Just got home from the Ateneo Cultural Laboratory Seminar in Bohol, which was definitely one of the best decisions I have made. Almost three weeks of staying in a rural town, avoiding “tourist”-y traps and places and immersing mainly for service for the community were all worth it. Not to mention the friends I met during the seminar were all in the “same wavelength” as I am. It was nice to engage in conversations, random or serious, without judgment. It was nice to talk to people who understand my penchant for trivia and culture. With those said, I do hope that Bohol will not be the last trip we’ll ever have together…

The trip also made me realize what I really want to do, which is to serve communities through culturaldevelopment. Doors will open eventually, but I will not stop searching. Suddenly, I even want to take masters in Sociology or Anthropology. God has been so good to me lately, opening up my eyes to what is out there and readying me for the big beyond. As for now, I am continually waiting and hoping that the right opportunity will finally present itself… 

I LOVE ROAD TRIPS. Most especially if it takes long hours of travel. While a few people may find it taxing, I find it fascinating and thrilling. I enjoy looking out the window to just take all the traffic (heh), sights, people, and stopovers (even toll gates, double heh) in. I enjoy letting time pass by slowly as I get to a destination. Most of all, I enjoy the company, be it friends or family. It amazes me how much you can talk about and what you can do when you’re confined in a small space for a couple of hours.

Anyway…

Last Saturday, October 29, my blockmates- Trisha, Kim, Ruby, Jen, and I went on a road trip to Subic for our long-overdue outing. We went to Treetop Adventure first to try out their activities (Read: AWESOME) then had a few stopovers to a Korean Restaurant and Puregold Duty Free before our final destination, which was Camayan Beach Resort. It was indeed a day well spent with good friends. I’m hoping for more road trips like this in the near future. Safe to say, during our trip, it was randomness, wackiness, and pure harmless FUN at its best. 

On the way to Subic Freeport~

1st Stop: Treetop Adventure

Ruby and Kim choosing among the packages offered. We ended up choosing Package C or D (one which included: Superman Ride, Interactive Free Fall, and Silver Surfer)

Superman Ride: I personally thought this ride would be a breeze, but when I got to the top, nerves preceded me. Same goes for the others as well (esp. Ruby!) Still fun, though! AND, thrilling of course. 

The smiles before the nerves

Trisha on her way to superhero-dom!

Interactive Free Fall: This was relatively more “Chill” and less nerve-wracking. We were choosing between this and the “reverse” tree drop. But alas we chose the easier one, which was this. I found myself letting go of the bars ,and IT WAS WORTH IT. I was “chasing after my heart”.

Kim and Trisha!

Me with my “Look Ma! No Hands!” stance with Jen, and Ruby. 

And the last, which was my favorite, The Silver Surfer: Loved this because even though I was the sacrificial lamb, meaning the one who volunteered to proceed without a partner, I could say I made the right decision. It was so exhilarating, especially when I found myself letting go of the bar AGAIN. I was “falling” and “swinging” back and forth in mid-air. Since I didn’t have a partner, I swung a bit more swiftly. My screams were definitely close to echoing that day, but they were “the good kind”.

will be following up on our Camayan trip next! 

It’s been a while since I last posted. School just started and I’ve been feeling the weight of adjustments, groupings,org requirements etc. for the past five days. It amazes me how a lot could happen in a short amount of time.

Anyway, this post isn’t for that. I want to finish my Guam Trip series~ ;)

Second day was spent relaxing at the beach and touring around the island (yey). This almost didn’t push through due to the fact that the tour arrangements were scheduled last minute, hence we weren’t able to tour other significant parts of Guam (all the more reason to come back!:>)

Morning was spent at the resort.

…then lunch at their Mcdonalds (look at that Angus burger… 0_0, wish we had it here)              

Tour itinerary:

1st Stop: Two Lovers Point (read the story, I have a screencap of the final paragraph, but its easy to look up the lovers’ story on the net. It’s a popular legend in Guam)              

2nd Stop: War Memorials (It was Memorial Day at this time. It’s an American holiday commemorating the heroes of World War II)

3rd Stop: Fisheye Marine Park

butterfly fish feeding on the anemone.. there was a clownfish hiding in there somewhere :>     

And so the tour ends. It was so bitin. We wanted to visit the submarine at the next island, but it was too late so we went back to shopping and eating instead haha!

<fun/scary/random fact: our day ended at a police station. haha. I’d rather not expound>

—————-

3rd Day: This day was spent with new friends and eating. We met Tita Lea, a Filipino my mom got acquainted with the last she was in Guam. She’s so nice. She took us to Jamaican Grill, a popular restaurant there. They had huge servings that were more than enough for 5 women (hehe), and not to mention there were dishes given to us on the house. Talk about a food trip.

Auntie Rose, Tita Lea, Mom, and Tito Jessie

Just before we left for the airport, we witnessed a Japanese couple’s wedding pictorial :> cute! I love the bride’s hair.

I think I’d want to live in Guam or Saipan some day, maybe for a few months and not necessarily for life.  I just really appreciated the place. Staying in Saipan and Guam were definitely one of the best six days of my life.

I didn’t want my vacation to end so bad, but here comes reality again. Cheers to a new school year!

May 29-31,2011

After Saipan, my Mom,Sister,Aunt, and I went to Guam for extra three days of bliss.

I love Guam! Again, there are a lot of Pinoys there and they’re just as nice (except for one saleslady -_-, but I won’t delve into that). By the time we arrived though, I was still undergoing Saipan withdrawal. 

Day 1: Shop ‘til we drop

First Stop: Micronesia Mall

(Interesting fact: It’s owned by Filipino-Chinese Tycoon, Lucio Tan)

Macy’s Department Store - bliss :”> 

Next Stop: GPO - Guam Premier Outlet

Third Stop: DFS Galleria 

There was a fashion show when we got there. (Thinspirations!!)

Stolen shot while looking around Hermes. Pardon my goofy, wannabe-ninja face. I can’t believe that even a simple shirt costs almost a thousand dollars. 0_0 Oh well if you got money spend…like if you’re Pacquiao or Japanese.. hehe.

it’s so pretty >_<

Final and Last Stop: JP Store

Omygahd. I won’t post all the stuff I bought because I’d rather not, but it’s impossible not to shop a lot there. No taxes, Memorial Day Sale, Macy’s, Duty Free, Mac.. GAH. I bought stuff that I know were worth-buying since we don’t have it here in the Philippines or because it’s cheaper, like Macy’s clothes and MAC cosmetics. My sister and I also bought Cupcake and Cookie-makers that were on sale for $20 each. ehehe.