Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Sabangan (San Juan, Batangas) Beach Outing

We had an outing last Sunday, we went to Sabangan Beach resort at Laiya Beach in San Juan Batangas. We had fun, but it was bitin because we only stayed for one night. Here are the things I like and did not like about the beach:

I like:

1. The water

-The water was clear and was not cold. It was just cool enough to provide refreshment but it wont make you shiver.

2. The sand

- As you can see, the sand is light brown, some would say Laiya is white sand, but if you would really be strict about it, it is just beige.

- The sand is not really fine, it has a mixture of small pebbles and shells, but it is still nice though.

3. Snorkling and Boating

- We had fun renting a boat (800 for an hour) and going to an area where there is a lot of corals and fishes. We fed the fishes with bread.

- During the boatride, it was a bit scary because the water is of a deep blue color indicating the depth.

4. Swimming

- I just love the water!!! I put on a lot of sunblock so I can enjoy the beach even at the peak of the sun, but even if I become real dark, I think it is worth it!

5. Spending time with my family

-Of course, outings are really fun because you get to spend quality time with people you love in a very nice place. I loved playing with my kids on the beach and just strolling with my husband. Of course, I was also with my parents and siblings making it more fun!

6. The cottage

- The cottage we rented was P6,oo0 and it is good for 10 people. The comfort room was nice, the water was not smelly (unlike in Puerto Galera), the room was airconditioned and the bed sheets were not cheap. we also had the luxury of being in front of the beach. We also had a parasol where we can lounge and enjoy the beach without the harmful rays of the sun.

7. The massage

- We paid 300 for an hour of massage, it was nice because we did it by the beach..

8. The games

- We rented the game tables and I beat jay in foozeball (is this how you call the soccer table?) 2-1 so I really enjoyed it. There is almost nothing I beat Jay in so that was a rare event, making my victory very sweet. Haha.

Birthday

I've recently celebrated my 24th birthday and I want to take the time to think about the things that I wish for in my life, and of course, the things that I am thankful for...

I wish for...
1. 300 Million pesos
-haha, what a wonderful life I would be having with that much money in the bank... :)

2. A good job for me and Jay
-I wish I would be able to have a job at an MNC, maybe doing recruitment and employee relation work, with a salary of 18k plus benefits.
-For Jay, if not a new job at a MNC as well (with about 30k minumum), higher rank and pay at his company (minimum 25k)

3. Independence
-Although I love my family and enjoy being with them, I would also love to live only with my husband and kids.. It was very fun back when I was able to do it for 6 months..

4. Love from my babies
-Slowly Andre is warming up to me, especiall if Jay is not around, but there is still room for more affection from him..

5. Quality time with my family
-Sometimes I wish that I could just spend the whole day with my family, sometimes I even ask Jay to be absent and not get paid just as long as I could be with him..

I am thankful for:

1. The love of my husband
- Nothing more wonderful than being deeply loved by the love of your life! :)

2. My babies
- I was not prepared to be a mother back then but now, it is such a good feeling to be around my babies, even having to take care of them..

3. My parents
- My mom is very kind and generous that she is still helping me now, since I am still living with her, she is still the one who feeds us, and a lot of times she helps me with the expenses with my babies.

4. My education
- When I think about the things I have, it is one of the things that I know I could be proud of. Thanks to my parents, I was able to attend an excellent elementary and high school (Miriam College). And thanks to the good education I was able to get from Miriam, I wa able to pass UP... Now I know that somehow, my dreams of a good job is more achievable...

Maybe I have to review this again after some time... There might be new things to add...

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Basketball

I love basketball...

I recall way back in my high school years, I was an avid fan of the PBA. I was rooting for Shell, and it was during this time that they were able to reach the finals with Alaska. I guess I have watched around 15 live games and almost did not miss any game on tv. My favorite among the players was Victor Pablo. Don't ask me why. I don't know. Upon review, I know that he was not exceptionally good, there was almost nothing about him to idolize, yet, I liked him. Maybe that was enough.

During the same time, my dad first managed the intertown team of our province Pagsanjan. The games were during weekends, and I would always be there with my dad and my brothers cheering for the team. This is where I first met my husband. During this time though, I was nothing more than a friend to him. I was 16 and he was 21. I remember being totally smitten by him.. anyway, thats a different story...

Until now, my dad still manages the team, my husband still plays and my sister's boyfriend is also from the team so it is given that my family is one of the biggest supporters. Last year the Pagsanjan team was the champion, the year before that they were 3rd , before that 2nd, and before that champion as well. It is why we were all really hoping that the team would be champions again this year. The competition is tougher because there were several new teams that were really good, but Pagsanjan was supposedly more mature now and is ready to face the big boys from the other teams.

Sometimes they played well, sometimes they did nott, but they were able to reach the point that it is just a best of three series to determine if the team will be able to make it to the finals. They were competing against Sta.Cruz, a worthy team which already won a championship as well. Pagsanjan won the first game. sadly, they lost the 2nd and 3rd.

The feeling was really bad, it is very disappointing and frustrating to lose the chance to defend the championship. I could see that they were all disheartened, actually, we were all disheartened.. It is sad, but I guess we have to accept that losing is really a part of the game. It also made me think that being the champion is sometimes not simply being the best... Its simply about winning when it counts. I mean, we've all watched movies like Mighty Ducks, Little Giants, The Longest Yard and the like, all movies that shows how an underdog can become the champion. So maybe, sometimes, even though you are the best, you could be beaten by a lesser team. Of course it also goes the other way.. Even though you are not a very good team, but with the help of coaching, game breaks and luck, you could also win. To help me ease my frustration, that is the perception I apply.

(Admittedly though, my thoughts may be just because we lost. Had we won, I think I would say we were the best.. ) Hahaha.