Interesting apps The Bull Runner uses: Cardio Trainer and Sparks Recipes #SamsungTabLife

This blog entry has been long overdue. I finally decided to make this entry to reduce the backlogs here; before I go into another adventure with Robai this coming month.


The previous post about Cagbalete is about our journey from Manila to the beautiful island. This one, on the other hand, is about our first day in the island: what we did there and what are the things that we saw so expect a lot of pictures in this entry.


***
After arriving in Villa Cleofas, we asked the owners (I think Mr. Ed) if there are any tents available for rental. He led us to one of the tents on the campsite and me and Robai deposited our things there. A couple was also at the camp site. They brought their own tents and it was so amazing kasi I think professional travellers sila. They had everything! (a burner, a small frying pan, gas) We didn't waste anymore time (because we were dead hungry) and went back to the mess hall. I ordered a dish of pork chop while Robai watched me eat (she was done eating her lunch: thank you Century Tuna Paella.)


We took a shower in the common bathroom (of course, not sabay) before we explored the island. The water was receding already, the afternoon sun was shining brightly and it  was terribly hot.  When we were finished freshening up, we decided to explore the east side of the island.


You would expect that since it was very hot, the sand would also burn our feet. Interestingly enough, it wasn't. One can walk barefoot on the shore and appreciate the beauty of the receding water without scorching your feet. And of course, we took pictures.

Sea grass (?)

We were actually in search of the delta/estuary but since ang tamad namin, we ended up laying in the sand and enjoying the cool breeze.

Believe me, you won't feel the heat kahit mukhang mainit sa lugar na yan.

This tree is underwater during high tide but since the water receded, it looks like a normal tree growing in a desert. 

A view of the beach in the eastern part of the island.

It's amazing how the beach looked completely like a desert when the water disappeared. You can walk in the sand dunes and see small fishes on puddles left by the receding water. If you are wondering whether we can go swimming here, I'd say yes. You'd have to walk for about one kilometer from the beach to go to the deep part. This, however, applies only during the low tide (usually on afternoons). The water level is normal on mornings and night times (high tide).

 sand dunes

The beach was so beautiful and quoting my best friend, it's mentally paralyzing. It was the first time ever that we were together and not talking at all. It felt like our problems disappeared with the water. We were living in an alternate reality where Manila did not exist.  All we wanted was to appreciate the beauty of the island and take in the fresh breeze of the Pacific Ocean. It was the best feeling one could ever have. 

We finally gave up on looking for the delta and decided that we still have tomorrow morning to search for it so we just decided to go to Bonsai Island before we take a nap. Sobrang tamad lang namin kasi inaantok na kami. We did not sleep the night before.  

Bonsai Island is a nearby island that is usually submerged in water. When the low tide occurs, the island becomes visible from Villa Cleofas and visitors can take an almost 5 minute walk to go there.

 On our way to the island

At the Bonsai Island...with the bonsai trees

The island is actually very small. There are several mangroves (I don't really know if they are mangroves or not) growing there and the island floor was rocky. One has to be careful when walking because one wrong step and you can slip and die. Haha. 

And of course, cam whores that we are, we couldn't resist taking pictures of ourselves in Bonsai Island. 

I think you can actually go swimming here  (see the water on the top of this picture)but the seafloor is jagged and rocky.

 A water tunnel of some sort in Bonsai Island. You can see fishes here but they're too shy to smile at the camera. 

When we were finished exploring the island, we decided to head back to our tents and take a short nap. On our way, we saw several residents searching for crabs nearby. I wanted to dry looking for one to but Robai insisted that we go back and sleep. 

 A boat on (not-so) dry land

This boat is probably Cagbalete's trademark. If you try to google pictures of the island, you'll always see a photo of this water-forsaken boat. I guess this boat is a property of the owners of Villa Cleofas. 

When we reached our tent, we took a shower again, changed clothes and slept. Robai decided to sleep on one of the hammocks near the campsite (there are many) while I went inside our tent. I'm not comfortable with other people seeing me sleep. 

A view inside our tent

Camwhore talaga

It was a good thing that I chose to sleep in our tent kasi we woke up two hours after to find out that our fellow campers were robbed. Someone stole their cash (amounting to 4k) while they were strolling outside. Their gadgets were left unharmed though. I'll tell the story on another entry. 

When we woke up at around 6:30pm, Robai and I decided to prepare our dinner, comprising of adobong baboy, rice and hotdog. As you can expect, Robai did all the cooking coz I am a moron when it comes to the kitchen. I don't know how to cook anything for the life of me so in order to avoid being poisoned with my cooking, Robai took charge. Buti na lang. :) 

Our jumbo jumbo hotdog. 

At last, dinner was served (thanks to Robai). It was delish! Or siguro gutom lang talaga kami. HAHA. After dinner, we took a shower again to get ready for bed. Lagi na lang kami nagpapalit ng damit di ba? 

Before sleeping, we decided to take a walk. We rested on the hammocks in the Talisay tree and watched the stars. 

At around 10pm, sleep got the better of me so I said goodbye to Robai and proceeded to the tent to sleep. She stayed outside for a couple of hours to lay in the hammock and talk to Neil. 

Our tent

Here are some of the other shots that I took using Rupert. I'll continue the rest of the adventure tomorrow. 

The coconut tree beside our tent. It's SOOOO tall. 

A random picture I saw from Tumblr. It amazes me how a simple picture can have such a powerful message. 

Just a disclaimer: I do believe that females should have a choice and I am not absolutely against abortion. I understand that there are certain circumstances where abortion is really necessary. I just think that legalizing abortion will encourage irresponsible sex. Think of me as conservative, I don't care. But I really think that before we discuss the issue of whether abortion should be legalize or not, we should consider measures on educating the people involved (specially the youth) about the repercussions of having casual (and unprotected) sex because we can totally skip the issue of killing an unborn child or not if we are only careful on having sex. 

Just my two cents. 

I am just putting this picture here so that in 5-10 years, when I am ready to build it, I know where I'll look for it. The picture is something I found from Tumblr and I do not claim any type of ownership from this one. I was just fascinated with the design. It's something I'll build in Negros. :)

Here are 100 ways to uncomplicate it… {perfect inspiration for a Sunday!}

1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds

2. Get up 30 minutes earlier so that you don’t rush/get a ticket while driving too fast/have to explain why you’re late/get fired

3. Get 8 hours of sleep per night so that you think more clearly

4. Stick to your budget

5. Start saving and investing every week, no matter how little you can spare

6. Balance your checkbook

7. Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.

8. Don’t try to do business with everyone. Identify your target client and take very good care of them.

9. Before getting angry, ask yourself if it will really matter in 20 years

10. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others

11. Stay home this Saturday, and finish off that nagging chore that you need to finish

12. Kiss and make up

13. Make a weekly menu, and shop for only those items at the market

14. Ask your grandparents the best way to uncomplicate life, and try it for a month

15. Fill up your gas tank when it’s half full

16. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re tired, sad or mad

17. Pay your bills on time

18. Get an annual physical examination

19. Say “I love you” to your significant other and to your children. Studies show that more marriages last, and fewer kids use drugs, when these words are spoken every day. (If I find my significant other.. hihi.. for now, I'll just say "I love you, self")

20. For just one day, imagine everyone’s intentions are good because most people’s are (ROBAY!! THIS IS THE EARTH SENDING US A MESSAGE)

21. Give away clothes that haven’t worn in two years

22. Throw out clothes that are in disrepair, and can’t be mended

23. When you have a conflict with someone, talk it out. Don’t let it turn into more than it is.

24. Know what your priorities are in life, and act as if they are your priorities

25. Tell the truth

26. Don’t cheat

27. Don’t steal

28. If you’re holding on to a ridiculous grudge, let it go

29. Clean your house weekly, so that it doesn’t become too large a chore

30. Do your best at work, or at school

31. Don’t eat when you aren’t hungry

32. Eat when you are hungry

33. Be yourself

34. Say no unapologetically

35. Cook simple meals

36. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses

37. Pay off your car before buying a new one (I'll buy a new one muna.)

38. Organise your desk at the office

39. Change your smoke alarm batteries when the clocks spring forward, and again when they fall back

40. Organise your important paperwork

41. Take only half the clothes that you planned to take with you on holiday

42. Help your children with their homework every night, and have an open dialogue with their teachers

43. Have white sheets and white towels in children’s rooms/bathrooms, because they’re easily bleached

44. Spend your time with nice people 

45. Avoid drama

46. Don’t text or talk on the phone while driving

47. Turn off the television/video games/computer; they’re time consumers

48. Don’t engage in office politics

49. Refuse to gossip, or talk behind other people’s backs

50. Do the dishes right after dinner

51. Never go to sleep angry

52. Ask nicely for what you need and want

53. Walk 10,000 steps per day to help your heart

54. Do 20 push-ups before speaking in anger

55. Leave work at work

56. Don’t befriend anyone that isn’t trustworthy

57. Don’t envy others

58. Have your oil changed

59. Take vitamin C BEFORE you catch a cold

60. Don’t work more than 8 hours per day (AMEN!)

61. Weed your garden weekly

62. Wash your car weekly (wala akong car, sorreh)

63. Have a spring cleaning month every year, and do one room at a time

64. You don’t need to be best friends with work colleagues, but build respectful partnerships

65. Don’t drink and drive

66. Don’t look for reasons to be angry or sad, look for reasons to be happy. You’ll always be able to find plenty of each.

67. Be friendly with your neighbours

68. Return emails and phone messages promptly

69. Schedule in free time

70. Don’t procrastinate

71. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it

72. Be more flexible when you’re able to be

73. Forgive and forget. End of story. (Sorry, I can't)

74. Break the consumerism habit…put a three month moratorium in place on buying anything not deemed a necessity

75. Start your diet on September 1, rather than January 1, so that you won’t also have holiday pounds to lose

76. Take care of any health issues or concerns

77. Have your tires rotated

78. Have your brakes checked

79. Have your eyes checked

80. Don’t let your imagination run away with you

81. Let go of perfection in others

82. Let go of perfection in yourself

83. Don’t try to help those that refuse to help themselves

84. Find a way to reduce your commute to work

85. Have an alloted amount of worry time per day/week, that you strictly abide by

86. Drink more water

87. Eat more salmon

88. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill

89. Wear your hair in a classic, easy to care for style

90. Finish what you start

91. Wear classic clothes and shoes that never go out of style

92. Create a daily routine

93. Have a 1, 5, 10 and 20 year plan for your financial and life goals

94. Slow down

95. Eat out less often

96. When you ask your husband which outfit looks best, thank him for his answer and wear the one he liked rather than focusing on why he didn’t like the other one

97. Allow your children to grow up

98. Clean out your garage, and donate anything that hasn’t been used in the past year

99. Stretch every day

100. If a relationship is over, let it go

Source: http://www.bellamumma.com/2011/04/100-ways-to-uncomplicate-your-life.html

Thoughts, anyone? 

(I highlighted the things I should do....)

Dear E,

I have never told you that I like you…perhaps you have no idea about the countless hours I have spent thinking about you, imagining what it could have been if I had known you earlier or if we had spent more time together. 

You are my secret crush in UP. 

You’ll never know how much my heart screamed when you asked for my number…how ecstatic I am every time we ride the Ikot together on our way to class…and how disappointed I am that we can never be together because we are universes apart…

I am a coward because I was never able to tell you this. You were the last person I saw before I left UP…the only person I wanted to be with; I have learned to stop yearning for the chance for us to be together because I know that will never happen. 

As such, you’ll remain forever as my deepest regret and my greatest what-if in my entire UP life. You have made me happy and I will forever cherish the memories of your wonderful smile that had once, in my life, made me thankful that I am alive. :)

— H.P. 

"Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum,

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let the aeroplanes circle, moaning overhead,

Scribbling on the sky the message ‘He is Dead’.

Put crepe bows ‘round the white necks of the public doves,

Let traffic policemen wear black, cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East, and West.

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;

For nothing now can ever come to any good.”

- W. H. Auden

*also known as "Stop the Clocks"