. : s i e s t a : .

After my journey to Bicol, here comes our trip to Batangas.

Because we haven’t been to any beach last summer, we decided to do it this June. I know we might be late for the summer. But at least, the weather these days are still hot. We’ve been preparing for this for a long time. It’s our only chance for this year—before the rainy season comes.

The meeting place was again in front of our dearest alma mater, our former school. I was the last one to come because I wasted my time searching for the camera’s USB port. And I have no cash yet, so, I have to go to an ATM. I thought I’ll be left behind. I am glad I still made it.

Because some of us haven’t seen ourselves for a long time, there were endless chit chats inside the van. The road was clear. It took us more than two hours to get to the beach. We looked for a good-looking beach resort with a good cost too.

We rented a tiny house with a kitchen, dinning table, room and comfort room. The cottage is comfy enough. And we got it for a cheap price of Php700. We also rented a boat bike for us to wander around beaches all day long for a cheap price of Php700 too. Because there’s less expenses for our stay, we have plenty of budgets for foods.

Before doing any beach activities, first, we settled and grab plates. We didn’t prepare any food for this outing; everything was bought at the nearest talipapa or small market.

With our stomach full and recharged bodies, we did the first activity—site seeing. We wandered, felt the fine sand with our feet, relaxed our eyes with the blue horizon and smelled the fresh sea breeze. Of course, there were endless picture takings.

Then, we drove the boat bike. This ride has pedals for two persons and a steer. It can accommodate up to 7 persons. While on the boat, we can see the sea bed and the corals under. The water is so clear.

The next activity was body henna tattooing. There are lots of designs to choose from. I decided to have a tribal tattoo on my nape. A boy, about 10 years old, drew the pattern on my back with a pen. Then, his older brother did the henna tattooing. My other friends have their tattoos at their biceps and on around their ankles.

We have to let the henna dried up first. So, the next activity was sun bathing. We laid and sat on the sand while letting our skins get sunburns and skin cancer. *Joking. We wore sun blocks for our protection. Then, we covered Ric with sands. We buried him alive. Haha! Afterwards, we all got sand body scrubs.

Next, we swam. The water is cool enough and colder below. You can swim well because there are only small waves. The sea bed’s sand is so fine. You can feel it with your feet’s soles. There are some portions that are rough because of the coral reefs under. We played, glide, float and stroked.

Afterward is my favorite part. We rode a fishing boat and sent us to The Little Cave Island. The ride only cost us Php500 back and forth, plus free snorkels for us to use. It took us about 15 minutes to the little cave. We were all stunned by the beauty of that place. The water is very clear—crystal clear. The cave is said to be the nest of fisher birds. It has awesome boulders and bounty fine-looking sea shells. The place is breathtaking…a perfect time for picture taking. Haha!

I caught live sea shells (small creatures called, “I don’t know”) which I brought home. I placed it on my small aquarium with my little soft shelled turtle.

The next best thing we did was snorkeling. We grabbed snorkels and goggles. Then, jump to the sea. Wow! The coral reef is so splendid. There are corals with different colors, shapes and sizes. There are small fishes which seem to be playing around with you. But if you tried to hold them, they would swim away. Some creatures I saw were clown fish, angel fish, sword fish and star fish. (Sigh.) The underwater world is so dazzling. It feels like were on a giant aquarium.

After that underwater adventure, we went back to the resort. We took merienda or snack. Minutes later, we went back to the water for our last swim. About 6pm, we all decided to have our fresh water bath/shower and dressed up.

We saw the spectacular sunset. The sun seems to be a giant orange basket ball. We all hate to leave but we have to say goodbye to beach…and drove way back home.

But, our journey didn’t stop there. Going back home, we decided to have our dinner on an also famous place in Batangas, at Tagaytay. The place is similar to our country’s summer capital city, Baguio. Tagaytay is a high land where you can view the smallest volcano in a middle of a lake called Taal.

We had our dinner at Mushroom Burger. It’s a popular restaurant that uniquely serves cultured mushroom dishes. I ordered mushroom beef and 100% mushroom burger, their specialty. Hmm…yummy! You must taste these burgers. They are not just delicious but nutritious as well. Trust me. (Endorser? Haha!)

We all went home safely with our body tired, hearts filled with joy, and faces painted with smile. This had been another happy and unforgettable bonding moment for us. Actually, on our way home, we are already wondering and planning for when and where will be our next outing. We all can’t wait.

For more photos, click the link below:

Nurses' Day Out at Batangas Multiply Photo Album

Labels: food, happy, life, me, nursing, sentiment, summer, travel

I have been gone for a long while and I am finally back. I had been to Bicol with my family. It took us 13 hours to be there. We traveled by land. But if you travel by a domestic plane, it will just take you few minutes. But, it’s very expensive.

The last time we went to Bicol was few years ago. And Bicol now seems to be just the same as before, for me. Though, some roads are now solid, my favorite hanging bridge is now concrete and the padyak is now motored tricyle. There were few developments, but still Bicol is a bucolic province. It’s a province dominated by rich and fertile rice lands. Aside from its plains, Bicol is generally hilly and mountainous. It also has many rivers, lakes, bays, mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, caves and spring. I am very lucky to see these beautiful and interesting spots again. One of my favorite spot is the majestic world’s nearly perfect cone Mayon Volcano. I am glad to see Mt. Mayon still with its perfect cone shape after many eruptions.

I was also fascinated by the Philippine’s 2^nd tallest mountain, the Mt. Isarog. It’s an inactive volcano which has a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

I also found out that Bicol has its leaning tower too, similar to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. It’s called Leaning Tower of Milaor. It’s a beautiful and strong stone tower composed of three layers stood. I was curious about what’s inside the tower but I didn’t attempt to go inside. I was scared the tower might fall down.

Naga City is the nearest city where we stayed at. It was said that it is the heart of Bicol. It’s a commercial center and it’s where we often shop and buy foods. Naga is erected with many catholic churches mostly housed with image of Virgin Mary.

What I missed most to Bicol is its spicy dishes, called “Bicol Express”. Due to abundance of chili plants, it’s been a custom that foods in Bicol are generally spicier. Eating them is very challenging for me. But, it will really increase your appetite and will make you eat lusciously. Other famous native foods I ate here are rock n roll (colorful banana chips), Naga’s toasted siopao, pili nuts (found in Pili town) and the famous smallest edible fish, which is the tabios or sinarapan (found in Lake Buhi and Bato).

The people and culture of Bicol never changed. They are still very hospitable and entertaining. They are very joyful and kind. They still live with so many pamanhiin or superstitious beliefs.

I still find hard times of learning its dialect. But, I have learned few words and can understand few phrases when they were talking to me in Bikolano.

My stay at Bicol seems to be living from the past. There were no TV, DVD, music player and internet. But I enjoyed that simple way of living. Eating with my bear hands, sleeping inside the kulambo or mosquito net, and taking bath on farm’s water irrigation are my blissful experience in Bicol. It’s the place I would love to go back to. See you again, Bicolanos!;)

Labels: food, happy, life, me, summer, travel

I am going to a very far land. It will be an extremely long travel. So, I’ll be gone for few days. I hope to connect to this cyber world when I got there.
I am packing my baggage right now…and be leaving early in the morning.

HS friends, sorry I won’t be able to attend our reunion.
Workmates, I’ll miss you all.
To my dog, please safeguard our house.;)

Alright, see you soon, guys!

Labels: life, me, summer

It was fiesta in our Barangay. As usual, there are lots of things to keep myself busy for a day. There are many people to entertain and many errands to go after. It was just like a big family reunion. Every thing was customary, but then…

When the sun was about to set, I got away from home. I went to a cafeteria few kilometers away from the eventful neighborhood. I supposed to meet Kate and her mom there at 6pm. I tried to be there a little bit earlier but I was trapped by a heavy traffic. At least, I came to the place at unerringly 6pm on my watch.

As I was going up on the elevator, my mind constantly thinking why did Kate’s mom invite me for this evening. I looked for a cozy place and settled. Fifteen minutes passed, and still the two haven’t arrived yet. So, I decided to go down and looked for them outside. Then, I saw them; they were looking for me too. When we came in to the elevator, I kindly pressed the button to where floor we’re going to. I pressed number "5". I was shocked when I saw her mom’s reaction. Her face showed an allusion that I pressed the wrong button. Then, she pressed number “2” instead of “5”.

I was taken aback. I thought we were going to a cafeteria but it was not what it looks like. I was kidnapped. I have no idea on where we're going. All of the following activities were not according to plan. I heard someone said, “I was culture shocked.” Honestly, I was too. Not only I was kidnapped; there were many of us.

There’s no need to tell you more about what happened. Just think of it this way; I was kidnapped for 3 ½ hours. Yes. Three and a half hours of no food, no talk, no other movements but just sitting. If you were in my position, you would probably say, "Oh no. What am I doing in this kind of place? Why am I here?" And you want to yell, "Waaaaaah!" But, you just can't. Trust me, it's the place you would never wish to be at...at first. But, you will eventually be a part of the new culture...thereafter. Then, you'll say to yourself, "I am glad I was here."

After I was released, I finally got the chance to eat. We devoured to where we originally planned to go to, at a rooftop cafeteria with plants and fountains landscape (boon with a dazzling bright lights view of the city).

After consuming frappe, shake, juice, clubhouse and presto, we all went home safe and sound.

Addendum:
Since it’s fiesta, there are few programs held at our Barangay’s covered court. At least, I was able to watched the spectacular fireworks display and the winning of my cousin, Nica, in a beauty pageant.

Labels: food, happy, life, me, sad, sentiment, summer

It's my day off. Many barangays/barios are celebrating their fiestas, birthday of their Patrons, today. I was invited by my workmates to come by their houses, eat foods, and drink. But I was avoiding this kind of gatherings for I know that there'll be inuman, alcoholic drinks. Contraindicated.

Anyway, I already said “yes” for this date to someone before their invites. I already promised Kate to go with her on Icey's crib. They're celebrating fiesta too; and I was invited. The plan was to go there before lunch. But Kate, just took her breakfast by 12 noon; and so, we went there after lunch. She waited for me at the meeting place, BK.

I think it's almost 2pm when we got to Icey's place. We grab some plates. Early bird catches the early worm. Thus, there were only few foods left for us 'cause we're late. There were old time favorite foods for fiesta like hamonado, kaldereta, lumpiang shanghai, phochero...and the popular lechong ulo ng baboy na may mansanas sa bibig, which looks so scary and we didn't pay much attention with.

It's a common senario in a fiesta that you eat on a chair with just your plate, without any table at all. It's like eating with your prominent hand holding a spoon and your other hand holding/supporting your plate. So, it is not advisable for you to get a fork for it will be useless. Trust me. Why?

Commercial:

I was chewing delightfully my food before I swallow it. Making me taste all the sweet juices of the meat. Hmmm...Yummy. And when I was in the climax of my course, when I was about to take another bite, I accidentally knocked my fork. And oh no! My food dropped to my lap. Worse, I don't have napkin on my lap. It's a good thing there were just tiny dish sauce marks on my shirt and that my pants were black. Yes! The stains are hardly visible to naked eye. I felt so embarrassed. Many had seen. Thanks to my seat mate, he gave some tissue papers to clean up my mess.

Back To The Show:

Again, there were endless chit-chats with friends. There was a KTV to keep those bored people entertained.

About 4pm, there was again another serving of foods. Spaghetti, colorful putos, and iced tea. Ok. Spaghetti looks scary. So, this time I carefully managed to eat 'em all without any tiny drop on my lap. Yes. But then, no more iced tea left for me. Kate gave me her ¼ filled glass of tea. After I drunk it, here comes another pitcher of iced tea. It was so annoying.

I grabbed the microphone. I sang twice. First was the song Your Love by Rivermaya. It was just a warm up. Then, I sang You're My You by Nyoy Volante. I think it was good enough. I earned lots of claps/applause.

Next Stop Over:

We went to Celine's crib. There, we met Abie who just got from school for her summer class.

Same thing happened. We ate. But this time it's dessert. Another popular handa was served; buko-fruit-salad. Then, we chewed some fats again (means chat). This time, instead of a KTV, we watch a movie. Although I'd already seen John Tucker Must Die movie, I was still amused. Then I thought, I missed that view...watching movies with Kate.

When we were about to go home, we heard fireworks. So, we looked up at the sky. Wow! There are awesome fireworks display. And so, we keep our attention to it for a period of time. We forgot the idea of going home and stayed for a while.

Before We Separate:

Since this afternoon, Kate and I were craving for ice cream. And so, I didn't let us get away without any before we separate. We stopped by 711, a convenient store where we usually go. Our first delight was double dutch. Hmmm...Yummy! We're not satisfied by just one, so, we got another one. This time it's cheese flavored. I really love eating ice cream especially when you are with someone.

Addendum:

Kate went home with rocky road flavored ice cream.

Labels: film, happy, life, me, sentiment, summer

I'd been in many swimming outings for this summer. I think this is my 4^th one. This time, I had been with my colleagues. It was the summer outing of the Nursing Service of CDH, where I currently working as an ICU nurse (and sometimes, ER nurse when pulled out).

After 2pm to 10pm duty, we went on the venue. It was on a private resort in Pansol which is owned by one of CDH doctor. And so, we needed not to rent or pay, for it was free for us to use.

When we got to the place, we hurriedly grab plates...or container's and boiler's cover, rather, for there were no paper plates left for us. I used the boiler's cover as plate and ate with my bear hands, for there were no spoon and fork left too. We understand; we were late comers.

Of course, there were alcoholic beverages. Inuman. (FYI, I am allergic to Alcohol.)

What I did:

First, I played billiards. I think we had about 7 sets. Then, I took the shower and jumped to the pool. I spent most of my time talking, laughing, playing, gliding, floating, and breast stroking in the pool. And on the latter part, my friends requested me to sing (KTV). And so, they (means, excluding me) dance with the groovy songs of KTV till the break of dawn. Well, I thought they'll never gonna stop dancing...until the power shut down. Brown out.

Though it was a very tiring night, I still managed to go to work the next day.

Addendum:

Happy Mother's Day to You (if you're a mom) and to Your Mom!

Labels: happy, life, summer

Time is 4:13 in the morning. Before I go to sleep today, I posted this entry.

I just got home from an overnight swimming. After my 2pm-10pm duty, I went on a swim with Kate. Our very first overnight swimming together. It's not just her that I'd been with. Aside from her mom and sis, I also had the chance to be with their family friends--Tita Elvie, KM, and Kate (Kate with a "Poe"in the end...Kate Poe.) I really enjoyed the night with them. Playing with KM and Kate Poe on the pool was full of fun.:D (Oh, and with Kate's sister, too--Cindy.) It made me feel like I am a child a again.:D

I am just happy that we had this bonding moments again and got a chance to meet new incredible friends. I hope to see them soon. I am sure I'll gonna miss them.

Ok. I have to sleep now, Amigos! Adios.;)

Labels: happy, sentiment, summer

It’s been a while since I last updated my blog. Last time was when I was having my review for the local board exam for nurses. Ahh...the scheduled exam was taken finally. What happened? “No comment.” The Board of Nursing really challenged us with their very difficult sets of questions. I think they gave us a difficult test because of the last years leakage. :((

Brief story of what happened on our examination days:

June 6-7

We, my group study mates, stayed at Patruzka’s house. We ate all their foods, emptied their ref and broke their beds. Nah! Just kidding… honestly, we did all we can to scan all the possible topics that might be given in the actual exam.

June 8

Morning (dawn), we all went to our respective home…except Pat, of course.

Morning (real morning), we gather at Halang (Hectan) for we will be going to check our schedule for the exam. Its almost 9 am when we got to PRC. Then, luckily, on Jobee, where we took our breakfast, we found a friend who guided us to his known hotels where we can stay.

After deciding to which hotel to check in, one by one, we went to our respective scheduled examination places. Here we went accordingly: from Elizabeth Hotel, to Quiapo Church, to MLQ university, to Paco, to P.Burgos Elementary School, to St. Jude (Mendiola), to Isetan where we bought our foods and back to the hotel.

It was 6pm when we all got home.

June 9

As early as 4am. I went to Letran, Bucal, to be picked up by Pat. Yeah, I was hitched. We were too early to arrive at the hotel. So we waited for Hazel’s car, where Jec naman was hitched. It was 6 am when we finally checked in at the hotel. And before we put in place our things, we took our free breakfast for that day at the hotel’s bar.

The plan for us to relax and take a good rest for that day was not reached. Still, we maximized the time by reviewing. We had hard time to sleep that night. Our sleep was too shallow.

BTW, FYI, we rented two rooms. Each one has two beds. I was on the room 204 with my room mate Jec.

June 10 “Examination Day 1”

We didn’t have hard time to wake up…’cause I think all didn’t sleep well. We just ate noodles and coffee for breakfast and that’s it…. We went to our respective examination places and took the first three exams.

What can I say to the exam? “No comment.”

June 11 “Day 2 of the Exam”

What worse happened yesterday got worst today.

We didn’t know exactly what’s with the mind of those Board of Examinees… Are they angry with us?

Anyway, after the exam, we finally had our time to take a good rest. We extended our stay in the hotel and planned to go home the next day. During those resting periods, we did nothing but eat, watch tv, chat, and sleep. Not to mention how many times we prayed for His guidance since the first day of this month.

June 12 “Independence Day…

But, Dependence Day again for me…’ I am home again. Everybody was asking, “How’s the exam?” and what did I answer them…? “NO COMMENT.” Ha-ha!

I just let my lazy body today took several naps…and nothing extraordinarily happened.

June 13 “Finally ‘been with her after a month…”

It was the orientation day in her new school. After the program, she went to her friend Aby’s house…’cause it’s fiesta.

We planned to meet to day. But I can’t go with her ‘cause I was not invited. So, I just passed by Aby’s house and quickly gave her a hankie. On the other hand, I was invited by my high school friend too. (for the same reason—fiesta)

It’s was about 4pm when she told me to come over. Oh, I finally took a BIG look at her. She’s even prettier…when she cut her hair short. I did nothing but stare at her. (Don’t know if she noticed me doing it…especially when we were on a hut, jeep, elevator, and “garden.”)

There were two new places where we went today. First, we went to LGA to see the colorful flowers (she wanted me to see). It is somewhat far, so we decided to sit for a while on a nipa hut. We were having our moments when suddenly…ahhh! A security guard bothered us.

She took me to one of her favorite places today and so it’s my turn. I took her to the place I’ve been wanting for her to see too. It was dark already when we arrived, around 6pm. I was thinking to blind fold her while we were on the elevator.—just to surprise her. But I didn’t. When we got to the place, we walk around to see the striking views. I can see in her eyes, she’s enjoying. I was afraid she might not like the place…but I was wrong. She loves it too. We settle at table near the fountain and took our dinner. The minutes are too perfect for an ordinary day. It was exactly what I had imagined when I was there alone…missing her…thinking of her. The night again was magical. It was the same feeling of sweetness as compared to the nights we had back then. We were able to manage pleasantly our times together.

Sadly, we have to split ways again. she need to go home…and me too. I just left her with a note and a kiss on her hand for a goodnight. I hope to see her again soon. I am really missing her so much.

Labels: summer