Longest Running Soap

Heard about “Dallas”? I bet…. It was the most successful TV drama series which started on 1978 and ultimately lasting 14 seasons and 357 hour-long episodes. . It was known to be one of the few American programs of any kind to achieve "hit" status virtually all over the world. The set (where else?!!??) in Texas - specifically, Braddock County.

Though I haven’t watched this program but I heard a lot of good stuffs. My mother in-law was a big fun and apparently my cousin, Hazel, watched this show when she was a kid. She only remembered few of the episodes but she knew it was a big hit in the 70s and 80s.

Hazel was actually visiting me here in Dallas; I was so excited to see her after 2 years. It was Monday afternoon when she arrived home. We talked for an hour and decided to have our little tour at Southfork Ranch. She was pretty excited at least she did watch “Dallas” before. Well…. I was excited too, to see how ranch looks like here in TX.

Southfork Ranch is where "Dallas" TV series was filmed. The ranch is known to TV viewers around the globe as the home to the infamous Ewing Family. Right now, they do have guided tour which takes just about 45minutes.

We took the tour of the ranch and took pictures. It’s an amazing property! It is known worldwide as America's most famous ranch. The house was built in 1970 by Joe Duncan. Definitely worth looking for when you’re in Dallas :)

Dallas, TX... What I know so far...

I arrived here in the United States 2 years ago and stayed in New Jersey/ New York area. I remember the first time Paul (my husband) told me that we might be moving to Dallas, TX anytime soon, I didn't take it seriously. Moving to Texas?!! You kidding?!! New York is the BEST place I've been so far (of course aside from my home country, Philippines). I told him it's not gonna happen; "Stop thinking about it Sweetie".

November last year, Paul told me that his boss ordered him to move to Dallas, TX, where the headquarters of their company is located, for him to work closely with the management team. I was freaking out deep inside, of course, I am 101% supportive to my husband's career and we both knew this will be a good move. Thus, I took it easy. But geeez..... honestly I was very pessimistic. I said to myself that we can live there a year, just a year. That's it. What can I do in Texas? Milk a cow? Ride horses? NO WAY!!!

We arrived Texas January 27, 2008. And as everyone said, everything really is BIG in Texas. True indeed! BIG highways - some with 4 or 5 levels of flyovers, which scares me a lot. BIG meals, which screws my diet. BIG cars, which I'm not used to. BIG malls, which filled with mommies and their baby trolleys. BIG houses, which takes a lot of time of cleaning. Name it, it's all BIG!!! Have you noticed I am negative about everything?!!! Because I truly feel I can't do anything here, as in, there's nothing to do here!

Our first week includes my husband driving home to have lunch with me because our car from NJ doesn't arrive yet. Settling down takes a lot of time. Beyond my imagination. We started to look for apartments. Fortunately, it's easier here coz all communities are owned by companies. I was having fun looking for apartments. I started to say, WOW.... Knowing all the communities has a pool, gaming rooms, gym and BIG closets :) Well... it still took us 3 weeks to finally find our place that we like. We got a view!!! YES... a view :) Unlike our view back home in NJ, the Manhattan skyline, here we got a golf course view. We like the place. We got a 2 bedroom apt (in case friends/family visit).

My husband and I love everything LIFE has to offer. From cooking meal at home to fine dining. From popcorn night time to night out clubbing. From doing our shopping for groceries to furniture or cars. From lazy weekends at home to great weekends on the other part of the world. Most importantly, meeting new friends. We both live to socialize!!!

We started to meet interesting people. Alex - one of Paul's office mates - and his wife Deila, are the people we normally go out with. They got 2 amazing kids, Allanis and Victor, and Deila's sister, Daniella, who's here studying English. They are Brazilians by the way. Very warm people and easy to hang with. I'm feeling better these days. I'm meeting people including some interesting Filipinos. At first I was looking at my friendster account and checking on a friend of a friend who lived in our area... Jasmin Ma, a very cute & pretty girl with 3 kids. Yes, she got 3 kids and she still looks fabulous. We first met at the mall with 3 other friends of her's. The next weekend, we met again for dinner with her crew of 10 girls. They are very nice and amazing! Thanks girls for the warm welcome:)

The days drag on and on... so I enrolled at Lifetime Fitness, a health club which offers a lot of interesting classes. I was very happy to go back to my yoga sessions as well as try out some belly dancing. As luck had it, I met a Filipina girl at the gym, Nelda. We started strength training together with an amazing personal trainer. Isn't that GREAT??!!! Now I'm doing all sorts of activities including pottery and beadings :)

Dallas, TX…. What I know so far??!!! It’s a GREAT place to live!!!