Of travel and pictures

I wish I had known of KFC’s Sweet escape photo contest sooner [I wish I’d stored it in my cell phone alarm].

According to organizers,

“The mechanics are actually very simple. You can have your photo taken with your family or friends drinking Krushers anywhere in the Philippines. Just be sure to make it look like you’re actually at your dream destination,” explains Cha-cha Calma-Juinio, general manager of KFC Philippines.

Say the whole barkada wants to explore the African Safari. You need not go far. Just visit the Manila Zoo, have your group photo taken with a giraffe — garbed in your Indiana Jones outfit with your favorite cup of KFC Krushers in hand — and you’re good to go.

This contest seemed perfect [and relatively easy…it’s not as if you had to make cordless phone reviews]!

One, I love to travel.

Two, I love to take pictures.

Too bad the contest has ended already…I was already racking my brains  for ideas and ready to scan my telephone contact list and pick up my landline phone to call my friends for a pictorial! Oh well!

Next time!

US diary: part 2: Glendale, CA

Before we move on to LA, I would like to make special mention of a small city nearby.

Glendale is a small, beautiful community outside of LA. What Glendale is to LA is like what Paranaque is to Makati, not just in terms of distance, but also structurally. If LA is full of buildings, malls, and yuppies, Glendale is like a homey city.

 We didn’t get to go around Glendale that much, but I truly enjoyed one of their “parks/malls”: Americana (which reminded me so much of Alabang Town Center).

View from the top: A park surrounded by stores…some of them high end [some selling women’s and men’s clothing, some selling accessories]!

*****

I liked the place because it wasn’t your conventional mall. Para syang park na mall. The place was relaxing, and pwedeng tambay lang.

*****

There was spacious lawn of green, green grass. We spent an hour sitting on the grass and watching people who pass by.

*****

And the flowers, wow talaga! In full bloom! Ang gaganda! [The big brown building in the backdrop is Barnes & Noble, the US’s version of National Bookstore.]

*****

There was also a fountain in the middle. Malaki-laki na sya for a place like this.

*****

There was this “Oscar’s trophy–looking” statue in the middle [I just don’t know it’s significance]…seemingly guarding the park.

*****

There are also fountains shows every afternoon/evening. Although not as great as those in Bellagio, nakakatuwa pa din siempre! The kids loved these shows! After all, who doesn’t like fountains coming alive?

*****

A cute vintage ice cream truck by the side…

*****

Americana’s version of a cable car!

*****

The cars look more nicer than those in SFO. And on top of that, the ride is free! Ride all you can ito!

*****

The friendly conductor also served as the tour guide, welcoming us and pointing to stores as we went around.

*****

It was a short ride, after all, Americana is a small place. Yet it was so fun to go around!

*****

These cars are disable friendly…wheelchairs can be loaded. Here, the trip is near its end as the train passes by the fountain.

*****

At the end of the ride, the conductor let the kids ring the bell [it’s like the “toot” of a train]. Here, Wendy is actually pulling the string to signal the car’s arrival.

*****

So there, if you are in the LA area and have the time and want to go somewhere relaxing, try going to Americana [and Glendale].

*****

Related posts:

US diary: part 1: San Francisco, CA

Dead-o

Do you think this should be applied in the Philippines?

The highest-ranking official accused of collusion with gangs that terrorized the central city of Chongqing has been executed, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.

Wen Qiang, 55, former director of the Chongqing Justice Bureau, had been convicted of corruption charges involving organized crime, Xinhua said. He was sentenced to death by a lower court April 14 for accepting bribes, shielding criminal gangs, rape and failing to account for his cash and assets, the news agency said.

Wen lost an appeal May 21. He was executed in Chongqing on Wednesday.

Source: CNN, July 7, 2010

We’ve heard of Chinese officials charged with corruption being executed, and this is not the first time. I honeslty find it inhuman. Regardless, this issue is not as simple as an iphone warranty.

The weighting game

I weighed myself last night and boy, do I need those diets that work! Must I go into panic mode again?

I mean I did gain a few pounds during our trip to the United States! And when I mean a few pounds, a few as in hard-to-remove-few pounds! Oh gosh! Somebody please enroll me in a gym class!

But can you blame me for getting heavier on the trip? I mean, who can resist food when they are this tempting!

 Clam chowder from Boudin in SFO

Cheese rolls from Portos in LA

 Ribs and steak courtesy of a friend in LA

$8 Buffet in Las Vegas

       Famous Philly cheesesteak sandwich

Even airline food was delicious!

Oh so now I’m getting hungry again!

Baby gap

I saw these pictures in my archive and couldn’t help but smile.

   My brother “lovingly” hugging me when I was an infant

 The latest addition to the family: Yshy

The pictures show the 30-year difference in time these shots were taken. The first one was taken in the pre-digital camera days, obviously discolored by time.

But hey, after 30 years, even though they say things are very much different now than in those days, some things will never change: pregnancy still takes [a long] 9 months, breast milk is still best for babies, prenatal vitamins are still important, and babies are still one of the most amazing miracles in the world.

Wang-wang

I heard he’s becoming late for his appointments.

I understand his insistence on leading by example, I truly do. This is inspirational to all people. I, for one, was renewed with hope. And I truly believe in the purity of his intentions.

But one of my fears is that he might concentrate too much on his being a “good person” that he might forget to actually lead the country. Being a good president does not have to mean you have to neglect your duties.

I guess it’s not too much to say that we will understand if you need to use your siren on certain occasions. You are the president, and you need to be in lots of places in a limited amount of time. If the nonuse of sirens will be the cause of you not being able to attend an important meeting, or to not meet the president of another country [which might lead to more investments and more jobs], or to not be there to check if the construction of this metal building is in order, then please do use that siren. You have our permission.

The power of Puffy Softy

I guess you already know about the love affair between Wendy and Puffy Softy (yes, her beloved pillow). Sometimes, I fel out of place. Remember when she didn’t know how to answer when I asked her who will she save when the boat we are riding on sinks: me or puffy softy? Yes, natameme sya (you’d think I was asking her about receipt printer).

Last night, I decided to test her again:

KG: Wends, what if mama asks, aking na lang si Puffy Softy? Will you give her to me? [Yes, it’s a her.]

Wendy: Ahhhh….hmmmm….

After a long pause…

KG: Ano na Wends?

Wendy: I LOVE YOU MAMA!

In short, no! He he!

Perhaps I should plan the death of Puffy Softy. He he! Just kidding!

Downtime Monday

What a way to start the week…by being sick!

I played badminton yesterday (just to see if I can give up the best diet pills), and my body must have gotten surprised by the activity that it went through. My body is aching in every part, especially my legs and arms. Next time kasi, mag warm up!

In addition, there is something in my stomach that is making it ache…bad news is, whatever it is, it won’t come out! Damn you! I’ve been going in and out of the bathroom, unsuccessful! And so the stomach ache continues.

Oh well, I’m just hoping that all these aches would go away soon, especially the arms. My car is not power steering, so you can just imagine that arduous task. Or else, God help me.

Nevertheless, have a great week everyone!

Promises are NOT meant to be broken

No, I did not vote for you. I thought that there was someone better than you.

But then, you are my presidenet now, and there is nothing more I can do than to follow you and take your lead.

Keep good on your promises Mr. President. Remember that promises are NOT meant to be broken. And when the reviews come out after 30 days (no, not those prototype 37c reviews), we will know if you kept your word.

Good luck.

The are no words to describe this feeling

It was an unwritten rule in our house. No one dared talk about it…no one had the guts even to just mention it. We just looked at each others’ eyes (which might have needed eye cream because of the deep-set eyes we’ve had from not being able to sleep the previous night) to know that we were all pained by it. My family loves him to bits.

The six-time champion is out of Wimbledon

Heartbreaking. I am going on a total tennis blackout again, not until he wins, again.

There are absolutely no words to describe this feeling.

But no matter what they say [and I’m not reading anything at the moment], you will always be the best to me.