Langub Glass Palace

I just arrived from our short trip in Buda. Very timely since we had a very stressful week - beating deadlines in grades, cards, permanent records and etc. I was invited by Maam Katya together with teacher friends. With the heavy load in the past week, all I wanted was to have a simple break. And God granted that to me. I did not expect for comfortable place since we did not pay huge amount for this trip. But when we arrived at Buda last night, I was amazed by the one-of-a-kind house where we stayed. Amazing was my first impression and it even surprised me more during the daytime.

The house is a blend of different materials which gives a unique ambiance. Walls are made up of log's, bricks, cement and glass. French windows are very cute. The two attics are very very cool. They are my favorite parts in the house. Ceilings are made up of "amakan" or weaved thin bamboo trunks. It was my first time to see a fire place and it's not really awkward to have it in the tropical Philippines. At Buda, temperatures in the evening will really make you shiver.

We had a simple dinner. A very very Filipino one - adobo, ginisang kangkong and of course rice with pandan leaves. The company was also very very great that helped me to have the good appetite. No electricity so the small lamparas and petromax served as our lightings. Throughout the night, I enjoyed mother nature with her awesome wonders - stars in the sky, sounds of crickets and most especially the cool breeze. After I took a very cold bath, I fall asleep.

I woke up around seven in the morning and decided to have my coffee. When I went upstairs (since I slept in the underground room), I was struck by the beauty of the green surroundings. All I can see were the gentle pine trees as if greeting you a beautiful morning. And it was beautiful indeed. I sip my coffee in the veranda where you can clearly view the great Arakan valley. It is clearly seen during earling morning. Since we arrived around 9 in the evening, I did not notice the different ornamental and flowering plants around. The flowers are of different forms and colors. Magnificient view! Flaming red, subtle lavender, bright yellows and soothing white. I really appreciate country houses like Langub Glass Palace than huge modern mansions in the city. The house is a destination itself.

Having Fun!

I just finished my snacks at the same time my lunch at mandarin Tea garden at Victoria plaza. As usual, I ordered my favorite menu - siomai and tropical fruit salad. It's our 2nd monthsary today of my girlfriend, Analou. For the past two months, i just been so happy and felt complete like never before. We had simple celebration this morning for she's going home. We met the new day together and exploring new things together(?). Lolz! And what else could be sweeter than that? We had our simple breakfast at Blue Carabao and I sent her off to ride for a jeepney.

Last night we really had a great time together with my friends at Maam Jocy's new home. It was the first time Analou and even me to join my fellow teachers for a simple gathering. Maam Glema and Desi organized it since Relyn is in town for a break from Manila. Relyn was our former sophomore English teacher. We had a simple dinner prepared by everybody. Me and my An brought Bam-i from Fly-over ihaw2x. Relyn brought Red Ribbon cake and Desi and Glema with bihon and Pancit from Edongs. James and Mam Jocy bought barbecue which was very very tasty. We enjoyed our conversation since Jennifer and Dexter were around. They really have a good sense of humor. We talked about our lives as teachers and especially how Jen handle the preschoolers. It's already 9 in the evening and the original plan was to watch LFS at nearby SM but we were late already so the group decided to watch the famous film of Sarah and John Lloyd at NCCC mall. Without so much adue, the group was ready just in a minute.

We toured a bit to view the controversial house at their subdivision and we all were very amazed by these palace-like houses. At the mall, we met the Ching's (Bavyn's family). There were still so many movie goers on queue at the cinema where the You Change My Life movie is being showed. We continue our conversation and finally we were in.

Watching the movie for the second time around was not that exciting anymore (unless the movie is really really good). But there are still scenes that impressed me. We do not laugh that much but we really enjoy the movie though. We then had our picture taking at the car park of the mall and headed home immediately.

Simple things in life become funny and memorable as long you have good people around. ;-)

Talk it Out!

There are really things in life that we have to decide seriously. In my case this time, is all about my career. I have been a confused high school teacher for the last school year plus the student-attitude factor that's why I planned first to resign. Later on I realized that being a teacher is not all about myself but it's all about those kids you are going to mold.

I talked to different people about it and it helped me a lot to weigh things and eventually enlightened me to give my decision. Having conversation with your friends, sibling or to your girlfriend would really help things to be defined clearly. Because of that, we can have better view about the confusing situation we are into.

So if you are confused and having probs that need serious decision...talk it out! After all, two heads are better than one!