Last 3 Firsts

Finally!!! I was able to finish my list but barely meeting the deadline.

First Thing # 28 - Attend a Ting Hun

Last month, I got a text from my friend, Ailee, inviting me to her and Jon's ting hun. I didn't have any idea what a ting hun was, but I said yes to the invitation. I later learned that it's basically a formal Chinese engagement party.

However, due to tradition, lots of preparation goes into it. According to Kasal.com, both families prepare traditional gifts for each other such as jewelry, cake, fruits, etc. Then the bride has to serve tea to the groom's family in order of seniority.

So what was our role in all of this? Nothing, really. (The guests were seated at one side of the room, while the formal ceremony was going on.) Main requirement is that we enjoy ourselves and celebrate this wonderful event with the couple.

First Thing # 29 - Contribute to a Daily or Magazine
I've written articles before for the school paper, but this is the first time I've tried submitting something for a widely-read magazine, such as Reader's Digest.

It's nothing major and I'm not even sure I'll get published, but here's what I submitted:

It was our father's birthday, so we all went out for lunch. Except for a brother who was not able to come home for the holidays, all of us children were with him in the car.

He then got a text message, which read: "Happy Birthday, Pa." He wondered out loud, "Who could have sent this?"

Told you nothing major, haha! But it'd be really cool to read my name in the magazine one of these days.


First Thing # 30 - Take a Walking Tour of Binondo

For my birthday, I decided to do something different: roam the city streets. I'm really not a fan of going to unfamiliar parts of the city, much less using public transport to get there. However, I promised myself that I will try to see as many places in my own country this year.

So my brother and I decided to go to Binondo and walk around Manila's Chinatown. It's the first time I've been there so we went on a food trip and also visited some of the old churches in the area. I was a bit tempted to ride in one of the horse-drawn carriages, but I had to take pity on the horse who'd feel the full force of my weight.

To me though, walking around the area also felt like walking back to history. Back in the Spanish times, it's the place where the Spanish permitted the Chinese mestizos to stay and it also used to be the center of financial community. I just love going to a place where history meets the present.

Visiting Binondo is not just the only First Thing I did today. It was also my first time to ride the LRT-2 from end to end, and it was also the first time I rode in LRT-1.

The best thing I've learned from this whole experiment/experience is never to fear going out of your comfort zone as it opens yourself up to more learning opportunities and expands your horizon. Life is short and we really need to live it to the fullest.

Here's to more new and exciting things in the coming years! =)

Going Beyond Earth Hour

I've been a staunch supporter of Earth Hour since 2009. Many people think that it's a fruitless exercise because it's just an hour in a year. But I feel that's better than nothing. However, now I think it's time that I go beyond the hour if I really want to help save Mother Earth.

So here are small acts I promise to do (or continue doing):

1. When eating take-outs, I will not use plastic utensils and drinking straws unnecessarily.

2. I will continue to throw garbage in its rightful place. I will keep my trash until I find a trash can.

3. Use more scratch paper and envelopes at work.

4. Keep walking.

5. Bring my own bags when shopping/doing groceries.

Hope everybody comes up with their own lists. These may be little things, but they add up to a great thing if we all do it together.

Soundtrack Sunday - Rocketeer

I'm sorry if I've been too lazy to write something more meaningful lately, but I guess I'm just in a phase where I'm too lazy to do anything and at the same time too listless waiting for something to happen. Not sure if I make sense, but that's how I'm feeling now.

Anyway, here's a song I've been into lately. I just love the lyrics:

"Here we go, come with me
There's a world out there that we should see
Take my hand, close your eyes
With you right here, I'm a rocketeer"





It tugs at my adventurous, wanderer heart. I guess that's it. I've been hit by the wanderlust fever again.

Tara Nang Mag-lakbayan!

Oh gosh, I just took this 'quiz' to test how much of the Philippines I have visited. And I got a dismal grade of C!

I can already hear the disapproving voice of Susan Calo-Medina: "Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan!"

Yes, I know it's really embarrassing to have only visited a few places in my own country. But compared to the rest of the Filipino population, I think I kinda fared well. I mean, most of them don't even know their basic Philippine geography. Sheesh.

Anyway, I promise to do better. I'll take it one city/province at a time. Stay tuned!