Oh, the possibilities of one single day can do...

Look what the postman delivered today! Just for kicks, I took the exam last week and as of today, I'm officially a certified personal trainer, valid in all states. Oh, the possibilities of one single day can do... :D

Origin of Paper

Egypt has got to be one of the most interesting countries in the world. I traveled from top to bottom in December 2012 and have so many videos and over a thousand pictures to upload. But I’d like to start with the video on how papyrus was made then and how you can still make them now. Happy Viewing! ;D

The art work on the papyrus that I purchased from this place is one of my favorite souvenir from all of trips - Evil Eye! -EllaineAppleR

Be Inspired!

While most people like to bring other people down, my challenge in life is to lift you up even just for a second. If I can inspire you even for just a millisecond to think about a happy thought, I know I've done my part as your friend. -EllaineAppleR

Small Apple at the Big Apple

Small Apple at the Big Apple

Written on: April 25, 2008

Ever seen a movie clip where there’s a driver who is so outrage and won’t stop yelling at another for taking over his lane? And, they just keep going at it, cursing each other off, telling each other to go back where they came from. Well that’s exactly how my three-hour long shuttle ride started off from the gigantic, heavy trafficked JFK Airport on a sunny Friday morning. I felt like an “extra” in a movie where I’m concerned about the situation but is excited to be a part of it since I have no control whatsoever. My shuttle driver definitely had some driving skills. He seemed to have the quickest maneuvers of making left turns, right turns, reverses and immediate brakes during rush hour, thru the narrow crowded busy streets, making sure he stays on a moving lane without breaking any traffic laws. How impressive is that?

This over populated streets of New York City can be of an advantage for those seeking to meet new people. While waiting for the red light to turn green, my shuttle driver rolled down his window, honked twice to catch the attention of the driver next to him, comfortably sitting on a compact car. At first I thought he knew her since he asked her where is she heading off? She quickly answered back, "to work". He asked what time does she get off and if he can obtain her number? Next thing you know, the woman’s screaming area code "781" and the rest of her digits. This guy had game.

Hotels are planted on every other block. I could’ve easily chosen to stay at some four star hotel, save money and be at “the scene” in Midtown. But I refuse. I’d rather be comfortable away from the crowd and be on a real vacation getting the greatest service provided by the Ritz Carlton while enjoying my fabulous harbor view from a city known for its straightforwardness and rudeness. Being in the most powerful city, I couldn’t stay at some mediocre joint. In Manhattan, power is what keeps everyone moving. Staying at the Ritz was definitely worth it.

From ground zero, all of the other buildings seem to reach the clouds. Gazing from the Empire State Building, everything is within reach. Runaway thru Central Park, when you want to get away. From the Statue of Liberty’s point of view, Manhattan looks like a perfect canvas drawing. I can almost feel what the emigrant’s must have felt arriving in Ellis Island, seeing this harbor view filled with all these man made structures.

Like my shuttle driver, you must always be in total defense in order to survive the streets. When you open your mouth you must be ready to engage in a conversation, which may involve some kind of interrogation, argumentation and confrontation.

A pause on Wall Street can cause the people most especially the stock brokers go ballistic. It has no room for small talk. Everything is about making that money, who’s making that money and who took my money.

Stillness seems to be of non-existent in any part of Manhattan. Everyone and everything is moving whether it’s your feet, your butt, your arms, your hands, your mouth or your eyes. You can’t stop the Hudson River from flowing, the taxi cab drivers from recklessly driving, the non-stop changing of images on the billboards every ten seconds! You can’t stop the Earth from moving. Small Apple and the Big Apple are unstoppable!!!

The Art of Cursing by EllaineAppleR

Warning: This contains some muth@effin explicit words

First of all, I know my momma taught me right because I truly don't like using bad words. However, I really find it quite interesting on how it emphasizes what I like to say.

It can be very amusing, most especially when the person using these particular bad words have a huge bright smile on their face.

For example:

"Happy muth@effin birthday, beautiful!" Wow I really felt that greeting.

(By the way, substituting the name with a good adjective is a nice touch!)

It also works on simple sentences like "how the eff are you doing, sunshine?"

(Remember: a nice substitute to his or her name is always a plus!)

It's so universal that you can even add them to foreign languages like in

Spanish:

"Hasta muth@effin la vista, ese!"

Italian:

"Arrivi muth@effin derchi, Tony!"

Or to countries:

bra muth@effin zil

Phili muth@effin pines

Most of all, I like adding it to super long words like

"congratumuth@effinlations"!

My favorite one is "supercalifragilisticmuth@effinexpialadocius!

Isn't this radi muth@effin cal!

Please dont take any muth@effin offense to this.

Bad words are only bad when you call someone a bad word!

Cursing words can be so@effin fun and beautiful when used with good intentions!

Hope y'all have a good muth@effin day! -EllaineAppleR

Written on: May 25, 2010

Hanging Loose

Often times I find asking people, where would they want to live if was given the opportunity to do so. Most likely the answer would be somewhere where they can feel secure. What if I rephrase the question and ask "Where would you want to live if you were a bum?" I'm sure you'll consider the surroundings, the crime rates and other major factors, etc.

So if I become a bum, you can look for me in the Island of Oahu, Hawaii....

"Aloha" is what you'll often here people saying every where you go, whether you are a stranger, tourist, a friend, a relative or a bum, you are welcomed with this such friendly greeting no matter what!

Being a bum in Oahu means you can sleep facing the swaying palm trees along the blue wavy surfing water on one side and roll over the other side to see the tallest highest mountain and hardened lava rocks while still listening to the flow of natural water. Its all about nature and what is surrounding you.

People "hanging loose" are the people who you'll meet whether you are a native Hawaiian or a tourist from Iceland. The energy surrounding you is all about hanging loose- having a good time, enjoying what life has to offer, living in the present, not worrying what could happen in the next hour which is what I find the best ingredient to this mix. People living life now and what's present and not what could be in store in the future or trying to re-live the past. Key word: hanging loose in the present!!! Using your right hand, put your thumb and pinkie out while the other three fingers are close to the palm, is one way to show you want to hang loose - hawaiian style.

It's all about Island food, fresh fish, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables with no other adjectives needed. And by the way, McDo's always provides fresh slices of Dole pineapple when you purchase a meal!

Hawaii is not like Paris where its the most romantic city. Its not New York known as "the Big Apple". It's not like San Francisco where it has landmarks and history left and right. Its not like Asia where everywhere you go there's something to learn from and discover. Its all of these things, Oahu sitting right in the middle of the pacific ocean, where its known as the gathering place for it is romantic, big city filled with landmarks and history, and something new to learn and discover while enjoying it at the present!

I can never be a bum but I will hang loose where ever I maybe at the present and live in the now!

Mahalo, EllaineAppleR!

Written on: February 8, 2008

Surf's Up, Soldier!

Surfs up, Soldier!

By: EllaineAppleR

Written on: Dec 19, 2010

Any given day in Linda Mar beach, it’s a normal sight to see a pact of two or three surfer buddies waiting around on their surf boards for a good wave to rise up above a minimum of eight feet only to get swallowed down by the relentless water from all sides, up and down and around.

It's definitely an even more unforgettable and incredible site to see when you see a band of Filipino, dark-skinned tone, brown-eyed brothers in surfing suits lined up in the freezing cold water, paralleled to each other, lying in there surf boards, all waiting for that perfect wave to come. It's as if they're soldiers in battle, all geared up, ready to fight for what they most believed in.

Each brother paddles the same time as the rest to witness the challenging upcoming unpredictable wave. As they all feel the rising of the wave, the brother on the farthest place normally would enjoy this ride. However, if more than one soldier can ride it, with enough space in between, both brothers or more can ride this wave.

While some may call them “ocean wave huggers", the truth is you normally won't find a band of brothers huddled and tightly bonded together in the water side by side, lined up to catch the right wave only to share it with their fellow soldier. Truly, their only intention is to ride. Nothing more and nothing less!

To share a wave is what brotherhood is all about.

Nirvana a day, Keeps the Doctor away

I'd like to think I'm always striving for more, always trying to better myself, I feel like we can always improve our selves. You can't just stop because you are contented with where you are at. Everything else is moving. Everything is revolving, growing, expanding. Everyday is a new day. Therefore, everything else is a new challenge just because you have achieve nirvana today, doesn't mean you can have it again the next day. You must search for it again. That's why life is the way it is. If you stop searching because you feel that you've achieved nirvana for a day, then why live another day if you feel that you have reached contentment, that you've conquered it all. I'll be the first to admit, that this is the flaw of life. At the same, that is why life is beautiful. You determine if you will have nirvana day today! - EllaineAppleR

Written on: July 22, 2007

SkyDiving High - Bucket List

I want to give it to you raw – as precise as I can recall. I can write this filled with the positive experience but I choose to give you exact details. Beware, it’s long!

The Contemplation
Most of us talk about the things we want to do in our lifetime. Some even make a bucket list. About six months ago, I told myself I want to sky dive one of these days. I didn’t have it written down anywhere but I sure did have it in the back of my mind—somewhere. Six months later, I met up with a friend who is always challenging herself and thought that it would be a great idea to go on an excursion to sky dive for her birthday. Just to give you a background about myself, I was ill for about a month, was in heavy dose of antibiotics and other pain medication. I did get better for a week. Then a week after that, you would not believe that I was on crutches. Basically I wasn’t 100% healthy. Therefore, when I was asked if I wanted to join while I was still on crutches, I said “HELL NO! Not in this condition!” I thought that I was pretty much asking for it, how I just want to keep being sick or at least attracting it. Three days before the trip, I was finally off my crutches. So the night before the excursion, I started to think about it more and more on how much I really wanted to sky dive. After contemplating thru out that night, I decided that I really want to do it. If something were to happen, it will happen. Before falling asleep, I managed to put my alarm on to wake me up. And, just in case, I change my mind I can just press snooze off on my alarm and not go at all. Easy as that, I told myself.

Beginning of the Day
Morning sets in; I had an ongoing trial playing in my head with lawyers telling me why I should be guilty of skydiving and the other lawyer defending how I should stay innocent from this extreme sport. Of course, the thought of me jumping out of the plane just kept playing over and over – like a broken record in my head, which is normal and I find acceptable. It was the thought of landing bad, or something going wrong that just made me frantically worried, especially the fact that three days ago, I had to support myself with crutches just to do the motion of walking. After fighting with myself, I realize I need to compose my mind and body. I need to meditate, give myself some sense and clarity.

Clearing of the Mind
Fear seems to be the only factor that keeps a person from performing a task or facing a challenge. Fear can be of anything you want it to be. Specifically for me, it was fear of the unknown. What is it that I fear about? Aha, it is because I didn’t know anything about skydiving. All I knew about this sport is, you come out from a plane with just a piece of cloth threaded together and a couple of those elastic rubber bands strapped onto your body that’s suppose to take you down safely back to the land. I decided to face fear head on by researching. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, skydiving means the sport of jumping from an airplane at a moderate altitude (as 6000 feet) and executing various body maneuvers before pulling the ripcord of a parachute. I couldn’t stop browsing thru videos and relevant information online. By coming to somewhat of an understanding what I feared from, I was able tackle it. Bravely I told myself, “I’m really going to do this! It’s now or never! I’ll regret not doing it.” So I went with all the courage I had. My friends, on the other hand, were looking for all of the weirdest, craziest, worst sky diving experiences online. Clearly, it’s different for all of us on how we would tackle this extreme sport or any challenges we come across.

The Contract
Rush of adrenaline crawled thru my veins the moment we set foot at the Marina Airport. We were in a gigantic warehouse where the small airplanes were parked on the first half of the lot. While on the other half, there were about twenty excited people either getting ready to sky dive or watching a skydiver get ready. I was delighted to obtain the information with my fellow jumpers from the front desk I immediately started reading the ridiculous ten-page paper that was handed over to me by the receptionist. Usually, I like to read what I’m about to sign, for example, a check where it says Pay To The Order Of. I want to make sure I write the right name or didn’t accidentally put too many zeroes or sign at the wrong line. The first page wasn’t bad at all. It asked to provide my general information such as name, address, all of the information you always write down on any application. However, by the second page, where they had information about sky diving and other blah blah blah’s, et cetera, etc’s, at least for this particular company, at the bottom of the contract, it requested that we copy down word for word this statement: “sky diving is an extreme sport…it could result injury or even death…” My thoughts started running wild again. “That’s really the way to go, to calm a person who is planning on jumping off a plane”, I said to myself sarcastically. Hello? Could they come up with any much weirder contract than this? Then, I realized that there are about eight more pages to go, so I decided not to read any of it and just initial, sign and date wherever they wanted me to do so. “There, it’s done, can I jump now?” I broadcasted. I was one of the first to finish signing the contract. I heard whispers from the others, almost murmuring my same thoughts about the contract. I felt re-assured that my fellow skydivers feel the same way.

The Assurance
How thankful I was, being part of the third batch to fly. It gave me a chance to watch the first two batches of people taking off and landing safely out in the field effortlessly. When my friends who were part of the second batch landed as smooth as if they didn’t just come shooting out from the sky, that moment I was 100% sure, I was ready.

Getting Ready
A shuttle bus took as from the open field to the warehouse lot with the bravest, most fearless first and second batches of skydivers. Moments later, I heard my name being called out. “Ellaine” yelled by this swift, mid-thirties, pony tailed about five and ten inches Caucasian man. “Here!” I responded while raising my hand as if I was in a classroom. As I started walking towards him, I can see his mouth moving up and down, talking about 50 words per minute on what to do when we get up there. I became brain dead. My only recollection out of the five-minute prep talk was he asking me, “Do you have any questions?” I looked down to my body not realizing that I was all geared up to a skydiver suit with black straps entangled with hooks tightly strapped on me. That was quick. And then, I replied to his question, “can you repeat that?” He laughed at me as if I was kidding. He quickly followed the laughed with, “don’t worry, we’ll go over this when we get up in the plane!” I replied, “okay?!” with uncertainty still mesmerized by the fact that I was all prepped-up. I couldn’t help but fiddle around the straps and hooks fastened to my body, questioning if these things would really be able to perform the way it should while going who knows how many miles per hour from the sky. Intrigued by them, I decided to stop fiddling. I could accidentally unstrap myself if I continue.

The Departure
When the propellers started turning from the same plane that took the first two batches, I knew it was time to go. Even though, I was doing it with the people I trust, the world revolved around me, myself and I. I need to focus on myself, my survival and no one else’s. I started walking with my co-sky diver side by side very psyched up, pumped to death, ready to go and do this stunt. The white plane was about less than 20 feet long. As I was climbing the stairs to get on the plane, I found myself ducking my head down. How could this be? I never duck down. The interior of the plane was no more than five feet wide by five feet in length. I looked forward towards the front of the plane where the crisp uniformed pilots were busy prepping up. Then, suddenly I was caught off guard, some-what confused when I finally realized that what we’re going to be sitting-on was this two long paralleled un-cushioned, about twelve-inches wide gray seat, built into the aircraft facing the opposite direction of the plane. The space was definitely limited. We were snugged in together all in the same position literally and probably mentally and emotionally.

Taking Off
On a regular normal airplane, taking off and landing was my biggest worries. On this plane trip, I can eliminate my landing worries since I’m going on a different route. As for the taking off, I was all caught up with my emotions of me flying out from the sky 18,000 feet high that I felt safe taking off than skydiving in the air.

While trying to reach the right altitude, I couldn’t help but stare at my co-sky diver’s big black and white altitude watch were it ended at 11,000 feet in red color like the one found in my car for gas. My eyes widened when I realized that we need to go about 7,000 feet more. What would happen to his watch? Would it crack, I asked myself and realized that this is a more useful tool when you jump out. Suddenly, a man from behind me yelled out “we won’t be able to breath in this altitude now!” I was puzzled. Was he for real?

The Plunge
This intense loud noise of the air blowing caught my attention. Someone had opened the door, a sign we’ve reached 18,000 feet. My heart jumped. “Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed with fear and joy all together to myself. Slowly, people started walking towards the back of the aircraft. One by one, the bodies were sucked out of the aircraft and into open space. It’s my turn, I realized when there’s no one in front of me with the exception of the cameraman and only people behind me. I literally had to talk to myself “you need to start walking towards the door of the plane”. I found myself taking baby steps towards the door. I looked out and was full of confusion but still with a big smile on my face. I surely wouldn’t want the cameraman to capture me in my worse facial expression. How do I do this? I didn’t get to answer myself since my co-sky diver pushed me off the tip of the door into this pure innocent fresh air. The first breath I took, I was suppose to let go but couldn’t. I held on to it. I couldn’t believe I was flying in the sky. For about thirty seconds, it was free falling, doing whatever we want to do. Then I heard the first strap pulled out, I didn’t feel any changes since I knew it wasn’t the actual parachute yet, I still felt like I was floating in the air. Then I realized, someone was yelling at me, but I couldn’t hear anything he was saying. I tried to yell back “I think I’m deaf!” He shouted back “WHAT?” I yelled back again, “I THINK I’M DEAF!” He came closer to my ear and asked me “are you okay?” His tone of voice was so concerning and then I realized I’m not deaf, my earlobes are clogged. After all I can still hear him. I answered back “yeah, I’m fine!” I was trying to process everything as fast as I could. The breezy air was the only element that’s closest to me. I was still about 10,000 feet up in the sky. I could see everything. I was floating. I was flying. I was swimming in the air. I was giving a peace sign, a high five, a knuckle, and a smile to the world and the cameraman. From that very moment, I knew I conquered my own little world.

The Struggle
The parachute came out; my co-sky diver asked me if I wanted to stir. I yelled back “sure” with amazement. I realized after doing a couple of stirring, I should hand it back to him since both of our lives are at risk. I sort of let go of the handle before he had it tightly secured in his hands that freaked us out for a moment. If he didn’t catch it, we’d be in big trouble. Good save! Both of us were still floating in the air. I’m still trying to absorb as much as I could. Inhale all of the fresh air. I felt a tap on my shoulder from my co-sky diver. He yelled, “I’m going to open the parachute and lower you now!” while trying to catch his breath at the same time. He had to detach some of the hooks as a proper and normal procedure, which caused me to fall much lower than him. That sudden drop from the attachment was a little nerve wrecking. In my mind, I was sort of questioning him and hoping that he knows what he was doing, that he doesn’t accidentally unstrap me. Since the parachute was pulling us up, my hooks came up to my neck. I started to struggle. Some thing is wrong here. The hooks were strangling me. I started to panic. I couldn’t say anything. I was still trying to process everything. I started meditating again with my eyes open, thinking, I’m going to be alright. I pulled my head up giving me room to breath but the hooks were still pressing on my throat. I started to get scared. “You’re going to be fine” is what I kept telling myself. I wrapped both of my hands on each side of the hooks so that it’s not pressing as much on my neck. There, I felt better. Looking down, I saw colorful bright parachutes coming down to land. I realized we were the last one to land. We were floating for the longest time, at least five whole minutes but felt like eternity. Besides my struggles, I started to feel sentimental, thankful for everything, the sky, the air, the trees, the plants, and the people. Then, the final part of sky diving, landing safely. He steered the parachute and as we came closer to the people on the ground. I started waving to them with excitement. Mean while, my co-skydiver whispered to me “we need to land on our butt!” I’m an easy person to talk to so I responded “okay?!” The breezy fresh air was gone; I felt the heat of the land. Moments later, we landed on our butt safely in the grass. I was released off the parachute and it was such a relief to be standing on the ground again. I ran over to my fellow humans on earth to share this wonderful experience with them. It was over. I sky dived.

The Altitude
At first I was a little skeptic about jumping from which altitude since the company offered the option of jumping from 10,000, 15,000 or 18,000 feet. We chose the highest altitude that was available. If you’re going to sky dive, mine as well come from as far as you can. If I go again and its less than 18,000 feet, I think it’ll seem like a piece of cake or maybe not.

Natural High
The “natural high” is definitely what you get, particularly from the first few moments when you jump out of the airplane. It was so surreal. And when you’re feeling that “high”, it can be addicting, as if you just can’t get enough. You don’t ever want to stop getting that feeling. After this experience, my friend who invited me have decided to obtain her license as a professional skydiver. More power to her, I say!

Defying the Law of Gravity
The most outrageous part of this whole experience was the fact I chewed on the same piece of bubble gum I had in my mouth from the time I set foot at the airport to landing in my butt on the ground coming from sky diving. I found it incredibly amusing that this gum defied the law of gravity by staying inside my mouth. It was tasteless and hard by the time I came to this realization. As absurd as this may sound, this particular Orbitz mint gum provided some comfort to me like a baby sucking on a pacifier.

The Complaint
I felt exhausted after skydiving. What did I really expect to feel when I came flying from the sky? The straps left red marks on my already tanned skin. My throat was bruised from the hooks. Head and body ache seem to be the favorite complaint from most skydivers. I’d be more worried if after skydiving, there's no side effects. Other than that, I managed to drive two long hours back to San Francisco.

The Result
It’s an accomplishment for myself! I know it is not something I can write in my resume. It’s that feeling that “I did it!” which no one could take away, no matter what. I did it for me. No one influenced me. It was my choice, my decision. I wasn’t pressured at all. I’m grateful that my friends did it with me. I do feel like we’ve developed an inner connection between one another because of this extreme experience. I may not be able to play football, baseball or basketball as I would love to but I sure did skydive. Despite of the struggles from this experience, I would love to sky dive again.

Honestly, it didn’t sink in to my head that I just flew 18,000 feet until I saw the video. Watch it and tell me what you think! http://www.youtube.com/ellaineappler

Actual Sky Dive Date: March 9, 2008
Written on March 11, 2008

The Adventures of EllaineAppleR

Welcome to EllaineAppleR's blogspot!

ESL
English is my second language for I was born in Manila, Philippines and spent the first primary years of my life speaking tagalog. Like my father, he was the youngest in the family and known to be an adventurer. He graduated as an architect and owned different kinds of business' like fish farms, trucking services, etc. while serving the people as a politician. I'd like to think that I got my caring and very loving qualities from my mom who was a registered nurse. Shortly after bringing me into this world, she decided to venture into different business' like import/export of garments and ownership of different kinds of eatery, etc. I have to give credit to both of my parents for providing such great exposure for me and not limiting what I can and can't do.

Jack of all trades (master of none)
Like most asian kids, I was enrolled to learn piano, flute, ballet, gymnastics and sports like volleyball etc. By middle school, I thought it would be perfect that I tryout to be a cheerleader, while learning how to play the guitar with my long acyrlic nails painted in metallic blue that I used as a pick. Trained to rise before the sun shines in the horizon, it has influenced me to keep wandering and wondering, what and where else can I go and do in this lifetime.

Around The World
If you think that having two brothers and a sister is a little crowded, think again. Both of my parents came from a HUGE family. My mom had 12 other brothers & sisters while my dad had 7 other siblings. I don't even know how many cousins or nephews and nieces I have at this time. Everyone seems to be spread out occupying different continents of the World. My goal is to visit a different city or country every year. *crossing my fingers and toes*.
I can't wait to blog about my previous and upcoming trips, a good reason to subscribe to my blog.

East vs West
In the beginning of the 90's era (when I secretly started watching MTV videos), my parents were given an opportunity to try a different lifestyle other than what they have been accustomed to all their life. From having over 10 maids plus chauffeurs at any given time to having no helper, was very hard to fathom and adapt to for my parents. They had a bit of a culture shock as soon as we took our first step at SFO airport. But San Francisco has always been mellow and diverse so we fitted right in. No adjusting period necessary.

The Only Filipina Girl
Two years after living in San Francisco, my parents concluded that having a 9 to 5 shift wasn't for them anymore. But they wanted us to try the life in the East Coast with my father's side of the family. Boy, did I have an exciting life in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As far as I can remember, I was the ONLY filipina girl out of the whole middle school back then. Although I didn't have any problem making friends with everybody especially being a cheerleader and all, it did feel a little strange not being able to relate to my blue-eyed or brown-eyed friends. Though attending bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs was intriguing, I particularly enjoyed the lavish parties thrown after the ceremony. And with my African American friends, we always had a blast at the roller skating rink especially in the winter. Come spring and summer time, Dorney Park was the place to be, to get a tan and have some fun in the sun.

Bizarre Foods
For me, it was always weird to invite my closest friends to one of our gatherings like filipino house parties where endless lumpias (egg rolls) were served with matching pansit noodles (chow mein) among other ethnic food. Of course, a good hostess always offered a bowl of bloody dinuguan aka chocolate meat. Too bad no one ever fell for it or even had the guts to try out the guts. :P

One In A Million
Although I didn't feel discriminated since I'd like to think I was friendly, cute-enough, stylish-enough, easy-to-get-along-with, I felt that my school was still very much separated at that time. Everyone knew everyone but that was as far as it went. Either I attended an all white party, an all black party or an all filipino party. Being the only exotic filipina girl in middle school, I had the most memorable time. I'm truly glad that I got a chance to experience this because it gave me a totally different perspective about life at such an early age.

We all must learn to adapt to change and accept each others differences while holding on to our own culture and keeping our heritage alive within, for diversification is simply inevitable! -EllaineAppleR

Put yourself in my shoes. How do you think you'd feel?