Monday, May 14, 2012

Thank you Mom!

Dear Mom,

When I was young, I remember waking up, sitting on top of our staircase, staring blankly and thinking I wouldn't see you until you come home from work that night. I was a kid and all I wanted was for my mom to be there when I wake up each day.

I know we've been through a lot and we'll always have our differences. But I still love you no matter what.

Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick. Thank you for staying late every night just to review our homework and teach us our lessons. Thank you for buying me things I need and don't need. Thank you for cleaning my room when I'm too lazy to do it myself. Thank you for always saying I'm not fat even if I am. Thank you for listening to my problems. Thank you for always supporting my decisions. Thank you for not forcing from me the answers to uncomfortable questions. Thank you for teaching me to be strong.

Happy Mother's Day!

I might not say this a lot but I love you and I miss you. See you (and dad) in five days!

Your daughter,
Kathy

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I'm no athlete but this video hit me right where it matters. Thank you to all the moms in the world! This is for you!


Saturday, May 12, 2012

A quick post

And the countdown resumes... seven more days until US trip! 

I hope you can feel the rush of the almost-electrifying excitement running though my body right now.
Nothing gets me more giddy, energized and thrilled than traveling.
Time for some crunch-time preparations!


Spring coat, Forever 21 / Yellow shorts, SM Dept. Store / 
Rayban-inspired sunglasses, SM Dept. Store / Passport holder, Longchamp

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Time for some happy thoughts

"It's darkest before the sun rises."  
"It'll only get worse before it gets better."

No, this won't be a rant-filled post. I just wanted to explain why I haven't been posting lately. For the past weeks, my head has been filled with worry, doubts and questions. And as of today, I still haven't found solutions nor answers. Thus, the lack of creative thoughts and ideas which leads back to my blog's lack of entries.

However, that's not the point. Today, I cheer myself up with the thought that in just 2 weeks, I'll be on a plane and on my way to get some much-needed break and time to reflect. So what have I already done in preparation for my big trip? Aside from booking my ticket, buying some travel essentials and starting with my NYC itinerary, I have.. well, not done so much. I have, however, got myself some awesome NYC accommodations in that are affordable (in the city's standards of course.)

With only three days and two nights to spend in the Big Apple, I did some heavy research on the city and in choosing my accommodations, my first priority was safety. I'd be spending my first day with my parents but I would be all by myself in the next two days. Another priority was convenience. NYC has a complex yet efficient subway system so almost every other block has a subway station near it which is good for me.

After weeks of lurking in tripadvisor and reading reviews, I decided to book two accommodations-- one for each night-- in different neighborhoods. For my first night, I'd be staying in the colorful Marrakech Hotel in the Upper West Side and the hip and quirky The Jane in the Greenwich Village on the next night. Both accommodations are considered budget hotels with small rooms and basic amenities, which obviously I don't mind. What both hotels lack in luxury comfort and features, they make up for in convenience, history and personality.

Marrakech Hotel
It's Morocco smacked right in the busy streets of NYC!
And the bonus? The subway station is right in front of you 
and you get your own in-room privtae bathroom. 
Snap, snap and more snaps!




The Jane
With a wonderful view of the Hudson River, it's originally built 
as a hotel for sailors, which explains its cabin-inspired rooms. 
It's where the Titanic survivors used to stay in.
Oh, and did I mention it's just a few blocks away
 from a Barney's CoOp and Magnolia Bakery?






These are enough to keep me happy and excited for the next few days. I couldn't say this enough but I really CAN'T WAIT! Hope these hotels live up to my expectations. Actual reviews to come soon after my trip!