I Miss the Beach!

There is one secret (not-so-secret) I'd like to tell you: I can't swim. It's sort of exasperating every time people ask me if I can swim and I give them a big no, not that I mind what they think of me but because I feel sorry for myself.  I feel sorry that I was not brave enough to learn how. But know what? I am in love with the beach. Who's not? The sound of waves is like a beautiful music. It touches the soul. It was over a year ago the last time I set my foot on the sand. I was joined by my family on a trip at Real, Quezon.

We had a joyride from Angono all the way to Real. The cold morning breeze touches our face as we sit at the back of a Suzuki mini truck. We had one or two stop overs, wherein we bought hard-boiled and quail eggs and snacks for the kids.

We arrived early, good enough for us to enjoy the beach entirely. It was so cold, still. (I am the one wearing pink stripes jacket. No need for caption.)

I shriek when I saw this picture because...look at my sister's hair. I'm just really mababaw. Sorry LOL.

It was high-tide when we get there. The waves became bigger came noon.

The sea is a haven. Here you can just relax your body, free your minds from the hustle-bustle life in the city, and also reflect. It's true, nature can help if you want to meditate or freshen up your mind.

The one sporting the blue swimwear is yours truly. I wish I was a bit fitter that time. But my hobby is eating. It must be so hard to go on a strict diet program.

The all-time favorite group pose. Jump brothers! It takes time to perfect a jump shot.

My two dear nieces played at the sand while the adults are swimming. Say hi to Nadine, since Ate Jana is turning her back.

How I wish I am a kid once more. I can't do this anymore. I am too big now to bury my body in the sand. I need help, of course. But they won't bother to help me, they'd rather swim haha!

There's one thing that caught my attention--a Mama Mary sanctuary by the beach. We went there carefully as the rocks are so edgy. We actually slept there and head home the morning after.

Credits to my sister Neri Idea for the photos.

The Ocean Park Experience

Manila Ocean Park is a world-class marine theme park, with so many attractions like the Fish Spa, All Star Bird Show, and the popular Oceanarium exhibiting numerous marine species.

MOP is now five years old, with hundreds of thousands of tourists already visited their wonderful theme park. It's also a nice destination for school field trips. My little sister also had their field trip at the park last month and she came home with stories of how happy the trip was.

 Wow. The jellyfish are breathtakingly beautiful! They look like dancing gracefully while they glow with their lights.

I am not sure what kind of marine species these are. I think these are jellyfish too. Or sea urchins? I don't know. Can you tell me?

 Oh, now I know that the adult jellyfish release eggs into the water during the medusa phase. Thanks for the information.

Aren't they amazing, are they? But beware of these creatures. They can be so beautiful yet so hazardous!

Sea creatures are not the only attractions at MOP. They also have a sanctuary for winged creatures like the amazing Lawin.

And you won't go home without a souvenir, right? These stuffed toys are just so cute.

Life As A Red Warrior

A warrior will always be a warrior. I am not schooling anymore but my loyalty for the UE Community is still as strong as the time I was there. I originally wanted to enroll at University of Sto. Tomas but after learning that a close friend will study at UE, I decided to go with her. Now the rest is history. I met a bunch of nice people. I learned from my experiences in and outside the university.

The figure shows Lualhati, a famous UE legend. There's a lot of myth about her like, what I heard once that she was a beauty queen and that her ghost is just around the campus. But those are just word-of-mouth. If you go to UE, you'll see her monument at the Quadrangle. That's how prominent Lualhati is.

Lualhati is in fact a real person in the name of Ms. Ofelia Salas. I took these pictures during the 66th Anniversary of the university.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and PBA legend Jawo are just among UE's famous alumni. It was a pleasure to become part of the UE Community, given that some of highly respected individuals came here.

Jaworski was the superstar of his time. Now James Yap is making name as one of the most competitive ballers in the professional league.

We have a foreign priest at UE, but I cannot remember his name. Obviously, it's not exam period...the chapel was not crowded this time.

I was lucky they let me take pictures at the Archival Exhibit. There they displayed the memorabilia, awards, trophies, publications, and old photos of the university.

Some of the publications were displayed inside the library, which happens to be my favorite spot in the whole school. I go there during breaks just to read books or sometimes enjoy WI-FI.

Since it's Foundation Week, the school runs a couple of contests for students like cupcake designing, beauty pageants, and singing contests.

Would you think this one's edible? She's too beautiful to be eaten. And here's more!

These cake statues were entries for the cake-making contest by HRM students.

I badly wanted to taste these cupcakes but I was afraid they might catch me!

The pretty candidates for the Hiyas ng Kalikasan contest. I didn't watch the whole event because I was busy with the cupcakes.

UE Students know for sure how popular shawarmas are during Foundation Week. We have the most number of Iranian students throughout U-Belt, that's why. And Iranians are not the only ones who love shawarma, most of us actually do!

Besides shawarma, studes also look forward for frappes. You know that kind of swag when you hold a frappe while walking at the campus? LOL. But they're my favorite as well. I love the feeling I get whenever I drink a venti of yummy cappuccino frappe.

 Happy belly! Munching over Goldilocks mamon and frappe while the professor was out. Ciao!