Missing this. Summer 2013, perhaps?

December 2012

"Promote Travel East?! What then, if I want to go west?" - Cybele

Boarded a plane to the Philippines almost immediately after my final exam. I slept for a good 9 out of 12ish hours on the plane. Blame mental and physical exhaustion.

We spent Christmas in Bohol and managed to go to all the major tourist attractions in under a day. The rest of our time there was spent in a resort. The food was great, especially at the Bohol Bee Farm. The place didn't actually have any bees. They all died, no joke. The food was still great, and I'm pretty sure I ate for three people.

It was a pretty relaxing trip, but I would say that 48 hours there is enough. Some bizarre typhoon warning was announced and my entire family and I got stranded for a extra two days (so much for relaxation - I was going to lose it). Torture. Cabin fever in a broader sense. I nearly yelled at the coast guard when he, along with the captain, asked all passengers on board to disembark, cancelling yet another trip back to Cebu on our second extra day there. I mean hello, look out your window, it was practically summer day! One more complaint - they ought to issue warnings more often than every 4 hours, for so many reasons. This literally ate up a huge chunk of my stay in the Philippines. Goodbye plans.





High school buds. Are we getting old or what?

Film Log: AT-1 v.3.0

3.1 Columbia University Subway Station.
07/27/12



3.2 Subway tracks.



3.6 Low Library.



3.9 Earl Hall.



3.14 A New York City hallmark on the upper west side.



3.20 Caged in by the Empire State.



3.21 Central Park, surrounded by giants.



3.22 Macy's department store.



3.24 The iconic Chrysler Building.



3.26 The High Line elevated park, Chelsea, Manhattan.

Twenty-six exposures in a roll of film supposedly for twenty-four. Not bad, not bad. I'm proud to say I regularly exceed expectations this way. All photos shot at 400 ISO, despite it being a very, very sunny day.

Speaking of sunny days, I've been getting recurring headaches likely caused by the intense brightness of rare Vancouver sun. It must be Vancouver's lack of smog.

New York, Day VI-VII

Had brunch at the Cookshop in Chelsea. Their frittata is mouthwatering, but I've never had one before, so I have nothing to compare it to.

I took the subway on my own and walked to the Guggenheim. Their exhibit on the works of Rineke Dijkstra was enjoyable, especially her videography work titled "The Krazyhouse." I admit to not being able to appreciate all the abstract art. I tried, I swear!

Having run out of things to check off of my New York bucket list, my godfather decided to take me to Coney Island. Boy, is that place packed.

I feel like I got the best seat on the plane, I mean, look at that view! For once, it isn't obstructed by the airplane's wings. Thank you, mysterious person who checked in online for me.

New York, Day V - From the Top

I felt like this part of my evening in New York City needed special attention.

New York, Day V

Spent half the day at the Museum of Natural History, and the other half at the Museum of Modern Art. I loved them both! The Museum of Natural History had a significant display dedicated to the area of Biology I love most - invertebrates! I have decided not to bore you with photos of jellies, crabs, and squids. Needless to say, I spent the majority of my time there and sped through everything else.

I doubt I would have enjoyed the MoMA as much if it weren't for their pretty extensive photography exhibit. Somehow paintings and drawings are difficult for me to fathom. They have a lovely area surrounded by the building where you can dine, have some coffee and just people watch all afternoon!

The 9/11 Memorial is, in my opinion, very well designed. I was a little put off by people posing and smiling for photographs taken by the memorial pools - this, to me, just doesn't seem like the place for it. A very nice NYPD officer took the time to talk, our conversation initially being about the sweltering heat. I eventually found out that his sister (whom he is very, very proud of) attends Harvard, while he is considering pursuing a master's degree at the City University of New York.

It's amazing how you can talk to anyone there!