The Bucket List part 1

My friends are living MY dream.  So what am I doing sitting in my terrace with a cup of coffee waiting for my night-and-shining-armor-riding-on-a-big-white-horse, when I'm not even sure if someone will really come to rescue. Disney, it's all your fault! I think I grew up watching too many fairy tales.  Life isn't about happy endings. It's about living it and taking a journey. So I say to myself "Rapunzel cut your hair and see the world!"

So here are some of the things I want to accomplish before the year ends. I hope! Let's start to empty the bucket and mark X on the list.

I took a plunge in Danao Bohol. It was like bungee jumping sort off.  They dropped you from some meters high then swung you to the other side of the cliff just like a pendulum.  I died for 3 seconds and heard myself screamed. I want to feel gravity again but this time I want to do cliff diving.  Just like what Bella did in New Moon.  I want to conquer my fear of heights.  They say if you want to become a flight attendant you need to learn how to jump. (and that will be another story)

Dlyt's jump of her life in Salagdoong Beach in Siquijor.

You see, I am an ANTM fan.  I like what Tyra does to her model wannabees. I tried copying some of the themes.  So who did it better?  Some people just know how to make fun at themselves!

Next on my list was done in cycle 7, where they were blown to look like space flying.

Then I saw my friend posted a picture in Facebook doing something similar. Don't we all wish to fly like a bird and be free? (Was that a line from a song)  First I want to feel gravity, now I want to defy it. Talking about flying, I've tried the longest zip line in Asia when I went to Bukidnon. I could feel my feet touched the tip of the pine trees or was that just my imagination.  Being suspended in the air for some seconds magically brought youthful in you.

Free spirited Haidee in I-Fly Singapore

I reached the highest peak in Cebu and done a lot of trekking.  I wish I can conquer Mt Apo the highest peak in the Philippines.  But what I really want to do is conquer the ocean.  Not exactly diving Mariana Trench, the lowest point in the world.  My country is made up of 7107 islands and a home to several underwater species.  Known for great diving spots.  And all I really want to learn is how to scuba dive.

Cloyd enjoying the underwater of Moalboal

I know it's not a good season to dive because of the strong current.  We heard of some tropical storms in the news so why not learn how to surf instead and conquer the big waves in Cloud 9, Siargao?

Pau-pau's balancing act in Siargao

It's never too late to learn another language. And I've been stalling my French lessons.  My cousin taught me Japanese when I was 10.  My dad gave me basic Spanish in high-school. and I've tried french in college. Until now I can't seem to construct one good sentence and pronounce it well.  I didn't like Crème brûlée for nothing. I must pass my french lesson if i want to see the Eiffel Tower. (but that's not happening anytime soon)

my favorite dessert

and to complete this list. Filipinos are known to love karaoke. Yes we love to sing.  Apparently, singing does not like me.  Am from a family of 5 and it seems like I'm the only one who can't hit a tone right!  Singing is a self expression.  Some heavy emotion building up inside of me and I just want them out and the only perfect way to do it is singing.  Yeah I can hold a microphone, smile, pretend like singing for photo purposes.  I just really want to learn how to sing right.  I dont hope to win a contest or something I just want to sound pleasant... wink wink ^___^.

There you go folks some random things in my mind, @ 3AM Sunday morning while gazing the yellow lighted city, in my terrace with a cup of coffee.

The Southeast: On the Road this August

Back packing can be addictive.  I've tried it once when we went to Vietnam. So I thought why not try it in my own country. It would be fun.  So this August I will be on the road again with my partner in crime.  The fun is at the end when you have accomplished your list as planned.  And I leave the planning to my friend, she's more detailed than I am and more experienced.  I don't trust my estimating skills, I have tendencies to be blond. (no offense - I grew up watching Alicia Silverstone's, Clueless! As If!)

I used to travel with airport transfers and readily booked hotels.  For a change, I like to wander in an unknown city carrying only my back pack.  I've seen The Amazing Race and I just want to do something like that. This August, we will go southeast and feel the breeze of the Pacific Ocean. (I'm from the central)

We haven't decided yet if we'll fly Cebu-Surigao or Cebu-Butuan yet.  The goal is to leave on August 21 and reach Davao City August 26, 2013.  Within 5 days, we should be able to visit these spots and take a picture.  First stop will be Cagwait Beach.  (source: http://boyetstour.blogspot.com/2013/01/cagwait-white-beach-tandag.html#.UgcV_dJTDM0)

After a year of trying to get a fairer skin I think I'm ready to take a plunge on a salt water under the heat of the Sun.  Afterall,  I've never seen the Pacific Ocean yet. So tell me, who is not delighted with this pic?

Source:http://boyetstour.blogspot.com

I apologize, I may not be able to tell you about which bus to take and how long from one place to the other, yet.  I put my trust to my partner on her research ;)

Next stop is the Enchanted River in Baranggay Cambatong.  I've learned about this enchanting river last year and has been planning to go there.  At first I thought it was not in the Philippines.  I thought it was one of those meteorite craters carve by mother nature located somewhere the jungles of South America.  Surprisingly, this place is just a few minutes ride from the town proper.

Enchanted River (source: Department of Tourism, Caraga, http://www.dotcaraga.ph) 

"Its river system is one of the most magnificent bodies of water in the Philippines. Many tourists and locals alike have been captivated by the natural beauty it holds and plenty have endured the long travel just to swim in its 80-meter deep, bright, blue waters."-DOTcaraga

Off we go to: Britania Islands. 

"this place is made up of 24 islets, beautifully scattered in Lianga bay, facing the pacific Ocean. Located at San Agustin, Surigao del Sur." (source: http://sunkissedvixen.blogspot.com/2013/03/britania-island.html)

and who would miss Tinuy-an Falls.

Tinuy-an Falls (source: DOTcaraga,  http://www.dotcaraga.ph/#/tinuy-an-falls)

"Situated in the forest of Borboanan, Bislig City is the majestic Tinuy-an Falls. The falls is approximately 95 meters wide and 55 meters high and is dubbed as the “The Little Niagara Falls” of the Philippines. Tinuy-an is one of the most visited tourist spots in Caraga region being known for its wondrous white water that curtains and flows in three different levels and is said to be one of the widest waterfalls in the country."

who say's we are done?  the last phase will be Davao.

We'll start in Davao Oriental and visit the majestic Aliwagwag Falls. (for more pictures visit blog source)

Aliwagwag Falls (source: http://filipinas-beauty.blogspot.com/2013/02/majestic-aliwagwag-falls-davao-oriental.html)

For our last stop, we will visit Samal Island. "Samal is a 2nd class city in the province of Davao del Norte, Philippines. Its official name is the Island Garden City of Samal"

Samal Island (source http://boyetstour.blogspot.com/2012/10/samal-island.html#.UgcfCdJTDM0)

Life is so beautiful and short, so explore! Don't be a tourist in your own country.

The Meeting of the Alta At Gusto

Good friends pick up where they left off.

Another friend of mine came home from Singapore.  I remember clearly what I said to her when she sought my advise. "As your team lead, I want you to stay but as a friend go get your dream. It's up to you which advise you will take."  Off she flew to Singapore to follow the adventure of her life.

And now she's back maybe for good but maybe for the moment.  So we set a lunch date for her today together with some other team mates who left also to find their niche.  Oh I thought, this will be loud!  We used to hang out like there is no more tomorrow.  It was fun memories, singing on top of our lungs,  the lap dancing, the grinding and the tequilas  - Yes! the tequilas, the culprit of our never ending laughter.

We agreed to meet at Fuzion Gourmet in Mango Ave.  The organizer didn't realize it was closed for renovation.  So went two blocks for Don Merto's and it was closed too.  We drove to Crossroads in Banilad to check Phat Pho and A-cafe, both were closed too.  Sunday lunch and all the good places were closed.  We concluded to go with the usual place, IT park.  An Italian Urban Cafe got the majority vote - GUSTO.

The ambiance was cozy.  I like their comfortable couches. Except for the flies and I don't know what's up with that day, flies were just humongous.  So we went inside instead of eating "al fresco" (and this is a Spanish word, so much for dining in an Italian restaurant).

And here goes the menu and of course it read in Italian and I don't speak/read/write Italian made me feel dumb (ha ha ha).  So I ordered FUSILLI.  Good thing the menu tells you what's on it in English.  So surprise me, I like surprises.

  

I don't know if it was Italian or was it just my tongue.  The pasta was not cooked well.  Too much sauce. It just didn't blend well in my mouth.  Maybe I needed white wine first because  I don't like it and my friends don't like it too.  The people were friendly but the actual service, I was looking for more.  The price ranges from 200 to 250 pesos.

Skipped my favorite part, the dessert, why-oh-why  ;(  We relived the old days.  We went to WHATEVER KTV bar in Mabolo.  It's the building beside my work but believe me it was my first time to go there. Singing on top of our lungs the music of Beyonce' Love on Top and Jenifer Hudson's And I'm Telling You.  They have unique way of naming their rooms.  We stayed at room forever. Like meant for friends forever.  The place was clean.  It was comfortable.  It did not smell rusty and dusty.  That included my two bottles of San Miguel Light Apple flavored beer.  Two thumbs up for this drink.

I believe that whatever happened may it be good or bad, it happened for a reason.  We may not be able to understand it yet for the time being perhaps God has delayed something for us.  We needed to learn a lesson because we are not ready, that's for one, He wants us to be stronger.  Or, He purposely delayed it, like you accidentally dropped your bag, you bent down to pick it without realizing an arrow was on your way, you're lucky to have picked your bag and missed the arrow that may hurt you.  A loss can be a blessing when you see the glass half full!  Happy Sunday!