Tita Yaya :-)

Originally, Texas wasn't part of my itinerary in my trip to the US (actually I didn't have any itinerary at all--it was anything goes hahaha). But when my tito called up to say that my tita in Texas (she was also vacationing there and staying with her son--my cuz) had to have an emergency operation and needed someone to help take care of my nieces after the operation, I jumped at the chance. And oh, how I jumped at the chance! I practically pounced on it like a tiger, I was that excited. =) Though I was going there mainly to help out, it still seemed like a good idea as I haven't seen my cousin and his family for quite some time. Besides, it would be my first time to go to Texas. ;-)

Here are some pictures of my nieces:

Kate and Ella at the play/media room. This is where they play in the afternoon while my tita and I keep an eye on them--and while trying to watch a movie at the same time--mostly Kate's countless Barbie and Disney Princesses flicks! I did more kid-watching of course, as Ella might cry and needed a nap or Kate might suddenly ask for milk (or ask me to play with her or answer her countless questions or...). Quite tiring, yes, but fun.

Tell me, who can resist this cute little girl's charming smile? Certainly not I! :-) This was one of those rare times she smiled at me. Ahh, priceless. Most of the time she just stared at me with a funny/wondering look, probably thinking, "Who is this crazy lady trying to be funny?" Hehehe. Honestly, I didn't even know how to hold her properly the first time when she was crying. It took me a couple of days to get the hang of it as it has been a long time since I held a baby. But hey, I became an expert in putting her to sleep after those couple of days! Take note that I'm an expert in putting her to SLEEP, not in making her LAUGH. ;-P

Kate et moi fooling around at Herrmann Park in Downtown Houston. My tita was a whole lot better by this time, and my cousin had the day off so he had the opportunity to show me the sights. Oh yeah, the pool behind us is called the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool.

add-on:

see more of my Texas adventures:

http://palaboy-lamonster.blogspot.com/2007/05/les-pics-1.html

http://palaboy-lamonster.blogspot.com/2007/05/les-pics-2.html
http://palaboy-lamonster.blogspot.com/2007/05/les-poissons.html
http://palaboy-lamonster.blogspot.com/2007/05/la-madeleine.html
http://palaboy-lamonster.blogspot.com/2007/05/downtown-houston-sights.html
http://palaboy-lamonster.blogspot.com/2007/05/nasa-nasa-ako.html
http://palaboy-lamonster.blogspot.com/2007/05/nasa-adventure.html

nasa NASA ako

"Houston, we have a problem."

Ahh, the most memorable line by Tom Hanks from the movie Apollo 13 (and which also became included in the list of cliches). But hey, I certainly didn't have a problem at all in touring the Lyndon Johnson Space Center in Houston.

the names of the five space shuttles

a model of a space station

this is the only McDonald's that has an astronaut on top.


this is my weight on jupiter. my weight on earth? you do the maths. =)

Ooh, so many pictures... I'm getting sleepy now. =) More pics will be posted here and in my Multiply page soon and on the moon.

Downtown Houston Sights

I can't believe it... this is my third post for today! Yay! =) Anyhow, the following are some more of what I've seen on my jaunt to Houston yesterday. (May 3)

part of the Houston skyline from the Downtown Aquarium
Toyota Center, the home of the Houston Rockets

Reliant Stadium, home of the... home of Houston's football team. =)

Here's an interesting fact about Reliant Stadium: it's roof is retractable, so when it's raining the roof closes so everyone doesn't get soaked by the rain. Of course when it's sunny, the roof's open. Think convertible.

la Madeleine

After the fishy adventure at the Downtown Aquarium, my cousin and his family took me to la Madeleine, this quaint French cafe and bakery. All of us had a taste of what we ordered -- quiche lorraine, chocolate crepe, strawberry white chocolate cheesecake (I chose this one... m-mmm...), le pot pie (not pictured) and chicken friand (not pictured... it was attacked before I could snap a picture of it). French cuisine is one of my favorites as the food is mostly creamy with just the right amount of spices and a splash of wine. The atmosphere is also very cozy, with muted shades and light music. It was raining too, so it added just a touch of... romance. =)

the incredible hand

strawberry white chocolate mousse...

quiche lorraine

chocolate crepe

les poissons

The Downtown Aquarium in Houston was built in 2001 and it took 18 months to complete. It houses about 400 species of marine life in more than 500,000 gallons of underwater tanks. Within the six acre complex is the Houston Central Waterworks (not pictured), where you can see many species of sharks in yet another huge tank with 200,000 gallons of water. Visitors would not only enjoy the food in the restaurant, but the ambience as well, as one can have a full view of the tank teeming with different kinds of fishes, rays, and even corals. For more info, check out their website here.

pampano??

i saw a sawfish in this shark exhibit!

anuzzer fish

and more fishes!

and another sawfish... this time in the tank in the restaurant

les pics 2

more pics from inside the houston museum of natural science.

my niece kate at the earthquake table

kate with the panther and zebra's butt =)

les pics 1

these pictures were taken in front of the sam houston memorial as well as from the houston museum of natural science. yep, i'm a fan of science, as well as museums! =) the pics aren't that good though, but still, enjoy! =)

with my tita and nieces (the other one's in the stroller =p)

c'est moi in front of sam houston's memorial

le zebra

Houston, we have...

miss lamon. hehe.

finally, after ten, loooooooooooooooong days of not having any contact with any computer with internet access whatsoever, i am back on the blogosphere! woohoo!

ok. so now i am in houston, texas. since my aunt had an operation, she won't be able to help my cuz baby sit for my super duper over mega cute nieces. i'll be here for a week or so. and i intend to update this blog o' mine before i forget everything! =)

just arrived here tonight, actually, so i didn't see anything that much except for the baseball stadium and the toyota center, home of the houston rockets.

oh yeah. i've done a lot of things since my last post here so i'll start with that, and then some extra. oh well. pics will be posted when i get back to manila. i have a confession to make... i don't have a digicam! ;-P yes, people, all i have is the point-and-shoot-and wind type... hehe.

all right this will be all for now, me eyes are droooooooooooping already.

till me next post. =)