New York City

Big Apple, here I come. The city that never sleeps. Everybody was in a hurry to go to work or somewhere else. I could hear the sirens of ambulances and police cars passing by. There were yellow cabs, numbered buses, and the subway. 

My sister and I bought a day pass. That means we could ride the subway anywhere in the city using a single pass at a discounted rate. Great!

We went to the Rockefeller Center, the World Trade Center (less than five months later, the twin towers were gone), Battery Park (where the Statue of Liberty could be seen from a distance), and the malls. Our tour around the city was highlighted by our visit to the 102-story Empire State building. The express elevator rides to the observatory were really quick despite the hundreds of visitors wanting to see the panoramic view of the city from one of the world's tallest buildings. True enough, the 360-degree views of the city from the 86th-floor observation deck were so impressive. Awesome!

Orlando, Florida

I never thought I would have the chance to visit the US. Thanks to my sister for the all-expense-paid trip which was her graduation gift to me. My 10-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa to the US was given to me in January 2001. 

Right after my graduation from UPLB in April 2001, I flew to NY with stopovers in Hongkong and Vancouver. A few hours after my arrival (with jet lag at that), we flew to Orlando, Florida for a 5-day visit. My experiences at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, and Universal Studios woke up the child in me. I wished...

 

Puerto Azul

I was fortunate enough to be included in the summer outing of SEARCA staff and scholars at Puerto Azul in Ternate, Cavite in April 2000. The resort used to be exclusive to its members. Despite that, the place could only be reached by private vehicles. I appreciated the native cottages of the place and the ambiance which were very different from those of the overcrowded resorts. And you know what? I discovered that our director had a collection of Julia Roberts movies.

UPLB

I started my Ph.D. study at UPLB in November 1998. After a semester of commuting back and forth from Indang to Los Banos and staying at the Women's Dorm, my family joined me. 

Bobby started his Ph.D. in environmental science and so the kids had to transfer to Christian School International for their schooling. We stayed for one semester in a room at the NCPC Dorm. Fortunately, I was granted the SEARCA scholarship so we were able to stay at the SEARCA Apartments in Forestry. 

For two years, the family drove to UPLB every Sunday afternoon and back to Indang every Friday afternoon. During this time, I thanked God for giving me wisdom and strength as I assumed the roles of wife, mother, and student in one.

Marinduque, 1998

Second time in Marinduque but it was not a work-related trip this time.

Bobby and I together with Per and his wife Jing visited our friend and former colleague who migrated to Gasan in the mid-90s. Gasan is one of the six towns of the island province of Marinduque. In fact, you can have a tour around the island in one day. The province is known for its Moriones Festival during the holy week and for its uraro delicacies.

Our visit was brief but we had the chance to enjoy the beach.