Things I see on the subway

New York City is a peeing puddle of talent. You see it everywhere – when you’re walking on the streets, when you’re waiting for the train, or even when you’re already on the train. The chances of you “getting entertained” by a random, talented and often crazy group of New Yorkers is incredibly high. Some days, they pop out unexpectedly and some days they’re just downright nuisance to the community! But more often than not, I do happen to enjoy the shows they put on. It’s these little things during my commute that drowns out everything else in my head. So thank you MTA for letting these talented hooligans roam freely around the subways of New York City! Somehow there is sanity in the crazy.

These are just short clips I took of the "performers"

and last but not the least, I give you Shakespeare on the train. By far, the most entertaining one I've seen in a long time.

The Window Shopper

Shopping in New York city must be named an official sport; either that or an epidemic. You can try to avoid it for as long as you want but you will have to eventually fall prey to Manhattan's aggressive consumerism sooner or later. Its just a fact. 
Here's my photo line up of the week - a look at the world's most lavish, most elusive, "top-places-to-shop-before-you-die" destinations: FIFTH AVENUE.

GREAT, AWESOME NEWS!!

Disclaimer: Please note that I may sound utterly insane in the following paragraphs.

It's happening. You know that feeling you get when you just realized that everything is laid out for you? That there is no other way than to just "Go with the flow", because frankly, it's the best possible route to take. I feel like my whole year is now carefully planned out, like an outline of an unfinished portrait. what a cliché. I'm a walking cliché. Bear with me please.

I've just received great NEWS (notice that it’s plural) this past week and it’s driving me crazy. I am definitely on a fantasy loop from now until April. I don’t want to give much away so you have to check in every so often, in case I accidentally spill the beans on my next entries. It’s so hard to keep it in – the wait and the thrill is nauseating!  What a way to kick start the year! I have doubts sometimes if this is actually my real life. Maybe I’m a Russian Spy and I don’t know it yet. But then again, I can’t possibly be a Russian Spy or even Russian for that matter - I’m way too Asian to be Russian, if there’s such a thing. Is there such a thing as being too Asian? … And I just lost my train of thought.

Here’s a hint of what’s to come. both photos are fairly easy to decipher. I dare not say another word.

First Love never dies. EVER.

I was going through my recent documents on my laptop and found this unfinished entry from a few Sundays back. I thought you might want to read it.

"Today I've had a good talk with a friend while we were devouring into our humongous serving of The New York burger. We just stepped out of Gramercy theatre for Church service at Hillsong NYC and I was my usual hungry self after NOT EATING for the whole day. As we were deep in our conversation, I mentioned about my first love and how everything in the universe seems to pull me back, without fail, towards it. You see, I fell in love with God since I was 14 years old and then fell in love with music not long after. I grew up in the church surrounded by our close circle of ministers, pastors and fellow Christian believers. But it was not until summer of 2003 that I accepted God as my Lord and my Savior. I also discovered a great love for singing, a strong desire like no other. At that point in my life, at the very tender age of 14 I was incredibly certain - I just knew that singing will always be a part of me no matter what. The church has always been my voice coach and often my exuberant cluster of cheerleaders. It’s amazing how completely unworthy I feel when I talk about my faith. It’s a great humbling experience when a huge number of sinners come together and celebrate the Grace of God; it’s a gathering of acceptance and joy. Unspeakable joy as the song goes. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love being in love with my first Love.... everything else is just secondary."

Stars come in all shapes and sizes

In case you didn’t notice, my blog is donning a new and improved banner courtesy of my insanely talented friend, MARK RUIZ or who I fondly call Markee. I’ve been redoing my blog banner since late last year and never really felt completely satisfied with it, thus the inconsistency. It finally made sense to me that I needed to consult a multimedia pro. I’ve come to a revelation that my novice skills in Microsoft paint are clearly outdated and nearing obsolescence. Thank God for friends who are more creative and more capable in things you just cannot do by yourself. So as a form of gratitude, I am offering this amazing entry in honor of all of the talented people in my close circle who are nothing less than remarkable in their own right. If you happen to need their services, i.e. you would like to hire them/ask for advice/ congratulate them/say hi/hook up/marry them, you can always go through me – for a small fee of course. HAHAHA. I kid. I kid.

(In no particular order)

Agnes Encarnado

Claim to fame: Adobe Photoshop Junkie

Note: this is one of my most favorite art works of hers. This is JJ, her 11 year-old son, A.K.A my unofficial God son.

Rose Marie Campos

Claim to Fame: Translator Enthusiast

Note: She is currently studying Linguistics in Thailand and seeks to be a proficient Tribal language speaker in the near future. That deserves some serious recognition. I can't even speak my own tribal tongue anymore! more power to the flower!! (Rose Marie, get it?) LOL.

JoJo Garbilao

Claim to Fame: He is the ultimate guitar Hero. In fact, Hero is just the understatement.

Note: This is one of his amazing pieces. I just love listening to him play! He puts John Mayer to shame! please follow this link and subscribe to him, spread the word!

Joey Mangadlao

Claim to Fame: One of The Philippines's greatest young minds, as hailed by a number of news anchors in Manila.

Note: He is 23 and currently doing his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Houston. He has already gained incredible recognition in the sciences and has been across many continents at a very young age. Wow Joey, I'm doing you a large amount of lip service here. JK. HAHA. click on this link to see more.

Joeboy Gelera

Claim to Fame: One of those dying breed of spontaneous Artists

Note: He is the most multifaceted painter/illustrator/designer that I know. He can whip up any and all types of artwork/art craft that you can think of! he also happens to be a lawyer and an amazing cook! Sorry naman, ikaw na ang multi-talented! HAHA! (sorry, but I cant translate that to proper English)

Jason Dy

Claim to Fame: Ridiculous Voice.

Note: showing some unsolicited appreciation for a home grown talent! You have to hear him sing, He is incredible!! follow his link and spread the love!!

Mark Ruiz

Claim to Fame:  Multimedia expert, and my blog designer

Note: Markee has designed and produced many projects that require MAD multimedia skills. from web design, movie effects to any type of media editing! Phenomenal work!! And he's an all around Music man on top of that!! Thank you Markee! Ang galing mo!

"Yeah, we all shine on like the moon, the stars, and the sun"

- John Lennon

New Year’s Eve in New York City!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my awesome readers!! It’s been a crazy few weeks leading to new years and it’s almost unreal to me that it is certainly, without a shadow of a doubt - the first week of 2012!!! I always get a bit worried when a new year commences because regardless of whether I like it or not, I get into this weird, nostalgic mood. Everyone happens to share my sentiment when I say “I get a little emotional on New Year’s Eve”. It’s like a mystified illness of some sort, an outbreak of people engrossed in thinking and overthinking about the past year and the year to come. People often display and/or hide their emotions over consuming a plethora of alcoholic substances which they will soon regret the next morning. They dance and jump around the Times Square area with their bottle of vodka cleverly hidden via brown bag; They put on their ridiculous New Year outfits and sashay on the crowded streets, loud and drunk – oh the merry making! We’ve all been there. To all who have lost, fought, cried,  failed, loved, believed and conquered in 2011, YOU have every right to be cracked up and pathetic on New Year’s! So cheers! And let 2012 be THE YEAR!

These are just glimpses of my first new year away from home. Photos from Julia’s party and a few photos I took of Times Square with the new 2012 ball! ‘till next year!

 

Another year to celebrate God's faithfulness!! And here's to one more year, New York!!