AMERICAN DREAM

Went to the States, left last Aug10 & got back last Aug24. I really had fun during my US trip. Went to 3 states (California,Washington,Arizona) in my 14 days trip. Although I did spend a lot of that time waiting in airports (counted 12 airport stops, in 6 airports, logged in 38 flight hours), so its like 2 days of my trip was spent in transit. Lots of memories worth cherishing!

Things best remembered about my trip:

* Travelling becomes me. Felt so beautiful!= kept being complimented, from NAIA's security guard saying lasses from Cebu are really beautiful, to the black security lady at the Sacramento airport
calling me young lady, to the Mexican shopkeeper in San Francisco calling me "maganda", & the Washington Filipino restaurant owner telling my aunt I look so young & pretty.

* America: The Land of Plenty. Where are the people in the neighborhood? Was shocked at how few people there are. In my stay in the US,really only saw crowds when I'm at the airport, & even their malls are deserted (unlike SM over here). The US sure is huge. My mom said even if all Filipinos come to the US, there'd be space left over. Only saw 3 beggars in my whole stay in the different cities I visited. Freeway driving - so unlike the traffic jams back home. & radar detection signs if you go past the speed limit! & cameras on the road! Everything comes in big sizes - shampoo, lotion bottles,
etc.

* Home Sweet Home. US-Hermag version. I was so amazed by how Mom & Dad have made themselves such a beautiful home in Anaway,Sacramento. Their house was really nice, characterized by Mom's cleanliness, organization & beautification touches.

* Food! I gained 7 lbs in just 2 weeks! American pizza is as delicious as what we see in the movies! Visited & was toured by family & relatives & eating out was the norm. I love pigging out on vacation!

* Toastmasters Convention. Being a first timer at the TI convention was quite an experience for me.
It made me realize that I do belong to an international organization, seeing & getting to know
people from different countries, from different races. Being the VJ at Pawe's Videoke sing-along & coercing Toastmasters from different countries to sing songs. Time spent with dear Linus.

* Shopping!Bought gifts for home- I love Russ for Less = clothes, Shoes, shopping in California, the Arizona Desert Mall, bought books, even at Goodwill for ukay-ukay, American style = cheap, really nice clothes! My parents gave me 700USD to spend. Even shopped at Arizona airport, only mins.
after I'd disembarked from the plane, on the way to the bus stop to go to the hotel!

* Washington. I love Washington's greenery! Seattle was such a beautiful city, loved shopping at Pike's Place, going to the first Starbucks, & climbed the Seattle Space Needle! Ate Cherry's place on the Golf Course, with Bill Gates as neighbor, & near the lake, was impressive. Had fun with Jim, Jayme,Ethan & John(rambunctious but really adorable kids!). Had a tiring,early morning walk with Jim's parents.

* Arizona & the Desert Marriot. What the tour guide said that the temperature in Arizona is the same as in Baghdad, gives you an idea of how hot it was. Yet spent a morning walking the deserted streets of downtown Arizona with 3 senior citizens: Sirs Dodong & Noli & Mam Sonia. The locals must have thought we were crazy. The Desert Marriot is a 5star hotel, what fabulous pools! Took advantage of the Stargazing tour, but ended up moon-gazing instead! Loved looking at the moon craters(a high for a moon enthusiast such as me). Had a desert walking tour.

* Relatives Galore. All Filipinos have relatives in the States, & I was certainly no exception. Was shuttled back & forth between houses & States.Even my parents & sister were too busy & can't go on leave for the few days I stayed with each of them. Stayed with Auntie Pacit(my Dad's sister) & Uncle Allen in Washington where she toured me in Poulsbo, a really quaint,lakeside village. Stayed with Auntie Mila(my mom's cousin) in California & she & Auntie Prelly & Uncle toured me in San Francisco. Didn't have fun touring the shopping district with Auntie Mila - we went to Neiman Marcus & Gucci looking at jewelry & 3K USD bags! Would rather have visited Charmed house - rode the Sausalito ferry though & passed by Alcatraz Island & San Francisco Bridge.

* Friends Reunion. Met Glet, my best friend in college & her family (Icky,Gaby & Joshua Miguel, yup, he has almost the same name as my son! We weren't sure if we'd talked about it, but well Miguel is older so it was Glet who copied!). Also met Arlene, a close kabarkada in high school, & her husband. It was fun, we all had lunch in Mom & Dad's formal, rarely used dining room.

* California. California is so hot!!! Its really summer in August! Saw open spaces & dry brush all around. Toured Sacramento city hall grounds for America's retirees gathering with parents,
& got free food & shirts. Even had fireworks on my last night in the States due to the state fair.

* Family Reunion . Stayed with Ate Cherry & sina Mom & Dad in the States, but bonded more
when we all took the flight home to the US for another week-long vacation in Cebu. Though it was back to work for me, still had fun. Spent the 1st weekend at the Hilton Mactan. Touring Cebu. Ate Ethel arrived from Greece! The first time the whole family have been all together in 10 years.

Throughout my stay though, kept having bad dreams of the kids, the hubby, & of my workmates (& I never dream about people at work!)I guess I was missing family, what would have made my vacation complete would have been having the kids with me. & I was also worried about work, knowing this is just a breather for me, the eye before the storm. So after travelling, we all have to get our feet back on the ground once more. And face reality.