Of course, I remember. I remember every detail on the summer of August 4, 1995. It was the eve in which my life was on the verge of great change. Bound to leave for an early morning flight, I barely have gotten enough sleep. I actually did not sleep a wink. After a farewell gathering with my relatives, family friends and school mates, a night of fun filled with food and laughter, we enjoyed a last hurrah in our beloved home. Our once home sweet home now sold. Snap, snap, we pose with our smiles alongside our relatives and friends. Our smiles saying, “Here we go! We are bound for new adventures!”

At 3 am, my family and I were ready. At our doorstep, I stood, holding my luggage remembering what I had to leave behind; my childhood toys, my home, and only taking with me joyous memories. I remember every face. My young cousins awake to see us off. I wave a bitter sweet goodbye as I set my foot into the taxi not knowing when I will see them next. As I sat by the window, the taxi drove by homes that have been familiar to me as child. Their gates painted in colours of green and maroon guarded by leafy tropical plants at its sides. A few tricycles parked on the narrow paved street. A street cat tip toeing over a shadowy fence. The neighbourhood was silent except for a croaking hen in its cage. Each view getting further and further away, then fading behind us. As we pass through the city, a blanket of stars hovered over. The night sky was vast and its darkness mysterious as to prelude our new life abroad. It will be the longest flight we have ever taken. See you later Manila! Twenty four hours later with two stop overs, Hong Kong & Vancouver, welcome my new chapter in life! 30 years later, here I am living in Canada. Here, I share my adventures through fashion, travel and foodie moments as......

....The Girl in the cat hat!

XOX