Sometimes, I can’t believe that I’ve been gone for a month & 1 week already. Maybe its because I’ve done so many things these past few weeks, that time actually flew by. Imagine, the next day I got here, I already applied for my California Id, registered to vote, plus got my Cingular phone! Then the day after, my notebook came in the mail, my cutie patootie macbookpro! : )

And then the next 19 days after were a mixture of settling in and doing touristy things. We were constantly shopping for items for me, whether it was clothes, shoes or plastic containers, shelves and the like. We alternated fixing the room I’m gonna be staying at and going to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Legoland, Palm Springs etc. I also took the written driving test (which I passed.. yey!), and then eventually also passed the actual driving test (another yahoo!). Between opening bank accounts and learning how to use the washing machine, everyday was definitely an experience.

And then on Day 22, I started my job. Haha.. oh diba fight agad? I’m now working in a mortgage company. The 2nd week I got here, my cousin told me to give him my resume since there is an opening in their company. After the interview, I got a call on a Friday, telling me I’m gonna start on Monday na. Haha.. Crazy! I’m thankful because although I’m still settling in, I already have the chance to earn na. Plus its really near the house I’m staying at, and my cousins are all there, so buti I’m not gonna be a loner. Haha.. I have my lunch buddies! : )

My family left nung Sunday, which really got me sad.. Kasi, it means I’m gonna be alone na. Reality check in other words. But after talking to Nico, I felt recharged.. he has that effect on me, you know? I really miss that boy. Despite all these new experiences, there isn’t even a second I do not think of him. I miss you babe.. sooobra! I can’t wait to see you again..

Being here just makes me feel so grateful for just about everything. I’m so grateful to have someone like Nico in my life. Just the thought of him makes me smile na.. it’s like enough to get me through the day. Although we are miles apart now, I feel strongly about us. Just like what Jamie said, kung gusto mo, kakayanin mo naman eh. Because when you know it, you know IT. I’m also extremely thankful to my mom, dad, mama jo, & Adrian for making me hatid here. Although everyday wasn’t exactly smooth sailing (I think the saying “too many cooks in the kitchen” is applicable here ;p), no one can discount the fact that they just have my best interest in their minds. It’s just too bad that I was only able to spend 3 days with my dad, ‘coz he was on a bunch of conferences since May 4. Salamat mi familia.. sobrang salamat. Speaking of family, hey kuya! How was your Australia trip? Email me naman! Hahaha : ) And of course, the friends I left back home, who I still get to email almost everyday, miss you all! Lalo na my girls! : ) I am so ready to check everyone’s blogs starting maybe tomorrow.. I’ve just been so busy I’ve only been going online to check my mail! And thank you to my new family here, Kuya Joel, Ate Tina, Nico (not my Nico! Haha.. their 7 yr old son), Tita Norie, Tito Mon, Jay, Ate Lotty, Pudgy.. just about everyone here who has helped me so much in settling in. I’m now staying with my cousins Kuya Joel, Ate Tina, Nico & Jay, and I also go to work with them. They have definitely made things easier for me here.. although I know you guys wouldn’t get to read this, I wanna thank you for letting me stay with you and sa pagasikaso sakin. With these many blessings, I don’t have time to be sad na noh?

Just random kwento, yesterday for lunch we ate at Jollibee! Hahaha… ang funny! The fries taste exactly the same. I also got the Palabok, which is kinda peppery in taste but still yummy. Hahaha… super funny : ) and just now, I had chocolate mousse from Red Ribbon. Haha… May mga pinoy stuff pa rin naman dito ;p

Before I go to sleep, coz I have work na (hahah.. still not used to the idea of me saying I have work na), some pictures muna! I only have a few, coz I’m so tamad to take pictures from my olats of a camera.. Hahaha.. it’s super tiny yah, but naman, talo pa ng cellphones ang megapixels niya! Hihihi : )

This is me and Jecky after eating our yummy lunch in this resto in Rodeo Drive. It was so good to see you Jeck!! : )


He took this artsy fartsy pic of me ;p


My mom celebrated her bday here last May 7, and we had dinner at this japanese resto Shogu.. yummy! : )


The staff gave my mom a plastic crown, which my sister & i took turns wearing.. hehe : )


I love this pic of me & adrian in legoland.. new york lego! :)


We got to watch a baseball game, Angels vs. Bluejays in Angels Stadium in Anaheim.. we were seated in the heavens na! :O


This is me with my kulit kiddoes, nico & adrian ;p


I was able to have dinner with old friends from Babble, Rj, Meg & her bf. It felt good to see familiar faces.. Kaya ifever youre in the area.. call me! ;p


I have this tito who has a big backyard where he grows pinoy vegetables and everything! Like he has kalabasa, bayabas, kangkong, upo, sibuyas etc etc etc.. super katawa kasi parang nasa probinsya ka!


Even their kitchen is made of bamboo, and they cook using clay pots and all that! Haha... right in Ontario ha! ;p


Aliw talaga! This is a shot of me and my wonderful parents in the backyard again. I miss you mommy & daddy! :)


So yun, just a snippet of my new life here in sunny California. ;p