On this 10th year anniversary of Sept 11…..
I give my respect to the lives whose dreams were abruptly snuffed out on that fateful day;
And I give honor to the heroes who bravely laid their lives for our freedom,
So that we who are left behind can continue to pursue ours;
While I offer a prayer of peace to those whose views are different from ours.
me and my wife looking across the harbor of dreams (taken at Statue of Liberty island)
It seems like yesterday…….
When you arrived into our world and I held you for the first time, in a hospital room that overlooks the New York’s Central Park.
When I danced with you in the middle of the night, as you would not sleep, while the Number 7 train roars from a distant track.
When I pushed you on a swing, in a crowded playground in the middle of hustle and bustle of upper Manhattan.
In our New York Apartment (Number 7 train in the distance)
Was it only yesterday…….
When you ran in your swimsuit on the grass, with the sprinkler on, as you gleefully soaked in water under Florida sun.
When you played and dug in the dirt beside our apartment, with the nearby fragrant orange groves in sight.
When I pushed your stroller as we walked in Downtown Disney, to watch the fireworks in the humid Orlando night.
It was like yesterday……
When you first stomped on the freshly fallen snow and scooped it up with your bare hands, in the dead of Des Moines winter.
When you roamed in our yard picking dandelions, while the distant fields of corn swayed in the breeze of Midwest summer.
When I held and steadied your bike as you first learn to ride, in the driveway of our home here in Iowa.
me and my daughter in our backyard, here in Iowa
It was like yesterday, that you came into my life, and I became a father.
Where did time go? Now, I am a father of a teenager.
Yes, a teenager! But’s that’s not a bad thing, in fact, it is a wonderful thing.
My baby, is now a young lady. And I’m looking forward to more happiness you will bring.
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. It’s up to you, New York, New York.” …….Frank Sinatra
New York City. Arguably the center of the world. Many people from every part of the globe would like to make it their destination, and find their luck there. And like in Sinatra’s song, “I want to be a part of it, New York, New York.”
And it was.
I had so many experiences and lessons learned during my few years of stay there. First, was the educational and post-graduate specialty training that I received in the top medical institutions there. This became the foundation of my professional career, from which I draw my livelihood to sustain my family. Somehow, I still feel proud, unwarranted or not, to claim that I am New York-trained.
Second, it was in New York, that my first child was born. It was here that I first experienced the joy of fatherhood. With that though was the realization of the responsibility beyond just fulfilling my own dreams, but also providing for the future and dreams of my children. For this reason, I learned to strive even more harder.
It was also in here that I learned to tap on my apartment’s ceiling at 2 o’clock in the morning, to stop my neighbors’ dance party, who lives above me, so my wife and I, and my newborn baby can sleep. I guess you need to learn to fight for your right and speak up your mind, if you “want to wake up in that city that never sleeps.”
waking up in a city that never sleeps (image from www.dailymail.co.uk)
This is where I chased an intruder who was able to enter my apartment, out of my door, down the stairs of the apartment complex, and through 2 blocks of crowded streets. On hindsight, I should have never run after that thief, for I could have been killed, especially if he was carrying a weapon. But when the adrenaline was pumping through you, I guess it bypasses your brain and your better judgement. It awakened my territorial and survival instincts.
It was in New York City that whether you are at work, commuting in the subways, or walking in the streets, people have learned to: mind your own business; rely solely on yourself; trust no one; and don’t walk, run. And so did I.
But it was in the last few months of my stay in New York that I received my greatest education. After changing my decision to stay in the US for my children’s sake, instead of going back in the Philippines after my post-grad training, I had to switch my visa from an exchange visitor (needed for the training) to a working visa (needed for a real job). A process that can take some time. And in my case, it did.
After completing 6 years of specialization, and armed to the teeth in training, I was all gung-ho to start work. But I was put on hold……Suspended animation….. As I cannot work without a change of visa, I had no choice but wait. Days of waiting turned into weeks……and weeks turned into months……and months into several more months…….
In a place that is always hustling and hurrying, a place where it only takes a fraction of a second from the time the traffic light turns green to time the car behind you honk its horn, a place where times ticks a little faster like in a New York minute – is where God taught me patience, and the virtue of waiting.
With no work, no income, and with a 5-figure amount in dollars of credit card debt, that was increasing by the day, I was forced to leave my apartment because I plainly cannot afford it. My family became one of the hundreds of homeless people in New York City. Our only difference from the other homeless people who wanders in the streets, was that a caring family took us in and let us stay in their home, without paying rent, and even fed us for free.
homeless in New York (image from www.dgrin.com)
During the several months that I was jobless, we moved from one family’s home to another, relying solely on their goodness and mercy. It was here that I experienced complete helplessness in providing for my family. I realized that in life, diligent and hard work may not be enough, for we all need grace.
Then every week, when we went to our church, church members and friends who knew our predicament, will quietly hand me $10, $20, or $50, telling me to buy something for my daughter who was 2 years old then. I knew these people were not rich. They too have barely enough and just trying to make both ends meet, but they shared the little that they have. It was a touching experience. And it was a humbling experience.
From being independent, to becoming fully dependent. From minding my own business, to others caring and looking after my own business. From trusting no one, to fully trusting and having faith. It was a complete turnaround. It was in New York City that I found renewed confidence in people and a stronger reliance in God. It was here that I received a course of “higher” learning.
After more months of waiting and still out of work, my family and I finally flew to California and stayed with my sister-in-law to escape the harsh winter. I left New York City with a heavy heart but thankful, humbled but not defeated, broke but hopeful. I admit, I was also wiser, more enlightened and insightful.
Three months after we left New York, only then did I received what I was praying and waiting for.
New York, New York. Yes, I made it there (though barely). And I believe, I can make it anywhere.
Here are the pictures of places where we used to live, and hospitals where I did my training. It’s hard to believe that it has been more than 10 years since then. (Photos taken during our recent trip back to New York and New Jersey area.)
Last week, we had a really long drive to New York. We also did some drive-by shooting……… shooting pictures, that is.
After passing miles and miles of cornfields and farmlands from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, the scenery changed drastically when we reached Pennsylvania, with its mountains and forested areas. The fall foliage colors was also in it’s peak.
sunrise mountains
beautiful fall colors
"Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long." - Rascal Flatts
"It's a long lonely highway when you're travellin' all alone." - Elvis Presley
quaint town
"The long and winding road......." - Beatles
Over the mountain........
.....around the mountain,.....
......and through a mountain (tunnel through a mountain somewhere in Pennsylvania).
New Jersey continued on with similar scenery……..
blue mountains
Garden State Parkway (New Jersey)
When we got to New York City, it was a different jungle altogether.
view of Manhattan skyline from Queens
under the Number 7 train in Queens
Park Avenue. Buildings in the middle of the street. (at the end of the street is where Central Station is)
Time Square (yes, we spent a lot of time there, due to the traffic!)
The Plaza Hotel. This is where we stayed.........I wish. (the policemen directed us somewhere else, ha ha)
horse carriage at Central Park (watch out for the droppings!)
Columbus Circle (No, this is not where Columbus first landed. It's where he first did his shopping!???)
Straight ahead is Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Finding for a street parking is impossible. 4 hour parking at a garage is as expensive as your dinner!
One of my wife's favorite places.
Street sign. Most of the streets are one way!
What? No traffic! Perhaps this was just a glitch.
Here's some light traffic (near Queensboro bridge).
And real heavy traffic.
And more traffic. At least this has a beautiful view of the Hudson river and George Washington bridge.
And more traffic.....
Leaving New York City. Crossing George Washington bridge at sunset.
Nagsimula sa isang malawak na palayan sa probinsiya ng Norzagaray, Bulacan. Ay may isang batang nangarap. Habang ang kanyang pastol na kalabaw ay nagpapahinga sa ilalim ng puno ng kawayan at ang mga magsasaka nama’y abalang nagtatanim ng palay. Duon siya nangarap, na makapag-aral, makapagtapos ng kolehiyo, at tapos ay makipagsapalaran sa Maynila. Maraming taon ang lumipas….. at ang pangarap niya ay natupad. Ang batang ito, ay ang aking tatay.
Sa isang masikip na kalye ng Sampaloc, Manila. Ay may isang batang nangarap. Habang mga traysikel ay umamarangkada at ang mga tambay ay nag-iinuman duon sa harap ng maliit na tindahan . Dito siya’y nangarap, na makatapos ng pag-aaral, magpakadalubhasa, at pagkatapos ay marahil makarating sa ibang bansa. Maraming taon ang lumipas……..ang pangarap niya’y natupad din. Ang batang ito’y walang iba, kundi ako.
Nakarating sa Amerika. Tumira sa isang magulo at maingay na kalsada ng New York City. Dumudungaw sa bintana, habang umaalingawngaw ang serena ng pulis at ambulansiya, at dumadagundong naman ang nagdaraang subway train (Subway line 7, sa Queens). Sa magulong mundong ito ako’y muling nangarap, na mamuhay at magpalaki ng aking pamilya sa tahimik at mas mapayapang mundo. Ilang taon ang lumipas…..ang pangarap ko’y muling natupad.
Sa isang matahimik na lugar ng Iowa. Ay may mga batang nangangarap. Sila’y nakatanaw sa malawak na bukid ng mga mais. Habang ang mga ibong ligaw ay naghaharana, at ang mga tanaw na magsasaka, sakay ng kanilang traktora, ay nag-aani ng mais. Ang mga batang ito, ay ang aking mga anak. Ano naman kaya ang kanilang mga pangarap? Saan naman kaya sila dadalhin ng kanilang mga pangarap? Alam kong sa paglipas ng maraming taon…….ito ay matutupad rin.
