Saturday, September 6, 2014

Together Apart

In the course of living our lives, we meet a lot of people. Acquaintace or maybe more than that. A lot of them will just come and go, and there will be some who will leave special marks. I don't believe in pure coincidences, things happen because they have to happen.  We meet people because at some point, there is a need to meet them. Our paths are just fated to cross for certain reasons. Lucky for those who know exactly why. But most of the time, things gets a little mixed up which makes it hard to figure out why we had to meet on the first place. 

Sometimes fate works mysteriously. We get to meet people at the perfect time, and that is way too easy. But it doesn't always work that way. As i always say, SHIT HAPPENS! And without a doubt, timing is such a bitch.  By the start of this year i met somebody. It was a casual meeting. We  stayed at the same shop for days but barely talked. But a sudden twist of events happened. A simple "hi" started another story. 

Things were different after that. A long night of chatting about anything under the sun was inevitable.  We shared the same passion on things.. travels, adventures, running, everything. It was like i can see myself in him a lot. Guess that would be the reason why we talked almost every single day from then on. A sushi dinner date and a whole Friday night spent with him was just amazing. But my flight back was a few hours after. I thought that was the end of it. I sent him a message at the airport saying "see you when i see you." ... words from somebody who suck at goodbyes to somebody who i'm pretty sure i will not see again. I secretly hoped for another chance though. A chance that would only become a reality if fate would be good to me. And i guess the odds are on my side that time.

His friend made plans of  going to Boracay, just in time for my valentine trip with friends there. And so definitely we will meet again. But fate was extra good to me that time. After our talks, he decided to go to my city for a few days just before the Boracay trip. Doing things together on our separate lists was really fun. Spending time with him made me feel comfortably happy and at home. We were inseparable in a sense that even his friend got jealous cos he thought he was spending more time with me. We had happy moments together. We like doing the same things without faking it. We were simply enjoying the NOW rather than worrying about the what ifs. It was happiness in a surprise.

It was only during our last night together in Boracay that everything was sinking in to me. He gave me my first ever valentine date. An italian dinner by the sea. He didn't know that was exactly what i wanted. I told him nothing. But that's what i got. He made me really happy even more.  Being with him in Cebu, Davao and Boracay made me realize a lot of things. For just a few days of being together, i didn't realize somebody would make me miss a lot... doing things together, cuddling, kissing or just simply doing nothing and just being happy together. I never told him that at that time. He asked me a lot of times what i was thinking cos maybe he caught me staring blanky at the sea that night. I just kept saying NOTHING. I lied. At that point i didn't want the night to end. I wanted to freeze time. I was crying inside knowing that when the sun rises tomorrow everything will end with it.  For the first time i doubted my decision to leave the Philippines. At that point i didn't want to leave. Honestly, i was too happy to leave. And the thought that i might not get another chance of having that kind of bliss scared me. At that moment i just wanted to be with him and i just didn't want to let go. 

Shit happens. There was no way of escaping reality. I had to leave, he has to stay. And the only chance i could get is one more night in Cebu before i finally leave the country. Again the odds were with me. He ditched the plan of going with his friend to Oslob just to spend  a few more hours with me. It was heaven and hell at the same time. It was surely another happy moment to add up but the thought of letting go of everything in a few hours is eating me up. I was too afraid. I suck at goodbyes and worst, i didn't want to say goodbye. The final moment we had at the airport was torture. I wanted to be with him more. But it was time to leave and with that was the greater chance of not seeing him again. I never told him anything about what was really going on. I was too afraid that he was seeing things differently. I was too afraid that i would only set my hopes high that there would be a possibility of being US even with the miles in between and eventually  get disappointed because it wouldn't happen.  I never heard his side of the story. 

All communication lines were surprisingly still open after that. Everyday we sent messages to each other. He even tried to go to Malaysia to see me. Effort was well appreciated for sure. When i got to UAE we still talked....  whatsapp, viber, skype and even regular sms...everyday... He said he even got to the point of looking for a way to do his diving course here. But i guess it was not really meant to be. And some good things are really not meant to last. The distance issue slowly surfaced. The reality of being not together is growing. And the fact that things will never be possible with the miles in between is clouding the happy moments of the past. I am beginning to believe that long distance relationships don't really work. I never realized that even after the failure of my 7-year long distance relationship. Maybe because i have always believed that it is better to be truly happy with someone than just being comfortable with anybody available. And that I was trapped in the notion that it was always the quality of time spent together not the quantity. But the truth is, it doesn't work as how simple as it may look. It just couldn't be unless one, if not both, will take a risk of changing the course of fate. It is just too impossible now. Guess you can't really get everything that you want. And i didn't realize that a simple "hi" would end  up with a complicated "goodbye".  True, what happens after we meet up for a few weeks? Another endless waiting for the uncertain. It would be hard especially when you really want to be with that somebody for real. Even skype cannot replace that. The urge of being together should be greater than just the mere liking. There can never be a real relationship if two people are not sure of what they really want and go after it. Things will never work unless both decide to take risks and try to make things work. It will only work if both of you will make it work. It takes two to tango.  Yes, i always say that we always have choices... It's just a YES or a NO... no ifs, no buts... But sometimes, our choices would depend on things we don't have control over with. And that's when choices make us. By then, taking chances is all we can do.

My happy times with him may only be memories of the past. I am not sure but it is better to think things that way. It will be an unfinished business for now.  And i am not sure if it would be better to leave it that way or not. Lets just see what happens to us. I guess we both need time to realize if we both want to take risks and spend time with each other again or not. I guess we both need time away to realize if everything is worth all these shit and that being happy together is better than being happy with somebody else. Reality check...we are two different people, having two different lives, in two different parts of the world, having two different realities around us and were just given a few amazing weeks to make happy memories together. I was really happy with him, i have never been happier. It was like my soul has become at home within his company. But it was obviously not enough. His like for me was not enough for him to take a big move. My fondness of him is not enough to take the risk of going with the consequences of giving everything up here. Time and distance have become my enemies. Fate has already decided. And the odds are  no longer with me. He asked me why do i still like him after everything and i answered him in an instant..."i don't know.  If i only had a choice why would i complicate my life instead of making it simple. I never thought i would like you this much and who would have thought we would come this far." We can never choose who will enter our lives and much more who will be special to us. Out of nowhere at an unexpected time, it just happens. That is the magic  of it. He was part of my legend and i was part of his that's why our paths crossed. I just don't know if we still are and will still be. Maybe there was a need for the two of us to meet. If the two of us were not meant to stay in touch for these past few months then everything should have ended after the sushi date. But it didn't. Maybe we needed each other at that certain point in time. And maybe there is a reason of losing each other now. So if we are meant to meet again, we will meet again. What's meant to happen will happen. It is just a big case of bad timing. It is a case of being TOGETHER APART. And this is our story. 


and this will forever remind me of the US there never was..


Thursday, August 14, 2014

32 Things I Learned from Life in 32 Years

The Number Thirty-Two... what's with that number? Oh well, today, I just turned 32, my first ever birthday away from home. and i think getting a year older is a blessing.. And since i always do something for my birthday, so i decided to make a list of what life has taught me all these years.

Here is a list of my 32 Things I Learned from Life in 32 Years:
  1. Life is Beautiful. We may forget it at our down times, but it still is.
  2. Take vacations. Go to as many places as you can. You can always make money, you can't always make memories.
  3. SHIT happens.
  4. It's GOOD TO BE BAD sometimes.
  5. It's all in the mind. Your way of thinking will always affect your life.
  6. Sometimes when you break the rules, you make everything right.
  7. Take photos as much as possible. You can always go back to the same place over and over, you can always do things again and again... but you can never get that same experience and memory twice.
  8. If it's meant to be, then it's meant to be. You can try it your way but if nothing happens after that, stop forcing or else you will just inflict more injury to the injured.. better leave it to FATE.
  9. Sometimes, a HUG is all that you need. 
  10. In the end, family is still family and friends can be family too.
  11. Not all of your friends are TRUE. The masks will wear off in time. Don't expect much.
  12. You can't always be nice. Sometimes you have to set boundaries. People will take advantage of you if you don't.
  13. You don't have to tell the truth ALL THE TIME. Some things are meant to be kept.
  14. Small things mean a lot. Even a simple "hi" will change your mood for the rest of the day.
  15. You can't always get what you want.
  16. Sometimes when you are angry, you have the right to be angry.
  17. At some point in your life, YOU WILL GO CRAZY OVER LOVE, VERY CRAZY!
  18. Never forget the child in you. Sometimes we make our own complications in life. Life was always simple back in our childhood days. It's always good to be happy even with just little treats and candies.
  19. You can never be too sure about anything.
  20. Take Chances. If you think you have all the time, YOU ARE WRONG! There are some things that you will not be able to do next time. Regrets will always come later.
  21. Never take for granted omens along the way. Keep your eyes open. Be alert on the warning signs. 
  22. It's not always about money, it should always be about what makes you happy.
  23. You have to have time for yourself. Travel alone, get lost, explore, meet people, do absolutely nothing or do everything you want... just then, you will find yourself and you will know what you really want in life without other people telling you.
  24. Change is a must. But be sure you are ready for whatever!
  25. We always have a CHOICE, ALWAYS. And sometimes, we have to choose between what we want to happen from what should be done. Trust me, it will make you crazy!
  26. Some things are better left unsaid. Cos WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW WON'T HURT YOU!
  27. Letting go is never easy. Saying GOODBYE will either hurt one or both of you. Until now, i honestly suck at it.
  28. The WHAT IFs are inevitable. Sooner or later you will realize you could have done this instead of that. It's normal. Just don't dwell on it much.
  29. Emotions are contagious. Go with happy people, they will make you happy.
  30. Never get too attached to something which isn't yours. Letting go would be torture.
  31. Most of the time the best way to help is to just listen. You will never fully understand things unless we become them. It will always be a case to case basis. 
  32. It is not with the quantity of time but the quality of time that you were together. Even a seven-year relationship cannot be compared to a month of pure bliss. The feeling of being at home is what matters.
I don't know if everybody would agree on all of these but this is definitely the way i see life now. Let's just LIVE, LOVE and be HAPPY!!! and that's all i wish for my birthday today... 

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Mt. Apo : Reaching The Top


      "Mount Apo is a large solfataric, potentially-active stratovolcano in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an altitude of 3,412 metres (11,194 ft) above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the country and is located between Davao City and Davao del Sur province in Region XI and Cotabato province in Region XII. The peak overlooks Davao City 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the northeast, Digos City 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the southeast, and Kidapawan City 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the west.
        Apo, which means "ancestor", is flat-topped mountain with three peaks and is capped by a 500-metre-wide (1,600 ft) volcanic crater containing a small crater lake. The date of its most recent eruption is unknown, and none are verified in historical times.
      The volcano is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the Philippines with the summit, on the average, takes two days to reach. The first recorded climb was on October 10, 1880, by a party led by Joaquin Rajal, then Spanish governor of Davao."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Apo

i have always wanted to reach the top of it . i have always wished that someday i could somewhat converse with mr. sun a bit closer while he sits quietly over the bed of clouds.  i have always had this strong desire to experience the great adventure of looking at the world in a different perspective.

finally, it happened! 

March 27-31, 2013. Malumpini - Mt. Apo Route

my tag all throughout the journey


meet kaykay... the mountain dog... 
she trekked with us until she reached her home.. 
i just wish someday Niji can come with me too...


hello jinibibi... she's the lady who tagged me along.. so thankful!


our colorful socks and gloves to fight the cold nights


breakfast at the camp...


walking in paradise...

almost there but not quite..


i don't drink sodas that much.. but it's a relief that they sell some at the mountains..
beating the scorching heat while on trail break...


mt. apo summit... almost!


guess who climbed the peak too.. hello there butchokoy!


tres marias on top...


and yes... without a doubt.. i finally reached the peak!!!

happy girl in her happy place...


MT. APO THROUGH MY EYES
seeing the beauty of nature from my point of view









indeed... when you want something so bad, all the universe conspires to make it happen!


i'm so in love with you Mr. Sun... always and forever!!!


it's time to go down now...


our ride, the jeepney...

AND WE CONQUERED IT TOGETHER...
thank you for tagging me along...
very much thankful for the experience
and the new set of friends i gained...






TAKE VACATIONS.
GO AS MANY PLACES AS YOU CAN.
YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE MONEY,
YOU CAN'T ALWAYS MAKE MEMORIES!



YOLO!


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Checking on my Bucket List for 2013

it's the first day of the year again. and as usual, it's time to do a little checking on my list. let's see if i scored fairly this time.

TARGET for 2013
  • go back to running (oh yeah! indoor and outdoor running!)
  • have more travels  and never forget to bring home pictures frames with names and ref magnets (i have a lot of places in mind like Boracay, Palawan, Ilocos, Dubai, Thailand) (Puerto Princesa, El Nido,  Boracay, Siargao, Cebu, Kota Kinabalu... no frames though cos they don't have those little one with names.. sigh)
  • go diving again 
  • do a run with Niji 
  • watch PBA Live again (Ginebra baby!!!)
  • eat Sushi and have a seafood buffet
  • go to PALAU
  • go firing
  • have my license and drive (have to get a new SP though)
  • attend lots of weddings (already lost count of my 27 dresses target..lol)
  • get flat abs even for a while... lol ( hahahaha... i'll cross this one for a reason. lol)
  • try curling my hair
  • treat a total stranger
  • do an outreach program
  • do rockclimbing
  • do pictorials again
  • get myself a new phone (if i don't these messages will forever be with me.. lol... plus lost a letter on the keypad while we were in Boracay..hahaha) (plus i finally got an iPad. yay!)
  • finally do an inverted zip
  • buy a rainbow cake for myself
  • jump off the cliff of Ariel's Point Boracay (ultimate wish since bungee jumping is way out of reach)
  • bring Niji to a grooming salon and get her some doggie stuffs
  • have some swimsuits (the more the merrier. hahaha)
  • have more froggy stuffs
  • have a decent conversation about anything under the sun with somebody i totally don't know
  • do some NEW and EXCITING stuffs (life is an adventure ayt?lol)
WOW! too many travels, too many exciting stuffs. i did more than half of my list. 2013 had been really good to me. Happy much!

My Bucket List for Life 


  • soul-searching even for a week or two  (isa lang ang masasabi ko, magastos akong mag-emote! ubosan ng yaman ang peg. LOL. Cebu-Dumaguete on 2009, Cebu on 2011, Iloilo on 2012, Boracay on 2013)
  • experience the thrill of sky-diving/ parasailing
  • go to CAMSUR and do wake-boarding (did wake-boarding at Deca though)
  • reach the top of Mt. Apo  (yay! i finally reached the top on March 2013!)
  • play with dolphins in SUBIC.  ( had the chance to go to Subic with patty,mac and gary.. i haven't played with the dolphins but still i can consider it done, that's for going to Subic and watching the dolphin show..)
  • have my own license in diving
  • go to PALAWAN (wow! i didn't realize i went there twice on 2013..  on January and May!wooooot!)
  • swim with jellyfishes in PALAU and eat at Rainbow Grill
  • go on a Caribbean cruise
  • go back to Siargao and surf (Siargao surfing on May 2013 it is!)
  • experience Boracay (August 2011)
  • go bungee jumping
  • do rock climbing
  • play paintball
  • go pole dancing
  • learn how to swim
  • have a real tattoo
  • have a real valentine date
  • have my own laptop. (i have my HP mini, my Samsung Tab and an iPad)
  • have xbox and a pro camera. (Nikon D3100. i won't give up my other cams.. NEVER!)
  •  pursue a medical carreer. (finally got my license!)
  • work abroad 
  • drive my own car (the bigger the better.lol.) actually i'm into pick-ups but i do want to have a Super Grandia and a mini cooper too.. extremes ayt?!
  • have a tour around the Philippines. ( i just love travelling but i prefer doing it by plane though)
  • visit Disneyland and Hollywood. ( 2010 Hong Kong Disneyland adventure it is!)
  • own a condo unit
  • have my own house by the sea
  • have my own NUDE painting
  • have my pictures taken by the windmills
  • eat Batac empanada again
  • go up in a hot-air balloon
  • visit Hundred Islands
  • give to a charity anonymously
  • visit El Nido and Coron again
  • learn to speak a foreign language 
  • find a job i love
  • watch a PBA game LIVE. (2011 oh yeah! i luv GINEBRA!) 
  • sleep at SHANGRILA HOTEL.. an overnight stay will do ;-) (it was not actually an overnight stay but i had a buffet dinner at Shangrila Boracay with Tutet and Ojie last June 2012. i would count that in. lol)
  • do an outreach program. (actually, i want to be the Philippine's ANGELINA JOLIE... a woman with the beauty and the heart ;-)  been running on the road for a cause.. that would count ayt?)
  • have my own coffee shop
  • have a vacation in HAWAII.. i soooo love the place... i wish i could go there soon..
  • have a birthday party full of veges and seafoods had a post birthday dinner with Umangs Cebu and my little sissy at AA's bbq last August 2012
  • stargazing on the beach shore and think of nothing yes this is the best part. i could do it all night at the shores of Boracay. this is one of the reasons why i keep coming back to the place i call home.
  • spend days with my man on a yacht and a private island
  • recieve a surprise romantic proposal and get engaged
  • get married (i want it intimately done)
  • go on honeymoon in Greece
  • have a baby



  • SOME REVISIONS on my wishlist :
    • i said in my 2008 list that i want them BEFORE i reach 30.. but i changed my mind.. getting married, having a honeymoon and a baby needs some rearrangements..in the near future i guess..lol...i still have to enjoy my single life cos when i finally get married, i want to stick with the married life.. no more going back to stuffs i missed during my bachelorette's journey... guess that would take some time.. besides, i still have to complete my 27 dresses..lol hope i get a lot wedding invites..lol
    • i'll change honeymoon in GREECE to honeymoon in GREECE or BALI or MALDIVES or PARIS..lol

    Target for 2014
    • quit my job, pack then leave.
    • have more travels and explore the world
    • find a new job
    • eat at least 10 foods that i will miss in the Philippines
    • go on a weekend vacation alone
    • be a mermaid
    • have a real valentine date
    • go back to the gym and run
    • have my license/certificate in diving
    • spend time with Niji and take lots pictures together
    • have sushi dates
    • go firing
    • have a haircut
    • buy a planner and start writing 
    • attend lots of weddings (already lost count of my 27 dresses target..lol)
    • get a bit sexier and buy a new pair of running shoes
    • do random acts of kindness
    • do an outreach program
    • teach someone illiterate to read
    • give to a charity anonymously
    • buy food and give it to a homeless person
    • do rockclimbing
    • do pictorials again
    • try dune bashing
    • do a joy ride in a motorbike
    • step out in the rain
    • learn a new language
    • learn to swim
    • shower in a waterfall
    • go whale-watching
    • go pole dancing
    • pamper myself
    • learn how to take a compliment
    • learn not to say yes when i really mean no
    • do early morning runs in boracay
    • walk on the beach
    • send a message in a bottle
    • try the flying fish ride in boracay
    • become a tour guide even for a day
    • treat a total stranger
    • get myself a GO PRO Hero 3+ and an iphone
    • finally do an inverted zip
    • buy a rainbow cake for myself and Niji
    • jump off a cliff or a diving board (Ariel's point is so impossible with barely 2 months left)
    • have some swimsuits
    • buy a watch
    • buy myself a bouquet of flowers
    • finish reading 2 books (don't blame me... i am not really a book reader. lol)
    • have more froggy stuffs
    • save some travel money
    • date date din pag may time. hahaha
    • give somebody a surprise gift
    • party hard and get drunk
    • go somewhere new
    • sing a song in front of an audience
    • ask someone i've only just met to go on a date
    • sleep under the stars
    • stay up all night long and watch the sun rise
    • inspire somebody by living my life to the fullest
    • have a decent conversation about anything under the sun with somebody i totally don't know
    • give a free hug and kiss to a stranger. i want to carry a sign that says FREE HUGS.
    • make somebody else's dream come true
    • do some NEW and EXCITING stuffs (life is an adventure ayt?lol)
    Let's Party Hard on 2014!!! 
    YOLO!!!