Is it a Love at First Sight?

“I think that perhaps we always fall in love the very instant we see the man of our dreams, even though, at the time, reason may be telling us otherwise, and we may fight against that instinct, hoping against hope that we won’t win, until there comes a point when we allow ourselves to be vanquished by our feelings.” – Paulo Coehlo, Eleven Minutes

I am just struck with this quote by Paulo Coehlo. As I read this once again, I realize that this is true to me. Because when I first saw him, I literally told myself that I won’t be in love with this man.

It was in the airport when I first saw him while he is talking to my friend. As I look upon him, I think instantly that I won’t allow myself to be in love with him. The moment I think of it, it seems something inside me is telling that I will like him, that I will be in love with him in the future.

I tried to hide it, I tried not to think about it. But I keep seeing him that I seem to be addicted of his presence. I keep on looking at him in places where I know I could see him. I keep on hoping that one day he will recognize me, that he will talk to me.

Until one day, a miracle happened when I got my opportunity to talk to him. He might be mesmerized on how I speak to everybody during a convocation, thus he first uttered the words “smile” at me. And that day seems to be one of the best days of my life. The smile in my face is unforgettable that I could always remember the feeling until today.

Days and weeks passed, he asked for my number. He began texting me. I did not mind it at first until one day I give up and keep on replying to his messages. And we go out on our first date where we ate ice cream in a cold and rainy night. Series of dates came, and little did I know that I am obsessed to be with him, that every moment spent with him is special. 

Until one day, I just allowed myself to be vanquished by my feelings for him. And when the night we first prayed, I know that he is the man that I am going to marry. I love him and I want to build a future with him.

And now that I am engaged with him, I keep on asking myself when was the point that I began to love him. Do you think it is a love at first sight? Well, I think it doesn't really matter now, what matters now is that I have a life time to spend it with him and I am happy. 

Escapade to the North

It is my goal to travel to new places every year as much as possible. It is my dream to see the beautiful places in the Philippines and to see the world.

I never planned to travel this year as I want to prepare for my big day next year. But due to some reason, I was able to travel to the Northern part of the Philippines, the Ilocos Region. Since it was a long weekend and we were in Manila, we decided to extend our trip and escape to the North.

It is only eight of us who went there via a tour package. Our meet up point is at SM Mall of Asia on a Saturday, around 8:00 in the evening. 

We arrived at Vigan around 5:30 in the morning. Since it is so early, we took the opportunity to take pictures while only few people are around.

Calle Crisologo in the morning

Calle Crisologo in the morning (different camera)

Since it is Sunday, we then went to Bantay Church and some of us got a chance to enter the Church while the mass still ongoing. We had our selfie at Bantay Belltower.

Selfie with the Bantay Tower

We proceed to eat our breakfast at Grandpas Inn and Restaurant where we ate the famous longganisa of Ilocos Sur. 

Ladies at the Grandpas Inn and Restaurant

Breakfast at Kusina Felicitas

We didn't had a chance to take a bath, thus we just washed up at the comfort room at Grandpas Inn and Restaurant. Then, we proceed to Baluarte. Look at my selfie with the tiger.

Selfie with the shy tiger.

After Baluarte, we went to the Hidden Garden. They offered the tea as we enter in the place. There is no entrance fee in the garden but they are selling different kinds of plants.

Poinsettias at the Hidden Garden

After the tour in Ilocos Sur, we proceeded to the Ilocos Norte. Our first stop is the Juan Luna Shrine.

Waiting for Parokyanos at Juan Luna Shrine

After the Juan Luna Shrine, We went to Marcos Museum. I met my college friend, Kaye, in Marcos Museum. Cameras are not allowed inside the Museum where President Marcos is placed.

Marcos House

Short meeting with my college friend, Kaye

We then went to Paoay Church. It is so hot but we still managed to take some pictures.

Paoay Church

After Paoay Church, we proceeded to Malacanang of the North.

The President's Office at the Malacanang of the North

Waiting for Harana by my lover at Malacanang of the North

Then, we eat our lunch before we went to Fort Ilocandia. We really took a lot of pictures.

Fort Ilocandia

Around 2:00 in the afternoon, we proceeded to Suba Paoay Sand dunes. This is the best part of the trip as you experienced to ride in the 4x4 vehicle and be mesmerized of the natural sand dunes. We also got a chance to have a sand boarding.

Ready for the 4x4 vehicle ride

Jump shot with my picture buddy, Aning

Sand Boarding

Wherever I go, I try to have a jump shot alone!

After the Sand Dunes, we travel to Pagudpud, the northern part of Ilocos Norte. Before going to the beach, we went to see the famous Bangui Windmill at the beach side. Unfortunately, the battery of my phone died that I wasn't able to get a selfie there.

We then went to Pagudpud beach and arrived there around 6:00 in the evening. We eat our dinner and took some rest.

Around 6:00 in the morning, we went to the famous Blue Lagoon Beach in Pagudpud. It is low tide when we went there and the waves are strong that we are afraid to really swim. But we managed to play with the waves and took pictures.

Beaching with the bitches at Pagudpud :)

We went back to the Homestay where we can take a bath. Then, we went to the famous Cave and had our pictures taken.

Bantay Abot Cave

Then, we went to the famous bridge made by Marcos. The former President is really brilliant, thinking of this kind of bridge.

Patapat Viaduct Pagudpud

After that, we went to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. The rock formation is beautiful as it is located near the beach and you can see a lot of Windmills there.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation showing both the beach and the windmill

After the Kapurpurawan, we went to the Light House where we stayed for a very long time. It is so good to stay in there.

The view at the top of the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

After the Light House, we went back to Vigan to watch the dancing fountain. While we are waiting for it, we went to the Pottery to buy pasalubong. While my friends bought shirts, I had a chance to watch how to make a pot.

Then, we had our Kalesa Ride around Vigan. It seems I went back to the old times while riding Kalesa. Vigan really preserved the history of the Philippines as the streets are named Kalye and not Street.

Kalesa Ride

Kalye Crisologo at Night

Then, we ate our dinner at Calle Crisologo tasting the famous "Bagnet". We then watched the dancing fountain at the Vigan Plaza. After watching, we decided to stroll around the plaza and went home.We arrived in Manila around 6 in the morning. It was a short escapade but a worth trip.