My Trip to "Statue de la Liberté" and Ellis island

I can still feel the excitement upon seeing one of the recognizable icons of the United States, "Statue de la Liberté" (in French), or commonly known as the Statue of the Liberty. However, the current airport-like security line was very long and it took up to 90 minutes before we boarded the ferry to go to Liberty Island. Thanks to the street artists who entertained us while queueing towards the security area. Worth the wait! People around the globe witnessed the wonderful trip to the great Statue. You shouldn't miss it!

A brief history: It was presented to the United States by the people of France in 1886 and stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The copper- clad statue, dedicated on October 28,1886, commemorates the centennial of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence from France to the United States. Frederic Augute Bartholdi sculpted the statue and obtained a US patent for its structure. The statue is 151 ft (46 m) tall, but with the pedestal and foundation, it is 305 ft (93 m) tall. Her original color has been brown since 1886, just changed 35 years later to current green color. The statue is a central part of Statue of Liberty National Monument, administered by the National Park Service.

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Deck of the ferry

Manhattan

Liberty island

Statue of Liberty


Overlooking Manhattan






Ellis Island, at the mouth of the Hudson River in New York Harbor, is the location of what was at one time the main entry facility for immigrants entering the United States; the facility operated from January 1, 1892, until November 12, 1954. It is owned by the Federal government and is now part of the Statue of the Liberty National Monument, under the jurisdiction of the US National Park Service. It is situated in Jersey City, New Jersey and New York City.

More recently, the island was a scene used in HITCH, a motion picture starring Will Smith. He and Eva Mendes take a jet ski to the island and explore the building. Also, the 2006 movie, GOLDEN DOOR, culminates with scenes on the island.

On our way back

My First Bite of the Big Apple

• "...Start spreading the news... I'm leaving today... I want to be a part of it, New York, New York... These vagabond shoes... Are longing to stray... And make a brand new start of it... New York, New York.... ". An excerpt of a very popular song lyrics by Frank Sinatra. I couldn't help but sing it!

My trip was more than just curiosity as everyone wanted to go to the City of New York. I wondered what is really like to be in the city that never sleeps, so to speak. The fact that it is the largest city in the United States, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. We travelled for approximately 6 hours from Syracuse to the Big Apple passing through different States. A huge downpour of rain never stopped us from travelling by car. Until we got to the city and heaven gave us a foggy fair weather when we roamed the busy streets of New York. I saw many renowed landmarks like: the Statue of Liberty(which I'm going to do a separate blog), Ellis Island, Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York Stock Exchange, Empire State Building, Time Square, Broadway, the Ground Zero (the twin towers of the former World Trade Center), etc.

It was an unforgettable experience. However, in my personal opinion I would rather live or work in a quieter environment. But if you're just visiting the city that would be an ace!

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The Empire State Building

Macy's Department Store at Herald Square, NY

Time Square

The Battery Park (southern shoreline of Manhattan Island)

Street artists

"For three decades, this sculpture stood in the Plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled "The Sphere" , it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged during the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. The sphere was placed as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.... " (as written near the Sphere).

Manhattan

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Thanks, Baby!

Take a Peek at Edinburgh Castle

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I took this image from Princes Street, Edinburgh, the main street of the city centre. And you could see the magnificent castle at the top of the mountain.

This is one of my favourite castles to visit. So much to see and not enough time! You expect to spend full day if you want to make the most of your visit to the castle. It is very wide and full of historical insights. It is highly recommended to all the travellers.

Edinburgh Castle is an ancient stronghold which dominates the sky-line of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland from its position atop Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC. As it stands today though, few of the castle's structures pre-date the Lang Siege of the 16th century, with the notable exception of St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, which dates from the early 12th century.

As an ancient fortress, Edinburgh Castle is one of the few that still has a military garrison, albeit for largely ceremonial and administrative purposes. The Governor of the Castle has always been the head of the Army in Scotland. Nevertheless, the Castle continues to have a strong connection with the Army.

Here are my images:

Entrance of the castle

Top of the castle; overviewing the city: Only one other dog cemetery exists in Scotland - at Fort George, near Inverness, built in the aftermath of the battle of Culloden in 1746

Inside the huge castle: Headquarters of 52 Infantry Brigade in the New Barracks Block

Saint Margaret's Chapel: The oldest building in the castle build by King david I (1124-53)

Scottish National War Memorial

with Mom

Overviewing Edinburgh (top of the castle)

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text credits: wikipedia

The Magestic Beauty of Niagara Falls State Park (New York)

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You have to see it to believe it! While visiting Syracuse, we made a short trip to the falls (American side). We experienced the spectacular scenery and one-of-a-kind attractions. We were mesmerized by the magnificent view!

Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, USA. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario, both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they share. It is part of both the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Western New York region. It's really worth visiting. Truly a work of nature!

...American side of Niagara Falls (above)

..Canadian border(above)



... It was truly a day to remember for the rest of my life. Thanks baby!

Captured Moments with Native American Indians and their Music

I decided to treat myself to some retail therapy earlier at Belfast city centre when I saw a big group of crowd flocked in front of the mall which at first thought it was just the usual street artists we often see in Belfast. When I came near them the amazement I felt was truly genuine. A group of musicians wearing their traditional Native American Indian costumes. I was fascinated because I just saw them before in the encyclopedia and now I was right in front of them!!.... and their exceptional music blew me away. The first thing that popped into my mind was, "Where is my dslr camera? I didn't bring my bloody camera!!!" As a photographer, that absolutely dismayed me. My second reaction then was to get my Iphone and took some shots of them. It wasn't the best quality photo but I really did enjoy the music. It was soothing and very relaxing. Vocalization and percussion are the most important aspects of traditional Native American music. Percussion, especially drums and rattles, are common accompaniment to keep the rhythm steady for the singers, who generally use their native language. When they finished their performance suprisingly they came to introduce themselves to me and we chatted a bit. They also speak Spanish and English. One of them was from Peru and he taught me how to cook good Chicken Adobo (their style). He knew that the popular dish of the Philippines is Adobo. The variation would be to put a beer on it. Sounds interesting! Again, hats off to you guys!

....their music: (other venue)

Carrickfergus Castle

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Carrickfergus Castle is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom). The castle is associated with the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ulster around 1170 AD and continued to be an administrative centre and garrison of the English in Ulster. Its close proximity to Scotland also strengthened the ties between Ireland and the mainland.

Our interest in the Caste is that it marks the point where King William III landed in Ireland on 14 June 1690 on the very pier which you can see in the photograph above. At the conclusion of his tour of the Castle and town he left for Belfast.

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BANQUET HALL

Get Intimate with my Subject

Flowers are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. I have never thought that I become fascinated with flowers until just recently. In a variety of colors, flowers can create a striking details and structures. Here are my shots:

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Love Ya

Because you’re very special

Hope your Birthday holds in store

Happy hours that overflow

With all you’re wishing for,

And hope the days that follow it

Make up a year that brings

Everything that you deserve

A million happy things.

Happy Birthday, Robbie!

Shoulder Calcification

I have been diagnosed to have this condition since late December 07. To understand the anatomy more clearly it is a bag of lubricating fluid surrounds the muscles and tendons of the shoulder. This bag is called a bursa. The mineral calcium is dissolved in our blood at all times. It stays dissolved until something happens to change the conditions in a region of the body. The inflammation reaction after injury to shoulder tendons or the shoulder bursa will change the local conditions and can lead to calcium coming out of solution and forming calcium crystals in the muscles or in the bursa around the shoulder. This is called shoulder calcification.

The symptoms of shoulder calcification often begin gradually over some weeks or months. Pain is the main problem. Rarely the problem can start with severe pain and progress rapidly but this is not common. More often it starts with a gradual pain in the region of the outer part of the shoulder - over the deltoid muscle.

Both of my shoulders are now affected but the worse one is my left. I've had a steroid injection on my right shoulder and it has a good effect post procedure. However, my left shoulder is my main problem. I have had 3 steroid injections and still experiencing extreme pain especially when I'm lying on it in bed more so in using it. The nature of my job has contributed to my condition. Just mainly through "wear and tear". Another set of injection is scheduled next month. My doctor is doing the Ultrasound guided Barbotage. Using the ultrasound image, the needle is guided into the calcification under direct vision. The calcification will then be attempted to be aspirated/withdrawn. To encourage healing the calcification is punctured several times under local anaesthetic. I admit I have been dreading the day. The recent one was painful.

Ultrasound image of needle entering the calcific deposit

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If the injections are not responding it may ultimately require surgery. The calcium deposit is debrided and released at the same time.It is called, Arthroscopy.

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credit:shoulderdoc.co.uk

Pinoy Badminton Tournament 08

A breakthrough happened on the 3rd of August, the very first Pinoy Badminton Tournament held at Ulster University, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland (UK). Male participants came over from Belfast and Whiteabbey..and as far as Coleraine and Limavady. It was a half-day event filled with fun and surprises. We cheered and had a roll. Each team fought hard all game but the major prize went to the team of Armando and Danny. Congratulations!

Next tournament would be on November. The players are now rehearsing and they are taking things more seriously! Good luck to all!

Glad to see my friend, Jovy. We haven't seen each other for 5 years. We arrived together in 2003 separated at the airport and we just saw each other again in the event. It was fun!

Me , Arjo and Jovy

Raising up Children

Here's Arjo and his cousin Alec who lives in Isle of Man...

One of the toughest, most responsible and satisfying tasks a human being can face is bringing up a child. It is also the job for which people receive the least formal training. Each person's knowledge of how to bring up a child usually comes from their surroundings and their own upbringing. This may result in patterns from the parent's own social experiences being repeated and passed on to their children.

Finding time to spend together as a family can be difficult. In many households, parents have to go to work, which limits the time they have to spend with their children. In addition, children are involved in school and other activities. Try to arrange a time each day, such as during breakfast or dinner, when the entire family can be together. Fixed routines are important for children.

Parents on the other hand are the most influential role models children are likely to have. Parents who pay compliments and show respect, kindness, honesty, friendliness, hospitality and generosity to their children will encourage them to behave in the same way. Parents should express their unconditional love for their children, as well as provide them with the continued support they need to become self-assured and happy.

Free Hugs

..I like this video a lot. The simplest gestures can bring about the greatest changes. A big hug from ME! OXO

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video credit: dolphinsonia