Soul Highway

Taking it to the streets?

Busy, busy, busy. I am just taking a short break to share a few weeks-old pictures and make a quick post. With a deadline to meet at the end of the week, time is ticking away fast. I like this better than being idle. Mental marathon is more appealing than brooding over the realities of being away from the land of extended families, nosy neighbors, and dogs that can end up as someone’s meal. In my four months here as a prying Pinay, I have yet to see an “askal” (stray dog) hunting for food on the streets. Sigh. Memories of home.

Husband and I had an interesting conversation last night on activism. Apparently, he does not find a placard-waving, slogan-chanting wife desirable. Not that I would take matters to the extreme. I informed him that a DC-based women’s organization fighting domestic violence is looking for volunteers. “Why don’t you save whales instead?” said he. It was not a sheer display of machismo. The husband can always back up his opinions with reason, which is why I love (and hate) going into debate with him.

I might still go to the orientation, not to sign up, but to snoop around for a possible story. Till then.

Proof that having three boys running around the house might simply be too much.

Sean in basketball practice where dad is co-coach.

Pinays in DC

I have met a few Filipinas lately and Saturday night (January 6) we finally decided to hang out to, as one of the girls put it, break the monotony of being at home most of the time. Three of them come from Maryland. I decided to invite another girl from Woodbridge, Virginia who showed up at the meeting place with her husband. I also dragged along the husband who agreed without much protestation. All women seem to understand this: when it’s football night, men are glued to the couch and transfixed on the TV.

We played some pool at Fast Eddie’s in DC whose ground floor, us girls eventually learned, served as a strip club. Nice. After a few drinks we moved to Mister Days in Arlington, hoping to catch some live music and maybe get into dancing. The men in the group were in high spirits – the bar’s walls were appropriately adorned with TV sets tuned in to football.

With loud cheers in the background, the girls settled into a lively chat on life in the US, the cold weather, homesickness, marriage and such in two different dialects. There was talk of planning another get-together but we did go home feeling good about being able to touch base with fellow Filipinos. Nothing like being able to rant and rave in your own language. Till next time, girls!

Pinays on a night out: Cathy, Bernadeth, Elisa (all from Maryland) and Fleur. Lynden from Woodbridge was also there to party with us.

Sidebar: A more "mature" party was happening in downtown DC the night we went out. Familiar with "Girls Gone Wild"? I'm sure many men are. Well, we spotted their bus while cruising down the street and I snapped this photo for, umm, proof of some wild goings-on.

Starting the year right

Well, what do you know, 2007 is here! It didn’t get here with a bang, and I mean that in the literal sense, but it was surprisingly wonderful. In contrast to the raucous and bordering on dangerous revelry in the Philippines (hundreds were reportedly injured in firecracker explosions and by stray bullets), we welcomed the new year with fine dinner, a few drinks, celebrity spotting, live jazz music and some dancing. We were prepared to usher in 2007 by staying at home and playing video games till our eyes pop out. However, an invitation to stay overnight at a hotel in downtown DC with a friend of the husband, his son and significant other changed plans for the better.

I have been off alcohol for quite sometime now so a shot of tequila did not go down the throat that nicely. Aging and low alcohol tolerance seem to go hand in hand. I stuck with beer for the rest of the evening. Husband and I capped the countdown with a long kiss and a giant hug. We danced together for the first time, the husband making up nicely for my ill attempt at getting into some kind of rhythm. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that we’ve finally bridged the distance, putting an end to costly long distance calls and endless hours spent online. I don’t know we made it through those months, but the wait is definitely well worth it.

While standing near the bar and gawking at dancing couples, we noticed someone who looked very familiar, someone who, if he was not the celebrity we thought he was, was a dead-ringer for Donald Faison who plays Dr. Christopher Turk in the comedy show “Scrubs.” At the end of the party, three of the four of us voted in the affirmative that it was Turk in the flesh.

On to resolutions. Exercise, exercise, exercise. I have vowed to get back into Pilates and address the cellulite building up in the lower abs. I have procrastinated on this long enough. Eating healthy is next. This is will be quite a challenge as, unlike in the Philippines, I cannot just run to the nearest “tiangge” to buy fresh vegetables, at least the ones my taste buds are familiar with. I have resolved to do more things this year in the interest of becoming a better person, but on top of the list is the promise to be more thankful of what I have in life and appreciative of the people who make each day meaningful and memorable.