Happy New Year!

I might be late for this post but I'm sure some of us still have some holiday hungover eh?

So how did you spend New year's eve?

As for me, I didn't spend it in Jaildah or above 35,000 ft or in a fancy hotel. I spent New Year's eve in a place very special to my heart, I spent it at home. Yes, I've been meaning to broadcast to the world that I'll be able to go home for New year's celebration since the day I knew it. But I've thought it would be happier if I'd surprise my family. Teehee.

Going home is always heartwarming for me. Imagine my Papa and Mama crying the moment they saw me standing in front of them. It was priceless.

I was very happy to be home. I really needed that time off from everything. I have been really blessed and favoured by God this 2012. I have been to some beautiful places I've never imagined I would set foot to. I've done some ridiculous things I'm not quite proud of but I've survived and now I'm wiser and better. I've learned a lot, spent a lot and even though I have my own lot now I know I have to save a lot. Okay that's too many lot's in one sentence. Haha.

This year has been AMAZING and it's all because of God's will. Looking back now at this first few days of 2013 I'm just really thankful for God for his 365 days of blessings. And that he granted my only wish before the year ends, to be with my family.

I guess it's a good start of 2013 for me.

And yes, I am now engaged to the love of my life.

Merry Christmas!

This is my third Christmas away from home. I'm a bit sad actually. I prayed hard for it that this year I would be able to spend the holidays with my family. But God has other plans. He will send me to a beautiful place and for sure I'll have a memorable experience, plus I might be able to be home before the year ends. Yes, God is really good!

To everyone who is at home and celebrating the holidays with their family, hug them tight and savor each moment because it really matter. You might not appreciate it but for others who are miles away, that's the best gift they could ever have. The gift of togetherness, the gift of time with family and the gift of love. It's more than any material things and any amount of money.

Christmas in Milan would be a ton happier if I'm with my family.

Anyways, here's to a meaningful and wonderful Christmas to all of us. Please don't forget to say a prayer and remember the reason why we're celebrating this day!

Where did two years go?

Yes, I'm still alive. I'm still here.

So what happened? It's a cliche but what can I do when my crazy life got in the way.

I've done a lot of reading instead of writing. A lot of travelling (and some shopping on the side), dreams turned into reality, realizations, weighed out priorities, change of plans and a whole lot more. 2 years and just like that! Wow!

When I just started flying, I gave myself a deadline on this job. I told myself two years is enough. Two years of travelling the world and exploring life above and under 36,00 feet is enough. And so I thought.

The reason for the deadline is to pursue my first love, which is media. Growing up, I've never imagined myself as a beauty queen or a flight attendant like most girls would dream of. I just wanted to be in front of the TV delivering the news. I was a happy girl during my college days. I didn't care about eyebags, sleepless nights and being broke because of production expenses. The adrenaline rush of live production thrills me. Deadlines make me creative and I can say I beat most of it. I really, really love writing. And I felt I was born for it.

After college I thought I needed a break. Like a couple wanting some space to find his/herself. I think I grew tired of finding bad news everyday to sell. I felt weary and old while typing articles on my laptop. I felt the need of doing something new and liberating. Something that is not me.

I have a cousin who's working as a FA and I always admire and love her pictures exploring the world. I've thought it would be great to work and see the world at the same time. And I've asked myself, why not? Why not take a detour for some time and come back to media.

The rest is history and after two years, I'm kinda sad that I'm still here. Sad because now I think that I might have just fancied myself as a writer. I think I've lost the rigor in me during my freshmen years . I think I no longer see myself fit for media. I think I've lost a part of me that was the real me. Part of me wants to quit my work here and try again my luck in media. Fight. But my other half is thinking the most practical way of living. Flight.

I really enjoy my job. I have learned to love and appreciate it. I meet new people everyday. New encounters, new scenarios and I'm not limited from the 9-5 job. The most important thing is I get to travel and if I give up this right now I'm not sure if I'm ready to stop seeing the world's beauty.

I also realized from my previous post that I haven't accomplished much of my to do list as I turned 22. I  turned a year older but I wasn't able to buy my own car and get a driver's license.I won't be able to find a career fallback because I'm considering to stay here a little longer. And the worst is I have no savings, seriously!

Better things happened instead. Up to now I still can't believe I bought a house and lot. I have my own house and lot. My very own. Okay I'll stop now. I was able to set foot on US and UK which I really dreamed of. And I think I became a better person! Haha!

I remember my professor's reaction way back in college when she found out what the heck I'm doing with my life now. "Actually, if I was as brave and passionate as you when i was your age, I might have done the same thing! ha ha. Would have loved to travel around the world all the time too." She was my favorite professor and I look up to her skills not just in teaching but her journalist's instinct as well. And her having said that meant a lot to me. And I think I still have it.

I have been blessed and favoured for the past two years and I am always grateful and thankful for the love He has given to me. I guess God put me here for a reason. I haven't realized the purpose yet so I guess I'll fly until I find out why.

Travelog: Heat under the Indian sun

I've never imagined I would be under such a scorching heat, and when I say the word, I really mean it's scorching, freaking, awfully hot. Really. Okay, 45 degress, mind you.

As the summer approaches here in the middle east so as the temperature. But it's different in India. I dunno but just the moment we got out of the airport, my make-up was being erased by my sweat right away. I swear, it's like we were inside an oven and we're set to be cooked.

The hotel is fabulous. Totally a 5-star. Hotels in India are way way better compared to Europe. Perhaps its cheaper in India that's why they give the best for us. Lol!

When I lay here in my bed

I whisper to myself, "This is life!" Lol!

Le Meridien, India

Such a pretty and huge hotel.

I'm flying with a Filipina again, so lucky me! :) We decided to eat dinner outside and to go to the infamous night market of Janpath. It is near to the hotel so we just walked until we reached the place. It's like Divisoria in our country where they sell clothes, souvenirs, accessories and many beautiful and colorful items. It's India's trademark, the prints and colors. Shopping in India is actually cheap but the vendors are smart. Once they see you're a foreigner they double or triple the price. Well you gotta outsmart them by using your bargaining skills and charm of course! The second picture below was a very pretty dress priced for 700rupees, but to my stinginess, I got it for... 300 rupees. Ha!

Too much bling bling :)

The print is prettier in person!

After the tiring shopping Roda and I went to a nearby Pizza hut and ordered pasta and pizza. We tried the spicy dishes because we believed we were in India and spices are their specialty. To our disappointment, the spiciness of the food did not go well with our taste buds. I like spicy foods but when the spicy flavor overpowers the original flavor of the food and you barely can't taste it, it's no good at all.

Soo spicy! I was full from drinking too much water!

The next day, Roda, Mish (our steward) and I got off early from the hotel to see one of the world's wonders. :)

Goodness, I think I did 4 legs prior to Taj Mahal. We didn't expect that it was too far from the hotel! It was 5 hours away because it is located in Agra and it was like 200 kilometers away from Delhi! I kept on sleeping and waking up from my slumber during the travel. At some point, I can feel the heat outside going inside the car. Geez.

Some random pictures from the looong travel. :)

We still look sleepy don't we?

The nth accident that day. Too much road accidents in India!

Yes! Most tuktuk do this! Lol! Siksikan!

The gang on the way to Taj mahal

They ask too much from foreigners. Around 800 rupees

but for the locals only 300!

The entrance we had to endure under the hot hot sun.

I can't even understand at times what the tour guide is saying. Lol!

The gate to the palace of love

Namaste, Taj Mahal!

Mid shot

And a close-up shot

The tour was refreshing. It's like a trip down memory lane back in my history class. Before I would just gaze lovingly at the Taj mahal pictures in my books but now I'm actually in front of it. It's standing big right before me. It's amazing. Beautiful.

Touching the marbles and the stones intricately constructed by 22,000 laborers, speculating the monument of love which King Shah Jahan waited for 22 years to complete for his love Mumtaz Mahal, and climbing the 22 stairs up the chosen palace, all the heat is definitely worth the wait. It's worth it.

Goodbye the Chosen one.

I didn't buy any replicas of the Taj Mahal. They say the palace has become a tomb for the lovers and if you buy a replica of it, it's as if you bought a tomb for yourself too. They say it'll bring bad luck so I never thought of buying one anyway.

After the tour at the Taj Mahal we went to an Indian restaurant to eat. Sorry not too much pictures as I feel so messy and sticky from the heat. At least we had a decent food to eat and not overly spiced! What I liked most of what we ate was the sweet potato balls, an Indian dessert! Yum yum!

Tastes like embutido, nothing special.

After that we went to some interesting shops...

Beautiful marbles with precious stones

Impeccably done by the descendants of the Taj Mahal laborers

Beautiful finished products

This is a royal carpet once used before in the palace.

It is embroidered with precious real stones, and, is NOT FOR SALE!

These are pretty. Sigh.

All in all I enj0yed the tour. Though I have to experience again the grueling 5 hours travel back to the hotel. It's an experience that doesn't happen everyday anyway!

I gotta love Delhi! :)

Travelog: Frankfurt am Main

A very happy, funny and wonderful flight because I'm flying with my friend Bamba.

See, Bamba and I work at the NAIA airport but we barely know each other just until few weeks before we're off here to Jeddah. Having some common grounds of interest that we share, and to think that we're both bakla and we get along with our craziness, flying together to Frankfurt was sooo much fun indeed!

We look teeny here. Hee.

Still Nenes here :)

What I love about Frankfurt is that it's the land of all good things, from toiletries to make-ups, foods, gadgets and etc, yet it's very very cheap among all Europe countries.

Frankfurt is such a small city. Bamba and I walked around the town as soon as we arrived from the hotel.

Beautiful clouds

Rund um den Romerberg

The chapel at my back

We went inside to say a prayer

Then Photo op with Mr. Goldy, hee.

By the lake

Bought some souvenirs on the side!

And of course what's Frankfurt if we didn't take the chance to eat the famous German sausages!

The sausage was boiled but still has crispiness in every bite

Bamba and I had the pork one of course!

We're suppose to have beer with the sausage

but we won't be legal for the flight the next day. Sigh.

Winner frankfurters!

Although we're in Germany, we have to try the Gelato as well!

Pistachio Gelato was yummy!

What is Germany without pasta, Spinach pasta

and pizza, I forgot the name but the pizza was really good!

That was BURP! BURP! BURP! for that day! We bought lotsa chocolates and femme stuffs hence our heavy suitcase. Next time I go to Frankfurt, I'll probably try to go out to see Munich or Berlin.

'Til we meet again, Alemanya!

P.S. The pictures did not show how we had soo much fun :P

The birthday post

I am about to face another year in my life in just a few moment. And here are the goals for the past year that I have accomplished and I haven’t.

At 21…

1. I had finished college.

2. I got published thrice, in a nationwide magazine.

3. I had landed a job after graduation.

4. I had landed a job abroad before the year 2010 ended.

5. I ‘managed’ to be independent while I live alone and far away from my family.

6. I had ‘learned’ to sleep alone (but still with the lights on)

7. I had ‘learned’ to do my laundry (with the help of washing machine)

8. My current net worth amounts to more than 7 times of my previous salary.

9. I am travelling around the world. I get to work and see the world all at once. J

10. I had ‘learned’ to eat eggplant.

At 21…

1. I haven’t gotten a permanent savings account! I kept on opening and closing, opening and closing an account. As I go home this month, I have to have a permanent savings account. Really!

2. I wasn’t able to finish 12 books in 12 months. Boo!

3. I did not spend Christmas and New Year with my family and le boyfriend. L But I’m spending the holy week with them anyway!

4. There are still credits to pay!!!

5. I stopped exercising.

Now, as I turn 22, here’s my bucket list that I will turn into reality.

1. Increase my savings amounting to six-digits! Yes, let’s get it on! Goodbye shopping! Partly! :P

2. Buy my own car, with my own money.

3. Drive my own car, which means getting a driver’s license.

4. Think of a business, and save capital for it.

5. Find a good career fallback after December 2012.

6. To visit US and UK J

7. To buy two books every payday and to finish reading it all in a year.

8. To extend help in whatever form it may be

9. To increase domestic travels! Explore Philippines!

10. To be a better person.

The last one sounds poetic, yes, but don’t scratch it. Who wants to get worse every year of his life eh?

I am truly blessed for the past year and I believe that without God’s guidance, I couldn’t have been to where I am right now to begin with. So to Him, I offer all my praise and worship.

I have only one birthday wish, please always keep my family and my love ones safe, healthy, away from any sickness, accidents, and misfortune. Please fill their hearts with love, peace, and happiness. For that, I am truly grateful.

I am now 22, cheers! J

Travelog: In search of the Marcos' Swiss account

Nice layover in a very nice place! I was given 50 hrs layover in Geneve, Switzerland and I'm flying with a Filipina so I was very happy!

Whenever I ask my colleagues what to do in Geneve, they look at me, no, they just stare at me blankly. I know there's nothing interesting to do in Geneve like there's no Eiffel tower to visit nor world-famous landmarks plus it's super expensive there. But I like the idea that there's nothing much to do there because the city is so peaceful quiet and calm as if it was resigned from the world. You can enjoy the place on its own.

We arrived at 4:oo in the afternoon in Geneve and we just changed clothes and my colleague and I went out to chill. It was her third time to Geneve so she knows the place well. Walking across the bridge was scary, as I was taking picture, I felt it shaking! It was scary and fun! Hee!

Maxine and I had our early dinner at the golden arches, enjoyed their salad, chicken wrap and potato wedges. Yum! Then we continued walking around the old town. It was getting dark and I've noticed that the shops close too early, like 7pm! Max also told me that during weekends, all the shops are closed and you can count the people who are out in the streets. It sounds like they are home-buddies eh?

We decided to grab some booze in a mini market and drink at the hotel room and oh boy, I missed beer! I miss beer! Yes, I miss beer! :P

The epic Saint Omer! Wow!

Yes, we're drunk!

After our drinking session and exchange of funny stories, my head was glued on the pillow as soon as Max went to her room. I was beaten, tired, knocked out!

The next day,was the tour day. The weather was perfect, as if it was warmed up for us. It was sunny and cold at the same time.

Before we get to abuse our legs for walking :P, max suggested to eat at Le Relais de Venise – L'Entrecôte. It's the famous steak house which started in Paris. See, I'm not a steak person but when I saw that there's a line, yes, a line of people waiting to get in the steak house, I was curious and hungry as well and gave it a try! My stomach was in for it!

The best vinegrette salad dressing ever! Yummy lettuce and walnut salad!

Oh my, it's heaven in a bun! Crispy sides of the bread but the inside is tender and yum! One bite, and I'm in love with Entrecote!

My steak, medium well done, with the fries, in delicious chicken liver sauce. And oh, did I say that the fries was the best fries I've ever tasted?

I didn't regret spending too much in food because it was worth it! Yes, it was expensive and worth it! We were so full what we ate was enough for dinner. Lol!

After that very filling brunch, Max and I explored the town.

Bought some Swiss souvenirs

And lots of Swiss chocolates!

The conclusion: I haven't found Marcos' swiss account! But I have found how beautiful Geneve is!