The Other Side of Negros

I have been to Bacolod City few times already, but the last trip I had was special because I went there for a good cause. My friends and I joined the Masskara Fun Run for the benefit of the Negros Forest, and as part of Mountaineering Club, I am in such a way honored to be part of this event.

I headed off to Bacolod on October 8th along with my 7 friends. Bacolod City by the way is west side of Negros, known as "The City of Smiles" and "Football Capital of the Philippines" which is a highly urbanized midsize city and the capital of Negros Occidental. It's a 6 hour drive from "The City of Gentle People". (Dumaguete City)

The run was a success, I finished a decent time of 43mins for the 5k run and my other friends did well too in their 10K run. I was amazed at the oldest runner who did a great run for his 10k and to think that he is already 72 years old. (That was such a slap on my butt :-} )....

We have maximized our time there by visiting the most awesome places there is. We did malling, visited the downtown church, tasted and savored their food specialty which is the manok inasal, raved at the nice masks being displayed in almost all establishments, snapped pictures at the RUINS then ended our trip with a spa dip at Mambukal Mountain Resort.

I did not only help the organizers of the run funds for the Negros Forest but I also had so much fun while in that city. I could go there anytime again soon and still would visit the same places I went to last weekend and maybe travel farther to places I havent been to yet 'coz I know would it give me the same sweet experiences...

I will leave you with these pictures and I'm sure you will agree with me....

Just sad

I am soooo sad...geez...:-(

Are your friends really your FRIENDS?

According to iloveIndia.com FRIENDSHIP has different definitions for different people. For some, it is the trust in an individual that he / she won't hurt you. For others, it is unconditional love. There are some who feel that friendship is companionship. People form definitions based on the kind of experiences they have had.

My definition of FRIENDSHIP is a relationship that entails trust, responsibility, compatibility and comfort that goes beyond LOVE. I easily get hurt when my "supposedly" called friends do not honor the friendship that we have. I would rather have one friend who is a true friend than have lots of them but none of them care...

For most of my failed friendships, money has always been the issue. Second is distance and incompatibility follows as third. Let me share with you reasons why I ditch "friends".

1. I have a friend of 7 years, I am the godmother of his son. Whenever I go to Manila, I always make an effort to see him and so with other friends. One time, he borrowed a thousand pesos from me just when I was about to ride an elevator leading to my hotel room after a night out with him and some friends. I readily doled out the amount with an agreement that he will pay it on his next payday. Payday came, then another one then another one. His first alibi was he used said amount to pay for the immunization of his kid, next alibi was he was low on cash, after that, never heard from him. I reminded him of his debt but whenever he or I sets date for payment, nothing is heard of him...then 3 months later I got tired. Yeah, it maybe just a few hundreds, what hurts me is that this person doesnt even honor a word he says thereby hurting me in the process. My principle with money is if you owe me, however small the amount is, you HAVE to pay me because the only reason I gave it to you, is because you ASKED! It helped you in some way, the least you could do is PAY it!

2. Next ditched friend is the girlfriend of my friend who promised to pay me as soon as we get back home the goods she bought which we swiped on my card while on another town . Weeks passed and payment has not been completed. When I asked for the cash she owed me ( aside from the use of card, she borrowed cash on that trip)just when I was about to go on another trip, alibis came one after the other. Not even an apology was given, and my trip was botched because of cash shortage.

Those are just examples of conflicts resulting to failure of friendships, there are also friends who are just there when they have a need from you, otherwise you wont even hear from them. Some friendships with real people wane because of distance. I have lots of friendships that waned because of this, and I dont blame them. When you are apart, tendency is you meet other people, depend on the new ones and grow apart..this are friendships that will just last in your memory...but hard to nurture anymore. Friends come and go, but to truly have real friendship depends on the both of you, if one dishonors the meaning of it, then its not real friendship anymore. So tell me who your friends are and I will tell you if they are real or not...

Books wishlist

A friend from FB said that she needs to finish 2 thick books in 8 weeks for her freshman law course, I shot back and said: I have bought 8 books in the last 2 months and not a single page was read...sigh!! :-(

But everyday, when Im on the net, I search for movies to watch, music to listen to and books to read. While I was reading updates on my FB, I read status of my long lost friend about a book of Luanne Rice "Follow the Stars Home", I got curious and began to read its reviews. Just by the stars marked on it, I felt the need to search more for the books similar to that of Rice's...and here's what I found, now included in my books wishlist ( to be bought and be read...:-)




1. The You I Never Knew by Susan Wiggs
A story about a single Mom who 17 years after returns home to donate her kidney to a dying father. There, all her painful past began resurfacing when she runs into her ex boyfriend who happens to be the father of her child, a father who is now trying to correct everything and discovering her own self and the people surrounding her.

2. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts


As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe "I do" moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start their own wedding planning company to make every woman's dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments captured on film, Nora Roberts's Bride Quartet shares each woman's emotionally magical journey to romance.

In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn't found Mr. Right. And the last place she's looking is right under her nose.

But that's just where Jack Cooke is. He's so close to the women of Vows that he's practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts.

3. Full-time Father by Susan Mallery


A lonely millionaire suddenly discovers that he has a child. Is he capable of raising a child he is just beginning to know? Would the child's aunt give him the chance to become a full time father? I hope this book will get me hooked as Ive read good reviews about it.

4. Cloud Nine by Luanne Rice
Sara Talbot a cancer patient on remission has taken her second life seriously and has gone home to rekindle ties with family. On the way home, she met a perfect conversation partner in the person of Will. When Sara got home, she struggled mending fences with her unfeeling father and a troubled son. In all these struggles, she found refuge in the arms of Will who has given her love that will sustain them beyond forever.



5. Golden Lies by Barbara Freethy
When security expert Riley McAllister helps his grandmother haul a wagonload of old junk to the Antiques on the Road show, he doesn't think she'll get more than five dollars for the lot. But the moment the dragon hits TV screens, collectors are on them like a pack of hungry wolves, especially the owner of the House of Hathaway, San Francisco's most prestigious antiques emporium. Against his better judgment, Riley entrusts the dragon to Paige Hathaway for appraisal, which turns out to be a big mistake when the dragon goes missing. Paige and Riley's search for the object d'art takes them on a fast-paced adventure through the streets of San Francisco, from fashionable Union Square to funky Chinatown, where Paige discovers the existence of her half-sister Alyssa Chen. A WWII pact between the protagonists' fathers, a 1,000-year-old legend and romance between Riley and Paige and between Alyssa and an old love add depth and richness to the story. Those charms, combined with Freethy's smooth prose, spirited storytelling and engaging characters, are sure to send readers on a treasure hunt for the author's backlist books.


6. Out of The Storm by JoAnn Ross

Laurel's roommate Chloe Hollister is part of the Veep's contingent heading to his hometown of Somersett, South Carolina for an annual festival. That afternoon Chloe calls from Somersett telling Laurel that she has an idea who set her up. She says she will call later as she cannot speak freely at this time. When Chloe fails to call, a worried Laurel rushes to Somersett to insure her friend is safe, but Chloe is missing. Laurel visits the police; homicide detective Joe Gannon listens to her story since he investigates the death of Sissy Beale, who might be Chloe. Laurel states the corpse is not her roommate. Over the next few days her friend's vanishing and the Sissy case interconnect even as Joe and Laurel fall in love.

The lead couple is a delightful pairing deserving of one another although Joe feels inadequate having let down his nice former wife and their now deceased son. The two suspense subplots interconnect smoothly and not just through a paranormal element when Laurel enters a trance in which she enacts the final minutes of Sissy. Although the villain is so insane that it seems impossible that no one in his circle or the media recognized that, fans will appreciate this police procedural romance due to solid casting and a fine suspense plot.

7. My Sunshine by Catherine Anderson
A quietly courageous heroine takes a chance at life and love in the latest installment in Anderson's Coulter family series. With the author's signature nurturing warmth and emotional depth, this beautifully written romance is a richly rewarding experience for any reader.
A woman with aphasia ( condition that even simple things like writing , reading and speaking becomes a daily challenge) struggling to make daily living an ordinary thing found a job as kennel keeper. While it gave her an avenue to do what she really loves doing, the people around her seeing this magical effect made them realize that her handicaps are overshadowed by her compassion and ability to love truly.


8. The Parting Glass by Emilie Richards
Megan, who is feeling hopelessly unprepared in her new marriage, has no idea how to fix the problems already facing her relationship. Casey, who is happily married to her high school sweetheart, is facing a new challenge: motherhood. And Peggy, who always dreamed of becoming a doctor, has put medical school on hold with the discovery that her young son is autistic.


Each facing her own difficulties, the Donaghue sisters are brought to the remote Irish village of Shanmullin by Irene Tierney, a distant relative who hopes that they will be able to help her learn the truth about her father's death in Cleveland more than seventy-five years ago. As a stunning tale of secrets and self-sacrifice, greed and hidden passions unfolds, the life of each sister will be changed forever.

9. Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn


Ten Things You Should Know About This Book
1. Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
2. Annabel Winslow's family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind and The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.
3. Sebastian's uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
4. Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.
5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.
6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
7 is shocking, 8 is delicious, and 9 is downright wicked, all of which lead the way to
10. Happily. Ever. After.

10. The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
This is another excellent offering of smart chick lit from Elin Hilderbrand. The novel is told from the rotating perspectives of the four women, which gives the reader the opportunity to identify with each of the women and her story. Each of the women has her own internal demons that she must overcome on the island--from Chess' anguish over her fiance, to India's memories of her famous husband, to Tate's uncertainty at first love, and Birdie's challenge of starting again after a difficult divorce. The different experiences of the four women gives every reader a character that she can identify with, and makes for an never dull read.

If you are a fan of Hilerbrand's brand of smart and fun women's fiction, this is a novel for you. It's light enough for a beach read but with enough genuine emotion and real life to suck you in for this genuine good read.


Of course, I could go on and on with my list on the endless books Im discovering with every page I opened on the net, downside is that I have realized I missed reading a lot of books which makes me sad...:-(

So I guess, I should make this wishlist become a reality...ciao for now, heading to the nearest bookstore!!!

( some excerpts of reviews taken from Amazon.com)

Borrowed from the movie :Precious

Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is....Precious.

Will make a blog related to it next ish....ciao!

Bad Customer Service

I was up to my wits waiting for my number to be called yesterday at Globe Business office....I waited for almost 2 hours just to submit my enrollment form for auto debit ( to credit card ). Earlier, I asked an employee there if I could just submit my form and leave without waiting for my number...but she said I HAD TO WAIT FOR MY NUMBER TO BE CALLED. So as patient as I was, I did wait....while waiting, my friend Kirk and I cannot stop but notice how bad service is in this office. Here's what we talked about:

1. Airconditioning is very poor, I have seen 2 split types a/c just above me, but none of the two were functioning, there was a stand fan working, but not enough to give comfort to the waiting customers.
2. Only 1 cashier to accept payments...
3. After sales people are just two, when every complaint or inquiry will take around 15 to 30mins...
4. I waited 30 minutes to pay my bill, they gave me another number to submit that stupid form and have them photocopy my card...it took only less than 5 minutes but I waited for almost 1.5 hours for my number to be called!!!
5. None customer service people dont bother to help you at all, I asked one girl ( well, she was wearing a shirt with "Globe" on it), if I could just submit the form and leave as I have been waiting for an hour already, but she said I had to wait for my number to be called...why cant she just accept it when thats basically the thing that happened when it was already my turn, the customer service person just accepted my form...no ifs no buts!
6. Very small office...either you get lucky to find a seat or you remain standing til your number is called...or you may sit on the steps outside, not unless you are wearing your office skirt...
7. There was a TV, but it was OFF all the time...so you end up staring at each other while waiting for ages...

The only good thing about this office is the GUARD..he was very helpful, very considerate and very polite...but the rest, NEVER MIND!!!

In celebration of the recent WORLD CUP

Lets all hum along....

I know that we have to take it to the goal 'cause everyone's depending on we
See we ain't got nowhere to go but up, it's our destiny

We're choosing the way, we'll do what it takes to get to the top of the highest mountain
We'll do anything, we got to prove ourselves 'cause we know

Oh Africa...

See we'll never be able to forget this day 'cause it's the greatest day of our life
See no matter what happens at least we can say "we came, we saw, we tried"

We're choosing nowhere, we'll do what it takes to get to the top of the highest mountain
We'll do anything, we got to prove ourselves 'cause we know

Oh Africa...

This is our time to shine, our time to fly, our time to be inside the sky
Our time to soar, our time to saw, the last one in football

Oh Africa...

( By Akon) I so love this song....watching the game and listening to this song in between makes me teary eyed....Africa is bouncing back..thanks to World Cup...

My LIFE as it is nearing its 40th

Once again, my birthday is fast approaching. Last year, I celebrated this at a native restobar in a luau inspired party. We had mixed drinks, reggae music, big pillows, a native hut to shelter us and of course, finger foods that were outrageously perfect for the occasion. I just invited my closest friends, and you are rite, it was such a sweet memory to cherish.

Now that another year has passed, I have gained more friends, ditched a few and remained in contact with the old ones. I really dont have plans yet for the BIG 40, but then, that comes a week after my son's birthday, so I was thinking i should get ahead and plan anyway for both events. Well, for Zach, I already bought him a Pokemon Diamond game for his DS ( Thanks to Jovicar Juntilla, Jayjay Dales and Rowena Dayao for sharing to buy this gift). So, I shouldnt be bothered by what to give...but then as a Mom, we always want to give him the best for his bday, and this time he is asking for a remote controlled helicopter. Actually, his godfather already gave him one last Xmas, but he just broke it in one day, yes, ONE DAY! As soon as I arrived at the airport, he hurriedly opened the box, played with it, crashed it a hundred times, and come dinner time, it doesnt fly anymore. Thought it just needed a battery change, but I already bought a lot of replacements, yet it wouldnt even nudge...so thats the history of his helicopter, given and died the same day! So, thats not an option as a gift for now. I was thinking of having a date with him, just like what we did last Saturday.

I had an overtime at work last Saturday and Zach tagged along, after 5pm, we went to the mall for some refreshments. We then decided to watch "Eclipse". Called Kikiw and at 635 we were inside the moviehouse with shakes and a big bucket of popcorn. That was a sweet time for both me and my son, as we were huddled together the entire time while watching the movie. Afterwards, we had dinner at Sunburst which just had their launching. Sunburst is one of dad's favorite chicken restaurant, so it was nostalgic just being inside it. So for me, I'd rather have that time repeated than hold a party for him and for people who just see him every birthday of his. Aint I right?

Now comes the hard part, what am I going to do on my birthday? I have around 20 friends as constant company whenever I go out, should I hold a party for them or just treat it as another "Fly day" and just prepare something special like my favorite food to go with the usual drinks we have. Whaddayathink?

But what is really important that is going to happen on my 40th? Wow, couldnt really fathom the importance, but I think Im getting my way around it now. Have I achieved enough to make myself proud being 40? What have I contributed to my son, to my family, my community and to the world? Did I even do something relevant? Are the people around me enough testimonies of the kind of life I have lived? Have I been a blessing to others? Is my life worth reliving all over again? What traits need to be changed and what values need to be added? Is my 40th birthday a real BIG one?

As I am nearing my 40th, Im beginning to have goosebumps....afraid of the unknown, yet curious enough to trod the road not taken. I am nearing my 40th, and despite the anxiety of finally hitting the BIG FOUR, I am proud to be in that roll. Yes, Im nearing my 40th birthday, and I am blessed to have reached this far...

Trekking Mt. Talinis

I am not a sport buff nor outdoor-active person, not ever in my life. I have played softball and frisbee in school, but thats just about it...never been active in sports or any strenuous activities...I am that lazy.

Last weekend, my friends and I have considered climbing Mt. Talinis, the second highest mountain that can be found in Negros Oriental, at about 5905 feet above sea, level,also known as Cuernos de Negros or Horns of Negros. This peak is part of Valencia, approximately 9km southwest, forming part of the Negros Volcanic belt.Mt Talinis is popular because of the sweeping views. It has a number of lakes at its base, the most visited of which are the twin crater lakes of Balinsasayao: Lake Nailig and Lake Yagumyum. They are separated only by a narrow mountain ridge. Mt. Talinis is easily climbed via nature trails that start in Bidjao, Dauin and Apolong, Valencia.



We took the Apolong Valencia route taking off from Casa Roro at exactly 8am on April 9, 2010. Just on the way up to Casa Roro, which is about 20mins uphill hike, I was about to back out. My legs just wouldnt move and I was catching my breath endlessly. During rest time at the Casa Roro, my friends encouraged me to go on since we are almost at the mouth of the trail and that we were already fully-geared up. So reluctantly I went, with conditions that I am not going to be rushed and that I walk on my own pace.

I had mixed emotions going up, when the trail is all uphill, and I was catching my breath all the time, I kept saying to my companions that I'd rather go home than continue moving upward. This is the time when we all stop, set me up to a more comfortable situation, they give me water, let me eat salt to prevent spasms and just talk me out of quitting. Slowly, they took all my stuff one by one from me, first they gave me an improvised walking stick to aid me in the steep portions, they took my backpack for lighter load, they took anything that I might use as a reason to quit....what was left hanging in my body was my sling bag which carried the camera and some medicines...nevertheless, I was still the last one to arrive in every "rest point".



There were times when my shoe would get stuck in between roots, there were also times when I couldnt control my footing and would slide down with my butt touching ground, and countless of times that I had to stop to sip water to remedy a very dry throat...not to mention that my legs were always shaking. I had few sigh-of-relief moments when the trail is going downhill...but that doesnt stay long....the trail was mostly uphill, very steep, very narrow and very dangerous....well, one misstep will let you end up down the ravine...



All throughout my "agony", I was mesmerized by the view I have seen up there....the endless line of forest trees, the wild berries, the autumn-leaf ferns, the breathtaking greenery and the smell of fresh air, it was enough to give me will to continue walking despite my almost "distorted" legs...





When we reached the flowing river, we stopped for lunch. We had packed lunch of fried chicken, scrambled eggs, fish, rice, tuna sandwiches and meat loaf. We took few minutes of rest then off we hiked again to reach our destination which at that time was around 30mins to finish. We have divided our group into two, the first group of three were the ones who knew the trail very well and acted as our guide. Their pace was fast but stopping in a distance just enough for us to still see them. While I was with Kirk who is also a first-timer like me and Tymer who acted as our leader and has helped me a lot in this adventure...



At last after 6 hours of walking ( ideally, the trek can be done in 2 to 3 hours non-stop), we reached Nagabi at around 2pm, ( this is located at the foot of Mt. Talinis on the opposite side of Lake Nailig and Lake Yagumyum.



Up there is a very different, eerie yet exhilarating feeling. My first feeling was a sense of relief, relieved of being able to reach it unharmed and that my legs are still moving, I just couldnt believe my eyes....Everywhere I look, all I see is the lush greenery of vast forest and the nicely shaped mountains...It was just amazing. Not long after, we spotted some mountaineers coming down from Lake Nailig trail, it was such a nice feeling to see other people there. We had set up our tent just beside the hut of Yayang who has been living there for 15years. ( Yes, and they follow the trail at least 3x a week, imagine that!)






Another group of mountaineers came late afternoon, so all in all we were 17 campers in Nagabi campsite. The other mountaineers set up their camps just below us, but at nighttime, they came up to have fellowship with us. They were composed of mountain advocates who goes up just to clean the trail and the campsites, also with them were 2 Japanese volunteer nurses who are equally friendly and charming. Some of them were there for sheer fun and hike, just like what our group had in mind.



We spent sometime observing earth hour, talked about how to maintain cleanliness in the mountains and then introduced ourselves to each other and what followed was endless noise of talking, laughing, dancing, drinking and just bonding with fellow hikers. We ended the fellowship with some noodles and coffee at 2am. Then we proceeded to our tent which at this time was already moist. Inside, we hurried to be under the blankets and tried hard to sleep despite the very cold weather.





We awoke the next morning with a very beautiful fog covering the scenery. Once we were out the tent, we hurriedly went inside the kitchen for some heat from the flaming firewood.



The other campers invited us to trek down the sulfuric steam vent just few minutes walk from our campsite. Reaching the destination was quite rough due to uneven trail and rocky terrain. The vent has a very offensive odor, sulfur steaming out from it was painful to the nose, but the scenery was like being in another place altogether. It was all white due to sulfur residue, trees are dead and dry, water cascading was somewhat dull and the whole place was just lifeless.



After the trip to the vent, other campers went straight to twin falls, which I declined because of lack of sleep the previous night. I spent the rest of my morning dozing off inside the tent amidst the reflection of the sun flowing in. Then the afternoon was spent playing cards, playing games and preparing for frog hunting by the boys. They had makeshifts weapons to catch frogs and we rooted for each one of them.



We also went to the carabao puddle and there we took pictures of different plants we see along the trail, while the boys were spotting hiding places of the frogs they were about to catch come nightfall.



Our group was the only one left on the second night as the other campers left after their twin falls trek just around noon that day. So when darkness came, we just content ourselves drinking the last bottle of rhum and spent the night just talking with bonfire to keep us warm.





We also ate the frogs caught ( around 50) and enjoyed the cool breeze gently hitting our faces for the last time.

On our last morning, we spent an hour exploring other areas, we took pictures of ourselves in different spots, lying down, jumping up and just plain smiling.





Then after breakfast, we headed home taking the PNOC route. We stopped by at the guardhouse making small chitchat with the caretaker, asking for the right directions leading to the river ( where we stopped for lunch going up). More pictures were taken and then off we started our 4 hour hike going back to the city.



Once in the river, the boys went swimming while I rested my feet and breathed hard to prepare myself for the downhill hike. The hike downwards took a lot of effort from me, especially from my legs and shoes. I was wearing fencing shoes and it wouldnt break when I wanted it to, and controlling my knees to stop myself from going straight down was quite strenuous. But this time, I was raring to get to the exit of the trail, so excited to take each step as it means getting nearer to home.





It took me and my partner Tymer 4 hours to reach Casa Roro, although we made a few- minute stop on top of the mountain just to make chitchat while we secretly ate our last stock of snacks. (*wink) ....down there, we met up with Kirk who was waiting for us for quite sometime already and written on his face was the word WORRY because he was calling out to us but we didnt answer while still inside the forest ( he was calling when we were having snacks, thats why we didnt ansnwer...lol).

Time check was 12noon...my face and neck were red, my legs shaking and jolting by itself. I was beginning to feel the pain all over my body but we had to hike some more to reach the stop where we can get a ride back to Jack's house. We had lunch at Yayangs house just down Casa Roro.

My experience was exhausting, even very dangerous...according to the mountaineers, we took the hardest and roughest trail but the shortest one. I still couldnt quite believe that I have achieved this much, considering that I am not in my best body shape now. I am not fit, not enough exercise to sustain endurance, not enough healthy lifestyle to breath longer and not enough experience to tackle such long trek, but I made it and I made it with flying colors....despite the soreness I feel all over my body, nothing can compare to the joy I feel inside. Secretly, Im congratulating myself for this amazing feat I have conquered. I have survived Mt. Talinis, arent you proud of me???

From my picture tube: "The Bucket List"

How do you face death? That's the gist of the movie. How do you fulfill your goals and ambitions in life when you know that clock is ticking, would you dare to do things you wish you have done long time ago, or do things you only dream of doing or do things you think you cant do??

This is a sentimental movie that would touch your emotions. The main characters Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman has an opposite showing of characters but both found friendship from each other in the end. The "Bucket List" in many respects is a good happy fairy tale that most ordinary folks would dream about before they die, yet the character types played by Nicholson and Freeman make it so believable.

Never mind the flaws of the movie, what I like is the whole concept of having to meet someone opposite of you and slowly gravitating to like that stranger then learn to appreciate that someone because you are in the same boat, and learning that differences do make you accept and understand each other. That life has meaning when you put importance to people around you. Its a journey of lessons and discovery...and arent we all in this world here for exactly the same thing?

Sometimes we are so afraid to look whats lurking out there in the dark, sometimes life takes its toll on us that we just let it slip by without really doing anything. We wake up, go to work, earn a living, go home to our kids, cook dinner then rest to bed to wake up to another day of routine....have we really done something so out of extraordinary lately? Not that I encourage everyone to sky dive like what Jack and Morgan did, but have we taken a good look of our perspectives in life? Are we one shot closer to our goals? What about relationships? What about our spirituality? Are we healed and cleansed? Did we love enough? Did we make people happy? Have we touched their lives?

Life and love equate with one another because we cant live without love and we cant go on loving if life has abandoned us. I would never trade the feeling of love for anything in this world. In love comes hurting, but thats perfectly fine....thats just what makes you love more fiercely..and thats next to magical. If death is finally taking over my life, I would spend my last minutes LOVING...loving GOD, loving my SON, loving my family, and my friends and even my enemies...I'd never get tired of loving them until my last grasp of breath...because in my Bucket List: LOVE is in all numbers!!!

Notes to MYSELF

My father died in March 1996, that's 14 years ago, yet every now and then when I dream and think of him, it feels like he is and has always been just around. Whenever I'm going through a difficult time, I alternately talk to God and to my Dad...there's always a feeling of relief after doing such...and for years now, my tears just wont stop falling everytime I miss him....My Dad was strict...he would never entertain attempts of party/night out permissions, for him, life for children should be home-school-home day in and day out...but Dad was not a bore, he was always the first one to plan on out of town trips for the family, and my, he was such a generous man in terms of preparations, he liked going to different places, meeting new people, exploring life outside our home...that's what I love about Dad, we are really more alike than I am with my mom...because we both just love LIFE!

Dad showed all his children how to mingle and interact with different people from different walks of life..He had plenty of friends..and as always, he was generous with his time and money with them. I remember, we had parties at home almost every week, My father wanted merriment in the house in the company of his friends...we grew up seeing his friends come and go...and learned social skills through that...that's the reason I value friendships so much..I am so into it, because of the example my father lived...


In my relationships with people, I try to nurture them with utmost care..I spend as much time as I can with my friends, more than I do with my family...that's quite odd for some, but that's how i live..I am more comfortable being ME in the company of my friends, i can let loose in other words...at home, Im usually the doer, the idealistic one and the strongest ( my opinion)...my Mom comes to me for advise, so my role in the family is more stiff...one responsibility that comes being a family member, i don't hate it, I am just frustrated that I cant fulfill it because i live in another island from them. With my friends, Im quite observant, quite sensitive and quite protective...I get jealous more on friends having other friends than boyfriends flirting with someone else...thats how big impact friends have on me...

I haven't been dating anyone for the last 5 years since I left my ex....i had few friends on web i got close to alright, but never formally dated anyone of them, so i suppose that doesn't count as "DATING"...in its real sense...not until I met Gabby...he is way so much younger than me...a student that is...but he is one guy who really makes me feel "I am a WOMAN"...he is every inch a gentleman, always protects me, always there to please me...and because of his age, he is also so generous with sweet words, words that still sends tingles to my spine...He isnt my ideal guy, in fact he has the opposite of all attributes i like in a MAN...but with the effort he is taking to be with me...that's more than enough to cover the "flaws" i find in him..based on my standards..we don't have the typical relationship of a man and a woman attracted to each other....we are more of a support system to each other..Gabby is in relationship with someone else..and having me in his life is just a chance he said he is willing to take risk with...and I appreciate that, though you would say Im the villain...but I am really not...I don't intend to take him away from his girl not unless he would say so...but even if that's the case, I don't really see Gabby and me in a "relationship" in the future...He just wouldn't fit in my world the way i see it now...oh well, I will just cross the bridge when I get there...for now, I enjoy having few days a month with him....whenever he is here with me or I with him, we always make the most out of it..and truthfully, I see that glow in his eyes all the time, so i know i am making him happy...

For this month of March, I live to cherish and celebrate the life lived by my Dad in commemoration of his death anniversary this 14th, for all friendships found and built, may the Lord bless it more and more, for my family who I know is just there following every step I take even without me knowing it, for my son who is finishing 3rd grade, and who has given me so much inspiration to be a better person..and for Gabby who makes me smile for now....thank you all...

I love you Dad, always and forever!

Dining OUT!

They have these decorations that are quite artsy....local materials are used, formed into something that is pleasing to the eyes...this one is hanging by the window, with some lights on it, it would sure highlight some areas of that small nook outside the resto...


this post has bricks nicely piled around the base....it gives a little something to talk about...


Garden salad: the usual lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and some dressing....healthy and crunchy!



Kubyertos


Chicken Milanese: deep fried battered chicken breast with gravy sauce


This menu holder is made of popsicle sticks, a child can very well do this, but as a project...its quite unique huh?


One hint of being local: pots with water cascading from one to another...an ambience of serenity..


Dining here in Boston Cafe will give you a feel of mixed cultures...the art gallery is surefire hit to the scrutinizing eyes of the creative ones, the food, mostly pizza and pasta can draw all-age crowd, while the ambience outside can make you feel a little relaxed and comfy...


Resto hunting and food tasting has been always a pleasure for me...


and how can you complain when you are in the company of people who makes it more memorable??