Child's Play: Nature Lover

No Windows Live Writer posts for the mean time. I'm saving my best ideas to be blogged through WLW, and besides, I miss writing entries directly from Blogger. Ok, that's enough. Today's Child's Play will feature my outfit in our recent scholastic outdoor activity.

The Fil 21 (Philippine Literature), together with MEDA 102 (Photography) class, visited two places in our city wherein we (Fil 21) can see different ethnic artifacts whatsoever, and they (MEDA 102) can take pictures of flora, fauna, waterscapes, skyscapes, landscapes and cityscapes.

We went to Eden Nature Park. That was my second time to be there. The whole gang had total fun, despite the tiring Mountain Trail adventure we had. I was just a little sad, because we weren't able to go to the famous Lola's Garden and Amphitheater.

We didn't have much time to gad about the 80-hectare wide mountain resort in just four hours. How I wished we thought of taking the shuttle tour instead. That way we save ourselves from the disappointment of not witnessing everything there; and from the exhaustion we felt after hiking.

We had the Buffet Lunch Day Tour Package, by the way. I, or shall I say we got disappointed with the food.  There were only a few dishes to choose from, not to mention they were not really that succulent. I could say my mother's pastries and main courses taste even better. I'm sorry Eden Buffet fans if I have to add that.

Here are my outfit shots, some photos in our activity. More photos in my Facebook Page.

Inside the Vista Restaurant. I love this close up shot. Thanks Ed Ralph!

At the beautiful Matinlo Falls.

Reading the map scriptedly.

So tired! I had to rest for a photo opportunity.

Inside Datu's House called Balai-Kalimudan. I don't know what's it called in English.

What I Wore That Day

Top: New Look

Shorts: Modisch

Belt: from England

Shoes: Advan

Messenger Bag: Giordano

Dangles: from England

Bangles: Vintage (from Mom)

Trip photos in Photoscape Page format below...

I love the Veggie Salad a lot! It's quite a steal.

I wasn't able to take photos of Crocodile Park and Dencio's Hilltop because the camera's battery died out. Anyway, more photos in this side of the web.

Let me digress for a moment. I have a lot of blog ideas in store, but I don't have much time to write them. I just think that it's much better than having a blogger's block. This week and the few following ones will totally suck out all my energy. I hope you don't mind if your one and only Mystic Nymph will be having a blog hiatus one of these days. I won't be gone for long anyway. Ahem, as if you'd care about my absence, LOL!

Have a blessed day ahead, sweethearts!

Mystique Shutterbug: Sight-Seeing

I'm still having blogger's block. Even the 30 Day Challenge didn't help me conquer it. But don't worry I will finish it, since I've already began doing it. I will not quit writing those tasks. It's just that, I'm not yet in the mood to think. My mind's still out there somewhere. I'm running out of words and thoughts to share. It's actually because I'm beginning to compose myself for another academic season (hopefully my last). I really hope and pray that I'll get back into doing what I love the most after this school jitters I'm feeling as of the moment. Good thing I have this blog series to help me deal with this darn writer's dilemma. It's again high time to bring out the photo freak in me by showing you these shots of good sights I've been to. Enjoy everyone!

Guiob Church Ruins in Camiguin.

White Island in Camiguin.

Monastery of Transfiguration in Bukidnon.

Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin.

Fishing Village in Eden Nature Park and Resort.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok seen from afar in Camiguin.

Fishing Village in Eden Nature Park and Resort.

Maja's Cafe in Loleng's Mountain Spring and Resort.

Sto. Niño Cold Spring in Camiguin.

At Loleng's Mountain Spring and Resort.

View of Pearl Farm Malipano Waters, Island Garden City of Samal.

Angel's Cove in Island Garden City of Samal.

I'm proud to say that the Philippines is definitely a good place for travel! No doubt about that. WOW Philippines indeed!

After graduation, I’m thinking of not settling down yet. It can wait. I certainly hope so. I’ll have at least four or five years of not being bogged down by children. That span of time is dedicated for my luxury and to be noble, preparation for a higher level maturity. I'll be in for everything I’m not doing and can’t be doing now. I think it’ll be the perfect time where everything I've always wanted can happen. Needless to say, I have to get a good job to get to that. Part of my plans is  to get my own car so I can go far and wide. Too ambitious of me to even think about it, eh? The best part is tripping all over the world. I have a lot of plans as you can see. I want to travel here, there and everywhere. I pray that the Almighty One will hear what my heart beats for.

Memories of 2010

I've been acting like a headless chicken for the previous years. I was such a foolish and selfish rogue. I acted on a disorderly way without thinking of where my decisions might lead me and the people around me. I always failed my parents' expectations towards me. Whenever we talked, we ended up arguing. It was like having a conversation with them felt like I was skating on thin ice. I used to think that I'm our family's black sheep, and that I wreaked havoc every single minute.

This year is definitely the best year of my entire life. I could say I've become a better person. There are a lot of wonderful things that happened to me this 2010. I'm very grateful that God gave me a chance to renew my unpleasant life. I'm thankful that my family never gave up on me. I don't have the angst in my heart anymore. I tried so hard to remove it in my system, cause it's the main reason why I've been miserable and insecure before. It inflicted pain to me, and to everyone connected to me.

The year 2010 has opened many doors for me. I apologize if that sounded so trite, but I couldn't think of any better idiom to express what I mean. Anyway, let me talk about the opportunities God gave me this year. They all made me feel secure with myself and everything that I have. Because of those chances, I managed to shrug off anything that makes me feel discontented. I know I don't get those things that I always wanted, but at least I still have some things that can make me stand firm. Here are some memories of 2010 that I will never forget:

My article entitled "How I Learned to Draw" has been published to Sun Star Davao. It's actually a sensitive creative non-fiction essay on how I went through my path to becoming a LADY. It's also published on Dagmay -- the official website of Davao Writers' Guild. Just visit dagmay.kom.ph and search for my full name "Katrina Angela Castro" in the Index of Authors, if you want to read my article. It's my first essay ever published in a broadsheet. Thank you Lord!

We had a field trip to one of the most beautiful summer destinations in the Philippines -- Camiguin Island via Butuan. We were wet all day because we bathed nonstop from one spot to another. We went to Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Soda Swimming Pool, Guiob Church Ruins, Sunken Cemetery, Katibawasan Falls, White Island and the famous Pastel store, Vjandep. That trip was just within one day. After that day, we went to Cagayan de Oro for a breakfast and lunch. We also bought some more pasalubongs at Lim-Ketkai and Robinson's Mall. And then we headed straight to Bukidnon to see how creative Leandro Locsin is with the architecture of the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay. We enjoyed the round trip so much! That was totally one heck of an adventure.







My boyfriend and I also celebrated our third year anniversary last September. We planned a total date to make it really memorable. We had to make it special because our parents already knew about our relationship. My Mom and I got even closer when she knew everything about us. We didn't have to hide what we feel for each other anymore. Sorry for the cheesiness! We went to Eden Nature Park and Resort, and then we had pizza adventure at Calda Pizza and Coco's South Bistro. That was our way of strengthening our romantic bond -- to go on a trip. Here are some photos we had.





Lastly, I got to work and earn money for myself. I became a part-time tutor for five elementary students. The pay was not that big but at least I bought things for myself. It was also enough to go on a food trip with some friends. That job taught me how to work hard and have patience on everything, especially to children. But now I decided to quit the job because I have to concentrate on my studies. I'll be graduating hopefully this October of 2011. I know God will help me play the cards right, because he is my refuge and strength!

PS: Some photos are on my Facebook.