The Gemini



Looking at the world from a different perspective has never been this hard.

Nor this fun.

Cheers!

I think I'm gonna be on TV.

I went to pole dancing class and was surprised to find a bunch of TV crew and a tall lady reading some cue cards (obviously a TV personality whose name escaped me).

She turned out to be Gretchen Malalad who was doing a piece on pole dancing. She's interviewing Teacher Johnny and Teacher Jeannette, a married couple both teaching at Movement Dance Studio, and of course, Teacher Ciara.

She's also attending our class. And look! She's dancing next to me!! Que horror!~_~

Doing the Skater

I just hope the TV crew edit out the segments I'm in the frame!

Or no one I know gets to watch whatever show the shoot was for!

But whether on National TV or alone, with TV crew or none, I'm still dancing...

Front Cupid Pole Dancing Pose

That's how addicted I am.

To Pole Art! Cheers!!!

I'm turning into a Pole Dancing addict.

I practice whenever and however I can. *wink*

Cheers!

Solo Backpacking Trip: Bohol

There is freedom in traveling alone, without definite plans and with only locals and landscapes to guide you.



Onboard a Bus from Tagbilaran City to
Danao Adventure Park, Bohol


It's like you're flung into the unknown and had to find your way around.

The goal is never to get back where you started, but more of to discover; to grow as much as you can.

So minutes after my plane landed in Tagbilaran City, I found myself in Dao, where the Integrated Bus terminal is.




Dao Integrated Bus Terminal, Tagbilaran City, Bohol


I wanted to go to Danao Adventure Park, but was wondering if I could pass by the Chocolate Hills en route.

After a discussion with the locals, I heeded their advice, saved Chocolate Hills for another day and boarded the bus to Danao, Bohol (about 92KM from Tagbilaran City).

Stopping Over at Sagbayan, Bohol

Snacks: Dirty Ice Cream

Passing in between hills going to Danao, Bohol

Hills left and right! I love it!

What could have been a 2-hour ride became over 3-hour. But it was worth it.

As if that wasn't enough, I found myself riding a habal-habal (motorcycle) in search for a place to stay since I arrived at 5pm and the adventure park is already closed.




at Danao, Bohol 

 Only me, myself and I for now.

Let me not lose this opportunity. Let me learn what I have to learn.

Details:

• Fares from Tagbilaran City to Danao, Bohol --- Php85

Dance, Dance otherwise We are Lost

Why pole dance?

          1. You defy one of the laws of nature --- gravity.

          2. You see things in a different perspective, esp. when you're upside down.

          3. You feel light and empowered, without losing your femininity.

          4. When you spin, you can feel the air on your face, as if you're flying.

          5. You feel tall and strong, sitting on top.

And in my case, just when I thought I couldn't do it, I proved myself wrong.

So I went back to class.



 Join me.

Cheers!

Riding the Waves

My first surfing trip was quite accidental, actually --- my friends and I went to Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte, then decided to go wakeboarding in Camarines Sur; but, at the last minute, decided to go to Bagasbas for surfing... an unexpected check to my lengthy and ever-growing bucket list.

Bagasbas Beach, Camarines Norte

 In Bagasbas, I was less than thrilled when I saw the the beach.

Bagasbas Beach

For one thing, the sand is gray. For a beach lover like me, it hardly qualifies as a place that I would go for beach bumming; and as a surfing newbie, I imagined coconut trees, white sand, the bluest blue water when I finally try to hit the waves.

Surfing lessons at  Bagasbas Beach

 But as soon as we stepped on the sand and the briefing started, I was getting more and more excited....  and petrified. (what if the fins hit me on the head? what if I slipped, hit the board, and lose my teeth?)

Surfing lessons at Bagasbas Beach

At the shore, the instructor counted 1 to 3. At 3, we were to stand on the board --- a test to separate the regular footed (the right foot first) from the goofy-footed (left foot first).

I am regular footed. We were paired off with our instructor --- and there, I got my first surfing instructor, Cristina.

Surfing lessons at Bagasbas Beach

 We quickly maneuvered the surfing board to waist-deep water. Then, she asked me to lie on my stomach on the surf board. Count of 1: I should place my hands on the board beside my chest. Count of two: push myself up the board. Count of 3: stand up on the board, while keeping low.

First try: I was wiped out even before I got to stand. Second try was no better. I was getting frustrated. I don't know how many minutes have passed but I didn't want for the hour to end without at least getting to stand on the board.

Good thing, Cristina was the most patient instructor anyone could find. After every failed attempt, she told me what I was doing wrong: I stood up too soon, I stood up too late, I was not in the middle of the board, I should keep low, not straight up. And then, she said: Relax. Learning something new takes a lot of balls. You're on the right track.

Surfing lessons at Bagasbas Beach

Soon, I noticed a few things --- count 1 (placing my hands on the board beside my chest) is like chaturanga, a four-limbed staff yoga pose. Count 2 (pushing myself up the board) is like upward facing dog. Count 3 (standing up or more like squatting on the board) is like the garland pose or a warrior II yoga pose. As soon as I translated the new concepts in terms I know by heart, I got more comfortable. On my next try, Cristina pushed the surfing board and just as I heard her shout "3," I stood up and rode the waves until the shore.

Surfing lessons at  Bagasbas Beach

The feeling was unreal. I was ecstatic. I gave a loud scream and a few booty shakes. When I looked over at Cristina, she was throwing her hands up in the air and shouting, "YES!" We were like a couple of Lysistratas who found the key to end the Peloponnesian War.

There were a few tries when I was still wiped out, but more often than not, I got to surf until I reach the shore.

Surfing lessons at Bagasbas Beach

By the time the lesson finished, I got an invitation to stay over (free lodging and surfing board rental; I only have to take care of my transpo and food while I'm in town) from Cristina and a praise from her mom: "you're a natural surfer!"

with friends after surfing in Bagasbas Beach

If that isn't enough to get you hooked, I don't know what will.

with friends for a surfing trip in San Juan, La Union

So months later, my friends and I found ourselves in San Juan, La Union.

Surfing at San Juan, La Union

August in San Juan was not a very good month for surfing. We were like dried fish on the surfing board, waiting for waves to come. But the sea was largely flat and what few waves we had, surfers scrambled to ride them.

I was getting frustrated. I wanted to ride the waves but my frustration was making it harder for me to keep my balance. So I got wiped out more often, which in turn fueled my frustration.

Eddie, my instructor at that time, told me a valuable lesson: you'll always be wiped out, but the important thing is to ride the board again and paddle back up. And wait for the next one.
The right wave will come.

Surfing at San Juan, La Union

Surfing at San Juan, La Union

I made a conscious effort to relax, and not to approach each wave with gritted teeth. Soon, the magic was back. I was riding the waves --- or more like bumping into fellow surfers...but I was assured that I could still maintain my balance and lessons in Bagasbas were not lost.

With friends during a surfing trip in Baler, Quezon

A couple of months later, we went to Baler, Aurora --- the place to go if you're from Manila and you want to be take surfing seriously. There, I met Boy2, a real daredevil and a storm surfing enthusiast.

By then, I already know how to stand. My paddle was pretty weak, but I already have an idea how to do it. Problem was, I still didn't know when to stand and what to do when I'm already up. It felt like the waves were still propelling me to whichever direction, not the other way around.

That's where Boy2 came in handy. He told me: Look at the swell. You can tell which one to ride. Once you're up, if you notice the front of  your board is sinking deep into the water, bring your weight back. If you notice it up too high, bring your weight forward. Feel it. You'll know what to do.

Surfing at Baler, Quezon

So that's what I did. Before the session was over, I was doing cross steps on my board.

Surfing at San Juan, La Union

Back in Manila, I was getting uneasy and hankering to get back on the surfing board, so I took another trip to San Juan, La Unionl. This time, on my own.

Surfing at San Juan, La Union

I met Alberto, a late bloomer in the world of surfing. He's already nearing his 50s and got to surf only a few years back. He didn't teach me much, except to work on my paddling (so I could take on the waves alone) and that it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Learn. Everyday. Every time you can. Grow.

Surfing at Bali, Indonesia

Now, after solo trips and surfing vacations done on a whim, I ventured into an unfamiliar coasts --- in Bali, Indonesia.

Surfing at Bali, Indonesia

I paddled to a spot just before the waves break, and looked at the swell that began to form. I paddled just as the swell was about 5 meters behind me, stood up as soon as I feel the waves pulling me and cruised... I looked behind me and brought my weight to the right so I could trim the left pull waves...looked straight and felt myself float...this must be how the seagulls feel as they fly over the sea to dip their claws on the water --- flying and swimming at the same time. Then I got wiped out.

Surfing at Bali, Indonesia

I came up and pulled my board so I could paddle back. I looked over at another surfer near the shore. He gave me a thumbs up. I nodded my head in gratitude. There pass a secret message only those within the circle could understand: the solidarity of conquering a force of nature.

And, I realized, I am a surfer, at last.

Surfing at Bali, Indonesia

Funny how, in retrospect, I noticed surfing lessons don't only apply to surfing. And like most things in life, the more you know, the more you realize there's a lot more to learn.

Cheers!

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

After a delish first-time encounter with Portobello mushroom, I forced myself to stand up and scout around for desserts. Yes, I'm full --- my tummy is sticking out a mile; but this gal is never too full for desserts. (",)

So I made my way to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

A giant teddy bear welcomes you at the door.

Chocolate boxes, Truffles, candies --- all these await the most curious
sweet tooth!

Chocolate bars, Cookies, Brownies, Handmade Fudge --- the list of items
to try is quite extensive!

And then, the caramel apples!

An array of mouthwatering finds!

I had to stand in front of the counter for nearly 30 minutes, peering at the glass,
trying to decide what to get!



In the end, I chose a Pecan caramel Apple!
Large Granny Smith apple is dipped into a rich caramel fudge, and
then  coated with roasted, chopped pecan.



Thick and gooey, crisp and chewy --- this is a dream come true!

The bad thing about caramel apples is that you can always rationalize and overestimate its nutritive value. Afterall, it's apple! What could be so wrong with fruit indulgence, right??? =p


Details:
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
204 Crocker Park Blvd.
Westlake, Ohio, 44145
Tel# 440-899-2526