Layover Taipei

It's been 7 hours at Taipei International Airport. Ever seen The Terminal, starring the brilliant Tom Hanks? It's starting to feel very familiar. We've spent our time watching movies at the transfer lounge, napping, eating, walking around, and more eating. I see lots of people rushing through from terminal to terminal and I wonder where they are headed. The possibilities are endless.

Everything was fine and dandy as we exited the plane. We were so happy to walk around after the 14 hour flight. Soon enough though, I was hit with news that made my heart sink. My family had been trying to reach out to me because of the 7.0 earthquake that occured on the boarder of Thailand and China, earlier today. It's 500 miles north of Bangkok, but its impact was still felt in the city. It's hard for me to enjoy my time with this in the back of my mind and with my family and friends worried. My heart goes out to those people affected by the earthquake and still to those suffering in Japan. I can only hope and pray that another one doesn't occur...especially near the coast of Thailand. We'll be flying down to Southern Thailand on Tuesday...staying in Krabi.

Things like this could happen anywhere, anytime. You could be driving home from school or work and get into an accident and possibly lose your life. You risk losing your life everyday the moment you step out into the world. What is different from going somewhere further...like Thailand? To live a life of fear is no way to live at all.

Testing...1...2..3...

It's quiet in the house...I'm in my usual spot at this time of night. On the edge of my bed, laptop on lap, and Pandora blasting in the background. Tonight's flavor is The Fray.

I had a bit of time to rest and while my body did that, my mind continued to work and wander in all sorts of directions. I've realized I haven't made an entry in a very long time. So hello...is this thing on? Here we go...

I'm not too sure why I've taken a break from blogging. Perhaps I've lost inspiration. But I have a feeling that it's all coming back to me now. So what's REALLY changed? Well, for one thing, I turned a year older. And the other significant thing I can share is that I feel like a stronger person. Mentally and emotionally. That's a whole other topic of its own.

Anyway...

2 years ago, I had left on my first foreign country exploration. While traveling solo, I fell in love with the unknown and the thrill of cross cultural experiences. I told myself I would visit a new country every year. I've kept that up.

I recently booked a Thailand trip with a bunch of random friends. We're set to take off in 2 weeks. Mind that I bought a plane ticket just a week ago. It was a spontaneous splurge that started off with just a friend. Our group of 2 turned out to be a group of 6. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to making new friends and becoming closer to acquaintances. Our friendships will undergo good times and bad times, I'm sure. But as I always say, if you ever want to know the true colors of someone, travel with them!

Vaca wrap up

Well...it's been quite some time since I've made an entry. The last few days of summer have meshed together. Blurred nights of partying and food excursions. Nothing spectacular to bring up. I just got back from a vacation in Florida. Not so much a vacation when you come back drained though huh? It was good times and bad times. Disneyworld, Orlando: CHECK! (Next on the list, Disneyland in Paris and then in Hong Kong). My quest to visit all the Disneylands in the world will be complete. No rush for that...I have the rest of my life to do so. For the time being, I've had all the Disney I can take for the next couple of years. Florida...So hot and humid that it made me appreciate our cool summer here in the Bay Area. A tan that I got in Florida made up for the tan I didn't get all summer in SJ. Nevertheless, I used protection...and lots of it. 50-85+ SPF all over my skin to be exact. I was obsessed with the sunscreen. USE SUNSCREEN puhleeeeze. Your body will thank you one day.

Anyway, this trip was exactly what I needed. I got it out of my system!! It was more than just tourism and beach time. As with every trip I take, I learn something new and I'm looking forward to the next challenge. It was a good way to end the summer and to initiate new beginnings. Cheers to that!

The Heat

Came too late and left too fast. What a tease...

Food Excursions

Some ridiculous things I've consumed this past weekend, in LA and OC:

Grasshopper Ice cream sandwich...

Red velvet ice cream bar...

Blue velvet cake, all from Milk, Hollywood.

Mixed fruit shaved ice from Guppy House.

Deep fried oreos...
1.5 foot Cowabunga corn dog, from the OC Fair.

Bacon wrapped hot dog, corner of Highland and Hollywood Blvd.

Vegas withdrawals

How do I put in words...

Basically, we partied when the sunset and stayed out all night until the sunrise. 1st time ever to see a sunrise and sunset in one day. Needless to say...it was beautiful.

6th annual Vegas trip!!

Some epic moments:
- Powered thru 3 clubs the first night.
- Partied @ XS for 5 hours straight & our fearless party of 5 killed 2 bottles of Goose.
- Blackjack tables in the pool @ Caesars
- Crazy bitch fight on stiletto heels involving a bat at 6am in the morning on Las Vegas Blvd.
- Broke my all time record and was still standing after some 7 shots shots shots!
- Stephen Curry on the same plane heading home to SFO.
- Leaving with more $$ than I came with. For once!!

Happy Birthday Bestie!!

She's the bestest friend a girl could ever have and today, she turns 25!! I've waited for this moment since February and now I don't feel too old! Catch us in Vegas tomorrow night...as we keep up our tradition. 6 years and going... I got my sunblock and stilettos packed...I'm good to go ;)

Unthinkable

There's just something about this song...

I can never get tired of it.

Damn the roaring 20s

Change happens quickly and during these years…I’m talking early to late 20s, a whole lot of change occurs! Think about it…it’s the time frame where one is asked to declare a field of study that would be applied to one’s career. What? Like it’s easy to know what you want to do for the rest of your life? The government grants us rights to booze and we take great advantage of that and have the time of our lives! We make bad decisions and discover the truth behind our friends and foes. Graduation from college and the search of a career, only to discover that work life in America is not what it’s hyped up to be. So…back to school it is! In the midst of that, one becomes an adult and moves out of mom’s house, finds a lifelong partner and joins the institution of marriage. You know what they say…first comes love, then comes marriage then comes a baby in a baby carriage. Next thing you know, you’re 30 and you’ve gone through a roller coaster ride of growth, drastic changes, and major decision making within a span of 10 years. That of which has flown by way too fast. Time is slipping through my fingers as we speak…like grains of sand through an hour glass.

Continuum

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how things have turned out and how life has come to be. I think of this moment right now and recall back to last year and think about what I was doing, where I was, and who I was surrounded by… exactly a year ago. And all of a sudden, it feels like a dream. Did that really happen? It’s so different now. It meant everything and now it's nothing. It’s good to reflect and see the changes that have happened. I want to make sure that my life is heading in the direction I want it to. This time last year, I know I was enjoying my summer a lot! I wasn't worried about working...and was looking forward to new adventures. I found myself just thinking about what fun I could get myself into. I did what I wanted to do and not what was expected of me. No regrets. What were you up to around this time last year?

Have a Happy 4th of July weekend kiddos. Don't light your asses on fire.

Viva Vegas
<3 lynn

xoxo

Is it the guide or MTV that is confused? The last two times I selected "The City" on the guide channel, it took me to the classic 1999 movie, "Never Been Kissed". As much as I wanted to see the fearless Kelly Cutrone chew out Roxy or simply see what chaotic business Whitney has gotten herself into, I didn't mind watching "Never Been Kissed". It never gets old. I miss those teen flicks. They just don't make it the same anymore... I guess you can say that Twilight is the teen flick of today's times. Goodness, it's so dramatic. Can't you just have a 1.5 hour movie of teenage fun, heartache, romance, and wrap it up? No need for all the hype and trilogies or saga people!!

So back to my point. As I turned to MTV in hopes of catching The City, it was Never Been Kissed instead, and Drew Barrymore was in the midst of talking her colleagues... What she said made my heart melt!

Josie Geller: That thing, that moment, when you kiss someone and everything around becomes hazy and the only thing in focus is you and this person and you realize that that person is the only person that you're supposed to kiss for the rest of your life, and for one moment you get this amazing gift and you want to laugh and you want to cry because you feel so lucky that you found it and so scared that that it will go away all at the same time.
Cynthia: Damn girl... you are a writer.

Happy Monday

My current flavor

I started reading this book 6 months ago and I'm only halfway. I swear I don't have a reading disorder, it's just that the first part of the book was really dry and depressing! AND I was reading another book at the same time: "Somewhere Inside". Anyway, Eat Pray Love is about a woman who had a failed marriage and was utterly miserable with work. She hated everything about her life and decided to leave and travel to all corners of the world in search of refuge from a broken life in the States. She studies different languages, finds romance, indulges in delicious food, and finds enlightenment with a help of a guru in the city of Ashram, India. The last part of the book is about her adventures in Indonesia. Now that I'm halfway through, I feel the pace picking up really fast. It's gotten a lot more interesting as the pages turn and I'm curious to see what her spiritual journeys have in stored for her. It would have been ideal for me to read this during my travels to Japan as I felt that most of it was relevant.

Today, I came across this excerpt from the book that I especially liked:

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you and then they leave. And thank God for it. Your problem is, you just can't let this one go. It's over. David's purpose was to shake you up, drive you out of that marriage that you needed to leave, tear apart your ego a little bit show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you desperate and out of control that you had to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master and beat it. That was his job and he did great, but now it's over." (p. 149, Gilbert)

So, my goal is to finish this book before the movie comes out. Julia Roberts is perfect for the role!

Summer Solstice

Today marks the first day of summer, the longest day of the year. My favorite season has begun!! It's also my brother's birthday! I had an eventful weekend, a great way to kick of the summer season. I went on a road trip down south the Orange County and LA. Visited my grampies. I miss my grampies a lot and I hope they can move up to SJ sometime soon. They're getting so old :( Also hit up LA for some fun and grubbin. It wasn't too hot either, so the weather was perfect for the beach and Santa Monica Pier. Finally! I got to go there.



Had to be the BEST funnel cake everrrrrrrr.

Things I'm looking forward to this summer, as I feel that it will be the last summer I can really enjoy for the next few years.

- More days at the beach
- Losing 5-7 lbs.
- Gotta love Vegas. 4th of July and then again, for my bff's bday bash!
- Florida in Sept.
- Starting a new chapter in life
- Cupcake artistry
- Frannie popping out her babygirl
- Summer festivals + concerts

Remember to use sunblock kiddos!!! Happy Summer

Monday Blues

After a wonderful warm weekend with fam and friends, I’ve got the Monday blues. I decided to go into my car and clean out my glove compartment because it’s been about NEVER since I’ve done that. Findings:

- A bunch of old CDs: Blink 182, Celine Dion, and Michelle Branch…just to name a few.

- Old parking permits from SJSU

- Melted Smashbox lip liner

- Insurance + registration papers

- Lotion and femmie products

- FRUIT LEATHER!!!

5 Fruit Leathers! I reckon they’re from my days working @ Facebook. I put them in my glove compartment just in case I got stuck in the middle of nowhere and without food. What a sweet surprise! I was so excited that I left my car as is and brought the fruit leather back into my cube. I opened up a strawberry one and took a big bite! Uhhh…they call it leather for a reason. It was dry and tough to chew. I spat it out and hoped that the others weren’t like that. Disappointed that they were not chewable, I threw all of them in the trash can. Here I am, back to Monday blues. I feel teased. Really? Fruit leathers go bad? I guess so, since it’s been in my glove compartment for at least a whole year. I hope I don’t get sick from eating some of it. Old fruit leather…pass on it, will you? I’m looking on the bright side: I have old CDs I can listen to on the way home today.

My lovely Eggling is growing so fast! I loves it. See the sunflower seed it has emerged from:

The Heart

I was rummaging through some things in my room and came across old notebooks from college. Subject: The Cardiovascular System. Some interesting facts about the heart and that I find impressive:

• The heart pumps about 1,500-2000 gallons of blood throughout your body on a daily basis.

• If all the nerves going to the heart is cut and it's removed from the body, the heart will continue to beat. This is because the heart is autorhythmic, meaning it generates its own rhythmic action potentials independent of the body.
  

• The human heart is fully developed about eight weeks after conception, when the embryo is only about one inch long.

I find it funny that the body can't function without the heart, yet the heart can function without the body. The heart is truly amazing. In addition to the vast physical work, the heart endures a great amount of emotional work too. Ever wonder why there is a piercing pain in your heart when you are hurt by someone you love? What is the correlation between these emotional and physical effects? Why doesn't your brain or stomach hurt, but rather, you heart. A heartache = my heart aches. It's that feeling where your entire chest cavity feels twisted and when you grasp for air, all you get is a minuscule amount of air that isn't enough to supply your entire body. Lack of oxygen means lack of blood, which means your brain can't think right, your eyes can't seem to focus, and all you want is for it to end. The heart, a strong enough organ to pump thousands of gallons of blood throughout the day, yet not strong enough for broken love and heartaches.

Take a Moment...

"...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."


It's the twisted game of life that throws us challenges and situations that can alter our future. It is up to us to make the right decision and to be above it. I feel safer when I map out each move I make. It helps me avoid disruption and harm in this chaotic world and it gives me a sense of control of what I'm doing. If there is anyone to blame in the end, it would be me. One of the greatest challenges that we as humans face everyday, is temptation. Yes, it may seem like a good idea at the moment, but take the extra few seconds to re-evaluate your situation and ask yourself if it's worth the risks. All it takes is one time. ONE TIME. A moment of pleasure, greed, or indulgence may be gratifying for the moment, but can create a lifetime of regret and pain.

Checkpoint

Hello, I've lost track of time and neglected my blog. My days blend together and if you ask me what I've been up to, I couldn't tell you much. It's that uneventful that it doesn't leave an impression on me. The strawberry plant that I started growing a few weeks ago never sprouted. Not even a measly stem! I've moved on to something bigger and better though. Compliments of a sweet friend..."The Eggling" It's meant to produce a lovely sunflower. But I'll be happy with just stem and 2 leaves.

The Eggling: A ceramic egg filled with soil and seeds. Once I crack the top of the egg and water it, it's bound to blossom! Easy right? We shall see. If this fails, I will give up on my attempted hobby of pottery planting.



Speaking of moving on to bigger or better things. When is that justified? Most definitely a job, getting a new car, or moving into a different place. But what about people? Is it okay to move on to another person because the person you are with doesn't fit like glove? What if the person you are with can make you happy and fits your expectations but you come across new who goes above and beyond what you could ever want? In that case, does the expression "bigger and better" apply? It's not okay to just up and leave your significant for version 2.0! But I know that it's only human to want more and that it's in our nature to never be satisfied. *Sigh* I've been watching too much Sex and the City.

Sunkissed

Current view:
It's a fairly warm day and I just woke up from a nap on the beach...at La Jolla Shores. These past 3 days, I've gotten a nice pre-summer glow. Lots of playtime at the pool and naps on the beach! This is what vacation truly is...doing nothing and eating everything! Sleep, brunch, play in the sun, snack time, nap time, dinner, and out for a drink....just 1 drink...and then 4th meal. Relaxing, wholesome time with the gfs.


Last night, we went to this cool place called Shout House. It was my first Dueling Piano experience. The pianists were so fun and played just about everything from snoop dog to old school Nintendo music. Lots of dancing on piano tops and comedy accompanying the compositions. On top of that, the crowd was CRAZYYY. The place had numerous bachellorette and birthday parties going on and it seemed like everyone was wasted. Good times =)

Happenings @ Target

Good ol' Target never disappoints. I go there when I need a little pick me up. Whether it'd be a stroll down the card aisle or scrounging around the dollar section to find cute things...God Bless you, Target. I always come in with 1 thing to buy, but end up leaving with 10 items. With that in mind, I take it back...I hate you, Target.

So last night, we went in to buy a board game because it was one of those nights when we wanted to have fun and didn't want to resort to boozing. So walking down the toy section, I found this: BRACE YOUSRELF!

Is this what Babrie has come to? I was outraged! Miss Thang here is a part of the "Barbie Basics" collection. There is nothing BASIC to these dolls. Her and the other hoochie mama Barbies were on the shelves so that little girls can have! At first, I thought, "Oh this Barbie must be a manufactor's defect because she's missing her tank top underneath." But NOPE!!! I looked at the other Barbies behind her and they all were missing an undershirt! My goodness! What is Mattel marketing to little girls? To slut it up? To show one's breastesses? Inappropriate. At least have an advisory note that says, if you're gonna be a whore, wait until after age 21. Protect your youth! I am outraged. Sooo outraged that I looked it up online to see if anyone has made complaints about it. Much to my surprise, they toned down the sex appeal of these Barbies on ads.

The Barbie I found in the store...Her boobs are busting out.


Barbie I found online...barely there boobs.


*Hmph*

On a lighter note, I have a new project at work, thanks to the dollar aisle at Target. I will attempt to grow and harvest strawberries out of my cubical. Amazing these lille thigns are! And only for $1. What a steal.