More than a trip
MANILA, Philippines - A line from a famous movie says, “Happiness is only real when shared.” I learned the value and meaning of this statement this past month, after a three-week vacation in the US with my family. It was one of the most memorable trips I have been on, because it taught me how little moments can become big moments when shared.
Our family trip started in San Francisco, where my A-i (eldest sister of my mom) lives with her husband and two children. It was her birthday and the whole family celebrated with a scrumptious dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. We had a lot of fun telling each other stories, comparing our life in Manila with their life in the US. Over plates of pasta and dessert, my relatives and I grew to know each other a little bit more; and my cousins and I, in particular, realized how we are growing up in such different environments. Nonetheless, we still miss each other and remain close, and I hope that through the years our closeness will stay constant.
Next on our itinerary was Lake Tahoe. It was snowing there, so my family and I jumped right into the many different winter sports activities available. We took turns riding snowmobiles, we played in the snow and we ate Cheetos. We roasted marshmallows and hotdogs in the fireplace in our room, and chit-chatted over cups of yummy hot chocolate. We laughed, we teased and we shared stories about ourselves and each other. In the midst of the freezing cold outside, I felt a warmth deep inside –– I loved seeing my family come together and focus on nothing but... our family! Another really fun experience was attending Ski School with my brother and cousins. It was our first time to ski so we fell a lot (in many different, funny positions!), but we helped each other get up each time. At the end of the day, we were tired and our legs were aching but it was a shared experience that none of us would ever forget!
After Lake Tahoe, we went back to San Francisco to do some sightseeing. My cousins took a bus tour around the Golden Gate Bridge, while my parents, brother and I decided to go biking from the Fisherman’s Wharf through the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, but my parents encouraged me and I told myself that I could accomplish this. I was determined to finish the trail no matter what... and so I did! It was tiring but I proved to myself how far determination can bring you, and how important family support is. What made it extra special is that we all rewarded ourselves with two cups of chocolate ice cream afterwards!
After touring the urban beauty of SF, we were off to explore the natural beauty of Yosemite. We saw breathtaking waterfalls, and we took a lot of group pictures. It was also in Yosemite that my cousins and I first tried –– and learned –– how to ice skate! It was an accomplishment, and we will always remember that we learned it together. We also played in the snow, building snowmen together. The younger cousins gathered up snowballs while the older ones put together our masterpiece snowman. All the balling up of snow was not for nothing, as we later enjoyed a snowball fight with the adults! I think what made it really fun was that I could see in that moment that everyone –– children and adults –– were focused only on having fun and nothing else. iPhones, iPads, iPods and other similar sounding gadgets were set aside, the worries of work and daily life were put on hold, and we were all simply being kids... throwing snow balls at each other.
Our final destination was Los Angeles, certainly a beautiful place to visit, and so much fun because of all the theme parks around! We went to Disneyland, Legoland and California Adventure. Although we were a big group, all of my cousins and I insisted on staying together for each ride because we all felt that the rides became more interesting and exciting when we were together. Aside from going to theme parks, we stayed in a beach house in Sta. Monica for almost a week. On some days we cooked together, and on other days we had food delivered. On some days we biked along the beach, and on other days we lounged around the house doing nothing. My brother, cousin, dad and uncle also watched a Lakers game while my mom and I watched an amazing concert. From the big things like games and concerts, to the small things like having pizza take-out for dinner, what made every moment special was the fact that I was sharing it with the people I love. I could not have imagined a better way to end our vacation.
To be honest, I felt a little sad when our family trip ended. We all came back to Manila and went on with our separate lives. However, I now realize that creating memories and growing together as a family continue every day, every week, with or without such trips. Every Sunday, my whole family gets together for lunch at our grandmother’s house. There, we are once again surrounded with food, stories, chit-chats, laughter and playing.
As I mentioned at the start of my article, “happiness is real only when shared.” I know what this means now because of my family –– because of our trip to the US, where every moment, no matter how small, was filled with love and closeness; and, because of our simple lunches here in Manila, which emphasize to me all the more that we do not have to go to far-away places just to be with each other. And that realization makes happiness in my life very, very real.
