Environment Day Celebration

Yesterday was fulfilling. It was fun and beautiful and good. Well, i just took part in my hometown's 2nd Environment Day Celebration. 

I woke up at 4 am and left my apartment at 5. A quite early start and it was tough but i had to, because i was assigned as one of the first-aiders for the fun run activity. The marathon started at 6:30, and the participants included young ones and adults. We had one case of a runner who fainted, but the activity was an overall success. 

We then proceeded to the river for the Zumba dance program. It was a nice sight to behold, seeing the LGU officials, local residents, and even elementary students dancing and sweating out in the tune of fast music for one hour straight. What made it more fun and interesting to watch and participate was that they danced in the river!

After the Zumba, we had no minute to waste. We went straight to our next activity- the Tree Planting. Holes were already dug the day earlier, and we only had to transplant different kinds of seedlings. It took no more than 10 minutes because, of course, we all worked hand in hand <3. Its astounding how amazing the power of trees is to provide benefits to our environment. 

Looking back, the river in our town has been subject to flooding over the years, especially during heavy rainfall and typhoon. Soil erosion and deposition have also been major problems affecting the river bank. In 2008, in the height of Typhoon Frank, 2 major bridges got wrecked because of the flood, making transportation really difficult for a long time. Since then, many tree-planting and clean-up drive activities have been conducted, including today's, with an impressive number of participants : ) It's overwhelming how people unite for an environmental change. 

Sounds like we've already done a lot when it's only 9 am, but we still had more to do! Next was the Clean-up drive. Our town mayor announced we could convert trash into cash by weighing the plastics bottles and tins we collected. But we're not up to how much money we could make, we just gladly made the area cleaner than it already was : ) 

After the quite tiring activities, it was time for some fun! And more exhaustion hahaha. But it's all for nature and ourselves, and there's no giving up. It's sports time! We were grouped into 8 teams for a volleyball match. It was, by far, the funniest match i have joined and witnessed. Well, it's not really hard to play volleyball in above-the-knee-level water (insert sarcasm). It was hard not to get wet, because once we hit the ball, we're bound to fall kkkkkkkkkk. Everybody was shrieking with laughter as we each tried hard to score. 

There were more activities on the list, but just before we all ran out of energy, we shared a sumptuous lunch and relaxed a bit. 

Our program continued in the afternoon. This time it's the representation of different sea creatures!

Many other activities followed in the evening, including more games and a live band. 

Yesterday was a really great day. And i hope to take part in our town's Environment Day every year. Pretty sure all of us would love to. 

The Sunday Currently | 23

Maybe, yesterday was just not meant to be beautiful...and today. Maybe tomorrow too. But isn't that just typical? You wait and wait and wait for something, and then when it happens, you feel sad. And when it doesn't happen, you feel sad too. 

Currently I am...

Reading
nothing for weeks, probably for months now. I wish to go back to my old self when i could easily get myself to read whenever i need to. These days i only read when i want to, and i haven't been wanting to read for a long time now. 

Writing
and rewriting and editing nonsense articles i might need in the future. 

Listening
to the sound of the keyboard, and random noises here and there. 

Thinking
nothing. Can't. Even. Think. Hull

Smelling
coffee and banana muffin.

Wishing
superman was real, and that he's only one call away ㅜ   ㅜ   ㅜ   . 

Hoping
to hear from my dear brother. Last time's conversation made me worried because he sounded like he wasn't his usual self. And I've sent him a chain of messages which he just ignored. #seenzoned

Wearing
t-shirt, pants and slippers. The most comfortable outfit on earth right now. 

Loving
the bedroom design photos. Been crazily browsing  for weeks now. I'm also loving the landscape and kitchen designs.

Wanting
more plants and flowers in our small garden at home. Now's the good time to keep outdoors looking alive as rainy season has come.

Needing
to appreciate the little things out there, but as much as i want to, i feel unsatisfied with everything.

Feeling
unproductive and unmotivated and bored and SAD. 

Clicking
Food blogs, home design ideas, and gardening ideas. 

"There are some thoughts you can't avoid and some feelings you can't deny." ©

Join The Sunday Currently link-up by siddathornton!

Idleness

I wake up early everyday with a strong belief that it's a good way to start a productive day. But i still arrive late to work.  And the routine is just killing me. After finishing some tasks, i can't think of anything else to do, and i end up spending half of my time doing nothing and feeling bad about it. It's like being employed but feeling unemployed. Like looking alright but feeling miserable inside. This thought makes me feel exhausted. It drags down my energy just thinking how poor the situation i am in, and i lose interest in everything. Then i just try to finish the work i am appointed to, but apathetic whether it benefits others or myself, just so i can do something in a day that's a bit useful. 

It's all in my feelings. I'm not like this at times when i truly enjoy what i'm doing, whether it's big or small. I could be surprised everyday. Every little things could make me smile and amazed. Now i'm doubting. Does it mean i don't enjoy what i'm doing anymore? But what exactly am i doing? Am i even doing anything? It's pointless to ask this myself over and over again when i should be doing something the moment i start doubting. Now when i look at paintings and interior designs and when i read random articles on the internet, am i doing something? The tunnel keeps on extending. I want to stop pretending that i am anything other than i am. I want to just do things that matter to me. But i don't know what really matters. 

Then i cry and laugh and cry and laugh til i get tired and just forget about everything. Then the next day i would feel better and so motivated to work and i get that feeling that i can do everything! And that nothing is impossible. 

This is the cycle. There are bad days and good days. It's something i can't help. I can only contemplate. 

The Sunday Currently | 22

The past two weeks have been rainy and i am all grateful for this blessing. Nothing like seeing the world alive again, the trees and plants regaining vitality little by little, the air getting cooler, and the delight of rain lovers. 

My mind goes back to the cold mornings in the countryside, the smell of early morning breakfast that wakes you up though you badly wanna stay longer in bed, the lazy afternoons with the family, and the lantern-lit evenings. 

Though many are still enjoying their summer vacation, i guess nothing can stop the wet season from finally stepping in. And though i think it has officially started, nothing can also stop us from pushing through our last minute YP summer team building very very soon. Yes, the boss has just announced it :D. Mas vale tarde que nunca! 

Currently I am...

Reading 
cooking tips, Listverse articles and the national news. 

Writing 
the 22nd volume of Sunday Currently. 

Listening 

to the sound coming from the air con and a song entitled "It's Me". 

Thinking

of our team building already. We haven't chosen the date and place yet, but i am very excited about it. Last time, my team RHU had our summer outing, and i kindof officially ended my summer because i was fine without having one with YP team. But during our meeting yesterday, it was one of the topics brought out. Well, it's good news. The majority voted for Isla Gigantes. Others suggested Boracay and Guimaras. We'll just wait for the final plan : )

Smelling 

tea...and nothing else. 

Wishing 

to sleep right away as soon as i get home but it's really hard to do so since i am used to sleeping at 1:00, and all tips to 'fall asleep fast' seem to not work on me. 

Hoping

and praying for a good, peaceful and productive week ahead for everyone. 

Wearing 

house clothes.

Loving

the rainy weather! I wish to get some sunlight in the morning though, because some mornings are gloomy these days. 

Wanting

unlimited food! Just had dinner with my friends but i'm hungry again now. 

Needing

to bring home one more curver full of books, and also the sketchpads i haven't been using for a long time. I'm thinking of giving them to my brother who has seasonal love for arts too. 

Feeling 

like the heavy feeling I've been carrying for so long is lighter now. I had a good cry last night. A good long cry. I was all alone and I remembered my mother, my sister and my niece. Missing them so bad. 

Clicking 

YouTube videos, links i see on my Facebook feed, and Listverse. 

"Sometimes you just need a good cry. Even if you don't know the reason why." ©

Join The Sunday Currently link-up by siddathornton!

Concepcion Escapade

Achieved! Just had a blast with team RHU, and  i can say this summer was well spent just before it's over. It was such a wonderful time with my co workers, and it's definitely one for the books. 

Everybody was excited, and sure i was too. At 4 a.m., we left our hometown, Cabatuan. We rented two jeepneys since there were more than 50 of us. Our first stop was Iyang beach resort in Concepcion Iloilo. We arrived at around 7:30. 

©to Kate for this pic

The resort was good. Facing the beach were some picturesque view of islands and the Pan de Azucar mountain. 

But it was just our first destination. After having breakfast, we rented a pump boat to Sandbar Island Resort about 35 minutes away from Iyang. 

Upon landing, i was mesmerized. The dazzling sandbar is about 200 meters long stretching from the main island to the waters facing another island. The sand was blinding white and the water was sparking blue. The place would be perfect for snorkeling. 

I was worried about getting sunburned, but when i stepped in the water, i could not help but immerse myself. Taking a long walk and feeling the crashing waves on both side was an awesome experience. I was mystified that the water on the other side was warm and cool on the other. There were many other tourists at that time and i could see how excited they were, taking pictures here and there, and splashing water all over. 

After about an hour of dipping and swimming and walking and picture taking, we decided to go to the next spot, the Agho Island. It was about 40 minutes away from Sandbar Island Resort. On the way, we could see scores of mountains surrounding all corners of the sea water. The mountains were like walls and it felt like in the middle of a big lake. 

When we were nearing Agho, long stretches of white sand could be sighted. Tropical coconut trees added perfection to the view, and the crystal clear water revealed the gorgeous corals and weeds and fish moving with the water and teeming with life. 

 

We wanted to explore some more for there were many other islands out there awaiting us, but we had limited time. We went back to Iyang resort to prepare lunch. We had grilled pork and fish, chicken adobo, mangoes, spaghetti, carbonara, soda and a lot more. We ate til we're stuffed!

Before going back home, we dropped by a fish port and bought fresh seafood. It took more than 2 hours again heading back to our hometown. I guess we were all tired that most of us fell asleep in the jeepney. I woke up from time to time to catch a glimpse of the mountains and fields. And as i fell asleep again, i carried everything in my dreams, the sea still fresh in my mind, the white sand vivid in my memory, and a wish that, next time, i'd go back there with my family.