Seeing My Philippines

I consider myself relatively well-traveled until I got a C- in this app.  I will travel again in July to see Palawan for the first time.  I know I will get a better grade after that.


My Lakbayan grade is C-!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.

My Map of the USA

Unexpected circumstances encouraged me to do some self-reflection.  If I ever have to move out of the US, am I satisfied with what I have seen and explored so far?

I have visited 17 of 50 states

Ahh, yes.  I am satisfied.  I can say that the US is no longer a mystery to me.  But, ofcourse, I still have a short list of the last few places I want to see:

1. Aurora Borealis in Alaska
2. Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington

History In Movies

I used to hate history.  In school, my report cards confirm that I had very little interest in the past.  I guess the only one that stuck in my head was about the Sumerians who invented the sundial.  But since I moved here in the US, I happen to become curious about where all these races in the US came from.  It is no question that in the US, everyone are immigrants, except of course, from the native American Indians.  My museum trips out of state has slowly piqued my curiosity and slight interest in basic history not just for the Americas but mostly the world.  Fortunately, I have seen these movies that, I think, everyone should see:

• Invictus - I knew nothing about South Africa and Nelson Mandela until I saw this movie.  It's amazing how recent they have embraced democracy.  I am most amazed by how Mandela charmed the Afrikaners to let go of apartheid to the native black Africans through rugby.
• Schindler's List - A heart wrenching movie that depicts the dark side of the human race.  This is about Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who took big risks to save the lives of Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
• The King's Speech - Old World royalties do not really interest me but this is more about a person's own struggle with himself.  
• Hotel Rwanda - Oh, gosh, this is another heart wrenching movie.  A friend recommended this to me and it reminded me of Schindler's List.  It saddens me how cruel we humans can become to one another.  
• The Motorcycle Diaries - Che Guevara's roadtrip around South America.  This describes the very trip that changed him into the revolutionary that he was.  Very inspiring.
• Evita
• Iron Lady

Brown Rabbit

It was nice to see this little brown rabbit munching on some grass in the park. Seeing him made me happy!

15,747 emails

My BlackBerry died on me one morning when I got 15,747 emails. Unbelievable.

A Flight of Stairs

This is the flight of stairs I take to get to the train for work everyday. But that morning, the stairs was buried in snow. Haaay, I hate snow.

Pinoy Sweaters in the Mall

I saw this in the mall during the weekend. At the back are big letters that spell out my home country: PHILIPPINES

Could this have been inspired by Manny Pacquiao's multiple boxing titles? Most likely.

Go Pinoy!

Dreaming Bora Bora

Ahhhhh, Bora Bora... This is as close as I can get to my dream islands... Someday... Someday I will snorkel in your prestine waters... Someday I will dive in your luscious deep waters.... For now, I need to swim in my codes and dive into my defect list... Ngarsh!

A Bus Stop for Royalty

I saw this one morning while walking along Madison St, right next to the Civic Opera.

My "Chicago In a Day" Itinerary

My friends from all over the world (literally) were here to visit me and my beautiful city. I have come up with an itinerary that I have proven to work so great that I want to share it with you, my readers. (Do I really have readers? Anyhoo....)

Here are the benefits of this itinerary:

• They get to see most of the must-see's in a day.
• They take full advantage of the CTA Day Pass for only $5.75 for unlimited rides. (There's no fear in getting lost now, haha!)
• It benefits me because I can go to work the next day. What they do is take the same route as the previous day, but this time, go inside the museums or spend more time to enjoy the attractions.

Chicago-in-a-Day

1. Navy Pier. Start from the south part, of course, to show off the best part of the pier. You get to see the ships and a good view of the city's buildings. When you have reached the tip of the pier (eastern most), walk back through the building. Inside the building is a stained-glass and mosaic museum. Good opportunity to do some souvenir shopping. Get some snack or drinks if necessary.
2. Take the blue trolleys or any CTA bus to Michigan Ave. Walk south to Chicago Tribune and Wrigley Field. Cross the bridge and go downstairs to the riverwalk. Stop and rest by the riverwalk. Wave at the people taking the Architecture Cruise and encourage them to do that the next day. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
3. Walk back upstairs to Michigan Ave and walk north to be part of the shopping tourist crowd. Walk to the Water Tower and upto John Hancock Tower. Tell them that they have the option to go to the Observatory the next day or maybe have some cocktails at the Signature Lounge.
4. Walk a few blocks south for Chicago-Style Deep Dish pizza. Options are Gino's East, Giordano's -- all along Superior St. If they are willing to walk further, go to Pizzeria Uno along Ohio.
5. Go back to Michigan Ave and take a CTA bus to Millenium Park. Very important to take pictures at the Cloud Gate aka The Bean. Go to Crowne Plaza for the water fountain.
6. Cross the street to Madison and take a CTA bus to United Center. Seeing Michael Jordan at the United Center was a special request by my friend from Toronto. On the way across the loop (going West) try to show them the Willis Tower. Tell them that they can go to the Skydeck the next day for some more history and most especially, the clear ledge! If they are interested about Chicago's financial district, show them the CBOT and CME buildings.
7. Take the same bus route going back to the loop, then take another going to the Museum Campus. Tell them that this is where they can go back the next day and enjoy the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium. Most likely, the sun has started to set and it's getting dark. The best thing to do (actually, I have never done this before -- twas a happy accident) is hop out of the bus at the stop closest to the Adler Planetarium. Sit by the lake and enjoy the sunset -- great photo-op for photography enthusiasts! I must say this is my favorite part of the day's itinerary.