I just turned 24 and I feel nothing but gratefulness for the overflowing blessings.Ā My 23rd year was a blast and IĀ couldn'tĀ help but write about it.Ā It was a year of new and exciting experiences, good times with great friends and family.
I love to travel, I want to see the world. But at this age, resources won't yet permit me to see the Eiffel Tower and the most beautiful Rome. But I'm still thankful because I had the chance to see HK and some local spots.
January 2011- Cebu and Bohol
Cebu is just like any other cities in Metro Manila so I wanted to visit the outskirts. But of course, the itinerary only included the usual ā Magellanās Cross, Taoist Temple and Fort San Pedro. We went there just in time for the colorful Sinulog Festival so there were a lot of tourists. My favorite was our Sky Adventure in Crown Regency. Breathtaking yet super fun activity. Grabe, very acrophobia friendly. 461 feet lang naman.
I enjoyed Bohol more. Its quaintness and tranquil ambience can take away all the stressful thoughts. I was in awe with the man-made forest. The tarsiers are soo cutie patootie I wanna put them all in my bag. Ā It was foggy so I never had a great view of the brown-when-sunny, green-when-rainy chocolate hills. And believe me, they have the yummiest white chocolate coffee.
March 2011 - Hongkong & Shenzhen
I was so excited for my very first out of the country and long-awaited HK experience! Sleepless the entire tour yet really ecstatic. I was with my mom, kuya Jun and Tita Irma. The trip was my Kuya Jun's birthday treat for my mom so call me a lucky "sabit." :)
Riding the cable car is one of the most exciting things happened in my entire life. :)
Visiting this magical place is every childās dream. I was in tears during the fireworks display with āA Whole New Worldā as the background song.Ā
We spent our 3rd day in Szenzhen, China. The place is not that nice. If only we had known, we just took the side trip to Macau. Anyhoo, I just hit their own version of Divisoria. A lot of cheap great finds! Shopaholics' paradise.
(No shopping pictures in Shenzhen. Like here in Pinas, mandurukots are everywhere)
From Shenzhen, the service bus brought us straight to the airport. We didnāt want to waste our time waiting for our departure so we hit the shopping streets of HK.
Our family (and the beckiessss) spent the holy week in Baguio.
Boracay is an ultimate-dream-come-true destination! I was so happy that I finally got to visit the famous island this year. I've been longing to experience the sand, the beach, the night life, the party! Being there with my sweety Mark made it more special. And of course, present lahat ng Juicy! Aah, salad days! It was already dark when we reached the island. Blame it on flight delays!
Good morning Boracaaaaaaay! (Day 2)
Ang nakakalokang Banana Boat. Sayang ang wayfarer ni Mark. =/
I would love to add a hundred more photos but that would take..forever! :P
Ā I find bliss in travel and adventure, leaving behind a part of ourselves and gaining something else entirely. It is reward enough to escape from the reality of our daily lives, if only for a while. With work demands, personal responsibilities and obligations, and of course each of us dealing with our own demons. It was nice to just cut loose from all that stress.
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And how can I forget my SHOWTIME Party! Party! experience? Haha! I remember my friend Hanna asking me to fix my hair because they're gonna pick āRejoice girls.ā I was like, āNo, way!ā I never really liked any kind of exposure. I can't even remember how many times kong tinaguan ang mga Santa Cruzan organizers sa barangay namin. Haha! To make the story short, they FORCED me to do the sample shots at the studio entrance, ironed my hair, put the heavy make-up on and taught me to do the hair āhawiā moves. Nakakaloka! Edi ayun, nag dilang anghel si Hanna. :) Anyway, I had the guts to do it because I love my crazy friends. I don't wanna ruin the excitement. āI saw you on TVā texts flooded my inbox after the show. THAT WASN'T ME!!! Haha!
Just like what I've heard, Showtime studio is filled with nothing but happy energy!
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It is also a blessing to be surrounded with great, crazy friends. Itās hard to go through life alone so choose wisely and pick people who will inspire you each day and will back you up when life slaps you in the face.Ā
I have the best-est circle or friends! I want to thank you guys for all the happy times. Kahit magastos, keri lang. haha! I loooove you mga atembang! Cheers to more years of genuine friendship! =)
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Of course, like any other young adult, I had my fair share of lows. Up to now, Iām struggling to have a better career path. My dreams for my family are way bigger than what I aspire for myself. It is my family who keeps me sturdy. ALL for them. But lately, Iāve been too busy running around and trying to sort things out on my own that I forget to take healthy pauses. I do not know why itās hard for me to kick the habit of immersing myself to negativity. During those times when Iām so pessimistic about life, thereās this very very special person who keeps me sane, gives me a pat on the back and lifts my spirit.Ā Ā I admire Markās attitude towards life. Nung nagsabog si God ng positivity, tulog ako habang sinasalo nya lahat! Iām such a lucky girl! :)
4 days na lang and we will celebrate our 2nd year anniversary. Parang kailan lang, he invited me to watch a basketball game.Ā
I love you so much, sweetie! =)
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I may be pessimistic most of the time but I appreciate all the blessings God is incessantly giving me. I can see how He works on my life. I just need to strengthen my faith and surround myself with good and loving people. I am ever grateful for this life, for my family, even for the lessons I learned the hard way.
Il n'est rien de rĆ©el que le rĆŖve et l'amour.
Nothing is real but dreams and love.
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