Setyembre was coming back to a time and place that I thought was familiar enough to embrace me. But it did everything but to embrace me. I was taken aback. I arrived from the Philippines with a more complete sense of who I am (was); and embodying this body and experiences weighed me down. As I should have been weighed down, perhaps even earlier. Because in trying to settle in a new city, I took out parts of myself which I thought was too much, unnecessary, and distracting. The city also aggressively took parts of me, and told me that I am better off without them.

I tried to reassemble my body, and the only way to do that was to peel my skin and hang it on my chair. Only then was I able to see what was going on inside me. It turns out – I deserted my being, and this arrival was a much needed one to awaken my senses. That I am here, and I bring myself to wherever I go.

Read the manual of how I reassemble my body: Setyembre