Turning 37

Week before my birthday, my husband and I had a fight and was on cold war the entire week leading to my birthday. It was a petty thing but pride and unnecessary anger get in the way as always. I really didn't have any grand plans for my birthday except to escape the city for a bit while nursing a broken heart (*insert Whitney Houston song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?") hehe. 

A day before my birthday, I raised the white flag and said sorry. I don't want to be brokenhearted forever, you know. Still, he failed to greet me on the morning of my birthday and even went out for a long ride with his bike. Again, my heart broke and proceed with the plan of escaping the city. 

With my daughters Alex and Zabbie, sisters Anne and Matet and nephew Leon in tow, we went for our greatest adventure and roadtrip so far. We took a v-hire from Mactan and another v-hire to our first stop. 

my adventure crew

First Stop: Simala

I've lived in Cebu for 20 years now and I haven't been to Simala ever. Entering Simala is like entering a different country or world. You'll be met with castle-like structure. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims flock to Simala to pay homage and offer petitions to the miraculous Virgin of Simala. It was a perfect opportunity for me to offer my gratitude to the Virgin Mary for another year in my life and for the blessings received all these years. I also raised my personal petition of letting me patch up differences with my husband.

Simala

Simala

Second Stop: Tingko Beach, Alcoy

Since we've been on an adventure mode, we decided to head further down south to Tingko Beach in Alcoy. Despite being very accessible and just along the highway, I haven't been to this beach as well. Tingko Beach boasts of powdery sand and crystal clear blue waters. The weather was cooperating as it was really bright and sunny. While there are a lot of locals and tourists hanging out by the beach, we still enjoyed the beach nonetheless. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and was even complaining why we have to leave early like two hours after. 

quick dip

having a blast

At around 4pm, we decided to end our adventure and waited for the next ride back home. If not for the almost 3-hour traffic in San Fernando on our way back, it would have been really an awesome roadtrip. We reached home past 10pm and celebrated what's left of my birthday with my parents. 

My husband? He had other plans on my birthday and celebrated on his own. Duh!

Happy 37th Self!!! Here's to more roadtrips and adventures!!!

Summer 2015: Bohol Escapade

“Hopping from one island to another with an eternal tan, great company, beautiful sunsets and a mean soundtrack…” Vanessa East

My summer of 2015 has come full swing I am probably out most weekends basking in the summer sunshine. I’ve turned into this “nog-nog” creature but I don’t really mind at all. I love summer and the awesome things that go with it --- sand, sun, tan-lines, beach, unkempt hair, no make-up and laid-back music. I am sharing a few stories of what my summer of 2015 has become…

Bohol Escapade

When I learned that our PAS GMM will be held in the beautiful island of Bohol, I immediately made plans with PAS friends to an early escapade before the meeting. We agreed to visit Anda and stay for a night in Valencia.

First destination is Anda, a small beach town in Bohol. I’ve been meaning to visit this place and it has finally come true. We hang-out for a few hours after what seemed like a photoshoot and camwhoring with the white sand beach as our background. We were there when it was still low tide but nothing can stop the beach babe in me to take a quick dip.  Albeit short – blame it to our driver, who was like a walking timer, I enjoyed our visit just lounging by the beach without a care in the world.

We stayed overnight in Badiang Spring Resort in Valencia Bohol through the generosity of Cathy and her family. We feasted over my favorite food (shrimps, grilled pork, kinilaw, tinap-an, camote, banana and ginamos) in between getting massaged by the spring’s heavy fall and endless talks about life and love. It turned out to be an amazing adventure and laugh trip with Mama Alice, Cathy and Rosella.

The following day, it was yet another journey as PASers experienced first time the beauty and hospitality of Bellevue Hotel and Resort. This deserves another post in this space. Watch out for it!

Getting Inked

I'm not sure if I mentioned it here and probably somewhere that one of the items in my bucket list is getting a tattoo. I know there'll be eyebrows raised whenever I mentioned this especially to the older folks, my parents included. But getting a tattoo is really something I want to do for myself before I get old and wrinkled. I am also in no competition with my husband who has several tattoos in most parts of his body. He also didn't prod me to get one or go against having one. It was more of a personal desire. 

So, last Saturday, I finally used all the courage I have and got myself inked at my back just below my nape. I chose a Lotus design after considering probably about 20 designs from Pinterest. I've researched further and found a deeper meaning of a lotus tattoo which is a symbol of strength and truth. The Lotus is also associated with Yoga and there's even a yoga pose named "lotus". I have been practicing yoga for almost one year now and I felt that the lotus is something meaningful to me and to my yoga practice. 

the stencil

I think it's true that when you've experienced giving birth, all the other pain in the world is nothing compared to it. I never really experienced intense pain which I often heard from those who already have their tattoos done. Or probably I have high tolerance to pain. The session only lasted for an hour and 30 minutes. If not for the tattoo artist taking his sweet time and cigarette break, we will probably be done in less than an hour.  But I have to give credit to the tattoo artist as well, Philippe of House of Shredding Art (HOSA) Tattoos for doing a great job and making this dream possible. 

the artist behind the tattoo

almost done

They say that once you have a tattoo, it will be a vicious cycle and your body will continue to crave for more. I think I would have to agree to that coz even now, I am already planning to getting one or add an extension to my current tattoo. 

my beautiful lotus tattoo

Keeping Things Positive

Sorry for the blogging absence. It's been ages since my last blog post. A lot of things happened. I mean, a lot that I really don't know exactly where to start.

Probably, I will have to start by looking back. I've had a really tough year last year. 2013 brought nothing but goodbyes, challenges, heartaches, stress, difficult people, relationships gone sour and the calamities. My emotional strength and patience were tested to the maximum. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying this considering what has happened to the country battered by calamities left and right. I'm not one to really complain because my challenges may be little compared to those who have lost their loved ones, livelihood or worst, lost their lives. I'm just glad that I am still here and that me and my family survived such a tough year. I think in some way, there is still something that we are grateful about the year that was. There are the lessons we learned along the way and the chance we are given to correct our mistakes. 

I promise myself to keep things positive in 2014. I still maintain a list of what to achieve this year and that includes keeping things positive. If there's one thing I also learned in the past year, that would be to PRAY not only because I needed some miracle but also to be grateful of life's little miracles everyday. 

And maybe, I will strive to maintain this BLOG by posting positive thoughts, feelings and experiences. This I can't promise though but I will try. In fact, this post is a start.

I still have a lot of things to say but I will reserve some for the next post.

Life Lately...According to Instagram

I am one of those who was bitten by the Instagram bug since I purchased my first ever Apple gadget - the ever cute and reliable Ipad Mini. I'm enjoying it very much.

I now look forward to #throwbackthursdays.
Zumba and Yoga would be boring without the obligatory #photo-op.
Then there's my #foodporn and #patheticlunchsaga.
Dressing up has been very exciting because of #OOTD.
Basically, life has become more colorful and less stressful because of Instagram.
Here's a peak of my Instagram lately...

The BUSY WEEK That Was...

It has been a really busy week for me. I've been everywhere swamped with a lot of deliverables for everyone. First, there's the Golden Anniversary Kick-off Activities of the Philippine Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals - Cebu where I am part of the committee. We had multiple activities for this particular event: Opening Ceremony with Exhibit and Zumba, 24K Sparkle & Shine Executive's Night, Entrepreneurial Workshop, Success Trilogy Workshop and the Sparty/Closing Ceremony. 

I almost forgot that it was my 34th birthday last Wednesday (January 30). 

Then, we're off to Manila to run in the Condura Skyway Marathon with some IGAT Runners during the weekend. With body beaten up after running 10k, I am glad that the week was finally over. I'm now set to face with more challenges that the coming week has to offer. 

In the mean time, allow me to brag about my weekend conquest. I dedicate this run to myself - the birthday girl! 

Thank You 2012

With the year coming to a close, it's time to look back again to a wonderful year through this annual year-end gratitude post. I think 2012 has been really good to me in many ways. Yes, there were days in the year when we were being tested and challenged to the limits but still I survived with the help of family, friends and even strangers. Here's a quick run-through of the year that was...

My girls turned a year older in January...how time flies!

Traveled to Bohol for a running event

To Manila (twice) for a training...

PAS National Convention at Sofitel Manila

Ariva Seminar on 5S at A. Venue Makati

To Boracay for our 10th Wedding Anniversary...

Ran and finished my first 10k at the Citigym Marathon...

Discovered and embraced Zumba with friends...

Organized a half-marathon albeit the stress and Sisa moments...

Celebrated our youngest sister's graduation...also celebrated freedom from baon and tuition fees hehe

My other sister, Magee finally settled in Italy with her new husband...

Blessed with a lot of gifts (hotel accommodation gift certificates, watches, jewelry and a lot more)

Above anything else, I will be thankful for the gift of family, friends, good health and a career to keep me going forward. Thank you 2012 for being the BEST year for me. You've made me realize that I am capable  of doing things I never imagined. I shall look ahead to the coming year with so much hope and faith in God that things will be a lot better and brighter. Oh! And we survived that end of the world scare!

Cheers to 2013...please be kind to me!

2012 Christmas Diaries (Part 2)

This is a continuation to my 2012 Christmas Chronicle...read on!

Cirque de la Nuit - Masquerade Party

December 15; Marco Polo Hotel

the brains behind Cirq de la Nuit

She won 2nd place...well-deserved!

This is one of the biggest and grandest parties I have attended to. Big in the sense that this is the company's annual party. We're holding it once again at Marco Polo Hotel's grand balcony. As always, the committee would always end up with the wackiest and out-of-this world theme. This year, we had Cirque de la Nuit, a masquerade and circus inspired party. Everyone always made an effort to really dress up according to the theme. The highlight of this event was the costume contest where 20 employees signed up and really prepared hard. Well, who wouldn't when at stake is fifteen thousand pesos in GC for the grand winner. The second and third placers also received ten thousand pesos and five thousand pesos in GCs respectively. I am just amazed at how the contestants conceptualize their costumes - some wouldn't even fit in the door LOL. I have been part in the committee and as always I also take part in the success of the event.

Pantry Girls Christmas Party

December 19; Office Pantry

look at those smiles...priceless!

This is a no frills yet fun-filled party with the pantry girls. As a background, the pantry girls are a few ladies from HR, Finance, Admin and IT who gather every lunch breaks and share whatever "baon" they have. I seldom join these ladies in their lunch binge with my shift starting after lunch. But when I do, it's always the best lunch ever. Just like the usual lunchbreaks, everyone brought in their food which will be shared by all. We also had our cheap version of kris kringle and raffles to add in the fun. The theme for the party is rainbow and we dress up to the colors of the rainbow.

GGM Christmas Party and JPL's Treat

December 22; Mahogany Grove

before the bahakhak

I think this gathering will now become a tradition. We started this gathering of my favorite PAS ladies last year with my former boss JPL accommodating us in her Mahogany Grove mansion. This year, there's just a few of us and I thought it will never push through with people already getting busy with Christmas. But despite the few attendees, we still had the never-ending "bahakhak" and of course the overflowing food courtesy of our host. The white elephant exchange gift was the highlight of our simple gathering. It was really fun stealing one gift from each other to the point of getting none. I'm sure those not in attendance missed in the fun. It wasn't even enough...we still continued with the chika2, bahakhak and exchange gifts over a cup of coffee and frappe at Figaro in Ayala.

Villamala Annual Christmas Gathering

December 24; Villamala Residence, Mambaling

2nd generation

my girls in their identical outfits

Perhaps, the final Christmas gathering that I attended to. It's the annual gathering of my husband's family. The attendees have come in trickles with the absence of several personalities. But the kids are still excited to receive their gifts from granny (husband's grandfather). What I really love about this gathering is having the kids play and mingle with their cousins. The older cousins like us also did some catching up on each other's lives and a little drinking session until 3am. I am just a bit sad about some misunderstanding early leading to some relatives not showing up this year. I hope those involved will be able to patch things up soon.

------------------------

There goes my 2012 Christmas. Quite hectic come to think of it but that didn't stop me from really celebrating the season to the fullest. I feel blessed to have attended to these gatherings. It goes to show that I am surrounded with friends and family who love me to bits. Beyond the gifts and material things, what matters most is the presence, the warmth and the time spent with your love ones.

I hope you all (my reader of two or three) gets to also enjoy Christmas the way I did...Cheers!!!