A Night at Resort's World

The last time I went to Resort's World was when it was hardly populated and there were only a few shops. The Escalators went on without anyone there and you could dance around the without hitting anybody or anybody staring at the complete weirdo doing the dancing.

Before we left home, we had outfit shots. Since my sister bought me a new pair of shorts which I really loved, (my first pair of shorts that I can use when going out!) I decided to wear it already!

Plaid blouse, Grey shorts, Red tights & Oxfords

New Shorts

Ate Miya, Kuya Miguel and I went to Resort's World to watch the play Sound of Music. It was a pretty good play and I liked the voices of the actors and actresses and how some of them were able to portray their roles well, especially Maria. After that, I felt like watching the original movie again. Sadly, I have no idea where my DVD is.

We went for dinner at around eleven at Mr.Kurosawa. The restaurant was a mixture of European and Japanese cuisine. The food was good and it didn't take as long as we thought for the food to arrive (since we were so HUNGRY!). I ordered Japanese Carbonara and Red Ice Tea (calamansi). The food was good and I enjoyed my much awaited meal.

I really enjoyed the whole night! Now, my only problem now is how to get rid of "The Sound of Music" which is playing in my head over and over again. Anyway, until next time.

What Happened to 'Sun' in Sunday?

For the past few days, the weather has been grey. It's really unusual to have a rainy December here in Manila. It usually leaves me lazy.

Anyway, today I finally felt like posting after a VERY long time. I got in the mood to dress up today since I rarely go out. I also took advantage of the weather and decided to wear tights after a long time (YES!). I've been finding an excuse to wear tights.

Grey cardigan, Floral lace dress, Grey Tights, Maroon belt & Oxfords

We heard mass and afterwards we had lunch with our relatives at Chicken Bacolod. It was good lunch with good food and company. 

After lunch, I asked my sister if she wanted to get a manicure. We decided to head to 'Get Polished' at around three. I took advantage of the break and get a manicure (since it's not allowed in school). I choose purple and grey and added a French tip.

My nails (beneath my skirt)

I had a good Sun-...Rainday? I did a lot of things instead of curling in bed with my book or playing Sims Medieval all day (which is my normal Sunday). 

I hope to post more frequently now. I also deleted my book blog so I could join my two blogs since it's a hassle to post on both

It's Christmas next week and I can't wait. Will write soon! 

My European Adventure

This is a very long overdue. I wasn't able to get around to post because I busy with school since I had to catch up with all the PTs and exams I missed. It was stressful but I was able to live through it. Anyway, last August 10 I had my first international flight. I was one of the delegates for IBYC and WYD (JMJ Madrid). From Manila, we went to Singapore and from there took a connecting flight to Paris.

We arrived at Paris but we just stayed in the train station. We went out of the train station just to check out the place but that was as far as we got.

Charles de Gaule Airport

Outside the station

We then got on 2 trains to Barcelona and from the station took a bus to Montserrat. Montserrat was a very beautiful mountain. It is in Catalonia which is a very very beautiful place. That was where IBYC was held. We met some people from other countries and I totally had a blast. We went hiking. We had talks, deanery sessions, mass and other religious activities. The food was good and there's one little thing I will never forget there...

By the way, there are three ways to get to Montserrat, by bus, train or cable car. There are also hotels and restaurants which can accommodate pilgrims. I'm not sure about how much the fare and food, though.

Statue

Abbey Church of Our Lady of Montserrat and Plaza

Claud and I with Montserrat

From Montserrat, a bus took us to Madrid for JMJ Madrid (WYD). We resided at a gym for the rest of our stay. By the way, we stayed at the outskirts of Madrid so there was nothing to do. After two days, we started for our journey to Lourdes, France. We took a train (lots of trains, in fact). It took us half a day to travel to Lourdes. We took many trains from Madrid and going up and down the train was the exhausting. There are also lots of hotels and inns in Lourdes which can accommodate pilgrims.

The church was amazing. It was so beautiful and it looked like a dream. The town was also peaceful and just like every French town which was cold and rainy. The rosary during the evening was also spectacular. There were many people. It was a shame we weren't able to go early, though. Anyway, we collected holy water in small vials which were our pasalubong.

Tin and I

Our Lady of Lourdes

Night Vigil

After two days we went back to Madrid to participate in the JMJ activities. Weren't able to participate much because of the many pilgrims. We weren't able to attend the vigil and the mass. It was cool though that we were able to get on buses and trains for free. We also ate at this Indian restaurant which had good fries but we weren't able to enjoy our order since we didn't pick the good tasting ones.

We were able to go shopping in Madrid. I bought accessories and shoes (ESPADRILLS!! REAL SPANISH ONES!). I also bought other pasalubong for family and friends. We were also able to meet a Filipino saleslady in one of the shops. We also went to Prado Museum which I totally loved. We got in for free since we were pilgrims (JMJ). While walking down the halls of the museum, I felt more determined to accomplish my dream of being a curator.

Ms. Wana, Claud and I on the bus to the train station

In the bus

Claud and I at Indian Restaurant

Prado Museum

Ms. Wana and I walking to Cuatro Vientos

Cuatro Vientos, spot the Philippine Flag

After JMJ activities, we went to Parque Europa. It was a park full of Europe's many landmarks. It was really cool because it felt like we traveled all of Europe in just an hour. Some of the landmarks there were, the Eiffel Tower, Trevi Fountain, London Bridge, Statue of David, Berlin Wall and the Open theater in Greece. It's easy to get there and there is no entrance fee.

Ms. Wana

London Bridge

Trevi Fountain

Eiffel Tower with Me, Kuya AP, Claud, Kuya Justine and Ms. Wana

Flags

From Madrid, we took a train to Barcelona then headed for the airport. We left our stuff at the airport and went around Barcelona but had limited time since we were catching our flight on the same day. We went to Sagrada Familia but some of us (unfortunately, me) weren't able to enter because we left our JMJ IDs. We were able to take pictures with the facade.

Towers in Barcelona

City Hall

Me and the monument

Me and Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

We then boarded the plane and when I sat down, I felt sad. I felt like I was leaving home again. I made a lot of friends and had the time of my life bonding with Ms. Wana and Claud. I didn't get the Monte Carlo trip I wanted but that can wait. During the trip, I was able to learn many things:

1. All countries have different cultures; we're not all the same

2. Filipinos have a strong connection wherever in the world they may be

3. Mama Mary will always guide you wherever you are, especially when you pray to her

4. Most important: It's when you're a thousand miles from home, you will know who you are and gain the confidence to be just that person.

I promise I will return to Europe in two years, when I'm eighteen. I want to go back with my sister and my three beloved best friends. Even if I don't go gallivanting all over Europe, at least I want to return to Catalonia. It's now at the top of my favorite places on earth. Trust me, you have to add it to your list of places you have to go before you die.

Ilocos Adventure

I fell asleep in the car as we reached the first few towns of Ilocos Sur. I woke up and opened my eyes. I thought I was warped back to the Spanish Era. My mum told me happily that we finally arrived and then I smiled. We're finally in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Our day one in Ilocos started with a lunch slash merienda at Grandpa's Inn. We ordered a few Ilocano delicacies like the famous longanisa, poque-poque, dinuguan, and pinakbet. I stared at the food, only bothering to eat the longanisa. After that, we walked to the Gordion Hotel where we stayed for our first night. We dropped off our bags and started exploring Vigan. Of course, when in Vigan, start with Kalye Crisologo. At around five o'clock we heard mass at the Vigan Cathedral which was in Ilocano. We went back to the hotel and picked-up Mum, so we could have dinner. We ate dinner at Cafe' Leona which is a known restaurant in Vigan. There were so many customers when we arrived. I ordered eat-all-you-can pasta and California Maki. After dinner we went around Crisologo and went pasalubong shopping.

Grandpa's Inn

Gordion Inn

Vigan Cathedral

Shopping at Kalye Crisologo

Day two started with hotdog, egg and garlic rice. We had breakfast at the hotel which had a restaurant by the ruins. As soon as we were packed and set, we headed to Ilocos Norte where the more interesting events happened. First, we headed to Badoc and saw the church. We then proceeded to Luna House which my most favorite part of the whole trip. It was amazing and I developed an interest for Juan Luna. We went to Paoay church which is one of the most amazing churches. They had really nice Christmas decor especially the Nativity scene. We had lunch at Herencia, which was not so good because of the slow service. But then, the food was good especially the pinakbet pizza and I finally tried the poque-poque which was really good. Now, I'm craving for it. We went to Batac where we looked at Marcos memorabilia. We weren't able to go inside in one place because the caretaker wasn't around. I also had my first Ilocos empanada there. We proceeded to Laoag where we checked-in at Java Hotel. We left our stuff and we went to Santa Monica in Sarrat which is another beautiful church. We went to another Marcos museum which was the birthplace of Ferdinand Marcos. We went next to St. William's church and the sunken bell tower. After that, we had dinner at Chicken Ati-atihan which was good.

Badoc Church

Juan Luna and I

Paoay Church

Marcos

Java Hotel

Sta. Monica Church

Marcos Museum

Sunken Bell Tower

St. William's Church

Chicken Ati-atihan

Day three came and we packed our bags. We headed farther north. Our first stop was the Bangui Wind Mills which was really amazing. The wind was really strong starting from there. We headed farther north to Pagudpod which is the tip of mainland Luzon. Since it is the tip of Luzon, it is already the South China Sea. We went farther and was able to make a short side-trip to Cagayan but immediately went back. We headed South and saw the Cape Bojeador lighthouse which is the only lighthouse in the Philippines. We headed south again to the dome-less bell tower and church in Bacarra. Then, we went back to Vigan at the Gordion Hotel again and ate dinner at Cafe' Leona again. I also learned something about Vigan's history. Vigan was supposed to be attacked by the Japanese but the Japanese commander had a wife in Vigan. He made a deal with the parish priest. He would not let the Japanese attack Vigan as long as he protected his wife and children. Therefore, Vigan was spared. We also had coffee at Leila's cafe' which was a really cool coffee shop with Victorian style decor.

Bangui Windmills

Pagudpud with 

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Dome-les Belltower

Baccara Church

Leila's Cafe

Day four came which was our final day in Ilocos. I woke up disappointed and saddened about the fact that it was our last day. I had breakfast again at the ruins. Then we headed to Syquia mansion which is the house of the wife of Elpidio Quirino. I learned a lot about the strategic location of the rooms like the girls, being next to the parents so they can keep an eye on them and the boys next to the library for their studies. Then, we went to Villa Angela Heritage House which is also a hotel. We also went to Padre Burgos' house which is just across the Vigan Cathedral. After that we checked out of the hotel. After successfully begging Dad to go to the Bantay Watchtower and Bell tower, we went there after shortly leaving Vigan. It was also a bell tower for the church. We went up the bell tower and I found out I was slowly overcoming my fear of heights. There were different bells for different purposes. The view from the tower was amazing and very strategic. Then, we went southbound toward home.

Syquia Mansion

Villa Angela

Burgos Museum

Bantay Church

Bantay Watch Tower and Bell Tower

Bell

My trip to Ilocos was memorable and fun. I discovered many things and learned a lot. This has been the longest road trip I have ever been in. At the end of the trip, I realized something. Ilocos is now at the top of my most favorite places in the world.

Ilocos Sur Ark

After successfully taking a picture of the arc that separated Ilocos Sur from La Union, I closed my eyes again and braced myself for another long drive.