My First Snow

I come from a tropical country. We only have two seasons- wet and dry. Thus, my first snow experience is a big deal for me.

First sighting: March 2004, Germany
Insight: It snows in Germany. Snow is really just ice.
Question: Can it be used for halo-halo?

First walking: December 2005, USA
Insight: It’s difficult to walk on a pile of snow. Snow stings when touched.
Question: What would it be like if it will snow in the Philippines?

First driving: January 2007, USA
Insight: None as I was too busy worrying whether there were some really special ways of driving with snow falling and if there were some mechanisms in the car I did not know about.
Question: See insight above.

I come from a tropical country. We only have two seasons – wet and dry. Thus, my first snow experience is full of innocence.

A Story To Tell

“Can you show me your IDs please.” The waiter at Jaleo asked us kindly. He wasn’t sure if my sister and I ordering a pitcher of sangria were licensed to drink.

You have to understand. For us thirty-somethings, that’s one story to tell. :-)

The Bethesda Journey

One fine day this January, I decided to visit the Smithsonian Institute and attempt to become “cultured” exulting history, science and the arts. I imagined myself getting there and walking around with composure and grace in keeping with the activity I was to have.

It turned out that fate had different plans for me. What was to be an ordinary Metro ride turned out to be more than the usual experience.

I found out belatedly that the ticket machine only dispenses change of up to five dollars. Since I only had twenty dollar bills with me and I did not want to pay more than the $6.50 one-day pass, I had to find change somewhere.

Finding the necessary nickels and dimes meant having to go back out and ride again one of the longest escalators in a train station that I have been to. It was a choice I did not want to make as I am afraid of heights. So, I had to take off my imagined Jacqueline Onassis hat and started approaching strangers to become Annie.

It was uncomfortable asking busy and late-for-work people if they could help me with my predicament. I must have looked so loss that one of the passers-by kindly offered to give me some of his money.

“Will three dollars be enough?” He asked me.
“I need $6.50,” I answered.

I realized too late that he was generously just going to part with his money so I could take a ride. $1.85 would have been enough for a ticket to the Smithsonian. I did not even say some proper word of thanks for the offer. Where was the grace?

Missing my chance, I had to go out of the terminal. There I found a helpful cashier at the Hyatt in Bethesda. Soon after, I started the journey as myself sans pretense.

Reading and Dreaming

Which of the stores in a mall would you want to be owner of? I’d be content with owning a bookstore.

I love reading. Why wouldn’t I? It carries me as far as my imagination and every writer’s imagination would go to different centuries and spaces. It acquaints me to the mysteries of the universe. It introduces me to the obscure and the legendary. It hands me access to the workings of the human mind. It invites me to a variety of songs and dances.

Simply, it takes eavesdropping to a different level. Now who does not enjoy that?

While I was in Manila, my friend Maita provided me with books to devour from her private collection coupled with her personal reviews which were graciously taken into consideration. In Cebu, my friend Lelany took that role. Another friend Cathy was also a source of fascinating reads.

In this other part of the world, it would be the Montgomery County Public Library through my sister and her library card. One can borrow an unlimited number of books, tapes, cds, and dvds for free. I could be left alone in that library for days and I would consider it a welcome reward.

And so like Martin Luther King, Jr., I have a dream.

I dream that Cebu and the other parts of my country will have such kind of public library. I dream that the Filipinos will not abuse such privilege if it were available. I dream for a more well-read and educated Philippines. I dream that our politicians will hear this plea even as the elections approach.

Locks of Love

It was a promise I made in 2005. I was not to cut my hair until I weighed somewhere around one hundred pounds. When I came to note that is was quite farfetched and that had I lived in the Middle Ages, I was a perfect candidate to be burned at the stake, I finally decided to greet the New Year (2007) with a new cut.

At first, I chastised myself for not getting a less expensive cut whilst in the Philippines but comforted was I upon finding that such folly could lead to a more desirable circumstance.

At Hair Cuttery, I was presented with an opportunity. I could donate my hair to Locks of Love, “a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.”

Donating hair is unheard of in my home country. Except for a national appeal in August of 2005 to help clean up the Guimaras oil spill despite a local group’s opinion that hair was an unacceptable solution.

And so it was a welcome happenstance for me this year in the early days of January to be of help just by saying goodbye to my locks.

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Check updates on the oil spill at www.ligtasguimaras.com.ph

In Three Languages

At the St. Rose of Lima Parish in Gaithersburg, Maryland, I was all smiles during the Prayers of the Faithful. The plea to have our prayers heard was sung in three languages - - - English (duh!), Spanish (duh también!) and Filipino (halleluiah!)

Of the more than 5,000 spoken in the world today, Filipino was chosen. I was tickled to hear the accented

“Diyos dinggin mo kami!”

chanted by the whole Congregation.

I wonder which Filipino managed that. Is it another Apl.de.Ap?

Orlando Boom

Orlando made me come to America.

Initially, I planned to come here at another time of the year so I would really get to know the four seasons. But, Orlando beckoned. I answered without thinking twice.

Not minding the guilt of being absent in my hometown where the 12th ASEAN Summit will be held, I packed my bags and left Cebu for Orlando.

The roller coaster experiences (literally and figuratively) sealed questions on whether I made the right decision or not.
Besides, I can show my support for Cebu in other ways and I have other opportunities to meet the other seasons of the year. But meeting Orlando with most of my family around doesn’t come too often.

The villa where we stayed in was comfortable and homey. The shows, attractions and rides at Disney MGM, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Sea World, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure were mostly fun, thrilling and exciting! A few were shockingly bores or merely causes for headaches. The parades, laser shows, and fireworks were feast to the eyes - - - for the young ones and the young once.

Since it was Yuletide, the lines were long. We could have escaped some of those had we discovered the “single rider” scheme much earlier. The wait was not so bad though with some goofing around and people-watching.

For an eventful vacation, it was just apt for us to cap it off with a spectacular show from Cirque du Soleil. We all loved the four little girls' presentation among all other numbers.

Familiarizing Orlando with my “yellow” family was a good enough Christmas present for me. Getting lost going back to our temporary home in Lindfield, arguing and fighting, screaming and laughing, giving and taking, hugging and loving were all part of the magical package.

I thank Orlando. I thank my family. I thank Him for the invitation. So, when you get your chance, you go for it. Orlando will not disappoint.




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* Disney is said to have pioneered an environment-friendly pyrotechnic display. For more information, click here.

* Single rider is when you opt to ride as an individual. The line moves faster but there is a risk of not riding with your group at the same time.

My Impressions of the United States of America

The claims are right. It is the New World. It is the home of the brave and free. It is the land of milk and honey.

There is no doubt as to its newness especially when compared to Europe or China. Its buildings look so new even the ones in St. Augustine where the first Parish was built. Its historical places like Ellis Island still have that modern feel.

Viewing the exhibits on that symbolic island made me understand why America has been dubbed as the home of the brave and free. Most of its inhabitants are immigrants or descendants of the more courageous ones who have risked their future on a promise of a better or more adventurous tomorrow. (Think Far and Away) And when one sets out for his/her goals despite the fears, freedom comes.

Freedom comes in all forms in the United States - - - in the arts, sciences, politics and economics. You can be what you want to be as long as you don’t give in to sloth. You will not go hungry as long as you find dignity in every kind of job. There is so much here for everyone. Sometimes, there is much too much.

For example, they have very large food and drink servings. Their “regular” or “small” sizes could be considered gigantic servings in the average Philippine restaurant. They also have endless supplies of tissue/napkins/papers in public places. Sadly, so much are put to waste too.

If we save all leftover food in all of America for a day, I am sure that we could feed one continent. If people in America, including tourists like me, would wisely use the abundant supply of tissue, we could give the future generations one more year of healthier environment.

I hope someone will take notice and start a “revolution” to keep this New World, the home of the brave and free and the land of milk and honey.

Problem is, if one is so used to all these abundance, one would think waste is a natural consequence. I hope I am wrong.

The Grand Canyon

For all my positive thinking, I never thought I would be able to see the Grand Canyon in my lifetime. Whenever it was mentioned as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a part of me wanted to see it, and another part of me swiftly forgets the desire so as not to break my provincial heart.

On December 14, 2006, I found myself staring in awe at the Grand Canyon and counting my blessings.
My fellow tourist, an American woman traveling with her husband, from the same tour company that I took could not help but comment how blessed I was to be able to take that Grand Canyon sightseeing.

I agreed with all my heart and could not help but share my hymns of praise. For with Him, everything is possible. The good news is there are no heroic acts required. He will provide. Now that is grand!

Hoover Dam

I was surprised Las Vegas is situated in a desert. They don’t tell us that on television. Or maybe I just missed that part.

I never thought people could live in deserts, much less build cities in its midst. The Hoover Dam, which produces energy and provides water, is the reason for such wonder. Kudos to American engineering!

Sin City

Who wants to go to the Sin City? I see a lot of hands. I see my hand.



Having been brought up as a Catholic, attending a Catholic school for twenty years, and working for more than three years at a Catholic-run University, getting excited about going to the Sin City must be unexpected. Or should I say for the irreligious, expected?

What’s so sinfully attractive about Las Vegas? The elaborately decorated themed hotels, the free shows - - - dancing fountains, volcanic eruptions, moving statutes, etc. - - - the matinee or late night shows, the casinos, the rides, the lights, the road to instant fortune, the quickie marriages?



You tell me.

I was there to experience the walking, watching and more walking. The Strip is not a one-day walk. Hello! One hotel is one theme park by itself. Phew! Thanks to my cousin GK and his friend who graciously lent his car, I was able to take in more of the glitzy maze. Wow! People lose all that money to gambling?



That’s why I don’t bet big time. In casinos is what I mean. You might see me buying a lottery ticket somewhere. When I hit the jackpot, there’ll be lots of other cities to behold.