"Hi I'm Chelle... and I'm an AdrenalineHolic" Personal Page by rachelleiris

Hi I’m Chelle… and I’m an AdrenalineHolic.

(This is the part when you’d say “Hiii Chelle”…)

And then I say… I’ve been an adrenalineholic since I was 3 years old.

At 3, I would ride a big bike with a little helmet – while being sandwiched by my Mom and Dad to make sure I was safe…

At 4, I would ride a swing in the park… and swing it sooo high as to deserve a tiny but visible scar between my chin and neck (wait, I actually don’t know that part is called)…

At 5, I would dance hawaiian or ballet (at least my version of it) on top of the bed until I missed a step, slipped and ended up in my Grandma’s clinic… and went back home with a cast on my left arm.

Suffice it to say, I had a blast during my childhood days. My Mom was a worry-wart in as much as she was supportive (in the sense that she would let me experience anything I’d dare try. Like she had a choice.)… And now, as an adult, it’s safe to say that am still having a blast – what with all the small and big adventures here and there.

popping up

In my lifetime, I’ve had a couple of adventures too many…and still craving for more.. I haven’t done bungee jumping and sky diving just yet.. But given the chance, I think I would either dare or chicken out (I honestly don’t know… I’ll just probably jump off the plane when I get there). I don’t have enough photos to show though (as I’ve left them in the Phils.. phooey! I'll check my emails and e-files later)… But here are some of the “To Do’s” that I’ve already ticked-off in this lifetime…

- Went Spelunking in the dark limestone caves of Sagada in the Mountain Province, Philippines….

- Climbed an enchanted mountain called Banahaw in the Philippines, Pico de Loro and Daraitan among other Philippine mountains…

- Experienced more than enough wipe-outs while Surfing (or attempting to surf!) in La Union (please see my San Juan, La Union travelogue)…

rapids.. here we come!

- Turned-turtle several times in the course of White Water Rafting in Cagayan de Oro..

- Jumped-off a 30-foot high cliff as part of the White Water Rafting graduation...

- Have inflicted good kind of pain on myself (still regularly inflicting good pain, even as I write) by having those bone-breaking, flexibility-challenging Yoga moves...

- Joined the UAAP swimming competitions even with full-knowledge that I wasn’t physically prepared for it! (My excuse for losing… I was more focused on studies rather than being on the swimteam.. ya, ya, excuses excuses! ).. hey, it wasn’t easy juggling school and sports, y’know!

this is not manila bay though. this is cagayan

- Fell-off some walls (but with a harness) while Wall Climbing several times….

- Braved the “sweetest-smelling” (if you know what I mean) bay in the world that is Manila Bay – while Dragonboat Rowing. I consider this an adventure because not only do I wake up at 5 am every Sunday, considering that I'm a night-owl, but also because I survived the smell!) But don’t worry, I have long stopped this unnecessary torture.

- While suspended around 25 to 30 feet high above the ground, I traversed a few kilometers while Zip Lining in Cagayan de Oro City. But then again, I was strapped to a harness and a helmet. So no worries! Wheee!

- Screamed exhilaration through my mouthpiece as I saw those orange soft corals, violet starfish, and nemo-looking clownfish while Intro Diving in Batangas.

- Went Hobie Boating in the middle of the sulfuric Taal Lake… with teeny-weeny fears of the dangers of the Loch Ness monster.

white water... yum!

- Had hair-raising and creepy Wreck Diving/ Snorkeling experience in Coron, Palawan.

- Enjoyed skidding through the wet and a bit-muddy tracks of Subic, Pampanga while Go-Karting in the rain.

- And if you can consider driving through the highway floods of South Super Expressway -- in the dead of the night an adventure, then count that in…

desert catharsis

- And most recently... braved the unforgiving, scorching Dubai summer heat as we laughed and screamed (and screamed some more -- of amusement and nervousness combined) while Dune Bashing in the desert. And to borrow my Dune Bashing mate Miko’s words.. "that experience was cathartic!" Couldn’t agree with him more!

high five!

I know I’m not exactly a hardcore adrenaline junkie.. but things as such keep me going.. in as much as a small and harmless lizard can make my heart pumping like anything…

Suffice it to say, I am still a sissy and a toughie in equal measure. =)

Can’t wait to tick off more of my “To Do” list of adventures… But first, I have to schedule a leave from the equally-adrenaline-pumping work of mine. Another phooey. =)

So there.. I don't think I'd ever be rehabilitated from this adrenalineholism. I just keep coming back for more. Argh.. =) I’m sure you guys have your fair share of “holics” too. C’mon, spill it out! C'mon c'mon! =)