Trying to Survive the Cold
It’s been a never ending sleep-wake-up-eat-sleep-some-more routine here. I figured I have to walk some of it off so every day I try to go to the nearby park and walk for an hour or so. It was so cold however that most times, I realize my hands are squeezed into fists with my thumbs inside until about halfway into my walk when warm blood finally circulates and I’m able to relax. Dang, it’s cold here..!
Nido has a treadmill in the corner of their brand new den at the back of the house but I find it too boring. At least in the park I see trees, and the myriads of birds and ducks and people feeding them. I even saw a pelican and a small flock of seagulls the other day – them being seabirds I thought it was odd they’d be here since this is a small man made fresh water lake and we’re miles away from the nearest beach. But then again, they have wings…
The other day I saw a guy fishing and he caught a pretty sizeable carp. If I have to guess 3-4 lbs. easy. I was thinking, "Uh-oh, someone's going to have grilled fish for dinner." The first thing I noticed was how he carefully held the wiggling fish in his left hand while he gently took the hook out of its mouth and to my surprise he slowly let it swim back to the lake. There are no "Catch and Release Only" signs around the lake. Oh well, I guess everyone deserves a second chance.
We visited Donna’s favorite hangout last week, Pechanga. Eph loaned us his Prius since they now have a brand new Highlander. The traffic on the drive over was horrendous but the Prius made it all worth the effort since it uses its battery during stop and go traffic. The usual one hour drive took us two this time. It was already dark when we arrived. We had dinner right after we checked in. Instead of watching a movie, I surfed the Net through the high speed hotel provided DSL.
The next morning, while Donna was still playing a bit, I went and watched The Punisher-War Zone. Pretty good movie, actually. We took off after lunch and went and watched The Day The Earth Stood Still (a remake of a 1951 movie with the same title) at the Edwards Theaters in Cerritos Town Center – nothing to write home about with a wooden Keanu Reeves playing the alien Klaatu.
A funny thing happened at the box office. Donna noticed a senior discount sign and she asked the clerk if she’s eligible. She was told if she’s over 55 then yes she is. Between the two of us, we saved 6 bucks, that's almost 300 pesos! It costs $11 to watch a movie here now. Shoot, that’s like watching 5 movies in SM!
I've been chatting with various friends on line and they tell me how gas has gotten back to its original price when we first arrived in the Philippines two years ago which was around 36 pesos a liter. Sweet! I'm so looking forward to going back and ride around Pampanga getting to know its towns and quaint cultural differences.
I miss home!
Last Saturday, Dec 13, I went to Cong Paing’s house in Bellflower to meet with some of our ANASI members. When I arrived, Ed was already there, along with Amor de Jesus and guest (from another group, Alaya) Jess Espanola. We talked a bit, discussed some potential projects and read some Capampangan poetry. We then went ahead to the Stonewood Mall in Downey to have some lunch. Fellow member Pids Rivera met us over there.
Here we are from left to right: Jess Espanola, Pids Rivera, (I had to stand up so I'll be the tallest for a change!), Amor de Jesus, Raf Maniago and Ed Sale.
After lunch, we went back to Cong Paing’s place to talk some more. Pids Rivera introduced us to the new site of ANASI and encouraged everyone to register for membership.
Towards the evening Donna and I got ready to watch the annual Colors of Christmas show at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. When we still lived here, it’s been a tradition for Emy and Nido to get tickets as their Christmas gift for us. Of course, we missed the 2006 and 2007 shows, both Christmases we spent in the Philippines. Nido got us boxed seats above the stage. He and Emy went and met us at the theater coming straight from another party.
We didn't have any picture taken by the Christmas tree in the theater lobby because there was none! For some reason they didn't put one up this year. Sign of the times, perhaps?
Peabo Bryson hosts each of these shows every year. This time his guests were Melissa Manchester, Stephanie Mills and Jon Secada. I know, a bunch of oldies but then again Christmas is a centuries old tradition so it’s all the more appropriate. The show was amazing as usual with all the performers singing their hits as well as a bunch of Christmas songs.
We all agreed that Peabo Bryson and Jon Secada sing just a tad better than me and Nido.
Nido has a treadmill in the corner of their brand new den at the back of the house but I find it too boring. At least in the park I see trees, and the myriads of birds and ducks and people feeding them. I even saw a pelican and a small flock of seagulls the other day – them being seabirds I thought it was odd they’d be here since this is a small man made fresh water lake and we’re miles away from the nearest beach. But then again, they have wings…
The other day I saw a guy fishing and he caught a pretty sizeable carp. If I have to guess 3-4 lbs. easy. I was thinking, "Uh-oh, someone's going to have grilled fish for dinner." The first thing I noticed was how he carefully held the wiggling fish in his left hand while he gently took the hook out of its mouth and to my surprise he slowly let it swim back to the lake. There are no "Catch and Release Only" signs around the lake. Oh well, I guess everyone deserves a second chance.
We visited Donna’s favorite hangout last week, Pechanga. Eph loaned us his Prius since they now have a brand new Highlander. The traffic on the drive over was horrendous but the Prius made it all worth the effort since it uses its battery during stop and go traffic. The usual one hour drive took us two this time. It was already dark when we arrived. We had dinner right after we checked in. Instead of watching a movie, I surfed the Net through the high speed hotel provided DSL.
The next morning, while Donna was still playing a bit, I went and watched The Punisher-War Zone. Pretty good movie, actually. We took off after lunch and went and watched The Day The Earth Stood Still (a remake of a 1951 movie with the same title) at the Edwards Theaters in Cerritos Town Center – nothing to write home about with a wooden Keanu Reeves playing the alien Klaatu.
A funny thing happened at the box office. Donna noticed a senior discount sign and she asked the clerk if she’s eligible. She was told if she’s over 55 then yes she is. Between the two of us, we saved 6 bucks, that's almost 300 pesos! It costs $11 to watch a movie here now. Shoot, that’s like watching 5 movies in SM!
I've been chatting with various friends on line and they tell me how gas has gotten back to its original price when we first arrived in the Philippines two years ago which was around 36 pesos a liter. Sweet! I'm so looking forward to going back and ride around Pampanga getting to know its towns and quaint cultural differences.
I miss home!
Last Saturday, Dec 13, I went to Cong Paing’s house in Bellflower to meet with some of our ANASI members. When I arrived, Ed was already there, along with Amor de Jesus and guest (from another group, Alaya) Jess Espanola. We talked a bit, discussed some potential projects and read some Capampangan poetry. We then went ahead to the Stonewood Mall in Downey to have some lunch. Fellow member Pids Rivera met us over there.
Here we are from left to right: Jess Espanola, Pids Rivera, (I had to stand up so I'll be the tallest for a change!), Amor de Jesus, Raf Maniago and Ed Sale.
After lunch, we went back to Cong Paing’s place to talk some more. Pids Rivera introduced us to the new site of ANASI and encouraged everyone to register for membership.
Towards the evening Donna and I got ready to watch the annual Colors of Christmas show at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. When we still lived here, it’s been a tradition for Emy and Nido to get tickets as their Christmas gift for us. Of course, we missed the 2006 and 2007 shows, both Christmases we spent in the Philippines. Nido got us boxed seats above the stage. He and Emy went and met us at the theater coming straight from another party.
We didn't have any picture taken by the Christmas tree in the theater lobby because there was none! For some reason they didn't put one up this year. Sign of the times, perhaps?
Peabo Bryson hosts each of these shows every year. This time his guests were Melissa Manchester, Stephanie Mills and Jon Secada. I know, a bunch of oldies but then again Christmas is a centuries old tradition so it’s all the more appropriate. The show was amazing as usual with all the performers singing their hits as well as a bunch of Christmas songs.
We all agreed that Peabo Bryson and Jon Secada sing just a tad better than me and Nido.
posted by reyjay @ 9:05 AM
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