1st Day High

What was supposedly a four-man trip became three and ultimately two. It would be even unfortunate if I cancelled the trip because I've already asked for a two-day leave + day's absent from work. So, it was a party of two! We were really looking forward to our adventure, where getting lost seem like a fun idea, for the next three days. YEAHBOI! :p
We arrived at 7 AM in  the morning. It was a smooth and well-rested 45-minute ride. Upon our arrival, people flocked upon the tourists like we were a delicious viand. All were eager to book us a car to our destination or a place to spend our nights. What was nice in the airport was that hotels/inn/hostels, both affordable and expensive, were listed in a large tarpaulin. It was very helpful for first timers like us. We wanted to save on money on transportation, so we opted to commute. There were two women, whom we've asked directions from, who were also heading to the city. We've shared a cab, and equally divided the fare among ourselves. We paid PhP40. Man, that was cheap and fast!

We stayed at Casa Isabella, which is located at the heart of the city. We paid PhP680 for our room. The receptionist was also accommodating with all our queries. After freshening up and listing down places to go to  to while the time, off we went to have our breakfast. We spent half of the day roaming the city and going through parks.

*Hello, partner! Here we go :) 

*Divisoria Park - A Tourist Center is located in the middle, where you can get tips and brochures for a pleasant stay.

*Vicente de Lara Park

*Gaston Park, named after the first mayor of CDO

At 12:30 PM, we were scheduled to depart to go river rafting. We were picked up on our hotel c/o The Red Rafts. We paid PhP750 for our rafting, exclusive of meal. We paid an addition PhP250 for our pictures and video coverage. The staff were also very accommodating, funny, and well-trained. The adventure can be done in the morning (7:30 AM) or at lunch time. It's a 3-4-hour trip, with 14 rapids for the beginner's course. It was so much fun! :)

Come nighttime, we roamed around the town looking for a good diner. We opted for pizza and spaghetti at Greenwich and tried the local Wangs Tea Fuzion wintermelon milk tea. It was so good we kept craving for more.

Tips:

1. When already staying in town, do not avail of the half-day city tour package offered by the Tourism Showhouse as it is a little expensive. You can reach places through walking, tricycle, or a jeepney's ride. You can save a lot of money by doing so.

2. Do not scrimp on food. A lot of affordable eatery/diner serve good food. Walk around the block and see for yourselves. Fruits (Durian, Rambutan, Mangoes) are also cheap.

Long Time, Hey!

I'm finally back home. :) I miss Cebu and the places I've been to for the past few days altogether. :) It's surreal how we've both made it alive and extremely happy and blessed. :) We had gone off to CDO, Iligan, and Bukidnon all by ourselves and we returned unscathed at the end of every day. :)

Bored? Somebody?

So, I've been on a seven-day leave from work and yesterday, I was back to work. Then, I found out I was on another two-day off from work. While others would gush about this news, I was not. I don't know why I wasn't rejoicing. I'm very weird today because I would normally be happy over such news, but I am not, maybe because I would have wanted these days off on a later date (hint: CDO). My mind is going crazy thinking if my requests for days off have been granted. I really want to go on this vacation with friends.

Me rants.

I resume work tomorrow morning and I'm pretty excited about it. :) Time to do the hustle, people! :)

Just Saying

I don't think I should apologize for being me-- boring and homebody. Ever. That's just really how I am. While it's perfectly alright for women my age to go out and be seen partying in the bar with their friends, the same should be told for women like me who prefer to read a good book or watch DVDs in the comforts of our beds. I get these odd stares and questions all the time, or sometimes there's the big L for loser written in neon lights in the foreheads of the people who find out about it. And it irks me.

If they think that's the gauge of being cool, then sue me for not being one. I like it like this. I don't think I'm missing out on anything. I have never ever felt that way. Sure, I go out out with my friends when my schedule permits and I do have fun and that's a telltale sign that Hey, I've got a life too. And I'm enjoying it.

So the next time somebody tells me I'm boring because of my lifestyle, I'm never going to care. :)

*Good morning! :)

YYB

Yum Yum Baboy, located near JY Square Cebu, is a small, home-y diner. They serve Korean cuisine. The meat is good and what's even better are the side dishes that go along with it. I was never a fan of Kimchi because it's spicy and the taste from the concoction of all flavors, but I tell you, they make the best ones. I actually had more fun eating all the side dishes. :) The price is also very reasonable. You can't go wrong with meat wrapped in lettuce or cabbage. :) The service is also fast and efficient. The manager herself goes from table to table to make sure the customers were satisfied and taken good care of. The staff were also accommodating. :) 

9/11

I'm currently reading and browsing through all stories, entries, and pictures of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. It's been more than ten years and although I haven't been personally affected by the terror and violence, but the fact that hundreds of innocent lives were taken is enough to stir anger within me.

It's so sad that these terrorists had to resort to such gruesome act. What did they have to prove? Did it really  get their points across? Sure, they had the attention they wanted from millions of people all over the world, but they never had our sympathy. Ever.

I know the face of terrorism because I have lived in a city where bombs, kidnappings, and shootings were part of our everyday lives. I vividly remember being in school when a bomb blasted just beside our school. I was 15 then. Students and teachers were running everywhere. We were all crying and scared. I couldn't get hold of my sisters and brother. I didn't know how to contact my parents. I knew we were in serious danger. And in that moment, we were all vulnerable, like these sick terrorists could just pull the string, and we'd go running like headless chickens-- wherever we may go, we weren't safe. And for these terrorists to say that all these were part of a religious calling, I say FUCK YOU. You do not call these a calling, because violence was, is and will never be an answer. YOU ARE SICK!

When the most powerful of all nations was attacked by terrorists, every person in the world was one with them in their grief. No words can ever comfort a nation that has been under a great stress. We could all only hope for the best. Vigilance is the key. We must all get angry because terrorism is a worldwide issue afflicting even the most innocent child. :/

Como Estas?

I have a seven-day leave from work, and I've been looking forward to it for the longest time. I've had so much plans, and my days revolved around thinking where and how to spend them. But guess what? I don't even feel like going out of the house. Sure, I text my friends and bug them to go on the beach with me, or trek  the mountains. But truth be told, I find myself glued to my bed or book. And, I like it like that. :)

I still have another fifteen-day leave from work. I might then get around to lounging on the beach sand or the green of the mountains. Days like these, I wish they never had to end. I miss work and my coworkers, too. Hey! I think I might actually  be in love with my work for I find myself missing it. :)

Show No Mercy: Joseph Aquino

I chanced upon his name when I was looking for beautiful beaches in Cebu to spend my days off from work. I was horrified, angry and absolutely disgusted! WHO DOES THIS?! I am a nurse, and while caring for young and elderly ill patients alike take so much patience and strength, it has never ever crossed my mind to show violence towards them. It is really appalling! Whatever gave him the right? The elderly was entrusted to his care, and whether or not the presence of hidden surveillance cameras, he should have done otherwise. Always.

People may say poverty has led him to this, but whatever reason he has, it does not justify his action. Choosing to be a caregiver meant many long days and nights of fatigue. It comes with the job, obviously. And when the going gets tough, we must not get rough.

And to say you are a Filipino makes it even more disgusting. It's so sad because you have to be the one to bring shame to the Filipino community. Everyone could only wish this was a horrible nightmare, and tomorrow, the internet bears no record of his name.

Hurray for Carmi! :)

Highlights of the night:
- That more-than-an-hour heavy downpour that left us with no choice but to look for other roads to bypass that flooded main street of A.S. Fortuna
- Very hungry tummies whilst waiting for the best friend and friend to arrive.
- Super delicious meal of thin and thick slices of pork, cabbages and lettuces, hot Korean soup, Kim-chi, and ice cream
- Milk tea, always makes us smile. :)
- Strolling around the park, talking about life and friendship, and being really thankful because we were so full.
- Missing Yani so much. It would have been even nicer and more beautiful had she been around. We miss you everyday, Bata. You have our well wishes. :)