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

Reader's Corner: The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood

Julie Garwood's Castles is one of my favorite books of all time so I easily purchased this book on sale. It was a 1900s romatic novel, ala Barbara Cartland style, which I always enjoy.
I love Garwood's female leads because they are smart, beautiful, strong-willed, responsible - not entirely dependent on men to rescue them every time. Ideal ladies for me.
This romantic book had the right amount of sweetness and sensible story - always a good combination.

Reader's Corner: Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern

My first Cecelia Ahern novel, and what a surprise!

A charming and heartwarming tale of true friendship, love and fate. The lovely characters and their connection from childhood to old age brought me tears, almost every chapter.

After reading this, I gained more appreciation of my relationships and valued my time with

my loved ones. No, nobody died. The characters are flawed but their story, albeit a lot of down and waiting moments, is perfect. It took a long journey for them to realize they are made for each other but I guess, that made this more relevant because in life, you don't always get what you want but in time, and 

This book came at the right time: I was roaming around the mall, waiting for a supplier I'm about to meet. With an hour to spare, I dropped by Book Sale and the title caught my attention.