domestic happiness and faithful friends

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/ Domestic happiness and faithful \
\ friends.                        /
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        \   ^__^
         \  (oo)\_______
            (__)\       )\/\
                ||----w |
                ||     ||

 

 

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Early morning of May 23, my friends/workmates came to our house to celebrate my 30th birthday.

Because I was feeling lazy to cook and fix the house. I brought them to a garden resort that is just nearby - Precious Garden Resort. About 2-3 minutes of pedicab ride from our house.

As expected, the place is not crowded. We were the only guests - well, considering that it is 7:00AM in the morning. So we had breakfast, sang some songs, took a lot of pictures, shared buckets of laughter, exchanged fiction-based stories (haha! we like to tamper our stories with exaggerated details) and a whole lot of fun things. 

Thank you girls! Love love love

 

hello again Mati 05.16.15

When summer starts, one of the go-to places in Mindanao is Dahican Mati, Davao Oriental. Why? There's a yearly summer beach party called SUMMERFROLIC where the best DJ's, event organizers, surfers, and party goers get together.

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With no plans of going to the summerfrolic festival, I was able to visit Mati the month after. Last May 16th I went on a trip to Mati with boyfie and his family (BTW, it's a first). It is best advised to have your own mode of transportation or rent a van rather than commuting. 

It was a 3-hour trip from Davao City. Before we reached Dahican we had 5 stops: 

1) Davao Oriental landmark

2) Sleeping Dinosaur view deck

 

  

 

 

3) Mati baywalk

4) Mati Capitol - sorry I didn't took photos of the building and the surroundings.

 

5) Blue Bless Resort for Lunch

Then finally, the BEACH!!! The beauty of the beach is unarguable. For a minute you'd succumb to silence and just let your eyes feast and wander at the scenery. The ombré ocean would take your breath away. The white sand beach is accented through the long beach line. The waves are perfect for skimboarding and the not-so-strong wind makes a good day for powered paragliding.

 

So, go pack your bags and visit Mati. It is highly suggested if you are a beach person. 

oodles of years

I just turned 30!!!

 Now go pop the champagne and play Avril's "Here's to Never Growing Up" song

Wow, I have lived 3 decades and I still have that wonder in my eyes for new things

At 30 I have learned how to be happy even when I am sad

I learned to forgive

I learned how to pray

I learned to see things in a positive perspective

I learned to determine and welcome blessings over failure and disappointments

I learned that love is a reason that changes the whole picture

I learned that there's no easy way in life - no shortcuts

I learned that somehow we'll lose some while we gain some

I learned that we cannot carry everything that is why we need to let go or hand over to others what we carry... we are never alone in this life anyway

And there's so much more that I have yet to learn!

They say that 30 years is the "old-era"

No biggie - I will embrace it gladly

Whatever age it is, I feel good with it

I am just grateful for this beautiful life and for all the people I have crossed paths with and paved the way for me to become the person I am today

I am overwhelmed with all the love that the universe is sending me

I have my palms wide-open

And with this bursting joy it is impossible to contain it for myself alone so I am sharing the love to the people around me

So to this great life and my years to come - cheers!

 

  

   

 

 

PS: 

Thank you to my friends who have spoiled me with a photo shoot on my birthday and sponsored my outfits as well (wink)

Love love love love love

30ish checklist

Defy gravity

I am not a fan of heights but I like to push myself a little. So to date I’ve tried below activities that involved heights and massive amount of adrenaline rush:

• Zip-line in Bukidnon
• Cable Car ride to Ocean Park, Hongkong
• Cliff jumping - last May 1, 2015

Travel

Go to happiest place in the world – yes Disneyland!!! It is every kid’s dream so until it is not too late for you to enjoy all the rides – go! If your pocket is on drought then try any Theme Park – Star City or Enchanted Kingdom.

I was blessed to be able to join in my sister’s company outing November last year (2014) in Hong Kong. My budget was a cut-throat risk. My sister’s expenses was shouldered by her company while I am shouldering my own - life is unfair at times! So I got my 13th month in advance and “lavishly” spent it on my very first out-of-the-country vacation.

And yes, my passport already has a manifesto! 

Push your physical limits. Run a marathon or join a triathlon.

I have lost count on the times I have joined a “Fun Run” and Walk for a Cause. I have joined a mountain bike marathon once – and it was kind of awkward since I was the only female participant. 

In all these events that I joined there’s one thing in common – I would really try to reach the finish line no matter how tiring it is. I experienced palpitations and shortness of breaths but still managed to push onwards. And then the next day I’d be wrapping myself with muscle pain pads. Hahaha.

Write a new poem

My poetry writing has been on hiatus for quite some time. So I am giving myself a challenge to write more this year.

 

Save Money

Finally! This year I was able to open a passbook bank account. After more than 10 years of working I finally figured how to save – haha! I am trying my best to be religious in doing a monthly deposit, avoid withdrawal transactions, and be debt-free.

With much regret, I should have saved and learned to manage my finances earlier. But it is not yet too late to start – so I am crossing my fingers that this new found financial wisdom will run smoothly.

Take an adventure or go on a girls-trip.

It is really my month I must say. I feel like all the elements are working with me.

1st weekend of May – I was able to go on a 1 day all-girls trip (Hannah, Gretchen, Ana Mae, Shek and special participation of Auntie Merlita).

2nd weekend of May – went to Maxima Aquafun with cousins

3rd weekend of May – went on a trip with boyfie’s family to Dahican, Mati

4th weekend of May – My birthday and I will be joining some friends in a garden resort

Be a mermaid for a day

Go scuba diving, snorkeling, or just simply swim in the ocean.

Love your body – get in shape

“Age beautifully” – that’s what I tell myself in the mirror.

As early as now I have changed my lifestyle by removing all the toxic. So “NO” to stress, anger, worries, carbonated drinks, fatty foods, junk foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and make-up. Wait, let me re-phrase myself – have moderation on the above things. All those will speed up aging.

Formula: love yourself + right food + enough hours of sleep + positivity

Reconnect with an old friend

Well, with social media this is no longer hard. Human interaction is irreplaceable! So let’s take our efforts up a notch – go set a deadline, meet up with friends and catch-up.

Checked – lat May 21 I met with my college friend that I haven’t seen since 2006. Wow after 8 long years.

Checked – earlier this month I attended the High School Alumni Reunion. Few came but at it was still a fun day to reconnect with friends.

Ask for a raise
No guts no glory! I already did this 2 years ago and for this year I have asked a raise for all members of my team. I am keeping my hopes up that it will be approved within the year.

Go an extra mile for romance

Checked – Night swimming with D

Checked – Bathe in the rain with D

Checked – Road trips with D

Checked – Star gazing with D

Checked – Wine date with D

Buy something totally frivolous, ridiculously expensive and utterly fabulous

Well I'm not a gadget-freak and a shopaholic.  I usually spend big on food, books, travels, and house renovation. And my recent gallant expense is the speedo snorkel - Php1,000+

Also, this year I plan to get myself tooth braces - that is really expensive so it's on the pending list for now.

Be empowered in service

I admit that I am not a church goer and I make up for this lacking with my community service in Singles for Christ. We have an in-going evangelization that runs for 13 Sundays. It has been my yearly commitment and the same this year I will dedicate my time, talent and treasure every Sunday.

And since I am a household head, I will also try my best to schedule monthly lower households and attend upper household plus the other activities.

Along with service is I have to be equipped as well so I will find more time to read/study the bible, read teachings and reflections, and grow my faith and knowledge.

Be available for others and leave an imprint in their lives

I know that it sounds corny but this is one of my strong beliefs. I live to SHARE. Life and Love will remain words unless we share it to others. That is why as much as possible I make it to a point that I spend time with family, friends, work, service, and etc.

This includes attending important events and milestones such as weddings, baptism, birthdays, celebrations and other important occasions. This includes happy days and sad days in the lives of other – just be there coz that’s what matters.

To date, I have 33 godchildren. This year, I have attended 1 wedding and an upcoming of 3 weddings within the year.

Read a book
This has been in my checklist years ago and I am glad that this one got checked off long ago. Good thing is now I have more interest in reading so I have bought more books to read.

Business Venture

This is the most challenging among the list. After long process of conversation and negotiation - I finally got the approval from my uncles and father. We will be constructing a 3-door building in the frontage of our house. We will have it for rent/lease. This will make our lot of good use plus the monthly income would help out in the electric bill and other expenses of the house (Yes! My pocket would be eased off from all the bills - hopefully) 

However, this requires me to work on all the requirements and details like the building permit, building plan, and etc. So the success rate of this business plan relies on my efforts. Okay Kay, fighting!

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There goes the list! Actually there's a lot more to add in but a shorter list is easier to keep up so this is fine for now. And this "things to-do before turning 30" all started after I read some blogs:

30-things-to-do-before-turning-30
things-to-do-before-youre-30
30-things-to-do-before-turning-30