My first taste in independence was sometime late 2012 when I got accepted into an international internship at Jackson hole, Wyoming. I was able to experience the ‘snow angel’, felt the puncturing hail rain, was stopped in the middle of the road by a herd of elks and witnessed a Moose walking close to my apartment’s window.
Dreams were unfolding – I had my first car (a moss green Jeep Cherokee), held my first ‘American Mobile Phone’ (Sidekick, channeling Veronica Mars), Blackberry and vast exchanges of BBM’s, an iPhone and an apartment which I was able to decorate with the necessary partitions which I’ve always envisioned having – a living room to accept guests, a small boxing and yoga area, a kitchen for my muffins and cupcakes weekend; a comfort room with a tub accessorized with my rubber ducky collection and a comfortable hotel bed for a good night’s slumber; I also had a great environment with a good route up and down the butte for short bursting runs.
Life was good, it was the ideal place to retire not until my ‘naive’ self on over-trusting humanity was abused and accused. I learned so much and fought my way out of feeling defeated or threatened by what life may still have for me to brave and courageously overcome.
Fast forward to 2016, an opportunity to live in Yangon, Myanmar happened and it was where I learned how to efficiently work, communicate with definite details and show up according to schedule plus the sense of community wherein everyone ends up meeting and knowing everyone regardless of race and stature. I learned to live humbly and the start of having a better perspective towards minimalism and only operating according to what is truly essential (what can fit your luggage).
When I got home in Manila, living independently is quite a challenge. I realized how much the salaries don’t equate to the livelihood of a person who needs to pay for rent, eat 3 meals a day and pay for bills yet you’ll have to constantly battle with the horrendous traffic day-in-day-out. But, in 2017, I learned of MyTown Dormitories and never looked back.
Honestly, I loved moving. The only thing I realized I have been attached to in every move I made was my Philips Air Fryer which I purchased from a friend. As I journey through the married life, the same air fryer is still with me.
When I moved with my husband, we’re slowly transforming their house into a home. What’s in a home? Aside from it consists of walls and a roof that will fill with your material possessions; home has redefined its meaning with me and it’s now wherever my husband and I are as we quest and journey through life.
It is where we feel happy, where I feel happy. Grateful, this time, there’s no such thing as home-sickness, everything makes you feel safe and complete.
Albeit there were bittersweet emotions spilled with every single moment of knowing I had to move out of the places I thought I can call as ‘home’; having to understand it better now – every bittersweet experience were nothing but memories that helped me know what home is now for me, for us and forever.
I can’t wait to show you the transformation of our bedroom and how we were able to give our home a makeover with zero waste, upcycle furniture and minimalist. What is home for you?
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