-PusangKalye-

We went to see Disney on Ice today at the Energy Solutions arena at 11. Zach’s mom gave us the tickets and i’m very thankful for that. Its always been my dream to see Disney on Ice since i was younger and i’m glad i finally got to see it.

The show presented Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as the hosts and it basically started with their car having some problems and as they left to get some water the gang from Cars came out. Afterwards it was a short version of the Little Mermaid. Then its the Lion King story then the show had a few minutes break. The last half of the show was all about Tinkerbell and her story.

Overall it was a very good show and i’m glad two of my fave Disney movies are there namely The Little Mermaid and The Lion King. I wished my favorite princesses Cinderella and Belle were there but maybe i’ll catch them next time. So its one dream come true again for me. Hopefully i can go to Disneyland soon…

I am really very happy. I wish i was younger so i can wear a princess gown like those cute little girls who came to see the show. I wanted to buy some Disney items there too but ugh! they were freakin expensive! nevermind. We went home and its been snowing heavily and its soooo cold. We drove thru a snow storm and when we got home, my chikoree’s front is very icy. lol.

Yay! It’s Christmas! and finally…. one of my childhood wishes came true! I won’t be dreaming of a white christmas anymore coz i’ve had it now already It’s a bit sad though that we spent it the american way. I really missed how christmas is spent in the Philippines where everyone’s waiting up til twelve and that’s when we will eat a special christmas dinner called noche buena and then exchange gifts afterwards. Here, i experienced opening the presents in the morning of christmas day and we’re just staying at home coz everything out there is closed for the day. But anyway, its okay – it’s a different experience! I’m happy i’m with what i can call “family”. I really appreciate everything my aunt and cousins have done for me. Anyways, so what did i get for christmas from them? I’ve got the good old ipod shuffle and some old navy shirts from Mama Tina, two ds lite games from Tim, and a victoria secret bag bundle from Tiffany.

Last saturday, i flew here in washington and will stay with my aunt and cousins at their home here in Tacoma. I’ll be spending Christmas and New Year with them here and i’m really happy that even if i’m away, I still have what i can call “family” to celebrate the holidays with. They’re gonna take me around here and in Seattle and i’m really excited. I just hope it won’t snow much so we can go around safely. As usual, i’ll be posting pictures soon in my multiply account (hmm.. which i haven’t done lately…)

Its almost Christmas and instead of being happy and excited about it, i’m feeling sad for the first time. I’m seeing a lot of Christmas decors around, hearing Christmas songs, etc and all i can feel is sadness and loneliness. My grandma called me a few days ago and it just hurts me to know that she’s feeling sad too and that she doesn’t know if they are gonna serve the usual dishes that we have for Christmas especially the huge crabs and shrimps which are my favorite cause i’m not gonna be there this time to finish them all up (hehehe). Its my first Christmas away from them after years of celebrating it with my grandparents and my other family members. And i do miss my grandparent’s cooking especially for Christmas and New Year. Since i am here in the US, i had to spend the holidays away from them. Good thing though, i have my aunt and my two cousins in Washington and i’m gonna spend two weeks with them starting next weekend. Atleast, i wont be that lonely and homesick like the others who will just celebrate the holidays together. I’m glad i have some family here in the US. And one more thing, i still haven’t bought any present, shux. That’s always my problem everytime Christmas is approaching. hehehe. I wonder what will i get for everyone… hmmm….

Last friday, we (Me, Nico, Rj, Imee, Allen, JL, Ian, JP, Marvin) left salt lake city at around 6am and with 3 cars we started our roadtrip to las vegas. It was a very long trip probably about 6-8 hours but it was fun. Well I slept at the back of the car mostly on the first half of the trip (after sleeping for 2 hours only after the thanksgiving night, good thing I not driving..haha). We ate breakfast at carl’s jr on the way and had our picture taken on the huge sign of welcome to arizona right after the utah-arizona stateline. Then we passed between tall hills/mountains (not sure how its called) and it feels like driving down the grand canyon already. Then we arrived in las vegas, nevada right after lunch and checked in our hotel – circus circus. It was quite a cheap hotel maybe 2 or 3 stars at the end of the strip but its still nice and its big. That afternoon we just walked around and then went to fry’s to shop a little then stayed at a bar called gameworks. That night, the guys went out and did something. Haha. Saturday we had a brunch buffet at sahara hotel. It was worth the money and well the food was okay and we did ate a lot. Then after lunch thats when we started our walkathon on the strip. We passed by most hotels, casinos, shops, etc but the best part is watching the fountain in bellagio. Its so relaxing and beautiful (I had that same feeling when I watch pyromusicals in moa before) and also shopping in m&ms world and coca-cola store (darn, i did go over a hundred). We’ve also had some tokens made from pennies with different designs and had our pictures taken at the wax museum. We’ve walked most of the strip to and from our hotel and guess what! Our feet and legs hurt, really. And my little pinky had some blisters on it and we were so tired and I was even sick (had a fever since that morning) so when we arrived back at the hotel past midnight, the moment I lie on my bed, I already fell asleep. Hehe. Sunday, we had brunch at in-n-out burgers where the burgers are really cheap but real tasty and fresh. Then back to salt lake we went. We got home around 7pm due to some traffic back in utah. Anyway, this trip has been fun though I was sick and our feet hurt a lot. Also, 2 days aren’t enough! We weren’t even able to watch some free shows as we we supposed to. So…we’re all planning to go back again soon. Haha.

Its my first time to experience ThanksGiving Day. We were invited by our VP to have ThanksGiving dinner with his family at their humble home last Thursday. There’s lots of yummy food and of course the turkey and desserts. That night, was also the blessing of his grandson. He and his family and other invited friends are really kind and friendly. Before everything else, we were given some name tags which has the name of other and before dinner we need to give it to the right person and say Hello. After dinner, we had this short activity where each one has to say something he’s thankful about. And I was thankful for the opportunity to be here and also to experience my first Thanksgiving. So this is how Thanksgiving is. Pretty much like how we Filipinos celebrates Christmas though ofcourse Christmas is still different. The following day would be Black Friday when the big sale is happening and its true that some people would really camp or line outside shops and wait for the opening! Hahaha, i guess that’s how big sales are here…

Last night we had dinner at KFC in State Street here in Salt Lake City. Its a different KFC experience because i found out that it is actually the first KFC branch and the only one that serves an eat-all-you-can buffet meal for only $8.61 with lots of food choices. There are lots of memorabilias inside and you cna even see one of the Colonel’s original suits (the white coat and pants) and then there are lots of picture of him and his wife, etc. I ate a lot of course and went home really full. hehe. I wish there’s a KFC buffet too back in the Philippines….

Got home at around 1:30am and slept at 2am. It has been a fun halloween night at the Gardner’s. After dinner with a giant Pie Pizzeria pizza, a homecooked pasta (by Phil), and home-made buko pandan (by Liz, which we call “young coconut lemongrass”, haha) we watched Hot Fuzz. After that, some played Soul Caliber then the guys watched The Exorcist while me, Jasel, Sabz, Marc and Ian played BackSeat Drawing. Its a fun game something similar to Pictionary. There’s a director and an artist. We have to guess what the artist is drawing based on the directions given by the director which may consists only of basic shapes and stuffs like that. Hmm.. by the way i also met Liz’s 8-month old son David and i do agree with them, he’s a really cute baby boy Anyway i woke up late today and for a Saturday i’m just hanging out alone here in my apartment. Imee’s coming next weekend so i still have a week more alone here. I’m fine, i guess. I’m still in my emotional state (as what i call it) as i am feeling so damn homesick still and i haven’t eaten much or had the will to cook some coz i still miss our food at home. Here i had to learn to be independent again just like in college and durng my first year of work except that i can’t come home to my family during weekends anymore coz im thousand miles away from them right now. huhuhu. Oh well, i know i’ll survive. it’ll just be a few months and i should just enjoy and make the most out of this US experience.

Yay! It’s Halloween and its really different how people celebrate it here in the US with how we do it in the Philippines. Right now, its most likely Pinoys are in cemeteries paying a visit to their departed ones. Anyway, we had this Halloween Spook-tacular event at the office that includes a chili cook-off, salsa-dip make-off, costume judging and trick-or-treating activity for the kids. Its my first to try chilis and there were so many of them, though i only tasted a few and got full already with the bread and desserts and stuffs. some were really very hot it got my nose runny. Good thing there were some that aren’t hot at all and that saved my nose. lol.

Tonight, we’re gonna hang out at an officemate’s house for an evening party with dinner and movies and play some games. I had my simple costume and that’s a headband with cat ears. Im thinking of a vampire or witch but ended up with it. Its okay anyway.

Yey! finally i’m in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA!!! Will coninue this post as i still need to get over my jetlag and settle down…..