The Life of Sophia Ysabel

Last stop, Singapore! > lyf Bugis Singapore      Despite being a pure Filipina, I still considered Singapore as my second home, growing up there. I guess you could even say that Ninang and Mum, who planned out this entire thing miraculously, saved the two countries I call home to be the last of this journey.     And this was our last destination; Singapore!     The glorious days of my childhood when I would get waffles after going to the waterpark, and gnawing on hotdogs from Old Chang Kee's flashes back into my mind. Nostalgia. Here I was, standing at the streets I used to walk by, and being dragged down by a bag full of books from Bugis library.     "AHH I MISSED THIS PLACE SO MUCH!!!" I squirmed, giddy.     All there was to do was just get all the rest we needed and prepare for what awaited us tomorrow. Typical city life in Singapore          The night life in Singapore was worth all the thrill. People...

The most literal a family reunion can get in this blog >         M y feelings were muddled into a perplexing state of curiosity, eagerness, and intimidation  when Tito Rain kindly invited us into his home. But the heart of all my emotions really was eagerness.      Because this time, we were really getting the band back together.      group photo with people from left to right > Tito Rain, Tito Ryan, Ninang, Mum, me, Mamu, Tito Nhey     One fact about Tito Rain that I always find intriguing, his fridge is (not exaggerating, wish I was though) filled to the BRIM with an eye-opening assortment of chocolates and truffles from Switzerland after his time there. Chocolate from there in my opinion would have made one of the best edible souvenirs you could bring home.       He offered a single piece of premium wrapped chocolate from Switzerland, and as he places lightly onto my palm, I treat it as if it's...

  People in photo left to right -> Ninang, Tito Rain, Tito Ryan, mee :3, Mamu, Mum, Tito Randy, and Tito Nhey A (more literal) family reunion!      My face lit up when I was informed that I would have a brief opportunity to spend time together with my uncle, Tito Rain!      After a long haul from Thailand to the Philippines, we checked in at a nearby hotel situated not so far from the airport. This marked the second-to-last destination of our Asia trip, and I couldn't help but feel a bit dejected by this fact. After all, this trip had been the most fun I'd had in a while.  But spending more time with my family that resided in the Philippines would make me forget some worries or stresses that's gone through my head in absolutely no time.      I wonder when Tito Rain is gonna get here...      Almost seconds after the thought appeared into my mind, Mum receives a phone call and discreetly takes it in the lobby. Eventu...

Stationary in a Bangkok street It wasn't the first time I'd visited Bangkok. Since it was populated with visitors from all around the world, I was mentally prepared with the fact that it was going to be crazy in traffic. I'd been through all of that before in the very same place. But when the taxi driver steered the wheel, it put us into a very difficult position.  We were in a messy traffic jam. And being in the traffic jam made me realise something. I wasn't actually mentally prepared for this at all. The condition of the traffic jam I'd seen in front of my very eyes were far more worser than the traffic jam I'd vividly imagined in my head. Outside of the vehicle were motorcycles revving, and cars bleeping their horns nonstop. All of these noises were muffled, and strangely, I felt safe in the car from all the hecticness outside that was starting to brew. As if a miracle, the vehicle was slowly moving forward... And that meant we were getting closer to meeting...