Central Park, New York

Any person who wants to be a part and experience the life of a new yorker and see the true honest-to-goodness sights and sounds of new york, and not just the depicted monuments laid out for the typical tourist, has to take a walk (or more) through Central Park.

You have the newly-wed couples taking their kids to the park (or the babysitter, Filipino, Hispanic, or African American, watching over kids not their own); teenagers in their bikinis or shorts lying on their mats to bathe in the occasional sunny days of May; bikers, rollerbladers, skaters, and joggers of all ages creating that colorful swirl of centrifugal motion around you;  musicians whose music entices you from far away to follow the path to where a handful of passersby have gathered to watch and you absolutely must  stay and end up finishing the song, two more, or buying their album; hip hop dancers whose moves get the audience to ooh and aah to the accompaniment of their loud stereo.

Central Park becomes the weekend escape for the overworked professionals and workers who find rest and relaxation from the hurried pace of the city, and an  opportunity for people who have discovered the most creative methods for street entertainment in hopes of making a living.

In the 340 hectares of lush greenery, the stories of New Yorkers from different nationalities and social status find a common chapter in each others’ lives. 

Sweet Spring Romance

Don’t Burst my bubble!

The above video is a wonderful performance by the musical group Tin Pan

In the hectic rush of our busy lives… 

We all follow our own pace

But don’t worry about being left behind; you’re never travelling alone. 

An interesting turn of events yesterday. I was on my to Cavite when 1 kilometer from my destination, I was bumped by a tricycle. Luckily it was just a small scratch on the ring and I asked the tricycle driver that we go to the police station to file a police report.

 Later in the office I was sitting and talking to the police officer when the door opened followed by the entrance of the farm driver, farm supervisor, my two lolas, and my lola’s help. Earlier I had called my mom when the accident happened and that’s how my lola found out about the incident. She also called the farm to ask where exactly I was, and there begun their search for beginning at a different municipal with that whole crowd. So there we were, filling up the already cramp office and my lolas, themselves feeling quite comfortable and at home in this hometown station, and without pretension or being shy, friendlily asked the police what was happening. I went to my car to search for the OR/CR and when I came back to talk to the officer, that’s when Paul, Denboy, Rolly, and Casper arrived on their mountain bikes in full biking gear, four tough looking guys. The scene itself of us at the station was amusing to picture, I couldn’t help smile. After  things cleared up, I introduced the newly arrived to Lola Lily and explained they had just biked from Quezon City… she joked, bodyguards mo? Ang bilis naman nila! And my other lola, Lola Baby said mahal siguro, no?  When the farm staff and my lola and co. left, we bought ingredients for salad dressing and chicken from Chooks to go then headed to the farm which was around less than 10 minutes away. We prepared the food and ate on the balcony on the second floor; we also had a nice plate of fresh greens from the farm, the weather was nice and windy. The guys took a nap while I went back to work. They left again at 3pm to head back for Manila.

Before heading back home

Fresh greens!

galing ni Denboy, may presentation pa!

That night, my lola insisted I come home early from the farm to watch the procession which was stations of the cross throughout the town. Its one of those things that people residing in urban cities don’t get to appreciate… I later joined the procession until the 6^th station.   

Procession: Christ bearing the Cross

Devotees in procession

I like being in Cavite as being I have nothing else to do, I get so manythings done in less time than if I were in Manila. I also really enjoy getting to spend more with Lola Lily and my other relatives. Lola Lily is quite known by her fellow Cavitenos as she is a doctor and is very generous with her service. She is an awarded OUTSTANDING UP ALUMNI, and was given a recognition during the UP Centennial ceremony in Aranate Colliseum. Outside her gate, the tricycles are often parked. She doesn’t mind however, and lets them. Everytime she goes out of her house and crosses the rotonda, the tricycle drivers announce Dadaan si Dra. Lily! and help halt the crossing cars. Parang reyna ng daan! Now that they recognize the coming and going of my car, they assist in opening and closing the gate of the house when I arrive. Lola Lily is small and size, with a high and very melodious tone of voice. She is loving and so full of joy. She is simply adorable! She turns 97 this year. She says her secret to long life is she never eats pork and never gets angry.

Idol!

This year I told myself that I would dedicate my summer to gaining work experience. I didn’t sign up for Summer class, nor like previous summers, enroll for violin lessons. I pestered my parents for a job/work, and they told me: Go to Cavite and work at the *farm. I was really, honestly, excited for this opportunity. So, Yesterday I drove with the driver (as a guide to get me familiar with the route) to Cavite and stopped by at my Lola Lily’s house. I was going to sleep over at her place for the night (and probably the following stay overs), and so dropped my stuff off. They had prepared a room on the 2nd floor from me, and upon entering I just knew I didn’t want to sleep alone there! The smell was that of settled dust and untouched furniture, there was a double sized bed, and a closet next to it with a huge MIRROR facing the bed. Plus the house is really ancient, I believe. N.O., I was not sleeping there alone. :)) Thankfully she also offered sleeping with her, but was just concerned I wouldn’t sleep because of the sound of the TV. I said I’d rather sleep with her in her room. Hehe.

THE NUTRIGANICS FARM

Plant Shelters

Fishpond containing Pangasius (dory fish)

At the farm (5minutes away) I was given a tour by the farm managers who explained the operations and answered my questions. Later I just tagged along and observed them managing operations, maintenance, and solving problems. I tried to get to know the names of the farmers, and made it a point to try what they do! I harvested basil, baby arrugula, tested the taste of Romaine fresh from the crate (quality control!). Basically, I’m supposed to help create the farm operations manual; understand the processes, organize the data, make assessments, and improve system efficiency. Or something like that. haha. Its fun learning so much about farming on the field! 

Romaine seedlings

Premature Romaine Lettuce

Pak choy/Bok choi leaves with Apids! :( Work in Progress.

NOTE: Leaves with holes mean they’re organic! It’s a good thing, because it means its healthy. But of course we’re trying still to minimize this. The misconception is that the prettier on the outside, the better. Not necessarily! 

Next day I forced myself to get up at 6:30 (the summer sun always seems to rise too early) to get to the farm as operations begins. I took some photos, then later my parents arrived for a meeting with the management. So far, I’ve learned alot about farming, some about business, and a little about marketing. From the looks of it, this will be a very enriching experience after all. Now, who needs school? Just Kidding.

Mu and Dad

Being in Cavite, on the other hand, is a different world on its own. My Lola and her stories recounting the past brought me to picturing my “pilio” grandfather (quite the player with the ladies then) who later eloped with my grandmother, forgetting all other women. The household was really welcoming and I felt really at ease and laid back being rid of other distractions/committments I’d have back home.

Its been only two days. I have the whole summer ahead of me and I’m looking forward to it :)

Fresh Basil Leaves :)

*The Nutriganics Farm sells Organic Vegetables! Meaning, no harmful chemicals used, all natural and healthy! Presently, we sell arrugula, lettuce, spinach, basil, bok choy. More herbs soon to come.  Contact me if you want to order :)

PS I just wrote this to document my experience… but I have a feeling like it sounds like I’m trying to sell veggies :)) haha well if it serves both purposes, then why not!

October 22, 2010

The joys of having been an AFS Exchange student in Italy (‘08) is the broad network of friends that you make. Before coming to Thailand I contacted Jam, one of the close friends I made while living in Brescia, Italy. She welcomed me at the airport with a poster “Benvenuta Muriel” and she and her Aunt gave me a quick tour near the Khao San Road Area before bringing me to Shanti Lodge. Tu mi manchavi Jam!

King Rama IIX Bridge

Me and Jam at the old fortress (name I forgot)

First Thai food of the trip. Suki! Straight from a street stall near Khao San. Sulit ang Thai food for its price. Meals can range from 30-70 baht (45-100pesos) and you can count on them to be tasty and in sizable portions.

Suki (soup with veggies and chicken) served with a bowl of chili sauce.

Dessert is bread with a sort of cream-egg-milk mixture. (The name was too long to catch) Simple but yummy :)

Adaman Sea, Thailand

With my honeymoon babes Lyra, Ning, Mel & Grace aboard Koh Jum Villas yacht. 

Mel and Ning spotted a black-tip shark while snorkeling and after which, they scampered to the rocks for safety. Comedy.

Photo by: Jeff Dietrich

Koh Jum, Thailand
October 14, 2010
Kayaking from Koh Jum Villas to OnLee resort. 3/4 of the way to we take a 15 minute break and eat fruits while watching the sun set behind us.
Photo by: Lyra Dietrich