The Road to Graceland

If today is the year 1961 and I am 26 years old, I am probably screaming my heart out in some drive-in theater watching Elvis Presley sing “Can’t Help falling in Love” in Blue Hawaii.

These are my thoughts while I was walking inside Graceland Estate, Elvis’s home in Memphis, Tennessee, looking at a very charismatic and vibrant face of the young Elvis. I do remember that I saw that movie when I was around 7 or 8 years old.And no, I didn’t scream. I didn’t know how big the name Elvis was until later.

The Piano Room	Kitchen
Jungle Room	Yellow Room

Elvis’ charisma and irrefutable singing talent from his diverse music influences of gospel songs, black R&B in Memphis’ legendary Beale Street and ole country music has surpassed more than half a century of music lovers and the iconic influence of that music is felt even maybe in remote parts of the world.

I personally think though that the celebrity culture today is so overrated. I just don’t give a twit who is Lindsay Lohan’s current boyfriend/girlfriend or what size are Zac Efron shoes. I am not overtly impressed of the Elvis memorabilia inside the Graceland or the five museum exhibits (maybe except for the amazing cars). I am more impressed of how he was captured on photos and how genuine his emotions are when looking at them up close.

Wedding Photo	Elvis' Costumes
The Pink Cadillac	Elvis at the Army

He died young and his glamorous celebrity life is marred by imperfections of his personal life. I guess you just can’t have it all. But even so, he simply is a maverick, a man both not of and of his time.
Maybe the Rock and Roll fans of the 50’s are getting old and maybe the music fans today have too many choices of different kinds of music. But somehow, I have a feeling that new generations will always rediscover Elvis’ music and legacy. If one of these day, you get to be in Tennessee, should you pay $33 dollars to visit Graceland to see a glimpse of the life of the undisputed King of Rock and Roll? Aye.
Rest of the photos are on my Facebook and Friendster accounts.
Special thanks to Joy who was half-dead on her feet driving us for 3 hours each way to/fro Memphis and Lexington.

Beech Lake at Lexington,Tennessee

One of the things I miss about Lexington, Tennessee is the Beech Lake. It’s a man-made lake that was made during the 1960s and is about 1000 acres wide. A friend, Joy, took us there on our third day in Lexington. Ever since that day, we go there every so often to de-stress from work. The lake also has a man-made beach shore where people swim and sunbathe. Families can park a camper or RV by the Lake Campground and enjoy all sorts of activities. There are also several water sports played on the lake like boating, jet ski and bass fishing. But if you are not into these things, a nice walk by the lake and watching the calm, blue waters is just as equally fun and relaxing. You get to also see the lake houses and the exquisite lake front living.

I have spent hours looking at this view of the Beech Lake. You can just point and shoot your camera and your photo would always come out perfect, especially on a magnificent Tennessee summer day like this.

Lake house owners usually own boats that they use in the lake for fishing or just sightseeing

Jet Skiing is one of the things you can do on the Lake

This is just one of the beautiful houses sprawled by the lake. If you are a tourist, there are also econo lodges that you can rent if you want to experience lake front living in Lexington

There are also county events held by the Beech Lake. The one we went to which was so much fun with music, games and delicious food is the 2009 Relay for Life, it's a fundraising and cancer awareness event.

Banchetto: Midnight Banquet

If you are working on a night shift in Ortigas business center, this weekly event is probably one of the things you look forward to finish off your work week. At around 11pm every Friday until 6am the next day Saturday, half of the road in Emerald Avenue is closed off for a hundred yards of tents of delicious food and drinks. Banchetto is an Italian word that translates to a big feast or banquet. The name is appropriate as the atmosphere is always festive every Banchetto day. The street is loitered mostly of yuppies working in call centers and BPOs whose Philippine operations are centered in the Ortigas area. The tables are not always enough and the place always packed so most of diners sit on the sidewalks and on the steps in front of the buildings enjoying the food they have chosen from the variety of cuisines available. The cuisines range from Filipino, Chinese, American, Italian, Japanese, Indian, East Asian, Korean and Mongolian treats. To top it off, they are sold in the most affordable prices. It is one place you should visit at least once when you are in Ortigas area.

Banchetto in Emeral Avenue. Food! food!

The usual crowds in Banchetto

Diners eating at the steps of Strata 200 Building

Banchetto nestled in between the buildings of Ortigas,one of the busiest business centers in the Philippines

My photos of flowers in Tennessee and Minnesota

I just realized I like flowers. I know for sure though I love roses like all women love roses. There’s nothing extraordinary about that, is it? I just didn’t know that flowers could give me pleasure like the pleasure I get when looking at a painting in a museum. They are just so wonderfully made. And even more so than a painting.
These are few photos of flowers I took while I was in Tennessee and Minnesota. Ok, not professional ones, but each one associated with the fun times I had on both states.

Photo taken at Sibley Park, Mankato,Minnesota

We met a nice man in Lexington and I think this is called whiteberry. He picked it up for me from his wild fields. Mr. Johnny is his name.

Field of Lilac beside my work building in Mankato. On my first day at work in Mankato, this field was still not there. But on my fourth day, it seems it suddenly beautifully bloomed from nowhere. The wind almost blew me over trying to take this photo and the guy from the red pick-up was looking at me in a weird way. Hey it's worth the risk.

I thought they were lavenders. I wanted them for a friend.It turned out it was Lilac, but it still is very beautiful.

A pot of Petunia blooming in Elvis's Graceland Estate when we visited Memphis, Tennesee

These are bleeding hearts flowers, very interesting name for a flower if I may say

A fountain in Sibley Park, Mankato, Minnesota

I don't have the Flu

I was so excited when I arrived in Manila Airport from USA to see my family and my friends again. And what did my friends say when I asked them when we can meet up for dinner or coffee? --Karen meet up with you after 10 days---- the standard quarantine period for the AH1N1 virus. I was incredulous. I know there have been a lot of cases of the virus in Manila lately but I didn't know my friends could be so paranoid. I just got back from my doctor today and he said that I'm free from any symptoms of the flu and fit as ever. But I think even if I had my doctor's clearance, my friends won't still see me until after the quarantine period. Bunch of paranoids. hahaha.

Silver works Gift Ideas

Looking for silver jewelry gift ideas? You should probably check out my friend Ruby’s multiply site called Sterling Ventures. She has started this business several months back starting with just few items she has scouted at Quiapo silver shops. At first she sells within network of friends and co-workers but with the recent acceptance of online shopping in the Philippines, she put up an online catalog to reach more customers. Silver jewelry appeals to most people whether to men or women because it is very fashionable and yet very affordable. In terms of the style, you are guaranteed a variety of choices of silver rings, silver bracelets, silver earrings and silver anklets for sale.

Woman's Rings
Necklaces
Hoop Earrings
Men's Ring

My friend continually adds more styles into her catalog. I personally liked (and bought) a few silver earrings and silver bracelets as gifts for other people. The silver jewelry prices are around 20%-30% less than the mall prices. She also offers shipments within Philippines at your convenience. It is a good value for your peso whether you want to buy as a gift to someone special, friends, and family or just for yourself.