KalYouBloggin.

California Dreamin.

The warm afternoon sun beating down on my face, the soft hum of the train tracks beneath me, I open my eyes and see the beautiful glimmering water and distant mountains outside my window. It’s at this point that I know, I’ve fallen in love with California.

More specifically, northern California. Sure, southern California is enjoyable with the constant hustle and bustle of the city, but it’s the calmness and serenity of the north that seems to be calling my name. In the past two days, I’ve experienced almost every form of public transportation, minus the ferry which we were very close to taking. Today alone, we’ve taken a car ride, to an Amtrak train, to a city bus, to the BART (subway system), and finally to another car. It was on the train that California took hold of my heart.

I’d never ridden on a train before (at least not to my recollection) but today’s ride was an amazing experience for me. Whether it was with my eyes closed and the sun on my face, or my eyes open soaking in the gorgeous scenery, I just didn’t want it to end. Even on the bus, surrounded by water, something about it all just said… home.

Overall, this trip has been an amazing experience. I’ve seen all the amazing sights San Francisco has to offer, eaten more food than I could have ever imagined, strengthened the ties with my Californian cousins whom always seemed so far away, and made new friends and met new family whom I already look forward to visiting again. With all of this in place, I could definitely see it easy to be able to make a home here. However, in time, with two quarters of school left, I need to finish my swimming lessons before I try to dive into the deep end of the pool. I gotta admit though, this warm weather really makes me anxious to go for a swim.

[Day 14] A picture of you and your family

I love my fambam. I honestly feel so blessed with my family; through tough times and adversities, I know I can always count on them. Also, I’ve always known that I have a big family, but I didn’t realize how big until I put this together (and this still isn’t everyone).

My mom’s side (top)
Distance is no obstacle. My mom’s side of my family may live on the opposite side of the world and I may only get to see them once in a blue moon, but I cherish every moment I get with them when I go to the Philippines to visit. I wish I could get to know them better and could actually see my cousins there grow up; it pains me to come back every 4 years (if I’m lucky) and feel like I missed a lifetime with them. I may not be as close with this side of my family, but I would still do anything for them.

My dad’s side (bottom)
Meet The KalYouByeIns. My dad’s side of my family is the side that I grew up with here in the states. Split between Minnesota and California, but that doesn’t change how strong our bonds are. Probably a good quarter of us (at least) are missing from this picture too. Many of them have been there to see me through some of the toughest times of my life thus far and I have no question that they’ll still be there for me in the future. We still get together every week (those of us here in MN) to go to church and have lunch together; I love these people to death.

Family is and always will be one of the strongest values I hold dearest to me. I’d go to the ends of the earth for them and I know they’d do the same for me. My friends, my family, my inspiration; I only hope that I can make them proud with what I do in my life. I may not say it often, but I love you all.

[Day 08] Short term goals for this month and why

• Complete my To-Do List Several of the items on that list have actually been on there for quite some time, they just can’t seem to get crossed off >_<
• Find a new job I’ve been bitching and complaining about my job to my friends and anyone that’ll listen for a while now, it’s about time I actually do something about it.
• Get back into my workout routine I started it last Summer, fell off in the Fall, got back into it this Summer, and I’ve already fallen off again -_-;; 
• Find the guys that broke into my house They stole a bunch of our stuff and are out there free, they deserve to be reprimanded.
• Do more design work I may still have another 2 months before I go back to school, but I haven’t been doing much practice this Summer, I need to get back into the swing of things.
• Save money! With a hopefully California trip tentatively planned for October and plans for a New Year in New York, I REALLY need to start saving.
• Take that risk It’s been looming over me for quite a while now… you know the one… and if you don’t, sorry ^_^