10/15/07

iPostcards from Central/Eastern/Western Europe

Under Construction - Coming Soon!
***
We're back!
Had a fabulous time!
It was an eye-opening trip of a lifetime!
Will share ipostcards/travelogue/pictures soon.

CZECH REPUBLIC

POLAND

SLOVAKIA

HUNGARY

AUSTRIA

GERMANY

9/28/07

Out on my vaca-SEAN/SABA-tical OCT07

I will be out of town on my
vaca-SEAN/SABA-tical
in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia,
Hungary, Austria, and Germany
from 29SEP07-15OCT07.
In case of emergency,
please contact my manager/agent/publicist.

9/15/07

LAB: Labradors Against Brutality

Please click HERE or on the title to be directed to the posting.

8/27/07

iPostcards from Oregon/Washington

We're back!
Had a fabulous time!
Please click on the following destinations to be directed to the specific posting:

8/23/07

29 more years to go until full retirement

Turning 38 feels so insignificant,
until I realize that I have
29 more years to go until full retirement.
Yehey!...LOL
I only started feeling happy a few days later
when I had a reunion with some of my buds from high school,
who now live in Seattle,
and their families were sweet enough to give me a party.
Please click HERE to see pics.

8/22/07

Out on my vaca-SEAN/SABA-tical AUG07

I will be out of town on my
vaca-SEAN/SABA-tical
in Portland, OR & Seattle, WA
from 23AUG07-27AUG07.
In case of emergency,
please contact my manager/agent/publicist.

8/11/07

"Love is like a box of eggs"

If "Life is like a box of chocolates." ...
then, for me, "Love is like a box of eggs."
"... you've got to take extra care not to break it."
Here's to a dozen eggs
to represent each year of our 12 years together.
Our friends, Patrick & Michele Calderigi
were wonderful enough to grace us with their company
in our romantic celebration.


8/7/07

Oh what a wicked enchanted big hair week!












It really was not planned,
but somehow the first week of my favorite month
ended up to be one big musical extravaganza.
We went to see the following musicals all in one week:
Wicked, the Musical at the Pantages Theater
,
Jersey Boys at the Ahmanson Theater,
HairSpray, the movie, and
South Pacific at the Hollywood Bowl.

If you are not familiar with these musicals,
I made a medley of a sample of their music:
Warning: This is so gay! LOL


8/6/07

Tennis Legends Match

I come from a "tennis playing" family. My mother was instrumental in having the tennis court built in the village where I was raised. In fact, the last time my mother held a tennis racket was when she fainted on the court while playing. She later on found out from the doctor that she was pregnant with me, her last baby.

My twin cousin, Robin, Bill and I, went to watch an exhibition match between two tennis legends, John McEnroe vs. Jim Courier at the East West Bank Classic presented by Herbalife at the Home Depot Center.
my twin cousin Robin

McEnroe vs. Courier

John McEnroe's serve

Jim Courier's serve




my short video of the match

with the U.S. Open Series kids

Sean at the end of the exhibition match

8/5/07

Manhattan Beach Surf Fest 2007

Manhattan Beach Surf Fest is a 6-person volleyball tournament on the beach. The twist is people usually wear costumes to play and more often than not, the players are inebriated. It's one big massive party. The event also attracts the pros and ex-pros.
the beach before the crowds The Magnum P.I. team
The Grannies vs. Magnum P.I.'s
Grannies win
The water polo team does volleyball too
my cousin, "Where is Waldo Robin?" with the Baywatch babes

video footage

learn to hang glide at Dockweiler State Beach

My B's at Playa del Rey Beach

Besi & Birdie by the Venice Canals

8/4/07

20th Annual Hollywood Bowl Party

20th Annual Hollywood Bowl Party
and
South Pacific with Reba McEntire & Brian Stokes Mitchell

8/1/07

An Inconvenient Tale on the 11th Hour

Being a lover of animals and the great outdoors, I was deeply touched when I saw the documentary film, "Arctic Tale". A few days later, we watched the advanced screening of Leonardo DiCaprio's new feature documentary film, "The 11th Hour". Both films, in my opinion, we very compelling and well made, coming a year after Al Gore's Academy award winning documentary film, "An Inconvenient Truth". Whether you are a believer or a skeptic when it comes to the concept of global warming, I recommend you go see these thought-provoking films, in case you have not seen them. Who knows, it may touch something in you and may make you want to change part of your lifestyle and even go green.





7/23/07

My question for the U.S. Presidential Candidates

This was my entry to the very first CNN/You Tube Debates.



According to Anderson, they had so many entries,
that they, unfortunately, could not include mine
along with the hundreds of others.
Too bad, this could have been my 30 seconds of fame. LOL

7/14/07

Happy Bastille Day!

Please click on the title to be directed to the posting.

7/12/07

Breaking Headline News!

My brother in-law, Lance,
was in a biking accident the day after 4th of July.
See the unofficial CNN footage below:

7/4/07

Happy Independence Day!

This was my first 4th of July celebration as an American.

Below are the fireworks as seen from our rooftop:

6/23/07

A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

Close to midnight on the day after Christmas Day of 2006, we were jolted out of bed hearing the doorbell frantically ringing. I peeped out the window, and saw a dirty gaunt man shivering in the night. I called out to him and he hollered back my name. I rushed downstairs to see who it was. It took me awhile to recognize this homeless-looking man, whose first words were, "Help me, I'm dying...". I was shocked to realize that it was our old friend, Mike Pohjola, who also happens to be the builder of our house. Bill and he had a falling out about five years ago and we had no knowledge of his whereabouts and how to contact him. The last time we saw him, he was starting to have the early signs of Parkinson's disease. Now, here we were opening the gate to allow him to come in. He could not walk straight and stop shaking. The disease obviously was already in its late stages. His appearance matched his current living conditions, since he apparently had recently come back to L.A. and was living out on the streets.
Since he is our friend and being that it was the Yuletide Season, we welcomed him to our home and let him stay with us. We went through the process of buying him new clothes and footwear, treating him to spa treatments, etc., to at least get him cleaned up and to resemble his old self. As the days passed, we grew more exhausted than the day before. It was evident that we were not capable of taking care of him. He needed 24/7 assisted living and professional attention. For the next months we assisted him in his medical/financial affairs and getting him placed in a nursing facility. We try our best to spend most of our free time visiting him. With this experience, I tip my hat off to all doctors, nurses, and care-givers for what they do on a daily basis. I certainly could not take their place. I feel so helpless seeing a friend at this state and not being able to do more. I wish there was a cure. Today, we are at the UCLA hospital, where the doctors will be performing a pallidotomy. I hope it helps in alleviating his pain. I remain hopeful...

6/20/07

Besi - Diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy

Please click on the title to be directed to the posting.

6/15/07

Jury Duty

It has only been seven months since I became a U.S. citizen, and here I am already being summoned to perform one of the civic/civil obligations. I know of several people who have never been called. I looked forward to becoming an American mainly for the blue passport and for the right to vote in 2008, but did not look forward to jury duty. Well, I called in every morning of every day this week to check-in, but, fortunately for Paris Hilton, never got called as a juror. LOL

6/10/07

Happy Gay Pride 2007!

saying hello to my friend, Richie,
who heads one of the Filipino Gay Group contingents

6/9/07

My Bitches Wear Prada

Please click on the title to be directed to the posting.

5/5/07

Happy Cinco de Mayo 2007!

modeling my friend, Ridge's Mexican poncho and hat
"Yo quiero Taco Bell."

4/22/07

iPostcards from New York, NY - Spring 2007

Please click on the title to be directed to the posting.

4/4/07

Project Amazing Extreme Makeover of the Lost Anatomy of America's Next Desperate Houseworker's Office - Home Edition

As the year 2006 was drawing to a close, I was pirated by my former company's main competitor, another travel management company based in New York City, which specializes in high-end corporate travel with accounts in financial, law, technology, pharmaceutical, and fashion industries. Since the company does not have an office in Los Angeles, and I could not relocate to the "Big Apple", I was asked if I would mind telecommuting or working remotely from the comfort of my own home. Would I?!...I have always imagined that I might have to get a job "licking envelopes" in order for me to work from home. I never thought that this opportunity from within my own industry could present itself if ever. Certainly not this soon! With an enticing offer of a better package plus the idea of saving money and minimizing stress & high-maintenance factors, I decided it was well worth it and I took the leap.

I started in mid-January, went to NYC for my orientation and training, received my new work laptop, set up my home office for the next few weeks, and have been loving working from home ever since!

I find I have no need to even peek into my wallet, since I do not need to buy food & drinks. I do sometimes miss having to dress up smartly, but it also helps in keeping money in my pocket when I do not have to spend on clothes, shoes, accessories, grooming products, etc.

Quite obviously, I do not have to drive my hardly used, relatively new car to work, so I also save on gas & mileage, and my car insurance has gone down ... plus no
more stress with dealing with the traffic in "the great big freeway" or driving through shortcuts via bad neighborhoods.


I remain very disciplined...I still shower, shave, and put on a fresh pair of underwear...LOL ... and I do not get tempted to see what Rosie, Oprah, Dr. Phil and/or Ellen are up to during the day...LOL.

I am lucky to have a great boss and a wonderful team. The account I handle is that of a financial investment firm. It is a big and very busy account, thus my day and even shorter 37 1/2 hour work week goes by very fast.

Since I have completely cut off on travel time, I now have more time to spend on other things that really matter...
Bill and the bitches love it too!
***

travel expenses: $0.00
Starbucks coffee: $0.00
lunch: $0.00
working with nothing coming between me and my Calvins: priceless

I can start working without even having to get out of bed.

I can work while I take my bubble bath.

I can work without having to get dressed for work.

I can work from the balcony and watch the boats at the marina & the wildlife in the wetlands...

...and see the snow-capped mountains on a rare clear day.

I can work while I work on my tan lines up on the roof top.

I can be a "Sean of a Beach" while I watch David "Hassel the Hoff".

I would take an ocean view over a big corner office at any given day,

so I can watch the sun set over the Pacific, as I end my day.

... ahhh all in a day's work! ...LOL

... oops! ... how did this get here?! (this is not me, I swear!) ... LOL

4/2/07

Family Properties for Sale

By mere coincidence,
three of my siblings currently have properties for sale.
If interested, please let me know...
I need to increase the pot of my inheritance
from my older siblings...LOL


My brother in-law and older (second) sister are selling a bunch of (approx. 23) family-owned condo units in a 36-storey hotel residence, strategically located at the heart of Annapolis Street in upscale Greenhills in the Philippines. It is called Swire Elan Suites. It is close to every key point in the Metropolis: Ortigas Center, Makati City, Quezon City and Mandaluyong City. Residents have a commanding 360-degree vista of the city, including a glimpse of Manila Bay, Antipolo Hills, Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, Makati Skyline, Ortigas Skyline and the landscapes of Marikina City.
Please click HERE and HERE to be directed to the realtor's website.

***

My only brother is selling their home in New Jersey, USA:
Come and enjoy this meticulously maintained Dutch colonial in the Upper Gregory section of West Orange. Step through the front door and you will be drawn into a large living room with a warm and inviting wood-burning fireplace. Two French doors lead to the cozy sunroom. The formal dining room provides easy access to the country-style eat-in-kitchen. The original chestnut wood trims and hardwood floors throughout exude old world charm. The finished attic (or 4th bedroom) is an oasis from it all! Currently used as a family den with a sitting area. Other features include spacious and bright bedrooms, updated baths, detached 2-car garage with loft storage, additional parking on driveway, a full basement, front porch, 2-year old roof, brand new furnace and water heater. Conveniently located with easy access to NYC train via jitney at corner.
Please click HERE to be directed to the realtor's website.

***

My eldest sister is selling their home in School Lane Hills, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA:
This wonderful spacious 5-bedroom home is situated on large lot with mature trees, professional landscaping and privacy. Two first floor family rooms include custom built in cabinets and bookshelves. The sunroom is equipped with a wet bar and has access to the private patio. The spacious living room has a cozy fireplace and large bay window. The “Quality Custom Kitchen” has been updated with a center island and built in breakfast booth. The formal dining room features corner cupboard and large picture window. The West wing, with separate entrance, includes two bedrooms and full bath and is perfect for in-laws, guests, live in housekeeper/nanny, or exercise room. Great home for formal or informal entertaining.
Please click HERE
to be directed to the realtor's website.