Mango Camp Adventure

I just came from Mango camp adventure last week and " it was the best, I met a pretty girlie na taga IS...".

"Ang Baduy ko! Pu**!"

That's the song that is playing on my mind. I guess it still came from the Videoke session that we had there. It's because Gerard had been singing Andrew E. songs while Blanky was singing Mystica and Salbakuta songs.



Here's a picture of the portion of that karaoke room.
The entertainment room is really nice this is actually the best room in the resort, for me. The red dim light is so perfect with the picturesque displays inside the room. Too bad that we were too tired on that night that’s why we don't have that much energy to take lot of pictures. Aside from the fact that we already had several Tequila shots that night.

Mango Camp adventure is a leisure farm situated in Bgy. Cadmang, Cabangan, Zambales.

This is a picture on our 2^nd day after we went to the beach.

Initially, our plan is to stay in a popular but cheap (we are in a budget!) resort in Subic.

Our requirements, for that simple yet beautiful resort would be:

1. An accommodation which would not exceed our P1000 budget for each person.
2. An air-conditioned room which would have clean and soft beds.
3. A room with a clean bathroom.
4. A beach and pool resort (I was insisting that it should have a pool).
5. A resort which has a restaurant since we don’t have any plans of bringing in food and drinks.
6. The photos available on the website should be nice.
   

But after browsing the web and contacting good resorts in Subic, it’s either they are fully booked or is way more than our budget. So if it’s not Subic, then nearest town would be Zambales.

Glad we came across this resort!

( A photo of their gazebo at night)

On the way to the resort, we’re with high spirits; however, after the traffic in Pampanga, the supposedly 3 hours drive became 4 ½ hour drive. What keeps us going was our “not so smart game” for kids. We just have to name a “Pinoy” actor or Actress that starts with letter A until we had reached letter H. Here are some I remembered:

A – Atong Redillas (from Blanky), Andrew E ( at ang kanyang magagandang leading ladies)

B - Boyet de Leon, Bella Flores, Bentong

C - Christopher de leon (there are no rules), Caloy (Ogag), Caridad Sanchez (cher’s favorite!), Chiquito

D - Dranreb ( That’s entertainment days ni Cher), Danica Sotto (which I heard as Danny Casoto – that’s why I asked who’s Danny?), Dang Cruz, Dagul

E – Eric Quizon, Epie Quizon (since Dolphy was mentioned in letter D), Ester Amoyo (na Aster dapat!)

F – Fernando Poe Jr., Fernando Poe Sr., Fernando Poe III (Lovie Poe! Hehe..)

G – G.toengi, Glydel Mercado (on her white castle days)

H- Henry Omaga Diaz ( artista???)

The good thing is that when we arrived at the resort, even though it rained, it was all worth the wait and agony.

We had a 4 on 4 basketball game. We played in the basketball court which is all wet and with a little mix of poo2 and mud. It was really fun! Now I understand why guys love basketball.

Then afterwards we went swimming on the Mango pool.

Then the guys went to rent ATV’s (All terrain vehicles).

Since its almost dark; Jen, Blanky, and I decided to just try it tomorrow. We just decided to take some pictures instead.

Then came dinner…The food and service is awesome!

“It’s your Pinoy food na babalikan nyo sa probinsiya nyo or mamimiss ninyo na niluluto ng nanay nyo.”

At night we then drunk the Tequila that Cher had forced us to pay. Joke!

Although we had to settle for calamansi than Lemon that Glenn had promised! Peace!

For the 2^nd day, after picture taking, we then had a 10 min drive to the beach.

The beach is not commercialized, but it is also owned by Mango camp, as I heard. It just had this roofed wooden tables, CR, and your “probinsya” water pump.

But if you are not running for water sports activities like us, then it would be enough. The water is clear and the place is clean. I like it!

When we went back to the camp, we then go wall climbing. My all time- dream!

I always wanted to wall climb back in College during school fair but I am just afraid that I won’t be able to do it. It was hard at first.

But…

I reached the top after my second try.

That’s with a little help from the Manong who is assisting us.
And ...
I only asked him twice to help pull the wire. hehe...

It’s really not easy. The first half of the climb is bearable but after that...
It was as if you are pulling your own weight ( read- got to lose weight).
You also would have to plan where to climb and make sure you stretch your hands and feet to make use of all the rocks surrounding you.

It’s not only me who tried it.

We had to use the power of “liempo” to help one of these guys. We were teasing that there is 1 kilo of “inihaw na liempo” that is waiting on top. Hahaha…

Then Jen, Blanky, and I tried ATV (all Terrain Vehicle). This is what would keep you coming you coming back to this resort. For just P250 for 15 minutes, you’ll really enjoy!

Hmmm...Too bad those 24 hours is not enough for us to try other activities…

You can also do pig hunting, paint ball, Target shooting, and try obstacle course there.

This is really the best choice for Team building!

I will sure be back!

Gatorade missing!

It's the usual Sunday shift in the office tonight.

I've been here for 3 hours with less than 20 chat received, read thru several blogs, and earned more than 1000 gold for the RPG I am playing. Thus, I was able to buy a new sword for my character. My 1st accomplishment for the day! hehe... Second will be the emails that I will be completing later on.

Anyways, I just came from the pantry and I spotted a note posted on our pantry's refrigerator.

Here's the story:

Apparently, someone here in the office purchased (2) 500 ml Gatorade drink and placed it in the ref last Saturday, April 26 at exactly 7:45PM. However, when he/she checked back again yesterday evening, April 27, the grape flavored Gatorade is missing. (the person did not mention the time)

So he/she had an ultimatum for the "Gatorade snatcher" to return it within the next 2 days or the owner would have no choice to ask help from the Security office. The Security would then check the cameras inside the pantry to spot the said "thief".

My point is:

1. Kuya guard if you would be able to find the culprit please ask him/her if he/she is also the one who stole the 2 packs of my ordered Tocino that the seller placed in the freezer.
It was last December.
I forgot the exact date and time.

2. Anyone who steals food from the pantry's ref is at the bottom of our social system. In short, the poorest among the poorest.
I am not rich but I would not do such a thing. (epal lang. hehe..)
I don't get the idea why those persons would do that. I know everyone here in the office are getting their salaries every 15 days. Anyone not being paid???
I even have a friend who placed her sliced pizza (which already had bite marks) in the same ref and the next day...

3. I am too bored here at work that's why I am amuse by this office food scandal.
Maybe I would also need a Gatorade drink.

Cutie angel

Here's our cute little angel Nicholai.

I even cannot believe sometimes that he's now 4 years old and is now going to school by June. But I am excited that he will now start schooling. I am even planning to have a Vacation leave on his first day of school.

It's like several Christmases before, including the Christmas when my mom was still alive. It was when me, my two sisters, my mom, and my aunt, would be too excited watching him dress up for the special day. As for the usual "mano po ninong and ninong" and "the giving of gifts", we would all watch him, outside the house, as he joins other kids doing their "bahay-bahay" visits. A usual scenario in our neighborhood during christmas.

If you'll ask him what he wanted to be when he grows up, he'll tell you that he's going to be an "artista" and a doctor.

Initially, he would like to be a "driver" he said. You see, we have a passenger jeepney and my dad will be the driver sometimes and he likes to tag along.

But when my sister, Dianne, told him that he won't be able to buy toys if he will be a driver, then he decided to be a doctor instead. Hahaha...

Kids will be kids!

He even had a stage that he would like to be soldier or a priest.

As for the idea that he wanted to be an artista. It's my "stage sister" Dianne who teaches him to act sometimes if they are playing. I together with my sisters Dianne, Monica, and cousin Gelyn really laughed our hearts out when he said this line from a TV commercial: "I got a stinky, I got dirty, but see I learned".

But our favorite was the line from "Patayin sa sindak si Barbara series"- "I hate you Daddy, pinatay mo si Mommy!". He would say the latter with so much hate from a child, as if he knows the feeling, and with a matching facial expressions. He also sometimes sings the line " Ang bulong ni mommy.." from that series.

Most of the time he makes funny comments especially when my sisters and I teases him.

Haay...I miss my baby brother...

He's actually staying with my Aunt in Lucena city for almost a month now. We visited him last weekend though. But right now he's in Marinduque for the baptismal of the newest member in our family, my cousin, Baby Gab! Who is equally adorable as my brother.

By the way, Nicholai, would say that he's no longer a baby but rather a "Kuya" now because of baby Gab.

The fox and the Little Prince

The fox and the Little Prince

From the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery ____I remembered reading this way back in fifth grade and I love it because it teaches us how we should handle relationships ( may it be for love or for friendships) and what would would make us beautiful_____

The Fox and the Little Prince

excerpt:

it was then that the fox appeared. \"good morning\" said the fox. \"good morning\" the little prince responded politely altho when he turned around he saw nothing. \"I am right here\" the voice said, \"under the apple tree.\" \"who are you?\" asked the little prince, and added, \"You are very pretty to look at.\" \"I am a fox\", the fox said. \"Come and play with me,\" proposed the little prince, \"I am so unhappy.\" \"I cannot play with you,\" the fox said, \"I am not tamed.\" \"AH please excuse me,\"said the little prince. But after some thought, he added: \"what does that mean---\'tame\'?\" \"you do not live here,\" said the fox, \"what is it you are looking for?\" \"I am looking for men,\" said the little prince. \"What does that mean---tame?\" \"Men,\"said the fox, \"they have guns, and they hunt. It is very disturbing. They also raise chickens. These are their only interests. Are you looking for chickens?\" \"No,\" said the little prince. \"I am looking for friends. What does that mean---tame?\" \"It is an act too often neglected,\" said the fox. \"It means to establish ties.\" \"To establish ties?\" \"Just that,\" said the fox. \"to me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world. . .\" \"I am beginning to understand,\" said the little prince. \"There is a flower. . .I think she has tamed me. . .\" \"It is possible,\" said the fox. \"On earth one sees all sorts of things.\" \"Oh but this is not on the earth!\" said the little prince. The fox seemed perplexed, and very curious. \"On another planet?\" \"Yes\" \"Are there hunters on that planet?\" \"No\" \"Ah that\'s interesting! Are there chickens?\" \"No\" \"Nothing is perfect,\" sighed the fox. But he came back to his idea. \"My life is very monotonous,\" he said. \"I hunt chickens; men hunt me. All chickens are just alike, and all the men are just alike. And in consequence, I am a little bored. But if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music out of my burrow. And then look: you see the grain-fields down yonder? I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. The wheat fields have nothing to say to me. And that is sad. But you have hair that is the color of gold. Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me! The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat. . .\" The fox gazed at the little prince, for a long time. \"Please---tame me!\" he said. \"I want to, very much,\" the little prince replied. \"But I have not much time. I have friends to discover, and a great many things to understand.\" \"One only understands the things that one tames,\" said the fox. \" Men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all ready made at the shops. But there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, and so men have no friends any more. If you want a friend, tame me. . .\" \"What must I do, to tame you? asked the little prince. \"You must be very patient,\" replied the fox. First you will sit down at a little distance from me -like that-in the grass. I shall look at you out of the corner of my eye, and you will say nothing. Words are the source of misunderstandings. But you will sit a little closer to me, every day...\" The next day the little prince came back. \"It would have been better to come back at the same hour,\" said the fox. \"If for example, you came at four o\'clock in the afternoon, then at three o\'clock I shall begin to be happy. I shall feel happier and happier as the hour advances. At four o\'clock, I shall be worrying and jumping about. I shall show you how happy I am! But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour my heart is ready to greet you. . . One must observe the proper rites. . .\" \"What is a rite?\" asked the little prince. \"Those also are actions too often neglected,\" said the fox. \"they are what make one day different from other days, one hour different from other hours. There is a rite, for example, among my hunters. Every Thursday they danse with the village girls. So Thursday is a wonderful day for me! I can take a walk as far as the vineyards. But if the hunters danced at just any time, every day would be like every other day, and I should never have any vacation at all.\" So the little prince tamed the fox. And when the hour of his departure drew near--- \"Ah,\" said the fox, \"I shall cry.\" \"It is your own fault,\" said the little prince. \"I never wished you any sort of harm; but you wanted me to tame you. . .\" \"Yes that is so\", said the fox. \"But now you are going to cry!\" said the little prince. \"Yes that is so\" said the fox. \"Then it has done you no good at all!\" \"It has done me good,\" said the fox, \"because of the color of the wheat fields.\" And then he added: \"go and look again at the roses. You will understand now that yours is unique in all the world. Then come back to say goodbye to me, and I will make you a present of a secret.\" The little prince went away, to look again at the roses. \"You are not at all like my rose,\" he said. \"As yet you are nothing. No one has tamed you, and you have tamed no one. You are like my fox when I first knew him. He was only a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But I have made a friend, and now he is unique in all the world.\" And the roses were very much embarrassed. \"You are beautiful, but you are empty,\" he went on. \"One could not die for you. To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you --the rose that belongs to me. But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses: because it is she that I have watered; because it is she that I have put under the glass globe; because it is for her that I have killed the caterpillars (except the two or three we saved to become butterflies); because it is she that I have listened to, when she grumbled, or boasted, or even sometimes when she said nothing. Because she is MY rose.\" And he went back to meet the fox. \"Goodbye\" he said. \"Goodbye,\" said the fox. \"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.\" \"What is essential is invisible to the eye,\" the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember. \"It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important. \"It is the time I have wasted for my rose-- \"said the little prince so he would be sure to remember. \"Men have forgotten this truth,\" said the fox. \"But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose. . .\" \"I am responsible for my rose,\" the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember.

(image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Littleprince.JPG)

Are you happy?

Are you happy?

11-23-2006 at 03:39 PM

To be happy is a choice.

That is a shout out made by one my friends here at friendster.

Well, I realized that is absolutely correct.

Coz' sometimes we ought to think that our true measure of being happy is once we already achieve a certain desire, aim or goal. It may pertain to short or long term goals. Like for example you've decided that you'll be happy for this day once you will eat this food, or you'll buy this or that, or you will see someone, or do this activity as planned. As for long term goals, you'll be happy if you'll pass this test, if you'll get promoted, if you'll buy this big house or this nice car, or if you' ll end up with this someone.

But what if you weren't able to accomplished them? There we start to think that we are not entirely happy and then we start to feel a certain emptiness that even don't even know how to be filled. Also there come stories of people who became rich and end up with their man or girl of their dreams yet they end up not being happy. Because of simple reasons that they became bored and life became bored and life became so stagnant for them that they want to try something different. Until they search and search yet stil they can't find what they are looking for because they don't know what is really missing in the first place.

Human in nature were born dreamers, it is hard for us to be contented on what we have, financially and emotionally. We are continually striving to be good and to be better or to be the best. The best we can achieve, yes, but not for a long time. There will always be someone who will be prettier, wiser, kinder, and richer. Nothing in this world will remain constant.

Just wanted to reinstate the fact that we are not living in a perfect world. We won't be able to get all our desires and dreams no matter how hard we try.It is not bad to achieve for excellence or to still pursue something that we cannot have.

We may also not please everybody which will also affect us. But nevertheless what we have to be sure of, is that in every choice we are making we will end up being happier. It is a plus of course if in those decisions more people will be happy. But that maybe unnecessary at times.

Just remember that in the long run the choice will always be on us. No matter what happens in our life. It is us who will decide to be happy or not...

In and out of love

In and out of love

10-27-2006 at 05:44 PM

Three lessons in love we should be aware

of:

1. Relationships doesn't live on love alone.
As man doesn't live in bread alone.

A relationship with love alone is like a

plant which is planted in a good soil and

was given enough carbon dioxide but without

water and sunlight to nurture it and make

it alive.
It may have all the minerals that it needs

to grow for a while but soon enough it will

wither and die. Too bad that sometimes it

results in a painful death.

Respect would be sunlight as trust would be

water.
Sunlight is needed for the plant to create

its own food by itself to survive.
Respect is needed so that partners can

achieve their individual dreams.
Water is needed for the minerals in the

soil to be transported and absorbed by the

plant.
As trust is needed to confirm each other's

love.

2. (Remember your chemistry at work: Law of

conservation of energy it also works for

love)
Love is neither created nor destroyed.

It may sounds impossible but its true. I

once read an observation like this in

peyups.com and realization sets in once I

have experienced it.

Energy is neither created nor destroyed

because it will just be transformed into

another form.

Love that is loss will just be given to

another entity. Just like what most people

experiences and like what happened to me.

Love loss for your partner will be

transformed to love for yourself.

You need to love yourself so that

relationships can grow. So that errors made

will not be wasted because you have learned

from it.

3. Relationships that did not end

successfully should be closed (Closing

cycles by Paulo Coelho)

We should not dwell on the past because its

already ended. We can no longer change it.
Painful it may seems but soon enough we can conquer it. I haven't conquer it yet but of course I will.

If thou must love me, let it be for nought

This is an image of “Elizabeth Barett Browning” on the painting “Pinkie” (Thomas_Lawrence_Pinkie.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Thomas_Lawrence_Pinkie.jpg
when she was young.‎ -

She was described as a young woman with “slight, delicate figure, with a shower of dark curls falling on each side of a most expressive face; large, tender eyes, richly fringed by dark eyelashes, and a smile like a sunbeam."- Mary Russell Mitfordhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Barrett_Browning) (

XIV. "If thou must love me, let it be for nought..." by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) 09-27-2006 at 02:15 PM

If thou must love me, let it be for nought Except for love's sake only. Do not say 'I love her for her smile---her look---her way Of speaking gently,---for a trick of thought That falls in well with mine, and certes brought A sense of pleasant ease on such a day'--- For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may Be changed, or change for thee,---and love, so wrought, May be unwrought so. Neither love me for Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry,--- A creature might forget to weep, who bore Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby! But love me for love's sake, that evermore Thou mayst love on, through love's eternity. Here is one of the sonnets written by Ms. Browning that I like aside from "How do I love Thee"

Wake me up please!

Wake me up please 09-24-2006 at 01:42 AM

I hate waking up in the middle of the night 'coz my stomach suddenly get upset. It is fit for the phrase that I have butterflies in my stomach. I don't know it just always happens. But last week its kinda different.

It was Monday around 3am that I woke up and feel the uneasiness. Maybe it was brought up also by the idea that afternoon I will start training for a new account. Guess I'm tensed and stressed on the idea on how will it be like to be in that new account.It would be a different environment. Different from where I am accustomed for a year now working for IBM. I'll meet new faces. I'll have a new immediate supervisor.It's like I'm again removed from my comfort zone. Of course you have to get on with it and take new challenges, its a cycle... You need to be responsible of yourself and the decisions that you are making.

Then I remembered my mom again and I started to cry. I don't know, maybe because of this new phase that I will be in. I used to tell her about this account where I will be transferring . I mentioned that I was excited about this. I informed her about the interview that I went and how this will be a relief because I wont be able to get irate callers that I used to have on the previous account. It saddens me that I won't be able to tell her that day will be my first day. It saddens me more to think that there will be more events that will happen in my life that I won't be able to tell to her personally. Especially when I used to tell all my stories to her. She was the first one who have seen my first drawings, she's the one who taught me my first songs ("ako ay may lobo" if I remember it right) and first poem ("tutubi tutubi"). I know I still have my dad and my siblings but you know that its different.

If I can shout at that moment how I am hurt and how I miss my mom so badly that morning I would have done it!

If only shouting in the middle of the night is not against our norms...

I wish I am just dreaming and if only someone can wake me up...

First

FIRST 09-15-2006 at 06:27 PM

When I was young I used to fear horror stories about multo, aswang, and the likes. There was even a time, from grade 1 until I'm grade six I guess, that I have this stuffed toy -a dog which I got from my sister. A gift that was given to her when she was still a baby. This has been my constant companion at night especially when I am staying at the province with my grannies. Way back, I was thinking that when I place it on top of my heart they (the tiktik..whatever!) won’t be able to snatch my heart like what we see in movies.

Yeah..crazy.. but that what I was thinking before :)

Now that I'm a grown up, suddenly my fears have changed. Creatures of the night would no longer make me tremble, though ghost stories will still startle me at times.

It’s because when your old, things get complicated and reality bites. Losing someone you love would be your greatest fear, especially when you know it’s unavoidable and its coming soon.

That's why I when I used to pray before my mom died I am not asking for a miracle not that I don’t believe in it but I know the fact that it doesn’t always happen the same time when you want it to happen. So what I am asking before was just an extension of her life. I was reasoning out that I am not yet ready, my siblings, my dad we are all not ready. But when it had happened last Aug 26th, I realized that I can never be ready neither do they. We would have waited after a year or 2 years but the pain will still be the same.

Sometimes I still ask why it had happened and lots of what if's are also running on my head. But then again I know that answers will come if not today. I know it will...

If there's one good thing I learned from it, is that me and my family are surrounded by good relatives, friends, and neighbors who are all willing to help and empathize.

I know the hurting is not done and I don’t know if it will end. I know that there will be days when it will hurt more. Moms are supposed to be alive forever. It’s not enough that they have taught you all the values which would be important for you to run your life. It’s different if you'll hear it from them over and over again. No assurance is better unless it would come from her.

I love you ma, happy birthday!