Foodie: Beef & Broccoli in Mushroom Sauce

...very easy way to prepare! :)

Ingredients:

1/2 kg beef sirloin

minced garlic

salt & pepper

Knorr Cream of Mushroom 

broccoli

1/2 cup of grated Eden cheese

~

Procedure:

1. Marinate beef with garlic, salt and pepper for 30mins-1hr.

2. Let it boil (until its tender) with the Cream of Mushroom mixture by Knorr.

3. Add the grated Eden cheese.

3. Blanch the broccoli and serve it together with the beef in mushroom sauce.

enjoy!

xx

Musing: 011

Think of what you CAN do first. Deal with the complications later.

@rajolaurel

Excerpt: Sablay

Sablay is what UP students wear during commencement exercise. It is a garb that symbolizes Philippine nationalism, as opposed to the usual and Westernized toga-and-cap attire in graduation ceremonies. It was first used at UP Diliman in 1990.

It is a plain yet sophisticated loose piece of clothing that is put on the shoulder . Sablay got its inspiration from the malong worn by Muslims. But then, Sablay was able to integrate the different traditional elements found in other Philippine cultures. Running through the Sablay are geometric patterns of indigenous Philippine tribes.

The characters woven in front of the Sablay are Alibata figures, which simply stand for UP. Upon graduation, the Sablay is transferred from the right to the left shoulder – symbolizing the official completion to the life of a UP student.

(source: Wikipedia)

P.S.

I'll wear you on 2016.

Just A Thought: Talented Pinay

...found myself spending hours and hours listening to some covers and original songs of these fellow pinays. Check their account! They're <3.

Sarah Caballero | Chelsea Ronquillo | Inky Callora

well i guess there's something if you have a double L on your last name, huh? hehe

xx

Just A Thought: Goodbye, My Beloved Books.

I love books.

I love the scent of old and new books.

I super hate waiting but if you're late and I am in a bookstore, believe me, I don't mind staying for an hour or so. (or worse, tinamad nkong imeet ka dahil late ka at magsstay na lang ako sa bookstore the whole day. haha!)

"You are never alone when you're reading a book."

~Susan Wiggs~

And today will be the very first time I'll say goodbye to some of them. Heartbreaking, I know!! But I have to. I love them but I hate seeing them collecting dust and being useless. I was thinking of giving them away but I need moolah. haha!

You know I love you. 

XOXO

;)

Just A Thought: August ONE

~an open letter~

:)

Hi, Dad.

It's August! Mom's birth month and we miss you!! Anyway, I hope you saw my huge smile earlier when I checked my mail.

Okay. I know it's kinda oa since Admission Test pa lang yan but what the heck! UP DILIMAN SAYS I AM QUALIFIED. hahaha! Remember last May 24 when I passed my application for this? Tayo yung magkatext! :)

I miss your encouraging words, dad. This one is for you.

Love,
Your Panganay <3

Excerpt: Friendzone Advise from Mr. Ramon Bautista

'Paano ka naging umaasa?

Kase hindi ka sanay sa mga lalaking mabaet, sweet at pogi na bumebefriend sayo

kaya nung may lumapit na ganyan, kinilig ka kaagad!

At iniisip mo, there's something! May malisya kaagad!

Pangalawa, magselos ng naaayon sa relationship status.

Pangatlo, hindi dahil super baet kayo sa isa't isa, kayo na.

Anu yan? Caritas?

Dapat merun ding agreement na kayo tlaga at exclusive kayong magshoshotaan at magiging clingy sa isa't isa.

And as for the guy, ang masasabi ko lang, isa syang jerk.

Alam naman nyang may gusto ka sa kanya at obvious na obvious nman tpos pinaasa ka nya.

Lower your expectations. Wag masyadong umasa.

Kase yang .0001 na pag-asa na yan or otherwise known as malisya ay nagiging germ! 

...at lumalaki ng lumalake dahil sa imahinasyon natin at sa pagnanasa na maging tunay na pagibig yan.

At syempre, hindi naman nagiging totoo yan!

Umasa lang kayo kapag 80% sure na na mapapasaiyo ang iyong lalakeng napupusuan.

Tandaan!

There's more to life than love."

~Ramon Bautista~

Musing: 010

FACT

Musing: 009

You cannot save people, you can only love them.

~Anais Nin~

Just A Thought: La Vie En Moi Shoppe

07.30.13

will put up a website for this small venture soon! ...so stay tuned! :)

instagram: lavieshoppe
email: lavieenmoishoppe@yahoo.com
sms/viber: 09052293222

xx

Musing: 008

"But then it passed, as all things do. It passed."

- Khaled Hosseini (And The Mountains Echoed)

Musing: 007

xx

Just A Thought: A Constructive Day

I started my day....late.

I got up from bed around 10 o'clock in the morning and did some house chores right away. Prepared myself and my resumes for DepEd and for several private schools in our city. Literal akong namudmod ng resumes kanina. haha!

First stop - Department of Education - Division of Calamba City
   -   You have to log-in at guards' book (ground floor)
   -   Purpose: Submission
   -   no need for IDs
   -   go to 3rd floor / Window 3
   -   unfortunately, my application was not accepted because I only prepared an application letter, resume and a scanned copy of my TOR. They gave me a list of requirements...

...andami pa lang requirements!! By the way, you can get Form 212 in Window 3 as well.

- Application letter - check!
- Form 212 - check!
- Certified photocopy of LET Rating - none yet. I'm planning to get this this week. I believe it'll take a week or so.
- Certified photocopy of PRC License - none yet. I'll blog about this as well as soon as I have the sipag to visit the office in Manila. I hope we can request for these two online. Hello, PRC !!!
- Certified copies of Transcript of Records - already requested for this.
- Service Record / Performance Rating / Clearance - I don't need these since I don't have any teaching experiences yet. I did teach but not in a school so I won't include it. I was an ESL Instructor for a year. (I think I'll blog about it also. hehehe)
- Barangay Certification - none yet
- Certificate of Specialized Training if any - not applicable or should I say none yet. I also went to TESDA earlier so keep on reading.
- NBI Clearance - none yet. check this > NBI Online we can apply pala online then you'll have your schedule of appointment. great!! 
- Photocopy of Voter's ID - check!

3 out of 8. whew!

Second stop - Colegio de San Juan de Letran - Calamba

Requested a copy of my TOR.
   -   go to Registrar's Office (ground floor of Letran's main building)
   -   proceed to the Accounting Office - they will verify if you have any debt / damage to the colegio
   -   go to Cashier's Office and pay 300 dollars. chos! 300 pesos. ang maharlika!
   -   go back to the Registrar's Office and give them the receipt. They only process TOR request weekly. Their cut-off date is every friday. They advised me to get it on August 7 or 13 since there will be several non-working days in colegio next week. I'm too tamad na to elaborate why it will take 15 days to have a copy of my TOR. So, tanggapin na lang natin. Haha! Accept accept din pag may time... May time ka ba? I-accept mo na! lol

I also passed my resume to the HR office and visited my old friend - Kuya Avel.

Third, fourth, fifth and sixth stop - 4 other schools
Passed my resume on four other private schools in Calamba City including Canossa, CI, SJC, and LCBA. Used my charm to all the guards on duty. haha!

Seventh stop - TESDA
I've been planning to visit TESDA's office for the past few weeks now. It's main office is located at the back of Calamba City College (old municipal hall). Here's the list of their programs:

I am planning to take the Commercial Cooking NC II or Bread and Pastry Production NC II. Unfortunately,  the program will start on October. So I am tengga from July - September. As far as I know, Commercial Cooking will cost approximately 3,580Php it includes uniforms, modules, tools and NC II examination fee.

I want to take this program because I was advised that it'll be a big help if I am certified to any NC II programs if I want to teach in public schools. Why? Because public schools nowadays also offer Technical Vocational programs. I am a graduate of Secondary Education major in English. I spoke to two public school principals and they both agreed that having an English major is actually a disadvantage because there are a lot of graduates who have this major. If you won't certify yourself to other programs, you will have limited opportunities in teaching. That's one of the things I regret - being certified. I worked 4 years in call center - I got the money and the time but I did not take any short courses. But, hey! It's not too late, okay? You are not too old to set another goal. (sorry. that was just me encouraging myself. lol)

Eighth stop - SM Calamba
...bought myself some goodies! very important goodies that I won't tell. hehe! ;)


Ninth stop - Started a tutorial class for my 3 year old niece.
grabe to. Nakakalurking magturo sa 3yr old kid! Taught her ABCDE and 12345. Yun muna. Puro laro ang gusto ng batang maganda! At mas magaling pa sa akin. Ayaw akong sundin! lol. Buti na lang Secondary Education kinuha ko. haha!

THAT'S IT! A very very constructive day! I hope you had a good one also.

xx

Just A Thought: Surfing - a dream?

Aside from being a frustrated teacher, pole dancer, and a yogi, I'm also dreaming of becoming a surfer.

Yep! A surfer. But how? I don't even know how to swim. I can float but is it enough? Answer is, NO. (I just googled it couple of secs ago and tadah! dreams crashed. I can't.)

Definitely learn to swim, and swim well, before you go surfing. Even with a leash you will go under water and need to be familiar with swimming to the surface and in case the leash breaks, all without panicking. If you're doing something with the potential to submerge you in water, you should learn to swim. - Tango

Fuuuuck. Now I regret attending swimming lessons when I was a kid. Anyway... Why not learn how to swim first? haha Swimming Lesson @ 25. Why not? lol

Just A Thought: My Anchor.

Anchor
My comfort.
My defense.
My foothold.
My pillar.

Father's Day
A day I lost my bubble.
A day I lost my reason.
A day I won't be excited anymore.
A day I lost you, my anchor.

40 days.
40 days of accepting.
40 days of understanding.
40 days of wanting.
Wanting to celebrate another Father's Day.

I miss you and I love you, Dad. For ever and ever.

xx

Just A Thought: Tornado

I dreamed about tornado last night and it was so realistic. Yung tipong parang magugunaw na ang mundo. My dad was also in it. I immediately checked the meaning of that dream using iDream app.

the app says...

Tornado in dreams suggest you are very angry about a current situation and are afraid to express your feelings - which you need to - for fear of hurting others.

ACCURACY.

Well, it is undeniably a fact. I feel a  bit down these past few days. I feel so alone. I feel useless. I feel ugly. I feel fat. I feel nonsense. I feel like I can't do anything anymore. I feel stupid. It seems like my confidence is deteriorating at this point of my life. Sorry.

Self-pity at it's finest. Dafuq. I am angry all the time. I don't feel like seeing people. Oh, is this depression? Uhm, I don't think so. This is more of a.... drama.

Yeah.

Anyway, whatever! No one can actually cheer you up completely except yourself.

xx

Musing: 006

The only way to succeed is not to worry about what anyone else is doing.

Musing: 005

Humans learn only by trial and error, and that includes you.

You've got to live life, not think about it.

Step into the midst of things, try and fail and learn and stand up again.

The question is not whether you will or will not make mistakes - you will.

The question is do you want to learn and grow, or do you want to shrink back and be stuck?

Take that step you've been avoiding.

You can succeed, or you can get feedback that it didn't work,

but in either case you are sure to feel alive.

~God Wants You To Know, FB App~

Just A Thought: Sarah Meier

Beauty & Brains

~literally~

One of my favorite people on earth. <3

The laziness that is wanting your credit card bill to be automatically charged to your credit card.

Love harder.

If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.

"So now, let's heal." -A.M

"You made a courageous decision & are now faced with incredible opportunities. It's a matter of good, better, best. Discernment is the key."

the irony of going on retreats is that they always help you advance.

Educated, open-minded, risk taking, youth aligned, and passionate brand managers are my favoritest.

But by then it's too late to play piiiiaaaanoooo.

90°F and it hailed. in the philippines. in summer.

Must've done something right to deserve the golden friends I have. Blessed. Truly.

When I was 15, I wrote out a 10 year plan. I accomplished it all in 4 years. Believe.

Our beautiful daughter was able to coax a girl with selective mutism to speak to her today. My heart is so happy.

Gave a teenager a heart attack today. He thought I was a mannequin. I moved. Milkshake all over the floor of Urban Outfitters.

"Listen to your heart and follow it or it will find a million ways to remind you that there is something missing."

Hello, stop hurting me please. I can do that quite effectively on my own, thank you!

Worry sucks.

Have an anchor project. One that can sustain you while you do other work. #TEDxDiliman

Church songs are awesome at catching me off-guard, making me teary eyed, even though I sing them every week and know they're coming.

Thinking about law school. Creative writing, memorizing text, slick comebacks and powerful public speaking, right? I got this. Lol.

Sometimes Soy Chai Tea Lattes feel like inside-out hugs.

Best gift I could ever give my child: choosing the right man to be her Dad.

Ika nga kay Diego Mapa: "Simulan mo na ang dapat mong ginawa nung umpisa."

Copy, God. Loud and clear.

Trying to make my resume a one-pager. That's like trying to fit the national anthem in one Tweet. #frustrated

Blessed to be able to belly-laugh so much at meetings.
"Deep is where we live."

xx

Musing: 004

When you're busy making money, you have no time for negativity...

People who are negative are either bored, lonely or broke.

- anon

Musing: 003

Work for a cause, not for applause.
Live life to express, not to impress.
Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just your absence felt.

- anon

Just A Thought: Believers

Let me do some quick rant this Sunday morning. I just have to discharge this negative vibes. :|

I was talking to my sister about my trip to South Korea next year and she was like, "Anu namang gagawin mo dun? Wala ka namang trabaho. Or naghahanap ka ba ng trabaho?" Like, seriously?!? I am unemployed for only 12 days! And you think I'm not going to look for a job until March?? And can't she just appreciate the fact that I stay here in our house, taking good care of his kid while she's studying, cleaning our whole house every single day, cooking, washing the dishes 3x a day and washing all their damn clothes!

And another one is my Tita. I was talking to my mom regarding a scholarship abroad. And she joined the conversation saying na mamamasyal lang naman ako dun at hindi magaaral. FYI, people - I have a plan. I have a dream. If you can't support me with that, if you don't believe in my dreams, it would be a lot better and I would really appreciate it if you'll just shut up.

Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.

- Edmund Lee

Musing: 002

Weak people revenge.

Strong people forgive.

Intelligent people ignore.

- anon

Excerpt: 9 Steps to Third-Ear Listening

1. First, make a vow to yourself to be a better listener. That's a great start--simple but profound.
2. During conversations, listen for the content, meaning, and feeling in what the other person is saying. Stop interrupting!
3. Listen to understand, help, see, and support, not to comment, disagree, and find fault.
4. Allow moments of silence when the person finishes a thought to allow for further comment from the other person. Don't jump in!
5. Listen for what the other person is not saying.
6. Refrain from letting your past or your desire to "fix" the problem or concern get in the way of hearing the entire message.
7. Ask for clarification only when necessary.
8. If the conversation makes you angry or frustrated, keep telling yourself in that moment: "Focus on positive outcomes and expect success!"
9. Practice these techniques by telling the person you're having a conversation with to touch your arm every time he or she feels you've checked out of the conversation.

http://www.fastcompany.com/1844027/9-steps-finally-shutting-and-learning-listen

Just A Thought: To the guy I loved the most.

Sa taong taga-hatid sa akin sa lahat ng lakad ko.

Sa taong mag-tetext kung nasa office na ba ako or kung nakaupo ba ako sa bus.

Yung nag-aalala pag hindi ako nakapagtext kung nakarating ba ako ng Manila ng maayos.

Yung nagpapaalalang uminom ako ng gamot or umuwi na lang ng Laguna pag may sakit ako.

Yung taong ni isang beses hindi ko narinig magreklamo kung bakit ako nasa call center at hindi ako nagtuturo.

Yung tatay na wala mang trabaho, never naging pabigat sa amin.

Yung tatay na walang bisyo.

Hindi nagiinom, hindi naninigarilyo, hindi nagsusugal at hindi nang-chix.

Yung tatay na pinipilit kami magsimba.

Yung tatay na kahit 25 years old na ako eh nakakatanggap pa rin ako ng sulat ni Santa Claus.

Ngayon, kami na lang apat nila mommy.

Gumigising kami sa umaga na hindi na naaamoy ang niluluto mong sinangag, tuyo at itlog.

Araw-araw, kada gigising ako, ikaw ang naaalala ko.

Sobrang miss na kita.

Lahat ng banat mo, lahat ng patawa mo at lahat ng turo mo sa amin.

Miss ka na nang lahat ng tao dito satin.

Pero siguro nga hanggang doon na lang.

Siguro nga nagawa mo na ang purpose mo dito sa lupa kaya binawi ka na Nya.

Sabi nga nung pari, sya pa nga na pari, alam nya at sigurado sya kung saan ka pupunta.

Kaya wag na daw kami mag-isip..

I am still thankful.

Nakasama kita ng 25years.

Bihira ang magkaroon ng tatay na katulad mo.

Masakit.

Pero kakayanin namin, di.

Pinalaki mo kaming matatag.

Siguro bored na ang mga anghel sa langit kaya kinuha ka na nila.

Magpaka-bibo ka sa langit, ha?

Sana magkita tayo jan.

Ayoko nang kwestyunin si God.

Pero sana tulungan Nya akong maintindihan kung bakit ito nangyare.

I mean, bakit ngayon.

Sobrang miss na kita.

Pero itinatatak ko sa isip ko na nasa magandang lugar ka na.

Na kasama mo na ang lumikha sa atin.

Life is the greatest gift that God has given us.

Death is only a bridge towards eternal life with God.

Certainly, heaven is rejoicing-

for another soul has finally reached his true home.

And I know-

Heaven, surely, is a beautiful place.

Mahal na mahal kita, di.

Maraming maraming maraming salamat.

Sorry. Emo nanaman ang panganay mo.

Miss lang kita.

xx

Musing: 001

YOUR JOURNEY

has molded you for the greater good.

It was exactly what it needed to be.

Don't think you've lost time.

It took each and every situation you have encountered

to bring you to the now.

And now-

IS JUST RIGHT ON TIME.

- Asha Tyson

Life In Pixels: Hellooooooooo :)

Please do excuse my birks. Of course I wont use that sandals for a dress like this and pleasssee be reminded that looks can be sooo deceiving! haha! I'm just showing the greatest power of knowing the right pose and dress for your bod. :)

xx

Excerpt: Free Mali

- with it's mom for 3 years

- imprisoned in the zoo for three and a half decades

- asian elephants' life span is 60-70 years.

- not too late. FREE MALI!

Life In Pixels: Baywalk in Calamba

xx

Just A Thought: Booked!

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Booked.

1 Domestic & 1 International.

:)

BORACAY. Halfhearted. I booked this last May and it's suppose to be a surprise for my family. Got 6 tickets. Mom, Dad, 2 siblings and my nephew. But Dad is now with our good Lord. We will still pursue this trip. I know dad will be happy to see his girls having our first vacation outside Luzon.

SOUTH KOREA. Finally!!!

xx

Just A Thought: Aftermath

"Days and nights had become indistinguishable.

The comforting patterns of life had shattered once and for all.

But the world doesn't end.

Even if anything can happen anytime.

What goes wrong is no one's fault.

We accept God's will even if it is so hard to fathom."

- Mom, 18 days after my father passed away

Burying my father was painful but the feeling of adoration is greater. I salute him for being him.

We're moving on. I can't say we're really okay in a true sense of the word because we miss him. But we just really have to move on and I know that's what dad would prefer us to do.

Just A Thought: Daddy.

June 16, 2013 - Father's Day

10:25 AM - I texted my Dad: "Di, happy father's day! Mag-jalibi kayo? Pagbalik ko nlng. Labyu! :)" ...no response. Usually naman nagrereply skin si Daddy especially sa mga gantong pagkakataon... but he didn't. I was thinking, baka nagsisimba pa... My dad never failed to attend the Holy Eucharist every Sunday with my mom.

- before I finish my shift, I checked my Facebook account and clicked the God Wants You To Know app. It says...

...ni hindi sumagi sa isip ko na may iba pa plang meaning to.

3:00 PM - went to Edsa Shrine to attend the Holy Mass with my colleague. I turned off my phone and listened to my favorite priest, Fr. Dave Concepcion. Sabi sa homilya ni father, wala daw perpektong tatay and I was like, "eh bakit si daddy, perfect?" 

Right after the homily, I turned on my phone. Nagdatingan na ang mga text ni Mommy, kapatid ko, pinsan ko, bbm ni Kathy, text tweet at fb post ni Ma-Ann. I was asking them, "anyare???" pero walang nagrereply. Sabi lng ni Kathy sa bbm, "tawag ka nga sa bahay nyo neng. nalilito ako eh." Tinext ko sila mommy pati pinsan ko kung saang hospital ako didiretso. Sabi ni mommy, "Dito na sa bahay." Kinabahan nko. Bakit sa bahay? Pag naoospital si daddy, kulang kulang isang linggo kami nsa ospital. Kung nsa ospital lang si daddy, eh di sana ang text skin ni Ma-Ann, "Ne, nsa ospital daw daddy mo. Nasaan ka?" pero hindi eh. Ang text lang ni Ma-Ann, "Uy. Kamusta? I heard." "Daddy mo?" "Nasaan ka? Tumawag ka na ba sa inyo?" "Ingat ne. Kita tayo mamaya." ---and I was thinking, bakit tayo magkikita mamaya? Hindi pa off nitong si Ma-Ann.

Hindi ko na natapos ang misa. Pero nung palabas nko ng simbahan, bumalik ako para tumanggap ng Holy Communion. On my way to Laguna, walang nagtetext skin.. Iyak nko ng iyak sa bus. I was praying na sana mali ang nsa isip ko but I was also praying na kung ano ang gustong mangyari ni God, mangyari nlng.

5:45 - sinundo ako ng pinsan ko sa likod ng simbahan. Nung nakita ko si Bing, ang tanong ko agad, "Si Daddy?" hindi nya ko sinagot. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, iba na to. Tahimik lang kami pareho. Nung malapit na sa bahay, sabi ni Bing, "Dang, yung daddy mo..." tas umiyak na sya. Gets ko na. Wala na si Daddy. Kinuha sya ni Lord ngayong Father's Day.

Pagdating ko sa bahay, may tolda na. Ganto din nadatnan ko sa bahay nung nawala ang lola kong si Nanay Joving at ang Yayoy namin na si Kuya Itok. Kinalma ko sarili ko. Alam kong madadatnan ko si mommy. Hindi kami dapat mag-sabay. Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan, sinalubong ako ni mommy. humahagulgol habang sinasabi na "Wala na ang daddy mo."

....sa isang iglap, wala nkong daddy. Pero nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos. Sya ang best blessing na natanggap ko. Salamat sa siyam na libo dalawang daan apatnapu't pitong araw na nakasama ko sya. Magiging matatag ako. May isa pang blessing si God -si Mommy.

Mahal na mahal kita, di. Sana makahanap ako ng lalaking kagaya mo.

Excerpt: The POSITIVE Facebook Account

The People That Inspire Humanity

...I came across this facebook account that shares inspiring videos and quotes from all over the world. Yes, FAITH IN HUMANITY - RESTORED! Check it! :)

Have a good day!

Just A Thought: Fuck it. Let's do this!

I was doubting myself.

I'm scared.

Can I do it?

Can I finish it?

I know I want it.

I know I need it.

Help me.

~~~

some encouraging words:

Kuya Avel: Ayos yan! Go go go!

Ma-Ann: good luck ne! Ikaw pa ba? Susme kayang-kaya mo yan!

Ma-Ann: awww never I doubted u ne, kasi alam ko ang kapasidad mo.

~~~

and so I concluded:

People trust me with my beauty, with my capabilities, and with my skills.

Why can't I trust myself that much?

Stop doubting yourself, Jindra!

Fuck it. Let's do this!

Excerpt: Date a Girl Who Travels by Aleah Taboclaon

Date a girl who travels. Date a girl who would rather save up for out of town trips or day trips than buy new shoes or clothes. She may not look like a fashion plate, but behind that tanned and freckled face from all the days out in the sun, lies a mind that can take you places and an open heart that will take you for what you are, not for what you can be.

Date a girl who travels. You’ll recognize her by the backpack she always carries. She won’t be carrying a dainty handbag; where will she put her travel journal, her pens, and the LED flashlight that’s always attached to her bag’s zipper? In a small purse, how can she bring the small coil of travel string, the wet tissues, the box of cracker, and the bottle of water she’s always ready with, just in case something happens and she can’t go home yet?

Yes, a girl who travels knows that anytime, anything can happen and she just has to be prepared with it. Nothing takes her by surprise; she takes everything with equanimity, knowing that such things are always a part of life. She’s reliable and dependable, traits that she’s learned while on the road.

You’ll also recognize a girl who travels by the fact that she’s always amazed at the world around her, no matter if she’s in her home town or in a place that’s totally new. She sees beauty all around her, not just the ones featured in travel guides or shown in postcards. A girl who travels has developed a deeper appreciation for life. She won’t judge you, or pressure you to do things you don’t want to do. She knows too much about the importance of identity and self-efficacy, and she will appreciate all the more if you won’t pretend to be who you’re not.

You can make mistakes with a girl who travels, and you can also be as idiosyncratic as you can be. Trust me, she has seen so much worse in her travels, and knows firsthand the vagaries of human nature.

Date a girl who travels, because when you’re with her, you’ll realize that even though she’s napped at a temple in Angkor Wat, went boating down the Mekong Delta, ran by the streets of Saigon, or went skinny-dipping in the caves in the Philippines, she still retains that humility that is the mark of a real traveler. She knows she’s been to a lot of places, but she’s humbled by the fact that the world is still a big place and she’s only seen a small part of it. Seeing this in her can make you feel all right with yourself too; there’s no need for you to do more, to be more. What you are is enough.

When you meet a girl who travels, ask her where she’s been and what she’s going to do next. She will appreciate your interest, and if you’re lucky, she may even invite you to join her. When she does, do. Nothing bonds people better than traveling. On your trips, you will both see each other’s best and worst characteristics, and you can then decide whether she’s worth fighting for.

It’s easy enough to date a girl who travels. She won’t want expensive gifts; you can buy her (or both of you) cheap tickets to Thailand for the weekend, and she’ll be more than happy to take you to the longest wooden bridge in the country. You don’t even have to go overseas; you can take her out on day trips, caving or hiking, or treat her to a full body massage.

You can also buy her the little things that she keeps forgetting to buy for herself; that carabiner that will attach her backpack to her seat so that she will feel easier about sleeping on her bus trip, or a backpack cover, a small alarm clock, a money belt, or maybe another sarong that will replace the one she lost in China.

She won’t mind if you get lost on your way to a date. She knows that oftentimes, the journey is more important than the destination. She will help you see the lighter side of things. She’ll walk along with you, not behind you, pointing out the interesting bits of things you’ll see on the way. Before long, you’ll realize that yes, the journey has been more memorable than the destination that you’ve planned to take her to.

Is a girl who travels worth it? Yes, she is. So when you find her, keep her. Don’t lose her with your insecurities and doubts. Because when she says she loves you, she really does. After all, she’s seen so many things, met so many people, and if she had chosen you, better grab that opportunity and thank the gods that you were lucky enough she’s chosen you and not that bloke she met while watching the sun rise in Angkor Wat, or while whitewater rafting in the Padas Gorge in Sabah.

If she says she loves you, she must have seen something in you, something that can always call her back from her travels, something that can anchor her to the world in the way that she wants to after weeks and months of being on the road.

Date a girl who travels. Make her feel safe, warm, and secure. Make her believe that no matter where she goes, and however long she’s gone, you’ll always be there for her, the one that she can call home.

Find a girl who travels. Date her, love her, and marry her, and your world will never be the same again.

check her site! http://www.solitarywanderer.com

Life in Pixels: Doodle

Wanderlust: Island Hopping at Quezon Province

...just a quick post to show how beautiful it is!

Just A Thought: Say I WANT! -not 'i wish'

I was writing a super long blog earlier but it was gone! Anyway.... This is somewhat a very personal blog. :) For the past few weeks, I've been thinking, planning, and deciding what to do in my life. I just turned 25 last Valentines Day and this quarter life crisis is hitting me -big time!

I WANT to teach.

I'm currently working in a BPO company and I felt like I was wasting my time. No growth. Not company's fault, not the field's fault, but mine.  I never wanted a higher position. Simply because I don't have any plans of staying in that field. I am an Education Graduate. I should be teaching. Mind set.

But where am I? What am I now?

Aside from thinking, planning, and deciding what to do in my life - I also spent the last few weeks hating my present. This is not what I had planned. When I was about to graduate in college, I told myself that I'll be continuing my studies. I want to have a "Dr." prior to my name. But here I am, answering calls from foreigners, fix their cable problems, set-up an appointment for the technician to check it, holding to my inner peace whenever there are irate customers, and learn the art of pressing the mute button whenever I wanted to curse back.

Then my alter ego reminded me to STOP HATING MY PRESENT.

So here I am preparing for my Masters. I'm planning to take it in UP Diliman for 3 reasons:

1. Because it is UP Diliman.
2. They offer the major that I want.
3. One of my frustrations in life is to study in a university.

I WANT to be a dedicated blogger.

I surely want to keep this blog. To have an online record of my whereabouts and to inform people about everything and anything.

I WANT to be a pole dancer.

No kidding! I want to learn how to pole dance! Hahaha... I wanna get fit! Never ko pa naranasang maging magaan! haha

I WANT to travel.

No, I haven't been to Paris. This is just a photoshoped picture of me made by my little sister as a birthday gift. :)

That's it! These are my dreams. ;)

Let's get it on!

Life In Pixels: Aquarius

unfinished stuff I did three years ago.

Just A Thought: Note to Self in Making Decisions

1. Don't wait for the RIGHT TIME. It will never come.

2. Don't be afraid to make a WRONG DECISION. You know you can always make it right on the second time.

3. You'll be FINE. Believe that everything else will follow.

4. Trust God.