Beach-ation time!

Jayr's favorite playground is the beach. He will never grow tired of having sand between his toes, sun on his skin and sea salt in his hair so what perfect place to celebrate his birthday than in Boracay. 

Aerial shot of the island

Boracay is of the most famous beaches in the world and so it is only fitting that we see for ourselves if it really does live up to its “top record”.

 

My very postcard-esque picture of Station 2

I'm lucky to have captured this because I really love it.

another "stalkery" pic of some kids having fun in Bulabog beach

As always we make thorough research of the place to get the most out of the island as possible. With the help of the tour-guide we met on our first day we managed to get a fun-filled 8 day beach-ation.

 Ready for Island Hopping!

 Safety first, esp. when you don't know how to swim... like me!

Bromance with our tour-guide

 Inside the cave with what looks like a giant tooth. 

No one in there was able to tell to me what it really is!

And as with our other trips, he always have something in-store for me to enjoy and this time by booking the Para-sailing because he knew I wanted to try that so finally I can get it off my Bucket list 

The island is truly fantastic the powdery white sand, the pristine blue water and especially the very warm and welcoming people. We will definitely go back there! 

*Special thank you for our tour guide Reynon for being so helpful with the kind of activities we wanted to do. He really did make sure that we enjoy ourselves and that we get the best prices. 

If you plan to go to Boracay and in need of a tour guide, leave me a message and I will forward Reynon's contact no. :)

P.S more pictures posted in my Facebook page. 

jCel♥

[Book-It!] Diary ng Panget experience

I normally don’t conform to trends and such unless they are books. So when people started talking about this tagalog book, I knew I had to go search for it online because I won’t be flying back to the Philippines just to get my hands on it. In any case, I got lucky and found the free eBook.

Mahirap maging maganda

Bawat galaw mo tinitignan nila.

Magkamali ka, hindi makakatakas sa kanilang mga mata.

Ang mahirap pa, pag gusto mong mangulangot kahit patago...

Hindi mo magawa.

I don’t usually read tagalog books, actually scratch that, I NEVER read tagalog books so I was a bit nervous about how I was going to survive reading without my nose bleeding. But upon reading I’m happy to find that the novel is a hybrid of Tagalog and English. There were a lot of grammatical errors which would normally annoy me but this time I didn't let it get in the way so I happily read my way through the end.

I didn’t expect anything going into the book so I wasn’t that surprise to find the story predictable and dim. Jayr got a glimpse of a page of it and said it was rubbish but I was thoroughly entertained that I finished reading it in only 3 days. It was such an easy and mindless read which I think we need from time to time. These are the kind of books you would be reading during vacations or in the beach. Because it’s not so taxing plus characters are really funny.

I’m now in the hunt for book 2 and I don’t think my Tagalog reads will stop here. Feel free to let me know if you know any books of the likes.

Til next time,

jCel♥

Road to Healthy - Last update

My goodness we finally reached the last of my Road to Healthy 2013! Let’s recap how I did in the last 4 months, shall we?

September

Goal: Exercise 4-5 times a week

Verdict: Fail! Unfortunately, this month was awfully busy hence the lack of exercise. I did get to do it 2-3 times a week at most but I knew I could’ve done better. There were a lot of family gatherings then plus I got ill a few times but I know it’s no excuse!  

October

Goal: Eat healthier

Verdict: Happy to say that I've succeeded. I was able to incorporate a lot of fruits in my diet and less on the carbs. The results are staggering. However, because of the festivities I fell off the wagon but I've promised myself to get back to it once all the holidays are done.

November

Goal: Complete my 50 book challenge

Verdict: Every year I try to read 50 books and kept failing. I think of all the years, 2013 was the least I've read (boohoo!) however I am not discourage if anything I am more keen to do it again next year and hope I will succeed.

2013 Reading Challenge

Jcel has read 13 books toward her goal of 50 books.

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13 of 50 (26%)

view books

*oh the shame! Only 13 books out my 50 goal :(

December

Goal: Give DIY gifts

Verdict: Ha! I researched and all but I still didn't get to do it. There simply was not enough time! Work was crazy before Christmas… nonetheless I was able to budget my shopping and still gave good gifts. Well at least none of them said anything bad yet. LOL

So yeah that wraps up my Road to Healthy, it was a fun ride! I did think that I have become generally healthier especially with my eating habits and guess what people have noticed the physical change. Happy to announce that currently I have lost 10lbs. HURRAH! Clothes are fitting a lot better which also helps with being financially healthy because you know what they say “it’s cheaper to lose weight than to keep buying clothes that will fit”

I hope you enjoyed my journey as much as I did and who knows maybe I will keep it up to 2014.

See you next year!!!

jCel♥

[Book-It] Christmas Gift Guide 2013

Sadly I haven’t been able to read much this year but nonetheless here's a list of the books I’ve been eyeing on for me and for giving as presents. Here’s this year’s Book Gift Guide:

As with my previous book guide, there should always be a Mitch Albom book and just as well because he just released a new one, hurrah!!! I am a fan of all his previous books so I’m sure this will not disappoint.

This book won the Best Fiction of 2013 in Goodreads, ‘nuff said.

This one is for the Percy Jackson series fanatic as the new installment in the Heroes of Olympus just came out. Riordan's books is an excellent choice for teenage boys. 

This is a good gift for the young adults and a perfect book to start getting yourself into John Green’s writing. I’ve read 3 of his books and this one is my favorite by far.

One of my all time favorite book just came out with a new reprint version adorned in a super cute cover. This is perfect way to entice young readers to get into the classics.

This one is for those who want to give an inspirational book. Ann Voskamp’s style of writing is unusual but captivating, so full of description and passion.

I know it's only a few sleeps till Christmas but hopefully this post has helped those last minute shoppers, like me.  

Advcance Merry Christmas to all and hope you get to receive one of these awesome books in your gift stockings! :)

xoxo,

jCel

Let's Celebrate Jesus!

Christmas is nearing and yet because of all the catastrophic events that had happened it’s hard to say that this Christmas will be merry. As we all know the Philippines, particularly in Tacloban, Leyte was hit by super typhoon Yolanda which led to thousands of deaths. It was a devastating sight and heartbreaking to see my fellow Filipinos suffering. Nonetheless, I am grateful to all the people from different countries that willingly helped Visayas to get back on their feet [again]. I have witnessed that there is good in everyone and that we can be all united as ONE as long as we set aside our differences.

There are many circumstances in our lives that we wish we could avoid, but alas, we are limited to our very nature. We do not know what’s going to happen in the future no matter how many backup plans we have. The good news is God has given us HOPE when He sent His only Son to be born in a manger and gave his life on the cross for you and me. As long as we know WHO holds our future there’s always HOPE at every end of the dark tunnel of our lives.

Jesus said in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Though bad situations hinder us from having a merry Christmas, we have to remember what the Lord Jesus Christ promised in His words. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us because He is with us always. In knowing this, it’s enough reason to be cheerful and joyful even when circumstances in our lives don’t seem to make sense.

Always, remember that Christmas is not about the gifts we receive, it’s not about how much you have in your bank account or whether there are or aren’t any food on the table for Noche Buena. Christmas is about celebrating JESUS and the hope that He brings. 

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

On behalf of MIXXED, Jcel and I wish you a very Merry Christmas! With your families and friends let us together celebrate the Hope of the world that is JESUS CHRIST! Let us Celebrate Jesus together for He is the true reason for this season! 

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!

Blessings,

Bex