Home Sweet Home

It has been a little over a month since my last post. The reason for my silence is that I and my husband wanted to fully enjoy our extended rest and recreation in our hometown. We made a deal to make most out of it through steering clear of internet, cable TV, and yes, even cellphones. In other words, we just took pleasure in the total simplicity of life, warmth of home, sumptuous meals, sound of crickets, and lush green all around.

Allow me to fill you in with some of the events that made me feel that I have the best life ever.

On the 24th of January, after we settled the bill of lading of Mark’s bike (he said we could literally leave all our packed possessions behind except his beloved bike) at Manila South Harbor, we went strolling at Luneta Park as our weekend date.

water buffalo at quirino grandstand

the famous rizal monument

my man, my lover, my date

Then we visited Kalikasan Park at Fort San Felipe the following day. (Mark and I love to discover a lot of things together and one of our favorites is history.)

the gatekeepers

the weapon and the beauty

april and datski

In the evening of January 26, we went through thorough body and baggage checks by machine, human, and sniffing dogs at Manila South Harbor as we boarded Superferry 5 departing to Bohol. Week before that, I booked a PAL flight for myself (Mark has to take the ship because of his bike) since I was afraid to take the sea trip due to the disaster of MV Princess of the Stars.

In the end though, I decided to travel with Mark because I was inspired by Titanic (the movie) particularly when Jack said to Rose, “Why did you do it, Rose?” and Rose answered, “You jump, I jump, right?”

Anyway, it seemed we had a second honeymoon on board. The food served for our accommodation was so appetizing and our suite was so conducive for sea romance. We just spent most of our time making love if not watching the Australian Open. (I was happy because Nadal won yet my heart went out to Federer when he cried during his runner-up speech as well. Better luck next time, Rog.)

musings aboard superferry

in the middle of the deep blue sea

caught in the act (playing chess titans)

When we arrived at the port of Tagbilaran City (after a short stop in Cebu where Mark dropped off his bike and some of our luggages), I felt dizzy and exuberant at the same time.

My mother, mother-in-law, and Mark’s cousin fetched us.

Mark drove to Candijay right away as he had to attend the funeral of his aunt while I accompanied my mom to one of her appointments in the city.

Afterward, I treated my mom, brother, and the apple of my eyes, NJ, at Jollibee. While choosing our meals at the counter, I unexpectedly bumped into my friends, Chuck and Karen and their daughter Chy. (Karen and Chuck, if you happen to read this, sorry I wasn’t able to talk with you longer but it’s just a small world, right? I hope to catch up with you again one of these days.)

family treat

nj, mom, and bro

my jolly bee

Eventually, I was able to attend the funeral of Mark’s aunt because it was moved in the afternoon. It was bittersweet; bitter because I attended a sad memorial service and sweet because I took in the loveliness of our place during the interment.

six feet down under

the rice field and the scarecrow

enjoying at the backyard

Aside from just bumming around the house (some days at my parents’, other days at my mother-in-law’s), I also reread some of my favorite books until the wee hours. I got into the worlds of Stephanie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn, Sheldon’s The Stars Shine Down and Sands of Time, Robin Cook’s Outbreak, and Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook (I read it for the third time because I simply never get enough of it).

Indeed, coming home is always being on cloud nine. Mark and I even plan to retire in Bohol after we are fulfilled in traveling and working in other places.

visiting my high school

relaxing at the beach

babysitting my nj

driving around with our doggie isay

spending quality time at bohol tropics on valentine's day

Vacation is unfortunately over for now. I am obliged to set in motion the next episodes of my life - city life, that is.

Keep posted!