Sartorial Highness

Sanctuary of Truth: Part 2

As promised, here are more photos I took of the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, Thailand. Enjoy!

The epicenter and ceiling of the Sanctuary

With the other tourists. We were all required to wear hard hats because of the ongoing and continuous maintenance and repairing of the Sanctuary - with that much wood, how can it not require so much attention??

Looking through one of the windows. :)

Me wondering what it'd feel like if I have a home as big as this!

The topmost spire of the structure

Sarah enjoying the sunshine

And here are some of the photos of me by my friend and travel partner, Sarah. Isn't she creative?? And skilled at finding that perfect lighting! Can you believe these are shot using her Sony Ericsson cellphone? I wouldn't if I wasn't there to personally witness it!

Probably my favorite spot in the premises of the Sanctuary... So serene and beautiful!

If I am not mistaken, the Sanctuary of Truth was built as a symbol to remind not just the Thai but all of us, that we are only dust particles in this world. And that together, we are here to create something big - a better picture.

Look how that symbolism turned out! So pretty. So let's start making this world prettier and stronger by helping each other out.

Love one another! ♥

A.

Sanctuary of Truth

Before I flew to Thailand, I made it a point to research about the possible places and tourist spots that I might visit during my stay there. I wasn't only blessed enough to visit Bangkok (capital city of Thailand) but extra blessed to have had the opportunity to visit Pattaya -- a beach area located in the Eastern part of the country.

I had no idea where and what was in Pattaya. I never even heard of it until I saw that it was part of our tour package. So then I decided to Google about it... and voila! I came upon a list of 'must-see' places in Pattaya and The Sanctuary of Truth was among the, if not number 1, list.

Based on the photos I've seen on my Google search and Instagram, I became determined to not go back to the Philippines unless I see the Sanctuary with my very own eyes! Well... I didn't realize that once I decide on something I really like, I'll really commit to it. What a revelation. Haha.

Long story short: Sarah and I went there since Riza didn't come with us to Pattaya and she just stayed in Bangkok. Needless to say, this was definitely the highlight of my Pattaya trip... well, one of the highlights. ;)

**photo heavy post!

Look at how intricate the wood carvings are!

Random tourist taking an elephant ride around the premises of the Sanctuary

I tried to capture ALL the angles and every detail of the beautiful temple

From the foundation to the tips of the roof, EVERYTHING is made up of wood!

Add caption

The Sanctuary is located at the edge of a beach... this is the view from one of the windows inside

This post seems too long and photo heavy already, so I'd just post another one about the Sanctuary. Stay tuned!

Hello 2013!

Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013!

I know I've been on a hiatus ever since my breakdown a.k.a last post... but since it's a new year, I figured why not go back to blogging and ranting on about life since apparently, quite a number of people actually see my posts.

First of all, I'd like to greet you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I'm pretty sure we've all had our sucky moments last year but don't you feel some kind of new hope everytime a new year arrives? I do.

I am pretty sure you'll think it's lame or even hypocritical to write New Year's Resolutions but I am still going to write one. I'm not promising that I will be able to push through with it. However, by writing it down, I am making myself a sort of guide so I won't lose track along the way.

I'll probably share it with you guys once I finalize it. But as of now, I just want to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2013!

A.

I Have Something To Say

Of course I'd have something to say. How boring will it be to have a blog and not say anything at all? What's the use of that, even?

Seriously, though, I just had one of the surprises of my life this afternoon. I don't want to elaborate much for fear of some of the people I know personally to read it and spread rumors or talk about it too much...but, I can tell you that it made me a little crazy.

Have you ever had that moment in your life where there are just no words at all to describe how you feel? Moments that you can't identify if you're happy or sad about something? Well, I'm experiencing that right now.

I don't even know why I'm affected. It's a simple thing... I'm just complicating things. But here's to the guy who was my first boyfriend. Who was my first kiss. Who was my first dance. Who was my first love...and who was my heartbreak.

I suffered from depression, mental and physical illness. I threw away the opportunity of studying at my dream school. I fought with my family just so I can spend more time with you and be with you. But that wasn't enough. You went straight ahead and left me for her.

But that was 5 years ago. I became happy again. I'm a good student now - a better one, to be exact. I have new friends. I go out. I don't always hold my phone and have the need to reply asap. I have all my money to myself because I have no one to buy gifts for. In short... I was finally living my life. Years of not having a single problem about the issues of the heart. Not crying at all because I miss you. Not feeling of having to puke when I see or smell food. I loved how free I felt. It took long to get the smile back onto my face...but I still got it back. I was better.

And now... here you are. At my school. First thing I said when I saw you?

What the hell?!

You didn't answer. All you did was introduce me to you girlfriend.

Don't get me wrong. She seems nice. I even said hi, didn't I? But there is still this feeling bothering me.

You just made my world too small. Way too small that I feel suffocated. In all honesty, I don't want to see you every single day! I do miss you sometimes...but this is torture. Now I'm scared to go to the canteen or even at the close establishments around campus. I don't want to bump into you the way I did this afternoon. I was completely taken by surprise.

I don't know if this is a game that destiny's playing at me but I do hope that you don't play along with it. I am so going to be sick again if more surprises concerning you occurs.

I don't want to see you. It hurts me.

A.

Wanderlust

I have always wanted to travel. Anywhere. Be it a few cities away from where I live, I consider it travel. Maybe for most, the basis of traveling is via airplanes or cruises...but for a simple girl like me, wherever there's something new to see and worth visiting - it's a travel spot.

Last October 22, 2012, I was blessed enough to board on a plane and fly 3 hours away from the Philippines and into Thailand. It has been, so far, the longest flight I've taken since my previous flights were always just above and hour. I don't know with you guys, but I'm cool with flying for a couple of hours. Unlike some, especially my sisters, who get irritated and uneasy on long flights, I am okay with it.

Sarah, Riza and I boarded a plane at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3 at 9:40pm. We arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on the following day at 12:45am. But since Thailand time is one hour late as opposed to Philippines time, we were considered to have arrived at 11:45pm.

Alright, I must've bored you enough. Here are some of the photos.

Our plane!

Riza playing with our cute seat mate: Caleb

My very first glimpse of Thailand from the airplane

At one of Suvarnabhumi's comfort rooms. I look so stressed. hahahaha.

Look how beautiful their airport is!

This is what we looked like as we waited for our tour bus.

Free map!

Since our tour bus won't pick us up until 8am of October 27, 2012, my friends and I decided to leave the airport for a while and just come back so that we can catch our bus to Pattaya where we'll be heading first.

More photos to follow! ;)

Have a great November ahead of you! ♥