2012 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

It's February, one of my favorite months of the year! Aside from the obvious (I'm turning another year older a few days after Valentine's Day), it's also the month of love. I wonder what my hubby has in store for us? (*hint, hint, nudge, nudge*)

Anyhoo, I woke up this morning thinking about what exciting adventures we can do this month and I thought about the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Personally, I think my hubby and I already had our fair share of the event, having gone there the past several years. Maybe we'll do something different this time. But for those who haven't been there yet, or would like to go again and spend a romantic Valentine weekend in Clarkfield, Pampanga, you'll find below the schedule of this much awaited event.

For other tips and ideas for Valentine's day, click here: What to do on Valentine's Day

Valentine's and Birthday Week Highlights

I feel like I just came from a 2-week Valentine/Birthday celebration and thinking about it, I actually did. It felt like Christmas with the tons of love shared, tons of alcohol that went through my system, tons of food eaten, and tons of money spent on shopping (40 pieces of clothes, 8 pairs of shoes, 3 new bags, 2 belts, a pair of earring, new microwave, new hot and cold water dispenser, new electric fans, new bolts for the house). I am grateful to my sponsors, (you know who you are... *wink*) my special angel, and my hubby. THANK YOU, God! I feel so blessed! I absolutely had no intention of celebrating either but I guess the universe had a different plan for me. Sometimes, it really is important to celebrate occasions like your date of birth. It shows how much you value yourself and that you're worth every penny, every ounce of energy, every little thing that goes with the magic of your creation.

If there's one thing I've realized in this 2-week Valentine's/Birthday hullabaloo, it's about being happy, acknowledging the good inside of me and everything around me. I've also realized that I ought to be more focused with the things I want for myself this year.

I am 33 years old. I've accepted the fact that I only have 24 hours in a day, some of which I actually have to use for sleeping. I'm not like an energizer bunny anymore. I now easily get tired unlike before when I can practically go on, and on, and on. My liver also can't tolerate as much alcohol as before, and I need some down time to recuperate. So I have to streamline my activities and prioritize. This means less time blogging, less time on social networks, less time watching mindless DVDs and more time for the following: my projects, my rakets, my freelance work, my books, water sports activities, friends, family, and yes, rest. Health is still a top priority so I can enjoy life longer and be able to do more of the things I want. Oh, and traveling (I actually booked a number of trips this year --- Boracay, Bohol, Siargao, Bacolod, Bangkok and I'm still looking forward to a trip to Brazil which Koryn and the girls planned to do this year).

Anyway, this is going to be a long post but I'll try to just show you the highlights of the past two weeks.

Valentine's Eve - Dinner Buffet at Sofitel

Week Before Valentine's 2011

The whole week before Valentine's Day started out beautifully for me.

• I managed to finish work on time.
• I was able to go to VTRs/auditions.
• I got in contact with some of my colleagues in the theater industry which I have been planning for a while now. I know I need to further hone my acting skills and hopefully I find the right theater company for me. If only my schedule is not this toxic (I barey sleep as usual), I'd gladly join PETA. It's on my wish list this year.
• The universe must be listening to my heart's plea when I was given an opportunity to showcase my talent in a video shoot. Honestly, despite my lack of sleep, that was the first time I felt really alive and exhilarated after a looong time. It's really different when you're doing your heart's desire. You don't feel tired, you don't feel short changed. You're just grateful, happy and feeling blessed. Hayyyy....Acting... it's the only one in my long list of passions that I have a love-hate relationship with. Let's just say that I'm in love with it again. Last year, I dodged most of the VTRs my agents sent me to coz I just didn't feel like it. After all, the business of acting is 10% acting and 90% waiting. Nevertheless, this year, if I physically can, I should just say yes to every acting opportunity.
• I made concrete steps to start a career in training. And guess what? The people I'd be working with are mostly theater actors too. I feel that where I'm headed at this point in time is just so aligned with my inner desires. Hopefully, when this new career path gets lucrative enough, I can use big funds for my other passions like soap making, reselling clothes and making beaded accessories which I will turn into regular businesses as well. *Crossing my fingers*

So my week was going well until a little bump appeared. My mom got food poisoned...

What to do on Valentine’s Day

These places/activities I will be sharing with you are those which I haven’t yet featured on my blog. They all happened a few years ago and I’m thinking for those who haven’t been to these places yet, you can actually make them your Valentine destination this year. These places are better suited for those living in Metro Manila and nearby areas since these are just a few hours’ drive from the city. If you’re the nomadic type and won’t be satisfied with just a Valentine dinner date and yet you don’t really have the budget nor the time to go to exotic and/or expensive places like: 

Baguio (Panagbenga flower festival is coming up!), Bicol,  Bohol, Boracay, Camiguin, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Hong Kong, Ilocos,  Indonesia, Malaysia,  Palawan, Quezon,  Singapore, Siquijor, etc.  then I’m sure these activities would interest you.

Avilon Zoo, Montalban Rizal

When we went here in 2005, we were with my parents, my best friend Mer and ex-bf Mikki. Avilon Zoo has just been recently put up then and I’m sure they have more animals and amenities now.

 

The Avilon Montalban Zoological Park is the largest zoological park in the Philippines, to date. The 7.5-hectare of the zoo lies in the picturesque valley of Barrio San Isidro, Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), Rizal, Philippines.