NJ-NY memories 1: remembering 9/11

A day late to commemorate 9/11 but nevertheless it's something I've been wanting to do.  Here are a couple of pics taken during my US trip, from NJ to NY: 

The 1st photo was taken when I first arrived in Jersey City, winter was starting to wane then.  It's a debris from one of the towers and pinned to it were some other stuff found at Ground Zero (like a shoe, notes, water bottle, flag, flowers, shirt).  Location:  Along the Harborside boardwalk, Jersey City. The next pic is a statue of a soldier/volunteer (not sure exactly which) with wreaths of flowers and the American flag.  The 3rd and 4th photo are the marble monument set up along the Harborside boardwalk as well.  The last photo is the same as the first one, just taken at sunset during the first week of Spring.

This first photo is the PATH Station where commuters take the train from New Jersey to New York.  The next ones are photos of the Ground Zero construction.

Here are artworks displayed at the PATH Station. 

St. Paul's Church:  The oldest church across Ground Zero/PATH Station that survived 9/11. 

This sculpture is "The Sphere" and used to be located at the plaza of the World Trade Center.  It was damaged during 9/11 but was moved to Bowling Green in downtown Manhattan (a few blocks from Ground Zero) as a temporary memorial.

I also stumbled across Anthony's World, take a look.

battle of the bulge

I have been lucky enough to be blessed with a faster metabolism than normal (thanks to my thyroid problem…and yes, it is an upside that not many people with my problem might think).  It was easy for me to just stuff my face all the time, work out a bit and bam! bulge is gone.  As I got older and my thyroid hormones gradually normalized, I realized what used to take me 3 days to a week to lose is now taking longer.  At first it was just annoying that I had to double my efforts.  But even then, I was disciplined enough to take a couple of laps thrice a week and go jogging on weekends.  Since I got back from the US, my suit has been in my closet forgotten.  My running shoes only comes out of its home when I'm planning a day's retail therapy.  I've gotten too lazy to move my butt from the couch on mornings when I do manage to wake up early…too lazy to give up the reruns of shows I missed the night before.  And what's worse, too lazy to walk to work.

And so, what used to be a bump is now a bulge.

Pregnancy would've been a good excuse if it were true (not that I'm wishing for it).  At least that would've made my tummy fat more legit and less embarrassing.  You see, I've always taken pride in the way I've kept myself fit.  But now, buying a pair of jeans can be such a nightmare.  Taking the stairs instead of the elevator a torture.  And even sitting down is a pain in the gut as my tummy ends up being squeezed by the waistband of my pants.

Ugh.

I promise I will try to cut down on carbs (unless we're having steak or fried chicken *drool*).  I promise to do my laps at least thrice a week (unless there's lightning).  I promise to go jogging in the park at least once a week (except when it rains or I can't get out of bed because I'm too sleepy).  I promise to do more crunches/sit ups (though I've read somewhere that it doesn't help much, if at all),  I promise to walk/take the stairs instead of the escalator/elevator (unless I'm wearing heels). 

I promise, I promise, I promise!!!!

it pours when it rains

I'm not political nor do I care for politics.  I don't like talking about my political inclinations because I have none…at all (hehehe); and because it simply doesn't interest me.  All I know is that most politicians are corrupt and dishonest, at one point or the other, and they will do whatever it takes to get what they want because in their own twisted way they probably think they're doing their country good.

ERAP's conviction came as no surprise to me.  After all, the administration wanted a scapegoat.  And what better example to set than a former president sentenced to prison?  I'm not saying I disagree with the verdict nor am I saying I agree with it.  Like I said, I'm too passive to have an opinion when it comes to politics.  But of course, I can't help but feel sorry for a 70-something ex-president with bad health who is sentenced to life (or 40 years) in prison.  I do understand though that by putting him away for that long, it would lessen the chance of him or his followers getting what they want (whatever that is really).  I can only vaguely recall what his case was about as I stopped watching the local news years ago…for me, nothing good ever comes to watching sad sad news everyday. 

Sigh.  So much for my not having any political opinion.

All I wanted to say really is that I hate it when they hold protest rallies here in Makati.  It disrupts traffic and it disrupts the routine of people who are just going about their quiet ways, living their lives and minding their own business.  Moreso, I hate it even more when these rallies are held during the rainy days…I end up walking from my place to the office.  Today particularly sucked because I was feeling a bit peaky.  Serves me right for not watching the local news…or at least, not watching it long enough to find out if there would be rallies in the area.

Note to self:  check out how the stock market is doing.