...memory of a bike ride

"suit up, it's going to be a thrilling ride." ...is what I tell myself before taking off for a bike ride. with a full set of gear, we get ourselves ready for what's to be expected. helmet, hydration, shades, and face cover are just a few of what is needed for our journey.

with a few minor reminders, we then decide to take-off. I had my dear bike-mate (Doc Nini) to take the lead on the way  there, assuring her that I'd be right behind her. it was her first time to take on a very busy road, just so you know. but she still had the courage to trust me and take the lead as we rode off to BGC.

i've got nothing but proud words for this remarkable woman. with a little bit of trust and a little bit of faith, she listened to my instructions carefully as we go along the path of C-5. I could sense a hint of fear on her part, but she never let it overcome her concentration which was the reason we were able to reach our destination in one piece without breaking any sweat.

as we stroll around the area where she often pass by (simply because it was near the hospital were she does her practice) the first idea that went through her head was the exact idea I had in mind....PICTURES!!!! since it was her first time to reach BGC by bike, we thought that it would be nice to take some pictures to remember that moment of success.

and so we took a lot of pictures. particularly at BHS...

at the fountains near the Parkade...

at the hospital entrance were she works...

and at Burgos. 

we even took pictures on locations which reminded us of our friend Billie. in short, we did a pictorial of the ride...hehehe!!!(certified cam wh*@!#s)

 after the pictorial we had our lunch at Piazza and parked our beloved Tiffany and Steph at a near bike shop whom were very nice enough to allow us to leave our bikes there. and as we try to let the food go down a bit, we did a little window shopping at the bike shop where we left our bikes.

and so, we headed our way back, taking the busy road of C-5 and surviving another enjoyable ride. as I got back on the whole day that transpired, I realized something about riding. that it's not just about the physical workout, or the thrill you get when you ride a bike. its also about enjoying the journey with good company whom also enjoys the ride from start to end. appreciating and capturing each moment as a memory to be shared with others.

...and with that, I'm very much thankful. =)

Poem: Fate

here's another one of my compositions. its about being in a situation wherein one is unable to determine if the one they have feelings with feels the same way. and that fate is the only one who knows the truth whether or not it is destined to be.

Destiny is playing tonight...
Like a child running around in a pink dress;
Holding a hanky in her left,
And some sweets in her right.

Bitter sweet fate,
Embraces my heart warm and tight....
...So tight,
As if it is being squeezed out of its life.

Confused and blinded,
I don’t have a clue on what’s in store
Is it an open window?
Or is it a closed door?

Liquefied emotions,
Rolling down my cheek...
I don’t know if it’s from pain,
Or from the joy that I long-fully seek.

Eyes closed and heart wide awake...
....So vulnerable to pain
Choices...both unknown
It may be good or maybe a mistake...

theyHOPPED, weHOPPED at IHOP

they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. and that people should eat hearty during breakfast to perform well throughout their day, hence the term "breakfast of champions."

just recently the 1st branch of IHOP (International House Of Pancakes) in the Philippines opened their doors to Filipino customers. so far, the outcome was as usual as it could be. people lining up for hours just to try out something new that's well known in foreign countries.

and so, with all the buzz going on, I went with the trend and felt like trying it out. so, I asked 2 of my running mates to join me in finding out what the fuzz is all about at IHOP. probably to also learn if their food would be as good as they claim it to be.

on one Tuesday morning, we hopped on our way to IHOP to have a "hearty breakfast." surprisingly, we were lucky enough to see a rare phenomenon when the IHOP had no line, despite the fact that we came in an hour after they opened, which from what I've heard was very rare. as we came in the food factory, we were greeted with smiles and a very warm service crew that you'd enjoy giving your orders to.

 

we decided to get 3 different items off the menu so that we could try out  more food. I ordered the breakfast sampler. my friend ordered a pick-a-pancake combo. and another friend ordered a waffle combo.

my order impressed me a lot (simply because, it made me so full after consuming it). their scrambled eggs were cooked great with its eye-popping yellow colored fluffiness. their hash brown was cooked perfectly, not too salty and it's texture in your mouth was excellent. the sausages were ok which compliments the saltiness of the hash. as well as how the scambled eggs neutralized the saltiness of the ham which was part of my platter. and the main event of my plate was the bacon, from flavor to texture, it was simply divine. if ever I could say something negative about the bacon, it would be "there's not enough of it." my order also included a plain pancake which surprised me a lot because, all this time, I never knew that the original pancake was supposed to be salty. (you can't blame me, I got used to the pancakes in a box that are purchased from groceries....hehehe!!!) I had to put on some syrup which I don't normally do on my pancakes. their variety of syrups were good, but I loved the butter pecan among all the rest.

my friend's pancake combo included 2 strips of IHOP's heavenly bacon, a well cooked hash, and 2 eggs which she had cooked over-well. the pancake she picked was seasoned with cinnamon and drizzled with stripes of vanilla on top. the impact of the cinnamon on the pancake was perfectly executed that the flavors of a bit of saltiness and the mixture of cinnamon and a hint of vanilla plays inside of your mouth. you could eat this pancake as it is, without putting any syrup on top.

my other friend's waffle combo also included 2 strips of their yummy bacon (notice, that I can't get over IHOP's bacon....ahahahah!!!), a evenly-cooked hash, and 2 eggs which she also had over-well. the big ass waffle that was the star of her order was so scrumptious. it had an outer layer that was lightly crisp and once you sink  your teeth in it, the softness of the waffle explodes in your mouth. together with their selection of syrups, this huge ass waffle is indeed a contender on their menu.

the experience at IHOP was awesome, but what made it perfect was the company I was sharing a bite with. who would ever complain eating breakfast in front of 2 stunning ladies, right? IHOP for me was a hit because of these 2. without them, eating at a place which promotes a family-oriented atmosphere won't be as much fun when you it alone.

Poem: Silence Unbound

This is one of my many compositions which I'm very proud of. I made this way back when I was in college and it made through the school paper. I wrote this during a time when I was in love with somebody. just goes to show how much a person could be inspired simply by being in love. I hope you guys enjoyed this, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Tonight, I wonder in silence…
As I go over the pages of my feelings for you

I remember the day I realized how special you are,
It was like a dream…it happened in perfect bliss.
I was just talking to you over dinner, and in an instant…
A warm tingling feeling slowly filled my heart…
…Embracing my very soul, consuming the void in me.

You were a light of hope,
You were a silver lining in the sky…
For someone who had been looking for somebody to share his life with,
You were there all along.

Tonight, I wonder in silence…
As I go over the pages of my feelings for you

I realize how much I love everything about you,
I love the way you act tough and break me into silence,
I love the way your hair dances gracefully in the wind,
I love the way you smile and laugh…so pure and true,
I love the way you look at me through my eyes as you listen to the stories I tell,
I love the way you say your goodbyes when you head home.

You are a perfect being in my eyes,
You are an angel that came down from the sky…
For someone who had been looking for a perfect match,
You were standing there all this time

Tonight, I wonder in silence…
As I go over the pages of my feelings for you

I could only think of the things that I would do for you,
I would wrap you in my arms as we watch the sun set,
I would carry your sorrows when you’re in pain,
I would hold your hand as we walk along the beach,
I would keep you warm when you feel cold,
I would be a shoulder to cry on when you weep.

You are a gentle flower,
You are a priceless gem,
For someone who had been looking for someone to love,
You are the perfect girl…

…Still, I could only hope and wait on what’s to become of my fate.
For tonight, I slowly close my eyes in wishful silence…

...a bike ride to self-discovery

I just recently purchased a new bike, with the thought that it would help me achieve my long-time goal of joining a triathlon. before I decided to get one, I did my fair share of research, inquiry from different people and websites on what type of bike (brand included) would be a smart choice. as most of you might know, bikes nowadays have boomed into a wide variety that there's a specific type of bike on every activity you want to use it for. I ended up buying a cannondale trail 5 bike (its a hardtail type, but heck you don't really need to know its specific use).

and so, after that gruelling process of selecting the right bike, I was now psyched to begin training and move a step forward towards my goal of joining a triathlon. but, what's interesting is that, what started out to be a simple tool, ended up reminding me of the reason why people drive themselves into joining such activities in their lives.

on the first day, after getting the bike, I did a test run on Steph, (the name I gave my bike, go figure!! hehehe!!!) I thought that the right distance should cover at least 21Km, because I have this theory that the distance you cover with your run is twice the distance with cycling on a given time. so, after my initial break-in, I was able to find out later on that afternoon  that there was an immediate improvement on my running performance.(yep!!! I'm also a runner....^_^) my thighs improved by inflicting less pain during my run routine.

the following day, I originally planned to take another 21Km bike ride, hoping to push myself a bit further by lessening my stops. however, out of nowhere, an opportunity pointed out by a friend got me asking myself if I was capable of traveling more than 21Km by covering more than that distance in one day. and being driven with curiosity and faith that I'd be able to do it, I took the challenge and went on my way.

this ride however was not a walk in the park as I expected it to be. but to give you a clearer picture, the route I took required me to climb a 2.5km steep uphill road, and on top of that, I made it a goal not to stop during that climb. and so, I began to push through strong on my planned route, until I reached the start of the climb. It literally took me nearly about 30mins. to reach the peak. and during that time, I came a cross a moment when I was torn between telling myself to quit and motivating myself to push through. good thing the latter was much more convincing and I was able to finish the route with some minor sore buttocks and thighs.

by the time I reached my house, I suddenly realized what just happened during my Long Distance break-in. I somehow realized the reason why I with a majority of people who does these kinds of insanity go through with it. It's because it allowed them to go beyond their limits and experience the feeling of achieving a certain goal.

aside from that realization, looking back on my journey, I felt that I was able to enjoy myself more than I realized. During this long ride, I remembered that feeling I had when I was a kid and I was riding my first bike ever. I recall, loving the cool breeze that touched my face and the thrill of moving at incredible speeds and strategically thinking of which way to go in order to avoid stopping during that burst of speed. at the same time, I once again felt the feeling of wanting something bad enough that I literally forget the idea of failing both in your mind and in my heart.

These experiences and many more that I didn't mention was manifested within one long bike ride. what more if I covered more distance or further challenged myself to surpass what I already have achieved? all because of one simple ride, I have come to realize that I won't be doing this just to train for a triathlon, but  also to feel that I am living my life. And that is one of the reasons why people would strive to continue doing such activities, and I do believe that I am one of those people.

...beginning with one...

for the longest time, I've always tried to ignore or avoid the internet activity known as blogging. since the boom of the age when the internet is already part of a person's everyday life, I chose not to acknowledge the power and usefulness of blogging. I often thought that it's a waste of time to write something out of the blue and share it to the rest of the world. Most of which involves a lot of ranting towards something someone thought sucked, or someone felt as extremely rare and special.

but somehow, after all these years I finally came to realize that I was not the person who I thought I was. that in my own little world, I myself was already a blogger ever since before my tiny little brain processed that I was.

how do I say so? simple...way back when I was in elementary, I already had a knack of writing poetry most of which helped me to be more sensitive with my feelings and how others might feel in a certain situation. my poetry helped me develop to become a mature individual. it taught me how do guage things in taking big decisions in my life. it also allowed me to open up easily towards other people which in turn made it easier for them to open up to me as well. I became approachable because of my poetry.

you might be wondering, "what's the big connection between my poetry and my current view of blogging?" well my answer could only be they are one and the same. both allow me to express my feelngs in a way that instead of bottling it all up inside me until it explodes, I put it on paper or digital paper instead. "why?" you ask...because it doesn't require another person to release those emotions inside of you. and the good thing with this is that we have the option to share it with others so that they would have a chance to relate to my experiences and know that they are not alone. this is what blogging is all about. expressing, sharing, relating, helping, healing, realizing, etc.

I really have no idea how i ended up not realizing this much sooner. I might be stubborn and don't realize it, or just plain stupid. but whatever the reason is, it doesn't really matter. what matters is what I believe now, which is to believe in the power of blogging and start to embrace it as something that anyone can do.

and so, I begin by writing this first blog EVER to share with everyone that blogging is indeed very useful for us. I admit that I'm not as good as the majority, but I'd still try to make this a regular thing. at the end of the day, one thing's for sure. we have our own separate lives and we are blessed with the freedom to live it how we choose it. and in my life, I choose to live and share even a glimpse of what this simple brain of mine is thinking.

...with that I now end the beginning of my new love for blogging....^_^