30b430 update : REVISION

It will hit you at the most unexpected time and day.

I don't have to explain further (yet) but # 17 will be having some MAJOR changes.Just browse my list on the right side of my blog and see for yourself ^_^

# 26 of 30B430 A day at the 2011 Hot Air Balloon Festival

# 26 A day at the 2011 Hot Air Balloon Festival

Mission Accomplished.

Venue:  Air Force City, Clark Freeport, Angeles City in Pampanga

Date: February 11, 2011
Official website

 Last Friday, February 11, 2011, I finally set foot on the land of Hot Air Balloon in Clark, Pampanga. I have always wanted to go to this magical event way back 2 years ago. I coined this experience “OLD and NEW” (credit goes to my good friend Teta) Why?

a.        An OLD dream that I was able to fulfill, finally! *yipee*

b       I was so happy that my dear Kristine, a good OLD closest  friend of mine  way back Nursing  days was with me in accomplishing this endeavor

c.       I got to be meet a new friend – Aeus ^_^ ( coolest name by the way!)

d.       NEW dream for next year – to actually ride a Hot Air Balloon 

Being #26 on my 30B430 list, I always dreamt on how it feels to actually be on top of the world ( and in some sort kinda flying). Well, Skidiving and riding a Hot Air Balloon  are on my bucketlist but due to budget constraint I opt to just be awed with the cuteness of these flying objects as it goes up up and away into the sky.

I was determined to go alone in case no one would be lovely enough to accompany me. But here goes my partners in crime and I truly thank them from the bottom of my heart for they played the perfect roles that auspicious day:

L-R : Sweet, Alvin, Aeus, Kristine and Espie

TRANSPORTATION: We were supposed to ride by car with some other friends but there were changes in our plans so being a commuter that I am, we decided to take the public transportation.  You can ride a Victory Liner bus, terminal is located at Cubao, Quezon City, bound to Alaminos, Pangasinan and go down at Dau, Pampanga (P123.00 one way). From Dau, you can take PUJs or Tricycles going to your destinations. If you know how to ask directions you will get by :) hehehe


We also planned to ride PUJ from  Hotel Hana to Clarkfield but since we got extra cash ( hehehe) and we need to get going as early as 4:30AM we rather asked the hotel to request an Innova van to take us to the event (P350.00). It was kinda expensive but we got a bit of a baggage so we really need one ( right Alvin?:P) It's just a 10-minute drive. 


After the event, there are sponsored vans, free of charge, outside the venue that can take you to Marquee Mall and in front of this mall is a Victory liner bus stop that will take you back to Manila (P121.00) You just need to wait for the next bus to arrive, usually every 15-20 minutes. In our case, we played Monopoly to kill time :)

Alvin introduced us to the new generation Monoploy card game 

   
HOTEL : Based from our experience it is better to book the hotel a few months before the event so you'll have a lot of options. There are plenty of hotels within the vicinity that you can choose from to suit your preferences. In our case,we booked late, though we were able to get rooms at Hotel Hana (P1095 per Standard Room). We paid extra for additional heads (P300.00 / person) and for the additional mattress ( P300.00). We checked-in the day before of the event so that we wouldn't be late for the early Hot Air Balloon Flights which starts at around 5:30AM. Being early on the venue also gave us a good spot to witness the exhibition.

courtesy of Teta

TICKET: Ticket for the Hot Air Balloon costs P150.00 only. It is available at the entrance on the day of the event but my friend Kristine bought our tickets at Ticketworld in Manila so to avoid long lines. If you want a closer encounter with these big balloons I think you have to pay another P250.00 ( <-not really sure about this part) and of course if you wanna ride the balloon you would need a bigger amount of dough - $150.00 ( which is a first-come-first served basis)

ayan!

FOOD : Food stalls are located inside the field, so no need to worry about your tummies. I suggest you bring your bottle of water ( we had 1Liter of water each, hehehe) and food from outside is also allowed


WHAT TO EXPECT :  Well, cute Hot air Balloons! hahaha.. You really have to be there early on for the Flight exhibition will just last for about 2 hours. I loved the way Mr. Sunshine said hello while waiting for the flights to start.

WHAT ELSE TO BRING : 
1.Your P&S or DSLR to document your activities
2. A cap or umbrella to protect you during the day , and put on some sunscreen or sunblock please
3. Something to sit on during idle hours - we brought malong with us, since there's a limited number of chairs and tents
4. If you are commuting, pack light! Carry a backpack so it would be easier to go around 
5. Your happy self! Enjoy, even if you'll be fried under the sun, this cute event is worth seeing in this lifetime :)


And so, Im crossing out #26 on my 30B430 list ( the first of the 30 by the way) 


LESSON LEARNED: Pursue you dream no matter what, Espie and I are really determined to go and nothing stopped us from seeing this magical event. If you really want something, there's gotta be a way to get. I just find hot air balloons amazing and I dont wanna miss this for the world!


I cant's wait to accomplish the rest on my list. Thank you Espie, Alvin, Teta and Aeus, it was superb! Love you!

my favorite picture

16th Hot Air

hold on tight!

the crew

^_^

snapshot

several pictures available here


P.S. This is,seriously,really my first time to blog about my travel hahaha, so spare me on this one. Promise, I'll be better :D

Share a sunshine,

Sweet :)

30B430 update : #13 Almost in Boracay

Boracay ( photo courtesy of paynepat44 on flickr)

Naaahh.. not yet!  But yes, God heard my prayers and angels were sent to deliver it ( I'll consider it as an early 30th birthday gift, dude Im not even turning 29 yet! haha ) Anyway, in my quest for the 30 things before 30, it includes a wedding hosting in Boracay. Even though I've been to this paradise a couple of times already, it would be a different dish to host a wedding there( for those who just passed by my blog - I am a freelance wedding host ^_^). So I attracted the universe and well of course, took some diligent actions.

I emailed Ms. Amanda Tirol - she is a popular and expert wedding coordinator in Boracay ( who else should I be asking help from, right? *wink* ) and the kind woman as she is, informed some of her brides of my insane idea. In just 48 hours, a sweet bride shoot me an email - so sweet her name is Hershey ( destiny?! as she quoted..hahaha) I have to save the rest of the story for my official # 13 30B430 article after the wedding. But I am so happy this evening since I finally met her and she confirmed that she likes me ( not the romantic kind, silly!) to be  her wedding host. Yey! Thank you for trusting my ability and I am so excited for October 2011, not just because I will be able to strike -through #13 but of course in high hopes on pulling-off a great hosting stint for Hershey ^_^ 

God is good all the time!

I can now hear the waves hitting the rocks of Boracay, the fine sand that swirls under my feet..*screeeaaaccch* sorry, you know how powerful our imagination is, and I can't just believe I have attracted it this much! Thanks again to my angels :D

Here goes the lovely story of Darren and Hershey. I was reading it yesterday and all I can say is "Auuuwww" tee hee... it really paints a smile on my face whenever I discover such beautiful couples.. and who says fairy tales don't come true? :)

100 Paper Cranes to Japan ( with update on my 30B430 list # 24)

ready to move my a**

Konichiwa! I am going to Japan in 2012. Yes you heard that right honey, no visa yet but I am declaring it so I can be accountable for my actions.hihihi...

Japan japan!

This evening, the company I partnered with announced its incentive trip for 2012 and guess where will it be…Japan (and it's all freakin' free VIP style)!   ^_^ I have never been this excited and determined to accomplish my goals. I, for most of the time, procrastinate but the energy Japan emits can never be ignored. No, I am not a hardcore Japan aficionada but I fell in love with Japan the moment I came across the beauty of cherry blossoms in my high school literature and art class, it was intensified when I was introduced to Japanese manga early college ( I used to believed I am Tomoe Gozen or papasa naman akong japayuki..errr I mean Japanese :P) I once dreamed of Hanami, a picnic under the Sakura tree or looking around Japan from the Tokyo Tower. I just have this feeling that Japan is such a romantic place.

God is so good He creates different paths that can ablaze the dreams we once kept at the bottom of our  treasure chests, giving us hope and  inspiration that our dreams can at last become a reality (back-off fairy godmother ). I thinks that’s too much drama already, but seriously this is something I must do and it is not easy. For sure I may  guzzle liters of fear, rejection, pain, sweat and maybe even blood but this will hone my skills and polish my heart so I say I am ready!  

At first, I didn’t realized yet why I included 100 paper cranes to my 30 before 30 project, now I understood that I will be challenging myself. Each paper crane will signify a character, virtue or value I need to practice, I need to get to 100, one paper crane at a time – and these in return will groom me to meet my goals in pursuing Japan. 

At the orientation this evening we were taught to make a Tsuru specifically a stork (was it coincidence?) – funny because I have been trying to dredge up how to make one myself. I’m now down to 99 before I strike-through #24 on my list and for sure hit the target to join the  Japan trip ( and make that good for two, mate!)

I’m up for the challenge and the lessons, I can now smell the cherry blossoms of success, so Help me God!

San Ga Daburudaburu Ikou!

-----

A haiku

Shine my heart and soul

Commitment I pledge to thee

Hey Japan, love me

fly with me on the boulevard of 100 paper cranes to Japan! 

1. PUNCTUALITY

30B430 update : #8 Four Seasons in the Philippines

# 8 Batanes Trip

I love number #8 ( nothing related to my post, just stating a fact hahaha)

 But oh my gosh, my project is getting more and more exciting. Thank you to Seair  ( you heard  our seat sale prayers) and to my two friends/ former dance mates in making this trip possible. Im flying to Batanes by September 2011! weeehhhh - I'm just to sleepy too put more details but the mere fact that we already have a ticket is enough to end the reverie and start planning for this fabulous vacation! Oh and  Batanes got four seasons - how cool is that! Now, we just need to pray that less rain will occur on our visit. hehehe

photo courtesy of  mapanuri.wordpress.com

30B430 update : #29 STICK IT ON!

29. Leave 50 post-it notes on 50 ATMs ( <-click here, inspired by this article)


After New Year, I was able to visit  the first ATM machine  for my project just this evening. Good thing I remembered #29, I was able to prepare my first post-it note while having a late night meeting at Starbucks ^^  Can't wait to showcase the 50 post-it notes, well Im no artist, just a simple doodler who wanna share her sunshine to the next ATM user. Will I ever get to 50? Of course!

30B430 update : #25 CAST THE SPELLS!

#25 Another solo backpacking trip

After the exhilarating trip in Marinduque ( I still owe pictures and stories.. eto na ginagawa na) part of my 30B430 list is another solo backpacking trip this year. I’m thinking of a place to go – should you ask how I ended choosing Marinduque last year (click here), this time around I will not utilize the magic bowl but instead trust the recommendation of friends and colleagues. So what made me decide where to go?

I met a wedding couple ( I’m a wedding host by the way) few months back and they were telling me their love story, the bride suddenly mentioned one of their trips. “We had a vacation in SIQUIJOR!”, she blurted out. I was appalled by her statement…”Sorry, where again?!” I clarified.  

Yes, it was Siquijor ( I can see the letters coming from her mouth!), seeing her sparkling eyes and animated story telling, I told myself I might be missing something.  Blame it to the corny tagalong horror movies, I grew up with these uncanny stories about the place( no offense to the locals, come on you know what  Regal Films can do to a child’s mind!). 

As I was harassing my brain to think of a unique place to go, the conversation with this couple swiftly came back. I Googled a few tidings and impressive blogs about the island, it is seemingly interesting and they are all telling that it’s a beauty!

So it’s time. This will tremendously separate the girl I was to the woman I am today Stop the baloney and let me bewitched by SIQUIJOR! I have a long way to go – to study my spells and magic or maybe ready my heart to meet the Cullens.. hehehe Im set to go on October 4-7, 2011 (seat sale do you hear me?)! Can’t wait to strike-through #25 on my list! Im done with PROJECT HEART, it's time for PROJECT BEWITCHED! See Im uberly excited, I even made a banner :P

SWEET 30 before 30 project

I was excited to share my 2010, I was even collating the pictures on my mind for what tops each month. Then I shifted roads. I will just share ( very quickly) what matters most of my 2010 :

 2010 in one word is LOVE. I have come to love more and be love itself this year. I learned to value old and new friendships,appreciate my family even more and ultimately love myself. I have experienced smacked right in my face what they say as unconditional love. I was also grateful for the many blessings and even embrace the things that I cannot change. I have loved 2010 to the bones, I can even say it was the best year ever but of course it’s not (yet). So I have to let go. It’s time to put away 2010 knick-knacks that are no longer significant so I can have more room to newer and better memories. An old series that keeps playing on my mind is killer venom, so I’d better be discovering new series that will further entertain me.

Something has to go, so that something else better will come. So long 2010, I loved you, thank you and goodbye! I will put into use all the LOVE you have trickled in my heart.

And now, come here 2011!  First things first, give me a nice hug! *uhmmmp*

To begin with, I have devised a plan!  My birthday falls early every year (a disadvantage perhaps) I will be turning 29 ( oh gahd, it’s just numberzzzz Sweet!) by February 2011 and it suddenly dawned on me that this last bit of twenties is just flying by *wohoo* . I spoke to Camille, a good friend of mine, about my 30 Sweet Delights project ( more of that next time) and she shared an inspiring blog.

Now, Im sharing this to the world so I can be accountable with my actions and uhm keep the motivation power up, so you, yes you should encourage and help me out! ^^  So may I  present to you the SWEET 30 things before 30 list. This is not a new idea; many people have done this already and succeeded. What went into my crazy mind? Nothing much, I just don’t want life to slip away,  die daydreaming what could have been, spit out words that remains a broken decree or even writing down things on my bucketlist and just stare at it for years. ACTION! That’s the whole idea, so I have take out some from my ULTIMATE BUCKETLIST ( my lifetime dreamlist) and include few more on this list. I wanted to accomplish so much and I ended up doing less, so let’s begin with 30.Im now putting matters in my hands.

 My 30 before 30 list : click here for my progress 

1. Climb Mt. Pulag

2. Treat my mom for an Asian Cruise

3. Try Scuba dividing

4. Surf in La Union

5. 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge

6. Lose 20 lbs

7. Silent retreat

8. Batanes trip

9. Earn my first million

10. A photoshoot with a professional Photographer

11. Mentor someone

12. Multi-media crash course ( graphic design, Flash and Adobe Premiere)

13. Host a wedding in Boracay

14. Invest in the stock market

15. Pay for a complete stranger’s meal

16. Make 50 kids happy for a day

17. Date 30 guys

18. Learn pole dancing

19. Mission Trip

20. Learn to cook 5 new dishes

21. Play bingo in a mall

22. Complete a 10k Marathon

23. Get a tattoo

24. Make 100 paper cranes

25. Another solo backpacking trip

26. A day at the 2011 Hot Air balloon festival

27. Read the bible cover to cover

28. Eat tortang talong and Okra with a smile on my face

29. Leave 50 post-it notes on 50 ATMs  

30. Complete my 30 before 30 list and prepare my 31 before 31 list *yey*

I tell you, this is serious stuff and I'm so nervous. I even thought about it a number of times before finalizing my list. Well, honestly I'm just scared that I may not be able to complete the list but that's the fun of it! This is more than a challenge or the butterflies it brings to my stomach. I know this will make the best out of me in a way or another. Money and time is also an itsy bitsy concern ( hahaha) Im not a millionaire yet to splurge moolah but I firmly believe that is part of the quest! ( improvise Sweet, you're good at that) So, your help my friend will be highly appreciated if there's something you can share with me like maybe tagging me along on your next backpacking trips on the places I mentioned, discount coupons on Star cruise or even be part of my cheer team in accomplishing  the list. So that's it, this would be a busy year ever but would also be better than 2010. Can't wait to finish the list and kick some ass. Come on, grab a pen and start writing your own list NOW!

 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13

share a sunshine,

Sweet