Dear all the countries who have sent aid to the Philippines,
I am overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity. What my country is going through right now is devastating and you going out of your way to help us just restores my faith in humanity. THANK YOU.
If you still want to donate (please do!), you can find a list of ways to do so here.
Dear friends who have asked me if my family is affected,
My hometown has been spared, thankfully. And thank God, because after the war that we went through this year, I honestly don’t know if my city can handle any more.
But I still feel the plight of my people in the affected areas. I have a friend whose family lives in Tacloban, and it took him more than 48 hours to contact them. They are safe and all on their way to Manila now. But I can only imagine the terrible two days he must have gone through before then, the horrible uncertainty about their state. During the war, when my mom didn’t pick up within seconds of my call, it would send me into a panic. I don’t know what two days would do.
To be honest, I have been avoiding watching the news because it only makes me cry. You may judge me for that, but I cannot bear it. I did the same thing during my hometown’s crisis. I just cannot bear it.
But I know I have to be informed, so I read the news. And what I do read breaks my heart. Thousands dead. Structures wiped out. Survivors so desperate for food that they have resorted to looting. It is all too horribly similar to a scene from the movie World War Z. I never thought it could happen in real life.
Dear Philippines,
What a terrible year this has been for you. War, earthquake, typhoon. But one great thing about us – we are resilient. And I know that we can get through all this.
- Yolanda and You: We Need Your Help {The Hungry Giant}
- #Haiyan {Jekert}
- Just Say Yes. Emma {Adventures of a London Kiwi} writes a very inspirational article on how she got to London by changing her attitude, and explains all the steps she took to get there. If you need motivation, read this.
- How I Grew My Blog. Melyssa {The Nectar Collective} shares how she grew her blog fairly quickly. I am impressed that she pays her rent from income she gets from her blog!
- True Beauty is a Pure Heart. Alyssa {Lyss and Loveliness} writes a thought-provoking article about how women always ask themselves this question: “Am I beautiful?” and go to crazy lengths to achieve it.
- Slut Shaming and Victim Blaming: Why It’s Not Okay. Crystal {The Happy Type} talks about the spine-tingling story of how she and a friend got drugged in a bar. A riveting must read.
- A Heart Like Mine. Ashten {Always Ashten} confesses how a broken heart made her build a fortress around her. This resonated with me because this is my exact same story. I actually wrote something in relation to this last week but I have hesitated to publish it. Reading this made me think that maybe I should. Maybe.
I'm so glad your hometown wasn't affected. Thanks for sharing the ways to help!
I can only begin to imagine how hard it is to watch the footage even though it's not your town that's affected. Everyone's prayers and thoughts are with the Philippines right now. x
Thanks for understanding! And for the prayers and thoughts. x
Yeah, thank goodness. You're welcome!
I'm also so glad your hometown was spared, and your friend's family is safe. I can't imagine how hard it must be. I don't judge you for not watching the news at all. Reading is stark and bearable, footage is heartbreaking.
I don't judge you for not watching the news at all. After the tsunami some girlfriends and I were on holiday in Singapore and we were so grateful to not be around the news for a week. You know that casino with the boat on top of it? That freaked us all out as it reminded us of the scenes of the aftermath. GAH. <br />I hope everything gets back to normal in the Philippines soon.
My thoughts are with you, your family and everyone in the Philippines. Thank you for sharing different resources for how to give aid.
Thank you! It makes me feel good to know that I am not the only one who does this.
Thank you! It really is, and I have ridiculous tear ducts.
Thank you so much! Much appreciated!
I can only begin to imagine how hard it is to watch the footage even though it's not your town that's affected. Everyone's prayers and thoughts are with the Philippines right now. x
Thanks for understanding! And for the prayers and thoughts. x
I don't judge you for not watching the news at all. After the tsunami some girlfriends and I were on holiday in Singapore and we were so grateful to not be around the news for a week. You know that casino with the boat on top of it? That freaked us all out as it reminded us of the scenes of the aftermath. GAH. <br />I hope everything gets back to normal in the Philippines soon.
I'm so glad your hometown wasn't affected. Thanks for sharing the ways to help!
My thoughts are with you, your family and everyone in the Philippines. Thank you for sharing different resources for how to give aid.
Thank you! It really is, and I have ridiculous tear ducts.
Thank you! It makes me feel good to know that I am not the only one who does this.
Yeah, thank goodness. You're welcome!
I'm also so glad your hometown was spared, and your friend's family is safe. I can't imagine how hard it must be. I don't judge you for not watching the news at all. Reading is stark and bearable, footage is heartbreaking.
Thank you so much! Much appreciated!