tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121038672024-02-28T14:33:13.168+08:00The Life of a Swan PrincessWelcome to my online diary. I blog about anything and everything. Feel free to read about movies, songs, products, friends, family and the rest of the things that I truly like and love.freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-7131978142822324432014-03-29T04:32:00.000+08:002014-03-29T04:54:23.765+08:00What I Think About the Philippines and the Filipinos (My comment on Raul Dancel's article)A few days ago, I stumbled upon a viral article in Facebook about a certain Filipino correspondent who wrote the article titled <a href="http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/philippines/story/back-home-manila-and-feeling-out-place-20140323" target="_blank">Back home in Manila, and feeling out of place</a>. At first, I thought, it was a good read. I must admit I can mostly relate to the things he mentioned. As a Facebook-article-worm, I just thought it was one of those articles I can read and leave and move on to the next one. I actually did. However, tonight, I saw an article again that Raul Dancel got some bashers from writing that article. Oh okay, typical Filipino behaviour. If anyone criticizes Filipinos or the Philippines, prepare to get stoned to death. I kid you not.<br />
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Going back to his article, comments have already flooded his page. Needless to say, he was being attacked but it was also refreshing to see that a lot of Filipinos were also being objective about their criticism to Raul. Fortunately, you can easily profile the majority of his audience. I have noticed that people who have given their humble opinions about his article that is basically comparing Philippines to Singapore have obviously traveled or if not, lived in another country. I can honestly say that their comments and opinions are valid and I couldn't agree more.<br />
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So, Raul Dancel, in his mid - 40s has been living in Singapore for 7 years now. He was sent back to the Philippines for work and and so this article was born. Some points in his article are honestly quite petty like Philippines using "take out" instead of "take away", "elevator" instead of "lift" and "comfort room" instead of "loo" or "toilet". What comes into my mind is 'hello, American english vs. British english please.' I can strongly relate to this as I have also been lost in translation when I lived in Sydney. Traveling back and forth in Sydney for the past couple of years and have technically lived there for 9 months had made me a victim of the American vs. British war of terms. And should I say that my spelling was a collateral damage? (Criticize vs. criticise, travelling vs. traveling, labor vs. labour, and the list goes on so pardon me if some of my spelling in this entry will stab you.) But the challenging part is trying to completely change my American orientation to British because I live with my Australian boyfriend, I hang out with his friends and I spend time with his family. I am not complaining. Absolutely not. But what I'm trying to say is when you start spending every second of your life adjusting to the new environment, new culture, new people, new sets of words, it is one way of educating yourself. Challenging, yes! Fulfilling, yes! But most often than not, being accustomed to the new world is just a matter of getting used to. Although it's kinda tricky when you live a double life. I am a semi-British/ Australian Asian girl when I'm in Australia (oh yes, I love using the word toilet than C.R. and I love how everyone is orderly on the escalator) and I am an Americanized Pinoy when I'm in the Philippines. I'm using the term Americanized Pinoy because I am a home grown Filipino but (as we all are) educated in an American way. Going back to our history, we were once an American colony, thus, the education system, our constitution and our love for basketball were all gifts from the Americans. So whenever I come home after 3 months of staying in Sydney, I would usually say "take away" from Jollibee. Thankfully, Jollibee's crew are trained to know what "take-away" means. Sometimes, it would take a month for me to revert back to my Americanized self and start saying "take out" or "fries". On a lighter note, Filipinos are not dumb to understand what a lift means or a toilet. It's just that WE DON'T USE THEM. In my opinion, whether we use the American form of the British form of words, no one is actually politically correct.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Raul Dancel</td></tr>
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So what two things I actually want to raise from Raul's article? Escalators and pedestrian lanes. I admit that up to this day, the first thing that really annoys me whenever I go to the malls are the people using the escalators. The escalator, in its truest essence, should help people get from point A to point B the fastest way possible. Although it is moving, people who would want to rest from striding could take a rest on one side, however, that leaves one more lane for those people who want to keep moving. To sum it all up, one side is for stationary human beings while the other side should be left open for people who don't want to waste their time. In the Philippines, an escalator is treated like a luxury ride. Couples standing next to each other smooching or an entire family and/or a group of friends blocking the entire way are my deal breakers. Worst thing is whenever I say "Excuse me, coming through," they look at me like I am a disrespectful person trying to cut through their moment. Sometimes, they just don't hear me. Even if I repeatedly trying to excuse myself, to them, I am non-existent. Often times, I would like to rant about this on Facebook but I am scared that people might think I have become obnoxious since I have been to a first world country. But seriously, the root cause of the problem is the ignorance and attitude of the people. Ignorance that maybe they don't know the escalator etiquette and attitude because Filipinos don't respect time. Next is the use of the pedestrian lanes. Filipinos are hard headed and daredevils. To be honest, the word <i>Safety</i> is not in any Filipino's vocabulary. This month, the city where I was born and grew up with imposed the anti-jaywalking policy. Jaywalkers will be fined Php500. For me, it's a significant sign of how progressive my beloved hometown has become. However, 2 days upon the implementation, people are complaining; that they need to walk another 30 meters before they can get to their destination or the government is making them poorer by collecting fines. Alright, bunch of idiots. All these people think is to complain instead of looking at the bigger picture that this policy is for everyone's safety. And by everyone means those who are crossing the streets and those who are driving. In Manila, MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) spent millions of pesos for footbridges and big signage saying "WALANG TAWIRAN, NAKAMAMATAY". As if that is not clear enough for everyone, if you notice, that's in tagalog, and yet the cases of hit and run in highways are hundreds per week. So Filipinos, no matter how our government is trying to keep us safe, we are overboard risk-takers. I just don't simply understand this. And as someone who has very well adjusted to being safe in another other country, more than it shocks me every single time I see someone risking his life crossing on the road, it does make me wonder why will they ever risk doing that. I think I know why but I think I am in denial to the answer to my real question --- "Will these people change?"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=47019" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=47019" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Mike Ong Chua of digitalphotographer.com.ph</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSDvZc5FF1I/S6lkMbUMjMI/AAAAAAAADhQ/DmtOf6N5NwE/s400/bawaltumawid6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSDvZc5FF1I/S6lkMbUMjMI/AAAAAAAADhQ/DmtOf6N5NwE/s400/bawaltumawid6.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Dennis Villegas of Pinoyexchange</td></tr>
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So going back to the comments from Raul's article, I would have to say the attitude of the Filipinos - being pessimistic, reluctant to progress and lack of discipline drives this "culture shock" that Raul is talking about. It is so ironic that we often praise foreigners who would see the Philippines as a country of opportunities but us Filipinos are obstinate to change for the better and make those opportunities work for us. We are settled with our own mischievous and traditional beliefs that they take us away from being open-mindedness. One doesn't need to live in a better country for a month to realise how much the Filipinos are missing. That's why I often tell my siblings and my friends to invest on trips to other places, other countries to see what our country is like in the real world; learn from other cultures so we can adapt to it, bring it home, practice and share to those who lack knowledge and experience. What I'm trying to say is that Raul's observations are valid and true. While his article seemingly puts our country to the ground, despite these not-so-admirable traits, there is more to being a Filipino. Filipinos are still the warmest and most hospitable people in the world. This country is thriving on the happiness of its citizens. As they say "It's more fun in the Philippines." Filipinos are friendly, hardworking and committed people. And as far as the development of this country is concerned, we also have to take into consideration the role of the government, politics, economical circumstances, employment, religious beliefs and what not. Classic case is the RH Bill. Years of fighting for this to be approved and we are still stuck. We still argue over this because of science vs. religious beliefs that prevent us in moving forward and save lives of women and babies. And why is this still an argument is because of the lack of knowledge and materials in educating everyone what this bill is fighting for.<br />
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I seriously pity our country. Simply put, there's a better life outside the Philippines. But why would foreigners love to come here? Why would I still love to come back and visit my country? Because anyone, Filipino or not, feels at home here. Filipinos are accommodating, funny, loud, loving, caring and thoughtful. But that's it. Home is comfort zone. We all need to be outside our comfort zone to grow. Every time I go to a progressive country, I would secretly wish that our country would keep up. I know it is possible and would probably take decades to hit the benchmark but we can. We surely can make that change. We just have to start within ourselves. freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-39396941392304102432014-02-25T02:05:00.000+08:002014-02-25T02:08:00.890+08:00Review: Starting Over Again (with spoilers)So I've finally watched Starting Over Again after waiting for ages since the cinemas are always fully booked since Valentine's Day. People have been posting a lot about it on Facebook and I have to admit, it really intrigued me. They even said that this was better than One More Chance so I definitely have to see it and judge it myself. I've seen the trailer and I find it quite interesting so I planned to watch it on Valentine's Day but to no avail. Even the last full shows have zero-ed the cinema seats. So I was a bit tad excited to get seats tonight although we were seated on the far right row of the cinema. Bummer but it was alright.<br />
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While watching the movie, I struggled. It's cos I have high expectations from this movie, I thought I can fit into someone else's character. But I was wrong, I was able to relate to both Ginny and Patty. When a character is someone I can relate to, I immerse myself into that character to feel her emotions, thus, the sobbing while I'm on my seat. With Starting Over Again, it was a push and pull of my emotions because I felt Ginny's desperation but at the same time I am feeling Patty's strength. But at the end of the movie, I've come to terms with the fact that I am a Patty. Needless to say, I was once a Ginny and just like her, I've hated myself at some point in my life and needed a closure. But all I really needed was acceptance and to forgive myself. It was difficult. It took years. But after constant praying and trying to focus myself to something positive, I've learned that I have finally moved on. <br />
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While I was dragged by Ginny's character (I hated her actually), it was a relief that I can relate to Patty because I find her strength and wisdom very admirable. She was calm, mature and understanding. She accepted the broken Marco for who he really is and supported him of his dreams and passion. My favourite line of hers was "My love for you is bigger than your failures...", after she found out that Marco slept with his ex, Ginny. Damn! It takes a real strong woman to say that but what she has is a selfless love and she can conquer anything.<br />
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So what have I learned from this movie?<br />
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1. <b>In love, there is no fear</b>. For Ginny, she was a coward. She got scared that Marco is slowly turning like her father who is a loser. For Patty, Ginny was a threat but she completely trusts Marco. She loves him and she's not giving up on them. She was fearless and her feistiness proved otherwise of Ginny's assumptions.<br />
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2. <b>Everyone thrives on selfless love</b>. Whether we are the giver or the recipient of this love, it must be the kind that seeks for the benefits of others at the expense of self. For Ginny, it was a selfish kind of love. She only thinks of redeeming herself from the past while Patty loves Marco completely despite of his weaknesses. We are all at some point broken and all we need is understanding and acceptance and the only way for us to carry on with our lives is to be loved by other people. And in as much love as we need to be able move on is also the amount of love we need to share to our significant other in order for them to grow as well. Mutual growth is essential in a relationship.<br />
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3. <b>Past is past</b>. We can never bring back the past. We may have second chances but it will never be a continuation of the past. It is in second chances that we start all over again but it will never be the same from the past. But then again, we may also never have a second chance so while you have something good going on right now, make the most out of it.<br />
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4. <b>Never assume of someone else's feelings</b>. This is why I hated Ginny's character because she hijacked Patty's feelings by assuming that Marco would want her back. Even though what they had before was truly magical, she forgot the fact that she completely hurt Marco and ruined him. She was left at the assumption that Marco still has strong feelings for her thanks to that stupid letterlater.com. Just because her strong feelings for Marco remained after 4 years, she forgot that that length of time was good enough for Marco to move on and fall in love with someone else. Plus, she completely underestimated Patty.<br />
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5. <b>Give your all when you love. You only have one chance.</b> Ginny got scared and forgot that she loves Marco too. But it was too late when she left for Barcelona to pursue her dreams and to run away from her fears. Often times, when problem arises in our relationships, we tend to give up. We tend to forget why we love the other person. We give up without even asking ourselves "have we given our all?" Yes we do get tired but until the other person is non responsive to our efforts, we have to constantly give what we can truly give. <br />
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6. <b>Treasure what we have, hold them and nourish them.</b> Especially if it's love. Again, we might only get to have one chance to let it grow in our hands so we keep it for as long as we can. Never let it slip away because the odds of that special kind of love ending up in someone else's heart can kill us. <br />
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7. <b>We all move on. </b>There is just one way to go and that is to move forward. Whether we choose to rekindle our past relationship and start all over again or we let go of our past to find ourselves again, it is a brave passage of moving on. The important thing is never linger on something that you have from the past that you no longer have on your hands. It might be worth going back to start anew or choose to leave the hurt behind, never look back, find peace within yourself and learn to love again.<br />
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I am quite happy with the ending. Ginny deserves the closure and Patty deserves Marco. I'm happy because I've realized that I was once a mess (Ginny) but eventually became a Patty. I think that the whole hurt and pain I've experienced before had contributed to what I have become today - someone who is capable of loving unconditionally and accepts the past and failures of my partner and even loving him more for his flaws and imperfection. With the right amount of trust, love and respect and with even an allowance of mistakes, I'd say I love fearlessly (thanks, Patty).<br />
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So, are there really second chances? With me comparing this movie to One More Chance, I can say that each of these movies have different stories and target of emotions. I was able to relate more on One More Chance. I admit, until now I still sob whenever I watch it. So, second chances? Both stories taught us that there are never really second chances with that one love. And yet you can never unlove. You love that one person once, you get hurt, you are broken. Your scars are healing but you can never go back. The only chance you could get is to find peace within yourself, forgive and start to love again. <br />
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<br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-7319570971743108532013-10-18T02:45:00.002+08:002013-10-18T02:45:24.199+08:00I'm back!This is a shame post to be honest. The title above has been in this blog for a few times already. I admit, it has always been my title whenever I get back after a long hiatus or in this case, my laziness. Although when I do an outfit collage in Polyvore, it automatically uploads in my blog, does it even count? My last honest-to-goodness-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart post was last April when I uploaded something for Zeke's birthday. I couldn't believe that I haven't updated this despite me being unemployed for the longest time.<br />
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So what happened to me? Well, after I got back from Sydney, I went back to my hometown in CDO and stayed for a month. Then went back here in Manila to lodge another visa application that turned out to be as one of the most unbelievable experiences I've had with the embassy. The first time my visa was granted, it just took 4 days for the case officer to review my application and even deliver my visa grant notice. Yep, that quick that I don't even have the time to get nervous. Then the second time, it took them a month to review my application. Technically, it was granted in three weeks but for some reason, the case officer was such as slack that I didn't get any notice even after a week when she called me up for an interview. I emailed the embassy a couple of times and even got my visa grant notice through email. I have left the country when my actual notice was delivered to my home. I missed our anniversary but nevertheless, I was reunited again with my love. I stayed in Sydney again for another three months. This time, it was WINTER! Brrr.... So that's it. I spent a month being a bum with my family, a month of waiting for a visa and three months of doing gf duties :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went down to Geelong to attend Kelly's (Zeke's sister) 40th birthday. It was a super fun costume party!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was Batman and I was Catwoman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking with Zeke's siblings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter photoshoot at Jodie's place in Shelford</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're on a tree?</td></tr>
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So it's been 5 weeks since I got back and I'm actually pretty proud that I'm a bit busy. I went straight to CDO for my mommy's birthday but stayed with my family for only 5 days. I came back here in Manila to lodge another visa application as what Zeke and I have agreed and luckily, we got my notice after 2 weeks. So now is just a matter of deciding which date I should get for my flight back to Sydney. To be honest, I'm quite a bit busy here. Not really busy busy but I am doing something that I really do like. You know how I made reselling as a sideline before? It was really my bread and butter for my lifestyle. Now I've made it as my full time job. Yes, I'm back in selling and it really feels good to be doing this again. This time, I am not doing it alone but I have a partner which makes it more fun. We started last August (while I was still in Sydney) selling one brand of tote bags but now we have expanded and diversified. We have bags, shirts, shoes and watches from multiple brand names. Business has been good so far. We deliver goods almost every other day and we have resellers as well. I can honestly say that although I don't earn as much as I did back when I was still in Convergys, this humble business of ours pays some of my bills and my food. It's just been almost two months and I can say this one is very promising. It actually makes me really happy. I think I was really born to be a businesswoman. With 881 Likes on Facebook and 28 followers on Instagram (just signed up recently), we have pretty much established our market. So this is one of the reasons why I haven't left for Sydney yet. I want to be able to establish our business first, make it stable so when I get back to Sydney, our order processing would just be as smooth as silk. It's a guarantee that I will still be working for our business even when I'm out of the country. I'd like to see that although I will be working from Sydney, it will be an opportunity for me to look for some more products to sell in the Philippines. While I was in Sydney, I was sending chocolates to sell back in the Philippines. I will definitely continue to do it and this time, I wanna add surfing and beach apparel. Wish me luck!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPSY7Pq2cJdyhjqfkovxLKgM4u0f3qIGYPqLXMJvPA0_tOemM1wmtWrxQmK1JOk3_gPrX3oXr6eIFLSKC9LPgM9IKLWRdYDQ5bb8HcaYDMOe6h1ndpxBz58tlMHQri18vLott0A/s1600/the+exclusive+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPSY7Pq2cJdyhjqfkovxLKgM4u0f3qIGYPqLXMJvPA0_tOemM1wmtWrxQmK1JOk3_gPrX3oXr6eIFLSKC9LPgM9IKLWRdYDQ5bb8HcaYDMOe6h1ndpxBz58tlMHQri18vLott0A/s400/the+exclusive+shop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-28838783835659072032013-04-30T01:44:00.001+08:002013-04-30T01:45:13.586+08:00Happy Birthday to the Love of my Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dysZQ3Ck4P_x03ArgGq6Z0pVZX-nuZWoLVlpLtfJ8eCEI07ZT96j057b-6p8LNeIpKVVLZep2FSYuU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! I pray that you will have whatever your heart desires.<br />
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Although I may not be there on your birthday, trust that my heart is always with you. I wish all your wishes will come true.<br />
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I love you. Always and Forever.freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-65159405652713043082013-04-17T02:07:00.002+08:002013-04-17T02:15:49.497+08:00Oh My Sydney!Okay so now I'm a bit embarrassed as I haven't been blogging for... get this, 5 months! Well, I was busy. Not really the kind of busy if i would've said this a year ago but the kind of busy --- enjoying life :)<br />
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My last entry was in November. I still remember those days when I was preparing for the requirements for my visa. I was granted a visa before November ended so I left the country 10 days later. And that's when I started became "busy".<br />
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It was my first time to visit Australia. I arrived in Sydney on a beautiful Thursday morning. Zeke took a time off from work that day to pick me up at the airport. The Captain of our plane had said it was 13 degrees in Sydney. I was like "really?" I thought it's summer. Or maybe he had said 30. But as soon as I got out from the plane, I know it wasn't 30 degrees. So I went in line for Immigration, got my whimsy suitcase from the carousel, went through Customs (I declared my medicines) and have myself filmed for Border Security. Joke! Although they were filming that morning, I just won't like to delay myself from hugging again the love of my life. I exited out, called Zeke on his phone and a few minutes later, there he is came rushing towards me. We hugged and kissed and it was all like magic again.<br />
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We took a cab and went straight home. We rested for a while and we started going around the city. My first day of touring the city was like in a daze. I couldn't remember things. I was lost. I have poor sense of direction. Or maybe because I was busy taking pictures. Or maybe because I was just fascinated with my environment --- I've never seen so many white people in my life. Chinese, yes, but whiteys? they're just everywhere. I probably would sound ignorant but hey I'm not ashamed to say that as a lady who grew up in a third world country, seeing different people in a first world country for the first time is actually overwhelming. So Zeke is my private tour guide, pointing buildings, telling me what they are, their stories (his personal stories) and history. We really didn't go through all the tourist attractions in Sydney on that day. We only had a brief tour, cuddled up at home and the next two weeks, Zeke was at work so most of the time I explore the city on my own. After that two weeks and some crazy partying, we went to Zeke's hometown in Geelong (my favourite place in Australia!). Stories about Geelong will be in another blog though :) After Geelong, we went back to Sydney and there I spent 2 months going around the city. So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, our personal pictures of Sydney, Australia.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65dLz2f17O8/UW2GTCwWEoI/AAAAAAAABBk/U6blMOAav_M/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65dLz2f17O8/UW2GTCwWEoI/AAAAAAAABBk/U6blMOAav_M/s400/IMG_0119.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Mary's Cathedral</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNeSX9z_0u8/UW2GRHNETrI/AAAAAAAABBc/sQf-jLtReh4/s1600/IMG_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNeSX9z_0u8/UW2GRHNETrI/AAAAAAAABBc/sQf-jLtReh4/s400/IMG_0102.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sydney Tower with perfect blue sky as a background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hnM-l7eKFw/UW2GYN82cOI/AAAAAAAABB0/Pmwv8r_KllQ/s1600/IMG_0131.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hnM-l7eKFw/UW2GYN82cOI/AAAAAAAABB0/Pmwv8r_KllQ/s400/IMG_0131.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sydney Westfield Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mLBciw5XeQ/UW2GW2-zvOI/AAAAAAAABBs/v8U2tEDPSgY/s1600/IMG_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mLBciw5XeQ/UW2GW2-zvOI/AAAAAAAABBs/v8U2tEDPSgY/s400/IMG_0109.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyde Park. A Wedding Photoshoot happening right there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVPhGxZJDapXVBw26G6f6Q3TjfAFGpy6IQRvF3cUnj6Rrws0YlZHbPYd1FYkUqqUdBCNBjfpuP8_q7UMtVSAb0erWRX_XaU8kmoTPWMhoL5EDdTxiDJ60fMZUpAH8EOT35S-SSw/s1600/IMG_4426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVPhGxZJDapXVBw26G6f6Q3TjfAFGpy6IQRvF3cUnj6Rrws0YlZHbPYd1FYkUqqUdBCNBjfpuP8_q7UMtVSAb0erWRX_XaU8kmoTPWMhoL5EDdTxiDJ60fMZUpAH8EOT35S-SSw/s400/IMG_4426.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Sydney</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLhWbnanB3kfpmGXbTEPenGq6ZtuovgfECjAAA-u5R00COGh-tjscBQ4-w_5zniF8-SSSs34-B8gobrVMxfQXQPhqQ-h6diMWUaa6zEahOm4pGN-vauB-UlbM8pn-p2uC9nyH8w/s1600/IMG_0909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLhWbnanB3kfpmGXbTEPenGq6ZtuovgfECjAAA-u5R00COGh-tjscBQ4-w_5zniF8-SSSs34-B8gobrVMxfQXQPhqQ-h6diMWUaa6zEahOm4pGN-vauB-UlbM8pn-p2uC9nyH8w/s400/IMG_0909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the tower looking at Sydney in 360 degree view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2m7RR0usZA/UW2IK333_0I/AAAAAAAABB8/H0jo0GwCG8A/s1600/IMG_1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2m7RR0usZA/UW2IK333_0I/AAAAAAAABB8/H0jo0GwCG8A/s400/IMG_1102.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ANZ Stadium at the Olympic Park during The Colour Run.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM7hqSAiKLu5bX8SulAM5JLCSkKxvDMcVvZ2Zo2H1dLToPIx2i5hXgTt8wMVpwY0E75uJ3Yy7ENeFQ7sQGCCIIcKs47xcDFVu9pZyatmuWFBTNP-o5PCKFNwhI29WUcq_bt3Wjw/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM7hqSAiKLu5bX8SulAM5JLCSkKxvDMcVvZ2Zo2H1dLToPIx2i5hXgTt8wMVpwY0E75uJ3Yy7ENeFQ7sQGCCIIcKs47xcDFVu9pZyatmuWFBTNP-o5PCKFNwhI29WUcq_bt3Wjw/s400/IMG_0774.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stadium at the Olympic Park during The Big Day Out Music Festival. Highlight of the day? Red Hot Chili Peppers.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKfWpE-Qmg/UW2ILjS7cyI/AAAAAAAABCE/sZis1YZuzLU/s1600/IMG_4391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKfWpE-Qmg/UW2ILjS7cyI/AAAAAAAABCE/sZis1YZuzLU/s400/IMG_4391.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Sydney Harbour Bridge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5zP4qPGX8gsn4JumrjkCWNd_IjIrjdAie8SPtkTp6iqxGtepC3Cbim1Y9hzyAOhFNRs7AOxPV9fwx8qW8gbokgiDqWBUsp-BtDVF2DexrADsPPVzOmenVaJIijM8tJ7pxa0KNA/s1600/IMG_3688.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5zP4qPGX8gsn4JumrjkCWNd_IjIrjdAie8SPtkTp6iqxGtepC3Cbim1Y9hzyAOhFNRs7AOxPV9fwx8qW8gbokgiDqWBUsp-BtDVF2DexrADsPPVzOmenVaJIijM8tJ7pxa0KNA/s400/IMG_3688.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Harbour Bridge on Christmas Eve</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nYID9VLt3o/UW2IeysE8rI/AAAAAAAABCs/sm8f6pVNQxY/s1600/IMG_4395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nYID9VLt3o/UW2IeysE8rI/AAAAAAAABCs/sm8f6pVNQxY/s400/IMG_4395.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm in-love with this tree at the Botanical Garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Q7oohXTN0o/UW2JahdzNAI/AAAAAAAABC8/A481udB2sdc/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Q7oohXTN0o/UW2JahdzNAI/AAAAAAAABC8/A481udB2sdc/s400/IMG_0709.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manly Beach. My fave one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kR7BhgnuwO8/UW2JZwU1S2I/AAAAAAAABC0/BMTe2EOhL-0/s1600/IMG_0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kR7BhgnuwO8/UW2JZwU1S2I/AAAAAAAABC0/BMTe2EOhL-0/s400/IMG_0710.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People swimming at Manly Beach. Waves are very beautiful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RSf_pocO83U/UW2Kd42tncI/AAAAAAAABDs/q_W2d9NAFVs/s1600/bondi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RSf_pocO83U/UW2Kd42tncI/AAAAAAAABDs/q_W2d9NAFVs/s400/bondi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bondi Beach. Famous for surfers ;)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwkH_GxN_JpSUYmcCBjFs3JO1EHjpxiJp6NQ9ml24bt5O16pCjjlj2AmrtanL2BAgeElHJGQlm8dOicZmNXD6uDJDyQWKnbtPwShfOQkMBmCpu6DZWWOFNAqMOCk557M7xKI7ZA/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwkH_GxN_JpSUYmcCBjFs3JO1EHjpxiJp6NQ9ml24bt5O16pCjjlj2AmrtanL2BAgeElHJGQlm8dOicZmNXD6uDJDyQWKnbtPwShfOQkMBmCpu6DZWWOFNAqMOCk557M7xKI7ZA/s400/IMG_0773.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge Rubber Duckie at Darling Harbour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKijSx8voSBXFTXaebDt5F93VNDP_uPuezX6CH7dNOwzLuftv1sIdZ8bOd8kRb5t2gAZtla5hqVGO6Hs4v8vkmaoYLzG7QUcuB2YNKzR_w2xh7fE4V4HDsnJcPotp_b8zL_0WEqA/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKijSx8voSBXFTXaebDt5F93VNDP_uPuezX6CH7dNOwzLuftv1sIdZ8bOd8kRb5t2gAZtla5hqVGO6Hs4v8vkmaoYLzG7QUcuB2YNKzR_w2xh7fE4V4HDsnJcPotp_b8zL_0WEqA/s400/IMG_1182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, we don't wanna miss out The Sydney Opera House.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtxZXpL-nmE/UW2LKIkyiFI/AAAAAAAABEA/4r4AwsStuk4/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtxZXpL-nmE/UW2LKIkyiFI/AAAAAAAABEA/4r4AwsStuk4/s400/IMG_1237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circular Quay</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HIthuVhgZH09q5ZXJlhbGzyEoiGW2OnjAg-EzlxmGH4Ds9EfW0Jb-ayB-XxkatAT650DMBsE9IwAeOoUvWCubIWspDS5tAQFZI44XhD471sB61U7V8LgXRS5iHna80HM_vdPFQ/s1600/building.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HIthuVhgZH09q5ZXJlhbGzyEoiGW2OnjAg-EzlxmGH4Ds9EfW0Jb-ayB-XxkatAT650DMBsE9IwAeOoUvWCubIWspDS5tAQFZI44XhD471sB61U7V8LgXRS5iHna80HM_vdPFQ/s400/building.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I actually forgot what this building is (maybe QVB) but just showing you the kind of buildings they have.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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There are actually a lot of places to visit in Sydney. There are museums, malls, parks and others. Other places that I've been to will be in another blog though as they are worth the space, post and effort. Just standby ;) But I really can't believe I missed Taronga Zoo. It'll definitely be on top of my list when I go back there next month. I know it will be worth the wait. 'Til my next entry!<br />
<br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-25346529450835875932012-11-25T05:09:00.000+08:002012-11-25T05:09:00.113+08:00Club Serena in Moalboal, CebuThis resort deserves a special shout out in my blog. Zeke and I totally loved the place because it was quiet (they only have 12 cottages in the resort), the staff are nice, the food is great and the cottages/ suites are unique and clean.<br />
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We stayed in an old cottage for 2 nights when we realised on the second night that the aircon isn't too cold for us. We then decided to move to the Chairman's suite as soon as we saw how gorgeous it was. <br />
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Although we slightly felt an incovenience on our old cottage, moving to the new suite was totally worth it. <br />
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WARNING: This entry is picture heavy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWYJ6Wxl8M3fOIqu0AyAlFOHWnc8db4RyWVjtYwuX-uH0LTZZSgTFBKmkaYdDZr4nxITpHOj8_FowRJZU6af7txewur8Pd5PhY3_51hqS0Apy_mXN8J9-K6w52Mc4UnxKWjJ5sw/s1600/IMG_9974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWYJ6Wxl8M3fOIqu0AyAlFOHWnc8db4RyWVjtYwuX-uH0LTZZSgTFBKmkaYdDZr4nxITpHOj8_FowRJZU6af7txewur8Pd5PhY3_51hqS0Apy_mXN8J9-K6w52Mc4UnxKWjJ5sw/s400/IMG_9974.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's our suite!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsliffY_-y53UZFKaDQZIfXO8pkSPo_Yfu_Iya1sE4bkXIQQE7wd8aNEb9z_fOok63Dxf233wDODjUOFyz-bLGFduPXRkdRe9C53Ff36_wWaBxbZEX59rxeYoUgwM2l1lM7bHEw/s1600/IMG_9915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsliffY_-y53UZFKaDQZIfXO8pkSPo_Yfu_Iya1sE4bkXIQQE7wd8aNEb9z_fOok63Dxf233wDODjUOFyz-bLGFduPXRkdRe9C53Ff36_wWaBxbZEX59rxeYoUgwM2l1lM7bHEw/s400/IMG_9915.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e11YHfarvLk/ULE0ueaFXbI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8vqnfojhw-c/s1600/IMG_9926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e11YHfarvLk/ULE0ueaFXbI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8vqnfojhw-c/s400/IMG_9926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3uWR2PomCM/ULE0zgUGurI/AAAAAAAAA_E/RRild8vxfdY/s1600/IMG_9959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3uWR2PomCM/ULE0zgUGurI/AAAAAAAAA_E/RRild8vxfdY/s400/IMG_9959.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETswdzXZhuYYN1B8To4Cy7qiTDFFpB-jscejRqSV6zaaLlRkD6XGAra0Q-IlII7I3QxIzOJznUUTnTy6-WJjP4QcnAYTIIpETUElSeWJzthfmw2aExsYjfftuaQOgW5X5A-jhuQ/s1600/IMG_9916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETswdzXZhuYYN1B8To4Cy7qiTDFFpB-jscejRqSV6zaaLlRkD6XGAra0Q-IlII7I3QxIzOJznUUTnTy6-WJjP4QcnAYTIIpETUElSeWJzthfmw2aExsYjfftuaQOgW5X5A-jhuQ/s400/IMG_9916.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private area</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iAPsmQLYDE/ULE0-OEQtzI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/V30EX_O5tzY/s1600/IMG_9932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iAPsmQLYDE/ULE0-OEQtzI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/V30EX_O5tzY/s400/IMG_9932.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have our own pool</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6ODlQ_3DLg/ULE1EF0xOZI/AAAAAAAAA_g/NWA7CBVLhEM/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6ODlQ_3DLg/ULE1EF0xOZI/AAAAAAAAA_g/NWA7CBVLhEM/s400/IMG_0171.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The highlight: the outdoor shower</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjgcDdliS4qfGrBsCRPHVFyRKoVPJb-ajL9lBwDiRdpsGKAzRuYKjfc5axp4T8dd_TRGJy_rZxBsEiiE8kmPPqS6CsGasMTdCSWF4Y_sJ-_ZFpsEq6_J0ZIQpi6nzYPv16VXg2Q/s1600/IMG_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjgcDdliS4qfGrBsCRPHVFyRKoVPJb-ajL9lBwDiRdpsGKAzRuYKjfc5axp4T8dd_TRGJy_rZxBsEiiE8kmPPqS6CsGasMTdCSWF4Y_sJ-_ZFpsEq6_J0ZIQpi6nzYPv16VXg2Q/s400/IMG_0175.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outdoor bath at night. So romantic.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyv0GqYc-V0OGnsIPF7Kjf_3nY_IvDt2L47OIM6tJJTh9iO4kDwmMPB2_N9A0xAzbhEVY-WHgWISC5tXXNx9typXpkuknI0FdRFTxiFIcBxxvI3BrLb2DnB41LfdV8VIZTtTj8w/s1600/IMG_9978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyv0GqYc-V0OGnsIPF7Kjf_3nY_IvDt2L47OIM6tJJTh9iO4kDwmMPB2_N9A0xAzbhEVY-WHgWISC5tXXNx9typXpkuknI0FdRFTxiFIcBxxvI3BrLb2DnB41LfdV8VIZTtTj8w/s400/IMG_9978.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of their cabanas with swans.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ew2OJ07JNPA/ULE1l9K_u0I/AAAAAAAAA_4/E-nlPC3Fa-I/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ew2OJ07JNPA/ULE1l9K_u0I/AAAAAAAAA_4/E-nlPC3Fa-I/s400/IMG_0078.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their beach</td></tr>
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For more details about the resort, please go to their website: <a href="http://clubserenaresort.com/">http://clubserenaresort.com/</a>freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-52218653251492701662012-11-25T04:49:00.000+08:002012-11-25T04:53:56.888+08:00Cebu LoveTo date, Zeke says Cebu is his favorite place. Why? Read on and you'll know. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvBoYw82DW1P1rg4WC9rU9FhzXyZsA7QRYRo_deOfBgDhPJ-zdytDx2vIpDFXSIqbQv1CmH464iiJkuBmiFeuEhPCWb0CqybKidRiSIpj9Y8m_YT_Xo7Y4OSUW1V78RA7bRZBHQ/s1600/IMG_9867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvBoYw82DW1P1rg4WC9rU9FhzXyZsA7QRYRo_deOfBgDhPJ-zdytDx2vIpDFXSIqbQv1CmH464iiJkuBmiFeuEhPCWb0CqybKidRiSIpj9Y8m_YT_Xo7Y4OSUW1V78RA7bRZBHQ/s400/IMG_9867.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusk at Cebu by Zeke McKenzie</td></tr>
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Zeke came back last October to visit me again. Yey! I always LOVE when he's here. I love that we're together and we spend a lot of time with each other. Makes me kilig all the time :) He was here for 11 days to spend time with me. We spent the first few days at home and met some of my AT&T friends. Then we went for a 5 day vacation in Cebu.<br />
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The Queen City of the South - Cebu, is located in the Visayas region of the country so Zeke and I have to take a plane ride to reach our destination. Uhm, so yeah, that's our destination. But what do we do? We have absolutely no idea at the start. But since we both love the beach, we first decided to go island hopping. But Zeke doesn't seem to buy the idea of island hopping since we've done that in Boracay. Then it suddenly hit us; tick an item from our Bucket List. Let's go SCUBA DIVING! Wooot! We got excited that we pegged our entire trip for this activity. It's just funny because we did everything the last minute --- from booking our flights, accommodation, planning our itinerary. We booked our flight October 8 and left Manila on the 9th. We arrived in Cebu in the afternoon and I had to make phone calls to the resort to have someone pick us up from Cebu City later that night. Why? Later you'll find out.<br />
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First off, visit the Magellan's Cross and Snr. Santo Nino Church. Visiting this place is a must whenever one visits Cebu. This is one of the famous landmarks in Cebu and the church is really very old. Zeke even told me that the church is older than his country. Visiting the Sto. Nino church is very personal to me. When we were younger, my entire Saldua family would come to Cebu to celebrate the Sinulog Festival. Sinulog Festival is a yearly celebration for the feast of the Sto Nino. It's a lavish party held every 3rd Sunday of January. The main streets will be closed all the way to Sto. Nino church for the parade. Then at the end of the parade, all the people will gather in the church to receive the final blessing. I have experienced that whole thing when I was still young that's why it was very special for me to take Zeke to a place where I consider close to my heart.<br />
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We first went to the Magellan's Cross then the church. Zeke took a lot of photos while I was praying. After I prayed, we went to a courtyard adjacent to the church and we took some more photos. I also lit some candles for special prayers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V8CKUF_X-MQ/ULEifddlG8I/AAAAAAAAA4c/SMvoYUwvbG0/s1600/IMG_9653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V8CKUF_X-MQ/ULEifddlG8I/AAAAAAAAA4c/SMvoYUwvbG0/s400/IMG_9653.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magellan's Cross</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-D4mUt9MZk/ULElAcsOejI/AAAAAAAAA50/4tHiHQxjlq8/s1600/525794_10151455446423761_1429280676_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-D4mUt9MZk/ULElAcsOejI/AAAAAAAAA50/4tHiHQxjlq8/s400/525794_10151455446423761_1429280676_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeke the photographer and Sto. Nino Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8sRRPIjwuxh_8n5z5PlZFZiYZ6bJhjejMgv47ZtxTw75CviHrwUvJlgkz-ujCCQk2m9PDt38FqGJmZE-NYTjgDmT8qpbFZ8NHZyLhn83E23WTciGnG0qLThlpYBsIBGgAEx7Xw/s1600/IMG_9659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8sRRPIjwuxh_8n5z5PlZFZiYZ6bJhjejMgv47ZtxTw75CviHrwUvJlgkz-ujCCQk2m9PDt38FqGJmZE-NYTjgDmT8qpbFZ8NHZyLhn83E23WTciGnG0qLThlpYBsIBGgAEx7Xw/s400/IMG_9659.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me praying</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjjIXWHDWjY/ULEkb_eLGII/AAAAAAAAA5c/SSnybPnCQ2A/s1600/IMG_9687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjjIXWHDWjY/ULEkb_eLGII/AAAAAAAAA5c/SSnybPnCQ2A/s400/IMG_9687.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeke trying to talk to Jesus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnTLP3Uy9CrgHRJhT01n5K8ouBRjZmwgxVQ_wQLx8i5uogDU53OqXmyqaHHUIK7Gy_K9I-nG6rE4QV33R0TYnYwwTrFVdnQzzv60uE-yHtohdE0_hy4JYUrMF0OyvLD_HZqgWfQ/s1600/IMG_9704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnTLP3Uy9CrgHRJhT01n5K8ouBRjZmwgxVQ_wQLx8i5uogDU53OqXmyqaHHUIK7Gy_K9I-nG6rE4QV33R0TYnYwwTrFVdnQzzv60uE-yHtohdE0_hy4JYUrMF0OyvLD_HZqgWfQ/s400/IMG_9704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have mercy on us</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUB5YNNqVDI/ULEkmHZmbyI/AAAAAAAAA5s/zMQrzDi3KM8/s1600/IMG_9748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUB5YNNqVDI/ULEkmHZmbyI/AAAAAAAAA5s/zMQrzDi3KM8/s400/IMG_9748.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light a candle for a special prayer</td></tr>
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After visiting the church, we went straight ahead to Crowne Regency Hotel and Tower. This is why we asked our driver to pick us up at 10pm. <br />
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<strong>Sky Experience Extreme Adventure</strong><br />
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This was one of a kind experience for the both of us. We both enjoyed all the activities as we were challenged both physically and mentally. It's been years since my last climb and yes, I have fear of heights. I mean, who doesn't? So the more we did the activities in that place, the more I let out screams from the top of my lungs. And obviously, Zeke was enjoying the whole time I was terrified. Zeke loved our activities from that night. He could've been happier had the shooting range made his rifle available on that day. Unfortunately, we have to go back on a Saturday. We ended our extreme adventure with a sumptuous buffet dinner at the hotel. Great cos we're both famished. At 10pm, we were on our van en route to Moalboal, Cebu. The trip took us 2 hours to get to the resort and as soon as we enter our cottage, we immediately hit the sack. zzzzz....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9PgTLMTmrBNRMQ3Jxpjn0tv-1kexSXi8m87SmISRRy7_LA8DErScRdUvsliK7xm7SviZDnUmxgP_0or-EY63Mq8ak9JyBOa1rw9uteCBUou3MR79M8HEkTFfXwCxmTKYs28ACA/s1600/IMG_0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9PgTLMTmrBNRMQ3Jxpjn0tv-1kexSXi8m87SmISRRy7_LA8DErScRdUvsliK7xm7SviZDnUmxgP_0or-EY63Mq8ak9JyBOa1rw9uteCBUou3MR79M8HEkTFfXwCxmTKYs28ACA/s400/IMG_0289.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Edge Coaster. I didn't scream. Promise. ; )</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJdcGnTs9JE/ULEmYF6RXgI/AAAAAAAAA6E/teAtsUpaKWk/s1600/IMG_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJdcGnTs9JE/ULEmYF6RXgI/AAAAAAAAA6E/teAtsUpaKWk/s400/IMG_0293.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A foot on the edge. I couldn't do it. Great job, baby!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_j0NlTlRiJY/ULEmcxd4M7I/AAAAAAAAA6M/JjG2n0dMZq4/s1600/IMG_0298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_j0NlTlRiJY/ULEmcxd4M7I/AAAAAAAAA6M/JjG2n0dMZq4/s400/IMG_0298.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the guitar?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sa1Cu3-PWZM/ULEmhHFwOHI/AAAAAAAAA6U/dGUnsVAQkX0/s1600/IMG_0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sa1Cu3-PWZM/ULEmhHFwOHI/AAAAAAAAA6U/dGUnsVAQkX0/s400/IMG_0305.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide pretended to fall and it wasn't funny. He apologised to me later on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkde8BhFKDHN-EP7BWeGa1l5Fh0ev8Ot1MLTmAqVjObzNocTHRnecQIaOpWqNHGp6X2YRkBuJn8MVOKbYX0eJ2oODc3uO7TsfrtxrMYEPZof2QFH46oWe9SAUwgclX7WQf5PpFQ/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkde8BhFKDHN-EP7BWeGa1l5Fh0ev8Ot1MLTmAqVjObzNocTHRnecQIaOpWqNHGp6X2YRkBuJn8MVOKbYX0eJ2oODc3uO7TsfrtxrMYEPZof2QFH46oWe9SAUwgclX7WQf5PpFQ/s400/IMG_0859.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipline from Tower 1 to Tower 2</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbKuQMtbXn8/ULEmpuDdFNI/AAAAAAAAA6k/rJTOXkYpRT8/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbKuQMtbXn8/ULEmpuDdFNI/AAAAAAAAA6k/rJTOXkYpRT8/s400/IMG_0881.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Wall Climbing. "Aah, I can hear Ma'am's nails..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IM_Xzyo40oQ/ULEmtgfXneI/AAAAAAAAA6s/vv_nda1FvUw/s1600/IMG_9750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IM_Xzyo40oQ/ULEmtgfXneI/AAAAAAAAA6s/vv_nda1FvUw/s400/IMG_9750.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We survived the funny Skywalk Adventure</td></tr>
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<strong>Day 2:</strong> We woke up to a very beautiful morning at Club Serena in Moalboal, Cebu. Our cottage is situated near the resort entrance so we have to walk a bit to see the beach. The beach is not as fabulous as Boracay's. This is because Moalboal is known for diving. So intead of having fine sand, all you can see is a pebbly, rocky beach. But don't complain yet! Wait 'til you see the underwater. We had our breakfast, took some photos and then we had our intro course for diving. At 10:30am, we were at the dive shop, watching a video presentation about diving, filling out forms and taking tests with our dive master Mark Russell. Whew, that was easy! Then off we went to the pool to do the actual exercises. But ooops, I had a few issues before going in the water. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse). It's a heart condition which actually means that my heart is not pumping regularly. Instead of the lub-dub lub-dub beat, sometimes, it goes lub-lub-dub or lub-dub-dub. Sometimes, my heart forgets to stop beating. Joke! Seriously, I have been previously told I can't do strenuous activities. If I try to run, which is my usual exercise, I should do it with a buddy. But obviously, I've managed to run by myself for years. Going back, I was really scared our dive master won't allow me to get into the water. He asked me questions, a couple of times thought of it and finally he said we will take it slow. Yebah!!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MHU66Wq-rIc/ULEouYg8MOI/AAAAAAAAA60/YzYaXmiyxa0/s1600/IMG_9763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MHU66Wq-rIc/ULEouYg8MOI/AAAAAAAAA60/YzYaXmiyxa0/s400/IMG_9763.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Serena's boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-HUP8sqg4TNkB22PQaV_m6XX2mt4v7Cmnmw1UF3OG_1jeXgGZyHm2ZlKuI5H_T7HVfi2yzjtJSHTj7Ov_NtcrF4IT1lHl8ZSm-l0TDgqT1vsAo99wW0okl7wMMrsxShFKXseHQ/s1600/IMG_9779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-HUP8sqg4TNkB22PQaV_m6XX2mt4v7Cmnmw1UF3OG_1jeXgGZyHm2ZlKuI5H_T7HVfi2yzjtJSHTj7Ov_NtcrF4IT1lHl8ZSm-l0TDgqT1vsAo99wW0okl7wMMrsxShFKXseHQ/s400/IMG_9779.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Morning kiss</td></tr>
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So we put our wetties on, booties, flippers, (heavy) belts, tanks and BCD. We then did some exercises in the pool. I struggled a lot. It's because we were asked to "breathe normally" when we're in the water but my problem is I don't breathe normally. I few times I am very conscious with my breathing because the swimming part is tiring. Man, the kicking with the flippers is a lot of work! I did a few rounds in the pool and it was like I had a 2k run. I had to get off from the water to breathe abnormally. Hahaha! And because I was very conscious with my breathing, I was literally turning around like a dead fish as I can't control my bouyancy. As for Zeke, my darling was a PRO. He was like a handsome merman in the water. As a matter of fact, our dive master encouraged him to take the full course in diving cos he's very good. So jealous! And me? after a few rounds, I finally got to swim in the water. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> We apologise we didn't have photos of our diving lessons. Zeke had left his camera in our cottage as there's no one who can look after his precious possession as we get in the water. </span></em></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkYutFcu9HU/ULEpJJur_YI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/lOCaGnxhCjs/s1600/560355_10151281213344789_1027548759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkYutFcu9HU/ULEpJJur_YI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/lOCaGnxhCjs/s400/560355_10151281213344789_1027548759_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sexy on our wetties</td></tr>
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At 2:30pm, we were introduced to the ocean world. Did I mention we walked from the pool area to the beach with our tanks on our back and guess what, the tank I think is heavier than me so Zeke helped me held my tank in his other hand because I really couldn't walk. He looked like he's holding a pretty turtle on its shell. Now this is the part that I hated most in this trip. I was assigned to another diving instructor. And as we were going down in the water, I was trying to equalize cos my left ear started to hurt when this instructor pulled me down in the water. He was trying to get me at some depth but I just couldn't because my ear was just hurting. I went up a couple of times trying ease the pain on my ear then go down again. I eventually told him if we could stay at a certain depth and I will try to equalize again and once my ear is clear we can go further down. So he agreed but I know that he still keeps on pulling me down. And at 9 meters, I was cruising but I was in tears because my left ear really hurts big time. It almost felt like my left brain got numb too. So I gave up. I was so pissed off with my instructor and so disappointed with myself. I only spent less than 10 minutes under water. Boooo! I had a bad first diving experience. :( And again as for Zeke, I never saw him until he came out of the water after almost an hour. He surely had fun in the water. He went as deep as 12 meters and he almost ran out of air. I can see from his face he was very happy as he came out of the water and showed me pictures that he took. He went so deep when diving that his underwater camera gave up and was broken.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OWjMUN2ExU/ULEpCsp_D5I/AAAAAAAAA7E/CuLNcpquc0k/s1600/IMG_9815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OWjMUN2ExU/ULEpCsp_D5I/AAAAAAAAA7E/CuLNcpquc0k/s400/IMG_9815.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeke with our Dive Master, Mark Russell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYkbQrRPy9g/ULEpHkzps4I/AAAAAAAAA7M/C_4aKDa4NdA/s1600/IMG_9855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYkbQrRPy9g/ULEpHkzps4I/AAAAAAAAA7M/C_4aKDa4NdA/s400/IMG_9855.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yey! We got our certificates</td></tr>
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<strong>Day 3:</strong> River Climbing at Matutinao River. So what is actually a river climbing? We have no idea. From the pictures we see from the brochure, it looks like an upstream trekking. But what the hey, we are always ready for adventure so at 9:30am, a certain kuya picked us up from the resort and we rode his single motorcycle going to the town where we would meet the other people who would also do the same activity. So it appeared that in the group, excluding the guides, I am the only foreigner. <em>*wink*</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4Relddhe2w/ULErV2nJvdI/AAAAAAAAA7c/0uw8dOkZoWk/s1600/DSC06600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4Relddhe2w/ULErV2nJvdI/AAAAAAAAA7c/0uw8dOkZoWk/s400/DSC06600.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3ovRg1vmgX8n3FM_y9cLhm5mukCMBqAsLT0VbhZnd7F4YCztG4r2YcV-eQixE37U48zlwngqKF6VFLQDfJyYt-UjH5HuQrS6tSxuYtx7P9BlvlOLbhgAzZNZ84C7_gVO7jp1zw/s1600/DSC08302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3ovRg1vmgX8n3FM_y9cLhm5mukCMBqAsLT0VbhZnd7F4YCztG4r2YcV-eQixE37U48zlwngqKF6VFLQDfJyYt-UjH5HuQrS6tSxuYtx7P9BlvlOLbhgAzZNZ84C7_gVO7jp1zw/s400/DSC08302.JPG" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide took a sneaky pic of us</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXweb51V72E/ULErllm1-RI/AAAAAAAAA7s/Zq6M-zDLuLg/s1600/DSC08313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXweb51V72E/ULErllm1-RI/AAAAAAAAA7s/Zq6M-zDLuLg/s400/DSC08313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first bamboo bridge. So cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fygp8q9BIys/ULErt6qj99I/AAAAAAAAA70/KjZWGmz2mAk/s1600/DSC08316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fygp8q9BIys/ULErt6qj99I/AAAAAAAAA70/KjZWGmz2mAk/s400/DSC08316.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First swim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nV695R__RpA/ULEryUd_9lI/AAAAAAAAA78/CeihwipRhsQ/s1600/DSC08320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nV695R__RpA/ULEryUd_9lI/AAAAAAAAA78/CeihwipRhsQ/s400/DSC08320.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hold on to the vines or else...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJzh5R1aKf8/ULEr3PjVZII/AAAAAAAAA8E/7CGfyDySfRA/s1600/DSC08322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJzh5R1aKf8/ULEr3PjVZII/AAAAAAAAA8E/7CGfyDySfRA/s400/DSC08322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't get up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmQYBUxEkmM/ULEr63J86yI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/HJ_qVt-JVhY/s1600/DSC08334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmQYBUxEkmM/ULEr63J86yI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/HJ_qVt-JVhY/s400/DSC08334.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, a happy swim!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13D0YvatBh4TWjRbcSURrqBpmhRo4KaLJiFZMWb6ZqxlHgL-uwb7iZeDUJipNxlAwtiGISqO5_gsBpYonKmXuJE6sVFkdOfSSfpLOwKXlouCooMh1m752of970ixRh4UUjlOtrA/s1600/DSC08344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13D0YvatBh4TWjRbcSURrqBpmhRo4KaLJiFZMWb6ZqxlHgL-uwb7iZeDUJipNxlAwtiGISqO5_gsBpYonKmXuJE6sVFkdOfSSfpLOwKXlouCooMh1m752of970ixRh4UUjlOtrA/s400/DSC08344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jump!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHlLS-6b-H8/ULEsD-ZHkKI/AAAAAAAAA8g/XZbXcfe86lI/s1600/DSC08345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHlLS-6b-H8/ULEsD-ZHkKI/AAAAAAAAA8g/XZbXcfe86lI/s400/DSC08345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a huge log!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_mp8viQFbw/ULEsI-RI9XI/AAAAAAAAA8o/22-jMsnIA-E/s1600/DSC08355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_mp8viQFbw/ULEsI-RI9XI/AAAAAAAAA8o/22-jMsnIA-E/s400/DSC08355.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up against the strong current</td></tr>
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So how do I define River Climbing? Start with putting life vest on, helmet and booties are actually very useful. Then start with walking. Then crossing a bamboo bridge, a lot of walking, crossing a hanging bridge, jump in the water, swim, swim swim, walk, climb a mountain, go down, climb a rock, jump into the water, swim, walk and walk. Did I say that we were going against the strong current of the river? And as we go further, the current is becoming stronger and stronger and the obstacles are getting harder. The river is getting deeper and deeper, pathways are more narrow, rocks became boulders and at some point, there was a snake in the water at the end of the trek. The whole thing took us 4 hours and it was a lot of work. After the last climb, we realised we were so famished. The entire group settled on a cottage to have our lunch. We had grilled fish and pork, fried chicken, vegetable salad, puso, coke and beer. Burp! I had 3 puso while Zeke had 1 I think. But he loved the grilled pork and beer. After our lunch we head back to the town so that kuya can send us back again to the resort. We dropped by at a pharmacy to get us some Betadine, alcohol and cotton balls for our injuries. Ouchie! Back at the resort, we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming in our private pool. At night, we were treating our injuries, had some chocolates, tried to watch a DVD but since we were so tired and our bodies are so sore, we fell asleep sooner than we thought.<br />
<br />
<strong>Day 4</strong>: We were supposed to go for another diving session and have asked our dive master Mark if he could be the one accompanying me as we go underwater and he said yes. Unfortunately, when we swam the day before at our pool, my ears hurt again. It hurts so bad that I got out of the pool because I could no longer even put my head on the water. So we decided to cancel our dive and go to an island instead to do snorkeling. We hired a boat to take us to Pescador Island. The trip going to the island is about 45 minutes and the waves are a bit scary. After that long boat ride with our engine halted in the middle of the deep blue sea, we finally arrived at the island. Pescador Island is a limestone island and surprisingly home of many fishermen. In fact, when we went snorkeling, Zeke had to remind me to be careful with some areas because there are a lot of fishing lines. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pXLRR-tv948/ULEtwL69OXI/AAAAAAAAA8w/0JFAzdZzRq0/s1600/IMG_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pXLRR-tv948/ULEtwL69OXI/AAAAAAAAA8w/0JFAzdZzRq0/s400/IMG_0127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pescador Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws_n6nbMMGI/ULEt03R9LSI/AAAAAAAAA84/4I6m3YS2Kqo/s1600/IMG_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws_n6nbMMGI/ULEt03R9LSI/AAAAAAAAA84/4I6m3YS2Kqo/s400/IMG_0130.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find the cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zRfIccQaVPF_ln7bpybBgeK2fU6o7i3Zx8gVWB6El4J1gVQ6ELdqSk1LFIR1xARb2pOqEliRpUNtvaIyhSWufwRx7SZQEKHjOJHlwbugFq72uYpI7083xIM8BjUiYr77mgHP6A/s1600/IMG_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zRfIccQaVPF_ln7bpybBgeK2fU6o7i3Zx8gVWB6El4J1gVQ6ELdqSk1LFIR1xARb2pOqEliRpUNtvaIyhSWufwRx7SZQEKHjOJHlwbugFq72uYpI7083xIM8BjUiYr77mgHP6A/s400/IMG_0133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so ready!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D0jsq_9FzJM/ULEt9wED_JI/AAAAAAAAA9I/qK0Cps9Om-I/s1600/IMG_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D0jsq_9FzJM/ULEt9wED_JI/AAAAAAAAA9I/qK0Cps9Om-I/s400/IMG_0135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His mask was too tight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc92L5nrHOc/ULEuEG7M7fI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/qx7mksRTH3I/s1600/IMG_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc92L5nrHOc/ULEuEG7M7fI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/qx7mksRTH3I/s400/IMG_0167.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy after the afternoon date</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We snorkeled the entire afternoon. I totally enjoyed it. It was a wise substitute from my hope in giving diving another shot. I was able to see the diferent types of coral and fish without getting myself hurt. At some point, my left ear hurt but it was tolerable. And I can always rest if I ran out air for breathing. Zeke is again like merman swimming to areas where he's not supposed to go. A funny story I can tell is when Zeke went to the other side of the island to snorkel, he saw something. While I was leisurely looking at the coral near the boat, I saw him swam all his might towards the boat. He took off his mask and said "I saw 2 big fishes out there with sharp teeth! They were looking at me as if they were about to eat me!" I just laughed it off. Who knows, the fishes that he saw were the kinds we see at our dining table. A few moments later, he invited me to see the pods in the other side of the island. And so I went, when all of a sudden, behind him were the 2 creatures that he was talking about. All I did was just to point out the fishes and swam back. It was literally a swim race back to our boat. Hahaha! All in all, I would consider that afternoon date as very romantic. It was just me, Zeke and the ocean. I had fun and I consider it very special. <br />
<br />
<strong>Day 5: </strong>Last day. We left the resort early so we can spend more time in the city. Zeke made a few arrangements with the shooting range at Crowne Regency for his M4-Rifle on that day. So my Zeke is the one who's excited to check out from the resort early and head back to Cebu then go straight to Crowne Regency. Our trip going back to Cebu is interesting. Instead of arranging a private car from the resort to the city, I let Zeke experience VHire. VHire is a public van used by people when traveling to towns outside the city. So instead of paying a hefty amount for a private car, we saved about 66% of the total cost for that ride. VHire fare costs 100 pesos per head. Really cheap! The trip took us more than 2 hours and when we finally get to Crowne Regency, just like a little boy so giddy with his toy, Zeke fired an M4 for the very first time. Seeing him enjoying it makes me really very happy. I was very excited for him! And I knew he's gonna get extra rounds on top of what he was paying for the deal. And he did. He always does that. It's obvious that my Zeke loves guns but it's just unfortunate that firearms are not allowed in his country so I understand that shooting guns is a must activity whenever he's here in the country. And oh, I get to experience firing an M4 too even on auto. But I looked funny because I am so small and when I pulled the trigger, it gave me some kick. But I really enjoyed it. If it wasn't that expensive, I would've fired more rounds. But it doesn't matter. What's important is I get to see Zeke fire and fire and enjoying it so much. I'm just like a mother looking at his little boy playing with his toys. Selfless love.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ_hcS6kEJEnB1QBO6Zaw5lnnoXdiBVOdM2flfsmJrxUQkFlZ_hMX9dgb6W8UONDHr7AeGel5QF3RbVAMwjK1Ps5UEGaxjcXNm-1kIYGYgnWsFpxrrCNwfFTxjiHBrUMCzoHasA/s1600/IMG_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ_hcS6kEJEnB1QBO6Zaw5lnnoXdiBVOdM2flfsmJrxUQkFlZ_hMX9dgb6W8UONDHr7AeGel5QF3RbVAMwjK1Ps5UEGaxjcXNm-1kIYGYgnWsFpxrrCNwfFTxjiHBrUMCzoHasA/s400/IMG_0252.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who's excited</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XefHHdokgzKc3EnqzrpVdBux0Brue2nkTjwJxfEAksiUl766Sw8m4jK5wxw1d9eOaff5afqv24eFoHOW_2hb5sIgXTYheyzUevrTKcAMgjrmB4vqdvEtVqh8PQQBQl7KT5y2PA/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XefHHdokgzKc3EnqzrpVdBux0Brue2nkTjwJxfEAksiUl766Sw8m4jK5wxw1d9eOaff5afqv24eFoHOW_2hb5sIgXTYheyzUevrTKcAMgjrmB4vqdvEtVqh8PQQBQl7KT5y2PA/s400/IMG_0214.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boy is having fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY21MUlwJlBiQES2DGs7fTfjJW-RBn9YWC77XNACDMccr-tri7ztPT-3p8pwDiEQwdQOk2oGEiMQSN2PC_bhZzA2kBSgRptff1BJwarYoIbTHK6xrDz7wJ5ExJ1bFxAnO-qlm5g/s1600/IMG_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY21MUlwJlBiQES2DGs7fTfjJW-RBn9YWC77XNACDMccr-tri7ztPT-3p8pwDiEQwdQOk2oGEiMQSN2PC_bhZzA2kBSgRptff1BJwarYoIbTHK6xrDz7wJ5ExJ1bFxAnO-qlm5g/s400/IMG_0206.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another round?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsWlFfCuHBc/ULEwVldqsEI/AAAAAAAAA-A/iJ3sp8SVqU4/s1600/IMG_0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsWlFfCuHBc/ULEwVldqsEI/AAAAAAAAA-A/iJ3sp8SVqU4/s400/IMG_0255.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBSDmSrs8J0/ULEwZhA0EVI/AAAAAAAAA-I/Fr-AcA1I1Uc/s1600/IMG_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBSDmSrs8J0/ULEwZhA0EVI/AAAAAAAAA-I/Fr-AcA1I1Uc/s400/IMG_0261.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We look sexy with the rifle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After our last activity from the shooting range, we headed to CNT Lechon near SM for our late lunch. Cebu is known for their yummy lechon and well, they didn't fail us. Zeke's fave food now is LECHON. After our lunch, we went straight to the airport only to find out that our 5pm flight was moved to 7pm. It was a blessing in disguise because by that time I was already behaving like a junkie because I had an allergic rhinitis attack and I didn't have meds with me. We checked in at the airport, rode a multicab and went back to the city to get my meds. I was able to buy my meds but I was still sick even during our flight and even when we reached home. I slept with 37.8degC temperature. I had a fever. <br />
Although I got sick at the end of our Cebu trip, all in all it was fun. We love how we were able to do fun and adventure stuff but at the same time have some relaxing time by the beach. Although Zeke still likes the fine sand of Boracay, he definitely prefers Moalboal because in Moalboal, we feel connected with nature. And I couldn't agree more. So scuba diving and river climbing on our second trip - Check!!! What's next? Hmmmm..... My turn to visit his country. Interesting? I'm more of excited so please stay tuned. :) <br />
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freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-28725232281621090282012-11-18T00:01:00.001+08:002012-11-18T00:19:10.584+08:00A Video for My SoulmateMy Love,<br />
<br />
Heaven knows that I have loved you before I met you.<br />
<br />
We weren't looking for others. We only had faith that somehow Time will lead us to each to other.<br />
<br />
Love has finally found us. I have loved you before, I love you now, and I will still love you for a thousand more years and even forever.<br />
<br />
Always Forever,<br />
Melissa<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EBFzNA8VO4o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-70878309751339570062012-11-10T08:17:00.000+08:002012-11-11T05:33:27.690+08:00Para sa mga d nakakaintindiI don't owe anyone my life story. My transparency just means I am standing for what is right for my life. Don't talk about my pain cos you don't know my pain FOR YEARS. Don't talk about sensitivity when you don't even know how it feels to be verbally harassed. Before you say something about a phrase that you've seen and read, I'd appreciate if you would read ALL the pages of that document first. You may be talking about values and virtues and all that crap but really, saying those in context of marriage? What do you know about it? Are you even in a relationship? Bago ka magsalita, alamin mo muna yung kwento. Wag kang magmagaling dahil magmumukha ka lang hangal. Kaya nga naglagay ako ng ganito eh, para to sa mga taong katulad mo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkjPvqzqVgrnYNPSi3IKzRSfGPPELZNhVC5RV0Jak7KAYyeiIGKWRVa9kEpDPuSWDPuJWDERBVXcIoFW1vNG6S_-p3oYbFPdRmpxk6IFjZ_aBc0DMNP_mKM_6aiy8PrYu-seB6w/s1600/annulment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkjPvqzqVgrnYNPSi3IKzRSfGPPELZNhVC5RV0Jak7KAYyeiIGKWRVa9kEpDPuSWDPuJWDERBVXcIoFW1vNG6S_-p3oYbFPdRmpxk6IFjZ_aBc0DMNP_mKM_6aiy8PrYu-seB6w/s400/annulment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">To
all my bashers and nosy people harassing my family and close friends,
here's to you. I hope i have answered your stupid questions. I have
moved on and so should you.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-45646736442863455072012-10-30T02:52:00.000+08:002012-10-28T02:53:18.717+08:00What my name says about me<br />
I stumbled upon my old page. My very first blog. I was so happy
to discover that it is still up cos all along I thought it has been
taken down.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I went through my old entries and found this. This is very
interesting. I can't remember if I had found this somewhere or someone
had written this for me. But this really made me smile. Do you think
this is really me?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eeGBzE9Ppw/UIj7cTiBSAI/AAAAAAAAAzY/-RBikUSfm48/s1600/JJS-MS-Melissa-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eeGBzE9Ppw/UIj7cTiBSAI/AAAAAAAAAzY/-RBikUSfm48/s320/JJS-MS-Melissa-16.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.</i><br />
<i>You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.</i><br />
<i> You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!</i><br />
<br />
<i>
</i>
<i>You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.</i><br />
<i>
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.<br />
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.
<br />
You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.<br />
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.<br />
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.
<br />
You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.<br />
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.<br />
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your
biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.
<br />
You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.<br />
You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.<br />
You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.
<br />
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.<br />
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.<br />
You have the classic "Type A" personality.
<br />
You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.<br />
You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.<br />
A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.
<br />
You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.<br />
You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.<br />
You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.
<br />
You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.<br />
Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.<br />
Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.
<br />
You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.<br />
You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.<br />
You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.
<br />
You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.<br />
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.<br />
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.
<br />
<i>You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.</i><br />
</i>
<i>You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.</i><br />
<i> People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.</i><br />
<br />
<i>
</i>
<i>You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way.</i><br />
<i>
And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life.<br />
You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. </i>freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-50257199115374195182012-10-28T02:51:00.001+08:002012-10-28T02:54:03.441+08:00The Swan Has Found Her Life-long Mate<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<i>A swan may also <b>bear messages of love</b> and relationships. They
pair for years, sometimes male-female unions are sustained for a
lifetime. When the swan glides upon the waters of our awareness, it
might be a <a href="http://www.whats-your-sign.com/love-symbols.html">symbol of love</a>, and a reminder of the blessings found in our relationships.
- Whats-your-sign.com</i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"> </span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIwkm3kjJkwjYFG2ZvKjejeTESe39r5Pph5A54t4U70Fo4bykNo3JrZRx2vf82Gel6kqSEBM_X14tAxksMOOuJLeO20PAbLWrnPMgHSEEedMmOZM0o89ZNUW60Nl6hSf6bfuZbQ/s1600/32295_10151486337558761_238141780_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIwkm3kjJkwjYFG2ZvKjejeTESe39r5Pph5A54t4U70Fo4bykNo3JrZRx2vf82Gel6kqSEBM_X14tAxksMOOuJLeO20PAbLWrnPMgHSEEedMmOZM0o89ZNUW60Nl6hSf6bfuZbQ/s400/32295_10151486337558761_238141780_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Swan tattoo can be very well be interpreted as a symbol of eternal faith and loyalty to one's soul mate. </span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-24504989341731884002012-10-26T01:03:00.002+08:002012-10-28T02:59:07.268+08:00Boracay: The First of ManyBoracay, as they say, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For me, what makes it beautiful is the quality of its sand. For others who haven't been to other beaches in the Philippines, Boracay may have the finest beach in the country. I still think it's not.<br />
<br />
After Zeke's assignment in the Philippines, he decided to extend another week in the country to get his well deserved R&R. The original plan is to get to Bohol but our budget won't just permit us. So then we went to Boracay instead.<br />
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<b>Day 1:</b><br />
<br />
We should be taking the 8am flight. However, Zeke forgot to pick up our laundry from the shop the night before our flight. Although we'll be strutting our swimwear when we get to Boracay, we just can't afford to leave our home butt-naked. So we re-booked and took the 11am f<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">l</span></span>ight instead. You have no idea how upset I was because of his miss. >_<<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4F9J5ENrBnKbohQct3pHRUJ2bnFA6SYVQJKc4k9F6HuI51NBoKPHEnI77hdVkp7qnSv5WCtxTsmozrf4onGsYQGsZm4oIgJmtU0edtreJcirhIRmRXLoq66CRG1XLOGZ85Eo1w/s1600/616620_10151159680599789_1697659280_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4F9J5ENrBnKbohQct3pHRUJ2bnFA6SYVQJKc4k9F6HuI51NBoKPHEnI77hdVkp7qnSv5WCtxTsmozrf4onGsYQGsZm4oIgJmtU0edtreJcirhIRmRXLoq66CRG1XLOGZ85Eo1w/s320/616620_10151159680599789_1697659280_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First flight together</td></tr>
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We made it to our 11am flight with our fresh clothes on from the laundry shop. We arrived in Caticlan, had a tricycle transfer to the Ferry Terminal then boarded a boat to get to Boracay Island. When we got off from the boat, we took another trike to take us to our accommodation - White Beach de Boracay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luDIysn1Z6c/UIg3ag81CUI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/bpiYfmObjtA/s1600/463986_10151159680899789_101480649_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luDIysn1Z6c/UIg3ag81CUI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/bpiYfmObjtA/s320/463986_10151159680899789_101480649_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry transfer</td></tr>
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An accommodation for me is a place where you can sleep comfortably and have shower. That's it. Accommodation can eat up a lot of your travel budget if you are not wise enough to look for the reasonably priced ones. White Beach de Boracay is a no fancy, no frills place. Since we are on a budget, we have to stick to our basic criteria for the accommodation: regular sized room with AC, has a decent bed, ensuite toilet and bath, and hot and cold shower. With a rate of Php1,500 per night, this is quite reasonable. Plus they have Wifi and our balcony boasts a view of the beach. I'm glad that Zeke liked the place. He tends to be picky with accommodation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRPmi408Yeg/UIg3iZ3PDKI/AAAAAAAAAyY/-cfRaee2R4U/s1600/473793_10151159681099789_2132180142_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRPmi408Yeg/UIg3iZ3PDKI/AAAAAAAAAyY/-cfRaee2R4U/s320/473793_10151159681099789_2132180142_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our balcony. We're on top of Yellow Cab</td></tr>
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We didn't waste our time. As soon as we checked in, we looked for someone who can arrange our activities for us. We found a certain "kuya" who suggested we could start with the helmet diving and the ATV ride the next day. So we spent the rest of the afternoon strolling at the beach, swimming and watching the sunset.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOEPT5SAues/UIlJ3h2YrTI/AAAAAAAAAzs/2I9Fu-ZqvpQ/s1600/337141_10151159693059789_1631026009_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOEPT5SAues/UIlJ3h2YrTI/AAAAAAAAAzs/2I9Fu-ZqvpQ/s320/337141_10151159693059789_1631026009_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boracay's clear water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4voSQs4jII/UIlJ8VboV-I/AAAAAAAAAz0/Olh3BZ4-IRU/s1600/334104_10151159693854789_678278785_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4voSQs4jII/UIlJ8VboV-I/AAAAAAAAAz0/Olh3BZ4-IRU/s320/334104_10151159693854789_678278785_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boracay's fine beach</td></tr>
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<br />
<b>Day 2: </b><br />
<br />
We woke at 9am excited for our itinerary for the day. We had mexican breakfast to stuff ourselves up before we do the fun stuff for that day. Giddy giddy! Where's kuya?<br />
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<i><b>Helmet Diving:</b></i> I don't know how many metres deep we have to go down so we can reach the bottom of the sea. I went down first and fed the fishes while waiting for Zeke. He had issues with his ear in terms of pressure. He had to come up again, change his helmet then go down and equalize. I was concerned about him though because he seems to be drowning the entire time. Turns out, he had the wrong breathing technique. Oh babe! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJu9sOdGyNE/UIgu7DBTxzI/AAAAAAAAAxM/EsvxqQGcuvw/s1600/202357_10151159681704789_634948890_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJu9sOdGyNE/UIgu7DBTxzI/AAAAAAAAAxM/EsvxqQGcuvw/s320/202357_10151159681704789_634948890_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While waiting for our turn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AKosR2vXh7iers0gq0iPorwELgmlT-lwuQmngKWLQIqhflYhruCr_anBkcwKrYsCt4ODWpesK5bwQSvmgqE5EHvKGYzMmMHxpJfnEIWVCNCQbaLPk_7wWgV3nGe8B4Jo1Y-rsA/s1600/614680_10151159682179789_452760759_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AKosR2vXh7iers0gq0iPorwELgmlT-lwuQmngKWLQIqhflYhruCr_anBkcwKrYsCt4ODWpesK5bwQSvmgqE5EHvKGYzMmMHxpJfnEIWVCNCQbaLPk_7wWgV3nGe8B4Jo1Y-rsA/s320/614680_10151159682179789_452760759_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's got a pink helmet. So cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mHgoMBGxqg/UIgvBFnxTmI/AAAAAAAAAxc/VJr7hKzLqd0/s1600/329352_10151159694844789_513951667_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mHgoMBGxqg/UIgvBFnxTmI/AAAAAAAAAxc/VJr7hKzLqd0/s320/329352_10151159694844789_513951667_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting to make love with Patrick the starfish even if he's drowning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ED2DXq1qBSQ/UIgvE226zyI/AAAAAAAAAxk/CEXa0ph_ESk/s1600/182163_10151159696169789_580371040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ED2DXq1qBSQ/UIgvE226zyI/AAAAAAAAAxk/CEXa0ph_ESk/s320/182163_10151159696169789_580371040_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving him food for the fishes</td></tr>
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<i><b></b></i><br />
<i><b>ATV/ Quad Bike:</b></i> We had a bike each to drive and go to the highest peak of the island. Unfortunately, we can't race and my bike keeps on getting broken. Boooo!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThKvWahyphenhyphen7wmHK2Ga6YU-AuMyhAPdtiEb38KCldKurmeHv3J1AWtkfUGbIUPIUFLaax91Idae_1KDYlbUkQrmDbp-4FSSrLVC2-nxgSqHMSpmqitySg59mXiW2Nn6jgdgCGoHl6Q/s1600/616696_10151159682589789_2140963255_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThKvWahyphenhyphen7wmHK2Ga6YU-AuMyhAPdtiEb38KCldKurmeHv3J1AWtkfUGbIUPIUFLaax91Idae_1KDYlbUkQrmDbp-4FSSrLVC2-nxgSqHMSpmqitySg59mXiW2Nn6jgdgCGoHl6Q/s320/616696_10151159682589789_2140963255_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not again!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbbMY0as5DA/UIg08YEPZ0I/AAAAAAAAAyA/_u8QDkXm5mE/s1600/413313_10151159683554789_1656598669_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbbMY0as5DA/UIg08YEPZ0I/AAAAAAAAAyA/_u8QDkXm5mE/s320/413313_10151159683554789_1656598669_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the peak</td></tr>
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<i><b>Zorb:</b></i> Zeke was a little bit disappointed with the quad bikes. He thought we'll go off road and I thought we can race. Apparently, we had to convoy with our guide on a concrete road. Boring. We still wanted to do more. One good thing about Boracay is they never run out of activities in the island. So we finished our afternoon with a few rounds of the Zorb. Rolling inside the huge ball and landing on a pool was so much fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWloX1LW-wg/UIg4kFqKfSI/AAAAAAAAAyg/iJbCzkcZxgk/s1600/622392_10151159684204789_1492767663_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWloX1LW-wg/UIg4kFqKfSI/AAAAAAAAAyg/iJbCzkcZxgk/s320/622392_10151159684204789_1492767663_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just waiting for the water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntVB0w62CLQ/UIg4vuYXJEI/AAAAAAAAAyo/hxzsQZaL3CY/s1600/411434_10151159685184789_224463055_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntVB0w62CLQ/UIg4vuYXJEI/AAAAAAAAAyo/hxzsQZaL3CY/s320/411434_10151159685184789_224463055_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A jump shot is a must</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxsQOrqLTK_SkTvi3MvrNMVAqa8POnj3ZqcrsEnLLIERZ36pyKxvFMQpicofWBY0qnPtKtques8ZpgJmvi1ex8R8XYPfKcy43maV6A8cfQ7a5a35Jd7tVTcT6tVzCYOs00UihVg/s1600/620417_10151159684874789_1323321038_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxsQOrqLTK_SkTvi3MvrNMVAqa8POnj3ZqcrsEnLLIERZ36pyKxvFMQpicofWBY0qnPtKtques8ZpgJmvi1ex8R8XYPfKcy43maV6A8cfQ7a5a35Jd7tVTcT6tVzCYOs00UihVg/s320/620417_10151159684874789_1323321038_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roll out of the ball and in to the water</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We actually did a lot of things on our second day. We missed the sunset though :( But Zeke could not be stopped in taking pictures from the sand sculptures. By the end of the photoshoot, we were both famished. My dearest Zeke then asked me if I wanna have a nice dinner. Why would I say No? It's food! So we had buffet dinner at Astoria Suites Resort beside our place. The food was really good. After our dinner, we dropped by a bar and had some cocktails. We were still full. We went back to our room, went to sleep... stuffed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFoAxh5-bzKkLjfoA-AUjbThi-Um__iC02uU7yOiz1WuSksFCocxZdlIZPDwwx6fQ1JnaXHWFv0pyqpB9gLogITRKuEd2_lZUu0uWyhD-clUYQ6MRUzHQthwdnudNdLw6__htNw/s1600/621980_10151159685749789_432973051_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFoAxh5-bzKkLjfoA-AUjbThi-Um__iC02uU7yOiz1WuSksFCocxZdlIZPDwwx6fQ1JnaXHWFv0pyqpB9gLogITRKuEd2_lZUu0uWyhD-clUYQ6MRUzHQthwdnudNdLw6__htNw/s320/621980_10151159685749789_432973051_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully done by kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQN2SUE1zpM7XxgVhPLzW-es6lPGhk-WjOrLlDzvTdyC9Eo-XSILMAjPqdzCWLen5gFrG93Rwo8rqObzxRCUdFg7TWXFLpw9x3-VZDslXWEVUTkd_IHBy5Qa93eiC1el5ptEBQQ/s1600/621730_10151159685999789_425904691_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQN2SUE1zpM7XxgVhPLzW-es6lPGhk-WjOrLlDzvTdyC9Eo-XSILMAjPqdzCWLen5gFrG93Rwo8rqObzxRCUdFg7TWXFLpw9x3-VZDslXWEVUTkd_IHBy5Qa93eiC1el5ptEBQQ/s320/621730_10151159685999789_425904691_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to have a picture with this thing </td></tr>
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<b>Day 3:</b><br />
<br />
We woke up to a very nice morning. What's for today is just island hopping. But little did we know, we're bound to do something better and more awesome in the afternoon.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Island hopping: </b></i>We rented an entire boat for ourselves. We went to Crystal Cove Island and explored its caves. We had to hike, swim, and crawl to see what's inside in those caves. The island also shows a great view of the sea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPoJveCfppNCuQcQIgfDxE8mPGjY1vXdapJyAY3o5d1z1anMSdGt1sFUB7Yo0Rf-o1dSs2vyI5bjmwdV8-5OXMpyP2HrHWBjMwH0olB5VJ12nU642bpP9ozf48EjDo8P1z279ag/s1600/290898_10151159686439789_1460868213_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPoJveCfppNCuQcQIgfDxE8mPGjY1vXdapJyAY3o5d1z1anMSdGt1sFUB7Yo0Rf-o1dSs2vyI5bjmwdV8-5OXMpyP2HrHWBjMwH0olB5VJ12nU642bpP9ozf48EjDo8P1z279ag/s320/290898_10151159686439789_1460868213_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Cove Island</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGD7QqOd9cY/UIlSREPFNII/AAAAAAAAA0g/Sg8XwMGHbac/s1600/616801_10151159687854789_1566747448_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGD7QqOd9cY/UIlSREPFNII/AAAAAAAAA0g/Sg8XwMGHbac/s320/616801_10151159687854789_1566747448_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In one of the caves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73AcHJjaqi8/UIlSTqIheRI/AAAAAAAAA0o/xpBDCQqfkac/s1600/221545_10151159688209789_496504828_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73AcHJjaqi8/UIlSTqIheRI/AAAAAAAAA0o/xpBDCQqfkac/s320/221545_10151159688209789_496504828_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where to jump?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQdvNlF-tys/UIlSVcVCp7I/AAAAAAAAA0w/VSr0AKTgyzw/s1600/202343_10151159688424789_1055949564_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQdvNlF-tys/UIlSVcVCp7I/AAAAAAAAA0w/VSr0AKTgyzw/s320/202343_10151159688424789_1055949564_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovey love</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We then went to another island to have our lunch.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8Xu61NSXWA/UIlT7mOhiVI/AAAAAAAAA04/3CUBnuhFMmk/s1600/318883_10151159689354789_822687998_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8Xu61NSXWA/UIlT7mOhiVI/AAAAAAAAA04/3CUBnuhFMmk/s320/318883_10151159689354789_822687998_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koreans using plastic gloves when eating crabs</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvWVdYANsSc/UIlT_67fR8I/AAAAAAAAA1A/qc43O1IH5QY/s1600/616295_10151159689664789_283002951_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvWVdYANsSc/UIlT_67fR8I/AAAAAAAAA1A/qc43O1IH5QY/s320/616295_10151159689664789_283002951_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our view while having lunch</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After our lunch, we were supposed to head home and the rest of the afternoon will be spent doing nothing. Zeke decided to do tandem parasailing instead. So I did my role. I haggled. Haggled. And haggled until we got a good deal. So off we go again but this time in a speedboat to go to the parasailing base where we can put our gears on and they can release us up, up in the sky. I enjoy riding boats more so if it's a speedboat. So just imagine when the driver of the speedboat offered me to drive the damn boat. I was so happy I couldn't contain myself that I drove the boat like I'm some crazy animal. Whoah!!!! Best activity ever!!!! Zeke was just taking pictures of me and looked so amused.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5W4YjtMwxs/UIlZjobSwTI/AAAAAAAAA1c/-sLeBtyLP_0/s1600/288931_10151159689949789_1930269357_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5W4YjtMwxs/UIlZjobSwTI/AAAAAAAAA1c/-sLeBtyLP_0/s320/288931_10151159689949789_1930269357_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not really that excited. Hahaha!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQwhOX0RWvaw-pq2j2mVS3fHUeE0G6J9MgE-shCw8sj8cn1c6oOdjiiSQu6-sFGfpAtSwsqVc_CkNynCP1Gmjhi1si-TJ_TcUCS4fqqJ2p4I14IYJBsN0jIJ1P171q7aU96715A/s1600/411497_10151159691409789_44682102_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQwhOX0RWvaw-pq2j2mVS3fHUeE0G6J9MgE-shCw8sj8cn1c6oOdjiiSQu6-sFGfpAtSwsqVc_CkNynCP1Gmjhi1si-TJ_TcUCS4fqqJ2p4I14IYJBsN0jIJ1P171q7aU96715A/s320/411497_10151159691409789_44682102_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yes, that's me!!! Yebah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i>Parasailing:</i></b> I call this our date up in the sky. The ninjas (safety personnel) put our safety gears on and slowly released us up in the air. I may not have the worst case of fear of heights but this is somewhat pretty scary too. But once we were up and just sailing, I totally enjoyed it. I wasn't scared at all. We spent a good 15 minutes up in the air doing sweet nothings to each other. Up in the air, it was just the two us. There couldn't be any more peaceful, quiet and romantic date than this. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUl7yfhr96Y/UIlZq1eKzsI/AAAAAAAAA1s/rK4IR1kwgdY/s1600/463987_10151159690494789_34170712_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUl7yfhr96Y/UIlZq1eKzsI/AAAAAAAAA1s/rK4IR1kwgdY/s320/463987_10151159690494789_34170712_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to take off</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilujhvc6Zd0/UIlZu35s9bI/AAAAAAAAA10/deMpyrgnRIU/s1600/411499_10151159691074789_1816209135_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilujhvc6Zd0/UIlZu35s9bI/AAAAAAAAA10/deMpyrgnRIU/s320/411499_10151159691074789_1816209135_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have a Superman chute</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2akNLREe1Mpp1wMUim_OFq6F6rPISfPuf3hdyZUPw1HQBaAgtSWknxUV-IhHhaCP0TfFwaka3z0_440Ud9a4k1XRcpZE1VJJFEU3Iwbi2todAfq_VbX17ynR8VA47UoGvr-shA/s1600/327640_10151159691219789_2139648058_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2akNLREe1Mpp1wMUim_OFq6F6rPISfPuf3hdyZUPw1HQBaAgtSWknxUV-IhHhaCP0TfFwaka3z0_440Ud9a4k1XRcpZE1VJJFEU3Iwbi2todAfq_VbX17ynR8VA47UoGvr-shA/s320/327640_10151159691219789_2139648058_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that us?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZr7_dNKVKhVA_0I2r5Vdfj3chHaPy3e2W4cdjKnrM9aquzysyeKOwxKZq0Sxmdfic8_i9z72ocpi3LTK9INaNtSoN-A0cm3FSsB5Hv5Y75T5_cIqtoSI8IQnS11jftJXw0IMrvw/s1600/412478_10151159691279789_1760139953_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZr7_dNKVKhVA_0I2r5Vdfj3chHaPy3e2W4cdjKnrM9aquzysyeKOwxKZq0Sxmdfic8_i9z72ocpi3LTK9INaNtSoN-A0cm3FSsB5Hv5Y75T5_cIqtoSI8IQnS11jftJXw0IMrvw/s320/412478_10151159691279789_1760139953_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love is in the air</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqXM2Bb7Zq4/UIlZ4lZ5gMI/AAAAAAAAA2M/qf41SqtAnlQ/s1600/616261_10151159695184789_1729073345_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqXM2Bb7Zq4/UIlZ4lZ5gMI/AAAAAAAAA2M/qf41SqtAnlQ/s320/616261_10151159695184789_1729073345_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up picture of us with the Superman logo</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qwf3v1vTM2g/UIlZ7FSVVuI/AAAAAAAAA2U/LafyThnLOMc/s1600/329342_10151159695289789_1178185919_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qwf3v1vTM2g/UIlZ7FSVVuI/AAAAAAAAA2U/LafyThnLOMc/s320/329342_10151159695289789_1178185919_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from above</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After our date up in the air, I got to drive the speedboat again this time with several rounds in the water. Woohoo!!!! Best afternoon ever!<br />
<br />
We went back to our place, had shower and took a rest for a while. We then head back to Jonah's Restaurant to catch the sunset and some surprise...<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tcB3_AkfwIk/UIle2U3Z3wI/AAAAAAAAA24/6cynjMKX0Bw/s1600/614909_10151159691749789_1781911363_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tcB3_AkfwIk/UIle2U3Z3wI/AAAAAAAAA24/6cynjMKX0Bw/s320/614909_10151159691749789_1781911363_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTe8PCHFKv0/UIlfaZvlrvI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Z7uxqpLdYdU/s1600/616208_10151159692104789_886627421_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTe8PCHFKv0/UIlfaZvlrvI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Z7uxqpLdYdU/s320/616208_10151159692104789_886627421_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Surprise!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_F-I6rDp4k/UIlewijIPKI/AAAAAAAAA2w/QPomIIcLKDA/s1600/327630_10151159692184789_278273323_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_F-I6rDp4k/UIlewijIPKI/AAAAAAAAA2w/QPomIIcLKDA/s320/327630_10151159692184789_278273323_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had the chance to play soccer with the kids I met at the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Zeke had an awesome time sipping his cocktails, watching the sunset and taking photos while I was down and sweaty playing with the kids. We ended our last night in Boracay by having a romantic Korean dinner date by the beach. The night was a bit chilly but it was perfect.<br />
<br />
The next day we woke up late. We got probably tired from the activities we did for the past 3 days. And oh, I forgot to mention that we also did night outs enjoying House and RnB music in a bar in Station 2. So that has been the routine: we would wake up early, do fun stuff, pig out, party and get drunk, then wake up early again the next day. So on our last day, we just spent it packing our stuff. We arrived in Caticlan excited to get on our plane only to find out we've been diverted to Kalibo. And so there's another story of the 2 hour trip we had from Caticlan to Kalibo. All in all, this was really a fun first trip for the both of us. We didn't just have good stuff. We also learned a lot from each other. This is like a test trip for us: see if we can stand each other and cope with the environment that we are not familiar of. Zeke and I love to travel. Our future plan is all about traveling and seeing the world so this first trip is crucial for us. As important as it should be, this trip was also meaningful to us in a sense that aside from getting to know each other more, this is when we learned to just let love and understanding do the talking whenever personal issues would get in the way of the trip and spoil the fun. Issues are issues and can be resolved. Being able to travel and be in a place where you can have absolute fun just comes once in your life. You may never have that opportunity again. So let loose, have fun and be happy. I guess we are ready for our next trip. We are now ready for our future. freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-809337775004944082012-10-25T00:19:00.002+08:002012-10-25T00:19:25.318+08:00The Last<br />
I'm a sucker for real love stories. Actual stories that had made possible by love and not just for convenience.<br />
<br />
At some stage in my life, I thought I really do not know what love is anymore. I thought I wouldn't know what it feels to love and to be loved. I stopped loving. Until he came in to my life.<br />
<br />
He made me feel what it's like to love again. He redefined LOVE for me. He made me believe that there's hope. And we both believe that there is such thing as FOREVER.<br />
<br />
We vow to be each other's last.<br />
<br />
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<br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-12421230675749098582012-10-24T04:06:00.000+08:002012-10-24T04:17:24.333+08:00An Open Letter to the Love of my Life<br />
My Dearest Zeke,<br />
<br />
I've had so much coffee in the past 2 hours that's why at 2:30am (my time), my mind is doing a marathon. The time that I had been awake was used for research and educating myself with the things that's been going on with my life right now. I'd like to empower myself. Surprisingly, a few "Hi's" and "Hello's" have come up from my Facebook chat. They're mostly from people at work. They miss me and I do also miss them. I had a chat with one of my closest TLs from work and I was comfortable telling him what happened to me. He was shocked and so disgusted of how others treat me. I appreciate him verbally acknowledging how hardworking I am. And that I spent hours dedicating myself to Operations and would not even take my breaks to accommodate their needs. We were both emotional during our chat conversation. It had to end though when he said I looked "fresh" when I started and how I have looked "haggard" after weeks of running the program. He can be brutally honest with how I look because he's a <i>beki</i>. :) I have to laugh out loud for that comment and well, I can't dispute a fact. He said after all my hard work, I ended up in this. I don't deserve this. They are being unfair. We ended our conversation by him telling me to fight for it and that he'll pray for me.<br />
<br />
I am just so thankful that people at work are praying for me and want to keep me. I do appreciate them even if they only know half of the pie. But what I really wanna say is that I give full credit to you. It's you who gives me the strength to fight for what is right. Your undying love and support had sent me through greater possibilities that even I myself could not think I could do. You guide me through each and every process that I need to go to. You teach me how to go about things. You troubleshoot my phone. You troubleshoot my lappy. You read my letters and edit them. You Google things for me. You scold me for slacking off. You look and book my flights. You look for my accommodation even if it's the most remote places in the Philippines. You tell me what to say to those people who have been so harsh to me. You're my number one supporter. You're my number one fan. And most of all, you're my number one stalker. I will be forever indebted to you for the amount of time you've devoted to communicate with me.<br />
<br />
There are two things that I wanna say to you. Thank you and I love you. Thank you for never leaving my side even when things fall apart and I'm slowly crashing down. Thank you for always cheering me up and making me laugh. Thank you for making me smile whenever I catch you staring at me. Thank you for saying that I'm not fat and I have the hottest ass and legs in the world (although I know it's a lie). Thank you for laughing at me when I do silly things and when I tell funny and nonsense stories. Thank you for just being quiet whenever I cry. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. No If's and But's. And most especially, thank you for being "my person".<br />
<br />
I love you for many reasons. I love you for being the person who can put up with me. I love you for the reasons I've mentioned above. I love you because you make me happy. I love you because you love me. I love you for being the amazing person that you are. I love you because behind your sometimes stern attitude is a genuine heart and a pure soul that's wanting to please not just yourself but also the people who you think deserves your love and attention. I can take up the entire cyberspace to put the reasons why I love you in writing. But most of all, I love you because you're mine and for the first time in my life, you made me believe that there is such thing as Forever.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I am bruised right now. But I'm also happily wounded. What I'm going through is part of my life and somehow yours. It sucks that I have to go through these but I'm just glad that you're that big light and hope that keeps me going. I've never fell flat on my face, just a few slips and drops. It's because you're constantly holding my hand and keeping me still. I know that you're also going through a tough phase in your life and I just wanna assure you that I'll be there 1000% to support you and love you. I will be your number one supporter, admirer, fan and yes, stalker too.<br />
<br />
Our journey has officially begun. No matter what happens, we're in this together. We'll go through this and we'll be each other's source of strength. Trust in our love that we will be rewarded with great things after these challenges. This might not be a walk in the park but this is definitely worth it. You are worth it.<br />
<br />
Ever Yours,<br />
Melissafreeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-8360334571327352192012-09-18T18:13:00.000+08:002012-09-18T18:34:12.562+08:00Thunders, Lightning, Sunshine<br />
I cheated. That's what everybody thinks. However, I don't think I am. Call me crazy but I define my own words. Technically, I did or still am because I'm still within my marriage (Annulment coming up). But cheating for me happens when you have an affair. I DON'T DO AFFAIRS. I DO RELATIONSHIPS. And as far as I'm concerned, what Zeke and I have is a real relationship. A true one. The kind of relationship every couple wants to have (sans the marriage to other people). Yes, aside from cheating, I was also a mistress. Zeke is also married (Divorce coming up too) but with no kids. And while he thinks we are not cheating, I'd leave his story off as I am not in the position to share his personal life in this blog. Unless of course, it involves me and our travels. What I'm trying to say is that affairs are short-termed. Relationships are forever. We are going to be together forever.<br />
<br />
So let's keep the ball rolling. People at work had a hunch about me and Zeke. Why not? He lives in Makati, works in Eastwood but why is he always in Alabang? (Try Google maps to check the distance and the traffic situation in those three places.) Things got more interesting when I was transferred to Eastwood and luckily, got to work with him for an entire month. That whole time seemed like a story I don't want to end. We lived together the entire time. We were so in love. We argue a lot though but at the end of the day, we still sleep next to each other, hugging. He would be the first and the last person I would see when I wake up in the morning and sleep at night. It was perfect. It still is.<br />
<br />
While things are going very well with Zeke, dealing with old friends and family about ending my marriage with my ex is another story. I first dropped his last name on Facebook. Then my tweets about seeing an attorney sparked a controversy within my family back in CDO. Messages on BBM, FB, SMS and Twitter started pouring in. I was overwhelmed. Even people who I haven't seen in ages started messaging me albeit saying they wanna Hi but I knew they were nosy jerks. I only replied to a few friends saying I am okay. In which I am. I am very okay, very happy but I'm nervous.<br />
<br />
So the things that I expected to happen suddenly starts happening. I was being judged. I get nasty messages, I had fights with my brother and some relatives, a BIG Someone from work knew about me and Zeke, and the list goes on. Not to mention, at this time, Zeke had already left the country and is back in Australia. So just imagine the difficulty of dealing all these while my Zeke is 3,861.3 miles away from me. I'd spent my nights again crying because I super miss Zeke and at the same time I am so overwhelmed with the messages and hearsay about me back home and I don't know how to deal with them anymore. Then I decided I had to make them stop.<br />
<br />
Trust me, the things I've mentioned above are just 20% of all the sh*t that has happened to me. I wouldn't dare enumerate those thing as it would make the other people especially those involved think I am giving them the attention that they want. Thanks, but no thanks. But I thought of giving them a dose of their own medicine. I changed my status in FB from being Married to Single, and from Single to <b style="color: blue;">In a Relationship with Ezekiel McKenzie</b><span style="color: blue;">. </span>I also started uploading our pictures. People flipped out. Hah! You want war, I'll give you war. While they all went ballistic about what's going on with my life, I am all over the clouds happy, smiling, focused, energetic and in love. So tell me, who gets to win this?<br />
<br />
But I didn't let myself drown while I was sailing my life away. All is good but I know I have hurt other people especially my family. I owe all these confidence and maturity to my mom and sister who first knew about my situation, understood me and gladly welcomed me in their arms. They knew I was unhappy with my marriage and with the new love I found, they said they've never seen me this happy before and they will support me. I did the same thing with my mom's family in Surigao. I had a "press conference" with my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and maybe neighbors. I was a bit nervous knowing that I came from a conservative family but knowing the kind of family I have from my mother's side, I knew they'd support me. And I was right. I never felt so much love from them until this thing happened. My uncles gave their opinions, helped my aunties and the grannies understand my situation, and even suggested lawyers who can help me with my annulment. I was so happy.<br />
<br />
To this day, Zeke and I still encounter a few bumps in our relationship. Mostly coming from my side with some nosy people and some stalkers trying to sabotage my life and steal my happiness. Sorry, but I won't allow them to have access to my life. The first few weeks while Zeke is away is probably the most difficult situation of my life. But as I've said, I'll never give in, I'll never give up. We are now at the stage of acceptance. My family and friends have understood our situation and I can finally mention his name over dinners and casual conversations with my family. I wish I can tell you something about my annulment but it is deemed to be a sensitive case so pardon me if I leave it off from my entries. All that matters now is that I'm okay. People still hate me and judge me but I don't care because it's not their happiness that I'm dealing with. It's mine. I have just accepted the fact that there are people who love to poke their noses into other people's lives. But I'm sorry, I'm the person who could break anyone's nose.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xejsj95vUlY/UFhHpyP-VmI/AAAAAAAAAvw/-bXdxRNPoGA/s1600/hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xejsj95vUlY/UFhHpyP-VmI/AAAAAAAAAvw/-bXdxRNPoGA/s400/hug.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I miss you babe</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sunshine. I call it Sunshine. As perfect as it sounds, that's how I would probably call my relationship with Zeke. We've been through hell and that but everytime I think about our relationship and our future, it lifts my spirits high. I know that fighting for this love is right. I may have been selfish but I've been deprived of happiness for a very long time and now I have someone who is my absolute happiness, I am not letting him go. I. AM. NOT. LETTING. THIS. GO. We admit that this whole long distance relationship sometimes scares us, he has his doubts but I know my role is to keep him holding on, to constantly remind us both of what a special kind of love we have. Just like a sunshine, darkness at night and scattered rains may come to our relationship but we will always be that bright thing that comes out daily and shines through most of the day. It's not that it's expected. It's a fact. It's part of life and you can always trust it to happen no matter what. <br />
<br />
I am blessed. I am happy. I feel loved. I am in love. Capisce?freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-69279618567099475302012-09-18T16:16:00.000+08:002012-09-18T16:16:19.064+08:00Of Rains and Rainbows<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLFVRKuixFAyt67b4vRc5g-BrXTSKQojptMuDjdlELZbm6LnlmhPlp89ivgRwkJUMlbSKP03dWpMEj_pjHLQrzCgs6dpJHpoC7G09NNKOtZWAneeoPYBbMCQpC3zuNJzAHs-1VA/s1600/Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLFVRKuixFAyt67b4vRc5g-BrXTSKQojptMuDjdlELZbm6LnlmhPlp89ivgRwkJUMlbSKP03dWpMEj_pjHLQrzCgs6dpJHpoC7G09NNKOtZWAneeoPYBbMCQpC3zuNJzAHs-1VA/s400/Rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Credits to Scribbler's Sanctuary</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's been 7 months since I've last updated my blog. I feel bad for neglecting this love of mine for months. So what happened?<br />
<br />
February until March, I was restless. I know something's up but I was too in denial to speak up. I decided to resign from work and do something else. A Southeast Asian trip was scheduled, taking culinary classes and a longer vacation back at my hometown were a few of my things-to-do-when-you're-a-bum list. So I tender my resignation first week of March and started to do my last 30 days of work.<br />
<br />
April came, and I was doing my last week for work when a friend who happens to be also a Quality Manager called me up and said I need to extend my resignation. He said there's gonna be new program that I will like and that he thinks I'm fit for. Then Boss Matt, who is our SOM, talked me out: The other things I want to do in life can wait. The opportunity to be able to start a new program is not given to everyone. So what the hey, I took the bait.<br />
<br />
Mid April, I was told that I will have my training in Alabang... for 8 weeks. <b>EIGHT WEEKS!</b> Just so you know, I live in Cainta because I work in Ortigas. Commute is just like 30 minutes one way. Going to Alabang daily with a 6 a.m. training schedule was such a nightmare. So I decided to rent a bedspace near our office building so I can save time and energy. Training started, everything seemed to be okay except for one thing. My marriage. You all know I am married. I used to be happy being married. As a matter of fact, I wrote a lot about it on this blog. Little did you know I have this odd feeling inside me about how my marriage is going.<br />
<br />
So this entry is not about why and how my marriage failed. This is clearly not an entry to explain things to random people so to cut the story short, I fell out of love. Yes, it could happen. I started feeling it early of last year but I tried to hold on because I thought that's what marriage is about. But things weren't really working out. I feel alone all the time. I live in a nice place with my husband but I feel so alone. I travel alone, sleep alone, watch movies alone, watch concerts alone, and pretty much all the things that would make an adventurous wife like me unhappy. My ex (then husband) lost me somehow.<br />
<br />
Going through that separation thing while being on training in Alabang was a total crash of emotions. At work, I'd be perky and bubbly but deep inside me, I'm slowly killing myself. I need to get out. Right. Now. But I don't know how. I don't know how to deliver the news to my ex so I let it fly. I was such a coward I hated myself. There would be days that I don't message him not because I don't want to but he isn't really entering my mind. Days would pass and I'd just get a message from him asking me if I had forgotten I have a husband. Then I'd just spent the night bursting into tears and trying to figure out how am I going to tell him that I want out. I didn't figure out. Instead, I enjoyed my stay in Alabang then sulk at night time thinking how unhappy I was with my marriage. And that's my daily mental cycle: happy at work, sad at home.<br />
<br />
Then PST came, we had clients helping us out during the training. Everything was fun and okay but there's something more that I want to share with all of you. I met an amazing guy. He was our SME and he would just sit at the back of the classroom quietly observing our class (and maybe me). His name is Zeke. Zeke is not just an ordinary guy. He's special. He's friendly, funny, sweet, thoughtful and kind. The girls could fall in love with him in an instant. I would fall in love quickly too, but I was married. Too bad, Melissa.<br />
<br />
Days passed, I would always look forward on having breaks and lunch. Zeke and I had become close because during such times, we'd hangout with our friends but we stay in one corner because we don't smoke. Needless to say, we stick together. From common breaks and lunch, I had kidnapped him and his friends several times for dinner or for a few drinks. And that friendship grew deeper as I have enjoyed not just his company but his character just attracts me. We watched Lady Gaga. We sat next to each other. And that's it. Deep inside, I wanted more. The next few days were spent sending messages to each other more often. The messages were not just about "how to get tickets" or "Maccas for lunch" but they became sweet nothings. Saying "Good morning" and "Good night" in both English and Tagalog were most often used. I like him. I had already liked him but then again, I just kept it to myself.<br />
<br />
Then the program launch happened. It was a success! We needed to party after days of hard work. We partied at Republiq. Had a few drinks, danced the night away and then the magical thing happened. Zeke kissed me. I froze. The world had stopped for like 15 seconds. Everything was blurry except him who apparently had auto-zoomed in front of me. It felt good. It felt right. It was LOVE. That's when I realized cliche scenes in movies are true and it's actually happening to me. Oh. My. Lord. A normal girl would probably slap him for doing that. I was abnormal. I was abnormal because I was insanely crazy over him. We continued to party and ended the night with another kiss. It still felt the same. It was damn good and oh so right.<br />
<br />
I left Manila that morning, messages from him didn't stop. We barely had enough sleep. He moved from his hotel in Alabang to his new hotel in Makati. I, then, would still be in Alabang for a couple of weeks. I was with my CDO friends Saturday night and I was crying. Crying because my emotions would want to come out and shout. I wanted to tell everyone I wanted to get out of my marriage and at the same time, I wanted to tell them I kissed an amazing guy and for the first time in my life, I felt real love over a kiss and I knew it was right. But I knew they'd kill me. So I drank the night away, trashed myself. When one of my friends gave me coffee, my bestfriend said "You liked it (kiss) and you don't want it to end, do you?" And that time, I knew I'm going to get myself in trouble. But I will certainly fight for it. I am hopeful. I will win this. I deserve to be happy. Attack!!! <br />
<br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-8983314083558622122012-02-10T22:30:00.005+08:002012-02-11T21:45:33.720+08:007 Random Things<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was
browsing through my Facebook Timeline when I saw a blog from my friend, </span><a href="http://barbiekins.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Barbie</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.
Barbie is dear friend of mine way back grade school and I frequently visit her
blog. Why? Aside from getting chismis about her life, she posts her latest
discoveries in baking. Baking is her passion and she makes it to a point that
she whips those mixes everyday. I am one of her loyal customers. Everytime I
crave for sweets, she's just a text away. (<i>By the way, there's not much
chismis on her blog. It's all about baking and a little bit about her day.</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, it's just today I realized this is a blog award she gave me. I have
been very busy lately that I missed reading some blogs including Barbie's. Then
just as when I thought I should review her products, I came across her blog
mentioning me. Thanks, Barbs (and I'll see you tomorrow!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So
here it is:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seven Random Things
About Me</span><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:</span></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
don't know how to play any musical instrument. But I love to sing!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span><em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
love to surf but I am not a strong swimmer. I have MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse)
which means my heart is beating irregularly therefore I have breathing
problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
don't drink coffee. I am more of a tea person.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. I am a sucker of reality TV shows especially if they have
anything about the Kardashians. <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. I love to travel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. I don't like taking pictures. I don't even like holding a
camera. Aldrin even reminds me everytime I travel to bring my camera. <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. I am more comfortable hanging out with boys than with
girls. I grew up in a environment of guys. With my grandpa as an engineer, and
so are my aunties and uncles, working with men in the field has always been
"normal" for me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
<div class="post hentry" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"><em>
</em></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Spreading
the love to 9 of my favorite bloggers:</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="post hentry">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="post hentry">
<a href="http://www.topazhorizon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Topaz Horizon</span></a></div>
<a href="http://www.chyngreyes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chyng Reyes</span></a><br />
<a href="http://heretishietishie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heretishietishie</span></a><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<a href="http://justwandering.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just Wandering</span></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<a href="http://kapeatsigarilyo.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kape at Sigarilyo</span></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<a href="https://www.lrarceo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottomless Pit of Needs and Wants</span></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<a href="http://www.pinkmagaline.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pink Magaline</span></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<a href="http://donotbuyme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dunnah Delirious</span></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<a href="http://dhappywife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Choose Happiness</span></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This award has its rules, if you receive it you have to: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><ul type="disc"><ul type="circle"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank who send you the award and add a link to her/his blog; </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write 7 random things about you; </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, it's your turn!</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span>
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</span></div>freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-45399186629089189542012-01-13T15:53:00.000+08:002012-01-13T15:53:00.125+08:00Sperry is LOVEI have always been fascinated with boat shoes. For some reason, I find them smart and chic. So when I told myself I want to get my own boat shoes, it should not be a puchu-puchu shoes. <br />
<br />
Then there's Sebago, Sperry and other boat shoe versions of each brand. But one time, during my cousin's birthday shopping, she bought her own Sperry boat shoes. I was able to have a chance to get inside the Sperry store in Trinoma and everything there is beautiful. But then again, the price is a bit steep. <br />
<br />
And so how did Iget my own Sperry? Remember my Christmas Wishlist <a href="http://freeswan.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-2011-christmas-wishlist.html" target="_blank">post</a> and my birthday gift <a href="http://freeswan.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-2011-christmas-wishlist.html" target="_blank">post?</a> Aldrin gave me Php8,000 as his Christmas gift budget but I only spent Php1,990 for the Ray-Ban, right? Well, a portion of the money he gave me went to the Sendong victims and... there's few money left for my Sperry. <br />
<br />
Then last Saturday, after Aldrin and I watched Enteng ng Ina Mo, we happened to pass by a store in Megamall that sells Sperry and Keds shoes. To cut the long story short, napabili ako. <br />
<br />
So there.... Thanks, my dear husband for your advance birthday gift (My birthday is on January 27).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUkA2Ci-cuPSunrwysnwEnrYtpOFuq4pH8WYbcBqhlB1sjYz2Ha9SuW9wP0oHnNbTTupn_L6ELqdEZHQqADZ-WLibEBcbKma9DS_IzkPOmAd52Mc7MiyiS_TCkNDrz-nScR7S8w/s1600/392264_10150685660463761_576548760_12136124_177937462_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUkA2Ci-cuPSunrwysnwEnrYtpOFuq4pH8WYbcBqhlB1sjYz2Ha9SuW9wP0oHnNbTTupn_L6ELqdEZHQqADZ-WLibEBcbKma9DS_IzkPOmAd52Mc7MiyiS_TCkNDrz-nScR7S8w/s320/392264_10150685660463761_576548760_12136124_177937462_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahama in Metallic Suede</td></tr>
</tbody></table>freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-64296286709465807532012-01-12T15:34:00.001+08:002012-01-09T15:35:38.745+08:00A Happy Wife on ChristmasYou all probably read my Christmas Wishlist <a href="http://freeswan.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-2011-christmas-wishlist.html" target="_blank">post</a>. And of course, my husband got to read it as well. And so for December, here's what I got...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3sEAF588n0/TwqU1wffRXI/AAAAAAAAAuY/9Ke60gWvzvo/s1600/405768_10150690555168761_576548760_12159642_541803413_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3sEAF588n0/TwqU1wffRXI/AAAAAAAAAuY/9Ke60gWvzvo/s320/405768_10150690555168761_576548760_12159642_541803413_n.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray-Ban Outdoorsman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Pardon my one and only picture since I took the photo using my phone only. </div>
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The story:</div>
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So my husband said he'll buy my the Outdoorsman that I like. We went through the malls to check the prices. It's Php8490.00 for every pair. Quite steep. I bargained with my husband. He'll just give me Php8,000 and I will pay for the Php490. He agreed. Well, he agreed because he has really no patience of scouting for good prices and he just put the responsibility on my shoulders of looking for my gift. He's not a good shopper. </div>
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Honestly, I am hesistant to buy this since the price is well... you know. So in search for the most affordable Ray-Ban shades, I bumped into this RIMA Warehouse sale in the internet. And days after anxiously waiting for the December 15 sale, at 8am sharp, I was already Pasong Tamo Ext. Unfortunately, the salesman said that they already ran out of Outdoorsman since they had their first sale last November. But I did not lose hope. I told k<em>uya</em> to look for more shades in their boxes. They found 2 - a regular Outdoorsman and a polarized one. I didn't get the polarized one because the shape does not fit my face. I held on tight to the only regular Outdoorsman since a lot of people are eye-ing on it and my money (Aldrin) is not yet here. Price by the way is Php3,900 only! Not bad!</div>
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Then Aldrin came, handed me his Php8,000 (Christmas gift budget). I did sort of a quality inspection and found a little defect on the sides of the shades but is not obvious actually. </div>
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<em>Me: Kuya, may defect ng konti sa gilid. baka may discount pa yan?</em></div>
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<em>Kuya: Wala na talaga maam.</em></div>
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<em>Me: Okay, sige kunin ko na yan. </em></div>
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<em>Kuya: Maam, pakibayaran na lang sa cashier.</em></div>
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<strong>At the cashier...</strong></div>
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<em>Me: Ate, baka naman may super super discount pa yan kasi may konting defect. </em></div>
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<em>Cashier/ Supervisor: asan maam?</em></div>
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<em>Me: ayan po (pointing at the tiny defect).</em></div>
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<em>Cashier: o sige maam, Php1,990 na lang po. </em></div>
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<em>Me: ooooohyeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!</em></div>
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Then I realized everyone was staring at me. Ray-Ban Outdoorsman for Php1,900 only. Quite a steal!!! It really pays when you do your research first and a professional haggler always comes in handy. </div>
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</div>freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-68429741057912693952012-01-11T14:10:00.004+08:002012-01-11T14:10:00.784+08:00What I got myself for Christmas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GF0W331c_I/TwqIdPqpcYI/AAAAAAAAAuA/TAuazhnljdM/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GF0W331c_I/TwqIdPqpcYI/AAAAAAAAAuA/TAuazhnljdM/s320/IMG_0343.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas gift for myself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTNuARN_-RYB8iQpeRwe1hlLdj9K6VlTwp4L9MBQaZsTyC465GhrC0K-3i_fzE4rYQI1Rx0JKzQpcQMbXSC2N0MYV5cuSBmfDudkTXQdlDbm1H_a6Bp0r-Xls2mO_pyBku014iw/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTNuARN_-RYB8iQpeRwe1hlLdj9K6VlTwp4L9MBQaZsTyC465GhrC0K-3i_fzE4rYQI1Rx0JKzQpcQMbXSC2N0MYV5cuSBmfDudkTXQdlDbm1H_a6Bp0r-Xls2mO_pyBku014iw/s320/IMG_0347.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the free toner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a long overdue post. I bought these when I did my
Christmas shopping a week before Christmas. Then Sendong came and we were all
busy with the donations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Etude House Treat!</strong> I bought myself the following:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Bubble Hair Color – Php378.00</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Moistfull Peeling – Php448.00</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Tea Time
Cleansing Foam – Php148.00</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I NEED YOU Aloe Mask
Sheet <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Php58.00</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">TOTAL:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Php1,032.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I get a free Wonder Pore Freshener Toner!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I should do a follow up post on my Bubble Hair Color. The
Moistfull Peeling is very good. Aside from feeling smooth after every use, I noticed
my skin feels supple. Or I think, the Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam helped as
well. I just love the Happy Tea Time smell! </span></div>freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-37361009954844925752012-01-10T00:53:00.002+08:002012-01-10T00:53:00.787+08:00Of Help and Of Hope<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So when I got saw the pictures of how badly stricken our
city was because of Sendong, it suddenly rushed to me the urge to help. It was
like it was a reflex, a part of my system that did not require me to think
about it. Even if I was here in Manila at the time of tragedy, I knew I could
help. Good thing that we already have booked our flights on December 27, 2011 because
we usually spent the New Year in my hometown while Christmas, on my in-laws. I thought
it was a good opportunity for me to ask for any form of donations I can bring
to CDO. Besides, my cousins are doing daily relief operations to the victims. Immediately
after the tragedy, they started cooking and delivered foods to the people. Our family
members tried their best to be of help at that time because government help wasn’t
really there yet. Everyone helped in their best way that they can. Cagay-anons
from other countries also sent cash donations. My cousins used that money to
buy food, lampara, sheets, blankets, laminated canvass (trapal), banig, etc. because
those are really the ones that are badly needed in the affected areas. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Photo credits to my cousins Maebelle Bernardino and KC Saldua:</em></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJH8N6HiKKE/Twp0RwE_M_I/AAAAAAAAArY/cFN7Yu2Wnuo/s1600/385984_2534526201205_1195061534_32174284_2085812348_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJH8N6HiKKE/Twp0RwE_M_I/AAAAAAAAArY/cFN7Yu2Wnuo/s320/385984_2534526201205_1195061534_32174284_2085812348_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relief goods all set now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6sakve768rfDb-nkhIiXtHMHFLie0Ekc6SYckr6jrwC49F3QY-Y7jDTtO-GeFieVBQWSeqzMeaMoa50ly_Z1nrJiwWnBmb26H_19rebbdm2lQPYnl38q0uooNVOf1LfdUQZc_g/s1600/395389_2534535041426_1195061534_32174287_1834701014_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6sakve768rfDb-nkhIiXtHMHFLie0Ekc6SYckr6jrwC49F3QY-Y7jDTtO-GeFieVBQWSeqzMeaMoa50ly_Z1nrJiwWnBmb26H_19rebbdm2lQPYnl38q0uooNVOf1LfdUQZc_g/s320/395389_2534535041426_1195061534_32174287_1834701014_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improvised lamparilla by my cousins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evdN_RGFHH8/Twp0barDdaI/AAAAAAAAAro/3Sar9Vcnrhs/s1600/380092_2534376077452_1195061534_32174210_1289247387_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evdN_RGFHH8/Twp0barDdaI/AAAAAAAAAro/3Sar9Vcnrhs/s320/380092_2534376077452_1195061534_32174210_1289247387_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laminated sacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZMd5nwGxQKGuLzPBFTK9bdtJaycir8Lamqt3Ukpr3r_dlYvkBejh8_i_RsxPrkyWtypx_c0u_sySjm5JgtdHw0bqjcPjad8QaDgfx3PHcy-mtc7-vBwLbuEszQpS7AcQSZFtCQ/s1600/384718_2886246034258_1203377366_3227440_1333963407_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZMd5nwGxQKGuLzPBFTK9bdtJaycir8Lamqt3Ukpr3r_dlYvkBejh8_i_RsxPrkyWtypx_c0u_sySjm5JgtdHw0bqjcPjad8QaDgfx3PHcy-mtc7-vBwLbuEszQpS7AcQSZFtCQ/s320/384718_2886246034258_1203377366_3227440_1333963407_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time for them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I, on the other hand, collected donations from my in-laws,
officemates and friends. Special shout out to Leslie of AUB, Ate Gena of
Healthy Options, Boss Matt of CVG, Michelle of Sutherland, Marie of Project I
Am Love for coordinating the donations of their respective companies/teams. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAqEiA-vnEg/Twp2qf-_36I/AAAAAAAAAr4/bdYqU_mtI7E/s1600/381670_10150673324288761_576548760_12090564_1990061799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAqEiA-vnEg/Twp2qf-_36I/AAAAAAAAAr4/bdYqU_mtI7E/s320/381670_10150673324288761_576548760_12090564_1990061799_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cerelac for babies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3AC3m6weUA/Twp2xp8fBgI/AAAAAAAAAsA/k7OIMgsSKw8/s1600/405354_10150673323103761_576548760_12090541_1036283588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3AC3m6weUA/Twp2xp8fBgI/AAAAAAAAAsA/k7OIMgsSKw8/s320/405354_10150673323103761_576548760_12090541_1036283588_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The donations inside our house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6DSM0tmfaOU/Twp2yzcUKzI/AAAAAAAAAsI/yn9r4mB742E/s1600/166982_10150673392893761_576548760_12091007_1446358632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6DSM0tmfaOU/Twp2yzcUKzI/AAAAAAAAAsI/yn9r4mB742E/s320/166982_10150673392893761_576548760_12091007_1446358632_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vitamins and cough syrup for the kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKKFMdoAPV-Zf6ylGHD0X-DUOxB7XVZp6CJGV7M7EpMgvFWQiEUrpYT-yHJ4KdnW0rugqfes9rGhTPUedOeyKHSZra0qe9sl_6vcA1w7PuqqIIBCJ7zdCpd_Nxu_VDTt_hOHROQ/s1600/383594_10150673392568761_576548760_12091004_584224086_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKKFMdoAPV-Zf6ylGHD0X-DUOxB7XVZp6CJGV7M7EpMgvFWQiEUrpYT-yHJ4KdnW0rugqfes9rGhTPUedOeyKHSZra0qe9sl_6vcA1w7PuqqIIBCJ7zdCpd_Nxu_VDTt_hOHROQ/s320/383594_10150673392568761_576548760_12091004_584224086_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paracetamol, Mucosolve, Syndrex and Vit. C for adults</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPWdgduwUTA/Twp22InUmiI/AAAAAAAAAsY/v1AAqUVeZgA/s1600/384605_10150673324583761_576548760_12090569_821818461_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPWdgduwUTA/Twp22InUmiI/AAAAAAAAAsY/v1AAqUVeZgA/s320/384605_10150673324583761_576548760_12090569_821818461_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The donations outside our house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdplt_5cqGk/Twp29FS3V2I/AAAAAAAAAsg/eEKaeHefsJE/s1600/398372_10150673317538761_576548760_12090483_2021902101_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdplt_5cqGk/Twp29FS3V2I/AAAAAAAAAsg/eEKaeHefsJE/s320/398372_10150673317538761_576548760_12090483_2021902101_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The donations deposited at Cebu Pacific</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all, we sent out at least 300 kilos of clothing in
LBC, 100 kilos through Asia Brewery and deposited 271 kilos in Cebu Pacific. Unfortunately,
Cebu Pac has a 5-7 days of backlog for cargo because of the relief goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We deposited then December 26, 2011 and the
21 boxes arrived in CDO December 31, 2011 and the remaining 4 boxes, January 3,
2012. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Superfriends and I had a feeding session last December 28. I spent my New Year's Day doing relief operations with my sister, her bf and my cousins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all, it was a tiring experience yet it was
fulfilling. We never really had a Christmas vacation because we all helped out.
Plus, there was no water in 80% of the city so we have to get water somewhere
else. So everyone was really doing their part. There’s no room for laziness in
this situation. We spent the New Year’s eve at my auntie’s house where my grandparents
and other relatives who were Sendong victims stayed. The reunion was bitter
sweet. I could not dare ask them to recount what happened on that tragic night.
I just thought we should just celebrate and be thankful that we are all safe. I
know it’s hard to forget especially with the kids that had trauma but I put
everything in good faith that everyone will recover from this tragedy. There were
fireworks at 12mn but it was really different. Different from other New Year’s
celebration that we had. I think the word that best describes the people of CDO
during New Year was EXHAUSTED. Everyone was tired but somehow had that positive
hope that everything will be better in the following year. Truly this is one humbling
experience for me. </span></div>freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-21587861437813996092012-01-09T12:24:00.000+08:002012-01-09T12:24:37.124+08:00Wild Sendong Visits Our Home<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">December 17, 2011. It was a rainy Friday night. I was
facilitating parlor games for it was our team Christmas party. We are all having
fun when I got a text message from my mom saying, “Please pray for our family
in Balulang. Naa na sila sa atop sa balay. (Please pray for our family in
Balulang. They are now on top of the roof.)” I thought it was another OA story
from my mom since Balulang, where our grandparents’ house is located is
situated in an Antipolo-level altitude. How can there be flood in such place
when my parents house in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kauswagan is
the one the usually gets flooded when there’s a bit of too much rain. So how in
the world Balulang gets flooded when Kauswagan hasn’t sunk in yet? The downside
of Balulang is - beside the baranggay, runs the Cagayan River. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I continued the fun at the party when my mom started
calling me. Then she was crying. And then I started to panic. I told her I’ll
try to contact some of my friends to rescue Balulang. Balulang is part of my life. You see, I grew up there. When my grandparents built the house when I was
about in grade 2, there were at least 50 families living there. The place was
quiet and secluded. I loved it there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
I turned out to be lolo and lola’s girl. I basically just grew up there. I always
go home with my grandparents even when I was already working at the age of 22. My
husband, Aldrin, even slept there for a couple of times. I knew the place very
well. I have grade school, high school and college friends from Balulang.
Everybody knows everybody. And so I contacted all my connections. From high
school friends, neighbors, producers of a huge television network, friends that
are closely connected to politics, etc. I tried my really best. I was busy that
night but I excused myself from the party to ask for help. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then my mom texted me that my grandparents, aunties,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>uncles, cousins (ages 3-10 years old) are now safe and now in our neighbor’s second floor. I felt safe too. I relaxed, joined my colleagues for some drinks after the party without really knowing the real situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Photo credits to my Auntie Lyn:</em></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz19R8ty1sKnQLSiXP_iXDtugaiwF20tuS5WgF6iDXhwRijkAOfbvbm-TJ9SzvClKY6noGuonWy0FxMuPufTaojMY0rAUhdNI16EQubSVxFd_DDn5a31uJqQ1C4i5cYRLVNGYcpg/s1600/387590_2410762029065_1251667690_31942121_544701302_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz19R8ty1sKnQLSiXP_iXDtugaiwF20tuS5WgF6iDXhwRijkAOfbvbm-TJ9SzvClKY6noGuonWy0FxMuPufTaojMY0rAUhdNI16EQubSVxFd_DDn5a31uJqQ1C4i5cYRLVNGYcpg/s320/387590_2410762029065_1251667690_31942121_544701302_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's our roof right there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GuLD0fZ-WoDrUFMlq8-18sSgNyMZ-CFnr9voD6BKtDkPf2U6KqWdH6noFwsOxayUYCq8S1LHTLj_LcqMfn_ai3xfsCSVm1opQyU_Xl5e0FLDlRN023zAeA1jSy-U6UV4xHp_Ag/s1600/404669_2410771709307_1251667690_31942129_806319405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GuLD0fZ-WoDrUFMlq8-18sSgNyMZ-CFnr9voD6BKtDkPf2U6KqWdH6noFwsOxayUYCq8S1LHTLj_LcqMfn_ai3xfsCSVm1opQyU_Xl5e0FLDlRN023zAeA1jSy-U6UV4xHp_Ag/s320/404669_2410771709307_1251667690_31942129_806319405_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our roof and my lola's tall plants/trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaypeOht4D8AWhly-HyRXroDniHN5eaol3mb4swhW1Kye6EDjY-K96TtO96YSMPzZ4ex7nLtAh7o-9_rjBIgbPjtpkNvgErKiu6kJ11-uP2Xsch-ORtQaCpk7VKH9JyqfiAoJyg/s1600/407281_2410768189219_1251667690_31942126_1771681888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaypeOht4D8AWhly-HyRXroDniHN5eaol3mb4swhW1Kye6EDjY-K96TtO96YSMPzZ4ex7nLtAh7o-9_rjBIgbPjtpkNvgErKiu6kJ11-uP2Xsch-ORtQaCpk7VKH9JyqfiAoJyg/s320/407281_2410768189219_1251667690_31942126_1771681888_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the survivors in our neighbor's second floor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlxnY8U7uNc/TwpqKlkCZbI/AAAAAAAAArI/irQJwmc7zi0/s1600/387188_2410797989964_1251667690_31942155_406157784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlxnY8U7uNc/TwpqKlkCZbI/AAAAAAAAArI/irQJwmc7zi0/s320/387188_2410797989964_1251667690_31942155_406157784_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house damage. This was taken during the clean-up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aPUSFjyPMJQ/TwpqMIgnSGI/AAAAAAAAArQ/EGmPwPWCP24/s1600/402445_2410793589854_1251667690_31942151_739987782_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aPUSFjyPMJQ/TwpqMIgnSGI/AAAAAAAAArQ/EGmPwPWCP24/s320/402445_2410793589854_1251667690_31942151_739987782_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cousins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I got home, I immediately
opened Facebook and everything I saw really sent me to tears. I was crying. No,
I was weeping. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Photo credits to Gian Paolo Duterte and Lyndon Abing:</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then friends, friends of friends, familiar faces, neighbors,
classmates, batchmates, family member started to communicate each other doing a
headcount. I thank the good Lord all my loved ones and friends are safe but
some of our neighbors were unlucky. Many have died, have been missing. The houses
were totally damaged. There’s mud everywhere. The roads, posts, establishments
were damaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the worse thing is,
there’s no water. </span><br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-51851794913779836792011-12-11T22:03:00.003+08:002011-12-11T22:03:00.877+08:00Christmas is here!Just because we got our very first Christmas present this year, I suddenly felt it's now really Christmas. I admit, I have not been feeling the Christmas lately. I told Aldrin this. I had so many things in my mind, about some personal stuff, work, trips, etc... It even cost me my health. A lot of times I suggested to Aldrin we'll go to the malls to see the decors and the Christmas trees but experiencing the heavy traffic on a daily on my way to work makes me really cringe. <br />
<br />
So here it is, a gift from Ms. Joy.... all the way from California. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: magenta;">2 bottles of Beringer Bernet Sauvignon</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: magenta;">1 box of Kirkland Europan Cookies with Belgian Chocolates</span></strong><br />
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To add some more happiness, we added in the picture the 10 KitKat Peppermint packages we bought from Ensogo. Each pack (9x2fingers) is sold with SRP of Php110 but Ensogo sold vouches for Php50 for each pack. Each member of Ensogo can buy 10 vouchers. And so we did. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-soUN0I-CtT0/TuNpB2-dpCI/AAAAAAAAAqA/nhQhxj6Mf4U/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-soUN0I-CtT0/TuNpB2-dpCI/AAAAAAAAAqA/nhQhxj6Mf4U/s320/IMG_0337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hmmmm... This is pure LOVE. Thank you, Ms. Joy for the goodies!!!<br />freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-6468655289390574532011-12-10T21:48:00.000+08:002011-12-10T21:48:42.573+08:00My 2011 Christmas WishlistI'm excited to blog about my wishlist. That is because, I know some of my wishes are about to come true. *wink wink*<br />
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But let me give you an update regarding my 2010 wishlist. A year ago, I wrote <a href="http://freeswan.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-your-christmas-wishlist.html" target="_blank">THIS.</a> <br />
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2 out of 5 of my wishes came real. Well, sorta...<br />
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I was able to get my first wish which is the Blackberry 8520. But I sold it and upgraded to Blackberry 8300. <br />
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I also got my Lonchamp bag. Although it is not a Planetes, I got something better. I got the Le Pliage in Bilberry with insects. Go check my <a href="http://freeswan.blogspot.com/2010/11/insects-in-my-bag.html" target="_blank">post</a> about it. <br />
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Now for 2011. Get ready. <br />
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1.<strong> <span style="color: red;">Surf board</span></strong>. Yup, the very same wish I had since last year. Hahaha!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5aIcPwouM5kC0BHEdiWZ3CTON6xCTb-6mTTG_8Hno0-MnbUeMQCKRnHPgNpEhR8AEOP44VK3NBoKV4kvIusyZU4r_UUsf_0zWgaVL4OT9JBAtjTk2FrG_OuDBaUEjaE3ExcOig/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_1128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5aIcPwouM5kC0BHEdiWZ3CTON6xCTb-6mTTG_8Hno0-MnbUeMQCKRnHPgNpEhR8AEOP44VK3NBoKV4kvIusyZU4r_UUsf_0zWgaVL4OT9JBAtjTk2FrG_OuDBaUEjaE3ExcOig/s320/Copy+of+IMG_1128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like to have a longboard or funboard</td></tr>
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2. <span style="color: red;"><strong>Rayban Outdoorsman</strong>.</span> Since I love the sun and the beach, there's no better way to protect my beautiful eyes with these perfect shades. I tried one already and Aldrin promised to give me this fab eyewear this Christmas. Yeeebaaah!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyJRJx8gLgY/TuNfmHb89oI/AAAAAAAAApo/CaIVjZY6C2g/s1600/ourdoorsman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyJRJx8gLgY/TuNfmHb89oI/AAAAAAAAApo/CaIVjZY6C2g/s320/ourdoorsman.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RB 3030 model</td></tr>
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3. <strong><span style="color: red;">Sperry Boat Shoes</span></strong>. I just love it. Saw one when my cousin bought her very own Sperry during her birthday. I wasn't really even thinking of getting a new shoes for Christmas but when I saw their metallic collections, I fell in love with them. Well, last Christmas, I had shoes on my wishlist that may have looked like a boat shoe but it's actually flats. Now, I want to have the real thing. <br />
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I'm torn though between the two designs. Can you help me out?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG9IZZ7OzGI/TuNff_BGPmI/AAAAAAAAApg/xI5TNrhNRoU/s1600/authentic+metallic+shoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG9IZZ7OzGI/TuNff_BGPmI/AAAAAAAAApg/xI5TNrhNRoU/s320/authentic+metallic+shoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Authentic Metallic Boat Shoe</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-63uS77lGUTQ/TuNfXKJdI-I/AAAAAAAAApY/5li7An4RegU/s1600/women%2527s+bluefish+2-eye+boat+shoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-63uS77lGUTQ/TuNfXKJdI-I/AAAAAAAAApY/5li7An4RegU/s320/women%2527s+bluefish+2-eye+boat+shoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Bluefish 2-eye Boat Shoes</td></tr>
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Ugh!!! I would really love to get all these....freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12103867.post-63778743184063904622011-11-05T17:32:00.000+08:002011-11-05T17:32:51.850+08:00Enchanting BalerMy surfer friend and a high school batchmate, Chloe, decided to spend our 4-day long weekend to go surfing. And since Baler will host a Surf Festival on that weekend, we decided to head on. 2 weeks of looking for an accomodation, we were unfortunate.We've already settled in sleeping inside the car just in case we really don't get lucky. Until 2 days before our departure, Chloe got us some good news. We will be staying at Aurora Taekwondo gym. Yey! Staying in a gym is a no fuss for me especially that the owner of the gym is my hubby's senior in taekwondo. I thought this would be easy and fun!<br />
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We left Sunday morning because we have to wait for Chloe's friend - Lourdes - who just came from her 30-hour shift in TMC. We left Manila at about 2pm already because we need to eat, buy stuff and have the SUV checked. We arrived Baler at around 7pm. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mshgDkZp8I/TrT6t0HnIVI/AAAAAAAAAnI/cCl4kCMndwU/s1600/325506_10150387023573703_511068702_8317059_2039842960_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mshgDkZp8I/TrT6t0HnIVI/AAAAAAAAAnI/cCl4kCMndwU/s320/325506_10150387023573703_511068702_8317059_2039842960_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Concert - Salamin is on</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_p4Gjs7nc/TrT60Dk3HEI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/oHbowUr6BEE/s1600/325506_10150387023583703_511068702_8317060_628450615_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_p4Gjs7nc/TrT60Dk3HEI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/oHbowUr6BEE/s320/325506_10150387023583703_511068702_8317060_628450615_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe's entry. She won!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMyzJNL0QamTTKCRkYVSSYJnusred9LLp8f0H3Qgv4ncBvgTgeXGiA-eF0S1cpQyjsp68nAPuXYEeqflS4_t3hUQUhilWSPxhlg7nXk2hcdmE3ATomgvxtOYm25pXSQ4W_NwrBA/s1600/300727_10150387031513703_511068702_8317247_1020614929_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMyzJNL0QamTTKCRkYVSSYJnusred9LLp8f0H3Qgv4ncBvgTgeXGiA-eF0S1cpQyjsp68nAPuXYEeqflS4_t3hUQUhilWSPxhlg7nXk2hcdmE3ATomgvxtOYm25pXSQ4W_NwrBA/s320/300727_10150387031513703_511068702_8317247_1020614929_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend Jeff's entry. He won too!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaei_9vrlVBPpWCMzZ41Z1D1wDt2nlb_puMxtzz1yFf7TcB92grLEKv7L39G1eU0QTN0ttBSgiq2gVMWI9UyaLOIbZNCO4uxLy3E2Fp1Lkxv1eHxfbbIIGhJEoHNeMlH4XaUJnsA/s1600/318596_10150387033803703_511068702_8317301_760106951_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaei_9vrlVBPpWCMzZ41Z1D1wDt2nlb_puMxtzz1yFf7TcB92grLEKv7L39G1eU0QTN0ttBSgiq2gVMWI9UyaLOIbZNCO4uxLy3E2Fp1Lkxv1eHxfbbIIGhJEoHNeMlH4XaUJnsA/s320/318596_10150387033803703_511068702_8317301_760106951_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe, Lourder and Kr went kalesa riding on the beach. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXJmVAN90CI/TrT7B3WcrKI/AAAAAAAAAno/ESniFKiX1Zc/s1600/305119_10150387031953703_511068702_8317260_654364884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXJmVAN90CI/TrT7B3WcrKI/AAAAAAAAAno/ESniFKiX1Zc/s320/305119_10150387031953703_511068702_8317260_654364884_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baler waves at night.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSuPWOoGpTOhfdVliCuq_nMvi49XNM20AzpUtJmMIUBosvn78xvynENb15F-JLq0JYcCfMN5UMwgQTvhLuKaF2g3Y8cormWcZJzy3vfrizMB7FWmZ4iRWfChpocrdOaPkDdGfSw/s1600/302129_10150387034568703_511068702_8317320_1255825409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSuPWOoGpTOhfdVliCuq_nMvi49XNM20AzpUtJmMIUBosvn78xvynENb15F-JLq0JYcCfMN5UMwgQTvhLuKaF2g3Y8cormWcZJzy3vfrizMB7FWmZ4iRWfChpocrdOaPkDdGfSw/s320/302129_10150387034568703_511068702_8317320_1255825409_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capped the night off drinking with taek friends.<br />
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The next day, we woke up at around 6am to catch the early waves. Trust me, the waves were oh soooo good!!!! I.LOVE.IT!!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSASETirryzxcgvG_pjOT4c-wvh_D_5jVxZUqW7zzlTwO0BjfgHq8DwgIfg5RxCKtDgxYRLjLkkhvQGJuybzSXgkJROjDlxFqYKWuEihR6QC-eZniPgVu9jUKM-TfX2phhvKIFSw/s1600/381936_10150387039373703_511068702_8317392_927575561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSASETirryzxcgvG_pjOT4c-wvh_D_5jVxZUqW7zzlTwO0BjfgHq8DwgIfg5RxCKtDgxYRLjLkkhvQGJuybzSXgkJROjDlxFqYKWuEihR6QC-eZniPgVu9jUKM-TfX2phhvKIFSw/s320/381936_10150387039373703_511068702_8317392_927575561_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wake up, girls!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etckmNiEvew/TrT9DXjGFHI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Y9JOJVAUZkQ/s1600/303059_10150387039928703_511068702_8317400_980386131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etckmNiEvew/TrT9DXjGFHI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Y9JOJVAUZkQ/s320/303059_10150387039928703_511068702_8317400_980386131_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before riding the waves.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8i_uNdWzqM/TrT-CJvsLvI/AAAAAAAAAoI/_vN2pe81FcQ/s1600/383601_10150525264423761_576548760_11488285_463466251_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8i_uNdWzqM/TrT-CJvsLvI/AAAAAAAAAoI/_vN2pe81FcQ/s320/383601_10150525264423761_576548760_11488285_463466251_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After riding the waves. We were sooo hungry.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE10-9qg7yfS6gePE4RGJdDRbx8q227n_a9QUOP7FEubWtamczU-SOKlPZxowY_63iIlzx1veNATKn6inK7U3hHdXSP1m5NJiXnVTl4V_G6F9hqpTlVqRIwOWkM0o7oAppYIYGhg/s1600/387848_10150387038693703_511068702_8317376_1811960735_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE10-9qg7yfS6gePE4RGJdDRbx8q227n_a9QUOP7FEubWtamczU-SOKlPZxowY_63iIlzx1veNATKn6inK7U3hHdXSP1m5NJiXnVTl4V_G6F9hqpTlVqRIwOWkM0o7oAppYIYGhg/s320/387848_10150387038693703_511068702_8317376_1811960735_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baler waves. Perfect in the morning. </td></tr>
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After eating, we could not get hold of boards because everyone was renting them out. So we had our second session in the afternoon but the waves were no longer friendly, we hated surfing that we have to end it after 45 minutes. The waves were driven by the wind so they were not consistent and we couldn't get up okay. <br />
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After our afternoon session, we headed back to the gym to prepare for our departure. Thanks to Sir Eric Go and his team for giving us snacks. Pancit canton and Baler sweet pandesal are the best!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Tv0xKey_Hk/TrT_Q-PH5hI/AAAAAAAAAoY/2bxvM_Q5qoY/s1600/298442_10150387047528703_511068702_8317532_2063952437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Tv0xKey_Hk/TrT_Q-PH5hI/AAAAAAAAAoY/2bxvM_Q5qoY/s320/298442_10150387047528703_511068702_8317532_2063952437_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our afternoon session.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HouPsZ8opfk/TrUAJihMXII/AAAAAAAAApI/dPSdTDLDB-U/s1600/390517_10150387046423703_511068702_8317520_1197724795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HouPsZ8opfk/TrUAJihMXII/AAAAAAAAApI/dPSdTDLDB-U/s320/390517_10150387046423703_511068702_8317520_1197724795_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the Baler Taekwondo team + Aldrin's seniors in TBB</td></tr>
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Again, thanks to Sir Eric Go for accomodating us in Baler. Thanks to the whole team, we really felt special and pampered. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVmfXCGvmyE/TrT_eTzzeBI/AAAAAAAAAoo/1KX1t4Y-Iww/s1600/313675_10150387035838703_511068702_8317344_2112561810_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVmfXCGvmyE/TrT_eTzzeBI/AAAAAAAAAoo/1KX1t4Y-Iww/s320/313675_10150387035838703_511068702_8317344_2112561810_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gym</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6ZZvPGwytc/TrT_iVf-0GI/AAAAAAAAAow/HcfCb7JMcYM/s1600/305413_10150387055048703_511068702_8317678_1758586628_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6ZZvPGwytc/TrT_iVf-0GI/AAAAAAAAAow/HcfCb7JMcYM/s320/305413_10150387055048703_511068702_8317678_1758586628_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The armors</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last supper</td></tr>
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We left Baler at 6pm, made a wrong turn and ended up in some dimention. It's a whole different story but we ended up passing through the most damaged road in Aurora. We crossed boulders of rocks, streams and deep rivers. The off-road run went about three long hours. We could not rest and sleep. We just chatted the night away until we reached a concrete road, Hello Cabanatuan City!<br />
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After that amazing trip, I have a newly found respect for Toyota Fortuner. Seriously.freeswanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09718182458369082974noreply@blogger.com3