Two Thousand Eleven (2011)

I started 2011 without any great expectations. I know its my silver year and I was somehow hoping that something good will happen in my life but never have I imagined that my 2011 will be this colorful. 2011 is one of the best years of my life and a milestone if I may say.

I have learned and experienced a lot of new things that I couldn't even believe would happen to me. My 2011 is categorized in four milestones.

1. Weight Loss. When our CEO reached out to help me, I unwaveringly said YES. It was a chance of lifetime for me -- to use a weight loss program of a famous French doctor and for a personal dietitian to follow me. I wasn't sure though back then if I will succeed this challenge. Go with the flow lang ako at first. But then, I religiously followed the program eventually kasi nahihiya naman ako na hindi ako mag-uumeffort samantalang CEO na nga yung lumapit sa 'kin. I poured out all my energy and discipline just to curb my appetite. Di ko lubos maisip kung paano ko nagawang hindi kumain ng kanin sa bawat tanghalian at hapunan ko. But I amazingly did it. Now, I have lost 60 pounds in about seven months. It feels so surreal that I have reached this point and I feel absolutely greaaaaaaaat!

Now, I actually believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe I didn't get the job offer in my dream company early this year for a purpose. I needed to stay at Anxa to live a healthy life. Moreover, I didn't only lose weight but I also gained the lost respect and confidence in myself and I thank Anxa with all my heart for that.

2. Love. Before 2011 sets in, my mind is already settled that I will never experience love, romantically speaking. I am already imagining an old maid's life and all I wanted was for my sister to get married so that my parents can play with their own grandchildren. But, indeed, love comes when you least expect it. And when it does, it will surely shake your world, especially for someone like me who haven't had any relationship in the past.

It is a one-sided love. Despite this, I am still thankful because the relationship I have with him taught and made me experience a lot of things (and emotions) in life. Samu't saring klase ng emosyon na ngayon ko lang talaga naramdaman. Teaching me how to be courageous, how to express my feelings, how to be sweet, how to care for someone, and how to show my love are just some of the several things I learned in falling in love. I didn't know I can do these. Di pa ako nag-a-all out sa kanya ng sobra dahil hindi naman kami, pero at least I know that I am capable of doing these things. How lame can I be? 25 na ako bago ko naexperience 'to? Haha! Iba rin pala talaga yung happy feeling na nadudulot kapag inlove ka. Iba rin naman yung lungkot na mararamdaman mo kapag nasaktan ka sa pag-ibig. Sabi nga nila, only the person you love can give you the happiest and saddest moments in your life. Amen.

3. Career Development. My immediate boss had her maternity leave and since I was the senior in the team. I became the Officer-in-charge of the StatsLab. It was a really overwhelming position. I have to do meetings with the CEO and somehow be the "leader" of the team. I was not a born leader. So making decisions for the team is a hard feat for me especially when others will be at stake. Anyway, I have no choice. The responsibility was left to me. For the first few weeks, my heart always skips a beat whenever I have the weekly meetings with the CEO. Eventually (with lots of prayer involved), I managed to face my fear (or at least lessen it). I was able to cope with the stress and workload in time. I learned to somehow take the lead and be responsible for the actions and decisions I am making.

4. Personality Development. I have acquired various traits during my weight loss, while being in love, and in my career development that helped me to become a more well-rounded person. Discipline and being confident are the two major traits I've gained. It may be simple but to me their impact is enormous. Nabawasan ang pagiging mahiyain ko at mas nakakapaglabas ako ng tunay kong nararamdaman. I've always been an introvert so now at least my hard outer shell is cracked already.

2011 had been really great for me. My utmost and sincerest thank you to all the people I've shared my 2011 with. You were all awesome! I still do hope to spend my 2012 with you :)

My journey in these milestones will be continued in 2012. I just hope 2012 will be even a greater year or at par with the passing year.

Happy New Year!

Before and After

Soooo good to see my blue shirt is no longer bulging with fats!!! Haha!

Sorry. There's a lot of me going on there. Hehe.

I have been slowing down with my diet for the past two weeks. My EQ had been decreasing when it comes to resisting food lately. I am so sorry, Laarni. :( Sheeesh. I just missed food sooooo much lately. But I promise to make it up this September.

Looks like I am going back to gym to try out Zumba this September. So, my hopes are up! I will work double time to reach at least 3/4 of my goal by November.

I happened to browse my old Profile Pictures in Facebook the other day, and seeing how big my face was, I  can't believe my face was THAT round and big! With double to triple chin! Haha! And looking where I am right now, I feel so happy that I reached this stage. And I am even more motivated to keep this going to see how will I be when I lose 36 pounds more.

Scream!

I just want to SCREAM!!!

*sigh*

Life has a lot of twists, indeed.
And now, I am having a hard time how to straighten those twists.
Either I let go now or prolong the happiness that will turn into agony, eventually.
Which is the lesser evil? I have no idea.

I am not an emo person, pero na-eemo na ako dito. Kaloka. Sheeesh.

Dropping My Size by Two Notches

There are two things that happens during the month of July. It rains with water and it rains with SALE!!! Mid-year sales! Even if I don't want to spend much money due to my impending trip to Cebu, I dragged myself to Makati and readied myself to scout for a good haul of bargains. To add, I somehow need new sets of clothes because some of my tops and bottoms don't fit well already.

I went to Forever 21, my favorite store, to look for a shorts for my Cebu trip. I got a nice pair but they aren't on sale, but since I love it much, I still got it. And to my surprise, I am already a size 14 from size 18! Ahhhh it feels soooo good. I also tried a size 12 in Marks and Spencers and I only need *this much* to zip it! Haha! Aja, Aja!!! And to bring more happiness, I got the boyfriends blazer I've been wanting to buy since its release at Bayo! I thought no size will fit me because I saw the Medium size before and looks like its too small so I didn't attempt to ask for Large anymore. Luckily, a Large size was on the rack, so I tried it, and to my utter disbelief, it fits!!! Ahhh I literally felt like I was in heaven. Haha!

To finish my shopping, I also bought a pretty pair of floral sandals.. :) Ahh I still want to buy more but I have to limit myself. Next time.. :)

I'll work my way till I get size 12, then size 10, then size 8. Haha! :))

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.

Dancing Away with kPop

All of my friends know that I am infected by the Korean Wave or the Hallyu Wave. I don't deny that fact whatever other people say. Even if its jologs as others think of it. I don't care at all. And I don't even understand why others think of kpop fans as baduy, jologs, yucky, eeww, the list never ends. Other people are avid fans of Western bands/artists, and they don't say it's jologs. So what's the difference with the Korean (and Asian) artists? It just so happens that we have different tastes and preferences.Walang pakialamanan dba. And FYI, before being a star in Korea, they undergo YEARSSSSS of training. So, they are really capable of what they do. They became an artist not only because of their looks but because of their talent and hardwork.

Anyway, I am not here to put a debate on that topic. I just want to share my exercise habits while on this diet. So how is it related to Kpop? Well, I am not a fan of doing rigorous exercises. I am too lazy for that. I do like dancing, though. And I just soooo love how the Korean bands choreograph their dances. Their dance steps are so different from what I see in the West and in the Philippines.

So, isn't it a good idea to make use of what I really like, kPop, in exercising? That way, I will be more willing and engaged in exercising and best of all, I am having fun! I cannot do their dance steps well but it's enough for me that I can groove to their rhythm and I am sweating (and that's what's important, right?)!

If I am not jogging with my officemates after work, I usually pop in our player a DVD of my favorite Korean band, Super Junior, and dance and sweat as long as I can. ;)

It would be better if you do things wholeheartedly than halfheartedly. So, I suggest find a way how you can incorporate your likes in exercising. In that way, you won't feel forced or pushed doing it. Just my two cents.

Here is a video of Super Junior, dancing, Bonamana. I tell you, it's great. Haha! Check out 3:45-4:00, that's my favorite! :)

Goodbye, Momo.

It's been a long time since I owned a pet, again. More than a decade, if I remember it right. So Momoruru, or Momo for short, is such a dear pet dog to me. I got him from Dai after I graduated college and Momo is my dog ever since I started working. My pet for almost three years.

Momo

Momo when he was less than 1 year old.

Momo is not a pure bred dog. He's just a mixture of "askal" and some unknown bred dog. But his stature and built is big and macho so he doesn't look like any typical askal.

Since I am already earning my own money, I used to buy him Alpo dog food every payday. I also bought him dog bones and dog collars and even gave him part of my own childhood towel embroidered with my name to use. He can come inside our house at his own freewill. Sleep inside the house, go inside our rooms, even sleep in the sofa! Momo is the only dog who got this treatment and endearment from the family.

It has been about five days of sickness then he died. He really lost a lot of weight during those five days. He used to be botchog fat before that sickness. We thought he will recover after drinking Domoxicillin since he showed little signs of improvement. He was already wagging his tail and eating little by little although the heavy panting and lethargy are still there. We weren't able to have a Vet looked at him since my parents have no time and I have work. I just really thought back then that he will still recover from the illness (just like before). But then I thought wrong, on his last night, I saw the phlegm coming out from his nose -- thick densed phlegm. I got scared that moment and I asked Mama to REALLY bring him to the Vet the next day. But it was Momo's last night. Momo was found lying and hard in our garage at dawn.

I did not cry when I heard the breaking news (Papa only told me when I was about to go to the office). Crying is really not innate in me when hearing the news for the first time. Maybe it didn't just sink in to me. But it was HEARTBREAKING. The mere thought of going home without Momo is really depressing.

I will miss you Momo. I will miss patting your head. I will miss scolding you whenever you get jumpy and running like a cheetah inside the house. I will miss you peeping at the gate when you hear the broom of the trike when I arrive. I will miss you hunting for the mouse. I will miss you sitting by my side waiting for a bone or food. I will miss you barking and going up just to ask us to open the door for you because you want to get out. I will miss the elegance on how you sit and relax. And I will miss everything about you Momo.

Now, the incident really just sank to me now and the tears already shed. Momo will forever be in my heart. I love you Momo!

Annyeong! Let's Learn Korean Part 2

I blogged about shortlisting two institutions offering Korean Classes last time. Apparently, I found another school to attend to since my schedule did not synced with those two schools.

Anyhoo, if everything goes well with my soon-to-be classmates, I'd be starting my Korean classes this August 7, at KLC (Korean Language Culture) Traning Center. Yay! Finally, starting to accomplish one of my goals. Aja aja! Fighting ~

KLC Traning Center, according to my research, is also recognized for teaching Korean. I am not sure but I think KLC is the one handling the Korean course in UP Diliman or at least they are related to UP-D somehow.  One of their instructors is a UP-D professor pala. Tuition fee is also very cheap considering the number of class hours relative to the other schools I considered before.

Fee: PhP 7,000
Schedule: starting August 7, 2010. every Saturday and Sunday at 8am - 1pm
Course Inclusions:

• 70 Hours session
• Textbook
• Audio CD
• Certificate of Completion

KLC (Korean Language Culture) Traning Center
Unit 904, Parc House II, 21 EDSA Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City
882-1602

Note: Here's a helpful site for those who want to learn the language: http://hanguladay.wordpress.com/

Anniong! Let's Learn Korean..

As part of my goals in life, I already looked up for a Korean Language Course offerings. I have finally decided to study Korean over Mandarin (Mandarin used to be my top priority) since:

• the sounds of the Korean Language seems to jive with how I pronounce S, hate to admit it, but I have a lisp on my S.. grrrrr.; 
• Mandarin should have been studied while you were still young enable to capture the correct sounds and diction of the language. Even my cousin and nephew who studied in a Chinese school have difficulties in speaking and wirting the language. Paano pa ako? 
•  I just have a big interest in Korean Culture these days, k-drama and k-pop to be more precise. I have been infected by the Hallyu wave along with the world. Hihi.
• In preparation of my upcoming tour in South Korea. Weeeeeeee.. I just wish I will be granted with a visa!!!

And so I looked for schools where I shortlisted two.

1. Ateneo de Manila University
    Quezon City
    Php 4,500 for 30 hours of instruction (inclusive of instructional materials)
    starts on April 10, 9:00am - 12:00nn

*At least 10 should enroll for this course to pursue.

2. The Bridge Language Center
    Makati City
    PhP 7,750 (prmo rate already) for 32 hours of instruction (inclusive of instructional materials)
    No schedule yet since the Client Service Officer of The Bridge still needs to consolidate my schedule along 

    with my prospect classmates in this course. Oooohh I hope they can jive with my schedule.

I'm actually eyeing already for The Bridge because of its proximity despite its more expensive fee. And it also has good standards in teaching foreign languages so I really do hope our scheds will work out well. *cross fingers*