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

... 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

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!

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

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

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

... 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

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!