Blessed!

I have been busy for the past weeks that I didn’t have the chance to reserve a ticket for my trip home, I was a bit worried because it’s all in the news that too many people are traveling and there’s scarcity of buses. My colleagues were also worried and they were constantly asking me if I already have a ticket. I jokingly told them that there’s nothing to worry because when it’s my time to go home, there will be an available bus and there will be fewer travelers.

We ended work at 3:30 AM today and went out to eat and relax for a while so I was only home at 6 AM. I slept for a couple of hours then had to get up again to get ready for my trip home. I also had to drop by SM first to spend the voucher since it will expire today. Sayang naman hehe.

Few minutes before 12 noon, I was already at Cubao terminal. To my pleasant surprise, there were only few passengers waiting and there were less than ten people lined up in the ticket booth! After a while, they already allowed chance passengers for the 12 PM trip. Great! It’s not traffic as well. Right now (1:30 PM), we’re already in Pampanga.

I also learned that my aunt (and her family) who has a jeep is spending the new year with us so I’ve requested that they fetch me in case I would have a hard time getting a cab when I reach Baguio. She said yes hihihi. Thanks Auntie.

Thank you, Father God for making this easy for me. Thanks teammates for the concern. Home sweet home here I come! :)

When emotions strike

Nalilito…
Nahihiya…
Nagtatanong…
Natatawa…
Nag-akalang saglit lang pero tumatagal na...
Minsan ayaw, minsan gusto (ngayon, mas madalas gusto. Ewan sa mga susunod na araw)…
Hindi umaasa…
Natatakot…
Nag-eenjoy…
Kinikilig ahihi…
Eto pinakamatindi sa lahat: GUSTO KO NANG UMUWI SA BAGUIO!!!! Huhuhu.

Curiosity can kill you. But still, just read, don’t ask questions. :p

When you sing you begin with A B C

To have a short break at work, I called my sister at home. According to her, my niece was already asking her when am I going home. We had a little chat and then I asked her to give the phone to my niece. To my surprise, my niece took the phone and actually talked to me! She’s not shy anymore unlike before where she just listens to your voice but never talks. I think her schooling helped her to be more sociable. I asked her about school. They had exchange gift daw in school and she received a watch for a gift. I also asked what she would like for Christmas. She wants some school shoes. Good girl. Hehe. But then again, even before, we were trained to just have the basic things, well simply because we didn’t have the financial means to aid all our wants (until now :p). Also, I don’t usually buy my nieces and nephews wants. I always make sure that what they ask are things that they really need. Anyway, so yes my darling pamangkin, shoes it is. Can’t wait to go shopping with you. :p

I also asked her to sing me a song and tadda…she sang the ABC hahaha. She missed 3 letters so my sister and I corrected her right away. She also counted from 1 to 10. She said she still doesn’t know what comes next after 10 (I scolded my sister. She should be teaching my niece para bibo! :p). She’s 5 by the way. I don’t even remember the things that I already know when I was 5. But with my niece, I think she’s aligned naman with her age. Gusto ko lang maging bibo sya hehehe.

Funny Christmas stories

My friend was trying to book a trip via Cebu Pacific online and she was trying to use my credit card for the payment but she was always getting a denied status. I then called up Standard Chartered for assistance. After explaining my dilemma, the agent put me on hold for a few minutes while he investigates. Fortunately, he was able to get to the cause and it was fixed immediately. He explained what happened. I was already relaying the information to my friend (I remember using most of these lines – may mali daw kasing nainput sa credit card details ko kaya na-activate agad yung security ek ek…) when suddenly I heard the agent at the other end of the line ask, “Is there anything else ma’am?” . I didn’t know he was still on the line and heard everything I said wahahaha. I had to be quiet for 10 seconds while trying to stop myself from laughing. When finally I was able to speak, I just thanked him. I sensed that he too was also on the verge of laughing (based on his tone). I quickly ended the call and laughed to my heart’s content for that blooper hahaha.

During the time that I’m in the call, my friend also called Cebu Pacific’s customer service for some inquiry. I’m not sure if the line was choppy that she can’t hear the agent or the agent put her on hold for a while. She kept on saying hello and when she got no response, she said “leche ka”. After a few seconds, the agent replied. Hihihi.

There goes my Christmas break

Due to demands at work, I was not able to go home for Christmas. We had to come to work on the days that I’m supposed to be taking my break. It was etched in my mind that I’ll be home for Christmas so that on the 24th, I was a drama queen the whole day while at work hehehe. Added to that the pressures from work har har har.

Good thing I have friends who were willing to adopt me to celebrate Christmas with their families hehehe. It warms my heart and I still feel blessed despite my screwed up schedule.

So yes, I spent a few hours with my boss’s family and then with A’s. A’s family has planned to go to Star City after lunch on the 25th, but there were too many people when we arrived so we just opted to go to Seaside Dampa instead for dinner.
We so wanted to watch a movie so we passed by SM Megamall. Fortunately, they have normal mall hours so we were able to watch. After the movie and after dropping by A’s place to get my things, I headed home to watch another DVD and blog. Hehehe.

Happy Holidays!

Happy birthday Papa Jesus!

Merry christmas everyone!

Hope you all have a blast!

Randomness

Three days to go ‘til Christmas!

I was in the office last Saturday. The last time I remembered going to work on a Saturday was 3 years ago. That long hehe.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to take the straight leave this holiday. Fortunately though, I still have a 4-day break (from Dec. 25-28). I’ll be going home early 25th. I don’t want to spend Christmas on the way home so I’ve asked Anne to adopt me for the Noche Buena hehehe.

New term: asaness. Hahaha.

Most parties are completed (Year end, IS & IT, IS APAC). One more is scheduled on the 28th. I’m not sure if I’d be able to attend. I’m still at home at that time and I want to stay home longer.

I was lucky with cash prices this year as observed by our director. I earned a total of P3, 700 (1K cash, the rest GC). It’s from game winnings and raffles. I spent the cash on the same night I won it wahahaha. Well, I actually spent it for the team. :p

No specific wish lists this year.

Last year, I was so excited about 2008. I felt that so many things will happen this year. This time, I don’t feel that way for 2009. Maybe because I already know that for the most part of 2009, I’ll be very busy (busier than ever) with work.

Once during my “me” time, it crossed my mind that it’s nice to get married on 12-12-12. Hahaha.

There are so many things that need to be done at home but I’m just so lazy to do it wahahaha. That’s where the cookie crumbles.

My replacement for my old post has been hired and he’s already on board. I’m glad. I was able to offload some tasks already. But I still need to replace some more!

There are 3 people left that I have to shop for. For family, it will all be in Baguio.

I haven’t scheduled meet ups with Baguio friends yet. I’ll just wait ‘til I’m at home. I may be too lazy to go out anyway. I actually like to spend my break to really rest and relax. It means that I’m not bringing home my laptop and I won’t bother myself with work. :p

Merry Christmas everyone!

Working on a Sunday

ISMT (IS APAC Management Team) had to finish defining some programs for the team by tomorrow so we had to meet on a Sunday. To make it lighter, we decided to do it outside of the office. We thought of Starbucks first but we couldn’t think of a branch that’s accessible to us all and is not busy on a Sunday. We then ended up at my boarding house.

It was a serious meeting despite the venue. The TV was off, no off-topics not until we were done hehe. Though this is a first time for us (meeting on a Sunday), we were able to pull it off. We’ve set a deadline for ourselves on what time to finish and we were able to beat that.

One step higher

They were the team's awardees during the year-end recognition in 2006.

Who would have thought that less than two years later, these 3 awardees will become the leaders of that same team? :)

Trying Multiply

I've decided to post some of my blogs in Multiply now that this site is accessible to me at home. Blocked kasi sa office. :p Plus, whatever I post in Blogspot is automatically posted in Multiply and vise versa. I just wish it includes comments as well. But who knows? That feature will be added soon. :)

Wondering

Lately, I’ve been wondering about what would become of me a few years from now. Hahaha. I have some goals, yes, but it doesn’t cover my entire life I think. I mean, I only have goals for other people but I still don’t have plans solely for myself. I’m entering the big 3-0 next year but I feel that my maturity doesn’t come with my age hahaha. I feel that I am so naïve on so many things. I’ve had movements in my career but to me, these are just new position titles with added responsibilities.

My manager is pressuring me about my lovelife but it has no effect on me hahaha. Don’t get me wrong. Who wouldn’t want to have that special someone to share your life with right? There maybe a few exceptions but generally, we all do (I think). But then again, I can’t just push myself to the one I like or to anyone just for the sake of having one. I’ve actually asked the Lord about it but He hasn’t given me an answer yet :p so when I get one, I’ll let everyone who’s interested know.

Ok, I better stop wondering and get some sleep before I miss my 8 AM meeting. Sheesh. Why does it have to be that early? That’s an ungodly hour for me! See? My body clock changed the past month. I’m awake at this hour and I’m supposed to still be sleeping at 8 AM. Huwell.

Oopps, one last. It just crossed my mind about going to SG for vacation next year hihihi. I have friends there who can take me under their care for the duration of my stay and act as my tour guide so I can save on board and meals maybe? Har har har. But wait. That wasn’t the plan. Ok. Park. Prioritize. Prioritize. Prioritize. Project first. But this is project. :p. Stop. We’ll see.Nyt!

Christmas at Gilmore

I have always been fascinated with the Christmas decors being sold at Gilmore. I always wanted to take a picture of it for the previous years but haven’t had the chance. Tonight I had but I was not in the mood to do it. Besides, it was still a little early when we were there so there were lots of cars passing by and lots of people. I felt uncomfortable. And lastly, I know I look haggard so I don’t want my pictures taken har har har. But I still want to. Ranji, kain uli don next week ha? This time, kailangan ko na talaga magpicture! Hihihi.

Choices

Sabi nila lagi tayong may choices sa mga bagay-bagay. And naniniwala ako don. Pero sa nalaman ko nung isang araw, dito ko napatunayan na pwede rin palang no choice na talaga kundi yun lang kasi kung pipiliin mo ang other way, baka umabot ka pa sa isa pang no choice. Medyo nakakainis lang kasi noon ko lang nalaman. Ang sabi nila, alam na raw namin pero ako na dapat unang nakaalam, hindi ko naman talaga alam na may commitment nang nangyari. Hindi ko lang alam sa iba. Akala ko, proposal lang yun. Yun pala, expected nang ganon ang mangyayari. Kumbaga sa ibang traditions, di pa kami pinapanganak, identified na ng mga magulang namin kung sino mapapangasawa namin.

So eto na. Ako ang sumalo non. Medyo natatakot ako pero hoping for the best pa rin. At least may ilang araw akong magpreprepare emotionally.

At oo, may mga pagkakataon talaga palang no choice ka.

*****
Di ko pa rin alam kung saan ako sa holidays. At this point, 90% na Manila ako. Huhuhu. Kung dito nga ako, sana may umampon sa akin sa Noche Buena :p

May choice naman ako actually na umuwi sa Tagaytay para mas malapit eh. Pero hmmm…Baguio pa rin gusto ko!

Uy, may choice ako dito hehehe.

*****
Pinag-iisipan ko pa kung ililink ko na rin sa Multiply ang Blogspot ko. Ayaw kong gawin noon kasi blocked ang Multiply sa office. Paano pa ako makakapag-update di ba? Hihihi. Pero ngayon kasi, accessible naman na sa bahay. :p

O ayan, choices na naman!

*****
Malapit na mag-1 year ang Outdoor club sa office! At for renewal na kami next year. Syempre may utang pa kaming (mga nautusan hehe) BMC curriculum sa aming POC hehehe.

Ito hindi na may choice or no choice. Choices lang ang name ng umbrella group ng different clubs sa office. :)

???

May nagawa akong katangahan kagabi. Naging irrational ako sa mga bagay-bagay. Alam ko namang the moment na nassabi ko yun, mali ako. Di ko na lang nabawi. Fok talaga. Inis ako sa sarili ko after that. Naiisip ko ngayon ang laging sinasabi ng mga magulang ko na maging makatao lagi, ang aming mission-vision nung high school na maging maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-bayan at maka-kalikasan, ang lagi kong pinapaalala sa sarili ko na dapat maging fair and rational and sensible ako lagi. Lahat ng yan kagabi, kinalimutan ko. Naglahong parang bula.

So, ummmm…forgive me? :)

Christmassy home

I wanted so much to decorate my munting lungga so I bought some decors last November but until now, everything’s still in the plastic bag lying on the floor waaaaa. I wanted to clean the house first before decorating but I am so tired on weekdays that I just want to be a couch potato on weekends huhu. Good thing that yesterday morning, I was able to get my momentum and started cleaning. I’ll just do it by batch until I’m done. By hook or by crook, I should be done by Friday. Good luck to me.

*****
I don’t have the time and energy again to do my laundry. No choice but to have it done by a laundry shop. Hay. Hassle pa naman magpalaba sa malapit sa amin. They don’t even do pick up and delivery. Ang lapit ko lang naman sa kanila. And uber bagal nila mag-asikso sa customers. But right now, I don’t have any other options. Tiis-tiis na lang.


So, night for now. I have another cleaning to do in a few hours.

Non-stop challenges

I just got home from another long meeting (we started at 9 PM, ended at 3 AM, with 1 hour dinner break). We are having challenges in one of our projects. What’s harder is that I just got on board the project management team. I don’t know what the agreements were before. I opted not to dig deeper anymore and just concentrate on what we currently have and what we’ll need to do next. I am optimistic that my team will understand why it has to be that way.

Now is not a good time to get sick. I’m actually feeling the symptoms again (my lack of sleep for a month now is probably taking its toll on me already) but hopefully it goes away quickly.

I don’t want to plan yet for Christmas as it might get screwed up in the end.

Ending the year with a bash

Yes, it’s still quite early but we already had our Year End Rewards and Recognition and also Mano’s send off party (yes, he has already resigned) last night. The event started with a sumptuous dinner at Dad’s Glorietta, after which we transferred to Red Box Greenbelt for the awarding proper. This is the first year that we had budget for Rewards and Recognition. That’s the reason why we were able to afford to book in such places hehehe. This is the first time. Anyway, aside from giving the usual awards (Best SE, Best BSA, Rookie-which we didn’t have), we had a new award which is the Most Promising award and of course several whacky awards hehehe. We gave away certificates and some tokens for the awardees and a multi-purpose bag for everyone!

For Mano’s send off, we prepared a scrapbook and also a simple token of appreciation. Some of us gave speeches. I was one of them of course. Part of my speech was to say sorry to him for what I have done a long long time ago ahihi. It was a little bit awkward at first but I was more at peace after that. Our IT director also announced that he will be working for us as a consultant until our current project is completed. Whew! As a finale to our tribute to Mano, we also sang a song for him.

After the awarding and send off ceremonies, it was party time. Mano was very relaxed and just let loose. It was my first time to see him that way. Also, everybody were having fun and just having a good time. We had billiards and videoke along with beers and more food. Everyone was free to express themselves and just do what they wanna do that to them spells fun hihihi. Some of us even transformed the couch into a stage hehe. I myself had a share of my moments. First off, I drank more than what I usually allow myself. So I was a little drank hik! Also, I danced like there’s no tomorrow, I sang until my voice became hoarse (not with the mic though and that’s ok) all the while drinking beer wahahaha. Don’t worry, I was just trying to have a good time because I was really tired and sleepless for the past weeks. I want to let go of my problems at work even for just a short period. And for some other reason that I prefer not to elaborate it here har har har! Since there were so many cameras tonight, I’m sure everything was capture. I hope I look ok in the pictures and videos wahahaha.

And the finale was a round of drinks at Starbucks. Thanks, SB, nawala amats ko bwahahaha.
Anyway, looks like the team enjoyed. I really, truly hope they did. This time, the ISMT did most of the work, from planning up to hosting the event. We just delegated some other things. But mostly, it was only us, that’s why it added up to our already busy schedules. But then again, it was all worth it. Whew!

Photo finish

I just got home from the office an hour ago. The team’s management team had to meet to plan for Friday’s activity. We were all laughing and amazed at the same time since we were able to plan for and execute some parts of the plan in 2 hours hehehe. We’re done planning for the major things. All we need to do now is to do the rest of the stuff, and that we have to find time in our already busy schedules. Whew. But it’s ok. It’s for the team.

When I got home, I just wanted to sleep but unfortunately, my mind’s still on a high and processing. I already read a book but it didn’t lull me to sleep. So here I am online. But by hook or by crook, I should already be sleeping by 3 AM. My dear self, please do so. Mamaya ka na uli magpaka-high.

Back at home

I’m back at home. Yifee! I have been discharged just this morning. Thank God. It was no fun staying at the hospital for that looooooonnnnngggggg (5 days, 4 nights).

The past week has been a roller coaster ride. I thought it was just another simple case of fever and flu, the one that I’ve been waiting for this year. You see, I get to be down with the flu at least once a year. This is the worst illness I have every year. So I was not surprised when I started feeling the symptoms Friday last week. True enough, I was sick all through Saturday and Sunday, which is still normal for me. By Monday, I was already feeling better. My fever went down though I still can’t eat normally. When my friends came to visit, they suggested that I better have myself checked in the hospital so off we went. Their findings were normal. So I went home expecting to be able to go to work already on Tuesday. But by Monday evening, my temperature went up and it continued until Wednesday, with the exception of a few hours a day where it went back to normal. By Wednesday, I’m feeling different about it already so I decided to have another round of check up. My friend has an aunt working for a doctor at St. Lukes so I went to him. I told him my story and he said I need to be checked again (x-ray, stool exam, urinalysys, CBC, etc.). I was given the option to be an out-patient while undergoing the tests but the doc finally made the call and had me admitted.

I had to wait for almost 6 hours before I was given a room. That was the longest wait in my life. I was just in the admission area sick and thus can’t think productively. After I was settled in a room, the nurses started to check on me. I had to be x-rayed so we needed to go the ground floor. To my surprise, a wheelchair was waiting outside my room wahahaha. My brother and I were laughing because I can still walk though it was slow but the nurse insisted that I use the wheelchair anyway. I guess it’s their protocol. Well, it’s a nice feeling to be pampered so who am I to complain right? J It was another 2 hours before I was left in peace on my first night. I was looking forward to sleeping the night and the next day away but I was off to another surprise. I think every 3 hours (even during the wee hours of the morning), nurses would visit me to check on my vital signs. Gah! So there, I had to wake up every now and then.

On Thursday, they still don’t know what’s happening to me. The doctor said it might be typhoid or it might be viral (hepa) so I was referred to an infectious specialist. They had to take more blood sample from me for blood culture. After a series of blood tests, the doctors noticed that my platelet count went way down so on Friday, they concluded that it was dengue. I was not given any medication. They just monitored my platelet count. Once it reaches 20K, I would need blood transfusion. Good thing, it didn’t drop that low so that on Saturday I was already allowed to go home but the doc advised that I stay for one more day just to make sure that my platelet count goes back to the normal level. Whew!

Thank you St. Luke’s for taking care of me. All of your staff has been very efficient and friendly. It’s nice to know that such a hospital exists. But much as I’ve enjoyed my stay, I’m not looking forward to going back again. Not in the near future, not even after many years. :)

Thanks to my team for the visits. Your stories, laughter and bullying of each other was a welcome change to the otherwise quiet and boring confines of my room.

Thanks as well to my company for taking care of my hospital bill. :) I think I’ve used more than half of my Medicard this year. :D

Thanks to my brothers for taking care of me. It was a little awkward for me at first because I’m used to taking care of myself but it was nice to have someone to take care of me for a change. I was afraid I would get used to it. Good thing I got well. :p

And simply, thank you, Lord for healing me.

Mt. Pulag is LOVE!

Imagine this. You are walking on a path that’s surrounded by hills and mountains with lots of trees. The sun is smiling upon you. It may become hot at times but the soft breeze of the wind blows to cool you down. Occasionally, you’ll see waterfalls in the mountains and you wish that you could go dip in the cool refreshing water. There’s a river down below which provides music as you continue to push yourself to the top. Atop, the scene is priceless and majestic. All you see are endless mountain ranges. The wind is continuously blowing, as if trying to take all your troubles so very, very far from you so that it won’t come back and haunt you. At sunrise, you see how the sun slowly breaks into the sky to once again give light to the sleeping world. With the chill the night before, it’s glorious to feel its warmth all over again. You see the different cloud formations BELOW. It’s almost like sitting on top of it. You’re on top of the world. You feel that you’re almost in heaven. It feels heavenly.

Is this for real? YES! That’s Mt. Pulag, the mountain I really, truly fell in love with. :) Mt. Pulag is LOVE!

More pictures @ Multiply.

Mt. Pulag Day 4

Another early wake up call at 4 AM to get ready for the summit assault. By 4:30 AM, we were already on our way. I think we had to walk for another 30-45 minutes in order to reach the summit. I was all covered (sando, shirt, sweater and a jacket) so that when I had my warm up walk, it was getting harder for me to breath because it felt so hot. To remedy that, I just removed my sweater and my jacket. What a relief hehe. It was drizzling when we reached the summit. I was already in a panic because I can’t take good pictures. All my shots had drizzle in it huhu. When our group was complete, we offered a short prayer. I was really praying hard that we be able to see the sunrise. I heard from another colleague that after being in Mt. Pulag for more than 10 times, he was only able to witness the sunrise 3 times. Weh! Anyway, after a few minutes, the drizzling stopped! Yippee! So we just waited in anticipation for the sunrise. And while doing that, we had shots of the cloud formations BELOW us. Yes, we were looking down at clouds! This time, I really was on top of the world hehehe. It was really, really amazing. Few minutes before 6 AM, the sun started to rise. Wuhhhuuuu! Everyone got excited and everyone just wanted to have the best pictures hehehe. Mga adik. But who won’t be? It was so very beautiful that you just want to capture all the perfect moments. Good thing I had some good shots. Thanks Sony and thanks buddy hehe.

We also inducted some of the applicants here. There were I guess 5 of them. Our graduation for BMC was supposed to be on the summit too but we were not complete so we’ll just do that some other time.

Much as we wanted to stay longer in the summit, we can’t for long. By 7:30, we headed back to the camp for breakfast and break camp. By 9:35 AM, our group was ready to leave camp so we went ahead. This time, we are going back via the Ambangeg trail. It was easier. We were running in some parts of the trail thus, we were way ahead the others already. We also passed by Camp 2 (Ambangeg campsite). After more than 3 hours of walking, we reached the Ranger station. Our ride was already there waiting for us. We did not have lunch along the way. It was just all trail food. By the time we were all complete, we just loaded our things in the jeep and continued on to DENR where we will be having our much needed bath. The group just decided to have lunch/dinner along the way.

Upon reaching DENR at around 4 PM, and while waiting for the bathrooms to become available, some of us went to look for food hehehe. Don’t blame us. :p We were so hungry already. There was also a shop here where you can buy souvenir shirts. Unfortunately, they don’t have my size so I was not able to buy one. Olats.

By 6 PM, we were back in the jeep. Everybody was looking forward to dinner, wherever that is hehe. Good thing that after only an hour, we reached the restaurant. Ayos. We had to be quick though. After dinner and yosi break for others, we resumed our travel so that by 9 PM, we were already at Victory Liner terminal. We were lucky to have the 9:30 PM schedule. We were 2.5 hours late based on our itinerary hehe. Huwell.

Right now, we’re on our way back to Manila already. Thank you Father for taking care of us in this adventure. It was fun fun fun! Your creation is really amazing. :)

Mt. Pulag Day 3

We had to wake up at 4 AM this morning so that we can have an early start. After a short breakfast, we packed up and prepared for another long trek. Our group was still the sweeper so we were the last to leave again at 7:30 AM. We had to cross a hanging bridge that was quite long. It was a little scary because the current in the river is strong. Imagine if you fell from the bridge hehe. After the bridge, it was already an assault. Good thing it was cool so it was easier to walk. But still, it was all assault huhu. After 3 hours, we reached Marlboro Country. It was called as such because of the view. You are surrounded by mountains and trees. What a beautiful view. We had our early lunch here. We also had a lot of those jump shots. I was able to master the timing of my camera (and 2 others) in order to capture the perfect jump shots hehe. Our group resumed our trek at 1 PM. After 40 minutes, we already reached the mossy forest. It’s called mossy because the trees in the area are covered with mosses. After another 40 minutes, we reached the last water source. This is where we also reached the other groups who were already having their snacks. After a short rest, we had to resume our trek, else, we will reach the summit by night time. Though tired, we still pushed ourselves. Unfortunately for me, I was stupid not to eat anything during the break and so 5 minutes after the trek, I was trembling with hunger. My buddy and I had to stop several times for me to eat. Weh! But thanks to jelly sticks, cloud 9, and water, I regained my strength hehe.

We reached the grassland at around 3:45 PM. Whew! As per itinerary, this is the last part of the leg and we are only 30 minutes away from the saddle camp! Can’t wait! It was hotter in this area because there were no trees to provide shade. It was just a steep mountain covered with grass. Good thing that it was already getting late in the afternoon so the sun was not that hot. At this point, I was beginning to feel that I was already on top of the world. :)

After a few more pushes, we already reached the camp! Yiffee! Unfortunately, just after a few minutes, it rained. It was not that strong but strong enough to get us drenched. We had to set up our tents quickly. Our other companions were still on the trail when it rained. Good thing everyone was able to reach the campsite safe and sound. My teammates can’t stand the cold so I just volunteered to do the cooking for dinner. I think it got to as low as 8 degrees Celsius. And since it rained and it got dark right away, we were not able to assault the summit for the sunset. Huwell.

It was mostly assault today. It was tiring but all worth it. And we were not able to follow our itinerary, yet again ahihi. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s sunrise. I hope we’ll be able to witness it. It will be another early day. So, for now, I’m signing off. Good night world!

Saddle Camp at last!

I reached the campsite at exactly 5 PM. So happy happy happy! :) I was the first one to reach it teehee. I was so excited when our guides told us that it’s already near so I ran the last part of the trail with backpack and all hehehe. Now, it’s starting to rain. We are being blessed! Time to set up tents!

Mt. Pulag Day 1-2

Guess where I am right now. At Mt. Pulag Akiki first camp. Hihihi! Yes, finally, I’m on my way to the summit of the second highest mountain in the country located in my very own province, Benguet.

A little flashback though.

The group met at Victory Cubao last night. Due to the lack of seats for the 11 PM trip, one group had to take the 10 PM trip. The 11 PM batch arrived in Baguio at 4:45 AM. After repacking and regrouping, we already boarded the jeep that would bring us to Mt. Pulag jump off. We were also met by Sir Bong, our guide. By 5:40 AM, we were already on our way. The route is via Ambuklao. This is new info to me (shame on me hihihi). At 7:25 AM, we stopped by Jang jang Eatery (Bangao, Ambuklao Bokod Benguet) for a quick breakfast. Some of us also bought our packed lunch here. After an hour, we resumed our trip. By 8:45, we were already at DENR. We had to drop by here for registration, a video presentation about the do’s and don’ts in the mountain and some orientation. Some of us also shopped for shirts (they don’t have my size so I did not buy any sniff). By 10:30 AM, we resumed our trip so that by 12 noon, we were already at the Akiki jump off. Here, we were met by our porters. We lack I guess 1 or 2 porters so some of the groups had to redistribute their loads. Our group only had 2 porters, 1 of which to be shared by the 4 of us, the other by our 2 group members. After all the registration, repacking, lunch break and a little stretching, it’s now time to hit the trail.

Our group was the sweeper so we should be the last in the trail. While others left a little after 1, our group started at 1:55 PM. The trail was not hard actually. It’s a combination of steep and rolling hills. It was not as challenging as Mt. Tarak. Along the way, our group disbanded since some of us had faster pacing. By 3:50 PM, I and another group mate reached Edette River (along with other groups). After approximately 30 minutes, we were all in the campsite. It was time to set up our tents and prepare for dinner. It was a challenge for our group to organize what foods to bring so prior to this climb, the group just decided that each one bring his/her own food and we’ll just share. It worked for us. I’m so glad. And Goldilocks is our savior hihihi!

By 7:30 PM, I’m already getting ready to sleep hehehe. Early? Hey, it says in our IT that it’s lights out by 8 PM and it’s for strict compliance so I’m just following rules teehee. Besides, I’m worn out more because of the long trip from Manila rather than the 2 hour trek.

I just can’t stop myself from documenting this early so here it is. Tomorrow is a long day so good night world! And good luck to us all. I’m praying for a safe journey until we’re back in our own little worlds.

Mt. Pulag IT

Lapit na! Am so excited! Hihihi! :)

Mt. Pulag Climb
Akiki-Ambangeg Trail
Kabayan, Benguet
October 17- 20, 2008

DAY 1 - OCT 17, 2008 Friday
2200 - Assembly Victory Terminal
2300 - ETD Cubao to Baguio City

DAY 2 – Oct 18, 2008 Saturday
0500 - ETA Baguio City (Breakfast)
0600 - Departure Baguio to Akiki trail via hired Jeep
1200 - Akiki Jump Off
1300 – ETA (Briefing and Registration/guide/porter)
1330 - Resume trek. Steep trail.
1630 - ETA Edette River. Set up Camp and cook dinner. First and last water source.
1700 – Early dinner
1800 – Prepare/cook breakfast and pack lunch for the ff day (optional)
2000 - Lights Out (for strict compliance)

DAY 3 Oct 19, 2008 Sunday
0400 - Wake up call. Prepare breakfast.
0430 - Breakfast.
0530 - Break camp.
0630 - Start trek.
0900 - Cow Country.
1100 - Marlboro country. Helipad. Take early packed lunch.
1300 - Mossy forest.
1430 - End of forest line (2600 MASL); Reach Grassland.
1600 - Saddle campsite. Set up camp. Prepare dinner.
1730 - Assault to summit. Sunset. (Optional)

DAY 4 - Oct 20, 2008 Monday
0400 - Wake up call. Assault to summit.
0430 - ETA Summit / Graduation
0600 - Descend from Summit
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Break camp
0900 - Start trek to Ambangeg Ranger Station Via Summit or Camp 2.
1000 - Camp 2. Water Source.
1100 - Ranger station. Take early lunch.
1200 - Resume trek. 10K trek.
1300 - ETA At DENR-PAO; tidy up and log out.
1400 - ETD Amangueg to Baguio City
1700 – ETA Baguio City. Buy return tickets. Dinner.
1900 – Head back to Manila

I Honestly Love You

I Honestly Love You

Maybe I hang around here
A little more than I should
We both know I've got somewhere else to go
But I've got something to tell you
That I never thought I would
But I believe you really ought to know

I love you
I honestly love you

You don't have to answer
I see it in your eyes
Maybe it was better left unsaid
This is pure and simple
And you should realize
That it's coming from my heart and not my head

I love you
I honestly love you

I'm not trying to make you feel uncomfortable
I'm not trying to make you anything at all
But this feeling doesn't come along everyday
And you shouldn't blow the chance
When you've got the chance to say

I love you
I honestly love you

If we both were born
In another place and time
This moment might be ending in a kiss
But there you are with yours
And here I am with mine
So I guess we'll just be leaving it at this

I love you
I honestly love you
I honestly love you

********************************************************
I just saw this in one blog and I remembered liking it. Hehe. E kung bigla ko kayang kantahin ko sa kanya? Ay anubayun. Ay mali! :p

Doing something about that whatever

It’s getting hot in here. Hihihi! Di ko na pala kailangan ng kape para magising wahahaha.

Katigas ng ulo. Toink!

Let's volt in!

It's the same case! Pramis. Why oh why can't you see that? My gulay.

*******************************************************

Tip to self: Be guarded with facial expression hihihi. As much as possible, maintain an expressionless face and a monotonous voice kahit pa boring na dating mo! Wahahaha.

*******************************************************

1:56 PM

Ayan na naman ang mga expectations at miscommunications. Di na nman kami nagtugma wahahaha.

*******************************************************

2:03 PM

Humupa na pala ang init........kasi may ice cream kami! Nyahahaha!

******************************************************

3:07 PM

Umiinit na naman. Yihee! Hahaha.

Things to do...

As of current date.

• Create a checklist of things to bring for Mt. Pulag
• Buy things for Mt. Pulag especially fleece jacket/sweater. Mahirap na tirahin ng lamig don kahit pa sabihing taga-Baguio ako. For sure, iba pa rin lamig sa Pulag hehehe.
• File a leave for Mt. Pulag (crossing my fingers that it would be approved! Sige na boss! :p)
• Email Mt. Pulag teammates for final group planning
• Print Mt. Pulag IT. Ako ang naataasang group scribe :(
• Read information about Mt. Pulag
• Charge ipod and camera, empty cam's memory stick
• Start planning on Anawangin. (read: Ardee simulan na natin ‘to :p)
• Answer emails
• Plot schedule
• Review documents
• Clean the house! Wahaha. Kakalakwatsa ko, di ko na ‘to nagagawa. Hayif!

Yan na muna. Di naman masyadong focused sa Mt. Pulag no? Hehe. Di ko rin akalaing this weekend na ‘to eh. Sana maging ok lahat :). Lord, sige na please hihi.

Mt. Cristobal Training Climb

Ooppss, I almost forgot about this.

We had our first major training climb at Mt. Cristobal last October 4-5, 2008. We were around 20 in the group. Urrrggghh! I can’t remember all the details anymore huhu. Here are some:

• This time, our food was not centralized. Finally! Hehehe. We were divided into smaller groups and each group was responsible for their own food and whatever. For the previous climbs, we always had centralized food so there were always problems on load assignment, etc. etc.
• The campsite is not at the summit. You’ll pass by the summit, and then you need to go down to the campsite.
• There are no indications of the summit. If you reach the part where you’ll be “romancing with the boulder” (term ni Troy :p), then that’s it. But you won’t really have time to appreciate the summit because you’re more focused on the challenge of how you’ll cross the boulder hehehe. As in mag-isa ko nung nadito ako sa part na ‘to. And being short-legged, di ko maabot ung other side na safe nang apakan. I had to remove my bag first then cross.
• The trek started with a road until we reached Boy Motelibano’s place. After that, it was mostly assault until the summit. It was forested so even though it was hot at times, the path is shaded by trees. Personally, it was not a hard trek. Mt. Tarak was harder for me.
• Along the way, we planted the Narra that we were supposed to plant last August. We had to plant 5 each. Hopefully those trees will survive. :)
• It rained a bit on Saturday but it was tolerable. It also rained on Sunday. This time, it was stronger. Fortunately for some of us, we reached our destinations before the strong rains poured hehe.
• We had to be quieter on this climb. Mt. Cristobal is said to be the dark mountain so we had to restrain our boisterous selves just to be on the safe side hehehe. I think it was also only on this climb that we prayed as a group hahaha. But we should really do that in all of our climbs.
• It was nice to be bonding with old acquaintances and getting to know them better.
• Our group (minus 1 member whom we lost to another group along the trail wahahaha) reached the campsite first. Well, there were two others actually (the guide and 1 other from another group) but we were the first group hehehe.
• There were rats in the area iwww hahaha.

Hmm..wala na akong matandaan hehe. Yan na lang muna. See previous post for our IT.

Mt.Cristobal IT

When: October 4-5, 2008
Where: Mt. Cristobal

Day 1
8:00: Assembly OSMA
9:00: ETD MLA
12:00: ETA Jump off before Kinabuhayan. Start trek
13:00: ETD Boy Montelibano Rest House - Lunch
14:00: Start Ascent (Plant Trees on the trail with in the National park)
18:00: Summit / Crater cook dinner
19:00: Dinner
20:00: Socials
0:00: Lights out

Day 2
5:00: Wake up call
6:00: Breakfast
7:00: Break camp
7:30: ETD from Campsite - PUSH IT
12:00: ETA Boy Montelibano Rest House
13:00: ETA Jump off
13:30: ETA Bato Resort + Lunch + Tampisaw
16:00: ETD for Manila
19:30: ETA Manila

Something Fishy

Dahil gustung-gusto kong kumain ng kanin kaninang madaling araw, niyaya ko ang aking mga officemates na kumain. Di namin alam kung san nung una pero bigla kong naalala ang Something Fishy (Eastwood, Libis)! Once pa lang akong nakakain don pero gusto ko uli kasi sobrang sulit. Sa murang halaga, may eat all you can breakfast ka na. As in eat all you can. Maraming choices ng ulam. Hindi tinipid. More than ten ata yung selection ng ulam. May soup, pancake at deserts pa! So sulit talaga. Panalo. Kaya tinodo na rin naming ang lamon. At sobrang nabusog hihihi. Pero pagdating ko sa bahay, parang gusto kong isuka lahat ng kinain ko kasi sobrang uncomfortable ng feeling wahahaha.

Habang kami ay nagpapahinga sa paglamon, kwentuhan muna ng kanya-kanyang buhay. Nakakatuwa lang na may mga ganitong pagkakataon na makapag-usap kami ng hindi tungkol sa trabaho. Kaya naman kami inabot don ng 5 AM na hihihi. Nakakapagod pero nakakatuwa. Ngunit subalit datapwat mas nakakatuwa sana kung…ay ano ba yun. Bakit may ganon. Ahihi.

Blocked!

Starting today, I’m blocking all negative thoughts/things/events that will be thrown at me. I’ll only welcome everything that is positive. :) :p

Here's one reason to celebrate...

How to do it?

How are you supposed to act normally despite the abnormalities of the day? How do you convince yourself that it’s ok despite all that’s happening? How will you prevent yourself from feeling bad and staying as professional as possible so that you can still make rational decisions?

Tough questions whose answers you alone can give. Tough, but it’s the fact of life.

Can you?

Can you please just stop pestering me? It ain’t fun at all. And it doesn’t help as well. So, just stop it and let go, ok?

Some tips

• Be more tolerant
• Be open to changes
• There’s nowhere to go but up
• Medyo wrong timing but take it as one of the challenges of being a winner
• No matter how good you are if you are not confident, what you know becomes useless if you cannot deliver it well
• You cannot please everybody
• Kailangan makisama

Random Thoughts

Kakayanin ko kaya? Ang alin? Wahaha! Magagawa ko ba ‘to with flying colors? Pressure’s high!

Magiging masaya kaya ako sa pinasok ko? Hahaha. Saka ko lang naisip ‘to ngayon. Pero sana naman. Ito na lang. Sisikapin kong i-enjoy no matter what happens!

Di ko pa alam kung uuwi ako this weekend or not. Bakit nga ba? Nagkakagulo rin sila don eh. Dinadagdagan problema ko hehe.

Ano kaya mangyayari sa mga darating na araw? May mababawi ba? 3 weeks is still too long. Maraming posibleng mangyari.

Totoo ba yung nararamdaman at naiisip ko or paranoid lang ako? I’d like to think na paranoid lang ako. Pero paano kung totoo nga? Waaaa! Di ko alam gagawin ko. Sana naman hindi. I don’t want to deal with such things. Not at this time. Not even in the future. Huhu.

I didn’t expect that some people can do such things. It was a total surprise. And I’m surprised with myself as well because I’m not affected hahaha.

Mt. Pulag! Kakayanin ko ba? Sana di ako pahirapan.

Mt. Apo! Leave kung leave. Nakakaguilty lang hahaha pero right ko naman yun eh :(

Malapit na December. La lang. Mabilis lang talaga. Ano kaya mangyayari ngayon?

Lapit na deadline namin. Medyo marami pa kami di natatapos.

Miss ko na si mami E. Tagal na namin di nagkikita huhu. Makipagkita nga uli sa kanya.

Anawangin! Kailangan na magstart mag-organize?

Dumating na yung tadpole tent ko! Nagsusumigaw na yellow! Sabi ni Troyla, kailangan ko raw iset up kaagad pagdating sa bahay. E good luck di ba. Di ako marunong wahahaha!

Windangers sa work. Di ko alam uunahin ko hahaha. Daming emails na di ko pa nasasagutan. Good luck naman hahaha. May gana pa akong tumawa ngayon ahihi. Paano na ang lovelife? Wahahaha!

Bakit nga ba ako nagtatampo? Tampororot!

Bakit nga ba ako nalulungkot? Ewan ko ba. Hindi ba pwedeng happy na lang lagi? Nasa tao lang yan :p

Bakit ba hanggang ngayon wala pa akong laptop lock? Tagal ko nang binalak bumili ah! Nggrrrsssh!

Gutom na ako. Parang kagabi na naman ba 'to na wala nang kainan? Of course not! Hehehe. Lalamon ako mamaya.

May utang pa akong libre.

Paano na ang project? E di project pa rin :p

Confused? Hahaha.

Invented word of the day: Plamose. Wahahaha. Hulaan nyo anong ibig sabihin. :p

Eto pa: trweack. Wahaha

Labasan na ba?

Uwian na! Byers!

Wish list uli

October na naman! Malapit na ang pasko! Weeeee at wahuhuhu na rin. How time flies!

Anyway, I’m retrieving my wish list last year hehehe.

• 4-bedroom house on top of a hill, with a front and backyard, with a bathtub, a walk-in closet and a reading corner in the master’s bedroom, a library where I can fill it up with books to my heart’s content, a prayer room for those quiet moments, and a big enough living room fit for big gatherings. Oh yeah, I want my own house! Haha. - Gusto ko nang matupad 'to!
• A light blue or tangerine Isuzu Crosswind, or bluish silver Honda Civic or a pink Honda jazz hekhekhek. - Kaya ko gustong matupad na si item 1 kasi mas gusto ko nito hahaha.
• A personal laptop with a developer specification. No idea on what brand yet. - Meron na ako nito ahihi.
• Climb Mt. Pulag. Shame on me. That’s in my province but I haven’t even thought of visiting it when I was still in Baguio. When I came to Manila, I met people who really want and who really have plans of climbing the mountain. - See you, Mt. Pulag on Oct. 17-20, 2008! I'll be there! Pramis! :D
• Travel, travel, travel and more travel. I’m already old and have been working for a while but until now, I haven’t even ridden an airplane. That’s so pathetic. :( But still, I wanna go around the world. - Namundok ako ng kung ilang beses, nagpunta sa ilang tourist destinations. Next year uli! :D
• Learn a new language. Spanish it is! Hehe. Hola! For starters, I want those CDs they sell which you can listen to and learn! - Wala pa rin akong nabibili hahaha. Malaman next year.
• Books, books and more books! I want my own library remember? - May nabili ako this year pero iilan lang ata. Wala pa siguro 10 books haha.
• Finish my cross stitch projects and unread books. - Eto naghahabol matapos ang isang cross stitch at atat simulan ang isa pa. Marami pa akong backlog sa books hehehe.
• Start a business at home to be managed not by me but the income must go to me hihihi. - Wala pa rin nito hehe. At wala na rin akong pera para dito sniff.
• Learn to ride the bike hehe. Yeah, when I was a kid, I did not have any bike. Budget was tight so our parents can’t afford to spend for wants. - Sa iba na ako naadik eh. Nakalimutan kong may sinulat akong ganito last year. Saka na lang siguro. Sasabayan ko na lang yung magiging anak ko kung trip nya wahahaha.
• Be the best in my field and in my role as SSE. Hay, this is quite hard. But no pain, no gain hehe. - Still tough. This will always be a work in progress.
• Bond with old friends, meet new friends. - Sama ko pa rin for next year.
• And…WORLD PEACE. No kidding. - Forever na 'tong wish na to.

So, that's it again for next year's wish list. Hehehe. Wala pa ako ibang maisip ahihi.

Is it really supposed to be this way?

My winning seems to be bundled with problems and issues and whatever you call it. Since the day it was confirmed, I was immersed in the problems that never did I imagine existed. I was like “what are you talking about?” when they were trying to explain it all to me. Anyway, so we had to come up with a plan to address issues. And we did.

Unfortunately, today was a bigger challenge and a bigger headache as well. And this time, I’m directly affected I guess. I was spared the details. It was not something that I should still know though it concerns me. Maybe it was something that I shouldn’t even care about. I was curious at first but I decided not to press on the issue. It might be something that would discourage me, though I don’t feel discouraged at the moment. I just don’t understand why some people would resort to such things. Hayz! But whatda! I have a team to run and that’s where my focus should be.

:)

I won! :) But there’s a big BUT.

The real battle begins and ready or not, I have to face it. So help me God ahihi.

Right at this moment…

I don’t like the way you make me feel, but I hate myself more simply because I don’t have any rights at all to feel this way in the first place.

…?

He was just her acquaintance until they had that long conversation where she realized there’s something special about him. Then she saw that image and started picturing him in that role…and then suddenly, she finds herself starting to fall for him. Should she stop while the fall isn’t still too deep? Or will he catch her along the way? She doesn’t have any idea, she doesn’t have any clue… and so life becomes unpredictable.

Dare Devil Stints @ Mt. Tarak

Ito ang mga pinaggagawa ko sa Mt. Tarak kaya naman ako nasigawan ni A ng kung ilang beses hehehe. Pero sa lagay na yan, di pa ako kontento sa mga pose ko. Inggit pa rin ako sa pose ni R. Mas bongga sa kanya. Anyway...

Mga Kwentong Mt. Tarak

Mamang driver, ang gas!
Si Manong driver naman kasi nakikipagkwentuhan pa sa kung sino sa daan at tuwing nagkukuweto, nakakalimutan ding apakan ang gas. Timang! Ultimo yung nakaupong natutulog sa gilid ng kalsada binusinahan pa para lang magising. (from previous post)

Sabi ni R, gustung-gusto na raw nyang ishake yung driver at iremind na apakan man lang yung gas habang nagkukuwento hahaha.

Malapit na lang….
Mountaineer (M) 1: Pwede bang magtake 5?
M2: Malapit na tayo sa Papaya River. Ituloy na natin.
After 15 minutes of trekking, di pa naming nararating ang mahiwagang Papaya River hehe.
M3: Asan na ang malapit na Papaya River?!

Aux 1
Usapan namin, Socials by 8 PM. Around 10 PM, lumabas si R ng tent, nanggigising. Time for socials daw. Walang ibang lumabas. Ako gising naman. Deadma lang. malamig eh wahaha.

After an hour siguro, si J naman lumabas ng tent. “Gising na ba kayo?” Walang sumasagot. Ako tuloy lang sa pagmumuni-muni. After sometime, bumalik na rin sya sa tent nya hahaha.

The sweetest kiss of all ahihi
J: Aray! Aray! Aray! (Malakas na sigaw, sabay pitik ng langgam na nangangagat sa kanya)
R: (Todo tawa habang hawak-hawak ang ulo. Nang mahimasmasan) Langya pare sumakit ulo ko sa ‘yo. Nablock yung oxygen na papunta sa ulo ko kakatawa.
M: Asan ang camera? Asan ang camera?! (Para icapture ang moment ahihi. Sa pagkakatanda ko may nacapture ako. Di ko lang makita sa shared pictures. J, san na nga ba yun? Hehe.)

‘Charon ‘charon ‘charon
Habang kami ay masayang nagkukuwentuhan ni R sa bus, binulabog kami ng mga nagtitinda pagdating sa stopover. Deadma lang kami nung una kasi dumadaan-daan lang sila sa aisle ng bus.

Ang isang tindero, napagod na ata sa kakalakad so naisipang tumigil muna. Huminto sya sa pagitan namin ni R (magkatapat kami ng upuan), isinabit ang paninda sa may hawakan, sabay sigaw ng “’charon ‘charon ‘charon kayo dyan. Bili na kayo ng ‘charon pasalubong!”

Para kaming pinaglaro ni manong ng peek-a-boo dahil sa pagkakaharang nya sa amin wahahaha. Nung magkakitaan, tawa na lang kami ng pigil. Hahaha!

Words during the climb:
The audacity of this flamboyant pakiderm (pakihanap na lang sa dictionary ang meaning!)

Buffuer, threshold, push it, move it, hugot hininga, 5th wheel, tukod mukha, kudkod puwet

Day 2: Kudkod Puwet!

We woke up at around 5 AM to catch the sunrise. Unfortunately, we did not see it because it was still cloudy. After a round of hot chocolate to warm us up, we started preparing for breakfast. By 8 AM, we were already breaking camp. After breakfast, we went to the summit. The scenery was more beautiful. It was a complete view of the earth and sky. It was still windy. We saw the movements of the wind in the nearby grassland. One particular movement that amazed us was like that of the ripple effect in the water. For me, it was witnessing one of nature's magic. In between breakfast, break camp and before descend, we had our photo ops of our dare devil stints hehe.

By 8:30 AM, we were already on our way down. Since it was steep going down, tendency would be for us to use our butts for added support hehe. By 9:45 AM, we were already at the Papaya River. Swimming, rest, lunch and duyan time! We stayed here until 12:30 PM. When we were about to leave, dumating sina pogi. Wala lang hehehe.

So as not to prolong the agony of feeling the pain of our tired muscles, we tried to walk faster and even jog/run in some of the easier trails. We dropped by Nanay’s place and treated ourselves to Buko Juice. While resting, we were discussing about work wehehe. Nasa bundok pa rin, work na ang topic? Huwell.

By 3:30 PM, we were back at Brgy. Alas-asin. Wash-up time. We also dropped by the same carenderia where we ate the day before for an early dinner and post climb meeting. By 5:30 PM, we were already on board the bus bound for Manila. In the bus, we had the chance to get to know R better. Nakuwentuhan nya kasi kaming kanyang work experience with matching personal details on the side hehe. By 8:30 PM, we’re back to reality.

Overall, it was a wonderful climb. Though there were only 5 of us, we still had fun fun fun! It was easier to manage. Maybe, this is the reason why we were able to follow most of what’s in our itinerary.

Command of the day: Move it! Move it!

Day 1: Assaulting Mt. Tarak (Tukod Mukha)

The cast: Rhone, Jayz, Dang, Anne, My

The group met at Five Star terminal station (call time was 5 AM). Shortly before 6 AM, we were already traveling to Balanga, Bataan. From there, we rode a mini bus that will bring us to Brgy. Alas-asin in Mariveles. It took us one hour to reach the barangay instead of the expected 30-45 minutes travel time. Si Manong driver naman kasi nakikipagkwentuhan pa sa kung sino sa daan at tuwing nagkukuweto, nakakalimutan ding apakan ang gas. Timang! Ultimo yung nakaupong natutulog sa gilid ng kalsada binusinahan pa para lang magising. Anyway, we reached the barangay at 9 AM. We first registered then bought our food supplies. After repacking, we had breakfast. At exactly 10 AM, we started the trek. So far, we were on schedule based on our itinerary.

The trek started with a walk in the barangay road until we reached the house of Nanay. They again required us to register. We also saw other climbers there. May mga pogi! Sila an gaming naging energizer para mas mabilis ang lakad hihi. After the road, it was already a trail but no assaults yet at this point. It was just like walking in the park hehe. After maybe 30 minutes, may assault na. Medyo madali pa ‘tong part na ‘to pero hingal to the max talaga. We also passed by grassland area where the grasses were taller than me wahaha so I got scratches from head to toe. There were many obstacles along the way like fallen trees right in the middle of the trail (pahirapan para sa mga short-legged tulad ko hmp!) or the long branches that if you’re not careful enough, bagong tuhog na bbq labas mo hehehe. Sa liit kong ‘to, kailangan ko pang magbend para lang umiwas sa mga sanga, so yes, ganon kababa. This time, disadvantage naman ‘to sa mga matatangkad ahihi. We also passed by a landslide na ang tanging hawakan mo lang ay lubid but you cannot entirely rely on it to support you. Kailangan pa rin tama yung maaapakan mo, or else, diretso ka lang naman sa creek kasi wala talagang mga puno na haharang sa ‘yo. Dito ako sa part na ‘to kinabahan. Ewan ko ba. Di ko naman first time dumaan sa ganon pero kabado lang talaga ako.

After 3 hours, we reached Papaya River yifeee! It means LUNCH, a dip in the river and longer rest hehehe. The water was clean and cool and refreshing and it’s potable! At 2:10 PM, we resumed our trek. Puro assault na this time. May part talaga na halos hahalik ka na sa lupa sa tarik or kulang na lang itukod mo mukha mo para maakyat mo hehe. Pero nag-enjoy ako kahit puro mga ugat yung mga kailangan kong daanan. Feeling ko kasi, para akong naglalaro ng maze na dapat kailangan kong hanapin yung tamang daanan para lesser pressure sa tuhod ko and mas maiksi yung hakbang na gagawin ko. Buti na lang mapuno yung daan and mahangin so hindi ganon kaiinit.

At 4:30 PM, we reached Tarak Ridge! (we were 30 minutes earlier than expected despite the fact that we were already late by 1 hour upon reaching Papaya River :)) The view was awesome. We saw Coregidor, endless mountain ranges and further away, MOA! It was windy but we didn’t mind.

While we were having our rest, dumating sina pogi! Weeeee! Hihihi. Nanghihingi ng mantika ahahaha. Kaming mga girls syempre oo agad na may extra kami wahahaha. Tinanong kami kung anong gusto naming kapalit. Gusto kong sabihing pwede bang sila na lang? bwahaha kaso as if kaya ko hehe. Yung isa sa amin, chocolate hiningi wahahaha. Nakipagkwentuhan pa sila sa amin ng medyo matagal. Palibhasa, ang aming lead, kilala yung org nina pogi kaya they have something to talk about. Di ko na masyado matandaan napag-usapan. Busy kasi ako kakahanap ng way at ng timing para masulyapan sina pogi wahahaha. Pero eto pala, kasabayan din namin sila nung nag-Pinatubo kami. Sumama pa raw sila sa group namin para don ata sa security and ride. Bakit di ko sila nakita noon?! Wahahaha.

Anyway, by 6 PM, dinner na. By 7 PM, inaabangan na namin yung fireworks sa MOA. Yep, napanood namin hehe. Isn’t that amazing? Nasa bundok ka pero napapanood mo ang mga kaganapan sa syudad hehe. After the fireworks, we decided to take at least one hour rest. Usapan namin, socials namin by 8 PM. So nagkanya-kanya nang pasok sa tent. At kanya-kanya na ring pwesto at baluktot ng katawan para labanan ang lamig…at kalimutan na may socials ng 8 PM hahaha. Aux 1 lang dapat eh pero nag-extend ng break at nagleave pa kasi yung sumunod na gising namin, 5 AM na. Ayos! Hahaha. May mga nagising naman at nanggigising din pero ako, tinamad na lang akong lumabas hehe. Yung isa naman, nagising nung nakabalik na yung isa sa tent nya wahaha. Di nagpang-abot ng gising.

Command of the day: Push it! Push it!

Mt. Tarak Actual IT

IT

Day 1
5:45 AM: Bataan
9:01 AM: Alas-asin, Registration, shopping for food, breakfast
10 AM: Start trekking
1:05 PM: Papaya River/Lunch
2:10 PM: Ascend
4:30 PM: Tarak Ridge!
5 PM: Food preparation
6 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: Lights off wahahaha!

Day 2
5 AM: Wake-up call, prepare breakfast, picture-taking, break camp
8:30 AM: Prepare for descent, prayer, final reminders, start trek
9:45 AM: Papaya River, wash up, water refill, trail snack, lunch on trail
12:30 PM: Reume Trek
3:30 PM: Alas-asin, wash-up, prepare to depart for Manila
5:30 PM: Depart for Manila
8:30 PM: Manila

Expenses (per person)
Fare to Bataan (2 way): 500
Registration (brgy): 40
Food: 165
Registration kay Nanay: 10
Total: Php 715.00

Mt. Tarak Climb

When: September 6-7, 2008

Day 1

5 AM: Last Man out from Site

6 AM: Assembly time/ETD Bataan (Assembly area: Five Star/Bataan Transit terminal CUBAO, beside BALIWAG TERMINAL)

9 AM: ETA Alas-asin

9:30 AM: Registration, shopping for food

10 AM: Start trekking

12 PM: Papaya River/Lunch

1 PM: Ascend

5 PM: Tarak Ridge

6 PM: Food preparation

7 PM: Dinner

8 PM: Socials

10 PM: Lights off

Day 2
6 AM: Wake-up call, prepare breakfast, picture-taking, break camp

8 AM: Prepare for descent, prayer, final reminders, start trek

11 AM: ETA Papaya River, wash up, water refill, trail snack, lunch on trail

1 PM: Reume Trek

4 PM: ETA DENR, regroup, final rest

5 PM: ETA Alas-asin, wash-up, prepare to depart for Manila

8 PM: ETA Manila

On going the distance and other things

Short break lang. :)

The journey continues.

Today, I gave my word that I’ll go the distance, and that it will be my priority. I’m not sure yet of winning though. I’ll see by next week if it’s a make or a break. I’m staying neutral. I don’t have any high hopes but I’m not also very pessimist about it. Nasa gitna lang.

What’s good about this journey is that I was able to receive positive feedback. There are areas of improvement but the reason why they’re called such is because these are areas that you can still improve on, right? :)

Iba naman.

Si Lord magaling talaga. The other day, I realized that I miss some things that I used to do because for the past weeks, I was only focused on my steps in order to go the distance. To my pleasant surprise, I was able to do one of those things yesterday. It was history repeating itself. :)

:) :) :) :) :). Indeed, there are many reasons to smile today. :)

Today...

... is a make or break day. I wonder what it would be...hmmm...

Reminder to self

Thou shall not expect anything. You’ll only be disappointed when things don’t go the way you expect them to be or worse, you’ll get hurt and it will take a long time to heal.

Banahaw Tree Planting

We were supposed to have our company sponsored tree planting today but unfortunately, there were some issues regarding the area that we were supposed to plan. After listening to both sides of the story and coordinating with the team in charge, they gave us another location (Cristalino), which they assured us that it will not cause any more concerns with some people. It will take us about an hour's trek from the jump off in Kinabuhayan to the area. We decided to take that but the weather is not cooperating as well so in the end, we did not push through. We’ll just leave the seedlings here and come back later to plant them.

Well at least we were able to commune with nature, breathe some fresh air, bond with colleagues, have “me” time and eat nonstop hehe.

A Very Special Love

We were able to watch it last night. Kilig to the highest level! Hihihi. John Lloyd and Sarah have chemistry. Ang pogi ni JL hayz. Kwela naman si Sarah. For someone who's more into music than acting, her performance was great. I cried so much during the father-son scene. (I always do for parent-child scenes. huwell.) There were bloopers at the end. Nakakatawa talaga. People actually clapped after the movie. Feel good movie kasi talaga. I want to watch it again wahaha.

After the movie, I texted some friends just to let them know na kinilig ako sobra ahaha. Pat imga teammates ko hanep din sa kakiligan hihi.

Some lines from the movie:

"I didn’t ask you to love me. Kung ako sa ‘yo, maawa ka naman sa sarili mo. Itigil mo na. Ikaw lang ang mapapagod." (Miggy)

"Hindi ko naramdaman na nakakapagod kang mahalin…ngayon lang." (Laida)

"If I can only undo things, kaso hindi na pwede. Pero I would still have you as my son…Let me make it up to you son." (Miggy’s dad)

"Pati ba naman pangalan ko kailangan kong pagtrabahuhan?" (Miggy)

"Kaya don’t tell me that it will be okay because it has never been ok for the past 25 years. " (Miggy)

"So ano pa hinihintay mo? Yakapin mo na ako Miggy Montenegro. Sarap…tagal kong hinintay to eh." (Laida)

Still trying to go the distance

Tomorrow, the battle continues. But after tomorrow’s episode, I’m not yet halfway to the end. I’m lifting everthing to Him. Lord, thy will be done.

Here’s the thing. Don’t expect anything. Just give your best shot in everything that you do.

Whereever You Are

This became one of my favorite songs when it was released in 2004. But when I needed to clean up my PC of all MP3s, I lost this. Out of the blue last week, I suddenly remembered it. Good thing my friend still has the MP3 so lately, it’s back in may Fave playlist hehe. And yes, I listen to it several times a day. :) Can you blame me? It’s a beautiful song. :D

Whereever You Are
Southborder

I love to see the ocean's beauty
And the moon that shines above
Alone in the sand looking at the stars
Wishing someday I would find true love
Would it be nice to see the morning
With the one you love the most
Would it be nice to say goodnight
To the one you hold so close
To your heart
To your heart

Chorus:
The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hope it'll find its way to you
Wherever you are

I love to sit in fields of green
Looking deeply through the sky
Watching birds as they fly by
Hoping someday fate will bring me true love
Would it be nice to hold someone
So dear, near to your heart
I love you from the one that you love
that you love

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
I'd love to see myself one day
In the arms of someone
Who will share her life with me
selflessly.. someday...
You will find your way... to me...

Repeat Chorus

The magic jacket that lead to revelations

My teammate and I were having our kwentuhan session last Friday when he suddenly mentioned something about me and someone being soulmates! LOL. As in LOL. A few minutes later, he did something to the jacket I was wearing. Di ko na lang i-eelaborate dito haha. Pero ewan ko kung anong nakain nya at ginawa nya yun. I just laughed some more. When I did not stop, he suspected something so he transformed into Boy Abunda and asked a lot of questions (for a guy, ang dami nyang tinanong. Chismoso hihi). Ayun, napakwento tuloy ako sa kanya about that same someone (itago na lang natin sa pangalang sk). Ano nga bang meron kay sk? Crush ko sya. Period.

That was the first time I opened up to a guy about matters of the heart. Though I have guy friends in my ICOF, I was not able to do that. Siguro dahil mas makulit at mas persistent lang talaga si “Boy” (yep, for now, si Boy muna si teammate ko hehe) sa mga tanong nya haha. Anyway, though it was totally new to me, it was fun sharing it with him and answering all those questions hihi.

One good thing that came out of this was that, I was able to explain clearly why I don’t like being paired with one of our teammates. Ayaw ko talaga. But the only reason I tell them is that naiilang ako. Pero it’s more than that. At least I was able to tell him the real reason. Sabi nya gets na nya so hopefully, he’ll stop teasing me hehe (at yung pasimuno sana tumigil na rin :p. babatukan kita pag di ka pa tumigil hehe).

Statement of the day

sabihin mo kung tayo na

Amp! Hihihi

Off to home sweet home

Since we did not have any activities for Outdoor last weekend, I took advantage of it and went home. I left Manila at 4 PM so I was already there Friday night pa lang. Mas maganda pala yung ganon hehe. At may mga taxi nang willing maghatid hanggang sa amin kahit sobrang gabi na yifee! Pahirapan nga lang minsan. I left for Manila Tuesday morning na hehe.

Anyway, I was so looking forward to just staying at home in bed all day but unfortunately, we had visitors! Wahuhu. I became an instant yaya to my cousins, nieces and nephew. I asked them to perform so that I could take videos and pictures. At kailangan every after performance nila, panonoorin nila ung video or pic ng paulit-ulit. Tuwang-tuwang nakikita mga sarili nilang nagwawalaa. Mga adik hahaha. When they’re not camwhoring, they’re playing, watching TV or doing videoke using the VCDs I bought years and years ago. Akalain mong buhay pa pala yung mga yun. At tinatawag na lang sila kung kakain na. yung isa kong pinsan, tinuturuan ako ng laro nila. Tinatawanan ako pag di ko makuha. Hmp! Hehe. Kainggit maging bata hehe.

My youngest niece is already attending Day Care school. Mas sociable na ngayon. Di na nahihiyang kumembot hehe. Pero marunong pa rin magselos. :p Nakita lang na buhat ko yung pinsan ko, masama na tingin sa akin. Asus. Saka lang ako kinausap uli nung binuhat ko rin sya.

Monday was friends day. I met with my elementary friends kahit pa malakas ulan hehe. Yung isa, more than two years na yata kaming hindi nagkikita to think na nandon lang naman sya lagi hehe. We agreed to meet at 3 PM for coffee. (Dati pagabi na kami nagmimeet para sa night life. Iba na ngayon.) Kwentuhan lang tungkol sa buhay-buhay at reminiscing of the past hehe. One of my friends can’t accept na ganito na kami katanda wahaha. At least isa sa amin may lovelife wuhooo. Ayaw nga lang magkwento ng details hihi. Basta I’m happy for her. Much as we’d like to stay longer and exchange stories, kailangan na naming umuwi at around 10 PM dahil pare-pareho kaming nakatira sa malayo sa town na mahirap maghanap ng taxing willing maghatid don. Nakailang para ako bago pa may umoo sus. I can’t wait for our next meeting. Syempre nakasalalay na naman yun sa akin kung kalian ako uuwi.

Though it was tiring, it was still fun. Hope you had a great time too. :)

:(

:(. Dunno why. Maybe I just miss home sweet home. I wanna go home and I want it soon. Huhuhu.

Home

Michael Buble

Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
Mmmmmmmm

May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

And I’ve been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two
“I’m fine baby, how are you?”
Well I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that

Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I’m lucky, I know
But I wanna go home
Mmmm, I’ve got to go home

Let me go home
I’m just too far from where you are
I wanna come home

And I feel just like I’m living someone else’s life
It’s like I just stepped outside
When everything was going right
And I know just why you could not
Come along with me
'Cause this was not your dream
But you always believed in me

Another winter day has come
And gone away
In even Paris and Rome
And I wanna go home
Let me go home

And I’m surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
Oh, let me go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

Let me go home
I’ve had my run
Baby, I’m done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It will all be all right
I’ll be home tonightI’m coming back home