In less than two weeks, my mother and I will be traveling to Canada and the USA. I can already anticipate the discomfort of the long flight, and I know it might not be the most enjoyable experience. To help ease the journey, I'm planning to pack a lot of my essentials from home.
My mom bought this bag for me, and I'm totally okay with it! I'm not really focused on style; what matters to me is its durability and ability to securely hold all my belongings. This Swiss Gear bag features a padded compartment for laptops up to 15 inches, a padded pocket for tablets, an organizer pocket, and additional spaces for a water bottle and sunglasses.
The best part? It comes with an unlimited warranty! If the zipper breaks, they will replace the entire bag.
I need to pack all my gadgets since we'll be away for nearly a month. I usually only bring my laptop for trips longer than a week, but I worry about running out of things to do at the airport and on the plane. We have a 6-hour flight to Korea followed by another 13 hours to Toronto, Canada.
I’ll also be bringing my DSLR and GoPro for capturing photos and videos!
I have these four fantastic pouches that I absolutely love. They help me keep my things organized, so whenever I need something, I know exactly which pouch to grab from my bag. It makes everything easy and stress-free!
1. Electronic Pouch
2. Makeup Kit
3. Instax and GoPro accessories
4. Toiletries
My Electronic Pouch contains all my chargers and usb cords. I was surprised that everything fits perfectly. With this pouch, you don't have to worry all the tangled cords inside your bag.
What's inside?
1. Phone's Charger
2. GoPro Dual Battery Charger (Ziplock)
3. GoPro USB Cord (Camera)
4. GoPro Remote USB Cord
5. Laptop's Charger
6. DSLR's Charger
7. Power bank's USB Cord
8. Earphones
I absolutely love taking my Instax with me on my travels! Just pose, click, flash... and voilà —instant memories captured!
I also make sure to bring an extra battery for my GoPro. From my experience, the GoPro tends to have a short battery life, even when I hardly use the remote or its WiFi. Still, I'm really happy with it!
Having a connecting flight from Manila to Canada (Manila-Korea-Canada) is definitely a relief! I can't imagine being on a plane for such a long stretch straight to the other side of the world. Freshening up in the plane's lavatory can be quite a challenge.
When packing your toiletries, especially liquids like facial wash, contact lens solution, lotion, and toothpaste, make sure they are in containers of no more than 100 ml. It's also a good idea to keep them in a pouch or a securely sealed plastic bag for convenience.
After spending Christmas at home, we had the opportunity to celebrate the last days of 2014 with our relatives on my mother's side in Pangasinan. It was also my Ate Carla's wedding, so we had plenty of reasons to be there. We stayed for five days, and it was really... f u n.
Weddings can get quite hectic! The preparations were exhausting. They set up a tent made of bamboo and covered it with tarpaulin in front of the house since the reception was to be held there. The food was prepared by the best cooks in town—the elders in the family—who were joined by some of our relatives in the kitchen. There was hardly any sleep during the preparations, and to keep the energy up, music played all night long!
THE WEDDING
DECEMBER 28, 2014
DECEMBER 29, 2014
THE BEACH
Not every trip goes as planned, and ours was no exception. We were supposed to visit Hundred Islands, just a 20-minute drive from our house in Mabini, Pangasinan. Everything was in order—we had rented a boat the day before and prepared all our essentials. However, one thing remained uncertain: the weather. The waves were massive, making it impossible for any boat to venture out, even the larger ones. We waited, hoping for a miracle, but eventually, the coast guard canceled all pending trips to the islands.
HUNDRED ISLANDS
So we decided to head to another beach, traveling from Alaminos to Dasol, which took us about an hour and a half. I've been visiting Dasol since I was a kid, but it's only now that I've come to truly appreciate its beauty. As a child, I was mainly focused on the sea, but I've realized that while it may not have fine, white sand or crystal-clear waters, it still holds its charm. I love the view of the palm trees against the sea and the swirling clouds above.
There's no entrance fee, but you do need to rent a cottage, which costs only 300 PHP. This cottage can accommodate 6 to 8 people. You can also grill fish, liempo, eggplants, or whatever you like for free—just remember to bring your own charcoal and utensils!
Since school started back in November, I've noticed a shift in myself compared to last semester. I'm not sure if I'm feeling more laid back or just overwhelmed by the workload. A big part of it is that 70% of my subjects are now Math-related. I get the basics—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—but once word problems come into play, along with all those diagrams, I completely lose my way. So this semester, every time I pass a quiz or complete an activity, I find myself thanking the Lord above for the help! It’s that feeling of relief when you think you might fail, but somehow you manage to get through. With this fear of failing driving me, I've been putting in a lot of effort, especially in Math. I can confidently say that I'm a more dedicated student now than I was at Miriam College, and both my parents and friends have noticed the difference.
The moment I step onto the grounds of TIP, I make it a point to open my notes and go through them thoroughly, even if it's just for five minutes. Even if I don't understand most of it, I still check it out. If I really need to grasp the concepts, I turn to YouTube and Google for reference. I genuinely enjoy the feeling of being a student again, which might be why I invest so much effort, even if it sometimes feels overwhelming. Aside from the allowance I receive from my mother, class suspensions and holidays are some of the things I look forward to as a student. I won’t pretend otherwise—there are times I love not going to school because it gives me the opportunity to focus on my duties in the office.
Living this double life has been quite surprising for me. I never imagined I would be balancing work and study at the same time. In the past, when I heard stories about this, I thought it was easy—but I was mistaken. While my tasks in the office are straightforward, time management has become my biggest challenge. I have numerous homework assignments and reports to complete, along with deadlines to meet at work. No matter how much I try to organize my to-do list in my planner, 24 hours just don’t seem to be enough. There are mornings when I wake up, think about everything I need to accomplish, and instantly feel exhausted.
1. Where can I get an installer of Auto CAD?
2. Where can I buy a book in Solid Mensuration?
3. I have 3 exams tomorrow - 6 hours isn't enough.
4. I have to do lots of work at the office tomorrow
5. I have to think on how will I pay may fcking credit card
6. BLABLABLABLA
When I achieve something, it makes me feel like I deserve all the good things life has to offer. I know that all the stress I'm dealing with now will improve eventually, but I wish I could switch to vacation mode right now.
I've been to some real good places here in the Philippines, but this one is paradise. It is too good to be true.
How to get to Coron Island?
Book a flight to Busuanga, and take a boat ride to your resort in Coron Island.
A little infromation about Busuanga and other islands:
The Calamianes Islands are a stunning group of islands in Palawan, comprising Busuanga Island, Coron Island, Culion Island, Calauit Island, Malcapuya Island, Banana Island, and several smaller islands. Busuanga Island, the largest in the group, serves as the provincial town center. One of its notable attractions is Mount Tapyas, which features a cross at its summit. Many tourists and locals climb the 742 steps to reach the top, where they are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding islands.
Where to stay in Coron Island?
We stayed at Balinsasayaw Resort for three days and two nights, celebrating my mom's birthday during our visit. I would rate this resort a perfect 10, just like our experience in Coron Island. Auntie Rose, the owner, is incredibly hospitable and genuinely cares for her guests. At mealtimes, she ensures everyone enjoys their food, and the attentive waitstaff consistently refilled our glasses with water without us having to ask. This level of service makes us eager to return.
The resort offers a variety of accommodations, including rooms for couples and villas for families. There are also cabanas and hammocks available, perfect for enjoying the scenery, relaxing, or reading a book while sipping on your favorite fruit shake.
Additionally, the resort provides island tour packages, and we opted for the Coron Island tour package.
After disembarking from the boat, you’ll find over 100 steps to climb. However, the breathtaking scenery at the top makes it all worthwhile. This spot is a popular photo op for both tourists and locals. Once you finish taking pictures, you’ll need to descend another 100+ steps to reach and swim in the stunning Kayangan Lake.
This is the renowned Kayangan Lake in Coron Island. The landscape is simply stunning, leaving me in awe of the natural beauty that still exists. The water is crystal clear, revealing just how deep it really is. As you venture further, you'll be amazed by the sights below the surface. Along with various fish, you'll discover unique rock formations lurking beneath the water. Due to its depth, swimming can be challenging for children and some adults, so wearing a life vest is mandatory. You’ll also have a tour guide accompanying you while you swim.
According to our tour guide, Barracuda Lake gets its name from the barracuda fish, as the rock formations beneath the surface resemble the sharp, edgy teeth of the fish. Unlike Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake is not safe for diving, so it's important to exercise caution while swimming. The water here is also deeper than that of Kayangan Lake.
It's best to visit Twin Lagoon during low tide, as you can swim beneath the rocks to explore the other side of the lake. This area is where Tubig Tabang (freshwater) meets Tubig Alat (saltwater), which explains the murky appearance of the water. When you swim here, you might experience a peculiar sensation of the water alternating between being cold and warm, which left me feeling quite mystified.
Banol Beach gets its name from the word "baul," referring to the treasure chest that early settlers discovered here. While the beach may not be large, it offers delightful fine sand that you’ll surely enjoy.
This hot spring should definitely be on your must-visit list! After a long, tiring day, it’s the perfect place to unwind. The hot spring features three heat levels ranging from 28°C to 42°C.
In addition to the hot spring, there are other islands to explore, such as the Bulalacao Island tour, which includes beautiful destinations like Banana Island, Malcapuya Beach, and Bulog Beach. There are also designated areas in the open sea for divers and tourists looking to dive.
