Monday, October 16 - Slept almost the whole day today, since I went to bed at 7:00 A.M. I think the time difference between the two countries is messing me up. I’m still adjusting my sleeping habit, and I need to get back to my old routine. I’m glad to be home, though! Home sweet home!

October 14 – I left Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Saturday at 12:10 A.M. for Incheon Seoul, South Korea. This was my first stop, which took a little over three hours. I spent the rest of the morning at the airport waiting for my next flight to Chicago. The flight from Incheon Seoul, South Korea to Chicago O’Hare International Airport took a little over 12 hours. Then, I waited there for four hours for my next flight to Kansas City, my final destination. While at the airport, I finished reading a book called “Mission Possible” by Ken Blanchard, the coauthor of The One Minute Manager. It’s a good book to read for me – very informative!

My plane arrived at the Kansas City, MO Airport around 4:30 P.M. on Saturday, October 14. The flight from Incheon Seoul, South Korea to Chicago was the longest. Fortunately, each seat in the plane has its own screen to watch news, movies, see the actual route of the plane we’re on—it’s status, games, shopping, and etc. I ended up watching four movies, and I had to stop because my ears were starting to hurt from the headphones. Overall, I have a positive experience with Korean Airlines, and I will definitely take this airline again!

October 12 - This would be my last post of my vacation to the Philippines; however, I intend to keep and update this blog site with my other future trips.

I spent my remaining time with my family, visiting and reminiscing the good old days with my sister and brothers (back when we were still young); and of course, eating native foods at the same time was also part of that. (I think I’ve gained a few pounds - not a good thing.) Wish I could stretch the time longer, but my two-month vacation is now over, and it is time for me to go back to my Mahal, who is patiently waiting for me.

There were places I wanted to see yet, such as Corrigedor and Cebu, but the weather was the hindrance; therefore, I wasn’t able to do what I had planned. I was told that starting August through part of November is "habagat" season, and it’s not the best time for riding a boat/ship because of the strong wind and frequent heavy rainfall. There is always "next time" to see these places, but I don’t know when that would be, though.

Also, I have a couple of pictures that I’ve taken when we went to Sta. Cruz and Quiapo church. I almost did not recognize the area in Quiapo as it wasn’t as crowded as I can remember. The streets from Sta. Cruz to Quiapo looked clean, and there were fewer street vendors, selling fresh flowers, rosaries, candles, and other things. I even noticed that some parts of the streets were made of bricks, just like downtown’s old market – what an improvements!


Sta. Cruz Plaza, going to Quiapo Church


The Quiapo Church (also known as the "Church of the Black Nazarene" and, in Tagalog, as the "Basilika ng Nazareno") houses a large black wooden statue of Christ bearing the cross (the "Black Nazarene"). This crucifix was carved in Mexico and was brought to the Philippines from Mexico by Spanish galleon in 1767. It is said to have miraculous powers. On Fridays thousands of Catholic devotees may be seen inside the church edging forward on their knees towards the crucifix.

Overall, it was an awesome vacation! I was very happy to see my family, relatives, and some of my friends. Also, I was able to help my nieces and nephews set up their computers and get them working properly for them. Of course, they were delighted and very appreciative. Now, I’ll be able to communicate with some of them online and through the “webcam.” (Thanks to my husband, who made this trip possible for me. Love you, Hon, and thanks for everything!)

I gave up on uploading some pictures. This computer is very slow, and it's taking me forever to upload one picture. Need to get some sleep now for my big trip back home tomorrow.

FYI - I leave Manila on Saturday, October 14 and arrive in Kansas City in the afternoon on the same day - isn’t that amazing, huh? I hope you enjoyed my blog. See you all and bye for now!

October 5 - At last, the power in Las Pinas has been restored, but many are still without power in Metro Manila. Saw many billboards this morning, along Edsa Blvd., that were still down because of the typhoon. I’m using April's computer (my niece) to check my email and update my blog site, but it’s very, very slow. I prefer using the Internet in one of the malls. No new pictures to upload to my blog site at this time; just spending some quality times with my family.

Monday, October 2 - Still staying with my sister in Tarlac, waiting for good news from my brothers in Cavite and Manila regarding their power, if it has been restored yet or not.

Sunday, October 1 - We attended a mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. Rose, thanks for telling me about this place! Never been there before, and I'm glad you told me about it. As always, the place was crowded. People from all over come to this town just to see the Shrine. It was also "fiesta" there that day, since it was the 1st Sunday of October. Lots of street vendors outside the church, selling all types of native items and "kakanin." Please check out both links above. It is very informative, and the place is historical.

Had a chance to eat the "kakanin" called "topig" (I think that's what it's called). It was delicious! Loved it! Never had that kakanin before. I'll try to make it when I'm home. It is made of shredded young coconut, mixed with sweet rice flour and sugar, wrapped with banana leaves, and then grill it or "inihaw." I think it's Pangasinan's delicacies. (Oh, in Naic, Cavite I had the "puto bong-bong" - the purple one; it was delicious!)

Unfortunately, my digital camera wasn't working at that time (for some reason), so I don't have pictures of the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag to be posted here. When I got home that night, I transferred all of the pictures from my camera to my niece's computer and reformatted the camera. Now, it is working again!

Well, I think I need to go now as it is getting late. I'll keep you updated. I have less than two weeks to go here in the Philippines! Bye for now.