Home In Cebu

I arrived in Cebu March 23rd almost noon time. The weather in Cebu is very surprising for me. It's quite odd to think that summer is a rainy season. That's not usual for me since I do remember that it will always be hot and sizzling during this time. It is the opposite but I think it's an advantage for me since leaving California the weather there is rainy too so there's not much climate change. I am not sweating in here yet and hoping it will not be as hot when the season will really come to place.

I am glad that I am home and see my family. I made my brother happy that I am here for him. I see a little progress in his part and I hope his fever will go away. It keeps on coming back. I hope and pray that he will no longer have the fever and that he can recover slowly and progressive. I will cross my fingers. I love him dearly.

2010 San Jose Christmas in the Park

After 2 days since Christmas Day, I asked hubby if we can go and visit the park. I wanna try my Nikkor 35mm which he gave me on my birthday. I was really excited to try it out. I had tested the camera on the 24th but haven't tried it outside. So when I went to the park night time, that was my chance to check how good the cam is and the camera as well.

First try it was a bit blurry since I have to test the aperture and exposure. All through out the night I was testing different Iso, aperture, WB and exposure. The camera was just so wonderful. It was fast enough and the exposure was so great. I am loving the moment when I was there. Though I know it's not really a surprised to see the decor on the park. It's like every year it has the same decor and designs. It wasn't that exciting for me anymore. Though what makes me excited is the photos.

Hubby did a good job to take some photos of me and I was very happy about that. Here are the photos:

Walk in Wonderland-Past Remembrances

Guest post from: Denver Stephens

My husband and I prepare for the first snow of the season every year, boots, scarves, jackets and mittens, all set to don. Since retired, we have been lucky enough to be together and watch the gray skies though the picture window, sipping wine, until the first flakes fall. There is a wooded path nearby and we anxiously head out to walk its mile and half to the end where the busy road interrupts, and head back. By this time, the trees have been coated in their white cotton cloth, and the sounds of the forest on the east side are muffled in the new acoustics the covering affords. It's a solitude that can only be appreciated when two people who think much the same way share the beauty of nature wrapped once again in its unspotted winter coat. We look back now and again to see our footprints in the path behind, a symbol of the path we have shared through our lives. Our silence is usually broken by one of us mentioning that we need to hurry the last 100 yards or so not to miss the Satellite TV Deals show we planned to watch with our remaining Merlot.

My Christmas Tree

Well, I finally got my christmas tree decorated. I am happy that I already got it done today. I went to Michaels today to find purple ornaments. I only found shades of purple but not the kind of glass ornaments that I really want. I also bought some brownish gold poinsettia to make it really pop. Not too many because I don't want to over power the greenery of the tree. I am glad it's already set up and lighted.

a solemn peaceful christmas - cross fingers...

Christmas tree Shopping

Early today hubby and I drove to get our Christmas tree. We were in a hurry to get one since the weather condition said that it's going to rain. Hubby doesn't want a wet Christmas tree. First we went to Benton past 9 am. The gate was closed. I was kind of devastated. He asked if we can go check to another place in Monroe. We went there and saw the displays of trees. Prices are a bit high compare to the one we got last year. Sounds like an inflation here. But it's a bit too much of an increase though. Anyway, the trees looked great but I told hubby that we could probably check the one in Benton when it's open.

Less than 2 hours, we came back to Benton and the prices where the same in Monroe. We could have gone bought the tree in Monroe while we were there. We didn't anticipate that the store owners of both places are the same. Anyway, we bought what we want and now the tree is in my house. We will decorate it tonight. I will post a pic later when it's fully decorated.

First Day of December

I feel like the holiday season is here. Cold winter morning with some frozen ice on the vehicle. Running the defroster and waiting inside the chilly automobile. Cold hands starting to feel uncomfortable. Wearing knitted clothes, tights, boots and a carf nothing is the same with the tropical climate where I was born. But honestly I do like more with cold than warm weather. I feel better with a cold climate than getting sweaty and frequently get migraines with a warm temperature. I am lucky to be able to be here to witness all that I have seen. It's just wonderful. But the feeling of christmas is not the same as way back home. I feel not the same.

Chilly Week

With the longer summer and a nice sunshine, cold chilly week was not expected to hit in the bay area. We will be having a new record cold front for this week. We could expect a temperature of 34F and that’s cold. I might be adjusted to the cold weather but still when my hands are starting to freeze I could definitely say it is cold. Today, when I got out from the house and walked towards the driveway, from afar I already saw that my car’s windshield is frozen. The temperature dropped last night causing some moisture turned ice. I put the car’s defroster as high as it can get, turned on the windshield wiper until I can see the front of the car. When it’s visible enough I hit the road and get to work.

I didn’t put some coat on today. It’s amazing for me to be able to wear just one sweater and a thermal sweater. Normally, I used 3 on top of each other. It will not be the same if it’s at night. I couldn’t stand the cold. If it’s morning I can take it with no problem but I know I have to protect myself because too much cold on the body won’t be good.

Halloween 2010

I had 2 parties to attend to that weekend. One was a house warming in Evergreen there in San Jose and the other was a halloween party at a new friend's house in Campbell. Joey and I spent our few hours with his friend to welcome their new house. It's sad to bid goodbye when the party was just starting out. I was glad that hubby was very flexible to have me not missed my friend's party too. So it turned out really well.

I was kind of late when I arrived at my friend and some of them were leaving when I got there. I didn't even get to picture some halloween stuff too. I just did my portraits pictorial there. Somehow it turned out good because some of the pictures came out great. I will post some later.

On sunday the actual day, we drove around some houses that we often used to go. I tried to capture just few photos of the place because I felt awkward and I wanted to take pictures of children wearing different costumes too but I saw parents were not very approachable so I passed on it. We came home with no children knocking on the door. It's been like that for years anyway. It's just a few places where I see lots of children.

Snow Season

The cold weather is on its way. The breeze and the fog in the morning are getting colder and colder. Going to work, my heater is on because driving when chill is like freezing on ice. I feel it’s very necessary to use it though I feel not like the smell of it. End of November towards December and early next year will be the start of snow seasons. Not in my town that I live but 4 hours away where Lake Tahoe is. I had been there twice. I was not able to see full fresh snow. The last time I went the snow already melted but apparently there are still snow every where. My husband and I thought that we could used the tire chains while were up there but the snow was not enough that driving that time was more safe.

Tirechain dealer is a popular company when you google it online. They have the highest rank in terms of snow chains. Their product is very durable and easy to install. Two popular products are the Grip 4x4 and the Super ZLT. It can be both install in 2 minutes per tire and the cost is way much cheaper. Less than $100 that is a very good deal, I will try to remember this when hubby and I decided to go once again to Tahoe. I wish and pray that while we are up there I could have a very white snow moment where I could feel like it’s white Christmas.

Allergy

Relocating to the US has never been a problem, weather wise. I got here when it was warm and eventually got into the fall and winter season. Winter was unlikely for the not experienced and not traveled person like me, it took awhile to adjust. I’ve heard about spring and allergies. I felt fine and never got any problems at all. The change of season never caused me any predicament.

With aging, I think I got some allergies problem for spring. Now I get it and experienced it. Not as bad you may think it is. It’s just those ordinary sneezing and headaches and little sore throat. But it’s just the trouble of sneezing. That’s what I felt. I just hate it.

Friday afternoon I thought I could visit my friend in Los Gatos. The mere fact that it was the start of the day I sneezed every few minutes that passed by. It was not tolerable. I skipped to see my friend and just stayed home. I supposed to get all my laundry clean and folded. I ended up just getting 2 loads in the laundry. One load had folded and put into place but the remaining did not. I just retired. I was weakened by the constant sneezing.

Today is my fourth day. I am still weak, plugged nose, tired eyes and has little body aches. I am able to manage to go to work. Staying home just won’t do me any good. It’s better to stay out and got to push myself to fight the illness. Hope to get better soon.