I've been gone out for too long and I admit that though I am not off the international online connections, I had been all over the place spending time with real people in the real world, taking inconsistent hiatus, and being a hermit as well. Also, I had been updating files and fixing the needed papers for my employment. Yep, the freelancer Clyde has been signed under a company!

But, seriously? What have I been up to, lately? Let me give you a rundown, a glimpse of what I've been busy with for the past days.

Pages in a book I saw at the Children's section in a Booksale. Hilarious but why is it in the Children's section?

1. I've been spending time reading books. The tangible ones and the virtual. Yep, for the span of two weeks or so, I had finished reading like six to eight books (and I still have like ongoing reads right now!). I've been visiting bookstores a looooot! And though I've been saving up a lot, lately for my future plans, here comes a random bookstore visit while the family went out for dinner. I asked if I could be excused for a washroom break since we're still waiting for the meal to come. When I suddenly had the courage to make a detour to my favorite bookstore. Then, here comes the two latest books in the Flavia de Luce series I've been following, waving at me by the shelf! GAAAAH! I swear you'll hear me squealing when I got the two books in my hand. So there, I ended up returning to the family dinner with the two books warmly tucked in my arms. Mind you, they're the only copy left in that branch!

What a bibliophile! I tweeted about this the last time. Too happy with the two books I've been waiting for!





2. Our Bible Study Group had successfully carried out the next Beauty 101 event we've planned for this year! Yey! The first one tackled about Beauty (it's real meaning) and some make-up session from a professional artist. This time, we discussed about relaxation, peace, and rest. We invited a guest speaker for the event, this time, a nurse who now owns a spa. We're taught of how to relieve ourselves from stress by self-massage and possible things you could do to de-stress. Also our leader talked about how we could fully rest on God's presence. How all the problems that we think is so big, is truly tinier than a grain of sand compared to the big God and Father that we have. I was the designated photographer/the crazy lady who loved the crackers at the snack table/squirrel that night. 

   My plain drinking cup won't always end up plain. I decided to be a Squirrel that night! (Homage to the crush!)

   
   

   For some reason, I unconsciously channeled my illegitimate brother from another country!

   
   

   Here's my illegit older brother (the one in button-down) with le original Squirrel. We look alike, right?

   
   

   Spot the Cup!

(pun intended)

Ermingarde in Baguio. Behind her is the Burnham Park.

Foggy Ermingarde.

Ermingarde attended a church service in Benguet!

Ermingarde and guest, Princess!

Ermingarde by the sea.

My cousin, Princess. At SM Baguio.

Please excuse my bloated, morning face. O__O

Basilica Minore of our Lady of Charity. Side part. Church Tour La Union Version!

Inside the Basilica.

This chandelier that I'm so curious about.

There's something about being in a hotel room all alone that I find really comforting. Or maybe it's just because of my long time wish of traveling somewhere and checking myself to some hotel alone hasn't occurred yet. And so here I am, enjoying the alone time before my other roommates arrive (that'll be my mom and my eldest sister) and finding this quiet moment to gather up my thoughts.

Okay! So, last November I was given the opportunity to travel alone to La Union, my uncle's place since he's been bugging me on when I'll visit their place and enjoy the rural air. It was technically my first time to travel somewhere alone without anyone I know (may it be by name or whatsoever) inside the same vehicle. It actually felt great, I feel like I've grown out my "bunso"* phase in the family since I was able to arrive to my uncle's place successfully.

I spent the entire trip wondering, "what would it feel like if I do this often?". Just me, sitting by the window, enjoying the view or enjoying the alone time reading the designated book I have for that particular travel (this time, it's The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger). I wonder and dreamed about the places I'd go to, adventurous and daredevil sides of one's self revealed and awakened. With this, I hope to get to more places, travel more and discover provinces and countries I've never been to.

This trip indeed is something I won't forget.

I believe the blog deserves some new items!

New blogs to be posted soon! Ahhhh, I promise to be a better blogger from this day onwards!

I've been off the network, lately and I miss updating this space of mine as well. So, with all the shenanigans and whatever, I am here, greeting you a wonderful morning all the way from La Union. *Tatadadaaaaaaa!*

YES!

Clyde and Ermingarde's off to another set of adventure again! Early this year, we went to visit Mindoro along with my Grandma Ria and Uncle Jon (who came from the US) so to allow my grandma to see her siblings and close relatives once more. We made the trip as well so she could enjoy and add more smiles to her face since my Grandpa Jane passed away last year. Also, to fulfill her promise to see our relatives again before our Maker gathers her since she lives far away from us. But I hope she'll be able to come back again next year.

So, that then resulted to more travels for this year and the backpacker in me awakes once more!

Early this April, my Dad and I returned to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to fix some papers and to bond with thy relatives, again (getting extra clingy now!). Dad went back home first and I traveled home, ALONE. Aboard a plane. The first time in my entire travelling life! It felt great, I felt like I just graduated from my amateur backpacker self and I made it home, safely! Huzaaaaaah!

I spent a few days at home, got my stuff ready for another adventure to the land of Agoo, La Union. With side trips to:

• Candon, Ilocos Sur to spend time with my Grandma Lena (mother side) and my other Mother's side relatives (I can't believe I've this much nephews and nieces. I feel so old!).
• Baguio! To spend some quality bonding time with my cousins (heya, Cious and Cess) and Uncle Ferds and Auntie Edna.
• San Juan. A peaceful near-sunset afternoon, watching the surfers and surfing students ride the waves. (the waves that day's a tad bit weaker than the surfer's ideal waves for riding).