People of My Year 2015

What a year, I must say! There was a lot of breakthroughs - solo trips, leaving my job of 8 years, studying again, living away from the family for the first time ever, embracing the unknown, taking uncalculated risks, starting all over again. Basically, being that tiny David facing some of my Goliaths.

When making life-changing decisions, I'm learning tons of things. One is that I am bigger (not literal) than my fears. Second, I can do the things I tell myself I can, and lastly, relationships are the most important treasure in this life. Relationship to yourself, to your Creator, and to the people in your life (old and new). 

And so I am starting this new series inspired by an admirable blogger, Bianca Gonzales-Intal, honoring the people who have been a significant part of my year. 

1. Pugad Baboy Family

Not only because my first adventure of the year was with them but because they are friends from we were thirteen until now that we are thirty. It always feels home when I am with them. I will always be grateful to be part of this group of wierdos and crazies.

2. Healthy Babies

My dear HB, oh how much I love you! This year, we started this chatroom in FB. Well, we have a secret FB group for years but I feel that it is only this year that we've started communicating more often. We find comfort and strength from each other even only through messages. You girls are rocks I can lean on to.

3. Champoy and Melai

I am inspired by these two. Their passion, dedication, and dreams make me alive. They say surround yourself with dreamers and  I feel that every cell of my body jumps in hope and gratefulness for this life when I am with them. They make me dream even higher but at the same time, grateful for what is at hand. 

4. MSU Travelbugs

The past 8 years of my life were filled with memories of these people. We have been everywhere. We traveled, worked, succeeded, failed, laughed, cried, ate, got drunk, sang, danced, slept and grew together the past years. We have witnessed each other's life's events from the simplest to grand ones. They were the first ones to tell me to follow my dreams. I loved working and travelling with you, travel bugs! I am looking forward to more grand life events with you!

5. Ate My and Derek

Their love story makes me believe in true love. For someone who has seen Ate My's journey, it seems so magical how she finds her one true love in Derek. And it feels so good to have witnessed the happiness that these two people bring in each other. I was smiling the whole time I was around them. And my heart was in deep gratitude to the Lord for bringing them two together. It was an honor to be your maid of honor on your church wedding in the Philippines. I will always celebrate your love with you. 

6. Father Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J.

I have read and admired his C.V. even before I started studying in ADMU. Never in my wildest dreams have I thought of taking a class of a national scientist. What an honor! I have high respect for his love and passion for his every endeavor. He has so many feathers in his hat, I cannot seem to fathom how he manages all those.

7. Dr. Edna Oconer

She's one intelligent, strong, and graceful human being. I was blessed by her trust in me and my capabilities. She did not know me that much but she still believed in me. How wonderful and risky is that at the same time? To give some "stranger" a task and believe that he or she can do it is a trait I think only true leaders have. MSU must be so thankful to have you, Ms. O. I salute you, your works, and your leadership. I hope to be working with you again in the future!

8. Classmates 

What a crazy roller coaster ride it has been with these new people in my life. Wouldn't have made it through the last four months without you. To more sleepless nights, problem sets, and exams in the coming year! "Good luck guys. I love you all!" :)

9. MSU friends

They are my second family for the past eight years and they are always missed! It is hard to let go and move on from something so happy and beautiful. There goes my poor EQ. What a wonderful time it was with you, friends!

10. Family

"You will never know the value of something until it's gone." It was my first time to be living away from the family. Actually, I tried living two years away from them but it was only like 15 kms away and I could go home anytime I wanted. Thus, being hundreds of kilometers and thousands of islands away from them was a whole new idea for me and it was not easy. I got so home sick, I was calling, texting, and skyping everytime. And then it struck me that when everyone else is gone, is fighting their own battle, the only ones who will be there for you will be your family.  And there are also those friends who are like family. I value them now more than ever. They have become all my reasons.

As the year comes to an end, I get sentimental. I always do! I also feel this a day before my birthday. There is something about ending a chapter of life and starting anew that gives my throat a lump and then a smile to my heart.

Thank you my God for a year of courage and love! Hello 2016!

Be Careful On What You Tell Yourself

A short random reminder to my dear self at the crack of dawn... because I was not too nice lately. My love language is words of affirmation. I have been blessed with people who know how to love me but I should not forget giving me that way of loving, too.  :)

Today is a holiday! What are you up to, friends? I hope you give yourself some well-deserved love from you. :)

God is good!

Currently Vol. 7

And so I took that leap of faith. It seemed like I was completely out of my mind, to leave everything including my job but I've never felt so sure about myself. A month after, I am starting to question myself. Crazy times!

READING

Topology by James R. Munkres. Because I need to and I am starting to love it. I am hoping it'll love me back. The. Soonest. Time. Possible.

WRITING

Answers to problem sets which I wish was as easy as writing ABC.

LISTENING

To my mind screaming for rest. And to my heart because the past days are difficult. This is harder than I thought it would be. #thestruggleisreal #gradschoolblues

THINKING
About not being too hard on myself. And how to pass all my subjects. Gosh!

FEELING

Every need for a whole body massage but I do not deserve it yet. Not yet. I am currently scared but hopeful. So so hopeful.

LOVING

Everything that is happening in my life right now except the sleepless nights and the mental blocks. I sometimes forget to be grateful for this dream that came true especially when not so good thoughts creep in but I need to remind myself that I asked and prayed hard for this. 

WANTING
To eat pasta! My ultimate comfort food.

NEEDING

To absorb all my readings, to manage time properly, to not forget to smile every hour, every minute if possible.

WISHING
For a super sponge mind.

Friends, I am currently taking up Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics at Ateneo de Manila University. I want to document this time of my life because whatever happens, I want to look back at these moments someday.

Currently Vol. 6

After three months, here is my next entry for the Currently Series. I maybe just have to accept that I'll never be an up-to-date kind of blogger. To those of you who are still sticking around after this on and off relationship with my blog, cheers! :) 

I am unusually up at this time and have no desire of getting into bed anytime soon so might as well record my thoughts and feelings. Here's tonight's currently.

READING

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks. Been reading this on random days for weeks now. I got a little less interested after watching the movie but still wanted to finish to discover the differences between the movie and the book. The movie was kinda predictable and less romantic compared with other movie adaptations of Sparks' novels. The Notebook is still my favorite. Next would have to be a tie between Nights in Rodanthe and Safe Haven. I don't like tragic endings. They break my heart but there is something so special about how Nights in Rodanthe broke my heart. I mean, the story just had to end that way. Although it was painful, it was a good kind of pain. 

via Google Images

WRITING

Several letters of requests lately. And in my mind, I am also writing letters for my heart, hushing it. Nothing else can comfort my heart but its bestfriend/best enemy.

LISTENING
To my calling because...

THINKING
Of so many things since the other day because I am about to face the most challenging chapter of my life. No, not the married life. Hehe. It's something more challenging I guess :)

FEELING

Tons of emotions. I feel like in Rapunzel's shoes after she finally jumped out of her comfort zone (the castle) - feeling accomplished at one point then really doubtful if she made the right decision after a second or two. But she finally gave it a go. Good thing for her was, she had somebody to jump out of the castle with even if it was just a stranger while I am about to jump from my castle alone! Please let these feelings end the soonest!!!

LOVING
The vision of the far future. The near future seems blurry, even dark and I am scared like a kitty cat but I am holding on to the promise of a wonderful far future. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the reward, as it is said.

WANTING
To skip this stage of adulthood because reasons. How does one unlove? Let go? Begin? (These verbs are applicable to jobs, persons, events, possibilities)

NEEDING
To release some of these heavy loads so I can travel light.

WISHING
That all will be well in the next months.

The best thing that I am learning these days is to hold on to the promises of God. There is no weapon and shield more powerful than prayer. And there is no better companion and confidant than God.

It is also true that you will just know how to get the bridge when you get there. And you may hear thousands of wise words but you'll only get to understand those which apply to you. "Follow your heart", they will tell you. Thus, befriend and know your heart well. Listen to it carefully. It does know how to lead you through.

All is well, friends! If not yet, then it will be!!!

My Current Thoughts In A Nutshell

Grabbed from the net

You know all those things you've always wanted to do?

A rewind to the day when I watched motocross for the first time and when I played as a fashion blogger (wanna-be). Is it just me or does anyone else here think that fashion blogging is the coolest thing on earth? Well, maybe next to hosting a travel show (which is by the way my wildest dream job because you get paid to travel the world!!!) 

It is no secret to my friends that I love hopping on fashion blogs and following the bloggers on instagram. There is something so magnetic and influential about them. They make all ensemble look awesome even just a white shirt, faded shorts and flip flops. Thus, I cannot help but imitate. That's how influential they are even to a manang like me. And I am always reminded by the quote that hangs on my wall: "You know all those things you've always wanted to do? You should go and do them." And so I did! :)

After this attempt I realized two things. 1) It is difficult to control a laugh. 2) It feels awkward to play candid. But of course I know these things aren't so hard for the naturals. So kudos to those wonderful bloggers I admire!

That Summer Afternoon in Manila

The rainy days have started on this side of the world and though I love watching, listening to and walking in the rain, the gloominess that it brings sometimes gets me down. Thus, I can not help but bring my mind back to that one lovely summer afternoon in Manila.

In that moment, reality was sweeter than the fictions I've been reading. Oh, sweet life!

Ilocos Diaries: Laoag for a Day

On the second day of my Ilocos escapade, I visited Laoag. This city is two hours away from Vigan. Vigan is part of Ilocos Sur, while Laoag is in Ilocos Norte. This is the farthest I've gone from home and the feeling is awesome! :) It may be a small deal for those who have travelled the world but I just wanna celebrate this little milestone and congratulate myself... and hey, great things always start from humble beginnings. 

There are tons of places to see in Ilocos Norte. It is recommended to have two-day tour, one for the southern part and another for the northern. I, however, picked only a few spots to fit into my one day stay in Laoag. Details on those tours and my travel tips will be on another post. In the meantime, here is a photo diary of that day when my meet-the-windmills dream came true and so much more.

Laoag Plaza

Ferdinand Marcos Presidential Center

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Bangui Windmills

Sand Dunes

May your travel dreams come true too, friends!