Wednesday, November 19, 2008

98 minutes

to wash and dry my clothes. Much better than the 120 in Florence, but once again...go out and hug those washers and dryers cause you don't realize what you've got 'til its gone

;p

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The elusive 007

I have to share this because it is killin' me.

I want to see the new James Bond movie, but I think it is impossible.

When I left the states, it was a week away from being released. With each place I have visited I seem to leave a couple days before this movie realeases. The closest I got was Singapore..it was out but I didn't have time. Sigh.

Now in Sydney, Milka and I went to the movies last night to see it but it was sold out. Too funny.

When I get back, if this movie is still there I would love to see it.
Any takers?

LOL

Maybe it will be on the plane ride home?

Tricky weather

..fooled me today. It was such a sunny morning so I was headed to the beach, but by the time I got out of the hostel the clouds rolled in and rain clouds seemed to loom. It was still pleasant enough to be outside so I went to the botanical gardens and had a more leisurely day than planned.

I am going to the caves tomorrow (I hope).

Monday, November 17, 2008

Credits...

have now been refilled.

As I was saying, Sydney is great. Today I went to the Museum of Modern Art across the way from the Opera House. It was a pretty mellow day. I wasn't sure if it was going to rain or not so I didn't venture very far. I think tomorrow I will chance a trip to the Jenolan Caves about 1 hour or so away...then I am planning to have dinner with my friend Kylie, who I met through study abroad.

It is very cool to visit the sites, but I am even more surprised when I visit a place that I have not seen. Such a different POV going around Sydney as a student and now. Let's just say I'm more aware of things this time around...and more interested in the history and culture of the places.

The hostel is pretty good. The location is good and the facilities are plenty. I think I have stayed here before with Karina, June and Carlos...

Postcards are calling my name.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

It is no wonder...

Sydney was so hard to leave. I have arrived in Sydney and I having deja vu everywhere I go. Amazing how time times and stands still all at the same time.

I just realized I am out of credits!!!

will write more later.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Philippines

And so from Singapore I flew briefly into Hong Kong airport and then it was off to Manila. The flight was not very long, maybe 1 hour and 45 minutes? I dozed in and out of sleep and finally arrived in Manila.

It had been almost 8 years since the last time I was here. I arrived at the airport and I saw my uncle, titas and cousins waiting for me. I was going to be picked up by family friends and I did not see them. After initial hugs and kisses we were able to call them on the cell phone. Oh, I had forgotten how handy these things are!

The plan was to stay with our family friends in the city for a couple days and then stay with family in the provinces afterwards. So I said good-bye for now to my tito, tita and cousins and we headed to the gracious home of our family friends from the airport.

During the car ride, it is confirmed to me that the United States has a new president, Obama. Wow! I can't believe it. On the news there is rejoicing and I was able to hear a replay of Obama's acceptance speech.

I hope this fairs well for our country. So far it is amazing the reaction of the world to this historical event.


We'll see.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

If you ever have a 6 hour layover in Singapore...

stay at the Transit Hotel. It is worth it. I was able to get my own room, sleep, shower and blow dry my hair. I feel pretty. The movie theatre was basically a lounge that had a big screen TV with the movie channel on it, but it was free and I was entertained. Can't complain.

Now I am in search for some food...and they have a 24 hour food court. I think they should make the way airports run a model for cities around the world. HAHA

Post Wedding Thoughts

Well, my main objective of attending my friend Karina's wedding has come and gone and it was a beautiful ceremony. The rituals were meaningful and the setting was beautiful. The wedding ceremony was at a villa nestled in the middle of a rice field and the guests were taking as many photos of the view as their fellow guests. There was a bit of rain, but it did not dampen any spirits.

The food was delicious and the slideshow was cute. I was honored enough to say a few words with the groom's best friend and the live band and partying went on for a couple of hours. To add to the festive mood of the evening people started jumping in the villa's pool and before you know it the groom, bride, all the american guests (yes, even myself) and even the mother of the bride were in the pool. A site to see and the photographers could not get enough of the scene.

The post wedding festivities include visiting a monkey forest...oh, yes, a MONKEY forest and a place called Uluwatu along the coast. There are photos of monkeys climbing my arm to get the banana in my hand and more, but that will have to wait.

I am currently in Singapore airport waiting for my flight tomorrow morning. Luckily they have a transit hotel and movie theatres for the people in "transit".

Lucky me. ; )