When I was 21, I felt (or maybe I was?) invincible. I was a young mother with the most adorable baby girl you can imagine. I had a prestigious job and earned a promotion shortly after. I married the "one" and to top it all, losing weight was as easy as 123 -- even if I ate everything on the menu at McDonalds. I've always struggled with my weight since high school so imagine my excitement when I was skinnier than I have ever been in my whole life after I had my daughter.
But alas, I turned 30 recently. My friends and I had always, always dreaded that mark. My single friends brace themselves for this semi tragedy with a huge L sign on their foreheads. They tell me, "I'll die alone and never have kids" while my married friends moan and say, "Another 10 years and we'll all be fatter. And older." Me? I dreaded wrinkles. Loathed those stubborn, treacherous and permanent lines. When I was growing up, most girls were looking for breasts or curves. I looked for wrinkles. I don't know.
Maybe you can blame it on a mother who was crazy about sunblock.
Surprisingly, when my time came, it wasn't all that bad. While my jeans from some 5 years ago no longer fit and maybe a couple of crows feet are definitely visible, I finally paid off some of our loans, completed reading my favorite book series and finished decorating my daughter's room. Most of all, I was at one of the world's best beaches, Boracay.
Since I live in Cebu, I shouldn't be fazed and dazzled by sandy white beaches and clear blue waters. Cebuanos can choose to go to the beach every weekend if they wish. But Boracay? Now that's different. I'm not the sun's biggest fan but I'll happily brave the violent and damaging UV rays for a vacation at this pristine 10-kilometer island.
We're here!
flawless beach
trying to build a sand castle
Ghawwd! 8am. The last time I was up this early was when I was still working.
birthday breakfast
We're going island hopping!
boarding the boat
All set!
Fearless like her dad. She wants to snorkel.
I took the pictures since I can't swim and was too scared to even snorkel.
Coconut juice, anyone?
Look at that. The beach is perfect. I could live here but I'll miss Cebu too much. :)
With my childhood friend, Cho.
My daughter told me that my hat was the same as everyone else's! LOL. Cho gave it to me as a present. We got it at the Talipapa Market in Boracay.
Wah! I was bullied into getting subs for breakfast!
Fine. But I'll be having a huge lunch. I can't live without rice.
Partners in crime
tandem
Boracay has arguably the best fruit shakes in the land.
Souvenir shopping time!
People say that when you turn 30, you can't afford to be picky. Well, I certainly don't agree! Why, Tina Fey became
the Tina Fey when she was in her 30s! And there's one of my favorite writers, Emily Giffin, who published her first book when she was 32.
So embrace being 30. After all, there's a certain power to it that no 21 year old can have. :)
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