Bro

I can't describe how it feels to finally know that my brother is coming to town. A year in America without any immediate family has been hard as hell. No one knows how it feels until you experience it yourself. Being away from home and close friends in your life is tough. Experiencing things for the first time in your life without the presence of the people you love is difficult. 

I found my first ever paid job in this country, learned how to pay for my own tuition and bills, learned how to cook and use the oven, learned how to do laundry and fold them without using flat iron, learned to take care of the elderly who are not even related to me, learned how to change diapers and bear the unpleasant smell, learned to clean houses that are not even mine, learned to commute around LA where everyone else drive their own car, learned how to work 7 days a week and be able to go to school twice a week and spend itsy-bitsy spare time with my boyfriend, learned about my rights and how I should fight for myself, learned how to live life alone and be able to know things by asking  and Google-ing. 

Then my brother arrived and I was the happiest person in town. "At last, at last" that's all I could feel. I was so excited to show him around and show him what I do and stuff. The feeling is like "Finally! someone is here to understand and experience the things that i did." 

The Beach

I don't care how dark I could be, I don't live in the Philippines anymore. Back home people always look at my complexion as if I'm the darkest Chinese they have ever seen. That's the reason why whitening products are booming in the Philippines. But here in California, you can kiss the sun for as long as you want. That's one thing why I want it here.

I spent the summer of 2010 mostly on the beaches of Southern California. Summer or not, I love going to the beaches. The sound of rushing waves and the breeze of fresh air are just amazing. Here are some of the beaches I've been.


1. Huntington Beach - Great waves to play with and to surf at. 

2. Santa Barbara - A very lovely town. Romantic and people are just amazing.

3. Venice Beach a.k.a. Muscle Beach - I love the boardwalk, lots of funny things and entertainers on the street.

4. Long Beach - I love the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Sophisticated in some way.

5. Newport Beach - The sand is ultra soft! But the beach is crowded at summer.

6. Redondo Beach - Yay! The most crowded beach I've been at. Great things about this beach are the food, lobster festival, and fishing.

Meet The Parents

In my opinion, one of the hardest part of being in a relationship is meeting the whole family. This marks the start when everyone will look for you whenever you're not around, everyone will ask you about each other, everyone will tell you not to be pregnant 'til marriage, some will ask you very very awkward question and some will just don't mind your presence.

Before I met his parents, I was scared that they might be as strict as mine. Maybe because that was the last image I saw from my parents when I left my home. They were mean, strict and the most unromantic people I know! When I was growing up, I thought my parents never give a damn about love because they were my greatest obstacle in having a boyfriend. But again, that was when I was young. I couldn't believe that they change!!!

When I met his parents it was all good. They're like peers, literally! It's weird to me but that's how they are—as simple as that. Well I am happy to meet everyone in his family. It like our relationship became open to all and that feels good. Something I never had.

Shrek Forever After

Our date life mostly involved movies because most of the time that we hangout we would spend it watching a movie. Even after we get married, we actually saw Fast Five on the day after our wedding. 

This was the first ever date night we had. As far as I remember, we had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory then went to see Shrek Forever After at Arclight Cinema upstairs. This was May 22, 2010 and it was an amazing night. We ate our favorite Thai Lettuce Wraps at CF plus the unforgettable annoying kid at the movie saying "Do the roar!". 

Sherman Oaks Galleria May 22, 2010.

Griffith Park

A lot of times we would hang out at Griffith Park after class due to its accessibility from my school to my work. We actually thought of naming our child "Griffith" but of course we don't mean it, it was just a thought. These were the days when we have to wake up at 5 or 6am to get ready and eat at McDonald's before I go to school, attend my class from 8-12 while he's out there balling or just wandering around K-town waiting for me. Then we'll hang out a bit at Griffith Park, go to lunch somewhere before he sends me to work at 2pm. Crazy schedule, but I'm glad we made it. 

First time I went back to Griffith Park after 9 years. This photo was taken
 May 13, 2010.

Summer Picnic at Griffith Park with the whole school. After this we went to The Grove to watch Toy Story 3 with my cousin. June 24,2010.

Griffith Park at night. Sorry for the blurred background but this is the best one I have. August 1, 2010.

Iron Man 2

I remember missing the climax of the movie, the part when Iron Man defeated the enemy, for a reason that I went to the restroom to pee. I came back and the villain was defeated already, I was like "HOW?". Oh well! 

This was also the day I met his sister. After the movie at LA Live, we went to K-town and hangout in a small cafe. I'm not sure about the name I think it was Home Cafe at Alexandria and Wilshire.

I believe that this photo was taken by the Korean Lady who owns the Cafe. Nice one!

In a Relationship

It was the 2010 playoffs that time and I remember us betting 100 bucks for the Lakers' victory over the finals. I wasn't sure about the Lakers then because I'm a Boston fan, but this guy kept persuading my thoughts and I eventually became a fan. And Yes, we won! 

This photo was taken at Glendale Galleria by Biggie. Our first "in a relationship" photo.

Shutter Island

It was March 11, 2010 noon time, I asked my best friend to meet me in Glendale Galleria so we could hang out. Since he was not driving that time he invited a friend of him who could drive us around town. Unknowingly, I met my husband that day. The three of us spent the night watching Shutter Island at The Grove

This photo was taken at The Grove by a tipsy lady w/o her there would be no photo like this! My best friend is the one wearing red jacket and my husband is the one wearing black.