Saturday, December 26, 2009

middleage-ville

2 more years and I'll be off the calendar!

A friend said, I should welcome this day as the beginning of a new chapter in life. Officially, he says, the 30th birthday heralds one's adult status with measured indulgence. From here on, a person is a mature and responsible adult who has the necessary wisdom to make important decisions in life.

To be honest, all I could think of is that in 10 years, I'll be forty! And I am closer to arthritis than to anything else!

If there's anything official today, it's that I am a boring, old fart.

But thank you Lord for the last 30 years and definitely wishing for more to come. >

Friday, December 18, 2009

let it snow

And snow, it did!. The heavens dumped several inches of snow late Thursday - early Friday which resulted to this.


I am probably the only adult in the Kent area who is amused and delighted this has happened.


What a lovely way to greet me good morning.


My street. Or what's left of it.


Maidstone was on a standstill. This is a view of my neighborhood.


I didn't mind the fact that it was a nightmare hauling my monkey ass to work today because of the beautiful scenery.


Mc, you would've loved this. 'Di bale, we'll have our winters coming real soon.


Buried in ice.


Snow monkey.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

cebu state of mind

Last year, I was home for a month's vacation. Ketty and I decided to go away for a weekend trip somewhere and we ended up in Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines and the queen city of the south. That was 365 days ago to this day. Despite the intermittent rains and short time, we had a blast. Allow me to reminisce.

We were billeted at this hotel. Can you feel the Miami vibe?

We woke up to this view. The Hilton Towers in the background.

If only the sky was clear and the sun shining, this would've been perfect.

The missus and I hired a cab and toured the city, stopping by the most famous spots to capture some memories.

We flocked to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino

and joined hundreds of devotees to pray.

Lighted some candles and thanked Him for our blessings, we did too.

Magellan's Cross, one of the most important historical artifacts in the Philippines.

We entered the gate to this great fort

and strolled in its manicured garden.

Then, we climbed some hundred steps

to reach the top of the hill for this, the beautiful Taoist temple in Beverly Hills.

Overlooking the queen city of the south.

Our tour guide/cab driver took us to the Casa Gorordo Museum.

And on our way, passed by this lovely bahay na bato. We both love heritage houses.

We went to a guitar factory and learned how the instrument is made.

Shopping for pasalubongs at the Tabo-an market.

Cebuanos sell sea shells by the sea shore.

Finally, a visit to Cebu wouldn't be complete if one doesn't pay his/her respects to the great warrior, Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino hero.