Working @ JPL

So a little update since my last few posts, I've come back to reality. Punta Mita was absolutely an amazing vacation, one that will be up there as some of the best memories I've ever had. Coming Back to La Canada our first stop on the way home was to none other than In-n-Out chomping down on a double double, fries, and  a cup of Dr. Pepper.

 Anyway Monday was the my first day @ JPL, to be honest I still have no idea how well I will do in my summer internship. I'm working under the optics lab @ JPL and am currently working on some imaging hardware and technology where I'm supposed to be checking the testing data for inconsistencies.


I'm working the 9/80 schedule at JPL therefore my day starts around 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, can I just say I suddenly have a greater appreciation for anyone who holds a 9 to 5 job. Working is TIRING. Who knew.


Anyway thats all for this post. Its the memorial day weekend I get five days off!.... here we go rage time.

'Til another time

-Johnny Wu

Day 5: Snorkelroo and Such

By far Saturday was the most amazing day here yet. The plan for the day was go snorkeling and then come back and have a relaxing day before our final dinner here.

As a preface, I was absolutely fearful of snorkeling ever since I went back in 4th grade when I went to Hawaii and had to snorkel in TWO FEET of water. Go figure. Regardless we headed out from Punta Mita on a small boat and headed to the Murrieta Islands for some of the most amazing views of sea life I have ever seen. We went snorkeling with our really chill guide Gustavo who encouraged us to dive deep down, really learn about the animals on the island. We learned about the Blue Boobed and Footed Bird (with understandably blue feet) and the Dragon Bird that can stay in the air for over two weeks if needed.

Regardless I wasn't able to capture any photos of this experience on my non waterproof camera. But to say the least snorkeling on these islands was on par if not better than snorkeling in Hawaii. It was pristene and amazing.

After coming back in the afternoon once again in another hazy of sleepiness, I vividly remember quietly sobbing while watching US play Ghana and lose in extra time. I wept myself to bed and woke up a few hours before dinner.

Dinner was fantastic. Sashimi. Pickled Fish. White Wine. Potato Wedges. Grilled Red Snapper Fish. Grilled Vegetables. And a slideshow top it off.  Under the influence of delicious wine we reminisced about classic Disney channel shows and movies.

After dinner the group collectively had a division of what they wanted to do with their last night. The girls were in for a quiet night. and the guys.... well guys night, involving lucha libre masks, tight boxers, and beer pong with forties. One of the highlights of the week. Also did you know that in Mexico E tv allows full frontal nudity

Til another day

-Johnny

Day 4: Tanning Lines and Chocolate Tasting

Realizing that your vacation is almost halfway is a sobering fact. You want the time lost, time passed, and the times gone.

I'm going to freestyle a poem while slowly slipping into a lulling daze drinking wine:

A Lifetime

Where the lazy river flows only some know

Where the natives go no one can know

Where the tourists tour everyone knows

Its those hidden gems in the world that we cherish

Its those secret places that capture our imaginations

Its those childhood memories that we relish

Its those secret moments that demand our adorations

Family, friends, strangers, and soul mates

Are the ones that make our hearts sing

Are the ones that make our hearts sting

Are the ones that define you 

Growing up you want to be an astronaut
Growing up the skies the limit
Sobering up its about having a steady job
Sobering up its about realizing your limits

High school is that social incubator for real life
College and beyond life gets too real
Time to get real
Time to get ready for it all

A lifetime is a summation of memories
A lifetime is about the relationships built
A lifetime is about the meaningful things done
A lifetime is a fleeting chance, yet such a beautiful chance to LIVE

Back to my post about the day 4.

I managed to drag my lazy body up around 9 to head out to explore and run along the local running paths. It was a gorgeous run, but the suffocating heat and oppression of the humidity sent me scrabbling back to the gym to finish working out in a fully air conditioned paradise.

After a good morning involving working out (which always puts me in a good mood) and finally everyone managed to wake up we headed down to the infinity pool for smoothies, mojitos, and margaritas. I swear that Mexico has made me way too tan, Jonathan calls me black and to be honest I've gotten my first tan line in ages

The lazy river here is one of the hidden gems within the four seasons. It wraps around a private building complex, where the river is indeed lazy and the float tubes make it even easier. However my favorite part of the day had to be chocolate tasting. Who knew there was so much history and mystique behind chocolate.

The night was pretty fun with a good family meal and flip cup and some mixed drinks to end the night.

'Til Tomorrow,

-Johnny

Day 3: Lazy Days Ensue

Day Three of Punta Mita was that kind of day, midway trough a dream vacation where all the partying, sun, and fun hits you. You're out for the day, everything's hazy and the day goes by in a blur. Somehow the morning has seemingly passed me by and punished me for my lazyness.

I am able to drag my weary body down to the pool side that overlooks the ocean. Paige seems to be on the same sleep cycle as me. We both manage to make it through lunch and pass out individually in the villa for the rest of the afternoon as the rest of the group miraculously makes it out to the beach again for some rays and hopefully darker skin.

It's 7 o clock here, dinners in 20 min and I STILL haven't been able to do anything productive at all. We ended up heading into Punta Mita ate at a seaside restaurant, Tino's Restaurant, amazing for its beachside dining and deliciously fresh garlic broiled lobster. Watching the sunset once again set over this beautiful cove is something I would happily give a limb or my firstborn child to watch this sunset everyday.

I got some "mexican novelty" things for my mom's birthday. I'll post some pictures of the jade bracelet soon. I also got a "Xavier" (ha-vi-eer) bracelet to commemorate that "firstborn child" I'm planning to give up to watch these sunsets.

We got back to our villa around 9:30 PM clearly way too lethargic and unenergized to have a crazy night or to party the night away. We popped in Zoolander, a classic going back to the heydays of my "childhood" aka middle schoool, and quickly fell asleep around midnight. Here are some pictures from dinner. 

Later in the night Colin was raving about the  tropical thunderstorms that light up the sky late at night but don't seem to bring any rain to the coast. They were absolutely breathtaking despite the lack of sleep I had around 4 in the morning.

On a sidenote: a must read is Tucker Max: I hope they serve beer in Hell. My personal favorite stories the embassy suites, Austin Texas Roadtrip.

Fair well from your lazy traveler,

-Johnny Wu

Day 2: La Playa de Paradiso

Living the life here in Punta Mita has been a ridiculously amazing adventure.

Lets just say we started off they day going to the gym @ 8:00 AM.  Mixed cardio. This was my excuse of burning away the calories downed by drinking beers and margarita mixes all of last night. There's something beautiful about nice vacations and nice gyms, they make you feel like you have to look equally beautiful as your surrounding.

Can I just say that the beach here at the four seasons is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. It quite possibly is my paradiso in the world, think blanket white sand beneath  your feet, four poster bed cabanas, and crystal clear water. Life can't get better than this. Notice the cabanas in the background above, catering services, mojitos, mimosas and excellent weather.

Beyond the gorgeous beach and well tanned rich snobbish people here the things to do here are endless, we headed over to the Lazy River which is the very least 10X better than any stupid water park lazy river. Sippin on Mango Mojitos in the lazy river was probably the most relaxing thing I've done.

After a short nap in the afternoon we got a Golf Cart, yes thats right we have concierge escort anywhere on the compound. You have to understand that this four seasons hotel isn't just some "hotel". Its one filled with New York Bankers, Trust Fund Families, people that demand and need golf cart service from door to door.

Feeling hungry at lunch time I decided to play cook for the day and made some, I would have to say, amazing had homemade quesadillas. I managed to think up an amazing combo. Fried egg quesadilla mix. I honestly have to say the people I am with here have really grown on me they know how to have fun hahahah.

A classic example of this have fun, play hard mentality of the group was. "Tequila Enrichment Class". Essentially the Mexicano equivalent to California Wine Tasting. Certainly an obsession in Mexico that I had not expected. The complexity of tastes, folklore, mhmmms in the conversation made Tequila sound like the greatest tasting thing ever. Note to oneself NEVER drink Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold it's watered down like cheap Russian vodka.

To finish off the night we had another amazing meal:

     Fruit Salad: with a fruity vinagrette

     Pasta: Delicious pesto sauce main course

     Chicken: BBQ's chicken

     Desert: Ice cream

To start the night since the night was young we managed to played a good round of King Cup. Which we proceeded to the hot tub with some amazing Coke and Rum and some more Bacardi shots. Let's just say at the end of the night, it was a memorable night. Finally I realized I am officially ready for college since I am the most sober one here..... well enjoy this post and the pictures below. I hope I remember this in the morning.

Once again. 'til tomorrow

-Johnny Wu

Punta Mita trip 2010: Day 1

So its June 22nd around 12:30 AM here in Punta Mita, Mexico,

I'm on a week vacation with some friends  (Paige Riley, Amanda Borland, Colin LaBran, Michelle Burrows, Jonathan Sparks) we just graduated last Wednesday and what a better way to live up summer.

Somehow, in God's grace, Colin's family has essentially a time share @ the four seasons in Punta Minta. Let me just say it's gorgeous

Beyond the epic nature of Punta Mita and its breathtaking views of the ocean, it's the people here that makes this vacation an amazing one.

This is how our day went.

8:45 AM: We depart for LAX from the LaBran's house. Sunglasses in hand. Say a quick goodbye to Catherine and we're off.

11:45 AM: We've boarded the plane its a 3 hr flight to Punta Mita directly south of Texas. We arrive in the afternoon at about 3:00 PM pacific time.

6:00 PM (Punta Mita time) : We finally get back to the Four Seasons, and the journey begins. We managed to buy enough alcohol to stockpile for a Cold War.

6:15 PM: Bags unpacked. Margaritas out. Sippin Drinks by the infinity pool in our residence.

9:00 PM: The sunsets here are absolutely gorgeous. I can't stop raving about how ridiculous it is to be able to be on this trip. The entire journey has been straight out of a movie. The views of this place straight out of a luxury magazine. We get dinner catered over at Colin's parents residency.

             Menu:     Salad- Mango Salad w/ Ginger and Goat Cheese

                            Spanish Rice

                            Ahi Ahi White Tuna Grilled

10:00 PM: We decide to head out to tour the four seasons at night. The lazy river seems to be a dream. The gym/spa is a must. The BEACH is absolutely stunning at night, there's nobody around, cabana beds nice, warm, and inviting. It's the perfect place to do the skinny

2:00 AM: It's getting late here but I don't want to end the first night just yet. Magaritas. Dos Equis. Good Food. Friends. A great start to summer.

Til Tomorrow.

-Johnny Wu