Gone Too Soon...

We got him during last year's Valentine's Day. There were lots of dogs to choose from, but the moment I saw him, I knew he was the one. Maybe it's because I am kinda used to raising dogs of his breed since my UPLB housemate Xtian is a breeder and he would let me take home some of his babies every new year. He was there, sitting innocently in his cage, waiting for new parents to get him out of that hellhole. The price was kinda steep so I offered we do splitskies, but then Hans paid for him and handed him over to my very much open arms. That was his Valentine's day gift for me (I do get the best gifts during this day... it was an engagement ring the year after).

I can't forget that day we became parents to a very sickly dog. I remember how he wouldn't dare walk around the house. He'd just stay where you put him down - even if it takes hours before you pick him up. Everytime his dad would come over, he'd always run to him with his hairy tail wagging and he'd look all contented and happy while he strokes his fur while on his lap. One time, he was so thin and sickly that I had to bring him to the vet and watch over him just like I'd do to my patients before. I cried and thought he was not going to make it through the night, but he did, and he did improve a lot increasing his size twice compared to what he was when we got him. I remember acting like a snotty mom when he impregnated our mongrel. Then again, what can you do? They're... dogs and bitches! Literally! A few months after living with parents like us and a dad as big as his, we noticed how he developed this Napoleonic complex given his size and the pitch of his bark. He suddenly became a Rottweiler inside a Pomeranian's body. Identity crisis indeed. He'd bark at the smallest commotion as if his teeny tiny yelps would make a difference. He escaped our gates once, and we were then alerted by concerned neighbors (who loved him so dearly) since he was trying to playing it rough with another mongrel from the hood that was twice his size. He's my dog from La Mancha... thinking he could conquer it all regardless of size, breed, or amount of hair as long as he can dream that impossible dream. All those antics, all those tricks innocently played... they endeared him so much to the whole household that even my dad takes pride in having him as my pet. He is our house's little ray of sunshine.

Then came that day...


Denial

I was about to go home from work after almost four hours of overtime. While on the lift, I sifted through my inbox which I only have the privilege of checking after all the office rush died down. After some work related messages and nonsense, I read this message from our househelp...

"Haze, si Weed, patay na."

I blurted out an expletive in the middle of that full elevator. Once the elevator doors opened, I dragged myself out the building. I was in a daze. I so wanted to call home but I can't find the strength to actually dial and know how he died. That can't happen. I was still a victim of his licking habit before I left the house. He's in perfect health! Than came to the rescue and escorted me to Starbucks to take it all in. There's only one person I'd want to talk to at that moment... and even if it was already 5 hours past his bedtime, I keyed his number in. I can't tell him outright what happened but I managed to verbalize it amidst the whimping. I wanted to cry but I can't. He slept in Marikina that night and I know how busy that day was for him too because of work, but I don't care anymore. He asked if I can manage to drive myself home. Usually, I would insist that I can and I'm already a big girl who can shift gears while eating/applying my lipstick/talking through speaker phone/etc., but this time, I know I can't and I know he won't let me. He told me to go up back to the office again and wait for my call. I did, and all I remember doing was staring blankly into space.

Anger

Just like clockwork, he arrived at the time I predicted him to so I was already waiting at the sidewalk. Seeing his pick up truck from a distance, I knew that solace is near. He opened the door for me without the usual happy greeting. There were no words... just the awkward silence and disbelief. He left his still plate numberless baby on the office parking lot not caring how much he's going to pay for the overnight fee. All we can think about is we have to come home to our baby. We transferred to my car with the plan that he's just going to drive me to work the day after. Once we settled in, there was a brief moment of silence. I know I can't contain it any longer, so the moment I knew that it was just us, I burst into tears. Without knowing the real cause of his death, I pointed to everybody like suspects. Was he fed something that can kill him? Did he choke? Was the gate left open? Was he run over by some drunk homeowner? Did he commit suicide? Was he suffering from a mysterious ailment? I have to remember to breathe in between the rage fits. He soothed my anger by telling me stories of Weed, of things that made us love him even more. I don't want to reach our house yet but we have no choice but to deal with this.

Bargaining

If only I paid a little bit more attention to him that day. If only I have been more strict to the househelp regarding his care. At that point in time, I was willing to spend for expensive vet care just in case there's still this tiny chance that we could get him back. I'm still hoping that he'd manage to come out of that sleep and that it was all just fabricated or something, but when I saw him lying still, there was no doubt... our Weed has indeed left us.

Depression

I spent that early morning in pain and sorrow. Not even his supposed irresistible charms (ehem!) can take me from the mourning state. I can't think straight. I can only think of my loss and the stupid null probability that I'd wake up in the morning hearing his barks that sounds like yelps. I am yearning for him. That went on for days... and yes... I am still counting the days.





Kubler - Ross definitely knows how this is supposed to end. I am hoping it is near, but until that last stage, waking up without the sound of his presence will just remind me that never can silence hurt someone this much.


So long, Weed. Be good there in doggie heaven.

R.I.P. Weed , 2007-2009. Lived a short but happy life filled with canine Napoleonic tendencies and teen unwed fatherhood issues. Died of mysterious causes. Brought joy to everyone he came into contact with, except for the ants, who had their revenge in the end, thus completing the circle of life. Wherever you are, we are sure you are still barking up a storm and humping away at the other angel dogs. We miss you terribly. Thanks for coming into our lives. love, mom and dad ;-(

Boithday

I thought I've already succeeded keeping that a secret.

It was oh so fun going through the day like nothing is happening... not even a feeling of guilt.

I thought I was going to get away with it.

But then, what would you do when your man calls you at work, surprises you by saying he's just downstairs, gives you this:

a cake, a card, and suddenly blurts out to everybody what they don't know all along?

Soooo high school, and I don't know why, but it still knocked me off my feet. Even if that meant them knowing my birthday which I don't really celebrate at all.

(cheesy, but yup... I took pics from all angles :D)

Skye's 8th

For his 8th birthday, Basti and I decided that it was time to stop giving Skye kiddie parties and gave him his first P1000.00 in cold cash to give him a head start on the real world.

He nearly spent them all on Sea Monkeys.

What the hell are Sea Monkeys?


Happy 8th Birthday Skye Noodles!




Don't grow up too fast.

Nth phone lost

It was a perfect day with my boys, until...

I lost the phone he gave me (which was a replacement to another phone that got lost in transit).



It's a sign to shift to a post paid plan.

Will let you know once I get my new digits.

(and yeah, yeah, I know... some of you are raring to text me... especially this leave week.)

His greatest gift ever...

Valentine's day. No flowers, no chocolates, no stuffed toys nor cake...

Feb. 14, 2009...

On one knee in the middle of Kalayaan Avenue (literally!)...

He entrusted to me his entire future and gave me the proof of his commitment and devotion...




I am now officially the future Mrs. Johanne Castillo Sebastian.








(details of both the engagement and the wedding will be posted on the couple's wacky project to be launched soon.)

Anniversareeeeee

"It's the thought that counts..." - some kuripot dude

I am that person who cringes at the mere mention of a "monthsary". To begin with, it is not even a word according to Pareng Merriam and Webster. Relationships, to me, are counted by the moments and experiences shared together. Also, I believe that you should count by the years, not by mere months. It's like saying "This is my syota (as in short time - fling)" instead of "This is my girlfriend".

Almost a month ago, Hans and I celebrated a milestone in our relationship - our first year anniversary. Prior to that, I am really not expecting much especially since we were pretty tied up with work, previous engagements, and the holidays. We decided to just wing it and just enjoy each other that day. We took Skye to SM for a round of Time Crisis that day and since we don't want to spend the time waiting for Skye's token stash to run out, we decided to roam around the mall. He brought me to his favorite store: ACE hardware. For the longest time, he's been fascinated with those vacuum cleaners with blowers because he believes that they can do a lot more than clean. Most probably too is because the salesman was that darn good.

"Gusto mo?", he asked me.

"Well yeah, I think it's nice and it will be a big help in cleaning the apartment"

"Let's get it. My anniversary gift", he said with a big smile that makes you think an imaginary light bulb just lit up above his head.

He bought the vacuum cleaner and gave it to me. Don't get me wrong... I am really happy with the gift. What's bothering me is that a gift that means you should clean the house on your anniversary isn't exactly what you can call romantic. I do like our habit of giving each other functional gifts, or gifts that we could actually use and not let to rot after the event is over (he gave me croocs and portable ashtrays for Valentine's).This time, however, a vacuum cleaner is sooo.... domestic?

Anniversary dinner was an unplanned trip to RSM at Tagaytay with to die for bulalo. Fate was at his side because our anniv dinner was graced by a fireworks display in the midst of him telling me how wonderful the past year has been for him because I was in it. The way he said it was so sincere that I really thought the fireworks were a part of the act. Bad trip, timing lang pala. We did try to make it more romantic by spending time whispering sweet nothings on one of the resto's swings, but by the time we were on our fifth minute, we decided that the extreme cold and our inappropriate clothing (pambahay clothes, mind you!) made it suicidal, not romantic.

Maybe it's a woman thing to expect for flowers, chocolates, and the whole nine yards for such events, but as I think about it on the drive home, I just realized that it couldn't get any more romantic than this. Flowers rot and chocolates make you fat, but the vacuum cleaner is something that says "I am seeing a future with you being the queen of my house and I want to make it easier for you when dealing with the domestic stuff". We may not have that supposed dinner by candlelight churvaness, but it may be because the comfort food we ate symbolizes how comfortable he is around me. What we needed, more than the perks, was quality time... and we got that. Him and me and the memories of the past year... perfect.

I can say that it has been a very wonderful year...

note: A few days after the anniversary, he forced me to sleep while he took Skye out to the Mall. Upon returning, the two had this secret plan that I discovered upono entering the car - a small pillow from the small boy and a very big bunny carrying roses from the big boy, of which I named BJ - Baby Johanne. :D

TV or not TV

One of the most important things I have learned regarding men is this - they will always have that built in desire to acquire what you could consider toys for the big boys. This year, Basti placed three on his wish list - a brand new LCD TV (32 inches at the minimum - the type that would make you notice all the pores on Jimmy Kimmel's face), a new Quad core CPU (whatever that means... I'm not even aware of the specs of my laptop. as long as it powers up and gets me connected to the internet, it's just fine with me), and a 400cc motorcycle (which I always raise my eyebrows to since majority of my worst case patients involved two wheels and some beer). This list does not include some of his other "worldly" desires such as that Strada and his own Wii (which got substituted with a much cheaper PS2). Some of his man stuff like a laptop, his car,his Ipod and other valuables were acquired even before he met me so I think that was a good call on his part. Men... no matter how mature they become, their eyes would always light up with such toys that would make them feel.. well... more masculine.

That day, we decided to do Skye day one day earlier because we had our company Christmas Party scheduled on a Sunday. That would also give me time to scout for a cowboy hat that I could use as a part of my cowgirl costume for the party. I lost both of my boys for a minute so he called me and told me to go to the center part of the mall because he has something to show me. I immediately spotted him because of his height and he directed me to all those LCD TVs on display in time for Christmas. I knew it... he's using the moment as an opportunity! He knew for a fact that I was already pissed off that morning because the apartment TV that he acquired years before from Saudi Arabia has already served it's purpose and gave up on us already. Seething little smartass! He pointed me to one that one big screen that he really, really likes. I looked at the price tag and gave him "the look".

"Sige boss, thank you na lang. Nakuha na ako sa tingin e", he sheepishly told the salesman.

Don't get me wrong. We still keep our finances separate and I surely don't want to meddle in his accounts. We do splitskies on majority of our purchases but he gets the lion's share most of the time because he still is, after all, the alpha male. I told him he has all the right to buy whatever he wants since it is his money anyway, but ever since we got the apartment, we kinda took the whole training thing seriously, and that involves prioritization. We were talking about our earnings one time and I was all ranting about how my salary reduced by just so much when I shifted careers so I can't splurge on much yet. He told me that I was earning OK and he thinks it is more than enough. I told him that if only I was earning as much as him, we could easily splurge on the things we want and save a whole lot more. I also suggested that he should get one of those Save Up accounts that I have which takes off a certain amount off my force me to save.

"Baby, I don't have any salary", he nonchalantly said.

"Yes you don't, but you do earn a lot!" referring to his practice together with his countless other "rakets".

Given that, there are still some things we have to consider for the future's sake like our bills, his bills, my bills, Skye day expenses, travel allowances, tuition fees, taxes, dates, the ______ fund, gas,and plans for this one solid, big time investment. So, no matter how much I want to indulge him into buying all the things he want (or need according to his vocabulary), we have to constantly remind each other that we are not millionaires. We admit that we are both bad at money matters. So bad that he has to hire an accountant and give her a hard time just to take charge of his huge taxes (All for you, Philippines! All for you!) and other expenses.

After that incident over at the LCD display, I mulled things over (added to that the exasperation that our apartment is now TV-less, I told him something that came up on our conversation for the first time...

"Why not we go to the Automatic center and get you your TV?"

His eyes suddenly sparkled like a kid getting a toy he really wanted at last, and with Skye in tow like this starting family, we went to the appliance center to scout for our first conjugal purchase. This is not actually the first conjugal purchase we're about to make. I mean, we have the apartment and all the furniture and stuff inside it. Well, majority of it was out of his own pocket, but then again, he earns a lot more than I do, so there! :P Still, it is something that we consider a big leap in our relationship. I began asking things like, "If ever things don't work out, who's gonna get the TV? It's easy with the dogs since we have one of each." etc, etc. He shushed me and told me that pretty soon, everything will be written in stone or something to that effect and that if we can spend on things like travelling, why not on something solid and useful? We could scrap out a few of our useless expenses so that we could acquire our own appliances. It's like preparing our future home, he said.

I told him that if ever we're going to spend on something, we should compromise. That means erasing the LCD TV out of the list since the cost could already buy us other stuff that we actually need. The next step was choosing what TV to buy. He was eyeing for this big screen one that would be bearable if we pay for it on an installment basis at 0% interest using his credit card. Men are considered experts with all things technical, so he knew what he was looking for, a big one that is of a reliable brand and with those thingamajigs that will connect it with our DVD player. Then again, I suggested that we don't really need that big of a TV since we have a very small space to begin with and we only stay there for a few days a week. I may be bad at math but I told him of the possibility that if we could get a much cheaper set of a reliable brand, we could also get ourselves a new refrigerator (which is what I want,este, we need). He gave in easily, and at that moment, I realized just how much he values my judgment and puts my needs into consideration. It is not just him and what he wants... it is now US, and the decisions that we are now making are mutual. Since time is running out, we opted to get the TV set first and deal with the fridge later on. When the time came to choose what specific set we are about to purchase, I gave him the floor.

"You decide on what one you want, baby. You're the man of the house"

With the careful deicision making strategies of a real man of the house, he settled for a 21 inch set, flat screen, slim type one with all the works that would cost us less than 500 bucks each on a 12 month payment. That leaves us with enough to spare to get our new fridge.

"Baby, for an additional P900, you can get a brand new DVD too!" he added before sealing the deal.

"We already have a DVD".

"This one is just P900 - and it is branded! We can use it as a back up and have the other one placed in your room over at your parent's house".

Oh crap... men.

That's how it happened. We are now proud owners of a new TV set. It may not be much, but it's special because it is the first thing we bought (aside from the bed, curtains, sheets, etc) that was out of a very meaningful discussion and compromise. That made us enjoy our new purchase all the more. In this relationship, we utilize his MBA skills to make it work. I see him as the CEO - in charge of the future plans and goals. I, on the other hand, am acting as the COO - in charge of the daily operations. SKye is, well, the lucky tyke who is now placed on allowance and is learning to give up on toys and junk so that he could save up for more meaningful things.

That night, he happily and excitedly arranged our new set, popped open a few drinks, and celebrated a milestone in our relationship with a movie seen through a TV set that we wouldn't have to pound on anymore in order for it to work.

I'd say it was a good deal.

TV or not TV

One of the most important things I have learned regarding men is this - they will always have that built in desire to acquire what you could consider toys for the big boys. This year, Basti placed three on his wish list - a brand new LCD TV (32 inches at the minimum - the type that would make you notice all the pores on Jimmy Kimmel's face), a new Quad core CPU (whatever that means... I'm not even aware of the specs of my laptop. as long as it powers up and gets me connected to the internet, it's just fine with me), and a 400cc motorcycle (which I always raise my eyebrows to since majority of my worst case patients involved two wheels and some beer). This list does not include some of his other "worldly" desires such as that Strada and his own Wii (which got substituted with a much cheaper PS2). Some of his man stuff like a laptop, his car,his Ipod and other valuables were acquired even before he met me so I think that was a good call on his part. Men... no matter how mature they become, their eyes would always light up with such toys that would make them feel.. well... more masculine.

That day, we decided to do Skye day one day earlier because we had our company Christmas Party scheduled on a Sunday. That would also give me time to scout for a cowboy hat that I could use as a part of my cowgirl costume for the party. I lost both of my boys for a minute so he called me and told me to go to the center part of the mall because he has something to show me. I immediately spotted him because of his height and he directed me to all those LCD TVs on display in time for Christmas. I knew it... he's using the moment as an opportunity! He knew for a fact that I was already pissed off that morning because the apartment TV that he acquired years before from Saudi Arabia has already served it's purpose and gave up on us already. Seething little smartass! He pointed me to one that one big screen that he really, really likes. I looked at the price tag and gave him "the look".

"Sige boss, thank you na lang. Nakuha na ako sa tingin e", he sheepishly told the salesman.

Don't get me wrong. We still keep our finances separate and I surely don't want to meddle in his accounts. We do splitskies on majority of our purchases but he gets the lion's share most of the time because he still is, after all, the alpha male. I told him he has all the right to buy whatever he wants since it is his money anyway, but ever since we got the apartment, we kinda took the whole training thing seriously, and that involves prioritization. We were talking about our earnings one time and I was all ranting about how my salary reduced by just so much when I shifted careers so I can't splurge on much yet. He told me that I was earning OK and he thinks it is more than enough. I told him that if only I was earning as much as him, we could easily splurge on the things we want and save a whole lot more. I also suggested that he should get one of those Save Up accounts that I have which takes off a certain amount off my force me to save.

"Baby, I don't have any salary", he nonchalantly said.

"Yes you don't, but you do earn a lot!" referring to his practice together with his countless other "rakets".

Given that, there are still some things we have to consider for the future's sake like our bills, his bills, my bills, Skye day expenses, travel allowances, tuition fees, taxes, dates, the ______ fund, gas,and plans for this one solid, big time investment. So, no matter how much I want to indulge him into buying all the things he want (or need according to his vocabulary), we have to constantly remind each other that we are not millionaires. We admit that we are both bad at money matters. So bad that he has to hire an accountant and give her a hard time just to take charge of his huge taxes (All for you, Philippines! All for you!) and other expenses.

After that incident over at the LCD display, I mulled things over (added to that the exasperation that our apartment is now TV-less, I told him something that came up on our conversation for the first time...

"Why not we go to the Automatic center and get you your TV?"

His eyes suddenly sparkled like a kid getting a toy he really wanted at last, and with Skye in tow like this starting family, we went to the appliance center to scout for our first conjugal purchase. This is not actually the first conjugal purchase we're about to make. I mean, we have the apartment and all the furniture and stuff inside it. Well, majority of it was out of his own pocket, but then again, he earns a lot more than I do, so there! :P Still, it is something that we consider a big leap in our relationship. I began asking things like, "If ever things don't work out, who's gonna get the TV? It's easy with the dogs since we have one of each." etc, etc. He shushed me and told me that pretty soon, everything will be written in stone or something to that effect and that if we can spend on things like travelling, why not on something solid and useful? We could scrap out a few of our useless expenses so that we could acquire our own appliances. It's like preparing our future home, he said.

I told him that if ever we're going to spend on something, we should compromise. That means erasing the LCD TV out of the list since the cost could already buy us other stuff that we actually need. The next step was choosing what TV to buy. He was eyeing for this big screen one that would be bearable if we pay for it on an installment basis at 0% interest using his credit card. Men are considered experts with all things technical, so he knew what he was looking for, a big one that is of a reliable brand and with those thingamajigs that will connect it with our DVD player. Then again, I suggested that we don't really need that big of a TV since we have a very small space to begin with and we only stay there for a few days a week. I may be bad at math but I told him of the possibility that if we could get a much cheaper set of a reliable brand, we could also get ourselves a new refrigerator (which is what I want,este, we need). He gave in easily, and at that moment, I realized just how much he values my judgment and puts my needs into consideration. It is not just him and what he wants... it is now US, and the decisions that we are now making are mutual. Since time is running out, we opted to get the TV set first and deal with the fridge later on. When the time came to choose what specific set we are about to purchase, I gave him the floor.

"You decide on what one you want, baby. You're the man of the house"

With the careful deicision making strategies of a real man of the house, he settled for a 21 inch set, flat screen, slim type one with all the works that would cost us less than 500 bucks each on a 12 month payment. That leaves us with enough to spare to get our new fridge.

"Baby, for an additional P900, you can get a brand new DVD too!" he added before sealing the deal.

"We already have a DVD".

"This one is just P900 - and it is branded! We can use it as a back up and have the other one placed in your room over at your parent's house".

Oh crap... men.

That's how it happened. We are now proud owners of a new TV set. It may not be much, but it's special because it is the first thing we bought (aside from the bed, curtains, sheets, etc) that was out of a very meaningful discussion and compromise. That made us enjoy our new purchase all the more. In this relationship, we utilize his MBA skills to make it work. I see him as the CEO - in charge of the future plans and goals. I, on the other hand, am acting as the COO - in charge of the daily operations. SKye is, well, the lucky tyke who is now placed on allowance and is learning to give up on toys and junk so that he could save up for more meaningful things.

That night, he happily and excitedly arranged our new set, popped open a few drinks, and celebrated a milestone in our relationship with a movie seen through a TV set that we wouldn't have to pound on anymore in order for it to work.

I'd say it was a good deal.

to be continued at home. time out na ko e :P

Nov 29 2008 -Dec 1 2008

I have always been intrigued by Camiguin as long as I can remember. I was told of it's beautiful sights and it being the perfect escape to all the urban noise, so after our booking to Palawan was cancelled, we shifted gears and booked for CDO to Camiguin instead. Finally, we were about to demystify Camiguin!

Our first option was to get one of those beach front rooms but I ran across this website that tells of Enigmata Treehouse - an artist's haven that is perfect for backpacker wannabes like us. We were sold when I showed him the place, so months before getting there, Enigmata's Eagle Nest Suite (at a cheap P950/night) was already booked for our arrival.

DAY 1

The journey to Camiguin began at the Agora terminal over at CDO. It was a two hour drive before we got off at Balingoan Port at Misamis Oriental. From the Port, we have to ride one of those ferries similar to the ones who sank claiming lives during the rainy season. He told me it wasn't a good time to discuss ships and ferries sinking so I contented myself shooting them children who would happily jump to the clear blue waters for coins. We reached Camiguin's Benoni Port a good one hour by the ferry. we planned not to look like tourists, but iba na ang mga mukhang artista (bwahahaha! adventure namin to! walang pakialaman!), so we had no choice but to be hounded by porters the moment we set foot on the island.

The lucky driver whom we hired to bring us to Enigmata Treehouse (at P250) would be Mang Dadoy.. and this is where our friendship with him started. We reached Enigmata by 430 pm, and upon seenig the place, we were already enthralled by it's artistic nature. A couple of setbacks though- being the aircon baby he is, poor Hans has no choice but to spend the next few nights with a fan and the cool Camiguin air. Also, the ceilings are too low for him (as always), and it's a non smoking, no junk food, no foul words, no soft drinks camp so it was like penitensya on a vacation. The artsy fartsy nature of the place well compensated for that though, and him being an architect and me being a born diva and his best actress bet, we were at one with the place.

We don't want to spend the day without having a taste of what Camiguin has to offer so we decided to tick off one of our destinations in advance - the Ardent Hot Springs. We rented a habal-habal for P200 that would take us back and forth Ardent. It was his first ever motorcycle ride so he was kinda ecstatic about it (STILL, BABY, THAT"S NOT ENOUGH REASON TO GET A MOTORCYCLE! .... sorry for the interruption, I just have to reiterate that to one particular reader). After swallowing some bugs while doing that typical "aaaaaaahhhh" thing when you marvel at something, nearly kissing Manong driver's neck (because I instinctively kiss back when Hans kisses me on the neck), seeing Camiguin in the dark, and having enough of Manong driver's smelly pits, we arrived at the Ardent Hot Springs. Entrance was a cheap P30 and cottages can be rented for a minimal fee too. When it comes to relaxing, this one takes the cake on the whole trip! The water is so warm that he compalined of it literally boiling his family jewels. We decided to get out just in time before he can be clinically declared sterile. Two things you have to learn about Camiguin - 1. When they say one place is malapit, prepare to travel several kilometers 2. People get to sleep as early as 8pm... di pwede ang call center dito! We went back to our place in time to watch a muvee on his laptop (no architectural work for Twiggy the laptop! Yipee!) and have mind blowing...

DAY 2

Mang Dadoy, our driver/yaya/tagaboo (that's tagabuhat for you)/interpreter/photographer, picked us up at 8am. I swear he looked like a malnourished Jay Sonza (may God bless his soul), but his hospitable nature made him more than those in slashes above.

- first stop was Katibawasan Falls- a good 72m drop of cold water deep into the mountains of camiguin. We took pictures wherein we learned that it's hard to pose in freezing water. Our bodies weren't that tough to withstand the cold so we got out after a few minutes.

- Second stop was at the town plaza of Mambajao to get their ever famous Pastel from Vjandep. We were just curious and wanted to end all the fuzz about them Pastels, but when we took a bite, we became addicted. Now we know what the fuzz is all about. Breakfast was at the Vjandep restaurant where I had my share of their Consilog. Now that we're nutritionally recharged, we ventured on to more of Camiguin

-We stopped along the Green Church along the way. The good men of the parish were kind enough to tour us into their museum which housed some very interesting artifacts with some as early as the 1800's. People here are religious, I tell you.

-next stop was taking pictures of Camiguin's mountainside and oceanside. That includes sitting in the middle of the road to capture some of the island's beauty.

-

Let the river run in CDO

November 28, 2008 - November 29, 2008

Plans for this getaway was made as early as September - fresh out of our high from Zambales. We realized we'd make good travel buddies and after contemplating on where to go, he surprised me with an email with the subject:

LOCKED IN!

The message consists of our flight details for Cagayan de Oro. It was supposed to be just Camiguin alone but changed plans at the last minute since he was told that the trip wouldn't be complete without the White Water Rafting experience at CDO so we had to bump one day off our reservation at Enigmata Treehouse in Camiguin by one day to accommodate the WWR adventure. I called in three WWR offices the night before the trip and was lucky enough to be squeezed in by Kagay White Water Rafting into their 12 noon schedule the following day. Yipee! Hannah drove us to the airport early morning in time for our 8:40 am flight. We reached the airport with time to spare for breakfast and make fun of all things we could make fun of.

Cargo count: 2 camera bags, 1 carry on, 1 military backpack, 1 tripod, 1 laptop bag (bummer! :P), 1 tripod, and a partridge in a pear tree.

I am not going to risk my luggage this time so I made sure that it was properly identified before it was sent over for check in. It was our first plane ride together, and since he rides planes as frequent as he takes a cab, he let me sit on the window side. One thing I learned from this trip, though, is to always book for the exit rows. Why? because his legs are too long to be accommodated on any regular rows. Same goes for buses- get the front or rear seats or else he'd be squirming on his seat for the rest of the trip.we were in CDO by 10 and that's were our mala "Amazing Race" adventure begins...

We decided to take the trip as it comes - no hotel resrvations in CDO, just our come-what-may attitudes. The first taxi driver that got hold of our luggage tried to bill us P350 to Divisoria- a mere 20 mins away from the airport! We immediately got our stuff together and searched for an alternative. Luckily, we chanced upon Lotlot, a driver who picks up travellers on the airport as a sideline. He charged us P150 for the ride to hunt for a hotel. We intended to make it quick since we have our WWR scheduled by 12 noon. Unfortuantely, there were two conferences going on around CDO at that time so all rooms were fully booked for the next three days! We weren't aware of what was happening simultaneously to the tourists over at Bangkok, but we sure can emphatize with them. Carrying all our baggage (my backpack is just as big as I am!), we were racing against time to make it to our WWR trip. We scoured and scoured, but fate has it's way of playing with us. A pouty face from me means a "No Vacancy" sign is posted on their doorway - A pout was permanently fixed till the end of the hunt. We decided we're not going to cancel the WWR experience so we texted our confirmation to the trip... carrying all our load with us. We looked like AR contestants while we made a pit stop to SM CDO for lunch. I got a text by 12 noon that said

"Medyo malalate lang po ung isang group. Wait lang po kayo. Si Mael po ang pipick up sa inyo, jeep na may 2 rafts"

I nonchalantly blurted out the message to him, and after absorbing the pun, we laughed. Hard. Oh yeah... one day in CDO and pipick up-in kami ng Mael! And even if we're weary from all the hassle, we eagerly waited for Mael to pick us up the streets of CDO.

The jeep finally arrived. Mael introduced himself to us, puzzled by our suppressed snickers. He handed out waivers that says they won't be held responsible for any damages during the trip which includes getting your teeth knocked off, breaking bones, getting bitten by snakes, getting spit on by monkeys, being kidnapped by terrorists, etc... Looking around the jeep, I realized I was the only one without capones on the trip! Fun eh? It took us around 40 minutes to get to our destination. We were given instructions on how to paddle, what to do when you fall off the raft, things to expect, and execute our wills.

I nearly knocked off my front teeth when we hit the first of our 21 rapids (advanced course kami, syempre! hehe). Everything was taken in stride after that. Each rapid is going to be celebrated by high fives of all our oars signifying how we conquered every single rocky bout with the river. Our guide also gave us a brief description of each rapid, whose names ranges from Dan's Drop to the Washing Machine. He also told us that we are sandwiched between CDO and Bukidnon and made jokes that rarely met our standards. We were allowed to jump into the river when it'll be a while before we hit the next rapid and all the while, our whole trip was documented by the trained monkey who takes our pictures and rides the raft alone (him being referred to as a monkey was from our guide, not mean us - one of his rare jokes na bumenta).

The whole adventure lasted for about 5 hours and for 1k per head, we'd say that it was more than worth it. One activity ticked off our bucket list!

That night, we were unfortunate to know that there are still no vacancies even at the seediest of all hotels in CDO. We were both cold and cranky and felt like we're Joseph and Mama Mary without any palce to stay, except that I'm not about to give birth, it was him who was about to unleash something not human. We have to find a place to stay, quick.

After Kagay exhausted all their resources and contacts, they gave us the final option - look for a motel along CDO hiway, and if there are still no vacancies, we'd have to spend the night at their office. The Kagay guys extended a hand by flagging one of them motorelas amidst the rain. We finally got one, and with all our baggage in tow, searched for, of all places, a motel.

By 8pm, we checked in at Queensland. Better that than nothing, and by some compensation by fate, it had what I needed the most at that time - a bubble bath! (It'd do with some scrubbing and disinfecting, of course) We've never felt so exhausted, and it was funny because with the tiredness and all, we actually did nothing kinky inside the motel! How ironic can that get?

Cagayan de Oro gave us one of our best adventures as a couple. We may have missed out on some of it's beauty, but drifting through it's rivers is enough to make that pitstop to CDO worth it. Thank you, CDO! You will be missed.