Smile Though Your Heart Is Aching

Can't believe it's time for a year-end report. I hardly felt Christmas and it's already New Year's Eve. Time to toss the old calendar and hang up a new one, with the realization that I weigh about the same as last year, forcing myself once again to seek out the best diet supplement, or simply crash the treadmill again.

So here's a New Year's postcard I digitally designed using a photo that a friend (a cousin's boyfriend) took of my back while I was photographing one of the "Crown Fountains" in Chicago's Millennium Park. I've always wanted to step inside Millennium Park, and I got to do that on my birthday this year.

A look back at 2009:

TRAVELS:

• New York City: A city I never grow tired of visiting. I was able to tour the United Nations headquarters, attended a free lomography workshop at the Lomography Store in Greenwich Village, saw the Statue of Liberty twice, ate at Cafe Lalo (where "You've Got Mail" was filmed), signed the condolence book at the Philippine Consulate for the late President Aquino, met my Croatian friend for Irish beer at Times Square, among others. Surprisingly, I wasn't able to catch a Broadway show this year. Recession much?
• Myrtle Beach on Easter weekend, with a sidetrip to Savannah, Georgia and the kooky South of the Border. I loved how there's Calabash Seafood Buffet restaurants and Sonic fast food places everywhere in Myrtle Beach.
  
• Florida: Finally basked in the sun in the "Sunshine State!" And it's a proud driving moment, too--as I was the substitute driver for an uncle. Drove from South Carolina all the way to Kissimmee, Florida...then visited all four theme parks at Disney World (where I met Capt. Jack Sparrow) and Universal Studios in nearby Orlando. Rode nearly all of the neck-breaking roller coasters they had, except for the Everest ride in Animal Kingdom. Also had photos with Mickey and the gang.
• Niagara Falls, New York: Rode the Maid of the Mist yet again in America's oldest state park.
• Ottawa, Canada: The only international trip I've taken this year, and it's by road. Toured the Canadian capital by amphibian bus guided by a French-Canadian monsieur. Feasted on falafel for the first time!
  
• Thousand Islands, Ontario: Discovered the origin of the famous condiment by the same name. Climbed their view deck via high-speed elevator. Bought a bottle of the dressing from the duty-free shop before crossing the border.
• Eastern State Penitentiary: Visited Al Capone's cell in this Philadelphia prison institution that is said to be haunted.
• Atlantic City: New Jersey's gambling playground by the ocean is still part of the itinerary, primarily because of my grandfather. Little did we know that the week-long stay in September would be his last. Finally saw Absecon Lighthouse. Discovered celebrity handprints on the Boardwalk.
  
• Margate, New Jersey: Just minutes away from Atlantic City is the home of Lucy the Elephant, whose belly we invaded and whose back we climbed.
• Chicago: Totally unplanned, but a last minute invite to an aunt's 50th birthday celebration had us flying there. Actually ended up as two golden birthdays with another uncle in Plainfield, then I celebrated my birthday in downtown Chicago at a Greek restaurant, a walk in Millennium park (and a lightning fast parking ticket), and a birthday dinner in Aurora, Illinois. Also went speedboating down the Three Rivers.

TRIUMPHS:

• Nearly passed an exam. I guess that makes it a near-triumph instead of an actual one.
• Became a Yankee: a mad fan rooting for them in the World Series, and a real one by naturalization.
• Conquered my fear of driving on the interstate highway when I drove my share of miles from Jersey to Florida and back. Also mastered the art of pumping gas by myself. Got too pampered in Jersey whose gas stations have gasoline boys to do it for you.
• Joined a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on my birthday month and helped raise money for such cause.
• Danced for a fundraiser with the Philippine Nurses' Association in our county, albeit I'm not a nurse. Unleashed the sleeping folk dancer in me and danced the Muslim "Malong" dance and the upbeat "Subli." The last time I "folk-danced" was as a college freshman, in Phys. Ed.
  
• Got lucky in quite a number of online contests in which I won things such as a lamp, a Papemelroti handcrafted necklace, a watercolor organizer and Dutch souvenirs from Malaysia, and a National Geographic Traveler magazine one-year subscription. I'm a bit miffed that two contests I won did not send me my prizes, namely a back issue of National Geographic about China from Manila, and a Rirakkuma plush toy from Japan. Boo-hoo!

TRAGEDIES:

• My beloved grandfather passed away earlier this month due to complications from stroke. We spent three weeks watching him at the hospital. It's therefore a sad Christmas for me and my family.
• One of my cats, Maki, died mysteriously shortly after my grandfather died. We suspect he ate something poisonous. My other cat Siomai's firstborn kitty also died soon after being born.
• Lost my camera on my last day in Orlando, and lost my celfone on the eve of my birthday in downtown Chicago. What a way to ruin two vacations!

I also realized that some of the disappointments or delays in life have a particular reason that we usually don't understand at first. There is a grand scheme of things, and the events in our life are pieces of that puzzle.

From my snowy neck of the woods to you, I wish you a New Year filled with 2,010 reasons (and more) to SMILE!

Blue Clues in "Avatar"

Some people may regard "Avatar" the movie as a futuristic fairytale in a lava lamp-lit world called "Pandora." But this James Cameron masterpiece is an "avatar" of what has happened, and sadly, what continues to happen in our own time. Just look at your history books or watch the current events in international news (or maybe you need only look in your own country).

Personally, I am reminded of the Disney animated movie "Pocahontas," only here, Capt. John Smith is a blue-skinned ex-marine and Pocahontas is a Na'vi princess. But hey, they both carry bows and arrows! In 150 years into the future, though, people are more concerned about survival than auto insurance quotes. Besides, I don't think cars would exist then.

This epic movie of titanic, almost three-hour-long proportions, is a visual adventure. And what's an epic movie without epic villains that just won't die? He did, eventually, but not without a climactic combat with our hero.

I'm glad I decided to see this movie in 3D. The movie magic weaved here just deserves the extra dimension treatment. Jake Sully, I see you!

Faith and Fajitas

I was watching a rerun of Food Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" last night, a show which has the "Boy Meets Grill" Iron Chef challenge ordinary people with extraordinary cooking skills in their own specialty. Last night's episode featured a "man of the cloth" donning an apron--Father Leo Patalinghug from Maryland! When I saw his looks and heard his name, I had a strong sense that he's Filipino...and I was right!

Known as the "Cooking Priest," he has his own website called "Grace Before Meals" (which also became a cooking show on PBS) where he preaches that preparing good food brings together families and hence closer to God.

I was impressed with his achievements even before entering the priesthood, which consists of degrees in writing and political science, plus a black belt in martial arts! He's a mean break-dancer too! His resume doesn't list him as a former business plan consultant, though. His wit is as shiny as his spatula, as he joked on TV that he learned how to cut vegetables from Mother Teresa of Cal-cut-ta. His divine culinary skills were developed while being a seminarian in Italy--one of the best places to be holy and kitchen savvy!

Chef Bobby Flay challenged him to a Steak Fajita Throwdown...and Fr. Leo used his brown sugar and ginger sauce (and holy water?) to outgrill (and outpray) the challenger. Imagine that! One of Flay's fortes is fajitas, and Fr. Leo beat him!

Watch an overview of his "Grace Before Meals" show (which is also a cook book) and see how cool and funny he is...which also goes to show that Food and Faith can be a heavenly combination!

Star-Spangled "Balsam"

It's a "Blue" Christmas this year due to my grandfather's passing. I actually became an American just a few days before he died, and this patriotic tree decked with red, white and blue was on hand at the ceremony area during my oath-taking. It was amusing to find out here from the immigration officer that they have the tree all-year round.

Merry Christmas, everyone! May your hearts find joy knowing you're loved.

But The Flesh Is Weak

My grandfather passed away in the afternoon of Dec. 6th at the hospital where he was bedridden for three weeks due to his stroke. We, along with some family friends, surrounded him until he breathed his very last. He was 81. He was laid to rest on Dec. 12th at the cemetery across the lake where he used to walk with my grandmother.

Here is the eulogy I wrote for his funeral service. It's my third one in only two years...I hope I don't have to write another one anytime soon.

Good morning, dear friends. Today we gather to celebrate the life of Alfredo Morales Arboleda-- a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend. To his peers, his nickname was "Pedong." To those near and dear to him, he was "Tatay" (Tagalog for father).

He was born on May 28, 1928 in the province of Capiz in the Philippines. He was enchanted by my grandmother Elvira's choir-singing voice. They got married and were blessed with seven children, one of whom unfortunately passed away at a young age.

My grandfather will humbly tell you that he only finished elementary, and if he had a resume, you won't see a BA or a BSN or a PhD or a JD. Instead, you'll read a "J.O.A.T."--Jack of All Trades. Add a very positive attitude and a pair of hardworking hands, he's done almost everything just to support his family, to make ends meet. He's been a farmer, fisherman, driver, mechanic, just to name a few.

In 1997, he migrated to the US with my grandmother to join his two daughters in New Jersey. His being a senior citizen even then didn't stop him from working. He worked for a short time at Wendy's with my father. He became our resident handyman for all things that needed fixing. His magic touch made broken things work again. His latest freelancing job was as a tailor : from pants to the most challenging alteration job from one of his avid customers--that of slimming down t-shirts. Imagine that! It seemed like he was doing it more to help you look good with your clothes rather than for the meager fee he charges you for it. And it made sense, because he knew how to look good in any given occasion.

But I think his most favorite occupation was being a grandfather. He loved taking care of his grandkids no matter what. And whatever he had, he was very generous with us.

He embraced life, his smile was radiant, he had a good-natured humor, oh how he loved to eat, he was everyone's Tatay. In 2004, he pledged allegiance to the US flag.

He was a fighter. He's the most compliant patient you'll ever know. However, his final three weeks on this planet must have seemed more like three decades for him. During that time, my sister & I played the role of "para-nurse"--if there is such a term--as we took turns watching him along with our mom and Aunt Dannette.

You've probably heard of this phrase: "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." The Bible says that. And we saw it with our very own eyes. But even as the nurses wrote on their charts that he was no longer following commands, we reached out to him in our native dialect, Ilonggo, and he responded with all the body language he could muster from his fragile strength....he was still there for us.

And how thankful we are as his family for the people who kept us & Tatay company during that difficult time, for the family and friends here and abroad who offered their prayers for Tatay and for the nurses who went above and beyond in making sure Tatay was as comfortable as possible. Thank you to the health care professionals who took care of Tatay and saw him not just as a bed number in CCU or PCU or a specimen on one of their exam tables, but as a human being, perhaps even as their own father or grandfather.

That experience taught us that Love is a powerful potion that needs no prescription. This was a test of faith--the kind that taught us to accept God's will with all our hearts.

It was my grandfather who encouraged my mom to become a nurse. He told my mom, "I want you to be a nurse, so that when I grow old, you'll take care of me." And my mom fulfilled that promise, until his very last breath.

Tatay, now that you're on that special bus bound for heaven, we hope you stop by your most favorite destination on Earth--Atlantic City. And don't forget to drop by the Philippines to visit your family and friends who couldn't be here with us today, especially your other children, namely: Auntie Dilyn, Uncle Dougie, Uncle Danny, Uncle Donald and Auntie Zenaida. Please take with you all the happy memories of your life and the love and respect of all those you've ever known. You are the "jackpot" of our existence.

Finally, I would like to send him off in our native tongue: Salamat gid Tatay sa tanan-tanan. Mamingaw kami sa imo kag palangga ka gid namon. Indi ka namon malipatan. Malipayon nga Paskwa sa imo dira sa langit.

(Thank you very much, Tatay for everything. We'll miss you and we love you very much. We'll never forget you. Merry Christmas to you there in Heaven.)

Santa's Mailbox

Yes, Virginia, Santa has his own mailbox at this main post office building in Newark, New Jersey. It was decorated with all things Christmas and some festive golden lighting. I wandered here recently to mail a few Christmas cards to friends abroad. I smiled at seeing this red mailbox with Santa's face painted on it. I wondered how many kids still mail their letters to Santa, bearing their most fervent Christmas wishes.

Did you know that letters addressed to "North Pole" to Santa actually get sent to North Pole, Alaska? It's the home of the world-famous Santa Claus House. Take note, Virginia, Santa's zip code happens to be 99705--and if you visit the Santa Claus House, you can mail a postcard from there bearing the postmark "North Pole, AK!" You better not pout, and this is the big reason why!

To ensure that your child's letter to Santa does not get misdelivered by the reindeer, here is Santa's accurate address:

Santa Claus House, 101 St. Nicholas Drive, North Pole, AK 99705 (USA).

To see the actual letters to Santa received at the Santa Claus House from around the world, click here.

Ho-ho-holy mail!

AT&T Postcard Map

AT&T is airing its side on the network coverage war waged by its competitor by having actor Luke Wilson map out its coverage strength with random postcards from across the United States. Each postcard is said to represent a city where there's AT&T coverage.

Wouldn't it be great to have a postcard from every city in the USA? How and where to store them, though?

Twi-Bite

Okay, so despite the fact that I haven't seen the new Twilight movie, "New Moon" yet, I drove to a Burger King and bought their exclusive BK Burger Shots 6-Pack New Moon Meal and supersized it so I can have the New Moon soda cup. It's the Happy Meal for tweens and Twi-Hards aged 1 to 92! (Although I hardly qualify as one, since I haven't read any of the books.)

BK Burger Shots are as miniscule as White Castle burgers. You can wolf it down easily or share with a friend. The vampiric value meal also comes with fries, soda (the large size is big enough to hold about half a liter, it seems), and a special "fan pack" with collectible New Moon character cards which also double as savings coupons at the back for New Moon merchandise.

I also bit into the New Moon aluminum bottles offer: Edward and Jacob bottles for the price of one ($9.99 + $4.99 shipping)! Early stocking stuffer for myself! Now I can quench my thirst Twilight-style! And besides, I've always wanted to own such eco-friendly water bottles.

Watch the Burger King TV ad featuring New Moon (Are you for Team Edward or Team Jacob?):

The Spirit Is Willing

It's the Eve of Thanksgiving Day. My grandfather has spent the last eleven days here at the hospital since his initial stroke. He's taken a "field trip" from the ER, the PCU, a regular ward, the ICU, then back to PCU.

This hospital forbids visitors below 18 due to swine flu precautions. We resquested hospital administration to allow our younger cousins to see our grandfather while he was in the ICU last Saturday. They gave permission as long as the kids did not have any cough or cold-like symptoms. They were made to wear face masks, the duck bill type, which made them look like little fowl fellows.

My grandfather got teary-eyed seeing them. It was precious having them hold his hand and say the words that matter most: "We love you, Tatay" and "Get Well Soon."

My cousin Abby brought her red octopus plush toy (named "Okting") with her that day. She left it with our grandfather to squeeze....helps exercise his dexterity which he is slowly regaining.

His flesh may be weak, but his spirit is willing. Right now, that's something to be thankful for.

Senorita Sue Sylvester Spells Out "More Fun Time"

If you're a "Gleek" like me, you would hate cheering squad coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) so much you'll love her. Her sarcasm and scathing sense of humor...not to mention her preference for track suits, make her seem like Sporty Spice AND Scary Spice combined...with a dash of some other kind of spice.

She's the new spokesperson for XBox 360 Elite, coaching families on how to enjoy it and what not to Twitter, among other Sue Sylvesterisms. So can people also surf about random things like rv insurance with it?



And here's one "Behind the Fun" look at this green Xbox Lady:



(How about "Fling Ur Netbook" as another acronym for FUN? Well, I mean, if you can do all those things with the new Xbox, you might as well do it. Fling it my way, my friend!)

Kris Kindle

How did Amazon come up with the name for their digital reader, "Kindle?" Sounds clever, if you ask me. With such devices, one can "burn" books in it...thereby kindling the Kindle! I know someone who would love the Kindle and a pack of Dutch Master as stocking stuffers. Their snazzy new commercial promises "books in 60 seconds." It has global wireless capacity, too! I love the whimsical song they used for the commercial, "Fly Me Away" by Annie Little (the same girl you see in the ad!):

If you love the song, you can download the MP3 for free from Amazon.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I love Christmas packaging and products. I consider them eye candy---or should I say, eye candy canes! Even Bath & Body Works' holiday line has festive names.

Christmasy coffee cup at Starbucks!

Tinsel-tinted store window at Express.

Snowy store window at J. Crew. It says "Best in Snow."

And with the holidays just around the corner, lots of stores are doing employee screening to hire enough seasonal workers to help out in the busiest shopping time of the year. Are you making a list? Is it twice as long as last year's?

Like A Thief At The Stroke Of Midnight

That's how my grandfather was robbed of his health early Sunday when he had a stroke. It's dreadful to learn about a disease the hard way, that is, witnessing it firsthand on someone you love, and seeing the effects of its unwelcome progression on my grandfather.

First was the facial droop on one side of his face, then the slurred speech--like he was speaking gibberish. Little by little, all the things we take for granted were being taken away by the cerebral thief that has crept up his cranium: things like his ability to speak, his motor skills, his ability to move on his own. It is a painful sight to watch, like an injured bird slowly weakening in your hands.

I've been aggressively involved in making sure he is cheered up, talked to, held, touched, and comforted. Drugs can only do so much, but the soul also needs healing by knowing that he is surrounded by people who care for him, pray for him, believe that he can win this "battle of the brain" with God's mercy. Love is a powerful and potent potion that needs no prescription.

That's why I never left his side on his first night in the ICU when he had a restroke (apart from the initial one that sent him to the ER). I became familiar with the numbers that flicker on the monitor screen, knew what they represented, understood the normal ranges, became paranoid when his heart rate was too low or that his respiration became abnormal.

I encountered the terms "lacunar infarct" and "evolving stroke" for the first time. I just want that stroke to go into permanent extinction. Medical terminologies became a must-know for me so that I can participate in my grandfather's recovery effectively.

I do know that things like this test our faith. I know that my grandfather will be strong enough to break free from that inner prison in his head, I know that he loves us too much to give up the fight. I know that because he emerged victorious from his previous health battle.

Thanksgiving is looming upon us. His recuperation will definitely be on the top of the list of things we will be thankful for. Nevermind that he won't be able to wear a spiffy pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes that day. What matters is that we're all together as a family, and that we're surrounded by a wonderful group of friends who provide sincere support to us in good times and in bad.

Chiquita, Tell Me What's Long?

Why, Chiquita Bananas, that's what!

One of my guilty pleasures is plucking out fruit labels off the fruits at the produce section--the stickers that tell you where the fruit was imported from. My favorite stickers are the ones on the Chiquita bananas. At first, they had quirky messages on them like "Yum, yum Potassium!" and "Place sticker on forehead. Smile." But now, they have crazy faces on them, too!

And their stickers have led me to their cool new website, EataChiquita.Com, which lets you customize your own sticker which automatically gets posted on their virtual sticker wall! You can download your creation to post on Facebook or your blog, such as this sticker I designed above. It's a cannibalistic baseball fan! He eats Phillies! I mean, Philly cheese steaks! Haha!

Your plantain persona can also explore Chiquitaville and earn points to unlock more sticker pieces.

Go forth and "bananafy" yourself! (And watch a banana with a hullahoop while you wait!)

P.S. This banana-shaped 1GB USB from their online shop is too cute! With this, you can literally put a banana in your purse!

[banana usb image from chiquita online shop]

West Point's Cadet Color Guard

In honor of the recent Veterans Day, here's a postcard featuring the Legendary Corps of Cadets on parade at the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York. The magnificent parade uniforms of the Corps are those of the American Infantry of the War of 1812.

West Point is located on the west bank of the Hudson River and is the nation's oldest military post in continuous operation. A permanent garrison of American Revolutionary troops was stationed here on January 20, 1778, to thwart British efforts to control river navigation and split the colonies. The USMA prepares selected young men and women for careers as Regular Army Officers.

[information from back of postcard]

I've been to West Point several times. Miss Iggy (my traveling doll) has been there, too. There is a guided bus tour at the West Point Visitor's Center which requires guests to provide a photo ID in order to get on the bus. Don't forget to check out the free museum showcasing American military history after the tour.

The Hands That Rock The Pavement

In all my years of traveling to New Jersey's gambling capital by the Boardwalk, it was only in September that I noticed Resorts Atlantic City's "Entrance of the Stars," which was decked with the handprints of famous celebrities engraved in cement. Here are some I photographed:

Today's Forecast is Sunny & Cher

Mr. Ol' Blue Eyes and His Bowtie. He did it his waaaaay.

I was looking for some hot stuff and found Donna Summer's hot handprints




Barry, Barry, quite contrary. Looks like he made it!

Tom Jones' handprints are not unusual







Pavarotti: he hit the high notes and hit this cement



Stevie Wonder just called to say "Love is the Key"




Joan Rivers was a little mixed up...in cement

Ebenezer Scrooge's Nightmare Before Christmas

Dickens goes digitally Disney with Robert Zemeckis' "A Christmas Carol" featuring the voice of Jim Carrey as the holiday-hating Ebenezer Scrooge. Of course, I had to see this in 3-D!

The first musical show I saw in New York City was this very Charles Dickens classic at the Madison Square Garden. Unlike that live performance, this animated feature was a little too dark and horrifying for small children to watch. From the moment that Scrooge encountered his first ghost, the audience--which consisted mostly of kids--was quiet, save from the audible gasps when Scrooge gets spooked three consecutive times. Only when he wakes up from his Christmas eve nightmare and becomes a Yuletide-loving fellow that the audience lightens up and chuckles in relief.

The trend with CGI animated features seems to be that they fashion the facial features of the characters with those of the actors doing their voices. Remember Angelina Jolie in "Beowulf?" Here, Scrooge is unmistakably Jim Carrey while the humble Mr. Cratchit is a pudgy Gary Oldman.

That scene where Scrooge is haunted by the Ghost of Christmas Present reminds me a lot of that "Soarin'" simulated ride at Disney World's Epcot.

I hope the kids are able to sleep tight after watching this movie. Ghosts are supposed to be scary, anyway. I should have brought my leftover Halloween candy in the theater to nibble on.

When Fire Gets You Hired

Once upon a cold December morn, our local fire department had a parade which passed by our street. On their fire truck was a costumed Santa, waving at the kids who happened to lay eyes on him. I’m not a kid, but I was one of those who happened to be at our front lawn when they passed by, sirens wailing and all.

One of the firefighters, thinking I was a kid because of my short stature, went down from the truck, crossed our grassy lawn, and handed me two candy canes. At that moment, I became a kid—the schoolgirl type, with a silly schoolgirl crush on the young firefighter bearing peppermint sweets.

I’ve long admired firefighters even way before that. The tragic story of 9/11 made me regard the FDNY with solemn respect.

I was ignorant about firefighters in general until I found out that one can earn Fire Service Degrees online. Education has graduated into cyberspace that you can study in the comfort of your own home with online schools such as Lewis University Online.

I do know that firemen don't just respond to burning buildings, but other emergencies as well such as medical ones. That's why Lewis University Online's fire degree course offers subjects such as "Administration of Emergency Medical Services." And since everything we do in life has a legal aspect to it, there's also "Legal Aspects of Fire Service Management." Their online course leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Fire Service Administration which can open many doors for a fulfilling career.

Online education has many advantages for the workaholic who barely has time for his family. The computer now becomes a virtual classroom which doesn't require you to raise your hand just to go to the bathroom.

If you have a burning passion for the firefighting profession, this just may be the right direction!

That Was It

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" was supposed to be his last swan song of a concert, but it turned out to be too ominous of his own demise. Kenny Ortega, the creative force behind this would-be spectacular concert, had the brilliant foresight of recording every phase of the rehearsals, which later became this docu-movie commemorating the "King of Pop."

True to his larger-than-life popstar persona, Michael Jackson's concert would have boasted over-the-edge technological and audiovisual tricks never before attempted in on-stage entertainment. They've updated the thrill capacity of the "Thriller" zombies and added a 3D twist. "Smooth Criminal" became even more silky smooth. It was like Broadway with an MTV vibe and lots of Michael Jackson magic dust.

As every familiar Michael Jackson hit was rehearsed, one can't help but lament over his loss all over again. One can't also help but notice how frighteningly frail he looked, how skinny his body seemed under his loose, shiny jackets. How did he end up that way? I don't imagine him going online to purposefully search for a Medifast coupon code.

He was surrounded by talented back-up dancers who were greatly inspired by him. When they expressed their grief at the beginning of the movie, you feel their deep sense of sorrow, not just the sadness of knowing their big paycheck would be cut short. This was the man who gave them a reason to be the best they could be. Unfortunately, "This Is It" for Michael.

Swine Flew!

Chicago's Millennium Park isn't just about the Cloud Gate sculpture. When I strolled around here last September, I saw some cool art installations that were quirky and got me quizzical. Take this mutant red car with frog-like tongue suspending what looks like a gold swine and two naked people. Now that's what I call "Swine Flew!" He looks a bit tongue-tied, doesn't he?

Seeing this fun-tastic piece of art reminded me of gold bullion and gold coins--the chocolate kind, at least. Although a real gold coin wouldn't hurt either. The only coin collection I have involves the pressed souvenir pennies. The only pressed pennies I have from Chicago are from Sears Tower (which, by the way, is now called "Willis Tower!") and Navy Pier. As for the bullion, I'll buy me a billion when I hit the lotto.

Yankees Run This Town!

Just by that title alone, you already know why I have this New York (the "Empire State") map postcard for you. The Yankees just bagged their 27th World Series Championship, beating the Phillies in Game 6 with a score of 7-3. Who's their hero? Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui...MVP!

Yankees pride can't be prouder than the decorated doors of this sporting goods store in my town selling official Yankees gear:

Even Darth Vader is a Yankees fan!

The ultimate souvenir shirt:

Have you heard the remixed version of Jay-Z's song "Run This Town?" It was recently reworked to rejoice the Yankees' victory with every player's name in the lyrics! Listen to it here.

The Empire State Strikes Back!

What did I say before? Victory is sweeter with home court advantage...and how sweet it is indeed to win in the brand spankin' new Yankee Stadium! The Battle in the Bronx ended favorably for the New York Yankees tonight, yanking the World Series title (their 27th) out of the defending champions, the Phillies.

I knew Game 6 was going to be spectacular! And perhaps the Sports Illustrated magazine I saw at the doctor's office earlier was a premonition of sorts: It had pitcher Mariano Rivera on the cover (Oct. 5th issue).

Hideki (Matsui) is heaven-sent! He deserves the MVP award! And Pettitte's pitching efforts were anything but petty, fueled only by short rest.

The Empire State Building was lit in bright blue Yankees colors tonight. And people are going to be wanting to go to Mo's (Modell's) to get their official World Series shirt. This ALCS Champions shirt sure went old fast!

Gotta hook up a Bluetooth headset to start spreading the news to my uncle who's vacationing in Mexico right now. He's a big Yankees fan...a long time before I became one! Oh wait, it's midnight in Cancun right now, so I'll just send a text message.

There will be a parade in their honor this Friday in the Big Apple at 11am. Weather forecast says it's going to be a chilly 40 degrees for this big day, but the Yankees fans wouldn't mind bundling up to celebrate their baseball heroes! Mayor Bloomberg will also award the Yankees with the keys to the city--what a great honor!

Let's hear it for New Yoooooooork!

Eat, Pray, Love For All Souls

We paid respects to a family friend buried in a nearby cemetery yesterday. We plucked mums from our backyard to decorate her tombstone. Remembering the dead here in the States isn't as hectic as it is in the Philippines. The cemeteries look the same as in any other ordinary day. People are forbidden to light candles on the graves for fire safety issues.

A tradition my family observes is cooking home-made specialties as an offering to departed family members. Usually it's pancit paired with some Filipino pastry. We then take a small portion of the dishes made, put in on a plate, then arrange a table setting and make-shift altar for the souls, with lit candles and flowers. The belief is that they would come visit our home on All Soul's Day and would "partake" of the food, or at least, its "essence."

I had made (Filipino-style) spaghetti for my Nana, because it was her specialty that I had grown up loving, and my mom had made puto, or rice cake. My Nana has never known about whole grain pasta, but that's what I used for the noodles, as well as regular semolina pasta--cooked separately, of course.

Last year, just after my Nana had passed away, I slept in the basement by myself, only two doors away from the garage floor. I left the lamp light at this computer on as my night light, then tried to sleep in the couch. Not long thereafter, the lamp light turned off by itself. The basement went dark. My heart skipped a beat. I stood up to inspect the lamp and saw that it was still very much plugged in. The only reason it could have turned off was that someone switched it off. I reached for the switch to turn it back on....then decided to sleep somewhere else that night, so I switched it off.

This month would mark the first year death anniversary of my Nana. In some of my deeds, I try to be her, therefore part of her still lives on.

Vampire Costume Defined

[comic strip image from foxtrot.com]

We didn't get a vampire trick-or-treater tonight. The very first kid was Godzilla, then there was Indiana Jones whose crusade was for candy, then a boy in a Transformers costume whose head I accidentally hit with our front door. I gave him extra candy for my clumsiness.

It was rainy, it was windy, so we didn't get a lot of kids tonight compared to last year. It's not just the weather affecting this low Halloween candy-harasser turnout, but there's also Game 3 of the World Series tonight airing from Philadelphia. Parents will be wanting to be glued to their tv stands as early as possible rather than drive their kids around houses.

I honestly thought the game would be postponed altogether, but it just had a delayed start. My Halloween movie queue will have to wait.

Ghouls, Goblins, Ghosts on Parade

I watched my little cousin's Halloween parade at her school. This year, she's Lady Gaga. Her mom went "gaga" mad looking for a wig. Okay, so it's a tad too long, but they didn't want to cut the wig short. She's wearing black lipstick, too, keeping her black-and-white motif intact. Her wig's position isn't so intact, though, from walking too fast.

It's amazing how she's grown...my first Halloween photo of her was as a tiny Tinkerbell back in 2004.

Here's a videoclip from their school parade. She's not in it, though. My favorite is Rapunzel at the end, who not only wears long braided hair, but also a tower! Props to her props! Check it out!

My candy provisions for tonight for the kids: Twix (what's left of it anyway, since I've been eating from the bag since last week), Nestle Crunch, and Gummy Tongues. Halloween has already started wet this morning, but I hope it doesn't pour gremlins and goblins tonight.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Here's my souvenir postcard from when I visited "America's Most Historic Prison" in Philadelphia back in August. This aerial view of the Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) seems harmless, but this facility has housed thousands of hardened criminals since the 1800's that people say it's also haunted.

ESP is tucked away just minutes from downtown Philadelphia. It's been closed since 1971, but its dungeon-like cell blocks remain open for tourists to see. Daring ones can even visit it just after twilight, but only during the summer.

Check out some of my photos from our tour:

And my personal favorite...A view from Cell Block 7. Ghosts must be dancing the "Cell Block Tango" here on Halloween night.

Boo!

Eastern State Penitentiary aerial view postcard image by Andrew Simcox.

"Let's Hear It For New York!"

So the Phillies bombed the Yankees last night in Game 1 of the World Series (6-1). Maybe the Yankees still have ALCS victory hangover from Sunday night. But man, the Phillies' Cliff Lee was a fierce pitcher! This is going to be bloodbath in the baseball field.

These major league players must be paid so much they don't have to fret about things like getting life insurance from Wholesale Insurance.

Meanwhile, the anthem that's been playing in the Yankee Stadium was "Empire State of Mind" (a song that's stuck in my head) sung by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys...and they're about to perform that song tonight in Game 2! The Yankees better be in that state of mind if they want to win.

If you're wondering about the Liberty statue photo above, I found that inside Toys R'Us Times Square last year which was just one of many other such painted Liberty statues around New York City. The Giants is actually NY's football team, but notice the baseball logo on her. Plus, if you look behind her, those are NY Yankees merchandise for sale.

And since I'm a sport, here's something from Philly: the Liberty Bell. This was from our first trip to Philadelphia back in 2006. I remember owning a sharpener as an elementary student shaped like this bell, with the crack and all.

So which Liberty will emerge triumphant in the World Series?

Litratong Pinoy #70: Amoy (Smell)

"Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?"

I know what wrestler-turned-Hollywood-star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson smells like: wax! I'm referring to his likeness at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, that is!

If The Rock went to New York's Chinatown, he might have smelled what WE were intending to cook: fish! This is the fish market we go to whenever we visit Chinatown. We bring an ice chest in our car to load the fish on.

Sinong di nakakaalam sa catch phrase na pinasikat ni The Rock nung WWF wrestler pa siya? Amoy na amoy na niya ang tagumpay sa kanyang career!

Yung pangalawang picture naman, yan ang suki naming tindahan ng isda sa Chinatown. Nanay ko yung nasa kaliwa, chinichika yung tindero sabay tawad.