RANTING AND BEYOND

1. Dont convert dollars to pesos, or you wont be able to buy anything. You crazy?
2. When paying for something, don’t give your credit or debit card to the cashier or the person will look straight at you with that funny look, “Hey, are you from earth?” Just swipe it!
3. Don’t answer the phone if the number calling begins with 866 or 800. They will try and sell you anything from nails to pins.
4. Memorize your home security alarm password if you don’t want the police and fire departments banging at your door.
5. The Microwave is the most important home appliance. Trust me.
6. Doing your laundry will only take you 45 mins. All dried up. Thank heavens for the washer and dryer.
7. America is Statue of Liberty. Statue of Liberty is America. Enough said.
8. Dont be surprised if a stranger greets you. Americans are very warm and nice. Thumbs up!
9. There are a million types of salad dressing. I only know one.
10. If you need something, go to Walmart. You’ll find it there most of the time. Hey, it’s Walmart!

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The first family of Maryland hosted a holiday state house reception today at Annapolis, MD. Me, together with the Gelido family attended the event.

The highlight of the event showcases the Patriotic Star- Spangled Tree. The ornaments were made by students from various Baltimore County Public. Schools. Also,  at the invitation of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, students from the following schools have created seasonal murals currently on display in storefronts on Pennsylvania and Chesapeake avenues.

Menlo Park Mall, Edison, New Jersey

Macy’s New Port, New Jersey

Macy’s 34th Street, New York City

Time Warner, New York City

Macy’s, Paramus New Jersey

Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall, Elizabeth,  New Jersey

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The first time I went to the Rockefeller Center, the tree wasn’t up yet. So my Tita Lulu and I went there tonight to see the fantastic Christmas Tree. A lot of people were there to see it too, mostly foreigners and tourists.

After staying at Rockefeller Center, we walked along 5th avenue where we got to see the Trump Tower, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Signature shops like Gucci, Coach, Versace and Colehaan.

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I am so lucky to be reunited with my first cousin from my father’s side, Ate Vilma. She lives in Bergenfield, NJ not to far from Bayonne where I’m staying. I spent one night at her home and met her husband and kid.

She drove me to NYC to see the hospital where she currently works. She took me to the famous Columbia University, the Empire State Building, the biggest Macy’s store at 34th Street and Time Warner.

At dinner time we attended a debut party of one of our distant relatives from La Union. It feels good to meet and greet relatives and friends. I enjoyed their company. I will come back any time soon.

Now I can truly feel I am already in the US of A. I celebrated Thanksgiving Day for the first time. Together with Tito Pedo and his family, we went to Queens, New York to have Thanksgiving dinner with some people from Sta. Maria, Bulacan. I must say the food was good!