Wonderful Summer 2007

This summer is undeniably one of the most memorable ones I have ever experienced in my entire life. Although I felt some regrets before going outside my native land (because of the fact that I would be missing a lot of episodes of my favorite television programs), I managed to get through the entire separation anxiety process that I feared having before finally going to the U.S.

I am glad that my father actually accompanied me to my first trip abroad. The trip gave me a lot of anxieties especially with that incident I had in Narita. Then the anxiety piled up as I encountered that L.A. immigration officer who seems to be not so familiar with the words of his own language.

April 12, 2007
Arriving in San Francisco was a huge relief because we finally reached the venue of our MUN conference. Touring the SF Downtown was very soothing. SF atmosphere cooled down all my stress during the trip from Manila to SFO. I realized how cool it is to walk downtown, and to get the "feel" of the place.

April 13-17, 2007
The conference, although it is not as stressful as I have imagined, was quite an experience because I realized that nothing will really happen to you if you will not assert yourself. I had to make the first move in everything. Otherwise, they'll just ignore that brown-colored me. The first issue which was supposed to be the second issue, was really a difficult time for me because nobody came to me. I had to go to Russia and add a clause in order to be included as a sponsor. The second issue was better because South Africa came to me. I was able to befriend Spain as well. In the latter part, although I was a sponsor of a resolution, my suggestion didn't make it through. The last issue was more relaxed and cooler. I was one of the sponsors if the shortest resolution ever made. I befriended Nicaragua and Nigeria. Our chair came to us and had a little chat. It was a memorable chat. Really cool to befriend our chair.

April 16, 2007
The diplomatic banquet was not what I expected. Immediately after the dinner, everybody already left. Only Philippines and Nicaragua were left. I gave Nicaragua my souvenir and card but I failed to give mine to others, like the Philippines, Canada, Spain, Nigeria, Peru, Japan, and the Chair. Russia was very snobbish. Peru is a quite a jerk. Philippines was really friendly and cool but I regret not to have the name of the delegate. Zambia was approachable and kind. South Africa was kind, cool, and funny. All my souvenirs were not distributed. So much for making friends. I was glad it was over. I was glad we had the very much desired award.

I learned how to iron my clothes and to limit my food. I felt I was beginning to slim because of the limited food we had (due to my own thriftiness).

Picture taking was really fun but I didn't enjoy much because my family was not with me.

April 17, 2007
As we flew east towards DC, I was really excited. I really had a lot of places in my mind to go to. Museums and historical sites!!!

April 18, 2007
Destination:
Library of Congress


The cold air really began to damage our mood and energy. Dandruff and itchiness due to dry skin began to knock at our doors.

April 19, 2007

Destination:
Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.
White House
US Capitol
World War II Memorial
Washington Monument

I was really delighted that my father has a great friend to have us experience a ride in a diplomatic car, and a "courtesy call" in the Philippine embassy. Touring DC was limited because we had to be discrete and careful not to be seen by Amores relatives.

April 21, 2007
Destination: Atlantic City, New Jersey

The tour in New Jersey was not bad, although I had to pretend to be 21 because of the legality of gambling. Duh, even though I am already 21 I won't even dare to gamble. Food in the VIP lounges of Borgata-- very sumptuous!

April 22, 2007
Destination: New York City!!! Yey!

New York City was a great experience. Although I regret not having to tour the UN building and to watch the Les Miz, I was glad to get up the Empire State building. I was glad to walk the streets of Manhattan. It was really cool. It was a wonderful feeling. Although a couple really seem to create some annoyance in the entire trip, I can still say NY is great. Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. were great.

But it seems that I left my heart in NY. I promise myself to go back to New York someday. I will go to the Statue of Liberty, inside the UN building, and I will watch a broadway show. I will buy lots of souvenirs other than keychains.

April 25-27, 2007
The remaining days of my stay were fine (thanks to the wonderful Holocaust Museum --the best, and the Lincoln Memorial), but I already felt tired and irritated with all the things happening, and all the annoyances caused by the couple. I wanted to go home. I wanted to say goodbye to DC for a while. I'll be back again soon for all the historical sites and museums that I haven't entered (including the White House, Jefferson Memorial, Arlington Memorial, National Archives, etc). As I left DC/VA, I also left my beloved eldest sister. I will surely miss her and all the fun times we had especially during this particular US trip, but internet and sms are always there. She has to move on first in her life. I wish her the best.

April 28, 2007
Going home was smoother than our trip to the US. I already felt in-charge of my life. I felt free and excited to see my land once again. I wanted to experience the heat and the sweat. I wanted to lose weight and to release all the bad memories and stress.

April 29, 2007
Narita was a great airport. I loved being in Japan (even just in the airport). I simply loved it. I wish I could visit Japan someday. I promise myself to go visit it someday. Narita certainly relieved me of all the stress I had in the US (caused by the freezing atmosphere, the unfortunate events, wasted times, and the annoying couple). I was already in Asia. Asian Pride!

Philippines is the best country. I loved it, I am loving it, and I am going to love it forever. My trip to a foreign land made me love my beloved country even deeper.

Jetlag...

My US trip, especially my plane trips really taught me something aside from sleeping while sitting and aside from watching films on plane... ehem... tea drinking... particularly green tea...

During my jetlag nights, one thing helped me... Hana Yori Dango! Dismayed that I wasn't able to watch the Philippine telecast of Gokusen 2 ending (having watched it only online before leaving for the US), I was determined to patch my heart up with something better... HYD! Yey! Success!

Hana Yori Dango 1 and 2= definitely an improved MG. I still credit MG for its superb impact it gave me when it entered the Filipino television, but watching HYD suddenly gave me this certain realization of the beauty of Japan and the Japanese depiction of a Japanese story. MatsuJun and Inoue Mao certainly gave me a new great feeling. Also, I seem to want to go back to New York and Japan because of HYD... Suddenly I am a new fan of JPop, Arashi/MatsuJun, and JDoramas. My US trip (with a visit in Narita, Japan really inspired me to start loving and being addicted to Japanese stuff...) This really changed my life... Now I am confused between loving Korea and Japan.

Weeks have passed. I got my student permit. I voted. I feel adult. Yet I feel I still have a lot of things to do, learn, and to experience.

A lot of realizations really came to me...

I want to learn how to drive, cook, do martial arts, speak and understand foreign languages (Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, French, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, etc.), play violin and piano.

I want to travel to Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

I want to be a diplomat. I want to be a lawyer. I want to be an international lawyer.

I am only 19. I am still 19. I am already 19.

I have a lot of things to do. I have a lot of things to learn. I want to achieve them before reaching 35.

So help me God.

Truly, this summer is a learning experience. I got to know myself better. I got to realize more things.

Aja aja!