How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies: A Reflection

I knew what to expect way before I lined up for the movie tickets yet I was utterly unprepared for the overwhelming rush of tears during the film's intense scenes. The storyline closely mirrors my own experience because I was raised by my maternal grandparents and I've always believed that I was the favorite apo.

Truth be told, I dread going to the cinema because I often encounter loud and inconsiderate moviegoers. For this film though, everyone was silent from beginning to end. You could almost hear a pin drop. It felt like every person in the room was completely engrossed in the film and they want to take every detail to heart. Things changed halfway through the film. The room was filled with the sound of sniffles from others around me. I turned my head and saw people wiping their tears away. Me included.

The subtle and natural performances of the lead characters, Amah and M, were outstanding. They said so much by saying so little. Their gaze, gestures, and muffled cries were enough to communicate their emotions. There were no loud confrontations, no exaggerated dramatic scenes. It was an accurate depiction of real life unfolding on screen.

The film delves into the challenges faced by the elderly. The sad reality is, some of them have been neglected by their children and have no other choice but to live alone. A more heartbreaking dilemma is when they are diagnosed with a terminal disease, who takes the responsibility of taking care of them? Some would rather spend their remaining days alone than be a burden to their children, like the Grandma in the film.

The best gift we can offer our loved ones is our time. We may have so much on our plate because of the numerous roles we play in life but what's the point of living if we can't make them feel that they are loved? M, the grandson, had shown that the best language of love is service. Genuine service that does not expect anything, not even inheritance, in return.

If you want a good (and ugly) cry, "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" will effortlessly do it for you.

PS. Wear a waterproof mascara. Trust me on this.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Sneak Peek

From the time that I watched the Oscar-winning film "Life is Beautiful," I have since been fascinated by any story that chronicled the suffering of Holocaust victims during World War II.

It was known to be the most atrocious crime ever committed in the 20th century. I can only imagine the agony that the Jewish people had to endure in the hands of the Nazis. They were stripped of their liberty, dignity, and humanity because of one man's abomination against their race and faith.

                                               

This novel by Heather Morris was based on the story of one Holocaust survivor, Lale Sokolav, who was given the task of tattooing every single individual who arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. He was himself a Jew who got lucky to be chosen by the SS because he spoke different languages. 

The events narrated in the story were factual and authentic, having been told by someone who saw and experienced firsthand the cruelty and inhumanity of the SS guards.

Lale's Holocaust experience was made richer by the friendships he established while in captivity. He saw death on a grand scale and it made him  numb. Brutal death was normalized in a complex that was built purposely for it. Death came in various forms --- hanging, gunshot, firing squad, and the gas chamber. Those who did not die of these eventually died of malnutrition and illness. Auschwitz was a living hell. 

Lale's life changed when he laid eyes on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in Auschwitz. She disembarked from the Holocaust train and went to line up for the tattooist. Gita captured Lale's heart and for a moment he thought he finally had a reason to live and survive.

Their romance was known only within their circle. They had to remain discreet so as not to raise suspicion. Theirs was a kind of love forged in the worst possible backdrop --- the Holocaust. They were not promised tomorrow because Death was constantly lurking behind walls, ready to aim at anyone who wished to escape from the electric barbed wires of the prison camp.

Will their love survive the war? 

The Calm Before the Storm

You might think that life has become uneventful because nothing seems to be shaking your bubble. Everything is happening as you expect it to be --- you wake up to a brand new day, show up to work, end the day with little tasks accomplished, catch up on Netflix, and doze off. That's how life has been for years. Constant. Steady. Until something jolts you from your uneventful life.

                                                                                *****

Nothing is certain. Everything passes. The pain one feels at every goodbye is not permanent. The joy brought by an experience slowly diminishes with the passing of time. The fear of not taking that leap of faith dwindles. That nagging sense of loneliness/emptiness for a void that will never be filled may be creeping its way out of your life sooner than later. 

When you look back at these days years from now, you will then remember that you are a survivor.

                                                                                *****

Sometimes a good cry is all you need. Let it out. Cry a river, if you must. Let all your deepest hurts flow with the tears. Honor every tear until there are no more tears to shed. 

Reading List of the Month

While recovering from the aftermath of my leg surgery in the first quarter of 2021, I had more time to devote to my reading because I was practically chained to my bed. I even remember conducting online classes in bed while Dan was dressing my wounds. When one is bedridden, activities are limited to those that only the hands can perform. Good thing, reading is one of them.

I ordered two books online, "Little Fires Everywhere" and "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine." Both were on the bestsellers' list and earned good reviews from online sites like Goodreads, BookBrowse, and others.

ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman

A book cover is the first thing that I notice when I scour the shelves in a bookstore. I am drawn to artsy, colorful, and intriguing cover designs.

When I came across Eleanor Oliphant, I really thought it was a typical chick-lit but it turned out to be more than I expected.

Eleanor Oliphant's character knows what real loneliness is. Behind her quirky and judgmental demeanor lies a child whose scarred childhood deeply affected her relationships with people.

She was used to the idea of being alone that anyone who tries to get close to her, she immediately drives away. Here is a woman who would rather be alone than be in the company of people whom she feared might hurt her eventually. The wall she built around herself can be blamed on her fractured past. 

I honestly believe that our past can dictate our present and future behavior. Who we are or what we become is a product of our experiences.

In Eleanor's case, it was her childhood that scarred her for life. The tragedy that befell Eleanor's family is something that no one would wish on any individual. It's heart-wrenching and makes you wonder if stories like these happen in real life.

However, Eleanor's heavily guarded heart and soul were changed by her encounter with a man named Raymond. He saw Eleanor's struggles and pains and accepted all of them without judgment. It is possible to establish a friendship with someone who may be a little out of our league if only we look beyond their imperfections.

Their friendship was sealed deeper by their connection to an old man, Sammy, whose life they saved when he collapsed on the side of the road. Eleanor learned to open up a little, slowly and gradually breaking the walls she has built around herself.

The story's twist and Eleanor's painful past will unfold in the last 10 pages of the book. Her journey from being an abused child, surviving a fire that her mother deliberately started, getting shuttled from one foster home to another, to making it on her own as an adult is quite remarkable.

Indeed, our past has a way of shaping our future but we don't need to be stuck to the bitter remnants of our past.

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng

Motherhood has many faces. That is the premise of this gem of a novel that I read in less than 3 days. 

Two completely different women are at the center of this story: Elena Richardson and Mia Warren. Their stark contrast is what makes this book intriguing. Elena was raised in a utopian type of environment where everything is seemingly perfect except for her queer youngest daughter, Izzy. Mia, on the other hand, struggled in her role as a mother. She had gone through the unimaginable and she considers herself a survivor.

The story chronicles motherhood from the perspective of women with different backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. Here are my major takeaways:

• Every mother struggles in their role. One may appear to be perfect but in truth, no one really is.
• Everyone has a backstory that explains their behavior, their motivation, and actions.
• The love of a mother to her child is limitless. The stories of Bebe and Mia are proof of this.
• No one will love us more than our mothers.
• We are often haunted by our past --- the mistakes we committed, the people we severed our ties with. Our present will not be as happy unless we come to terms with our past.
• We can't dip our fingers on other people's business. We have problems of our own.
• We can't impose our lifestyle and beliefs on other people. What may be good for us may not be good for them because our experiences are not the same.
• It's completely okay to be different from the rest. We can't always conform to what society expects. We have to embrace our uniqueness and celebrate our individuality

The novel raises a question that is worth reflecting on: Who should be called a mother? The one who carried the child for 9 months or the one who cared for the child after he/she was born?

Tales from the O.R.

It's been almost a year since my unfortunate fall happened but everything from that fateful day is still vivid to me. We've heard of people who had near-death experiences and all of them have one thing in common --- their entire life flashed before them like a montage scene from a movie.

There are days when I get these little flashes of memories from the time when the pandemic hit to the time when life took a different turn for me.

I have documented my struggles in my journals as well as in my social media accounts but there are certain events that only I know such as the five days Dan and I spent in the hospital. Despite the fear and uncertainty, I truly believe those five challenging days brought us closer to each other. We had no one else to count on because the authorities had imposed strict Covid protocols.

Under normal circumstances, we would have had someone to run errands for us, buy our meals, and look after my needs pre and post-surgery. In hindsight, it was perhaps destined that we would face such an ordeal by ourselves. It was meant to be just the two of us.

I can't recall a time from my childhood (and even up to adulthood) when I had been confined in a hospital for days. My health woes in the past were not hospital-worthy. So, my leg injury allowed me to get my first taste of hospital confinement, and I was not thrilled, to say the least.

Dan made all the crucial decisions for me because clearly, I could not possibly exercise good judgment as I had to endure the unbearable pain of the two broken bones on my right leg. Now I know what they are called --- the tibia (the larger bone) and fibula (the smaller one). He was asked to reserve a hospital room after my initial treatment at the ER. Then, he requested Dr. A, an orthopedic surgeon he knew from way back to take my case.

I was chained to my hospital bed for the entire duration of my confinement. I can only lie on my back because moving from side to side caused so much pain. I did everything on the bed --- wash my face, brush my teeth, take meals, video chat, and everything else I did as a routine. It was disheartening to realize that I can't be me for God knows when. 

THE NURSES

There were three regular nurses who kept a close eye on me. The late-night shift was Daisy, the morning shift was May, and the afternoon shift was Ems. 

The nurses would come to my room unannounced to check my vital signs, administer medicines via IV, and replenish my dextrose supply. All of them went the extra mile by asking if I was in pain or if I was experiencing any discomfort.

I remember constantly clicking on the nurses' button every time I felt a throbbing pain in my injured leg. My pain threshold has always been low. But surprisingly, when I broke my leg, I did not pass out from extreme pain. It must have been the adrenaline rushing through my body. I did not understand what Dan meant by: PAIN IS GOOD. When does something that hurts like hell become good? It took me months to finally understand the wisdom behind those words.

Nurse Daisy was the "chill one." She did her tasks with ease and efficiency. She was the embodiment of calmness in the midst of a storm. From what I know, nurses on duty are in charge of the patients on a specific hospital floor. Definitely, I wasn't Nurse Daisy's only patient. Her actions though gave me the impression that she was only looking after me. She was always available when I'd click the button. She had answers to my numerous questions. She came on time to administer meds via IV. Her composure was one I can only hope I possess.

Nurse May was the foil to Nurse Daisy if they were literary characters. She was easily agitated, and often overwhelmed by the daunting tasks of the day. I never took it against her because for certain, she had other concerns in her life that must have been weighing her down. We all had struggles to deal with during this pandemic. She was no exception.

Nurse Ems was Miss Chatty and she addressed me as "Be." She didn't mind opening up to me about her family life. I wonder if she was the same to her other patients. I listened to her anecdotes about her young daughter who was in fourth grade in a private school in the city. Her husband works at a telecom company, and they got married after college. Being chatty was perhaps her way of de-stressing from work --- to not make work feel like work.

I have nothing but overwhelming admiration and gratitude for nurses for what they do. It takes a lot of compassion to be able to care for a patient and purposely put his/her welfare ahead of your own. Their commitment to their work and mission is proof that real heroes do not wear capes. Most of the time, they wear scrubs.

THE O.R. 

I was scheduled for the Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) at 6 PM on November 30, 2020. I was asked not to take any meals beyond 11 AM that day which meant I would be lying on the table famished. 

It was my first time to go under the knife so I did not have a single idea of what to expect. Everything was new, unfamiliar, and unknown. Will I ever wake up from the surgery? Will my leg hurt? Will my recovery take forever? How many months of rehab will I endure?

I remember not being able to take a short nap because of anxiety. I gave myself a pep talk --- that everything will turn out well and I'd be back on my feet in no time. Behind that feigned courage, I knew I was starting to fall apart. My heart was racing, my hands were sweaty, my spirit was in shambles. It was one of those moments when one wants to quit or surrender but even that is not an option. So what do you do? Pray to the Higher Power to keep you strong in mind, body, and spirit. That's exactly what I did. 

I was wheeled into the OR with a small rosary in my hand. It felt like a scene from a medical drama. When the OR doors opened, it signaled that I was completely on my own. Dan won't be there with me as the surgery team cut through my skin. I will be alone with a group of masked medical workers who will perform a miracle on my broken bones.

I remember being placed by the side of the door because the OR assigned to me was still occupied. That was how it felt like to queue for one's life. I was no longer an individual with an identity and a life. I was simply a human body. 

I waited for half an hour. I heard chatter from the OR --- doctors, nurses, pharmacists, assistants, etc. going about their usual OR routine. Then, someone stood next to my gurney and introduced himself as the anesthesiologist. He briefly explained that the drug will be administered through my spine. I asked him if I'd feel any pain and discomfort. He replied that I would have been sedated by then.

A man was wheeled out from the OR and it dawned on me that I was next. Soon after, two attendants moved my gurney forward and I started saying my prayers, desperately imploring God to keep me safe during the procedure and that my surgery team will do the best they could to keep me alive.

The first thing I noticed was the cold temperature in the OR. I was not thrilled at all. My low tolerance for pain is directly proportional to my aversion to cold temperatures. I did not have anything underneath my lab gown, which made it even worse.

There were 3-4 masked individuals when I came in. One was preparing the instruments to be used, another was staring at my X-ray under the light, and the others were adjusting the overhead lights. Someone asked how I sustained my injury, another asked where I am from, and after I replied, he said he knew a certain doctor from my hometown.

I was prepped for surgery by a nurse. I lay on my back with arms outstretched. I called it the "Crucifixion pose." I still had my rosary tucked inside my hand, the only source of comfort during those frightening hours. Someone standing close to me said that the sedative was about to be administered. I remember seeing from my limited vision that someone had a syringe in hand and she pushed it into a tube attached to me. I completely blacked out. It felt like being put into a deep sleep.

The moment I opened my eyes, there were only a few left in the OR. Some were preparing to leave. Then I heard a faint voice from the background who said to me that the surgery was over. I was certain it was my ortho surgeon, Dr. A. Time on the clock was 8:30 PM. I saw the rosary dangling on my left wrist.

The next thing I knew, I was wheeled into a room with a patient who like me, was cut open on the operating table. I was shivering violently. Was it the room or was it an after-effect of the surgery performed on me? The chills lasted for 30 minutes. 

I felt so weak that I couldn't lift a finger or move my head. Everything was a blur. My entire body was numb. Was it all a dream or was it actually real? I was half-asleep, half-awake. It felt like slipping between two worlds. 

I felt a sense of relief that finally the worst is over but looking ahead, I knew it would be a long road to recovery. My mind nearly exploded with all these worrying thoughts. I knew for certain that my life will dramatically change. The old me would have to take a back seat in the meantime. The new me will take over. 

Change is constant in life. When it comes, embrace it, accept it, and grow with it.

I ❤ Batanes

BACKSTORY. Back in March, as we were deliberating on our summer getaway options, Dan wanted Siargao. I wanted Batanes. We couldn't meet halfway. And then I suggested we draw lots. Fair and square. We let fate take its course.  Lo and behold, the odds were in his favor. Siargao it was. 

My heart broke into a million pieces. Batanes has always been my dream Philippine destination. I can't take my mind off its beauty and grandeur. Dan probably saw a hint of sadness in my eyes when I found out I lost. For a short time, there was an awkward silence in the air. And then out of nowhere, he whispered, "O sige, hanap ka na ng flight to Batanes." 

He has always been selfless. Even if it means setting aside his personal desire, he always chooses to make me happy. Thank you, abadoo!

********

It was a short plane ride (read: propeller plane) from Clark. Surprisingly, the aircraft was filled with tourists who, like me, wanted to take a bite of this small island which is mostly known for the devastating storms it had weathered through the years. 

Batanes has exceeded my expectations. It is much more lovely and breathtaking when you experience it firsthand. The documentaries and travel features did not quite capture the real beauty that lies in the very core of this tiny island.

It almost did not feel like I was in the Philippines. It's true when they say it's similar to New Zealand. I have never been to NZ, by the way. But the truth is, the mighty Creator really placed the island in this part of the world to showcase the beauty of the Philippines.

Every spot in Batanes is picturesque. Every corner magical. Every local is a living proof that man is naturally good.

The sights have a way of making you feel grateful to be alive and to be a witness to God's wonderful creation. I wish there were more people who will be drawn to its natural beauty and magic.

I pray that Batanes will not suffer the same fate as Boracay. When tourists started flocking Boracay, problems arose. However, it looks like the Ivatans really want to preserve the island by not welcoming industry players. You wouldn't find a single Jollibee store or 711 or a supermarket in the area. The locals assert that the only ones who should enjoy and earn from the local industry are the Ivatans themselves. 

They may lack modern conveniences but essentially, they have everything they need. The Ivatans live simply and they are happy with what God provided them with. 

Magical Batanes

If a genie would appear before me with the promise that he would take me anywhere in the world, I would ask him to take me to nowhere else but beautiful Batanes. 

I had been struggling with something personal a few days leading to our Batanes trip. I was close to having the whole trip cancelled but thought otherwise because Dan and I didn't want our hard-earned money to go to waste. Furthermore, I knew I needed a well-deserved hiatus to take my mind off all the emotional stress that hounded me (and is still hounding me to this day). 

So we flew to the northernmost tip of the Philippines to get away from everything. As I was taking in all the breathtaking sights of the island, I realized how a change of scenery can alter one's disposition and mindset. I learned to appreciate everything  because I allowed myself to see places with fresh eyes, and hear sounds with an open heart. 

The four days we spent in Batanes calmed my spirit and restored my faith. If the people of Batanes can be genuinely happy with the little resources that they have, stripped of the modern conveniences that we all have been accustomed to, I can be as happy. 

A heart that is at peace fears nothing. So to the Future whose plans I will never know, I am ready!

I ❤ New York : Taking A Bite of the Big Apple (Part 1)

This trip is something that I did not see coming. I definitely want to visit the United States someday but not this soon. I think everything just fell into place. Call it perfect timing, I call it fate.

I am suddenly reminded of Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist." There's a line in the book that says, "When you want to achieve something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it." The universe finally heard my plea and I can't be more grateful. 

I don't know exactly when my fascination for New York City started. I just noticed that every time I watch a film set in NYC, I am immediately drawn to it. Every corner, every street, every avenue seem to be calling me on.

I never wavered in my desire to see New York at least once in my lifetime. The compulsion was way too hard to resist. I went on doing my usual routine but in my heart and soul, I knew New York City is waiting for me, beckoning me to pack my bags and leave my tedious existence.

So when the opportunity finally came, I left everything behind and embarked on this journey.

My NYC Bucket List

1. Gaze at the most famous lady in New York

You've never been to New York if you've never seen Lady Liberty. Since we still had enough time before our flight to San Francisco, Dan and I opted to take a ferry tour to Ellis Island. Sadly, the queue was a mile long. The only way we could see Lady Liberty was to take the free ferry ride to Staten Island. The ferry sailed from Manhattan to Staten. Midway, we had a breathtaking view of the statue. Again, this is such a "movie moment" to me. The whole experience was surreal. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

                                                 
                                       


2. Cross an iconic bridge

There is something romantic about taking a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The sight can be overwhelming. Imagine the cold breeze as it brushes across your cheeks, the sound of the busy traffic down below, people rushing about, the sight of the American flag hoisted high overhead, the breathtaking Manhattan skyline in the background --- these never fail to stir even the hardest of hearts.

This is one of the surreal moments of our trip. I felt like I was caught up in a dream only to realize that I was in fact living the dream...

Dan and I are plain lucky to have the best NYC tour guides --- our cousin Jordan and our friend Maricar. We couldn't ask for a better company. They made sure we experience New York the way a local would.

3. Have a close encounter with someone famous

CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER, April 23, 2017, SoHo, New York City. Allow me to share this short narrative about my John Legend encounter. Dan and I arrived in NYC on April 23. We were welcomed at the airport by my cousin Jordan and my dear friend Maricar. To fight off the jetlag, I was told to immediately adjust my body clock to the time of NYC. We arrived noon time, which means it was past midnight in the Philippines. The last thing I wanted to do was roam around the city half-asleep half-awake. But the energy of New York was way too hard to resist so I tried to stay awake even if my eyes were ready to doze off. 

My friend who had a prior engagement said she will meet us after two hours. We spent the time walking from Greenwich Village to SoHo with my cousin. All too suddenly, Dan noticed that there were paparazzi taking shots at our direction. He figured that there might be a celebrity behind us. When my cousin turned around, he saw an attractive woman wearing a tight fitting white shirt over a black blazer and sporting knee-high heeled boots. She was pushing a baby stroller. Then he gazed at the man walking beside her. That's when he realized it was John Legend! We were right in front of them. Just as I was getting my camera phone ready for a selfie shot, they turned left and headed to their apartment.

 I have no photo to prove that John Legend was only a few feet away! It would have been cool to have him as a photobomber. That, my friends, was an epic encounter! Oh, John...

 4. Pose for art's sake

We were supposed to have a museum day. But due to time constraints, we only got to visit one, the Museum of Modern Art or MoMA. 

Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night

The main attraction in MoMA is the gallery where the works of the great art masters are displayed. It has Monet, Picasso, Dali, Matisse. However, the artist who really owned the stage was Van Gogh. I saw how a small crowd gathered around his famous painting, Starry Night.

Admittedly, I cannot call myself an art enthusiast because growing up, I hardly received excellent grades in my art classes. But that does not mean I cannot appreciate good art.

Appreciation of art is not about aesthetics, it is a matter of perspective.

5. Party with a New York icon

Inarguably, the most recognized structure in NYC is the Empire State Building. It gives more life and energy to the lovely Manhattan skyline. Personally, every time we had an NYC nightout, I would search for the Empire in the horizon because it reminds me that dreams really do come true. 

Sadly, we didn't get the chance to go up the building. our schedule is always packed and we were always on the go. By God's grace, if I get another chance to visit NYC, I would have this at the top of my list. 

Dan was more insistent on experiencing the Empire on a totally different level. He saw online posts about a bar/club that has a magnificent view of the Empire State Building.

Clad in our very casual and laid back attire, we joined the NYC party scene at 230 Fifth Club along Fifth Avenue. The entire place was filled to the brim by partygoers who wanted to have a great time. This, I must say, is one of the highlights of our trip.

NOTE:  Entrance is free. We didn't spend much. We only had two glasses of beer!

6. Get romantic at Serendipity

We walked all the way from MoMa (53rd Street) to 60th Street (that alone is quite a feat for someone who doesn't like taking long walks) just to try Serendipity's famed frozen hot chocolate. 

When we got there, I immediately asked if we can be seated right where John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale had their date in the movie. Sadly, the spot was already taken. We ended up being seated right next to it. The long walk was certainly worth it!

I ❤ New York : Taking A Bite of the Big Apple (Part 2)

7. Paint NYC red with love

                                                           

The LOVE sculpture is one of the most famous pieces of pop art and just happens to be sitting on the corner of 6th Avenue at 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan. In 1958, Robert Indiana was experimenting with love as he played with poetry and art by placing "LO" above the "VE."

I love how New York allows any traveler to walk a hundred miles only to end up finding unexpected sights no one thought were just around the corner. The LOVE sculpture is one clear example. We were on Fifth Avenue for two days, exploring the sights and all until we thought of venturing into the nearby avenue. I have only seen images of it online. It's different when it's up close. 

It is situated in the middle of a busy street with a hundred people walking to and fro. The sight just make you want to slow down for a moment and reflect... Do I have enough love in my life?

8. Feel the Hollywood vibe in NYC

I often wonder why most Hollywood films are shot in New York. It speaks volumes about the endearing character of the Big Apple. It is no surprise that some of the most memorable films have immortalized the beauty that is New York City. 

I have seen and proven that the entire city is a huge movie set. Its beauty is effortless. You can take a photo in the most unknown spot of the city but it will come out stunning once captured. 

Bethesda Terrace

Bethesda Fountain

This was our second attempt at Central Park. We didn't get to explore the area the first time because of the unbearable heat. We made sure the second time would be worth it.

Anyone who's visiting Central Park should allot one full day to explore it. The park is huge! We used the entrance near the Plaza Hotel since we were coming from 53rd Street, Fifth Avenue. This time I had one goal in mind --- the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. 

We walked for nearly an hour to get there. My feet almost gave up on me! When I finally laid my eyes on the stunning view, I almost shed a tear. The movies do not give justice to how beautiful the place is. I could not believe I was right there! I suddenly realized how blessed I am.

I love Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. To me, she personified timeless glamour, class and elegance. I can't forgive myself if I won't do an Audrey at the Tiffany and Co. along Fifth Avenue. Hail to the queen!

After a full day of exploring Fifth Avenue, our friend Maricar told us to meet her at the Grand Central before we head off to the Yankees Stadium. 

The Grand Central really lives up to its name --- GRAND. It is so much better up close than in movies or postcards. We were there past 5 PM, the dreaded rush hour! That explains the huge crowd in the photo above.

9. Commute Underground

New York City makes commuting a stylish experience. Majority of NYC residents rely on the subway. For someone who is only visiting, the subway system is overly complicated. I lost count of the times that I insisted on going my way, only to find out that my instincts seem to be out of touch.

The subway affirms the multicultural nature of NYC. It is not unusual to hear foreign languages on our daily commute. It felt like the whole world converged in NYC, bringing along their rich culture into a land which celebrates diversity and respects individuality. 

10. Be part of the New York major league

This is the first time that I have been part of a major sporting event. Baseball is a big deal among Americans. So when my friend Maricar invited us to a Yankees game, who are we to refuse?

The Yankees Stadium is a massive structure! It had a way of making you feel so small. Although I am not a huge baseball fan, the energy in the stadium was electrifying. I felt like I was part of something big. The only deal breaker was the biting cold. I couldn't stand the chilly weather. I was secretly praying for the game to end so I can get away from the cold. 

The best part aside form the Yankees winning was Frank Sinatra singing New York, New York as the game came to a close.

11. Get arrested by the finest

Who knew that getting arrested by the NYPD can be this fun?   

Times Square is frequented by tourists every single day. That explains police visibility in the area. Maricar thought of poking fun at New York's finest. It worked!

12. Pay tribute to a legend

Strawberry Fields, Central Park, NYC

This was Dan's special request. Being a huge Beatles fan, he was compelled to visit the memorial dedicated to the great John Lennon. 

From the Plaza Hotel entrance, getting to this part of Central Park was quite a challenge. We asked strangers for directions every 100 meters. All of them made it appear as if it's just a few feet away. But it took forever to get there!

There was quite a crowd in the park. All were there to honor John Lennon's memory. There were performers who played his iconic songs like Imagine and Stand By Me. It was a community of John Lennon fans who continue to celebrate his life through his music.

His Dakota apartment was a stone's throw away from Strawberry Fields. It was the site of his murder in 1980. He may be gone for nearly 40 years but his legacy lives on.