Apparently, Nametests knows which country best fits me. Bullshit!

It sucks when the Internet thinks he knows better than you do when in fact, he doesn't. Nametests, a site that does personality tests and all other tests had me all figured out. Allegedly.

It started this afternoon when I stumbled upon a friend's Facebook post about her results as to which country would best suit her. She got Russia! And I was expecting, at least, a European country. Because that's where my heart belongs and where I see myself in the coming future. Apparently, they know me too well not to put me in one of the European countries at all. Let me break down for you how it's done.

In front of your screen, you have the title "What Country in the World Best Fits Your Personality?" and a picture-less photo of yourself surrounded by pictures of European countries. Then there's the blue "NEXT" button you have to press. Prior to the results, I thought I would have to undergo a series of personality or psychological questions so that Nametests can assess me properly, but fuck, no. They took me straight to my results. And I got...   (drum rolls)

Fun in Koh Ma and Haad Rin

(1) Walking to Koh Ma through a sandbar, (2) A little entertainment in the water with the lens, (3) Struck a "Lord of the Dance" pose.

When life gets too tough, travel and experience the wonders of this world. And sometimes near the end, you find yourself ending up in that "life" once again. That's why you need to make and take more trips.

I haven't traversed the utmost parts of this world. In fact, I haven't been to many places like my classmates or friends have, which they like to brag about as obviously seen on their Facebook and or Instagram posts. But my insatiable thirst for adventure does not mean just travelling into one place or two. I want something bigger than that. 

I was at a happy place travelling in Thailand as I got to delve into the culture bit by bit, and got to explore some places. One of the places I've explored in Koh Phangan is Koh Ma, a small island connected by a sandbar to Had Mae Had. It was beautiful there, except the sand were grainy to walk on which I didn't mind enduring for a little bit. My friends and I laid our towels to enjoy a little bit of the sun and created our own little entertainment. We sat in the water and captured shots of us fooling around, especially that part where you dip your head and hair underwater and bob it up while the camera is shooting at high speed to create a different perspective of fun. I thought it was easier said than done and I, as the photographer, had to keep giving directions to the girls and took a lot of retakes. Tiring but fun.

(1) Lost my jet-ski virginity in Haad Rin, (2) Relaxing in Haad Rin on the last day.

Then we headed to Haad Rin where I lost my jet-ski virginity. The cost of jet-skiing in the area is around 1,400 THB that I split pay with Claire. We took turns of the controls. Claire's a dangerous driver because she likes speed, and I enjoy speed, too, my only problem is the high waves. I got a bit jittery when the machine went up and down. It was good adrenaline. Our other two friends were having fun, too, until Amanda flew in the air and plunged into the water. My heart pounded. I was worried about her safety as she could get hit by the propellers. Claire and I decided to switch turns, then she fell, too. We were laughing it off. The whole jet-ski experience was fun and scary, nevertheless, I enjoyed every single bit of it. I felt like a bad ass, someone who just came out of a James Bond movie. I want to do that again!

When the thought of the "last day" hit me, I sat on the beach and contemplated whether I'd like to stay for more or leave. If I go back to Macau, I'd be in that "life" once again. And if I stay in Thailand, I'll have more fun. I'd like to stay for more because I find the hospitality of the Thai people quite endearing, and the delicious Thai delicacies and the eye candies of the island itself. But it was not possible. I'm thankful for this wonderful experiences, and perhaps, I'll make more wonderful memories soon. Elsewhere.

When boredom strikes, Snapchat is the answer.

Time slows down when you're sitting in the bus for six hours with nothing to do but sleep, sleep and sleep. It's completely insane. A fantastic time with relatives in Pangasinan came to an end and I saw myself in the bus back to Manila.The bus was full of people, cramped seats, and the aisle was occupied by more passengers, and it was very frustrating as I couldn't even let out my numbed legs for a little stretch. I felt cage. I couldn't breathe. Then an important question came into mind: what would make this boring six hours productive?

An idea struck to me and I instantly took out my smartphone and turned to Snapchat (thank you Evan Spiegel, you sexy thang) to document the things I see during that boring six-hour bus ride back to the capital. A lot of moments were captured on Snapchat but were soon forgotten. Why? I'm the idiot that forgot to save them. The simplest thing to do and I forgot about it. 

As I was scrolling down previous pictures in my phone this afternoon, I stumbled upon a few pictures I saved. Phew. Here is one out of the few.

I'm proud of this snap and decided to add a few touches on it.

Snapped: a cattle eating grass in the sidewalk. I wanted it to be even more fun so I constructed a pretend conversation in my head with this cattle bitch.

Cattle: This is yummy.
Me: Just shut up and eat.
Cattle chomps down grass. A few minutes later....
Cattle: I'm full.
Me: Shut up. Eat, bitch. Eat. (points a gun to cattle bitch's head like a boss)

I figured if I can't do something fun and creative while inside the bus besides playing boring games in my gadget and or sleep, I'd rather die for a minute. Whenever life gets dull, you need to create your own entertainment. So I really have to thank Snapchat for this fun app, however, I'd like to point out that Evan Spiegel better improve the app in terms of an abundant of choices in filters, effects and some other artsy fartsy functions.

Now I'm out, Like a boss. Kechang kechang.

Island Hopping in The Hundred Islands

A few days after I arrived from my Thailand getaway, I hopped on a plane with my Mama to go back to the Philippines. From the bottom of my heart, I have to thank Philippine Airlines for sending us to Manila safe and sound. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to see so much gigantic cotton candies juxtaposed to a sunset. I was in cotton candy heaven.

Let's digress from the cotton candies. The main highlight of the trip was the Hundred Islands tour, so we decided to meet up with my aunt Babes and cousin Shane at the Philtranco  Bus Station in Cubao and headed for San Carlos (visit relatives) in Pangasinan, an excruciating 6-hour drive for ₱300 yet you've got scenic view of the countryside, too. There were a few stops during the bus ride for pee breaks and snacks, and vendors getting on the bus to sell to us products we might or might not necessarily need. 

From San Carlos, we set off to Dagupan and ride an FX to Alaminos City for ₱100 (initially 65, an extra 35 to drive us to the port). When we got to the port there were hundreds of pump boats or banca, we got onto one from a different place around the port for ₱700, a whole-day package we sort of regret later on since lunch wasn't provided (if only we knew). The packages with provision of lunch cost ₱1,200 and the ride was bigger and slightly more comfortable. 

The Hundred Islands is situated south west of the Lingayen Gulf,  consisting of 123 islands. We were brought to an unknown island where we took a 5-minute rocky trek to a stinky bat cave, but I was glad to have seen many bats in my lifetime. We were taken to Governor's Island where I walked a plight of stairs to the viewpoint.  The scenery was breath-taking. At the heart of Marcos Island is Imelda Cave, named after the former President's widow, a beautiful cavern with a deep pool connected to an opening to the ocean. It was incredibly a good spot to swim and hang around for a bit but it got stinky eventually because those damn bats were there. Ugh.

Next, we were taken to Coral Garden, a diving and snorkeling spot, where I had the privilege of helmet diving for the first time to see the corals. No special attires were required yet the helmet itself was 25 kg heavy, and it got lighter once I was submerged underwater. Finally I got to see Nemo and his dad but they were lame for staying in their anemones the whole time. Then, we took off and passed by Bat Island, a rocky island full of ylang ylang or cananga trees where bats sleep during daylight. Lastly, we visited Cuenco Island. We walked through a cave shortly to a diving spot. It was fun.

Throughout the island hopping sojourn, I managed to chug three halo halos and learned that there is more to life than meets the eye. I cannot wait to make more trips!

I will always be a virgin in many ways and so are you.

There's nothing wrong with being a virgin or staying that way. And no, it doesn't have anything to do with popping anyone's cherry. It's something bigger and less sexual than that, which is, doing something you've never done before for the first time. And it can be anything, really. My best friend Claire often says the phrase, "You lost your ___________ virginity" to someone after they have done something for the first time. It's not normal for a person to say things like that but I can't blame her for it because it's the truth and her point is valid. For the things you've never done before you will be doing for the first time, you and I are considered a virgin.

When you go skating for the first time, then you lost your skating virginity. But this isn't limited to activities, it can be applied to food or drink, or something else. If you've never eaten a banana before, automatically, you lost your banana virginity. Unless you're a monkey, you can never get enough of bananas as they're naturally a part of the whole monkey lifestyle (if you know what I mean, wink wink). Or if you've never drunk a delicious Oreo smoothie and you did, then you lost your Oreo smoothie virginity. Take my recent Thailand trip, for example. I lost my virginity there three times: (1) to scuba diving in Phi Phi Islands, (2) to trekking a ratchet off-the beaten path to a cave in Angthong National Marine Park, and the other to jet-skiing in Haad Rin. And guess what? Those three things were one of the best decisions I've made, and I still couldn't believe I did all three of them. So, yes, I'm proud to announce to the whole world I'm no longer a virgin in those things. And I had a fantastic time doing them except for (2), I went barefoot because I'm the idiot who forgot to bring a pair of rubber shoes. As a result, I ended up with a few scratches on my feet, which isn't anything serious, but one the bright side, my fats cried profusely and I sweated fabulously.

I came into this realization that being a virgin, specifically to things you haven't done before in your life, is completely OK. You're not doing anything wrong, it's just that you're not into doing things that the crowd is into just so you could look cool and accepted. It's OK. It's OK. It's OK. You and I are not alone. You never know how many untold virgins exist, and millions are still unaware they're virgins after having themselves de-virgined (is that even a word, or did I just make that up?).

PS. All of the photos, except for the cave one, were taken from Amanda's GoPro
PPS. Thanks, girrr.
PPPS. Now I'm hungry.