First Bohol

Bohol is another island about 2 hours away by ferry.  It's famous for having mini-monkeys and beautiful mountains known as the "Chocolate Mountains".  I had originally intended on doing all the touristy crap, but got so caught up in just relaxing that I'll unquestionably have to go back to catch the mini-monkeys, etc.

As I have mentioned before, my entire Asia trip just seems surreal; however, this was the first time I actually felt in the moment as it was happening.  One of the other shows was filming there and it ended up becoming a big party for one of the girl's birthdays.  I was kind of a tag-a-long for the trip, but it was good to get to know a lot of the people I don't normally get to interact with.  Drinking under the stars and palm trees, massages on the beach at night, dangerous mid-night pool antics, new friends, and a good memory.

I'll consider this one a success.

The Jetsons

Last night, I had my mind blown by technology. 

I have to place some orders for items from the US and China, however websites won't accept purchases from Filipino IP addresses because it's apparently a hub for fraud.  I was going to have my father's business manager handle the ordering for me, until I was introduced to the future.

First off I was video chatting with my father in St. Louis, MO from Asia (which still baffles me) and then he walked me through remotely logging in to his office computer in his Mansfield, TX office.  So I'm making orders from Asia on a computer in Texas while video chatting with someone in Missouri. 

Mind.  Blown.

On a different note, I was hanging out with some Brits last night who introduced me to Florence and the Machine.  I know I've heard them before, but never really paid attention.  I dig 'em.

Random Thought

It's unfortunate when people don't realize their kids (especially babies) are genuinely ugly.  It's equally sad when people think they are more attractive than they really are.

Hong Kong

So, I went to Hong Kong for two days.  I feel that I will probably appreciate this whole experience more in, like, 10 years.  As for now, it's all so surreal that it doesn't really sink in.

Hong Kong is your typical Gotham, but with cool Asian light shows and night markets and stuff.  We also went to check out an modern art tour, the highest point in the city, a temple and Dave took a metric ton of pictures.

One of the things I enjoy most about traveling is trying different food.  I'm aware that makes me a total fat kid, but what ever.  Ironically, we were about 50/50 between super Asian and familiar food we can't find in the Philippines.  I had Poutine (fresh cut fries served with gravy and cheese curds), Fish & Chips at a British Pub, Dim Sum (look it up), and conveyor belt sushi!  Now, let me tell you a little something about conveyor belt sushi... you want to do it.  You eat WAY to much and pay more than you really should for one meal, but I'm pretty sure it's how Jesus would have eaten sushi, had he the means to do so.

God's Gift To Man

Have you ever eaten something so unreasonably delicious that you actually feel enlightened and euphoric?

That is the only way I can describe Mango Cake.

Imagine if someone took a pecan pie crust and oatmeal cookies, crushed them up into teenie tiny pieces and some how made a light fluffy cake texture out of it.  Now, take this mixture and put it in incredibly thin layers, alternating with some sort of sweet cream icing.  Do this about 10 times and then top with a thick slice of mango.

I actually licked the tin foil and I'm not embarrassed to admit it.

Lightbulb

I think the difference is that this blog is for me and not for other people.

I had some random guy find me today at work and tell me that he lost his phone and was looking for phone numbers on the internet and found my other blog?  I really don't know how or why that makes any sense, but also a little concerning that someone randomly happened upon it.  Yet another reason to not post there any more.

Dorothy Parker for President

So I've been reading a book of works by Dorothy Parker.  If you don't know who she is, you definitely need to go look her up.  Here are a few random excerpts from different poems that cracked me up.

I'm of the glamorous ladies
At whose beckoning history shook.
But you are a man, and see only my pan,
So I stay at home with a book.

Love is sharper than stones or sticks;
Lone as the sea, and deeper blue;
Loud in the night as a clock that ticks;
Longer-lived than the Wandering Jew.
Show me a love was done and through,
Tell me a kiss escaped its debt!
Son, to your death you'll pay your due-
Women and elephants never forget.

... So, praise the gods, Catullus is away!
And let me tend you this advice, my dear:
Take any lover that you will, or may,
Except a poet. All of them are queer.

Brain Droppings

Originally I thought it would be such a blessing to have a support system when moving to a new country, and honestly I don’t know if I could have done it without the patience of those I came here with.  However, part of me wonders what it would have been like to have a clean slate entirely.  Not that they are judgmental, however you are still forced to maintain certain social roles that you had previous to coming.   

Who would I have become otherwise?

I’ve been thinking life a lot lately.  Probably over thinking about it when I should just be living it.

More and more, my life here begins to mirror my life at home.  I put myself in a fairly specific series of circumstances with almost identical relationships because it feels comfortable; but to what end?

Less thinking, more painting to GirlTalk.

A Moment Of Thought. Rare, I Know.

Being away from home really makes you realize the people you miss, the people you didn’t appreciate enough and the people that weren’t really worth your time. It also makes you appreciate the small things.

Things I would like to say to people I miss:

Rob – I have a hard time fathoming what life was before we were roommates. I think I might miss you most of all. You’re amount of faith and trust in me is absolutely overwhelming.

Michael Linden – The first occasion I felt genuinely homesick was when I saw the picture of your newborn. I really don’t know what I was doing that was so important that I wasn’t there at Nicholas’ birth, but this one hit a little closer to home.

Cole – Why the hell am I having an adventure without you? It seems not okay.

Kendyl – You’re like my conscious. Well, at least like the devil on my shoulder. I’m nothing without you!

Rhett – I don’t really miss you… because I know the next time I see you, everything will be exactly the same. Like it always is and always has been.

The Thompson Family – I can’t think of any grouping of people I enjoy more. I miss the lot of you.

Pandora Internet Radio – You do not work in the Philippines and my life has become stale and meaningless.

There are many other people who comprise my support system, and I appreciate each and every one of you.

And now for something completely different...

The First Attack

You may ask yourself, "Seriously?  You already have, like, 2 other blogs.  And one of your other blogs has it's own facebook fan page.  Why, dear God why, would you start another blog?"

Yes, you may be right, but I promise it's not out of vanity.  Well, I promise it's not completely out of vanity.

One was started as a frequent update system for a children's theatre and then I just kind of adapted it, so I really have no idea who reads it and they probably aren't particularly interested in my personal life.  The other is just a random graveyard of documented adventures that hasn't been updated in over a year.

Will I update this blog more frequently?

I'll make a noble effort.  But probably no.