Puerto Galera Galore

Last January 7&8, Bi and I spent our weekend with my friends Lady, Michelle, Lourdes, Ate Llyann and Sir Mouse in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. I have planned this get-away long before to celebrate Bi's birthday. I kept this as a surprise not until a week before the actual trip. Talk about slip-of-the-tongue moments. I easily convinced my friends to join us cause we really missed each other, gaaah it's been ages since we last met.

The Journey

All of us will be coming from different areas so we decided to just meet up in Batangas Port. Bi will be coming from Bicol, yes you read that right, Ate Llyann and Sir from QC, Mich from Tanauan and Lourdes from Calamba. Lady decided to stay in Mich's place to avoid morning hassle coming from Manila. Bi and I just met up in Turbina around 5 o'clock in the morning. We took the bus going to Batangas Pier via CALABARZON to beat the traffic . The blooper: We didn't know that Lourdes was riding with us until we reached Batangas! Tita Mi and Lady arrived first, then my group and Ate Llyann and Sir came last. Our ferry schedule was 7:30, just right in time. We boarded, I almost fainted, and found ourselves comfortable seats. The ferry has a maximum capacity of 129 persons, that I really needed to know, and was boarded with mostly foreigners. Life vests were distributed, I made sure we got ourselves with it. The ferry trip lasted one and a half hours, probably the longest sea travel of my life! Oh, did I mention that it was my first time too? And that I do not know how to swim? Paranoia it was. The ferry has three destinations, Sabang, Muelle and White Beach. We stopped at Sabang first, which was our destination, around 9:00 am.

My lovely girls while on the ferry.

Bi and I trying to hide our nervousness. haha!

Settling Down


Upon arrival to Sabang, I have to confirm with FSL our return ticket first so that we would be included in the headcount on our journey back to Batangas. Afterward, we headed to Big Apple Dive Resort where we will stay for the night. I didn't know that the check in time is 2:00pm, my bad. Good thing they allowed us to put our things in their office to free us from hassle during our tour. The receptionist is quite nice and really accomodating. She even promised us that we can check in earlier than 2:00 once the rooms are freed. We sat down first, thought of our itinerary for the day, until a lady approached us and offered some suggestions where we can go and spend the whole day with.

Upon arrival at Sabang.

Muchas always on the go.

The Itinerary


We decided to have our breakfast first, by the way, Big Apple has a 24-hr bar and restaurant so we didn't have to go elsewhere to eat. But, during that day, the restaurant was already fully occupied with mostly foreigners and divers so we resorted to eat on a canteen next to it. Sabang has many eating places, they even have mini-market and a grocery store nearby. Expect though that the price would be higher than what we know. After having breakfast, a boatman approached me and offered me a daytrip rental of his boat. For 2000, we agreed. He provided us with life vests and snorkels. He even went to the market to buy lunch for us. When all was set, we were good to go.

Gaaah. Boat. Sea.. I'm going to die.

Our first stop was at a place with a kubo where Kuya Eric, the boatman, cooked our lunch. I do not know what exactly the place is called, it is near the school anyways. While Kuya Eric was preparing our lunch, we also prepared to island hop. We rented smaller boats to tour us around. A fee of 400 per person was charged with the inclusion of snorkeling, underground cave tour, fish-feeding and giant clam sighting. And for the bonus, Kuya boatman took all our photos while doing those activities.

After that, we had our lunch, a very good lunch, rested for a while and we were off to go again  to White Beach. Upon arriving at White Beach, the girls indulged in buying pasalubongs. White Beach is where most of the souvenir shops are located and the night life here is much livelier than that of Sabang, they said. We never got the chance to swim since it was already getting dark so we left that activity for tomorrow.

The fun day ended around 6:00pm, already checked in at the resort and rested. My whole body ached, literally from those activities we had. No regrets though. Bi and I really enjoyed the day. :) I know the girls did too.

We ate dinner ahead of the others because we were already starving to death. Haha. Good thing that the resort allows free Wifi connection so the night didn't turn out to be a bore. Sir even posted our photos on Facebook on that very same night! Around 10:00pm, lights out.

On board. :)

Enjoying the snorkeling.

Fish-feeding session with Bi.

Underground cave.

The Day After


Bi woke up earlier than me, as always. It was his birthday! I asked him what he felt, I got no answer but a kiss. Ok so much for the mushiness. The call time was 6:00, Kuya Eric was already waiting for us outside the resort. The day was gloomy, rain was sneaking out. That morning was a low tide, I got to see lots of starfish! :) We headed to White Beach despite the raging waves and strong wind. There came the point when we needed to change route because it was too dangerous to push through. We stopped on a shore and just rode a tricycle to White Beach. Upon arrival, we pre-ordered for breakfast and swam ourselves with the waves. Weee!

My whole body still ached that day, even upon arriving home. We went back to Sabang and fixed up,  checked out at 12:00nn and boarded the ferry back to Batangas exactly 1:00pm. We headed home separately.

As always, parting time was one of the saddest time in a journey. But on the good side, we have something to look forward to everyday. :) See you Anawangin, our next stop! :)

What This Year Had Brought Me. :)

Just a couple of hours before we say goodbye to 2011 and welcome the New Year.

I'll take this chance to thank everyone who had been a part of this wonderful year. Life has been not so easy, as always, but I'm still very grateful that I got to live this life.

January of this year I celebrated my first year anniversary with Christian and despite the ups and downs of this perfectly imperfect relationship, I congratulate myself for staying strong and firm, joke. Fortunately, we get to celebrate our second next week. :)

April this year, I officially received my degree. I believe I've waited long enough for that moment and I tell you that was one of the greatest achievements I got by far.

It was in May that I started 'reviewing' for the board exam. With all the hopes in the world, I pursued for the boards even if most of the time I felt like giving up. I endured six long months of having no 'social life' since the review was held on weekdays. I barely got the chance to watch TV and movies unlike what I did before. I slept 5 hours shorter than what I am really capable of. And most of all, I studied longer than what I never ever did when I was an undergraduate. From these I learned how to manage my time and how to prioritize things. I also learned how to keep my eyes on the goal. I knew how to use my calculator properly and how I can maximize its features and functions. hoho. A very good avenue for new things indeed.

Came July when my dad needed to leave for Kuwait, the saddest part of which was it had to be on my very birthday. I chose not to celebrate as I decided that no celebrations be held before I pass the exam.

And then September stepped on, the longest month of my life so far. I prayed time to tick slow almost every night. During this month, I hardly laughed or had good times. Pressure and fear filled my whole being. Inevitably came the exam days, my only armor were my notebook and a thousand prayers. Two days after, the result was released. Thankfully, I passed. Again, seeing my parents cry the tears of joy was priceless. I realized that making someone proud will make you even prouder. :)

On that very same day, my dad gave me this iPhone 4 as his gift. :) Oh so thank you. :)

Another challenged awaited me after I took my oath last October: the challenge of getting a job. This was never easy. In fact it is never easy. I tried hundred times, literally, applying for jobs appropriate for me. This was the time I claimed and tested God that I will be hired before the month ends. October 28, I was called to report at Johnson and Johnson, Phils.

November 15, my first day of work. I was very happy and thankful for God's faithfulness. But, three days after, a bad news welcomed me upon arriving home. My aunt died because of breast cancer. I never got the chance to treat her on my first pay as I promised her. Well, no regrets because I know and I believe she got saved before she died. Thank You Lord for letting her live a little longer for her to know her Savior.

I got my first cheque this December and again, I thank God for remaining faithful and providing more than enough so that I can bless others as well. :)

This year taught me so much the first of which is being thankful for everything I have and everything I do not. Though there are trials and challenges along the way, faith and prayer proved to be the greatest armor one warrior can have. Plus people who will remain on your side no matter what.

Truly, 2011 seemed to be a very good year to me. But like any other books, it has to end. For some, they will re-open and re-read. For others like me, I would be more than glad and willing to open and read a new one, in the end write my own book.

So, 2012! Let's get it on! :) I welcome you in full armor! :)

Post-Whatever Syndrome.

Ok now, I do not know how and what to call this feeling, this stage right in the middle of school and work. Is this being bum? Oh, that sucks. It. Severely. Sucks. Actually.

My days are labelled: wake up, breakfast, bath, lunch, movie, sleep, wake up, dinner, tv, sleep (Facebook-ing in between). The cycle goes on for two weeks now. And I tell you this isn't good at all. As my hormones enjoy the benefits of the cycle, my neurons, on the other side, are in a state of great chaos, especially when they hear updates on how close Christmas is. Did I mention before that I have a dozen of godchildren already? I'm afraid it would turn 13 before the year ends. I absolutely understand the burden carried by my brain cells. Poor brain cells.

I honestly don't know why is this taking too long, I getting a job. I keep convincing myself that this time of the year is the most inappropriate time to get hired because of those oh-we-aren't-hiring-until-the-year-ends-to-avoid-Christmas-bonuses attitude of the employers. Makes sense? Whatever their reasons are, I don't care. What care about is getting myself a job before Christmas sweep off the remaining balance in my account. Talk about hanging by a thread. Plus, plans of travelling is stacking up the ceiling. I couldn't miss a single flight! :(

And so it is confirmed! I am deeply depressed about what's happening to me, to my plans, to my career. I'm embittered whenever I see tour packages, mall sales, airfare sales and everything! I find it hard to wait. I hardly believe in patience. But I guess I got no other choice than to wait and be patient. Otherwise, I should get up and build my own company, work for it and have myself paid by no other than myself. :| that's weird. This is what self-supporting is all about. 


P.S.

Bi and I decided to go separate ways for the meantime. Oh heart! I'm so sorry for the sudden heartbreak. But I think I should choose between  raging brain cells and bleeding heart. The latter sounds common already so I go for the former. Perhaps we will meet again somewhere someday, when everything is fine. That will be if no other woman is in line, just waiting for this precious time. 

Photo from Tumblr.com

“You say to me goodbye and have a nice life. It’s like cutting butterfly’s wings and telling it to fly.”

No Turning Back.

Yesterday, I, together with Mich, Lady, Jho and Lourdes took the busy and crowded streets of Sampaloc, Manila where the Professional Regulation Commission office is located to file our application for the September Chemistry Licensure Exam. Well, it was actually my second time to be there on my own (I mean without my Mom with me) and so I found it really hard to locate where the place is exactly. Good thing Lourdes and Tita Mi (that's how I call Mich) know how to get there and so we were saved from the possible danger of being lost and worse, getting "fooled" (by that I mean that ignorance of the place is never an advantage). 

We arrived there half past two in the afternoon and my gosh, talk about a really, really crowded place. haha. Lines were endless, (kidding, of course) and people were lost. And so we were. We filled up forms, (many forms) and fell in line. And oh, I was shocked that a mailing envelope there costs 21Php. haha. Too expensive, eh? I wish I brought my paste (glue) because I'm too scared to know that it costs much for its value. I was surprised though, I bought one for only 3Php. 

At last, around 4pm, we were done. Filing an application cost me around a thousand. o_O. I'll have it reimbursed when Papa is home. (That's a week from now. Yipee!) We planned beforehand to look for a dorm or alike to stay in on the day of the exam. For all you know, the Boards is a two-brain-draining-day exam which starts early 7am and ends 5pm. Because of this, we need somewhere to spend the night (the 'how' depends on how the first day turns out). Unfortunately, the exact place of the exam was not yet announced and thus we crossed our plan out. We took pics as souvenir, hoping that we will not be going back there again next year. haha. POSITIVITY IT IS! Tita Mi and Ludy refused to pose and so only the three of us were captured. (Me solo!)

Jho and Madam (Lady) at the PRC Lobby.

Madam took this photo. Thanks to her.

We decided to go to Trinoma instead. Thanks because I'm so dead hungry. Haha. I looked for Sisig Hooray! for I was craving for their chicken sisig since last week. I found them at the food court. And as you all know, eating is my favorite part of the day so I indulged. Buurp. Solved.

                       

We dropped by the National Book Store to buy brown and plastic envelope, and I found an orange pen so I took it too. :) We called it a day and headed home separately. 

On the way home, I realized omg there's no turning back. After the hassle I went through that day, I never wish to experience it all over again. Besides, we promised Manong Guard that we will not come back there if not for the details of oath taking. :) Again, POSITIVITY IT IS! So help us God.