A Look Back on my Most Celebrated Moments over the Year

Wanderlust! It’s the only reason I can think of why I took the courage and moved out from my hometown. I crave for more adventures, more places to see and food to taste and being located in Metro Manila makes it easier for me to accomplish my goals.

April 16, 2013, I bid goodbye to my home for the past 28 years. I know this journey wouldn’t be easy, but living out of my comfort zone makes it more exciting. I have been totally independent since college days and this one shouldn’t be an exception. I left my home and so called family in “The City of Smiles" but I am confident that I will be able to create one as soon as I settled in my new job. I think it’s just fair for me to jot down my most celebrated moments for the past 12 months I have been working as an Analyst and juggling it with my itchy feet. I have always wanted to maintain work-life balance and I am pretty much doing  a great job in keeping it up until this time

April 20-21, 2013: Anawangin Camping Trip

An overnight Camping Trip that made me reunite with one of the best Managers I’ve met who shares the same passion to travel as I do. Getting myself immersed and reconciled with nature. A peaceful yet rejuvenating place for someone who wanted to relax and unwind.

 

After my Anawangin Trip, its time to get back to work and be prepared for training. We had a three-week extensive training on effective methodology for Analyst and Process Consultants. This training also includes Basic and Advance Excel Training as well as Data and Visual Standards for presentation and Project Profitability.

As my profession flourishes, my yearning to travel and shade additional maps in the Philippines became stronger. Since I still have remaining credits from last year’s PTOs it gave me the luxury to file for a weeklong leave. This time I am traveling back to Visayas to shade Negros, Cebu and Bohol provinces.

May 23 – 30, 2013 Negros - Cebu - Bohol Series

Nine days Vacation is just awesome. It’s my first time to be boarded by ZestAir Air bus and it’s not as bad as I expected. I went home for food tripping in Bacolod and Cebu and Explore Bohol’s hidden wonders and famous spots especially the Chocolate Hills. I am so glad I did this before it was hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

 

I went back to Manila happy though missing my hometown, the food and the people. We had a summer outing in rainy season! Since this is my first time to get acquainted with my new team mates, I had to go back to Manila so I can join.

June 1 – 2, 2013 Summer Outing of CAS

This overnight get away helped me get acquainted with my new team mates. It’s a start of something great: great travel buddies in the making. This help us know each other’s personalities in and outside the workplace. Since its my first time to experience the beaches of Batangas, this is an unforgettable one.

Relationship inside the workplace started to get better, from plain team mates we became running buddies and friends. They are my family here in Metro Manila. We had our first and last jog at UP Garden last June 23, 2013

As days went by, I learned to be comfortable with my job and at the same time became more excited to travel and discover. Since I have 4 days out of office notice again, I decided to embark another solo trip all the way south of Luzon. I will be heading to Lucban, Quezon to visit Kamay ni Hesus Shrine and do some food spotting and tasting.

June 28, 2013

What's in Quezon Province? It’s just a 3-4 hour ride from Manila but most of the time overlooked, underrated and almost non-existent in travel guides. Glad I somehow found a way to visit this sleepy province. Resting at the foot of Mt Banahaw is The Municipality of Lucban; famed for its Annual Pahiyas Festival and mouth watering Lucban Longganisa. Aside from that, one of the main reason why I wanted to be in this place is to be able to visit Kamay ni Hesus Shrine. It is a healing center built under the initiative of Father Joseph “Joey” Ayala Faller (a highly gifted and anointed instrument of God).Hope in a miracle, or even just simply the sense of being healed once you reached the top to touch the miraculous image This is what draws thousands of people year-round to the Kamay ni Hesus (Hand of Jesus) shrine —more so during Holy Week, when the visitors peak. Aside from the main attraction, it also offer features where kids can enjoy and learn more about the Bible: It has, for instance, a large boat depicting Noah's Ark, a tropical Garden of Eden, and a few giant-sized biblical figures. Indeed, this is one place where making a trip is worthwhile for those seeking meaningful ways to spend a rest day

 

July 28, 2013

Celebrated Convergys Leaders Appreciation Day. Movie treat from the Company and short bonding moments with friends.

 

August 24, 2013

One fine Saturday in Tagaytay. Cee, Lowi and I just went there out of impulse. Enjoyed the cool breeze and great food and of course unlimited chika!

 

September 31, 2013

Finally got the chance to visit Quiapo Church (Basilica ng Nazareno)

October 4-6, 2013

Revisited Ilocos and this time its more of food tripping and creating memories with new friends. As we all say, experience can’t be recreated, there’s always something new to discover once you go back to the place you’ve been.

 

December 2013

A year to be thankful for the many blessings and travelfull 2013! First time to spend both Christmas and New Year at home.

 

Jan 16-19, 2014 Starting 2014 in Puerto Princesa City

Headstarting the year 2014 with a Bang! I spent my weekends in “The City in the Forest” and got the chance to experience the world renowned Puerto Princesa Underground River. I am super thankful for the experiences and memories of Puerto Princesa...emo mode...but I got teary eyed when I saw the ground crews including the guards of PPs waving when we're about to take off. I've traveled a lot but never did I see something like this. It just goes to show that they reciprocated the gratefulness I felt when I landed in their place. Something that i will NEVER forget. hats off for the efficient management and service beyond compare

Feb 15-16, 2014 Post Valentine Get Away in Laguna

A weekend of perfect relaxation and bonding with team mates. Let this be a new season in my life....one that focuses on new beginnings, fresh starts and a positive mindset. I choose to stay away from that old cycle of negative thinking. Let today be the day I stop beating myself up over the past. In order to move forward, I have to learn to let go of past mistakes. Don't allow myself to be defined by the bad decisions I made.

February 20 –23, 2014 Eat Explore Experience Sagada

I had a great time Experiencing, Exploring and Eating in Sagada. It's one hell of an adventure. I didn’t regret taking that challenge and embark a solo flighted adventure to Mt. Province. I survived Sagada with a smiling face, fulfilled soul and happy tummy.

February 28 – March 2, 2014: Surfing In Baler

I have always wanted to learn how to ride the waves and try surfing. Glad I was able to fulfill that dream this year and thanks to good friends who shared the same passion as I do.  Surfing is very challenging and exhausting yet it is truly one of the most thrilling experience ever.

March 5 – 9, 2014: Discovering Bicol's Finest

Recalling the days when i got worried as I haven't stepped in to any towns or cities in the Southern Part of Luzon, I couldn't help myself but asked, why am i not shading the map down there? When I know that there are great spots to see and amazing culture to experience. At last, the long wait is over, i finally realized and landed in Bicol region. I’ve tasted great Bicolandia cusines, Survived Caramoan, Discovered and Enjoyed Legaspi and of course experienced wakeboarding in CWC.

 

March 15, 2014

Experienced the Philippine Pyromusical Contest. As always, it brings out the kid in me.

 March 29, 2014: A Visit to The Manila Museum

Step back from modern scene and learn ancient civilizations, arts and inventions. Discovered Greeks’ gods and goddess such as Zeus (sky), Poseidon (sea), or Venus (love) and other Greeks' legacies. Though known for her lavish lifestyle and stunning beauty, Cleopatra is not enough representation of early Egypt. This country boasts wonders such as pyramids, Great Sphinx, and 4 Colossi of Ramses II. Speaking of ancient civilization, China has numerous legacies like their famous Forbidden City, Great Wall, abacus, porcelain and dynasties. Experience an exciting way to learn early history

March 29, 2014: Spending Restday in Puting Buhangin and Kwebang Lampas

Kwebang Lampas is located in Barangay Isla Polo in Pagbilao, Quezon. It is about 140KM from Manila and travel time is about 5 to 6 hours. Some of the Activities you can do here: Beach bum, Snorkeling,Caving, A little trekking to the beach, Cliff Diving and for those who will stay overnight Stargazing while Camping :)This place  is a paradise. White sand and turquoise water. And of course, it won’t be called Kwebang Lampas for nothing! You can swim inside the cave during high tide. Enjoy the beach and take care!

April 13-14, 2014 : An Overnight in Perth Paradise Resort

Summer just started to kick off and what can be a better way to boost the season than to experience a relaxing and fascinating view of paradise. Perth Paradise Resort is one of the newest must visit resort in the southern part of Negros Occidental. A jeweled wonder that will make you unceasingly get fascinated with nature. Unspoiled, serene and simply charming place

As I look back at the year that transpired, yes, I should really be thankful for a lot of things. For everything that a full life has to offer - the good, the bad and the bumpy.  I am grateful for being given the opportunity to work in a flexible environment where I can still manage to live what I love while employed: Travel. Grateful to all the strangers I met along the way that eventually became great travel buddies and friends. For relationships that have gone sour for helping me discover the power of resilience that I didn't know I had inside and most especially for all the lessons learned that have contributed to the person I am today. As I move forward might be in my career or in my wanderlust, one thing is for sure; I will continue living my passion in life because at the end of the day: Life is meant to be Lived, not to be Watched!