Category: Uncategorized

The Kindness Movement

The Kindness Movement is a fictional campaign sponsored by Target. The goal of this campaign is to promote random acts of kindness within your community. Marketing would feature in-store advertising, billboards, apparel, a mobile truck that would be driven cross-country to promote the cause wherever and whenever, and an app to track the location of the truck. Participants can win prizes if they follow up with the truck!

The app would also used to generate interest through social media and the hashtag #targetkindness to share photos and ideas users may have to spread good. In exchange for using this hashtag and posting on social media, participants would have access to special deals at Target.

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“Do you feel any different?” // 10 days to 24.

Ten days shy of my 24th birthday, and I write to you from the island of Naoshima, where I’ll be staying for a couple of days. For a town with a population of less than 4,000 people, and one traffic light, you could say that I’ve had some downtime. That’s not to say that there’s not much to do on Naoshima (because for an island, there’s plenty), but I’ve just decided to really pace myself with my visit about here.

This island has the perfect setting to reflect in. Seaside, by the pier, with the company of a refreshing breeze, the occasional ship, open-air sculptures, and just all around stunning coastal views… I’ve been so caught up in my travels that it’s really just hit me that it’s already April. It’s so wild for me to think that I left teaching almost exactly three months ago, and have been traveling ever since. This birthday will be so different from past birthdays, most especially based on the fact that I’m far from home, the usual celebrating party, and my favorite cake from Publix.

You know how on your birthday, someone always asks: “do you feel any different? Y’know, being another year older?” I don’t think I’ve ever answered “yes” to this question before. It’s always been a “no, not really.” But as a soon to be 24 year old… things are different. I feel different. Being a world’s away from home for the majority of this past year, I’ve gained and learned so much from the experience that comes with it.

One thing that hasn’t changed is how grateful I am for everything. From being on this island on this perfect day, to being able to spend my 24th birthday in Japan of all places, and to have been on this incredible adventure for the past 8 months… it really warms my heart that I have friends and family who, despite my limited internet/traveling lyfe, take the time to let me know that they’re thinking of me. Come the holidays and now my birthday is when home is missed most.

I’m playing birthday plans by ear this year. If there’s one solid thing I’ve learned since last August, it’s that you really can’t plan everything out, and I’ve become a lot more accepting of that. So here’s to another year of uncertainty, adventure, trying to figure things out, failing, succeeding, old friendships, new friendships, and being back to an even-numbered age again!

Love from Japan ♥

Las Filipinas

Las Filipinas… it’s been long overdue that I visit my native land, where both my parents were born and immigrated from with my grandparents when they were kids. While a visit would have only been made better if my parents and sisters were there, and while it was unfortunate that I was meeting my father’s side of the family for the first time under the circumstances of my great-grandmother’s passing, it felt really amazing to be in the land of my people.

Visiting the Philippines felt a lot like visiting Toronto in the sense that I was going there to see and spend with family, (most of whom I was meeting for the first time!!!) who were the most generous hosts and hospitable guides. It was nice to be surrounded by family being away from mine since August, and to have family act as my travel guide as well as be the best kind of traveling company.

Without my relatives, I don’t know how I would have gotten anywhere. Traffic, especially in Manila can be particularly awful, but I had the best time riding public transportation in the form of “jeepneys,” (small, colorfully ornamented public buses) and in the sidecar of motorcycles.I spent the majority of my time with my great-aunt Flory who lives in Manila and together with my aunts, we also visited the northern province of Luzon (Ilocos Sur & Norte), and Tagaytay in Cavite. I also traveled further south to Oriental Mindoro, where my great-grandmother lived.

There were a lot of firsts for me in the Philippines: I met a LOT of cousins, and great-aunts and uncles for the first time, rode a horse, sang karaoke outdoors, ate a lot of homecooked Filipino meals for the first time in months (!!!), fed a camel, saw a windmill up close, went swimming in a waterfall, and watched a dancing fountain show coordinated to “Watch Me-Whip/Nae Nae” (among other songs).

If I could describe the Philippines in one word, it’d be “warm.” The Philippines has a very lush, tropical climate year-round, so it is very literally a warm place. There are a lot of farms, rice fields, beaches, and waterfalls. Manila is a big city, but visiting smaller towns, and rural provinces was refreshing after the hustle and bustle of China, and Hong Kong.

The people of the Philippines were so warm and welcoming as well. My family showed me the warmest hospitality and made sure I enjoyed my visit. My trip there was such a treat. I’m always grateful, so grateful, and I feel so proud of my roots. Maraming salamat po, las Filipinas!!! Until next time.

I’ve been in Japan for a few weeks now, friends. I hope to update you sooner than later about my time in Tokyo before I jet-off and run my JR pass to the ground starting this weekend… but if I can’t, sit tight. I will share about my time here, promise.

A happy week to you all, and happy watching my Philippines footage!

Love from Japan ♥