Sorry for not posting an update for quite sometime... just busy here and there. Last post here in the blog was the vacation recap and from the day I came back home 'til today, nothing much has happened, although I had a difficult time coping up with my aching back. I am very much okay now, even with a slight pain every now and then.

Anyway, last Thursday (25 March), was a day to celebrate. In the morning, mom had her eye operation. Brother was with her, and since it was my sister's dayoff, too, we all decided to meet for lunch at the mall.


Thinking the operation will take just an hour and it was an out-patient procedure, sister and I went to the mall a little earlier so we can still roam around and check out things. As we walk along the Annex of the mall, we saw Crepes and Cream. Sister has been telling me that crepes has been her daily fix whenever she gets hungry, and because I still haven't eaten a crepe in my life, we figured we'd go and give it a try. I had the Crazy for Strawberries crepe, while she had the Mango one.

I loved my crepe! It was heavenly and very delicious! Well, I didn't like my sister's crepe... but that's because I am not a fan of the mango. :) Supposedly, this was our "desserts come first" thing, thinking that mom and brother would arrive any time. However, since it was mom's last operation, papers and documents have to be processed, and it took them quite a long time.

Sister and I then went to check shops, and by 3PM, mom and brother arrived. They already had their light lunch, and because sister and I were still full from the crepes, we just did grocery shopping first, and would just do early dinner aftewards.


Sister and I saw KKK restaurant earlier that day and liked how it looked. I told sister that I would want to have the family eat there when I celebrate my birthday in May, but when mom told that we could eat dinner anywhere we wanted, sister suggested this place.

We had Sisig ng Pampanga, Beef Kare-Kare, and Grilled Tuna Belly for dinner. All foods were delicious, and true enough their sisig has been one of the best I have tasted. Since we already ate here, I have to think of a different food place come my birthday. :)

And oh... despite my mom's negative vibes, her operation went really well. A few days before the operation, a neighbor told about an eye operation went wrong and she must've picked up the worry and carried it until her operation, and while eating dinner, she was telling something about something was different and it might be bad... but the next day, she felt really good and was relieved already. Now, her eyes are healing perfectly, and she will be back at work by the last week of April.

It's very rare now for the family to be complete, so for this day, we were all joyous. All praises to God for this great day!

*** Jenn ***

ps - I purposely didn't include any pictures of the foods we ate... I am planning to re-open my food blog, so you will just have to check it out there. :)

06 March 2010

Even before I went on this trip, I already planned to go to Vigan City. Last time I was there was back in July, and because I have already set to save my moolah for a laptop, this was the only chance I see to go to my favorite place. However, as I pack my bags the night before, I had hesitations. I guess it's about me not wanting to let the money in my hands "slip away," but at one point in time, I told myself I will not push through. I don't know what's in me, but before I head to dream land, I decided I will go to Vigan.

I have traveled to Vigan countless times already, but I still don't know what time the bus arrives in Bacnotan. I know it's about 6:30 AM, so I left at around 6:15AM. Imagine my dismay and disappointment when it was already 7:00AM and I was still at the bus stop! Now I realized why I had my hesitations the night before.

I told myself that by 8:30AM and I am still at the same place, I will just go back home and travel back to Manila come night time. I guess the heavens was playing tricks on me... the bus came 8:25AM on my cell phone's time. Har har. However.. it was a bit too late, that I scratched off Sta. Maria Church off my list of places to see. If the bus had arrived at 6:30AM, I would've made a side trip to this church because it's part of my 2008 places to revisit. Aside from that, I wasn't able to see the cemetery near the church the first time I went there, and I wanted to see it. Oh well... I guess for now I will just content myself with a picture of the church from the bus' window. :D

I arrived in Vigan City around 11AM. Like what I always do, I left my luggage at the bus' terminal. From there I planned on taking more pictures from the Simbaan a Bassit (literally meaning "small church" from the Ilocano dialect), a church by the cemetery. Last time I was there I forgot to take a picture of the facade (geez)! But, because the pottery factories were nearer the bus terminal, I hoped to take pictures of it, too. I was hoping to check the RG Pottery, but the owner was by the terrace of the house, and I was a bit hesitant to come in since I am not really buying anything - I will just take pictures. Fronting the RG Pottery was another pottery factory, owned by Fidel Go. I saw a coaster van by the driveway, and sensing a group of people might be there, I came in.

There was a family inside the factory, and although I wasn't able to see Mr. Go, I was able to take pictures of how they create the pots. I asked one of the workers if I can roam around to take pictures, and he gladly allowed me to - even let me check out the oven where they cook the pots! :)

After this, I head straight to the Simbaan a Bassit, then ate my lunch in Jollibee.

Not having any umbrella nor a bottled water on hand, I walked to the Cathedral, said prayers, took pictures... then walked to the Arsobispado, then to the Salcedo Park, then to the Provincial Capitol. From there I took the tricycle to Baluarte.

It's not actually part of the "places to revisit" list, but having pictures of the butterflies is one of my missions for this month because I wanted to take part of something. Chasing the butterflies was tough, but happy I was to have that one picture that satisfied me. I was in Baluarte for nearly two hours - a good way to be out of the sun.


From Baluarte, I took the tricycle to the Crisologo Museum. Pictures, pictures.. then as I leave, the caretaker told me the Calle Crisologo was two blocks away. Really?!? Had I known, K and I should've just walked back in 2008 instead of taking the tricycle (we stayed at the Cordillera Inn along Calle Crisologo back then). Sigh... I walked along the street then head straight to Padre Burgos Park because I wanted to eat empanada and okoy for snacks. I had one big empanada and one okoy... I still love the ones served at Irene's, but the food I ate made me so full I might not eat dinner anymore.


Come dusk, I went back to Calle Crisologo. This is my favorite part of the city, and I seriously can just walk around or sit in one of the benches and watch as the horse drawn carriages and people pass by.


I was told at the bus terminal that the last bus to Manila will leave at 8:30PM, but as early as 7PM, I already left Calle Crisologo, walked towards the Cathedral, took a last shot, and hailed a tricycle to the terminal where I waited for the trip home. I am glad I didn't call off this trip. It's great to be in Vigan again. Capping off this recap, I'll sum it with a text message I received from a friend, "If you have a chance to take the moment that you know will be memorable, grab it! Always think that the word NEXT TIME is always too far."

I reached home 6AM of the next day.

*** Jenn ***

05 March 2010

In 2008, the whole family (plus some relatives) were all together to commemorate daddy's death anniversary. In 2009, it was just me and Aunt Julie. This year, I was alone. I didn't want to get all too emotional about it, because I do know there were reasons why I was alone. Mom cannot travel because she will be having an eye operation (her right eye was operated "yesterday"), brother will be with her, and sister has work to attend to. Still, it feels sad that the family's incomplete, to think this day was just the third year of dad's death. I guess this is just one of the many difficulties of burying a loved one far from our own house, but I know dad's happy that I lit a candle for him. Aunt Julie and Uncle Caesar already visited the other day, so all's well.

Anyway, I wasn't able to buy any flowers for him, so before I reached his grave, I took some bougainvillea flowers from one of the plants in the cemetery. Although not as pretty as the flowers I have brought from the past, it's still the thought that counted. :) To make up for it, I did bring dad's favorite chocolate for I know he's missing it already.

I stayed at the cemetery until all the candles melted. I talked to my dad the way I talked to a friend I haven't seen for the longest time, and happy that I didn't break into tears this time. I am now getting stronger. Still, I miss him.

It was about lunch time when I left the cemetery. It was hot and sunny, but this being my last day in La Union, I walked from the highway 'til I reached our house. The church was just nearby, and seeing the gate open, I passed by and took some pictures. I already forgot the angle my sister made when she took a picture of this church last November, but for now I just took a picture from the other side. This is one of the most beautiful church facades I have seen from La Union, and I just don't get tired taking pictures of it.

Come night time, it was another DVD night for me, and I watched "Empire of the Sun." A very nice movie, but quite haunting...

*** Jenn ***

04 March 2010

My day started with much anticipation. On this day, mom underwent her eye surgery to correct her cataract. Her operation was scheduled at 8:30AM, and by 10AM, brother sent me a text message telling me that I could start breathing already because the operation went well. It was an out-patient procedure, and before lunch time, they were already home. They operated on mom's right eye for the mean time, and after a few days, they would operate on the other eye.

Both in 2008 and 2009, the 4th of March meant me strolling around Baguio City. It has been a little tradition I did since dad died, and supposedly, I should be going to Baguio City today, but my cousin Mhai cannot come with me. I certainly didn't want to travel alone (I was with her last year), so I decided not to go anymore.

When Aunt Julie arrived late in the afternoon, I told her I will be going to Paratong Beach to check the sunset. Whenever I go to La Union, I always try to check the sunset here. El Nino meant no clouds on sight, and I thought I could get to see a good view of the sun.

When I got there, I was quite surprised with the scenery. The fishing village weren't there anymore, and the beach seemed to have come nearer. Because the houses of the fishermen weren't there anymore (they are in the process of relocating themselves, still near the area), I just sat down the shore and wait as the sun bid goodbye.

Watching the sunset also meant taking pictures. A group of children (kids of the fishermen living in the area) have started talking about having their pictures taken, and when a kid (the one in pink tank top and red shorts) saw me talking to one fisherman, she came to me and asked me what am I taking pictures of. The fisherman knew my family. I knew our family wasn't that popular, but when I told him my surname, he asked if I knew this certain person. I told him he's my uncle, my dad's cousin. Anyway, this girl in pink tank top tried to block my camera's view by posing directly in front, and since I have already taken a good shot of the sunset, I decided to just take her picture. After all, it's not everyday that these kids get to have their pictures taken.

Soon after, the kids went my way to have their pictures taken. The fisherman asked the kids to back off and to stop pestering me, but I told them to just let them be. I am not really into kids, but I did love the moment. They were practically fighting over who should have a picture first, and honestly it was quite difficult directing the kids, but when I asked them for a jump shot, they were able to get my instructions well.

As the sun bid goodbye, so I did to the kids. One of them (the boy in blue, leftmost) who went back to the beach told me to take care on my way home. I shouted "thank you," and he shouted, "God bless" back. I raised my hand and bid bye bye.

*** Jenn ***

03 March 2010

Supposedly, this day should be a church hop with sister, but since she decided not to come to La Union anymore, I just carried on the day by myself. Like I said in my previous post, I am now trying to revisit the 2008 places I have been to, and this day, I set out to do just that.

First on the list was the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church in the town of Balaoan. There was a funeral mass when I get there, and the soonest time they left, the church staff turned off the lights, but happy was I that they didn't ask me leave. :) I took pictures, said my prayers, and checked out all the four corners of the church. I so wanted to go the choir loft, but a sign said it was off limits - probably because the wooden stairs may not be as stable anymore.

After taking the pictures, I went to the church office. I asked a little something about the church, because recalling a blog entry I wrote about the church, I have said that I wasn't able to get much information about it. The friendly staff said he didn't know much about the history either, but he said he was able to photocopy pages from a book about the church. He took it out and let me copy details about it (of course, the information I got will be written on a separate blog post in my travel blog, Where My Feet Took Me).

After returning the papers, I left the church grounds and went by the tree house. I planned to roam around the town and take pictures of all sorts, but as I try to review the shots I made from the church, I noticed that the people were looking at me. I always had hesitations taking pictures of people, so I just shrug my shoulders and left.

I took the bus going to the Grotto in Brgy. Bungol (also in Balaoan), also called "Nips Land" because of the multi colored stoned walls. It was getting sunny and hot, and taking the stairs to the grotto was a tiresome thing to do, so I just took a short rest.

Ever since I have heard about "Midway Grill" in the city of San Fernando, I have already wanted to eat there. I got there just in time for lunch, but I was surprised that although the sign on the door said "Open," the crew said to me that they are still closed. Well, I really made an effort to come and eat there, so I just went to the nearby cyber cafe to update my blogs.

After two hours, the food place was already open, so I sat down and thought what to ate. They had a very extensive menu, but since the world "grill" was part of their name, I decided to go for their grilled porkchops. It was indeed delicious, and I could say that this food place is truly a hidden gem. I look forward in eating there again.

From there, I took the bus going to the next town - Bauang, and visited Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Lucky was I that the church was open because it was having some renovations. It took me just about 30 minutes to say my prayers and take pictures. Checking my little travel notebook (the one made from paper, not the gadget), I planned to check the sunset from the shores of this town as they say this is the beach capital of La Union, but I just don't know where to go. Sure, there are resorts here, but I am hoping to check the public beaches, if there are any. I guess I will just have to do a research about this, after all, I am always in the province.

While on the bus heading home, I was texting my brother and he said that if I was just there earlier, I could also check out the church in Naguilian (next town from Bauang, going to Baguio City in Benguet). I told him I never thought about it, but now that he has told me, I guess I can set up to do a church hopping in La Union next time. I plan to go Naguilian and Burgos, then another route into the towns of Rosario, Aringay, Agoo, and Caba. I am aiming to do this in May, if time will allow me.

I got home around 5:30PM. Seeing the orange skies and the big sun bidding goodbye from the town plaza as I walked home, I already knew what am I going to do for tomorrow.

*** Jenn ***

02 March 2010

Because of what happened the night before, I decided to just stay at home. Actually, Day 4 was my rest day and a day for me to go to the cyber cafe and update my blogs, but I was just feeling so lazy that I just wrote on my notebook about how my days were.

Aunt Julie left at 2PM and told me to just stay home and wait for Uncle Caesar because he was already in Candon City (Ilocos Sur). He and his grandson arrived past 3PM, and I was just in awe of the garlic and onion they brought! I also loved the royal bibinka from Marsha's Deli, super yummy! But the one food that made my eyes lit were the pork longganisa. I can't wait for tomorrow's breakfast to come! :)

It was quite hot and humid, and since I didn't go out, I just content myself in taking pictures of the flowers in Aunt Julie's garden. There weren't much flowers, but this particular kind of euphorbia flower caught my attention. It didn't have big petals like the ones I used to see, and I love the center part of the flowers - they're like candles.

Anyway, I also took time in reading and finishing the book "The Secret" by Amanda Byrne. I have learned so much from this book and I have already tested the powers of the secret, and although none of those were big, I can say for sure that the power to positive thinking really works.

I went to sleep quite early today as I will go out the next day. I was thankful for this day, but at the same time sad that my sister will no longer travel to La Union anymore. I will just carry on the plans for myself.

*** Jenn ***

01 March 2010

Another lax day for me on my third day of vacationing in La Union. It's back to me watching VCDs again (this time it's "Ocean's 13"), but come late in the afternoon, I went to San Fernando City again because Aunt Julie told me there's going to be an electric float parade come night time. I ate my late lunch/snacks/early dinner, and after which I went to stay by the plaza.

The parade - which was a way to present each of the candidates for the Mutya ng La Union - was supposed to start at 7PM, and as early as 6PM, the roads were starting to get filled with people. I am so hoping that the parade will start on time, but it was already past 7PM and there were still no signs of parade starting up. I originally stayed near the stage, but ushers asked us to stay in front of the stage. It was difficult to find a place to stay at since people fronting the stage were angry at us for blocking their view. I started to feel bad because I have been early at these celebrations yet I am always finding myself at the wrong place!

One thing that brought me some smiles was this woman next to me who found me really cute because I am fat. Hahaha. She kept pinching my arms and while waiting for the parade, we were able to talk about things. She told me I should find myself a husband because I am cute, but we both know the reality is that it was easier said than done. She and her daughter weren't able to wait for the parade, and at 9PM, they left the place.

Yes, it was that late. Aunt Julie was supposed to come and watch the parade, too, but glad she didn't push through because she will surely feel bad about it. Actually, I felt so bad already - my legs and feet were giving me a hard time - I am on my feet as early as 6PM! I jokingly said to her in my text message that this whole thing might start at 10PM, and indeed it really started at 10PM! Oh geez! I know it's always my choice to leave if I can't wait anymore, but then again I do hope the organizers of the event will not make people wait that long. If they plan to start the parade at 10PM, then they shouldn't put 7PM on the banners!

And since I was on the wrong place, I wasn't able to take good pictures again. I do know my camera cannot really handle low-lit situations, and because the floats didn't stop in a place where I could take pictures, most of the pictures I took headed straight to the recycle bin. But, thankful I was to have endured it. I am not sure if I will still watch the parade next year, but for now, I will say, "never again."

I got home 11PM. Good thing Aunt Julie was still awake when I got home. I ate a piece of bread, cleansed myself and rested.

*** Jenn ***