trying to get back

IMG_4491.JPG, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

It's been almost 5 months since I left the beautiful Islands of the Philippines. It was my first visit since I was born there some 35+ years ago and it was definitely a sort of homecoming. I remember the feeling of coming home when the plane touched down and the empty feeling I had in my heart as my plane left the earth to come back.

I said to myself that I will be back. When I was floating alone in the Twin Lagoon in Palawan, I looked up at the limestone cliffs and was really at peace. I felt really close to God as I asked him "what do I do now?" And a few minutes later my answer came to me, surprisingly. It was a beautiful sign and my life will never be the same again.

Since then I have been longing to go back. I truly loved being there. I definitely left my heart there and it will probably stay there forever. So now, I must go back... go back.... to a place I love. Going back to my love.

My Philippines

MINI summer roaming

MVI_1114, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

I hope to be doing some "MINI" road trips this summer in this thing. Cruising to nearby towns in this ragtop to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the monotony of the suburbs. This is my vehicle to get away. Just me, my dog, Q and some cameras. This is the summer to roam.

RIDE : : : Galena

On August 26th, I rode out to Galena/ Jo Daviess County with Mark, Geo and Eric. Even though the day started out rainy, it eventually turned into a beautiful day to ride. We rode through the twisties of western Illinois and around the Galena area along the Mississippi River Valley... rode through quaint little downtown Galena... and had lunch at a Mom and Pop style restaurant. Northwestern Illinois is beautiful and unlike the rest of the midwest's cornfield-flat terrain. There are actually hills and cliffs there! And the ride on 52 on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River is absolutely breathtaking. It was my first long ride and even though I was a bit achey after the 375 mile ride... I'm already itching to do it again... and even farther next time. For those who ride, you know what I'm talking about... and for those who don't... all I have are some words I ripped off of my buddy's Friendster page - "Four wheels move the body... 2 wheels move the soul". Check out the video here from the ride. I'm the slow one who's always in the way of the camera bike. It was hard keeping up with an R1, R6 and Ninja ZX7 but the SV 650 handled the twisties just fine. It's so fun to ride. Special thanks to Mark for the great footage and to Geo and Eric for the great company. Looking forward to another one soon before the season is over.

Vegas!

Nonie and I went to Vegas for the first time for Nonie's friend's wedding this past weekend (4/9-4/10). It's an incredible place where money, alcohol, tobacco and anything deemed "crazy" flows so freely. It's like a cyclone of madness that runs 24/7... a place where anyone can be anything they want to be... a place where you can say WTF and be crazy and nobody will even notice... a place that drains you of your money and energy and leaves you wanting more. We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of things during our short 2 day stay but i think 2 or 3 days is enough there. Until next time....
See my Tourist Photos here