Chilly Day

Hello dear readers! It's good to be back from a very busy summer season in work. Thank God I am finish with my internship and I am now resting and doing few travels or should I say trips within the state. 

When I went outside the house yesterday I saw snow in the mountains already. It's a great news because I can't wait to play in the snow and take more pictures. 

Before my friends depart, I brought them to one of my favourite places in Carson - Virginia City. I love going to Virginia especially during the weekend. I know some people say that the place is haunted and boring but it's not. Really! I don't understand why they think it's boring. There's a lot of antique shops, pubs and scenic view. When I go to Virginia I discover so many things and hear stories from the people. Considering that I am so intrigued and fascinated with history. I crave for it. It's amazing how people get a hold of those stuffs and they tell you where it came and who was the previous owner. Just the thought of it really melts my heart. But due to the weather and the day we came, most shops were closed. But fun did not stop.

My post about Virginia : link

First day of snow in Virginia

Postcard shopping

Where does a girl like Margo actually end up?

“If it doesn’t happen to you, it doesn’t happen at all.”

During my day offs I do nothing but watch films. I just recently finished watching Paper Towns today and I tell you in my honest opinion, I like this better than The Fault in our Stars (TFIOS). I have read and watched TFIOS, the book was okay and the film... I think I wasted one hour and thirty minutes of my life (no offence). Though I wasn't able to read Paper Towns (as TFIOS disappointed me) I like the film because it gave me a positive feeling, it gave me hope that my life though it may seem boring (I guess) I am grateful for my family, where I am right now and my boyfriend. I still dream about my life being cool and exciting like in the films I watch, in the books I read or how I wish I am to be.. someday. 

With the internet, you see bloggers or just even a person you follow in Instagram go to Paris, see her/his paintings/drawings or just know what she/he is up to, is something you wish to happen in your life too. Right? I get that feeling.. at times. I am really envious to see people's paintings and drawings. They can express themselves and get their imaginations sketched on a paper. Isn't that amazing? They have the talent, the skills that other people wish they have. I cannot express myself (well blogging is considered but I am not a very good writer, my English is just basic). I can't get my thoughts straight, I am unsure if I am using the correct terms and I feel like my posts are just.. nothing. But the important thing is, I am happy with blogging. 

So what has this ranting (?) something to do about the film? Well, BIG PART. As neighbours and childhood friends, Quentin and Margo did fun things together but unfortunately they grew apart. Margo likes unlocking mysteries, adventures and she is a risk taker (from what I see) and Quentin is shy and has goals to finish his school, get a job and get married. That's it. He forgot that on the other side of life, while you are young, you need to get out of your comfort zone and try different things because one day you will think about it and will regret not doing it. 

One thing that really struck me was.. the ending. Well not really struck but it touched my heart.

I might spoil the film a little bit but I am not going through details.

One night Margo went to Quentin's house to borrow the car of his mother. This is where they got contact with each other after a long year. To make it short they had an adventure for Quentin it was more than just an adventure it was night to remember before he leave high school.

Margo to Quentin:

“Tonight, darling, we are going to right a lot of wrongs. And we are going to wrong some rights. The first shall be the last; the last shall be the first; the meek shall do some earth-inheriting. But before we can radically reshape the world, we need to shop.”

The next day, when Quentin thought that he was going to have Margo back in his, life he was wrong. Margo did not show up to school ever again. Quentin being totally in love with Margo, he cannot stop thinking about her and one day he found clues on where Margo was. Quentin drove almost a day to Agloe, New York (a 'fake' town created by the cartographers) where he hoped to find Margo and eventually go back home and start of something greater and fall in love. Before he graduates from high school, he wanted something to hold on to, something that he can look back and smile....

But things did not go the way he thought about it, Margo ran away to pull herself together. She did not want to be just the popular and beautiful girl in school she wants more than that. Though Quentin felt shattered, he tried his best to respect Margo's decision and move on with his life, pursue college and eventually have a successful career. The journey he had during the night was something he will hold on to forever and because of Margo he was able to live a life he did not know he can. A lot of firsts and lasts. Quentin might not have end up with his dream girl but he has his best friends. People who will not leave him forever. People he can call on to whenever he needs to.

The truth hurts... but we have to accept the fact that we cannot have everything we wish or dream of. Behind those broken dreams, we still have a life to live. There are still many things to dream and wish for. We just have to look deeper and closer.

My life is not perfect at all. Like normal human being, I wish to live my fantasies but I think it's either I do not have the courage or God may have better plans for me.. the unexpected ones.

Where I am right now, I never dreamed this until I finished my college. I thought I have all things planned out but I had a changed of heart and I need to change career path in order to survive my everyday life (for personal reasons). I just pray to God that whatever challenges I may encounter or problems may come I pray He is there to guide and give me courage.

Now that the end is near with my internship, I have a bittersweet feeling. I am sad to leave my life here, the people I knew, friends I found and this place... I fell in love with the place. I love that I am close with Mother Nature especially the lake is just ten minutes drive. I can always go there bring my book and reflect. But everything has to end in order for another greater chapter to start. 

Love, Berries and Lilies

P.S.

So if you have watched Paper Towns, where do you think girls like Margo end up? I want to hear from you dear. X

Short Summer Trip

Good evening to whoever is reading this post!

I really appreciate the time you spend reading and looking up in my blog. If you are my frequent reader, you'd probably know what I am doing and where I am. My internship in California will end very soon. Of course, all good thing comes to an end. But the friendship I made, memories I created with new found friends, learnings and experience will all be in one place in my heart. I just wish I have more time though.

Working for a hotel can be really overwhelming to the point of having a one week off is all you wish for. You never have the same of as most people have, weekends will never be in your schedule and on holidays you still drag yourself to work and finish very late (or if you are lucky enough to get the days off you want then good for you). So when my chef gave me a weekend off. Mon amour, his sister and I planned to visit Genoa. As far as I know (please correct me if I am wrong), it is the first settlement before it became Nevada. We did not really do something else besides visiting the museum, walking around and taking pictures.

From where mon amour lives it is only a 30 minutes drive. On the way to Genoa there are spectacular views - the ranch, mountains, nice and big houses that I wish to have someday... hehehe. As an intern, I am grateful to have a boyfriend and a family of his that treats me like their own daughter too. During weekend they show me around their area, we eat sushi (I love sushi!!!), watch movies, go to church and shop sometimes. I just feel at home with them which makes me really happy! 

Genoa Courthouse Museum

 Click here for more information 

Love the wallpaper!

I can't remember what machine is this

"Lillian Virgin"
founder of the Genoa Candy Dance 1879-1938

I had a little chat with their receptionist and she said that there was a fire happened during the 80's. The source of the fire was from a stack of hay that burnt. I can't exactly remember if it was on purpose or accident. But the story reminded me of "The Great Fire" that happened in Virginia too (here is a link to that post). My favorite part in this museum is the post office (I'm so curious about how letters are being sent and for how long) and the tea cup collection (unfortunately, I was not able to take a photo of it). 

This coming weekend if I am lucky to get the weekend off. We will go to the Candy Dance Festival. There will be flea markets, dances, music and hopefully candies everywhere too. It's going to be a fun filled weekend! 

I wish we stayed longer but I hope my boss will give me the weekend off. 

Beyond the mountains - paradise awaits

Bucket list no. 7 - Go to Yosemite - CHECKED!

One of the goals during my internship is to visit Yosemite National Park. The first time I watched this spectacular video I promised myself to step foot on this park. 

Yosemite HD II

Here is the link in Vimeo :

https://vimeo.com/87701971 (for a higher quality)

My trip got even better and exciting when I went with mon amour. This is my first time to travel without my parents. It's a whole different experience. Though my sister and mon amour's father went to drive us there. I never thought outside the busy and noisy streets in the city, beyond the mountains there's a grand park existing. I was in awe and it felt like I was in a different planet. To be honest. Really. 

If ever you are going, first thing to do is check the weather and roads especially during winter season (some roads are closed due to deep and heavy snow), plan your itinerary and spend your whole weekend. The park is too big to visit each places. There are shuttles that runs every twenty minutes so you do not have to bring your car as the parking spaces are full during holidays. But it was very convenient for us to bring our cars as we only have one day to roam around. 

We hiked our way up to the falls which took us about almost an hour. Then we ate our lunch in the lodge and drove to Glacier Point which is a two hour and thirty minutes drive from the main lodge. 

Unfortunately, we are not permitted to hike in Half Dome. You need to book and apply for a permit to to hike there. I think the permit costs $50 - $150, not really sure. 

Since I can't spend the entire weekend in Yosemite, I just grabbed the opportunity to take many pictures and videos as I can. 

This trip requires stamina - we made it to the top though. 

Caught in the act 

Half Dome

Until next time Yosemite! I will come back and by that time I'll be attending the stargazing event and see Northern Lights. 

There's a rhythm in rush these days

Hold-Pat Snapshots

It's four days before my 22nd birthday. 

Happy or I-don't-feel-like-celebrating-it feeling? 

But a simple dinner would be great. I don't feel like celebrating it with a lot of people. I just want an intimate celebration with mon amour and his family.

Is this how it feels like to be getting old? You're not getting excited anymore about your birthday. Or am I just completely boring person these days? 

This afternoon, I walked around the neighborhood and wanted to buy a new book. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the book I want to read though I know I just recently bought a book and haven't finished reading it yet. I want a new book. Problems. So after checking two book shops, I went to an antique shop that mon amour told me to check out. From the outside the shop looks like a shabby chic until I went inside. It's filled with old and antique things. Some crafty, crocheted and baking stuffs too. I feel like buying all the stuffs but these two is the only items I can buy as I forgot to bring my wallet (and thank God I didn't buy a book). 

I spoke to the cashier lady and asked where the owner found all these things. She said, some are bought from a garage sale and some are donations. It's interesting how the lady shared the story of each old postcard and photographs. I love talking to people and hearing stories. After the antique shop I went to a gallery and checked out some paintings. It's amazing how all these talented people can express their thoughts through paintings. It's a talent I wish I have. 

Listening to : 

Dead Hearts by Stars

So long winter fairies...

Minden

West Carson Fork River

Winter went by so fast. Each snowflake that falls represent the time I have left. 

I will miss and see you again...

Live each day. Breathe.

"All my life one of my greatest desires has been to travel-to see and touch unknown countries, to swim in unknown seas, to circle the globe, observing new lands, seas, people, and ideas with insatiable appetite, to see everything for the first time and for the last time, casting a slow, prolonged glance, then to close my eyes and feel the riches deposit themselves inside me calmly or stormily according to their pleasure, until time passes them at last through its fine sieve, straining the quintessence out of all the joys and sorrows."

Old Virginia City

A quick visit in Old Virginia City. This is probably the most historical places I've visited in Nevada. It used to be the wealthiest city in Nevada (I think) because of the mining industry. But when "The Great Fire" happened during the 80's its business went down and became a 'ghost town', as what some people say. Though the place is really in the middle of the mountains I like how the place made me feel like I'm in cowboy set movie. 

Mon amour and I visited a small museum just under the St. Mary's in the Mountains Church, the oldest Catholic church in Nevada. Very interesting to see the old remains from The Great Fire. They found old bibles, missing pair of shoe, and few things from the miners.