Getting Back in Shape

It's a new year, no more excuses.

I started my grueling boxing workout in my quest to lose weight at the newly opened Elorde Boxing Gym here in Shaw. The original plan is for my twin sissy to keep me company but was able to convince her to work out eventually since she needed to lose weight as well. 

Our first few minutes started with warm up exercises to condition our muscles then sparring sessions followed. I thought I threw strong punches because my trainer whose name I can't remember anymore wants me to try harder. We took it inside the boxing ring to experience how it feels being like a real boxer. My trainer had to leave after a few minutes so my sister's trainer assisted the two of us instead. I nearly passed out while in the middle our sparring session I guess because I'm not used to working out yet. My biggest mistake is forgetting to bring water to keep me hydrated so I had to rest for a few minutes. For the last part of the routine we lay down on matresses to do some crunches. 

I had a great workout. I never pushed my body's limit this far before and I'm coming back tomorrow. I bought myself a pair of boxing gloves earlier but didn't find a handwrap yet it's out of stock everywere. 

This is just the beginning of my commitment to get back in shape again and nothing's gonna stop me now. 

New Year's Reso

Home-cooked Christmas food 

Happy New Year! 

My 2010 starts today thank God it's my rest day. My twin sister and I welcomed the new year by ourselves it's kinda sad that we've been celebrating New Year's Eve for two years now away from our family. We ordered KFC's holiday bucket feast and white sauce pasta for our Media Noche. My sister and I enjoyed the fireworks display from our terrace.

I spent Christmas last year in the boonies so I was able to relax and eat real food even just for a couple of days. Mom prepares home-cooked meals every time we spend our vacation with them so I had to forget about my diet during the holidays. I wasn't present during our vacation home's blessing because it's held in the afternoon, unfortunately, I have shift that day. 

My only consolation this year is that Christmas and New Year's Eve falls on my rest day. My sister has shift yesterday but she has a fixed morning schedule so she's home before Noche Buena and Media Noche. Lucky enough for her that she has to come to work on Christmas and New Year's Day only but the days after, she's on leave. Their account is generous enough to grant them lots of leave passes. 

NYE feast

I went to the mall earlier I'm glad it's not crowded at all I was able to sit comfortably and download applications from Ovi Store to my Nokia phone over wifi. Ovi Store is where you could download mobile games, applications, etc. I didn't really pay attention to Ovi before but I got curious so I signed up and sent some cool links from their website to my phone. Now I can maximize my phone's potential because of Ovi. 

New year, new life. For my New Year's resolution, I'd like to lose weight this year I promise to work out religiously. No more slacking and food indulgence I've had enough of all that it's about time to get fit so watch out for a whole new me. 

Stuck

Our PLDT landline installation was finally completed yesterday The phone line was installed Tuesday but the unit came just yesterday believe it or not they don't have any available unit anymore according to the technician. PLDT sucks but they're one of the largest TELCO in the country so despite their poor service they still have millions of new subscribers just like us. We've had PLDT in our Antipolo house but we had it canceled 2 months ago because we have nothing but problems. Unfortunately, we have no choice at the apartment because the entire building is provisioned for PLDT plus we're in dire need of phone service since our wireless landline stopped working. 

It's Christmas next week so I asked my elder sister to pick up our gift to her and the rest of the family members. Meanwhile, my twin sister and I got our Christmas goody bags from the office, not bad for Noche Buena. I got my Primetime Sodexho yesterday too so I use it to buy groceries. It feels good to always share you're blessings. 

Giving Back

I dropped by at PLDT's business office earlier to take care of our phone application. Our wireless phone quit working last week we've had it for more than a year. I was told that we'll have our phone installed within 5 days, oh well hopefully.

I have all my Christmas presents wrapped up and ready to be given away. My sister thought that I'm being generous this year and asked why I'm giving gifts to everyone in the family I told her I just like to share my blessings to everyone. I'm no Santa Claus, it's Christmas so it's time for gift giving isn't it?

I kept myself busy today, I did some cleaning, laundry, etc. while watching the movie Impulse,  about a girl who had a sexual fling with a psychopath who looks exactly like her husband. Later on, I recycled leftover rice from the fridge, I added some spice to it like we always do it's not your usual boring fried Java rice so my sister and I already have something for dinner later. We can't order food anymore since we don't have phone service yet. 

A Christmas Carol: Movie Review

I finally saw the movie adaptation of the much sought after novel A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens published in 1843. I thought this movie makes perfect sense during this time of the year when people are so consumed with material things they tend to forget the real essence of Christmas which is to let go of negativism as well as share the love. 


The tale opens with the death of miser Scrooge's business partner Jacob Marley. Seven years later, Marley's ghost appears before Scrooge warns him that his soul will be bearing heavy chains for eternity if he does not change his greedy ways and also predicts that a series of other ghosts will follow. Three Christmas ghosts visit Scrooge during the course of the night. First, the ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to the scenes of his boyhood and youth which stir the old miser's gentle and tender side. The second spirit, the ghost of Christmas present, takes Scrooge to the home of his nephew Fred, to observe his game of yes and no and to the humble dwelling of his clerk Bob Cratchit to observe his christmas dinner. The third spirit, the ghost of Christmas future harrows Scrooge with dire visions of his future if he does not learn and act upon what he has witnessed. Scrooge was a changed man after that night, woke up in the morning with a whole new perspective of Christmas and life, treating his fellow men with kindness, generosity, compassion and gaining a reputation as a man who embodies the spirit of Christmas.

I liked the movie for 2 reasons: first, the movie experience is so real it's like I'm flying with Mr. Scrooge. Second, its moral values are very apt for both the young and old. Jim Carrey dubbed Ebenezer Scrooge's voice which is no surprise to me at all since he's such a versatile actor. It was a heart-warming movie especially for cold-hearted people I say. Change may have happened overnight for Mr. Scrooge but I doubt that'll work in real life. I think it's best to plant a good seed today to harvest a good fruit in the future. 

For more information about this movie visit: 

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/achristmascarol/

Hey, I got my early Christmas present from my sister yay! Cool.

Crazy Over Magic 8 Ball

Where have all the magic 8 balls gone? I've scoured all the toy stores in the mall but with no luck finding one. For some weird reason, every salesperson I've asked is quite clueless of what a magic 8 ball is like I was talking about something that has not existed before All I want for Christmas is a Magic 8 Ball! 


I bought my sister's Christmas present already but I'm not sure if she's ever gonna give me mine I think she's given up looking for my magic 8 ball already and that's not fair. For now, I'll just enjoy my magic 8 ball online.  


Try this, it's really cool: 
http://lord.xopl.com/ulpage3a/8-ball.html


I'm addicted to wifi lately I think I need it to kill time, especially while waiting for the mall to open after my shift in the morning. I just can't live without my phone.

Rest day at last.

Nightmare Before Christmas

This came to mind when I heard about the Ampatuan massacre in the news on Monday morning that claimed lives of about 40 people roughly 20 of whom were a journalist in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province which is an island of Mindanao. According to the news, the victims were about to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, Vice Mayor of Buluan who was challenging Andal S. Ampatuan Jr., son of the incumbent Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. in the 2010 National Governatorial Elections. The journalists were accompanying women of the Mangudadatu clan which is another powerful and rival clan of the Ampatuan's when their convoy was stopped by about 100 armed men who herded them to a remote hillside and attacked them with M-16 rifles and machetes. Two of their vehicles and many bodies were thrown into a freshly-dug pit and covered with earth by an excavator. Officials said that the death toll rises to 57 as of yesterday and they're still looking for more bodies waiting to be found.

I was devastated. It was barbaric and gruesome. They were slaughtered like animals. What kind of monster is capable of doing this? Can they still sleep at night or even care if they're still alive but their souls are already rotting in hell? I don't get it. How can people kill for a thirst of power? This sick for crying out loud. This is a democratic country but how come some still live in fear and no one can protect them? People are aware of what's going on in Maguindanao but they have no choice but to keep their eyes closed and their mouth shut or the consequence may be fatal. When will this civil war end?

New Moon

I saw the movie New Moon (The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer) yesterday and as anticipated it was just as good as the first one.  I thought it's exciting, action-filled, the visual effects are amazing. Love 'em wolves you can almost touch their fur lol. 


I hate falling in line, I haven't slept a wink I watched this movie after my shift. I don't want to be left behind and I can't wait to see this on the big screen. I was really surprised to see Taylor Lautner's transformation not as a wolf but into a "total hunk." I'm sure he worked darn hard to get those eight packs. My sister and I can't stop giggling when every lady in the audience reacted as soon as he took off his shirt to wipe off the blood on Bella's head in the motorcycle accident scene. Obviously, his hard work paid off to get that super bod. 


The story ends with Edward asking Bella to marry him if she really wants to spend forever with him so he can change her (be an immortal) and become one of them. The movie leaves you wanting for more, I guess that's the whole point. I just finished watching Twilight on Star Movies, I've seen it four times already I guess I just can't get enough of it. 


I have a dental appointment tomorrow and it's been a while since I visit a dentist. Thank goodness I'm on leave tomorrow night also, it's five more days before 13th month, yay!  It's thirty-three days to go before Christmas I already got Christmas presents but if I can still wish for something it'd be to spend Christmas week away from the office. 

Cubao X

I went to Cubao Expo yesterday (formerly Marikina Shoe Expo) along with my sister and niece. We're in the hunt for school shoes but to our dismay, there aren't too many shoes there anymore. I totally understand why the name's changed. 


There are thrift shops that sell ukay ukay as well as all sorts of vintage stuff. There are art shops too but most of them are closed. There's nothing extraordinary about the place really. We found ourselves at the Gateway Mall then later we checked another thrift shop fronting Cubao X that sell all kinds of junk from stuff toys, ukay ukay, shoes, books, broken appliances, etc. but we didn't buy anything there either they're not cheap at all for a piece of junk. Cubao has improved a lot but I feel like I didn't miss anything. 

VANS X Slayer

I got myself a VANS x Slayer slip on yesterday I'm ecstatic about it because I bought it at a cheaper price. I mean seriously, I've owned 2 pair of vans slip ons in the past and it costs around 2-3k but believe it or not I had it for only Php900 from a warehouse sale along Edsa-Shaw. How kewl is that? 


The VANS Slayer theme pays homage to Slayer, one of the most influential trash metal bands in history. Aside from the classic slip-on emblazoned with Slayer's signature logo, they also offer skate and Owens HI models. This warehouse also sells sporting goods for brands like Reebok, Rockport, and Umbro. Where has this place been when I need it? 


I'm loving my VANS I'm pretty sure I'll be back there soon.

Check out vans slayer website here:
http://www.vans.com/slayer/

New Baby

I brought my Nokia 6500 Classic phone at Nokia Care yesterday for repair it's been acting up lately. The battery drains very easily and won't get a full charge anymore, unfortunately, it's 2 months out of warranty already. Hopefully, it's nothing major I've only had it for only a year. I hate to let it go as soon as I had it fixed I might sell it but I got envious when my sister got herself a Samsung Star touch screen phone. I told myself I'd like something edgy yet affordable just like hers so I bought a Nokia 5530 which is one of the most affordable touch phones to date from Nokia. I thought I might like LG's affordable touch phone, a KP500 cookie but I didn't like its specs even if costs so much cheaper than what I got. It doesn't have 3G or wifi, I'm more of a Nokia user anyway so I've no regrets buying another Nokia. 


It helps to do some research when buying stuff so you know what to expect especially if you're on a budget. I've transferred files from my old phone, downloaded themes and videos so far. I'm a happy camper. 


I'm so done with mid-shift I don't give a damn anymore going back to the graveyard because I hate the afternoon traffic. I need to attend to some things in the morning. It's only 54 days to go before Christmas I thought it's not too early to hang our Parol at the terrace door. It's been a tough year for my family when my dad got terribly ill but God has never forsaken us so I have all the reason to be thankful for this year. I know that it's been a tough year for our nation too. We've had tragedies that struck our nation but I still hope that we'll welcome Christmas with joy in our hearts even without the tangible things.