The Olive Garden, NYC

Straight from JFK International airport we headed to the Olive Garden restaurant. M and E picked me up in their silver sedan with a small Philippine flag at that back and we arrived just a few minutes before the Italian restaurant opened that morning.

It was one of the best salad, pizza and pasta I've tasted. I guess it is more evident because I was eating airline food the past weeks hehehe.

M and E are pregant and expecting a baby that week. I am so grateful to them for welcoming me into their home in New York. During lunch they told me that they are transferring houses that week as well so many things going on. Then they provided me with a map of mid-town Manhattan where I can spend the rest of the afternoon. Maan lent me his unlimited train pass and oriented me with the map. E gave me a box of Stride along with the tips of what to doin the subway. I said no problem as I've been on the trains in Sydney and HKG so I think I will have no problem. (but wait, the train stories merit a special post all its own. Will do that in the coming days).

So there, we had our delicious Italian lunch and off we went to see the new place their renting near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. Then they dropped me off at Flatbush subway station.

I was soooooo excited to say the least to finally see NY. It has been in my bucket list for years!!!

South Beach andun ako!

After a refreshing nap, we decided to have a walk on the beach. And it is not just one ordinary beach. Yes! it is the famous South Beach. Kung saan pinangalan ang diet ng South Beach Diet hahahahaha :) kakatuwa! It is one of the longest white beach I've visited. K said it goes up to Ft. Lauderdale. It is a public beach very much nicer than Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.

Top photo shows a sign of a turtle nest. We found these marked along the beach. These nest are protected by Federal Law. We saw a couple of these turtle nest.

What's so nice about summer in the US is the sun is up til 10PM.

memories of palawan

In Miami, K was kind enough to open her home for me to stay in. When I entered the house and saw the futon it distinctly reminded me of my room in Palawan. I met K in circa 1997 when she was Peacecorp for Sibuyan. It was only after 10 years that I met her again. Thanks to D who is a close friend of K. Everywhere in the house there are reminders of the Philippines. The bathroom mirror there is the Ifugao fertility necklace. Here in the photo the native backpack. I really had a good afternoon nap and dozed off after I took this picture of my foot and the surf board.

Miami Everglades

One of the state national parks in Florida is the Everglades. It is a huge flowing river that is only a few inches deep. That Saturday morning, K drove up to Ft Lauderdale and we drove up to the Everglades. We got into one of the small airboats. These airboats glide over the water it is powered by a genuine airplane propeller. We had to wear earplugs while were riding on it. It was an amazing ride with the wind blowing in your face and no seat belts. The whole great expanse of the Everglades before you. I imagined myself a true explorer those that I watch only on TV or movies. There are alligators all around. Birds flying. Even heard that anacondas can be found in these waters.

exploring the canals

Ft. Lauderdale canals. I took this photo on top of Pier 66.

The top photo was taken at the top floor of the Pier 66 tower. You can see the convention center just behind the draw bridge with the shiny windows. I was really excited to take a picture of the bridge with the roads up in an angle.

water taxi

Here are my friends from Vanuatu from L to R: Kalo, Chris and Zaidy. We went for a ride on the water taxi with Toni. We only did the outbound route and didnt have time to see the inbound route.

It was mind blowing how much these mansions and boats cost as narrated by the tour guide. We saw the Miami Vice house, Tarzan's house, Cher and Lucille Ball's mansions and other boats seen on movies. Instead of cars in their garage each mansion have boat parked outside their homes.

trolley surprise

On Thursday, there was a long lunch break so Zaidy (my friend from Vanuatu) and I decided to check out the nearby shops. it was really hot humid day. on our way back we saw a trolley parked in a corner and since there are no tricyle or bus or taxi in sight we dashed from behind the trolley and got a ride. I was trying to get a dollar from my purse when someone said "they are free on thursdays"! Wow I thought what luck! We decided to take a short ride to see the sights and went back just in time to catch the last batch of talks before the banguet dinner. We took this photo when got off the trolley! God is good all the time, indeed!

imax

We got free tickets to watch Deep Sea 3D at Ft. Lauderdale IMAX theater. it was yet to be released and the tickets were a special screening for the ICRS participants. Ticket ran out fast. This was my first ever full length 3D film on IMAX.

beer bottle

There were flowing drinks at the evening receptions four days in a row. What really intrigued me was the bottle of beers. when I asked for a bud light, i realized that the bottle was made of plastic. I asked the bar tender why and he said "because of the games".

And I noted that the bud light bottle was re-sealable :)

babies at icrs

There were many babies at the symposium. How I wish that baby can be with me. This mom looks super cool!

M at Seattle was giving me the Kelty baby carrier like this one in the photo. But I opted not to bring as baby Isay already uses one that was made by R for his baby H. We used it in HK last year when baby Isay was just a year old.

Thanks M for reserving that one for little bro.

the bus

This is the bus that took us to the convention center everyday except the first day when we walked from the Bridge at Cordova. It is a modern bus but the design is the classic truck like front which is really interesting.

We didnt stay in the listed hotels but we got this good place for boat crew people as Ft Lauderdale is a yatching community there are many accommodations that are mini apartments with complete kitchen and ensuite bathrooms. All that for only $155 per week per person! Great deal!

Seaweb: journalist and scientist

This photos was during the Seaweb reception where scientist and journalist was face to face trying to understand each other. It was funny and a bit intense in some parts. i think they have an update on this in their website and will refer you to them for the details.

it was good to meet Pulitzer prize winner Ken Weiss of LA Times here ( the white haired guy behind the vase of flowers) only posting partly hidden photos here.

I wasnt able to finish my chardonay.

apple juice

We had blueberry muffins and apple juice for snacks the first day. I was happy to have apple juice as I rarely have these at home. But it was only the first day that they serve this. The next 4 days sobra nag tipid na coffee na lang ba sa umaga. In the afternoon coffee then popcorn...can you imagine? and then next day coffee and ice cream popsicles but I enjoyed it na rin. :) kakatuwa lang idea naisip ko para hindi mailagay sa bag ng mga utaw.

turtle in the carpet

This is one of the lobbies in the convention center in Ft. Lauderdale. Sobra lang akong naaliw sa carpet because the theme are all marine animals :) I love this photo! This is just outside the 3 ballrooms were the reef management and reef restoration presentations were made.

There was free wi-fi to boot in this area.

Opening Ceremonies at 11th ICRS

This is the opening ceremonies last July 7th. I was funny in a way it was very short and different from the opening ceremonies in Okinawa 4 years ago with all the drums and cultural dances.

Florida

Just to let everyone that I am here in Florida for the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium to present my poster. Here is a picture of the poster session hall with the reception drinks in the forground.

will write more later.

a blast from the past

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to have an amnesia and then all of sudden in one sweeping moment your memories came back? I experienced something similar last Saturday. It was my first official homecoming to my student organization UPAEMS (University of the Philippines Alliance of Economics and Management Students) now celebrating its 25th year. Old brods and sis called and sent sms. It all caught me by surprise in a way. Last Friday, they called me to come and attend the anniv. It was actually a blur at how fast things unfold. Just told my batchmate I need a ride and be back at home same day and that was it. I just went. Not even bothered to ask for all the other details. I only learned on the way how special it was because its the silver anniversary. At that time, I thought I made the right decision to go.

It was amazing to see old friends, batchmates and all those people that you thought "no longer existed" suddenly came to life again. It was 17 years ago when I joined this student organization. Each memory and image came back one at a time as I greet each one. It was eerie in a way. Something like Arnold Schwarzanegger's Total Recall.

A new morning

I felt that I want to give thanks for everything that is. We have weathered many storms in the past. We survived, we recovered. After every storm there is a calm. We keep on living. Every morning a promise of new hope.

Camiguin

Ang drama ng mga ulap ng umaga. Malayo ang tinatanaw niya. Nagiintay? Nagpapahinga...

This is my second visit to the Island of Camiguin. The first time I visited was circa 2004. At that time, I was not able to visit this wonderful stretch of white sand. This place is called White Island. Actually it is a huge winding sand bar similar to Snake Island in Honda Bay. It is about 5-10 minute boat ride from the shoreline. I was excited to explore this part and was up by 5am. Early morning is the best time to visit with still the soft morning sun to enjoy.

I love the first photo on top with the boy in the red shirt. It was really by chance that I caught him there. Eventually, I learned that he was a fisherman's son and they were resting from the early morning fishing. I have a complete series of them and maybe I will share in future post.

The sea was relatively calm that day. This was taken more than a week before the big storm hit the islands.

The Grand Palace

Unbelievable! I've never been to a palace this grand before. Just this trip I took over 800 pictures on a borrowed digi cam. Thanks so much El!

Tom Yum ala martilyo

What really got me excited was the authentic Thai food. Our first lunch there we were served with what else but my favorite! Tom Yum-- the real thing. I was really hungry and craving for some hot soup after the long hours travel over land and a short ferry ride on the ro-ro. Then there we were serve with the best. My first sip was with real gusto and then wham! it hit me like a martilyo on the tongue! That is why I called it ala martilyo (ala sledgehammer). But I love it nonetheless! Through out the meal we were saying "aww", aw, aw in short burst that our host can you believe it ordered a bland fried food for our delegation hahaha.

Message from a Chocolate

I am now eating Dove smooth milk chocolate with Almonds. Been enjoying this treat for a few days now. Its a "pasalubong" ( travel gift) from a friend who came home for a vacation to the Philippines.

When you open the golden foil wrapper, inside there is a message. Been wanting to share all the quotes that I've been getting lately but this one is the best. It came to me while I am blogging and have the honor to post first! i love it!

"Keep the promise you make to yourself"--Dove chocolates

Yes to that!

ps i wish i have a camera now so that I can post a picture. well you know the story.

monks at the Suvarnabhumi airport

I love their robes! Always been intrigued by their ways. I also love taking pictures of monks. This series is such a treasure because I caught them taking pictures of themselves hahaha. What is so interesting is that they are now high tech they have their laptops with them. The great recorders of history are not left behind by technology. Awesome!!!! I love them!

airports

During my last trip to Thailand. The first thing that struck me was the Suvarnabhumi Airport (pronounced as "Su-Wana-poom") Suvarnabhumi means "The Golden Land". The last time I was in Thailand was in 1995 and the airport they have back then was very similar to the NAIA. I was happily surprised that now they have something similar to Singapore less the orchids in the center. A big and better airport.

That brings me to our own airport. More than twenty years ago I distinctly remembered the time when we brought our Tita to the airport back then it was the MIA or Manila International Airport. She was going to migrate to the States. As you know the tradition is that the whole barangay of relatives are in tow to send off the relative who is migrating. I also remembered we had picture taking with everyone in front of the jeep that brought the whole clan. My cousins and I were climbing up and down the escalators. I still have that picture.

Then circa 2008 last month when I went to Thailand. Now called the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, but nothing is different from more than 20 years ago. I felt sad for the condition of our airport every time. Recently I heard that the newly built terminal 3 has already these supposed cracks from an earthquake. Not even open yet and already broken. tsk tsk.

Oh well.

Same time 2 years ago

June 20th 2 years ago, we were expecting our baby to be born. That night, I had a bloody show and I was relieved that finally I was giving birth. But also afraid of the right of passage that I will go through at that time.

Tomorrow will be baby's 2nd birthday. We didnt plan for anything big like the 1st birthday. We will still have family and friends over at the house. I followed Ninang Susan's advise that blessings will come to the home that open its doors to people. We will be celebrating Isay's 2nd birthday this Saturday.

Really have nothing prepared yet. But we will have the classic pansit for long life and a nice cake and maybe a few balloons for the cousins and friends.

It has been a while

It has been more than a month since I blogged. I miss sharing my thoughts. I wanted to share the many things that are happening the past month. Yes, I am still going to share more about Thailand and then the workshop we had in Camiguin last week. Recently, a really good friend and her family was in town from the States with her two kids. M and I are been catching up a bit. Now I am preparing for a long trip to the US first week of July. I still need to prepare alot for that. Excited to share my adventure of how people have shown their generosity in helping me with this trip. I will write more on that later as well.

Well, that being said, I just wanted to have some time to ponder. Alone time with myself is priceless these days.

Also just wanted to add that Tatay is in Maguindanao. Haay, I will note here that I will share something really struck me about Mindanao and our people.

I will carve out the time for this blog. It helps me remember and enjoy the many small and great blessings that come my way each day.