specie called MA-ANN

i love you.....

2007-01-24T22:45:00.000-08:00

how sweet it is to be loved by you..!

video? audio? books?

2007-01-16T00:49:00.000-08:00

according to studies done, audio/video learning techniques for children is not advisable, unless supervised by parents. so according to them, not too much of barney...dora...blues clues...etc!

but experience wise, seeing my nieces and nephews grow, it really helped a lot, since their parents are out for work during weekdays. and my cousins were surprised how their kids can understand english and sing along with nursery songs!

as i have noticed with odyssey, her attention can easily be catched by moving scenes, be it movies, videoke (like what she's watching in the photo), or tv commercials. as well as with nice , soft sounds. she's actually into carpenters, blues, and few of bob marley's. maybe it runs in the blood, since all from her father's side are musically inclined.

not to argue tho, but i still believe barney and some other friends greatly help on child's development, especially now that the century we're into are technologically advanced, and shall i say....dependent? whatevet it may be, but i do thank those who have invented cds, dvds, vcds, and the players.....they made my life easier!

at night, instead of running after odyssey when she's in her walker, i would jut put the tv on and play her favorite nursery songs videoke, and alas! we'll just be lying in bed and sing along! ( and she dances, too! while i sing along, she would ask me to pull her up, then she would jump and jump! oh, that's how she dance actually...and we'll just both laugh and laugh!)

cool Bo Sanchez

2007-01-09T21:39:00.000-08:00

to be honest, ive never been this "reflective" or however you may want to call it, before, but Bo, the cool preacher in blue jeans, encouraged me.
it started when my boss handed me papers he printed from bo's site. it's all about love within a family. i must say i really enjoyed reading the docs. at first, i thought, it was like other Christian articles, na mejo boring. but to my surprise, im wrong! it's cool. the doc talks about how a father should be, and that love in the family should start from him, and should just be replied by the mother and the kids.
he also wrote there that percentage wise, greater are for men to commit suicide, infidelity, and abuses. (sorry guys...the article was written by a family man, so don't worry...!)
recently, im having negative thoughts about my family life, excluding my baby...heheh.. the responsibilities, the husband, the relationship, and the life itself. but i felt better when i read the article, and i started praying .." God, lead my husband to this site...so he can read it as well....hehehhe...".
kidding aside, the article is really great, especially for guys...well better for family men.

i don't have a perfect family, so as bo, for sure. but then, imagine what love can do in this world? a lot! only if peple will be willing to show it off, and........take the challenge. for guys, its not losing one's masculinity or the macho image in simplest term, but showing off your that you're a real man. real man loves, real man cries, real man accepts challenges and defeats, and real man loves God. hmmm...sounds expert?! hahha!!

going gaga over the "REAL THING"!

2006-12-20T16:31:00.000-08:00

here comes the night once again
i am feeling lonely
oh if only things got turn out like you planned

where could love be?
tell me why it is so hard to find somebody
who would stand by me and take the time to understand?
so we are again

i want the real thing or nothing at all
i need someone that i can be sure
who will catch me if i should fall
some one who'll be there when i call
and i know that it's the real thing

where is that moon?
who needs smile on this one more dreamer
let your beam come down and fill my empty wound

here comes the night
but if there's still a chance love would find me
i will be here crossing my fingers

or nothing at all
i need someone that i can be sure
who'll catch me if i should fall
someone who'll be there when i call
i know that it's the real thing

to hold me each night
someone to love me over and over
someone who'll be there when i call

i wanna know for sure that i can feel secure
knowing i found an everlasting love
once ive got that on under control
no i won't let go

i want the real thing or nothing at all
i need someone that i can be sure
who will catch me if i should fall
someone who'll be there when i call
it's got to be the real thing

got to be the real thing
im making the future right
someone who'll be there when i call
just got to be the real thing

by KALAPANA

grabe! promise! this song really is a favorite of mine. corny, but for reals, man! everytime i hear the song, i would stop and sing along.

it's really hard to find true people in this world we're into. be it a lover or friends. it harder tho when it comes to a relationships, since we can only say that the person we're with is the "real thing", when you got married, and had a very lasting and successful married life. but not so true for all, because there were others who got married with someone they love, but then marriage would fail, and at the end of the day, you'll know, he's not your "real thing". so hard to weigh things, but then loving means taking risks and chances, and being strong. so go ahead! take the challenge!

for friends, this is guess is true for all. sabi nga nila, in the world of showbusiness, you wouldn't know who your real friends are. there may be some who would be there during happy days, but nowhere on tearful days.

basta ako, i know i already got my "real thing", reason why despite all the troubles and problems, i can still manage to smile and laugh out loud. thanks, guys!

christmas n naman!

2006-12-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

hay....it's Christmas Time once again.
and this Christmas is the memorable for me.
well, not because im going to give gifts (again.....!)
but, it's Odyssey's first!
im not actually the type who would bring her house to house,
like the old filipino practice during christmas. well, maybe i'm not
used to. my parents either didn't do that to us. like asking us to go here
and there for christmas presents. we would just normally stay at home,
and wait for people to come in.
im just so excited to see Odyssey enjoying watching kids coming in, and
this would be the first time she'll be with us for the Christmas eve mass.
for 3 years, homer and i attends Christmas eve mass in Antipolo. Funny coz
we're from two far places, me from taytay and him from fairview, but then
we meet on Dec 24, just to attend the grand coming celebration.
and this time, it's not just tita ma-ann and tito homer's name that will be written
in the gift cards, but now, it's "love, odyssey!".

for the 2nd time, im posting "im paranoid"! grrr!!!

2006-11-21T19:53:00.000-08:00

hi there! o yeah! im paranoid again, and i don't know why!!!!
im starting to get crazy!
i always have this suspicious mind, that well....i always have!

this is not funny, i swear!!!!!!!

odyssey's 1st swim

2006-11-13T22:00:00.000-08:00

oh! i woke up early for this event! really!

this is the 1st time i tried fitting my new 2pc
swim wear. did it fit well?

hi! meet my BIG rubber duckie! he's so cute!

oops, sorry! can't control myself! i'm really enjoying!

this fun won't be complete w/o her, my nanay! and
my first swimming instructor, too! let's do this again, nanay!

Paalam...Tito Tino....

2006-11-08T00:49:00.000-08:00

saying goodbye, at times, is really hard, especially to a dear friend. no matter how kulit or pasaway he may be, still, those days you've spent with him, are unforgettable and has really put smile in our faces.

but then, if saying goodbye would mean no pain and agony, let's just make those days memories to forever cherish.

our dear friend, tino, had been in physical and emotional pain for years. he was diagnosed with kidney failure and was required to udergo lifetime dialysis, which he had for almost three years. i remember those days when he would tell me over the phone how painful it was, not considering yet the cost. to help him, we organized different events for him, climbs mostly, in particular.

tino was even there during the burial of my tatay, and that time, he was already having the treatment. he was there, too, during my wedding reception. aside from that, we also had happy times hanging out together. some would be our holidays in Sagada and our beach chillin' in Papaya.

it was only this year, when he told me the greater pain he's suffering from the treatment. i haven't seen him then, since we often talk over the phone lang. until one time, i decided to visit him personally at home. that moment, he was lying in the couch, eating dinner with his mom. when i saw him, i suddenly had this lighted bulb in my head. and i told myself, "hey! we can help!"

and that was when we organized a blood letting project for him on sept 16, 2006. the event was successful. number of friends came in to donate blood, which he can use for his future sets of dialysis.

oct 27, he called, asking for financial assistance for his treatment, unfortunately, i dont have my sweldo yet, so i told him, i dont have any. i asked though, how he's doing. he said he's ok, and he can walk better now.

nov 2, i received an SMS from fellow friends, tito tino passed away.

it's not the eerie or the scary feeling i had, but honestly, i thought, i could have been one reason. since the time he needs money, i wasn't able to give anything. i could have helped him stayed longer, if i only had that amount. am i really to blame myself???

after talking to a kumare, she made me realize that blaming myself isn't helpful at all. i should rather be thankful, because his suffering is gone, and his family can rest as well. then, she's right! tino needs rest, after years of pain.

God is really great, man! He knows when to end one's suffering. and now i know, He did it for Tino.

Have a safe and happy trip, dude!

TATTOO....anyone?

2006-11-01T20:46:00.000-08:00

my husband and i were actually planning to have tattoo.
i posted some of the designs i'd like to have on.
planned was just as sized as Philippines' 25 cent.
homer already has his design, and plans to have near
his ankle. mine would be on the lower back, either left
or right side.

any design suggestion?

FOR -- RUSH-- SALE !!!!!

2006-10-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

PHP 40,000.00 (negotiable)
HONDA XRM
(Blue Half Faced Index Helmet included - Brand new and Original)

PHP 15,000 (negotiable)
AMOEBA HUSSAR MOUNTAIN BIKE (Cross Country / XC Set up)

amoeba set of 8 (frame size: 14)
RST Gila Fork
Mavic Deemax Wheel Set and Rims
Specialized Pro Tires (size: 2.0)
Shimano V-Brake (grupo and 8 speed)
M.O.B. pedals
M.O.B Helmet included (combination of Red and Black)

FOR OTHER DETAILS, CONTACT:

HOMER @ 0919 652 8786
MA-ANN @ 0915 810 7838

(02) 286 1761

DUGO para kay TINO

2006-09-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

it has really been a tiring week for me! we have just finallized our project for Ernesto Constantino, and now I can say,i can have a sound sleep from now on until friday, sept 15,before the big day on the 16th!

personally, helping people is really not a big deal for me.ive been through these times and the feeling is really worth. tho most are fund raising events. minor and major climbs normally.

this time, the idea is not to raise fund for a friend. the goal is more than getting financial assistance, and it's something different, for most of us. it in a form of donation...of BLOOD!!!!

the idea came out because the patient keeps calling me in the office. telling me his present condition and how much he really needs help to sustain his dialysis treatment.

Tino or tito tino, that's how most of us call him, was diagnosed with kidney failure. this gives him a hard time excreting liquid wastes. its now hard for him to urinate. one reason why his tummy bloat almost 80 cm. since the kidney's no longer functioning, the liquid wastes are stocked in his tummy, so as the juices secreted from the food he take.

the sole treatment for this, is for Tino to undergo a life time dialysis, to clean his blood. its only through the treatment he can eliminate the waste from his body, letting his affected blood out for straining, then in, once the blood is cleaned.

its really hard to see a friend suffering from this ailment and hearing some say, that living longer is not a possibility anymore. it's really hard especially from my end, since i most of the time talk to him, and he's really one hella funny guy!

it even made me eager to push with the project when i visited tino and saw his condition. i tried hard not to show any pity or sadness. i made him laugh and his mother, on non sense jokes, just to see him smile, even knowing how painful it was for him. early that day, he just had his dialysis treatment for 4 hrs. in a week, he's required to be treated twice, and he's been telling me before how painful it was. tho it really makes him feel better after every treatment.

to make the project complete, i coordinated with Phil Natl Red Cross for assistance, and so timing, God really made this possible, because we have a friend working there who willingly assisted us and set a special schedule for the blood letting project. and of course, through the help of all our sooooooo kind friends who willingly helped and made the event possible.i did mass mailing and texting to inform friends about the project, even long lost friends, and i'm really so thankful receiving positive responses from them, for possible donors and from those who helped financially to complete this. thanks, guys! special thanks for mami lei anfd eric-anjo! thanks for the lunch!!!!!!

with this post is a picture taken 3 years ago, when we spent holidays in sagada with other friends. i encircled tino here so you can also meet him. he really looks healthy here and i really can't imagine these things happened to him now. from that healthy shape, he now only weighs 47.5 kilos....and really looked so pale.

well, tito tino.....no words can explain how i treasure our friendship. your "kakulitan" and the head aches you gave us, added spice to our friendship.

i just want you to be happy, keep holding on. don't lose hope, and be strong. i know this is just a simple project, but i do hope that this simple thing will help you a lot. i just pray to God that he'll help you get out of this and get back to your healthy shape. lesson learned, faults forgiven. just be thankful for the life God has granted us.

Stay strong, man! We'll see you on Sept 16. this project is really for you..!

For higher mountains to climb. Live...Love....Learn....Leave a legacy....

7 habits of highly effective people

2006-08-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

Accdg to Stephen Covey, the author of this most-read book, there are 7 habits one should practice to have an efficient relationship with people, better paradigm in life, positive view of one's professional life, and to be an effective leader, be it at work or at home. These are:

1. be proactive
2. begin with the end in mind
3. put first things first
4. think win-win
5. seek first to understand than to be understood
6. synergize
7. sharpen the saw

So, what about? First, some of you may already be aware of this, and some may even think that this post is, well, somehow, non-sense. Or may even ask me, why am I posting this? Some may even find this, just a reading, like other principle-centered articles, that are almost far from reality. siguro nga.

I learned about this when I worked with CLCI, the sole authorized group to market covey trainings and books. I was a part of the marketing team then, and when i started, i thought this was just like the other trainings i had, that we have to market. as a privilege, i was given a chance to attend major covey training, and one of these was seven habits.

after the encounter, i realized the relevance and the possible outcome it can give me, if i would try using the habits. i started with habit 1, oopppsss...mahirap pala, kc feeling ko, it more for my emotions, then i tried the others, which are also mahirap for me. then, i skipped and tried habit 5. oh wel,, mejo madali, kc by nature, im the type kc who would listen first, then if needed, give feedback afterwards. mejo madali, sisiw! then i tried habit 1 again,kc eto challenging tlaga.

fortunately, until now, i practice the principle of being proactive, at home and at work. sa bahay, madali, kc kahit nanay ko, proactive sya tlaga with everything. so nakakaya ko pa naman, kahit mahirap tlaga, lalo na at times, na i really want to get mad and burst. pero sa work, eto na po.

being proactive professionally, is ok. but then, there'll be times you would ask yourself, until when? me, i dunno either. im starting to get bored and slowly losing the interest with my current job, because of some reasons. only because, i have to, kaya sguro im still here, working. one probably reason maybe, are my clients, i've established good friendship with them, kaya sguro im still holding on. but, until when? i want to quit, but i know it's not the solution for this dilemna. i have started trying with other company, thru online postings, thinking God will give what's best for me, so no need for me to hurry. pero...ang tanong, hangganng kelan ka magiging proactive?

hayyy...ang hirap naman tlaga! papatayin ko tong c stephen eh! pero sabagay, may point sya, in fairness....

joys of married life

2006-08-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

for all you who got plans of getting married, hahha!!! think about it!!

really! why? getting married kc means a lifetime commitment to someone you think you'd really want to spend your whole life with. also, getting married means happiness and sacrifice. you want to be happy, but then, there will be some that you have to sacrifice for a happy married life. there'll be some extra curricular stuff we you usually do, that may "not" be anymore there, this time. it can be thought unfair for women, kc women has more resposibilities than men..opppss!!! ehemm....excuse me. may not be true for the usual set up that women would stay at home to take care of the children and set food for the husband, while the guy would be the one to work to provide. well, not so common this time, since most women, are also working for bucks, for the family. ok, so why do women has more task than men? aside from working (women of today!), she'll soon give birth, then be the one to do the taking care stuff for the baby, since men would learn in time.....then, would be the one to wake up in the morning for nappy change for infants...since most men just do it, when the baby gets bigger...ehem...end of this one..baka may mga mag react violently..heheh! joke!

back to the main topic, married life. married life is something really mind stimulating. so for those who enjoy meaningful convesation and "arguments", ha! better get married. this is a stage of one's life when everything has to be discussed by the wife and the husband. budgeting the money, taking care of the baby, keeping the house clean, and so.... oh, did i mentioned budgeting?! coz this is one major part where these enjoyable arguments set in. for my husband and i, we usually had funny and iritating conversation for budgeting concerns. from setting aside money for the baby's milk, diapers, vitamins, water, and vaccines, to other expenses like elec bills, paying the laundry and pressing of our clothes, giving allowance to my aunt who looks after the baby when we're at work, then to our own personal budget until the next payroll.

it really gives me a headache! i swear! a friend even told me, na it's really funny daw how we do things. kc instead of my husband giving me all his salary (like the usual practice..until now, sadly...), then i'll be the one to budget everything, what we usually do is to set aside an equal amount every "pay day", then combine, then divide everything and put in individual envelops, just to make things fair. then, what's left would all be ours. it's funny, kc we seem like playing lang daw. well, not actually, i do this kc i don't want money to be the subject of an argument, or the start of one. i would also want my husband to have his own money spent the way he wanted it to be, since it's a money earned out of his hard work. so we only separate a certain part for the major and necessary expenses, the rest, we're on our own.

the erst of the headache would be managing your time from going back home from the office, taking care of the baby, then, after putting the baby to sleep (good the Odyssey still takes lots of sleep!), you have to cook coz you're already hungry, as well as for the tatay, and so....weekends, tatay will play with the baby, but nanay will be the one to do most of the chores. bathing the baby, putting him again to sleep, prepare lunch, merienda, and dinner, while still, taking care of the baby! o da vah!

ang saya di ba, just imagine how our mothers did such when we were babies, grabe tlaga, kaya nga feeling ko minsan, am i a superwoman or nagpapaka martir / pakananay / pakaasawa / pakabayani, lang ba ko? ewan, sguro.. sguro kc it's all for the family.

convinced? now, who would like to get married?!

rainy days and mondays always get me down

2006-07-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

oh my, it's raining again and its Monday! and i'm depressed, down,
and paranoid! oh yeah! as said in my previous post.

the weather's not so good, that there's nothing i
can do, but to stay in the office the whole day, and
stare at my inbox. well, maybe since it's not so good, too,
to go out for client meetings. i hate the idea of getting soaked
even before getting to my client's place.

or even when at home. imagine a scene, of you staring at
nowhere in the window, thinking of things you don't use to
think about, and so....isn't it depressing?!

i agree with my friend's idea, that for sure, percentage of
people commiting suicide are greater during rainy days,
than during sunny ones. hmmm.... (no...no suicide pls...)

one thing more, vices wise. there were some who already
stopped smoking, (ehem!), but then, since it really cold out there,
there's ane way that's really fun to do, puff it out! (ehem again)

schedule and itineraries are even affected during rainy days! we have
to get up early to avoid rushing to PUV's with other commuters or
to avoid flood from touching our feet. some even have to cancel some
appointments, well due to obvious reasons. imagine taking PUV's,
you get soaked, strong wind will turnturtle your umbrellas, or worst,
if fate really likes you, slipping on the road! ouch! oh, one more thing i
really hate during rainy season..our work got less chances of getting
suspended!!!! lucky students and government offices!!!

haaayy...how i wish rainy days will be over soon...

i think i'm paranoid.....

2006-07-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

here i go again. and i think i'm paranoid.
it really sucks since it gives terrible headache,
thoughts coming in, which i think is impossible to happen.
well, not that im saying it final, but then, as of now, i know
its impossible.
it makes me sick and weak.
i know i trust the person, but why am i thinking this nega.
i hate it simply because, a lot suffers.
the mood, the feelings, the bond, and my day!

i don't exactly know why these things happen to me
most of the time.
maybe because i use to deal with "same" issues. (???)
i once told my self, "ok dude, everything's ok! it's an old issue,
nothing to worry about, because there's nothing you can do!"

crap! but why am i paranoid again?!
i can't help it! i always feel down during these times.
i feel i'm a loser...but i know, i'm not. (sana)

it sucks to admit, that it's all about the same old feelings
and person. oh no! im not jealous! (not even defensive, huh!)

grabe, i really hate it. i always start everything, but i'm
always the one to put the flag up. i always give up, and
admit the wrong thing. then, will start all over again.

bakit nga ba?! who the hell invented this feeling?! i really
hate it, i swear!

and it's all because of ME!

smile for everyone

2006-07-13T23:57:00.000-07:00

deceiving smile?! hahah!!!
my cousins would usually tell me , nakakaloko daw mag smile si odyssey. natatawa lang ako, kc even me, she makes me laugh everytime she giggles. aside from the weird voice she got, kc i can't describe if its matinis or husky, or what, basta funny sya, mas lalo na the expression she got on her face. what's so nice with odyssey, she not like other children, who would cry as soon as they wake up or when they're hungry. with odyssey, in the morning, you just greet her a good morning as soon as she wakes up, she'll already smile at you! then daldalan mode na sya. when she's hungry, she'll make this weird sound and will just lick her fist. yes! lick! she don't thumb suck. or if not, she will just stick her tounge out, singnaling she' wants milk na. there were also times, na when she's hungry, and there's a feeding bottle near her, she will make papansin to you, coz' she'll just stare at the bottle for a minute or two.

this smile is also one nice thing about odyssey, kc everytime there's someone who would say to her or try to play with her, she easily smiles. kaya nga sabi ng relatives ko, i should put daw a mark on her forehead, using a red lipstick to avoid "usog" , an old belief of elders. one time, we were at a mall. it feels great when people or sales clerk from that mall would approach you and say hi to your baby. it's flattering kc, feeling ko she's cute to be noticed by people. that time, they said hi to odyssey, then she would smile back!

japanese doll???

2006-07-13T23:34:00.000-07:00

japanese? ndi ah! noypi po!

it's just so funny when people would ask me kung japanese or chinese daw ba tatay ni odyssey....i just laugh, then. kc if you would also ask me, i don't know why and how she got that looks. i remember when i last saw my baby pic, i also got chinky eyes, but not as what Odyssey got, her's is smaller, she's also fairer by complexion.

one time we were at the mall, and for the nth time, i think there were 3 people who asked me the same question. hahaha!!! nakaloko ka na naman, odyssey!

well, whatever she looks, so long as she's healthy and happy, that's fine with us.....

pakunswelo

2006-06-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

my pakuswelo after giving milk to Adrina Odyssey. Sweeeeeettttt smile!

joys of motherhood

2006-06-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

hi there! im back, bloggin'! i thought matagal pa kong makakabalik sa
blog. good that im back na rin sa work, unlimited access na sa net.
i was so engrossed being a mother, kaya ndi ko pa rin tlaga feel
bumalik sa work. i enjoyed taking care of Odyssey, from the time she
wakes up till she sleeps. from bathing her to washing out her
pooh-poohs! it was really hard pala being a mom, at this early stage,
mahirap na, what more when she gets older. hay naku. prang alam ko na
ung feeling ng parents ko before. how they scold me kapag matagal na ko
sa telepono. how they ask me about my suitors, and so. prang ganun na
rin ako, im afraid na lumaki baby ko and maligawan. ang hirap i-explain.

ngaun, i enjoy it more, kc she can see me na. when i talk to her, as if
she understands everything, kc nag rerespond na sya. she smiles most of
the time, wag lang aantukin and gugutumin, nakupo, daig pa nya ang
songbird humiyaw! wla pa don ung high notes nya everytime she takes a
bath!

masarap ang feeling lalo na after feeding her, kc playing and chismisan
mode sya. its feels different to see your baby smile at you, and the
way she holds me, after playing, kc sleepy na sya. feel na feel when
she leans on my shoulders to sleep, then watch her as i lay her sa
duyan nya. all the pagod and puyat are worth when you see the kid grow
healthy and happy.and for me, making her happy, giving her the right
food, the love she needs, the caring she deserves, and my precious
time, would be the real essence of MOTHERHOOD.

hi everyone!

2006-04-27T00:11:00.000-07:00

hi everyone!

my name is Adrina Odyssey Santos Castro!

see my smile?! those were my firsts. taken on the first week of my

life. thanks to nanay and tatay for bringing me out of this world!

whoa! nice one! im really having fun here! hope to see you all soon!!!!

welcome to the jungle!

2006-04-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

ey, guys! been away for quite a long time...and guess what?! oh yeah, i've given birth already to a healthy baby girl! holy wednesday, i had this weird feeling that my water bag's already leaking, but then, have to observe for more time. it's friday, when i finally decided, so as my ob, to visit the hospital for evaluation. gee! i was shocked, when the ob on duty told me to eat full meal, get ready, and i won't be going home anymore!!! my water bag's already leaking, and i have to be induced to give birth, im already 1cm open. 4 pm i had my full lunch. yum-yum! mcdo chicken meal! 5.30 i have to be cleaned, you know what i mean?! all those ive ate have to be removed, coz sooner, i'll be induced for labor, o yeah! 7pm, im given dextrose, and i had no idea that given to me was a medication for labor, i'll be induced na! 8pm, i started feeling the contraction, bearable pa naman! then hour after hour, i can feel the contraction getting stronger, everytime im checked, it's still 1-2cm, i have to be opened for 10cm, imagine! ok, to saturday, o yeah, im still in the labor room....am....afternoon...still...4cm...i can no longer bear the pain, the contractions really hard, and the anesthesiologist's still not around! God! imagine, i started laboring friday, 8pm, and its already saturday, same time, im still in labor!
for more than 24 hrs, im suffered for strong contractions, empty stomach, dried and chopped lips, and all! it was only at 9pm, when the anesthesiologist came and had my epidural anesthesia connected. then my ob came in, telling me, "ma-ann, ready ka na? CS ka na..it's more than 24 hrs, pero ur cervix didn't open. we tried everything, but then it's still 4cm and the baby won't come down your canal." . me saying, "ok, pakisabi n lang po sa mister ko, "..." nasabi ko na.." my ob replied. she let me talk to homer, then homer seeing me soooo pale, just said, "relax ka lang, matatapos na..kaya mo yan...." then, 9.59pm, my baby came out! jaran!
she's ADRINA ODYSSEY SANTOS CASTRO!
more stories on my next post..... :-)

pressured by time....

2006-04-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

pressured nga ba ko? or nagpapa-pressure lang?
feeling ko nga ba eh time's moving too slow for
me or too fast, kaya?

sabi sa mga articles na nababasa ko, 9th month of pregnancy is a
" waiting game" or better yet, the longest period of pregnancy.
kc this time, its not months you're counting, but days, man!
ang hirap, lalo na for first time parents, to know or identify
which or what period u'r into na. it's like, u'r guessing na kung
ano nangyayari sa yo everyday. anytime u felt something different,
immediately, u'll call na ur OB or text her. akala sguro ng doctor na to,
praning na ko, or excited na manganak. ndi naman,actually.
ang totoo, nakakatakot naman talaga, kc nga u'll never know what will
happen. u just had ur check up, then after few days,
u'll feel something different, ayan, atat na naman ako sa pag-txt sa OB.
funny, per ganto pala un.

in real life, hate na hate ko ung mag-panic, i want everything treated
cool and calmly. kahit bad trip na bad trip na ko, smile pa rin at
low-toned pa rin boses ko. pero sa gantong situation pala mas
mate-test ung discipline mo sa sarili mo. hahahaa!!!
kc, konting masakit, aray agad ako, or biglang kapit
ng mahigpit sa partner ko,kaya kahit middle of the night, may karamay
akong gumising, kapag napapraning ako. sandali lang naman,
then, sleep ulit.

pero as days pass, iba na tlaga ung nararamdaman ko.
i can already feel the pressure and the baby. i can physically feel
na the baby's weight in my lower abdomen and hips.
i can feel every move ng baby na masakit na, and as if
sumisiksik na sa kasuluk-sulukan ko. weird na masaya, na masakit,
and ewan. can't explain the pain, pero isa lang lagi nasa utak ko,
sana lumabas na sya pra matapos na ung hirap and kapraningan ko,
na syempre, in normal section, at sa healthy and safe way.

nakakalokah, kc preho kme ng partner ko na sobrang excited na,
at nanggigigil na. kc sa sobrang likot nya, feeling namin gusto narin
nya lumabas at maglaro.

kakapraning noh, bsta ndi ko ma-explain ung feeling...

kuneho't pusa

2006-03-26T20:38:00.000-08:00

bakit laging sinasabi na mortal daw magkaaway ang aso't pusa? pano naman ang
dalawang to? ibig bang sabihin, they can be good friends? eh prehong
maloko tong dalawang to eh!

ive been posting articles on me and on my baby, it's only now i decided
to post one for the person "at fault" din, why Odyssey's coming.
(hehehee....!)

well, una, syempre, opposite sex sya. nakilala ko sa doña remedios
trinidad sa bulacan noong 2002. hi-hello lang, kc that time, may kasama
akong isang taong naging parte din ng aking buhay. kasama ng ibang pang
kaibigang mountaineers, sama-samang nag-inom at nangulit sa DRT. sbi ng
isang kasama ko, tingnan ko daw ung isang mamang un, kc cute daw. eh
ang lola mo, dedma n lang, kc cute lang sya, pero wlang dating, well,
kc nga may kasama kong iba. then after that event, la na communication,
hanggang sa isang araw, hello sa telephone, at sya pala un.
nag-a-update ng phone book. it so happened na ndi ko na kapiling ang
mamang kasama ko nun, sa yaya ng climb dito at doon, wla naman akong
nasamahan ni isa. kc nga feeling "healing stage " ako nun. hehehe....
sa gimik, nakakasama ako, pero sya naman ang hindi, in short, ndi kme
nagtatagpo. and the rest was history.

jan 9, 2003, kme ay sinadyang magtagpo at dun na nagsimula ang
masalimuot ng buhay ng pusa't kuneho. mga problemang ndi maiwasan or
ndi lang iniiwasan. mga sakit ng ulo na kahit anong kalimot, ndi pa rin
maalis sa isip. mga pangyayaring halos pumutol sa "maganda nga
bang" samahan. pra lang malusutan lahat, we both took things cool, and
laging iniisip na mas masaya kung isasaisip na magkabarkada tayo, kesa
magkarelasyon.

sa loob halos ng 3 taon, puro ganun. biruan, sakit ng ulo, oo-hindi.
nag-aaway, oo naman, madalas, ang pinagmumulan, chismis at kung
snu-snong taong nais mamburaot sa min.

hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na naisip at naitanong namin, tamang
oras na nga ba para manahimik ng magkasama kme? preho ba kmeng nais na
makasama ang isa't isa gang tumanda? ndi pa rin masagot...matagal
nag-isip, gang dumating ang isang pagkakataon na akala namin, un na nga
ang sagot sa mga tanong namin....na AYAW namin. buong akala
namin, sa haba ng pagsasama namin, sa isang iglap, mapuputol at
magwawakas na lahat. araw ang lumipas ng wlang usapan, wlang kitaan,
puro sisihan at panunumbat.

pero, ndi naman sa pagiging corny, sabi sguro ni Lord, u're wrong my
dear, sya gusto kong makasama mo. bakit? to test my patience? to test
my personality? or talagang gusto lang ni Lord na pahirapan ako? ndi
naman pala, kc nasabi nya sguro sa min dalawa, na ginawa ko kayo pra
maging mabuting magulang pra kay Odyssey. ANO DAW?!!! sguro nga....kc
we almost separate ways, pero what happened is the other way around.
mas pinatatag lang pala ng isang problema ang samahan namin. ndi man
ung relasyon in love, pero ung friendship, trust, understanding,
patience, and acceptance.

akala ng marami, masakit mawalan ng jowa, pero ang di rin alam ng
nakararami, mas masakit mawalan ng kaibigan. kaibigan na naging
sandalan mo sa lahat ng oras, tinanggap ung tunay na pagkatao mo,
laging anjan pra makinig sa yo, matulog katabi mo, pagalitan ka kapag
mali ka, isang taong sa lahat ng oras ay masaya kang kausap, at isang
taong tumulong sa yo pra maging kung sno ka man ngaun. ndi lang pala
love ang essence ng isang relasyon, kundi ang PAGKAKAIBIGAN, na syang
mas matimbang.

pra sa yo, salamat sa lahat. katulad ni odyssey, you made wonderful
changes in my life. salamat sa friendship, sa tiwala , at sa pagmamahal
na rin. salamat kc naging mabuting kaibigan ka sa kin, at alam ko
magiging mabuting katuwang pra maitaguyod si odyssey.

o di ba, touch kayo noh?! hahahah!!!!

ride with me!

2006-03-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

i may have almost done things i wanted. climb the mountains and walls,
dive in the sea, conquer the rocks downhill, been in the road biking,
ran for miles to tone up, expressed my artistic side painting,
been with nature, with kids, with people i love, and a lot more.

but there's one more thing i look forward doing in the future,
OFFROAD!!! hahaha!!! saya di ba?! ive seen races and competitions
under this sport, and even knew people who's into this, but i really haven't
tried this one. i tried riding a jeep, yes, but of course, on the road, and not
on trails.

and for the first step, as planned, i'll save up for a jeep assembly.
o yeah! assemble muna, then afterwards na practice. it'll surely cost a lot
to have high-tech jeep, but then, i'll go for cheaper and simpler one.
sana, sooner, even a mini-jeep would do. haaay, sana im that
rich to afford this one right away!

past as to present

2006-03-13T02:25:00.000-08:00

people would normally say..
"we must learn from our past, for a better present and future"
a lot of events took place in my life, from childhood to present
experiences that made me happy, improved my personality, made me
cry, and even made me angry. i normally say, that im not the type
who would easily get mad, unless provoked, and this, ive proven.
so what am i telling here.....these are the events that pushed me to my limits.
there were some i really cant forget, because it badly hurt me.
to the point that im willing to sacrifice things i have, just to fight back. to the
point i almost forgot, that hey, im a professional, and shouldn't be
doing such.

funny, but these memories made me decide to post this one.
there was once a time that i really got hurt. it almost tear me apart,
i cried so hard, that i can no longer bear the pain. i can no longer
take in everything, and all i wanted was a revenge, and made those
concerns feel how i feel. i can't explain for what reason it was. i dunno if
its because im jealous, im insecure, or im scared. i tried to analyze things,
but it only gave me more pain and headache. i almost blamed everyone with
connection to that incident, especially the person very dear to me.

i tried to be proactive, but then, negative reactions were still there. i even
lost people, whom i call friends. yeah its hard, but when its the heart,
that was hurt, many things could happen.

haaayyy....ang labo ng post ko noh, isa lang ibig kong sabihin,
masama pala akong magalit. akala ko ndi ko kayang magalit, pero
pag dumating pala tlaga ung limits mo, iba na. i tried so hard pra lang mabalik
ung treatment ko sa mga taong to, pero i can't. i just find my self "plastik",
everytime i try to do so.

what made me stronger? honestly, recently lang. when i got pregnant.
i told myself, maaapi , maloloko, kakawawain ako ng ibang tao, pero
ang anak ako, for sure, mamahalin ako nito. sabi ko, i wont let her
know such kind of people. who's happy to see you hurt, crying, jealous, and
so...pra lang mapasaya sarili nila. mahirap kc, ayokong maranasan
ng baby ko ung pain na naranasan ko sa kamay ng mga taong to.

isa lang masasabi ko sa inyo, thanks for the memories, thanks for the pain.
you guys, made me a better person. and i just hope, you're happy with what
you did, and sana rin, you're happy with your lives.

hey, it's me!

2006-02-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

Just got sooooo "inggit" with posts from Eye and Cruise. Eye on her
Pulag climb, and Cruise on his Singapore trip.
Just thought of things I really love doing..Well, here it is...
And things I really look forward doing with my Odyssey... heheh!!!
(kasama na rin erpat nya! hahaha!!)

Just missed trekking for hours, feeling your legs numb as you go higher,
seeing my skin red because of sun's heat, then lying at my back when
finally at the summit.

Seeing "Nemo" swim closer to me, the neon corals, and different
aquatic creatures I've never seen!

Feeling the rocks going my way downhill. The thrill and fear I feel
everytime I see steep trails, while on my bike. The sweat I have everytime

I push or carry my bike uphill, then ride on it downhill!

Wheow! The thrill of life...the happiness of doing things you like most.
One thing that's missing, I guess, that's doing it with my Odyssey! hheheh!!!

ten little fingers and toes...

2006-02-20T02:12:00.000-08:00

this picture i saw from national geographic site. as described, the photo

was taken inside a mother's womb.

it really amazed me how these technologies can capture the beauty of

life from where it started. aside from being amazed on how these

geniuses did this thing, it made me more excited to see my baby. the baby here

is just seven months old, and imagine, everything's formed!

how could odyssey look?! now that she's almost 8 months, better than this, for sure!

complete set of fingers and toes, facial features, everything!

see the great difference of women from men?! hahaha!!!

to be honest, the closer my due date comes, the more i get excited and

i must admit, a bit of fear sets in. i most of time read articles on labor, breathing

techniques, and pushing techniques, and slowly, im starting to feel

how it might hurt me..well, worth while hurt ...but then, it'lls till hurt..eheheh!!

mixed emotions

2006-02-02T01:25:00.000-08:00

lately, i had these feelings i can't explain...
weird thoughts, funny moments, sad ideas, fear, and more.

feelings that sometimes it makes me feel comfortable, but
sometimes, honestly, not at all.

there were things that remind me of my past, memories that i can't help
but think of things i used to do and people i used to be with..basta weird!

this for sure is not an effect of my pregnancy, well...i dont know...
i hope not.

im now missing my friends i used to be with. childhood friends that i almost
spent my all happy moments with. friends who used to text me anytime
of the day just to say 'hi". and ask if we have "tambay" tonight. friends whom
i used to hang-out with, go out, "drink" with, spent the whole night with
talking about silly and non-sense things, all just to just fun!
friends who used to drop in my place anytime they want, with food and drinks alongs.
my friends who would always ask me to prepare tuna casserole for them, of course,
they'll take charge of the ingredients! those who would normally ask
me to eat "fried itik" with them, with ice cold red horse on the side.
oh, these people who always there when im down, people who would
make me laugh when im cryng, and people who would just jerk around with
me.

but now, i no longer see them. not that i regret being pregnant, but of
course, i have to take care of my self, me baby, and at the same time work.
i now have to stay in a far different place from them, which is
easier and accessible for me, when going to work. in a place where i have to stay
during working days, to give myself enough time to rest. on weekends,
going back to my hometown, as much as i want to see them, still, i cant.
i have to rest to recharge myself for the next working week. even if i want
to drop in the place where we use to go, still i cant. coz i dont have
enough energy to do so. considering the fact, too, that i want to stay
with my family whom i missed the whole week. and it really makes me sad
at times, to think of those happy moments i had with my friends.
well....i know they understand me.... ;-)

there were also times i had this uncomfortable feelings when i see my stuffs
at home. gadgets, backpacks, and well of course, my bike!
again, this is not to disappoint myself. this may be normal, since it has ben
months that im not using them. i know things will not be the same this time,
but i still believe my life doesn't stop here. i may have a family of my own now,
but what's better is that i can now do these things i used to enjoy with THEM!
i know time will come i can go outdoor again for some hike or camp, minor
camps of course, and now, with ODYSSEY! i know i can still '"ride", but then, with
Odyssey again...! or we can also watch DH races together, and she'll
meet my DH idols, too!

sad thoughts, yes, because of missing them. but then, when you actually
analyze things, it's even much better, coz i have my "life and heart" with
me...and that's my family! my Odyssey!

"hhhaaaaayyy.....ang buhay nga naman...sabi nila mapaglaro, pero sa katotohanan, ndi sya mapaglaro. tayo ang naglalaro sa kanya, at tayo mismo and bumubulag sa mga sarili natin pra ndi makita ang katotohanan na nasa likod ng mga larong ginugusto natin..."

feeling of excitement.....

2006-01-19T21:14:00.000-08:00

feeling Odyssey's few moves makes me feel more excited.... week by week, i count, until the time she's ready to face the world.

everytime a week passes, i surf the net how she might look like and the development she's having. im almost on my 7th month, and she's really growing rapidly, i can feel!!! the increasing movements she does anytime of the day, the response she gives everytime i try to rub my tummy, and how she reacts at night, when im reading her fairy tales. after reading, we pray together, i really feel so much joy, that while praying, she's moving inside me.

yes, it was the most wonderful experience, anyone could have. one great thing that makes every woman so much different from men. they can only share in with the feelings, the responsibility, and the excitement. but feeling every little move your baby makes, that's one thing they can never ever feel.

i can't explain how excited i am, at this early stage to see my baby. to hug her. actually, the fear of labor and delivery don't bother me at all. im reading tho, articles on expectations during labor. but the intense feeling of excitement to see Odyssey, replaces all those fears has-been women were telling me. it even makes me more excited everytime i go to the mall. honestly, the very first section i visit is that for babies!!! im so excited to buy her stuffs (all in white!!!), while imagining how could it really feel to feed her, bathe her, and see her first smiles.

one thing that happened to me, that made me finally say....she's my heart.. made me promise to do anything for her....made me decide to give up my Q4's for my Q1.

to Odyssey, you know how nanay loves you....i can't wish for more....just you....my heart, my life....

new beginning....

2006-01-09T16:11:00.000-08:00

happy new year to all!!!!

any news? o yeah!! it's a good new year with a very good news! just had my pelvic ultrasound at my baby's gonna ba a girl!!! o yeah! a girl! another ma-ann...another tough chick! (heheheh.....)

and she'll be named....ODYSSEY!!!

first time parents......

2005-10-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

all the while, i thought im happy enough to see my baby's heart beating.... but i got even more happier when i heard it's beat!!!!

october 22, 3pm, im scheduled again for a visit to my doctor at med city. this is my third time, and this time, its not just the usual consultation thing, my doctor's gonna let me hear my baby's heartbeat. that day, homer, for the 2nd time, was there with me. he adjusted his usual saturday work schedule for that check up.

i got disappointed at first, when the attendant told it's the reliever who was there, since my doctor has an emergency to attend to. while waiting for my turn, homer and i were talking about the civil wedding and so...until finally, i was called!!

i was first asked, how was i feeling for the past three month..ooopps!! before i forgot, im close to my fourth month! then since im feeling better all the time, she also gave me a new set of vitamins to take. then, i told the doctor that my OB said im scheduled that day to hear my baby's heartbeat...

then, this is it!! she asked my to lie on the bed..and got the droppler placed on my tummy. homer was there, too, and waiting if he could also heat the beat. we first heard about 6 beats, and gone. the doctor tried to locate where the baby's at, and finally, she was able to catch the kid!! this time, the beat's getting faster, louder, and clearer. and tell you, i really can't explain the feeling to being able to hear my child's heart. the doctor counted the beat, and told me that it's normal....wheow! another good news!

my check up was done, and again, i got happier when homer said he felt really happy and amazed hearing our baby's heartbeat, and that he got excited, too! corny it may sound, but to hear something like that from an expectant dad, really gave me another reason to be happy.

now, the feeling of excitement and happiness, are all i can feel everytime i touch and rub my tummy with lotion (to prevent stretch marks...heheh!!!) i can't wait till i finally see my baby out of this world...well, of course at the right time...

i can feel, days are passing so fast, its almost november, then close to december...few month..then, oh!!! it's already April....the day homer and i is waiting to finally see the baby....

but for now...i just continue taking care of myself and my baby...so at this ealy stage, he/she, can already feel how much her mommy and daddy loves him/her.... :-)

zero-sum game

2005-10-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

life can be compared to a zero-sum game. someone wins,
but then, somebody loses....
you can be happy now, but still, in your deepest self,
you're sad....

facing life's reality is not an easy decision to make.
facing consequences whatever life may give.
facing people who can either be a part of facing ur reality,
or those who are about to leave you.

it's a zero-sum game that you may gain something,
but then, lose something, too...whichever is greater.
that you accept certain things only to know,
that you're sacrificing those you have before.

but then.....we have an option....accept and face it....
or continue living at present without discovering
what "life" really is....

live in reality or live with our dreams....
live with truth or live in denial....

everything has its consequences, options, choices....
we just have to choose which is which....

i can't say i have chosen the right one.
but some things are for sure.. i know
what i want, i know where i'll be, i know what i'll have....
and i know I CAN!

LIFE CAN BE SO TRICKY....BUT ITS ONLY YOU WHO CAN GUESS WHAT THE
MAGIC WAS ALL ABOUT, AND HOW IT WAS DONE... :-)

happiness within...

2005-09-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

being a first time mom, at first, really scares me....

scared that i may not be able to go on with my pregnancy well. scared that i may become too fat and blouted throughout my pregnancy, to the point, i can no longer bring my old shape back. scared of things that might happen. scared that i might have a hrd time laboring...and scared of "lihi" mentality that might affect me and my baby....

i can't deny that when i first discovered that i'll soon be a mommy, mixed emotions came in. im both happy and sad. happy because not all are blessed with children, and now i have mine. happy because , now i know, ill have someone i can call mine and my heart. im also sad because that time, im just starting to enjoy new things, like mountain biking, with totally different people, but then, i suddenly have to temporarily stop and choose this gift. temporarily stop for the spirit is still within, and i know, in the near future, i can still ride, now with my baby....

september 10, 2005 at 3:00pm, i'm scheduled for a transvaginal ultrasound, as requested by my ob. this will the first time ill have one for my pregnancy. i had this test 2 years ago, just to check on my ovaries.

this time, when the attending doctor asked me why i needed the test, i proudly said, because im pregnant. as she asked my to lie down the bed, im so excited on what i might see in the ultrasound. btw, trans v is different from the other one, wherein the doctor would just use something touched on mommy's tummy to heat the baby, trans v is something that will be inserted inside mommy's genitals, with built in camera connected to the monitor.

when the deivce was inserted, the doctor immediately showed me my baby...i can visibly see the heartbeat even if he's just 2 months old, about 1.06 cms.

this time, i dont know what to feel seeing there's somebody inside me, and aside from my heart another one's beating within, and depending on me for his life. all smiles i can do, to express the excitement and happiness. how i wish homer was there to see our baby, but unfortunately, he have to go to work for a saturday schedule. i was so amazed seeing that in a very young stage, the baby already have his heart beating normally, and as advised be the doctor, he's just at normal length.

regrets and sadness could sometimes cannot be avoided, but all these negative feelings are avoided by my excitement and happiness knowing that i already have another heart , and i can't wait till i see him.

now, all i wish is good health and healthy life for him. i never forget to remind and tell him that i love him so much, and mommy's so happy to have him in her life......and to thank God in giving him to me...

i love you, baby.....and daddy as well.

tAgGed.... from Lei.....wwhhaaaa!!!!

2005-08-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

Years Ago:

1985
cute little girl, just about to go to kindergarten. my teeth's really terrible, man! with matching scars on my tiny legs.....

15 Years Ago:

1990
the very first time i acted on stage (story telling : "Ang Tatlong Kambing")....and eventually, got hooked to stage acting till college..and man, i really miss being on stage...i swear!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And man...to tell you! that piece has became my winning one, and honestly, my nieces know it!!!

10 Years Ago

1995
i was on second year hs, and my first time to have a bf (Kuno!) this relationship lasted for only a month! hahahah!!! we were too young then..and tell you! i still see this guy around, and everytime we see each other, he's like this guy feeling we're still close and reminisces the whatever "past" we had! we never even holded hands! hahaha!!

we met in the church through a friend (toni-ann!!!) and that's it! he's cute tho that time, and now....dont dare looking at him..heheh!!!

5 Years Ago:

2000
i was on my 2nd year in college...hmmm...im already into stage acting. i had a major production and hey! im the lead character..."Leonor Rivera"...can you imagine me acting desperatelyand refined like Leonor? heheheh....magic!

3 Years Ago:

2002
i graduated from college with a degree in marketing majon in retail management...and was so fortunate to land on a regular job with Franklin Covey in Ateneo (CLCI), which lasted for a year and 3 mos..i guess????????

Last Year:

2004
i turned 24, obviously. im already with another company enjoying different friends as well. the time i was so serious in slimming down. i work out a lot, jog, climb, travel, and drink a lot! hehehe...

a year of adjustment, since my aunt, whom i grew up with, left for canada. i have to live by myself....paying bills, doing the laundry and the dishes, cleaning the house, and paying for every food and water i have to drink....

this year, too, i have travelled a lot, including baguio where i went back and forth for more than four times...

my sister got wed this year, btw!

This Year:

my father got ill and died on May 27. we have to emotionally support nanay and be there all the time to cheer her up.

i spent holy week in Bicol for a 3-peak climb, and unfortunately, we were only able to conquer two, since there was a typhoon in the province that time. most of my friends in the mountaineering society shifted to a family life.

i decided to take a break from mountaineering stuff, and shifted to mountain biking. i originally planned cross country, but i was initially trained in down hill, and i enjoyed it. though i'm not that good yet....

suddenly, for almost only two months, i suddenly have to stop biking and choose my priority. it hard for me at first, since im just about ..well...im just starting to enjoy life in a different world and with different people around me. people who have seen potential in me in down hill mountain biking and people who are very much willing to train me to be in the racing scene....and guys, they're hella nice and really expert / pro in this sport! the very first time i saw downhill mountain bikers...it almost took my breath!

ok, i have to temporarily because of a more important priority. i became an expecting "hot , sizzling" mom, and i have to choose my soon-to-be family over this. though the passion is still within me. the urge to do it in the racing scene, the determination of seeing my self race down hill, and the intense feeling of being on the track is still in my spirit.

the plan may not materialize at the moment, but im determine to do it in the future..with my tough kid! i promise myself to set up a bike for him...so we can ride together, and i will train him to be the best rider in the biking scene. so if i may not able to race in the future, still...i have one whom i can be proud of!

Yesterday:

i was on leave (aug 31). i got tired of a long travel (work related), and i had back pains. worried of my condition..i decided to have a rest...

Last Night:

aug. 31- i cooked tuna casserole for my friends, toni and ethel. also played tong-its with toni while waiting for ethel.

Today:

i read mami lei message from the tag board, and i was given this assignment! ok! im about to go out for a meeting in makati and parañaque.

Tomorrow:

we'll be having our planning session in clark til saturday. unfortunately, i cant drink beer....anmum lang!

Next Year:

by april, im scheduled to give birth. just wishing my baby best of health...!! hahaha!!! officially, hot sizzling ermat na to, chong!!!!

5-10 Years From Now:

better job! heheheh! back in the mountain bike scene...may not be racing..but watching my kid race and compete with other tough assed down hill bikers!! heheheh!!

o pano ba yan, mami lei??? pasado na ba ko???

ironic

2005-08-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

isn't it ironic when things seems to be ok, but then, something would come along the way in contrast to what's right...?

isn't it ironic when happiness' being felt is enough , but then, greater one would come, but in a very wrong time...?

isn't it ironic when people around you were just so right, but then, better ones would come along, again, in a very wrong time...?

isn't it ironic when you're just about to enjoy life's great blessings, but something unexpected would come , that tests your true happiness and self....?

haaaayyy....life's too short.... it's just so funny, when all the happiness in life, has something sad in return and in reality. that one morning, you feel so lucky, and at the end of the day....you feel so stupid.

MEGA ride

2005-08-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 13, 2005 @ 8am, Alvin of Team Ha-ooh form Taytay texted me..." Tara na ride tau! Ganda ng panahon!"...
Ok, fine! since i had a bad night, thinking this would help relieve the headache i had, i decided to grant the invitation. alvin by the way, is a friend and a rider from taytay. he used to race motorbikes, then he just shifted to mountain bikes (down hill), pra new career daw! he got so excited when i told him i already had one (xc set-up nga lang..), kc daw, now they have a girl rider na DAW! he actually plans of training me for down hill, so in the future i can race na rin and eventually compete with the only woman who made it to the philippine team for down hill biking...which is really far-far-far-far from my plans yet. i still love my face!!!!!
ok, going back to the real story, i had hesitations that saturday morning since the weather's not that good yet. it a little bit cloudy that time, and some showers. since, i want to unload, i finally decided to go and meet alvin @ club manila east. this is an exercise and biking place for taytay people. it's a privately owned place near taytay public market (luckily without the smell!!!!), and since it accessible, spacious, and far from the main road (preventing smoke from vehicles..), that's why we love this place to sweat out! 8.30, after having my breakfasr, i got to the place, and was surprise, no alvin yet to see!! graaahh!!! though i noticed 3 guys with their mountain bikes near the entrance. i felt shy since i knew they're down hill bikers, so i continued my ride going rounds of 3...this third round, finally i saw this small chubby guy, talking with the 3 men. i didnt approach him actually kc im shy, fortunately, he saw me. calling me to go near them, introducing me to the three men. well....they're the famous members of team ha-ooh, who's been getting good credits and awards for the different races they have joined. they're joel, jun, and jay.... following are ayi and one beginner who came in the place with jun.
joel immediately asked me, "matagal ka ng nagba-bike?", syempre, i answered "no", though i know how to, and this alvin guy told them im a mountaineer, hahaha!!! this time, i didnt get the usual reaction of "wow!", but what i got was, "ok yan! ndi ka mahihirapan!", after few minutes, they decided to go. i thought we wont be joining them but to my surprise, we are actually going with them to their MEGA trail! as alvin told me, its a just an easy trail, ups-downs and no jump. ok, feeling i can do it, i went with them, going up the road pa lang, gee!! i already got tired ! i decided to go off the bike and just walked pulling it up. buti n lang alvin's tired na rin..grabe!! its not an easy thing, man! suddenly, i saw these pro riders pulling their bikes up a small trail, ok this is it, the start of the trail. again, to my surprise, road again, then a small trail facing us....this is finally the start. i rode the bike thinking it's a just a muddy trail and wow! suddenly, a trail right in front of my face (imagine a mountain trail), almost 70-80 degrees down! uh oh!!! rocks, mud, small trail...i dont think so...i have no choice, i have to do this...there are three continuous route of this kind, i made it to the two highest points, but for the third, i have to get off the bike coz i knew this is a drop in! (as in jump!)....i must be honest, man, i cant. it was my first time to go on that trail, and i dont want to risk myself and my bike as well, just to show this guys i can....well.....sorry..im not the type. i know i cant, i should stop! walking again down hill pulling my bike is a lot harder one since the trail's muddy and slippery....unlike when i go down hill with a backpack, its ok to slip coz i can immediately get up...but to slip with a bike, a big NO-NO! to heavy to control the gravity! finally, i got to the resting area and these people waiting for me are all shouting " sakyan mo ung bike! wag mong akayin!", hahaha!!! the hell i care, i cant do it eh...id rather walk! hahahah!!! few minutes of rest, alvin, joel, jun and this beginner guy (syempre no choice, i have to join them!) decided to continue the ride up. this time, a much higher trail, though wider than the first, and more pulling up of bikes and a more intense ride down..... arrrggghhh!!! pulling bikes for minutes is really a tough one, plus the heat of the sun! muscles...muscles...muscles!!!!! again, the three other guys, went on first. alvin and i decided to rest in a shade up the trail and the three men decided to go higher. after 15-20 minutes of chat with alvin, here comes the three...all in action and as if their to mad dogs running down the trail...grabe! it was air i only felt when they passed in fornt of me, i even got scared thinking they might hit me! the first time i saw down hill bikes....ahh! really a thrill...and pain in the ass! thinking of the training, injuries, and falls they had before they reach this peak of their biking career! ok, now its our turn! its really funny. since its my first time, i would ask alvin to go slow so he can assist me. 3/4 of the trail...jaran! i made it, 1/4 i have to walk again...! well, as they have advised me, if you think you cant do it, get off the bike, its ok. better be disciplined than be a hardcore rider risking your life....yehey!!! now time to go back to reality and the road. after almost an hour of riding and getting off the bike..since we have to take trails again before getting back to road....
finally, we reached the road so tired...and man! all the while i was thinking i'll soon have a body ache...fotunately, mountain hard w..omen rarely experience this! hahahahha!!! now, i really want an ice cold water or sprite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-08-05T04:52:00.000-07:00

sometimes,

being with friends and family, are not just the best thing to happen.

there also a need for someone to enjoy his life to the fullest. from

sharing his blessings, helping himself develop, and enjoy all the gifts

given to him. side from loving, fondness should also be there. how can

you love, if your not fond on that thing.....?

this is it....! hehehe..... having this plan of getting a bike, really

gave me hard time to decide. aside from the less time i have (id rather

sleep during weekends, than go out!), the money i'll be spending is

also a factor. since i was a child, i was taught how to ride a bike by

my bro and dad. started with mini bikes, then to bmx,. as i grew older,

i learn how to drive motorcycles...and now, going back to where i

started....riding a bike again.

aha! but this time, its not just an ordinary bike, it's an XC mountain

bike! lucky, there's a team in taytay composed of down hill bikers, and

of course, even luckier, coz one member is a friend. of course, this

can't be started without the "binyagan"! one night, this friend of mine

invited me to a "night ride". i thought it's just an easy ride and just

going around taytay. but i was mistaken, and to tell you..."binyagan"

was a ride from taytay to marikina river banks...ok! fine! invitation

granted. 9pm in the evening, the very first time i rode my bike, we

were on our way to marikina. since it's my bike, i have to love him..!

on our way, it not that easy since its raining hard and it's been a

year since i last rode a bike..wheow! rain....ride.....stop...!

unconsciously, we're already in cainta going to sta. lucia, asking my

friend if we're still pushing bec of the rain, my friend said, YES! ok,

fine! we're riding!

now were in marikina...i can't explain the feeling of discovering that

i can do that. ride all the way from taytay, and it's raining pa ha!

and the rest were good memories....!!!

trying new things is good. enjoying our life while were young and

capable of doing and trying different things is better, but the best

thing here is.......being what you are!

** kids..before trying this....know your capacity first....discipline must be practiced...and safety must be observed....

live....love....LEARN....leave a legacy!

LET'S RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

happy to be home

2005-07-27T02:57:00.000-07:00

reasons why i go home? MY FAMILY!!!

oopps! before you got me wrong...my biological family, i mean. it's my bro and my nieces, jasmine and aya, who's posted here..of course, added in the list is my nanay and may ate. (kaya lang, they're not in the pic).

it's nice to feel excited about something. buying new stuff, going to new places, trying out new things, but what excites me most?! see my two cute nieces. every weekend im excited to go home just to check what new things these little girls can do or can say. aya just turned two, and imagine, at that young age, she speaks well, and you can talk with her about diffrent things! she can sing, dance, and even play jokes. jasmine, o gee! sobrang makulit and bright! she speaks and tell stories you can't imagine a 3-yr old girl can say. she thinks wide, and frequently ask questions, and she loves to sing, too! (with tita ma-ann, of course, so do Aya..heheeh!) aya would most of the time ask people at home, "atan tita ma-ann?"....she's really cute.... with jasmine, everytime i call home, even without telling her who's on the other line, she knows its me..(pati si tito homer, kilala nya sa phone!)

of course, will i forget my bro, sis, and nanay?! nope! everytime i go home, there's always new story to tell and discuss about. nanay would cook whatever i requested, and would ask me to stay there overnight. well, been living by myself, definitely, they're missing me! heheheh!!! kuya would show me his new creations. btw, he's a landscape artist..it runs in the blood....because of my tatay, ate, she'll tell diff chismis and we'll eat balot together, or sometimes, penoy...we'd talk about dresses, shoes, places, anything, so is my nanay. Family wont be complete without tatay. he may not be there for us, but his presence remains. he's a visual artist, and its his creations you can see all over the house..well....combined with my brother's landscape stuff.

see? isn't it nice to be home???? i love 'em!

Love for a friend...

2005-07-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

"For good times....and bad times...I'll be on your side forever more...That's what friends are for..'

It really hurts to see your friend cry, look sad, or when you receive a call from that person asking for your help. You may not be in his shoes or may not be aware of what he's going through, but still, it hurts you. It even hurts more when all he did was give his best, his effort, his time, into something, and in the end, he'll come running and crying, asking. "why?"....then I can't say no words.... Most especially, when this special person comes emotionally hurt.

It feels bad when my friend got hurt because of one person. A person who was not able to see the real him, didn't see good things my friend gave, didn't feef the love my friend offered without expecting anything in return, and when my friend unconditionally trusted a person.... I wanted to hate those people, but who am I to do so? Who am I to hate a person my friend loved? Who am I to blame my friend for loving such kind of person? And who am I to blame that person who badly hurt my dear friend? Nobody, just a concerned friend, ready to listen, here to help, well, at least TRY. I don't have even the tiniest right to feel such way, coz I know, I'll only hurt my friend more. Shock absorber? Not really...But intentionally, yes. Coz I want to help my friend get through, even if without him knowing, I feel such way...

I treat all my friends as my brothers and sisters. Acquiantances or peers, just as long as their around, bad or good to me, still, all are my friends. Judgment is really far from my personality, well, as long as no bad things are done to me, friendship will remain. Even if recently met, it doesn't matter...for test of friendship is not based on time or how long we've been together..or known each other perhaps. All that matters is how we really feel for them.....trust...love...and commitment...

Family will always be there for us, no matter what, but friends, we can't tell who'll stay or who'll leave. There are things we can only tell our friends, and not our family. They may need our help now...but who knows...it's us who'll be needing their help next???

Live...Love...Leave a legacy...

missin' those days................

2005-06-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

happy days are here!!! i just missed those days with my best friends... during those times when we were younger, ang saya-saya talaga namin. everytime we're together, it's as if wla ng tomorrow sa tawanan and syempre pa, inuman!!! the way we look kapag nalalasing na and mas funny kapag nakita mong normal at nag-aasaran. when we're together, it seems that we're not getting any older, same ways, same trip. asaran na wlang pikunan at asarang personalan, pero still, wla pa rin pikon, sanayan lang. kpag may bagong mga nakaksama, nahaharass sila! hehehe....pero syempre, at the end of the day, masaya sila and looking forward to be with us again.

it's good to have friends who accept you who you are, what you are, and what you have.it's nice to see them smile everytime they see you. it's nice to share secrets with friends who you really trust. and it's nice to be with someone who'll be there all times for you and for your family...yan ang mga barkada ko. sayang nga, kc kulang yung nsa picture, pro kahit na, kc alam ko naman na lagi silang anjan. imagine, since kinder kasama ko na yan, ngaun pa kaya na matatanda na kme!

haaaayyyy...i can't imagine how we'll look like when we get old... and will our children be lilke their moms???

i just love my friends....i lost so many things in my life, i was able to accept and move on, but my friends....i won't be able to bear it when i lost them... Love ko 'to eh!!!

brand new start.........

2005-06-23T03:07:00.000-07:00

let's start all over again.................

im now back at work. ready to face my obligations, my clients, my friends, and my bosses. im now about to share new life with people i used to live, especially with my Nanay.

to better start everything...eat right, stretch those muscles, meditate, pray, and say hi to Tatay!!!!

i even had my hair cut for a new me. leaving all sadness behind, still mourning but trying to normalize everything, and smiling the best way i can...

A new life...A new family...A new me...

Better person, stronger woman, and a more loving daughter to Nanay. AND IM NOW BACK TO MY BLOG..

losing the first man i loved....

2005-06-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

losing....letting go....being thankful....

it was 12am of april 10 when he was suddenly rushed to the hospital. while sleeping, a loud snor woke the house up, and to our surprise, he's already suffering another heart attack. to the nearest hospital, he was rushed, almost lost his life, thanks to those who rushed him, they were blessed with skills in first aid. since that day, he was in a comatose state for 6 days...in the ICU...

from day 1 to six, all we're in worry. no idea what will happen next. no idea if he'll ever wake up or if he's still breathing, or if it's just the machine working on him. unconsciously, i cried while praying at home, in the hospital, and even in the office. can't set my mind on my work, on my studies. i kept on thinking what has been happening in the hospital, what news will i get upon reaching home, and all. yes, im paranoid, im sad, im worried, im crying. but still, i keep myself look physically strong, not to show people around me my sadness and my tears falling. deep breath, silence, smile, and jokes, just to cover up everything.

6th day, he's dad, together with his other siblings, went home from the US, thinking that he might just be waiting for them before bading goodbye. i duno if its miracle or magic, the very moment his dad stepped in the ICU, he suddenly opened his eyes!!! the old man immediately called the siblings, then me. i can't believe it! for days ive been so worried, been crying, been so sorry for all the bad things i did to him, and now here he is, with opened eyes.that time, i started thinking on what to do with him the moment he gets well. we'll go vacation, to the beach, to davao, eat great meals, and many other things.

i got so excited, that i almost forgot what the doctors will tell me next. as expected, here's the doctor. she told me that we have to remove the respirator from his mouth, which has been connected for almost a week. but after the removal, an operation should be done. he has to undergone tracheostomy to better help him breath. that time, pulmonary infection was also discovered from him, so the operation will be helpful, too, in treating the infection. the operation was done asap. after staying in the ICU for more than a week, we decided, to have him transferred in a private room.

this time, he can already open his eyes freely. stare at nowhere, and he can already breathe on his own, slowly.

it was april 29 when he was finally discharged from the hospital, and finally, got home. before sending him home, training were conducted to show how he's going to be fed using tube passing from his nose. also, how to remove the pleghm due to his pulmonary infection, how to bathe him, and how we should take care of him.

openning of his eyes and breathing on his own, were the best result we got from the treatment he undergone for almost a month. he can no longer move his whole body, he's already bed ridden.

from the time he got home, at first seems so hard for hard, but as days passed, we all got used to all the treatments, less sleeps, and staring at him as he open his eyes and yawn with a little sound.

may 27, 10:00am, whilw he was having his bath on bed, he suddenly coughed. everybody thought it was just that usual cough signalling us that it's time to remove the pleghm. after coughing, he grasp for breath, everybody got worried. for minutes, he continued on breathing hard, then stopped, then grasp again fr breath. the person helping him take a bath talked to him, and said let it go, if things are just making you feel bad, and if things are make you suffer. another hard breath, then, that's it..he went to sleep...

i was in the office when i received a call from a dear person asking if i received any text from home or from anybody. i said, none. i asked him what was it all about, he can't tell me what it was, instead, he asked me to call at homer. i called, a family member answered and told me what happened...to my surprise, i dont know what to say...i can't move, i just nodded, and said, ok, i'll be home asap....he passed away.

i didn't went home right away, i bought stuffs to be used and served in during the burial. i hate to go home and see what's in there.

9pm, i reached home, all and well lighted place..as i enter the house, there's a casket, i even at far, i know it was him. it's my tatay... his nose...the first one i saw, which we all inherited from him... it's my tatay... and he's now gone... not today, not until tomorrow, but forever....at peace...

*** i dunno what to feel. i felt guilty for not growing up with my family, for not being there all the time when he was sick. i have no choice, the only thing is, visit him whenver i got home early from office and from my mba classes. i felt i didnt let him feel how i love him..i was so independent that time. all i think is that i have job, im enjoying life myself, and ill just go home to my parents whenever i have free time. not realizing that life's too short to ignore...life's to short to share it with your parents....and life's too short to show them how we love them.

*** who's gonna look into my pictures now? noone will ask me anymore how my climb was, how the beach was, and where are my souvenir pictures?

....i'll surely miss him. the cool, funny, strict, and impatient tatay. but all i have to do is let go. for this is the best thing to do, let go, accept what happened, and be happy that he wont suffer anymore...he feel pain anymore...he wont get hurt anymore...all he'll feel is pain and happiness..

'Tay, wherever you are, we'll gonna miss you.take care of yourself, and always watch over us...Take care of Nanay....We love you both so much.

update...

2005-05-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

ayan!!! dahil alam kong na-miss nyo ko...eto na! hahahaah!!!! ang kirara ng bayan!!!!

prayers and faith

2005-04-18T23:13:00.000-07:00

what do we ask from God when praying? are we praying because we trully believe in Him, or are we just praying because we want to? when do we pray?

faith... do we really believe in God? do we only believe in Him everytime we get what we want? do we get upset when we fail and received no wishes?

let me share a story..

april 10, 12.30 am, my father had an attack.. an attack that almost took his life. it was 8 am when my aunt woke me up and told me about this. at first, honestly, im not shocked. im used to minor attacks of my father, so i thought it was just one of those. my mother needed money for deposit, so i went in the hospital, after cooking lunch for whoever it is in the hospital.

my father has been a stroke patient for 9 years, and this second attack made the situation harder, right side of his body was affected, plus the first one that affected his left, now its bilateral, the whole body was paralyzed.

it was even nerve shaking when i got to the hospital, aside from knowing what happened, when my mother told me that he's still sleeping. on the way to the hospital, he almost gave up, my brother did CPR just to revive and let my father reach even the ER of the nearby hospital. they all thought he's gone. at the ER, he was given oxygen, then respirator right away, since he can't breath on his own, still unconscious.

that time, seeing him from an open window in the icu, i felt so sad and worried for my father, with all the tubes and tapes attached to him. the feeling got worst when the doctor told us he's in a comatose....

response level of such patient should be level 15, but with him, level is only at 4. he's condition's deteriorating and he got fever, in 39. he also has pulmonary infection and UTI. this time, we're not hopeless, but we're not hoping much for his recovery. we even wanted him to fully rest, for the idea that if ever he wakes up, he would just see himself, bed ridden and paralyzed, would only cause him much pain. physically, intellectually, emotionally, and psychologically. we kept on praying and were just asking Him to give what's best for my father, and everything be in His will. i honestly can't help but cry, i tried very hard to stop myself from letting my family see me in an emotional state, and even tried everytime im in the hospital to joke around and make fun with my nieces. i prayed and talked to my father telling him to cooperate, do what he thinks is good for him and for my mother. i hate seeing my mother quiet and smiling around, for i know she's just trying this, same with me, to avoid her emotions burst. we kept this way for a week. me, can't concentrate on my work, worrying what could be happening in the hospital and fearing for the results that i may have when i got home....honestly...the whole family was in pain during these days...

april 16, 9.00 am, my grandparents and my aunts (father side), went home from the US. the grandpa was the first to walk in the ICU. he tried talking and touching my father....

MY FATHER SUDDENLY OPENED HIS EYES!!!!!!! yes! he did! after one long week of waiting, here's my grandpa, waited by my father, miraculously waked up my father! we prayed for his rest, and look what God has given us! my father, with his eyes wide open and looking at us!

____________________________________

i believe prayers didn't just helped us during these days of pains and worries, but strong faith in Him, made us stronger and most importantly....TOGETHER. my father may still be under observation and still in icu, but this blessing is more that enough to ask for. whatever the reason or purpose it may be, it doesn't matter, just a heart-full thanks to the Lord and to all those who prayed for my father and for my family.. thanks to you...

these are simple prayers that i've been praying every morning...also what i kept on praying for my father...

"oh that You would bless me, and enlarge my territory. that Your hands would be with me, that You would keep me from evil, that i may not cause pain.."

" Lord, i love you and i need you, please come to my heart. Please bless me, my family, and my friends. Most especially my mother and my father. This i pray in Jesus name. Amen."

2005-04-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

take nothing but pictures...leave nothing but footprints....kill nothing but time.....

mountaineers' rule? but, we're we able to define what's the real meaning and essence of mountaineering? is it just all about climbing the mountain? proving our strength? showing others what we can? showing people how many mountaineer friends we got? is it being popular? is it being brand conscious? so...what?

climbing the mountain for many years now made me realize many things, and at the same time...has given me a lot of questions to be answered. i have met mountaineers / climbers from different places, different groups, and of different age, but no one has given me answers to those questions.

there are some who would climb because of their friends. some because they enjoy being up there and seeing the majestic view. some, to prove other climbers how strong they were. some, to meet new friends, and worst of all....some keep on climbing because of their overwhelming "popularity". can be thru networks, or maybe they just feel good because of the brand they're using... haaayyy...

on the brighter side, many would climb because of appreciation of nature. being thankful to God, that we were given these gifts. some also climb because it's the best way to achieve freedom and discipline. climbing is also considered on of the best ways to express ourselves and run away from problems and stress. what a wonderful world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

for higher mountains to climb, fellas!

what matters most.....

2005-04-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

how would you prioritize ur priorities if you find them all important?

how would you weigh the imporatance of each of your priorities?

how would you choose between two good things?

how would you choose between what you want and what you need?

who would you choose? -- your friends....or the one you love...?

remembrance....

2005-04-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

last picture taken using my cp...so sad...i really worked hard for that, sorry, just can forget what happened. trauma! im having a hard time now getting into jeeps... kc naman eh...

well, this is also a practice shot! ive been dying to learn "photography" (for reals..). i envy those who can take pictures well...guys, u'r really blessed... :)

goodbye.....whhaaaaaaaa!!!

2005-03-30T21:56:00.000-08:00

march 30, 5.30 pm...on my way to Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for my MBA class..

whhaaaaa!!! my bag was slased and unfortunately, the bad guy got my cellphone. i just bought the phone, a month ago...ahhh...sakit sa dibdib.... whaaaaa....!!!

what's with the crying?! the number! ive been using the number since 2nd year college, and noW?! just because of that bad guy...i lost connections and communcation with my friends...how could you?! hmp!

WWHAAAAAH!

3-peak BICOL CHALLENGE (March 21-27, 2005)

2005-03-30T20:56:00.000-08:00

HOLY WEEK...

yeah, as usual, instead of spending the lent with families and reflecting, most mountaineers have a different way of "sacrificing".... ano pa nga ba?! eh di MAMUNDOK!!

it's Tukad's 2nd annual 3-peak bicol challenge, set to conquer were Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon, Mayon in ALbay, and Mt. Isarog in Camarines Sur. the event was joined by 11 member-Manila team and almost 20-member Bacolod-Cebu team. team manila got to sorsogon on mar. 21,over nyt muna sa tito ng organizer,sa tabaco, for bacolod team was expected tuesday pa...so bago ang climb, chika minute muna at wlang kamatayang inom...arrrgggghhhhh!!!!

mar. 22, all set to irosin sorsogon...for mt.bulusan... ayan na! anjan na sila!!! isang jeep! at worst, di ko sila maintindihan! lahat bisaya eh!!! team bacolod came almost lunch time, so we started trekking almost 3pm or 4pm na ata. sabi ng guide, gagabihin daw kme...asus! dahil mayayabang kme, ndi kme pumayag syempre! we reached Agingay valley (camp site), right before sunset, so saved ang headlamps namin! yehey! ganda ng site, puro carabao grass, and ugn camp site lang ung wlang grass, at take note, it seems like your in the crater na of the volcano, kc puro bundok sa paligid namin...btw, bulusan is a dormant volcano. ok, back to the story, so set camp na kme, dinner, then konting socials, pampainit! it was so damn cold there, and windy pa! after socials and pa-raffle effect, around 10-11pm, nyt-nyt! lights off, all energy to be reserved for tomorrow's activity, assault to the crater...O nga pala, we have two guides, one is a Punk! heheheh!!! Raymond, and the other, a rower...si ronnie, both from bicol..

good morning!!! it's 6am!, prepare b.fast na pra tulak na sa crater..dahil mga pasaway, estimated time of assault na 6am, naging 9 am!!!! hahahaha!!!! we reached the crater by 12nn, grabe mga tsong, kala nyo ganun-ganun lang un?! ndi ah! the trail...arggghhhrrrr!!!! the trail.....ginagalit ako!!! puro acrabao grass, open trail, big steps for big bukaka, at pinakmasaklap.... putik pa!!! and dulas man!!! so wawa na ang pechay..wawa pa ang beauty...result???? - BALUGANG CLIMBERS!!!

the crater was so nice, tho too hot, ok pa rin, bawi na lang sa view, there's a clean lake and ang trail...rockies kung rockies!!! picturan muna...then, abt 1 pm, all set to go down, sa kasumpa-sumpng kainitan ng araw, descend for an hour (to campsite), then got our backpacks, drecho na sa baba, it's 2pm when we reached agingay, alis ng 2:30, and reached jump off by 5pm..o di bah!!! lakas-lakasan! originally, the plan was to travel straight to albay for mayon, then night trek to mayon's camp one, so the next day, assaul ulit...we have some frends from bacolod, parents sila ng 3 other participant, mejo they find it hard to go down, kaya natagalan, they reached the jump off 9:30 pm na. so late na talaga. we reached albay 1am na, two hrs travel kc, then before leaving, syempre, clean muna ng katawan, then rest konti, so ang result....overnyt sa Camp 0.

mar.24, thurs...
7am, wake up call, for those who'd like to go to the market, since assault time is only 2-3 hrs, we decided to went up hapon na, aroumd 3pm, kc mainit..oki....chika...toma..chika..toma..oooops! 2pm, ronnie the guide, yelled and said, time to go na! init, man! tutong na kme sa bulusan, tutong pa ba dito sa mayon?! asa ka pa!! OO NAMAN!! ayan, super walk...it's like walking in the middle of the desert... lakas-lakasan! hahaha!!! we reached camp 1, syempre, una kme, after 2hrs..wlang pahinga eh, direcho lang..hala!!! alvin san diego was there, also a frend from manila who went directly to mayon, and planned to join mt.isarog climb afterwards. it's was already starting to rain that time, so mejo dapat, we set the camp as fast as possible....

the rain kept pouring until, heavy rain na po sya mga frends...it rained the whole nyt, and morning...the plan to assault u-galley was aborted for the trail up wasn't that safe, considering the rain and the boulders one will be passing through. mar 25, late in the afternoon, still with heavy rain, participants kept on hoping to pursue the assault, since it's already too late, majority decided to spend another night, still with hope of clearing. the next day, mar. 26, still no sign of sunshine, so we decided to abort the climb up. we went down with heave hearts.. (huhuhuhuh.....), and the team bacolod just decided to go home, and have isarog climb aborted,too. short na sa time, marami pang pagod na rin..well we should be honest this time, tho.

mar. 26, around 5pm, all set to go home, team bacolod to naga station, and team manila..hahahaha!!!! all set to inuman!!!

our team went to ernand's place. we met his family and they were so kind to accomodate us. they prepared dinner for us, woweee..laing!!!! and even prepared their sala, for us to sleep..haaayy..finallyyyy....nakatulog din ng maayos...pero syempre, matutulog ba naman kmi ng wlang alak! itaas mo, pare ko!!! heheheh..

mar. 27, sunday, all set to go back to manila. the plan was to leave to place for naga city at around 9-10 am, since, the family was so warm and nice, they prepared lunch pa for us, so syempre, jahe naman...lafang na rin! after lafang...ano pa nga ba?! alak na naman....until it's already 4pm when we decided to go home na....

naga station....5pm, we paid 500 bucks for an airconditioned-colorum bus..pra relaxed dw...nyamet!!!! ang init, the aircon's not working well!!! arrrgghhhh!!!

we reached manila at around 3am, march 28. imagine, travelling for 12 hrs, the aircon's not working...hassle di bah?

ouch! sakit balakang ko....nggooorrkkk..sleepy and tired.....

oooopppsss!!!! 10 am na! gising na!!! pasok na ko sa CIBI! hallerrr!!!! tapos na po break mo!!!!

ang batang bantot

2005-03-16T20:50:00.000-08:00

i took this photo late march 15, coming from my training...(oopppss!!! akyatan na naman kc eh!) i kept on taking pictures, kc lahat palpak, i just can't get the right shot and angle. if my co could only hit me, malamang, patay na ko sa sobrang kakulitan... i was so sleepy that time, but since i'm enjoying the kabaduyan i'm doing, go parin. i wasn't given the gift in photography, kaya desperado ako, ayan shot dun, shot dito...

also, it's not just the trip, something's bothering me that night. there were so many questions in my mind that i want to be answered and given a dot. so many thoughts that keeps me paranoid and fu**** desperate. haaaayyy....people....people...people.....

just love myself na lang nga.....thanks mama lei sa help!!!!!!!!!!!

Si Darna at ang Mt. Lobo

2005-02-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

Feb. 26-27, to Mt. Lobo in Batangas, for Batangas Backpackers' Anniversary Climb.

Friday night, Feb. 25, coming from Tondo for Location check, I went home rushing to get to the market, it's already 7pm, so really have to, baka masarahan ako ng palengke!!!! Thank God, bukas pa! Result of regular jogging..hehehe!!!! I was able to buy all the stuff and food we need for this climb. OK lang kc everything was preplanned, so I just have to get there and buy...Pucha!!! May nakalimutan ako!!! BUTANE!!!! Buti n lang tikboy is still in Manila, so whew! Nakabili sya.. Back to my home. After setting and preparing the food, NAMPUCHA!!!! I saw this mountain high of dirty clothes! Since I'm living alone, I have do the laundry. How? I have a climb the next day, meeting time at 4am in Buendia 7-11, so I have to leave Taytay at around 3am.... (Sigh...) It's already 8pm...JARAN!!!! DARNA!!!! While cooking for our packed breakfast and lunch, I prepared all the dirty clothes for laundry and got our wonder washing machine out. Spinning my clothe, while looking after the omelet I'm cooking, then packing my things, then refilling my water containers....OK, I'm done with the food and packing, I have to attaend (full-time) to my laundry...Kuskos dito...kuskos dun....Hala! Piga dito...Piga don....Darna is now feeling the challenge and thrill...when suddenly, a guy came with his pack looking at me....ay! Si Homer pala un!

As usual, I'm tired, so I'm not in the mood to talk muna, coz I really have to get done with what I'm doing. Imagine, who will do this for me? Of course, noone!!! ako lang, ang dakilang si Darna! the mood wasn't that well, he was surprised seeing me doing the laundry, considering that we have to leave early for the climb. But gee! I have to do this! If not, wla na kong masusuot! ok! argue dito, argue don, till before sleeping, bad tripan! Na bad trip na po ang Darna at ayaw ng umakyat! Pati ang Panday, ayaw na umakyat! Aso't pusa na in a very simple thing, worst argument sets in! Sabi ng Darna, "no! you should go! We invited our friends, and now you're not going?!" Sabi ng Panday, "Eh ayoko na nga eh!" ..And the rest was history.My CP rang at 2am, waking up Homer for the climb, until ayun na, sumama rin kmeng dalawa. On our way to buendia, maga mata ni Darna, dedmahan ang 2 bida, till we get to the bus (Oops! with us were Keng, Martin, Toni, Sherwin, and Rose, we're to meet Roger and Vidal in Balagtas).... Sabi nga, a simple tap from the person dear to you, ok ka na, everything's back in place and love rules daw. (Baduy!) Panday este, Homer pala, tapped me, and ok na kme. So tulog kme na OK na, on our way to Balagtas in Batangas, we're going to meet all the other participants.

Balagtas---and daming participants! As if we're to join an annual climb! Freelance climbers and other groups were there! Chika dun, chika dito..Anjan na po ang jeep, load na! We started travelling for more than an hour going to the municipal hall of Lobo for registration, then to the jump-off. Eto na po... Kita ko na ang Lobo, telling myself, "Ekis ka na sa kin! Hehehehe!!!" In mountaineering, kailangan talaga, marami kang baon...na YABANG!!!!

Ok, let the journey begin, walking to concrete road for 30-45 minutes, really made my sweat glands working! In fairness, nasa start pa lang, I can feel that I'll be roasted here! After the walk, we regrouped in a shaded area, ayun naman pala! Dun magpe-pray..A member of BaBa (Batangas Backpackers) led the prayer for our safe trek.

Ayan na, trek na po! Trekking in an open trail would be fine, ONLY IF, there were shaded areas. kaya lang, WALA!!! Open trail na, wla pang puno! NYEMAS! ok, I have no choice, sumama ako dito eh! Akyat! Hala, sige! We started trekking at 9:30 am, reaching the summit at 4pm, less the lunch time, which is almost an hour, o yeah! Ganun katagal, so I was able tor remove my shoes, sleep and eat lots of naturally ripened tamarinds. It took us, almost three hours before lunch, and less than 4 hrs to reach the summit. Finally, we conquered the mountain, beating their set itinerary of 8 hrs trek, we did it for 5 and a half hours! Heehehehehe!!!!! Yabang na naman to!!!! Pano? Eh sumabay ba naman aki kina Keng, Martin, and Homer eh, eh di wlang pahinga! Whew! Ok, at 4pm it's still sunny up there, giving you the majestic view of Maculot, Makiling, Calapan Mindoro, and Batangas beach, eases the stress and relaxes our tired muscles (715 masl). We rested for a while after reserving an area for our colleagues. It'a already past 5 when we decided ti pitch our tents, mainit pa rin, pero go na rin! so we can prepare dinner earlier at masimulan na ang lasingan! We had our dinner earlier as expected, started the socials early as well. First, sa area lang namin, when a BaBa member invited us to join the grand socials, ok we joined and brought in our famous Gran Matador! Eh mali pala! Brand nila lahat Bilog, so OP ang alak namin! Guys, this is one heck of a climb na nalasing kme, without openning the alak we bought! Well, roger has one, Gin, pero wla pang tama. So, ndi pinansin ang Matador! tagay na lang ng Gin, as in paikot na tagay...When suddenly, ayan na po ang mga magnanakaw! Roger got 4-kantos na gin from the circle, and Homer with 1 bilog! How? Ewan, basta, mabilis lang ang mga kamay namin! with the Gin na nakuha nilang 2, balik kme sa reas namin, one by one, leaving the big circle, and back to our own socials! Invited pa mga climbers na malapit sa min!That's it! Then, wla rin, in the end, lasing kmeng lahat! Hik!

6:30 am, we woke up for our breakfast, kc accdg sa IT, descend time is 8am, kaya lang pasaway, we finished breakfast and break-camp at around 8:30...Heehehehe!!! Pasaway talaga! some groups started descending, and I think there were only 2 grps left, kme and mga Mesau. Ok fine! descend na daw! Picture-picture muna, then bakbak na pababa! As expected, bakbak as in bakbak, takbo dito, takbo dun! Since loose soil ang dadaanan, ndi maiwasan ang dulas, ok lang, carry naman eh! Poised pa rin! Tayo mga Hijo't Hija! Well, I slipped once, pero I got some scratches sa palm, pero ok lang, masakit, but that should not stop us from descending and magyabang na...Heehehe!!! Malalakas kme!!!! Bwahahaha!!!

11am when we reached the water falls, so again we had the privilege to rest our feet and refresh, we're only 60 meters up! Then, after waiting for our other grp members, pahinga muna lahat, then proceed descending... It took us almost an hour to reach Sampalok, place to wait for the jeep going to Submarine Beach Resort. Lunch ng konti, then yehey! Anjan na jeep! Travelling to the resort took us less than an hour! Oryt! Saya dito! Ganda ng Beach, lakas ng hangin. so excited ang mga bruha, Rose and I immediately change for a swim, then dip ng konti! kaya lang, Nyeta! Daming Jelly Fish!!! Ayun, in the end, nagharutan na lang kme ni Rosing! 4:30, uwian na..yehey!!! I'm sleepy na that time kc eh.

We started travelling going to Batangas City, finally, our destination, Alps Liner Terminal, uwian na po...We reached Manila at around 8:30. Before going home, kain muna sa Goodah with Homer, then...uwi na...Haayyy....tiring, but the climb was really worth joining!

I reached home past 11pm, ayos! pagdating sa bahay, plakda ang Darna! Ngooorrkkkkkk!!! Zzzzzzzzz!!!!

Kkkkrrriiiiinnnngggggg!!!!!!! 5:30 na! Gising na po! Oras na pra sa trabaho!!!!

at last..whew!

2005-02-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

wow! im not an IT person, thanks to mommy lei! i was able to do this nerve-cracking, mind-busting, brain-blowing thing! my cyber professor! good that she's not around, nakaligtas ako sa batok nya!!!!

hello

2005-02-23T23:40:00.000-08:00

im here.............