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Most of my friends know that I'm not a very adventurous type of girl. I don't like riding roller coasters, I don't like eating weird-looking food, and I don't like starting up a conversation with a stranger. To put it simply, I'm afraid of going out of my comfort zone.

But at the beginning of the year, I promised myself I'd try inch by inch to get out of my comfort zone and experience things for the first time. So, it was a big surprise to some when I decided to tag along with my college buds on a trip to Zambales. "What, you? Surfing? You've got to be kidding me." I couldn't believe it either. In fact, I told my friend, "I'll just go to take your pictures. I don't have to surf, right?" I still couldn't commit because I was terrified. What if I fall off the board and there's a shark? Haha!

But when we got there, this is what greeted us:

We stayed in Canoe's Beach Resort in Pundaquit, Zambales. This is the view from the area where the rooms are. Isn't it pretty? I was convinced. I'm going to at least try. I didn't go all the way here just to sit and take pictures. I needed to experience something new!

On the left, I'm with Joe Villatora of Stone Money Surf. He comes from a family of surfers! Two of his brothers even make these boards. Isn't that awesome? He grew up in Hawaii and has been competing professionally for Quiksilver. He taught us the basics like how to balance on your board, how to paddle out, and try to catch a wave. The picture on the right is of me paddling. Oh my goodness. It wasn't even two minutes of paddling and my arms were already so sore. Joe suggested that we swim at least twice a week if we want to continue surfing.

See? We're all tired and just lying on our boards. Hahahaha!

Of course I need to show you a picture of me trying to actually get on the board, right? Well, here are two tries. One successful (woohoo!) and one not-so. Joe asks his assistant, Rick, to take our pictures so that we'll see how we stand on the board and he can correct us.

These are pictures of my first and last tries. The first picture—I wasn't sure when I was supposed to stand up and I couldn't hear Joe. Thus the wipe out. Hehe! But the final one, I felt the push of the wave and was able to stand up at just the right time. After this one, I was on top of the world!

The newbies. That's Cla, Kaich, and me on the shore after trying to surf for the first time EVER. And another picture of us with Joe before we left the resort. Thanks, Joe!!! If you also want to try surfing, you can visit their website. I promise you, you will want to come back and do it again!

We liked taking pictures throughout the trip. Hehe! My friend Patty took this picture of us taking a picture of the sunset. And look at the beautiful sunset on the right. Wow.

This is my friend, Patty. She's the master travel planner! Hehe! And she's the one who convinced me to go on this trip. Thanks, Pats! More trips, better days, and get aways with you!

And as a parting shot, here's a pic of Candy in the sand. Haha, too bad my camera's shadow covered the Y.

I'm so jealous because my friends are going back this weekend and I can't come. But I'm not entirely miserable about it because my good friends from UP StreetDance Club are going to have a concert this Saturday night at 7pm in UP (UP Theater)! I'm so excited! I miss dancing so much but this time, I'll be part of the audience. I can't wait to see all of them onstage. Come watch! I promise you, it's soooo worth it.

How about you? What things have you been trying out for the first time ever? I'd love to hear about them.

xoxo,
Macy