Be like the golden retriever

I have come across a Quartz article entitled “How do you make new friends as an adult? Be like the golden retriever”. It is true that making new friends as an adult is quite difficult as we tend to overthink it, self-consciousness dives in and we are left with anxiety if that one person will like us or not.

As a new immigrant, I was stripped of everything when I moved here in Canada. Stripped of everything means no own place, no car, no friends and no family. But as the saying goes, no man is an island. So one of the many challenges I face here everyday is  how to make new friends, and expand my network. As a self-proclaimed introvert myself, it’s double the challenge.

Yes, I do meet new people in the office and at school, but luckily, there is also a so-called “Meet up” app which I have only recently discovered when I moved here. There you will find a lot of groups you can join, depending on your hobbies and interests. The organizers of the group will post meet up activities, including the place and time. You just have to show up and be like the golden retriever. Be happy, confident and just be yourself.

2015 climb

It’s on my to-do list to at least have one climb per year. Luckily, I made it possible on the last month of this year. I was too busy with my studies, training and new work so it’s hard to schedule a climb.

Me and my friends went to Batulao. It’s actually our second time here but this is the first time I’ve seen the beautiful view.

The first time we climbed here it was really raining hard so we did not get to see the scenic view of Batulao.

I hope I can climb some more mountains this year. It’s always a great feeling when you reach the top. ☺

Xiao Long Bao

 

 

Missing this Chinese delicacy. Ahh! 

 

Shanghai Pudong Skyline

 

 

Geisha

This was one of the highlights of my recent Japan trip. We already gave up the thought of seeing a geisha around the Gion area since it was past 4pm. Luckily, while we were walking towards Nishiki market; we stumbled upon one or two geishas walking around the area.

After posting this on my instagram account, random people started making comments saying that this was Satsuki-san, one of the most popular maiko in Gion to date. As a fan of Memoirs of a Geisha, I could not ask for more. 🙂

Mt. Fuji

One of my favorite scenic spots in Japan. Mt. Fuji was insanely beautiful; I describe it as an apparition on a clear horizon, and I just could not take my eyes off of it.

Defying Gravity (one Wicked night)

I got the chance to see Wicked, the Broadway Musical last Friday. It is my second time to see a musical in Manila after Phantom of the Opera. I liked this one better than the Phantom, but that’s just because I can connect to the story more than the Phantom’s love for Christine.

Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is a musical based on the novel Wicked : The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West written by Gregory Maguire. It was about the friendship of Elphaba and Galinda (later on named Glinda). Elphaba, because of her green complexion was deemed as different and is thus avoided by her classmates. On the other hand, Glinda was the blonde-girl and a popular one. In an unexpected turn of events the two ended up together as roommates and there begins an epic story of friendship.

I can help but relate Elphaba’s story in our modern world. The story reminds us that no matter what the color of our skin is, we are all capable and deserving of true love and friendship.

The main character Elphaba was portrayed by Jemma Rix. Take my word for this, you won’t regret watching if it’s Jemma Rix you are watching. Almost all of her acts gave me goosebumps. My favorite part was her jaw-dropping performance Defying Gravity. I didn’t get the chance to record a video but here’s a YouTube clip on one of her performances.

If given the chance, I would love to see this live, over and over again. Definitely,a must-watch.

nihao!

Since it’s the Chinese New Year I’m uploading our latest travel vid in China. We stayed there for 6 whole days — 3 days in Shanghai and 3 days in Beijing.

Before we went there, I’m hearing all these horror stories traveling there, especially in Beijing. Comments were all about their dirty bathrooms and okay I think it’s better to shut my mouth up. 🙂

But hey, after our 6 days there, I can say that I really enjoyed the towering sksycrapers in Shanghai and the rich culture of Beijing. We even made friends with one of the passengers on the train going to Beijing!

I guess traveling really makes you change and widen your perspective. So instead of worrying about the people and the pollution, why don’t you just go out there and experience it?

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Zipline and River Rafting Adventure

This is my second travel in the country. My friends and I went to a 4-day trip to Mindanao (one of the 3 big islands in the Philippines). For people out there who wants to have an adventurous vacation, this is the right place for you.

After our early morning flight from Manila to Cagayan De Oro, we had a short road trip to Bukidnon in order to experience the so-called ‘Asia’s longest Zipline’ at Dahilayan Adventure Park (http://www.dahilayanadventurepark.com/Adventure Park).

The next day we went to Camiguin Island and toured within the island. From Katibawasan falls to hot springs and cold springs, we finally we checked in at Paras Beach Resort. The next morning we went to White Island Camiguin. You should go there early morning while it’s still in low tide. If you go there late in the afternoon, there won’t be any island to see because it’s already high tide. The beach is like paradise.

Before the day ended, we went back to Cagayan De Oro and experienced the restful night life there. There were cheap goods in the market place and homeland restaurants to try.

The next day we prepared ourselves for an adventure of a lifetime, to get an adrenaline rush we don’t experience everyday at work—-and that is river rafting. While were briefed of the rafting I was scared because of the stories about accidents that happened on the river. Nonetheless, we went there to experience the ultimate adventure, and I never had the chance to regret it.

After four grueling hours, 11 raft flips and 15 individual flips…we survived the rafting…and IT REALLY WAS GREAT!