Sights and Sounds of Baler

Baler is known as the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines. But there is more to surfing that this quaint town can offer. Here are some examples:

Ermita Hill

Millennium Tree

Museo de Baler

I'd Go Anywhere For You

You are my fire...the one desire.

-sabi ko sa Backstreet Boys in Manila ticket 

OH YAAAAAASSSS!

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR THE LONGEST TIME. HUHUHUHU. Panic ensued when I couldn't access the SM Tickets website last night. I almost teared up while buying these tickets a while ago and the ticket lady at SM had to comment while stifling a laugh "Favorite mo pala talaga sila ma'am." I never knew that this moment would come that I'd get to see all five of them. And that's why it has to have a separate post. Haha. 

I think I have to prepare 100 rolls of tissue paper because I'm about to tear up because of the extreme Backstreet Boys splendor on May 5. 

Perks of Taking A Year Off

If you've read my rants and drowned in some drama from my previous posts, you'd know that I've always wanted to visit many places. As part of my gap year, I intend to do a little backpacking around Asia. I actually want to close the Indochina loop in one go but I still have to do research on Laos and Burma because those countries are the road less traveled for Pinoys. 

Since my parents do not really ask me to contribute for household expenses, I have managed to save up for this to become a reality. I still give my contribution for the expenses (it gives me the feeling that I'm actually useful. Haha) but I stopped buying shoes, clothes and accessories on impulse and I did not upgrade all of my gadgets even though I had the capacity to do so.

From there I realized that I do not need an upgraded lifestyle just because I have the money (I'll talk about that on a separate post). And because of that, I'm ticking an item off my bucketlist. 

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, here I come! *wide grin*

Change Status

I have recently discovered that I am more of an introvert and I opt to live in peace and quiet. Or maybe I  just realize I'm getting old? Haha.

I could say that people started treating me differently after I have passed the board exams. Before, I was basically an unknown figure in our village probably because I was based in Manila for five whole years. But after last year's whole "I'm tired" brouhaha that sent me packing back to Laguna, most of the people I encounter while walking is addressing me as "doc". Despite my urge to run back inside our house, I smile back then make a mental note to ask my mom about who those people are.

Ever since I started working at a hospital near our village, there has been instances when random people come knocking at our door and come up with requests. Requests may be as mundane as asking for prescriptions for medications from me without the proper assessment to the vague as someone asking me to be a guarantor of their hospital bill.

Sometimes my mom would also refer to me as doc whenever she talks about me. I often tell her to cut it out because I feel like I'm being alienated from the rest of my family. 

Please, you guys, I'm still the same old KC so don't treat me any differently.

What The Craft!

Other than being a pseudo-wanderer, doing arts and crafts is also a thing that I want to do on my gap year. I've been using Pinterest a lot for inspiration. But I think the gods of arts and crafts hate me because I can't seem to have a decent outcome. Hahaha.

But then I thought of those adorable floral crowns that are a music festival staple. At my age, I don't think wearing a floral crown to work is appropriate so I decided to make a floral barrette instead, since I have old barrettes lying around the house and I like hair accessories as well.

Materials:

• Barrette
• Craft flowers of your preferred color -- I bought mine at a local store, SME. You can also get it at a cheaper price from Divisoria
• Beads (optional) -- I only used it as fillers to some areas that looked bare. I got mine from my Ate Richie's remaining bead stash
• Glue gun (optional)

Procedure:
Draft the placement of the flowers on the barrette. Once you're happy with your design, you can now start attaching the flowers using the glue gun. As for my barrette, I didn't use hot glue on it because the stem of the flowers is made out of wire so a few twists made it secure enough not to fall off.

Here is the finished product:

Flower Power, y'all!

YAY, I NOW HAVE SOMETHING TO CALL A TALENT. LOL.

Right now I'm working on a hair comb but I ran out of craft flowers. Will post a photo of it soon. :)