Hi

Originally published 5/20/16

“Hi” is probably one of my favorite words to say and hear. It’s so simple. And I don’t know, I just have so much fun saying it!

I say it to people I know and people I meet. I love people, by the way. I love meeting new people and making new friends. I’ve moved from one area of SoCal to another several times and made a big move from the Philippine Islands when I was eight. It’s caused me to adapt to every environment I’m placed, whether it’s simply the weather change or the people I surround myself with. Regardless, God has placed it in my heart to love those he has placed in my life and value each friendship and connection I make. It’s pretty surprising how God has grown me, as I am an extremely natural introvert (more on that later).

Which reminds me, I have not really properly said “hi” to you and whoever is reading this blog! So here goes.

HI!

My name is Emry, or more commonly known, to my close family and select childhood friends, as “EG” (Emry Gabriel), “Em” to my new friends, and a heck of a lot of other nicknames given to me due to my name being unique (I guess?), hard to pronounce (I guess? I mean I’ve gotten “Emoh-ree,” “Ehm-uh-ree,” “Ehmb-ree,” even “Emerald” several times), or maybe just being difficult to remember. There are tons of stories and even lessons tied to those nicknames I’ve gone through, too. Would love to share in the future! But it’s nice to meet you!

Point is, I go by “Em” as of this very moment, and yet whatever name I go by doesn’t really define who I am. Like I’ve mentioned, I’ve been through a lot, from transition to transition, growth to growth. There have seemingly been a lot more defeats than victories if I were to recount them all, and yet here I am, still deeply rooted in my solid identity in Christ, regardless of name changes and environment changes.

I love a lot of people and a lot of things, but my life pretty much revolves around God and His Word, the Bible. I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ above all.

I play a couple of instruments, have been singing since I could remember, try to write music, play a lot of video games, play a lot of basketball, spend a lot of time with loved ones, make time for reading the word of God and make time for writing, love music, love adventures, love eating, and love the endeavors of life and the idea of growth and acceptance of change and new things.

The instruments I play are the drums, bass guitar, and acoustic guitar. I want to learn the piano and it’s my current goal! I’ve been taught to sing mostly by my dad, who was taught by his dad, a choir director. It seems each generation has served the church somehow. I have written several songs on my guitar and am working to write more. I play my PS4 mostly when my friends are on so we can play together, if we’re not playing basketball or eating and hanging out together. As a matter of fact, I spend a lot of time with my friends and family. I love hiking, running, learning new sports, friendly competition, jamming, exploring new places, nature, coffee, and dessert.

I have a phobia of heights, can’t seem to stand lizards and frogs, and can’t seem to stomach the smell and taste of bamboo shoots. I probably have more dislikes but I don’t really like thinking of them.

Anyway! God has been with me from every single second to every single season of my life and I am grateful to be breathing every breath I breathe because of His sustaining grace.

I moved to the US from the Philippines (of which I remember little of my childhood there) in 2002 and I have been in SoCal since. I learned a lot from being a FOB Asian boy trying to fit in and get accustomed to a form of English that wasn’t taught in the Philippines (they pretty much raised us to be bilingual, but slang is not something you can teach) and I think it’s safe to say I’ve grown accustomed to the culture and language. I still speak Tagalog, my native language, as my family and I still maintain contact with our relatives abroad.

I’ve moved through about five schools in the span of my pre-college schooling, with three of those being high schools (yikes). I have been through several churches also, as I’ve moved from area to area, drawing lots of learning experiences and wisdom from all the experiences and company that’ve surrounded me. I’ve made lots of friends in each area and am grateful to each and every one who’ve been gracious enough to help me grow as a person and simply spend time with me.

I hate talking about myself and yet here I am! But I think it’s necessary to show who God has shaped me to be all these years, and I think it’s essential to introduce myself as a writer before I write anymore, so I can better portray a clear picture of how and why I experience life through the lens of storytelling and writing, a great hobby I’ve grown to love.

Here’s to more “hi’s”! 🙂

5/20/16, @ the Americana in Glendale, CA