All About Summer

It's the season of the sun, sand, and the beach! And while I am not really fond of how hot the atmosphere is during this time, I took time to experience a few activities under the scorching heat. It was fun! :)

The Beach

I started loving the beach when I went to Subic during one of our company outings. The morning after we got there, I made sure I'd wake up early just to walk along the shores while listening to my playlist. 

I loved the serenity that the experience brought me. It may sound corny or something but it really helped me meditate (and God knows I needed that, that time! Haha!) and realign my thoughts.

Since then, my suggestion of a perfect getaway would always be to go to the beach. But I haven't been to the popular ones yet because I still lack the resources to make things happen. LOL 

This year, we went again to Palawan beach in Singapore just to feel the sands on our feet and soak on the salty water. Moreover, I was there to contemplate and just appreciate how lucky I am living this life.

Newly-Found Hobbies

I don't know if it's actually a good thing about having elder brothers that they will make you do things you haven't tried before and they won't take "NO" for an answer. LOL 

In my case, it was trolley-ing. Well, biking was the first hobby they attempted to teach me when I was kid. They failed because I really have a problem balancing myself. Lest my mom would get mad at them when I get hurt, they stopped. Haha!

But this time, I had to obey even at the expense of having bruises on my feet and ankles. Yeah! I got a few but they were worth the fun I've had and in fact, as of this time, I can already flawlessly ride a trolley! Wee! :)

Nothing is really ever achieved without going through a few bumps along the way, right?

We've been also going to a clubhouse near our house where you can swim all you want and dine in after at a cafe or a restaurant also within the establishment.  It also has a gym, massage chairs, a cozy lounge, tennis courts, a bowling center and other amenities. Some of them are limited to members only, though.

I'm no swimmer but I love being in the water. And the good thing about the clubhouse's pool is that it has a Jacuzzi area where you can just stay there and let the water massage you. Mom loves that area so much! :P  



Fish Spa

Another first! :P

I don't know what's gotten into my sister's mind that one summer Sunday and she asked me and my mom to go to this massage parlor offering fish spa service.  She said she's been wanting to try that for quite some time already and thought it was the perfect since we are here with her.

The experience was fun! We were like crazy individuals smiling at each other while tiny fishes tickle our feet. Homemade tea was also served while we enjoy soaking our feet on a tank filled with "doctor fishes" as they call them.

After the session, you'll actually notice that your skin has gotten thinner and smoother so I guess doctor fishes do their job well. :P

SG Explorations

The year started very generously to me as I have had the opportunity, again, to travel to Singapore with the family.  It's bumness at its finest! LOL 

Here are some of the most memorable SG places and events we've been to last January and February:

Sentosa Flower Festival

We celebrated Chinese New Year by attending Sentosa Flower Festival.  It's where tons of flowers (and oranges) are showcased in different forms. I'm not really fond of flowers but the way they were presented was really amazing. 

The exhibition was a long walk under the scorching heat of the sun but it was worth it. 

Singapore Botanic Gardens

It was just an ordinary day turned extraordinary when we decided to drop by Botanic Gardens. It was already about 6:00 in the afternoon and it was about to rain so we were not able to go through the entire garden but it was fun. 

The place is very quiet and has a lot of areas perfect for family picnics. 

Gardens By The Bay

This is definitely the biggest air-conditioned garden I've been to! Haha! You will definitely love this place even if you are not a fan of plants and flowers because the place itself is really amazing. I was also amazed by the structure of it and the various areas outside that are open to the public. Perfect if you love photoshoots.

Me, mom and sis

Inside the garden

Somewhere along Marina Bay also during Chinese New Year

Finally, Merlion! LOL

 

Postponed Apocalypse: A Lookback at 2012

First up, let me congratulate all of us for surviving the end of the world! Yipee! No, seriously, we should be thankful.

Okay. So it's that time of year again when all I can think about is fast-forwarding the days so I can start anew. I've always believed that New Year isn't just celebrated because it's a tradition that has to keep going. For me, New Year symbolizes new beginning -- the opportunity to be on track again despite all the bad things, wrong decisions or problems you've had from the past year. It's like starting all over again from a clean slate trying to apply all the lessons you've learned from all your experiences from the previous year.  

If I am to describe my 2012, I'd probably say that it wasn't the best year but not even the worst, though. Yeah, I am (still) broke, jobless and drifted but I didn't struggle that much to live a day of my life. I mean, thanks to my family who's always been so supportive of me. And while most people would think that it's fun being a total bum, it's not! Spending most of your time doing nothing but thinking about how a day will go is sooooo boring! I did try looking for jobs out there but I guess I'm just too OC that I want my next job to be perfect just like my previous one. It's like I'm looking for the love of my life and without that "spark" I'm looking for, it will never work out.  And so later on, I got tired of searching and just stick to me and my siblings' "master plan" (which, by the way, is a secret! LOL). Luckily, I got the Internet, TV, and a few events with friends and family that got me busy with and kept me sane while waiting for 2013. Haha! 

Basically, 2012 was my year for reflection. This year, I got to realize a lot of things about myself and life. One of the most important things that I've realized is that I AM BLESSED. When we're down, we tend to see everything negatively that we forget to count our blessings. I think it's just natural to be depressed for a certain period but things won't change if you'll continue to be like that, right? We all go through tough times. I'm just so proud of myself because I have developed this attitude to not dwell on the negative side of things but instead acknowledge the blessings that God had and has been showering me for the last 27 years. He may have led me to a blurry path for now but I know that this is all part of His plan. Prayers are the best way to deal with all the worries you have and just bear in mind that the situation where you are right now is just a phase. It will pass eventually. I am just so thankful for the gift of health, love and harmony in the family and that we were not affected by all the major catastrophes that happened in the country.

Another major blessing this year was the birth of an angel we call Gian, my first nephew. And I am just so glad that I was there when he was born. He's turning two months in a few weeks and the excitement to see him grow up is always there. He's one of the reasons why I so want to get back to work again and earn so I can buy him stuff and spoil him with things that he would probably want. Haha! I love him!

Anyway, I also turned 27 this year and at my age, I really should be investing and saving for the future. My priorities shifted from "earning for pleasure" to "earning for the future" and I hope that this won't change even when I'm already busy with my next job. Dang! I wish that's soon! 

This year also, I had to refrain from dieting and going to the gym for a while since my mom isn't happy with my thinness anymore. Just when I'm about to have abs already! Kidding! Haha! But, yeah, I'm trying to gain a few pounds right now so I that I can start a new and more effective workout program maybe mid next year when I'm already settled (hopefully) with my new job.

On my love life, well, my relationships with music and TV and the Internet are okay so I guess I'm good. Haha! Crap! 

Alright. I guess that's about it for my 2012 and I am already sleepy. I didn't even plan on blogging tonight but I'm glad I did because it felt really good. :)  

Happy New Year!  2013 will be fantastic and I am claiming it!