Davao City: First Day

One of the cities I always wanted to visit was Davao. I saw and heard many thing about the beaches in Davao. I was even told how it was expensive to stay at the beaches however during my stay at Davao my family and I decided to take a break from the beach and tour around the city instead. We did a city tour, visited a few parks, went for a swim and pushed our limits by trying our first ever river rafting.

It was a tiring but unforgettable holiday I have had in ages. I fell in love with Davao but not as much as I love Cebu. Davao was clean and fresh with "No Smoking" signs in every corner. If you are a smoker it may not be the place for you. However you will enjoy the unpolluted and fresh air due to a less populated area and no smoking in any areas.

Hagimit falls was one of the first places we visited. The water was clear and incredibly blue it was calling my name for a swim but sadly all we did was take pictures and admire the beauty of the water, each taking a fall due to the slippery parts of the rocks.

Other places we visited were the bat caves and Maxima Resort. I was shocked by the number or bats that were hanging inside the caves, we did not get to go inside but we just got to have a look at the habitats of these bats. It wasn't a pleasant site or a pleasant smell. I never imagined there to be that many bats.

We stopped for lunch, quickly going for a dip sadly the rules were "No lifevests, no swimming." The water was extremely deep but it was a bother to be swimming with a life vest, it was more like floating. The water was the perfect temperature for the weather so it was great to go for a dip. Around us were different activities such as jet skiing, slides and snorkling. We chose to just float around in the water. 

Maxima Resort is located at Samal Island, an island off Davao so we had to take a boar before reaching the Island. Maxima had an infinite swimming pool and slides. The infinite swimming pools was located at under the sun, it was just a small swimming pool. Then the slide were not as slippery as we expected it to be but it was long at the same time. After a few slides, we decided to rest before heading back home. 

Maxima Resort and the bat caves were all located on Samal Island. 

Falling In Love With Journalism

After finishing my interviews with vendors at Baclaran it made me think.  I get to know Philippines even more. I get to speak to people who I don't usually speak to, I get to see a different side.

It's like getting to the heart of the Philippines, being able to hear the opinions of people and letting them speak.

I enjoy my course!  I haven't hated a single bit of it. The more I study it the more I get to know the Philippines. I appreciate the Philippines even more. I feel like I'm not here just to study in the Philippines. I continuously learn and experience new things not every day but just about enough. 

All of this has made me find myself and gain strength, confidence and independence. I am so happy to be here. 

People have downgraded my course, stepped on it and even compared it. Yes I know we might not earn enough money after we graduate.  But that is not what I am after.  That is not my dream.  I want to do what I love and not drown in money. Yes it would be nice to be rich and to have what you want. But I can live without it!

My life is not perfect but I see clearly everything and everyone I am blessed with.  Sometimes I am not happy with my life however after a while I realize I don't need to be sad, usually this is when my emotions get to me.

Its ok to step on my course but I am happy.  I wouldn't change it for a thing. I am thankful for everything in my life though I hurt inside with many things.  I'm still here, I haven't given up.

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Here goes to sem break!

October 10, 2013

Sem break is here! However, I still have a news story to submit on saturday, I feel like a journalist right now. After a few finishing touches which I will do tomorrow I will be ready to submit and have nothing to think about for a while.

I don't think I will feel sem break until I see my grades, I feel like I can relax and breathe when I finally get to see my grades.

I aim to do so much for the sem break, I know most people want to rest. But I don't believe in rest right now, sleep will be my only rest for now but I want to be productive. I plan on reading, watching movies, catching up on One Tree Hill and transforming myself? Yes this sounds weird, transforming myself. I want to fall in love with myself this sem break! I want to know and understand myself and feel being me. I know I only have a short time to do this, but I will see what I can do.

During this week, I was taking exams trying my best and praying as hard as I ever have before. For once I wasn't thinking about guys, not having a boyfriend or being alone. I was thinking about England, my grades and next summer. I really hope to go back to England next year and I am giving my best efforts to achieve this.

Sadly I have been reminded a lot lately about being single. I mean, to be honest I do wish I could experience being in a relationship and having a boyfriend. But I'm content with my life. I have the most amazing friends and a great family here in the Philippines. I continuously pray and thank God for all the blessings I have here in the Philippines and I can't thank God enough for everything that I have been given. I don't pray to have a boyfriend, I have never prayed hard for this. I believe in fate and destiny, it will come when it wants to. Although I throw around jokes a lot about getting a boyfriend, I don't actually mean it. For me being single means being independent, it shows and lets me prove that I don't need a guy to inspire and motivate me. I can do it all alone and plus I have the support of my family and friends. I don't need anyone else.

Finding myself and getting to know myself is all I want right now. I want to prepare and continue working towards my dream to go New York. I know I haven't worked as hard yet but I am slowly getting there, I'm finally studying after all. I was so surprised with my self this week, I actually studied and well I did study before but I was able to answer questions confidently. I knew the answers straight away and I love that feeling, that is why I didn't cry this week! My studying paid off and I was so pleased but I don't feel content yet, not until I see my grades, not until I'm in England next year. I will continue to work and aim high. So far this has worked for me. I really wanted to come here to the Philippines, I fought for it and I couldn't stop talking about it. I made it. It will be my second next week and I am so proud of how far I have come. I am so proud of my capabilities however it doesn't stop there, I won't stop working and trying to aim higher.