My Map Journey

My Map Journey-the places I’ve lived at-

This is where I was born

In the Philippines, my Mom, Brother and I lived in Valenzuela City until I was five.Then, my Mom left for America to follow our Father. We were dropped off at myGrandma’s place in San Pedro, Laguna—where we stayed for five years.

My Brother and I eventually followed our Parentsto the Land of Opportunity on April 2, 1989.

My Dad and his new family settled in Chicago, Illinois. We stayed there fora couple of months.

Then we moved to California to be with Mom.

For 10 th grade, we moved to Milbrae, CA. From the map, you cannotice that it is the next town North of Burlingame.

No, not done moving yet. For 11 th grade we moved to Benicia.From the map, you can notice that it is the next town Southeast ofVallejo. The good thing was that I was able to go to the High Schoolthat I started in 9 th grade with. AND we did not move for my 12 thgrade year!

Then off to junior college. This wasn’t too bad because I went to the closest onein Concord, CA—only five miles away from Benicia.

Just a year after, my Mom then decided to move to Hayward, CA. I nolonger had to switch schools. So I made the 40 miles commute toConcord daily and stayed in the same junior college. This time I onlymoved where I slept at night but stayed in the same school.

I’m sure you’ve guessed the pattern by now. I know I did when Iwas living with my Mom. It wasn’t even a year in Hayward whenshe decided to move back to Vallejo. The Map shown above is ofLos Angeles. Because now, I was old enough to NOT move with myMom. Instead I moved to L.A.

I transferred here, to UCLA.Even after I left home, my Mom kept moving. She didn’t movecities anymore, rather she moved houses within the same city;and at times within 5 blocks of the houses.

WASHINGTON D.C.I too, kept moving. But you’ll be glad to know that although I would like to move outof Washington DC, I’ve been here for SIX+ years. Now that’s staying power! (Weplan on leaving for San Francisco in Spring 2013)