O'ne Siamera Plus Jamais

For everyone who is still not over Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Inception, because only a few can be called via their initials. You have to be super awesome. And he is, even while talking gibberish.

Sleepless..

Through the course of my travels, I have developed a fondness for taking somebody else's "moment" and making them my own. In reality, I just want to live in their moment, because when you don't have a moment of your own, you try to live vicariously through the moments of people around you. It's sad, picking up the pieces of something that isn't even meant for you. And in between these moments, all the while being alone but not unhappy, I have learned to deal with fear. And to be totally, completely, truly satisfied to just be in my company. Always just me. :)

On a ferry, in Seattle. July 2010.

La Vie en Rose

Oh, I just realized I actually have to fly out later today. It should be okay except I really don't enjoy airport security checks, it makes me unnecessarily nervous and very, very uncomfortable. I love the peace traveling alone brings but not the stress I have to deal with on my own. Well, whatever. We can't have it all. Anyway, in the spirit of keeping myself awake so that I can sleep soundly during today's back-to-back plane rides (my fourth since being in the US), I'm posting MORE pictures.

This set is from our visit to Chi Town's Botanic Garden. I'm not a big fan of gardens or photographing flowers, that is more of Ysabella's thing, but I did try. Try, being the operative word in this equation, of course. First, a small background: Chicago Botanic Garden houses 24 gardens (some notable ones: the heritage, Japanese, rose, vegetable, herb and apple tree gardens they have) in the nine-island, praire-woodland-meadow, 385-acre ensemble in Chicago, Illinois. It's really big and full of flowers, lakes, park animals and a lot of geriatric individuals. As for me, my favorite garden was the rose garden. For a few minutes there, I thought I was the Red Queen prancing around my neatly trimmed hedges and blooming red roses as I play flamingolf. Hehehe. I had a nice time. It is such a nice place. Off to the photos..

Aaaaand just so you know we were really there:

^^Thought the necklace was a pretty kind of cool, so I got it for myself when I was in Florida. Hehehe. Sorry there are no pictures of other people in this set. I was fully immersed on the idea of being a pseudo-Red Queen (that, and the truly unforgiving heat) so I didn't even bother to look around. I promise I will when I get to New York.

So there. Empire State tomorrow! One hand in the air for the big city! Yayyy!

If it's not too much to ask, please follow me on Twitter. It's easier to update there especially because I may not have time to go online as the rest of the month will be busy, busy, busy. Ciao!

Hello, Wisconsin

Hello! I have to fly 806++ miles (pretty much the whole day) tomorrow from Chicago to Washington, D.C. to New York so I'm trying to keep myself awake despite the threat of a rather phantom, splitting headache. I like to sleep while in flight, that's why. So, instead of sleeping time off, I'll post pictures instead.

Here are some of my photos from Blue Harbor in Sheybogan, Wisconsin. It's a recreational destination with a water park, pools and a beach front. We stayed in one of the villas over looking the very cold Lake Michigan and because of the fog, the whole place got that Shutter Island feel all over it. Remember the lighthouse paranoia from that movie? Exactly. Conspiracy theories aside, a peaceful and tranquil place like this calls for many emo moments as captured below. It's a nice place. Very soothing and relaxing. Of course, I read most of the time because if it's relaxation you want from me, you have to hand me a book. Thankfully, the pages didn't stop me from snapping a few photos of such an excellent place. :)

And of course.. not to miss:

Some candy.

That is all. Hello, Wisconsin!!!

Steak Night

As a guest, I am not hard to please. You don't have to ask me where I want to go, you just have to ask me what I want to eat. In my book, good eats must always come first. It is always more important than the sights one has to see.

Manang Raisa, one of my older cousins who also lives in Illinois, takes me out on dinner and movie dates while I'm here in Chicago. It was during one of those nights out that I had the pleasure of feasting on LongHorn's Outlaw, an 18oz. Rib Eye (bone in) grilled to the trifecta of steak perfection--(tasty, soft, juicy). It was delicious and extremely satisfying. We all know that the key to great steak is the marbling, and this one must have been a vision of red and white all over because it stayed juicy and soft for two hours (it took me that long to finish). Succulent, medium rare steak with sweet potato & butter and plenty of asparagus side servings. Aaah, the rub was the best part. Sea salt, black pepper, olive oil. It didn't need a lot really, and it was so good I finished off my plate and all my sides. It was excellent and is possibly one of the most satisfying dinners I have had while I'm on vacation.

And then, I had fried cheesecake with ice cream on top afterwards.. A total gob and gab fest all in one night because that's just how I am. When I'm happy about the food, I talk--sometimes, even for days.

Pictures of You

I haven't been uploading pictures because nothing's coming out pretty nowadays. Not even me, and that is such a shock. Chos. I'm not really in the mood to write so here's a sneak peek of where I've been this past two weeks. If you're new, I'm currently spending my time in Illinois, otherwise known as the Badger State or the Land of Lincoln. These pictures were taken during a walk along the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chi-town. I love that monicker. :D Hehe.

People:

Places:

Food:

Boys:

Hehehe. I know.

I tried writing about every picture but in reality, there's nothing much to say. I'm a bit tired too. Maybe tomorrow I can post better pictures and blog about them in the proper, lengthy way. For now, a good morning (it's 03:00am) to everybody. Have a great Fourth of July weekend.