Home is where the heart is. March 19, 2010

Monday morning, we woke up early and went to visit one of the largest temples in Laos. It was an incredible experience. The beautiful detail in every little object is awe inspiring. There is something about the Buddhist culture that is very comforting. The rituals, the peace and zen of it all, its so admirable. Although I grew up Christian, I am very fond of Buddhism. I gave my respects and said my own little prayer. I actually prayed for my closest loved ones to find true happiness in their own journeys.

Spending 24 hours every day with my mother was a special experience. I have never had the typical mother daughter relationship with my mom growing up. But as an adult, we’ve developed our own unique relationship. I cherish and respect her so much today and have a deeper appreciation for her character as an adult now more than ever. And as a woman, I really admire the path that she took and understand her choices. That, in itself has taken me 28 years to really cultivate. Traveling with her to these developing countries has been an adventure I’ll never forget. I can’t imagine what it was like for her to leave ‘home’ and come to the states by herself at 27 with only $400 in her pocket. But she was fearless and chased her dream to the other side of the world, to a land where she didn’t speak the language. Because of that bold decision, I am forever grateful to be born American and have the choices I have today. I hope that I can have that kind of courage and never hesitate in following my own dreams.

We enjoyed a special dinner with David and his parents at a famous Laos Restaurant, Kualao. The food was spectacular and they had traditional Laos dancers performing to live music. David and his family were so incredibly generous and the best hosts anyone could ask for. I can see why they moved to Laos. I loved every moment of every experience there! I strongly considered not coming back ;)

One of my biggest dreams growing up has been to ride an elephant. I’ve always loved them for being gentle giants and they seemed so lovable, so when I heard that you could ride your very own elephant in Vientiane, I had to do it! I have to say that it was one of the BEST moments of my life! I had to meet and greet the elephant and let him get familiar with me by feeding him cucumbers. Then, I had to climb this wooden contraption to hike up on the back of his neck. Because we are in Laos, there aren’t many regulations. You just simply get on and go. There was nothing to hold onto and not even a saddle, simply a cloth to sit on. To ride an animal of such stature (probably 4-5 tons) was a complete thrill! He has to like you first of all, and then when you get on, and he starts moving …. its insane! I couldn’t believe that I was riding an elephant in Laos! I tried to soak in all the elements around me and savor every moment so that I would never forget the experience. The ‘elephant man’ said I had a very strong connection to the elephant and let me stay on a bit longer. Trusting this enormous giant to carry me around was something very intimate and in so many ways so emotional for me.

When I finally got off, I was on cloud 9. I was on such a high from the elephant ride. It truly was the highlight of this entire journey. Since there wasn’t a charge for the ride and I must have fed the elephant like 40+ cucumbers, I wanted to tip the elephant man. All I had was a ten dollar bill (US). The average salary is $1 a day so when I gave this man $10, his eyes watered up and I thought he was going to get down and kiss my feet (literally). He had no idea that I would have gladly paid more for my experience and that this was a dream come true for me. In that moment, that special exchange of time, we shared something very palpable. I was thankful to him for giving me a once in a lifetime experience and he was thanking me for tipping him almost two weeks worth of salary. We were both stunned beyond belief and it was a beautiful moment.

My last day in Laos was magical. After my elephant ride, my mom and I joined David for a walk on the Mekong river to have dinner with the street vendors. We enjoyed our last moments under the lights, by the water with excellent food and Beerlao. My mom even made a toast and drank her share. We walked and walked and even went searching for the crepe stands when my mother was craving a crepe for dessert. It was great fun and to top it off, later that night David took me to a local bar/lounge/club called Wind West. The best hidden secret! They have a live band every night and surprisingly, they were pretty damn good. LOL. They played a few American classics so we were trying to make requests the rest of the night. They got 2 out of 5, not too bad :) After a few drinks, I went back and settled in for my last night in Laos. I barely slept and had to wake up at 6am to pack and travel back to Manila.

We traveled all day from Laos to Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and then back to Manila. Our first flight was at 9am and we landed in Manila at 7pm. Then we checked into another hotel for the night and left at 5am to head back to the airport and head home. It was bittersweet leaving and I was really torn about coming back home. This experience was so different from all of my past international trips (Mexico, Jamaica, Korea) it really had divine timing and nourished my soul. I needed more and wasn’t ready to say goodbye. It really opened up my heart and eyes even more to where I want to go and what I want to do. I’m humbled by the generosity of the people, the kindness of their hearts, and the principles they live by. I want to find the same simple balance in my own life. Do some cleansing and continue my journey of discovery and keep connecting.

We all have our destiny and dreams do come true. I’ve been lucky enough to dream big and chase them with no fear. I’m so thankful for that path (even the painful moments) and I’m thrilled to see whats next. The tangible benefits of taking this trip are endless and I encourage everyone to explore outside of your own boundaries, whatever they may be. It falls back into my 28 days of passion project and the launch of the website, but my hope is that everyone I know will continue the pursuit of your own passion and happiness.

[I will say, the three little luxuries I missed about the states were: air conditioning (our last day was 102 degrees), high speed internet, and an abundant amount of toilet paper - 2 ply. LOL, no joke that was always something to be aware of. I wanted to hug my Charmin when I got home :) Other than that, I really only came back for the people who I love and who inspire me and push me on a daily basis. You feel very alone when you go so far from home base but its weird, I wasn't lonely. I just wanted to share the moments with my friends and family. I will continue to dream and constantly chase the stars and that may take me all over the world, far from home but home is where the heart is and now my heart is with the world.]

Cows & Temples March 19, 2010

When I left Manila Saturday morning, I had no idea that I would be traveling the whole day. I was in four countries that day: Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. But I loved every second of it! We finally arrived in Vientiane, Laos and checked in to the Lao Plaza Hotel. Then, I headed to dinner with my friend David because my mom was exhausted from traveling.

We went to this amazing restaurant outdoors on the Mekong river. David had a table reserved right next to the water. The entire place was lit up with colorful lights and there was music playing from the bar. He ordered everything and the food was unbelievable. I started with a Khan Khum cocktail (light rum, Malibu, pineapple, lemon juice, grenadine, and syrup). It was very tropical and refreshing. David had a Beerlao which is the most popular beer here, pretty good if I do say so myself :)

The appetizer was an assortment of seaweed (fresh from the river), pork sausage, fried pork, pate, cucumber, and green beans. It was all served in a basket. Next was vermicelli noodles with shrimp and pork, and the main dish was deep fried pork with mashed potatoes and saurkraut (made with peppercorns). Needless to say, I was porked out by the end of the meal but everything was spectacular! Over dinner, David and I talked about how funny it is that we were having dinner in Laos of all people. He is one of my brother’s best friends and I’ve known him for years and he just moved to Laos permanently last October. Its just ironic that of all the people, I’d be the first one to visit him in Laos and we’d be having dinner. But it falls in perfectly to how this trip has been. Its all about the adventure and spontaneity – David is leaving for Paris this week so I could have easily missed him.

The next day, David picked me and my mother up from the hotel and we drove out to the Namgnum Dam. This was no ordinary drive! On the way, we stopped multiple times. Our first stop was at the market and it was splendid! I don’t know what it is about foreign markets, but I just love visiting them. The only thing that comes close is Pike’s Place in Seattle. We saw everything from buffalo skin to blood cubes, it was a wonderful experience but we had to get back on the road.

There are so many temples here! They are everywhere, every few blocks. Buddhism is the primary religion in Laos, approximately 67% of the population are Buddhist. The temples are so beautiful. And the cows!!! They are everywhere too! Some are tied in front of the temples, just grazing but most are free and roaming in the streets. We were driving during the lunch hour … its tradition for Laos to take an hour and a half nap after lunch everyday. So when we were driving through the towns, we barely saw any people but there was an abundance of cows! Roaming free in the streets, grazing on the side of the road, everywhere! They were so cute LOL. We also saw goats, chickens, and water buffalo.

We finally arrived at the Namgnum Dam and had lunch on the river. We had traditional Laos food, beef with cilantro and basil, morning glory (quite possibly my new favorite vegetable), shrimp soup, eggs with sausage, and fresh fish from the river beneath us. This fish was the best me and my mom have ever had! It was so fresh and so flavorful! The best meal since we’ve been here. After lunch, when food coma set in, we walked around the town for a little bit and headed back. Our full day excursion was fantastic and we were tapped out by the end :)

Definitely a great way to be introduced to this country. I’ve fallen in love with Laos

Go Hard or Go Home March 19, 2010

Our last day in Makati was perfect. We woke up to rain, which is a relief after the scorching 90 degree plus heat that we’ve been dealing with every day. Apparently, its the 1st day of rain all year and when it rains, it pours. We checked out of Arirang Hotel and decided to spend our last day leisurely exploring the city. So we went to Robinson’s Mall. (the biggest mall I have ever been to anywhere in the world). A mall is a mall no matter where you go but it was surprising to see all the regular American anchor stores and their merchandise at normal prices. Gap, Nine West, Godiva, etc. The mall is five floors and ridiculously big! The food selection is no joke! We ate and ate and ate! I had gelato, visited the bakery, and the food court. Their food court is an experience in itself, you can get a whole meal (rice, meat, veggies) on a hearty plate for $1 US Dollar. Crazy!

After a whole day of shopping and eating, we were exhausted and went across the street to check in at Eurotel for our last night. Then, what happened is a perfect example of timing and magic that happens everyday for a reason ;)

Let me back up and tell you about Kebo. Kebo is a friend of several friends. (we have almost 30 mutual friends on Facebook and not random people but real friends). Somehow we have never met and he moved to Manila from Atlanta a week prior to me getting on the plane! The night before I left Atlanta, I stopped by a party on my way home to pack. Three different people told me I need to link up with Kebo while I’m in Manila and gave me his contact info. Well, because of my random itinerary and the lack of consistent internet and shotty phone service, we exchanged emails back and forth but kept missing one another. But when I checked into my room and logged in gmail, voila! There he was :)

He tells me that he is on his way to meet another friend, Jude (born and raised in PI) and some others to go to the opening of an art gallery and dinner. He starts up a conference chat between me and Jude. I caught both of them as they were about to head out and they invite me along, but the tricky thing is how do I meet up with two strangers in this big city during Friday rush hour?!?! Jude starts to give precise directions on how to take the train (which Kebo and I have never been on) and how to transfer at the station and meet them at the last stop. Sounds insane right? My mother thought so!

So, I rush to change, jot down the instructions and head out. This is kind of a big deal because everyone warned us not to go out at night because it can be dangerous, especially for female tourists but I couldn’t miss out on this opportunity and I had to experience at least one night out. So, I leave and start walking. The streets are packed! Friday rush hour is the busiest in Makati. It was so much fun just walking in the thick of the crowd at night and seeing all the chaos. I walked to the train station and got on the MRT. The front of the train is all women and children so I got on there and stayed on for five stops. Then I hopped off at the Metropoint Mall and transferred to another train to get to my final destination. When I transferred, I got on the first train in front of me and its for all passengers. I have never had my personal space so violated! LOL Literally, every part of my body in every direction was pressed up on someone. And every time I thought we were at maximum capacity and there’s no way anyone else can squeeze on this train, someone would jump in and push us back. It was insane! We looked like a can of sardines – God forbid if anything happened and thank goodness I only had to go one stop.

When I got to my stop, I couldn’t get off. I heard them announce “no pushing” and thought that was strange but I was two people back from the door and couldn’t get out. Then, with all the new people pushing to get on, I really thought I was going to miss my stop! I was trying to get through but of course the “excuse me” method was not working! This man getting on saw that I couldn’t pass and put his arm out and shoved me through. I nearly fell and stumbled out, but I was successful and arrived at Magallanes :) When I walked to the exit, Kebo and Jude were waiting and recognized me (from my Facebook pictures) we all greeted each other for the first time LOL.

We walked through the station/mall and tried to get a taxi. At this point, I have been on every form of transportation in all of Manila. The taxi, jeepney, bicycle, train, and bus. We got to the Manila Contemporary Whitespace gallery and walked to the side. As soon as we walked in the doors, it way mayhem. They had a live band, food, drinks, and it was packed. I was just trying to take it all in. After a sip of wine, we were starving so we headed to a nearby restaurant, Cantinetta. The food was glorious. We talked over more wine and shared Spinaci funghi al vino blanco (sauteed fresh mushroom and spinach in white wine) and I had the Zabaglione (egg and marsala wine).

I told them my stories and my journey of why I was in Manila. We talked and laughed and then Kebo’s wife, Karen joined us. What an eclectic bunch :) A food blogger, tastemaker, editor, and doctor with the WHO. We walked back to the gallery to meet Chickie (owner of a vegetarian restaurant) and her friends. Jude and Chickie were attending the opening of a new nightclub but the rest of us had to bow out gracefully. I had to leave for my flight at 4:30am so I headed back to the hotel. But it was a perfect evening where all the stars aligned and timing was just right and I had a magnificent time with new friends. What a small world! These are the moments I love the most!

After an hour nap, I had to wake up and pack for the airport. Headed to Laos.

The human connection March 19, 2010

We went deep into the country! So deep in fact that google can’t even find it! LOL
I have to laugh at that but I promise you it does exist. It seems like we were on that bus forever. But the ride into the countryside was beautiful. It left me speechless in more ways than one.

The terrain is absolutely breathtaking once you leave the city. The grass is a beautiful green hue and there’s water, mountains, and exotic trees everywhere. Sadly, there is also a great deal of poverty. I was so heartbroken at the sight of seeing families living under bridges. Not a few, but lots and lots of families and children. Even at the bus stops, when I got off to get water, small children with no shoes would come up to me and beg for money. They would grab my arm and I just wanted to cry for them. My guess is none of them were older than eight. 

Its been incredibly humbling being here. I’ve been to Mexico and Jamaica and I’ve never witnessed such poverty. Its that combined with the lack of modern organization that really has me feeling sympathetic. I started to re-evaluate a lot of things in my own life when we finally got to our stop. Pastor Kim & his wife greeted us when we got off the bus. It was already dark and past dinner time, so we went to a Chinese restaurant nearby. Immediately the first thing I noticed was that they were pretty young. Pastor Kim is 41 years old and his wife is a few years younger. 

Over dinner, they told us their story. They are high school sweethearts and have been together all these years. The pastor’s wife told us how her father is a pharmacist and he wanted her to follow his path so that one day they could take over the pharmacy in Seoul. But love took over and their lives took a completely different turn. Pastor Kim went to a seminary in Korea and then trained under the pastor that my mom knew from 30 years ago. He came to PI on a missionary trip and never left. They have been here for 16 years and built a school, church, and seminary. They have two young daughters and have completely devoted their life to their passion. Originally, they started in the city of Baguio where most of the missionaries are (over 120), but made the decision to go to uncharted territory where it is not as comfortable and pave the way themselves. 

It is tremendous what they have been able to achieve out there, alone. They currently have 20 students, young men and women and are living their life fulfilling their dream. I was deeply touched by witnessing their dedication and the beauty they have created. Pastor Kim even built the school with the students himself! I met several of them and it was really nice to see them so happy and so enthusiastic. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay long and after breakfast, we had to get back on the bus and head back to the city (another 5 hour ride). 

Before we hit the road, I got to meet the maid who comes to clean the grounds everyday from 8-5. She’s twenty five years old and has two babies. I spent some time talking to her while we were cutting up some mangoes :) She told me that she was married but after her second baby, her husband had an affair, so she left him. Bold move! She got this job as a maid and raises her two babies alone with a salary of $80 a month. (which she says is higher than what anyone else pays). She was super sweet and I was really glad I got to talk to her and get to know her in our short little visit. She’s so young but has so much courage.

On the ride back, I was feeling many different things. I’ve seen so much during my visit here. I set out for this adventure — seeking something, not quite sure what. But leaving with an open heart was necessary to fill it with all these different emotions. This is a beautiful country with beautiful people who have an amazing spirit. I have been completely humbled by the beauty and heartbreaking sights and then I saw something that made me smile …

On the bus ride, I sat on the opposite side of the aisle from a young woman probably in her twenties. She was dressed down, very conservative. I have no idea what her story is or where she was heading but she made every effort to look her best! Even though she was wearing simple clothes, her hair was styled impeccably and her manicure was flawless. She had her compact mirror out and was touching up her powder and applying lipstick before her stop and I couldn’t help but smile. At the end of the day, no matter where we come from or our socioeconomic status, we are all the same. Mothers will always be mothers, kids will always be kids, and girls always want to look & feel pretty. The common denominator wherever you go is always the human connection. If you put aside your defense, your ego, and any other silly barriers, you are most likely going to connect with anyone you meet. That has been the most lovely part of this trip. That and of course the food ;)

Mangoes! March 10, 2010

There is a bit of adjusting here in the Philippines. It is complete sensory overload!
The sounds, smells, sights, movement, it does not slow down for anyone.

Jeepneys are one of the many options for transportation. They are funny looking jeep extended vehicles. Imagine breeding a jeep with a limo, but keeping it very open. You load from the back (like the school bus emergency exit) and its extremely affordable. For one of our long trips, we tried it instead of a taxi and for both me an my mom, it cost 30 pesos. Thats less than a dollar to get 20 miles. Even though its hot, because it is so open, its not that bad. I actually preferred it to the taxi. Its kind of fun and better to take pictures. You just have to watch your limbs because you’re likely to lose anything hanging out of the jeepney if you’re not paying attention :)

I have been eating so much fruit on this trip! Its amazing. The tropical weather and the natural environment here really make a tremendous difference in how the food tastes. I’ve been overloading on mangoes! It was already one of my favorite fruits but I cannot get enough! It tastes completely different here (and this is coming from a girl who grew up in South Florida with a mango tree in my backyard). They even look different. And I finally learned the most effective way of peeling & cutting one LOL. They’re experts here.

We were looking into doing an island tour but my mom got in touch with this pastor who trained under another pastor that she has known for more than 30 years. He came to visit the Philippines when he was in his twenties after he did some training and decided to move here for missionary work. So we decided to visit him & see the work he’s doing.

Thank goodness we got plenty of rest the night before. (nearly 12 hours after walking in the heat all day). We enjoyed a quiet breakfast around 7am. We shared a Filipino breakfast, Spanish omelet, and topped it off with more fruit that we bought on the side of the road. So far, we’ve had the mangoes, pineapples, bananas, and tangerines. After our splendid meal, we set out for Makati.

On the way, we stopped at a Korean restaurant. My mom was delighted to find her fellow mates :)
We met the chef, who has been living in Manila for more than 10 years. He made us Kalbi Tang & fried tofu. We learned that there are more than 150,000 Koreans living in Manila! Who knew!?!? My mom was really impressed.

We really enjoyed our time with the chef but we had to hit the road. He had all of their staff present (about 6 men) escort us and help us get a taxi. A little much but it was very nice because we were at one of the busiest intersections (which is just as busy as the downtown connector in downtown Atlanta).

Funny story: The taxi driver asked if I was famous LOL. I think all the extra men helping us and me looking so American along with my big sunglasses gave him the wrong impression. Its hard to blend in no matter how hard you try. I had the same experience in Seoul but then it makes me wonder if there’s any place where I belong. I guess I’m truly American.

We checked into another hotel … starting to feel like a nomad ;)
Then, we got on a Victory Liner bus and traveled 5 hours to go visit Pastor Kim in Urnadet City. Somewhere far away in the countryside.

Roosters & Jeepneys March 10, 2010

Tuesday morning I woke up to the rooster’s call amongst the car horns in traffic. Neither one ever stopped. My mom and I laughed all morning about how this one rooster in downtown Manila was so dedicated to waking up the entire city! I mean, he was relentless, we were wondering if he was ever going to get tired.

I’m on the other side of the world and still nocturnal. I don’t mean to be but with the time difference its difficult to adjust. The Philippines are 13 hours ahead of EST, so I try to keep track of time and days by leaving my phone on Atlanta time. Otherwise, I’ll never have a clue.

We checked out of our hotel, not knowing where we were going to end up and hailed a taxi. The only thing on the agenda for the day was UP (University of the Philippines). We went to UP Diliman in Quezon City. My mom was nervous the entire ride because we were in an unmarked taxi. Apparently the taxis that are marked are the only ones that are registered, otherwise it can be very dangerous. But since the hotel concierge set us up, we got in. Several people have warned us that Manila is not the safest place for two female tourists by themselves.

During our cab ride, my mother told me she’s really surprised at how optimistic and fearless I am. (she’s always been the worry wort in the family) Its nice for us to spend this time together, I think we’re both going to learn a lot.

One of the things that I’ve become more aware of being here is that life is all about perspective. Happiness is a state of mind. I’m so amazed at how hard the people work here and how they have so little, yet they appear to be so happy. Even with the hustle of the city at rush hour, there is a little bit of a different pace here. Perhaps they know something we don’t ;)
Commuting through the morning traffic is nuts! Most of the roads and highways don’t have lines. And like most foreign countries, I’m guessing traffic laws probably aren’t enforced too tough. Its ridiculous watching cars, buses, jeepneys, motorcycles, and bicycles all merge and funnel through these narrow streets! I realized that I stopped breathing because I was watching everyone come close to us like they were about to hit us.

I witnessed a motorcycle almost hit a school girl who was walking through the traffic, crossing the street. The weird part was that neither one of them flinched and they both kept moving along. The biker didn’t stop to apologize or to check to see if she was ok and she didn’t seem to care and continued walking. There was just this bizarre understanding and nobody got upset. Even with all the endless honking, traffic, and all the drivers cutting each other off, nobody really cares. Its funny because coming from Atlanta, (the #1 city in America for the worst traffic) – this was fascinating to watch. It made me think of how “Americans” are always feeling so entitled to … everything. We get so upset so easily, so offended, and are always looking for an apology for every little thing. I mean, I have seen road rage to the point that truckers have steered drivers off the highway and people have been shot in traffic! Completely over the top! Its not that serious and I think the people here keep that in mind. Even with all the taxi rides I’ve been on, I have yet to see the driver get agitated. Can’t say that about the taxi drivers in NYC ;) Life is so much more than that. Of course we all know this but I think “we” tend to forget that time to time, with deadlines, rush hour, appointments, traffic – we lose sight of the fact that its just not that serious. Take everything in stride.

We finally got to the UP Hotel and the room was SO cheap. $30 US dollars for a double bed standard room with internet. (although the network key wasn’t working on my laptop). We dropped off our luggage and left to explore the school. And exploring we did!

UP is the top school in this country. Its the equivalent of Harvard and that is quite impressive when you actually see the campus and walk around the buildings. They do not have any school maps! None. So we had to walk to each building and ask where the admin building was or how to get to the dental school. We ended up walking the entire day, building to building in extraordinary heat. 90 degree weather and there isn’t a more efficient way to get around. A lot of the school buildings don’t have air conditioning and there is no organization. How do they run this school and maintain such an elite status? Its amazing! By the end of the afternoon, we were exhausted and I got a blister :)
So, we bought some pineapple and went back to the hotel.

Final conclusion, my mother is not moving to the Philippines.

1st night in Manila March 8, 2010

I have finally arrived in Manila. There are more than 6,000 languages spoken around the world. I’m so thankful that English is one of the most common, especially after traveling for 23 hours :)

Stepping off the plane, you know immediately that you are in a foreign, tropical place. Its hot! The heat hits you as you walk off the plane and it reminds me of the 1st time I went to Mexico. Atlanta was in the 60′s when I left, and Tokyo was in the 40′s, and currently the temperature is 88 degrees. I’m a happy girl.

As I’m walking through the airport I feel all eyes on me. Is it because I reek American? Is it my Atlanta Gspots hoodie? Or is it just in my head? I went through customs without a hitch and then came out of the gate. I’m looking at a sea of Asian people, hundreds of them and I’m wondering how am I going to find my mom. LOL, this should be interesting. So, I stand to the side and call my dad back home to tell him I landed safely and I will just wait for her. She doesn’t have a phone so I can’t call her but I told him to have her call me if she can’t find me.

I went to the restroom for a quick break. 1st interesting discovery, the hot and cold handles on the sink are opposite from the ones in the states. Odd :) A few minutes later, I hear my name announced on the speaker system and I’m being requested at the Hotel Lounge. As I start walking towards the sign, there’s an Asian guide yelling out my name. He walks up to me and asks if I’m Grace Lee, then proceeds to walk me over to the lounge and there’s my mom. She’s waving & happy to see me.

She landed a couple of hours before I did so she got a hotel close by for the night. We take a cab and drop off my bags and enjoyed dinner at the Heritage Hotel. We stopped by the casino to listen to the lady singing in the middle of the chaos. She has a really pretty voice. We talked about how this is our first real vacation together. After all these years …

I also found out the big mystery of why she wanted me to meet her in Manila :)
My mother is the most driven person I know. She’s extremely competitive and is always on the go. She grew up in a culture where you always strive to be the best. She attended the #1 University in Seoul, Korea (the equivalent of Harvard) and has always been enthusiastic about new challenges. She was a nurse for over 25 years and has done some crazy business ventures. She tells me she wants to go to dental school and move here! My mother, who is 58 years old is relentless. I’m happy I came and that she asked me to be a part of a life changing decision. This is definitely going to be a memorable trip!

I have a friend in Thailand who invited us to visit Bangkok before we head back to the states. If we finish everything we need to in the next few days, I may just hop over there. Its only a two hour flight from here. We’ll see …

So far, the weather is warm and the food is great. The people in general are very kind & hard working. I was told the average Joe makes approximately $20-30 a month! One US Dollar is the equivalent to 45 Philippine Pesos. Our server throughout dinner poured tea every time we took a sip and stood two feet from us throughout the entire meal, extremely attentive. Its incredible how hard they work. Tomorrow we are going to the University of the Philippines Diliman. I’m really excited to see what Manila is all about! It was night was I landed so I haven’t been able to see much. But on the way to the hotel, we did pass the golden arches of McDonalds and KFC. I really wish that our fast food chains weren’t taking over the world, it saddens me to see these landmarks as our global influence.

Monday March 8, 2010 1:48 PM EST (early morning, around 3:15am in Manila)

p.s. I hear roosters outside :)

My new adventure! March 8, 2010

“There is a place inside our soul where we hold our greatest wishes” – Ma Ma Gombe

I believe everything that happens in life has divine timing. The worst things that I’ve experienced have been the greatest lessons. Life is always the best teacher.

Two years and four months ago, I started to pursue a dream. Not only did I start to dream big – I started to follow my passion. I’ve always followed my heart and let it guide me to my happiness. Of course, there is the inevitable heartache and mistakes but it has never lead me astray.

Last Sunday, my dream became reality when I had my official launch party for Atlanta Gspots. After all the long hours, tears, and tireless efforts of my team, we finally got to celebrate one of the biggest moments of my life. This was a special moment for me to share with those who have supported me unconditionally.

What most people don’t know is that just a few days prior to the launch, my mother asked me to meet her in Manila. Yes Manila, Philippines! A very strange request because neither one of us have ever been there nor do we have any family there. Not knowing exactly why she wanted to go or the purpose of the trip, I agreed to meet her there 7 days after the launch of my website. (She left the day after she asked me for Seoul, Korea and is flying to Manila from there). My dad called me in the morning to simply say to wait for her at the gate when I arrive. I haven’t talked to my mother and I boarded my flight with only these instructions.

As you can imagine, this week has been insane. After the chaos of the launch, I only had a few days to meet with media outlets and get all of my appointments in with our sponsors. I didn’t even know what time my flight left because I was so busy trying to organize things before I left. I know it may seem completely nuts for me to leave so soon but something in my heart said I need to go. My biggest dream is to have a show on the Travel Channel or the Food Network about food, travel, and culture and maybe this is the beginning of that vision. I’m all about creating your destiny and so far its been the best journey.

The Saturday before I left was the most beautiful weather Atlanta has seen so far this year. The skies were deep blue without a cloud to be seen and the sun was out with a mild breeze. I planned on running errands all day to prepare for my trip. The first half of my day was lazy & slow, sitting in traffic for hours because everyone wanted to be outside, but I didn’t mind because it ended up being such a gorgeous day.

I ended the night by meeting up with my dear friend, Alyson Hoag at 10 Degrees South. One of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. We wanted to catch up and connect and it was absolutely the best way to end my week. The perfect “last meal” with two of my favorite passion heroes (Alyson & Justin Anthony). The wine was magnificent and the food was outstanding. The Best South African cuisine with the best company a girl could ask for. Hours of inspiring conversation overflowing with creative ideas was the perfect note for me to leave on.

I got home kind of late and checked the weather to pack. I was surprised to see that the weather in Manila was in the 80′s and 90′s. I was thrilled for the warm weather ahead since the temperature in Atlanta was so fickle lately and so chilly. It snowed just a few days ago!

On my flight, I made a new friend. His name is Toshi and he’s Japanese. He’s incredibly friendly and we talked about food and travel the whole time. He travels back and forth to the states frequently for his business and loves American culture. So we talked about cultural nuances over wine, sake, and Japanese beer. On these international flights, they’re complimentary ;)

He was fascinated that I was traveling with no idea of what I was going to do or where I was going to stay. He also liked Atlanta Gspots (I’m wearing my signature Gspots hoodie). He invited me to come back to Japan and offered to my official tour guide for the food scene. He’s from Osaka. We definitely need to get that in the works.

Its never ceases to amaze me how we are all connected. His kindness made my 13 hour flight very pleasant and reminded me yet again why I love what I’m doing. So the adventure begins …

Signing out from Tokyo March 8, 2010 3:15am EST

Launch Success March 8, 2010

Chili, an avid cook and Passion honoree celebrated with us at our official Launch Party. Pictures will be posted to the website & Facebook Fan Page. Thank you to everyone who came & for the endless support!