great ordinary day

Today is a great ordinary day. Ordinary but unique enlightening and learning day. I felt alive again with the gift of knowing. Let me start by saying that I've been sick the past week since tuesday I think. It was a spiral downward feeling since then. On and off fever at night mostly, I can barely get up in the mornings as I feel feverish all the time. I just fought it with the usual self medication of sorts ( which I advise against). I felt weak the whole time, my asthma I felt is just about to attack at any moment. Amazing that I can still drive myself back and forth to work...I was waiting for Saturday to arrive so I can savor just sleeping in but my nasal drip is unforgiving. Its family day at the little girls school. I said maybe I won't be able to make it. But then, I said to myself I made myself work at work then not spend time with family? No. So, despite the weak body allergc rhinitis and fever and all I went...but by mid morning. I felt like collapsing. Vulnerable and weak...I haven't felt this weak in a long time. The program still not done but said to Tatay we should go. In the car I closed my eyes and mutterred...I am dying.(hayy drama ko)...that's how bad I felt. So for the longest time since I can remember..Amats brought me to the lung center. Never been there as a patient. I talked to a good doctor this morning.She gave right meds ...laughing with me I hope not at me but all the triggers of my allergy. Good thing it's not asthma. This afternoon I am feeling a bit better. While recuperating...I watched the movie About Time from the makers of Love Actually. And got the healing of a good cry and knowing a bit of the secret of life as it should be lived. It is a great day. A wonderful ordinary day of our extra ordinary lives. You have to watch it til the end to know. Thank God I have you in my life :)

Come out and play

Happiness can be found in the simplest of things. Find your happiness. You deserve your place in the sun. Come out and play.

Firefly Watching

It has been more than ten years since I lived and worked in Puerto Princesa. A long time ago, I thought it would be difficult to come back as the place have to much memory ingrained in my system. But as time would heal all sorts of aches and what-not became blurry. What remains still is the beauty of the place and good friends through out the years. Ecstatic to know that now there is a community based firefly watching in Iwahig we can experience as a family. It was on top of our itinerary to discover the fireflies in their natural habitat. This would be my second time to paddle down a river along a mangrove ecosystem and observe the way of life of these species. First time I did this was at the river in Donsol, Sorsogon the night before we went to go interact with the whale sharks of Donsol. We were not able to book in advance but we hired Mang Jolly's tricycle to bring us early. We are the 2nd group to arrive before sunset at around 5PM more than an hour early before the registration and boarding opens at 6:30 PM. There were alot of people expected and walk-in can only be accommodated at 6:30 just after dark and the next available boat schedule for walk ins will be at 11 PM that is how booked they are but there are only ten paddle boats that make the rounds.

We slathered on Ilog Maria cintronella oil and put on mosquito patches to protect us from lamok and other insects. We were 3rd in line. I was giddy happy. The little girl and Amats went to buy some noodles to warm up before the paddle boat ride. Just before we boarded there were picture taking by the official photographer similar to the Disneyland photo-ops and you will see yourselves after the ride. (I think it is a great idea and environmental friendly way of a souvenir since you cannot take your own photo just before you embark. Also its our small way to help the community raise some funds) Flash photography not allowed during the tour and even so it would be risky to bring your gear if it is not housed properly. It was a bit windy and during these conditions we were warned that about 15 to 20% of the usual number can be observed.

Mang Rading was our guide and he has this red flash light which he uses to point to the specific mangrove trees to locate the fireflies. I learned a lot from the tour, Mang Rading provided the background of the community project and details about the fireflies that I did not know before. We learned about their life cycle (did you know that they hatch from the mud? Oha!), the limited days they live, even the enzymes that make up their bodies that makes them light up. It's the best place to learn science in the great outdoors. When the paddle hits the river the water lights up as well because of the bioluminescence of the lifeforms present in the clean river. At the end of the tour, a mini star gazing session to see Orion and other constellation in the sky. All around it was a great experience. When you remain quiet, your eyes will adjust to the darkness and you will see the sky filled with stars and the outline of the trees. When you see the fireflies they pulsate together as if to warn intruders. A natural Christmas tree is what they look like. There is a sense of awe and respect for these creatures when you see them up close. They are indicators that the environment is clean and can still sustain the trees where they live.

Cycling a way of life

Finally did it! Rode my bicycle to work on my own! I've done it before for an experiment for about a week for my no impact experiment. But at that time, I am always with the hubby leading the way and acting as my own personal marshal. Why? Because there are no bike lanes in metro Manila not mention that the streets are one of the most unforgiving and chaotic...just to give context why it is a big deal for me. At that time am also a bit pressured to keep up vs just keeping my own easy pace.. Yesterday I was on my own. I had an early meeting and the car was coding. The best time to ride my bike to work. Every wednesday, I would be abit lethargic to move my arse out the door...but yesterday was different. Felt more alive as always when preping to ride out I am always excited. It was good ride to work. Its has defined a way of life. That cycling is not just for fun, but it is and can be a way of life if you choose it to be. Happy.

Riding alone together

This morning I watched the sunrise. The air was cool and crisp as I just stare out and watch the darkness melt away. I just stared...taking it all in...pondering the love in my heart. Nine years indeed. Thank God for today. There were events leading up to today...like our song goes...how do you measure a year in life? We just had our first ever his and hers medal for cycling. Why its a big thing for me? Because I only learned to ride a bike in my 20's. Ha! We spend these adventures together but also as individuals. This last tour we had, he was a marshal and I am just out there wanting to get photos, pictures that are truly mine. Unique and raw...something different and at some point thephotos took a life of their own and surprised myself. I also shared the insights and blessing of messages that came my way. Like in real life, we go our way and live our lives in the sea of humanity. Waves upon waves of bikers. Riding alone together. The peloton was huge, thousand bikers. I didn't see him during the ride. But I know he is there helping people. We arealone in our journey. But we are together. In our hearts we are together. To celebrate our anniversary, I pray to God and the Universe for more adventures together. Celebrating our own unique selves together. Loving Isay together. Sometimes you just dont realize how much I love you.

Community Ride

17 November 2013

My first photomarathon

Thank you Canon for the invitation to join...and most of all we do not have to pay anything. Happy to know the proceeds goes to the people affected typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. 16 November 2013

adventure or nothing

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable

Hellen Keller

Pilipinas kong mahal nawa'y maghilom ang mga sugat na dulot ng bagyong ito.

I can't sleep. Sad. As a friend aptly put...the cycle of helplessness must end.

One word

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is love. ~Sophocles (496-406 BC) Greek Playwright

Bicycle Diaries

Heaven On Earth

To love is great. To be loved is wonderful. But to be loved by the person we love is #HeavenOnEarth. (Paulo Coelho). I cannot even begin to describe how these words struck a chord within me and was inspired each time I read through them. These words have such power and presence. Makes me treasure the love that I have in my heart. We do what we do for many reason. Most of the things we do and act upon is because of our loves. It would be indeed heaven on earth to be mindful and kind rather than...I have to remind myself of these each day. To choose to be loving kahit ano pa man.

critical mass ride today

Today I had a long bike ride route around metro manila. There were several first things I did today. Biked on EDSA from Boni Serrano to Anapolis. Passed by Quiapo bridge again almost on full speed without a scratch yey! thank God for keeping me safe. I think and I feel its about 40 km. Not even the tour day. Had to breakaway from peloton going home and its just 6 of us...then became 3 then 2. Passed by Araneta underpass at full speed to catch up with the guys. My heart was pumping and had to summon enough courage to do this without the peloton. I felt the power of gravity pushing me forward as I intermittenty feather break. Felt the power of the vehicles swish by me. Staying close to the wall. Focused on my path...bit worried of the road condition. And it seems like forever that underpass. Upon exiting, I was awashed with relief to see the street level again. In my mind...pedal, pedal, pedal and it seems like my leg has a mind of its own. But had to pace myself and we had to take a few minutes break. My legs haven't seen this kind of action in months wahaha. In pain but a good kind of pain, knowing that I did something and finished it...even though I almost chickened out. Had a great weekend and then some :)

liberated streets

The rest of the country do not have work today. But we have work. Among the family members am the only one who has work today. No not really complaining because I was able to get things done today and I did not do anythig that I don't like or feel forced. The good eh scratch that, the best thing about today is that there was no traffic going towork, I was literally flying compared to my daily drive. And the drive home was a blast also below 20 minutes...if not for the downpour midway going home...I could have gone faster.Such a liberating experience holiday traffic means no traffic. Small blessings that are great. Oh well as for the little things that get to me...well that would be a topic for another post. Love writing these rants. :)

messy heart

A whole heart is a messy heart and if I may add is a happy heart. Another nugget of wisdom I picked up from my readings this morning. There is so much on my mind. There are so many thigs I want to do. I guess these makes up the messy random thoughts. Things I love arealways on my mind. Traveling, my photography, my little one and not so little one :) the loves of my life. I believe people are blessed with big hearts. The only limiting boundry is our own thoughts. I believe my family and I are blessed with big messy hearts. The loves of my life keep me centered. excited for the many "projects" in mind. Top of the list cycling adventures, travel father than we have traveled before, and more ways of being able to serve. :)

a new age

After many years of blogging...happy now that I can directly blog from our mobile device. This is my second post using the tablet. Amazed at the technology. Now I really do not have to literally go up and open the pc or laptop to blog. Yey! Imagine what it would be like in the future. Posibilities are endless. Now I can take notes while still half asleep. Exciting thing is I can travel and write on the go. Or still in bed and my pjs.

view from the dark side

Realized that indeed anger is from the dark side. It consumes ones positive energy overpowering reason to a fault. Now that I am able to write about this...there is some sense of sanity. The residual feeling is sadness to be unable to control your own emotions. I guess that is why there are anger management options. But how do you manage that moment that feeds the dark side. In Filipino we have a sayin:"nagdilim ang paningin ko." Literaly means the darknesshas taken over your vision. It is not a good place to be. Another life lesson to always choose the light...choose to wait it out...just drift...do not hang on to that anger...do not feed it...keep calm... there is so much wisdom in those words.The lesson yesterday...drift. wait for the positive energy that is your default...the goodness in you...to be kind than to be right. Such a lesson in humility and patience.

Beethoven yan Nanay

I was watching a video which I posted on my FB wall earlier tonight. Just before bed time and then called the little girl to watch and listen with me. Its a flash mob somewhere in Europe... a little girl gave a coin to a street performer who had a cello...later join in by a full orchestra and the music is so familiar and an eternal beauty ...can't say what it was... and the little girl got really excited-- it's Beethoven Nanay-- I heard it from the Little Einsteins.

over the rainbow

During one of our recent trip to Coron, while on the plane the little girl and I saw a rainbow. She said look we are over the rainbow. I took a photo of that -- I will post later. Brought me much joy. Here are the photos.