I woke up early today. A blast of chilly wind rattled my window shades. I was confused for a second. This was way too cold for September. Then it hit me pretty quickly: I'm not in California anymore. I live in France now. The first rains of autumn have arrived in Paris... and I forgot to close my window!
A few, frantic seconds later, the window was closed. My apartment was safe from the rain outside. As I sat back down on my bed, I couldn't help but think about the fact that I am living in a foreign country. I am far away from my family.
I have many different feelings about being here in Paris, France. It can be a scary feeling, and it can be lonely sometimes. At the same time, though, I’ve worked hard to get here. I’m here for a reason! From living in the Philippines, to starting from scratch in California, to studying abroad in France, everything will be worth it in the end!
My journey started in 1992 when I was born in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The Phillippines is an island country on the other side of the Pacific Ocean from the United States. Growing up in the Phillippines, I was used to the heat, the humidity and the hurricanes. Can you look at a world map and find the Phillippines?
The Phillippines is in the tropics. The tropical setting did have its advantages!
