💪 Laban Lang, Beshie

 Here I am, preparing for a camping trip. And let me be honest: camping in the middle of nowhere is so not me. Dirt? Kadiri (nasty, ewww). Bugs? Mosquitos? They treat me like an all-you-can-eat buffet. I’m allergic to bites, so I swell up with bumps bigger than my tomatoes—walking around like Quasimodo. Even the pests (human or not) love me.

So I prep like a Pinay ninja—spraying my clothes and gear with Sawyer repellant (seriously, this stuff works), packing wipes like they’re currency, stuffing in every anti-itch cream, lotion, and citronella candle I own… and still wondering if I can survive without a flushing toilet or a warm shower for days.

Meanwhile, my Mr. Wonderful (aka Chuckles) doesn’t just camp—he glamps. Before the word was even invented! His setup is legendary: cozy bedding (Egyptian cotton sheets 👍), gear straight out of a catalog, and meals that make you forget you’re in the woods. Steaks, bacon, eggs, and his world-famous pancakes—crispy edges, fluffy middles, melt-in-your-mouth magic. (Self-anointed title, but trust me, worth it.)

Grab your mug here: 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4352003738/laban-lang-beshie-mug-funny-motivational

But here’s the twist—I actually love these camping trips. Despite the bug bites, dirt, and pit toilets, I love the long drives with him. I get him all to myself—no conference calls, no emails. I love walking in the Redwoods, along the Avenue of the Giants, or at PiPi. I love the peace, the calm, the views that stop you in your tracks (especially Yosemite😍), the shock of clear, cold water rushing by, and watching tiny fish dart between my feet.

And then there are the uninvited guests. Like that time a bear strolled just outside our tent at night. (Yes, a real bear 🐻—sniffing this close to my hubby’s head before crunch-crunch-crunching away over twigs and pine needles.) Some campers had been blasting music on their ATVs and left trash unsecured, so of course, the bears came down looking for food. Terrifying—but also a sharp reminder: respect nature. Clean up. Don’t invite trouble.

Would I ever have done this in the Philippines? Nope. (Childhood school camps don’t count—we had manongs (Filipino term for elderly men) watching over us 😂.) But now? I’d still say yes to more. Because Chuck introduced me to something I never thought I’d enjoy: the mix of discomfort, adventure, and awe that only camping brings. RV coming soon… wishful thinking, but a girl can dream.

And through it all, there’s me—still juggling my micro business, exhausted before the day even starts, but enjoying my coffee with my mug that says: Laban Lang, Beshie (Keep Fighting, Bestie).

Because that’s the heart of it. Whether you’re camping with bears, running school drop-offs, surviving toxic bosses, or just trying to carve out peace in a noisy world—laban lang, beshie. Keep going. You’re stronger (and funnier) than you think.

💖 Laban lang. Always.

🛒 View other collections here: https://chucklesanddagger.etsy.com