Last Sunset of the Year 2014

It's been my habit for the past few years to watch the last sunset of each year. My simple farewell for the year that was... 

The view from the mountain never fails to amaze me all the time. Mostly, it's cloudy and sometimes it's drizzling...still, the skies burst with colors.

I gratefully bid 2014 goodbye. 

Yes grateful, although 2014 was the kind of year that came and passed by so fast that it took me a while to think about the highlights of this year. In fact, as I'm writing this post, I am still trying to think recall...probably I will write everything down. My memory bank is a bit rusty.

However, I can foresee so many changes in 2015, for me, for Mabe, for JITB...

For this coming year, I am full of hope that I pray for guidance and strength all the time.

Goodbye 2014.

Christmas 2014

CHRISTMAS. 2014

We had our Christmas lunch at the farm...a quiet and relaxing celebration with family.

 

Here's some photos I took using my Canon 50mm lens. 

Merry Christmas everyone!!

November

 

Just in time before November ends, our internet and router were fixed. Geesh...FINALLY!

Oh well, it's nice to be back online again. 

When does mourning stop?

It never stops.

It never does.

November 17, 2012. The day my father passed away.

According to experts there are five stages of grief, though some says, there's seven. No matter how many stages one needs to go through, somehow in my own experience, grieving seemed endless. 

Today is my father's second year death anniversary. I have to admit, as a person I've changed a lot. The kind of change that I am more comfortable. I found peace being alone, became more calmer. There are times I refuse getting angry, or maybe I just avoid getting angry. 

Grief is timeless. One cannot exactly point when the mourning's going to be over. One cannot compare grief to the other person's grieving process. Right now, I am still not okay but I am trying to be.

So, when does exactly mourning stops?

I guess mourning doesn't need to stop. 

No Frills, No Fuss...

My home in Cebu City, Philippines a few weeks ago for 6days/5nights.

Islands Stay Hotels Uptown Branch. This one is just a few steps and right across Ayala Malls. Convenient. Easy on my pocket. Clean. Modern. No Frills. No Fuss.

When Mabe decided to join the camp in Cebu for five days, I went to look for my accommodation in Cebu right away. Goggled the camp's location, checked the nearest area, and tried to find the quickest route. The momzilla in me definitely worked.

I first saw this hotel way way back ago featured in Urban Zone. I liked the design, modern and no fuss (just like Hotel 81 where I stayed in Singapore), and of course, it's affordable. The concept just fits my taste, so I looked for it online and booked a room.

All I needed during my stay in Cebu are the basic: Bed, A/C, Shower, WiFi, and Cable TV and COFFEE. Islands Stay has it all. 

When the camp was over, I picked up Mabe and she really enjoyed the rainshower in the bathroom, (in the camp, taking a bath was kinda' rare) she then settled in bed and went online right away. (Kids these days are sooo wired, I'm thankful Mabe is still into camping and other outdoor activities)

My stay in Cebu was very relaxing, although I didn't get to be really tourist-y because if ever I wanted to explore the city, I'd rather do it with Mabe around and of course JITB. 

Thank you Islands Stay Hotels.

I will definitely go back. No Frills. No Fuss.

Preparing for the Camp...

I learned a lot of lessons from Mabe's last year camping even if it was just within the city for 4days/3nights. So a week ago, when she went to camp again (this time in Cebu for 5days/4nights), we were quite prepared in packing her stuff.

Again we used her Zuca bag, very sturdy and doubles as a chair while waiting for their ride...

All her required clothing, costumes for the presentations, shoes (3 kinds btw), slippers, hygiene kits, etc. fits inside the trolley. Perfect.

  

I still followed this method of packing from last year, using zip locks and the usual labeling stuff. This time I remember to pack several clothes hanger because most of the time they need to wear some uniforms twice or thrice so hangers are essentials. Also, three to four pairs of socks especially if the weather is rainy. 

As for the tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, a small pillow, sit-upon (small foldablechair), eating utensils, etc., I found a cheap sack-like rectangle shaped bag, everything fits right into it. 

Preparing and packing for a camp is very tricky. First time camper moms find it hard and exhausting. True, especially to moms who never had any outdoor camping experience.

I guess my character and attentiveness made our packing and preparation a little more easy and systematic. Organizing up to the tiniest details requires a lot of skills. I hope you learned from this experience I had. 

(but of course, my camper has so much request for next year's camping like small emergencylight w/ fan, additional Type B uniform, sit-upon with back rest, power bank for the phone, etc., etc.) 

Happy camping everyone!

The Pink Run

People close to me knew that I started to embrace running as my way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I have been working out in the gym on and off for the past two years, but nothing beats walking and running so I stopped the gym routine.

Chasing pavements, that's what I did since summer of this year. Then here comes my first fun run last October 5, 2014: 

The Pink Run.

An advocacy run for breast cancer awareness and at the same time, a fund raising project for a foundation for breast cancer patients.

I was convinced by my friend Barbara, inspired by my friend Joy who's battling with stage two breast cancer, accompanied by my running buddy Lela, and supported by JITB.

The funny part, I won a bag of rice in the raffle. Lol! Yes, me who never had any luck in lottery and other raffle....and to those who watched the early morning show on tv last friday, yes, that was me from behind. Lol!

I'm glad I did this run. This was my first and definitely not the last. 
 

(Pink ribbon bracelet I wore 2 years ago. Taken during the Scott Kelby Photowalk)

In making a choice...

Even if you have a bagful of happiness hanging on your shoulders, it doesn't guarantee happiness at all times. 

Choosing happiness is more like a shield. A protection. A cover. It is because no matter how you openly choose happiness, there will always be a bug that will shut you down and push you to misery.

There are times I wonder until when does someone has the strength and the courage to choose happiness at any cost? I know some will say, 'it is matter of choice'. Yes, of course it is, but easier said than done. 

I would rather maintain the strength, gather more courage...and make a choice.  

Strength for me is mental. Courage comes straight from the heart. 

How about you, what's your choice?

Rainy Sunday

Farm: Part 4 ----- Coffee

Farm: Part 3 ----- The Fog