Final Travel Log (April 21 - October 18, 2006)
Every end is a new beginning...
A couple of days ago, I celebrated my most anticipated 22nd birthday that made me realized the real realities of life. I have been here in USA for almost 6 months and a couple of hours from now, I am scheduled to fly back to Manila, Philippines. My lengthy visit in US was very different this time, I wasnt the boy is used to be - Very moment is an awakening and positive learning experience for me.
The past 6 months I have worked, toiled, traveled, played, searched, and of course, realized my new aspirations and dreams. I had the desire to work here, but then legally the tide did not work my way. I still have more than half a decade to decide whether to live or work in US for good.
I will surely miss the idle and tough times I had during my stay. I will surely miss the lights and sounds of Las Vegas, the calming weather of Virginia Beach, the busy streets of Los Angeles, the clubs of Santa Monica, the sands of Malibu, the fresh air of Palmdale, and of course, the inspiring Hollywood and the Walk of Fame.
Yesterday I shook hands with Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Billy Bob, I saw the beautiful Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, and Sylvester Stallone - October 16 was a day when Bruce Willis was inducted at Hollywood's Walk of Fame, it was such a coincidence that I was there, in the the VIP section, to capture to entire event. I was also a guest in G4 TV Network, they interviewed me for their show, of course, I couldnt helped being so super psyched in front of the billions of American viewers! Whew! A big day it was for me!
I have grown to be more mature, more inspired, and more highly motivated than I have ever thought I could be. I am ready to work, to embark on my professional career, and face life with my head up high. I have formulated a 5 year plan that I will unveil on January 2007, you have to wait and see.
On October 19, 10am, I will be in Manila Philippines. A chapter of my life has ended, all the debts closed, all the problems resolved, all the scars have healed - I have rested, rejuvenated, and challenged myself to be the best person I could be.
For me, America is not all glitters and gold, nothing would really beat a place that you can call home. As for my last travel log, all I can write down is this: There is no better way to broaden and develop a person than traveling. I would like to thank all my family and friends who continually supports me until today.
Only a couple of hours away and off I go at the 18 hour flight home. I have seen and met new people, but nothing excites me more than seeing your true friends. I ask for your prayers that God will grant me the wisdom, knowledge, and strenght. A week from now, I plan to publish online all the photos during my expedition and produce a video to summarize my adventure. I hope you could check it out... Thanks!
Every end is a new beginning...
Miracle in Virginia Beach Virginia,
USA
For the past 5 months here in USA, I have traveled the busy street of Los Angeles and Hollywood, visited the clubs of Santa Monica, and seen the bright lights of Las Vegas... Now, after the almost five years, I am back here in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
After my high school graduation from BedaHigh 2001 (Yippee! Champion!), I immediately went to Virginia to pursue
college. After a year and a half in the 757 (Virginia Zip Code), I returned to Manila to finish my degree in Mass
Communication. Of the many places in this world, Virginia is definitely the most memorable of all - I have my share
of countless good and bad memories here, and now, after almost half a decade, I have no choice but to face all the ghost of my past
proudly and bravely.
It is true that with time a person becomes more mature, stronger, and smarter. God has indeed a big plan for each
one of us, what I thought would be the worst month of my life turned quite well actually. Suprisingly, despite all
the controveries, everything is perfectly well - All smiles, no tears, and sadness. In one month, I worked and
bought stuff I could never buy in Manila and California. I know have a new top of the line laptop for video and
graphics editing, a digital camcorder, and countless of jeans, shirts, and shoes. It is true, material things can
never measure or even give happiness, but the way it was earned was truly a blessing.
You may never understand this, Virginia is a place I would never visit in a million of years, but now, it seems
fresh and comforting - I believe this is a miracle from God. As the old cliche goes, forgive and forget. I havent
seen my dad in four years and yet we have bonded well for the past month - no bigger blessing than that!
Virginia Beach, known as a populous navy outpost and dubbed as Pearl Harbor 2, is located at the east coast 4 hours
from Washington DC and 8 hours from New York. I visited Busch Garden and all the familiar sites of Virginia, I even
visited my old college to get some copies of my transcript. Nothing really special here except my dad, aunties, and
cousins, I know Virginia like the back of my hand, I thought it was irrelevant to tour and travel in this place.
On October 11 I am booked to fly back to California and celebrate my birthday on October 14, then on October 18 I am
off to go back to Manila, Philippines. Please continue to pray for me! Have a nice day!
Moving to Virginia Beach Virginia,
USA
As of
September 2, 2006 (Saturday) until October 11, 2006 (Wednesday), from Palmdale,
California, I will move to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Virginia Beach, Virginia is a special place for me. And
now, after half a decade, I now return to this place where I have billions of
both good and bad memories. It is time to face the skeletons in my closet and
finally re-write a new chapter in this place. I was hesitant and afraid to go
back, but I believe I have grown to be braver, smarter, forgiving, and most of
all more mature.
You may never understand this words that you are
reading, but I ask for your prayers that God will grant me the strength and
peace of mind. For months I have been thinking and now finally I have decided.
It is not easy to confront the ghost of the past, but through God, I know
everything will be alright. I believe God always has a purpose for everything.
I would like to thank my family and friends that
supported me and gave me a reason to live life to the fullest. It is time that I
face the now and tomorrow with my head up high and my foot forward.
California is such a beautiful place. I would really miss this wonderful state, the Walk of
Fame in Hollywood, riding the bus and train in LA, and of course my relatives.
As of late, I have a confusing dilemma of where to stay
- Philippines or USA? I love my country veery much, and I still desire to pursue
my masters degree. Its expensive taking it here. I still have 2 months to plan
and finalize.
You can catch me online at Yahoo Messenger from 7pm to 12am
local time in Virginia. I will be checking my emails and friendster account
daily at 7pm.
Thank you and have a nice day!
I need your help! Feature story for a
newspaper...
I am looking for a subject to interview, I
really need your help to find a feature story for the
newspaper.
I am looking for:
1. A person with success in any field of media,
arts, sports, entertainment, health,
entrepreneurship, education, management,
technology, public service, etc.***
***Note: a. the person could be a journalist,
media practioner, actor, actress, performer, model,
head nurse, amatuer or professional athlete,
school director, teacher, nurse, production
assistant, businessmen/businesswomen, alumni
officer, politician, war hero, etc.
b. someone with a story to inform,
educate, and inspire the reader.
c.The person may not have a
proffessional training or license, as long as the
person emerged successful in his/her community
worth recognizing
2. Any gender or age (male or female, from 1
month to 100 years old)
3. Legal status in America (student, tourist,
working, permanent residence)
4. Of Filipino heritage (Either Filipino-American, or
Filipino born)
5. Currently residing in America (any duration, from
1 day to 100 years)
I know you have someone in your mind right now,
please help me. It could even be you or someone
close to you that would qualify.
If the person is within southern California, I could
arrange a face-to-face interview and
pictorial as well. If the person is not within my
reach, I could interview by phone or other available
means possible.
Please send the contact information (name,
position, company, achievements, contact
number) to my e-mail [email protected]
You could send more than one. The more better. I
would personally review the nominations and
conduct the interview as soon as posible. Help me
find and promote the greatness of the Filipino
people.
If you have any information of any Filipino event,
celebration, or gathering worth publishing, please
do not hesitate to contact me.
The newspaper is widely read from east to west
coast in America and other places around the
world. This is definitely the best way to inform,
educate, and inspire. Please help me.
If you have any questions, comments, clarifications, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you very much! Have a nice day!
Posted October17, 2006
5pm
Posted October1, 2006
9pm
Posted September1, 2006
9pm
Posted July
16, 2006 10am
[email protected]