London town II

Daniel and I eventually settled on a tube station to meet, after looking up the stops on the site and much texting back and forth. Being in the library has calmed me down a little. I really was trying to push off of the bad feeling considering I'm in bleeping London.

Debating where to go since we really didn't want to waste the day. Ended up settling with Cambridge since London was just a bit painful to go to after the cancelled meet. Cambridge was about a 60-mins or so drive from the town that we're at. So we got there, and went to Nando's which is a Portuguese restaurant. Food was real good, though I only had spiced chicken and rice along with a free drink for first-timers at Nando's. So just walked around Cambridge pretty much and stopped by the mall for a little while. Browsing through the music store, and ended up buying a book which I've kinda been meaning to get for quite sometime. A behind the scenes look on the business side of how the Spice Girls reinvented pop back in the 90's. Did I mention I was a fan? So yeah, ended up buying it at 60 % off. It got me thinking though, about the whole things happen for a reason that people say. I dunno, if the meet/date or whatever was to be cancelled just so I'd be able to find this book hmmm.. That's a bit lame lol since I could have ordered the book online. So ended up just going back to the house, and reading the whole night. Yep, waay to spend a night in England eh.

Thursday - The day finally rolled around though it wasn't a good feeling I had when I woke up. Not getting to see Daniel yesterday really got me frustrated and got me questioning about the whole trip. Laying in bed thinking if I should even bother going through with the whole meeting up thing. I even considered of just packing my stuff up and heading to a hostel around London until I fly out of the country. It is good getting to see my friend Jim, but it just didn't seem like it was enough. I just wanted to leave everything behind and be in company of strangers since the whole cancelling thing really pissed me off, if it hasn't been obvious.

Looking back I can't pinpoint what helped to kinda change my mood for the day since all I remember now was showering, then us driving to base to get gas and grab something to eat. So we left the base and headed out to the station so I can catch the tube, along with our lunch. During this drive was the only time I got nervous about meeting up with Daniel, mixed with excitement that FINALLY, we'll get to meet, a day after the planned date (the time to meet, not the other thing called 'date'. It's not really a date now, is it?) So we finally arrived at Redbridge where I'm gonna have to catch a ride to Shadwell station which is 2 zones away from each other.

The meet up time was at 4 pm but I didn't get to catch one until around 3:30 pm. So was just thinking, heh, I should be able to make it on time. Well 4 pm rolls around and am still on the Central line just approaching Bank station. And from there, would have to switch to Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to get to Shadwell. Well with two suitcases, weighing about 20 kilos each, it was a bit of a struggle having to walk up and down the stairs to get to the other line I had to catch. Finally got to Shadwell, feeling not so fresh after all these damn walking, around 4:15 . Got off the railway, and was gonna start descending down a flight of stairs, until one girl mentioned that I can just use the elevator. Wheeew! (It was actually the girl that I smiled at during the ride, so note * smiling really does make a difference)

Finally got on the first floor after the descent which seemed to take foreverrrrr. So hopped out of the elevator, and looked around the station, trying to find Daniel or someone that resembled him and nada. He was nowhere to be found. I dunno, felt a little annoyance that he could not have hang around a little longer, if he actually did come. 30 ft away from the stairs was a payphone, so went and called Jim letting him know that I got to Shadwell just fine, with no Daniel in sight. Asked him to text Daniel and mention that I'm at the train station waiting. I tried calling Daniel but only got his voicemail so just left a message on it as well. After two phone calls, I still had credit left on the payphone but I really can't get my change back. Good thing that some girl was standing, waiting to use it so I told her that she can just go ahead since I still had some credit left. She had a look on her face like if I was kidding or something. I dunno, it seems like these days, people don't expect any good thing done to them that if you act kind or corteous, they're just in shock that someone was nice to them. That made me feel good inside so I stepped aside by my luggage and was sweating and looking around trying to find a familiar face. And right when I looked at the stairs, a guy in a brown leather jacket, waved at me smiling, and all the anger from the day before just went away and all I can think of was how glad I was that I came.

London town

I would not have imagined that I'd be making a last minute trip to London out of all places. It's still one of the places I've considered going but with no rush. If this would have been (I'll admit) in the Spice Girls' heydays, I would have hopped on a plane in a record to have seen them hehe. So moving along.. I booked a 7-day trip for London to see Daniel though it wasn't 'til mid-week that I got to meet him.

So the flight to Seattle from Japan ended up being delayed for about four hours which I really didn't mind. Considering my original arrival time in Seattle would have been around 9 am , then leaving for London eight hours later at 6 pm. So that kinda did me good. Setting it back a few hours, less time to kill. Feel bad for the other passengers though, who had to take connection flights with little time in between but yeah, they would have made it sooner or later. It was funny just watching some people get real pissed about the delay. I probably would have been too if I would have missed my flight, but am not, so I can take the delay in stride. I just chuckled listening to what they were saying. Oh yeah this is about London huh..

So arrived in London on a Sunday, around 1130 with my friend Jim instead that's going to be picking me up. I was all smiling with the plane finally landing at Heathrow Airport. The flight was interesting enough since I sat next to a couple who lived and worked at the same base that I just came out of. Me and the man were talking for a bit. 'Twas funny considering I was dreading having to sit next to them since they seemed stuck up a little when I just got on. Ended up waiting for about an hour before Jim finally made it. I was getting pissed, but just kept telling myself that "Hey, you're in England now. A bit of a wait won't kill ya." And I guess the prospect of just getting to see Daniel later on was enough to keep me calm. Jim finally arrived so it was all good. It was nice getting to hang with him in person after about a year of waiting. With him moving and everything, we've mostly kept in touch through e-mails or phone calls which I usually initiated. I'll do admit I like talking on the phone though it has wreaked havoc on my wallet from time to time. But I just really didn't mind I guess, money's nothing compared to the happiness I feel whenever I talk to my loved ones whether it be family or even just friends.

So boarded on a bus that'll take us to the tube station bound for wherever Jim lives at. We made a stop midway though since we got hungry. The excitement's in full gear too considering I didn't mind having to lag around two suitcase around the train station and up the stairs to get to the street. We made a stop at Piccadilly Circus and grabbed a bite at Pizza Hut and talked for a little while. Really didn't do much for the day since we still had to go back to his house to get settled. The tube ride to where we needed to make the stop wasn't really that far. What I didn't know was that he had to drive like 90 mins to get to that said train station called Redbridge. There I was bitching to him about having to wait for an hour at the airport lol.. So ended up thanking him gladly for going through all those travelling just to pick me up.

Monday - headed out to Central London to do a little sightseeing. Got to get on a computer and ended up talking to the family for a little bit. None of the family really knew that I was making this trip and they were all expecting my phone call the previous day. I got to talk to my uncle who told me that my Aunt was there next to him, crying so ended up making a call just to actually tell her that I'm fine. My family's spread out so will just leave their whereabouts since it can be a tad confusing to others. We came by SoHo which was where the bars and clubs we're at but didn't stay since Jim got uncomfortable after some guy winked at him while we were walking.

Tuesday - the same thing pretty much. Got to see the Buckingham Palace, and had dinner at Planet Hollywood which Jim picked. Talk about acting touristy. I just went along, and it ended up alright with a cute spanish waiter and all

Wednesday - woke up all excited since this was the big day, the day that I will get to meet Daniel. Well it was good seeing Jim, but that wasn't really why I flew to London lol. So there I was, got showered and everything all smiles, thinking Yes, this is the day, this is the day. Well we had to go to base first since Jim needed to run some errands. Figured I'd text Daniel just to say hi, letting him know that I'm at Jim's as we've talked about previously to offset the cost of having to spend money on a hotel. And there was his reply back, asking how he can reach me since he needed to speak with me. Oh oh, that's not a good sign I thought and it just kinda made my excitement go away.

So dialled his number and spoke with him. Well I really didn't understand him too much on the phone except that he missed the flight for Italy that Saturday so ended up going to Oxford or some shit like that and that he got into an argument with his flatmates. I tried listening as he explained it to me some more but I think I was just real annoyed I sorta tuned out what he was saying. I really tried to be understanding coz that must have been real stressful to him as well, not getting to fly home and back, then end up having a fight with your housemates. All I can say was ok, guess we can just meet tomorrow then. Though on the inside, my mind just went through with all these thoughts and ideas. This isn't going well. Doesn't he care that I flew all the way to see him, with little rest in between, just delaying our meeting just like that. Why did I even bother with this guy.. Does he even care I came?

After the phone conversation, still had to text with him to figure out a good station for him to pick me up. So with this rage brimming inside, I had to keep calm and avoid making a snide remark even on the phone about what an idiot he is.

It's been close to three weeks since I left Japan and everything's been going good really. Crazy considering I've been all over the past few weeks and got to meet interesting people, and seen different places.

London trip turned out to be great. Just what I needed in transitioning to a new life you can say. I can't imagine what things would have been like if I didn't go there. At least, I've made some memories which can make me smile at least, like now during the holidays where my cousin had to work and I stayed home. Thanks to a blogger friend Rey who gave me his itinerary about London. I didn't get to go to all the places he did, but it was still helpful. Though gotta admit, it wasn't really the town that prompted me to visit but a certain somebody. Maybe I oughta write about those seven days so I wouldn't forget though I REALLY doubt I would. To be that happy just to be with somebody, standing there just smiling as you watch them go about in the kitchen to make a meal. Wowww, so that's a glimpse of what it's like to be in love. I sure am looking forward to it :D

Am settled here in Colorado after doing a stint in Vegas, LA, and Phoenix on the way back. Me and my cousin went on a little road trip that spanned three states in five days. I was just in awe as we were nearing Las Vegas just seeing the glowing city from the distance. I wonder if I'm a moth considering bright lights really does it for me. We ended up sleeping through the first night since we were just beat having just driven around 14 hrs that day. Ended up taking the long route making our way down to New Mexico, then Arizona, then back up to LV to circumvent having to drive through Utah. Well I woke up around 4 since I was hungry so decided to step out a little to hunt for food. I eventually settled for Denny's since that was the only place I could eat in at that time of day anywho. Mann, that was just awesome getting to sit down and order off of an English menu. I was just beaming as I ask for a breakfast meal of pancakes, sausage, sunnyside up eggs and a warm glass of hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream on top. Yummm. After the meal, ended up just walking to the hotel and falling back asleep. Woke up few hours later, then headed out to the mall. Malls are about the same so nothing much to say.

That night, we tried finding some gay clubs but had no luck. I was about near to tears just seeing my cousin get frustrated having to drive back and forth in the strip. I was the 'navigator' but the area map we got wasn't really helping but still, I felt like it was my fault for some reason. I just wished for the trip to end, thinking why'd we even bother with this getaway in the first place. So that, we ended up parking at the hotel and I just wanted to call it a night but Haunani (the cousin) thought otherwise. So we headed out to Caesar's Palace, and got to go in to the Pussycat Lounge and see the Pussycat Dolls perform. They had a different batch performing at the club but it was still a good watch. It's the cousin anywho who has a crush on the Dolls, so that was the motivation right there. It really didn't do much to me, maybe just a bit, as I kinda developed a crush to dark-haired Laura.

Merry Christmas

The surroundings have changed but it's still the same.

Merry Christmas from a hitori de Colorado.

Little adventures I

It's been close to three weeks since I left Japan and everything's been going good really. Crazy considering I've been all over the past few weeks and got to meet interesting people, and seen different places.

London trip turned out to be great. Just what I needed in transitioning to a new life you can say. I can't imagine what things would have been like if I didn't go there. At least, I've made some memories which can make me smile at least, like now during the holidays where my cousin had to work and I stayed home. Thanks to a blogger friend Rey who gave me his itinerary about London. I didn't get to go to all the places he did, but it was still helpful. Though gotta admit, it wasn't really the town that prompted me to visit but a certain somebody. Maybe I oughta write about those seven days so I wouldn't forget though I REALLY doubt I would. To be that happy just to be with somebody, standing there just smiling as you watch them go about in the kitchen to make a meal. Wowww, so that's a glimpse of what it's like to be in love. I sure am looking forward to it :D

Am settled here in Colorado after doing a stint in Vegas, LA, and Phoenix on the way back. Me and my cousin went on a little road trip that spanned three states in five days. I was just in awe as we were nearing Las Vegas just seeing the glowing city from the distance. I wonder if I'm a moth considering bright lights really does it for me. We ended up sleeping through the first night since we were just beat having just driven around 14 hrs that day. Ended up taking the long route making our way down to New Mexico, then Arizona, then back up to LV to circumvent having to drive through Utah. Well I woke up around 4 since I was hungry so decided to step out a little to hunt for food. I eventually settled for Denny's since that was the only place I could eat in at that time of day anywho. Mann, that was just awesome getting to sit down and order off of an English menu. I was just beaming as I ask for a breakfast meal of pancakes, sausage, sunnyside up eggs and a warm glass of hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream on top. Yummm. After the meal, ended up just walking to the hotel and falling back asleep. Woke up few hours later, then headed out to the mall. Malls are about the same everywhere so nothing much to say.

That night, we tried finding some gay clubs but had no luck. I was about near to tears just seeing my cousin get frustrated having to drive back and forth in the strip. I was the 'navigator' but the area map we got wasn't really helping but still, I felt like it was my fault for some reason. I just wished for the trip to end, thinking why'd we even bother with this getaway in the first place. So that, we ended up parking at the hotel and I just wanted to call it a night but Haunani (the cousin) thought otherwise. So we headed out to Caesar's Palace, and got to go in to the Pussycat Lounge and see the Pussycat Dolls perform. They had a different batch performing at the club but it was still a good watch. It's the cousin anywho who has a crush on the Dolls, so that was the motivation right there. It really didn't do much to me, maybe just a bit, as I kinda had a crush to dark-haired Laura. That was about it. They did a few numbers and it was over around midnight. We just walked around the casino level and decided to call it a night since we gotta be sure to wake up on time for check out and drive out to Los Angeles afterwards...

What having free time makes you do

I . . .
(x) smoked a cigarette
( ) crashed a friend's car
(X) Got drunk with a good friend
( ) stolen a car
(X) been in love
(X) been dumped
(X) shoplifted
( ) been fired
(X) been in a fist fight
(x) snuck out of your parent's house

() been arrested
( ) gone on a blind date
(x) skipped school
(x) seen someone die (and he was a friend too)
( ) been to Canada
( ) been to Mexico
(x) been on a plane
( ) purposely set a part of yourself on fire
(x) eaten Sushi
( ) been skiing.. snowboarding

( ) been moshing at a concert
( ) taken painkillers
(X) love someone or miss someone right now
(X) lain on your back and watched cloud shapes go by
(X) made a snow angel
(X) flown a kite
(X) built a sand castle
(X) gone puddle jumping
(X) played dress up
(X) jumped into a pile of leaves
( ) gone sledding

(X) cheated while playing a game
(X) been lonely
(X) fallen asleep at work/school
( ) used a fake id
(X) watched the sun set
(x) felt an earthquake/tremor
( ) touched a snake (probably NEVER, they freak me out)
(x) slept beneath the stars
(x) been tickled
( ) been robbed
(x) been misunderstood

(x) pet a reindeer/goat
(x) won a contest
(x) run a red light
( ) been suspended from school
( ) been in a car crash
( ) had braces
(x) eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night
(x) had deja vu
(x) danced in the moonlight
(x) liked the way you look
(x) witnessed a crime

(X) questioned your heart
(x) been obsessed with post-it notes
(X) squished barefoot through the mud
(X) been lost
(X) been to the opposite side of the country
(X) swum in the ocean
(X) felt like dying
(X) cried yourself to sleep
( ) played cops and robbers (umm, what is this game?)
( ) recently colored with crayons
(X) sung karaoke

(X) paid for a meal with only coins
(X) done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) made prank phone calls
(X) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose (threw up my lunch too)( ) caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) danced in the rain
( ) written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) been kissed under a mistletoe
(x) watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(x) blown bubbles
(x) made a bonfire on the beach

( ) crashed a party
(x) gone roller-skating
(x) had a wish come true
( ) worn pearls
(x) jumped off a bridge
( ) ate dog/cat food
( ) told a complete stranger you loved them
(x) kissed a mirror
(X) sung in the shower
(x) had a dream that you married someone
( ) glued your hand to something

( ) got your tongue stuck to a flag pole
( ) kissed a fish
(x) sat on a roof top
(x) screamed at the top of your lungs
( ) done a one-handed cartwheel
(x) talked on the phone for more than 6 hours
(x) stayed up all night
( ) didn't take a shower for a week
( ) pick and ate an apple right off the tree
(x) climbed a tree (and had a broken arm after earth yanked me down)
(x) had a tree house
(x) are scared to watch scary movies alone

(x) believe in ghosts
( ) have more then 30 pairs of shoes
( ) worn a really ugly outfit to school just to see what others say
( ) gone streaking
(x) gone doorbell ditching
(x) played chicken
(x) jumped into a pool/hot tub/lake with all your clothes on
(x) been told you're hot by a complete stranger
(x) broken a bone
(x) been easily amused
( ) caught a fish then ate it

(x) caught a butterfly
(x) laughed so hard you cried
(x) cried so hard you laughed
(x) cheated on a test
( ) have a Britney Spears CD
(x) forgotten someone's name
(x) French braided someone's hair
( ) gone skinny dipping in a pool
( ) been threatened to be kicked out of your house
( ) been kicked out your house
(x) have had a fantasy over someone you love as a good friend
( ) sun tanned naked
( ) ran naked in the rain

As they say:
feel free to play if you like... remember, Sharing is Caring...Not sure about THAT! Is it though??