September 12, 2009

Today marks the 3^rd anniversary of my arrival in the US. I was 21 years old that time when I left. I can still relive the memory of that day.

As I bid farewell to my parents at the entrance of the airport, I felt pure excitement as if I'm ready to go and something new was waiting for me. Although I couldn't remember the color of their clothes, I could widely recall what their faces looked like. At first, I found it hilarious that they were walking along with me by the glass window. While I was checking in my baggage and while I was paying my terminal tax, they were there watching me. I was like “Kakahiya naman, wag niyo nga ako panuorin!”

Then, reality bit me when I realized I have to turn my back on them to proceed to the waiting area where I wouldn't be able to see them anymore. I couldn't look at them, for sorrow has begun to struck me. (It was like a movie scene where you have to look back and cry!) So I gather my self and my strength, told myself “do not cry, you'll look pathetic”, then I looked back to waive at them for my final goodbye. They seemed excited for me as if there's no sign of sadness, they were smiling while waving their hands back at me through a glass window of the airport. I didn't know that, that moment would be stuck in my head for 3 years now.

There I go holding back my tears, flying alone to LA with that memory on my mind. I didn't know that from that day on, my life would change drastically. I grew a lot from the moment we parted. Everything changed, what remained was their memory and their motivation to go through this new life.

Nobody ever asked me if I missed them. Maybe they think I'm too old to be homesick and I've been spending lots of time away from them during college. But this time is different. We're definitely hundred thousand miles apart, living at different time zones. A simple emergency wouldn't make them come here anytime. There were so much happenings that we weren't physically present for each other; Mom got sick, I got engaged, I got married, our dog gave birth, someone broke in our house and many more. But I can guarantee that neither one of us felt unsupported nor neglected. I have no idea when we're going to reunite, but definitely it will not take another 3 years of waiting.

At the end of the day, I am very fortunate to have had these experiences though it was never easy. And so life goes on, there are more bumps ahead, more things to learn and more tasks to accomplish. “Oh future! Here I come!”

A-dog-able Pepper

This is the story behind our first dog Pepper.

I was having a regular day at work when my co-worker told me that her dog gave birth and there were 2 puppies left-- a brown puppy and a black puppy. She explained to me that the dad is 100% miniature poodle while the mom is a Maltipoo. I was already imagining what it looked like--- those fluffy nose and curly grandma-like hair.

I was so damn excited to see and cuddle these puppies, but there was no chance that I could buy them because I had no place for one. I then texted my boyfriend which was definitely a good idea!!. He was so excited he definitely want one too! I told my boyfriend that I want to get the brown one because I fell in love with my co-worker's story, she told me it's the cutest, it has hazel eyes and the color is not common-- it's like chocolate brown.

We meet up after work and my co-worker showed us the puppies. The brown one caught my attention because the color was just lovely and the eyes are amazing. But due to the fact that the brown one with hazel eyes was too cute, her mom wanted to keep it-- leaving only the black one on the market. Then, we met this black puppy who was so shy, timid yet smart. She was not playful but she kept wagging her tail. She already knew how to sit and shake hands that day. I was disappointed at first because I wanted the brown one. But my boyfriend doesn't want to go home without taking home anything, so we ended up getting the black one.

We then put her in a box at the car and she was just sleeping like a baby. I fell in love with her right away when I carried her as she slept on my lap comfortably, as if no one is going to harm her because she's with her mom. We then dine at KFC at Eagle rock and we were thinking of a name. So we get to choose our drinks first, Pepsi or Dr. pepper? Then I realized my guy loves Dr. Pepper so much and the dog color is just like soda, so we called her Pepper! As simple as that, we couldn't find any other name that suits her. 

Pepper is truly a blessing! She is definitely loved by this family and our family will not be complete without her. 

I got this photo at Jennifer's Facebook.  This was Pepper's first ever picture a month before we got her!!!

Before taking her to the vet for her first puppy shots. 

Pepper's latest photo at her 1st year and 8th month.

New Year 2011

 Destination: Las Vegas, Nevada

When: January 1, 2011

We had this huge family outing in Vegas last year. It consists of around like 30-35 people. The most number of people who I hang out with in an outing. I can't even recall everyone who came with us, since not all of us came at the same time. We stayed overnight at Casino Royale, a small hotel in between Harrah's and Imperial Palace. Due to age differences and interests we separated into groups. I went with my brother, May, Kris and Ryan. 

First we went to the Rum bar at the Mirage and bought ourselves something to drink while walking on the strip. I forgot the flavor I bought but I can still remember the taste. Since we have nowhere to go we just walked as far as we could. From Casino Royale we reached Planet Hollywood, we ate some appetizers and had fun bull riding. It was a great experience, all of us were first-timers that's why we had fun. Then we saw this street party going on the opposite street, we went there and drink and dance. After that, we walked going back to our destination but had a quick stop at a liquor store for some beers. Then suddenly it was 2am. I wonder how time flies when you're having fun. 

Back at our hotel, they all started drinking. Knowing that I'm going to have the greatest migraine when I wake up, I did not add anymore alcohol to my system. Then I was supposed to sleep beside my cousin but it was 4am and my key doesn't want to work. I wanted to knock but knowing that my Aunt and Uncle were in the same room, I never want to wake them up. So at around 5am feeling helpless with no room, I pass by this guy twice at the corridor asking me to hang out with him and his friends. He's a black guy, tall, nice eyes and athletic type. He scared the crap of me so I started knocking at other's room. Then, I found my brother's. I don't remember who slept beside me, there were 3 of us in a bed, all I remember is that it was really crowded. And as predicted, I woke up with a great migraine or hangover. 

So why is this great escape become a nightmare? We left Vegas 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It was expected to be traffic since the day after would be a Monday. But we did not expect snowfall in Vegas since it almost never snow in that town. And so there we were, stranded in the middle of nowhere. There were lots of accidents due to slippery road. It was 9pm and we're all hungry. We stopped somewhere in the middle of nowhere, pumped some gas, tried to empty our bladders but the line is too long. We went to Subway instead, waited for the long line to order and to pee. I didn't have that appetite because I know we're stranded and there's no restroom anywhere. We traveled again and arrived home at around 3am.

Now I know how it feels to be stranded. It's one horrific night I would never forget. So take this helpful advise, don't ever go to Vegas on a long weekend for New Year. It's a New Year destination in the West coast, so expect huge crowd. Plus, always check the weather. 

LA Auto Show

Annually, LA Auto show is held at the LA Convention Center around November and December. Since I came here last 2009, I have been a fan of this event. It's a fantastic way of scouting for the perfect car. The event is like a huge display of cars where every car has a card that entails its price, specs, and everything you wish to know. You'd be surprised to the fact that you can actually afford cars that seemed to be expensive whenever you see them on the road. 

Usually at the two main big halls are display of cars that you see every day, those are the affordable and realistic: Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Chrysler, Jaguar, Mazda, Hyundai, Scion, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Mini Cooper, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Audi and a lot more. The only company that has their own exhibit hall is Porsche, so every thing you see in that room is literally Porsche. There is also this small hall in between the two big halls that display luxury cars, these companies do not display more than 5 cars of the same brand. At the underground is where customized cars are displayed, last 2011 Kim K's Black Bentley was on the exhibit. 

Although I believe that it's not practical to buy one, I love luxury cars. Every one wants a Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Aston Martin and so on and it's joyful to feel them, touch them, see them right before your eye, and even go inside and press all the buttons you want or even test drive some. The experience is like a "Prelude" to every big-time dreamers like me. 

Viva Las Vegas!

When I first came to visit the town, I did not enjoy much because that place is for old people. What would a thirteen year old do in Vegas? Nada. So when I came to the US at legal age, I told myself, "Hah! I 'm gonna gamble!". And yes, I sure did lose. So I ain't gonna gamble again!

Las Vegas is not just about casinos and girls, this small town has plenty of things to offer. Cirque du Soleil and attractions on every hotel. The Bellagio fountain, Treasure Isalnd's Pirates, the Volcano at the Mirage, the talking statue and the ceiling that changes from day to night at Ceasar's, Gondola ride at Venetians, the rides on top of Stratosphere and so much more. Though I've been there countless of times, I'm always excited to go, there's always something to see or experience. 

So, I celebrated my birthday in Vegas last 2010 with my brother and my boyfriend (now my husband). We stayed at Stratosphere for 3 days (thanks to a friend who gave us employee discount). Although he made me rode this one for free I am never gonna try it again. They call this the Big Shot, it's a free fall ride on top of the tallest building in Las Vegas, so how high was it? I don't know, but it's the highest thrill ride in the WORLD.

If you have fear of heights, please, you're just gonna give yourself a heart attack.

After the ride, we changed outfit for clubbing. We went to Lavo to see another friend who will hook us up for free. It was 35 bucks per head excluding the drinks, so for the 3 of us, it really wasn't cheap. Then in the bar, we were the only ones who weren't wearing costumes. It was a fun night, danced for 3 hours straight 'til my feet ache. It was plain drunk and dancing. Epic night.

Lavo with a fake Michael Phelps

The highlight of our trip was watching LOVE by Beatles Cirque Du Soleil, best show in town! Two thumbs up! They played songs that I grew up with and I just can't get enough of it, I don't want it to end. I wish my parents were there watching beside me coz I would love to see their reactions. Well maybe in the future.

Great deal at the box office!

At the end of the trip, everyone is happy. Best Vegas escapade ever! This place is not definitely for family outings though. Imagine drinking, gambling and dancing with your parents or see them doing it? Yay! But though I went there with my bro, it didn't bother me, come on we're good friends too.

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.