{Where I was born} Manila, Philippines
{Where I live now} Wellington, New Zealand
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I left the Philippines when I was eight. I was a pretty lonely child, always wandering around by myself. There used to be a store at the end of the street with iron bars across the windows. I would walk over and buy a pack of corn chips for a couple of cents. The school I went to was across the road from some slums. It had a big, gnarly, haunted tree out the back and tiled floors. They made us speak English.
I didn't know we were leaving the country until the day my dog, Mitsubishi, was packed off to a relative, my nanny was crying, and we were driving away from the house. We landed in Auckland, New Zealand and the air was so icy. I was astounded that bars of chocolate were $1. I thought that must have been cheap because everything in the Philippines was sold for prices with more than one number.
Now, I live in Wellington, New Zealand. My husband and I live in the middle of the city in a turn of the century brick building. We have a black and white dog called Chester. I love Wellington. I love the crazy sunsets, the whipping wind, the warm cafes, and the ridiculously good coffee. I love how no matter how far you go, you can never really escape the sea. I even love the hideous, frumpy shoes that the public servants who work here wear.
Most of my friends are doing all they can to leave this place. They're flooding out of the country to either Australia or London. Frankly, I don't understand it. I love to travel, but even more, I love to come home.
