My life in 5 days: Part three

BAGUIO

1. Baguio, after 16 yrs

I was five years old when I last visited Baguio. That was the time before the earthquake took place. When I came back, Baguio City changed a lot. It was more commercialized than before. When we entered the City, parang Recto. Anyway, it's a good thing that we stayed in an inn far from the "hustle bustle" of the city. Iggy's Inn was a good place to stay. I like the interior, especially the paintings, it's like the "DragonflyInn" (Gilmore Girls).

2. Old house

I took a picture of an old, unkempt house in front of the Inn. It seems that it has seen "better days". Kac, I saw a vintage car in the garage, parang fifties. I really wanted to go inside, gusto ko kac maka-pasok sa mga lumang bahay, well, I know it's weird, but i really love adventures! Honestly speaking, that house attracted me because I felt like I lived in the fifties.-->just a thought!

3. AFS Scholars

on my last night, i got a chance to hang out with the AFS scholars from Thailand, Panama, Belgium, Egypt, Belgium, & Chile. It seemed that they looked like my age, they're really tall! They even thought that I was younger than them. (liit ko kac eh). Kidding aside these kids were really intelligent. I find them interesting, because they were highly opinionated. I liked the way they expressed their opinions. Well,I really like people who speaks their mind because it's really challenging. Interacting with them, had expanded my horizons. I've realized that not all my prejudices (about other culture) were right. Because, I got intimidated by these kids at first,because I thougt that they were "racists". But, i was wrong, they're actually nice people. I've learned that you just have to be confident, especially when interacting with people from different nationalities/cultures.And of course, humor will serve you well.

*try to find Nick Carter's look alike on the second picture (unfortunately, he's gay and he's proud of it)

My life in 5 days : Part two

SAGADA

1. St. Mary the Virgin Parish

-this Church is very simple, yet, a reminiscent of the medieval times.That's what makes the church charming. When I prayed inside, I felt like I was in a time warp, parang nasa time ako ni Robin Hood. hehe. If you're going to Sagada, take a visit on this church. I think, this place is ideal for religious people or those who want to make a devotion.

2. St. Joseph's Inn

- Just a few meters away from the SMV parish. The ambience was very homey. Ang cute ng mga cottages, parang Pleasantville.

* I wasn't able to see the tribes that Mam Pepin was talking about,(ung namumugot ng ulo). Nobody talks about them. They're mysterious.

*The natives has distinct features. They look like Ifugao dolls because they have round and lovely pair of eyes.

*I was amazed when I saw the mothers carrying their children at their back with cloth. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of them, kumakain kac ako nun eh, hehe.

My life in 5 days :Part one

BANAWE

1) Las Vegas Restaurant and Lounge

- We ate in this restaurant during our 3- day stay in Banawe. The food was great and the service was excellent. The food tastes different , especially the sinigang, iba kac ung pampa-asim nila eh. The service was personalized, because the children of the owner were the ones who served the food to us. Each member has his/her own share in the business. The mother cooks, the children serves the food, and the best part of it, the father serenades us with country songs. Their children were also talented. I took a shot on the eldest son while he was playing "narda". I would definitely recommend this place, especially for those who are tight on budget. For as low as 70 pesos, you already have a meal. The lodging costs 150 pesos----- affordable di ba? This place is a great place to hangout in Banawe.ASTIG!

2) Banawe View Inn

-We stayed here for three days. This is more expensive than Las Vegas, because lodging itself costs 600 pesos. But, it's worth it because the place is neat. The place was owned by Mr & Mrs. Luglog. FYI: Mrs. Luglog was the great grand daughter of late Ottley Beyer, the anthtopologist who studied the Ifugao culture. He later on married an Ifugao native. aside from the breath taking view of the rice terraces, i also liked the museum. Learning their culture was the most interesting part of my trip. Tignan nyo ung chess, ang cute!

3) Dep ed Lagawe

-on the second day, we went to Lagawe to conduct an AFS orientation for inbound and outbound students and parents.To make the long story short, I was asked to assist with the orientation. I had the chance to meet some AFS scholars. Aside from Emelia, I also met Junia, an Ifugao native. Both of them returned last year after spending eleven months in the United States.

4) Rice Terraces

-This was the highlight of my trip. If I would describe the rice terraces in one word, that would be: WONDERFUL!

magpaka-totoo ka!

"magpaka-totoo ka!" di ba buyline to dati sa commercial ng sprite.... at ito ang bago kong motto sa sarili ko.

anyway,

i've learned that "knowing yourself and accepting it (both your weaknesses and strengths) is an art". i hate to admit it but i often find myself conforming to what other people says. i want to change it and i know it won't happen overnight. it's hard for me because, i've been battling with my insecurities for a long time. i used to think that i was not smart or good enough to be accepted by other people. in other words, i easily get intimidated.

but, two weeks ago, my family and i went on a 3 day vacation in Subic. then, something good came out of it. ..past wounds began to heal and i began to accept myself for who i really am. i started to unravel the things that i would be passionate about, but most of all i began to discover God's plan for me.

now the question is... how do i describe myself?
well, aside from being a college graduate and an apprentice in our family business, i consider myself as a student of life and learning. ang sarap matuto, lalo na when u finally decided to pick yourself up and get back in the race. from my past experiences, i was bruised, humbled, and i guess, smarter. i don't want to look back with resentment. i want to see what i've learned. i have to acknowledge my mistakes, so i won't do them again. because accdg. to dr. Phil mcgraw, "u can't change what u don't acknowledge."

we all have our quirks and shortcomings but what's important is that u don't allow your idiosyncracy to disrupt other people.
i was always considered as "peculiar" because of my interests. i used to consider it as an insecurity, but i was wrong. instead i should see it as an advantage. because my differences, makes me special. all of us have our own bizaare behaviors, i was just more upfront about it, kaya madali akong mapuna.

- - - ganito kac ako: i'm a sucker for pinoy flicks, kahit drama eh, tinatawanan ko, i love classics, vintage stuffs. mas natutuwa ako makinig sa new wave music, kahit marami akong latest songs na gusto. bhira ako sumunod sa latest shows. when i cook, i experiment stuffs, wla akong specific na dish na sinusunod. ung journal ko and my other personal stuffs gusto ko handmade.at medyo maligalig ako kapag natutuwa ako ng sobra - - -

medyo kakaiba di ba?

now i have come to realize that, i have to manage my quirks. i've accepted them. as long as i put it in a socially acceptable manner without compromising myself to other people's expectations. ok na un. i can't please everybody. if a person can't accept me for who i really am it's his problem, non me ne frege.



* for those who love my past entries, thank you so much!!!