2016 recap

Mandatory year end blog post, of course.
It has been a hella roller coaster ride for me this year.
Ups and downs. Guy problems. Fake friends. Family stuff.
I'm so glad that I went through all that and survived in one piece, with a smile on my face and in my heart.

If you meet the last year's version of me, you will meet a whole different person.
I've changed. A lot.
And I like that change. A lot.

I'm glad I've finally sorted, not everything, but almost everything out. Makes me feel like I have things figured out. Lol

Friends, I'm all good in that area now. No longer too sentimental to cut people who are too toxic and/or just doesn't have that positive effect in my life. I lost Anri but I no longer feel sad about it. Hell, I even wonder if it was really worth it anyway.. knowing how everything was so pretentious and fake. I sometimes miss her but I'm just glad I'm done with that. Same goes for Giana, not sad bout this one though plus I don't miss her at all and I'm glad she's no longer in my life. I am also happy that I have reconnected with some friends who I lost contact with over the years. I can say that I've gained more than I lost and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Guys, I had my fair share of dating this year. Jumping into a relationship is not really a priority right now but my dating life has been good. I don't wanna namedrop or say much bout it cause there is really nothing much to say. The important thing is that I'm happy and my heart is at peace.

Family, We had a major bump this year. but, thank God, everything went okay. It's so amazing how God makes things work in the end. I am very thankful for that. I can't imagine celebrating holidays without my family. They are the best gift I have ever received.

Career, Work has been good. It's either super busy or super slow. There's is no in between. The thing about having a career is that I discover more about what I'm capable of doing, more about what and who I am and more about what I can offer. Like I never knew that I can do stuff that I even surprise myself. It's true what they always say - learning, it never stops.

I discovered a lot about myself this year.
The good and the bad.
I grew more independent this year too.
Too independent that I know when to walk away from the things I don't deserve.
Too independent that I think it scares guys away.
Too independent that whenever I feel like I'm catching feelings for someone, I tend to run away. Lol, okay, not too independent on this one, just my commitment issues catching up on me. I gotta work on that.
I am glad how much I grew up this year.
If I am given the chance to have a do-over of this year, I would make a little tweaks on how I handled some things, I would cut ties with Anri and Giana from the very beginning of this year, I wouldn't buy those pink rompers at Aeropostale, I would buy a pug, I would visit Tyler when he was still based in Japan, I would skip gym that one Sunday to avoid that sprained ankle..... there are other minor changes I would do if I was given the chance but I wouldn't change anything on how I've become, how much I've changed because I like every part of it.

2016 wasn't really my year but still thankful for everything.
I'm ready, 2017.

Circle Hostel

December 29th, I went to San Felipe, Zambales with my high school friends.
We always make it a point to have a mini reunion every year and this year is the first time that all of us were able to go.
We stayed in Circle Hostel.
The place was nice. Very low key. Clean. Bunk beds were spacious. There are common areas where you can hang out. People are nice (well, some guests were annoying lol arte eh). But, overall, I would say that staying in Circle Hostel was a nice experience.

The Cliff

Last December 28th, impulsive friends decided to go here in Olongapo.
No plans, no reservations but still as long as we're togethaaaaa.
They arrived here around 9 in the morning then we decided to drive along Barreto to find a place to stay. We inquired in several resort hotels then found The Cliff beside El Molina.
The place was not crowded at all when we went there.
The accommodation was okay. Old but it was okay.
They have at least 5 security guards roaming around.
We didn't really do much but it was fun to be able to spend time with them.

10:45 and drunk

I don't know why but I can't sleep.

I'd like to think it's the alcohol but alcohol usually makes me sleep extra sweet at night.

But right now, I can't even feel sleepy.

I'm intoxicated, frustrated & mostly disappointed.

I feel so stupid. So dumb stupid.

I fell for it again. After everything, I went through, after everything I put inside my head just to get over it.

I feel so weak. I feel so out of control. I'm crying right now and it's not even worth it.

Maybe I'm just drunk. Drunk and being impulsive.

Impulsive because I blocked him on Facebook Messenger.

I also blocked someone not even related to this on Snapchat because I got so pissed.

Oh, what a life.

Maybe that's just it. It can never be because I always let it just be this way.

I always complain how it is but I never make a way to make everything change. 

Or I don't know what I'm saying cause I don't know and this post has no sense at all

Cebu 2016

I don't know why but riding airplanes make me feel happy.
Last Nov 23rd, I went to Cebu with Dice. Our flight was supposed to be at 01:40 pm but it got delayed for about two hours but it was okay since we don't really have plans allotted that day. The plan was take an airplane to Cebu, meet up with Nian and her friend, Jyl, then go to Moalboal for our accommodation which was included in our tour package. So, the 45-minute plane ride was nice. Kinda met a guy who was trying for a small talk, kept glancing and smiling at me the whole flight til we went separate ways when we were waiting for our rides. But yah know me, I'm lame with that kind of stuff. Problem bout me is that when I like someone, I don't really show it... and I regretted it the moment I stepped into the van because he said "Bye, see ya around" with a smile before I hopped into the van. UUUUUGHHHHHH

While waiting for our delayed flight lol Cebu Pac is so convenient. #sarcasm

Anyway, we went to SM City Cebu to meet up with Nian and Jyl and dinner. I don't know if it was just rush hour but traffic in Cebu is kinda bad. After dinner, we waited for the van and went to Moalboal. I didn't get a chance to take pictures of the mini villa we stayed in but it was a nice place.

The next day, we got up by 4 am. I know. 4 freaking AM.
First stop was Oslob Whale Shark Watching. We only had 30 minutes to swim with them and take the perfect picture for a souvenir. They look so big and was kinda scary because.. I don't know.. maybe they might decide to eat people. Lol

The boaters/people who is taking care of the whale sharks said there were atleast 20 whale sharks in there

Yup. The pizza emojis are needed or else my mommah will disown me

And yes, our group pictures were crap too. It was so hard and the water was salty af. (Girls, please forgive me for uploading these here)

Idle time~ It was hella deep water indeed but I had fun. I didn't know I could get in it without a life vest but I made it!

Didn't realize how close the whale shark is to me until I saw this picture!!!!! Seeeeee!!!

It was a nice warm up for the day. After that, we went to get breakfast.
Second stop was Aguinid Falls. Mini trekking and it has five levels of waterfalls.
The water was cold and clear. If you're planning on Canyoneering and is kinda hesitant, you should try to go to Aguinid falls first.

Me and my fat back

Tourist-y shot at one of the waterfalls

This looks so hard but it wasn't really that hard to climb

 

 

 

Last stop for the day was Kawasan Canyoneering Adventure.

It took us 4-5 hours to finish that long, muddy, life risking trek.
We climbed, floated, jumped and everything a strong, independent woman would do. Lol.
It was the most adventurous activity I have ever done in my life as of this date.
I got bruises, scratches, my foot cramped while trekking but it was hella worth it!!
It was an adventure you should experience even once in your life.

At this moment, I thought this was the only trekking we were going to do. But hell I was wrong

No edit. This is real.

 

Strong, independent gals

I swear. This picture didn't do justice on how clear and cold the water was

Me re evaluating my life. Lol. This is actually candid

Dice, embracing her new found talent in floating, and I trying to survive the trail

Oh how I love this part. Not walking or climbing but floating into where the water takes me

I thank myself for teaching myself how to float years ago. I don't know how to really swim but I can float lol

Picture kinda blurry but these were the people we trekked with. They were really friendly and a fun group indeed

Damn right, I survived!

Tips based on my experience:

• Wear comfortable clothes. It would be better to wear gym pants instead of shorts. Don't be like me. Lol. I got scratches on my back because rocks.
• Wear rubber shoes or aqua shoes. The trail is pretty muddy and slippery. Slippers aren't really advisable.
• Always wear safety gears. They didn't give you those to look adventurous or cool. I remember while walking on the muddy part of the trail, just as we passed by, branches fell off. The guide said it must be the monkeys.
• Never leave your group.
• Don't be shy or hesitant to ask for help if you feel like you can't jump through it or whatever.
• Pack a lot of courage cause whether you like it or not, you are gonna jump.
•  Sometimes it's better to not think and just jump but be cautious. And knowing me, I overthink a lot. I really have to cut off watching too much cartoons haha
• Enjoy! Live in the moment!

Clips on how I jump into the cold, cold water for you. Lol

After that, we were so tired. We went back to the mini villa we were staying, showered and decided to go out for dinner. It was raining. Turned out it was typhoon signal number 1 at Cebu that time. We went ate near the place we were staying which we under estimated. We thought it was just a simple eatery, home cooked Filipino and stuff but nope. They had pasta (which has a very large serving btw), pizza, grilled stuff and the best freaking mango shake. I swear. My mango shake standards are so high now. It was the best.

The next day, last day at the mini villa, we got up an hour late than the day before.
We went to Mainit Spring. Hot spring. Yep.

I didn't really dip into the hot spring because I am too lazy to shower after because we were going to Cebu City already after that but it was, indeed, hot. It would've been nice to dip in and enjoy the bath.

After that, we went to Car Car market. They said lechon was cheaper and better there. It was.
It's just hard to find a place to eat but I never enjoyed eating lechon like that before.
After lunch, we went to Simala Shrine - The Shrine of Virgin Mary to be exact.

 

It was such a beautiful church. If ever I get married someday, I would love to be married there. It's far but I don't know... it has that Greece vibe on it. If y'all planning to go, don't wear shorts, too short dresses or sleeveless clothes. They made me wear that scarf to cover up. and I decided to wear my jacket since I was wearing my pink romper.

Hate to admit it but outfit looks nice lol

After Simala Shrine, we went to Taboan Market to buy pasalubong. I bought danggit and pusit for mama, some dried mangoes and otap. Tip: Make sure you're going to your hotel after you go to Taboan Market... that is if you don't want to roam around the city smelling like danggit. Lol.
After a bit of haggling, we went to check in in our hotel, Montebello Villa Hotel.
I don't know if I just didn't go through the website that much or the website didn't do justice on how beautiful the hotel is. It has a cozy, comfy vibe. Not too modern but not too old either. The room we booked was big and has a bath tub. LOL. That was the purpose of booking that room.. bath tub.

After checking in, Nian and Jyl took a shower and packed their stuff cause their flight was that night while Dice and I have one more day in Cebu. We went to Ayala Center Cebu for dinner. I don't know if we have Bigby's here in Manila but the food was great. We had shrimps, grilled pork, ribs, and squid. I had a mango shake but it wasn't good as the best mango shake. Lol.
After dinner, Nian and Jyl went to the airport while Dice and I went to IT Park. I was supposed to meet up with some colleagues but I was too tired and I ended up meeting up with Sai instead. Then we went back to the hotel, I took a bath and then we slept. It was a tiring day.

For our last day in Cebu, we just went to SM Cebu for lunch and do a bit of shopping cause why not right? Then we felt like napping, so, we went back to the hotel and rest for a bit before dinner at Bucket Shrimps. Buttered Garlic Shrimps were the best. I swear. We went to get some bingsu for dessert.

Shrimps!!!!!! & Liempo yaaaaas

We went back to the hotel and packed our things.
I took one last warm bath to relax. Our flight was 1:40 AM. So we left the hotel by 11 pm because we have to check in our baggage.

Be back soon, Cebu!

It was a nice vacation.
We all need a holiday sometimes.
Cebu is wonderful.
The water, the view, the food, everything.
People were nice. Some were too conservative though but, I guess, that's how Filipinos are or maybe my shorts/rompers were too short. I don't know. But they were all nice and helpful.
I will definitely come back. North Cebu maybe? Lol