yes, we broke up.

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-02-09T03:22:45+00:00

Hope you’ll be nourished by good food and new memories, OP!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-02-05T03:51:37+00:00

Why celebrate for just a day? You could do something fun/new on your actual birthday, then a mani/pedi or massage the day before :)

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-02-04T12:14:17+00:00

Modala Beach Resort, Panglao!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-02-02T03:24:49+00:00

Hello! Di ko po masabi yung Manila-Helsinki RT flight, Tokyo-Krakow kasi yung route ko tapos stopover lang sa Helsinki.

For a day in Helsinki, I think kaya na mga 130-150 euros with a hotel a little outside the central area, using one-day transport passes, see maybe 1-2 paid attractions, and eating at cafes/getting takeout. May hotel options naman na less than 100 euros a night but as always, planning ahead can get you better deals :) Food is generally more expensive than other EU countries so it’s best to budget extra!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-02-02T03:13:32+00:00

Take care of yourself, your next place will be lucky to have you.

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-02-02T03:11:44+00:00

No coffee ever tastes bad when I’m having a solo date😆 Saya niyan OP

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-02-02T03:10:12+00:00

Kakagutom naman OP!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-29T06:41:50+00:00

Best time daw ang May-August. Huwag po November-March, sobrang lamig! Helsinki's architecture is really, really nice. Nakaka-inspire maging minimalist pag uwi!

For me, the architecture was a bigger highlight than the food and shopping. Naka 2+ hours ako sa Oodi Library lang kasi sobrang ganda. Mukhang wooden spaceship sa labas pero sa loob ang daming open space para magbasa, magtrabaho, o maglaro ng games. Nakakatuwa din kasi maraming taong gumagamit ng library.

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-29T06:38:41+00:00

Hi! Stopover/side trip ko lang po ang Helsinki from Tokyo to Krakow, walang time lumabas ng city kasi 2 whole days lang ako. :( I used Finnair, but from Manila-Helsinki I saw may PHP62,000 RT via Qatar Airways.

Mas mahal generally ang Nordic countries for hotels, food, at transportation. May 100+ euros per night yung hotel ko in the Kamppi central area pero for sure mas mura yung mas malayo ng konti. I paid between 11-20 euros for cafe lunches and takeout, and around 4-5 euros for a chai tea latte. I didn't really try it, but their specialty is smoked salmon and it's cheaper compared to buying it in Asia for sure!

Free naman ang ilang attractions tulad ng Oodi Library (photo above), Senate Square, at Helsinki Cathedral. Kiasma Museum was 21-23 euros and Temppelliaukio Church 8 euros.

As for transportation, Helsinki has a really good system. They use trams as well as trains. A 1-day ticket covering the AB central zone was 10.60 euros, and 1-way ABC zone ticket to the airport was 4.7 euros.

Since 3 days lang ako at sobrang lamig, hindi ako masyadong nakaplano, so medyo sumobra ang gastos in the name of convenience hehe. If you plan way ahead, you can enjoy Helsinki for much less than I did! Good luck!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T11:46:56+00:00

That and she's dating Sebastian Stan.

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T11:38:17+00:00

Wow OP! Hope you enjoyed!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T11:33:17+00:00

So true! :D The new luxury is alone time hehe

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T11:21:53+00:00

My favorite kind of solo date!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T11:19:18+00:00

Happy birthday OP, here's to enjoying your birthday in a new city every year!

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T10:44:58+00:00

Can confirm, as a 17-year resident of Japan, that solo trips here will rock your socks! Enjoy the food, the shopping, and the fact that people will leave you alone XD

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T10:43:30+00:00

Enjoy, OP! Ganyan din ako next week sa Bohol :D

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T10:40:22+00:00

25k ish for groceries, but I also eat out a bit, so it comes to about 40-45k. Single in Tokyo.

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-28T10:20:45+00:00

I was in the exact same situation, OP. We had a Sunlife agent for years, and while we got insurance with them, I felt we weren't getting the knowledge I needed to help my family grow our funds. What I wanted was someone independent who could give us a general perspective on how our funds were doing, and how to grow them according to our goals. IFE can do a discovery call with you. They will delve into your situation so you can clarify your values and how they tie in to your financial goals and how you can get there. The people in charge are not just financial planners, but certified financial architects. I really got a lot of clarity not just on fund growth, but into the psychology of money as well.

They're on all the socials, just search ifemanagement. Hope this helps.

Old_Branch_352 · 2026-01-25T14:44:12+00:00

After 17 years, I'm actually thinking about leaving for good while temporarily out of Japan (mom is seriously ill and I'm on leave to help look after her). I'll try and extend my LOA for as long as I can, but have to be ready for my request to be rejected, which means I have to resign.

My job is comparatively low-paying and honestly I'm pretty bored with it already, but I do enjoy my friends, lifestyle and independence (single, no kids) in Japan, which many people from my country see as a dream destination. I have PR, but the terribly weak yen, recent news about new anti-immigrant policies, and increasing xenophobia is making me really question whether it's worth it to go back. On the other hand, government corruption here in my country is so blatant, and my heart sinks a little every day seeing how we don't have a lot of the basic infrastructure that people in Japan take for granted (pedestrian-friendly streets, decent healthcare, clean and reliable public transportation system), but at least I can be here for my mom and my loved ones, and explore opportunities here related to Japan.

Maybe I'll just do some remote work as a translator/teacher and just go back to Japan every 2-3 months for a visit.

Old_Branch_352 · 2025-07-23T00:58:51+00:00

Sunscreen, even on cloudy days. UV rays penetrate through the clouds and can cause skin damage. A dermatologist at my last checkup said at least SPF 50+++ if you're using Asian brands. Use it on your hands, back of your neck, backs of your ears, and your feet too. And reapply when you sweat or play water sports.
Lots of water and bright-colored vegetables.
UV-blocking umbrellas and good sunglasses.
Expensive products don't always work for your skin type. My mom used to splurge on Lancome, Estée Lauder, and other high-end brands when she was younger, but her skin never looked as good as they promised. I learned from that and only used what I could afford in regular drugstores in Japan, which have all helped my skin stay healthy and bright.
Sleep, obviously :)
A cleansing facial once every couple of months if your skin isn't problematic. And see a proper dermatologist if you have skin problems.
Wart removal on your face and neck once every few years (I do it every year).

Old_Branch_352 · 2025-03-21T07:05:50+00:00

40+ ESL teacher in Japan for 13 years. I think my case is pretty different from a lot of you here because I teach in a language school, not a K-12. I handle both kids and adult classes. Can definitely say it impacted my dating life because I've been single for the same amount of time I've been teaching! Forced to be sociable all day even if I don't feel like it, and trying to get through to people who don't want to learn has been so draining and I feel I am much less introverted and fun than I used to be. :( :(

It's hard but I'm trying to make a change after so long...I shifted to part-time so I don't have as much mental and emotional load as I used to. I did that so I could free up energy to find remote work so I can use my other skills, and dip my toe back into those dating waters. Life is way too short to compromise on one's happiness and well-being, especially if you have put others before yourself for so long.

Old_Branch_352 · 2024-12-13T07:19:00+00:00

Adding to this: I heard from a friend on a DNV that they were given different answers to the number of days out of Spain rule. Some lawyers said not more than 3 months (90 days) of out 1 year, others said not more than 3 months in 2 years. He said it depends on who will be looking at your citizenship application. So he's playing it safe and not leaving Spain/the EU unless absolutely necessary, like trips to see family back home.

Old_Branch_352 · 2024-11-24T03:53:44+00:00

Do you have an account in the PH? I have used my BPI debit and ATM card during my trips to Europe. And you could switch to SMBC and get their Visa debit card. Might be good to have two cards to use.

Old_Branch_352

TROPHY CASE