I invite you to join me as I share my journey here in the US. Hopefully, you can relate to my joys, pains and struggles, my life transformations, coping mechanisms, as well as some crazy, and memorable moments. Likewise , I do believe some lessons could be gained from my story. To all Filipinos out there or people who want to migrate to America, this is my reality and I would encourage you to keep your dreams of coming here. But then, be prepared and equipped with the right skills and attitude so you will survive.
I am sure a lot of families are gathering for backyard barbecues; a lot also have travelled for the weekend vacation to be with friends or family in another state or county.
I also learned for the news today that htoudands of people have flocked today to Staten Island to see the Statue of Liberty, and what a fitting place to celelebrate America's freedom. More so tomorrow , when, for the first time in eight years (after 9/11) the crown of the Lady Liberty will be accessible to visitors. But only for the few who got the tickets-the lucky 200 or so.
Me, I have to contend with watching the fireworks on TV-although I alwasy said I would watch it live one day. Never happened yet, especially not this year. No invitations yet to barbecues either. Anyway, I cannot be going nowhere anyway, even if I want to go to the city or somewhere else after work. Why?
My knee is hurting. I am in pain and I am limping. I don't know what it the problem exactly although I have seen a doctor today. The xrays showed there is no broken bone in my knee-but still I need an MRI because the doctor suspects it might be ligament issues. I can't have one till Monday, maybe because the clinics and laboratories are closed today for the weekend holiday.
Oh well, ..these pains come with age as what my co-worker said in a jest. It's true in a way but I am kind of young to have these problems. The seniors who live in the coop housing complex that I work with -some of them are in better shape than me. Well, what can I do, The body has soem wear and tear. Deal with it...that's what I gonna do.
So it's a holiday weekend..and I am STUCK in the apartment.Good thing I have movie DVDs. That will make my day better.
The world was shocked last Thursday , June 25 when news broke out about the sudden death of Michael Jackson. I didn't even learn about it till the 9:00 p.m. news on TV because for the first time I didn't open the tv when I got home from work which I don't normally do.
We also saw his fans mourn for him and reap praises for their idol -their ultimate King of Pop. On the other side, other people also prefer to dwell on the child molestation charges against him. And that itself has destroyed him forever to their minds.
Whatever has been said and have happened, the fact remains we have lost a musically gifted & talented person who has undoubtedly contributed much to the music genre the world over. He has revolutionized the music scene, having visualized music as one record producer has said. Yes, thru the MTV, -because music is supposed to be auditory but acting music out thru the MTV media, we were able to "see" music. These MTVs also catapulted his songs to the record charts. Indeed, it also helped a lot in promoting those songs. And the artists after him followed suit. And also the dancing-he introduced much of it to his music videos. And a lot of artists got into the dancing because of his precedence. Isn't our own Gary V. been influenced much by those moves that he earned the monicker of being the Philippines' Michael Jackson? So, I believe.
I admire Michael Jackson and knew a lot of his songs as they really becames popular even in the Philippines( although I never owned any record of his)...Give Love on Christmas Day, which I love hearing on Christmas time; Ben, Out of My Life, Music & Me, Billie Jean, The Thriller, of course "We Are the World "which was a successful fund-raising song, and "Heal the World" and a lot more.
He had made bad decisions and has been an eccentric person to me , especially when he changed his appearance. However, I doubt about the molestation charges against him because I feel that he was indeed a lonely person. One who had not enjoyed a normal childhood and reports of abuse from his father, and so he longed for the company of children. My feeling is also based on what I know about child predators/molesters. It's always reported that child molesters or predators have in their possessions (at the time of their arrest) pictures of nude or half naked children; or their computers are filled with child pronographic sites..or their read child pronographic magazines and all those incriminating evidences. I don't recall these having been seen or recovered in his home in Neverland Ranch when the police raided it. The evidence of accusations were mainly based on the oral testimony of the complainant. Maybe that's why the jury didn't convict him because of insufficient evidence. Okay he paid millions of dollars to settle the case but then who really knows. He just wanted his peace and protect his career.
Now, he faces God in his last judgement. So I leave it to the Almighty to give the verdict. He is the highest judge , where no man can question. What I am concerned about is his children. He has three and I hope one of them will get his artistic genes. But seriously, I hope that thru the sales (post-death) of his songs it will provide some money for his children's future well being. And reports have stated that his father, Joe Jackson is planning to take charge of his music al wealth-maybe there has been songs tucked in Michael's house that were not recorded- which Joe Jackson plans to record, together with his other music catalogue.
They have also said that a will have been found for his children, so I am glad. I hope he provided a trust fund for his children- as he said he loved them so much, so he should have provided for their future.. One of his attorneys have said that during the trials he was so nervous and terrified- worried about the future of his children if ever he gets convicted.
His last tour was in 1996- 1997 and that included Manila in that tour. I remember that tour because I was in graduate school in UP Diliman that time. How I wish now that I watched that show had I known that was his last. But tickets were expensive, and were sold out fast. It was reported that local movie stars purchased many tickets too, for family & friends. I remember my roommate Marian telling me the day after the concert that a friend of hers had a ticket for P700.00 and all he saw of Michael was the size of one's forefinger & thumb stretched out. That was how huge the crowd was. It was after all held in that reclamation area along Manila Bay. I think that's part of the site of the SM Megaworld.
After the funeral (which hasn't been announced yet) the fans will then move on.. but surely will store the memories in their hearts and the music will live on in their lives. No other Michael Jackson has ever merged yet in today's generation of singers. The world will surely be glad to welcome the successor.
June 12 finally came for the official switch to Digital TV or HDTv in America. It was postponed from a previous date to give more time to thousands of people to be ready for this change.
I didn't even realize it that day and only after I heard it on TV. Incidentally, it was the Phil. Independence Day celebration, too which I saw on the internet channel Pinaychannel.com.
I wasn't worried anymore that my tv won't work because one of the TV channels- ABC 7 had a test broadcast for the swirch and I was home that time. It gave instructions to watch in the next 5 seconds on what happens to the tv transmission. If my t unit wasn't HDTV- ready then I would see a blank snowy screen- like when one can't get a channel. So, after the voice over, nothing happened-I mean the show that was on just continued. Just as what the voice said, it would continue with the show if my TV was ready for the switch. The switch is from analog to digital transmission. Don't ask me about the technicalities inolved and how to understand this inlayman's terms becasue I myself don't know much. Except that my tv is fine.
I just can't help but be a bit anxious about this. Remember in 2000 when they said that computers will crash as well as other equipment that are computerized at the turn of year? I was at first unsure because I don't have my own cable tv connection and haven't asked my landlady about this. I kept hearing reminders on TV to get those cable boxes and antennas etc. that is need. Then later I also heard in a TV news that if one's TV is on a cable connection/service, then you are okay. That's why I was relieved and didn't think much about this. Untilt he day came and heard it on the news.
Well, I didn't also realize that a lot of people were affected by it. I was like-hey this is America... I supposed every family or person had a cable connection. Then I was wrong. One week today, after the switch went onto effect, people have been going to the electronics store to buy those Tv antennas and tuners, or whatever they need- just to get tuned in to a TV channel. People interviewed by tv reporters narrated how their tvs went blank. Others who had bought the antennas earlier also suffered some glitches like not being able to get all the(major) channels they wanted to have becasue their antennas have tobe tuned or like scanned for the channels. But even those who did follow the instructions still had some problems.
Well, lucky for me, my tv works, and I don't even have to pay for the cable service. Uh uh....i mean it's part of utilities covered by the rent. So, I was able to watch the NBA final games where the Lakers won 99-83 over the Orlando Magic last night (6/14). Yes, and the subway series final game too- in which the New York Yankees beat up the NY Mets 15-0.
I am thankful so much to a friend's fiancee who gave the tv to me, too. I am so lucky indeed. Bless him.
I am a self confessed fan of Charice and have said so in my past blogs. I had only known her in You Tube (just like Ellen D., Oprah, & David Foster did) when I stumbled while searching someone else's videos, a video of her singing her piece in a singing competition. She was only 9 yrs. old in that video, and she already captured my attention, praise and curiosity. Fast forward, I kept seeing her name and videos in YT until the day I heard her name mentioned in Ellen's show. And the rest is history.
Again, she appeared in the Oprah show last May 18 for the official debut of her international single " NOTE TO GOD". It was a splendid & soulful, passionate performance that made OPrah tear up again. That's why they say in the Insider show as the girl that made Oprah cry. David Foster calls her the little one. For indeed she is little, I wonder where her big voice comes from. I have seen and listened to her sing live in June last year in NY city, and the more that I was amazed because of the sheer power of her voice yet coming from a petite body of hers. Even the people in th park were drawn to where the voice was coming from.
Well, I downloaded her single because of that touching performance. It's available in iTunes and amazon.com. Also, I love the lyrics and the whole message of the song about a person's thoughts of what to write to God. So buy now and let's support a sweet girl who has only but dreams to help & support her family thru her gift-her beautiful voice.
It's a beautiful song, and was orignally recorded by the young singer Jojo in her album but it was never released as a single. So I encourage you to buy the song. For $0.99, what have you got to lose but instead, enjoy a poignant song sang by a girl with a melodic, big voice.
If you haven't watched that episode in Oprah, here's a link to videos posted in YT:
Normally on workdays, I have my tv on as I prepare for work. I tune in to the news particularly the weather report, but other news items I just listen without really watching it literally, as I continue to dress up and whatever I am doing.And I am talking of early morning like the 5:00 o'clock news.
Last Monday (May 18) I stopped to focus on the screen when I heard a story about baby ducks born in Manhattan. Yes, animal stories always get my attention. I am such a sucker for animals. Anyways, the story was about duckling who were hatched in a veranda of a Manhattan aprtment which belonged to a male occupant. There were 12 ducklings which were ready for their first flight. In fact, the sotry went- the mother duck already flew and left them assuming the little ones will automatically follw her- as she went to a pond nearby-maybe the place was near Central Park area.
Well, the news showed a clip from the movie -Earth?- where it was said that in the wild, ducklings jump from the tree to the ground were dead piles of leaves serves as buffers for their fall. However, in this situation, the ducklings were born in a Manhattan balcony-two stories high! And they have the hard, cemented pathway to land on - which will surely hurt them. Naturally, the ducklings were hesitant to jump.
So, there came the apartment tenant to the rescue-they now call him DUCK MAN. He coached the ducklings to jump out and he was there to catch all of them one after the other- twelve in all! Other passersby went ot help so he passed the ducklings to them as he caught each one. And they all placed them on the gorund and followed/ coaxed them to walk towards the pond were the mother duck was waiting.
The last clip showed the cute ducklings finally jumping into the pond and enjoying their first swim! This part they needed no help- as ducks are like fish in water. What a touching story. Nice job, man!
Have you ever been lost or have experienced getting lost? I have several times, even when I was still in the Philippines. My job entails some travelling and did have my share of getting lost in a city or town where I have been for the first time. I always have that signal and say : oh oh, I think I am lost.
Are you afraid of getting lost? Me, yes, and no. Well, let me explain.
Yes, of course, it's an uneasy feeling being lost someplace in which you don't know where to go next. I'm in near panic the moment I know I am lost. This sounds crazy but wait: am I saying I don't know I'm lost? No, what I meant is I am not sure at first but when I could see signs and facts around me that tells me I am in a different place, the realization sinks in and I freeze for a moment out of fear. I keep telling to myself: " oh oh, these are unfamiliar ..this seems not right". Sounds silly, but that's how I assess myself when I am in a train or bus for that matter. It's because that's where I alwasy get lost here when I go on trips by myself.
How I do get lost? Almost always, I take the wrong train or bus or jeepney (back home). Or make the the wroing turn. One time, In Makati, I was in a corner in the middle of the comercial district and I stood there, opened my map and tried getting back my bearing. Because after blocks of walking I siad to myself:" Stop. You can't wander the whole day. Get some help & do something right." So right there I get my senses back. I look around, ask people particularly security guards. plice officer if there is one, store owners-people whom I feel knows this place more than others.
I say it's NO, I am not afraid of getting lost. As long as I have money and train/metro cards, has a phone and numbers to call and have people to ask around, I have not much to fear being lost. Do don't venture alone if you don't have money and the guts as well to approach people and not to panic and lose your focus.I even gain something positive on this experience because that's how I know my way around the place or in New York city for example. Like I said, I don't mind asking people - in fact that's the first thing I do. But I don't just ask anybody. I can tell if a person is laso new in the lace or is just a shopper coz they would just say I am also new in the place or I don't really know. But I don't give up. I find another person to ask. Mostly, storeowners or store clerks can give some directions, securirty guards, police officers. And here in the US, I usually have the phone numbers of tourism offices of the place I am visiting like Visitor Centers. These centers are manned by actual persons and they are a good sourcource of information.Subway maps and knowing how to use them works great for me. Before I didn't know what uptown and downtown NY meant.BUt I know now.Of course after getting in the wrong trains first.
There you are guys. Hope you can get some tips from this . Enjoy your next travel!!!
Does everybody here who reads my blog knows Bette Midler? I am sure you love and admire her as a singer and actress, as much as I do. I remember well how I cried in the Beaches" movie, and how she made me laugh hard in " First Wives' Club". And who doesn't love that song "Winds Beneath My Wings" from the Beaches movie? It won a grammy -such an inspirational song that also "inspired" our own Charice to record it in her latest album "My Inspiration".
I watched her recently in the Rachel Ray show (May 13) as one of the guests. As usual, she was her funny, witty self. I love her candor and humor, and most especially her love for the environment. She's one of those green artists here in America. She's also a great mother and I salute her for raising such a wonderful daughter, and for keeping her marriage for 25 years now-which is rare among showbiz people. I don't recall having heard some scandalous reports about her.
So, here's the latest on her. She was on the show to talk about her current activity: the big picnic she'll be holding in New York to raise funds for her conservationist group for which she is committed for 15 years now.It's called The New York Restoration Project which supports community gardens in New York. It also has a goal of adding 1 million trees to NY city in the next ten years.And she was excited to tell the audience that they have planted about 175 thousand trees already so far. And she was ecstatic becasue these trees are flowering trees like Cherry Blossoms, so she said New York will be in full flowers ten years from now! This prompted Rachel Ray to add that NY will be competing now with Washington D.C. -referring to D.C.'s Cherry Blossom riverside wall or avenue. I can already imagine the beauty of these trees in full bloom in spring and into summer!
Pictures of some gardens her group has restored were shown in the show. Actually, some of these areas were vacant, abandoned lots and corners in a street that were gathering weeds, and trash. What thye did was to transform these into gardens: landscaped it with greens and flower beds and placed some garden benches on the sides. Very nice transformations in the NY landscape indeed!
Asked what her greatest achievement is, she casually remarked that it's her 22 year old daughter. She's in her 100th show in Las Vegas at Ceasar's Palace where she's been performing these years, flying from NY to Las Vegas. She's the indefatigable , Divine Miss M.
And she was also excited to announce that she's building a farm in New York and plant vegetables which she would sell to restaurants-something like organic farming. Oh well, there's no stopping the Divine Miss M into doing projects that are close to her heart and she is passionate about. That's why I love her.
I love plants and flowers that's why I love spring-well, minus the rain. I know plants need rain but sometimes, it's nasty. Just like in the Philippines. there are months that it rains for days..and floods are all over. It's the same here with floodings but it subsides with the drainage systems working very well in most places. (except in some ares in NJ where floods are really bad).
Spring is the time where trees sprout new leaves again and plant bulbs begin to sprout from the ground. When I see those plant bulbs shooting out it's stem from the gorund I know spring is in the corner. Nature knows really. Then after like a week or two, those bulb plants bear flowers already-mostly tulips. Yes, tulips in different colors. I used to love them and just admire them in pictures I see in magazines. But here, it'sa common plant around houses and in flower beds in parking lots or buildings and in parks. So my plan this year is to enjoy more of these flowers and nature in general, without spending so much. Where to find them? In parks and gardens of course!!
Didn't I mention last year that I would love to go back to Washington D.C. to witness the Cherry Blossom festival? Sadly, I kind of got caught up with work I didn't realize it was over when I finally thought about the festival. So being "masipag" in searching the internet, I found out that the Booklyn BOTANIC GARDEN has it's own Cherry Blossom Festival -or that Japanese Festival they call it on May 3.
I wanted to go on May 1 or 2 but I wasn't granted my leave request. Unfortunately, it rained the followng week -sice last Monday but I had to catch the blooms before they wither. So last Thursday, May 7, I decided on impulse to go there. It was also raining (showers) and the skies were gloomy but the weather reporter said it will clear up late afternoon. So there I went but really didn't map out my trip. Like I was waiting already on the subway train but still didn't know what train to take & station I will get off. So I was like thinking what to do when I saw the security guard at the subway station. Thanks to 9/11 security beef up, security guards are around in train stations & subways. So he told me to get the 2 train & get off at Eastern Parkway. I was still telling him I could get a Q also right? BUt then he said No, just take 2. I think that was the only train he knows as well. Good I followed his advice-or did I have a choice anyway?
In short after an hour and three trains I got off the train and whoow-the RAIN started to pour! I spread my spring caot over my head and ran to a big building for shelter. It turned out to be the BROOKLYN MUSEUM. Good, I thought. I can just go in if this rain doesn't stop. I looked for the rest room and just wandered in the lobby for like five minutes. There were Rodin sculptures in the lobby to see.But i had thisnagging feeling to go to the garden and not to the museum. So I went to seek the Garden when the rain started to slow down. I had my umbrella & coat, so I was ready for the rain.
Finally, I was there and I saw the man ahead of me present a ticket to the guard. Well, I had no ticket yet so I asked where to buy. The guard pointed to a kiosk on teh side and then told me that the guy had like a family ticket & it was good for two. So he said : Actually you can go. Wow, lucky me. I couldn't thank him enough. Wasn't that guy so nice, God bless him. Not that I don't want ot pay but in that weather and it was late afternoon (3:30) I feel cheated paying.
When I got inside, I felt so good. It was marvelous, I know it sounds weird. But I was totally happy to be there. The place is beautiful, and vast. They even had a plant sale going on. Sadly at I was told at the Visitor Center that the Cherry Blossoms are in their last leg-meaning the flowers are now wilting-almost gone. The rains during the week washed the flowers down. Nevertheless, I still made my way to the "Cherry Esplanade" or walk. I had a few pictures with me in umbrella, he he. I was actually walking on flower petals.
As a guide, the garden has several sections, like the Japanese Garden, the Cherry Esplanade, the Rose Garden (the roses are not in bloom yet so I'll come back in June), there's a cafe, a garden gift sop, Visitor Center and the Steindhart Conservatory. Inside this Conservatory are tropical plants like a yellow bamboo tree, palms, and others and a Bonsai section. In the Gift Shop they have several bonsai plants for sale but they are expensive
to me.
Maybe next time, I might buy some plants for the house.
These are tulips.
I posted more pictures in my PICTURES PAGE. Enjoy!
Congratulations to Manny Pacquaio for his win against Ricky Hatton! I am very sure all his devoted fans are all so happy and proud ...and hmmm, a bit richer he he he...with all the bets. I think may of those who won were the US based Pinoy fans coz it's here where you'll find Hatton fans. I don't think Pinoys back home were rooting for Hatton, except of course for those expats & other Brits who work in the Philippines.
Thanks to the internet and all those kindhearted souls who post the vids, I was able to watch the video online. I don't watch it on HBO & frankly I don't know about this pay per view terms & how it works. I don't have a cable connection myself - I mean my landlady pays for it, not my account.
One thing I have observed after Hatton fell down and Manny was declared the winner, was Manny kneelingand praying in his corner to pray right away. I mean, he never took the declaration first and adulations but rather said his prayers first. I am sure he was thanking God for his win and was also praying for Hatton- that he will be alright. I am sure Many will be devastated if ever he knocks out someone in the ring and kills the person it the process. Many is a kindred soul and even if the sport is brutal, he wouldn't wish death to any of his opponents. Seeing Manny pray confirms that he has a strong faith in God and that his mother really raised him to be prayerful. Being a true follower of God, being faithful and grateful in all we do- pleases the Lord, who provides all. That's why Manny is so blessed.
More power and blessings. I am sure Manny shares it to his countrymen.
That's how people in New York are afraid of low flying planes. The horror, fear and pains of that ill-fated day have really left them wounded. It was reported that three buildings in this area were evacuated that day because of fears that the plane might hit any of the buildings. Who would not think so when they saw these low flying panes circling the city. Remember that the other one was an F16 fighter plane. Actually, it was providing escort to Air Force One for this photo-op that the Defense Dept. undertook.
The activity was made known to the NYPD (New York Police Dept) but the mayor and the public were not notified. They were requested to be silent on this. Bad decision because it just created panic and rekindled fear again to this already traumatized people. Some people posted online comments saying that hthis was uncalled for and a lapse of judgement as Mayor Bloomberg & Sen. Schummer said. For one news anchor, he said this was more than a lapse of judgement but a complete stupidity in a time of economic crisis, wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars for publicity photos for Air Force One. HE said further that you can just put that on your PC at home and done the same.
Other posters wrote that they could have notified the Mayor & the public about the exercise-that there will be a low-flying plane to hover over the city and that thsi is a photo-op, so no need to panic- without telling them it was Air Force One for security reasons.
But one struck me were the comments on how the media took this. Some said had this happened in the Bush administration, the media would have lambasted then Pres. Bush at no end. This time however, the media was tame and didn't raise hell over this.
And how much that exercise cost? Whew, only $328,835.00.
Well, what can we do? It's good nobody got hurt during the panic-moments.
I am not a voter yet coz I'm just a permanent resident (green card holder, as it is referred to) so here's what I can do:
1. Exhort voters to cast your votes. This is a crucial election.
2. PRAY. Yes, I pray that the election will be honest and peaceful. And that God will bless this country with a new president who will steer this country to a better economy and life for all its people, and one who will hold the moral fiber of this country together.
3. Study, think, analyze crucial issues that affect the country & people. Apart from the economy, a lot of issues has to be considered, but which have been sidelined because of the economic crush that happened just when the campaign period started. Thus, the focus of debates and discussions just centered on the economy. Well, so little time left and it will be time to choose a new leader.
Let us all be aware that a president is the executioner of laws, and that the governance of this country also rests on those elected senators and congressmen.
So, also choose wisely your senators and congressmen.
I also would like to ask everyone in this great country to pray so that when you cast your vote, God is with you and you will choose the one who pleases HIM, the Almighty.
Have you ever been to a safari trip? I've been to one but not the real adventure thing like the African Safari. Ha ha, that would have been one trip of a lifetime for me. What I am referring to is a theme park in Pennysylvania called Six Flags. I went last summer (2007) with my sister and her family. It was a four hour drive going there but actually, it was just a side trip on our way to Philadelphia. Since it'sa theme park there are lots of attractions there including all those high-fast rides! Well, to tell you I didn't really expect what to see or where we were heading to. I was just going along with them and so my sister called the shots-meaning she was the whole trip director. So, we were finally there and when I saw the signs and all, I understood what the place we were going to see. Oh, well, there was the entrance fees to pay and it was kind of expensive for me because it was per person, not per car. You see, you have to tour the place in your car. Right, because the animals are loose there. Yes, some were on the roads especially the moose and giraffes. I even saw one giraffe which was kind of sunbathing itself as it was just staying i that one sunny corner.
So, here in this picture, you can see the animals being infront of the car, so we have to stop or slow down so we don't run them over or they run us over! My, these animals are huge..and some were really bold enough to come right up to windows. Visitors are not allowed to feed the animals because you know, they might be given food which is not appropriate for them and they will die or get sick. But maybe some people give them food so some of the animals peep over open windows expecting some food to be given to them. See, there was which was even licking the car windows. My sister
exclaimed they are given free car wash.
A car ahead of us was stalling, and some cars behind us were also building up. We kind of suspected they were feeding the animals coz they were staying close in that car. Then we saw a park ranger truck coming fast behind us headed towards the car in question. We guessed that maybe someone called the rangers about them feeding the animals maybe. Then in one stop, a lady ranger told us that they had two animals that died last year because of these crazy people. But she also excitedly told us about the birth of another monkey-a specifc genus I can't recall now-which was born just a day ago. She told us we would see the baby monkey on the end part of the safari park. And true enough, they were all there in their area, and it seems the whole clan was celebrating and joyful of this little one's birth. And the little monkey? He was playful and when they headed to a hut farther, we saw the babay monkey ride on teh back of his mom. And what was interesting was some males escorting the mother and baby monkey while they walk. It was kind of fascinating to know they were protective of the newest and youngest member of their clan! There were a lot of animals in that park but most were confined in their areas-they were just grazing or on the pond bathing like the rhinos; the kangaroos were on the other side taking in the shade of a tree. They were just peacefully enjoying their place. We were just separated from them by low fences. But the tigers (Bengal and white-yes, white! ) tigers were coralled in barbed wire fence and a den within. So with the other dangerous animals like leopards and the like. I also saw a bear family-brown ones trekking along a creek-with a cub also. Oh, it was a cute sight. As well as the elephants which were being fed when we came to their territory. Well, it was bales of grass that they were eating and this one elephant was kind of greedy he was taking away one bale from the rest-talk about not sharing food! Hmmm, I thought only humans do that. Indeed that was a fascinating trip for me and I learned more about animals-especially about seeing their actual sizes and colors, features, etc. I love nature and animals so trips like this I always treasure. Enjoy life and nature whenever you can and when you have a chance.
This is the brown bear family. Oh, there were two cubs actually. The father was right behind them. I didn't catch him in this shot.
Bengal tiger in the caged area.
A pair of ostrich just on the side of the road. Notice the sign on the left? It says
KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED to prevent animals from peeking into asking for food.
A pair of Zebra grazing, oblivious of the cars passing by. There were a number
Finally, I was able to see the White House! I have a friend (my former officemate who's now in Kentucky) who said that Pinoys say that if you haven't been to New York, California, seen the White House, then you aren't really in America. Well, I live in the great empire state-New York, so I fulfilled that part already. Having been to D.C. and seeing the White House even at a distance, was a dream come true for me. By the way, in the Philippines, I was able to tour the Malacanang Palace- the equivalent of the White House in the Philippines. It was during the presidency of Mrs. Aquino, when Malacanang was open to the public and a museum of Imelda's famous 3,000 shoes was established for public viewing. The weather was gloomy and as I stated previously in a blog, it was rainy the days I was there. So this is not the most vivid and lovely pics of the White House i could get-and never mind the distance. Viewers really can't go any nearer. There's a fence with barbed wire entwined therein so even the smallest body cannot slip over the fence. I placed my camera past the wire fencing so this picture doesn't show those. Notice the contrast to the one in which I am in. You can see the wire fencing. I am puzzled however if this part of the White House is the back or front. I am guessing it is the back. I was also thinking this might be the backyard garden where I saw pics of Caroline Kennedy as a child playing with her dog and with John Jr.in the White House Visitor Center. As I stayed there for a while, I saw some black automobiles emerge from the otherside and then stopped infront of what apparently is an entrace and then drove away to the left side. It seemed to me that they picked up some people who were there. Who knows, it might have been Pres. Bush going out somewhere. I followed the path further left from the viewing area, but around the bend, the area was cordoned - off limits to non-employees. I guess employees go inside the White House on that side. Maybe someday I can go on a tour inside the White House. I just have to write a letter-request to a NY congressman or senator? and join a group tour. Okay, my problem is that I don't know any senator or congressman of NY. Besides, I am not a citizen yet so I don't think I would be granted such a request since I don't vote for them yet, ha ha ha... Not for so long. I am eligible to apply for US citizenship already.
This is the Monument to the Unknown Soldiers tomb in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. I was fortunate to be there around 12:15 p.m. Aug. 28/08, when the changing of the guards took place.
The ceremony is very solemn and everyone is told to keep quiet in respect to the dead soldiers buried here. We could only hear a faint marching music in the background which the guards kept cadence with.
When I got there, the ceremony wasn't taking place yet and there was only a lone guard who kept marching silently back and forth in that narrow carpeted line (see black carpet theguards are standing on). Then a few minutes later, the center guard came and announced the ceremony to take place-The Changing of the Guards. The whole ceremony took 15 minutes. It was raining and cold all the time so it was the downside to the visit. The soldiers being honored here are those who died in all those wars that the US had engaged in but were not identified. Other bodies were exhumed in overseas gravesites and were interred here. The whole cemetery is vast and there's the section for all the identified soldiers as well as ranking officers. In this cemetery is also found the graves of Pres. John F. Kennedy, and wife Jacquline B. Kennedy. Also that of Sen. Robert Kennedy.
Please see my other pictures taken in Washington D.C. on the pictures page
The recent price hike on crude oil from OPEC countries led a spiralling effect on consumer goods and directly hit the people especially the middle and lower income groups in countries around the world. Not in isolation, the Filipinos, likewise suffered much from these energy crisis, topped also by the rice shortage.
I do understand the dependence on crude oil from the Middle East of countries like the Philippines. The country just don't have oil fields which could supply the country's oil/ energy needs. But what I don't understand is the seemingly lack of initiative and political will of the country's leaders starting from the president down to legislators to break away from the bondage of the OPEC oil.
Contrary to popular belief by many Filipinos back in the homeland, there are also poor and homeless people here in the U.S. of A! Yes, Pinoys and other people outside the great America, situations we see in your own countries and here are the same, more or less.
I'm talking about poverty situations and homelessness that is so prevalent or which characterizes third world or poor countries. However, to my realization (and shock!) there are also poor and homeless peole in America despite our belief that it is the land of milk and honey. Not anymore; the prices of milk and honey have gone up in recent times, just as the price of gas increased. And this factor just made meeting daily needs for lower-middle and low income groups here in the US as in other countries, even harder. But what about the poorest and the homeless? Yes they do exist in America.
Based on my observations and from news reports, I have a picture of the poverty and the situation of the poor here. Not that I will cite statistics here, but times are hard also for many families and individuals here. I even belong to the poor category in t he socio-economic bracket, being part of those retail workers that earn less than 25,000 per year. I have heard about a news feature that related how many families in various parts of America cope with poverty and homelessness. Many of these have no permanent jobs and take contractual types or those seasonal jobs as they come. These could mostly construction jobs or factory jobs, lanscaping and others. Many also resort to collecting bottles and cans and other scraps which they can redeem for cash in collection centers found in groceries or supermarket chains.
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