At 21, I come to realize...

How does it feel when you're 22? Simple. Very, very simple. You feel more alive than ever. Why? Because I did. Another year has been given to me, so I feel alive. More than anything else, whoever you are or in whatever social group you belong to, you should feel alive.

I have a few things in my mind before I step on another age ladder; (1) Who will be the very first person to greet me on my exact birthday?; (2) Will there be any surprises in store for me?; (3) Where should I spend the first hours of my special day?, but as minutes tick closer to the 25th of March, I begin to wonder that maybe, no, I think I should scratch those out. I begin to wonder that IT IS NOT REALLY IMPORTANT whether who, how should other people remember me today. It is how I remember and acknowledge my own life.

I have been down before, well, maybe, at this moment, still pertaining to what I feel, which is a bit down, I am still here. I have been a through a lot of things. Some, still make me feel as if I am amputated or whatever and they love to test me as a person. These tests perhaps, wants to remind me that I am no super heroine who can do anything nor a person who is capable of everything.

At 21, I come to realize that I have been this selfish to think that everything I do matters, that everything I live for is essential. I was wrong. I was really wrong.

At 21, I come to realize too, that life is not about work. Life is more on what makes me whole as person and the people around me. My family, my friends, my mentors and other people whom I just met but chose to stay beside me. And work? That is just a small part of my life and I should not live for it.

At 21, I come to realize that no matter how people push me to do things, I should and I will stand by my choices. I live by and with my choices. Regrets are always at the end of the road, so before I reach that point, I'd rather give up in the middle or die standing for it.

At 21, I come to realize who my real friends are. These are the people who wants to be part of my life no matter how hard I push them away. They are the ones who are more than willing to be shock absorbents I need in life. People who wants to be part of my every day journey. 

People left me as if I did nothing for them. I ignored another set of people because I don't feel important. The sad thing about leaving and being left is one's mindset that he is the only one in pain. We all get hurt and it depends on how we handle ourselves and the situation for us to move on. It's not an easy task, but who knows? The next time we get hurt, we can pick ourselves from the dust we were once part of.

I am now 22 years old. Since I started to think of other sake, I get hurt and sadly, I hurt others too. I always get stuck in the middle of everything and just let things go by my way without holding it. I just watch people come and go, in and out of my life. I let myself be jealous and I did not fight for the one I truly love. I did not take a step to make a change.

I am sure that God has given me another year to do things that I didn't do and gave me more time so that I can accomplish them. He knows I have plans in life that, at the age of 21, I was not able to do. :)


Before I go to bed, I always thank God for another day and for the gift of family, friends and everything He has given me despite being sinful and not worthy of His blessings. But, definitely, He is indeed good. He still gives me things and people, which I think I don't need but will play/play a vital role in life and that is for me to find out.

It all boils down to a simple prayer in the morning: Thank You for waking me up when I am about to start my day.

22. More plans, more adventures, more people and more blessings every day.

Happy birthday to me! :D

#BestBirthdayPreCelebEver: Bolinao, Pangasinan edition

Okay, here's the thing: I am very much aware that when I went out of town last weekend, it was still 10 days before my birthday. Hahaha! But I could not help but celebrate early with my friends because they have a lot to finish and we all have work. Feels like, the beach is calling me.

Part of 2014 bucket list is to celebrate my birthday on a beach with my friends. I really want to hear the sound of the waves and see the beauty of a place with great company. So I asked them if they're willing to go with me and start the 10-day birthday countdown. Luckily, God gave me the best set of *The* Group sisters who could go with me.

My original plan was to go to Potipot Island in Zambales. Just wanna try the best beaches in the North. I really want to try living in an island with no electricity and try other stuff too. When I asked Carmina about it, she mentioned Bolinao, Pangasinan. She wants to see the Enchanted Cave and other places too. And YES!, being a good friend that I am, Bolinao proposal is APPROVED and with the help of my favorite college batch mate ever, Celine, who happened to be the organizer, we went to Pangasinan last March 15-16. :D

It was a 6-hour bus ride and 30-minute tricycle ride to our destination but it was all worth it. We left Manila at around 7:45 and reached Bolinao town proper by 2:30. Below are pictures of our Pangasinan weekend getaway, #BestBirthdayPreCeleb, #TGGirlsReunited #BolinaoBeauty, #UnangHiritSaTagInit and whatever long hashtags that you can think of. :)

Bolinao Church

Adora's Restaurant. Where viands are good yet very affordable.

Ordered Kalderetang Kambing, Chicken Curry, Sisig na kambing and fried bangus.

30-minute tricycle ride to our resort (Villa Carolina) and OBVIOUSLY, we didn't wait any time to waste so we walked to the beach. (... beach, lezz go get away! - Nicki Minaj #IKnowNotFunny)

Celine, Chareez, Carmina and I :)

This is my site so forgive me for soooo many solo pictures! HAHA. Pagbigyan niyo nako, birthday/birthweek/birthmonth ko naman e.

Super clear water. I think it would be impossible for a person to drown here. The water's so clear you can see your pathway. 

I. FELL. IN. LOVE. WITH. THE. BEACH. THE. WAVES. LIKE. OH. MY. GOSH. 

Wiiii! While busy pulling big rocks from the sand, I accidentally grabbed this rock with lots of snails on it. REAL, ACTUAL snails. Well, another first! :D

We decided (actually, THEY) to change our clothes to summer dresses. Hahaha! I was not able to bring one, but Carmina made that purple malong that I wore to become a beach dress. Not bad. :P

JONNA WAS WITH US! HAHAHA. She traveled alone for 6 hours just to be with us. I love you Jonnabeb! :*

I guess, this can win picture of the day. TG Girls reunited :') #OneOfMyFavoritePicturesInTheWorld

Pangasinan sunset is definitely LOVE <3

Celine: Shot ng pagod na pagod sa buhay. HAHAHA!

As you read this entry, please expect more more group pictures. Hahaha :D

NEW DP!!! Hahaha. I don't know what's with this shot. Maybe, the hair? Haha.

After enjoying the sea, we had our dinner at the resort. (Which I think, is a bit expensive), but the dishes are delicious.

Dinner: Grilled bangus and tortang talong :)

Special Guest: The Soul Siren. Napakadali niya pong kausap about my request. Sing "Out of Reach" by Gabrielle. :)

After enjoying the resort's pool (Which I did not), we opted to sleep early so that we can proceed on our tour the next day.

HAHAHAHA! Whatsup banana catsup? No idea.

I woke up at 3 AM but being the sleepyhead that I am, i went back to sleep and woke up AGAIN at 5 AM. I was expecting a sunrise but that time but I was brokenhearted when I saw nothing at our room's veranda. I saw this unusual moon color. If this is really usual to you, I am very sorry cause that was my first time to see such. I work at night, hello? Hahaha :D

Yellow orange moon on a Sunday morning and its color reflects on the sea. Very very panoramic :')

With Jonnabeb the explorer!

If you're a first timer in Pangasinan or anywhere else, we suggest that you read a lot of blogs and serve as your guide through out the trip. This one's really reliable because they have set their own itinerary.

Walang antok antok! Bangon at mag-tour naaaa! :D

For the morning tour, we met Kuya Bert. He was our tricycle driver/tourist guide/official photographer/tagabantay ng gamit and he told us that he is also a diver. Well, I think all Pangasinenses know how to dive because the province is surrounded by water and situated at the Northeastern part of the country. You can see South China Sea from there.

It was a 30 minute ride from our resort to our destination and you can see this along the way. #ProbinsyaMode :)

For our 1st stop, we visited "The Rock Formation". You have to pay 50php for the entrance.

Seriously and literally, when I saw this view, I ran out of words. HAHAHA! Tulala at tameme mode ako. I could not utter a word for a minute and I just stared at the sea. I just whispered "Thank God for Bolinao!" with matching kilig!

Clearer water. <3

Splashing <3

<3

Next Stop: the famous Bolinao Lighthouse!

SOUTH. CHINA. SEA. THE. BEST. VIEW. Hahahaha :)

Photo op with SonGoku. XD

 

Yung eksenang parang painting yung background! :)))

3rd stop: Patar Beach

The most anticipated! Hahaha. It was the farthest sa tour. Also known as "Boracay of the North." According to Celine who was able to visit Boracay last year, it looks like Puka Beach in Bora, with lesser seaweeds and stuff.

I feel so ecstatic with this shot. I usually post this on Instagram. Now I have my own shot. AWESOME.

Clear water, fine sand, huge waves, great friends. I could not ask for more :")

This is where we bought our group shirt :) You'll see it later.

#HirapNaHirap

4th and last stop: Carmina's reason why she suggested Bolinao, ENCHANTED CAVE :) Based on the map we saw online, this is the nearest to our resort but we opted to go there after the beach.

Entrance fee costs P150. It includes swimming inside the cave. But if you changed your mind at the last minute, you can return your stub and they'll give you refund.

Aside from the cave itself, the place has a lot to offer too. There's this kiddie pool at the top of the place. HAHAHA! "Ang gandaaaaa!"

Inside the amazing cave. All I can say is that, this place did not disappoint me at all. Water's so clear, so serene and everything I read about this place are true! 

 DSCLMR: Lagi lang po ako sa gilid. Hahaha! I can swim but I know my limitations. I can only swim sa swimming pool na 5ft. Any deeper than that? I'll panic. Hahaha!

Sharing mode: When we were swimming in Patar Beach, I always reach for Carmina's hands! HAHAHA. #BatangAlagain

After enjoying the cave (and somehow, life changing cave),  we went to the kiddie pool. XD HAHAHA!

Carmina: Oh te! Ewan ko na lang ah kung gigilid ka pa. You're taller than the water. :P

Yummy halo-halo!!!

We went back to Carolina at around 11:30 AM. We had to get ready to go back to Manila (Which is the saddest part of the trip).

From the veranda :))

We had Sinigang na baboy for lunch and photo op with Ma'am Carolina, the owner of the villa and her daughter. She even gave me free shirt as souvenir.

#Selfie

Of course, before we left Bolinao, we had our GROUP PICTURE with the shirts. :D

Kuya Bert fetched us and brought us to Balingasay River to have our picture AGAIN as a group.

At that was our first summer getaway for 2014! Hahaha. And I think, our first as TG, as well. Told you, I don't these girls often (Well, aside from Celine), but we can make the best out of everything and this trip was a reunion for the 5 of us. It would have been happier if Loraine (TG Girls' bunso) was with us. 

Thanks mga teeeeeh for this wonderful trip! So happy <3 Where's our next destination?

Love lots, 

Sam <3

Photo credits:

Celine Bautista

Jonna Magno