Our so called road trip...

The second day of our vacation started early...very early.
We didnt know that outside our rooms were a number of roosters. And around 3 am,they already started crowing. I couldnt sleep any longer. I wanted to get out and choke each rooster to death. And the room itself was non-conducive for sleeping. I tried every sleeping position, tried reading a book, listening to music...but all failed. By 6 am, I was already outside taking a walk. After freshening up,we went to Waig spring resort. We had our breakfast and then headed down to the pool. All of them but I took a dip in the pool for I wasnt really feeling good that time. After, we went to the Benedictine Monks' Monastery of Transfiguration. The architecture of their churches were astounding. They look like pyramids in the middle of the Bukidnon rocky terrain. It reminds me of Illuminati-related designs in Dan Brown's Angels & Demons which I am reading right now for the second time.
After that we had lunch at Jollibee Malaybalay. We discussed where should we go next. We researched and asked for tourist spots around the area. We also thought if should we go way up north towards CDO then head for butuan. Or should we just head back home. We thought the latter was better - financially that is. And perhaps physically for we have nowhere to sleep and we thought every place would already we fully booked by this time. And heck,even malls are closed.
So we drove home. And around 3 pm, we were already in Valencia and we spotted another Jollibee. We had some cold and sweet treats. Five more and we could have finished the 'bisita jollibee',we joked.
Before sunset, we managed to get to the newly designed Overview. There were sculptures all around done by Kublai,the same person who designed People's Park in Davao.
Around 6 pm, we were already in buda or the bukidnon-davao-border. The place as usual was cold and chilly, so we had a cup of coffee in the recently opened Seagull coffee shop to unwind and relax a bit. The place was packed, the place had a nice feel, very cozy and add to that the cold breeze from the breath-taking terrain outside the window. But their cafe mocha, which i had wasn't that great.
It was already getting dark so we decided to continue our trip back home. And around 8 pm, we were already home sweet home.
I thought or rather we thought that we would be back by Sunday. I even packed alot of things just to be ready. Thats what you get when you dont make plans...youve got no place to sleep and even nowhere to go. And you end up at home earlier than you expected. Good thing it was just a couple of hours away and that we did not need to commute for there were no schedule of trips that time.
Well,til our next road trip...
Godspeed!

Lent 09

Im on vacation right now with my family. The initial plan was just to go wherever our feet, or wheels, take us. Some sort of a road trip. But before we left home, my parents decided that we will just head up north towards Bukidnon. But because my parents just made their decisions a few hours before leaving,they were not able to make the necessary reservations. That is why we were forced to look for some hotel or inn in a small town Bukidnon. Right now,we are stuck in this lodging house which i dont even know if they even change the sheets. A while back,for the reason that it is still early and that the room is giving some claustrophobic feeling,we decided to just take a walk. And because this is only a small town and today is a holiday,the only establishment that is open is a bakeshop. And I guess for their time and schedule it is already late (it was around 10pm). Good thing they have ice cream. The five of us shared a half gallon. What a good way to end a day. More updates to come...that's if I have good reception on my phone.

Choose Level of Difficulty

If you had your way in life, would you want things easy or difficult? Are you the type of person who would always chase challenges?

This was ask to me by CJ while we were in the front seat of a jeepney on our way to duty. Well, i have always been the easy going and laid back type of guy... So if i had my way, i would without a doubt choose the easy way. I believe that challenges will come whether you want it or not, whether you're prepared or not. So if life is like a computer game wherein you can choose the level of difficulty, i would surely choose the easiest. Life is already complicated enough to make it even more complicated.

Or maybe i'm just rationalizing stuff. Maybe i really would love to take risks and challenges but just dont have the guts to do it. Just another maybe in my life. But on the jeepney somewhere in Bankerohan, CJ somewhat believed what i have said and mentioned that she'll put that in mind. I have said it with conviction and somewhat that time i also believed myself. Till next time. Godspeed!

Btw,i am creating this post using my phone through opera mini. Cool noh? Free internet anytime anywhere. Really handy...

updates

its been a while since my last post here. that just means that im into something besides from letting my back cratered with decubitus ulcers and my vision blurred by the monitor. just like what ive said in my previous post, ive been back to the sterile grounds of the hospital. and so far, everythings been doing good. ive been able to adjust well with the workload, responsiblities, schedule and my workmates. and during my off, i usually do my laundry, other personal stuff and errands, hear mass, and of course I unwind. thats why i havent been able to update this blog regularly.
and its not only blogging thats been compromised because of my new schedule...I havent been able to bake something for quite some time. so yesterday, just before going on duty, I made cookies for my family and workmates. glad they liked it.
till next time.
godspeed.

tedpen in the sickroom

Yup, I’m back in the hospital. Guess it’s about time that I do some training and volunteering work. It’s about time that I refresh my skills and memory. It’s been almost two years I guess since the last time I’ve been exposed to the sterile trace of the hospital.

I truly missed the hospital setting – the workload and the responsibilities. It sounds weird but I somehow enjoy going on duty. The workload is challenging but tolerable. I missed dealing with patients and their needs. I missed being a nurse. There’s still room for a lot of improvement though. I hope I can give my all and be the best that I can be. Time to work my ass off.

Godspeed!

They call me tedpen...

I know people have been posting this app in their friendster profiles for quite some time but it was just now that I have tried it myself. And must I say that I'm quite shock about what I've read. It's almost accurate, I think. I was smiling and nodding my head while reading it. What do you think?

You Are Spontaneous and Whimsical

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Apprentice no more...

Because I have a lot of free time in my hands these past few days, I’ve decided to spend it in the kitchen. I want to enhance my skills in baking and have something for my family to munch on. And who would have thought that I would have a lot of fun too, from surfing the net for recipes, to buying stuff in grocery, to baking itself, mixing, folding, beating, sifting, cutting and a whole lot more.

So I'm back in the kitchen again mastering more recipes. And the latest happens to be one of my favorites – Sans Rival. I never thought that its ingredients would just be eggs, sugar, butter and cashew for its staggering price at bakeries and cake shops. I guess its tedious preparation makes it expensive – it takes forever and a lot of effort.

At first I was not that sure about trying it out for we don’t have an electric mixer. But what the heck! If it turned out to be a disaster, guess my family will still eat it. And so I warmed up the oven and my biceps for the heavy task ahead. And it was a heavy task indeed. I beat the egg whites for almost an hour just to make them thick and creamy. But the recipe requires them to be stiff and glossy and unfortunately my muscles cannot tolerate any longer. So I decided to just settle with the thick and creamy instead of the stiff and glossy. The result – a flat Sans Rival. It doesn’t have that much crunch and bite into it. But it still tastes great though. In fact, it did not reach 24 hours for it to be consumed. Till next time! Godspeed!

The Baker's Apprentice

Because Ate Jaja is already back in the land of sand and dirhams, our kitchen is now empty. The oven’s cold and some ingredients are just stacked.

That is why I decided to try it myself – baking that is. With some of the things I learned from watching cooking shows on tv, I grabbed on the spatula and started with excitement. It is amazing how useful the World Wide Web is – there you can see recipes with step to step ways and tips on how to do and perfect it.

I’ve always loved cooking – but just recently had the courage to put on the apron after I had been an apprentice to Ate Jaja whilst she was here. And of course there’s the practical reason of lack of ingredients.

Here are a few of my courageous undertaking with the kitchen and the oven.

Smores Brownies A layer of graham crust, brownies and marshmallows My fave - Egg Pie!!!

Fortunately, all of them were successful. And I guess all of them were delightful as well. My mom even said that I should already take cooking lessons. All of them were consumed promptly and I even had a food critic in the person of CJ and fortunately I received very good reviews. Hehe! Till my next oven exposure! Godspeed!

Moving on

Now, I can move on with my life.

It’s not what you think it is. I did not have a recent break up. What I’m referring to is my career path. I took the examination that marks the end of the class. That was also the sign for me to move on. That was the point of transition – an end and a beginning. Now I can proceed fully to the next stage – without hang-ups and what ifs.

Now all I have to do is wait. But while waiting, I must make use of my time. What better way but to work and to do some training and gain some experience. I hope I’ll do well with it. I hope I can give my best and apply my remaining knowledge and skills (if there’s still) to good use. With courage and confidence, I must face this new page of my life.

But before that, I must now submit my applications and pray that I may be accepted. Godspeed!

23 @ 09

Yep, I turned 23 this year. We celebrated it at Chema’s. I had alot of fun. The place was amazing ang the food was superb. Here are some proof of our fun-filled day…

Another year added in my life but feels like nothing’s totally change. I don’t quite understand myself these past few days. I’ve been having a lot of doubts and worries about myself and life in general.

I have always been afraid of the unknown – worried that everything may not turn out well. Anxiety and worries can sometimes drive you nuts and dormant. It holds you in stagnant position and even affects your vision. I have always been an optimist – seeing the glass half full. But there are times like this that I see the opposite.

Sometimes I also feel like I cannot do anything right. Sometimes I do not pursue good plans just because I am afraid that I might fail. I’m afraid to take the leap thinking that I might fall. Even if I haven’t started a task yet, I’m already thinking about failing – that I cannot do it. My self-esteem may sometimes dwindle down.

So for the new year, I am asking God for an armor of courage and a weapon of confidence so that I can battle the obstacles that lie ahead. That I may be able to utilize all opportunities given to me and that I can face all the trials that come along. And that I may be confident enough to continue with life knowing that I can make it after all.

And just today, God talked to me. How I love it when God’s message is just so clear – as if God’s in front of me uttering those words. I went to hear mass and the gospel was about the story when some of the disciples went to the sea and their boat toppled over. And there they saw Jesus walking on the water. At first they were even afraid thinking that He was a ghost.

But God said, “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid”. (Matthew 14:27)

Now I know that I mustn’t be afraid for I have God. That fear we have can lead us nowhere and that you will reach nothing if all you do is worry. It is better to have tried and fail than never have tried at all. But I know everything will be good and even great with Him. My God will never let me down. Now, I will face this life and everything that lies ahead courageously and with full of might. Godspeed!