It's already July. My rent is due today, I should be doing my paper and studying for my Finance class, but all I could think of right now is how time just flew past me. I feel like it was only yesterday when my sisters left - that was in April, which was 3 months ago. I cannot believe it is already the first day of the second half of 2012. This is not a nostalgic post where I go talking about everything that happened to me the past 6 months - that would take like 5 posts. I just want to talk about how eventful June was for me.
My Tito's family from Baltimore went to visit me and my mom on Ma's last weekend here. I bugged my Tito into coming here weeks ago because I know it would mean a lot to my mom to see her brother, sister-in-law and her nephews. I was right, and we all had a great weekend. The only downside to that weekend was how hectic my schedule was because I was preparing for my midterm later that week. I had a great time with family, but school work was compromised because my mind was on vacation mode too - I am totally to blame - I should've studied weeks before. Needless to say, I have to study harder for the final exams (which is 3 weeks away! Gaaah) Here are just some of the pictures from that wonderful weekend:
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| My cute cousin, Marcus |
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| My youngest cousin, Marcus, who is 8 months younger than my nephew, Riley |
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Mom and Paolo
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| took the family out to Fordham University at Lincoln Center |
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| with Tito Francis at Central Park |
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| Onell and his famous pose |
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| at Lincoln Center with my parents and Paolo |
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| With my Papa |
June was so good to me because of my parents. Their trip definitely brought me closer to both of them. Papa was only here for a week and we got to bond over a Broadway show (we watched Jesus Christ Superstar - he requested for it), drinks (at Serafina), and retail therapy at Bloomingdales. That night at Serafina (unfortunately no pictures since my phone died, as usual) was epic for me because it was the first time I ever had drinks with my Papa - just us two. He had his usual Stella Artois while I had glasses of Prosecco. I felt so mature - because at my age, I still am treated like my parents' baby. That night though, Papa and I got to talk about everything - the family businesses, my being here, the past couple of months, my parents' relationship, and the future. Back when I was still living at home (Manila), Papa and I would spend 15 minutes eating and an hour more in the dining table - talking about work, the news, what movie we're going to watch, that kind of thing, but nothing as serious as my future and my heart. Yep, my dad told me I should open up my heart and that I shouldn't be too guarded since I told him I'm being very cautious. To hear my dad say that was just overwhelming. He really just wants me to be happy. Another realization: I am getting older. Yikes.
I'm so blessed to have such amazing parents. They continue to support me and my sisters in all our endeavors, and I understand that they only want what's best for us. My mom told me on her first day here (with certainty) that by the end of her trip, she's going to be able to convince me to move back to the Philippines after I graduate. Knowing how headstrong my mom is, I kept praying that she would open her mind and see how happy I am here. God is good, because by the end of her trip, she told me that she fully supports me in all my decisions, as long as I'm happy, and just the other day told me she's coming back to NYC some time this year to look at properties, not for them to permanently move here, but for the future. How awesome is that??
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I've been alone for a week now, and I thought I'd be extremely sad that to come home to an empty apartment everyday after getting used to being with Mama the past month. Surprisingly I'm not (although I have to admit, I cried like a baby when Papa left, 'cos I realized I was all alone), because I'm busy with school, work, and friends. One thing I learned over the past 6 months was that I definitely made the right decision by moving here to New York City. Things happen for a reason.. Early this year, I used to wonder if I made the right decision to move here - 6 months ago I only had 3 friends in school, and thought I couldn't meet more people. The beginning of the year was probably the toughest time for me... I was second guessing myself because I left the Philippines - where all my family and friends were. I left all that for something that was then uncertain.. Well, not anymore! I now have friends, absolutely love my school, and I have an internship I enjoy. The people I least expected to be friends with and close to are the ones who I ended up spending almost everyday with - and by choice, mind you! I'm glad I didn't give up on my dream, otherwise I'd still be where I was a year ago, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. Funny how things turn out, huh?
