I’m a Brad Pitt fan (I’m not going to apologize for that) and the movie obviously spoke to me on so many levels but even more so right now. I’m at a crossroad where every decision, action and reaction I make will shape my life in the next few days, months or years. It’s an excruciatingly impossible dilemma that I never thought I’d find myself in. Nevertheless, I’m neck-deep in it and just trying to keep my head above the water to keep from drowning in misery, regret and self-pity. It’s time to let go of any dreams, aspirations and goals of the past. Time to retire those rose-colored glasses and see the world as it really is. Play the game of life, according to the cards I’m dealt with. After all, ”nothing lasts, and what a shame that is.”

Forgive me if I’m not going to be a source of inspiration for now or for a long time to come. I suppose the well of hope has gone dry and its lifesource has been severely depleted at the moment. I do take comfort from these words:  ”For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

Bottom line: “You never know what’s comin’ for ya.”

So, what’s the big deal about this job? Without disclosing any sensitive details, I am now working for a not-for-profit organ procurement organization. After years of providing care to palliative and oncology patients (mostly terminally ill) , I get to be a part of helping people get another lease in life by placing organs and tissues where they are most needed and appropriate. Death is not an event that people will celebrate but something good can still come out of it through organ and tissue donation.

I know there are so many myths, horror stories, urban legends and bad press  about organ procurement and donation. There’s equally a lot of legitimate articles and websites out there that debunked these misinformation. I’m sure some people are turned off by the mere suggestion of donating and are even enraged by the sheer idea of having their  loved one’s remains being “harvested”. But, after hearing successful and hopeful stories of people’s lives being extended and enhanced by this gift of life, how can I not be proud to be a part of it?  

I am a registered organ donor and making that decision is pretty simple for me. It’s just the right thing to do. People might not pay attention to this issue until their own lives are affected by it. It’s easy to assume that doctors can treat whatever ails you but in some instances, an organ transplant might be the only way to get better. If no one donates, then thousands of people will never have a second chance at life.  On the other hand, a vast majority of people  have thought about it and are considering being a donor. They just have to stop procrastinating, take the next step and actually register to be one.

This blog post is not a paid commercial or ad of any sort. My goal is to reach out and encourage every person to register at their own state’s organ/tissue donor registry. It takes only a few minutes and very minimal commitment but what a significant action it is. You never know what the future brings. Just as you have the power to change some one’s life by donating life, you might find yourself or your loved one on the receiving end of that gift of life. Think about it.

 To learn more and to register, here’s the link: Donate Life 

While people around the world were riveted to their TVs for the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on August  8th, my friends and I were in a frenzied excitement getting primped and geared up for our friend Mariah’s big day. She was set to walk down the aisle and she have chosen four of us to be her ladies-in-waiting. It was truly a compliment to be her Matron-of-Honor and I took the role very seriously indeed. I wanted her day to go as smoothly and stress-free as possible although she appeared cool as cucumber that she probably didn’t need us fussing around her anyway. I don’t think she ever had a bridezilla moment through all the wedding planning and preparations. She was the epitome of a laid-back bride-to-be.

For those who participated in the poll regarding Mariah’s two choices of bridal gowns, she heeded the majority’s advice and went with this pretty confection of lace, ruffles and beads. She looked every inch an elegant and beautiful bride in it.

With hair and make-up in place, skirts rustling and cleavages adjusted, we were ready to march. Then, I had a brief moment of reflection and remembered my own wedding day when my father escorted me down the aisle and the warring emotions I felt during the seemingly long walk before I finally glimpsed Kenny at the altar. As a cold shiver ran down my spine, I took a deep breath and blinked away the tears that were about to bubble over. What is it about weddings that make women such blubbering hot messes? Anyway, the ceremony went without a hitch and then it was time to party up a storm. It was a great night spent among friends and family. Needless to say, the camera flashes were pretty rampant as what can be expected whenever there’s a gathering of Filipinos.

Most of my friends are already married, engaged or in  serious relationships. Some found their spouses without so much drama and a few had bumpy rides on their way to the altar. Then, a handful are still single who may or may not be looking for a romantic liaison. Some of them might already be feeling the pressure of people inquiring about their uncommitted status. I’ve been through that rigmarole before. Now that I’m married, folks are breathing down my neck about having kids. There’s always something to vex about, huh?

I know that people are just being inquisitive and are generally well-meaning but it doesn’t make for a comfortable conversation when you’re fending off such personal probing. I could just imagine the kind of dissection women in their 30s are being subjected to in the Philippines. Back in my teenage years, I thought that I had to be married before I hit the age of 25 or I’ll be regarded as an "old-maid". I remember a couple of female high school teachers who were rumored to have gotten married to some unsavory characters to avert the possibility of spinsterhood. I believe they were just in their late 20s then. Whether their marriages lasted, I don’t know.

Thankfully, my single friends are not the type who will resort to those deplorable options. They are living their lives as fully as they can and are unbound to do whatever want. They are well-traveled, sophisticated and have active social and professional lives. Knights in shining armors are most welcomed definitely but these ladies will not be wasting precious time pining and waiting for them to knock on their doors. As much as I would like to witness their own love stories one day, I wouldn’t want them courting disaster.  It has to be perfectly right for them whether it  happens sooner or later.

On the outside chance that marriage never transpires for them, I hope they will still continue to lead lives that is full of extraordinary experiences and graced with beauty and charm. That’s what romance is all about anyway. It’s living life with a little passion, a little imagination, a willingness to stretch our minds beyond the romantic stereotypes of ruffles and flourishes. To be romantic, in other words, is quite simply to allow yourself to fall in love with life - all of life - and experience it fully, openly, passionately, and purposefully.

Anyway, as I went through my mindless channel surfing, I’ve began to notice that there seems to be a conspicuously increasing Filipino presence on these reality shows. Some of the contestants are outrightly obvious about their cultural background while some are not so forthcoming or vocal about it. Of course, it makes me want to root for them when they give a shout-out to their Filipino heritage but just seeing them participate makes me proud enough to cheer them on. In fact, watching any Asian competitor makes me want to toot the horn and claim them as my compatriot as well. My husband thinks it’s pretty amusing though.

If not for reality TV, I wouldn’t be seeing this proliferation of Asian and ethnic groups on the boob tube. Years ago, there’s such a limited representation of the Asian culture, both on TV and in the movies. The rare times you’ll see Asian actors/actresses on screen, they were (still are) mostly playing stereotypical roles of  martial artists, illegal immigrants, housemaids, prostitutes, villains, Vietnam war vets/soldiers, and mail order brides. These unoriginal characters  are so hackneyed and not quite the accurate depiction of the cultures they are trying to project on the small or big screen. Hollywood really needs to step up with the times and get a reality check.

The explosion of reality competition shows are bringing more ethnic cultures and diverse personalities to the forefront. They have become opportunities to display that there’s more to us than people with almond-shaped eyes, dark (or yellow) skin tone, short stature and weird accents. Just like anybody else in the world, we are from all walks of life, with varying degrees of education and upbringing, and not to mention, with talents and skills. Massive doses of it too.

After a bit of digging up in the cyberspace, I managed to pull up profiles of some of these participants. A few of them didn’t claim to be Filipinos in the media but we do have a way of knowing somehow, right? Anyway, don’t hesitate to correct me if I’m wrong in my assumptions.

First up is Ramiele Malubay.   She was one of the Top Ten contenders in the last season of American Idol. Although she was talented, I reckon she managed to stay in the competition for so long due to the collective and concerted effort from the Fil-Am voters/fans.

Dale Talde was a contestant in Top Chef season 4 whom I was a bit ambivalent about. He seemed to be exceptionally culinary gifted with a great potential to win but his attitude reeked of negativity and arrogance. Maybe the pressures of the competition got the best of him but I rooted for him anyway and was disappointed when he got eliminated. Oh, and he was originally from Chicago.

Another Chicago native who caught my attention a few years ago was Jenny Guzon-Bae.   She was part of the initial Asian alliance in the Survivor: Cook Islands. In fact, she was probably the first Filipina I ever saw competing in a reality show. She was quite articulate and she performed really well in the challenges but didn’t do well enough to emerge as the sole survivor. A Korean-American named Yul Kwon took the prize home that season.

Another Filipino trying to make his mark on the culinary TV world was Louross Edralin. He’s in the season 4 of Hell’s Kitchen. Well, anyone who can survive the heat in that kitchen is already a winner to me. Unfortunately, Louross didn’t have what it takes to withstand Gordon Ramsay’s firestorm and was sent home earlier than he anticipated.

American Gladiators has always been a favorite of mine ever since I was a young girl sneaking out to watch the show in our neighbor’s TV. When I learned that the NBC network brought it back, I got so excited indeed. It still has the cheesiness factor but I can’t help but be impressed with what the contenders have to go through in those grueling elimination rounds. I was even more at awe when a petite Filipina-looking contestant gave it her best shot on season 2. Melissa Trinidad truly wowed me with her determination and athleticism. What an inspiration! By the way, she’s a single mom and her daughter’s name is Malaya (which means freedom in Tagalog). I hope she won’t be the last Filipina I’ll see in this show.

Well, there they are, folks. Although none of them were winners or title-holders in those competitions, I consider them triumphant already from having gone through those demanding auditions. Furthermore, they were able to overcome the hurdles and prejudice that might have trounced others before them. They’re paving the way for more people of ethnicity to prove themselves in any match and arena while witnessed by TV viewers all over the world. It couldn’t get more real than that.

At the party, a friend of mine recounted an interesting anecdote about her father. He wasn’t such a big fan of the winter season and he probably couldn’t wait to go back home to the Philippines. After living in the US for almost a year, his wish was granted and the family went back to visit the home country recently. Apparently, upon their exit from the NAIA airport, he started complaining that the weather was stiflingly uncomfortable and he echoed the same sentiments for the first few days after their arrival. As much as he was truly happy to be back, I reckon he is more appreciative now of the seasonal changes in Chicago.

In a temperate region like some parts of the US, the seasons are marked by changes in the amount of sunlight which may cause animals to go into hibernation or to migrate, and plants to be dormant. Four seasons are generally recognized: spring, summer, autumn, winter. Needless to say, spring and autumn are my favorites. The winter blues are such a drag, as most people would agree. The summer days can be such scorchers at times that it can cause people to pass out or dehydrate.

In comparison, a tropical region like the Philippines has only the rainy (or wet, or monsoon) season versus the dry season, because the amount of precipitation may vary more dramatically than the average temperature. Back then, it never occurred to me to check on the daily weather forecast or temperature before heading out. Rain or shine, all I needed was my trusty umbrella.

Now that April is giving way to May, I’m starting to put away most of my winter gear but kept some items to tide me over some cooler and rainy days. Admittedly, I loath packing away my Uggs and I’m contemplating on keeping a couple of pairs of boots around, just in case. It might be facetious of me but I do have a bit of a fixation on this type of footwear. If I can afford it, I might already have a closetful that could rival Carrie Bradshaw’s penchant for Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos.

What could have triggered this kind of a fetish? It must had been when I was a young girl and I laid eyes on an image in a magazine of a young woman wearing a pair of chestnut-colored western (cowboy/girl) boots. It looked so cute and hip and I remember wanting a pair so bad.

Those type of footwear were obviously hard to come by at that time, unless you count the white go-go boots that the school band "majorettes" wore during parades. I was so painfully inhibited and vulnerable about my rotund and blemished limbs that I would be the last person you’ll see in public, wearing a short skirt while happily twirling a baton.

Therefore, it was not such a big surprise that I went totally gaga over my first pair of winter boots. I couldn’t wait for the first drop of snow so I could put them on. I strutted around in them like a delusional runway model. It wasn’t just me though. My roommates were as enthusiastic to break in their brand new heavy coats, knitted hats and scarves, gloves and boots. Of course, we had a lot of pictures taken seemingly enjoying the cold weather while holding up a handful of snow like it’s the most precious thing we’ve ever seen. I’m guessing almost all winter neophytes have comparable images in their albums as well. I’ve certainly perused similar photos in some Friendster profiles. It’s just one of those universal experiences we share as immigrants, I suppose.

A few weeks more and I really have to send my beloved boots to storage. I will probably mark that day by treating myself to a nice pedicure. God knows what my feet went through for the past few months. Thank goodness there are no photos of them in the Internet. That’s the one image we need not share… ever.

First of all, I would like to soothe those who might have had some concerns about my well-being due to my protracted hiatus from the blogging world. The emails and messages you have sent truly bestowed me the succor I needed to replenish my passion for writing again despite some impediments. I’ve had some health setbacks but nothing too ominous to be alarmed about, in retrospect. Most of my SLE symptoms are less flagrant ever since I started on a medication regimen but I must admit that my abrupt absence from Friendster and blogging was brought on by a forbidding episode a couple months ago. I believe it might have been precipitated by a particularly hard-hitting and stressful time at work and generally, just feeling the pressures of life and responsibilities. In a nutshell, I was skating on thin ice and it finally cracked under me.

I woke up one day and discovered that my entire body was seemingly ravaged with an inexplicably angry rash which of course made me itch so bad as if a colony of ants took up residence on my skin. It was indeed very uncomfortable but I was more petrified and feeling deeply despondent that things have become more dire than I anticipated. Whatever amount of bravado I had was overwhelmed once I allowed myself to mull over the likely dismal future of living with the condition. I’m not really the kind of person who will blithely profess to feeling "depressed" at a slightest emotional letdown but for a few weeks, I felt like I was just handed a death sentence. I was living in my own world of dread and panic in which words of reassurance fell on deaf ears.

Thankfully, as the rash cleared (I am now a big fan of Prednisone), the doldrums slithered away. The light at the end of the tunnel beckoned and I slowly uncoiled from the fetal position I was in. In time, I dared to rejoin the optimists welcoming me back on the other side.

Undoubtedly, unsettling occurrences and flare-ups are yet to come but hopefully, I’ll be better primed and armed with my utopian arsenal of courage, faith, lofty goals and preponderant support from family and friends (including you, Friendster peeps). I’ve had a salubrious serving of chicken soup and this blogger’s soul is on the mend. Again, thank you (you know who you are) for your unceasing encouragement and continued patronage. I hope you are all thriving and blessed in your lives as well.

People are saying that he might even surpass William Hung’s fame (all 15 minutes of it). Maybe Simon Cowell got it right when he predicted that Renaldo’s own composition " We’re Brothers Forever" will be a big hit. At least on the internet. One thing I can say is that after listening to it a few times, the song is kinda catchy and has a tendency to stick in your head. You might find yourself humming to it unconsciously or belting it out like you’re in a musical or drunken stupor. You might even get creative and produce your own version of his song.

When I first saw the introduction video clip on Mr. Lapuz, I immediately guessed that he might be a Filipino. I’m sure a lot of Pinoy viewers surmised that as well. Despite his strangely outlandish (I’m being nice here) outfit, I was really hoping that he will bowl us over with a great singing talent and prayed that he would not be torn apart by the judges. That was before I realized that he was 44 years old and not even really qualified to be a contestant anyway. Uh-oh!

For those who didn’t see it on TV, here’s how the audition went down. If you wish to get to the actual singing, just forward to the 2:50 mark. Note: Click Pause on the Radio Blog first before viewing the videos.

So, what do you think of Renaldo’s "AI" moment? Did it inspire the Pinoy pride in you or were you offended by the way he was treated and portrayed? Honestly, my reaction to this is kinda hybrid. I can’t decide if I’m impressed by his chutzpah or disappointed that he didn’t really quite "represent" the Filipino talent. Whichever it is, I have to commend him for his seemingly unaffected and sincere character. Despite the hilarity and absurdness of the situation, he appeared to remain dignified and genial. His positivity and genuine gratitude for the opportunity to perform was unmistakable and that authentically affable quality in his demeanor reflected well on us Filipinos, in general.

So he wasn’t a great singer but he wasn’t the worst either. In fact, his enthusiastic performance earned him a lot of admiration and attention that there is quite a plethora of videos dedicated to his act. Here’s just a few that I like that I was able to scour in Youtube. Click away and don’t blame me if you find yourself singing, "I am your brother, your bestfriend forever…" over and over and over again.

So, would you buy his record when and if it comes out? Discuss!

Normally, I would have my top 10 things to do in 2008 but I’m trying to set more realistic objectives and could only come up with eight, so far. I just have to be more proactive in checking them off the list before the year’s end. Here they are:

1. Read a book (any book for that matter). I am ashamed to admit that I have yet to open a page of "The Da Vinci Code" or "Memoirs of a Geisha". I sure need a firm kick in the butt to make sure this goal will not make a repeat appearance in 2009.

2. Take another trip to Europe again. It might be difficult to pull off due to our three dogs (any volunteers to watch them?) but I’d really like to visit Spain, London or Greece this year. I got bit by the travel bug and there’s no getting over it anytime soon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

3. Get together with some friends from Friendster . I know there have been some tentative nattering about it and I would like to be there when and if it actually happens. It would be interesting to finally see and hear the people behind the blogs, comments, messages and photos. So, who’s up for it and who’s on the planning committee? Count me in, peeps.

4. Finalize my mother’s petition for the US immigrant status. We’re just mostly waiting for the process to go through and I’m getting quite impatient. As much as I prefer to be independent, I can’t deny hankering for my mother’s presence whenever I don’t feel well or if I just feel like talking to someone.

5. Stay on a healthy diet and workable exercise plan . I’ve shed a few pounds in the recent months and signing up with Lifetime Fitness proved to be a great investment. Despite our previous chronic failures at gym memberships, Kenny and I are surprisingly more inspired to stick with the program this time around. It definitely helps that we just love their sauna, hot tub and swimming pools. I’m also motivated to learn how to swim so I could work on getting a SCUBA certification eventually. I would certainly love going to the beach more if I don’t have to wear those cumbersome floaties and vest like a 3 yr-old tot.

6. Go skydiving and/or ride a hot air balloon . The mere idea of doing these activities is quite an aberration to my timorous character but having conquered the zipline in Maui left me feeling a bit more adventurous and dauntless. Let’s see if the anticipated adrenaline rush is enough to keep me bold and fearless.

7. Go on a  road trip to the Pacific Coast. Inspired by Elizabeth’s blog, I would love to visit some of the amazing parks and sceneries in the US. Unfortunately, long distance driving is not Kenny’s cup of tea but if I can round up some friends who might be keen to do it with me, I’ll be happy to get behind the wheel. I would have to save up for a GPS device though. There’s no sense in being stuck in the middle of nowhere, right?

8. Watch more concerts, stage and comedy shows. I’ve been checking out the Ticketmaster website and found out that the Foo Fighters will be performing in Chicago in February. I’d better drop some hints for Kenny for a Valentine’s Day surprise for me.

I guess that’s about it. How about you guys? I know some of you are not so big into making annual pledges but here’s how I look at it. There are a lot of sick people out there somewhere who probably just received the dreaded "talk" from their doctors about their dire prognosis. As painfully depressing as it could possibly be, they might have to make an inventory of things they need to do to settle their affairs.

In light of my recent health scare, I’m just thankful that I’m not in the similar quandary but I feel it’s never too premature to make a catalog of experiences and feats before one "kicks the bucket", so to speak. I guess I’m just making my own bucket list  a bit shorter every year by fulfilling some of them now and getting an earlier head start in the race against time. Sooner or later, we’ll run out of it. After all, we’re all dying from the start. Some just got pushed to the head of the line.

When I first wrote about my problem with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome , joint pains and my subsequent attempt to detoxify, I left out a lot more issues that were somewhat of clandestine nature. As candid as I try to be, some things are still better kept private. But after today’s events, I felt like I owe it to my friends and faithful readers to disclose and get it over with.

After working the night shift, I dashed out of the hospital to meet up with Kenny for my doctor’s appointment (Rheumatology) at another building. It was a freezing, wintry and windy day and I struggled to keep warm. My fingers and toes were icy cold, deathly pale and unbearably numb despite my gloves and Ugg boots. These days, it doesn’t take much to make them look and feel that way. Even just washing my hands with a cooler temperature water will do the same trick. If you ever have the occasion to see a dead person’s hands and feet, that’s the closest I can describe my predicament (Raynaud’s Phenomenon).

On the surface, I managed to keep a facade of composure. Inwardly, I was bombarded with a jumble of emotions threatening to overwhelm what little vestige of restraint I have left. It has been a drawn-out process but I finally have the chance to obtain answers, whatever they might be. After all these months of numerous hospital visits and tests, the speculations and uncertainties will hopefully come to a resolution.

It was probably one of the longest and most thorough consultation I’ve ever had with a physician and in the end, the verdict was handed out. I have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or lupus).

Brief background: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Normally the body’s immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself. These antibodies — called "auto-antibodies" (auto means ’self’) — cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body.

My worst fear was confirmed and I have to finally deal with the fact that things are going to be different from now on. I know this was coming but I was in a state of denial for the past few weeks, hoping for a better outcome. I am not going to lie and put up a brave front. I am scared as hell. I am mad, despondent, panic-stricken and feeling like I had been hit by a runaway train. I desperately wanted to move away from its path but my whole body was bolted down, succumbing to the inevitable ruin.

Why me? I’m sure a lot of you got some words of wisdom, reassurance and sympathy. In time, I’ll come to appreciate them and thank those who really care. At the moment, all I want to do is just to run off and lick my wound. What better place to do it but warm and sunny Maui? Yes, I’m headed off to Hawaii on Friday with some friends and I’ll try to enjoy every bit of this short escape although I might spend more time hiding away from the sun (photosensitivity). Before long, the real world will loom bigger and I’ll have to continue living in it for as long I can.

Right now, I have some packing to do and that is something I have control of. I will try to keep blogging during the trip. I just got a brand new camera and I’m not afraid to use it. So, catch ya later, folks! Take care of you and each other.

For more info on SLE or Lupus, here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systemic_lupus_erythematosus

http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/systemic_lupus/article.htm

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lupus_systemic_lupus_erythematosus/article_em.htm

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/systemic_lupus_erythematosus.jsp

http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/systemicLupusErythematosus.htm

Kenny and I took on hosting duties once again for the Halloween party this year. Although wearing costumes wasn’t required, most of our friends and guests came in a variety of getups to celebrate the holiday. Unfortunately, my store-bought outfit’s zipper went kaput on me so I hastily put together an ensemble that epitomize a favorite "Kill Bill" character, Gogo . Needless to say, we had a blast and will do it again next year and every Halloween season for that matter.

Talking about costumes, I’ve been thinking a lot about a particular one that most of us might not have seen or worn for a long, long time. I’m talking about the Philippine national costumes "Barong Tagalog" for men and the "Baro’t Saya" for women. It must have been when I was in high school when I last wore a baro’t saya for a folkdance. That was certainly ages ago.

The Barong Tagalog has maintained a contemporary presence in the Philippines and the more formal Terno is also largely seen on social events like weddings and political functions. The baro’t saya is pretty much generally worn as a dance costume or during some national-themed events.  The only time I’ve seen the baro’t saya here in the US was at a wedding I attended in LA where a Fil-Am dance group performed during the reception. That was quite a treat and I can’t help but wish there are more Filipino cultural events like that here in Chicago.

The USA is indeed an amalgam of several cultures and nationalities. A major city like Chicago is filled with various heritages, backgrounds and religions from all over the world. It has everyone that for someone of ethnicity like me, it’s easier to blend in and not stick out so much in a crowd. But then again, except for my distinctly Asian features, I don’t appear atypical from any jeans-and-shirt-clad person down the street.

In the cul-de-sac where we live, we have neighbors who I assume to be originally from India. Although I’m used to seeing them in their traditional clothing while going about their daily lives, it still intrigues me to see the women in their colorful saris and the men in their breezy-looking kurtas. They just seem at ease wearing these garments that it made me curious about our own traditional dress and the possibility of wearing it on a regular basis. What do you think it would be like?

Here lies the challenge especially for Filipinas living in foreign countries. Picture yourself going about your usual diurnal activities but dressed in a time-honored baro’t saya. Would it be awkward, unviable, or humiliating or would it feel effortless, user-friendly and impressive? Would it give you the sense of national pride or would you feel scrutinized and peculiar?

It might not be a significant concern among women who are raised in cultures where their customary and long-established mode of sartorial is still the mainstream. This is particularly true in some Asian and Middle-Eastern countries. In contrast, except for some minority groups, the Filipinos are predominantly garbed in the Western-influenced fashion and are pretty keen in following the latest trends in style. They are also quite partial to "imported" brand names of clothing and accessories (authentic or faux, who cares?). It won’t be unusual to spot a young woman in a Tommy Hilfiger tee at a mall somewhere in the Philippines.

I truly find the idea of wearing the baro’t saya even just for a day very thought-provoking and worth probing further. I’ve always been inquisitive about my neighbors’ ability to adapt to their new environment yet still maintain a strong visual representation of their culture. That takes a lot of self-assurance, nationalism and religious conviction, I’d say.

Do I have the same cojones to pull it off? I’d like to test my mettle one of these days. Maybe someday, I’ll get to post a photo or video of me sashaying down the aisles of a local Target store, sporting the simple baro’t saya paired with my beloved Ugg boots. In the words of the infamous style icon, Paris Hilton, "That’s hot!". Snap!

If one can look like a bee, a nun or a witch on Halloween, it shouldn’t be that tricky to dress like a good old-fashioned Filipina and pay tribute to Maria Clara, the symbol of the virtues and nobility of the Filipina woman. So, is there anybody out there who’d be plucky and audacious enough to do it with me? We can unofficially call it the "Baro’t Saya Day". Maybe I’m being daft and delusional but if this catches on and becomes a global movement, how cool is that?

Here in the US and in other countries, the presence of the Filipino workforce is very crucial to the delivery of health services. Without their hard work, the system will be potentially impaired. It’s therefore comprehensible that the insensitive and unfounded comment from the TV show "Desperate Housewives" left a bitter taste especially among Filipinos engaged in the health care industry. The unfortunate dictum just didn’t reflect the reality of how much these host countries have relied on us to take care of their old, sick and dying. It also reminded me of how unjust things can be to any foreign worker. I’m sure a lot of OFWs out there will heartily agree.

Although the Filipino nurses are becoming more respected and acknowledged, they are far from being exempted or immune from any display of discrimination or racial prejudice. The recent case of the "Sentosa 27" is a crucial illustration of how challenging it is out there for Pinoys who are seeking a better future overseas. Their predicament is not remote to me and to countless others who were once (and probably still are) casualties of such unscrupulous treatment. The ongoing legal wrangling has essentially brought to the forefront something that a huge number of us went through not that long ago.

When I first arrived in the US in 1994, I was a bit anxious but had no apparent reasons to be afraid of anything. Stepping through the sliding doors at the Chicago O’Hare airport was like being transformed from an ingenuous small town girl into an optimistic young woman ready to claim her independence and start a new life. Regrettably, the euphoric mood didn’t last long as the fairy tale unfolded into an austere narrative of a bizarre dimension. Without disclosing any incriminating details, let me recount my own version of "Coming to America" (or rather, "Tales From the Crypt").

Feeling relieved that my passage through the US Immigration went without a glitch, I rolled my lone luggage out towards the arrival area and waited until I was approached by a man (a Filipino) who introduced himself as the "agent". After a perfunctory greeting and inquiry about my trip, Mr. Joe* escorted me out towards the parking lot. He informed me that we needed to head over to the nearest Social Security office to apply for my SS number after which he will then introduce me to my employer. Unsuspecting of any anomaly, I got into Mr. Joe’s vehicle. Shortly thereafter, I found myself marveling at the wide expressways, tall buildings and impressive skyscrapers. Unabashedly gawking, everything just seemed enormous in my hazy and sleep-deprived state of mind.

I was so engrossed with the newfangled surroundings that I probably looked perplexed when Mr. Joe asked for the cash balance ($2,000.00) that I was instructed to remit upon arrival. The said amount was part of my placement fee of $3,500.00 (not including the miscellaneous charges from visa processing and the airfare). After I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain, he then handed over an employment contract that appeared similar to the one I already signed back in the Philippines except that upon closer inspection, I noted that a few things were significantly revised. The name of the nursing home employing me was different from the one indicated in my work petition/visa. In addition, the hourly rate on the document was noticeably lower than what I originally signed up for. Alarm bells were ringing in my ears as I struggled to make sense of the detrimental stipulations jumping at me.

Flummoxed by the blatant changes, I timidly questioned Mr. Joe but only received an elusive response that both nursing homes have the same owner and he basically brushed my concerns off as irrelevant. I also had a disconcerting feeling that he wouldn’t accommodate further inquiries and just wanted me to sign the contract on the spot. At that point, I mentally kicked myself for being so foolish in asserting my autonomy by declining a relative’s offer to meet me at the airport. Sensing the impatience in Mr. Joe’s demeanor, I deliberated on the possibility of not signing the agreement but was overwhelmed by the trepidation of ending up alone and lost in an immensely alien territory. Worse, I was mainly apprehensive about being deported and giving up on the pipe dream that was just within my clasp moments ago. After pondering on the financial sacrifices that my parents went through in supporting my aspirations for a better life, I swallowed the huge lump of fear in my throat and haltingly signed the pact with the devil.

It didn’t take long to find out that I signed up for an even worse deal than I bargained for. Although far from living in squalor, I was housed in a 2-bedroom apartment with five other nurses. That made for a very uncomfortable and crowded living arrangement despite being charged more than the actual rent ($650.00). Since we didn’t have any credit history to speak of, the employer leased the apartment in our behalf but automatically deducted an unreasonably excessive amount from our paychecks.(Let’s do the math: $200.00/month x 6 occupants = $1,200.00 = blood money). Aside from the abysmally low pay rate, I was strong-armed into working a lot of overtime hours(16-hour shifts) but was paid straight time only. It also meant being mostly assigned to a patient population that non-contract nurses would rather not take. I constantly dreaded getting up and going to work, literally feeling nauseated from the anticipation of another grueling and punishing workload.

Toiling under duress and a lot of stress took a toll on my emotional well-being and also affected me physically that I even endured a profusely prolonged menstrual period for 3 weeks which resulted to anemia. It turned out that I didn’t have an insurance coverage for the first six months so I was basically without medical care. It was such a dreadful and low point in my life that I seriously considered throwing in the towel. The prospect of going back to the Philippines and reuniting with my family just didn’t seem so bleak in comparison to my ordeal.

After much mental wrestling, I ultimately decided to stay and ride the tide. Fueled by my family’s encouragement, I prodded on. I developed a supportive friendship with some coworkers and we became each other’s morale boosters. On our days off, we made sure to spend the time as far away from work as possible. As I mentioned in a previous post, those were the days when all we wanted to do was to travel and explore. It was our way of temporarily escaping the nightmare and "making a lemonade out of lemons". Figuratively speaking, I sure drank a lot of lemonade.

Although my contract technically expired after two years, I didn’t get to tender my resignation from the facility until after four more years later. It was a matter of necessity since I applied for the immigration status and an employer’s petition was required in the process. It took a long time due to some circumstances and procrastination on my part. By then, I have already accepted my fate with more stoicism and dare I say, gratitude. After all, there was no gun aimed at my head when I signed on the dotted line. I came and stayed on my own volition.

In retrospect, I wasn’t really without any choice. I could have left and gone back to a familiar life in the Philippines. On the other hand, I could have sought legal counsel and collected reparation if successful in holding the agency and employer accountable for their callous practices. I could have also just ran away and eventually find another petitioner who’d be fair and unprejudiced. It’s been done before, I’m sure. Despite the options, I made my bed and laid on it. It was thorny and rocky but it was mine.

When I finally received my green card, I wasted no time and looked for a new employment. Ironically, I did benefit from my tenure in the long term care facility. It gave me opportunities to develop my nursing skills and gain experience to be confident enough in applying for a job at a prominent hospital in Chicago. It took me awhile to acknowledge but the hardships undoubtedly made me resilient in my personal life as well. I just have to remember all the adversities I went through and any type of crisis doesn’t seem to faze me that much anymore.

Whenever my coworkers and I trade anecdotes on our past nursing home careers, it’s almost like swapping war and horror stories. Interestingly enough though, these accounts are also peppered with fond recollections of the people we worked with and the memorable residents under our care. It wasn’t really all that bad, I reckon. If given a choice, I’d rather not work in a nursing home again but it’s still a good offer on the table rather than not having a job at all.

Those who just recently migrated and found it difficult to get hired can probably attest to that. It might seem fantastic to not have to get up and go to work everyday but after a certain period of lassitude, the sense of monotony and ineptness will creep in. The restlessness will eventually drive an individual to pursue something to focus their energy on unless every cell in their body have become slothful. In a way, it was probably the dread of losing a purpose that motivated me to keep doing my job, albeit under abusive and unpleasant conditions.

Of course I’m not condoning the iniquitous, fraudulent and bigoted working environment that some establishments are propagating. Far from it. I believe I should have gotten a fair deal just like anybody else who’s trying to make an honest living. Everyone deserve it wherever they might be … except in the real world. It’s quite a harsh observation coming from me but let me try to justify this assessment.

It cost me a lot of tears and several bouts of disenchantment but in the long run, I figured out that the world is not always an even-steven and fair playing field. As much as we want it to embody all our ideals, it will never be without injustice, corruption, poverty, oppression, war, terrorism, sickness, pollution and all the other things that dehumanize us. It might sound fatalistic but it is what it is.

As discriminated and wronged I might have felt, I also recognize that a lot more people out there are suffering of so much terror and pain than I can ever imagine or experience. I only have to step out of my little cocoon to see that in the grand scheme of things, my misfortune is just a bantam blob, a nanosecond blip on the global radar.

So, do I endorse the actions of the Sentosa nurses? I honestly don’t have a clear-cut answer to that. I do applaud them for their tenacity and determination to seek justice. If they do get vindicated and compensated, more power to them. Perhaps they will help pave the way for a more secure and nondiscriminatory working conditions for the nurses and other OFWs. Hopefully, I’ll get to see that happen in my lifetime. If I still sound a tad pessimistic, it must be because it’s been such a long, long time since I last wore those rose-colored glasses. Even if I want to, I don’t think they’ll fit me anymore, anyway.

*Not his real name.

Apparently, it was the brief scene (blink and you’ll miss it) where actress Teri Hatcher’s character uttered a blasé line which implied the ineptitude and lack of quality of the medical schools in the Philippines. This interpolation was obviously deemed an unequivocal affront to the Filipino medical communities and a racial slur to the Filipinos in general, triggering a diplomatic incident.

The gaffe outraged and provoked the ire of so many Filipinos and Filipino-Americans that it resulted to the ABC network issuing this apology: "The producers of Desperate Housewives and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines. As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programmes."

From reading the comments in various websites, the throw-away line surely incited a gamut of feedbacks ranging from indifference and mild annoyance to being indignant and livid. Despite the request for forgiveness, a number of Filipino dignitaries and politicians are still demanding for more acts of contrition and rectification. Whether the TV network will be forthcoming or not, the damage has been done. The scope of the repercussions is arguably a subject for more discussions.

In any case, the episode has shed the spotlight on the Philippines once again. In case you’ve been living under a rock during the summer, the latest Pinoy-related media furor was about the Youtube hit video of the Filipino prisoners from Cebu dancing in sync to a Michael Jackson song. Positive or negative, such attention brings awareness to our country and culture. Just so you know my stance on this delicate matter, let me reiterate through an excerpt from a previous post.

"…It is disheartening that the Filipinos are not being as represented in the media and entertainment business like the other Asian cultures. It was indeed refreshing when one of the contestants from last season’s Survivor: Cook Islands, Jenny, was a Filipino-American from Chicago. On the other hand, there was a scene in an episode ("Four Dreams") of Medium that showed a prostitute who spoke Filipino but was supposed to be in Indonesia. What gives? I was baffled and disappointed that the writers didn’t even bother to be accurate about this. Perhaps they surmise that our language is obscure and unpopular enough that nobody would know the difference.

Who knows what other shows and movies are out there that are depicting the Filipino language and culture quite liberally and erroneously. At the movie "Jarhead", Jake Gyllenhaal’s character mentioned "…studying of phillipino mail order bride catalogue" among one of the suggested techniques for the marine to use in the avoidance of boredom and loneliness (including masturbation, rereading of letters from unfaithful wives and girlfriend, cleaning rifle). Not exactly the best picture to project about Filipinas. Hearing that, I think I must have sunk in my seat in the movie theater, feeling very self-conscious. Maybe I was just being overly sensitive but it was not a great feeling indeed. "

This blunder might become old news soon but I’d still like to know your insights and opinions. I’d encourage you to be candid but also consider that some of us had been guilty of stating a few unfavorable commentaries on other nations and cultures. The only difference is that we don’t have the nationwide coverage and global reach of television as a platform for our views. Instead, we have the internet at our disposal. Therefore, I urge you to utilize it wisely and appropriately.

As I glanced around the chaotic basement, I can’t help but notice and ruminate at how much "junk" I have accumulated over the years. When I left the Philippines in 1994, I only brought one suitcase with me but when I relocated to another apartment a year later, it took a couple of trips and a hired help to transfer all my belongings. Ever since then, I seem to have amassed more, courtesy of the many needless shopping sprees and bargain hunts. Everytime I moved, it took a lot more time and sweat. Fortunately, I sent some of the "surplus" to my family via balikbayan boxes or there would have been more to lug around.

One thing that also helped was practicing the yearly spring cleaning which prompted me to eliminate objects that were not essential or functional anymore. Living in a two-bedroom apartment, I realized how scarce storage spaces can be. To keep my domicile in order, I adhered to the rule of divesting myself of items that had not been used in the past two or three years. It was quite testing when it came to clothes though. I had a tendency to retain them longer than I should even if they didn’t fit me anymore in the off chance that the latest fad diet will work and I can wear them again. The garments eventually found their way into the balikbayan box when they were deemed so out-of-season (to my sisters’ benefit and delight, of course). It also became the perfect excuse for further retail therapy, I’d say.

It’s amazing how some people can cling on to their material possessions so vigorously. I do understand keeping those articles when there are memories and strong emotions affixed to them. Although I have stopped collecting thimbles, I still keep them around since they are aide-mémoires of those fun-filled excursions with my friends. Nevertheless, I’ve been to a few houses that are overwhelmingly cluttered with a multitude of knick-knacks that one may think the inhabitants might be pack rats, a slang term that refer to people who collect miscellaneous items and has trouble getting rid of them (a compulsive hoarder). If you’ve seen the TV show "Clean House", you’d be appalled at how people are so desperately drowning in disarray. I can’t envisage living in such anarchy but I know first hand how it can escalate to that level if no one will put the kibosh on it.

When I visited my family for the first time after four years of being away, I had a bit of a shock when I perused through all the assorted array of dusty Nescafe glasses, tattered school books, outdated newspapers/magazines, cob-webbed crib/bassinet and other baby paraphernalia that populated every nook and cranny of my parents’ abode. I don’t believe my folks to be serial hoarders but their house was obviously besieged with things from the past and was just begging to be purged.

The whole scene perturbed me so much that on the last day of my vacation, I launched an impromptu general house cleaning with my father as an accomplice. It resulted to a huge bonfire at the back yard. My mother and grandmother were clearly mortified and tried to dissuade me from pitching everything out due to a variety of sentimental reasons. I tried to keep my resolve but compromised on a few instances when I gleaned my mother being distraught and teary-eyed. I realized I was being very hard-nosed about it. I admittedly shoved a huge plate of tough love down their throats but they were ultimately pleased and relieved with the outcome. As a result, the house was freed up with more room for things of value and consequence. I guess I gave them a crash course on spring cleaning but they sure learned it well. So far, I have not done any clean-up of that magnitude ever again during my subsequent visits.

During our life time, we gather a lot of memorabilia along the way. A few of these multifarious objects have earned a proud place on the mantel and curio cabinets while some are too precious or private and are better kept hidden or under lock and key. A number of them are pretty mundane and have become part of our daily lives. Some of our keepsake magnets are prominently displayed on the fridge but are also useful in keeping reminders (appointment cards, work schedule, invitations) in place. Kenny regularly utilizes the coffee mugs that he bought during our travels. As for me, I like to wear such tokens just like a couple of my favorite sweatshirts. One was from Disneyworld where Kenny and I got engaged and the other was from Grand Cayman where we spent our honeymoon. Yep, I’m pretty schmaltzy that way.

Anyway, how about you? What mementos have you treasured and kept? What do you usually collect? Feel free to share them and if you have a blog post about it, leave the link in the comment section as well. I’d be happy to check it out.

I love Chicago and I’m always proud to show people around the city every chance I get. As much as I appreciate the other places I had been to, I have never really considered relocating anywhere else. Although most Filipinos might opt to live in warmer, balmy and sunny states like Florida and California, there’s really no other place I’d rather be. Oddly enough, I do like the variety that the changing seasons bring. One gets to appreciate the changing colors of fall and welcome the birth of spring after the hibernation period of winter.

Despite the limited time, we managed to pack Saturday with a lot of sightseeing. We took our guests to our favorite spot to take a photo with the popular Chicago skyline in the background. Although it was forecasted to be chilly that day, walking along Lake Shore Drive was pleasantly tolerable. When we got to the Grant Park, it was pulsating with merriment from the Celtic Fest that was going on that time. We listened to the bagpipe music playing and watched as men in kilt participated in various highland games.

A few streets were closed for traffic and were lined with booths serving traditional Scottish and Irish fare and beverages. The Celtic Fest was of smaller scale compared to the annual Taste of Chicago but I kinda like it better and wished that there’s a Filipino Fest as well. As a matter of fact, in all these years of living in the US, I’ve never really been to an organized Filipino social event or festival.

The Rizal Center is probably the only venue I know where some Filipino events are held or hosted but I’ve never been there either. Most likely, the typical places where one might come across and meet other expats would be at the Pinoy restaurants/stores and in communities where there are nursing homes and hospitals nearby. That’s pretty much generally everywhere in the country.

Unlike most ethnic groups, the Filipino-Chicagoans don’t have a known centralized neighborhood. The Chinese have Chinatown and the Koreans have Albany Park dubbed as Koreatown. Devon Avenue ("Little India") caters to people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Croatia and many others. The Logan Square is home to a diverse population including Latinos (primarily Mexican and Puerto Rican, with some Cuban), African-Americans and a number of ethnicities from Eastern Europe, (mostly Poles). These subgrouped neighborhoods are replicated in other US cities but I still have to come across one that’s predominantly Filipino.  

In any case, I’m not sure if I would choose to live in a "Pinoytown". As much as it seems like a patriotic thing to do, I’d be wary to be existing in intimate proximity to folks who might exhibit those known much-maligned traits such as the notorious " crab mentality". I don’t think I need to elaborate further on this concept, right?  

Truthfully, that’s probably the main reason why most of my friends prefer not to join in any Filipino-American organizations/clubs. It can be more of a nuisance than advantageous when your personal affairs may become everybody’s business . After years of living in the western culture, we’ve come to value our privacy and it is absolutely unacceptable when someone (be it Filipino or not) invades or disrespects it, in any shape of form, whether deliberate or not. I’ve encountered quite a myriad of blog posts of people disgruntled about other Pinoy’s waywardness, their disputes, acrimonious relationships and rancorous comments (read: backstabbing, gossiping) of each other. I just don’t think I have the drive to watch my back all the time and to muddle through all that negativity .

Let me end this post with a quote from the astute Malcom X:

"You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it."

Although I had a relatively blissful childhood, there was this burning desire to explore whatever was outside the perimeter of our lethargic and rural city. Admittedly, my decision to take up Nursing was also motivated by the chance to study and live in a diverse and urban metropolis such as Cagayan de Oro City. It wasn’t exactly the biggest exploration ever but it was a start. Despite a very limited allowance and sometimes without my parents’ knowledge and permission, I managed to go to places within the vicinity and outlying areas. Typically, travel and taking a vacation is pretty much a luxury and not a priority in a Filipino’s life. Except perhaps when venturing out to the neighboring town’s fiesta or if visiting some friends and relatives, it’s not uncommon or farfetched that a Pinoy might not have ever stepped outside the boundaries of his/her own city or province. There’s nothing wrong with that although I wish that they will also get to experience another world outside of what they know. It sure could make your outlook in life broader and enriched. I know it did with me anyway.

When I first arrived in the US, it was almost like I was possessed. Spurred by the sights and the novelty of the fresh environment, I embarked on a whirlwind of excursions and sprees to several key US cities and popular destinations. I was fortunate to be friends with people who had the same elan and fervor as I have. We shared the same pursuit to satisfy our curiosity and sense of adventure. It seemed like we were constantly on field trips. We were such avid tourists so much so that we acquired a sundry of mementos such as coffee mugs, t-shirts, magnets, keychains, thimbles, spoons, postcards, and scores of various trinkets that one ordinarily comes across at souvenir shops anywhere . We reveled in our growing collection of tokens from our travel but we mostly treasured the memories of being there. Browsing through my numerous albums of photos from such trips reminds me of the great times we had together. I must confess that I also enjoy seeing other people’s vacation and travel photos in Friendster. I just feel a keen sense of connection with folks who’ve traveled and have similar experiences like mine. They surely inspire me to explore even more.

Although there are still a lot of spots in the US that I want to sightsee, I was more than ready to finally explore Europe. After all, the defining moment of my desire to travel was when I first viewed my Aunt Agnes’ photos from her European tour so many years ago. I recall setting my eyes on her image with the Eiffel Tower in the background and I silently pledged to myself, "I will go there someday". Last year, that oath was kept. A few months ago, I made another pilgrimage to Europe and fulfilled my dream to visit Salzburg, renowned from a beloved movie "Sound of Music". I also got to appreciate the beauty of Prague which became a favorite of mine.

As some people probably know from my new profile photos, I recently had a weekend holiday in Canada, particularly the Niagara Falls in Ontario. It wasn’t my first visit there but the last time I went was during the winter season so I was indeed keen to view the area differently this time around. Although it was a long drive (more or less 8 hours) to get there, the magnificent and breathtaking sight of the natural and industrial wonder was worth the trip. Not far away from the falls is a commercial hub of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and other tourist traps. I guess they’re the necessary evil in order for a travel destination to thrive. Overall, it was an enjoyable outing especially since I was with a vivacious group of friends and their families.

After several trips, I am nowhere close to slowing down. In fact, with every place I visit, I hanker for more. There’s just so much of the world to explore. If I have unlimited financial resources, I would undoubtedly make travel my main preoccupation in life. As luck would have it, after these oh-so-short holidays, I have to rejoin the ranks of the wage-earning and income-chasing  populace. Thank goodness for mini-getaways or I would have gone out of my mind if I don’t get a break from time to time. Of course, I’m already looking forward to the next one. It’s just a matter of time (and money, of course).

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Mariah and I spent half a day browsing though racks and rows of gowns/dresses at a bridal salon. Although we started our search last year, it’s been quite sometime since we last looked for dresses so we tackled the task at hand with as much gusto and ferocity as can be expected from two wedding-crazed females. Those who have done this before, it’s no easy feat. These gowns can truly weigh a ton with all the heavy fabric and embellishments on them. Mariah tried one after the other like a crusader on a mission. After going through what seemed liked a mountain of tulle, satin, lace and beading, she narrowed the choices down to two. Each one is markedly different from the other and posed a really tough choice. Although Mariah might eventually choose neither one of them, we both thought it would be kinda fun to solicit people’s (meaning you, Friendster readers) opinions about them. It would at least give us some sort of idea what to look for in case the search for the perfect dress is not over yet. But then again, she might just heed your advice and pick the one with the highest vote . So how about it, folks! Let’s give the bride-to-be a little nudge towards the right direction, shall we?

A. 

B.

It wasn’t until I came to the US that I found out that there are so many varieties of rice in existence and that there are a lot of methods or recipes of preparing it aside from the typical steamed or fried rice. In some American restaurants, wild rice pilaf (a steamed rice dish often with meat, shellfish, or vegetables in a seasoned broth) is commonly served. Jambalaya (traditionally made in one pot, with meats and vegetables, and is completed by adding rice) has also become a favorite of mine as it bears resemblance to another favorite, paella. Rice, being the staple food in the Philippines, is also considered a comfort food. Whenever we’re sick, my mother would make us porridge (lugaw) or arroz caldo. On cold and rainy days, we usually snacked on a warm bowl of champorado . A lot of the favorite delicacies in the Philippines, such as Biko and Espasol, are also made of sticky rice or sweet rice.  Whenever in the Philippines, I somehow find myself eating my food and rice with bare hands. It might appear primitive or indicative of bad table manners to the western culture but there’s just something very comforting and natural about it.

It might seem like I’m making much ado about something as pedestrian as rice but I’ve known of a lot of people who would not venture into a restaurant that don’t serve any rice at all. Some would even claim that they get sick or weak when deprived of rice for a long time. One may become "americanized" or "westernized" in so many ways but eating rice seems to be the one habit that a Filipino will never break, no matter where they are in the world.

Work yesterday was a bit trying as I juggled to admit a patient to the unit while dealing with a dying patient, Mr. Brown*, two doors down the hallway. What was even more difficult was that his family (wife and 2 daughters) kept vigil at the bedside and highly required a lot of emotional and spiritual support. When the patient finally took his last breath, the feeling of relief washed over the family. According to one of the daughters, "I’m sad that he’s gone but I’m happy that his suffering is over". While getting the paperwork together, I realized that Mr.Brown* shared the same birthday as my father. A shiver ran through my spine as I pondered that I will also be remembering him every time my father’s birthday comes around. As I shared this thought to his daughter, she looked overwhelmed and gave me a hug, stating,"Thank you so much. You made it easier for us." As I drove home, I thought about the countless patients (and their families) who came under my care especially those who were terminally ill. I guess I remember them most since I now share the kind of grief they feel as they witness a loved one’s life fade before their eyes.

All of us will meet our end one day . Some sooner than others. It’s not exactly an uplifting thought to dwell upon but at one point or the other, we are  confronted by our own mortality. Sometimes a very melodramatic scene in a movie of a dying or dead character can bring forth this utter feeling of sadness… and maybe fear. In my particular line of work, I can’t help but ask myself some very curious and to some, "morbid" questions.

First, let’s look up the definition of the word . Death is defined as end of being alive: the ending of all vital functions or processes in an organism or cell. Hmmm… A very matter of fact definition but the word in itself evokes a whole gamut of emotions to a lot of people. Some have their individual reasons and experiences to feel a certain way but for some, it’s a virgin territory that no one wants to venture into.

How and when death will come knocking on our door might be something some people would like to know just so that they can cheat the grim reaper, much like in sci-fi time travel stories. To those who unwillingly gained that knowledge may use the information in their own varied or precise ways. For the terminally ill patients who were given the "talk" by their doctors about their poor prognosis and "time left", it could seem like a death sentence hanging over their head, pervading all waking and unconscious thoughts, paving a path to depression. For some, these facts might become opportunities for them to straighten out their unfinished business ( Last Will and Testament, reconciliations, vacations) and prepare themselves for that event. Quite a daunting task but once accomplished could make the experience an entirely significant and peaceful transition.

I’ve seen this countless times, only the names and faces are different. Death can bring out the best and the worst in people. It can unite or tear a family apart . It can rouse up the green-eyed monster or expose a bleeding heart. It can inspire loyalty or may cause abandonment.

One patient (Mr. Adams*) in the past shared to me his feelings of regret that he will never get to see his grandchildren and that they will never get to know him, the cool "biker" grandpa .This lament particularly tugged at my heartstrings since it always makes me sad that my father didn’t live long enough to see my offsprings (none so far) . So, after listening to Mr. Adams, I made a suggestion that perhaps he can ask his kids to help him create a scrapbook  about his life so that one day, his grandchildren might be able to browse it and have a sense of what sort of a person he was. Another idea that was tossed around is a DVD/video documenting his living out his last days with his family and friends. He was expressly appreciative of the suggestions and resolved on making them a reality once he gets home. I was glad to see that spark of interest and enthusiasm in his eyes. I’m sure there’ll be crummy days ahead of him but hopefully, he will stay on course and finish this one mission. 

If all of us will have the chance to a graceful exit, maybe we wouldn’t be so hesitant to go through that last door.

* not their real names

Maybe I’m way over thinking these things. I’m sure people assumed that I would be trying to get my parent to come to the US once I became a citizen. I reckon people have made comments to my mother like "You’re lucky. Your daughter will take you to the US". I wish it’s as easy as that. My Mama had to make a very important decision to uproot herself from everything she has ever known, including leaving her own elderly mother, at this point in her life. It was certainly different for me then since I was just starting out and very eager for a fresh beginning. My mother have already made a life for herself. She is surrounded by family and friends and although far from living in utmost abundance, she has properties she can speak of. Being here in the US means she will be financially dependent on us, with less family and not much of a social life. Furthermore, she won’t be able to visit my father’s grave whenever she wants. She really do have a lot to give up if she’s going to make this move.

Mama with Lola Dayan & grandaughters

Don’t get me wrong. She liked it here when she and my father visited five years ago. In fact, my parents were looking forward to migrate eventually. But now that my father’s gone, I wasn’t all too sure if my mother would be happy in a new place where she only have me and Kenny as immediate family. As much as I would love for her to be close by me, I left the choice up to her. After mulling things over, her ruling finally came down based on who’s going to gain advantage from it. Like the good mother that she is, she’s ultimately doing this for my youngest sister Sande . Once my mother becomes an immigrant, she’ll be eligible to petition my sister since she’s still under 21 years old. She just wants my sister to have the same opportunities I have. Also, my mother was motivated by the likelihood that my other sister Emily (and her family) will finally make it to the US soon since her application for a nursing job in New York is currently in the works. Things are definitely looking more to her liking and I’m glad and relieved about that. I wouldn’t want her to be left in the Philippines without my sister since she’s been looking out for her. My mother might not be in poor health yet but I’d prefer for her to be in a place where there is better medical care when she needs it. I still blame my father’s demise on the substandard medical service in our city. I just wouldn’t want my mother to be another casualty.

A few weeks ago, I finally submitted the application to the USCIS. It took sometime to get everything together as it can be a slow and tedious process obtaining documents from the Philippines’ government offices. It was a mad rush to submit the requirements since I wanted to take advantage of the lower fee. After July 31st, the application fee was raised from $190.00 to $355.00. That’s quite a big difference, huh?

Anyway, I recently received the Notice of Action   that notified me of the receipt of the application. I spoke to my mother about it and she seemed pleased that things are going as planned. She sounded quite excited and informed me that she’s starting to get her business in order, tying up loose ends and making sure that my little (not really so little anymore) sister will be taken cared of while she’s away. It’s going to be tough to be parted from each other but such sacrifice is necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of a family reunion that’s been long overdue. I can’t wait for that to happen soon!

As what I’ve posted before, I was having some trouble with my right hand due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It turned out to be not my only health concern. On top of multiple muscle aches and joint pains, I suffered an intolerable intermittent headache for more than 2 weeks. The list of health issues or symptoms seemed to be getting longer and I found myself feeling a lot older than I should be. It was like living inside a bottle that I can’t get out of. In order to function at home and at work, I depended heavily on various OTC pain medications for relief. Furthermore, although I’ve adopted a rather lackadaisical attitude towards my continuous weight gain, I can’t deny that it has begun to affect (indigestion, shortness of breath, easy fatigability and sluggishness) my overall health. After weeks of procrastination and whining, I finally decided to see my doctor . The subsequent blood tests showed that I have elevated levels of cholesterol, ESR and ANA. My doctor then advised me to modify my diet and to seek a Rheumatology consultation. Whoa! Me, with arthritis?

Pre-detox, two weeks ago.

I should have been content and follow the doctor’s orders, right? Yes, I will do as I’m told but I decided to take it up a notch and take control, be more proactive about regaining my well-being. A week ago, I embarked on a 21-days detox regimen to cleanse my body of toxins and lose weight as well. No, folks. I’m not shilling for any company or products but for those who are interested in the details, just send me a message and I’d be happy to provide more information. So far, I’ve lost about 10 lbs in just a week and I’m feeling so much better. My aches and pains are gone and I have so much energy to spare. I’m aiming to lose 10-15 more in the next 2 weeks and I plan to keep those pounds from creeping up again by being more aware of what I put in my body and getting rid of what’s not good. They say that "you are what you eat" but it’s also true that "you are what you don’t excrete".

So, why am doing this? I think most of us expats can attest that after having lived here in the US (or anywhere else) for sometime and you go back to the Philippines to visit, your friends and family are apt to make observations about your apparent "chubbiness". Comments like "Tumaba ka" or "Nanambok lagi ka", although done in a teasing manner, can undeniably rankle on your nerves since you’ve just spent the last few weeks prior to the trip dieting and exercising but it wasn’t enough anyway. Then, you gain a lot more from indulging in all the food and delicacies that you missed and haven’t tasted for what seemed like forever. At the end of the trip, I can hardly zip up my jeans. Ugghhh!

Realistically, we can’t expect to stay the same size we were when we first left the Philippines but living a different lifestyle in a different culture has definitely and unfavorably changed us physically and it’s taking a toll on our health. How so? Let’s start with our eating habits and food choices. All of a sudden, there’s the abundance of foods that used to be unaffordable or inaccessible back then. The bad news is that we find ourselves ingesting more processed and chemically altered foods than ever before. For instance, going out for a pizza might have been a rare thing to do in the past. Nowadays, you only have to open your freezer and have a slice (or more) of cheesy pizza in a few minutes. In fact, almost everything you eat might be frozen or packaged . There’s also a variety of soda and flavored drinks on hand to wash the food down. Your pantry might be looking like a mini "sari-sari" store containing canned goods, bags of chips, baked goods, packages of noodles and pastas, condiments, etc. If you check the contents on the labels of these stuff, it’s like reading a chemistry project and you’d be amazed at how much calories and salt you’re getting from such a small amount of food . When you go out for a meal, the servings are so huge that you can easily feed a family of 3 to 5. By the time you’re done with your soup, salad and appetizer, there won’t be enough room for the entree although a dessert might be hard to resist. Sooner or later, eating larger portions become the norm and expectation. This is indeed a country who loves to supersize.

The other factor is our lifestyle. Although we work hard in our respective professions or jobs, most of us are living in a sedentary pace. We don’t have to walk anymore to the nearest bus or jeepney stop as we most likely have our own mode of transportation which is a necessity if public transit is not available. The most walking we’ll probably have would be at the mall as we indulge in retail therapy, a favorite pastime among Americans. Another issue is the higher stress level that we are subjecting ourselves to. In keeping up with a fast paced world, we are exhausted all the time and we barely give our bodies enough time to rest and recuperate from the ravages of the day’s gruelling schedule. Sooner or later, something’s going to give.

Some of you might be already living and following a very active and healthy lifestyle. Kudos to you. But for some of us who are struggling to stay fit in this new environment, we have to increase our awareness of the ways to prevent ill-health and to fight the battle of the bulge . As we know, obesity is a prevalent problem in the US. By the time a person turns 50, he or she might already have a long list of diagnoses and surgical procedures in their medical record . I don’t want to be a part of that statistic so I’m doing what I can to keep that from happening and you should too. We work so hard to get to where we’re at and it would be a darn shame to lose everything because we are not treating our body with more care and respect. As what my sage grandma used to say, "Health is wealth" and she lived beyond her 80s. I can only hope to survive and enjoy my golden years like her.

All this wishful thinking led me to ruminate on the all-time favorite ice cream from my childhood, the Magnolia Ice Cream. Although I’ve tried a variety of ice cream flavors and brands over the past 13 years, there’s no replacing the memories associated with Magnolia. I remember being so excited everytime there was a special occasion or celebration because it meant having ice cream. Although there weren’t that many flavors to choose from, there’s usually a long deliberation as to which flavor to pick. It was most likely a toss up between Ube Macapuno and Halo-Halo. I also remember that my mother had a penchant for saving the empty containers so our pantry cabinets were littered with those. Come to think of it, we also had a lot of empty Nescafe glasses back then.

When my family opened a refreshment parlor/eatery years ago, we became an authorized dealer for Magnolia Ice Cream. Business was brisk and profitable but when our city experienced frequent and extended periods of brownouts (remember them?), my parents decided to forego the dealership since it became a financial loss when you had gallons and pints of ice cream melting in a non-functioning freezer. We ended up selling them for half the price and we can only eat so much of it in a day!

So, what is your favorite ice cream flavor and brand? According to the web, these are supposed to be the 25 most-searched flavors this summer:

Vanilla Chocolate Strawberry Peach Banana Coffee Green Tea Coconut Butter Pecan Peanut Butter Lemon Pineapple Apple

Ginger Mango Mint Cinnamon Spumoni Oreo Blueberry Pistachio Apricot Custard Cherry Cheesecake

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m heading over to the Filipino store tomorrow and grab me a half gallon of mango flavor Magnolia ice cream. While there, I might also indulge in some halo-halo. Oh, yeah! The heat might be on but I’m staying cool.

 

While roaming around the faire, Kenny informed me that Yili’s friend is single and has hinted that he’d like to be "hooked up" with one of my available friends. Hmmm, interesting… I will have to tell you that Kenny has a pretty good track record when it comes to playing matchmaker. In fact, he got Jonathan and Yili together and was also instrumental in the coupling of our friends Tom and Mariah (now engaged). Yep, my guy is a regular cupid or likes to play one anyway. I guess he got himself a new project. My girlfriends will have to watch out for those arrows .

Who amongst you have dabbled in matchmaking or have tried (successfully or not) to hook people up? I’m sure almost everyone have played cupid for their friends at some point back in elementary or high school when young love or infatuation plagued our existence and added more to our angst-ridden teenage life. I vaguely remember love letters or flowers being stealthily passed by a go-between from a not-so-secret admirer to the object of his affection . As can be expected, some teasing by friends and classmates would ensue with the young lady typically playing it coy or pretending not to be interested (pakipot). If the young lad is persistent enough, his pursuit might be fruitful. If not, he’s going to have to bear and nurse the pains of an unrequited love until someone else catches his fancy. Then, the courtship dance starts all over again.

Now that we are adults, finding a special someone has gotten a lot more complicated and tougher . When it comes to finding a partner , there may be a lot of fish in the sea but what if you don’t have time to swim with every school, or you live in overfished waters ? Or maybe you just have a hard time with the whole bait-and-tackle thing. In any case, catching the right one can be tough.

For someone like me who was a transplant to a different country, meeting my perfect match was like finding a needle in a haystack. Aside from the fact that my small social network of Filipinos were predominantly females, the small percentage of males were not available (married, in a serious relationship with a GF back in the Philippines, or gay). So, what to do when good old matchmaking efforts by friends are not feasible?

Enter the high-end and high-tech matchmaking with a modern twist: databases, ad campaigns and a culture of singles who don’t have built-in social networks. Although online dating has a bad rap at times, it has certainly come a long way from being thought of as hokey or an act of desperation. I’m sure a lot of happy couples (ourselves included) all over the world can bear testimony to how the Internet brought them together despite the odds. We have truly become a global village and the online personals and dating sites have become the new matchmakers of the century. Of course, there are pitfalls in looking for love on the Internet so think safety first. If you are still quite undecided to get your feet wet in the online dating pool, here’s a list I found of things you could do to get out of the dating rut:

1. Volunteer at a local hospital or soup kitchen
2. Sip on Lattes at Starbucks
3. Wander the aisles at Barnes & Noble
4. Join a club or organization
5. Take up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try (i.e., pottery, bowling, photography)
6. Sign up for an adult education class or one-day workshop
7. Roam the shopping mall
8. Visit your local laundromat
9. Browse the aisles of your local health food store or grocery store
10. Take in the art at a museum
11. Roam around the zoo
12. Enjoy an outdoor concert
13. Join an online chat room
14. Keep fit at a health club or sporting facility
15. Attend a conference, convention, or lecture on a cultural topic

And, if you have a pet or been pondering getting one, you might want to read this article as well.  Who knows, you might be able to "keep yourself out of the dating dog   house".

The microwave oven, that is . No, folks. This post is not meant to announce some good news or to give you an update on the state of my reproductive system. I know that a few of my friends are curious or concerned about our not having any offspring yet especially since at my age, the biological clock must be ticking so deafeningly loud by now. One thing I can assure you is that there is nothing to worry about. As far as I know, there are no medical reasons why we’re not hearing the pitter-patter of little feet yet. It is really a matter of choice for us. For now, we’re content at how things are and are truly happy with our dogs.

These cuddly and hairy little beings have brought a lot of laughter to our home and their unconditional love made every moment with them a treat. I just couldn’t imagine not having them in our lives. I never thought I’ll be saying these words a year ago but Sidney and Lara made an ardent dog/pet lover out of me. It makes me cringe and teary-eyed whenever I think about losing them. I believe these are about the same emotions parents have for their children, right? In essence, I am experiencing the joys of parenthood, although not of the human variety. Okay, it’s not really the same but it’s sufficient enough for our lifestyle, as selfish as it may sound. If we do eventually decide to have kids and if it’s too late, we are quite open-minded about adoption. There’s just so many children out there who need a home and loving parents. If I can love my dogs so deeply, how much more for a human child, right?

Now that we’ve addressed that big elephant in the room, what kind of a bun am I really talking about? One guess. It’s steamed, does not require utensils to eat it and can be consumed on the go. It contains a meat and gravy type filling that is slightly sweet and can be pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, chopped scallions, seasoned egg yolk or a combination of these ingredients. You said what? Siopao!

That’s right. It’s been an all-time favorite "merienda" food of mine alongside a bowl or two of Binignit.   My mother used to make and sell them at our little cafeteria-style eatery back when I was in high school. I’m sure I gained so much weight from having a free pass to all that food .

Anyway, I was just so glad when I came across these buns of goodness at the local Filipino store. The only downside was that they are packaged frozen and doesn’t taste as good after warming it up in the microwave (wrapped in a wet paper towel). Then, I got lucky and found this steamer container in a catalog that I paid $15.00 for. It comes in three pieces. You just put a little water on the bottom piece and place the frozen siopao on the middle then cover. Heat in the microwave for 3 mins and it’s all soft and steamy, ready to eat. My siopao-eating pleasure is off the charts! For someone who doesn’t cook, it’s heaven sent indeed. This is just the ultimate McSteamy . Now, if only they can find a way to package an awesome and tasty Binignit, I’ll be the first in line.

(CTS), a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist.

Since I have the predisposition to make my blog entries a bit long, I decided to take a self-imposed sabbatical from the blog world although I never cease to blog hop and check updates on my friends in Friendster. I just have to limit myself as I don’t want to cause anymore discomfort to my affected extremity. You better believe that it takes a lot of self-restraint to keep myself from surfing the net and Kenny has taken it upon himself to spy on me and chastise me whenever I’m spending too much time on the cyberspace. Can’t blame him though since he has to put up with my whining and crying when my fingers start tingling and feeling numb. The pain can be such that I’ve been taking so much Ibuprofen and Aleve over the past few weeks. I’ve also been sleeping and working with a wrist brace/splint on which can be very inconvenient and cumbersome. Anyway, I’m going to set up an appointment with my doctor to see if there’s anything else that can be done aside from popping pain pills and immobilizing my arm. I just couldn’t imagine living my life feeling handicapped and incapacitated.

Anyway, enough about my bellyaching. I’m sure you guys are also enjoying the summer festivities. For us, we received a few invites to various events for the last month so we seldom had a weekend to just kick back or to take care of some house chores that were long overdue. The month of July will be hectic as well. We’re not really complaining at all. It’s just nice to get together with friends and family and to enjoy the warm and balmy weather. It won’t be long before fall and winter will be at our doorsteps once again

Compared to those who have backpacked throughout  Europe, our trips were on a slower pace and of shorter duration. Despite that, we still found ourselves wishing we did some things differently. Prior to our first trip last year, we read up on websites such as Lonely Planet that gave a lot of valuable information but we found the journey the best learning experience in itself.

Planning for a trip can be quite daunting and overwhelming but exciting as well. Just looking forward to seeing those new and foreign places will be incentive enough in getting the task done. Of course, your itinerary will be determined on the places you are planning on visiting. I would suggest looking up maps to determine their geographic locations and relative distances and to figure out transportation needs and transfers. You can also then plan on the length of time to spend on each places and the accommodations needed. Create your own time line or calendar so you can keep track of all the important information including flight info, fares, hotel addresses/tel #s, train departures and arrivals, train stations and fares, tour schedules and fees, daily itinerary, etc. Adhering to a certain schedule might not be your kind of spontaneous fun but it certainly keeps you on track so you’ll be able to visit all or most of the places you want to see.

Choosing hotel accommodations can be a painstaking task. It certainly is an issue especially since the standards and rates might not be comparable with most US hotels. Unless you have someone’s recommendation, it will be to your advantage to research and read up on reviews from other travelers. For us, we opted to choose from a fairly known chain of hotels, Accor Hotels, since we had an okay experience with them last year. They might still not be according to your standards but were generally commendable enough. Choose hotels that are within the vicinity of the sightseeing destinations and with easy access to public transportation. It’s cost effective and adventurous as well.

Once you have all the travel details taken cared of, it’s time to start packing. Yey! This also needs a lot of preparation. I would recommend making a list. Check the TSA website for the updates on restrictions. For a hassle-free and speedy security screening, follow the 3-1-1 For Carry-ons and the list for Permitted and Prohibited Items. I would also further suggest to wear slip-on shoes and to avoid wearing a belt with metal buckle or any clothing with metallic accessory to avoid any delay in going through those detectors. If carrying electronic devices, find out which ones need to be checked in and which ones need to be taken out of the carry-ons separately. That includes the laptop computer if bringing one.

When researching for last year’s trip, the common tip we got was to travel lightly. Well, we really thought that we got it made since our luggage was about half the size of what we usually bring when visiting the Philippines. Na-ah! We still found ourselves having difficulties when we had to go through turnstiles and revolving doors and whenever we have to quickly get on and off the trains and buses. Some train stations don’t have escalators or elevators so we had to haul our luggage up and down the flights of stairs. Poor Kenny had it really tough last year ;-(  Despite having two wheels on my luggage, it became so heavy eventually and it felt like my arms were falling off from carrying it around. For this last trip, we invested on a couple of Samsonite 22" Spinner luggage. They were equipped with four wheels that can swivel in any direction for greater maneuverability. Instead of the usual two wheels, spinners have four on the bottom that can turn 360 degrees. Just like regular rolling suitcases, they can be tipped backwards and pulled but they can also be kept upright and rolled in any direction, making them particularly useful in tight spots.   Pushing the bag sideways, for one, can come in handy in a narrow airplane aisle. Truly a great buy!

Since our luggage were just a size over the regular carry-ons, it forced us to not over-pack. It took a few trials of packing and unpacking to finally decide on what were essentials or not. Heeding the advice of travel experts, we brought travel size toiletries and made sure our clothes were easily mixed and matched as well as weather-appropriate (Note: regularly check the weather forecast of the places you’re visiting). Although we originally planned on getting some of our clothes washed by the hotel laundry service, their steep prices (about $12 for a pair of jeans?) were so discouraging so we ended up washing them ourselves in the bathroom sink. Therefore, make sure your clothing pieces are easily washable and quick to dry. I would suggest washing dirty clothes upon arriving at the next location so you’ll have enough drying time. Bring a small container for detergent and also use the hotel’s liquid soap for washing. I’m proud to say that we never had to spend a single euro for laundry this time. Back to the basics (kuskos), ya’ll

One other tip that I can’t stress enough is picking the most comfortable and durable footwear possible. Traveling around Europe means a LOT of walking and most often on cobblestone streets and paths. Your feet will thank you if you wisely choose practicality over style or fashion. If they are a new pair of shoes, break them in first before the trip or you’ll have painful blisters to deal with. Not the best way to enjoy your vacation at all.

Once you are all packed up, go through the checklist and  make sure your travel documents are in order. Make two copies of your passport identification page to facilitate replacement if lost or stolen. Do the same with the debit and credit cards you’re using. Leave one copy at home with a trusted relative/friend and carry the other with you in a separate and secure place. Also leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends at home so you can be easily contacted in case of an emergency.

One more thing that is important is to familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries you are visiting. While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. Knowing a few common phrases or words in their language can be helpful as well.

Hmmm… what else? I’m sure a lot of readers out there can add more to my list. Feel free to do so. It will be much appreciated, I’m sure. So, for those who are in the process of planning for their first or next trip, there’s no need to stress yourself out. There’s so much information out there. Don’t forget to load up your Ipod with your favorite tunes, take as many photos or video footages and blog about your adventures if possible. It’s always fun to read back on your entries and relive your journeys all over again. Happy trails, everyone!