on the Verge of

2016 had very few long weekends since most of the Philippine holidays fell on a Saturday or Sunday. This 2017 looks more promising though with at least nine confirmed long weekends for the year. This means more opportunities of travel and discoveries. It's never too early to plan ahead and book a flight. Just make sure to fully enjoy and make the most out of these long weekends. Here's my personal travel guide for the upcoming long weekends of 2017. April 13-16: Holy Week For Catholics, Holy Week is an important period of repentance and recollection. With the 4-day holiday break, try a Visita Iglesia in Cebu and visit one of the city's oldest and most renowned churches: the Basilica Del Sto. Nino. One may also take a short pilgrimage to the Birhen ng Simala and offer intentions to the miraculous statue. On Easter Sunday, cap off the trip with a swim at the beautiful Bantayan island or try the famous canyoning activities that will trek Alegria to Kawasan falls.

I just cleaned my room for four days, the longest and most exhausting room cleanup I've ever done in my life. I have been lazy and busy for some time due to all the work and activities for the past few months. After my last day of work, I revisited some neglected corners of my room and realized how I have accumulated so many stuff throughout the years. I've been postponing my general cleaning because I knew it would really take some time. Good thing I did because I was able to spare a long time to clean up literally everything. Here are some of the clutter hidden in my tiny room. Paper Hoarder I am very much guilty of hoarding a lot of papers. From college notes to book photocopies, I've been keeping them in a box and bag promising myself that I would be sending all of them in a buy-back fair. I was actually able to do this once. I rummaged through my papers and gave them away in a buy-back fair in Abreeza mall. However, that was only 30% of what I had been keeping. I

Today's my last day in work. Barely four days after I've finalized my resignation, I find myself packing up the stuff I brought to the office to personalize my working area. By the end of the day, the desk I'm occupying will be back to its original state of emptiness. It seems like an ordinary day for me. It doesn't feel like I'm no longer going back tomorrow. I really haven't packed up everything yet. There's so much to clean-up. It's going to be another goodbye, one that is so surprising and swift. Someone will soon replace me. Life goes on for everyone including me. Goodbyes will eventually turn to hellos. The present will now become a past. But the relationships and the memories will always remain. I leave with a good heart and a pleasant goodbye. 'Til then, Team Phoenix! :) The promising view from the office during my last afternoon at work

Today marks another beginning of an end for me. Coincidentally, exactly a year ago, I did the same the thing. Only this time, I will be leaving swiftly and without too many tears. Life has led me to so many changes and challenges. Again and again, I am being taught about the uncertainties of life, about the random waves that we can either swim with or allow to take us away. Priorities have been sorted out. The course has been set. I pray that the Lord will bless and guide me in the new journey ahead.

The new year gives us a sense of fresh beginnings and hope. I'd like to take advantage of this by motivating myself to create my 2017 goals. For my goals, I am using the SMART criteria. This is an acronym for Specific, Measurable (I'd like to use Motivational as well), Attainable, Relevant and Timely which a popular mnemonic used in effectively setting goals. Goals should not be vague and subject to interpretation. It has to be feasible and relevant to one's priorities. With this, I will be posting here some of the goals I have set for myself this year. I hope this will constantly remind me of the things I need to finish before the year ends. My 2017 Goals

There are some things we ask for that don't usually arrive at the time we expect them to. Maybe because some things are meant to be delayed. Maybe because some things are not meant to be pursued right away. Maybe because our expected time isn't the really the best time. Now I feel anxious, excited, nervous.. Many things are ahead of me. I don't know what the future truly holds but I pray for the best. I know this time it will be tougher. Then I must do my best to toughen myself as well, to prepare for whatever lies ahead and grow better. So today, by God's grace, I move another step forward.

They say it's the small things that matter. I'd say it's those small moments that last forever. It seems so nostalgic for me. Exactly a year ago, this photo of our high school batch reunion was taken. It was one of many pictures in our small gathering last year. This particular one captured the brief moment we spoke to each other just before I left, the quick exchange of details which led to a series of unexpected events. Who would've thought that this perfectly captured moment was when it all began. Happy 9th monthsary James. I'm glad our paths crossed a year ago. We've probably said every cheesy line we could possibly say and yet here I am saying them again. It's because love will never grow tired of repeating how much we are in love. Love will never be ashamed to shout to the world the joys of loving. Love will always be too great to contain. Love will always be a joy to share. And I am happy to share all the small moments with you. I love you :)

2017 is finally here! Everyone's been saying how 2016 literally 'slayed' us with the deaths of some global icons in music, film and arts. Other heartbreaking events such as bombings in Syria and other key cities like my hometown Davao have also left scars in our hearts. But even if we've finally gone through 2016, there's no telling what's in store for us this 2017. I celebrated the new year with my family and boyfriend. We had our traditional medianoche at home. Of course, the typical superstitions such as the round fruits and sticky food couldn't be missed. There were more superstitions in the book but they were too gruesome to follow.  I told them that by the end of the day, no matter what new year superstition we observe, our decisions and perseverance will still determine how we will fare this year. 2017 seems so uncertain now but there's so much to be hopeful for. I've already crossed my midlife crisis last year. Now I am hoping that this y