Inner Ramblings

Just this way

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:44:32 +0800

I do things because I want to, not because I have to. I have my own mind, I make my own decisions and I drive my own fate. I am not perfect, nor will I ever try to be, I am me and that’s good enough for the people who love me.

I don’t have to listen to you, I only will because I want to, and when I do, know that you are privileged enough to have my attention, because I only listen to people that I care about.

I am strong, I am passionate, I am incredibly smart. I will do things my way but will compromise for the people I love. I don’t care about what you say about me, I have my own perception of me and as long as I stay true to myself, I am perfectly fine being just the way I am.

I don’t strive for your approval, because God already approved of who I have been, who I am and who I will be, I know that because He made me this way. I have not or will I ever try to change the way I feel, the way I think and the way I am, I love myself and that is probably the reason why I love my life.

My life is not perfect and its so far from being one, but because I have people around me that love me, it is not so bad. Living this life helps me grow, it helped me realize the person that I am and the kind of person I want to be, a person that remains true to herself, a person that is not defined by the hate, jealousy and envy of others, but is defined by the graces and love of those people who bothered to care and love me.

Christmas for Nike

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:37:52 +0800

If there is one things I am sure of, its that if theres one thing that Nike could wish for her birthday last December 10, and for Christmas this year, its to spend it with her mommy and daddy.

But sadly, Nike’s mommy and daddy was away for her birthday, and will still be away on Christmas. So what I wanted to do, is to make sure that she still gets a happy Christmas by getting what I know she would love best.

So I am calling out to all of Nike’s Lolo’s and Lolas, Ninongs and Ninangs, tito’s and tita’s, ate’s and kuya’s, and even her cousins, to help me make sure that Nike would enjoy her Christmas this year, without her mommy and daddy.

Like all 5 year old kids, Nike doesn’t really care much for clothes and accessories, bags and towels. Unless its something that would make her feel like a princess or a fairy, like a princess gown, a fairy costume, a crown, a wand, a pair of wings, and princess sandals.

Nike is an artist, she is extremely good at drawing, coloring and painting, she loves all types of colorful papers, crayons, watercolors and washable pens. She would appreciate getting something that would allow her to explore her artistic side.

Apart from drawing and coloring, Nike is really good at moulding, she loves playing with play dough’s, just making shapes with it, and just its vibrant colors gets her excited.

Inclined to her artistic side, she is also fond of musical instruments, but she already has a toy guitar, a toy trumpet, tambourine, maracas, xylophones, small pianos and small drums.

to explore her artistic creativity, I will be enrolling Nike for a Ballet Class, as soon as I return to Manila. We still need to buy her a tutu, leotards and ballet shoes.

Lately, Nike has grown a fondness for Unicorns, she has been asking me for a Super Hero Unicorn, and I have looked everywhere and still has been unsuccessful.

Like all little girls, Nike also has a collection of Barbie Dolls, in fact on her birthday last December 10, her Ninang Tiggy helped us buy her a her 5th Barbie Doll that came with her 6th barbie doll as a freebie. I am sure Nike would appreciate clothes for her little companions, accessories, and such.

Nike has always adored her mommy, and loves doing what her mommy does. So she is also fond of make ups, lip gloss and lipsticks, and yes we allow her to have kikay stuff, as long as its kid friendly and hypo allergenic. She also loves to play kitchen, restaurant, and cooking. Although she already has tons of cooking toys, I am sure that she would appreciate receiving more.

I am sure that if you still find it difficult to find a gift for Nike, you would be happy to know that Nike, like all girls loves shopping. But what she loves to shop for is her own toys, If you give her a tour of toy kingdom, she will definitely be more than happy to point to you a toy that she is extremely excited to have.

All I want for Christmas is for Nike to be happy, I hope that you can all help me make her a happy little girl. Children doesn’t mind how much a gift costs, as long as its something that they are passionate about, it doesn’t matter if it costs 5 pesos or 5000 pesos, it would all be worth the same to them.

hoesbeforebros-: This breaks me I feel this way all day...

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:28:42 +0800

hoesbeforebros-:

This breaks me

I feel this way all day everyday since April this year!!!!

MUKHA KANG PERA!!!

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 23:23:00 +0800

I am not angry or anything, but while working this afternoon a thought suddenly occurred to me. That we all do the things we do because of money.

Money is the cause of all our life decisions. We apply and decide to go to a certain school because the chances of us getting a better paid career is higher. We work for a certain company because the compensation is better. We ask this person to be the ninong of our children because he will give better gifts, higher money value, etc. etc.

So how far are you willing to go for money?

Its just sad that money is the driving factor of our lives. Its what forces us to make difficult decisions. Its what motivates us to be better people.

Do you think everyone will go to work, everyone will work hard to study if we get money for free? No! If I get money from a tree, or if we don’t need money at all to survive, I would just be laying around, be incompetent, not know my alphabet, not know the difference between 1 and 2 and be happy.

But since money rules the world, we need it to survive, we need it for our children to survive, then it becomes our obsession, it becomes our goal. We are only happier if we get more money!

Deny it as much as you want. Reason as much as you can, but at the end of the day. Its money that makes the decision for you.

It is sad really, because right now, my husband is away because of the same reasons. Money. He went as far as leaving a two year old daughter, a wife, a home.. A Family. He went to a place where he rents half a room, without his family just so he can get a chance to earn more money. We call it, to get a chance to give our daughter a brighter future, but whichever way you say it, how ever you try to window dress it, it is about the money.

We are all people driven by the amount of money we get. Our goals in life is to be rich, to be richer, it is not at all bad, because the reason behind WHY we want to get more money is the more important thing. It’s what keeps us sane, and what keeps us anchored.

So if anyone tells you “Mukha kang Pera”, don’t be ashamed, everyone of us is. We all are driven by money, its the reasoning behind why you want more money thats more important.

All Abroad

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0800

A mother no matter how strong, no matter how independent, no matter how successful, can never be ready to leave her child behind. At least that’s how I feel.

I am a strong woman, a strong person. But when it comes to the thought of leaving my daughter for a short, rather longer period of time, I can never gather enough strength to really be ready.

What I just tell myself is that, it doesn’t matter when I do it, it will always be extremely difficult. But doing what I need to do sooner, will give my family a chance to be together sooner.

That’s my motivation, but as the dreaded day comes nearer, as every day pass, I feel my resolve growing weaker and weaker.

But this is something I need to do for her, my second motivation. Doing this now will give her the head start to a better future, to a safer future, to a future with no fear but only opportunities.

I am doing this for her, and this is where I gather the strength I seem to lose everytime I look at her smiling face, everytime I hear her loving call… “mommy…”

I need to do this, I will do this for her, and soon when we are all together, finally, She will only remember that we did this for her. No more broken hearts and tear filled eyes, only bright futures and gleaming faces full of hope.

How Do You Know?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:25:51 +0800

In life there are so many things that you don’t know, that you can’t wait to figure out. And once you do, you are probably ecstatic or you are probably discombobulated.

I was so sure I knew whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The moment I met Noel, I knew, He is definitely that one guy who can make a straight arrow out of me. And I was right.

He was the only guy who had made me completely suffer before I got his sweet commitment, and man! was it worth it! Oh Yeah, definitely worth it. Because seeing the way he is now as a husband and as a dad to our daughter, I know in my heart that my gut did not steer me wrong. Noel as my partner for life, as my best friend, as the father of my child(ren), is the best decision my gut has ever made.

How did I know that he is the one? Until this day I really have no clue. There is this feeling I got when I finally realized that I am falling in love with him, my head told me never to cheat on him. And after meeting him, I haven’t had any interest on any other men to this day. No one compared to him.

How did I know it wasn’t just infatuation, how did I know that it is the real thing? I didn’t, I’m just lucky enough to get the chance to put our relationship to the test and to find out if he was really the other half of my whole. And I’m telling you he is!

The only way to find out if your man is really the man you were meant to spend the rest of your life with is when you realize you would go the extra mile just to see him smile, that you’d give him anything and everything without expecting something in return, and you feel utterly incomplete without him.

That’s how I felt with Noel, and that’s how I still feel. I am still extremely and head over heels in love with him.

and one more thing, I knew he was the one when I felt I wanted to have his kid.

Yup! too straightforward I know, but I did. I knew I wanted to carry his kid. I was 21 then. Too young? for me not really, it was the perfect age, because it was the perfect timing, I met the man that I know I want to spend the rest of my life with, or should I say I met the man I know I want to be the father of my child.

Some might say that I did it so he would marry me, but in all honesty, I never twisted his arm, or put a gun to his head.

I didn’t tell him what I was up to, I have been trying to conceive for 2-3 months before Nike was conceived, But I didn’t do it to have him, I did it to have his baby.

How did I know I really wanted his child? This one I was sure I did, because every time I did a pregnancy test and it was negative, I would be sad, devastated even. It was scary, imagining myself pregnant at that age, but it was something that I really wanted. I went for it. After a few more tries, I got her. We got her.

I told Noel the news the same day I got the positive result. I made sure I told him that he doesn’t need to take responsibility for the baby. I wanted it, he doesn’t have to. I told him just to let him know, since we are still dating, he might get confused if my belly started to show, right?!

How did I know that he will take responsibility? I didn’t, it wasn’t something that I thought about at that time, all that mattered to me is that no matter what happens between myself and Noel, I will always have a part of him. It didn’t matter to me if he left me, all that mattered is that I have the baby that I wanted, and that it was fathered by the man I loved.

To some, this story may sound strange, but it is the truth.

Now, our daughter is almost 5 years old, our marriage is almost the same age. We are separated by distance but I know we are always close at heart. And sometimes I wonder when the next baby would come.

I still do not feel that same feeling I got when I wanted to get pregnant the first time. And it makes me wonder if I ever will feel it again.

How will I know when I’m ready for our next child? I really don’t have an answer for this one, in fact I have so many follow up questions after it. Do I do it just because our first child is getting older? Do we conceive our second baby because we are getting old? When is the right time to have that second bundle of joy? Are we getting pregnant nowadays only because we are running out of time? Do I just let it happen? Do I plan it? What? How? When? I really don’t know.

Sometimes I get that knack of envy when I see a pregnant woman, but when I get that feeling it is an envy of missing something you had, and not of wanting something you don’t. Is that clear? well let me explain. I was pregnant once right? So that is the something that I had, I already experienced it, and I miss it. The feeling of being pregnant for the first time. The excitement of everything because you are doing it, experiencing it for the first time. That’s what I miss, that’s what I get envious of. So now I don’t know if I will ever be ready for a second baby, how will I know? Thinking about it is confusing for me.

Noel and I have discussed this over and over and over. And what we agreed on is that we will have Nike’s sibling when its time, when we all are together, wherever that may be.

This Blog doesn’t make any specific point, it doesn’t have a moral, it doesn’t aim to inspire or awe, I just wanted to get thoughts out of my head, so that’s what I’m doing right now. So, how do you know when the blog will end? Well I’ll tell you.

End.

Hopelessness

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:21:48 +0800

Poem Written by myself…

HOPELESSNESS

When will our life begin?
When will our luck take flight?
We keep hoping it will be tomorrow
but which tomorrow is right?

we’ve been trying and trying…and trying
to take control of destiny
but there has been so many disappointments
there’s almost no hope left in me.

God give me strength to keep trying
because I don’t know how long I can push through..
there’s a dream in my heart that I am dying,
have been working for to make come true.

Tomorrow, maybe tomorrow
with Gods Grace, I will still persevere
But I need guidance and strength and support
because right now I am dying in here.

Freedom To Speak

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:42:00 +0800

Everyone in their own rights have freedom to speak. Everyone definitely practice that right. But there should be responsibility attached to that freedom. Just because something is free doesn’t mean we have the authority to abuse it. One should always make sure to think about the consequences of their actions, and in this case their words.

There is a saying, “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” We should forget that saying, because although words may not physically harm you, words have the power to affect ones emotions and inflict deeper wounds that takes longer to heal.

Think before you let your mouth blurt out words that you can never take back. Similarly to writing your thoughts. Although you might think that you are writing in your personal space, be it in facebook, in tumblr, in myspace or any pubicly viewable “personal” space, your words, anything and everything you say has a deeper impact on people than you might be aware.

let us all be guided by the four way test.

1. Is it the truth? - Think long and hard before you broadcast anything, is it really the truth? or is it only true in your mind?

2. Is it fair to all concerned? - Is saying these words, broadcasting these thoughts into the world fair to you and to everyone concerned? Or is it only relieving and satisfying to you?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? - Will saying what you are dying to say give a positive outcome to all parties involved? or to all parties affected?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? - What benefits will it bring if you say these things out loud?

If you fail to answer yes to any or all of the questions above, then it is better to just keep your thoughts to yourself, or if it is too difficult to contain, talk to your husband, your wife, your partner, your girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, your cat or or your dog. Let it out to someone you know you can trust and who can respect your opinions, because believe it or not, people does have different views, they may not always agree with you, and sometimes the words you say affect the people around you more than you know. And the effect doesn’t just stop there, it causes a ripple that affects people in ways that you might not have foreseen.

Be Free in your own right, but be responsible. Ignorance does not excuse anyone.

You might be wondering why I have written something all so suddenly and written something so serious.

This is because right now I am in Singapore and have heard 2 bothersome stories about people innocently exercising their freedoms of speech, but has brought about major issues and incidences.

It is just sad that a lot of people has been affected by these issues, which causes unecessary distress not only to the “speaker” and the people / persons spoken to, but also the whole society. If only the people who threw their words around thought for a second, then all of these might have been avoided.

I just hope they have been responsible enough to think before they acted.

To My Daughter...

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:01:31 +0800

When you were born, I couldn’t wait for you to grow up a little, to a point where you can already giggle and laugh, so I can tickle you and be able to hear that heartwarming bubbly laughter that melts my heart. When you were able to laugh I couldn’t wait for you to grow up a little bit more, to a point where you can already crawl, so we can play around the floor, just crawling around to feel the world. When you can crawl I keep wishing that you will grow up a little bit more to a point where you can stand and walk little by little so that we can explore more grounds and I can hold your hand while you try to balance yourself. We would go exploring outside on early mornings and I wouldn’t have to carry you all the time. When you can almost walk, I kept wishing you’d grow up a little bit more, so that your bones will be stronger and you wouldn’t have to fall down every time you tried to walk, we would walk hand in hand to go outside to just enjoy each other’s company and stroll. When you were strong enough to walk on your own I kept wishing you could run, so we can run around and play until we are breathless and gasping for air, you would utter some words that some I could barely understand. When you were old enough to run and talk and ask questions, I couldn’t wait for you to learn your ABC’s and to write, to feed yourself and to be able to take care of yourself so you could be independent and be able to play with other kids without getting hurt. I’d see you run around with other children, and tell myself you have grown so much, it’s now getting harder and harder to remember how little you were, I’d see you talking and laughing with your little friends and I’d be so proud of how much you’ve learned throughout the years, but as I watch you I’d remember how you used to need me beside you every single minute of the day, to feed you, to help you stand, to catch your falls and to play. We used to have our own world, just you and me, and how in those moments, I kept wishing to change you, to make you grow and to let you out into the world. Now that you have grown up that much, I want to keep holding on, I want to grab you and hold you tight and keep you with me. Now it seems that I no longer need to wish for time to keep you growing, it seems to be working on its own, molding you, making you grow. And now that I’ve got every wish come true, I wish for time to slow down a little, I want to keep holding on to that little girl that needed nothing else but me. You are growing up so fast, I can barely believe my eyes each time I look at you, you are now in school and before I know it you’ll be graduating college, then before I realize it you’ll be a grown up, needing me a little less each day. It breaks my heart somehow, thinking about it, but it also swells me up with Joy to see how you have grown, but for now I only wish that time can slow down just a little bit, so I can enjoy a lot more play times with you, and enjoy the moments when I know that the most important person in the world for you is me.

Walking the Catwalk

Sat, 14 May 2011 17:22:00 +0800

I recently experienced one of the most fabulous moments in an ordinary womans life. I was casted (by a friend lol) to be part of a mothers day fashion show in SM Megamall - Event Center, last May 8, 2011.

3 Changes of clothes and around 5 minutes worth fame. And my daughter was part of the last catwalk as well, after the catwalk for the last clothes change, the mommies go up the stage again, met halfway by our beautiful children, where our children gives us a piece of spider mums and we catwalk together.

My daughter was extremely excited and we had so much fun!

Here are some pictures to make this moment last forever.

During Hair and Make Up

The Finished Product

Me and My Daughter waiting for the Fashion Show to Start

And the Fashion Show Start =)

And the Final Catwalk with my daughter

And the fantasy leaves me wanting for more!!!

ispeakpinkmuch: look-alive-sunshine: This is so touching. A...

Tue, 10 May 2011 23:44:12 +0800

ispeakpinkmuch:

look-alive-sunshine:

This is so touching. A homeless who is barely able to take care of himself, taking care of a dog. Sometimes, you just need a little love, not just things.

Reblog if you care.

I will always reblog this.

awww….

Its One Hot Yoga!

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:23:00 +0800

I had the opportunity to experience Hot Yoga this morning with my Bestfriend Kate. It only took one invite from her and PHP 350.00 for 1 session (discounted rate for maundy thursday drop ins that she paid for) and we were off to a yoga session at 9 A.M. this morning.

When I first walked in on the place, I had very little expectation, I expected to be stretched and tired and sweaty after the class and BOYYYY was I right! but the thing that surprised me the most was the room where they held the Hot Yoga class. I was expecting a steam bath atmosphere, where there are hot stones and bamboo walls (LOL at me) since its supposed to be a HOT yoga I thought it was going to be sauna looking, but the moment I stepped into the Yoga room, it looked sooo ordinary, I mean it’s just like any other exercise room only that it was hot. and there are yoga mats on the floor.

Then I learned that the thing that makes the room hot is the thermostat controlled heat whatchamacallits on the ceiling, and I was directly underneath one of them.

The first thing you have to remember before a hot yoga class is to drink loooots of water, or even do what I did, I drank loooots of water and a bottle of 100 (isotonic drink), you can also drink gatorade, they work the same way. This is important because you will sweat like a leaking faucet.

Just sitting there waiting for the yoga instructor makes you sweat, because of the
“heating system”, imagine how sweaty it gets when you actually start doing the stretchings and the poses.

It was real hard work!

The first timers and new comers were oriented before the start of the session. Ms Dina of Yoga+ said that the most important part of yoga is the breathing, taking deep and equal breaths (equal meaning same count while inhaling, and same count when exhaling). And that you are not in any way obligated to continue with the poses if you feel faint or tired or out of breath, resting is okay.

After these few words of advice and wisdom, we were off to start the first yoga session of my life.

I was wearing a grey racerback on top of a sports bra today because I was extremely conscious of my flabby tummy, but everyone in the class was never judging, we all were there to be at peace with ourselves and the universe.

We started with a relaxing position, I already forgot what its called, but this pose is where we go back to when we need to take a breather, literally. And I did it a few times today, just to regain the equal steady breathing that I needed.

The session ran for 90 minutes, and my sweat ran from my pores to the towel on the floor the moment we started the first post. Everyone is sweating and exerting the greatest efforts to follow the poses, and it was one of the most liberating, exhilarating and relaxing feeling I have ever felt. I now understand why some people (my best friend for one) goes to yoga to release the stress in her life, because once your inside the room, once you start doing the poses, all you can do is FOCUS on what you are doing. You focus on yourself, and your body and nothing else. It helps you take your mind off your problems and work and everything else, and just gives you a full 90 minutes to appreciate yourself, your health, and your life.

Once you start doing the poses, it wouldn’t give you the opportunity to chat with anyone around you, because doing so would entail using energy that you use instead with doing your pose, you will focus on yourself on the mirror and although you are inside a room full of people, what I realized is that while doing the poses I had no care in the world, I was extremely focused on me, on my goals, on my poses. I occasionally get distracted with my breathlessness and need to relax, but even during moments that I need to relax, I don’t look around to see what other people are doing, instead I focus on my breathing, then return to the poses the moment that I feel like I can do it again.

There will be moments that you feel like you are going to fall, collapse or just not be able to do the pose, but the wonderful feeling I get inside that room is that no matter how many times I fail, I can try again, and again, and again until I get it, until I succeed. That room is extremely inspiring, it makes you want to be better, it makes you want to strive for success.

Something in Yoga made me feel like anything is possible. And it is such a wonderful feeling, Yoga is truly inspirational.

Once we were done, my clothes were completely drenched and I mean all of it, from underwear to outerwear, and it was satisfying! Although it might not be something that I will do everyday, I am looking forward to doing another session maybe every two weeks, to help me regain positive energy and outlook in life.

I am still a zumba girl, but this is definitely ONE HOT YOGA!

The Motion that's Sweeping the Nation...

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:57:00 +0800

Or atleast its sweeping my brain and body really hard. ZUMBA and my Diet!

I have started Dieting and Exercising this March, probably the first of March just to give you an idea of how long I have been trying to lose weight. I started with a weight of 112 Lbs, and now a month and a half later, my weight is still playing between 107 Lbs in the morning and 110 Lbs at night.

At the first month, I would just exercise by dancing to my own tunes, and dancing my own dance. No routine, no choreography, just dancing like I would when I am out on a dance floor with my friends on a saturday night. This routine seems to do it for me, I sweat a little, I feel satisfied and then do some crunches, push-ups and leg raise. I would eat Oatmeal or Whole wheat cereals or Nesvita in the morning for breakfast, eat a piece of Skyflakes fit at lunch, another piece of Nesvita fit around 3-4 in the afternoon, and have dinner at home which would often be Whole wheat cereals again or a granola bar.

I thought I was doing everything right, until two weeks later I still have not lost a pound and am feeling weaker and weaker because of food deprivation.

Then I remember my niece taking this pills that had her lose tons of weight and belly fats in just a month. I decided to ask her what it was, and unfortunately for me, the so called weight loss pills’ side effect included palpitations. I can’t take anything that would cause my heart to palpitate because my heart already suffers from heart hiccups. I fear that if I pursue medications that would cause palpitations that my heart will just stop altogether. So I researched.

Having no luck in finding Diet Pills that would give me an instant boost of weight loss, I continued with my own fitness regime, Cereals, Whole wheat, oatmeal, granola bars and dancing for 1 to 1.5 hours per day.

One day as I was strolling across the grocery, I saw Del Monte Fit & Right, so I bought a few (My favorite flavor is watermelon, its refreshing and the sweetness is just right, unlike the pineapple which is extra yucky) I was drinking what was probably my 4th bottle (not on the same day of course) when I remember they were bragging about having L-Carnitine and that it helps in burning fats and losing weight. So I did more research on what L-Carnitine really is. And Lo and Behold it is a naturally occuring amino acid in our body that really does help in burning fats and the right amount will help a person lose weight. It speeds up metabolism and boosts energy by burning fats that is already stored in our body. So the next step is to find L-Carnitine.

I posted a status update in my facebook wall asking if anyone knew where I could find L-Carnitine to use as a weight loss supplement and got a few responses. I found one called CARNIPURE which is in a liquid form and costs about PHP 2,500 per 500ml bottle, I also found one from GNC which comes in caplet form that costs around PHP 2,000 per 60 caplet bottle at 500mg per caplet. I was about to buy the liquid one when I remembered that Healthy Options also sell Supplements, so I called Healthy Options and its just my luck that they sell the cheapest L-Carnitine around at PHP 1,500 per 60caplet Bottle at 500mg per caplet. So I took my lunch break at Rustans Makati just to buy the supplement that I feel would help me boost my weight loss.

After a week of using L-Carnitine, I notice a lot of difference — in my energy level. It really does seem to boost my energy which gives me more than enough time and stamina to dancercise every night after work. I also still continued my “healthy” eating habits.

After 1 weeks of using L-Carnitine, My fats seem to be turning into muscles and my tummy is getting a bit smaller. Even my niece said I was getting thinner, my collarbones are already starting to show and that my tummy seems a bit trimmer. SUCCESS! although the process is a bit slow, I feel satisfied with my choice of “medication”.

Then one weekend I had arranged a mini get together with my highschool friends and that where the word ZUMBA came up. I wasn’t interested with it at first because my friend said that they have Zumba classes in Gold’s Gym, and thats when I tuned out. I am not interested in spending TONS of money in a class, even if it is for losing weight.

about 4 days ago, I grew weary of my playlist for my own dancercise so I posted a status update on my facebook asking for suggestions of new upbeat music that I can dance to.

This is when Gretchell, the highschool friend who mentioned Zumba in our get together gave me a link on youtube. She said that I should look at it. Thinking that it will be a music video of a new cool song that I can dance to, I looked at it. And I got amazed by what I saw.

ZUMBA! this girl is dancing to OMG by usher in such a fashion that looks so sweat inducing and fun. I watched a lot of videos and with every video that I watched I got more and more interested in trying it out.

I still have not enrolled in a class but I downloaded the youtube videos of that girl and followed it at home. So now instead of dancing as though I was in a bar, I dance these choreographed steps that induce so much sweat that I feel like my body is a dripping faucet everytime I dance.

Zumba is a very satisfying work out, but be warned, when you try it (even on your own) for the first time, your muscles will ache in the morning. But aching muscles is a sign that the work out is working right?!

So I have been doing Zumba for atleast 45 minutes daily for 4 days now, and today is the first time that my daughters nanny said (she said this in tagalog) “ate, you are losing weight and your getting sexier now!” she said it in such amazement with matching bulging eyes that I almost laughed out loud. I was so flattered!

Zumba really did help me get in better shape, and I will do it FOREVER! Of course I am still taking L-Carnitine everyday and still eat my usual.

My Daily Food Routine Weekdays:
1. 2 Caplets of L-Carnitine before breakfast (500 mg each)
2. Breakfast of Nesvita or Whole Wheat Cereals after 30 minutes
3. 1 Del Monte Fit and Right Watermelon Flavor 30 Minutes before lunch
4. Lunch of 2 spoonfulls of rice and “ulam” OR 2 pcs of skyflakes fit and 1 fruit
5. 1 Cup of Hot Lipton Green tea right after lunch
6. Snack of 1 pc Skyflakes fit OR 1 Granola Bar around 2 or 3 in the afternoon
7. 1 Cup of Hot Lipton Green tea during or right after snack
8. I eat the remaining 1 pc granola bar around 5-6pm
9. Eat dinner at home - Whole wheat cereals, or 2 spoonfuls of rice and “ulam”
10. 1 Cup of Hot Lipton green tea right after dinner
11. Exercise for 1 hour
12. Eat 1 cup of Nestle 0% fat yogurt
13. Wait 1 hour after eating yogurt, drink Fit & Right, then go to bed.

The weekends are almost the same, except I exercise in the morning, and besides Zumba I also started a 30-minute Run-walk around the subdivision.

It may seem like a tiring regime but it really is a lifestyle that I am growing to love. I can see a huge difference in my body, most especially in my problem areas which are, my thighs, my tummy, and my face and neck area. I am on my way to being sexy and healthy again! Thanks to Zumba and my very special diet.

Don’t get me wrong though I treat myself to a burger or a slice of pizza every once in a while, I drink soda sometimes and even eat popcorn, just the other day I ate 2 pieces of Hotdog after my Zumba work out.

Do not deprive yourself of food, just take minimal amounts of those indulging food that you love so much, because if you don’t, you might end up rebounding and eating so much of them that you gain so much more weight that you end up getting fatter and unhappier.

Exercising and Dieting is hard, most especially the first few weeks. I still find it hard at times, most especially when I feel hungry, I would crave for pizza and all the other food that I usually pig out on when I was still eating like a hungry hippo. But it’s important to have control, and it also helps to have a goal. My goal is to fit into my 2 piece bikini in July, because on July 4, my husband, my daughter and I will be going to Boracay for a well deserved family beach vacation. And I want to look good!

One thing that would also help motivate you is to have your partner have the same goal. Like my husband, he is also hard at work in getting in shape and we often talk about our exercise regimes and our diet. We pat each others backs and compliment each others success. And its really inspiring to see how committed he is to his diet that I feel like I should match his efforts and his discipline, and I know he feels the same way about my efforts. We keep each other inspired.

And starting this end of the month, I will have a group of highschool girlfriends whom I will be sharing an hour of Zumba with! and that is something that we all are looking forward to. We will be meeting twice a month every month to share a session of exercise and laughter together.

Remembering that exercising may be a lot of hard work, but it could also be fun if shared with a bunch of people you care about and you enjoy spending time with.

So start your Zumba Session Today! LOL…

My Nephew - Kian Roi :)

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:29:47 +0800

My Nephew - Kian Roi :)

My Latest drawing of my daughter The Second picture is the...

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:29:52 +0800

Nicole Keyzia as a Chibi Girl

My Latest drawing of my daughter

The Second picture is the picture where I patterned the drawing from :)

Oh My Singapura

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:52:00 +0800

I have been to Singapore twice last year, the first time was my first time ever to leave the country, Summer of 2010. And boy was I surprised at the beauty and gloriousness of the country and the discipline of the kindness of the people. The moment I arrived back to the Philippines, the first thing I did was book another trip going to Singapore for a longer period of time which happened last December 8 - 30, 2010, where Nike and Noel both celebrated their birthdays.

The first time we visited Singapore, we were there for 9 days, and those 9 days were filled with tours and trips where we were both overwhelmed and disorganized. We did not have an itinerary planned for the trip because we thought that we can just plan it as we go, but boy were we wrong, when visiting Singapore for a short period of time (a week to a week and a half) you should make sure to plan ahead, make an itinerary, because although Singapore is a small country and that they say you can drive all the corners of Singapore in a day, all the tourist places will take you half a day to full day to admire, and wasting time looking for directions and planning where to go as you go along will just limit the sights and the scenes that you can be enjoying.

So for those planning to travel and experience Singapore for themselves this year (2011) I am preparing a short list of places that you MUST and SHOULD go to when you visit the most beautiful, safe and disciplined country of Singapura.

JEWEL CABLE CAR RIDE

The Jewel Cable Car Ride is one of the most amazing and intimidating mode of transportation I have ever ridden. These cable car will take you from Vivo City (Harbourfront) to Sentosa (Imbiah Look out). The ride costs around SGD 26 per Adult and SGD 15 per child and has 4 stops. VIVO CITY TO THE CABLE CAR RESTAURANT, CABLE CAR RESTO TO VIVO CITY, VIVO CITY TO SENTOSA (IMBIAH), and last but not least the trip back from SENTOSA (IMBIAH) to VIVO CITY. And once you are inside SENTOSA visit all the beautiful attractions that can be found inside.

SENTOSA - IMBIAH LOOK OUT

This area of Sentosa must be one of the most attraction filled places in Singapore. This holds the BUTTERFLY PARK AND INSECT KINGDOM, THE MEGAZIP ADVENTURE PARK, SENTOSA 4D MAGIX, SKYLINE LUGE SENTOSA, THE MERLION (SENTOSA VERSION), TIGER SKY TOWER, and a few more that you can read about HERE.

(SENTOSA - SILOSO POINT) UNDER WATER WORLD AND DOLPHIN LAGOON

Love Fish? Then this is a must see, in my opinion Under Water World Singapore is much better than Ocean Park Adventure Philippines. It is much bigger and has more fish interactions. Admission to Under Water World is SGD 23 per adult and SGD 15 Per Child.

The Dolphin Lagoon where you can swim withe the Dolphins and sharks and see live fur seals have different entrance rates which you can find HERE.

SENTOSA - BEACHES

Holds a number of attractions as well such as Animal Bird Encounters, Songs of the sea, Flying Trapeze, Wave House Sentosa and a lot more.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE (SENTOSA - RESORTS WORLD)

Being the latest hot spot in Singapore, this is a MUST-GO-TO place. although some rides are not yet operational, rest assured that the rides that you can access will give you the time of your life. Some people even say that Universal Studios Singapore is better than Hong Kong Disney Land (but I personally don’t know, I have not been able to see Universal Studios by day - since we have our daughter with us and no yaya nanny - we feared that we cannot enjoy all the rides because if the rides are only meant for adults then only my husband OR myself can take a ride, so that one of us can be left with our daughter. So we decided to experience Universal studios later this year or maybe next year when Nike is a bit older and when we can bring some other people along with us to watch over Nike, and I can not say if USS is better than Hong Kong Disney Land because I haven’t been to Disney Land yet, but once I see it this March then I can give you guys an update).

When you visit Universal Studios Singapore make sure to go there during fridays or saturdays, because they have fireworks every 9:30 PM during fridays and saturdays. But for those who don’t have enough budget (SGD 70 per head) to enjoy the amusement park during the day, but wants to see the fireworks, do not fear, if you go to USS at around 7:30 PM you can buy a night pass for SGD 5 per head to enjoy the fireworks, to take pictures and to eat at LOUIE’s Pizza place which I think is the best food experience I have had so far (because I ate there when I was already dying of hunger).

SINGAPORE ZOO - NIGHT SAFARI - JURONG BIRD PARK - JURONG REPTILE PARK

If you are an animal lover or just wants to see healthy looking and happily contained wild animals, then these places are the right places to go.

There is a PARK HOPPER SPECIAL, which is a 3 in 1 ticket that you can buy to be able to visit Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird park which costs SGD 58 per adult and SGD 38 per child.

I would suggest that if you are planning to visit these places that you start during the opening hours of the Singapore Zoo which is at 8:30 AM because they have shows planned through out the day apart from the enormous views and animal enclosures that you will see, which will take more than a few hours to walk around. They have multiple shows that lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour each for you, your friends and your kids to enjoy.

The Park closes at 6:00 PM Daily which will give you an hour and a half to eat dinner before you transfer the the Night Safari which is right next door, which opens their doors at 7:30 PM. Make sure to put Anti-Mosquito Lotion and bring a battery operated fan because it will get really tiring. You can even bring a low light flashlight so you can see where you will be walking to, because some parts of the night safari walk becomes so dark that it gives you the impression that you are getting lost. Or maybe you can just bring night vision goggles so you wouldn’t care the animals away but still manage to see them in the dark.

If you are not made for walking then don’t fret, both zoo’s offer a park tour for a fee, where you will ride an open bus with a tour guide to see animals in passing. But I would strongly suggest not to use this service because it defeats the purpose of experiencing the beauty of the zoo.

CAUTION: if you are prone to heart attack prepare your nerves to see the Hyena up close, because I remember walking along the night safari park and after one turn I was startled to see the giant hyenas looking at me from just the other side of the fence, and the fence is just around my waist. Do not worry though while the fence is low and the distance between the fence and the Hyena seems a bit short, there is a huge ditch between yourself and the hyena’s making it impossible (i hope) to jump over to your side of the fence and eat you. =))

The next day, you can plan your trip to Jurong Bird Park which is a bit far from the zoos, the bird park is a great experience because not only do they have shows planned through out the day, they also have feeding the birds segments where you can be very very close to the birds to feed them (feeds costs 2 dollars each cup of live worms). Once you are done with the Bird Park which I estimate will be over in around 3-4 hours on foot, you can head over to their neighbor park which is the REPTILE PARK (this one is no longer part of the package but only costs SGD 7 per Adult and SGD 3 per child) and enjoy the different reptiles and snakes of the world.

MARINA BAY AREA - SKY PARK

Is the Roof Deck of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel which might be the second highest point in Singapore (the first is the Jewel Cable Car Ride). Where you can enjoy the view of Singapore at their beautiful roof deck at SGD 20 per adult and SGD 15 per child. This is a good place to just relax and take pictures. You will also be able to see their roof top infinity pools and Jacuzzi’s which are for exclusive use of their hotel guests.

SINGAPORE FLYER

Just a walk away from the Sky Park is the Singapore Flyer, which before the cable car ride and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel was the highest view point in Singapore. It is a BIG Ferris Wheel like contraption that moves very very slowly taking you to its highest point to give you a gorgeous view of Singapore. You will be inside a capsule with other people to enjoy the magnificent view of Singapore. This ride costs SGD 30 Per adult and SGD 21 per child.

SWIMMING

Once you are done with the views and the sights and need time to relax I would suggest that you go to the nearest COMMUNITY POOL / SPORTS COMPLEX where you can enjoy the most beautiful Swimming Parks that you will ever see, I can say it is even better than Fontana. The best (and only) Community pool I have been in is the Sports Complex in PIONEER, which is child friendly because they have a whole area of shallow pool with small slides and water fun activities, an area for adult swimming which is totally separate from the kids area for safety. These community pools also have a handful of lifeguards that keeps the place safe and organized. This fun activity will cost only SGD 2 per Adult and SGD 1.5 per child.

SHOPPING

Now for the fun part. SHOPPING, for those gadget freaks I would suggest that you not miss FUNAN IT MALL - it is filled with all things gadgets and electronic devices, enough to make your head, your pocket, your wallet and your credit cards explode!

and for those looking for a place to buy cheaper items to bring back home, MUSTAFA is the place to be.

I would suggest you AVOID SIM LIM SQUARE in Bugis - also an IT mall, but it if you are not vigilant people there will sell you items at twice its normal price.

A PLACE TO EAT

I can only suggest that you eat at HAWKERS, KOUFU and KOPITIAM, I love their Char Siew Pao and their Char Siew Rice, I love their Freshly made Ramen with Pork Spare Ribs and a must try dessert named CHENDOL or maybe bring your own food and water wherever you go (but don’t eat and drink them in buses and trains).

SPECIAL NOTE:

When traveling to Singapore you do not need a tour guide all you need is an itinerary and your bestfriend GOTHERE.SG which will teach you which buses and trains to ride to go from where you are and to where you want to go anywhere in Singapore.

Exercise Addiction

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 02:35:13 +0800

Wow, has it really been too long since I last wrote anything in this blog. Dayemmn!! I thought I could keep this blog alive by posting atleast 1 thought a day, then I went ahead and abandoned it. Why did I abandon it in the first place??? I guess I forgot! :) well tonight, I was thinking about my exercise addiction, yup you read right, I am addicted to exercising.

3 weeks ago I started feeling so ugly, I cant bear looking at myself in the mirror, I looked flabby and fat and just plain ugly. So that day I decided to start something. I did this stepping exercise on the stairs where I climbed up and down the stairs by 1000 steps, thats how it started, just 1000 steps, then resumed the exercise by facing a mirror and just swaying my hips left and right repetitively for a good 1.5 hours. Sweat dripped off my face and my whole body like I was a faucet, after the “exercise” my clothes, shorts and everything underneath was drenched in sweat, it was the most fulfilling feeling. The next day, as much as I wanted to do it again, I wasn’t able to (I actually wasn’t able to “exercise” for 4 full days) not because I was lazy, but because my leg muscles and calves where so sore and hurt so bad that I could barely walk, everytime I stand up there was a piercing pain on my leg that I can almost feel myself losing balance and falling over. I was in so much pain for 4 days after that first try, but I told myself that as soon as I can stand up and walk straight, pain or no pain, I will do the same “exercise” again, and I did. And this time I took 2000 steps and an hour of continuous booty shaking, the next day, I was expecting a bit of pain but there was none, finally my body seems to have gotten used to being “used” so to say =P. I did this everyday, even when I went home from Pasig to Las Pinas, but the problem with my home in Las Pinas was that I did not have access to a flight of stairs, so what I did was did the stepping exercise on a door step, this time, I also did push ups and crunches, to help my arms and tummy be firmer. And as the day went by I realized its boring just doing the “exercise” alone, so I downloaded some fast dance music to accompany me, thats when I started feeling good about the exercising that I was doing, Id warm up with some stretching, starting running 600 steps on the doorstep and then walking steps of 1500 steps, then would start the booty shaking for 15 minutes, crunches and then side crunches and push ups and then just dance to the music, just shaking my body and moving my arms for a good hour at times, and sometimes when Im really in the mood I’d last 2 hours just dancing my fats away. The last few days, I’ve added a few more routines in my “exercise regime” i lie down flat on the floor and raise both legs high and as straight as I possibly could and then open my legs wide and then close it again, Id do this as long as possible, as long as I could take the pain on my tummy and my legs, I believe this helps in developing the muscles on my tummy and legs because it hurts my tummy muscles the most when I try to straighten my legs during this exercise. Then I also this exercise where I still lie flat on my back raise my legs then fold them (sort of like sitting on an invisible chair thats also lying flat on the ground) then place my left leg on top of the right leg then move my legs forward and backwards repetitively, when I do this I feel the pain most on the lower part of my stomach (more on the “puson” part) and do this as much as I can until I can no longer bear the pain on my tummy and legs. And Just yesterday I added yet another step to my exercise where I punch using both my left and right fists alternately until I can no longer punch because of the pain on my arm muscles, and shoulder and upper back muscles, I believe this would help make my upper body firmer and sexier. I also do 250-400 jumping jacks during this whole exercise and that part is my “cardio” part, since there isn’t a place where I can run fast here inside the house.

I believe this exercise regime has helped me gain confidence in myself, and I honestly see a lot of difference in my body and myself, I feel happier, and I feel more confident and I feel healthy and NOT fat! :)

You don’t need to spend so much money of gym memberships or what nots just to do some exercise, all you need is to motivate yourself and to stick to a regime that you feel comfortable with and that you enjoy (just like I do with dancing and shaking my boootteeeey!) and you will feel good about yourself and look good too! :)

nikedoodles: Today is just one of the days that I feel down for...

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:38:51 +0800

nikedoodles:

Today is just one of the days that I feel down for no reason at all.
It has been like this the whole day! I really really need a pick me up!!

I hope tomorrow will be different!!!

nikedoodles: My Sleeping Baby I was watching my little girl...

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:38:27 +0800

nikedoodles:

My Sleeping Baby

I was watching my little girl sleep, and she was so peaceful and pretty I decided to draw her.

My Drawing is not as beautiful as her, right now, its the best that I could do.

I am really happy with the drawing though =)

Good Night Everyone!!!!

On Hold

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:36:00 +0800

A Short Letter to my Husband.

Since you left I feel like my life is on hold..
going through the motions of life
but not actually living it…
It only resumes when we are together…

I want to be with you again,
I want to live,
I want to be able to wake up in the morning
and have a full day to look forward to…

To hold your hand,
To Kiss you
And to spend each and every second creating memories with you…

I can hardly wait for the time
when we will all be together again.
I am sure our daughter misses you
but I miss you so much more…

I can hardly wait to press resume from where we left off
And when it happens at the end of September,
when we will be reunited,
How I wish time will stand still so that you won’t have to leave again.
But I am still looking forward to spending 2 weeks of actually living life with you!

See you soon my love!

Love Always,
Your Wife - Elaine