7 things I learned at 26
I am now officially 26 years old. Yesterday was my birthday. But what does that even mean? The earth revolved around the sun 26 times since I was born? I guess as I grow older every year I also get less sentimental and more realistic. This year, celebrations don't really matter much. I prefer spending the day in peace rather than in big crowd of people with a lot of small talks. I am bad at small talks. I am awkward and timid and don't know what to say.
This year and last year has been the most challenging and fruitful at the same time for me. I embarked on a new journey, alone, tried to do things out of my comfort zone even though I'm not good at managing my own emotions. Well, everyday is a chance to discover myself more isn't it?
Living here in this side of the world has taught me a lot, and at 26, here are some of the things I learned, others the hard way. These are also notes to myself that I'd like to always be reminded of.
1. Never take your health for granted.
I have neglected my health for the longest time thinking that I am invincible because I am young. I was anorexic in my late teens. I had really bad posture and sleeping habits. I never really thought much about my food intake, my exercise, not even my mental well-being. It all caught up to me this year and that's when I realised, our body is really our temple, no matter how cliche that sounds. I have been hospitalised numerous times and spent more than a thousand dollars in hospital bills and medication. In order for us to function properly and live the best versions of ourselves, it starts with good physical and mental health.
2. There are some things in life that, no matter how hard you try, is just not for you.
I used to always believe that as long as you have the passion and drive, you can do anything! Like how I did in college. I wasn't a bright student, but I studied twice as much and persevered. I am always proud to say that I have earned two bachelors in four years because I worked so hard to get it. But in reality, there are some things that no matter how hard you try just isn't for you. You must know to weigh the pros and cons, if it's still worth it or not, and if there are alternatives that will make you even a better person. Does it still make you happy? Or does it burden you more than it inspires you? You must know when to hold on and when to let go; and if you can't let it go, then it must be teaching you to be more patient and resilient.
3. The only competition you have is yourself.
I used to always pressure myself to achieve unrealistic goals, but when I take a step back and look at it, I ask myself, what for? Is it because I compare myself to everybody else? It is because the society expects so much from me? Is it because I am ashamed to not have something to brag about? Why am I even putting so much pressure on myself when the only goal I should have at the end of the day is to have a peace of mind and sleep well at night. Am I happy and contented? If yes, then I must be exactly where I'm supposed to be.
4. Sometimes, being too nice doesn't work.
If you are too nice to everybody, there will come a point in your life that you will get taken for granted. You must know when to be nice, and when to stand up for yourself. You cannot just always try to understand how everybody acts. You must also have a voice, and for as long as you know you are in reason, then go stand up for it.
5. Different people think differently.
You can't force someone to see things from your perspective. Everyone has their own identity, and you can't always expect them to agree to your narrative. Disagreements are inevitable. Always try to be open minded, and learn to agree to disagree.
6. Acknowledge your weaknesses and work around them.
The more you try to deny your weaknesses, the more they will haunt you. You must know how to acknowledge it, and remind yourself that it is not all that you are. Learn to work around it, manage how you react at certain situations, and master your own emotions.
7. The beauty in life is found in the simplest things.
There are times we feel stuck, stressed, overworked, and overthinking things. If you are in a dark place and can't find a silver lining, go outside and rediscover the beauty of life in simple things. Look at how the wind blows over the trees. Hear the sound of coffee pouring down to your cup. Smell the scent of newly washed linens. Open your window and let the sun shine to your face. Look up in the blue sky, and know that the world will keep moving for as long as you live. The simple things.
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These are my thoughts as I turn 26. I am a bit nostalgic, but I am moving forward with light. Cheers to better days ahead.
With love,
Ann
PS. Took a break on my blog series schedule this week in lieu of my week long birthday hiatus. Thanks for sticking around!
Pros and Cons of Living in Cayman Islands
Hey everyone! Today's topic is about my experiences here in the Cayman Islands. I've been a residing here since 2018 and throughout my stay I've summarised the top things that I think are the upsides and downsides of living here. Without further ado, let's start!
These are just some of the many pros and cons of living here base don my ecperience. How about you? Share some of the cultural differences you noticed from where you visited a different country!
Pros:
1. Less pollution
I was born and raised in Manila, and that already speaks of how much environmental issues I can endure. Here in Cayman, I do not notice any type of pollution, may it be air, water, land, or even noise. Since the island thrives on tourism, the people and the government are strict with cleanliness so you won't see people littering around. And if you do, they get cleaned up so fast! Air is also not a problem since the whole island is surrounded by trees and there are no jeepneys or any factories that emit a lot of carbon dioxide. In the night, you can also not make so much noise because anyone can report you to the police. Unlike in the Philippines where you can go karaoke all night long, here unfortunately, you can only do that in restobars or in your room, quietly.2. Health Services
Public service in general is what really awed me when started living here. The hospital cannot dismiss you if you want to get treated for a medical issue. Regardless of your financial standing, the hospital will always accept you, even if you cannot pay. You will just have to sign a promissory note to the government that you will pay your bill some time in the future. How I wish Philippines is like that.3. The Government in general
The Government here is no joke. Locals are valued so much that they get a lot of benefits by just being a Caymanian. They get preference in all aspects, especially with employment. All companies are required to first exhaust all possible local candidates in any open position before offering it to expats. Due to this, it is almost impossible for a Caymanian to not have a job unless it's their own choice. The Government will always find opportunities for them. If you are a single mother, or unemployed, or a senior citizen, you can apply for a monthly allowance not lower than CI$ 700 per month. In buying properties, you can also get a "First Caymanian Buyer" benefit where all other fees and taxes are waived for your first property. How cool is that?4. Labour hours
Overtime is almost non-existent here. If your job is not finished by 5pm (or 6pm in my case) drop everything down, go home, and just continue it tomorrow. Nobody applauds overtimers here unlike the Philippines. Everybody is expected to be as productive as they can within their shift. It's kind of disrespectful to not utilise the time you are being paid for.5. Nature and beaches
One of the best beaches in the world is here The waters are insanely crystal clear with fine white sands. All districts have their own beaches and that's the most common recreational activity for locals. There's also The Crystal Caves and The Turtle Centre that I both made features about. This island could pass as the eight wonder of the world.Cons:
1. Transportation
Almost everyone here has their own car because it is difficult to navigate the island without your own mode of transportation. Unlike the Philippines where we have trains, buses, and jeepneys for the main roads, and tricycles and pedicabs for the smaller roads, here there is only buses or ridiculously priced taxis. If you live in the outskirts or deep in the countryside, good luck going home without hitching a ride. That's also why hitching a ride here is so common and not as suspicious as in the Philippines. Cars are also surprisingly cheap, especially if you buy them from Japan.2. The Entertainment Industry
There are no local TV dramas here. There's a few theatre actors and local singers, but none on the television. There's even no news channel. You can get your news over the internet, the radio, or the newspaper. Most people just watch US shows on their TVs.3. Small island mentality
If you think locals are being too friendly towards you, don't be too complacent. They probably talk about you when you're not around. In relation to point #2, since there are very few modes of entertainment here, the pastime of locals include talking about their neighbours and other people's businesses. This has been proven and tested by me.4. The standard of living
Everything is so damn expensive here that going to the USA is like going to Divisoria. Yes, you heard that right! Almost everybody does their shopping in the USA because it's a lot cheaper there. There is no local production. Almost everything is imported thus more expensive. I can't fathom how to survive in this island without a job to sustain my cost of living. It's also fairly difficult to find a variety of products here. Like my passport holder for example, I had to order that from the USA because I don't know any place that sells that here.These are just some of the many pros and cons of living here base don my ecperience. How about you? Share some of the cultural differences you noticed from where you visited a different country!
Are we in the age of scarcity?
Few weeks ago I’ve read this article called “Betting on the Planet”. It’s a very interesting debate between an ecologist, Paul Ehrlich, and an economist, Julian Simon, regarding environmental issues. You may access the file here.
My thoughts were divided after reading the article. On one side, I am in favor of what Paul Ehrlich has to say. However, most of what I had in mind agrees with Julian Simon. Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of environmental issues. Almost all activities we had in high school concerned the preservation of the planet. We were trained to reuse, reduce and recycle. We were shown educational videos about how we, human beings, are slowly ruining our own home. Global warming was a hot topic, and almost everyone talks about it. Environmental concerns are just about everywhere. I once saw an advertisement along EDSA with the proverb, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.” At home, we even participate in the annual celebration of Earth Hour.
I agree with Ehrlich, that we should take utmost care of our planet. However, like Simon, I’ve always wondered why environmentalists are so pessimistic about the future. They always warn us that the end is near, or that there will be massive starvation and deaths if the population continues to grow. Instead of adapting to the phenomenon, the solution is to always limit ourselves to the available resources. I was astounded when the question I exactly had in mind was asked in the article. If we are in the age of scarcity, why haven’t things run out yet?
Environmentalists always put the blame on overpopulation. They almost always fail to see that though population growth has negative effects, it also has good ones; especially if you consider the thought that it may actually be an investment. More people may equate to more manpower, thus more productivity and technological advancement. I guess the crucial difference between economists and ecologists is that economists view the world as a flexible marketplace, not a closed ecosystem. According to Simon, to which I totally agree,
He even said that instead of celebrating that there are more people now instead of the massive deaths the environmentalists have predicted, we are actually complaining about it. He further stated that natural resources are not finite because we have the ultimate resource; human ingenuity. We can use our own intellect to innovate. We can always adapt and find substitutes. A great example would be the disruption of trade due to Eastern Mediterranean wars years ago. The wars led to a shortage of tin that is needed to produce bronze. The Greeks responded by using iron instead of tin. The Greeks have adapted to and coped with the problem by finding better alternatives.
I believe that in the future, human beings will be intelligent enough to master our own planet and no longer exhaust resources, especially energy, from dead species. According to Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, at present, we are in the process of becoming a type 1 civilization from type 0. In the Kardashev scale (method of measuring a civilization’s level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy a civilization is able to utilize), a type 0 civilization utilizes energy, information, and raw-materials from crude organic-based sources like fossil fuels. It is also capable of orbital spaceflight. A type 1 civilization on the other hand extracts energy, information, and raw-materials from fusion power, hydrogen, and other “high-density” renewable-resources; and is capable of interplanetary spaceflight, interplanetary communication, megascale engineering, colonization, medical and technological singularity, planetary engineering, world government, trade and defense, and stellar system-scale influence. A type 1 civilization is capable of harnessing all the energy output of its own planet. If we can already do solar insolation at present, what more can we do in the future? It is not impossible that in the next one hundred years, Earth will be a planetary civilization. We will be able to control the weather and natural disasters. (See Michio Kaku: Will Mankind Destroy Itself?)
However, Dr. Kaku said that the danger period is now. Because of the advancements in science such as the discovery of nuclear power, we are already capable of wiping out the entire planet. We can either use these innovations for the better, or for the worse. I agree with what Jevons said, “We have to make the momentous choice between brief greatness and longer continued mediocrity.”
I hope that we are not being a catalyst in the deterioration of our planet. I’d like to believe that the said depletion of resources comes with the process of improving the lives of the human race in future.
Photo from unsplash.
My thoughts were divided after reading the article. On one side, I am in favor of what Paul Ehrlich has to say. However, most of what I had in mind agrees with Julian Simon. Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of environmental issues. Almost all activities we had in high school concerned the preservation of the planet. We were trained to reuse, reduce and recycle. We were shown educational videos about how we, human beings, are slowly ruining our own home. Global warming was a hot topic, and almost everyone talks about it. Environmental concerns are just about everywhere. I once saw an advertisement along EDSA with the proverb, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.” At home, we even participate in the annual celebration of Earth Hour.
I agree with Ehrlich, that we should take utmost care of our planet. However, like Simon, I’ve always wondered why environmentalists are so pessimistic about the future. They always warn us that the end is near, or that there will be massive starvation and deaths if the population continues to grow. Instead of adapting to the phenomenon, the solution is to always limit ourselves to the available resources. I was astounded when the question I exactly had in mind was asked in the article. If we are in the age of scarcity, why haven’t things run out yet?
Environmentalists always put the blame on overpopulation. They almost always fail to see that though population growth has negative effects, it also has good ones; especially if you consider the thought that it may actually be an investment. More people may equate to more manpower, thus more productivity and technological advancement. I guess the crucial difference between economists and ecologists is that economists view the world as a flexible marketplace, not a closed ecosystem. According to Simon, to which I totally agree,
“There’s nothing wrong with worrying about new problems — we need problems so we can come up with solutions that leave us better off than if they’d never come up in the first place. But why don’t the doomsayers see that, in the aggregate, things are getting better? Why do they always think we’re at a turning point — or at the end of the road? They deny our creative powers for solutions. It’s only because we used those powers so well in the past that we can afford to worry about things like losing species and wetlands. Until we got so rich and healthy and productive at agriculture, a wetland was a swamp with malarial mosquitoes that you had to drain so you could have cropland to feed your family.”
He even said that instead of celebrating that there are more people now instead of the massive deaths the environmentalists have predicted, we are actually complaining about it. He further stated that natural resources are not finite because we have the ultimate resource; human ingenuity. We can use our own intellect to innovate. We can always adapt and find substitutes. A great example would be the disruption of trade due to Eastern Mediterranean wars years ago. The wars led to a shortage of tin that is needed to produce bronze. The Greeks responded by using iron instead of tin. The Greeks have adapted to and coped with the problem by finding better alternatives.
I believe that in the future, human beings will be intelligent enough to master our own planet and no longer exhaust resources, especially energy, from dead species. According to Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, at present, we are in the process of becoming a type 1 civilization from type 0. In the Kardashev scale (method of measuring a civilization’s level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy a civilization is able to utilize), a type 0 civilization utilizes energy, information, and raw-materials from crude organic-based sources like fossil fuels. It is also capable of orbital spaceflight. A type 1 civilization on the other hand extracts energy, information, and raw-materials from fusion power, hydrogen, and other “high-density” renewable-resources; and is capable of interplanetary spaceflight, interplanetary communication, megascale engineering, colonization, medical and technological singularity, planetary engineering, world government, trade and defense, and stellar system-scale influence. A type 1 civilization is capable of harnessing all the energy output of its own planet. If we can already do solar insolation at present, what more can we do in the future? It is not impossible that in the next one hundred years, Earth will be a planetary civilization. We will be able to control the weather and natural disasters. (See Michio Kaku: Will Mankind Destroy Itself?)
However, Dr. Kaku said that the danger period is now. Because of the advancements in science such as the discovery of nuclear power, we are already capable of wiping out the entire planet. We can either use these innovations for the better, or for the worse. I agree with what Jevons said, “We have to make the momentous choice between brief greatness and longer continued mediocrity.”
I hope that we are not being a catalyst in the deterioration of our planet. I’d like to believe that the said depletion of resources comes with the process of improving the lives of the human race in future.
Photo from unsplash.
Metro Manila Pride March and Festival
Hey everyone, how are you? Today, I'm going to take you to a trip down memory lane when I was still in Manila celebrating the 2017 Pride Parade.
This was my first time attending such event and I must say I had so much fun. I’ve never been to a parade this colorful and diverse. There were fun games, merch booths, food stalls, and live performances from well-known personalities. Not to mention the music was booming for 12 hours straight, so there were no dull moments.
For those who are not familiar with the Pride Parade, it is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, social and self acceptance, legal rights, and pride for our LGBTQ community.
The venue was in front of Marikina city hall so security is good and road blocks are properly managed. I’m a proud ally and I’ve been an advocate of diversity and inclusion for the longest time. I hope through these kinds of movements, people will be more open and accepting not only of the LGBTQ community but the whole idea that everyone of us deserve equal rights and respect despite our differences :)
All photos in this post are mine 💙💚💛💜
This was my first time attending such event and I must say I had so much fun. I’ve never been to a parade this colorful and diverse. There were fun games, merch booths, food stalls, and live performances from well-known personalities. Not to mention the music was booming for 12 hours straight, so there were no dull moments.
For those who are not familiar with the Pride Parade, it is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, social and self acceptance, legal rights, and pride for our LGBTQ community.
The venue was in front of Marikina city hall so security is good and road blocks are properly managed. I’m a proud ally and I’ve been an advocate of diversity and inclusion for the longest time. I hope through these kinds of movements, people will be more open and accepting not only of the LGBTQ community but the whole idea that everyone of us deserve equal rights and respect despite our differences :)
All photos in this post are mine 💙💚💛💜
The Pirates Week
Hello everyone, welcome to another Anywhere with Choi. Today I'm going to take you with me to The Pirates Week Festival 2019.
I'm not sure if we are going to have it this year, hopefully we do, but with all that's going on around the world I doubt it. Let's take a trip down memory lane and let's appreciate Cayman Islands once more in this national festival.
What is Pirates Week?
It is a week long celebration of Cayman's pirate folklore and culture. It is a ten fun filled days of music, street dances, competitions, games, food festivals of traditional dishes and drinks, a Pirate Pooch Parade, a children’s fun day, teen dances, two glittering parades, sporting events for all ages, a pirate invasion and spectacular fireworks displays. The festivities are celebrated in all three islands and starts with Little Cayman. It happens during the first week of November.
📍Pirates Week Office, #10 Shedden Road, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
☎️ +1(345) 949-5859 or +1(345) 949-5078
📧 info@piratesweekfestival.com
At the main event, there will be a "role play" where pirates invade the island, and everyone is welcome to join as long as you have a costume. The locals call it "the landing". I joined the boat cruise and landing last year. The pirate ship will cruise around for an hour before formally landing at the George Town Harbour at 3pm. The pirates will then capture the Governor at the Cayman Islands Museum 2nd floor and 'run amok' before being cast off back to sea again, for another year.
Thousands of locals and tourists line in the streets to watch the whole event as it is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
The float parade that occurs after the pirate's landing is one of the main events people look forward to. During the float parade, each districts have their own entry that best represents the theme. It is a competition and the best float and marching band dancing to Caribbean music has a prize. The main purpose of this is to spread awareness around a certain cause, and each year is different. Last years was about saving Cayman waters from pollution.
At night when the parade is over, the pirates start drinking and you can spot them walking in the streets. This view is not surprising at all!
If you are planning to visit Caribbean or Cayman Islands in particular, I suggest coming in May for the Batabano Festival or November for the Pirates Week. This way you would make the most out of your trip by not only enjoying the beach but also taking part in these amazing national events.
All photos in this post are from me^^
I'm not sure if we are going to have it this year, hopefully we do, but with all that's going on around the world I doubt it. Let's take a trip down memory lane and let's appreciate Cayman Islands once more in this national festival.
What is Pirates Week?
It is a week long celebration of Cayman's pirate folklore and culture. It is a ten fun filled days of music, street dances, competitions, games, food festivals of traditional dishes and drinks, a Pirate Pooch Parade, a children’s fun day, teen dances, two glittering parades, sporting events for all ages, a pirate invasion and spectacular fireworks displays. The festivities are celebrated in all three islands and starts with Little Cayman. It happens during the first week of November.
📍Pirates Week Office, #10 Shedden Road, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
☎️ +1(345) 949-5859 or +1(345) 949-5078
📧 info@piratesweekfestival.com
🌍 https://www.piratesweekfestival.com/
At the main event, there will be a "role play" where pirates invade the island, and everyone is welcome to join as long as you have a costume. The locals call it "the landing". I joined the boat cruise and landing last year. The pirate ship will cruise around for an hour before formally landing at the George Town Harbour at 3pm. The pirates will then capture the Governor at the Cayman Islands Museum 2nd floor and 'run amok' before being cast off back to sea again, for another year.
Thousands of locals and tourists line in the streets to watch the whole event as it is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
The float parade that occurs after the pirate's landing is one of the main events people look forward to. During the float parade, each districts have their own entry that best represents the theme. It is a competition and the best float and marching band dancing to Caribbean music has a prize. The main purpose of this is to spread awareness around a certain cause, and each year is different. Last years was about saving Cayman waters from pollution.
At night when the parade is over, the pirates start drinking and you can spot them walking in the streets. This view is not surprising at all!
If you are planning to visit Caribbean or Cayman Islands in particular, I suggest coming in May for the Batabano Festival or November for the Pirates Week. This way you would make the most out of your trip by not only enjoying the beach but also taking part in these amazing national events.
All photos in this post are from me^^
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