2009: A Year-in-Growth

WOWIE MAUI. Can't believe this year's finally coming to an end.

Whew.

So happy that 2009's over with. I have never felt so much change, challenges and growth in my life. It's so true what they say: WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU, MAKES YOU STRONGER. :-)

I started the year off living in New York City, then hopped over to Taipei, and now Austin. So much has happen to me personally (both good and bad). I am so blessed to have lived through those experiences. I have met amazing people during my travels and definitely realized which people stay in your life and which are fleeting.

That makes me thankful and I feel truly fortunate and ALIVE.

I especially wanna give a big shout-out to my family- they have seen my struggles and growth, made me stay positive and hope for the best. And most importantly, they believed in me through and through. I learned to genuinely smile again, to grow, to learn and to give back. And now I am going back to school in a new city, with a fresh start and lots of hope! I think that I am ready to love again too.

More shout-outs to CO, CH, PN, AC, BW, TL, SH, CC, LPA, AW & TS! Love you all! Mu-ahhhhh!

2009 was, indeed, a Year-in-Growth.
That being said, I am sooooo stoked for Austin and 2010!! I'm gonna rock it :-D

Empire State of Mind

So good to be back in New York! Been busy running around trying to see everyone and everything and I realize how fortunate I am to have such good friends that I still keep in touch with.

My friend, Liz, had a beautifully FUN wedding on Saturday- absolutely gorgeous! It was very Liz and Camel-esque!

Definitely great to catch up with everyone and I am looking forward to another week of this before I pack my bags and hit the dusty trail to Austin! YEE HAW!

Things I will miss about Taiwan

1. exploring the alleys of Taipei
2. practicing my Chinese
3. hot soymilk breakfasts
4. Din Tai Fung
5. friendly people
6. 70 degree weather in December
7. my parents & new friends
   
8. Taiwanese social skills
9. being able to wear booty shorts w/o harassment of any kind
10. easy travel within Asia
11. head/neck/foot/body massages- cheap and amazing!
12. yummy Chinese bakeries
13. nightmarkets
    

Little Things I Miss about the States...

1. speaking English
2. salads
3. finding shoes/ clothes in my size
4. hulu.com
5. people who can actually drive
6. live music
7. good coffee
8. Target
9. my hair colorist
10. rednecks
    

Finding Nemo... and Heaven

My trip to Malaysia and Borneo was awe-inspiring. I couldn't get over how beautiful it was there. We covered city, mountain and beach on this trip. We climbed Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in SouthEast Asia ( try 13,435 ft!!). We scuba dived and snorkeled with the entire cast of Finding Nemo. I saw 3 sea turtles and even a reef shark !! We lapped it up in the warm weather with new friends, ate lots of yummy curry and made friends with the local children.


Unfortunately I didnt have an underwater camera with me to capture the fishes but here are some shots of the island Sipidan and pics of the sunset above the clouds on Mt. Kinabalu.

Week 1: Vegetarian!

So today marks 1 week that I haven't eaten any meat. No seafood, not anything on 4 legs, nothing. I feel remarkably lighter, more energetic and can sleep better at night.

On to week 2...

Afterthoughts...

I've been doing a bit of reflecting this past weekend.

So many thoughts and ideas have been running through my head about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Addressing and gaining resolution in my personal life has reminded me of who I am, who I was and who I will be.

I did something this weekend I never thought I would have the strength to do- cut out a person in my life who has meant so much to me. I loved this person tremendously, I still do but I realize in order for me to move on with my life, this is what needs to be done. I often think about this person and how their life is now, especially without me in it. However, you can't dwell on someone who doesn't appreciate you as a person, as a precious soul, as a human being.
No one should ever, ever, ever tolerate that. And especially one who doesn't recognize and appreciate total and pure, unconditional love. That is one true rarity in this world.

Sometimes you have to shut people out in order to let them back in. I've learned this after few months and I think this is me finally healing ... without a scar.

Ode to The Duck-Inn 1952-2005

I found this random shirt in Taipei.

Random because:

#1. The Duck-Inn was a great beach front hang-out for happy hour and seafood in my hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia
#2. I thought I was the only VB import into Taiwan....guess not.

I didn't get the shirt at the time and now totally regret it.

The Duck-Inn shut its doors in 2005 after more than 50 years of drunken, sand-filled stupors, surfers, groms and beach bettys. Ode to The Duck-Inn.

Marys Fish Camp

Deeeee-lish. One of my favorite places to eat in the West Village for fresh seafood.

Prada Store in Marfa, TX

When to use English slang properly

not here...

Tempting, but I might actually pass...

Staten Island Rep-resentttt!!!

Could this be the first proud display of STATEN ISLAND...ever?

White Tigers: Siegfried & Roy not included

I am on a zoo-spree! These white tigers were at the Singapore Zoo...it was close to feeding time when we rolled through.

Now featured at Starbucks Hong Kong: Ugly Coffee Dome

So many things wrong with this picture...

Caution: Food Still Alive!

So it was kind of a worst-food nightmare situation today where a couple of us went for Sushi the this local Japanese place. The fish was fresh, the atmosphere was tranquil and zen-like and the food...well, the food was still alive. The shrimp was a "raw" shrimp...we just didn't know how "raw" it was. My friend went to pick it up with her chopsticks and the whole thing started moving... it was just unappetizing...made me think twice about ordering anything raw with a head still on it. But other than that horrifying 5 seconds, the meal was delicious... makes me grateful that I'm high up on the food chain!

Everyone Poops...even pigs.

I visited the Taipei Zoo today. They are obsessed with poop. I dont know what the Zoo/Taiwan govt's agenda is, but I like it! They displayed poops of different animals, even Sponge Bob Square Pants...I shit you not.

She Bangs She Bangs

Just like Ricky Martin... without the hips swivel

World Press Photo Exhibition, Taipei, Taiwan

I stumbled upon a gallery opening yesterday afternoon which featured photo journalism from the World Press Photo Association. This exhibition tour highlighted photos taken all over the world of war, politics and everyday life. I was very moved by many pictures (which unfortunately I didn't get a chance to take as security approached me after taking the three above.) I thought these candid pics of Obama and family were great.

http://www.worldpressphoto.org/

Sprinkles Cupcakes: A Little Piece of Heaven

One of my food obsessions: Sprinkles Cupcakes! This is the original Sprinkles store in LA. Best Red Velvet cupcake. Ever.

Duane Hanson and Friends

I found some eerily realistic-looking people during my adventures at the Chelsea Galleries this afternoon. An artist named Duane Hanson creates these "middle-America" looking people who embrace mediocrity with open arms composed of "polyester resin, fiberglass, Bondo and bronze." Needless to say, I loved it.