To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy not respectable, and wealthy not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In other words, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. – BruceLee
Seven months ago, I had the luck of finding a grey, striped, crazy, living furball.
It’s safe to say that my days from then on have never been the same.
So, as my good deed for the day, let me share some of the reasons why I think adopting a pet (dog or cat) is one of the most awesome things you can do for yourself.
Let’s start! Meeeee-yaaaaw!
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1. Pets are GOOD LISTENERS
Just got your heartbroken? Just killed someone?
Hey, your friendly, non-judging pet is here for you to listen.
C’mon… you can let it all out with them. They will even cry with you.
2. Pets make us LAUGH
They are funny as hell. Just check out Youtube and you’d see that more than half of the funny videos there are made by pet owners and their crazy pets.
3. Pets can be a cute alternative to an ALARM CLOCK
If you want a dog, prepare to get wet. In my case, I prepare for scratches. Sweet.
4. Pets teach us RESPONSIBILITY
It’s like taking care of a baby… a wild and crazy baby, just to turn up the ante.
5. Pets teach us DISCIPLINE
They crave for routine. So make sure that you can give them an organized and timely schedule of… feeding.
6. Pets show us INDEPENDENCE
They do their own thing… 90% of the time.
You can’t tell them what to do, unless, you have food. (And sometimes, even that, fails. Haha)
7. Pets help us APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS
They can see beauty in every thing. No matter how little or invaluable to us.
Take my cat, for example, her favorite plaything? Crumpled paper.
8. Pets strengthen our PATIENCE
I know they are cute, but they are also capable of:
– making incessant noise at 2 am in the morning
– smearing poop everywhere
– destroying your favorite furniture
– breaking every vase and pot in the house
– unannounced biting and scratching
Lovely.
9. Pets make us FEEL LOVED
They are always excited and happy to see you. They never judge you. They are always interested in what you’re doing. They are sad when you are sad, and happy when you are happy. They protect you from bad guys. ‘Nuff said.
10. Pets let us GIVE LOVE
That’s right. They LET us, and they love it.
And that is the most beautiful thing that one can have — an opportunity to give love.
I know that I have already shared something about Boracay, and like most blogs, I focused more on how beautiful the island’s landscape is — how white and powdery its sand is, or how its blue seas glitter under the hot sun.
This time however, I have been made aware that amidst the beauty, there is something ugly that lurks underneath and I cannot just stand here and look away.
So as my good deed for the day, I will share a chance for everybody to make a difference.
Let’s make Boracay an island that we know is beautiful not only for its enviable sand and sea, but also for its enviable humanity.
I just signed the petition, “Johnny Yap, Mayor of Boracay, Philippines: Stop the Cruel Treatment of Boracay’s Homeless Animals.”
I’ve been feeling a little bit in the dumps lately, and I know that the only way to feel better is through a good deed.
So, as my good deed for the day, I will share with you a poem that I read whenever I need a little boost — a little push towards the right perspective.
I hope it can help you too, one way or another.
IF
Rudyard Kipling
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If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
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If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
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If you can dream — and not make dreams your master;
If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
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If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;
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If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
Congratulations for passing the day that tests how romantic AND creative you are.
Anyhoo, the best way to take advantage of this achievement you’ve “unlocked” is to make sure that the feelings rekindled and revived yesterday will be sustained for the next 364 days before next year’s Valentine’s Day.
I can see nodding here and there. Yes…. Yes.
I can also see in your faces that that is a more grueling task than the preparation you had before Valentine’s Day. Yes… Yes.
But that’s one of the many fun things in having a romantic relationship, isn’t it? — the fun in thinking of new ways and letting your creative (and non-creative, bodily) juices flow to make sure that your partner is as happy as a hippie on ecstasy.
And so, as my good deed for the day, let me share with you some of my favorite quoted lines from some of my favorite authors that you can tell your sweetheart, today, tomorrow, and the next few days after, and make him or her giddy as f***.
Thank you Dar & new friend, Kev, for posing for this photo. Haha.
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Ahhh… love.
It is the best thing that one can give and receive.
So, get go, good luck, and you are welcome!
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*Note: All photos here were taken during my trips around the Philippines. =)
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Love loves to love love,
Bembunny
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(This is an old draft in my archives and I thought it’s fitting for Valentine’s Day)
I am in another state of panic.
I notice this happens often. It’s worrisome.
Anyway, my previous partner encouraged me to write a love story for my blog. Knowing his skillful tactics in persuasion I indulged. Nyarrrrr.
In the end I found myself here, fishing around my head for a good love story that I must have stored whilst I ogled random couples at the mall. Yes, I can be creepy at times. Sorry, random couples.
Well, you know, I’m not really an author by profession, so I can neither promise to sweep you guys with my words nor end everything with a “bang “.
So, I will not promise anything. Safe Bunny, I am. Hehe.
Anyway, while I’m fishing for a good plot, let me share with you the list of my favorite love stories.
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
I’ve read the book a couple of times, although I haven’t seen the movie. The image above is a poster for the movie which I took because I liked the tagline, “How long would you wait for love?”
Well, how long do you wait for love?
Some would say, as long as it’s worth it. Others, would not even want to be bothered by it. But, Florentino…. He would give his lifetime.
When I was reading the story, I saw the beauty of the story not through this “eternal” love. I’m not sure why, maybe I’m not as romantic as I hoped myself to be.
Don’t get me wrong, my nose would bleed with happiness if someone like Florentino would love me and wait for me that long. I’d even say, that would be a part of any sane woman’s dream.
I guess, you know, I was just more focused on the details of the story.
The characters and how they went about with their lives were more interesting for me.
Their humanness, gracefulness and vulnerability; the tragedy and beauty of being human — all carefully woven by Garcia-Marquez.
I love it.
I almost cried at the ending, too.
The Selfless Love
The Velveteen Rabbit
Well, deny it or not, everyone has felt unrequited love at one point of their lives, yes? — Yes (with a shaky voice, mehehe)
It is a painful experience.
Especially if you’re a rabbit… and a toy.
I’ll share with you the part that makes me cry buckets every time I read it:
‘It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse.
‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.
Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.
But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
Huhuhu… Too many feels…
Pass me the Kleenex please.
The Enduring Love
The Vow
This poster is distracting me. Hahaha. Curse you Channing Tatum!
Anyway, I luuuurved the story that inspired the movie.
This is a quote from the (Kim: husband & Krickitt: wife) couple’s interview with DailyMail:
Walking away was just not an option though.
‘I had made my vows in front of my family and friends, to stay together, for good and for bad, in sickness and in health.’ Krickitt decided she had to learn to love this man again, however long it might take and however hard she might find it.
Kim was of a similar mind. ‘I had made my vows to Krickitt and there was no way I would ever have abandoned her,’ he says fondly. ‘I knew the incredible woman she was before the accident and the woman she could be again. However angry she became, and however much we argued, I knew that I had to keep trying.’
I know it’s not as well-versed as the vows in the movie, but their belief in their vows and their marriage is just as moving.
It was an enduring and heart-wrenching love story of two people who chose to honor their vows — something that we do not see so often in this world where everything seems so dispensable.
To wrench our hearts further here are the vows used in the movie:
Image from Google ImagesImage from Google Images
Whew! I have exhausted my Kleenex box, so I will rest. Hahaha.
I will just continue on adding to this list from time to time.
If you have love stories to share, feel free to post below! =)
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I can smell love in the air… It smells like chocolate,
I know it’s Monday… and no one is supposed to give a “throwback” on a Monday.
It doesn’t make any sense.
We’re supposed to look forward and start the week with a desire and vigor to make fresh, new memories.
Right?
Right.
Okay.
Let’s have a throwback, then. Huwahaha.
Since I have been blissfully dreaming of white, sandy beaches, and calming waves, after my Survivor-esque Calaguas trip (which I will be posting soon), I have decided to talk about traveling to Boracay along with my experiences there.
I went there with my previous partner, and we were able to try out many things in the island that you can also give a shot.
If you are planning to go there for summer this year, I hope this post can help you in some way.
How We Got There
Boracay’s location in the Philippines
The island of Boracay is located around 300 – 400 kilometers south of Manila, despite that, it is relatively accessible.
Direct land travel to the island is not yet available, but don’t fret, there are other options to get to paradise:
BY AIR – The fastest way to get there, no doubt. Flying directly to the island os not possible as it has no airport. Choices given would be to fly to the airport hubs of Caticlan or Kalibo. For those coming in from foreign countries, there’s an option to arrive and depart from Cebu. Flight durations are as follows:
60 minutes – Manila to Caticlan (26+ flights / day)
65 minutes – Manila to Kalibo (14+ flights / day)
65 minutes – Cebu to Caticlan (2+ flights / day)
45 minutes – Cebu to Kalibo (3 flights / week)
Hello Boracay! Photo taken at Boracay Airport, Caticlan, Aklan, Philippines
BY SEA – Slow, but definitely, the more romantic and adventurous choice of the two. It’s best to try this option during summer months (March to May) to be able to maximize the view of the seas as well as avoid possible mishaps and inconveniences due to typhoons during rainy season. Ferry routes are as follows:
BY LAND & SEA – The travel time is very much like using a ferry. The only difference is while being on board a bus we’ll also be on board a ship. Kewl.
15 hours (approximately): RO-RO “Roll On – Roll Off” route (bus + ship travel) via Philtranco, Manila – Mindoro – Caticlan
After landing Caticlan or Kalibo airport, rest and relaxation is only a few minutes away, so let’s move, move, MOVE!
Caticlan (Godofredo P. Ramos) Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port directions via Google Map
From Caticlan (Godofredo P. Ramos) airport:
There are three (3) options to get to Caticlan Jetty port:
Less than 5 minutes – Van
Pros:
Air conditioned
Safe from torrential rains and the burning sun.
There are van + ferry transfer packages available, some of which even includes a van transfer to the hotel’s doorstep — most convenient since it eliminates the need to fall in line to pay for fees at the terminal, and the need to find a hotel transfer after reaching the island
We have personally tried the van + ferry + hotel drop-off package and we were able to conserve a lot energy that we then used to party come nighttime
Cons:
We pay for the convenience so it’s relatively more expensive than taking a tricycle and paying the fees ourselves
Leg room inide a van enroute to Caticlan Jetty Port. I’m petite, 5’0″, while my travel partner’s 5’11”.
Less than 5 minutes – Tricycle
Pros:
Cheap, most blogs nowadays say it costs 50 pesos. When we went there, we paid 70 pesos for two, and we shared the tricycle with two other people.
The tricycle system is quite organized – there’s a ticketing booth and dispatcher.
The ride is short and smooth.
Cons:
Cramped space. It’s a tricycle that tries to fit 4 – 6 people plus luggage. Suck it in.
If it’s rainy, expect to get wet
Lady in blue dispatching tricycles enroute to Caticlan Jetty Port. Some tricycles, such as this one, have seats at the rear of the vehicle. Awesome.
10 minutes (approximately) – Walking
Pros:
Fat burner. It does not hurt to lose a few extra calories before hitting the beach.
There are many stores lined up along the road that sell all kinds of things. There’s a fat chance that they have some of the stuff you might need once you are in the island. Take advantage! — We did, and during that time, we were able to buy snacks and water when we went walking around the area. Goods are around 30% cheaper than the island’s.
It’s free! All the better for you to save money for other things you might want to do or eat in the island.
Cons:
Weather exposure
We were forced to carry our heavy luggage around while walking. It wasn’t an easy feat.
Walking around Tabon Port, Caticlan, Aklan, Philippines
Important Note: When we traveled to Boracay during the rainy or typhoon season (July – October), we were dropped off at Tabon Port, Caticlan. It’s a port located around 15 minutes away by tricycle from Caticlan airport. So just add around 10 minutes to the previous travel durations (Caticlan airport to Caticlan Jetty Port travel durations) that I have posted here.
Bancas / Outriggered boats docked in Tabon Port, an alternative port to Boracay island. Photo taken at Tabon Port, Caticlan, Aklan, Philippines
From Kalibo airport:
There are two (2) ways to get to Caticlan Jetty port:
120 minutes (approximately) – Bus
Pros:
Comfortable — most are air conditioned
Convenient — some buses provide packages that include ferry tickets + jetty port fees; some even include hotel drop-off in their packages
There are non-air conditioned buses from Kalibo town proper which would be probably be a lot cheaper if the budget’s really tight
Cons:
It takes a wee-bit longer to depart — some buses need to fill in the empty seats, so when we tried a bus transfer, we bought snacks and took a nap
It takes a bit more time (a few minutes) to arrive at Caticlan Jetty port. The roads to Caticlan from Kalibo are sometimes curved and uphill, so buses sometimes take it slow.
Inside a bus enroute to Caticlan. We tried the package that includes bus fare to Caticlan + ferry ticket to Boracay island + fees.
75 minutes (approximately) – Van
Pros:
Fastest means of traveling from Kalibo airport to Caticlan.
Comfortable — vans are air conditioned
Convenient — most van service companies also provide ferry transfer services, or even hotel drop-offs
For groups of 10 or more — there’s an option to reserve a van for 2,000 pesos or less. Haggle!
Cons:
Cramped space — for tall people, the leg room’s sometimes not enough; my partner had a bit of discomfort due to the cramped seating area
For people who bring more than just backpacks, the storage area at the rear is sometimes not enough for their luggage
Some vans are old and their air conditioners do not work as efficiently — it can sometimes be like you’re in a sauna, especially if it’s summer
It’s more expensive than a bus
Reservation booths for vans and buses to Caticlan. They can be seen infront of Kalibo airport.
After reaching Caticlan Jetty Port (or Tabon Port), we had to pay fees:
Terminal fee
Environmental fee
Ferry fare (if it’s not yet included in the bus / van transfer or tour packages)
Woohoo! After paying our fees we were able to go aboard the bancas or outriggered boats decorating the shores of the port.
20 minutes (approximate travel time) – Caticlan to Boracay
The boats are well-equipped with life vest / floating devices for everyone’s safety and peace of mind.
The boats are capable of transferring 40++ people at a time.
Hello fellow travelers!Enroute to Boracay Island! Photo taken aboard a banca or outriggered boat departing Caticlan Jetty Port.
WHEN did we visit
Photo taken in Ilig-Iligan beach. A secluded beach included in our island hopping tour.
Our first trip to the island was back in October 2013.
The timing was crazy.
Aaaaand not because it’s such a good time to go but because there was a low-pressure area within the country’s vicinity and it’s evolving into a typhoon. Lovely.
Seaweed also plagued the stretch of White beach in Boracay during that time, and according to locals, they are swept in by the strong current during the months of August until early November.
So, if you are planning to go to Boracay during the months of August ’til late October, STOP!!!
In the name of love, my beauty, and all that is glorious… save yourself… and just save some money to go there during the summer season.
It can be a little too crowded or even a little too expensive to go during summer, visiting during the months of May ’til July or even December ’til February, would be fine.
As proof, here is a photo from our trip to the island last May of 2014.
Station 3, White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
Ahhhh, so perfect, no?
Clear, blue water… White, powdery sand… Cool, misty breeze… Damn, I can almost taste its saltiness on my skin.
Before I zone out here, let’s move on.
WHERE did we go
Boracay is not only home to world-class beaches, it also boasts of many tourist attractions that people from all walks of life would be able to enjoy.
From the fine-dining aficionado to the streetfood-munching cowboy, or from the party animal to the laid back with a book, the island has something for you.
Pubs and Bars
Charlh’s Bar, Between Stations 2 and 3, Boracay, Philippines
If you find happiness in good music and a beer bottle, the island has pubs and bars lined up along its stretch of pristine white sand for you.
Restaurants and cafes
Real Coffee and Tea Cafe, Station 2, Boracay, Aklan, Philippines
Restaurants and cafes offering various types of cuisine will surely satisfy the gastronomic adventurer in you.
SHOPPING CENTERS AND MARKETS
A souvenir store in D’Mall, Station 2, Boracay, Aklan, Philippines
For the shopaholic and the souvenir-hoarder, the island has shopping centers — from E-mall to D’mall — and markets — D’talipapa to Talipapa Bukid — for you.
BEACHES
Puka Beach, Boracay, Aklan, Philippines
You might be surprised that there are a few other beaches that the island offers apart from the famous White beach.
Last year, me and my travel partner used up most of our time in the island lounging around in Puka beach, a stretch of white sand in the northern part of the island, that is nothing short of paradise.
If your stress medicine is the sand, salt, and sea — you’d be surprised to know that Boracay has more than 10 beaches tucked in its corners. Go crazy.
SCENIC VIEWPOINTS AND PRIVATE RESORT COMPLEXES
Fairways and Bluewater, Newcoast, Boracay, Aklan, Philippines
(To be continued)
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Sunkissed for the summer,
Bembunny
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