Surviving Palaui.

 

*photos in random order.

To tell you the truth, this was not the best of Palaui Island. Survivor USA had rented most (meaning, the more popular areas) of the island. My boss, a new friend and I had already checked in a hotel- and were tired from the loooooong and scary (no streetlights along the way) roadtrip - when we found out about this. But anyhow, despite the bad news, we jumped on a boat and still explored the open islands: Snake Island, Nangaramoan Beach (part of Palaui) and Crocodile Island.

The mini-getaway was unexpectedly fun, despite that it was cut short (SURVIVOR had to film in a bit. And the staff had instructed that all tourists should vacate the vicinity a.k.a. Nangaramoan and that there should be no boat activity during the duration of the filming. gah). Yeah, it felt like I missed a lot of the good stuff. I honestly wished there was more places to see, more landmarks to cover and more beautiful pictures to take. 

I know in my heart (tsar.) that Palaui Island is worth another visit. I swear I will be back soon, once the reality TV series packs up and leave. :)

-HC

Hello

Thank you HC for undertaking the daunting task of writing the obligatory intro post! It brought back so many fond memories. I don't think I have any more incriminating photos, at least none that I can easily find!

That first photo was taken after our glee club's kid-friendly performance of Miss Saigon. The more recent photo was taken at Bigby's restaurant in our city. It's one of those restaurants every one in town goes to after graduation or some event. I distinctly remember the burnt taste of their innocent looking cream soup. Why they served it, I have no idea but  we were having too much fun to complain. 

Now that we are zip codes and time zones apart, there is all the more reason to document those funny and crazy moments. We also find that even though we are not together, we still have similar experiences: middle class woes, the constant re-evaluation of our lives and careers (or the lack of it on my part!), shared love of travelling and some unmentionable follies. Inspired by my sister's and her friend's blog, HC and I decided to steal their idea so we can have a place for our thoughts about these experiences. I hope they will be as fabulous as what our young selves imagined. But as they say, life is what you make it.

IJ

Before and After Twenty-something.

How I wish I could show the world a more decent or glamorous photo of their glorious childhood, but this is the only existing picture of the young HC and IJ (unless IJ is hiding more incriminating pictures. I'd die.). Anyway, meet the heroines of this blog. 

(blurred on purpose) Oct 1999

Once upon in 4th grade, two awkward girls found each other in Glee Club. They both worshiped Les Miserables and Miss Saigon and had a crush on a certain Kuya Sean. Haha. They also love to write (on paper, on chalkboards, on any surface) as well. Their combined imaginative forces had created (award-winning. haha) scripts for major school plays (twice! I think.).

At times, they would write about the future (like some 10 year prophecy) and would compare notes after. They had talked about their dreams. They vowed to travel the world after finishing school, to have fabulous jobs and to rule the universe.

~

And about 10 years after,

May 2010

IJ and I (HC) still are hardcore musical/theatre fans. We still have a lot boy ( and girl!) crushes. We keep blogs (to satisfy our sporadic writing fixation). And yes, we have begun to conquer the world through travel (maybe, just backpacking trips here and there). Not much has really changed except that we are now GROWNUPS with GROWNUP problems. Okay, so we have matured a whole lot. But the thing about IJ and I is that we can always tune into our awkward-yet-cheery-girl-from-14-years-ago selves whenever we are together or when we talk thru Skype. :)

So what about the fabulous jobs? And world domination? Well, let's find out soon, shall we?

-HC