South Bound - Batangas

I was trying to reach my friends during Christmas Eve when i'm almost done with my drinks. Then, one crazy idea hits me!! Annie picked up the phone (oh! thank God she did!), i was a bit intoxicated and she knew it! She's currently having a blast with her board mates then. I said, "Mare, punta tayo kila mads bukas!" - pertaining to Batangas where Mads is living. she responded "cge mare", with doubts. She thought i was just kidding. At 10 in the morning i texted her, to confirm the plan. Now she's believing me. hehehe! She tried to reach Mads but still at work. Annie made sure that Mads will never say NO!. After lunch, i packed my things and tadaaaah.. Manila bound to South Bound, with lots of crazy ideas in mind. This is the very first time that i left home on Christmas Day. 

At around 6pm, i arrived at Buendia, and meet up with Annie. Since she's not having her lunch yet, she had a meal in Jollibee. We haven't seen each other for 14 months, to be exact, so the talk was unstoppable until we started our travel going to South. And as expected, we were just 2 but were like conquering the bus. Again, the talk was unstoppable. Things i need not to blog out. LOL!

Mads is just in Tanauan. We arrived at 9pm and goodness gracious, i wasn't expecting that the weather in Batangas was like in Baguio..severe ang coldness.. Here's my outfit and i dont know how i survived. I have a low tolerance to cold.

I was trembling due to cold, but i was able to strike a pose like that. hahaha!!

Mads fetched us from the bus stop and we had dinner in her place. I said, "mare magsswiming tayo!" Mind you, its not a question, but a demand! They were all in shocked. I wanted to drink beside the pool, since a beach is not realistic. There's no beach resort in Tanauan. I won! hahaha! We prepared stuff and all.. Her dad said, "Magbaon kayo ng kumot.. malamig dun.." Mads replied, "You dont know what they are capable of doing!" hahaha.. I laughed, and i will never forget her statement. 

We tried to search for an open resort. Frustrating, because we found none after almost 2 hours of search. So we decided to drop by to a convenience store to get an ice for our drink, and taddaaaa.. ice cream.

IT IS REALLY COOOLLLLDDD!! :P

We started the drinking session as soon as we arrived in her home. Tequila sunrise. oh yes! (tequila + orange juice + grenadine) =SHOT!

We ended at 4:30 in the morning. 

The ff day, the 26th, we woke up at around 10:30 in the morning and breakfast was set. YUM! tilapia + hotdogs + rice + coffee. I love to eat fish and since its holidays most foods that were being served are meat. Burp burp! i had so much fun with the food. Too bad, i wasn't able to take a shot. 

I thought our trip was over, and needed to give up the pool plan already, but God directed us to Lipa City. YEY! =) During lunch time we left Mads' house and started traveling going to Lipa, with my big bag already, since were going home after. The original plan was to go to Our Lady or Carmel Church. I've been longing to visit the church since 2009. Now i know why it didn't happen then, for this day is really the right time. I have my own reason. I'll try to blog soon. We got to drop by first in the Cathedral.. I never thought it was that amazing. I was thinking, maybe its just a simple church. But, i was wrong. IT IS THE BEST CHURCH I HAVE EVER BEEN TO! The construction, the ceiling, the altar, everything.. i can't describe it through words. It is really amazing.

Front. ceiling. the altar.

the ceiling and the angels near the front door, with the enchanting chandelier.

WHAT CAN I SAY, IT IS PERFECT!!

My eyes were mesmerize, really. So overwhelming. There is something very special in this church, and the feeling was magical. 

This is located at the left side of the church (facing the altar), at the back of the candle corner. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SPOT! There's a platform so it is elevated. When i stepped into another platform under that crucifix, and looked up, He was like looking at me.. tears started rolling in my eyes, without saying any word yet, i had goosebumps, felt like He was hugging/touching me. There's a simple prayer (St. Francis of Assisi's) attached in the stone where the crucifix is stoned. I can't remember the exact words, wasn't able to capture it either because i was so overwhelmed and just took a deep breath (Mads told me that she saw how my shoulders went up when i was standing there). Tears were falling, together with those goosebumps. That was so magical. Then, i whispered my prayer.

the candle corner

We didn't expect that a wedding is about to began. I thought it is already over. They wanted to see the bride walking in the aisle, but i said, "ayoko! maiinggit lang ako". So we went outside, without knowing that the bride was still inside the bridal car and the window was opened. When we were already walking near the car, the bride turned her head onto our side.. Amazing! i was trying to avoid it, but there she was. Then we decided to stay and watched.

The wind was blowing so fast so they were finding hard times to fix the veil to have the best photo. I was just staring and keeps taking a deep breath . countless sigh again, wishing and praying to be a bride soon. WOW! yes!, it is really my dream. Mads said, "mare nakatingin sayo yung bride." haayy.. "dear Lord, please make me a bride soon."

Next stop, Our Lady of Carmel Church.

the front view.

It has a very large parking space, and since its just an ordinary day, there are only few people inside.

the entrance.the church/altar/a prayer 

This is my favorite spot in this church. It is just located on the right side of the church (facing the altar)

This is a prayer i found and keeps on sharing to all my friends. It soothes my dying soul. Words were written perfectly for a dying spirit. Thank God i found this.

Mads was supposed to take us to BluRoze but it was quite far from where we were. It was already 3pm then and we were going back home, so i insisted a swimming. hahaha. the tricycle driver took us to Luntian Resort nearby.

This is what you could see in the entrance.

Swimming time!!! I was literally freezing, but this is what i wanted.. to swim! And now im paying off the consequence.. Im having bad cough. hehe. this is expected. But, its fine..i had so much fun though. Too bad Mads can't swim due to her ear's condition. It didn't took us long under the water since it was really cold and there were some bagets who were a little tipsy in the pool. But i enjoyed it even though it didn't last that long. The place is good. The environment is fine. Annie even said. "zoo ba ito?" hahaha! because there were birds in the cage and animals' dispaly (i don't know how the call it., hahaha) beside the pool.

After all the lakad, we searched for an open lomi house, and this is what we found. Bennylyn Lomi Hause. This is the best lomi i tasted so far, which according to Mads is not yet the most special Lomi in Batangas. We'll try to taste it next time. But this is awesome for just 45 pesos. The serving is good. so yummy!!! =), with lots of spices. 

BURP! BURP!

Thank you so much sisters! I missed you both and I really had so much. (Jelly and Julius, we missed you here) To the Narit family, thanks for accommodating us, even with just a short notice. Thanks to Mad's dad and siblings. I really appreciate your kindness.  Thanks Annie for the treat. And thank you Lord for giving me these wonderful people. I love you mga mare. Till our next escapade. =)

Our Little Santa Claus

HO! HO! HO! Sweeties, meet our little Santa Claus, my nephew, 

Lawrence Sefiel Santos-Tapic, 10 month old.

 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

This little man is the best thing that happened in our family's year of 2011.

 

I may not be the one who carried you for 9 months, and obviously not the one who gave birth to you but I WILL FOREVER LOVE YOU AS MINE.  Thank you babe for the joy you always bring to me and to our family.

Thank you PapaGod for the gift of him. :)

Good Times

I went back to Manila to fix some stuff and stayed in Jelly's place for a night. I thought we would just drink   in her place, but she insisted to do it outside. I don't have bucks to spend for drinks/food outside. I'm broke! She treated me out. Thanks a lot girl!! MOA, our favorite mall. =)

FYI: this is the very first time that Jelly, my twinsister asked me to do some drinkin session outside. This is not her. hahaha! She was never into any liquor due to her allergies. But thank you world for inventing Tanduay Ice, one of the few drinks that her body can tolerate.

Jelly, my twinsister 

Thank you world for inventing Tanduay Ice. Now Jelly can drink without worrying too much of her allergies

I attempted to use the "zoom" of  Jelly's camera, and tadaaaahhh.. Some of the photos i captured. 

I am addicted to capture the sunset anywhere i go. And here's another attempt.

After i captured this, i remember lines from the movie, "miss you like crazy"

Bea: naiimagine ko naguusap ung dalawa eh
John Lloyd: anung sinasabi nila sa isa’t-isa
Bea: masaya ako kapag kasama kita
John Lloyd: ako rin…

-TREE VERSION

hahaha!! laugh trip.

Its been a while since our last hang out, and i really had so much fun. I've been stuck at home, and this was the 2nd time that i went out again after the Typhoon Pedring and the flood last month. After our chitchats, and serious talks, we still managed to end it with a smile. And since were both hungry, we had our late dinner/early breakfast at Mcdonalds in E-com.

This branch reminds me of so many memories. I worked in ACS, now a Xerox company which is located in this building, so i used to roam around here back in 2008-2009. I asked Jelly to tag Mads in this photo. We got lots of memories here. :)

It was "early morning" already when we got home. Thank you to my twinsister! ILY girl!

Lloydie!!!

TADAAAAAAAAAAA.... Lloydie and his manly tears.

Was browsing my old entries in tumblr and this what i got!!! Posted Nov 30, 2010. This photo made me admire him more. YEY!!! Kudos to you Lloydie.

FB Note

My sister borrowed my laptop couple of hours ago and she forgot to close 1 window from her FB account. A note entitled, "A Real Boyfriend". For a note/blog whore like me i just felt a bit of hesitation to read it for some reason i can't figure out. But, tadaaaa... here what the note says:

Don't care if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend right now.

I don't care if you are a guy or a woman or Michael Jackson.

Just read this, it will make a difference.

If only everyone could see this and understand it.

When she stares at your mouth

Kiss her

When she pushes you or hits you like a dummy cause she thinks shes stronger than you

Grab her and don't let go

When she starts cursing at you trying to act all tough

Kiss her and tell her you love her

When she's quiet

Ask her whats wrong

When she ignores you

Give her your attention

When she pulls away

Pull her back

When you see her at her worst

Tell her she's beautiful

When you see her start crying

Just hold her and don't say a word

When you see her walking

Sneak up and hug her waist from behind

When she's scared

Protect her

When she steals your favorite hoodie

Let her keep it and sleep with it for a night

When she teases you

Tease her back and make her laugh

When she doesn't answer for a long time

reassure her that everything is okay

When she looks at you with doubt

Back yourself up

When she says that she loves you

she really does more than you can understand

When she grabs at your hands

Hold her's and play with her fingers

When she bumps into you;

bump into her back and make her laugh

When she tells you a secret

keep it safe and untold

When she looks at you in your eyes

dont look away until she does

When she says it's over

she still wants you to be hers

When she reposts this bulletin

she wants you to read it

- Stay on the phone with her even if she's not saying anything

- When she's mad hug her tight and don't let go

- When she says she's ok don't believe it, talk with her because 10 yrs later she'll remember you

- Call her at 12:00am on her birthday to tell her you love her

-Treat her like she's all that matters to you

- Stay up all night with her when she's sick

- Watch her favorite movie with her or her favorite show even if you think it's stupid

- Give her the world.

- Let her wear your clothes

-When she's bored and sad, hang out with her

-Let her know she's important.

- Don't talk about other girls around her

- Kiss her in the pouring rain

- When she runs up to you crying, the first thing you say is:

"Whose ass am i kicking baby?"

If you do post this in the next four minutes the one you love will :

Call you

Kiss you

Love you

Text you

Guys post as: "I'd be this Boyfriend."

Girls post as: "A real boyfriend"

and if you do not re-post this within 4 minutes and tag 20 people.

you'll have bad luck

with the one you love.

Us girls do have moves that only us can understand.. Admit it girlfriends. Sometimes we tell "go!" "leave me alone!" when what we really mean is "Stay!". We make "sungit" to ask for attention. But majority of the guys out there take those words literally, because men are not into metaphor, their words mean whatever it is. No hidden meaning. But a guy who is really into you will understand the silence and will never let go in spite of all the tantrums that almost makes them sick.

Army Navy

sharing one date with myself.. hahaha. I just remember this thing happened last May, the 21st to be exact..

I'm a burger addict and i found one of the best burgers in the world. hahaha. tadaaa.. Army Navy Burger. I just decided to treat myself out. After i went to Makati for an important craft, i dropped by to Trinoma, roam and pig out!

Army Navy's burger are made with natural beef patties, topped with with fresh, crispy lettuce, tomato slice and onions, mayo and ketchup on toasted Sesame Seed Kaiser Bun. huwaw! They should pay me for this ad. hahaha. I just had the single patty one, with a large Iced tea (libertea). 

210php is not bad for this. 145php for my burger plus 65 for my drink. It made my tummy smile, and... burp burp! i had to stop after eating the first half, uber busog! and its huge.. the best! Tho Melo's burger is awesome too but this one is way way cheaper than that. hahaha. 

Now i'm craving for burger. aaw. I just cut my meat, depriving myself. *joke!*. I'm on a diet. But one day, i swear i'll have a cheat day! And dear burger and burrito, get ready.. hahahaha!!! *nakakagutoooooommm* LOL. I hope that the next time i'll eat here, someone is sitting beside me..#wish.

Will you?? :) no need to treat me but if you insist, why not. hahahahaha!!!

Guys and Gals who haven't tried this one, please do. Highly recommended. fyi: Army Navy is not paying even a centavo to me for this entry. 

This one is a must try! :)

You amazed me..

 I was chatting with my twinsister, Jelly couple of hours ago when she posted a link in our YM screen. Eyes widened. I was amazed. hahaha! ZOMG.. as in zuper oh my God! This is awesome, a must have.  

Watch..

Be ours (me, jelly, julius) , Iphone5. 

yellow case for me, violet for Jelly, to find out for Julius (wasn't able to ask him yet) hahaha.. may case agad, wala pa nga.. 

Micah's Singing Day

In line with the celebration of the "Buwan ng Wika", my Baby, Micah Andrea joined a singing contest in her school. (Grades 1-2-3 level, i forgot how they labeled it. hahaha!) Nervousness is in the air. Limited words. Trying hard smiles. And look at her eyes.. but i perfectly understand. Its normal.

But when she stand on stage, me at the back of the judges capturing a video beside her mom who was taking photos, i was amazed with what she did. With all those confidence, my baby hit it! ♬♪♬ Sana'y pag-ibig na lang ang isipin ng bawat isa sa mundo...♬♪♬ The ultimate line from this song that keeps on playing in my head, and heard for several times on this day for tons of contestants sang this song. (Mutya's popularity was on air! ) But Micah has the best rendition!!  Oh well! Oh well!! :) Two thumbs up for you baby! I'm a proud Ate! =)

A big field beside the venue of her school served as our photoshoot's location. Look how gorgeous my little girl is.. tadaaaaa!! Micah after her performance, a smile free from tension. hahaha!

She is really adorable!!! =) 

..an entry from a proud Ate! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Ongpin - Quiapo Invasion

I’ve been craving for Chinese delicacies for the past few days. Hopia in front of Quiapo church, then my sister told me to try Fried Siopao that is only available in Ongpin. So after my class yesterday I went to the Metro. Double purpose: to satisfy my cravings and to visit Quiapo church.


I missed the place, reminded me of good old days in College. While I was walking and looking for the store where I could buy the Fried siopao thing, and the hopia house, which I knew that the store is named “Eng beetin”, Home of the best hopia and tikoy, here are some photos I captured using my Star phone. I bought Hopiang ube and mongo, Machang for Jake and Kat and fried siopao for everybody. It rained and the sky is getting darker for its already pass six, yet I tried to get some clips..

After the long walk in Ongpin, I heed going to Avenida to visit Quiapo Church. As expected, lots of devotee. I tried to go inside, and I successfully did. The mass is on going. I talked to my Creator, soaked my rosary and crucifix in the holy water before I left the church. I crossed through the underpass to get some hot dice hopia and hoping baboy for Tatay. (that’s his favorite). This is HOPIA DAY! Hahaha! =)

I satisfied my cravings and my spiritual aspect for this day. Thank God it's Friday!

Maddie Jane

Her voice is awesome. She is indeed the new you tube sensation!! :)

i sing, ♬♪♬ and when you smile the whole world stops and dance for a while.. 

coz boy, YOU'RE AMAZING.. just the way you are ♬♪♬ 

(hahahaha!! a picture of his face in my head.)

 

I'm a fan of this kiddo!!! =)

 *clap* *clap* *clap*

few of her songs i recently downloaded and keeps on playing in my ears. hahaha! My official LSS! 

First Week

First day: I WAS LATE. Nyaaaahhh!! I swear it was not my intention. I was supposed to wake up at 5am but I wasn’t able to get up.

The review is from Monday-Friday, 9am – 6pm. I arrived at around 10:30 on my first day. As expected, it just started. I missed a bit of Ms. Anaski’s introduction. I entered a big cold room where everybody were on bowed heads answering the pre test. Almost all the back seats were occupied. My eyes spotted vacant seats in front. Oh wow! Me at the front seat! (4 seats in a row, one vacant, for my bag, then my seat then a vacant seat again and a Chinese girl seated on the other)

 “This is it!” After almost 4 years away from books, lectures and all school stuffs, here I go again, going back from scratch.

Some photos taken during my lunch breaks at the comfort room. Hahaha

After the lunch break, some sort of introduction started. Now some things were getting clearer. Some notions I’ve been holding onto at all throughout were a mistake. It is a National exam, thus it is Universal regardless of what State you applied for. It doesn’t necessarily mean that if you’re going to take it for the state of New York, the exam is harder, same as with the belief that if you’re going to take it outside the United States. Again, it is National. One set of board members, one set of Questions’ maker. Thus, the State, exam’s location will not matter in terms of exam’s level of difficulty.

As what I twit, “Ms. A, binuhay mo ang patay kong neurons” hahahaha!! Meet Ms. Anaski Marquez, RN, USRN, MAN. She’s the cutest Nurse with a huge brain and possesses a great sense of humor. I had 2 days with her this week. Her stories about her experiences in US gave me a picture of Nurse’s life in a foreign land. There are certain rules and protocols that do not exist in our country. Her inputs regarding the process and all answered my wonders for years now.

Got this photo from Merge-URC' s FB account

Third day: As what I stated in my twitter account, “Mr.jvd, binuhay mo ang patay na puso ko!” Cheeessssyy!!! Hahaha! A 26 year old  (I searched) man, single for 2 years (I didn’t search for this, info just came in!) Ang pinakagwapong ninja sa buong universe! Meet Mr. John Vincent Dorado, RN, USRN. His forte is my favorite nursing subject: Psychiatric. I’ve been a big fan of Sir Mike of Pentagon (where I had my review last 2007 for the NLE), now that this man in front speak and act, my heart bounces almost 9 hour a day for 3 consecutive days and I’m lovin’ Psych even more. He is amazing! He is adorable! His intelligence combined with his sense of humor and “kabulolan” moves me. Now I know why I was late on my 1^st day – to be in front and be near him. CHOS! I never thought that somebody like him is not in a relationship for 2 years and that’s makes me more curious. #stalker-CHAR!. Hahaha! I say, “Ang swerte naman ng babae na mamahalin mo!” huwaw! “he is an antidote that was never invented!” He makes me laugh and smile while imparting knowledge and enlightening my neurons that was sleeping for 4 years, and makes this  heart sounds ‘lubdublubdub’ *hahaha!* 
I'M A BIG FAN!!! =) #crushycrushy

Got this photo from Merge-URC's FB account

A stolen photo of him captured by a friend, Kathy. Thanks gurl! J

It was indeed a great week. A good start for me. Hoping and praying that the remaining 3 weeks will be as good as this one.

Welcome to URC!!!

Comprehensive review, in preparation for my NCLEX started on the 15th of July - A 20-day refresher course for a crammer like me. I was left with no choice. I needed to check all those review centers that will be sufficed by the money I have and the time I’m left with. *exam date: August 17* So tadaaaaa.. Welcome to the Guadalupe Complex, the mall without exit. Hahaha! Welcome to the Universal Review Center. Got no idea what I am entering at, no idea of whose voices I’m going to listen at. Clueless! – Except for some reviews I read online.

Take a look at the place I’m roaming around and will be walking at for the following days..

I need to be refreshed! Huwaw!!! Hahaha. So my dear neurons, get ready!

ATT's Validity Dates

The past few days rattles me with butterflies in the stomach, twisting voices and real words that decreases the blood flow in my brain. The validity dates of my ATT.

Last thrusday, at around 11:30 am, on idle mode in my seat, waiting for my lunch break to take place, I checked my emails from pearson vue. I started reading the rules/protocols/guidelines attached in my ATT and logged in to pearson vue’s site for a clearer version. (i had to check my planner where username and pasword were written, the site was not letting me in) TADAAAN! There in my screen were words clearly stated.. “Once a candidate made eligible, he or she must test WITHIN the validity dates printed on the ATT letter.” That is a part of the paragraph that made me read it over and over again. Baka mali lang ako ng intindi. Hehehe! I have always been aware that ATT’s validity dates is from August 17, 2010 to August 17, 2011. However, all this time I thought I could take it anytime I want as long as I picked/choose a schedule I preferred during that period.( I was really planning to take it next year or the yr after next. ) I picked up my handset and called NEAC, the agency who helped me process everything. Polly, the consultant on the other line said, “Maam kailangan mo syang itake before August 17 or else mageexpire.” Sabi ko pa “WEH?? (hahaha)”,in a funny manner, convincing myself that it is not true. Then she said, “sige ka magaply ka sa ibang state!” then I replied, “ok then, ill go there to pick my schedule by early June.” *hang up then tears drop* I had my lunch break with Honeylyn, and the other 2 med techs. Para lang akong tanga, screaming and shouting while hitting my cigar for I don’t know what to think, I don’t know what I am feeling.. butterflies in my stomach, can’t think straight. Takot ako sa exam na to! And besides, I am not yet ready. *whew!*

I can’t put my emotions then into words. Twisted. Scared. Nervous. Fucked up!!! I printed everything and read it on my way home. Confirmed. Reality needs to sink in. I need to take my NCLEX in two months. I don’t have tons of time. I need to get back to books as soon as possible. Ofcourse I cannot fight in a battle without any sword. I can’t risk it like that. I need to make something. I need a review center. So I checked online which schedule will fit in my remaining time. Called Rachelle Anne’s Review Center. A 25-day program that will start on July 4. It sounds good, but I don’t have 25k for that. My little savings is for my sister’s tuition fee, as what I have promised, then after paying that I have to wait for the my salary to have cash. I had the whole Thurday night to think things over. Friday morning, hindi ako mapakali sa office. My hands kept on putting force into my head, almost pulling my hair. Ate hilds recognized my uneasiness. I AM BOTHERED. Sabi nya, “ayusin mo muna yan.” I called pentagon, the review just started. Eeerrrr… Then I google URC in guadalupe. PRESTO!! 12k for a 20 day review program, but without final coaching. July 18-August 11. Checking pearson vue’s site, the only dates availble for August are 2 3 4, 9 10 11, and 17. After my lunch break, I made up my mind. I’ll go to NEAC and file for the appointment. Using my cc, I paid the $150 fee. Waah.. that’s almost 7k. Tsaka ko na sya iisipin kung pano babayaran. Hehehe! Fingers crossed, hope to get the August 17 exam date. Have to wait for 5-days. I have to resign. I have to talk to my sister and her husband to shoulder jelove’s tuition fee for July-Aug. I was thinking of working at night and studying in the morning pero sabi ko nga hndi ko kakayanin. Sayang lang ang review if lutang lang utak ko sa puyat at pagod. Even a part time job can’t work. I will be resigning once the schedule is finalized. I will be enrolling in URC on June 8, once the salary is out. Rachell Anne is not realistic for me at the moment, masyadong expensive. *sigh* Then once schedules are finalized, I’ll submit my resignation letter. Waw!! Magreresign na ko, for real. I have been thinking of resigning since December. I even put a deadline that on June, and before our site’s transfer tp Techno Hub, I am no longer with NSC-NIH. I am tired, stressed. I am no longer happy with what I am doing. I was not expecting that this would be the reason that will be indicated in my resignation letter. No matter I want to keep it in private, I know I still need to say it to them. Hay..bahala na ang Dyos!

Some things are still hanging. Schedule is still for approval. Dates were not yet finalized. But one thing is for sure, I am about to end my journey in NSC-NIH, and will take the first step for another journey. Tomorrow is uncertain. The future is unpredictable. Fate is unclear. But, I will call this REDIRECTION. Everything happens for a reason. Every step will bring me to the path where I am destined to be. God’s hands will always be my guide, I know He will lead the way.

So help me God.