Hi! You might have already seen my intro note, snowy in Berlin photo, or any of my essays. I’m glad you’re here—welcome, wilkommen, mabuhay!

Hello…

My name is Dee. I’m a tropical girl from Manila, Philippines and now living in the very hipster city of Berlin. For those into astrology, Aries ☀️, Leo 🌙, and Aquarius ⬆️ — yes I’m a double fire. I speak three languages, Tagalog, German, and English, hence the title of this essay. By day, I work at a climate non-profit organization in the product management and digital engagement domains.

As a multi-passionate individual, I don’t have a specific career title. I’m the kind of person who thinks “I can do that too” or “I don’t know how but it surely can be learned”. Things I tried and invested time in simply because it seemed interesting: data analytics, video and photo editing, road cycling, and acting on stage.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but at least I learn.

The stories I tell

One thing that’s always been constant for me? Traveling—with a dash of consciousness and mindfulness: for the environment, for the cultures I immerse in, and for the diversity of people and beliefs I encounter.

My perspective on travel was deeply shaped by my time as an Executive Assistant at a climate non-profit in Southeast Asia, where I traveled frequently and organized eco-friendly events and meetings. Fifteen years ago, finding a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free restaurant in Thailand or a hotel in the Philippines with solid environmental practices was nearly impossible. Those were great times and definitely made an impact on my travel practices now. That said, there would be no guilt or shame in this space! We can only do so much as individuals… unless, of course, you’re jetting around in a private plane.

I made the big move to Berlin in the winter of 2017. That was a shock to the system. Adjusting to a new language, culture, food, and weather has been tough. I came here to study, something I had desperately wanted, but I didn’t fully grasp how hard it would be to start over without a strong support system or just how much I would be homesick.

On the positive side, living in the Schengen zone was a dream come true for my inner explorer. I quickly learned that traveling around Europe was a whole different game compared to Asia, and figuring it all out has become part of the adventure.

For what it’s worth, my country count stands at 25. Not that numbers matter, but it does mean I’ve collected a fair share of tales and misadventures. The stories you’ll find here on Takeaways come straight from my own experiences.

Why Takeaways?

Takeaways is my little creative project. It’s personal. I have always had a dream of writing about better, mindful travel. It’s only a recent decision to write about navigating life abroad, as people have been reaching out to me about it.

So, why is it called Takeaways? It doesn’t immediately suggest that this publication is about travel or life abroad. I’ve thought about changing the name, but for now, it’s still a good catch-all name.

This is called Takeaways simply because I don’t just write travel guides and moving abroad tips. Sure, stepping into a new city or country is exhilarating, but it also comes with doubts and challenges. In those moments, I try to capture the raw and real feelings as well as the reflections and realizations that form part of the journey. Hopefully, you’ll find it meaningful too.

Writing here has also become my relief from burnout. This is my 5-9 after the 9-5 work day. It has been amazing to share pieces of me here, and I’m very appreciative of everyone who has been supporting this project.

Buy me a matcha 🍵

Takeaways is currently free! But you can support this project by buying me a matcha!

I hope to also get your support when I eventually enable paid features. While I still have to figure out what that means, you can probably expect the following: access to the archives, exclusive content such as travel guides and essentials, eco-friendly stays and accommodations, and tips for moving to Germany/Berlin.

Til the next one!