A few weeks ago as I was walking along Broadway I noticed a new store that immediately caught my attention. From the window my eyes widened with exuberance as I peered at the displays of sticker letters, embellishments of all sorts, cute cartoon creatures, pens, card stock and other paper; used specifically to scrap book and for someone like me, to make cards, note pads, and photo albums....(for now.)

I have had to briskly walk passed Portrait Bug a couple times knowing I would not be able to hold back from buying the array of colorful everything. Needless to say, I succumbed to my weakness and painstakingly kept my purchases to a limit.. There were a few projects crafted by some of the employees that were on display and I could not help but admire.

I found out about the Inaugural Crop Party at PB and honestly did not know what I was getting myself into. I brought along a file organizer filled with designed and plain paper, stickers and other items from my collection of craft material. It did not compare to the supplies other women brought to this event. I walked into the world of scrap booking that I did not know existed!

Some ladies had totes for their materials while others rolled in travel size luggage with decorative hole punchers, rubber stamps, glitter, contraptions, which I had no clue what their function was and it was quite a distraction from my purpose of making some Valentine cards.

After three hours of chatting it up with scrap book novices, a professional calligrapher/rubber stamper, a gal who has gone to paper crafting conventions and a working mom looking to find an outlet, I did make a couple decent looking cards and more inspired to craft cards when I can find the time!

Webinars are Genius!

I registered for a webinar (a seminar on the web) on The Role of the U.S. Government in Intercountry Adoptions through the Joint Council on International Children's Services. Their mission is to, "promote ethical child welfare practices, strengthens professional standards and educates adoptive families, social service professionals and government representatives throughout the world."

JCICS provided a panel, which included Government representatives and adoption professionals that spent the two hours explaining the often confusing process of adopting, terminology, the role of the Hague Convention and other facets. Additionally, the power point presentation was sent to all participants and with the webinar feature was viewable in real time during the lecture.

Reusable Produce Bags - Etsy


Why didn't I think of this?! A reusable produce bag, instead of those darn plastic bags. Ok, so the thought crossed my mind but I did not jump on the idea fast enough.......

Photo of Unisphere

Flushing Meadows - Corona Park
Location of the 1964-65 World's Fair

Mommy Poppins is the most comprehensive resource for Moms/Families in NYC that I have come across thus far. I only wish I had discovered this during my first year with Noah. It probably would have helped with an easier transition into mommyhood but I survived living in a three story walk up on the Upper East Side for the first year.

If you know people visiting NYC with kids from ages 0-10 years this guide is a godsend to parents who are not at all familiar navigating through the Big Apple.

"Mommy Poppins is the unpretentious parent's guide to where and what to do, see, go, eat, discover, read, make, play, learn, buy, travel, splash, and envy in New York with kids."

The Proud Day for All Americans and the World!

I still can't believe I was considering driving to DC the night before the Inauguration. I suppose part of me wished I was the care free person I once was but with some disappointment resigned to the fact that I would not join the thousands of people in DC.......sigh.

Instead, I woke up early (7:30am) with Noah and listened to CNN until 1pm. I watched as the droves of people descended on the Mall in the early morning hours, checked into Facebook and read friend's statuses who were in DC and happily carried on with my mommy duties.

I can agree with many that for the first time I felt patriotic to my adopted country and was optimistic about the future of America.

"The Moment"

Breaking for Bread

My mom told me that my brother started making bread and had me thinking about trying it out. Now that I am older and can focus more, what better time than to be reintroduced to the Tassajara book. I do remember glancing at the book once or twice when I was younger but the directions alone can scare off anyone! Now that I am far less manic, I was interested for the first time to add bread making to my list of domestic duties.

My dad used to make bread that would fill our house with the aroma of a bakery. I never watched him make it although was the first to give a taste test. Years later he invested in a bread maker and readied the ingredients at least once a week. At the time one of our cats was especially fond or should I say addicted to the yeast. She somehow learned how to open the section where the yeast was placed and would lick every grain out.




To my surprise, Mom gave me the book for Christmas and a couple days later she showed me some of her own tricks and pointers on how to make bread. It is quite a workout but worth the labor intensive process. I immediately fell in love with the bread and we polished off one of the loaves in the first day. We even made miniature loaves for Noah and his cousin Adeline. If I could, I would bake my own bread over store bought anytime. We will see how possible it is with a feisty 2 year old running around the apartment.

Traditions and Family

Christmas with the Crowder/Pasquarellos!

Yes, I am the sentimental type and heavy on family traditions. Because my memory is not so great I always made a point to take pictures and thanks to the advanced technology in photography I won't miss those important moments!

If only I kept a list of gifts that I gave to my family....I am sure they would make me laugh hysterically.

Christmas at the Crowder's (and Pasquarellos) always starts with an early rise so we could tear into our stockings! We are flexible about the time of arrival now that we are older but still engage in paper shredding through our stockings.

There was one point when we had a membership to Price Club (warehouse) and our stockings were filled with 6 dozen pencils and other bulk items like post its and scotch tape! We still continue the tradition because it would not be Christmas without it!


The next phase was Christmas breakfast, which always includes grapefruit topped with meraschino cherries and the usual makings like scrambled eggs or pancakes and even buckwheat waffles....I suppose it was the preparation that made has made it memorable because there is something to say about too many cooks in the kitchen.....

This year we had a cranberry coffee cake and pomegranate with dill and pistachios. Delish!

Once our tummies were full we proceeded to the living room, exchange gifts and play with our new toys for the rest of the day.

Pinay Power Brunch


I hosted the December Holiday PPB at my apartment after a long hiatus of attending the brunches. The purpose of the brunch is to gather on a monthly basis and offer a comforting and supportive environment for young Filipina women in the NYC area. Most brunches have themes, ice breakers and other fun activities for the ladies to learn more about each other, discuss relevant newsworthy events, or talk about life.
For me it has been the outlet I have been seeking since becoming a mom and wanting to keep my connections with the Filipina community.

As the hostess of the holiday brunch my suggestion was to decorate cookies. The wanna-be chef side of me that wanted to exploring the art of cooking. What better project than to bake sugar cookies and decorate with icing, and sprinkles. Baking or cooking anything from scratch still is new to me so I researched recipies, stocked up on ingredients and made sure I had all the traditional cookie cutters.

I was in a baking frenzy before the guests arrived but I enjoyed the rush of having to methodically roll the dough, use the cookie cutters and keep a mental timer of the cookie readiness.

Of course, a couple batches of the cookies did not make it but over all I was very satisfied with the end products. Noah also took part desperately wanting to shake the sprinkles and dots all over people. His sneaky quickness did allow him to try the icing which instantly transformed him into a crazed sugar hyper kid.

Aside from the cookie making, we also had a wrapped book exchange. I was particularly entertained by my gift because it was a trashy novella that I got from the 7-11 while I was in the Philippines a few years back. I did use a bandana from the Philippines to cover the book since the book itself was not the most desirable to most.

We had a sharing of the significance of the holidays and our fondest memories. I talked about my first winter as a new arrival in the U.S. when I was five. I spent hours of delight in the snow, making my own fortress by the garage, eating snow dripped with maple syrup and the fascination that white stuff was falling from the sky!

Everyone went home with a handful of cookies. I hope if not at PPB I can host another cookie decorating party. Who says it only has to be during the Winter Holidays?! Maybe I will have a Valentine's Day cookie decorating party!

Noah finally realized that he has to blow into the recorder in order to make a noise. He is now a champ at playing a flute as well.

Yes, this is none other than Tim Robbins!

At a going away party for my good friend at Negril in the West Village. He happened to be supporting an event that was hosted at the lounge and I could not help but ask for a picture with him and my former co-worker!

He was admittedly good-natured about having yet another person ask him for a picture. I sounded like a babbling fool when I approached him! I remembered him in the movie Shawshank Redemption although could not think of his name for the life of me!

I HEART NEW YORK

NYC - Where there is always something to do around every corner.......

We have already lived in the Upper West Side for over 2 months and we have so many places to explore along Riverside Park across to Central Park. I have not even brought Noah to CP because Riverside seems so close. I probably will start taking him when I begin my running regiment for the Fall......we will see.

On one of our excursions to the Dinosaur Park (on 96th and Riverside Drive) I saw a poster about the Riverside Park Fair from 78th-68th Streets sponsored by Riverside Park Fund. The heat was so brutal we could not appreciate all the booths, rides, and activities that we wanted to. The County Fair, which featured a blue grass band, farmer's market, kiddie rides along the pier were some of the attractions. We did find the petting zoo, sponsored by Green Chimneys protected by the Riverside Drive overpass.

Riverside Park Fund has a calendar of events that is worth a look. I would have loved to kyak for free on the Hudson had I known about it. There are also volunteer opportunities on the weekends, sporting events and fundraisers.

Look Ma, I can hold my own ice cream bar!

My mom with my sisters in laws and Robin Banks!

It's never a "drag" at Cafe Nine - First ever Drag Show

How many people can say they brought their mom to a drag show?!

It was indeed a rare girls night out with my mom and brother's wives. Our schedules have always been hectic but this particular evening it worked out! We started off eating at Kumo Japanese Hibachi restaurant. Thank gosh we were four because it turned out that there was an ordering minimum for sitting at the hibachi table......though admittedly the presentation of the food (particularly the chef cooking at the hibachi) was far better than I had expected.

After a very fulfilling meal and of course my necessity to push my limits with fried bananas, we headed to Cafe Nine for the first ever Drag Show at Cafe Nine. There was a great line up local favorites and a couple veterans. The music selection was fabulous and the the crowd seemed very entertained.

I do have to admit I was worried about my mom and her 'virgin ears' but she she assured me that before she had kids she swore far worse than a sailor!


I lucked out with this photo, pointing and shooting at just the right time. One of my faves of the night - and the performance was just as great.

Bryant Park Le Carrousel

Traveling in the city with Noah is much easier these days now that we live on the Upper West Side. The 1 train is a stones throw away from our apartment and other than the usual lifting of the stroller or of Noah, it is a breeze.

One of our summer adventures brought us to Bryant Park where Noah has open space to walk where ever he pleases. We came upon Le Carrousel and I ended up buying a 10 ride ticket because he kept on getting upset when the ride came to an end. We went around 4 times before Mom started getting dizzy.

His first time mounting the frog brought a frightened look to his face as I strapped him in. The frog was not stationary but once he became comfortable going up and down he could not get enough of it.

Out with the OLD in with the UPPER WEST SIDE!

As sad as it is for me to leave the UES I cannot express how delighted we are to move to the UWS. After five years I am finally saying goodbye to a neighborhood I loved to hate. I remember the first year (2003) I moved to 78th and 2nd (my cramped but cozy studio) and someone asked me where I lived. When I told him, his is response was something like, "you don't have to look behind your back all the time and is generally safe."

Though somewhat true, I would have probably opted to live elsewhere if the opportunity arose. What I will miss is the recent business/friendship I made at the Personal Affairs boutique on E. 80th between 3rd and 2nd. I will also terribly miss some of the restaurants and stores that I frequented on a regular basis such as Cafe Evergreen, Ali Baba Bodega, Sassy Slider's, Sunny's Chinese, Citarella, Orwasher's Handmade Bread, Sable's, Choux Cafe and so on. Of course I cannot forget the ever so friendly tailor on 78th who would sing to Noah when he was first born.

The UES was isolating at times because it was majority white although honestly, as mono-racial as it was, it was to an extent my comfort zone. In the end I outgrew the neighborhood and especially the apartment. Our closets were jammed with excess boxes and containers and piles of our belongings began to grow around us.

I also learned that the owners of the building were slowly pushing people out of our apartment (or in one case, waiting for our neighbor below us to "move on." She is 102 years old and has a rent controlled apartment in which she pays $350 a month. Eventually they want to demolish it and build a luxury high rise. Go figure.

Our move went smoothly for the most part. We did not spend one cent on boxes and as you may know they go for $4-8! Oz Moving guys were hard working and meant business considering they had to manage the boxes down 5 narrow flights of stairs in a pre-war building with out an elevator. There was one guy from Nepal who insisted on carrying items without shoes or socks. The heat did not help although I made sure they were hydrated!

We must have had a hell of a lot of things because the movers told us our boxes and furniture filled 3/4 regulation size moving truck. The morning was exhausting but to even consider the move into our new apartment and having to unpack gave me a headache. We did have one scare in which the 2 of the 4 legs of our couch was missing. It was a miracle that it was found in the empty moving truck after every box was removed.

Our new apartment has so many things in close proximity. The 1 train is half a block away from us. The Riverside Park is 2 1/2 blocks away with a plethora of thematic parks for Noah to jaunt around in, Central Park is 4 blocks away, Columbia University and its domain is 13 blocks away, there is a fruit stand beside a coffee and bagel vendor on the corner of the street, Planet Kids around the block, and the list goes on.

The apartment building itself has an elevator, laundry facilities, a storage pod for our future bikes and seasonal clothes and lots more floor space for our future visitors (wink.)

I heart the UWS!















<< Our slanted kitchen. It was so annoying to cook since the stove was also lopsided, always making for an entertaining experience when cooking.

















<< The former living room looking into Noah's room. Can you see the slant of the floors - it is not the camera!


















NEW APARTMENT! Wall to wall built in bookshelves that will easily be filled by John's collection of books along with my small library and magazines!

















<< The sunken living room!

A Moment of PRIDE


I love parades - they give me goose bumps and sometimes have pushed me to wet eyes.

It is a combination of the camaraderie, a display of rich culture and energy that have me coming back to spectate.

Noah, John and I were invited to join the Center
and march in the Gay Pride Parade with Kevin (Noah's god-father.) It was a magnificent day to join thousands of people who support LGBTQs as there was no sight of clouds (until later.) We walked over 50 blocks waving, passing out the Center stickers and Kevin was happy to oblige when people asked to take pictures of him with Noah. We had a Celebrate Diversity flag from last year's parade and Noah waved it around playfully.

I have a family member who has been living with AIDS for over 20 years and another friend who was diagnosed 5 years ago so the Parade also was to pay homage to them. Noah is lucky to be growing in a time where there is more tolerance, resources and education about such issues as being LGBTQ.

This photo was taken in Central Park behind Summer Stage. Both sides are lined with benches and reminds me of what a park might be like in Western Europe.

Camera

Canon
PowerShot A570 IS
4X Optical Zoom
7.1 Mega Pixel

Celebrating the warm weather with a splash
John Jay Park, NYC

The mind of a toddler: intrigues and frustrations.

These days Noah's attention span is that of many kids his age - very scattered. We read that we should rotate his toys because kids can grow tired of them. When I do take them out again its as if they are entering his life for the first time.

His most recent entertainment has been figuring out the buckles on his stroller and high chair with great excitement. He has yet to successfully unbuckle the straps but heck, I can't push for everything since it will eventually happen.

He has not formulated words but is phonetically associating sounds he hears and mimics us. Otherwise, he likes to shriek with joy or frustration.

Either way, he seems to be a well adjusted little guy who loves to smile, flirt with anyone, and amuse himself with his toys. What else could we ask for?!