Blessed with Good People 💜

I'm blessed with good people

These few are my trusted ones

They know everything about me

From my favorite food to my hidden reactions

They are supportive, appreciative and kind hearted

They will squeeze you tightly with love

Warm hugs and genuine smile

They will always be my protector aside from my family

Eight years of bond keeps stronger and stronger

Each may face different challenges and struggles in life but no one left

Each witness individuals successes and failures

From getting married, having a baby, and just being single

Some of them may have their own precious family

Those didn't make them leave the group

Instead there own family extended our group

From birthday surprises to out of town trips

From food trips to coffee dates

I will always treasure them

Meet my ultimate amazing bestfriends

Dwarfs Forever

'till then loves,

xoxo DER <3

P.S. Nor & Egil <3

Surf 'n Turf: Thoughts of a Traveler

Nope it's not the secret meal of Mcdo.
It's not even a food but it tastes and feels really good.
It's my surfing experience in the Surfing Capital of the Philippines: SIARGAO

Bragged as the surfing capital so it's a must that you have to experience surfing. I'm a fan of all water adventures but I'm not really good in swimming. Trying out surfing sends chills and excitement to my adventurous system.

If you are a first timer, you need to have an assistance. Instructors are all around Cloud Nine, General Luna encouraging you to try surfing. The standard payment for a 1 hour experience with long board rental and instructor is Php 500. Yes, it's pricey so you have to kick your butt to do your best.

How to learn surfing? Is it easy? Can I do it in one hour? What if I fall?
Those are some of the questions that popped into my excited yet scared mind. But even if I have all those apprehensions, I still pushed myself to do it. It's a once in a lifetime experience, I should not miss it out.

1st: 5-10 minutes training and orientation is needed before you go to the waters. It depends if you can get it right away. It's just like learning some steps in dancing so it only took me 5 minutes to execute.

2nd: Going to the waters. Since we're just beginners, our instructor brought us to "The Jacking Horse". You are going to ride/paddle to the deeper part of the ocean. Take note you have to listen to your instructor. They know best. They won't let you hurt yourself. Give your full trust to them.

3rd: Waiting for the waves that is really for you same with love you have to wait for the one who's meant for you. Focus is the key. When your instructor will say READY: Prepare yourself. When he say GO: you have to stand on the long board. At first it's really scary because you'll be really afraid of falling. But just allow yourself to fall, and get back again. Until you will get your balance.

4th: Enjoy the fall. It took me three falls before getting my balance and putting myself together. If others can do it, so do I. I should stand. I should surf or else my money will go to waste.

5th: Your instructor won't give up on you, so should you. They will help you even if it will be more than one hour as long as you can stand on the long board.

Thoughts of a traveler:

Life is like surfing. There are moments that you need someone to guide you until you will learn how to stand on your own just like standing on your own long board. There are times that you have to fall in order to learn. Failure is painful but I tell you, you’ll learn from it. When you fall, gather yourself up and stand again. There are time that you will enjoy your fall. Same with surfing, you need to find your balance. Do not let others dictate you on what to do, or what career or choice to take. In surfing trust is very important. There are people who will assure you that they will take care of you and they won’t let anything/anyone hurt you. You have to learn to trust others and of course trust and believe in yourself. Never give up even if everyone is telling you to do so. Lastly, enjoy the view while standing and encourage others to do the same.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! WHEN YOU DO IT, YOU'RE FUTURE SELF WILL THANK YOU FOR IT.
WATCH MY VIDEO 😊
https://youtu.be/PELJeMyEe6Y

'till next adventure loves.

xoxo,

DerTravels <3

Thoughts of a Travelbuff 😍

Why do I travel?

I travel not to BRAG but to SHOW. To show that no matter what is your status in life, you can still go to places if you will just save.

I travel not to ESCAPE MY REALITY but  to SEE THE WORLD'S REALITY. I'm contained in my own thoughts and routines that I tend to forget how others are functioning.

I travel not to IMPRESS but to EXPRESS. Express the other side of me. Express without being afraid of the judgement of others.

I travel not for POSTING but for CAPTURING. Many would travel just to post something in social media. It's seems to be a requirement in the digital world. I travel to capture. I always love taking pictures. My family and friends knew that I post pictures a week or a month after my travel.

I travel not to CONNECT but to DISCONNECT. Disconnect to the hustle and bustle of my city life. Disconnect to the negativity of the world.

I travel not to FIND PLACES but to GET LOST IN PLACES. Sometimes you will find yourself through getting lost. You will discover new things about yourself if you get lost in the wilderness.

I travel not to ISOLATE MYSELF but to EXPERIENCE. There's more to life than the four walls of my classroom and my cubicle.

'till next adventure loves ^_^
xoxo DER <3

Gist of my 2017: Insights 💜

January made me realize that distance won't matter if the relationship is true. This month I reconnected with my college friends (co-academic scholars). We had a full day tour in Bohol Island.

February taught me that I have to give chance to people who exerted effort in expressing their feelings for me. I also realized that valentines is not only about lovers, dinner dates, chocolates and flowers. It's about giving time loving yourself.

March was the month that taught me to be with the productive people rather than the destructive one. I also maintained the attitude of being grateful in everything that's happening to me may it be little or big successes.

April pushed me to go out from my comfort zone and unleashed the other side of me (film making and photography). I went to International Academy for Film and Television to experience life behind the camera.

May is the month where flowers bloom and it's a reminder that I'm cultivating my passion for teaching. I've attended seminars and team building activities to hone my craft.

June taught me that you have to fake it till you make it. Sometimes you just have to be weak in order to be strong. You show everyone that you are smiling but deep inside you were hurting.

July made me realize that people come and go. There are friends who will leave you and there are also friends who will come back nonetheless you have to remember that distance is not the hindrance in making your relationaship strong. It's all about true connections.

August pointed me that the world is a dangerous place. People will take advantage of your weakness for their own good.

September will always be a celebration of life, success, teamwork and sportsmanship.

October gave me a deeper understanding of being independent. Sometimes you have to do it on your own. Sometimes you have to be scared and to be hurt in order to learn.

November showed me the value of family. They will always be my main supporter. They pushed me to experience life as I want it to be. They allowed me to explore things alone.

December will always be my favorite month. It's the ending and beginning.

TO MY CHEERLEADER: MAMA LENE

Dear Mama,

As I grow up, time begins to fly by faster and faster, and I often get too caught up in everything to realize how much has changed.

I really need to thank you, Ma. Thank you for doing all of the little things. For letting my friends sleep over every single time I asked, for reading my favorite books to me when I was little over and over again until I knew each one by heart, and then going along with it when I pretended I could actually read them myself. Thank you for coming to all of my competitions, performances and awards ceremonies and being the most proud parent there. Thank you for helping me with my homework and making me dinner and cleaning my room, and I could go on and on about all of these things, but you have done so much more for me that I am beyond grateful for. You understand me better than anyone else, and you have always been there to listen to me complain or hold me when I didn't even know why I was crying. You have been the most incredible role model; you handle every situation, big or small, with such strength, courage, and selflessness. I have been so blessed to have a person like you in my life to look up to. There is no better compliment than when someone tells me I look like you or act like you, or even when someone mistakes me for you on the phone. They say that girls become like their mothers when they grow up, and I can only hope that that will be true for me. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

I also need to tell you that I love you. I try to say it as often as I can, but I feel like even that will never be enough. It is difficult for me to put into words just how much you mean to me, because you are absolutely everything to me: my support, my friend, my sense of humor, my voice of reason. Above all of these things, you are my mom, in the most perfect sense of the word. You have never failed to make me feel loved, and that is something that I will never take for granted. Even at my worst moments, you have loved me unconditionally.You have taught me how to put my entire heart into everything and everyone, just as you have always done for me. Just please know that I love you more, even if you do love me most.

Lastly, Mom, I want to tell you that I'm sorry. I am so sorry for all of the times that I picked fights with you for no reason or was embarrassed by you. I'm sorry for shutting you out when all you wanted to do was help. I'm sorry for any time I have disobeyed or disappointed you. Most importantly, I am sorry for all of the times I chose my friends or anything else over you. You have put me first for your entire life, and I only wish that I would have done the same for you all of those times. I would give anything to go back and spend more of that time with you, because you really are the best person in my life. Please know that I love you more than anything, and I am so sorry for any time I may have hurt you.

Mom, you have been with me through absolutely everything, and have done so with a smile always on your face. Thank you so much for the love, laughs and lessons you have given me over the past 22 years. I can only hope that there will be many more to come. I love you!

Open Letter: To my Best friend on her Wedding Day

To My Dwarf Friend,

Saturday is your wedding day and I couldn't be happier for you as you embark on the next stage of your life with the man you love. As I sit and reminisce on our journey of friendship and all we have been through together, I am reminded of just how important you are to me; how much I love, respect and admire you. However, this friendship we share will inevitably change after this weekend; how could it not? But this does not sadden me, and I am thrilled to be standing next to you for the moment your future begins. Here are a few things I want you to remember Saturday, the day of your wedding:

It is going to be a whirlwind of pictures, flowers, dresses, emotions, and most importantly, joy. Remember to take in it all in slowly, and breathe. Don't get lost in the craziness of the day; remember to enjoy and appreciate these moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

I know it will be your happiest day to date, but it's okay to feel a little sad as well. As you remember your nearest and dearest who unfortunately can't share the celebrations with you, know they are watching over you and smiling. We may not be able to help yearning for the people we wish were celebrating with us and that's okay. Because, although not physically in attendance, these people WILL be a part of your day. They are with you, and always will be.

We are all so proud of you. Your family, friends and especially me are unbelievably proud of the person you have become. Everything you have achieved thus far is well-deserved and a source of constant inspiration for me. You've always been so confident, determined and successful in accomplishing your goals and dreams.

Above all, I hope you remember how much fun your big day will be. It will be easy to get caught up in the scheduling, timing and stress that your wedding day holds. Don't forget that at the end of the day it is about you and your worthy prince. Everyone you love is celebrating with you and the love of your life, as you two embark on your greatest adventure yet.

For now, try your best to get some sleep -- Saturday is a big day. It is going to be beautiful; all of the hard work you have done will certainly pay off and I can't wait to be by your side, watching you live the fairytale we imagine as teens.

An Open Letter To My Ultimate Crush

I just need you to know how I feel.

This open letter idea just popped up into my mind.

Personally, I'm going through a tough time right now trying to figure out what everything means. We all know what it's like to have a crush. To add on to that, sometimes we like people that affect our lives in either a positive or negative way. I like to think that we have all had at least one great experience when it comes to a crush. On the other hand, we've also had a few instances where it just didn't work out. Sometimes, us women have a lot of trouble with this. We overthink things, we stress ourselves out, and even lead ourselves on with guys. Because I am struggling with these issues, here's what I have to say to the guy I have a crush on:   

Hey you!! This one is for you. And the funny thing is, you will probably not even know that I wrote this for and about you. 

Most of the time, I'm a super chill girl that says it how it is. I'm straight up and honest with people when it comes to how I feel. I don't know what happened, but ever since you walked into my life, you completely changed the game for me. Obviously, by now, I have had many different experiences when it comes to having feelings for someone, but this is so different. At this point in your lives, in relationships, we either break up or we get married. How crazy is that?

From the moment I have met you I felt something I don’t understand. You are special, so special and I do not even think you realize how special you are. When I saw you I felt this instant attraction and for me this was weird because you are not my standard ‘type’. We share the same passion. We actually met in a competition. You are younger than me but you think more matured than me (how ironic is that?).

At this point, I don't know how I feel. Do you want something more than friends or are you just trying to pass the time?

I will not chase you. I've spent too much time in my past chasing people that did not even deserve my time. If you can't invest your time in me, how can I invest my time in you? By constantly being the one to text first and pursue the relationship, I feel like I'm just setting myself up for failure. I will not do that anymore. I want you to talk to me, and not just when you're bored. I need to know that you value me instead of making me your back up plan.

Sometimes, I act like an annoying girl that leads herself on more than you do. I plan things out in my head and prepare for the future together. I get so excited for you to meet my family, spend holidays together, and experience so many things together. I don't know why I do, I just can't help it. I enjoy being around you and I see myself being with you for more than you have even thought about. Sometimes I just have too many feelings that I want to share, but you'll just have to go with it. You're going to have to accept me as I am, even when I cry about small things or want to spend as much time as possible with you.

You may not like yourself, but I do. You talk down on yourself, but you don't even understand how much I value you in my life. We may have only known each other for a few months out of our lives, but I wish you would see how important you are to me. I believe that you have so much going for you and that you're going to go so far in your life. I just hope that maybe, just maybe, I could be there to witness that.

So, overall, I want you to text me. I want you to be honest with me. Even if it's to tell me that you don't reciprocate those feelings, I want to know how you feel about me. I just need something that proves to me that you're worth my time and effort.

If you think that this might have could be written for you, I challenge you to ask me if I wrote this for you..