Jun 26 2007
A Sneaky Surprise
My sneaky friends gave me the sweetest, cheesiest surprise last Saturday. There I was at our favorite pizza place thinking we were all there only because it was Kathy’s birthday, when suddenly they whipped out a video camera and proceeded to almost make me cry! I’ll be leaving for Singapore soon, so they decided to send me off with a few speeches and a box full of fond memories. Each gave me two gifts — one that reminds him/her of me and one that’s supposed to remind me of him/her — which they put in a lovely box that the uber-talented Phin made. I don’t think I’ve ever been more surprised or more touched. I wub them *squishes friends*
Group photo snagged from Kathy’s Multiply album
From Kathy I got something floppy and something squishy: a Stitch (my favorite cartoon character) pen that flops about as you write and a koala-shaped, gel-filled wrist supporter to remind me that — major cheese alert! — she’ll always be there to support me. (You can click on the thumbnails for a full view.)
May 15 2007
Beach Trip: Now with Real Sun!
I’ve had bad luck with summer outings before. For the longest time it seemed like I was doomed to never set foot on a sunny beach again, but last weekend the weather gods finally decided to cut me some slack and gave me two full days of fun in the sun.
I traveled to Puerto Galera, a popular beach destination in the Philippines, with seven of my college friends. It was easily the best vacation I’ve been on in quite a while. The synopsis: We lounged on the beach, swam in the clear sea, got drunk on bonded over a pitcher of Mindoro Sling, hiked through a mountain, took a dip in a waterfall, and went parasailing! If you want the whole tale and the boat load of pictures that come with it, keep reading 
Apr 08 2007
Back from Baguio
I just got back from my Baguio trip, also known as the Great Strawberry Binge of 2007. Man, those strawberries were fantastic. We stayed at a lovely hillside house in a village charmingly called Rainbow’s End. Here are some photos I took in and around the property:
Generated by Mosaic Maker
1. Wooden Beams, 2. Dad Reading, 3. Niche, 4. Mom by the Daisies, 5. Fern, 6. Vines, 7. Stone Steps, 8. Dad Enjoying the View, 9. Fire Hydrant, 10. Trees & Clouds, 11. Looking Up, 12. Reflections
As for my detox efforts, I would have to say they were a smashing success. I managed to stay off the Internet the whole time. I did drink one itty-bitty cup of coffee on the second day, but only because it was so freaking cold. Yep. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it 
