Kape at Keso

January 18th Achilen just moved to Spain last year. She was taking a chance on a different life abroad leaving behind an already successful life in the Philippines. She was a lawyer, a business consultant, and a friend. At her age, she has achieved more than what her peers are expected to have, myself included. But other than the accolades, she was praised for always making herself available for others.  She would constantly tell me to have backup plans with my career, to be more financially stable, and to live fearless of the future. In fact, I officially started the business I've been planning on for so long all because of her help. I have no business background and the business world looks scary from the outside. But, Achilen reassured me over and over again that I just had to take the first step and we'll figure out the rest along the way.  And just as I was about to launch this venture, that's when she left all of us. She was just having an ordinary dinner with her boy...

One time on a flight, I asked a cabin crew for hot water. I had sore and itchy throat and I needed a temporary relief. The crew came. She poured hot water into a cup about half full. Then, she added a bit amount of cold water. She carefully handed me the cup. I sipped it right away but I thought, I wish the water could've been hotter. My ears were popping and the turbulence was making it worse. An hour later, I asked again for another cup of hot water. A different crew came. She stacked two cups, poured hot water, and wrapped the cups in paper towel. She carefully handed me the cup. I sipped it immediately but I burned my lips and tongue. The water was boiling hot.  So who did a better job? As for me, both did the right job. The first crew must've thought that I had no idea how hot the water was so adding cold water will save me from burning my mouth. The second crew thought the same but expected me to do my part. The two cups she stacked and the paper towel should have signale...

This year's summer break has been the best I've had in Japan or at least ever since I got to spend for my trips on my own. But while scanning through a thousand travel photos on my phone and camera, I realized that travel is made even more special with people you are with and those you encounter. Izumo, Shimane Other than its quiet and laidback atmosphere, the beauty of Izumo lies on its people. Our going there wasn't as carefully planned as it should have been. It's much farther from Tokyo and would honestly cost us more. But my oneechan convinced me that it will be worthwhile. I also happen to have a friend living in Izumo and I thought it will be a good opportunity for a catch up.  This Izumo friend drove us around and went out of her way for us to be able to spend a memorable day around the area. She as usual welcomed us with warmth and excitement sharing the history and stories of her hometown here and there. She is also naturally funny. Her quirks still make me gi...

It's almost summer vacation and I have been planning on so many things to do for the long holiday but I have to sit down and write all the experiences worth remembering in spring.  HAKONE I stumbled upon this blog post that suggested a walk through the old Tokaido road would be fascinating. It would also be a less stressful trip to Hakone as it is an off the beaten path. So I forced myself to walk through the old road that actually leads you to lake Ashi. It  took about two hours of both feeling scared and excited. I was feeling nauseous in my stomach. The paved road uphill gave me an adrenaline rush. It was sunny and the air was cool. It was a good day to hike. There was a warning sign of bear sightings. I don't know why but that's the least of my concerns. In fact, what scared me more is the idea of bumping into a suspicious person along the way. Aren't humans scarier than animals? Life lesson: Travel alone. A lot . CHICHIBU A road trip through the mountains of Chichi...

Favor! As I was preparing to apply for this job, I felt that certain peace and assurance that this would go well. True enough, I got shortlisted for an interview. But it wasn't only an interview, there was also a written exam and a teaching demo. All happened in one day. Then the waiting starts. Two months to be exact. This position isn't always available. It's uncertain how many teachers the city would accept in a year. And a lot of us would want to get in. The perks and benefits that come along this direct employment are something foreign workers are longing to have. Then they called me and told me I was first on the waitlist. We were all put on the waitlist. I heard there were over a hundred applicants. Less than half got called for an interview. Then about twenty were considered for the position. But it was still uncertain how many of the twenty will successfully sign a contract. Another week passed when I finally received a mail. It was the contract package. Then they ...

Today, I held back my tears as I was watching my student hitting his head while saying, 'Atama ga warui' which literally means 'My head is bad'. The more precise translation would be 'I'm stupid' or 'I'm dumb'. The students were using their school provided tablets to do some listening tasks and yet this particular student was just carelessly tapping the screen, opening random school apps. So I approached him and tried to help him navigate the school portal. And as soon as we could open his digital workbook, I left him so he could find the pages and the audio file on his own. I went around the class to help the other kids. But I would from time to time check on that student at a distance. Then not long, he started hitting his head again and repeatedly telling himself 'I'm dumb'. It was so painful to watch. But then suddenly one classmate sitting next to him stood up and helped him and another one followed. I was moved by such sight.  H...

What to dream for this year? To be honest, I was not thinking of anything to do  this year - resolutions, goals, plans. Nothing of that sort. Unlike the past years, I was that woman who was always looking forward to the possibilities of the new year, full of hope and fire. But what is a dream anyway? I read that a dream especially a God-dream is something that you can let go but won't let go of you. It is a dream that would inspire hope to the people around you. It would make them see God's favor in your life. This idea I got from the first book on my haul this year. The Kiss of Heaven by Darlene Zschech. And this book stirred me into answering the question "What is your dream?" Anyway, my coming to Japan I would say is a God-dream. It started when in 4th grade I came across a story about a Japanese family. It was actually a sad story and I'm somehow proud of myself that I still remember the plot. Well after reading that, the dream of one day visiting Japan star...

In those years of working at the university library, I developed this sheer necessity to read books whenever or wherever I can. Being with books allowed me to explore places and wonders or even discover hidden knowledge that are just within the walls of the library. After graduating from the uni and getting a full-time job, I promised myself to buy at least one book a month. Had I been so religious, I would have accumulated books twice more than what I have now. But I think I can partly blame my economic status and the unaffordability of books. And wait, why are books so pricey in my country? Looking back, I remembered this certain story from one librarian. She was invited to an international conference in Hawaii for educators and school administrators. During breaks, she noticed some participants staying at a corner and reading books. She also met somebody who would carry one book in his bag all the time. That story made her conclude two things. First, busyness is not an excuse ...

Image from: rei.com Today he's wearing back that old torn bag. He got a new decent one and had it yesterday. Did something go wrong? Don't we all long for better things? And the man can afford. He's tall but his posture is bent. He wears black beanies with cat ears and eyes on them. His pants although don't seem old needed a good wash. His runners are Asics, not cheap but surely durable. So, the man can afford.  Today I'm wearing a long skirt I bought from a thrift store three years ago. It serves me well in winter. It's starting to wear out. And oh my coat too. I bought it brand new though. He seems to take the same train line, same platform, same car. He is easy to spot. Perhaps a lot of people have the same routine. Do they notice him? They might have but they won't bother.  He just got off the train. This station is a big one, surrounded with both commercial and residential edifices. It connects several train lines. A busy one too. The man is shabby, lo...

I have always been fascinated with the stories of the past. Like some of you, I thought that perhaps I was born in the wrong era. Well recently, I read a book about the early followers of Jesus in the Roman times. I imagined walking in those days. I suppose the daily life back then was simpler or less complicated and people weren’t as confused. Although you may argue that the Roman Empire is guilty of suppressing and persecuting the early Christians. Well, that is rational and you are right. But what I mean to say is, way before the digital era, people were more laidback, lovers of wisdom and knowledge yet were strong enough to go to wars. But you see, soaking in and imagining the stories of the past is all I can do, and I despise wars.  The Roman poet, Ovid once said, “Let others praise ancient times I am glad I was born in these” How boastful of Ovid. But he has all the right to be so. Ovid lived during the time when Rome was prospering under the emperor Augustus. And we learned ...

Image from: baptisthealth.com Last Sunday while I and my friend were heading home, we saw an old man maybe in his 80's lying on his side by the road. It was scorching hot. We immediately asked him if he was okay. We couldn't understand what he was saying but he just stretched out his hand to signal that he needed assistance.  So we helped him stand on his feet and gain balance. We then assisted him towards his bike parked a few feet from us. But as he rode his bike and started to pedal, he kept losing balance. He was really trying to push himself. We felt uneasy looking at the situation so we decided to stay and watch him, and we kept asking him if he'll be fine. We stayed until he could steady and was beyond our sight. Then as we turned at the corner going home, I and my friend looked at each other and we started crying. And we both agreed, it wasn't a feeling of fulfillment for being able to help. It was a complete feeling of pity for all the other older people living...

I was scanning through my files in my drive and found two diary entries written about ten years ago. The overwhelming and maybe staggering emotions here took me by surprise. And guess what, the person I dedicated this diary to, actually read it. Now the memories are coming back reading through it all over again. And it's amazing that remembering all those times only gave me happiness and peace. I was braver and bolder. Whatever happened to me now? 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 August 3, 2012 (Friday) It’s been more than a week since he told me he has something to tell me. Honestly it bothered me. I felt excited yet at the same time confused and afraid. I let the day passed and to my surprise, he texted. Well, nothing’s new, he has this favor again. I did not mind. But I know at the back of my head I was actually waiting for him to remember what he’s suppose to. That very night, he called me up. It was a long hour of conversation again. We were just comfortable talking. I m...

This year's presidential elections took a toll on us. With social media magnifying the bickering of the presidential supporters, one can't help but be ashamed of what we have become as citizens. Anyhow, instead of spending time arguing on who to vote for, I just made sure that I exercised my right of suffrage.  Since I am in Japan, the process is a bit different. We received our ballots via mail two weeks prior to the election day. The envelope contained 4 documents. 1. the ballot, 2. the seal, 3. the return envelope, and 4. the instructions.  After voting for my chosen candidates, I folded the ballot and inserted it in the return envelope. I closed it and sealed it properly. I dropped it in the nearest post box on the same day. It has to be mailed soon so it reaches the embassy on or before May 9th. Another option for us was to go to the embassy and cast our votes there. Also, I could only vote for national government positions - president, vice president, 12 senators, and a ...

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who is sometimes referred to as PRRD, PDuts, or Tatay Digong will be closing his term come June 2022. He will have successfully completed his 6-year term despite oppositions wishing him ill. PRRD has received criticisms because of his war on drugs. Human rights activists are condemning him for the bloody fight against illegal drugs.  But that infuriated me. I would rally behind PRRD's back if he will be held accountable for those deaths. And I know I am not the only one. There are millions of us silently supporting him for the past six years, ordinary people who understood better what war on drugs means. I grew up in a drug-infested community. We were seven when my playmate was raped by her drug addict uncle, there is an illegal drug trade in our neighborhood, neighbors stealing just to sustain their addiction, my cousin and his partner are drug addicts and their family is wrecked, I saw by my own eyes a couple using drugs in midday.  So when PRRD...

Image from: https://roomsbooms.com/what-is-help-mark/ Let's call her Nora. She was a student in my 1-to-1 classes. I remember the first day I met her. She looked composed and calm. Given her professional background, I anticipated a commanding, domineering aura. Nora is an instructor at a medical university. She was doing a research that required her to read through dissertations, journals, case studies, etc.  It was in our 5th or 6th meeting I noticed that Nora has that red tag. Curiosity and confusion both came running my mind. However, I was forbidden to ask anything personal so I acted as usual. Nora must have intended to let me see that red tag on that very day. The documents we were working on are about brain disorders. She gave me a copy of a rough draft of a case study she did. I read thoroughly.  I handed her back the paper and showed her the things she needed to improve on - grammar, vocabulary, coherence, everything except the content. "It's my story.", Nor...