• Life Lately

    {Life Lately} When in Alaminos, Pangasinan

    We recently took a quick break from the city to enjoy some fresh air and salty water in Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan. I had my fair share of sandy toes, sunburnt skin, and salty hair. Thank God for allowing me to take a break from work. I was beyond happy granting this unexpected travel. Thank you, Ma’am Irele, for tagging me along.

    Spontaneous trips were one of the best trips I ever had.

    I was hesitant with the idea of making a spontaneous trip. But looking through all of my trips, spontaneous trips were one of the best trips I ever had. You have to go on with the flow. I guess I am lucky to be surrounded by people with the same passion, Travel.

    Since this was an impromptu trip, I never had a chance to do lots of preparation. I am so much intrigued about the islands and islets that made me wonder if it is really 100.

    Time to strike through Hundred Islands in my Travel Bucket List. Also, I got a chance to confirm if it is ONE hundred islands. YES, it is 100++ islands and islets.

    The whole day was not enough to explore with so much more to see. Although our visit was short, it was worth every second.

    If you are looking for a trip that is not costly and would fit your budget perfectly, Hundred Island is the place to be.

  • Random

    My Go-To Excuse To Get Out of Any Plan

    If you want to do something, you will find a way. If you don’t, you will find an excuse. – Jim Rohn

    I was invited by my office mates to join them on their trip to Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan. I said, “Yes” without even having second thoughts. I am known for being the “kaladkarin” in our group. I would love to join every “lakad” my friends and office mates have. I would never turn down any invitation. It bothers me to turn someone down. However, I cannot always say “yes” every time my friends want to make plans. I can get away with honesty with a few close friends. But I am obliged to come up with a better excuse for anyone else, for they will never understand me.

    No. It is not just a little word but it holds so much power.

    It has always been wrong to decline with an excuse. Knowing how to refuse helps avoid hurt feelings. But it is perfectly fine to say,

    • You have other plans for that particular time. No further explanation is required. Otherwise, it will sound like you are trying to come up with excuses.
    • You feel tired and exhausted. You are taking time off and badly need quiet time.
    • You cannot afford it. This is the main reason why I cannot join mostly and why I love staying more at home. But it is just not in the budget right now.
    • Or tell them the truth. If they are true friends, they will understand whatever your reason is. You do not need to find another reason to cover up.

    You do not want to, that is more than sufficient reason in itself. There is no excuse for speaking out what you have in mind. To decline an invitation does not mean rejecting that person or group.

  • Life Lately

    {Why} I Love the Beach Even If I Can’t Swim

    Yes, I cannot swim. And I mean it. People do not believe me when I tell them I cannot swim. Maybe because I love going to the beach and I look as though I can swim but I really cannot. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for not providing me swimming lessons when I was a kid.

    There are more than hundreds of reasons why I always head to the beach even if I do not know how to swim. Life is better at the beach. However, it is more than just the sun, sand, and sea.

    Great place to drink and to chill. Besides the beach, I love drinking – with sand between my toes, a stunning view in front of me, and the smell of the ocean – all add to the chilling factor of a beach destination.

    The sound of the waves. The waves have a calming effect on me. There is no sound better than the sound of the waves on the beach.

    Stunning view. I want to wake up seeing the beach and the palm trees. I bet I will never get bored of the view.

    Awesome food. I am a big foodie. Being close to the beach means I got to enjoy fresh seafood. I love seafood. I would never get tired eating the same.

    Something new to experience. It is a different world altogether when you are at the beach.

    Enjoy basking in the heat of the sun. I always have a tan after all my vacations. The sun also provides breathtaking sunsets at the beach.

    A great time to spend quality time with friends/family. A chance to be together without distractions. I have been with my sister twice. I should have taken her with me whenever I go to the beach.

    A great place to unplug from technology. It feels good to relax without a computer, phone, and tablet for a few days. No connection! Just you, your friends, and the beach.

    A chance to get away from stressful city life. I always crave for peace and tranquility. A trip to the beach is all I need to disconnect from everyday problems, stress, and a perfect setting to connect with nature.


    Why do I love the beach? Let me count the ways.

  • Life Lately

    {Life Lately} When in Banaue-Sagada-Baguio

    I rarely talk about what happened to me lately. Since, I am running out of ideas again for blog posts. Here I am starting this Life Lately series. I hope I will be able to keep up this series.

    Last week is filled with Banaue-Sagada-Baguio travels with my officemates/friends/travel buddies to celebrate Ma’am Kath’s birthday.

    I experienced a lot of firsts on this trip.

    I had my first travel disappointment. On this trip, I planned to take boyfriend. Bags were packed and travel package/fees had been paid. And boy, boyfriend became suddenly sick and can no longer come. Php 2,360 is such a waste of money. Bye bye Php 2,360!

    Spelunking Sumaguing Cave was not that fun either. I had put so much effort into slipping our way down on the rocks. I should have worn sturdier sandals instead of the one I was wearing. But, it was a pretty first and probably my last caving experience.

    Our trek to Bomok-Od Falls was one of a kind. I pushed myself up to my limit for the first time. The payoff was not so great, but the experience is awesome. There were lots of tourists trying to get their photos everywhere. We cannot get a nicer view of the falls with lots people around.

    Read: {Lessons Learned} Trekking Bomok-Od Falls

    We surprised Ma’am Kath with a little unprepared birthday celebration. It was quite an impromptu— another first. But it was successful.

    I have not seen much of Sagada on our visit. I still have lots of things to strike out in my {Random Things} To Do in Sagada. I hope I can visit Sagada again anytime soon.

  • Life Lately

    {Lessons Learned} Trekking Bomok-Od Falls

    Our trip to Bomok-Od Falls in Sagada made me realize that I am not really into trekking, hiking, mountaineering or any that involves long walks. That trip will be the first and last. I was not aware that it is a two-hour hike going to the falls and another two hours going back.

    Yes, I pushed myself to my limits, both physically and mentally. Going down to the falls is hard, heading back is even harder. I felt the tightness on my legs on every step. Though, I wanted to give up but I did not. My determination to reach the destination and complete the hike was little stronger.

    On this trek, I have learned a lot of lessons in life.

    You do not need a lot of material things in life.

    Just walking stick, and comfortable foot wear and you are good to go. I relied mostly on the walking stick on my way down. I would not imagine myself walking without it. Thank you, walking stick!

    All possessions are temporary. The most beautiful things in life are the people, places and experiences.

    Water is life.

    I never realized the need for this until I started trekking. Water is important. It brings extra energy to keep us going and maintain sanity.

    You cannot live alone; you need people to go on.

    I almost gave up on my way down. I cannot feel my feet anymore. What I feel is the tightness on my legs. But my friends cheered for me.

    As long as there is at least one person who cares, I will not give up the fight.

    Keep moving one step at a time.

    No matter how fast/slow you are going, as long as you progress, you will reach your destination.

    In the end, it will all be worth it.

    Is it worth it? Nah! The payoff was not so great but the experience is awesome. It is the experience we wanted in the first place. The week after was a week of pain relievers.


    Every life lived to the fullest is an adventure and also a lesson.

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