Weekend Sh*t

BeforeI start this blog, let me first list the 4 things I have to do this weekend. The 4 reasons why my office laptop is opened this damned Saturday night, and why I'm in freaking starbucks in a mismatched shirt, shorts, jacket and tsinelas. (faded pink shirt, some sort of brown bermuda shorts, green stripe jacket, and beige havaiannas, plus unruly hair).
1. Finish CAA list
2. Finish VAD list
3. Makati Trade Check Next Steps list
4. My personal Eclaims
Phew, so now the list is done, let's put it aside and let me tell you a bunch of hodgepode stories.

Since around 5 pm, I was relentlessly trying to start the item no. 1 in my things to do list. (Well, actually, the item #1 is in my things to do list since this tuesday). But being procrastinating Nel that I am, all is pushed backed aside and until now its still on that freaking list. Anyhow, i was reading through the personal emails I have a moment ago and a friend emailed a link about the a group of friends who put up their own travel arrangement company.
Gosh! this is the very same business plan that my traveling SAWI friends and I have. A plan that never put into action, well, because of no one really pursued it seriously. I hope this will push through.

A while ago, I went to Darphin in Podium to have my facial. They have 20% off promo! Woohoo!
Well, nothing to tell really, except that while I'm on my way to Darphin, I missed a step in the basement corridor of Podium, fell down my knees . (As in sobrang talisod). Now, I think both my knees are bruised.
After Darphin, my hair looked funny. Tikwas in all the wrong places. Because, I lied down with my hair wet and pushed outwards.

I need to exercise. I'm having difficulty of going up a flight of stairs. and i'm gaining so much weight.

Yesterday, was a terrbile work day for me. Long story. Anyways, called up Apple and asked what's their plans for the night. My date cancelled due to a client's meeting. She and Cali are on their way to Makati. The three of us met up, told each of our bad day story (except for Cali who had a 5-hour pampering day at Suriya), ate, and watched Sweeny Todd. Sweeny Todd is creatively morbid. I'm not eating meat for a long time.

Alright...back to item #1 on my list.

As if nothing happened

I think I owe myself and my readers (if I still have any) one decent blog entry. After all, my last entry was sometime August, and it was a terrible one, mind you. And given that it's the eve of the new year, perhaps in its own cliche, a perfect time to write about this year's learnings and the upcoming year's plans.

2007 has been a great year. This, of course stemming from my personal perspective. It's a year of travel and adventures, of strengthened friendships, and of a more grounded personal discovery.

It's a year filled with travels and adventures.
For someone, who's secret career wish is to become a host of Lonely Planet or any travel show for that matter, 2007 has been a pretty good year . From swimming with the Butandings in Donsol, Sorsogon last April, to Parasailing in Boracay last May, to rafting in CDO/Camiguin last October, this year was well full of new adventures. Not to mention the almost bi-monthly surfing weekends in San Juan La Union, my Advance Open Water Diving certification, and my other spur of the moment weekender trips (which includes Gica, Ronnie, and my "squatter" trip in Terazzas) , this was one heck of an exciting year.

My work also gave me that longed opportunity of travel. From my frequent trips to Cebu and CDO to my first Davao visit--all traveled in style. Good airlines and good hotels with good buffet breakfast. This is the life!

Beyond my personal travels, I guess it is important to also note my parents' getaway trip. My mom joined my dad on his ship sometime November and will be back sometime February or March. Their itinerary is something like US, Europe, Latin America. But let's not talk about their travel but the adventure of those who were left at home--us! Well, the challenge really, beyond paying the bills on-time and making sure we have food on the table is not to burn the house down. So far, we are doing a pretty good job :)

It's a year of reuniting and strengthening friendships.
Through witnessing and keeping part of page-turning events of people closest to me, friendship grew deeper and perhaps more meaningful. For my high school barkada, wedding preparations of Aisa and Law meant an almost regular Saturday dinners and desserts after bridal-fair hopping, church checking, gown fittings and shoe shopping. These wedding prep moments allowed us (Ice, Cali., Apple, and me) to hang out and share stories as often. Stuff we haven't been able to do since high school. The wedding itself gave the opportunity to reunite almost all of us. Fatima visited from the States. Anna B went home from Oman. (Kathie, sadly has to go the States for her sister's wedding, but that understandable.)
From weddings to baby showers and baptisms. Another page-turning event is the coming of Baby Jed in our lives. Thanks to Papa Jose and Mommy Aims! Baby Jed, the cutest baby I know, who everyone thought was a girl so all of his presents and dedications from his baby shower are pink and addressed to a baby named Alessandra. Oh well!
Baby Jed. Isn't he the cutest?


It is a year of a more grounded personal discovery.
In one of my prayers, I realized that life is good. I am in a place where I wanted to be. And I am grateful for all of these. I am slowly realizing that ask and you shall receive. Yet God, or universe, as you may call It, will give it to you only when you are ready and you have opened yourself to receive that blessing.

Jeez...

I have 2 out of 4 things on my to-do-list done. And it's already 1:37 am! And I'm blogging.
Let's take advantage of this moment that I still remember my password. Later na yung documentation reports and yung project updates ko.

Anyhow, multiply and friendster have been blocked from our office network.
Crap! I want to see some pictures pa naman!

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My friends are either getting married or having babies...

Me? I don't have a clear direction where to go.

I work to play. I work long hours on weekdays to spend all my time and money on weekends.

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Anyhow, here's a laundry list of places I have to visit and things I have to do before I turn 28. 3 years time, 'chong. Why 28? because i'm getting married by that time. To whom? I don't know.

Things to do
Dive: done
Surf: done
Parasail: done
Kiteboard
Sky dive
(Yey, 3 out of 5)

Places to go:
North Luzon Expedition (Vigan, Aparri, Batanes, Banaue, Pagudpod):
Palawan: to dive
Davao
Australia (to surf):
China: will be going when Paul stays there
Cambodia: by next year sana
Euro tour
Dubai

yun muna. I'll finish muna my things to do list

Zambales Surf...

Zambales Surf...
We've been planning this for a long time. It will be my first time to watch a surfing competition. It will also be my first time to surf in Zambales.
The plan was all set.
It was the usual 5 of us (Nel, Jacob, Za, Kathryn, Anna Mae), Gica, Ronnie, and Nel's plus one.

Rain or shine we will push through. Never mind the typhoon which literally swept Luzon starting Wednesday cancelling classes all grade levels. Never mind the floods. Never mind the possibility of us being stranded. Never mind the unsolicited advice from colleagues saying it may not be a good idea to go afterall. Our bags were all set. Baons were packed. Vehicles fully gas-ed up. But the typhoon did not stop. Rains continue to fall. Manila drowns in flood.
Saturday.We will meet 6 am, Shell Tiendesitas. Woke up 530ish. The typhoon was terrible. Dressed-up. Called up Vince, saying "yup tuloy, meet-up in Shell Tiendesitas". While on the phone, mother shouted "HINDI KA AALIS." SOS everyone saying that my mom won't let me go. But after a couple of being "a good girl", guilt-tripping, and "calling a friend" aka my dad saying that I will leave if "sun is up already", I had clearance to go.
Left the house around 8 am. Picked the others up in Shell Tiendesitas. Traversed the floody roads of Manila in almost 0 visibility.

After a flood detour in Lubao, flood "sugod" in Dinalupihan, and the long and winding road of Olongapo, all of which Jacob drove, we arrived at last. Settled-in, ate lunch in a carinderia.
We walked and literally crossed a chest-deep river going to the competition area.Then watched how the pros from La Union, Baler, Siargao, Zambales do it...(Pictures soon)

The day's event ended with a booze, band, and announcement of surfer semis.
My night ended with by the beach camping, complete with a tent, hotdogs and mallows with some of my workmates.

Sunday.Vince, who supposed to go with us the morning before, wasn't able to come because he fell asleep and woke up lunch time followed the next day with his Kuya Dax and cousin Jel. Because of the competition, there is no place to surf in San Antonio. So we travelled a good hour away to Iba Zambales.

It was one good car ride. The scenery was amazing. The roads ain't that bad. The town was beautiful.

We arrived at the resort. After brushing up on the basics, we rushed to the sea. Waves were harsher than what I'm used to in La Union. It was one wave after another. It's one tumble after the other. I had never swallowed much water than I had. I never had more body ache, more bruises than of this surf. But heck, it was all worth it.

A little past 8, after cleaning up, we travelled back to Manila, stopped over in Subic for dinner.

It was one heck of a trip.Next surf stop will be September 15.

My New Dick!

Those who I am close enough with know that my old Civic name is Dick. Dick the Civic. My companion all through out college. The witness to all my stupid driving antics--from the humps horn-blowing incident to leaf horn-blowing incidents. I had an entry dedicated to him sometime back. Apologies that I can't put the link on, beacuse I'm just lazy to do so.


Now, Dick the Civic is no longer my Dick. It was passed over to Kian ever since I was issued a company car-- a Black Altis, who until now is nameless.


I have a new Dick, nevertheless--a 9 foot fiberglass customized Dick Brewer long board. Previously owned by pro-surfer Ian Saguan, this Dick has a new boss! Kawawang Dick if I may say! From being owned by a pro-surfer, from being totally spoiled to being owned by me.


How did this Dick became my Dick?

Well, I bought it.
And I bought it because it's color purple and it's cute.

Little that I know that this board is the envy-board of many surfers. It's one of a kind. Custom-built. And I lately learned that it Dick is quite a popular surf board. LU surfers care more about this board than me. Ok lang na mabaldado ako, basta di mabali si Dick.

Anyhow, I had Dick brought in Zambales. Then I, Vince, and Vince's bro Dax, and cousin Jeline went to Iba and surf. The waves were harsh. Dick fell nose down. Dick got a ding!

I went to 5forty to have it repaired. Pagbukas pa lang ng board bag, kilala na kagad si Dick!

O well. My new Dick is quite a popular Dick.

Heck, I like it only because it's purple.

What's Up Surf's Up

So let's pretend that I have been writing regularly. Never mind the 4-5 months gap from the previous post I had. I will go through with this crappy blog as if the last time I spoke was yesterday. Well, actually I did blog a couple of posts after April. It was on my multiply site, though. Why? Well, I forgot my password. Okay? Damn!

Hmmpph... So where will I start? Let's start from the very beginning, a very good place to start . Oh cut that crap!

I said, I will convert this blog into a travel log, and travel log it is. Well, I have not been travelling lately. Most of my weekends are spent in Ayala Center primarily because of work. However, when time and of couse budget allows, BEACH here I go!

June 9-12, Boracay. With Ayee, Nina, Tehnie, Ugs, Myke

More pictures at my multiply

My first time to parasail!

It's more peaceful than exciting though. When you're up in the sky, quiet is all you hear.

July 20-22

La Union equals surf + booze + sleep + sunburn.

More pictures at Jeff's site.

Ian was thinking of selling his Brewer fiber glass long board he uses in international competition. One of those impulsive decisions, I bought this surfboard. And such a beauty she is. :) Unplanned, unbudgetted. It was heat of the moment thing. This surfboard merits its own blog entry. Will do it in a while. :)

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We waited for a Partas bus going to Manila for more than 2 hours. Traffic is manageable but my seatmate was not. I just want to strangle that gay teenager who phones to death. He speaks as if the entire bus wants to listen to his conversation. I was having that Ally Mc Beal moment when I had visions of myself strangling my seatmate. With all the annoyance, I made my stand! I will bring a car to the next trip!

August 3-5: La Union

For pictures, check out Kathryn's multiply site.

It's the end of Partas Days! We're driving to La Union. My new surfboard needs to be baptized.

Saturday: Bacnotan was too big for us so we went farther north, surfed on 1 foot waves. Ate lunch prepared by . Afterwards looked for a different surf site. Weather was terrible. I drove at 0 visibility. There was a surf camp going on. Free surf, however we

Sunday: Had a pretty good surf at the point. Attempted to do a tandem.

Advance Open Water Diver

Anilao, Batangas
March 31-April 1

I am now a certified Advance Open Water Diver!!! Woohoo!!! Now I can explore more challenging dive sites. Deep dives, night dives, wreck dives. Sky is the limit, or in this case, the ocean is.

Just a recollection of what happened. Well, let’s start off last Friday.

Like any amazing weekend, it starts off with a lousy Friday. 9 am, had a meeting with the interior designer to review some projects. At 11 am, was supposed to meet a NAMFREL guy to turnover some of my old files. Was a bit late (11:25) and we had a little miscommunication on the meeting place, he got a bit pissed, I apologized but he never acknowledged. He didn’t even thank me for the files, that a-hole! Went to the BA agency to train girls that I'll send to Cebu, then went to Unilever to get the computer set-up and RSAC. Brought the BA’s home (somewhere in Mercedes Pasig) because they have LOTS of things to bring to Cebu—from a computer set-up to a Gigantic Skin Camera, to merchandising materials, to product testers. It was so damned traffic. Hang-out in Anna B's House for a while. Went back home to get my cellphone chargers, then proceed to Roxas boulevard to eat (again) dinner with my family. My dad arrived from the airport a few moments before. We stayed at Grand Boulevard for the night.

Saturday.

Woke up around 630 to drive to Anilao. This is my first time I'm driving out-of-town alone! (Before this, the farthest I drove was Sta Rosa--Monde's Head Office). ANyhow, it takes some guts, courage, and a hell lot of patience (it was so damned traffic in Calamba). I arrived at the resort in one piece (hehehe). Rested for a little while. Met my new advance dive classmates. then went off to the ocean.

Dive 1: Peak Performance Buoyancy.
Sounds too technical. But actually, it is just about your air in your BCD and your lung volume. It's about mastering your buoyancy skills. The whole dive had a spoon with a rock on it. Challenge is never to drop the rock. Sounds easy enough? Nah? We had to do a side view float, a head upside float, and a sommersault! Well, of course, I dropped my rock.
Saw the resident Pawikan during this dive. (The same pawikan Gaile and Onry saw during their check-out). Apart from "Finding Nemo" fishes, saw some unique fishes which I dont remember the names.

Dive 2: Underwater Navigation
If I can't read a compass on land, then I can't read a compass underwater! Geez, I get lost going to work. What more under water. Note: Nel has no sense of direction.

Dive 3: Night Dive!
Apart from the flash light preparation (you have to clean it and all), this is such a cool dive. saw a big round crab, a lionfish, a cowfish, and some other nocturnal fishes. We had to turn off our lights one part of the dive, shook the water a little, and saw the planktons glowing in the dark. They are like fire flies.

Dinner and Inuman.
Had my first cibeci: a costa rican pulutan(made by Renato--a costa rican diver)...It's like our local kilawin. Tanigue soaked in lemon, cilantro, and red peppers. eaten with kethcup, mayo over crackers. Absolutely nam-nam!


Sunday:
Dive 4: Deep Dive
Just went deeper and deeper and deeper. 135 ft max. Dive Site: Steps

Dive 5: Wreck Dive
Forgot the name of the Dive Site. It was a barge with an amazing story, from druggies to interpol, to a Dive master who died when the barge exploded. Wreck dives are fun, but with my extremely short attention span, exploring a sunken barge for more than 40 minutes gives me a bore.

Dive 6: Drift Dive
My favorite dives of all! Why? Because we are in constant motion. Either we fight the drift, or go along with it, its fun and challenging. We covered 2 dive sites...Batoc and something else. It was one of the most amazing coral reefs ever. So colorful. And since it's a drift dive, it's like watching one big moving aquarium.

Then It's time to go home. Good thing Joey and Teddy will hitch a ride to Sta Rosa, therefore they will drive. Went home, then got sick on Monday.

That's it for now...
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I want to be a Dive Master! Para mabawi ang investments ko in diving. GJ was saying, bihira ang DM na girls (as in girls ha!). Word of advice, if I were to be a DM dapat girl na girl. Di pwedeng brusko. Di pwedeng, "o pare, iakyat mo na ang tangke sa bangka". Dapat, in a malambing voice, "kuya, pabitbit naman po ng tangke".

O well.. some useless mumblings