used to be called the empty state building during the great depression, they hired people to go up and down the elevators to switch the lights just so it would look like it’s occupied – that’s one trivia i learned from the tour guide, don’t know if it’s true. this historic place was under construction when went in to take a few snapshots of the city from above. it was also unlike the john hancock, or cn tower, or even the space needle where the elevator person at least says something about the place – here we were just whisked into an elevator and went from one metal detector to the next. from the 80th floor, we went up to the observatory by stairs, just for the heck of it, twas 6 flights up and no turning back.

last night we witnessed how big a deal christmas is in nyc, carollers everywhere, buildings all lit up, shop windows filled with holiday decoration – the cynic would say it’s commercialism, but i think it makes the city more alive and vibrant, helps to distract yourself from the monotony of daily existence. i love to be in this place, bc looks so dull and gray now in comparison.

walked towards ground zero and saw the vast emptiness that used to be something. they’re rebuilding it into a central transportation hub. amazing grace played in the background as i read their sign – think back, move forward, afterwhich we proceeded to st. patrick’s cathedral.

as we packed our bags and head to jfk to catch our plane, i already have a list of what to do on my next visit: – meet up with friends, helicopter tour, walk along central park.

got on the hop on hop off tour of nyc, much like the chicago tour i took. walked along 5th avenue to times square, shopped till i burned a hole in my pocket. the day was too cold for sight seeing, and the tickets got sold out at the battery park. tomorrow we’ll visit the empire state and lady liberty, and of course, do more shopping. i’ll be back in the summer and check out central park and see niagara falls from this side of the world.

i have a penchant for bridges, took some nice still shots of the brooklyn bridge from the south seaport, can’t wait to see the golden gate and add it to my photo collection. my fave is mandaue – mactan for sentimental reasons, and akashi kaikyo, the longest suspension bridge, located in kobe.

toured washington dc – smithsonian institute, museum of air and space, potomac river, lincoln memorial, capitol, reagan airport, and the white house. had lunch at chinatown and caught the amtrak train to newark. checked in at the hilton and called it a day, tomorrow – new york city.

“i wanna be a part of it..”

arrived at bwi at around 9am, good thing the connecting flight waited for the rest of us who got stranded. the passengers were giving us mean looks when we finally boarded, especially since the flight crew announced that “finally the passengers we are waiting for has arrived” hehe, makes me wonder what happened to the ground personnel that comitted the mistake.

mavic’s relatives were waiting for us at the terminal, we drove straight to their place and had brunch. slept for most part of the day, recharging my batteries, we’re scheduled to do shopping tomorrow at dawn – my first black friday shopping. hmmm what to buy?

seatac: flight to detroit got moved out. we were at the middle of the runway when they asked the pilot to go back to the gates. apparently the ground crew loaded the wrong luggage to the cargo bay; we had to go back so they could sort it out. it took a good one hour until everything was fine. we also had to do another refueling since we lost gas while waiting for take off at the runway.

this is the first time my flight retreated from take off; how very opportune when the connecting flight – detroit to baltimore – is just an hour and a half away. it’s God’s way of saying: sit back, relax, not everything is in your control. sometimes you just have to let go and let God, everyhing will be alright.

sunday is for shopping. we went to the fashion show mall and visited our favorite tech destination – apple store. of course, can’t go there without buying gadgets or acessories, it’s a miracle though that i didn’t end up buying anything. still sticking to my last tech item purchase of the year. vin brought a macbook, i’m dying of envy.

went to ceasar’s palace and had another photo op beside the replicas of european statues. had lunch at cheesecake factory – their beef ribs serving is huge, and godiva cheesecake is to die for. strolled by the forum shops where ferragamo is just beside coach and fendi – a shopaholic’s heaven, mavic momentarily forgot her woes when she saw the designer labels lined up before her =)

by 3pm, we were on the way back to the airport, another weekend over and done with. time flies so fast, 2 days is not enough for this place. on the plane, we entertained ourselves by playing pai gao, still can’t get enough of that game, it’s so addictive.

i wish my wish on the falling star would come true, but then i saw how hopeless it all seems now, so i just closed my eyes and blinked back a teardrop. i know i could have asked, but i can’t handle the truth, so the moment just passed in silence. don’t know which is worse – leaving 24C of soulless nevada sun or coming home to 5C of heartless vancouver clouds – maybe both, compounded with the feeling of being left behind. wish i could go home soon. i need a hug.