Saying that I miss home so much is an understatement. It is, really.

The thought of being away from my family and my friends still scares me. No, scratch that. It’s already a fact. I am here in the US, away from my comfort zone. And it pains me.

I was very determined to push through. I’ve prayed hard for this to happen. God didn’t failed me.

I knew I would be away from everyone and everything I love so dearly, but I didn’t realized it would be this hard. I was never this weak. NEVER. And I’ve never pictured myself this way. NEVER.

God let this happen. And I believe He would never put me into something I would not be able to overcome. His plans are always better than mine. I’m leaving everything up to Him.

And I’ll never fail Him.

***

Leaving is hard. And living after leaving is harder.

The month of March has always been a sad month for me. EVERSINCE. You know, goodbyes and all. I hate goodbyes.

That’s why I never bid goodbye to anyone. Because I know that this is just a long see you soon!

Three weeks ago, I left home with a lot of what ifs in my mind.

Now, I’m starting to get answers for all these questions. 

This is what I know I wanted. And no matter how hard everything could be, I know I would never give up. I would hold on to this. 

If this is what it takes to be someone who you want to be, go. As the saying goes, “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead you anywhere.”

***

I feel so uneasy these past few days. I miss home. I miss everyone. I miss everything. 

I came to this point that I felt like the more I spend my days here, the more I deprive myself of all the happiness I could’ve felt if I didn’t went here. 

But I’m keeping my faith. I know everything has its own purpose. God wants me to learn from this. He wants me to grow— he wants me to be a better version of myself. 

***

Time flies. And I can’t wait ‘til I travel 8493 miles back home. 

February 12.

We went all the way to Clark Freeport, Angeles, Pampanga for the Hot Air Balloon Festival. Thank God, my sched was clear that weekend! Pangs should have cursed me, if not. Haha. Originally, we were supposed to be with Kuya Ren and Kuya Eric, but since they have a reservation somewhere, the plan didn’t push through. Good thing though, Jhels, Tin and Marco are also up for the event.

After work, we went home to Cavite to fix our things and all. We left Cavite by midnight. We also dropped by Paco, Manila to fetch up Tin’s friend, Steff. Then off we go to Pampanga.

We arrived there at around 4am. We thought that we were so early, but geese, line was already crazy. We’re like hundred meters away from the entrance.

Ticket price is 150php, which entitles you to a whole day pass and a cup of coffee/slurpee.

The program started at 6am. We were able to see the balloon flights and the paragliders and skydivers’ exhibition. I was expecting a little bit more with the program et al. I expected more than that, but anyway, getaway with friends are always fun.

We chose not to finish the program because we all want to go to Subic.

We left Clark by 10am and drove to Subic via SCTEX. Our first stop was Tree Top Adventure. Pangs and I tried all the fast-paced rides while friends only experienced two.

Rides were fine except for the tree drop which gave me a creepy feeling.

Pangs, Jhels, Marco and I first rode the Silver Surfer (250php/each). This lets you experience the ultimate fun of surfing in the air as you convey from 10feet up to 80feet high. It rocks you back and forth standing up while you securely glide above the rain forest. Pangs and I enjoyed the ride, it made us feel relaxed. I dunno if Marco enjoyed it too, just look at his facial expression.

The superman ride (200php/each) is somewhat similar to what we did in tagaytay zipline, this one’s just longer and have a twist. There, we soar from tree to tree while suspended face down and feet up. The trail covers 2 platforms of up to 140 meters long and 100 meters high.

And the most breath-taking (literally! lol) is the tree drop adventure (150php/each). This would really quench your thirst for adrenaline rush. Here, you’ll flirt with gravity by rappelling down the side of a 60ft tree. Gadh! This made my knees shake to death. Next time I’ll try this, I’ll be tougher. I just realized, Pangs is way braver than me. She seemed so relaxed before and after the tree drop experience, while I was so nervous all along. Boo me!

Our last ride was Canopy Ride (350php/each), the most relaxing ride. Here, you’ll get to appreciate unspoiled nature from up to 100ft high above the ground by following an adventure trail suspended among the rainforests’ highest branches by crossing 4 suspension bridges and taking 5 motorized cable rides of up to 220 meters long.

We had our late lunch at S&R and had a taste of one of the best pizza’s I’ve ever tasted. Pangs was craving for pasta, so I also ordered at KFC. We also both some goodies at Puregold-Duty Free, where I was able to get some discounts with my purchases. Haha!

And then we headed to Camayan Beach Resort. It was like 5 years when I last went there. I missed the place! I was also able to see and feed the fishes! Hurray!

We had a jam-packed trip! I can’t wait for our next out of town!

I love Sundays.

There are a lot of reasons why, and I’ll tell you one.

Last Sunday, I met up with friends. We were supposed to be a big group. Plan was compromised, again. But I would not just let this plan be scraped.

Pangs, Marco, Kuya Jheerick and I heard the mass at Pink Sisters, where I also bumped with my Aunt and her kada.

I’ve been praying hard for a thing to happen for the past weeks and I would not want to miss the opportunity to have my prayers be spoken by the most imploring individuals I know. Hence, I put my prayers into writing and shared with the pink sisters. I’m of one of those who believe that prayers become more powerful when shared. Of course, it’s not just about myself and my loved ones. But also of people, who I’ve never met, yet i know still needs help through prayers.

I’m trying to make every day a Sunday. You know, how refreshing and rejuvenating Sundays could be. I’m glad that since I started working for Duty Free, I went back to being the devotional me. I’m starting to keep up with my spiritual needs and I’m more than happy that I’m succeeding. That’s a long story, if I may say.And I’ll just cut it short here.

Going back, after the Mass, we headed to Java Jazz. We had dinner and took huge amount of photos.

I ordered caramelized chicken, Marco had Bistek, while Pangs and Kuya Jheerick both had Chicken Curry. Food was superb, I finished two orders.

I wish we get to spend Sundays more often— it’s a happy pill.

I wasn’t really feeling well the whole week. Last Friday, I called in sick and made use of my sick leave— my first ever.

Pangs and I have plans of meeting up with our College friends for Arianne’s welcome and send-off party. That’s right, she just arrived last Sunday and left today. Good thing, fate played nice. I felt better by noon. So, I decided to do something productive. I rushed to POEA to renew my NBI clearance.

I had my super late lunch at The Old Spaghetti House, Rob Galleria. I ordered pan grilled glazed chicken and pasta alfredo. The waiter asked me if I’m with someone. Boo! You know, I’m sick and hungry. Haha.

After I got my clearance, I went to Pangs’ workplace. She has no idea that I’m going there. The elevator at The Enterprise tower won’t get me into the right floor so I decided to use the stairs instead. And there goes my unforgettable fire exit experience. I was trapped there for more than 30 minutes. I was cool almost the whole time until I felt a bit exhausted. Asthma do nothing good to me. So I called Pangs and told her what happened. A man wearing orange suit rescued me. And the rest is history. Pangs seemed so worried about me being locked at the fire exit and asked me to never use the fire exit again. But I won’t.

I roamed around the building until Pangs fetch me at the cafeteria where she bought and gave me a bacon mushroom melt. I also gave her my pasalubong.

We went to Greenbelt 5 because her Boss is going back to Sing and wants to treat them for dinner. While they’re having the time of their lives together, I roamed around and bumped with an old friend who happened to be one of the organizers of the green light project in line for the celebration of La Salle’s 100 years for the benefit of the scholarship fund. I bought shirts worth 1,600 bucks. I hope it’ll go a long way.

Time to meet up with friends so we headed to Alabang. Pangs was able to convince Jay to join us. Once again, I’ve proven my skills in getting a sit in a bus despite the chaotic sea of people in the terminal.

We had dinner at Cabalen, courtesy of Arianne. Their block is almost complete. There’s a lot of catching up— stories were told, laughters were shared, et al. I missed them. We also had some booze. SOME. Something’s changed already in the way we drink, I don’t know. Or it’s only me? I feel like it’s no longer the same.

Whatever, I still love these people. And I’ll go the extra mile to spend some time with them again.

Suddenly felt the urge to go back to Nuvali. This time, with the family. While browsing through the pics, i realized that i miss the gang bigtime! I hope to spend time with them soon. Hello, Christmas Party? Heh.

I’ll just let the pics do the talking :p

It was a day filled with food and fun! Yay!

It’s been a while since I last went home that late and hang out with Ate Hanna and Ate Justine. While Pangs, Jay and I usually have dinner on Friday nights.

Originally, Paul planned this to be a drinking spree. But since his sched kinda sucks, we decided to have dinner instead.

We ate at Kitchen, Greenbelt 3. It took ages before we were able to get a table.

I believe, it’s all our first time there. We loved the menu selection, specifically the name of the viands. And yes, the size of the utensils amazed us—they’re all big-assed.

I ordered hot tomato and pomelo shake (I forgot it’s name in the menu)

Pia had sour bill and buko juice

I love Ate Justine’s wash ashore, tomato soup and green mango shake

Ate Hanna ordered skinny dipping, pumpkin soup, and green mango shake

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Jay had pork belly and refillable mint cooler

We were all undecided whether to wait for Paul or not. We stayed for a while at the Park until everyone agreed to have a drink.

We headed to Flapjacks for beer but we ended up having margarita.

I had chocolate waffle! Yay.

I remember we conversed about vast range of topics. We didn’t realize that it’s already past midnight.

I guess Paul cursed us. And I see it as a reason why we had a very very very hard time getting a ride back home. Hassle. But it’s fun when you are in that most frustrating situation with your lovely girl friends.

 (Some of the photos that night:)