Find your new Zen. The inner and intuitive experience of enlightenment living in our new home, Satori. Amid the pandemic, one might feel having a full circle in life, looking for a new job, a new hobby, and a new place to build a family. For the past two years, my spouse and I have resided in his parents' home. Strong familial ties are ingrained in Filipino culture, and you may coexist with your family while saving enough money for a new house, at the very least. However, as many of us might suggest that there should only be one queen in your home. Since then, my husband and I started considering buying a unit. After the pandemic, ripples were gradually abating, and our urge to find a transformative change is up.
Photo by Joan Floresca
It has been 2 months since our moving in at Satori Residences and it was smoothly sailed. After 2 years of waiting for a pre-sold unit, signing the document and settling with the turn over requirements, we are here. Today, as I walked up the steps nearly uphill in the lobby, I took a deep breath and allowed a sliver of calm to engulf my mind after a long day at work. Aside from the joyous guards, the trees will also greet you up on the entrance. The view is giving a Tagaytay feels setting my mind that at last, I am home. The sound of the train on the rail track coming by Santolan Station was satisfying. It was rustic and felt like you are in town, but far from the busy and bustling city. The air thrummed with the promise of fresh beginnings. Moving into a new home is a roller-coaster experience. You will feel anxious, excited, scared, and inspired at the same time. For me, there are only three things that you can invest in your life. First is your spouse; in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do you part. Second is your house; there you will find your peace, collect your thoughts, and build a lifetime memory; and lastly is your bed; yes! Your read it right. It is an investment for your night peace and sanity. You look forward to it after a long day at work.
Photo by Joan Floresca
As I continued to walk through the lobby, I saw the kids laughing and running while their parents are mingling with other co-owners, getting to know each other and creating rapport. They will smile at you and make a little wave saying, “Hi, neighbor”. I passed through the playing area with a hint of petrichor, there I found my daughter, lively, jumping on the trampoline. That’s one of her favorite places and activities here, besides swimming. I sat on the swing to watch her as she shouted, “Hi Mommy! You’re back! Look at me; I am jumping so high. Later, my friends and I are going to play Squid Game.” I nod, signaling a yes-you-go girl with a feeling of joy knowing that she already made friends. After an hour, she finally settled and invited me to go swimming at night. I thought the pool would be cold, so I asked her to just do it morning on weekend, but she has assured me that the pool is not cold but warm. And yes, it is! My daughter, not having a swimming instructor, just had to show us her new skill unlocked. Most of the time, that is our routine.
Photo by Joan Floresca
And then of those routines, she burst out to me these words: “Mommy, I like my new house". It was a spur of the moment. That melted my heart and reminded me of something. For the past few months, we were so busy filling up the house, going places to buy furniture and unpacking boxes. It had been a whirlwind of activity since we moved into our new home. As exciting as it was to create a space that truly felt like ours, it was also exhausting. There were moments when we wondered if we would ever finish making this house a “home”. Amidst the chaos of decorating and organizing, and keeping up with our daily corporate job, we found ourselves bonding over the little things. Whether it was deciding on a paint color for the living room, scheduling our visit to different stores, or assembling shelves together, each task brought us closer. We laughed at our lack of do-it-yourself skills. I had a point where I tried to message on the residence’s group chat for the first time to borrow a hammer. Imagine doing it yourself but you forgot to buy that heavy beat. Good thing is, the neighbors are very active and willingly let us borrow the item that we need. We celebrated small victories like finishing the cabinets (thanks to the owner of the hammer), finding the perfect rug or setting up the cozy loft we had always dreamed of. As the last box was finally unpacked and the final piece of furniture found its place, we stood back to admire what we had accomplished. Our home was more than just a collection of furniture and belongings; it reflected us. Every corner held a memory, and every piece of decoration told a story. The walls slowly began to resound with the laughter, conversations, and daily rhythms that make a house a home.
Photo by Joan Floresca
Reflecting on the days when my parents and I shared a comfortable, intimate home invokes a sense of gratitude for the cherished experiences we had. As we contemplated the idea of securing a new house and finally building a home for our small family, we approached the decision with a positive outlook, embracing the opportunity for growth and change. The process of seeking out a new residence was a bracing challenge, driving us to find a space that could cater to our growing needs and reflect our identities. Finally, after much searching and deliberation, we found a house that felt just right. We are here. It was a mix of anticipation and bittersweet emotions as we bid goodbye to our old home and embrace the new chapter in our lives and continue creating more memories.
About the Author
Joan Uy is a mom, a leader, an insurance agent and a secretary to the vice president on a private utility company. DMCI is close to her heart as for the past 8 years, her corporate company had an established relationship in doing business with them especially in engineering and construction. She is a fan of anime and Japanese drama, that’s why this place leads it to her. Satori – Satoru. She is a Guhit Pilipinas enthusiast and tennis trainee.