3rd Book: The Alchemist

How many times have we given up on our dreams and on our aspirations? And how many times have we used the same old excuses for not trying to turn them into reality?  Somewhere in our past we were very sure of what we want to be or do but somewhere along the way we lose it, and just let life or situation win.

"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho has a very good explanation why it happens to us. In the quest of Santiago for his teasure, his 'Personal Legend', we will understand that we, in some point is also like him, searching for our own treasure. This is a must read for those who want to rekindle the fire with their Personal legends.

Let me get you to the book's Introduction by Paulo Coelho:

We need to be aware of our personal calling. what is a personal calling? It is God's blessing; it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth... However, we don't all have the courage to confront our own dream. Why?

There are four obstacles:
1. We are told from childhood onward that everything we want to do is impossible.
 
2. Love
     -We know what we want to do, but are afraid of hurting those around us by abondoning everything in order to pursue our dream.

3.Fear of the defeats we will meet on the path
    -Necessary or not, defeats happen. The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.

4. The fear of realizing the dream for which we fought all our lives.
   -We look around at all those who have failed to get what they want and feel that we do not deserve to get what we want either. We forget about all the obstacles we overcame, all the sufferings we endured, all the things we had to give up in order to get this far.
  - But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why your are here.

I believe it's true enough. If we are stuck in a situation and up until now we haven't even tried to realize our dreams, this list sums up the reasons.

I want to believe it's never too late. As long as we live and keep on moving forward, pushing towards our goal, it will happen. God will not frustrate us in our dreams. As Santiago said "If God leads the sheeps so well, he will also lead a man." Remember what the old King said, " If you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

Next in line: The five people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom

Drawings using Ms paint

When I was a kid, the only thing I can do with ms paint was solid block of trees and stick figures. Even though I know how to draw, being left-handed, I could hardly control the mouse, so I haven't really thought of using the computer as a drawing medium.

I think it was two years ago when I saw my sister's artwork using MS paint. It was cute, and you wouldn't think it came from that. With years of using the computer, I also got a steady hand with the mouse. So I tried too. And I'm proud to say that I think I can make decent artworks with that too. Take a look at my pieces.^^

This is my first ever decent art using MS paint.
 This is inspired by a character from 'Queen Seondeok'.
This is Bidam.^^

Good night baby bear!

cutie.

I copied his face from a tumbler

Inspired by Fireflies of Owl city, one of my favorites.

You would recognize I mostly
have bougainvillea in my themes. I just love their color.

Green fields!

It's supposed to be a sunset. This is dedicated to my grandma.

And after years of hiatus, I tried again.

I hope you like them.^^

Conti's Cakes

I always hear people craving about Conti's Mango Bravo. They say it has always been a favorite and a best seller. Since it's my sister's 18th birthday, I decided it's a good time to try it out. So off we went to Conti's and came out with a mini mango bravo, a mini strawberry shortcake and a box of creampuffs.

You might wonder, why mini? Well, I love minis! Also, it's going to be my first for Conti's cakes, I don't want to shell out a lot for something I'm not sure about. And finally,bigger cakes are harder to handle. Imagine when the layers collapse :P

Conti's Mango Bravo
So, this is what they are craving about?! Yes, it definitely looks delicious! I love the mangoes on top, they're fresh. The layers are also ok. The over all taste is fine.  Although, the thing I notiece is that it has  A LOT of icings! Seriously.

Conti's Strawberry Shortcake
I'm quite disappointed about the strawberries on top. It's like there's a scarcity of strawberries. I remember the one we had in Visco's last time, but then again I realize, that's in Baguio and this is Manila, so yeah there's scarcity here.

Regarding the taste, I like this one better! The chiffon is soft, and it has this creamy-cheese like filling in the middle, that's really.. hmm.. yummy! I would surely go for this one again.

Conti's Creampuffs
Ok, so this one, I got persuaded by the clerk, imagine it's just P120, and you get 15 pieces! What can I say... hmm.. I'm not really a fan of cream puffs, so don't take my comment seriously. lol.

But with the taste, I like the white one better. It has this creamy taste, I didn't find the chocolate one chocolatey for my taste.

Nagbabad na naman ako sa TV!

Hay, sa totoo lang iniiwasan ko na talagang manood ng TV, dahil nagiging couch potato ako... katulad ngayong gabi, more than 4 hours ata ako nasa harap ng tv namin. Di ko na tuloy nagawa ang mga dapat kong gawin.

Pero naisip ko, siguro subconcious distraction din to, dahil may bagay akong ayaw isipin... ngayon tuloy naisip ko sana nag blog na lang ako... hmp.. hehehe...

Need help?

Yes and No.

There are times when my pride or rather my stingy attitude get the better of me, and I opt out even when I know I need help.

Take for example my 'want to do' things, like improving on drawing. Before, I really wanted to add more knowledge in animation or add something to my drawing skills, so I looked for schools, and found out it cost an arm and a leg, so I told myself, nah, I can do it on my own, there are plenty of free materials on the net.

Here comes the free materials, here comes the time, but where am I? The problem is I can't seem to stick to my schedule for a long time. It's either I oversleep, or I over surf (other stuff), poor me, my plans haven't been any close to being accomplished.

That's why you know, I realized, indeed, I need help. I think I need the help of a pro, if I want to level up too.

What's your fantasy?

I just came across this awesome chance and can't help but share about it.

You know... sometimes fantasy world can be a very wonderful place. In an instant you can be anything, go anywhere and be with anyone you want to. The situations are almost real, almost tangible, though it just exists in your mind. And I admit I frequent that land in my dull moments. I'll share one that I thought of some time ago. (You must pardon me for the simplicity of this because you know, there's no autumn in my country :P)

"I'm walking on a pavement scattered with red and yellow autumn leaves. I feel the cold breeze sweep as it gently stir the nature's sleeping confettis, and I start to dance with them.

Absorbed in my own world, I'm barely aware of my friend who is some steps behind me now. He seems to be amused by my seemingly child-like attitude towards nature. He captured those candid moments.

I turn and smile at him, take out my camera and take his shot while walking. It didn't take him long to reach me. I took his arm, and just like a lady and a gentleman, we walk together along that colorful pavement."

So lovely!

Well, I hope you didn't find that too corny.. ;P

Photo from here.

Places in Baguio City

There are a lot of things to go to and visit in Baguio, but we didn't have all the time in the world. These are just some of the other places we visited.

Bell house
This is big, I wonder how it must have felt to really live here... and thought about the occupants. Anyway, I really love the flowers in their amphitheater.

The bell house

The bell house library

I so love their ampitheater lined with flowers!

Hi there morning glory!

I rarely see a white santan, this is sweet!

The cemetery of negativism

Well, the title of the tombs were creative enough, I enjoyed looking around. This place is small though, you can see it 360 depending on how fast you read.

Boss, y s dat? (Taken by ybeth)

Mt. Cloud

This bookstore has a homey ambiance, like it's a personal library and you can just sit there, grab a coffee and enjoy your favorite book.

With this second floor, this is really a cutesy little bookstore! (Taken by Rozan)

The mansion

So this is where the president of the Philippines stay in his/her vacation in Baguio City. What I can say is, the gates where grand and elegant; the lawn was wide; but I can't quite remember if the mansion was beautiful or what, because it's far, and all I remember where the words 'THE MANSION' in front of it, plus we had photo galore. ^^"

Grand! (Taken by Chris)

Mine's View Park

This is a steep one. You'll go through a spiral staircase. Since I'm acrophobic, I really didn't dare go through the farthest part and look down. @_@ And I don't have many pics of this place...

Because I love flowers, I took this while going down the stairs.

Visco's Strawberry shortcake

We had this for dessert on Sunday. This is the first time I ever see lots of strawberries on top. Well, we're in Baguio, what would I expect. The cake is delicious. The icing is not so sweet, the chiffon is soft and with more strawberry surprises inside! I'd love to have that again.^^

An anime cake come to life!~

See these layers, so yummy!

Tam-awan village in Baguio City

According to the place Tam-awan is a garden in the sky. I really didn't know what to expect here.

Upon paying the entrance fee of P50.00, we were given a map of the path we should take. We started following it, in the map there were sketches of Nipa hut, and names of places and people. So we started following the path.

mga anito... or mga wind chimes...

Looking good...

We were looking for the dreamcatcher on the map. We went up, down, further up... wherever that narrow path uphill leads, little did I know that we were still so far from the top.

Overlooking while hiking...

 I don't know how many turns it took us, or how far or near we were to the top, but we stopped, because one of my friends said she went to Baguio to have a break from mountain climbing, why is she doing it then? I think she has a point.

They stopped there, my bud and I went just one more curve higher.

I think going down is a bit more dangerous at some point. Some of the soil were eroded and you have a good chance of slipping. Some of the wood bridges were either broken or deteriorated, you can't trust them completely. Anyway, it was a good try, and my first ever hiking trip. ;]

My sun glow shot at Tam-awan

After that tedious hike, we went to their restaurant to refresh. Since we just had lunch at 50's diner, we were still full,we just ordered soft drink and french fries.

Look at the art in that sauce, cute ne! (Taken by Chris M.)

what a cozy place!

The restaurant is mosty is walled with paintings of their local artists, (but I don't have pics since there was a notice not to take picture) and they have real flowers on each table's vases. Cool! 

50's Diner in Baguio City

On the second day in Baguio we ate lunch here, which was a good thing. Why? We didn't get the memo that the food served there is american sized, especially for the sandwiches! I said it was a good thing since we would still burn the calories in another set of siteseeing (and hiking)

Their counter.

Upon arriving, we had to wait because the place was jam-packed. I guess this is really a popular place there. Good thing the waitress is accomodating. She does her job. The food is affordable and the serving is big.
Take a look at what we had:

Look at that burger!

Breaded porkchop

This is really big!

Spicy Chicken

Drinks

I ordered this breaded chicken with ham and cheese and the inside. Yum. Just one thing though, the iced mint tea I got is not as tasty as I expected... well, maybe it's just me. :{


Anyway, one must really include 50's Diner in their itinerary in Baguio, you wouldn't want to miss this, especially the gigantic sandwiches! :]

Some photos were taken by:Chris M.^^

Hillstation in Baguio City

After a long day of sightseeing (actually walking) in camp John Hay, we headed out to Hillstation, The food is a bit pricy, but good. I just don't know but my friend's brother was not satisfied with their serving of laing. He said it the serving was very small.

I think this is the close up version of that small laing ;p

 As for me, I'm solved with my burger. I also really liked their fruitshake- that four seasons blend was just so refreshing.

this is one heck of a leafy burget ;p

My friends took these.

Beef pasta

flan  

Soup

Photos taken by: Chris M. 

My first visit to Baguio

Last year my brother and sister had their own trips to Baguio, how I really wished I would have my chance. Now is my year. Just this month, I was finally able to feel Baguio's breeze, walk on its streets, and visit its beautiful places.

Food Galore
We went to a lot of places and needed to walk a great deal,so we went hungry big time, but it's good, because we had an excuse to eat to our heart's content! ;]

And in the three days I felt I've packed more pounds. But the heck, how can you refuse if the food's just too good?!

Choco-late de Batirol

In the heart of Camp John Hay lies Choco-late de Batirol, a humble shack decorated with flowers and plants outside, you might think it's an ordinary place, but wait until you actually come in. It is lined with local paintings and extraordinary woodwork. The place is open, so one can feel the breeze. They wood tables and chairs makes it even cozier–just like those traditional filipino houses.

And as you can guess by their name, they serve chocolates, yey! But it's not just any chocolate you know.

They serve the traditional chocolate drink. One sip and I knew the taste, it's the one made of cocoa! (Just kidding I knew it because of the cocoa beans displayed there^^) I love their chocolate! I tried the choco mallow- it's kind of sweet, the mallows melt in the hot chocolate, therefore altering the original taste, not what I expected but well, who cares, as long as it tastes good, right?

traditional hot chocolate, yum!

Aside from that, we also had traditional filipino meriendas like bibingka and turon.

Bibingka

Turon

(Since there's a lot to talk about these places, I'll post them separately.Next stop will be posted on the next post ;] )

approaching the place....