Wordless Wednesday 2

lunch time:

My Life At The Bar (A Trying Experience Part Two)

As you may recall from an earlier post, a few months ago I was cited for walking Lenny in the park without a leash. I decided to fight the ticket. Well, last week I finally received the letter scheduling my hearing date before the Environmental Control Board. The hearing was scheduled for today at 9AM. GAME TIME!

As usual, I arrived 15 minutes before the hearing time and ended up waiting half an hour before the clerk judge called me and the office who cited me.

I was a bit disappointed that it was a clerk judge and not a real judge, but I really wasn't all that surprise. However, I was happy that it was female clerk judge who I hope would have sympathy on me.

At 9:35AM, clerk judge Stein called us to her office. She had us both swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth (so help us god) and started asking questions. She began with Officer Perez who issued the ticket (actually might be a good looking man under different circumstances.)

CJ: Officer Perez, what do you recall on that day you issue the ticket?

OP: Yes, ma'am. That morning, we were doing our normal checks around the park and I saw her; the respondent with an unleashed dog. I approached her and told her that there is zero tolerance policy on unleashed dog. The commissioner and the mayor are very serious about this policy because they receive a lot of complaints about unleashed dog (editor's note: yeah right, I just saw a couple of dogs today running around in the middle of the park without leashes. Maybe the mayor and the commissioner should check our park once in a while). There are may sign posted all over the park (yeah the ones that have been vandalized?)

CJ: Do you remember what kind of dog she has?

OP: (looking at the paper - which clearly shows that he doesn't remember) Ah yes, it was white dog.

CJ: Ms. T, do you have any questions for Officer Perez?

JT: No your honor.

CJ: Very well Ms. T, what is your defense?

JT: (putting on my most sympathy garnering face) At the time, my newly adopted dog was with us for only about two months. He was rescued from a very abusive puppy mill, which kept him in a cage for the first 5 years for his life. So when we adopted him, he didn't know how to react to anything around him. However, while walking him that day, I noticed that his tail was up. Normally, when I walk him, his tail is tucked in and he is scared of everything around him. As soon as I saw that his tail was up, I took a picture of him to show to my husband. I temporarily removed his leash and took a picture. As soon as I got up to put the leash back on, the officer was behind me in his car and asked me to come closer to him.

I put my dogs leash on right away and walked toward his car. He told me that my dog is unleash. I asked him if he can give me a warning but he refused and told me that there is a zero tolerance policy in the park. I remained quite.

As soon as I left I noticed that he cited on the ticket that I was walking with an unleashed and uncontrolled dog - and that was not true. I was not walking with my dog unleashed and he is not an uncontrolled dog. I removed it for few minutes just to take picture. That's it!

CJ: I understand you are upset (no shit) but did you explain to the office about this?

JT: I tried to, your honor, but I was very nervous. It's my first time getting a ticket and he already told me about the zero tolerance police.

OP: If you'd just told me about taking a picture, I probably would not have given you a ticket.

CJ: Next time Ms. T, you need to explain the officer.

JT: I wish I had a chance, your honor. I'm aware of the dog leash policy but, like I said, I was just taking a picture of my dog. I never walked him unleashed and he is not an uncontrolled dog. He is shy little dog.

CJ: Officer Perez, do you remember if she was walking the dog and for how long?

OP: When I approached her she was standing with her dog for about approximately 2-5 minutes.

JT: That's because I was just taking a picture.

CJ: Do you have a picture?

JT: Yes (going to my bag, got my iPhone and show her the picture)

CJ: He is very cute and he was off leash (I just realized I may be fucked....they can use that as evidence....I have to say something....shit)

JT: I'm not denying he is not on a leash, your honor. But like I said, I removed it to take a picture and as soon as I got up, the officer was behind me. I was not walking him without his leash and he is not an uncontrolled dog as stated on the ticket.

CJ: Do you have any questions?

JT & OP: No

CJ: Very well. I will not make any decision right now. I will review the report as well as the take and make a decision in the next few days. I will send you the result by mail. If you don't agree with the decision, you can file an appeal and the same thing with you Officer Perez.

Enjoy your day everyone!

****

Dammit! I have to wait again! Now I'm hoping I got her sympathy and she will lower my fine. I can't wait for this thing to be over but to be honest, I kind of like going to the court. Hmmm, perharps I can join my husband's career.

Wordless Wednesday

I'm sure he dare not to open anyone's bag and play with her lipstick

Forever Young

Yesterday, we celebrated my twin nephews' birthdays. Hard to believe that, 3 years ago, my husband and I were carrying these 2 fragile baby boys. Helping my sister in-law change their diapers, feed them, burp them and put them to bed. I remember the first time they called my name. Instead of Joan, they called me Goan. I remember the first time I saw them walk, fell, cry and ate. I remember them looking for me (while I was in the bathroom) and asking "Nana, where is Goan?" and most of all I remember the first kisses and how they say "I love you Goan"

J&J at 3 months

Now, they are 3 years old. They can finally say my name correctly. They are now becoming little men. They are growing fast right before my eyes.

To J&J, happy birthday my loves! I'm sure you are going to out grow me really soon, but you will forever be my little nephews. I love you both!

You Can Always Go Home Again (sort of)

On April 12, I received the green light to go on vacation back to my homeland with my mom. Without hesitation, I booked the same flight as her. Even though I would be returning on a different day as my mom and the flight would be very long in cramped seats, that didn't stop my excitement about going home - especially since I haven't been home in 8 years.

Having a newly adopted dog that has become very attached to and dependant on me, I was worried about leaving him alone with my husband. As I have mentioned before, Lenny (my dog) is a little afraid of my husband. I knew that Lenny would be very sad when I left. As a matter of fact, the night before I left, while packing, Lenny could sense that I was leaving. He followed me around and started chewing the luggage. But the most painful part was when he went inside the luggage while I was organizing my clothes. Two things came to mind as what would happen - either Lenny would get closer to and bond with my husband or he would fall into a deep depression, stop eating and get sick. With my husband's assurance that everything would be ok, on April 19, I left home and headed to the Philippines.

On April 21 (local date), we arrived in Manila after a 23 hour long flight. We stayed in the city for two days to take care of some errands, but that was not to be our main destination. On April 25th, after 45 minutes flight from Manila, we arrived in Tacloban City. In 8 years the city had changed a lot. There were a lot more people that I remember. There were also lot more stores to shop in and roads that used to be packed with bicycles were now packed with different kinds of motorized vehicles. Eight years ago, if you looked for hamburger, it would take you hours to find. Now, the city has many different kinds of fast food joints to choose from. Before, they used to have 1 shopping mall - Gaisano, now there is a second, even bigger Gaisano, as well as the Robinson Mall to compete with them. But Gaisano is still my favorite shopping mall in Tacloban. I have visited that mall so many times in my life, that I still remembered the ins and outs of the mall.

(top) San Juanico Bridge (below) Gen. McArthur Park - "I Shall Return"

Chowking is my favorite fast food in Tacloban city because of the Halo-Halo they sell. After going there for the third time (they always run out of ice) we finally got to enjoy this delicious concoction.

However, not everything changed in Tacloban -- the constant nose picking, spitting, men walking half naked, smoking inside the jeepneys, the honking of cars trying to turn one way roads into two way, the smell of diesel motor-vehicles and the unbelievably pungent smell of the supermarket. These are the things I could NEVER get used to. But, I love the hospitality of Tacloban city -- the friendly people, their (missing teeth) smiles and most importantly the respectfulness of the workers. I love the way they call me "ma'am" even in McDonalds.

Balangiga was our next stop. This historic town in Eastern Samar is mom's birthplace. Visiting this place was the main reason that I decided to go home. Most of my family still lives here and I missed them very much. After my mom and I settled in, we were served a very familiar dish of grilled blue marlin, commonly known as Sulusugi. My cousin also brought us caimito (star-apple) in exchange for a real apple.

While enjoying our feast, a combination of mosquitoes and flies were enjoying my body. The dining table was always full of fun and laughter. I love the way my uncle teased my aunt and my aunt responded back annoyed and irritated. I love the way my cousin would say something stupid and everyone would laugh at him. I also enjoy listening to them gossiping about other people or complaining about family members. It's the typical family drama - something I missed very much.

Speaking of family drama, I was surprised to find out that most of my cousins now have their own babies. Either they impregnated someone or they got pregnant. Some were forced to marry someone because they impregnated someone. It's sad story but it's also reality. Being the very first one in the family who actually got married without getting knocked up, I became the hot topic of the subject. I got constant questions about "when are you having babies" or comments that "you should have a baby now because you're getting old". I tried to answer them politely or have a laugh at it but the questioning never seemed to stop. One time, I got so fed of that I bluntly answered them: "I don't want to be a statistic of one of the irresponsible parents who have the nerve to make babies, knowing that they can't afford them. I don't want to have a baby and still rely on parent's help". That answer shut them up for sure.

Overall my stay in Balangiga ang Tacloban was fun especially with the help of my favorite cousin Nildz, who took me to different places. He really made my trip more memorable. I will surely come back soon and stay a lot longer.

As for Lenny, it turns out that he was ok. According to my husband and our dog walker Roz, the first 2 days was a bit difficult. He didn't ear or drink and he hid under the bed. After that, he started to warm up to my husband. As a matter of fact, he has now stopped barking at my husband. Two nights ago, when my husband got home and sat down on the couch, I gave him a kiss and Lenny came near him, looked at him, jumped on his belly and slept there. Although he doesn't wiggle his tail when my husband gets home, Lenny now greets my husband on the door. I guess good things happened while I was away. Perhaps I should go away alone often. :-)

A Trying Experience

As you may recall, I was ticketed by park police for allegedly walking Lenny without his leash. As unanimously suggested by you guys, I went to the court and fight it. I was scheduled for an 8:30AM hearing (or so I thought). Now, I am not a morning person but to prove that I am not guilty (and to save $100), I dragged my ass out of bed and went to court earlier than scheduled.

As usual, most government bureaucracies are slow to move, I sat there waiting patiently for more than an hour until they called my name. Finally at 9:35 AM the administrative clerk judge called me. We sat in his office and he turned on his recorder and started writing jibberish (it looked like my hubby's writing)

Now, this is not really my first time at this sort of hearing. I once complained about a taxi not driving me home because I live in different borough (it's a typical stereotype that if you live outside of Manhattan, you pretty much live in the ghetto - little they know, we live in prime Parkslope) and btought the driver to a hearing. I knew I was going to win my case based on the law in NYC that no taxi can refuse a fare because the destination is in the different borough. Also, they stupid taxi driver brought his meter record which actually proved my case. Long story short, I won and the driver got penalized.

Having watched my favorite show Judge Judy thousands of times, I pretty much knew how to act in with the clerk judge: Never say anything until you are asked a question. Answer only Yes or No questions and bring proof/evidence.

So finally the clerk judge spoke;

CJ: Do you want this case to be adjourned and for me to give you a lower fine or do you want a hearing?

JB: I would like my ticket fine to be lowered if possible.

CJ: I can't do that; you need to pay $100.

JB: I guess your honor; I have no choice but to do a hearing.

CJ: Do you want the officer to be present during the hearing?

JB: (If I'm wasting my time here I think it's fair if the officer should waste his time too) Yes, your honor.

CJ: Are you going to have a lawyer represent you?

JB: (I think my husband can represent me but I don't want to look cocky in the eye of the "real" judge and end up losing the case and his sympathy) No, your honor. I will represent myself

CJ: Very well, we will send you a letter for your next hearing. You can go now.


That's it? I wasted 1 1/2 hours just to answer this stupid questions? They should have just send me the questionnaire and I would have mailed it back to them via Fed-ex!

I will be waitng for the next hearing. Hopefully it doesn't come anytime soon while I'm half a world away for the next 2 weeks.

Maligayang Kaarawan Nanay

Today is my mom's 61st birthday. Because her birthday fell on Good Friday this year, we celebrated with the family last week. Believe me, it is not always an easy feat scheduling a get together with all of my family, which includes my uncle, Ivan (my uncles BFF) and my two brothers. My older brother often works weekends and my younger brother's schedule is just ever unpredictable because he is in the army. In fact, last weekend was the last weekend he was around before going out of state for three weeks for training. We all had an intimate dinner at Mulino Ristorante (formerly Trattoria Mulino - they moved up in the world!), one of our favorite restuarants in the neighborhood. Afterwards we went back to my house for ice crean and this ridiculously cheezy Filipino movie called "Dubai."

On her actual birthday, I met my mom for lunch. Since she was in a hurry to get bact to church, we net and had a wonderful pizza lunch at Sbarro in mid-town, (truth to be told, Sbarro's is a tourist trap - most New Yorkers wouldn't be caught dead there.) As usual, my mom was a bit slow to order so the guy thought that she was a tourist also. He started screaming at her that there is a long line and if she is not sure what to order, she needs to get off the line (ah that New York hospitality!) I thought it was pretty funny that my mom has lived in New York for a quarter of century and she still hasn't adopted the New York life.

On the left is a picture of my mom eating a slice of pizza along her favorite drink - cranberry juice.


To my mom, happy birthday! Without you I'd never have gotten to experience the New York life. And although our mother/daughter relationship went through some though times the past few years, I'm happy that we were able to start over. On your 61st birthday, I wish you a wonderful year, good health and many more birthdays for us to celebrate together. I also hope I can join you on your vacation back home next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that time will permit me.

Cheers Nanay!