One very good lesson I've learned over the past couple of days, it tough to lose a very good friend.:(

Finally found the piece of paper! Here it goes:

My quest begun two years ago, though I've been traveling back and forth to Hongkong and have traveled to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, I was hungry for MORE!! It felt like, this is it!! NOW or NEVER! More of a panic, an insecurity I felt before reaching the big 40! So, I got down to business, planned and planned and get disappointed. Every so often, I get skeptical of how it can be done. There are so many factors I had to consider and I knew it's not gonna be easy. So, I slowed down and got focused one plan at a time. I started with the one thing I've been wanting to do, climb a difficult climb!I remember telling myself, just one climb before I turn 40. I was scared because I didn't intend to fail on anything, not this time. It wasn't hard getting myself into a mountaineering club here because I knew some of them. The hard part was, convincing them that I can and I was dead serious about it. The day of the climb came, and I knew from jump off point that I have yet to make these people believe I'm determined to do it. And yes, I didn't convince them until I made it to the summit.:) It was very rewarding though to be welcomed with open arms after that. And from then on, these people invites whenever there's a climb.


This was Mt. Lumot- crash site of Cebu Pacific flight 387 in 1998, termed as "mountains of souls"

My adventure didn't stop there, I climbed another mountain just before my 40th:) I promised one(1), but I actually did two(2) difficult climbs. :)


---- Your life is defined by it's opportunities, even the ones you miss.

I've written my next blog in a piece of paper because, I was lazy to turn my computer on, now I misplaced it!:( Oh well, I'll find it.

Eleven years ago, I moved to Northern Mindanao for yet another great adventure. Adventure in a sense that I didn't know what I was in for, moving to a place with a different dialect, totally different environment, and as a total stranger. But I was too excited to worry about anything at that point. I've always dreamed of living somewhere close to the sea, and yes, I got what I've wished for. I live one block away from the sea!! What more can I ask for?? My thoughts were filled with excitement over living in a laid-back town "again" yes again! I grew up and spent elementary and high school in a similar place close to a nice river. I don't know but I have this thing for water.

Eleven years later, here I am. I know I'm a changed person, in a good and bad way I guess. Let me go back to where I was two years ago. :) (on my next blog) ;)

Been procrastinating on writing, and every so often, I get this " writer's block" thingy, convincing myself that I am simply not a writer!! Thank God I have friends who never fail to shower me with encouragements. Besides, I can't waste a good laptop's purpose. So, let's get started. Few years back, I found myself dreaming of places to visit (not that I've read "1000 Places to see before we die) but it's a passion I was born with I guess. The name "pinaylayas" was derived from two words "pinay" which means Filipina and "layas" which can mean runaway or getaway depending on how you use it in a sentence.

My fondest memory of my grandmother, calling me "layas" inspired me to use the name. I got berated several times as I was always out of the house somewhere even at a very young age. Obviously, my grandmother being an old school thought then that I will be a homebody type of person, princess like, lady like etc. etc. :)) I miss her.