Traveling on a budget with legs as my gears

May 13, 2018: Oyasumi & Trek 2 @ Scrapyard, Rizal en route to Daranak Falls

Almost six months in to the new year and yet I have not granted a single wish on the list I created (Read: 2017 Wishlist). However, there's a lot of changes in my life since, which are not as bike-centered or bike-related as I would like. I'm more into makeup now than I am into buying bike parts. I no longer have perfect vision and, instead, have astigmatism 100; that sucks! I also gained 20lbs from reckless eating and not riding as much as I used to. Now, I am having a really hard time shedding it off. I'm even considering going pescetarian again but I have a poor man's salary−it would be perpetually impossible for me to maintain such a lifestyle choice. I'm still a teacher but not for swimming anymore. I work at local school and handle a fun mix of kids, mostly those with special needs. Some other life updates while we're at it include me participating in a wrestling show (GENESIS) as Starling last March 17 at Valkyrie in BGC, Taguig.

Starling vs Silent D

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Photos by Akio Sen T. Escano

We got featured in several articles after the show. Some are even featuring on a GMA show to be aired on May 26. It was good while it lasted but my heart isn't really into wrestling; I don't like most parts that aren't all about training. The sweat, the challenge, the camaraderie... that's just what I was in for. I always knew the money would not follow−at least, not right away−even when the CEO of the wrestling promotion I am in was persistent in promising ridiculous figures. And after CEO Brian (not his real surname) Finigan made a fool out of the wrestlers, forcing our good coach, Chilly Willy's, hand to make an exit, I'm not really sure if I still want to continue... but who knows? Right now, I want to focus on my day job because it's an enjoyable and purposeful journey to embark on despite the financial constraints that it entails.

Another life update is, I am finally in a relationship 😮😮😮 yes, I know! Shocking! I might have mentioned him here before; I'm not sure, but he's been a long time friend who stupidly fell in love with me and all of my horrors. I don't even know why. 😅 We bike together sometimes. Sometimes I also bike to his turf.

I recorded a whole vlog about it one time:

That's all I want to do with my life now, what I have always wanted to do−bike to places I wanna visit with people I wanna be with. So when it comes to goals, I guess nothing has really changed. I still want to bike to be happy. I just no longer have to do it alone. Upgraditis is not much of a disease that consumes me either, as my interests have stretched outside cycling and fitness. But nevertheless, still...

BIKE IS LIFE ( AMONG OTHER THINGS )