Dumaguete Getaway

Two weeks ago, I was blessed with a free trip home from Cebu Pacific Air. You know why? I had one trip cancelled last March this year. However, the airline did not inform us, the passengers, of the dilemma. We had almost two hours inside the departure area without any news about our flight. Only when one passenger stood up, approached the ground officer and complained about the long wait. Then that was when we have learned that it was cancelled. And since, the airline created a huge mess, they consoled us with travel allowance of PhP500.00 and a free fare on our next flight.

Anyway, my trip was truly full of the word we call F-U-N!

Let me tell you few reasons why my vacation was indeed one that's memorable.

First, I was able to meet my nephews and nieces! As always, I loved being with kids! I've missed them a lot. I used to sleep with them, play with them, and yes, call me their "nanny". I was there nanny and they all call me "mommy". At least, I also have kids because they're like my own. :)

Actually, only the younger ones are calling me mommy. The "teenies" call me auntie. :) Here's a picture of my cute nephews and nieces.

With Elisha Kristin (obviously, I named her), Amulek, Teancum, and Franz Nicole (I named her as well) before my flight back to Manila.

The second reason is... finding Genie. Genie was my high school seatmate, and best friend. After high school, we only met a few times in the university then when I transferred to another school, we lost communication. I only hear news from classmates and other batchmates about her. But, I don't exactly know nothing much about Genie.

Everytime I'm going home, I always make sure, I have something known or learned about this long lost friend of mine. But I always failed.

This time, I made sure my flight falls on a Friday or a school day because someone tipped that she's working in the university registrar's office. So, I went there and started searching for Genie.

Like the usual Genie, she doesn't show up at once when you make a wish. She's a hard one! It took me years... even a decade to finally see and meet her.

When I was heading to the registrar's office, I really felt I could find her. Positive feeling! And even the guards allowed me to enter with their arms wide open. They even thought I'm their long lost friend maybe. They talked to me as if I know them and they knew me. But since, I'm quite friendly, I answered them as if we know each other. However, after the conversation when I asked about Genie, they asked me where we, me and the guards, met. Isn't that soooooooooo funny? I told them maybe in our dreams! :)

Then, I left to continue with my search. When I entered the office, I felt hesitant to ask 'cause everybody was busy. So I sat on one of the chairs and looked around trying to find where her table is.

A pregnant young lady about ten meters from where I was sitting, looked at me as well. She was as if reading without her glasses. Just imagine her staring at you with her eyes half close! :) Very funny. If only I had my glasses when I saw her, I would really love to hand it to her.

She was looking at me straight. I was looking at her as well. Then, of course, you're right! And, I could hear you guessing huh! :) She was Genie indeed!

She called me and asked me to sit at her desk then we talked like crazy crickets! It was a mission accomplished for me! I was and I'm so happy I found her! So... here's Genie!

My third reason which made my trip the best was when Pol, my other best friend whom I also consider as my big brother, brought me to the Twin Lakes. It was a very calming experience to me. The Twin Lakes Nature Park was very beautiful and amazing! I felt so grateful I know about Creation. I felt so much thankful that I am a daughter of God. I am so proud of Him of being such a Great Engineer! He engineered this Earth perfectly.

In less than an hour, I was able to get out from the busy life of downtown Dumaguete and enjoy what nature has to offer - Twin Lakes. The first lake was bigger where everybody could enjoy kayakking, boating, fishing, swimming, or just love feeding their eyes with a perfect view.

Pol is the president the Twin Lakes Preservation. He asked few of his men to paddle us to the other side so I could see the other lake. When we were boating to the other side, it started to drizzle but we were able to arrive at the view deck before it rained so hard. When we got there, he showed me the side where I could see the beauty of the other lake. It was smaller by few meters than the first one. The two lakes were fenced in with green mountain ranges.

I highly recommend this place for "locals" and "foreigns" to visit. This is a MUST SEE and MUST NOT MISS place to go.

For you to really believe it, here are some photos.

This one was taken from the view deck of the restaurant built for tourists and other locals. This is my first glance of the lake and I felt in love with it right there and then. And... we were still a few meters away from the lake. By the way, this is the bigger lake. The water is like satin or silk when it's still. This lake is Lake Balisasayao.

A photo taken from the other view deck. We crossed the first lake to see Lake Balinsasayao's twin, Lake Danao. A beautiful take after the rain.

I would describe the two lakes as two gigantic swimming pools!

Now, to give you an idea how it is like when it's raining in the lake, here's another photo.

It's like the clouds are chasing each other. The sun's being covered and uncovered by these playful clouds. This is, by the way, taken at past one in the afternoon.

Lastly, my trip was concluded with meeting friends at church. Photos taken after Church meetings.

Pol and his father, Jennifer touching her forehead, Jennibel (Jennifer's younger sister) and her daughter Aleah and son, Joshua, and me.

With my baby sister, Rose, Jennibel and her cute Aleah, me, Jennifer, Milogene, and my big sis, Ethel.

Do I look like having fun? Scroll down please...

Haha! Enjoying the cam? Well, I think I have to thank Cromwell for this. He was our photographer during this reunion shoot. Crom is Jennifer's best friend in high school.

Definitely, I had 101% FUN! Especially with Jennifer's new SLR cam. And....Picture taking, of course, is more than just fun! It's also my favorite!

Have a nice week everyone!

From A Pardoned Prisoner

After 10 months, finally, I'm freed from prison.

I'm seeing lots of wonderful things surrounding me. It's really nice to be out here than being bound in chains. The butterflies and flowers I've seen from a distance, now can be touched and felt and can be seen even closer. There are so many things I've missed while I was tortured behind bars. I'm just grateful that I was given pardon and now, finally enjoying the beauty of God's creations.

Well, you just can't imagine how grateful I am to the Lord and Heavenly Father for leading me to the right path. I admit I was very careless then and never thought of the future. I only considered things at the moment and refused to see the future ahead.

Eternity is a long way. I should have been cautious then in making sure that my choices were right. I now am bouncing back and have realized my mistakes. I could really feel the love of a Father to His dearest daughter. I may have strayed for a countless times yet His love never faded and He let me learn my lessons so well. The consequences of my choices and the lessons I've learned are now being embedded in my heart and mind. I have to be more careful in every choice I'll make and have to consult my Father in Heaven, the Father of us all.

The only good thing is I've proven that I'm indeed strong despite of how awful the past journey had been. Oops! Let me correct my word, it was not totally awful. There were also marvelous things I've seen which kept me wonder even until now. I'm asking myself, "Why on earth did it happen and how come he has to be this way?" Questions that only a genius can answer. My comprehension is not as wide-ranged as a genius. I could not fathom every detail of that journey I had.

One thing that I have and the only consolation is I have untiring friends who are always there. Friends who are just right there even in the nick of time - friends who are that willing to listen and answer my calls and messages during wee hours. I'm thankful that the people I'm associated with are strong in their dispositions and have right perspective in life.

The gospel is a great source of strength. The gospel encompasses everything. If we all want to be good, the gospel teaches us how. Having the fullness of the gospel, helps how to respond properly when life's challenges quenched us the hardest way. The storm that came my way was, I think, the strongest. But I'm still here, standing stronger than I was before the storm.

My family also played a crucial role in this ordeal. Their counsels and words of comfort helped me stand for what I know is right and best for me. I just could not imagine my reaction to this trial without them.

I'm so thankful too for our Bishop who is indeed a man called of God. He truly can discern perfectly what's right and what's not. My Relief Society President's presence and strength gave me courage enough to get out totally from the prison-like life.

Right now, I can sleep well. I can smile with no worries and anxiety. I feel better. I was able to renew my strength and revived my confidence, self-respect, and love of self.

Thanks! I have learned that eternity is not just a destination that we can easily book tickets and wait for the scheduled departure. It's a prize that two people must earn. It's a prize that only those who deserve gets. It’s a prize that should and must be worked out for.

I know that eternity is something I must work for. But I think my next assignment is to give myself time to discover new horizons.