A Tree (always) grows in Brooklyn

-
I am supposed to reserve my blog on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the bridge that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn borroughs of New York to a later post, after I read the classic Betty Smith book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn perhaps but here it is now though I have not continued reading the book yet. I am just so excited not to share my two visits to the bridge, more like one and a half walk.


My first visit was more like a halfway walk only as I got cramps on my legs from walking non-stop for days. I started from the Brooklyn Side of the bridge and only reached the first arc. Why were there a lot of people wanting to cross the bridge despite rain or shine? 


Brooklyn Bridge is the highway to a collective dream. It was first built in 1883. Abraham Hewitt profoundly put in words this work of art, engineering and practicality. Referring to the bridge in his address during the opening, he beautifully declared:

"It is not the work of any one man or of any one age. It is the result of the study, of the experience, and of the knowledge of many men in many ages. It is not merely a creation; it is a growth. It stands before us today as the sum and epitome of human knowledge; as the very heir of the ages; as the latest glory of centuries of patient observation, profound study and accumulated skill, gained, step by step, in the never-ending struggle of man to subdue the forces of nature to his control and use.— Abram Hewitt"

In her book, Betty Smith likens her protagonist to a tree that grows in brooklyn, standing for years, growing in a busy Brooklyn soil and observing. I am excited to further read the book, a coming-of-age of a writer I surmise.


On my second visit, I got there and crossed the bridge. Amazingly, it felt easy and short this time as my legs got stronger, the sun was setting, and I got a new set of shoes. 

As in any point in our lives, when it is really our time to cross the bridge, we can and we we will without hesitation or reservations. We can reach the other end smoothly as if we did it without prior obstacles, and obstacles became history. Another tree is growing in Brooklyn soon, I surmise.














Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you still remember how Sarali or Sirali taste?

-
Image
This "Sarali" is a childhood fruit for everyone who grew up in the Visayan area of the Philippines. Also known as  Flacourtia jangomas or Indian Plum or coffee plum, Sarali is best enjoyed by pressing one fruit between one's palm, move it in circular motion until tender, and pop the soft flesh quickly in one's mouth save the seeds. Just like apple, this fruit oxidizes quickly and thus, gets dark brown easily. It can give one's teeth a nasty brown shade. Sour with a hint of sweet, this is a must-try fruit. I believe, the fruit has an economic value just like sarguellas and lanzones. *** *** *** ***  Related readings:  Possible Treatment of Diabetes http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2959214/ Anti bacterial property:  http://www.ijplsjournal.com/issues%20PDF%20files/july2011/1.pdf
Read more

Linabog nga Bisaya nga Manok

-
Image
When I searched for Linabog in th web, I can see entries on Linabog but using a different souring agent and usually the fish called "pagi" is used. Also, they attribute Linabog to the Cebuanos and there is one video which explained that the word means "throw away" because the parts used in the dish are parts which are usually to be thrown away, like the bony "pagi." Meanwhile, there is also a "kinunot" way of cooking which means "hinimay" or flaked for the Luzon. The name was also coined for leftover parts of fish or chicken. In Hiligaynon, the word "labog" means forcefully thrown away.  This surprised me because when I was small, I heard from my father and his friends about this linabog and they used the leaves of labog plant. So I grew up having some idea of what linabog cooking means and definitely, the Cebuanos' definition of Linabog dish is far from my Ilonggo definition. And yes, Ilonggos ...
Read more

TIKUM KADLUM (The Enchanted Dog, The First of the Ten Epics of Panay Bukidnon)

-
Image
At the house. One day, Bulawanon engaged the help of Tikum Kadlum, a hunting dog with the gift of sensing the spirits, in cooking rice for his husband Paiburong and his brother Dumaraog who will be going hunting. When the rice was cooked, the brothers ate fast. Then, while Bulawanon packed the betel nut for her husband, Paiburong and Dumaraog dressed themselves, with Dumaraog suggesting they match their sashes and belts, since he is his brother's loyal protector. To complete their hunting preparations, the two brought out their long-bladed sharp knives, shields, spears, and lances from their gold chest and wall hanger. When everything is set, Paiburong bade goodbye to his wife, Bulawanon, who reminded her husband to be careful as he might meet in the forest one named Makabagting, who is accompanied by a man-eating woman called Muwa. Makabagting is a nobleman and a warrior who is widely known as having tasted human flesh. Paiburong went out of his house, and he heard a sound. It...
Read more