Death by my classical piece

I swear, I don't like to play the piano AT ALL. But I do it for my grandmother and other family members who would support me for every instrument that I know how to play. I started to play the piano when I was in grade 3, and I was still not against it. I'm not the pianist type of girl at all, I'm the sporty, sometimes girly, type of girl. I mean, who would've thought I took ballet before and cried because I don't want to join? That's how I feel for piano. Especially when I had to practice my piece, Fur Elise. I would die if my 1 hour lesson is not done yet.

To the beach!

Before the SY 2013-2014 ended, my friends and I made plans to go to Guimaras for summer. Luckily, one of my friend lives there and nd since her brother and my brother goes to the same school, our moms are close too. It was never a dull moment to be with the Delumpa family! They took us to Cabaling Resort. It's a 5 to 10-minute drive from their house to the resort. The picture could really tell how peaceful it is there. It's not that crowded and you can smell fresh air all over the place. 

From sunrise to sunset

By myself, I went to Manila before I went to Cebu two weeks before school starts. My childhood friends took me to Matuod Beach Resort, Lian, Batangas for the weekend and indeed, it was a very beautiful place. We had activities on our own because we brought gears too. Unlike other beaches, this has its own unique beauty. The sandbar, mountains you could climb up on, and to mention, the food they can offer. It would be great to come back one day, but from where I stay when I'm at Manila, Batangas is too far but this view is worth the hours of traveling.

Another getaway

This summer 2014, we went to Solaire Hotel Resorts and Casino for a family event. I could say this is where I get to bond with my cousins that I'm not that close to, and to my mom's siblings that I just met. This time, I get to talk to the people I haven't met but are actually related to me, on my mother's side, since they're from Davao and some of her siblings migrated already. It's timing was perfect because it was summer and we're hustle free from everything and anything. I actually did not see my mother's family for the 15 years of my existence that's why I get too excited when there's events! Also, I want to go back and take care of my grandfather's farm since I haven't seen him living his life with full smiles for the achievements that I do for the people I love, and that includes him in it. Even though they're talking in Bisaya and I can understand them but I can't talk as fast as they can, I feel so left out that we had to speak in English every time we talk to each other. My cousins wanted me to stay a little longer, but I can't. I hope my mom's promise to bring me with her to Davao by 2015 will come true because I miss all of them so much especially my grandmother.

Nirvana for the little one

Trick or treating was my brother's thing. He started to join when he was still 3 years old and he dressed up as Sulley of Monters Inc. Last year, 2013, his costume came from India which was ordered by our aunts for him. He was the Sheik of India for Halloween, but he thought he wasn't scary enough. That's why he got this face paint to scare it up a bit... NOT. Also, believe it or not, he wasn't after the candies. He was after the feeling of achieving something, that's his happiness above all. Like, how many candies can he get in one day, then he will give it away to our nanny or to his classmates at PAREF Ridgefield and at Kumon. No matter how outgoing I am these years, I think he can go to a lot of places than I did. And the thing is, that's our major similarity, being adventurous.

For the love of sports

Let's say I crave for sweat. Not the sweat that you get by standing and doing nothing, that's the useless kind of sweat I got. I mean the sweat you work hard for, the one that you have to put force or power and the one that makes you double, or even triple your time. Sweat from running, exercising, or even doing simple stuff like yoga. I've been strict about what I have and not to eat lately, since I might get high blood pressure(runs in our family's blood), and I want to stay fit too because I was chubby back then. My mom wants me to have a sport ever since. I was 6 when I had my summer workshop at Assumption-Iloilo for swimming, and then when I was 7 or 8, I took taekwondo lessons and I had a conflict with it with my piano lessons. I started to play football when I was in Grade 5 since my best friend's dad, which is Geronimo Sison, encouraged me to play for the La Paz team. He was the first coach I had and forever will be my favorite. Without him, I won't have this kind of passion for football. I had kick boxing lessons too, but I just learned about it when I went to the gym, no big deal about it though. Back to football, I think it's not about the medals you get, the trophies, scholarships, and etc. It's about the feelings. How proud your team, your family, and friends are, the respect you get from other people by respecting them during the game too, your faith and the love of your teammates that strengthens you, and more. These are just the basic feelings you get from people you are not related too, but the people who inspires you to do better. If you do have a dream to be a great player one day, be a good listener first. It helps a lot. 

Sunsets are better when you reminisce

Since I live near the Fort, I'd use my electric bike to go there. It's amazing that this place wasn't destroyed during World War II. You might not see the beauty of it by looking at the water, which is polluted, but if you'll know the history of this place, there's a lot to learn about it. This was built between 1603 and 1616 and the walls are made of cut outs of Guimaras rocks and coral stonesfrom along the Panay Coast according to my research. I heard stories about this place especially from the elderly and it amazed me. Maybe that's another reason why I want to explore more because I get to learn through people for free. You can ask anything and everything you want to know that they might have a knowledge about. Years ago, there was a news about a World War II bomb that they saw while renovating the place. It's surprising what the next generations can discover after centuries of not studying about the place, it might blow some adults' mind of what the next generations are capable of.

                       

Check-ups for what

Summer doesn't mean having fun most of the time, some are taking board exams, or trying to pass something. And there comes a time where I have to visit my doctor for check-ups. I have anemia and I know that I need to get enough sleep that I could get. Unexpected bruises shows up without knowing why but it's just normal for a person. I still do whatever I want to do. If I want to hit the gym or play football, go to the mall and eat the food that is prohibited, I want to live life and to prove that not all people who are sick just stay in bed or are being a couch potato can do extreme stuff too.

Hidden no more

Isla Gigantes was a big hit since 2013 until now, but my family and I went there a year before last thanks to my aunt's resort which is Pa-on Beach Club at Estancia that gave us an easy access to 5 islands. These pictures were taken by my mom because I was left behind since my mom's an adventurous type of woman, she reached the top first with no help and took pictures first. And also, she didn't snorkel with me and my cousin that's why she took a picture of Tanke too. They said, you should be as quiet as possible when you are inside the Tanke because they have beliefs and more that we should respect too. It is truly a hidden island before because we went there with no fees and all, but now that it is well known, people who lives there are asking some tourist to pay. Just the right price for the perfect view. I think we should acknowledge our own country first before we travel abroad. It's more fun in the Philippines!

It's not over yet

This is my first time to travel out of the country. For a 6 years old, I didn't mind the beauty of United Arab Emirates (UAE). I was after the toys and all the chocolates at a shop that my dad's friend owns. I knew that I had to travel hours from Manila to Abu Dhabi, and another 2 hours from Abu Dhabi to Dubai but my excitement was too high! I can't tell where to go that time because I'm not familiar to the place but I knew that I had to go to the mall because that is where all the stuff I want to buy. And yes, it is toys. I can't believe I chose toys over clothes, but since I was still a kid, let's face it, I'm being one and my childhood wasn't that bad after all. I can't remember the name of the place but the only mall I know is Marina Mall and the rest are hard to pronounce. We all had those tongue twister kind of days back then, but the point is, I want to go back and travel more!

What's your favorite holiday?

Summer is actually the most awaited time of the year for most of the students. It's when they can relax, have some time for their friends or family, and especially, they can wake up anytime... Yes, ANYTIME they want. But if you're going to attend summer classes, then good luck! You get to have sand between your toes, sleepless nights because you're "YOLO-ing" and more. And here comes the part where it has to end because school happened, and yeah, that's just it. You get so hooked with summer that you don't want it to end. If you didn't go to the beach, went to another country, don't consider yourself as a sucker because you, yourself, can make the most out of it. Legally of course! Go read books, do something extreme if you're a sporty one, or do summer workshops. Make the most out of it before you enter your school with a "Summer Hangover".