15 Random Things I've Learned in My Thirty (Gulp) Years of Existence

Two days from now, the inevitable will happen. I could not stop it, nor could I control it. I have no other choice but to face it- just like any other person born in the year of the Ox, 1985.

It is still so surreal. I still feel like I am my sixteen year old self, still waiting for something GREAT to happen in my life.  I have now come to realize that THAT day will never come. It is what we make of it... Every. Single. Day. Like the old adage says, "it's the journey, not the destination."

The BIG 3-0. (sigh....) Maybe it's not gonna be that bad after all? Hmm.... I still have two days left to let it all sink in, to finally accept that I am leaving the "late twenties" behind.


Here are the things I have learned from my life (in general) so far. To wit:

The Waiting Game

I am back in my messy room, typing away in my messy work table. I kind of missed this (and yes, the mess too.) After all, I was away for a good ten days (mostly on the road.... *to blog or not to blog about it*)

The twins did not seem to notice I was gone, but Nadeen seemed a bit taller from the last time I saw her. Toki, on the other hand, was ecstatic to see me, like always.

Anyway, while my stomach is still digesting the fried chicken (ala Jollibee- recipe I got off Youtube) I cooked- which needs more salt, by the way, let me give you an update of the happenings for these past days....

Bicol Adventure Chronicles

The elusive Mt. Mayon, Albay, Bicol

Disclaimer: This is a lengthy post!

One fateful night of January this year, two of my closest friends from my former office and I were having a casual group chat on Facebook. Phoebus and May Anne, although our personalities differ significantly, we all have one thing in common, and that is our love to travel. They both went with me to Bohol last year to attend a friend’s wedding, and perhaps that was the beginning of our budding, albeit expensive, hobby.

This time, we were bound to explore BICOLANDIA!

I have always wanted to visit Bicol- to eat its famous delicacies, such as laing and bicol express, to take selfies at Cagsawa Ruins, to marvel at century-old churches that were preserved in time, and of course, to see the beauty of Mt. Mayon with my own eyes. I have had many Bicolana friends in college (thanks to UAPSA) that made me want to explore Bicol even more.

Thanks to promo fares, we were able to book a flight to Legazpi for a relatively cheap price (my ZAM-MNL/ MNL-ZAM ticket was a different story!) Since May Anne is a Bicolana herself, she gladly obliged to be our tour guide.

#BackpackersReunite. On board Cebu Pacific Air bound for Legazpi.

And so the adventure begins….

Malamawi Island : A Hidden Paradise

White Beach, Malamawi Island, Basilan

Once in a while, it is nice to go out of our comfort zones. Break away from the monotony of everyday life- to not think too much nor plan too detailed, instead, to just get out there, explore and experience the earth's wonders. Take risks. Yesterday was one of those rare moments, and it's definitely one for the books!

My Latest Addiction

One of the fondest memories of my childhood was riding a bike. That feeling when the wind touches your face, that rebellious streak you get when riding on cemented roads (even though your Mom told you not to.) That moment you fantasized you were one of the pros when tackling that (tiny) hump or pile of gravel in your backyard, or perhaps the freedom one feels when driving alongside motor vehicles on a busy highway.

I remember when I was about 6 years old, I had this little blue bicycle with three small wheels (a tricycle?) Now as I think about it, I think it was originally one of my older sisters'. Being the youngest in the family, I got to keep their toys after they've grown out of them. I had an extreme aversion to dolls anyway, but the cool ones I got to keep for myself (like Papi, a malnourished brown teddy bear, which was my Tita Neneng's originally.)

Last November, as soon as I got hold of my terminal pay (after waiting for 3 months!), I was decided to relive one of my childhood memories- so I bought myself a mountain bike. :)

What's Up, 2015?

Source

Nine days had passed since the Year of the Sheep began... I was not able to post on New Year's Eve since everyone in the family had a bad case of the flu. Until now, we are still coughing like mad dogs. I hope this does not mean that we will be sick for the rest of 2015...