November 13, 2016

So yesterday I had a mental breakdown.

It was not the first time, but this was the first time after so long.
I thought I could still keep it together but it just all suddenly came crashing down.
All of my problems. All of my insecurities. All of my faked confidence.

The day actually started fine. I woke up quite early for a Sunday morning.
I did our laundry (my mom's, stepdad's, and mine).
I cleaned my backpack. I cleaned my Sk8 Hi. I cleaned my favorite stuffed toy, Duckie.
I ate my breakfast. I had lunch with my family.
Then I lie down to rest.

Jem pinged me on Facebook late afternoon; we had plans for that day.
I told him I'll be quite late since I'm still resting. He agreed.
He said he was sorry he couldn't pick me up but I said it was OK. And I was sure that it was OK.
Like everything is.

Then my anxiety kicked in.

I didn't want to leave our house.
I didn't want to see him.
I didn't want to see anybody.
I wanted to be at home. I wanted to stay still. I wanted to be alone.
But I had to leave 'cause we don't get to see each other very often these days.

Then my anxiety worsened.

I thought of all the days we weren't together. I thought of the days ahead that we won't be seeing each other. I thought of the days that I would need to keep my everything together. I thought of how my resolve to keep our relationship keeps on dwindling by each passing day. I thought of all of my insecurities about myself, about our relationship. I thought of how awful I am as a girlfriend and as a person for thinking cruel things towards him. I thought of how my future will be. What with all of my shattered dreams and unplanned course of action. I thought of how everyone I know, everyone I love, are slowly but surely stepping away from me. Leaving me to fend for myself and my worthlessness. Leaving me to solve all of problems, all of my insecurities. Leaving me with my awful thoughts.

And without noticing it, I was already with Jem all along. He was holding me while I poured out all of my pent up anger and frustrations. I cried and cried for more than an hour. But still trying to keep it together, because I couldn't add to his already enormous amount of problems.

So I remained stubborn.
He kept on asking me what was wrong but I told him to leave it be.
That I should be the one to worry about it. To think about it. To solve it.
I tried to laugh it off. Joking about how my breakdown started (that I didn't want to go to gym).
I told him to forget about it and that we should move on.
And I told myself to forget about it too, for the time being.

Then I got angry at myself.
Because even though I should and could tell him right then, and there, I got scared.
That all of my negative thoughts would come true.
That every thought my pessimistic mind conjured up will have a place on my reality.

So we kissed. And made up, even though we didn't really had a fight.
We went to the gym and I acted that everything is fine. Everything is all right.

But it wasn't. Up until now, I feel guilty for leaving him in the dark.
Up until now, I feel awful for how I let my cowardice get the better of me.
Up until now, I feel regret as to why I didn't tell him, tell anyone for that matter.

And you know what's the worst part is?
I know how I can help myself. To ease myself from feeling this pain, even if it's just a slight relief.

Weekend in Tagaytay (Pt. 2)

Cont...

After eating our dinner which consist of both Tagaytay and Batangas' specialties ('extra' special bulalo and fried tawilis) along with other fried seafood and accompanying one of our companions until he was able to ride a bus bound to Batangas, we headed back to our room and watched a movie while drinking a few bottles of beer.

We stayed at one of the buildings with accommodations offered by Tagaytay Highlands which was the Highlands Inn.

Tagaytay Highlands Inn (I was informed that this was the cheapest accommodation they had)

Weekend in Tagaytay (Pt. 1)

I couldn't believe that I was able to tick off one more item from my 2016 bucket list over the past long weekend (October 29-November 1). Since we're all caught up from my super delayed updating of my bucket list this year, this entry is going to be one that had just happened recently.

• Tagaytay Roadtrip (w/ Jem)

Technically still not a round trip since he was already in Tagaytay by Thursday night and I had to follow him there by Saturday morning on my own, but it still counts! HAHA

Conquering Mt. Batulao

When 2016 started, hiking had become one of the most famous outdoor activities for Manileños; most especially for the Millennials. I don't know how this begun but ever since my office mates from my previous company started inviting me to hike mountains near Manila, I was enticed and wanted to try it myself.

Even though I have already conquered Taal Volcano, I wanted to try hiking somewhere that's not really that commercialized.

Mount Batulao located in Nasugbu, Batangas

Jepenese

When Jem and I started going out, it was immediately agreed that our comfort food would be Japanese food. From there, we decided that we must try all the Japanese restaurant here in Manila that offers our favorite meal, Tonkatsu.

Xiaomi Yi Cam (International Version)

Ever since I was introduced to an action or sports camera, I have dreamed of having one. Of course like any dreamer, I wanted one that was currently popular on the market which was a GoPro.

But after finding out that a GoPro is not affordable for the likes of me, I looked for a cheaper version that has fantastic reviews and has great quality.

While browsing one of Philippines' popular online shopping website, Lazada Philippines, I stumbled upon this action camera that is making its way to the top of the best performing, cheap action cameras; SJCAM. I was already planning on purchasing one when, yet again, I found another online shop I-Click Digishop which also has physical stores around the country.

They were promoting this bundle for a certain Xiaomi Yi Cam and because of how cheap it is, considering all its inclusions, I researched about the item itself.

Shameless Plugging

I don't know if you've noticed but I have included this Facebook page on my blog:

Well, OK, I just wanted to promote the page of our band The Stereo Getaway. We post song covers every now and then on our Facebook page and if you're into punk rock and pop rock music you might enjoy some of our covers. We also have an original song posted there so if you want, please check it out!

I might as well post a song cover here in the near future :)

Spontaneous Trip Across The Verde Island Passage

I skipped one from the list because it was a bit personal so instead of posting that, here's the next one that I was able to tick off of my 2016 bucket list :)

• (Boracay) Any beach!

So by April of 2016, one my very close college friend, Yuvi, who is currently staying in US decided to head back here in the Philippines. Because of that, we (Yuvi, Hazel, and I) planned out an overnight that will be one of our unforgettable getaways. Actually, this was all so very spontaneous because we just talked about this the night before we traveled (we're badass like that LOL).

After what seemed to be an endless discussion as to where we were planning to go, we finally agreed on heading south across the narrow strait that was The Verde Passage to Puerto Galera.

White Beach, Puerto Galera (photo grabbed from here)

Puerto Galera is divided into different beaches. The party’s always on at White Beach; its restaurants and bars do a good trade. But if you’re looking for something more laid-back, head to a private resort in Sabang or Muelle (the main port) beach.

A Day in Antipolo

From BGC early January, we decided to head to Antipolo by the later days of the same month.

Actually, I have been bugging Jem for months to visit this famous art museum in Antipolo (none other than, Pinto Art Museum) and he finally gave in when he found out that even though it's quite far, getting there is as easy as going to Makati.

Yep, that's the building you mostly see on every IG post HAHA

A Visit to The Mind Museum

So here's the first thing I was able to tick off of my 2016 bucket list :)

• Visit Mind Museum

Ever since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated with the world of Science. Add to that, my mom always bought encyclopedias to add to our collection of books (I think though that encyclopedias were a thing back in 2000's).

So when December 2015 came, my boyfriend, Jem, and I planned out our visit on The Mind Museum by January. Good thing I scouted Metro Deal first to get a cheaper entrance fee for a whole day tour for two (cost us around PHP 900, I think).

Bucket List for 2016

So since I decided to revive this blog of mine, I wanted to share my new and quite accomplished bucket list for this year (I know, I know, 2016 is almost over but who cares, it's my blog!).

Anyhoo, so this is it. My list for 2016.

Like before, I'll be updating with all that I have accomplished this year and I promise that I will not be neglectful like before.

Yes, that is a beat-looking Starbucks Planner :)) I was too clumsy to take such good care of it so it ended up looking like that. It got wet by my perfume BTW.

...as you can see, I already have some targets scratched out and I'm afraid, I won't be able to finish it completely by the end of the year :( but hey, there's always next year right?

RE: Bucket List (For the Year 2015)

All right, since my blog needs to keep up with the times, I'll be updating my bucket list from last year with the last thing that I was able to scratch out from it LOL

• Have a picnic at some park somewhere.

So last year on the night of November 21, conveniently both our monthsary and the day before my 21st birthday, the boyfriend and I headed out to Rizal Park with Cookie the wonder dog to have a simple picnic :)

Cookie the Wonder Dog!

An Update from My List: Tagaytay Adventure (Pt. 2)

What the hell :)) I can't help but laugh at myself for forgetting about this blog and this post! I remember last year that I was so excited about this idea of keeping a blog and updating it from time to time whenever something worthwhile happens to me. Oh well, I guess since I promised that our adventure (from last year LOL) will have a part 2, here goes.

So for the Part 2 of our little adventure in Tagaytay (I'm trying my best to remember it since gosh it's almost its anniversary haha), after tiring ourselves and pigging out at Olivarez, we headed back to our hotel.

Whoever's idea it was it sucked, but we didn't take any pictures that night so this post will be pretty boring since it's only words.

Justice through Social Media(?)

When has this been an accepted norm? Why is it being practiced in the first place?

Seriously, my feed is constantly bombarded by posts that aims to "seek justice" from their actual or supposed experience of injustice.

To be honest, whenever I see one of those, I silently laugh and simultaneously pity you. What you're trying to do is seek the sympathy of the masses. Asking them to be on your side because you're the first one to air out your frustrations. This is what I do especially in cases wherein there are supposedly two parties involved.

There are things that should and should not be posted in social media. There are information that are supposed to be filtered from our itchy hands. There are situations that should be kept in private. And there are injustices that can be resolved without the knowledge of all of the world.

There was a saying created by the news reports team of one channel: Think, before you click.
And I'm afraid this is not being taken seriously. What most netizen actually do is "Click, before you think." and what's worst is that sometimes thinking is not even part of the process.