Charityrdelacruz's Weblog

Charity & Cloyd, cruising!

Early this year, my husband and I were able to experience cruising via Star Virgo, an Asian world-class luxury cruise ship for almost a week. It was a dream that had to wait for four long years since we got married.  As everyone may know, it’s an expensive way of traveling although very unique, exciting and different.  We had to reserve months in advance so we could get early bird discounts.  Believe me, it’s worth it.  I got our package at almost 40% discount.  Good thing, I had a very dependable travel agent.  Thanks to her for concerting all efforts just to put us on the go at the dates that we wanted.    (Leave me a note should you want to get in touch with her.)  We had to reserve the dates where my birthday and our wedding anniversary would exactly fall.

 Anyway, we only got an inside stateroom.  Getting a room with an ocean view and a balcony was way too much.  Our budget might just go ballistic although it could really have been better if we got the rooms with a view.  J  But what’s important was we have a place to retreat when we’re exhausted getting nomadic in the ship.  Another important thing, which I made sure, was the food.  All meals were included and served on board.  The food was just overflowing at Star Virgo.  They have a great selection of restaurants.  They have Japanese, Chinese and Indian restaurants.  Their Mediterranean buffet was superb.  They have an exceptional variety of meals to choose from.  My husband was particularly happy with the overflow of summer fruits like watermelon, honey dew and pineapples.  We never really got hungry.  We even really had to schedule our meals in a way that each meal doesn’t overlap with the next meal.   My favorite was one time when they served dinner near the pool.  It’s like a barbeque party for everyone in the ship and it was a happy site.  They also have this gala night where ship guests are given a chance to take pictures and talk to the captain of the ship and its crew.  Of course, it meant getting dressed up for the gala moment.  It was another noteworthy moment.

The ship’s crew/s were also very gracious and courteous.  We really felt at home.  Take into account that almost 50% of the crew population were Filipinos.  Front liners and receptionists were mostly Filipino.  Luckily, our cabin attendant was a Filipino too.  We were really pampered to the max and I could really say that cruisin’ through the Pacific Ocean was such a breeze! Aside from the endless eating we did on board, there were other fun-filled activities in the ship.  They have the Parthenon pool and four Jacuzzis where you could take a dip.  They have a gym wherein most of the trainers are Filipinos. At the ship’s roof deck, they have the basketball hoops, mini golf area, the tread wall and the disco area when you feel like dancing and grooving at night.  They also have the Lido, where nightly shows are being held.  It’s like a big theater.  On our second night on the ship, the crew did a beautiful musical presentation.  We also had a chance to play Bingo.  Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side.  We didn’t win anything, not even a consolation prize.   The countries visited by our cruise were Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  There were shore excursions offered for the areas of Penang, Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur and Malacca at Malaysia; and Phuket in Thailand.  Phuket was the place I enjoyed the most.  It’s like Boracay but Phuket was more crowded mostly white foreigners.  We also saw the place hit by the 2005 tsunami.  It’s amazing though how fast the place was easily brought to life after the catastrophe.  At Kuala Lumpur, we just saw the Petronas Twin Towers and that’s it.  Well, that would depend I guess on the excursion you’re getting.  Of course, we were on a budget.  I’d like to think that we’d just travel to KL again some other time to really travel around the place. Overall, our cruise experience went astonishingly well.  It actually exceeded our expectations.

Now that I’ve got the feel of if, we just might try a Caribbean or a Mediterranean cruise next time. God willing.  J

My Aunt Nena joined her Creator almost 3 weeks ago.   The news of her death didn’t really shock me anymore because she had been suffering from an illness no one ever imagined could come like a thief in the night. 

May, 2007 she was diagnosed to have cancer.  We were all in the United States when the news came.  In the middle of our enjoyment, we grieved over the update on Tita Nena’s health status.  She survived her operation at Makati Med.  She was given another 10 months to experience life.  Never easy for her I should say.  I was a witness as to how she had to endure all the pain physically, emotionally and socially.  It was never easy for her family as well, especially for her husband Tito Boy and her kids (my cousins) Dhang and Polo.  More so, it was never easy for my Lolo Melchor, Tita Nena’s dad.  Actually, it was never easy for all of us.  We hated the fact that Tita Nena’s health was slowly deteriorating.  But as I’ve said, Tita endured all the pain.  She accepted in her heart that God has given this to her for a reason.  For whatever it is, only God knows.  Never did I see my tita complain.  She did tell she’s hurting but she never questioned why her. I really admire her faith and her sense of patience and being calm. 

Tita Nena has always been very jolly and very patient.  In my entire life, I even haven’t seen her get mad.  She is just plainly happy and contented.  She had been very good to me.  She had always been caring.  She had always been proud of my achievements.  She had always had a good thing to offer.  To put all these hundred qualities together, she is GOOD HEARTED.  And at this point, I’d like to believe the saying the good people goes to heaven first. 

Tita, I know you can read this from heaven now.  Thank you for all the self-less love you have given us.  We miss you a lot but I know you’re a lot happier where you are now.  Your memory in our hearts will live on.  I love you! 

Roman Catholics have been celebrating the Lenten season for more than 2000 years now and with the passing of each Good Friday, it somehow brings back to memory how Jesus has given up His life for the salvation of His people.  Well, for most people it means “holiday” especially for those in the workforce.  It’s a time for relaxation and repose.  It’s a time to clean up, time to get some sleep which most of us desperately want and lack in this fast-paced world, but it’s also a time to be at peace with yourself, with the world and with God.  One has to ponder over what life has been for the past year.  Meditate and thank the Lord for whatever has come.  It’s not that easy to do considering that there are lots of other things that keep us busy as well. The electronic world has produced so many “techy” products like the Game Boy, PSP, DVDs, Internet surfing, etc.  Look at what I’m doing right now: writing a blog.  Hahaha.  Well, it’s a matter of prioritizing.  I still have a few more days to do that, right?  I can start now. 

Happy Easter!

I could always proudly say that I’ve been raised by my parents in a very good and gracious way.  No one could ever question that.  Anyone who ever did will taste a dreadful word from me.  They probably were able to raise me well because they both came from respectable families.  I must admit though that no family is perfect.  Mine is not perfect but it has always came close, given my standards.  My childhood days were full of happy memories.  My adolescent stage was pleasant as well and even as I start to mature, my family were there to support me in any way.   With this, it’s a joy and a blessing to realize that I am what I am now because of them.

Papa and Mama, thank you very much.

When I was a child, I have always dreamt of having a very blissful love life, that is, the fairytale type of having a “happily ever after” ending.  I have always wished for my prince charming to be the typical “tall, dark and handsome” guy.  As years went by and as I matured, more essential criteria were added to the list.  I didn’t end up being too picky but I did ended up being prudent in choosing the man I would enter a relationship with.  Finding him was no easy task and actually finding him was the most futile endeavor I ever did.  It ended with one of my best friends telling me that I should not be finding him.  He should be finding me.  Good thing, I listened and I was indeed blessed with a man who complements me in so many ways.  I am quiet, he’s chatty.  I am serious, he makes me laugh.  Well, he is not exactly “tall, dark and handsome” as I have openly wished.  He’s tall and handsome, o yeah! But definitely not dark, because he’s a lot more fair complexioned than me.  And more importantly, he had the qualities of a man I had secretly wished for: responsible, affectionate, practical and never pretentious, although at times conceited (‘coz he has something to be proud of in the first place).

I have Cloyd, my Mr. Right.

I’m writing my first ever blog to be published in the internet.  It’s no joke doing the english but I was inspired by one of my bestfriends, Kelly.  It’s a way to express myself and hopefully I get the hang of it in the next few days. 

I’m no writer but I’ll try.  Watch out for me!