Swim, swim, swim!

Every summer we, my high school best buds and I, make it a point to go swimming somewhere. It doesn't have to be grand as long as it happens and we’re together.

Big yay to April 26!

Summer swimming / graduation celebration / catch up time.J

Hibek, Me, Faith, Che, Alexa, Mel, Oliver. :)

I was so happy to know we hit two digits in attendance this time! 10! You read that right, 10 people came! It was a miracle. 10! Leomel, Oliver, Che, Jusz, Faith, Krizia, Bernard, Alexa, Hibek, and me! Hahaha! Normally, we’d only expect eight, tops. But last Friday we made a new record! Haha! I hope the number grows bigger next time we do this.

We went swimming at South Winds Resort in Pansol, Calamba City. And because it was a Friday night, there were so many guests. The three huge pools were almost not enough to serve the number of customers that night. But we wouldn’t let that one hassle ruin our celebration. We found ways of amusing ourselves by munching on the food everyone brought, singing the videoke (actually it was just Krizia who did all the singing. lol), going from hilarious to serious talks about random stuff, and swimming in the pool (both the suspected urine infested one (Eww. Lol.)  and the clean one) until we couldn’t take it anymore.J

Let me congratulate again our HS friends who graduated this year, especially those who were with us that night (Mel, Ver, Che, and Hibek). We’re so proud of you. Good job!

The thing I so like about what we have is there's never any awkwardness going on. Sometimes I get that eerie and weird feeling when I haven't seen someone for a long time. You see, a lot can happen in a certain span of time. A lot can change. Questions keep bugging me. How do I start a conversation again? How do I keep it interesting?

We may not see each other often anymore since we have our own lives to deal with, but even so, I never feel uncomfortable being around them after a long time of non-meeting. Not even when it’s been many months since we last rendezvoused. Everything flows naturally with these people. That’s what friendship does.J

As expected, it was yet another wonderful get-together. The body pain I feel right now is definitely worth it! Lol.

Ver, Jusz, Mel, Alexa, Che, Hibek, Krizia!

Always looking forward to doing something like this again. Hoping to see them soon! xo 

*Thanks to Hibek for the photos.

Cagbalete: Summer Hiatus 2013

So I seriously don’t know where to begin. This is that moment again, that moment when you feel you can’t put into words and photographs the fun you had. Even using the word “fun” becomes an understatement. I’ll try to write this entry well so as not to ruin the memorable experience.

My college friends and I finally had the summer getaway we’d been wanting to have. The prolonged agony and anticipation paid off!

We were so happy for choosing Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon.

“Cagbalete Island is in another place. It doesn’t belong here. It’s a paradise.” These were my thoughts the first time I’ve laid eyes on it.

We all knew it was a beautiful island, but we had no idea it’s actually beyond beautiful. It was like we were in a totally different world, disconnected from the urban jungle. Everything about it speaks of serenity and resplendence. How can something so ethereal like this exist?

When we arrived there, the first thing we saw was Cagbalete Island at low tide. The breathtaking view wiped away all the sweat and stress brought about by short sleep, long travel, long trek, early sunburned skin, and hard-earned money.

We decided to settle and set up everything before heading to the beach, besides the sun was still at its highest point then. (We did not want to get burned.) We rented a hut cottage to stay in, designated the food for every meal, prepped our personal stuff, and paid/bought whatever needed to be paid/bought. And off we went to explore the beach!

It’s so cool because the water goes far back from the shore leaving the sand ripples, which are nature’s effortless work of art, exposed. And by far, I mean really far. I think we went as far as more than a kilometer away from the shore.

We walked and walked and walked on the sand until we reached Bonsai Island which magically emerges only during low tide. It's like a mini island within an island. How cool is that? You could say we were literally in the middle of the sea.

Bonsai Island

Yes, there were other guests as well. But considering it’s the peak season, I’d say there were not as many people, which was a good thing, of course. We had a certain portion of the island shore all to our own where we spent a great time playing.J

Our second day was spent swimming on the other side of the island where the water is crystal clear and the sand powder-fine! It was like a piece of heaven when my feet touched the sand beneath. Aaah. It was pure. Aaah. It was therapeutic. And the water was so contagiously calm it just gave me the peace I needed inside me. I just had to take in the calmness.  

It had been special as it was spent with dear friends who’re just as in love with the beach as I am. The things we experienced there were just awesome. We’re crazy people, but we become even crazier when together. I thank them for the fun.J

I have used too many adjectives here yet I know they still don’t equate to how strangely beautiful Cagbalete really is. Maybe the answer can be found in the fine sand, calm water, unique sand ripples, picturesque low tide, distinctive stone formations, or in the splendid horizon. All I’m sure of is there’s something about the place which makes it what it is - otherworldly.

As early as now I can already say my summer 2013’s complete. The two-day outing’s got everything covered. I can’t ask for more.

I’ll never forget Cagbalete for I left a part of me in this island the same time I took a part of it with me. Thank you.☀

*Thanks to Jerome, Antoniette and Kreng for the photos.
*Thanks to Ago for editing the vid.

Person of Interest

Remember when I said on my TV series post that I would be checking out other new series? Well, I just did!

Latest addiction: PERSON OF INTEREST!J

Person of Interest is set in present-day New York. Triggered by the 911 trauma, the government hired Harold Finch (Michael Emerson) to build a machine that'd monitor and detect acts of terrorism. But the machine's power exceeded its purpose. Aside from seeing major acts of terror (those that concern a great number of people), it also identifies threats dealing with specific targets. This is where John Reese (Jim Caviezel), an ex-member of the U.S. Special Forces and CIA, enters the story. Finch and Reese work together to prevent crimes from happening. As what Finch’d always say in the beginning of every ep., victim or perpetrator, if a person's number's up, they'd find that person. 

The plot's pretty cool. No, it’s supah dupah cool (HAHAHA!) --- messing up with fate, playing God and stopping what's bound to happen from happening. Wild! Haha! Person of Interest has the right mix of suspense, drama and action. How they get the means to do what they do, how they always find a hole to work their way out - it's craaaazy. Haha! The tandem of Finch and Reese is also interesting; one being the genius introvert-type while the other is the physically capable badass. Haha! While doing heroic stuff and all, they still have their (secret) personal lives to deal with (note that everyone thinks they’re already dead). See, they’re very much aware of the existence of this so-called “machine” that a special group of people is after them. Oh, and let's not forget the devious Elias who's got bigger plans of taking over underground New York.J

Based on my OA reaction, I guess it's safe to say that I enjoy watching Person of Interest!J I always catch myself saying “wow” and “cool” with amusement every time a new twist is revealed, or every time they show some cool stuff out there, like when Finch'd use his hacking skills or when he'd get access to everything through his kabillion dollars. Haha!J There’s still more to the plot that’s about to come in the future, and I just can’t wait to find out.

I just hope more people will notice the show. I don’t understand why, but it’s not getting that much attention even if it’s really good. Come on, guys. Spread the word! Lol.  Give it a try. I’m sure you’ll like it as much as I do.J 

Season 2 is now close to its end, and things just keep on getting more exciting! After this, I’ll go work on my other-series-to-watch list to take my mind off anticipating season 3. Torture! Lol. There’s THE FINDER, ARROW and THE BIG BANG THEORY (I know I’m kinda(no, super) late with this one, but whatever!). Hahaha!

*photo sources: http://personofinterestgreece.blogspot.com/

                                      http://xfinity.comcast.net

WORDPLAY

“Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”                                                                                                          ― Buddha

To put things in perspective, passion is seen when what’s inside one’s heart and soul comes to fruition. Like fuel to the flame, it kindles a person’s imagination to not let it stay an imagination. One NEEDS to do something about it.

People’s passions in life are incredibly diverse it’s wonderful and mysterious at the same time. Some have this ineffable thing for numbers, some for aesthetics, some for space and dimension, others for things intangible.  As for me, I have this thing for words and thoughts.

I want to be a writer, a really good one.

One’s aspirations in life, assuming that one is lucky enough, may be realized at a young age, or may be later in life. Mine was before I graduated in college. If anything, I wish I could’ve realized it sooner. I was dreading all the writing stuff we used to have in school back then. I would often, if not all the time, produce works which weren’t given so much thought, the kind of outputs that would surely give me a passing score but not one that would leave an impression on my teachers and classmates. I have lost a lot of chances at learning because of this. Such a sad truth. That being said, there’s no need to dwell on moments and opportunities we can never get back.

“Why writing,” you ask. For starters, writing because it’s the simplest form of art. A pen, a paper, a lot of great ideas, and I’m good to go. But more importantly, here’s why - because I suck at telling stories. My great tales lose their oomph once they’ve come out of my mouth. I hate it when it happens, and it happens a lot.  But when I write them down, it just all feels right. I get to say the right things at the right time with the right emphasis. I get to relate and connect to other people better. And errors, they are easier to undo. Writing because it’s a form of release, an avenue for things you can’t say. It’s a solution to problems, to things misunderstood. But more than anything, writing because it’s the best way I know how to channel my thoughts.

I want to write, the kind of writing you do for yourself. While a lot of people would say this is what they actually do, write to both free and feed their minds primarily, sometimes they just lose it along the way. When others start admiring them for what they do, their goal suddenly becomes pleasing others and gaining more praises. They eventually get eaten up by thoughts of what people would have to say or what people would think. That poisons the purity of one’s passion. I don’t want that to happen to me. I want to have consistency. I want to be true to what I do and keep it that way. Before others can appreciate my work, I’d have to make sure I appreciate it myself.

I know this is a long shot, but I’ll just take comfort in the fact that, at least, I’ve already found my niche. I’m proud to say that I’m trying to do something about it. 

And this, this is a good start. J

Photo source: http://favim.com/image/185639/