earthquakes

In the few minutes before this, I have managed to squeeze in a quick chat with a friend now living overseas. We talked about my plans and whats been happening.

Honestly, I am scared. And I dont even have definite plans yet. I've always been afraid of taking that step...and I guess I have subconsciously been delaying it too. But I've said more than once (over and over again, in fact) that I WILL take that direction. Eventually.

Even now as I write about it, I feel little earthquakes running through my insides.
Someday, I dont know how soon, it will be my turn. And when that time comes, I will embrace it as openly as I can...while keeping those tremors invisible.

four years since

Its been four years since my last Holy Week here in Manila. I dont even remember what I did that time, though I can vaguely recall taking out the old, old film SLR on our annual Bisita Iglesia and taking Black and White photos of the kids.

This year, we went on another Bisita Iglesia, on Good Friday instead of Maundy Thursday (when is it supposed to be done anyway?) and without the fuss that we used to have. No packed lunches and no picnics off Rizal Park/CCP parking lots (there is a shortage of decent parks with trees in this country!). We went to four churches for the Stations of the Cross, had lunch at Chowking and then headed home. Any my sister and her kids weren't with us.

Black Saturday was the start of our Zambales overnight trip. We were heading there with the rest of my parent's and kuya's staff and their families (four rented jeepneys in all) , our van, and half of our kitchen I think. Travelling light is not an option for budget, big group excursions. So are trips requiring boat transfers. Hence, Zambales. The beach was crowded but the water was okay. Its not Boracay, but hey, its the beach!

It was only when Ally commented that the water was too salty that I realized that she's never been to the beach. I dont recall whether Carl has been, but I dont think he's been either. My nephew and niece lead such deprived lives. Buti nalang nagkaron ng excursion yung mga taga Bulacan. I think they enjoyed it, despite bucketfuls of sand in their bathing suits and saltwater in their system. I lathered them with sunblocked prior to each exposure, so no painful redness there....I do hope they get to go to the beach again soon. And with their cousins too, that way they'd enjoy it more.

For that trip, I borrowed Allan's cam with the casing so we could play with it. My favorite shots of the kids are those where they were underwater....they're off not really focused, but I guess I'm just glad they've been to the beach.

More photos from the trip in my flickr gallery.

I guess that starts off my Summer in Manila. More happenings are coming my way soon, I hope.

one off my list :D

I can finally cross off one of the places on my "where to go list"...I've been to Mt Pinatubo!!!

I started writing a really long entry describing the entire experience, when I realized that I would rather post pictures. Hence, no long narratives here...just photos and a few comments here and there.

(But for those who want to read more, of if you've seen this want to know a little more, head off to Allan's entry)





Our rented 4x4 splashing its way through Crow Valley...formerly Lahar territory








After a 40 minute 4x4 ride comes the 2 hour (or so) walk to the crater under the heat of the sun and amidst breathtaking scenery.




All that walking was well worth it...up at the top, you're greeted by Mt Pinatubo's crater lake...its not as blue green as it used to be because of recent rain and landslide...and maybe even volcanic activity. It is an active volcano after all...and the fact that we were there at the site of what used to be boiling hot lava and the source of immense destruction...its simply indescribable.






Those who braved the heat and the walk have to be rewarded with a souvenir shot.....

...and with 30 minutes of nap time buried under volcanic ash (in the Korean-owned Spa Town).

Ano na kayang pwedeng isunod sa listahan?