GoodTimes at Kiltepan

They say a trip to Sagada wouldn't be complete without watching the sun rise over the clouds at Mt. Kiltepan. Well I agree, but I think it's more of a must-experience than a must-watch. Most people usually just want a photo or a time-lapse video not realizing that they missed watching the sunrise through their eyes.

I don't want to sound self-righteous or what because when we got there, I tried to take loads of photos myself but when I realized that I only got this one chance to actually see it, I left my camera recording as I enjoyed the moment with the people close to my heart. It was when I played the video a few days after that I thanked myself for doing exactly that.

Watching the clip, my focus wasn't on the view but on the moment I had with my friends. We watched the sunrise together, posed a few times for the video, and took selfies and groufies. These girls are treasures that I found a few years back and I'm so happy to call these precious gems my friends.

About five years ago, I spend 2 hours, 3 times a week with these people because we're teammates. They were simply part of my weekly routine. Those training sessions then led to weekend outings, we're already friends, which makes them part of my life. After everything we've all been through together, I see them as sisters. They're a part of ME now.

We've all stayed together in our lows and highs, because we know that things will always be better tomorrow. We turn bad times around that's why we call ourselves the GoodTimes.

I think the reason I felt emotional watching the clip is because I see our friendship from the outside. What we have is special. We're the kind who support each other in darkness looking forward to a wonderful sunrise. I believe our experiences in Sagada want me to always remember that - hold on, then enjoy the view.

Life is amazing and so much can happen tomorrow. Don't give up just because today's tiring or boring or whatever. Just be patient and a sunrise, as wonderful as the one in Mt. Kiltepan, will greet you soon enough.

it's always a good time with GoodTimes ♥

For Me It's The Beach

A person's lifetime is composed of countless situations. You, in your situation at this very moment sums up all the situations in your past. All the efforts you gave, the hardwork you did, the mistakes you decided to learn from. A certain situation could be very very stressful but you should never give up no matter how tired you are.

I understand that at one point, or even more than once, we break down and can't help but cry. There are so many things that the universe demands from us in every aspect - school, work, family, friends - that we are more than willing to satisfy and because of all the effort we give, we get tired. Instead of drowning ourselves from the exhaustion, we have to think. Why are we doing all these?

Remember, no one ever gives anything for something or someone unimportant. Never forget that we have reasons for doing everything that we're doing. When you get to the point where you think you have no choice but to give up, look for that reason deep in your heart and in your mind, that reason which made you keep going for so long. When you found it, hold on to it and drain all the tiredness that you feel.

Give yourself some time off - a few hours, a day, or if you could, a week. Get rid of all the tiredness inside you and forget that you have given so much effort in the past. Look for 'reset'.

I remember myself spending some alone time at the 5th or 7th floor in school looking out to the Davao gulf, or changing all my wallpapers - laptop, iTouch, cellphone - to beach photos, or when things get worse, going to Jade by the Sea and just sit there alone by the shore. The beach relaxes me so much. I see the waters, feel the wind, and my brain just presses that reset button for me. I am in this whole new situation - 50% to the goal but having that 100% energy to give out.

Find that 'reset' button. For me it's the beach, you discover yours..

See yourself in a new situation - closer to the goal and still  with so much more to give. You may break down a hundred times before you finally succeed or before getting through whatever hardships you're in but you'll get through it eventually. We are allowed to cry, to be tired, but we are never allowed to give up.

To a beloved friend who's so tired of everything going on, this is for you. Keep going, I have your back.

Through GoodTimes and bad,

Angel ♥