I talked about my childhood friends in an earlier post. At the time I was with them in Ohio. This time we visited them. They used to live in Chicago with us, but they moved all the way to Bowie, Maryland. My family and I took a road trip over Spring Break to get to see their new house.
It took a long time to get there and my ears popped when we were going driving through the mountains. The trip was so long ago that the images I remember are blended together. There was intense traffic and very bright sunlight. My siblings were actually awake for the trip. We were listening to Creed from one of my Dad's CDs. I was just excited that I was going to see my friends again.
When we made it to Bowie, Maryland, the hardest part was looking for the house. We had the address, but we got lost looking for it. The houses were so huge and all of them looked the similar to each other. There were only slight changes of color and design. Every house looked like mini-mansions. My dad eventually called them and asked for directions to their house and we finally made it.
I was really surprised with the inside of their house. The walls were painted with a mix of reds and browns and their kitchen was huge. They gave us a tour of the house and I got lost many times. I even made a full circle in the house when I was just trying to find the bathroom. The room I remember most was the basement. My siblings and I hung out a lot with the kids and my parents hung out with their parents. It was cool because all of us were around the same age. what we did most was play Zelda on their plasma TV and get frustrated when we got stuck on a certain level. We never beat that level even though we tried so many times, but it was still a whole lot of fun.
When we weren't playing video games, our friends showed us around the neighborhood. They agreed that all the houses practically looked the same so we were walking around saying how the window shutters are the same but a different color or that's the same house, but different address. We laughed a lot and made a game out of it. It was so many good times while I was over there. The last thing I did over there was make a chocolate chip cheesecake. Baking is one of my favorite things to do and I wanted to try out the recipe. I had so much cheesecake batter that I ended up making mini ones with the rest of it. What was funny was that when I was finished baking, everyone was impatient. They couldn't wait for everything to cool down so we were eating hot cheesecake. I have never done that before, but it wasn't that bad. Everyone was happy about it so it didn't really matter. I just find it a very happy memory.
It will be cool to go to Maryland again. I miss hanging out with them. They are such a fun family and I always have fun with them.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Just insane
I went to Florida again, but not in Orlando this time. My family and I went to Ft. Lauderdale for a week. I was a sophomore in high school at the time. It was a place for me where I would just explore. A crazy event happened when I was there so the story never gets old.
When the plane landed in Ft. Lauderdale, I didn’t know what to expect. The weather was beautiful. The sky was filled with white poofy clouds. The sun would peak out from time to time and my dad took advantage of it. He surprised us with the car he rented. It was a pale green mustang convertible. It was so cool to me. The only thing I had to deal with was having my hair whipped back and forth from the wind. As we drove, we looked at all the little shops scattered around. There was a mall we visited frequently because the little shops inside were cool. There were so many accessories and clothes that were being sold. Most of my time was spent finding souvenirs for my friends, but looking for gifts made me very happy. I kinda wish that was how my vacation ended, but no. We had to almost kill ourselves first.
My dad wanted to go snorkeling before we left Florida and I was excited. I thought it would be cool to look at all the fish underwater. All of us went to a snorkeling place and rented the equipment we needed. We got on a boat to take us out into the ocean. Everything seemed to be fine. The sun was shining. It wasn’t too hot or too cold, but my dad saw a huge mass of dark clouds coming our way. He asked the guy who was in control of the boat, “Should we really be doing this? It looks like a storm is coming.”
The guy dismissed it and said, “It’s just a squall. We’ll be fine. It will blow over.”
I had no clue what a squall meant, but I didn’t like the sound of that. All of us went into the water anyway. All I have to say is that was dumb. The mass of dark clouds loomed over us and the storm was intense. The current took me far away from the boat and my sister was drifting away helplessly. I tried to stop her from drifting, but that was in vain. The current was too strong and both of us we stuck trying not to drown. I eventually got the lifesaver that was thrown to me and my sister was saved by a girl that was also snorkeling. My whole family made it to the boat totally winded. My mom’s leg was bleeding because she fell off the ladder when she was getting on the boat. My dad and brother were the first to get back on the boat so they were okay. My sister and I were choking on saltwater. It was completely intense, but I was just glad that everyone was okay.
It was an unexpected way to end our vacation, but we got a completely insane story out of it so we didn’t leave empty handed from that snorkeling trip. I hope I actually go snorkeling one day.
When the plane landed in Ft. Lauderdale, I didn’t know what to expect. The weather was beautiful. The sky was filled with white poofy clouds. The sun would peak out from time to time and my dad took advantage of it. He surprised us with the car he rented. It was a pale green mustang convertible. It was so cool to me. The only thing I had to deal with was having my hair whipped back and forth from the wind. As we drove, we looked at all the little shops scattered around. There was a mall we visited frequently because the little shops inside were cool. There were so many accessories and clothes that were being sold. Most of my time was spent finding souvenirs for my friends, but looking for gifts made me very happy. I kinda wish that was how my vacation ended, but no. We had to almost kill ourselves first.
My dad wanted to go snorkeling before we left Florida and I was excited. I thought it would be cool to look at all the fish underwater. All of us went to a snorkeling place and rented the equipment we needed. We got on a boat to take us out into the ocean. Everything seemed to be fine. The sun was shining. It wasn’t too hot or too cold, but my dad saw a huge mass of dark clouds coming our way. He asked the guy who was in control of the boat, “Should we really be doing this? It looks like a storm is coming.”
The guy dismissed it and said, “It’s just a squall. We’ll be fine. It will blow over.”
I had no clue what a squall meant, but I didn’t like the sound of that. All of us went into the water anyway. All I have to say is that was dumb. The mass of dark clouds loomed over us and the storm was intense. The current took me far away from the boat and my sister was drifting away helplessly. I tried to stop her from drifting, but that was in vain. The current was too strong and both of us we stuck trying not to drown. I eventually got the lifesaver that was thrown to me and my sister was saved by a girl that was also snorkeling. My whole family made it to the boat totally winded. My mom’s leg was bleeding because she fell off the ladder when she was getting on the boat. My dad and brother were the first to get back on the boat so they were okay. My sister and I were choking on saltwater. It was completely intense, but I was just glad that everyone was okay.
It was an unexpected way to end our vacation, but we got a completely insane story out of it so we didn’t leave empty handed from that snorkeling trip. I hope I actually go snorkeling one day.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Ah, to be lazy
When I was a junior in high school, I wasn’t excited at all that we were going on vacation to Galveston, Texas for spring break. It was one of those times when I just wanted to stay home. I had so much school work to worry about and work on that a vacation was the last thing on my mind. I didn’t know it then, but it made me realize just how much I like to travel.
I left all my school things at home because I knew I wasn’t going to get it done in Texas. It would have been extra baggage. I was really happy that I left all my homework at home. Galveston really did turn out to be a very relaxing break from the insane schedule that I made for myself at home.
Seeing Galveston for the first time…I didn’t expect to see what I saw. The houses were…on stilts? It reminded me of a Tim Burton movie. There were so many random bright colors. One house would be a burnt orange color and the next would be turquoise or purple. It didn’t fit my sense of house styles at all. I knew the houses were raised so they wouldn’t get washed away by the tide, but it was completely different to me. I took so many pictures of these houses, but I seem to have misplaced my camera…
When I wasn’t sightseeing, I was with my family doing nothing. It really felt good to relax and let time go by. At the hotel we were staying, there was a ping pong table and most of my time was spent there. I didn’t play by the rules. It was just fun to hit it back and forth to my family. There were a lot of laughs when the ball would go completely off course and hit off the ceiling or someone would miss it entirely. Not worrying about anything was a nice change and the weather made me even happier. On all the days I was there, the sun was so bright and the sky a brilliant blue. There would be an occasional cloud crossing paths with the sun. It was just nice to be lazy. Being in Galveston made it feel like I was in a whole new world and I would love to visit that world again sometime.
I left all my school things at home because I knew I wasn’t going to get it done in Texas. It would have been extra baggage. I was really happy that I left all my homework at home. Galveston really did turn out to be a very relaxing break from the insane schedule that I made for myself at home.
Seeing Galveston for the first time…I didn’t expect to see what I saw. The houses were…on stilts? It reminded me of a Tim Burton movie. There were so many random bright colors. One house would be a burnt orange color and the next would be turquoise or purple. It didn’t fit my sense of house styles at all. I knew the houses were raised so they wouldn’t get washed away by the tide, but it was completely different to me. I took so many pictures of these houses, but I seem to have misplaced my camera…
When I wasn’t sightseeing, I was with my family doing nothing. It really felt good to relax and let time go by. At the hotel we were staying, there was a ping pong table and most of my time was spent there. I didn’t play by the rules. It was just fun to hit it back and forth to my family. There were a lot of laughs when the ball would go completely off course and hit off the ceiling or someone would miss it entirely. Not worrying about anything was a nice change and the weather made me even happier. On all the days I was there, the sun was so bright and the sky a brilliant blue. There would be an occasional cloud crossing paths with the sun. It was just nice to be lazy. Being in Galveston made it feel like I was in a whole new world and I would love to visit that world again sometime.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Friend adventures
I ended up going to Wisconsin again with Jackie’s family. Luckily I didn’t crash into anything and I just had fun riding the ATV. I did a whole lot more with her family this time around besides riding around the track.
Jackie’s brother Ronnie brought his friend Peter along and all of us hung out with each other. There were some pretty crazy times when we were messing around in the motor home. Jackie and Ronnie would get into fights for no apparent reason. Somehow I took part in this fight. They kept chucking things like boxes or food across the motor home and screaming at each other. I tried stopping them from throwing things, but Ronnie threw a box of fruit snacks and it hit me right in the face. Jackie and Ronnie both shut up after that. I wasn’t angry about it. I simply smiled and laughed. Now that I look back at it, I think it scared them.
When we weren’t in the motor home, we would be exploring. Besides the dirt track, we were also located by a farm and a vast field. All of us were walking over the tall grass. Peter and Ronnie would lead. We made sure we didn’t go too far from Jackie’s parents. We went back eventually before the sun went down. It would have been easy to get lost in the dark. Jackie’s dad was starting a bon fire when we made it back. The flames rose higher as Jackie’s dad kept adding wood to it. All of us circled around the fire to warm up our bodies. Jackie’s mom brought out chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers to make s’mores. All of us were so excited and we had to go find sticks to put the marshmallows on. Jackie was crazy when she was roasting her marshmallows. She would set them on fire on purpose. They would look like charcoal when she was done with them. I just shook my head in mock shame. The only thing I really cared about is that I was eating my own s’mores and not hers.
My favorite part of being in Wisconsin was being able to see the stars. The night was so clear that I was able to see the Milky Way. I never saw it before and I caught myself gazing at the sky unblinkingly. I relaxed on the grass just enjoying the stars. I wouldn’t have minded to fall asleep beneath the stars, but Jackie’s parents didn’t like that idea and I was eventually pulled out of the grass. I haven’t seen the Milky Way since then, but that image has stayed with me. The memory of being in Wisconsin will always be funny to me. I’m still good friends with Jackie’s family and maybe I will be able to spend a trip with them again in the near future.
Jackie’s brother Ronnie brought his friend Peter along and all of us hung out with each other. There were some pretty crazy times when we were messing around in the motor home. Jackie and Ronnie would get into fights for no apparent reason. Somehow I took part in this fight. They kept chucking things like boxes or food across the motor home and screaming at each other. I tried stopping them from throwing things, but Ronnie threw a box of fruit snacks and it hit me right in the face. Jackie and Ronnie both shut up after that. I wasn’t angry about it. I simply smiled and laughed. Now that I look back at it, I think it scared them.
When we weren’t in the motor home, we would be exploring. Besides the dirt track, we were also located by a farm and a vast field. All of us were walking over the tall grass. Peter and Ronnie would lead. We made sure we didn’t go too far from Jackie’s parents. We went back eventually before the sun went down. It would have been easy to get lost in the dark. Jackie’s dad was starting a bon fire when we made it back. The flames rose higher as Jackie’s dad kept adding wood to it. All of us circled around the fire to warm up our bodies. Jackie’s mom brought out chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers to make s’mores. All of us were so excited and we had to go find sticks to put the marshmallows on. Jackie was crazy when she was roasting her marshmallows. She would set them on fire on purpose. They would look like charcoal when she was done with them. I just shook my head in mock shame. The only thing I really cared about is that I was eating my own s’mores and not hers.
My favorite part of being in Wisconsin was being able to see the stars. The night was so clear that I was able to see the Milky Way. I never saw it before and I caught myself gazing at the sky unblinkingly. I relaxed on the grass just enjoying the stars. I wouldn’t have minded to fall asleep beneath the stars, but Jackie’s parents didn’t like that idea and I was eventually pulled out of the grass. I haven’t seen the Milky Way since then, but that image has stayed with me. The memory of being in Wisconsin will always be funny to me. I’m still good friends with Jackie’s family and maybe I will be able to spend a trip with them again in the near future.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Ride or Die
I go on adventures with people other than my family. When I was 12, my best friend Jackie invited me to go with her family to Wisconsin. She wanted me to come with her to ride ATV’s and motorbikes that she was bringing up to Wisconsin. Honestly, I was nervous at first. I had no idea how to ride. Her dad just smiled at me and said that he would teach me how when we got there. We were getting there by motor home so I thought that was fun. My friend and I messed with each other a lot. We played games on the trip, but it was hard since the game pieces would shift whenever we were on a curvy road, but it was fun all the same.
When we actually got to Wisconsin and to the place we were going, I was surprised. There was a huge dirt course to ride on. There were even some man-made hills to do tricks on. In my mind I thought, “How am I going to learn how ride on this course?” I would answer my question soon enough.
When we got settled and got the ATV’s and motorbikes out, Jackie’s brother and his friend went on the track right away. I stood still not having a clue what to do. Jackie’s dad reassured me that I would be able to do it. He sat me on an ATV and showed me the gas and brake and told me time and time again not to press the gas hard or I would accelerate way too fast. Well, I learned that the hard way. I meant to press the brake, but instead I pressed the gas and headed straight into a shed. Somehow I stopped myself with my feet. It wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but it stopped me from smashing into it. I scared Jackie’s dad senseless because he surely thought I was going to hurt myself. I did a lot of crazy things riding that ATV.
I eventually got used to riding and then started to ride on the course. It was really fun for me. I went up hills and made sharp turns and I really had a feel for the course. Jackie and Jackie’s dad were impressed that I got the hang of it so quickly. I was able to do it faster and faster. I wasn’t afraid anymore, but I did something a little insane. I was so happy I had a helmet on for this.
I went around the course again like I usually would and I was going up a steep hill. I was doing it fine before, but something went wrong. I was pressing the gas, but the engine was stalling. It was a good thing I had fast instincts. I let go of the ATV because it was starting to flip backwards. It almost flipped on top of me. If I didn’t move I would have been crushed. Jackie came running to me, but I was just laughing on the ground so happy that I didn’t hurt myself. She smiled at me saying that was the coolest wipe out ever. I will never forget that day. I would do that all over again and I got the chance the next time she invited me.
When we actually got to Wisconsin and to the place we were going, I was surprised. There was a huge dirt course to ride on. There were even some man-made hills to do tricks on. In my mind I thought, “How am I going to learn how ride on this course?” I would answer my question soon enough.
When we got settled and got the ATV’s and motorbikes out, Jackie’s brother and his friend went on the track right away. I stood still not having a clue what to do. Jackie’s dad reassured me that I would be able to do it. He sat me on an ATV and showed me the gas and brake and told me time and time again not to press the gas hard or I would accelerate way too fast. Well, I learned that the hard way. I meant to press the brake, but instead I pressed the gas and headed straight into a shed. Somehow I stopped myself with my feet. It wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but it stopped me from smashing into it. I scared Jackie’s dad senseless because he surely thought I was going to hurt myself. I did a lot of crazy things riding that ATV.
I eventually got used to riding and then started to ride on the course. It was really fun for me. I went up hills and made sharp turns and I really had a feel for the course. Jackie and Jackie’s dad were impressed that I got the hang of it so quickly. I was able to do it faster and faster. I wasn’t afraid anymore, but I did something a little insane. I was so happy I had a helmet on for this.
I went around the course again like I usually would and I was going up a steep hill. I was doing it fine before, but something went wrong. I was pressing the gas, but the engine was stalling. It was a good thing I had fast instincts. I let go of the ATV because it was starting to flip backwards. It almost flipped on top of me. If I didn’t move I would have been crushed. Jackie came running to me, but I was just laughing on the ground so happy that I didn’t hurt myself. She smiled at me saying that was the coolest wipe out ever. I will never forget that day. I would do that all over again and I got the chance the next time she invited me.
Friday, October 15, 2010
What a long distance
With this trip, it was a road trip. We were going from Chicago all the way down to Orlando, Florida to go to Disney World, another one of my childhood memories that never escaped me. I never got used to falling asleep in the car. I was wide awake while my siblings we knocked out. It didn’t bother me that they used me as their pillow…except when they drooled….
I ignored the fact that I would have to change my shirt the next chance I got. My eyes were too busy with getting engrossed with the imagery outside of my window. For the most part we were on the highway and I would usually catch myself in a daze by all the cars that streamed from my vision. There was the occasional farm and I would see cows just grazing away or horses minding their own business. My eyes would get a treat once we had to go through a city. I believe it was Indianapolis. I easily get distracted when I look up at Skyscrapers. Hearing the sounds of busy streets excite me instead of aggravate me. No matter how old I get, I will still feel like a little kid staring up at shiny buildings as the sun reflects off them. I’m not sure if I will still like busy streets, but I like them now.
The road trip repeated that pattern. Continuous strips of highway, towering skyscrapers, and knocked out siblings. I continued to be the silent observer. I looked up at the brilliant blue sky on occasion. There wasn’t a single cloud in sight and I would find myself get lost in the vastness of it. A smile slipped across my face once I realized we made it to our destination. I slapped my siblings’ silly to wake them up. Their grogginess faded instantly once I told them we were in Orlando.
We wasted no time to get ready for Disney World. I think my siblings we more excited than I was. They wanted to go right away, but we situated ourselves in the hotel and rested first. Disney World was amazing when we finally got there. We took a lot of pictures while we were there. I’m not exactly sure where those pictures are now but the memories are imprinted on my mind. I remember when my sister almost took out Minnie Mouse. She was so excited to see all the characters walking around. I was mostly excited when night time came and a parade was going on. Everything was lit up and the princesses were waving at the crowd. I remember Cinderella the most. Fireworks were being set off when I was looking at her. I smiled happily as I watched her disappear from my sight
Back then I still dreaded rides. I never wanted to go on one until I was dragged into the line. It was the last thing we were going to do before we were going to be on our way home. My fear heightened as we drew nearer and nearer to the ride. The ride was called Splash Mountain. I should have been excited to go on this ride because of my lover for water, but it didn’t ease my fear of drops at all. Before I knew it, I was strapped in and on my way to a very cold splash. Shrieks came from my mouth, but I didn’t cry. I was actually enjoying it. My whole body was soaked after it, but I came out with a laugh. It was a good way to end Disney World. I haven’t been there since then and it has been nearly a decade.
I ignored the fact that I would have to change my shirt the next chance I got. My eyes were too busy with getting engrossed with the imagery outside of my window. For the most part we were on the highway and I would usually catch myself in a daze by all the cars that streamed from my vision. There was the occasional farm and I would see cows just grazing away or horses minding their own business. My eyes would get a treat once we had to go through a city. I believe it was Indianapolis. I easily get distracted when I look up at Skyscrapers. Hearing the sounds of busy streets excite me instead of aggravate me. No matter how old I get, I will still feel like a little kid staring up at shiny buildings as the sun reflects off them. I’m not sure if I will still like busy streets, but I like them now.
The road trip repeated that pattern. Continuous strips of highway, towering skyscrapers, and knocked out siblings. I continued to be the silent observer. I looked up at the brilliant blue sky on occasion. There wasn’t a single cloud in sight and I would find myself get lost in the vastness of it. A smile slipped across my face once I realized we made it to our destination. I slapped my siblings’ silly to wake them up. Their grogginess faded instantly once I told them we were in Orlando.
We wasted no time to get ready for Disney World. I think my siblings we more excited than I was. They wanted to go right away, but we situated ourselves in the hotel and rested first. Disney World was amazing when we finally got there. We took a lot of pictures while we were there. I’m not exactly sure where those pictures are now but the memories are imprinted on my mind. I remember when my sister almost took out Minnie Mouse. She was so excited to see all the characters walking around. I was mostly excited when night time came and a parade was going on. Everything was lit up and the princesses were waving at the crowd. I remember Cinderella the most. Fireworks were being set off when I was looking at her. I smiled happily as I watched her disappear from my sight
Back then I still dreaded rides. I never wanted to go on one until I was dragged into the line. It was the last thing we were going to do before we were going to be on our way home. My fear heightened as we drew nearer and nearer to the ride. The ride was called Splash Mountain. I should have been excited to go on this ride because of my lover for water, but it didn’t ease my fear of drops at all. Before I knew it, I was strapped in and on my way to a very cold splash. Shrieks came from my mouth, but I didn’t cry. I was actually enjoying it. My whole body was soaked after it, but I came out with a laugh. It was a good way to end Disney World. I haven’t been there since then and it has been nearly a decade.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
For your amusement
My thoughts usually drift to the ocean or some kind of form of water, but that’s not the only thing that interests me. I remember going to Ohio on the spur of the moment with long time friends. This was actually fairly recent, not like my childhood years. I was around 15 at the time, not really sure what the purpose of going here was, but I didn’t mind. I thought of it simply as an adventurous weekend with childhood family friends.
We explored different restaurants for the variety of different foods. I can’t necessarily remember what exactly I ate but that wasn’t the point. It was getting lost trying to find the places that made it interesting. My parents tried to follow the directions, but it just led us to dead ends. We couldn’t really figure out why. The GPS failed us miserably. We were pretty much exploring Ohio blindly. It must sound a little insane that I find my parents frustration amusing. My parents eventually just went to the first place they saw we could eat at since they were so fed up with the technology they had at their disposal. Using their eyes was more useful. Where we ended up was actually really cool. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves and the people weren’t jerks. I remember that the table settings were very intricate. So many spoons, forks and knives were at our grasp. Now that I think about it, my surroundings of where I was at were a blur. All I cared for really was the people around me. My family enjoying themselves and having the chance to converse with my friends, but this wasn’t my favorite part of the trip. Screaming at the top of my lungs was.
Our last day in Ohio, we went to an amusement park that I can’t seem to remember the name of, but that didn’t matter. I was amazed by how short the lines were. I was standing there 15 minutes at most, a definite improvement from hour lines at Six Flags. This was the day where I completely knocked out my fear of roller coasters. I went on every ride possible. I can’t really explain how my fear dissolved so quickly. It might have been because I didn’t have that much time to think about it. I was on the ride in a matter of minutes instead of waiting nervously in expectation for the shrieks to echo in my ears. All I really heard was the sound that was coming from my mouth as I dropped and went through the loops and turns of each ride. I was surprised I still had my voice. It was an intense way to end this little adventure. I was dazed out of my mind after all the rides, but it was worth it. I take on a roller coaster without a second thought knowing that I am in for a thrill.
We explored different restaurants for the variety of different foods. I can’t necessarily remember what exactly I ate but that wasn’t the point. It was getting lost trying to find the places that made it interesting. My parents tried to follow the directions, but it just led us to dead ends. We couldn’t really figure out why. The GPS failed us miserably. We were pretty much exploring Ohio blindly. It must sound a little insane that I find my parents frustration amusing. My parents eventually just went to the first place they saw we could eat at since they were so fed up with the technology they had at their disposal. Using their eyes was more useful. Where we ended up was actually really cool. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves and the people weren’t jerks. I remember that the table settings were very intricate. So many spoons, forks and knives were at our grasp. Now that I think about it, my surroundings of where I was at were a blur. All I cared for really was the people around me. My family enjoying themselves and having the chance to converse with my friends, but this wasn’t my favorite part of the trip. Screaming at the top of my lungs was.
Our last day in Ohio, we went to an amusement park that I can’t seem to remember the name of, but that didn’t matter. I was amazed by how short the lines were. I was standing there 15 minutes at most, a definite improvement from hour lines at Six Flags. This was the day where I completely knocked out my fear of roller coasters. I went on every ride possible. I can’t really explain how my fear dissolved so quickly. It might have been because I didn’t have that much time to think about it. I was on the ride in a matter of minutes instead of waiting nervously in expectation for the shrieks to echo in my ears. All I really heard was the sound that was coming from my mouth as I dropped and went through the loops and turns of each ride. I was surprised I still had my voice. It was an intense way to end this little adventure. I was dazed out of my mind after all the rides, but it was worth it. I take on a roller coaster without a second thought knowing that I am in for a thrill.
Friday, October 1, 2010
water water water
So many thoughts and mixed feelings are floating around in my mind. The Philippines had its moments that will forever be imprinted in my memories. There is another place that I found to be so different from where I am from and that is in Ixtapa, Mexico.
I remember sleeping right through the plane ride. I was a little person when I visited there, around when I was in fifth grade. I only woke up when my brother nudged me to look out the window. When I looked down, at first I only saw huge masses of clouds that filled the sky. It was only when the plane started to descend that I saw where we were going to land. The scenery was so cool to me. The Gulf of Mexico looked so blue and there were so many palm trees. Houses could be seen all around the mountains. I couldn’t wait to land and get off the plane to explore.
The weather was really nice there. I didn’t feel cold at all and it wasn’t humid. I remember that I spent most of the time in the water. At the hotel I was staying at there was a pool and volleyball net set up in the middle of it. My siblings and I were always playing with a ball or splashing each other. Our mom would always laugh at us saying that we should be at the beach playing. The beach was only across the street. We eventually went over there and attacked the sand.
We spent hours in the sand. My sister and I buried my brother in the sand. The only thing you could see of him was his head. My family just laughed at him because it was so hard to get him out. He pretty much ripped himself out and ran into the Gulf to wash off all the sand. I ran after him and attacked him in the waves. It’s just how we were. We always battled each other for no apparent reason, but it was fun all the same. I went back onto the sand after my brother and I got tired of battling each other and the waves. Both of us just stared up watching the sun descend making the sky an orange hue.
My favorite part of being in Mexico was when my dad rented a golf cart and we were driving around Ixtapa in it. We were visiting all the different kinds of beaches looking for sea shells. I have those sea shells to this day. I even have a piece of coral I found that washed onto shore in the mess of rocks that I venturing in. The shells I found were so smooth. Some of them had rough surfaces that I found interesting. I could only pick a few of them which was very heart breaking to me at the time, but it was a sacrifice. I laugh at it now because it’s a fun memory and I was and still am a silly person. The days I spent in Mexico was so exciting and my love for water has definitely grown since then and I bet I would love it even more if I went there again.
I remember sleeping right through the plane ride. I was a little person when I visited there, around when I was in fifth grade. I only woke up when my brother nudged me to look out the window. When I looked down, at first I only saw huge masses of clouds that filled the sky. It was only when the plane started to descend that I saw where we were going to land. The scenery was so cool to me. The Gulf of Mexico looked so blue and there were so many palm trees. Houses could be seen all around the mountains. I couldn’t wait to land and get off the plane to explore.
The weather was really nice there. I didn’t feel cold at all and it wasn’t humid. I remember that I spent most of the time in the water. At the hotel I was staying at there was a pool and volleyball net set up in the middle of it. My siblings and I were always playing with a ball or splashing each other. Our mom would always laugh at us saying that we should be at the beach playing. The beach was only across the street. We eventually went over there and attacked the sand.
We spent hours in the sand. My sister and I buried my brother in the sand. The only thing you could see of him was his head. My family just laughed at him because it was so hard to get him out. He pretty much ripped himself out and ran into the Gulf to wash off all the sand. I ran after him and attacked him in the waves. It’s just how we were. We always battled each other for no apparent reason, but it was fun all the same. I went back onto the sand after my brother and I got tired of battling each other and the waves. Both of us just stared up watching the sun descend making the sky an orange hue.
My favorite part of being in Mexico was when my dad rented a golf cart and we were driving around Ixtapa in it. We were visiting all the different kinds of beaches looking for sea shells. I have those sea shells to this day. I even have a piece of coral I found that washed onto shore in the mess of rocks that I venturing in. The shells I found were so smooth. Some of them had rough surfaces that I found interesting. I could only pick a few of them which was very heart breaking to me at the time, but it was a sacrifice. I laugh at it now because it’s a fun memory and I was and still am a silly person. The days I spent in Mexico was so exciting and my love for water has definitely grown since then and I bet I would love it even more if I went there again.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Yay for Tropics
I have traveled to many places during my breaks from school. When I was at these places I felt like I was in a whole new world. At times I find myself looking back at my many moments I have experienced. The memories are so vivid in my mind and I wanted to express how I felt at that instant.
A vivid memory I have is when I was at the Philippines. I was 9 or 10 at the time when my family and I went. My cousins from my mom’s side of the family lived there so we stayed at their house. Their house was in Manila which was a very well known area in the Philippines. The scenery was beautiful and there are so many mountains and palm trees. There was definitely a tropical feel. It also felt like the clouds were so close that you could touch them. I often caught myself staring at the sky because I wanted to know how it would feel like to be up there. It was very breath taking.
Where ever I went, I was greeted with smiling faces. At first I was nervous to talk to them because I didn’t know Tagalog, but I soon realized they knew English so I was relieved. As I ventured Manila with my family, people would be running to cross streets and they would be moving in and out of stores as if it were routine. I loved just watching them do their everyday tasks. I definitely felt like I was in the middle of a city and that was very exciting to me.
Manila wasn’t the only place I visited while I was there. I also visited the country side of the Philippines. I didn’t really know what to think of the country. There were vast plains and hills I hiked up to explore my surroundings. We stayed at my great grandma’s house while we were in the country. I liked being there, but we had to put up mosquito nets while we slept so we wouldn’t get bitten. It was an interesting experience. When morning came I saw a lot of lizards on the walls and it didn’t scare me at all. My dad was the one who wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. It made me laugh knowing that he was scared of them.
We eventually left and we were back in Manila. It rained while we were going back there. There was a heavy pour, but it stopped instantly. It was kind of funny to see all the people on the streets running for cover in the rain, but when it stopped the sun just came out and everything was so bright and sunny again. I wished that would happen back at home because I thought that it would be fun if it happened. I’ve never seen rain like that since then. A visual like that would never become a fading memory for me. The smell of rain was so different to me and I would love to experience that again.
Another memory from the Philippines is when we went to the beach. It was so different from other beaches that I have been to. Volcanoes were out in the distance and I couldn’t stop myself from staring. I even stared at the sand underneath my feet. I wasn’t used to black sand, but it felt so good to walk on. I even rested on it for a while. I buried my siblings in it and made sand castles. It was also fun to swim in the Ocean, but I had to get used to the salt water. It was really easy to float with the waves and just stare up at the sky. I would get attacked by the waves when I ran into them. It made me happy to get soaked and my siblings joined me while our parents just watched.
After we played around on the beach, we got to go on a canoe and paddle into the ocean. It was really pretty and calming to do so. You could see the fish clearly in the water and it was one of my favorite things to do while I was there. The sun was setting and it made the sky turn into an orange-purple haze that I gazed at until the sun was no longer visible. I will never forget being in the Philippines because it was so different from being at home. The weather was amazing and the scenery was so beautiful that it took my breath away. I would love to go and visit there again when I have the chance.
A vivid memory I have is when I was at the Philippines. I was 9 or 10 at the time when my family and I went. My cousins from my mom’s side of the family lived there so we stayed at their house. Their house was in Manila which was a very well known area in the Philippines. The scenery was beautiful and there are so many mountains and palm trees. There was definitely a tropical feel. It also felt like the clouds were so close that you could touch them. I often caught myself staring at the sky because I wanted to know how it would feel like to be up there. It was very breath taking.
Where ever I went, I was greeted with smiling faces. At first I was nervous to talk to them because I didn’t know Tagalog, but I soon realized they knew English so I was relieved. As I ventured Manila with my family, people would be running to cross streets and they would be moving in and out of stores as if it were routine. I loved just watching them do their everyday tasks. I definitely felt like I was in the middle of a city and that was very exciting to me.
Manila wasn’t the only place I visited while I was there. I also visited the country side of the Philippines. I didn’t really know what to think of the country. There were vast plains and hills I hiked up to explore my surroundings. We stayed at my great grandma’s house while we were in the country. I liked being there, but we had to put up mosquito nets while we slept so we wouldn’t get bitten. It was an interesting experience. When morning came I saw a lot of lizards on the walls and it didn’t scare me at all. My dad was the one who wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. It made me laugh knowing that he was scared of them.
We eventually left and we were back in Manila. It rained while we were going back there. There was a heavy pour, but it stopped instantly. It was kind of funny to see all the people on the streets running for cover in the rain, but when it stopped the sun just came out and everything was so bright and sunny again. I wished that would happen back at home because I thought that it would be fun if it happened. I’ve never seen rain like that since then. A visual like that would never become a fading memory for me. The smell of rain was so different to me and I would love to experience that again.
Another memory from the Philippines is when we went to the beach. It was so different from other beaches that I have been to. Volcanoes were out in the distance and I couldn’t stop myself from staring. I even stared at the sand underneath my feet. I wasn’t used to black sand, but it felt so good to walk on. I even rested on it for a while. I buried my siblings in it and made sand castles. It was also fun to swim in the Ocean, but I had to get used to the salt water. It was really easy to float with the waves and just stare up at the sky. I would get attacked by the waves when I ran into them. It made me happy to get soaked and my siblings joined me while our parents just watched.
After we played around on the beach, we got to go on a canoe and paddle into the ocean. It was really pretty and calming to do so. You could see the fish clearly in the water and it was one of my favorite things to do while I was there. The sun was setting and it made the sky turn into an orange-purple haze that I gazed at until the sun was no longer visible. I will never forget being in the Philippines because it was so different from being at home. The weather was amazing and the scenery was so beautiful that it took my breath away. I would love to go and visit there again when I have the chance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)