I was contemplating on whether to write or not on what happened to me yesterday. But it was a ‘first’ for me. Yes, I’ve been into that situation before, but this time, it was me alone…I was behind the wheel. It was a minor ‘fender-bender’, but it was a big deal for me because it was my car that got hit. Thank God I was not hurt, no scratches or bruises. But my little ‘Alex’ (yes, that’s the name of my car, hehe) now has his first scar… on his rear bumper. No dents of whatsoever, I guess Alex has ‘buns-of-steel’, hehe.

The incident happened yesterday, around 3:15 pm, on my way home. It had stopped raining, and the asphalt were wet. I’m a very careful driver and I know for a fact that the roads are the most slippery when it first rains after several dry weeks…so I was very cautious. Apparently the other driver behind me was not. I guess she was following me closely.. on one of the dangerous intersections in our area. Tsk tsk not following the space-cushion rule!

I was slowing down on the intersection when I first saw the yellow light and stopped when it turned red (of course). Then the dreaded thing happened. The ‘bump’. It was strong enough to shake me but not causing a severe ‘whiplash’.I opened my window, looked to the driver who hit Alex’s rear. She was still holding the steering wheel, looking shocked, and was trying to hide her face. I went to her and said ‘Are you alright?’. She answered with a trembling voice ‘yes I’m fine, thank you…I guess my tires are not good enough.’ I was examining if there was a severe damage on my part. Nope, just scratches (thank God!). I guess I handled the situation calmly. Kit was even surprised when I was talking to him on the phone that I was not in shock or panicking. The girl was fine so that was also a relief for me. We exchanged infos and went our separate ways.

Lessons learned:
- Always be more cautious when driving.
- Things happen which we can not control.
- Your life is more valuable than your car.

Manila city…hot and humid…there are only two seasons: wet and dry.

I bet friends and families back home are now planning for their summer vacations…Ahhh the white sand beaches of Boracay and Pagudpud…the cool climate of Baguio…Scuba diving in Puerto Galera…Snorkeling in Palawan…Trekking in the Mt. Province or Sorsogon…and so on and so forth…

And I’m here…still suffering from the winter climate. I’m just glad that spring is on its way. Last week’s winter storm was the last straw for me…I’m just getting tired of the snow.

I’m planning to visit this year…and i’m crossing my fingers…I still don’t have an exact date…But a visit to Manila is long overdue…It has been ummmm, hmmm four or five years already? So Edc and Richie, get ready with an itinerary ok…

Some pictures taken from last week’s snow storm: It was around 8:30am and
I’m on my way to work.
* You can view the original pictures here –> “scooterista crossing” or here “cca stardust gallery”

Fall is finally here. Did you feel it this morning? The way the air was crisp and cool? The way the skies changed to magnificent blue with feathery clouds? Or did you notice that the color of the leaves on some trees has started to change? I’m so excited, my favorite season is finally here!

At last no more hot and humid weather…no more sticky sweat caused by the scorching sun. No more, no more, no more.

Everything looks good, tastes good and smells good during Fall.

Nature’s palette turns into vibrant colors of red, gold, orange, brown and yellow. The simple landscape covered with leaves with local wildlife in action – squirrels will be extra busy this season collecting their food supplies and fattening themselves to get ready for winter. People will don themselves with fall fashion and must haves like soft sweaters and flannel shirts. My kitchen will smell heavenly this season,  the scent of cinammon, vanilla, pumpkin and not to forget, the smell of spicy chili simmering in the pot, yum! My oven will be extra busy this season with lots of baking and cooking of fall good eats!

This is the best time of the year to explore nature.

Do I hear camping? Oh yes, surely we will be camping again this season. This is the time of the year when we just wanna get away from the city to explore and enjoy the countryside. Fall brings out hikers and campers not just for “leaf peeping” but to interact with nature.

I’m just so lucky that I can experience and enjoy this annual spectacle. We don’t have seasonal changes like these in the Philippines. Before, I can only experience it in my dreams or just by watching it on television. If I wanna feel “fallish” I have to go to Baguio, but it’s not the same…the lack of fall colors and foliage won’t complete it. But at last i’m here…And my favorite season has arrived…I will enjoy it before the next season steps in…winter.

It didn’t happen this year…
It didn’t snow on Christmas day…

Last year was nice, we had a white Christmas. But this season, Christmas day is all gray and gloomy. The streets are wet, freezing-cold rain never stopped. Yuck! It’s horrible out there!

I’m not really hoping to have snow everyday this entire winter season, because I really hate the cold weather. But a day of snow during Christmas would have been nice. Just one day, is enough for me. Those light and fluffy snowflakes always leave a smile on my face.

I remember, the first time I came here in Louisville there were snow on the ground. I was like a kid again. I was excited and curious on how it feels. Well, it feels like shaved ice…that’s it! A few days of snow was alright for me, but the entire winter season was too much. Too much, that I became homesick and was yearning for that hot and humid Manila weather.

But now, I think I’m used to it…well I have to. We have weird climate changes here in Kentucky or here in Louisville for that matter. It’s really weird, you have to experience it.

My Christmas day was not all that bad. For a part of it, I had a great time. I was very happy that I got to see and chat with my family in Manila and in Texas through YM video conference. I had a great time.

I really don’t know what to write today. It’s been a month since I have written a blog and I feel like that i’ve been neglecting it! Cough, cough! dust and cobwebs everywhere!…ok, ok, enough of that sillyness.

I’ve been really so tired and kinna lazy lately, not just because of my busy schedules at work, but I think this freezing cold weather is affecting me! I’m just glad that I already put up the holiday trimmings before I turned into a complete dormant.

I really don’t like cold weather…and I mean freezing cold weather. It’s like my body freezes up with it! It started snowing yesterday, it was a tremenduous snowfall, with huge snowflakes….it was windy too, and that wind factor really kicked up a notch! I was glad that it didn’t snow all day. I thought yesterday was gonna be all gray and gloomy, but Mr. Sun showed up with blue skies…it was nice.

Fall season just went by, I didn’t even feel it’s presence for a long period of time…it just flew by! And a few weeks from now, winter is here…bummer.

But I’m prepared…at least I think so. I bought a throw yesterday…well two throws, one for me and one for Kit. We will use them to ‘cocoon’ ourselves, hehe. Throws are not popular in the Philippines…of course, but here, it’s a must…at least as an alternative effect for that ‘needed’ additional comfort.

I’m also busy shopping for a really good winter outerwear. I really need to get rid of my old one that I bought last year. The feathers are ’stabbing’ me! It’s a goose down coat. I’m constantly reminding myself not to get a goose-down coat again even though there are so many good ones out there, I guess I was badly traumatized by the ’stabbing’ feeling everytime i wear mine.LOL. Of course that is just an exaggeration.

It’s actually my fault, I only bought that coat because of it’s ‘cuteness’, and forgot to think about the material. The ends of the feathers keep on poking out from the fleece and those sharp ends are no-laughing matter…they hurt! It’s not a good brand anyway. Kit gave me some ideas of good brands out there, they are what I call, the ‘outerwear authority’. But my gosh! they’re so expensive! Especially North Face….L.L. bean and Columbia are not that bad, but I think for the meantime I’m sticking to Lands’ End, hehe. It’s wram, waterproof, windproof and most of all, hundreds less than others charge! hehe.