From July to August 2024, I spent my days back home in the Philippines. This is my sacred morning routine I developed there, told through 6 floor plans.
Wake up
Brush teeth
Wash face
Apply serum + moisturizer
Grab photobook
Place photobook on counter
Prepare tea tray: fruits, two mugs, teapot and genmaicha
Add genmaicha to tea pot
Fill teapot with hot water
Bring tea tray and photobook to the front porch
Eat fruits and drink tea with grandmother and grandfather
Watch the world go by
Bring photobook, mug and teapot to the bahay kubo
Leaf through photobook
Finish tea
Ponder
One of the steps in my routine was to sit with my grandmother, quietly eating fruits and sipping our tea in unison, all while watching the houses, plants, and vehicles awaken. A daily communion of observation, reminding me of how perfect of an activity watching the world go by is for the mornings.