Me and my cousin JM bought coin purses as our gifts to our elderly relatives in Marinduque. Sad to say, JM didn't make it to spend the holiday vacation in the province.

After Christmas, we were very excited to travel back to the province.

December 28 is the death anniversary of my grandmother so the holiday came in two purpose.

We (Aunt Liza and Nida, Uncle Lito and cousins JP and Jane Mariz) left the Jam Liner Bus Station at excatly 5:30 in the morning and reached Lucena Port at 8:00 in the morning. Unluckily, there was no ship scheduled on that time. We have to wait until 12:00 noon. The waiting area was heavily occupied by passengers.

Tired and hungry, we just satisfied ourselves in looking at the sea, looking for foods and chatting for the meantime.

We boarded at 1:30 pm. The trip lasted for less that 3 hours. Before hitting the land, islands of Natangko and San Andress could be seen, plus the stunning beauty of the mountain ranges of Balanacan. The only thing that I could say is " I miss this place".

After 15 minutes ride to a passenger jeepney from the port, we reached my grand parent's house just located a kilometer away from the town proper. After several HIs and HELLOs, I decided to took a short nap.

December 28, Sunday, I woke up early to fetch my girl in her house to hear mass. After a little conversation with her parents we headed to church. After mass I brought her to our house to be with us in remembering the death of my grandmother in my mother's side.

My entire vacation spent that way, be with my girl for almost everyday, go to beach, bragging with my friends and cousins at night, eating and sleeping just consuming the best of the holiday season.

New Year came. I could say that this year, we are more ready to face the challenges ahead of us.