2014

2014 what happened?

It started out so great and then last quarter was a disaster. I don't know how it started awesome and ended with dismay.

I get to travel for most part of the year, Philippines (Jan-Feb), US (October/December) and domestic Canada (Toronto - July; Calgary - September).  A lot of firsts also happened this year but not all those first are good memories. There are lessons taught to me and I have to learn it the hard way.

* when you love, save something for yourself because when they leave you'll be left with nothing

* patterns never lie. everything else changes except this one. watch out and look for the signs. Do not ignore it. do not make excuses for him to comfort yourself. 

* learn to appreciate everything (people, things, moments, efforts). it goes a long way. show someone that they are special no matter how busy you are. say hi, send a text or email to your mom, dad, family and friends. ask them how their day went. appreciate the people that cares for you, thank them for the effort and time they put into it. money can be replaced but the time someone has set aside for you is priceless. 

*stand by your word. back in the days, your word is your honor. as for me, when i say, i'll do something, i'll do my best to fulfill it. 

*humility - its not about who is wrong or who is right but sometimes acknowledging that we are not perfect is good enough and assure them that you'll make it up to them.

Still, 2014 is memorable and I like to thank these people who inspired me and made me hope that the best years of my life are still ahead. Here are my 2014 People of the Year

Capt and Biker- They are 2 amazing individuals. I haven't talked to them much but I saw that they were able to fulfill their lifelong dream. They made me hope that someday I too will be able to do my own adventure of a lifetime. Capt has achieved his dream to be become a pilot, it sure did took a while but he got there. He did it! Nothing is impossible while Biker here is currently on an adventure with the love of his life. Cycling from North America to South America, they've been in the road for several months now. I wish I could do that too. It's still on my bucket list and I know I'll do it someday. 

Cla - Thank for being my voice of reason. Thanks for reminding me to love myself and put myself first before others. You may not know all the story but you're always there to listen to me.

ACT - for always, always being there. You never get tired of cheering for me even if i have not been a good friend to you.

AnnKat - You've always come through whenever I need you. Wherever you are, whenever I send you a message you never bail out on me. Thank you for always being there.

Bogart - never a dull moment with you. You've always been a great travel companion. I wish we could live in the same province together. It would be really awesome. Here's to more lakwatsa days, booze and mischief moments.

Midnight Boys (Rye, Jay, Fran & Dave) - working at nights with you guys are always the best! being a night auditor for the first time, you were all supportive and helpful guiding me at work. and when i'm alone, you've always check on me if I am alright. Through heavy snow, dealing with suspicious persons, calming down drunk guest, you always got my back. Graveyard shifts are the best! lol Thank you all for taking good care of me.

Rachel, Nads and Shei - Though we are miles and miles apart, all of you never forget to say Hi or check how am I doing. You don't know how it means a lot to me. Thank you girls for always remembering me.

The constant persons on my list are my family here and back at home. Words are not enough but from the bottom of my heart, Thank you, Thank you for everything, I would not be here without you all. Looking forward to 2015. 

Cheers! 

2013 hits and misses

I never believed the superstition that #13 is unlucky but I must say lady luck was tough on me last 2013. I was struggling to find a job, had a hard time adjusting to the terrible weather and adapting to my new environment. Nevertheless, I still have a lot of things to be thankful for. Here are some of my Hits and Misses last year. 

HITS

*work - After applying in more than 35 companies, I finally got a call and successfully landed on the job that I like.

*travels - I was able to get some time off from work. Wasted no to time to book my ticket and fly to different cities in Ontario; Montreal and of course explore my own province and nearby towns.

Downtown Winnipeg

Niagara, Kenora, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto

*friends - I'm really blessed to have friends that value our friendship despite the distance and time. I may not get to see them but talking to them in a daily basis makes life and living here tolerable. Yay to all my friends! 

meeting in person; chat thru skype, viber and fb

MISSES

*blog - Wrote just a single  entry for 2013. I have a lot of things to say, stories to tell, memories to share and lessons to impart but I was lazy. There were some instances that I started writing but I didn't finish it and it just here in my drafts folder waiting to be published.  Hopefully, this 2014 I can write again. I miss writing; this has been my outlet and lately I am feeling crappy, so maybe I should get back to writing again. 

*death - death was so busy last year, everyone I know has lost someone dear to them. I for one, lost my Nanay (grandma) last year. It was the hardest goodbye I have ever made in my life. 

*snow - i like it here, its just that I can't stand the cold and snow. its a struggle to go to work let alone go outside the house in -40C temperature. And having snow for almost 6 months is pure torture. 

*photo taken from instagram*

So here's to a better year! Cheers 2014! The best is yet to come! 

My 2013 People of the Year

As an annual tradition of this blog, here's a salute to the people who made my 2013 extraordinary.

AnnKat

 - Changing time zones and distance is not a barrier in our friendship. Thank you for listening to my krung-krung and heart break stories. And thank you for not making any judgments on my actions and decisions. kunsitidor! Thank you for being supportive!  wahaha!

"Dex"

- 2013 has been crazy, thank you for keeping me sane. You make each day bearable in this miserable weather. I hope you won't get tired of me. It'll be spring in a month or two, are you still keeping that promise?! I hope so. 

ABC

- Thank you for your never ending faith in me, and I'm sorry if i caused you any pain. I hope you understand. Thank you for always being present whenever I need you. I hope someday I could repay all your kindness. I wish you well for the rest of your life.

Kathy

- Thank you for not getting tired of driving me to and from work even on your rest day. I never hear any complaints from you and you always offered to drop me to work on wee hours in the morning and for that I am grateful.

Tadz and Taby

- I am forever thankful for looking after me; for being my 2nd moms here in Canada; for all the help you have extended not only to me but also to my family. I don't know how I will be able to repay you both but I know God is faithful to give you all His blessings.

Patty

- I dread going to work everyday especially when I was new. Thank you for patiently teaching and guiding me; for making work less stressful; for believing in my capabilities and for always being there to defend me. Thank you! Its always a pleasure working with you.

Marose

- Thank you for being my 1st friend at work. I have found myself a new lakwatsa buddy. We rarely see each other but knowing that you're still with JV gives me relief, I still have a friend at work. 

Bogart

- My evil twin, you never fail to make me laugh with your witty hirits! Looking forward to your everyday rants about weather and school, you make feel normal. hahaha! Thanks for taking the time to meet me last August. Let's plan again this year!

AK barkada

- I won't name all of you, you all know who you are. Thanks for everything ( I know gasgas na yung line but I really mean it). Whenever I read our conversations on our "chatroom" it makes me smile and sad at the same time. (baliw lang?!) I miss you all! Thank you for keeping in touch!

Family

- Thank you for believing me, for loving me unfailing love. I miss you all. I wish we could all be together soon, I hope. 

Thank you for being a constant force in my life.  I am forever grateful to God to have met all these wonderful people in my life. Let's make more memories this 2014. 

my people of the year 2012

Last year, I started a post thanking people that helped me and made an impact on my life. To continue the tradition this post is dedicated to these wonderful people that made my 2012 memorable. Thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart!

Family - If there are people that loves me unconditionally, my family would be on the top of the list. Thank you for being always there when things are not going well, thank you for the boost of confidence and believing in my capabilities.

Tadz  and Taby - Thank you for everything, as in everything. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you -  Tadz.  Taby, thank you for all   help. Thank you to both of you for letting me invade your home with my presence. hehe! :)

Cousins and uncles - Thank you for making time to accompany me and touring me here in winterwonderland called Winnipeg. Thank you for all the treats and presents, and for making me feel welcome in your home.

AA Family
Sheila - Thank you for always keeping in touch despite the distance and time difference.  Thank for always being there; for being a great friend to me and for the encouragement and support.

Mimi - Thank you for being an awesome housemate, i'll miss our night talks, your experimental cooking, your kapraningan, your out-of this-world theories on things. Thank you for accepting me as your housemate.

Patching - Thank you for patiently listening to my kwentos about who-know-you and for trusting me with your own kwento. When I watched the video and you said, to hell with haters! I almost cried, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for always being on my side.

Rachel - My malditang alaga, Thank you for all the laughs. We never have a dull moment together, you made my 'short stay' bearable with your witty one liners and comebacks. And oh, thank you for listing me as one of your nominee. Let's plan our getaway soon! Just like what you said on the video, "see you later, ali-gay-ter!"

Nadine - Thanks to your bubbly personality and your becky speak, my vocab has improved tremendously. I'll miss our halimaw moments that always ruin my DIEt. wahaha!

Remember girls, there is life after _____ (fill in the blanks na lang). Wahaha! Go!

College Barkada  - Its almost 15 years since we met on that classroom and formed this amazing friendship. Thank you for those years we've been together  and even if we only get to meet twice or thrice a year I know we will still be there for each other.  Thank you for the send off dinner get together we had... to be able to meet with you all before I leave is really heart-warming. Special thanks to Nikki for that video message! Goddesses rule. :)

Dex - Thank you for constantly uplifting my spirits and cheering me up. Never told you this before but you can break my facade and make me cry, that sometimes I need a timeout for being tough on myself. You can read through my feelings and moods; and I thank for that! You know me too well. 

Ankat - Thank you for always listening to me, for never judging me, my actions; for always being there to support me in everything I do. I miss our asaran, basagan-ng-helmet talks and lakwatsa. I wish we could see each other soon! I miss you!

Hype Family - Thank you for your help and support especially now that I still unemployed in this foreign land. I'd like all of you to know that I'm thankful for all the assistance you have extended to me.

ABC - Thank you for always being there. I know I have not been a good friend yet you are willing to drop everything for me. I know exactly how you feel (I've been there....) I hope I could make it up to you in some way, someday. Thank you for all the patience and love. I wish you all the happiness you deserve.

To each and everyone on this list, thank you for all the love. I appreciate it and really grateful for all the things you've done for me. I may not be able to express it all the time (you know me naman...) but rest assured I am forever grateful to all of you. 

pag-ibig na wagas

me: (sending msg to the group) 

hellooooooo! kamusta na?! punta ko dyan next week. ano mga sched nyo?

tsaka tanong ko na rin kung alam nyo kung san ang PAG-IBIG. may aayusin kasi ko doon. 

let me know your sched. sana pwede kayo.  see u soon!

Nel:  hi! waah wala ako d2 s monday alis kame.. mag elnido kme letss go! hehe

• san kasi yung pag ibig lam ko kasi lumipat na sila. wait txt ko samin kung saan.
  
  
  Josh:  Gail sa Monday off ko. Samahan kita.. Hanapin natin ang pag-ibig. Nyahahaha.
  
  
  Nel: 

  Kung commute, sabihin mo suburbia right after pepsi. highway lang un. Dun nyo mahahanap ni josh ang tunay n pagibig
  
  

  me: sa

  masahan mo ko josh?! yay! wahaha! teka, san tayo magkikita?! tandaan mo sinabi ni renel. basta may pepsi may pag ibig. wahaha! thanks! 
  
  
  Shei: mga adik pa rin kayo no..namiss ko tuloy kayo bigla..hehehe.gail magkita tayo bukas dito ka ba?sana kasma din si mimi at josh...para bago ka naman alis magkita-kita pa tayo...wahahaha.. 
  
  
  
  
  awww.... namiss ko na rin talaga sila. almost 6years kami magkakasama... dami na naten pinagdaanan.lahat yun nalagpasan naten! Yun ang PAG-IBIG na wagas!wahaha! i miss my  crazy CRK family!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

the master is back!!!

6-pack

gailie: gusto mo sama sa boracay? libre hotac, airfare na lang sagot mo.

master: di pa ready 6-pack ko.

gailie: wahaha! baliw ka talaga!

t-shirt

gailie: pano na pag nag Bali tayo?

master: ciempre, ibang usapan na yun. 

gailie: pano kung di pa ready 6-pack mo?

master: okay lang yun, mag tt-shirt na lang ako. kahit wala ng 6-pack.

gailie: bwiset ka talaga! wahaha!

abuso

master: di ba via KUL tayo nun?

gailie: yep! sa KUL na tayo magkita.

master: bigay mo na rin saken ticket mo CRK-KUL para sabay na tayo.

gailie: wahaha! abusado! gamitin mo free ticket mo noh!

master: wahaha! 

Gailie's Day off Series: Capones, Zambales

At first I thought we'd go swimming right away. Kuya boatman brought us to an island with big white rocks, I said to myself I can't swim here. But then I remember Ate Maria said that, Capones has a lighthouse. Probably, we will go to the lighthouse first. And that's what we did.

We have to climb and trek again while Kuya Boatman waits for us.

Finally, stairs!

Half way through...

At last we reached the lighthouse. 

Took some shots and tried to go up to the top of the lighthouse but the stairs are shaky. Its covered with rust and its doesn't look sturdy. After 30 minutes of taking pictures we went down and proceeded to the part of the island where we can swim.

White sand beach greeted us as we docked. The water was inviting us to take a dip and we did! The water was cold and clear, so clear that you can even see fishes swimming too.  

Mina and Annkat swam for a while but Unna and I swam till we were tired and hungry. 

By 11am we left the beautiful island of Capones and that concludes our stay in Zambales. We really had a great time. Till next time! 

Gailie's Day off Series: Anawangin, Zambales

Part 2:

With life vests on, we braved the sea. 

The waters were clear, so clear that you see the bottom. On route to Anawangin, we passed by big mountainous rocks. It was breathtaking.

After the 45mins boatride, we've finally reached our destination; Anawangin. Fine gray sands greeted us as we docked; oh bummer! I was expecting white sand beach but not to worry the water is clean and clear that the sand didn't matter at all.

Kuya boatman, set up our tent and we discussed the schedule for next day. Pick up time is 7am for us to see Capones island before going home.

When we finally settled and had our things arranged, we found a swing and hammock by just a few steps from our tent. Like children we were excited to play and relax by the hammock. 

After giving in to our childish whims we set off to explore the island. We went beyond the camping area and discovered a river which we crossed. 

There was a lush vegetation and to our surprise another river. We call it the spa river. The water is shallow and you can see big smooth rocks which gives that spa vibe. wahaha! :) 

AnnKat was looking for another river which she saw in the internet. Told her that I think this was the river she was talking about but she insist that it was different from what she saw. Still determined to see that river we went to the far left side of the shore. With AnnKat's persuasion we climb the steep hill, one misstep and we will fall on the rocks by the sea. It was all worth it because the view was spectacular.

At last AnnKat found the river she was looking for it can only be seen from a high place. We can't go further up because Mina and I got scared. The path was slippery and steep, we assessed that it was to risky to try  to go up. And so we stopped and went down. Going back down was equally difficult that we had to sit to avoid slipping. 

After that risky trek, we found our spot. Its where the river meets the sea... we stayed there till the sun sets. Another beautiful scene to witness. 

where the river flows toward the sea and the sea meets the river with its waves.

Before the island is engulfed in darkness, we went back to the campsite to shower and get ready for the night.

Ah... night time, where the fun misadventures started!

to be continued...