UNION PLAZA

on our way back from lunch

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letter of hearing date

As you may recall from an earlier post, a few months ago I was cited for walking Lenny in the park without a leash.  I decided to fight the ticket.  Well, last week I finally received the letter scheduling my hearing date before the Environmental Control Board. The hearing was scheduled for today at 9AM. GAME TIME!

As usual, I arrived at the court 15 minutes before the hearing time and ended up waiting half an hour before the clerk judge called me and the officer who cited me.

I was a bit disappointed that it was a clerk judge and not a real judge, but I really wasn’t all that surprised. However, I was happy that it was a female clerk judge who I hoped would have sympathy on me.

At 9:35AM, clerk judge Stein called us to her office. She had us both swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth (so help us god) and started asking questions. She began with Officer Perez who issued the ticket (actually might be a good looking man under different circumstances.)

notice of apperance

CJ: Officer Perez, what do you recall on that day you issued the ticket?

OP: Yes ma’am. That morning, we were doing our normal checks around the park and I saw her; the respondent with an unleashed dog. I approached her and told her that there is zero tolerance policy on unleashed dogs. The commissioner and the mayor are very serious about this policy because they receive a lot of complaints about unleashed dogs (editors note:  yeah right, I just saw a couple of dogs today running around in the middle of the park without leashes. Maybe the mayor and the commissioner should check our park once in a while). There are many sign posted all over the park (yeah the ones that have been vandalized?)

CJ: Do you remember what kind of dog she has?

OP: (looking at the paper - which clearly shows that he doesn’t remember). Ah yes, it was a small white dog.

CJ:Miss T, do you have any questions for Officer Perez

JT: No your honor.

CJ: Very well, Ms T what is your defense?

JT: (putting on my most sympathy garnering face) At that time, my newly adopted dog was with us for only about two months.  He was rescued from a very abusive puppy mill, which kept him in a cage for the first 5 years of his life. So when we adopted him, he didn’t  know how to react to anything around him. However, while walking him that day, I noticed that his tail was up. Normally, when I walk him, his tail is tucked in and he is scared of everything around him. As soon as I saw that his tail was up, I took a picture of him to show my husband. I temporarily removed his leash and took the picture. As soon as I got up to put the leash back on, the officer was behind me in his car and asked me to come closer to him.

I put my dogs leash on right away and walked towards his car. He told me that my dog is unleashed. I asked him if he can give me a warning but he refused and told me that there is a zero tolerance policy in the park. I remained quiet.

As soon as I left I noticed that he cited on the ticket that I was walking with an unleashed and uncontrolled dog - and that was not true. I was not walking with my dog unleashed and he is not an uncontrolled dog. I removed it for few minutes just to take a picture. That’s it!

CJ: I understand you are upset but did you explain to the officer about this?

JT: I tried to, your honor, but I was very nervous. It’s my first time getting a ticket and he already told me about the zero tolerance policy.

OP: If you’d just told me about taking a picture, I probably would not have given you a ticket.

CJ:Next time you need to explain the officer.

JT: I wish I had a chance, your honor. I’m aware of the dog leash policy but, like I said, I was just taking a picture of my dog. I never walked him unleashed and he is not an uncontrolled dog. He is a shy little dog.

CJ:Officer Perez, do you remember if she was walking the dog and for how long?

OP: When I approached her she was standing with her dog for about approximately 2-5 minutes

JT: That’s because I was just taking a picture.

CJ: Do you have that picture?

JT: Yes (going to my bag, got my iPhone and show her the picture)

CJ:He is very cute and he was off leash (I just realized I may be fucked… they can use that as evidence…I have to say something…shit)

JT: I’m not denying he is not on a leash, your honor.  But like I said, I removed it to take a picture and as soon as I got up, the officer was behind me. I was not walking him without his leash and he is not an uncontrolled dog as stated on the ticket.

CJ: Do you have any questions?

JT & OP: No

CJ:Very well. I will not make any decision right now. I will review the report as well as the tape and make a decision in the next few days. I will send you the result by mail. If you don’t agree with the decision, you can file an appeal and the same thing with you Officer Perez.

Enjoy your day everyone!

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Dammit! I have to wait again! Now I’m hoping I got her sympathy and she will lower my fine.  I can’t wait for this thing to be over but to be honest, I kind of like going to court! Hmmm, perhaps I can join my husband’s career.

I bet he dare not to open auntie’s bag and play with her lipstick again

Yesterday, we celebrated my twin nephews’ birthdays. Hard to believe that, 3 years ago, my husband and I were carrying these 2 fragile baby boys. Helping my sister in-law change their diapers, feed them, burp them and put them to bed. I remember the first time they were called my name. Instead of Joan, they call me Goan. I remember the first time they walked, they fell, they cry and ate. I remember them looking for me (while I was in the bathroom) and asking “nana, where is Goan” and most of all I remember the first kisses and how they say “I love you Goan”

Jack - 3 months

Josh with hubby

Now, they are 3 years old. They can finally say my name correctly. They are now becoming little men. They are growing fast right before my eyes.

age 3

To J&J, happy birthday my loves! I’m sure you are going to out grow me really soon, but you will forever be my little nephews. I love you both!

brunch at Brasserie Julien - celebrating Mother’s day

meme from Carina

1. How old is your mother?
She is 61 but she look younger than her age
2. What do you call your mother?
Nanay, Mother

3. How is your relationship with your mother?
Complicated. We are very typical mother and daughter, with the fights and the make-ups and everything.

4. Does she have another other children other than you?
Yes my two bro (i’m the middle).

5. Is she a good cook?
Um, only THE BEST. My favorites? Chicken Adobo! Yummy!

6. Where was she raised?
Balangiga, Eastern Samar

7. Do you love your mother?
Of course (what kind of question is that?).

8. When was the last time you saw your mother?
Saturday - brunch at Brasserie Julien

9. Does/did she make you do chores, if yes what?
When I used to lived with her - Yes and its always became a fight

10. What is your mother’s favorite resturant?
She doesn’t have one. She doesn’t go out much

11. What kind of music does she like?
Umm..old songs like Nat King Cole and Nora Aunor

12. Does your mother work?
Yes, she’s a nurse

13. Does your mother spoil you?
I guess when I was young

14. What is your mother’s favorite store?
I think she loves the 99 cents store couple blocks away from her house

15. Does she know who Britney Spears is?
Who?

16. Is she a good driver?
She knows how to drive but I will not have her drive my car
17. What is her favorite color?
white, pink and blue

18. Where is your mother right now?
In bed sleeping I would think.

19. What did you give your mother for Mother’s Day?
Flowers. Because she loves having fresh flowers around the house.

20. Your mother is …
Special

On April 13, I received the green light to go on vacation back to my homeland with my mom.  Without hesitation, I booked the same flight as her. Even though I would be returning on a different day as my mom and the flight would be very long in cramped seats, that didn’t stop my excitement about going home - especially since I haven’t been home in 8 years.

Having a newly adopted dog that has become very attached to and dependant on me, I was worried about leaving him alone with my husband. As I have mentioned before, Lenny (my dog) is a little afraid of my husband. I knew that Lenny would be very sad when I left. As a matter of fact, the night before I left, while packing, Lenny could sense that I was leaving. He followed me around and started chewing the luggage.  But the most painful part was when he went inside the luggage while I was organizing my clothes. Two things came to mind as to what would happen — either Lenny would get closer to and bond with my husband or he would fall into a deep depression, stop eating and get sick. With my husband’s assurance that everything would be ok, on April 19, I left home and headed to the Philippines.

On April 21 (local date), we arrived in Manila after a 23 hour long flight. We stayed in the city for two days to take care of some errands, but that was not to be our main destination. On April 25^th, after a 45 minute flight from Manila, we arrived in Tacloban City. In 8 years the city had changed a lot. There were a lot more people than I remembered. There were also a lot more stores to shop in and roads that used to be packed with bicycles were now packed with different kinds of motorized vehicles. Eight years ago, if you looked for a hamburger, it would take hours to find. Now, the city has many different kinds of fast food joints to choose from. Before, they used to have 1 shopping mall - Gaisano, now there is a second, even bigger Gaisano, as well as the Robinson Mall to compete with them. But Gaisano is still my favorite shopping mall in Tacloban. I have visited that mall so many times in my life, that I still remembered the ins and outs of the mall.

Chowking is my favorite fast food in Tacloban because of the Halo-halo they sell. After going there for the third time (they always run out of ice) we finally got to enjoy this delicious concoction.

However, not everything changed in Tacloban — the constant nose picking, spitting, men walking half naked, smoking inside the jeepneys, the honking of cars trying to turn one way roads into two-way, the smell of diesel motor-vehicles and the unbelievably pungent smell of the supermarket. These are the things I could NEVER get used to. But, I love the hospitality of Tacloban city — the friendly people, their (missing teeth) smiles and most importantly the respectfulness of the workers. I love the way they call me “ma’am” even in McDonalds.

Balangiga was our next stop. This historic town in Eastern Samar is my mom’s birthplace. Visiting this place was the main reason that I decided to go home. Most of my family still lives here and I have missed them very very much. After my mom and I settled in, we were served a very familiar dish of grilled blue marlin, commonly known as sulusugi. My cousin also brought us kaymito (star-apple) in exchange for a real apple.

While enjoying our feast, a combination of mosquitoes and flies were enjoying my body. The dining table was always full of fun and laughter. I love the way my uncle teased my aunt and my aunt responsed back annoyed and irritated. I love the way my cousin would say something stupid and everybody would laugh at him. I also enjoy listening to them gossiping about other people or complaining about family members. It’s the typical family drama - something I missed very much.

Speaking of family drama, I was surprised to find out that most of my cousins now have their own babies. Either they impregnated someone or they got pregnant. Some were forced to marry someone because they impregnated someone. It’s a sad story but it’s also reality. Being the very first one in the family who actually got married without getting knocked up, I became the hot topic of a subject. I got constant questions about “when are you having babies” or comments that “you should have a baby now because you’re getting old”. I tried to answer them politely or have a laugh at it but the questioning never seemed to stop. One time, I got so fed up that I bluntly answered them: “I don’t want to be a statistic of one of the irresponsible parents who have the nerve to make babies, knowing that they can’t afford them. I don’t want to have a baby and still rely on parent’s help “. That answer shut them up for sure.

Overall my stay in Balangiga and Tacloban was fun especially with the help of my favorite cousin Nildz, who took me to different places.  He really made my trip more memorable. I will surely come back soon and stay a lot longer.

As for Lenny, it turns out that he was ok. According to my husband and our dog walker Roz, the first 2 days was a bit difficult. He didn’t eat or drink and he hid under the bed. After that, he started to warm up to my husband. As a matter of fact, he has now mostly stopped barking at my husband. Two nights ago, when my husband got home and sat down on the couch, I gave him a kiss and Lenny came near him, looked at him, jumped up on his belly and slept there. Although he doesn’t wiggle his tail when my husband gets home, Lenny now greets my husband on the door. I guess good things happened while I was away. Perhaps I should go away alone often

As you may recall, I was ticketed by park police for allegedly walking Lenny without his leash. As unanimously suggested by you guys, I went to the court today to fight it.  I was scheduled for an 8:30AM hearing (or so I thought). Now, I am not a morning person but to prove that I am not guilty (and to save $100), I dragged my ass out of bed and went to court earlier than scheduled.

As usual, most government bureaucracies are slow to move, I sat there waiting patiently for more than an hour until they called my name. Finally at 9:35 AM the administrative clerk judge called me. We sat in his office and he turned on his recorder and started writing jibberish (it looked like my hubby’s writing)

Now, this is not really my first time at this sort of hearing. I once complained about a taxi not driving me home because I live in different borough (it’s a typical stereotype that if you live outside of Manhattan, you pretty much live in the ghetto - little they know, we live in prime Parkslope) and brought the driver to a hearing. I knew I was going to win my case based on the law in NYC that no taxi can refuse a fare because the destination is in a different borough.  Also, the stupid taxi driver brought his meter record which actually proved my case. Long story short, I won and the driver got penalized.

Having watched my favorite show Judge Judy thousands of times, I pretty much knew how to act in with the clerk judge:  Never say anything until you are asked a question. Answer only Yes or No questions and bring proof/evidence.

So finally the clerk judge spoke;

CJ: Do you want this case to be adjourned and for me to give you a lower fine or do you want a hearing?

JB: I would like my ticket fine to be lowered if possible.

CJ: I can’t do that; you need to pay $100.

JB: I guess your honor; I have no choice but to do a hearing.

CJ: Do you want the officer to be present during the hearing?

JB: (If I’m wasting my time here I think it’s fair if the officer should waste his time too) Yes, your honor.

CJ: Are you going to have a lawyer represent you?

JB: (I think my husband can represent me but I don’t want to look cocky in the eye of the “real” judge and end up losing the case and his sympathy (if any)) No, your honor.  I will represent myself.

CJ: Very well, we will send you a letter for your next hearing. You can go now.

That’s it? I wasted 1 ½ hours just to answer this stupid question? They should have just sent me the questionnaire and I would have mailed it back to them via Fed-ex!

I will be waiting for that next hearing. Hopefully it doesn’t come anytime soon while I’m half a world away for the next 2 weeks.

Today is my mom’s 61^st birthday. Because her birthday fell on Good Friday this year, we celebrated with the family last week. Believe me, it is not always an easy feat scheduling a get together with all of my family, which includes my uncle, Ivan (my uncle’s bff), and my two brothers.  My older brother often works weekends and my younger brother’s schedule is just very unpredictable because he is in the army.  In fact, last weekend was the last weekend he was around before going out of state for three weeks for training.  We all had an intimate dinner at Mulino Ristorante (formerly Trattoria Mulino - they moved up in the world!), one of our favorite restaurants in the neighborhood.  Afterwards we went back to my house for ice cream and watched this ridiculously cheesy Filipino movie called “Dubai.”

On her actual birthday, I met my mom for lunch. Since she was in a hurry to get back to church, we met and had a wonderful pizza lunch at Sbarro in mid-town, (truth be told, Sbarro’s is a tourist trap - most New Yorkers wouldn’t be caught dead there.)  As usual, my mom was a bit slow to order so the guy thought that she was a tourist also.  He started screaming at her that there is a long line and if she is not sure what to order, she needs to get off the line (ah that New York hospitality!)  I thought it was pretty funny that my mom has lived in New York for a quarter of century and she still hasn’t adopted the New York life.

Below is a picture of mom eating a slice of pizza along her favorite drink - cranberry juice.

To my mom, happy birthday! Without you I’d never have gotten to experience the New York life. And although our mother/daughter relationship went through some tough times the past few years, I’m happy that we were able to start over. On your 61^st birthday, I wish you a wonderful year, good health and many more birthdays for us to celebrate together. I also hope I can join you on your vacation back home next week. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that time will permit me.

Cheers Nanay!

Thanks to this site, I found this great gift ideas for my bubala Matt. I can’t wait to see his reaction

As I’m sure you guys already know, about two months ago we adopted little Lenny the bichon.  He’s starting to come along really well at this point.  He seems pretty well house trained, he is starting to get more and more playful, and he has really bonded with me tremendously.  (He still growls and barks at my husband, but, hey, so do I!)  Lenny has gotten so close to me that we’ve nicknamed his The White Shadow because, wherever I go, he goes (and my husband has a thing for cheesy 70s tv show references, half of which I never get.)  TWS follows me around so consistently that I don’t even really need to keep him on a leash.  Note I said “don’t need to” and not “don’t have to” — two very different things, as I have learned.

Today, I took Lenny out for a late morning walk in the park.  The weather was not so bad — a little chilly but sunny — so it felt nice to go for a nice long walk in the loveliest park in the city.  As I said, I am confident that Lenny will follow me, so I don’t need to keep his leash on him.  However, for this walk, I did have his leash on.

It must have been the glint in his eye or the way he cocked his head or maybe the way the sunlight tinged his curly hair, but Lenny just looked adorable and I knew I had to take a picture of him.  Now when taking a picture of one of God’s most adorable creatures, it simply will not do to have him tethered to an ugly old leash in the photo.  So I took it off.  Just for the picture.  I wasn’t planning on walking him off-leash.  I was going to take the picture and put the leash back on.  Honest…

Well, I click the photo (or whatever sound it is that the iPhone makes when taking a picture), and all of a sudden I hear a police siren.  (Parks department police, but whatever.)  I turned around, and a Park cop was looking right at me.  I was caught red-handed and unleashed.  As he was writing the citation, he told me the whole shpiel about dogs not being allowed off-leash anywhere in the park except during certain off-leash hours.  The best I could think to do was to ask if I could be let off with just a warning.  He looked at me, my ring finger, and my address and told me,”We have a zero tolerance policy! We want everyone to be safe and to make sure that the park is clean.”  Whatever!  I see poop all over the place, so much for cleanliness.  And safety?  Does my 16 pound ball of white fluff look viscous?  Heck, he tucks his tail in and runs away whenever he sees another dog on the horizon!  Who is he going to hurt?  You wrote me a $100 ticket because you profiled me as a well-to-do (or possible a domestic servant of a well-to-do ).  What am I stupid?  But, he was a cop (sort of) so I remained quiet.

So here it is…my very first ticket!  (Lucky I wasn’t in a construction zone, I guess.  They double the fines.)  I should frame this!

I showed the ticket to my husband and he notices that the police got my information incorrect.  I hyphenate my maiden name with his, but the officer only put my maiden name as the last name.  He put the second part of my last name as my first name (along with my real first name, which is just plain odd.)  My husband said it’s a technical defect, but its a defect nonetheless and I could probably fight the ticket in court (I wonder if its Judge Wapner’s Animal Court.)

So what do you think?  Do you think I should try to fight the ticket or should not bother going to court and just pay the 100 bucks?