Letter to the girl who'll love him next

To the girl who'll love him next,

Tonight, I stumbled across old photos. I asked myself, "What if one day I see a picture of you and him?"

I know you will come into his life anytime soon. Perhaps, after a year, or a few months... But is it okay if I ask you to please don't come too soon? Because honestly... I am not ready yet. I am not ready to see him being with you. I am not ready to see him smile because of you. I guess, in a way, never will I be, despite all things have happened.

But he deserves all the happiness in the world. So, one of these days, I know you will finally meet each other. Sure, you will fall in love with him for he is the most amazing person. Before his world completely revolves around you, please allow me to say these things to you...

He is a busy person who works at night. Both of you might work opposite shifts. Don't get mad if he does not text you on breaks or once he arrives home. He feels tired and sleepy that he goes to bed right away. Don't forget to remind him to take his vitamins for he always forgets.

He is very hardworking and goal-oriented. However, there are times that he needs to slow down. Invite him to unwind on weekends. Perhaps, drive to some surf spots. He's been wanting to try surfing.

Generosity is the best thing you will see in him. He will do anything for anyone. He doesn't say no. Please do not take advantage of that.

Are you a ticklish person? He will fondle your tummy until he falls asleep. I do not know why but it's the sleeping habit he formed. Control your giggles, so you won't wake him up.
He will sometimes get jealous. Kiss him to let him know he is loved.

Could you please cook seafood pasta for him? It's something he had been requesting me to cook but never granted. Just put some chili powder 'coz he loves spicy.

He makes an effort. Too much effort that he'll pursue you avidly, even you two already got the official title. If he has to drive for 4 hours just to be with you, he will. Don't be surprised if you'll see him handing you your midnight cravings.

When you feel insecure, he will reassure you that you're beautiful. When painful circumstances come about, he will give you a safe haven. He will not make you feel less, but he will make you feel loved.

In this rapacious world, he was able to prove love can be unconditional. And you're lucky because you'll be receiving his unconditional love.

I’m sorry for all of the baggage I have left him with. You may not be his first, but I pray that you'll be his last. Yes, it's a painful wish, but I don't want to see him in tears again because that will hurt me more. I beg you never to hurt him.

I swear that once you have him, you’ll never have to ask God for anything ever again. Please take care of him.


Sincerely,
The girl from his past

Second Asian Tour - Singapore

My job is to hop from city to another city. I may literally not have holidays, but every layover feels like one. Not just a holiday where I spend it in bed or go to malls. Nuh! My holiday means in front of the Eiffel Tower, a dinner at a restaurant in Time Square, and a deep sleep in queen-sized bed at Sofitel Heathrow in London. It sounds grandiose, right? But do you know what's in my mind each time I experience this grandeur? I think about my family. I keep whispering to myself, "I hope one day I can bring my family here."

Since I am just starting to establish a career, I could not give them a vacation as spendiferous as I get from my airline. I thought of bringing them to somewhere vibrant and to where they could wind down from their daily routine in the Philippines. I chose the New York of Asia, the Singapore. This is the city I've been wanting to go to with my family after we had a leisure time at HongKong in 2013. I wanted to see Universal Studios next to Disney Land. Yay! Hop back to our trip to Hong Kong through this link: First Asian Tour .

Also, this is considered as birthday treat for my little sister and Papa. I made sure that we would be there on my sister and Papa's birthdays (September 10 and 11). Thus, we stayed there from September 9 until September 12. It made me a bit sad for we went there without my ate, her husband, and my 2 nephews. They were in Riyadh at the time.

This whole trip is adult-friendly. Yes, I was travelling with my sister and 3 adults (mama, papa, and my Uncle June). My uncle has a heart problem, so long walk is not allowed. If everyone walks to get to Singapore's MRT, we take a cab passing by the location. I limited our itinerary to what is doable by their strength. Our time was not maximized. The gloomy/rainy weather in Singapore even turned them into bed burrito. Haha! They would wake up at 9 am or 10. Oh my! Haha!

First day was just spent by sleeping in the hotel and dining at a fine-dining Chinese restaurant.

Second day, my sister's birthday, was the most exciting and amusing day. You sure know where it is - Universal Studios Singapore. I was full of life and pep. I sang, I danced, I shouted, I jumped for joy. I sooo love themed parks! Of course, the first thing we did was the mandatory photo op in front of the iconic emblem of Universal Studios. Upon entering, the Hollywood zone welcomed us. I took a picture with my BFF, Marilyn Monroe. Lol! We continued to Madagascar street. We had lunch at a fast-food chain sited at the Far Far Away zone. We made our wat to Lost World, the. Ancient Egypt. My sister and I took a few extreme rides. I believe the 3 adults enjoyed the Jurassic Park Rapid Adventure to the fullest. We lost our energy when we reached the Sci-Fi zone, that we all just wanted to eat and return to hotel. We later found out that Transformers. The Ride situated there is the most thrilling one and we did not experience it. Haha!

Third day, Papa's birthday, was spent with some relatives, Kuya Justin, Kuya Adam and his family. It was a long, tiring day. I wonder how my parents and uncle survived it. We went to our relative's house. Uber took us to Merlion and Marina Bay. After a chitchat over a cup of coffee at Starbucks, we moved forward to Gardens by the Bay. We wrapped up the night with a satisfying dinner at the Orchard.

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The next morning, we woke up at around 11 am. Everyone was dead tired. We just had a breakfast then headed to the airport.

Our itinerary was limited, but we maximized our experience. Where shall I take the adults next? Hihi!

Black Friday in Canada

My sister kept bugging me about the Black Friday. She wanted me to shop during my layover at Toronto, Canada on the 25th of November. I did not want to for I promised myself that I will start saving money after my vacation leave last September. But known to be a cash burner, I ate my words.

My original plan was to see Niagara Falls ONLY. Yes, luckily, it took place. Our arrival to Hilton Hotel was around 1:30 in the afternoon. My colleagues and I immediately dressed and groomed, then off we went to Ontario via Uber. We were hoping to see the falls before sunset. But the sun sets early in winter, so it did not work out. Nonetheless, I did not feel any disappointment upon laying my eyes on the multi-colored waterfalls. I was freezing that I could not feel my hands anymore. But like Elsa of Frozen feels, the cold never bothered me anyway. Haha! The falls is like a light masterpiece. It was so surreal! It's big, bold, and beautiful!

After savouring the moment, we took a meander round Ontario. Niagara Falls is just next to commercial area lined with several restaurants, hotels and casinos. It actually gave me a Las Vegas feels, minus the crowd.

A few more walks, we found a cab that dropped us to the Outlet Center along the express way.

Black Friday is not as big in Canada as it is in the US. There's not much of a traffic jam, no long queue of shoppers... Or perhaps, the BF madness was over as we did the shopping at night? Hmmm?! Anyhow, we reveled in this shopping holiday, especially I, who had no plan to spend moolah but splashed out. Oh dear!

My conclusion: It is better to see the Niagara Falls and better to go gaga over Black Friday on the Canadian side. Don't get me wrong. I love US, too.

Platform 9 ¾

I always lack the courage to go for a leisurely walk in foreign cities. For someone who has no sense of direction, like me, I am afraid to get lost in a place crowded by different nationalities.  Additionally, my parents always remind me not to go out of the hotel alone. I should always roam around with a colleague, they say. But since I've been trying to be adventurous, to conquer my fears, and to try something new the past months, forgive me for going out all by myself. Haha!

I got the guts to do this in a place where I am somehow familiar with, it's London. I always fly here every month that made me feel I am a Londoner already. Haha!

We got one whole day to spend and we would leave the next day in the afternoon. So, some of my colleagues went to the Big Ben which I saw thrice last year. Some went for shopping at Oxford. My original plan was to go to Platform 9 ¾ then proceed to Abbey Road zebra, where The Beatles did their famous walk, you know. But I realized, no one would take a good photo of me walking across the pedestrian crossing. Boy, it's not easy because you have to let some of the traffic go by. Yes, it is just a normal busy road where a lot of vehicles pass by. Thus, I opted for Platform 9 ¾ only.

At first, I had a hard time figuring out the way because the information I got from the man at the hotel concierge contradicts the information on the map itself. I disembarked at the wrong station. A local even told me that the platform is at a different place when I was already at the right one. Oh dear! Anyhow, I arrived at the platform after 2 hours of travelling and asking for a direction.

Platform Nine and Three Quarters is located at King's Cross Station. In the Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and his friends get onto the platform by walking through a brick wall between platforms 9 and 10. I am not a fan of Harry Potter, but I just felt like getting a cute photo with it. Haha! So, I joined the queue of people wanting to do the same. There is a luggage trolley embedded in the wall, and you can pretend you are off to Hogwarts express. There you find a professional photographer and an assistant. You can take a photo using your own phone or camera for free. You can also purchase the professional pictures inside the Harry Potter shop next to it.

It was a fun solo trip. I want to do it again, but of course, with extra alertness.

How can I let you go?

How many times do I have to reminisce about our memories before it dawns on me that it will never take place again? Memories of you and me that can never be replaced by anyone or anything.

How many times do I have to reread your handwritten letters before I can keep them in a box and finally keep them out of sight? Letters made out of your words that were carefully thought out.

How many times do I have to weep over those pictures before I let them get brittle and decay? Those pictures that did not just capture the moment, but our souls.

How many times do I have to search you before I can finally block you; be it online or in my real life? Searching to get a peek into your actual life; new photos, what have you done this weekend, future plans, or if you still miss me.

How many times do I have to utter the word goodbye before I can really let you go? Goodbye, a two-syllable word that would mean living this life without you.

Tell me... How can I let you go?

I Want to Write You A Letter

I want to write you a letter... A 5-page letter or even 10 pages; that contains all my resentment towards you; that tells you about living a part of my life in gall; and that informs you how often I ruminate of those months and years that have elapsed.

I want to write you a letter... To transcribe what my heart shouts every time you become extant then extinct; every time you permit other girls to flirt with you; every day that I drive to our common place and don't get to find you. I wanted to shout... Shout at the top of my lungs the day I saw you with other girl on Tuesday the 13th.

I want to write you a letter... To let you know how tired I am of hearing about your squad asking you to run away from me but you always choose not to. It doesn't give me the feeling of being one in a million. Not at all. You know how I feel? I feel worthless. Your confidante says that forever will I be a no good for you but you just do mum's the word. They don't know how I wept, begged, and chased. Yes, I have gone astray, but please don't make me feel that I am no longer capable of being loved. If they do not like me, just don't mention my name, as they have nothing good to say.  It kills me. They kill me.

I want to write you a letter... To admonish you for being extremely mindful of your ego. Also, I can call you my Mr. Right, with "always" in the middle. It hits you, yeah? Sure you are at odds with what I say, as I said, you just mind your own ego. I repeat, accept this fact.

I want to write you a letter... To list all the questions ramping and raging in mind. Questions that are increasing as we get farther and farther away from each other.

I want to write you a letter... To bid farewell. Farewell that has been bidden numerously. I have been going through the mill for years. 1st was hard. This 2nd has been afflictive. No more 3rd, please?

I want to write you a letter... Hoping everything will be solved as I am left unresolved.

A Greek Experience at Thunderbird Resorts and Casino

Many Santorini-inspired beach resorts can be seen in our beautiful country, like in Ilocos and Batangas. But we chose to see the nearest one which is located in La Union, the Thunderbird Resorts and Casino.

It is not a membership club. Anyone can be a guest in here. I am just not sure if they accept walk-in. But I suggest that you book online ahead of time. You can book either through their website itself or through third parties like Agoda, Booking, and Hotel. It frees you from all the hassle.

After 2 months of not holding a stick shift, I definitely missed driving, so a 4 to 5-hour drive is no biggie at all. It is even easier to travel northbound now via TPLEX. I shall give thanks to Google Map for saving someone who has no sense of direction like me. Haha! We had this weekend getaway on September 3-4.

My family and I had a pullover along McArthur Highway for some rest and coffee. We saw a vendor of corncob and of roasted suman. Wow! They are very, very tasty.

It was such a beautiful weather not until we arrived at the resort. We were checking in when rain suddenly dropped. I was very disappointed, but of course, it did not stop me from adorning myself with bright yellow long dress and a floral crown. Haha!

I was not able to see the beach and pool on our first day whereas my family did. Some parts of the resort are still under construction. However, the main building itself gives you a glimpse of Santorini. It's just wow! Everything is blue and white. The lighthouse is located behind the casino. We visited but unluckily did not get in to climb up as it is only open on weekdays. There is a band playing at the open lounge in the evening. We just had chitchats over a cup of coffee and a glass of mango juice.

Sky was grey and raindrops were falling the next morning that made me sad. We had our breakfast at the buffet. The food was delish. I apologize for not uploading photo of it as I really am not into food photography.

If you cannot let the rain go away, then just go with it. We put on our swimmies and rushed to the pool. Thunderbird has 2 pools; the regular one and the infinity pool near the beach. The water is warm and with less chlorine which gave me a chance to capture an underwater video. Yay! But my father did not dip due to fever. So, he was just sitting there, watching us, and taking photos of us. Haha! We stayed there for an hour, I guess.

It was just a short stay yet we felt relaxed. The warm and comfy ambiance is just amazing in spite of bad weather.

We toured the Ma Cho Temple that is also within the vicinity afterwards.