Apple Of My Eye

Talk about gadgets. Our world is becoming more techy than in our past lives. Young ones nowadays know how to use cellphones and computers. We're living in a world that is so advance which makes some things easy for us to do. 

I grew up having my first cellular phone back in high school. Yes, I was kind of a late bloomer with this. I don't even know why my parents didn't gave me a phone when I was in 6th grade. I remember I was in 5th or 6th grade when cellphones became popular with everyone. And as I grew a little older, my dad first handed me his old phone and that was I think a Nokia 5210. See how phones now upgraded to the next level? From high school with just a Nokia phone, and went from college where almost every phone became in demand. Every cellphone companies upgraded those easy text keypad from qwerty phones until they came up to inventing touchscreen phones. Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, iPhone, Blackberry and HTC made history during my college years. But here in the Philippines, Cherry Mobile, MyPhone and O+ became popular for they offer cheaper yet good quality phones. Ipad and tablet were also invented which made life a little easier than using personal computers and laptops. Everything is just a hand carry away! 

But now that I've been on the working industry since I graduated back in 2011, gadgets are far more advance. Different applications on phones pop out from games, to camera or photography apps, even on how you edit photos, more social sites and ebooks. Everything just keeps getting better. You don't need to buy a dslr camera just to have that amazing shot or a fabulous photo. Camera phones took a step higher than before. A higher megapixel, a great view or object and a good lightning will give you the best photo you ever wanted.

If you are a fan of my blog (well I hope so), you might have read that I was wishing for a camera or even just a good quality camera phone for me to capture the special moments in my life. And finally (thank God), in my 6 months on my recent work, I got the chance to reward myself with a new baby! Been working really hard for this and yes, it's finally here in my hands! I want you to meet my iPhone5. Honestly, I am really not aware of what an iPhone5 have. I am not a techy person. What made me decide to get this is just because of it's camera. Was that a lame answer? Haha! I don't know. I just wanted to make my life easier that when I travel, I can capture moments easily with just my handy dandy iPhone5. No need to bring SLR or digital cameras. It goes straight to my social sites. So now you think it is more convenient to use? :) Yes! So here it is, my one month old baby iPhone5.

Got a white one

Photo is kinda blurry. Took this with a Samsung tablet.

Since it is one month old exactly yesterday, some apps on my app store need some upgrade.

The lovely sunset in La Union. My fave shot from my tablet.

Next photos were taken from my new phone. See how nice are they with no filter.

Good food from Il Padrino

See how clearer you see my face

A photo of my old phone with a throwback text from my last year's go-see with Goodyph

View of our flooded street just a week ago

At the House of Katsu, Yabu!

Starting to love Jamba Juice

The cheerful hues from Tous les Jours. Macarons!

The next ones were upgraded photos using Instagram and other applications.

J.Co's Cappuccino Chip

Baby donuts from J.Co again

Few of my favorite mean people haha

This is just love. You know how I love about capturing the food that I eat and even views that I see.

That's it. Photos are so important in my life so thus my new baby. I'll be blogging more often I think, since I now have my partner to blogging. 

Ending this blog with a new goal..

"Strives to capture the most photogenic food and views on Earth." 

xx

New Playground

Back in our younger years, the playground is one of the best place we kids would love spending our time on just to play and enjoy every single equipment it has. But as we grow older, we became aware that there are more attractions, tourist attractions everywhere were we can spend and have a break on our busy life. From Disneyland, Universal Studios around the world, even beaches on every country became playgrounds for the young at heart. 

Philippines indeed is blessed with such beautiful, amazing beaches. Tourists had been coming in and out of our country just to experience and enjoy the life here in the Philippines. The clear water, white sand beaches and different fun beach activities are the main attractions you'll find here. That has got to be the playground our country is really proud of. 

I once went in La Union when I was in grade school, but I wasn't still aware of what beauty it really has. Just when I get a little older, La Union beaches, specifically in Urbiztondo San Juan, there I became aware that their beaches are known for surfing. Aside from Baler in Aurora, San Juan La Union markets tourists to surf in their beaches. Small waves to high and bigger waves, surfers would really love going here. It became known as the Surfing Capital of the North. 

And as for our summer 2013 vacation, my friends decided on going to this playground. This is really new to me. Surfing was never on my bucket list. But as what they said, you will not go in La Union without even trying to surf because that is the main attraction, surfing. And so I did. I tried and really really enjoyed it. 

Here is a photo diary of my summer 2013 vacation in La Union.

Almost 5 hour ride from Pampanga to La Union, we decided first to have our lunch at Halo-Halo de Iloko. Found in San Fernando, La Union. They are best known for their halo-halo and local Ilocano cuisines. 

Ilocano's Sisig, Pinakbet and Bagnet. We also tried Binagoongang Baboy (not on the photo).

Hi! Meet my friends and our ever reliable driver.

And for dessert, their famous special Halo-Halo. There is this unusual taste of coffee jelly in this halo-halo and also tasted like it was blended with choco-nut.

It is actually a small house turned restaurant. The interior is pretty awesome specially when you go here during night time.

Surely a must try at San Fernando, La Union. Magpasarap ka muna!

Our home for 3 days. Costa Villa Beach Resort found in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union.

Since we had our check-in around 3 in the afternoon, and yes was late actually, it was suppose to be at 2pm, we decided first to go back again in San Fernando to have our grocery shopping since we didn't have any food for 3 days. With us was all just clothes and some snack during our travel to La Union.

We went back at the villa at around 5 and decided to go at the beach for us to experience San Juan, La Union's sunset.

Such a beautiful heaven.

A view of our resort.

Waiting for the sun to go down.

Annoying faces from La Union! Haha

Selfies.

Never go a day without seeing San Juan's beautiful sunset. 

Second day. The most productive day of our travel.

We had our trip at San Gabriel were they told us that we'll find there a hidden falls. This falls is called Tangadan Falls which is an Ilocano word meaning "tingin sa taas". We had a short brief regarding this falls that to be able to see and go there, you must be willing to walk for like an hour or more. And so we agreed and told them that we can do that.

First view of our walk.

Walking from small rocks to climbing on big rocks.

Looks pretty haggard right here haha!

The sun is up and bright and hooooot!

Oh sweat. A total outdoor work out. No need to hit the gym. Btw, thanks Sunnies by Charlie! You are indeed a great sun protector to my eyes and Beach Hut's Max, Belo and Nivea for our sunblock! :)

Walk on the water.

And after more than an hour, I can see the falls!

Finally! Hello Tangadan Falls!

From my colorful outfit, yes I did it! I finally got there!

This is the first time I saw a falls. And it is so breathtaking to see this kind of view.

Above that falls, there you will find a smaller falls. My friends decided to jump of the cliff and I was not included there. Too scared to fall like love haha kidding. I was just too scared that I might drown. The water was kinda too deep and I even don't know how to swim. I don't swim well, poor me.

The brave souls!

And there it ended our trip to the falls. Now, a walk back to our van. A one hour walk again. That was just really the tiring part of it. And here is a tip, when you and your friends decided to go to Tangadan Falls, never ever forget to bring loads of water and snacks. You surely gonna give up without these food.

Here is a photo of what I wore in going to Tangadan falls. My ombre shorts just gave up! That long walk of ups and downs made my shorts tear apart and it's color also faded. Thank God I wore my bikinis back then, it wasn't so awkward that everyone could see my behind. 

Could you imagine, we weren't able to eat our lunch because of that trip to the falls. We only had our breakfast and went back at the villa at around 4:30 in the afternoon. Since there was a lack of time and we were scheduled to have our surfing class on that sunday afternoon, we decided to eat our late lunch slash snack slash early dinner at Sebay Surf Central. It is also a resort that is near to San Juan Surf Resort and Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa.

My summer essentials plus my handy dandy old phone.

The food took a little while before it was served so we decided to already start the surfing tutorial. 

Sunset, again.

Beginner

Okay let's do this! Surfing 101.

Blurry photo

Surfing like a pro

Ess with Atoy, one of the surfing instructors.

It took me a little while before I realize that my face and skin turned red and tan. Oh Mr. Sun!

We were like kids playing with our shadows.

Surfing was too fun that we didn't even bother eating our food. 

Funny faces. Dinner time!

Surely it was a productive day for all of us. Since that night, I came to realize that I wanted to learn more about this surfing thing. I wanna take it seriously. And by that, I made friends with our instructors and made a deal that I'll come back to San Juan and will take more time on learning more about this sport. Push!!!

Third and last day.

I made a promise that since I saw what sunset looked like in San Juan, I must not skip on seeing it's sunrise too. I set the alarm at 5 in the morning for us to experience San Juan, La Union's sunrise.

A different view. Waiting for the sun to come out.

Sunlight on my face. Morning face.

Good morning from La Union!

A peaceful and quiet view of the resort in the morning.

Since there are no people at the beach that morning, Page and I took the opportunity to have my fun shoot. 

Here are some of the edited ones via Instagram:

I just love this photo. Thank you, Page!

We took a walk along the beach side and found out this beautiful rest house by the beach. I could just imagine how your morning would look like when you see the sunset of San Juan.

Page, Ess and I and our driver grabbed the chance while the three were still asleep and decided on going back to Sebay Surf Central to meet our two friendly surfing instructors, Atoy and Allan. I asked for a little help from them if they could take us to San Juan Surf Shop and look for some souvenir items.

Too bad they don't have small sizes of their shirts.

The famous Luke Landrigan's photos

Bought a baller band as my souvenir. Say hello to my tan lines!

Atoy and Allan insisted us to try the paddle board or kayak before we leave and because of their convincing powers, we said yes. We tried kayak that morning.

There we met Alon. The dog swimmer. He's a well trained dog.

We went back at the villa at lunch time and took the shower and packed back our things.

It was a great, epic and awesome adventure for me. Exploring La Union was really fun and memorable. From their food, to their hospitality and the beach, this surely is a place to come back. October to April is the best season when going there. Got to try surfing on higher waves. Yeah, push a little harder!

Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union is my new playground. Surfing is my new love. 

La Union Summer 2013