May 27, 2015

How Some People End up Sick

Just last week, Monday (May 18, 2015), our church had an overnight swimming. Of course, if it's an outing like that, with all the closest friends you have, it was a lot of fun. But no, I'm not blogging about how cool the place, or where this place is. I'll be telling you a bit of what we did that night and what happened to me  after that night until now.

Let's start that Monday night:
I did not jump into the pool until it was 7pm (We came to the place around 5) then got out of the pool at 11pm. I enjoyed every second like I was a little kid who feels she's a mermaid and could stay in the water forever. I tried the pool's slide too many times, tumble-jumped (whatever you call it) to the water a hundred times, screamed under water for approx 15 times, did voice synchronization, and ate some fruit salad (which was sweet).

Tuesday:
The next day, I was all fine. I got up a bit late, which was expected. But I feel no body pain at all because of swimming or jumping or sliding. I know why. Cause I was trying to exercise everyday before that swimming, so my muscles were stretched up a bit already. I got no worries that day of getting sick. But the next day, my body betrayed me.

Wednesday:
I got a sore throat. Later in the evening before sleeping, I gargled water with salt to relieve the sore. It felt better. But the next day, it was worse. 

Thursday:
I couldn't speak anymore cause it hurts. I was so silent and awkward at the house my sister even asked me why am I so lonely, when I'm not even lonely. I just have a sore throat.

Friday:
I got an itchy nose, eyes, no, the whole face actually was itchy. I knew a cold was coming. I was sneezing and I still got the sore throat. 

Saturday:
It can't be prevented anymore. Because I still ate ice cream that night despite the fact I know I already have a cold. Why do I crave for sweets when I shouldn't be taking them??

Sunday was the same with Saturday, though I don't have a sore throat anymore. That was better.

Monday this week was different:
I went to my school that morning. I left the house feeling nauseous. I felt like puking. I told my mother about it but then I just ignored what I feel. I was dizzy all throughout the travel. But after walking to and fro inside the campus and perspired a lot, I felt better. BUT, cough came. If I talk, it sounds like I am so sick. But I really didn't feel sick. I hate how I sound, makes me pity myself.

Little sidetrack:
Then a good friend gave me this cute stuff toy. I named him BT, short for BlueTooth. Cause he is blue and is tooth-shaped. Hehe. And I don't even know why he gave me one. He said because it was my birthday last year, but my birthday's gonna be in less than 2 months. Oh well, anyway, I never thought a cute alien can make me feel better.

Tuesday:
I got an itchy throat. But just feeling better. I also have headache that comes once in a while. I should have eaten properly. I didn't have appetite for food.

Wednesday, this day:
I will get better, real soon if I just stop taking sweets and cold  drinks. But I'm okay now, thank God.

So, why did I just tell a week of sickness progression? Because I want to learn my lesson through observing myself. And I did a really, really good job. *taps reassuringly my own back*
Sorry, I just want to let you, whoever is reading this thing, that you need to take good notice of what you do to your body. We reap what we sow. Though you feel so good today doesn't mean you're gonna eat that good smelling whopper burger or that sweet-to-the-eyes-sugar-glazed donuts all you want to. Or you're gonna spend the whole night under cold water then let just let yourself dry out in the open. Or you are gonna sleep at 2 or 3am just because you know you can wake up at 9 or 10 the next morning. Oh noooo. You don't want to end up in lying bed because you feel so dizzy you can't get up to pee. Or worse, if you're immune system is too weak, you'll end up in another bed: A hospital bed. And instead of using that money so you can buy that book you really like, or buy someone special a gift, you're gonna be spending them for medications. What a waste right? And who wants that kind of waste?

This is just a friendly reminder. I rarely get sick. You can even count the times I get sick during the past 4 years cause I blogged some of them: Click here and here.
Apparently, my brain works really well when I'm like this so I get to write about them.
I try to learn the causes, the symptoms, and the cure. Diseases are consequences of disobedience to the law of nature. You want to keep healthy? You can remember this: You reap what you sow.
It can not only prevent you from getting physical sickness but can help you as well with social relationships and goals in life.

Take a moment and think about it.  

May 23, 2015

Nathan Bert

A mother and a father once planned to have a baby;
It wasn't their first-born child, but the youngest to the three.
They said it should be a boy, for there were two girls already;
And in six years, the Lord has blessed them successfully.

Everything was prepared for this expected one:
From little clothes to nursing bottles,
To lullaby songs, and pillows and blankets,
The must-haves were special for they were all for their dear son.

The family would gather every night,
Just to touch the mother’s belly and sense the baby moving inside.
It was a thrill, a very wonderful feeling;
Believing that the baby is happy when they feel him kicking

Nine months of pregnancy was a hardship for the mother
So she would regularly visit the doctor to check the baby’s temper
For she would often feel unusual discomfort and pain
What the mother worries and fears most, I cannot explain.

The awaited time came; it was the 23rd of May.
It was so special, for it was also the Sabbath day.
The whole family was excited and waiting,
They were altogether nervous but praying.

But during the night, sad news disturbed the family’s home.
The father came from the hospital all weary and torn.
He came without the mother, but only a box in his hand.
And inside this special, little box was the baby that was planned.

Oh, if you can only see the cries and the wails, as they looked at the lifeless baby sleeping;
The thoughts so loud you can almost hear them screaming:
Why this precious little baby?
Why this innocent child?

The sisters and the brother’s heart broke into pieces,
The grandmother can only be strong for her dear ones.
The father so tired and so miserable: he cannot show his unending tears,
The mother still in bed, unconscious and naïve.

If only their cries and tears can bring this little boy back.
If only they can ask the heavens for a miracle:
They would pray for his life to change its track.
That he would not face this death, but see this world and marvel!



They will not see any more this child grow and learn,
They cannot play with him and see him smile in return,
He will not experience how to be disappointed or be in love,
Or just even live for a moment and praise his Creator above.

But death was not the end for the family.
For they learned of faith though at times they still mourn and grieve,
They learned to be strong though they sometimes still long for a child’s smile, touch, and kiss.
They cherished each other more, and learned that after the tears there is bliss.

As death once shattered their hearts,
It has now become a hope they can impart.
For there is a promise in God’s Word;
A promise we can only but trust and for life hold:

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
~1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, NIV

May 21, 2015

Part 2/2 of Summer 2015: Baguio

Day 4: Sunday, Last day, April 27, 2015

For our last day in Baguio, we were supposed to leave at 12:00 noon since the bus going to Cavite is scheduled to leave at 12:00 nn and 5:00 pm. But because we still haven't visited two famous sites in Baguio, we chose to just leave in the afternoon.

Fifth Stop: Mines View Park

This is one of the most visited places in Baguio. And there is no doubt why. Here we witnessed a breathtaking panoramic view of the gold and copper mines of Benguet and its surrounding mountains. It was beautiful. I have a wonderful Creator!





We heard that native Igorots are placing their dead family members' tombstones just beside the house. And we saw one just below. And I took a picture of it. It wasn't actually one. There were 6 tombstones.

To confirm if they were really tombstones, I  used the bigger lens. Hehe. At last! I used it properly.

With my Fatherdear.

It was sunny but we can still feel the cold breeze. Wearing long sleeves wasn't a bad idea after all.

Family selfie!
Taking a picture with this dog is quite expensive. So we just took a literally stolen shot. My sister is really good at this. 


There were pink horses at the park too and Igorots with their native clothes on. But taking a picture with them requires payment. So sadly, we had no pictures of them. 

This is also where we bought our pasalubongs. They have a variety of native handicrafts, jams, and Baguio shirts. Items here are the similar to the items found in the public market but its much cheaper here. You can even bargain and since there are so many stalls, you can compare prices before purchasing.


Last stop: Stawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet

After Mines View Park, we luckily met a very friendly taxi driver who was so eager to take us to La Trinidad. He was even a tour guide because of the many informative things he was telling us. 

It was an hour ride from Mines to Strawberry Farm, and just upon going out of the taxi, ice cream vendors approached us right away and offered us this special Strawberry Ice cream. No regrets! It was even better than a branded Stawberry flavored ice cream.


It was a big farm of variety of fruits and vegetables. And there is always a good looking view everywhere I look.


We thought we cannot pick strawberries anymore because a farmer told us that many tourists have been here already. But since we cannot go back anymore, we still tried our luck. And we're really glad there are still so many strawberries. :D


My parents
A Baguio trip is not complete without Strawberries!
The only photo I posted in Instagram and Facebook ;)
 MAY FOREVER! 
We still have time to eat lunch back at the Nitro house and have a little nap before finally going home to Cavite. 

It was a wonderful experience to visit Baguio. Now I definitely know I want more adventures to come! 

 Go to Baguio with Family. 

Part 1/2 of Summer 2015: Baguio

Warning: This is a long post with lotss of pictures. But if you're looking for weekend itinerary ideas in Baguio, keep reading. 

Ever since my father worked abroad (that was actually 4 years ago), we never had a real vacation as a family. But this year, one item in my bucket list was checked.
My family spent a 4 days and 3 nights stay at Baguio and the whole weekend was really great. I didn't post any pictures on Facebook aside from one Instagram shot of strawberries in my hand. Of course, a Baguio escapade won't be complete without strawberries, right? Yum! So, instead on posting in Facebook our adventures, I'll be posting them here. 

Day 1: Friday, April 24, 2015
Our trip started at exactly 4:20 am in Cavite. From our place, we a road a Saulog Bus which was a straight route to Baguio. It was an almost 9 hour ride since we arrived in our place in Baguio at around 1:30 pm. 

Two weeks before we left, I've read from other blogs that it would be difficult and time consuming to find a transient house on the actual day you will arrive in Baguio so I tried to search in the internet dorms or transient houses available. And I found many! After trying to contact few that I found cheap and comfortable, we decided to choose the Nitro House in Tacay Rd., Quezon Hill. The house was really cheap compared to other houses for rent I found. The whole house are ours for four days and 3 nights for only P5250. The house has 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with electric stove, and bathroom with heater. I tell you, find a place where the bathroom has a heater. The water is soooo cold!

Click here for Transient Homes in Baguio.


This was taken at the bus: featuring our dental braces. Haha. My sister and I had some minor problems with our teeth so we've had our braces for almost 3 months now. Big smiles!

First stop: Burnham Park

Upon arrival at the house, we rested for a while then at 4:00 in the afternoon, we decided to go to the market place but before that, we stopped by this very popular park in Baguio. 

We tried the Boats for Rent


Tada! The fountain.
Yeah. It's blurry. Cause I'd always love to take stolen pictures of both of them.

Because we were new to the place, it wasn't easy for us to find the market place. Hehe. We asked an old lady about the place and gladly, she was really friendly and told us about the Hanger. (I don't know if I spelled it right) So, she said this is that part in the market where cheap vegetables and fruits are sold, but they close as early as 7:00 in the evening.

After I took a picture of a Longganisa stall, this little girl asked me to take a picture of her too. Witty.
Day 2: Saturday, April 25, 2015
We don't have any plans for this special day except to visit Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Baguio.

Pines City Seventh-day Adventist Church

This is also where the Mountain Provinces Mission of Seventh-day Adventists is located. We're glad to meet some brethren who also came to Baguio for a vacation.


And we have also met the church members here.
Pines City SDA Church is located at Navy Base Road.


In the afternoon, we decided to visit another SDA Church in Bokawkan. And suprisingly, I found out that my schoolmates in Adventist University of the Philippines were also in Baguio! The prayer and Bible study group led by Kuya Ronald Robin together with Sir Sam Cassell were invited to minister at Bokawkan SDA Church and Pines City SDA Church.



The whole Sabbath was a great experience! I was even given a part in the ministry and it was a blessing! Praise God! 

The photo below is at Pines SDA Church. After the service in Bokawkan, Kuya Ronald ( the man in violet barong) had to speak for a sundown worship in Pines. My family and I was invited to join them so we went back again to Pines, but together with an army of God's people. :)


It's not a coincidence. God has plans for our lives. Most of the time, the plans are executed in the most unexpected way and at the end of the day, they always prove to be the best. Of course, it would be. The Greatest Planner did it!

Day 3: Sunday, April 26, 2015
As part of my research in Things to do in Baguio, (yes, I really typed those exact words in Google) we found out about this Tree Top Adventure in Camp John Hay. 
But before that, here's a picture of the Strawberry Taho we had during breakfast. It was really good that one cup is not enough for me. But I didn't buy again. Flavored taho is expensive than the normal taho we commonly drink/eat/whatever. Heeeee. 


A dream catcher! I've always wanted to have one. Not because I believe that it catches bad dreams away but because it's just artistically beautiful. 
I even caught a picture of the taxi driver. Look at the mirror. Hehe. 
Fun trivia: I've never seen a tricycle in Baguio. And there are only really few jeepneys. Some jeepneys look like a truck because of their sizes. But yeah, I don't know if they really don't have tricycles there. There are just sooooo many taxis. 


Hello Tree Top Adventure! 
As you can see below, the adventures are right behind me. The wallpaper behind me, I mean. They have Canopy, Silver Surf, and Funicural which are only 3 adventures out of many other adventures that we tried. 
You can check their website here >>> Treetop Adventure
Of course I'm not a geek. Yeah, the sweatshirt says GEEK.
The waiting line in Canopy Adventure was so long that we had nothing much to do but take a picture of our tickets,


Ourselves,


And our shoes.


So here's the Canopy, it's like a zip line but you are seated. Okay, it's difficult to describe. Just look at the pictures:

Lil Bro


Lil Sis

Coz I was holding the camera, and I got no picture, and I was expecting a lot of background, but it's difficult to take a selfie with SLR, coz I was sitted in a hanging chair. Right, enough of that.
Hanging chairs. lol

My parents. Here should be what we look like above. :D
 And this is Silver Surfer. It's like surfing. But surfing in the air. Hahaha. I suck at explaining things like these. Just look at how fun it was. :D







Family selfie at the Funicular
Okay, so after the Silver Surfer, we rode this Funicular. It's just a really, really simple ride. What made it special are the people I was with and the view. Yiieeeee.
After the Funicular, we went back to where we came from through the Canopy again.



The view. I don't have wide lens, sooo. And I'm still trying to learn manually the SLR. Hihi
Finally! A decent family pictures aside from the group selfies we had. 
Wackyy!
YAAAAAAYYYYYYY! 
How sweet, right?
 I can never really post pictures in Facebook with captions like these. HAHAHA.

We still had so much time in the afternoon because we were finished before lunch. We were planning to go to Mines View Park then Strawberry Farm in Benguet. But sadly, the weather did not permit us so. And the traffic too! Both the traffic and the rain were heavy that we spent almost 3 hours in the taxi. So instead of continuing with the plan, we decided to just go to SM Baguio! People say that this is the only SM in the Philippines with no air conditioning system. We tested and tried it, and it was proven! 


SM Baguio has open areas like these on both sides of the mall. So you can really see the good looking view outside, and have an inhale of fresh air.



Hello again, shoes.

The rain stopped for a while when we arrived at SM. But just after a few minutes, it rained again. Look at the dark clouds.



 We stopped for a while at Cinnabon inside the mall and of course, ate some cinnamon bread. 



We stopped by the market place again upon going home cause food is much cheaper and healthier there than buying from fast food chains. Then we had a cold, but a really good night sleep.

Part 2/2 of this post will be about the Mines View Park and the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet. Click here: Part 2/2 of Summer 2015: Baguio.
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