A Tiny Strip called Dannevirke

The first time I arrived in Dannevirke, my heart was pounding. A new place where I know no one. Not even one soul. And I have to live here for more than a month. It was a feeling I didn't care to have, but a feeling that was inescapable nonetheless. And to make matters worse, it was so small it made my hometown look like an entire country! Of course, since a long time ago, I've become a master at disguising my emotions, and disguise I did.

Slowly, one by one, I got to know the people of Dannevirke, and as pinoys tend to stick closely to their own kind, especially in another country, I got to know the pinoy community of Danne too! And let me tell you, they're an awesome bunch! I guess the loneliness of the place and the homesickness bonds everyone more than any other feeling. Missing your home country makes one want to spend more time with people who have the same background as they do. It makes the "missing" part so much more bearable.

At first, I hated the place. Or, wait, "disliked" might be the proper term since "hate" is so much stronger and my discontent isn't anywhere close to that strong a feeling. But you get the picture. I didn't like how there was so little to discover. How there were so few people in the town. It was barely a town. Almost ghost town-ish. That's how quiet it was. And being a girl who grew up in the big city, well, this was deafeningly silent for me.

Waikanae

It's been a roller coaster ride from the very moment I step foot in this country. It's been fun, yes, but it's been lonely too. Of course, no one really appreciates true happiness until one experiences the bad things, and not having my family and friends here? That's definitely a bad thing. So I guess I'm more appreciative of what I had before leaving my home country, I guess.

Anyway, the upside to all this is, to name a few, meeting new friends, visiting new places, eating good food and experiencing new things. Letting my adventurous side loose, I am definitely enjoying the nature and greenery that surrounds, almost hypnotically, the entirety of New Zealand.

And Waikanae definitely proved a good place to have all of those. Tracy, June and Ate Recy invited me over to have a wee good time with them post-CAP (that one short time where stress piles up on you more than you could imagine and you get to feel like a student again), before I head off to Hamilton to spend my Christmas holidays and my lull whilst job hunting.

Across Boundaries

It's not easy being the new girl. And being the new girl in a different country is even harder. But if you find the right company, no matter the challenge, no matter the hardship, the journey will always be fun. =D

It's my last study day with them today and I found it imperative to right something to show them at least some gratitude for sharing the experience with me and making the situation more...acceptable. =D If it weren't for these group of people, I never would have survived the many weeks of studying and bookworming (yes, I know that's not a word. It's called neologism. ^^), so I am extremely thankful to these beautiful ladies and handsome gents (I think an "s" in this case is appropriate =D) for having shared some of its burden and making the entire time more fun. =D

Auckland - City of Sails Day 1

I was waiting for when I could get hold of my camera but lo and behold, it'll be another week before that happens and it'll be too late to make this blog by then so what the hell. :)

So here's finally my blog about my adventures in New Zealand. This'll be a several-part blog, designed to divide my activities in Auckland and Palmerston. :)

So. AUCKLAND.

Arrival

Arrived at the Auckland International Airport at around 12-something pm. Immigration went smoothly which was great luck. Heard of stories otherwise. Went out of the gate expecting boyfie, Elbert, and his friends greet me only to find myself surrounded by huge white people. Knowing you're going to a white country and then totally seeing it for yourself is totally different.

Three's A Company

Most friends we make in highschool, we lose contact with as we grow up. At least that's what I was told. I guess I'm one of the lucky few who still have 'em.

This is another one of those unplanned bonding sessions. Unplanned because, well, we really didn't plan anything. We just sort of let our feet take us to where we were going. More fun that way, don't you think?

[Unplanned] Itinerary:

1. Have Lunch.

A Two Year Journey

On a certain day in July, 2010, four silent souls entered the realm of CHH 6B in the hopes of learning valuable lessons from the then seniors of the station. A month later, their journey through fire, ice, and everything in between began. These four souls eventually grew up noisy and boisterous but yet confident and well, skillful (enough) to become seniors in their own respective rights.

Two years later, one of the four eventually ended the contract and left in search of her own future. Because she is thankful and grateful despite all the hell she's been through, she decided to relay her niceties in her blog. =)

Three's A Company

08-20-2012

With my impending trip and Reena's departure for MNL the day after, we only had that one day to get together for the last time this year (and probably next, too) so we did what we could. It was short, but it was sweet. A little heartbreaking but a moment I will never forget.

For the first time in years, we went out with no pictures whatsoever. No documentation was taken at all. No studio pics, no phone pics, none. It was refreshing although I am a bit regretting not taking one.

For this year's barkada trip, only 3 of us were able to make it. Reena, Chibon and yours truly. Raye was on a 24-hour shift at the hospital (bummer) and Elaine, though confirming the day before, cancelled at the last minute because she wasn't feeling well. Booo T>T

Hidden Paradise

On the eve of whenever, bestie, Chibon, and I were bored. We talked and, well, I guess two bored friends spell a lot of trouble cause, by the end of the conversation, we decided to have ourselves a little fun under the sun. I can't pinpoint the specifics because its been a while and I've seriously forgotten the details of our talk. Just know that it ended up with us deciding to spend 2 days and 1 night somewhere. Where that was, well, we didn't really know. Nor did we care. The company was all that was needed. ^^

on one of our spontaneous slumber parties.

On the morning of the day we decided to hold our crazy adventure, we expected the sun to greet our happy faces with its radiant shine. But alas, we were let down. A storm was brewing and the sky was dark. Trickles of rain from the day before was evident on the ground. Wet, dark, and gloomy, that's what that morning was.

But we weren't about to let the depressing greeting of the world turn our smiles upside down. We were dead set on pursuing our 2-day adventure, by hook or by crook.

Baby Shower

With her baby bump about to burst, the new mother-to-be, Mimi, spent her birthday celebrating her little baby girl's Baby Shower.

Last July 29, 2012, Princess and I attended a gathering of a few friends and family of the bloooming preggy hosted by her Tita. =D With her ever supportive hubby, Miko, by her side, co-hosting the event, she glided from group to group entertaining everyone like the gracious host she is. =D

*That's JULY 29, not June ^^*

The Vampire Hunter

Mr. President. The Vampire Hunter. Now wouldn't that be cool? Eh? Not.

For another one of those somehow-getting-frequent spontaneous girl's day out with my bestie, we decided to have ourselves some movietime. =D

Took a quick (and really cold) shower, a little food to sustain me self for the travel, and off I was in a cab speeding towards SM under the rainy downpour of Cebu. Met up with Chibon, lots of chikkas happened, lotsa laughs and window shopping, a little time over the ATM for some greens and then more chikka moments in Flame It for an early dinner. Finally, movietime. =D Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. =D

That Little Isle

Pandanon.
Bohol Island.
Philippines
07 May 2012.

Finally. After a loooong time, we had our much awaited station outing. Being in the station for 2 years, I am yet to experience a full-blown outing. Now, I have. And I'm really glad. =D

Roses and Dreams

There was a party. People dressed in all kinds of gowns, colors of different shades, sparkles everywhere. It was a mixture of my past and present friends, acquaintances and people I don't even recognize. Some of the faces I can see and recall, others I can only hope to make out of into a silhouette.

I was there, attending. And beside me, my boyfriend looking dashing in his suit.

Then an announcement, and all the world seems abuzz. I couldn't catch the announcement, I was too distracted to observe everyone, catch who were there and who weren't.

Happy Ever After

All hopeless romantics out there must know where I come from when I say all weddings must lead to a "happily ever after". Yes, to some, it's a silly thought. School-girl-ish even. But I believe that. With all my heart.

I hear people around me say that present-day marriages are hard to work out. Harder even than those in the past because of the conditions newlyweds are thrown into once married. The harsh reality of life. The watchful eyes of the public. The close scrutiny of the family members. The pressure to succeed and lead a happy life. And just about every single person you know waiting for you to make a mistake, fight over something most married couples usually do, and then say "I told you so".

Gems in the Desert

When all seems amiss, it's nice to know that friends are there to help get you through the day (or week, or month, or year).

Real friends are not the ones who stick by you when you're at your best. No, they're just leeches. Real friends are those who stay by your side even when you're at your worst. They say the things you least wanted to hear, they say the meanest things in the most honest way, they slap your face with the reality of it all just to help you get over whatever it is that's bothering you. And when you feel that it's too much, that you just can't handle any more, they stay silent, lend their shoulders, and allow you to cry.

Don't Ask, Just Drink

Me and my awesome friends went to Bohol last year (sorry, this one's such a late blog, but hey, it's better than nothing!), at around November (2011) for some much needed relaxation. Stress from work was getting to be too much and we just couldn't stand it anymore. =p It also doesn't help that my friends and I are one crazy bunch that's really concerned (if that is the right word for it) with hanging out and going on an adventure-filled cruise. =D

So, to Bohol, Philippines it was! =D

ACLS and ECGs and MEGACODES and whatnot

January 30-31, 2012. 8am-12pm

He practically forced me to do this. ACLS Training, I mean. He just couldn't stop convincing me that I should (no, I'm not saying "I can"...it's "I should") attend this. It's a "once in a lifetime opportunity", he says..."one you don't really get that often that's as good an offer as this one". Okay, so that part I spiced up just a little bit but you get my drift. =p

A Birthday Blog

On October 19, 1987, at exactly 8:00AM (that's what it says on my birth certificate. Which might be part of why I like the number 8. Just a random fact. =p), a young, 26-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl who SNEEZED first before crying her lungs loose (a comedic and unexpected experience for all the clinic staff ending in a fit of laughter for them, and more crying for her). =p That cute sneezer came to be known as Honey Mariel (aka this writer). =)

Still sneezing more than she does crying, exactly 24 years later, she celebrated her birthday.

Now let me stop using the third-person and switch to first. =)

One Morning at Joven's

On my 4th straight night shift (I feel like I'm working at a call center now with my schedule) and will be going on my 5th tonight (talk about exhausting!).

This morning, Goi2x went for a visit to our station and I thought he was just here coz he wanted to chikka. Well, I was wrong about that. Somehow, him and Princess talked me into eating breakfast somewhere before heading home for a much needed rest. I declined but then, people know how persuasive these two can be. ^^ It's either that or I was just gullible and wanted to go with. =p I'd like to think it's the former. ^^

it's all about our hearts

Hanging out with friends is always fun. But when we lack one person in the group, the moment, no matter how fun, will always feel like something's missing. So to bridge that gap, well, here's what we did... =)

Reina, we miss you lots. And although, we don't say it that often, we know you hear us, our voices, and our hearts shouting out to you that we miss you...across country borders, across oceans, across vast lands... We love you Rein..and for that, we made this special video so you know you'll always be with us, whenever, wherever. <3

We'll see you soon love.

xoxo

~hny~

one, two, three

Chibon and Sofia.

Two of my bestest best buddies in the entire universe and beyond.

Two of my closest pals.

Two of my most trusted friends.