Raptors!

I had a great weekend. My friends and I went to Los Baños, Laguna and we stayed at the City of Springs Hotel. Well, the pictures I saw were much pretty than the actual place. And the slides?! A big let down. The hotel might not be what I expected but, what the hell, WE HAD LOTS OF FUN!

Kathy and I met at the Gateway mall to buy a few things for the outing and we took a quick stop at the food court to have brunch. We told Joyce we will meet her at the bus station in Buendia at 11am but we left Cubao at 11:30. Kaye (Kathy) and I took the MRT to Buendia and a cab to the bus station. We arrived past 12 and Joycee was already there waiting for us. I was quite worried at first because of the weather. I didn't want the weather to spoil our weekend of course! The whole trip was filled with laughter and chika. We didn't see each other for a long time so we bonded on our way to Los Baños. It was a long trip and we kinda got lost a bit so we actually arrived at the hotel and checked in at 4 p.m. then after that we went to UPLB to look around. Elmi and Ken were still in Manila so the three of us went sight seeing while waiting for them...anyway that was our purpose that's why we went ahead. Una naglakad-lakad muna kami sa streets until we got to a church but we weren't able to get inside coz it's closed so we decided to go to UP instead since it's the only place we know aside from the small shopping centers around. Our aim was to experience things we don't usually see, do, feel in the city and I guess we were kinda successful in that area. Feeling turista kaming tatlo. Nagkaligaw-ligaw pa nga kami ( = After strolling inside UPLB we left the campus to have dinner. Our search for a place to eat was another hilarious adventure. Ang layu-layo nang nilakad namin, thanks to me =D When we finally got to the restaurant it was already dark, naku po, sa labas lang pala maganda pero sa loob...hehe. Ang Christmas lights lang pala na nakita namin sa baba ang nagpaganda! May live band naman so we thought hmm ok na rin pero nang kumanta na ang artist waah naloka na kami. Si lolo, trying to be groovy. That's what I thougth. I was really starving and my feet were throbbing so I didn't pay much attention anyway. Matagal ang service, super init, pero mabait yung waiter and the food was ok kaya keribelles naman. After dinner we went back to the hotel.

Sayang ang oras at wala naman masyadong people sa pool so nag swimming na rin kaming tatlo habang nag-aantay sa dalawa. The water was warm and very relaxing. Then we ordered a few bottles of beer, haay really, really relaxing. We went to the porch over looking the lake and we sat there while drinking and of course more talking and laughing. Maya-maya(around 9pm I think) dumating na rin si Elmi and Sir Ken so bumalik muna kami sa room. Kain uli at kwentuhan na naman. Hindi nakasama ang friend ni Elmi so nag-iisang lalake si Ken sa room. Then we all went to the pool and stayed until 3am I think. We had sooo much fun. We even played a game called Death by Donut and laughed so much till my throat ached. After swimming and we were all ready for bed, it was time for picture taking. We love taking pictures. In the bus, when we got to the hotel, in the jeep, on the bed, name it. By the time we fell asleep it was already 5am and we planned to wake up at 7 so we can go hiking but I think we woke up a bit later than that. We left around 9am and the adventure to Mt.Makiling begun.

When we took off medyo umaambon. We took the jeep to UPLB and the driver dropped us near the entrance to the trail. Nobody was prepared for this hiking, in fact we were wearing what we wore to bed and plain slippers, we didn't even think of bringing a bottle of water. So with our cameras ready we started our hike to the entrance. When we got there, we were told the trail is closed because of a series of robberies in the mountain. Of course I was kinda disappointed but I guess it was a blessing in disguise. That didn't spoil our search for adventure and of course we took pictures at the entrance. Still smiling we turned back and again, took pictures near the road sign. We then decided to go to the Botanical Garden instead. Paid ten pesos for entrance and then we went inside. I actually missed Romblon while we were looking around. We were surrounded by huge trees and it was just green all around. We saw a sign towards the Raptors and since we didn't know what it was and we wanted to find out, we took the trail. The trail was headed to a steep mountain and while walking we were guessing what a Raptor was. We've been walking for a long time but still no sign of any Raptors yet! We were already tired, plus, Ken making fun of the hike and the jokes were making it more difficult to breathe and walk at the same time coz we were laughing soooo much. Ken even called out for the Mulawins! Hahaha how I wish an Aguiluz look alike swooped me up. Just kidding. Anyway, after a couple of minutes and more laughter, we arrived at the entrance and we were darn disappointed when we read the sign that they don't open until 11am! Of course after walking all the way up and sweating so much we weren't easy to turn down. Lakad pa rin kami papuntang entrance but we stopped when someone suddenly shouted: Sarado pa! Mamayang 11 pa! We called her Lola Raptor. She didn't even let us come close to her comfort zone, we were like 15 meters away! She was like a vision rooted in her place and screaming at us. Defeated, we headed back but that didn't break our spirits. We know we weren't suppose to make so much noise in the area because it would disturb the birds and other creatures but we couldn't stop laughing. I'm telling you, I have never laughed that much in my whole life. We would only stop laughing and making fun of the experience for a few seconds and then we'd do it all over again. It was like we were fired up by an unknown source and we just couldn't stop. It was already 11am when we arrived at Pizza Hut where we ate breakfast. Our search for non city experience has to end because we were really starving and we didn't have enough time so we just chose the most convenient place. Pag dating sa Pizza Hut, kami pa rin ang pinaka maingay. And from our jokes, nabuo ang Raptors. Nagbibigay pugay kay Lola Raptor, if not for her hindi nabuo ang Raptors, rock stars by night and super heroes from 11am to 3pm. We had to check out of the hotel by 12 noon so we hurried back, wet look and all coz it was already raining. Checked out and eto na, the speech majors dilemma. Math. We had to compute how much money each had to pay but darn we wasted 30 minutes so we just decided to split up the rest of the money equally. Hmmm sino kaya ang nalugi sa amin? Haha! It doesn't matter.

Before riding the bus namili muna kami ng pasalubong! I bought fresh cow's milk (feel ko lang hehe), keso, and buko pie. It's not my favorite but I wanted to bring something home to my chikitings. Sa bus, before honking out, picture taking muna & the walang kamatayang tawanan. Once more, we were the noisiest inside the bus. After awhile, we finally calmed down & took a nap. The trip back to Quezon City seemed faster and I felt a bit sorry when we had to say goodbye and part ways. Darn, I had so much fun with them. I really hope we could do it again soon and that other friends would join us. Haay mas nakakaloka siguro ang ingay nun ( =

Until our next adventure Raptors.

(By the way, we already know what a Raptor is. Hehe)

Splash!

For the past two days I have been surfing the net, searching for the "perfect" place where my friends and I can spend the weekend. Of course, there are lots of amazing places to go to if only money and time is not a worry d = Beach resorts, spa resorts, and hot springs, anywhere where we can have fun and relax at the same time.

I have been drooling at the pictures of Hidden Valley Springs, a private resort in Laguna that boasts of virgin forests, wonderful plants and trees, waterfalls, the works! Everything just looks perfect and the price is just sky rocketing HIGH! My God. I can afford to stay for a night but I would not want to be murdered by my friends hehehe. Villa Escudero seems to be a marvelous place too but the rates are just way beyond our budget. Well....I found other cheaper resorts but in the end we all agreed to go to Splash Island! Naghirap pa ako sa kahahanap dun lang din pala ang bagsak namin.

I am so excited because of the giant slides....harhar this is the child in me speaking. Of course I am also so looking forward to weekend because of my friends. We have not seen each other for a long time and this may be the last gathering before I leave (I hope not) and we will meet again like after one or two years :sigh:

Back to the giant slides, I am just thrilled! I love the feeling of danger once in a while and instead of getting scared I get exhilarated. That is why I love speed, roller coasters, motor bike rides; and would love to try bunjee jumping, sky diving, and any activity that would make my heart beat faster. Well, it is just my way of spicing up life. Call me mababaw but I really hope the "Giant" slides are really what they say in their page. Enough with slides.

I am dying for a massage. I hope they offer massage services in one of their hotels because I am not only after excitement but relaxation as well. I worked my butt off (charot) this school year and I am just so wired. I need a soothing massage to untangle my nerves haha! After all, I deserve this. I know, all I do this past few weeks is go out and have fun but while I was working on my thesis I was a certified hermit! I stayed home just to finish my darn thesis. Besides, in a few weeks I will be joining the working force, live in a foreign place away from everything familiar in my life, and bear an enormous responsibility. It's not a baby just in case your naughty mind is wondering. Dramatic na ito.

Anyways, I hope I can post the "Splash Experience" pictures here soon. Splash Island here we come!

L-R: Gerald, Dong Abay, Marcus Adoro, moi, and Ann outside Bistro 

I love spring.

As I Lay Me Down

I wonder why I feel so high
Though I am not above the sorrow
Heavy hearted
Till you call my name
And it sounds like curch bells
Or the whistle of the train
On a summer evening
I'll run to meet you
Barefoot barely breathing.

As I lay me down to sleep
This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away
I'll whisper your name
Into the sky
And I will wake up happy....


I fell in love with this song when I first heard it back in elementary. Probably, I was hoping that I can be a woman who can love someone passionately and breath takingly.

Or maybe, I just like the image that the song creates in my mind. A woman with wild abandonment running barefoot to meet her lover. Her face lightens up when he calls her name and then it banishes the shadow around her. It's like a scene from a movie or a page from a novel I've read.

Sometimes I wonder if I can ever be that woman. Can I completely surrender myself to someone? Can I learn to trust a man with my body, heart, and soul?

I do not know the answers at the moment.

I am hopeful that someday I would learn to let go and open up. I am one darn cynic when it comes to men who are not my "friends" so good luck to me and to the man who will have the courage to battle my devils.

Now, I would just like to enjoy the song and the images in my mind. In my imagination, the woman is me and the man is Josh Hartnett. I can dream, right? d =

Beach Tayo

I really, really want to hit the beach. If only I have enough time, I would be off to Romblon where the sand is white and the coconuts are abundant. I miss my home and the view from my place. When I was in high school, I used to hang out alone at the top most terrace where the view is breath taking. My home is facing the sea so from the terrace I saw ships and motor boats crossing the water. The islands in front Romblon can also be seen, in fact I remember when I had a crush who lived in Odiongan, I spent hours staring at the mountains of Tablas....never mind hahaha! Kalokohan talaga. Anyway, at the back of our house is a luscious mountain where lots of birds and cicadas can be heard.

I felt total tranquility because of the cool sea breeze that caressed my skin, the wonderful view, the utter privacy, and the grand symphony of the birds and the insects. Grandioso!

I really miss my home.

Over looking the town of Romblon

haaay...

I yearn to feel the warm sun and to taste the salty water on my skin. Uh-oh, I forgot about the sunblock.

Over and over again

I have tried maintaining a blog for a couple of times but I always get tired of it. In the end, I always abort posting. Besides, I feel a little uncomfortable knowing that strangers can read what I write in here. But what the heck! I'm going to give it a try again.

Nowadays, I seldom see my closest friends. Each of us had taken different paths. Some of them have joined the working force; a lot are still studying; and some are still drifting (like me). We do not hang out and talk as much as we used to anymore. I miss all the fun and crazy stuff that we do but what I miss the most is being a part of their lives. Every time we meet, it is just difficult to say everything that has happened to me between the period that we last met and the time that we see each other again. Sometimes I am even overwhelmed! I want to be able to tell them what is happening in my life as often as I can. I especially want them to know me better, if possible, and one of the cheapest and easiest is through a blog. Anyway, a blog seems to be the in thing today ( =

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that this will work. Oh, and that I won't get bored with this blog too.