Scent of Summer

An early morning sweat, drinking cold water, juice or smoothies instead of coffee, taking a bath early morning and doing it again 2 to 3 times in the afternoon, "balikbayans" homecoming, graduation here and there, the cooling relief of eating ice cream, ice candy and halo-halo, the enchanting waves of the sea, appetizing fresh red tomatoes, mouthwatering mangoes and "singkamas" (native turnips), juicy watermelon, barangay fiestas, campaign fracas and the election fever are all signs that summer is here!

In Ilocos, people from different parts of the country even foreigners and balikbayans flock to one destination. They bob up to visit the historical places, grandiose beauty of nature, savor the best cuisine and experience the enticing white sands and the refreshing and cooling waves of the beaches especially in Currimao and Pagudpud.  Pagudpud is famous for being the "Boracay of the North".   Expect all the hotels and even transients to be jam-pack so if you really want to enjoy your vacation, you can do the booking early so you won't experience any hassle.  At the riverside of Batac where you can find the famous and original empanada and the piquant "silet"  (isaw) and sumptuous "miki", expect the place to be chock-full again.

For me, I have long decided my expedition this summer.  I have listed in my precious notebook my to-do's.  So far, I have noted at least ten things which I can possibly do.  Always remember there's fun and so much "ragsak" in achieving the things we want to experience in life.   We only have one chance to live this life, why not grab the opportunity? Get a Life!(",)

capture the beauty of a lovely creation...

    Ilocos Norte Mountain Resort

 

        feast on seafoods...
 

          Must try! original Pinakbet Pizza only at Herencia Cafe, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
 

   go ride a bike...

                                                             enjoy the wateeeriiiiific splash!

                                                            Currimao Beach,  Ilocos Norte 
                                                            

                                                                    refreshing  shades of green...

                                         even the "ansisit" (dwarfs) can have fun during summer

                                                                     

                                                        a little mansion at the top of the mountain

                       Kapurpurawan Rock Formation at Burgos, Ilocos Norte
 

                                                                           golfing at the top of the mountain?

       swing all you can infront of Fort Ilocandia Hotel

 

                     PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALITTLETHINGCALLEDRAGSAK

                     ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES MARCH 2013

 

Well, if you don't have any plans yet for summer.  I would love to share things you can do to make your summer worth remembering! (",)

1.  take pictures as many as you can focus on memories
     and wonders.
2.  run, jog, walk and try other sports but make sure to bring
     a bottled water to quench your thirst.
3.  joyride with friends/family- visit and discover new places
     in Ilocos
4.  visit your alma mater-grade school, high school and
     college
5.  learn new skill like cooking/baking, swimming, crafting,
     gardening and painting
6.  read at least 10 to 20 books
7.  participate in barangay fiesta
8.  movie marathon
9.  get together or reunion
10. listen to classical music or ilocano songs
11. go to the mall (robinsons ilocos norte) and window shop
12. write poems, stories and compose songs
13. start your own diary
14. make your homemade refreshing lemonade, ice candy,
      popsicle freezer and halo-halo
15.  listen to the cricket tune sympony at night
16.  sleep all you can till noon
17.  snoozing in the rocker
18.  catch indulgent refreshing breezes in the beach
19.  swim all you can whether in the beach or in the
       swimming pool
20.  get a driving license
21.  memorize a song
22.  help in the activities of the church like volunteer to be a
        reader for the sunday mass, etc.
23.  fix you family album
24.  try blogging, it's fun!
25.  declutter your closet/room
26.  get up early and watch the sunrise
27.  easter egg hunting /try another kind of hunting- coin
       hunting
28.  go on a bike ride
29.  sandboarding
30. zipline over the sea at hannah's  beach resort
31.  make your own summer scrapbook
32.  bird watching at paoay lake
33.  reach out to others go donate clothes that don't fit you
34.  draw/sketch/paint a self-portrait
35.  go to the park and enjoy a conversation with a friend
36.  gather up your friends or children and have some picnic
        in your backyard
37.  email a friend you haven't communicated with for a while
38.  learn a new language
39.  go camping
40.  time to set goals - short or long term goals if you haven't
       started
41.  treat yourself a bubble bath
42.  get a whole body massage, foot/hair/facial spa
43.  learn to play an instrument like the guitar, the piano, the
        flute, etc.
44.  get creative! create jewelry and sell them
45.  go out for lunch to a classy restaurant with your family
46.  go to the market, buy yourself the choicest summer
        fruits, get back home, and dig in!
47.  seafood feast
48.  gaze at the stunning sunset
49.  grab a blanket, spread it out in the grass and cloud watch
50.  get a new hairdo
51.   swing like you have never done it before
52.  give your dog/pet a bath outside
53.  take your dog/pet for a walk
54.  go stargazing
55.  organize your summer sandals and flip-flops
56.  have a watermelon seed spitting contest
57.  build a sandcastle
58. take a nap under a shade tree
59. catch lightning bugs
60. eat the best banana split ever
61.  paint your fingernails with bright sparkly polish
62.  see some fireworks
63.  attend festivals
64.  see a local basketball game
65.  learn how to hula-hoop
66.  feast on miki, empanada and silet
67.  have green salad/vegetables on your plate
68.  laugh out loud, it is good for the heart
69.  try pinakbet pizza at herencia cafe
70.  sell your old stuff at a garage sale
71.  go on a nature hike
72.  read a good book in a hammock
73.  slip and slide
74.  go to an outdoor yoga class
75.  fly a kite
76.  cliff diving
77.  design your own tank top
78.  go barefoot on a grass or sand
79.  learn to sew or knit
80.  discover your family root - make a family tree
81.  enjoy yummy seaweeds
82.  take a second course
83.  listening stories from old folks
84.  wine and dine
85.  munch on ilocano chichacorn
86.  exercise and eating healthy food
87.  join summer workshops
88.  lie in bed in the morning, with the windows open & good
        music playing loudly
89.  hack up an old pair of jeans into shorts
90.  start a collection
91.   start saving coins- P5, P10
92.   re-decorate/repaint your room
93.   if you are single, imagine your dream wedding  and do it
         in writing
94.   stand next to the ocean and let your mind wonder
95.   go at the top of the mountain and shout out loud and
         listen to the echo
96.   visit an adoration chapel and pray the mysteries of the
         rosary
97.  dine in at ilocos norte convention center with someone
        special
98. use your power of choice, vote wisely
99. develop an attitude of gratitude - say "thank you"  often 
100.  count your blessings and deepen your faith

Time is our most valuable resource, and we must be careful with how we spend it.   You have the power to choose whether to spend it wisely or brashly. So if you want your summer to be fun  and perfect, it is up to you. (",)

How are you spending your time? Are you making the best use of your time to reach your goals?

 

Happy SUMMER!!! (",)