I think I got to talk several stories from my school years, but thankfully this one I haven't shared yet.




My last year in high school will be something really memorable for me. I guess knowing this would be the last year that we all could be together, we really made sure we maximized the school year.

The most memorable moment in High School for me would be the retreat. At first, we saw it as a way of camping out, or spending the night together, but it was really a moment that touched us, and it made us closer to each other. The time we had this, I was having problems with my own barkada. I felt I was an outcast, and that at one point, I felt my friends were seeing me as an "ampon," for I wasn't really part of the barkada then. I became closer to another group of classmates, and even during the retreat, I was distancing myself with my "former" barkada.

During the retreat, there were group dynamics that really made us get to know more of each other. The talks and the discussions as well as our own reflection of certain matters made me understood my classmates - why some of them were like this or that.

The highlight of the Retreat was the second night. After a little group dynamic, our retreat master asked us to lie on the floor, close our eyes, and picture the things he was saying. It started with happy things, until the words became heavier and heavier. Even if I felt it was just me and the retreat master (kinda like being with a psychologist) as my eyes were closed, I somehow could hear my classmates throw words in the air - words that liberated them with the pain they were keeping inside.

After opening our eyes and us taking our seat, I thought we were just given ample time to recover from all the crying, but I was surprised when our class adviser and guidance counselor took out a basin with water, soap, and towel. I didn't know what main purpose was (shocks, I forgot already), but cutting the story short, our adviser and guidance counselor washed our feet and kissed it. Them lowering themselves to that level made me cry bucket loads - more than just a ceremony, it created a big impact on me.

Before we left the Retreat House, we received letters from home. I somehow predicted that, but reading my mom's letter made me so emotional because we weren't really close. I guess the image I took of her letter would be enough to show how touched I was. Yep, I kept the letter, and the little notes from the retreat (reading this letter now made me cry again). :)

*** Jenn ***

ps - Come graduation time, I made up with my barkada and they are still very close friends of mine up to this day.

04 June 2011

At first I didn't put much attention to it when Jonel (of Let's Go Sago!) posted a teaser photo on Facebook with a caption: "Someone's taking a climb by the end of the month." I thought then he was just sharing an upcoming trip, but when someone on a different group hoped to meet bloggers by the end of May, someone commented about the Mt. Pinatubo trip -referring to the teaser photo. I then found out that this was a trip for bloggers, and right then I already set my eyes on it as I felt this was a once in a lifetime event.

The trip was first scheduled 28 May, but because of a typhoon, it was cancelled and was moved to the next Saturday - 04 June. Call time was around 2:30am, so my sister and I left the house 11pm the night before and just stayed at a convenience store until 2am. By 3:30am, we were already on the road, but not much chit-chats amongst bloggers... we really needed to catch up with sleep to give us energy for the day.


We reached Capas (Tarlac) 6-ish in the morning, and several form processing after, we too the 4x4 ride. Each jeep had 5 tourists and I was with my sister, Ed (whom I first met at the 2008 Word Camp - we were seatmates, but I don't think he still remembers it), Alex (whom I first met at an event at Enchanted Kingdom), and Yodz (whom I met for the first time that day). The one hour jeep ride was really awesome, and I was thankful for the rain the night before - it made the ride less dusty, although there were moments when we really had to cover our cameras because of mud splash. The driver stopped us at a designated place and told us we needed to trek by foot to reach the crater of the volcano.

I was ready for this adventure, but even if the trek was mostly flat lands, I really struggled with it. The rains, loose rocks, cold water stream, and scorching heat combined really made it difficult for me to trek. At one point, the guide was already talking to me, asking me if I can make it to the end because if I can't, he can just guide me back to the 4x4 jeep parking area. I told him I signed up for this, so I really have to make an effort to carry myself to the end. Sure it took me an awful lot longer before I reached the crater, but my trek was a chance for me to talk to myself and to God. Aside from the exchange of messages I had with the tour guide, I was able to get in touch with my innermost self. It was a journey of my own that I surely will never forget.

By the time I saw the crater, I cried. I cried because I applauded myself for making it, and I cried in sheer astonishment seeing the beauty of the volcano's crater. I was really, really amazed at how beautiful it was. Who would believe that something this beautiful made a bad name when it erupted in 1991 causing too much damage? More than an adventure, this trip was more of an awakening for me, and I am more thankful that I visited the volcano on its 20th year anniversary since it last erupted.

This trek is for the benefit of "Tahanang Walang Hagdanan" (translation - house without stairs), a charitable institution for people who couldn't walk. What an appropriate beneficiary for this trip, as the trek really made me appreciate my feet and legs more. Truly, one must go places while we still can.

When I first put this on my Bucket List, I never really thought about checking Mt. Pinatubo's crater, even if it is a dream of mine to visit this place. I was thinking more of visiting Taal Volcano's crater as it seemed to be something reachable, but I guess the heavens really wanted me to see Mt. Pinatubo more, and I am so thankful this blessing came to my life.

Visit a volcano's crater? A check on my Bucket List.

ps - after the trek (the trek back to the 4x4 jeep parking area was an even more challenging for me), we made a side trip to Capas Shrine - another touching moment for me as this shrine was built for the many soldiers who died during the Death March (world war 2).

*** Jenn ***

I miss last week's prompt, so I wouldn't want to miss this week. The prompt is "Outlaw," and my choice of movie is:



U.S. Marshals (1998). When a prisoner transport plane carrying Deputy Sam Gerard as an escort crashes, one prisoner, Mark Sheridan helps him rescue some trapped prisoners and then escapes himself. Gerard and his crack team of U.S. Marshals start their pursuit, but the simple fugitive situation soon gets more complicated when Gerard learns that Sheridan is no mere criminal and the story behind his incrimination becomes more and more suspicious. At the same time, Mark Sheridan is out to find out the truth himself while keeping one step ahead of Gerard {Source: IMDb}

- * - * - * -

There are very few action movies I have watched, and most of the time I just watched those movies because my family watched them. Of all the action movies I have watched, this was the most memorable of all because I watched it at the cinema, never minding that I was basically the only woman inside the cinema. :) Well, it is now a known fact that I love Robert Downey, Jr so much, that even if his character was the bad guy in the movie, I still loved it.

They said this movie was a sequel to "The Fugitive" starring Harrison Ford. Well, I haven't watched that movie, but it was just okay as there was no story connections (at least none that I know of) and that this movie had its own storyline. The twist in the movie was quite clever, if I may add.

*** Jenn ***

I have decided to make Mondays my Kikay days here on my blog, and this week, it's all about my nails.

Nail polish isn't something new to me as I already do my own pedicure since college days. I only paint my toe nails as my finger nails didn't look good, and yes, I didn't know how to paint the nails on my left fingers. Like what I wrote on my Bucket List update, I was finally able to learn how to paint my fingernails, and since then, I never sported short nails again.

I only have a few bottles in my "treasure chest" (a plastic container that looked like a treasure chest), and because sister and I were given p100 GC because the ticket to the Mt. Pinatubo trek got lowered, I used my GC to buy some new bottles, and yesterday, I went pink:


This wasn't the first time I used My Posh nail polish... before I bought this, sister was already able to buy the Princess Pink shade (might wear that color next week). A bottle cost only p16, very cheap compared to other brands. Though it's cheap, I really like its consistency. Very easy to apply and the brush can able to cover almost all my nails with one stroke. If there will be any complaints, I could say that the paint tends to bubble easily, so I refrained from shaking the bottle a few minutes before I use it, and that I paint my nails without any air directly blowing towards me.

I love pink. This shade I really like - it makes the fingers look sexy and feminine, but I have to admit it did make my hand look a little darker. Still, I wouldn't hesitate wearing this color again.. it's just awesome.

My last nail polish shopping, I bought five bottles of My Posh nail polish, and I am so excited to show off the other colors next time. Well, I can only paint my nails on a weekly basis - I am thankful that even if I do house chores, the paint didn't chip off easily. I am home most of the time, so I feel there is no need to manicure my nails every so often, though if I am going out and the polish have started to wear off, I'd be sure to manicure my nails to make it look presentable.

By the way, there was once a feature about the dangers of using cheap label-less nail polish being sold on the streets. From what I know those nail polish are being sold for p10 per bottle, and can cause damage on nails. Even if My Posh is very cheap, I am confident that it's safe to use because I am about to empty the Princess Pink shade and still no damage on my nails. I am confident about this product, too, because it has a label indicating the ingredients as well as the name of the manufacturer and its address. Although, if you're a bit hesitant in using products, it's better to test it first for any allergic reactions.

*** Jenn ***

Last of the set of questions from PT-LawMom.

41. Who was the last person you went shopping with?

> My sister.

42. What is something you need to go shopping for?

> Organic soil, fertilizer and pesticides for my tomato and bell pepper seedlings. At the moment, that's my priority.

43. Do you have the same first name as one of your relatives?

> Nope. I think, I am the only Jennifer in the family.

44. What kind of car do (did) your parents drive?
> None. They don't drive.

45. Are you rich?

> Financially, no. I am rich in many other different ways.

46. If you could spend one intimate night with a celebrity, no questions asked, never to see them again, who would it be?

> Robert Downey, Jr.

48. What famous person do you look like? Feel free to use this facial match program by clicking here. Show us at least the celeb photo.

> Well, I am not sure if I really do look a like these celebs, but that's the result. Just click the picture to see the bigger image.

49. What is the most daring thing you've done recently?

> Wearing high-heeled shoes.

50. Say you were given a pregnancy test right now. Would you pass or fail?

> Pass. I am sure NOT to be pregnant as I am not sexually active.

51. Which sex scandal of the last decade bothers you the most?

> This sex scandal here in the Philippines about a college professor and his student. The student said her prof seduced her, the prof said his student did... it was an act which they both consented, but then again, with the video leaking out, I can't help but feel pity towards their families.

52. Do you know anyone in jail/prison?

> No.

53. What are your plans (or what have you done) for this weekend?

> Move back to my bedroom now that cousin Jayson has left.

54. Have you ever woken up and not known where you were?

> Nope.

55. What were you doing at midnight last night??

> Sleeping.

56. Last restaurant you went to?

> Carol's Texan 5 in Little Baguio - San Juan.

57. How many hours did you sleep for last night?

> Six.

58. Which is more distracting: Sexting while driving or sex while driving?

> Sex while driving... is that even possible? I guess that would have to be more distracting because one can see the act. Sexting is something only the people exchanging messages know about.

59. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?

> I don't know.

60. Have you ever changed your clothes while in a vehicle?

> Not yet.

Cheers to us thieves!

*** Jenn ***

31 May 2011

Even if we see each other almost everyday because we are next door neighbors, we never had an idea our neighbor Cindy was about to tie the knot. We got to catch a glimpse of her boyfriend last April, but there was no buzz about an upcoming wedding. If not for Cindy's eldest sister making a phone call using our land phone and us hearing about it, we wouldn't have known. Well, they had their own reasons why this was a very "hush-hush" thing, but of course, being very close neighbors (we actually treat each other as families), they told us about it that day, too, because they asked mom to be one of the principal sponsors.

The wedding took place last day of May, at the San Lorenzo Church in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. It was a very beautiful church - very rustic despite being located at a subdivision near our place.


Mom and I arrived quite early because we didn't want to rush. We figured it would be better for us to be early and just relax, instead of trying to do things at warp speed. While waiting, I just took different pictures I could use on my blogs as well as taking pictures of mom wearing her pretty dress. One image that really caught my attention were the kids - at that point, I thanked technology for giving PSP and other electronic gaming devices to help them be at one place.

Being one of the guests, sure I could take pictures here and there, but because I wore the red slip ons I bought a few months back, it was difficult for me to walk around. My footwear was made of wood, and each step I made would create noise. I just sat at one side of the church and took pictures from there.

{Wondering why this image had no priest? I took this while the priest was giving communion to the people.}

It was really great to see a childhood friend get married. I am really happy she is able to meet her match - something that came as a good message for me: Cindy is mid-30s when she met her Mr. Right, there is still hope I could find my match soon.

To Cindy and Gerry, may your life be filled with bliss.

*** Jenn ***