Mission Accomplished

I remember quite well how this blog began. It was one restless Saturday in January 2012, figuring out where to go in the metro(just so I can enjoy my weekend to its full potential), searching the world of internet for something to do and nagging my then-boyfriend to go out with me. I got stuck viewing Celine Novenario’s 30 Before 30 Project posts and felt a pang of envy. That Macau bungee jump video was replayed over and over and over until the crazy thought of doing a bucket list version for myself hit me. Bored, broke and broken, I went off to an adventure that changed my life forever.

Since college days, I’ve been making a list of places I want to go to, restaurants I want to try and activities I would like to experience but at the end of the day, I only get to cross out 10% of them(mostly the restaurants part). On went the excuses (can’t afford, my parents won’t allow me, I’m a weakling!) which “barred my wings from flying”. With a fighting mindset, I tried my best to focus on my goals and did things far beyond what the normal Ayen can: Hiked Pinatubo with a broken heart, cliff dive, enrolled myself in a yoga class, swam in a volcano’s crater, cooked an actual, edible meal (for real!), read 30 books in a year, did an Eat Pray Love version in Dumaguete & Siquijor, tried boxing, watched a Rico Blanco concert alone, snorkeled in the open sea sans vest, gave up junk food for a month, cut my hair short, survived spelunking 300 ft under, and the list goes on..All crazy, fun bucket list entries which made me grow up and bask under the opportunities of this existence. Looking back, I completely changed. I've become more aware, driven, confident, open-minded, faithful, grateful and less worrywart, melancholic, self-centered me me me. Even in my underpants I feel different, but for the better. The road to this bucket list project was a roller coaster ride of bliss, failures, spontaneity, turnarounds and discoveries. I did not even finished them all - driving license and the tricky part, faith - but I have gained more than what I originally set off for and I believe this is a fitting conclusion - Sometimes life takes you to places which weren't part of your plan because maybe, there is a bigger plan. There's a reason why you're in a situation at a certain time and place - let the experience be a lesson and the people with you be the teachers. Now I know why I met 2 German sisters in Apo Island while my mind was  stuck in work-related thoughts, they just told me "You'll never know when you'll be here again. You are lucky to be here, enjoy it".

It’s less than a day before 2013 comes to a close, and so does the decision that this will be my last post. I am officially bidding my farewell to this chapter of my life, but I’ll be bringing with me all the awesome memories of the journey and the most precious realization of all – that I can do things and be things. My life began with this project but it will not be the end thereof. Each day, a new beginning is given to be filled with lived experiences. 

Beginning again,

Ayen

Update!

Hi! I just want to say I'm still alive but been lazy err busy to post. I'm still committed to this project, just so you know, and while I have some time, here's an update:

April -  Day trip to Dingalan Bay, Aurora where we island and beach hopped
May - Elections, Jason Mraz Manila Concert, my 23rd Birthday and my life-changing pixie haircut
June - Boracay trip with the family. It was the first time for most of us and it was so memorable!
We made a family video out it, here's the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvKiQ_8QntI
July - 'Adulting' project - I've started living alone in Manila. Well, technically. I'm home alone most days of the week and the undomesticated persona in me is training to become an independent woman (including saving money lol)

That's it for now. Will try to do proper updates soon. xx.

Spelunking in Sagada - CHECK!

My Banawe-Sagada-Baguio trip last Holy Week was one for the books.

It was my most exhausting commute yet, but the journey boasts
the most stunning greenery I’ve seen.

During my adventure up north, I met another wonder of the world – Banawe Rice Terraces, went spelunking 300ft under in Sumaguing cave(which I think was more beautiful than the Underground River), rode atop a jeepney, drank civet coffee,
had 3 servings of ice cream within 2 hours in chilly Benguet(how can an
ice cream slave say no to strawberry-flavored dirty ice cream?),
and skipped the tour to explore Sagada town by feet, which was a great decision. 

I’m so happy to cross out Sagada & Banawe off my bucket list!

To travel is indeed worth any cost or sacrifice. I love the Philippines.

Broke to the core..

for all the right reasons! :D

Sagada, Banaue, Baguio, Boracay, Coron, Siquijor and Dumaguete, see you in the coming weeks/months.

:) :) :) :) :)

Visit the Underground River, one of the new Wonders of the World - - CHECK!

Palwan is truly an amazing place to be in - countless activities(went snorkeling, spelunking, zipline-ing, island hopping, etc.), warm and grounded people, delicious gastronomic delights and themed restaurants, pro-environmental conservation locality and a really admirable tourism system. I was sentimental when I heard mass at the cathedral because I feel so blessed for the opportunity to travel to Puerto Princesa. I'll always be that girl from Bulacan but I'd love to be a Palawan native. Beautiful, beautiful place. 

What's up?

It's a shame I haven't been updating this blog lately. For three long months.. who does that?!? Apologies for the laziness but I tell you, life's been good. From October-December 2012, I enjoyed getaways to Hundred Islands, Pangasinan, Baguio, Tarlac, Clark and before Christmas, to Manaoag to give thanks. Spent a food-filled(and zero exercise) holidays with my family and friends.I had a brief downfall in mid-November, which at the time felt like the end of me, but I've managed to turn around. 2012 ended with a bang of gratefulness for an amazing year. Thanks to this online diary which instigated it all. I failed to spelunk in Sagada, enroll in driving lessons and go on a HESL retreat as planned, but who cares when I got a freakin' great time? No fret, I've jump-started 2013 with a memorable weekend in magnificent Palawan(blog post soon). Also, a new year means a new chance to enjoy life. I learned a lot from this project - one is to plan & budget ahead, so I'm taking my savings plan seriously now. A couple of days ago, I re-opened my bank account to begin my road to financial stability again(Yay!). Last year, I went on spontaneous road trips and shopped until I dropped so it was impossible to save. This year, I need to grow up and focus on the priorities. Destinations this year are Sagada and Coron, activities are driving lessons, HESL retreat, Jason Mraz concert (if he comes back to Manila) and to work on my career. Fight!

This January, highlights were the New Year weekend in our Laguna home, Palawan trip, my haircut(bangs baby!) and achieving my goal - budgeting for a month & open bank account with actual savings. 

Today's the start of a new month, love month they say, and I'm looking forward for a fit and fab February!

Goal - Back to regular exercise and eating healthy. I'm considering to go vegetarian for a week and pescatarian for a month, in time for the Holy Week. Well, wish me luck err, motivation.

Okay, I have to go. Gotta begin my life today. xx