For the love of Bricks

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation 

with the bricks others have thrown at him

-David Brinkley

brick wall, Fort Santiago

This photo was taken during my friend's birthday celebration in Intramuros. She wanted to have a unique birthday so we came up with the idea of a road trip to Manila and eat somewhere we've never been before. We invested too much energy, had a good laugh and made fun with everything. It was an LOL day for us. And what made this trip extra special was the opportunity to visit the historical places of Manila including Intramuros. 

Imagine the bricks on the picture were said to have been built using egg white to make them stick together and until today, the infrastructures were standing still. Stronger than before, the manifestation that they stood the test of time. Like those old bricks, may we all take each life's obstacles to strengthen our character . The kind of character that persevere against all odds.

Rock formation of Borawan Island

When life is tough, stand like a rock

-Sey

The rock formation of Borawan Island

Borawan, an island which was once a secret paradise is gaining popularity among wild adventure seekers. Derived it's name from two well known tourists spots destination, it resembles the famous rock formation of Palawan and the white sand beaches of Boracay. 

Campers who are fond of rapelling can opt for this destination. Though not grand as the other rapelling destination, it will suit the purpose, to think that this island will let you experience two leisure/adventure in one destination.

Thank God it's Saturday

There is much in the world to make us afraid.

There is much more in our faith to make us unafraid.

-Frederick W. Cropp

My necklace forged using alloy - sorry for the poor picture quality

Last time I had fun taking photo of my necklace. But since I was lazy to grab the camera which was just 5 steps away (very lazy eh?), I used my phone instead. I took the liberty to edit it using the Photoshop application on my phone which is way too easy to use rather than the one used in desktop. No sweat and look what I got, a blurry vintage look (I guess).

May you all have a wonderful weekend! Even life is full of uncertainties which leads to confusion and in the long run developed into FEAR,  always remember that our FAITH  should always be bigger with the negative things life brings. 

Amid the Stillness

"I am glad that so much movement happens in this stillness."

-Richard Land

Before leaving Borawan Island

See that orange boat? Right!, that was the boat waiting for us to hop aboard because it's time to go home. Again, we had to face the sea with fortitude.

Gazing my sight on the waves brought stillness, because its sound was music to my ears. But who would know that amid that stillness in the ocean is a 5 feet deep water just after 3 to 4 steps away from the shore. Yes, when we get to Borawan Island, the boat crews had to dock the boat near the rocks for us to get down without soaking ourselves. 

Life is really full of surprises some we get to enjoy, some caught us in surprise.

The Light of Hope

Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

-Anonymous

A ray of sunlight while lying inside my tent at Borawan Island

It's a bliss to wake up in the morning, knowing you're safe from a bumpy ocean ride . There's the ocean in front singing a lullaby at night and ticks as a clock to wake you up, the fresh air to breathe and the light of hope falling on my knees.

This is one of the days I woke up with so much gratitude in my blood stream. For every beat of my heart I am uttering prayers and at that very moment, I know life is precious and worth the living no matter how rough the road ahead is.

Do you know what lies ahead?

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.

Only through experience of trial and suffering

can a soul be strengthened, ambition inspired , and success achieved.

-Hellen Keller

Dampalitan Island, Padre Burgos, Quezon Province

It was early in the morning but the sun was never there. I blamed it on the bad weather that accompanied us there. Who would imagine what lies ahead, when no one has a grasp of our deadly end.

We took chances when we ventured out for this trip to Quezon Province. Plan's completed and just needed to be executed so out we went. We woke up with this sight in Dampalitan Island on the second day of our island hopping adventure. Black clouds succumbing the vast ocean. Needless to say, we suffered rough rides aboard the boat which I thought was bound to our end. But thank God, he just shook our sleeping soul and from that day forward we became more thankful with the life we have. Lessons learned the hard way they say, but it's all worth it.

Plan Ahead

"It pays to plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark"

Thomas Edison

Boredom + Phone = Whatchamacallit?

My 2012 diary/planner (the cheapest and handy one), friction pen (cause I don't like erasures but I'm fickle minded) and my kraft/sketch book (from papemelroti..super love the recycled papers)

This is one of the days when I posted a picture out of the blue (so random). I will blame boredom for it but nonetheless, I love this picture. Now is the right time to put my handwriting skills to practice. It's been a long time that I relied on my keyboard and paper was long forgotten, set aside. But this year will be our year, so let's start planning for awesome activities. Squeeze the joy life has to offer, after all, life is too short to be wasted.