My 2011 Year-ender: Another Annus Mirabilis

Looking back, all I can remember about 2011 are just great things and this is why I consider 2011 as another Annus Mirabilis (year of wonders). I even believe that this year is even better than last year!

Just like what I do in my every year-ender blog, it’s time for me to enumerate the best things that happened to me this 2011–

• Graduate School
  

  My GROTHE Class

I started attending Graduate school just as the year started. Literally, the first week of the year is also the first week of school. And it has been awesome. I really enjoyed every class that I had & even though I had stressful days and sleepless nights because of our class requirements, I could still say that enjoyed doing them all. I really learned a lot not only what our professors intended to teach us but even things about myself and about life in general. How I love Psychology! LOL And most importantly, I made new friends 0=)

• Birthday in Thailand 

Grand Palace

One of my best birthday celebrations ever– A vacation in Thailand with friends! I will never ever forget that vacation not only because it was my birthday, but because we really had so much fun in BKK! (If you’ve read my BKK blog, then you already know that we had an amazing time in BKK!) And of course, I was with my sister & my closest girlfriends! 0=)

• Family Road trip

Mi Familia

One of the best times with my family! Last year, we had a Bicol Road trip and this year, a Quezon-Laguna Road trip! This time, it was really just the four us who hit the road! We all had such a great time and we discovered great places and great food! 0;p And of course, my dad is the funniest guy we know, so  naturally and as usual, we were laughing the entire time! 0;)

• Bangkong Kahoy Valley

The peak of Mt. Banahaw as my background

One of the best places I’ve ever been to– Bangkong Kahoy Valley in Quezon. We went here during our family road trip. I’m just in love with this place! Again, If you’ve read my BK Valley post, you already know why and how much I love that place! 0;) And I intend to go back this 2012!

• Ilo-ilo Trip/PAP

This year’s PAP Conference was held in Ilo-ilo and this year,  I attended with my Grad school friends!

We had so much fun in Ilo-ilo! We attended the convention in the morning and we partied at night! (And Ilo-ilo is one of the best places to go on a food trip!)

• Boracay Trip

Boracay + Friends = TONS OF FUN. 0;p I don’t think I have to explain why my Boracay trip made to the list, right?

• Davao Trip with my mom

I love Davao!!! 0;) and of course, I love my mom! 0;p

Pearl Farm

• NBA ALL-STARS

ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE!! One of my fangirl dreams came true!!! And again, if you’ve read my blog about this, then you already know how much I love this day!!!!!! Just remembering this day, already cheers me up!

• HGP

I never thought–not even in my wildest dreams–that I would be part of such a group nor that I would be the one to start it. And now, I consider starting HGP as one of my achievements in life. And seeing where it is now just gives me so much pride and joy! 2011 has been such a good year for us and  we’re very sure that 2012, will be even better!  Above all, I have met so many amazing people because of HGP! I just love my HGP family and my Panem World family!

What made this year really amazing is the people around me. I have been very fortunate that this year, I have developed new relationships and sustained the ones I have before. And I am very thankful for all of them. They all made my life brighter this 2011. I have been truly blessed this year.

I always end my year-ender blogs by sharing the things I have learned that year, and for 2011, there’s just one thing that I have learned:

Leading and Living a Positive life. 

And indeed, easier said that done. But I would like to believe that I have done that this year.

(As I’ve said in my last year’s year ender blog) Today My Life Begins is my 2011 theme song and I chose the perfect song because 2011 has been a year filled with new beginnings. And I believe that 2012 will be the year that those beginnings will flourish.

I don’t have a new year resolution nor a list of things I will do in 2012. All I know is that 2012 will also be an Annus Mirabilis for me. The odds will be in my favor again.

PS. I think I now have a new year resolution: I’ll update my travel blog! 0;p

COMING SOON

I haven’t updated my blog for almost 2 months now.. I’ve been sooooo busy! I have like 2 unpublished blogs–one is about my best day ever!– and I have yet to write my ILOILO and BORACAY travel blogs! Then in a couple of weeks I’m traveling to DAVAO!! That means, additional travel blog to write! I owe my readers a lot! Just so you guys know, literally, I don’t even have time to spare for a haircut or for shopping! 0;p

I promise, I’ll publish & write my blogs ASAP! I can’t wait to share my Iloilo and Boracay experiences!

So anyway, COMING SOON:

• My BEST day ever blog
• 88 Resort blog–which is looooong overdue
• Iloilo Travel Blog
• Boracay Travel Blog
• Davao Travel Blog

My NBA Experience: The Time of My Life

There are still overdue travel blogs that I need to post but I have to prioritize this one because this sums up the best time of my life! Or at least– one of the best!

It is a dream of any NBA fan to be able to watch a game LIVE. Most especially the international NBA fans who still need to fly to the States just to watch a game. Luckily, for thousands of Filipino NBA fans, that dream came true. And I am sooooooooooooooo proud to say I am one of those NBA Pinoy fans! July 24, 2011 is a day I will never ever forget until the day I die. Or maybe even in my afterlife if there’s such a thing. 0;)

I have been to different places but I have never thought that the best time of my life would just be right here in Metro Manila; in Araneta Coliseum.

First, let me narrate my journey how I got those most wanted tickets!

July 15,2011– the day of the Press Conference

I was so busy that entire week that I was out of the loop! I learned of the Smart Ultimate Weekend around midnight of July 16! I panicked because people were already complaining of how difficult it was to reserve/buy tickets! Luckily, Patron and Lower Box tickets weren’t released yet and I want Lower Box seats! I’d prefer Patron but Lower Box tickets were more affordable for an unemployed like me! LOL There was no way I would miss this event, I was really really depressed when I missed Kobe’s Manila tour the prior week so I was very determined to get those tickets! Plus, aside from Kobe, Fisher, CP3, Durant and Rose will be there! I also love that McGee, Evans, Williams and Harden were coming! It really was “ALL STARS”!

July 16, 2011

Ticketnet opens at 9am so I woke up around 8am so when the clock strikes 9:00, my fingers were ready to dial 911-5555. BUT apparently, hundreds/thousands of fans were as ready as me! For fours, I kept dialing NON STOP! Literally! The entire time, I was in front of my laptop getting information from Twitter and Facebook users. Around 11am, I decided to go directly to a Ticketnet outlet. We have a wireless landline so the entire time I was still trying to call Ticketnet. At around 12nn, I arrived at the first Ticketnet outlet, SM Center. Unfortunately, their system’s down! So I decided to rush to SM Southmall! We arrived at SM Southmall Ticketnet at around 12:30pm. When I got there, I was happy coz there were only 4 people in the line! HOWEVER, when it was finally my turn to buy a ticket, their system crashed!!!!!!!!! Gosh, it took a ton of self-control for me not to scream! LOL I had no choice but to wait for their system to go back online. By that time, the line got soooo long! But since I was in front of the line, I was more confident than them. Though I was still so nervous because I was scared that there would be no more tickets left. The cashier told us that before their system crashed, there were only Upper B and General Admission tickets left!!!!! So while in line, I just kept dialing Ticketnet’s number! While waiting in line, I saw how desperate people were! (including me!) After two hours of waiting, finally the system got back online! By that time I was feeling really hopeless already. I think I already sent 3 tweets saying how depressed and hopeless I was. BUT all of a sudden, the cashier told us that there were TWO LOWER BOX TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR JULY 24!! It was perfect!!! In less than 3 minutes, we were finally able to buy 2 lower box tickets!!!!! I just couldn’t stop smiling! I have never wanted something so bad except those tickets!

Then the countdown begins…. I was literally counting the days and the hours until Sunday! I was on twitter most of the time waiting and reading tweets from the players! My heart just stops everytime I read tweets about Manila from them!

JULY 24, 2011 GAME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could hardly sleep out of excitement!! By 9am, I was ready to leave for Araneta! I left the house around 9:30am to avoid traffic and get a sparking space. We arrived in Araneta Center around 10:30am and there were already thousands of people there and it was already difficult to look for parking space!

11am– I met Aika at Gateway Mall!

1130am– we had lunch at Terriyaki Boy! But I think I was too excited that I only had California rolls! LOL

12:20pm– We walked to ARANETA COLISEUM!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh, I was just soooooooooooo excited!!! And everytime I see people wearing NBA jerseys, I felt like I wanted to hug them! LOL (I was disappointed that dSLRS were not allowed that I had to settle with a simple digicam..Then I saw some people who brought theirs & they were allowed to use them inside!)

12:30pm– WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT ARANETA COLISEUM!!!! I just can’t describe how excited and happy I was! My smile was just so big and my heart was just beating so fast!

After buying a souvenir shirt and DQ blizzards, we finally went inside the coliseum! Gosh, we arrived just on time! DEREK FISHER WAS WARMING UP!!!!!!!! Then, I realized how great our seats were! Of course we don’t have the best seats coz the VIPs have them, but we really got the next best seats! We had 2nd row LB seats section 207 that we were like on Patron already! BEST OF ALL– we were behind the NBA players’ bench!!! We were like 5 Patron rows behind them! It’s also good that we’re elevated coz it gave us better views of the game! LOL

Anyway, so I just watched Derek Fisher the entire time he was warming up! I didn’t miss a second!!! I have always been a Lakers Fan and I’ve always been Fisher’s fan!!! That time, I just couldn’t believe that Derek Fisher was just few meters away from me!!!!!!!! I just screamed when I saw him! Being in Araneta Coliseum gives me the license to scream!! hahaha After few minutes, Fisher left the court and went back to the locker room (I assume). Then, moments later, Rose, Durant, McGee, Evans, Harden, Williams and CP3 finally appeared in the court to warm up!!! GOSH, I wanted to scream but I was just in awe!!! I just froze!! For about 2 minutes! haha THEN I SCREAMED.

Again, I just watched them warm up without blinking! I just can’t believe that they’re in front of me! I just can’t believe I was there!!

After for about 15min, lights inside the coliseum were turned down and everyone just went crazy coz we all knew what’s coming next: THE GAME WAS STARTING!!!!

Smart Gilas players entered the court and finally, the NBA Players were introduced one by one!! My heart was just beating so fast and my screams were just getting louder and louder with every player introduced!

Then, KOBE BRYANT ENTERED THE COURT AND I WAS A GONER.

DREAM COME TRUE!! You always imagine the day one of your dreams comes true but when it actually happens, it’s never how you imagined it coz sometimes, it’s even better.

NBA All Stars meet Smart Gilas

 

My dream was just to watch an NBA game live or even just to see Kobe in person.  And last Sunday, my dreams came true– I was able to watch an NBA game and see Kobe in person. BUT I got more than I could possible hope for– I also saw other players that I like: Derek Fisher, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and of course Derrick Rose and plus more– James Harden, Javale McGee, Tyreke Evans & Derrick Williams!!!! PLAYING TOGETHER, PLAYING ON THE SAME TEAM!!! The cherry on top is that I even got to be part of HISTORY. Like what the guy in the Ticketnet line told my mom: “This is history. This is the first and most probably the last time they will play together, even more, here in Manila”. He said it perfectly! I’d also like to quote an article from Inquirer sports that pretty much summed up everything:

MANILA — For one memorable weekend, the Philippines will be the center of the basketball universe, if only for the stars that will converge at the Araneta Coliseum starting tonight. Kobe Bryant. Chris Paul. Kevin Durant. Derrick Rose.Even in the NBA, where these basketball gods strut their stuff, the only time these four share the court for a basketball game is during the All-Star game—and even then, not as teammates. Not even Team USA has gathered this four stars as teammates. Bryant and Paul played for the Beijing Olympics “Redeem Team” while Durant and Rose were stalwarts of the gold-winning United States squad in the World Championship. The rest of the NBA cast is equally impressive: Slam dunk runner-up Javale McGee, veteran playmaker and Kobe teammate Derek Fisher, second overall draft pick Derrick Williams, former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans and shooting guard James Harden.

But you know, as an NBA fan, you don’t really realize those things, all you could think of is how amazing it is to be able to watch your idols play and savoring the day your fan dream came true!

I’ve watched countless of NBA games. I can’t even start to begin counting how many times I’ve cheered, screamed, felt nervous watching NBA games on TV. But watching a game live, even if it was just an exhibition game, was entirely different. It’s a whole new level! Words could not just explain it but any one who was there would understand. Imagine, all your life, you just watch them on TV then one day they’re just playing few meters away from you! Plus, the intensity from everyone in the coliseum is just ELECTRIFYING. It’s different when you cheer live, with thousands and thousands of other fans! In that one moment, you find connection with people whom you have never met. You don’t even know their names! One more thing I loved about our seats were that the people in our section were all so funny and nice! I enjoyed laughing, cheering, joking and chatting with them. I don’t know their names but I will always remember them. After all, I shared the best day of my life with them.

One thing that makes me so happy about watching live is the thought that I’m sure they– or at least Kobe & Fisher heard me at least once! HAHAHA No, I’m not being delusional! haha Not that they acknowledged me or anything but only a deaf could not hear me screaming or calling them! And of course, it helps that we were only few meters away from them and I tend to scream while everyone else was quiet. LOL Even if they don’t know who I am or what, I’m more than satisfied with that FACT. (Okay, assumption. LOL)

This is one of my photos with them! haha

Just like being utterly excited that I have a picture with them! Well, that’s being too general but still TRUE! To be more specific, I have a picture with them as my background! 0=D Some fans are luckier than me, but c’mon, not every NBA fan could say that right? 0;p

I’m not one of those people who want to appear on TV or in a photo. As much as possible I avoid them. I mean, I’m not those people that when there’s a live coverage, you’ll see me behind the reporter waving. I’ve seen myself on TV a couple of times before– especially during the times that I still join rallies! And trust me, I didn’t enjoy my 3 second of fame coz I got into trouble with my dad! LOL BUT for this particular TV event, I get sooo happy whenever I see myself even if how small or how blurry I am in the shot. I’m so thankful that our seatmates got very bright banners which made it easier for me to spot myself! Plus, I’m thankful for my Lakers cap! 0=D And again, thanks to our golden seats! 0;p It’s not the “being seen on TV” part that makes me happy, I just love every single “evidence” that says I WAS THERE coz I WAS THERE!

I can go on forever telling everyone how amazing the day was. I’ll just end this blog by saying that I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET THIS DAY. I really had the time of my life!

The ball got stuck!

 

*Note: I wrote this blog months ago but I just found out that instead of publishing it, I just saved it as draft! Stupid moment! 0;p So, I’m just publishing it now!

A very sad NBA fangirl.

Kobe Bryant is going to Manila on July 13. Ever since I heard that news I’ve been obsessing on how I could get tickets to watch him in Araneta Coliseum. My mom & I even called different Nike branches to ask how I could purchase tickets. None gave us definite answers. Literally, I can’t sleep at night coz I just couldn’t stop thinking about those tickets.

Nike Philippines gave out free tickets last Saturday in The Fort– Upper Box B & Gen Admission tickets. DEPRESSINGLY, I wasn’t able to get any tickets at all. Why? Let’s just say the universe conspired AGAINST me. I was & still am just sooo sad. Coz I really really really want to see Kobe!

I am still hoping that Nike would sell tickets! I’m willing to pay! I have a class on July 13 but I’m willing to be absent just to see Kobe!  0=(

Another thing to be sad about is the fact that NBA is in LOCKOUT.  LOCKOUT. To those who don’t know what a lockout is, I can’t even try to describe how BAD it is. It’s like: LOCKOUT = NO NBA.

I am just SAD. I am a very sad NBA fan. 0=(

Roadtrip 2011: Quezon’s own Paradise– Bangkong Kahoy Valley

I’ve been procrastinating to write this particular blog. Not because I don’t want to write it but ONLY BECAUSE I’m afraid that I won’t be able to give justice to Bangkong Kahoy (BK) Valley. I fell in love with this place the moment I stepped foot on it. I’m not a believer of Love at first sight but certainly, I fell in love w/ BK Valley at first sight!

My dad has been trying to persuade us to go camping with him. He even bought camping gears! BUT none of us want to. Most esp my sister & my mom. I’m the most adventurous among the 3 of us (me, mom & sis) and I used to go to immersions & camps every summer. But not my mom & sister. My sister would refuse to go somewhere without an A/C. So we looked for a resort/place that could give us best of both worlds.

Then, my dad found BK Valley Resort in the internet. We saw the pictures in their multiply site, read some blogs and we were convinced! BK Valley it is! THANK GOD WE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!

Let’s continue where we left off in my previous post. So after having lunch in Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Tayabas, we continued driving going to Dolores, Quezon. It took us about 60-90min from Tayabas to Dolores. But it is nearer if you’ll be coming from San Pablo. (Since we had to go to Lucban, we had no choice but take the longer route) In Dolores, we then drove to Brgy. Kinabuhayan.

Resort's hummer

Getting to BK Valley isn’t that easy but I assure you, it’s more than worth it. It’s like finding a pot of gold in the end of the rainbow! Anyway, from Kinabuhayan, you can either trek to BK Valley or you can ask BK Valley to pick you up. Of course, we chose the latter. So we left our car at Brgy. Kinabuhayan and rode the resort’s hummer. Why? Because ordinary vehicles cannot take the terrain going to BK Valley. BUT WE REALLY ENJOYED THE RIDE!! 0=D SO MUCH FUN! My mom was a little scared (she’s scared of everything!) but the 3 of us were having fun! LOL

WELCOME TO PARADISE!

Mt. Cristobal Peak

Few minutes & lots of bumps later, we finally arrived at BK Valley!  Bangkong Kahoy

Valley sits in between Mt. Banahaw & Mt. Cristobal & is at 2,900 ft above sea level! It has the best of both worlds–I mean both mountains! To quote:

“BK Valley sits between the mountains of Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. One gets a magnificent view of the two mountains interacting with the moods of sun, the wind and the rain, constantly changing, always proclaiming the glory of its Maker”

Mt. Banahaw Peak

(Imagine waking up every morning, with these two mountains as your view! Just AMAZING.)

Thanks to its location, while everyone in Manila was complaining about the heat, we had our jackets on the entire time! My sister didn’t look for an A/C even once! 0;p So, my TIP: PREPARE FOR ALL KINDS OF WEATHER!

"MY FIRST VIEW" IN BK VALLEY!

As soon as we arrived, we were just mesmerized by the view! Above all, we could finally breathe FRESH AIR! Something we don’t have here in the metro!

We were also mesmerized by the hospitality of the people in BK Valley! They really took care of us throughout our entire stay! We felt that we’re part of their community! =)

Cottage-- 2 beds (Living area & Loft)

Cottage

We then settled in to our cottage which I just adore! You have 3 options: 1) rent a cottage 2) just pitch a tent & 3) for those who really want luxury which I’ll discuss later. Their cottage can accommodate 4 pax. Each cottage has two matrimonial beds– 1 in the living room & the other one is in the “loft”. My favorite feature of their cottage is that the living area has only one wall! The cottage is just so open that even if you’re not sleeping in a tent, you still feel close with nature.

Cottage's Washing Area & Bathroom door

Each bed is draped with a mosquito net to protect you from insect bites. Also, having no walls gives you a natural ventilation! Certainly no need for an A/C or an electric fan! It gets really cold at night! Don’t worry about privacy in spite of having no walls. And besides, if you’re the paranoid type, you can sleep at the loft. And the best part of having no walls is that the moment you open your eyes, the views of the mountains are the first things you see! It’s really PRICELESS! Speaking of price, the cottage only costs 1,600 for 4 pax. Cheap right? Or if you’re more adventurous or looking for a cheaper accommodation, you can just pitch a tent. 0;)

with Mr. Dion

In spite of being so tired from being on the road since 4am, we started to go around BK Valley right after putting our bags in the cottage. First, because the place is just too irresistible. Second, we want to enjoy the place as much as possible given our limited time. 0=) Mr. Dion Pullan, the owner & an environmentalist is the most gracious host EVER. Plus, I love talking to him esp. about the environment! I love that he also believes in sustainability, community development and planting NATIVE trees. There are just so many people who call themselves environmentalists but they don’t necessarily believe in those principles. Some people limit Environmentalism to Reforestation & Conservation. He shared to us some of his plans and I really hope those projects will be sustained for a very long time or that his plans will be realized. Going back, he toured us around the resort and the four of us just can’t stop taking pictures! I’ll now let the pictures speak for themselves:

The other cottages & the tennis court. Mt. Cristobal in the background

Mt. BANAHAW as my backdrop!!

Camping area! (Much bigger in reality--this is only half of the area)

It’s also amazing that I witnessed the SKY turned to different colors in just one afternoon:

Twilight

BK Valley’s FLORA & FAUNA

JADE VINE-- Endemic to Philippines!

Wild Hydrangeas

Mushroom

BIggest snail I've ever seen!

Raspberries!! YUUUMMY!

Yellow Bug

BK Valley’s Facilities

BK Valley has a sari-sari store for basic needs & wants.

Dedicated to Dr. Gerry Ortega

They also have a COFFEE SHOP run by the youth of Bangkong Kahoy! Their coffee shop is in an area they named “Doc Gerry Ortega Park” dedicated of course to Doc Gerry, an environmentalist who was killed because of his advocacy. I think it is really sweet of them to do this as a memorial to a noble man. 0=)

THEY HAVE A ZIP LINE!

Hanging Bridge going to the Zipline's jump off point

Suiting up!

I didn’t try but my sister did & she really enjoyed it! According to her, the zip line is just long enough & it’s not too fast that you could actually enjoy the scenery. Another good thing is that it only costs Php 50.00-100.00 pesos!

Bird watching deck

BK Valley is just the perfect place for bird watchers! I’ve actually seen blogs by bird watchers talking about their amazing time in BK Valley. I’m not a bird watcher and yet I’ve seen so many species of birds & I can just hear birds chirping all the time! 0=) They even have a bird watching deck!

As I’ve mentioned before, there’s a 3rd option for accommodation. The “luxurious option.” You could opt to rent a house. It is actually a private property but they would sometimes rent it out with the exception of the Masters bedroom. There are three things I love about this house: One is that the entire “front” wall of the house is glass which gives you a great view of  Mt. Banahaw! (Although you could have a great view of the mountains in the cottages as well.)

Second is the JACUZZI! I would really want to try their Jacuzzi. Yeah, you could have a jacuzzi any where but  just imagine being in a jacuzzi 2,900 ft above sea level & Mt. Banahaw as your view/background!! I’m sure it’ll be an amazing experience! I dunno when, but I must try that at least once in my lifetime! 0=D

Third, the bathroom in the masters bedroom. It’s not open to public but gosh I just love to have a bathroom like that. Why? I’ll just show you a picture:

Wouldn't you want to have a bathroom w/ a view like this?

If I were to live in BK Valley, I would prefer that house but for vacation I’d still choose the cottage since I think the experience the cottage brings is different.

Now let’s talk about FOOOOOOOOOD!

The meals in BK Valley are just home-cooked meals. BUT they’re delicious. What makes them good is the fact that everything is ORGANIC. Each vegetable is harvested from BK Valley so you’re assured that their fresh & again, organic. You can never go wrong with fresh & organic ingredients!

BK's Veggie Burger w/ Kamote fries

I love their veggie burger which tastes like a Chicken burger! I actually thought it was a chicken burger until I was told that it’s not! I also loooove ALL the drinks they served us!

Salad with RASPBERRIES!!

Sadly we had to leave BK Valley by 12pm. We would REALLY REALLY want to stay longer esp. my sister & I! But we had to go to Laguna.

I LOVE BK VALLEY. I just love everything about it. It amazes me that there’s such a paradise just few hours away from Manila! Certainly, I will go back to BK Valley. I would want to stay at least once a year just to relax. I would also want to stay here to study maybe for Comps exam or maybe when there’s already a licensure exam for Clinical Psychologists!

I also recommend this place for teambuildings, retreats or YOGA sessions! This is also a great place to MEDITATE! Above all, this is a perfect place to CAMP most especially for Eco-camps!

Most importantly, I LOVE WHAT THIS PLACE STANDS FOR. SAVING MOTHER NATURE.

I could list a thousand more reasons why you should go to BK Valley! But I hope this blog is convincing enough for you to pay this place a visit. I assure you, the trip is worth it. Even if you’re not the adventurous-nature tripping type of person. 0;)

THANK YOU MR. DION PULLAN & THE REST OF THE BK VALLEY FAMILY!

PS: Mr. Dion even gave me a PUMPKIN coz I mentioned that I love pumpkins!!

For those who would like to get to BK Valley via Public Transportation, you could get instructions by clicking here.

For inquiries & reservations: email bkvalley@gmail.com or call/SMS 0929-8198537 or 0918-5093224.

Hopefully, I could post the last part of our roadtrip this week or this coming weekend!