Tech Museum in San Jose and City Beach in Fremont

I checked out the Tech Museum in San Jose and it's amazing how many interactive stuff they have out there. They also have lots of cool gadgets in the gift shop. I got a glow-in-the-dark constellation T-shirt with Einstein's face on it. Afterwards, we hanged out in Santana Row and walked the Rosicrucian garden. Then, we had dinner at CityBeach and spent the rest of the night playing a floor chess, shooting pool, indoor rockclimbing, volleyball, basketball, boche ball, and other fun stuff they have out there. This is definitely one of my favorite place in Fremont.

the Other Way

Last Sunday, I was listening to a song called "the Other Way". It reminds me of a saying that goes, "Don't look back, you're not going that way". It's true how painful memories linger and still affect and get the best of a person every now and then. It's mostly inner fears, maybe fear to make the same mistake again or just from over-analying things, which spiral into something ridiculous and makes you want to run at the first sign of trouble.

Yesterday, I wrote and delivered a Eulogy for our deceased FASEA president Maria Padua Fontanilla. It's funny how we share the same middle name. I thought that it will be hard to write a eulogy for someone I do not know that well. But, after hearing everyone else's Eulogy, I was glad that I had a chance to tell the world how good she is. I talked to some of her close friends while writing the Eulogy and that's how I learned that she was such a kind and generous woman who have helped many. I also realized how short and fragile life is and how we can be immortal through the memories we leave behind. When we do good to others, they will never forget that and at the same time, you please God for living your life according to His will. It's nice to have an "assurance" that whatever it is that's waiting for us afterlife, it will be a good one... Whether you call it Karma or Reincarnation, I know that every good things that we do will be rewarded both here on Earth and in Heaven.

Rough November

Last week, I was at my friend's house in dowtown San Jose after watching Mason Jennings at the Blank Club. Then, Sunday morning, I was at Carmel and attended a mass at Mission San Carlos (the fourth Mission we've visited). Carmel-by-the-sea reminds me of one of Thomas Kinkade's paintings. I love the Cyprus trees, the tide pools, and the whole scenery at the 17-mile drive to Pacific Grove. The light house, Monarch Butterflies' Sanctuary, and the Lover's Point at Pacific Grove was awesome. Then, I had dinner at a sports-diner place called Britanica Arms in Monterey after walking the downtown shops and areas and checking out the Fisherman's Wharf. It was foggy and misty that night. I remember hearing the sea lions and the yachts but not really seeing them since even the lights are blurry from a distant.

This week has been a little rough for me. Our FASEA (http://www.geocities.com/jptablante/FASEA.html) president died early this week and I was not emotionally ready when it all happened. Then, my bike got stolen that night. Thursday, I got toxin-poisoning from a cold can of coffee that I had for lunch. It's so ironic how something that you like so much (ex: coffee) can hurt you real bad. I felt alone that night while I was in pain and having a fever. Can't call my mom because I don't want to worry her. My dad dropped by but he can't stay because of my step-mom. It's amazing how I was able to pull myself together the next day to go to work. Thank God I started throwing up that morning, and ofcourse, it's the coffee I saw and smelled in the puke. I threw up on a biohazard bag in one of the labs where no one is around to hear me. The third time I threw up was after the lunch time FASEA meeting and I think that did it. I still feel weak that Friday night but I thought that I owe it to myself to go out with some friends. Unfortunately, I didn't like the new crowd they brought but overall, it was a fun night.

Today, I went to Napa and Sonoma with couple of my friends. It was a little misty and foggy in the morning but it was so perfect, a much needed retreat. It felt like a 6-hour dawn. I was able to clear my head and feel strong. It's nice to breathe some fresh air at Napa. I wish I can take it home with me. On our way back, we stopped by Pinoy Pinay at Vallejo and met Jeffrey Quizon, Filipino celebrity and son of famous comedian, Dolphy.