Ang LakWatSeRa

Yehey! My wish was well granted. Aldwin can walk alone now. I just asked for him to walk but he runs now. I will now lose my extra pounds… I hope so. And his dada will shred more of his hair,Joke! Joke! Joke!,I hope not.

   Our room will never be the same again. There’s a boy who roams around and blocks our way. He even swipes my things and plays hide and seek. Silly boy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfoUSZC7iFQ

   More of Aldwin here:http://www.ourcutebabies.com/blog-list/aldwin.html

   I’m a proud mom especially when I see Aldwin grows and develops. He makes me happy and forget the backpains and hardships. I know every mom could relate with this. All my hard work and stretched patience paid off when he learns something new, may it be good or sometimes naughty. I just hope and wish that he could walk alone by himself and without support. I know that he’s almost there. He just needs confidence.

   My consolation is he can swim or float, just a little. At least, he learned to have the confidence to swim alone and to have fun. You can that a peak here.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXEwcFHOX3Q

Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, rest along the banks of the Mississippi River. It is famous for having 28 evenly spaced giant live oak trees and believed to be three centuries old.The history started sometime in the early 1700’s when a settler built a small house on the site of the present mansion and planted the oak trees, reaching from his house to the Mississippi River.

   This National Historic Landmark with its antebellum mansion, Big House, and surrounding 25 acres host a daily tour, bed and breakfast accommodations in the cottages and cater breakfast and lunch at the restaurant.This is famous for Cajun cuisine and a special ice cream parlor. You can remember this plantation from Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt’s vampire movie. According to the mansion historian, a lot of commercials, photo shoots and films were taken here. So this is really hollywood.

   The Oak Alley is inviting and wishes every visitor to enjoy its beauty and dream of its rich past,  as you imagine the opulence and grandeur of the 1840’s and 50’s along the Great River Road.

www.oakalleyplantation.com

View of the alley of century-old oak trees, resting place, Aldwin’s senti-moment, maze at the backyard

Ice cream parlor

Aldwin and daddy at the entrace to the alley, view from the veranda, Aldwin’s horsing the root

Texarkana is a city with 2 separate municipalities- one in Texas and the other is in Arkansas. Federal Building, located between the two states, is the only one of its kind in America. The Photographer’s island on State Line Ave. ,in front of post office, is a popular photo spot. A lot of tourists like us are having their pics taken on that spot. You can literally stand with one foot in Texas, one in Arkansas.

Nation’s only bi-state Justice Center serves 2 states at State Line Ave. and Broad St.The Center houses courts and jail for 2 states, 2 counties and 2 cities.It is built squarely on the Arkansas -Texas line. So, why choose between Texas and Arkansas if you can have both. Let’s step on both of them. Let’s go!

Welcome to Arkansas sign, Welcome to Texas sign on back side, Catholic Church and Post Office.

      Welcome to Baton Rouge, Louisiana!                     

  We are now 2 weeks here in Baton Rouge and still we haven’t find an oriental/filipino store or even meet a filipino. I miss our friends in Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC. I’m glad that misisconnect do exist. I’m still updated and  kind of jealous of all the fun they had. I hope someday we could party with them again and again.

Everything about Louisiana is unique, including the language. Check out these words.

Beignets- little square donuts covered with powdered sugar, usually served with cafe au lait.

Boudin- a Cajun sausage.

Cajun- descendants of the people of Nova Scotia who settled in Louisiana.

Cayenne- hot pepper that is dried and used in many Louisiana dishes.

Cher- Cajun word for “dear”.

Creole- a white person with mixed European and African blood. It’s also a style of cooking and architecture.

Etouffee- Cajun stew prepared with rice and crawfish.

Gris-gris- good luck charm.

Fais Do-Do- Cajun party with music, dancing and lots of food.

Jambalaya- spicy dish prepared with rice and combinations of seafood, chicken, turkey, peppers and onions.

Lagniappe- a little something extra.

Parish- county.

Po-boy- a hoagie, a sub, a grinder.

Where Y’at- “How are you doing?”

Here are the few places that we visted.                               

  Pennington Planetarium

Air and Space Center, Battleship and Old Governors Mansion

  Life is a trip. For some it’s short ,for some it’s a long drive and for others, they want it to end and give up. Every bumpy ride is a challenge. The heavier the traffic, the more gas you consumed, the precious the travel. Every stages of our life is a destination of our own.

   When I was in my teen years, which was not so long ago, my father didn’t let me to have a sleep over to my friend’s house to do a school project, more even to visit a roommate’s province. He is so protective to his UNICA HIJA. He seemed to know that I have the potential to be a lakwatsera. What can I do? I love to see new places, meet new people and take pictures. MagKODAKan lang, ok na ko.

   And then I had my senior internship in medicine, I really counted the hours of my duty in the hospital. I always wait for the next morning to come. The toxicity of talking to patients, explaining their diseases and giving their management drained me.Time, those days, was so slow. I needed a break! I demanded a vacation which I actually got after my graduation. My patience was well paid. Carlito and I went to Bangkok….with my mom and brother. Kala nyo kami lang, ano?! BF ko pa lang si hubby that time. Well, that’s another story.

   Today, I’m a housewife and a mother. A certified parasite who wanders around. Some thinks that my life is easy. It depends on how you describe EASY. We move a lot. We are NPA (no permanent address). I’m constantly in an adjustment phase. I mastered packing, unpacking and packing our things. And to tell you the truth, I don’t complain. I love my life! Every moving to a new place is a chance to a new beginning and discovery. A good reason for many camera clicks, back breaking poses and beautiful pictures.

   For those who are bored with your lives, try to reflect and do something new. You will not get into places unless you move. Have a safe trip!

Cruise with “Mie

   After a few months of preparing and a few days of actual reviewing, I passed the AMT certification exam. As in period, the end. It’s not with flying colors but I’m glad I’m through with it. It’s hard to recall the things that you’ve learned a decade ago. Hirap talaga ng tumatanda! Especially the lab work and standards.

   I’m really thankful that I passed. I hope that it will be the as smooth  as with MLE. And I like to share that, there’s nothing impossible with the power of prayers. Amen.

   Ready na namang magLAKWATSA. San tayo punta?