Hey, stranger. I am Des, somebody’s sunshine and occasional rain. I’m a 25 26 year-old Filipina living as an expat in the Middle East.

I have this blog because homesickness, separation anxiety, and this distance are shitty but at least I want to write about it or put into pictures the other numerous words that I can’t.

FAQs:

Where are you from?

I’m from Korondal City, a quaint little city in the south of the Philippines.

Where in the world are you?

For most months of the year, I am in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I have been living here for 3 years now.

Why do you travel a lot?

 Part (or many of the perks) of the job I’m lucky to have.

What do you do for a living?

I am a Private Duty Nurse for a (sort of) high profile family from the Middle East.

What countries have you been to?

Hong Kong, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, France, Spain, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also, Switzerland, but for like an hour only. 

What do you use to take pictures?

I use an iPhone 4s, a Canon Rebel XSi with a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 or a 50mm f/1.8 ES, a Canon A1 with a Tokina 24mm or a 50mm f/1.8, and a 580EX II Speedlite to take pictures.

Do you edit your pictures? If yes, what programs do you use?

For pictures from my DSLR, yes. I use Lightroom 3 and Adobe Photoshop. For pictures from my film camera, I usually just resize them or check the alignment. I use LR3. For pictures from my iPhone, I use Instagr.am, Hipstamatic, PictureShow, and DerManDar apps.

How long have you and your boyfriend been together?

2 years but feels like ~*forever*~

Where is he?

He’s back home. 

Useless Facts:

1. I am an only child; which I think is not the best thing in the world but I say there’s so much love in it nevertheless. Or scrutiny.

2. I believe that my high school soccer field owns one of the best sunsets.

3. I grew up listening to the Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Billy Joel. However, the genre of music I am currently listening to is all over the place.

4. I like my sunny side up not runny, my beer ice cold and my pizza with extra cheese.

5. My boyfriend and I and a few of our friends take themed pictures weekly.

6. I usually like movies that are narrated.

7. I love the smell of old books, espresso, salty air, freshly cut grass and mornings with him.

8. Rainy days make me happy and sad all at the same time.

9. I buy books I don’t have time to read.

10. My boyfriend introduced me to LR3 last summer, 2010. I am in love - with him even more, that is.

11.  I can’t wait to go home to my mother’s cooking, my pops’ corny jokes, my friends’ beer and my boyfriend’s long hugs.

Oh: The photos uploaded on this site are mine except when I state otherwise. If you want to use them, please feel free to ask me.