I been so lazy to post this since I have returned back to work. I had wrote this blog through my Ipad. Here's how it went.
Dec 25, 2011 (Pearson Int'l Airport, Toronto, Canada) - it's Christmas Day and I'm at the airport this morning. No one has lined up yet as the check-in counter was still closed. Texted my bf Merry Xmas as I was traveling that day. My flight was 19 hours long including a short stop at Hong Kong's Airport. I was able to watch 5 films (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows parts 1&2, Bad Teacher, The Social Network, and the classic Xmas movie Home Alone in Japanese) and listened to a lot of music selections (4Minute, T-Ara, David Guetta, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Pitbull, G.Na, Glee Soundtrack, and many more). Interestingly, the AVOD gave me the option to watch with English/Chinese subs or not. As for the rest of the flight, I enjoyed the new economy class seats despite the complaints from online reviews and the service of the flight crew, that were all smiles. During the lunch portion, they gave all the passengers a mini Xmas gift box, inside contained a bite sized brownie that was shaped like a star.
Dec 26 (Hong Kong Int'l Airport, Hong Kong, China) - in Canada, it's considered Boxing Day. Too bad I'm not shopping that day as I'm in HK's Airport, considered one of the best airports in the world. My connecting flight left 40 minutes late behind schedule and yes, it looks fully booked, considering that it is the last flight to Manila for that day. Discovers that the weather in HK is spring like temperatures during this time of year.
Dec 27 (Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport, Manila/Pagbilao, Quezon/Lucena City, Philippines) - finally arrived in Manila, around 12:30 in the morning. The weather in the Phil's is not only summer like, but it is also breezy. I saw a group of Korean school children (apparently on an English camp trip, I guess) waiting at customs and immigration. My grandpa and 2 of my cousins picked us up. Got to grandpas house around after 4 in the morning. Following breakfast, went to do some shopping at SM with relatives on my mothers side and had to commute by Jeepney from the mall and back. I had my hair done and bought a pair of earrings. We ate lunch at Pizza Hut. I also tried out the dress that I will wear at my aunt's wedding. It fits so nicely that I didn't need any adjustment.
Dec 28 (Pagbilao) - few more relatives on my father's side have arrived at my grandpa's house. At the same time, I went for a get-together lunch at my grandma's house. They were all happy that they received their Xmas gifts from clothes to money. While lunch was getting cooked, I passed the time to watch The Karate Kid remake. Back in my grandpa's house later that day and met the groom that will marry my aunt. It was the grooms birthday. We also had to do some last minute preparations for the wedding including stuffing the giveaway boxes with chocolate. I'm starting to get mosquito bites on my legs and arms.
Dec 29 (Pagbilao/Lucena) - finally got more Koreanovela DVDs to take with me back to Canada. All my of relatives on my dads side for the wedding are here. I went for a bit of shopping and checked out the hotel suite for the wedding. 2012 is fast approaching. I just feel the days go fast, but the time is so slow.
Dec 30 (Pagbilao/Lucena) - its the day of the wedding and it's also a national holiday in the Philippines, Rizal Day. I had to wake up early in the morning to get hair and makeup done as well as putting on the dress. We all were wearing fushia. Then left my grandpas house to head to the hotel for photos with the grooms entourage followed by nuptials at the church. I was beginning to feel hungry during the ceremony. The reception took place at the hotel. There was a photobooth where you can take many shots with different props. The lunch portion was really good. Part of the program includes a money dance and a bridesmaids/groomsmen activity. It went by really fast and we all had a good time.
Dec 31 (Pagbilao) - its the last day of 2011. Wow, what a year it has been to remember. Lots of things happened this year. My memorable event for that year was the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami back in March. The footage of the disaster looked like a scene from a movie. It was very terrible. It was one of my dream countries to visit. Another memorable moment was the death of the NDP leader Jack Layton. Few months after finishing 2nd place in the Federal Election and earning the position of the Leader of the Opposition, Jack succumbed to another form of cancer. He would have been Canada's future Prime Minister. A lot of Canadians felt his death. As for me, there were 3 things: working almost all year, getting a laptop, and earning a boyfriend that I had met at work. K-pop has been my music type all year. I was able to watch the final Harry Potter film this past summer and most recently New Year's Eve with friends including my bf. I didn't go far away except in the case I went to Niagara Falls and Buffalo in the summer. I experienced eating at a bistro restaurant with my close friend and eating Korean BBQ with fellow co-workers, where I have to cook the raw meat. I celebrated my New Years at my grandpas house. Some people started using the fireworks even before the clock was at midnight. When it was finally midnight, there was even more fireworks. Happy New Year 2012!!!
Jan 1, 2012 (Pagbilao/Manila) - its the first day of 2012. Still at my grandpas house eating New Years food and giving out the presents from chocolates to money to close relatives on my dads side. Everyone was happy. We didn't go to bed until 3 or 4 in the morning. I missed my bf, since he has to wait 13 hours to celebrate 2012 without me. I did sent him a text message however. Few hours later and I had to pack up to head to Manila for the next 3 days. The newly wedded couple (aka my aunt and new uncle to the family) are riding along to head to their honeymoon the next day. By the time I was on the road to the city, it was finally New Years in my hometown. Before settling at my uncles place, we ate early dinner at Shakey's. I was able to use my iPad since there was free wi-fi at the restaurant.
Jan 2 (Manila) - the newlyweds have left my uncles place to the airport for their flight. Just me and my cousins are left here. I was watching K-pop music vids in the morning. I then went shopping in the afternoon at SM Megamall. My uncle accompanied me to get there by taxi. Actually, this is my first time riding in a Philippine taxi. Megamall has a lot of imported stores from abroad including Forever 21, The Gap, Aldo, Payless Shoes and La Senza. I bought a few things, mostly for friends and a copy of SNSD Girls Generation's Japanese debut album, which came with a sling bag. I treated my uncle to a bubble tea place, where we ate Japanese food including octopus balls (takoyaki) and noodles (ebi fry yakisoba).
Jan 3 (Manila) - still at my uncles place in Manila. I began to listen to the SNSD CD I bought yesterday. So addicting. I just realized that I have one more week here before I return back to Toronto in the wintry cold and work. In the afternoon, I went to Robinsons where we ate McDonalds, purchased more gifts and a laptop case.
Jan 4 (Manila/Pagbilao) - it's my last day in Manila. So sad to leave my uncles place after spending the first few days of the New Year with them. I went shopping at Glorietta with my aunt and cousin on my mom's side. I purchased a laptop stand, 2 more K-pop CDs (BoA & G.Na), earrings (from Forever 21), and more gifts for friends. After all that shopping, I took a sip of iced mocha from the McCafe at McDonalds. On my way back to Pagbilao, we had to pick up the newlyweds at the airport and ate at the Rose & Grace restaurant.
Jan 5 (Pagbilao/Lucena) - I went shopping at SM Lucena again with my relatives on my mom's side. Xmas decorations are all gone and replaced with Chinese lanterns to make way for the upcoming Chinese New Year. I purchased new summer clothes this time and ate at Jollibee later that day.
Jan 6 (Pagbilao/Lucena/Sariaya) - I went to Pacific Mall to eat at Gerry's since it's the birthday of one my relatives and it's the last day for some that are headed back to the states. My cousins girlfriend joined in the party by bringing a delicious yam cake.
Jan 7 (Pagbilao/Lucena) - my relatives from the states have left my grandpa's place for their return flight. So sad to see them go, now that the house is quiet. In the afternoon, I went shopping in Lucena again to get thank you gifts for some relatives and snacks. I was able to watch the second part of T-Ara's mini movie titled Lovey Dovey from an internet cafe and ate 4 slices of pizza at Greenwich.
Jan 8 (Pagbilao/Manila) - first week of the new year has passed and its raining today. I went to SM Megamall with my relatives on my dad's side for lunch. We ate at Barrio Fiesta. I didn't buy much since I mostly purchased everything in the last few days.
Jan 9 (Pagbilao/Lucena) - two more days left until I return to Toronto and the brutal cold. I went to SM to watch Mission Impossible 4 with my cousin, who came back from spending Xmas and New Year's in Singapore. Movie was nice despite the excessive use of the A/C. After the movie, it was time to start packing up the stuff.
Jan 10 (Pagbilao) - last day to take in the summer heat. Spending my last day in my grandma's house. At the same time, still packing up last minute stuff.
Jan 11 (Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport, Manila, Philippines/Hong Kong Int'l Airport, Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong, China) - it was time to say bye to my relatives since I'm going back to Toronto. At NAIA, the unexpected happened, my flight from Manila to Hong Kong was delayed for about 3 hours since there was a technical problem with the plane. The ground staff in Manila gave us some food and refreshments while the repairs where made. The seats and the public restrooms were improved, despite NAIA being called the worst airport in the world. By the time I landed in HK, I missed the connecting flight, meaning the airline had to give me a new boarding pass for the next day and a hotel suite with meals for the night. Yes, this is my second time on Chinese soil since April 2010, but nearest to HKIA. The hotel was accessible via a bridge and the meals were at a buffet. Aahh....the luxury.
Jan 12 (Regal Airport Hotel/Hong Kong Int'l Airport, Hong Kong, China/Pearson Int'l Airport, Toronto, Canada) - After getting a few hours of sleep and eating breakfast at the hotel, back to the airport for the connecting flight. Shortly after takeoff, I saw a glimpse of the city of HK. Afterwards, I watched some movies (Columbiana, The Smurfs, Up!, and Black Swan). The only movie that I wasn't able to watch the whole thing was Puss in Boots. The audio was okay, but the screen kept buffering. I arrived back in Toronto around lunch time and it was rainy. As soon as I got home, I fell asleep right away, after a long trip.
Jan 13 (at home in Scarborough) - still adjusting from my recent trip. I'm beginning to unpack my stuff including gifts for friends.
And that was my vacation...
