Somewhere Else

Talking meals

2011-08-25T07:21:00.000+08:00

I used to take breakfast for granted. Usually, I'll have a slice of toasted bread, or a glass of coconut juice, or a slice of any leftover cake, puto-puto, the sweet stuff, or nothing at all. Whatever plate, I'm always good to go. But starting Monday this week, I've been eating a full breakfast, with rice and sunny side up or poached eggs, and a piece of what's leftover from the previous day.

It was an online article on the Top 5 Ways to boost metabolism that finally convinced me. Then I came upon other articles on the same goal, and one common tip they've been brandishing at hard headed pretend health buffs like me is to "Never skip breakfast." Check out these websites:

Top 5 Ways to boost metabolism article #1

Top 5 Ways to boost metabolism article #2

Top 5 Ways to boost metabolism article #3

If sixpackabs24.com is telling you to eat breakfast, you gotta listen you know.

My favorite meal of the day is, unfortunately, dinner. I don't always eat dinner because I agree with what they say of its non-purpose, "You're just going to bed anyways." But when I'm obligated to eat dinner, like at Mamita's gatherings, or at a party, or when Nang Boning is frying buwad, I enjoy them like I never do with the other two mealtimes. It's not only about getting to eat; it's the little extra that comes with dinner -- the time to sit back and simply enjoy the company. There's no meeting or pile of papers sitting at the office that couldn't wait for the next day.

I never get this with lunchtime, except on Sundays. I always look at the time when I'm eating lunch because I don't want the latest chika from the local grapevine or Al Jazeera to take more time out of my siesta. No siesta = moody afternoon at the office. But not to say I don't appreciate lunch. I always look forward to lunches. It breaks hunger strikes that hit between 10:30-11:30 whether or not I had breakfast.

It's my Birthday! (The Too Early Celebration)

2011-08-24T23:52:00.000+08:00

My dear Action Group friends Chetty, Daisy, Abeth, Leslie Anne, and Nicole knew I was expecting a surprise on my birthday so to break this assumption and to keep a surprise a real surprise for me, they decided to have this surprise wayyy earlier than my birthday. Tonight, in fact! Boy, was I surprised.

We were at Ate Vannie's place tonight for the Joint Sisters' Action Group activity, themed Beauty and Fashion. Melody was in the middle of sharing her comprehensive beauty know-how when the gurls walked into the room with balloons, a bouquet, a cake with four candles on top and the birthday song (they even played the Chipmunks in the background). Get this, I thought somebody else was celebrating her birthday so I sang along! It's just too early; my birthday's yet on the 29th. My AG gurls really outsmarted me this time. I was so delighted, and happy, and touched, my smile ached from showing too much. It was wayyy more than I expected and I deserve. Oh, it feels great that I have friends who think otherwise.

I expect it's going to be a great few days ahead. My high school bestfriend Angel is getting married this Saturday. It's going to double as mini reunion as the other gals are headed home for this event and for the 4-day weekend. The Manila-based Danda already promised. Christina, Jamie, and hopefully Verna, I hope, are all coming, too. I'm so excited to see everyone again. I might have a little gathering of family and friends on Sunday, but that's not planned yet. On Monday, I plan to be in Cebu to visit Cai and also, to see Manila-based Jane who is visiting for a few days only and Kara and everybody else, my dear friends from college. Oh nostalgia, come take me away. I just love relivin' the old days.

I wish I can show the photos we took tonight, but Ate Vannie's camera is not working with my laptop. Melody made me her dummy during her make-up demonstration. A make-over on a rather too early birthday celebration? What a start to a new year! I hope this beauty make-over does not only show in the surface; more importantly, I hope it radiates from within.

Happy new year to me! Dear God, thanks for the wonderful, wonderful people you have surrounded me with this year.

This Sunday

2011-08-21T22:03:00.000+08:00

It's not always you get to go on a speedboat to try catch a glimpse of a family of whale sharks rumored to be loitering in the area (unsuccessful) and then, watch some family and friends ride the waves on a wakeboard, with the sun setting in the background. So yeah, today was a good day.

The Birthday-is-coming-up Countdown

2011-08-21T08:08:00.000+08:00

I remember when I turned 25 last year I told myself it's going to be a productive and eventful new year for me. I knew the fate of that resolution would entirely depend on how I seize opportunities. Let's see how I did in this countdown to 25.

1) Took the IELTS exam (November 2010).

2) Went to Bohol to join a religious conference that did wonders to my sensibilities (October 2010).

3) Crossed the Mactan channel close to midnight with only a thin slice of fiber glass separating me from the deep blue. Then we camped out in Sulpa Island and woke early in the morning finding the tide so low we can actually wade to the next island. It was a surreal experience (November 2010).

4) My sisters came home for the holidays with their families. I saw my baby niece (my first) for the first time. One of my most memorable year-end celebration (December 2010).

5) I organized the program for the Tan reunion, which everyone said was the most fun in years (December 2010).

6) I also organized the program for the Christmas Party of my community (December 2010).

7) I joined my community's Christmas Choir that raised funds for activities and projects (December 2010).

8) Spent 5 days in Manila with my grandma and with darling Chloe, Yassy and Patrick. Joined the celebration for dear Kuya's graduation from college and had dinner one floor below where the President of the Philippines was having dinner (March 2011).

9) Run 12k on Valentine's Day -- alone, but happy (February 2011).

10) Made efforts to see my friend, one of my closest from college days, Bambam and her son in Tacloban, which is 2 hours from where I live. I include this because every effort meant I kept my promise.

11) Helped organize a second Run Ormoc Run and raised funds for a scholarship foundation. Whohoo (November 2010).

12) Organized the Mayong's Fun Run, Mayong's 25th anniversary celebration, in 3 weeks. Our suppliers have been so supportive Mayong's did not spend a dime. We gathered around 300 people, which is already a good number for any fun run in Ormoc (February 2011).

13) Surprised Mamita who had just arrived from her 3 weeks-long vacay to the Mediterranean cruise and Italy with 32 cupcakes that spelled "Welcome back! We miss you very, very much!" I could see her delight through her hard-to-win smile. And it's a big thing for me cos I don't do cheesy stuff much, not even to people I truly care for. So this was a remarkable stretch of my cheesiness (September 2010).

14) Bought my first pair of tap shoes and attended a tap dance class while in the US. Dream come true (May-June 2011).

15) Came close to a potential romance. Though it never did set off anything real (except for international friendship ha), it was so good while it lasted and so memorable while I learned from it (May 2011).

16) Spent one a half months with my sisters and my niece in the US (April, May, June 2011).

17) Watched Les Miserables, the musical. So powerful; it was amazing. It would be two months before I tire of its soundtrack (June 2011).

18) Finished my first 21k in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 22 seconds. Way ahead of my expected time of 2:30. God alone! (May 2011)

19) Visited the breathtaking Joshua Tree National Park (June 2011).

20) Made the decision to pursue God and stuck by this throughout the year (October 2011).

21) Spent four days in Singapore with the entire clan; going around with color-coded shirts, taking midnight walks barefoot and with my cousins, taking the streets to run early in the morning with no clear directions and all alone. And we watched Lion King the musical. It was superb -- I cried in the beginning (April 2011).

22) Went on a serious training for the first time in my entire life, for my first 21k. This consisted of waking up at the latest 5:30 am, 5 times a week, running, at the least, 21 kilometers a week, and... basically that's it. Though the intensity waned going into the second month, I'm still super proud for I've never dedicated myself physically to anything before. I think it was the $91 registration that my sister paid in my behalf that did it (February, March, April 2011).

23) Volunteered to teach the kids at the local orphanage, 3x a week, at 4-5pm. This worked for a few months, but I eventually had to give it up because I got busier and the 4pm exit wasn't making it easier. (Which I totally regret. To come and go is no way to treat kids who has had to deal with too many temporary arrangements w/o my adding to it.) (October 2010 til early 2011)

24) I sent my application for a 6-month Children's Services course in Sydney, with high hopes this is going to lead to my ultimate goal -- live in Sydney! Ok, let's not get too excited. Let's take this one step at a time (August 2011).

25) This last one took too long to fulfill. Should I save this for December when I learned Ballroom Dancing with my lola and my sister and dared to show my stuff at our Palou Reunion? Or for two days ago when I agreed to help organize the Fatima Church run intended to raise funds for the construction of the church? Or for this morning when I successfully controlled my temper because something was not done the way it was supposed to be? Or for two weeks ago, when I agreed to take the reigns of the OPM activities in the place of Angging who will be busy with her Master's? Or for every time I pay our driver P25 for the puto that he and his wife originally sells at P10? Yes, this last spot is for these little moments. They remind me that I'm getting better.

I finally parked

2011-08-20T21:28:00.001+08:00

I'm happy to be blogging again. For a long time, I've just been supplying this online collection of beautiful photos www.findingbeautiful.tumblr.com with short stories; and longer entries go to my non-0nline journal I named Butterfinger (yes, I was eating chocolate when I created it). But a few days back, while visiting a friend's blog, a fire rekindled and I yearned to write to the virtual anonymity once again. I thought of creating a new blog (oh no, not again) but exactly because of that (oh no, not again), I thought better and decided to go back via this "travel blog" that I revived on our US trip earlier this year. Hopefully, having this to report to will inspire me to translate more days into words, and words into interesting posts. For fellow virtual wanderers, who want somewhere to drop by at.

Fallen son

2011-08-20T20:41:00.000+08:00

Somebody was killed inside his own car along the highway in Simangan last night. He was shot in the head. His blood has dried up when his body was discovered today at mid-morning. Those in the vicinity say they could not have guessed sooner that a dead body lay waiting inside the car. There was nothing sinister about the way it was parked along the highway; it was parked properly. This news is tragic enough -- Ormoc has not recovered from last week's shooting of a bakery caretaker -- but its reverberation reaches not only our consciousness but also our deepest sympathies. The man found dead inside the car is the son of family friends. The last time I saw his mother was at Mayong's 25th lunch celebration, with her husband and her daughter. They have been supplying flour and other ingredients to Mayong's for more than two decades. They are also in the same community as my parents.

The mother received the news through a phone call from a friend. "Ang sakyanan ni Dodong... Nakit-an dinhi sa Dayhagan. Murag patay naman ni siya. Daghan may dugo." Will she ever forget that phone call? I asked my mother, who dropped by the wake in the afternoon, if she has seen her. I wanted to know how she's holding up and that she is holding up. Though I'm only an outsider, I grieved, too, that some mother has to suffer through this.

One's death is devastating enough; but a sudden one, and tragic, too? It's harrowing enough losing somebody and never getting to see them again; but losing without ever saying goodbye?

May Dodong rest in peace. And may justice be served.

Step 1: Application to AICL

2011-08-20T12:49:00.001+08:00

I finally lodged my application to the Australian Institute of Commerce and Language! Though I feel like I'm betraying my papa who so appreciates the extension of my "visit" here in Ormoc (giving me extra baon, always being patient with my impatience), I am so excited! I don't think I've ever come so close to the beginning of a new adventure. Nothing's final yet. But the act alone of getting to work on the application and waiting patiently for my email to send all requirements is exciting enough! Such little step towards the goal, but I'm proud of myself!

I planned this in 2009 and have been thinking about it since, but a lot of life-changing events happened between then and now, that I couldn't ignore my part in without seeming selfish. And even before I made this plan, I've always wanted to try Sydney out. I fell in love with the place the first time I was there in 2003 and vowed to go back. In 2008, I had the opportunity and stayed there for 3 months. And while there were unfortunate events in my stay there, it didn't change anything -- Sydney remains my favorite place after home.

Ok, let's not get carried away. There's a lot to do. Confirm that all requirements have reached their office. Get accepted. Pay up. Wait for their certificate of acceptance. File my docs for a Student Visa. Get approved. Leave. And throughout the process, I have to budget my savings, control my emotions, make my parents and everyone understand. So much to do. It's an adventure already!

Oh my soul, claim nothing as your own. For you, there is God and God alone.

The MAVS won!

2011-06-13T23:57:00.000+08:00

I didn't know Nowitsky before this year's final series, that's how out of touch I was with NBA. But since I got here in LA, about the time of the playoffs, I've been hearing about "anything can happen as long as James Lebron won't win the a championship ring!" To piss off my sisters, I cheered for the Miami Heats. Then Maica explained at length what Lebron did. Well, I do not want to help inflate already huge egos. So I jumped ship, got fascinated with Nowitsky and cheered for the Mavericks!

And they won their first NBA Cup!

Cousins Ryan and Txabi came over to watch the finals with us. We had chips and beer and I finally had Smirnoff. Love it! Everyone is on the Mavericks' side. I think the entire LA is. Everyone wants to burst King James' bubble!

Look at that little girl, never wanting to miss the action.

Boiling Crabs a Second Time Around

2011-06-13T12:29:00.000+08:00

Went crazy at Boiling Crab today and ate for up to lunch tomorrow. I think I enjoyed this second time too much (and way better than the first) that now I think having Boiling Crabs twice in a span of 1.5 months is not enough!

So why the love?

1) we get to eat with our hands

2) we get to eat with bibs tied around our neck, by the service crew themselves!

3) you can get everything plain, medium spicy or really spicy, all cajun-style!

4) their Catfish and chips plate is better than all the fish and chips I had in Sydney. the fish is very soft but not oily. the chips are thinly-cut.

5) we get our shrimps really saucy and tasty!

6) the service crew is GREAT. like, all of them.

Boiling Crab is such a hit that diners have to line up to get tables. It opens at 12 nn.

The first Boiling Crab we went to was at Garden Grove. We arrived at 11 and saw a line has already formed. We were probably the 5th or 8th group to get a table that day.

Today, we went to the Boiling Crab in Koreatown. We arrived around 11.20, the first group. It started to get busy around 11.45.

So what I'm saying is that if you want to have lunch on time, then go early.

Yep, they serve crawfish! And fat shrimps and fatter crabs. They serve seafood cajun-style in three intensities: plain, medium spicy and really spicy. Wicked, isn't it?

We eat with a bib around our necks, tied by the service crew themselves!

I mean, saucy shrimps + more sauce+ eating with our hands = big mess!

Four Marias, one pregnant, 2 hungry, 1 fine!
All so excited!

I think the best part of the unique and remarkable dining experience at Boiling Crab is that

WE GET TO EAT WITH OUR HANDS!!!

My part of the table.

(Yup, that white sheet doubles as our plate. I say whoever thought of Broiling Crab is a genius with an appetite!)

Best fish and fries, SERIOUSLY!

The fish is fleshy and soft and not a bit oily!

The fries are thinly-cut.

Better than all the fish and fries plates I had in Sydney, SERIOUSLY!

Maica's part of the table.

She loves crawfish while I find them tedious!

So little reward for so much effort.

Look at all that sauce! They don't scrimp on sauce at all, which we love!

If you can't do cowboy, you can't do Boiling Crab!

Our group.

Leila's still asleep in her stroller somewhere there...

Carlo calls the crawfish "the sea cockroaches," but eats them anyway.

The restaurant walls are filled with graffiti.

"Busog ako!" said one.

The winner aka the last one to finish.

(Well, as I've mentioned, those crawfish are a lot of work.)

Clean hands/dirty hands

Done.

Bieni forgot to take her bib off.

Oh, Pancho and Carlo had quite a laugh out of this.

We exited the restaurant around 1.30 and these groups are still waiting to be seated.

That's Boiling Crab for you.

*** For a full lunch for 8 hungry people, $150 should be fine. But if you want more than the usual works -- like crabs, gumbo, another plate of Catfish and fries -- then probably $200.

*** Thanks to Maica, Pancho, Iana and Carlo for the big treat. So much love! =)

Just a While Ago...

2011-06-13T12:19:00.000+08:00

We said goodbye to my pregnant sister, Iana. She and her husband Carlo spent the weekend with us here in Van Nuys. Went to the zoo. Had barbecue for dinner last night and Boiling Crab for lunch today. Drove out to Santa Monica. And watched the Dallas Mavericks win their first NBA Cup together. Then they had to drive back to their home in Huntington Beach.

That somehow finalizes our departure on Wednesday. Though, with two more days to go, another sister to say goodbye to, and a niece to hug to our heart's content, it's only the first step.

Iana and me on my first day in the US. She drove me to the Huntington Beach coast for a run, just two days before my 1st half marathon.

All LA Zooed Out

2011-06-12T13:14:00.000+08:00

You will not believe this, but LA has a zoo, ZOO. The size of two, perhaps four, huge neighborhood blocks. With an elephant, giraffe, hippo and zebra and loads more. With a glossy-papered map. With several souvenir stores that sell souvenir shirts and stuffed toys and keychains always overpriced. I myself found out just recently, when one of Pancho's big time clients gave him 5 free passes and Pancho said he'll take us all.

We went today and as soon as we entered the parking lot, got our first big surprise. The parking lot was filled. We had to wait for 15-20 minutes before getting to the front of the ticket line, to buy 2 more tickets. We're so caught up by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, I guess, and thought EVERYone would be the same, that we never thought of the possibility of LA having zoo that's legit and decent that people would actually go see it.

The zoo is located at Griffith Park. Entrance at $14 for adults and $9 for kids.

I appreciated these clay molds. So precise.

Lonely bird.

(Heads up: For the life of me, I cannot name all the animals in the photos I have here. Please bear with me. I'm only in love with the animals I've known since pre-school. You know, the safari animals.)

Fake hieroglyphics in a fake cave.

Funny people in a fake cave.

So fascinated by these mosaic animal structures.

You can actually climb on those and have your photo taken.

This little girl just popped out and asked me to take her photo. I don't think she was taught never to talk to strangers.

Cats with prints, that's all I know.

Cool, isn't it?

I appreciate that the zoo added these details that it could have done without.

Water fountain with colorful mosaic-design.

You can wash your hands from this water fountain.

This old person walked past the gate as cooly as he would have in a park and gathered the animals successfully by the feeds he had in his hand. He didn't look distinguishable like the other zoo keepers were and didn't have an ID that we thought he was just a visitor.

Bieni was so jealous.

Bieni the Beaver

Hey, look!

Love these wooden, blue-green windows against the bright orange walls.

So cool.

All the mosaic work above are from this guy, Armando Alvarez.

Leila feeds the Beaded Lizard.

Leila was amused by the lizard lovers as much as we were.

Rat, raccoon, cat, or squirrel.

Swan or goose.

Oh, the lovely flamingoes.

They're really as lovely as lovely gets.

Heart-shaped leaves.

Zebra,

in a contemplative mood.

There are animals that I wish I could sit down and stare at. Zebra is included in this list, as well giraffe. I wonder if it, in its real environment that is in the wild, can run fast. I don't remember ever seeing it, in any media, in a quick action.

This King Gorilla ate his own poop, to the disgusted delight of the onlookers.

This one reminded us of Sisa, the mother of Crispin and Basilio.

Lost and deranged woman!

Hands down, these apes, gorillas or whatever kind of monkey they are, are the biggest crowd-drawers. We all see ourselves in them, mostly clearly in the way they love lazing around

(see above photo).

"When you realize the value of life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future."

Ibex,

an animal I first encountered in the book, "Three Cups of Tea."

Mortenson wrote about how he once assisted a Korphe village boy in a days-long hunt for this wild goat.

Miniature deer with an exaggerated but so elegant neck.

(I already forgot what it's called, but they're sooooo pretty.)

Giraffes!

Gait so graceful.

Neck so poised.

Oh, how I love them.

All the girls in the family.

Male caressing female.

The male is such a flirt, and in wide display!

Our precocious little Leila.

Leila strapped in her bag/leash.

She's so mobile right now and Maica wanted to make sure we wouldn't lose her.

Scarred bamboo stalks.

I think it's part of tourist culture to leave "... was here!" messages on almost any thing!

Black monkeys with white tufts on the top of their heads.

Lonely bird.

This is not the only bird we saw alone in a big cage.

Wooden bridge in the midst of lush bushes.

Ms Moody in the house!

Snow Leopard

Tortoise

This guy was trying to get the Jaguar pissed. And boy was the Jaguar pissed. Not that he can do anything about it. He remains caged.

So tempted to dish out -- er, borrow -- $20 to have my caricature done again. The first time I did, I got duped. The Chinese woman in that busy corner along Times Square in New York pretended I looked exactly the same as my sister Bien and the blonde kid who came before us. Was so pissed.

Another clay structure.

And another.

So stately, don't you think?

(P.S. Don't you just love the play of shadows on this animal statue?)

*** Generally, I am both amused and repulsed by zoos. I wonder how that is possible, but yes.

Once in a mini-zoo at the Tagaytay Highlands, I spent more time than usual with this huge Orangutan (or was that a Gorilla) who looked resigned to his fate in a grilled cage. But when I looked into his eyes, I saw deep sadness. No joke, no exaggeration. It's like he knows where he could have been. It's like he knows he shouldn't be in there. I am still able to stare at giraffes and regal tigers with delight all day, but at the back of my mind is that Orangutan.

He should not be in there.

There's no way a "Stop Going to the Zoo" crusade will ever close it down. What should happen is the recognition that the concept of zoo should never be.

Last Hurrah at Huntington

2011-06-11T12:33:00.000+08:00

I told Iana I'm not going to leave Huntington Beach without catching a perfect sunset.

So on the last afternoon of my last visit there, we drove to the beach side. Iana packed fried fish, sauteed cauliflower, pico de gallo, fried taco, and beer for our little picnic. Which I completely missed. Our parking was only for an hour so as soon as we arrived, I run to the Huntington Beach Pier (about 1.6 miles). Hang out for a bit. Felt lonely being there on my own in the midst of an afternoon abuzz with Huntington locals and visitors. (I remembered Into the Wild's "Happiness is only real when shared".) So I ran back. Just in time for the end of the parking hour, and consequently, of the picnic (another 1.6 miles).

I see more US flags on display in the US than there are of Philippine flags in the Phils. There are US flags not only in public buildings but also in private homes and even cars. The only time of the year that I see private entities in the Philippines bear the flag is on or a day before June 12, the Independence Day. The US celebrates its Independence Day on July 4 yet, but already, the US flag is everywhere.

I do get my point across, right?

Volleyball will never be out of vogue in Huntington Beach.

The use of the net at the beach is for free. You just have to bring your own ball.

Pier abuzz with locals and mostly, tourists.

Part of Huntington's 8.5 mile-long coast line. It hosts the US Open of Surfing every summer.

The Huntington Pier is more than half a kilometer long. At the ocean-side end of the pier lies Ruby's Diner.

I had a 1950s moment when I ran around Ruby's at the end of the pier and heard jazz wafting out of its store. Sunset, the sea, the music, it was so cool. I only wish I was dressed like this, and not this.

It would be a dream to have a first date there.

Let's call you a crow. Or a dove. Or simply, a bird.

Sunset glow rests on the pier.

Awww.

(These days being the start of summer, I expected a magnificent sunset. But the one I saw that day definitely did not compare with the first Huntington Beach sunset I witnessed way back in November -- Fall! -- 2009.) It was nice, but not splendid.

Surfers floating on the surf, taken around 7.30pm.

The so-California lifeguard house was made recognizable all over the world care of Baywatch.

"I'll! be! there! I'll be there!"

(Oh, the OST is still so clear in my head.)

There goes my sunset.

I'm so going to miss running on paved and well-defined pedestrian lanes.

Here in the US, pedestrians rule! They have their own lane EVERYWHERE but in the Freeway.

(These photos are posted according to when they were taken. I toyed around with the settings, thus the different levels of intensity you can see in them.)

Last of sunset.

(It was not perfect, by the way. But still, God gave me one; and that matters more than it not being perfect.)

Suddenly, it looked gray.

I took this photo (and the next four) in a pre-fixed sport setting. Doesn't look like I was running, right?

The lifeguard house.

I just learned that bikers also have restrictions in Huntington beach, like in their speed, parking, etc etc. Iana and Carlo met somebody who'd been ticketed for overspeeding with her bike. Hilarious!

Aside from bikers, runners, tourists, hikers, or plain beach lovers crowd the beach on any day.

The US flag.

The coastline.

Picnic area.

Awesome.

YogurtMania!

2011-06-11T00:26:00.000+08:00

We collected about 15 Yogurtland pink and green spoons from 5 visits in our 1.5 months here! Yogurtland is love!

Funny How LA Mocks Itself

2011-06-11T00:17:00.000+08:00

Billboard spotted at the Universal City

Tongue Twister for the Day

2011-06-09T13:13:00.000+08:00

How many wood can a woodchuck chuck if the woodchuck could chuck wood?

c/o of Pancho

Dig, brush, step, TAP!

2011-06-09T11:06:00.001+08:00

I attended my last tap dancing class today and it's confirmed that the dance, or learning the dance, is a source of energy and happiness for me. I slipped, I missed, I fumbled thru many steps this afternoon, but it was bliss. Happiness that comes from doing something you love, and doing it with people, even strangers, who love the same thing, is on another level, almost close to euphoria. I feel towards tap dance the way I feel about swimming at the Hinotungan fish sanctuary, feeding the fish with bread crumbs. About crossing the Mactan Channel in a kayak. It's special, like that.

Again, I thank God for the opportunity. For the uber cool Lindsey Lorenz, who I shall remember as my first tap dance teacher ever. For enigmatic Lisa, a scholar at the performance arts center who belongs to a higher level class but attends the basic class to warm up. Sometimes, she would put me aside and help me with the steps to catch up with the rest of the class. For my fellow beginners. For the woman in red who cared to know where I was going after telling her that this afternoon was my last class. For the fellow tap enthusiast who always smiles tho we've never been introduced. For the big man who switched places with me today so I could have a better view of Lindsey. For papa who paid for my ticket to the US. For my sister Maica who has been so supportive, like always, of this strange fascination. And for driving me to class almost all Wednesdays of my visit.

I can no longer trace where this fascination for tap dance really has its roots, but what I could remember is Natalie Portman in a short tap dancing stint at The Garden State. More than any other video I could remember, it was that scene that really empowered me to pursue this dance. So, thanks.

I'm going to bring home what I learned, and of course my rockin' first pair of tap shoes. I'm going to tap my way to everyday bliss.

Wind Mills and Such Charms

2011-06-08T00:57:00.000+08:00

On our great Luzon Roadtrip two years ago, we were all blown away by the Bangui Wind Mills at Ilocos Norte. Standing tall on the South China Sea shores, there were only less than 20 of them. But we were BLOWN AWAY.

So imagine my bliss when on Saturday, on the way to Joshua Tree National Park, we passed by the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm in Riverside Country. Didn't attempt to count how many wind mills there were, but Wikipedia informs there are currently 3218 units.

It was nothing short of AWESOME.

And being a sucker for awesome views like thousands of wind mills swayed by the wind, I was like a kid about to fill a cup with yogurt at Yogurtland.

Bliss!

San Jacinto Mountains.

Oh.

My.

Heart.

I practically had to beg Carlo to stop by the freeway. Thank God, he relented.

Can you see the San Jacinto Mountains behind me, sprinkled with the last of winter's snow?

Joshua TreeS and the Great Slab Rock

2011-06-07T10:42:00.000+08:00

The original plan way before we arrived in the US was to head out to Yosemite in June and take on the Half Dome. Then a blessing happened: my sister found out she got pregnant. We didn't want to stress her and especially, the baby so we scaled our ambitions down a bit and replaced that original plan with Joshua Tree National Park. I haven't been to Yosemite but goodness, was Joshua Tree wonderful.

Wifey feeds the driver with watermelon.

General entrance to the park is $15, good for 7 days. You can also camp out in designated areas. The Joshua Tree National Park is almost 320,000 hectares huge. In our whole day visit, we were only able to drive thru half the area. The sun was hot but the breeze really cool, it was really a perfect day to do the 2 hour drive from Huntington Beach and contemplate on this natural magnificence.

I don't know what this plant or shrub is. But it's lovely, isn't it?

A heads up: I took a LOT of shots of plants or shrubs at the park, a LOT of them you will see here. I was charmed by them as much as I was amazed at my idiot camera's ability to take good photos of small things.

On the way to our first trail, the Hidden Valley, we stopped by a bunch of rock formations to try and scale them. This particular one didn't look intimidating from far away but when I got to the foot and started figuring out my climb, my nerves started dancing. But the high was awesome. Only then I realized the potential strength of my hands, my arms, my legs, my feet.

Smart angling by my sister, now it looks I climbed the highest rock formation of them all. In reality, this should only be 2 stories high.

Cherries

(FYI, they're not cherries. They look like cherries.)

Tanned dandelions?

Whatever, this must be in the same shrub specie as dandelions.

Flower balls!

(Not its actual name. Just for the record, I'm only sure about one name of all the plants and shrubs at the park, and that is the Joshua Tree. Duh. And yeah, the cactus.)

I so loved these flower balls.

Look for me! (Please click the photo to zoom in.) I wanted to climb to a landing that will give me a view of the other side of this rock formation.

Look for me!

(Ha! With the sun coloring me brown and with my brown/black/white-polka-dotted tank and black stretch bottoms ensemble, I'm an easy blend.)

This is the other side of the rock formation that I climbed on: a vast area filled with Joshua Trees. The first Joshua Tree that I saw, outside the National Park, was small and looked like a cactus. But the more Joshua Trees I saw, the more variations in size and in the way its "branches" reached out to the sky I looked at, the more they resembled a tree to me than a mere cactus plant. I'm so fascinated by these branches, stretching out towards the sky like in a trance. They remind me of so many things: Valentina, the enemy of Darna, Christine Manguerra's Bad Hair Day Lamp from Hive.

I've only had this pair for 6 months but it's already got an impressive mileage, the best of which is a 21k run in May. I'd give this another 2 years and a name -- OC, after Orange County where I had my first 21k and Ormoc City where I trained for 2 months.

No question about the comforts this New Balance pair give me when I run, but they were a pleasant surprise when I tried to scale those rock formations. They had a tight grip on those rocks, worked hand in hand with my hands!

A bloom on a cactus plant, a surprise as I expected a bud as vicious-looking as the rest of the plant it grows on.

I wish I knew how to count tree rings, so I could tell you how old this tree was.

HIDDEN VALLEY

The first trail we did was the Hidden Valley trail, a 1-mile loop in a rock-enclosed valley rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers.

Being the first walk that we did, the Hidden Valley trail was filled with ooohs and aaahs. We navigated thru rocky and dirt paths and bushy, sneaky thorns-filled landscapes. And always, we were surrounded by breath taking rock-formed hills. It felt like we're at the outback, back in the Stone Age.

Baby tree cones.

We were so amused by this bloom that shoot up from an undistinguished plant.

"A summer Christmas tree!" so we thought.

Green, Brown, Blue.

So lovely colors!

A Joshua Tree's trance-like dance.

My sister and some mighty.

Oh, our smallness against nature's immensity!

According to Wikipedia, "the name Joshua tree was given by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. The tree's unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer."

This rock formation had a gradual elevation therefore easy to get to the top of. But it was slim at only two meters wide! Only 2-meters wide of a chance not to fall, no thanks! I stopped right where I was in this photo, then started my descent (bongga!).

Carlo & Iana

Cactus Blooms.

I'd like to think this was the very tree that inspired the design for the promotion of the movie Big Fish. Or Tim Burton's hair.

Iana, my sister, and me.

Rocks forming landscapes and hills as far as your eyes can see.

MAJESTIC!

"Integrity is wholeness...

The wholeness of life and things,

The divine beauty of the universe.

Love that, not man apart from that."

Iana

with one of Joshua Tree National Park's astounding landscapes in the background.

BARKER DAM

This trail was a 1.3 mile loop; best feature is water tank built by early cattle ranchers.

A tree hangs on to this immense pile of rocks.

AMAZING!

The guide said the moisture is thicker than down on the ground and helps this tree survive from the desert conditions.

Beautiful blossom on a cactus plant.

Once we were at the Getty Museum, we overheard this grandfather tell his grandson, while looking at a painting of a lake with reflection of trees surrounding it, "You know, sometimes, the reflection of an image can be more beautiful than the image itself."

I saw this grandfatherly wisdom on our trip to Joshua Tree, at an oasis that we passed by on the Barker Dam trail, that reflected the rocky mountains that loomed over it. It was breath taking.

(This photo was taken with my camera on Intelligent Automatic mode.)

Gorgeous, isn't it?

(This photo was taken with my camera on Manual My Film mode.)

The water for this "oasis" was supplied by the water tanker that the cattle ranchers built in this area. It's man-made, not natural.

Iana and I baptized the three stones standing behind her "Tres Marias". We believe all the rock formations are natural and not arranged by man. We haven't read anything that says otherwise.

Carlo & Me balancing on the Barker Dam.

You will see on one side of the dam is the water (which we have taken on calling the "oasis), and on the other, a lush green landscape.

The lush green landscape on the other side of the dam.

For real, we saw this langaw at the desert.

Oh, to find relief in a cave!

Last stretch of the Barker Dam trail offers this slim view of the "Last of the Mohicans," aka the snow at the tip of the mountain. Can you see it (the white tip) behind the green and brown landscape?

At the park, and even in all the hiking trails we've been, it's easy to spot a whole family going at it together. But a family that does it in the exactly the same gear and attire (like the one above) is a rare, and therefore priceless when spotted, occurrence.

Could a Joshua Tree get any more delightful?

Hieroglyphics on a huge rock's surface, the originals said to be written by native Americans. But in recent times, naughty hikers have vandalized and written over and beside it, it's hard to tell which is real.

That's so bad!

Another bloom.

I find it ironic that gardeners call dandelions a pest, when I find blowing them into the wind among the greatest pleasures there is.

Five heights:

Sky

Rocks

Bushes

Blooms

The ground they all but the sky, stand on.

WALL STREET MILL TRAIL

A rather exhausting 1 mile (or could be more) round trip. By exhausting, I mean not because of the distance but of the heat, the shadeless trail, the sand-filled paths every now and then (it's hard to hike on sand!!!). Also, it was mostly an uneventful hike thru an open field of shrubs, cactus, Joshua trees. The excitement only comes from two points along the trail, 1) midway thru where the ancient wind mill stands, and 2) at the end of the trail where a 19th century gold ore crushing mill is. From this end, we had to turn and hike the same way back.

Joshua Tree, up close.

No two Joshua Trees are alike.

These blooms don't make it look like summer is fast a'pproaching.

But these withering blooms do.

The old wind mill halfway thru the Wall Street trail.

It's left out in the open and not barricaded by some fence or whatever makes trespassing even just a bit inconvenient. I won't be surprised if some crazy comes along and disassembles it without a sweat.

This is it, the Wall Street mill trail.

Here is the story of this stone.

Really, really, really, really, really old car.

The gold ore crushing mill.

This 19th century structure was barricaded by thorny wires that were broken into.

We were not supposed to be there, but...

... It's cool to play rebel, rebel.

And we got really good photos =)

An old well close to the mill.

More dandelions!

KEYS' VIEW & THE FORBIDDEN HILL

A lookout point on top of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. It provides panoramic views of the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, the Santa Rosa Mountains, the San Jacinto Peak behind Palm Springs and the San Andreas Fault.

A view of Keys' View from the hill that we climbed on (and were not supposed to according to a sign at the bottom that said, "Stay off").

That's my preggo sister, still raring for adventure.

(Rhymes!)

Views from the top. You gotta give it to the Big Man.

Truly, the Master of them all.

Down there is the San Andreas Fault. There was a guide at Keys View that explained in terms I can understand what the significance of the San Andreas Fault is but alas, I erased the photo I took of it. All I can tell you is that it's very significant. I'll let Wikipedia do the rest of the explainin'.

I've never felt so little and so lucky at the same time.

Our "summer Christmas Tree" braving the high altitude conditions!

The paved pathway on top of a smaller hill at Keys' View looked heart-shaped from the top.

That's where the tourists are supposed to check the San Andres fault line from, not from the hill that we climbed on.

Survivor!

On the way to the top of the hill, we saw a lot of burnt Joshua trees. Iana and I first thought there had been a fire, but later we figured they were probably sunburned since the other plants and shrubs in the surroundings were green and alive. This Joshua tree near the top was the only one in the area that was not charred at all.

OC and I, contemplating the awesome views together.

The high that I get out of being on top of the mountain is the closest I can ever get to the high of being the queen of the world.

OFF THE SKULL ROCK TRAIL & THE GREAT SLAB ROCK

Where's Carlo?

Yep, Carlo in a white tank and blue bottoms is in this photo. His smallness is like a dot in space against the immensity of this rock formation. Bewildering, isn't it?

We were just starting our 4th nature trail that day, the Skull Rock trail, when Carlo led us off the track. At first, Iana and I resisted but eventually, caved in and followed. For this show of rebellion, we discovered what I shall call the great Slab Rock. It's a flat rock that's probably 2 stories high and as wide as our bungalow back home. It was huge, inviting, and hot, and we must have hang there for more than 30 minutes. It was easily my best part of the day. I tried to sleep but couldn't. My senses probably didn't want to miss a thing: mystifyingly huge rocks surrounding us, the strong breeze, the tireless heat of the sun, the rough texture of the rock on my back.

I wish I could relive the very moment this photo was taken.

This photo just doesn't cut it. So much more, my memory.

Colored by the sun that knows only one crayon: brown.

The great Slab Rock.

THE SKULL ROCK

The mystifying Skull Rock.

I wasn't able to take a full shot since some people were waiting for their turn in front of me and I didn't want Iana and Carlo to wait long. But from this angle, you can see the hollowed eyes and the nose of the Skull.

THE SPLIT ROCK

The great Split Rock.

At Joshua Tree National Park, you ran out of breath but never of awesome.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

2011-06-06T23:54:00.000+08:00

Nature trippin' is a side to California, or to the whole of US for that matter, that is often excluded from the itineraries of hurried visits in favor of trips to Disneyland or to outlet stores, or to Hollywood. Which is sad because as I would find out in this trip, California is a treasure chest of up close and personal encounters with nature waiting to be opened. Maica brought me to 4 hiking trails so far; and all 4 I have enormously enjoyed. My favorite is the Franklin trail which is the most hazily undefined among the 4 and offered the most elbow-rubbing opportunities with nature. (I have yet to post photos from the Franklin and Griffith). We're still planning for our 5th and final hike, all the way to 20 feet behind the famous HOLLYWOOD sign. Hopefully, we push thru with it on Saturday.

On Friday last week, Iana sent me to an ecological reserve -- or in laymen's term, a sanctuary --by the Huntington coast.

Super glad when I discovered my idiot camera can get THIS close.

Neighborhood hiker with curlers.

She totally reminded us of our mama.

Fields of gold.

We were so stoked when we saw this bird just hanging around. Isn't she fabulous?

Joy!

(Heads up! You will see me in this hands raised overjoyed pose in more photos to come!)

Those words in white and in thick font right below the road say:

POISONED BY THE WORLD.

Gotcha rabbit!

I got this close.

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

A Huntington Beach neighborhood on the other side.

And a Home Depot ad on the Bolsa Chica.

They shouldn't be in the same sentence.

Happiness is only real when shared.

2011-06-06T15:27:00.000+08:00

Christopher McCandless.

Hey

2011-06-05T23:11:00.000+08:00

One week and a half to go, and we're off.

Staying at Iana's place for two more days before I head back to Van Nuys hopefully in time for my last tap class. Haven't practiced for days because of the activities! I arrived here in Huntington on Thursday afternoon, via commute. Took the Woodley to North Hollywood bus (20 mins), the North Hollywod to Metro Center Station subway (40 mins), Flower St in downtown LA to Beach/Franklin bus (1 hour and some more minutes), and lastly Beach/Franklin to Beach/Terry (1 hour and some more minutes). That's about 3 1/2 hours of travel.

On Friday, we went to an ecological reserve, or that-sounds-like-a-jargon-so-let's-just-call-it a sanctuary. I don't want to describe it in words; I'll post photos soon. Wish we stayed longer but we wanted to attend First Friday mass at the parish Iana and Carlo usually goes to. There were a lot of school kids from the Catholic school nearby, all surprisingly behaved. The reader didn't look beyond his teens but he sounded like a 40 yr old man. Reminded me of this year's American Idol Scottie.

After the mass, we went grocery shopping at the Asian market. Super cold in there! We bought chicken gizzard which Iana sauteed with spring onion and barbecue sauce for lunch -- delicioso! Then I worked on the photobook on papa's trip to Russia. Finished it at 2:30 in the morning. Then at 5, I woke up to get ready for our trip to Joshua Tree National Park. It was amazing. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talkin'.

Gizzarrrrd!

Today, we finally had all you can eat Gyu for lunch, which Iana the preggy had been begging mama for since we arrived. I regret leaving my camera at home and have nothing to show of the unique dining experience there. We have a grill on our table. They serve us marinated beef, pork and chicken, and veggies and we do the grilling. Kinda like shabu-shabu back at home. You don't pay for the food alone, really, but also for (the grilling) work. It's all you can eat at $13, so naturally, we girls ate for until lunch tomorrow.

Or that's what we thought. In the afternoon, while watching a recorded Miami vs Dallas game, Mama mentioned wanting pizza for dinner and Pancho suggested Round the Table pizza. We girls volunteered to get the pizza at Vons, but actually, we also wanted to go the nearby mall and get our first Toms pair (for me and Maica). Thrillllled!

We ate too much today. As a punishment, spent 45 mins on the Elliptical at the gym in Iana and Carlo's place. Whew, full day! We finished at almost 11 but I guess, we couldn't NOT play Scrabble and Settlers of Catan. I lost both, both to Carlo. Grrr!

This summer has been more than what I expected, and I couldn't dare ask for more. But this week, I still have tap class (it's either this or Farmer's Market with the family, oooh), Jazz bar (hopefully we push thru), hike to the Hollywood sign, Boiling Crabs (one more time, please!), LA Zoo (Pancho's client gave him 5 free tix), Les Miserables musical (on our last night in LA). And who knows what else God has in mind =)

Memorial Day Barbecue

2011-06-05T12:52:00.000+08:00

Maica said it's almost a tradition among Los Angelenos to grill some barbecue on Memorial Day. We didn't grill barbecues, but we did grill patties and cheese for our burgers.

As Carlo would say, AWESUM!

Pancho's territory

I ran to the nearby Vallarta just before lunch to buy soda, chips, and our favorite pico de gallo, to go with our burgers.

Lettuce, Cheese, and Patty -- that would be all for me.

AWESUM!

Hey!

2011-06-01T11:04:00.001+08:00

I'm really going to miss looking out the grill door at my sister's backyard and feeling the chill on my face. And even more, laying the banig on the garden and taking a short nap and then, some more. Two more weeks and we're off.

That is not me beside the Pepper, the dog; that's my sister, Bieni. The pillow next to hers is mine.

P.S. I owe you a few days' worth of stories. I've got a long one coming up about our awesomest roadtrip on Sunday.

Awesome Roadtrip

2011-05-30T12:00:00.000+08:00

We went up north today to see Montecito, Santa Barbara and Solvang. It was a 6-hour drive back and forth and 6 hours of delightful sightseeing.

Oh, my heart!

Old man rollin' on the freeway!

MONTECITO

One of the wealthiest communities in the US. Famous residents include Drew Barrymore, Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas, Steve Martin, and Ms. Oprah Winfrey.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Montecito where we attended Sunday mass...

...and chanced upon Ms White-haired I'm 90 Years Old and Wearing a Hearing Aid so Allow Me to Scream Lady who occupied herself throughout the mass by teaching us church etiquette. It's a long story that I've just got to tell, embarrassing it may have been when it happened.

She first got my attention as soon as she entered the Church -- or rather, tried to enter the Church. She was having a hard time keeping the door open while she struggled with her cane and athritis to get inside. She screamed at nobody in particular, "Can somebody help me in here?!?" Nobody else moved, so I did. She then told me, "Thank you. I'm already 90 years old."

I went out after to pee. When I got back inside, I found her in the same pew as Iana and Carlo, with Pancho, Maica, Mama and Bien behind us. When I sat between Iana and her, Pancho whispered, "Ivi, if I were you, I wouldn't sit there." I smirked at him, so Iana explained to me. Apparently, the old woman barked at them for not helping her put down the kneeler. "How could you just laugh there and not help me? Shame on you!" And she was loud. LOUD. Worst, they were not laughing at all!

Funny how I kept turning to my back by reflex every time I would hear and feel Leila behind me, and NOT notice I was doing it too often. Because the old lady did and told me so, "Stop looking around or your eyes will pop out!" Later, Leila would join us in our pew. I carried her and amused her in any way I can with such limitations (mass ongoing and all). She was not pleased AT ALL, telling me off, "You listen to what they say and stop playing with that baby!" I should tell you that Mt Carmel is a small and enclosed church. It doesn't require much vocal intensity to be echoed all throughout. You can't possibly imagine! After that, I behaved like I never did before!!!

But in fairness to her, she was not entirely Ms Grouch. I think she has a 5-minute memory span and forgets instantly how she just embarrassed me, cos every now and then, she would make comments to me about how old and sick she is, how her husband who is not Catholic drops her for church and picks her up after and how she forces her kid to attend masses with her on Christmas and Easter. And before we left the church, she turned to me and said, "Have a good Sunday!"

Which way are you going?

Wooden ceiling at the Our Lady of Mt Carmel

Gorgeous antique altar

STA BARBARA

The so-called American Riviera

Charming little corner house at Sta Barbara

Stearn's Wharf, most visited landmark at Sta Barbara, where you can dine, take a stroll, go fishing, gaze at the oceans, or simply, hang out!

I just lovvvvved the sound of the car tires on those wooden walkways and driveways.

Bieni, Leila and Lollie.

It was a sunny but mega chilllll day. One jacket, not enough.

Moby Dick Restaurant

Fish n Chips!!!

The french fries were so-so but the fish, I have to say, was gooooood.
Soft, not oily, has thin coating.

Clam Chowder, or should I call it canned Campbell Soup. It's a shame cos the presentation is pretty.

A stroll to the end of the wharf is a must, but be careful especially on a windy day.

This is the first pier I've seen that doesn't have wooden railings. So if you stay by the edge and loose your balance, you will fall.

Sta Barbara from the end of the wharf

Fishing hobbyists

"Shut up and fish!", says the skater boy.

Oh, to have the time to just sit and gaze!

Our group

(Yacht club in the backdrop)

Ladies in the family

Lovers in Sta Barbara

It was the second time for Pancho and Maica to be in Sta Barbara together. They were not able to enjoy the place during first time tho cos it rained the whole time.

Santa Claus for Christmas, this Pirate dude for Summer

Yeya and her Yaya

Leila actually pronounces Lollie "Yaya" no matter how hard Lollie tries to correct her

I'd like to see how such a good woman would look like.

State St, the main street at Sta Barbara

Whodelicious in Paseo Nuevo, amusement ride for cupcake lovers!

We all loved the colorful candy frills hanging from the ceiling!

"Stuck On You," "Rainbow Brite," "Pretty Please," Bananarama"

cupcakes, anyone?

They also offer a $2 warm cupcake that you can top with chocolate and candy toppings, frosting and even ice cream. Now, this is a cupcake store concept we've never come across before.

Happy Place!

While hanging out here, mama and I spotted a lady clad in an all-white ensemble, probably in her 50s who carried a terrier in a shining, shimmering leash (we swear it was for real!).

And also, a young teen whose face was almost completely covered by his curls and who was wearing a shirt that loudly said, "Pleasure to kill."

Extremes.

Still in Sta. Barbara.

The first Europeans that lived here were Spanish missionaries, thus the red-tile rooftops

SOLVANG

"In the year 1911, three Danish educators founded a farming community of Danish-Americands to preserve and continue the customs and culture of Denmark. They chose a sunny field in the Santa Ynez Valley of California and named it Solvang."
(short history)

I think these fields left an even greater impact on me because Sting's When We Dance was playing when we drove past it.

And Fields of Gold followed.

Awww, dreamy. Unfortunately, we could not just stop along the highway, make a run thru the fields and grab a photo op. That's the way the US is.

Gift shop at a corner

The Book Loft that sells new and used books and connects to the museum dedicated to the author, Hans Christian Andersen (see photo below). His works, that include The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, are probably the most famous and loved Danish exports.

All hardbound used books.

More used books and way to the Hans Christian Anderson Museum

This is just one of the two Hans Christian Andersen monuments we saw in Solvang. The other is at the town square.

The city square at Solvang where you can have a picnic, walk your dog, play football with your kid, take a nap... like many people did during our visit.

Somehow, this part of Solvang reminded us of the Gilmore Girls.

I love willow trees! And these are the first bunch I saw with a "straight cut."

This tablet says "11270 km to Copenhagen."

Seriously?

This is the second Hans Christian Andersen monument that we saw at Solvang. First one is at the museum, and this one is at the city square. So much love pouring out for him!

I delight in seeing looks of global enterprises become localized.

Faith looking out the window.

The store that sells Christmas all year round.

Courtyard.

The Ugly Duckling Store.

The best way to explore the place is by bike.

We didn't have enough time for it tho.

M&J for Mayong & Jenet.

Sad face is for not being able to buy handbags and accessories.

The tiled artwork where I got my short history of Solvang from.

I have this (almost) crazy fascination for red doors.

I WILL have one, God willing!

Another charming little courtyard with a wind mill.

Takin' a rest.

The Hamlet Inn.
(There was no room vacancy at Solvang on that day as it was part of the Memorial Day weekend.)

Another red door and red-framed window (at Hamlet Inn). Gorgeous!

Another cool way to see the city.

The windmill.

The Little Mermaid Restaurant.

The weather reporter.
It was unexpectedly very chilly that day.

Antique mailbox.

Where to eat? Where to eat?

Olsen's Danish Village Bakery it is!

So pleased to finally be seated in a warm place. It was mega chilly that day. Carlo (rightmost), the only one who was not wearing a jacket, grew up in New York. That should explain why he is not wearing a jacket.

Pancho's tip: When eating in a restaurant or cafe for the first time, always ask for the house special from the waitress. They of all, should know.

This one is called Krinkle, a staple Danish pastry.

It's perfect but for the raisins.

Last of Solvang.

Hallway at Sta. Ynez Mission in Solvang, leading to the entrance of the church.

A mass was ongoing so we were not able to sneak inside the church and make a wish.

Sta. Ynez Mission is part of the Spanish missions in California, a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans.

From the Sta. Ynez Mission garden.

Stations of the Cross at Sta Ynez Mission.

Tooscuny (matud pa ni Pancho) in Solvang.

This beautiful field is right across the Sta. Ynez Mission church.

Last view of the Fields of Gold

California is adorned with drop dead gorgeous mountains. Wish now that I was a climber!

Maica heard that the Sta Barbara Mission is one of the most beautiful among the missions and made it a must to go.

When we arrived, we caught this:

Biggest surprise of the day!

A street art exhibit in front of the Sta. Barbara Mission church!

Our instant favorite!

How cute is that?!?

It's so funny Maica and I were talking (maybe too loudly) about how cute this painting was. Then we heard a "Thank you!" from our back. Turned out the artist was just standing behind us. I asked him why he chose to paint that, but he gave the most basic of all answers: "Saw the design in the internet."

Anyway, he was kind enough to have my photo taken with his painting AND his self!

Javier Garcia.

So surfer dudes!

Names of famous people who have gone to Montessori Schools, or supported it, or have made any connections with it. Includes the Dalai Lama, Dakota Fanning, John Cusack, Jackie O, Helen Hunt, Anne Frank, and many others.

Another favorite.

Street artists hard at work.

Sta. Barbara Mission

Very colorful day to be at the Sta Barbara Mission.

And another favorite.

Drove home wt the sunset throwing its glow our way.

View from the Pacific Coast Highway.
Awesome!

Lovin' LA.

Yogurtland Mania

2011-05-29T14:35:00.000+08:00

Yogurtland is like an eat-all-you-can yogurt buffet. They charge you by the gram. There are several flavors and lotsa toppings you can choose from.

I'm smitten with RED VELVET and the DEVIL'S CHOCOLATE, with sprinkles, mini M&Ms, powdered Graham and Kitkat on top or mixed in.

I'm gonna miss this SO!

Cruisin' Woodley and other Park Scenes

2011-05-29T11:53:00.000+08:00

One Wednesday morning, we went to Woodley to rent a bike for an hour, for $20/hr. The rentals guy was really nice to give us an extra 20 mins, for FREE.

Bieni's dream come true!

That is, to rent a bike at Woodley!

Ready to cruise!

Leila in front

Three sistahs!

Missing Iana...

We had a hard time driving the family bike on inclines so somebody had to get down and push.

Woman walking her dogs

(you see a lot of them dog lovers and dog walkers at Woodley)

Two precious birds at the banks of the Woodley stream

Rollerbladin' mama (pushing a stroller with her kid)

Mother & daughter

Eco car

Father pushing stroller with baby brother and little son biking

There are two children's playground: one for the big kids and one for the toddlers.

Leila asleep in the middle of the ride.

She can only try to stay awake in her sleeping hour for too long.

Family having a picnic by the stream. This scene inspired us to finally hold our own picnic at Woodley (photos to come!)

Elegant bird by the stream at Woodley Park.

Encouragement in a most unlikely place:

YES YOU CAN!

Old folks playing cards

Spot the orange car

Most animal-friendly road sign I've ever seen:

SLOW DOWN

Duck crossing

Hiking Fryman and Runyon

2011-05-27T11:28:00.000+08:00

In our first weeks here in the US, it was all about hitting clearance racks in every department store there is -- Ross, Target, H&M, Forever 21. There came a point when the holes in our pockets could no longer be ignored, and we really needed the change in scenery that's as exciting but for free.

HIKING! Teng! Teng! Teng!

So far, we've been to three trails: at Fryman that is near Pancho's office, Runyon that is in Hollywood and Franklin that is next to Fryman.

FRYMAN

* 3-mile loop in Hollywood Hills

* highest elevation: 463 feet

This was my first hike so I was really excited about it. The views were ok, the trail fine that I got to run, and the crowd was not thick.

Oh yeah, this really happened.

Fellow hikers.

Views from the top: mansions, a slim expanse of the downtown, trees and bushes

Weeds, weeds, weeds!

This is a part of a huge cactus that's filled with the same "Who's been here" vandalism.

Another warning!

Amphitheater in the middle of the woodlands.

Love these vintage-y shades.

A miniature underground pipe created by the Tree People to illustrate how Los Angelenos lost (and waste) so much water, a process that can be avoided if given more effort

The "Wasting Water at Home" illustration
(Click to zoom in)

Miniature street

Please click to zoom in

The Tree People's Center can be accessed via Coldwater Canyon or via the end of the Fryman hike.

RUNYON

* 3 miles long

* highest elevation: 675 feet

A lot of hiking sites give Runyon a negative review primarily because of its crowd. Maica and I went on a Saturday and spent 30 mins looking for a parking lot (thank you St. Moses!). But it wasn't as bothersome as I thought. It's not like you rub elbows with people every time you move. It's crowded, meaning every now and then, you would hear people appreciating each other's dogs or simply, throwing pleasantries at one another.

The views from Runyon is certainly better than Fryman's: a generous expanse of downtown LA, hilly villages, and the Hollywood sign. The incline is more strenuous tho, but it's pretty amazing when you're up there already. I love views from the top!

Graffiti at the start of the walk.

It's an off-leash hiking area, so you would see a lot of these trained canine going around but never barking.

On the way to the top.

View from the top.

Check out the mansion.
(Click to zoom)

I wish I spent some time on that bench, but it was crowded.

She did it!

Rich, hilly subdivisions.

On the way down.

Lovers abound the area. And singletons, and old men and women with their dogs, and girlfriends talking about their men, and topless guys. Iana said celebrities are commonly spotted at Runyon. But of course, we did not see anybody.

Happy Mail

2011-05-26T04:10:00.000+08:00

I was so excited for these two to come in the mail. I ordered them last Wednesday. The tap shoes arrived two days after, on Friday and the journal, just yesterday. Oh my heart!

I bought a pair of Capezio's as suggested by a classmate at the tap class. I've never ordered shoes online so I was worried it won't fit. I hate having to deal with suppliers in returning purchases and having them replaced by new ones, etc etc. But they fit me to a T! And I tell you, the difference between not wearing tap shoes and wearing tap shoes in learning tap dancing makes all the difference. Tap after all, as defined by Wikipedia, is a form of dance characterized by using one's shoes, as well as the floor, as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a musical form.

I fell in love with this journal the moment I saw it at Urban Outfitters in Burbank. I wanted to buy it (even at $16) but Maica said I might get it cheaper online. True enough, I got this one from Amazon for around $11 only! No tax and shipped for free (because Maica is an Amazon mom)!

It's everything I imagined it to be.

How to Use This Book

"To begin, turn to today's calendar date, and fill in the year at the top of the page's first entry. Here, you can add your thoughts on the present day's events. On the next day, turn the page and fill in the date accordingly. Do likewise throughout the year. When the year has ended, start the next year in the second entry space on the page, and so on through the remaining years."

Isn't that cool?!

Love itttttttt!

The Promise (When in Rome)

2011-05-26T00:44:00.000+08:00

This is one of my most favorite songs ever. Released in 1988. It was on the radio last night while Maica and I drove to Ralph's at past 10 to buy Leila's organic milk. Sweeeeet!

If you need a friend,
don't look to a stranger,
You know in the end,
I'll always be there.

And when you're in doubt,
and when you're in danger,
Take a look all around,
and I'll be there.

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say. (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be. (I promise)
But if you wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise, I promise you I will.

When your day is through,
and so is your temper,
You know what to do,
I'm gonna always be there.

Sometimes if I shout,
it's not what's intended.
These words just come out,
with no gripe to bear.

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say. (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be. (I promise)
But if you wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise, I promise you...

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say. (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be. (I promise)
And if I had to walk the world, that make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you I will.

I gotta tell ya, I need to tell ya, I gotta tell ya, I gotta tell yaaaa ...

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say. (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be. (I promise)
But if you wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you...

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say. (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be. (I promise)
And if I have to walk the world to make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you I will ...
I will...
I will...
I will...

Roadtrippin'

2011-05-26T00:21:00.000+08:00

Now that Leila is 20 lbs, her car seat can be rearranged, facing the road. Yehey, improv!

For the last year and a month, she's only been facing a headrest. I think this is the time she used to create all the tricks she's been entertaining us with since 5 months.

We went to Malibu but did not see anybody famous...

2011-05-26T00:17:00.000+08:00

Just lookalikes.

Lame!

While it was an opportunity for us to turn our celebrity radar on, for Pancho, it was a trip down memory lane. Before his family bought their home in Van Nuys, they lived down there for 2 years or so. He pointed out where he used to watch movies, get his contacts, and hear this, where Elizabeth Taylor always hangs out. Cool.

But we were not so amused by Malibu. We were expecting Newport style set-up, with quaint, lovely shops lining long avenues. Instead, there were only cemented and cold complexes of shops and dining areas here and there. Pancho said they intended to make it that way so as not to attract tourists.

Sad.

First view of the ocean.

Awesome!

Can you see that? A flock of birds flying in a line! How awesome is that?!? Even more if you consider that this is their natural environment. They were not locked up and fed according to the tricks they participate in, like in zoos. They flew in such a style by instinct! Super awed!
(I unfortunately can rarely identify a bird. Let's just stick with... birds. Ok?)

The jukebox at Paradise Cove. So cool!
Last song played was a Bob Dylan, who, Pancho said, lives in Malibu.

True enough (or false alarm), at Starbucks after lunch, I saw an old guy who looked many bits like him, I was almost convinced.

And at the same Starbucks, I saw Chase Crawford's crown. We had to rush tho before I could confirm the rest of the head. But I swear it was him!

Waiting for lunch.

I actually liked Paradise Cove but for their very expensive menu. Each meal is over $15! Maica, Bien and I shared a sampler with french fries, fried seafood and chicken at over $20 and clam chowder at $6 (whew -- and it was huge!). The good thing is that if you dine there, you only have to pay $3 for parking at max 4 hours. It's $25, otherwise.

The Paradise Cove area has its own expanse of the Malibu shores, access to the nearby pier and generally, a nice place to hang out in. It may be expensive, but I think it's worth it if you really want to style your hang time Malibu way. (Though honestly, the beaches at Boracay and Bohol are much, much better!)

P.S. Maica saw "Josh Dunhamel" (alas, only a look alike!) here.

A seagull dined with Leila.
Yes, they're very confident, rubbing elbows with humans, etc etc.

While we hit the shores, mother stayed put.

In style.

House by the beach, maybe 100 meters from the pier.

The pier.
These guys wait for hours.
Wish I talked to them and asked how they do it, every time, every day.

Me and the coast.

The wooden structure behind us, down at the shores is the Paradise Cove restaurant.

You see this kind of pier in many beach communities in Southern California.

Some have wooden walkways, others cement. But they're always inviting.
It's the perfect place to observe fishermen in waiting and gawk at surfers who dare.

Lost.

Bieni testing the waters.

It's cold.

Footprints in the sand.
(Can you see what I mean by saying we have better beaches in the Philippines?)

And let me repeat, can you see what I mean by saying we have better beaches in the Philippines? I thought this was leftover from the huge oil spill last year, but apparently, not.

That's the way it is, Pancho would tell me.

Um, yuck?

Style sister!
Bieni and I wanted to walk all the way to the end of the shoreline but didn't want to keep the others waiting.

Flying V!
I don't think I had ever been as thrilled by birds as I was at Malibu.

Not counting trained and contained birds at the zoo of course.

If only we had more time, I'd sleep on those beds!

I liked these wooden signs. Plain, yet home made and charming.

All lunched out, well rested and ready to go.

*** Pancho suddenly felt like road tripping so instead of driving back home via the same way we came in Malibu, he suggested we follow the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to Camarillo. We dropped by the Outlet Stores and took forever at Forever 21. They have the biggest rack collection of dresses on clearance prices we've ever seen! (So don't waste your time clearance-hunting in the other 21 shops.) We finished at past 6 and decided to cancel seafood dinner at the nearby Oxnard.

Running Newport

2011-05-24T06:27:00.000+08:00

Finally hit Newport Beach for a long run. My sister has been telling me about this gorgeous beach town that's next to her base, Huntington. Particularly about how crazy beautiful and rich the homes are and that I should never leave LA without trying to run the course there.

True enough, she made no exaggeration. This morning, I had a very pleasant run -- lovely quaint homes on one side and a long shore and the ocean on the other -- how can you have it better? Though I was puffing much of the way because, I'm guessing, of the cold breeze, and my pace was also faster. Our parking was only for 2 hours and I wanted to go all the way to the Balboa Pier. We parked at 38th Street Park. Carlo estimated I covered almost 10k. That's great, but the experience was even greater.

I run to the ocean end of the Newport Pier and saw a couple of well-wrapped fishermen braving the chill while waiting for their bait to reap for them sea treasures. Down in the waters, two seals also waited for their luck. There was nothing to be heard but a mumble here and there ("Little fish this morning..."), the sound of the seal's flippers hitting the surface of the water, and more audibly, the crash of the waves against the shores, and the heavy sea breeze. It was a moment of tranquil -- I hang for about 20 minutes I think, conscious of and appreciating my surrounding. I wish I were able to capture that moment. My memory cannot contain the unforgettability of it all.

But the real situation was, I was in running gear. Second, I left my camera back at Maica's place in Van Nuys. Can't have everything.

The homes I ran by were generally gorgeous, as Iana promised. Drop dead. Tropical garden at the beachfront, with a lanai and miniature waterfall. Red sunchairs fronting a brown, cemented home. Flower beds by the white window frame. Blue wooden-slatted homes. Picnic tables parked beside barbecue grills. Almost everything seemed to have stepped out of a postcard. A mosaic of square tiles painted individually by the students of the community grade school (right in front of the beach). A majestic black as ebony Great Dane with a hot pink leash.

Rocky wharfs that jutted beyond the sandy shores and faced the ocean head on. I braved one after my run and there was time left in our parking permit. I crossed the vast shoreline and balanced myself on the wharf while choosing a flat-faced rock to sit on. Then, I stared out at the angry waves and the daring surfers. One of the most well-spent times in my month and a half here. It was no reflection time. I simply breathed in that moment.

There is truly, so much to be thankful for.

That Kind of Afternoon

2011-05-20T12:47:00.001+08:00

Sunny. Chilly breeze gone. Banig on the garden. Slow afternoon. Leila on hyper mode. Ninang in need of sleep. It's that kind of afternoon that you will feel nostalgic about down the road, when you look back and look at these photos.

Groovy Grandma!

Pepper doing her own thing

Ninang, Leila, and Bieni

Best Cheesecake Ever!

2011-05-20T12:41:00.000+08:00

Plain cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory.

Seriously, they have the best. I may have the tendency to name many bests, but this one is just way up there, it would be an insult to compare it to others, even, say, to my former best, from Starbuck's. It's got all the works -- enough sweetness, mighty pleasure, and best thing about its bestness: you can finish one without feeling bad.

Treasure in the Mail

2011-05-18T10:27:00.000+08:00

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited

It cannot cripple LOVE

It cannot shatter HOPE

It cannot corrode FAITH

It cannot destroy peace

It cannot kill friendship

It cannot suppress memories

It cannot silence courage

It cannot invade the soul

It cannot steal eternal life

It cannot conquer the spirit.

-Anonymous

Small But Terribl...y Cute

2011-05-16T11:23:00.000+08:00

Check out those eyes!

"She's doe-eyed, not budlat," Maica, her mother, insists.

Going Crazy Over

2011-05-16T10:48:00.001+08:00

CHERRIES

Can't get enough!!!

Harvest season for cherries is late this year so for now, we're still bearing with the expensive tag per pound. But Iana said it should go down in a few weeks.

SCRABBLE

Carlo and Iana reintroduced me to scrabble on my 3rd night in the US, on the night before my 1st half marathon. I slept at almost 11 because I didn't want a mediocre fight. And I woke up at 2am the next day for the race.

Of course I lost that night, but I set the GOAL to beat this couple one day.

More scrabble!
On my 2nd week here, I beat the near master scrabbler Iana! Ha!

Two more targets to bring down: Carlo and Pancho.

Even mama has caught the scrabble bug. And she's surprisingly goooood.
"Theresian gud!" So she says.

And more.

And even more scrabble!!!

Finally today, May 15, I beat Carlo.
I owe it to you, AJAW!

Since we arrived, Carlo and Iana introduced us to other board games: Settlers of Catan (which sucks if you don't have a knack for making strategies and even more, if you're simply luckless) and Mad Gab.

Furriest Dog I Ever Hugged

2011-05-16T10:18:00.000+08:00

The macho but lovable huskie, Mojo.

** This dog amused me more than the Pacquiao-Mosley fight did. I met him at Thuan and Dawn's place where my sisters, in-laws and I watched the fight. I had to double check with Dawn, who was only babysitting the huskie and two others for Thuan's sister, if I could approach him because his macho physique sure made him look intimidating.

He looks thick in this picture -- the furriest dog I ever hugged, as I call this post -- but actually he was shedding so much hair. Apparently, huskies are made for cool weathers and the shedding happens when the summer warmth, even in its faintest sign, begins.

Saturday Barbecue

2011-05-16T09:55:00.000+08:00

I think yesterday was my favorite Saturday in this visit yet. Mama, ever the hostest with the mostest, arranged Maica's backyard to accommodate a decent barbecue feast for dinner.

While the bros in law Carlo and Pancho went out late in the afternoon to watch Thor at the movies, we girls walked to the nearby Vallarta Supermarket to buy chicken and "flat meat" (as Maica would call the beef) to grill. Then we hurried home and started the barbecue.

Maica assigned the grilling to me, but I sucked. I poured chicken oil on the grill -- the cleaning of which, according to Maica, is a real daunting task for Pancho -- burned the flat meat a bit, covered the chicken too thickly with foil. Eventually, the queen of the household took over.

Smart move! Because we sure didn't want to have carcinogen for dinner.

Lollie and Leila braving the late afternoon chill for barbecue. We could have had it inside the house but I guess it wouldn't have been LA style.

Leila the pilya on her jeep.
This toy car actually works, moves forward and backwards with a press of a pedal.
And there's a seatbelt, too!

For appetizers (oh my), we had tortilla chips dipped in avocado hummus and pico de gallo, an authentic Mexican mix of tomato, jalapeno, onion and vinegar. So good! And also, we grilled some corn.

We ladies said we'd do the grill this time (the boys did it on Mother's Day), but the moments the boys arrived back from the movies, we demanded that they take over. (haha actually, Pancho, ever the gentleman on the grill, took over without being told. it's territorial, i guess.)

This fire helped.

The whole spread: chicken barbecue, flat beef meat, hosajos, grilled corn and vegetables, and our favorite, cherries!

WE MISS YOU POPS AND BRO!!!

Underwater Love

2011-05-04T23:21:00.000+08:00

Carlo and Iana's aquarium in their Huntingtong Beach abode

Can you spot the white and black fish on the left side of the photo?

That's the Lion Fish, Mustafa

There's a huge store a drive away from Iana's place that sells not only fish but corals. Can you imagine corals in your own home?

This one is for $10.

More corals, at $10 each.

This fish's job is to filter the sand.
It mouths the sand and discharges them thru a hole in its belly, as you can see above.

How efficient.

Shrimpy and snail.

The snail also helps in cleaning the aquarium.

Iana and Carlo met a guy who fell in love with corals and now owns a 200 gallon tank aquarium in his home, filled with it. Every morning, he does "gardening" in his aquarium and says of it, "Very therapeutic."

I can imagine.

Casey is out

2011-05-04T12:48:00.000+08:00

I watched on TiVo that American Idol episode where Casey Abrams was voted out. Episodes like that make you think just how legitimate the whole AI voting system is, but Casey took it so coolly, we cannot cry foul. (Insert: I think it's a win-win situation for him anyway, having bagged his music sensibility-wise equal, Haley).

I did not religiously follow this AI season because back home (in the Philippines) the schedule was hard to keep track of but I frequently looked Casey's and Haley's performances up on Youtube. In fact, I discovered Casey and Haley via Youtube. When I saw Casey auditioning with the standing bass and a harmonica like i've never seen before, I favored him instantly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGmdQfLyfdE

Even more when he sang "Why Don't You Do Right".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxzZuNlGRYA

I think the first Haley vid I saw was her jazzy, country take of "Blue" that Randy found a bit boring but I totally found sexy and confident.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYdIcmbhcoc

And these two have just taken their fans on a rock, jazz, soul rides since, peaking at a duet called "Moanin'," where they both did scatting! I don't know about you but for me, scatting requires confidence and pure talent. And they sounded goooood, I enjoyed it so much. Win or lose, these guys won't fade into oblivion. Even better, they're going to bring jazz and soul back in mode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd5J83TRSEc

And did I mention? They're dating!

FIDM Scholarship Store

2011-05-04T12:18:00.000+08:00

It was Maica's mother-in-law tita Evelyn who tipped us off this great fashion stop along South Grand Avenue in downtown LA. I was there for the first time today and bought two great tops that certainly don't look like $10!!! I also bought really cute $1 tops for Nang Boning, Nang Inday and Jean.

They have $40 long gowns that are sparkly, have pleats and all the works, very pretty, fancy jewelry, everything under $5, white, cotton long sleeved, short sleeved, v-necked shirts and short dresses at $1, bottoms that are khaki or sleek, all nicely cut and presentable at $16 and under. And great tops that don't look like $10!!!

Best of all, especially for those into dress-making, they sell fabrics at $1/yard. It's a heaven for my fashion-schooled sister, Iana.

The FIDM Store is located in the same building as the school, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. All profits go to the school's scholarship fund, which is think is so cool. Here's the site http://fidm.edu/about/shopping-at-fidm.html

When in downtown, check it out.

Strawberry Afternoon

2011-05-04T11:39:00.000+08:00

Meia, Maica's sister-in-law came to say hello and brought her beautiful Cefy and adorable James. We went out to embrace the sunny, Tuesday afternoon, snacked on very red and luscious strawberries, and avocado hummus, toasted pita and tortilla chips, and Sprite.

I like these sunchairs, very cool.

Valley kids Cefy and Leila, Bien, James

Cartwheel showdown:

Cefy in her purple leggings

James didn't want to be outdone by the ladies

Ballet-trained Bieni whose cartwheel is almost perfect

Pep-peh

(originally Pepper)

Strawberries!

Random Photos

2011-05-03T14:16:00.001+08:00

Roadmarks

Volunteer cheerers

These girls appeared at the point where the half and full marathoners went on their separate ways, the halfies to the finish line and the fullers on the 2nd, and equally long, part of the race.

No words can say how relieved I was being a halfie.

Photos courtesy of Jojo Cabigting (roadmarks), Adi Runs & Carol Nash (volunteers). All from Facebook.

In Season!

2011-05-03T14:11:00.000+08:00

Bought this much x 2 for $.99 at the Asian Market!

The Best

2011-05-03T11:53:00.000+08:00

Breakfast at 2am: Iana's pasta wt white sauce and parmesan cheese

My sister Iana signed me up for the race, woke up at 2.30am to drive me to the event, waited for hours to see me finish. Can your sister beat that?

	We left home at 3am, thinking the OC Fair and Event Center would already be abuzz with runners, spectators and cheerers. But when we arrived, we saw only four other runners were already there. So we were able to snag a great parking spot and tried for powernap (to no avail; we just talked). Shortly before 4, the huge yellow school buses started arriving. They would take us to the start line at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. 

Finish line would be back at the OC Fair and Event Center.

Unfortunately, I don't own a camera that I could take wt me to a long distance run so I was not able to take photos of the 15,000-strong running crowd, the stunning ocean views, the beautiful & rich neighborhood that we passed through, the cheerers.

Following photos (and above) were taken after the race. A personal commotion took place after I finished. Instead of celebrating and getting to my cool down exercise, I had to look for my sister all over the place. We had agreed on a meeting place but she did not show up for more than an hour. I knew she wasn't the type who'd ditch so I worried she, in her 3rd month pregnancy, might have fainted from heat or what. But I didn't find her at the First Aid Tent.

Fast forward to some hour and few minutes after, we did find each other at the original meeting place. Apparently, she started waiting at the half marathon finish line at 2:29 since I told her I'd finish 2:30 or so, but surprise, surprise, I finished at 2:18. She continued waiting until 3:40, when she saw a pregnant woman in her third term cross the finish line, thinking there's no way I'd have let her beat me.

I was so relieved to find her, I cried. Now, my legs down to my toes ache, a result I'm guessing of the poor or close to none cool down exercises I did after the race. =|

I wanted to have my photo taken with a handsome all-American American blonde (because I was in America!!!), but I couldn't find one. Funnily enough, these Tagalogs were waiting for their turn to have their photo taken against the event backdrop, so I invited them into the frame.

Oh yes, it was such a significant event to my running career, that I just had to reenact my finish and have Iana take photo. Haha

Kenyans rule everywhere! Peter Omae finished the Marathon at the top and at a personal record of 2.22 hours. Iana had an instant crush on him.

At the OC Fair and Event Center.

Maica, Pancho, Leila, Bien and Mother drove to Huntingtong all the way from the Valley to have lunch with us at Boiling Crabs, my sisters' favorite restaurant in LA. I was so happy I can finally eat junk to my heart's content =)

May 1 is also Leila's birth day. She's 1 this year!

Lets start with this

2011-05-03T03:16:00.001+08:00

I ran the OC Half Marathon yesterday (13.1 miles/21 kilometers) and exceeded my expectation. My goal time was 2.30 hours, but I finished at 2.18 hours. My tag time (official time based on the running chip) is even better: 2.10.22 hours!

Praise be to God! Arrived in the US only three days before, still fighting the jetlag, barely enough sleep the night before (cos I cannot have the veterans Carlo and Iana beat me at Scrabble without putting up a good fight), but I was able to make it. No walking breaks except by the water stations.

Oh my soul, claim nothing for your own. For you, there is God and God alone.

The course was superb, the views stunning, the crowd inspiring. The run felt longer than the 14 hours on the plane ride from the Philippines, but the good vibes and energy was just overwhelming.

More photos soon.

Hi Again

2011-05-03T01:58:00.002+08:00

I opened this blog in October 2009 to track me and my family on our US trip. Now I'm back in the US to spend time with my sisters Maica and Iana, their hubbies Pancho and Carlo and my niece Leila.

We're staying til June 15. In here will be stories along the way.

Best Buy Ever

2009-11-13T23:28:00.002+08:00

The Photo Book

for US$9.50 at one of the souvenir stores in the Getty Museum. All I do is feel the book in my hands and I congratulate myself for nabbing one of the best deals ever.

Thank you, Phaidon!

Eavesdropping to Remember

2009-11-13T23:09:00.005+08:00

We were at J. Paul Getty's Museum at the Getty Center when we chanced upon a grandfather explaining a watercolor painting to his granddaughter cradled in his arms. She must be around 4 yrs old.

Grandfather: Do you see the reflection of the trees on the lake?

Little Girl nods.

Grandfather: You know sometimes, the reflection of the trees on the lake is more beautiful than the trees themselves. Do you see it?

Little Girl replies no comment. Grandpa moves on to the next painting.

I wish I had such a grandfather (or anybody), who could help me see the subtle beauties and not the intricate technicalities of art.

***

By the way, the J. Paul Getty museum is an astoundingly remarkable feat of a human being's love for the Arts. Access to the museum is free, you only pay for parking ($15). And you really wonder why. You have to.

It's huge, it's gorgeous, it's got an amazing view of Santa Monica and other Santas in LA, it's got the original works of Van Gogh, Gaugin, Monet. One of the caretakers pointed out to us a painting that's worth 5 million dollars. Hoowaw. They've got other collections besides paintings. We made the mistake of allotting only 2 hours to it. Take away 30 minutes of the time they spent looking for me (Ooops, I got lost again!) so we actually spent only 1.5 hours of pleasure "studying" the works.

It's a must visit.

***

So yeah, I'm wondering how Getty could be privately-owned and be free for everyone while the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) is government-owned and taxes each visitor $20. I'm not complaining, I'm just wondering.

hahaha

2009-11-11T15:56:00.002+08:00

One beautiful afternoon after a Japanese eat-all-you-can lunch, the Rodriguez family was trying to spot a parking space at the promenade across Huntington Beach, CA. It wasn't easy. Tingtong, the son, noticed the reserved parking spaces for the Handicapped.

Tingtong: Panch, how old do you need to be to park in the reserved lot for the Handicapped?

Pancho: Actually, you just have to be handicapped.

Tingtong: Ay, bitaw? Balian nalang nako si mama beh!

Between New York & Charlotte

2009-11-08T20:32:00.001+08:00

My cousin Carla, upon stepping out of the Penn Station and into the busy 34th St, exclaimed out loud, "Now, this is America," which was pretty funny since Carla arrived in the US six months ago and has been living in Charlotte, North Carolina. "I think I'm going to cry," she continued. I think many would share the same sentiment. New York after all is the state that's most associated to America. It is the beacon of the American dream, and the setting to many well-loved films, series, and stories.

We are placestruck by it.

New York was in the itinerary of our first US trip ten years ago so I wasn't as excited as Carla was, but I was still looking forward to it. I looked forward to seeing the Ground Zero and to see how New York would seem to the dreamy 24 yr old me.

Would it still be about looking up at the Statue of Liberty and guessing where the MTV building is, like it was 10 years ago when I was 15? (Answer: Nope, I didn't mind at all that we only saw the Statue from the Staten Island Ferry port. And when Karen pointed out the MTV building for me at Times Square, I just went, "Oh yeah.")

Would New York be that tug in the heart, pumping it faster, producing a new inspiration? (Answer: Yep.) Would I get sucked into its fast-paced, always-on-the-go, dream-and-achieve-it-fast culture, wanting to be part of it? (Yep, though I want to make clear that the new inspiration doesn't draw me necessarily towards New York, but to any place with the self-employed "make it happen!" spirit)

I was not only placestruck by New York; I actually wanted to get to know it.

We were in Charlotte before taking the 13-hr train ride to New York. Our host tito Mike would joke, "You're going to New York after Charlotte. Oh boy, will you be culture shocked." Oh boy was he right. While Charlotte's roads and highways abound with trees in deep-autumn colors, glass and concrete practically mushroom in New York City. Not to mention, the crowds on the streets, the city's natural feel of hurry, the vicious drivers, the lights, the congestion. In the contrary, Charlotte looks and feels like it has all the time and space in the world. There's always a patch of trees, bushes, plants that separate one establishment from another, and so much air between people. To New York's feisty, Public School-grown blonde, Charlotte is like a reserved, boarding school-bred brunette. Though they sit close to each other in the American map, they are worlds apart.

While New York inspires the heart to get going, Charlotte convinces it that it is already home.

What I Owe You

2009-11-07T17:07:00.003+08:00

1) Best of New York

2) What we ate in Vegas, stays in our hips

***

American Eagle: Live your life.

On the Road (Las Vegas to Los Angeles)

2009-11-07T16:39:00.009+08:00

Waiting for the bus at the bus stop in downtown Vegas.

35-minute stop at Barstow for lunch.

Everything on our table was fried.

Railroad at Barstow.

Someone from our bus got left behind at this small town somewhere in between LV and LA. It happened like this.

Bus driver turned on the bus engine.

Girl at the back of the bus: Hey, we're missing somebody.

Bus driver: Do you know who?

Girl: I don't know.

Bus driver drives out of the parking lot.

And drives all the way to LA.

North Hollywood.

Or,

No Ho.

In memory of Polly (the dolly above) who Bien left behind at the North Hollywood bus station. Mother bought Polly for her just the other day.

***

I took these photos during the bus ride from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. The window on my side were painfully tainted w/ dried muck and I had the sun on the same side all throughout the trip. Sucks. But it was an enjoyable ride.