Snow white

I am 36,000 feet up in the air and i cannot sleep. For a five and a half hour flight, having travelled since 6am this morning, this is bad. And so i end up writing whatever it is that crosses my mind just so to kill time. The attendant announces a full flight but i was lucky enough to be seated by the window with no one beside me. An empty space between me and some guy. He seems friendly... and cute too... haha. We had a small conversation in the early part of the flight and found out that he works for Entertainment Tonight. He researches on the actors and their current movies and writes up questions to be asked by the interviewers on tv. It seemed a pretty interesting job. Meeting up with the likes of Tom Cruise, George Clooney, etc. He admits that it is a fun job but with very low pay.

I am back after a 20 minute pause there. I was disturbed by this guy, he seemed to notice that i writing and was bored out of my mind so he offered to lend his car magazine. I politely take the magazine and browse through it for a while. I knew i should have bought that magazine on the rack on my way to the gate... the gossip one... haha. He was lending me a book he just got for christmas but i wouldn't be able to finish it anyway. And so on and off we converse about anything that will come up. I cannot believe i can't seem to get my sleep. I have to get me one of those portable DVD players to entertain myself during these flights.

Four more days left and i head back home. I like to think of it as being assigned to work in the Philippines for a couple of years and consider the U.S. as my home. It makes it easier to say goodbye to my loved ones. I have not seen the other half of my family for the longest time and seeing each other again was a life changing moment. Surely a month will not make up for all those years of absence but being there physically makes a huge impact.

I am currently having a blast with my visit. In a month i was able to go to 8 states. Something that people who live here have not done. And i feel really blessed for an opportunity like that. There was California, Las Vegas in Nevada, Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvannia, Washington, New York and Delaware. Each state had its own unique tourist spot, those that i only see on television or movies, and to see them in real life was an awesome experience. It was really cool.

Christmas was definitely different for me this year. I got a feel of how it was celebrated in the other side of the family. I missed the yearly tradition of the christmas reunion back home but it's all good. I was in Times Square and Rockefeller Center with the New York crowd on christmas eve. On the 25th, we had an afternoon feast and a dinner dessert with champagne with my relatives and some other guests and then the exchange gifts portion. Of course it wouldn't be complete without that. I guess maybe it was pretty similar to how we celebrate it back home. The only difference was the setting and the people around me. It was a party that lasted till midnight. I sure hope it happens again in the next coming years but with the whole family.

I look out my window and i see LA and all its lights. I suddenly think of when i will come back to this truly wonderful place. A place where there is actually hope. I am going through a lot of emotions right now.... leaving my family here and at the same time being home sick because i miss my family back home.... lovelife.... work.... i will really have a hard time adjusting to my normal life.

We are about to land in 30 minutes. His name is Josh and has a problem with flying. I think i will try the talk therapy to calm him down... poor guy.

I think i am about ready to go home... i have seen my snow.

The big "V"

As in Vacationing.... It has been 21 days since i arrived here in the US and so far i am having the time of my life.

It was so nice to reunite with the other half of my family. Those who i have not seen for more than half of my life. They have taken me to different places where i have seen only in the movies. Once again i say my famous line, "... so this is how it feels...". I have travelled from the east to west coast and north to south of california in less than three weeks. I have seen places than even some people who live here have not seen. And for that, i really consider myself as someone who is blessed... i thank HIM for everything.

A good friend of mine took out some time to show me around California. The places we went to were really beautiful, some with breath taking scenery. Without him i probably wouldn't have gotten to these spots. I really appreciate the time and saying THANK YOU seems not enough to show my gratitude. I have yet to write up a story for those two "love birds" on malibu beach... =)

I am sitting here in the cozy confines of my sister's beautiful house... looking forward to what else the US has to offer for tourists like me. My family has made several plans for the remaining days of my trip. Tomorrow we leave for vegas. A place everyone has something to say for.

This is by far the longest vacation i have had since i finished college. In my young 6 years of working, i suddenly realize that this is how a vacation feels like. Away from all the stress and the pressure. I must say that i will definitely have a hard time going back to my normal life.