Howdy!!

My 2-week stay in Plano, Texas was definitely rest defined.

Mom and Dad met me at the Dallas airport. I could not possibly describe their expression upon seeing me. OK, after over a month of moping over something really serious, 2 weeks of not eating that I almost forgot how to chew, I guess they just had to cut me some slack. Of course I would look horrible. Not finding the right words to say, Mom and Dad just gave me the tightest hug. Then I just felt it. I was home.

It was my first time to see my parents' house in Plano. Oh it was so nice, and the neighborhood, too! They still maintain their nice garden, Mom's treasured project. Dad's game room makes me think of ours in Las Pinas. Hmm, comparing this to my tiny apartment in Makati, I think staying longer is worth thinking about. Hee hee!

So when I said my stay was all about rest, it's true. My parents took me to great restaurants, parks, etc. I definitely loved the TexMex place we once went to. The food was great. I literally gave up on the steak.

I also enjoyed the visits to the different markets. Oh yes, I'm still the market person. Central Market was the coolest fresh produce market, but definitely the most expensive. I was in awe with the 15 kinds of peaches elegantly lined in one section. After a few days of just eating, resting and leisure walks, I've gained quite some weight. The cheeks, arms and tummy don't lie.

The Fort Worth Stockyards was OK, except that it was too hot!! Dad took this picture outside Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum (yes, you saw it right!! a cowboy museum). Notice the heat that day! OMG!

By lunchtime, we were all staring blankly in hunger and thirst.


OK, we stayed until 4pm since Mom wanted to wait for the herd. We endured the heat and got this:

Huh?! Mooooom?!?! Aaargh!!

On most evenings, we just casually talk over dinner & wine. Oh sometimes Mom would show off and make margaritas for us. I must say, it was gooood. We all enjoyed it.

So during my alone time, when Mom and Dad are at work, I would go to the mall, shop a little and just find myself staying in a bookstore for hours!

Barnes & Noble is heaven for me. Got some books to take with me back to Manila. Helloooo Twilight Saga! I also got a copy of The Kite Runner which I liked so much. I'll save my book reviews for future blogs.

Cristy, my highschool friend, flew in to spend a few days with me in Texas. I was so excited to see her. I got so many stories to tell, but definitely much more to hear from her. Hee hee! So on the day she got to Plano, we had to go to a nearby park for a long girly talk. Ready to go, girl!

Laughs, tears, teeth gritting. Stories from our jobs, friends, single lives and of course, boys (or men). It felt like we were back in our teenage years.

The next day, we headed to the mall to do some shopping. We had late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.

It was also time for "too early" margaritas.

Margaritas that obviously became history in no time. Hee hee!

Cristy's visit was definitely an awesome part of my vacation. I hope to see you again in December, girl! Luv yah!

So 4th of July was nice. Perfect reason to binge! It was also my last night in Texas. We had barbeque at the yard.

I took a photo of Mom's little garden menace. Of course Dad came running after it, driving it away. Right when the ribs and sausages were perfectly done, we got are plates and beer ready. Happy 4th!! Cheers! Gee! I could see the 2 weeks worth of fat in those cheeks and arms! Hmm..

After 2 weeks, I realized I was fine... and ready to go back to my own little apartment, my nice job, my caring friends in Manila. But I'm definitely coming back to the states. Will be visiting other places next time. My friends and I are getting our checklist ready (heehee! private joke there! *wink*) So New York... Get ready for our grand entrance in December!

The Long Way to the Lone Star State

What better way to spend a 2-week off from work than to go to a far place. Manila to US is far enough, right? This was a perfect solution. Take my luggage out, pack my stuff and just head off to the airport. I got out of the country just a few hours before the typhoon hit Manila. Wo-ow! This must be a good sign.

Manila to Nagoya was a smooth trip. 4 hours. I have to say the food really turned me off. I didn't like it at all. Not that I ever liked plane food. But really, if you've tasted Singapore Airlines food, everything else falls poor 2nd. So I just settled for coffee, and started reading my book. Got The Historian ready for the trip.

Nagoya Airport was so nice. Of course, anything that drowns me in a pool of Hello Kitty stuff is just sweeeet! But first things first. I had enough layover time in my hands. The next flight will definitely be an agony to my derriere and my nicotine craving. I needed a puff...Hmm...smoking lounge...nu ni nu... hmm.. there!! Finally, I waited for boarding with a smile.

Nagoya to Detroit took forever. Around 13 hours. I slept for most of the trip. Why wouldn't I? So-so food, so-so movies, there's no complimentary wine. What better activity could beat sleep? Good thing I'm not a difficult snoozer. I can practically sleep with my feet up. Hehe!

Detroit Airport was so cool! Huge I must say. It challenged my sense of direction. OK, pardon this Asian, not used to airports with Express Tram inside! Doh! Crazy but way cool! Oh, get this, I didn't get lost. Yahoo! I guess it's the traveler soul in me. Found the tram, found the gate. Thank you very much. =)

Detroit to Dallas. This nice lady was guarding the boarding. Isn't it just a small plane that we're riding? Hmm.. makes me wonder... as planes get smaller, the attendants get really big? Why? Does this have something to do with the new rules on baggage weight allowance? Heavier attendants, therefore, passengers' baggage weight allowed should be lighter. Hmm.. Could be. This lady's practically the biggest flight attendant I've ever seen. Oh well, who cares, right? As long as I can pass by the aisle side by side with her (or back to back would be more possible, I guess) & the plane takes off, no problemo. 2.5 hours or so. Snooze... Oh we've landed!

Yeehaw!! Howdy Texas!!

Next post...My 2-week, tummy filling, weight-gaining, heat-enduring Texas vacation. =)

Am I Real?

I've always been amazed on how stories for kids could mean much more for grown-ups like me.

This morning I was having my usual morning chat with my friend, Katz. She told me a story she read to her daughter last night. As how I would normally react, I got curious in the beginning and of course, touched in the end. It's so funny that Katz was teary-eyed after telling her girl about the Velveteen Rabbit. Then her little one goes, "Mommy, are you OK?". Hee hee! Wisdom becomes deeper as we age, I guess.

So here's an excerpt. I totally agree with Katz that it's the most beautiful part. I'm definitely putting this on my Shelfari wishlist. =)




"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"Am I real?" I now ask myself. Funny, I just can't tell.

A Fresh Start

I must say, I miss it a lot.

Blogging used to be a daily habit. I write about almost anything. My day gives me hundreds of subjects. But things happen wherein life takes away your passion, apart from other things. But just like with any other life-changing experience, I have to move on. In my case, move to another blog site.

New life, new blog.

So here I am, savoring every single breath of my nicotine-filled air. Fingers with tremors, craving for the right words. Throbbing mind, ideas just about to burst out. I close my eyes, and I smile, looking forward to type away.

I say, Hello Blogspot!