READ!!

I want something like this when I have my own house! =)

roadtrips + rainy weather

Roadtrips are fun. But, in this kind of weather, with "Kabayan" (Muifa) passing through, it can get a bit scary. Especially when you're going up to Benguet. The cold weather was super nice though, perfect for sleeping (which I did almost half of the trip!).

Anyway, can't wait to go to La Union tomorrow and go river-crossing the day after! Yey!

Life's Unexpected Side Roads

It's funny how, while growing up, you had this 'vision' of you. "I wanna be a ___" or "I wanna grow up and ___". You follow this path that leads you to your vision, this vision that was either encouraged by your parents or friends or even your enemies, or was discouraged by them -- which most often that not, will lead you to do the opposite and still pursue this path.

But when it comes down to it, when you're almost at the end of the path leading to your vision, you see a little side road, a hidden alley, or an intersection. And suddenly you don't know where you're supposed to go. Some of us sit down on the side and wait for a sign to point us back to our original road. Some of us go back to the path we've trodden and start again. And some of us, take the chance to explore this alley or intersection. We never intended to go here from the start. But as we go on, we find ourselves wanting to stay. We find that we want to explore more paths that are completely different from the vision we once had of ourselves. And we're happy.

As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a doctor. I was undecided on being a surgeon or participating in breakthrough researches, but I was clear that I wanted to be a doctor. I excelled in the Sciences, and I loved the Humanities. For my pre-med course, I decided against the typical Biology and took up Nursing, figuring I would have at least an advantage over the other courses since I'll get to work in the hospital and have client interactions already. I loved Nursing. Being around your clients for 8 hours and more lets you give more care for them. But I wanted more, and at that time, medicine was more.

After graduation and board exams, I was ready with my application to the medical schools. But something distracted me and urged me to reconsider. My family were all "Why???" and my friends were all "Its okay, you can still apply next year". But I knew. Deep inside I knew. I wasn't going to be a doctor anytime soon. I found this little dirt road which didn't look promising at first. But as I pushed on and on, it widened up to a nice stable highway, a road busy with other people traveling the same path. I encountered people of different ages, nationality, backgrounds, temperament, and talents. I Love It!

I'm working in the Philippine Red Cross - National Headquarters, under the Disaster Management Services. I'm handling a project funded by the German Red Cross in three provinces in Luzon. I get to travel to different parts of the country and meet different kinds of people. Best of all, I get to work with PEOPLE.

I took this side road almost a year ago, and I still have no plans to go back to my original path. Who knows? This side road may eventually lead me back. Or I may see another dirt road and go explore it. But for now, I'm just enjoying. =)

I will, someday.

I will

...get around the 7,107 islands here.
...go diving and swim with dolphins.
...join MSF or WHO or UN.
...climb up the highest peak in the country.
...go bareback riding.
...learn how to drive a stick shift.
...participate in a mission.
...take awesome pictures.
...draw portraits and landscapes.
...propose a new project.
...write a book.
...work in a medical field.
...do back handsprings.
...travel to all seven continents.

I will. Someday. One day soon. =)