The benefits of tree farms.

My Mom started going to a local tree farm to cut our Christmas tree thanks to her friend who lives across the street from us. The farm has been in our town near Sleeping Giant for ages.

When I was in high school I went to Bielefeld, Germany for Christmas, my first one away from my family. The Beckenbauers brought me to a tree farm and it was majestic. Large snow flakes were were floating around us. I remember the was nothing I had seen before. It was bulging with branches and a blue-white color. The decorations were just as spectacular, with red circular ornaments and thick silver bows.
A traditional German/European Tannenbaum.



An average Christmas tree takes 5-16 years to grow while supporting life by absorbing gases and giving off carbon monoxide. Every 18 acres of Christmas trees provide oxygen for 18 people. Tree farms also, "tabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide a refuge for wildlife while creating a scenic view. http://www.americanforests.org/news/display.php?id=125

10 year High School reunion.

I tried to get a couple of my girlfriends to go to the reunion but there was an adamant NO for some reason. Of course, I had my own reservations.

I did not go to the actual reunion shmooze event but did hear about the festivities the night before. What better way to see people you stopped talking to the minute we officially graduated from high school, but a night club.

There are only 2 1/2 people that I still continue to keep in touch with from my graduating class. I did speak to a couple folks I was once good friends with and it was nice to see them. Somehow only the guys seemed to have the most drastic physical changes.

Ifugao indigenous people

I spoke to the woman with my limited Filipino and learned that the two men are her brothers. They are presumed to be in their late 80's and the one furthest on the right may even be in his 90's. Their date of birth is not known because birth records are not kept by the Ifugao.

I confirmed with our tourguide and he said they can be found sitting out at the former offical look out point to make extra money. It also turned out that the older man has a concave nose because of eating a local hallucinagine plant commonly used.

Rice Terraces - Banaue Philippines

My mom and I went on a 5 day tour along the Cordillera region north of Manila. We arranged the tour through our hotel; had our own tour guide and driver. This may sound pretentious but very common in the Philippines.

The drive to the Rice Terraces took 8 hours so we stopped in a few villages along the way. Our tour guide, Ed was extremely knowledgeable of the area so besides short naps and sight seeing he gave us history lessons of the places of interest.

We drove through the mountains and reached one of the highest elevations of the area. Some of the roadways were not completely paved, which made for some cliff hanging moments.

The mountain terraces have been around for thousands of years and the irrigation system is ideal for rice harvesting. It was once known to be one of the eighth wonders of the world or the 'stairway to heaven.

Rice is no longer the top export of the Philippines and the country is actually importing from places such as Japan but Banaue is still home to Ifugao/Bontoc indigenous people who still live traditional lives without running water or electricty. They are still found harvesting rice.

Sagada - Hanging Coffins

We took a long hike through the forrest lined with pine trees to see famous hanging coffins nestled along the limestone walls. The oldest coffin is thought to be 100 years old and the most recent only a couple decades old.

The elderly expecting to die carve their own coffins otherwise if they are too feeble to do so another relative will take the responsibility.

There are other burial sites in near by caves otherwise some can be found stacked ontop of each other. Unfortunately, because the areas are not regulated some of the coffins have been tampered with - bones taken as souvenirs.

Sagada weekend market

We had a clear view of the market from our motel. People traveled from nearby cities to buy the fresh produce and meats that the Sagada farmers sold. Preparation for the market began as early as 4am. You could hear the women talking as they laid the tarp and arranged the various vegitables.

Family 'Bish' Bash

All things aside, I enjoy family reunions since we do not get to see each other often. There may be some heated drama but the lasting thoughts are that all families have their moments.

Camping with the family makes for more excitement and any chance for a bonfire is a plus.

Photo taken on the Liffey Bridge in Dublin.

Touching Boann the fertility goddess of Ireland.

Failte!

I am convinced this had something to do with the conception of Noah.

I visited Dublin to attend an international adoption conference hosted by Center for Family Connections of Boston www.kinnect.org

I went on a day long tour along the Dublin coast during my free time. One of our stops was at a castle, this is where I learned that every church in Ireland has the goddess of fertility, Boann. The tourguide said whoever touches it will become pregnant within the year. Low and behold - if we calculate the exact date we learned about my pregancy it would be just around the time of my anniversary in Dublin!!

Hiking up Moltalbon mountain.







View short movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Equ-5CXwe3s

I traveled with eight Fil-Ams and a Mex-Am to the Philippines for a month long immersion trip.

One of women I traveled with was born and raised in Quezon City before she and her mother moved to the U.S. She was an organizer in high school and continued her efforts in NYC. She arranged the majority of the trip and scheduled a number of meetings for us to speak to street vendors, women's rights group, youth organizers and peasant workers.

The Migrante organization in QC coordinated our 5 day visit to the country side of Moltalban in Rizal. Our group was divided into two and stayed with different families.

Five girls and I lodged with the President of the farmers organization. Their shelter was made completely of bamboo and they were gracious enough to offer their sleeping quarters to us. It had to be 5 ft by 8ft because I could barely stretch my legs out completely. We were also sharing the shelter with his new wife and 7 children.

You better BELIZE it


For the first time ever my brother's and our significant others met in Caye Caulker, Belize.

It was a long overdue gathering minus the sibling rivalry.