My 2014 - Part 3

Yes, I am determined to keep this going.  I will still try to blog about my 2014 even if its already April 2015.

AUGUST (PART 1)

To continue, my August 2014 was awesome.  And it would probably deserve a whole blog post on its own.  Please bear with me as this will be a long blog post.

I really had a good start in August when I went to Cebu, together with family, to support my baby brother as he joined his first Ironman Competition.  I was also pretty much excited as it was my first time to stay at Shangri-la Mactan :)

We were off to a good start as we were in a plane with a whole bunch of participants, with their supporters.  We had a warm welcome arriving at Cebu.

And so off we went to Shangri-la.  We were impressed by the resort itself.  Although the room itself was not so amazing, the resort was quite impressive

First-timers!

After we had lunch, we went to the Expo area.  JJ stayed while my sister and I went around.  We went to the beach area and who did we see?

Yes, Matteo and Ryan!  My sister and I were just sitting when we heard some people talking about whether to approach someone and have a picture taken with them.  I heard one of them say "yung asawa ni Juday".  And a lightbulb in my head went on!

I am a big fan of Ryan Agoncillo since his Penshoppe days.  I was bummed when the Penshoppe models went to our school (Paolo Bediones' batch) way back in 1996 I guess, but Ryan was not around.  I saw Ryan at Bonifacio High Street from afar sometime in 2008 I think.  But not this up close and personal.  And so we approached Ryan and then, we noticed Matteo as well.  So, picture time!

Ako na jud ang na-happy!

May similarity ba kami ni Sarah?

My sister and I then gleefully went back to our room and who did we encounter near the elevator area?  It's Piolo!  Pagkagwapo na lang jud niya :)  He and his company were walking towards us and I just immediately grabbed my camera and asked if we could have a picture with him. Wala nang hiya-hiya! Yahoo!

Sino lang ang gi-kilig? Haha!

I also had a picture taken with the Pangilinan spouses.  We also saw other celebrities like Gretchen Fullido, Jennylyn Mercado, Kim Atienza, Paul Jake Castillo, Sen. Pia Cayetano, among other.  First day was a success indeed!  We even joked that we could now go home .. haha!

 Parang anak lang din nila ako .. haha!

The next day was the race itself.  I was so proud of my brother, being the youngest triathlete. Maka-inspire magtriathlon when you see all these people giving all their best.  It made me think what if I try?  So far, hanggang think lang .. haha!

Bike mo dira!

 At napicturan uli kita!

My baby brother in action

An article which featured by brother as youngest Ironman triathlete! So proud!

Team JJ 

Together with my sister and JJ, my mom and dad were also in full support as well as JJ's Ninang Grace.  And yes, I had the t-shirts printed to show our support!  JJ saw it on the day of the event! I kept it as a surprise from JJ, aside from the fact that I had it made the day before we left for Cebu as I really had no time before that.  Success!

Another icing on the cake was seeing some familiar faces I haven't seen years.  I saw Joy, who was a participant herself and who was part of our Kalaag group way back in 2005 when we had the time of our lives going around Luzon.  I also saw Jen, a former Accenture employee, who was there cheering for her husband.

Before the race with Joy!

Waiting at the finish line with Jen!

And this was just the start of my August 2014!

My 2013 - Part I

Yes, this is indeed a late post.  But better late than never.

In fact, this is my first post for 2014.  Where was I for the first two months of the year? Ah, that would deserve another blog.

For now, here's a look back at how blessed I was last 2013.

JANUARY

I could say my 2013 started with a blast since I traveled to Cebu with one of my everdearest and longest friend, Elaine.  As she is very familiar with Cebu, she prepared an itinerary so that we could make the best out of our 2-day stay there.  Food, places and friendship celebrated indeed ...

Just as we arrived back in our hometown, Davao City, I remained busy with the IBP National Convention.  I was more than a participant since I was part of the Programme Committee, which was in-charge for the opening ceremonies and the evening programme.  I was some kind of an FBI agent on-stage/near the stage, since I was in full suit mode, with radio on hand and ear-piece.

I also turned 32 .. ooh, ooh, ooh!

FEBRUARY

Our family, together with Tita Grace got to experience the Venue Party Boat.  I have to remind myself to bring Allan here.

MARCH/APRIL

March and April were awesome as our family was complete for JJ's graduation.  Johanna was home from Australia while Jennifer and her cutest daughter, Ally, were also in town, all the way from US of A.  It has been years since we were complete.  I think, the last time was in 2005.

Words and pictures are not enough to show how happy and grateful I am with our family.

APRIL/MAY

After my sisters left, I was nevertheless busy with the remaining summer as I had my "racket" ... I taught summer classes in Law School.  It was no easy task since I have to prepare for it everyday, in addition the work I do at the office.  It is not really easy to prepare for a 2-hour class everyday, in law school at that.  And it was my first time to teach Business Organization 1 in Law School.  But, hey, I survived!

It was also in April when I decided to take the New York State Bar Exam .. as I have posted in my status before, "This is it!".  As such, I began reading (seriously).  Although, it was hard since I was also preparing for my class during these months.

I also volunteered during the election period.

JUNE

This time, I was in full mode for my review for the New York State Bar Exam.  Yes, I took time off from the office, although I go there once or twice a week just to do some work on urgent cases.  I spent my time studying at home.

I also made arrangements for my undergrad teaching load.  I asked permission to take time off for one semester but I'll be back by November.  The only load I accepted was my law school class, in which I had advance and make-up classes for lost time when I will be away in July and August.

And that is just the first half of my 2013 :)

Cebu, B

I haven't been to Cebu for quite sometime. The last time I was there was in 2001. And my mom and I were just passing by Cebu since our destination was really Bohol. All I can remember was that we got to visit SM Cebu that time. Before that, I also got to visit Cebu and did the tourist thing sometime in 1990.

Anyway, with the air fare promo and discounts, I thought of going there with my long time friend. And so we did! Elaine was more familiar with Cebu as she goes there often and as such, she was my ever-reliable tourist guide. Yes, she really prepared an Itinerary for us, which was flexible but we were able to cover basically everything within a short span of time.

Upon arrival at the airport, we immediately asked the taxi driver to take us to Mactan Shrine and wait for us. It was pretty cool considering that this was one of the pit stops in the Amazing Race Philippines. So it was like Elaine and I were in a race, hehe.

We then checked-in at Cebu R Hotel, which was really nice, budget friendly and accessible. We just walked to STK where we had our lunch. While waiting for our food, we had a look around the restaurant-museum. I love STK's scallops.

We then proceeded to the Sto. Nino shrine where we saw throngs of people. And it was just a week before the Sinulog festival. Magellan's Cross was just nearby and then we went to the Island Souvenirs Shop. We then walked towards Fort San Pedro then we went back to our hotel. Thereafter, we went back to our hotel and then we had our dinner at Casa Verde. It sounds "sosyal" but the price is really ok and I really like their Death by Chocolate.

The next day we attended mass at the Sto. Nino Shrine. Kadaming tao! Again, this was not yet during the Sinulog festival. So you can just imagine! We then did our own walking tour in Colon. We passed by the Obelisk and then we stopped by the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House and then we walked to Casa Gorordo. We then proceeded to Museo Sugbo but unfortunately, it is closed on Sundays. We then went Ayala Mall but this time we took the taxicab .. hehe. We bought some pasalubongs and discovered they had 2 grocery stores in one mall. Anyway, I also bought some clothes supposedly for the IBP convention. But I never got to wear the Filipiniana blouse but I got to wear the dress. What's great was that I got to buy those stuff at a discount. It costs less than P500 each. It was also a nice coincidence that I saw my tita/mom's officemate in Cebu. Lingaw!

Anyway, we then had our lunch and went back to the hotel. We then proceeded to the Taoist Temple. We had dinner at Zugbuchon and hot chocolate at Coffee Dream.

The next day, we were off back to Davao.

It was indeed just a weekend trip but it was fun nevertheless. I am glad to get in touch again with Philippine culture and stuff myself with good food that are not available here in Davao. But more than anything else, I really enjoyed my time talking and bonding and laughing with a dear friend.

Until the next bonding trip!