Today~

We are going apple picking! (笑)

I will try to take some photos (^^)

They said we are going to the mountains??

TO THE MOUNTAINS! (笑)

Atlantic City and Manhattan!

It was a pretty hectic two days for me (笑)

I honestly don't have too many photos from Atlantic City, but it was an enjoyable trip all the same~
It was a very long drive from home to there though!
It took us around three to four hours just to get there, so by the time we arrived, we were so hungry!(笑) We stuffed ourselves with food at a buffet. (^^)
We were also given some coupons worth ten dollars that we could use in the different slot machines.We didn't really win anything though. (笑) Oh well, it wasn't so bad~ I'm not a very big fan of gambling, really.

I was supposed to blog about it yesterday, but because we finished so late, and got home so late, we didn't have the energy left to do anything except go to bed. (笑)

Then, the very next day, we woke up to hit Manhattan~

We intended to go and see the Statue of Liberty, but, again, since we started so late, we ended up eating at Yoshinoya and just going around the city for interesting places to take photos at. Of course, I had to take some shots in the busy, busy Times Square. (^^)

We drove around and around the city, but I think most of our time was wasted on looking for a free parking space near any interesting area.(笑) We went to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts~

I really like their steps, it flashes "Welcome" in several different languages, including Tagalog (which is not in the photo, haha), as well as the different theaters, organizations and schools associated with it. I wonder if I'll ever make it here someday?(笑)

I would be more excited for ballet seasons if I could afford to watch them (笑) But really, I think it's great. Someday, someday!


I was actually quite excited to pose underneath this sign, but, because we thought we didn't fit the whole sign into the photo, I kind of got embarrassed and flailed around. (^^;) My dignity, lost forever! (笑) I am no longer the ballerina I used to be.

I'm still not sure how I will manage to continue living here in the United States, far from everything and everyone I love, but maybe my perspective will change after I have landed a job and started accomplishing the things I want to...well, accomplish. (笑)
Until then!

頑張ります!

Adventure in Manhattan!

I'm surprised at my own daring!
Today, my mom and aunt were working at East 61st street in Manhattan, New York. They let me tag along, and told me that if I wanted to, I could go explore the city while they were working. So, I took the opportunity to have an adventure!

They probably expected me to look around Bloomingdale's or something. (笑)

I'd done a search on Google Maps of the area, and the thing was, I was looking for a new age or occult store, because I had been unable to buy a set of tarot cards for myself before. The nearest store, Enchantments, was on East 9th street, which is actually 2.6 miles from East 61st. I would need to walk down 1st Avenue, which was around the corner from my mom and aunt's working place. Still though, I had enough confidence in myself, so I prepared myself for the walk.

I was actually really shocked by the distance. I walked past so many things--by the time I'd hit East 46th street, I'd passed the UN Headquarters! I slowed down when walking past the Philippine flag...It really reminded me of home.

While I was doing that though, I noticed how empty the streets were and the number of NYPD officers out on the road. Then motorcycle officers passed, along with several black cars, and later, a limousine with the American flag on the hood.
I realized that all the security was because of President Obama! (笑) He was scheduled for a speech at Ground Zero that afternoon. I was amused that I was able to see his car pass by.

I walked on, and the rest of the walk was pretty uneventful until I reached 9th street. I found the store, but was dismayed since it would open at 1pm, and I had arrived at 12 noon. Still, I was there, so I waited. I hung around a nearby herb and root shop called Flower Power, which sold such a wide variety of herbs, spices and oils that I was fascinated. It reminded me a bit of an apothecary, or a potion ingredient shop. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it catered to that, too. (笑)

Eventually though, I came back out to wait outside Enchantments, until a blonde girl came up to open the shop for me and another waiting customer, who said he was a beginner at magic. Of course, I immediately went to look at Tarot cards, and I was happy that the people who ran the shop were friendly and helpful. I suppose it really did come with the territory. They seemed very down to earth despite what they practiced, and I appreciated that very much.

I bought my own deck of tarot cards (at last). I decided to buy a smaller, pocket-sized deck, since my hands are pretty small. (笑) The shop also carried herbs and roots, like Flower Power, but I appreciated the staff here--back in Flower Power, the people there seemed rather stiff and unfriendly. Here in Enchantments, they were very accommodating and I didn't feel shy about asking things.

I took one of their cards for future reference. Perhaps I'll use a money order service to get another item from them someday! I hope to visit this shop again.

Still though, I had to make it back to East 61st, and there was little time. I had promised to be back by 2pm, and since I has waited and spent some time there, I needed a faster way to go back, and a taxicab was not an option. The blonde who had opened the shop for us told me about a bus that ran down 1st Avenue, and, since I didn't have a Metrocard, even offered to change my bills for quarters, so I would have fare for the bus.
But before I could hand over my money, the other customer who was waiting with me offered to give me his Metrocard. He said there were still a few dollars in it, and he was willing to give it to me. I was overwhelmed, of course, and was a little shy about accepting it, but he told me to take it anyway. After all, he said, it was good karma.
I thanked them profusely, left a a dollar in the shop's tip jar, and later took the bus back to East 61st. While I sat there in the bus, I reflected on how eventful my day in Manhattan had been, and just how accomplished I felt, even if all I had done was wander about on my own. My mom was impressed at how far I walked and how I had made it back without getting lost.

Overall, this day has been good. It's just one of those days that really make me believe that not all is lost in the world. Whenever I go out on my own, even when I am nervous, or even if it's my first time to be somewhere, I always feel like I am surrounded by angels who guide me. It's an oddly comforting feeling. It's a belief I've always held that even people who cross the street with you, so that you can cross with them safely, are like angels. People who help you when you are in trouble, too. People who pick up that thing you dropped. Really. I feel very blessed. It's these little things, every day.

I hope to have more days like these.

UP Diliman!

Last week, one of my uncles took me out to UP Diliman, to talk about things, walk around, and take photographs.
It was actually a pretty fun day, and I'd never been able to walk around UP like this before, so it was really an experience.



We had dinner at Tomatokick afterwards. Up there is their stuffed tomatoes. You can't tell from the photo, but I think we ordered a little too much food. We were very full by the end and almost couldn't finish our orders. (笑)

I hope to go out with my uncle again soon, this was a very fun time.

Drinking~♪

Drinking with immersion mates~! (笑)


It took only two glasses of this cocktail to make me slightly uncoordinated. (笑)

My alcohol tolerance is so bad ♪

Sometimes I wonder if I should drink at all (笑)

Sorry for the lack of posts!

As it is, I can't seem to find my card reader for my phone's memory card.

I have a lot of things to share!!

But until I can find my card reader, the photos will have to wait. (笑)

For now, enjoy this cover of 1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou by FLOW! One of my favorite bands covering one of my favorite songs~ ♪ So happy~ (笑)




Had some drinks last night so a little crazy (笑) Also played Rockband yesterday! ♪

Will post pictures soon! Going out with friends today. (笑)

----------
Also heard about the tsunami that plagued Japan just yesterday. I sincerely hope that everything will turn out all right despite all the damage it caused. (>_<) Of all the places to get hit...
Hopefully all the people we love and admire are all right....

Off to the wilderness!

Tomorrow, I go to Mexico, Pampanga, for my immersion!

I hope things go well. I will be gone from December 17-19~

I suppose I could consider this a kind of wilderness sabbatical? (笑)

I'm packing my clothes in a panic now. (笑)

Overall, I have a good feeling about this trip~♪

Hopefully I discover many things.

頑張ります～！

For Narniaaaa!

Watched The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader last night!
Do I look like an awesome Captain for the Dawn Treader? (笑)

I really enjoyed the movie.
It helped me consider so many things about myself, particularly conquering my inner dark side. I could relate so well with Lucy and her wanting to be as beautiful as Susan; I get so insecure about these things, too.

It actually made me resolve to be more confident in my own self-worth. It's about time I picked myself up completely, yes? (笑)

THE NUTCRACKER!

Oh, ballet~! How I missed you~ ♪


I can't believe I was able to catch The Nutcracker last night! (笑)
The performance was amazing, to say the least. I'm really glad that Ochibi and Kin-chan invited me to watch, as I had nothing better to do anyway, and this felt like the chance of a lifetime. And I was glad, too. (^^)

Some random moments after the performance:


Me trying to pose against a backdrop of Lisa Macuja. I never made it to toe shoes back when I was still taking ballet, so this pose was difficult to hold, and had to be repeated several times. (笑) My ankles will never be the same way again. (^^;)


Kin-chan, Ochibi and me against one of the curtains of the ALIW Theater during one of the intermissions. Now that they had seen part of the ballet for themselves, my old ballet training was so much more evident, according to them. I kept getting teased all night.(笑)


After the performance, we went to CCP in order to buy Fanta from the gift shop. I had told Ochibi about it some time back and now that we had the opportunity, we got her the Fanta she always wanted. I ordered a Dr. Pepper, and regretted it: it really tasted like medicine! I will never drink it again. (>_<);;


One of the best moments of the evening: Kontra-Gapi's performance at the CCP Night Market! As it turns out, every first Saturday of the month, CCP holds a Night Market. Sometimes there are guests invited to perform, and we saw Kontra-Gapi that night. Kontra-Gapi stands for Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino, and they're an ethic music and dance ensemble from UP Diliman. Their music was wonderful, and it was a good end to a culture-ridden night. (笑)

Although they wanted to pressure me to dance. (笑)

And before I forget:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NIOU MASAHARU!
Your trickster ways will always live on in my heart.

WakuWaku's First Anniversary!

A big thank you to Kuya Joma for inviting us :D

We really enjoyed their tea time, snacks, and fun games.




It was really cool, despite the major pressure put on me (and pressure I put on Kae) to sing at the event. (笑) ごめん、けいーちゃん～

There were major moments of hilarity, like when Kae was thrust into a game of Pinoy Henyo with Miguel Mercado, a very popular cosplayer who had been invited to the event, along with Jin Joson. Our friend Leslie was incredibly starstruck. (笑) She's been a big fan of Jin since forever. She looked ready to pass out. :))

Some priceless moments of lulz during Kae's game of Pinoy Henyo with Miguel:

Miguel: "Does it have to do with Japanese culture?"
Kae: "Yes."
Miguel: "....porn?"
Everyone else: *bursts out laughing*

Miguel: "Does it have anything to do with food?"
Kae: Uhhhm. Pwede. Yes?
Miguel: "....Malaki? Masakit?" (...Big? Painful?)
Everyone else: *starts laughing again*
Kae: *while laughing* No!

When it was all over, we got to keep our teacups from the event. I had made a poster for Kuya Joma, and he asked everyone to sign it before they left. I'm pretty much proud of my handiwork.(笑)

Until the next event, Kuya Joma! Wakuwaku!

HARRY POTTER 7 PART 1!!

I have nothing else to say except: AWESOME.

I cannot wait for Part 2~

ALSO I GOT MY EARS PIERCED. ACHIEVEMENT!

Grimualdi's Pizza!

2:05AM @NJ


Last night we went to Brooklyn to visit some relatives (^^)
We had the famous Grimualdi's Pizza for dinner~

It was delicious~ but heavy (笑)

Before this, though, we ate at a Japanese restaurant for lunch. I definitely enjoyed that more; I didn't feel sick after. (笑)

IN THE HEIGHTS!

1:19AM @ NJ
I watched a musical on Broadway for the first time!


IN THE HEIGHTS!!!!!

It was an amazing performance. I could not believe my eyes or my ears. Everyone, down to the very last dancer, had so much talent, so much energy. I have never seen such an amazing performance!!

The feeling is indescribable. The musical had an amazing blend of hiphop, rap, salsa, and just...awesome singing. It really struck a chord in me, and it hit me close to home. It was about the life of immigrants in Washington Heights. I have never seen such life in a performance. The professional level is just so high above me, I can hardly believe what I'm watching is real. It feels so much like a dream.

The dance numbers, the songs, the acting...If only I could unleash that much force and energy in life.

CASINO!!!

4:32AM @NJ

First time to go into a casino~

Hope they don't ask for my ID (笑)

I am perfectly old enough!!!

New York!

12:44AM @NJ


Went into New York City for the first time yesterday. It was an interesting trip, though some parts of New York still seriously remind me of home for some reason. Some things are just the same.

LIKE THIS SANRIO STORE (^^)

Sadly, I couldn't go in; we didn't have time. (>_<);

We had lunch at Yoshinoya~ Though it isn't the same as back home, it's more of a rice bowl place here. Then again, I have never tried Yoshinoya back home.


We went to many places, other toy stores and such. It was really cold!!!
What I did find enchanting about the city, though, was how their sidewalks seriously glitter at night.

Descpicable Me!

Watched it in 3D last night!

Awesome movie, made us all laugh like crazy. I haven't gone to the movies in a while, it was kind of refreshing to get out and go to the mall.

And since we were in Shangri-la, I got to get noodles at my favorite noodle stand there. I love these kinds of food stalls, I swear. Its like street food, only cleaner.

Now that I think about it, I kind of miss hanging around a mall. But first I need money to spend. Muh.

Hopefully I will be able to do this again soon! I miss the arcade too. (笑)

EA's Birthday celebration (笑)

Last night was EA's 19th birthday! Earlier that afternoon, he had pizza and coke delivered to our Toujin hangout. We kampai'd. (笑)

Happy birthday, EA! No one could ask for a better guitarist for our band.
...Just work on getting past those TV-sizes, okay? (笑)

On a side note, it rained quite heavily that evening. While waiting to go out, I danced in the rain for the first time. (笑)It wasn't very long, but it felt awesome. (^^)

We were supposed to watch Inception, but I wasn't allowed to go out for a movie. However, I did manage to hang around with EA, Geline and Anna at Eastwood.

We knocked ourselves out at the arcade and ate dinner at a Euro-Japanese restaurant, Mr. Kurosawa.

The food is awesome, though, I will have to admit, rather pricey. (>.<) The sushi platter had a bunch of things I'd never tasted before, like octopus and SEA URCHIN!


I like sea urchin nao. (笑)
But, like genuine takoyaki, it will definitely be a rarity here. (笑)

I also got to drink sake for the first time. Strawberry-flavored sake! I wish I had taken a photo.(笑)

I'm a very careless drinker though. (^^;) I gulp instead of sipping. (笑)

It was a very fun night and I hope to spend more time with everyone soon~♪

We need dance nights.

We meant to have a dance-a-thon. Really.

But we went everywhere instead. (笑)

Went to Momo's house along with Eiji and Tezuka-buchou, Ochibi and Kin-chan. Things were kind of awkward for some of us, but we tried our best to have fun anyway. And even though it was late, Eiji and I went back to Ochibi and Kin-chan's house for dinner and Tenimyu randomness. (^o^)/

Until now, I am ashamed of my lackluster dance skills. (笑)

I ended up staying over at the house because I could no longer commute home--it was very late. (^^;) Carelessness on my part...

In any case, I cannot wait to see them again, and maybe next time, we can have a more serious dance session...?

Ahahaha~

YAMATO!!!

All I can say is: EPIC.(笑)

It was the last night of Yamato in Manila and their performance was AMAZING. (^o^)

It was a performance I won't soon forget. They're more than just talented and hardworking musicians, they're skilled entertainers who really know how to get an audience up and excited and cheering. They were very funny, very focused, and very free-spirited--the best thing about their performance was the fact that they performed with sincere, heartfelt smiles. They really enjoyed what they were doing, and I loved that. What I love in performers is the amount of heart they put into their act, and they truly showed a spirit behind Taiko that I had never seen before.

This was a chance of a lifetime, and I am so glad I took it. I wasn't as lucky as some of the people near the stage though--they got to take photos with the performers themselves. They were kinda pushy though (^^;) Ahahaa. Nonetheless!!! It was fun, and it was all definitely worth the trip.(笑)


Ochibi was able to make it, and I yoinked my friend Yanna to watch it too. (^^)
But I owe a big, big thank you to Yanagi-senpai (Celiiiine!!!) and her uncle. It was because I ran into them at the line for the performance that she pulled us into their line and gave us their extra tickets. It was also the reason why we got such good seats, instead of being so far out into the audience. I am eternally grateful.

On a side note though, after it was all over, the sole of my foot was in absolute pain. I wonder why? I didn't strain it or anything. (><)

I will have to limp until it feels better. (笑)

I shall sleep now.　おやすみ！

FLASHBACK, kimi wa CLEVER~ (笑)

As it is, I haven't been blogging lately. (笑)

Life has been crazy the past couple of days, honestly. its been a while since I've found time to sit down, eat some cookies, post photos and blog.
So, first things first! Last June 29th, the band got together again for some random jamming. I came along as a vocalist (though I'm still not quite confident about my voice ^^;)
The band!

EA, the guitarist; Mujib, the bassist; and MJ, the drummer.
Our main vocalist, Sarah, and our keyboardist, Patrick, weren't around.
Therefore, Kae and I stood in for vocalists. And failed quite epically. (>o<)/

We had fun though, even if we messed up on quite a number of songs. I am seriously beginning to wonder if I can even aspire to be a vocalist, really. I know I go off-key majority of the time. (T_T)


Following that, the week after, the recruitment week for school orgs started. Naturally, Toujin, our Japanese Culture org, was part of it and basically made a killing, so to speak. (笑) We got so many members!! Over 200! (^o^)/


Hung out at McDonald's for a while on one of those days, got teased by Ochibi for this picture. Do I really look like a Rikkai student with that scarf on? (笑)


Fun times, good times, sundae times. Kin-chan failed at many things that day.(笑)


Then finally, last Saturday (July 3rd), Ochibi, Kin-chan and I went to Saizen (known in Japan as Daiso). We saw a lot of things we wanted to buy, but as it is, we had to wait till the next time we could get together. I saw a great pass case that I wanted, but then again, I could probably wait until next time.


We ended our trip with a hearty dinner from Silver Lake, one of our main choices in Ali Mall's food court. Imagine getting two viands, rice, soup, a fried vegetable roll, and free iced tea, only for 85 pesos? And depending on your food, you can have it on one of those sizzling hot plates. It was really a very nice dinner, once again with us poking fun at Kin-chan and her fail. (^^)

It was one of the nicest weekends I'd spent in a long time. I hope to have another great weekend soon enough.

On a side note, I joined Blue Symphony this year! I'll be auditioning with my violin this Friday (July 9). I'm so nervous!!! I'm really not that good at playing yet, I hope they're willing to teach me more even if I suck (T.T)/

Today was a horribly rainy day. I'm glad I brought a cardigan along, I don't think I would have survived the day, considering I have my thesis class in an air-conditioned classroom.
And I'm starting to get a clearer picture of what I want my thesis to be...I know I definitely want to make a thesis on otaku culture...I just need an angle...

頑張ります!!

[EDIT] I FORGOT THAT IT WAS TANABATA TODAY. IT IS PAST MIDNIGHT, CAN I STILL WRITE MY WISH OR SOMETHING? D:

[EDIT 2] OKAY SO YOU BURN WISHES THE NEXT DAY BUT DO THEY HAVE TO BE WRITTEN ON TANABATA DAY?

[EDIT 3] Okay...So the actual 7th day of the 7th month isn't necessarily July 7th...It's actually on August 16th this year.

[EDIT 4] EVEN SO!!! I was too late!! Ah well. I will burn one of my wishes tomorrow I guess? Or set it afloat in the rain if it rains tomorrow/later.