Hereby forfeiting all future romance...

We went to Marine World today and the first ride I got coaxed into taking was the Medusa (shown below)



According to the park website, "Medusa is the tallest, longest and most technologically advanced roller coaster in Northern California! Medusa takes riders through more than 3,500 feet of twisted track and seven inversions..."

As you can see below, it wasn't easy to take... I'm the idiot in the middle, clenching her eyes shut and screaming with her tongue out. Most of the time I was screaming "Make it stop God!!!"





And that thing was floorless... one's feet dangle wildly in the air.

Salsa Night in UC Davis

My cousin Rina took me to the Grad (a bar at UC Davis) and we took a salsa class. I was hesitant at first because I always had this thing that I wouldn't dance with a guy unless he was my boyfriend or husband. Then I thought, hey, give it a try. The drink I had helped loosen me up a little. DOn't worry, I didn't get drunk. Just a nice buzz and what my cousin said was "liquid courage".

What was the point I wanted to make again?...

Oh yeah. Do you know, three guys asked me to dance tonight. I'm not showing off. I'm simply astounded. I've been to about five dances back home and during each home I just sat there. No one asked me to dance. I like how the guys here take the initiative or have the courage to go up to a total stranger and ask them if they'd like to dance. And two of them danced really well and put up with the total klutz that is yours truly. It was fun to sit there and know that you'd be asked to dance and not have to sit there the entire evening wondering why no one's offering a hand.

I had great partners tonight (generally). But I still think dancing with your boyfriend is a better idea. The second guy I danced with like holding me by the waist and it was uncomfortable. Thankfuly the other guys just held my hands which made the dancing a lot, lot, LOT easier and comfortable.

So the guy I end up with better know how to dance. Hehe...

Ida, you should have come.

Oh my...

This is crazy! I mean that in the best possible way...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_CUhQP2lJ4

I think it's a Chinese company and in this performance, they combine acrobatics with pointe work. It's amazing, breathtaking, awesome and beautiful. But I feel sorry for the guy who's doing all the lifting. Watch the video and you'll see what I'm talking about. =)

There's more...Man, I want to steal the women's bodies. They have such strength and flexibility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr-8cSGMU_0&search=Acrobaticks%20with%20pointe%20shoes

WARNING: this is sheer displeasure for dial-up users

The Thinker(s) at the Legion of Honor [B to F: Cousin Rina, Cousin Ida, Moi]



With the very friendly guard at Fort Point. The fort used to be a military base and is located under the Golden Gate Bridge.



It's just a bridge, you think to yourself. And then you se it and there is something there that simply astounds one's senses...



We walked the entire length of the bridge. It was freezing and the wind was really wild! Definitely an experience to remember.



At Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf. I got a bagful of salt water taffy and watched some seals laze in the sun. I would have had fish and chips for the experience but I went for Calamari and chips because I don't like fish.



Watch out for the Bush Man when you walk down this place. =) I had some pretty good chuckles out of his antics.



On our way to Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory which is located next to the tower you see in the background. You get to eat desserts in their cafe while watching how the chocolate is made.



Outside the Ghirardelli Ice Cream House where we had sinfully delightful hot fudge sundaes.



Hitching a ride (kuno) on one of the tour trams


And this is Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world. You have to make eight turns if you drive through this brick-paved street. They had to make it this way or people would die driving down its very steep angle. This isn't a photo by me of course.

Let Me Count the...

places I've been to today on our trip to San Francisco and the surrounding areas. Better yet, list them Kris...

Twin Peaks
Cliff House
Golden Gate Park
Japan Tea Park*
De Young Museum*
Lombard St. aka The Crookedest Street in the world
Marina
The Golden Gate bridge (we walked all the way across it!)
Fort Point
Sausalito
Fisherman's Wharf (Pier 39, Wax Museum**, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum**)
Presidio*
Strybing Arboretum (felt like I was walking in Lothlorien)
Exploratorium/Palace of Fine Arts**
Legion of Honor
Bay bridge (we watched the fireworks display with it in the foreground)


I probably missed something there...Pics soon. I'm so tired. Good night everyone.

On Today's Show...

Kuya Stein took me to UC Berkeley this morning but not without a pitstop at Borders and some coffee. So the new Peter Mayle book, Good Earth, costs $9; Donald Miller's Searching for God Knows What is $19; Minden's Ballet Guide costs $30. I'm still trying to figure out how to explain these items to my Mom if I ever buy them, which is something I am sorely tempted to do.

Back to Berkeley. My cousin took me around the engineering and sciences part of the campus. We would've gone up the Clock Tower but it was closed when we dropped by. Kuya tried to get me into the Main Stacks but we didn't get a day pass for that. Basically, we just walked around and compared college cultures here and in UP. We had lunch at this great salad and sandwich place with servings so big that I was only able to finish half of my BLTC sandwich and get one refill on the bottomless strawberry lemonade. After lunch we dropped by a couple of stores on Telegraph Avenue which is something of a shopping section of the campus.

I'd write more but I'm just so tired. Enjoy the pics.

Clock Tower. If we'd been able to go up there, we'd see the entire Bay Area.



The Main Library. Looks like the Main Library back in UP.




I take my last statement back. There isn't a library interior like this in UP. But there should be.



More of the Clock Tower. Spot me.


At the campus gate. I just missed the naked protest that happened near here. Apparently, some students marched around naked to protest the use of sweatshops in the manufacture of campus clothing.

P.S.

You must notice that I post but a few pictures... Sorry about that. It's just hard to try to remember every detail and soak things up AND get good pictures.

Trip to the Grocery

In the my Aunt's garden that even has an apple tree

Gate into Gravina Place. Grape vines for wine surround most of the community.

Shopping at Costco Liverpool. Everything came in huge sizes which was a big change of scenery from "the smaller, the better" system back home.

Lovely rolling hills make a wonderful backdrop for the community.

Stumped

I wish I could do California and my Aunt and Uncle the justice of writing like Peter Mayle writes about Provence, France. But it seems that everytime I log into my blogs, brilliant ideas fail me. So I guess I'll just sit here, cradling my second mug of delicious coffee, and type whatever comes to mind.

Aunt Remy and Uncle Rene are at work today. Andrew's at school and Kuya Albert is off to school too, I think. So I'm on my own for today. I'll probably go out for a walk this afternoon. Tomorrow, I get to hang out with Kuya in Berkeley.

I feel like slapping my forehead, I should have done some research about places to visit here before the trip. But I was so fixated on just hanging out with my relatives that I really didn't think about touring. Haha! So I don't have any place in particular that I want to see. But I'm pretty sure that anywhere my relatives take me will be beautiful and breathtaking. Aunt Remy and I went to the mall yesterday and I got to see a bit of the neighborhood. I love how much there is to see even if you just drive around. The vast vineyard, rolling hills and mountains, the communities, this guy sitting out on his porch reading a book... The simple things that seem so mundane are fascinating to me. I get such a kick out of how high I get just driving around.Or rather, being driven around by my Aunt. I know. I'm shaking my head and smiling along with you.

Bit Sleepy But Wired

Greetings from Pleasanton, California! =)

I got here last night at 7:03 (the plane was early by 37 minutes!) and had no hitches whatsoever at the immigration. That wasa HUGE relief for everyone. When I left Manila, Mom prayed the whole way back to Pangasinan, Auntie Pina in Singapore was doing some praying too and Auntie Remy did the rosary on the drive to San Francisco to pick me up. I did some major whining and pleading with God on the plane and in the line at the immigration. So thank You Lord for your infinite mercies! And a big shout out to all who loved me in their prayers, the DCBC Sunset people and my dorm friends =)

Also, I didn't get sick on the entire flight.I never felt dizzy or nauseated and the air sickness bag just became a bin for my candies and gum. Hehe. So proud of myself for getting over motion sickness. Perhaps now I can reconsider a career in the service industry i.e. flight attendant. Just kidding.

Forgive me... But I sat next to a really cute guy on the plane. His name brought to my mind Girl with A Pearl Earring. Johann and I just had some idle talk while we were completing our customs declaration. Nothing exciting, I guess. Just that He was cute and a foot taller than me. I seldom meet guys taller than me back home. Victorette Joy Campilan! You must have been praying for that to happen huh? He wasn't British though. =)

Anyway. It's spring here and the flowers are in bloom. I love the weather. It's cold at night and and warm but not humid during the day. Perfect. I went out for a walk this morning with my Aunt. My Aunt's family live in a gated community and man, you guys have to see the houses here! It's like walking through a Better Homes magazine. Will get pics asap.

Itinerary for today:
1) Orientation.The house, the community, the routines here, laundry and kitchen stuff
2) Pick-up Andrew (Aunt Remy's youngest son, 5th grade) and just drive around the neighborhood

I'm sorry this is all coming out so bad. Not in writing mode. =)

A Lull in the Excitement

I had my hair rebonded a couple of days ago. The salon used L'Oreal's X-Tenso on me. To anyone thinking of getting the frizz/wave/curl out of their hair, I recommend the product. My hair still has volume and bounce. Best of all, it's super soft. I had my long hair cut prior to the treatment. I kinda miss my long mane but I'm loving my new hair style. I wake up inthe morning and I just run my fingers through my hair...tada! It's ready to go! Anyway, here it is... Although I think my face takes up most of the pic. Big face. =P

Flight's tomorrow. Super excited. And already a wee bit tired from all the excitement and packing. Please pray for that immigration interview to go smoothly. 14 hours on a plane...YIKES! I'm going to be one green-faced tourist when I get to San Francisco. But, things will be pretty great after that, I'm sure.

Sorry for the shallowness.

---

Dear parents,

I appreciate all the help and care. I understand that the thought of one's child travelling abroad alone is probably one of the freakiest things for a parent. But you taught me well and you raised me to have a more or less good head on my shoulders. So relax a little and stop yelling at me all the time. I'm kinda confused na po. Just because I have a calm expression on my face, it doesn't mean that I'm not organizing things in my head or worrying about the immigration thing. I just don't think that adding one more frantic person to our family will help. Relax. Breath. I'll be fine. Really. I've got my bags packed, I've checked my documents twice, I've arranged all the things that need to be brought back to UP and yes, I've made a list of everything I packed. I downloaded maps of the airports I'll be arriving and departing from. I've written down all my health information on a cards and inserted them in almost every thing I can insert them into. I bought all the medicine I need. Everything's fine. Everything will be fine.

---

Nellie-wellie, I need one of your hugs.

It's Up!

The church's onine newsletter is up and available for all to check out at www.updcbc.org. God bless!

PS Aiyee! Malapit na akong umalis! So excited! Geez...Don't even have bags pa...