Montegelo Farm at Obrero's Place

Welcome to Montegelo Farm!

Montegelo farm is less than an hour ride away from Cagayan de oro City. It is situated at Brgy. San Miguel, Manolo Fortich Bukidnon. We just had our retreat there and finally I came to see what's within this Obrero's Place. It is a place you'd want to go to when you need an escape from the noise in the city (alone or with friends and families). 

This place is great for retreats,debuts,weddings,pre nups, parties or a hideaway. *yay! Since I was on a retreat, I wasn't able to take pictures of everything this place has to offer...but then,it's good to leave something for you to look forward to. *winks

Believe me, these pictures haven't captured fully what I saw in this place. 

All photos are mine (point and shoot) and unedited.

The Phlegmatic on retreat took a leap

Last January 30-31 I joined the senior’s retreat. Joining was unplanned because all I wanted was an escape from the usual environment in work and in school. I just used the excuse that my name was included in the list for the retreat. ooops!

I was surprised when I found out that Montegelo Farm is located at Obrero Farm. A place that I was always curious of every time I pass on that high road going to my hometown. The place made me miss home that I wanted to stay a little longer. There are trees everywhere,birds chirping on an early morn and the flowing river that gave the perfect environment of calmness and constancy.

The event being a retreat, I hoped that I’d get to sleep with my closer acquaintances and that I wished none of them would be joining the same group I’m into.  I was so happy that all of my group mates were new faces that made me more comfortable in sharing my story and gave me the chance to meet new found friends. 

As a retreat, I thought it would be composed more of a “me” time. Of talking and listening to myself and to hear more of what God is trying to tell me which I might be ignoring in the hustle and bustle of my daily life in the city. But what happened was different, we were always in a circled group, and God was talking to me through the shared stories of my friends. I was listening intently to their stories and at the same time I was struggling within resisting the urge to cry and take up somebody else’s time to share. With a poker face and occasional big nods on every nerve hit, I realized that I had a better life and that I must be thankful to the kind of life I had and having. Life had been less cruel to me and I’ve been taking a good life for granted.

Sharing a heartbreaking story while crying and laughing at it at the same time was an act of breaking free, a silent permission to never letting the bad things tie us up into moping and hating forever. They’ve been survivors in life, and they’d shown to me again and again that bad times do come but surely it’s not going to stay forever. It is so funny to think that those people who went through so many hardships in life are the ones who laugh more.

I was a Phlegmatic on retreat; I was silently watching their lives and learning from it. They fueled my desire to strive for an ideal kind of life. To resist the given judgments and prove to people that we can do/be better and that we are destined for the same greatness in any way. It was also a relief to know that, with my personality, I am just as normal as everybody else. It has always been a daily struggle for me when I keep comparing myself to someone (a person whom I think is normal) and trying to find how can I become a normal one. Yes,I am aware that we are all different,but meeting people with the same personality as I am was comforting. Conversing in the same level has never been that good.  You won’t worry whether the other person finds you boring and weird. You give very big nods because you can relate to them.

We were given the chance to unload whatever is weighing our hearts down and that made room for more good things to come.

On that retreat, I can hear God whispering to me:

 “see? You are created with inborn greatness and goodness. Life is made fair, good things will come and if it’s turn for bad things to come, I will light the right path, just keep your eyes opened and walk by faith. Do not resist the change and the challenges, for the things you’re praying for will come in My perfect time.”---and I was having goosebumps allover.

I am forever hopeful, ever patient in waiting, but I think God wouldn’t want me to stagnate myself waiting for His time. I believe He wants me to live each day as preparation. Each moment will serve as a step on a journey He prepared for me. I was always wonderin’ and worried about my future, after that retreat, I was given a certain peace. “Why worry? If you are giving your best and if you are striving to live a good life, why worry?”

And so, I left Montegelo Farm with friends and brought with me not pineapples but a renewed determination to continue striving in living a good life and become a better phlegmatic (by that I mean lesser weak points in personality) or maybe break free from being a phlegmatic and become more outspoken, outgoing and genuinely confident. After all, we are called to make manifest the greatness of God’s creation.

whirlwind...

Few more days and it's 2014. It seemed like yesterday when we (my BBFF and I) were sort of worried and defensive about our horrorscopes for 2013 when it said that this year will be a year of challenge and change...that spelled A HARD YEAR. . .and instead of resisting life,we managed to go with the flow which I believe took us to some better place.

Who could've thought that I'd be doing this blogging thingy? Pursuing an accountancy course, plunging into the unknown,got hurt and took another chance in love and embracing all the feelings it brought? This year was more than a roller coaster ride, It's more of a whirlwind. No seat belts and safety precautions...just chaos all around but I found peace at the same time being aware that at last I can see that my life is in motion. I've found new friends and seemed to lose some.But one thing that this year etched on my mind is that life goes on,and just because we are upset doesn't mean that time will stop for us. We shouldn't dwell in the past,we should move on but never forget what it taught us. Accept that some people may be heroes for others but to us they're just plain jerks (and also we could be that jerk). Tell your story,someone might be listenin' and you'll never know what lessons/inspiration they might be getting from it. I've been listening and listening and never sharing those to others. This year,I talked more..some may be none sense but I talked more than the usual,and I like the feeling of having an itchy dry throat from too much talking.

I am very thankful for the people who came my way. They made me realize that no matter how alone you feel,someone cares. (you just have to let them show it to you). I am also grateful for the people who stayed,despite my lack of sweet caring bones. (well I have sweet caring thoughts with no actions).Thank you for sticking in with the stubborn me. I'd like also to say sorry for the people I offended because of my careless tongue and harsh thoughts. (I am sorry but I don't regret saying whatever those words were). Sometimes I think that the reason why I'm quiet almost of the time is to avoid offending others. :D

I am just very blessed that I got this far, little by little (in my own pace) I'm growing up.

I pray that 2014 will be another good year,with lesser tragedies and calamities and more of innovations and peace linkages. I pray for comfort and guidance as we continue in living good lives for the greater glory of our Lord.

Gambatte as always! Strive to survive!

...and as another year is starting,I want to share a major life changing trigger I had for this year 2013(my life never really started spinning until this): 

"She was staring at the sky
 She is hiding from the light
And I wonder what she’s thinking
Then she made me realize
That life is like a roller coaster ride
 Now you smile
 And then you cry
Then you do it over
 Over and over
Fly like the airplane in the sky
Set it free let it go
 Feel the hurt just let it fall"

(credits to the writer)

... just let go and fall,someone will catch you or you'll learn how to fly on your way down.

Going SOL...?

"…but i think it's very healthy to spend time alone. you need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person."

                                          -olivia wilde.

I’s good to spend time alone…why don't you try to go solo some other time?

How to go sol:

Be determined to go alone. A personal date with yourself is a treat your inner self deserves . (remember being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely. The fact that you can enjoy hanging out with yourself is one thing you can be proud of)

Be prepared (charged cellphone,moolah,umbrella and a jacket). The charged cellphone will be for emergency purposes,use it only when in desperate need of help. Do not go sol,and spend the whole time texting your friends how you wished they’re with you or replying to their messages on how they wish they are with you. I say, keep your phone alert for calls and turn off your message alert tone. When going sol,you can do without the cellphone but not the last three)

Dedicate the whole day for you (you may run some few errands but make sure that a bigger portion of the day will be a ME-TIME

Do not stay at home! (that doesn’t count as going sol)

The best place to go sol is at a mall. Stroll around, watch a movie, dine, visit clothe shops, pet shops,gadget stores,book shops, and in my case, I sometimes visit hardwares.

You can go to church,stroll on streets and hang out in a park or café.

It is hard to go sol on a vacay trip..vacay trips are better with friends or the fam. That way, you get to split the bill and when you’re lost,at least you’re not alone or that someone would be looking for you ;D

 

Going sol doesn’t really mean spending lavishly on one’s self. It is more of taking time to tune in with yourself, testing if you’re still able to make your own judgment when given two choices, knowing your first reactions to situations, and understanding yourself more by the things that make you happy and piss you off . It also allows you to look around and observe, to give smiles to strangers and answer some questions or the other way ‘round. If you’re not friends with yourself, then going sol gives you a chance to befriend you.

Having friends is great but being friends with your self is way more than great. Sometimes, friends influence a person too much that that the other is in danger of becoming a clone. (well in this case, they’re not friends, but just peers). Going solo is also good when you’re so low…you don’t just get to scold and console yourself but you get to ask and force yourself to answer truthfully.

Last November 27,2013, I went Sol for Disney’s Frozen 3D movie. ‘twas uber cool to think that I almost watched the movie alone in the theatre if the guard and a father with kids didn’t came in later

Why I go sol:

I go sol because of selfish reasons, when going    sol,I don’t have to worry whether the person I’m with is bored, tired or hungry. . . 

Why I’ll go sol : 

I’ll go sol because I’m more comf’table when I’m with myself than when I’m with someone.

Why I’d not go sol :

they say, life starts at the end of our comfort zones…and I’d like to sail somewhere ala life of Pi with some monkeys, snakes and perhaps a tiger. (kidding!)

Why I’ll try not to go sol all the time: 

to challenge myself outside my comfort zone is to give myself a chance to level up! So I’m on the loose…but still tied of course. (You don’t know what I mean :D )..Plus life they say is not just about knowing yourself but more of knowing others and letting them know you.

My BBFF who is taking up law gave me this shirt.A good reminder that there will always be people who will care. ;)

esse est co-esse (to exist is to co-exist)

Chasing a Dream:Choosing Happiness:Chance Offered...grab all

Please welcome me back...

I just got back my wifi modem after downgrading my unlimited plan 899 to limited 450. Holidays and holydays are approaching and I'd be spending most of these times on a place where I cannot get the most of the unlimited wifi connection,so went the downgrade to save more Php (for gifts?) :D

I'm sort of chasing a dream (not the kind you get by sleeping but the kind where you stay up and study), and that requires passing all exams(which will be next week)...and my plan was to go home earlier,eat earlier so I can study earlier but Centrio Garden is at buzz for this is where Mercato de Oro is situated so maybe I can stall awhile and just wake earlier tomorrow so that I can study earlier. 

There are food stalls (from full meals to snacks to cakes and cupcakes). There are also trinkets for sale,tables where you can eat comfortably and live music. My plan was to just sort of scan the area just to know what it has to offer and come back later with some moolah and friends. It's useless when you talk yourself into not spending and you end up giving in to spending. Though I have to admit, it's a good find and will be useful too.

the bag that gives a chance to help...

Just what I needed: A bigger bag to accommodate more books and a constant reminder why I'm in this hullabaloo kind of life. (just kidding on the hullabaloo part)

PagBAG-o Project (Change Project) is a creative livelihood collaboration between housewives in Xavier Ecoville who produce the bags and Xavier University students & alumni who make the designs.

Xavier Ecoville is a resettlement community for Topical Storm Sendong survivors located in Brgy. Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City. Supporting their pagBAG-o project by purchasing these bags will keep the livelihood alive thus will continue to support families in the community. This project is also currently supporting typhoon Yolanda survivors in Visayas.

Go buy one for yourself and more for your friends and family. :D

They have a spot on Mercato de Oro's bazaar ;you may also contact them at pagbagoproject@gmail.com or find them on facebook pagbag-o project or thru 0935-370-9448

I know I mentioned about food....and this Mexican Cantina menu is all I  can manage to show you (for now).

MASAS Mexican Cantina mobile: 0917-314-4612

Espero que mi próximo blog será sobre la comida.muchas gracias, hasta la próxima vez.

landscaped...errrr...hairscaped I mean :D (My hairscape experience)

I cannot erase the thought of having a haircut might turn out as horrorcut after..(to think November is just outside our doors), but I'd like to have a newer look before I go home in the mountains for the holidays.

All I wanted was to have some bangs swept on the sides (sideswept bangs it is) and tadah! I ended with a full haircur and a fuller ego*. 

'Twas my first time to try Hairscape.Ph in Centrio-Ayala Mall and I was on my usual solo flight modes (that means there's no one to tell me whether I'm off to a good place or a doom place) but I'm glad I went in anyway..

Hairscape.Ph gave me a sense of comfort (as if trying to tell me "relax,your head/hair will be in good hands":D). Their haircut service came with a relaxing shampoo massage (I could've  stayed lying there and enjoy more of the massage). I was offered drinks (tea ? water?) of my choice and it's free. What I love more was the initiative that I was given a magazine in case I wanted to browse one (That's being sensitive of what type of customer they are having and I'd like to assume that they sensed my shyness ).

Mae was my stylist,and thank heavens (at last!),someone told me that bangs might be not so for me since I have a low forehead. She recommended a bob and some treatments that my hair would be very happy to have (I guess,bob's my forever and pixie will just remain in my dreams). She definitely gave me a haircut that sent my inner self grinning widely from ear to ear evily (I told you, my ego's full).

It was also my first time to have two people (mae & marisol) working simultaneously in blowdrying my hair (the fuss did made the experience worthwhile---add three more people to work on the manis, pedis and make up, and I'd feel like I'm some make believe celebrity ).

I just didn't had a haircut, I had myself Hairscaped...and Oh,they finished it off with a spray of TIGI Bedhead product ( If I'm not mistaken that was the HeadRush).


One haircut can turn your world around.
People may see the difference but there is more to that....YOU (with the new haircut) can feel that difference.

I don't want to post pictures of myself in shiminisheng but moi/ego is full so I'm posting it anyway :D

There I go, after the overflowing of close and open parenthesis I just want to tell you that my experience was definitely worth having.

Have your own experience, Hairscape.ph is located at 3rd floor Centrio-Ayala Mall. Find them on Facebook hairscape.ph



P.S. It seems that my Sundays are becoming FIC (Fruits in Ice Cream) days...I had a scoop of Choco Mint variant.

*self

Mercato de Oro

Mercato Centrale in Cagayan de Oro City!

 Ayala Centrio will be serving us more through Mercato de Oro Starting December 7,2013 (Saturday).

Friday and Saturday Night Food and Entertainment Market will start at 4:oo PM-3:00 AM

Saturday  'fresh and organic' market will open 7:00AM-2:00 PM

This might be another "food-with-friends/family weekend destination'' and a good place  to showcase more the fresh and organic produces from Northern Mindanao. 

It is something to look forward to...

via Centrio

I'm not a foodie but I'd like to find my way to becoming one. ..maybe a wide array of delicious and affordable food choices will get me there. ;)

I just happen to know about this through Facebook. Thanks to facebooking.