Look, Luke!!

So I just wanted to share that for the past four months, I've being hanging out a lot with this guy from work. Luke has been a great source of fun and entertainment, a much-needed distraction from all the worries of the outside world, an unexpected spring of knowledge and learning about Australian language and culture, and most of all, an awesome friend and confidante.

But as the saying goes about good things coming to an end or never lasting or whatever, he's on his way to bigger and better things as he moves more than three thousand kilometers up north to further his career and grow as a person. It's going to be sad because I will surely miss him but in the same breath, I'm truly happy for him and just want everything that is good for him.

So to Luke, thank you for everything and good luck on your new job. I hope you find what you're looking for and I wish that you become the best version of you that you could ever hope to be. Always know that we'll always be friends and I'll always be here for you. See you when I see you.

Derby

I've lived in Australia for a little over a year now and one of the things I've learned (or get taught a lot about) is Australian Football. Both my housemates are passionate about their teams, although both their teams are near the bottom of the ladder anyway. Passionate enough though that they actually have arguments on whose team sucks more.

There are two teams based here in Perth: the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles, which happen to be the teams my housemates support. So when the two teams meet, it's kinda crazy because people here are divided in support of these teams. This game is called the Derby.

Yesterday, the Fremantle Dockers beat the West Coast Eagles in the derby which also happened to be the first ever footy game I watched live. It was awesome! To be surrounded by people who were passionate about something (even if it's football =) ) was wicked. I made a stupid comment like, "Guys, calm down! It's just a game!" and the look of terror on their faces and astonishment that I'd even say something like that was great! I even heard someone say, "Yeah, it's not a matter of life or death. It's way more important than that!"

Anticipating Impending Disaster

I'm in a weird place right now. It's like disaster is looming or waiting for me around the bend. I know it's there. I know it's going to happen sooner or later. The weird thing is I don't know why I won't (or just don't want to) stop in my tracks or just turn at a different corner. I know it's there but I'm still walking towards it.

I've always believed that self-preservation is the key. I've always kept myself a step away, in a bubble behind the so-called wall. This is the exact reason why I now find myself in a strange situation. I've never been here before. Actively seeking or knowingly walking towards what I know in my gut is disaster.

As them wise folk say, I'll just hope for the best and expect what's about to come.

Perspective

For the past few weeks, I've been listing things I miss from home that in a few days I'll be able to indulge myself in again after almost a year of missing out. This got me thinking for a moment there that what if I just stayed home and not come back. I wouldn't have to miss all that's on the list since I'd be able to indulge myself everyday. How wicked would that be???

But then again, because of my love for looking at every situation from a different perspective, I started making a new list. A list of stuff from here that I'd truly miss if I just stayed back there. I think it's cool how this new list is much, much longer than I expected it to be, heaps shorter than the first one but long enough.

The actual act of making both lists made me appreciate all the people and things I have that I just took for granted, both here and there. I guess this whole process just made me a little bit happier and grateful at the thought of going home and coming back.

20 Some Odd Days and Counting...

Well, I'm going home back to the place where I belong

And where your love has always been enough for me

I'm not running from, no, I think you got me all wrong

I don't regret this life I chose for me

-Home by Daughtry

The countdown has begun. In a little over three weeks, I will be going home to visit my family and friends. I'm soo excited! I just keep thinking of all that food I've been missing, coffee that's not Gloria Jean's (hahaha), chocnut, sinigang, inihaw, Chicken Joy, Chowking, Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy, the list is endless! And all the places I want to be at, not just see. It's also exciting to think about seeing the changes that have happened in the past 11 months while I was away.

But there's this little voice inside me saying I'm not the same person as I was then, and everyone else isn't the same either. So if they were friends with that me then, would they still like this me now? I know it's pretty weird. But given my pessimistic view of friendships and relationships, to borrow a line from Carrie Bradshaw: I just can't help but wonder... After a moment's pause, I reckon if we were real friends I'd love them for who they are now and not dwell on who they were then, and hopefully vice versa.

Shoutout: I hope to see y'all on my birthday, give or take a few days. Can't wait to be home.

My Current Soundtrack

I always think that in every phase or situation in my life, there will inevitably be a song that I am able to relate to that serves as the soundtrack to that phase, as long or as brief as it may be. Right now, this is the song:

Lost and Running

by Powderfinger

I was sick and tired of waiting lost

You were mad at me for so much more

I was bored listening to the same old chords

You would complain that I was never around

And we shouldn't hope, no we shouldn't hope

If love was so easy, then why am I stuck

If life was so smooth, why can't I get enough

I'm still lost and running, I can't get enough

Everyday moves like a hurricane

It's dragging me around no matter what I say

Night time in the city streets I'm out of luck

The cobblestones are dark and wet, there's no one I trust

And it comes around, yeah it comes around

Mr. So Easy say where have you gone

I'm looking for somewhere that I can lay down my arms

I'm still lost and running, I can't get enough

I'm taking my time I'll let it float away

Spare me no lies and you'll have nothing to say

The further we slip into this rabbit hole

The harder we look for a new place to go

I'm still lost and running, I can't get enough

yun lang po...