Dromomania

dromomania | noun dro·mo·ma·nias\ˌdräm-ə-ˈmā-nē-ə, ˌdrōm-\

Surigao 360: All smiles at Naked Island

This refers to the uncontrollable urge to travel.

Start them young. Not to brag, but yes, lemme brag, I've been travelling solo for quite a while now. I remember way back, the first time I ever went home alone from school, I was just 7 years old, I had my stroller bag and water jug with me and I commuted on a jeepney. Being the eldest child, my parents had instilled independence in me at an early age. Then on to my first solo boat trip from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu, I was just about 12 years old. I was taught to text / inform the parentals and the expecting party that I was on my bunk settled and of course, to text them the ship's ETA. Papa would go tsk tsk-ing if no ETA was relayed. Haha. Well, I'm just lucky I was brought up by very encouraging parents and most importantly by strong independent women. These women are my spirit animals. They grab life by its lapels and boy do they have their share of adventures, and still counting... They are my aunts, you see. And of course them apples didn't fall far from the tree, my grandmother. We all got it from Nanay.

It's just about right that I acknowledge my o' Grandma as the root of our dromomania. It's pathological! You just pack a bag, hop on a bus and damn you're travelling already. It's a mental sickness really. But I'm proud to have it. And here's to the start of my Laag Tales. I cannot wait to share my adventures, food trips and monologues. Ha. Cheers! *breaks bottle on the ship* *church belfry dings away*  *mazeltov!* 

Slow down, 2015.

It's four and a half months into the new year and has it been a roller coaster ride. It seemed like it was just Christmas break, and now it's summer! A lot has happened; I survived almost four months of juggling two people's workload, I started working on my fitness again, hurray! I've had my fun in the dating department, but that ship has sailed, yet again. I've been to places I've always wanted to go to. I tried totally bomb food, I died and went to food nirvana. And most importantly I've started my happiness projects. More light on the projects in another loop. 

2015 has been a very good year so far. Some parts were tough; mistakes disguised as lessons. Most parts were beyond memorable. But gaddamn, can time slow down just a little bit? Time has been very tricky. Time is not on our side. But God is on our side, and for that I'm thankful. No matter how shitty a day would go, I still thank Him for the life I'm living. 

But please, please, slow down.

2014 Photo Diary (Part 2)

June | EastWest Cafe
By far, the most eventful month of my year.
Of reunions with best friends and family.
Cue Krewella's Alive and Sam Smith's Latch (Disclosure version)

July | The Beer Flight at Irie Gastropubliko
The shenanigans continue... I have always been a beer lover and a foodie. Due to the in flux of reunions last month, I gained happy pounds. (-) Good Lord knows I have been putting off my workouts. I have unleashed my inner hobbit.

August | San Agustin, Surigao del Sur
This was my random and most unplanned trip.
I have fallen in love with Mindanao.

September | Maria Cristina Falls, Lanao del Norte
In less than a month later, I was back in Mindanao and went on a roadtrip with the family.
God, we are lucky. #itsmorefuninthePhilippines

October | Tumalog Falls, Oslob
The photo says it all.   

November | Lilo-an Port, Santander
By far November has been the hardest month of my year. It went downhill right after this trip.
But here's to ending the year with sass.
(to be continued)

2014 Photo Diary (Part 1)

January | Sinulog Mardi Gras
My favorite time of the year: A new beginning and of course, Sinulog.
This was the start of my 2014. Parties here and parties there.
To celebrate the new year and to making this youth count.

February | Simala, Cebu
For this month was all for exercising G R A T I T U D E.
Thankful and grateful; I am blessed with this beautiful life.

March | My favorite beach, Argao
Contrasting old and new memories
This time, I realized, I was holding on to my 2013 memories. When just a year ago I was in my last month of college, my closest friends were still all in Cebu, I had a strong grip of who I was and who I wanted to be. And now, a year later, (-) it's a sad reality that it requires more effort now to keep in touch with my circle, (+) I got the job I have always dreamed of, (+) I went on road trips with new friends and (-) I lost that strong grip of myself. I was slowly losing myself.  

April | Divine Mercy Shrine, El Salvador
To search and restore.
Despite the challenges, the change, the loss and the heartache,
I still have in me my undying gratitude.

May | Talisay Public Beach, Cebu
A lot can happen in a month. My May has been a pot of experiences.
I was awoken by the loss of a dear friend, and since then I have tried my best to reconnect to the universe. Reconnecting to old friends, relatives and even to myself. I had so much to cover, and it had to be done.
His passing slapped me in the face of how short life can be. You'd think you still have tomorrow but tomorrow is uncertain. Uncertainty is constant.
 Life shouldn't be taken for granted.