Weekend Adventures!

So I've been thinking about the things I've been doing these past few months and I realize that they've been very eventful--almost every weekend since November 2011, I've been doing something new or something that I find interesting and I'd really like for that trend to continue throughout the rest of 2012.

November 2011 up until the present, so far I've: gone on a date with someone I found interesting (that turned out very well, huh Keav? hahaha), explored Intramuros (with Ms. Asha Singh), gone shopping in Quiapo (I miss you Net), commuted to Quezon City, been to a ball (many thanks again to Angie Co for that splendid event), kissed on top of a roof top (40 stories high), had a picnic, been to four cities (San Juan, Pasig, Taguig, Makati) in one night (thanks Joy, Trish & Marz), been to the Zambales, gone back to Baguio where we drank at this place along session road that is an open-air pub with no door, gotten Tonsillitis, loitered around Taft past midnight (with Keav + the Valdes brothers) and ridden more trains than I ever have in my life (Cubao, Recto, V. Mapa, J. Ruiz, Santolan)--that's saying something because I am not very comfortable on trains. Furthermore, I met a whole lot of interesting people (very nice to meet you all).

Anyway, I thought I'd make a list of other things that I want to do these next few (summer) months:

1.) Go back to Corregidor.
When I was a freshman in college, we had a field trip to Corregidor for our Political Science class and it's a very beautiful place. We stayed over night at the Corregidor Inn and we went on the very interesting tours of the tunnels and the different ruins from World War II. However, what I didn't get enough of was staying at this one place (I forgot what it's called) and star-gazing; it was really nice because I could smell the sea from there and hear the waves lapping against the shore but we had to go because we had to be back at the inn by 10 pm, I think. Anyway. Yeah, I'd really like to go back and explore the island on a less rushed schedule.

2.) Go back to Puerto Galera.
I went to Galera for the first time June of last year; it was our company's outing and I went with my brothers and officemates. We commuted there; there's a bus terminal for buses that go to the Batangas pier right beside our office and it was a very easy commute: bus to the pier, boat to Galera. The beach itself isn't anything extraordinary but what I love about Puerto Galera is the atmosphere--very cozy because everything is so close together. My brothers and I drank at 12 noon at this outdoor bar and it was very, very fun. We also discovered this place that serves the most delicious pizza. Plus, the accommodations aren't bad: a room for 4 goes for around 3,000 to 3,500/night depending on the season. So yeah, I really want to go back. Although I suppose I'll need to save up money for this and I want to go during off-season so it's not too crowded so hopefully before June (midyear) that'll happen.

3.) Go to Mt. Banahaw.
Alright, so this is another revisitation: I went here on an Anthropology field trip in my freshman year as well. But it was really, really fun. We hiked up Mt. Calvary (no joke) for about 2 hours and I remember reaching the top was one of the best feelings ever. Also, we were made to swim in this river that was the healing and cleansing river--it washed away your sins and sickness, supposedly; my ear infection cleared up right after. I feel like I would appreciate it better now, the meditative atmosphere of the place.

4.) Spend a week in Tarlac.
Despite the fact that my parents are from Tarlac and a big chunk of my childhood was spent in our farm there, I've never actually stayed there for less than a weekend. And always, I've stayed with my family. Hopefully, they'll allow me to stay at the farm with a couple of friends and just commute my way around or be dropped off and left there. While Tarlac is for the most part, a sleepy town, it still has its charms and the food is always delicious. Quite excited for this, actually.

5.) Visit the Buddhist Temple near Taft.
If I'm not mistaken this is on Roxas Blvd. or on the way to Roxas. Got this idea from Chris (Sum)'s blog entry actually. Check it out here; I think he explains it better than I can.

6.) Go to the National Museum.
Never been, not kidding.

7.) Have a picnic in Paco Park.
This was something that I was supposed to do with Trizha a couple of terms (over a year, I think) ago but it never pushed through either because the weather wasn't right or because we didn't have the same schedules.

8.) Get a full 8-hours worth of sleep.
This might seem a bit off, considering we're talking about adventures but I have a bit of an insomnia problem and it is definitely something new for me to sleep well, moreover to sleep for a long period of time.

9.) Go back to Manong Taho in the Espana area.
I was introduced to this place by Angie, my friend who studies in UST. The ambiance of the place is wonderful; they have rooftop lounge area that has a lot of warm twinkle lights. Plus, they have the best-tasting taho/coffee and a wide selection of unique-flavored drinks. But when we went the last time I was sick--coming down with a fever and had a bad case of sore throat--so I'd really like to go again and really experience everything, for reals.

10.) Go skinny dipping in the ocean.
Alright, so this one is a bit risque (not to mention generic) and not the most practical idea ever but I'd like to try that. At night, preferably. It seems to offer a nice kind of freedom. Think about that--when we take a bath or a shower, we're always naked but how many times do you swim without clothing on? :))

Anyway, that's my list for now.