i have this thing down...i think?

Last night I read the email regarding Kroq's presale for Snow Patrol on Thursday (today).  The opportunity wasn't enough for me, so I googled for the password for the fan club presale and to my surprise and luck, someone actually blogged about it and I was able to get the password.  Today, I was waiting for the Kroq screen to come up in Ticketmaster, but it never did, so I actually typed in the fan club presale and got pit tickets!  I never thought of ever having the opportunity of getting pit tickets, but if it comes your way, why not.  The Greek is a small venue, and every seat you get is pretty good anyways.  Anyways, Yay pit tickets!

I finally uploaded my pics from my trip to Italy, and damn, I took tons of pics.  To check it out, click here!

I finished Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix last week.  Since I had a long flight home, I was able to breeze through it.  Now I'm reading the 6th book and enjoying it so far.  It's intersting how much Harry has evolved in each book and how much confidence he has gained.  I can't believe I read these books in such a short time.  I was able to read so much at work because my job can be slow at times.  Most days it's slow, but other days are an adventure to get through.  Can't wait for the last book and the movie that is coming out since I just read it. :)

back home

I just arrived home and happy to be home with the fam. and bf.  Before heading back to the States, I did make a weekend trip to Amsterdam.  The trip started out sour because both of my luggage were held back in Florence for unknown reasons.  I never had a "left luggage" experience before and I was super pissed because on the last minute I decided to turn in my carry on luggage en route to Amsterdam.  The carry on luggage had all my clothes for the weekend.  The next day, I was able to get my luggage, which were rotating on the belt for anyone to snatch!  I was happy I opted to pick it up rather than somebody dropping it off to the hostel because I needed my clothes pronto, and I wanted to feel I had more control of the situation.  Even with mishap with my luggage, I still found Amsterdam to be one of my favorite cities.  It has a lot to do with the liberal attitude towards lawmaking and it reflects the bohemian lifestyle which I fancy.  Amsterdam is not all sex and drugs; the city is beautiful.  They have neighborhoods with picturesque canals and amazing architecture that makes walking enjoyable.  The number one mode of transportation are bicycles, so I did have a go at it on Saturday and had an amazing time.  The make up of the streets caters to bike riders so riding a bike is relatively safe.  I tried bike riding in Florence and was scared for my life!  In Amsterdam, I sometimes witness many people give way to a person riding a bicycle.  I will post pics soon and share my Amsterdam adventure.

Since I am back home, it is time to face the real world and reacquaint myself with my activties of daily living.  I already start work on Wednesday and she has me working this weekend.  Yes, life is getting real right about now.  Ciao!

venice & milan adventure

Venice is amazing!  It's a surreal experience to think people live in close vicinity to the ocean and use a canal to get around.  When I arrived Venice there was a storm, so the view in the train was foggy and raindrops everywhere also altered my view.  Nevertheless, I was still excited since I was going to meet  my sister and how cool, in Venice.  As the train was approacing the Venice station, all I could make out was water and wooden logs out in the sea with km/h signs on it.  It is true, Venice is surrounded by water!   Getting out of the station and  the  Grand Canal only a few meters away was an amazing experience.  All  I can think of was "Shit, I'm in Venice, Italy and this is fucking amazing!".  I didn't mind the rain, rolling luggage around, up and down 3 tiny bridges with steps to get to the bus station, and then the hotel.  I am in Venice, and I have been in Italy for that matter is still crazy to me.  Yes, the place is infested with tourists and why not because Venice is a city that you have to see and experience.  It is beautiful and it is unreal.  I kept referring to the Venetian in Las Vegas and how accurate those architects and project planners were to mimic Venice, Italy.  It is a beautiful place and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it, rain or shine.

As for Milan, I can understand why people wouldn't like Milan because it's not as pretty as the other Italian cities.  Florence is just so fucking gorgeous and you can walk around for hours and still you will find all these religious figures on the walls and tiny streets with unique doorknobs.  Even the tiny towns that surround Florence are just equally beautiful with their own charm and character, people luv that, and you don't get that in Milan.  The Duomo is breathtaking and structures surrounding the Duomo have amazing glass ceilings, but once you step 2 blocks away from the center, it is an urban city with graffiti, dirt on the walls and streets, but I still luv Milan because it has so much energy and great vibes from the people; there is always this buzz in the air.  It's also the home of  The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci.  We didn't know that you had to reserve months in advanced to see this spectacular art, so we were disappointed that we wouldn't be able to see it, especially if you have read The Da Vinci Code.  My sister and I are ruthless and stubborn when it comes to things like that and are always hopeful for a miracle.  When we arrived at Santa Maria delle Grazie we hoped to find somebody who can sell us tickets.  And within minutes stepping into the ticket booths, a guide who bought too many reserved tickets wanted to sell us tickets to see The Last Supper.  Of course we are skeptical because this is Italy and somebody will always swindle a euro or two out of you if  they could.  She was honest and only asked 8 euros (the regular fee) for the tickets.  We gladly took it and said to ourselves if this is fake, we only lost a 8 euros.  It was a legit ticket, and we got to see The Last Supper and it is something not to be missed because the art has an amazing history and the lady on the right of  Jesus is Mary Magdalene and not a man.  Da Vinci is one of the few artists of the Renaissance who knows how to render a woman accurately, ie Madonna of the Rocks at the Louvre.

Tomorrow we leave Milan and head out to Florence, a city which have felt like home for the past weeks.  Ciao for now!

busy week

This week has been busy!  It all started Sunday when my Dutch friend Anna and I decided to venture out in Lucca.  Lucca is 2 hours away via train from Firenze and it holds one of the most preserved medieval cities.  It even has a fort which protects the city.  You can walk one revolution and practically see the whole city in an hour or so.  I saw a cadaver of a Saint which was a surreal experience.  My friend Anna said they have one at Pisa, so for sure I will check that one out too; the cathedrals are amazing there also.  It was just nice to get away and see something different.

On Tuesday, I trekked out to Cinque Terre with Jill and her bf Tommy.  Oooh, I had so much fun because we are all chill type people.  It has been raining this whole week and to have Tuesday with no rain (well, except at the end) was a relief.  I even got sunburned from my back.  I was wearing a black and white striped shirt and was surprised the sun's rays penetrated through it and burned me!  The path started out easy and the book said it would be a leisure walk.  There is no such thing as leisure to me since there were steep steps and hills to walk through.  The book said the hardest trail was the last one that would lead you to Monterosso (the last village).  It was a fulfilling experience to walk on the cliffs and have an amazing view throughout the entire time.  In the last village, I ended up chillin on a beach chair and they swam, which I was so jealous!  After a strenuous hike, It would have been nice to swim and feel the nice cool water.  It was good times.

Today, was a great day as well.  I had another Italian lunch with Jill and her Italian family.  It was so good to have a 2 course meal with fruit as dessert and coffee with biscotti to end the meal.  It is good to be in Italy!  I also biked around Jill's neighborhood which was scary as hell, but definitely fun.  Of course had coffee with a design on the coffee foam, it made my day.

I am off to Venice tomorrow and have not even packed up my things, so I will be busy tonight.  It will be some good times ahead since I'm meeting up my sister and damn, I am going to Venice! Ciao!