You encounter quite a few characters riding the NYC subways. Some of those characters happen to be the train conductors. My favorite one is the Morgan Freeman sounding guy who makes you feel like you are boarding an airplane instead of a dingy stuffy train car. He says things like "Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride." I feel calm and warm and fuzzy inside when I actually get to the Forest Hills station before 8:15am. Everyone on the train seems so relaxed when he's the conductor. Of course there are the weirdo conductors that you get after 8:20am. Like this morning, the dorky sounding man says 51st Street like : "5-1 street approaching" and then he throws you off by saying "42nd street" and then "3-3 street" when you get to 33rd. Its distractingly amusing though. You get those caffeine frenzied conductors who say in their high-pitched annoying voices, "Either move IN to the car or steer clear of the car!" and the attitude-filled smart ass types (I kinda like those too) who say stuff like "Contrary to popular belief this is NOT the last train running today, if you can't get into the car wait for the next one which I promise you is right behind this train." Funny.
My body is just now beginning to ache from the traveling and jetlag. I suddenly feel like I haven't slept in days. So weird. Its like my body was 12 hours ahead and finally slowed down enough to "catch up" to NY time. Hehe.
Stop the war against the Moro Muslim
people in Mindanao!
NO US AID TO THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT!
Philippine President Joseph "Erap" Estrada is
coming to town to generate increased support from
the US government for his war against the Moro
Muslim people of Mindanao. The US-Estrada regime
has been dropping US-made bombs from US-made planes.
As a result, 800,000 civilians have been displaced
from their homes so far, mainly in just the last
few months.
Thursday 27 July, 7pm
RAP AGAINST ERAP
NYU, Main Building Room 807
100 Washington Sq. East (at Waverly Place)
NYC
Subway: N/R stop: 8th St/NYU or #6 stop: Astor Place
Come to an open mic forum on the crimes of the
US-Estrada regime. Bring your Erap jokes, poems,
a song to sing, a story to tell, or just come,
listen and learn about the current situation in
the Philippines from our panel of guest speakers.
(In cooperation with the Asian/Pacific/American
Studies Program at NYU)
Filipino Workers Center (NYC) · Gabriela Network (NYC) ·
Makabayan Youth Collective · Network in Solidarity
with the People of the Philippines (NISPOP) ·
Philippine Forum
Sent to me via text on my cousin Chat's cellphone a few days ago. Exemplifies my true feelings on the "Text Craze":
"Adios patria adorada, region me piso cada letra, Smart y Globe kikita, nuestro perwiso punyeta me daliri nginig na d mapigil na itxt kita porque tayo adicna."
Did you know that if you fly in Business (Prestige) Class on Korean Airlines, you get your own video monitor and the seat in front of you is so far away you need binoculars to find it? Well, not really, but almost. Someone made a lovely error and put me in the Prestige Class from Manila to Seoul. Unfortunately, they caught the mistake, and stuck me smack dab in the middle of Economy Class for the most uncomfortable 13 hour trip from Seoul to NYC.
I really don't have any goals in life. Hmmm. Isn't that funny?
No, not really, it's actually quite depressing. All last week, as I would be "on duty" to keep my Lola company during the wake, I kept asking her, "what should I be doing in life?" Waiting, for an answer, the clearest reply were the photos I took during my time in the Philippines. I really do like taking photographs. And sometimes they are quite good. I suppose there are many things I want to do, so the real question is, how should I make my living, what should I be doing to pay the bills that doesn't make me miserable?
I have no freaking clue.
I'm done surfing for today. I guess it's time to go home, hehe.
What do you say to people who say "Condolence"? Thank you? Okay? U-huh?
To the Artivist who signed my guestbook: I want the exact same thing(s). :)
I am a total text addict. I guess it was bound to happen what with my internet deprivation in Laguna. It's better than email. Its WALKING email. Cool.
Hung out with my cousins and some friends in Malate last night. I feel so old. Hindi ko na pala kaya mag-inuman. I'm a chilled wine type of girl now. T'was fun though. Malate (at least the area around Adriatico Circle and Nakpil Street), according to my cousin, can be compared to Bourbon Street in New Orleans. A strip of bars, cafes, and clubs on one small street. You don't even have to go inside. Just hanging outside is fun enough especially for those strapped for cash.
Its so weird. When I'm in New York, I read the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and am heart-broken at all the tragedy and corruption happening here in Manila. Pero ngayon nang dito ako, parang wala. Ganoon parin ang buhay. Just the minor "inconvenience" of having your bag checked by guards before you enter the mall, tapos, wala na. Yun lang.
I think I'm gonna have a hard time speaking straight English again when I come back. Tagalog na tagalog kasi. Feeling no?
I think I can live in the Philippines. But for now, I'll stay in the States.
Typing away at the Looney Residence before a night out bar-hopping in Malate. Funny way of mourning, no?
Lola's funeral was on Thursday, at true to form, she didn't go to her grave easily. Brown out at the church as the storm started. Sabi nang iba its coz I sang, hehe. Traffic on the way to the cemetary and then pinahirapan pang ipasok ang kabaong, pina-ikot pa talaga!
Went to North Park for dinner. *sigh* I can truly live now:)
Hun, I'll be home Tuesday night. Will you be there to greet me?
I've got tons of pictures to put up. I can't wait. Good night everybody. Have fun. It's Saturday night.
Is it bad to say that I think the stray dog that wouldn't leave my side for 15 minutes was my Lola saying "hey"? Mom and Dad like to think that the two white butterflies (Read: MOTHS) that came in the house were my Lola and Lolo saying "Hey". It's all good I guess.
But if Lola would come back as a new creation, I just can't picture her as something as dainty as a butterfly, real or not. Lola was a tough cookie, very cool, very shrewd, and didn't take crap from anyone. She loved to chat with the neighbors, liked to think she owned the town church, and loved getting all dolled up to adventure into town. You couldn't catch Lola in a net if you tried.
In 4 hours, I'll be on my way to the airport to get on an airplane bound for the Philippines.
My toes have barely touched New York City and off I go again. I
wish I had a happier reason for going, but unfortunately life bites
you in the ass every so often when it catches you dozing off.
The good news is I have a new
home. I'm shackin' up with the Big
B, well at least in cyberspace anyways and just for my Cosmic
Developments section. But thank you, Mr.
Fish. You know you are the coolest mango mama sipping dude in
my galaxy, right? Yeah, I know you do.
