Baler, Aurora (Feb. 2025)

 February 2025

Back to Baler After More Than A Decade

And so, I was back in Baler, Aurora for an overnight stay.

I last went here back in 2012 for a 2-days and 1-night stay. We even had a tour around Baler. I was with my workmates and we just rode a bus, going there. Then we rented a car for our tour. We slept on a transient house.

For this year’s trip to Baler was actually for work but of course we can still make the best out of it.

I was with my workmates and being the lead, hotel booking and itinerary was designated to me.

We reached Baler, Aurora at 10 am and then we’re done with our work at 12 noon.

We had a lunch on a nearby cafeteria then we checked in at our hotel.

We stayed on a beach front hotel with pool.

We spent the afternoon swimming at the beach and at the pool. And of course, some photo ops.

Then at 7 pm, we had dinner near Museo De Baler. We even had milk tea for dessert! Then we just walked going back to the hotel. 

We still have some work to do so after dinner, we just dropped by at the Baler landmark then we went back to the hotel.

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel before going back to Manila.

We also dropped by on a pasalubong shop to buy some before going home.

It was a quick trip but definitely memorable for all of us, especially for me.

It feels nostalgic and grateful.

I’m happy to come back again here soon, to stay a little longer, that’s for sure. Maybe to learn surfing as well!

My Swimming Lesson Journey (Jan. 2025)

SCARED BUT I DID IT ANYWAY! 

It’s been on my bucket list for the longest time to learn how to swim.

And this year, I have finally decided to make it come true. I enrolled at Swim Central for a beginner’s swimming lesson. It is composed of 6 sessions with 1.5 hours per session. 

And this blog entry is my journey of finally learning how to swim. 

I do believe that swimming is a life and survival skill that we should really learn. Also, I am doing this to finally face one of my greatest fears and that is deep waters.

 Day 1 | Jan. 18, 2025 Saturday

Hubbs dropped me off at Antel Spa at 10:30 am. 

And my first ever swimming lesson begun. 

It’s on the 31st floor of the building and view was amazing, seeing the majestic sky scraper of Makati was truly breathtaking. 

The water of the pool was too cold. But eventually our body adjusted to it. 

Our swimming instructor let us know how much we can stay long underwater and then taught us making bubbles and four basic swim strokes. 

It was an hour and a half of new learnings and fun. I may say that I enjoyed it. 

Though at some point, I felt pressured because my classmates were learning faster than me. I keep reminding myself to focus on my own phasing and I know the fact that I am a slow learner so no pressure! Just trust the process and I can learn eventually! I choose this and I can definitely do this. 

Just keep on progressing and never stop learning and doing. 

Practice won’t make it perfect but just right. 

I’m just so grateful for the provision and for the time to do something new and great. 

My first session ended at 12 noon. 

At 1 pm, I was already at home and had my lunch. I had a headache before I took a nap and so I took paracetamol. The next morning that I woke up, my head feels better. And I am happy to do this. I shared my first session with my husband. Grateful that he supports whatever I do.

 

Day 2 | Jan. 19 2025 Sunday

For my second session, I was more at ease with my swimming coach. 

And it felt that this was one of the best decisions I’ve done so far. 

I was also hesitant to try one of the swim strokes but I did it! I offered my day to the Lord. 

Sometimes, I get scared on the deeper floor but I managed to do the strokes. 

I’m happy to learn this new skill. I look forward to stay longer underwater. I will beat my own record! 

My session started at 1:30 pm and ended at 4:00 pm. 

To reward myself for a little win today, I bought a cup of BLK 513. 

My heart and tummy are happy for today’s milestone!

 

Day 3 | Jan. 25, 2025 Saturday

I got the 4:30 pm slot because all the earlier slots were already full.

And I didn’t regret it because I’ve got to see the what it looks like during night time.

The view was great seeing the skyscraper with night lights!

It was an amazing view!

For my third day, I was instructed to do some laps with side strokes. 

I still get scared when I can’t feel the floor.

But thankfully I can now managed to swim half of the pool in one breathing. 

 

Day 4 | Jan. 26, 2025 Sunday

I got the 1:30 pm slot today and it’s my last day of session for swim strokes.

The last part of my training was with breathing. It was actually hard but I did my best. And through more practices I can do it.

I ask my swimming coach to take a photo of me for remembrance since it’s my last session at this place.

It was really a nice experience and definitely I won’t forget.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and conquered my shyness. 

At 3 pm, instead of booking a motorcycle taxi, I’ve decided to take a walk and rode a jeepney going to Guadalupe. It was such a nice feeling to back to the place I was once familiar with.

During college days, I usually go there. 

I just bought vegetables and had my phone with tempered screen. 

Then I finally went home. 

 

Day 5 | Jan. 29, 2025 Wednesday 

It’s Chinese New Year! And we don’t have work so I took the time to have my survival swimming class.

I have learned new things which I am grateful for.

I still fear deep waters but I know now what to do. It was really scary when we did the final drill - which was jumping into the 20feet deep water, stay afloat and swim across the pool. I was hesitant to jump but I did it anyway.

I just really thank God for the provision to take these classes that taught me a very important life skill and that’s swimming. 

 

Thank you, January!

You’ve been so good to me!

All Glory to the Lord!

Buscalan (Feb.2025)

February 2025

Buscalan Trip for my Birthday

It’s been a tradition for me that during my birthdays, I travel or I go to places I haven't been yet.

So, for my birthday this year, I have decided to go to Buscalan.

And this time, my brother, his girlfriend and my best friend also my hubby joined me on this trip.

At 8 pm of Feb 9 on a Friday night, we then rode a van going to Buscalan. It was a joiner’s tour and our total payment was 3,300 per head including homestay and home cooked meals.

We had a stopover for a late dinner at Pampanga at 10 pm then by 7 am of the following day, we were already in Buscalan Village, Kalinga.

We trekked going to Buscalan Village. Though some of our co-joiners decided to use the tram. 

It was like a zip line going to the other side.

It was a 30-minute trek and we enjoyed crossing the hanging bridge. 

Great mountain views filled our eyes.

At 9 am we were already on our homestay to settle down and take a rest before having our breakfast.

After breakfast, I took a nap while my best friend and brother had their traditional tattoos. It looks painful but I’m proud of them. 

Then we had lunch. Three meals were included on our tour package. They were home cooked meals and we loved it!

At 2 pm, we went for another trekking going to the falls. Scenic views once again filled our eyes! We enjoyed this trekking and of course a lot of photo ops happened.

The view on the falls was also great! Some of the tourists even enjoyed swimming there. It was just a mini falls but quiet picturesque.

We got back to our homestay at 4pm.

We also went to Apo Wang Od to see how she makes her signature tattoo. I was amazed to see it personally. There’s a lot of people waiting to be inked by her.

Then dinner at 6pm.

Lights out at 8pm. We slept early mainly due to a full packed schedule for the day. 

It was tiring but definitely worth it for all of us first timers there.

For our Day 2, we woke up at 6 am and then had our breakfast at 7pm.

We checked out at 8 am then we went again to Wang Od because my brother wanted to be inked by her.

 

After he got tattooed, we then trekked again back to the parking area.

The tattoo session of all our co-joiners in the van lasted at 10 am.

Then we’re headed to Bontoc to withdraw some cash.

We stopped by first at the Wang Od landmark for some photo ops.

We also had a quick passed through at Banaue Rice Terraces.

We then went to Mt. Polis, Bauko, Benguet to buy vegetables and pasalubong. 

Then we also had our lunch there.

At 1 am, we’re back in Manila. And yes, I celebrated my birthday at the road.

Our kind driver played a happy birthday song when it strikes to 12 midnight. I deeply appreciated it. Shout out to our happy Kuya driver!

So, Happy birthday, self! Just grateful for the provision and for the safe travels!