Monday, October 21, 2013

Buffet 101




I pretty much love going to buffets. Being surrounded by unlimited food and drinks makes me feel like I’m in some sort of a Fantasy Island. The word buffet is music to my ears, a happy news to my belly, but… a pain to my wallet.  If I could just go to a buffet every day of my entire life, I would, but my wallet would definitely not allow it.  Did I say every day? That would be exaggerating, of course. So one weekend, my wallet, as generous as she is, allowed me and some members of the family to experience being in Fantasy Island, if only for just a once-in-a-blue-moon affair.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Picture Quotes


Clouds come floating into my life, no  longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky
Clouds come floating into my life, no  longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky ~Rabindranath Tagore.  Picture Quote tags: clouds, sunset, sky, rain, storm, life reflection.



If you have a Facebook account like "most" people do ("most" means over 1 billion!), chances are that at some point, you have actually posted a picture with printed quotes, messages, sayings  (or whatever you would want to call them) to convey your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Simple, plain text to put in your FB status box is just not sufficient nowadays (hehe!). And just posting a picture with no words printed on it  to express what you really mean is just not good enough. What  you need to have is a picture with some quotes in it to help you say what you need to,  for that added flair and fashion, no less! (hee hee!).  So how do you do it? Well, you need a picture with a quote, and we can refer to this as a Picture Quote.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Pregnancy Over 40



To be pregnant at 50 is something unthinkable (if not impossible!) back in the days when apple and blackberry were known simply as fruits. With the advent of internet, and modernization of course, everything has become quite realizable.  Among other things, the possibility includes pregnancy even when one is already over the age of 40.

And so you might ask, is it really true that one can still  be in the family way even after she had already celebrated more than 4 decades of existence on earth? Possible?  Yes. Without complication? That is another question.  In fact, all pregnancies, regardless of the mother’s age, carry with it some known risks and so precaution from these is really essential. Utmost care to both mother and the unborn child is definitely necessary.

Why do women want to get pregnant anyway? Reasons to be pregnant vary from one woman to another.  A beauty contestant once declared that to be a mother is one of the essences of being a woman, and this, I suppose, was the winning answer that helped her bring home the crown. Some would probably say that having a child is a fulfillment like no other; a “dream come true” of some sorts.  While others might admit that having a child is a decision based on more practical reasons; having someone by your side, a companion, most especially when one is already in her twilight years.

So after realizing that you do want to have a child (regardless of whatever reason you may actually have), what then are some of the natural ways to get pregnant?  Following are some tips that might just help a woman conceive:
  1. Understand your cycle. Understanding your cycle is important because this will help you identify the days when you are most fertile, and thus, intercourse can be planned and timed during this time.
  2. Eat the right kinds of food. Good diet and healthy pregnancy go hand and hand. Avoid processed foods and when possible, consume lots of dark green leafy vegetables plus fresh fruits too.
  3. Eliminate stress.  Stress has been always dubbed as a silent killer. And yes, it kills your chances of getting pregnant too.  Try to get plenty of rest and also, indulge in some R&R.

Given the ways on how to get pregnant naturally, would these tips work if say, a woman is already 40 years old or even way past this age?  There are actually some reports of women who got pregnant at 50! The thing is, getting pregnant, regardless of age, can be tough for some women. Sadly,  it becomes tougher with age.  Difficult, yes, but not entirely impossible.  How to get pregnant at 40, you may wonder?  The most important thing to consider is the woman’s general being, her health and overall condition.  Success rate of getting pregnant is definitely higher if one is healthy.  We probably all know that to be healthy, we must eat properly and stay away from damaging habits and substances.  It is also essential to have a good doctor who will help a woman increase and boost her fertility, and also, who will give the right amount of care to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both the mother and the unborn child.
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note:  This article  was submitted for an online application  to which I got accepted. :)

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Fish Spa, Anyone?



I was in a  fishy situation recently, and quite literally.  Going up north, we stopped at Kultura Splash Wave in the province of La Union for some rest and recreation before heading to our main destination. As I was terribly bored and definitely suffering from the blues, I decided to try something new.  The place offered some interesting activities for me to try for the first time, though let me just say that I wasn't really intrested in going on rock climbing or being suspended on a zipline.  But just right after we paid for our entrance fee, I saw this tarpaulin and it immediately got hold of my usually fleeting interest, and has stirred back to life my nearly dying sense of curiosity:

Fish Spa sign

Monday, May 6, 2013

The Famous Manila Bay Sunset



Waiting for the sun to set at the Manila Bay


     No matter how dreadful a day is, I look forward to the time when the sun will finally set to say goodbye to the woes of the day and to give everyone the promise of a new and a better tomorrow.  Speaking of sunsets, have you ever witnessed how the sun graciously sets at Manila Bay?  I was there a couple of weeks back and saw for myself that it was beyond beautiful, to say that it was breathtaking is even an understatement.  And so yes, it isn't famous for nothing! 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

The 4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition


Fireworks from the 4th Philippine Pyromusical Competition
What really brought me to the Pyromusical Competition was my desire to take pictures of fireworks display courtesy of the countries participating this year.  I have always been a fan of fireworks, and who wouldn’t be? They’re like huge kaleidoscopes painting the skies with beautiful images set in a variety of magnificent colours .  So never mind that I have to travel to Mall of Asia and make my way through throngs of people if only to witness the grandeur that the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition promises to deliver.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

BOHOL: Danao Adventure

     First, let me just say that I have this enormous fear of heights. Second, and naturally, I hate any activity involving heights. Third, I don't know exactly why I allowed myself to be part of a group,  members  of which define exciting as being suspended (very) high above the ground. How could something so scary be even near exciting?  A different high (pardon the pun) for them,  maybe? Oh well, but I couldn't backout no more. You see, we were all going to Danao, Bohol, to experience an adventure.
Everything has been planned, transportation has already been arranged; from Cebu, we were to take a ferry to Tubigon, Bohol,  and from there, a hired van was commissioned to take us to Danao. Talk about planning. Aside from being courageous, this group was well organized :). 
 And so the highly feared anticipated day has arrived.   I frightedly  We excitedly set our sails for the adventure one early morning in December. Without any sleep and having absolutely no breakfast, I strutted my way to the ferry trying hard not to mind all the baggage strapped over my body.  Honestly, though, I  felt like a christmas  tree, what with all those heavy decorations (baggage) around me! As I was making my way inside the boat, I couldnt help but wonder if I accidentally dropped some  rocks inside my bags.  Boy, they were heavier than heavy! My baggage must've weighed more than me! Perhaps this was just part of the adventure, so I patiently reminded myself...  carry on.. carry on... and I meant it literally.
Star Craft.  Photo courtesy of Mr. Ruel Marquez
 
The boat ride was a breeze. I was actually hoping to catch up on sleep, but all hopes turned to despair. I was too anxious and didn't have the power to order my nerves to calm down. In my silence, I secretly wished for at least one group member to change his/her mind about the adventure; to back out, to lose interest, to just don't participate! I looked at each and every one of my companions hoping to get any reaction, but they were all peacefully napping. Heck! I was the only one conscious!  



The two-hour boat ride has concluded,  and we finally reached Tubigon!  From there, travel time to Danao was expected to be 2 hours or so... Or so I thought! Our driver, who can be likened to Evel Knievel because of his driving tricks skills, was able to take us to Danao in only half the expected time.  Lurking on my mind was, "if I could survive his hellish driving, then every adventure in Danao would seem like peanuts..."   Hah! Bring it on then!   
And so we finally arrived in Danao.   I,  dizzy  from our almost-roller-coaster land trip, and my group mates,  all looking  excited without a care in the world!  Yes, I was excited too!  Excited that I was finally going to leave my very heavy bags in the van for the meantime and that I was going to walk straight at last! We all scrambled to the ticket office and inquired about the rides/adventures offered.
Danao Adventure Menu (as of December, 2012):
Wahig River Air Tour (12-15 mins)  - 2,200php
Choco Hills Air Tour (45min- 1 hour) - 6,500php
The Plunge - 700php/pax
Suislide - 350 php/pax
SkyRide 250php/pax
Caving (Moderate) - 350php/pax
Caving (Extreme) - 550php/pax
Cliff Rappel - 600php/pax
Root Climb - 400php/pax
River Kayak - 300php/pax
Village Tour - 300php/pax
Off Road Buggy - 700/2pax, 2 Laps,30 mins
River Tubing - 300php/pax
River Trek - 300php/pax

 Reading through the menu is not as easy as ordering from your favorite restaurant's menu.  At first glance, I wanted to try the Village Tour. But my group mates looked at me like I was some sort of a freak and they were all like, "HUWATTT?!!"  Alright, alright. So I told them I was trying the Sky Ride, if  only to appease them a bit.  I think they were more scared that I was going to drag them with me to the Village Tour, than say, taking The Plunge or  doing The Suislide (he he he!)...  but Suislide?! Oh don't you just love how this adventure was appropriately named? Kinda makes me think of one's final slide into some bottomless pit... waaaaah!
Sky Ride at Danao Adventure
The Sky Ride is Danao's version of Tagaytay City's Cable Car ride, which I have proudly  conquered some months ago (Ehem!),   while the Suislide is commonly known as Zipline in other adventure destinations.
Suislide at Danao Adventure.  Photo courtesy of  Mr. Ruel Marquez

My courageous companions, opted for the Sky Ride, Suislide, and the bravest of us all took The Plunge (uhm.. i don't mean getting married).  So, what is taking The Plunge like, by Danao Adventure standards? Here you go...

Preparing for The Plunge, Danao Adventure. Photo courtesy of Ruel Marquez

The Plunge, Danao Adventure.  Photo courtesy of Mr. Ruel Marquez
Not meaning to scare anyone, but if The Plunge doesn't go right, i mean if the cables break off somehow, then you'll land on this flowing stream with very sharp rocks to welcome your fall. Ouch! 
The Plunge, Danao Adventure.  Photo courtesy of Mr. Ruel Marquez
But I guess it was really no great threat for my companion.  If this picture is any indication of how much she enjoyed The Plunge, then we should all be taking it just like her! She was even snapping a picture of her smiling self with her cellphone! I'm not sure if she was just inherently brave or I'm just a mere scaredy cat...  Make that a mere sensible scaredy cat who values her life and would rather die of natural causes. Thank you.  hahaha! :D
And so there you have it, the not-so-brave account of my Bohol, Danao Adventure.  Given the opportunity, I would like to go back and try the other adventures on their menu (next time, I'm not going to miss The Plunge Village Tour! hahaha!) :-)  Go plan your trip and have a great, courageous, fun-filled adventure ahead of you! :D