Life Begins at 30

A quick trip down memory lane leads me into some of my most favorite trips during last quarter of 2009. Starting off with…. **drumroll** Switzerland.

Paragliding Trip in Grindenwald

I did chicken out…bok bok bok bok!!! but I came back another time but the weather did not cooperate… so we decided to just go up the mountains for some sightseeing before partying all night long.

Mount Pilatus on a Semi-Sunny day

As a birthday treat to myself, I decided to go for a drive to Paris… I dunno for what reasons people go, but I did simply to take pictures.  I used to wonder why people would always take pictures of the Eiffel Tower and find it rather romantic despite its very massive masculine exterior, but when I saw it at night, my jaw literally dropped… as if all my doubts instantly disappeared.  I was just mesmerized by its beauty… it’s like a giant wand that really made my heart skip a beat. I was in awe at its beauty, I was left without words.  So enjoy my short 18 hr stint in Paris… perhaps I will be back again soon.

Eiffel Tower at Night

It is a pity that I didn’t manage to capture so much of the fall colors in my trips but I had a really great time exploring European cities this year.  But I created a whole lot of memories… new friendships formed… and great experiences, unfolding one after another.  What better way to end the year than with a big thank you to the people who made all that possible.  Snaps from the company’s annual dinner – a toast to a great year, even better years ahead… and of course, beautiful people! (don’t forget to click on the photo below to see the full album)

Cheers to beautiful people in black!

As the commotion seems to die down… it is time for the holidays. Spent my holidays reuniting with family and friends in the US. One heck of an experience… truly unforgettable!!!

First Stop: Los Angeles, California

A day in Universal Studios with Ejong

Next Stop: San Diego with Jeof and Mie

Shamu Day in SeaWorld

Next Stop: Everywhere in LA… Hollywood Blvd, Rodeo Drive, Chinatown, City of Angels Church, Disney Concert Hall, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara…

Me and Nathan with Bumblebee!

Oh… a trip to LA won’t be complete with out a quick Vegas weekend!!!

Las Vegas, baby!

Of course, who would miss Hoover Dam…

I so heart Hoover Dam!

Post Christmas,  I flew to the midwest to spend the New Year with the sisters!

Exploring the midwest with the sisters!

Good bye 2009!!! Kickstarting 2010 in Chicago to reunite with my gorgeous friends!!!

The EAI girls conquer the Windy City

And finally the last leg of the trip came… reuniting with Reycia and Donna, Mitch and Ejong in NYC!!!

NYC at Night

What started as an ordinary day for Christmas shopping at the Batavia Stad, turned out to be a very pleasant drive through the Markerwaarddijk (also known as the Houtribdijk), thanks to the intelligent routing system of my beloved Navigon.

The Markerwaarddijk (Photo courtesy of Noordhollands Dagblad)

The Markerwaarddijk is a 30-km stretch dike that separates 2 lakes: The Markermeer on one side, and the IJselmeer on the other side. The dike is part of the Netherlands’ 20th Century program called the Zuiderzee Works, which involves creating dams around the Zuiderzee and reclaiming lands using polders, as a way to improve flood protection as well as for agricultural expansion.

It continues to amaze me how Dutch people could actually conceive of this idea and build a long piece of highway across a massive body of water. Driving through a dike, with grass bordering on one side, and very low railings on the other side is a new experience for me. It was scary at the same time relaxing. What I learned is that it is important to really slow down when you see a huge truck coming on from the other side of the road. Trust me, it is not a funny experience! Especially for one driving a compact, I really felt the whole car shake and move backwards to the direction of the wind! But the whole experience was awesome!  I am completely at a loss for words.

Because we havent had our shopping spree yet, Xing and I agreed to drive through the dike and back, a total of 48 minutes detour, including a pit stop at the middle to take pictures. However, we didnt manage to make good photos as it was too windy and our hands just cant hold the camera for long, we had to come running back to the car to seek refuge against the windchill!

As it turns out, this Saturday wasnt too bad at all. We managed to check off our shopping list, both from Batavia Stad and Amsterdam, then capped the night with some Chinese dinner and drinks with friends at De Botterwag in Den Haag.