Tea Party with Friends: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

When I said I'll set up a tea party, I meant it.  

My friends from Davao were going to celebrate their birthdays together and invited me over to attend.  I was in Manila that time so I can't possibly heed to the request.  Although I could, but since due to timing and all, I couldn't pull it through.  So to make it up to them, and to have my tea party dream come true.  I've put the 2 together and viola, I hit 2 birds at one time.

The good things are ethereal theme I had going; the silk, and pink satins, the pink rose, the petals of roses trailing towards the set up, the cookies, cakes and biscuits, all propped tastefully on top of a high table with a golden frame with my hand written definition of a goddess:

The bad are there's nothing really bad about it. Well perhaps the whole situation was not at par from my expectations but that's really how life is right?  I was planning more ethereal, but that was only what I could come up with, but hey at least I tried.

The ugly part is well the stories.  Our party started 5pm and ended at 9.  What was planned to be an ethereal goddess party, was meant to empower them to see the goddess that they are.  But I guess I didn't execute it that well.  Serving tea, sweets and posting goddess definition wouldn't really make them feel empowered yeah?  But it was a great setting for them to open up.  It was a therapy, a release.  Something that they needed.  Something that we all need.  And I was glad that we were all there as a group of sisterhood, supporting each other in times of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Publisher: Shy - Friday, March 25, 2016

5 Things that You May Not Expect in the Hot Air Balloon Event, Clark Pampanga

Finally after having postpone this event for the nth time, I have successfully pushed through with it this year.  Like I said, this year is my year.

So Hot air balloon it is.  Another item checked on my bucket list.  I've got tons of things that were expected but there are some that weren't.  Here now is the list of those things that I didn't anticipate to happen on my first, and probably, last Hot air balloon experience in Clark.

1.  Expect to walk long distances if you'll get there by public transpo.  And if you decide to bring your own car, expect traffic within the clark air base area.  Yes, even at 5am in the morning.

2.  Expect to fall in line.  A long line, that is.  for us, even having arrived at 5am in the area, we had to get to the tail end of what seems like a 2 kilometers length of people lining.  No joke.  It took us 2 hours to get through the main gate.  People with or without tickets all mixed together on this one.

3.  Expect the line to be chaotic.  Back line you'll see 2 lines but as you get nearer the entrance it will all branch out to 6 lines.  Don't ask me how it happens.  It just did.

4. Flying of balloons would only take few minutes.   You'll wait in line longer than you'll enjoy the flying of the balloons.  Just accept that fact and you'll be all right.

5. Apart from the hot air balloon, there'll be a lot of activities that you could do even after the hot air balloon stint.  That ought to compensate for all the effort of having to walk a few kilometers to the event area and having to wait for a couple of hours in line.

Publisher: Shy - Sunday, February 28, 2016

Dreams and Chemicals

At one point, I was seriously contemplating on putting up an organic soap business.  One thing that attracted me into it is that it's healthier and and I'm always all for healthy stuff.  So I did a bit of scouring within the city looking for a chemical supplier.  I also did a bit of research on this whole organic soap industry.  The way of making it from scratch looked really fun but I was taken slightly aback knowing that the lye, an important ingredient in soap making, is actually corrosive which means it could easily burn your skin.  I didn't allow that to fuss my dreams into owning a health-related business, and just that, all I needed was to take extra precautionary measures and I'll be fine. 

This dream had taken me into the next level of excitement when I chanced upon Osmia, which is an organic soap company spearheaded by a doctor.  She started it since she wanted to change her life by enjoying and living it more as a business woman. As someone coming from that industry, I completely understood what she meant.

Having  a lot of stuff on my plate right now, that dream project would have to be pushed aside. 

But it has already been bookmarked!

Let's see when I can finally pursue this.

Publisher: Shy - Monday, March 03, 2014

The Feet Experience: HongKong/Macau

Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Videoke Nights

Here's my friend Bopeep 

and here's me.

Both  are friends for more than 10 years now, and both were about to experience our 

FIRST BRIDAL SHOWER.

Here's how our conversation went before the Bridal Shower.

Me: Dili lang ko mujoin join anang kanta ha.  Dili baya ko singer. (Hey, don't let me sing, ok? I am no singer.)

Bopeep : Ako sad. Dili ko tig videoke. (Yep, same here.  I don't really sing and do videoke.)

During the Bridal Shower...

Guess who has the microphone, singing with all of her being?

And me?

I already sang Sex bomb, and rapped with my soul and innermost shaman to TLC's, Waterfalls, minutes before the video was taken.

I sang  like 80% of my life energy was transferred to the microphone.

No kidding.

And the weird stare from me in the vid?  

That was me after 3 bottles of strong beer... wink wink

Actually the others already had that and maybe drank more.  As you can see...

Yep, we're girls alright. ;)

Shoutouts to Donna, who made the peace out sign, Rain, who was as emotional in singing as Bopeep, and Katrina, then a bride-to-be, who was singing at the corner.

Publisher: Shy - Friday, November 29, 2013

My 39 day "Clean up my Unfinished Business" Project.

Yesterday I got my bags.  I got them shipped in from Thailand in August and 3 months after, here they are.  Something that could be done in less than a week was finished in months.

Why?

Well there's complacency.  The feeling of having a lot of time in your hands.  It does screw up momentum.  But Iyanla Vanzant say,  as long as you keep on moving forward, you will not fail.  And I guess I'm doing just that, but ideally, I should be moving faster to welcome in more projects that I'm also eager to embark on.

This calls for urgency.  I should have accomplished many things in that span of time.  But I opted to set things aside.  And even though I've tried to plan things ahead, I failed to follow through with these plans.  I failed to check on my planner, which is just stacked up with a book I haven't read, or that Spanish book I failed to study.

It's a pile of unfinished businesses.


I often remind myself that whenever I feel sadness, my body is calling out for me to ACT.

So that's what I should do then.

I will therefore embark on a "clean up on my unfinished business" Project before this year ends.

Here are the list of them:
- Get into a habit on studying Spanish
- Finish reading my friend's book "When Mars and Venus collide."
- Finish reading "Food Medicine"
- Launching of the Secret Project I've been working on for months
- Loose 5 kilos. (this has been forever in my to-do list)

When I should start something, I should also know which to stop; taking the time for productive things from time on doing useless things.

Here are the list of items I should stop doing:
- Facebooking (aren't you all surprised.)
- Youtube-ing
- Staring at the ceiling
- Spying on our neighbors

Kidding aside, the last 2 are just fillers, because the first 2 are really the only deadly things I spend my time on mostly.

I've got 39 days to do these things, I trust I could achieve it since my plan is specific, manageable, achievable/attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

I hereby commence my 39 day 

"Clean up my Unfinished Business" Project!

funnyordie

Oh gif, I shall love thee forever. 

Love, 

Shy

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Greatest Love of All.

I decided long ago,
never to walk in anyone's shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I'll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all

Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all

Inside of me

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

When I was a child, stripped from all the so called wisdom I've had gathered through the years, I've always thought that the song was selfish.  And surely it didn't convince me, no.  The greatest love of all couldn't possibly be loving yourself.  What about the love of Christ or the love of a parent to their child.  Surely, that should be the greatest love right?

As I age, and now I'm nearing my 30's, I've slowly came to understand why self love could be, and most likely be the greatest love of all.

In my younger years I've always seek validation from others and from things as to who I am and what defines me, when it's not supposed to be the case.  Defining yourself supposed to come from inside.  You define who you are base on the habits, values and principles you have acquired though time.  And these fundamental elements in your character gives you a sort of security that validation from others, or any material possession wouldn't be anymore needed.  You feel whole and complete, even when others are bringing you down, or even when you are in lack of luxury.

And that the only way for you to bring in that sort of security is for you to really actually have integrity and a sense of purpose in life.  Integrity in the way you live and how you treat others.  If you're full of honestly, humility and justice on tackling all life's circumstances.  All these, while moving forward in your life's mission.  If you got these in your basket, then you wouldn't falter quite easily.  

And even before going through all these, it is with conscious decision on choosing what's good for yourself is a manifestation of self love.  You start picking options that your future self would thank you for.  And you choose these because you have learned to love yourself better.  To be a bit kinder to yourself, to forgive yourself more often this time.  

You choose to decide to move more after being in weeks and weeks of sedentary lifestyle.  

You choose to do that activity that you've always wanted all along, even when you don't exactly know the reason why, but somehow life wouldn't seem to push forward without that thing over with - you choose to set a schedule to finally do it.  

You choose to pray more and be more still in spirit after you observe yourself easily feeling weak and worried when life is throwing in the punches.  

You choose to stand your ground on whatever standards you have set for your future partner, and not settle for a momentary fling with the wrong person because you just desire to feel wanted and love. 

You choose your dream life over a secured clean cut life your parents have planned for you.  

You choose good friends who lifts you up than the ones who brings you down with them, 

You choose to see the lessons than the drama, get the treasure and be done with the emotional side of it,  You have gone through a lot of BS, you don't want to get anymore of it.  

You choose a life that you can live for yourself and others than just a life with a work and sleep and play cycle. 

You choose to be you because there's no other way to be than choosing to be like someone you're not. You choose to love and let love than to hate.  

You choose you, because aren't you the greatest possession you can possibly have?

Lyrics from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/whitneyhouston/greatestloveofall.html

Picture from http://kleopatralove.com/2013/02/14/this-valentines-day-remember-to-love-yourself/

Publisher: Shy - Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Yes You Can Have Fun Too!

In this age and time, people are just too sucked up with work that having fun for them is only exclusive on weekends or holidays when they can really, truly relax.  

But some people, even then, don't even think it's possible that they can have a trip somewhere even near them.  With all the expenses, being a bread winner and such, how can there be any dough for that?  The money is already spent long before you had a chance to withdraw it from the ATM.   Let me tell you that it is possible, that you can take that dream vacation, at least the one destination nearest you, or you can take that crazy outdoor activity you've always itching to do, but had never truly gone about it.

YES YOU CAN!

I truly believe that initially, people dismiss these as impossible, thinking of all the things they have to prioritize... but really now 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' and I hold that pretty true.  You can't be working without rewarding yourself from all the efforts you've been putting throughout the past few weeks.  You might do well in the first couple or first month but sooner or later, deprivation and depression set in.  You running around giving all your efforts for other people, forgetting the most important person you can ever have- yourself.  Stop this crazy cycle and get back to you.  It is possible.  With some planning and a bit of saving on the side, heck, everything IS POSSIBLE.

Every month allot P1000 or $20 for your dream activity for the month.  Most activities are priced around that (if you're living in Davao city, Philippines).  Try searching for possibilities around town, you'll be surprised to know that it doesn't really cost as much as you think it is... and if it's too pricey for you, look for cheaper options, or save monthly for it.  Bottom line here is, you can and you will get it if you open yourself to the possibility of it. 

Here are some suggestions to spark your fun thoughts:

1. Sign up for scuba diving lessons.

2. Take swimming lessons.

3. Buy painting materials, or buy materials for your DIY project.

4. Get that dream cut you've always been longing.

5.  Dye your hair different this time.  Choose Loreal/Revlon, these brands always end up coloring your hair equally unlike the cheaper brands where it only focuses on top and the rest of your hair, nothing happened.  Oh an instant halo!

6. Get ingredients to whip up your favorite red velvet cupcake, or

7. Remake that Indian/Persian food you've found to be heaven on a plate the first time you tasted it, research online on how to make that

8.  Take that bus to a province near you and eat their delicacy, and come back home in the afternoon or few days after,

9.  Hit the beach with family or friends, or both.

10. Watch IMAX to watch your fave movie and drown yourself with popcorn and soda.

11. Try that cuisine you haven't even tried before.

12. Go to that nature park and unwind.

13. Go sleep in that hotel for the heck of it.

14. Go sleep in a motel if you want too, for the heck and fun of it, even without a partner, even your best friend will do, again just for the heck and fun of it.

15.  Surprise your mom/dad with a gift, or take her/him to a place you know she/he wanted to go, or do things with them that you know they love doing.

16.  Buy gallons of milk and bathe in it.  Sprinkle petals of roses on it and have an indian/arabian music playing at the background.  You go in the bathroom feeling crazy bringing all these gallons or boxes of milk and a bouquet of roses, but I assure you, you get out of there like a royalty, like you've injected yourself the blood of gods,sort of royalty.

17. Do horseback riding.

18. Do a bit of underwear shopping.  Get that adorable lacy pair you've always checked on every time you go to the mall but you end up not buying.

19.  Buy a couple or 3 books you've always thought you needed to get your life going and finally find that passion you seem to have lost by the time you started working in that toxic activity you call work.

20.  Pamper yourself to a full on spa treatment.  That should get rid of your back aches and a bit of that heart ache.

21.  Have a day long road trip with friends and visit nearby provinces.

22. Sign up for a 5km, or if you feel gutsy and overly confident, a 10km marathon.  Don't think that you have to be fit to do that! They can let you walk halfway if you wish to, and when you're close to the finish line take that few meter sprint as if you had been running all the while. *wink wink

23.  Get an adorable puppy!  Because you need to feel like a mother/father!

24.  Buy tons of chips, ice cream and surprise your friends that you'll have a sleep over at their place.  Make sure they're totally find with that.

25.  Buy make up essentials and finally master how to put make up on. The kind of make up that would make you look prettier.

26.  Scout for that perfect scent which best describes you, and purchase the smallest bottle.  You might want to test it first and see if you really really like it long term.  If after a few years and you're still obsessed with it, then go ahead, buy the biggest bottle they have available! 

27.  Buy Spanish audiobooks and manuals, because you've been wanting to learn the language for the longest time.

28.  Buy your favorite cake, and eat it.  Eat it whole, because that's how much you love it.  Share it if you want, but eat it whole, if you can.  

29.  Make a reservation in a fine dining restaurant with your girlfriends, and dress ultra classy for it.

30.  Spend all day in the theme park or game area and be a kid again.

I could go on and on.  I have cited a few but the possibilities are endless.

We should omit our minds with defeated thoughts.  Just because you have better priorities doesn't mean you can't afford to get what you want.  I know, sacrifices.  But thing is, you can only do so much, in the long run you'll end up tired and beaten up. And if you think that your family is your first priority now good on you for being a good child and all, you might want to reevaluate your priorities again.  The only way you can sustain working in your optimum level, is for you to give something back to yourself.  Don't tell me you don't have time.  YES YOU DO! Don't tell me you can't afford it.  because honey, YOU CAN.  Set some time and money for yourself. You of all people, deserve a break for crying out loud. 

Now go do that damn thing for Pete's sake!  

And have the time of your life!  

Enjoy!  

(and don't forget to take some photos! :)  )

Pic sources: You can Foo | Anything is possible | Obama

Publisher: Shy - Monday, August 12, 2013

Where Would I be Traveling Next?

Last year I have booked my tickets out of the spur.  And now I'm a bit anxious for letting myself get into this situation, at the same time emotionally preparing myself for it anyway.  Financially and emotionally.  Primarily I have already planned out how I can save up for it, problem now is the emotional part. Heck it would my first time once again, and I actually don't know how I would react to the newness of everything, unless I'm already there.  I'm actually on my toes just thinking about it, but I guess that's how really adventures do to you.  

For my first solo travel, I'll be kind to myself and have myself explore one of the safest cities in the world for solo travelers.  Not only is it safe, it is also pretty convenient.  When trains and other public transportation are always accessible, what could ever go wrong eh?  Downside though would be me having to navigate my way in a non english speaking town, but then again, I heard from my fellow traveler that many people speak English pretty well there so I'm feeling a bit relieved, but then I absolutely don't know anyone who would probably accompany me and it will be so cold to the bones by the time I get there.  It will be pretty much like winter, but not winter, you know?  Hmmm, it sounds like a recipe for disaster or another time-of-my life-I-swear-it's-one-of-the-best-moment.

We'll never know. 

But what I do know is we always have a choice as to which story we would like for us to have, yeah?

And I sure know which one I will be picking.

Cheers to freedom girlfriends!

So that will be happening in December.

sneak peak y'all

Publisher: Shy - Sunday, August 11, 2013

My first Scuba Diving Experience for a First-time Solo Traveler

You might be asking why I went on scuba diving alone?  I would be the first to say that I find contentment on being alone.  I do spend most of my time in solitude and I find deep joy spending time by myself.  I have the weirdest and funniest thoughts that I would just burst out in laughter in the room out of the blue.  This is just another day in the house.  Everyone who lives with me wouldn't be surprised at all, all though there are times that their curiosity would get the best of them and would ask what's the fuss was about.   I would just smile widely, shrug and turn my head side to side.  Not telling them that some wonderful memories of the past just came rushing down at me.  Tickles down my spine.  Butterflies in my stomach.  Those were the times.  That or some fantasy I would have thought would be lovely to do... and so another dream would be formed.  So yes. I don't mind spending my time alone.  I entertain myself in the silliest of ways.  

But traveling, and doing things for the first time alone?  Well that seemed to be a different ballgame.  I've been a believer that doing things for the first time is best experienced with a friend, a family member or a partner.  Nothing really beats being in the moment and having to talk about it with someone close to you.  A solo traveler, for the best part would smile, nod to fellow travelers who traveled in groups, agree with them, and then after that brief interaction, you are back to your alone-ness... Just a sad, awful scene to behold.  This brings me back to Perhentian.  A number of tourists stepped out of the boat, and ended up chit chattering.  For what seemed like a pack of friends, had gradually dissipated in 3's in 2's in 4's... until one guy was now alone.  In the realization that they were off to their own destinations, he was now left alone and feeling the awkwardness of it, he then checked his map to see where he will be going.  That left me feeling heart broken for him.  In a paradise like Perhentian, who would want to be alone?  It's like having to walk in a park full of lovers on a valentine's day.  By then, I knew I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

So why travel solo?

Well I didn't realize that up until I realized that at one point in my life, I would have to walk his ways.  There would come a time that my friends would be too busy with work, family and what nots in life, and you, a single free-spirited individual would have to be forced to do things by yourself.

That my friends explained why I had to do scuba diving alone.

Me finding Nemo... yet again.  This hide and seek business is getting old.

I've been meaning to do it for the longest time, and I've been beating myself up every time I have to postpone it until I had enough of all the delays and took the matter in my own hands.  I will do it, I didn't care if I had to do it alone.  I will do it.

And I was more than happy that I did.

Here are the things that happened.  

1.  Snorkelled alone 10 meters away from the boat, on a 15meter deep water.  Underneath me was a myriad of coral reefs in the most varied display I've ever seen, and in my mind a song of 'Little Mermaid', swimming  on the surface feeling like a floating beautiful creature of the sea. 

2.  Free diving my friends.  This one I had to get assistance from kuya.  I couldn't get myself to go deeper into the water.  So what kuya did was he dived deeper until he could grab the nearest and sturdiest coral reef he could find, anchored himself well, reached high up to grab my hand, like some clip of a movie, he reached out for me, and once our hands locked, he pulled me in deeper until I was able to grab hold of the coral reef beneath and was able to touch the soft sea anemones right beside it.  I had to immediately swim back up to have a shot of oxygen back to my throbbing lungs.  Exhausted but at least I kinda did it, thanks to kuya.  Now that wasn't really free diving, I know, but that wasn't bad at all for a first timer like me.

3.  Did a balancing act on top of a high rising coral reef to get some rest from swimming and to just have a good view of the marine life teeming below.

4.  Scuba diving.  As much as I don't want to disturb the environment below, our guide seem to want us to touch this, touch that, hold this hold that, which was really fine, but I couldn't help chipping away some coral reefs, so that's why I didn't bother really touching everything I see.  It was really fascinating though to see and feel different textures and figures of corals, star fishes, sea anemones, sea cucumbers to name a few.

5.  Learning how to socialize again.  This part was the biggest breakthrough for me.  At first, I tried my hardest to be ok being alone.  Every time I tell people in the scuba center that I came in alone, they just naturally gleam at me as if I was this fascinating creature.  Although I know that I am one, but it's really surreal that you see them reacting to the fineness that is me.  OK enough with my narcissism there.  I totally was feeling desperate to make friends because I refused to be that lonely traveler you see just sitting at the far side of boat, either looking far away in the sea, trapped in deep thoughts, or the one who was listening to every body else's discussion pretending to be interested.   The treasure of every solo traveler is another solo traveler.  If you see one, then that is a prospect friend.  Fortunately, I was able to find one earlier on in the scuba diving center.  A korean guy in his 30's.  We had the most interesting discussion and I had a blast talking about random things with him.  We were saved from that pitiful glances of other travelers, because we weren't the lonely loosers, we in fact, were the chattiest in the group.  So there you go.  I never thought I was a social freak.  But there I was, ms. friendly in the boat.  And I loved every second of it.

What I've learned from this?

God I never thought traveling solo would be really interesting.  I was listening more, absorbing more, smiling more than I was traveling with a companion.  Life couldn't get any better yeah?

This whole experience all summed up to what our scuba guide said... before plunging in the water he advised us to just relax and enjoy life.  And that is something we usually forget. Good thing I'm blessed to have been reminded again.

While pondering on my experience, I realized that the fear of traveling alone doesn't always mean the fear of actual danger, instead it's the fear and anxiety you get when being strapped in the roller coaster just seconds before you go shooting up in the air.  That palpitations means that you should emotionally prepare yourself because wherever you are heading to is going to blow your mind, expand your horizons, and open your consciousness to some awareness that you haven't even open your eyes to.

And that my friend, will change your life forever.

Alfalfa has risen ya'll.

Thank you kuya and thank God for solo travel adventures.  

I'm definitely looking forward for more to come.

Publisher: Shy - Monday, July 29, 2013

30 Magical Points in Palawan

1. Like in Vigan, Puerto princesa's locals mostly go around town in tricycles.

2. Street lights, water systems and good road are lacking especially ones away from the city.  Going for a night trip to El Nido from Puerto Princesa? Then you'll know what I'm talking about.

3. No wonder Nemo's hard to find.  Sooo small. Smaller than you think it is.

4.  Fact: El Nido will take your breath away.

5.  It's Lord of the Rings fan days again.

6.  I once thought I wouldn't dare swim with fishes.  But there I was, feeling like being surrounded by cute preschoolers.  I wanted to hug them all! haha

7.  Don't know how to swim?  Don't worry, if you got your big goggles with you then that would double as floaters.  Believe me it's like having floaters on your head without looking like a wuss.  The next best thing to underwater camera.

8. The underwater camera.  The best thing you'll ever have in the beach. The picture explains why.

9.  Stick to the resto you KNOW serves good food.  Don't wallow and get curious to check on others.  There wouldn't be a rave online for no reason.  Save yourself the time, money and from disappointments.  Go eat good food.

10.  The road to adventure is squishy and green.  Makes you want to think what you did wrong for you to be forced to walk through all these goo!  

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, July 25, 2013

Finding Paradise in Palawan

Ok.

So the trip to PALAWAN was a SUCCESS

And for you to fully understand that, I just have to give you a sneak peek of our 

Fantastic Summer Adventure.

Enjoy!

Candid pic taken by my sister. I don't know why I was so giddy here.  

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, June 13, 2013

I Want a Baby!

So me and my younger bro Janjan were walking around the mall when my attention was caught by the most adorable beautiful baby I have set my eyes on.

Source

Aaawwwwwww ... my heart just melted right then and there

Source

Words cannot even explain how badly I wanted to get that baby away from her mother.  I mean, she was just so ridiculously cuuuttteee!

And so I was whining and told my brother...

I want to have a baaabbby!!! (in the most gaylandic voice I have ever allowed myself to have)

And my brother butted in immediately and said...

What are you talking about?!  

Source

Go find a husband first! 

And I was like..

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that... hehehe

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, June 13, 2013

From Highways to Waterways: Davao to Britania Islands

My friends and I set out to start our trip by taking the 2am Bachelor bus to Hinatuan, where Enchanted River, specifically situated 35minutes away from the City proper, could be found, .  That is the only shift for buses that we know, that is, after contacting Bachelor Express regarding their schedule.  

Now this could get a tad confusing.  Originally we planned to take the Dvo-Hinatuan (Enchanted River)-Bislig (Tinuy an Falls)-San Agustin (Britannia Is.) route.  However, we changed our minds and decided to do the Dvo-San Agustin(Britannia Is.)-Hinatuan(Enchanted River)-Bislig (Tinuy an Falls) route, figuring that this option is more time efficient, plus we do not want to go home traveling for 8hours after doing a 4-5hour island hopping excursion at the magnificent Britania.  Farthest first and then work our way towards nearer destinations so our trip going home won't be such a drain.

I know it could get confusing, so I've posted in a map where important points are highlighted by a bigger red mark.  Since San Agustin is nowhere to be found on this map.  I've added on a heart to signify where it's at.

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, February 14, 2013

Traveling on a Shoestring Budget: Challenge Accepted!

I haven't traveled for awhile.  Last time that I've been out of my comfort zone was last year September, for my Indochina Adventure, which was of course UH-mazing and life changing to say the least!

Now I'm a budget freak because I just don't have the luxury to travel.  Some people do not travel at all because they think they just don't have the money.  But what if traveling to places in the Philippines could be doable with a mere budget of 1k?

Seems impossible?

I'll take on that challenge.  I'm a Davaoena and I dare to travel by bus, boat, habal-habal, whatever it takes to get me from A to B.

Follow me in this, yet another crazy undertaking.

May the spirit of luck be with me.

And if all else fails, my Mastercard has get me covered.

But yeah, as much as possible...

"Swiper, no swiping."  HAHAHA

Publisher: Shy - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Morning Rant with Shy

It's exactly 7:48am and I'm sitting here in front of my pc, trying to write something amazing.  I'll tell you what's amazing.

Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Eat Pray Love Project

I've had everything planned out to get my Eat pray Love experience there.

Publisher: Shy - Sunday, September 30, 2012

Thailand Trip: Eat Project

I've known that Thailand is one of the country which is known for one deadly sin: Gluttony.  Which makes sense that food here should taste awesome and cheap.  Lots of street food with cheap price and good taste.

Our first encounter with authentic Thai food was the moment we got there.  It was evening, raining, and my friend and I were both hungry and really tired.  We just wanted to settle in.  We were both blessed to have Sir Ray with us.

Publisher: Shy - Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Indochina Trip: Everything I Wanted and More

Going to the trip, I was hoping to get what I've been planning to get.  But never have I expected to be coming home more than I've ever been wanting to have.

Needless to say, my cup now is overflowing.

Funny how a week long trip could change someone for the better.  I can say I had.  I feel so good I want to just jump. hahaha

And for that lemme do my own twisted version of the Gangnam dance for you.

My apologies for my lousy dance.  Our tour around Angkor Wat was coming to an end, and I was just happy but so tired yet I wanted to do something crazy.

And so that was what happened.

Words cannot explain how ecstatic I am.  So I'll just leave it with this.

:)





Read More of the Indochina trip here:

Thailand
Bloopers in Bangkok: Coin in the Airport Monorail Link
Bloopers in Bangkok: Communicating with Cab Drivers
Penis!
Thailand Trip: Eat Project
Thailand Trip: Pray Project
Thailand Trip: Love Project
Suddenly It's Magic
Eat Pray Love Project

Cambodia
You From Crazy!
3-Hour Ride and the Pits of Hell

Publisher: Shy - Monday, September 24, 2012

Travel Blog: A Dream Come True

I think I'm doing it.

My Life-long Dream

It has been a dream of mine to have a travel blog and travel the world while earning as I go.  It seems too good to be true, but with internet, all opportunities are possible.

For the past couple of hours, I have opened links and read posts of filipino travel bloggers and it struck me that I had a long way to go.  It seems that they have already gone far in terms of their blogging skills and I can't help but feel so amateur.  Well actually, I felt like a crap, if I may be so accurate.  But everything starts where I am now: a crap.  Nonetheless, I'm willing to embark on this journey one post at a time, writing about one destination after another.

I've been stuck for some time now, spending much of my waking hours figuring out what am I going to do for the rest of my lifetime, deciding on an option and convincing myself that it's the way to go. 

Giving In to Me

This time, I'll let myself be and just give in to me.  A fun traveler who is good with maps but not entirely good at direction; a once-considered-a-nerd but now is bad at coming up with the total budget for a trip; I'm usually shy around strangers but usually fun when surrounded with friends;  A girl at heart, but a woman based on age; I am with a lot of contradictions.

Publisher: Shy - Monday, April 23, 2012