Deborah, Author at Halo-Halo, Mix-Mix

5 Reasons Why Traveling Will Help You Find Yourself

June 1, 2017
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Lifestyle, Self-Identity

5 Reasons Why Traveling Will Help You Find Yourself There’s nothing more romantic than traveling abroad in search of yourself! Why else would books-turned-movies like Eat Pray Love and Wild be so popular? Travel and self-discovery equals the perfect combination. While it doesn’t necessarily take an adventure in a far-off country to help you find who you are and where you belong in this world, it can help the process! So indulge with me for a moment in a bit…

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By Deborah
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4 Movies about Travel and Self-Discovery

May 25, 2017
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Lifestyle, Self-Identity

4 Movies about Travel and Self-Discovery I love a good movie that follows a character’s search for self-identity or discovery. Stories that explore themes centered around “finding oneself” are empowering and inspiring because it shows us that we are never quite finished with learning something new about ourselves. There is always something more to discover! For some inspiration on ways that finding your authentic self can change your life, be sure to watch these four movies about travel and self-discovery: Eat…

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By Deborah
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4 Fun Filipino Facts to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 17, 2017
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Filipino American Identity, Filipino Food Travel & Culture, Lifestyle, Self-Identity

4 Fun Filipino Facts to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Did you know May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? Yup! It was established to celebrate the culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The month of May also happens to be National Heritage Month in the Philippines. As of 2003, the month of May was officially proclaimed to be National Heritage Month in order to preserve and promote…

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By Deborah
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One Person Can Make a Difference (Really!)

May 10, 2017
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Lifestyle, Self-Identity

One Person Can Make a Difference (Really!) I just attended United Way’s “Changing the Odds” Community Breakfast this morning and I got a little burst of inspiration that made my day. Keynote speaker, Liz Murray, a former homeless teen, gave a touching speech on her experience growing up and how she was able to turn her life around. The one thing she stressed was how important a person can have if they simply reach out and help someone that needs…

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By Deborah
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“Have You Eaten Yet?” and Other Ways to Say Hello in Filipino

May 1, 2017
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Blog Highlights, Filipino Food Travel & Culture, Lifestyle

“Have You Eaten Yet?” and Other Ways to Say Hello in Filipino There are many universal ways to greet someone abroad, and a simple smile or head-nod goes a long way. In the Philippines, even a cheery “hello” will be understood by everyone. But, if you want to impress the locals, learn these Filipino expressions to put yourself a cut above the rest. Whether formal, funny, or just plain silly, here are 5 ways to say hello in Filipino: 1.…

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By Deborah
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No – Meghan Trainor (Mikey Bustos Parody) | F-I-L-I-P-I-N-O

August 3, 2016
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Filipino American Identity, Filipino Food Travel & Culture, Lifestyle

Psst! My friend sent this to me and I just had to share. So many funny things about what it means to be Filipino. I couldn't stop laughing! Mikey Bustos does a ton of great parody videos so be sure to check out his Youtube channel.

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By Deborah
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Goldilocks Bakery and Restaurant – National City

July 26, 2016
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Filipino Food Travel & Culture, Lifestyle

Goldilocks Bakery and Restaurant Hey Filipino foodies and lovers of iced desserts! I recently visited Goldilocks in National City (right next to Seafood City Supermarket) with my co-blogger friend Lora for a sampling of halo-halo and other fun Filipino foods. Goldilocks is an iconic bakery in the Philippines, as deeply imbedded in the culture as McDonalds in America. Filipinos love to party and they love cake (they call it “keyk”), especially Goldilocks’ cakes. They are the best! My favorite…

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By Deborah
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What’s Your Crazy? – Confessions of a Peace Corps Volunteer

July 2, 2016
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Filipino American Identity, Philippines Memoir, Self-Identity

What’s Your Crazy? - Confessions of a Peace Corps Volunteer Today is the 5th anniversary of the day I left America. I had decided to join Peace Corps after experiencing one of those life moments where you feel like you could do anything. The world was calling and nothing would hold me back from following my heart. Sitting in the L.A. airport after a whirlwind Peace Corps volunteer orientation, I tried to joke around with some of the other volunteers,…

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By Deborah
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Tiny Teasers – Mountains Upon Mountains

January 21, 2016
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Filipino Food Travel & Culture, Philippines Memoir

Tiny Teasers - Mountains Upon Mountains It’s about time for another book teaser! I’ve been writing and editing like crazy during the Holiday “down time” and I wanted to share a little taste of what I’ve been working on. For those of you not yet familiar with my story, I was a Peace Corps volunteer who was placed in the Philippines from 2011-2014. I lived there for three years working on youth and family community outreach programs. Such an…

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By Deborah
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Top 10 Places to Visit in Baguio City

January 13, 2016
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Blog Highlights, Filipino Food Travel & Culture, Lifestyle

Top 10 Places to Visit in Baguio City I lived in Baguio as a Peace Corps volunteer for three years and absolutely enjoyed my time there. I loved the creative vibe, the abundance of live music, and the unique restaurants and cafes that produced delicious local dishes. While the city has plenty to see and do, these are the top places to visit in Baguio that I recommend to get a flavor of the best that Baguio has to offer. Get…