Hello Laos! :)

The road to Vientiane, Laos was roughly a 9 hour travel via Nongkhai Border from Bangkok. I joined a travel agency to make everything easier for me. I actually did this Laos visit for an extension of my stay in Thailand. I applied for a single entry visa that is good for 2 months tourist visa.

What I love about the culture of this country is that the women still wear their national skirt (Sinhs) with pride and honor. You will see them wear it to school, work or just an everyday get-up.

I only got 2 days and 1 night stay in Vientiane so it was not enough to completely savor the beauty of Laos, I was only able to see the night market at Mekong River. Cheap finds there! Lots of hand made bags that are very affordable. Also, you could use thai baht for shopping! :) 1 THB = 250 kip

The following morning, we visited the Patuxai (it's a war monument). It was so fantastic and I fell in love with it. We also visited the morning market then later that afternoon, we were bound to return to Thailand already.

I bought a famous tea brand in Laos but until now I did not try it yet because I'm saving it for a better occasion. If ever I will get the chance to visit back Laos again, I really would like to tour around their famous temples.

Sawadee (สวัสดี) Thailand!

After 13 years, I was able again to travel out of the country. One of the reason I accepted the job offer at my current company is the chance to travel around the world and the main reason is to help industries to minimize waste and to help generate renewable energy.

My first assignment last March was to travel to Uthai Thani, Thailand to have a biological waste water treatment training on a starch plant. I won't talk about technical stuffs here in my blog but I will just run through all the places I had been to while having leisure time.


Upon arrival to Suvernabhumi International Airport via the prestigious Thai Airways, I fell in love right away to the country of Smiles.
Navigating myself throughout Bangkok was made easier by their BTS (Skytrain just like our MRT/LRT). For my stay in BKK, the company always booked us in the Grand Business Inn In Sukhumvit 11 near Nana Station of BTS. I would give the hotel 4 stars for its service, access to public transportation, accommodation and food.

For my stay in Ban Rai, Uthai Thani, Thailand, we rented a villa in Huay Par Pok Resort. The house was nice and clean but during night time I am so scared with the short power interruptions from time to time. Also, we don't have internet access unless we will go to the reception area which I consider very far and unsafe especially during night time. Another problem for our lodging is that there is no means of transportation other than private car, so it was best for me to stock food in case nobody could bring me to the market.

Near the resort that we stayed was this wonderful temple. I was amazed by its beauty and simplicity.

Near the Tham Khao Wong Temple is the Pu Way Cave. It was my first time to enter a cave and I was not prepared since I was just wearing a rubber slipper. The hike to the top was breath taking. I could see the overview of nature's gift. The moment we entered the cave, I was so excited to be able to see those stalactites and stalagmites that once my geology professor were discussing in class back in my college days.
It was an amazing experience worth remembering.

After that, we tried to go to the Avatar Spa near our resort to try the salt streaming and then we had an unlimited time access to their infinity pool. I was so happy savoring the experience of having a business trip with pleasure. :)

I was also fortunate to visit the hundred years market (Samchuk Market) in Suphanburi. I was so happy to see lots of food. Take note, Mercato Central, Soderno or Banchetto are nothing compared to this food haven!  :)

I always associate Thailand to Elephants so I said to myself that I should be able to ride one if ever I will have the opportunity, so I did! :) There is also a saying that once you walk under the belly of a pregnant elephant, you will be lucky with your life.

I was again fortunate to be sent back to Thailand for the start-up of our first solid digester in the company. It was the same client but this time around it is more serious since this is not a training anymore, but I was still lucky to be able to visit a few places on my 2 months stay.


We were able to went back to the Hundred Years Market but this time, we rode a boat to tour the old temple and the museum. It's amazing how Thais are so concern/caring to Animals, I saw a lot of homeless dogs being brought to Temple for shelter. Also, I was so fortunate to see relics of Buddhas and other Thai Tools.

Next stop was a visit to Bungchawak Zoo also in Suphanburi. This zoo was so enormous that it is divided to different parts. I only got to see the oceanic part (it's like a version of our Manila Ocean Park) and the tiger Zoo.

What awed me for my whole stay in Thailand was the visit to Wat Tha Sung Temple in Uthai Thani City. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Last year, when flood hit Thailand, it was one of the places that was badly affected, but it was once again restored.

We also went to another grandeur temple in Uthai Thani. This time, the temple was on top of a hill so the view was superb.

So that was my Thailand adventure. I hope I could still visit some places I haven't been to. On my list are:

1. Ayutthaya - to see the ruin
2. Chiang Mai - for rehabilitation of their old elephants
3. Phuket - Beach baby! :)
4. Bangkok Tour (Wat Po, Wat Arun, Grand Palace via Chao Phraya River Cruising) - need I say more?

Just a tip if you're going shopping in Bangkok, the weekend Chatuchak Market is a good place to head up first thing in the morning since it's an open air market. They sell a wide range of materials from dress to souvenirs to food to even dog accessories! :) Shopping in MBK is also well recommended if you're a gadget lover. If your're a lady and dying to buy dress and accessories head to Platinum Mall. If you're for shopping without any budget in mind, Central World, Siam Paragon and Terminal 21 are the place to be, but if you're really that extravagant in spending money, girlfriend, head to Gaysorn Mall where all shops are branded! :)

Single for the meantime

image source:http://daniellefazeela.wordpress.com

It's been ages since I entered a Romantic Relationship. After experiencing heartbreak thrice, I decided to stay single and just enjoy life. After all, it's just a status. Nobody should be pressured on finding "the one". There is also a saying that "Love finds you the minute you stop looking." So for all those singles out there I could give you a few reasons why it's more awesome to stay single, for now.

- You can somehow save a lot of money (instead of going to dates at a fancy restaurant or buying your honey bunch some special gadgets or a designer shirt)

- You won't have any problems going out randomly with some old friends any time, anywhere. (take in consideration your parents' opinion of course)

- No worries on the urge of informing someone where you are, what you're doing or who you're with (or even to be bothered who she's/he's with, etc.)

- You tend to be more beautiful when you're single. This is simply because you got more time for yourself and you can spend much to pamper yourself.

- You are lesser stressed. (Minus those petty fights, senseless arguments couples usually have just to put some spices in their relationship)

- You are closer to your family and friends. Yes, you spend most of your leisure time with them, resulting to a more fruitful relationship that you will treasure for life. As the saying goes: "Chicks before dicks and Bros before hoes"

- Lesser tendency to be on a bad mood. Since you're single, you don't have to think of somebody that will greatly stress your life. No need to be jealous with some hot, sexy momma out there while strolling the mall.

- Gives you more time to focus on how to improve your life. Long term goals are born from reflecting on what you really want to achieve at a certain timeline.

- Chance to discover more the inner you. This is the opportunity to explore your capabilities and assess how strong you are. You'll eventually learn not to depend for someone special to carry on with your life.

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So to the one destined to me:

I am still having the best time of my life now exploring my skills, personality and goals. I know you are still out there doing exactly the same thing. I know when we are both ready, magic will just happen and we will find each other (or if we already know each other now, love will just bridge us together).

So no pressure, take your time and do things that will define who you are N years from now. We will need all those discoveries and learning to be the better us. I know when the right time comes, we will definitely make each other very happy.

Everyday I pray that when that moment finally arrives, we will be inseparable. We will love each other unconditionally. We will respect each other, and most importantly we will be truthful.

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So I'm staying single, for now. :)

My Awesome year of 2011

Wrapping up My 2011

I consider this year as a year of many beginnings. I finally was able to join the work force, so it was the start of being independent - financially. I was part of the Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines Corporation family as their Wastewater Engineer starting January 3 to September 30 2011, that's almost 9 months of enjoying my Chemical Engineering profession in a multi-national company. During those times - I was able to try a lot of things I haven't for my past 23 years of existence.

one of the many night outs I had with office mates...

joining team dinners where I was the only girl...

being part of the fire brigade and first aid competition

attending a lot of business seminars...

learning a lot of things - not just technical but also about work ethics...

saying goodbye to people who touched my life even in a short span of time...

As I mentioned, this was a start of being financially independent, I was able to live on my own for almost 5 months - I rented a place along Pedro Gil. Although I still went home from time to time because I can't do my laundry and I got home sick, I can say still that I pay my own bills. I was also able to buy stuffs that I want and need. Sadly, I was really not able to save anything yet from my salary.

2011 was also the start of deeper friendship with my college girl friends. This year we got to spend more time together for out of town trips and chilling out. Most of the time it was me, Popples and Ave because Iris was too busy with work but she still managed to join us whenever she can.

watched my first Pyro Olympics on top of Ecom Tower courtesy of Iris Siy (her work perks)

my first super club experience (VIP treatment c/o Popples' friend)

We tried laser tagging at greenhills! :)

Food markets at night were very popular so we hang out at Mercato Central at BGC

We went to Subic to chill last August

My Second bar experience -Izumi

After resigning from work, we enjoyed the beach of Laiya

My third and best bar experience - Attica (11-11-11 madness)

2011 was a year of acquaintances. I had got to know a lot of people from work and from friends of friends. Some just come and go while others became close friends. I just hope that the friendship established will continue to grow as we get to know each other more.

2011 made our family bond stronger. Trials came along but we still manage to stand strong as one family. We support each other on every obstacle that we encountered.

We manage to get through because of Him -Calleruega trip

My grandparents together with their grown up granchildren...

Though Angkong wasn't with us anymore, we gotta stay strong - Luk Foo Cantonese Restaurant

Christmas at Summit Ridge Tagaytay

When it comes to the matters of the heart, 2011 was a year of happiness and pain. I thought there was really something special between the two of us, but I guess things were different after all. During those times that I had spent with him, I felt very happy, contented and secured, but things change in just a blink of an eye. I found myself in deep pain after almost 4 years of staying single and not entertaining anyone in particular. It's nobody's fault, maybe I just misinterpreted his gestures, maybe all along what he could just offer is pure friendship. That is why it is very wrong to assume.

They say you cannot have it all, although my heart was in pain, I manage to find a job during the last quarter. This job that I currently have is something extra-ordinary because I will get the opportunity to travel. I consider this as a fresh start. I hope that I could grow more as a person with this change.

Global Water Engineering PE family

To summarize everything, my 2011 was really awesome. My life was complete with the right combination of sweetness and spices. I am very thankful to God Almighty for always being there for me and my family. For making me strong in times I felt weak, for making me happy in times of loneliness, for ensuring I will remember to be humble it times everyone is saying that I should be proud.

I am also grateful to family and friends who manage to be with me not just when I am happy but also during those times that I felt very low. Thank you for being true and saying things without sugar coating.

I now welcome 2012 with open arms. :) Happy New Year everyone!

Ode to My Grandfather

Ode to My Grandfather

His love to his children

will never be forgotten

He tried to be the greatest father

so everybody might have their happy ever after

A man with pure heart and soul

that tried to reach all his life's goal

A person who always extend a helping hand

in everybody's heart he lands.

He held me high to see the sky

and patiently taught me how to fly

He pushed me to be the best

and to do good in every test

My dear angkong you'll definitely be missed

but we know you are now at peace

We love you with all our heart

Wherever you are we hope you have a great start

Free your heart

(image source: www.weheartit.com)

There will come a point where one will realize it's time to let go and move on because you have nothing to begin with. You thought you have something special with someone but truthfully it might just be one sided, it's not mutual. You kept on telling yourself for the longest time that there's something special, but in reality there's none.

Realizing that you gotta move forward is a fresh start. From time to time, you will still feel the pain and the questions behind your mind will still bother you, but you gotta stay strong with your decision to start a new life-without him/her.

You're fine without that someone to begin with so I guarantee that you'll be ok if that someone will be not part of you anymore. It will take a lot of courage and faith that you can do this, but believe me in time you'll eventually be fine, just like you once had been.

There is always a master plan for all of us. In God's time, we will find that someone who will truly love us for who we are and accept all our flaws in life. That someone will receive us as a package deal equipped with everything we have and has a "no return, no exchange" policy.

For the meantime let's just take one step at a time to mend our fragile heart so that when we meet "the one" we are ready to love and be loved again.

All I want for Christmas

I could feel the Christmas breeze already so I guess it's time to make my wish list.

What are the chances that my closest friends will read this blog entry? I honestly don't know but I hope they could stumble upon this so they can have an idea what I really want for the Holidays haha :)

So first on my list is this hoodie from Nike. I could probably use this a lot! I just love sporty looks. Maybe I'm a medium or a large? haha.

I want this chuck taylor sneaker so badly. I'am a size 7 :)

To complete the sporty get-up is this Jansport Bag that will be useful for stuffing all my things.

To not get me bored during flights for work are the books of Francis Kong (I already have 2 of his books "Duh" and "The Early Bird Catches The Worm"

I wish to have this wallet from Mango to put my moolah $$$

To be always on time means I need this watch from Tomato

Lastly, to be in touch of my feminine side, I would gladly want to receive this dress from Bayo. I'm just a Small to Medium size for this shop.

So I guess making this wish list made me happy but it will make me happier if I receive even just one of these items on Christmas. haha :)