Turning Thirty!

Turning thirty is a challenge, an accomplishment, but sometimes a burden.

There are people who view this age as a checkpoint. I don't blame them for that. It's just that some of them mainly view those persons who are at that age to be settling down, stuff like that.

It's definitely not the case for everyone.

One of my great role models has given me more proof that this age does not suck, that being thirty means a lot of things greater than quantifying a big number.

Click the link below:

iamsuperbianca: I'm 30! Why I think its more awesome than 20.: I'm 30!!!! I started this blog in 2003, when I was 20 years old. Ten years after, I don't really feel much older but I feel so m...

If you read this, it will surely boost your morale, as it did mine. :)

Kalanggaman Island.

A weekend from work to stay at Paradise with friends is definitely worth the hassle of hours and hours of land and sea trips.

With summer already on its way, me and some of my friends decided to go to this island, an hour of bangka travel just across Palompon, Leyte. When we got there, everything is just breathtaking, from the water to the sand to the sea breeze to the sun...everything was perfect.

Food and drinks were bountiful, the volleyball court was just inches away from our camp, as well as the beach. There was no electricity, so we decided to turn off our gadgets, and it seemed like we were castaways on Survivor: only living on the food that we have, making most of what we brought with us, without any contact from the outside world. Well I may be exaggerating a little, but that's what I felt. :)

On the island, you can do a lot of things. Boredom is the last thing that would come up in this place. Aside from the usual banter that our group solely initiates, we also brought a badminton set that kept us afoot and energized, complete with scoring and losers being replaced.

The island also has a handful of gear that you can rent, just to add more activities on your list: Kayaks, banana-bicycle floaters, bicycle floaters, etc.

And of course, the sand bar. Photography is ideal, and strolling to and fro is a must for any group.

At night, the stars come out and play a romantic setting on the beach, with torches being lit up at every camp.

Everyone was just having fun, making our summer outing a very successful one.

Next up: our trip to Boracay, in time for my Birthday. :)

flying.

One of the best things that happened to me when we went to Puerto Princesa, Palawan was the opportunity to cross something off my turning-thirty bucket list. Aside from being a first-timer in visiting the place, admiring the nature that is solely in Palawan, I also got to do one thing: Flying.

Not flying with my own wings, but sitting on one of those plush comfy seats inside an airplane. Yep. I've been on land and water for 29 years before I conquered the skies.

And what an incredible experience it was. Indescribable. I'm still overwhelmed just by thinking about it. Maybe I'm overreacting a little bit, but can you blame me? It was my first time.

I used to read from books minute descriptions on what happens when a plane takes off and lands, much more when it's part of a TV show or movie. But to experience it first-hand is totally amazing. To see the mechanism of the plane doing its thing...I just can't help but feel a smile barely forming at the corner of my lips when thinking about it.

And just like that, I am looking forward to experiencing it all over again. :D

fishing at Port Marina.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of a full stomach, especially if the food is scrumptious.

This was what I truly felt when I came out of Port Marina (located near Tayud, Consolacion). It was indeed a palatable feast. With the freshness of all ingredients and a great cook to boost, who can go wrong? No wonder the place was highly recommended by one of our closest managers.

I also did something in that place that was worth adding to my turning-thirty bucket list: fishing! Yep, it was my first time in trying that. And the feeling was...exciting. Not to mention scared--for the fish. Haha. But it was really great to have tried that, and came out alive after.

I had a great accomplishment on my first try. I threw in the bait with great success, and caught a big one! Hooray for me! :D

pink lips and neon-colored nails.

I have always thought of bright and conspicuous colors as very attention-seeking, and I didn't really want that. But since I'm trying all these things before I turn thirty, I thought to myself: "Why not?"

So I got one of mom's bright pink lipsticks and tried it on. I felt uncomfortable at first, and usually I wipe my lips with a tissue seconds after I put it on. But after letting it stay for a while, I walked to face the mirror again and...wow. The color really suited me.

Now I wear pink and red lipstick almost every day. I am a convert, I confess!

Another thing was the nail color. I also thought the same of it with the lipstick, and had resented the thought of having very bright-colored nails. However, there was this one time I did my usual visits to my regular salon, and was trying to pick a color suitable for me, when I saw the nail color named "Kiwi". As in the kiwi fruit.

My thoughts reverted back to my vow to try everything before I turn thirty, and there I was, watching Ate polish my nails with a bright green color!

After the session, I looked at my feet, trying to see it from another person's point of view, and I was mesmerized. How I really liked the vividness of the color! I liked it so much that on my next session I tried the bright pink one.

Yep. Everything bright and colorful is growing on me. I hate kissing goodbye to my nude and normal "before" life, but as they say all good things come to a very abrupt end.

I wonder what it would be next. Neon skirts? Glossy and glittery bags? The overwhelming list of opportunities goes on and on!

things to do before i turn thirty.

I am already counting the days.

Turning thirty is life-changing for me. And so to somehow celebrate the coming of this very momentous occasion, I have been challenging myself to do the things that I haven't done yet.

First was, getting a tattoo. I did this with one of my old friends Babang last February 10 of this year. Here is the first coming out photo of my baby:

If you must know, it is a lotus flower. When this is inked, it means that the person is undergoing a great change in his life. Well, I definitely am!

Next is the PIU. Yeah, I know. So childish, but so fun! It burns my calories and makes me more alert. It also makes me wonder why I hadn't done this before when I still had the excuse of being a teenager.

What else? I can't think of anything more, but I'll let you know. :)