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The month of December is easily my favorite month of the year. Not only because Star Wars is back with another trilogy (Teehee!), but it is also my birth month, we have Christmas a week after that, and of course, the new year to look forward to. December also has been constantly my "reflection month". It's the month when I usually become most grateful for how great every year goes by, and for how abundantly blessed I am for receiving everything from God. So, this blogpost is basically a reflection of how 2017 and my 25th year (I turned 26 last Monday) on this planet came to be. If you believe you've been a part of it, I hope you can spare a few minutes and read this.

If you are close enough to me, you'd probably know that this year has been so far my craziest, hardest, most hurting, and most unforeseen year.. yet it could definitely pass as one of the GREATEST I have ever had. One for the books, sabi nga nila. I remember thinking before I turned 25 last year what challenges I would probably face in life cos I really pale in comparison to some when it comes to life hurdles. It kind of felt like I have no story to tell people. Not that I asked for it for if you know me well, you would know that I've actually always been grateful for a having a complete family, a job I enjoy, good enough grades - basically having everything I need (not want, ha?) in life.

Ja-FUN! :P Excuse my baduy caption HAHA but this is my first solo travel last January

Then there goes the first quarter of this year. I started my 25th year by traveling to Japan alone - a feat for someone who is so bad with directions. Hahaha! Around the second week of February, I went to Ilocos alone as well for a day to celebrate and host my lola's 90th birthday party. But then, after coming back from these two trips wherein I was so ecstatic and proud of myself for having done everything independently, a few treasured people decided to leave my life. These are people whom I thought was going to walk with me until the end as promised so I was pretty shocked and was left with a lot of questions in mind. I found myself asking God why in the world would such thing happen to me when I've been a good girl who always followed the rule book. Why me? What did I ever do to them? *cue in Liza Soberano's famous movie line.. "Pangit ba 'ko? Kapalit-palit ba ko?"* Lol.

To be honest, these questions were never answered and I've come to realize early on in the process that God doesn't always give us the answers; well at least not yet. But for someone who always takes pride on herself for everything she does and all that she works hard for, things were kind of hard to process. Good thing, the Big Guy up there does not disappoint. Things have actually shifted in my favor after this happened and I couldn't be more grateful.

First of all, I realized how blessed I am to be surrounded by people who knew and who would always remind me of the right thing to do. When the volcano erupted, it was my college barkada and a few college orgmates who stayed beside me, constantly asking me how I was doing. Props to these people for making me feel loved (as innnn) and they always made time for videoke nights, out-of-town trips, overnight staycations, and even as simple as eating-out at restos to be with me. To be honest, I never thought that this bunch would be a group I could rely on during my lowest moments for we were mostly together in college for the happy ones but hey, they did surprise me and with that, I am very thankful. Thank you guys for feeling every emotion and sharing the weight with me. This group right here never made me feel like I had to carry the baggage alone. As cheesy as it sounds, I don't know how I could have done it without you. (Okay stop na, this is getting yucky. Hahahaha!)

Leanders, Gids, Kitte, Cams, A, me, and Raymond having our bulalo fix in Tagaytay

Of course, there's also my HS friends who met up with me agad-agad! Big thanks to my constants for making me feel like I'm the best person ever even though it felt like I was the worst at the time.

Yani, Kenneth, me, Benny, and Jane during our Christmas party

On the second quarter of 2017, I got plugged in at Victory in Katipunan. I used to attend church alone for years at Victory Ortigas (Robinsons Galleria) so I'm just so happy now that I don't have to do worship and attend services alone anymore. My college bestfriend, Kitte and I decided to attend at Katips together and we now belong to the same small group. We've done One2One and Victory Weekend as well last July "legitly" sealing our walk with God. I remember having been wanting to do this since after college but I could not pursue it because doing so would mean letting go of a previous relationship, and not to mention, my parents are also devout Catholics. Looking at it now, I thank God for how He orchestrated all of these things to happen. Now, I can finally say that I have a church I belong to :)

My BIGGEST this year. On the left is Gladys, my discipler

I'm very blessed as well to have met a few lovely girls who are now my sisters in faith. Gladys was the one who discipled me throughout the entire One2One process and I thank her for not finding me so pushy and epal. Hahaha! I remember consistently texting her every Sunday if we should meet up and do One2One. Define eagerness, no? :P The other girls - Cy, Janella, Dayne, Ria, Jean, and Joyce on the other hand never fails to amaze me every Sunday on how beaming they are with wisdom. I may be the oldest in our small group but I am actually the one being taught and inspired by these girls. Thank you also for praying for me for countless times!

Kitte, Gladys, Ria, Cy, Dayne, Janella, and me

I cannot miss to include here how one of my childhood dreams came true this year. I became a teacher - well, a Sunday school teacher for kids church actually. I've always wanted to become a preschool teacher but never really imagined it possible and in this setting. I always had this dream of opening up a small school, probably when I have already saved enough money from being an engineer but God has His ways! This is His perfect answer to my dream of becoming one without having to leave my profession. I am just so happy and I hope I can describe to you the feeling whenever I get to finish a shift every other Sunday but ahhhhh!!! I cannot put into words how overflowing my heart gets whenever I am with these babies. It feels like I'm the one who's actually learning whenever we do huddle time.

My babies <3

Also this year, my Mom decided to bring my Lola here in Taytay from her house in Ilocos since the madre has no work to attend to anymore (perks of retirement, morning zumba included LOL). My Lola, like what I've said earlier, just turned 90 last February and I am thankful because I get to spend weekends at home with her. It kind of gets hard sometimes but I treasure even our simplest kwentuhans with each other. I pray that God grants her more years so she can still be with us longer.

Meet my beautiful Lola Andrea

Of course, I will always be grateful for my parents. I always thank God for having given me such parents who care so much about me and what I go through in life. I love them for appreciating and for being proud cos that is really all I wanted them to feel about me. I've been doing my best since I was in school to be the best in everything because truth be told, all I wanted in life was to make them proud.

   

This same year, I had my last academic semester in UP as well. (I've been taking my MS studies since 2014) I finished my last six units last June and thankfully, all my subjects were credited by the department. I was having a dilemna of some sorts since late last year (2016) because I wasn't really sure if my department was going to credit all the subjects I have taken due to some technicalities. I am just so grateful that my professors were kind enough to write the dept. head the necessary certifications to allow me to finally take the comprehensive exam, which I took just before November of this year ended. I had to take an almost two-month leave from work (Thank you to my employer and my bosses at Fluor for allowing me and for all the support!) to focus on the three-day exam. Results aren't out until now but I want to already claim victory. I know I've done everything I could and I've already surrendered to God whatever the results may be so I am not really worried anymore to know how I fared.

Fingers crossed!

There are so many more things that I can say on how God has showered me His grace this year. Believe me, I can write even the simplest and lamest of things, even name a lot more people to whom I am so thankful for this year but allow me to elaborate only on these since these have been the highlights of my 25th year/2017.

I've never looked at each day this gratefully and in case you are one of those who messaged me personally but I wasn't able to drop your name you here, I hope you get even the slightest idea of how you made a single day of my year bearable. I've never seen people (mostly the unexpected ones!) become so sweet and caring to me so from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much for affirming my belief that there is good in everyone. To be honest, I kind of questioned this belief of mine because of the few bad things that happened but I'd like to still believe that people are generally good in nature. It's just that humans, myself included, sometimes make a few decisions and actions that hurt and disappoint those that surround, care, and love them.

Also, I cannot thank God enough not only for making my heart whole again, but also for the wisdom He has bestowed me this year. We have the best relationship right now. I used to be someone who was so afraid of uncertainty, always worrying, and making sure I get what I want out of life but He has changed my perspective. I've learned to surrender everything to Him and the more I let go and let Him be God, the more I see of Him. I spent too many years trying to control what was never meant to be under my control. I loved God but didn't trust Him enough to leave myself in His hands but now, I already have a daily walk with Him. Some days, I get ahead of Him, some days we're side by side, and but many days He carries me. He meets me, He goes before me, He watches me, He is for me. I'm learning to truly trust Him and life just keeps getting better. :) God isn't anymore the genie-God I used to know before. He has become more than that. He doesn't give me everything I want, but He sure does give me everything I need, even better than what I want. Ultimately, He never fails to give me His best...

Now that I'm hitting my 26th year, I'll continuously live my life to the fullest but this time, be better at it. ;) I'd like to expect more travels, more learning, more people, more new skills - basically more of everything!!! I just couldn't wait to see what God has for me this 2018. There are many good things on the horizon and I look forward to seeing all that unfolds in the coming year. I know this year will be a year of breakthroughs, a time to reap everything I have sowed in the past years.

Hope to still see you and be with you as we traverse life together. :)
Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Hello, web-ryone! :) It's been ages since I last blogged due to school, work, and church busy-ness but finally, I found the time to write this blog about my most recent (which isn't really so recent) trip to Hongkong and Macau with two of my bestfriends.

I booked this trip just a few weeks before we left so I really didn't have much time to prepare any detailed itinerary. I also just wanted to break free from all the weariness and ho-hums that time and laugh and just unwind with my funniest friends so.. there! It was their first time to visit Hongkong and Macau but I was just as excited as them. :)

We left Manila on June 22nd via Cebu Pacific and arrived in Hongkong at around 9pm. We headed straight to Sandhu Hotel to leave our luggages then went straight to have dinner somewhere at Tsim Sha Tsui.

 

Our first day was solely dedicated for Macau. Our ferry trip was scheduled at 8am and we got there an hour after. I haven't been to Macau so I was curious as I don't know anything much about the place except for the fact that it is hailed as the Las Vegas of Asia. We got fellow Pinoys as our tour guide and their service did not disappoint. ;)

Our first stop was the Macau - China border. According to our tour guide, travelers need a separate visa to get to China and cross this border.

 

We then headed to Macau Tower to take some photos. This tower houses the highest bungee jumping platform in Asia. Will definitely try this the next time I come back. :D

 

Buses are the main mode of transport when touring Macau. We then waited and rode a bus to one of Macau's oldest temple, more commonly known as A-ma Temple.

 

This isn't really at A-ma Temple but it's building next to it. Ganda lang. Hahaha!

Our next stop was Largo do Senado. It's instantly my favorite area in Macau because of its Portuguese-inspired buildings. Define instagrammable! :P I love the pastel-colored buildings and the paved walkway, not to mention, it houses a few Asian brands and restos.

Super pretty!

 

Lunch

 After having lunch, we visited the famous Ruins of St. Paul and the museum inside it which houses a few relic from years ago when the monastery was still up and functioning.

 


Our luxurious-hotel-and-casino hopping transpired next, just in time for the afternoon heat. Hotel shuttle buses are a good way to transfer from one hotel to another when in Macau since they don't charge you when riding and transferring ;)

Studio City

Grand Lisboa

Venetian

After all the hotel and casino hopping that we did (which was actually very tiring), we decided to go back to Hongkong already and just eat the night away. We wanted to watch the Symphony of Lights at the Avenue of Stars but unfortunately, the whole avenue was undergoing renovation at the time.

How I've missed you, HKG!

We spent our entire second day at Ocean Park screaming our lungs out on the thrilling rides.

Btw, meet my friend Kenneth, ang Chinese cutie ng Taytay HAHA

And Benny, ang macho gwapito, again, ng Taytay :P

We went straight to The Peak to catch the sunset. Also because we got a little bored waiting in line for some attractions at Ocean Park.


 

On our third and last day, we went shopping around Tsim Sha Tsui and visited Lantau Island before our flight in the evening. Lantau Island is the largest island in Hongkong and it is where the famous and humongous Tian Tan Buddha is located.

Ngong Ping 360

It cannot get more touristy than this hahahaha

 

Tian Tan Buddha up close

 After touring Ngong Ping Village, we went back to our hotel to pick our bags up the hurriedly left for the airport.

Super grateful for my friends Benny and Kenneth for coming with me and making me laugh for the entire 3days. It was a short but definitely a much-needed and memorable trip. Til the next! xx

Oh and btw, here's a short video compilation of this trip:


Hongkong - Macau 2017 from Lean Jess Dela Cruz on Vimeo.

Hello, everyone! I know this took a looooong time to be posted but please bear with me as I have been really occupied with work, school, and LIFE IN GENERAL these past few months. I've been receiving a few questions from my friends on how I did and survived going to Japan alone which made me all the more eager to write this blogpost so tadaaa! Here it is! :D



I went to Japan last January 24-28, 2017 and visited Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. I was actually supposed to travel with my bestfriend but due to certain circumstances, he was not able to go with me. I figured I was about to go alone three days before this trip happened so imagine the panic I experienced when I had to redo all the planning

I took a flight out of Manila on the 24th arriving at around 8pm in Kansai International Airport. For my entire 5-day trip, I opted to stay in a capsule hotel since I was traveling alone and it's a lot cheaper as compared to hotels or airbnb units. I stayed at Wasabi Guesthhouse in Osaka, which fortunately at that time, was offering a 50% discount on their regular capsule rates since they just opened! Lucky me! :D Since I arrived late in the evening and I was soooo tired already, I decided to call it a day and start my journey the next day.

I knew my second day was going to be jampacked. I had to squeeze in the entirety of Kyoto in a single day due to time and budget constraints. I was doubting at first if I would be able to do it but boy, oh boy, I WAS ABLE TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. My first stop was Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Admittedly, this is one of my most favorite places in Japan because being inside the area felt like being in a different universe. It is one of the most photographed sites in Kyoto with an array of tall bamboo groves surrounding a pathway.

The beautiful Arashiyama station

Katsura River greeted me on the way to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The long walks are soooo worth it!

Carmen Sandiego finally arrives LOL

My next stop was Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. It was built over a thousand years ago and is known for its weekend flea market and plum garden. There are plenty of streetfood in the area such as oden, yakisoba, ramen, karaage, and sweet potato. I opted to try takoyaki and I must say, it's faaaaar from what we have here in Manila.

With real octopus inside

Plum trees everywhere

After touring the temple, I headed to the main entrance and took the Raku Bus Route 1 going to Kinkakuji Temple. Kinkakuji is known for its golden pagoda. Its two floors are covered with gold leaf. It really is an impressive structure and is built overlooking a large pond. During the time I went there, it was snowing and it was actually my first time to see an icy pond. Good thing I was able to stop myself from channeling my inner Princess Anna. Hahaha!

What a view!

My next destination was Fushimi Inari Shrine. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates (an Instagram favorite) which straddle a network of trails behind its main temples. These trails lead to a wooded forest already in Mount Inari.





I passed by the famous Kyoto Tower just before going to my next destination - Kiyomizudera Temple. Too bad I didn't have enough time to go up the tower. Kiyomizudera Temple, on the other hand, is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. It has a humongous complex on the site of Otowa Falls, hence it is also called the Pure Water Temple. Can you believe that not a single nail was used in building that temple? Insane!!!!

The famous Kiyomizudera deck

A few walks going down Kiyomizudera Temple is Sannenzaka, a short street depicting old Kyoto. Another path to its right is Ninenzaka and going straight will lead you to the Yasaka Pagoda. I felt like a part of Samurai X movie while traversing these two streets. Haha! I love Kyoto and I wish I stayed longer! I believe this is the best place to experience traditional Japan.

Too many people here >:(

I went back to Osaka after the looong day at Kyoto but it was just actually a start. I spent the entire night until the wee hours of morning foodtripping in Dotonbori and a little bit of shopping in Shinsaibashi. My first Dotonbori meal has got to be Ichiran. It was actually one of the main reasons why I decided to stay in Osaka all 4 nights instead of staying in Kyoto. Lol. If you know me enough, you'd know how much I love Japanese food especially ramen.

I lined up for more than an hour (IN THE COLD) just to get this bowl

Sushi conveyor belt was next on my list. I won't forget this experience of mine! It was fun since I was able to meet and sit beside a Japanese couple when I was inside the resto. They taught me a few things about sushi making and how to properly eat them.





I spent my entire second day at Universal Studios in Osaka. It was my second Universal Studios experience (first one is in Singapore) and I'm looking forward to complete all four. :P I had crazy fun to think I was alone! I was literally like a kid running around with food in one hand, smiling and almost laughing all by myself because I was ecstatic to ride all the attractions! It could be partly because I don't have to wait in line for a long time since I bought the express pass. And not to mention, I got to experience Harry Potter World!!! The elem kid in me was totally rejoicing that time!!!

MOS Burger and iced coffee. Japan's version of McDonald's

My butterbeer experience

SURREAL!!!

My second globe

My third day was spent in the equally beautiful Nara. Nara is a lot more quiet and peaceful as compared to Kyoto, probably due to the smaller crowd volume. I wished I stayed longer here as well to meet locals since all those I've spoken to in a short period of time seemed really nice and accommodating.

I first visited Daibutsuden Hall of the Todaiji Temple but before getting in, I was actually welcomed already by a herd of deer waiting for food. They were all so beautiful and calm-looking (though I would have to admit I was still a little afraid).

Goodmorning, Nara!

Ang leader ng welcoming committee HAHA

Just across Todaiji Temple complex is the path going to Kasuga Taisha. You have to walk along a forest to get inside this temple's complex but it is all worth it since it houses several shrines and a botanical garden.





After Kasuga Taisha, I visited Naramachi Museum which houses monkey dolls hanged as lucky charms in Japanese homes. I also had my lunch in Naramachi since the area has a few quaint cafes and a small market. I headed to Kyofukuji Temple shortly after lunch.

Can I live here???

After resting in a park at Nara, I decided to go back to Osaka just so I could see the sunset at Umeda Sky Building. Trust me when I say it is one of the most beautiful sunsets I've seen and the view is just perfect. Overlooking the entirety of Osaka with a drink in hand and being alone made me feel like I'm really an adult (a strong, independent one at that :P)

The insanely modern Osaka Station

Big thanks to that Singaporean guy who took this with my hair still on my face LOL

You made it hard to leave :(

When your architect is a genius

On my last day, I strolled around Osaka visiting the famous Osaka Castle and a few temples. I also tried Pablo to know what the Manila fuss is all about and shopped some more after before leaving for my flight. Sadly, I left my battery inside my luggage so I had to settle for my iPhone camera hence the LQ photos :P

Osaka Castle just behind me

My flight going back to Manila was scheduled in the evening of January 28.

It was a short but definitely a memorable trip for me. Like what I have said in my Instagram post when I stepped foot in Manila, the whole traveling alone thing isn't easy. It was hard to carry a 20kg luggage up and down the stairs, it was hard to take a decent photo of yourself, and it is even harder to identify places all by yourself relying on Google Maps alone, BUT it was all worth it. I felt free the entire time, I had no one else to think about, and all the time was mine to use. Self-reliance indeed liberated me and the experience was self-nourishing. Little did I know, this trip was in preparation for something bigger that was going to happen in my life. Given a chance, I would definitely do it all again. I encourage you guys and girls to try it and do the same. With enough preparation, you definitely are in it for a ride ;)

See my short montage of this trip below:



Japan 2017 (My First Solo Travel Experience!) from Lean Jess Dela Cruz on Vimeo.

I can't find a way to attach my personal itinerary with expenses here but feel free to leave your email address in the comment box below and I'll send it to you if you want and need it :)

Til the next! ;)