MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank You

Thank you for taking a new journey with me.

Thank you for riding the imaginary plane in my brain.

Thank you for seeing my thoughts.

Thank you for peeping through my mind's eye, even for just a moment.

I hope I sparked your own travel memories.

I hope you caught the travel bug.

I hope you have new places to see, or

I hope you have old places to make new memories.

Maybe we disagreed,

Maybe we saw eye-to-eye,

Maybe, just maybe, you saw something for the first time.

Regardless, this season, I want to say

THANK YOU.

- strictlyLeisure, (AK)

TEXAS | USA | USA Series

Texas holds the funniest memory: I got an allergic reaction pretty much as I stepped out of the airport! Every morning I was swollen and I did not know why! I still don't know why! Ladies and Gents, I am allergic to Texas, thank God for Benadryl! 

Regardless, Texas is a great taste of southern hospitality. From it's large portion sizes to its incredible barbecues, I didn't even notice my swollen face! Another state where food is its draw.  This is the state I fell in-love with corn bread. OMG. My mouth is watering just thinking about corn bread.

Don't forget to visit NASA in Houston if you ever head to Texas. Educational and worth adding to the bucket list.

Love always,

sL xxx

SAN DIEGO | USA | USA Series

This quiet navy base is ideal for young families.

I don't really remember much about San Diego except the AMAZING food. Close to the Mexican border, this city has a great variety of Mexican flavours as well as the BEST pancakes I've ever had in my life. I am kicking myself right now because I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the pancake house I went to!!! Nevertheless, there are plenty of food places that are amazing in San Diego.

I want to go back and be there for Comic Con, but we'll see.

Love always,

sL xxx

DISNEY WORLD | Florida, USA | USA Series

Disney will always get a special mention from me.

Does any else remember this add?

Well, if you don't, you need to dust off your Disney VHS tapes and relive the moment because this is how I felt. I honestly wanted to tell Mickey, "I've been waiting my whole life to meet you." Disney World is not just fun, it's nostalgic. I was 25 when I finally made it to the magical land, but it did not stop me from meeting Princesses and going on rides. It's not just a theme park, it's a memory being relived in every moment.

I honestly wanted to quit my job and work at Disney World just because it really is the happiest place in the world.

If your children love Disney, share this memory with them. You're never too old for Disney.

Love always,

sL xxx

LAS VAGAS | USA | USA Series

Apologies for this super late post!

To continue this series, I must share an #unpopular opinion about Sin City.

It may have been our accomodation choices as well as the horrible flight with American Airlines, but all the same, I did not enjoy this city. It's one big theme park that is full of contradictions. Family friendly in the morning, neon cesspool of self gratification in the evening. It was just all too much everywhere.

The only highlight here was seeing Britney Spears live.

Vegas was just not for me. Apologies!

sL xxx

LOS ANGELES | USA | USA Series Finale

Let's end this series at the entry and exit point: Los Angeles, the city of Angels.

Other than New York, this is another city where many try their luck for Fame and Fortune. I'm ending here because this is where my dad said these words when I was buying a plastic Oscar Guild:

You don't need to buy that.

One day, you'll get a real one.

Although my dream of being a director is slowly disappearing from my pot of desires - not because I don't think I can do it, I am simply moving in a different direction - it was the sentiment that got me. My father is teaching's #1 advocate, but when he said that, it made me feel heard and that's all that mattered.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll be holding an Oscar and really thanking my dad and sharing this story with the world. If not, I'm glad I get to share it on this platform. LA may be the entry point to people's many dreams, but it will always be the city that reminds me that I have a voice and I need to use it for the good of all people.

Love always,

sL xxx

THE GRAND CANYON | USA | USA Series

Ever looked at the picture you've taken and thought, "Why does this look familiar?" and then you get home and realise that your calendar has the same image?

Well, this was what looking out at the The Grand Canyon made me feel. Of course, it took my breath away. So much so I broke from my family and decided to go trigger-happy with my new camera just to capture a smidge of what I felt. But try as I may, the grandeur of the canyons are not fully cemented in the pixels that you see above.

I'll be honest enough to say that this isn't the best picture, but that's really the point. The Grand Canyon is a must see because no calendar, no counterfeit image could replace the real thing. I look at this image and think, "Wow, and that's not even all of it!"

It's a rare feeling, being gobsmacked. But the only other time I was so confused about the scenery in front of me was when we had our stop over in Utah. I remember thinking, "Why am I in a calendar right now?"

When a site makes you feel or think that way you just know it's a special spot - a great story starter.

Until next time,

sL xxx 

VENICE & SANTA MONICA | USA | USA Series

Do you ever get that feeling that after a long year all you need is, well, fun?

This is what the last few days in Los Angeles was for me. After doing the tourist-y things: Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, GRAMMY Museum and even catching a Lakers game, I just wanted to chill and not do much. This picture on the Pacific Ocean shoreline just before Santa Monica Pier, a shoreline that stretches from Venice to Santa Monica, just reminds me of how peaceful I felt on our final days in LA.

When I look at this image, I remember a great family day out. We had corndogs, fairy-floss and ice cream - regardless of the fact that it was winter. After almost a full week of being a tourist, I was just glad to get some sun and some fun with my family. Santa Monica Pier made me feel like a kid again. Laughing and screaming, riding rollercoasters and ferris wheels - it was great!

I look back on my time in LA and often think, if I were to go back, I'd just go to Santa Monica again.

Until next time,

sL xxx

BAGUIO CITY | PH | Get To Know sL Part 2

Much like the scene I shared with you last month, this image showcases the mountain range that I grew up seeing as a child. Baguio City is known as the 'Summer Capital'.  It is located north of Manila, the capital of the Philippines and falls in the province of Benguet. The northern part of the Philippines is mostly known for its mountains and hills.

Now to the part where I don't sound like Wikipedia...

This image always reminds me of home. Over the years the lights on this mountain top have grown; in the daylight you can also see how these twinkling lights poorly showcase the tight squeeze of houses that flood this mountain range. I've loved seeing this mountain view fill-up with rooftops, but much like the Harbour Bridge gives me a 'wow' moment, this scenery gives me a more somber feeling.

Although the cost of living is not horrible in the Philippines, like most third world countries with solid tourism, it can be better. There's a part of me, whenever I'm standing on this balcony and looking at this view, that thinks, "What is 'better' here?" that is, what does 'doing better' for the people here look like? And this thought always makes me think about all the reason we immigrated in the first place.

Although I don't live here anymore, I always know that when I go back, a small part of it will always be home. When I was a teenager it was my Lola - my grandmother, now it seems to be the place itself. Regardless of how I dress or the odd accent that taints the Filipino language that comes out of my mouth, I will always look like a Filipino because I am a Filipino. I cannot and do not want to change that fact.

Food for thought.

Until next month,

sL xxx

SYDNEY | AUS | Get To Know sL Part 1

As much as I have always considered Sydney my home, I cannot ignore the fact that I'm an immigrant. This scene that I'm sharing with you is one that always takes my breath away. I first saw the famous and iconic Harbour Bridge when I was eight-years-old. It was the year 2000 - yes, the beginning of the new millennium - and my Uncles who had sponsored my family to come here wanted to show us this incredible architecture.

I can almost remember the first time I saw it, my reaction was, "Whoa!". To this day, I can't go into the city without gasping, even just a little, when I see the Bridge and/or the Opera House. You see, whenever I see it I always become that eight-year-old girl again. A girl who's been welcomed into a brand new world; knowing nothing about this country, yet willing to learn and be part of it.

Sydney is the home that I've known the longest, but it is the home that I came to know later, and now.  Next month I'll show you my first home; the home that helps shape the way I view the world around me.

Until then,

sL xxx

TOKYO | JAP

Japan is the first Asian country that I've been to that isn't the Philippines. This is a big deal because as a family, we generally just stay in the Philippines when we visit. After negotiating with our parents, my siblings and I decided thatt we wanted to add Japan to our family trip back to the Philippines.

Let me tell you, Japan did not fall short.

While we were there we mainly stayed and roamed around Tokyo. As I blog throughout the year, I'll share more places with you. The image above is a taster of what's to come.

All I wanted to share for this month's blog is how polite every single Japanese person was when we visited. Everyone was super nice and super respectful that I didn't want to be rude myself. When my family got sick momentarily on our trip and I had to play nurse, the lady at the chemist near us was so lovely and so accommodating that I felt like I was at home and was cared for even though I was using Google Translate to communicate.

As a whole, Tokyo is your typical city with its hustling and bustling. There buildings are chic and futuristic and their boutiques are to die for. One tip I do have is when you're in Japan you gotta slay your outfit game. Girl, jeans and a t-shirt or even a sensible coat is not enough in a high fashion city. Find a pretty, yet warm, coat for the winter or a more than pretty dress for the summer, 'cause these ladies and gents are oozing with style.

Until next month,

sL xxx

NEW YORK CITY | USA

New York City. They say if you make it there you'll make it anywhere. 

I know Frank Sinatra meant, "If you can be successful there you can be successful anywhere," but I'd like to suggest that if you get the chance to just see New York City, even just for a holiday, you can go anywhere. Little did Sinatra know that his classic ballad would ignite this little lady to sit twenty-two hours on a plane just to "make it" to NYC. Regardless...

New York truly is a concrete jungle. Full of historical buildings with incredible architecture, it's five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island) all tell their own incredible story. I have so many pictures from this city, but I find that its iconic buildings alone are enough to set nostalgia and the imagination alive.

Sinatra was right in sense that New York is a place that encourages dreams. From broadway to television; from Wall Street to fashion; from journalism to novels - it is a city full of opportunities. It's a world where culture is at the tip of your fingers and laughter is right around the corner. It truly is one of the best cities in the world.

Next time I post about New York, I'll share about the theatre. You can't go to New York and not go to the theatre!

Go and visit. You'll love it!

sL xxx

MELBOURNE | AUS

For this birthday post I thought I'd start close to home. 

These images are from a trip my family and I took to Melbourne in 2016. We caught the travel bug after our big USA trip (more about that trip later!) and we were inspired to travel around the country we call home.

The reason why I chose this city as my "blog-birthday post" is because my sister and I were celebrating our birthdays on this trip. We wanted to do something special and so we all agreed to head to Melbourne for the Easter long weekend that year to celebrate our birthdays.

Melbourne has been likened to New York City with its grid-like formation, love for the Arts and fashion-forward feels. In saying that, Melbourne is no NYC, but it has its own perks. "Getting lost" in Melbourne takes you down alleyways like this one or into the jungle of modern architecture that allows you to feel like you're in a futuristic world.

It is no secret that Melbourne has birthed many 'hipster' trends. Being in the city itself begs you to think outside the box. I enjoyed the cafes, rooftop bars and shopping experience here. It was a rich experience that I cannot wait to relive this July.

<3 sL

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It has officially been THREE years since my last post! 

It's a new year and I don't really have the time and space to let you guy know where I have been, but just so you know, I have been to the cinemas A LOT in the past three years. It's not getting to the cinema that I've had issues with, it's the sitting down and outlining my thoughts about each element that I really was not able to do.

Often in life, we're time poor and managing it seems to be a dream or theory that we laugh off when the pile of things "To Do" gets bigger and bigger. What I've had to learn over the last three years is learning to say "no" permanently or temporarily. This blog, was going to be a permanent 'no' and it would just exist for whoever was bored one day. Truthfully, it remained online for the times I was in my element: showing future writers how not to write. But as 2018 drew to a close, I realised that there are other things - other than films - that I did want to talk about, places I've been in and enjoyed.

Hence...

As of 2019, I'll be blogging about, not reviewing, places I've visited and traveled to over the last three years. It's a semi-explanation as well as a therapeutic way for me to appreciate the places I've been blessed to have visited.

I'm looking forward to the change and I look forward for whoever will read what I've got to say and share your own experiences with me.

I'll be starting with some of the images on my instagram page and then we'll see from there. I'll be posting once a month that way I can keep myself accountable and let you guys live your lives in 2019. Thank you for reading!

<3 sL xxx

Next Post: 12th February, 2019 - sL Bday Post!