WATCH: Amsterdam, Netherlands


Here is the video of my short trip to Amsterdam.


For more blogposts on Amsterdam, click the links below:

Amsterdam Part 1
Amsterdam Part 2

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular This Week

Seijaku: Calm in the Middle of Chaos

Image
There is a Japanese word I recently came across: Seijaku. It is connected with silence, stillness, and finding peace even when life around us is busy. I like this idea because my life is rarely completely quiet. There is work, studying, languages, travelling, exercise, family, friends, and always something to do. For years, I became quite good at being busy. Finish one thing, move to the next, and keep going. But being good at being busy does not always mean being good at living. I used to think peace would come later. After this busy week. After this course. After this problem is solved. But there is always another "after." Life never suddenly says, "Congratulations, everything is finished. You can relax now." 😅 Perhaps the challenge is finding small moments of stillness while life is happening. Drinking coffee without checking my phone. Walking home without rushing. Sitting quietly without feeling that I should be doing something productive. Working as a nurse ha...
Read more

Padayon Lang: Just Continue ᜉᜇᜌᜓᜈ᜔ ᜎᜅ᜔

Image
There are words that stay with us long after the people who spoke them are gone. For me, one of those words is the Cebuano phrase: “Padayon lang.” These simple words describe my life motto. It is short, almost ordinary. It does not shine with poetry. Yet it has a quiet strength, the kind that you don’t just think about but actually feel deep inside. Literally, it means “just continue” or “keep going.” But in Cebuano life, padayon lang is less of a command and more of gentle encouragement, just a soft pat on the shoulder, a light that shows you the way in the dark. I first heard it as a child, when I struggled with school and say, “Padayon lang sa imong pagtuon.” Keep studying. It is not a word of triumph. It does not promise success. Unlike congratulations or I’m proud of you, padayon lang accepts that life is hard, that the road is tiring, and yet it reminds us that moving forward, even slowly, even step by step is still worth it. It is the Cebuano spirit of resilience, no...
Read more

Andres Bonifacio: 5 Modern Day Learnings and Reflections

Image
Today (November 30) marks the birth anniversary of the known Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio. Many including me are used to hearing Bonifacio's name but never really got to deepen the appreciation and knowledge about him. There were controversies and unresolved issues regarding the motivation, personality and death of Bonifacio; but in this blogpost, the focus would rather be on the learnings we could possibly derive from the story of Bonifacio and how we could reflect on it when applied on our own respective lives. Family and friends first At the age of 14, Bonifacio needed to stop going to private school to support his five other siblings because both their parents died of illness in a duration of a year. Because of this, he earned a living for his family until his siblings had been regularly employed thereafter. On the other hand, by mere impression, Bonifacio treated Rizal as a friend or as an important person of the Filipino revolution. Motivated by this, Bonifacio with his c...
Read more

Filipino Body Language

Image
Non-verbal communication is an essential part in a society, as well as understanding the values the community believe in. This reflects a good overview of how communication and tradition have evolved through time. These expressions are never constant, such that meaning changes from time to time, and is greatly affected by the events or the kind of environment one belongs in. Filipinos, being a society with mixed Asian and Western influences have unique facial and body expressions. These are the focus of this blogpost. 1. Silent stare Stares could mean evil look for Filipinos. It may indicate sarcasm or manipulation. It is considered rude to this, especially when in a conversation because it may also indicate disinterest or disrespect. 2. Lip/Eye pointing This is quiet funny gesture common not just in the rural areas, but also in urban communities. It is quiet hard to explain the direction in verbal language, so it is better to point them vaguely, interestingly with the use of lips,...
Read more

Microscopic Tweaks of 2024: A Recap

Image
Ah, the annual tradition of looking back at the whirlwind that was yet another year—2024. A solid 366 days of experiences, revelations, and "tiny wins" that are supposedly turning me into a better version of myself. Or so I hope. Here’s my gloriously minuscule progress: 1. Books Read: 20 Yes, I joined the bookworm elite this year. My top picks include Start with Why by Simon Sinek (because clearly, I needed a reason), Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett (spoiler: I am none of these), and the timeless Atomic Habits by James Clear—because nothing screams "growth" like habitually reading about habits. 2. Gym: 118 Visits Originally, the plan was weight loss. Surprise twist: my weight stayed put, but hey, I can now bench press my feelings. Strength over skinny, right? Sure. Let’s go with that. 3. French 101, Seriously This Time After a long hiatus of dabbling in French (read: Googling how to say croissant), I finally committed this year. I started with ...
Read more

Noblesse Oblige: A Guiding Principle

Image
Some ideas refuse to disappear, even when the world changes around them. One of them is the French expression Noblesse Oblige. It simply means that privilege comes with responsibility. If life has given you education, opportunity, influence, or success, then you have a duty to use those gifts for something greater than yourself. It is an old idea, perhaps even an unfashionable one, but I think it still deserves a place in the modern world. I have thought about this a lot over the past few years. When I left the Philippines and moved to Norway, I did not arrive with privilege. Like many immigrants, I started almost from the beginning. I had to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, rebuild my career, and prove myself again. Nothing was handed to me. Every step forward came through long shifts, sacrifices, studying after work, and refusing to give up when life became difficult. Today, I live a life that my younger self could only imagine. ...
Read more

My Five Embarrassing Moments in Oslo Part 1

Image
To be embarrassed is one of the awkward feelings one could have especially when you are new to a place. There are situations we do not expect or perhaps we have anticipated it, but we act as if everything will turn well, even though there is high probability it will not. Being new in Oslo, I experienced few moments that I would rather shrink due to shame or hide because I did not expect myself to be in that moment. This is the first three. 1. Second day in the convenient store The day after I arrived in Norway, ofcourse the first thing I wanted was to buy food in a grocery store. I was never acquainted that there was several stores about 100 meters away from my apartment, so I walked 15 minutes, just to buy some stuffs. I knew the location because the first bus route I took towards my place passed through it. Oh no! I do not understand almost everything in the grocery store. I was looking for something obvious I knew. Since I am Asian, I chose some ready-to-eat stuff like flake...
Read more

North Jutlandic Island, Denmark: A Unique Experience

Image
Traversing the North sea towards the Northern region of Denmark from the Norwegian southern coast is fantastic experience. One get to distinguish the common maritime interests of the Scandinavian countries, especially between Norway and Denmark. These two nations have shared history in the past several centuries, both good and bad, such that only the North Sea became an important witness of this rich cultural and historical exchange.  The North Jutlandic Island was connected to the rest of the Danish mainland before the 18th century, but due to the strong currents of the North sea, the Agger Channel was created, separating the island from the rest of the Danish northern landmass region. These geographical and historical backgrounds has encouraged me to embark in the journey to, from and between the important cities of North Jutlandic Island in Denmark. This will be the focus of this blogpost.  Frederikshavn Kirke This church is one of the biggest in Denmark in ...
Read more

Pahiluna: The Cebuano Art of Relaxation

Image
In a world where life seems to be a never-ending race, a moment of respite is a precious gem. Enter "Pahiluna," a beautiful Cebuano word that embodies the essence of unwinding, letting go, and savoring the art of relaxation. It's like discovering a hidden treasure chest of tranquility in the midst of life's chaotic seas. This is the focus of this blogpost. First things first, let's demystify this word. Pahiluna isn't just a word; it's an experience, a state of mind, and a lifestyle all rolled into one. It's that moment when you throw your cares to the wind, kick back, and embrace the now. Pahiluna is the ultimate antidote to the relentless pace of modern life. Let's paint some vivid examples of Pahiluna in action. Imagine yourself on a pristine Cebu beach, your toes luxuriating in the soft sand, and a freshly cracked coconut in hand. As the sun gracefully dips below the horizon, you immerse yourself in Pahiluna, serenaded by the soothin...
Read more

Reliving the Filipino Experience

Image
This is perhaps the shortest vacation in the Philippines I ever had since I went to Norway. It was a very activity-filled six days of my life. However, there are things I got to experience again, as a Filipino, a part of myself I would never be ashamed of. In this blogpost, I would attempt encapsulate everything I learned from my relived Filipino experience. 1. Weather difference Arriving from Seoul, Korea from a short stopover, I never expected that the thoughts and memories I had before in the Philippines would come rushing to me, overwhelming my awareness to the point of mental exhaustion. One thing, I have noticed the drought has ected the country very much, such that the green grasses on the airport field turned into brown outgrowths of a dry topsoil. It was warmth. Surprisingly, my body adapted quickly with the air temperature. 2. Revisiting major historical areas This time I vowed to visit the Philippine capital, Manila's old town. I have been in the adjacent areas but n...
Read more