Typhoon Ondoy.

I don't know how many of you have heard about the tragedy that struck my native country of the Philippines but in case you haven't, I'll give you a brief recap. Over the weekend, a tropical storm by the name of Ondoy (internationally known as Ketsana) wreaked havoc on the main island of Luzon causing landslides and severe flooding in the some areas of the capital city of Manila and it's surrounding areas. People lost their lives, their homes, their automobiles and were left hungry and with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. It was a horrid image. Sounds familiar though, right? A bit reminiscent of the damages done by Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans, Lousiana in 2005. Imagine all of that, but on a 3rd world country. Imagine a whole month's worth of rainfall in 6 hours and watching your car float away with the currents, your house and many others disappearing so fast underwater and you have no choice but to find refuge on your rooftop, waiting for someone to rescue you and your family. Like many other Filipino-Americans in the United States, I had to sit back and watch while so many of my countrymen suffered and lost their lives. It was so tough. It was one of the most disturbing images I've seen in my lifetime and just like Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 attacks, they are images I will always remember for as long as I live.

As if that wasn't enough, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has reported that in about 2 days, there is another tropical storm coming in the Philippines' direction. My countrymen are feeling discouraged and so weak but the relief efforts are amazing. Watching the local Philippine news amazes me. So many celebrities and people of power are so hands-on with the relief efforts and doing all they can to help the victims of this natural disaster, whether it be monetary or through food and clothing donations. Although I cannot offer any physical help, every little bit helps. I want to extend a link to all of you who may be reading this entry and challenge you to help. The Philippine National Red Cross, along with many other local organizations (ABS-CBN, The GMA Network, San Miguel Beer, Coca-Cola Philippines, etc.) in the Philippines are doing all they can to offer relief of any kind to the Filipinos who were affected by the typhoon. As I have said before, every little bit helps. As an absentee citizen of the Philippines, the only help I could muster up was monetary and although it wasn't a huge amount, I know that in some way I was able to offer help the best I knew how aside from my continuous prayers for my fellow countrymen. If you would like to make donations please visit the Philippine National Red Cross online and select the Typhoon Ondoy option on the drop-down menu. Trust me, it will be very greatly appreciated.

And, with that I'd like to please ask all of you to pray or continue to pray for the Philippines and all of the lives that were taken and/or destroyed by the typhoon. As a Filipino, I can vouch by saying we are very strong and hopeful people. I believe that with each other's help and prayers, my countrymen will rise above this calamity and become stronger in the near future.

God bless the Philippines and all my countrymen. I am very proud to be a Filipino.

Remembering 9/11.

I'm finding it hard to believe 8 years have passed. I wasn't a direct victim of the 9/11 tragedy but as an American, it affects you in more ways that you can ever imagine. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

September 11, 2001. Friendly High School. Senior Year. I remember walking into my 3rd period International Cuisine class and seeing my classmates and teacher completely engulfed in silence in front of the television. As I took my seat, I look up at the screen and see the most disturbing images I had ever seen in my lifetime. A plane crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The words coming from the TV became mere echoes after that. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, a second plane circles the World Trade Center and crashes itself into the second tower. All I remember was saying "Oh my God!" as I quickly covered my mouth in disbelief and felt my eyes slowly water after. It was insane. Then, the trance was broken by the sound of Mr. Brooks on the PA System -- he was allowing us all to call home to be dismissed from the rest of the school day. Shortly after that, it hit closer to home as news surfaced that the Pentagon was hit. Living in the Washington, DC Area during that time..I almost forgot how fast things had happened. It was crazy. There was traffic at every road & highway -- everyone trying to get home to their families. It was by far the scariest day of my life.

I didn't know anyone who was injured or who passed on that day, but I was very much affected. I remember thinking how it was humanly possible to wake up that morning, knowing you were going to kill yourself & many others by crashing a commercial plane into the Twin Towers. How could someone be so evil? As Americans, would we ever be able to forgive those involved? Would it be possible for us to gather up enough courage to do so?

I look back and the images fill my head all over again. Believe it or not, I have never been more proud to be an American since that day. To pick ourselves back up and move on from that as a people, you can't help but admire that. The Star Spangled Banner has never sounded more beautiful - I get goosebumps every time I hear it. Its crazy. But we live through it. The images and the people will never be forgotten.

To the lives and the families of those who passed & were injured on September 11, 2001, God bless you all. We are behind you & we will always remember.

day one.

First day of blogging, kids! Not too sure what I'm going to end up doing with this thing exactly but I'm channeling the inner writer in me. I used to be big on literature in my younger years, but somewhere along the way with all the social aspects of my life, I just lost track of my love and passion for it. So, consider this my way of returning to my roots.

As a formality, I guess I should go ahead and introduce myself to the blogging community. The name's Christine Ann. A 25-year-old who has been notorious for being quite indecisive in her life journey. Not until recently have I finally discovered my calling. I'm a Fashion Design student hoping to one day take her passion & talent for the industry to the Big Apple -- New York City. Of course until that happens, I'm living the life here in Las Vegas as I have been doing so for the past 6 years. Yes, the quarter-life crisis has hit hard and surprisingly so, I'm doing quite well picking up the pieces.

A bicoastal girl who's lived quite the nomadic life, I've seemed to find solace in this crazy city of Vegas. I've held residency in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, the Washington DC Area, and even my homeland of the Philippines -- not too shabby considering I'm not a military brat, right? As I continue to blog, you'll find that I'm an avid sports & music fan. I've been quite blessed in life, although not financially, I do what I can with the support of my family & close friends who I believe to be the most awesomely amazing people on this earth!

I'm known as the Las Vegas Party Animal, but to tell you the truth..I'm the biggest couch potato in the world. I love watching movies & listening to music. In my spare time, I go bowling with my friends, dancing, & of course shopping LOL I have a serious shoe addiction & I guess my love for fashion has lead me to choose the path I am leading now. I hope to one day have my own urban clothing brand starting with women and hopefully extend to menswear, as well as children & youth. Of course, I must take baby steps but as long as they lead me in the right direction, baby steps it is!

I love my life and the people I have in it. If that doesn't sum me up, I don't know what will. I guess I'll end it here for now. I'll be back tomorrow! Be safe & take care -=)

xoxo, christine ann.