CHRISTMAS 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

xmas joy


LACOSTE for Dawgs

:) I LOVE YOU WIFEY!

CHRISTMAS ALBUM HERE.

HOLLINS VS CHAMBERS

OMG -- another NASTY dunk went down tonight.

This time Ryan Hollins was the one jumping out of the building.

The dunk's definitely reminiscent of ye olde Tom Chambers - climb the Mark Jackson throwdown.

I wonder who got up higher....

Here are the vids.





What's more impressive for ya?
Tom Chambers?
Ryan Hollins?

Still going with the sick-ass Tom Chambers dunk on this one.

Tom definitely took off further out.
And he slammed it with two hands too.
Although, Ryan dunked over a 7-footer who didn't give him an extra boost.

Anyways-- they're both awesome dunks.

CHRISTMAS CARA

Thanks for the pic Mike! :)

WE LOVE JACKSON

SCHNAUZER GLASSES

SCHNAUZER KISSING

YOU'RE THE BEST JACK!

YouTube - Lea Salonga sings Lady Gaga's Pokerface at Your Songs

YouTube - Lea Salonga sings Lady Gaga's Pokerface at Your Songs

Woh - oh - oh
She be rappin and singing Empire State of Mind next! Hehehehe!



Daughtry's version is way better though. She's a lil' late too (like by over 7 months!). This song's so overplayed.

IRON MAN 2 TRAILER

LOOKS REALLY GOOD



Mickey Rourke plays the villain Whiplash.
Scarlett Johansson plays the Black Widow.

Coming on May 2010.

Really not good..

Not good...

HOLY BREWED FISH!

What a facial.

It's still WADE over Varejao for D.O.Y. (Dunk Of the Year) though.

THE CANADA/USA TRIP - Chapter One: Vancouver, BC

We were very blessed to have the opportunity to take an incredible 3-week vacation to CANADA and the USA.

The last time we visited was 4 years ago.

Here’s my best effort to chronicle the many goingz-on and activities that took place during the trip.


Day One (March 29) – DA CUI’S ARRIVE AT VANCOUVER, BC. - HALLOO MAKOOO!!

March 29 holds a special place in my heart.

It was exactly 18 years (sigh…) ago to that exact day when my brother, Mako and I landed on Canadian soil as immigrants.

That was a very sad day for me since I left behind Rosabel (we just started going out at that time!), the only home I knew and all of my friends and family in Manila.

Who knew what Canada had in store for a wide-eyed 18 year old Filipino uprooted from his home – starting a new life in a foreign land?

If only some Canadian Nostradamus had told him this:

“Don’t worry dude. Exactly 18 years from now – you’ll be returning to Canada with Rosabel - your wife and your 2 beautiful kids named Zachy and Cara.”

It might have made things a lot easier!!
Heheheehehehe!!

Note: 81 is my special MOM number (She was born on Nov 8 and she’s number 1!).
Double Note: Isn't it an the awesome coincidence that we're coming back 18 yrs later??!


Rosabel's Notes: "We rented a whole house in Richmond to accommodate our group of 14.

It was the best bonding experience ever!"





Day Two (March 30) – GRANVILLE ISLAND

Granville Island never ceases to amaze.

Rosabel's Notes: "This is one of my favorite places in the world!"


We didn’t know if the Castillos and Santamarias would appreciate it since the day was so cold.

But they absolutely did!

The ambiance, color and the variety of sights, smells and sounds made you forget about the chills.

We finished off the day with some heavy duty shopping over at Metrotown – the largest mall in British Columbia.





Day Three and Four (March 31 – April 1) – WHISTLER, BC

We were supposed to go to Whistler for the day only.

But Lolo Johnny and Lola Luz fell in love with the place and decided for us to stay overnight!!

And it was an awesome decision because it snowed the next day!

They (and most of the family) have never experienced falling snow.

So it was such a treat for everyone!



Whistler was one of the absolute highlights of our trip:

1) It was Zachy and Cara's first time to see, feel and experience snow.




2) We stayed at the absolutely FAB and TRENDY Adara Hotel for the ridiculously low price of around CAD 108 for one night! What a deal! Thanks Meg!

3) We tried out the super high and fast Whistler/Blackcomb Snow Tube Park.
Zachy even went down by himself!


Zachy and Dada



Gab on the SUPER FAST RUN
(I was going too fast! I had to put down my shoes for brakes! Otherwise I would have hit the wall pretty good.)




4) We experienced 2 sides of Whistler/Blackcomb during the 2 days we stayed.

Sunny/Warm Spring Weather
and
Winter/Falling Snow conditions!!


SNOW ANGEL-MAKING



SNOWBALL FIGHT



SNOW TASTING




ALBUM 1


ALBUM 2


ALBUM 3




Day Five (April 2) – THE HATCHERY, STANLEY PARK AND STEVESTON


We took a chance to see if there were any salmon coming up the river to spawn at one of our fave Vancouver places:

The Capilano Salmon Hatchery.

According to the website, March -April was a good time to check out the Steelhead adults.

But apparently, they may be spawning somewhere else as all we saw were small baby salmon/fry.

It was nothing like the mass salmon spawning/up the river frenzy that we witnessed last September 2004.

Anyways, the scenery was still beautiful.

We even saw a couple of eagles nesting on the pine trees across the river.


We bought some Canadian flags from the hatchery souvenir office for the kiddies.
All of a sudden - Zachy became so "Canada Nationalistic"

Lola Luz told Zachy to stay in one place over at the Cleveland Dam Reservoir.

And he replied like this:

"I'M A CANADIAN!
I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT!"

Hahahahaahahahaha!

There were some Canadians passing by when Zachy spoke up and they actually started giggling his remark.



What was even more surprising was Stanley Park.

It turns out that a major wind storm hit the beloved park on Dec 2006 causing tremendous destruction.

Over 1000 trees were lost to the gale force winds and even Prospect Point was damaged.

:(


Two years later, Prospect Point is now newly renovated.
Gone is the little snack counter -- replaced with a total new restaurant with a nice , relaxing look and feel.

However, you can still drive by and see the "barren"/"windstormed" section of the park where it seems like a logging crew came by and chopped off all the magnificent and enormous trees.

So sad.

That's Mother Nature for ya though.


After Stanley Park, we proceeded to Steveston Village to have a hearty, tasty and "fishy" lunch at the Sockeye City Grill.

Yummmers!!




Day Six (April 3) – ANDREWS RD., STEVESTON PLAYGROUND AND THE RIVERA'S

We said goodbye to the Castillos and the Santamarias who drove down south to the USA to begin their West Coast USA road trip.

We would join them a few days later in Las Vegas via plane after spending some more time in Vancouver.

So we also waved ta-ta to our Kilby Dr rented house and moved in to our super cozy home (where Mako lives) over at Andrews Rd, Steveston.



After moving all our things and relaxing a bit, we headed over to the Steveston Playground (Zachy played here the last time we came over to YVR) to meet up with Tita Tayin, Ana and Amori for some kid-active fun in the sun.


It was so, so nice to see Tita Tayin and Anna! :)

Tito Manoling was not around though as he was driving his truck somewhere in the USA.
Sayang.....


We then moseyed on over to Tita Tayin's house for a sumptuous Rivera Dinner along with Aldo, Pia, Amori and Anna.


Amori and Cara really enjoyed each other's company and played a lot together.


So did Mako, Aldo and I.
Hehehehehehe!


Best that you check out the photo album below for more info. :)




Day Seven (April 4) – CYPRESS MOUNTAIN AND RICHMOND SUSHI

We wanted sana to drive down to Seattle and Portland to visit Celso, Dexter and Welo during our trip.

However, Rosabel's Canada Visa was only single-entry.

And we still had to take a the plane down to Las Vegas on April 8.


So this time, Celso, Dex and their beautiful families drove up to Vancouver to spend the weekend with us.

Even better...
The weather super cooperated!!

Forecast:
Beautiful Sunshine and Warm Weather for the next 4 days!!


Perfect.



Our plan was to go up to Mako's awesome snowboarding home - Cypress Mountain for some fun and frolicking in the snow with the Rivera Fam and the Hermogenes Brood.

We totally lucked out coz' it turns out that it snowed heavily for like the last 2 days before.

Leaving fresh snow in the warm sunshine.


The kids and the kids-at-heart loved CYPRESS MOUNTAIN!

We went snow tubing,
(The Tube Park in Whistler was gnarlier and higher though but Cypress was just as fun)




sledding,




threw snowballs
and made a humongous SNOW MAN/SNOW BIRD!?!







Aldo, Pi and Amori are absolute pros in making Snowmans.
They got that snowman/bird up so fast!



On the way down - we took in the breathtaking Vancouver views from the vantage point on Cypress Mountain.

This place is where I would usually end my Vancouver One-Day-Espesyal-Extravaganza Tour for visiting friends and families back when I was still living in YVR.




Our wondrous day ended with dinner at the famed Richmond Sushi where an epic battle would wage once more.


Many eons ago, a man named Sir Aldo and Lady Gaga--- este -- Lady Carla travailed upon ye olde Richmond Sushi to conquer its famed eat-all-you-can-but-no-leftovers-or-you'll-pay-double -sushi -buffet.

Unfortunately, despite their black-hole stomachs - the two brave knights were unable to conquer the smoldering beast.

The beast left them spent and exhausted - and they left behind a plateful of succulent sushi on the hard oak table.


After 2 solid hours of pushing themselves past imminent death and displaying extreme acts of courage, Sir Aldo and Lady Carla could take no more.....

So Sir Aldo grabbed the Sushi
and
Lady Carla dumped it in her handbag.


And the lived happily ever after not paying double.


Bwahahahahaahaha!



Many eons later, Sir Aldo and new sidekick - Sir Gabbers - got into the same mess at ye olde Richmond Sushi!!

The 12-headed SUSHI hydra spit, attacked, clawed and breathed fire.

But no handbag was needed though.

THIS TIME.

WE CONQUERED THE BEAST!!!!!!!!



ALBUM 1


ALBUM 2


Day Eight (April 5) – LUNCH WITH THE DAUZ's AND HERMOGENES' + DINNER WITH THE A-P RIVERA FAM.

Dexter Dauz and I first met when we were car-pooling to my other alma mater: Simon Fraser University sometime in 1993.

It was during our carpool days where we discovered our love for all things music.

That glorious love would manifest itself in the formation of the unbelievable and stupendous
D'JHUN MASHTE BAND

Famous for its lovely songs such as:

Manny The Kalabaw
Batibot
Look Down On Me Now

and its superbly amateur Beatles and Eraserheads covers.


The band broke up in 1996 after as its members pursued other interests (collecting porn, skunk hunting etc) and went their separate ways.

But their legend will forever live..

in

INFAMY.


Long Live D'JHUN MASHTE BAND!!






Day Nine (April 6) – SCIENCE WORLD AND THE RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL


I kinda forgot about Science World when I was living in YVR.

It was never part of my Vancouver-Espesyal-Extravaganza tours.

Mainly because it was generally for kiddies.


But it was totally different this time because now I had MY OWN kiddies.

And they had such a blast!!



In case you didn't know, Vancouver BC is the site for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

There has been tons of construction in preparation for that huge event.


For example, they expanded the two lane Sea to Sky/Vancouver to Whistler Highway to an ultra-fast four-lane one and constructed expansion links for the Skytrain to reach the airport and downtown Richmond.


Another significant Richmond addition is the Richmond Olympic Oval.

The Oval will be the site for the speed skating events during the 2010 Winter Olympics.


The wood roof inside the Oval is very striking and gorgeous.
What's more -- all the wood came from BC Wood!

Talk about taking care of your own!





Day Ten (April 7) – WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?


Day Ten was our last full day in Vancouver before we left for Las Vegas.

We started off the day by exploring the immediate area around our amazing home in Andrews Rd. , Steveston BC. by foot.

There's a super relaxing duck pond and mini park/garden just outside.

And further on, you can walk to a nice "boat" playground close by.


Today was colder than the past few days even though the sun was out.

So I retreated back in to the garage to fetch the car so we could drive around the area instead.

It turns out that there are several new developments to the southeast of our home.

Several new houses have been erected and there are a few new cafe's to hang out in and have a nice cup of coffee and sweet dessert.


We then drove up and down the nearby River Rd to take a gander at the mighty Fraser River and take some pics.


An hour later, we visited Tita Marie and Stef Kalaw over at North Richmond.
Very near to the rented house where we were staying in Kilby Dr.

One of the hardest things to bear when we migrated to Canada was leaving our numerous close cousins on both the Cui and the Rivera side in the Philippines.

At that time, we were the only Cuis/Riveras living in the NorthWest.


I don't know how I could have lasted in Canada without the Kalaws.

They had a big family similar to the Cuis and the Riveras and they enveloped us with their warmth, friendship , hospitality and --of course -- Tita Marie's excellent food!

Thanks so much Tita Marie and Tito Bert for "adopting" us!
Hehehehehehehe!


Afterward, we ate at the super sarap Dave's Fish and Chips.

Dave's is an absolute must-try when you're in the Steveston area.

The fish was so fresh and juicy - cooked to perfection!
And the breaded oysters were DIVINE!!


We then drove to downtown Vancouver to go shopping at one of the hottest clothing stores in Vancouver nowadays - H&M and meet up with our good friend Carrie Jose who migrated to Canada two years ago.

Carrie has absolutely fallen head over heels with Canada and the good quality of life it provides her and her son.


Since it was our last night in Vancouver, we made sure to have a special despedida dinner with Tita Tayin, Anna, Aldo, and Pia.

Mako didn't join us as he was on a special"mission".
Hehehehehehe!


It was so funny though when Cara and Amori saw each other at the door.

They hugged each other for like 10 seconds straight!!

Parang long lost friends. :))



Thanks so much Aldo and Pi for all the good times and all the winter gear that you lent us!

Thanks also Tita Tayin and Anna!


AU REVOIR!!

We hope to see you soon in Manila!!


LAS VEGAS HERE WE COME!!!

(Stay tuned..)

THE CANADA/USA TRIP - Chapter Two: Las Vegas - 1

Day 11 (April 8) - VEGAS BABY!!

I totally had no idea what to expect in LAS VEGAS.

But just the plane ride in gave us an idea.

There was already a party in the row in front of us.
A group of Canadians were already celebrating and drinking heavily

Needless to say - their banter was pretty loud!
Thank gawd for my IPOD !

The other peeps on the plane were pretty tolerant of all the noise.

Most probably coz' of our destination...

The ALL-TIME LET-LOOSE PARTY PLACE!!

VEGAS BABY!!




Vegas draws you in the moment you step off the plane

The airport is already a mini casino.
Filled with slot machines and other games of chance.





A Nevada lawman even approached Zachy and Cara while we were observing the slot machines and gave them "Honorary Sherrif Badges".
Cute. :)



We then proceeded to FOX Rent A Car outside the airport to pick up the car that we would be using for the next 10 days of our trip.


They're one of the new, up and coming car rental agencies.
And we got a real good deal!


The car we got was a very nice black 2008 Lincoln Town and Country
with UTAH Plates??
(Filipino Utahites??)



We loved that minivan.

It had so many cup holders and a very deep trunk to hold all our luggage.
It was very powerful and easy to drive too!


Thanks for the luggage help Maks!




After filling up the paperwork, we drove out of the rental area and drove northbound on THE LAS VEGAS STRIP towards our hotel the MGM Grand!!



It was so cool to FINALLY see Vegas with my own eyes.

I practically grew up watching Vegas on TV and the silver screen.

For TV -- it was all those live boxing matches that they show every Sunday lunch - Sugar Ray Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, Holmes, Tyson and THE PACQUIAO FIGHTS of course. CSI LAS VEGAS and Las Vegas (The TV Series) ..

Movies... Casino, OCEAN'S 11,12 and 13!




Oooohh!

Mandalay Bay!
Pacquiao fought here!!


The LUXOR Pyramid!



NEW YORK NEW YORK!!
In Las Vegas?? Crazeee.




The HOOTERS Hotel?


And finally..
OUR HOME FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

The Famous and green
MGM GRAND!



Pacquiao fought here too!

MAN..
PACQUIAO IS SO HUGE IN THE STATES.

They were promoting his fight vs Hatton when we were there.

And I swear..
All you saw was Pacquiao's face on ALL the electronic billboards up and down the STRIP

His face was also plastered all over via posters and other merchandising.

HE REALLY Makes the Filipino Proud!!



Check out Pacquiao's Face underneath the MGM sign.



Anyways, we finally found parking, unloaded our luggage via the very friendly and courteous MGM Grand staff and trudged on towards the lobby reception area where we met..

THE BELOVED
and
STUPENDOUS

TITA/SIS CARLA!!


We were all so HAPPY to see her!
She flew all the way in from TORONTO.

LOVE YOU SIS!!


The Check-in counter was pretty funky.
It was like checkin in at the airport.


Each receptionist had their own litle cubicle and console.
I guess this was way necessary due to the volume and number of rooms!

This hotel is huge!!



Da Bros and Sis.
TOGETHER AGAIN!!



Carla and Maks walked over to Planet Hollywood where they would be staying for the duration of their stay.

While we met up with the Castillos and Santamarias who we haven't seen since they left Vancouver.



COUSIN RYAN IN THE HAUS! (He's the dude - far right in the pic)
He flew in from San Fran and joined the Castillos/Santas in Seattle when they drove down.


TOGETHER AGAIN Part 2!


Hear that LION Roar!


The plan was to walk over to a nearby food court on THE STRIP for dinner.

To do that you had to pass through the smoky and crowded casino...


Through the MGM GRAND Lion Habitat..
Yeesh..
Lions in a hotel.


The Lions relax on a see-through fiberglass panel.
This is what it looks like from underneath.



You also pass through the SPORTS Betting section...
Dig all those LCDs and live scores and games being shown!



And then voila!
FOOD COURT heheheheeh!



After a scrumptious and cheap dinner, we headed downstairs to walk up and down the Strip.

Of course-- we had to have the customary ELVIS picture.


The M&M Store


and
the Huge COKE Bottle

Not to mention.
The breath-taking lights and action of LAS VEGAS




The wind was pretty chilly and it was getting late so we decided to head back to our respective hotel to rest up for our HUGE ADVENTURE the next day.

Stay tuned.




Did you ever wonder how the MGM GRAND glows green at night?

VIA THE GREEN SPOTLIGHTS!!



Day 11 Photo Album: