changing seasons

It’s [officially] spring today. After a long bitter winter, everybody looks forward to spring. Who could blame them? Who could stand one more snow day? And who couldn’t wait to see the blooms again?

I love the sight of spring. It is still chilly but it is more manageable. Snow is still all over the place but not as much though. And the temperature is as unpredictable as ever but the sun is no longer evasive.

It’s the first day of spring and Mother Nature has proofs written all over her. The frozen lakes, ponds and rivers are thawing out slowly but surely. The leafless maple trees are showing tiny buds all over its twigs. And the still damp and soft grounds have exposed the grass growth.

It’s indeed spring now… and it is just so perfect!

Additional Information:
Spring and Summer in Maine
The Science of Spring

Isn’t it great? Don’t you like it? Do you think there could be more wonderful than… mud season ?

Oh yeah! This is the season where everything is starting to thaw out… melt… and drip. With only a few days to spring, I can clearly see patches of grassy land amidst white frosting. With only a few more days of waiting, spring will be here and there is no stopping. And with only a few more chance of dealing with bitter coldness, the most awaited change of season will be here.

Oh yeah! It’s mud season. It’s the prelude to springtime where our driveway is transformed into puddles and tiny shallow ponds and miniature lakes of dirty and murky snow water and drippings.

Oh yeah! It’s mud season. The constant comings and goings of our cars leave over-lapping tire marks on the driveway making it a huge mud pit too good to be a mud wrestling arena.

And Oh yeah! It’s mud season. The scenario brings out the best in everything from muddy footwear to mud-spotted car interiors to mud-stained floors to chocolate mud pie cravings. The later being the most favored of all the scenarios.

Isn’t it great when the temperature started to go up and the sun smiling down on the snow covered grounds one minute and rain pouring down the next? Isn’t it wonderful when the grass started to show up again and the herd of deer is back from migration grazing on the fields? Isn’t it sweet when you just had your car washed… sparkling… and spic and span…. and as you pulled over the driveway… you needed to have it washed again the next day?

Yes, it’s mud season in Maine and we cannot have springtime without going through this phase… once and for all.

Additional Information:
Maine Weather Summary

If there is anything I like about winter here in Maine… it’s ice-fishing season. Yup, it’s my favorite outdoor activity during winter because we do all those winter thingies that I enjoy like… snowshoeing, snowmobiling… camping… cook-out… binging and pigging out on [Chinese and Italian] sausages, deer meat, bacon, chicken, chips, and lots of food and drink.

Ice-fishing season is a huge event here in Maine. It is one of the most awaited winter outdoor events here in Maine. It is one of the sports events that is well-participated and well-anticipated by almost all Mainers and tourists alike.

One of the most awaited and most participated events during ice-fishing season is the Chevrolet Derby more popularly known as the Sabago Lake Derby. It is Maine’s largest and richest ice fishing derby in all of Maine. Sabago Lake being the second largest lake in Maine which covers about 45 square miles is a huge playground for both kids and kids at heart.

This year, the Sabago Lake Derby was held last February 21st and 22nd, 2009 and the statewide Derby will be held on March 7th and 8th, 2009.

And just like last year, Sabago Lake was as busy as ever. The lake was turned into a snowmobile and 4-wheeler highway. It was turned into a small plane runway. It was turned into a parking lot. And it was specked with thousand of fish traps.

People and dogs alike play carelessly on the lake. People are partying. Kids are enjoying the sled ride. Shacks, tents and lounge chairs provide comfort and warmth from the cold chill and from the long wait for the fish to bite.

And most importantly, the smell of sausages and meat grilling fills the cold air with a familiar scent known to a hungry stomach. Ice-fishing season on the hindsight… is a season for family and friends to bond… have fun… chillax [chill-out and relax] and enjoy the Maine winter outdoor despite the frigid climate. And I just love it not because I am trying to be a hardcore… I am trying to be a Mainer.

Additional Information:
The Maine Way
Ice Fishing Regulations
Maine Ice Anglers Association

Another fun activity that we do during winter time here in Maine is snowmobiling. I love riding snowmobile. The first time I rode our snowmobile was during a snow storm. Hubby and I drove the snowmobile in the deepest woods… in the middle of a blizzard… in the dead of the night… in search of a pizza. It was kinda scary for me because it was the very first time I ever ride such an extra ordinary and amazing means of transportation for winter season. It was fast and furious and loud too like an ordinary motorcycle.

Snowmobile is just like a motorized sleigh. There are thousand of miles of trails, forests and lakes all over the state of Maine where you can trek and ride snowmobiles with friends and families. There are places where they also hold competitions because snowmobiling is not just a recreation but also considered as a sports here in New England states.

This year, I have not tried riding our snowmobile again since winter came. Hubby and I are too busy lately that we can’t find the time to ride around. Hopefully, before the winter ends and the snow melts… we will be able to get pizza… the Maine way.

Additional Information:
Snowmobile Maine
SledMaine

We don’t have snowshoeing in the Philippines for the simple reason that it is a tropical country. Winter in the Philippines is just cold but not freezing cold. The coldest we could get there is just 60 degrees.

The Philippines has many mountains to hike and one of them is Mount Banahaw which is where my hometown is located. Hiking Mt. Banahaw is a tradition during Holy Week Season where a lot of devotees and religious would perform some means of sacrifices by climbing the sacred mountain as it is also called.

I am not much of a hiker like my friend Bechai of San Diego Backroads. I never really hike a lot when I was in the Philippines except for few occasions where my friends and I decided to check out the spring where our town’s drinking water is coming from. It was indeed a good hike.

Hiking is one of the fun activities that you can do in the Philippines. The most common and popular places to hike are the Sagada and Mt. Pulag of the Mountain Province, Mt. Apo, Mt. Makiling and the infamous Mt. Pinatubo. And though I know all these places, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I’ve been there. But now that I am married to an outdoor-loving guy, I bet when we go back there… hiking one of those mountains will be on top of our “to do” list.

Additional Information:
Travel-Philippine.com
Bundok Philippines

This is my second New Year here in Maine. This is my second New Year without the festivities that I was used to. And this is my second New Year without a bang. When I say without a bang… I mean just that.

New Year here in Maine is just an ordinary day for me. No special celebration… no fireworks… no feast. There is no celebration whatsoever. I don’t know in other places but here in our household that is how we celebrated New Year… No Big Deal!

And just like last year… we just had supper last night. We had burgers. We spent the rest of the night watching rerun shows on TV. I waited for the countdown at Times Square on TV and went to bed. Well, I heard some fireworks from our neighbor and it lasted for about 30 minutes but that’s all about it.

There are fireworks display last night but we still need to drive 30 miles just to get there. Fireworks display here are more organized and systematic unlike in the Philippines where everybody can have their own fireworks display. There are also some parties in some households where they celebrate with friends and booze and food. And there are some special activities in some parts of the state but still we don’t get to see them.

This morning we woke up to just yet another ordinary day. This is the start of my second year here in Maine. This is the start of a new beginning. I have a new work. I have a new car. And I have new hopes.

Happy New Year to All! May we all have a better year ahead.

Additional Information:
Maine New Year’s Eve Celebration

This is my second New Year away from home. This is my second New Year that I celebrated by just reliving the many New Years I had with my family in my memory. And this is my second New Year that the familiar noise and happy celebration that I was used to was celebrated only in my mind.

New Year is always a happy occasion in the Philippines. It is celebrated on the 31st of December [which is New Year’s Eve] till passed midnight [which is already January 1st]. It is always celebrated with a big bang, literally and figuratively. New Year will never be complete without 3 important things… family… food… and fireworks. And New Year will always be a noisy, rowdy and dangerous to some extent due to accidents and mishaps associated with fireworks.

New Year in the Philippines is always bright. Houses are well-lit either from the Christmas lights decorations which are usually still intact till the first week of January or the bright lights created by the different fireworks that can be bought almost everywhere. The night sky is always a magnificent canvas for live… dancing… flickering… and brilliant showcase of pyrotechnics.

New Year is about making noises too. Kids of all ages are making noise from cellophane wrapped horns to earsplitting fireworks. This is the only time of the year that mommies are more lenient and tolerant of kids’ noises and messes. This is the only time of the year where kids are allowed to stay up pass their bedtime. And this is the time of the year where some superstitious beliefs [like the 12 fruits collection] are well-played and followed religiously hoping that the year ahead will be a prosperous one.

New Year in the Philippines is always one of the most awaited celebrations by family and loved ones because this is the time fo the year that family members try their best to be together and make it sure that they are complete. This is the time of the year where family greet the start of the year with new hope… new inspiration… new faith for the year ahead.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Additional Information:
New Year Customs in the Philippines

 It is not officially winter yet. That is according to the calendar. And according to the calendar, the first day of winter falls on the 21st of December. It is not officially winter yet and we already accumulated about a foot of snow in the mountains and half a foot in other places in the state.

When I came here in Maine, my idea about winter is just snow. My idea of living in the United States is having White Christmases. And my idea of snow is just everything white… nice landscapes… picture-perfect sceneries… reindeer… and hot cocoa with miniature marshmallows in front of a warm fireplace.

But now that I am here and experiencing all the changing seasons… I can tell that winter is not that cool at all. I mean figuratively. It is indeed cold. It is fierce. And it has “no-mercy”.

Now that I am here in Maine, there are two color codes that I hate… Black Friday… and Black Ice.

Black Ice is scary. And since I just started driving I know I have to be very careful on the road. It’s indeed not officially winter yet but a lot of vehicular accidents are reported on TV almost everyday due to snow, sleet, and black ice.

It is not officially winter yet and I just had my first “ice storm”. We had snow the whole day yesterday and freezing rain the whole night.

This morning when I woke up… the place is icy. The trees and the grounds are all covered with ice and icicles are hanging from the rims of the roof. We have no power and we don’t know until when. The entire place is crappy with broken tree branches and slippery grounds. I only went out to take some photos and I stayed home to keep warm.

Additional Information:
Ice Storm News in Maine
WGME 13
Portland Press Herald

Hubby is out early today. He has to go to his buddy to cut the deer up. Yes, he finally got a deer last weekend. It was the last day of the Hunting Season [for rifles]. But the “bow and arrow” or what they call the Expanded Archery is still up to December 13. [As if I care].

Anyway, as I have said hunting season is over and Hubby is always home early now. The only downside is that he is always early and complaining about his painful back, his sore knees and his hurting ankles. He tried not to complain about any pains during the hunting season because he knows that I will be bitching about it because most of those pains that he felt were due to walking miles and miles of trails into the woods… climbing tall trees… and sitting for hours on the branches waiting for the deer.

So he finally got a deer [a small one at least]. It was not as big as the one he had last year. It was not a 14-pointer or a 250-pounder like the one he had last year. I guess it was just a 4-pointer and a 150-pounder. I am just guessing. I am not really sure because Hubby didn’t discuss the details. He is not as proud as last year where his deer got him a badge and was included in the top 10 [he ranked 7th] in the entire state of Maine and was featured in Maine Sportsman Newspaper. And this time, he is not planning of having the deer’s head stuffed and preserved by the taxidermist. Last year’s deer cost him 500$ for that job [and so was the other deer head before that]. There’s no way I would let him spend that much again for that head.

Hubby’s 14-pointer/250-pounder/$500 Deer Head.

Anyway, as I have said he was early today so he could cut the deer meat up and have some steak for supper. We already had some last weekend and it was good. It was lean aand fresh and Brandon [our 7-year old son] loved it. Of course we did not tell him it was deer meat… not after he finished his plate. But when his Dad told him it was a deer meat, he just said… Oh cool! So I guess it didn’t matter if we told him so in the first place.

As for me, it was the second time I ate deer meat. We don’t have that in the Philippines or at least not in the local market. We have to go to a gourmet supermarket to buy it if we really want some or better yet, go to a first class restaurant to order a venison dish. And yes, it is very expensive. Only the rich people can afford to pay for a gourmet dish like that since we also import the meat from abroad. And honestly, I really don’t care much about it.

So venison season is almost over. The last deer meat we had last year is still in the freezer. The rest of the 250-pound was given to all his friends and neighbors and whoever wanted to have a share of the meat. As for this new one, I don’t really have any idea where he will put the rest of the meat because as of now, there is no more room in the freezer. Any taker?

Additional Information:
Hunting Season in Maine

We also have Black Friday kinda season in the Philippines. It has the same concept as Black Friday where all stores are slashing down prices on all their items to attract consumers to spend their hard-earned money for Christmas presents. It is also the kind of season that draws a lot of people to the mall so they can get their hands on all the items in their wish list. And it is indeed considered as a season because the malls and stores alike are decorated with all the colorful and grandest stuff that tickles the fancy of the crazy consumers. We call our Black Friday – Midnight Madness Sale.

Midnight Sale season starts early. Well, Christmas season is basically the longest holiday celebrated in the Philippines anyway. You can start hearing Christmas Carols as early as September so you can already see Christmas decorations in some stores as early as September too. Likewise, Christmas midnight sale starts almost at the same month. Although all-year round we have midnight sale every weekends of the second and the last weeks of the month or on the weekends close to the 15th and the 30th of the month because it is usually payday dates.

Midnight Sale is basically a day where the stores stay open for business till midnight to accommodate the working people to have time for shopping after working hours. This is the season too where traffic can really get crazy and where motorists can get equally crazy if not worse than that. This is the season where buses, jeepneys and other means of public transportations are packed with people and shopping bags.  This season could be a Midnight Shopping Nightmare too because this is indeed a season where holdup-ers and pickpocket-ers are prying around and hanging out at the malls. So you better be careful.

Midnight Madness Sale is already a tradition in the Philippines. And when it is already December, Midnight Sale is not just on weekends but every night until Christmas Eve. It is part of the Christmas celebration because Christmas will not be Christmas without gift-giving. It may sound too materialistic but that is a fact now. Some people may look forward to the season because of receiving gifts. But it is also a fact that there are also a lot of people who find joy in giving.

And with Midnight Madness Sale… everybody is happy! People are happy to receive their wish list. People are happy to buy new stuff at low prices. And people are happy to satisfy their “shopaholic side” within.

Happy Shopping to All! May we all have the money to spend [and some extra to pay our bills too].

Additional Information:
Shopping in the Philippines