Archive for the ‘Travels’ Category

January 10th, 2007 Heya

Long time no write. I’m sorry to keep people waiting. Let me do a little catchup.

1. I didn’t finish reading all the emails I wanted to. Not even close. There are several still left in my inbox to handle - all the way from late October, I think. If anyone has been trying to get a hold of me, please email me again. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be able to get to everyone from before; there’s just too many.

2. I’m still 5 ft tall. I was hoping to grow an extra inch taller by the end of last year. I drank my milk and everything.

3. I got a new lens that I purchased from Amy Howe. For my Nikon: the 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 VR. Yummy. And I’ve stuck to my resolution of taking photos almost everyday. Yup, yup.

4. CHA-Winter is around the corner. I’ll be there for FontWerks. I can’t wait to see friends and meet new people. So exciting for me.

5. Some things have been going on in this industry that I don’t necessarily think I have a tough enough skin for. I wasn’t built that way. But I know myself and I know my friends and I’m proud to be where I am and besides who I stand by. That’s the only truth in my reality and I think that’s the only one that should matter. Not the words on a blog that has gotten way out of hand. But those who participate have their own reasons and I respect that. That’s the way the world works and that’s cool by me. And though I respect the opinions of others, I think I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing. I feel, for once in my life, that I’m on a healthy path. I’m happy right now and I’m going to work hard to keep it that way.

6. I haven’t completed this year’s resolutions list yet. I still have yet to do a review of last year’s. I want to be more realistic and set more specific goals. Hopefully, I can come up with a list by the end of this month.

7. I’m in the Philippines right now; I’ve been here for nearly 3 weeks. I’ve needed this time away to be with my family. Only when I’m in the Philippines do I realize how much I’ve missed them. But I’ll be flying home next Tuesday and back to reality so I’m going to make the most of my time here while I’ve got it. 8. I’m also here for the added fun of teaching a few classes to the ladies of Scrapbukan. This hobby of mine is insane and I can’t believe I have the opportunity to teach while in the Philippines. So for you ladies who signed up, don’t forget to finish your homework before coming to class!

PICTURE PARADE

Just a few photos that I’ve taken while here in the Philippines. Click on the photo to see a larger view. (I would normally upload these to my smugmug account but can’t seem to log-in from the computer I’m at. I promise to make these available for picture-friendly viewing once I get to the States.)

My cousin and I. We’re primarily in the Philippines for her wedding.

My father’s younger brother. I snapped this shot incognito.

The party store across the street from my uncle’s shop. Kinda reminds me of the clown from Stephen King’s It.

My cousin with another cousin. He was trying to get her to ham it up for my camera.

Just before New Year’s Eve mass at the town church hall. You see my aunt in this photo.

The next generation enjoying the New Year’s fireworks.

Believe it or not, the bright light is a series of flashes from fireworks going off up and down my dad’s street.

Fireworks at midnight. Happy New Year!

My cousin’s baby. So cute.

My grandmother’s first cousin. He’s the captain of his neighborhood community watch. He was so proud to share with us this poster.

My mother showing the ring barer and flower girl how to walk down the aisle.

My cousin getting her makeup test done while the groom waited.

In Taal, one of the historic areas of the Phililppines. Along a street that sold many wedding dresses.

In Batangas City. This is the maternity house that I was born in 28 years ago.

My father and his family own many mango fields. We visited some on this day. Here’s my mom inspecting some of the fruit.

Posing with the grandkids.

Seriously, she’s so cute.

My cousin’s child. She looks just like her dad. Believe me.

Can you see me in the picture?

Mom and dad.

My mom’s land in Bataan. This shot taken from the hillside of her backyard. All those rows of plants are pineapples waiting to grow. It doesn’t look it, but the land is pretty steep. I was really far down the hill when I took this shot.

The steps to get down the hill. That’s my brother you see.

Did you know pineapples grew above ground? Here are some young ones.

The view from my mother’s backyard. Truly awesome.

I’m calling this guy George.

Visiting the beach town that my mother first taught at as an elementarcy school teacher, almost 40 years ago. On the way to the beach, this kid jumped out in front just when I snapped this picture.

Can you imagine teaching at a school with this view?

On the drive back home, I caught this shot. School kids cooling off in a shallow stream.

I love coming to the Philippines and drinking soda from a bottle. It’s the only time I ever get to.

Our neighbor in the States has a pharmacy in the Philippines. We had a chance to visit it while here.

My cousin’s child and my cousin in the background. My cousin went through a stem cell transplant this past September to fight his leukemia. He’s doing remarkably well. But we need to wear masks when visiting him. A small price, I say, to see him healthy.

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW But much more later. I have many photos from back in the States since October that I want to share. Have a great day!