California Gurl

2011 has been so far a come back year for me. Meaning, been there - done that year, doing the same things and being in the same places once again, except of course, for one thing.

"Really the most important relationship that you have is with yourself. Life is really about change. And sometimes that can be scary. But the truth is, you have to do that. You have to push yourself so you can breakthrough your own boundaries and try new things and do new things." fM the Real JLo

I’m back to SF. With a feeling of longing for Millbrae. Which seemed to me one of the most convenient places to be in the West Coast. Makes living there a whiz. My return came with a sense of purpose. To flex muscles and be as placid as possible. Simply put, minding my own business. And yes, to learn as much as what I need to experience in a month’s time, and eat, A LOT.  Especially, Vietnamese.  As I love Vietnamese. As I miss Sylantro, on Manor Blvd (check it out on http://www.yelp.com/biz/sylantro-restaurant-san-leandro), and La Petite Camille at 170 El Camino RealMillbrae, CA 94030 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-petite-camille-millbrae). Vietnamese food never tasted so good in a land I now call home, as I can remember from my last visit to the capital city. Home, because, it has been our main family’s source of bread and butter, since.

Being back in Union Square for the second time with my Dad was glorifying. As now I call myself a BART expert. Alighting at the Powell Station brought back very fond memories with my cousin Nurse Christine. As I troop down the road to Fisherman’s Wharf, eating at the same place, tasting the best of clam chowder and calamari, and rounding the shops at Pier 39.

I’m back in Oakley. To cousin Nurse Khaye’s house for the weekend. They’re done with the beautification of their secret garden, or rather plaza. It is another weekend to relaxation kingdom. Nice to be going to Sunday church and malling with Auntie Penne and Moy, US-style. Ha-ha.  

I’m back to Cebu. This time with my George family. We stayed at The Be Hotel in Mactan (Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City 6015; Tel. No. 032 236 8888). I went with a list of goals in mind. And came home fulfilled. Though it rained pretty hard on the Sunday, thus we opted to stay in our beds and daydream, ha-ha. I may have forgotten the names of the very supportive crew of the reception desk, but I remember them to be nurses by profession, both male and female (oh men, do pardon me for forgetting, THOUGH, thanks to you guys, really). They’ve been so nice to accommodate our every request, going out of their way to check how’re doin’, and pacify the miserable state of my knee injury which I acquired from my last run at CFZ’s M. A. Roxas Highway. Once again, I came within the premises of the Lahug Waterfront, Sto. Niño Basilica, Fort San Pedro, Magellans Cross, Lapu Lapu monument, and the majestic Crown Regency Hotel and Towers, where my georges Yas, Raine, and I performed carnival stunts.

I’m back to Singapore. My memory of the Lion City is all about my first and last marathon, so far. In my return, it is all about relationship-building with my MD family. Every one of us took the long walk to our destination in what seemed to me an unknown part of Singapore, hehe. I’ve been here before. But to a more industrialized zone. Oh yeah, we rode the train to Mustafa, whereas before, we just trekked our butts to Mustafa. Glorious, I was able to get a handfull of those hard-to-find Galaxy chocolates.  

I’m back to my second retreat to the South, this time at the Tagaytay Retreat Center with mostly my Circle family. Before it was in Makiling with familiar faces Dra. Cynch, Tita Baby and Auntie Marisa, and yes, as mentioned in my blog Ang Pagbabalik, Book II, Fr. Liao. The food tasted ever immaculate and tables so well set. Always a new experience to behold, as I learn more and more about the Work. 

It's good to be back.