Ready. Set. Dive!

Most of my travels involve getting adrenaline rush(es). I am not an adrenaline junkie, for sure, but I love to try new adventures, those kinds that challenge my fearlessness (if I really DO have it!). And so for my third visit to the all-so-famous Boracay, I tried something new, that thing considered as one of the most dangerous (?) extreme sports -- CLIFF DIVING! I jumped from 6 meters above water, a baby step for the experts, of course. I was feeling so scared walking towards the diving board but I felt thrilled at the same time. And If there was a mantra for my fearless "stunt", it could have been "There's no way I'm turning back" repeat nth times.

So, I finally JUMPED, hitting the water at 25 mph (40 kph). I didn't expect it to be so much fun and... PAINFUL!! Both my legs hurt but there's no stopping me. I went back to the diving board and jumped the 6 meters again. I felt SO thrilled! I was a bit regretful that I did my two stunts 30 minutes before getting back to the main island. If only I could have started diving earlier...

After a few days, my legs still hurt. My friends said the HUGE bruises I got from my cliff diving experience look like the punishment marks from fraternity hazing. Indeed. But I still want to try it again. Hopefully, when I walk towards the diving board again, I am ready with a BETTER diving posture. :)

Souvenir Baller IDs. I lost mine after diving. :(



Absolutely!

Bonjour Ariel's Point!

Testing the board. Smiley but a bit scared.

More cheers please!

I felt like I'm a gymnast... a scared gymnast!haha



There's no way I'm turning back.
There's no way I'm turning back.
There's no way I'm turning back.



My 25 mph (40 kph) jump! My posture here caused my bruises.

SPLASH!!!!

Thanks Kuya Gary for assisting me after my dive.
I could have drowned if you hadn't guided me.



wander: Ariel's Point, Boracay

wonder: I don't pretty much like Taylor Swift,

but this quote reminds me of what I have just done:

snowflakes

We may not have real snow in the Philippines, but we do have colorful snowflakes! :)

Mon amie Jed made the beautiful rubbercut stamp. Merci beaucoup! :)

Daniella the dessert maker!

Spending time with this kiddo is always heartwarming for me.

For the Christmas break of 2012, I chose staycation unless my parents or my friends asked me to get out of bed and go somewhere with them. I spent most of my time sleeping, eating and watching TV, such a couch potato, I know, such a bummer me. hahaha And many days, I found sweet Daniella asking my mom if I had already woken up, looking forward to some activities she could do with me. She was my frequent guest (as her house is just a stone's throw away, anyway) and she requested for a lot of crafty, homey tasks, which I could never ever resist. haha

It's always a fun time being with her, my little deary Daniella. :)

Note: A super late post means I was having trouble with blogspot's photo uploads. It's all under control now though. Yey!

'tis the season to be crafty

The Grinch is on hiatus for this Christmas season. Instead, I turned myself a bit crafty by personally wrapping gifts and making handmade tags/cards for friends and loved ones. I got this inspiration from my ever perky office buddy Mansy, who is such a wonderful artist/crafter as well! :)

Feliz Navidad

Wanna be a Secret Santa? Pick a name and make his/her Christmas wish come true :)

The Games/Secret Santa Masters! hahaha

I so love how happy I look here. *wink*

The Proformation Glee Club?

Pinoy Henyo is so much fun! :)

"The Christmas sleigh is crashing", last five people!

The winter creatures and the Mexican lady

The Mexican lady and the Polar bear! hahaha

More costumes and props, more fun! :)

Cheers to more margaritas!!!

"I so love margarita"

I don't remember how many times I mentioned this at the party. ;)

 

avec Rica and the choco bill ;)

When feeling a bit tipsy, hug your office buddy ;)

Credits to Jed for the photos :)

wonder:
How do you measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee?
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? Measure in love
Seasons of love.

beachy day

Travelling with the family is one of my ultimate dreams for this year. Luckily and happily, with the help of my big sister, I was able to pull together my mom, my dad, my big sister, little brother and our forever Nanay Tita. It took us a couple of months to research and prepare for the trip and finally, a few days before dad's birthday, we all flew to the southwest of the Philippines to enjoy the sun, the beach and most of all each other's company. :)

An hour flight away from the metro, Puerto Princesa has its unique way of inviting tourists to come see its beauty. It is where the famous Subterranean River National Park is located, which recently has become one of the new 7 wonders of nature. Yehey! :)

Further, it has a lot of beautiful white sand beaches and wonderful people as well.



One of the beautiful white sand beaches, could be yellow sand too *wink*



With Nanay Tita, who helped mom in taking care of us when we were very little. This trip is one of the many ways we (my sibs and I) could thank her for all the things she has done for us.



My little big brother has his own way of enjoying the trip. He used to do fishing and catching frogs when he was very young, so I think he was trying to relive his fishing experience on the island. He got his own DIY fishing gear -- himself. hahaha

Mom and big sis, on the other hand, enjoyed snorkeling so much that they wanted to spend all day long feeding the little fishes underwater. It was actually mom's first snorkeling experience, thanks to my big sis. She was very patient motivating mom to try it and she did it successfully. My mother conquered her fears and started to love snorkeling the moment she could breathe comfortably with the snorkeling gear. I do hope her heart condition is suitable for diving, maybe we could try it together next year. :)

     

What mom saw underwater. :)

  

My mom and my big sis, the snorkeling buddies :)

Mom and dad in their fancy snapshot :)



Daddy the frame trick spoiler! hahaha
This trip was dad's pre-birthday celeb. Hope he liked it ;)

Avec ma sœur. We both love travelling and we were able to share our passion with the people we love. :)



It wasn't the best time of the month (bio speaking).
Nevertheless, seeing everybody having fun made everything worth it.



The real family tree ;)

wonder:

wander: Honda Bay

Pandan Island, Starfish Island, Lu-Li Island 

quick dinner fix

My inspiration for preparing a quick and light dinner for high school buddies:

For breakfast, eat like a king.

For lunch, eat like a duke.

And for dinner, eat like a poor man.

--Yves, my French student

my mom's elegant centerpiece: candle and marbles

impromptu canapé:
cracker plus cucumber slice plus salmon with mayo plus parsley on top :)

my default spring rolls. hahaha

High school buddies I rarely see (as I do not often come home and spend time with them): Steven and Romeo. They liked the dinner I prepared for them. *je suis heureuse*

Also,mom's garden never fails to make our guests feel relaxed and comfy. :)