A frugal wanderer. Agriculturist. Lover of life and people. Adventure seeker. A typical human being who tries to live a healthy life and is occasionally lost in time and space.
I decided (as paladesisyon) that I will give my thoughts and quotes I like about the book I aim to finish each month. For January, I read The Secret History by Donna Tart. Below are my thoughts, expressions and quotable quotes.
I was like where was Vermont?
This can’t happen in real life.
Oh, wait! What?
Did they kill him?
No way!
OMG! He’s alive!
Or not?
I had a nightmare the night I was reading the part that they were trying to find him.
This coming February 14 what are you planning to do alone or with someone? If you haven’t found out, here are some ideas you can start with or include in your plan.
1. Watch a movie in the cinema
Classic date night in the cinema for me never gets old. You spend time focusing on the same thing is intimate and builds connection. Make sure that whoever you are with agrees with the movie you will watch.
2. Dine in a restaurant
Another classic one. Try out a tasting menu. Or a fancy steak house. But again checkout your companion cos you don’t wanna bring your vegan or vegetarian data in an all-you-can-eat Samgyupsal restaurant.
3. Attend a concert
Do you have a band or orchestra you enjoy listening to? Then you might find where they are performing in two weeks and reserve your tickets. Be together until midnight with the type of music you both enjoy.
4. Walk around the park
A date does not necessarily about spending too much. Knowing the person you wanna take on this kind of activity is vital. You can spend your time roaming around checking out stuff in the park making sure you do not complain having painful legs at the end of the day.
5. Street food crawling
I love street food and if you take me to one I will consider that a sweet gesture on a date. It is cheap but I love these food. However, if your date is not a fan of this kind of food then consider other activities on this list.
6. Shopping
Nothing is wrong in retail therapy as long as it is still within your ‘wants’ budget. Window shopping may be therapeutic to others and may also be the root cause of your stress so communicate your intention when doing this kind of activity alone or with someone.
7. Play arcade games
Video games, basketball, or car racing. Name it and most big arcades have it. An hour won’t be enough and therefore you have more time to spend with that person enjoying different games and getting a price if you are lucky enough to hit a jackpot to get that big teddy!
8. See a theater play
It may be boring or worth each other’s time. The key is to ask your date to honestly tell you if he/she want to see a play cos you will need time before that play to book your tickets and you don’t wanna bore your date after that day of the play.
9. Cook food and do a picnic
Cooking our meals is cheap but can give someone the impression of you making an effort to cook especially if you cooked that person’s favorite food because you gave attention to what they say or do. Checkout the picnic area and bring food that is appropriate in the place.
10. Trekking
This one is kinda intense if you consider like trekking the highest mountains! LOL. But why not if both of you agreed go for it and then you can spend the night camping there if the place allows. Plan to bring the needed stuff before doing this one.
11. Do bar hopping
But, do not get too drunk especially if it is your first date. It may be a turn off to your date. Bar hopping gives the both of you varieties of bar ambiance. Sometimes some bars may have fun games or a live band and lucky you if you get to those bars!
12. Camping
Whether at the foot of the mountain, by the beach or lake, camping is something that will allow you to know your person better. This is spending the night with the resources available and enjoying the company you have while dealing on whatever challenge that may arise in the camp.
13. Try out all the rides in an amusement park
Age is just a number. Unleash your inner child by spending the day in an amusement park and trying out all the available rides. Your date may be scared of the rollercoaster but may want to try it with you and that gives you an idea of the trust that person has in you.
14. Spend the day in a museum
I like going to historical museum but my friend easily gets bored in there so talk to your date if they want to go there if they said yes you may need to reserve your tickets. This can create conversations that may arise while looking around the things that interest you both.
The key in all the above-mentioned activities would be to communicate the plans you have. Surprises are fun if you know very well who you gonna surprise. But, knowing that both of you enjoy the activities you are planning will result to a more successful Valentine’s date!
Valentine’s day is in two weeks time! Have you thought of any flowers to give your special someone? Here are some of the flowers you can give them and their scientific names:
1. Rose (Rosa sp.)
2. Tulip (Tulipa sp.)
3. Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)
4. Orchid (Order Orchidaceae)
5. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
6. Lily Stargazer (Lilium sp.)
7. Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)
8. Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)
9. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
10. Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
11. Daisy (Bellis perennis)
12. Iris (Iris sp.)
13. Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
14. Geranium (Pelargonium sp.)
You can also mix and match these flowers or get a mixture of this into a bouquet. Or, if you are on a budget, try out paper flowers with a personalized note in there. Surely, someone special in your hear will appreciate the flower you gave them as long as you make them feel loved.
Love season is just sitting around the corner. Have you ever thought where to bring your date, bf, gf, mom, dad, sibling or yourself (cos *insert Miley Cyrus’ Flowers* I can date myself)? Here are some places where you can bring that special someone:
1. Park
2. Beach
3. Mountain
4. Cinema
5. Restaurant
6. Cave
7. Amusement Park
8. February Fair
9. Concert
10. Light Show
11. Zoo
12. Arcade
13. Botanical Garden
14. Lake
Or, if you are both home buddies, you can set your date night at home with home-made food watching TV or playing video games!
1/4 cup powdered or grated parmesan for toppings (optional)
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 350 deg F.
2. You can mix everything all together in one go but I prefer mixing everything except the artichoke and spinach and mix them after. This allowed me to easily distribute the flavor evenly.
3. You can grease your baking dish before putting the mixture but I did not and it still worked.
4. Put the remaining powdered or grated cheese all over the top.
5. Bake for about 23 minutes in the preheated oven.
I am a rice eater and we all know that the price of it has increased. But, do we know the top 5 provinces that produce rice? Below are the top 5 provinces and regions that produce rice in the Philippines.
Sometimes we want to travel but no one available to accompany us so why not travel alone? But, it is not easy to travel alone because aside from the cost and planning alone, we have to be extra careful when you are new to a place. Below are 5 places in the Philippines that you can go for your first solo backpacking:
1. Boracay, Aklan, Coron Palawan or any famous tourist destinations
I haven’t been here but famous tourists destinations would have lots of people from different parts of the world and will feel safe since you are not literally alone roaming around.
2. Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo
Spots to visit: Tanke Saltwater Lagoon, Cabugao Gamay
Food to try: P1 per piece fresh scallops, fresh crabs
3. Sagada, Mountain Province
Spots to visit: Spelunking Cave, Sea of Clouds
Food to try: Pinikpikan, Lemon Pie, Pastries, Wine
4. Guinobatan, Albay, Bicol
Spots to visit: Cagsawa Ruins, Sumlang Lake
Food to try: Sili ice cream, Pinangat
5. Sipalay, Negros Occidental
Spots to visit: Sugar Beach, Islets
Food to try: Oysters and fresh seafood
Take this with caution. We still have to take extra care. Try to go to places with many people. Do not give in to the pressure of ambulant vendors or people selling services. I am confident to say that traveling anywhere in the world is safe for solo travelers but we have to prepare, plan well and be aware of their cultures and respect that.
I grew up thinking I was not beautiful. Error 404: no confidence found. Until I found acceptance and love within myself through the people I met and experiences I had.
What is beauty standard? For me, it is the physical appearance perceived by the general public in the community as beautiful. In the Philippines, I grew up thinking that you have to have the following main traits to be considered as a ‘beautiful’ woman (very Western look):
Slim or small nose with high bridge
White Skin
Straight teeth
Slim body
Light brown eyes or other color than dark brown/black
Straight hair
Even skin-tone from head to toe
Guess what? I have straight hair. That’s it! LOL!
Slim and tall nose and white skin are the main traits that make you look beautiful. And I have a fat with non-existent bridge nose, dark skin tone, crooked teeth, black eyes and uneven skin tone. There was also a time in my life that I got fat and was borderline obese. And, that swallowed my confidence at presenting myself to people.
There was even a TV show back then called “Bakekang” that depicted these traits as ugly and unattractive. I hated that show because it made me anxious that my classmates or other random people would tease me as that Bakekang girl. And, not long enough, voila! My fear came in the form of a kid that lived in the alleyway where I had to walked by everyday going to school. And that was the time I lost the last ounce of confidence.
When I started working, I used my extra savings to conform to the beauty standard: I used whitening products and it lightened my skin! I had braces and I got straightened teeth! I exercised and lost 20lbs! I even thought of saving money to get a rhinoplasty but this never happened. But, the other successful stuff made me gain confidence! Although the white skin didn’t last because I love my job as an agronomist and we had to do field works making my skin dark every summer season.
I did those things mainly for me to gain back my confidence and I believe there is nothing wrong on wanting to improve the traits that you think bad especially when you are doing it for yourself and not to please other people.
During that transition from my past “ugly” self to the new “beautiful” self, I advanced my education, found true friends with variety of personality, got to travel to different places, met a lot of people from different parts of the world, and had my share of good and the bad in life, and that’s how I slowly changed my perspective about my physical appearance. I came to the realization that I was born to be different and not conform to the standard that the society has set.
I still have my big fat nose and dark skin and I am also gaining weight lately because I am stressed. LOL. But, those didn’t lessen my love for my physical appearance because my appearance have never defined my core values. My will never depend on what others think about my appearance. My worth is based on how I define it which are based on how I feel within myself and how I made other people’s well-being better by doing my best work.
It is fine to do all those physical changes that you perceive will help you but make sure you are not stepping on other people’s feet. To feel beautiful is part of self-care that you should not deprive yourself with.
larswrites 