The trip to Chicago was one event friends of mine deemed not so feasible due to the 10 hours drive back and forth. In addition, there's that one hour time difference with Cincinnati. All those were quite a hassle so I started having second thoughts whether to push through with this adventure or otherwise. It seemed like no one was available given the tight hectic schedule. John was still up for the drive even though it was already going to be his 5th time back to Chicago. I suppose the decision was easy. I couldn't say NO to my first and longest road trip ever. Let the road trip begin! Just from the car, I already got to witness a beautiful Chicago Skyline. A place famous for tall skyscrapers and great architecture! Since we got there around lunch time, we started off with what Chicago was known for - Stuffed Pizza at Giordano's. We didn't mind getting all stuffed! :) When we saw the pizza oozing with mozzarella first hand, the word DIET all of a sudden became unfamiliar. We had all the excuses in the world at that point. I remember telling myself. I had to be ready for a long day of walking and picture taking! We ended up in several of Chicago's Highlights! From Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Crown Fountain, Cloud Gate Sculpture of AT&T, Lurie Garden, Wrigley (yes, the gum) Tower, Chicago River, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, so much more! When you hit Chicago, don't forget to check out the SkyDeck to get a 360 degrees view of the entire city! The last building is actually Oprah’s condominium!!! :) How cool is that? It was already around 3 in the morning when we got back to Cincinnati and it was then when I fully understood why one person could manage to keep going back to the same place several times. Chicago is definitely a city one could easily fall in love with. You should go see for yourself!
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The RED Team! We got to watch our first live baseball game in Cincinnati! Woohoo! Thanks heaps to Cass for extending the invite. The REDS won versus the Dodgers! How cool is that? So we had our taste of fireworks during instances of home runs and a grand one at the end of the game. I love how the baseball breaks were done. Not a dull moment. Cass and Candy had a kiss cam highlight! ;) The audience sang YMCA during the game while the maintenance folks danced while cleaning up the field. We cheered our way from start to finish. Though the game lasted for about 3 hours, it didn't feel like it. :P We had drinks after to celebrate the win and our last night together as a team. :) [ TRAVEL INFO ] Location: Great American Ball Park, Downtown Cincinnati Home of the Cincinnati REDS. A must visit for all baseball fans out there! You'll find it just right across the Ohio River. By the way, don't forget to wear red! http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cin Ever considered traveling to study overseas? I had the privilege of visiting the Georgetown Campus in Washington DC and Stanford University in San Francisco last year. I thought the campuses were amazing! I randomly stumbled on this file buried in my old PC. 3 years ago when I was still a junior studying at the Ateneo, I wrote about my key take away from my Study Abroad Experience (aka Junior Term Abroad) in Australia. I remember writing this in the plane. I officially embarked and headed for Manila 9:55 PM Sydney Time. A mixture of emotions came upon me. At that point, I wasn’t sure about what I was feeling - Happiness because I finally get to go home after three entire months of being away or Sadness because I had to leave wonderful relatives and Aussie friends behind. Before the trip, several concerns emerged. Internships for prestigious companies waited for my confirmation and fast-paced classes with fourth year students just so I can make it on time were things I took into consideration. Regardless of how hectic it seemed, I decided to grab this once in a lifetime experience. My UTS ID My Sydney JTA experience is a decision I will never regret. The trip definitely taught me valuable things one can’t easily learn back in the Philippines. But I must admit, life back n Manila is definitely far more convenient. In order to address the demands of the challenging world, in 2007, the Ateneo Information Systems and Computer Science Department for the first time offered an exchange program where students were given the opportunity to study and live abroad during their penultimate year in the university. More than the souvenirs I got to bring home with me, sharing with you valuables I got from the trip: 1. Independence. Being able to commute, walk alone, do things on my own was a totally new experience for me. 2. Adaptability. Starting from scratch, considering no one knew who I was. Being able to adjust in a completely different environment was definitely a challenge. Crossing the city streets just to transfer from one class to another was necessary because I was in a city campus where the buildings were scattered all around the area. Living with a different family was not easy at the beginning since there were different practices and routines. Time zone differences although minor, I also dealt with given that I was never a morning person. =) 3. Pride. Being able to represent the Ateneo during International Exchange Fairs and to invite students to experience what life in the Philippines was like. 4. Strength. Being able to make decisions on my own and allocating the budget entrusted to me. Surviving without the presence of my family and friends from Manila. 5. Beauty. To travel and explore how beautiful the world was. Meet wonderful people across the globe. I was actually surprised to have classmates from Bangladesh, Israel, Fiji, Greece, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, India and the list simply goes on. Definitely learned to appreciate cultural diversity. 6. Fulfillment. I realized that I was in the right course. It was during that time when I realized the wonders my course can do. How programming systems can simplify the complex processes of companies and experiencing joy of creating new things. Making me realize how real Project Management was in one’s everyday life. University of Technology Sydney (UTS) gave me the opportunity to have a feel of what it was like to work for Australian companies through the assigned projects. 7. Joy. Being closer with my cousins. Studying together. Travelling to places together. Touching other people. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time and revisit those memories. I really plan to go back to Australia. Perhaps next year? For more information:
University of Technology Sydney - http://uts.edu.au/ GeorgeTown - http://www.georgetown.edu/ Stanford - http://www.stanford.edu/ Last night in Redmond. So happy I got to spend it with Twinkle :) We had dinner at COHO Cafe. Food was good but the best part was the great company & bonding!
The most beautiful flowers I've seen lie in Skagit Valley, Washington. A few hours drive from Seattle. Witnessing a panoramic view of the mountains, field, and colorful tulips in full bloom. Definitely the place to be for all nature lovers. Thank you Twinkle for driving me all the way to see this! Loved it.
We spotted this cute shop while walking along Pike Place. It's especially for all cheesecake lovers! It was very very good!
Chel, TK, and Sherwin took me to Fisherman's Wharf. A famous attraction in San Francisco wherein you'll find lots of restaurants and a great view of the Pier. From a far one could witness the Alcatraz Island. (Prison place referenced by the Harry Potter Movie) I could still remember the taste of really good clam chowder on sour dough bread!!! Yummm :) The visit is not complete of course without checking out the Ghirardelli Store and feast on some good chocolate on ice cream! I miss my SF friends!!!! :) One day I wish I could go back and visit!
Thanks heaps to Sherwin for taking me around to witness such lovely views I've never seen before! :) Presenting the Palace of Fine Arts, The famous Golden Gate Bridge (too bad the fog wanted to be in the photo as well!) and the Zig Zag road right behind us!
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Welcome!All about the traveling Queen who wanted to share with the world the little and great discoveries that have brought her joy.
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