The Movies

often movies tell a tale
of magical delight
that even when all is wrong
soon it will come out right

while i may believe these movies
it's difficult to continue to
as that magical storyline
has not worked for me and you

it seems like those happy endings
so perfect in their many ways
is not a tale of realism
rather from the romanticism days

oh how much i wish that our ending
could result as i see on film
but maybe it's not meant to be
until we meet again in another realm

so as i ponder as i watch this movie
two friends friend true love and bliss
as once they were lost and now are found
ending with a true love's kiss

i know that life is not a movie
we may never become one
yet i hope that maybe my luck will change
and our happy ending will one day come

jason :)
1:44pm, 3/28/10

Day 3/4 - The Arrival

It's been quite the journey as we finally ended up heading out of Long Beach to New York, yet not without our troubles. First, the group off 44 went from Las Vegas to New York, arriving Tuesday morning. However, there are 45 people who are suppose to be in our group. Being the lone man out, I showed up at about 3pm for a 9:20pm flight. After seeing the team off to Vegas, I waiting alone in the terminal for my flight, which ended up delayed and put us back an hour and also putting us through traffic.

After finally arriving at the airport, I headed with the team to the hotel, unpacked, ate, then down to Battery Park. Since the line was so long, we visited the World War II memorial, then hit Wall Street (Bull), World Trade Center, Canal Street/Chinatown/SOHO Washington Square (NYU) and the NYU campus area. While in Chinatown, we ended up with food from Shanghai.

That evening, we dressed to impress as we headed out to watch Wicked. I saw it my 13/14 time and enjoyed it! The students and chaperones enjoyed it as well!

I  ended up at the Halal cart. I just couldn't resist!

In any case, take care and here's to another great day!

PS ... any typos are due to the 2am time here.

Day 1/2 - Weather - From Friend to Foe

The first two days of our Nationals trip were non-existant as we boarded the plane only to be deplaned due to a ground stop at Long Beach Airport at about 9am. It took six hours in the airport before Jet Blue cancelled the flights. Supposedly there were 60mph winds in NY! I guess it was good that we avoided the wind shears that could have caused our planes to crash. While I had wished we got lucky like we did with our flight in DC, I guess the risk was not necessarily worth it.

Unfortunately, with a group of 45, the earliest flight they could find was Monday night (arriving Tuesday). So that's where we stand, awaiting our flight tomorrow and now we have a very impacted, yet fun schedule awaiting us!

March Madness Begins

The Battle Begins

The battle for warrior supremacy begins as I prepare for the 2010 Warrior Dash. I'll have to be ready to handle this insane course in about a month's time which includes a jungle run, climbing over big tired and through sets of tires, climbing up a huge hill, over hay bales, walls, and cargo nets, over planks, cars, and trucks, through fire and of course through mud! While I may not be the greatest warrior of them all, at least I know, that I'll be ready to handle this course :) MUHAHAHA ... with my warrior cap on!

It's a Celebration

Today is the anniversary of my parents' wedding!

On my way home from the airport, I decided that I would make one of their favorite dishes. Little did I know that they were going to go eat dinner that evening. Of course, they were just going out so that they didn't have to cook. Since I was cooking, I think they didn't mind staying home for the night ... one of my regular dishes, seafood pasta :)

Since I had live prawns, I had to kill them in a wonderful seasoned bath :) Their spiked horns were deadly sharp!

Large scallops go nicely into this pasta dish :)

Clams in shell go nicely with the unshelled clams.

Green mussel cleaned is a plus!

Squid and shrimp :)

The large prawn and its defense!

The garden of red/yellow/green bell peppers, italian squash, carrots, onions, mushrooms, parsley, cilantro, basil and tomatos.

Shrimp, scallops, and squid tossed in buter and seasoning :)

The veggie mixed with ground chicken and unshelled clams :)

More steaming for the prawns on top of the pasta sauce.

Almost done!

Prawns take another seasoned bath in the extra soup.

Spaghetti noodles tossed with olive oil, salt (in water), lemon, and parsley.

The finished product topped with a prawn, parmesean cheese and Siracha sauce :)

The prawn dwarfs everything :)

Happy anniversary! May your love continue to bloom like an orchid of life!

From North Beach in NorCal

Welcome to North Beach. The Sentinel Building is one of the most beautiful buildings in North Beach where I was able to spend my first night in the bay. After grabbing the 30 to North Beach, I met up with my friend and we ate at a restaurant called The House (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-house-san-francisco) in order to settle our stomach before hitting the scene in North Beach. The pork chops were quite the delicious treat, as was the kobe beef tartar appetizer. She had the Butterfish California Roll. Although she wanted Black Cod, it seemed like she enjoyed her end of the meal, which ended in a tug of war and a deal to settle the battle at the House.

It was quite the adventure as I survived the evening I thought I would not and ended up having a blast. In all we ended up going into about five places that night including 585 for some birthday festivities and ended with our combo pizza at Golden Boy Pizza (http://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-boy-pizza-san-francisco), beating the last call crowds, yet still getting a crowd of our own.

The morning brought a surprisingly early rise, yet a relaxing morning as I stayed in to avoid some of the rain that had arrived here in San Francisco. As I looked out my window out into the bay, I realized it was not going to be a good picture day. As I walked down from my hotel, I grabbed lunch at Fisherman's Wharf with fresh calamari and chips. After being chased by a few hungry seagulls, I raced to grab some red clam chowder and also some safety from the hungry flock. Finding safety, I enjoyed my food before heading out to the photog adventure, yet found that the rain made it difficult to continue. After Alcatraz, sea lions, the harbor, the beach and cable cars, I decided to go relax a bit.

I headed out on the usual F-train to the Embarcadero station. When arriving, I thought I had missed my Bart, seeing as I had to wait some time before it came. However, little did I realize that the F-train had dropped me off early! So despite the panic, I arrived on time to catch up with some oldies since I wouldn't be coming up for BMUN. The House of Curries (http://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-curries-berkeley-2), located next to my favorite Top Dog (http://www.yelp.com/biz/top-dog-berkeley), was a delicious way to spend that evening having the lamb curry, chicken tikka masala, rice and garlic naan.

Seeing as we had missed each other the previous night, Shannon showed up to say hi on her way back home, which was still a good 1.5 hour drive away. Awwww, thanks! :)

After getting back, I laid down for a bit, then had my last hurrah around the area, catching up with a few more friends who had moved out this way for work and the such. It was kind of weird to figure out how everyone is getting older and growing up, but I guess that is life, it passes you by before you even realize, which is why you take these kinds of trips to just find some time to get away before your opportunities get away from you.

I guess they also provide a little adventure and memories that at the time were not fun but are funny for years to come after reflecting back on the situation. While planning out my day, I scheduled myself to arrive at the airport at 10:40am, not thinking that my flight was at 11:05am. While in the shower, I freaked out figuring out that I would not arrive early enough. Figuring it out, I packed all my stuff away and jammed out the door, catching the F-train as it left the pick up stop. Realizing I had not used the restroom, I figured, I can make it. While on the Bart I realized I had figured wrong. I knew there was a bathroom at the Oakland Airport stop, but with my luck, it was out of service. I almost peed in my pants, literally. I boarded the Air Bart and sweated it out, again, literally. I was thinking what I was going to do because I didn't think I could make it and when arriving at the terminal, I jammed out calmly, but quickly and screamed for joy internally as I saw the wonderful circle signifying the restroom! Oh boy, I've never, EVER felt so relieved. After checking in, I made sure that I was okay before I boarded the plane and found a relaxing and enjoyable flight home.

San Francisco, although you have not been kind to me weather-wise, you saved me from missing my flight ... thanks for the memories.

Sea Lions :)

Even the Sea Lions play this game of love.

a simple glance

a gesture towards one

as the cycle of love

has now begun

a love sincere

both be so true

a glance so pure

saying, "i love you"

jason

2/22/10, 6:44pm

Miles of Travels

I must be a traveling man because after this month, I will average approximately 200 miles per day of traveling, which is quite the trek. I guess when you average it out over the course of the year it won't be too bad, however, I never realized how many miles I traveled until I began logging the miles this year. Exciting isn't it?

In any case, 2010 will be the year in which I log the most travel miles in a year (I think), so let's see how high this number gets!

Airline & Airport Transfer Miles
New York (January) - 5,660
Carlsbad (January) - 143
Washington, DC (February) - 5,385
San Francisco (February) - 812

Trips - Logged Miles in 2010 (2/22/10) - 12,000

It's a wonder how the total was even.

Upcoming
New York (March) - 5,660

The Return to Normalcy

I walked outside yesterday and I had to jump into my car, there was snow on the ground, and when I took a deep breath, no smoke formed just outside of my lips as the hot air hit the freezing cold air. My schedule was once again run by bells. My homework had piled up and I spend twenty hours finishing my power point presentation and my "book" that was simply suppose to be an outline of my program. My room was a mess and the daily demands of work beckoned as my group of 16 students turned into 200.

However, I do not mind being back at home. While this trip turned out to be a success despite the circumstances that tried to make it otherwise, the comfort of home can never be overcome by the adventures of travel. There is always a sense of relief when you come home and your dog is waiting, wagging her tail, greeting you as you walk through the door.

My final photos from the trip are logged with a few pictures from a student who did a series on the weird positions I, as the photographer, took as I tried to get the right shot. I thought it was funny as the photographer became the photographed. It's quite nice.

To close out the DC trip, our team took home 14 of 16 awards and won the small school delegation award in commanding style, taking home three gavels, seven outstandings, two commendations, and one that is still pending. It was amazing when the pre-week discussions seemed about dreading conference while the actual performances turned into more than the amount of effort I expect to see from the students.

In any case, we made it home safely after visiting the Jefferson, FDR and Lincoln Memorial, and walking on the frozen reflecting pool, as we reflecting on one of the wackiest trips we've ever had at Cerritos MUN.