My Bucket List: 101 Things To Do Before I Die

It took me a full year to finally have the courage to publish this “bucket list”. Every time I retrieve the list, some things would need to be changed…format, sequence, verb used. It was never finished…until now.

Last February 3, 2015, I posted My “Unwritten” Bucket List: 18 Things To Do. I called it TTD (Things To Do) List. Those were the first 18 things on my bucket list: 11 achieved, 5 not doable or applicable anymore and 1 was superseded…so these will be excluded in this list. The remaining 1 will be part of this list.

My Bucket List started as a simple and straightforward but random list of all the things I want to do before I die. Then I changed it according to categories below but in so doing, I realized that some of the things will be listed in several categories, so I scrapped it and and return to the original list.

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56 Signs That We Are Pinoys

It was ironic that it takes someone who is not a Filipino to inspire me to finish this list which I started last January 2015.

Who I am talking about? He is Kyle, a 26-year old Canadian who is trying to “Become Filipino”. His blog www.becomingfilipino.com is a chronicle of his amazing and amusing adventure and journey in the Philippines.  To quote him, “I love the Philippines and would be honored to be able to call myself “part Filipino.”” He is proud to be called by his Filipino name “Kulas”. Please check his post 25 Things I Never Did Until I Lived In The Philippines.

Most of the signs in the list came from the Stradmore notebook that I had in my office table for 5 years. I used it to write down minutes of the meeting and when I checked the first entry, it was June 8, 2010 and the last was June 7, 2012. It was of no use to me because the company that I used it for already closed down...but I do not have the heart to throw it away.

Here are the lists that I know most of us Pinoys will agree.
1. You nod your head upwards to greet someone.
2. Your other piece of luggage is a “balikbayan box”.

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JADSpirits Travel Log

JADSpirits Travel Log is our way of chronicling our travel footprints with links to specific blog post as available.

Also included are our own photos with some of the best travel quotes that sums up the reason why traveling became an integral part of our lives.

We are not rich...as Jonjie will always say "may kaya lang kami"..."may kayabangan". But kidding aside, in our travels...most were unplanned...and we seldom splurge. 

We always chose the cheapest lodgings. The few times we were able to stay in a good hotel because it was booked months ago at a discounted rate. And right after we arrived to our destination, the first agenda is to ask around...from the hotel or lodging staff or tricycle drivers...for the best karenderia in town.

THE ROAD TO ADVENTURE. Taken last March 24, 2016 along the Quirino Highway during our trip to Naga and Albay.

2016

12.30~31 – Ilocos Sur (Vigan)

12.28~30 – Mountain Province (Sagada)

12.27~28 – Ifugao (Banaue)

12.26       – Batangas (Santo Tomas)

10.30~31 – Laguna (Caliraya)

09.11~12 – Manila

07.02       – Nueva Ecija (General Tinio)

06.13       – La Union (Bauan)

04.29~30 – Pampanga, Lubao

03.23~27 – Camarines Sur (Naga) / Albay (Legaspi, Daraga, Camalig, Polangui)

03.05~06 – Benguet (Baguio, La Trinidad)

02.06~08 – Rizal (Antipolo, Tanay)

01.30~31 – Pampanga (Lubao)

01.01~02 – Benguet (Baguio, La Trinidad)

THE BOATMEN. Bolinao, Pangasinan taken last April 04, 2015

2015

12.30       – Camarines Sur (Naga City)
12.29       – Leyte (Tacloban, Palo)
12.28       – Samar (Allen, Calbayog, Catbalogan)
12.27       – Albay (Daraga, Camalig)
12.26       – Sorsogon (Donsol)
12.05       – Batangas (Lipa City - Our Lady Mediatrix Parish)
10.10       – Laguna (Santa Rosa - Enchanted Kingdom)
08.29~31 – Cagayan (Tuguegarao, Iguig, Piat)
08.29       – Nueva Vizcaya (Dalton Pass)
07.12       – Camarines Norte (Paracale - Pulandaga Beach Resort)
06.13~14 – Benguet (Tuba - Sitio Pungayan / La Presa)
06.13       – Pangasinan (Our Lady of Manaoag Church)
05.23~24 – Pangasinan (Dagupan City - Leisure Coast Resort)
05.23       – Pangasinan (Balungao - Balungao Hilltop Adventure)
04.18       – Pampanga (Candaba - Lola Corazon, Leisure Farm)
04.12       – Pampanga (San Fernando - Villa Alfredo’s Resort)
04.02       – Tarlac (Visita Iglesia 2015)
04.03       – Pangasinan (Visita Iglesia 2015)
04.04       – Pangasinan (Bolinao)
01.10~11 – Benguet (Baguio City)
01.01~03 – Aurora (Baler)

THE CARABAO AND THE CART. Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon taken last January 3, 2014

2014

11.01       – Camarines Norte (Daet - Bagasbas Beach)
10.05~06 – Benguet (Baguio City)
10.04~05 – La Union La Union (San Juan))
08.21       – Metro Manila (Quezon City - St. Pio Church)
08.18       – Camarines Norte (Paracale - Tabas Watermelon Plantation)
08.18       – Camarines Norte (Paracale - Labnig Beach)
07.19       – Bulacan (Bulacan (Malolos - Barasoain Church)
06.07~09 – La Union (Bauang, City of San Fernando, La Union)
05.04       – Pampanga (Porac - Sandbox @ Alviera)
05.03       – Pampanga (Pampanga (Clark - Haduan Falls)
04.16       – Bataan (Visita Iglesia 2014)
04.05~06 – Zambales (Candelaria - Potipot Island)
01.11~12 – Benguet (Baguio City)
01.05       – Tarlac (San Jose, - Monasterio de Tarlac)
01.02~03 – Quezon (Tiaong - Villa Escudero)

THE WINDMILLS, THE SHADOW AND THE PEOPLE. Bangui, Ilocos Norte last March 29, 2013

2013

12.21       – Pangasinan (Our Lady of Manaoag Church)
12.21~22 – Pangasinan (Alaminos - Hundred Islands)
10.12~13 – Bataan (Bagac - Las Casa Filipinas)
05.07       – Bulacan (Pandi - Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves)
03.28~29 – Ilocos Norte
03.28       – Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur (Visita Iglesia 2013)
03.27       – Ilocos Sur
02.24       – Pampanga (Clark 18th Hot Air Baloon Festival)

THE SHIP AND THE LIGHTS. Symphony of Lights in the Avenue of the Stars, Hong Kong taken October 13, 2012

2012

2012

10.11~13 – Hong Kong
04.05       – Tarlac (Visita Iglesia 2012)
02.12       – Pampanga (Clark 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival)
01.22       – Tarlac (San Jose - Monasterio de Tarlac)

THE ZIPLINE AND ME. Dahilayan Adventure Park, Bukidnon last October 16, 2011. I couldn't help but include this. I have a fear of heights, as in, but I was able to brave  Asia's 1st Longest Dual Zipline

2011

11.06      – Tarlac (San Jose - Monasterio de Tarlac)
11.01      – Pampanga (Clark - Nayong Pilipino)
10.16      – Bukidnon (Manolo Fortich Pineapple Plantation and Dahilayan Forest Park)
10.15      – Cagayan de Oro
04.22      – Bulacan (Marilao - Divine Mercy Shrine)
04.02      – Pampanga (Porac - Poracay Resort)
02.12      – Pampanga (Clark 16th Hot Air Balloon Festival)
01.27      – Metro Manila (Manila Ocean Park)
01.01      – Bataan (Pilar - Mount Samat Shrine)

THE COVE. Anawangin Cove, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales taken November 29, 2010

2010

11.29     – Zambales (San Antonio - Anawangin Cove)
11.13     – Cavite (Tagaytay - Picnic Grove)
10.03     – Tarlac (Gerona - Isdaan Floating Restaurant)
07.18     – Pangasinan (Our Lady of Manaoag Church)
07.03     – Pampanga (Clark - Zoocobia and Paradise Ranch)
04.02     – Bulacan (Visita iglesia 2010)
04.01     – Pampanga (Visita Iglesia 2010)

THE CROSSROADS. Taken last January 1, 2015...we left the house...ready to travel...but no definite destination.

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My “Unwritten” Bucket List: 18 Things To Do

Life is short and I intend to live it to the fullest…

ASpirit_020315

According to Google, “bucket list” is a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or to accomplish during their lifetime,

Last August 05, 2014, two months after I started blogging, I came across a very detailed post about 101 Things To Do Before You Die. And it inspired me to write my own bucket list.

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5 Things To Do When Your iPhone Gets Wet

Getting your iPhone wet or soaked, be it in a toilet bowl, sink, river or ocean or in a “bulalo soup” *(soup made from beef broth with some of the bone marrow), is already a big problem.

You can squeal, shout, cry, utter bad words or do anything to let out the frustrations. But the fact remains that you may have to say goodbye to your iPhones and all the data it contains…contacts, notes, calendars and most especially, all your photos and videos.

It happened to me with my 3-year old iPhone4s, on the morning of December 26, 2014,in our house in Bicol. I was about to use the toilet when I heard something drop into the bowl and when I looked down…wahhhhhh…my iPhone with its pink case. And all I can do is shout at the to top of my lungs, “ang phone ko nahulog sa bowl” and pick it up as fast as I can. 

Karen Davila was right when she said it on national TV in one of the episode of Bandila, when it happened your initial reaction is to get it no matter what. Good thing for me, the user before me was my youngest niece who just pee and did not forget to flush.

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81 Things About Me…

1)    I was born July 20, 1966.

2)    A farmer’s daughter.

3)    I was the eldest among 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls.

4)    I was a Lola’s girl.

5)    I graduated Salutatorian in elementary school.

6)    In high school, I was a Coconut Federation (CocoFed) Scholar and finished Valedictorian.

7)    I studied B.S. Industrial Engineering at Adamson University, Manila for 3 years.

8)    But, decided to stop for 1 year because of financial problems.

9)    My mother told me, “there are many things that could happen in 1 year”.

10)  So I did not stop, but decided to accept the Foster Parent Plan International (FPPI) scholarship.

11)  On a condition I should transfer to one of the university in Bicol.

12)  I chose University of Nueva Caceres, Naga City.

13)  And shifted to B.S. Mechanical Engineering without informing my parents.

14)  I finished the course but was not able to join the graduation.

15)  Because I lacked a 3-unit subject…I cannot remember what.

16)  I tried everything, even seeking special approval from the University President, but to no avail.

17)  One of my most disappointing and frustrating moments.

18)  Not for myself, but for my parents who would have been very proud to march beside me.

19)  I took the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam twice, not because I failed the first time.

20)  But because the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) Building was burnt few months prior the result.

21)  My father knew I finished B.S. in Mechanical Engineering when he saw my name in the newspaper.

22)  I passed the board exam and became a licensed Mechanical Engineer.

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