Ran for an hour the moment the skies cleared up a little bit. Good thing I borrowed my sister's sauna suit or it would have been impossible to sweat even a drop because of the more than chilly weather. Sauna suits don't scream sexy or pretty, by the way.

For two (or three?) days straight the sky's water dam felt like it broke or something. It has been raining like hell (stating the obvious is really annoying, right?). I stayed indoors the whole Sunday so I was thankful I got to get out yesterday. Went to ATC and met friends; Gen and her family and Allan. Gen invited me to have dinner with her family and since Allan was there, too I tagged him along. Kapalmuks lang but of course Tita Susan and Tito Gu were very gracious hosts.

We were supposed to dine at Seafood Island but because of the weather, the place ran out of ingredients. Not sure about the low-down of why we had to leave and transfer to another restaurant but I think that's the reason. We went to Abe's instead. It was my first time there as I would never choose a Pinoy restaurant when dining out simply because I feel like I've been eating Pinoy food all my life. I was so wrong. Good thing I ran for an hour that afternoon because I was beyond stuffed after dinner. The food was sooooo good. Or maybe I haven't eaten a real meal in a while?

Crispy pata, chicharong bulaklak, gising-gising, bicol express, and a ginormous fried fish would definitely fill anyone's tummy. I love Chicboy's gising-gising but Abe's version definitely destroyed it. It was creamy and spicy, plus the veggies were still a little crunchy. The Crispy pata was well, crispy! But the meat was so tender at the same time. The best dinner on a rainy night.

Oh and by the way, I saw my super crush back in college, Jeber! Hahahaha! I went to the moon and back when he said hi to me. *I told you Gen, he knows me!*

The best Gising-gising ever!

Crispiest Pata

I have no idea what kind of fish this is.

Heart attack in a plate, chicharong bulaklak

A good friend of mine, the ladies' man, Sir Allan, Atty. Pamis soon! Thanks for putting up with my sob stories. Hopefully, by the time we meet again, we won't be talking about my miserable love life. Hahahaha!

"Tandaan mo Maya. Walang ganda-ganda. Walang sexy-sexy. Walang tali-talino sa ubod ng landi." -- Edgar Allan Pamis

P.S. Thank you Tita Susan and Tito Gu for dinner. Oh and bon voyage to Gen's cousin who's leaving for the States today. Til next time! Hahahaha! Still waiting for our group pics more Tita Susan's phone. :)

We've been so busy for the past few months at work and to celebrate everyone's hard work for a big project, we had a pizza party this afternoon.

Ms. Jenny with Jason Statham

A few people missing: Sir Ryan, Joe, Billie Jean, and who else?

Give me "Zoolander"!

I have no idea where to put myself, or my arms, or how to smile.

Pa-bebe. Hahahaha!

Weeee!!!

It was a fun afternoon until Ms. Jenny announced the bad news; she and sir Rj are going back to the states.

Ms. Jenny, I'm sure everyone will agree that pizza parties will always remind us of you and that they will never be the same without you. Thank you for everything. One of the coolest boss we've all had. Have a safe trip and good luck! We hope to see you soon.

I failed to document DAY 4 to DAY 10 because I was, uhmmm, sidetracked? What's a really nice excuse? I can't think of any. I don't have any special reasons, I just didn't keep track. That's it.

I'm happy with the outcome of my 30-day challenge so far because at DAY 11, I can already see and feel the results. Plus, people have been giving me really nice compliments these days (i.e. looking good, blooming ka today ah?, gumaganda ata katawan mo). I must be doing something right, am I?

July 7, Saturday, I went to the hospital for my left eye infection and I weighed 126 lbs then. I weighed-in at the company clinic this morning (using a bathroom scale) and I'm now 118 lbs. 8 lbs in 11 days! 4 more! I can't believe how close I am to the 112 lbs mark. Aja!

While I'm being physically active again, I must confess that I'm not making my body any healthier. I have not been eating well for the past few days because I don't have the appetite (which is really big news for me since I'm a food lover, I eat every chance I get). I'm running on lots of coffee, water, juice, and beer. I have no idea why I'm still normally functioning despite my malnutrition. Also, I'm not getting a lot of sleep. About 4 to 5 hours of sleep everyday.

So my goal for next week is to at least get enough sleep, maybe 6 to 7 hours, eat fruits and veggies, and take supplements. I still jog in the morning although I'm limited to 30 minutes plus another 15 for work-out. I wish I had more time in the morning though. Oh and a running partner wouldn't hurt at all. Also, I want to tone my muscles and I know that's the toughest part of this challenge. Abs, arms, legs, and but. Hell yeah! I can do this! So far, my legs are a little bit wobbly and I'm practically aching all over but I feel lighter and more comfortable. Then training next week! I'm sooooo excited!

These are my mom's actually. They're the most comfy running shoes I've ever tried.

and I can't believe it myself but I think I'm fine.

It's been more than a week and too much happened so fast that I never had the chance to really absorb anything. As much as I would love to share with everyone the nitty gritty, I can't. Forgive me but I have to think of the other party, too. What I can share is, our almost six-year relationship is now over (thus the endless emo videos I've been sharing on facebook). Yep, I'm single again after how many years and I never thought I'd be so sad about it. Instead of liberation, I feel lost. I don't like the freedom if that's what others would call it. I'm not very good at being single. Hell, I don't remember what it's like to be on my own.

How am I holding up? I'm not sure how I'm doing it, but I'm quite alright. I'm still alive. I've seen better days though. I thought that I wouldn't tell anyone about this thing I'm going through because I don't want pity from anyone. So when I finally had the courage to tell my close friends, I was surprised to know that they don't think I'm pitiful. I wonder why is that.

Where was I? Oh yeah, the break-up. It's sad. It's torture. It's horrible. It was ugly. I lost my cool (yet again). There was a lot of crying, blaming, begging, and all that. I decided to post this because I read somewhere that part of moving on would be accepting what has happened and this is my way of accepting. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right but this is the only way I know how.

I know I'll be alright. I have no idea when but that's my only alternative, to be okay. Thanks to those who listened to my crazy rants. I'm not very good at saying thanks so I hope that this would do. You guys know who you are.

Thanks to my baby boy who hugged me tight and said he won't leave me ever when he saw me crying one afternoon. Baby, mommy will be fine knowing you're there. I love you so much. I promise to not cry anymore.

Happy birthday baby!

I remember posting somewhere before how I once wished for the love of my life, they said if you wish hard enough it will come true. I was very detailed; I want him sweet, playful, funny, cute, he'll never get tired of conversing with me, and he'll love me unconditionally. My prayer was perfect and it was granted!, Only I forgot to include the kind of relationship I wanted to have with this boy; Julian came into my life five years ago.

Julian's dad and I didn't plan the whole thing. Two months into our relationship, I got pregnant. We were hella crazy! I was fresh out of college and was on my first job while Aj was just about to finish school. It was one helluva roller coaster ride. I ran for the hills and left everything back home. It was a stupid thing to do but at the time, it felt like I had to do. I was embarrassed that I got knocked up too early and I was too smart for that so I was convinced that I should at least try to go through the pregnancy without being a burden to anyone (well I rented one of my Aunt's rooms so maybe I burdened her a little bit).

I'm very thankful that Julian did not give me a hard time while he was still inside my belly. He let me work until the 9th month, let me sleep and eat, and move about without any difficulty. I didn't even experience "morning sickness" or edema. He didn't make me ugly, too! People often told me that maybe I was having a girl because I was blooming and I looked, er, not pregnant aside from the big bulge.

Anyway, enough of that. Today we celebrated our baby boy's fifth birthday. I'm not for spoiling but a great kid deserves only the best. So thank you Daddy Aj for the fun party and for the gifts. He loved each one of them. Thank you for being a cool dad. You're always there for him and his needs (and most of the time, wants!). I can't thank you enough because you're very good at being a father.


Thanks Tita Len and Tito Arkim for the photobooth! Everybody loved it. Remember Hetty? When she threw a tantrum on your debut? Well, when Hetty saw the photobooth, she decided to just stay there and become the backdrop. She only left when it's time for them to dance. 

Thanks Ate Micha and Mom for the wonderful cake although it didn't make it on time. Thanks to heavy traffic and rain, I almost scalped my brother for not making it but when Julian saw his cake, the first thing he said was, "Mom, can I eat Spiderman?" And when I asked if he likes it, he said "Yeah. It's delicious!" He couldn't wait to get a slice.

And of course, thanks to everyone who found time and celebrated with us. We truly appreciate it. For those who didn't make it, "bawal na kayo dumaan sa tapat ng bahay namin" Kidding. We have next year, don't we? 

For our baby, I hope this post will still be around by the time you can understand the words written here. I would just like you to know that you are loved by many and that your Dad and I are very proud of you. We will always be here. We want you to be happy, healthy, and safe all the time. Sometimes I wish you'd never grow old so that you'll be my baby forever and you'll always wear costumes to parties and Daddy will have to buy you toys and we'll watch cartoons all day until the CD breaks.  We'll play all day with your babies (recent addition is Black Eye) and we'll give them baths and wait for them to dry.

Again, we love you so much Julian Vallen. Study hard and we'll party harder.

P.S. The rest of the photos are on my facebook account. :)

*This is a very long introduction.


Without the influence (prodding, harassment, etc.) from my parents (mostly just my mom), I would have not gotten myself involved in sports or any physical (tiring) activities. I was very frail when I was young and I lacked the power or strength (for the most part, will) to do anything and yet I played judo all my life. 

My judo career wasn't stellar. I lost more matches than I have won, I'm not good at throwing techniques and I'm particulary bad at grappling, but I look snappy in a judo uniform and I do rollings (summer saults, slams, cart wheel, the works) like a gymnast (I was one before). I can't say we're famous, but because of my parents' awesome track record, all of us (my siblings and I) were known as "Anak ni Tetet" or "Anak ni Tony".

L-R: Ms. Maricel, Beyland, Ms. A, Din, Euke, Andrew, Billie, Carla, Jen, Jorlie, Jes, Grace, Eli, Joe

I am partly sorry for the title of this post, if it offends you. If not, then. Uhmm.. Nothing? Andoy's suggestion is a little vulgar but very appropriate to the event we celebrated today.

We could have given Billie a nice and sweet baby shower--lavish baby stuff and all--but it's July 5 and everyone's out of extra money so we pull of a last minute prep and do a repeat of the MSG party we did for Euke's 24th birthday!

Aside from that, we didn't have enough time to prepare! We knew that she'll be on leave this month but nobody really kept tabs on the exact date. I was searching online if there'll be holidays for this month and there was none, then I suddenly thought of Billie. When I confirmed that this week's her last at work, there's really no time to gather money and buy gifts for her. So I thought of doing the same thing my co-workers from Ortigas did for me, dedications and messages!

I made small cards from construction paper, asked everyone to write a message or dedication for our momma-to-be, grabbed a pretty box lying around the house and dumped all of the cards there, and filled it with Cloud 9 and yema (her favorites). Voila!

Yema and Cloud 9 somewhere there.

When I told everyone of my plan, they all suggested and agreed that we organize a simple potluck! Just when I thought nobody's willing to shell out money! But hey, it's food and for a yummy good cause.

Bread, hotdog, scrambled eggs (tomato and onion omelette from Mommy Grace and cheesy mushroom omelette from Sir Paul), tuna, meat loaf, potato salad, assorted bread, donuts, and mojos (not in the picture)

It has become a challenge to pull off surprises around the office now because we're running out of gimmicks and tricks, but today, we decided the very basic (and I can't believe we've never done it before!) of surprises. We gathered inside the conference room, shut the door, closed the lights and waited for BJ to enter. Just watch the video for how that turned out.

I'm happy the surprise was a success and we got to wish Billie a safe delivery. Plus another successful potluck for the APLUS family.

One of my favorite shots. TL's face says it all. TL: Jen, you've eaten too much! Jen: Omnomnomnomnom!

Jorlie is not ready!

From my side of the world

Pa-bebe girls!

Guess why everybody's standing up but still in the room.

No coffee. No water. No juice. No tea. Only Tabasco sauce!

Yep, no drinks!

Busy!