#34yearsandcounting

Thankful every single day for these two cuties. 

Shet, I'm twenty-eight.

No, this won't be a post about how my being twenty-eight has not fully sunk in yet, how I am a year older but still have not figured out life, how the heck I am getting to where I want to be, or how to be a proper grownup without forgetting the happy child in me.  WUW dami lang pinaghuhugutan.  Haha!  I'm really just a sucker for rhymings, hence the post title.

I spent a quiet birthday in Baler, exactly how I wished for it to be.  I can't remember celebrating my previous birthdays away from home.  But this year, I just wanted to do all the things I always crave for - be at the beach, read a book, drink a beer, play with the waves, disconnect, talk little, stare at nothingness, look at the sun set, eat good food, get decent sleep, be up in time for the sunrise.  Well, I got exactly that, and more. :)  It is definitely one of the perfect days that I have stored in my core memory.

JoyBus is a real joy.  It's still as efficient and hassle-free as it was last year when we first took it.  We were in Baler before the crack of dawn.  It was too early to check in at the hostel so we stayed at Hungry Surfer where we got front-row seats to the tickled-pink sunrise.  Kilig :)

pink skies

I planned to be selfish and keep Charlie Does Hostel a secret to the rest of the world but that would be being ungrateful to all the kindness that they've shown us.  They were extremely kind to allow my request for an early checkin (We even got upgraded to a bigger room at no additional charge!) and late checkout the next day.  They also gave me free taste to their craft beer called Baler Brew.  I never told a soul that it was my birthday and there they were treating me like a debutante! hehe Charlie Does does things nice and perfect!  Don't get me started about their cafe that serves affordable, freshly-cooked and delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Garden Burger at Charlie Does Cafe

I was out into the sea, getting reacquainted with the waves of Baler before the sun set.  Estong, my surf instructor, was so patient with my questions and with teaching me the basics.  It was also fun listening to his life stories while we waited for the nice waves I could ride.  He allowed me to surf much longer than my allowed time both days that I signed up for lessons.  On our second day, I was paddling and standing up on my own with him kindly coaching and cheering on.  Ang saya!  I can't get the waves out of my head.  I can't name anything more calming than the ocean.  I hope to be back and learn even more during the surf season.

As another treat to myself, I brought a book with me on this trip.  I read everywhere and anytime I pleased.  My favorite time was in the morning of our second day, just after the sun rose.  I was alternately reading a chapter and watching the waves.  The dogs of Baler would stroll around me.  One particular dog came very close, sniffed me, probably curious about what I was reading.  They were too cute to watch roaming around like they own Sabang.  Speaking of dogs, I met Charlie Does' Justice who was a real darling.  He's a Lab who was born blind.  I felt so happy to have met him.

the early-riser dawgs

Pleasure to meet you, Justice.

a boy goofing around with the goofies

Baler gave me more reasons to visit again.  It's as lovely, if not more, than when I experienced it the first time.  From its food, to its seas, to the chill vibe, to the people!  Oh, the people.  I have a really bad memory but I'll never forget the acts of kindness and gentleness sent my way. :)

I'm also grateful to my friend Allen for tagging and going along my (lack of) itinerary.  :)

Thanks Allena!

And to God, for this life.

Cheers!

All emotions are beautiful.

Of all the clichés in my head and all the sayings I've read, this statement seems to be the only one calming me down these days.  All emotions are beautiful.

I had always thought I have a good grip on my emotions.  Always steady, not much drama.  When things don't seem so right, I was the kind who'd think that it's nothing a run, an ice cream, a prayer or a good sleep couldn't fix.  That's what I thought until the run, the ice cream, the good sleep and the prayers didn't give me the fix I need.  

I hate it when I get sad, upset and stressed about anything.  I hate it more when I can't get past feeling sad, upset and stressed.  I prefer using my head more than my heart.  Always.  Logic over feelings. I always try getting to the root of what's making me feel bad, analyzing them, then thinking of ways on how to get past them.  It has always worked.  You can imagine how much more analyzing I did upon finding out that my system doesn't work all the time.  It's exhausting that I find myself worrying more, smiling less, getting irked easily and overanalyzing every single damn thing.  I decided I don't like who I'm turning into.

I'm now like a robot who's trying this thing humans call vulnerability.  I'm letting my tears fall freely, I'm trying to be more honest about what I'm feeling and I'm learning how to deal with emotions I had always dismissed as unnecessary.  All emotions are beautiful.  I'm not going to apologize for finally feeling.  I got this.  Trust me. 

33 years and counting . . .

the reason why i am such a believer of the overrated thing called LOVE.  Happy anniversary to my favorite duo.  I'm truly a super blessed kid to have you. 

What does the POX say?!

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-diring-diring!  Guess sinong binulutong?! Hehe 

I wasn't laughing Saturday last week when the doctor confirmed I got chicken pox.  "WTFox!  Stay indoors for an entire week?!"  "There goes my carefully-planned leaves!" "Oh my shit, SCARS!!"

I had so much time browsing FB stories and saw several videos of the war in Syria.  Sobra akong nahiya sa mga concerns ko.  There I was, lying comfortably in my bed while people are losing their loved-ones, their homes, children are crying for their dead parents and siblings!  Wala akong karapatang mag-inarte.  I truly felt like the selfish engot that I am.  

Tried to calm my nerves and my itchy spots and asked myself, "Okay, what is it then that He wants me to learn?"  

For one, I figured He probably wants me to spend more time with my parents.  I do try make it home every weekend.  But lately, I'm guilty of just wanting to stay in my room, sleeping and reading all day long.  The entire week I was at home, we shared almost all breakfasts and dinners together.  It also brought me to the realization that I have not cooked in a while.  I used to stay all day in the kitchen (the only part of the house where I'm handy!) with them preparing meriendas, lunch, dinner, baking, and cleaning up in between.  I've been so lazy, tsk!  I will try to make it up to my parents!  

Secondly, I learned how it feels to be avoided like the plague.  It isn't a nice feeling.  My best friend is getting married in a week and she hasn't had the pox so I did stay away from her and from everyone else.  It reminded me of how the word BULUTONG was my "Excuse me, that's my cue to leave!".  I used to literally run away from a person who just had it.  That was so thoughtless.  While we have every right to avoid a person who has any contagious sickness, I will make sure to do it more kindly.  

It didn't happen easily but eventually I did see my getting chicken pox a blessing.  I had plenty of time to do some more reading and did other things I've been putting off.  I got cleared by the doctor the other day and was told that I'm so lucky to have earned very little scarring.  Whew!  After 10 full days of vacation, I am so ready to report back to werk tomorrow!  

God, thank You.  And I'm sorry that sometimes I complain too darn much.  :D