4/365 what gets you excited about life?

the idea of travelling. i have not done a lot of travelling in my life, and i really would wanna start soon. but whenever i hear stories, see pictures, watch movies of travelling and roadtrips and adventures, i get really excited. i get to experience somebody else's life while hoping someday i do the same.

Tourist of Traveller?

I haven't decided which one I'm going to be, but all I know is that I'm preparing to set up and see the world. My dreams of doing a roadtrip, backpack somewhere, etc, just go out there is getting bigger and bigger. I mean, I imagine, think about, plan about my dream and my heart just swells with happiness. I've started a Trip Jar and hopefully, I save a lot of money because I want to make this come true. I've set out a timetable for myself. Some people have careers, high paying jobs, important positions. This may sound like I'm a person with no ambition, but I've decided that I'm going to get a job to get a job, and nothing else. I will work hard and save and save - and save some more - so that I can travel. I've started following blogs, reading book, and I slowly want this to work for myself. If having a boyfriend or keeping a relationship or meeting someone, or being hired, or whatever is out of my control, this one is all up to me. I will do this. I'm going to try to defy gravity this time.

Almost A Month....

It's been almost a month since I last blogged here. WAAAAY too many things have happened. This is what happened when I procrastinate blogging. All my thoughts, adventures, rants, musings, etc get all jumbled up in my head that instead of sorting it out, I just ignore it.

• I've hung out with old ECC friends and I missed them badly.
• I've celebrated my birthday a week early with one of my really close friends and I got to meet his boyfriend and I was so flattered coz he's never introduced anybody before.
• One of my good friends came home for her spring break and she helped me pack my stuff and it was such a big help, I appreciated it so much.
• I hung out one on one with a lot of people, and it's making me miss them all so much right now.
• I had one of my close friends get mad at me, to the point where I thought we were on our way to bestfriendship but I did a really shitty thing so now I'm not sure I can have what we had back.
• My adopted family threw a party for me before I left. My heart swelled with so much love for them, I had tears. Seriously.
• My last day at work was bittersweet. I, without a doubt, loved working there. 100% no bullshit. It was a relief to leave just because I feel like I deserved a vacation from my normal life. But I loved everyone there and I actually miss them.
• I miss tF. I didn't say goodbye to him and I'm so dumb. I wish I treated him more like a friend than my boss. It would've been nice to have been friends with him. -gah- I miss him.
• I spent the day in Chicago with a couple of friends and it was the most fun ever. I took tons of photos, explored parts of the city I've never seen (or only saw from afar or for a couple of minutes). I love the city and I can't wait to see it again.
• My friends and I finally got to go on our much awaited mini roadtrip to Springfield. I am such a museum nerd, it's not even funny. That was my third time going to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum but it's always fun. And I got to see the Lincoln home this time too.
• My roommate/close friend KC and I had a crying session the day I left. It was the first time we've ever done that. Thinking about it makes me cry all the time. She was the only one who showed me emotions like that. Darn, I'm crying again.
• ....and then of course I left Chicago. 
• ....and I'm in LA!!!!
• The plane ride was bumpy and space was cramped. But that's Spirit Airlines for you.
• Then I got to see my mom and my four younger sisters and it made my heart happy ever since. I mean granted, they do annoy me here and there but that's me being the oldest sister of a 24, 13, 8, and 4 y/o.
• For my birthday weekend, my mom, stepdad, and 2 youngest sisters drove 8+ hours to the northern part of Cali so I can see my 24 y/o sister who's in the USAF and my relatives living in the Bay area.
• Today marks the two weeks I've been here in CA. I've taken tons of pictures, of course. Nothing big happens though since I have no car and job yet. We'd visit places here and there, we did go to Newport Beach over the weekend and that made me so happy I was practically exploding out of my skin, So I've been spending most of my time tagging my photos and blogging. I feel like I am on vacation though. Now, if I can just haul ass and start working out.

Good Morning with a Cup of Tea.

I am not as crabby today as I was the last few days. To that I thank my very productive and fulfilling day yesterday.

Yesterday was my day off and I had a lot of things that needed to be taken care of. I borrowed my friend's friend's SUV (nope, I didn't stutter), because my own mode of transportation isn't so great with long drives. I  made a list of what I had to do, in itinerary form so I don't miss anything.

To sum it up, this is what I did in sixteen hours:

Packed at storage 1. Got breakfast. Read at the park while waiting to go to work. Went to work. Signed up for storage 2. Unpacked at storage 2. Pack at apartment. Unpack at storage 2. Drop off hard drive at friend's work. Pack and close storage 1. Unpack at storage two. Drop off defective phone at mailbox. Go to grocery. Got a good shopping deal at the mall. Had cellphone fixed. Loaded the dishwasher at apartment. Went to Latin Heat workout class at gym with friends. Had dinner with friends.

Hence, the productiveness. Mind you, it's really hard to load and unload boxes upon boxes of stuff when I'm doing it all by myself. But I felt pretty great about it.

Moving on.
Little stories about yesterday.

The weather was crazy yesterday! At one point, I drove through literally ten feet of rain clouds, because it was just darn sunny on the other end of it. Then there'd be heavy gusts of wind that the automatic doors at the storage would detect it and it'd open and it'd creep me out.

My friend Robbdizzle texted me that a really strong gust of wind came and a lightpole fell on a Chrysler van at his work. Crazy! I told him to take a picture and he said his manager was giving him dirty looks, but he did anyway and sent me the pic. Haha.

There was a line at the cellphone kiosk, so instead of waiting I stopped by Charlotte Russe and saw that they had a poster of that "Text blah to ##### for a chance to win blah blah blah". I texted, because I get messages from them about discounts and special deals. This time it said, "You entered the raffle to win blah blah blah. Here's a $5 shopping pass, show to cashier. Blah blah." Score! I walked in and saw they had a lot of things on sale. I got a see-through lace sleeveless top, a leopard print cowlneck tunic top, and gray suede booties all for $13. SUPER FRICKIN SCORE!

24.99
4.99
3.52

16.99
4.99
3.52

29.99
6.99
4.93

Plus my $5 shopping pass?? I couldn't have been a happier girl. :)

I went to the cellphone store for the second time in two weeks because the replacement phone they gave me had something else wrong with it. The guy remembered me and said he'll just order me another one anyway. Unfortunately, he thinks that they may have discontinued the white myTouch and that they might end up giving me a different phone, which is the upgrade of the myTouch bar that I have, which is the one with the slide-out keyboard of course. I'm like, hell frickin yeah!! I really wanted a keyboard phone but I also couldn't wait to get an upgrade so I settled with the bar. Two months later, they come up with the keyboard myTouch. Now I MAY end up getting the keyboard one, which is basically like an upgrade but without the upgrade fees!! *pumpsfists*

And then of course, Dee wanted me to go with her to the Latin Heat class at the gym, but I'm obviously not a member. But I got in anyway. I was in ninja mode. Haha. So I got a free work out and it was awesome! There was a lot of booty-shaking in that class, mostly by me and the other Filipino girl (aside from the instructor of course).

All in all, it was a very good day. Now let's get this sickness over with and I should be set for tomorrow. Between Dee's niece's sweet 16, signing insurances with the apparently cute State Farm guy, and Girls Night Out, I need all the good vibes that I can get.

Peace out! :))

Trapped

This entry might get a bit confusing so just roll with me, okay?

Lately, I've been feeling really trapped, hindered. Like I know I can do more, but things are just stopping me. Simple things. Like the fact that today is my day off and I have tons of things to do and yet I'm limited by my car. Since I've been driving around a barely-manageable car, I can literally go so far. And it sucks because my next day off would be four days from now, and I wouldn't even call it a day off because I've already set that date to move storages. So today would've been the perfect time to do my other errands.

On a slightly bigger picture, I hate the fact that I want to hang out with all these people that I miss and haven't hung out with in forever but time, money, and transportation forbids me to do so. When I become ballin', I will make it a point to allot more time to my friends. I miss quality time with quality people.. not to mention I've really been craving for some decent conversations.

And on the biggest picture of all, life. My mom would here and there send me picture messages of my sisters in California. The more she does that, the more I wish I was there with them. I mean, granted I don't want to live in the same roof because hello, I'm 26, I still want that feeling of home. Where I can see my sisters and take them shopping, or to the museums, or any random fun trip. They are just the cutest bunch ever and I miss them so much! And of course that feeling of a home-cooked meal when I come over for Sunday Family Dinner. I miss the feeling of "coming home, it's been a really long time since I've had that feeling.

For 2012, I want to get a zero-mile brand new car. I want to visit England. I want to go back home for my highschool reunion. And I want to go to California.

I'm itching so bad to get out of here. Out of this apartment, out of everything that I know here. I love it here. But that much-needed escape I should have taken two years ago is slowly creeping up on me. I need to get out of here.

One Month's Worth of Epiphany

First off, I need to blog more. It obviously keeps me sane.

• I've been working really great hours at my job, and I'm loving it! I actually thought it was awesome I had to work 3 9-hour days that one week. Uh-oh. Does this mean I'm starting to become a workaholic? I don't mind it by the way, because I love my job (as meager my wages are), and the people are really awesome. I like the fact that only a handful of women work there. No drama.

• My friend N and I have been having a blast going out every weekend for more almost two months now. It is frickin' awesome! We go to sketchy dance clubs, local bars, the city, gay clubs, 24hour diners, club openings, birthday parties. It is such a blast! Plus it's the ultimate distraction. It's starting to make my way into my pockets but I guess it's all good. I told him that we're starting to be like Will and Grace.. a sexless marriage. Haha.

• As much as I just LOVE going out and having fun, whenever I come home, I can't help but feel a little bit scared. While some people my age are starting to look towards the direction of settling down, I feel like I'm nowhere near that goal. People around me tell me that I'm perfectly fine where I am at in my life. Enjoy it while it lasts, I'm still young. I'm just scared. I feel like, this going out part of me is always gonna be me. Half of me tells me that it's okay because it's who I am, but the other half is guilty doing it, that I probably should outgrow this phase already. Then I think about wishing that one day, I'd wake up and I'd grow out of it, and it scares me even more. The way that I live now is the way that I know how to live. That probably sounds confusing, but it makes sense to me. I can't let go of something that's me, but I do wanna settle down someday, have kids, all that crap. Haha. I'm torn.

• N invited me to a coworker's birthday party, and I thought I'd feel out of place and shy (yes, I'm super shy around strangers). But this crows was a blast to hang out with! They were all in there early- to mid-thirties, so they're young enough to still have fun but also old enough to know better. I actually, couldn't wait to be around their age (although of course I just wanna be young forever haha) and be as awesome as they are. I read somewhere before, thirty is the new twenty. And it's so true. I agree 100%. I wish that my friends now will still be my friends when I'm thirty. Then life will be a blast.

J, if we end up being roommates, we're not going out every night, right? -N.

• In contrast, I went to yet another college-town party last night with my friend T. The first college-town party T invited me to was so dumb and stupid and reckless and pretty much pointless.. not to mention they were serving Keystone Light, for crying out loud. People were playing beer pong with a door propped on bar stools, smell of weed or whatever in the air, teenagers nursing their drinks of choice: shots, handles, cheap beer. A four-bedroom student housing had AT LEAST 30 in there. This time around, the place was A LOT more mellow, obviously 21 and over, and not as dumb. I was hesitant to go because of my previous experience, but I wanted to do it for my friend 'coz she's my yes-man, and I should be her yes-man too. :)

• I need to conquer my top priorities right now: fixing my car up, and getting a second job. I'm crossing my fingers that everything else will fall into place afterwards. So far life has been a blast, and I thank my friends, my family, and of course My Homie Up Top for that. :))

Old Friend

About two weeks ago, my good friend Dioni, arrived in the US to work for about half a year. Obviously, this got me really excited as this is the closest I will have to home. We've been friends since high school and the last I've seen him was seven years ago. After finally settling down at his apartment in WI, we decided to meet up Chicago. It was really cool!! But embarrassingly so, I was a couple of hours late. What can I say, driving to the city from the suburbs on a holiday weekend (Taste of Chicago, Fourth of July) was not the best idea. When we met up, we just walked around downtown for a bit, took pictures with his friend and my friend.. until they have to catch the 840 train back home. It was a short time to catch up on each other's lives but There's still six months of that to do. Definitely plenty of time. :D

Quick Blog

My "home" situation has not been comfortable lately, and half the time I'm wishing I can't wait to move out. Check out my rant here.

Today is Chicago's Annual Gay Pride Parade!! And pardon my ignorance and I stand corrected for any wrong info.. but didn't NY pass same sex marriage in the last two days or something? It sure will be an even bigger party today at the parade! :)

The next few weekends are going to be really exciting!!

• Springfield day trip to visit the Lincoln Museum, and Lincoln's Tomb
• Summerfest
• Taste of Chicago
• Fourth of July
• Six Flags

Not to mention, I'm getting more hours at work! :))

For now, I should start getting ready for my busy day ahead.

In A Nutshell (Again)

The last two months have been quite a rollercoaster ride, it's seriously not even funny. It was as much fun as it was stressfull, and I am emotionally, physically, and mentally drained. Let's see if I can recap what the big blur has been about. (Although, if you follow me on twitter, I'm sure you're pretty much updated to when I last ate..)

• 04.12.11 - Dee, Nadienne, and I went on our girldate to Texas de Brazil. I got a buy one dinner, get one dinner free coupon for my birthday. It was fun, free food is epecially more fun! :)
• 04.16.11 - I registered for a Realy for Life team and I'm a captain this year!! I'm kinda nervous, but I'm excited as well. This is my sixth year rockin' Relay for Life, and my first time being a captain. But thanks to my friend Maria, who helping me out, I hope we raise a decent amount of money!
• 04.22.11 - This day was Earth Day and of course, Dee and I, dealhounds that we are, drove around to score some freebies. Score number 1: Starbucks free coffee when you bring your own mug in.Score number 2:  Disney Store gave out recycled totes when you bring in five plastic shopping bag.
• 04.29.11 - KC and I stayed up from midnight to about 7 am watching The Royal Wedding! Hahaha! I'm sure we're not the only crazy ones who did, and it was fun. And then we pretty much slept all afternoon..ish. And then I went to see Fast Five with Dee, Kuya Owen, Melissa, and Bryan.
• And of course, here are there are a bunch of random shopping trips, food trips, and colorful conversations with wonderful people. :)

Chicago Notes

Since I didn't have a pen and paper handy, I was pretty much clickety-clacking away on the Notes section of my iPod Touch. I totally forgot about my notes until minutes earlier when I was cleaning up the random notes I've saved up.

• While waiting for the Chicago-bound train to arrive, everyone inside the station were nose-deep in their smartphones. No human interaction of any kind. Not a timid smile, a nod of acknowledgement, a good morning, nada.

• Everyone was also sitting ridiculously spaced out enough that no person can sit in between. A bench that would have sat 8 people has four people (and their bags) sitting comfortably. Tsk tsk.
• No man offered a woman a seat. Even when that woman was standing next to a man who was sitting with his legs crossed.
• As the train was rolling by the scenery, I saw a plane land. The sight of it made me feel trapped. I need to be somewhere other that where I am and what I am right now. I need to finish this year the right way so that I can breathe again. So that I can feel like (at the very least) have the option of soaring again.
• We passed by a cemetery and I saw a car driving slowly inside. I'm sure he's going to visit a loved one. It made me feel really sad for him. I hope he's happy now.
• I've never had to retrieve legal documents before. I walked inside the Daley Center (which used to be the Chicago Civic Center) and everything was fast-paced and everyone was walking with a purpose. It gave me such a headrush! I wanna be part of this kind of setting! It would probably get too intense for me but I guess I work best under pressure.
• While in line, I saw a guy donning a pair of Dr. Dre Beats Headphone. What a bad-ass. I'm jealous. Those babies cost AT LEAST $300.
• To celebrate my successful Chicago Adventure, I stopped by a bookstore that had a sale going on. I got two books for a dollar each, so.. SCORE!!

•  They say never buy groceries when you're hungry, and all I can say is "True Dat!"  What was supposedly a quick lunch from the McDonald's dollar menu turned out to be a $12 tasteless lunch from the Corner Bakery. I'm sure it's not that bad, but this particular sandwich I got was horrible. -blech-
• I wish I had a real camera with me (not a digital camera, but a digital SLR camera), because there were a lot of things that warranted a decent photograph and all I had was my handy dandy iPod.

    Now that I am semi comfortable with going downtown by myself, I can't wait for summer to arrive! I can go to the museums anytime I want to, Chinatown, even just chill at the lake or Millenium Park. Chicago and I are going to have a very good relationship this summer year.

Thriving Under Pressure

    I had to run an errand in the city and since I'm not a very good city driver, and I figured I should do something I've never done before, I decided to take public transportation to the city. I parked my car at the trains station that's less than a mile from my apartment (I should've walked but it was raining and I didn't have an umbrella). En route to the city, I was pretty content with the book I brought and the music in my iPod.

     I ended up taking the long way because parts of the streets were under construction. I got to the place nonetheless only to find out that I was in the wrong establishment. Good thing the ladies at the building were kind enough to direct me to the right direction. Lesson Learned: When they say Blue Line, it doesn't mean the bus. It means the subway. Me=Idiot. But I didn't let that deter me, because I try to learn something new everyday.
    I got to the right building, did what I had to do and left the building.. only to find out that I had walked the opposite direction of the train station! I ended up on Michigan Avenue, and thinking I was lost, I phoned a friend (no, really I did). But by the time I got on the phone with her, I saw the Art Institute and found my way. I was actually tempted to go in but I need to catch the train and go to the post office to send the paperworks I got.
    I made sure I was back at the Union Station with plenty of time to grab something to eat. And before you know it, I was already 

back on the train and on my way back home in the suburbs. Side note: My leg cramped up while I was on the train and I had to make sure my face and body language didn't give that away because it might make me feel like a newbie. All that one day of walking downtown and I cramp up on the way home.. Sheesh!
    All this time that I was making my way to, around, and back to the city made me feel really good about myself. I had a specific itinerary but I was thrown off the loop. That obstacle didn't stop me from composing myself, regrouping, taking a deep breath and figuring something out. My little city adventure showed me that I can get through small or big things alike. I wasn't fazed, I didn't panic, I didn't let the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago eat me whole. This may sound mushy, but the city made something out of me that day. I feel a little more confident in myself knowing that I get get past any hurdle thrown my way.. because little did I know that I can be a bad-ass like that.