A walk in the Mississippi River

It was a relaxing Saturday morning, after a brunch at the nearby Asian Restaurant, we decided to burn the calories that we accumulated by walking at the Riverfront with Sarge. T'was a wonderful experience for me because being here for almost 2 years, this is my first time to walk in here. The fresh air, beautiful view of the river and the cool breeze will perfectly makes you relax and healthier, the reason why a lot of babies in the stroller here, children's having fun riding their bikes, families with their dogs. Now, that it's Spring time and the weather is warmer, hubby and I plans to do this walk every weekend. I think walking while seeing nature is a good stress-reliever plus it's an inexpensive form of exercise. I noticed lately that I'm gaining weight. I was a skinny 98lbs when I came here, now I'm bulging 110lbs., the buffet restaurant is the real culprit, plus no physical activities, I don't exercise.

The beautiful stretch of walkway that you can see above features many opportunites to see attractive staris to the water edge, pedestrian connection to the many attraction on it's route like the floating casino, the historic boat, the Grand Harbor Resort and waterparks, amphitheater, the National Mississippi River and Museum, the Riveredge Plaza, Greyhound park and casino and many more attractions that you can see at the Port of Dubuque. The America's River project for the Port of Dubuque made a good job on this.

The Joy of donating my hair

I always hate having a short hair. The kind of hair I have is the natural wavy type, thick strands, coarse, and full of volume. So, I always make it a point to maintain it long and have it straighten by the professional. It's very hard to manage if it's shorter, above shoulder cut will make it like an apro style, very thick that you can't see my small face anymore, it's all hair! I envy those who have natural straight and thin hair, its easy to manage and can have a the style of hair they want. But everytime I see a short hair woman and she carry it beautifully, wow, I wanted a short hair too! there are variety of styles of short hair. there comes a time that I wanted to cut my hair short if I see a short haired one that is really nice. But, if I remember that my hair is different type from them, even I choose their style, I know the outcome will be not be same as theirs. So, no, no, to short hair ever!


BeforexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNOW

my long hair before and this is my short hair now, its a nice feeling that your hair is being use by some people who are in need of hair, is

Things changed when I watched a video from the cancer patients that need wigs. They were financially disadvantaged cancer patients across the US who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. A well-established non profit organization called Locks of Love is the one who gathers the collection of hair from donors. From watching step by step, I learned that my hair is very qualified for donation. I felt a sense of guilt upon watching the children who has no hair because of chemotherapy. And here is my hair, useless long hair that needs to be cut but I refuses because of vanity. I decided right away to have a hair cut. And it's a blessing in disguise, that my hubby received a gift certificate from a well-known salon in the community. A $50 worth of hair styling, shampooing, plus 3 different products of their famous brand. Hubby wanted to transfer the gift certificate in my name. He always have a military cut, and he doesn't need the hair styling, lol. We immediately booked for an appointment at Stardust Salon. Both of us wanted a real change, he even told me to have my hair shorter, might be cute for my little face. That statement coming from him made me completely push thru on my hair donation. The salon staff was pleased to know about my plans, and their salon is also an active donor in that organization, they know the step by step procedure. I signed up a form, they help me gave an envelope to put my hair in the plastic container. The feeling of joy, knowing that my hair will be useful to someone gives me a sense of fulfillment.

Leaving Dubuque

Dubuque had been my home away from home. In fact I feel special attachments toward Dubuquer. I came from a country where foreigners are treated as the form of god, high treatment, I don't expect to be treated in similar way, rather I'm expecting a discrimination against my brown skin color and looks. As an immigrant, I'm very different, my accent, my manner of speech, I always feared and feel this sense of being "out of place", especially here in small city of Dubuque that most people know each other.

There is an impression about Dubuque that they are closeminded to immigrants. But all these scary thoughts changed when i first set my foot in the land of Dubuque. From O'hare Chicago Airport where my husband picked me up, I'm anticipating corn fields and very remote, boring rural areas that I will view from the car. But what I saw in contrast is the very beautiful, serene, quiet place, panoramic view that I only see in the magazines. When we passed by the bridge connecting Illinois to Dubuque, the mighty Mississippi River welcome us with a scenery of the floating Casino with a dog in the billboard.

Dubuque Panorama

Since it's already past 6pm when we arrived, the bright lights of the Casino, buildings in the Downtown area really cheered me up, its like welcoming me to Dubuque. I got amused after meeting the first Dubuquer who welcome me with flowers and cake. My husband's friends Joan and Kari, they are warm and very friendly. Made me feel at ease with more confidence. Neighbors says Hi! and wave at you, knowing I'm new to the area.

I got to meet a bunch of good people when I was hired in the Dubuque Community School District, being the only filipino employee there. Table Mound school employees and staff were so nice, I never ever feel this special as a new employee even in my native country, where I experienced a lot of discrimination in the job.(I will make a post about this topic later). Everyone is treated equal from the school principal to the lowest level.

I don't wanna flee away from Dubuque, I want to contribute something to my "home" state that has given me a shelter for almost 2 years.

The world...in photos

Only in China

Only in Hawaii

Only in India

Only in Texas

Only In Thailand

And last, but not least .....

Only In America

I just received this thru email and I just think its hilarious, humorous. Even I found some wrong part of the story, like that isn't Hawaii in America too, and Texas lol. Well, it's a joke, so I just laugh. I missed a picture from Philippines......maybe I just add something like this?

CROWDED JEEPNEYS...

IN THE PHILIPPINES

Peace Award

Thanks Ice for awarding my blog. I always wanted peace,,,peace of mind. It's the reason that's why I chose green and blue color template for a peaceful ambience. Anyway, friends, let's distribute this "peace" to everyone.

I am passing this award to: viswa, Lina, Synclaire blog, Praveen, and Alranga53. You have a peaceful blogging and have a good week ahead, guys! Please pass this "peace" award to keep the peace in our blogging community. Thanks! Keep in touch. :)

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Beware of April Fools' day jokes today

Have you pulled an Aprils fool yet? .....yes, I suck on April fools joke but I pulled my co-workers this morning. You see, everybody knows that we're moving and my last day of work will be on April 18. But I told everyone with a sad face (to make the drama real), that I decided this day will be my last day, hearing this, one of my co-worker hugged me and nearly cried, it happens that our school principal, Mr. Hansen entered the scene , making them believe that it's real, they thought the principal was there to say goodbye too. Then when they told the principal, its her last day today, I shouted, April fools!