I Keep Going Back to Boracay :D

Boracay island is famous for it’s beaches, one of the best in the Philippines and maybe the world. I was pushing to go there for one of our family Christmas vacations and finally we decided to go there this 2009. It’s located about 1 hour away by plane from Metro Manila.

The whole December it had been sunny but the day we left it was showering! and on arriving in Kalibo, the ground was still wet because it had been raining the previous day and night. I was worried. Rainy weather would ruin this part of our trip.

We had to take the Kalibo route since the Caticlan airport was closed when we purchased the tickets 3 months ago. From Kalibo, it was a 2-hour van ride

View Boracay Island in a larger map

and a 10-minute small boat ride.

and we were there…

I guess the best compliment about Boracay i’ve heard was from my mom. She’s the type who’s restless doing nothing and when she asked what was there to do in Boracay, I told her “Nothing, just relax and stroll” and she said she didn’t think she’d enjoy it there. I didn’t expect her to enjoy the stay there either. But turned out she was the one who complained that we only got to swim in the sea once and said that NEXT time… I guess she was seduced by the place, too.

Technorati Tags: vacation,Christmas,beach,Boracay

Christmas 2009: Boracay

We have always spent christmas as at home as a family except for 2 or 3 times when I had to be on duty in the hospital. For the past 3 years we have made it a bit of a tradition to go out of town and spend christmas in a different place.

This year we spent it first in Boracay. I have been there 3 times before (2000, 2005 and 2008) and it is still paradise for me.

Even if it has become a lot more commercialized over the years, it is the only beach I've been to that actually pulls me into the water. Powder-fine soft white sand, crystal clear waters that seem almost freshwater-like, and cool breezes that have the right amount of humidity mixed with bright sunshine... Perfect! :D

Merry Christmas!

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The war is so long
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so happy Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

Aura

Have you ever met someone or seen someone (even a person you don’t know) whose very presence, even without talking, seems to brighten the room? or someone whom, when present, makes you feel gloomy even if your day has been going great? This is what some may call an “aura”.

I came across an interesting article by Arlene Taylor, a licensed brain-function specialist in the May-June 2009 issue of Health and Home magazine. According to her our body has its own magnetic field.

A magnetic field is defined as a region around a magnetic material or a moving electric charge within which the force of magnetism acts. The North and South Poles have the strongest electromagnetic activity and their interaction results in the Earth’s magnetic field.

Science says that this magnetic field is responsible for many things on earth - from the pointing of the compass to north, migration of birds across thousands of miles, the seasons, weather, and many other things. They also say that even a slight change in the magnetic field of the Earth would cause major, if not catastrophic changes.

When 2 or more magnetic fields come in contact with each other, there is an interaction - either one or both could become stronger or weaken, they could cancel each other out, or nothing at all could happen.

"...Think of your body as an electromagnetic field. It both produces and absorbs electromagnetic energy..."

The author’s findings aren’t hard to believe. Our bodies every movement and sensation is carried by electrical signals via our nerves and her finding that our brains form a prominent magnetic field. This is expected since it is the center of all action and sensation - most electrical activity in short. She also noted that the magnetic field formed by our body is not the same. It is constantly changing, depending on what we are feeling (presumably because feelings cause different ranges of electrical activity in the body). And not only that, like the magnetic fields of the planets and other celestial bodies, the magnetic fields formed by our bodies interact with the magnetic fields of other people causing changes to one or both fields.

She also noted that the magnetic fields of different persons are of different strengths and are constantly changing.

But there was another interesting discovery. She found out that the brain isn’t the strongest contributor to the body’s magnetic field. Her research showed that the heart is a much stronger contributor.

"...of the two, the heart is by far the largest generator of electromagnetic energy its magnetic field is 5000 times greated than the brain's... the heart's EM field extends beyond your body, up to 12 or 15 feet. It carries information about your emotional state to people around you..."

So the magnetic field or “aura” of a person is a result of the interactions of the electrical activity of the brain and the much stronger field of the heart, just like the Earth’s magnetic field is formed by interactions of the South and stronger North Poles.

Everytime we come in range of the “aura” of another person, there is always an interaction - maybe we interpret this interaction as our “impression” of that person, whether we feel comfortable, suspicious, hostile, or friendly; or maybe even if we suddenly feel happy, sad, excited... it is a very complex interaction.

"...Studies have shown that your inner thoughts, feelings, and impressions directly impact your electromagnetic energy... if your emotional state is appreciative and affirming, you have the potential of positively impacting the environment around you..."

Some of us may even have an “aura” strong enough to fill a whole room while some may only affect those with whom they are physically close to. The point is that our very presence has an effect on others and theirs has an effect on us.

Listen To Your Gut

Gut feeling, gut instinct, gut, intuition, conscience, small voice, or even the Holy Spirit - call it what you want but we can't deny that there are times when we have this feeling that something is wrong (most of the time) or right. I've had my gut warn me... well actually made me feel that what I was planning wasn't such a good idea. Most of those times I didn't listen and regretted it. [read one explanation of gut feelings]

Every instance I recall being told something it was about the timing of plans of going somewhere. Often I've ignored it and ended up with all sorts of misfortune like loosing stuff, not having a good time, etc.

Just this weekend it happened again. I planned to go out in the afternoon and buy some stuff for an upcoming trip. But when I woke up the morning of that day, I had this 'feeling' to move my plan to following day instead. I almost listened but instead just moved it to a later time in the evening. BIG mistake.

The whole evening was a mess. Tempers (mostly mine) flared and what would have been a great evening christmas shopping became a stressful waste of time. I have this feeling that I missed out on something good because I didn't follow my gut.

I'm reminding myself again - pay attention and listen to my gut feeling because I never know when it'll speak up.

Have you had similar experiences?

Getting High

It was the Saturday 2 weeks before my licensure exams. I was in church when someone approached me asking if I was free the following week to come with them on a medical mission sponsored by a sister church. I gave my usual “I’ll have to check my schedule” answer and expected to follow it up with a text message saying “I’m sorry, but I have prior engagements.” Medical missions are usually exhausting activities.

But as she turned away, I suddenly felt guilty - I mean I was in church praying all the time that I would pass the examinations and yet I didn’t want to help out in church activities. I suddenly became afraid of karma :p so I ran after her and said, “Yes.”

The day finally came and it didn’t start well. I was told that we would meet up at 7:30AM. I was taking a shower at 6:45AM when my phone rang. It was the lady who invited me to join. She told me that out meeting time was moved to 7AM instead. It’s another one of my pet peeves - changes in schedule. Considering that we were neighbors and considering the numerous ways of communication... well, there went breakfast.

There were 4 of us from my church and we met up with the main group at our sister church. The whole group came to about 50-60 people. And then the 2nd bit of news - There was a bit of walking involved and a short “bangka” (small boat) ride. And then the lady who invited me again told me that she FORGOT to tell me to wear rubber shoes!

I wanted to back out there and then. Hiking isn’t exactly my favorite activity. I mean I’m sure I’ll get to wherever place but by that time I’m sure my companions would have thrown me over a ledge or something because of my nonstop complaining :p AND I was overdressed for this occasion. That info about rubber shoes would have changed the whole outfit... I think I was dressed to kill haha.. and it looked liked I was the one who’d get killed.

The boat ride, it turned out, was to get across a shallow river because there was no bridge. Even just a simple bridge would do but there was none. Where was the government? Just because it was a poor community didn't mean they should be ignored.

Then came the walking. It took about 15 minutes of walking on MUD! Literally it was slippery all over. But there was no turning back now.

Read more »

Best of November 2009

I've decided to compile a monthly list of the best posts I've read every month from my blogroll.

Kansas Bob's post about priorities and sometimes misplaced priorities inspired me to make my own post on the topic. I guess it's not as clear-cut as we think. Reyjr's How Personal Is Your Blog? also pushed me to react with a post of my own.

Bury Me In This Dress  raises some questions around the massacre in Maguindanao.

Meanwhile Discreet Manila's sentiments about the Commission on Election pretty much sums up what I feel about their playing the morality card on those wanting to secure political recognition. Pinoygossipboy had a lot of stories to tell but what caught my attention was the story of the mystery woman seen ni Pacquiao's car just after his interview on Jimmy Kimmel.

I though I'd loose one of my favorite blogs especially the 'Friday's for you' but I'm glad Layla is still Writing from the Inside Out - Again :D. I also love It's All a Matter of Perspective's newspaper approach although I don't think I can manage that style.

He's very young but has a lot going on alread - Kelvinonian Ideas really give a lot of tips and I love the Photoshop tutorial on how to get rid of pimples and smoothen skin. Calvin's hub, which I consider a tech hub gave very useful tips on using a camera in cold weather. And speaking of youth, Verum Peto's Inner Childhood reminds us to continue to enjoy the simple things.

Tristan Tales shows how to celebrate Thanksgiving wish I could do the same hehe while The McVie Show's version of Star Wars had me laughing out loud. Although it couldn't top the return of Bernadette who went on a 3-year hiatus. I guess most of you won't be able to understand his stories but it's really your loss :p

The story of the Missing Piece and the Big O is one I really recommend on Life, Love and Lust. It really hits home.

It seems like Beki has been bitten by the love bug, Congrats :D and also to CC who has had many accomplishments, I envy you :D. As for World Peace, Rudeboy's video link shows that not every one is ready for peace hehe. Not everything is about being happy. The Cat Loves Curiosity's ongoing story reminds me that sometimes things doesn't work the way we expected it to. But we learn, and we cope.

Celebrity Doc Zorlone's poem "Crossroads" also remind me that choices are never easy. And if you ever wondered if Farmville causes addiction, just check out Writing to Exhale and find out if he's in withdrawal already :D

If I've skipped some blogs in my list, I apologize. This is the first month I'm doing this and I'll be more critical next month :D thank you for allowing me to read.