What Michelle Does

Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm a nurse with a bad case of wanderlust.
Caffeine is my life extension.
I believe that living a life within the comfort zone is deadly.
Routine is a slow killer.
Currently searching for work that doesn't require sticking to a 9-5.
Passionate about running, travel, nature, animals and the environment.
An online activist for Greenpeace, spreading awareness for all things important.
Learning about different cultures through teaching and travel.
I've destroyed about five pairs of running shoes in my 26 years of existence.
I'm at 980 kilometers now ...and counting.
Stepping up my game every chance I get.

RN, 2010
TEFL, 2015

     Philippines. 7,107 islands. Each place unique. Each experience distinct.

     Cagayan de Oro lies in the Northern part of Mindanao, the Philippines' second largest island group. There are two ways to get to CDO from Cebu. The first (and the easiest way) is by plane (Air Asia, PAL, Cebu Pacific). From MCIA you will reach Cagayan de Oro Airport in less than an hour. Second way is by boat. From Cebu City Pier  7 you leave at 7:00 PM and will reach CDO at 6:00 AM.

     It was my first time to get back on the plane after a decade. I had a minor fear of heights but after that experience, I naturally overcame it. My boyfriend is from sunny CDO but I was more thrilled than he was. His family greeted us with all smiles and delight. As we drove towards LKK, the traffic lights surprised me because they had countdown timers below. Another first for me! The city didn't have much clutter on the streets like what we have in Cebu. We had breakfast at The Pancake House in Lim Ket Kai Mall, which somewhat reminded me of Del Amo Mall in Torrance, CA. It wasn't that big though. Breakfast was finally served. Omelettes, pancakes, coffee. Great company, great food. We make an adventure out of everything. (laughs)

     The alarm clamorously rang before the lazy sunrise. I hurriedly showered and readied myself as Lawrence was going to pick me up in a few minutes and we would head to South Bus Terminal to catch the first ride to Lilo-an, Santander (South of Cebu). This trip we planned for so long and finally we were heading to Siquijor. The arcane place was said to inhabit witches that would cast spells on you if you ever irked them. Really? Well, that was a common notion. We had yet to see with our own eyes if this was true.

     The bus ride from Cebu to Liloan took almost three hours and that was ample time for us to recharge ourselves for the rousing day ahead. It was around six thirty in the morning when we reached Liloan. A short pee break before we rode on a fastcraft to Sibulan, Dumaguete City. Dumaguete is a province of Negros Oriental. To get there it takes around 30 minutes to about an hour depending on what boat you are on. The sun shone bright when we reached the Land of mouth watering Sylvannas! The boat to Siquijor left just as we reached the port. Too excited to be in disappointment, we went to McDonald's to have breakfast. Our empty bellies and hunger pangs were becoming a distraction. With sweat quickly sliding down our foreheads, we entered the fast food resto and the cold air embraced us. (Lami-a sa aircon!) Ah yes, breakfast never tasted that good. When you're a hungry cow, everything you probably tastes like the best dish ever!

     The first thing that pops in my actively imaginative mind when my hear about Manila is...grim, traffic, and duping taxi drivers. So when we went on quite an unforeseen business trip to the metro, I wasn't too excited for it but I pinned my hopes for the best, always! 

     Our flight was at 4:30 in the morning. We booked tickets and a room a week before. It wasn't entirely a vacation as we were set to go back to Cebu the next day. We landed before 6:00 a.m at NAIA Terminal 3. NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) T3 was way different from the last one in terms of size and cleanliness. Terminals 1 and 2 were a little congested. T3 was capacious and clean as a whistle.

     We were not in favor of riding a taxi (ala budget traveling style) so we took the bus. Lawrence suggested we visit Baclaran church before breakfast. I felt thrilled because it was going to be my first time visiting such place. My mother often talked about this olden church when I was a kid. The bus stopped just outside the airport and we paid a fare of P20.00 each. Not bad! It was still early but the traffic already started building up the wide and long highway of Pasay city. The driver dropped us off at Baclaran and we went inside the church that was reminiscent of old Spanish architecture. Walls were painted dirty white and corners in hues of dark brown. You could see birds comforably laying in their respective nests, their sound echoing inside. People were kneeling down, sarcosanctly praying. It was all so solemn. We lit candles outside and said our wishes. Then we headed on. Just a few blocks beside the church were some restaurants and since it was only 6:00 a.m all were closed except for Jollibee. After breakfast we went to CCP, I stayed there 'til noon time. The heat was high on!

     Weekends are very much awaited especially if one has had a high pressure and rough week. The busy-week aftermath usually compels me to just sit back and take a few moments to breathe! In this case, for as long as I wish. Saturdays and Sundays mean no dirty, ink-stained fingers, no lessons to prepare, no waking up early and no rushing to finish my jolting cup of joe. In a nutshell, the weekend defines relaxation.

     Resting at the corner of E-Park Building in Talamban is Oxford Brewing Co. This secluded and nonchalant cafe is the perfect place to do away from the tumult of the city. It is far enough from the main road to give you that coffee ambience feel but not very distant so you can easily spot it the moment you pass by.