Friday 2140

Heyyyy!!

Earlier on, I was typing a some what emo post.
Not about me but more on world issue.
But, I guess the world was against me posting it, the draft went unsaved due to bad Internet connection.
When I tried to re-type it, I some how lost the interest to be emotionally attached to such issue.

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So, this is the second day of 2009 already.
Some of you have gone back to work.
Some are like me…work only resume on the 5th.
Honestly, I miss going back to work.
Although, I know I’m sure will miss waking up late in the morning. Ha!

This year will mark my 5th year of teaching.
The number seems too small for me to brag about my teaching experience but boy am I glad for the many things I learned throughout the 4 years I’ve been living up to the title ‘Cikgu’.
I am still gonna be teaching in my current school.
Many have asked me…

“Have you been transferred to KK already?”

Or…

“Have you applied for transfer?”

Or…

“Don’t you want to get transferred?”

If these questions were asked to me 3 years back, I would quickly have cold sweat running down my forehead.
The first three years of my teaching career, transfer seemed to be my top priority.
So when people (especially close family and friends) inquire about my transfer status, I felt so down that I have to say, “No, I am still in Keningau. My transfer has been declined.”
It pierced through my heart having to say that.
Mostly because, I have put high hopes whenever I submitted my transfer application and yet has been turned down. Twice.

But now, I am able to calmly tell people that I did not apply for transfer simply because I want to stay focus to what I am supposed to do.
Teach.
Educate.
And I am glad that I stick to my decision early in the year 2008.
To give my full dedication for the kids in my school.
Their result may not be the best of all but what they have achieved in the recent UPSR was something that will get me smiling for a long time.

I still have to apply for transfer sooner or later.
But I just hope that, this time, the transfer issue will not affect my desire to dedicate the best that I can to my students - my kids.

So yeah, bring it on 2009!!!

Wednesday 1730

…cos more to come in the coming New Year!

Like almost everyone on the blogsphere, this will be my final entry for the year 2008.
So much to remember throughout the year.

I started the year with lots of positive vibe in me, hoping for the best things to happen in 2008.
Much of what I have expected did happen although with minor hiccups i.e. my miscarriage in February.

And in just hours to go before 2009 sets in, new resolutions will be listed out.
Not that it will have big difference from the previous list (cos most of them will be a long term list).
But of course, I do hope that with the coming new year, more good things will be coming my way.
A new addition in our life perhaps? *wink*

I praise Him for all the things that He has showered me throughout the year, thank Him for the lesson learned all year round and everything that has been fairly good for me and my loved ones for all these years.

And to all you my blogger friends….

…a blessed New Year 2009 to you all!!!

PS: Enjoy but easy on the booze!

Tuesday 1200

Good day people!

Some of you must be still on holiday (or at least on a holiday mood).
Two more days before the year 2009 sets in.
Wow! New Year already?
So fast?
I haven’t even checked whether my 2008 resolutions have been fulfilled or not.

Christmas was awesome.
Obviously, the eating part was the best.
Never a moment did I think of my health when consuming all those yummy food.
Well, maybe I did…but hey, it’s Christmas!
I’ve been eating seafood (and lots of ‘em) since the day I celebrated my 30th birthday until yesterday.

*mental note* Must do full Medical Checkup next year - Ok, make that as Resolution Number Uno.

Speaking of resolutions and health… I really need to revise on my exercise habit.
This year, I have not been exercising regularly.
I’ve been running earlier in the year…but once or twice a week, depending on the weather (and my mood).
I don’t do any other work outs except climbing the stairs at my double storey school building every morning.

I must start my work out regime again.
I think it’s about time…and the Yoga Mat that I won in the Disimon Clan Christmas Gathering’s Lucky Name is a sure sign for me to get sweat again.
Yoga? Me?
I can’t make the connection on that though.
I’ve never do Yoga before.

Running or jogging is the best option so far.
At least, my running shoes will be put to good use.
It has been with me since 2004 and the only time I made full use of it was when I played Handball for my college and brought victory home (Show off!).

Or maybe…..
Just maybe.
I should get that Nintendo Wii.
They have Wii Fit Balance Board and I can make use of the Yoga Mat I won!!!
Even hubby can use it too (You know…to loose that growing beer belly).

But, that’s another two more days to think.
For now, let’s enjoy the food to New Year!!!

Saturday 0853

Hey ho!!

Merry Christmas!!!

How’s your Christmas celebration so far?
Mine is wonderful and fun!
I’m really glad that I didn’t fall sick when I started to feel a disturbing headache on the morning of the 24th.
I don’t want to end up like last year…sick and bed-ridden.

The fun is still going on.
There’s 12 days of Christmas, remember?
So, I will probably not blog much until everything’s calm down a lil’ bit.
More to look forward until New Year - Disimon Clan Christmas gathering, Full Moon party, friend’s wedding and the New Year itself.

Today, we are gonna head to the town.
Someone’s getting inked.

That’s us after the Christmas Day Mass and that’s our Christmas tree this year. (Silver doesn’t really goes well with Red though)

Monday 0910

Morning and Happy Monday to all!
Not a bad Monday lah kan since Christmas is in three days time.

Oukay…back to my Day Two in Manila.

The second day, we started as early as 6 a.m. cos we were gonna head to Tagaytay, about 2 hours drive from Manila City.
We were accompanied by Badong, Duni and their two other friends, Jeanette and Rick (or fondly called R.A.).
The main purpose to Tagaytay was to witness Taal Volcano (situated in between the town of Talisay and San Nicolas) and to go deep into its active crater.

But before heading there, we went to Caleruega, a serene place that is frequent by mostly Catholic devout for retreat and seminar purposes, or sometimes, just to witness God’s wonders in peace and quiet surroundings.
The place is beautiful.
The chapel there is often use as place for couples to hold their wedding matrimony.
I could not deny that cos the interior of the church is just perfect for a wedding.
When I was inside the church, I couldn’t resist to sit down and took a moment silence, listening to my own heart beating and also the whistling wind outside, trying to slip inside via the stained window glasses.
Such a peaceful moment.

Click small images for larger view please…

The Transfiguration Chapel

Stained glass windows as background of the altar

After Caleruega, we had lunch at one of the food stalls there.
When it comes to food, we handed it to our Filipino friends to decide what local food is best for us to try.
And they didn’t disappoint us.
We really had the chance to try out local delicacies - Sisig, Lechon, Crispy Pata, Sinigang and some others which I have forgotten the names.

The journey to Taal Volcano is about 40 minutes via boat ride and another 45 minutes hiking or on a horse ride (for those who are not used to hiking).
The boat ride journey was amazingly thrilling.
Thrilling because I didn’t expect the boat will be THIS boat…and the ride would be rough.

According to my friend, Duni, the wind was blowing quite unusual that day and he said, that was the first time he got really wet after half a dozen boat rides to the Taal Crater before.
Well, the volcano must be really excited to see us and sent the wind to welcome us - by blowing unusually strong. LOL!
I was scared at first, but gushed away the thought and embraced every moment of it - shouting my lung out.

I hired a pony to ascend the volcano.
Not that I wasn’t up for hiking….
I just have never ride on a horse before!
Seriously!
It wasn’t really pleasant to hike up a hill on a horse lah.
Sakit bum-bum.

All the way up (and down), the wind was blowing hard.
We had to struggle to walk against dusty wind.
The view along the way was magnificent by the way.

When we finally arrived at the crater, I remember clearly….the first word that came out from most of us (including some other tourists) was…. “WOW!”
And we were saying it like a few times.
It may not be the utmost beautiful thing you ever seen.
But, knowing that it is not always (perhaps just once in a life time) you’d be able to see this God’s wonderful creation, makes it something a very valuable experience.
“Heyyyyy…we are here! At the crater of an active volcano!!”

I decided to walk on foot when descending the volcano.
Glad I opted to walk.
On the way, we found a hole that actually has steam coming out from it.
And that steam is made of the lava that flowing underneath the ground we were on!
Yes….we were walking on a flowing volcano’s lava.
How cool is that?
Ha!

Upon reaching the Amparo jetty..wet again!

We head back to Manila City around 6 p.m. and had dinner at San Miguel By The Bay (opposite SM Mega Mall).
This place is just months old.
It is something like the KK Esplanade but is way longer and better, facility wise.

We wanted to see the beautiful Christmas lighting display at Mandaluyong.
Unfortunately, due to high increase in electricity charges, the lighting display was limited until 10pm every night.
We were there past 10pm…so, too bad for us.
But yeah…Christmas decorations in Manila is AMAZING!
It could be more than amazing if it isn’t for the high electricity charges.

We called it off for the day when we arrived at our stay at 11p.m.
What a real tiring day but spelled lots of fun nonetheless.

Stay tune for 3 more days of our vacation.
More pictures in my Facebook ok!