not one but two

welcome to my two new homes :

~ at livejournal
~ at blogsome

happy reading and make yourself at home!

new home

thanks to blogger for the start-up knowledge i have learned, as i first discovered blogging.

with livejournal, i have streamlined and minimally created my new site. it is still a working progress. having said that, i apologize for the possible modifications day to day.

welcome to my new home.

star sightings

a brief weekend trip turned out to be a thrilling and exciting stop in sunny california.

over the weekend, ben and i visited friends and accomplished a few business affairs. we revisited places previously experienced and glimpsed. this time, a much deeper dissection of the city was fulfilled. the dry heat was a wonderful exchange from the warm and humid houston weather. the mornings were scorching hot. the evenings were cool and nippy, especially by the beach.

last saturday, we drove around beverly hills, stopped by san marino for a late lunch at a quaint french cafe julienne and shopped at the popular strip on robertson blvd where kitson, lisa kline, madison, ghost and numerous other trendy boutiques align. not to mention the papparazzi-packed curb at the ivy restaurant, posed as an interesting view for street strollers and bystanders. for dinner, we headed to the crowded sushi roku at old pasadena town where locals never sleep early and shoppers never go home empty-handed.

that trip also left ben and i bedazzled by some celebrity sightings. en route to burbank, tobey maguire stepped into our plane from vegas. disheveled as he can be in his loose clothing and overgrown beard, he was undeniably spiderman with those huge, droopy eyes. he was quiet but with a friendly demeanor. on our saturday shopping trip, at madison boutique, carmen electra was hanging out at the cashier - waiting to complete her purchase. she had beautiful, beguiling eyes and an angelic face sans make-up. i was anxiously waiting for her to whip out her black amex but she settled to pay cash. no doubt that was carmen - the papparazzi outside were having a field day snapping their cameras away as she moved on to next door shopping haven, kitson. not to be outdone, ben saw a few retired nba players, but i knew nothing about them except that they were towering above everyone else.

it was a short visit but the rekindled missed friendships was worthy of a much longer stay. plans for a future longer vacation was mapped out. thanks to grace and venie, arabella and rod for a fun-filled 3-day weekend!

houston : hits and misses

i've lived in this city for 10 years now. i've lived nowhere else in the States except this h-town. arriving from the philippines 10 years ago, i stepped out of the plane and realized this city is no different from where i've been. the heat, the abundant asian community, the tropical plants. but as i've continued to experience and familiarize myself with it's busy roads, unforgettable landmarks and gorgeous sights - even with the resentment of leaving my manila party life - i have learned to love and hate the dynamic and vibrant city. truthfully, i can't see myself living anywhere else. here are some of the reasons why i love to hate this city......and hate that i love this town!

hits
~ pappas group of restaurants
~ lack of snow during winter (except for last dec.2004 after 50+ years)
~ houston astros
~ houston rockets
~ texas medical center
~ houston galleria (rodeo drive with a roof)
~ vacation cruises from port of galveston island (approx.45 minutes away)
~ rice university
~ NASA (cowboys and astronauts rubbing elbows)
~ renee zellweger (technically from katy, tx - minutes away from houston)
~ destiny's child
~ radar, the weather dog
~ super bowl 2004
~ lakewood church

misses
~ summer humid heat - lasting way past the summer season
~ houston was named the "fattest city" for 2 consecutive years
~ houston astros
~ houston rockets
~ I45 freeway neverending construction
~ hillary duff (am not particularly crazy about her)
~ zz top band (am not a fan)
~ early morning traffic (i guess, so is everywhere else)
~ I10 freeway (endless traffic even with no construction)

houston is a mixed-bowl of fruit, to say the least. it's population in different colors and shapes. the diverse assemblage of men adds to the fascinating and gripping houston charm. from a philippine-bred lass, who came 10 years ago, i would like to boast and pay tribute to houston's hospitality.

weekend updates

the past week was pleasant but slow. work is still demanding. my time seems to be not enough for everything.

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as friday came, it was a relief that the weekend that was much awaited and anticipated has finally arrived. there were a few get-togethers planned for the weekend. any excuse for some dancing and food, is very much welcomed after a hectic week.

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first was the birthday celebration of a cousin dear to us. it was her 50th birthday. she had reached a point in her life that every move or decision, right or wrong, no longer affects her very much comfortable life. her kids are all grown and successful. everyone's healthy and contented. i'm sure she had run out of wishes to wish before blowing her birthday candles. the party was held at marriot hotel. lunch was delicious and the dj was spinning danceable tunes as soon as guests started pouring in for the party. it was an intimate party for 60 of her closest friends, family and relatives. after lunch, the dancefloor was open for some line dancing and for the more daring, some ballroom dancing. it was yet another fun and enjoyable gathering. let me share some of the party pics.

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as we got back home saturday afternoon, i was pleasantly surprised to receive my cd prize from marie. it was the greatest hits cd of the lighthouse family. this duo's cool tunes remind me of the early 90s manila sound. i never seem to have the chance to get my hands on the one and only cd copy from borders or barnes and noble, since they don't massively order them due to the limited market that's familiar with them. i will surely enjoy my new cd, as i slip them in my car's cd changer. thanks marie!

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the houston ugly weather didn't stop us to celebrate mother's day this past sunday. the cloudy skies and damp wind failed to foil our brunch plans. after attending the early morning mass and some starbucks consumption, at half past eleven in the morning, we headed to omni hotel for the special mother's day brunch. joy's sister shiela and her family are here in houston for a vacation stay and it was a wonderful reunion for everyone. it was an exceptional gathering with all the mothers on centerstage!

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that sunday ended quickly. the dark clouds and thunder didn't help brighten up the afternoon after brunch. gust of strong winds hit the window panes and the tree branches made cracking sounds, interrupting our late afternoon nap. an early dinner of a bowl of soup was enough to finish up a weekend of celebrations. overall, despite the nasty weather, we had a joyful fete!

mamang, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !

Before I was myself you made me, me

With love and patience, discipline and tears,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,

Though well within the headlands of your fears.

Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be

And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually

To let me shape myself among my peers.

Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully

As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears

Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:

The mind assents to what the heart reveres.

And so it was through love you made me, me

By slowly stepping back to set me free.

~nicholas gordon

HAPPY NURSES WEEK

to all nurses around the world*

*cartoon from nurstoon.com