In case you didn't get my last update, I've been in New Zealand for travel trip, and yes, there was a massive earthquake that shook the South Island of the country, but I am perfectly fine.
I'm currently in Auckland, NZ, which is located in the northern part of the North Island of the country, a few hundred kilometers away from the earthquake site. Luckily, the tremor occurred in a remote part of the South Island where barely anyone lived, so that was a blessing. A few bottles and some glass broke, but other than a few frayed nerves, the Kiwis continue to go about their lives as usual. Most are more concerned with the current Cricket and Rugby games that are happening than anything else.
The only thing I've been worried about is earthquake ordinances for buildings in NZ, which apparently I can't seem to get a straight answer about. People talk about it being a wake up call, but without the building foundations to back that up, they might as well be ready for a Sichuan-Earthquake-like disaster in the near future. I would really hate to see that.
I'll have some pics to post when I get back, and I'm thinking that maybe I should post some shots from the other places I've been lately. You guys want that?
In any case, I will post the pics from my visit to Hobbiton, the film set from Lord of the Rings, since so many people were wondering if I would do any LOTR stuff like that on this trip -- Stay tuned... ;)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Happy 4th Of July, And Another Life Update...
Hello Peeps!
Instead of trying to explain why I've been absent for so long, I'd rather just tell what's been going on.
I've been to San Francisco, Washington D.C. and just recently got back from Shanghai. This has all been in the span of the last 3 months and my jet-lag is killing my soul, but in a good way. I think.
I've also been very sick this past week, forcing me to take antibiotics that made my heart thump like a race horse, and my head pound like a 3-night bender at Mardi Gras. But it looks like I'll live to slack another day.
We celebrated the 4th of July at my house this year, which means tons of food, and good company to share it with. I was hoping to have some leftovers, but it seems my relatives had other ideas and ate up half the cow we bought. So much for prime rib sandwiches.
I even went out and saw some fireworks. I live close to my old university, and it so happens to be on a bluff that overlooks all of Los Angeles. Watching fireworks explode up close, far away, and somewhere in between all at the same time is quite the panorama. It's also a lot of smoke so you gotta take the cool with the not-so-cool. It's also a cheaper light show than having to drive across the city to see such spectacles at the various parks. I'm glad our city still has a fireworks budget.
I took a friend home, and he doesn't quite live in the best part of town. However, there's something you don't see everyday: low-income families splurging on illegal fireworks for their kids so they too can have a show of their own. Sure, it's dangerous, and I hope the kids dashing through sparkler-puddles don't set their hair on fire. But there's something about a father helping his son shoot some sparks into the sky that seems all right with me. It's their right to break a few rules on a day that celebrates independence with a little bit of rebellion.
Fireworks on the freeway, flashes in the sky at 80 mph driving home -- dangerously distractive, but I keep my hands at 10 and 2. That's just how LA does it...
Instead of trying to explain why I've been absent for so long, I'd rather just tell what's been going on.
I've been to San Francisco, Washington D.C. and just recently got back from Shanghai. This has all been in the span of the last 3 months and my jet-lag is killing my soul, but in a good way. I think.
I've also been very sick this past week, forcing me to take antibiotics that made my heart thump like a race horse, and my head pound like a 3-night bender at Mardi Gras. But it looks like I'll live to slack another day.
We celebrated the 4th of July at my house this year, which means tons of food, and good company to share it with. I was hoping to have some leftovers, but it seems my relatives had other ideas and ate up half the cow we bought. So much for prime rib sandwiches.
I even went out and saw some fireworks. I live close to my old university, and it so happens to be on a bluff that overlooks all of Los Angeles. Watching fireworks explode up close, far away, and somewhere in between all at the same time is quite the panorama. It's also a lot of smoke so you gotta take the cool with the not-so-cool. It's also a cheaper light show than having to drive across the city to see such spectacles at the various parks. I'm glad our city still has a fireworks budget.
I took a friend home, and he doesn't quite live in the best part of town. However, there's something you don't see everyday: low-income families splurging on illegal fireworks for their kids so they too can have a show of their own. Sure, it's dangerous, and I hope the kids dashing through sparkler-puddles don't set their hair on fire. But there's something about a father helping his son shoot some sparks into the sky that seems all right with me. It's their right to break a few rules on a day that celebrates independence with a little bit of rebellion.
Fireworks on the freeway, flashes in the sky at 80 mph driving home -- dangerously distractive, but I keep my hands at 10 and 2. That's just how LA does it...
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