Los(t) Angeles Birthday Vlog

Hola, internet world!

I turned 24 a couple days ago! Usually, I'd be fake sobbing right now because of aging blues but since I had one of the most fun birthdays ever, if not the most fun, I am unable to entertain any other emotion besides happiness! As per my new personal celebratory tradition, I booked another birthday trip! Last year, I went home to the Philippines. That cost me quadruple my birthday treat budget so this year, I went somewhere geographically close just down south my city. I flew to California! I stayed in LA for the most part and stayed at my good friend's abode in Corona for the rest (Thanks, Leah). My high school friends, Yeye and Andie, were also California residents so I was so glad to have had the chance to spend some time with them too! I have not seen them for, literally, years! I gotta say they did not change one bit - they were all sweethearts! They drove me around Los Angeles and Leah and I even made a a two-night trip to Las Vegas for my birthday weekend (separate blog post to follow)! 

I gotte be real. LA did not give me the best impression. It was on the dirtier side and definitely gave me Manila traffic vibes. However, it was the company that mattered and the Californians were rather nice and friendly the entire time I was there. I arrived pretty late so all I was able to do is stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and looked for a good place to get take-out along the boulevard. The next day, Yeye picked me up from BLVD Hotel and Suites (such a pleasant stay, highly recommend) and we drove to this really cute and hipster place for brunch called the Yellow House Cafe. After satisfying our appetite, we headed to Griffith Observatory and onto Mount Lee to hike a little bit towards the Hollywood Sign. It is the most popular Los Angeles landmark so, of course, I had to go! We just planned to go to these two attractions because they were basically in the same area but Yeye insisted to drive me to Santa Monica Pier. I did not take on the rides but just strolled around and got ice cream and relaxed by the beach while taking in all the Vitamin D before I go back to cold Van. She wanted to take me to Malibu Beach too but time was running close to dinner and I had scheduled to dine out with Leah and Andie. We went to The Grove for dinner and ate at this Japanese restaurant called Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill. The sushi was really good but it came with a price. Well, I was on vacation, so a little splurging was necessary. We also had cocktails and dessert at a nearby bar but my apologies for my unreliable memory bank. I can't remember the place but it was right across the sushi restaurant. By the end of the night, I was e x h a u s t e d! We had to call it a night because my third day consisted of more walking and more fun. We went home to Hilton Hotel, had some more wine, shared some more stories, then passed out. 

The following day, Leah, Andie and I all woke up with excitement as we were really stoked on going to Universal Studios. Why? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter just opened a couple weeks back!! We are all HP lovers so imagine our thirst for butterbeer and desire to physically hold a wand to swish and flick! Haha! There was a bit of line up in Harry Potter World but the rest of Universal Studios was a breeze. There was no doubt - we definitely channeled our inner kid at heart! It was so much fun especially with great friends. It's been a week since I had returned home in lovely Vancouver but the memories still put a smile on my face. 

Anywhoooo, I think that chatter was more than enough. Here's a more creative narrative of my trip if you wanna see how things went down:

I hope you enjoyed the short video and it inspired you, even a tiny bit, to treat yourself on your special day! It does not have to be grand, but just remember that you need to spoil yourself from time to time because you are awesome and you sure as heck deserve it! 

Till the next,

Mace

I Didn't Know How Stupid I Was Until 2015

Since 2015 just flew by (which worked in my favor) and a new year is upon us once again, I'd like to share to you 15 things I taught myself that may be of help for you in starting a clean 2016 slate:

1. You MUST choose to surround yourself with people who creates a happier and better you. You either do this or die a sad puppy.
2. You can never truly avoid yourself from depending your happiness on the people or things you may lose one day. When you have felt love deeply into your bones, the sadness of letting go will be like no other. This is when you utter "that's life" and carry on.
3. (in relation to lesson #2) Never say never is bullcrap. You are allowed to say never. Because in any circumstance that may shake your core and shatter you into what may seem like irreparable damage, NEVER ever lose hope.
4. Things get extremely worse just right before IT GETS BETTER. Again, NEVER give hope up.
5. The Higher Being / universe has plans that are beyond the scope of your understanding at the moment of adversity. Trust your god; however you may define Him/it.
6. You do not, for whatever reason, step down and compromise yourself to hold on to relationships. The people who love you will never make you feel like you have to but instead will voluntarily step up so you can be the person you were meant to become.
7. Being treated like straight up garbage is probably one of the best things that will happen to you for two reasons: You learn what not to do to others and you discover your self-worth as well as the worthlessness of the toxic relationships you continue to hang on to.
8. Some people are flat out unreasonable, cruel and generally incapable of lifting others up.
9. Forgive number 8. Just forgive. It's a win-win, trust me.
10. A great percentage of the 7 billion who inhabit the world is awfully quick to judge. Absolve them too & make sure you aren't doing it to others.
11. There is a limit to the number of "benefit of the doubt" you can give people. Anything above the limit is mere foolishness. Kind is different from stupid, sweetheart.
12. Radiate positive thinking but romanticize nothing.
13. If social media is right at least about one thing, it is to travel while you are young and able. There is no better teacher than first-hand experience. And, oh, videos do not compare to pictures. Hit the record button & film moments!
14. Speak up your mind and stand by your passions. If proven to be wrong, apologize & accept without resentment. You know nothing if you think you know everything.
15. No matter how harsh the world can get. A good heart is still everything.

A blessed new year to you, wonderful human! Don't stop being a kickass! ❤️

Till the Next,

M

Baguio, Balesin & La Union

Finally had the time to creatively put together all the footage from my month-long summer in the Philippines!

Till the next,

M

Macau / Hongkong 2015

Hello, hello, hello! Guess what? I am still alive and kicking! Haha! I can't even remember how long I was gone for. I spent most of September touring my uncle from Australia around the beautiful British Columbia with la familia (rhyme not intended haha!). Then, I had the flu for a week and a half a little over a month ago. Once I had recuperated from that, I was out and about almost on the daily doing my little adventures with friends during the weekends and working tons on the weekdays. Above all else, I have also gotten back into something very dear to my heart which is volunteering for practically anything with a good cause. In a nutshell, I have been utterly busy the past couple of months trying to slowly step out of my comfort zone, get out there and be more active. I have, for the lack of a better term, wasted the first half of this year and so I am really taking advantage of what is left of 2015. I can't believe that there's exactly only 30 days left before 2016. How is that even possible? "Time flies" is not just a mere cliche, it is 101% accurate too. Whew! Now that it is becoming and feeling more wintery outside, I have more time to just 'netflix and chill' in the most literal way possible because the heavens know I am as uninvolved as one can be right now. Haha! Anyway, the purpose of this blog post is for me to show my non-existent editing skills via this video blog of my trip to Macau / Hongkong last May. I traveled with my two lovely aunts and just had a good time. As evidenced by the limited footages, I really had fun burning a few bucks in the casino and in Mong Kok's night market as well as the lovely boat ride with the musical prowess of our gondolier in the heart of the Grand Canals of Shoppes at the Venetian. Most of my unforgettable experiences during that trip is not in this video so I apologize. This only proves that particular moments that do not get filmed or put on social media are the ones that I really have enjoyed the most because I did not even remember busting my camera out. Okay, enough chatter, M! 

Here's the video: 

Till the next,

M

WHISTLER BUNGEE JUMPING 2015

Good day, folks!

I just got back from my three-day Whistler trip and leaving the humble abode in an hour to go camping in Chilliwack; hence, I am squeezing in a quick editing marathon of my bungee jump experience in Whistler and a brief account of how feelings of panic and anxiety went down. Haha! Kidding aside, those body sensations actually did happen before the said jump of my life. Although that was the case, I can say, with my chin up and brow raised, that I am now an official badass and ready to take on probably the most nerve-wrenching jump, skydiving.

This experience was not planned at all because me and my friend, Joana, were thinking of going to Whistler some time in October to finally do it. Even before this planning, me and my friend, Thomas, thought of it a year ago when we did our hike in Squamish but I never pushed through with it because of our disagreeing schedules. He's always talked about how awesome his experience the first and second time around. Hence, one can only imagine the excitement and eagerness I have felt since then. 

My family and I were just hiking Brandywine Falls Provincial Park all the way up to Cheakamus Bungee Bridge, completely unaware of the fact that it was the bridge where the team Whistler Bungee was set up. My uncle, having a knack for extreme once-in-a-lifetime activities, had gone skydiving before and so was very eager to try out bungee jumping. I was down and so was my sister. I immediately ceased all apprehensions and just channeled my inner daredevil, booked it and shook off all my "I can't do it" alibis. 

...And so let me present to you my full bungee jump experience through this video: Whistler Bungee Jumping 2015

All harnessed and ready!

Trying my best to throw a smile at the photographer although my legs are shaking tremendously!

GoPro all taped up on my hand! I recommend doing this rather than using a stick or a helmet mount.

Two things... First, can we just take a moment to appreciate technology that let's us document extraordinary experiences like this? How amazing is that footage all brought to us by the incredible GoPro device (not sponsored at all, how I wish though)? Another thing is the after-jump feeling. Let me tell you how grateful I am to have had this opportunity to do something unbelievable and unleash my thrill-seeking side. I realized that there really is nothing that we cannot do in this world. No matter how scared we are to do something or how doubtful we get about our capabilities to accomplish something, if we commit ourselves to the thirst for living and enjoying every bit of it, we can do it. So to anyone out there who has always craved to experience something crazy and exhilarating and is willing to pay a good 130 bucks, I say go drive up to Whistler, be a kickass and do it! Every penny was definitely worth it! Not to mention, the successful jumper gets a free shirt and the Whistler Bungee has a great team to motivate you and keep your focus on just having the best time of your life. 

That's about it for now! Off to my next adventure aka our annual camping trip!

Hope y'all are having the best summer,

Mace

VANCOUVER PRIDE 2015

Before anything else, I'd like to greet all the out, loud and proud lovely humans out there a HAPPY PRIDE!!!!! This day of the year marks a day of liberation and first-hand freedom for all our proud lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans in Vancouver and also around the globe! Aaaah!! How honored are we to live in a generation wherein freedom of gender and/or sexuality is progressively celebrated? I can go on and on about this but let's just let the happy photos translate the ecstasy that was pride day!

The parade started at Robson and Thurlow and ended at Sunset Beach for the main festival celebration. Here are some photos of the parade at Robson Street this afternoon...

LOVE

LOVELY PROUD SMILES

FREEDOM

PROUD

PROUD AT ANY AGE. YES, THIS IS WHAT PRIDE IS ALL ABOUT.

It was, indeed, a wonderful weekend for Vancouver with the performance and win at the Celebration of Lights last Saturday and the successful pride event! Great long weekend so far! I hope y'all have a happy and kickass BC Day today, Vancouverites!

Keep enjoying the summer,

Macy

Vlog #1: Richmond Night Market

Hey there, lovelies! Soooo what have you been up to lately? As for me, I have been trying something new. Well, filming videos has been my little hobby for the longest time now but actually compiling and editing them into an actual video blog have not been a reality since today. 

My family and I went to the Richmond Night Market last Saturday so I took the chance to film "properly" so I can come up with this post. The night market opens at 7 in the evening until 11 or midnight every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Stat. Mondays. I suggest you go towards the later end of the night though because there are lesser people and some stalls would offer deals and specials on food towards closing time. Nonetheless, it was fun being there during the peak time and being in line-ups with people who have the same love or enjoyment for all sorts of food! There really is no need to mention my love for food especially The Signature squid and lamb skewer from this particular night market. Aaaaah, deliciousness everywhere! Totally recommend! So enough chit chat, here's the video! 

P.S. Forgive my newbie-ness at this! Enjoy!

Be out there & kickass,

Mace