This year I truly enjoyed summer with my husband. After recovering from miscarriage, we purposely took advantage of the opportunity that we could travel a lot this year, explore the beautiful places of our very own Philippines. We started with Boracay, my husband's first time to set foot on the paradise island. It's my third time to be there but it turned out that he knows very well about the place. We've been to other beaches that boast their own charm. A short trek to Mt. Luho was a bit challenging to me but when we reached the summit, true as they say, it's all worth it!

Next in line was another visit to the beach in Bgy Pundaquit, San Antonio Zambales. I never knew there is such a hideaway somewhere in Zambales. The resort we stayed in was Punta de Uian, and we just loved our room -- a taste of nature in a minimalist orientation. The resort was the temporary home of the local Marimar. It was a serene place perfect for a much deserved relaxation. This trip was another challenge for me because I was obliged to do another trekking from one island to another, I went up a lighthouse via difficult stairways, and I rode on a small banca for 30 minutes from the resort to Capones Island. These experiences are all new to me. I never knew that I can survive all these new life-chaging experiences but I'm just glad I did. I guess that's one beauty that marriage brings to me -- discovering a new person in me because of my husband's influences. He was trying to let me go out of my comfort zone transforming me into the best person I can be.

We also conquered the roads of some towns of Laguna for the holy week Visita Iglesia, inhaled fresh air of Talisay Batangas, and satisfied our taste buds with fresh fruits and mouth-watering delicacies of Tagaytay.

Among all the travels we had, our trip to Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte has been ultimately the most challenging and memorable. Together with nine good friends, we were able to survive the life on a deserted island. It was an experience that really tested me -- physically and emotionally. I also consider it a humbling experience and made me reflect to be ever grateful for whatever I have now, most especially the comfortable life I live as well as the material possessions I have. Back to the basics as I call the life we lived in Calaguas Island. There, there's no electricity, no MWSS water, no comfortable bed so we slept on the sand, no soft comfy pillow, we took a bath from a well, no network coverage to use our cellphones, our night light only comes from the bright stars and lightning, our music comes from the chirping of birds, noise of hermit crabs, and the resounding whistle of cicadas.

Living a life of "back to basics" just for one day is an authentic source of great wisdom that my husband unveiled to me. The memories we had created in such wonderful island were etched in the fine sand of Calaguas beach symbolized by our hands.