catching up series: sandbox adventure

Here we go! This one I'm excited to write about. This was (still) back in July 2016. Yes friends, July pa din tayo in this catching up series. Pasensya na po, mahina ang kalaban. :)

As you all know, July is my birth month, so this was like my birthday adventure. This was extra special to me because prior to this, my last travel was way back 2013. That was when I went to Ilocos with Foursome. Wait, let's make it rain with links just as I usually do. Just in case, you wanna read some more? Hehe!

day1: ilocos sur - santa, bantay and vigan tour

day1: ilocos norte - batac and paoay tour

day2: ilocos norte - pagudpud tour

day3: ilocos norte - bangui and burgos tour

day3: ilocos sur - calle crisologo tour

So anyway, for my birthday adventure, we went to Sandbox in Pampanga. Can't exactly remember whose idea it was but most likely, mine. Hehe! I went there with my college friends and work friends combined. So baka nga ako ang nag-aya ng trip na 'to. Oo, ako nga siguro. :P

Also, I can't remember if we booked in advance or what. Medyo matagal na rin po kasi, ano po? Haha! But I remember that we all met up at a coffee shop in Cubao, and Dwin was the last to arrive. He was the one driving for us so hindi namin sya maiwan. Hahaha! Kidding! Of course, we wouldn't. 

We got there a little late for lunch, so we started our Sandbox adventure with food. And again, I couldn't recall what we had for lunch. The thing is, the photos I took were saved in an old laptop that refuses to turn on already. I only stole photos from Jov's Facebook uploads, and some more that I posted on Instagram. Good enough photos to back-up this kwento.

So after lunch, first stop was the Aerial Walk Challenge. According to their website, it is an adventure course of nets and rope walkways that will test your agility, balance and flexibility. True enough it tested mine, most especially my balance. That's actually my weakness! I can't ride a bike, remember? Who you callin' loser? Haha! 

For this challenge, you'd have to give your camera to the guides if you want photos. Non-joiners can't come near the rope course so even if Jhov didn't join, she was only able to take photos from the first part of the challenge. Sheena went first, and then me, Den, Jun and lastly Dwin. And as much as I'd like to describe each part of the challenge in detail, mahirap eh! Hahaha! But I'd let the photos do the talking..

Believe it or not, this was easy for me despite my short legs. :P

The next photo shows the most difficult part of the Aerial Challenge, at least for me. It was too high and you literally have to walk on the rope, with only hanging ones to help you out. My legs were shaking because duhhh, wala talaga kong balance, and to make it worse, it was hard for me to reach the rope guides. This was four years ago but writing about it makes me remember how I felt at that moment. Feeling ko wala ng katapusan yung challenge na yun. Hahaha!

Aside from Aerial Walk Challenge, other activities were Avatar One, Adventure Tower and the Giant Swing. Avatar One is the Philippines' first roller coaster zip line. Their website says, "You don’t just zip down the 180-meter course. You zigzag along starting from 12 meters high." Although, I wasn't able to find photos from this activity (there might be in the old laptop!), I'd borrow photos from the net just so I can you show. The Avatar one was such a fun twist on your rather usual zipline experience.

via 

Next was the Adventure Tower. It's 15 meters of wall climbing, rappelling and free falling. We actually have a short video of this on Facebook but I can't download it. Also, the guide told my friend that taking videos wasn't allowed so he stopped recording. Weird if you think about it. Why would you prevent your patrons to record such thrilling moments? Hmm. But anyway.

I did all three activities of the adventure tower but I was disappointed with myself that I did not get to finish the wall climbing part. I was heavy at this point of my life kasi. Haha! But the first time I did this in Eco Park, I got to finish it. Must try again for the third time when I'm more physically ready aka thinner. Haha!

via

And then lastly the Giant Swing. Well, almost! Hehe! Unfortunately, we weren't able to do this because it started raining. Some visitors opted to still do it when the rain turned into light drizzles and honestly, I was inggit. No one from our group wanted to continue na kasi and the swing was made for two people. I'd look dumb if I do it alone. Haha! 

via

Aside from the activities I've mentioned, they also have ATV, Go-Kart and Splash Tub. I think the latter was a new addition. I don't think they already have it when we visited. They also have a kiddie playground with picnic areas, mini golf, airsoft and paintball. 

Now, if you're gonna ask me how was the Sandbox experience, I'd say it was fun and definitely challenging but kind of bitin. The rain was a party pooper kasi. But definitely, it was one for the books. Every new adventure naman is worth looking back to. 

Would I want to go back? Yes! For the Giant Swing! Hahaha! Good night, folks! :)

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catching up series: used to have friends :P

I warned yah, right? So here we go! I honestly contemplated whether or not I would include "friends" posts in this catching up series because I no longer get to see most of my friends now. Oopsie, what is anti-social? Hehe! But here it is anyway! I just decided to gather everything in a single post so I can easily get this over and done with. I actually realized just now that 2016 was the last year that I was actively seeing friends. Anoba, I'm so tita now! And I mean it literally 'cause all these time that I was on hiatus, I was just very busy with my nieces. More on that soon, of course! (You were kind of expecting that, right?) 

JANUARY

It all started with a mini-reunion the past month and then all of a sudden, I was constant buddies with some college friends. We started the year with dinner and desserts at Maginhawa. From the same month, I also met-up with my closest friends from Accenture. (These people) It was a korean bbq kinda night at Bulgogi Brothers, Greenbelt. I think this was the last time that we were ever complete. Yah know, friendship dramas and falling-out. HUHU.

Wicked Kitchen, Maginhawa

Bulgogi Brothers, Greenbelt

FEBRUARY

We took the close-close-an to the next level when we went to Star City, just the four of us. We were never a group back in college so it was funny that we were doing korny things together when we got older. Up to now, we have this group chat in Messenger that we call "Road to 40" to mock our age. Ironically, we mainly use the group chat to exchange memes. Haha! We refuse to adult sometimes.

Star City 

It was also the month that I decided to go back to the corporate world so I got busy attending interviews and taxing exams. This was from when I visited friends from PLDT/Smart. Remember Tin? My friend from way back when? I think this was the last time that I saw her. Dont judge me! I actually told myself to reunite with friends this year. And guess what? I met up with my high school best friend last month. Yep, after not seeing each other for like three years. :P

MARCH

Another mini-reunion, and in Eastwood no less! Stayed in Eastwood for quite a long time so it had so many memories both good and bad. Say it with me.. Awww! Hehe! I met with another group of Accenture friends because Mark was leaving for US. Remember Foursome? Now both Job and Mark are in the US, and Monique is in NZ. While me, on the other hand, never really liked the idea of working abroad. Pilipinas kong mahal. Haha!

TGI Friday's, Eastwood

Still from March, I went bowling with my college friends. I told you, we were suddenly so close after that December mini-reunion. I can no longer remember what ensued that night but most likely I got the highest score in bowling. Hahaha! Kidding, of course. But if I remember it right, we had dinner right after courtesy of Juni and Den. Thanks, guys! 

Bowling Center, Megamall

APRIL

Maginhawa night, yet again. With college friends, yet again. Random realization: I miss restaurant hopping in Maginhawa. Also, I miss going out with friends. Hehe! You have to believe me when I say that I really haven't been going out with friends for a few years now. Grabe! I've been so focused with my nieces that they've become my only social life. Haha! #superauntie, much!

Maginhawa yet again

MAY

May was the month when I finally went back to the corporate world. Shoutout to Bayview for taking me in. Haha! It was also the month that I started boxing regularly with Noni. I've always loved the sport even if I'm not really good at it. Hehe! And I just thought I'd linked up my old boxing posts, here and here. Nakakamiss!

And since I was a Makati girl then, I got to meet my fellow corporate slaves regularly. Photo below with Sheena and Dwin was taken from Charlie's somewhere in Makati. During that time, the other member of ASDS aka Silina was in Switzerland for work. 

Charlie's somewhere in Makati

JUNE

Another boxing sesh with Noni! And if you're gonna watch the video below, please don't judge. Haha! I love the sport but the sport doesn't love me back. Hahaha! I remember posting this video on Facebook and getting teased by friends because of how I punch. Haha! Tse! Suntukin ko kayo jan, eh!

Also, since I was back to the corporate world, lunch & dinner outs left and right has started again. I can't remember from whom I stole the photo below but it was from a team dinner at Yakimix, Greenbelt. And although it may not seem like it, team buildings like this are so awkward for me. I am a self-confessed introvert so it takes so much for me to socialize especially with people I'm not really close with. 

Yakimix, Greenbelt

JULY

Up next, July! Birthday month! It was a busy month that started with a coffee date with Sheena. I remember us video calling Silina because as I've said she's in Switzerland. It was also the time when Snapchat was a thing. Sheena introduced me to it and I was very unamused. I was reacting like "Ito na yun?" Bakit sila tuwang tuwa? Haha! I was such a grinch!

Starbucks, somewhere in Makati

My teammates at work also surprised me with a birthday celebration. Someone called me to go to the pantry and they were all there waiting with a cake. Sweet, eh? Office perks that I no longer get because I'm working from home now. Although to be honest, I wouldn't trade what I have now for anything else. Because, duh, Caloocan to Makati = Traffic. So never again. :P

Sheena and I met up with Joel, too! Silina's boyfie! He treated us to dinner at Yabu and we ambushed him with love life questions. Haha! That's what he got for meeting up with nosy people. JK, one half!

Yabu at (I don't remember where, Haha!)

And the highlight of the month was when we went to Sandbox, college + Accenture friends combined. At that point, I was sorely missing traveling because the last time I traveled was 2013 pa to Ilocos with my Foursome friends. Wait, let's make it rain with links cause #shamelessplugging..  1, 2, 3, and 4! I am going to write about this Sandbox trip in detail so hold your horses. Hehe! But really, it was like a breathe of fresh air after taking a hiatus (no work = no travel for three years!)

Sandbox, Pampanga

SEPTEMBER

More random dinner outs with Sheena! I remember us having dinner at Paper Moon cafe + froyo at Llaollao. On top of the good food are the realest conversations. 

Llaollao, Glorietta

And then more lunch outs with teammates because if I remember it right, it was Teo's birthday. I am actually blaming the free food left and right why I became out of shape from 2016 to 2017! But the latter year was worse! Haha! I am actually dreading the time when I would work on my 2017 posts. Parang I can't share how chubby wubby I got! And speaking of chubby, photo below was taken from Chubby's somewhere in Makati. See what I did there? :P

Chubby's, Makati

OCTOBER

October was another exciting month because it was the "summer" outing for the newbies. They brought us to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, all expenses paid! We even stayed at Princesa Island Garden Resort, a 5-star accommodation. It was extra fun because from a group of three (Carlo, Mike and I), we got along with another group and we made the most out of our stay. Of course I'll be writing about this in detail too. Because why not, photos galore! 

Bohemian Party

And then finally for October, the Halloween Party at the office. I dressed up as Minnie Mouse by decorating my red skirt with white dots and buying a Minnie Mouse headband. Haha! That's the best that I can do!

NOVEMBER
Up next, November! We pretty much spent the next few months with the people we met from Puerto Princesa. We would have lunch together at the pantry and sometimes go out too! Photo below was when we had lunch at Yellow Cab. Sobrang dami pang lunch outs that we didn't have a photo of. But one thing I realized is that people really just come and go. I'm not even friends with these people anymore. To think we had such a grand time when we were in Palawan. 

Yellow Cab, Makati

And then after what seemed to be ages, I finally met with my high school best friend again. Akalain mo yun! She was about to work as a nurse in Jeddah so we had to see each other. My brother, sister-in-law and of course Mithril, tagged along. The next time I saw her was three years after na. But the thing about our friendship is that we just pick up where we left off. Don't you just love friendships like that?

Pizza Hut, SM Fairview

DECEMBER

And then finally, December! Contrary to what is expected for this month, I didn't have much going on. I decided to skip the Christmas Party at work and no reunions whatsoever! I only got to meet Jhov for dinner at Maginhawa.

And that's it! Wheww! Napagod ako! After this, it's gonna be all about the fam especially my nieces. I am so giddy about this whole resurrecting-my-blog-thing. I don't care even if blogging isn't an IN thing anymore (and probably no one would get to read my posts), I am doing this for myself. FOR MY SANITY. Let's do this! More posts comin' right up!

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catching up series: college peeps in 2015

If there's one person from my college years that I am closest to right now, that would be Jhov. I once said in a birthday greeting for her that I have no idea how our friendship happened -- still stands true up to now. We were never close back in college and I can't tell exactly how we became friends a few years after graduating. We don't even have the same interests to begin with. It's just amazing thinking about it, we've come a long way from our no pansinan university days. Hehe!

For one, I'm thankful for her for reigniting my interest in seeing friends the past year. I kind of went on a hiatus on the friendship department starting May. One friend would even tell me, "magpakita ka naman", like I'm a ghost or something. I don't know, I guess I became too contended with the company of my niece{s} that I just lost interest in everything else. You'll find out in the next post exactly what I'm talking about. Hint hint: lotsaaaa baby photossss. Hahaha!

Going back, I rose from the dead in September when I met Silina then October when I met Jhov. Those were monumental for me. Call me weird all you want, but they kind of reminded me that I have to begin socializing again. For the record, I'm an introvert. So yeah, those were big deals. 

Jhov and I went to Maginhawa, the famous foodie haven in UP. It was both our first time so we had no idea where to eat. Oo pwedeng magresearch pero hindi namin ginawa. Haha! We first saw Gerry's Jeepney but the line was crazy so no wayyy. We then saw Artsy Cafe so we ended up there. And because I'm not a foodie, I can't tell yah anything about the food. Although my sister said we should have ordered pasta instead. Next time, next time. 

meet Jhov ❤️

major tile inspo

For dessert, we walked and walked and walked for Wicked Kitchen. Told her I once saw it on Instagram so she agreed to look for it. Turned out, nasa kabilang dulo sya. Hahaha! It was worth the walking though as we loved their Smores, they call it Greed. They also have Gluttony, Envy, Pride and other sins. {Hehehe, and suddenly I'm smiling about the thought that I'm a bad food blogger. :P}

yummerss

Then December, Jhov and I met again. Knowing that I have this weird addiction for succulents, she asked me to accompany her to buy gifts for her officemates. We went succulent shopping, repotted them at home, then we had dinner at Ningnangan to cap the night. It's a newly opened resto near our place. Akalain mo yun! Something new to urbanize our probinsya. Hehe! They have paluto also so move over Dampa. 

And since December is the month of get-togethers, Tin and I met too. That is after more than a year of not seeing each other. Last saw her June of 2014, the night of TFIOS. Yikes! But as I've said, the thing with this girl is that we can always pick up where we left off. No awkwardness whatsoever. To think, I'm the type of person who gets awkward easily. Well, I guess she'll be the exemption because hellooo, she was my main girl back in college. {She's just too busy with volleyball now, so I rarely see her. Shhh, don't tell her I'm sulking. Hahaha!} We met at Gateway then we had dinner at Burgoo. I wanted to extend the night by grabbing coffee but she had an early commitment the next day. Booyah, told you she's too busy. 

with ms. famous hahaha

To further prove the power of December, we had a mini reunion to close the year. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw most of them. Hindi nga kasi ako nagpapakita, one friend said. Hehe! It just so happened that the meeting place was somewhere accessible so I went. Also, it was originally Tin's idea so I had to back her up. Pero late kami 'cause she had a prior commitment. Hehehe! It was a simple dinner and videoke sesh at Juanito's Bistro made special by the fact that we refused to part ways 'til the morning. We spent the rest of the dawn at Nad's crib, reminiscing and laughing about our college days. Literal na tawa lang kami ng tawa hanggang umaga -- lovelife, thesis, professors and what have you.

nad's crib

I guess what made that get together more special is that I was able to maintain constant communication with some of them. I suck at getting connected too and the fact that I've been chatting nonstop on Facebook these days is a good sign. Welcome back, social life!

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