Recently, I've been on this thorough thinking and self-pinching on whether or not what's happening in my life is real. I have just passed my last course units for college and have just confirmed that I really am cleared of deficiencies whatsoever. So.. you are now currently reading the blog of a BS Geography graduate from the University of the Philippines *cue confetti and wooh-ing*. Anyway, while my thoughts mostly contains of what's next? I also managed to evaluate myself based on the experiences that I have undergone the past four years; and on the verge of tearing up (I deserve this moment!) I have come to realize several things I've learned and have come to live through with.. and because I feel so inspiring, (I really want to say inspired, but..) Here's a list of the things I learned in life so far!

Yes, more than the 'Do What You Love' cliche. Thing is, life's road doesn't exactly lead us to where we want to be. I entered college as a Communication major, and I sure wanted to keep it that way. In fact, even up to this day I still think of what my life could've been had I waited for my transfer results longer and had I not immediately submitted my papers in the department of Geography. I remember a week of tearing up almost every night because I was very certain there was no way I could pull off being a Geography major.

Because there is nothing else I could do at the time, I just sucked it all up- nah! I spent my days looking for the brighter side pretending I'm not a misfit. Every time a project/activity/assignment would come up, I gave my everything to it (well not that I have a lot to give at the time), I made sure that even as I was drastically forcing myself to do whatever there is that needs to be done, I will always put my heart to it, and never will I settle for pwede na. Years later.. I find myself having the time of my life doing the things I never thought I will nor could.

Aside from discovering Bicol Region's disaster management practices as seen on my previous post you didn't think we'd let a chance to unwind go out of our hands right? So despite our tight schedule, we managed to bring in some fun stuff. So here are some of the other things we got to do in Bicol!

First, we got to eat all these delicious delicacies. These particular ones above were prepared when we went to Brgy. Bagong Silang 1 in Camarines Norte. What's even better is that they were served with fresh watermelons and coconuts which they just picked from the yard.

Last May, I was given a chance to join a trip to Bicol Region to take a look at the different practices that they have for Disaster Risk and Reduction Management.The region is known for (aside from the mouth-watering Bicol Express and Pili nuts and housing the famous- for its perfect cone-although not anymore, Mayon Volcano)  its good practices in involving the whole community in DRRM planning addressing individual and community safety including their livelihood and post-disaster adjustments.

During our visit, we were able to look at several practices which I deem as something which could be and should be practiced by other provinces as well.

1) They provide means for the laymen to learn more about and prepare for disasters

Remember our art projects back in grade school where the teacher asks us to make cute little dioramas of our dream place? Well, Bicol region have their own, not-so-grade-school, version of that. They have their own 3D Maps (Diorama like maps) which provides different kinds of information like location of houses (including the type of house), establishments, evacuation centers, rivers, etc., observed flooding, areas susceptible to landslides, roads, and even a scale for the elevation of the area (certainly way way better than our art projects). Not only is this easy to use and understand but is also very accessible to people (according to some officials, mountaineers even visit the map to see the route which they would be taking).

What better way to come back from a long blogging hiatus than with one of the most awesome and talented band of our generation! Last Saturday night was definitely a blast with the Pentatonix On my way home tour!

With the Araneta Coliseum packed with tons of PTX fans, Scott Hoying,  Kirstin Maldonado, Avi Kaplan, Mitch Grassi, and Kevin Olusola showed no time to waste as they started right on cue at 8pm; and unlike all other concerts, they didn't even have the need for an opening act. It is unbelievable (and also quite scary) as the excitement of the audiences shook the whole coliseum with their Ariana Grande and Beyonce performances.

People, nowadays have been into soul searching, finding serenity, and the likes. At one point in time, we all have to look for that one place which would make us forget about the nagging pressures of the real life, and luckily for me going to museums, art galleries, dainty bookstores, and cafes had always calmed the nastiest feelings within me.

Even more fortunately, these places are just hours away from where I'm staying; and the places which I get to visit always does surprise me. Last Saturday, after visiting the PACEM eco park (as seen on my previous post) our Landscape Architecture class went on to visit the Pinto Art Museum.

Unlike my PACEM encounter, this time I was a bit happy to be left without friends to come with on this trip, of course excluding the fact that I did not have anyone to take pictures with, I was able to walk around and actually relax myself with calming thoughts and views.

The Pinto Art Museum is the perfect place for people who admire weird  art exhibits, interesting architecture, and breath taking views. It was sort of like a very big garden with the vibe of Santorini, Greece in it, and I have always dreamed of going to Santorini, so it really did felt like heaven to me.

I have always been fond of spontaneity, especially the kind that is in need of hours of travel and too early to wake up mornings... not. But thankfully, I always loved the outdoors and all that it offers, so despite my sleepy eyes, and the fact that I was the greatest loner of the trip (all thanks to my friends who had promised to come but decided it's better to be bummed at home) I was definitely a happy little nature tripping kiddo.

 Together with my Landscape Architecture classmates, I went on exploring the PACEM Eco Park in Assumption Antipolo.