China - Dog and Fur Trade

Something to remind us of what it takes to put real fur on clothes. Watch and remember. Forever.

Oh My Good Friday!

It's 11pm right now and it's Good Friday. If I were in Manila, I would either be in bed staring at the ceiling or looking at the night sky at some beach I decided to go to with my family or friends. Regardless of where I am, Good Friday has always been that time of the year when it felt natural to just sit silently and introspect. Not the cheesy kind of introspection that calls for a box of tissues, but just the kind that allows you to see just how closely you are living up to that Christian your parents hope that you become.

The verdict this year? I could make my parents alot happier by being more Christ-like, but to be honest, I believe that I I did my best - oftentimes - to be as good as I could be as a person. Yet, as this time of the year always draws out the little girl in me that was raised by nuns, I find myself making a promise to try even harder to become the best version of myself. I hope I succeed.

Here in America, it has proven alot harder to sit quietly and do my usual introspection. Someone is yelling at the top of their lungs outside. Given that it's almost midnight, I'd say it is someone who has alot to say and alot of alcohol in his blood.

I live next to a bar. Let me be more precise - my building has a piano bar, and right outside my apartment is a stretch of bars and clubs. There's McFadden's, then PJ Clarkes. You turn a corner and there's House of Beer, Mothers Too, Mothers, Finn McCools,then across the street, you have Leg Room, Bootlegger's, The Loft, then further down the street, you have The Hunt Club and Level. I know I missed some bars, but you get the picture.

It doesn't feel like Good Friday. I miss the quiet and stillness of Manila during Holy Week. Still, I know God is here among the revellers. He is here with me. And despite the fact that I have been watching tv all night, I still managed to get my moment of solace and that is all that matters.

If I don't get to blog on Sunday, Happy Easter everyone!

St. Patrick's Day Love

This is my second St. Patrick's Day in Chicago. The first time was back in 2005 and I was wide-eyed in awe when I saw the river dyed a super bright green. This time around - 3 years after, and me 3 years older - I was still amazed at how beautiful the river is with all the green dye.

I spent good part of the morning walking around downtown taking photos by the river and at Millenium Park. You can see all the photos in the album marked St. Patrick's Day 2008.

Under the bean. Try and find me, but don't ask me where I am because I don't know either.

Denise @ the pubcrawl: Show Some Love!!!

Little Heartbreaker Flores

As you can tell, the neph has the makings of a Flores Playboy. I wonder who the first girlfriend would be....

I miss you, Aidan. Thanks for saying "HAI!" when we talk on the phone. See you again real soon!

Chicago, Chicago....

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Aging

I was putting moisturizer on and noticed I had fine lines under my eyes. This cannot be happening... not yet!

This better just be because I got sick. Oh gawd.

Me and Aidan Jacob

Hanging out with the neph.

Kuya and Aidan on Christmas Eve 2007