Expected to be a Grown Up in Less Than 24 Hours..

..or should I say in less than 12 hours? or 6 hours might also be applicable. How am I supposed to that? Alright, panicking won't do anything and I was informed about this weeks ago and only tonight did it all sinked in.

I. Will. Be. Living. Independently. For. 9. Months. 

Or not totally because I'm living with my mother during weekends. My father is leaving for Thailand tomorrow 6 am and I am expected to behave, to be responsible, to be independent, to be more mature, to live on my own, and to act like an adult effective tomorrow morning. Don't get me wrong, living independently is awesome and has its perks but what's bothering me is that I am not used to live in our house without my father because since grade school he's the one I'm living with, he's the one I'm going home to.. and now, I will be going home to no one but my bed, the t.v.,laundry, dust, cockroaches, and other non living or annoying things. Just by thinking about it makes me sad, and emotional at the same time. 

Before, I sometimes think what would it be if I live independently and somehow I  wish I am. But now that it's coming to real life, I think I am not yet ready and that I can't handle all the big responsibilities I will have. And that responsibility isn't just by taking care of myself because no one would now but also I have to take responsibility of the unit, make my own food, pay bills, do the grocery, clean the whole house including the bathroom which is not my favorite thing to do, to change defective light bulbs, and even to be at ease when there's a black out and the storm's raging. Truth to be told, I hate thunders with matching black outs, it makes me scared and nervous and imagine a lot of things. I also hate it when I'm going to sleep and I can't hear the tv downstairs because I feel alone knowing no one's there watching now. 

Those are just my little sentiments right now and hoping in days or if not, in weeks, I'll cope up with my issues and fears of living alone. This is also the exact time it's sinking in that I'm already 19! In few months I will be leaving my teens years and enter adulthood. This might just be the warm up of everything, or probably the introduction to adult life? I have my choice in going home to Pasig everyday so that I don't need to take responsibility to all of these, but what makes me want to stay in this set up even though my father's set to leave for Thailand tomorrow is because this unit is my personal space. I feel at ease, at home, and this is my comfort place that whenever I feel sad, this is the place I always go to. This is the place where I think and reflect most of the time. 

Teaching in Thailand is a great opportunity for my father, and I know he accepted it because he knows he can trust me and I'm a grown up woman already. He knows I can already handle myself. And that's why I won't disappoint him.

It's true that it may be hard and it requires me to take charge of big responsibilities, but hey, I know I can. It's just 9 months, no big deal. Anyway we have the world wide web, skype, wechat, and other modes of communication. I will surely miss my father. Even though we don't talk that much, he's still the most caring and supportive man I know. Fyi, he's techi -er than me. :))

So starting tomorrow, things will be a lot different. Change is really the only constant thing in this world. We have no choice but to be strong and cope up with those changes. I don't know what will happen in those short 9 months but the only thing I know is that everything has a reason. This is one of those times where I should trust God's plan. Everything will be fine.

Everything has Changed

I've have been listening to Taylor Swift since she started singing way back when I was in high school. I was a fan of her Teardrops on my Guitar and never knew that soon after she'll be famous for writing break up and heart felt songs. You know what they say, whatever you feel, it always has a Taylor Swift song counterpart. I've listened to her Our Song and Another Picture to Burn countless times when no one else knows her except me and my mp3 player.

And I've become a total fan when I was given a free ticket to her Speak Now World Tour concert in the big dome. It was really funny that time because the tickets are getting sold out and I really don't have any plans on watching but the night before the concert, I was surprised to have 2 tickets for the concert. Talk about being lucky. ;)

And up to this day, I'm still a fan. I've heard a lot of rumors or probably facts that are not so nice about her but hey.. her music is what I like and the little things she does like donating whenever there unexpected calamities.

The bottomline of this post? Nah, I just want to share that for the past days I've been constantly listening to her Album Red, countless times. My favorite on the playlist? Stay, Stay, Stay and Everything has Changed. Oh wait, include there her single Red and 22. :)

Thank you to Grooveshark for letting me play her album while coding or doing nothing in the office. And just now, I can't stop listening to Stay, stay, stay. Sadly, there's no music video of it yet but I want to share my another favorite in the album which is Everything has Changed. Not only is the song nice but the music video is also cute. :)

 

Dalitiwan Resort: Not your typical Laguna Resort

As promised! This is my Summer ender getaway post. Since I've been ranting about my busy schedule for almost all my blog post since March, let me emphasize it again. Hehehe. During the whole 2 months of summer, my daily routine would be home, eastwood(OJT), home. And during on weekends, you'll see me roaming around Gateway every Saturdays, and home-church-home on Sundays. So you see, I really don't have time for other stuff in between. And so, this getaway in Laguna was the only out of town I had last summer aside from Ilocos Norte of course, which I will blog soon. 

This was my mother's birthday celebration slash family outing. It was also planned weeks before because of our busy schedules. During the hot 2 months of summer, the best way to relax was of course swim, swim, swim. For other's, their destination would be Boracay or Puerto Galera or other mainstream beaches. But for us, it's Dalitiwan Resort located in Majayjay, Laguna. 

What's unique and different on this resort from the others is that their main attractions are not pools nor beach. You will be relaxed on their river which the water was straight from the springs of Mt. Banahaw. They also have a pool, but the water's all fresh, and unchlorinated.

But! Before I show the main attraction, let me first narrate how we got there. I was surprised to know that there's a way going to Laguna via Antipolo and Tanay. I thought the only way to go to those places on the south was through SLEX. I didn't know that Antipolo has a secret path way. Oh well. So obviously, since it's Antipolo, the views would be mountains and lotsa mountains. Nature -ish na naman ang peg namin. :)

I'm not sure about the name of that mountain.

My mandatory sitting-on-the-road photo. :)

If I am not mistaken, That's Laguna de bay up there.

My sister's It's More Fun in the Philippines photo campaign ad. :))

Different stores of Walis Tambo, baskets, and other woven things. There are also vendors of fresh fruits like Watermelon and pineapple. Vendors of different nuts like Pili and Kasuy. 

And after 4 to 5 hours of travel, which what I hate the most when travelling by land because I can't really sleep well during the trip, we arrived at Dalitiwan resort at around 3 in the afternoon. The place? Really worth the pagod on your ride. View pa lang, tanggal na pagod mo. :)

And that's what makes the patronizers of the resort come back. The cold water straight from the springs of Mt. Banahaw.

The resort also has a mini falls which let's you massage your back. You should never miss this when going there, you should just be weary about the cold water. It's freezing cold especially at night.

Dalitiwan Resort is a great getaway spot not only because of the breathtaking views and spring but also it has amenities you can use for family bonding like grilling area, cottages for overnight and day trips stay. They also lets you rent a karaoke machine for 1k. You can also choose what cottage or room you want to rent. The only thing I hate about this resort is their service and rooms. I'm not sure about the name of that room where we stayed in because I am not the one who reserved it but it has lots of different insects, even the bathroom's not pleasing. Call me maarte or whatevs but that room ruined my stay in the resort. There are ants everywhere, higad, and even anay. 

For those who are planning on going to this resort, you also have to bring your own food because there are no restaurants nearby. You can bring cooked food or you can cook or grill your food in the resort on the spot. The resort also offers Henna tattoos which price ranges from 100 and above depending on the design you want to be inked. 

My verdict: 8.0

I would love to go back to this resort but not for overnight stay or should they clean the rooms and get rid of the insects, then I would be happy to extend my stay. Still, I would like to suggest this resort for family bonding and barkada trips. Para maiba naman. Not always beaches and pools. :) 

For reservations and inquiries, contact 09279956231 or you can visit their Facebook page for more info. 

Cobo bonding

Hi ladies and gents! After 3 light years, I'm back from the hazardous, over toxic life of doing our SAD, thesis, and OJT this last summer. Summer's officially over and I haven't blogged anything decent for the past 2 months. I must say that I'm freaking busy and tired as always to even open the computer. And now that I'm officially a 4th year student, expect longer months of hiatus from me. Nah, em kidding, I will be double busy this time because OJT2, thesis 2, and Software Engineering are all in one sem. Still, I'll try my very best to update. I think that from all I've experienced from the last 2 months, I'm sure is entering the life of adulthood. Uh-oh, work and school at the same time. 

So to make it up for the 2 months I've been MIA, I'll try to blog about the things I'm busy about. I'll post about my Ilocos Norte trip as soon as the time permits me, My Laguna trip, and other things in between those hot days. 

But for now.. for my come back post, Here's a short review about a new milk tea me and my friends discovered. This isn't your typical wintermelon milk tea shop, their bursting bubble is so unique you want to try other flavors.

Presenting to you! *drum rolls* 

"Cobo is the Most Innovative Bubble Tea & Desserts shop in terms of product offerings." - as written in their Facebook page. I don't know how many branches it already has but the one we tried was near Robinson's Manila. 

Their menus consists of different milk teas, ice coffees, ice creams or snow ice as how they would call it, and snacks to complement your chosen drink.

Peach Mango with Strawberry bursting bubble. Really a must try!

Taiwanese chicken and Squid Wedges. I must say their Taiwanese chicken is a bit dry and lacks in flavor compared to Serenitea's Chicken chops. Their Squid Wedges on the other hand is like a pina -sosy na squidball. 

Where the tea wonders are created. I was amazed by their tea shakers. Hihi. :)

And of course their cute interiors with matching doodled walls and nice ambiance for barkada get togethers. The place is also spacious unlike other tea spots where you are only allowed to take out your drink or you're forced to seat in a not so nice ambiance place. Call me maarte or what but for me a tea experience includes the coziness of the place. And Cobo has that cozy feeling. ^___^

Of course this wouldn't be possible without my BFF's. They're the bestest of the best. :)

The Verdict: 8.5

Cobo's kind of really an innovation from classic milk teas but I'm still looking for more tea possibilities. I liked their bursting bubble but I think it's not really their own idea because I've tried something like that before but I wasn't able to blog out. Still, it's a really nice place and a fresh taste for milk teas.

Also, finally after weeks of being busy, I was able to hang out with my high school besties. After that bonding, I think the most possible time we could see each other again is after this semester. I'm really scared and excited at the same for this sem because this will be the hardest of all. It sure won't be easy but I know it'll be worth it in the end. Soooo, that's it.

I will really try my best to blog once in a while. I really miss blogging. 

Seok Chon Korean Restaurant

I wanted to blog about this Korean restaurant so long ago but I can't. As usual, I have difficulties in taking photos before. But now.. Looks like the odds are now in my favor (medyo connected naman, right? HUNGER games. Haha!) You better get that, or else.. ay nako.. :)))

So! This authentic Korean Restaurant is located in 1506 M.H. Del Pilar Street, Ermita, City of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines. Complete dapat! ;) near Robinson's Ermita and Hyatt Hotel. Hmm.. First off, let's talk about the area. When you see the place, you wouldn't know it's a restaurant until you come in. There are Korean letters written outside the resto but it isn't pansinin probably because the letters are not attractive or whatsoever. 

The ambiance inside is well.. just a so-so ambiance. Not impressive but also not dull or dirty looking, if you know what I mean. Anddd.. for the food. We wouldn't go back to this if we didn't like it the first we tried eating there. Meaninggg.. the food's glorious and the servings are very generous. They even serve 6 to 7 side dish, plus a soup if you request. The side dishes alone can make you feel you're in Korea. :)) 

Apparently, when we're eating here, it is Jon who always make the order and we eat whatever he orders. Sooo, I really don't know what these dishes are called. Hahaha! My apologies. I'll let you know when we get back. 

The one in the top left is one of my favorites. It's a very, very spicy pork dish that's mixed with vegetables. On the bottom right, you'll see lettuce and pork. It is eaten like a roll. You  first need to roll the pork, rice, put a little oil that also comes with order, and another sauce that's like a bagoong in Korea as to how Jon would describe it to us. You can also add your preferred side dish, wrap them together and.. bite! :) Flavors mixinggg. :)

The price range from 200 to 500. It is quite pricey but it is definitely worth the price. The servings are very generous and even though we only ordered 2 dishes, it made us bloated! Or probably it's the water that made us bloated because of the spicy taste. Well, whatever. My verdict: 8 out of 10. :)

I still would want to try other dishes from their menu. Next time, when we get back. :))