Iniwan ko ang aking puso sa Metro Manila (I left my heart in Metro Manila)

                Here it is, the last day in the Philippines before I fly back to the States.  I don’t want to leave; the massive floods don’t want me to leave either. I have a lot waiting for me in Macomb, my parents, my brother, and all the friends I’ve gained along the way. The excitement to see them is drowned out by the sadness I have from leaving. Macomb molded me through tough love and lessons from disappointment. Metro Manila transformed me with open arms and a warm heart. Maybe all my romanticism, all of my unrealistic hopes, dreams, and love belong in Metro Manila. Macomb is just a stone wall where my hopes, dreams, and love get smacked in the face. Here, I believe people are basically good and they do everything they can to prove it to me. There, I believe people are basically good and they do everything they can to take advantage of me. Macomb broke my heart, while Metro Manila stole it.  

                I’m leaving with a lot more than what I came with. It’s not just gifts or money; it’s a lot of intangibles. Knowledge and respect are big ones, but I knew I would leave with at least those two. The small unexpected things are the ones I truly cherish. First, the feeling of belonging. Next are the friends I’ve met. A lot of them, I may never see again, but there will always be memories. There are a few good friends I’ve made that I would do anything short of moving half way around the world to keep close. I guess you can see the unfortunate nature in that. One girl, so subtly pushed me to do things and learn things I would have never done or learned. Here I am writing more, because I was in awe at her writing and everything she had done with her life. She’s just two years older than me, but if I was half as successful and half as outstanding as her in five years, I would be truly happy. She’s almost too pretty to be real, much like the girls I’ve met out of shallowness and held on tightly to out of necessity. Yet, there’s no necessity with her, just genuine friendship.

                There’s a few things I lost that are also worth noting. Most noticeably, is ten pounds of weight which is solely a testament to my discipline. That’s pretty unimportant in relation to everything else though. The biggest thing is my shell. It may even still be there, but I open up to interaction with others way easier. Maybe because I felt attacked in Illinois, but safe here. I used to say as little as possible, but now there’s things I want to say because I've learned they’re worth listening to. I have a sense of self confidence now, though it may still need some fine tuning. I guess that goes back under what I’ve gained.

                In the end, I can’t wait to return. Maybe see those friends I thought I’d never see again. Maybe pursue the two or three promising friendships I made. Whenever I do come back, whether for a visit or forever, I’ll feel whole again. Part of me isn’t coming back on that plane. Part of me is staying. Iniwan ko ang aking puso sa Metro Manila.