, I've prepared all paperwork that I need to ensure I can leave and I've scrounged up what little "goods" I can to make sure I'll be okay. Day 80 was it. If I have forgotten anything, there was nothing else I could do but try and make up for it later on. The idea was somewhat liberating.
Though my flight didn't leave until before noon, I was up at 4am. Barely two hours of sleep following a night spent trying to simultaneously pack and spend some last few hours with the girls. I wanted to be in the airport even before the 2-hour period from which they open check-in counters and also even before the recommended 3-hour period. Why? Because I travel that way. I would rather wait at the gate than wait in line while boarding time nears. So, since I wanted to be early and my family wanted to spend some last minute hangout time with me, we decided to have an early breakfast (hence waking up at 4am) after which, they would go their own way and Allan would drive me to the airport.
A procession of three cars --- my sister's , my parent's and Allan's --- headed off to McDonald's. Having a family with 5 kids meant we couldn't fit in one car. Having a family with 5 kids also meant more than one hugging and saying goodbye over and over again. We were a funny sight before I left...I had four kids repeatedly hugging and saying goodbye and 5 adults looking on. Funny but definitely heartwarming.
We were at the airport early, but decided to wait for some friends who were on the same flight. After days of stress leading to this day, I had to let go....and I didn't. Every minute I was not yet checking in when I should've been checking in, I was worried I wouldnt get an aisle seat, I was worried I'd have to run past Immigration and security check because I'd be pressed for time, I was wondering if I had extra stops because I had to have my POEA papers checked. As it turned out, all my worrying was for nothing. I didn't get an aisle seat not becuase I checked in late, but because the airline personnel made a mistake and gave me a seat one seat away from my friend. I didnt have extra stops for the POEA papers since they didn't even ask for it (imagine, all that effort and they won't even look at it??!?!?).
All in all, once I sat on the plane, all I was worried about was whether the in flight movies would be good. Even the trip itself was anti climactic...no drama, no delays, no stories. I guess after all the preparation, someone up there decided I need a break.....at least before the new set of "Things to do" has been assembled.
Though my flight didn't leave until before noon, I was up at 4am. Barely two hours of sleep following a night spent trying to simultaneously pack and spend some last few hours with the girls. I wanted to be in the airport even before the 2-hour period from which they open check-in counters and also even before the recommended 3-hour period. Why? Because I travel that way. I would rather wait at the gate than wait in line while boarding time nears. So, since I wanted to be early and my family wanted to spend some last minute hangout time with me, we decided to have an early breakfast (hence waking up at 4am) after which, they would go their own way and Allan would drive me to the airport.
A procession of three cars --- my sister's , my parent's and Allan's --- headed off to McDonald's. Having a family with 5 kids meant we couldn't fit in one car. Having a family with 5 kids also meant more than one hugging and saying goodbye over and over again. We were a funny sight before I left...I had four kids repeatedly hugging and saying goodbye and 5 adults looking on. Funny but definitely heartwarming.
We were at the airport early, but decided to wait for some friends who were on the same flight. After days of stress leading to this day, I had to let go....and I didn't. Every minute I was not yet checking in when I should've been checking in, I was worried I wouldnt get an aisle seat, I was worried I'd have to run past Immigration and security check because I'd be pressed for time, I was wondering if I had extra stops because I had to have my POEA papers checked. As it turned out, all my worrying was for nothing. I didn't get an aisle seat not becuase I checked in late, but because the airline personnel made a mistake and gave me a seat one seat away from my friend. I didnt have extra stops for the POEA papers since they didn't even ask for it (imagine, all that effort and they won't even look at it??!?!?).
All in all, once I sat on the plane, all I was worried about was whether the in flight movies would be good. Even the trip itself was anti climactic...no drama, no delays, no stories. I guess after all the preparation, someone up there decided I need a break.....at least before the new set of "Things to do" has been assembled.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)