One Year ... The Journey from West to East (old post)

Hello fellow readers! It's been a long time since I last did a blog. It's been a busy time and a wonderful one at that. The journey of my life has been paved from the west to the east of these United States of America. There were so many adventures before we packed up and moved from California to New Jersey.

The first was my fiancé's graduation from UCI. I'm so proud and blessed to have her in my life. She received her PhD last year and boy we all celebrated her achievements. Then she obtained a post doc position at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Thus, our life drastically changed from the warm California sun to the cold wintry winds of New Jersey. The road has indeed been paved from California to New Jersey; the road we traveled on by our car - a Kia Soul packed with our belongings and our dogs - we drove cross-country to a new home, a new life, and new beginnings. Of course we all were excited and anxious for this long journey. It was worth the drive to stop at various places on the way. Stopped at the steakhouses of Texas, the various farmlands of the Midwest to the eastern hills of Illinois, to the skyscrapers of Chicago where I got my first taste of the famous Chicago deep dish pizza; all the way to the state of New Jersey where we arrived just in time to find a nice home in Jersey City.

It is here in Jersey City, a city of New Jersey which is very close to the border where separating us and the amazing skyline is Manhattan where in our sight lines is the amazing state of New York! Basically New York is in our backyard, not far at all! The sense that we are so close to New York excited me and made me happy to realize I'm actually on a whole new side of our country. From California Coasts of Newport Beach while living in Irvine to being so close to New York near the Atlantic beach! This made me realized we drove numerous miles in our car to New Jersey from California. The Pacific Ocean is now so far, far away - our families, our former residence, the life we have there is now on this eastern side of the United States of America. The differences of life here from the West is very different, drastically different for the roads, houses, people and boy! their food! their accents! their libraries! their climates! Are all different from the west. It's not a bad thing but a great thing that takes some getting used to. The hardest thing to get used to was the cold! And their roads (so many one way streets!) and their rules for parking (can't park on this side on Mondays and Thursdays from 8am - 10am)!! Those were confusing! Had to move the car many times being aware of the parking rules. Why? Street sweepers that come to sweep off the snow and/or trash that littered the side of the streets. But as weeks to by I got used to it. Especially the driving from Jersey City to Newark which takes you to the bridges that hover over the Passaic rivers. Drivers here honk incessantly for traffic lights or drivers that don't move, so much goes on when driving- double parked cars, have to go around them, the speed of drivers to beat a light or going around parked cars and the numerous pedestrians that don't use crosswalks to cross from one side of the street to the next. Basically, in driving in the east have to be fully aware and watch for cars and pedestrians. Not only that but watch for the snow and their icy conditions that will create icy roads. Now I love the snow, but have to be very careful driving on these New Jersey roads with more attention than ever! It took some getting used to but now I'm a professional driver in New Jersey. I learned that in order to drive here in the east must grow much more patience when being a driver.

Since we been here right before the holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas and the New Years, the snow and the cold came down. Right before we settled into our new cozy home with our two dogs there came Hurricane Sandy! We got a big wake up in our first big storm of last year! Of course our California blood got us prepared big time before the storm came. Being used to California earthquakes and the big one, we all got materials and supplies to be ready for anything. The storm wrecked havoc on Long Island and hit alot here as well. But luckily we lived in the Heights and our place is high above ground we didn't experience any outages and wind damage, we thanked God we were safe indoors. Of course our families were worried but the cell towers were down from the wind that knocked them out - so we didn't have any communications with them with our cell phones neither the internet and that gave them a big worry. As soon as we were back up, we contacted them to let our families know we came through our first eastern storm alright.

Now that was a big wake up for all of us in our first eastern storm experiences. After that a huge downfall of snow was nothing - it was cold! But it also was beautiful! Especially when Christmas came around the corner and we got a first Eastern Christmas tree and decorated and the whole home felt Christmasy. More than likely the snow covered the whole city with a white sheet, the holidays felt cozy and good. Then that Christmas came with all of us enjoying ourselves as our White Christmas came alive just outside our windows. I loved it! It was pure magic, I always wanted more White Christmases and this was our first in the East, in the state of New Jersey.

Earlier in the months before Christmas came, we made our first visit to New York! We took the Path from Hoboken to the World Trade Center into Manhattan. This was our first travel to ever step foot into New York. It was exciting and fun! We visited Time Square and all around us was the shops and the Board way productions, the dazzling array of lights and the smell of hotdogs. It was a beautiful day because the sun was out and the people were out (boy the people were in high numbers!) and the traffic was insane! No wonder people walk and take subways to go from one destination to the other. It was amazing to have hotdogs and sit in middle of Time Square because it was too much to take in! Billboards advertising each Boardway productions happening at the time - Wicked, Phantom of Opera, Book of Mormon, Chicago, etc and so many others!! I looked up at the huge clock and there was the year 2012 New Years Ball as it sits waiting for the year to be done and ready to drop for the next year (which was only a few months away!). We decided to go see our first off-broadway production, Stomp! It was fun and entertaining! We even stopped at the huge Disney Store on Boardway. In time we took the subway back and passed the uneventful day of the Twin Towers and I looked up at the site where many lives were lost and I felt the pangs of sadness at the lives lost here in this huge city. We passed this and saw the memorial site being built to honor those lives that were lost and whose lives were saved by the heroes of 9-11. As we continued to walk around New York, we stopped among the throngs of people and craned our necks up high as we saw the Empire State Building towering over us. That was an amazing sight! We continued our walk back to the subway that took us to the Path back to New Jersey and we headed home. I absorbed everything about New York in that one day and I loved it! We eventually went back and witnessed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in person. Lining up the streets the bustle of people who want to take a peek at the parade passing by. It was thanksgiving and it was a great time to see the huge balloons that made this Thanksgiving parade a sight to behold! But it was cold!! The coldness didn't bother me because I had so much fun watching these gigantic balloons and watch as Santa Clause went by starting this Christmas seasons in the state of New York! Our first Christmas in the East!

My Grandma's 90th Birthday

January 22, 2010 - My Grandmother, Rose Torrez, turned 90 years old. Everyone showed up at her house on Vernon Drive for a surprise party after the enthronement of the house. Our Catholic Priest came to bless our house after being remodeled after a fire that happened last year. Everyone was luckily out of the house, everyone was safe, but the house was damaged. Our Uncles of the family went ahead and remodeled the house and once again, the house is back in order and our priest came to bless it. What my Grandma didn't know was that we all got together not only for the enthronement and blessing of the house, but to celebrate the wonderful 90 years in her life!

The picture above shows my Grandmother's children -- my Mother, my aunts, and uncles. (Except for one that was not feeling so well.) Sitting next to my Grandma a family friend, Jim Ramsey. Top from left, Uncle William, my Mom, Annabelle; Jim Ramsey; My Grandma, Uncle Roberto, Aunt Alice, Aunt Sandra. Below on the bottom: Uncle Michael, Aunt Rose, Uncle Joe holding my Grandma's dog. We all gathered for many photo opportunities and it was a well planned day with great family, food, and a great time with all of us together in this wonderful house. We, did indeed, feel so blessed to have all the family together. My Grandma was very happy to see all of us and some old friends and lots of cousins of ours came down. It was nice to see all this. This is a picture of my cousins, and thus this is not all of my Grandma's grandkids, but here is myself and my other cousins in this photo.

There was my sister Christina, holding her son, my nephew, Jake M. Franks, and my Mom and Dad's grandson. There I am sitting next to my Grandma. There sitting next to our Grandma was my cousin Robert Daniel (R.D.) Rivera and the oldest Granddaughter Regina Torrez, my Uncle Roberto's daughter. On the floor is Michaele Kanczel - my Aunt Rose's daughter, and there is my cousin Ruben holding Rylie who is Ruben's niece and Sandra Rivera's granddaughter, and RD's daughter.

We all had a great time and it was filled with love, laughter, and memories. This opportunity to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday will be a memory for the ages.

Happy Birthday Grandma! Love you so much!

On this day I gave my Grandma a poem in a frame as a gift, here is the poem for you all to enjoy:

Grandma, with a heart of gold that glitters in the golden sunlight of the desert;



A heart that is as immaculate and wonderful as anyone’s I have known in my life.



Each tiny rock that the golden sand across the Barstow desert shows



All things good;



And that makes things content and just right.







Grandma, with this beating heart has long endured the gifts of life and keeps on smiling



For her Family is all here today to celebrate a great milestone, and with this we are willing



To celebrate a special gift in our lives: You, Grandma, with your heart of gold –



The person you were yesterday, the person you are tomorrow, and the person you are today;



May it be a symbol of our family, may it be our sense of love always.







Your beauty so strong, your great dedication of all things young and old



Has proven that you are indeed a special woman, and it is told



By how many people surround you, in this beautiful house



The home that has long endured the growing pains of family, friends and love ones;



The Passing of a great one



And the new generation that will continue to live on in our lives, the family keeps growing.



May we all celebrate Your Life, Your Home, and with all this we keep on knowing



It’s the strength of your character that is our foundation of who we all are.



It’s all because of my Grandma and her Golden Heart.

The OC Fair - 2010

The Fair has returned to Orange County and the best thing about the Fair for us is that it's right around the corner! The Fair returned to Costa Mesa at the OC Fairgrounds and has set up dazzling displays of livestock, arts, carnival rides and of course so much food! As soon as I walked in the first thing I saw was the signs pointing out the various places to eat. The scents of deep fried and wonderful aromas of food everywhere has got my stomach growling at wanting to taste everything close by.

This was a great fair and I have been to the San Bernardino County Fair at Victorville and saw a few concerts, got on a few rides, and of course did some sight seeing. But nothing beats the OC Fair and it was such a spectacular time seeing Weird Al's Brain in 3-D (which the owl 'Norm' represents a familar guy named Dr. Norm Weinberger from UCI Lab) and it was well done very educational mind boggling experience (pardon the pun). Of course, I had to eat, and being so hungry and indecisive at the many places to get a party going in your taste buds -- I couldn't decide! Finally I settled on a 1/2 pound cheeseburger that was rather tasty! I could of gone for the 1 pounder! Thinking I needed to save room for a funnel cake (which I did at the end of the visit). Before eating my very first fried twinkie --- YUMMY! -- I enjoyed devouring some brisket and squirting down some nice cold lemonade in our souvenir cup.

The best part of the visit I believe was to see the ice sculptures which were very artistically done. A Mona Lisa replica in ice was amazing, but even more amazing was the sight of "the Thinker" in ice -- a full size replica in all it's icy form. It was expectantly not as cold as I thought it was going to be. Besides, it was hot outside and the welcome icy cold temps were a warm welcome. Continuing on to see some concerts around us, the music blasting loudly throughout the day was not too bad. Some bands were awesome, some were OK. Nevertheless it was great to walk around and see the animals at the livestock area. Little piglets were just born the other day and we saw them asleep next to their Mommy Pig. It was cute to see. There was also alot of sheep, lambs, and mainly alot of goats. The goats were very affectionate as we petted them. There were all kinds of nice animals to look at. Rabbits, mice, chicks, and of course this huge Oxen was standing so tall over us that it was an amazing sight to see an animal that huge.

As we continue to walk around towards the carnival, taking in all the sights of the rides and attractions and the barkers beckoning the people to shoot baskets win a stuffed toy or something of that nature. Alot of rides were huge and scary looking. It was such a beautiful day being outside walking around the carnival.

To me the best part was eating. Oh so much to eat, but so much to decide on! Funnel cake at the end of the day really topped it off. Ate alot of Funnel cake and stopped at the Disney section to do some karaokee for a free ice cream bar. Took that ice cream bar and walked off one of the best and most fun time I ever had at a fair. There was so much to see and do. Not to mention so much to eat -- deep fried and yummy and delicious. I don't think I have ever ate so much in my life and tremendously enjoyed every moment there. If you have not gone to the OC Fair, go! It'll be the best times ever!

Tornadoes in Southern California!

Dear Readers,

Constant readers of my blogs I hope you are all having a happy new year. I am beginning to enjoy the expressions of blogging. The expressive medium has allowed me to write just about anything I have pondering thoughts on. Usually it's about my events in my life, and how much I am enjoying life and all those other minimalists things that I touch bases on. I enjoy my job working as a Castmember at Disneyland. This indeed is the best job I have ever had and continue to have. I always think that I would never have thought I would end up working at the “happiest place on earth.” When I was little, my joys of childhood was going to Disneyland with my family. We would drive a long ways to the Park from Barstow, California and stay the whole day through the night at the park. Then we would journey back home, usually asleep in the back seat of the car. Now that I am older, and enjoy the park close by where I live now, and continue to work at Disneyland I feel such joys at working at making others happy and allowing others to have the same joys as I have as a child.

Now to the news: The Chronicles of Gilberto Garcia has brought about such eventful weather-wise events that has been happening lately. You know in Southern California, people always knew that we are the sunny side, good weather area to live in. Always sunny and warm, a perfect place to escape to. Well, we are not so sunny at all now. We just had a tornado hit us yesterday off the beaches of Huntington Beach and it hit Costa Mesa, and quickly move into Irvine. A tornado in Southern California! Who would of thought!? It was crazy yesterday while the rains and winds crashed against our home and rattled the windows a bit. Candice was at UCI, and it shook the buildings, and rattled the windows as well. The results were enormously surprising! Tree branches all over the streets. Signs and road markers were down as well. One person facebooked a message and noticed a branch on a white SUV in the parking lot at UCI. It was crazy weather, and it still continues right now. The rain has been pouring all day today and the news reports says that it will continue for awhile throughout the night. There are storm cells moving over OC and into the Inland Empire as well. Bracing for more wet weather.. but one thing I am happy about: I am off today, tomorrow and the next day! So I can stay indoors all dry, and hope that the tornadoes don't come back.

What was crazy was when the news flashed their warnings on the TV screens, I saw the words: tornado warning in OC areas, I was just shocked: “What!?” and it was just crazy to hear that there will be tornadoes in our area. It's California! You know what I mean? Anyway, just happy that everyone is safe, and there wasn't any serious damage to anything. Just for those who think that tornadoes are crazy and dangerous: as long as you are not a storm chaser like in the movie : “Twister” do not go out there outside when it hits. It's crazy! I was even crazy myself, trying to take some pictures of the storm. Nevertheless, it was something sort of adventurous, and I thought blogging about it would be an event that is recorded on these cyber pages of my blogs. After all, it is a sort of chronological event that I had to record. I will show you pictures on this blog and you can figure out for yourself how much rain we got and how freaky the whole thing was. I just couldn't believe it happened in the OC, in the sunny state of California!

We still had to go to work. I went to work at Disneyland expecting the rain to continue over there. After the tornado hit, I would expect it to be slow and empty at the park. Indeed it was. We worked shorter shifts, and had nothing else to do really. A few people would come in and other of Disney's Clothiers store on the East Side of Main Street. It wasn't busy at all! So we got to come home earlier than expected from our shifts. But the weather outside was cold and cloudy. I knew it was going to be rainy pretty soon again. But I came home in good dry but cold weather. I came home and Candice told me all about the storm hitting UCI while she was in class. We then started to watch some prime time TV and all of a sudden we heard this loud noise outside, and indeed the rain started to fall hard! It was pouring so hard! The pool below us was splashing and we couldn't even see across from our patio to the next building over, because the sky was dark, and the rain was pouring so hard. Then all of a sudden it stopped! Just a flash of water as to warn us for the next storm for the next day.

Sure I would watch the news, and keep my eyes open for next tornado warning because it passed us and it was freaky! Sort of a thing that came to my mind when I think of the weather like this, and having a tornado in Southern California made me think of one thing: GLOBAL WARMING? Hmm.. something to think about because like in those movies about tornadoes hitting LA and causing some sort of apocalypse-ish feelings about our state of California. Hmm.. maybe its just time for some wet, wet weather in Southern California.

So wet in fact that our apartment area there was flooding:

Here are the warnings from  LA Times:

Los Angeles Times | Jan. 19, 2010 | 1:32 p.m.

The National Weather Service has canceled a tornado warning for Los Angeles County, but a warning remains in effect for Orange County.

The Los Angeles Police Department has called a tactical alert and is evacuating homes in San Pedro. The department has also shutdown an area between Pacific and Gaffey and 4th and 7th Streets hit by the worst of the flood. Officials say a lightning strike hit the Conoco refinery, causing a small fire.

In Huntington Beach, the beaches were mostly empty while waves surged, lightning struck and wind reached gusts of 52 mph. The gusts topped 72 mph in Newport Beach.

The storm was accompanied by rain, lightning, hail and high waves.

Officials are worried about mudslides in burn areas in L.A. and Orange counties as the new storm hits mountain areas.

And that my friends, is our Sunny Southern California! At least everyone is safe and fine. As long as we stay indoors away from windows when a tornado hits, then all will be fine and safe. Just be careful while driving out there in the rain. Until next time when I come back to share more events in the Chronicles of Gilberto.. Until Next time!

Happy New Year ! Welcome 2010. . .

Ah, it’s been awhile since I wrote in my blog and dear constant readers I am sorry to say I have a new toy and been neglecting to try to write a blog on it. Its the new Apple iPhone that I got last year and it’s been a great phone and a great mobile device to do everything I possibly can without the use of a computer! For instance: AIM, texting, emailing, twittering and blogging, and so much more! Indeed so much more. I am loving my iPhone a lot more than a PC. In that sense I think I am becoming more Apple-ish this year. I think I want to get a Mac (oh gosh here it comes the PC to the MAC fever!) But they are so expensive! Anyway, that’s one reason I haven’t kept up with the blogs. So here we go to a new year of 2010 and so far the Chronicles of Gilberto continues on a brand new year and I wish all of you a Happy New Year!

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On January 2, 2010, the Chavezes and I went to see a wonderful musical produced by Disney: Mary Poppins! It was a wonderful musical theatre and probably a first for the young ones we took with us. They had lots of fun and afterwards we all went to eat some Mexican and it was so delicious. We had a lot of fun doing stuff like that. The musical and then dinner afterwards was a beginning of a beautiful end of first week of 2010. Then Sunday, it was Candice’s birthday.. so Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

Once the year started, I begin to miss the year 2009, for this Christmas of December 2009 was wonderful. We had the kids over for the holidays and we had a lot of fun baking, making and creating so many Christmas Memories.

Also earlier in the month of December was the annual Holiday Cast Party. This time we took Monica along with us and it was so much fun. The Christmas time at Disneyland is always so wonderful to walk through. But for one thing we all were bundled up and ready for that freezing cold. Being bundled up to keep warm was not even enough – we had to get some hot chocolate and be warm. Even riding on the train as the cold air slaps your face was very unbearable, but the sights and sounds of Christmas time at Disneyland beat down the weather. It was so much fun to take a group picture in front of the tree. The gigantic Christmas Tree with it’s many decorations and lights make it a wonderful sight for the holidays.

The beautiful sights of “A Small World” lighting up during the nighttime was a wonder to watch. It was a lot of fun to do the Holiday Party with love ones.

Even though it was so cold that night for the Holiday Cast Party, being with Candice made me warm, and having Monica along made our memories even bigger. It was a lot of fun and as the year 2009 came to an end, we look back at how fast the year went by so fast. My first years as a Cast Member just flew by. I enjoy working at the Disney stores and it is so much fun to meet all kind of people. I am sure in the year 2010 will be as memorable as 2009 has been. So many things to look forward to:

January – Candice’s and Jake’s Birthday!

February – Capitan EO will be back at Disneyland!

March – My Birthday and of course, Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” will be showing up same week as my birthday!

Another Summer in Costa Mesa, and I can’t wait to go swimming again in our pool. So many things that will be coming up.

For now who knows what adventures await in the Chronicles of Gilberto. I will try to keep up on the blog, if not, otherwise follow up on Twitter! Enjoy the year 2010 everyone! Once again, Happy New Year!

P.S. What Candice gave me for Christmas is the very chair I am sitting on to blog, and it’s a neat one and I am enjoying my gaming experience and music from it. Thanks Candice!

Happy New Year!

Wow, Time Flies by So Fast!

Hello to all of you!

Yesterday on September 27, 2009 I have been working for one year at Disneyland Resorts. I work at the Disneyland Park at the Main Street Stores, mainly the Emporium. I was just thinking back to one year ago when I first started the adventures of being a Cast Member at Disneyland and was realizing how much time has flown by so fast. It was even around this time I started my blogging experiences. I don't know if anyone out there reads them, but it's sort of like a journal writing experience for me to jot out little experiences in my life. Maybe one day I'll look back at these blogs and go, "Wow, I have done somewhat good." I enjoy what I do, working at Disneyland is a fun and workable experience. I like being the cashier, guest servicing and closing the store at nights. The perks are seeing the many changes at the park every season. Right now this is the first week that the park is decorated with Halloween themes: pumpkins everywhere, orange and black decorated all over Main Street. Even the huge Mickey Mouse face Jack O' Lantern is spotted right in the middle of Main Street rotunda.

Well, I just wanted to mentioned that it is my one year anniversary working for Disneyland and I am enjoying every minute of it. It'll be my second year to experience Halloween at Disneyland and the upcoming Christmas Season at the Park is always an enjoyable time. I can't wait for the snow covered main street and the fantastic fireworks at night during the Holidays. That is not so far away and that's why I say to myself: "Wow, Time Flies so Fast!" Mentioning the fireworks, you all have to go see the spectacular Halloween firework show that Disneyland has. It's brand new and you sure won't be disappointed! It's a neat show with music from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Also, be sure to see TNBC's Zero flying by over the castle! (Zero is Jack Skellington's dog) Have a fun time during Halloween!

Good Bye Old Friend - Nissan, Hello New Friend - Kia Soul and Other News in the Chronicles of Gilberto

Well, it was time to let my ol' car go. The Nissan has been a good ride for me, and it was time for a change. Candice and I got a new car and we are immensely enjoying it. We went to Kia Depot and got the Kia Soul 2010. It's an awesome ride and I love the Sirius Satellite Radio feature. I am enjoying my rides to work, and Candice is enjoying her rides to school/lab. Alot has been going on this month. Alot of things will happen this week. Let me elaborate:

This month of September 2009, my Mom celebrated her birthday yesterday on Labor Day. Happy Birthday to my Mom! I love her dearly. And this is the month of my one year anniversary with Disney. I am enjoying my job at Disneyland alot and it has come to show how time flies by so quickly. I am enjoying the end of summer for it was my first summer to work at Disneyland. It was crowded and busy, at some times it seemed slower than usually, but it picked up with the holidays. So Summer is coming to an end soon and I enjoyed this summer because of all the events that I had -- auditions at Deaf West Theatre, Working at Disneyland for a year, a new car, and most of all I am looking forward to the D23 Expo at Anaheim's Convention Center this week. Should be lots of fun. I am going on Thursday and that evening going to see the preview show at North Hollywood's Deaf West Theatre, "Children of a Lesser God." Should be an awesome show, and I hope all the cast breaks a leg (good luck in theatre speak), and it would've been me in there since I tried to audition. But nevertheless, it will all be a great show. Hope success for all the actors and Deaf West Theatre Company.

I haven't blogged in awhile, but I figured I let all of you know what's up in the Chronicles of Gilberto. So there you have it, life has been great, and I am enjoying all the good things to come. Especially the D23 Expo, will post more about it after my experiences. And especially my one year with Disneyland will be coming up soon in the next two weeks. Well, till next time, but be sure to check out the photos at the end of this blog for our new car! Until next time, wherever you may be, Thanks for reading my blogs!