My Quarter Life List

I never thought turning 25 is a big deal until I heard Lore's story of her husband, Nell, jotting down a list of things he wants to do on his 25th birthday. So, since last year I was kind of thinking of what I also want to do on my 25th year of existence, it is, after all my quarter life.

I initially thought of traveling abroad on my own. I specifically wanted to visit Hongkong, the third time around, to celebrate my birthday, just to have a super ME time on MY day. A bit weird, but I really want to experience that. Just you, on a place where no one knows you. But, anyway, since I'll be going to South Korea (hopefully I will be granted a visa) with Renee on November, I cannot go to Hongkong due to financial constraints. I, therefore, dubbed my Seoul trip as my 25th super birthday blowout to myself. South Korea, after all, is a dream for me and how perfect it will be to go there on my quarter life year!

A few weeks before my birthday, hindi talaga ako mapalagay. I really want to spend my birthday somewhere else. Gladly, Renee is available and there is a seat sale in Air Philippines. So, I booked the tickets bound for Cebu. Come July 6-8, I will be spending my first ever birthday away from family and home. I am thrilled with excitement for this something-new. And for the first time, I booked a five-star hotel, Radisson Blu, for this trip. Good thing, Renee is game on this one despite the pricey-ness. :) Come on, it's my quarter life! A little splurge should be justifiable. :)

Anyway, my officemate just turned 25 as well and I read her blog on what things to know on being 25.

1. Job. Now is the time to figure out what kind of work you love to do. What are you good at? What makes you feel alive? What do you dream about?

MY TAKE: I've been wanting to get another job but I am never successful with that plan of mine. I have a lot of dreams that I know I will love -- setup my own restaurant, own a boutique, or work for an events management job. But the thing is I am not doing much to attain these. I am afraid to move out from status quo. What if I don't become successful on this new path?

2. Relationships. Now is also the time to get serious about relationships. And “serious” might mean walking away from the ones that don’t give you everything you need. Some of the most life-shaping decisions you make in this season will be about walking away from good-enough, in search of can’t-live-without.

MY TAKE: I am a certified NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth). I really think I'll be an old maid and I will accept that if that will be my case. But of course, I also wish to have my own family. I wish my parents could play with their grandchildren. At this age, I think I am not yet ready anyway to have any romantic relationships because I can't really express how I truly feel. I am poor at my social and communication skills. That's my waterloo. I don't know how to be sweet and all that stuff (even to my immediate family). I guess it all boils down to that fact that I am afraid of rejection so I tend to just hide whatever I am feeling.

3. Counseling. Unravel the knots that keep you from living a healthy whole life, and do it now, before any more time passes.

MY TAKE: I know the knots that keep me from living a healthy whole life but I don't know how to un-knot it. I really need a personality development course! I am really tempted but it really costs a lot!

4. Church. Be patient and prayerful, and decide that you’re going to be a person who grows, who seeks your own faith, who lives with intention.

MY TAKE: This is something that I know I've never gone wrong in my entire life. I know I belong to be a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo. God showed me the way to live the life as it should be lived.

5. Don't get Stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. Walk away, try something new. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming.

MY TAKE: I know everything has a risk. Sadly, I am a risk-averse person but I am trying to be be adventurous, trying out new things as I journey life. Testing whatever I can just to find out what I can become. I need to settle on how to achieve my long term goals so I have a path to take.

Now.. I think I am way to far to be 25 next week! I still need a lot of sorting out to do. Gee.

July: My Birthday Month

Q: What could be the worst thing that can happen on your birthday month?

A: To be on a strict diet during your birthday month.

Gah. It has been really my problem recently on how I can celebrate my birthday while on a diet. Moreover, its my 25th birthday and I've already decided ages ago that I will not let it pass without celebrating it. I am celebrating it per group so that means more Cheat Days. O_o

On the day of my birthday, I planned a trip in Cebu. Just to experience celebrating my birthday in a place I am not familiar with and having only one friend with me at that time -- a semi-adventure if I may call it. Something different for my quarter life. And since this is somehow a vacation, food tripping is a must. What is Cebu without tasting its famous roasted suckling pig? or eating at Larsians? or trying their SuTuKil?

After Cebu, I will treat my family in an eat-all-you can lunch at Cafe d' Asie, Bellevue (I got a good deal at Ensogo last March). Then, a couple more celebrations with my friends. A big G-O-O-D-L-U-C-K to me!

Buti na lang, Laarni is preparing me for this battle. We're back in Phase 1 this week. I am also trying to exercise everyday, doing Hip Hop Abs as well. We'll be doing yoga at Barre3 as well for two days (excited on this one!).

I will still do my very very very best to not abuse eating during these times because I know I will be at the losing end here. And surely, babawi ako after all those eating are done. :)

Diet Update: After 11 weeks, I have lost 30 lbs already.. :)

Some Thoughts To Live By

Random quotes I stumbled on tumblr which touched me in one way or another.

credit to:

http://lovequotes.tumblr.com

http://free-your-mind.tumblr.com

http://sweetstuffcalledlove.tumblr.com

Sad, no?

Indeed. No matter what, you'll find them in your heart.

Fear of being hurt.. and REJECTED.

I hope I can do this. D.O.N.E.

Hahaha just found this one funnny!

I need to let go, PRONTO! Its making me insane already.

Two Months and Counting

It's been eight weeks already and I am still in this La Chrono Geno Nutrition diet by Dr. Claude Chauchard. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G I haven't given up yet. Haha! Most people have been asking me, "How am I feeling?". Hmmmm.. I would say I feel sad yet happy. Sad because I haven't been eating much the foods I like at any amount and time I want. Happy, or better yet, exhilarated because I am uber satisfied with the results. :) The weight lost is one thing but most importantly it taught me a lifestyle of wellness. Something I wouldn't get in quick diet fixes.

There's a way in La Chrono Geno Nutrition to make my weight lost faster, apply Phase 1 and Phase 2 alternately for two weeks each. And I am currently doing it because I want to lose more come my birthday on July. :)

To give an update, I already lost a total of 24 lbs, 4 inches less in my waist, 3.5 inches off my hips, and minus 3 inches in my thigh. Happy! :) All for two months. I've been receiving good feedbacks as well and that makes me work even harder and dedicate myself more to the path of wellness.

When my Ate and I rode the tricycle, she told me, "Aba, pumapayat ka na ata ah. Di na tayo ganon kasikip." Hahaha!

Best of all so far, I got free shirt (not tee type shirt, just the traditional tshirt) when we went to 2ne1 concert. And I have no choice as to what size they will give me. Apparently, they gave me a MEDIUM! Surprisingly, it fits! It was a bit fitted talaga pero pwede na rin. I guess the sizing of the shirt is relatively bigger than the usual, but still, its a Medium! Haha!

And I better get my cash and plastic cards ready cause I can feel my pants getting loose! Yay, yay, yay! This will be one of the most exciting part of losing weight, I get a change of wardrobe! Haha..

The Party: 2ne1 in Manila Concert

Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh 2ne1!

We arrived in Araneta Coliseum at around 12noon. We thought there will be long queues already but there was none. In Super Show 3, lines were isaw-like already before 12noon. So, we were quite surprised to see no lines at all. Like in SS3, there were kpop merchants as well gathered outside Araneta but the number of sellers are fewer compared to SS3. There's a 2ne1 fan club which gives 2ne1 shirt for free and a blackjack biscuits! How generous of them. We just presented our tickets and they gave the shirts right away. Good quality ones. :)

The Stage before The Party starts.

This is not a full scale concert of 2ne1 so there were loooots of front acts! Five artists to be exact. I thought it will be just boring for me as I bought the ticket to watch 2ne1 and nobody else. I especially enjoyed Callalily and Christian Bautista's performances whilst Giselle Sanchez' hosting was really good and she can bring the crowd to laughters!

The Sea of Lights of the Blackjacks as requested by Callalily's vocalist. I really enjoy seeing this sea whenever I am at concerts. The Sea of Sapphire Blue was the best though.

The concert was really like a party where lots of laser beams (similar to what they have in clubs) are played all over their performances. They really brought down the crowd with their performances! I wasn't able to see them up close but being there was just so awesome and exhilarating. :)

They performed eight songs. I thought they will be singing six songs only, so glad it was eight! :)

1. Fire
2. Go Away
3. Please Don't Go
4. Lonely
5. In or Out by Dara
6. Can't Nobody
7. Clap Your Hands
8. I Don't Care

By the way, here's their Press Conference videos in Manila. Credits to welovesandara.

2ne1 Press Conference in Manila Part 1
2ne1 Press Conference in Manila Part 2

2ne1 in Manila

Another kPop event in the Philippines brought to us by Pulp Live Productions, the same lot who brought Super Junior. Nomu nomu nomu Kamsahamnida! ^^~

This is my fourth kPop concert I will be attending. I only attend to the concerts where I like the artists. I am not a super fan of 2ne1 but I do like them and their songs. We just bought the Upperbox B tickets just to experience The Party. Even if I don't get to see them up close, being there in The Party is already enough for me to enjoy their show.