Catch me here.
Got too lazy to send out those private invitations. So come one, come all. Join the party and be merry. I'll see you when you get there.
Chameleon Sofia, rest in peace.
10/13/2006
10/12/2006
I'm Back
This is the question: have I gotten my act together? This is my answer: no. End of story.
Don't feel like playing the part of a travel writer at this point, so I'll just blurt out my impressions about the cities I've visited. First, I don't like New York City. It's too fast-paced and busy, and I could literally feel my head spinning when I explored the city on foot and encountered all the world citizens and cuisines that were crammed into that tiny island. There's too much going on is the thing. My semi-autistic tendencies can't support me living there. Oh, but I did catch a glimpse of Justin Timberlake when I was there. I though that was cool. Second, I don't like Pittsburgh. I flew in on a Sunday, and everything was closed. I was forcibly reminded of Gotham City without Batman, and when I flew out, I knew I wasn't coming back. Third, I like San Francisco. I got a wide view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from some not-so-random office building, and it was postcard-perfect. I strolled through Fisherman's Wharf and got close enough to the honking seals in Pier 9 to remember that they smelled really bad. I rode the Cable Car around the city one night. And I even hung out for a bit in the gay district, Castro. There was this guy in a black leather vest whose nipples resembled cow nipples, all long and pink. I did a double-take when I caught sight of them. Then I glanced at the owner's face, and quickly remembered why I really shouldn't stare. And fourth, I am deep-in-lust with Chicago.
After the show, I was mingling with the other Filipinos in the audience. And then I met the mom of an Ateneo basketball varsity player who knows an ADS debater of about three batches ahead. I also met people who know my Tita in London, who used to be a member of the Bayanihan. That was a good night. I'm so glad that I was there instead of some random hotel in Manhattan. Lesson of the story: there's something to be said about ditching what you really don't feel like doing.
* * *
It's going to sound awfully trite to start this post by announcing that I have work to do and that I am blogging so that I can focus enough to work, but that's the truth, and the truth can be trite. Got tired of writing in my journal, which has admittedly been getting more interesting since I closed this channel down. There's something to be said about writing for an audience, methinks, even an imaginary one.
* * *
Nerd that I am, I am actually looking forward to working on my three huge papers for this sem. (What makes this even more nerdy is that today is officially the start of Fall Break. Then again, I am blogging instead of working, so I haven't gone completely mad.) One paper is more important than all the rest, as it ties in with my grandiose dreams of Jessup glory. Of course, that's going to get the most attention. And that paper will kick ass, even if I have to shoot Monster Juice into my system for three weeks straight. But the second most important paper is pretty interesting too, because it's a policy volcano waiting to erupt, and heaven knows how much I like speculating about policy. The least interesting one is hard to describe without being too specific, so I won't even try.* * *
I've been doing a lot of traveling over the past five weeks. Started this 'journey' on Sept. 11 with a flight to New York. Thought that was strangely symbolic. Every week after that, I'd visit at least one state and at most three. One week, for example, I stayed for two nights in Pittsburgh, one night in Manhattan, and then four nights in San Francisco. The good thing about Manhattan was the Toys R Us along Times Square. The good thing about San Francisco was (apart from hanging out with my sister) Fisherman's Wharf at night. And the good thing about Pittsburgh was the black computer bag I got at half-price.
* * *
Don't feel like playing the part of a travel writer at this point, so I'll just blurt out my impressions about the cities I've visited. First, I don't like New York City. It's too fast-paced and busy, and I could literally feel my head spinning when I explored the city on foot and encountered all the world citizens and cuisines that were crammed into that tiny island. There's too much going on is the thing. My semi-autistic tendencies can't support me living there. Oh, but I did catch a glimpse of Justin Timberlake when I was there. I though that was cool. Second, I don't like Pittsburgh. I flew in on a Sunday, and everything was closed. I was forcibly reminded of Gotham City without Batman, and when I flew out, I knew I wasn't coming back. Third, I like San Francisco. I got a wide view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from some not-so-random office building, and it was postcard-perfect. I strolled through Fisherman's Wharf and got close enough to the honking seals in Pier 9 to remember that they smelled really bad. I rode the Cable Car around the city one night. And I even hung out for a bit in the gay district, Castro. There was this guy in a black leather vest whose nipples resembled cow nipples, all long and pink. I did a double-take when I caught sight of them. Then I glanced at the owner's face, and quickly remembered why I really shouldn't stare. And fourth, I am deep-in-lust with Chicago.
* * *
My impression of Chicago might be biased. When I was there for the first time (at least since coming over to the Midwest), my friend and I went to the Adler Planetarium and the Art Institute of Chicago. When I was there for the second time, my two friends and I went around the Art Institute and then had lunch in this snazzy restaurant that served really good salmon. And when I was there for the third time, I was booked in the Hotel Intercontinental along North Michigan Ave., one block away from the Magnificent Mile and across the street from Nordstrom. And then there was the food - I treated myself to Pizzeria Uno, and family friends treated me to a laureat somewhere in Chinatown. And most importantly, I got the full-blast of the skyline along Lake Michigan on a black night. Talk about a romantic view. The best part is that it was all for me.* * *
It was snowing this morning. Talk about crazy weather, much? Just peeked outside a few minutes ago, and the snow is all gone. I'm trying not to think too far ahead, because when I do, yellow slush and wet concrete come to mind. I hate winter.* * *
Want to hear something completely random? Two nights ago, I watched the Bayanihan Dance Troupe in the school theater. They were amazing. I especially liked the second half of the show, where they had this dance on a three-level park bench. The girl was being pulled over the place, hopping from bench to bench. That was awe-inspiring. I also liked the Moro fight scene they had, all swords and semi-Arnis moves. Of course, they did the Pandanggo sa Ilaw (i.e. the candle dance, which I never really liked because I find it too girly) and tinikling (which I like only when the beat gets really fast). And there was this dancer who did a solo, and she was so graceful. Her hand moves reminded me of the Thai traditional dance, but she didn't have those long golden extensions. And yet her fingers were flying all over the place. Wow Philippines, indeed.After the show, I was mingling with the other Filipinos in the audience. And then I met the mom of an Ateneo basketball varsity player who knows an ADS debater of about three batches ahead. I also met people who know my Tita in London, who used to be a member of the Bayanihan. That was a good night. I'm so glad that I was there instead of some random hotel in Manhattan. Lesson of the story: there's something to be said about ditching what you really don't feel like doing.
* * *
This is shameless self-promotion, but whatever - it's my birthday in exactly a week. Happy birthday to me. Oh and just so you know, if I do decide to keep blogging, I'm ditching this site and moving to a new one, with my new location to be revealed to a select group of people, by invitation only. It's so funny that over the past week, no less than three of my friends have done that. We'll see how that turns out.
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