These are some b&w I took the first month we moved to Seattle. Which explains the ramen noodles and ugly couch that does not belong to us (and is no longer in our house) and boxes in the corner of the room. I haven’t been traveling or creating art since my academics have been top priority but I also didn’t want to leave this un-updated. I originally wanted to take some portraits of some of the people at school to make an interesting composite of photos for my first quarter back in school but it was too freaky to people when I brought my camera to school during the snow days. Maybe that will change once spring hits. These photos are already have a bit of nostalgia.

It started on Sunday with light flakes of snow I could see from the office window. I was so sure that was going to be it. No “sticking”. I woke up on Monday and got the kettle going for some tea. I took a look outside and saw a thin blanket of snow covering everything. I don’t think I had ever ran through the house like that or have been that excited at 7 am before. My first time seeing snow in the city. (the two previous times had been on a mountain) My first time seeing a snow chain for tires and my first time getting a nose bleed.

I went to class that day. I was too scared to drive so Eric drove and a classmate of mine dropped me off back home. Snapped a few flicks there and as the day went on the snow kept on falling. I laid on the couch for hours staring out of the window. Didn’t go to school for the next couple of days making my four day Holiday into six days. Took a bus to get groceries at Red Apple and Foulee to make Sinigang for dinner. Amazing to see Boeing field completely covered and all of neighborhood suddenly transformed. I re-watched the Blue Scholars snow video seeing all the familiar places and faces with snow made me have a new appreciation and excitement for the snow. Luckily by the time it came to finally drive the car the roads were safer to drive. The cup of water I had left in the cup holder had frozen over. We made it to Thanksgiving dinner at the Quibuyen/Amlag household safely. It completely was the snow Thanksgiving Holiday extraordinaire week equipped with the proper class/work cancellations, snow, semi-snow in, snow playing for anyone in their 20s, heater usage, hella good food and great hanai family.
It was totally magical for me.

Whatchu know about snow?

A friend of mine told me the ferry rides here were like little cruises you can take. You can eat and drink and bring your car on. I learned that some people use the ferry as a daily commute to and from work. After the semi-nightmare of shipping my car from port of Honolulu to port of Seattle I asked Eric about five times if he was sure we could just drive on and not need to make an appointment or buy a ticket in advance.

I never got to ride the SuperFerry in Hawaii. But I am assuming it would’ve been something like this. It was hella easy. Jump right now with your car, two floors of kickin it levels and outdoor observations decks. It was a little over $11 each way to bring your car. There was crap food and beer and bathrooms equipped with getting ready areas for those in work commute. I don’t know why we picked Bainbridge. Probably because it was closest. Cute island between where Port Orchard/Bremerton and downtown Seattle. It kinda was like a little cruise there. Hellva a trip to just drive your car on and off the thing. Took us less an 30 minutes to drive from to the most southern part to the most northern. Beautiful trees and homes in nature and along the shoreline that were like the ones I saw in slasher movies taking place in some baller house in the woods. We found a beach. Dang, mainland beaches are still a trip to me. It had such an eerie beauty to it. I was wondering how and why those tree logs got there. There was a dad and daughter with a dog running around in shorts there.

We also saw a deer crossing the street. Which is the 2nd time I have ever seen a deer crossing and I hope I never have the misfortune of having on cross my path when it’s dark and I am going 50mph. We ate some really amazing Indian food in the downtown (maybe just town?) area. The downtown area was pretty small. I didn’t see any major department stores and only once safeway. It was only a few small blocks big. We didn’t stay for long. There was nothing to do but to check out the two parks and the neighborhoods.

It was tight going there and seeing Seattle behind us. Going back the sun had just set and seeing the city from the water all lit up was pretty cool. We didn’t get a mastered photo since it was a bit shaky. The ferry experience was pretty exciting. Probably going to hit up Bremerton next. Although it’s getting close to holiday and we are viciously home sick and swimming in the world’s best waters have haunted both of us in our dreams, I gotta say, the mini adventures in Washington are pretty dope.

After SF, SAT and NYC in one month, I decided to head back up to Vancouver with Eric. It’s such an easy 3 hour drive, why not?

We gave our friends at the Miura Waffle Milk bar a visit. We ran across them back in June looking for Korean food to eat in Vancouver on urbanspoon.com. The search brought this place to our attention. We made friends with the couple who owns the place who make awesome waffle sandwiches that they had invented. Turns out the waffle wifey is Korean and they make a bangin’ bulgogi waffle sandwich. Thus the Korean food search. In June they were only open for about a month and when we got home we friended them on facebook. SO when Eric saw their brand new waffle tasty special the Friday night before, we decided to drive up for the Saturday. I ate the Salmon Waffle Sandwich that has the most amazing ranch dressing with wasabi, Eric had a meat sandwich my vegetarian self didn’t understand and we split a Tiramisu waffle for dessert. I would also recommend the fruit waffles for dessert. If you ever do find yourself in Vancouver, check them out, it’s totally worth it with a party in the mouth like you’ve never had.  (Miura Waffle Milk Bar 829 Davie Street Vancouver, BC V6Z)

Up to Gastown we managed to catch some free Canadian hiphop show in front of the museum. We pulled over, parked and checked out it. Why not? Nuff said.

Gastown was pretty dope. Cool little shops and restaurants and this weird clock thing that makes a whistling melody with steam piping outta it every half hour. We imagined what it would be like to live in some the really cool multi-floor apartments with double lanais and to have health insurance.  It was so clean, some of the alley ways literally smelled like Pinesol. I mean, there were rose petals in the streets and graffiti that said it loved us. BC really likes to rep how beautiful and clean it is there…and it is. We ran into this small and hella fit Taiwanese street wear shop. Eric’s former street wear designer self was getting a mild wood. I have to say, there were some clean looking dudes stuff in there. One jacket caught my eye and when I showed it to Eric, two hours later we were sitting in a bar a block away and he was in hot debate if he should spend the money on it. We tried to memorize it for when my nagging to revive Eric’s clothing design work comes into effect, we’ll make one like that jacket, but doper.

On the way back home we checked out the Granville area to refill our stomachs before the long drive. It’s a really cool shopping and hanging out area equipped with higher end stores to boutiques and a theater. We always manage catch it when the area is closed. We found a place called Shabusen Yakiniku. The restaurant sat upstairs to a clothing store and was fairly large inside. It was a Japaneses all you can eat sushi or bento box with a small Korean food menu that was Chinese owned and operated. It was decently legit and did a decent job fusing all those foods in there. It’s definitely a eat spot for hella folks for a birthday or quick place to eat late at night when there is no other open and you’re not down for the greasy spoon. The ambiance and service isn’t the most pristine, so it isn’t the date night spot or relaxing eat out environment.

Overall, Vancouver’s been great for our quick one day trips away. There always seems to be something to do or see. We still have a list of activities to do in Van City. Next time we’ll try to manage to spend a Canadian night there. As usual, Eric took a straight shot home as I tried to not fall asleep and we both hoped to be home before midnight. But after a long month of not sleeping in my own bed, I was glad Vancouver was just for the day.

The trip the big apple was like what I’d imagine mainlanders who have never seen crystal clear blue water feel when they go the Hawaii. In place of the beaches and water I was imagining all the places I have seen in the movies, instead of all the beautiful island folk, I was imagining the lazy construction workers, people with NY accents and cab drivers. Instead of Iolani Palace, I was seeing the Statue of Liberty and Time Square. I couldn’t decline the offer to go, so I did. It was my first time to the big city as well as to the eastcoast.

We stayed in Harlem on 135th and Broadway at one of Eric’s best friend’s place. Let me tell you, for the first time meeting Ryan, ain’t too many people will show that kind of hospitality to you. Ryan nicely stocked us up with home essentials and food and left. He gave us his place for five days and we got to get to know the NYC living experience in Harlem for those five days equipped with train passes, apartment keys but minus the NYC job.

We did it all. (as seen in the photos below, click on any to open the gallery) All the touristy stuff ever and it was awesome. I think there isn’t much to say. It was pretty freakin amazing. Unfortunately from all the traveling I had just done, I was terribly tired and had really over done myself since I hadn’t been home the entire month.

The scenes in the movies are usually of NYC in threat. Or something really crazy happening. After seeing such iconic places, (and I could be wrong because maybe they are more iconic due to the threat or glamor imposed on them in movies.) it was understandable to me. Many of these places and images were breath-taking or at the very least really exciting and truly places and symbols in time that are important. One of my favorite things was the Statue of Liberty, something I thought would be a long time from now that I would see in person, Time Square which just blew me away and made me wonder how the Jay-Z and Alicia Key video for “Empire State of Mind” made that whole block look empty. I mean they probably had to shut that street down for blocks! Time Square was CRACKin on a weekday night at 11:30pm in which I also went shopping. When the hell could I but kickass jeans with no sales tax at 11:30 at night? I also very much enjoyed the Uniqlo store, if you don’t know, you better ask someone. (koreatown is a given)

I have heard many, many people say how much they love NY and want to live there or love it but could never live there or that they could live there for just 6 months. Since I am in a “Why not” part of my life which ended me up in the PNW and back into school, I thought, “Dang, I am totally going to want to live there.” I really believe that travel is SOME of the best education. I know some pretty smart folks who just don’t get “it” because they either aren’t well traveled or actually refuse to experience anything without their heads too far somewhere (and think they get it). Sometimes, taking it from a book or shutting yourself into a certain mind state when you get there, is cheating yourself. Basically, NY schooled me. I saw in certain things there that helped me understand this place. I also saw things that were just too real for me. I can honestly say, I do really like/love NY but I don’t think I wanna live there, not even for six months. (but I will visit frequently if I can) Even though the first time I saw someone shoot up was on the street in Van-City and it scared the shit outta me, the NY train rides man. I saw folks on there too real for me that I will never forget. It made me understand how some folks just need to be a little colder to get through their everyday commute.

I could get into exactly what we did the whole time. But basically, we met up with some friends, we saw places and walked EVERYWHERE in lower Manhattan. Hung out with Ryan some, got to meet up with the awesome homegirl Arlene and her Nike shoe designin homie Panamanian extraordinaire Mau and the funniest girl on the block Ali. So it was a decent blend of tourist stuff and meeting up with some of the friends which made it all the doper and more of a real experience. Some of our Seattle friends were also in town but apparently they got the Queen’s experience of having their car broken into which hindered the plans.

Ok, the good part. Apparently there is a free ferry called the Stanton Island Ferry. It’s paid for by all the tax payers of NYC. It goes past the Statue of Liberty and the best time to catch it is at sunset. The Empire and Roc all cost money to go to the top, but the ROC has a ticket that just costs a few dollars more then the admission to go up that will also get you into the NYMOMA and something I forgot. The week train pass is about $25. I think ten train rides will pay for itself, so if you are there for a week or take the train at least ten times, this would be a good solution. Worked for us, five days at least twice a day going back and forth and more. Don’t get into a unmarked cab aka a gypsy cab, unless you are re-finely skilled in the ways of the gypsy cab. People in NY are not mean. They are some of the nicest people. I understand the people who think people in NY are mean to them. People are probably mean to them everywhere. There are over 200 languages spoken in NY alone today. Reservations as told to me by the captain of the water taxi is the key to NY. I recommend the NY water taxi because you will see many things you wouldn’t normally see. Lots of people live in Jersey and work in NY.

And you gotta eat at Momofuku in the eastvillage. They have some bangin ramen, the place always has folks waiting outside. I think it took us about an hour and half to get a seat on a Friday night. But you can order drinks while waiting if you’re even lucky to be standing inside. And the kimchee in a jar is legit. Kunjip in Koreatown is where we went. We came at the right time because the place started to pack up by the time we left. It was my first official Koreatown!! (and don’t listen to what google map says where it’s at. It told us it was in the Empire state building. It’s actually a block away) Flor De Mayo was this Peruvian restaurant Ryan took us to. So, this restaurant was Chinese/Spanish food, made by Chinese folks who grew up in Spain? I know there are Korean/Chinese/Japanese places like that and get all white people confused. I was confused but the Spanish Rice and Fried Rice was amazing. Saint Patrick’s Church was the first real church stain glass place I have ever been to. It was beautiful. And free. For some reason I guess we slipped into the back door and missed out on the security check in the front. It was amazing inside. Ali took us to this place in Chinatown, I can’t remember what it was called, but they have the CHEAPEST, GOOD Chinese food. I think three plates came out to $12. This wasn’t no Panda Express. Mau and Arlene met us at this bar called Lucky Strike in Soho that was alright. Mostly, it was great company. We laughed for hours. (about Edible Arrangements, Dolphins, Nike Shoes and PHX. Shout out if ya’ll reading this) One day stopping by little Italy on the way home, there was some Italian Carnival Awesomeness. The streets were PACKED and we managed to find someplace to sit down and eat. This place was the deluxe North Beach. We ate at a spot called Lunaella. Check out the food. I don’t know how you can make pasta noodles taste like that, what kind of sauce was that in??? (oh sorry, the salmon is pictured, but I guess we smashed the pasta too fast to take a photo)

That was basically my first experience in the big city. Ate, hung out, was a tourist, prayed to the stock market gods, listened to Sinatra while looking at the Statue of Liberty, made memories I will never forget, saw some f-ed up things on the train, thought about my father, spent time with my man and saw everything I could possibly see in that small big, big city. Kicked a big one off the bucket list.

Most who know me personally will ask, “Why San Antonio?” My uncle and aunt who helped raise me after my mother’s death left Hawaii a couple months after I did and moved to the burbs of San Antonio where their only son and his family resides. Following my father’s passing were a few more family members and I think my uncle and aunt being the people they are, wanted to be prepared, secure and not let their son go through what I had to.

Hawaii is my home and it’s hard to come to terms with a place I call home with barely any of my family left there. So to feed my need to see the people I love, I flew out from SF, the flight was cheaper then from Seattle and US Airways and United merged, meaning what I have mentioned previously, more miles.

The adventure started with a layover in PHX. (nuff said, my homies Arlene and Mau feel me) and a short ride to Texas before I knew it I saw Uncle Frank in the airport looking for me and I was riding in the backseat of the same Camry with auntie in shotgun.

They were staying in an apartment complex as their new house was being built. We exchanged stories about our similar experiences of leaving Hawaii. Me being in my 20s and auntie and uncle being in their 70’s, I was surprised how much we had in common. We shared our woes and our feeling of triumph. Seattle was offering me a life I could never have in Hawaii and although auntie and uncle aren’t loving the South, they are finally able to afford the luxuries that living in expensive Hawaii could never give them and being in the close proximity of their son, his wife and children.

SAT was hot and humid in a different way then Hawaii is but not as much of a desert as I thought. The actual landscape is bare and completely flat. I really couldn’t find anything appealing about the natural landscape worth photographing. I thought there would be tumble weeds or cactus or something found in Western films. Sadly, there was not. I have complained about the food in Seattle, but after my first experience for five days in the ‘burbs, I am lucky and I now understand even more the infatuation with Hawaii’s food and grocery stores. (although every city I go to, must find a decent Korean Restaurant and I did! Of course they combined sushi on their menu)

I was open to a new experience and I got it. Most people, as I had told my cousin when he asked me when I would visit, would never to think go to a place and add so much prejudice to an area and the people there. It’s true, it’s completely true, but now I can say, I understand now that I have finally gone out to venture such a place. I found racism, religion and way of life is just as you see on television shows based on smaller towns in the burbs which is similar but different to the bigger cities, and being there made me understand why.

Aside from learning how people act and think there, I got to meet the rest of my uncle and aunt’s family. Finally got to meet my cousin’s wife and two youngest sons. I think it’s pretty obvious and known that we come from different sides of the spectrum but the element that matters the most was the fact that we are family and the love for Frank and Agnes and how they are our parental figures. I was able to go to a new place I didn’t desire to ever go to, and make it a place I associate with great memories and a place where my loved ones are and in turn, make that place into a decently dope town in my head.

The three things to do in SAT. The Tower of America, which is taller then the Space Needle and also has an over priced restaurant sitting at the top of it, The River Walk and the Alamo. Tower of America took a few minutes to get use to the revolving-ness. But it made me sure I had seen everything SAT had to offer. The whole family came minus the youngest one, the 2nd oldest, David, even came down from Austin where he attends college for some crazy nanobot technology, to kick it. (David’s so cute, he asked me what a “square” was and when I described it, he asked me what a circle could possibly be)

River Walk is a partially man made river with a river that flows through downtown that had water taxis and tours. There are mostly hotels, stores and restaurants. This will ensure that you will see most of what downtown SAT has to offer in less than an hour. It starts and ends at the mall. I loved chillin with auntie and uncle on the water. It was a field trip day with them because we also hit up the Alamo. Auntie told me, “Whatever you expecting at the Alamo, don’t.”

Turns out they added a few new things and like most things I am not use to, it was totally free. Well, I can now say, I kinda know what the Alamo is. When a Texan with a bola equipped with a cowboy hat talks about how the grace of God is the reason why is able to school you on what the Alamo is, I probably got what was similar to my 5th grade education of what the annexation of Hawaii was. Overall, it was tight. I sent postcards out to a very special 10 people since they sold 10 packs at the Alamo gift shop, took a few pictures I wasn’t supposed to and bought Eric a scorpion lollipop that he actually ended up eating. (and I ate a little too)

San Antonio, I got everything I could and that you can. Definitely an eye opening experience. I got to spend time with my family and now I got my baby 2nd cousin hip to most of the hip-hop I listen to and I will be returning since SAT has my family. And maybe we can buy $1 mixtapes off of the side of the road from a dude who hella “is gunna rep his citay” in the triple digit heat.

Thanks to United Airlines, I had a free trip back to San Francisco. Booked for two weeks and in between managed to get to Texas. Eight days in, five days out, and one day back in.

This was my fourth (?) trip back this year. I was there to take care of some bizznazz (as usual) and I will say this openly. Wells Fargo, for one of the biggest banks in the nation, your establishment is the epitome of corporations and how most corporations will treat their customers. I am truly disappointed and probably one of your most disappointed and disgruntled clients. I cannot wait until we are longer doing business together.

On the other hand, Eric came down for the labor day weekend to celebrate our “official” one year official-ness. I was hoping to show him a good time in the city for payback on all the help the last time we had come and drove a giant truck up the west coast together. We stayed with family. Eric finally had his first Napa experience at V. Sattui. I would recommend this place on a non-weekend, try something from the deli and please try their award winning wines, they are pretty impressive. They also do not waive the tasting fee if you purchase. No matter how much you try to hustle with them. And trust me, I have.

A must-go restaurant is San Tung on Irving. When I was looking at the place-mats and tea cups back in April when I was there with David, the memories of my mom washing my kimchee in jasmine tea came rushing back. My parents use to take me there. They are a Chinese restaurant, but one of the first things they will put in front of you is the best plate of kimchee you will ever have. Why? I am not sure. They only serve Chinese food, banging Chinese food. (I guess with a banging side of kimchee)

I cannot stress how amazing the Museum of Science is!! Expensive, But use your fake student id to get $5 off. I think it ended up being almost $60 bucks for the both of us. It was worth it. We were in there for four hours and didn’t even finish. There was a planetarium that made Bishop Museums look like the A-track, an indoor rain forest with about 5 feet long arowonas, free flying birds and butterflies and enough exhibits and activities to keep you busy all day! That part of Golden Gate Park with the gardens and museums is really a gem in the park.

I also had the chance to meet up with some amazing people. Nancy Trinh, was hella ride or die. My friend from the first grade! I couldn’t have gotten certain things done without her or kept my sanity. I got a change to kick it with my girl Nani who is the sweetest and literally, sweetest pastry chef. We ate at Chachachas in the Mission and got to catch up. My dude David who will no doubt drive two hours just to kick it with me! He’ll take you to restaurants on your anniversary day where his smoking hot ex-girlfriend works. We’ll also eat bi-rite ice’s famous honey lavender flavored ice cream in the Mission and lay around in Dolores Park. My girl Ali took me to her parents house to make me breakfast and catch up. Ali is one of those folks that when she speaks to me, I try my hardest to listen to what she is asking me because her inquisitiveness is very genuine in ways you don’t experience often. She will usually say things that will make me think about them later. After meeting her amazing parents, I know where she gets it from. Bonnie and I met back in Hawaii due to mutual friends. Not only will I say the girl is just beautiful! (amazing lips) But I love that straight up effort she put in to meet up with a fellow sister was dope. Also got a catch up session with Krish (aka Rocky Rivera) at her mom’s place. Ain’t nothing like catching up with Krish. I’m glad we can say anything to each other. Last but not least, my Uncle Dave. This man has been my father’s friend for 20 years and now has become mine. He is the bay area classic and can show you every corner and secret of that city. Something my dad had a knack for in Hawaii. Not only has he done so much for me since my father’s passing but he’s been a good friend. He’s also the type of guy you can look up to because he’s open, has a good judge of character and does things from his heart. Nuff said, look at that photo with him harassing the guy playing piano at the Hilton. You gotta meet this guy once.

Since we got on the food roll and there is nothing else new I can tell you about this place…
Arrang Korean Restaurant right outside of Japan town is pretty legit. Me and David hit it up and they are one of the only places I have ever been too that serve the burnt rice with the burnt rice tea. They also have cut up apples in the potato salad.
Top Dog in Berkeley is famous for their hot dogs. But if you are a vegetarian. Don’t even bother.
Maki restaurant is in Japan town plaza. Notice the picture of Eric’s spoon with the stickers on it. I noticed it when he was half way done.
Tomasos is my favorite restaurant in North Beach. If you don’t get there right when they open, be prepared to wait at least an hour for a table. This time I think we waited an hour and half. But trust me, it’s worth the wait. They have the first fire brick oven in the bay.
Toscas is right down the street from Tomasos, it was a saloon from back in the days of prohibition. It’s equipped with jukebox with Sinatra hits, the old espresso machine that looks like a chimney and the classic “special” drink. The “special” was the saloons signature drink back in the day to get people their fix of alcohol. I ordered one for the first time. It was hot chocolate and brandy. Took me by surprise. It was like Christmas in a cup.

I didn’t realize until I met someone from another country who really wanted to live in the US, how cool were all the places I am from/grew up in. LA>BAY>HI and now SEA. Until next time sf…

Thi-le invited us back up, this time for Jay’s birthday. The presence of the some of the best cooked Vietnamese and Filipino was irresistible! Freshly slaughter lechon and goat is ideal for Eric, I was feeling picking the fresh tomatoes in the garden and eating them like apples. I have never tasted anything like it.

The drive this time was minor, after the 16 almost straight hours from SAC to SEA in one day, Canada in one day, and just being back on the BEST COAST, I managed to drive it in one sit from our house. This time we noticed these beautiful catcus-like plants surrounded by barbed wire, later we found out, it was the new tobacco fields.

We missed the actual slaughter of the goat, which I guess, we weren’t that inclined to seeing. All of Thi-le and Jay’s family were there, which I still think it’s amazing two people unrelated but in love/relationship can unite their families like they do. The only time that happens in my family is at an actual wedding that’s been planned for two years. Thi-le and Jay’s uncles were all sitting at one table together. They were informative about the kinds of food that make men “strong”. Which we later concluded was anything considered gnarly to eat in any culture was considered good for sexual health. I mean, cmon, we’ve all heard about them. It’s only in America do they insist it’s a pill.

Tito next door flattered us too much with stories of good looking Japanese and Korean people he had known. He also knew Honolulu pretty well since he had met his wife there. So of course the Hawaii talk came out. He admitted he heard we rode his horse with the help of his son last time and graciously invited us over the next morning to ride his horses again.

Thi-le opened the bottle of wine I bought her for her birthday the month before and made some pretty impressive poke. She said to me “They always give people the benefit of the doubt.” It wasn’t about digging too deep. It was about being hospitable and having a good time with good people who we all know aren’t perfect but good/great if that’s what you want to see. Why not indulge in some one’s good? There are so many who only focus on what they don’t like about…everything. I truly look up to their families. It makes sense, you are so much of what’s been around you.

We called it a night and learned that in those parts of Washington and maybe true in other more isolated places in America, spending an extra $20 bucks on your room, can make it into a suite with a balcony and two tvs.

Again, the country experience or Wapato/Yakima is amazing to us. Never have I felt so much like a city girl or learned the true luxury of farm life. This time, the corn from the last trip, were already ripe and the next morning when we drove back to the farm, the aunties has already roasted them over an open fire.

Then it was horse time. Tito next door, he really showed us what his horse can do. Apparently Tito next door is famous all throughout Wapato and Yakima for his ability to teach horses how to dance. I really thought “dance” was a loose term until I saw. And if you don’t ever see a horse fully do the moon walk in life, you are missing out. And if you don’t ever sit bitch on a horse, trust me, you’re not missing anything. It’s pretty terribly scary, especially on a horse that feels like busting out his dance moves every now and then while galloping.

My apologies for not taking video on this one. In case you missed the first adventure to Yakima, HERE.

It was like four months of Seattle/mainland conditioning was reversed the second the humidity hit me in the face.

It was like time stood still. We were just driving a different car.

Eric and I booked the trip the night before. When family calls, you gotta go. Got to see a few of the homies while at it and run into a few randomly. Got to have that post shower after the beach 5pm layout without feeling like we were visitors. Visited my parent’s graves, and just my luck, they were under construction.

A question I get often, is how do you get to travel so much? First of all, flights in general are much cheaper once you are back on the mainland. Especially if you are in a city where the airport is a hub of connections (but not like PHX). SEA is pretty good but places like LAX or SFO, more flights will go direct to there and somewhere else. Like I don’t think I ever heard of a one way HNL to JFK. If so, that’ll probably be an arm and a leg and not that often. AND name drop and every chance that you get to get anything out of it. Do it. Really it’s like an investment. Invest in a few flights, and then, let the free ones come. Mileage card, bank cards, credit cards with miles. So many airlines are merging, you can actually use miles from different airlines. Rental car companies, hotels, motels, restaurant. All you gotta do is sign up for a few things and give your email address and email customer service on where those miles are. It’s amazing what you can do.

I guess something happened a couple of weeks on the news about Hawaiian’s service to Vegas. Hawaiian ended up giving everyone a free round trip after a bunch of locals went to the new station to talk about how pissed they were. I also had a couple of friends from Seattle who had a majorly delayed flight and resulted in free roundtrips back…in first class. So naturally on our delayed flight, we didn’t even have to ask. We got a nice room at the Ala Moana Hotel for the night, four meals, transportation and a free trip back. That’s how you do it. United will take emails and they usually email back apologizing and sending some sort of compensation, whether in miles, percentage or vouchers. This we have gotten five of already. I guess that’s the price of crappy domestic airline services (ya’ll that have flown JAL know what I’m talking about) Is that you just get another crappy experience for free or cheaper.

Well, next trip back, will be on Hawaiian and we’ll be able to kick it a little harder. Plus I think I am going to need that Hawaiian sun back come the winter here. I am stoked about the weather changes after so many years in the heat but also scared. I miss Longs (really starting to think best store ever), the beach and really good food.

Rocky Rivera aka Krishtine Deleon. I am proud of you sis!
TEAM ROCKY!