‘Nuff said. I don’t go around shopping myself to death when I have money. Nor do I eat myself to death when I’m depressed. I don’t hang around in coffee shops and I don’t like to hang out in the salon.
Once in awhile, I go to shop for new items to wear, usually depending on the necessity. If I feel like I’ve worn the same clothes for quite more than often than usual, then its time I give in to the desire for shopping. But ooopps.. I’d rather not shop in the mall. Divisoria or Quiapo is the place!
That weekend was the worst I’ve had in months. Friday night, I had to accompany my honey while he was out playing poker with his officemates. Though I slept ultra late the day before, I knew he’ll be needing my help to safely drive home that night. Friday night (err, saturday morning), I got home around 2am. We had to wake up at 4am to prep for my sister’s UPCAT exam. It was though, but the family needed me there.
Mama and I accompanied our upcoming college family member to her exam area. From 6:30am, we walked towards the Shopping Center, then to the UP Chapel. We prayed for her goodluck in the exams then had our breakfast at Rodics. Oh, good old Rodics. Never fails to please my tastebuds! more…
I haven’t had the chance to take a summer break to go on a vacation. Been so busy with work, personal stuff and the wedding preps of course. I had tons of daily stress creeping up my back and its making me sick already (as in physically sick).
My honey has been experiencing more or less the same amount of stress, especially now that he’s moved into a new job, which is more competetive and challenging than his most recent work. Pressures from all aspects of our lives have been slowly pressing us down and we even barely feel that we have time for each other, although we see each other everyday as we go to work, have lunch/dinner and head on to other evening appointments at night before going home.
Sometimes, even the night’s sleep is a just a part of the daily routine. Its making me feel robotic, and routinal. I needed a break. We both need it badly. My take was to visit Bohol on a roundtrip experience. I imagined we could head out for an early saturday plane ride to Tagbilaran and head out to our favorite Powder Keg restaurant for breakfast. Maybe walk around the shore throughout the rest of the day or lounge around in the resort before heading back to Manila at the earliest flight schedule.
Well, Cebu pacific’s booking site wasn’t so cooperative. We opted to find a cheaper alternative of a weekend escape. My honey came up with the idea of going to Island Cove in Cavite. Well, we both haven’t been there, so it was worth the experience. The transaction was very easy, considering our busy schedules. We just needed to deposit half the amount of our total reservation cost, then pay the other half when we get there. Everything was done here in Manila via calls, emails and a bank deposit.
It was a good thing we didn’t have to go to Bohol, as there was still the storm caused by Isang. We left QC at 9:15am to head out to Cavite. We got there at around 11am. The ride was easy and light. We were both just ecstatic to take the break.
Island Cove was really an island itself. A very small island whose space was really maximized for such getaways. Though we had to tour the place with our bags on hand while waiting for our rooms, we visited the Animal Island first. They had trams to transport their guests from the Hotel to various parts of the island. They were electric, so the ride was a very nice experience. It was quite, full of nature and the sun was great that time. First stop was the crocodile farm. I’ve never been to one before and so I was greatly amused.
My honey felt the strong thug of the croc pulling his meal from the bait pole.
I’ve been sleepy and quite under the weather lately. Its because I’m having a hard time adjusting to my new body clock and extremely tight schedule.
I have to sleep at around 9pm (at the latest) because I have to wake up at 2am (for the simbang gabi–it has been a devotion that I started about 5years now, wherein I’ve perfected 4 simbang gabis already). The midnight mass ends at 4am. When my sister and I attend midnight masses, we only walk to and fro the church, ergo, we arrive the house at around 4:15-4:30am. By then, I could either get a couple of hours more to sleep or go on with the rest of the day’s tasks as early as 4:30am.
I choose to leave the house at around 7-8am to go to the office since any time earlier than that is still quite dark. I arrive at the office aro und 9am. Usually, its but relieving to sleep in the FX along with the other super industrious employees of Ortigas area. At 3pm, I leave the office to take my turn in watching over my (still sick) youngest sister. It usually takes me around 1hour to 2hours max of travel. Then I’d have to continue a wee bit of my work at home before retiring for few of my other coding projects.
If I decide to sleep early, 9-10pm is usually my earliest (I’ve never met the 9pm deadline for sleeping early).. and then the cycle continues for another 9 days before Christmas. No room for complains, no room for hanky panky stuffs or gimmicks. Its a drag, yes, but its also family bonding time. Today is the 6th day of Midnight Mass and we did not attend. Its not an inadvertent decision.. it was planned. We’d be hearing Sunday mass in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Though it was still the same dragging scenario/schedule for me, it was fun. I got to sleep during the travel time.
But wait.. I’ve told you the story, and yet the punchline is just coming up! more…
If you wanted to have pets and not worry about maintenance or emotional responsibility, fishes and underwater animals are best for that purpose.
I grew up loving animals.. my father loved keeping fishes and lobsters as pets. My uncles and aunts love dogs and cats. We used to have seven cats and three dogs in our compound. I usually visit them and play with them once in awhile. I have only one favorite dog and my one and only cat Ebony.
Though I love cats (and their feline race) better than any other animal kind, I also love fishes and underwater animals. I remember wasting time watching the fishes swim back and forth endlessly inside the aquarium as they show off their wonderfully colored fins. Guppies have the most beautifully colored fins and tails.
Last month, my honey’s dad went home for a vacation from Afghanistan. While he was here, they went for a trip to OceanPark. Me and my youngest sister went along with them to enjoy the ‘underwater world’ of Manila. Of course I had high expectations, since it has already been a buzz that Oceanpark had their design patterned against Singapore and HongKong’s underwater adventure.
My mom’s friend is leaving to migrate in Canada sometime soon. He’s a close family friend, and as his last treat to us, he wanted to take us all to Baguio for a quick relaxing trip. They set it for the weekend (May 17 and 18). Believe it or not, it was my first time to climb the city of Baguio.
“I’ve got a couple of things to work on”.. that’s what I gave as an alibi. “I’m sure I can’t go with you guys to Baguio. It would mean sacrificing my schedule.” I was sold out with the decision of not coming. The ‘real’ reason? Well, I knew that though Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines, I felt that a visit to Baguio in summer would be what most travellers would do. Ergo, I don’t like cramming myself amidst a bunch of other people. I wouldn’t enjoy the visit that way. Also, on a sidenote, I didn’t want to visit Baguio during summer.. to me, it felt like it would be just another warm city.
Alas! I got what I wanted! (I should’ve wished for another thing)
This year is very special for me. My honey and I long planned for a vacation trip to Bohol this month of April. Its his first time to be there, while its my second visit to Bohol. Even so, I was also very excited about visiting Bohol again, since the last time was really a very short visit (since we just island hopped from Cebu).
The schedule for Bohol visit was perfect for the tour, but not for the tourist! haha.. Our flight was scheduled at 5:30am. My honey was coming from Fairview and the night/day before was also hectic. We didn’t have the chance to sleep at all! It was actually a very tiring night before the flight. I had to pack some more items that night, and I really had to rush complete an item due for one of my projects that time. My honey, thinking that it would be more of a headache to sleep for just an hour or so, decided to pass up on sleeping and just rest while we were on the way to Bohol. It could’ve been perfect, except that, the hardest part was actually to try and stay awake while waiting for the plane!
We arrived at 7am and the tourist guide was already there. It could’ve been nice to hit the day tour, except that we were so exhausted that we’d rather stay in bed for awhile.. Haha! Talk about sleeping out for half a day in what could’ve been a place for maximizing tour and gimmick! Oh, but before the gratifying sleep, we had (one of ) the best breakfast of our days in the restaurant beside our resort/hotel. It was called “Powder Keg“.
That afternoon and evening, we spent it walking by the beach, and checking out the food and the bars and restos. The beach of Panglao is a white beach. Some of the natives are proud to say that their beach is as white as what is found in Boracay and is not as crowded. Its true that the beach is as white as the sands of Boracay (as my Honey says so), and I certainly agree that its less crowded in Panglao. There were many foreigners too, but not as what I usually see in news reports regarding Boracay. I was very happy to be there with my honey, just relaxing and having fun. After the first day and night in Bohol, the next day was allotted for the day tour. more…
I think I'm gonna love travelling a little bit more.
I've been to so many places (more than usual, of course) since last year. I had out of the country visits to Singapore (1, 2) and Malaysia, and tours in our own local scenic spots. All of them are special, of course, but this last trip is the best.. because I was not only able to visit the beautiful relaxing sceneries of Bicol but also meet tons of my honey's relatives.
Sure, a tourist would only have attachments to the places they've been through pictures and good memories, but none of those would be tantamount to the feeling of being happily home. Its like taking my first vacation in a cozy new home. Meeting my honey's relatives were quite some fun! I got to know them personally (not just through his stories and by their names). Its nice to have met them and spend time with them too!
Thanks to Deyey for taking me to Catanduanes. I'm going back next year.
The last day of Catanduanes adventure was this day. We were scheduled to visit Puraran. They say that this beach is a Surfer’s beach because the waves get high during high tide. We were of course eager to see surfers and its beautiful waves, but it was unfortunate that it was low tide when we were there.
Like most of the beautiful waters and scenes of Catanduanes, Puraran Beach was far from the town and was definitely hidden by huge mountain ranges. And, again, the road going there was steep. The cab we have cannot take us all up from the sands of Puraran.
This is my favorite beach (of all the beaches I’ve visited here in Catanduanes). I love its water because it was neither too hot nor too cold. I loved the stones that were there by the shore, and the high sand level at the shore. Although the water was low when we were swimming its waters, and there were lots of greens beneath (which creeps me out), I really enjoyed it there. We even saw a snake they call walo walo. Hehe..
The next morning, we were took a quick stroll along Amenia beach one last time before going off to Sulong. And here, we still managed to enjoy its sand if not its waters. We buried Deyey in its sand! (watch it here)
They say this is one of the many beautiful falls in Catanduanes, and all of Bicol. Thing is, I’ve never been to a big falls before. I did see my first waterfall at Loboc, Bohol, but not as grand as this one. And, of course, to swim in a waterfall!!! Wooohoo!
But wait, there is a catch. The multicab ride we have cannot take us uphill because it was dangerous. Yes, we have to walk.. and not just walk.. but walk uphill! Waaahh!!! more…
This day, we packed clothes for 2-3 days away from Pananaogan. We were to visit some of their relatives and stay overnight at Amenia Beach. I remember, this was one of the longest days of my stay in Bicol. The longest and most tiring. This I say because the shirt I wore this day was the most soaked and used.
Ahh.. that’s not all! I remember this day so much because we were all having LBMs! Hahaha!!! Aside from the excitement, the travel provided us with the anxiety to stopover the relatives’ houses for comfort. We had to go to the city proper to buy some medicine (especially for me because the LBM triggered my ulcer) and also to shop for some Catanduanes items.
I was surprised to find out that malls (err, I mean, mall without an ’s’) close operations by noon time! Even the small drugstores ended operation a little bit earlier than noon! What a surprise! For a moment, I thought, this is a direct implication that people of Bicol experience better economy. (pardon the change of tone.. hehe). Since they more or less work for only half a day everyday, it is safe to assume that they earn half as much as the normal wage here in Manila. And moreso, it means that they worry only half of the things we worry about. By further speculation, I realized that they need only worry about shelter and education. They have abundant sources of food and water. I remember seeing a lady by the roadside, she seemed to be picking something from the shrubs, obviously for cooking, and then I thought that it was a simple fact that the place provided them with food and that their lives are only about simplicity and happiness. more…
I am human.. awfully human, but end out seeing things the better way.
A techie person, but not much. I love to have a life, (though Im really just struggling to have one). I enjoy being with my family, my cat, and my closest friends.
I have had many blogs before, but none used to be a techie blog. Its because Id like to stick to my personal side and give my techie side a rest. I have a full time techie job that eats up most of my time; but still, I am an IT consultant at the same time. I take programming assistance and software programming or even project management.
2nd Aug 2009 by Chris 
