Let Me ExPlane

April

2016-05-11T18:46:00.001-07:00

I know it's been well over a month since I've last published a blog post. I'm sure some of you may have thought that I've completely abandoned my blog; that's truly not the case. I've been MIA for good reason. But before I move forward, I do want to thank my loyal readers for your continued support. It means more to me than you'll ever know.

To those of you who are new to my blog, I welcome you to the hectic, yet exciting world of a flight attendant. The whole month of April went by too quickly for me. Where have I been? What have I been doing? Let Me ExPlane...

I last left off sitting in first class in a 777-300 with my lovely mother twenty minutes before departure anxiously waiting to take off for Tokyo. Moments before posting my last post, 8 Reasons Why I Love Japan, I couldn't help but to surrender to the utter excitement of all the possible ways my list could grow.

Trust me, I left Japan last month completely overwhelmed with all of the amazing experiences and unforgettable memories created. It was difficult for me to choose the ultimate highlights of my trip because they all hold a special place in my heart and soul.

Every time I come to Japan my love for this amazing country continues to grow and I leave a piece of my heart behind each trip. I stand strongly by the fact that my 4th time in Japan happens to be the best trip I've had there yet. Why? Well, it's always been a dream of mine to see Japan during sakura season. Oh, what a sight to see!

On top of that I've finally had a chance to venture outside of the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan area of Tokyo. One word: Shinkansen. I'll go more into depth about my experience traveling in this awesome streamlined, high speed bullet train up and down the southern half of Japan in another post; I'm excited to write about that one. But honestly, I miss the shinkansen. Best mode of transportation ever!

What made this trip to Japan special is the fact that I was able to dig deeper into Japanese culture and history which has always kept my interest piqued since I was younger. But it wasn't until my very first trip to Japan when I was truly captivated by it all; I immediately fell in love. But the fact that I have family in Tokyo is what truly makes this country special and paying a visit as often I can is a definite must.

It was a beautiful trip overall spending time with my family partaking in sakura hanami; the word hanami means "the viewing of flowers". My brother happened to be in Japan at the time traveling through as well and we met with him in Kyoto. I even had the chance to meet with fellow travelers from the Girls Love Travel Facebook group in Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo to engage in sakura hanami. They were some of the most amazing women I've ever met and I had a wonderful time with my new set of traveling friends from all across the globe.

It was a dream come true exploring different parts of Japan as the sakura were blooming. Absolutely breathtaking! It was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen seeing Japan this way. This definitely made this ultimate dream of mine of seeing Japan during sakura season an unforgettable one.

Now I can't wait to come back to Japan and explore further. I'm definitely thinking about making my way up to Hokkaido during the winter months to experience the Snow Festival in Sapporo. Either way, I wouldn't mind where I end up in Japan given that I love that country so much. I mean it when I say that Japan is my happy place and, once again, it was extremely difficult for me leave. It always is.

The more I visit Japan the harder it gets for me to part ways and return home. But I know for a fact that I will always make my way back to to create more memories and reasons to make it difficult for me to leave my happy place.

As soon as I returned home to California from Japan on April 4th, I immediately had to return to work. I was on reserve for April which means that I'm basically on-call. I fly wherever scheduling needs me to go and I had to fly a few trips in these next two weeks while I battled with jet lag. It sure wasn't easy, but us flight attendants tend to get used to it. Better yet, we tend to just deal with it.

Reserve trip after reserve trip and never quite readjusting back to Pacific Standard Time, two weeks zoomed by closing in on April 17th. This day meant vacation time again, but this time around I was headed south east towards Miami to sail away on a cruise to the Bahamas with my boyfriend, Arren, only to join his best friend, Ricky, and his family to celebrate Ricky's father's 50th birthday.

It was a 5 day cruise on the Royal Caribbean: Majesty of the Seas with ports in Nassau, Bahamas, Coco Cay, Bahamas, and Key West, Florida. This was my first time sailing into the Atlantic. I knew we were in for a grand time. The opportunity to spend quality time with my boyfriend on our first official vacation together, bonded with good friends, and spent 5 days with an amazing family. What more could you ask for?

I've been on a cruise to Mexico years ago on Carnival with my family and I remember having so much fun. It was nice to cruise again. The fact that it's mainly all-inclusive is awesome. Granted that you have to pay for service fees, excursions, wifi, and the drink package; I highly encourage getting the premium drink package and sharing amongst two people. If you want more bang for your buck then that's how you do it. I, myself, did't get the drink package. I honestly didn't see the point. However, my boyfriend did and he just got drinks for me whenever I wanted one. I think that's winning if you ask me.

Each day was so much fun. We stayed up late, woke up early, explored each port, engaged in excursions, drank LOTS of alcohol, laughed so hard, ate TONS of food and I mean TONS of food. Even when you're not hungry you eat anyways. It's highly likely that you'll gain weight on a cruise. But you're on vacation. Who cares about calories? Eat Away! Enjoy and have fun! You can always hit the gym later.

But alas, all good things must come to an end and I had to come back to reality. Once again, I had a hard time coming back home after yet another amazing vacation. Once again, I had the sudden urge to plan my next adventure. I would have to say that all throughout April from the end of March was simply epic. I had so much fun traveling through Japan seeing sakura in bloom to swimming in the warms waters of the Bahamas, and work a little bit in between. I honestly wouldn't of had it any other way.

So, you see, that's what I've been up during the month of April. I've honestly been relishing in the memories and experiences of one of the best months I've ever had. It wasn't that I didn't know what to say or did not want to share. I knew exactly what to say and I couldn't honestly wait to start writing about my experiences. To tell you the truth, I actually have a couple of blog entries sitting and waiting to be published for over a few weeks now. I just wanted to hold on to the memories to myself for a little while longer.

8 Reasons Why I Love Japan

2016-03-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Many of us each have our ultimate dream destination(s). That one place you must absolutely visit before you die, and visit over and over and over again. You may even find yourself dreaming of possibly living there one day. We all have our reasons, and these reasons are more than enough to bring ourselves back to that one special place. For me, that special place happens to be the beautiful country of Japan.

Not only do I love Japan, but I am lucky enough to have family that I can visit there. They reside in Tokyo, so I've mostly explored within the Tokyo city limits. This time, I had the chance to explore a bit outside of the city into the suburbs which gave me more of a reason to love this beautiful country more than I do now and come back for more; I will always come back for more.

I've always been in love with Japan's rich historical background, culture, language, food, architecture, fashion, people - everything is beyond wonderful. Once again, here I am, sitting at Los Angeles International Airport awaiting to board my flight to Tokyo Narita this time to experience Sakura Hanami, "to watch cherry blossoms blooming". This is one of the many reasons why I want to come back to Japan and I find it to be only fitting to do a post on why I love this amazing country. Here are a few reasons why I absolutely love Japan based on this past trip alone with my family and best friend, Jayne Rio, Let Me Explane:

1. Sensō-ji Temple

Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest and most spectacular temple. I've always visited Sensō-ji since the first time I've visited Tokyo, and each time I've found it to be more and more breathtaking. However, this was the first time I've actually seen it at night - magnificent! It wasn't as crowded as one would usually find it during the day and the way the temple illuminates at night is absolutely stunning. I was able to take my time and appreciate it.

2. O-mikuji

O-mikuji are random fortunes, good or bad, written on paper and you can find them at various Buddist temples and Shinto shrines all across Japan. At the O-mikuji booth at Sensō-ji temple, there is a heavy hexagon-shaped container made of metal containing long bamboo sticks with numbers engraved in Kanji written at one end.

For 100 yen, you shake the container and wait until a bamboo stick comes out of a small hole. Whatever stick comes out, you find the number at the end of the stick that corresponds with the number on one of the boxes. You then pull a small knob on the box and inside contains a stack of the same o-mikuji, but each box of o-mikuji differs from each other. Alas, you then find out if you were granted with a good or bad fortune.

If you received a bad fortune, you must fold it and tie it to a small pine tree or a wall stand with metal wires going across. Tying your bad fortune on the pine or wire tree decreases its effects on the bearer and bad luck will be left behind remaining on the tree. If you received a good fortune, however, you can either tie it up on the tree in hopes of increasing its effects of good luck or you can keep it with you to bring home. My best friend and I, ironically, received the same exact fortune and thankfully it was a very good one.

3. Yakiniku

If you've never had yakiniku, you are missing out! Yakiniku is Japanese style BBQ and the yakiniku at Jojoen Tokyo Skytree is the best I've ever had. My aunt's good friend wanted to give us a proper welcome to Japan by treating us all out to dinner. Jojoen is located on the 31st floor of the Tokyo Skytree in Sumida-ku, Tokyo. As you walk into Jojoen, you are greeted by the host who walks you to your table. In this case, we were escorted into a secluded room with a sliding door that closes shut. As you step in, the hosts takes your coats and gently covers them with a thick cotton cover before hanging them up to protect them from the smell of BBQ as you grill.

Inside the room is a long rectangular dinner table with grills built in. On the opposite end of the table, there's a floor to ceiling window with the most amazing view of Tokyo. We went at night and the view was absolutely stunning. Yakiniku with a sky rise city view of Tokyo from the 31st floor on our first night, what more could you ask for? As for the food, let's just say that I have never been so happy in my life just simply by cooking and eating yakiniku. The most amazing experience ever and I can't wait to go back!

Even if you decide not to eat Yakiniku, there are a bunch of classy restaurants on the same floor to indulge in. But the view of Tokyo on the 31st floor alone is all worthwhile.

4. Vending Machines

There's not a single corner in Japan lacking a vending machine. You could be walking down a random alleyway and halfway through there's a vending machine brightly lit up with a wide selection of hot and cold drinks - even beer or sake. They are so adorable! What I absolutely love about these Japanese vending machines are that some machines carry both hot and cold selections. You have the choice to buy a can of warm soup and a bottle of refreshing, cold green tea on the same machine.

5. Moomin Cafe

Whenever I'm in Japan, I always want to have the most Japanese experience than I had on my previous visits to this amazing country. We accidentally stumbled across this adorable cafe that we couldn't pass up, Moomin Cafe. Moomin is a Finnish character created by Tove Jannson back in 1935 when she studied art at the age of 21. Today, there are Moomin cafes and shops all across the world.

What caught my eye when coming across Moomin Cafe were two adorable stuffed plushy characters sitting outside the entrance door. I didn't even notice the window looking into the cafe until my best friend immediately brought it to my attention as I was taking pictures of the plushies at the door. When I looked into the window, there I saw happy cafe goers seated at tables enjoying coffee and pastries, but they weren't alone. They were each accompanied by large stuffed Moomin characters carefully placed on chairs at each table. We completely lost our minds of cuteness overload and couldn't help but to partake in the fun. Although, Moomin is originally Finnish, it was truly quite the Japanese experience!

Want to learn more or looking to check out Moomin Cafe in Japan or at one of its many locations across the world? Click here!

6. Kamakura

I wanted the chance to venture outside of the city of Tokyo. After doing research, I came across Kamakura which is located about 31 miles south-west of Tokyo. What fascinated me about Kamakura is its amazing history and breathtaking landscapes. But after a conversation with my dad about a photo he took with the Great Daibutsu (Great Buddah) statue back when he was in the US Navy and stationed in Yokosuka before I was born, I knew I had to see it for myself.

I was truly overwhelmed by the beauty of this place and captivated by its charm. There is so much to see and I wish I had the ample time to explore it all when I was there. There are so many beautiful temples and shrines to visit, as well as parks, hiking trails, a bamboo forest, and many sandy beaches which is a favorite summer getaway to escape the city life of Tokyo and Yokohama. Rest assured, Kamakura did not leave me disappointed and I can't wait to come back and explore further more.

7. Harajuku

I can't stress enough how much I fell in love with Harajuku! I was completely overwhelmed by how awesome this place is. Here you will find the latest hot, trendy, and fashionable street wear. It's like a fashion show of true self-expression of the young generation. You'll be enveloped by a sea of people spectating or rocking the latest trends once you step into Takeshita Dori Street across from Harajuku station.

Now, let's talk shopping. I wanted EVERYTHING! So many one of a kind clothing items and accessories that you can't find in the USA. Store after store, I found myself not wanting to leave. It's the best place to people watch especially when it comes to the fashionable Harajuku girls which I truly admire. With an abundance of trendy boutiques, quirky shops, cafes and restaurants that disperse into side alleyways, I guarantee you will never find yourself unamused while in Harajuku. Everything is so cute and fun! But be ready to take on the crowds.

8. Tori-no-Ichi Festival

We were lucky enough to be graced with the opportunity to experience the Tori-No-Ichi Festival in Asakusa, Tokyo. The festival is an old Japanese custom held every 12 days in the month of November during the days of the rooster of the Oriental Zodiac. It is said that rooster days bring in good luck and wealth to worshippers and businesses. This custom began during the Edo period and is presently held all over Japan at Otori-Jinja shrines. If you're in Japan during the month of November be sure to experience the Tori-No Ichi Festival. Quite the unforgettable experience of good times, good food, and good luck!

So there you have it, 8 reasons why I love Japan. As my boarding time for my flight to Tokyo Narita draws near, I can't help but to express how excited I am to continue my list of reasons why I love this amazing country as I venture off into new territory of Osaka and Kyoto. Mostly, I am excited to fulfill my lifelong dream of seeing Japan during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Adventure awaits!

5 Reasons Why I Think it's Best to Start Traveling in Your 20s

2016-02-26T03:56:00.001-08:00

Pacifica, California

I'm sure most of us received lectures from our parents about how much better it is to work hard while you're young, so you can retire comfortably and finally partake in the opportunity to travel the world. This is logically sound, no doubt. To work yourself through your 20s of blood, sweat, and tears only to build yourself a fine future of security and stability into the retirement life. The point in your life when you can finally enjoy yourself and see the world of how you've always dreamed of. But who's to say that you can't work hard as you enjoy life and travel while you're still young?

I honestly think that it works either way depending on your core values, the type of person you are, and doing what your heart tells you to. It truly is all up to you and how you want to live your life; the beauty of it is the fact that we all have a choice. No single person can tell you how to live and choose what's best for you. Only you can do that. I believe a strong balance must be maintained between hard work and the business of pleasure. You have to reward yourself for all of the hard work you do and traveling, I believe, is the absolute best way to treat yourself.

Here, I present to you, 5 reasons on why I believe that it is best to start traveling in your 20s than to hold off until you retire:

It's All About Experience - If you start traveling in your 20s, you will gain so much experience and skills that just can't be developed simply by reading a textbook or sitting through lecture. You would definitely learn so much more about the world, and most importantly, about yourself. What you gain from your travel experiences will be of great value to you and the skills you acquire may help you in the long run. Traveling will enhance your quality of life in more ways than one, which in turn will bring you more happiness. Who doesn't want to be happy? Just imagine, the type of experiences you'll have traveling solo internationally for the first time. Sounds like a grand time, indeed!

Kona, Hawaii

You Never Know Who You're Going To Meet - Traveling is definitely the matchmaker of lovers and friends. The creator of camaraderie and future business relationships. It allows you to further enhance your people skills and teaches you how to cater and maintain your relationships. Not only that, but it will teach you how and who to trust, as well as how to follow your instincts. You never know who you may come across and those you meet will help you discover a great deal about yourself. You'll encounter so many people throughout your travels, and whether if they stay in your life or not, what matters most is the impact (good or bad) that they've made on your life. This, you will carry on with you for as long as you'll remember.

Kamakura, Japan

So Much To See! So Much To Do! - It's definitely not impossible, but it will be more difficult to experience and do everything you've always wanted to while traveling after retiring at the average age of 65. You'll most likely be at your healthiest prime and most active in your 20s anyways, so why not get a head start and cross off that bucket list one by one while you're still young? By the time you reach 65, you may have already completed your bucket list and then some. You don't want to hinder yourself from the chance to truly live the life you feel fits best for you and miss amazing travel opportunities before establishing your career and settling down (if settling down is in your future plans). Life is too short to live with regrets. If you feel ready and the time is right, seize the opportunity and take that chance.

Moomin House Cafe Tokyo Skytree Solamachi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan

The Value of Money - Getting ahead in life by traveling at the start of your 20s will definitely guide you towards learning how to budget properly and the importance of saving. If money is the reason why you're holding back on travel experiences, then pick up extra shifts, cut out your daily Starbucks run, put aside a portion of your paycheck for travel funds and never touch it, etc. The list goes on! Set yourself a budget goal for travel expenses and do your research. Stick to your financial plan and stay within the boundaries of your budget without putting yourself into debt. Take action and keep your eyes on the prize! You will learn how to research for the best travel deals, accommodations, budget for food, transportation, etc. This in turn will teach you the value of money and you will learn how to spend wisely in order to survive on your own.

Norfolk, Virginia

Responsibility, Independence, Confidence - You can always count on RIC to be by your side when it comes to traveling especially at a young age. You will learn the aspects of responsibility through proper planning, and money and time management. If you're traveling solo, no one is going to be there to take care of you but yourself. So put your big girl (or boy) pants on and take the reigns! Being able to take care of yourself and finding solutions to your own problems which you may encounter during your travels will be a big step towards your independence. The more you travel, the more confident you'll become and break out of your turtle shell of shyness. You'll learn how to trust your instincts and believe in yourself more.

Seattle, Washington

So there you have it, 5 reasons why I feel that it's best to start traveling in your 20s than to wait until the average retirement age of 65. I've done a fair share of traveling in my 20s and younger, but I honestly wish I had done more to gain more experience. Too many travel opportunities I've allowed to pass me by, so it's time for me to make up for it in my 30s. For those 20 somethings who have the wanderlust fever, my advice to you is to seize each opportunity to travel and follow your heart. The amount of experience you will gain is far too valuable to allow it to pass you by. Why wait? Live in the now for tomorrow is never promised. But it is also wise to invest in your future. Remember, balance is key. For my 30+ somethings, it's definitely never too late.

Sydney, Australia

Do you feel that it's best to start traveling in your 20s than to wait until you retire? What are your reasons? I would love to know! Also, if you have another tip to add to this list or a travel topic you would like for me to write about, please share in the comments below.

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It's a Small World After All

2016-02-15T20:54:00.004-08:00

Bondi Icebergs Club. Public pool near Bondi Beach.

Have you ever sat down just to think how small the world truly is? Do you believe in how the universe can miraculously work wonders? How about things happening for a reason being at the right place at the right time? With 7.36 billion people in the world today, how possible can it be for the stars to perfectly align themselves, bringing about an encounter between people who live in complete opposite ends of the earth, having meeting once before only to be brought together again by the universe on a sheer random coincidence?

How small can the world truly be?

A lot smaller than you think and I have the perfect story to justify that. A true story that continues to make me a firm believer that the universe really does work wonders in this "not so big" world in which we live in. This story is such an occurrence that's enough to make you stop in your tracks and leave you utterly speechless. It sure did for me. Here, Let Me Explane...

Coastal Walk map post

On the day my family and I had set out on our beach day adventure during our trip to Australia, we agreed to make our way to Bondi to take on the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Due to the endless number of recommendations I had received from my newly favorite Facebook travel page, Girls Love Travel, as well as recommendations from the locals prior to our Sydney arrival, engaging in the beautiful coastal walk was without question.

Once we arrived at the Bondi Junction train station, we decided to start our coastal walk journey towards the south end of Bondi Beach; bus 333 was going to take us there. We had a late start to the day and didn't arrive to Bondi from Sydney Central Station until about a half an hour till noon, and by this time the temperature was already at 36C/98.6F. The day only got hotter from then on out (it was the hottest day we had experienced during our trip; one day before a thunderstorm). We decided to eat somewhere along our coastal walk so we didn't grab a bite for breakfast before we left our apartment. That was definitely not the grandest of ideas which led us in complete regret.

Waiting for bus 333 with other beach goers at the Bondi Beach station.

The coastal view was astonishingly beautiful, nonetheless. Definitely worth melting in the sun for; I just wish I had a massive bucket of ice to dump over my head or a large vanilla ice cream cone at the least. There was nothing like the sight of the vast ocean stretching beyond the horizon of the blue Pacific, the feeling of the hot Australian sun coupled with the warm sea breeze kissing our skin, and the sound of the waves crashing on the jagged rocks below. This was more than enough for us to stop several times for photos and to just take it all in. But it wasn't long until we each grew extremely famished and needed to recharge fast.

Panting like dogs and each sweating profusely, we found relief from the sweltering sun under an umbrella my mother had brought and also by drinking water from a 1 liter plastic bottle that we've bought from Woolies (Woolworth). We decided to steer away from the trail and find the next path up towards the road to find a place to eat. Any place. It didn't matter. At this point, all we wanted was food. We finally came across a set of steep wooden stairs embedded with sand. Not knowing what was at the top of the stairs, we decided to take our chances anyways and proceeded to go upwards. As soon as we've reached the top, there was a small grass park with two unattended picnic tables followed by beautiful houses and apartments that stretched over a small hill. Not knowing what was beyond that hill, we continued to walk along these houses hoping to reach the main road soon. Although we were very well hydrated, by now we've each become extremely delirious and "hangry".

Now, this is where the story gets interesting.

(left to right): Adam, my mom, and my dad

We continued to walk up the street and had passed five houses at this point. As I'm walking before my parents, I turn around and see a tall light skinned man wearing a tank top of an analogous light blue color scheme of thick stripes which he paired with tan board shorts. I noticed he was quickly running towards us completely barefooted from about three houses down. I stopped and continued to watch him carefully until he reached my parents. The man stops next to my mom, turns around to face my parents and politely says, "Hello," while out of breath, but with a friendly smile. There was a short pause of silence, but a long confused look on my face. Then my mom, to her surprise, begins to mumble words as if she's attempting to say something, but couldn't quite remember how to speak at all. She suddenly yells, "OMG! Adam?!" and my dad soon follows suit. Both surprised beyond belief, they each had big smiles on their faces and exchanged warm hugs. I, on the other hand, didn't quite understand what was happening. Who is this man and how do my parents know him?

I was so shocked and surprised given that we were at some random residential area along the coastal walk and we somehow end up coming across someone my parents know. It just so happens that we approach a set of random stairs 60 seconds before the moment we decided that it was vital for us to get something to eat somewhere up along the road. To alleviate my confusion, my parents introduced me to Adam and I soon find out how my parents know him. Back in May 2015, my parents first met Adam and his girlfriend (who was on business in Melbourne at the time) in Italy and they were the only four booked for the same Tuscany wing tasting tour leaving at the same time that day. After learning this, they decided to capitalize on the opportunity to get to know each other by having lunch together before heading off on their tour. The had a wonderful time on the tour and they soon became Facebook friends.

It truly is a small world isn't it?

Right at the moment my parents and I were at the top of the stairs, Adam stepped outside his apartment balcony. As soon as he looked up, he saw us crossing the grass park heading in his direction. He couldn't believe his eyes and said to himself, "No. It couldn't be! It can't be them!" Although, Adam was aware of our presence in Sydney because he saw my mom's Facebook posting of a photo of her and I at Central Station the day we arrived. At the sight of us, he was caught by surprise and had to check just to make sure it was really us, which was the reason why I saw him running up towards us from behind, barefooted; he didn't want to waste time putting on shoes with the chance of losing us.

What are the odds of running into someone that you've met a little less than a year ago on a wine tasting tour in Italy, but on the complete opposite side of the globe this time around, meeting face to face yet again on such a random occurrence only seeing each other's Facebook posts from up until that point? This alone shows definite signs of it being more than just pure coincidence. This single occurrence continues to amaze me and I think about it till this day. Really, what are the chances of that happening? Let alone, the perfect situation to run into a local who happens to be chef and knows the area well enough to know the best places to eat. It can't get any better than that. Nice work, universe! You've heard our prayers, but in this case, our stomachs.

Talk about being at the right place at the right time.

Beach goers enjoying the summer sun

Before we parted ways and said our goodbyes to Adam, I asked him if there were any places to eat in the direction we were initially headed towards and he regretfully said, "No. It's quite a ways away towards the main road and there's really nothing up that way." I took a deep breath of exhaustion thinking about how disappointed we may have been walking all that way only to find nothing. Thankfully, the universe had brought us Adam to steer us away from disappointment and divert us towards the right direction.

I kindly asked him, "Should we keep walking along the trail then?"

Adam quickly responds without hesitation, "I sure would. I suggest you walk two beaches down to Bronte. [There] you will find cafes where you guys can sit down and relax. It's really hot today."

Do as the locals do!

We finally said our goodbyes and Adam sends us on our way. We continue on our coastal walk adventure of panoramic ocean views as we come about Tamarama Beach (I totally fell in love with how fun it was to say that name). As we descended down on the path, it curved along epic sandstone cliffs which dates back to the Triassic period and they were absolutely stunning. I was captivated by the vibrant colors and thinking about the historical timeline behind the rock formations of the sandstone cliffs which caused me to fall a bit behind my parents. I was so caught up admiring its natural beauty, and I honestly wanted to stand under the cliff edge to catch some shade.

Tamarama Beach was one of the smaller and quieter beaches of the coastal walk, and it definitely made Bondi Beach look like a massive beach party. The only thing about Tamarama Beach was that you had to walk quite a bit on the hot sand just to reach the water. However, there were quite a few surfers and sunbathers enjoying the summer sun there. The length of the beach granted enough space to have several full court volleyball games going on all at once. We also came across a small cafe towards the pointed end of the curved path, opposite from the water, that served a small selection of food and drinks. This is where they sold ice cold coconut juice in a coconut, which we definitely took advantage of on our way back towards the end of our beach day.

Tamarama beach building as we descend on the path towards the beach.

Sandstone cliffs at Tamarama Beach

Leaving Tamarama Beach, the path inclines and we ascend once again continuing our quest for food as our energy meter continues to deplete. The path curves along the coast once more, and as we come around the bend our destination of Bronte Beach was in sight. A true relief since we were that much closer to claiming our family mission of finding food to be a complete success. The beach, on the other hand, is much bigger than Tamarama Beach, but not as wide and massive as Bondi Beach. Just by first glance, I already took a liking to this beach and definitely wanted to check it out after lunch. We stepped off the path and walked across a wide grassy field with tents, picnic tables, and tall pine trees towards the back east end.

Alas, we've finally reached the street of lovely cafes as Adam had mentioned. After observing the menu of each cafe, we finally agreed on eating at an charming cafe called Pure Bronte. We were approached by a lovely Aussie lady with golden brown hair and green eyes who seated us on a table outside on the sidewalk and handed us our menus . Without question, we each ordered the same thing which was the Aussie Burger; our first one ever. When in Australia, right? Once our Aussie burgers came out one by one, we were each overwhelmed by how amazing it was. Not just by the juicy, tender beef and robust flavor, but by its massive size. It was enormous! By far, the best burger I've had to date. Would I ever go back to Pure Bronte? You bet ya! For an Aussie burger so out of this world, who wouldn't? We were each beyond satisfied and extremely happy because we finally got some food in our system and it just so happens to be an Aussie burger that we've been dying to try since the beginning of our trip.

Mission accomplished.

Bronte Beach

$17.50 AUD Aussie Burger at Pure Bronte Cafe

After completing a lovely lunch at Pure Bronte, we decided to enjoy the rest of the day on Bronte Beach. It was truly the perfect way to celebrate the success of our coastal walk adventure by resting on the beach and playing in the water. Besides, what's a beach day in Australia without playing in the waves on a hot, beautiful day? We sure chose the right day to head to Bondi because there was a thunderstorm in Sydney the following day, and it rained off and on each day after that. Luck was surely on our side. This was, without a doubt, one of my favorite days during our whole Sydney trip simply because so many wonderful things happened that day. To randomly come across someone my parents had met during their vacation in Italy the year before was definitely the highlight. I still can't believe how we came about such an occurrence especially how it happened the way it did. It really is amazing how the universe works its many wonders.

Days and encounters like this are definitely one of the many reasons why I truly love traveling. You never know who you're going to meet and I can't fathom how much of a true believer I am of things happening for a reason; being at the right place at the right time. We all come across many people during our journey through life, but we are definitely meant to meet some people more than once. At the time, we may never know the reasoning behind encounters like these, but rest assure that they are more than just simply coincidences. I believe that there is true meaning behind these encounters and hopefully, within our lifetime, we find out what that meaning is. I always see it as a way the universe is communicating with us and it's up to us to listen. Regardless, always be thankful for beautiful encounters with people whether it's for two hours or for two seconds. Embrace each encounter because you never know who you're going to meet and when you're going to meet them again whether in this lifetime or the next. Sometimes you may not even notice things like this happening in your life simply because you're not paying close enough attention as you should. I invite you to try to become more aware of your surroundings and become more engaged in daily encounters with people you may come across. Practice being more attentive and take note of situational awareness. You may be missing out on the wonderful opportunities and amazing people that come about your way. By becoming more aware, you'll begin to notice things more often. You'll be surprised by what a simple "Hello" with a smile can do. If you really think about, 7.36 billion people living in this world does it seem big, but once you start to become more aware you'll begin to notice that this

truly is a small world after all.

Life guard post at Bronte Beach

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Happiness at the Click of 'Submit'

2016-02-01T11:15:00.002-08:00

At the start of 2014, I was a brand ambassador doing marketing promotional gigs in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was towards the end of the month of January when I applied for a trainee flight attendant position for American Airlines. This was the start of happiness for me. Fast forward through the year long hiring process of waiting, waiting, waiting, video interview. Then waiting, waiting, face to face group interview. Then waiting, waiting, waiting... more waiting, waiting, waiting. Then finally, scheduled for training. Yay! The longest hiring process I have ever gone through, but well worth the wait.

15-01--I could barely contain my excitement on

the first day of training. 01/05/2015-Fort Worth, TX.

Onwards to January 05, 2015 when I had my very fist day of training at the headquarters of the American Airlines flight attendant training center in Fort Worth, TX. There I met a group amazing people from all over the US. We were strangers at first and now we are all good friends till this day. I see them as my extended family; my brothers and sisters from another mother and mister. It was a "short" 6.5 weeks of long training days from early mornings to late nights, however, it was the longest 6.5 weeks of our lives of late night studying and practicing drills, after drills, after pickles.

Pickles=An empty diagram of an airplane model on paper in which trainee flight attendants must correctly identify and fill empty boxes of emergency equipment: first aid kits, fire extinguishers, flashlights, etc. for memorization purposes in preparation of exams using plastic sheet covers and dry erase markers.

Even though we all almost lost our minds, we worked hard towards the very end together. We never gave up! We've bonded and became closer as friends after each high five given after every exam. Then became closer as family as the day drew near of when we all would part ways to our designated bases. It was crazy to think how fast 6.5 weeks went by. Now, I'm thinking of how quickly 1 year has passed as we approach our 1 year mark on February 18, 2016. We were warned of how quickly time flies as a flight attendant. Boy, they were right about that! What day is it again?

It's only fitting for me to write about my journey from the day I've submitted my application to now. A San Francisco(SFO) based new hire flight attendant closing in on her 1 year anniversary in less than 3 weeks and I happen to be on my reserve month rotation this February. I wonder where I'm flying to next. Who knows? I'm just glad that I finally held a reserve line that I bid for. It was my 15th choice, but hey! Not bad for being based at one of the most senior bases--but without a doubt the best base--there is after only 9 months at SFO. I'll take what I can get.

I honestly can't complain because I'm lucky to be based at home after only one month based at Dallas/Fort Worth(DFW). Mostly because that whole month I was commuting back and forth between SFO and DFW was definitely not easy. Red eyes to DFW only to work a 3 day trip with a 0700 sign in that morning. Let's just say, I am very thankful to be based at home. But at the time, I had to do what any new hire flight attendant on probation had to do; anything. I'm glad I've passed probation and now approaching my 1 year anniversary.

Reaching my anniversary on the line only means one thing, recurrent training. Every year flight attendants have to re-qualify in order to remain active on the line. Is it weird for me to say that I'm excited for recurrent training? My favorite part about training were the drills. I had so much fun doing drills in training, but I hope and pray that I will never ever have to evacuate an airplane and execute those drills on a true occurrence. But if it ever comes down to it, I am properly trained by the best of the best to make sure every single passenger and myself evacuates safely, quickly, and efficiently.

I must admit that my first year on the line was amazing. I've learned so much, met many great people, and had the opportunity to visit many beautiful destinations. Some places I've never thought of ever visiting, but because of my job and those crazy reserve months, I did. I never thought about visiting Norfolk, Virginia, nor did I think that I ever will. But because I was scheduled on a 3 day trip out of DFW with one layover in Norfolk(ORF), I was blessed to have seen one of the most beautiful east coast sunsets I have ever seen. It was a sunset that I will never forget and I was lucky enough to have witnessed it.

Sunset at Norfolk, Virginia--03/17/2015-I couldn't help but to stop and admire the beautiful sunset palette of watercolors

in the sky of the east coast. One of the most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen.

Bonding at Bondi Beach--01/20/2016--It certainly was a hot day for the coastal walk from Bondi

to Coogee. But nonetheless, a truly beautiful walk with family indeed.

As luck continued to be on my side, scheduling approved several of my requests to move around my duty free periods(DFP), in other words, days off. Thanks to scheduling, I was able to attend important gatherings with friends and family, and the opportunity to visit Tokyo with my best friend and Sydney celebrating my parents 32nd wedding anniversary with ample time to enjoy both international holidays. But I must admit, I wasn't always approved of my scheduling requests and have came across some rather interesting situations while on duty.

These rather interesting situations I have encountered while on duty are stories that you just can't make up! Situations that make you title your head to the side in confusion, squint your eyes, and push your eyebrows together so hard you end up giving yourself a headache. The type of situations that make you want to cover your eyes or mouth in utter shock and disbelief. I've seen and heard the craziest things, you will not believe. But that's a whole other posting on its own. I'll get to those later down the line.

The Great Daibutsu--11/05/2015--Sharing another epic

moment with the bestie in Kamakura, Japan.

Some situations even involve me on the state of fatigue causing me to greet every passenger, "Hi! Welcome Aboard! How are you?" while everyone was deplaning. It took me almost 1/2 of the plane to realize that we've already completed the boarding process 3 hours ago. Another occasion on the verge of exhaustion was when I completely forgot to take my apron off before putting my blazer on as we prepared for landing. As we get to the gate and passengers deplane, I greet them, "Goodbye! Thank you for flying with us! See you Soon!" not realizing that the reason why everyone was so cheerful with a huge smile on their face was because I failed to realize that I still had my apron on about 3/4 into deplaning. On the bright side, at least I was able to give my passengers a good laugh as they leave on a positive note. But rest assured, I do try to catch up on sleep when the opportunity arises. It's hard to adjust when you have early morning sign ins and 12 hour+ days on your feet on top of the different time zones you have to battle.

I've also been blessed with occasional surprises of seeing old friends back from high school come on board my plane as I'm greeting passengers while breaking down ice in the galley and all I hear is, "OMG, Audrey?! Is that you?!" Even seeing flight attendant friends commuting home or back to base is always a great feeling. But the best feeling of all is the exchange of big, warm hugs and smiles. As corny as that sounds, it's still one of my favorite perks of my job. Just being able to make sure they have a pleasant and safe flight matters a lot to me. When frequent fliers who fly the usual routes come on board and recognize who you are and tell you how happy they are to see you as their flight attendant again is always a definite plus. I also can't forget the celebrity encounters I've had on my flights: Chris Rock, Reba McEntire, Alicia Keys, The Big Show, Wilmer Valderrama, Gloria Estefan, just to name a few.

Overall, 2015 was the best year I've ever had filled with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. I've learned a great deal especially about myself. I definitely count on doing the same for 2016. I am excited to see what's in store for me this year and the many destinations that I may end up. The fact that I don't know excites me! This is one of the many reasons why I love my job. The fact that being a flight attendant is an adventure all on its own and the spontaneity of it suits me well. Adventures are what I live for and every day is different. I'd say I found my calling and I'll never let this go. Why let go of something that makes you happy when happiness is all we ever want in life? I've learned that if you're happy, then you are where you need to be. Happiness for me all started from one click of the 'Submit' button.

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Explain Explane

2016-01-24T20:29:00.000-08:00

You're probably thinking in your head, "Does she even realize that she misspelled the word 'explain'?" Well, allow me to 'explain' the reason why I've spelled it as 'explane'. If you have yet to notice, I'm a flight attendant for a major commercial airline. I am closing in on my 1 year mark on the line and I must say that I've fallen in love with my job. I couldn't have asked for anything better and I've been the happiest I have ever been ever since I've started. I feel truly blessed to have such a rewarding career. Of course, some days aren't as easy as others and adequate sleep is much harder to come by, so I take what I can get. I juggle between super early morning sign ins and late night arrivals, and attempt to tackle the rush hour commute on top of that. Coffee in the morning, or even at night, is a must for full functionality and lunch hour for me is that extra 10-15 minutes I have in between each leg(flight) quickly, but graciously power walking to our next gate. I have also yet to conquer jet leg and I honestly don't think I ever will. Everything that I encounter on a day to day basis whether I'm 32,000 feet in the air taking breakfast preferences for my first class passengers or at home trying to figure out what to cook myself for breakfast, is responsible for the meaning behind my blog title. However, It wasn't I who thought of any part of the name at all.

All credit is due towards my best friend, Jayne Rio, who came up with the amazing word play of my blog title, 'Let Me Explane'. It's ironic that the title suddenly popped up in her head while she was actually in a plane, seated and ready to take off for Chicago on business. But that's just it, her genius light bulb of an idea was absolutely perfect and I immediately fell in love with it the moment she told me. The time and location it had occurred to her is a bonus. Right time, right place! Whenever we have the chance to catch up regardless of our busy schedules, and life in general, I always tell her about my trips and explain to her about certain things I've gone through or have encountered in and out of the plane. It's only fitting to 'explane' the contents of my daily life as a flight attendant as oppose to 'explain' them since my new office is yes, you've guessed it, a plane. Get it? Clever wordplay and choice of spelling, if you ask me. It definitely makes perfect sense and she knew, without a doubt, that I would get it and absolutely love it. Kudos to you, Bestie! I guess it's the BFF intuition that best friends possess, eh?

Jayne and Audrey take Tokyo--Taken 11/01/15 Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

The time has finally come and I am glad to announce the official publishing of my new blog. A blog that I've always wanted to do and being a new hire flight attendant is the perfect foundation for it. Here, you will read about my daily life as a flight attendant and everything that comes with it: how my new career affects my life outside of my job, traveling to different destinations whether for business or for pleasure, the people I meet topped with the wonderful conversations I have with them, the amazing food I eat, the beautiful sights I see, and the random thoughts that pop up in my head whether I'm sitting in the jumpseat or flying first class towards my next adventure after my prayers have been heard by the non rev Gods.

However, that's not all I want my blog to be about. I want my blog to be deeper than it's perceived. I want the content of my blog to be meaningful as well. I want it to be more than just a photo of a beautiful golden Hawaiian sunset while sitting on the warm, soft sands of Kaanapali Beach with the island of Molokai and Lanai in the horizon. Or a moonlit walk on a gorgeous spring night along the Eiffel Tower without a single cloud in sight, and every star twinkling upon the midnight sky can be visible as far as the eye can see beyond the Parisian city lights. The fact that I've been blessed with the privilege to travel often doesn't make me anymore superior than one who isn't graced with such privilege. I want to be able to inspire others, especially those who hold that same privilege, to open their eyes and heart beyond taking that selfie while camelback riding as the Pyramids of Giza appears behind your shoulder. Of course, there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking selfies; I take them all the time! So by all means, take all the selfies at your heart's content, but also do something meaningful during your holiday by taking part in giving back to the community or even mother nature.

I highly encourage those to enlighten themselves further by digging deeper in self exploration by making a difference in the world around them. Volunteer to wash and feed the elephants in Thailand instead of riding them. Help an underprivileged family in a provincial area in the Philippines by buying them groceries to last them a week or even giving them the clothes off your back. Your clothes are just materialistic items and can be replaced, anyways. It can even be as simple as making a difference by enriching the lives of family, friends, and loves ones who you haven't seen in years and taking time out of your life just by paying them a lovely visit. Not only does it make you feel good, but it will make them feel good especially since you're providing them the most precious gift that anyone could ever receive, quality time.

(left to right) Kimi, Karl, Mom, Me at Sydney Tower Eye--After

17 long years of absence from the Philippines, I've finally had the

opportunity to visit a long time childhood friend of mine, Karl, who

now resides in Sydney, Australia.

What I'm trying to say is that life is short. You have one chance at this lifetime, you may as well live a fulfilling one and do it right. You may take what I'm saying lightly, or completely disregard it. It's completely all up to you. I am in no shape or form more perfect than anyone else. I just want to live a purposeful life in such a way that I feel is right and suits me best. I invite you to do the same, but approach it in your own way. As long as you expand your horizons, continue to evolve, and see the world and its people for the greater good. Understand that you have a privilege, use that privilege to make a change. Even if don't possess that same privilege as flight attendants do, all that matters is that you do what you can regardless of how big or small of an impact it may be. Your efforts will never go unnoticed.

With that said, I'm very excited to have you all tag along on my adventures and begin this journey with me. Witness my efforts of giving back to the world and doing what I can to make a change. To be able to give back to the community, mother nature, and most importantly make changes within myself as I continue to evolve as a woman of society. I'm excited to share my travel stories, tips and tricks, and experiences in and outside of my job. To be able to put my heart and soul into writing something that means so much to me. This will be the hardest thing I will ever do only because by doing this blog, I am exposing who I am inside and out. It doesn't matter if 100 people read my blog or if 10 people do. What matters to me is if I've inspired someone to follow their heart, be who they truly are inside and out, and to fearlessly travel the world at their heart's content. Most importantly, I hope to inspire others to positively make a change in the world and within themselves for the better. To inspire others just like the many amazing travelers, flight attendants, and the people in my life who have inspired me. No matter who you are or where you're from I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my blog. Thank you, this is for you. It means the world to me. Let Me Explane...

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