The Great Zambales Trip! (Part One)
Oh god, it's been so long, where do I begin?!
I have one main, main rant that....
(random) OMG!! LJ AUTOMATICALLY SAVES DRAFTS!! o_o WHEE!! (/random)
*coughs*
Anyway, my main rant involves this weekend: My trip to Angela's Organic Farm in Castillejos, Zambales for my RELSFOR Community Service XP
I'm too lazy to put it in cut, and I actually WANT people to read this rant XD
[EDIT] It's too long ~_~ It's a cut anyway
Thus starts the tale!!
================================
Choosing our Comm Service
================================
When we (Me, Ross, Ritchie a.k.a three out of four of the Thesis Mates) arrived during the Market Days (the fancy term for, when we go to see the ads for the advocacy agencies and decide if that's where we want to work), CELL was already closed, which is what we wanted. But we checked the Organic Farm one... It was also closed. We actually begged the lady to let us in, and she finally relented. It took a lot more stress (having to find her again so we can sign the paper properly, looking for her to talk to her, texting her to tell her we still want in, etc). But we finally got it and were official~ Why am I telling this part? It's important for later.
The details first: It's an... organic farm, where everything is organic! ..... ~_~ DOYE.. *ahem* Where everything is produced and grown and fed without the use of inorganic substances/chemicals ^^ (I went nerd mode the whole trip, screaming everytime someone said that "So this is organic food!" and I go, "Duh, ALL food you eat is organic!")
Ahem. We were supposed to stay there for the weekend, like arrive there Saturday, then sleep over and leave on Sunday. The fee is for lodging, meals, etc... Here's the thing... NO transportation was to be provided. We had to get there ourselves.. O_O
================================
Getting There
================================
We were given two choices: Bring your own transportation -- I thought, HELL NO!!! My van GUZZLES GAS! From HOME to LA SALLE (which is not very far), it eats up 100 pesos of GAS!! So from La Salle to ZAMBALES?!?! NO WAY!!!! I'm already spending (toot) for it, I'm not spending another 2-3k!! (back and forth trips, I'm not having the car stay with ME when my Mom would most likely need it at home too!)
So go to option 2: ... Commute. Which is not a problem for me at all. Minus one thing. We have to be at the farm by 7AM. The trip from Manila to the farm takes four hours. We have to get to the bus stop by 3AM. @__@ Ross and I agreed we were going to sleep at our dorms and get up to commute together with Ritchie. BUT the bus stop is at Monumento.. And of COURSE the LRT doesn't work at three in the morning...
We stayed at Ritch's house for the night XP which was funny in itself, because Ritch's brother was scaring Ross with stories of nighttime companions. And Ross retaliated by sending everyone an evil text message.
Well, we managed to wake up in time, and Ritch's mom managed to bring us to the station, only to find out it was five minutes til the bus left. And we were recommended to take the IBA route bus, but apparently the next one was to arrive at 7 XP so we took the Olongapo bus.
XD It was FUUN!! Since it was in the dead of the morning, there was noone on the bus! But it was cold and Ross borrowed my blanket, which made me laugh. And the two of us fell asleep because we were running on one-two hours sleep. And when we arrived I got lost but we ended up finding each other again and having to wait for the jeep to Castillejos to get filled up. It was actually rather embarrassing, because Ritchie (the designated navigator) kept asking whether we were at Castillejos already @_@ I was kinda "WAAaahhh Nakakahiyaaa", then we got to the place, and took a trike to the farm. The trip cost a total of 193 pesos each XP And to be honest, it actually kinda added to the experience.
================================
The Arrival
================================
We arrived at 7:30 so breakfast was still going on. The food was good XP but imagine my shock as we realized important things: 1) We were the only ones who commuted. Out of 26 people, only three people commuted, everyone else brought their own cars/vans/etc. The next important thing was: 2) Girls started arriving. Now girls arriving is not a bad thing, I'm a girl after all. But since we were told over and over that this was a farm, and that we'd probably have to work out on the field, I was in a white shirt (with the sleeves rolled up) and in jogging pants (with the pant legs loose enough to be rolled up if need be) Ritch and Ross were more or less the same. With this in mind, imagine our horror to see girls coming our way, dressed up as if they were malling, in pretty shirts, and capris pants, and tight jeans, and make-up, and their hair done. Even the four other boys, who had gelled hair, and were in their 'cool duds'.
You know how you have that feeling, that the weekend's going to turn out bad? I had it. This impending sense of doom.
Well, we managed to make our groups, and the three of us joined up with two Pre-Law (I forgot the specific course) kids, Jojo and Pia. ^^ They were decent (you know... "game na game sila")
====================================
Activity One: Feeding the Livestock
====================================
The pigs first, or HerBaboy as it was called O_o Herb-Baboy, really, but.. Well, anyway... Apparently they are only fed natural things ^^ Like herbs and veggies! So we got to go over and feed them. XD I got into the pig pen after I realized that our Faci (Sir Conrad) was inside, so I asked, "Sir~! Pwedeng pumasok?!" and he laughed and said yes, so I got in! XD And I was holding the branches feeding the pigs directly and it was so much fun~ and two of them attacked the branches I was holding down in my other hand ~_~ And while I was watching, Sir Conrad decided to take a picture of me T_T And thus I was started as the trip's Poster Girl.
Then the fowl XD There was a TURKEY!! I didn't go into the pen this time, because... Well pigs have snouts.. Chickens have beaks @_@ And there was a TURKEY!!!!! T__T Maybe when I get the pictures from Ross, I'll upload too XD
====================================
Activity Two: Vermiculture
====================================
After our snack break (T_T There was a food break every two hours~!!! T___T It was so annoying!!) we went back to check... the compost bins!!! WOOHOO! XD And I actually dug for worms, because apparently we're supposed to. But before we did, I grabbed a worm and held it up, and I was amusedly watching it when... A camera flashed... @__@ Uh huh. Poster girl.
This was where it also started... In the batch, a total of five probably touched worms: Me, Ritchie, Jojo, Pia, and Katre... and a couple of girls for like... five minutes. And everyone seemed reluctant to do anything, even the simple thing, and seemed to have no knowledge whatsoever about how to do things properly? Uh huh. Ritchie was starting to get annoyed, and was trying to point out how it should be done. I was holding him back at first because I didn't want people to be annoyed... but.. it deteriorated later on.
====================================
Lunch and Lecture
====================================
... I got bored. I wanted so much more work than what we were given, and considering that we were given absolutely NO work for about two hours (lunch break) I wanted to do something so badly.
Meanwhile, all the others lounged in their chairs, or fell asleep, or complained in their cars, and did bonding, and whatever else. Me and Ritchie were itching to go out to the field.
Well after the break, we ended up having a lecture thing, and there was a deal: If someone could explain how Palay became cooked rice from the seed, then we get dismissed an hour early the next day. I was overjoyed, not because I wanted to leave the place early, but I was thinking that if we get off by two, then I get back to La Salle by seven! Not at eight @_@ But then everyone was trying to bargain with Sir for earlier times... and with these tones that really revealed: "I don't want to be here!"
I mean T_T Look, I understand that this isn't everybody's thing, but the ONE thing that I can't get off my mind was, if you didn't like the place then WHY THE HELL DID YOU PICK IT?!?!?! I had to BEG for the in-charge to let us into the batch, and I did so much (and was complaining that there should be more work!) and these people who filled up the slots two hours into the Market Days did nothing but lounge and complain and beg to be sent home early!!
T___T
It's late... Maybe I'll turn in and continue the rant tomorrow XP
Be ready for part two!
I have one main, main rant that....
(random) OMG!! LJ AUTOMATICALLY SAVES DRAFTS!! o_o WHEE!! (/random)
*coughs*
Anyway, my main rant involves this weekend: My trip to Angela's Organic Farm in Castillejos, Zambales for my RELSFOR Community Service XP
I'm too lazy to put it in cut, and I actually WANT people to read this rant XD
[EDIT] It's too long ~_~ It's a cut anyway
Thus starts the tale!!
================================
Choosing our Comm Service
================================
When we (Me, Ross, Ritchie a.k.a three out of four of the Thesis Mates) arrived during the Market Days (the fancy term for, when we go to see the ads for the advocacy agencies and decide if that's where we want to work), CELL was already closed, which is what we wanted. But we checked the Organic Farm one... It was also closed. We actually begged the lady to let us in, and she finally relented. It took a lot more stress (having to find her again so we can sign the paper properly, looking for her to talk to her, texting her to tell her we still want in, etc). But we finally got it and were official~ Why am I telling this part? It's important for later.
The details first: It's an... organic farm, where everything is organic! ..... ~_~ DOYE.. *ahem* Where everything is produced and grown and fed without the use of inorganic substances/chemicals ^^ (I went nerd mode the whole trip, screaming everytime someone said that "So this is organic food!" and I go, "Duh, ALL food you eat is organic!")
Ahem. We were supposed to stay there for the weekend, like arrive there Saturday, then sleep over and leave on Sunday. The fee is for lodging, meals, etc... Here's the thing... NO transportation was to be provided. We had to get there ourselves.. O_O
================================
Getting There
================================
We were given two choices: Bring your own transportation -- I thought, HELL NO!!! My van GUZZLES GAS! From HOME to LA SALLE (which is not very far), it eats up 100 pesos of GAS!! So from La Salle to ZAMBALES?!?! NO WAY!!!! I'm already spending (toot) for it, I'm not spending another 2-3k!! (back and forth trips, I'm not having the car stay with ME when my Mom would most likely need it at home too!)
So go to option 2: ... Commute. Which is not a problem for me at all. Minus one thing. We have to be at the farm by 7AM. The trip from Manila to the farm takes four hours. We have to get to the bus stop by 3AM. @__@ Ross and I agreed we were going to sleep at our dorms and get up to commute together with Ritchie. BUT the bus stop is at Monumento.. And of COURSE the LRT doesn't work at three in the morning...
We stayed at Ritch's house for the night XP which was funny in itself, because Ritch's brother was scaring Ross with stories of nighttime companions. And Ross retaliated by sending everyone an evil text message.
Well, we managed to wake up in time, and Ritch's mom managed to bring us to the station, only to find out it was five minutes til the bus left. And we were recommended to take the IBA route bus, but apparently the next one was to arrive at 7 XP so we took the Olongapo bus.
XD It was FUUN!! Since it was in the dead of the morning, there was noone on the bus! But it was cold and Ross borrowed my blanket, which made me laugh. And the two of us fell asleep because we were running on one-two hours sleep. And when we arrived I got lost but we ended up finding each other again and having to wait for the jeep to Castillejos to get filled up. It was actually rather embarrassing, because Ritchie (the designated navigator) kept asking whether we were at Castillejos already @_@ I was kinda "WAAaahhh Nakakahiyaaa", then we got to the place, and took a trike to the farm. The trip cost a total of 193 pesos each XP And to be honest, it actually kinda added to the experience.
================================
The Arrival
================================
We arrived at 7:30 so breakfast was still going on. The food was good XP but imagine my shock as we realized important things: 1) We were the only ones who commuted. Out of 26 people, only three people commuted, everyone else brought their own cars/vans/etc. The next important thing was: 2) Girls started arriving. Now girls arriving is not a bad thing, I'm a girl after all. But since we were told over and over that this was a farm, and that we'd probably have to work out on the field, I was in a white shirt (with the sleeves rolled up) and in jogging pants (with the pant legs loose enough to be rolled up if need be) Ritch and Ross were more or less the same. With this in mind, imagine our horror to see girls coming our way, dressed up as if they were malling, in pretty shirts, and capris pants, and tight jeans, and make-up, and their hair done. Even the four other boys, who had gelled hair, and were in their 'cool duds'.
You know how you have that feeling, that the weekend's going to turn out bad? I had it. This impending sense of doom.
Well, we managed to make our groups, and the three of us joined up with two Pre-Law (I forgot the specific course) kids, Jojo and Pia. ^^ They were decent (you know... "game na game sila")
====================================
Activity One: Feeding the Livestock
====================================
The pigs first, or HerBaboy as it was called O_o Herb-Baboy, really, but.. Well, anyway... Apparently they are only fed natural things ^^ Like herbs and veggies! So we got to go over and feed them. XD I got into the pig pen after I realized that our Faci (Sir Conrad) was inside, so I asked, "Sir~! Pwedeng pumasok?!" and he laughed and said yes, so I got in! XD And I was holding the branches feeding the pigs directly and it was so much fun~ and two of them attacked the branches I was holding down in my other hand ~_~ And while I was watching, Sir Conrad decided to take a picture of me T_T And thus I was started as the trip's Poster Girl.
Then the fowl XD There was a TURKEY!! I didn't go into the pen this time, because... Well pigs have snouts.. Chickens have beaks @_@ And there was a TURKEY!!!!! T__T Maybe when I get the pictures from Ross, I'll upload too XD
====================================
Activity Two: Vermiculture
====================================
After our snack break (T_T There was a food break every two hours~!!! T___T It was so annoying!!) we went back to check... the compost bins!!! WOOHOO! XD And I actually dug for worms, because apparently we're supposed to. But before we did, I grabbed a worm and held it up, and I was amusedly watching it when... A camera flashed... @__@ Uh huh. Poster girl.
This was where it also started... In the batch, a total of five probably touched worms: Me, Ritchie, Jojo, Pia, and Katre... and a couple of girls for like... five minutes. And everyone seemed reluctant to do anything, even the simple thing, and seemed to have no knowledge whatsoever about how to do things properly? Uh huh. Ritchie was starting to get annoyed, and was trying to point out how it should be done. I was holding him back at first because I didn't want people to be annoyed... but.. it deteriorated later on.
====================================
Lunch and Lecture
====================================
... I got bored. I wanted so much more work than what we were given, and considering that we were given absolutely NO work for about two hours (lunch break) I wanted to do something so badly.
Meanwhile, all the others lounged in their chairs, or fell asleep, or complained in their cars, and did bonding, and whatever else. Me and Ritchie were itching to go out to the field.
Well after the break, we ended up having a lecture thing, and there was a deal: If someone could explain how Palay became cooked rice from the seed, then we get dismissed an hour early the next day. I was overjoyed, not because I wanted to leave the place early, but I was thinking that if we get off by two, then I get back to La Salle by seven! Not at eight @_@ But then everyone was trying to bargain with Sir for earlier times... and with these tones that really revealed: "I don't want to be here!"
I mean T_T Look, I understand that this isn't everybody's thing, but the ONE thing that I can't get off my mind was, if you didn't like the place then WHY THE HELL DID YOU PICK IT?!?!?! I had to BEG for the in-charge to let us into the batch, and I did so much (and was complaining that there should be more work!) and these people who filled up the slots two hours into the Market Days did nothing but lounge and complain and beg to be sent home early!!
T___T
It's late... Maybe I'll turn in and continue the rant tomorrow XP
Be ready for part two!