A Beautiful Escape

THE SUN AND SURF

Our division had its annual Marketing Outing last week in Morong, Bataan. Let me tell you, a lot of things went wrong in this trip… but it was something still worth remembering because I was with good friends.

We had a stop over in Subic for a little bit of Duty Free shopping, and we had lunch at Meat Plus Cafe. The food was amazing! I was so full!

I had Grilled Chicken for lunch at Meat Plus Cafe. It was delicious! 

My friends ordered Salmon with Lemon Butter sauce, and since they couldn’t finish off the entire fish, I happily obliged when they offered it to me.

Did a little bit of chocolate/grocery/liquor shopping at Duty Free before proceeding to Bataan.

We arrived in Morong, Bataan at around 2:00PM (which was the time I placed in my itinerary, yay!) The wind was blowing pretty strong so we flew a kite. Ang random lang!

Of course, we wouldn’t enjoy the day without games, so the games committee (myself included) devised a series of games that tested out their endurance, strength, and strategy. Survivor ang peg!

The games continued well into the night!

The next day, I tried swimming in the sea, but it was too dirty that I was only knee deep that I decided to just frolic around in the sand and take photos.

All I can say is, despite all the bad stuff that happened, I was with friends who made this outing, and the many more that we’re going to have, special. I wouldn’t mind sleeping in a tent (but please, don’t make me) the next time. 

Looking back at these photos, I would remember the shitty resort we stayed at, but along with that memory comes the unforgettable ones that made this summer of 2012 perfect.

xoxo

SUMMER ROMANCE

The heat has driven everyone crazy.

For one thing, here I am, with three of my officemates under the hot morning sun, prepping up for this shoot. It was for nothing actually, I really just wanted to try out my new lens.

We could have spent the day in our own homes, idly letting time slip by, enjoying the tranquil side of a weekday. But this holiday beckons us to push ourselves to new heights. I travelled from my house to the location and was an hour or so late, but at least I made it.

I am happy that my officemates, who care for nothing glamorous, (to which I think they will agree) decided to push their comfort zones and pose in front of the camera.

As a lover of photography and fashion, I am repulsed by a pose that looks too posed. Which is why I click away whenever my friends would laugh, or be in a totally candid moment. The feeling of naturality (is there even such a word?) is something that’s very hard to achieve.

People you work with can remain just that… no interactions whatsoever about things outside the office cubicle.

When I first started my work in the company I am with right now, I thought to myself, “what if nobody there likes me? Do I have to eat lunch by myself everyday?”

I admit, that going to work isn’t supposed to be a social event. I’m supposed to, well, work… and I’d get paid to do that. So why the apprehension and the stress that what if the people wouldn’t like me? 

It’s hard moving on a daily basis with mundane tasks and an overload of information, especially without social contact. Imagine working from 9 to 5 without having anyone to talk to, or eat lunch with, or go home with.

I’d go crazy.

Friends make everything seem lighter than they really are. Admittedly, the thing that keeps me going everyday are the people I work with. When you ask me the question, “Why are you working here?” My answer would be, “Because my friends are here.”

I go to work not just for money… but because I have people I want to see, laughs I want to share, and memories I want to create and keep.

Luckily, after a year, I found friends that might just be for keeps. 

TRAFFIC

Traffic.

I don’t know how I feel about traffic. On one end of my spectrum, I absolutely abhor it. On the other, I relish the time it provides me sitting idly in the car enjoying music from my favorite radio station.

I guess it will always boil down on who’s with me when I’m stuck in traffic. If I’m alone, then you can all be sure that I’d be seething mad inside the car, honking every now and then because of the slow movement of the cars in front of me.

But if I have friends with me, then traffic becomes a blur with the lively chatter and laughter. I can almost always see myself thanking that the traffic is there, because I’d have more time to laugh and talk.

On rare days, traffic becomes a way for me to see things in different angles. See the fusion of concrete, flora, and life bustling about the main avenues of Manila. Each with their own journey, each with their own end.

MIDNIGHT FROLICS

Had a sudden trip to Cavite for a night of swimming with some of my officemates. It was so much fun! It was the first time I got to splash and frolic (heh) in the water since summer started.

I love these photos because there’s absolutely no pressure in trying to keep my camera safe from the water. The waterproof feature is really a godsend during these kinds of events.

Happiness is a state of mind.

Whenever I’m depressed, I just think of my family and my friends. I have a lot to be thankful for, even if things aren’t perfect.

I just need to remember that I’m on this world because I mean something to someone.