Nandito na ako sa Pilipinas. Nagkita na kami nina Wilma at Felix sa Petron Stockholders' Meeting at the Manila Hotel last Monday, July 28. Jet lagged pa rin ako kahit nung Friday, July 25 pa dumating. Pagod na pagod kasi ako dun sa Reno, sobrang hectic ang sked namin. Pero enjoy. I made friends with delegates from 12 other countries at the Global Child Nutrition Forum. They were very fascinated that we have over 7000 islands in the Philippines. Those countries are: Vietnam, India, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Honduras. Siempre, may invitations to visit each and everyone of them!

Even though I am not in the nutrition field, I think I represented the Philippines well. Napili pa nga ako as one of the four to speak about his country's school feeding during the conference proper, siguro dahil I speak English better than the other delegates. Kinuwento ko lang naman na we eat rice morning, noon, and night in the Philippines.

Pag pala Philippines ang tawag sa iyo instead of your given name, magagawa mo ang lahat. I also participated in the "Walk Against Hunger", two rounds of brisk walking around our hotel block, at 6 am on Monday July 21. Kahit pa puyat sa daldalan with my cousin who drove all the way from San Jose to see me.

The only place I got to see outside Reno was the Ponderosa Ranch at Lake Tahoe, where I was able to rope a calf, how exciting! We went there upon invitation of one of the sponsors of the Forum.

I only got to go to the general sessions of the American School Food Service Association Annual National Conference. We were presented on stage in one of those. The motivational speakers in those sessions were: Ann Jillian, John Alston, Dr. Kenneth Cooper and Jack Canfield.May autograph ako ni Jack Canfield.

Enjoy ako sa high speed Internet access sa conference! I browsed Philippines facts and figures in a rush. Kailangan intelligent about the Philippines from sunup to sundown (e kaso, 9 pm ang sundown, hu, hu, hu!)

It was a most memorable experience for me! Ling, ready na akong maging ambassador, he, he, he!

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July 15, 2003

Ojie and Tatay arrived at the apartment. Arranged check-up with Dr. Arnel Arenas at Heart Center. They took their lunch there. Instead of resting, I had to prepare food for them. Fish and alimasag for dinner. We talked a lot about Ataboy. Ate Baby Bossman called up overseas to say that she will see me in Reno. I packed late at night, and hardly slept. Ordered a Dollar Taxi pick-up early at 4:15 am.

July 16, 2003

The Dollar Taxi driver, Noel, was outside when I checked at 4 am. I let him take a bite at the Burger Machine on my account while he waited. The drive was smooth, and we got to the airport before 5 am. The porter assisted me to the seat for wheelchair service passengers. I paid my travel tax at the nearby counter while waiting. Ate my baon, Skyflakes crackers. Shared with a seatmate who is from Pensicola, Florida. Finally, the wheelchair attendant is here. Very efficient. He wheeled two of us in one trip.I was at my gate in no time.Somebody asked me how much tip I gave to the attendant. P150, I replied. I saw an old lady seated by herself who kept standing and scanning the crowd. I thought she needed assistance but nobody went to her.Before boarding time, I had to go to the restroom. Left my bags with the counter people, and they accepted only because I am on wheelchair service. I experienced the ordinary passenger security check when I went back. Fall in line, take off your shoes, put them back on.

Our breakfast was delicious! Adobo with rice and fried eggplant. Masarap na combination pala iyon! Busog ako. An adorable child who was with his father (mother is Filipina, but not with them on the flight) was very entertaining to watch. The flight stewardess gve them a lot of attention.

My seatmate, Edna, told me her story. She married a doctor from Palawan who is several years her senior. He gave her a good life. They have a 13 year old son, Michael. They went home to visit her family, and it was a grand celebration. They had a house blessing in Taal. Her husband is very generous to her family. She is very grateful. She has 6 siblings. Her father died in 2000. They went on vacation in Dos Palmas. She wanted to share with me some of the food the relatives insisted that thay bring, but the kalamay was checked in pala.

I caught myself cyring as the approach to Tokyo was announced. I remembered Ned who invited me to Tokyo, a trip that was not to be because he passed away June 12.

I gave the young Japanese attendant a souvenir P100 peso bill. I had no dollars out pala! He was very gracious. We were seated at the gate in no time. I changed to my jogging pants and sandals, but used my handcarried blouse because the sweatshirt was too hot for the wait.

I ate my crackers, took my Milo drink, and offered the choco flakes from Baguio to the old lady I noticed earlier at NAIA. Her granddaughter is an immigrant going to Seattle for the first time, kept asking me questions. I learned from her that Lola is already 98 years old. She did not eat much on the plane, so I kept giving her the choco flakes.She took 3 pieces.

I had a vacant seat next to me on the long flight, so I was able to rest. I did not have to talk to anybody. The food served was delicious. Beef for dinner, eggs for breakfast. I recall the strawberry ice cream from New Zealand. I watched the movie. Setting was China.

We landed in Seattle. Immigration asked me for the invitation to the conference. I gave him the printed emails instead. He commented, "You have a lot of documentation in there!" The attendant was very friendly and efficient. I was trying to recall my brief stopover there from Vancouver two years ago. I gave her a $5 tip. I was really very sleepy and it was going to be a 4 hour wait. First, I changed from the jogging pants and sweatshirt back to my boots, black pants, black coat and red blouse. Then I slept. Got hungry. The lady at the counter would not accept my bags for safekeeping. This is America. Rules, you know. I took a Burger King sandwich and a soda for lunch.

The lady at the counter took me on a wheelchair and boarded me ahead. Thanks.

Reno at last! I got limo wheelchair service from a lady named Barbara. She even accompanied me to the restroom, where, to my great embarrassment, I disposed of my accumulated toxins. Yikes!

Waited for the Nugget shuttle service outside. It is hot! Dry hot!

There was a queue at the check-in but it was smooth all the way once I reached the counter lady. So, this is the Nugget. I dived straight to bed! After resting, I went down, gave a package for Paul at the concierge (to let him know I am already in), deposited valuables at the hotel safety deposit box, took a sandwich to go from Rosie's, and went back to room 1427. Had calls from Lut, and a midnight one from Ate Baby! Could not go back to sleep so I unpacked and ironed my clothes. Buti na lang, because the schedule was so hectic pala! I think I slept at 4 am.

And I set my alarm for 6:30 am! I took the Big Bertha breakfast (1 egg sunny side up, 2 link sausages, 2 pieces of bacon and 2 pancakes, named after the elephant that performed there) at The Farmhouse at 7 am. Then I got ready for the 8:30 meeting with the ambassadors at the lobby. Paul was showing the books I brought when I got there. So I got to meet Marilyn, Gene, Phyllis, Jo, and the other delegates, Sue, Thai, Mai, Phuong before we were told that they will meet us at 11:15 am yet and so we have extra hours of rest. I went back to bed, but got a call from Espie at 10:30 am.

Day 1 of the 5th Global Child Nutrition Forum in John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort

The delegates met the GCNF officials and the ambassadors at the lobby.Then we went up the second floor for the Get Acquainted Luncheon at the Tahoe Room. I took the table nearest the door, Martha (Canada) joined me, then Marina (Rome), Corrine (New Mexico) , and the South American delegates who had to sit together, Octavio (Colombia), Angel (Colombia), Cristian (Chile), Francisco (Chile), and Samir(India) who I thought also spoke Spanish! It felt like we we have known each other for a long time! Corrine brought Harry Potter5 with her. Angel and Marina were talking about paella. Marina said she was in China two years ago.So many topics! The other tables were similarly engaged.

Marilyn presided. She introduced the ASFSA Leaders and Guests. Then we had lunch. Marilyn took the floor again and gave us an overview of GCNF. And we listened intently to Chuck Rumbarger's speech on Building Partnerships (which Angel dutifully translated to Octavio in Spanish).

We moved to the Donner room for the map ceremony and the self introduction of the GCNF delegates. We found our places (Martha to my right and Cristian to my left.) Each of us spoke about our role in school feeding and then stuck a pin at the location of our respective countries in the world map displayed in front. 14 countries in 5 continents were pinned at ceremony's end.

A little break of biscuits, soda and coffee. Aha! We are breaking the rules of nutrition!

We listened to in depth familiarization about the GCNF, ASFSA and WFP. We were encouraged to ask questions, and we did. Gene White of the ASFSA presented 'School Feeding in the United States'.

The sun was still up when we got dismissed for a free night. Daylight is misleading, because the sun sets at 9 pm. Many people in the group were surprised when I said that in the Philipines, the sun sets roughly between 5:30 to 6:30 pm the whole year round!

I got a BLT with potato salad to go from Rosie's, a perfect size meal! Phone calls in my room. I was tired and needed rest.

Day 2 of the Global Child Nutrition Forum at the Nugget

I woke up not feeling well. I think I caught the colds from Octavio. I went down to breakfast with the delegates at 8 am. Did not finish my cheerios with milk because it was discussion time! I sat between Malawi and India. We brought our country materials to share with everybody.

Marilyn laid out the plan for the day, and we reviewed yesterday's happenings, too. Judith Lewis talked about the World Food Program perspectives.

At 9:30 am we went out to take a bus (sat with Marina) to visit Bernice Mathews Elementary School. The principal welcomed us, the gardening teacher took us to visit the garden (thank God I brought my umbrella!) Back to the cafeteria, we lined up with the kids and had lunch with them. Christienne, a grade 4 pupil, sat beside me. She wants to be a writer. She is currently reading Harry Potter 4. She replied, "Hablo Espanol mucho!", to my declaration of "Hablo Espanol un poquito!" She's a big girl, helped the smaller ones open their catsup and salad dressing sachets. Aida, the girl on my right side, asked me where we are staying. When I answered, "at the Nugget," she then asked, "do you gamble?" I was very thankful that I could truthfully answer, "No, we are very busy with the conference." Beverly was so amused with the immediate follow up question: " What about at night?" The girl opposite me volunteered a lot of information about her family. She spent 2 months with grandparents in Guatemala, her grandfather is 88, father 34, mother 31, brother 3, sister 5 and even recited their birthdays! I was asked if I am married, and when I said no, was further asked if I plan to get married! Wow! No wonder I only finished half of my burrito, salad, and apple! I did finish my white milk!

Then we went to the Washoe County Nutrition Center (Central Kitchen) where I got culture shock! Eveything was huge!

I sat with Sue in the bus on the way to the Sparks Convention Center. Excellent First World viewpoint from Sue!We got our badges and other ANC registration materials, and with the money earlier given by Paul ($250, how generous!), I bought several tickets for the GCNF baskets raffle.

We went back to the Nugget for the wrap up of the school visit.

The Latin American network panel presentation that followed was very impressive and made us all want to go to Chile in March 2004! Angel Facundio was very candid about the Colombia experience, too.

We munched on almond samples given by the Almond Board of California.

Another free night! I was very happy to find chicken teriyaki with rice at Rosie's. Took an order to my room. After an extended reporting to my sister in Florida over the phone, I set the ringer to negative. Set the airconditioning to warm. I need some rest. I have a runny nose and I am not feeling well.

Day 3 of the 5th Global Child Nutrition Forum: July 19, 2003, Saturday

I took a Big Bertha breakfast at Rosie's. Reported in time for Marilyn's review and plan for the day.

We started the roundtable discussions. My participation consisted mostly in questions.

We boarded the bus and went to the Hilton for the Global Child Nutrition Forum 2003 Lunch with the ASFSA Board. Paul asked for directions from the janitor. Ana, he's from the Philippines! I spoke with Mang Paul, from Pangasinan, and gave him my business card.

We shook hands with all the ASFSA Board on the reception line. We invited Molly from Alaska, Elsie from California, and Shirley from Rich to sit with us, Samir, Pablo, Andrea, Elizabeth. Francisco presented the JUNAEB experience of Chile. We laughed at his use of the word 'intoxication'.

We had the formal photo session of the GCNF delegates in the next function room after lunch.

The photographer was a good director. He asked us to cross our legs right over left, and the ones on the other side, left over right. My, what attention to detail!

Went back to the Nugget for the final topics of the roundtable discussion.

Then we were briefed about the Annual National Conference of the ASFSA to start next day.

Before we broke up to freshen up for dinner, Marilyn announced the names of the four delegates who will present 'School Feeding around the World' at the ANC. I was so surprised to hear my name being called. You were good. Tell them about your 7,000 islands, coached Marilyn.

I just had time to bring my things up and grab a bite and then back to the lobby for the trip to Atlantis Hotel for our culminating activity of the GCNF, dinner at the Monte Vigna Restaurant.

It was quite hilarious at our table. Angel, Gene and Sue were a funny combination. I sat with Pablo and Andrea, Martha. We had red wine, and every now and then we would toast! The Italian food was good.

It was Paul's 31st birthday. An impromptu program materialized! And then, surprise from ASFSA! We were given honorary memberships and were awarded individually with ASFSA pins! The simple ceremony was quite touching! We did not want the evening to end.

Everybody was animated on the ride back to the hotel. Sue insisted that Martha and I join her for drinks at the Nugget lobby. We did, and had a good discussion with birthday boy Paul about ASFSA. Francisco wanted us join the group that went dancing, but we were pooped and turned in just before midnight.

57th ANC Day 1, Sunday, July 20, 2003

The morning activities of the Annual National Conference of the American School Food Service Association were optional. I decided to give my body a rest. I did not set the alarm clock.

I woke up at 9:30 am. Had a good brunch at Rosie's. Started organizing my talk for Tuesday.

Took the bus, went to the Sparks Convention Center, straight to Tech Central for Internet access. I need statistics from the Philippines to add to my talk. The internet access was quite fast! I am impressed and envious.

I attended the Opening General Session of the ANC. Seats on second row were reserved for the GCNF delegates, good! Ann Jillian was the motivational speaker. Fe Lara (Ed de la Rea's sister who endorsed me to the ASFSA) and I finally met!

I went back to the Nugget. Ate Baby, my niece, had a message on the phone. She and Uncle Barry (Ate Baby's husband) are already checked in at the hotel. We met at the Gift Shop. Took her various things for me from her car. Went up to my room for catch up chit chat while Uncle Barry went swimming at the hotel pool. We went to dinner at the Rotisserie. We had salad,crabs, fried rice, strawberry shortcake, and many other selections from the buffet. When the restaurant closed, we sat in the lobby until I cannot keep my eyes open anymore. I invited her and Uncle Barry to our Walk Against Hunger in the morning.

57th ANC Day 2, Monday, July 21, 2003

Woke up at 5:45 pm. Wore my Philippine flag T-shirt, pants and sandals. Went down to the lobby for the Walk Against Hunger. Paul distributed long sleeved denim shirts (all extra large sizes) which we are supposed to wear for the dinner at Ponderosa Ranch that night.

Off we went, brisk walking around the hotel block. It felt quite good, plus the conversation was great! I dropped out after the first round and went back to the lobby with Marilyn, and who should be sitting down there but Uncle Barry! I introduced him to Marilyn, and then we caught up with the rest for another round of brisk walking, yikes! I survived it, too. When we were done for the second round, I introduced Uncle Barry to Marina and Ashleigh and Pablo and Andrea at the lobby. Then we all went back to our rooms.

I had breakfast with Ate Baby and Uncle Barry at Rosie's. After which we said our goodbyes. They were proceeding to Lake Tahoe. Ate Baby gave me $100 additional pocket money.I hurriedly dressed, took the bus, and was a little late for the ANC general session. Caught the motivational talk of John Alston. The guy is good!

To Tech Central again, for more research. Then I explored the Exhibit Hall. Mind-boggling! Sights and sounds and tastes!

I went back to the Nugget at 2 pm. Finalized my talk. Rested a bit. Then dressed for the dinner at Ponderosa Ranch. I just used the Schwan's denim shirt as a jacket over a T-shirt and pants.

At the bus, we were each given a bottle of mineral water, a disposable camera, and a red scarf which we are supposed to tie around our necks (cowboy style). During the hour ride, a tour guide provided a lot of information about the sights. We passed through Carson City, Virginia City, and caught a breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe.

I leafed through the Ponderosa map that was also distributed to us. I will go calf-roping!

Here we are at Ponderosa Ranch. It is the setting for the TV series 'Bonanza'. As we went down the bus, we were given a tin cup and two tickets for drinks. Then we were directed to proceed to dinner. I stopped to have a polaroid shot taken with the resident saloon girl. Dinner was delicious and generous! Salad, ribs, chicken, beans, bread, drinks unlimited. Dessert was caramel sticks. Gaye Lynn (outgoing ASFSA president) even joined us at the table and posed for photos. I sat with Samir, Corrine, Pablo and Andrea.

I headed for the calf-roping. I fell in line next to Alexandra, Claudia's daughter. Following me is Andrea. The assisting cowboy was very patient with Alexandra, but she still fell short. He finally asked her to come back and try again later. It was my turn. The cowboy said something I didn't understand. I assumed it was because I am not a local, so I told him I am from the Philippines. Negros Oriental?, he asked. He has gone on vacation with friends in the Philippines! Small world! With the tips he patiently gave me, I was able to rope the calf on the third and final throw of the rope! I was so excited I forgot to pull! Andrea captured all of my excitement on my camera.

I tasted my share of fame with the calf roping. Betsy told me later that several of them tried it too because, if Ana can do it, they can also do it! You were great with that calf!, a lady at the bus later told me.

I fell in line for a photo with the resident cowboy. I underestimated the effort it takes to get up that particular horse. I felt some discomfort at my hip, so I took the rest of the night easy. I went back to the bus ahead of the others. I slept in the bus on the way back to the Nugget.

 Day 3 of the ANC, Tuesday, July 22, 2003

Woke up at 5:30 am to get ready for the early bus ride to the Convention Center. We are going to be presented to the audience during the General Session at 8:30 am. We are all supposed to be in the Green Room backstage before 8 am. I wore my red dress with my black coat.

We were instructed to leave our things at the second row seats, someone will secure them. Also, take off our ID's. Why? The lights reflect kind of funny in the plastic casing. Okay.

We had coffee in the Green Room backstage. We had to be careful walking past all the cabling running on the floor. We could watch the view onstage in a giant monitor backstage as we lined up the stairs to the stage. Marilyn introduced each of us. We formed a line onstage, smiled at the thousands in the crowd. Celebrity moment. I could see Fe taking pictures, up to the time we went down the stairs.

 The presentation of Dr Kenneth Cooper about the extent of obesity in America was so shocking, but his film clips about fit senior citizens were so inspiring. What struck me the most was his pronouncement that parents will outlive their children!

 I did the rounds of the exhibit again, then went to Tech Central. Went early to the room where 'School Feeding around the World' will be presented. Elizabeth and I were the only ones there, so we both put our feet up for a while. Shirley came in, too, and we had an informal discussion about school feeding and nutrition. Elizabeth shared that she teaches nutrition to the community in church. Nutrition is all over the Bible, she notes. Tell that to the audience, we encouraged.

The other delegates came, and the audience, too. Ariane distributed our Walk Against Hunger T-shirts. She is really like a den mother to us cubs! I feel like you are our kindergarten teacher, taking care of our slightest needs, I told her.

I distributed my business card to the audience, so they can e-mail me for questions which may not be taken up during the brief session.

The audience listened intently to all our presentations. And I think they were quite touched by the plight of hungry children in other parts of the world. Elizabeth said that it only takes $9 to feed one child in Kenya for a whole year. Fe's response to that was, "I can afford that! Where do I send help?" When I told the audience that we eat rice morning, noon and night, they were so surprised! Phuong thanked me for mentioning their Land O'Lakes milk feeding program in Vietnam, which is scheduled to be piloted in the Philippines, too.

We were supposed to go to the Evening of Experiences in Lake Tahoe that night, but Fe asked permission from Paul and Jo if I can be excused so that we can have dinner with the Filipinos in the food service profession. Granted.

So we went to her room at the Hilton, talked, then met Celeste, Heidy and Gabriela at the lobby. We had a delicious dinner at the Asiana Restaurant of the Hilton. And we met Fred Manabat, a Filipino waiter who said he has a bahay kubo in Reno, even invited us to have brekfast there. And only because he heard us earnestly translating the 'Bahay Kubo' song in English.

I went back to the Nugget for a well-deserved rest! The lady cab driver was very friendly.

Day 4 of the 57th ANC of ASFSA, Wednesday, July 23, 2003

Woke up late. Met Fe at the ANC exhibits. Got materials and samples from the exhibitors.We ate lunch at the exhibit floor. Soup from Campbells booth, pizza at Schwans, salad, milk, fruits. I went back to the Nugget after this final round of the exhibit floor. Then came back in time for Jack Canfield at the Closing General Session. After his motivational speech, I discreetly went out to Tech Central to check-in for my flight via the Internet. They have disconnected all the computers! I went back to the general session, and who was there at the reception table by the door but Jack Canfield! I had him autograph one of my tickets! How thrilling to shake the hand of the author of 'Chicken Soup for the Soul'.

We witnessed the valedictory of Gaye Lynn and the swearing in of the new officers and board of ASFSA led by Donna Wittrock.

I went with Fe back to the Hilton and we went to the dinner for food service professionals hosted by Schwans. I had a very interesting discussion with my seatmates, Don and Beverly Roberts. We talked about sailing and fishing, food service, the Philippines, and even 9/11 and how sad the economic situation is. I promoted the Philippines a lot. The Italian food was quite delicious.

Then we went to the Farewell Extravaganza featuring the Doobie Brothers at the Hilton outdoor stage. Party time! Very festive! The golden girls of ASFSA went back in time and were teenagers again!

I went back to the Nugget at 9 pm. I need to pack my things. Took me until midnight.Then I woke up at 4 am for check-out by TV. The system didn't work. I went down the lobby at 4:30 am to a long queue. I wanted to take the earliest shuttle. The bell service person commented on my 4 bags thus: You know, I used to travel for a week with just this size bag (pointing to my medium sized one.) Oh, but I had to bring extra clothes because I was representing my country in the conference and I had to be ready for whatever activity, I justified. Which country is that? The Philippines! My wife is Filipino, he declared. She slapped me when I said the kids took after me in intelligence, he confided. She did that because you insulted her, I said. You want to take the 5:30 shuttle? Sure. He endorsed my four bags to the driver with a forceful: "All these bags belong to this lady here!" And that was how I got to take the earliest shuttle bus with Angel and some airline crew. And why I forgot to return my big hotel room key to the desk.

I had to wait to check-in at the airport because there were still two flights to go before mine. I was comfortably seated at the wheelchair so I got to do a lot of people watching. Is there any health condition we should be aware of?, asked the check-in counter person. Nothing to worry, I said. I just have weak knees. Cannot walk too far or stand too long. Just like my grandmother, he said, then proceeded to treat me like her! I have to do this travel to represent my country, I added. So, another discussion of school feeding with him and other ASFSA people within earshot.

The wheelchair attendant was a young lady from Malaysia who lost her father at age 8. She is two days on the job, used to work for Seattle's Best Coffeshop, also within the airport. We were discussing Malaysia while my handcarried bag was being thoroughly inspected because of the metal detected (cash box of Fe). The inspector added his observations of Thailand, joining our discussion and clearing my bag, too.

I was the first person at the gate! I took my fruits breakfast in peace. Started writing my stories of the trip. Soon the gate was teeming with people. Samir and I went into a discussion. Sara introduced herself and joined in. Ariane too. Elizabeth and Dorothy were taking the flight in the next gate. We hugged. Phuong, Mai and Thai were proceeding to Wash DC.

Thousands of ASFSA delegates were in the airport that morning.

I sat beside an 81 year old lady of Polish ancestry, Anna Miranda, on the flight to LA. She has a Polish father and an American mother. She has a heart condition but found an excellent doctor who is keeping her alive with unconservative treatment. She was travelling alone after one and a half years to visit an ailing best friend who is 3 years in oxygen but has a devoted husband who manages to take her out of the confines of bed.

She painted to me in words what she will relive with her ailing friend. Beach in Sta Monica, fishing in the pier, shopping with daughter, race tracks with friends.

She also shared her apprecaition of her family -- a daughter skilled in portraiture, son-in-law From West Point who served in Vietnam, another daughter who does tiaras, granddaughters who already inherited some of her property. The flight was too short for all the stories she had to tell. And oh, the Pope is her contemporary.

It took a while for the wheelchair attendants to fetch Anna and me. The one I got was not sure where we were going. She kept asking for directions. Turned out she is from security and just got diverted to wheelchair. I have not been to this part of the building, she said. I thought I was going to miss my connection! The plane was boarding when we got to the gate. Whew! Maybe I should have just walked.

Initially, the seat next to me was empty. The lady in the next seat leaned over and asked if I am also from Singapore. Of course we got to talking about food service. Her kids are studying in America. She makes them meals with rice that they bring to school.

The empty seat was taken by a high school student in a military base international school in Tokyo. He chose Coke everytime the stewardess asked for what drink he will have. I could not resist asking him about it when he also took Coke for breakfast. I told him that I have just come from the school feeding conference. And what steps are being done to reduce soda consumption of kids in America.

I saw the in-flight movie, 'Maid in Manhattan'.

We got off the plane at the tarmac in Tokyo, and I joined the group of wheelchair service passengers who went to a platform that brought us to the building and like an elevator, brought us down to ground level. There was not enough wheelchairs, so those of us who can walk, did. It was a short distance walk, and we went ahead of the queued crowd. I was very tired and slept till our flight boarded.

My seatmate was a teacher of English as a Foreign Language in Japan. He is based in San Francisco but will visiting relatives in the Philippines. Of course we talked about school feeding. He said that in their school, the students are required to bring back the unconsumed portions to the food container so that the wastage can be measured. There was also a time when he took Coke for breakfast, he admitted.

I was very thankful for the smooth clearing thru Immigration and retrieval of my bags in Manila. Also for the immediate sighting of Ojie at the arrival welcoming area.

The taxi driver joined in our discussion of school feeding in America on the ride home to the apt. It is so good to be home.It was a hectic but very fulfilling trip.

I