It’s been a few weeks since I got back from the Philippines. I am processing through all the stories and the things that I got to see and experience while I was there.

I got to spend time in my dad’s hometown. Well, you can’t really call it a town. It’s got a name and everything, but they are just building roads into his little town. It’s gorgeous and it was hot and humid while we were there.

I have so many posts to write about my trip, but I got to see where my dad comes from. I got to see what my life would be like – had my parents made one different decision.

One of the things that I got to do was to sit down (while we drove into town) with my aunt who knows all the stories of the family. I got to hear stories of the family. I got to record the family lore. I haven’t listened to it all yet, but it’s so interesting to see where you come from.

I am very Usita in some respects, and I can be very Guimmayen (grandma’s maiden name) in other respects. There was a tremendous amount of insight – just by hearing stories about that side of the family. We all have stuff in our past – and it’s great to get some confirmation about it when you get to hear the lore.

I am definitely not perfect, but I can’t deny where I come from. I loved hearing about it, and you just end up making more sense to yourself when I hear about Where I Come From.