So.. I am finalizing the itinerary for my roadtrip next week. With all the different places I have always wanted to visit in the U.S. on the very top of my list is a small town in Texas known as Marfa. Best known as a hidden art haven for artists including the Donald Judd (his foundation is out there), Marfa is also known for their "mysterious lights". Also knowns as "Marfa ghost lights", people have reported since the 1800s that they have seen "glowing basketball sized spheres floating above the ground, or sometimes high in the air." Ranging in various colors including yellow, green, and red, it seems they often appear in pairs or groups... ummm. Bizarre!! Okay, there are many reasons to go to Marfa in my opinion... art, ghost lights, supernatural energy, Prada.. yes, Prada!

(Prada Marfa)

or the lack thereof... has been my downfall in life... well that and some other things, which I rather not divulge in this blog. With that said, I'm giving myself a deadline.. I swear.. this time... it's all or nothing!!!

When did organizing a short trip within the states get this difficult? I think I took less time organizing my travels overseas last year. One thing I know for certain, I'm itching to get out of town.. even if it's to the west coast!

On some side news, I am delighted to include a few of my friend's new blogspots on this site. It's so nice to see friends blog about something.. Not that I don't speak with them often but still, there's just something different about spilling your guts in writing rather than in person. Both equally acceptable and encouraged in my book, of course.

So my mom is thinking of going on a volunteer trip to Guatemala. First off, I am delighted whenever she tells me she is planning on volunteering somewhere other than her kitchen. It's encouraging to see that someone at my mom's tender age of ---- is still out and about and trying to do some good in this world. Maybe there's hope for me when I'm her age! Well, second thought is I always have this urge to jump on a plane and "escort" her to her volunteering locations. This time, she will be flying into Guatemala City. I can do that. I will fly in with her and then make my way alone to Lake Atitlan again. Did I mention I would love to go back to Lake Atitlan? Perhaps, this time going alone will be better for me. I need to be alone for a bit.. Life is too loud these days.

Lake Atitlan

okay, now that my traveling adventures have wind down I suppose I will continue this blogspot as a (gasp) regular blog! I will blog about the randomness that are my thoughts beginning with this one:

So during my uneventful commute to the city this morning, I spotted a hot blond chic on a gigantic billboard right before entering the Lincoln Tunnel. I first thought to myself - 'hey, shouldn't her breasts be bigger?' I mean, it was a Guess ad after all. But whatever - continuing on, I noticed the corset that she was wearing in the ad and I remembered wanting to buy one quite similar for some time now. Maybe I should buy that one I thought, but then I immediately snapped out of my daze - umm NO! it's Guess and I am not a fan of Guess clothing. My thoughts then transported me back to Luxembourg where I noticed that Guess was guess what - HOT - there! ??? ummm.. WHY?? I don't know.. but it is.. they love the Guess purses, which quite frankly in my opinion SUCKS and is just a bad knockoff of knockoff designs. With that said, I then remembered the time when I visited a local Auschon supermarket (think mini-Walmart) in Luxembourg.. There, to my absolute shock I found - friggin Balenciaga dress shirts for 39 euros right next to the toilet paper aisle! Balenciaga and toilet paper??? ummm.. HOW??

So for the rest of my commute through the Lincoln Tunnel I couldn't help but feel moranic by the sheer reminder that man, we're just a flock of clueless sheep herded by the tyrannous rod called Marketing!!! Well, I will be the first to admit that I often fall victim to the deceit of the fashion industry. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a love-hate relationship with fashion. I hate the industry for all the pretentious bullshit that it is.. I mean, don't come off as if your shits the bomb when you know it's friggin going for 39 euros at an overseas supermarket. COME ON PEOPLE!! Of course at the same time, when I see beautiful fabric assembled together to look like a piece of art I feel like selling my kidneys just to have it. Ugh!! The conflict within me.

Anyways, this blog entry is about sheep. As much as I can appreciate fashion art, I cannot tolerate being a sheep. I'm going to friggin take off that Giant City Stardust Balenciaga purse from my checklist dammit - today!!

Startdust - It was nice knowing you!

A city that has eluded me for quite some time.. My numerous failed attempts of making it to this city has baffled me for too long. If I can make it to Durban, South Africa twice then I can friggin make it to Seattle dammit! Besides, it's a nonstop flight! This will be my last attempt for this year. If I don't jump on a plane and make it to Seattle in the next two weeks - I am banning that city FOREVER!!

Okay, not forever ever.

Hearing travel plans of others makes me all nostalgic inside. I know I have done my share over the year but still, I can't help but to want to silently scream out "I'm coming with you!!" One friend is leaving for Macchu Picchu today. Another friend is leaving for an Alaskan cruise next week. Another friend is shortly starting his walk across America adventure next month. My cousin is doing South America right now.. Me?? I'm write this short blog at my new job. sniff.

So it's been almost a year since I started my little Boc on the Road adventures. How time flies I must say. I have come to realize that time is all so relative in my life. While I am in the moment, I am IN the moment. But once passed, it seems already a life time ago. There are times when I worry whether I will remember much at all.

For today, I remember Berlin. I think it has been my most favorite city thus far. If I could, I would make that my new residence.

Ever since I have returned all I have been told is that I don't belong here anymore. It's true, it seems pandora's box has opened. As one close friend put it, "you are back home but you left your heart in Europe." I knew this would happen someday. Perhaps it was the reason why I have been longing to be on the road for so long. Home is no longer home to me. I wonder how long I will continue to walk around like an empty shell. Or does time ultimately fill the void. We shall see.

For now, dear friends I consider home. (Eva is missing - oh, she's behind the camera)