• Random

    {Random} Things To Do in Sagada

    I have collected a few interesting and more unusual tips from travelers/bloggers/vloggers who have been in Sagada. Let us see if we can strike out as many as we can as we enjoy the cold weather, pine trees, and scenic views on our trip this coming February.

    Are 3 days long enough to see all the major sights? Let us see.

    1. Bike to Besao and witness the sunset
    2. Buy the best bread in Sagada at Masferre Inn
    3. Climb the walls of Echo Valley
    4. Conquer Mt. Ampacao and revel in the outstanding view once atop it
    5. Enjoy the Lemon Flavored Pie and Tea at Sagada Lemon Pie House
    6. Enjoy the privacy of your place at Villa D’ Familia
    7. Experience Heaven on Earth at Kiltepan View Point
    8. Explore Sumaging Cave or do the connection and traverse to Lumiang Cave
    9. Freeze in the icy-cold water of Bomod-ok Falls
    10. Get to know the locals and fellow travelers
    11. Go orange picking at Rock Inn
    12. Go shopping at either Sagada Weaving or Ganduyan Store.
    13. Gobble the fantastic yogurt at Yogurt House
    14. Hangout at the Basketball court near St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
    15. Learn the stories behind the peculiar burial tradition
    16. Pay a visit to the Pottery workshop
    17. Pick up some Sagada coffee at 18 Days Coffee Roasters
    18. Play board or card games or relax beside the fireplace
    19. Raft the Chico River from Dantay to Bontoc
    20. Read a book while enjoying a cup of coffee
    21. Ride top load (the roof of) a jeepney
    22. See the Hanging Coffins up close
    23. Stay at Mapia-aw Pensione and enjoy the stunning view from your room or balcony
    24. Trek to the Bomod-ok Falls
    25. Try itag, a cured meat similar to a slab of bacon, unsliced
    26. Try the Saturday Night Buffet or Pork Tenderloin specialty in Log Cabin
    27. Visit the Cemetery and Calvary Hill
    28. Wake up early and bike to Marlboro Country to try to catch a glimpse of the wild horses
    29. Walk along the Rice Terraces of Sagada
    30. Walk around town, visit the market, especially on a Saturday, it’s market day
    31. Witness the product of the local’s creativity at Ganduyan Museum

    Updated (February 7, 2017) I think I need to go back to Sagada. I still have lots of items to strike out. 15 out of 31 is bad. It is not half past 31.

    Credits: Ma’am Kath for pictures

  • Random

    {Goals} New Year, New Me 2017

    I am ending 2016 with my goals for the coming year. 2016 has been a tough year for me.

    I am working again on my life goals. It is never too late to start dreaming and planning. Right? Remember my {Goals} New Year, New Me 2016? I know I had not done much last year. It is time to kick in and get on the track again.

    This year, I am making my life goals shorter and more achievable… Here’s to a better year ahead.

    1. Adopt a cool hobby.
    2. End all my addiction.
    3. Finish that 52-weeks Money Saving Challenge with KNR and JCC.
    4. Get married and have a baby. I know I am not getting younger.
    5. Get more sleep.
    6. Go on a real vacation.
    7. Have financial independence.
    8. Have other sources of income aside from a regular day job.
    9. Invest in a permanent closet staple.
    10. Live simply.
    11. Pay off all credit cards. Get out of debt- completely.
    12. Save six months of expenses in an Emergency Fund.
    13. Save and purchase a residential property.
    14. Save Php 20,000.
    15. Workout and stay healthy. Stay away from sweets, junk foods, and ice cream.
  • Random

    My Dream Escapade

    My Caramoan dream escapade finally resurfaced again after changing the Baguio-Sagada plan. Thanks, Ma’am Kathy, for coming up with a better destination. You know me when it comes to beaches and sand. I enjoy the aquamarine waters rushing to my feet most in solitude as I savor the feeling of peace.

    Read : Why I Love the Beach Even If I Can’t Swim

    My friends/office mates planned to go to Caramoan, Camarines Sur for three days to celebrate Ma’am Kathy’s birthday. Finally, we are on the same boat. I would love to spend more exploring nature than drinking alcohol and munching unlimited popcorn on karaoke bars. No more backing out guys, please! Let us do this together and paint Camarines Sur red.

    Pristine beach, powdery-white sands, aquamarine waters, and stunning limestone formations as I describe it. Caramoan Islands, located at the far eastern end of Camarines Sur in the Bicol region, has made its name one of the top destinations in the country. This is the main reason why Caramoan is one of my dream destinations. Apart from that it looks very much like El Nido, Palawan.

    Since my friends/office mates are not that familiar on DIY trips, I let them take the lead and agreed to have a travel tour agent. I wouldn’t want to be blamed for an epic journey after. Though, it is more thrilling, exciting, and unforgettable, especially when you are sharing with the people you are at ease with.

    Which do you prefer more? DIY trips or with travel tour agency?

  • Work/Money Diaries

    {How} I Save Money

    I have been struggling for over two years now. I never imagined myself going through this. I got no issues three years before. Whenever I use my savings, I make sure to return it the next payday. Same as when using my credit card, I always maintained zero balance.

    Then, I became so obsessed with shoes, planners, and stuff. You know what I mean. I started buying things I want. Who needs four pairs of sneakers? Much more, three planners in a year? I felt so much guilty of splurging too much on weekend and online sales. My savings turned upside down, and my credit balance went low. I am not kidding. I do not earn that much, yet I spend more than what I earn.

    It is not too late to change. I need to pay my debts. I need to save. But how?

    Salary – Expenses = Savings

    I never followed a formula for saving. Whatever is left on my salary is my savings. There were times when my saving is big, but most of the time, it is small. Instead of keeping what was left, I will spend that small amount that was supposed to be allotted for savings on little things and save next time when the payout is much bigger.

    Too much spending plus bad attitude equals NO SAVINGS.

    Salary – Savings = Expenses

    Today, I am learning a new way to save. I make sure that I set aside first a certain amount then budget what is left. My expenses usually cover food allowance, transportation allowance, house rental, water bills, electric bills, phone bills, loans/debts, etc. It is difficult at first. But mind you, it will be successful in the long run. We will learn the art of thriftiness.

    Start this early. Save for your future.

    Update: I am currently using the 50/25/15/10 formula. I set aside a certain percentage of my salary for my loan, debts, housing, food and transportation allowances, savings, “paluwagan” and even tithes. This is more detailed than the previous. My salary is properly disseminated to what I need most. I even opened a savings account so that I will not be tempted to spend. In time, my loans/debt will be paid, plus I have extra to shell out in times of need.

    50/25/15/10 Formula

    50% Loans, Debts, Housing
    25% Food, Transportation
    15% Savings, Paluwagan
    10% Tithes
    100% TOTAL

    How do you save?

  • Random

    {How} I Personalize my Planner

    There are endless ways to customize and personalize your planner, even the generic notebooks we see around. Your planner would not be your planner without your personal touch. Here are what I use to personalize my planner.

    Planner Itself

    It took me months to decide what planner to purchase. I wanted a planner that I can use not only for a year but for several years to come. Also, I want a planner that keeps me motivated and inspired to use it all the time—Filofax Original Patent in Fuchsia best suits my funky personality.

    Dashboards

    It is the first thing you see when you open my planner. Dashboards vary from one person to another. My idea of a dashboard is a transparent plastic sheet that came with my Filofax, a postcard from HeyKessy, an inspiration phrase, soldier bookmarks attached in the rings, and a photo of ours.

    Interior Pockets and Pen Slots

    On the left side, you will see slots for cards and an elastic band for the pens. I use the pen loop for my Coleto Hi-Tec C pen and tuck some weekly plan and time table sticky notes in the elastics for scheduling tentative plans.

    Pen

    My all-time favorite is the 5-barrel pen Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto. This is not just a single pen but a system of pen bodies, refills, and pencil mechanisms that work together interchangeably. Pilot Hi-Tech C Coletos are popular nowadays because of the variety of pen colors it can hold. I refilled mine with Black, Blue, Red, Green, and Orange. BTW, I got my Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto 5-barrel pen from DavaoArts. Check their instagram.

    Dividers and Tabs

    I divided mine into several sections, add some tabs I bought from National Bookstore and labeled it using my Dymo Label Maker. My sections include Daily, To-Do, Expenses, Lists, Blog Ideas, Work, and Others.

    Printable Inserts

    My Filofax came with its dedicated inserts when I bought it last year. When 2016 came, I bought inserts from Craft and Create. The paper is amazing.

    Paper Clips or Page Markers

    I do not have lots of this. This helps me locate important notes and pages in my planner. Also, it is a great way to add color and style to your pages.

    Sticky Notes and Stickers

    Decorating is not for everyone. As much as possible, I minimize the use of sticky notes, stickers, and washi tapses. I do not want my planner to become overly decorated. I am more of a functional planner.

    Washi Tapes

    Washi tapes add a little color and fun to dull inserts. I have quite a collection of washi tapes. (Washi tapes from HeyKessy, HobbyDepot, and DavaoArts; Sticky Notes from National Bookstore)

    Charms and Journaling Cards

    Your planner can also be a source of positivity. You can add a little encouragement through these journaling cards. I got mine from BeeHappyCrafts.


    How do you customize/personalize your planer?

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