The Break

It became really different after I graduated college. Work came along with responsibilities dominated by time. I definitely had no time to take a long vacation. It was until last year before I was able to have that long-awaited break from July to September 2015.

July 2015. The long break started only here in Manila because I had a choir duty to fulfill for a special occasion in our church. I spent almost the whole three weeks practicing in the choir with some productive hobbies when I was at home.

First of those hobbies I am into is swimming. I went swimming when I felt like going, downstairs in the clubhouse. Here's a snapshot of that:

I also utilized exercise equipment at home like these:

Balance is essential in our daily lives. I exercised to counteract eating; I was able to have time performing my natural talent which is cooking. Here's one of my specialties:

              Pork nilaga with fish sauce

Another one I enjoyed a lot was watching movies or TV series with some snacks. What a life, right? Hehe.

I watched The Vikings, Game of Thrones, and so on.

Of course, not to be excluded is reading. I read a lot, from my tablet to books around me with different genres.

Relaxing time with this book.

 The most formal thing I did was to enroll in a driving school.  I did it objectively: to drive my car. Well, that was really educational. I learned a lot. Driving must be done not only with skills but also with intelligence.

 

The handbook I used. Every driver needs to learn what is written here.

 

 

TO BE CONTINUED..

 

Travelers' Safety Is at Stake

 

  When I visited Rizal Beach last April 23, 2011.

                     

                  We should explore and share our nature's beauty. But exploration means not only enjoying things but also being aware of the danger they may entail. Rizal Beach in Sorsogon poses risks that all of us should be apprehensive.

          Though Rizal Beach isn't exactly the same with the white beach and luxury in Boracay, it has something to say when it comes to view, seawater and sand. The hotels and cottages there show that local and foreign travelers enjoy this beach. It's more of a new discovery and closer to nature. This is because at the other side of the road, you can see the mountains and rice farms lying. You can even see seafood being sold there. The calm atmosphere is really inviting with warm people around you. 

 It was in January 2009.

              The new thing now at Rizal Beach is surfing. It was not usual before to see some guys surfing even if since before the seawater waves there have been high enough I think to surf. But because of the surfing lessons they offer these days, especially this summer, people get attracted to surf there.

     LGU- Gubat(Barangay Rizal belongs to the town of Gubat) offers surfing lessons.

             However, I noticed a strange thing like the seawater of Rizal Beach now moves closer to the shore than before.I asked my mom why and she said that after the tsunami in Sendai, Japan, the seawater especially in its high tide state gets closer to the houses, cottages and hotels there. Take a look at the picture. Those coconut trees were not being washed away by the waves before, but it's different now. You can see that the trees are almost being taken away from the shore by the seawater and these are ready to fall down anytime. It's dangerous for people there especially those tourists who go there and cannot notice the situation.

               We cannot control the nature but we can control ourselves. The local government has an important role to perform to be able to recover from this havoc.This may mean protecting ourselves and our environment from total destruction.

Bicol: A Place of Memories

A view of the Mayon Volcano from the airport.

At Legazpi International Airport.

                                   At Lignon Hill with my friend Vanessa.


                  I just have been to the place where I grew up and that's in Bicol, especially in Albay. I was born in Sorsogon but my Dad was transferred to Nueva Ecija when I was 7 years old, that was in 1989. We went back to Bicol in 1991 after two years of stay in Nueva Ecija. Our first location was in  Donsol, Sorsogon. We lived there for 1 year. After that, we moved to Albay in 1993 and I was already 11 years old that time. I lived in Albay until March 2008 even though I also stayed here in Manila sometimes for months. It was for my ICT (In-Company Training) and I did some stuff after graduating college. I also stayed in Calbayog City and Catbalogan, Samar and did also some stuff there. I was able to see and experience almost the whole Eastern Visayas. In spite of that, I considered Albay as my home that time.
               Bicol is really a place that I can be proud of. I was able to see the place and people again last week. When this country of ours is full of chaos because of people, its location still lies an attractive one. You really can tell that, right? If the people in our country knew the life in order, we would never be beaten, we would never be losers, we would "win." Just like the beautiful province of Albay, many places are developed. Many things have changed since we first came to live there. Tourist attractions are better than before. We used to go to beaches like the one that we have in Gubat, Sorsogon, it's the Rizal Beach. I  grew up knowing and going back to that beach. Since it's my mom's place, we usually went there even if we didn't have a house yet back then in Gubat. Now that we already have, I always include it in my plans when I go home to see that beach again and go back to the memories that are still alive.
           I never had a chance to visit Masbate and Catanduanes since those provinces are islands and I didn't have any reasons to go there.  But I can always see and experience the provinces of Camarines (Norte and Sur), Albay and my home now, Sorsogon. The first two Bicol provinces I mentioned need attention from the government. If only the leaders of our nation were honest enough to execute the possibility of developing our nation more, we would be more developed than we could ever imagine. Our region will be more beautiful and developed if the government serves right.
                 I started my life, learned and created things in Bicol. I was able to witness and do some things beyond my imagination. I have dreamed and experienced things right there. I was able to come up with things I dreamed about. I was able to listen to people and share with them the beauty that life has. I was also hurt and learned from my mistakes in that exact place. Many things happened, many things are left spoken and unspoken. Many regrets, many successes and many wonders of life lie there. Most especially, those things made me what I am right now.

My Story

                                                                                     

                Wait for me. I'm beginning to write a story. It's about my life. You will be able to know more about me even if we don't talk much. I'm just kinda busy now at work. That's why I can't give much time to finish this blog.
           Well, I'm free now. I'm done with my work today. It's going to be another day one hour later. It was a fine day and nothing harmed me. I enjoyed the day. I want to eat my  "mais" now. Wait.
                 I'm back. I was born on one of the summer days of 1982. It's kinda cool, huh? That is why I love summer. I like going to the beach and I enjoy swimming. I'm a swimmer you know. I like playing sports especially badminton and volleyball(though my wrists usually ache when I play).I used to do all those activities with my friends and churchmates. Those were the days that I was still enjoying being young and free. Flashback please.
                    In my memory, I can picture it and go back to the time that I was just the younger "Odie." Well, they call me like that. I was then in Bicol. We lived from one place to another in Albay. It's because my dad was a minister of the gospel. He was assigned everywhere. It's good to bring back my teenage memories. I was not only participating in our church activities but also the bondings that I have experienced with my churchmates are totally treasurable. Somehow, I was able to see that bright side of life as much as I could imagine.
              I changed my mind. I stopped writing for awhile because I was setting up my phone to listen to music but I realized I like writing more now than listening to music. I can concentrate more on writing and can feel the joy and passion it gives. You know what? It has been really my big dream to be a famous writer since I was a child. I was more passionate on many things that time. I want to bring it back, my childhood memories. I usually excelled in school. That's kinda great, huh?
            I came from a family of simple but great people. First of all, my dad, he was a very passionate person on many things. Never a wasted time came to my dad as far as I can remember. He usually used his time productively. Even on small things, he was passionate enough. That includes trying to make things well and useful. He was a man of productive time. I got from him the passion for books. He loved reading and sharing what he learned, not to add sharing God's words, he shared added knowledge to everyone. Maybe, he would have been a History professor if he hadn't given his time in the church. But it is the greatest profession of all, being a minister of the gospel. I'm really proud of him.
                You know I'm still in the office waiting for my colleagues who are trying to finish their work now. Haha. I'm finished you know. Anyway, let's continue. Of course, next to my dad, it's my mom. She's in Bicol now, in Sorsogon where we have our new house there. That was their dream house, of my dad and mom, when my dad was still alive. Dream come true! If dad could only see it, maybe he was happier than ever. My mom pursued that dream and even though she lives alone there, she's happy. Her neighbors are our relatives like her sisters and brothers. I find it more peaceful there and joyful for her.
                  It's another working day. While I'm waiting for my class and editing articles of students, I'm listening to the song "What's Up?". Memories, memories. My cousin Kuya Rhey usually played this when I was still an elementary school student. I always heard this when we went for vacation in Sorsogon and stayed in their house. I am really a musically inclined person. I'm more of a guitar player than a piano player. I don't know much about playing the piano. I can create different sounds by playing the guitar. I am more of a rough musician you know. Haha. Wow, this is great! The radio station is playing "It Must Have Been Love." I like this song. I also love singing especially when I'm in love(Hahaha, funny,huh?). Just kidding. Whenever I feel like singing, I sing. I love my church duty, being a choir member. So, even if I have a hectic schedule, I try to manage being in the church and fulfill my duty as much as I can. If I had enough time, I'd like to continue being a teacher in the children's worship service.
          Now, let's talk more about my mom as I'd like to continue telling about her. She's the best mom for me: just a simple woman but has a big heart for everyone and everything.
            At work again, I want to continue this one. I think my condition is getting bad. My body's temperature is getting high. It seems like a fever will beat me. Oh my!
            Here we go again. I hope this day will be better than yesterday. I'm still overwhelmed but it's disappearing now. Well, that's me, I try to balance everything for me to be able to live as what one's life should be. Sometimes, my mind thinks exaggeratedly. I get possessed of it and it is sometimes hard to resist. In the end, mostly I win by struggling and having courage. I'm an Arian so they say a born courageous and exciting. Hahaha. What a description! Do you believe it? Well, maybe I am if it's my choice. Life is a matter of choice, right? We make our own future. I sometimes believe that painful feelings are only psychological. When your body aches or when your head aches, even when you have a toothache, it all comes from how your mind works.
               Listening to a song and Eminem is rapping. Wow! I like it- "Love the Way You Lie." Back to you. I just try to be myself. If I feel lonely, it shows. If I feel angry, sometimes it shows a little but sometimes it really shows. If I feel happy, it can be seen boldly.