"Home green Home"

I'm happy to have survived the holidays that were. Imagine crusting with a big first time move to live on your own. Filled with a warm arrival from my sister and her family from Atlanta. Mix in the big decision of not having a maid, topped off with no time to shop and wrap for gifts (thus, our newspaper wrappers). My little cherry on the pie was a simple, loving Christmas and a calm and hopeful New Year. A big toast to all as I blend my homemade lemongrass juice!:) As I have slightly decided to go semi-green, I realized that this decision was coupled with a few pains, and yet earthly gains. As of the moment, I'm on the search for my own homemade all around cleaner. This means vinegar (Datu Puti in our country), baking soda, Dr. Bronner's and grapefruit essential oil shaking in one bottle spritzer right?

So as I ultimately start the year with the hue of Luntian and begin ventures that have been delayed in flight... let me share my little homemade felt Christmas tree. Ornamented with Christmas cards from received gifts...

Best perk is the starry shadows it casts on our blank walls! It's soo pre-school and yet soo cool! It saved me time, money, and sanity despite all the kerfuffle:) Scissors and felt paper rocks! Hope you all had an ultimate holiday!:)

It's time to be ultimately Livin' for 2010...

*Photo courtesy of Gideon Lasco

“As the highest mountain in Luzon, Mt. Pulag attracts a lot of mountain climbers. Highlights of the climb include the montane forests and the grassland summit with its "sea of clouds" phenomenon”

THIS IS IT! START 2010 WITHOUT FEELING BITIN! START THE YEAR WITH A HIGH IN AN AU NATURALE STYLE (and we don’t mean naked, since it will be really cold up there)! We hope this fulfills a resolution for 2010 or at least get you out and up while meeting new friends on a different level, approximately 2, 922 meters above sea level! ULTIMATE VICH MT. PULAG CLIMB is open to all!

Here are the details:

Location: Mt. Pulag, Benguet

Date: January 30-31, 2010

Fee: P3,500/ pax

Inclusions:

Roundtrip air-conditioned bus from Manila-Baguio-Manila

Roundtrip jeep Baguio-Ranger Stn.-Baguio

Entrance/registration fee

Certificate of conquest

Guides plus Medic (2 local + 1 mountaineering)

Photographer (Of course we want you to have the coolest shots, good enough for bragging rights, show & tell, FB profile pics, and of course for your memory’s sake)

Tentative Itinerary:

Jan 30, 2010 (SAT)

1200 MN Departure from Manila

0530 AM early breakfast in Baguio

0600 AM head off to Ranger Stn.

1200 NN Start trek to Camp 2

1700 PM arrival at Camp 2; pitch tents

1800 PM dinner / socials

Jan 31, 2010(SUN)

0400 AM early assault to summit

0600 AM arrival at summit

0800 AM head back

0200 PM back at ranger

1730 PM back in Baguio

2000 PM ETD for Manila

0200 AM back in Manila

(Dates may change to Jan 20-30, 2010 depending on the majority request of PAID climbers)

What you will need to bring:

Clothes (Estimated Temp is 10-15C°), Food, tent, etc.

This will be further emailed (upon confirmation) and discussed upon finalization of sure and paid climbers. Don’t worry, there will be a 30minute briefing meet-up so we could get all your concerns answered and tents and food may be shared with each otherJ

Payment Schemes:

Deposit P3,500 to either account numbers on or before Jan 15, 2010 (Friday):

BDO Account #: 1200047980 Account Name: Charlene C. Lontoc

BPI Account #: 0379001033 Account Name: Charlene C. Lontoc

Kindly text “VR” at 09189013720 upon depositing the payment to confirm receipt and kold on to your deposit slip until the meet up date to serve as your proof of payment.

We look forward to being on top of the second tallest mountain in the Philippines with You! May this be the start of an adventurous and amazing 2010 for you!

Ultimately yours,

Ultimate Vich (Vee&Chal)

Kerfuffle Post

October is such an expensive month! I'm looking forward to November as long as it gets reasonable with me. Can you imagine a macbook, camera, condo dp, rent, furniture, etc all rolled into one bank account?! I'm still shaking October's hands though as I bid it farewell. It is after all still my month of birth, my lovey-dovey (<---yes, kill me for using this) anniversary month, and my fave holiday’s date--- Halloween! So goodbye Oc-oc… you’ve wiped out my wallet! Cleanliness after all is next to Godliness I guess?! At this point, God must really love me. Simplicty has been imposed on me thanks to "emptiness"... major wipe out surfer dudes!

I’ve been itching to post several things. However, my hands and legs are stretched from post to post, kinda like spider webs (funny mental picture here), as I make ultimate changes in life. More on this next time…In the meantime, let’s get down to business… green business! Another one of my time-occupying projects is now ready to fly! Knocking on all you Entreps (pronounce the first e as “Uhh” please) and business savvy people! Here’s a chance to make greens (and blues of course!) and go green as well! Presenting…Taaadaaah!!!

*If this comes out malabo then it is very much my fault. So just message me or something to get the clear version with attachments via email.

So if you’re interested or you know anyone who fits the bill then call, email, text... you know the drill! Hoping to hear from you people! Ok now sing with me! It’s BEGREENING to look a lot like Christmas!!!:)

The Daily Green

I never thought that Ondoy would hit us that way. The creek walls in our village fell and water rose up to our necks. Next thing I know, our sofas and glass balls from Vigan were floating here and there. Ann swam alone to check on us. Mind you, our street was really flooded! So kudos to my Presonal Red Cross Hero!:) We swam Gavin out in his little jet floater. We knew that the flood was not going to get any better soon and the stench of sewage water was present in all sniffs made. Not to mention, mosquitos, rat pee, whatever. There was a slight debate, to stay or swim out. By 5:30PM things were pretty much unpretty still so we took the dive. I never thought anyone could jetski on our village's main street and boy were rash guards in or what!

JETSKI!SORRY FOR MAKING UR HEADS TILT TO WATCH THIS:)

Geron by the house-help area right before leaving (swimming) to get us food at Pancake house. By the time he got back, water was neck-high.

Shame aside... here's the real question for me now? Can I still go green and smoke? Yes I am a smoker and in no way am I proud of it! I'm ready to change my ways for greener pastures but my occasional habit still can't be kicked off...as of now. For days now, I have been very mindful of where I ditch my dirty habit's waste. I hope this lasts my consciousness long enough until I quit. I am trying to find other ways to compensate for this issue. In the short run of my breath, I know more changes will be asked of me if I truly will take this cause to heart.

Anyhoo, to city-dwellers who are green-slouchers (we all are 1 way or another), here are very very very easy ways to get you started:

1. Use a jug instead of purchasing water bottles endlessly

2. Avoid take-outs to lessen the waste

3. Use as much natural lighting during the day

4. Do bill payments and similar transactions online.

(e.g. Citibank encourages online transactions)

5. Unplug phone chargers and PCs when not in use. Better yet, use a laptop instead.

Here's a test to see how green you are http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/how-green-are-you So far, I'm light green... must go darker!

We all need Captain Planet (No he is not Gary V, kamuka lang!) but he did say "Remeber... the power is yours!"

Peace everyone! Green Peace!

SAY HI TO MAJAYJAY!

Chal’s Birthday CHALlenge!!!

SAY HI TO MAJAYJAY!!!=)

“Taytay Falls in Majayjay. Indeed, the water is so clean that you could still see a one-peso coin if you drop it in the 10-feet pool!”

In line with my birthday celebration and Vich Addventures rough opening, I’m inviting you guys to rough it out with me! Please register asap! Let’s get to know Mother Nature a lttile bit more…. She’s not all wrath!:)

When: October 17, 2009, Saturday, 5:00AM-5:00PM

Where: Taytay Falls (Imelda Falls) Majayjay, Laguna

What: Easy trek and a fun hike

Astig Waterfalls Rappelling

Catch Basin ideal for swimming (SUPER CLEAR WATER!)

Binalot Pinoy lunch by the falls

How:

1. Register the following to ultimatevich@yahoo.com

Name:

Gender:

Birthday:

Mobile Number/s:

Home Number:

Home Address:

Occupation:

Email Address:

2. Package fee is P1,500 per person. Inclusions are Rappelling, guides, medic, packed lunch, post-adventure pictures to be emailed to you. Transportation may be arranged. Either we find someone you can carpool with or we will need to rent an air-conditioned van for an additional P500.00/pax. Please indicate if you will need one. Last day of payments will be on Oct. 11, Monday.

3. We will send an actual itinerary after knowing the final count of everyone who will be coming. We will also send a list of what to bring, reminders, directions, and all the other nitty-gritty things you’ll need to know. An optional briefing may be held prior to October 17. We will update you with all information via text and email.

*ONLY 30 Slots will be available. Only registered participants will be entertained.

Chal’s note: Hey Guys! I hope to see you all get wet with me on Oct. 17, Saturday. Payment details and Itineraries will be discussed after confirming your registration. It’s my birthday bash on a different level, approximately 15 meters highJ Feel free to text or message me all your questions. But I assure you, upon finalizing my actual guest count, everything will be given crystal clearJ SEE YOU ALL! Everyone Invited!!!:)

Dizizit!!!:)

L I V E Y O U R U L T I M A T E L I F E!

So you’re sick and tired of the same night-outs and just want some adventure?

You probably want something really fun and outrageous but just don’t know where to find it?

Maybe you know you could do all those cool things you see on TV and read about on magazines but just got a bit intimidated with all the pros around?

You probably just want to meet new people that carry the same passion, yearning or interest?

Or maybe, you just want to have that “astig” shot as your facebook profile pic and proclaim… “Been there, done that!”

Well whatever it is, we have the answer to all that and more! Vich Addventures provides you with the adventure and high of your life all in a day or weekend’s time without burning your pockets! It’s the real ecstasy to life sans the partying!

Think of it as the cutest and coolest club ever that you’ll be part of. Specifically designed for Manila City dwellers and wannabe adventure junkies. We’ll update you, make sure your city life goes on but the thrill of adventure and meeting new friends stays at a growing rate! It’s your once in a month slice to an ultimate life! Yes, once a month, because any more than that, then you should have been a mountaineer right?

How does it work?

Gather up your friends. Register you names and contact numbers to get your slots. Upon confirmation, pay via assigned payment schemes. Pick the adventure of your choice, and clear up your weekend! Dress for the occasion and hype up yourself for an action-packed day! All else will be taken cared of by our pool of experts and adventure junkies. We provide the action, excitement, yummy meals, transportation may be arranged, well experienced guides, medic, and photographer (Believe us! Pictures are a must!).

Why Vich?

Wow! Where do we start? We all know that at a certain moment in your life, all the partying will suck you up drunk and there will be something more that you’ll be looking for. Call it adventure, zest in life, excitement, whatever… Well that’s what we provide! Imagine being with friends, family, and a whole bunch of other chimichanggas communing with nature, loving Pinas, and breaking the rules! We also made sure that your pockets will be happy. It’s a weekend thing, so why must we burn your wallets for some thrill? So before you know it, your back in the city, ready to tell people of your adventure and have them drooling over your experience and live vicariously through all your awesome pictures posted!=p

Ok, enough barking…it’s time to bite the travel and adventure bug! Lets’s begin!

Nuance Blog: My alphabet stops at letter "I" today

I remember my (re)solution this year. Half of which was a success. One mysterious one got to me... "3. Be more of me". Maybe because the year before I was pregnant and was ruled over by those pesky and need I say ballistic pregnancy hormones. Looking back as early January '09, I'd like to believe I have gotten myself molded into that resolution. The imperfect balance of crass and class and the admittedly impulsive self that I have always made myself to be. How can I live with regret knowing that despite occasional defeats I have come to terms with the word 'I"? Now I know "I" each day, and to think it took me another life out of me to get to the point of getting to know I more. Ironic isn't it? I would like to think that in a war, I would be your 2nd line soldier standing on war battlegrounds. Hoping the first liners are not instantly turned into chopped bloody flesh, but if they do, their mistakes will be my learning's. Then I would willingly allow myself to be of sample for the next battle lines to live by... dead and more likely to be alive. How disturbingly not great some might think. Second liner? I am a middle child after all. Being in the first would make it more stunning or even belonging to the last could still be somewhat defining. However, that is exactly what I am proud of. A proud discovery that I am that. It feels good to be scrubbing my own skin now.

With everything that I have been sporadically told (I refrain from using the word accused) of, most of which are untrue. Funny thing is, I smile as I realize the evil that I have been associated (still avoiding the word accused) with, because somewhere along that dark force was a decision I have made for myself and to be more of me. Besides, had I gotten any close to perfecting the etiquette of niceness then I would be next to our Lord right now in heaven. No complaints here, only too early... I hope.

To the advice of choosing my battles...I do choose my battles. More often than not, I choose them all. That is choosing my battles still. I will subtract as my knees wiggle and swiggle along the line of life. For now, my battles are in good hands and in pretty numbers. I become a fierce fighter only in times of inadequacy. I rarely come prepared. Being right-brained has made me more efficient impromptu. However, when I play with fire, I am ready to get burned. All out (that's why people do not regret). That is the secret to winning despite possible loss.

Yesterday I wanted the cookie to crumble so bad. I could have made the clacker run to her daddy's grave and cry like a river (Thank you JT), similar to what someone else has done. I did make a decision however not to approach the killer-lard and simply deliver a four letter word... no it is wasn't a curse even. As I turned around, I know it will have it's dayS. The days have come for her in (present horrendous) physical form and attributes it continuously (and verrry confusingly) displays. And in total disregard to any management in anger, permitting myself an "I" moment here, I will wait for the day that a quadruple X coffin will be needed to be made for her. Evil? Nope, just your average human being. Boy can I hate! But I can assure anyone, with a sincere (Ehem! spot keyword please) apology, my heart melts. But then again pigs can't fly and hams don't talk. So I'm quite definite I won't be hearing the word "sorry" anytime... at all. it will probably be tuck on some nasty human folds left unwashed. Let me play defense here by saying that despite the vagueness and possible negativity of this paragraph, it is all part and parcel of being an ultimatevich and living an ultimate life. If yours has gone smooth, then that would be bad news for life's theme park and bad sales for your roller coaster ride.

By this paragraph I would have lost you already way too much. Taking you from pillar to pillar with no rhyme or reason that would be of any use to you. And (starting a sentence with a conjunction... tsk! tsk!) at this point I have gotten to use the letter I as rampant as traffic is outside of DLSU taft. I couldn't careless. This is the whole point anyways. Like what I said, I'm a happy scrubber and it is my skin after all. Go exfoliate yours! :)

-C

On a different note: a few more odd postings and the promise of adventure will surely be posted soon!:)