Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts

Saturday, December 13

What's in my travel bag

yes, i decided to join the bandwagon of bloggers doing a post about what is in their bag.
so am doing my own version.
i have non of those LV bags, expensive organizers and gigantic make up kits that i travel with...but
if you have traveled with me, you know it's not easy at it always involves a lot of trouble with my luggage.

So here is what's in my travel bag 

From Left to Right (Back Row) Kites TS15m, TS12m, TS9m, TS7m
Best Kiteboarding Bar and Harness
Best Kiteboarding Hand Pump for SUP(yellow) & for Kite (Red)
(Front Row) Wetsuits: Roxy Syncro 4/3mm, Roxy Syncro 3/2mm, Roxy 2mm Shorty, Rainbow Tutu 
(Staple)
On me: Roxy Pop Surf Neoprene 2pc Bikini, Leech Eyewear in London (casual), sitting on a JadeYoga Cork Mat
(Front Row) Boards: Kiteboarding 4 Girls 130 TwinTip, Kitesurf 5.6 Shifty Pro, Stand Up Paddle Board +Paddle 10.3

Check out these awesome products available at
http://www.bestkiteboarding.com/
http://www.leecheyewear.com/
http://www.roxy.com/

LENS: Pierre Vogel

Monday, January 27

Learning to Fail and Ride again

-Jan 23

I gave up,
As simple as that,
For the first time, in my entire life I gave up in the middle of a competition heat.
Ok maybe 2nd time, the first time was when I cannot catch my breath anymore in a
800m breast stroke race for competitive swimming when I was like 13 or something.
But ye, in my whole time competing for 2 seasons in kiteboarding, I gave up in the last minute of my heat.

The day before, “D Day” I gave up I had an accident involving the buoy again (which by the way happens in every single kitesurfing competition I joined, ever) I really don’t know what’s up with me, and getting tangled into buoys. This time it was different, the spot here in Indonesia was a bit of a challenge for everyone, strong currents and a really nasty shore break. I do love waves, especially with an inward current to help you get that extra push to ride a surfboard easier, but not when your 20meter lines are tangled with a buoy, and kite crashing on the shore break, kite lines around your body and in my bindings which made it very challenging for me to get those lines out of my body, after a few tears and maybe a liter of sea water down my throat I managed to get out of the situation and get my board out of my feet, I was safe back in the bay.
Whew. Talk about luck eh?
But I guess, what I had was nothing; compared to my roommate Bitna from Korea who was accidently on the way of a flying fish while she was practicing for the races, the fish went straight to her leg, causing a big hole that needed to be stitched, and to my fellow Filipino teammate Jay who got caught in one of the bigger waves outside the reef, his kite ripped apart and got caught in a strong rip current, the rescue took awhile to get to him because of the huge waves and shallow reef.

Thank god, everyone made it out safe.
There were a few more incidents that really scared the shit out of us

Including another tangling incident outside the reef and some alleged shark sightings from one of the racers.

Whew, Indonesia is truly exotic especially out at sea, being notorious for its awesome surf and also dangerous at that.

It did make me think again,
Just like the Philippines, mother nature resides in the most untouched of places around the world, with all her beauty and Wrath.

So going back to my D Day, that night (last night) I was dreaming about waves, but not the good kind, waves swallowing me in and not spitting me out.

Today, I had my last heat and when I crashed my kite with a Railey to blind attempt, what seemed to be a repeat performance from yesterday’s incident, I just said, fuck that am going in.

When I managed to get my kite up (thankfully!) I just went straight to the bay, I was not feeling it anymore, I was just scared.

I felt bad about myself for giving up but hey, we have to know our limits especially if it involves being in danger in nature’s arms.

The rest of the day I just spent listening to music, launched and landed kites for the team and at the same time packed my board bag so I can bring it back to Agro Beach Resort.

Like any other sport or activity I’ve done in the past, I fuckt it up so many times.
Some were even serious like dislocating my shoulder, getting a concussion, almost landing on the trees, things like these , but the moment these things happen I just wait it out for a bit (cry a little, for being a wimp and a whiney little girl, and being stupid sometimes) but of course always ready to just brush it all off and go again.

It is also easy for me to get scared to try new stuff when I get into a really bad crash, so I knew I had to go back and go out kiting again to keep the fear away.
Also, I had to do it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE or it would really be a difficult mental battle in the future, if I waited it out too long.


I was so keen to go back to Agro Beach Resort Right away for a sunset session to end my horrible day, nothing beats going out there on your own, no competition involved but just having fun for yourself and giving it the best you’ve got at nobody’s clock, which is what all this is about.

What I truly love about this sport is it’s some sort of religion you can do on your own (some soul searching) and also go radical on do some crazy tricks if you wish (to get some aggression out at some point). Either way, it’s perfect.

This trip has proved me two errrr three things.

1.     I don’t like racing. – because of the protests and you see people lying on their faces just to keep their winnings.
2.     I have a serious case of stage fright
3.     That I function worst when I drink instant coffee.

So what is the whole point of this whole two page article am writing?

Nothing much - just to share an experience; an experience that I am very proud to have gotten over. If you ask me, and a few other people that follow the Asian tour as well; they would say, I am very unlucky on competitions, I rarely win and usually needed rescuing, but am still here. Trying my luck and testing my limits, my patience, my character which I think most of us should do, just for some kicks, laughs, new lessons to learn, a battle with yourself, and to keep our feet on the ground; a constant reminder that in competitions, winning is not everything.  J

Kiteboarding, or boardsports in general has opened doors for me to be able to travel and meet new and amazing people from all around the world. Especially other girls.that rip, like estefania from Brazil who always helps me with me riding, she is so amazing and graceful out on her kite, and in this event I was able to ride with her in a heat which was super fun to be part of. Hihihi 

I am stoked on this opportunity that landed on my lap, on a random day. The day I started riding a board 

PS: Don’t forget to enjoy, have fun, explore, take lots and lots of photos and keep memories on your travels 

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Saturday, September 7

Rise of the Neo-Bourgeoise


In one of the discussions about decisions and opportunities, my yoga mentor and “2nd mom”, Louise, told me in a sarcastic tone “it’s hard to be young, you have so many choices, so many opportunities that you don’t know what to do and where to go.”

And that is completely true.
Have you ever wondered what would have been, if you made that other choice?
What would be your life be like?

Well, I am not saying that I am not contented with what I have chosen, I am completely happy with where I am now but just to give a try and to create some sort of discussion with my brain, as I always do.


My two-week break after an intense summer season of kiteboarding in Greece has brought me to the City of Love, Paris.

Paris?
Why did I choose to go to Paris?

It’s been the hardest summer away from home I’ve ever had, I must admit. It was a struggle for me. But Alas, I’ve made it through in one piece, thank god! Now, it’s time to rest and start fresh again. (PS: love your body, you only have one)
In most, if not all my yoga practices, I’ve been wishing in my intentions for a sign, a sign to help me decide on where to go to take this much needed rest.

Find your Balance. Hold your Ground.
(not really much of a sign, but a clue on what my soul needs right now in order to regenerate and prepare me for what I think is the busiest upcoming season in Asia).



A bit of History.


My Aunt, The youngest amongst my mom’s siblings, resides in Paris.
I remember when I was young I would look up to her. My mom would show photos of her in her travels and performances.
Her story is like a fairytale, she is this graceful, beautiful dancer traveling the world with her art (dance) and finally residing in Paris, fell in love and got married and now a mother of 2 beautiful girls, running a family owned restaurant at the heart of the city.

Being born from a family of artists, dancers and “amateur” beauty queens, my parents, particularly my mom made sure (being the only girl amongst four children) that I was on same track. I was juggling classical ballet, piano lessons, ballroom dancing classes, theatre arts, painting, etiquette classes and even an interactive computer course on basic French for kids, plus of course school.

After university, I was determined to go to Paris, go to arts school and be everything that I always dreamed to be when I was 7 years old.

But things change, we change, i changed. i cannot imagine myself living away from the beach, it was just to hard to be away from the ocean. 


My childhood best friend shared the same sentiments, we were inseparable and always up to no good, dreaming about stars, theatre, dance and fashion A LOT!
Her name is Adrienne, she is now living in Paris studying fashion design. 


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Although I was groomed to be a prim and proper young lady, I loved playing in the streets. Skating, Biking, Roller Hockey, all these fun activities that only boys were playing at that time. (I was still one of those lucky kids who played in the streets, climbing trees and jumping cliffs instead of playing Wii.)

Looking back, or even until now, am sure my mom disapproves of most if not all of the activities that I do, which do not fit into the category of Lady-Like, but now she is just left to accept what her little ballet princess has become.  – I hope she still likes the fact that I often wear a rainbow ballet tutu when am out to have some fun kiteboarding. Right mom? 

I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO THANK MY MOM, with all the hard work she has done to make sure i grew with all these knowledge behind me. Oh Believe me it was not an easy job to raise me. LOL

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As much as I know I do not need to justify my career of choice to anybody, I would like to share with you what kiting brings to me - in my own sense of the world around me. it gives me so much inspiration .

Kiteboarding, which I truly believe is my own interpretation of Dance, an expression of my soul the way I know how, within the elements where I think I truly belong and that is wind, water and a board 



I loved the fact that i came to paris at this time, it was destined to be so i believe for me to be here at this state of soul, heart and mind. With openess to the world but also knowing what and who you want to be in the next few years.
thank you universe 
Namaste <3 font="">


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So before setting out to this small city adventure
I’ve set out a few goals for me to do.


The goal of this trip is to revisit my childhood dreams for a 2 weeks.

To rest my body to prepare for a good season back in Asia.

To visit my family and feel like a kid again.
(since I was in the worst homesick-ish state i’ve EVER been)

To visit some friends, particularly Adrienne 



To get some inspiration for the mind and soul.
(PS: don’t forget to exercise your mind as well)

To Skydive.

To go back to learning French
(I got stuck in learning about fruits when I was young)

Finish my workbooks
(its always books before boys J) LOL


Gain a few kilos to at least not look unhealthy-thin
(although now I think I have to loose 1 kilo again)



--


On my first day out in Paris with my auntie,
Clad in her classic Balenciaga demeanor, she gave me a look from head to toe with
what she believes is a tacky taste in color combination and prints that resides in my outfit for the day.
Are you a hippie? She said.

Wednesday, July 17

D.E.A.R. Time

When i was in the exclusive school for girls, yes i went to an exclusive school run by german nuns. Probably one of the best and strict schools in the Philippines, we had this thing called DEAR time which stands for Drop Everything and Read. A lot of my classmates hated it, but i loved it! it is a great way to keep us reading and learning.

This summer in greece i am spending a LOT of time Studying for some projects am gonna run for the next season in Asia. To tell you the truth i am a bit anxious about it as it is a big responsibility which i think i am not ready for. But am also very excited about it, a big challenge! So am spending this nice sunny summer kiting and studying. As much as i want to go back to a proper university to finish my masters i would be choosing between school-future- and my sport/lifestyle. Which is a big no-no.So am taking small bits of everything right here in Greece. My days are filled with boring theory books, and some funny ones of course to keep my mind iterested, yoga, training, kiting and as usual taking beautiful photos in picturesque Greece. It may be boring to most but hey chilling here is good, also the food here in amazing! A great place to stay healthy and fit, plussss it's effin' windy. Today i get to update my blog because the wind is too strong for me, i would be needing a 1.5m kite or something.
Anyho, the boys pumped their small kites and went looping like cray cray, i almost had a heart attack!
Learning is something that you should not stop doing, may it be a new sport, a funny book, a new hobby, a new dish. Whichever it is! Fuel your life with learning, there are sooo many things to try out there.
Am also saving some cash for this hobby i want to start. Check in the next few months on what i have in mind. Hehe am crossing my fingers and hope that i get to save up for it.

So thats it for now,
I know i have to update this space more but for now check instagram for my daily musings around the wonderful med.





































Thursday, July 4

The view from the Top

I never really thought i'll do my first flight on a paraglide here in Paros.
Veso, who decided to come and hang out with us here at Paros to kite for a few days brought his tandem wing, me, grant and william went for a spin.
And...
I LOVED IT!


now am in really big trouble, as usual i will get hooked on this sport and probably go mental again on doing crazy turns or what not.

Veso is a professional acro paraglider from Bulgaria who also started kiting a few months back. 
check out his adventures at 

He took time off to chill here and now on the way to prepare for an acro tour/competition around europe.
Goodluck!

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I was super stoked when he was keen to take me up paragliding.
i even tried to pilot it and to my surprise it was easier and lighter than kiting.




PS: sometimes being small is cool, according to the pilot behind me it was easy to bring me up because i was tiny. Although this strap infront me is actually really in the way of my face all the time because am too small on the seat. it's really cramping my view. LOL


We also did a few simple "tricks" (check out some photos)  and you'll see the paraglide almost being sideways.


If you know me very well too, you know that i love themeparks, rides and roller coasters, especially if it involves free fall.
so yes, i did love this experience, its like being on a roller coaster with a better view.


I wanted to experience more turns but i didn't expect to go fly before my friend Grant, i decided to eat some cookies on the way, when we were climbing the top of the mountain.
Ha, that was a bad idea. 
i didn't wanna vomit in mid air. lol.


I had the most adrenaline i've ever had in awhile, which was good.
i was smiling the entire day & night even after 2 days.
The experience was amazing.
So calm and at the same time extreme (if you think about it).



It is also such a nice view up there. 
I would like to see the earth on that view more often.
it also gave me a lot of inspiration to do some art, 
so am back on the drawing board for some rad artwork coming out
from this wonderful experience.
-

The only thing that i probably would not like about it in the long run is climbing the mountain but
as long as i have my camera, am good to go!
i took a few snaps on the way.




The more you fly the more it grounds you to the earth.

--
Thank You for the wonderful experience! 
Ahhh! can't wait til my next flight.