Pit Stops Travel Guide (Quezon Getaway)

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This was last year, though I didn't have much time posting in my blog recently.  I was obsessed and preoccupied with korean dramas that I forgot to update many things.

With a tight budget, last minute planning and long weekend ahead, we have decided to have a road trip from Laguna to Quezon and have some pit-stops at some famous places that we didn't have to pay that much.  I was able to convince my mom to lend the adventure and then we'd just chip-in some cash for gasoline and driver expenses.

So here's our road map from Laguna to Quezon:

Map 1

(so we had a meeting place in Alaminos-Mercury Drug since I'm the one bringing the car.  Then some of my friends rode a bus in Turbina terminal-the main bus stop in Laguna those who are coming from Sta.Rosa and Tagaytay friends of mine; the other 2 met in Alabang South Station were they rode a bus straight to Alaminos.  From our meeting place we started our journey). 

Map 2

If you're going to meet your friends in Manila take the Jac Liner Bus in Buendia and the fare will cost around 200-250++/head from Buendia to Lucena. The travel will take about 2-4 hours (depends on the day of your actual travel) if your main stop is Lucena.  But I live in Alaminos, Laguna so I'm used to the 11/2 to 2 hours drive from Buendia.  Buy your snacks before departure and don't buy snacks from the vendors who gets in on the bus (not safe or you don't know how they prepare those foods) just a precaution.
 
So our main plan was to stop to at least all the historic spots as we could and get the most out of it-explore, take pictures, relax and pig out on the way, just a plain joy ride to wander us away from our hectic teaching loads (we're teachers by the way).


Alaminos, my hometown, doesn't have much to explore.  There may be some tourist spots like hidden valley but of course we are not apt to stay in one area and that's it, we're there to explore ways and possible tourist vacations that we could recommend to our family and friends.  San Pablo, the next city to Alaminos, doesn't have that much tourist places to go to.  Like Calamba there are spa's, inn's, and nice private pools to go to.  We stopped by at the church in San Pablo while taking our breakfast in 7-11 and bought some snacks.  

 
First stop, Underground Cemetery: At last it's open! Because the last time I went for a visit it was closed.  It was my first time to step there and you can feel the vibe of creepiness to your spine!!! It's basically a small church and underneath it was a small cemetery but creepy cemetery like during the spanish days.  Most of the tombs there were 1840's (nyaaaahhhh) so I could feel someone staring at my back.  I have to stay near some light so that I would be safe. 

 Outside the Underground Cemetery.  No fees just go as you please where you can buy souvenirs worth 100++ (t-shirts, postcards, caps, etc.)

some creepy scenes inside the underground cemetery (by the way even you have a good camera, the scenery would still be dark because there were no lights inside but only lamps and sometimes only candle, which makes it more creepy).  Taken from a Samsung camera not from a professional camera SLR. 

Liliw, Laguna:
I told them (I was their official tour guide and I had to prepare the itinerary for our trip) that will stop in Liliw and they will be amazed with the different shops of shoes, slippers and bags.  I told them that it would be cheap so bring extra money as gifts for their loved ones.  It turned out the my co-teachers had a great time shopping and haggling for shoes!  Price ranges from 120++ and above tip: haggle! haggle! haggle!
Most of the shoes and slippers being sold here are exported and some of the signature shoes we see in the malls are actually taken here.   

                                                                        

                                                                 (my co-teachers at the small park near the town hall)

                           (not me!) =)

 

                                                                                   (some sell household furnitures)

Nagcarlan Church: It was like a pilgrimage, every place we visited, we had to stop to a church and just observe the scenery and the church's architecture.  The San Bartolome Church was big and had a nice facade.  Anyway, they say that for every church you visit for the first time you have to make a wish and it would come true so we had fun in making those wishes.

It was already lunch time and our stomach are demanding for some food. Some of the places were already  filled up of people so we had to look for a good place to eat food.  And we found one.....if you're on a trip its good to eat at (i forgot the name) but then you'd be so hungry to wait for a long cue of people so try to look for this eatery (I'll look for our food bill, I remember I've kept it somewhere) they are know for their "pancit" but then you could also try some other dishes, which is affordable in your budget, not bad for a late lunch!  Try visiting this website of Nagcarlan to check out their famous attractions and dates to remember so at least when you go there you won't miss out the fun: http://www.nagcarlanmovingforward.com/nagcarlan_laguna_philippines_tourists_attraction



Mayjayjay Falls:  Last time I was there, I had fun in trekking the way.  It was harder before because there was no path to follow but sturdy rocks and slippery sidewalks that once you slipped --alas! goodbye to yourself hahahha. But now, there was a paved way to the falls.  Upon reaching the place, my co-teachers didn't swim at all because the water was too cold and there were lots of people around.  We're the "maarte" type so to speak (just kidding) we didn't have the mood to swim that day, we're just there to look at the scenery and then after a few minutes we head off to our next destination.

We went ahead for a short cut and saw ourselves already in Lucban Quezon!!!!  It was already afternoon so we're actually looking for an inn or motel to stay.  We found a hotel near the police station but then we don't have enough budget for that and we want to stay in one room together so we could play, eat together, talk and drink.  So Allan and I walked around the town and found this inn:

It was a good deal 1500++ with aircon, 2 beds (queen size to fit 3 people), electric fan and 1 toilet (that was the only problem).  By the way, we were around 8 persons and we fit inside the room and on the bed (each sleeping horizontally opposite each bed).  Unbelievable!!! So we said ok this will be the toilet rules: If you really want to pooooooooooooop.........everyone had to leave.  The ceiling of the toilet is open and so if there'll be anyone whose gonna cause trouble men! everyone will be in trouble hahahhaha.

But then I was so wise, I asked the owner of the inn if I could use any other toilet from a vacant room because I really have to because there was already someone using our toilet (even there wasn't anyone using it) and then he let me use it! hahahhahha. charming. <3

After putting all our things, dressed up for supper, we have decided to walk around the town and look for a place to eat and hang out.  With our peejays on, we roam around the small town of Lucban.  It was a cold night, it just finished raining so the air was refreshing.  Same as any town, you could see many small dining area, near our inn was a "tambayan" house, I could say that it was decent since the place looks clean and there was a band playing just for hang out bar to relax but we didn't go there since we're wearing pajamas and we were not up for that, we were there to bond and talk and share stories with one another.  So we walked and we saw Buddy's place (famous for pancit habhab and longganisa) we couldn't care less about the people looking at us for wearing peejays since we are tourist anyway.  So we ordered chicken, pork steak, pork chop etc.  price ranges from 120-150++ with drinks.  It was a good dinner since their servings were big.  Afterwhich, we head back to our inn, stopping at a nearby 7-11 store to buy some coffee for tomorrow (we are coffee addicts), water and side snacks.
For more info about tourist places to visit at Quezon Province, visit this site which is very helpful: http://www.wowquezon.com/tourist-spots/churches/st-louis-de-toulouse-church-in-lucban/

The next day before heading out to Kamay ni Hesus, which is our first destination for the day, we went out and check out some stores to buy the famous Lucban longganisa.  We ate breakfast at Sevilla's Restaurant just a walk away from the site of Kamay ni Hesus which is at the opposite direction of it.  

(Me and the gang)

        (Kamay ni Hesus) 98 steps before reaching the top of the mountain where the image of Christ could be seen.  It's really peaceful although I suggest that you wear slippers or rubber shoes and bring some towel to wipe your sweat and some water.  Also be mindful about your attire as they consider this place as a sacred place for pilgrims and devotees.  A good way to spend your Holy Week, and to pause at each station where it represents the stations (journey) of Christ Jesus.  It's breathtaking upstairs and we stopped for awhile and offered our prayers. 

When it was time to leave, we bought some souvenirs and some cold cold ice cream!  Then we head to our last destination which was the Ugo Bigyan's Pottery.      

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love rain (Jang Geun Suk)

Starring:
Jang Geun Suk
Yoona

First 2 episodes were very nice! I thought I wouldn't love it, probably the plot was the same like the movie "the classic" but then it had a good impact on me.  I can see that Sukkie is getting old (my oppa) I thought I wouldn't like Yoona as his new partner (I'm a big fan of Park Shin Hye) but then their acting was good and had a perfect match together.

So the scenes were fast paced and something that would hook you from the beginning.  I need to search for Episode 3 with eng subs!  Till then. =)

ART OF LETTING GO THREAD....

Art of Letting Go...

is a collection of stories with sad and bitter endings

because that's life

not everything ends like a fairy tale

sometimes even we don't want to let go

we still want to fight for it

but then fate is not on your side

you just have to let it slip

and prepare to say the word "goodbye"

i hope you like this collection and feel free to add your own thoughts and stories; some stories are from actual facts and stories of my friends or friend of friends; some are mine and some are just made up...>_<

#1   empty road

The whole night I wasn't able to sleep. We didn't say I love you anymore; facing opposite sides of the bed.   No more hugs and no good nights.
As I keep on repeating in my head; I keep on convincing myself,

"tomorrow I'll leave this place...I'll leave him..."

The air seemed dry but it was cold inside the room.
The room seemed empty though we're lying there.
How could he sleep so soundly while I feel so heavy?

The next day, we were going to the office at the same time

...no hi's...no hello's...no goodmorning's...

everything was still cold between us. He asked me to have some tea with him but I refused. 

With all the force in my throat, with hands were shaking, with my mind begging me to tell him that I'm going to leave him... but then my heart says stay...I said...

"I want to say something...I have to leave you, because I cannot take this anymore...we are not like before..." 

and before I could explain more he just said,

"Just go...." 

as hard as a brick wall. cold. still. Just like that----he let me go.

I wanted to explain why I'm leaving so he would stop and beg in front of me...
I wanted him to hear my explanation why I was feeling blue....
that I don't see myself with him anymore....its like we're together but we are not.

A room with two people but empty... it's like I have to choose between being alone because I'm alone or with someone but I still feel alone.

I couldn't say anything. I wanted to say more but I controlled myself not to say anything and not to beg for him.
I took my things without him knowing that I packed everything. He went to the common area...he didn't see me pass by as I looked back.
I want to hug him, but I know I wouldn't be able to let go.
I want to kiss him goodbye but it would hurt me more.
I know how much I will miss him but I have to do this for us; for us to understand the feeling how to need someone and how to value someone.
And so I left..with a heavy heart, convincing myself that I did the right thing though I knew that I didn't do the right thing...
but I left....I already stepped out from his apartment and I couldn't take it back....
I told myself don't look back, don't cry...I was counting...I was hoping he'd open the door and run after me and embrace me just like in the movies.
But all I've had were just air of emptiness and the distance of the road and his door telling me

"go on...walk away....."

KOREAN CRAZE

I'm here once more to give insight about my new syndrome....Korean Craze!  It took me to leave my school and finally get hooked on Korean movies and dramas.  It all started when I was surfing the TV and  stumbled upon this beautiful being, creation of God whom I thought was only in my imagination - Jang Geun Suk (Sukkie oppa ^_^ ) a.k.a. Tae Kyung in You're Beautiful. The moment I saw his face on TV, I said thank you God for letting my instinct work and told me to turn the TV on this channel.  After that, I started surfing the internet about him, his movies, his life and I started watching Korean dramas and movies.

To start with ----

YOU'RE MY PET

Stars:

Jang Geun Suk

Kim Han Neul

While watching this movie, you'll feel light and happy wishing you have a pet like "momo".  I love Jang Geun Suk no question about that and I'm actually not biased =) but then this movie is just the right amount of energy particularly not much drama but rather perfect when you're just relaxing.  Love this last part and the OST is very vibrant and nice to listen to. 

scenes in YOU'RE MY PET

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A MOMENT TO REMEMBER

Stars:

Jung Woo-sung
Son Ye-jin

                A story about a husband trying everything to let his wife with Alzheimer's remember everything and how they started their love. 
                If you're feeling low and sad and you want to dwell in that melancholic aura then prepare a tissue roll and oxygen tank and watch this.  I fell in love with Jung Woo Sung in this movie and who wouldn't if he'd do anything to let you remember your vows of love.  I like So Ye Jin a lot (she plays roles so well even in "the classic") especially the way she cries.

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BABO
(Miracle of a Giving Fool)

Stars:

Cha Tae Yun
Ha Ji Won

Warning: I need two oxygen tanks for this.

Maybe I just have a weak heart when it comes to people with special needs.  I cried the whole time and after watching this, I watched again (you're my pet) just to calm me down, otherwise I would end up thinking why? why? why? =)

Jang Geun Suk

 

The man who saved me from a great deal of despair...

Pit Stops Travel Guide 2012 (Calamba)

                  I've decided to start the year right by traveling to the place closest to my heart - LAGUNA.  Well, I'm not a native of Laguna but then my family have moved here since high school in Sta. Rosa.  Then, we moved to another location in Alaminos.  The first time we moved here men I'm going  crazy! From the accustomed traffic and busy streets of Manila and Parañaque (where we used to live before) then off to a jungle man! I can say that its a total shock.  After awhile I was able to get used to the atmosphere and then now I can finally say that I love this place.  At 8pm you wouldn't see people on the streets anymore, everyone is inside their houses and at 9pm everyone's asleep.  Then in the morning at 4am you'd here people selling "pandesal" and sometimes the loud buzz of motorcycle selling vegetables and fish.  Other than that you'd hear people already sweeping the streets, roaming around, clanging of plates as they prepare.

                  So much for the introduction, let's get into the travel part.  I've search on the internet some places to visit in Laguna because I was curious which places can people go and visit here.  Some of friends were asking me to tour them but then I don't know anything about my own place.  So I've decided to start my travel here in my hometown.  I told my college friends (tin, nina, espie) to help me explore Calamba) we went to check Los Baños and Pansol (famous for hot springs) and check out the pools and room rates there.  Room ranges from 200-500/head aside from the pool entrance of 80-100 you can haggle with them especially when its not peak season, by the way we went last month, so we were able to get a room of 1700 king size bed, aircon, bathroom, plus swimming - not bad but then I think I could get it more cheaper if I tried to haggle more but then at that time we were tired and it was already 9 in the evening so we just took the best available pool villa.


                  In the morning, we decided to go to the house of our national hero - Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Calamba.

It's already renovated and it looks bigger outside but then when you go in it on has 2 bedrooms, 1 big dining area, a lounge, a small kitchen and a balcony.  The typical house during the Spanish time.  It was stated that Rizal's house was considered to be the largest in Calamba before so you'd see that Rizal's family was well-off that time.  It was the dream of his father to build this type of house.

 

1st floor- more of history and pictures of Rizal when he was young. 

Bed of Rizal??

Cooking time! Rizal's actual kitchen

There was an addition part to their house, which is then turned as a small museum.  Here you can see Rizal's pictures and memorabilia's. 

There was no one around that time, so we have asked Rizal to join us in our group picture and he was very cooperative.  =) If this is a replica of him, then we have concluded that this is the original height of Rizal hmmmmm....as I recall in our Rizal subject in college, it was believed that Rizal was not really as tall as he sounds to be.  That's why they have given him the term "small but terrible". 

to be continued....

to be posted excarsion in Laguna-Quezon....

WOoooW! New Life!! 2012.

I haven't written that much, actually I was a little bit lazy to share new infos and new stuffs...have had lots of adventures recently and I just need time to upload everything. To start the year right, I will share what my horoscope foretells me for this 2012.

(My mom reading the Chinese calendar)
Mom: Wow! I'm lucky this year!!! (continues reading...) For your sister, she will have a goodluck this year...blah...blah....blah... (reading..)
Me: (wasn't paying attention, I was looking at something on the internet)
Mom: You're year of the boar right?
Me: (nods)
Mom: ayyyyyyyy...not good...  this 2012 you're not lucky....
Me: don't read anymore, it's enough to know that I'm not lucky. (back of my head) yeah right.

I'M NOT LUCKY THIS YEAR!
My answer to this Chinese Zodiac----to hell! I don't care. I really don't believe on this lucky signs or not it's still up to me whether I'll have a fruitful year or not.  Besides, I have seen a lot of rainy days for me so I guess it's really up to me to make everything all right.  =)

So much for this...well to make my life entertaining and fruitful I promised that this year would be all about myself.  I recently just quit my job and I'm just enjoying the time with myself practically not doing anything as of the moment.  I need to review for the board exam which is in March but then I am not starting to review at all.  I am obsessed watching Koreanovelas and I am glad that I am getting addicted to it because it is my salvation during the darkest hours and times of my life, when I was on the verge on giving up on love. Moreover, I was able to realize the purity of love itself.  I was able to understand that life just goes on as it should be that it is undeniable and inevitable to experience pain and through it we learn.  Its easier said than felt.   I am now an official fan of Jang Geung Suk and Lee Min Ho!!! I am finally back on track, I feel that I am on my teens again sometimes I am thinking if this is just my own defense mechanism against the things that I am afraid of like being alone but then I felt good, I never felt light like this since my highschool days back then when I was obsessed with BSB or Backstreetboys and with Vic Zhou Yu Min of F4 and Legolas of LOTR and Jo In Sung of the classic.  My new obsession made me hope that someday my love will come and all I have to do is to know the right signs and follow my heart and instincts, that I should not give up on love. 

So here you go.  A brand new me all for 2012.  Everyday is a new day to start and put the past behind and that's what I'm going to do that I haven't evaluated for a long time to achieve my goals, set it straight and to love myself once more, well that's the way it should be as I've said easier said than done!!!

Hope for the best!!

AJA! Fighting!


xoxoxoxo

New name: Wildrainfirefly xoxoxoox

My Personal Obsession

Is it an obligation to be rightful of someone else's life bound by restrictions and fear because of what is retained as fidelity to your partner?  Or do we just have to face the fact that if a person is with us it doesn't guarantee that you own them so they still have the basic freedom to be who they wanna be or with whom they want to be.  I think that is my fear and so does everyone's fear. The fear of being left behind. 

I want to give justification to this.  We fear lost or death like we fear rejection or being hated.  I have come to a point in my life where I am proud to say that everyone can speak freely of what they think of me.  I must admit that it hurts knowing that someone is against you or doesn't like you and it may take awhile in order to grasp the idea that you can't please anybody.  Growing up, I must say that I have put it on my mind that I don't want any praises from other people but at the same time, I don't want people to put me down.  I just want some attention when i know that I am entitled to that attention specifically, for example, being commended on the task that I was able to finish or being awarded for an outstanding contribution as simple as that.   

In connection, feelings of affection is the same with feelings of being recognized.  Feelings of freedom.  I don't want to need someone.  I don't want someone to be lured to me.  I have this tendency when I have already hypnotized (hypnotized?) someone into my world, when I have let them be trapped into me and when I feel that they've loved me so much, I have the tendency to let them go.  Is it bad? Yes.  I am aware of that but then I don't want them to worship me I just want them to finally realize that they liked me a lot and I want them to love themselves as well.  I don't want them to worship me and their world to revolve in me but I want them to simply embrace the idea that I am enough for them to survive but then life goes on.   

 Now this gives to a point where I am in the middle of my life and I am subjected to choose whether I want to be alone or to be with someone.  This is the part of my life where I have to make certain decisions as this would determine my future.  But at the back of my mind, what if I wanted it like this, just the way it should be. Should I pursue waiting for the man that let me go in the first place?  Or should I act on my impulse and go and ask myself if he still has feelings for me.  Well, I have made my decisions before and  I have given ample time for that and finally I will stick with it.  Two people can't be together if they don't meet halfway and during that time one thing was certain - we didn't meet halfway.  

So, the question is, when I will feel the need of having someone?  I don't know. I guess I am still in the purgatory (hanging around) like the souls with unfinished business accounted to myself.  When I finally see the man who would be able to put up with my needs, he would be able to balance me and his life then I think I would cling to that man but before that I am still a wanderer, searching for the very meaning of my existence until I feel tired.   

Just...

list of documented comments from friends and lovers:

----finally i hate that i met u, cause u should stay and never be away -M.O.

One Fine Day

                          One day it all catches up with you. Every ended relationship, every tear shed, every broken heart. You pick up the pieces, you brush them off and you put them back together. Only each time you need a little more glue. Then, just like that, glue's not enough anymore. The cracks, the holes, the shattered dreams - they're a part of you. Try as you might, you can't fix what's been broken; you can't me...nd what's been torn. You're down trodden, pathetic, unable to go on..or so you think. Then he walks into your life with a smile, a whisper and a kiss, you're no longer broken. Your world of gray becomes a little brighter, a little more colorful. The more time you spend with him, the more complete your once fragile, shattered heart becomes. Until one morning you wake up and just like that, you're in love and the grass is greener and the sky is bluer and the past..is the past. You are no longer consumed with regret, remorse or pain. Yet in the back of your mind, in the depths of your heart, one thing lingers..fear. Fear of what you're risking, fear of going back, fear of being broken again..this time forever. Then he smiles and says those three words you've been longing to hear and nothing else matters ♥♥♥

            Well, me and my best friend had a chat today and it seems that we felt the same situation of giving up when it comes to love.  We've tried our best in order to  save the relationship, in one point or another, and it seems that eventhough how hard we have tried...it seems to be that it's not enough that we just have to move on and continue.  I don't want to live in the past anymore and it doesn't hurt to try something out of curiosity like "I'd give him a miss call maybe he would call back, or reply back..." even you know it would definitely hurt you but still you give space to let it enter your life, you still let it continue to hurt you.

            Yes. Fear is what consumes me right now.  I'm already way behind the time and still I am not ready to face any door of relationship.  I even forgot how it feels like to love, I am thinking that I might screw again and hurt myself once more.  But I am not giving up on love, I am just barely taking my time to finally listen to my heart and what it says...all the time I was following my instincts cause I thought it is the right thing to do unfortunately it leads me nowhere but emptiness, pain and sleepless nights.  Now, I'll take it by faith.  If others were able to find their true love by waiting then I'd have to the same.  The only problem is I never know who I am waiting for.  

             

            

 

 

a tribute to mothers

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan itong isusulat ko kasi sa totoo lang ang bigat ng loob ko.  Gusto kong kumausap ng ibang tao para humingi ng tulong o sabihin na natin nang payo o siguro kailangan ko lang ng isang tao na mailalabas ko yung lungkot kong nararanasan ngayon.  Ngunit kung sino at kanino ko ibubuhos lahat ng ito ay hindi ko alam. 
               Kanina pag-uwi ko galing sa trabaho nakita ko yung mommy ko na humihikbi kausap yung isang tauhan namin.  Nilapitan ko yung nanay ko tapos tinanong ko kung anong meron.  Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon minsan mas malapit pa tayo sa ating kaibigan kaysa sa sarili nating kadugo.  Ito yung napagtanto ko sa karamihan ng tao.  Minsan mas naibubukas natin ang ating kalooban sa ibang tao na minsan lang natin nakasalamuha kaysa sa sarili nating pamilya.  Pero sa pagkakataong ito, ayoko ng maging iba sa aking nanay siguro panahon na para ako naman ang sumaklolo sa kanya at hindi ang ibang tao, para anu pa't nakapagtapos ako ng sikolihiya kung sa aking sariling pamilya ay hindi ko ito magamit o maibahagi man lang.
              Nung simulan kung tanungin kung anong nangyari, umiyak na siya ng umiyak.  Siguro ganun nga yun kahit nung tayo ay mga bata pa lang pag ang iyong nanay o kahit sinuman ay hinaplos ka at tinanong kung okay ka lang ay hihikbi ka na ng pagkalakas-lakas na parang inapi ka o pasan mo ang lahat ng problema sa mundo.  Ganito ang nangyari kanina.  Hindi ko mapigilan ang mga luha ko pero kailangan kong magpakatatag para hindi niya ako makita ng mahina.  Ang nanay ko pa naman pag sobrang iyak ay hindi nakakahinga, naninikip ang dib-dib, namumutla at minsana ay hinihimatay.  Alam kong pagod na siya at bilang anak niya wala akong magawa.  Wala akong maipayo, parang sarado ang aking lalamunan at hindi ko alam ang aking sasabihin.  Hindi naman kasi kami sanay sa pamilya na nagpapalitan kami ng naramramdaman kung baga hindi kami masyado malapit sa isa't-isa.
                Kahit hindi sinasabi ng aking ina ang nararamdaman niya alam ko yung bigat na nararamdaman niya, pero naiinis ako sa sarili ko kasi wala akong magawa para makuha yung bigat na nararamdaman niya. Sana sa akin na lang.  Hindi ko alam kung paano siya tutulungan pero kahit ako ang bigat na ng loob ko.  Pero at least bata pa ako eh siya patanda na siya.  Yung nanay ko pa naman yung tipo na matigas baliin na tao.  Marami akong gustong sisihin pero wala rin yung saysay.  Alam ko pa naman yung pinagdadaanan niya, pero siguro yung sakit medyo hindi ko ramdam.  Nung niyakap ko ang aking ina, humagalpak na siya sa iyak.  Siguro yun ang kailangan niya, yung taong magsasabi na okay lang ang lahat.  Kung tutuusin hindi kami mukhang mahirap, pero sa totoo lang nararamdaman ko na na naghihirap na kami.  Ang problema kasi sa aking ina ay isinasaloob niya masyado ang problema.  Masyado niya itong iniisip, yung mga utang, bayarin, pagkain, at kung anu-ano pa.  Sino nga naman ako para sabihin wag iyon problemahin, kung ang ating maguukopa sa iyong isip ay problema.  Sa panahong iyon, ang sinabi ko na lang sa nanay ko ay: Lahat ng tao ay may problema, wag na lang niya masyadong isipin dahil hindi rin naman agad-agad itong masusulusyunan.  Isa Diyos na lang niya at tutulungan siya nito..sinabi ko rin na andito naman ako.
                    Ngayon, mas lalu ko nang nainitindihan ang kanyang nararamdaman, kahit na siguro na ganu man natin inis ang nanay, o kahit minsan nakaka-aburido na sila, totoo nga naman yung sabi ng iba na iba parin ang nanay.  Siguro yung aking ina sobra-sobra ang lungkot na nararamdaman niya.  Naaawa ako sa kanya.  Pero sana ay maunawaan niya na hindi siya nag-iisa kailangan rin lang ang buksan niya ang puso niya sa mga taong handa namang makinig sa kanya.  Sino pa nga ba ang tutulong sa kanya kung hindi ako rin...o kami rin.
                    Sana maunawaan ito ng aking ina habang may panahon pa. 
        
 

Its all worth the wait

I was in facebook today and I saw some pictures of my friends whom are happily married or with their better half right now.  I saw one of my friends' post: "I can't help but still be amazed on my husband's face even I am married with him for 5 years now". I begin to wonder if everyone of them is happy with the person that they are with?  I am so amazed on how they were able to find their true love at this time.  I also felt jealous maybe because I don't have someone with me as of this moment.  Actually, I am not in a hurry or whatsoever.  I am really (purely and honestly) happy with myself and with friends.  I have all the time for myself, doing the things I want, going to places without even wondering if my boyfriend will like it or no.  In short, there are no complications.  But sometimes I can't help to think of thoughts like-who is the right one for me? Is there something wrong with me that I usually end up with the wrong person? or am I the wrong person? Well I'd like to believe that I am not the wrong person because I can really attest that I am truly a sweet and caring person (putting myself on the chair).  I wonder if God is doing this on purpose so that when the time comes that I would meet my other half, I would be ready....that I am complete again...I've healed and become a new person.  The other day I was surprised when a past love was trying to come back after months of not saying anything to each other.  Actually I don't feel anything for him, I think I don't want to be with him anymore because I know that he's lying again.  Maybe he realized my worth and that he shouldn't let me go.  (actually our love story was crazy...our ending was not really good...the moment I stepped out from his life I told him that he was not my business anymore..I even told him not to force me to hate him and to forget him because once I stepped out of his life, I won't dare to come back...) But then again, I am wondering if I should give myself and him another chance to prove our love? or should I just let the wind take its course and wait.  We really have had good days together.  I must say that we really "clicked".  I just can't help the fact that he had a lot of issues to solve within himself.  Urrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhh...ok this is not the right time to tell this story.  I don't even want to recall it.  Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that --- these are the wonders of God, the Freedom for us to choose.        

When the right time comes, I just hope that I could have the same smiles like what my friends are having right now.  I can't wait to fall in love with the right guy. I can't wait to extract the sweetness in me again that was gone or I think in a hibernating mode.

I wish I could say the exact same lines like what my sister said when she finally decided to marry Eduardo, my brother-in-law...

"It's all worth the wait..." 

Close-Open

Just when you close one door, another one opens.

Two days ago, I was planning to clean my list of friends in fb.  I know that not all  of them are my real friends and I know that deleting them is a good way because it was my fault why I accepted their friendship request in the first place.  I think that some of them just wanted to gossip around and look at the pictures but none of them really cared at all.

Anyway the main point was not about that one.  I had 557 friends enlisted in my profile and before I log off I was only able to erase one person out of that 577 friends...and it was --- Jawad.  I don't know why but I think that I should not be in contact with him anymore.  We still exchange messages and sometimes I ask the condition of his family but I just realized that I don't have to hold on to his memories...or rather to our memories.  I don't want him to be my friend anymore.  I can feel that he has someone new in his life right now and I should just leave his life completely.  As the song goes...

So I'm begging you heart don't change my mind
Oh heart it's hard for you, I know

Let me let him go....


When I deleted him already, I was so relieved that I could finally start my life fresh and new....then Mbarek came along out of nowhere and sent a messaging saying he missed me. After 3 months??? Who is he? He is another story. God please spare me for once. 



My guy friend called to tell me that he will give my number to a guy that is also single and I should meet this guy... It's like they didn't ask me if I want or what...they just have decided that I should go out with him....hmmmm....wonders of people. =)
Why are they so bothered with my life when I am not even bothered with my own life?  I don't care if I am 27 years old  already..I just care that I need to rest first.  Obviously sometimes I missed the feeling of being loved but as of the moment all the sweetness in my system already faded.  Hahahaha.  The juice of sweetness is currently hibernating.  I don't know when it will go out from my system again. 

Bataan Excursion

The whole castaways....Faculty and Staff of Green Fields International School

Our Bataan Excursion....which was supposedly for three days but it was cut short. Anyways, we had lots of fun during the trip.  =)  with ESL teachers - Bianca, Darryll, Allan and Bert....some of the ESL teachers were on vacation so they missed a part of their life (just kidding)...

It was my first time in this place. I had a super, amazing, wonderful, and satisfying experience.  I just wish there was enough time to relax, enjoy the games, explore the place and splurge on food................=)

This was the picture of the resort....taken by my co-teacher.  It was not a special camera like SLR but they were able to capture a fantastic shot.

Well it's not actually a white, fine sand type like Boracay. The sand on the beach was fine and the water was clear.  What I like most about the beach was that underneath it there were no water species/creatures that would suddenly burst out of the water.  There were some small jellyfish but it was not harmful, actually it stings but the pain was tolerable. hahaha.  

At around 2pm or maybe 3pm, we went for a little boat ride to a different island.  Actually the scenery was the same like any boat rides I've been thru, the places we went were not that amazing but what I noticed was the calmness of the place and the island.  It was still preserved and not so discovered at all.  Here's a pic of where we went to...

These are some of my shots when we were on the boat.....

In this picture, my camera was in the normal setting and I just focused the shot near the sun's light.  I was trying to capture both the sun's shadow and the sun itself.

 In this picture, I put the settings in a calm mode and because of that it reflected the bluish color of the sky and the sea. 

It was around 5pm and we just finished our boat ride.  I was currently exploring the settings of my camera.  I don't have SLR guys but as my friend/mentor Rikki (he was a semi-professional photographer-hahahaha) told me that everything is all about the LIGHTS...and of course the LENS...and because of that I've taken his advice of checking the light.  Then I try to adjust the settings to make the trees look brighter and greener and VOILA- I have this pic! nice!  

After the island escapade, as I've mentioned our vacation was cut short but before going back to the real world we passed by some historical sights in Bataan.  First, we went to the Dambana ng Kagitingan dedicated to the martyrs of the war in this place.

 Left (author) Right (Bianca)

In the shot below, I was not the one who took this (again) it was my co-teacher and it was really an amazing shot.

Down below was taken by yours truly.  I was not able to climb the steps all the way to the cross but by the looks of it...uhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm.....The day that time was extremely hot! I think I really got burned during this time and not when I was on the beach hehehehe.  That is why the place is not an easy task but it's all worth it.  It is really a sacrifice to reach God....the view upstairs was so fantastic.  Plus, you can actually go inside the cross using an elevator.  I'm not good with the length or meters in order to describe how high was it but I should say that it feels like you're in heaven when you reach the top.   You just have to pay an entrance fee of 10 pesos and then you will be able to see the whole range of Bataan-at least for me.  

 

 A view from the top of the cross.

In this part of the trip, we were able to go to the museum, but taking pictures were strictly prohibited.  In the museum were pictures during the World War in the Philippines.  The pictures taken were not as ordinary as what we always see in the museum because some pictures were explicit like Japanese soldiers abusing women, children whose bodies lay dead on the street and many more. 

Before we go home, I saw that the flooring of the whole place was unusual.  It was in a form of a cross, so I asked my friends to sit down and pretend like they're saying a prayer or doing a ritual.  Actually my friends were kind of participative and cooperative when I take their pictures.  I had many pictures of them than myself and that was the reason why they didn't bring their cameras with them because they know that they will be the official photographer of the trip.  For me, it was fine because my goal was to take pictures and souvenirs of the other unexplored places in Philippines.  This was my second trip since I came here last September 2010.  So, I'm enjoying every part of  my tour/ exploration.  See you on the road pare ko.  =)