A tenure of more than two years will soon come to a finish this Friday. Let's go backward to two years ago, shall we? During the hiring process, I clearly recall telling my interviewer, now team leader, that I would stay for only 24 months. I didn't think before answering the question, to be honest.
2017 - Two years and five months later here I am! This is my second job and never did it occur to me that it would be this difficult to let go of my colleagues turned really good friends and my students. I have learned many things (not related to grammar!). Within this span of time, I took the opportunity to develop myself professionally and did what I didn't get the opportunity to do while in hospital -- travel.
Change can be a difficult thing to welcome. We always have the choice to stay and dwell in a bed of roses..or take the opposite route. I opted for the latter because in the long run, it is going to help me grow. I believe in always giving things a try rather than regret not taking the chance. You know what they say, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
There is, undeniably, nothing wrong with living in the moment so long as you know where you are heading. Don't get stuck in one place. There will be many humps on the already rough road ahead but hey, the journey makes it worthwhile. Enjoy it!
2017 - Two years and five months later here I am! This is my second job and never did it occur to me that it would be this difficult to let go of my colleagues turned really good friends and my students. I have learned many things (not related to grammar!). Within this span of time, I took the opportunity to develop myself professionally and did what I didn't get the opportunity to do while in hospital -- travel.
Change can be a difficult thing to welcome. We always have the choice to stay and dwell in a bed of roses..or take the opposite route. I opted for the latter because in the long run, it is going to help me grow. I believe in always giving things a try rather than regret not taking the chance. You know what they say, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
There is, undeniably, nothing wrong with living in the moment so long as you know where you are heading. Don't get stuck in one place. There will be many humps on the already rough road ahead but hey, the journey makes it worthwhile. Enjoy it!
team lip liner ☕
pungko pungko
team HASULA ☕
bala eh.
10th floor skimpy
✈
Michelle
It's not everyday I get to take a selfie with a Yak!
Guess where this place is?
Write ups soon!
✈
Hello everyone! I just got back from an amazing trip in India. It is, indeed, a must-see place if you want to fully experience a culture that's totally different from ours.
Applying and getting an Indian Visa isn't that hard but you have to really set a schedule for it like we did. Here are some things you need to know first:
1. You can only apply for an Indian Visa in Makati. I don't know if travel agencies cater to this but this office (BLS International) is the only one authorized by the Indian Embassy.
2. E-VOA (Visa On Arrival) so far is not available for us Filipinos. You might read forums stating that it is possible. Apparently, I e-mailed the Indian Embassy about it and it's not.
3. You have to apply two to three weeks prior to traveling.
And did we already pay for the tickets before applying:? Yes (because it was a promo fare) and it was a risk we didn't really mind taking.
1. Go to http://www.blsindiavisa-ph.com/ and on the left pane you can see Online Visa Application and Visa Categories. Click on the link to be redirected to the application page. Click here for the requirements.
2. In the application page (Indian Visa Online), click Regular Visa Application. Fill in the details and click continue.
3. Prepare your photo because you will need to upload it in the last part of the application. BUT don't worry if you can't finish it in one sitting. You can save your details anyway. Remember to take note of your application number as you will input it later on.
4. Photo specs are found on the requirements page. Oh, and they need glossy photo paper! We had to get our photo taken twice because of this.
5. Finish everything, upload your picture and print the form.
6. Visa fee is PhP 2,210.00 Click here for a list of the corresponding fees.
Note: You need to bring extra photos because they'll be asking for some upon application. You also must fill in a form from the front desk. Funny thing, we were in serious business attire thinking it would be that serious while everyone else was in semi-formal clothes. LOL
SCHEDULE:
BLS Visa International accepts walk in applicants so long as you fit the time frame before traveling (2-3 weeks). Click here to contact them.
Since we are from Cebu, we had to book a flight and hotel (yes, that much effort). Ah, the things your do to satisfy your wanderlust, right?
You have the option to do pick-up or have your visa mailed via 2Go. Of course, we chose the latter. It took less than two weeks! We only had to pay a minimal fee for it. Processing time is four to six working days. Not so bad.
It's not that much of a hassle but really learn to set a schedule because they don't accept applications months prior. It has to be weeks. Three weeks is fine.
So yeah, that's about all of it. Good luck and enjoy enchanting India. It's going to be a one-of-a-kind experience for you!
Applying and getting an Indian Visa isn't that hard but you have to really set a schedule for it like we did. Here are some things you need to know first:
1. You can only apply for an Indian Visa in Makati. I don't know if travel agencies cater to this but this office (BLS International) is the only one authorized by the Indian Embassy.
2. E-VOA (Visa On Arrival) so far is not available for us Filipinos. You might read forums stating that it is possible. Apparently, I e-mailed the Indian Embassy about it and it's not.
3. You have to apply two to three weeks prior to traveling.
And did we already pay for the tickets before applying:? Yes (because it was a promo fare) and it was a risk we didn't really mind taking.
So with that being said, here's how you can get that mere sticker in your passport:
1. Go to http://www.blsindiavisa-ph.com/ and on the left pane you can see Online Visa Application and Visa Categories. Click on the link to be redirected to the application page. Click here for the requirements.
2. In the application page (Indian Visa Online), click Regular Visa Application. Fill in the details and click continue.
3. Prepare your photo because you will need to upload it in the last part of the application. BUT don't worry if you can't finish it in one sitting. You can save your details anyway. Remember to take note of your application number as you will input it later on.
4. Photo specs are found on the requirements page. Oh, and they need glossy photo paper! We had to get our photo taken twice because of this.
5. Finish everything, upload your picture and print the form.
6. Visa fee is PhP 2,210.00 Click here for a list of the corresponding fees.
Note: You need to bring extra photos because they'll be asking for some upon application. You also must fill in a form from the front desk. Funny thing, we were in serious business attire thinking it would be that serious while everyone else was in semi-formal clothes. LOL
SCHEDULE:
BLS Visa International accepts walk in applicants so long as you fit the time frame before traveling (2-3 weeks). Click here to contact them.
Since we are from Cebu, we had to book a flight and hotel (yes, that much effort). Ah, the things your do to satisfy your wanderlust, right?
You have the option to do pick-up or have your visa mailed via 2Go. Of course, we chose the latter. It took less than two weeks! We only had to pay a minimal fee for it. Processing time is four to six working days. Not so bad.
It's not that much of a hassle but really learn to set a schedule because they don't accept applications months prior. It has to be weeks. Three weeks is fine.
So yeah, that's about all of it. Good luck and enjoy enchanting India. It's going to be a one-of-a-kind experience for you!
Yep, it took us months and months of planning, booking, re-booking and more.
Lawrence. ♡
xx,
Michelle ♡
Pit Senyor from all of us!
This is our annual Sinulog photo.
I took two tabs of B vitamins today. My energy is just exploding and my fingers are shaking! It's nothing new, really. Some days I just need a quick lift and this is one of those ....days. It's been approximately 120 hours since I ran 21 kilometers. My body has recovered and the soreness is gone. I did a recovery run earlier this week, too!
I have come a conclusion that building muscle does help in running. It's not only all fancy schmancy. My core has gotten so crappy. The last time I did power yoga my flabs went hay wire but good thing I was still able to do a tripod headstand. I guess I still have it in me...flexibility though, back to zero.
Before flying out to India, I will be juggling workouts at home with running. I need to because I'll be taking a week off. Probably I will be doing some simple workouts there but we'll see. Catch y'all laterssss!
Happy Friday everyone! Pit Senyor!
It's Sinulog weekend already!
photo courtesy of Google (Paul Gotiong)
xx,
Michelle
Shoes, singlet, socks, race bib, cap ---- all not ready! Last Saturday, January 7, we slept at Lawrence's and I was really unprepared for the marathon. Mind you, I got sick days prior and ran a total of 11 kilometers the whole freaking week. I know I should have been tapering mileage but I got sick, like really sick, and it was so impossible to push myself into training again. So I left it all to prayer. Heehee
Assembly time was 3:00 a.m. and we had to rush home for me to prepare and wow, it was the second day of my period! Perfect timing, right?
But you know what Regina Brett says:
So, with my race bib attached and an extra tampon on hand, I simply ran.
Ready!
Sweatyyyy!
photo by: Lawrence Lim
The first 8 kilometers was easy as pie but when upon reaching the foot of the bridge, I could feel my gut churning already. Heading back, I thought, "what the hell did I get myself into?"
Feeling the Sinulog spirit!
photo by: Lawrence Lim
With loud cheers and the 60-40 rule in mind, I kept straight on. It wasn't really 60-40, it was more of 80-20...and I was on the verge of finishing what's left of my 20.
21 km route
Actually, well as you know, the goal was to finish. It wasn't really for me, I aimed to finish because Lawrence "sponsored" this run. I wasn't supposed to join as I was scrimping at the time of registration (last October). And I did appreciate the support, not only in training but for my passion in running.
I crossed the finish line with a painful butt and back...not to mention, stress diarrhea afterwards. LOL Should I say hurray? I made it! The first thing I did was give the medal to the person who gave me the push and inspiration to finish it all. The excruciating pain, mentally and physically, is unforgettable but it makes the whole process worth remembering. Let's just say that it's the good kind of pain...the kind that makes you stronger.
Pit Senyor!
photo by: Lawrence Lim
Hello!
Mango <3
Surviiiive! And it's only January...I've got the whole year ahead of me. It has come off to a good start. I hope yours was as good as mine!
photo by: Lawrence Lim
Cheers to more achievements!
Michelle
I beat my time last year...by a minute. LOL (I'll do better next year! I promise!)
Staying in shape has always been a huge part of my life. My earliest memory of working out was when I was in elementary. My mother, who was a flight attendant then, would bust a sweat to Jane Fonda's cardio and toning routine.
In high school, I skipped the exercise and literally starved myself skinny. Sad to say but social media was one of the major reasons why I did that and it was just plain ridiculous. It made me look "nice" for a while (I thought) and my hair started falling off easily and I didn't have enough energy to study even and my grades went downhill.
Good thing I managed to get back on my feet and made a complete diet overhaul. In the last year of college I was already doing weights. It gave me the lift I needed after a long stretch of unhealthy lifestyle. I continued to do the same thing for a year and eventually, like any routine, got bored with it.
I got into running and yoga in 2011. I love the sense of freedom I get whenever I run. It's different from the other kinds of workouts I've tried. I practiced and taught yoga (not officially though) for two years but I didn't like being obligated to teach because some days, I felt like I was forcing myself to go to the studio even though I didn't want to. Absences then became constant and I just simply stopped. I went AWOL. There was no peace whatsoever in the savasana!( `뵫 )
happy yoga days! Back in 2013?
with friends :)
After doing total body workout with Ate Erwina (she's a yoga teacher, too)
The solution to keep boredom from steeping in was to do various workouts. After our Thailand trip, I told myself to take the whole thing seriously and to not be afraid to try. We all have the impression that doing weights would make our bodies bulge up like that of a body builder's. WRONG. Lawrence taught me how to lift weights properly. Just enough to boost my metabolism and increase bone density. It actually works! So, my weekly workouts now consists of weight lifting, a lot of running and yoga. I'm thinking about doing boxing soon!
It's only the start of 2017, time to set goals (or more goals) and conquer! Don't stop, keep moving forward. It's okay to slow down, just DO.NOT.STOP.
First Marathon ever. :)
Cheers to health!
Michelle
Check out Lawrence's vlog about Bali, Indonesia. <3
working on it :D
