Welcome (back)!

   So for my Public Relations class I have to put away my anonymity and show my face to the world. Since I started this blog, I've always been professional in my posts that's why I decided to stick to this blog until the end instead of setting up a new one which would be another account for me to keep track of.

   When I first set up this blog back in July 2009, I was in my early 20s; my older sister influenced me to start a blog because she also started one in January (but she doesn't update it anymore--she only posted like a couple of posts and that was it. Her excuse was that she didn't have "time" and blogging wasn't for her. Meh. Excuses.). I think what inspired me to keep writing and updating this blog was Dramabeans, a blog about Korean dramas. I've always loved watching Asian dramas and films, and when I realized that I could write about them, I thought, why not set up my blog so I can write about them? So don't be surprised if you find me randomly posting about Asian dramas because those shows keep me sane. I used to watch American tv shows when I was in the Philippines, but when Meteor Garden was shown on Philippine tv for the first time in 2003, that got me into Asian dramas that ranges from Taiwanese (which I rarely watch), Japanese, Korean, Chinese (mostly films), to Thai (mostly films too). But don't worry, these are not the only shows I watch. I also watch period dramas, and that comprise mostly of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell's novel adaptations. Downton Abbey is next on my list, but I just don't have the time to watch the series right now. And lastly, I used to write recaps about Detective Conan (and if I have the time, I'll write about them). I like animes, and I've been watching them since I was young so I'm familiar with animes like Dragon Ball, Yuyu Hakusho, Ranma 1/2 (my favourite anime of all time), Fushigi Yuugi, Fruits Basket, Hana Yori Dango, Naruto, One Piece, Flame of Recca, and other animes that I can't remember at the top of my head.

   But when I don't write about my "addictions" (as what I call them), I write about myself. No, I don't write about how amazing I am (ha!), or what I had for breakfast this morning, or what my typical weekend is like. I never write about those. I'd rather just keep those thoughts to myself and never share them on Facebook or Twitter. I value my privacy, that's why when I started this blog my user name was "luraaa" and my old profile pictures here were either an anime character or my shadow. But I changed my user name to my real one (i.e., Lora) because... well, I don't really know why I did that last year. I think it was because I wanted my audience to know who I am so they'll know that I'm not a troll? Anyway, I can't remember the story behind it so let's change the topic.

   Whenever I talk about myself, I talk about my experiences and thoughts as an immigrant. I was 19 years old when I left my entire life and moved to a new place to live permanently. I didn't have a choice; my parents made us move here even though in Western standards I was already an adult and I could make my own decisions. But I didn't, and I let my parents decide my future for me. It was a decision I didn't regret, and I would never blame my parents for making me move here to Canada. I was forced to make a lot of sacrifices, but it's alright. I'm still in the process of transitioning, but a few years have already passed and I've built a few relationships here that are comparable to my old relationships back home.

   And that's exactly why my blog is named Homecoming. The Philippines was my home--it still is, it's just that my feelings about this country are changing as I spend more time and live my life in my new home--here in Canada. But even though I consider Canada my new home, there will always be a part of me that will go back to the place where my life started--and how I became the person I am today--my native homeland, my first, former and forever home, the Philippines. A place that will always welcome me despite my love-hate relationship with it.

   I guess it's time to continue being professional and more personal as I relaunch my blog and change it to a professional blog named Lora's Homecoming. 

Oceanarium Park in Manila: my cousins, siblings, and I went here when we visited the Philippines in summer of 2010. 

Oceanarium Park

 Balanan Lake, Negros Oriental: a lake on a mountain

Taal Lake, Tagaytay City: Taal Volcano on a lake

   

   With sights and places like this, who wouldn't want to go back? I haven't even explored the underground caves, blue seas, and hundred islands in the Philippines yet, that's why I'm definitely going back there. 

© photo credits: the first three were taken by my brother Kervy and I took the fourth. All pictures were taken during our 2010 summer vacation