Inked.

I contemplated on getting one for years. I had been stopped by myths, opinions, lack of time and my own fears. I did not want to get one just to belong or go along with the fad. I want one just because.

I finally decided to cross out an item on my bucket list and got myself inked in Dumaguete.

When did I first plan to get one? Believe it or not, it was 14 years ago. I have this image in my mind I want tattooed on my nape.I have tried so much to keep it to myself. The last thing I want to happen is to see it on someone else's nape when I finally decide to get one on mine. Getting an image from the net or copying someone else's isn't appealing to me neither. No!

So what does this image mean to me?

I am an UPWARD BOUND graduate. Fresh from college, I got hired as a teacher in one of the schools of Bob Garon. He runs a special formation house where values and academics are in equal levels. I was very lucky to have been chosen to be part of one of their 3-day Upward Bound trainings.

Upward Bound aims to help participants actualize their potentials, instill discipline, imbibe proper attitudes, learn to handle feelings and improve self-image and worth.The Upward Bound pushes the participants to their maximum potential through extreme stress and crisis situations in a Spartan environment. It is geared to executives and management, but is also an effective tool to gauge high potential employees that are being considered for advancement in the company. (These are actual words from their site.)

This is one of the best experiences of my life. I have done things I never thought I can. I thought of joining the military after the training; that's how influential it was. I felt like I could do just about anything.

More than the Upward Bound training, this image is also reflective of my faith. I know that when I die, I am Upward Bound. I will see my Father in Heaven and enjoy what He has promised I will as His child. My faith says:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38, 39)

This was my coming back verse. I turned my back on God for 8 long years and this verse was what woke me up about three years ago. I held on to this verse from then on.

My tat is very simple and not loud at all but it does have a story - a story worth its pain.

Thanks to Marbo, my artist, whom I will feature on my Jailbreaking Series soon.

Thanks to Phil, my soul sister, with whom I got an identical tat to celebrate sisterhood and friendship.

A friend loves at all times and a brother (sister) is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 17: 17

This is Phil's and you will see the same on my left leg.

Finally, I am INKED!

Attraversiamo 2013: 4th Leg - Destination Lake Pandin

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

When you work hard, you gotta learn how to play harder.

My family at work is getting bigger and what a better way to welcome the new members but to go out of town. Welcome to the Learning Team, Arman, Mira, Emman and Stephen.

We decided to push thru a previously aborted plan to enjoy a floating lunch in Lake Pandin in Laguna.

We checked in at Villa Sylvia Resort to leave our things and ran right away to the lake before it turns dark.

We started our floating late lunch after a 15-20 minute hike to the Lake.

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

With my blog buddy, Bryce.

Lake Pandin is one of the famous Seven Lakes in Laguna. It is said to be the most calm and the most visited amongst the seven. Lake Pandin is also known as the twin lake of Lake Yambo because of its very close distance to it. Yambo is 8 hectares bigger than Pandin. (Reference: Nagcarlan Website)

 

The raft was operated by two locals who are part of the group of women who are mostly wives of fishermen in the locality. This tour gives them income and also aids in preserving the cleanliness of the lake. We paid a reasonable amount (P350/head) to do this trip. You are free to give more as a tip. Along with the ride, we were also served this hearty lunch below.

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

After the trip, we went back to the hotel, gave ourselves rounds of drinks and stories before retiring.

The next day, before leaving for Manila, we visited the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. According to Nagcarlan's Official site, this has been declared as a National Historical Landmark since 1978 and was, therefore, closed for further burials.
 

 
Moreover, it was also mentioned that this was meant as a public burial site although its underground chamber or crypt was exclusively for Spanish friars and prominent citizens of the town. This cemetery, according to early church historians, is the only one of its kind in the entire Philippines.

The trip was short. It did what it's supposed to - to welcome the four newest members of the family. I have been in this team for a very long time. I have seen people come and go. I don't know if they will stay long or if I will. But in this trip, we took the first step, and that is to belong.

We dedicate this entry to the other members of the team, who didn't make it, Dannie, Genes, Thel, Tine and Philnee. Our big thanks to Ten, who gave us a ride. 

Thank God for sunsets, for we know that we know new things (and new people) will always come the next day. Here's a great sunset photo from Bryce Kiguchi.

March 16-17, 2013

Photo credits:

Bryce Kiguchi

Sugar Canto

Spin Fast

Photo source here.

Entry # 65 of The Eavesdropper

Spin and spin and spin really fast... That's what love is like, makes your heart raise and turns the world upside down, but if you're not careful, if you don't keep your eye on something still, you could lose your balance. You can't see what's happening to people around you. You can't see that you're about to fall...

Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens in Practical Magic

Destination Bataan : Attraversiamo 2013 - 2nd Leg

I have never looked at this snack pack with so much fulfillment. I will tell you why a little later.

 

This trip is another one of those I-wasn't-really-part-of-the-plan-but-am-so-glad-I-got-dragged travels.
When it comes to traveling, I think I can be dragged by anyone. Ha! It was a planned trip by another group and I just happened to have been invited by one of them. I did not have second thoughts, these people I will be with, I know from work. I should be A-ok!

L-R Mia, Mitch, myself, Jem and Cathy

Cathy hosted this trip. She was very nice to have let us visit her home and see her family. Other than meeting her family and being together, the highlight of this trip was being able to visit an old school Pinoy carnival as part of the town's fiesta. This is more popularly known locally as "perya". It is a distinct manifestation of how Filipinos celebrate town festivities especially in the countryside. I love Peryas.

Just imagine how much of our childishness came out when we gave ourselves these rides. Oh boy! It was awesome!

Cathy and Ten

With Jem

But what tops it all? Shooting!

Ten shots for P15 was a good deal, especially for a kid? If I get at least 5, I get my group something to munch on on our way home. I shot 7 toy soldiers, thus the Ding Dong snack packs you saw above. Not bad! I squealed with delight over my little big accomplishment.

We chose the possible and acceptable ride for us. I mean those which can carry an adult weight. We'd get on it and find ourselves laughing and laughing at our foolishness to pretend we are actually scared of the horror ride and the speedy caterpillar rides. Fun indeed!

L-R Jem, Cathy, myself, Mitch and Ten

On our way home, we stopped to adore this overlooking view of the nearby port.

An unplanned road trip, with new and old travel buddies, 90's music, carnival rides, drinks and secrets, a shot of the moon and a rainbow. Amazing experience!

Every travel is always, always worth the time because in each we discover who we are and the people around us.We don't have to know all the secrets of each other but to know that people are comfortable to tell us of its existence is already something to settle for.

Here's a view of the sky just before we left Bataan. Enjoy the hope it gives.

Travel Dates: February 24-25, 2013

Photo Credits

Mitch Busque

Cathy Flores

Jem Aznar

Fox Llante