Personal Chronicles

It's been for a while that I haven't posted some thoughts in here but now I'm back. Never mind what happend in between. It is well spent. I keep myself sane by a pausing from a heavy dose of school works and professional work, its breaking free from doing the usual thing.

My recent Christmas vacation was one of the most tiring yet enough to make one's heart sigh that one got it. And even wanting more days to spend. It started right with a short side trip at Zamboanga City and visited the Our Lady of Fort Pilar Shrine(do you know that not only Christians but also Muslims revered this shrine); a famous city landmark and a short tour inside the fort's museum showcasing the city history and artifacts(no picture taking allowed on the display rooms-unfortunate!) utilizing the fort's architecture/design. A moment spent at the shrine to be refresh and to pray. A visit to the city won't be complete without buying or visiting the barter trade area which known for its products like malong, sarong, bihon, candies and other muslim products. My pocket did escape or I can't help but to buy for "pasalubong" for my friends back in Cavite.

Christmas day was a family gathering with some of our relatives. Only one who is not with us and who with his family are now residing in Canada. Thanks to the modern means of communication we were able to talk using the internet, the only thing we still don't have the means of communicating to those who are departed except through prayer and remembering them. This time of the year are best keep and remembered with our families; keeping the bond and remembering our parents memory that still in us. It was a lovely and lively day meeting with our family and relatives and not to mention my nieces, nephew and grandchildren. Love to see some of the best tandem ever! Take 1! Take 2! Take 3! Take 4! I never doubt its in the blood. Some made into solo. Take 1! Take 2! Take 3! Take 4! Take 5!

It is a well spent vacation after almost one and half year before coming home. I can say this the way to keep yourself sane; reconnecting, recollecting, reliving and remembering fond memories; just simply enjoying and living life. What would be the other way? My immediate family were able to attend the reunion of my father's family side that was held in Sindangan (Zamboanga del Norte). It's a two-hour drive from our hometown. I can't recall when the last time I was able to attend but it was a happy time meeting our relatives. It didn't go without delicious food, a showcase of talents and fun. It is the meeting of the young one's and once young generations. Actually its a four generation family. We have grown so much. You really felt jealous and proud or a mixed feelings not because one got a beautiful house, promising career, getting rich but the in the family they were building. The usual question are asked in every acquintance and the most stiking is that, they will start asking "are you married?", "where is your girlfriend?" and many more. As I said it is not unusual but the answer might be a little bit unusual. My reply without apology is "In God's mercy, I'm still single!" Then they would laugh, smile, and be surprise. They would ask you the next question-if you can guess then let me know what would that question be. I can't end the day without getting myself wet. A fun-filled day.

Comes New Year in my vacation and the clock starts ticking for an end of my short but fruitful vacation. I can't wait for another moment to have the same celebration with a unique experiences and yet I'm making the most of it, the best of all. Our new year is celebrated without any extravangance but very colorful, loud noise and delicious food. In the morning, as I have plan to climb one of the highest mountain peak in my town called puting bato" (white rock) without any climbing gear except extra shirt, little food and camera. It was my first time to climb in that mountain. We are being join by a group of young men with my two girl cousins instead of being a 3 person climb. It was really a test of strength and determination since it is a 3-hour hike with 50 degree inclination most of the time and no tracks towards the peak.

The view is exhirating with a sense of fullfillment and awe that we have made it. As we spent some time in the peak I take the time to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Zamboanga as far as I can see and making and presenting my plan to the group our next climb on the highest peak of another mountain.

Our decent is still a test of endurance since we didn't follow with the same trail we used in ascending the mountain.

We were able to join the people in their new year's celebration on our way down. Which I met my second degree counsin for which I have not met for a long time.

The last stop will be the waterfalls which I never heard before and it is a three cascading falls. I never heard of this waterfalls as Iam growing and making my vacation in my grandparents farm. I can't help but make myself wet...

As the day end. Me, my nephew and cousin made home after an hour riding a single motorcycle without light and clutch in a very dark road.