The Classics

May 7, 2012 at 6:09 PM | Posted in Books | Leave a comment
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Friends and family know very well that I love reading books. I especially love reading the classics – from Shakespeare, Jane Austen to the Bronte sisters. However, truth be told, there are still a lot of the classics I haven’t read. One of these is The Phantom of the Opera. I know right. This is my favorite play of all time and though I’ve seen the 2004 movie and watched its 25th anniversary presentation last year, I haven’t read this classic gothic tale – until now. Yes I am just currently reading this and I must say that I’m loving it. Though there are differences in the book from the musical play, I still love Andrew Lloyd Webber’s interpretation of it. But I cannot exactly say the same for Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera he has written. I haven’t seen this play so I cannot pass judgement.

Anyway, I also love Shakespeare and after seeing Anonymous, my intention of reading all of his plays was reignited. I’ve read and enjoyed all of his sonnets but never got around to reading all of his plays. And then there’s Jane Austen. Her work was the original chick lit in those days and I just love Pride and Prejudice as well as Sense and Sensibility. I know that there has been recent retellings of her stories with zombies and other monstrous creatures in it. I’m curious to read them but I’m hesitant all the same. I’m not exactly sure where I stand in this. First of all, I don’t like zombies. I prefer vampires. Secondly, there’s a part of me that says “They’re destroying a classic” but another part of me wants to see how the characters in the stories react to these creatures of the night.

Well if I ever get to reading them, they’ll probably be at the bottom of my list of to-read classics. Because right now, there’s a big pile of classic books waiting for me to read.

This too, shall pass.

May 4, 2012 at 10:34 PM | Posted in Life | Leave a comment

Throughout the years, this has been my motto every time I encounter difficulties in life. I cannot count how many times I have uttered this line whenever I’m going through tough times. This line has been my sort of self-encouragement to go on, face my problems and be brave. By uttering this line, I assure myself that everything will turn out fine in the end.

And it’s true. I believe that every dark cloud has a silver lining. And I can attest to this by the numerous times I have overcome difficulties in life. When I look back, those dark periods of my life were over and somehow I managed to overcome them.

I think I started using this motto after I’ve seen My Best Friend’s Wedding, in which there was a scene where Julia Roberts’ character was sitting on the carpet just outside the door of her hotel room. She sat there smoking, finally realizing the devious thing she did to her male best friend who was about to get the consequences of her action. A hotel bellboy passed by and reminded her that smoking was not allowed in the hallway. I don’t recall every detail of that scene. All I can remember is that after the bellboy noticed her grim, sad face the bellboy told her, “This too, shall pass,” alluding to the idea that she’d get through whatever trial had come her way.

Now I am facing another dark cloud and once again I repeat this familiar line to myself.

One Time in Work Camp

March 13, 2012 at 10:20 AM | Posted in Food and Dining, Travel | 1 Comment
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When I was a kid, I was a member of the Girl Scouts like every other schoolgirl back then. I became a part of it not by choice but as mandated by the school (or was it by the government? I forgot.) I barely remember what I did as a Girl Scout. All I could remember was that there was this instance when we had to go camping. I really wanted to join and experience what it’s like to sleep in a tent and cook in firewood. But unfortunately my parents didn’t allow me to. So I was kind of jealous when all the other kids at school gushed about their experiences when they went camping.

Growing up I always wanted to try camping but never had the opportunity – until just last week. My boss decided that we go camping over the weekend at Camp Benjamin. It was actually sort of a business trip mixed with pleasure. It would just be an overnight thing – my colleagues and I staying at the camp for one night.

So last Friday after office hours, my colleagues and I traveled to Ilaya in Alfonso, Cavite where Camp Benjamin was located. It was a little more than two hours of travel and by the time we arrived at the camp, it was already almost 10:00pm – and freezing cold! We were pleased to find out that we were the only guests at the camp that night. We had a late dinner at the camp’s Mon’s Restaurant after which we headed to the camp site where our tents were already set up. I excitedly picked my tent of choice and was delighted to find that the tent looked cozy enough. Each of the individual tent was equipped with a mattress, blanket, towel, and a battery-powered lamp. The bathroom and shower stalls were located not far off the camp site.

After settling in, my colleagues and I gathered around a bonfire specially prepared for us by the camp’s friendly staff. However, our plan to roast hotdogs and marshmallows over the fire got hindered by the fact that it was scorching hot. So we ended up just drinking and munching on chips. My boss retired early for the night while my officemates and I stayed up until the wee hours of the next morning.

I slept soundly inside my cozy tent and was woken up by the sounds of crowing roosters from the nearby farm the next day. It was so refreshing to wake up to the sounds of nature and breathe in fresh air. A trickle of guests arrived at the camp by mid-morning. Most of them were employees of big companies visiting the camp for team-building activities. Not surprising since the camp also offers facilities for team building such as an obstacle course, water slide, and a zip line.

Our morning was spent  exploring the camp and taking pictures. By noon, we met our business partner who toured us around the massive camp. We talked business the rest of the afternoon. The day ended with us trying the zip line. It was my second time to go zip lining and I must say that it still gave me the jitters! I went all weak-kneed when I was done. We left shortly after that and headed back to Manila.

We were exhausted by the time we came back to Manila but it was all worth it. I had such a great time at the camp and I want to go back there and go camping again.

Birthday Weekend Getaway

January 23, 2012 at 8:37 PM | Posted in Lifestyle, Travel, Writing | 5 Comments
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I just came back from San Juan, Batangas where I spent my birthday frolicking at the beach and relaxing at the resort. It was sort of an adventure trip actually. I traveled alone with no companion at all. It was my first time as a solo traveler and I must say that I enjoyed it very much. This was what I’ve always wanted – some time alone by myself.

This idea came about last year when I decided to do something out of the ordinary for my birthday this 2012. I said to myself that I’m going to treat myself this year and go out of town. And after a stressful month at work, I booked myself a resort room in Balai sa San Juan just in time for the long weekend holiday.

So last Friday, I found myself traveling to an unfamiliar place excited about spending time at the beach. The resort had this rustic feel to it and I loved that it was situated in a secluded area. My room had no phone, TV, and minibar at all. There was no WiFi either. And I was glad because I didn’t want any modern distraction. Part of the reason why I wanted to go solo was because I wanted to go back to writing. It’s been a long time since I drafted a short story, and the beach was the perfect place for me to write.

I spent my first day at the resort exploring and just walking along the beach taking in the fresh sea breeze and watching the calming waves. I intended to watch the sunset at the beach but unfortunately, the skies were cloudy that time and the sun remained hidden behind those clouds. I reserved the night just typing away at my laptop with a new story in mind.

The morning after was my birthday and I spent the whole day at the beach. It was a good thing that it was off season because there was hardly anyone at the beach. After enjoying a good few hours of swimming, I settled in one of the cottages along the shore and past the time alternately reading a book and writing. I stayed there until dusk but unfortunately no sign of the sunset again because the sky remained cloudy.

I checked out the next day but not before I had my last walk along the beach. It’s such a shame that my vacation ended so soon. I honestly was not ready to leave. In fact, when I came back to Manila I felt disappointed after I had my first glimpse of the skycrapers. The mountains, trees and lush greeneries of Batangas were gone and instead there were concrete and steel everywhere. I’ll take the beach any day if you ask me.

Looking Back

December 30, 2011 at 11:48 PM | Posted in Life | Leave a comment
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I can describe my 2011 as pretty busy and better than the previous year. Yes, there were challenges and difficulties but there was fun and excitement as well. I would say I learned a lot this year, especially when it comes to work. A door was closed (by me, mind you) and another opened. I learned by observing, accepting, and collaborating.

Hurdles in the family (my mother was hospitalized middle of the year and an uncle was confined to a wheelchair just this month) kept me worried and on my toes but support and positive thinking got me through. And things are definitely looking up.

Of course, there were the parties, conferences, and events I attended. I met so many new people and got to mingle with VIPs. Opportunity just came right after another.

I am hopeful that this coming 2012, things will be even better for me.

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