Onward

In all my triumphs and losses, you will always be in my heart, Mommy. 

Spotify Wrapped Attendance Post

Japan 2024 Expectation vs Reality Itinerary: 4 Days Tokyo + 2 Days Hakone

I hope I get to write a more kwento-ish post of our Japan trip for my ulyanin mind's reference, but for now I'll just post our itinerary, maybe a photo or three per day. 

Planned Day 1: 

Kan'non-dōri, Nakamise-dori Street, Senso-ji, Catholic Kanda Church, Ueno Park, KOMEDA'S Coffee

ABC Mart, Ameyoko Shopping Street

Nike, Adidas, GU Shibuya, Mega Donki, BIC Cameras, Hachiko, Scramble

Dinner Shibuya

Day 1 Reality:

Get stuck at Shimoochiai Station

Kan'non-dōri, Nakamise-dori Street, Sensō-ji 

Stop at Station Office (to get PASMO)

Lunchbreak at Ueno / Ueno Park Entrance, Catholic Kanda Church 

Hachiko, Shibuya Scramble, Adidas

Pabudol at Drug Papas Shimoochiai

Convenience Store hopping around our Airbnb in Shinjuku - Shimoochiai

Day 2 Expectation and Reality

Mt Fuji / Lake Kawaguchiko Tour:

Oishi Park

Oshino Hakkai

Lawson

Hikawa Clock Shop/Tianti Town

Arakurayaa Sengen Park

Dinner Expectation: Mutekiya Ikebukuro

Reality: Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen Bankara Ikebukuro

(dun sa kasunod na ramenan na walang pila)

Day 3 Expectation and Reality

Whole Day at Tokyo Disneyland

Day 4 Planned Itinerary:

Yanaka Ginza, Tomica, Godzilla, Imperial Palace

Shinjuku Gyoen. Bunkyo Civic Center Observation Deck. 

Reality:

Tokyo Skytree Town --

Donguri Republic (Ghibli Store in Tokyo Skytree Town)

Lunch at Tokyo Solamachi food court (I forgot the name)

Tomica Shop Skytree Town

Starbucks Skytree Town, 

GU Asakusa

Don Quijote Asakusa

McDonald's (for the experience of JP menu)

Day 5 Expectation:

Start exploring Hakone: Open Air Museum. Owakudani. Pirate Ship. Hakone Jinja Shrine.

Dinner at Box Burger 

Day 5 Reality:

Wild Yam Farmer Restaurant 

Rest in our accommodation / Mori No Yado

Get caught in the rain

Dinner at Box Burger /7-eleven run

In house hot bath experience 

Day 6 Expectation:

Continuation Hakone Tour: 

Day 6 Reality: 

Begin tour squeeze highlights/priority destination:

Motohakone-ko Pier / Lake Ashi 

Hakone Sightseeing Cruise

Hakone Ropeway

Owakudani Observatory Deck

Hakone-Tozan Cable Car

Hakone Gora Park

Check Souvenirs at Gora Station

Hakone Tozan Train

Back to Shinjuku Station

Quick walk at Shimokitazawa 

Dinner: だるま大使 -無限- 

TARTE & LOVE CAFE

TreFac

Shimokita Senrogai Open Space

I could have, I should have

Now reading: have a little faith - Mitch Albom

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Me: nag blow ng nose coz sicky wicky

Nklai napatingin from across the bed

Me: Ouchie (pointing at nose/mouth)

Nklai went over and tried to give me a kiss (that's what we do with ouchies)

I offered my cheek instead 

"I love you baby"

"laboooo mommy"

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I got laid off.

Next week unemployed na ko.

I feel lost.

And yes, tinuloy pa rin naming JP trip. Dream destination na pampasaya and pang distract habang puro meetings and busy chatroom regarding separation.

Nagigisng in the middle of the night with kabog sa dibdib, terrified na I might not find a well-paying remote job - with my lack of skill na kaya sustain bills and lifestyle namin.

I need to upskill, or explore new career? 

I need to practice presenting myself in an interview na sobrang hirap gawin after confidence crashed sa last role.

Yun lang.

Tapos sa SocMed syempre puro vanity pa rin ipopost ko and curated post ng happy Japan trip.

Pero masaya naman talaga. 

Dream come true.

Pero behind it all, eto same old riddled with anxiety self pa rin. 

End of an Era

Yun na yon. End of 14 year journey. 

I’m still processing it, at the same time distracting myself with other things - our upcoming trip, and applying here and there. 

Where and how do I even begin again?