Yeah, there are people like that

I thought I was special, so very special...but then I found out I wasn't the only one you were using and treating like dirt.

I thought it was just because you were shy and somewhat socially awkward. You were sweet sometimes and made me laugh.

But then I got to talking with a mutual friend who had horror stories of her own and who knew other people with horror stories themselves.

I guess this isn't social awkwardness but a methodical and very organized system of milking people.

Wow. I'm such a fool. A very trusting fool but a fool nonetheless.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Of course we saw the Harbour Bridge and passed under it. But I didn't join the bridge climb because it was beyond my budget...Next time, though, I definitely will. I should probably include some interesting facts about the history and making of the bridge, but that can be totally googled (I'm too lazy to).

The bridge from Opera House. Luna Park is in the background.

View on board the ferry. Sydney Opera House in the background.

With blue skies.

Made sense to me

Something that struck a chord.

"Women become complicated when they start saying the things they mean."
 
I'll put in the exact quote when I find it again, but this one's from the e-book The Do-Over by Kathy Dunnehoff.

How's that for tech

Testing blogging on the go.

I'm not sure I'd make this a habit though.

Trains, ferries and buses

Coming from the Philippines were commuting is really hard and trains are so limited, I love the transportation system in Sydney/NSW.

From the airport, we bought a multipass "My-Multi" for unlimited rides on trains, ferries, and buses (within the zone we chose) for an entire week.

Here's my last My-Multi:

Me, "giddy" with the efficient train system. Imagine not having to haggle with cab drivers to get out of the airport.

Our place was in the suburbs and takes a 45 minute train ride to the city. So you can imagine that in terms of Manila traffic. Gah. But with the trains and the ferries, the distance from the city was never a problem. I love.

Background or "How I got to Sydney, Australia"

The trip to Australia was unplanned, unbudgeted and completely spur-of-the-moment. Well, as spur-of-the-moment as securing a visa and travel authority allowed.

It all started when E asked me if I'd like to go with her, since she knew someplace we could stay for free and all we'd shell out for would be airfare, food and whatever daily expenses while there. I was excited so I talked it over with my parents who said it would be a good opportunity and a big chunk of the expenses would already be removed with the free accommodations.

There were a lot I loved about this trip. The sheer "panic" of making arrangements in so short a time. Going-off with very minimal research, no itinerary. Just a vague idea that I'm getting plane tickets, I've got a place to stay, I'm going.

E and I hand-delivered our visa applications to the processing arm of the Australian Embassy. A week later, we got our visas. We had our travel authorities processed, which was delayed. We had a late night flight, and we were still waiting for our travel authorities from the office up to 5pm.

Of course, traffic didn't cooperate and it was only thanks to E's driver's amazing skills that we made it on time.

Highlight: While E and I were filling out the immigration cards at the airport near the departure gate, a nice airport lady approached us and asked us if we were okay and asked our flights. When we said that we had the PAL flight to Sydney, she got very concerned and reminded us that it had started boarding and that we should hurry.

E and I figured we must have looked light lost souls there. That, or we looked ignorant. :)

It's a wet and dreary Monday.

Remind me why I'm not curled up in bed, reading a book, and enjoying a huge mug of hot cocoa.

sometimes

Sometimes, the saddest part about letting go is not the letting go itself, but the realization that you should have let go a long time ago.

Sometimes.

Sydney Opera House

I was sorting through my Sydney/NSW photos, here's my favorite. It's a bit sad because it was a rainy day and the sky was really gray. But I like how postcard-y it turned out.

More pictures as I finish sorting.

Pandan Island, Puerto Prinsesa

Because I can't resist a jump shot.

Patawarin nyo na.

Puerto Prinsesa - Sheridan Beach

After the underground river tour, we spend some time at Sheridan Beach.

The "sleeping giant" as viewed from the beach.

Sheridan has the qualities of my type of beach: wide strip of sand, no seaweeds, wide wide wide horizon.

From the pier, before the underground river tour.

Before going home, look at those clouds. Look at that beach! Wow!

Sheridan Beach

I've waded out several meters and the water still only reached up to my knees.

Puerto Prinsesa

Got tagged to go along with some officemates to another promo travel. This time to Puerto Prinsesa via CebuPac. I'm not going to mention the deal site and the travel agency because I'm not very happy with them. Let's just say that we were glad the trip pushed through, though we did ask for a refund before they (finally!) sent us the confirmations for our flights and resort bookings.

Anyway, it was a rainy weekend and I was afraid the flight would get cancelled. Thankfully, we were only (?!) delayed by two hours.

So me, G, Ma'am C and Ma'am S went off to Puerto Prinsesa. We got the Honda Bay Tour, Underground River Tour, Ugong Rock cave tour.

Didn't bring a camera, but here are some pictures from my phone.

At the Legends Hotel dining room. It's a restaurant but I can't remember the name. (big surprise)

Countryside...

Karst formation -- told you it was a rainy weekend.

Canopy going to the Underground River