Vagabond With Flowers

The Foreign Exchange at Yoshi's SF

2010-07-27T23:54:00.000-07:00

Great night!

Loyal Friends

2010-07-27T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is my roomie until Bryan gets home from Hawaii. We've been taking several walks around the neighborhood and parks. I'm happy I can at least run a mile with this guy (he's not much of a walker/runner). He's a bit of a bother when he growls at the dogs outside or feel anxious to wander outside but I suppose he's still good fun otherwise. =)

He's grown so much and still an adorable puppy (to me)!

Jax barking at Biggie

Marcus' cute pup, Jax!

Opening Photography Reception at Koji Sake Lounge

2010-07-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Preparing my photos for the exhibit

Over the past year, in my opinion, I’ve captured some notable photographs while traveling throughout SE Asia and the Pacific with my first DSLR, the Nikon D40. I love that I have these moments accessible to me to remind me of the amazing things that have happened over the past year and all of its grandeur. Lara and I always manage to find each other reminiscing or linking each other pictures of certain events and laughing/tearing/squealing about them.

A year ago, I had a dream that I hosted a photography show. I often found myself dreaming about different things, then contemplating about them weeks later and outlining a proactive plan to pursue these dreams (depending if these dreams seem attainable at that time… some days, I don’t pay attention to them much, others I hysterically obsess over) this one, being one of them. I knew who to contact and I knew what tools I needed to execute this. But slowly thereafter, especially upon my return, my motivation to pursue declined significantly. I think I just got comfortable like we usually do, allowing aspirations to slowly slip from the potential of our fingertips. It wasn’t until after I went out to one of our favorite lounges in downtown San Jose when interest sparked again in the form of bicycle photographs mounted on their walls. I thought, “I could do this, too!” I got up the courage to speaking with a few of their managers, exchanged contacts and a few days later I submitted an online portfolio. Shortly after a few exchanged e-mails, a scheduled date to hang up my photos went into effect. I decided I wanted to give a little more meaning to this small exhibit and have the photos sold for a $10-20 where 100% of the purchases go directly to Isara.

I had my opening reception on the 21st of last month and invited a few friends to come celebrate with me. The night turned out well, I’m not quite sure if I sold any that night (or at all?) since all transactions go through the lounge. I’m hoping I did. If not, I’m still planning on giving back somehow and definitely proud to be able to exhibit my work. I’m very thankful to be able to accomplish something and being able to say, “it was always something I wanted to do”. People tend to be modest of their accomplishments but I absolutely believe that celebrating small victories are essential to a healthy and happy self-esteem and what better way to do that than with a little sake? Hehe.

Here’s a few photos from the reception:

Thanks for coming, everyone!

Sketch Tuesdays at 111 Minna

2010-07-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

I've always seen myself as an arts enthusiast. I'm not exactly artistically-inclined, but of course very few people can say that statement with confidence. It seems that with art, many feel restricted or pressured into abiding by the rubrics of what is deemed as art (like symmetry, depth of field, popular aesthetics, proper shadowing, etc.) but really, art to me is about expression and finding beauty when not a single soul in the world could understand what the hell it is you are trying to express. Ah, but then again... art is such an ambiguous thing.

In reference to art, a few friends of mine attended an event called Sketch Tuesdays at 111 Minna gallery yesterday. This event is held every 3rd Tuesday of the month and such a sensational space to be in. Sketch Tuesdays is essentially an event to gather art-enthusiasts, several in attendance from the neighboring Academy of Art students and other SF natives into one space to give birth to creative energy. 111 Minna also invites a panel of local artists to showcase and paint their pieces. Another awesome thing is that they allow the general public to sell their pieces as well.

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

My water color painting (right) & Bryan's (left)

I managed to sell my impromptu piece that I made there for $5 that night!

The quote that I had written is from Max Ehrmann,

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Sister Kate (Belly-dancing Burlesque dancers)

Live models were also in attendance for people to sketch.

Art posted for sale

My medium of choice: Water Colors

Erin McCarty

Bryan's creation

The guys

Sketches

That's all for now!

Blogger is revamped!

2010-06-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've gone this long without writing. Something that I've always told myself to do whenever I begin to feel restless or idle is to write. Write about anything and everything. At times, these thoughts lay buried under the thick layer of anxiety from everyday life, breaking threshold, and struggling to resurfacing to my journal or this nifty free webspace. My thoughts have been scattered all over planes of electronic hosts, but I feel like I always seem to return to Blogspot. Today must have been the day the universe spoke to me, re-centering myself and steering me back to this blog that I've left neglected for so long during a random morning scanning of my dashboard on Tumblr. And what do you know, blogger is re-vamped, too!

I've come back to writing in this blog for a few reasons:

I didn't quite reflect on my trip as thoroughly as I'd like to
I'd like to update a few of my overseas pals and extended readers (if any, anymore?) the goings-on of my life as well as allowing this blog to serve my memory proper documentation and my lingering sanity the well needed venting-space it deserves
I just miss writing in general and I don't like writing in the tumblr's Text field for some neurotic reason.
I support all mediums of expression.

Time has definitely moved at incredible speed. I can't believe it's already summer. Lara and I had lunch yesterday and we've come to the agreement (time and time again) that our time overseas was sadly, too short. We miss the kids from Isara, Kirk & Ming, the strangers turned to friends we reminisce amount every time we see one another and just the overall experience of vagabonding. I sometimes find myself melancholic about this, but I try to remind myself that I can no longer live in the past, wishing that I had stayed longer or done more because I truly (...again, trying to remind myself) believe that it was time well spent and just enough to help us grow and keep humble. If anything, I should be thankful instead of sad about these events because it was definitely an experience of a lifetime.

Where am I today? These days, you can either find me working to save up for graduate school (Yes! I got in!), which I will be attending in the fall. Although I've fallen back into the patterns of a 9-5 job in corporate, I still see the light in this grind-time. You know, planting the seeds to reap your ideals of wealth (that's not the exact euphemism, but you get what I mean...). It has always been important to me to develop a sense of independence and strength through supporting myself financially as I've learned from the womyn before me and so by really working towards this masters, I really want to be able to give more significance to it than ever, both academically and financially.

Aside from working, I've been practicing yoga and training for a half marathon (13.1 mi.) taking place in the fall-- September 5th, to be exact! I'm definitely not that fast if you're thinking I'm some 5"2 road runner. In fact, I hold only about a 13-minute/ per mile speed. I'm doing this as a personal goal of mine to test my discipline and who knows, maybe next year might be a marathon! Over the past two years, my health has become tremendously important to me. I don't know at what point over those two years has triggered this, but I just simply choose to take care of myself more mindfully.

In a variation of other news, I think growth is a perfect topic to shed light on in this summary of my life. I sometimes have a difficult time expressing this to friends since we both are at different speeds of growth in our own personal lives so I never really leave these conversations completely satisfied. Then, the sometimes neurotic over-analyst and zen in me reminds me that I should rely on other people to make me think or feel a specific way. It's all semantics, I know.

Anyway, my thoughts are escaping; more updates to come!

New Yoooooooorrrrk!

2010-04-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

Ah, it's happening again! This habit of beginning something and finding absolutely no time to continue it/following through. It is time to resurrect this blog once more and post a quick entry about a recent trip to I took to New York with Bryan shortly after I returned from my travels overseas.

In terms of traveling with another person or group, I often find myself challenged with the idea of compatibility and judgement. Thankfully, in the past few trips I have made out of the country and state, I've been lucky enough to be paired/grouped with people whom I can ACTUALLY travel with. Last summer, I went to Japan with some good friends, Jenny, Frank, Nar & Bryan. Just recently, with Lara overseas and to New York with Bryan. Finding the appropriate people whom you can travel with is essential to your overall experience away from home. I seriously would not be able to survive with people who are constantly negative or time maximizers (i.e. non stop and smell the roses people-- it is so important to live in the moment at all times)

With this trip to New York, Bryan and I didn't exhaust ourselves by crunching every minute of our time doing something, I felt like the New York environment filled those passing moments we weren't seeing something monumental--- it was Bryan's first time anyway and I'd been there 2 times already before, just being with him for the first time was enough for me.

Here are just a few highlights from our trip:

Watched a Broadway musical, Wicked
Times Square wandering
Eating the best Artichoke pizza!
Max Brenner's restaurant
Serendipity
SoHo Shopping
Drinking out of a 1ltr glass boot & Bryan out of a 2 ltr, which btw I had to pay a $60 deposit on because previous customers were constantly breaking these finely crafted boots!
New York MOMA Tim Burton exhibit (this man is a genius!)
JFK passtiming
People watching
Resisting relentless weather
Metro riding
Falling in love with the energy here
Enjoying my time with Bryan

There is seriously an abundant amount of things to do in New York, not just one weekend or a few days would suffice all your aspirations to see what a typical New Yorker would experience and everything it has to offer. A trip back in autumn or mid spring would be amazing, for the reason that the weather would cooperate much better and just the excitement of being outdoors. The rain was absolutely relentless during this time of year that we went; it was pouring 2 out of the 4 days we were there. I could not believe it!

One moment I can vividly remember as I was people watching was when both vision and audio of the live film I was viewing before my eyes immediately transformed into a silent film.... watching people pass, tourists taking pictures of one another, runners jogging past, pets obediently walking through large crowds, business drones walking steadfast through the hustle and Bryan recording Times Square's electricity. It was one of those moments where I felt entirely touched to be somewhere, feeding off the air and feel absolutely elated to be living in that exact moment. I now understand why they made that shirt, I Love New York.

Anyway, sorry for the dry blog update...I'm trying to get back into writing again and let me tell you, it's quite a challenge. I'll try to progressively give more life into this blog. I think I'll keep this thing, after all...

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

Resurrection

2010-03-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

I promise to come corrected with a lengthy re-cap of my experience. It's fascinating to have this webspace after such a long journey and still be able to return to these feelings that I've experienced.

In a nutshell:

I'm slowly but surely assimilating back into American life and filing back into the grind of good ol' corporate life. Bleh.
Back with the bf.
Training for a 1/2 marathon.
Working on getting into grad school (just waiting on acceptance letters I hope-- if not, Americorps is on my agenda in replacement).
Living back home with the folks.
Opting out of a carnivorous diet.
Continuing to stay grounded and humbled by this amazing experience.

I promise I'll update this thing as soon as I have some time on my hands. I swear if I didn't have to wake up at 7 am every morning to work a corporate job in order to save up to pay for a year and half's worth of grad school I would write everything in my heart at this moment.

After packing raw fish and pig and lugging around chocolate mac's

2010-03-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

... I am finally here at the airport. What would have been a 5 hour flight to San Jose, I chose to be frugal and take a cheaper flight instead, prolonging this journey home by another 5 hours, double the actual time. I am now waiting in Seattle airport, which I think is quite huge and somewhat meticulous in terms of their relocating passengers to other terminals, remote from the main exit.

So what am I feeling? I still feel like all of this is surreal, that everything I see is far from reality. I say this because, while I was walking towards my designated terminal just moments ago, I walked passed what seemed like a corner store of 4th of July memorabilia on sale. This whole area was flooded with red, white, and blues. Don't get me wrong, I do love being in the U.S. for reason being that I can finally drink tap water without taking several trips to the bathroom throughout the day and several other unmentioned reasons, but I found so much more security in being overseas and meandering about, taking everything in as if I was a newborn, learning to become familiar with my senses.

But this is it. I'm an hour away from boarding in the cold winter... oh god, please let it be spring already! I seriously dislike this tingle I'm feeling in my body. It's a mixture of anxiety and goosebumps. Both, just uncomfortable feelings.

Anyway, my last day spent in Hawaii was spent with Diana, Ellen Mae and Philip. Ellen Mae took me to some beautiful sights like Port Lock look out point and the Moana Waterfall Park. Due to time, no waterfall was seen. I could only imagine what kind of beauty is found in here though. I seriously felt like I was in the a what I imagined a rain forest looks like. After, we had a last dinner and headed out.

Blah.

I feel like a mess right now. Everything I see makes me want to cry. Not that it breaks my heart, but I feel like I miss a lot of things that what I see in front of me is just not the same emotion I felt while traveling. I also feel really emotional because I keep thinking about this quote...

“I like to see people reunited, I like to see people run to each other, I like the kissing and the crying, I like the impatience, the stories that the mouth can’t tell fast enough, the ears that aren’t big enough, the eyes that can’t take in all of the change, I like the hugging, the bringing together, the end of missing someone.”
- Jonathan Safran

I kept seeing people departing from one another. I saw soldiers off-duty looking at their phones, staring at their children's faces as their wallpaper background, the 2 women next to me, smiling gleefully because this short experience they had in Hawaii was so memorable that they had to leave wearing lei's around their necks... ahh and so many more images that made me think of connections people had all over the world, whether back home or with these foreign places.

On the brighter side, I actually will be continuing my travels for another week! I'm going to NY with in about a week, so this blog will probably be up for another few weeks... we'll see.

Time for boarding! I have knots in my stomach and I feel like throwing up.

I hope I feel better when I get home.

Post-tsunami weather sucks

2010-02-28T20:49:00.000-08:00

What in the world? IS THIS WINTER I'M WITNESSING?

Today, I woke up to a thick white-- and blinding overcast with occasional showers. I think this is the beginning to my "winter" that I so cleverly escaped from these past months.

Diana and I went out today to have breakfast at this place called Boots & Kimo where they're famous for their macadamian nut syrup. I was actually very impressed and kind of disappointed! After finishing the short stack of banana pancakes with that syrup on it, I decided that I should bring some back home but sadly found out that they don't sell it! Of course they wouldn't sell such a divine topping to the masses-- it's their secret recipe!

Yummmmmy pancakes that Diana swears has crack in it!

Before breakfast, we headed over to the other side of the island where highway 3 takes us through a beautiful coastal and tropical view of the island. Diana suggested we see a look out point called Pali. Pretty, breath-taking and all sorts of awe. The wind, however was another story. We literally felt like our flip flop were going to fly away, but luckily I clenched my toesies. Haha.

The drive up to the look out point

Pali look-out point.

History: It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated the O’ahu armies by sending them over these steep, forested cliffs and claiming his victory and uniting the Hawaiian Islands.

The day was pretty relaxing. I spent majority of it napping and finally beginning to pack up my things. I leave tomorrow night at 11p.m. and will be in San Jose about 12 a.m.

I'm still trying to psyche myself into believing this is it. This is the end of the 5 months of traveling throughout SE Asia and the Pacific. I don't even want to begin with a reflection because I might start crying right now... and Diana's right in front of me doing her homework. She'd probably think I'm being premenstrual right now. Haha.

Anyway, if you guys asked for me to bring any goodies for you, expect for them to be in! You better get them early or else I'll eat all of the ahi poke you asked me to bring you. And I will also eat those macadamian chocolates as well with no effort at all.

Alright, I'm signing out for now. And advanced apologies for abrupt withdrawals from everything. I'll explain why later...

Till then, folks!

Tsunami Evacuation!

2010-02-27T12:28:00.000-08:00

Almost Tsunami Showtime in Honolulu Harbor

Crazy, crazy things have happened throughout my trip from events like riding on a motorcycle throughout Bohol island in the Philippines with a stranger, the dangerous river adventure in Laos, and the bum rush train ride in Japan... here is yet another event and actually another natural disaster (like Typoon Ondoy affecting SE Asian countries like Thailand when I was there back in September) making way into the Pacific and into the pages of this very blog.

If you guys have been living under a rock, you should know that there has recently been a 8.8 earthquake shaking the city of Concepcion in Chile just this morning at about 3 a.m. Due to the quake, many aftershocks have been warned to continue along South America and the Pacific rim even including further warning of potential tsunamis.

We have luckily been unaffected by today's events and no damage was done.

Our day, however began as a surprise! Last night (continuing to the early hours of the day) we were informed by the news viewed in my high school friend, Ellen Mae's place that there had been a quake in Chile. Thinking nothing of it, we slept soundly that night, but found ourselves woken up by a siren blaring outside of our house to evacuate Ewa Beach.

Diana actually woke me up, really. I hella slept through the first siren at 6:30 since I slept at about 3 a.m. and was really exhausted! We were given until 11 a.m. to reach a safe area, preferably on the 3rd story of a building somewhere inland. We left about an hour later and packed our things, food and other necessary effects that would help us go through the day comfortably. Driving through Ewa Beach, we kept informed by listening to the radio and observed the reactions to this "state of emergency". We surprisingly saw people going about their days normally, running in the morning and walking their dogs. I was thinking in my head, "what are you guys doing?! Don't you know there's a tsunami coming?" But I kind of figured they're locals and they go through this all the time. I, personally was very alarmed by this, but strangely excited to witness this natural disaster in a somewhat morbid way.

Reaching Ellen Mae's house in Honolulu, we basically staked out admiring the beautiful view of Honolulu city and harbor on the 20th floor of her apartment-- which is so cute and tastefully decorated! Being vigilant, we stayed up watching the news until they declared that the tsunami warning was cancelled and that people should just stay off the beach for the remainder of the day.

Honestly, the whole day was very anti-climactic. Nothing too crazy happened other than the observation of the moat's water in front of Ellen's building often rising higher than usual then draining out time to time. I watched for the first time the Winter Olympics in Toronto on TV. I think Curling is a strange and comedic sport... but whatever is considered competitive sports these days, I guess. Other than that, the weather was great until a few hours later when an overcast blanketed the islands.

Here's a few pictures of our day and a funny video of our Tsunami evacuation:

Interviewing Diana while we were evacuating

Waiting for nothing at Ellen Mae's apt

Way to almost end my trip! Haha. Mother nature, please calm down for the remainder of my stay here. K, thanks.

I just kick it from my head

2010-02-25T01:42:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for home in so many ways. Though I am still not entirely sold on returning to the workforce or assimilating into the cold capitalistic culture, I'm actually also getting quite excited about going back home and uh... dare I say, getting (kinda) busy?

Aside from returning to "reality" that so many of you speak of, I'm especially excited about the off the clock events that are scheduled for when I return and other hopeful gregarious attempts in the bay area.

I admit it, I do miss you guys. So yes, I will let you take me to breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or allow you to buy me that shot, beer, bottle...whatever. Hahaha.

Some things I'd like to do:

Attend a job fair or job search: Surprise! Maybe I want to work again? Part-time though!
Go to a BYOB restaurant
Watch Where The Wild Things Are for free at the Independent concert venue
Have a sleep over with the girls
Eat Mexican Food. Lots and lots of it
Attempt to cook
Throw out useless things in my room (i.e. donate or re-gift, not kidding... lol)
Share pictures with friends and family
Sleep in my bed
Attend graduate school in the fall
Make crafts

Maybe it won't be bad after all.

Missing Vagabond: Lara Estrada

2010-02-24T22:59:00.001-08:00

Don't hate me, Lara.

Lara decided to leave Diana and I today because she had to report back home to you know... responsible matters such as grad school interviews in Long Beach. Wah!! I am now here, staring at the cheese her mom bought for her brother that she was supposed to give him. It is now here, symbolizing my very being. The cheese stands alone, Lara... the cheese stands alone!!!!!!!

Moments after she got home:

larab3ar (8:59:43 PM): anaaaaa

larab3ar (8:59:48 PM): im back

larab3ar (8:59:56 PM): it's weird

larab3ar (8:59:57 PM): stay there

anavictorious (8:59:59 PM): ew sad

anavictorious (9:00:01 PM): =[

I leave for home in a week and I still can't believe how unbelievably fast time flies! I really NEEEEEED to soak up as much Hawaii and travel as much as I can. Still, in so many ways thankful for this experience and being able to share it with someone else. I hope you're not missing me too much. Miss you!

P.S. Yes, I will buy that wallet in Waikiki for you. Treasures left behind always haunt you after you turn away from them... totally know the feeling!

Today, I will be a typical tourist

2010-02-23T22:43:00.000-08:00

... and wear lots and lots of cheesy Hawaiian paraphanelia like hibiscus and palm tree printed dresses and hats--wait! Don't forget the kukui nuts necklaces. Just kidding. I can't say that for the majority of the population in Waikiki though.

Today, I continue my exploration of Oahu by hiking up Diamond head, a crater that was once used by the U.S. Military. The hike was stunning as usual and not actually very strenuous to say the least. I think the fact that there were so many tourists stopping to take pictures at every look-out point and being quite frankly, out of shape would have made the hike "quicker". Maybe also it's because I've been running lately leaving me feeling more refreshed in terms of physical activity and the fact that I actually find enjoyment in hiking made it somewhat of a breeze.

Once we finished the hike within an hour (it was suggested for roughly 2 hours, which I'm sure is if taken very leisurely) we headed over to the Health Bar and had some delicious acai bowls where I resurfaced memories of ordering this at Cafe Brazil in Santa Cruz.

Diana decided to drop us off along Waikiki's main strip because she had class and so that we could wander aimlessly amongst other tourists. Lara and I decided we'd explore some ABC Stores and other souvenir shops. We also sat at Waikiki beach for only a few minutes because the sun was too powerful and later, becoming bored by the endless numbers of tourists here, we decided to go to a Japanese restaurant for their ultimate, "new and improved" happy hour (a.k.a. Happy hour only closes from 6-10 p.m. crazy!). After hh, we went around to different shopping areas and pretended like we wanted to buy things, tiring us to exhaustion and found ourselves k.o.'ed at a random shopping center's common lounge area until Diana came to pick us up.

What a great day! Haha.

Pictures:

The phone booths are cute here!

Waikiki Beach

Before walking into the International Marketplace.

Random sighting of parrots perched on a trash can.

Surfboards

Coconut M&Ms are so good!

'tis all for today!

North Shore Treasures

2010-02-23T22:28:00.000-08:00

If you look closely into the depth of field of this picture, you will see the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Last week, Diana put her tour guide hat on and took us through the beautiful area of North Shore. The drive was spectacular. We drove passed pineapple plantations, fields and fields of crops, both native and foreign trees to Hawaii and vibrant red, pink and yellow Hibiscus bushes. It feels like the awakening of my senses every time I sit through different forms of transport all throughout this trip. I have so much appreciation for nature and feeling connected to these tranquil moments that they effortlessly influence.

Perfectly greeted by acres and acres of plantations, we made our first stop at the Dole Plantation. The inside of the plantation presented various sites to give the outsider a quick insight on how plantations "actually look" and information about different types of pineapple grown all over the tropical regions of the world. I wasn't fully convinced about the production of this plantation specifically since there wasn't much background given about the work done to harvest the fruit or the people doing it. Ont he flip side, I must admit that I am impressed that the plantation was well manicured, has tons of tasty novelty snacks at their store and boasts the largest maze in the world in the shape of a--- you guessed it-- a pineapple!

Some pictures:

So happy that I could say that I've been to every single one of these places!

Looks like a Troll

I love that this lady who insisted that her husband take this photo because he's a photographer took it waaayyy off-centered. Good thing Photoscape helped fix it for me.

The only person who I know has as many coy fish as this is Danny's grampa. These coys were so huge! Famished and violent, they were literally dog piling (coy piling?) over each other

And now, my favorite part of the day!

Diana and Lara's brother Jonas spoke very highly of a magical shrimp truck tucked away in a trailer park somewhere in North Shore, a truck the "average" person would not immediately prefer based on appearances. Following vague written driven directions, Diana luckily found an area where 3 food trucks were parked in. I decided to try out the shrimp pineapple and luckily came out hive-free!

Shrimp is so good!

And they de-vein and peel it, too!

Lastly, we wrapped up our day with beach visitations to Sunset Beach and another beach I forgot to ask the name of. Today was a good day!

Sunny days in Hawaii

2010-02-21T18:21:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days, we have been relaxing at Diana's house, finding ways to entertain ourselves while Diana leaves us to go to class. She feels guilty, but it's surprisingly become an art form to just wait these days. Totally used to it by ways of our SE Asia/Pacific travel experiences. We've kept ourselves preoccupied by watching movies, writing, reading (By the way, I definitely recommend a book by Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions to anyone and everyone) and exercising. I've definitely taken pleasure in running near the beach here and throughout the neighborhood, taking time to small talk with Diana's neighbors, petting their cute puppies and most importantly watching the grand view of the sun setting-- total postcard image! I cannot be any happier sweating off calories!

Ah, life is good. =)

This week, Diana took us to a man-made lagoon located in Ko'Olina, beautifully located on the perimeter of several resorts and golf courses. I couldn't help but revel once again in the beauty of these tropical places!

Overlooking the Pacific

The blue lagoon!

Enjoying our "beach" day

Testing out my camera to get the perfect picture... haha

My models

Hawaii weather is amazing! I personally believe weather holds a significant factor in our personal measures for happiness. In my short stay here, I already sense amiable qualities in people. People are really friendly and actually stop to talk to you. The other day, when we were at North Shore, I couldn't help but feel moved that people were so nice to us (I'll post updates on our trip there in a bit!). What happened to people being genuinely friendly without the assumption of them having any ill intention in that very gesture? Or why have we become so jaded a community that by very the act of someone being nice to us is utterly surprising? I guess the walls built by our egos nurtured by our mainstream culture have been subtly destructive in creating this idea that introverted personalities are safe and superior. I am making it a personal goal to myself to be friendlier influenced by the lifestyle here.

I'm bringing friendliness back. =)

Lara's Birthday

2010-02-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

On Friday, Diana took the liberty in planning Lara's birthday celebration at a local lounge-- our first official night out experiencing Hawaii's "night life".

Happy Birthday, Lara!

Totally love my self-timer! And you guessed it folks, we "dressed up" for this occasion.

We began the night reveling in Happy Hour specials that included $5 martini's and $5 appetizers! I didn't take any pictures of our food since we scarfed them down so quickly. I will tell you this though, I am beginning to enjoy Poke very much! Sorry, I am way late on this Hawaiian food deal... I'm still learning about the culture and their cuisine here!

Pearl (not to be confused with the night club located in downtown San Jose)

Probably the swankiest places I've been to throughout this entire trip!

Going out in Hawaii was actually quite different compared to back home. For one thing, the club/lounges/bars are not located in the mall.

Our delicious drinks served by a disgruntled waitress. Ugh, how annoying.

Pictures from our night:

Lara rationalizing why she shouldn't take a shot of Patron on her birthday

and failed...

After Pearl, we headed upstairs to another bar/lounge called Mai Tai's where a live reggae band was playing. The ambiance was more local and not to mention, way more welcoming than I'd expected. People are so nice here.

Working female magic that we are always so impressed by, we managed to score 2 pitchers of beer here. The cringe-worthy compromise however, ensued by unwritten female etiquette (or wait, is that just guilt?).

Lol, one of our pitcher-givers. This guy made sure to give his "obligatory" love all around.

Responding to our drunken stupors, Zippy's fast food restaurant helped ease our midnight munchies.

The night was actually pretty fun. I'm usually sold by any sound of live music, especially when they cover Sublime's "Caress me down" so well! I'm beginning to enjoy the Hawaiian lifestyle. Hope you had a great birthday, Lara!

Mahalo, Hawaii

Valentine's in Hawaii

2010-02-14T21:33:00.001-08:00

Greetings from the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii!

After a fantastic flight with Hawaiian air, I was definitely under the impression that my stay in Hawaii will be a great one. I love boarding the planes and instantly hearing the country's accent or seeing resplendent steward/ess uniforms similar to their traditional dress or cultural fabrics. Lara and I were really excited about this flight because of their complimentary alcoholic beverages, Lara more excited than me by exclaiming "I'm about to get me some free wine!" hella loud. I love flying with good food and drinks served. =)

My friend and Lara's best friend, Diana is currently living in here working on her PhD at University of Hawaii in American studies. I'm so thankful that she's invited us to stay with her for the time being. It's been awhile since she's been back home and I saw that she was so ecstatic to see us. (Thanks, Diana for the orchid leis! That was a really sweet greeting.)

The vibe here in Hawaii is sensationally relaxing. I love it! I also love how much of a breeze it was going through customs and everyone's friendly mannerisms here. It kinda feels like I'm in a foreign country still though.

Today is Valentine's day! As much as I love seeing cute Valentine's day goodies on the shelves and highlighting the gesture of love and romance, it STILL was another holiday's spirit that I did not feel once again. Help! I'm getting numb! Maybe it's because I need to be around my friends and loved ones.

We spent today watching the movie Valentine's Day, eating lots and lots of chocolate, and drinking some delicious wine paired with pasta. It couldn't get any better than that. Oooh! And just a recommendation, see the movie. I teared quite a bit towards the end. Don't be fooled by the cutesy theme in the movie, all types of love are shown here, maybe that's why I love it so much.

Thanks Daniel (Diana's bf) for the goodies, we all loved them

The tiramisu was delicious, good job Diana!

Hope you and yours had a magical day full of romance and love-- even though it should be reflected every day ;).

Here's a song that I love hearing when I feel in love, dedicated to you all.

Photo of the day: Filipino Beer

2010-02-12T03:15:00.001-08:00

Surprisingly, I hadn't had one of these babies as often as I'd like to. Has anyone here tried Red Horse beer before? Hm, yeah... a little too strong for me. I prefer San Miguel instead.

Long Stretch

2010-02-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.

It's been quite a ride here in the Philippines. I had some more than remarkable moments spent with my family and new experiences this time around, far more different than the times I came with my parents. Although we weren't able to do another charity project with Full-Life, I'm still happy that I've been able to experience one project here and be able to meet people from this org. Aside from that, staying with Lara's family and my family along with sightseeing was also great.

There is still a lot to discover in the Philippines with it's plethora of islands. With the last visit to Cebu and hearing a difference in language, I wish I was able to effortlessly communicate and travel as easily here as I have in recent months throughout the different countries.

As much as I want to encourage travelers to make their way to the Philippines to experience this amazing country, I kind of want people to stay away at the same time. There is so much still preserved here and because the government hasn't encouraged the development of their tourism here, it may or may not be the safest place for travelers either-- but then again, I am being hypocritical because I've been going about this trip in many ways people may view as dangerous. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I want the beauty to be preserved because after the centuries of having foreign influences and occupations, it would be a different vibe here with foreigners wandering about as freely as in SE Asian countries I've visited where I'd been confused about what country I'm in because everyone's treating it as their garbage can. I don't know, this is just my opinion.

Anywaaayyyy...

It honestly hasn't felt that long being here in the Philippines. After spending the past few days with Lara's family dining and shopping, I'm coming to terms with going home and leaving to the U.S. and not waking up the next day to some foreign place I've never been before. I'm not quite sure how similar Hawaii is to California or the feeling of being in the US is there, but I know mentally I'll be constantly thinking that "OMG, I'm on American soil after 5 months". I know it seems like I'm spoiling my homecoming by saying these things, but I feel like I could go even longer. 5 months is really quite short.

Tonight I'm leaving on a 8 p.m. flight with Hawaiian Air. I hope everything in Hawaii will be as incredible as the visits to these other countries I've been to cause this will be my first time!

Maraming salamat po, Philippines! I will definitely be back.

Letting these few moments sink in...

2010-02-11T03:13:00.000-08:00

Today, I'm feeling a little blue. It's official, today is going to the last day of our adventure overseas. =( Everything over the past few months has been everything I could imagine and even more. But before I begin to reflect on this experience in total, I'll share the day's events.

Lara's uncle hooked us up with one of his friends who lives in Cebu to take us around to all the Spanish-Filipino sights.

Magellan's Cross Shrine

Candles to light in honor of Magellan

The very cross that was planted by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in 1521

A few steps away from the cross is the Basilica of Santo Nino, which is built on the very spot where the image of the Santo Nino was left behind in a burned wooden box from the Magellan expedition

Prayers

In front of the Basilica

After visiting Magellan's cross and the Basilica of St. Nino, we headed over to Fort San Pedro, which is the oldest fort in the Philippines used for military defense then later used as a prison for local rebels during the Philippine revolution.

Cebu is known as one of the tourist destinations with gorgeous beaches and snazzy resorts outlining the coast of this island. We ended our stay at Cebu by relaxing at Vista Del Mar Beach Resort. Stayed for lunch, then were greeted by an unexpected sponsoring event put on by a Japanese organization working with a Filipino school. There were even performances put on by the kids. It was really sweet to see some of the kids meet their Japanese sponsors and trying to communicate in both Japanese and English.

These kids were yelling out "Ate" and "Kuya" to their sponsors, so sweet!

The pool

Enjoying the sun

3 more days till we leave for Hawaii, I'm sad! Eeeeeekkk! Leaving so soon!

The Motorcycle Diaries: Bohol Island

2010-02-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

Oh, hollaaa! The whip we took around Bohol Island, a motorcycleta... hehe

Mom, Dad, and other concerned readers: DO NOT FREAK OUT.

I have suffered no injuries, maybe just a bruised bottom, but that's nothing!

To Isara, sorry we're not wearing helmets, he didn't provide us with any!

The day started off earlier than usual since major travel was destined for today. We boarded the first ferry off to Bohol Island at about 6 a.m. and spent an hour's worth of travel to the island, then another 2 1/2 hours to get to Carmen, the town where we would be meeting with Bob, our tour guide.

The ride to Carmen was brilliant. I wish I could do justice by providing tons of pictures of the sights I've seen, but there is still absolutely nothing compared to just seeing these views first-hand and just smelling the aromas that accentuate this experience. I really really really cannot express how beautiful it was to see lush green rice terraces, vibrant flowers blooming from left to right, free range livestock and animals roaming about, families walking their children to school, and so many other people and things I've observed on this ride. I really am at a loss for words at the feeling of being in Bohol within just those few hours traveling.

We met up with our tour guide, Bob at the last stop of our bus, at the Carmen public market and began our tour straight away. He was very personable and spoke English quite well. He had a different Filipino-English accent, it sounded more Spanish-English which was really interesting to me. The itinerary for the day was packed and I have to warn you, this blog may be exhausting to read. I'll share photos and add a few quick comments here and there about our adventure throughout Bohol.

The Chocolate Hills!

(or as Bmac likes to call them, the Tsyocolate hills since that's how Filipinos pronounce it, lol)

The legends illustrating how these conical karst hills came about are far more interesting than the geological ones. Two stories that Bob told us are that:

1. There were once two giants who feuded over trivial matters, threw fist-fulls of land at each other eventually disrupted the flat landscape. It's okay folks, they eventually make amends and became bffs again.

2. (I prefer this one, it's more romantic... perfect for v-day!) There was a giant who fell in love with a mortal. When the mortal woman passed, the giant felt excruciating pain and loss. He wept for days and when his tears dried, the Chocolate Hills were formed.

Fact that I've learned: There are about 1,268 hills that are about 40 meters high documented in Carmen alone. According to other sources theres about 1700+ around Bohol, in total. These hills are really an outstanding sight to see... kind of obscure to me, but very pretty!

Tarsier Monkey Zoo

The smallest primate in the world, the Tarsier monkey

These guys are adorable.

Python Park

Prony, the python we came to visit... in his cage O_O!!

No worries folks, he's just ate a 55 kilo. pig a week or two ago.

Magsaysay Park

Monkeys were roaming freely here. Check out Mama monkey and her baby.

The Hanging Bridge

I have to admit, I had sweaty palms and feet while crossing this one. Yikes!

Loboc Museum

This place stored old priest robes and other ancient Catholic church paraphanelia. I was actually quite frightened looking at the baby Jesuses, Virgin Marys, Santo Ninos and other misc. religious statues because they just looked so eerie-- definitely an absence of holiness.

The Floating Restaurant

I couldn't help but revel in this pleasant experience.

The atmosphere was so beautiful and the food was delicious!

More pictures below...

Aside from enjoying the scenery as we were floating along the river and listening to cover songs played with the ukulele, this quick stop at a local barangay off the river topped my experience. This community of people performed traditional dance with the tourists, sang Boholuano songs, and even did their own renditions of English songs. It was such a beautiful memory to be with these people, everyone looked so happy. =)

Lara and I couldn't help but have this permanent smile on our faces and even tears of joy, for that matter. There is really something about music that brings people together. I love it!

The Clarin Ancestral House

The preserved home of one of the first Mayors of Tagbilaran that is 169 years old.

Butterfly Sanctuary

Check out my middle-school butterfly clips though! The picture above resembling gold earrings are actually cocoons. Can you believe that?

The Blood Compact

The statue reinforcing why my last name along with Lara's are Spanish. That, and toasting to "friendship" between the Boholuanos and the Spaniards by drinking each other's blood as a sign of brotherhood and "peace".

Man-made Forrest of Mahogany Trees

Hagdanan Caves

Bikini Beach

Our last stop where we relaxed and watched the waves crash.

There were so many sights that we were fortunate enough to see thanks to our efficient transportation. There were times when we were riding the motorcycle and I'd close my eyes, floating in my imagination, wondering how it would be like to wake up to this beauty everyday, to live simply, and ideally happier... maybe even healthier since the air here is clean! I think it'd be nice.

I know I've mentioned this several times about my reflections as I unwind at the end of the day, but I'll say it again because it really is something very meaningful to me, to be able to enjoy this experience and appreciate every moment of it... no matter how repetitive it may appear. I loved seeing the scenery, the people, learning the history of the Philippines during the Spanish times, which is still has a very strong influence here and the adventure that we had riding the motorcycle. This trip just refreshes me even more that the Philippines is blanketed with beauty and if tourists care to venture out of their typical, Lonely Planet itineraries, they too, will be able to witness this. There is just something about the untouched beauty of Bohol's rural lifestyle that permanently rests here that I appreciate so much more than the exhausting smog of city life.

These memories and feelings are seriously things that you just cannot put a price on.

Stay beautiful, Bohol.

Kumusta, Cebu!

2010-02-09T06:01:00.002-08:00

* Pardon the dates on this blog, totally off since I'm blogging subsequently a few days after these events have happened and opened earlier posts on blogger then updating here.

So exhausted!

After leaving Baguio at 12:15 in the morning on the 10th, being on a bus for 5 hours, waiting at a bus station and spending a few hours collecting myself for departure for Cebu, the lethargy hit me hard on this last (ah! sad!), overseas adventure throughout Cebu and Bohol.

Our first day in Cebu was spent lounging around and exploring the 500 meters surrounding our hostel, Sugbutel. This place is actually one of the nicest places we've stayed while traveling that we've actually paid for.

... yea, the view's not quite the best but hey, for $5, come on!

Our beds

The house rules. Guess I can't parade around in my undies.

SM mall was basically the only place we went to on our first day, where we had our dinner and went travel agency prospecting for a day tour spent in Bohol, a nearby island. I hate to be naive about the Philippines as if I've never seen poverty and dodgy areas before, but I felt somewhat scared to be walking to and from the mall. I know on the surface people may appear threatening or areas may feel that way when in fact, they may exude the opposite, but sometimes I can't seem to shake this conditioned feeling when around such places. The constant beeping from the Jeepneys, random people peeking through gates and "shhhhhhhhuuuth"-ing us and overt onlookers made me feel a tad bit nervous. And although Lara and I have tried very hard to blend in, there still seems to be the letters, t-o-u-r-i-s-t visibly written all over us.

Our second day, Lara and I had breakfast at SM (it's seriously hella close, about 500 meters and we didn't want to bother getting hustled by taxi/jeepney drivers when trying to eat elsewhere) and discussed our itinerary for the next few days. We were specifically trying to figure out how to go about our Bohol trip since the tourism here isn't as easily accessible and well-developed like Thailand's. During our breakfast, the universe spoke to us in matching white tourist shirts that read, BOHOL worn by a couple passing by. We decided to talk to them and inquire about how they organized their trip to the island...

Within a few minutes, we were looking through helpful maps and exchanging numbers with Shane and Mark, our new friends! They were so kind enough to hook us up with an English-speaking tour guide they met while they were on their own tour there. At that moment, I had to give my thanks to how awesome the universe works in attracting the right people into our lives... especially those who help save us $$$!

After finishing the tour arrangements over the phone with our Bohol tour guide, Shane and Mark were keen on letting us join in on their excursion for the day on Mactan Island (a smaller island very close to Cebu). I felt incredibly relieved as my Tagalog or Cebuano (the dialect spoken in Cebu... that's somewhat motor-sounding to me) for that matter could be embarrassingly incoherent and tragic, really. Haha. There was only one sight that we visited for the day which is the Lapu-Lapu shrine and spent the remaining going back to SM and another mall called Park Mall. Lightweight mall-ratting, I guess.

Pictures from our day:

Meet our friends! Shane & Mark, a lovely couple from Baclaran near Manila

Lapu-Lapu, the courageous warrior who killed Magellan (ahem, who is known to have "discovered" the Philippines and Christianize it)

The girlies

After we roamed through the Lapu-Lapu memorial park, we spent a few hours at a nearby restaurant, sharing travel stories, eating tasty Filipino snacks packed in our bags (hopia, Chippy and Rasinettes!) and looking through old pictures on their laptop and Lara's. I still could not believe how genuinely helpful these two were. I love how helpful people are to total strangers, seriously...it really further reinforces good karma, in my opinion. =)

Ah and to add to the positive energy, a man with a beautiful harp came up to play a few tunes.

Take a look at this:

That's all for our adventure today. Stay tuned for tomorrow's craziness!

Baguio Family

2010-02-09T06:01:00.001-08:00

This is only a fraction of my family is Baguio.

Over the past few days, they have opened their arms to me and made me feel so at home to the utmost extent that I could ask for. It's been a great 4 days here and I am very thankful that I've been able to spend these rare moments together with them.

It surprises me every time I visit to see how much has changed over the years, to see the newly built houses or new developments in the Philippines but more importantly how different and grown my family looks. This time, I came home to new houses nieces and nephews and newly shed white hair (ohp! getting older... aunties and uncles ;] ) It amazes me how fast time flies these days, that the people who helped raised you are now the ones you're helping take care of.

During my stay here has helped me learn about my family tremendously. After being around them for these few days, I can see how much we resemble one another even down to specific characteristics and mannerisms and it solidifies the relationships we have with one another. I love hearing their stories told by my uncles about how they grew up and what crazy things my dad used to do when he was younger. I especially love listening to my nieces and nephews laugh while they're playing with each other.. ah, even hearing the little kids speak tagalog to one another makes me smile cause it is so cute! This environment makes me miss having family around and I couldn't ask for a better time during this trip to be with these people.

My Grandmother and a few of her children, Uncle Abe, Auntie Abbit and Uncle Ferdz

The kiddies

Little Lindsay

Cousins

Thank you, Aspuria family for everything. Though, at times we were lost in translation, I'm still very happy that we can transcend the language barrier and be able to communicate. I want you all to know that I love you very much and cannot thank you enough for the hospitality throughout these days. I had an amazing time spending my last few days in the Philippines with you all.

I'll see you next year for the reunion! =)

Barrio Fiesta & The Botanic Gardens

2010-02-06T14:38:00.003-08:00

Another family affair today was spent dining at a traditional Filipino restaurant called Barrio Fiesta and a visit to the Botanical Gardens. I remember seeing several of these in the bay area, not too sure if it is in fact a franchise, but this one has an incredible ambiance!

All throughout the restaurant, several statues were positioned, welcoming Kodak moments (wait, do people use that term anymore? Since you know, film is obsolete now?) and hysterical juxtaposing. Some photos to share of my day:

The Igorots are known as the "mountain people", indigenous to this area

Current president of the Philippines and declining popularity in the public eye, Gloria Arroyo

Our hanging seafood platter

A guard that is asleep. The name tag translates to "I'm sleeping"

Hanging out after lunch with Corey & Ninoy Aquino, previous presidents

Translation: "it is prohibited to urinate here"

Ferdinand Marcos with my uncle Ferdinand

Family at Lunch

Notice my pink collared shirt. My aunt insisted that I wear it because based on her observations, I have nothing to wear and saw that I constantly recycled the same clothing. I defended myself, telling her that it's how vagabonding is and that quite simply, we don't need very many things after all.

After lunch, we made a stop to the Baguio Botanic Gardens. I have memories as a child of this place with hundreds of flowers blooming in every color and having an emergency to go to the toilets. Of course, with the lack of facility an that time, I had to go, right then and there in between the rose bushes. Haha.

These days, the gardens don't bloom as many flowers and actually doesn't look very appealing anymore to me. I took only a few shots of this place since only a few sights were impressive.

I managed to take this shot of the Igorot woman without having to pay. They usually post in front of the gardens with foreigners and ask for a small fee. She coincidentally was standing just as I was taking this shot.

My aunts being cute in the gardens and yelling out "facebook!"

The botanic gardens also preserves another historic sight, the Japanese hideout tunnel during the Japanese occupation here in the Philippines. This tunnel has about 20+ rooms, I was a little scared to enter since proper lighting was not installed in this area.

There is also a small zen garden here with several Buddhist statues... brings me back to Thailand. =)

And the SF Golden Gate bridge was here as well!

Only the fine things

2010-02-06T14:38:00.001-08:00

The front of the museum

After dinner last night, my Ate Liza told me that she had a great itinerary planned for me the next day. Her and her husband are very much into the arts and healthy dining so today she decided to take me to one of the Philippines first contemporary museums, showing works by Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) and several other nationally known artists. Many of his works depict Filipino life and culture in many themes through the decades that show the transition towards modernization. This museum specifically, is committed to the promotion of the arts and preservation, conservation and protection of the environment, as well as the culture and traditions of the Philippines

This museum was built on a promontory and commands a breathtaking view of the organic gardens and rice terraces

One of his favorite works, inspired by psychiatric patients

Inspired by the turbulent 60s and 70s of Filipino discrimination

signs and immigration to the West

Tribal wood carvings from when he was in Sagada

My day trippers: Auntie Rose, Auntie Abbit & little Lindsay (who I swear looks like me when I was little)

The Domestic Help,

One of the Philippines' major export is labor. Thousands of Filipinos work abroad to send money back home to their families, one field that is stereotyped for Filipinos is the domestic helper

In the gardens; it is gorgeous here!

Once we were finished viewing the gallery, we headed out to Baguio City proper and had a great vegetarian lunch with my cousins Mara & Jan who were on their lunch from school and work. The place was cleverly called "Oh My Gulay", gulay meaning vegetables in Tagalog. I really enjoyed the ambiance of this place, it’s exhillirating being in the midst of the artworks of filipino artists, the twists and turns, the eclectic, the absence of structure, the patch-art-work, the journey, the ever-changing. Some parts of the gallery look like a scene from a Dr. Seuss book with un-straight lines and un-perpendicular corners.

I forget what everyone got, but I got the Tofu Lumpia Salad =)

Stuffed and ready to rest, we stopped by my Ate Liza's house to unwind a bit. An hour later, we were on the go again to the nearby nursery to attend her son's assembly and award ceremony. We watched these 3-4 yr olds dance to gospel songs and the Wonder Girls' Nobody dance routine. This song is seriously HUGE in Asia right now, way to go Kpop!

The award ceremony. To the right is my nephew who's growth spurt is definitely working faster than the rest. He was crying moments before the assembly because he thought we weren't going to show up. He's so cute!

After the ceremony, my cousin decided to take me on a grand tour around the St. Louis University Campus and the university hospital she works at. She thought it would be a good place for me to visit since my dad and almost every member of our family is so integrated with the community there either because they are currently attending students, alumni and/or working at the university. My cousin specifically is both a doctor and a professor at the university, so while we were on the tour it was really interesting to see the genuine rapport she had with her students and patients.

The day is not over! We had dinner with everyone in our family and watched Filipino soap operas, to top off the night, my cousin and her husband took me out for a late night drink at their favorite spot called Kaffeeklatsch and a live band was also playing cover songs here as well.

The married doctors, my Ate Lisa & Kuya Roel

Catching up with my cousin was great today, it was very nice to experience other aspects of the Filipino culture, especially in the arts and learning about my family's history here in Baguio. I enjoy these times where you have genuine conversations and sharing warm moments with your family members and really reflect about how fast time has flown.

Only a day left to spend with my family then off to Cebu on Sunday!

Tubao Trip

2010-02-06T14:37:00.002-08:00

This morning I felt strange to be waking up in an unknown place for the first time in all of my trip. I was so exhausted from yesterday's sightseeing and bus travel to Baguio that I was in the deepest sleep ever and when I awoke, it felt like I k.o.'d at a random person's house. I awoke, of course to chickens and roosters making their morning rounds of coca doodling next to my window.

My dad's siblings decided that we make a trip to Tubao, the town where my mom and dad were raised as part of my obligatory visitations. Interested in my family roots and my own history, I asked my auntie if she knew what hospital I was born at and she relayed to my uncle that it was Baguio General Hospital, not too far from her house. My uncle Juhn, being the skilled and hospitable driver that he is took me there before we left for Tubao.

Little o' me was born here

and baptized here at St. Vincent Ferrer church

This is the view from the balcony of my Auntie Vickie's house

About an hour and a half away from Baguio and down a windy road is the town of Tubao. Most of my relatives on both sides grew up in this small town, but in different barangays, my mom in Gonzalez and my dad in Garcia. What I love about these places is that everyone along the street that my parents grew up know each other and treat each other like family, so I am constantly being introduced to people whom I thought were actual relatives. It is still such a warm feeling to be greeted by them time and time again with their embraces and awe of how much I've grown up.

Our first stop was Gonzalez to visit my uncle King who still lives at the house where my grandmother raised her 10 children. I have memories of this place as a 9 year old little girl who was placed in a beauty pageant, throwing candies off of a float circling the barangay. I wish I had pictures available online, they are hilarious!

This is the house my grandmother and grandfather built. I think it's almost 100 years old.

My uncle King and his grandchildren. Everyone's so big now.

I'm still getting used to the idea of being an aunt!

Only a 5 minute drive is the barangay of Garcia where my dad grew up. My aunts and uncles organized a lunch for us at the family house there and were nice enough to cater to my pescatarian diet. I swear, I have never eaten so much fried fish!

The very first house that was built is closed off, full of cobwebs, dust, and serves as a memorable space that fostered the growth of all it's children. We went through old keepsakes of my grandmothers old house and they enjoyed telling me stories that this house helped create.

The last time I was here was in 2006 for my grandfather's funeral. The new house looked different from when I last left it, but more empty since my grandmother barely lives in it anymore and travels around the Philippines to visit her children.

Pictures from the day:

This is inside my grandmother Janice's old house, which has been abandoned because of the past typhoons that have occurred in the recent months. The two older women beside me are my relatives' neighbors who took care of me when I was a baby and often came to visit every time I went back to the Philippines.

Old altar

This is the flood line from the typhoon that happened recently.

Vintage photos: My dad is on the left!

Old pictures of my brother and I still mounted. My brother looks funny.

Vintage photos of my aunts and uncles

The outside of my grandmother's old house

This is the newly built one, still in progress of construction

The day trip continued on to another town called Agoo. We visited a church that my family attends and sponsors. I must say, this is the first time I've been inside of a church since we began traveling.

This is the city hall named after one of my relatives

Before we ended our trip to Tubao, we stopped by a local ice cream shop and had some refreshing halo-halo. This is one of my favorite filipino desserts; it's ingredients are layers of red beans, coconut, tapioca, coconut milk, bananas, ube ice cream and ice.

Road sign

The ride back home was beautiful, passing by make-shift & cement houses, families walking home together and lush green rice terraces made me think about just how easy our lives could be. I really appreciate the simplicity here, it reminds me that although the US is both modernized and developed and believed to make everyone "happy" there is still an emptiness that rests in everyone and so many other things that distract us from things that really matter. I thought a lot about my family and what they've been through while growing up, all the stories both adverse and comedic make me feel so proud to be a part of the Aspuria family. It's always a nice visit when coming back here.

Baguio Sightseeing

2010-02-06T14:37:00.001-08:00

Greetings from Baguio City, my birthplace!

After I parted ways with my Auntie Lala and being sent off at 5 am on yet another bus to travel a few hours, I finally arrived in Baguio around 2 p.m. The ride wasn't smooth at all since Manila traffic is a major headache and staggering acceleration and breakage seem to be the norm. I give it up to Filipinos here though, I would not survive driving through this wreck. Everyone seems to drive throughout these major roads and return home unscathed.

My uncle Juhn along with my Auntie Vickie came to pick me up from the bus station, had a quick lunch and we were already off to go sightseeing since they knew I was pressed for time, with only 4 days in Baguio. Our first stop was the Philippine Military Academy. I'm not quite sure what gave my uncle the impression that I'd want to see this place, but I guess it's because my uncles attended this academy years ago and it was a way for me to learn about our family and what is known to be one of the "tourist" destinations here.

Some background on the PMA:

This academy houses hundreds of soldiers who study for 4 years to become high ranking positions in the Military. Apparently this military academy is quite prestigious as it has served for 102 years and served as a training facility for future officers in the armed forces. Using the US Military Academy as it's template, the PMA fosters the growth of soldiers in the military and in the educational aspect is brought forth with the heavy instruction of mathematics, engineering, and the sciences as these fields were deemed West Point's strategy for success.

Pictures!

Old military tanks used in the WWII served as relics at the PMA

Throughout the campus, several soldiers were walking to and from classes. This was kind of intimidating to see them, especially since they were armed and constantly saluted to each other when crossing paths.

Our next stop was Camp John Hay, another historical sight preserving the history of the American occupation here in Baguio. This camp was used by the US military for rest and recreation along with the designation to be a communication station during the war.

In WWII, it served as an internment camp for the Japanese since they were suspected to be spies during this time.

We stopped by my uncles office and chatted a bit about my travels and future ones for the time being. He prefaced me about the tribal wars going on in Sagada and the numbers of casualties already documented and what I would expect to see there since I was planning on taking a shot-gun trip up to that city while I was already up north. Basically, by my dad's orders I wasn't allowed to go whatsoever so instead, I would be toured around Baguio by my family every single day.

This is my uncle Pedro (or Pedz). My uncle Pedz is retired from the military and served as a Colonel for a almost a decade, he now enjoys his time as the head chief in homeland security for the campus making it safe and secure for visitors and military to enter daily... but really, he plays Text Twist on Yahoo Games (Haha. I caught you, uncle!).

Baguio is also nick-named as "the city of pines" because of the dominant growth of pine trees after the US planted thousands of seeds throughout Baguio City in the late 1800s

The Bell House.

This was where President Roosevelt stayed along with Secretary of State, John Hay. All the rooms inside are still in tact and well preserved for viewing.

After touring around with my uncle and learning about the Philippine-American history from this sight, we left and uncle Juhn and I drove off to reunite with my other family members at SM.

Somewhat of an exhausting day. I'm still trying to get used to the idea of being in the Philippines and the familiar faces of Filipinos and the weather. It's been awhile!

More updates to come!

Oh god, I'm getting old; I'm an Auntie

2010-02-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

These are my nieces Alyssa & Francheska. They're the daughters of my Auntie Lala's daughter (my cousin, Roella.. or Owie, as I call her). They're the dynamic duo, bright and beautiful girls and have an incredible sense of self-control (for the most part). They both have their own individual talents, Alyssa growing interested in singing and dancing and Francheska into scholarly academics.

These two have grown at a rapid speed, I'm wondering what is it that was fed to them because they're as tall as me now and only at the tender ages of 12 and 13. I could hardly recognize them when I first saw them this time around. What a difference 3 years makes!

This is little Miggie (or Vince Miguel, you know.. the double first name-Filipino-type deal). He's also grown so much! From the last time I'd seen him, he couldn't even speak and now he's philosophizing about who knows what. He also loves chess! And actually taught me how to play the other day. =P

The siblings

I've basically been hanging out with these 3 over the past few days and have been loving it! Kids are so lively these days, I'm thankful that I have enough energy to give to them. I can tell they're excited to see me because they have so much to say or ask about where I've been and what I've been doing, my favorite this or that and if I know the latest celebrity gossip.

Dude, I'm getting old.

Just like a star

2010-01-30T07:08:00.001-08:00

Tonight, I had one of the most refreshing and incredible conversations with my Auntie Lala for the first time in my life. Before I delve into the subject matter of our late night dialogue, let me give you a background of who this very woman is to me.

This is my Auntie Lala, or her real name Estrella—you know, like star in Spanish. She is the second child of 10 in our family (5 boys and girls) and my mother’s older sister. She’s a jack-of-all-trades working as an independent business owner from owning a landscaping business to being a consultant and seamstress. Sometimes I think she’s a nurse too, but without the actual credential since she is so medically knowledgeable and is always taking care of someone here. She’s a grandmother of 3 and will be celebrating her 61^st birthday this Tuesday. But in terms of who she is to me, well, she’s quite frankly one of the main reasons why our family lives in the U.S. and serves as an inspiration to my creativity and motivation to strive for my personal goals.

I sometimes forget that I used to live in the Philippines. Although I left at the young age of 2, this is still where I was born and as candidly patriotic as this statement will seem, I still am blessed to come from this culture. One of the most refreshing and humbling things I love doing is speaking with my elders (when I can communicate coherently to them and when a language barrier isn’t disabling) and learning about where I came from or more importantly, where they came from. They always are so enthusiastic to tell their life stories and the adversity they have overcome in order to get to where they are today.

Tonight, it was my auntie’s turn. Though throughout our conversation the subject matter was seemingly light and didactic, explaining to her why I decided to travel and the adventure I’ve been on, we came into discussion about our family history and how she managed to get her siblings to immigrate to the US. This changed the tone and gave me passing tears from time to time alternating with placating laughter.

One of the things that she said that stuck with me while we were chatting was, “I had a bargain with the lord”. Said she wanted all her siblings to get to the US and willfully reside in the Philippines so long as her siblings are able to successfully live there with no imminent setbacks. Through fraudulence, bribery and conviction she was able to do just that. Her story telling about how unique each of her brothers situations exemplified how incredibly responsible she had to be in order to help them get through school, into their jobs and immigrate overseas. She told me a myriad of stories about her sisters and brothers, but more so about her brothers and their mishaps and individual characters. (Sorry this will be quite lengthy and staggered, the details will make this blog wayyyy too long!) My Uncle Boy, being a rebel on the ship worked on, siding with the lower level workers, picking fights with his fellow seafarers and consequentially getting “mailed” back to the Philippines; Uncle Dado, who often sought after trouble for no apparent reason with random people and especially getting into trouble with the law; Uncle Abe who successfully got a job as well on a ship as a radio operator and nearly had a panic attack because he was too frightened to perform his job as he was ad libed to fill in immediately after someone got fired; Uncle Bonie, during his second year of college was accused of committing a murder after being found with a concealed weapon, a.k.a. a small table knife then escalating to being sued by the Philippine government, I’m talking The people of the Philippines vs. Bonifacio Fortes, status (while drinking outside of his college and a murderer creating havoc on their campus by stabbing a college student, the police who found my uncle drunk outside with a knife and told the injured student to point out my cousin as the perpetrator even though he was innocent, per my auntie’s visitation to this injured student in the hospital); Uncle Junior who’s case was complicated because he was registered as married and with children in two provinces as immigration relentlessly allows marriages during the petition to go overseas. It was imperative that she play this role because at a very young age, she learned to become responsible and independent due to the death of my grandfather at age 41, who suffered from leukemia. I really had to stop and imagine how life would be like had none of these things happened to our family.

It really empowers me to know that my aunt sacrificed so much for her siblings... and I really thank her for it. I love hearing stories from her, the animation just gives these stories so much life. I feel like I could listen to her stories all day and I can't be any more excited to be spending time with her during these next few days.

I've missed you, Auntie!

-----------

Edit: Additional post from my Auntie's birthday!

We spent today visiting Tagaytay for lunch. My aunt wanted to take me to one of her favorite restaurants out here that boasts a breath-taking view of an inactive volcano, Taal.

Tricycle!

Later that night, we went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant with our family. Oh and if you're wondering... yes, I got a perm -___-. It is curlier than I anticipated, but oh well... this is what happens when you want to experiment with your hair again.

Happy Birthday. This woman is 61 and still looks amazing!

Kumustaaaaa!

2010-01-28T06:44:00.001-08:00

Lara and I parted ways yesterday to continue our reunions with our families here in the Philippines. She’s off in Burgos with her mom’s side of her family as well as her mother who made an impromptu visit here.

I’ve been dropped off to my Auntie Lala’s house and will be staying with her for a few days before I make my next stop to Baguio city, where my relatives also live and not to mention, where I lived my first two years of my life.

It’s only been a few days that I’ve been in the Philippines and I can already find the comfort of this place. I’ve even made some mental notes that remind me that I’m in the Philippines:

Scattered vendors along Manila traffic selling balut, chicharon, cigarettes, newspapers and mints
Sodas are served in plastic bags with straws protruding
Everyone is dispersed throughout the streets, even during traffic when attempting to cross
Children are running around without slippers and sometimes clothing
Water is usually boiled here for showers
Someone pumps your gas for you
Jeepneys (public transportation in long jeeps) flood the streets
Contrasts between wealthy areas and the slums are evident within a 5 mile radius
I’ve called everyone I’ve met my auntie or uncle
Kareoke is sold literally everywhere!
Everyone thinks they can sing (Hehe. The other day at SM—which is a major mall franchise here—a man was singing his heart out to the lyrics of Justin Timberlake’s Body Rock) You won't fail to hear a sales associate humming to a love song to pass time, I guarantee you!
Whitening products occupy store counters with it’s latest product improvements! Vitamin D seems prohibited here
Maids and drivers become part of the family
Waking up to the smell of fried goodness is usually the morning aroma
Random chicken crossings
Radio stations are so on point with their soft rock hits, reminding me of Delilah and Koit stations
Church is a big deal
Fake goods galore!
And figurines of holy entities live in everyone’s make-shift altars in their homes, for example, my Aunt’s life-sized Santo Rosario. Frankly, I find him scary (pardon, that may have been blasphemous. Ohp!). My aunt says it’s the church’s property and she’s just housing it for the time being. Hey mom, every time I step into Auntie’s living room, I’m practically at church! So, stop nagging... I’m sure I’m getting some holy points from this figurines stay at Auntie’s. =) Haha

Women wear headbands... like, hella!

That's all I can think for now. More updates later.

The Motherland still needs us

2010-01-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

Lara and I touched the motherland on Tuesday night and slowly stripped off our layers as we were greeted with nice warm weather. Lara's uncle came to pick us up with two of his official-seeming partners with stern faces and conviction. Total VIP treatment at the airport and feeling extra special because Lara's uncle is department head of police intelligence here. Impressive!

I'll be staying with Lara's relatives for a couple of days until Friday as I will be reuniting with my family as well. So, yes. LARA AND I WILL BE APART! FINALLLYYYYYYYY! Just kidding, we're probably going to get separation anxiety. Haha.

It's been really nice staying here. It reminds me that Filipinos are always so welcoming and warm, taking anyone in as their own. I miss being able to feel close and having physical contact with other people. Warm greetings and departures in kissing of the cheeks or simple affectionate embraces are always so comforting from Filipinos.

On Thursday, Lara connected with her dad's best friend here who heads an organization with his wife, called Full Life which is a counseling based organization dealing with relief victims from typoon Ondoy (from this past September's disaster) in order to positively intervene with their current living situations and livelihood. Full life also deals with social work among the community and cooperates with other NGO's here in the Philippines in organizing various philanthropy projects throughout the Philippines. Henry asked if we would like to part-take in their organization while we're here (*we will be involved in future projects during our stay here).

Lisa & Henry
These two have incredible hearts and a heavy load to work with. I'm inspired by people like this who've made it their livelihood to work in the field of social and community work.

Early Thursday morning at about 6 a.m. we were scheduled to depart from Manila and off to the the departing city (which is at the tip of my tongue but lacking memory of). Manila is notorious for its hectic traffic, skilled drivers (when I say skilled, I mean these drivers manage to drive without using the sectioned lanes to be only inches away from each other and successfully passing through unscathed) and needless to say, pollution! It took us quite awhile to get to our destination since we had to wait a bit in traffic and also for our Plan (another NGO they work with) organization representative and finally take a ferry out to Talim Island where we will be visiting various barangays (word for small scale community in Tagalog).

Our shadowing began also with Jerry from Plan who scheduled with 5 barangays to deliver water containers to. Here are a few pictures from the day:

This image shows the flood lines marked against the small house off the dock of this barangay called Bombong. As we got off the boat to deliver the containers, I couldn't help but touch these walls, tracing the lines to compare its heap with my height. I closed my eyes and imagined how I would be able to walk through these waters and onto higher ground for safety. I know it is nothing like the actual thing, but I can only imagine and attempt to commiserate with the people here. It really is something to witness what newspaper articles illustrated of the natural disaster that happened here.

General Background of Ondoy: On September 26th the defense chief of the Philippines, Teodoro declared the Philippines in a state of calamity in 25 provinces hit by the typhoon. The flooding average was from two-feet to waist high in various areas and some crucial areas with more than six feet. The typhoon caused severe flooding leaving over 200 people dead and near 100 missing people. Some other facts on this natural disaster are that an estimated $100 million in loss damages, public and private roads were clogged by vehicles stuck in the flood waters, communication and water lines were lost, the Ninoy Aquino Int'l airport was shut down for a day and people were warned about the possibility of catching leptospirosis, which is an infection from bacteria usually transmitted from contaminated water by animal urine that comes in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin and eyes.

The view from our boat.
With such a vast bay, you would think there is enough space for water to disperse.

Pamahalaan barangay dock. This island has about 26 barangays residing on the border.

Justine, I found a boat with your name on it. =)

Henry loosening the ties holding the containers to prepare for delivery

Fish nets out in Laguna bay. The main livelihood here is fishing. Many fishermen experienced devastation with their equipment as it is their main source of income.

Jerry, from Plan. Lisa told us that he often plays a homosexual when speaking with municipal officials to "soften their hearts" in order to cross red-tape areas and to make it easier for him to reach specific relief regions.

After dropping off all the water containers, we proceeded to visit another 2 barangays that are target areas where potential relief work can be done. Henry & Lisa spoke with their officials to gauge what kind of work they can provide in terms of medical, dentistry, food for malnourished people, and counseling help. They are in the process of organizing medical and dentistry missions.

As I observed my surroundings, I was reluctant to find pity in the affected areas because I know that although devastation has occurred in their lives, Filipinos are still very resilient. People still had to continue on with their lives despite everything that happened. I still heard people singing, laughing and joking around the barangays. This made me smile and tear simultaneously.

Once the day winded down and we set afloat back to the dock and reflected about the day. I wondering about the children there, how everyone has managed to adapt to their surroundings post-Ondoy and when they can progress again as a barangay.

But I always know that after disaster comes resurrection. =)

Tagalog Convo at the Airport

2010-01-27T05:26:00.000-08:00

Our attempts to blend in with the pinoys and pinays:

larab3ar (6:43:24 PM): hella filipino accents

larab3ar (6:43:28 PM): get used to it

anavictorious (6:43:32 PM): i know dude

larab3ar (6:43:35 PM): atsa ka ano

anavictorious (6:43:44 PM): hindi

anavictorious (6:43:45 PM): ko alam

anavictorious (6:43:56 PM): meron

larab3ar (6:44:17 PM): kasi

anavictorious (6:44:24 PM): bakit

larab3ar (6:44:33 PM): pero

anavictorious (6:44:37 PM): halah ka!

larab3ar (6:44:55 PM): sige ah

Sayonara, Japan

2010-01-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

Tokyo

Traditional Kyoto

Osaka

Kyoto

I can't even begin to compose a montage of my stay here in Japan. There are just wayy too many pictures to describe Japan and it's quirky ways.

I'm somewhat sad to leave because this place has so much more for me to discover and experience. Although saddened, I think it's an appropriate time to leave since I could see myself going over my travel budget here from dangerous purchases of unnecessary cute paraphernalia and extra tasty store-bought goods. I will return and I will bring lots of cash with me next time!

I leave for the motherland tomorrow and back into the summer weather. I'm excited to wear less clothing again instead of wearing the same long-sleeved tops. I just hope it's not too humid.

Updates when I touch the motherland!

Photo of the day: BakPak hostel

2010-01-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our humble abode. You will find this room covered with sports and skateboarding posters (it's a mixed dorm). We've been rooming with some laid-back Aussie gals and a Dutch couple. I feel like I'm living in the dorms all over again.

Reunions with Santa Cruz girls!

2010-01-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

Over the past two days here in Kyoto, I have been so spoiled to reunite with some sweet Santa Cruz girls!

This is my former 108 McMillan Dr. a.k.a the whale house, housemate Jennie Takagawa. Or as I like to call her, Keiko or Jennie-san.

If you were to rewind to a few years back while we were living together, you will find us playing with plastic balloons in my room with our Brazilian-Chinese 108 frequenter, Pat, not studying for finals or midterms and instead making cute avatars on Yahoo, searching for thousands of sheep in our canyon backyard, throwing pie-auctions to fund a so-cal road trip, eating a lot, burning a lot of food and possibly screaming about the discovery of arachnids lurking about in dark areas of our house. She's currently enrolled in the JET program and teaching in Hiroshima. We've been keeping in touch throughout this trip waiting for our reunion with one another! Lara and I met up with Jenny in Osaka today to have a quick dinner with her before she left to Hiroshima. She's recently extended her stay with the JET program for another year. I seriously bow to this girl for being incredibly brave and so inspirational in taking this leap in her career.

I'm so proud of you! I know it gets lonely sometimes, but just take this time for you and allow yourself to appreciate the process of the lost in translations and craziness that is Japan. I miss you, Jennie. It was great catching up with you. =)

Yummy dessert

Before departing

Before we saw Jennie, we began our day with another one of my friends from Santa Cruz, Mimi! She's currently living in Osaka with her family and misses the US like crazy. I met her while I was taking one of the many excruciating accounting series classes and saw her often during those dreaded toastmaster meetings for Bob's class. She's become one of 106's (my household from the last two years of college) good friends as well.

She was nice enough to show us around a bit and took us to a sushi restaurant outside of the Hankyu-Umeda station. The sushi here was tasty!

Yesterday, she also took us out to another restaurant here in Kyoto. I was excited to have dinner indoors for once and not having to be confused about the menu. Mimi took care of the translations for us =P.

It was nice to see a familiar face in so long! I think the last time I've seen her was when we graduated from college.

I'm really thankful to have friendships with people from other countries and reunite with them in their home country! It's so cool to meet up with them and see where they've been living over the years.

It's so good to see these girls again. =)

No Prince to be found at Nijo Castle

2010-01-25T06:43:00.000-08:00

Walking throughout Kyoto calms me. Although it's been quite cold, I find tranquility in walking the streets of this traditional city. As we've been traveling, I always try to find a comparison between cities in terms of it's city spread or just the overall ambiance it has with another city or area. With Kyoto, I couldn't find one. This city is so unique, one that I have never been to before... and I like it!

I really enjoy the traditional architecture here as well. It's so beautiful peeking into alleyways and feeling the sense of time travel. Many of the homes and businesses in the Gion district (where we are staying) are made of wood complimented with Shoji doors and dividers. We've also come across many women and (some) men in traditional Japanese dress.

Today, we resided in a beautiful castle! Alright folks, this is not the type of castle you're imagining. I'm not going to go into depth about the contrasts between medieval castles and traditional Japanese ones, since I'm not prepared with facts, but I will show pictures of this gorgeous place!

Duh, a moat to prevent enemies from entering

Castles always have gardens here

Castle doors

An aerial view of Nijo castle

As we wrapped up our castle visit, we wandered a bit more and came across another shrine:

Kyoto has incredible history and an outstanding number of shrines and temples: 74 temples and 30 shrines. As ambitious as some travelers would like to be to hit up all these sights, I'm sure by the 20th temple, they'd be exhausted. I'm pretty content with the few that we've seen so far.

I love, love, love matcha green tea goodies

2010-01-23T04:25:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days here in Japan I have been in an unrelenting pursuit after matcha, green tea goodies! We've entered almost every convenience store while we've been city sprawling. Japan has got a great variety of flavors in candy and so many delicious snacks on their convenience store shelves. I cannot resist them! They're what I've been substituting as major purchases since the cash will be low very soon!

Today, after many convenience store visitations, I have struck the jackpot, look what I've found...

Giant Pocky!

Soft serve ice cream

Ice cream

Hi-chew, KitKat, Pocky and other goodies

Green tea Madeline!!!!

I love it here. =)

Kiyumizu-Dera & Yasaka Shrine

2010-01-23T03:51:00.000-08:00

Kyoto is one of the 7th largest cities in Japan and popularized by their abundance of shrines and temples. Kyoto also boasts several historical landmarks recognized by the UNESCO's World Heritage List. I think I'm going to make a list of my own of sights listed on their website to visit once I get a proper income and find time for future travels.

Today, we went to 2 of Kyoto's known sights, Yasaka Shrine and Kiyumizu-Dera Here are a few photos of the Yasaka Shrine:

The first orange temple I have ever been to!

Takoyaki (octopus balls), one of Japan's famous foods

Inside the shrine area

A few tourists here to visit this shrine on a chilly winter day

Along with a beautiful wedding

This place was decorated with lanterns

After spending a few minutes at the shrine, we wandered into the garden area where we were greeted by beautiful green mountains. Kyoto is actually located in a valley, in the eastern part of the Tamba highlands mountain region and somewhat remote-- so remote that I was surprised to see these guys:

Hawks! Devin, one of our roomies at our hostel was telling us a funny, but frightening story about how he nearly got clawed by one of them as he was eating his lunch at the park the other day. I'm sure they're very vicious animals, so I will not be testing them.

We also saw this little girl feeding the flock of pigeons in front of the gardens

I couldn't help but marvel over the beautiful landscaping they've made here. I can only imagine what kind of beauty blossoms here in the spring and the colorful transitions of autumn

The walks to and from destinations are always enlightening. I love observing the people and modes of transport here. It's somewhat therapeutic and always leaves me questioning where everyone is going.

As we continued on to our next destination, we came across a geisha photo shoot. I wasn't sure if these were real geishas as I have been told that there are tourist opportunities to take part in traditional dress and become a geisha for a day. It was still spectacular to see them in their outfits!

Waiting outside of Yasaka Pagoda

Artwork found along the walk to Kiyumizu-Dera

The path to Kiyumizu-dera was stunning. The changes in architecture and quaintness of my surroundings gave me a sense of time travel as we continued our path. Many tourist shops, dessert cafes, and restaurants rest along this walkway. I'm pretty sure we sampled almost all of their mochi here. Ohp!

This is Kiyumizu-dera, a beautiful wooden temple rested along the slope of a mountain and popularized by the waterfall in which runs through it

The weather was extra crisp up here, painfully crisp. But that did not stop tourists from coming to see this historic monument of ancient Kyoto.

As mentioned, a waterfall does run throughout this temple which is one of the major attractions (and in the actual name of the temple, mizu, meaning water). It is told that these three streams of water grant health, longevity and wisdom, two of which are invited to be consumed and if chosen 3, bad luck with be casted upon you as it assumes selfish behavior.

We chose health and wisdom, of course

Another attraction are the love stones. These love stones are made for significant others to chose their destined paths as lovers or otherwise. Two stones are placed on opposide ends of the sectioned area of the Jingu shrine (north and south, leaving space in between). It is told that the lover seeking affirmation about a relationship must begin at one of the stones and walk with their eyes closed and must reach the other stone successfully without help. This will indicate that they will find love, or true love.

There's quite a bit to see at this temple and unfortunately, because the weather was so cold we weren't able to appreciate every area of it. I'm am, however content with the idea of peace that these temples and shrines bring and feel very honored to see these historic landmarks in my lifetime.

Konbanwa, Kyoto

2010-01-22T06:52:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Lara trying to keep her legs warm at the Tokyo station

Waiting has become a prominent pass time throughout this trip. As usual, we waited again for many hours and today boarded the Shinkansen bullet train to get to Kyoto, our next destination.

Excited to ride the Shinkansen!

This baby goes 130 mph. We're scheduled to get to Kyoto in approx 4 hours, usually would be 3, however we got the cheaper ticket to all stops. I was excited to take this train because I've always wanted to see Mt. Fuji since I've read that it's visible en route to Kyoto, too bad I fell asleep though.

The Shinkansen ride was incredibly smooth and so comfortable. And unbelievably clean as well! A bonus to our ride was the free drink coupon we were given. I chose a Sapporo to help me continue my nap. Hah.

We arrived into Kyoto at about 6 p.m. and checked into our hostel, Bakpak which was thankfully located right in front of the exit of the train station. The hallway to exit the train station was infinite, but look at what we saw once we exited...

Kyoto lights!

The city

and a random bar that plays Black music? Whatever that is

We've got a list of things we'd like to do here, mainly covering major UNESCO sights (mainly temples and shrines). I'm excited to see the architecture and the natural beauty of Kyoto that so many people have raved about.

Thanks, Jennie for the recommendations by the way!

Okonomiyaki Restaurant

2010-01-21T15:36:00.000-08:00

Last night, after roaming aimlessly throughout Shinjuku, we found a okonomiyaki restaurant to dine at. For those of you who are not familiar with this dish, it's basically a Japanese pancake/omelet with a variety of ingredients fused together. This restaurant, luckily had an English menu, something dire whenever we go out to eat (or pictures!).

The experience was an interesting one. We were somewhat intimidated upon entering the restaurant to find flat stoves built into their tables. There was also a set of directions placed on the table as well with pictures and in Japanese, but even the pictures didn't translate well with us.

After the waiter came to take our orders, he flipped the switch on our table to heat the stove and came back once heated. He arrived with several ingredients and began cooking for us... or Lara, rather.

After Lara's dish was done, he arrived with both mine's and Aaron's. Unlike Lara who had the luxury of having someone cook for her, we were responsible for our own. I had no problem with that though, I'm developing to enjoy the idea of cooking!

The raw ingredients

Then, it was time to cook!

They also had these tiny hour glasses for us to use to keep 4 minutes time, indicating when to flip over our okonomiyakis. Snazzy!

Flipping time for us!

And voilà! My okonomiyaki.

They offered a selection of trimmings as well. I have no idea what is on my plate, but from what I think I added is a sugared oyster sauce, fish skin and ground seaweed. Deeee-lish!I want to try to make this when I get home (among the other dishes I'd like to attempt to cook!)

That hit the spot.

Life on a train

2010-01-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

The lines for the incoming train

I mentioned that I had the ideal impression that Tokyo citizens suffer no signs of frustration and discomfort with the vast population of 35 million people, 22 of which actually commute into the city daily. Yesterday, however we experienced just that and found comedy in people watching from witnessing a significant amount of people sardined together into the train. It was nothing like I've seen before, people bum rushing into the tiny air pockets, making use of every possible space they can to fit their adult bodies in, leaving one middle-aged woman behind only to find that "sorry, Mam, there is no more room for you to fit". This woman obviously showed several signs of frustration in trying to fit her upper-body into the train, leaving the significant half off board. It must be annoying with so many people taking the same train as you and nearly making a train because people can't seem to make any room for you at all.

Today, we were sardined, or as Lara likes to call it "tuna".

As Lara and I made our way back home on the Saikyo line, we tried to squeeze our way into the train with no effort whatsoever. The exerted force from behind, shoved us forward and into the walls of other warm Japanese bodies. Typically, I like to add further stability to my train-riding by holding two handles, however holding handles above for security was pointless because everyone would soon serve a functionality to this commute. When the conductor pressed the brakes of the train, I gasped for air and prayed that I didn't get squished that bad into the back of a stranger. Using everyone as your personal padded cushions is the only thing you can do at that point because personal space is non-existent here. How is this normal?

Some photos I've taken of public transportation:

Observations in passenger activity and train dynamics:

Deep isolation by tending to various electronics (phones, DS, Playstation thingies, Palms)
Reading
Sleeping
Listening to music
Absolute silence

I still love public transportation though, because really... everyone has somewhere to go...

Shinjuku, day and night

2010-01-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

Outside of Shinjuku station

Another cold day -____-. Just to let you all know, these pictures will have the same items of clothing as I am trying to use every possible item to keep myself warm here. Its still a surprising feeling to be cold after experiencing summer for 6 months straight.

We covered a good amount of Shinjuku today and had a surprising reconnection with Lara's friend from college. We spent the majority of the day with Lara's friend, Aaron who has been in Japan for about 2 and a half weeks already. He showed us around quite a bit and some of the places were familiar since I stayed in this district during my summer trip. It still is quite a city to me. I feel like I could never get tired of the myriad of alleyways and the unique individuals that populate this city.

Pictures from our day:

We went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building to see the view of Tokyo.

Tokyo is so vast, I could not believe how huge it is! Everything looked like toys, it's incredible.

This is a photo taken from the 45th floor (free entrance!)

Shinjuku is known to be the "Hollywood", or entertainment, gay friendly and simultaneously sleezy district. I saw evidence of 2 of the 3. =)

Shinjuku is great!

We also went out for a drink with Aaron to two bar's he's frequented before.

Lara and Aaron. Aaron has a great hearty laugh... I loved hearing it! Great drink choice, btw. I'll keep and eye out for Ms. Saigons.

The last bar we went to had some interesting decor for the night. Tehe.

Tomorrow we're off to Kyoto on the Bullet train, the Shinkansen which is known to go as fast at 130 mph! Crazy rapid speed. Updates soon!

Tokyo: City of cute everything

2010-01-20T16:53:00.000-08:00

Our first official day out!

We prepared our first day out by doing some imperative layering to save our lives from this piercing cold weather. You won't see it in many of the pictures, but I am literally wearing 4 tops and 3 bottoms and unfortunately, yet still unpredictably cold.

I love public transportation! We rode the trains into Shibuya, a brave attempt to delve into the webs of Japan's railway system. I was actually quite surprised in how relatively easy it was to navigate (with the help of some friendly hostel and railway staff, of course). I could get used to this!

From my last visit, I have learned that Tokyo's metropolitan consumer culture is seemingly fast paced, resulting with trends that are often short-lived, however have an impermanence that exists (in terms of material effects). I remember being inquisitive and wondering why everyone wears such random shit together, thinking... how the hell could you pull that off and not feel utterly ridiculous? I suppose it's the uniqueness that Tokyo citizens have from a foreigner's point of view.

We roamed freely, covering 2 districts only today since Shinjuku was a rather far walk from Shibuya and Harajuku. These two districts are known for their shopping among other things. You'll find several "young people" (as the hosts have identified these districts) surveying the streets in their non-conformist fusion of clothing styles.

And god is shit cute here, or what!! People, clothing, trinkets, food, signs, cars and many other things I have yet to discover!

Note: pardon all the Hello Kitty pictures, I really liked her as I was growing up. In my opinion, she should be the spokesperson for Tokyo, with her mass marketed trinkets and unnecessarily cute products in all the shops!

I will also take this time to flood this space with Tokyo pictures and random things that I bought:

Hello Kitty electronics! I'd like to have that sewing machine!

The cute little laundromat where I buy my hot milk tea

Aronopeckle (I think...) on the buildings, another cute thing

Takeshita St. where Lara and I bought random things... again

Of course, Harajuku St. Supreme shopping here as well

Duh, cute car!

Cute camera cases... get it, camera cases... haaaaa

Hello Kitty dessert stand

Look! HK filled pancakes. They were actually quite delicious!

Harajuku neighborhood

Found these at a vintage shop in Harajuku

Attempts to remake the Nicolay city lights cover

And now, a series of pictures of the candies I've purchased and sampled!

Green tea Kit Kat, I love you

Strawberry-chocolate flavored Hi-Chu

Orange flavored M&M's

It's hard not to splurge when you're surrounded by such unique and exclusive things. We did a bit of shopping, but managed to keep it under our personal budgets. Here's what I bought:

Brown pleather (haha) backpack, bow ring, HK headphones, that's right...you heard me! and this headband I'm wearing to keep my ears warm

So exciting to get new stuff! I'm glad we're not staying too long here, otherwise I know my self-control will be non-existent come the next days. It's refreshing to be back in these parts!

I feel guilty that I get excited about material things, but I can't help it if things are cute....hehe.

Konichiwa, Tokyo!

2010-01-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

The descent into Tokyo, what a gorgeous view!

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! So this is what it feels like to be cold again! Welcome to the transition into what we feared: winter in the northern hemisphere. Heysuschristo, I am freezing!

Over the past 2 days, Lara and I have been on almost every method of transport: bus, plane, and train. It's been very exhausting, causing some lethargy but I'll get past it with some handy Vitamin C (or in my case, Airborne).

This picture was taken by Lara who sat across from me, observing this woman next to me on the train, perhaps drained from her day and slowly crumbling into the hands of exhaustion... or onto me... trying to cuddle, I guess. Pure comedy. I'm trying to keep a straight face, as you can see.

Her subtle movements went something like this:

I can't believe it! We're hereeeeee!!

The descent into Tokyo was a fantastic introduction into the beauty and awe of Japan. I feel incredibly spoiled that it's been about 5 months since I've last visited Japan... and now, here again! Tokyo is such a marvelous city with a huge consumer-concentrated population. I'm curious to learn how they do it. How 35 million people could live in such a densely populated area and still be able to function properly with no blatant signs of frustration and discomfort. One thing for sure is that living space is prime real estate everywhere and not to mention, helllllaaaa compact (something American's fail to recognize) and expensive!

Lara and I arrived late into Kawaguchi district, a small, serene area only few people make a stop at and about 14 km away from the city center of Tokyo. I stared in awe at the bright signs and foreign hirigana and kanji written all over the neighborhood and realized that it's somewhat a comforting atmosphere although I haven't a clue what's posted in front of me. I guess I've come to appreciate foreign texts and it's complexities.

Our hostel, which is ridiculously cheap for Tokyo is everything we paid for and that is, literally a 5x7 private room for the both of us. You'll see below. The staff here (or owner, I should say) have been a great help and provide all the necessary directions to get to all the "must-see" sights.

Our make-shift room. 5x7, no joke. And the bottom bunk is freeeeeeezing! I had to ask Lara if I could sleep with her on the top because it is significantly warmer due to the heater positioned on the wall

JGH Hostel

Note: we will be wearing the exact same outfits, or what looks like exact in almost every picture. Thank's Jorina for bringing us these jackets, we wouldn't know what to do without you (actually, we'd buy some... but this is a cheaper option!)

This is how excited we were to arrive into Tokyo!

We roamed the streets for a little bit after we've checked int our room and found a small restaurant in front of the train station where they served ramen. I especially love udon noodles! This soup was comforting to have in such piercing cold weather. Delish!

Vending machines are literally everywhere... meaning every possible empty corner of a street a vending machine is placed. Hot milk tea was necessary as well to survive the weather!

I can already tell our trip here will be a blast. I can't wait to share photos!

Tomorrow: Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku districts to explore!

It's been a sweet Foreign Exchange; we connected...

2010-01-20T09:35:00.001-08:00

You've come and gone so fast.

4 days in Melbourne.

A couple of weeks in Sydney.

4 days in Queensland.

After spending about a month Down Under, it almost feels like I'm leaving home again. I suppose this is the immediate reaction to the bond that's shared with people in these amazing places. I'm really thankful for the family that I've come to meet and reconnect with here. I cannot express how comfortable and alleviating it is to feel the warmth from distant relatives who've opened their arms to little ol me after traveling for some time now.

And now it's here. The departure, the 3rd country in which we've left on this trip. Australia has become one of the top countries in which I absolutely would love to live in. Who wouldn't love their friendly and relaxed culture, colorful jargon, the contrasts between Victorian (and Gothic) architecture juxtaposed with modern infrastructures and art pieces, eco-friendly lifestyles, universal health care and efficient transportation system, exciting nightlife, tasteful fashion, breath-taking coastal views and terrain, sweet ass beaches, and their strong adaptability to diversity and globalization. Australia has been a prime example to me throughout this trip about how we should live be living our lives: stress-free and relaxed.

The time spent in Australia was not entirely exhausted, which in turn leaves me somewhat yearning for more when I think about us leaving. Sometimes, I think that I'm well over the age to be partying when I'm out, but often am reminded that it's part of the experience and to loosen up a little. (It doesn't take very long, let me tell you. Haha.) I think it's a good thing because this travel bug that I've been diagnosed with will not hesitate to jump on a plane to visit Oz again to experience everything once more. I had a brilliant time reuniting with the good friends that I've made in Australia and family. They remind me of creation. How I created myself here in Australia and how brave I was to embark on a long journey overseas to study in a foreign country 2 years ago. Seeing their faces after such a long time made me feel good to know that I've managed to come away with something from here: Friendship.

With my last words from Australia, it's been a sweet foreign exchange; we've always connected. And I hope to connect again.

We're off to Tokyo soon, major traveling involved as usual.

See ya, Australia.

I'll always remember how good you were to me.

You'll always be my mate.

Sailing around the Whitsundays

2010-01-20T08:16:00.000-08:00

A self-explanatory title that synthesizes my weekend full of Dramamine, Goon and friends I haven't met yet.

I'm too cold to write anything thorough right now since I'm in Tokyo sitting in 40 degree weather, wearing a combination of layers upon layers of my summer clothes and light winter wear.

Here are some photos for you to enjoy & highlights

3 days, 2 nights sailing trip with 20 folks on board from all around the world, Ireland, Holland, UK, and Brazil just to name a few...
Dismal and relentless clouds and scattered rain, but thankfully diminished towards the end of the trip!
Goon (colloquial for boxed wine, not too bad if you ask me!) is the beverage of choice and not to mention, cost efficient!
Snorkeling around the reefs
Whitehaven Beach (which is 99.7% Silica sand, btw)
Sunbathing on the boat
Delicious food
Sharing traveling stories with fellow vagabonds
Learning (further) that we're all striving to become better people and have the potential to live out our dreams
Watching the sunset is one of my favorite pastimes
Laying on the boat, stargazing and feeling infinite
Wishing on shooting stars
Finding the life aquatic to be extraordinary and must be appreciated justly with the right amount of patience and breathing while snorkeling

Our sleeping area, somewhat claustrophobic. Potential snug sesh would have mistakenly happened here. Jk.

The sands are actually moved quite often here because of the manta rays that swim below it create the swirls and patches of white sand that peek through the emerald waters

Sting ray season is here! Wet suits are imperative to wear to refrain from any potential attacks

Enjoying as much beach as I can, despite the imminent clouds and rain

Relaxing, enjoying the sun setting before them

Before snorkeling into the reefs filled with beautiful coral and brilliant colored life aquatic

Best of Ana & Lara

Zeebra fish

Feeding frenzy!

With the British girlies

Sailing along troubled waters

But also into the epitome of relaxation: The sun's warm rays and enjoying a cup of goon on deck

Later appreciating a beautiful sun set...

Things that I have learned while sailing:

Baby wipes are very essential to have at all times
Chocolate is comfort food
The aerodynamics of a boat and it's buoyancy are amazing! We were tilting about 45 degrees for quite awhile and we were still afloat!
Sunblock is croosh. The UV rays here are relentless as I've mentioned. After laying out in the sun for about 10 minutes, an awkward shorts tan divided my legs into two people (almost)
Befriend the Skipper, he will play your ipod for as long as you like
Fellow travelers are helpful resources for future travel plans and great networks when planning on staying overseas in their home country! Germany, anyone?
"If you want to see something, you have to look for it." We spotted a few sea creatures like huge turtles and jellyfish!
You can exfoliate with the sand from Whitehaven beach! Smooth legs, mmmhmm!

Tis all!

Hot, hot, hot

2010-01-13T02:13:00.001-08:00

Updates soon, I promise!

Lara & I are headed for Cairns tomorrow on a dreaded 6 a.m. flight. Thunderstorms in a Sydney summer have taken me by surprise but juxtaposing that with San Jose winters is nothing compared. I'll take the confused heat and rain instead.

Catch you all later, we'll be floating over the Great Barrier reef on a Whitsunday Island 3 day sailing trip.

Peace & blessings. =)

Just how we left off

2010-01-11T01:13:00.001-08:00

This is my friend Thu.

She’s beautiful, stylish, enthusiastic, welcomes adventure with open arms and down for anything. She reminds me that there is still a party animal that’s been hibernating somewhere deep within me over the past few months. And damit, I’m glad it awoke the time she came to visit!

This past weekend, we’ve reunited together here in Sydney after 2 years since my first visit in Oz. We became friends after realizing that we were taking all the same classes at Adelaide University, where I studied abroad for one semester. Since then, we’ve become good friends, keeping in touch by messaging each other often throughout the months apart. Although it has been quite a while since I’ve been back here, it feels almost as if I hadn’t left. I truly value those friendships with people, ones that require no effort at all to pick up the relationship in which you left it. And in terms of ours, well… you’ll see from the pictures that we genuinely enjoy each other’s company and the positive energy we create.

This weekend was full of sun, entertainment, gallivanting and spontaneity. I’m at a loss for words these days since traveling and keeping up with this blog is working at polar ends. I promise I’ll give more of a reflection and better writing since run-ons and grammatical errors seem to have found a permanent home in this blog. I’m feeling uninspired to express the events of this trip at the moment.

Anyway, pictures definitely sum the highlights of our experience. Enjoy!

Bondi beach

On the way out

We initially planned to see Al Green at the Sydney Festival since he was headlining Sydney’s summer festival—and not to mention his first ever Australian concert. We were so excited to see him, needless to say, one of my favorite soul singers. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see him due to over capacity of the venue. Without a doubt, a free event must reach overcapacity. I’m sure he had an amazing show where many women may have swooned over his smooth vocals and into the arms of someone they loved. Wish I was there!

The night was not a complete flop. There were a plethora of stages and street shows that were scheduled. Didn't catch a lot of photos but here are a few:

Balloon acrobat

The Spiegel tent with a house DJ playing really good Michael Jackson and oldies

Another stage

Jeff Lang

The stage on Martin Pl. was one of my favorites. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was playing and a little swing dancing session was going on. Thu and I decided to let our hair down and danced with all the free-spirits on the street. It was like a scene out of a movie, music blaring to the sound of trumpets, bass, the piano, people all over the street, encircling an area for the dancing queens. Everyone was dressed in their best summer outfits, swing-dancing, trading partners, drinking freely, exchanging smiles only exuding good vibrations to be around these friends we haven’t met yet. Moments like this remind me that I am alive.

On one of the nights as we were en route to our hostel, we meet Parisians who invited us to go to a club with them on Oxford street. Within seconds, we agree and parade the streets of Sydney with a Jack and coke mix offered by the Frenchies in attempts to find this club they were after. A mini-pub crawl was in effect leaving us with lethargy and unrest the morning after.

Relaxing at the Botanic Gardens

Being tourists

I really like these bird cages I found along Angel Pl.

On the following day, after Thu left, the girls and I took a stroll into the Chinese Garden of Friendship alongside Darling Harbour. These are outfits some tourists wore to liven up the atmosphere at a cost of $10 to rent.

It's such a beautiful contrast between concrete jungle and lush beauty

This weekend was great catching up with Thu and experiencing Sydney night life all over again. =) a must do whenever I'm back in Australia.

Manly beach... sorry Jory, there is no beach by the name of "Lady" or "Girly"

2010-01-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

We headed out to explore more of the splendid coastline of Sydney and went to Manly beach, the second most popular beach in Sydney. Lara's friends from home, Melissa and Jorina took a hiatus from their jobs to frolic around Sydney with us for the next two weeks. It's great to spend time with new people and share these first-time experiences together overseas!

We had spectacular views of Sydney Harbour since en route to Manly was taken via ferry. Here are a few photos of our day:

The dock area

Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera house, tired of seeing it yet?

The sun was extra relentless today. Crazy hole in the ozone layer was doing major damage to my skin. I couldn't stand being at the beach so I decided to take a stroll along the promenade of Manly where several shops were situated. Loved this place!

The skyline

Angela from Adelaide!

2010-01-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

This beautiful girl is my Aussie housemate, Angela!

I was so excited to see my housemate from Adelaide make her way to Sydney for the few weeks that I'm here. We enjoyed the evening by catching up over some scrumptious fish and chips while overlooking Darling Harbour where families, party people and meandering travelers intersect.

It's so awesome to see a familiar face from the past! It's so great to reconnect with the people you've shared quite a bit of time with, overseas. I used to live with this lovely girl while I was studying abroad at Adelaide University where we'd spend months studying at libraries, doing pilates at home, cooking delicious meals, playing with her dog, Otis, spending a good amount of our time at the mall, watching old Backstreet Boys live in concert DVDs and doing grand ol things together. She's currently graduated from uni and working out the same multi-faceted and complex puzzle as I am: trying to figure out what the hell we're doing with our lives. Hopefully she'll move to Melbourne and I'll be able to visit again! I'm so happy that it all worked out that you came out this week. I hope you enjoyed your stay in Sydney, Angela. I've missed you and so glad we got a chance to catch up.

This is Angela's mom. She is half Chinese and Filipina. A lively poignant woman whom I felt close to, not to mention hilarious with her infectious laughter. She didn't live with Angela and I, but when she'd come visit us, she was always very welcoming and warm-hearted, just what was needed while I was away from home. I remember when she invited me to go along on a trip with their family to the coasts of South Australia, she was well prepared with her snacks, napkins, first aid and other precautionary effects. Thank you for coming to visit. It was great to see you both!

Darling Harbour, Sydney

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

2010-01-04T03:21:00.000-08:00

Lara & I just booked accommodation for Tokyo & Kyoto.

Looks like my Nicolay playlist will be on repeat. EEEeeeeee, so excited.

Jennie & Kenny-san, we're almost there!

My ode to 2009

2010-01-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Morning reminders

It has taken approximately 3 days for me to realize that this is 2010, the beginning of a new decade and the passing of a memorable 2009 for me. Oddly enough, it didn't take flashy fireworks, silver and gold sequined dresses or "Happy New Year" paraphernalia to make me realize this.

Last night, while Lara and I were pillow talking (for hella long!) we reminisced about high school days, recovering heart aches, setting, strategizing and achieving goals, and other unnecessary, but entertaining gossip, it suddenly struck me. Life is moving forward, enabling me to resurface all the beautiful memories from the past year. And after reading her blog, it hit me a little harder, which in turn is leading to this very post you are all reading.

This year, I will be 24, 6 years since I've graduated high school and 2 years since I've finished my undergraduate degree. This year is also the first year in which I do not have any solidified plans in terms of where this year will take me. I've taken that concept and reacted to it in both it's polar ends of imminent fear and sheer happiness. If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose the latter for obvious reasons, less stress and expectations. I'd rather start the year off right and allow myself to drink cups that are half full. Life is moving at an incredible speed and it will never stop for anyone.

I know that.

& it's really okay.

As of recently, I have applied to graduate schools throughout California, in hopes to take care of 2 years of this ambiguous life I've been living. Besides that, everything is unclaimed spaces on my agenda. Possible internships? New Job? Ameri-Corps? More trips? Who knows? I'm excited!

2009 has been an incredible year. I'm going to recap what I've done this year in hopes to regain my appreciation for all the experiences I've been blessed to have.

I drove on 880 and 101 for several weekends back to back
I worked at a solar energy company
Re-discovered the beauty in my old hobby, photography
Purchased a DSLR, 3 lenses and a laptop all with my money
I learned how to ride a bike
I joined a gym membership
I ended a gym membership
I ran ING's Bay to Breakers with my best friends Emerald & Anna
I've experienced heart break
I've outlet my emotions irresponsibly
I've experienced Hippie Hill in SF
Planned a successful camping trip, tailgate and SF Giant's game
Admired Bryan graduate
I've met new people who've helped me learn about myself tremendously
Spent my birthday in Thailand with Isara
Volunteered and taught English in Thailand
Found spirituality
Learned that I am brave
Learning to tighten family relationships
Been punished by SJPD in a parking lot garage
Volunteered with SV FACES by being a camp counselor and the IRC by teaching English to incoming refugees
Interned at BillShrink, Inc. in Redwood City as a Marketing intern
Left the country twice to Japan in the summer and Thailand in September
I've met inspirational people from all over the globe
Heard over 10 languages
Saved enough money to foster this 5 month trip
Wrote poetry, created art, and wailed kareoke songs
Drove to So-Cal
Visited Lara in Irvine
Flew to So-Cal & drove back the same day with Lara while she was living there
Screamed into the ocean, on a mountain and into my pillow several times
Made meaningful mix cd's for people
Made my way back to Australia to visit old friends and family in Sydney
(to echo) Blessed enough to be able to travel to Thailand, Laos, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii from September until March
Crafted more home-made than store-bought gifts
Took charge of my personal health
Went hiking almost twice a month
Harvested rice in Asia
Laughed and played with the kids at Isara
Created meaningful relationships with altruistic people (Kirk & Ming... that's you!)
I reminded myself to be thankful for every moment of this experience

I feel like I could add a substantial amount to this list if I spent more time in making it. And although sometimes labels are irrelevant, I am thankful that more are positive than negative. It has been a long year of planning and making room for change. I'm very thankful that I'm able to see them materialize before my eyes because there really was a lot of pain and challenge that it came along with. I've learned a lot about myself this year and I hope to continue this for as long as I can.

This was posted on a map amongst other post-its on other

countries and intentions above my bed to help me stay motivated

And so, this is my ode to 2009. The ride was long and at times unbearable but it has led me to where my little feet are today. I must always remember that it's not about the destination but the adventure of the ride.

2010 looks like it'll be an interesting one. =)