Life Abroad

For the longest time, I believed that quitting my job was the only way to truly live. But after job-hopping three times in four years, I learned something unexpected: it wasn’t my job that was the problem—it was how I was living around it. So instead of running, I started carving out time for the things that made me feel alive. And suddenly, my 9-to-5 became a foundation, not a cage.

Moving abroad can be exciting but also brings the challenge of starting over socially. From struggling with surface-level meetups to finding meaningful connections, this is my journey through the slow, awkward, and beautiful work of building a social life in a new city.

Paris in the summer of 2024 was a city in perfect synchrony with history. The magic of the Olympics transformed everyday moments into something luminous and fleeting.

Everybody knows living abroad is filled with challenges and discoveries. It's not always easy, especially forming deep connections in a new place, but I've come to appreciate the little moments and the friendships that grow over time. So, let me tell you about the first half of 2024.

Write not just for the present but as a gift to your future self and perhaps, to those who will follow in your footsteps. Who knows, your words might resonate across time and space, inspiring others to chase their dreams as fervently as you did.

I've often marveled at my own predilection for the fifth district, despite its challenging terrain and limited public transportation. It is not merely a matter of convenience but a deeper longing. It's a place of serenity, a sanctuary where the soul is free to contemplate, where voices are heard without judgment or the need to argue, and where time flows at its own pace, unhurried by the clamor of the world.

This year's autumn will be about instilling structure, prioritizing self-care, enjoying hearty meals, and rekindling connections. Here's how I've prepared to settle into the coziness of autumn

I offer you a glimpse into the early days of summer, in the quiet side of a Parisian suburb, when the sun's warmth beckons us to embrace its rays.

As I bid farewell to my temporary job as a Filipino language instructor, I carry with me a whole package of skill set in resilience and resourcefulness, countless lessons, and an unwavering spirit of curiosity. Life has proven time and again that its twists and turns can lead to unexpected joys and revelations.