Our Balut Island getaway gave me a lot of scratches and insect bites that left ugly red marks on my legs. I usually just leave scars alone and let them fade on their own. But since I will be wearing shorts in my Muay Thai trainings, I got a little conscious I decided to look for a product that will speed up the healing process.

A friend recommended Eco Skin Love Eco Balm, said it was effective for her acne scars. I was actually hesitant to get one only for the reason that I don't like balms in tub. I find it unhygienic knowing I would introduce bacteria every single time I dip my fingers on it.

To lessen the exposure, I had to transfer a small amount to a smaller tub.

But I got one anyway. And thank the high heavens I did. Because other than my kaartehan, I don't have issues with this balm. In fact, it did a lot of wonders to my skin - even more than what I expected. And a product like this deserves a review from someone who doesn't actually do reviews unless it's worth the time. So allow me to share why I dubbed this as a wonder balm.

I just want to share what boredom can do to me. And by boredom, I meant, my new ukulele case looks so boring my eyes hurt just by looking at it.

No offense to RJ Guitars. This case is—quality-wise—excellent. I embrace simplicity but this is just too bland for my taste. So to prettify it up a little bit, I decided to do a little tattoo on the pockets. And the next thing I know, the whole thing's already covered with doodles.

It took me more or less two hours to finish it and I absolutely LOVE it!

I never really look forward to my birthdays. My 20s isn't all that awesome and isn't really my favorite decade. Climbing the hills of my 30s isn't that glorious either. At least, that's what the internet told me.

My face has been slammed with those "30 Awesome Things to Do When You Are 30", or "You'll Regret It If You Haven't Done These 30 Things Before 30", or "10 Life Lessons People Should Learn Before They Turn 30", or "10 Things Successful People Do By Age 30" yadda yadda. I never really read the entirety of such listicles because my attention span extends only up to 3 list items and the rest would already sound gibberish knowing I have miserably failed.

I want to get inked.

I have always wanted one ever since I was in college. But I had to wait. I had to make sure it wasn't just a teenager's act of rebellion against the parents, the self, or the world. Then I had to wait more to make sure that I am not running right into a tattoo salon just because everyone is doing it. I had to wait a little more to make sure that this isn't just a phase and I might get over the tattoo-lust somehow. And I had to wait a little bit more because I know this is not something that has to be taken lightly.

If I had to get my first ink done, I always remind myself that it has to be significant to me. When I turned 18, I wanted to have a butterfly tattooed on my shoulder blade because they were fad and looked cool back then. Too glad I didn't because I'd be mortified to see a cute butterfly drawn permanently on my skin today. No offense meant here, but it's just so not me. The last thing I would want is to find myself biting my lips, cringing, and asking myself  "OH GAWD, WHY?" a few years later.

I have been warned a thousand times that it's not easy to get there. But what they don't realize is that they are talking to Sarah. What would not be easy for me? *smirks*
Balut Island can be crossed with 50 to 70-seater cargo vessels from the port of General Santos City, which usually only sail at night and most often fully booked. And depending on the vessel, the journey takes about 6-8 hours. Since we only have the weekend to explore the southernmost point of the Philippines, taking the alternative route - the fastest, shortest albeit thrilling ride - would be our best option to make the most out of our trip,

We went to Brgy. Margus, Glan - a two-hour drive away from GenSan - where we hired a small fishing vessel just enough to charter the six of us to the Port of Mabila. After deliberate negotiations, we agreed to pay Php 6,000 for the boat to take us to Balut Island, some neighboring islands, and back the next day.

We hopped aboard only to realize that we'll all be basking under the 10-AM-til-high-noon sun since the boat didn't have any shade at all. Great. Sunugan ng balat na ito. Well, sunog na dati ang balat ko kaya lubos-lubusin na lang natin. Although I was secretly hoping the heavens would weep because it was that hot.

If it wasn't for the review I made, I would not have blogged anything for almost two weeks. And so I start to think, in the name off all that is holy, haven't you done anything that is interesting, Sarah?

Actually, a lot happened. But I can only think of it as something worth shrugging or eye-rolling. Or something that's only twitter-worthy for it can only be summed up into less than 160 characters like, "Yay! It's the first time I voted. Just look at my blue fiiiiiinger!" or "Just saw someone took a Bacardi 151 shot. Reaction? Priceless. And now I'm curious because it feels like I missed something surreal", or "Ian Somerhalder just replied to my tweet! Best day ever!"

Okay, I made the last one up. Although I would have loved being that fangirl, but my twitter account is pathetic and I could not even remember the password. But anyway, on a Saturday when all the chores are done and my cat refuses to bath, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and might as well humiliate myself just to stir something interesting. Or not. Please don't judge.

When I was 5 or 6 and some time when I was 18 - 20

Everybody knows that I love the outdoors. This is the fourth tent that I owned (I had domes and a tadpole before) but this will be the first one that I'll make a review.

Please note that whatever I say here is factual and only based on my experience. This is an honest review and not a paid post.
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It was more than a year ago when I scoured for a new tent for our hiking trip in Lake Holon, Mt. Parker. And since I was on a tight budget, I had to look for a tent that has a price like the ones you use for junior camps but should be durable, lightweight, waterproof, and can withstand harsh environments. Yes, I must be delusional. Where in the world would I find that?

"You have found a keeper", a friend once told me.

"Why do you say so? You don't even know him."

"I don't. But not all couples are cut to travel together."

I flashed a silly grin.

How many miles have we traveled so far?

Why the hell am I even asking that? I think it's pointless to count when we don't have plans of stopping. As long as we can, we'll keep on traveling, right?

May 2015 - May 2016 Trips

After two years of mishaps and misadventures, it still feels like everything is light and breezy. To have a bestfriend who's willing drop everything, pack, and go on a road trip with me to unknown and uncertain places... I don't think I can ask for anything more.

I'm actually running out of words (and energy). Kung gaano naman kahaba yung post ko dati, ganoon naman kaigsi ngayon. Haha. But for now, I just want to tell the world how much you mean to me.

Here's to us, for more misadventures, getting lost, unplanned trips, and an eternity of datin' and lovin'. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, JAN!