Namaste, India!

I arrived in India on May 22, 2013 at 2 a.m.

I felt a little nervous upon arrival at the airport because I was supposed to avail of the visa-on-arrival. I thought I wouldn't have enough dollars or requirements on me, etc. But 40 minutes, 2 filled-up forms and USD $65 later, my passport has been stamped.

Another thing that I felt a bit nervous about was the driver that was supposed to pick me up. I think I may have made him wait for quite a long while already and I had no way to tell if he was still at the airport or if he even arrived there. But nevertheless, I was able to spot him as soon as I exited the customs security check area and eventually make it to my host's house.

Here are the places I went to on my first day and some random things I saw. :)

Bookworm Heaven

I bought WAAAY more books than school supplies.

Book List:

1. "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
2. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
3. "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" by Salman Rushdie
4. "Franny and Zooey" by JD Salinger
5. "Fools Die" by Mario Puzo
6. "The Invisible Man" by HG Wells
7. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
8. "1984" by George Orwell
9. "A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
10. "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" by Seth Graham-Smith
11. "Twisted 81/2" and "Twisted 9" by Jessica Zafra
12. Reader's Digest May 2011

Look!! Look!! Fabric pastel sticks!! I cannot wait to try them >:) Also, I bought Rome and Paris-inspired tiny sticky notes. I've been dying to get my hands on pads like this ever since I saw my sister's Paris-inspired one from Scribbles.

Reader's Digest May 2011 issue! Everytime I go to National Bookstore, I have to get one. I mean, when I have money of course. I haven't read it yet because my nose is still stuck on my books. I am currently reading "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" by Salman Rushdie as we speak. Pretty good so far. I still have Mel's books to dig in to. Bookworm Heaven, indeed :D

Another item which I have WAY too much of are notebooks. I buy even when I don't them. I hate this. It's a disease of the pretty. The eye-catcher syndrome. The notebooks, I mean. I bought four more!! I have another post for that. Maybe some other time. I'm thinking of selling them. It's not like I can use them all simultaneously :|

There you have it. Dreading this Saturday. Ugh. I don't know what to expect. Huuu. Can't wait for Friday's movie day at ATC + gig at Saguijo. Weeeeee :D

Last few days before summer! Lunch for the time being.

Whirlwind

I'm happy to be far from bored. Although, I am not saved from the blistering tropical heat (who is?). Since Fashion Week, I've been.. around. Haha.

I am now a volunteer for Kythe! I haven't started on my volunteer duties yet because the affiliated hospitals are all up north in Quezon City :( I will start when school does. Luckily for me, USTH is a Kythe-affiliated hospital. Yehey! :D

During my NSTP days.

Last Wednesday (18th), me, JJ and Ate Yanyan along with her DLSU friends went to EK! Some of my blockmates, Stella, Luisa, Joshua, Lara and Donna (balikbayan from Canada!) were also there. Awesome.

I conquered the Space Shuttle. Booyah. I wasn't able to go karting because damn it, it rained and they won't allow it. Huhu. I borrowed books from Mel. I'm so happy to have a fresh new stack of reads again. Three cheers for nerd-om.

Photos!! :D

LOL. awkward photo.

Can you see the cane? Hehe. Borrowed it from this 50's dude.

Friday (@ Rescue) and Saturday (Kam's 18th) nights were all rounds of drinking with my beloved HS batchmates. I finally saw a movie! Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides. I also had a photo op with some cosplayers dressed as, what else, PIRATES. I wore the pirate lady's hat too (in another photo). Hihi.

SO. That's what I've been up to. Well, mostly. Still working on Asahi's despedida video. It pains me to think he'll be jetting off this Thursday. Sigh. I need to finish it by tonight. Should be fun. I have a lot more to look forward to and a lot more to get done. Hopefully, matuloy si lolo sa trip niya on June. And it rests upon my ever "capable" hands.. Lezzdoodizz.

C'est la vie.

Scorching Wednesday

Can I tell you about my day? Yes? Okay.

I was supposed to submit my requirements today for passport replacement at the Bel-Air apartment in Ermita, Manila. I had no idea where the building is but I know that it's just along Roxas Blvd. Okay, good enough.

I asked the FX driver where Bel-Air apartment is and he says it's right beside Robinson's Ermita so I get off at Pedro Gil. WRONG MOVE. As it turns out, the Bel-Air Apartment is near the Bayview Hotel. From Pedro Gil to United Nations. Get the distance? Pretty far, mate.

So I decided to walk along Roxas Blvd. under the blistering heat of midday Manila. Ugghhh. Luckily, a few friendly breezes blew. But still. I sweat like a pig. After walking for what seemed like forever, I finally reached it. I got nervous because there were a lot of people waiting outside the building so I asked a random stranger if there was a line to go inside.

His reaction? Hmm. He ignored me for full 30 seconds and then said, "Tanong mo nalang sa guard." Needless to say, that really grrr. Ah! Ignored. So I went inside, did my business at the DFA office and headed out. Now I am hungry and tired. Tomorrow, Embassy naman with lolo.

So fun.

Did I Mention?

I feel pretty, oh so pretty. I feel pretty, and witty, and bright.. NOT.

We have a visitor in the house today. A Chemistry professor from DLSU-Manila, one Mr. Eric Punsalan. He was also my mom's classmate in college. (BS Chemistry Batch '83 and '84, respectively) He's visiting my lola to talk about some business matters: the school, the garden shop, world economics.. Your typical adult business whatnot talk.

I was invited to sit in with them. Damn, I haven't even showered. Sheesh. Anyway, pretty interesting stuff I heard. I like people who are articulate and those who actually know what they're saying and who really make sense to boot. I also learned a lot about my lola today. Hihi. I just remembered I'm starting my summer job at the garden shop next monday. Should be fun, I guess :))

Oh did I mention? I wasn't accepted at UP Manila. I exceeded the number of units. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. You get 110 accumulated units, you don't get into UP. Haha :) Of course, very happy to be staying with my friends :D

Speaking of which, pool party was cancelled because damn the hassle. I freaking hope we'll get to have one on enrollment day. Anyway, thinking of what to do for the remainder of my summer vacation :3

Canigao Island

Day 2 of the 30-Day Challenge was delayed because we went to Canigao Island! :D I didn't have a camera on me and I didn't want to use my phone so I grabbed photos from here. Hehe. We actually had shirts made for this trip. HAHAHA. Cuz we gangstahz and that's how we roll :))

Front: Canigao Island / Summer Outing / April 30, 2011

Back: BARANGAY PUNTA / "I'm proud to be a puntahanun"

HAHAHA :)

Urgh. 3-hour road trip, 10-minute bangka ride going there. Hassling but very fun experience nonetheless. It's still new and a little underdeveloped but there is adventure to be had in this little island. Weee.

floating raft!! :)

bangka ride!! :)

Lola Lily and my baby sister, GC :) 

 

There were no cabins so we set up camp and slept in tents. Haha. If I'm not mistaken, that was my first camping experience.

We also had to eat with our hands, which I love doing :>

Aside from that, we played beach volleyball, beach badminton. Yeah, you have to add the "beach" word. Haha. We also trekked the entire circumference of the island and saw sea creatures. :3 We caught a jellyfish! :D

Say hello to Jerry the Jellyfish :D (Grrr. We left him back in Canigao :|)

Trekking! :)

I think it was a 2-day team-building activity for dad and his colleagues. So in team buildings, you have to have games, bonding activity whatnot, etc. They played a LOT. Sobrang nakakatuwa tingnan :)) My sister and I won P500 from playing Pinoy Henyo! Woohoo :D

Bonfire! You must choose between sharing (talking) or performing. Haha

The beach looks lovely :D It kept raining though. Grrr.

 You can't go to the beach and NOT build sandcastles :)) My brother, sister and I are currently building a channel from our castle to the sea.

 

Come again :D

Super fun! YES :D Too bad my older sister missed it. Oh well.

I still have sand on my slippers. I can still feel sea water in my eyes. I am still very exhausted. But the Canigao beach trip was unforgettably undeniably awesome :))

Visayan Holiday

Hello Blog! I missed you :D


Still on vacation. From lola's province (Bogo City, Cebu) and now currently in dad's place Ormoc, Leyte. Cannot make an elaborate post yet because keyboard is kinda fussy and the internet connection is not cooperating. Why you do that, Globe?

Anyway, stressed about Visa application. Thanks, mom. HAHAHA. Till here. Peace! :)

Oh, and HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY everyone! :D

Fierce Saturday

My sister and I went to Alabang Town Center last Saturday to see Mr. Nigel Barker, noted fashion photographer, and Miss J Alexander, runway diva extraordinaire! :)

Yaaah. When you say their names, it's like you feel obligated to mention their titles too. Haha.

To be a part of the book-signing activity, you have to buy any one of their books. My sister got Nigel's and I, Miss J's.

Since Nigel Barker was faster in book signing, my sister was able to get a photo op with the beautiful Sarah Meier! Awww :(

Miss J's autograph! :D

That's my blockmate, Josh. We're both south-siders! :D

Nigel Barker's autograph!

It's Mika Lagdameo! :)

The book-signing stubs

Photo op with Miss J! Oh, did I mention? I got to hug her too! :D

I had fun! They were so funny. I have always been an avid fan of Nigel Barker. Besides the fact that he oozes charisma, and that he's a photographer, he's very articulate.

And Miss J? Ohmy. Her confidence is just. There are no words. She's not one of those loud gay types who practically elongate and shout out everything they say. She is reserved. Reading her book made her all the more interesting.

I'm nearly done with Miss J's, "Follow the Model". Such a fantastic read. I'd recommend it to anyone to wants to be someone. Will go for "The Beauty Equation" next. Hihi.

I am such a fan girl :|

PS: Uploaded!