Day 19 - Groton, CT (4th of July Parade)

I was finally able to witness an honest-to-goodness local 4th of July Parade. It's nothing like the Rose Bowl but it's more of a community parade where almost every aspect of the community has its own float.

Before going there, I resolved to eat a healthy breakfast so I can some cereal, fresh blueberries and humongous strawberries. This is what it looked like:



If there's one thing I miss about the US, it's the fresh fruits as shown above. That was the best breakfast that I had when I was there. I tried to duplicate it here but I could not find fruits that are as fresh like what I got there.

My step-sister-in-law, Eldica and my stepbrother, Patrick together with their son, Christian, picked us up and took us to the next town (Groton) where we staked a spot across the local Dunkin Donut (apparently, Dunkin Donuts is really big in the East Coast. Krispy Kreme is not heard of there) to wait for the parade.

The parade featured the navy servicemen in their really spiffy uniforms. There were also the vintage cars and motorcycles. It was interesting as it gives you an idea on what kind of community Groton is.

I told Eldica that on my next visit, I would want to visit an old-fashioned country fair. I want to eat the local food and see the local sights. Somehow, it's like seeing all the stuff that I read come to life. She promised to take me and I can't wait!

Here she is with her really cute son:

Day 18 - Gales Ferry, CT and Sunni Dae

(Continuation of my travel posts. Day 18 is July 3, Sunday)

We spent the 4th of July weekend with my mom and stepfather at their CT house.

I really love their community because it's so peaceful and most of the people who live there are retirees from the nearby US Navy/Submarine base. We heard mass that morning in the local Catholic church. Again, they have that lovely musical organ and the sole singer who leads the congregation in the singing.

My stepfather has turned my mom into a dog lover and this weekend, they were able to bring home their new dog--an Akita breed--named Sunni Dae. I can't recall why they named her as such but she is one cute puppy.



Like any newborn baby, she pees and poops a lot and my stepdad would wake up in the middle of the night to take her out. I remember waking up also as I would hear her crying in her kennel.

I bet she's big now. I was told that this specific breed really grows and is quite loyal (there's a movie called Hachiko and a lot of my dog-lover friends have attested that it's quite a tearjerker. The dog there is an Akita breed). Can't wait to visit my mom again so I can see Sunni Dae.

The Walking Dead Season 2

After posting about the first season, I knew I had to watch to follow where this new season goes. The first season was just too short so hopefully, they'll make it longer this time.

I'm deathly scared of zombies. It ranks up there with cockroaches as my greatest fear. I used to have nightmares about those damned creatures. I want to blame my childhood as we would watch every zombie flick ever made whenever we would go to the province for a vacation. Since it was pretty rural and that we leave near the cemetery, it makes quite a nice setting for any nightmare.

The new season is now on its second episode. There are still a lot of plots that need to unravel and hopefully, it won't take until the end of the season for all things to happen. I watch them with half my attention as I don't want them invading my dreams. I just read the episode guides to see what I might have missed.

I know I'm such a ninny but I value my sleep too much to have it disturbed by undead creatures chasing after me. *shudder shudder shudder*

The Plans of Mice and Men

Ever since I got back from the US, I've been wanting to do so many things. Updating my blog is one thing and I have fallen way, way behind. There are still numerous items in my to-do list which I hope to finish before the end of the year. I want to start the new year with a clean slate as much as possible.

I also updated my blog template. I've had that template for two years and it's time for a change. Hope you like this one.

One of things that we're planning is to give Basti a baby brother or sister. But it's not as easy as it sounds due to my condition. The first cycle was not successful so we have to go through another cycle--which starts tomorrow. I hope this time around, it works. Wish us luck!