Travel the world and come home a changed man

Catanduanes. . . Home of the mythical waves. . . Home of my wandering soul

Lying east of mainland Bicol, the kidney-shaped island of Catanduanes is a paradise to surfers and nature lovers. This virtually untouched island is famous for its pure beaches, pre-historic caves, humungous waves, archaic stone chapels, and colossal cathedrals.

This island has been my refuge for as long as I can remember. This is the place I find solace and peace during the hot summer days. My memories of this beautiful and serene isle are beyond compare. When the hassle and bustle of the city takes the best of my chaotic life, you know where to find me.

What to see in the island?

Bato Church. Built in 1830, this church is a concrete example of an antique cathedral that has stood over a hundred years of war, destruction, and natural calamities. If historic places are your thing, this church is a must-see.

Batalay. A town of Bato, Batalay is home to some of the serene beaches in Catanduanes. It has a long shoreline of untouched, clean beaches (it’s not a white sand beach though). If a quiet walk on the beach or a calm sunset watch is what you want, this is the best place to visit.

Virac Church. This church is located at the heart of Virac, the capital town of Catanduanes. Known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception to the locals, this church is built with amazing stained glass windows. Offer your prayer at this church when you visit Catanduanes.

Puraran. The surfing site of Catanduanes. Home of the majestic waves, Puraran is found in the southern part of the island in the town of Baras. It has one of the whitest and most beautiful beaches in the island, not to mention colorful underwater views. If a great surfing site and a good relaxing place is what you are looking for, you know where to go.

Batong Paluay. It is said that the image of Our Lady of Sorrow imprinted in a stone is found in barangay Batong Paluay, San Andres. In the past, the image was too small that a magnifying lens is needed to see it. But over the years, the image has increased in size and can be seen with bare eyes. In fact, its storage space has been changed three times to accommodate the growing size of the image.

I haven’t been to Puraran and Batong Paluay. I know I’m missing the fun. But on my next visit to Catanduanes, my destination would definitely be these places. I haven’t even explored half the towns in the island. That would be next in my list. Bon Voyage!

Here are other Catanduanes pics. Enjoy!

When you point your finger at someone . . . make sure it is clean.

I was cutting my nails yesterday when a thought came to me. Why do nails grow so fast? I just cut them five days ago and now I need to cut them again. Why can’t they grow slow just like the hair? That way I don’t need to frequently worry of getting filth in them. For something that’s dead, nails surely grow fast.

Here are some nail facts:

Nails grow 1 cm in every 100 days.

Toenails grow slower than fingernails. It takes 6 months to grow an entirely new fingernail while it takes 12 to 18 months for the toenails.

Women’s nail glow slower than men’s nail.

Nails, just like hairs, are made up of keratin.

Nails are composed of dead cells, so they don’t breathe and sweat.

Nail on the middle finger grows the fastest, while the thumbnail grows the slowest.

Nails that are cut often grow faster than those not cut too often.

The longest nail recorded was 48 inches from an Indian man.

Nails on the right hand grow faster than nails on the left hand on right-handed people and vice versa.

As you reach the age 30, nails grow slower.

Pregnancy and age affect nail growth.

It’s bad luck to cut your nails after dark. But that’s pure superficiality. After all, how can you cut your nails when you can’t see it. The bad luck there would be when you injure yourself.

How do I stay fit? Simple. I sleep.

Why do some people talk in their sleep? Nobody knows for sure.

Somniloquy, otherwise known as sleep talking, is one of the great mysteries of sleeping. Scientists say that sleep talking can happen at any point in the sleep cycle. The lighter the sleep, the more lucid the words. So, if suddenly you hear your sister, friend, or husband talk during stages 1 and 2 of their sleep, chances are you will hear an entire conversation. But if they are already in stages 3 and 4, moans and gibberish speech is all you’ll hear.

I find it funny and exciting to hear someone talk in their sleep. It’s like they’ll talk about something top secret any moment. It’s like making someone talk about his deepest secrets without him really knowing and remembering talking to you. But sadly, that’s not always the case with me. When I hear someone talk in their sleep it’s always gibberish. Maybe because I’m in the REM stage myself or just hallucinating in my sleep. Darn. I’ve been secretly hoping to hear someone shout his secret while sleeping. Must be one great revelation.

Tonight I dream of rare moments of love, peace, and delight

Had a dream last night…here’s what dreammood.com had to say about my dream.

Nuptial

To dream of your nuptials, foretells of an engagement that will lead to much joy and harmony.

Hmm…interesting interpretation.

Since I’m already in the dream mood, might as well find out what my recurring flood dream means…

Flood

To see a raging flood with its muddy debris, signifies that you will have much unsettling occurrences and tribulations in life. Your repressed emotions may be overwhelming you.

To dream that you are swept away by a flood, forewarns that someone is trying to use you.

To see a gentle flood, indicates that your worries over a certain matter will be soon be swept away.

Mine’s the last one.. I always dream of a gentle flood in our town, but the water never reaches inside our house. That’s probably because we live in a hill. But it’s funny that in all my dreams the water always reaches our gate but never get past it.

Time was a cruel thief. ..he robbed us the man we love.

Losing someone you care so much about is just plain hard. It’s mentally taxing, emotionally frustrating, and spiritually draining. The worst part is it leaves a big hole inside you. How could you possibly deal with it?

I’ve talked about death in this blog before. How hard it is, how to deal with it, and even how to accept it. It was positively written that you’d think I’ve experienced a lot of deaths in my life already. Actually, it was only written because the topic interests. Never did I knew that experiencing death with a loved one first-hand would make me want to delete what I wrote and scratch the word death in my vocabulary.

. . . I’ve met him only once, but the imprint he left in my heart was beyond compare. Learning about his death this morning was like a dream I never want to recall. He was still young. There was still a lot for him to experience. He was yet to see his sons build a family of their own. But Fate had other plans for him. His time here with us was over.

It was hard seeing the man I love sad, hurt, and confused. He loved him so much. He cared for him a lot. But he left too soon. He left him unprepared.

But I know he’s in a good place now. I know he’s happy where he is.

We’ll miss you so much Dad. Till me meet again. . .

I’m tired of following my dreams. So I’ll just leave them in their way and hook up with them later

There was once a young woman who wished to gain her heart’s desire.

She traveled far worlds and amazing places to find the one true thing that would fulfill her longing.

She met many bizarre and remarkable people, who in one way or another made a huge difference to her life.

But as she traveled from one world to another, the empty space in her heart grew larger and larger.

Each face she met only adds up to the pile of blank pages in her mind.

Nothing and no one left an imprint on her heart and soul.

At last, she grew tired of wandering.

She traveled back to the only place she knew by heart, the place she calls home.

It was there where she spent the last days of her humdrum life.

The life she left to search for her fate.

But it was there where she find the solace, the peace, and the bliss she longed for.

It was there where at last she found the one thing she desired so much for – her Heart’s Desire.

There are two kinds of people, those who make your life difficult and. . . so on

My day always start with confusion.

Where’s my phone? My key? My hanky? Arrghh..I forgot my wallet again.

But these have been regular occurrences by now that they seem a habit already. Those things don’t annoy me anymore. What turns my confused-cum-normal day upside-down is what happens in-between. . . rather who I encounter in-between.

The guy who never fails to annoy me with his ‘how are you’ text messages.

The woman who constantly complains to me about her work or life.

The gal who incessantly tells me stories I’m tired of hearing.

The woman….the man….the person…

There’s just too many of them. I too often find myself too tired to carry on with my day when these people start hovering around me.

So, how do I cope?

Simple.

First. I don’t take people’s behavior personally. Translation. I ignore them.

Second. I don’t try to change them. In other words, I just go with the flow.

Third. I try to be flexible. Meaning, since I can’t change them, it’s my responses to their behavior that I change.

Fourth. I don’t try to confront them. Otherwise stated, I go to the bathroom sprinkle my face with water, go back to my station, and listen to loud music to distract myself.

If all my optimistic efforts turn futile. . . I go home, read, and sleep. (so much for a good day)

From 24-year old me to 60-year old me

Dear Future Me,

Its May 3 today. I’m feeling sad, distraught, anxious, disappointed, and perplexed. I was supposed to go to Oguis today, but unfortunately, I have to take an exam tomorrow. I’ve been looking forward to this trip since last month. This would have been the first time we’re all going home to Oguis as a family after 9 yrs. But sadly, here I am left anxious and alone in our house.

I’m counting the hours and minutes till they return. I’m sure they have a lot of stories and pictures to show. If only I could move the exam schedule. I would trade it for anything under the sun so long as I can go on this vacation. I so need a vacation. I want to escape the stress and pressure of work even just for a few days. I want to reassess my priorities and what I really want to do with my life. Lately, I’ve been feeling down and unhappy. I feel like there is something missing in my life.

Well, I guess I’m just too disappointed that’s why I feel this way. Oh, how I wish life is simple and carefree. No stress, no pressure, no worry. I hope you’re not feeling the same way I do. Don’t get yourself too anxious, ok. You’re not getting any younger. You won’t handle stress the same way as before. Just keep yourself relaxed and happy.

How’s life, by the way? You’re probably retired by now. Have you gone back to Oguis yet? How is it there? Still as serene and simple as it was before? I hope so.

Take care of yourself, ok and say hi for me to my sisters.

From,

Past me

cool music

Hey guys. I found a great site to download and listen to music. Its called MP3 Search Engine. It has a built-in music player that is easy to use and browse. Plus, you can download full-length songs if you want. It’s worth a try, I tell you.

It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous. RobertBenchley

4 years can feel like a long time, yet it seems like only yesterday when I was writing my first article. A lot has changed since then, both in my writing and attitude. I guess there is something about getting older that makes one more aware of time, that there is not much left of it, and you persistently need to make the most of every moment. It makes me appreciate more all the good things – every endeavor, every experience - and try not to dwell too much on the downside.

Still, too much to do and experience. I’m just halfway to achieving my “Personal Legend”, which I’m still to figure out, btw. I maybe a woman on the outside, but still a girl at heart. Too young to be accomplished, too old to be apathetic. (Sigh)

I cannot say writing is my passion. It’s like something I just stumbled on once upon a time. Honestly, I’m not good at words or sentence structure. Either in expressing myself in words. I never got an A in English nor an excellent grade in business writing. I’m just an average girl with an average IQ.

So, I never really knew how I end up writing in my first job or in my second. It’s like divine intervention. (heehee) One day, He just said, ‘you should apply to this job advertisement. It’s your calling.’ Yeah right, my calling. Despite my mind’s immense resistance, here I am today writing and draining my tiny brain for words, sentence structure, and s-v agreement. I must be crazy for staying on this job until today.

But still, I convince myself everyday not to dwell on the downside but to look always on the bright side (if ever there really is a bright side). After all, I’m getting no younger everyday. Might as well make the most of my writing days and who knows, I might find another more fruitful endeavor today, or maybe next week, or next month. I’ll just hold on to that happy thought and keep my sighs and grunt to myself, for now.

Good Gift!!

I was looking for a gift idea a while ago when I stumbled upon this soy based candle. It says that this is an organic candle that burns clean and environment-friendly. This is perfect for me. Gotta grab one!

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The Youth

Growing up.
School.
Friends.
Career.
Lifestyle.
Beauty.
Fashion.
Gimmicks.
Relationships.
Changing lives.

Nobody knows how it feels to be young . . . except you.