Marikina Bike & Breakfast Tour (Half Day Ride Only)

Biked to Marikina with Josh and Ria for a quick exercise and breakfast. 

Marikina Riverpark 

Kapitan Moy's Cafe 

Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish 

Shoe Museum (P25 entrance fee)

Pan de Amerikana (P100 - P200 / head budget)

Rustic Mornings - need reservation or risk not getting a table 

Mama Chit's Coffee House - closed indefinitely (?) 

I wanted to visit book museum too, but it's open schedule since quarantine has been erratic.

Batangas Ride & Freedive - Daming Hassle Pero Masaya

This is my hardest ride so far, but definitely had fun. First time to dive in 3 yrs after I had a sinus squeeze and ear damage from my last dive. I can't equalize, go at depth, and hold my breathe properly, but it's okay, I'm happy just to be embraced by the water. 

Some underwater clips c/o Coach Mac of Freedive Tribe Ph | FB: Kram Dor 

Music 

Can't take my eyes off of you 

Renee Dominique cover 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19cSv7zjdfU 

Kahimanawari ft Himig Soledad Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jAwCIiBG50

 

Intramuros Bike Tour: Stories Within the Walls

Cycled within Intramuros. Visited Manila Cathedral, Plaza Roma, Baluarte de San Diego, Casa Manila, La Cathedral Cafe, New Po Heng Lumpia, Binondo Chinatown, and others. Shared some stories about these places.

Without the lively students, Intramuros seemed older, mysterious, and more romantic. There seemed to be lesser informal settlers now than way back, which makes the area feel safer. But at the same time, I wonder how they are doing... Out of sight, out of mind is a scary thing. 

But I gotta make peace with myself now. Let's try, Arlet.

Route via Kalayaan-Buendia Flyover / Roxas Blvd / Ayala - Mckinley otw back: https://www.strava.com/activities/5529668766 

Route via JP Rizal Makati - Buendia - Roxas Blvd: https://www.strava.com/activities/5493016497 

Music 

Medieval Music - Cobblestone Village, Brandon Fiechter's Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ7a1... 

Isadore by Incubus, cover, The Mandala Sessions, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biN1t...

Found Out That I have an Elder Sister

I had a vivid dream of finding out that I have an elder sister who was very intelligent and capable, that I immediately adored her. The first thing I did was ask her about my project for a data analytics class, and she replied, "that's your work, do it yourself." I snapped and said I find out I have a big sister after 20+ yrs, while you knew it all along and I ask one thing and you wouldn't bat an eye. I stormed out from the conversation and went to pee. I woke up, stormed out of bed, and really did pee :))

In real life, I have a younger sister who goes to me for advice for whatever. There are times I envy her because when I experienced what she is asking about, it was tremendously stressful and I had to figure it out myself. 

Ive always been very independent. In fact Im so good at it that I almost always end up sabotaging my relationships especially when it's dangerously close to making me dependent on something or someone. 

I digress.

Anyway I realize that my reaction in the dream, and my sister's reaction, are both a reflection of my own thoughts - my longing to have that sounding board, to be able to rely on someone else, and also my belief of letting people make their own mistakes, and being entirely independent as a favor for them.

I don't know why I had that dream. I don't know what it's trying to teach me at this point. But I've been stuck for a while now. Like I don't know where to go, and how to go, or why to go. I don't know. Maybe I don't wanna go. 

I just want to be a good person. I want to be here for my family. I want to spend my time with them. But I want to achieve things too, but Im not sure. I dont know.

What good is my knowledge if I cant understand my parents now that theyre old.
What good are my achievements if I cant do good for others.
What good is my life if I live it only for myself. 

 I dont know.

Arlet

Wag Pabola - Spot Misleading Infographics & Don't Share it

1. All about misleading graphs, charts, and infographics especially in Philippine Setting 

2. All about Project SPARTA of DOST DOST program to make Filipinos learn data science and analytics! Go to https://sparta.dap.edu.ph and https://coursebank.ph/sparta/ to get started on the application process! Or check out their FB page, Project Sparta PH 

Im not part of Project Sparta or DOST team. Im just one of the scholars who enjoyed the program :) - check last part of video for my experience

Part 1 of this vlog - Madali ka bang Mafall, Wag Pabola sa Common Bluff Tactics (Fallacies) - https://youtu.be/1Ovs7ciiVb8

Motorcycle Riding Skills Training - Paano Magtrain sa Angkas?

Our team crafted a short Intermediate Riding Course module to upgrade the skills of Angkas Bikers while we wait for the economy to recover. This is our first trial for this module. We havent done a 2nd batch, because ECQ was announced shortly after. 

I know a lot of our bikers and teammates are having a very difficult time for a while now. Im sorry I can't do much at the moment... but we will keep doing what we can. Please hang in there, stay alive, stay sane. We'll pull each other out little by little. We rise by lifting others. Mabuhay kayo, frontliners!

Baong Umaga | Puting Bato Trail Ride

Maraming ibig sabihin ang okay lang. Sana hindi ka okay lang. I pray that each of you gets to sleep at night peacefully, gets to say good night and good morning to the people you love, and gets to look forward to tomorrow. But if not, I pray that you're able to take your time and heal.

Lately I've been thinking if the past year has been all for naught. With our cases and fatalities higher than ever, and people close to me are fighting for survival. There are times when Im scared to ask if they're okay, because Im afraid I can't help. Heck I can't even look them in the eye and say it's gonna be alright.

I don't know if it's gonna be okay. But Im gonna be here with you.

Ano, kumusta? Sharing this ride, and my messy train of thoughts bogging me down