Our 'Epic' Journey to Oriental Mindoro: Day 4 - A roadtrip and a church cleanup

*still incomplete

Didn't have any particular plans for today but I still woke up early to take a shower just because. We then had breakfast of puto and coffee outside in the mini-hut with other relatives of Albert. Several Christian songs after, I went inside to nurse my runny nose and to have a quiet time -- literally and figuratively.

Then I tried to somewhat put my stuff in order to make it easier for tomorrow's packing when I realized I really should wash the pants I used yesterday because I don't want to pack it still moist and smelling like saltwater. So I headed straight to Tita's to wash two pairs of pants and hung out there while waiting for...whatever plans they come up with I guess.

Well, it's almost time for brunch and Dan has yet to finish his laundry and everybody else has yet to shower so I guess we'll be leaving later than sooner.

First stop: 333 steps

Finally, just before lunchtime, everyone was able to prepare for a road trip so courtesy of Albert's relatives, we headed straight for that place that has 333 steps. I enjoyed the ride as we were able to watch nice sceneries unfolding outside the aircontinous van. We even shot a video clip but since I can't find a proper video hosting site, it'll have to wait.

Yep, that's a jump shot atop a long flight of stairs. Thumbs up to Albert XD

Anyway, most of us trekked up the stairs in the middle of the afternoon so you could just imagine how hot the weather was. We're all sweating like crazy and we had to stop for short breaks just to catch our breath. Good thing the view from the top is worth it.

So of course my camera-loving companions didn't waste such a great opportunity for photo-ops and took loads of pics. Never mind that the heat was unbearable, right Dan? XD

And he's shocked his skin got totally sunburnt. I wonder why.

Next stop:

Come on in!

It was way past lunchtime when we got back home and we only had a few minutes to cool down before we head off to Pastor Rey's. Albert has already mentioned to us about him during our first day there but we had to reschedule the visit because of some things.

I was thinking it would be like a so-so visit and imagined we'd probably talk about ministry stuff while eating a proper lunch. Well, I was wrong on both counts but I actually wouldn't trade what happened even for a family-size pizza.

The church led by Pastor Rey is located inside an elementary school where he works as a teacher. He also mans the cafeteria and lives there onsite as well. He came off as very friendly and welcoming, partly because he offered us drinks and cupcakes right off the bat.

10 commandments paper

Church visit turned church cleanup


And though we're totally beat from all that work, thank God we still had energy to walk (halfway) back home while jamming to Christian songs.


I was already itching to get a shower but the guys were still leisurely not-packing their stuff for tomorrow. -_- I was already like, Guys let's get moving already. But no, it still took us around an hour before we arrived at the big house. That was after I had to remind Ron that he should have packed everything already and after I was obliged to fold Dan's just-dried clothes.

Thankfully, Albert's parents drove us to the big house. Before I got the chance to sit down to dinner though, I already sensed that monthly period coming so I hurried to the shower. I was just taking my time there without realizing they might have been waiting for me to finish. XD And I don't want to blame mood swings that usually comes with period or anything but I must admit I totally lost appetite and even the will to interact with people at that time. That's why after that long shower, I already dozed off in the living room.

Tobecontinued...

Our 'Epic' Journey to Oriental Mindoro: Day 3 - Oceans, Boats and Gospel

Them: "We're going swimming today!"  

Me: "Cool. I can walk along the beach and stare at the ocean all I want."

Woke up on the floor with the laptop and tablet still running. Wow, thank God I fell asleep right AFTER I've finished my work. Never mind that the tablet and the laptop (both borrowed, by the way) and my phone/WiFi were running the whole time I was asleep. 

I've just woken up and I wanted to go sleep again -_-  But because we have a plan for today, I have to wake myself up properly. Hit the showers then.

For the record: Guys, really, I didn't mind sleeping on the floor that night morning. (Honestly, I can fall asleep anywhere). I hope Albert no one felt guilty or something, because I was not mad at all. :))

To the plaza to see the Morions.

By the way, before we left for the beach, we dropped by the plaza first to check out the so-called Morions. They're basically people who dressed up in costumes

Our 'Epic' Journey to Oriental Mindoro: Day 2 - Rest(?)house

It's technically Day 2 already but we're still on our way to Albert's place so... :)) 

The Long Wait Continues

I don't know about the others but I was feeling really drained by this time. I couldn't help but think about my work because I was supposed to finish 3 more articles last night and I wasn't able to do that. I was literally just staring blankly. I didn't want to talk because: a.) I was starving and I'm trying to conserve energy; and b.) I honestly couldn't think of anything else but work. haha

They were all taking turns guarding our spot in the long queue and I was just there sitting and feeling miserable. Then I realized... this is not how I want it to end. I could do better than just mope around, forcing God to listen to me lament about my sorry state. I then stood up and walked around with one goal in mind: To look for a place to charge the tablet and phone WiFi. While walking, I was thinking how easy it would be to ask for permission to plug in an outlet once I see an office-like place. 

The first spot I noticed

Our 'Epic' Journey to Oriental Mindoro: Day 1 - A series of patience-tests

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

This was actually the second day. The second day I haven't slept properly because of work. (Not that I'm complaining; but still...) And to top it all off, I have to work while on the trip because I'm pretty sure the trip's not gonna be a short one (also because our CEO called for a conference this morning). 

It was not yet 9am and already I'm running low on steam. I have to figure out a way to open the tablet I borrowed (because the owner somehow forgot her password hehe) or else I won't have anything to use during the obligatory meeting. Between a spat at home, the password issue and the fact that they're already waiting for me at the bus stop, (needless to say) my nerves were fraying. Thank God they're all pumped up for the trip and were all in good spirits when I finally managed to arrived, hungry and 

Prologue: Our 'Epic' Journey to Oriental Mindoro

One time we were having dinner, I told them maybe we should all visit each of our hometown. You know, because I'd be leaving soon and I want to at least have a chance to visit their places. At first, I was half-joking. But since they all seemed excited at the idea, we already set a date for it: Holy Week. 

I suggested we should go to Albert's hometown as the main destination of our trip because it's far (haha). Of course we wanted to do it properly so we all agreed that each of us should pray for it (May Word ka na ba?) and pray for provision early on.

Initially, I had to chide Albert that we're serious about going to their home for the holiday so that he won't think we're just kidding when we said that. But eventually, the idea that we're all going to Mindoro for the holiday was set on our minds that whenever we're asked if we're doing something during the Holy Week, we'd say we'll be in Albert's place by then. #byfaith

The first time I prayed for it though was on March 2, haha. I asked God if He could perhaps allow all of us to go to Albert's during the Holy Week and to give us provisions for the whole trip. It was a request that we be allowed to go -- not just for fun though, but to also share the Gospel to Albert's family. I was surprised that I immediately got His Word about it: