Skip to main content

Another New York City Adventure: Philippine Gold at Asia Society, Gryffindor-like Dining and Protest at Columbia University

Once upon a time, not too long ago  - and in fact, just a few days ago - I hopped on a train to New York to meet with friends and explore.

The day started with a luncheon at Brother Jimmy's BBQ. I met my fellow co-hosts at Makila, the first Filipino American Television Talk Show in the New York metropolitan area. We ate, talked, laughed and put together a robust plan of action for the next 6 months.

This coming Saturday marks a new milestone for the Makilala Team. We will be taping for the first time at our new home, Manhattan Neighborhood Network's El Barrio Firehouse.

I'm the lead-host for our two (2), yes, you read it correctly, not one (1) but two (2) upcoming episodes.

The first one is  "The road to pre-colonial Filipino ancestry paved in gold". I've heard so much about the gold exhibit at Asia Society that I needed to see it myself.


With the urging of my friend, I took the MTA Bus (M4). It was my first time to take the bus! All along I thought buses had their own lane, but of course, I was mistaken. 

When it was time to get off the bus, I didn't know what door to exit from. Luckily, a friendly man told me to push the door open.


The bus dropped me off at Madison Avenue where I was able to feast my eyes with the Fall Fashion from high profile designers (I only knew through fashion magazines) such as Armani, Prada, Chloe, Robert Cavalli. Dolce Cabana, Gucci and many more. 

It's pretty interesting to see all the glamour on my way to see a gold exhibit for a developing country like the Philippines.

I met fellow Filipinos in the museum - and of course, a visit wasn't complete without a photo session!




I rushed out of there to visit my third child who goes to Columbia University. Since I was on the Eastside part of New York, I needed to take the M66 bus to get me to to the Westside. Luckily, there was another friendly New Yorker who helped me figure out what bus to take and where to take the 1 Train to Columbia University. He even told me that since I was transferring from an MTA Bus to a subway train, my train ride was free of charge! 



While waiting at Columbia University, I noticed a few Secret Service Personnel.

There probably was a World Leader from the United Nations speaking at a forum in the university. 

And of course, it wouldn't be New York, if there weren't people practicing their freedom of speech.

People were chanting "


It was starting to get heated so I left and started to look for my son.

He had a lot of work to do so we decided to have dinner at John Jay Dining Hall.


Something about that moment made me happy because it meant my 20 year-old son wasn't embarrassed to be seen with his 51 year-old mother.

I kept telling my son that I felt like I was at Hogwarts! ( Oh, and by the way the dining hall had fried sweet plantains, and a conveyor belt that moved the dirty dishes to an unknown tunnel!)


I am always thankful for days like that day.

As Mother Teresa said,

"Peace begins with a smile
   Every time you smile at someone,
    it is an action of love, 
    a gift to that person, 
     a beautiful thing.” 

Hope you get to do things you love to do.

xoxo

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo