Reflection

I left the United States to travel and study abroad on December 25, 2017. Since then, I’ve flown on 51 flights, traveled to 21 new countries, visited 4 continents, and journeyed over 44,000 miles. In between, I saw some pretty awesome sights, ate a lot of great food, and met some wonderful people. As I landed back in New York, I felt overwhelmingly grateful to say that I’ve done all of this. I remember moving to the United States with my family ten and half years ago with just a suitcase in my hand and having visited no other country but the Philippines. I remember not having any winter clothes coming out of JFK Airport and had to wait for my mom’s friend to give me an old jacket his son wore which was a size too big for me. Now, I get to say that I’ve been to 40 countries and have the ability to buy a jacket that fits just right.

I’d like to thank my family for always supporting me, for sacrificing nearly everything to give me the opportunity that I would not otherwise get but here in America. I can’t even say that this was my dream because I never actually dreamt that I would be this blessed. I am eternally grateful to God for giving me this life and for surrounding me with people that told me I can do it.

Behind the Dab Project

The dab video project simply started at as a silly thing I did when Chris and I went to China and Indonesia last November. But as I traveled more this semester, I realized this was a statement and reflection on how far I’ve come since moving to America and a reinforcement of the fact that if you can make it here, you can most definitely make it anywhere. So in many ways, this one’s also to all the other first generation Americans. Here’s to the next adventure, the next 40 countries, and for that undeniable and inextinguishable fire and hustle of an immigrant’s heart.