Words would fall short to describe the overwhelming experience of the last week before the Christmas break and the warm and fuzzy atmosphere that the holidays bring.

I meant to update this thing, but the last week was just incredibly hectic and distracting. Finishing the remaining school work, while finding time to celebrate with friends and family allowed me very little time to rest. So every free time I had (although very, very minimal) was devoted to sleeping in.

But all is well now. I find myself well-rested from the past the past few days of joy, merriment and perhaps quite a few emotional rollercoasters for me and my friends. To celebrate the last day before our anticipated holiday break last Friday, a few of my blockmates and I headed off to our place in Taytay for some much needed unwinding and bonding. It turned out to be all that and more.

The second semester allowed me so much more time to hang out and get to know some of my blockmates. This has become such an exciting and even humbling experience. I say this because I finally had the chance to see them in a different light that leaves me even more fascinated not just with them but with people in general. It’s also very interesting that I’m suddenly one of the guys practically every school day. I’m not complaining. They’re so much fun. I feel like I’ve suddenly gained a wonderful set of smart, funny and interesting brothers that never fails to make me laugh everyday.

From ranting about our majors and professors to soundtrip-influenced, inebriation-induced, emo-sessions somewhere in Katipunan, our friend’s condo or at our favorite place in caf-up, each day feels like an adventure. That’s why an overnight party with them is a guaranteed great time. Apparently, for me, it turned out to be so much more. At the end of the...

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I phrased the title that way because as soon as I got on board our 5:10AM flight to Cagayan de Oro, Gwen Stefani’s Sweet Escape blasted through the plane, and turned my happyhappy (mode#1, hun. haha.) mood just a little bit up the notch. at 5AM folks!!!

My trip last weekend counts for a full photo blog entry. I’ll try my very best to not go crazy with the photos and just focus on the highlights. Mainly because there were one too many, and everything seemed to fall under the unforgettable category. But I digress.

This was definitely a spur-of-the-moment plan of the ‘mommys.’ You see, I have an extended barkada. From my close circle of friends, I have three friends whose families are also close to my own family (inclusive of thy sweet siblings). Jam, Karen and Adrian are three of my close high school friends whose parents (moms most especially) are considered as close friends of my own mom. To make it even more interesting, their own siblings: Jam and her two younger sibs (Janine and Jenelle), Karen and her younger sister (Trina), and Adrian and her younger sister (Alex) are also friends of my two younger sisters (Rubie and Mara.) Janine worked with Rubie during their council days in High School and have gotten close, while Trina, Alex and Mara are all from the same batch.

Phew. However, you have to admit it is pretty cool, and there are some wild perks into having an extended barkada such as this. Our recent summer adventure should be the best proof of all. Planning was totally random. Over one buffet dinner at Dads sometime end of April, Camiguin became the topic of interest amongst the four mothers. (FYI: It’s also my province, and I’ve been going there ever since I was a kid.) I guess since they are parents and have actual resources in their pockets, they can easily plan trips like these. Sheesh. The next thing I knew, everyone...

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Last Saturday, my high school friends and I got together once again for an overnight outing. It’s been awhile since we had an out-of-town activity like this. Despite only a few, cool, available people present, we still had tons of fun together. Most of them had summer classes and wanted to take advantage of their last few summer days before hitting the books the next day. Pictures will try to do justice.

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