Be Cool in Bicol: Day 1

Here goes my Bicol escapade this year! I'm hoping that I can blog daily about our day here just so... I can. Haha.

It's not my first time setting foot in Bicol coz I remember going here with my family back when I was a child. We used the PNR as transpo and this is where my grandfather's roots lie. But it's my first time here in Legazpi! Haha

So, first off was my boyfriend accompanied me to NAIA Terminal 3. It was the first time that I'll be flying so I really don't know what to do upon entering NAIA. But I survived. Hahaha.


Prepared my things as early as 5AM?


Last pic of us in NAIA while we say goodbyes


The airplane ride was a bit scary. You don't know if what you're still feeling and experiencing is normal. Haha. Good thing it was a short ride! Although I was experiencing headache all throughout. I just don't know if I was just hungry or what.


Bought ham and cheese croissant for P100 which was delish! And this water for P50. As they say, it's a bit pricey but it satisfied my hunger. Haha.


I was with my friend who was a first timer, too! We're bakasyunista buddies until Tuesday next week! ;)


View from above as we're nearing Legazpi

As we touched down to Legazpi we rode a taxi (P200 did not mind haggling) to our place to stay for 3 days: Legazpi Tourist Inn.

Once we're settled, we went out to look for food. The girl at the reception suggested Sibid-sibid but it's not near to us and we ended up at the nearest recommendation which was Legazpi Restaurant. A bit pricey, too, but hey, their food is good! I tried this pansit (P160 good for two) and I was so full after! Kat tried lechon kawali and rice for P110 and you can feel your life shortening because it was too crunchy! Hahaha


Pansit @ Legazpi Restaurant

After our heavy meal, 3 blocks away we go: St Jude! I really wanted to go here since he's my patron saint and I'm really fascinated with churches. Prayed and offered 3 candles



for: Tita Emy (who just died and I only got the news while we're waiting for our food at Legazpi Restaurant T_T), my family's health and harmony and lastly, for Team Canada's harmony. Medyo hard lang yung sa team kasi ayaw agad magpasindi. Masyado bang mahirap, St Jude? Hahaha


Pardon the wires, they don't know what they're blocking!

Then we walked around the place since my map says St. Raphael Church is just a walking distance from our place. We passed by the Headless Monument but I failed to take a photo. Same with the Trylon Monument that looks like a little version of Monumento.

We saw St Raphael first but we saw this movie house that we checked out first to see the price if we'll be watching since it was very cheap when I went to SM Clark. Unfortunately, it was not that cheap. P150 vs P180 price in Manila. So we go to St Raphael instead.


St Raphael Church

The facade doesn't have much wow effect but the inside was big!



We did not light a candle here although I offered another prayer for Tita.

Embarcadero was our next place to visit so we asked the locals on how to go there since the map that I have don't have clear streets to pass to. We rode a tryke and paid P30 for two. It wasn't that far from the church. We passed by the Legazpi Boulevard (nothing special that I noticed) then we arrived at Embarcadero that looks like Eastwood! Haa. It was very relaxing there because of the air since it's near the port.



Everywhere we go we're seeing Mayon from a far! He's such a beauty. :)



We then searched for another place to go near and found out Kapuntukan Hill (Sleeping Lion) near Embarcadero. After asking the guard, we found out that it's already infront of us!


All I see are curves! Where's the lion? Haha

After walking around, we went back to Embarcadero and look for place to eat. We were supposed to eat at Bigg's Diner but found nothing worth a try. We visited the small chapel of Padre Pio instead.


Such a solemn view! Isn't it?

Then we went back to our inn before we go and try 1st Colonial Grill must try sili ice cream! Since we usually ended up getting a tryke for P30 fare and finding out that it's only walking distance, we walked to Landco Business Park instead.

Once we're in 1st Colonial Grill, I ordered Pinangat (coz Laing is so mainstream. Haha) while Kat ordered Pasta Bicolana.


I ordered a cup of rice for my viand and it looks like mini Mayon! So cute! Hihi..

Then we taste these ice cream must try:


Tinutong, Pili and Malunggay for me


Baileys, Sili and Salabat for Kat

All of them tastes like their names! As in! It was so amazing! Hahaha After tasting salabat, you can feel the coolness in your throat you just want to sing. Haha

Once we're done, we went back to our inn to rest. Fruitful Day 1! Right? :)

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One Week before Legazpi

I'm so excited!!!

7 more days to go and I'm going to Legazpi! And I'm not going solo anymore! Yay!!! :)

I twisted my friend's, Kat, arm and she's joining me next week! I'm so excited for a lot of firsts that I'll experience! Although I think I'm not that prepared yet.

First, I haven't pack my things yet. I don't know what and how to pack. I have been packing clothes before that I usually can't wear everything even if it's only for a 2 days 1 night thing only. Haha. I don't know how to pack lightly. Boo!

Second, I haven't fix our itinerary yet. I know places I want to visit there like Daraga Church, St Jude, caves, etc. But as to when to visit them? I don't have the blow by blow itinerary yet. Hahaha. Probably on/before Wednesday? I'll finish it by then?

Third, I should be learning some phrases on their dialect. I have notes but it's still scattered. I'm planning not to use much of the net there since I'm not really sure if my mobile data will work fine so it's better to be prepared at all times.

Ohhh! As much as I'm excited for the trip, I'm getting anxious already! Wish me luck! How far can I go and what's in it for me for 9 days that I'll be there? Weeeee!

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Bloggeroid! Yay!!!

Finally, I downloaded an application for Android for me to post blogs! I know I owe you a lot already so I hope this will really work for me to post blogs anytime and anywhere.

It's much easy to manage my blog through my Blackberry or my iPod but of course, when I changed phones, I accepted the fact that things will change. It was a good thing though that I'm quite familiar with Samsung.

So... for now... let's try this Bloggeroid will work just like the Blogger app. Haha.

posted from Bloggeroid

Back to Day 0.

I owe you a blog post since I always make it a point to post a blog weekly and I was not able to last week. I was so busy! And that deserves another post for my explanation. For now, let's talk about going back to day 0.

After saying that I'm on Day 1, I got back to Day 0 the next day. Reason? Kat and I were not able to go to another destination that we're planning to. Also, I need to see my boyfriend and he happily bought me some chocolate-coated biscuits that I love but was not helpful with me getting that sexy body or at least, flat tummy or at least, not that scandalous. So, yeah. It was not a successful goal to say the least.

I'm trying to go back to that Day 1 again ever since but there has been a lot of construction on the way. First, I don't have my rubber shoes. It took a lot of time before Kat finally got my shoes at the gym and it took more time to give it to me. I know we're not at the same floor anymore but we're still at the same company but still, fate was not kind to my rubber shoes and I. LOL.

The first jumping rope that I bought is for kids! Imagine? I was thinking of not buying it anymore but still, bought it since we can't think of any other place to buy some. It was a seven-foot jumping rope and we can't open to see if it's long enough for me. And we bought it from Toy Kingdom. So what was I expecting, really? Haha. We tried it and we were able to use it but it was not comfortable to use. It's like 3 inches above my head whenever we try it on and we can't do figures of eight! I then posted in Facebook to ask people where I can buy one for adults and was suggested to try Toby's so I bought one last week. But still, I don't have my rubber shoes then so, yeah. No exercise, still.

By now, I already have my rubber shoes and my jumping rope! But I got to watched this video saying that to get fit, exercise is 20% while eating the right food is 80%. So, really? Am I just giving myself reasons not to move?

So, I finally used the treadmill yesterday and ate good food. As much as possible, I'll be eating non-greasy food if I can. Yeah. I'll try my best, promise! Like for today, my breakfast was boneless bangus belly!

I hope I'll get that flat tummy on/before I go to Bicol... crossing my fingers here! Hehe!

Day 1, perhaps?

According to our Process Improvement Program Manager, an action plan needs to be done 21 times for our body to adapt. Something about astronauts going to the moon and wearing upside down glasses before going there to train them seeing things upside down that proves the 21 times.

So here I am again on my action plan of getting fit and wanting to do it 21 times.

Some rules I made up:
1. No more extra rice. This is really sad coz if I really like the food, I tend to ask for extra rice. I know that I can just drink and drink more water to be full but I don't do it coz.. I want to eat! So yeah, starting today, no more extra rice. I know that I can do it so long as I eat on time. *wink

2. Drink soft drinks or eat sweets once a week only, enough to satisfy cravings. Or if I'm really craving, just one cut or one piece. Are we clear? Haha

3. If I stopped even for a day of not exercising, we'll be back to Day 1. It's like stopping yourself with your vice. If you do it again, back to Day 1.

4. No posting of getting fit through Facebook. I don't want to jinx it, I'm really tired of having these love handles so I really need to NOT post it in FB. To lessen the pressure as well. I can only discuss it here and in Twitter since I only got few friends who are always on Twitter.

5. No sitting in 30 minutes while jogging or jumping rope. I need to make use of my legs. Push myself! Go!

So far, those are what I have. :)

Kat and I already walked for two hours awhile ago looking for the perfect place for jogging or for my jumping rope. So far, as in literally, we went to Metrotent and then Tiendesitas. Metrotent looks okay although there are a lot of cars and ogling guards. Tiendesitas don't have much place to stay on but just a loop to jog on. Tomorrow, we'll be going to Capitol Commons to check if it's a good place since one of my agents and our Learning Specialist goes there to jog. Crossing fingers! :)

To Legazpi: Going Solo?

In less than two months, I'm bound to Legazpi, Albay, Bicol to attend my former agent's wedding. I'm part of the entourage and I'm excited to go to Bicol that I'm ready to travel all the long way to attend the wedding!

Since it's a faraway land (lol), I decided to go there even before the wedding. If you'll be in Bicol, too, you'll definitely take the chance and enjoy it, right?

Originally, I am supposed to bring my boyfriend since the groom knows and been with him every team building that we had. Un/fortunately, he got a job and started last January and just like every other regular jobs, he can't take a leave just yet. I'm already harassing him to just try and ask since they're done with training by then and already taking in calls but still, it's a long shot. I'm not even sure if he will still going to try asking. :( I asked another friend of mine to accompany me, too, after finding out my dilemma but she backed out because of the expenses. Since it's far, we were thinking of spending around 10k for travel, accommodation, food and pasalubong. The couple will pay for our food and hotel accommodation starting Wednesday, Thursday would be the wedding, until Saturday but because of the plan that we're going there before the wedding itself, we still need money for additional accommodation and such. So... looks like I'll be travelling solo. :(

I have other friends, my previous agents, who will be attending the wedding, too, but I don't know yet when they will come or how they will go there -- via air or land. It's what has been bugging me, really.

Yesterday, I already booked a flight since there are only 3 seats available for P399 promo for Monday, April 21. Luckily for me, I got it but I ended up paying for almost 2k! Let's blame it on me being inexperienced. I haven't tried riding a plane and I've never booked a flight for anybody. I was only expecting that aside from the P399 promo that I need to pay, there will still be add-ons such as taxes. There were travel insurance, baggage allowance and seat locator. Since I don't know much, I ticked them all. I got travel insurance, without thinking that I do have a health card. I took the baggage allowance because I don't really have skills to pack and I might need it but really, I should just learn to pack light. Lastly, I got reserved seats just because I want to seat beside the window. I could have saved P250 for travel insurance and P180 for baggage but since I was excited in booking, there you go! Hahahahaha.

Just this morning, I was looking for a place to stay in Legazpi and found out about Agoda. Like what I have mentioned, I really don't have much experience with going too far from Manila. I take charge with team buildings and outings but getting hotels and whatnots? Darn. So, I kept on searching through the website until I gave in and booked one in Agoda. I was about to book for one person only but then, I'm still not giving up with the chance of having someone to be with me so I booked for two! I was hoping it will be for P500 only but of course, since I might be travelling solo, it's not cheaper than what I wanted. If ever that I will share my room with another person, it will definitely be cheaper! I only got the room for P771.32 and I don't need to pay it before April 12. Although it's a standard non-aircon room and it will be summer when I will go there, I believe I can manage in a room with no aircon although I admit I've been thinking of getting the one with aircon. I was about to book another hotel once I go back to Legazpi from Masbate but I decided not to get one unless I already booked my flight back to Manila.

There are 2 flights with P399 promo back to Manila and these are on a Monday and Tuesday. Of course, I can't pick the Tuesday since I should be back to work on a Monday but I'm really not sure if I will be booking the one on Monday. Should I book it now? *sigh* I'll leave it and wait until next weekend. I hope the P399 promo is still there because it will surely help me out with finances and once done with booking the flight, I'll book another one for the accommodation. I just talked to the groom and he mentioned that it's fine to stay at Masbate until Sunday so I will really stay at the hotel at Legazpi for one night before my flight back to Manila.

So... am I ready to go solo on this trip? I'll definitely go solo on the flight and I'm scared as early as now since I'm scared to get lost. But then.... que sera sera! Whatever will be, will be!

Ultimatum.

Someone that I know is about to get married! :D Yeah, we do know that the couple will get married by 2015 but due to humps and bumps, it only sounded real when the girl gave a date already. It's like, "Wow. It's really happening."

Also, yesterday, the girl shared to us that they're looking into hotels at the South and that they already replied on her query regarding receptions. There was a slight difference with the two hotels and both are at the 250ish prize. I was flabbergasted to say the least. I know hotels will be pricey for receptions but 250k?! What the?!?!

After that, my boyfriend told me that we really need 1M for our wedding in 2017. (Yes, we already have a year and don't worry, both our parents know about it. Lol.) The year doesn't sound "that" serious for now coz it's still 3 years from now but after what we've learned yesterday: Will three years be enough time to earn such money?!?! And no, I won't compromise into having a civil wedding to save money. I want a church wedding. I deserve one.. Just like every girl. *wink*

These things are going through my mind since yesterday but I wasn't entertaining it until awhile ago, while I was reading through my iPod and I can see the dent. My iPod is used to jumping every now and then as if it wants to get rid from me but due to unfortunate events, it leaved 3 marks wherein I can't read words whenever I read through Ebooks. Then I thought, I need to have a new one. I need to have that Kobo and a new phone after my BB drown itself. I need to create ultimatums to myself to finally save for the big day. I know my boyfriend will provide but he's not some rich kid to give me the wedding that I want with a snap of his fingers. He also just started working that's why I pretty have more room to save now. So I should start save now and stop stalling.

Right. I should start saving now. I should start listing my ultimatums for me to stop sending. So, where do I start? Aside from a Kobo and a new phone, now what?

I'm lost. I know a lot of saving tips but it doesn't seem to work with me. Bukod sa andaming bayarin. Ang gastos koooo! Argh.

HELP!