Ang LakWatSeRa

My Best Day Ever

   Another year has gone by for me. I'm a year older and... wiser. I hope this year would also be a good one for me like the last one. I wish that more opportunities would come my way and sana makapagwork na ko. To my families (Keyser & Caluag), relatives and friends who remembered my birthday and sent me their greetings, testimonials, wishes and gifts, THANK YOU very, very much. I had a great day and I couldn't ask for more.

Amie's Bday - You can see our pics at my media box.:)

A Beauty in Alabama

                                                                                               The 65 acre gardens of Bellingrath Gardens and Home boast a bloom every day of the year. With the self-guided walking tour,you will envy the 2004 Top Public Rose Garden in US, as awarded by the All American Rose Selections. There are many themed gardens and my favorite of them all is the Mirror Lake Garden which is so alluring and romantic. They have hanging flowers all over the bridge which will make you feel like a princess as you walk by.  I didn't got the chance to step inside the Bellingrath Home but from what they said, it has a great collection of antique furnitures, silver, china, crystal and cut glass. Visitors can also enjoy the surrounding estates and wildlife by the Southern Belle Cruises.

   At this time of the year, the Bellingrath will host a Magic Christmas in Lights. The entire land will transform into a winter wonderland with giant swan lakes, charming toy soldiers and millions of twinkling holiday lights. Everyone is welcome.

   

DeSoto Caverns

Inside DeSoto Caverns is a Great Onyx Cathedral Room and variation of black and white formations, which will truly exercise your imagination. The room is larger than a football field and as high as a twelve-story building. The guide offers an hour-long tour of the history and information of the development of the formations. A colorful sound, light and water show is also included in the tour.

The Caverns , which is located at Childersburg, Alabama, also cater Camp grounds with free WIFI and over 25 fun attractions for everyone. Just come and explore this underground treasure and have your own story to tell.:)

 

10 Things I Love About Louisiana

For the past several months of our stay here in Louisiana, I learned to love this state. It's not because I have no choice. Bayou state is simply lovely, gifted of nature's wonders and the locals are warm and welcoming...though some may be intimidating. Takot kasi ako sa mga lalaking itim na may malaking katawan at malalim na boses. Anyway, it's my problem, not theirs.

Before, I was hesitant to live here but I concluded that my first impressions were definitely wrong and blinded because of Katrina. Here's my list why I love Louisiana.

1. Cajun food is full of flavor. Very tasty. Lito always shouts for more. More gumbo and etoufee!
2. Festive mood of Cajun music
3. Laid-back, easy living. There's no need to worry about how you look. Never overdress. Baka mahold-up ka pa! Joke only!
4. White tigers and white alligator in Audubon Zoo are unique.
5. Natural landscape of the state. It's bayous, swamps, rivers and large area of undisturbed wildlife can be unsettling but magnificent.
6. Lots of historical places
7. Mysteries and intrigues of voodoo and Myrtle Plantation, which is the Most Haunted Plantation
8. Favorite location shooting for movies, like The Guardian, shot in Shreveport and All The King's Men, shot in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
9. Competitive training for health workers. They recently launched telemedicine technology which is used to deliver "real-time" internet for instruction, counseling, education and research.
10. Unimproved telecommunications. That's why we're here.
11. Britney Spears was raised here. Kentwood Community Museum included her mementos in their exhibit. Akalain nyo?!

If only it has pinoy stores, more pinoy kapuso, not too high sales tax ( 9.+%, over! ) and extended work for my hubby and his colleagues, my family would like to stay some more...but definitely not for good.:

 

ALDWIN II

Yehey! My wish was well granted. Aldwin can walk alone now. Tumatakbo na nga eh! 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 hides my things. Silly boy!

Until my son's next progress notes...

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

ALDWIN

   I'm a proud mom especially when I see Aldwin having progress and growing. All my hard work and stretched patience paid off when he learns something new, may it be good or naughty. I just wish that he could walk alone by himself.

   My consolation is he can swim, just a little. At least, he learned to have the confidence to swim alone and have fun. I know his time to walk will come and I hope it'll be soon. I can't wait anymore.

   By the time he walks....oh oh. I hope I really meant my wish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXEwcFHOX3Q

Oak Alley Plantation

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, breakfast and lunch at the restaurant famous for Cajun cuisine and an ice cream parlor. 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

   

Texarkana: Howdy yall!

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. Photographer's island on State Line Ave. in front of post office is a popular photo 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.

      

Where Y'at?

                           

  We are now 2 weeks here in Baton Rouge, LA 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 can party with them 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?"

Life from a Lakwatsera's View

  Life is a trip. For some it's short and for others, they want it to end. 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!