As an Asian living in a third-world country, Singapore is definitely my first-world refuge. Here, you can experience fast and reliable internet connection, efficient transport system, clean streets, fresher air, and lower crime rates. Mind you, I was able to walk for more than an hour ALONE in the streets of Singapore at 3am just because I couldn't sleep. I decided to walk from our hotel to Mustafa Center just to pass time and tire myself. I came back still with complete limbs and 5 packs of chocolates. Yes, it is that safe. Although I would say I can do the same in Davao, the only difference is, Singapore is a hundred times more progressive.

Obligatory pose

Last Monday was the first time I ever had a blue cheese and I almost gagged in front of scholars, businessmen, and the Australian ambassador to the Philippines. But since everything else on my plate was utterly delicious, I was able to compose myself, swallowed the cheese whole and immediately stuffed my mouth with the best Australian pie I ever had before disaster could ever happen - afraid that I may never be invited to such event again and be remembered as the girl who caused ruckus just because she cannot eat cheese (as if the overwhelming judgement I face regularly as someone who doesn't love cheese is not enough).
I cannot fathom how people could eat a mouthful of blue cheese as if it was just a chocolate or something. Cheeses cries! I should have just kept my cheese hatred in silence because I have been answering the same question over and over again since day one, how come you don't like cheese? Telling people you don't like cheese is like telling a devotee you don't believe in their god and they will spend all day persuading you to see the light.

2017 looks promising to me.

I am putting my travels to a whole new different level. And since I am not built to be a solo traveler, of course, Jan has to tag along with me too. Haha.

I don't remember the last time I binge-watched over a tv series because I have never really watched anything since Burn Notice ended.

Call me a loser. I've never seen The Walking Dead, I couldn't even get past episode 1 of the Game of Thrones, I don't know what's strange about Stranger Things, and not even a single thought of jumping into the Korean drama bandwagon crossed my mind - which is probably a good thing.

But I ended up giving Riverdale a try. Seriously? I probably deserve a good punch in the face for missing on the good shows and giving this a second look, not to mention, time to blog about this. I'm not even into highschool-centric dramas (Mean Girls is an exception). But since I was a big Archie comics fan back then, I decided to watch the pilot episode after the teasers gave me a hunch that they got the characters wrong. And I was right.

I think my cat, Appa, thinks I am super adorable that he decided to bite me. Well, if I had it my way, that's how I would show my fondness to Jan too. Except, there will be no bleeding.

Appa is actually sweet and affectionate. He follows me wherever I am. He sits on my lap whenever I work. Snuggles beside me when I'm on my bed. And right now, alcsfnhacflhan ;j;dh;jhb[dtu[ he's helping me write this post. Awww... thank you so much, buddy! His sweetness makes me forget that cats are naturally shady characters. Perhaps, he was actually trying to murder me because his breakfast was not served on time. I did not see him the whole day, so I can only assume he's plotting his next move after a failed murder attempt.

But if my cat did not kill me, the rabies shots will. Google simply told me that one vial costs more than a thousand pesos and I need at least 3 shots for it. 4 if he's proven rabid (which I think he's not. I believe he's just a murderous, raving lunatic). The cost did give me a heart attack but not close to killing me though. Try harder, Appa.

I pity those people with seafood allergies. They are missing a lot. Actually, I am allergic to crabs. But unlike others, I can still eat a bucketful without throwing up or blowing up like a balloon. I would just have a few really really itchy red spots all over my limbs that's just easy deal with. It won't send my lungs to an overdrive or worse, kill me. And that's a pretty good thing knowing my absolute love for crabs is non-negotiable.

A week ago, Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps invited me and a few blogger friends to their private launching of their third branch here in Davao City. I've read and heard great stories about this. And judging from the words coming from my friends' mouths, it's something I definitely don't want to miss.

And the stories were right.

Everybody knows that I am into arts and crafts. I can DIY whatever the hell I want. It's just that... I am lazy. And I don't have a lot of patience for it.

Today, I installed a new cork board and a whiteboard for my workstation - which is pretty boring. And even though I am lazy as can be, I can't have it that way. So to add a little pizzazz to it, I created a pen holder that will hold my whiteboard markers so that I don't have to reach far if I want to write something on it. I saw this somewhere on Pinterest and decided to make one myself.

And bam! My cute DIY pen holder:

Materials you need:
- Cutter
- Scissors
- Empty shampoo bottle
- Art paper
- Glue
- Double-sided foam/mounting tape

I really don't have to make a detailed instruction on how to do it because the crafting part is pretty straightforward and I will leave the creatives up to you. But if you're feeling crafty and looking for something to recycle, I hope this post helped. :)

P.S.
You might also want to check the other pen holder I created last year: DIY Pen Holder

Hanggang saan aabot ang bente pesos mo?

Sa Mt. Capistrano po.

Standing just around 600+ mASL, Mt. Capistrano has become a favorite hiking destination for newbies and seasoned hikers alike.

The unique rock formations at the summit urged me to climb this mountain even though I was advised not to do any hikes until my knee is fully healed. But then, you're talking to Sarah. When has Sarah ever listened? #WagGayahin

While some people are exceptionally lucky to always win raffle draws, I am perpetually the opposite. Perhaps I'd be struck by a lightning a hundred times before I even get a chance to win a scratch off lottery game.

But then again, I am still lucky. Just in a different way.

Several days ago, I won a nationwide Blog Writing Contest from AirAsia Philippines. And this isn't the first time I've won a contest. I've won several quiz bees, Math challenges (I detest Math, though), extemporaneous speeches, sports (MVP and Best Goalkeeper), and poster-making contests during my prime childhood and teenage years. I've won quite a few international logo and web design contests, too. And in the recent years, I've bagged some nationwide and local blog awards.

Yes, it does sound like I am blowing my own horn here because I am indeed blowing my own horn. And I am not ashamed to admit that. But what I'm only trying to say is, I've never won a contest I didn't work hard for.

And this is how my luck comes in.

I am beginning to think this blog is turning into a travel blog. Or a pseudo one for that matter. I haven't been writing a lot of my crazy thoughts lately and a handful of getaways are in store just this first quarter of the year. So yeah, go figure.

Anyway, to start the year right, Jan and I decided to go all the way to Cortes, Surigao del Sur to witness and experience something amazing and spectacular.

The stunning and jaw-dropping Laswitan Lagoon.

Photo taken by my mom on a different date.

There must be a hundred blogs written about Kitanglad-Dulangdulang traverse already. And I will be using that as a lame excuse not to write another one.

I have to admit, I really don't know how to write a story anymore. While remnants of pain from the knee injury I got there still linger to remind me that it was not an easy climb, I do not know how to put into detail everything that happened during that climb. After all, it has almost been a month. So if you're here to know about our itinerary, how much time we've spent on the trails, yadda yadda... I am sorry but I will fail you at that.

But if you're interested how our K2D climb went, hop in. I can best summarize it into 3 words: Difficult. Exhausting. Rewarding.

L-R, top row to bottom 1. Salomon City Trail Run (12k) 2. Archery. Not bad for a first timer. ;) 3. Twas a dream come true to finally paint the walls of the streets 4. Strawberry picking at Baguio 5. Sea of Clouds at Mount Pulag 6. Won Electrolux's blog writing contest 7. Adopted this little fella and named him Appa 8. One day luxurious weekend getaway at Lorelei 9. My favorite human turned 31 ♥ 10. Sunrise at Mount Apo 11. Ran for the rehabilitation of Mount Apo 12. Team building with Z fam at Maxima Aquafun

I was not born with a silver spoon.

In fact, I wasn't born with any spoon at all. I remember being poor. But I don't remember how it feels like to be poor, I just remember being loved. Looking back to where we came from, I grew up with hand-me-downs and that being treated with a slice of pizza would already mean the best day ever.


We also didn't have a house of our own, so it's no surprise that we moved quite a lot. From one church parsonage to another to the squatters area in Claveria to the shady slums of Piapi Boulevard to the outskirts of Puan, it's not a wonder living in those dog eat dog communities that I developed this astig (badass) personality. However, I was raised well. My papa worked two jobs, he's a church pastor and also a government employee. My mama, a public school teacher, who had to work to a far-flung area also sold ice candies and yemas for extra. We definitely had tough times. We almost had nothing but like I said, we have LOVE.

I just came from the longest, most strenuous, and most painful climb I ever had. I know what I am capable of and I thought that the Mount Kitanglad- Mount Dulang-dulang (dubbed as K2D) traverse wouldn't be any trouble for a relatively fit person like me. I do a lot of hikes and have even gone as far as doing pretty badass buwis-buhay ones. I know K2D is going to be hard, but not demotivating, spirit-crushing hard.

I have never thought that a year after attending my very first Davao Bloggers Society Christmas Party, I will be one of those who will prepare and manage this year's Christmas party.

You see, I have been appointed as the sexy-tary, I mean Secretary of the Davao Bloggers Society. Have I known about the drawbacks that come with it, I would have not accepted the role. Because first, I am no longer eligible to win raffle draws nor will I have the chance to bag the Best Personal Blog Award for this year's Davao Blog Awards again. Bummer, isn't it? Second, being an officer can get exhausting. No kidding, kapoy sya.

But then, even if I waive several raffle prizes and grow eyebags from those late night preparations, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm thankful for this. I am thankful for this new family. And nothing can ever get so rewarding when you pull off something you devoted your supposedly-free-time with that made everyone else happy. :)

The past week until today has been the Mondayest week ever. To be honest, it felt like I am stuck in an episode of The Walking Dead where everything nasty and ugly is chasing you and badly wants you dead (and here I am talking as if I watch TWD). For more than a week, I really thought the universe hates me because nothing seems to go right. I was already on the verge of becoming a nutcase. Then Columbia happened.