Away

image via www.amyrice.com

I am looking forward to next week. 

It's been a crazy month! Moved back to my parents' so I can take care of the house and my brother while Mom's on vacation. From business dilemmas, family matters and planning my own vacation(s), the days have just been blurring together. Just a few more and I can de-stress in somewhere new - Tokyo! Well, relatively new since this is my second time. But oh the places I will go! So exciting! :)

Holy Week

Vigan and Pagudpod, Philippines

April 29-May 3, 2005

A year into my first job and I was totally swamped with work. When my college friends came calling with the magic words - beach trip - I jumped at the chance! Got my first taste of DIY (do-it-yourself) travel with the crew. Everything went as planned except on our way home. We got stranded! All the buses from Pagudpod going back to Laoag were full and we had no more money! After hours of waiting and debating if we should hitch a ride from delivery trucks, the tricycle driver from the resort drove us back. The owner let us stay an extra night for free. Polaris Beach House, you guys rock! :)

Kaladkarin

Bangkok, Thailand
February 2004

Kaladkarin (ka-lad-ka-rin) noun. madaling hatakin, yayain. 
[Filipino, from kaladkad or hilain]

A friend invited my sister to go to Bangkok and she in turn invited me! Her friend was going with four of her officemates we haven't met before. They were all very nice though :) But on hindsight, I think Ate wanted me to tag along so she wouldn't feel left out haha!

The Antecedent

Boracay, Philippines
May 16-20, 2002

First trip without parents! Headed off to sunny Boracay after graduation. It's hilarious looking back at our old photos and mementos. No digital cameras back then, so we have a few pictures that are too dark, not quite centered, and even a photo from the island hopping boat where a darn lifesaver strap was hanging right smack in the middle of my face! Haha! I also saved my boarding pass and ticket from Asian Spirit (now Zest Air) which in a few months time will be 10 yrs old! Another item I kept from that trip was a little piece of paper where I wrote down all the activities we planned to do. Who would've known that almost a decade later, planning a trip and making my own itinerary is still one of my favorite past times. :) 

First Impressions

I read a magazine article at the dermatologist's the other day. It was about first impressions and there was a quiz right at the bottom. Although I've always known myself to be an introvert and a low-key kind of person, the result from the quiz was still an eye-opener. I think I've been hoarding my privacy too much that I am not able to reach out and connect with other people. So in line with my vow of sharing more, I will stop being so paranoid and just be open. Even if there's not one person reading my posts, I will write away like there's no tomorrow.  :)

photo via dearestsomeday.com

Share more

Since I've claimed 2012 as the year of milestones, I won't go back on my word. This is the first time I will post the things I plan to do for the year. Late again I know but this will help me blog more. :)

photo via creatingclever.com

This year I will live up to my potential
Share more
Eat fresh, healthy, delicious food (and sometimes just delicious food)
Workout until it shows, and then workout some more
Make time for the important stuff (people stuff)
I will listen, really listen to others and to my heart
I will:
grow my blog
grin more
remember names and faces
drink good coffee *juice*
meditate
learn new stuff (*cook, paint, go back to school*)
write *read* more books
create stuff bravely
Make new mistakes (and learn from them)
Love it all
Read books in the bath for way too long
This will be an amazing year
Integrity. Abundance. Audacity.

Lord give me strength! :)

Milestones

I am vowing to do this before the year ends! 2012 is going to be the year of milestones! Let’s go! :)