Tuesday, November 27, 2007

SFo Back to Back

I flew SFO again after that day off after SFO flight.

It was day after Thanksgiving when I got there so I planned on going shopping after arrival and take advantage of the huge sales. When I stepped out to go to Union Square, I was overwhelmed with the volume of people who are there. Everyone was carrying shopping bags from almost every store, most prominently Macy's. Nalula ako sa dami ng tao and ended up heading back to the hotel after getting a scarf from H&M and a big hardbound book from Borders (National Geographic Greatest Photographs).

Then aL picked me up after his work shift and we had dinner with his parents at a Chinese restaurant. He was supposed to leave me at home afterwards while he went to church band practice but he suggested I go so that we could get coffee afterwards.

Next day we went to church where aL played drums for the band. Had brunch there afterwards. Then to a nearby CostCo--an ultimately good place to shop! Argh! I could spend a hundred dollars and not feel like I spent too much; it's Makro-ish. Head home and later that night had dinner with his Emoticons bandmates (after their Fil-Amusic launch party gig practice got cancelled) at a pizza place in Tanforan.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Five-Eight Girls in SF

Had my requested flight with Mica to San Francisco. Flight was ultimately T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. It was one of my worst SFO flights ever. It was Delhi-connecting from Seoul to SanFo so my zone was like almost all Indians and with the limited English that my fellow [Korean] crew members have, they turn to me almost always when some conflict happens.

Anyway we arrived at the hotel and got picked up by aL and Mama; they haven't had lunch yet so off we go to Fisherman's Wharf to have late lunch. Clam chowders, calamari, fish and chips! Then roam around Pier 39 (and there was this huge Christmas tree...), rang Bianca to see how she's doin while we went to almost every souvenir shop to find Mica the keychain she wanted. I was taking pictures of Mica with the Alcatraz as a backdrop when I saw the Golden Gate bridge engulfed in fog. I said to myself, "Remind me again why I haven't bought the lens I wanted?"


Mica wanting to swim to the Alcatraz to find Wentworth.


Golden Gate Bridge somewhere within the fog.

One of the things you'd love around there would be shopping at cheap stores like Ross. So before the shop even closed, we headed and dropped Mica and Mama at Ross while Al and I parked the car below Union Square.


And then there's this huge Christmas tree...okay so I have a thing for Christmas trees. :)


The girl who always leaves her heart in San Francisco.

Next day, despite the fact I can't get myself to open my eyes, we woke up, prepared breakfast and went to Fairfield for... *drum roll*



JELLY BELLY FACTORY! I knew the Jelly Belly factory because of Abet and so with a little more research (which is Googled) and a little help from the GPS, we found it. Felt like a kid. Super happy. Bought two pounds of jelly beans too. =) Then we had lunch at Applebee's and Mica shopped at TJ Maxx. Headed home to get our things from the aL's place and headed to the hotel after stopping by to get a dozen Krispy Kremes and some night shots of the SF skyline and Golden Gate. :)


The skyline. Thank God for D and a tripod. :)


Golden Gate. Smile. Ten seconds shutter speed.

Bottom line is, I enjoyed my time touring Mica around. I'm glad she's comfy with aL too, being the shy person she is. They laughed together more than I did, I think. I'm amazed they're on the "comfort level" as I tell them. Request pa ulit!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The Distance - Evan and Jaron

If I had a dollar for every time I use the word "miss" I'd be rich by now.

And so, I turn to music...

+ + +

I can't take the distance, I can't take the miles
I can't take the time until I next see you smile
I can't take the distance And I'm not ashamed
That with every breath I take I'm callin your name

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Silver Day

November 10, 2007

8:00 am Nuptials at
Saint Anthony Parish (Singalong, Manila)

Breakfast buffet at
Cafe Noir at G Hotel by Waterfront (Roxas Blvd., Manila)

-----------------------------------------


The bride and the groom, before the wedding. I did mom's makeup and I said dad looked like a priest!


The flower girl--Yana. Tatay says this is the photo of the event. I was telling her to walk down the aisle before the wedding so that I can get a photo, but she dropped her flowers and walked away. Here she is picking up her flowers again as per her tito Andre's orders.


The happy couple after the reception. Had them pose in front of the curtain to get a "studio shot". Haha. They were off the next day to Dumaguete and Davao for their honeymoon.


My family. All tired after the reception; we woke up soo early. We wore whatever we wanted, as long as there's a touch of silver on our clothes. Only the bride, the groom and the ever special flower girl wore white. :)

Monday, November 05, 2007

Great-ful

I went to Hyehwa Dong church yesterday straight from my Hanoi flight. I really take the opportunity whenever I'm in Seoul on Sundays. I really miss going to church and I swear I'd go to church if I'm not on a flight. And besides, there are a lot of things to be grateful to God for.

One, aL. 'Nuff said. =)

Two, I get San Francisco flights on my original schedule every month, regardless of how short the stay is. That's always a relief. Especially now that the company's got a new rule on swapping schedules.

Three, I'll get to go home on my parents' silver wedding anniversary on Saturday. Without even requesting for it.

Four, December sched is out. And my request was approved. I'm spending Christmas in San Francisco! It's probably the best Christmas gift I could have this year. We were told our batch would probably have to fly on the holidays as the seniors get the privilege to go home so I requested for the next best thing. And the next best thing indeed :)

+ + +

Incidentally the choir sang the song "Kristo". Part of the lyrics:

Kristo, Kristo, bakit minsan ka lang nakikilala
Kapag nakadama ng dusa't pangamba
Tinatawagan ka sana'y maawa ka

I think this is true though. There are a lot of people who forget about faith/religion unless they're in a dead end situation. Which definitely sucks. I know a lot of people who'd pray to get what they want and instantly forget being grateful.