A letter from Sep 02, 2022

You chose to leave a comfortable life behind - it was worth it! To the mature me: https://open.spotify.com/album/1kCHru7uhxBUdzkm4gzRQc?highlight=spotify:track:4cxvludVmQxryrnx1m9FqL Who’s homesick? You are! 4 days into the US and you already miss them all. Well, don’t fret. I know you’re hanging on and hoping that this will all go away - and it will. Please don’t forget the folks who helped you reach San Francisco. I am so happy I swallowed my pride and applied for Minerva. So you’ve gotta have to go back to *THAT* resort in Bantayan. Thank papa for all the sacrifices and for making a compromise in the family finances just for me. Thank Dave for being fun to be with. Of course, thank Nickie for being the understanding girlfriend (wife) she is today. It’s scary. Being away from each other is scary. May you hold on to that fear and remember how you prayed your life to God for that. Remember it. Now briefly take the time to give a word of thanks because you’ve *finally* made it. No more wishing time would go by faster and give it a yey for more countries ventured. Leaving Symph behind was hard enough. You didn’t get to say a proper goodbye. Despite that, they still gave you a full quinceanera's worth. Bryant still went to your house and gave you a good memory. Fina, Trang, memories. So you’re big time now huh going to Webflow Conf for free? I wonder what will happen there. Will I ever finish the speed build? Stay tuned. 😉  I’m really happy with the way you adjusted to Minerva. Having conversations about geopolitics and cultural identity isn’t really your strength, but I am glad you took it the way you did instead of being bitter. I know you feel like you have a lot to work on, especially in getting ideas. That’s right, you struggled to form ideas, much less put them into words. How do they do that? Anyway, is your Macbook & Pixel Buds still with you? I have faith in your growth and I know you will continue to be the overachiever your community grew up with. But hey, I’m also thinking you decided to get real and eat what your mouth can fill. If that’s the case, I’m glad. No more feeling guilty for resting. Kamusta na kaha imo portfolio after all of these? Remember: do your best to help because you have been helped. Also, Trying is an art in a fast-paced world - so take your time doing, redoing, and improving endeavors! Best regards, Carl