My Pink Shoelace

23 on the 23rd … presents are very much appreciated. lol!

I was on leave Sunday as we spent the whole day at Kawasan Falls, Badian in celebration of Wafa’s birthday. I missed school but what the heck … so Mik-Mik was there (its been a while since we were with him) together with his sister, Eds (the ever amiable Eds), Mitchy (my surrogate Ate), Bukie (Wafa’s other half), Wafa and Moi. Last time we were there, we (Wafa and I) were both skinny that was like 2 years ago … she was still single or was at least flirting with who knows who and I was still entrapped in my comfort zone.

The hike all the way to the top is tiring but its worth it … the place is really nice and the company was great.The gift Mik and I bought for her the day before was something I desperately wanted for myself (huhuhu … am a sucker for huggables), the saleslady at Toy Kingdom even suggested that I just buy that for myself and buy A the small one seeing that I was hugging it profusely as if my life depended on it.

Wafa’s naming the violet elephant, Wik-Wik ( from Wena and Mik) and its really cute. Weee

~ Wik Wik ~

NAME: Wik2x
AGE: (baby forever)
GENDER: male
BIRTH PLACE: Kawasan
PARENTS: Rowena Yee and Kim Carlo Tan
FAVE FOOD: Meatballs and Pizza
FAVE DRINK: Milk
EXPRESSION: duh!
BESTFRIENDS: Mumble and Gloria
SAYINGS: “real men wear violet”

With the magic words, we were able to convince Eds to go with us … not that it took much effort (lol!) but were glad he was with us. It was a gathering of common and close friends so that no one would be left out.

beautiful couple

the whole gang

My Surrogate Ate (on the left) and Moi (on the right)

Us ladies (from left to right: Mitchy, Wafa, Yours Truly)

23 on the 23rd … presents are very much appreciated. lol!

So what places do you get to see if you embark on a Mediterranean cruise? I searched for this online because I can’t stop thinking about it … anything that has to do with laag and the likes they’re stuck in my head. So anyways almost all Mediterranean cruises go about these ports.

• Venice
• Athens (Pireaus)
• Naples/Capri
• Rome
• Florence/Pisa
• Marseille/Provence

• Monte Carlo/Cannes
• Barcelona
• Dubrovnik
• Kusadasi
• Istanbul
• Gibraltar

Imagine that?!!! I’ve been dying to see Venice and Athens … to stand amongst the ruins of an ancient civilization. And there’s Rome and Barcelona, usually trips like this lasts for around 10 to 14 days and based on my research departure would be on any major cities in Europe … huhuhu … I don’t see any departure from Asia and the rate are … whew!!! What’d you expect its a cruise amongst the world’s finest cities.

Someday … gosh someday am praying I’ll be able to embark on such luxurious travel.

I can’t seem to control the itch in my feet its not athlete’s foot mind you but when things like this happen, it only means one thing I want to go somewhere again. So out of the country is what I have in mind but where that I do not know yet. Was looking online for places to visit, am not looking for just a typical beach resort with white sand, or a theme park alone like Disney Land. Am looking for something unique, with a twist and preferably its one with a combination of a theme park and an opera. Too demanding? Well its just wishful thinking.

What I came across was surprisingly more than what I hoped for, there’s a museum … multiple museums that is the one I want to see would be the Hollywood Wax Musuem and they also house the world’s largest antique toy museum. Plus they have this thrills and rides for the kids and for the not so kids but are still young at heart. They also have water rides fit for all ages so long as you know how to swim …lol. There’s also a kart track so anyone has the option to go kart racing. Whew!! And the adventure does not end here, for those who love to explore well they have caves and caverns open for exploration.

Now you must be asking where this place is, its in Branson Missouri, the place is just ideal for that perfect getaway either with friends or with your family. They also offer vacation packages you get to choose from and to date there has been 117, 758 individuals who purchased vacation packages from them.

So next stop? Yeah most definitely.

Filed for VL, got it approved and bought my tickets. This was last June … in a span of a month there has been numerous changes.  And when I say numerous I literally mean numerous, I went with a friend and an office mate and she has been changing her mind every so often due to various reasons.

But at least she made up her mind somewhere around the third week of July to just go through with the trip.

So here are some snapshots of my latest “laag” in the Shopping Capital of Asia - Bangkok, Thailand.

~ this is right inside the Central World, what could he be thinking? lol ~

~ Sawadee Ka (did I spell that right?) with Ronald McDonald, Thai style ~

~ emo ~

~ with Sony’s Bravia ~

~ the multi-flavored gelati (did I spell that right?) is very very tempting~

~ this boutique breathes “expensssssiiiiiiiveeeeee~

~that’s Doi, standing in front of Siam Paragon’s entrance~

~ outside Siam Paragon, can you see the water?lol~

~ that bench stretches to the far end entrance, it a good place to see and be seen … toinks!!!~

~ In the streets of Bangkok ~

~McDonald’s Mocha Frappe~

~Dumbo? Is that you? lol~

~Spices or Sweets? We never get to ask … but I bet they’re spices~

~ Got my hair braided in Khao San~

~ See the lines? toinks!!~

~ Didn’t I tell you I adddoooorrrrrreeee PINK? ~

At long last … I’ve finally set up my most awaited project. *sigh* A glimpse of my closet … show casing whats for sale and whats not. With the help of Doi and many others … D’ Pink Shopaholic is up and running …some of the sections are still empty as we are waiting for the arrival of the stocks we’ve bough during our latest “laag”. But do enjoy browsing … who knows you might like a thing or two.

D’ Pink Shopaholic … now open for browsing … **wink wink**

Daddy Joe made the correction of the personal message  on IM and said its blacklisted, he also asked from where? I said from VL’s hehehe we’ll not literally but the first come first serve basis no longer works for me. So bye bye Hong Kong (my next “laag” destination). Also on my birthday I was planning to go on one of the many Caribbean cruises offered online … but with my recent status I think I’ll just let that go at least for now. Who knows maybe next year I can do it. God willing.

I made the big switch and I have no regrets. After 2 windows xp notebooks and 1 vista tablet pc … am finally … HOME.

Officially on from as I will be visiting the temples in Bangkok …. will keep you guys posted as soon as I can.

The team went to Durhan Resort in Tabuelan … way up north despite the typhoon which accdg. to the forecast was hitting the city and the north region at signal number 1.  Arrived at the I2 building around 7:30 a bit confused on should I or should I not go, gave my notebook to D and waited for my team mates to show up. To make the long story short we all went to North Bus Terminal where we took the V-Hire and head on north. The ride was okay though not so comfy, the resort was silent seems like many of the reservations were cancelled coz of the weather. The beach would have been great but it was muddy cause of the rain still that didn’t stop us from having fun which was expected in every team building. Momie Lai was with us and as her tradition she’d personally hand in that glass laden with alcohol to everyone, good thing she was convinced am a reformed bi-atch hahahaha … so she passed on the glass to someone else.

Drinking alcohol is something I gave up a long time ago, lets just say my rebellious days are long over  plus I’ve long learned my lesson.

There was this reward at work where the best team from each LOB would be given the privilege to go to Plantation Bay and our team was awarded the best team for our LOB. Didn’t know about this as I was on LOA, but friends from work informed me about this and asked me to go with them after all am part of the team. My boss informed me about it too, a part of me (like 90%) didn’t want to go after all I’ve gone for quite sometime and I certainly haven’t contributed anything. Hehehe but then since my sched was moved instead of working 1:30 AM Monday, I was asked to work 1:30 AM Sunday and my boss said I’d go VGH at 8AM so I can ride the boss to Plantation. Didn’t have a choice then … no regrets though am glad I went with them. Hehehe the place was awesome, the food great and the company memorable.

Here are some pics taken from my cam and grabbed from friends.

Tuesday (May 13) I received a text message from my aunt (mom’s best friend) informing me that she’ll see me in Manila for a couple of days. As I didn’t like Manila that much I suggested that we go out of the country. Much to my luck and to her convenience she said yes and said we’ll go to Singapore. It;d be her stop over from Sydney (after flying from London) on her way to the Maldives.

Booked my flight the next day, I’d leave the country on the 17th of May at 7:55 PM and am expected to arrive in Singapore at 11:45 PM. She was there waiting for me and am glad I didn’t have to wait for her to come pick me up. The plane I boarded landing on Changi Airport on the Budget terminal, she told she wasn’t waiting for me that long though her plane arrived two hours earlier than mine because she had to rush from one terminal to the other to get to where am s’pose to be.

Singapore has 4 terminals, Qantas Air landed on the second terminal which was a bit far from the Budget terminal. She had to ask for directions on how to get there which involves the MRT and a bus ride.

We stayed at Holiday Inn Parkview Hotel, which if memory serves me right has the same room setup as the Heritage Hotel in Manila. Not much view from our window as it faces the street, I dropped dead on the bed the moment my head landed on the pillow and the next thing I know it was already 8 AM Sunday, woke up to the sound of knocking on the door. ‘Twas room service armed with our breakfast.

We both had American breakfast, talked about school mostly and work. I had the day all to myself, strolled along the nearby streets near the hotel and explored the Meridien Shopping Center for gifts and what nots. She gave me 1 piece of each denomination just in case I’d get lost and need to hail a cab back to the hotel.

Haven’t explored all of Singapore given the limited number of days I was there and as she’s still technically working though we’re s’pose to be on a holiday. But here’s a list of the places we’ve been to.

Chinatown - we asked the cab driver to take us there. Shops and lots of shops line the street, many tourists flock the Chinese Temple, and the whole place was bursting with activity and life. One street I’ll remember always is Mosque St. home to the finest restaurant I’ve ever been in, Sichuan Village Restaurant. Our favorites were fried rice with egg, sweet and sour pork, pan-fried beef with ginger and noodles with minced pork. You have the choice to have it cooked spicy or just the regular. Bought two of my presents from Chinatown, there’s a shop there called Arte that has awesome ladies handbags, got three there for Wafa, Mitchy and myself.

Arab Street - home of the finest tailoring. A quiet place full of shops selling scarves, carpets and shawls.

Little India - bursting with activity its given me a picture of how Bangalore might look like. Shops and restaurants line up full of people from various races.

Clarke Quay and Riverside Point - I was told Singapore only has one river and in here alongside Clarke Quay you get to take the guided cruise. We visited it at night and it was full of people locals and foreigners alike. Bars ands restaurants line up, its kinda difficult to choose where to eat. Had our dinner with a great view of the river, I had fried rice salted with silver fish and two glasses of cranberry juice. I forget what she got for herself but one thing to remember though their small size serving is good for two persons.

Haw Par Villa - Built in the 1937 by entrepreneurial and charismatic Aw Boon haw for his brother Boon Par, its a park filled with statues and dioramas of Chinese folklore.

Sentosa Island Resort and Spa - spent one whole day here, we visited the Underwater World, Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Cineblast and the Dolphin Lagoon. Finally I got a good view of the world’s famous and rare pink dolphins.

Singapore is truly a very clean country, I haven’t seen a single trash all throughout my stay, all one can see on the sidewalks are dried leaves. No graffiti anywhere and that truly amazed me. Also its a right hand drive there, taxi’s issue receipts and you can pay through credit card, haven’t seen a cab driver wearing shirts all of them wear short or long sleeved polos.

While I was still in Baguio I received a text message from my team lead informing the team of the details of our team building/bonding. Its gonna be on April 5 and 6 in Carmen Cebu, the place is called Rockview Resort, contribution would be 500 pesos and if you’re bringing someone else along that’d be an additional 400 pesos.

Didn’t know if I can make it at that time as I s’pose I’d still be in Siargao but with the change of plans I was able to make it. The place was under renovation but since Pennie I think knows the owners they let us use the place. The beach is ok and the rooms are quite nice.

The outing was fun, the usual drinking and videoke session. Jevy, Momie Lai, Druggie and Herbie arrived late afternoon while the others were either busy swimming, sleeping, talking or playing on Cyndi’s tablet pc. We had one cute visitor, the object of the “gays” attention, he’s the POC for My Toto from Manila so talking to him was kinda a drag for me. My tagalog is comparable to that of a first grader.

Didn’t frolic in the waters as am darker that I’ve ever been though I don’t mind but I’d much rather stare at the sea for long and get lost in it than drown in it.

Am back home, my uncle’s downstairs watching boxing and later I’d be visiting mom … missing her has grown more painful with each passing day. They said time would heal all wounds … how come I feel the pain growing and not subsiding?

My series of “laags” started when I went to Leyte with Vince, Jao and Hyds … I was the only rose amongst the thorns. Details of that trip can be found here: @ Leyte; 1:32 AM by the Floating Table; 1:54 AM by the Beach front Cottage; Wrath of a Banshee. They’re a series of multiple entries as we stayed in Leyte for close to 3 days.

Sumilon Island with Kathy and Rich : March 25, 2008

When I arrived from Leyte my next escapade was with Kathy and Rich, we’re going to Sumilon Island. Would drop off on Oslob, take the boat that would take us to the island. We met up at the North Bus Terminal at around 4 AM, was on board at the bus at 4:30 AM. I was told the ride would take around 3 to 4 hours, I sat beside Rich on the window seat as usual while Kathy sat on the other side. I have always been the passive one, I don’t usually talk unless spoken to and just like Vic, Rich is pretty much talkative. He talks while I listen giving grunts, nods or a single yes or no response when asked.

When we arrived on the island, it was simply amazing. The way it was developed, the positioning of this and that was relaxing. They have this infinity pool which makes you think it continuously flows straight to the ocean and a beach on the left side and a lagoon on the right. We went kayaking, I was seated in the middle by Rich and Kathy were doing the paddling. Felt like a princess that day, they’ve been there already and I think that’d be there second and my first, they acted as my tour guide ever amiable and solicitous.

We’ve had our share of photo shoots and though I don’t know how to swim at all, I enjoyed the beach and the white sand. If you seek peace and tranquility, it definitely is the place to go for. Food is superb though the rate is kinda high but it was all worth it. I’d go back anytime … should I need to get lost somewhere.

The Unexpected Part 3: City of Pines - March 27 to 29, 2008

We’ve been to 3 places already and all of them begins with the letter B —- Bohol; Bantayan Island; and Baguio City and according to Mitchy that means we’re just “barkadas” nothing more nothing less. ‘Twas a perfect explanation. This trip was not planned at all, one minute I decided to go and I texted him … next thing I know I was texting him again to cancel it out. Then after a couple of days I texted him again to say we’d push through … see how fickle-minded I am? D said its typical of my species (right … whatever you say). Anyways this trip was finalized Tuesday … booked my ticket tuesday night when I arrived from our day tour in Sumilon.

Found myself at Starbucks early Wednesday morning with Roy … I gotta give this guy a plaque for salvaging a project that was s’pose to be mine from the start. And since I procrastinate and with my many leaves in tow I basically just gave it to him. He needs the cash more than I do … I think and I needed the time off more than he does so that made all things equal.

Wednesday afternoon, find myself in the ticketing office of Cebu Pacific to have my ticket printed out … my flight sched was.

4:45 AM - Departure from Cebu to Manila
6:00 AM - Estimated Time of Arrival in Manila

The plan was for me to head on straight to Pasay … Victory Liner Terminal and we’d meet up there. We were exchanging messages back and forth … first when I was about to board the plane and when I arrived. He left work earlier than his schedule but I arrived at the terminal earlier than he did which made me buy the tickets for both of us. As usual he has this capacity to foresee the things that might be needed, teeny weeny details that I almost always miss. He brought food with him enough for three people; and just as always we don’t talk. I mean we haven’t seen each other for quite sometime and its not like his location is just one jeepney ride away from mine … but we dont act like two people who lived apart and have not been in each other’s company for an ample period of time. He sat down beside me and talked as if we’ve seen each other on the floor the night before. I dunno if thats unusual but thats always the case with us. I was the one inviting him … we’ll not really inviting but asking him to accompany me to Baguio and s’possedly should be the one taking care of the details of the trip but just as I’ve expected he took care of the details; where we’ll stay; where to go and what to do. I was the passive beneficiary again for the third time.

As the trip from Manila to Baguio lasts 7 hours we arrived in Baguio roughly around 2PM … imagine the 7 hour ride on the bus and not talking … I take that back, we talk but its the one or two words response kinda conversation. Between the two of us … he’s more of the talkative one; I listen and he talks. He asks a question I answer either with a nod, a grunt or a single yes or no. He was playing with his PSP while I was listening to music … so evidently both of us have worlds of our own. Might as well say we’re a pair of autistic individuals. We’ve been mistaken for lovers, to engaged couples to married couples and we’re sick and tired of arguing. People immediately assume it’s always just one room when we haven’t even said a thing, which was fine … that has always been our setup … practical and economical.

The journey from Manila to Baguio was tiring, that I must admit but as we near the place the view was just awesome. Its like cruisin on the side of a curving stretch of a mountain side cliff, not to exaggerate Baguio is really cold. Even in the heat of the afternoon sun, it still is cold, people there are either wearing sweaters, jackets or long - sleeved blouses and shirts, vehicles don’t have their air conditioning turned on, same thing with the hotels and with their mall; SM Baguio.
We stayed at Ferrioni 1, the room was okay for me that is … but so so for him and his standards. *sigh* thats where we differ; so long as there’s a bed, pillows and a blanket and the place is clean then thats fine with me. The moment my head hit the pillow I was asleep and I think so was he but he woke up earlier than me that he had to wake me up for dinner. We went out to explore the place and ended up at SM Baguio … the view from their terrace was incredible and so was the coldness, natural coldness mind you.

We got lost on our way to SM and also on our way back to where we’re staying … which was fun. I knew I was safe as I was with him. Eventually we were able to find our way back to the hotel that was roughly around 10PM. Went to sleep while he was channel surfing. The next day would be spent touring the city and its outskirts with the tour guide we met when we arrived at the terminal.

Sleep was evasive … on and off … as if someone somehow played with the switch. Morning came with him waking up first again, and him waking me up which I find annoying. Anyways had breakfast and afterwards we waited for the tour guide to arrive and pick us up. He arrived at roughly 8:30 AM and the tour begun.

The Itinerary in Sequence:

* Burnham Park - jam packed with people and merchants. The lagoon was amazing, tourists can even use one of the kayaks for rent to go kayaking.

* Lourdes Grotto - where devotees offer flowers and prayers. There were native Ifugaos there too wherein if you want to have your photo taken with them you’ll have to pay. There were also souvenir shops around but I didn’t get the chance to look into them.

* Easter Weaving School - amazing weaving school which has a shop of its own too. I bought scarves and knitted shawls there for presents and for my own use.

* Strawberry Fields - full of people merchants and tourists alike. Finally I get to see strawberry on their habitat. If you pick the strawberries yourself just to experience what its like then the price per kilo is at 200 pesos. But if you buy from the merchants nearby the price is at 80 pesos per kilo, which was what we did … I bought two kilos, one for Mitchy as she specifically said in her text message: “NO Strawberries, NO Mitchy”. Then another one for the people at home and for D, Julie, Eds and Jen .. I’ll be with them to Siargao, at least we’ll have something to munch on during our trip.

* Mines View Park - the view was just superb, felt like I was on top of the whole wide world. The place was full of tourists though, there were native Ifugaos who would let you wear their native costume and have your pic taken with them for 10 pesos. He urged me to try but then I didn’t like the idea of doing it alone so I said no. On our way there was this huge friendly Labrador, his name was Douglas, where in you can have your pic taken with him, would have loved that but he was no longer around when we went down. Also bought most of the presents at the surrounding stalls and bought the Ube Jam for Roy at Good Shepperd, I was told by both Vince and Hyds that their Ube Jam would be the best in Baguio.

* Camp John Hay - they have this hotel their .. The Suites .. which we were told has the rate of 4K to 5K per night. *Whew* that was expensive but the looking at it from the outside, you can tell it’s gonna be a very comfy place to stay in. Was able to catch a glimpse of a few golfers too.

* PMA - we went inside their museum and was able to see cadets marching in.

After the tour we head on straight to the terminal, to take the bus that’d leave at 5PM for Cubao. Was expected to arrive Manila around 12 midnight, him straight home while I would go straight to Asian Mansion where Mitchy was staying.

I got lost along Makati and vowed it was stupid of me to contemplate doing a lateral transfer to Manila. The battery of my phone could die any minute, the cab driver was hellish, my Tagalog was crooked than that of a first grader and I was loaded with presents. Good thing Mitchy arrived after waiting for what seemed like forever and we got back to her place safe and sound despite being exhausted.

We unpacked the presents I bought and gave her the strawberries and the pair of earrings Vic has chosen for her. Am glad she liked it and like the big sister she has always been to me she told me on we’re gonna repack all the items I’ve bought especially the jars of jams, they’re heavy and fragile thats why they need to be repacked.

All these time I was busy texting Eds, as I asked him to have my flight bound for Cebu rebooked. S’possedly I’d leave Manila at 8:30 PM and that would mean missing the boat for Siargao so I’d be going there on Monday. Vic didn’t like the idea of me traveling there alone and missing the fun in the company of Jen and the gang so he advised me to have my flight re booked.

Eds took care of that, my flight back home would be 3:40 PM Saturday, I’ll arrive Cebu at exactly 5:00 PM and the boat for Surigao leaves at 7:00 PM.

So after repacking everything, Mitchy accompanied me to the airport where I waited for my flight.

Arrived Cebu at 5:00 PM, texted Eds that am safe back home. Head on straight home, arrived 5:45 PM … my uncle was surprised to find out that am just home for a couple of minutes to drop off my things, pack another bag and head on to Siargao.

Called Jen to check on where they’re at, was told they’re in McDo Jones, so I told her to wait up for me as am on my way. Arrived there around 6:30 PM and we head on straight to Pier Uno to board the ship that would take us to Surigao City.

Surfing in Siargao Escapade : March 29 to April 2 , 2008

* March 31, 2008 - 8:53 PM *

To start off my series of entries …

Our 2nd day in Siargao … Jen’s fast asleep, Julie is about to do the same; Eds and D are talking nonsense. Wahehehe … Eds and I just arrived after walking a couple of blocks looking for anything that resembles a pc that can go online. Arrived at a resort called Ocean 101, where what seemed like a reception hall was full with blue eyed blonde hunks (?) surfers and surfers wanna be. The attendant showed us upstairs where the computers are located, rate is kinda exorbitant if you know what I mean.

The connection was good, was able to talk to A and my boss, was anxious to check on my schedule for this week and for the next week. Thank God my boss confirmed am on PTO (Paid Time Off) — though thats not the case for me … I’ve abused all the alotted PTO’s and am on unpaid vacation leaves. He envied me with my sched … am only coming to work on Monday (April 7, 2008) and am back to PTO for the rest of the week. If I dont have to come to work on Monday that would have meant 3 straight weeks of unpaid vacation leaves … beat that!!!

They’re all unpaid and to be blunt I couldn’t care less. Am lovin what am doing … and no amount of cash can pay what I’ve seen and what am about to see.

Am using D’s notebook which felt like home seeing that its almost similar with mine … too bad there’s no wi-fi here but at least we get to listen to music and I get to type and type till sunrise. They’re all asleep but am wide awake … am thinking of tomorrow and the many tomorrows to come wherein I have no clue on what to do or on where to go from here.

*Day 3 - April 1, 2008 *

*The Birth of a Surfer and Another Emotional Breakdown*

9AM - the schedule of Eds first and last surfing lesson on the spot in the country’s surfing capital : Siargao

The charge was 500 pesos per hour, I bet my soul on it that we’d be contributing a hundred bucks each should he need an extra hour of tutorial session. Being the fast learner that he is it only took him an hour to learn, couldnt understand the mechanics really after all I don’t even know how to swim much more surf …

After breakfast of fish, eggs and beef loaf; don’t forget the coffee; we head on straight to the beach. Jen was wrapped up in her yellow sarong with a two piece underneath; Julie (Cholee) put on a green summer dress with black stripes two piece bikini underneath and me … meeeee in a brown with pink hearts halter tankini and black sports shorts. All three head on the beach, where we found Alex (Eds mentor) teaching Eds how to paddle and stand on the surf board. It didn’t took them long practicing on the sand, they head on straight to the waves, for the hands on.

While the three of us head on straight on to the tower so we can view him, the sound of the waves crashing by was soothing, ’twas the sound I could not find in the city, the sound I know I could get lost in. Eds was there amongst other surfers novices and pro alike, finding his balance under the tutelage of Alex in what seemed like a not so friendly round of crashing waves.

I’ve seen my share of live surfers, something I though I’d only see in Baywatch and the like but there I was watching the real thing with 2 gorgeous gals.

Well the three of us didn’t really come to Siargao to learn how to surf but for the photo shoot … so after watching eds for an hour or so we head on somewhere looking for white sand for the perfect pictorial session.

The surfing area in Siargao is located in General Luna; Cloud 9 … why its called Cloud 9? The locals have this very plausible explanation … back then the only chocolate available in the area was Cloud 9. It was hilarious when you come to think of it, the place was amazing full of surfers locals and foreigners alike. After lunch we head on straight to Mangcupongco; we were not able to enjoy the beach as its high tide when we got there. So we went home … to rest s’posedly but just like every other time … I crumble when the facades too much to bear and reality hit me hard like the waves hit the sea. Too bad I cannot ride the waves the same way the surfers did to avoid the harsh reality. And I couldn’t control nor can I select the time it’d occur, hate it .. crumbling in the midst of people who might not understand what am going through. If only I can just keep up with the facade 24/7 that would have been close to perfect.

Jen’s going home tomorrow and a part of me wanted to go home too. To curl up in bed in an environment I feel safe and at home. But a part of me wanted to stay to continue living in this fantasy world … to keep living with the thought that someday when I get home she’d be waiting for me eager to see my pictures and hear the stories of my escapades.

I’ve been to Leyte - Sumilon - Baguio and Siargao in a span of two weeks and people thought it was amazing. Me and my restless feet … but no amount of travel could fill this gnawing emptiness … and that at the end of the day it all boils down to the fact that no ones waiting back home for me.

Uhmm … how do I put this to words.

From Leyte, Sumilon, Baguio to Siargao … and thats where am currently located with people who mattered. Friends from work Eds, Jen, D and Julie (our host).

Am a web addict that I have no qualms of admitting I have been anxious to get online. The transition of my flight from Baguio to Siargao is just amazing … a span of 2 hours … imagine how rushed I felt .. (char!!)

Anyways … I dragged Eds (of soloflighted.com) with me to look for an internet cafe and here we are now …

Also photos from this “Surfing in Siargao Escapade” would be all thanks to him.

Details later … when I get home …

Not only is the rate way higher than normal … dang!!! I hate the mouse and the keyboard here.

Grrrr … CIAO peeps!!!

~ I was the only thorn amongst the roses ~

Its monday morning already I just got in after spending talk time with the boys and ma’am Soni … we were by the floating table talking about anything under the sun.

When I woke up Sunday morning around 6 AM I took my time to take photos of whatever I find interesting around the place which was numerous. The boys were still asleep on the other room and I dont expect them to wake up anytime soon, ’twas around 9:30 AM when they knocked on my door for breakfast or shall we say brunch. When that was done the four of us toured every section of the place took shots and videos of this and that.  Had a superb lunch by the clubhouse … their cook is just amazing … and at around 3PM ma’am Soni have us visit another resort on the next town so we’ll have basis for comparison. A good 15 to 20 minute drive, the place is huge they have like 3 hectares of beach front but only a small portion of it is developed … the only nice thing about it is the view which the four of us unanimously agree to be bliss.

They worked on the pc while I was busy roaming around the place observing the customers … finally we had dinner at ma’am Soni’s quarters which was huge … the food was superb and so was her company. No false pretense just plain honest conversation about the history of the place, her her family and the business.

We’re going home the following day, the boat leaves at 8:00 AM so we have to get up roughly at 6:00 AM … as we parted ways and head on to our rooms … Vince called my attention and asked if am going to sleep already … went over the floating table where they’re located and just like the previous night we talked over beer about anything under the sun.

‘Twas past midnight when we decided to call it a night, afterall we’re up early the morning after. So here I am in my room which was the by the way huge typing while watching Smith waiting for sleep to get hold of me.

Being with the boys is one hell of an experience, ’twas really nice of them to knock by my room inviting me to join them in the cottage me bringing my notebook and them one case of red horse. Me charging my phone and notebook; them talking over beer … am learning a lot a whole lot I should say. From politics to history to music to technology … here I am speechless like a sponge absorbing all the info I cannot gather from normal conversations with girls like me.

Never thought I could even open up about mom and how I lost her and how am dealing with it but it felt nice being able to deal with it with people I know from work but I don’t consider close.

They listened and somehow understood in ways I cannot describe plus I get to appreciate reggae music now … thanks to Vince who seems like a wikipedia on the go. The input I got from these people was something I didn’t see coming. And am glad for being here … for the company … for the change of scenery.

Its past 4 AM when we went back to our rooms am sure they’re prolly asleep by now but here I am awake … still on the go despite having no sleep at all … as am still technically fresh from work but there’s so much emotions … thoughts … ideas on my head that I cannot sleep with them burning incessantly. Later on we’d begin work as thats what basically am here for … not hard work mind you but more out of a hobby where I get paid and I get to see places. Well this is the start and hopefully there’s more to come.

Am currently typing this post on board the boat that would take us to Leyte to Hyd’s resort … while the boys (vince, hyds and jao) are busy talking about who knows what.

now let me recap last night

my last night at work was ok. agitating at the same time though … I asked D to transfer me to Pro the LOB I love the most being in three I basically have basis for my comparison. so I was in Pro for I dunno how long then was transferred back to TR as it was queuing with Victor calling on and off.

After 15 minutes of Knowlagent I was back on the phone with Victor in succession which was a funny change … refreshing in the sense after a series of complicated developer calls. Kept praying for VGH as I cannot wait to get home and start early on with my vacation.

Am s’pose to have lunch with Aisa and Mitchy before Mitchy leaves for Manila for her MDP and then at around 4:30 am s’pose to meet the peeps am going with to Leyte at IT Park as the boat taking us to Leyte leaves at 6:00 PM.

Now what happened was I was at home preparing to meet up with Mitchy and Aisa when Ash texted telling me we wont push through which came up as a surprise seeing that they havent texted me at all. So I lied low and was not disappointed at all because if they’d cancel out they would have told me right?

So I went to IT Park where they’re waiting for me and then we head on to Ayala and had lunch at Dessert Factory. I was agitated and bothered because of the text messages I got from she who must not be named which was contradicting to what Vince said when he called me. Accdg. to Vince we’d push through, we’d have to meet up at 2:30 PM at I2 Bldg. as we need be at Hyds place by 3:00 PM as the boat leaves at 4:30 PM. I’ve never felt so rushed my whole life all the whileI thought the boat would leave at 6:00 PM so we’d meet up at 4:30 PM, I didnt have time to look for another MMC and to get the pillow for Mitchy, I practically had to rush off all the way home threw in whatever I can grab from my dresser onto my bag, grabbed my notebook and set off informing my drunk uncle where am headed and when am back, asking our close neighbors to look after him and the house while am away.

I arrived at I2 way past 3PM, Jao and Vince were at Jobbee waiting for me and just a couple of minutes after I sat down, Hyd’s arrived with his ride that’ take us to the port. So here I am on board the boat with the boys …

Now the title kinda sounds harsh but when I received the succession of messages from her I can only imagine her face and the sound of her voice … ’twas enough to make me take pillow and cover my head with it. She reminds me of a banshee … though she doesnt shriek like the banshee but her wrath and her nagging is enough to make me classify her as one.

I don’t know her personally but she has this reputation at work for being loud, the source of gossip and who knows what else. She was raving mad for the abrupt cancellation of her trip with us, while we were at work we were busy corresponding in outlook about how excited we are of the upcoming trip; mine business theirs purely leisure. I know she’s disappointed and I can’t blame her but the resort owner wouldn’t just cancel them out if not for a valid reason. His cousin called him informing him that tourists just checked in the night before and there’s just one room reserved for us … now this one room is only good for 4 people and thats already an additional bed. Seeing that its gonna be six of us he didnt have any clue where to house them in … so he did what he has to and told them (there’s two of them) that they won’t push through.

As mine is purely of business then of course am part of the crew going there. Vinc e and Jao were also there for business as they need to fix the resort’s pc. Hyd’s even hoped that I wouldnt mind being the only female in the trip, I dont simply because though we’re not close but a relationship even a business one simply bonds trust into it.

A couple more hours and we’d be there … I cannot wait.

Part 2 of my unexpected laags with the same person; we’ve spent one whole day together and that was on a Sunday, had dinner with him on Tuesday … didn’t expect to spend more days with him but then again he never fails to surprise me. A simple text message asking me if I can possibly go absent on my Saturday class coz we’ll be going somewhere. So I was contemplating the whole time, plus the fact that he had food poisoning the night before we’re s’pose to leave made me think it’d be better if he’ll just stay at home. Like the child that he is sometimes, he insisted and since I don’t get to spend time with him often, I decided to go for it … last time I was with him was April of 2007, so who knows when I’ll see him next.

The original plan was to go to San Remegio and spend the night there, we’ll leave the city Saturday morning and come back Sunday afternoon (so I’ll be absent from my masteral classes). We’ve never been there so this would be our first and we have no idea as to where exactly its located, what landmarks to look out for … all he knew was the name of the towns before it, during the stop overs he called the resort for instructions and we thought we’ll reach there in due time. When we reached the town of San Remegio, we saw one beach resort we’re both familiar with and thought that next to it would be our destination. We we’re both disappointed when we ended up at the port of Hagnaya without seeing any sign for the beach resort we’re both looking for and with all the other passengers leaving the bus. So we followed suit, laughed at each other and decided to buy tickets for the barge that would take us to the next island. Bantayan Island. We have no contacts there whatsoever, and he was busy texting people, even calling some for names of resorts that we could stay in. He apologized for the mishap and it made the whole thing funnier, told him you dont have to apologize … this is what I call adventure and am loving every minute of it.

On board the barge and off to Bantayan Island … we were laughing the whole time at the turn of events. Since my team has gone to Bantayan previously on an outing (I wasnt able to go with them), I knew they stayed at Sugar Beach and told him that. He was texting someone and told me what his friend recommended was Cota so we decided to see both resorts and go from there. The houses for rent in Sugar Beach are a bit far from the beach itself … a good walk should I say and they dont have airconditioned rooms available, the pedicab driver (Don Don) suggested a newly established resort called Tickety Boo, the distance from the restaurant to the beach is very minimal, plus they still have airconditioned rooms available (exactly what he was looking for).

The place was awesome and was definitely worth the rate and more, though it would take them a bit to prepare the food but it was worth the wait. Had lunch there at around 4 pm (is that still lunch? hehehe), had a look around the place and slept … I slept that is, he went for a swim and told him to not wake me up till later coz I was dead tired. The water was nice, not as salty as the waters in Bohol (the unexpected part 1 : my trip to bohol), around 8 pm, he woke me up (grrr…so much for asking him not to) for dinner. On weekends they have a live band performing and we were quite surprised to see quite a number of people, even saw one colleague though we didn’t acknowledge each others presence, he was with someone and am with someone so better pass it off as complete strangers.

Sunday Morning ——-

Had breakfast and I did found a good book in their shelf, one that I’d definitely look for when I visit Powerbooks or National Bookstore, both of us were reading while finishing our food … when he was done, (it took me forever to finish eating) I saw him talking to two people from the resort … I pass it off as casual chitchat, was able to hear bits and pieces of what they’re saying … and was surprise to hear him mention about the time. He looked my way and asked if I wanna go … must’ve looked stupid coz he smiled and said island hopping, we still have time and we’ll make it by 11:30 to the port. So impromptu off we went, on board the pumpboat and into the sea (it scares me coz I don’t know how to swim … hehehe). We took photos of everything and he had to remind me to be careful coz he won’t dive for my camera and everything else should they fall to the water … grrr …

It may seem unbelievable to most people, but our relationship … platonic relationship is just amazing. We share the same room, the same bed with no malice at all just as we’ve done when we went to Bohol, the easy camaraderie is what amazes me the most, we talked about anything under the sun … and there was no awkwardness whatsoever when we were in bed talking. People who knew I was going with him overnight had malice in their eyes and easily pass us off as lovers, exactly the same thing when we arrived at the resort and everywhere else we go. We let them be as we’re just done explaining, not that it makes any difference. For these people … a guy and a girl together … would always be a couple. Funny how even our friends tend to question our friendship … I was at one point in doubt of where were at but this recent laag proved to me that what we share as friends is special and unique of which am ever grateful.

Just as always, he has made me feel special ever since we became friends that at times it made me ask what have I ever done to deserve this. Despite what I lost, am happy and thankful that people like him exist and are a part of my life … that though he’ll be far away (with me in Cebu and him in Manila) it would’nt change anything and we can easily pickup where we left off the moment we’re together.