Perfect timing!

So, it's been 20 days since I got here in New York, and everyday just keeps on getting better and better. Well, somedays, it's just normal. lol. And today was the best! But before that, I'll share with you guys what I've been doing this past week. :)

On my 2nd weekend here, my aunt Marilou invited me to go with them upstate for her friend's surprise birthday party. I went with them even if I got an email requesting for an interview for an internship that Sunday. I did asked to be rescheduled (Who does interviews on a Sunday anyway!?) but they didn't reply. It was worth it though. Over the trip, I've been to a lot of towns here in New York. It's not just the city that's nice here. The other places I've been were small towns and very nice places to live in. And I got a chance to know my aunt's boyfriend, Frank, who drove all the way to Ancram for 5 hours and back to the city for like 8 hours (yeah, we got lost haha). He was really nice and my aunt seems happy with him and so is Pasha, their dog.

My seat mate during our trip, Pasha, who farts a lot.

Stopped over at Muscoot farm and saw these cute lambs!

The huge house we stayed at last 2 weekends ago

The amazing view of the amazing house

Pasha and his mom

And after that the week became boring. Just kidding. I went to work as usual and even extended it until Thursday since I don't have anything else to do. The fun thing about interning is that I get to spend more time with my aunt and she takes me to different restaurants everyday!

Eating a 1/2 pound burger like a boss.

Then last Friday, I went out to go around Times Square. I went gaga over the sale at H&M and Forever 21 that I spent all the money that I have that day! And what's more, my Metrocard ran out of balance and I don't have any change left. So I walked for 20 blocks back to my lola's store. :(

Didn't need to wear any jackets anymore! Yay!

Passed by my dream school. huhu

Enjoying an afternoon at Times Square

Took this shot thinking I would be riding it. Boo.

My lola's store's collection of table cloths for events

I also found out that the article I wrote the week before I left got published already! And it got more than 30,000 views in just a day! Check it out here!

The article I wrote in just 2 hours, before going to Lucban.

Then last Saturday, I tagged along my lolas and attended a seminar for new Filipino immigrants who wants to find a job here according to their field. It's a very useful organization that would be beneficial to Filipinos who took survival jobs here just for the salary that's bigger than their professional salary. You can check it out at www.upwardlyglobal.org. After that, we had dinner at Perlas restaurant to watch Stephanie Reese's concert who apparently is a popular singer here and in the Philippines. Maybe I'm just not that into music other than what I occasionally hear that I don't seem to know who she is. But she is quite popular in the Filipino community here in New York. And she is a very good singer. I think she was in a broadway show or something. But she is really amazing.

Love her outfit except for the tights though.

And today has been THE BEST DAY EVER! I got an email last Friday saying that I got an interview at Akris, an international brand that's been providing amazing designs for over 90 years and is at Paris fashion week ever since 2002. I went to their office at Madison Ave. this afternoon, and after being so nervous over the weekend, I was interviewed by their PR coordinator and I get to start on Monday! It was so quick! I wasn't even in the store for like 10 minutes! I'm not complaining! I was so happy that I couldn't even get the smile out of my face while I was walking in the rain back to my lola's store. Truly,  everything happens according to God's perfect plan. Can't wait to start next week!

My new work starts on Monday! :)

I'll be meeting SFL's from New York this Friday and will finally be attending a CLS! I'm now accepting the fact that I'm old. LOL.

So far, that's it. 3 weeks down and 4 to go.  I know it'll just keep on getting better and better!

Xo,
L.

So far so good

Well, it's been over a week since I came here to New York and so far, I can say that it's been quite an experience already. In just a few days, I get to go around the city little by little and explore what I can. And in some days, like today, I stay home and bum around since I've got nothing else to do. Oh yeah, I started my internship at a yoga studio where my aunt works. It's a different work environment than what I was used to in Manila, but I'm getting the hang of it. I hope I do. lol.

Here's some of the adventures (and mishaps) that happened to me so far:

• Lost my Metrocard that's which I just loaded with $20
• Jogged in the morning, joined a yoga class, and walked from 14th to 28th St, then from Broadway to 7th ALL in one day
• Freeze in the rain 'cause I didn't wear a thick jacket
• An old man eavesdropping on the conversation and possibly trying to hit on me at the subway
• Get invited to a born-again service on a Sunday (No offense, but I'm Catholic)
• Spend $160 on clothes in less than a week
• Get stood up by my aunt's boyfriend (because he lost his wallet) and barely have money for the food we ordered at a Thai restaurant
• Ate a half rack of ribs on my own (I didn't think I can)
• Missed out an opportunity of seeing Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield at Union Square (and I was just there while they were filming The Amazing Spiderman 2)
• Rode a different route on the subway, went to Queens mall, then go home - all by myself
• Cooked and did laundry! (Yes, I know that's lame haha)

For some photos, you can check out my Instagram. :)

Xo,

L.

On to new beginnings

After a day of stressful packing, and no sleep, I began my 20-hour flight to my 2nd home, New York City. I can barely contain my excitement as I board the plane, but I also felt sad that I had to leave my family behind. Then again, I must do this on my own. I don't know what new life awaits me here during my stay but I trust Him to lead me and guide me to whatever His plan is. And my new life officially begins tomorrow (or later) and I can't wait!

Here are some photos during my flight going here:

Almost there

So, I'm leaving in a few hours, and yet I am still awake. I guess I can't sleep anymore due to excitement, or insomnia. I really can't believe that this is happening. I'm about to start my journey of finding myself in a city full of diversity, creativity and so much more. It's really going to happen! Yikes!

But before that, this past week has been quite stressful. Well, I am unemployed, yes, but I have so many things going on in our YFL community since last weekend was our Youth Conference. I was part of the team for our Praise & Fashion (P&F), a fashion show that showcases our convictions through our YFL shirts that are glam-ed up differently. It was quite a task since our conference's theme was circus, and the outfits has to be in-line with it. And together with my friends, Melea & Joanne, we managed to pull it off in just 3 days! Having so little time and not even a polished practice, it went really well! It was the very first time that I was able to push it to the limit for P&F since this year, it requires props for the theme which was really hard to do! I even broke down a couple of times because of the stress and lack of sleep. Thus, all the more that I am very thankful that it looked really amazing when we showcased it last Friday. It all went according to His plan. With unending problems with our props, models, music, costumes, make up, blocking, etc., this is one of those moments where my heart no longer cares and just let God be in control. And I am very thankful that it really made me realize that we just need to have faith in Him when we can no longer handle whatever it is that is difficult in our lives. That we should give the best we can and then leave it to Him to do the rest. And true enough, we witnessed a victory unfolded right before us when we thought that we already lost. He saves us and makes everything better again.

During our conference, I was re-affirmed of His message to me when I attended the World Singles Congress for SFL last March. It was to find myself and find Him in this journey that I am about to go through. That it was Him who made this trip possible, who made my dreams come true and will continue to let greater things happen in my life, as long as I have faith, I know that anything is possible.

Here's a photo of the models and the outfits we designed/styled. :)

Left to Right: Salve Fabie (Ballerina), Peter Rinoza (Aladdin), Monica Desengano (Harlequin), Joseph Quimpo (Pinocchio), Gab Toledo and Janessa San Juan (Toy Soldiers), Patrick Pasagui (Cannonball), Paolo Magtibay (Ringmaster), Tin Resurreccion (Stilt Woman), Madel Punzalan (Lion Tamer), and Faith Lebantino (Flyer)

You'll see me in some place different on my next post! :)

Xo,

L.