Musings Aboard Superferry Five

It’s nine in the evening. I’m mulling over the fact that if I didn’t take this trip, I would have missed the splendor of the sea. Its sights, sounds, sensations, feelings and thoughts have embraced my awareness throughout this journey.

The Sights – From the sea, the land becomes a mass of dark contours – with mountain looming majestically at a distance. The skies, so blue and enchanting, beckon the connoisseur of beauty. The birds riding the breeze punctuate the marvelous natural kaleidoscope.

The Sounds – The rhythmic splashing of the waves and the crisp hum of the breeze are like an orchestra. Out here, music is not so much of the ears but of the mind.

The Sensations – Akin to a fickle person, the sea exhibits many moods. Sometimes warm, bright and especially calm then it could become brooding, dark, and foreboding. Like an awestruck child, I can be filled by a sense of wonder one moment and dread in the next.

The Feelings – Amidst the sea’s immensity, I could sense my vulnerability. The sea could bring joy and gladness, a feeling of well-being and unbounded optimism for the beauty and majesty of nature.

The Thoughts – With time in my hands, there is no greater pastime than pensive introspection – pondering the essence of my existence and destiny. On certain moments, I seem to see my life unfolding – at once looking at the highs and lows of life and about what could have been and what could still be.

Feeling the elements and communing with this great panorama, I am at once made aware of the human condition, in fact, my own.

At sea, aboard Superferry 5 going to Bohol, January 27, 2009, inspired by Musings of a Sea Wanderer by Cav. Suarez, The Cavalier 2008

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!

I Left My Heart in Candijay

After the romantic garden wedding of Kenneth and Nina at Chateau de Busay last Saturday, Mark and I went home to Candijay for two days.

I was so excited to feel the breeze of my beloved hometown once again!

Firstly, we had dinner in Cogtong with my family. We feasted on Nanay Daisy’s cooking – deep-fried crabs, vinegared fish, grilled bangus, adobong baboy (seasoned pork), native chicken in coconut milk with lemon grass, and for the dessert, the mouthwatering fruit salad!

My mother is irrefutably the best cook in the world! Just to think of the feast she prepared for us makes me want to go home right now.

The following day, we spent some quality time with my widowed mother-in-law in Sagumay. (By the way, Mark and I are from the same town. We were classmates in high school as well.) Mama Doring, though not much of a good cook, managed to treat us with the yummiest adobong native chicken (more delicious than nanay’s) and fried shrimps; with the mixture of red vinegar, chili, kalamansi and salted fish as sauce. It is something that I look forward to every time I am there.

Then we went driving along the countryside (as we always love to do). I forever love the lush mountains; the green fields of rice, corn, camote, and many other crops; the serene riverside; and, simply the whole laid-back environment.

We also went to Ubay to buy dried danggit, my favorite pure tableya (unsweetened chocolate from cacao), and calamay (concoction of sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar, vanilla, and some peanuts) as pasalubong for our friends and neighbors in Cavite City.

I miss home. I miss my family especially my nephew, NJ. Sigh!

One thing for sure, wherever I may go, my heart will always be left in my beloved Candijay.

>drivin' around

>dried fish
>hanged to ripe

>the dam
>so heavenly

>visiting the dead
>shooting with an air gun

>the window
>askal andrew

>the landmark
>the roadside

Best of Mistahs

We'll fly to Cebu tomorrow to attend the wedding of our dear friends, Kenneth and Nina. Their love story is the epitome of a love found, a love lost, and a love found again. Finally, they will tie the knot! I'm so happy for both of them.

Kenneth was the Best Man at our wedding. He did a wonderful job with his speech so as not to endorse Mark. However, Ken made a mistake in asking Mark to be the Best Man to his wedding as well because i know Mark will be "brutal" on him. Haha!

Here's an excerpt of Ken's speech during the reception:

I am a proud classmate and best man of Mark, or Bujix as we used to call him.

I have been with him for quite a time, and that means I have a lot to tell about him. But then, I only choose to tell the best stories so as not to endorse my classmate.

Kidding aside, Mark is among the brightest of our class. In fact, when we graduated, he brought home the most number of awards, which is 6. Can you just imagine how intelligent he is?

As a classmate, I would say that he is reliable and kind because when we were cadets, he used to give lectures or extra instructions to upperclassmen, underclass and classmates who were having difficulties in mathematics and engineering.

As a serviceman, Mark is one good example of a true officer and a gentleman, most especially with Jane.

Above all, as a brother and as a son, he is loving and caring. I am very much sure that he will be more as a husband and as father in the near future.

Although, I am not actually married myself, I thought it might be helpful if I offer them a little piece of advice.

Jane, you can either tell Mark to do something or tell him how to do something but please not both.

Mark, getting married bestows upon you many responsibilities so, be good.

Ladies and gentlemen, on a final and serious note, please stand and raise your glass to my mistah and to his beautiful new wife.

To Mark and Jane, cheers!

Half-Awake in Subic

The alarm went off incessantly at 3 o’clock in the morning that prodded me and my sister to get up and get ready as we would join my husband to his official tour of duty in Subic Bay, Olongapo City yesterday.

While waiting for the van, we watched live the match of Rafael Nadal and Gael Monfils on Star Sports. As expected, Rafa won and he advanced to the quarterfinals in BNP Paribas Masters in Paris, France.

The van arrived an hour later. Typically, I get excited when I go to see a place for the first time but I was so heavy-eyed and subdued. If only it wouldn’t break my sister’s heart, I wouldn’t go.

I just slept until we stopped over for breakfast in Pampanga. Then, I said to myself that since I was halfway through the trip, I might as well enjoy it. I tried to buoy up myself but still I drifted in and out of sleep the rest of the way.

When we were near Subic, Mark woke me up because he wanted me to see the picturesque view of the lush mountains. Indeed, it was like a Claude Monet’s painting that came alive. It was so nice and just to look at them is a destination in itself. I was briefly pepped up to discover the rest of the city.

When we arrived, we visited first the premises of Mabuhay Corp., the first Filipino company that launched a satellite in space. They were talking very technical things that I couldn’t understand, so I told Mark that I would just stay at the lobby so that I could drowse off again.

After that, everything became blurry as I wasn’t able to come out from the dreamland completely. All I could clearly remember is that I was so relieved to get back to the comfort of our bed at home.

This morning, I only have the pictures to remind me that I was undeniably half-awake in Subic. For the time being, I can only wish that I can go back there and enjoy its beauty once more.

>me and sistah jill

>the double-decker bus

>through lethargy

>shoppin' flowers

>with a zombie

>and, a dead man walking

Happy All Saints' Day everyone!