We're Back, Leyte!

True, I haven't blogged for a very long time due to the fact that I'm constantly searching for life outside the four corners of my secret hideout, a.k.a my room. Now that I'm back to the kind of life I normally do, I sort of miss those carefree times I've spent with my cousins and the adopted piranha, my boyfriend in Leyte.

Apparently, I don't own a spell that casts time reversion nor do I have a time machine to bring me back to those days, but I do have the power to recall those precious moments I've spent with them. 

What keeps me (or us) craving for this place is the calmness it instills. Seeing this view after two years made me appreciate simple things even more. I'm just glad the people residing in the barrio where our mom or dad grew up kept the place the way it was before, except for the cemented road to the beach. 

DAY 1:

And as usual, we arrived in our lola's house with less than two hours of sleep (sleepless for some), had early breakfast, and immediately went out to witness the beautiful sunrise at the beach and look for some sea urchins and starfishes.

After spending an hour at the beach, we went home to catch some sleep. That's for our first morning in Leyte.

Tatay Ade's Beach Resort, Buscayan

Our first afternoon in Leyte was spent at the beach, again. Same saltiness, same sky, but different barrio. The boys actually enjoyed swimming with their goggles and snorkels on, though the sea level was only below their knees. #opps

We ended the day with card games, some drinks, and chit-chats. Nothing special, really, but still memorable for us.

DAY 2:

Let's just say, day two is much enticing to blog about than day one since we visited two new places. 

Another day, another breathtaking view to witness and I thank God for giving us such opportunity to see such picturesque sight right before our very eyes. 

The shrine is, indeed, a spectacular sight you wouldn't want to miss if you wish to pay a visit to Maasin. The aftermath of our long walk didn't turn out pretty good, but the pain was actually all worth it.

Our Lady of the Assumption Shrine, Maasin

After we successfully climbed up the stairs with steps not less than 200, we went to the chapel to give our personal intentions.

Next stop of our trip was the relaxing, cold water of Banahaw spring in Maasin.

Banahaw Spring, Maasin

It wasn't the first time my younger cousins, who've managed to spend post-Christmas in Leyte last 2012, visited this place. It was such a waste of money and time, as what they've quoted, since the place was too crowded for them to swim around. Thankfully that time, it wasn't as crowded as how some of my cousins described it.

We've never toured around Southern Leyte back then for reasons like our parents not allowing us to travel on our own because they think we're too young for it and the inevitable rainy weather. That explains why this trip is very much memorable for all of us, most especially to my boyfriend, who've never set foot in Leyte ever since.

And then again, we spent the night playing cards, some alcoholic drinks, and chit-chats.

DAY 3:

Definitely the last and the most anticipating part of our 3-day trip. I've read good reviews about Canigao Island and since it was very much possible for us to visit the place ourselves, my cousins and I decided to include this in our plan.

Matalom, Leyte

Though this plan went a bit rocky at first, we still did the best we could just to pursue this outing. Gladly, everything went well in the end. Thank you to our aunt, who is residing in Leyte, for allowing us to spend our last day of mini vacation in Canigao Island and to God, of course, for the good weather.

Canigao Island

This beautiful paradise did meet my expectations. I felt really excited the moment I saw the island at a closer range. The crystal clear water, fine white sand – these are exactly what I've longed for years. 

While touring the place, we arrived at the untouched portion of the island and witnessed tons of corals and fishes. It's off-limits to tourists so as not to accidentally break the corals and honestly, I'm glad they've imposed this rule.

We left the place at around 4 in the afternoon. The only downside I can think of this place is their poor water supply. But overall, we did enjoy our Canigao Island adventure and we're pretty happy, as well, since we've got another story to tell when we get back to our hometown.

The moment we arrived home, we packed our things and still played cards, drank adobado (tuba) this time, and had chit-chats about our trip.

The next day, on our way to the pier, a surprising event came along. We got soaked in the rain, including our bags! It was too funny that my cousin documented such unexpected event in her iPhone. I'm glad she did, so we'll have something to look back in the future.

That ends our 3-day vacation. I'm sure 2014 will always be a memorable year for my cousins and I since it's the first time we've travelled to Leyte without our parents with us.

See you again soon, Leyte!

Sweet Success

After spending the first half of this year focusing on my notes, books, and reviewers, I can finally detach myself from anything related to my said course and savor my vacation. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful opportunity to start anew. All the sacrifices and troubles I've been through were truly worth it. To God be all the glory!

Remembering the instability of my heart beat before the releasing of result makes me sick to the point of not wanting to experience that kind of torture again. This explains why Medicine isn't meant for me.

PAMET Quizbowl '14

Apparently, I have no plans of applying for a job as of this moment. It's a decision I've planned long before acquiring this achievement and good thing I got the approval of my mom on this.

Congratulations again to us, Gutsy batch! 100% passing percentage plus one topnotcher sure is enough to prove that we're truly gutsy mentally and emotionally!

The Ranch Banilad Adventure

This dinner date with boyfriend actually happened last March, but I failed to insert this on my blog since I was busy with school and whatnot. Now that I'm in the mood to blog, I might as well pour out my comments and mouth-watering experience to get rid of my backlogs.

Please excuse my photos, dear readers (if I have one, haha). I only had my phone with me that time since ze boyfriend told me his plan just a few hours before my duty ends.

It does look pretty simple and less catchy on the outside...

...but this is how it looks on the inside. Wow, just wow.

Tom and Jerry (coke) and Woody (sprite). I did ask the waitress what these drinks are before knowing that it's merely coke and sprite, but sadly, I forgot what they added to make these sodas unique.

I opted to go for seafood that night, so I went for their Sea Food Roll.

On the other hand, boyfriend had Lemon Chicken to feed his craving.

I don't know how I've managed to store everything in my stomach considering their serving size is bigger than usual. Their food is a bit salty, but still delicious. Price ranges from Php 250.00 to 400.00, so better save up your allowance or salary before battling your way here.

Road After Road

Well, this time, I won't make use of "school" as an entire excuse for not attending to my blog for a very long time. March and April was, let's just say, full of thrills. It's wholly related to school, but with a twist; we thought we lost the very goal we aimed for, the very goal each student wants to achieve — to graduate with pride and dignity.

Experience-wise, it did help me realize a lot of things and one of it is never to submit myself to that kind of situation ever again. Half of us had to go through the harsh side of reality, the very kind that's difficult to predict. It was purely a day filled with fear, shivers, and tears. That very day where I don't want to hear nor remember even up to this point.

It's over and done with, so it's time to brush it off my mind and attract myself towards the positive side. 

On the last week of April, days after our graduation, until the second week of June, most of us were apparently stuck in Manila as temporary residents. Just like our glorious days as students, we had to sit the entire day in class, absorbing all informations we can from the lecture in preparation for the board examination. Hearing that word startles me, but I know God will help us, the gutsy batch, get through this.

Almost everything is difficult in Manila, especially the communication and transportation part. We had to adapt to the environment we're in, regardless of our endless nags. Whenever we go out of the condo, we deal with notorious drivers who don't seem to care about noise pollution, jeepney drivers who stop all of a sudden to pick up passengers anywhere they want, taxi drivers who don't honor "change", and dust infesting our light-colored shirts. That's nothing new in Manila, let alone those snatchers and undying fervor.

What made me feel in awe, though, is their highly urban cities that don't match with the usual vision we have of Manila. Those tall and well-lit buildings in Makati, "New York" feels in Bonifacio Global City, classy-looking Greenhills, and et cetera totally deviated me from the typical city vibes I encounter daily.

My not-so-short stay in Manila was, indeed, a fruitful one. Not only did I learn a lot from the review, I also get to see how to cook some meals I'm very poor at from my room mates who're good in cooking, realize how difficult independent living is, meet and greet few of my good online pals, and experience the poor service of this certain airline whose name I shall not mention.

I guess I have to end this post here since I've somehow managed to wrap everything in one post and that's a big yey for me.

Until then, Manila. Until then.