Introduction to Hive: My First Blog Ever

Hello everyone! My name is Kevin de Arca, and I am excited to introduce myself. I hope you're all having a "Hive-mazing" day! This is my first time writing a blog, so please bear with me. It has been weeks since I learned about this platform, but only now have I mustered the courage to write my introduction.

Most of my hiking friends call me "Sir Arc," a nickname that started when a friend visited me at work and asked the lobby guard if I was available at that time. The guard had trouble remembering my first name, but when my friend mentioned my last name, the guard said, "Ahh, si sir Arc!" - and the nickname stuck. LOL

GET TO KNOW ME

I was born and raised on the historic island of Cebu, Philippines. While I am currently based in Cebu City, I originally come from the northernmost town of Cebu Island, Daanbantayan, where the famous Malapascua Island is located. I take great pride in what my hometown has to offer. Malapascua is known for its white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. If you're into scuba diving, Malapascua is the only place in the world where you can dive with thresher sharks. These magnificent creatures are known to come up to shallower depths early in the morning, providing a unique opportunity for divers to see them up close. For those who are not keen on diving with sharks, there are also some excellent freediving spots where you can explore a WW2 Japanese shipwreck and see some colorful corals.

WHAT KEEPS ME BUSY

Currently, I am working as a Data Analyst and Reports Specialist in a Business Process Outsourcing company, and I have been with the company for almost a decade. Although I enjoy my job, being on a monotonous 9 to 5 routine can be quite challenging, especially when I have to deal with the same tasks day in and day out. At times, it feels like I am trapped in a hamster wheel, putting in long hours and expending energy, but ultimately not making any progress in my life or career.

To break out of this cycle, it is essential to take a step back and reflect on what's important.

BREAKING THE HAMSTER WHEEL

Going hiking or camping is an excellent way to achieve this. In August 2016, I joined a hiking event organized by "The Bisaya Traveler" on Facebook. It was not my first time hiking on that mountain, but it was my first time hiking with random people from the internet. It was a bit awkward at first, but as we traversed greater distances and faced more physical and mental challenges, that initial awkwardness gradually disappeared, replaced instead by laughter and a bond forged through the shared experience of overcoming adversity and pushing beyond personal limits. Since then, I have hiked almost every weekend with the same and some new faces, and later we formed a hiking group where I met my fellow Hiveans like @iamcjestrada, @mariasalve, @ybanezkim26, and @thestrollingmind.

For me, hiking is a chance to disconnect from technology, immerse myself in nature, and connect with like-minded individuals. It provides a refreshing change from work, and the sense of achievement I feel when I reach the summit of a mountain or complete a difficult trail is unparalleled.

Thank you @ybanezkim26 for the invite! I know it took me forever to post, but I am glad that I am here now. I have heard that there are amazing travel stories from fellow Hiveans. I am looking forward to meeting all of you and learning a lot on Hive.