Days Before New Year

Spent a day here at Jaclson Heights.

Pistons Win

It was on the 26th of December, when Cecile and I finally got to watch our very-first real live NBA game. Being an NBA fan, this evening is probably one of the highlight of our 2nd trip to the US and the East Coast.

Renelle sponsored our tickets for this game. Each cost US$110.00 at the lower section, which was really a good vantage point to see the game at the Izod Center. Formerly Brendan Byrne Arena, and later, Continental Airlines Arena, the Izod is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is home to the New Jersey Nets and the home of the New Jersey Devils NHL hockey team.

I pointed out to Cecile a banner that hung in the rafters that gave tribute to the 35 concerts Bruce Springsteen has done in this venue.

The arena opened July 2, 1981, with the first of six concerts by New Jersey rock musician Bruce Springsteen. The “Boss” remains the most popular concert act to perform here. His appearances have included a 10-night, sold-out run in 1984, an 11-night run in 1992, and a 15-night, sold-out run in 1999.

The New Jersey Nets, who had played their first game here on October 30, 1981, losing to the New York Knicks, 103-99. Later that season, on January 31, 1982, the NBA All-Star Game was played at the arena.


But for this game, Richard Hamilton scored 22 points as the Pistons defeated the Nets, 101-83 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory. It was probably all over by the third quarter as Detroit Pistons shot 78 percent. Hamilton made all five shots and the Pistons connected on 14 of 18 from the field that from a one-point halftime lead, it blew into a 14-point margin entering the final quarter.

Patrick had earlier predicted it would be a “blow-out.” And he was right. But I didn’t expect it to be that big a margin. And Cecile had observed that the Nets were not really “going for the ball” which is probably one of the reasons why Jason Kidd wants out of this team.

Christmas @ Renelle's

Merry Christmas.

Christmas @ Renelle

Universal Studios

Scribbles and pictures to come from Universal Studios.

Nicole @ Toys R Us

Hannah Montana made Nicole cry yesterday at Toys R Us.

Back in LA

Today, we are back in the City of Angels!

Napa Valley

Ami McCrory picked us up at Laly’s house at Hayward around 10:30am for our long drive up to Napa Valley. And thus begins Cecile’s Wine 201 lessons.

Bien Perez had given his “Wine 101” last September when he visited Manila, but unfortunately, I was in Vietnam. Bien and Cecile had breakfast at UCC Café, front 6750 Building.

Now, we were in Napa Valley, where the best of California wines is produced.

Ami is my batchmate from UST High School and was also a classmate for one year at the Faculty of Arts and Letters. While she married early and didn’t finish her Journalism studies, she, however, recently graduated (with honors) from University of California at Berkley (an IVY league school here in the States) with a degree in Sociology. She now has two children

AppleBee

We just had dinner at Apple Bee Restaurant, which is like a TGIF restaurant, filled with celebrity pictures and posters. Dinner cost around 112 dollars for five persons. All big servings. I had the fried shrimps with french fries and salad. And even shared with Geneva's mashed potatoes.

Pictures soon.

Oakland Scenes

Blog and pictures from Oakland, California coming soon!

Frank at Rodeo Drive

Yesterday, Chief and I visited one of the most expensive shopping places of the world. Rodeo Drive. This is a three-block long stretch of boutiques and shops in Beverly Hills, California. Until the early 1950s, the center divide on this street was a horse path which is why it is called Rodeo Drive.

In the few minutes we were here, I was quietly hoping for a famous celebrity to come out of a shop. We entered Tiffany’s. Took snap shots around and front the famous shops.

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Anderton Court Shops at 333 N. Rodeo Drive. It features a triangular-shaped tower and spiral ramp. Rodeo Drive is also the first place in California to implement diagonal pedestrian crossings called scramble crossings at some particularly busy intersections.

Crossing one street, one woman struck up a conversation as she notice one car made a U-turn. I responded to her. Even a woman in the car behind the “u-turn” car also agreed with her. Was she a celebrity? Definitely, not Britney Spears.

Steps to Narita

Northwest Airline 0020 brought us to Narita International Airport around noon time. It was a pleasant flight, although, we would have preferred an SQ flight. The flight crew of SQ were more friendlier and accommodating. Guess, it is because they were Asians like us.

Still, it was a smooth flight into Japan. I have been here before. Back in February 1998 and spent nearly two weeks. Still need to find those pictures with Chin. Roland, Maui, Honey, Nelia, Injong and the rest of the Philippine team attending that conference we called ENFT - 1.


Today, Chief and I share these steps. Rather, Jiru and Sheshiru as our names are said in Japanese. We stepped towards McDonalds but moved into a Japanese tea and donut shop. Chief got her coffee latte while I got a green tea latte. Trying to be health conscious. I quickly texted Bien Perez and Noelle Farol about us being in japan.

Narita International Airport is located in Narita, Chiba, Japan. The airport is in the eastern portion of the Greater Tokyo Area. I know the airport is one of the busiest hubs (but Kansai International would be busier). It serves as the main international hub of Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. It is also a major hub for Northwest Airlines and a focus city for United Airlines. It does take an hour to get to downtown Tokyo and that is by the fastest train. The Narita Rapid Railway is scheduled to open in 2010 and hopes to alleviate the long travel time by shaving 20 minutes.

In July 2004, Bobby Fischer was detained at Narita Airport for allegedly using an invalid U.S. passport. He was trying to board a Japan Airlines flight to Manila. That news made the pages in Manila.

The Night Before We Leave For The States

It has been nearly 4 years since Chief and I were in the States. We were in the East Coast, arriving just in time for New Year celebration at Times Square and spend a few days with my cousins and Tito Rene and Tita Nenen. Tonight is the night before we leave for the States, making stops in Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco before joining my cousins for a white Christmas.


By Saturday, it would be the start of Simbang Gabi. And it would be our third Christmas since we returned from Vietnam in 2005 and our 1st Noche Buena in New Jersey with my cousins. Photo shows us from Christmas 2006 at our Greenhome.

Chief has not had a complete 8-hour sleep these days as she has been packing and wrapping and more packing and wrapping. I stayed out of her way as she has a “system” to get things done. She finished all our gifts for family… both Gabutina and Velez.

Today, I made three trips back and forth to Greenbelt 1. Luckily, it was only a 15 minute walk. I had pictures printed for a photo album and bought extra Yale locks. Plus, sent our Xmas money gift to Uncle Ming, who lives in Marikina.

Mom wanted to come to our Greenhome today so she could see at least on the night before we left but there was still so much work to be done and our home was in disarray. She was crying when we talked on the phone this morning. But I promised to call her later tonight and tomorrow morning from the airport.

Kingdom

I am a fan on Jennifer Garner. When Chief and I were in Vietnam, we rarely watched “Alias” until last year I started following that TV series. Last September, I did buy the box set DVD of “Alias.” But still need to open and watch her on the small screen.

Last Sunday afternoon, at Cinema 3 of Greenbelt 4 Cinemas, Chief and I caught “The Kingdom,” the 2007 film directed by Peter Berg and starring Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper and Jennifer Garner.



The movie is also co-produced by Academy Award nominated director Michael Mann, who had done work on “Miami Vice.” Remember that TV series? The film is inspired by today’s news and brings back memories of the bombings at the Riyadh compound on May 12, 2003 and the Khobar housing complex on June 26, 1996.. and in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. That why the movie is called, “The Kingdom. Photo from Universal Studios.

Keno Turns One

The 4th child of Manny and Vangie Gabutina turned one year old last 24 November 2007. And the little bundle of joy celebrated his birthday bash in their home last Saturday afternoon.

Chief and I slept over in Golden City as it was our second to the last weekend before our U.S. trip and Chief wanted extra time with her parents. This would be the first time we would be away from home during Christmas since we returned from Vietnam in September 2005.

Chief, Minnie and Vangie were amazed that Keno wanted to be carried by me. Yes, the little kid wouldn’t let go even as I got tired carrying him. See pictures.

If CG had been born last year, CG would have also turned one year old, just slightly ahead of Keno.

Like a mom to Bob

This is a weekend of life and death.

Auntie Aya dies and Keno celebrates a birthday!

Last Friday morning, around 8:30am, Auntie Aya passed away. She is the aunt of Bob Novales, one of my best friends from UST. She had taken care of Bob since he was a kid, as his mom had passed away at an early age.

I remember, or rather, Auntie Aya would remember our “grupo prumer” whenever we would have “food trip” at their home in Iba Street, La Loma. Together with Cesar, Cere, Bien, Guy and others, we would eat turbo-broiled chicken, courtesy of Imarflex which was popular during the early 80s. It was during these days that I popularized dipping bananas on San Miguel beer.

I remember also sitting down for mahjong with her and Auntie Luz, who was happy to see Chief and I at the wake Friday night at the Venice Rooms of the Loyola Memorial Park in Paranaque.

Since we arrived around 7:30pm, we had a few extra minutes to catch up with Monch. She reaffirmed the important role Auntie Aya had in Bob’s life. “Madalas dinadalaw ni Bob siya kase hinahanap siya ni Auntie Aya.”

Cesar and Marivic, plus Miguel and Iya, were also at the wake, after having dinner at Serendra.

Unfortunately, Bien Perez, is in HK and just sent his condolences via text message.