What I did after College

I don’t know, I just randomly felt and I just had to reminisce it.

While scrolling and reading through Forbes website, I was greatly reminded of the time when I was in Los Angeles and Washington DC, exploring new places and having the most random conversation with people whenever I’m asking for directions.

I feel nostalgic as I write this, remembering those times when I was looking for jobs, knocking on every embassy door in DC, having my lunch at this Kebab restaurant and basically just me trying to live my life in a foreign country.

That was in July or August 2012 when I flew to LA and live in my aunt’s house in Monrovia. I felt like I could do whatever I wanted whether that be in my life or in my career. I applied for jobs at hotels, retail stores and the likes. I even explored jobs in Washington DC sending out emails to embassies there. Then, I got a reply from this embassy that they needed an Administrative Assistant. I couldn’t quite remember what Embassy it was, that was a long time ago!

Being the naughty kid that I was, I did everything I could to convince my Mom and Dad for me to go to Washington DC and have that interview. And so, even with hesitation from my parents, I went to DC and stayed with my aunt from my father’s side.

There, I met Mr. Cookie Man on a connecting flight to DC. He helped me with my luggage and we shared stories with one another. He became my guide when I was in DC as we continued to communicate via email. I would ask him questions that will help me with sorting out my new life as an independent woman in the States. And guess what, up until now we still exchange emails and he still reads my blogs!I miss you Mr Cookie Man, and I hope one day we’ll meet again!

And so going back, I had the interview. But it didn’t turned out the way I expected it to be. I didn’t get accepted, imagine that! I flew hundreds of miles just for that interview and I didn’t get in. Well, I wasn’t totally devastated during that time. I had a good support system then. And so I tried my luck looking for jobs in DC.

Luckily, I got accepted as a Cashier/Salesperson in one of the biggest souvenir stores in DC! Imagine me smiling while writing this post, it just brings great memories looking back and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I loved my work! I was meeting a lot of tourists every single day, I was fixing t shirts and Obama mug souvenirs and chocolates. I was eating Chinese takeout for lunch. My workmates even teased me cause they were always saying “Chinese takeout” and I couldn’t figure it out!

And so days passed, and something came up and I had to go back to LA. I know, bye DC! But before I end my story about DC, I wanted to share how amazing my experience was there! I’ve met my Cupcake buddy, Mela Segisumundo Jiao(she’s now married!) while jogging! I passed by her and she looked Pinay so I asked her,”Pinay ka ba?” And that started our adventures together, we would eat red velvet cupcakes together and explore Old Town Alexandria too on the weekends!

I’ve also met bakers whom I asked to work with cause during that time, I was so passionate about being a pastry chef. Fun Fact: I worked at restaurants here in the Philippines after my stint in the US. I worked for Wildflour, The Wholesome Table and Blackbird!

I enjoyed visiting bookstore coffee shops, eating at Irish pubs, and meeting Pinoys in the area.

While I was embassy hopping in DC, a girl gave me Ian( A Filipino working for an Embassy in DC )’s number who became my good friend and who introduced me to someone who became somehow my Father in DC, Tito Jun.

He is a living proof that hard work pays off, he started as a helper in the ice cream shop which he now owns and as far as I know, he also owns a restaurant now. I even tried working part time in his ice cream shop while I was there and met with a lot of students from DC University. Gee, those were the good times! I miss you Tito Jun and your family! I hope I could visit you again soon this year!

Going back, I needed to go to LA. And by that time, I was decided that I wanted to go back to the Philippines. I told my parents about it and they told me if you want to go back, you have to pay for your own ticket.

And so I worked my way to buy a ticket. I worked as a breakfast attendant at Springhill Suites Marriott for a few months until I raised enough money for me to travel back to the Philippines.

And so from there, I flew back.

A lot of you may say, “sayang”, but after a few years, I knew in my heart that it was the best decision to go back. Back then, I had a lot of issues with myself that I had to deal with, with the help of my family and I am forever grateful that I have passed them now.

I don’t know why of all times, I only reminisced my post college memory of living abroad now. Probably because of reading too much Forbes articles this morning at work and I suddenly missed connecting with people whom I totally don’t know. That’s the best part of my whole experience, it’s the random and the most beautiful connection that I made with strangers, talking with them for a few minutes but definitely the memory is sketched in my heart for a lifetime. Now, I am reminded to have a separate travel savings for me to be able to experience more of the world as I age. There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing sights that you’ve never seen, hearing whispers from the Universe through a stranger’s voice and immersing yourself in a culture that you never knew existed.

My heart and soul is full. And I hope to create more memories in this present moment that I can write and share about with you for a lifetime.

Thanks for reading my blog guys. It means a lot.