U.S.A. The Fulfiller

(most photos used here are ours)

We are halfway through the year.

Living in the United States makes time pass even faster. Emigrating from the Philippines two years ago (almost three actually), adjusting to high-society and into an environment filled with diversity and freedom had been a distressing task.

It took us awhile to adjust fully to this fast-paced country where time has always been of the essence (talking about the famous Filipino time);

Weird Phenomenon

where one should learn how to live individually (in comparison with the Filipino attitude of oneness);

Typical Filipino Oneness

Typical Filipino Oneness

Best Pic I could find for American Individualism

where one always has to think about work and less of the family (talking about most white-collar Americans sending parents to homecare).

Most American Workers send their parents to a home

American High School Attitude (at least from what I observe at school)

In spite of the sadness brought about by leaving our home country, I realized that being here in the United States has fulfilled some of my childhood dreams.

The United States is a vast land with flourishingly diverse flora and fauna. It also has geological features not found anywhere else such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and the ever-so spectacular Yellowstone. It has shaped most of our history, and even saved us from countries abusive of power.

I think I do not need to elaborate more on the school life, culture, and lifestyle here because Hollywood movies have very well presented the U.S. around the world audience!

American High School

while at school (this is actually a scene from Superbad)

Deemed as the world's most powerful country, the United States has been a hotspot, or a "dream land" to visit (or to emigrate) for most people around the world.

So we were one of those families. Hoping to secure and to have a better future, we moved here not knowing what to expect. In addition, we moved here without the rest of our clan. Our Lolos (Grandpa), Lolas (Grandmas), Ninong (Uncles), Ninang (Aunts) and the rest are all in the Philippines. I hope you could sense how lonely it feels. Nevertheless, to ease it, we travelled to our local and neighboring states, California and Nevada.

Since I was a child, I always wanted to get out of the sultry and humid climate of the Philippines. California fulfilled it. I now enjoy a sought-after Mediterranean weather. Also, who would never want to experience a snowfall? My family and I experienced it in Yosemite National Park, a place 13,000 ft above the foothills. I'll let our own pictures do the elaboration. But what I really wanted to say is, I finally was able to make a snow angel on a snow-filled ground, formed snowballs and throw them at my sisters' faces. Hahaha.

Throwing Snowballs

Mini Snowman haha

standing on a vast ice expanse

Yosemite Tunnel View (Credits to my sister for the photograph)

Doesn't this perfectly look like a bride's veil?

Fire Falls in Yosemite National Park (not our photograph)

Since I was a child, I always wanted to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Crash Bandicoot, Dora the Explorer, Frankenstein, Ariel from the Little Mermaid and all the other American and Disney characters in personal. I also wanted to ride real scary roller coasters, not the Space Shuttle Enchanted Kingdom is boasting. California fulfilled it.

Ariel from the Little Mermaid

You know the movie "Cars"? I got to ride them

Typical Scene in Disneyland

California Adventure

I forgot who these Disney characters are

Mickey and Minnie in Personal!

Who would expect the real Boo to be this big?

cousin and sister with the real Shaggy and Scooby

me, my two sisters and cousin with Spongebob!

The Scoobydoo vehicle

Flirting with the undead ^_^

When I was a child, I wished riding on any fastest vehicle available on Earth that is not a car. California fulfilled it.

the fastest cable tram in the world (not our photograph)

Never in my life did I expect to step my feet on Elvis Presley's house. NOT EVER. I felt like I owned Elvis Presley that time. Hahaha. California fulfilled it.

me in Elvis's entertainment and practice room

Elvis's practice and gathering room

Us using Elvis's singing practice tools

Elvis's pool table

In Front of Elvis's Bar

The Man's license

Elvis's Living Room

Elvis's Kitchen

Unfortunately, I smile wide. (I'm sitting on Elvis's couch)

Relaxing on Elvis's sofas

While feeling hungry on the freeway, never in my life did I expect to eat in an unusual McDonald's place. See for yourselves.

I never expected to eat at McDonald's inside a train cabin

View of McDonald's Train Cabin Exterior. Barstow, CA (My sister's photos)

Not our Photograph but this was the inside of it. Feels cool to eat inside :)

Have you seen the music video of Ashley Simpson's La La?It was filmed on Huntington Beach where we also stumbled upon.

sister's photo at H Beach

I do not know if you have a keen eye in movie scenes, but the Hoover Dam was featured in Superman, Transformers, and various others. It feels great to have been in the place featured in Hollywood movies. Nevada fulfilled it.

Hoover Dam

Gamble however much you want. Hook with somebody all night. Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.These are just a few of the many things that people say about Las Vegas. But for me, just seeing (and staying) where the hotel Manny Pacquiao stays before a huge fight is forever etched in my memory.

Pacquiao's Abode haha.

not our photograph, but this is the typical Las Vegas at night.

Paris's Eiffel Tower replica at Las Vegas

Las Vegas Streets (very far from what I used to see in Mandaluyong)

These are drunk people asking us to take pictures of them in Las Vegas

We haven't been to the Grand Canyon yet, but the Red Canyons in Nevada fulfilled it.

I'm covering my face from the sun

descending down the hill...



I can't remember the rest of the places where we have gone. The places aforementioned were the big ones that I won't be able to forget. Had I stayed in the Philippines, these childhood dreams of mine would have not been fulfilled, at least not this early. U.S.A., my fulfiller.



We could not have done our travels without you Big Pilot :) haha