Woman On A JouRney

Early Morning Shot

2012-05-12T16:39:00.001-04:00

Our backyard lake at 2:42 a.m.

I was up all night taking pictures of the super moon. Before heading off to bed, I took a shot of our backyard lake.

A Day in Fantasy Land

2012-05-09T18:25:00.000-04:00

Watching a movie is like leaving behind reality and stepping into a world of fantasy. When hubby and I visited the Universal Studios Orlando, we felt like kids again as we were "transported" into another world and became "one with the characters" in some of our favorite movies. We even got to star in our own action movie via "Disaster". We experienced how it is to be in the midst of a tornado in "Twister...Ride It Out".
In "Shrek 4-D", we joined my favorite character, "Shrek" and his sidekick, "Donkey" rescue Princess Fiona from the evil Lord Farquaad.

As agent trainees in "Men in Black- Alien Attack", we zapped the "scum of the universe", those bad aliens who've escaped the intergalactic prison transport, while on a nerve-wracking ride aboard our training vehicles. "Terminator 2" was a really cool show. We watched in 3-D movie combined with live action stunts and special effects the Terminator, John and Sarah Connors battling against the evil cyborgs.

The "Horror Make-Up Show" is a must-see. A wacky make-up artist shows what special effects, make up and props are used in horror movies.

My favorite attraction/ride is probably the "E.T. Adventure" because I got to ride a flying bicycle past the moon and the stars, just like what the kids did in that 80's hit movie.

Aside from rides and shows, we also watched live musical and comedy shows around the park and did some shopping for souvenirs and t-shirts.

The Blues Brothers

The Guitar Man

2012-04-30T03:08:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday, hubby and I dropped by a newly opened music store at the promenade near where we live. The store carried several brands and models of drums and percussion, guitars, bass, keyboards as well as a wide variety of music accessories. Quite noticeable were the Bass Amp Heads on display, which ranged from the smallest to the biggest I've seen. Most of them were of high quality but competitively priced. My son who is a guitar aficionado would have loved this place. As for my hubby, he's a drummer, so he spent most of the 45 minutes we stayed inside the store at the drum section. For sure, we're making a second trip there next weekend.

"Who draws the crowd and plays so loud,

Baby, it's the guitar man."

'Twas a Foggy Sunday

2012-04-30T02:24:00.000-04:00

One Friday morning in January, hubby and I took a long (about 10 hours) drive from our place at Boca Raton to Pensacola, Florida, known as the home of some of the world's most beautiful beaches. When we reached Pensacola Beach, we were greeted with stretches of pristine snow-white sand beaches with coral-green waters. Sea oats growing on sand dunes and rows of brightly colored cottages and houses completed the picturesque view. It was postcard-perfect!

We were busy going around and visiting the nearby tourist areas and had plan to make the beach as our last stop before we head home on Sunday morning. Alas, we woke up to a rainy and foggy Sunday morning. The fog was so heavy that we could hardly see the road ahead of us. That did not stop us from going to the beach.

This is what greeted us:

Fog on the road

The boardwalk to the beach

Snow or sand?

The next time we visit Pensacola, I hope it'll be on a fine sunny day and then I'll be able to share with you the beauty of Florida's and the United States' most beautiful beaches.

"Play it again, Sam"

2012-04-30T00:42:00.000-04:00

I started playing the piano when I was six years old and even though I have not played for several years now, I still love listening to piano music. I am also fascinated by wind instruments, particularly the woodwind. Flute music is hauntingly beautiful and saxophone music is inherently sexy.

Learning a musical instrument can be very challenging. It takes practice, patience, discipline and hard work to master an instrument; but if one has the interest and determination, it is a lot of fun. Woodwinds instruments, like the flute, clarinet and saxophone, are among the most popular musical instruments. They are lighter and easier to carry and some of these instruments are more affordable compared to other bigger instruments. Their versatility (they are played in classical orchestras to jazz bands to rock groups and even by solo performers) could also be another reason for their popularity especially among young musicians. Whatever one's instrument of choice may be, it is important to be able to distinguish and know a quality instrument.

"Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By'"

-from the movie, Casablanca

Saturday Photo Hunt: Reflection

2012-04-21T23:33:00.000-04:00

This is my reflection in the mirror.

The picture was taken early this afternoon. The mirror is unique, not only because it is a combination of two shapes (rectangle and circle) but also because one is able to view cable t.v. in the circular mirror through a small rectangular screen in the middle.

The DVD Collector

2012-04-21T13:39:00.001-04:00

Hubby is a huge music and movie fan. When he likes a certain movie he's watched or music he's listened to, he would buy the dvd version so that he can watch/listen to them again at home. Over the years, he has accumulated quite a collection and he takes good care of them. We have a large dvd rack at home to protect his collection from humidity and dust. After all, if you take good care of your things, you'll be able to enjoy them longer.

Sunset at Sonoma Lake

2012-04-15T12:27:00.000-04:00

(A shot of the setting sun at our backyard)

This is one of the reasons why I love being at home at sun down.

PhotoHunt: Sturdy

2012-04-15T09:02:00.000-04:00

New York Yankees

sturdy structure

sturdy team

Sundown at my Backyard

2012-02-12T20:08:00.000-05:00

Our backyard lake at sundown- serene, calm, beautiful.

Friday Photo Flashback

2012-01-28T06:19:00.002-05:00

My mother's college graduation photo - circa 1950

That old TV

2012-01-16T20:48:00.000-05:00

The switch from analog to digital t.v. (DTV) has enhanced television viewing because of the clearer picture and better sound quality. Through this advanced technology, stations can now broadcast shows in High Definition (HD) or multiple Standard Definition (SD). By June 2009, stations broadcast only in digital signals. In fact, nowadays, television comes in digital, SDTV, HDTV, EDTV; soon, there will be more advanced types to come.

Buying a new t.v. may be the easier solution to enjoy DTV, but if you love your analog t.v., or are looking for a more affordable alternative (although you are not able to watch it in HD), connect your analog t.v. to a digital box converter, and you can still view t.v. shows in your old analog t.v. set.

Martin Luther King Day

2012-01-16T09:53:00.000-05:00

( a shot of my co-employee's poster)

Life's most persistent and urgent question is,

"What are you doing for others" ?

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Early Morning Listening Pleasure

2012-01-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

It's a beautiful Sunday morning. Banabear and I are up early. While doing my cleaning chores around the house, I am listening to my favorite gospel singing group, the Heritage Singers.

Here's one of my favorites:

Make music to praise the Lord. He has done wonderful things.

Let this be done throughout the earth.

- Isaiah 12:5

Friday Photo Flashback

2012-01-14T07:34:00.002-05:00

High School Life

With friends (sophomore year)

Graduation

These pictures, taken more than a decade ago, bring back memories of fun times. We always remember with fondness our high school days. I am still in touch with a lot of my high school classmates. Most of them were my classmates since grade school and college. Thanks to Facebook- we are still able to communicate even though we are now situated in different parts of the world.

Christmas 2011 get-together in New York with some of my US-based high school friends.

"Happy times may come and go

but memories will last forever."

In Memoriam: 911

2012-01-08T10:21:00.000-05:00

Located at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, New York, the 911 Memorial is a tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the foreign terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.

Two main attractions in the site are the North and South Pools, said to be the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The pools sit where the Twin Towers once stood. Inscribed at the edge of the memorial pools are names of the victims.

The North Pool contains the names of victims of the World Trade Center North, Flight 11 and those killed during the bombing of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993.

The South Pool contains the names of victims of the World Trade Center South, the first responders, Flight 176, Pentagon, Flight 77 and Flight 93.

Artifacts and mementoes can also be seen at the Visitor Center, just outside the Memorial.

"Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others.

It's a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning.

But not only of loss and mourning. It's also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice,

and the love that lays down its life for a friend-

even a friend whose name it never knew.

-Pres. George W. Bush

911 Memorial

2012-01-08T10:17:00.001-05:00

My visit to the 911 Memorial

That's me with my camera reflected in Greer's sunglasses

Check Out

2012-01-02T14:28:00.000-05:00

I love shopping but doing it during the holidays when the stores are over crowded is not my idea of "fun". I certainly do not enjoy standing in line, with a dozen or so shoppers ahead of me, waiting for my turn at the check out counter. Thanks to technology and the barcode scanners, my waiting time has been cut in half. Scanning the price tag instead of punching the numbers in the machine definitely speeds up the check out process and makes life easier for the clerk and the shoppers.

Battery Park on a December Afternoon

2012-01-01T11:02:00.000-05:00

A short walk from the 911 Memorial and New York's Financial District is Battery Park, a 10-acre public park facing New York Harbor and the Hudson River. The day before Christmas, my friends and I had lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants at the Winter Garden Atrium. After lunch, we braved the cold December winds and explored the park.

New Year, New Beginning

2012-01-01T10:10:00.002-05:00

Today is the first day of the year 2012. The previous year has been tough for a lot of us but difficult times can help us grow into better and stronger persons, depending on how we respond to trials that we face in life. Let us face the new year with courage, hope and faith for a brighter tomorrow.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

to them who are called according to His purpose.

- Romans 8:28, KJV

The Christian life is not a constant high.

I have my moments of deep discouragement.

I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say,

"O God, forgive me," or "Help me."

-Billy Graham

Do not think of a painful experience

as a dark time in your life.

You emerge out of everything learning something

or becoming a better person.

You realize who your real friends are and

how much your loved ones mean to you.

- Colleen Ho

We must accept finite disappointment,

but never lose infinite hope.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know

how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

- Richard Nixon

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant;

if we did not sometimes taste adversity,

prosperity would not be so welcome.

- Anne Bradstreet

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow;

it empties today of its strength.

-Corrie Ten Boom

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur

when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy and unfulfilled.

For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort,

that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching

for different ways or truer answers.

-Unknown

Take into account that great love and great achievements

involve great risk.

-Unknown

Pray that your loneliness may spur you into

finding something to live for, great enough to die for.

-Dag Hammarskjold

Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on.

-Les Brown

PhotoHunt: Light

2011-12-10T22:36:00.008-05:00

It's the time of the year when colorful lights adorn our homes.

"And the dancing lights, both bright and clear

Mean Christmastime is finally here!"

(Christmas Lights)

Maligayang Pasko

2011-12-10T15:44:00.003-05:00

The Philippines is known for celebrating the world's longest Christmas season. As early as September, Christmas carols can be heard over the airwaves and people start putting up Christmas decoration.

I have been a U.S. resident for more than 4 years and the Christmas holidays still make me homesick. It is the time of the year when I feel most nostalgic, remembering the good times I shared with family and friends. Christmas in my country has more meaning and is more festive. I am sure my sentiments are shared by a lot of my countrymen who are also away from the Philippines.

When I put up my Christmas decoration a couple of weeks ago, I wanted a "Filipino" touch to it. I am glad I found a "mini parol", a tiny Christmas lantern made of wood and sigay shells. I attached it around a sugarcane shaped candle (a cottage industry product of rebel returnees from Negros Occidental, my home province) placed atop a ceramic carabao (water buffalo) pulling a cart of sugarcane cuttings (this ceramic tabletop decor was a going-away present from my bowling teammate and friend).

Something to remind me of home.

A carabao pulling a cart filled with sugarcane cuttings is a typical countryside sight in my country, especially in my home province, touted as the sugar capital of the Philippines. A "Parol" is a traditional Filipino Christmas decor. It is a star-shaped lantern, usually made of bamboo and colored paper.

"Maligayang Pasko" is a Philippine greeting meaning, "Merry Christmas".

Mary, Did You Know?

2011-12-10T15:31:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite Christian hymns is the Christmas song, "Mary, Did You Know?" Below is Donny Osmond's version of the song.

If there were no Jesus, there would be no Christmas.

He is the Reason for the Season.

Typical Backyard Scene

2011-12-04T13:45:00.001-05:00

Our backyard overlooks a beautiful, albeit man-made, lake. From inside the house, one can see through the glass sliding door the view of the lake.

Early in the morning, I can see ducks swimming around the lake

or huddled together

or walking, er, waddling in one line.

Others are just seated beside the lake by themselves, as if in deep meditation.

The ducks are very 'sociable'. When they see me walking outside, they waddle towards me.

Unlike the ducks, the other birds "visiting" our backyard are kind of 'anti-social'. They would scamper away at my slightest movement or sound.

The other day, I woke up early to a cool morning and saw four water birds seated on the grass in one row, with their necks strained in the same direction. They were a lovely sight and I wanted very much to capture them with my camera. However, as soon as I opened the door of our lanai, they hurriedly jumped into the water. I must've scared them away.

On midday when the sun is up, I see ducks "cooling" themselves underneath the big mango tree

or under the shrubbery.

Others would sit out in the open "sunbathing", probably taking advantage of the warm-cool weather.

Dusk is my favorite part of the day. When the sun sets, the waters in the lake remind me of the movie, "On Golden Pond". I love gazing at the "dancing" lights reflected in the water.

The ducks must love it, too.

Sometimes I see a couple of ducks on an "early night swim", enjoying a refreshing dip in the water before calling it a day :)

I love our backyard lake.

Say it with Flowers

2011-10-24T06:29:00.002-04:00

It has been said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. What about the woman? How do you win her heart? Diamonds are not every woman's best friend. In fact, it is easy to win over a woman's heart. A simple, "I love you", spoken or shown with sincerity is enough to melt her heart. What better way than to say it with flowers. A bouquet of beautiful flowers will make a woman feel special. If you really want to make a good impression, send her a uniquely arranged, brightly colored flowers and you are guaranteed of a special place in her heart. All you need is a reputable florist who makes the best arrangement with the best flowers. Let your fingers do the searching and click on EZBloomers.com custom flower delivery and you will never go wrong.