It's in moments like these that the urge to grab my laptop and start writing takes over. My neighborhood is usually quiet, except for the weekly guitar playing and singing sessions by my neighbor. Ordinarily, Sunday nights are meant to be peaceful and unsolicited noises are not welcome, but I've found a sense of calm in these occasional bursts of music. It's a complement to my very cozy bed situation: scented candles and a book in hand — which I temporarily put down for now as I had the (now very rare) urge to write.
So... here's a non-exhaustive list of the things that recently make me happy (with little to almost no explanation, and in no particular order).
- The ever-changing hues of the sky throughout the day never fail to captivate me.
- The most valued alone time I have on my train rides to and from work. It's my little window to indulge in a good book.
- And then there's running—oh, the joy of it. Those close to me understand the profound impact it has had on my mental well-being. Running is my sanctuary, a time to clear my mind and make room for creativity.
- Pastries have become a newfound delight for me, and I finally comprehend why Danes have such a deep love for them.
- Being introduced to the people that matter most to someone.
- Future travel plans, and mostly knowing that I won't be doing them alone anymore.
- Getting assistance with my apartment chores especially during the times when I need it the most. Getting the 80 percent when I'm only at my 20.
- Closing a chapter that never even began.
There you go, ladies and gentlemen. Let's keep the positive energy and get through the upcoming week.
Your distressed nacho, X. *wink*
I've come across an article that says when you move to another country and try to build a life there, it feels like living in between. You're not a tourist, but you're not a native either. You'd feel homesick, all the while you're home.
Major life update: I've moved to Denmark.
The decision to move began in March when I was headhunted for a job, the specifics of which I won't delve into. Upon reflection, I realize it might have started even earlier. It was May of 2022 when Marcos won the presidential election in the Philippines. I, together with other 15 million Filipino people, were beyond devastated. I woke up to it one morning, and I wasn't even exaggerating when I say that I cried and couldn't get through the day when I heard that Leni lost. That time, I told myself, I'm leaving the Philippines.
Months passed, and I found myself without any clear direction. The job I had no longer provided me with challenges, and traveling within the Philippines had lost its excitement. Concurrently, I was distancing myself from connections. It became evident that I had reached a dead end in the country of my birth, where I had spent 28 years growing up. So the first chance I got to leave it, I took it. Was it an easy decision? Absolutely, a no-brainer.
Getting here was a long tedious process, yet somehow it feels like it all came together really fast. In my almost three months here, here's an update on how things have been going for your distressed nacho so far...
- Bureaucratic procedures were all in place — registered as a tax resident, opened a Danish bank account, obtained a Danish mobile number, and so forth.
- I found a permanent place only after staying here for three weeks. Before I came here, I had read that the country's (especially that of Copenhagen's) housing situation is very competitive — high demand and less supply. So, one of the first things I did when I arrived was to look for a permanent place. I went to a couple of open houses but failed to get the apartments. Luckily, I found a listing on Airbnb and asked the host if she was interested in a long-term rental. She agreed to see me, and shortly after, we agreed on the terms. She and her husband are the kindest people I have ever known. They anticipated my needs and offered their helping hands even when they didn't have to. Moving to their place also put me in a better economical situation as they did not ask for much. Looking back on it, I feel like my first months here have been nothing but lucky.
- Taking Danish language classes! Who would've thought that at this stage in my life, I'd be attempting to learn a new language? It's not a work requirement or a societal necessity since practically every Dane, even the young ones, speaks English fluently. However, for me, learning the language means fully embracing the country I've moved to. It's quite challenging, with numerous rules and complexities, but I'm making progress. Surprisingly, it's also been a fun experience. As an added bonus, I've had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and made connections.
- Speaking of connections... one of the things I'm truly grateful for is having colleagues with whom I can connect both professionally and personally. Before arriving here, my research indicated that integrating with Danes might not be easy due to their tight-knit circles, with socializing outside of work being rare. I had mentally prepared for this, so my expectations were quite low. I'm pleasantly surprised (and incredibly grateful) that my experience has been completely opposite. On my first weekend here, I was shown around the city. They helped me understanding my rental contract, insurances, and such. They go the extra mile to check what else they can do to make life more convenient for me. I was invited to a saunagus!!! I was invited to a pre-party of selected people!!! One of them even made me a list of things I can do in Copenhagen categorized in weather conditions!!! Links where to buy good deals for clothes, food, etc, are sent my way!!! They've taught me life hacks. Heck, I even have an "how-to-apply-an-eyeliner" tutorial. These are among many other things I've lost count of. This fills my heart with warmth on so many levels.
- I've even familiarized myself with the shopping spots and online stores now. Funny enough, I recall a conversation with a friend back in the Philippines where I mentioned spending too much money just by staying at home and indulging in online shopping. He jokingly pointed out that I had the same habit back in the Philippines; only the currency has changed. Lol
- I've also met fellow Filipinos here who have assisted me in navigating Denmark.
- I celebrated my birthday here for the first time. It's truly incredible how someone can go the extra mile to make you feel special.
- Danes are huggers. In my (almost) three months here, I've probably hugged more people than in my 28 years in the Philippines. Lol. They smell good, so no complaints there!
- Danes seem to have an excessive love for cake (and beer, but not necessarily together).
- Dane men often go by Peter, Lars, or Anders, while Dane women are commonly named Pernille, Hanne, or Anna. So if you forget their names, chances are you're spot on by calling them those.
- Danes have a great sense of fashion, even among the older generation.
Everyday, I am reminded that I am at the right place. It feels home. Seems like my mother's prayers are working.
More soon, X. *wink*
Two important milestones since I last wrote: (1) I processed a black and white film roll and I am beyond in love of how it turned out, (2) I usually find myself daydreaming and very much looking forward to a possibility of a lovely, bright, and colorful future — and how I'm in love with it even before it comes. I know. Two different things on opposite sides of the spectrum — one, which may lack in color but still brings me too much joy; the other, which is so lively and bright. The irony that I didn't know I needed at this point in my life.Since I began exploring film photography, I have processed three rolls so far. Unfortunately, the first roll was disappointing due to overexposure, and this was particularly disheartening because it captured the memories of my one-month trip to Western Europe. If that one turned out to be the way I expected it to be, I know there were a lot of good photos (and bittersweet memories) on that roll. Perhaps it's just telling me to go back to Western Europe and try again. Lol. The one following that is an improvement, but it lacks stories, it lacks depth — which is what I want for my digital photos. That' when I decided to switched to black and white film because I thought that the subdued color would at least tell a story — and to my amusement, it did!
Almost August and though I can say that physically I am still here, if I count all the progress I've made in reaching my goal so far, I would say that I am nearly the end of it. This makes me feel too many emotions at once — excitement, happiness, relief, fear, and some other emotions that I cannot describe. I am so ready for this and I want to embrace it fully. To prepare myself, I've been doing some reading, connecting with people, and immersing myself with photographs of what could possibly lies ahead. These simple and innocent visuals are telling me how colorful life can be. While I deeply appreciate the artistry of black and white film, when it comes to leading my life, I wholeheartedly choose to embrace the richness of color, the reverse monochrome.
More soon, X. *wink*
So yeah... while everyone is enjoying their summers in different parts of Europe and different Philippine beaches, I'm staying in Manila. Silver lining is I am spending as much time as I can with Pancho and Pluto. I've also been reading a lot lately. By a lot, I mean, a lot of texts and not a lot of books. I am still the slow pace reader who doesn't like to rush through books, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I've also been busy apartment hunting, which I didn't realize is such a competitive market these days. One minute, I was only talking to the landlord. The next minute, a tenant was approved to move in already. And yeah... still more caffeine and no sleep.
More soon. X.
Ohh... and don't worry. Soon enough, you'll stop hearing about my ramblings about these things. The drought is finally coming to its end. *wink wink*
I consider myself to be someone who values efficiency and getting things done in an optimized manner. To be able to do so, I often multitask. For instance, I make sure to turn on the coffee machine before I start toasting a bread, so they finish around the same time. Similarly, I like to start the rice cooker before taking a shower, ensuring that the rice is cooked by the time I'm done. I do grocery shopping online. I use a pickup and delivery service for my laundry. I hire services that would save me some time and focus on more important tasks.
My friends often see me as someone who's always on the go and doesn't like to slow down — someone who tends to operate at a faster pace compared to others in our circle. In turn, I am also that someone who's more susceptible to burnout, but also the fastest to bounce back. Always on the move. Restless.
Slowing down, I discovered, is such a luxurious way of living. It is precisely this kind of luxury that I both desire and require at this point. I have learned that rushing through tasks is not the sole means of maximizing productivity in a day. Adopting a slower, more deliberate approach to things brings the same benefit — with an added bonus of calmness.
Here's how I embrace slow living lately...
- Running. Well, running always brings me peace. When my head is full of thoughts, running helps create mental space. I often take advantage of it, as I become more mindful, running gives me something more than I thought it could.
- Meditation. This is something I have yet to master. As a naturally anxious person (lol), meditation and breathing exercises calm me. However, if I feel alright, I don't engage in it, which leads to a loss of the discipline I strive to maintain. I have always known to be someone who has trouble sleeping as well — with or without coffee so might as well have some (lol). I discovered that doing meditation before bedtime helps me fall asleep faster than usual.
- Reading a book + coffee. Working remotely for almost four years has created a bad habit of waking up just a few minutes before work, leaving no time to enjoy the morning. Recently, I've been breaking this bad habit by waking up earlier than usual to read a book and have a cup of coffee. Ahhhh, such a calming feeling.
- Longer showers. Yes, I sometimes rush through showers because my mind constantly drifts towards unfinished tasks, such as work and school-related matters. Taking longer showers while mindfully using good-quality bath products has become a source of enjoyment for me.
- Me time. Ohh, how I love the period after work, dinner, and the end-of-the-day shower when I can finally sit down, light a candle (or three, lol), perform my skincare routine, play soothing music, and indulge in reading once more. I lie in bed with Pancho and Pluto, simply enjoying the comfortable silence. I believe this perfectly embodies the concept of Danish hygge.
Oh how I love this life.
More soon. X
More soon. X
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