Good Bye 2008 Hello 2009

Another panning shot(photo atop)? Dunno. Running photos taken by MNM, my husband.


In a day....we are all facing the 2009 and will bid goodbye to 2008.

It was a great year for me.....I run, I climbed, I became a better person. Maybe this morning run at the naga city sports complex (400m oval) will be my last run. After more than two weeks of no run....I only did 4K today....hay! In my wishlist I wanted a 10K PR. Well I guess, this one is fine than not having any stride at all.

The world economic crisis brings somewhat a blessing in disguise. Our company decided a long shutdown that enabled me to spend more time with my family during this holiday season.

Here are some of the photos from our vacation.

Photo from the top: 1st photo: taken by my hubby at the stair of my mother's house (from Left Karen, Mom, TJ, Me and Matti); Me, TJ & Matti after we bid goodbye to Karen at the Sabang Partido port (she's off to Caramoan peninsula); The boat, my shot using MNM D40 at 90mm focal length, f/6.3, ISO200-does it merit a good composition?; Palm trees of sabang-raw material for tiklad (Nipa roof); GOA church; Tigaon church belfry; TJ & Matti at CWC Cabana; TJ & Matti enjoying the greens of CWC, MNM shot at focal length 200mm; CWC infinity pool.

Running blog #10: Thoughts....Hiiro Kakashi.....Long breaks.....etc

Yesterday afternoon my fever subsided.
While on sick leave I started a word play with Hiiro Kakashi. Yah am playing my imagination with a character and took sometime to bring her out of my frame.
I was awaken today clearing my throat....I'm probably not yet OK. But I dont want to be stucked again all day at home. By the way, yesterday I leave home around 4 PM to grab a few gift wrappers. Wow! The mall was just too crowded.

So I woke up hubby, I ask him if he'd like to run. He agreed on it....maybe because he needed it for the extra caloric consumption during the holiday feast. We tag along the kids......

So I did a 2 laps of run at the island cove at a pace of 7 min/km. Kinda slow in time and mileage....I just can't run that hard....I'm busy imagining.

Well, it's been a long time I hadn't had this long break.
I'm busy thinking what to do.....I even regretted I got sick on the last day of work. Starting monday we had a plant shutdown and we all will be back to work on the 5th of January 2009. It's having a half month break (It's a whooping 15 days off!) Can you imagine? When I first heard about it....I wanted to go home to our province immediately on the 20th. But hubby insisted that he still has work to do...a very important project that requires his attention until the 24th.

Maybe, we can still visit our province on the 26th and be back on the 2nd. We need to bring back the kids to the pulmo on the 3rd.....so my 15 days off were slashed down to 7 days...the 8 days I have to crunch the gift wrapping, a whacko party, the tidying up of clutters, run, going to the gym and maybe tutoring matti about writing (if I have the patience....wah! I confesed am not a good teacher.)

I cannot concentrate on my run and my plans for the family....my writing about Hiiro Kakashi is just squeezing in my mind, it's like an internet ad that keeps on popping on the side. Why can't I turn off the pop-ups. I suddenly remember when I was kid, I just have a lot of things in my mind....my imagination is just so vivid that I have to write about it. My mother even said I even act on it....they saw me talking like I am with someone....an imaginary friend? I guess as I grew up, I lost the naivete of that world....I am now jaded by mundane concerns of everyday living, surviving...this is life.

But blogging bring me back some kiddo in me.......I started writing yesterday to beat the boredom. I guess am starting to hate it....cause it gets in my head. So I have to write the next thing that happened to Hiiro. Here it is:

HIIRO KAKASHI 2

Hiiro's encounter with Timothy becomes a routine.
They would eat together at the cafeteria. Timothy would drive her off to their house or sometimes pick her up from her work. They would run together. Sometimes they would just sit together in a park without much to talk about....let time passed.
Maybe, this is what bestfriend is all about Hiiro thought.


In one of Hiiro and Sofia's studies....Hiiro recounts to Sofia about her new found friend she was beaming with happiness. Sofia was giggling "You're in love!" she said. "No! I guess he is the bestfriend I never had." Hiiro retorted back. "Besides, I can't love him." she insisted. "But why? " Sofia inquired. "Because he can never love me back." Hiiro said softly. "The kind of story you told me, I can sense that he is in love you." Sofia mused. "How is that possible?" Hiiro replied with defiance. "I just know!" came Sofia's reply "I guess you should ask him." Then a long silence.


Hiiro is academically good, she is smart and practical. She is brave...she doesn't care....she has no beauty to take care of anyway she thought so why fear....let alone people fear her fiery eyes.

She gained her father's love when she started bringing honor for the family....she has always been the top of her class. But her mother doesn't care about it. Her mother only think the superficial in her mind "Beauty transcends everything." Her father on the other hand regretted why she became a daughter instead a son....He could have given her his time, his attention, his love. Hiiro becomes a domestic issue between the spouse....when the father came to Hiiro's aide this becomes an issue with the mother for intervening the discipline in the household. So her father loved her in silence.


Hiiro's thought about her parents were interrupted by Timothy. He tossed 3 bars of cadbury hazel nut chocolate bar in front of her. It's Hiiro's favorite treat. "Thinking deeply huh!" Timothy blurted out. "Yah! am thinking about my mom." came Hiiro's sad reply. "Why?" "Anything wrong? Something happened?" Timothy enquired. Hiiro laughed at the sight of Timothy's face, he looked worried. "Oh! no. Nothing. I was just thinking about my relationship with her." Timothy's face softened. "Wanted to talk about it?" He gave her an encouraging smile.
So Hiiro relate to Timothy her very sour relationship with her mother....she cannot help but cry....It was mixed emotion....part of her feels relieved for sharing her life....part of her feels ashamed that her mother is not a person of substance...this is the first time that she relates her story to someone and it made her felt vulnerable....she was sobbing....she was asking why God has given her this kind of face that a mother cannot love.
Timothy hold her tight....he doesn't know what to say....how can a mother not love her own child. He wiped away her tears and grabbed the chocolate bar and tear opened it and offerred Hiiro to have some...."You'll feel better." He said....he can feel the lump on his throat....he pity this girl....she is special to him and he doesn't think she is ugly as she repeatedly said it.
Hiiro smiled politely and eat the chocolate. Yah it felt better she thought. Timothy squeezed her shoulder and they moved closer. Hiiro snug her head across Timothy's muscled chest...she felt so secured. They sat in silence until darkness fell.

Hiiro went home late.
Her mother scolded her because Sofia has to wash the dishes. "It's OK mom!" Sofia shouted to defend her sister. Then the roaring argument went on.

Hiiro locked to her bedroom...not because she's mad. She cannot contain her feelings she felt the love around her....Timothy, Sofia and her dad. Imagine, Sofia and her dad came to defend her from her mom. "If I can only save this time.....I'll go back time and again....." she thought. This is the happiest day of her life. She was talking to herself in between prayers...she was crying....tears of joy......then came her pondering question....when can mom love me.

Sofia stormed in her room and as soon as she closed the door, she was giggling and been relentlessly asking Hiiro where she had been...."Stop cryin' sissy....I bet you were out on a date!" she was beamingly happy for her sister.



I have been writing for several hours now....I guess this is enough. I can hear the kids. I guess I have to yoga to clear my head........this is a little scary when something is stuck in my head.

Fiction: Hiiro Kakashi

I am always attempting to write something fictional and this is one of them. The title is still a "working" title.
When I was in highschool I would just write anything, an essay, short story or poem- I was a member of our paper organ....I even thought I'm gonna be a writer someday....But I realized I lost the flair. I can't even compose now.....
Writing is just an opportunity when I am not allowed to talk because of sore throat,
so I decided to just play the words and see until when can my imagination sustain. This is about a girl.



HIIRO KAKASHI

There was a girl named Hiiro Kakashi, she was given a japanese name but was not born with japanese parents nor in a japanese country.


Maybe the parents were so hooked up to the naruto series that when their eldest was born they named it after the infamous character kakashi. But why kakashi? Kakashi is a male character with eyes always covered.....maybe because the parents really wanted a baby boy or perhaps the unsightly difference in her eyes made the parents decide to name her after the male character kakashi who's eyes is always masked. "Hiiro" shall define her as a girl because hiiro means scarlet red or maybe because her eyes is like a scar....the parents life scarred.



Hiiro grew up shy. Low self-esteem, with few friends....she lived so ashamed of her eyes. She felt like if the eyes is the window of her soul....her window has no drapings and theres just no light that shone upon it.



The little Hiiro knows that her sister is much favored by her parents. She never get to buy new dress, despite the fact that she is the eldest...she instead have the hand me downs from Sofia who is much taller than her.



Their age gap is just one year. But even as child many people mistake Sofia as the eldest....and they never thought of them as siblings. Hiiro is like some curse to her parents....they find her so odd that they disown her from their family. She was treated like the house hold helper's child.





Sofia on the otherhand has a soft heart for Hiiro- but the mother does not encourage the feelings. She wanted to see Hiiro serve Sofia. For Sofia's face and beauty is the perfect visual of a daugther never mind Hiiro.


Hiiro has no idea about love from her parents. She get used to it. Sometimes she wanted to hug her mother, she even wonder if as baby she was cuddled by her mom. She understands it...her mom is beautiful just like Sofia, her father is goodlooking...maybe it's true she is someone else' child or got swapped during birth...she wouldn't know. But in her heart she know Sofia is her sister she is important to her. When their parents are away they would just play like they were twins....Sofia loved her, Sofia would just dress her up with her clothes and turn her into a pretty girl, she find Hiiro beautiful....and she'll whisper "You are beautiful. They just can't see it." Their closeness was kept secret to their parents.


But as they grew up the relationship falter. Sofia found her friends while Hiiro has to work hard.



She has to work for her college...while Sofia is enjoying the life of coed where let worries live to oblivion.

Hiiro studied in a state university while Sofia studied in a private university.

Sofia have so many suitors. She busy herself with parties, friends, her social life flourish.


While Hiiro is just working day and night to cope up with the growing need for self support. She still has to work at home as she is considered the house hold help. Sofia's nanny has retired already after so many years of working in their household. Nanny Lala she considers her mother....the love she longed for her mother was willingly given to her by Lala....but she is old now, her age twice the age of Hiiro's mom.





So now, Hiiro has to do the laundry for the family, clean up the house, and have to give Sofia tutor from time to time. During their studies together Sofia would complaint from Hiiro..."I missed you sister."
Hiiro would just give her a sigh "I have to work...I needed to finish my studies....They would never love me....You have everything!" "But I never have your brain" come Sofia's reply.
"Maybe my brain covered my eyes that's why I got that Kakashi look hahaha!" Hiiro's reply. She can never take a positive compliment. She was sure she was cursed....maybe because even during pregnancy her mother would watch that crazy anime in her time. And she gets all the blame for being ugly.

Sometimes when Hiiro felt she is too ugly to live earth....she would run relentlessly.....off to the road, to the dirt until she can no longer stride. After her run, she would gasp for air and feel a lot better she is alive.....then she will mumble "Hmmmm runner's high! you kept me sane". Leaving home and living alone is part of her option but that will take her away from her sister...Nanny Lala left and she only have Sofia to love.





Her days would go like that - work -school -run-work at home.


She doesn't have a social life....she's too afraid to get to know other people. If her mother detest her....how much more other people...they will never like her, she thought.





But maybe the gods got bore about how she handles her life....so plain, so dull........in one of her run....somebody skidded out of nowhere- a man was running behind her she never get to know someone was there....maybe because she never bother to look behind. Well, who in their right brain would look back while running. She thought for a while. She's not used to run with company. "Hi! It's Timothy!" said the guy. She can't barely talk all she did was just to give him a curt nod. Maybe that is enough to pay respect she cannot just make friends with anybody....she run faster and he ate her dust.






The following day Hiiro came to school from her job at a nearby library, her head is a little droop while walking briskly to get to her next class in Science building. Suddenly, the man who introduced himself Timothy to her the other day appear in front of her. "Hi! I didn't get your name. Remember me Timothy?" Hiiro responded by looking behind her....so the man was talking to him. She saw the most beautiful good looking smile next to Sofia. So she smiled hesitantly - "Hiiro....Hiiro Kakashi"...."And am no japanese".....He laughed. "You run fast....would you like to enlist in the track and field team?" He said. " I really don't have time for longer practice run. I work." came her reply. She dismissed the conversation...but Timothy kept his pace with her. And she realize they were classmates.


I know...this piece is not yet finish but am gonna publish it anyway....am still wondering how am I gonna close the story.......I guess this is what become of me when I don't run, my imagination becomes so fertile and it rambles with a lot of things. My brain is filled with a lot of details...fiction (my brain tells me it wanted to write just anything...it wanted to imagine the image of Hiiro Kakashi), but the reality buttons keep on signalling an alarm....whoa!
Reality bites it's 6 days before christmas and theres a lot to do.
The doctors didn't clinic today (whining) maybe because its almost holiday!
And I guess I'll self medicate again so I can enjoy the holiday.
Maybe I'll just tell the doctor next year about this....that I have to do this on my own....because they were never around when I needed them. That being well during the holiday is an option and that going back to the previous prescription is also an option because am still feeling the same.....I guess is this better than doing nothing.....
And signing off is also an option so I can do more.
Ciao....merry christmas!

Running blog #9: Low....low....low

My running activity is really low.

This must have affected my not being able to run during the PMA Fun Run last Sunday.

Yes, after 3 weeks of ardous training- I didn't run last Sunday.

Hmmm....yah it really reminds me of KOTR (Adidas King of the Road).



At least during KOTR, I have valid reason I was puking prior the run.....

But last Sunday....well I just didn't woke up on time :-(



I haven't run for 5 days now.

And I'm feelin a little low...low....low....

But I can't just run, kids are having their 3rd quarter exam, it's my turn to lead and facilitate the review. Maybe, I'll try to run again by Thursday.
But I know I won't give up running.....I'll keep on.

Running blog #8: Saturday Practice Run and etc

Saturday Practice Run


Even if hubby had party Friday night....and comes home really early morn Sat (Honestly, I never noticed it huh! must have dozed terribly.) I still got my practice run....though a little late with my usual PR start time.

Gee, I woke up late around 6:30 AM...had my practice run before 7 AM at the island cove and did a 5K, but never got to time it. I guess its acceptable....considering it's just my tempo run. Nevertheless, I run slow and fast in an alternating lap.

After the PR we took the kids to the pulmo pedia. TJ & Matti's cough is irritating me and makes me feel anxious. It really makes me nervous when the kids are having colds and cough....anything related to lungs or respiratory illness is something that scares me....for the reason that these children were born short of 6 weeks from fullterm, they were delivered by CS, they had steriod while in my womb (to provide surfactant to make their lungs more mature and save us from the high costs of incubator in NICU). These known facts makes me all queasy whenever they are having this common colds and cough. I just can't relax.

So my hunch is correct the kids are asthmatic...their lungs really sensitive to the change in weather. They were given medication (Seretide and montemax) and will be observed for one month. Their condition is something that I realize might spoil whatever plan we have this holiday. :-(




...and ETC...


Today the kids went to a children party....it's the 1st bday party of Kat2, daughter of one of hubby's friend Andy.

It was nice seeing his friends and colleagues again. It was an opportunity to keep up with lost communication and short "Howdy" to everyone.

The kids go gaga at the sight of jollibee and hetty.

But then just like any other party at the end, one of them were crying because they didn't get the prized toy during the games.


Matti gets excited in the coloring activity





TJ beams with happiness- dances with mouth filled with jollibee food. :-)





My concept of contrast- TJ & Manny, Young & Adult, Girl & Boy, Happy & Grumpy :-)




After the party we went to MMC to get Matti's lab result....he was fine with the KOH (this is a test on the white spot that hubby is picking on for the past months).....the test says it's just a white spot and not some kind of fungal skin disorder......Whew!

Again the kids won't settle in just going home straight from MMC....They wanted to have a little stroll in MOA. These kids are just so into MOA. I guess they love the ambiance and there's just a lot of people


Striked a pose at MOA's giant christmas tree by the bay

Thoughts....thoughts....thoughts

Photo by Maam Angie Olivar- during our Mt Maculot traverse- I just thought that this pic depicts my blog today. :-)

Thought #1:

The MRP is still a great buzz around the company...though I am dealing with now two customer issues....which busy me every moment.....a sudden consciousness of my environment still make me feel a little different about the idea that we are losing colleagues....Whoooo life.

Thought #2:

Yesterday, I went to gym for my Xtraining (see previous blog regarding my training plans).

I did some weight lifting targetting the chest, triceps & shoulder. I spent an hour and a half to complete my routine.

I don't have much connection with the people in that gym. I actually don't know their names except for the trainer and the gym owner (whos always around). I felt like am a ghost...besides nobody notices me- I am so focused in getting my muscle out (hehehe outa where it hides from the underneath the fat :-)

I have been going to this gym for about a month now. I spent an hour and a half every Tue & Thurs and I guess I started gaining some mass (I started at 115 lbs, last Mon I weigh 121 lbs)

Sometimes I wonder if my lack of chat with the people there(which isn't my type) can be interpreted as being snobbed. I guess, I am just after my objective, the weights are kinda challenging ( I keep my focus there) and I don't have much time to socialize- I need to get home early for the kids. Curt smile and few lines that's all I can offer. I just hope they don't find me so aloof.....Yah, this isn't so me....I realize in some situation my split personality comes out. Some people who really knew me would think I'm cloaked.

Thought #3:

Hmmmm....too much load of that schizophrenic idea....

Heck, there is an adventure this coming January- thrill of the trail a trail run sponsored by TNF. It's a 20K Trail Run. How close am I to do this adventure???

Well, probably the answer will come out if I am able to run a 20K mileage in one practice run.

Wow...Should I ever consider revising my training plan? And would it be possible to include trail as additional PR activity?

Thought #4:

"What will you do if someone admitted to you that He/She has a crush on you?" This text message from a friend struck with an "Aha!" Hey I'm outtta puberty age....hey am not a college doll anymore....where have you been....time warp?!? Why ask this question.... Hehehe Did it ever occurred to me? Huwat! I got some short hair huh!

What struck me most is the follow up text message...."What to do when spouse read the message?" Huh? I just don't know the correct answer...maybe just tell the truth.

I find it really really funny....reminds me of hmmmm those were the days. ...so as usual I thought the right response to the text message is "My friend are you in some midlife crisis...." nyahahaha I thought we all are in economic crisis :-)But the thing is it never fails to flatter you when someone finds you attractive. So hey it's just a crush....nothing else.

Thought #5:

I am sleepy...Is hubby still partying out there cause....am spending too much thoughts in my blog.

What about my PR tomorrow???..Wahhhhhhhhhhh....I need mileage!

Running blog #7: 120308 Practice Run

Yesterday was my first run for the month of December.
The weather is just right.
I leave my cube at 5:03PM, I was at the SRC- gym by 5:09 PM.
I was a little tied up by the drama of MRP events that took place in our company.

I was in the changing room when Carmel arrived.She is one of GT's running enthusiast.
We agreed to run together....this is the first time am running with her.
I had a few good stretch and afterwards we were off the road.
We agreed on a steady slow pace we run the infamous route of JAE-Telford-JAE (see google illustration in my previous blog). Carmel is such a good company, she is very sporty, and likes to talk as well while jogging. I think she's been regularly running for maybe 3 months. Her stamina amazes me....she can carry a conversation very well. And she's running with water.
We had a good talk about our common friends, guys with really flat tummy we envied nyahahaha, etc etc....its a quick talk about work and life. I feel really comfortable with Carmel even if we rarely have sometime alone together. In my mind I was thinking like am gonna ask her to run with me again sometime. Or maybe next year we could arrange to become a regular running buddy. I happened to remember her plans to go to Bora this christmas vacation so I brought it up...I can sense even on vacation she'll take with her running. Suddenly as we were approaching WDC she told me that she's staying in the company until Dec 19....Huwat! It came to me in a big surprise! I was still contemplating about the MRP that happened these past few days and I really felt a little different with the idea that certain people are leaving the company...and here I am talking to someone whose resigning and am not gonna see regularly after the season.

Well, Dec 19 will be our last day of operation and will be back next year by Jan 5. I can imagine what its like when were back....some empty cubes, usual faces that you regularly see won't be around....organizational change is very definite. Some people will be transferred to another. I am definitely not affected by this change....my scope of work will be the same. But the people am gonna talk to will probably be different.

Some of those on MRP were really really happy- the package that the company provide is indeed rewarding. However, some other people whose comfort zone have been the company find it difficult to leave....its a mixed of emotion really....I have seen it. And this is all because of the world economic crisis....no one is indispensable.....no job is stable....this is all in my mind as we reach our starting point to complete the 5.3K, we were at a pace of 8:00 min per km. After some few steps I bid Carmel "see ya later" I guess she'll do 5K only. I need to run a little more mileage and build some speed.....the MRP is at the back of my mind. As I passed the SRC I saw guys from engineering in their basketball game. I headed to GT GT front facade, left turn to WDC it was a little uphill down hill on the corner I right turn to Telford and the Enomoto, Maxim back again to GT - I guess I must have completed an 8 K practice run....sure it was not enough....not much time....its too dark.....the future is dark....I don't know but I have to trust God -we will all rise from this economic crisis....life is a cycle...

1st day of December

Hmmmm the morning breeze of December 1, 2008.

I didn't know what time I slept last night, I'm not drunk of alcohol....I was drunk of a lotta work.

I wasn't able to do my practice run today because I woke up late....gosh it was 7:30 AM.

I know I heard the alarm at 5 AM and have been nudging hubby for the island cove PR, but he didn't even move....so I guess I envied his deep slumber that I fell asleep again.

The kids are "chocolit" hehehe (another wordplay)- they've been bothering their dad and asking for a MOA trip....nyahahaha they weren't successful yesterday. But you know kids they wouldn't give up. And they know just how to get what they want. Yesterday, hubby proves to be smarter...the kids slept all afternoon and the trip to MOA was a forgotten gimmick....so that explain why I had two blog entries yesterday.

Today, I decided to have this blog entry maybe because I can't make up my mind of what to do with the ruined plan to run today.

I have been reviewing my program for Dec 14 PMA FUN RUN-Yes we wiill be running with the Philippine Military Academy, Roel from GT had us registered last Friday. The fun run will be held in AFP GHQ, Camp Aguinaldo Grandstand. I don't know if we stand a chance with these guys.....but I'd like to take my run to them and see where I am. Many running enthusiast from ADGT will participate on this event....and I am excited about it.

Below table (actually a converted picture) is my training plan for Dec 14 race.

Boy! why is blogger not alowing to post table from excel or word.....I had difficulty adjusting the image crunch to make it more readable (well some kinda' limitation).

For my WW1 mileage I was short of 4.5K....I wasn't running much on my long run training day (Wed).

I am still on track with my WW2 training plan but today I haven't done a cross training or gym-so we call this a rest day. Though, I am considering to do some simple yoga pause (Anyway, still early I'll see how I can manage to get myself at least a solitude of an hour. Hey! am not blogging in solitude....its usually in between "chocoliting" with kids or some other more).

So on Wednesday I really have to do 10K run at GBP with slower pace of 7:36 to prevent any injury.

My problem is how am I gonna run this Friday-8K? I never run on Fridays....I guess the option will be to run on Saturday hmmmm (I'm keeping my fingers cross i hope hubby will accompany me, wooo....need some bribing :-)).

Saturday should have 7-8 laps in island cove. And on sunday 3-4 laps.....promise promise I'll keep it in my head.

....I heard hubby gave in to the kids requests. :-) MOA or something.... so that's a signal that its ciao for now.

P.S.

Multi-tasking is one of my thing or talent you call it.

Just a trivia, TJ & I were working on her assignment while am bloggin' hehehe.

There is also "chocoliting" on the side :-)

Running blog #6: The infamous JAE-Telford -JAE route among GT Runners

Photo above is the aerial view and illustration of my practice run (PR).
Images courtesy of google earth.

Some of the text aren't that clear....let me retype it here:

- The star is my starting point- fave spot.
- The red line is the first traces of my track/route.
- The yellow lines is the retrace back to JAE (I used yellow line for the purpose of clarity because I merged back to the previous path after my 1st 3 Km).
- The red & yellow line combined totals 5K.
- The blue-green break line totals 2.8 Km, additional runs when I needed mileage.
- Sometimes my PR is 5K + 2 laps of the blue green arrow to complete a 10K+ PR.

Running blog #5: 113008 Practice Run

I have been working so hard since last night. Some mishap happened in the line....it's inappropriate to discuss too much details about it- besides it's part of the job to provide support whenever needed (even if it means telecommuting). And because of the issues I had in the line, I slept late.... I was thinking I'd probably had a hard time waking up early for my practice run.

I was planning to do a 10K run this morning but I woke up late and have few doubts if I could even make a 5K round.

I thank God for making me sane last night and being able to do some quick fix and analysis on the mess that happened in the line. Containment activity and support poured in probably while I was asleep- prayers really help.

On my way to island cove, I was thinking of the ADTREK guys who went to Sitio Cawag, Subic Zambales for an outreach program....I envy them for they were able to experience immersion with the "kulots" brother and sisters (most of our aeta bros preferred to be called kulots). And am sure this great Sunday they are enjoying the funfilled Anawangin cove.


Island cove from aerial view, image courtesy of google earth- I measured the perimeter and google says its 1.25Km




My thoughts was abruptly cut by the call from one of our bosses- he was asking me about the issues I had. How I think about it etc...what strategies...containment..have a meeting. Huwat! Am sure he was furious about it, we are already having a good metrics then suddenly a fiasco like this happened...which I must admit, the cause of the failure mode was not even imagined. The operators were doing their own thing, not following the standard operating procedure. It only means there is still a lot to work on, analyzed the motivation for failing to follow SOP and most importantly fool proofing the process to make the process more predictive and prevent this fiasco from ever recurring.

IBack to my run, I had a nice stretch before we started running at around 7 AM...the weather seemed to cooperate with me because even if I am late there isn't too much sun exposure that threatens my stamina to carry on a decent run. I did a brisk walk with Manoy (the Hubby), we did one lap of brisk walking- he was trying to take my mind off my work-related problems....He smooth talk me about the kids and well he made me smile and laugh about simple things...He really love me, and I love him back tenfolds....he knows best when to make me feel better.

After the brisk walk we were on our own, I completed a total of 4 laps or 5 Km (according to google earth, island cove perimeter measures 1.25Km). I finished my 5K 32 minutes (an average pace of 6:24), 2 min over my previous race record. Anyways, am not for speed work - I want mileage.
Somehow, I am happy about it, it's still within the range of my average performance. The lack of sleep and the problem I guess slows my feet (sounds some excuses)....in my mind there is a will to run another stretch, I believe I can do more....the mind is willing but the body is not!

As I type my thoughts in this blog, I can hear the kids nudging hubby for a trip to MOA- I dunno how hubby will handle this....am a little tired of what happened last night....I am planning to take another run tomorrow (nice idea what about, San Miguel by the bay PR). Let me just take a needed rest and see how this day will go through.

Ciao for now.

Running blog #4: 112508 Unicef "Walk on a child's side" Race result

Yesterday I received the race result courtesy of Carly one of the running enthusiast in ADI.
Here is the link,
http://runrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/unicef_5k_female.pdf

I can't believe it....I was the 99th finisher on the 5K overall and 15th finisher on women. Wow! I was just amazed by this performance....I just hope this can be replicated on my practice runs.

Running blog #3: 112308 Unicef's walk on the child's side

I woke up late for this morning UNICEF's Fun Run (I was suppose to wake up 3:50 AM but heard the alarm at 4:15). I had a quick breakfast- a huge slice of papaya, 2 wheat bread and warm water. We leave home by 4:50 AM just in time to pick up Eric & Red, friends from Adtrek (our mountaineering club).

The fun run was held at the McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. We were at the Fort around 5:35 AM....but because the Cavitenos aren't so familiar with the area- we were like finding our way to the starting line for more than 15 minutes....we were lost. Thanks to the guards roaming around the Fort for direction....we found our way.

The race dubbed as "Walk on the child's side" gun started at 6:00 AM, the 10K started first then after 5 minutes the 5K followed. My bib number is 1162. I lost track of my friends because I went into bladder break 5 minutes before the 5K run, the portalet is not enough as n oted on the long lines of runners taking turns for the much needed unload....so when I was back, the gun is ready to fire. I didn't see the rest of the Adtrekkers.

Because of the number of participants the 5K route was reversed...the McKinley hill run was a great challenge...it reminded me of the JAE-Metrolab-PEZA phase of my regular practice run in GBP. There were plenty of water on the pitstop :-) - I didn't know a soul in the packed that I was in.....so all I have to do is really run as much as I could. I had to do brisk walk during really steep uphill in the upper mckinley.

Running for a cause is a great dose for my soul...while running, my mind races back home to my children. I know they are bit privilege than the children that is being aided by Unicef. We left the kids asleep....and as I run to the finish line, I can imagine they probably are awake by that time....I finished by 30 minutes and probably 30 seconds am not sure with the (seconds)....average pace of 06:06 or more.

At the finish line, I was just so thirsty that I just grabbed bottled water and the RUSH sport drink...thanks to the organizer-they have this kind of stuff to quench our thirst.

As I looked around and I noticed there were lots of kids and there's this huge jumpin station (inflatables) around. I regretted not having my children in this event. I didn't know that at 7 AM- there is a walkathon where you can walk or run with your kids (I didn't check this details, I thought the title is not literal. I thought it's some kind of a liner about the Unicef's advocacy....maybe next time I should ask.).

On our way to the parking lot we saw Karylle (Zsa zsa Padilla's daughter) and Coach Rio. By the way, Coach Rio is the race director of this event.




On my way to the finish line.



Me, Coach Rio, Eric and Red (from Adtrek)

Running blog #2: 111908 Practice Run

It's been two weeks since I purchased my new running buddy- Mizuno running shoes.
Yesterday's practice run didn't earn me my much needed mileage. Since I switched to my new shoes I have been feeling certain pain on my lower leg, is it the so called shin splint?
I could not figure out what's causing the pain -is it the shoes or my increasing intensity....By the way, since the new shoes I have been running ~ 7-8 K around ADGT (two weeks now or a total of 4 practice run). The designated route for my practice run in Gateway Business Park (GBP)usually start in front of the BDO Bank, then passing Unilever 1st gate, JAE, right turn towards Metrolab where the sudden ascent start, Haeus, Steinel, PEZA, EPSON, Sanyo now Telford, Enomoto, Maxim, right turn to WDC, back to JAE/Unilever and cool down at the BDO front facade then a slow jog arround ADGT perimeter. Someday if I have time I'll check out google earth for the approximate distance....the 7-8K distance is just a deductive approximation. Maybe I can also post the map of GBP my run route.

Yesterday's practice run was fun....I really thought its not gonna happen because it was raining the whole afternoon. There were drizzles at 5:15PM, my running peers' and I decided to go ahead after our nice stretch....we needed it after a heavy lunch-courtesy of farewell blowout for Flor (imagine we ate 3Kg of Calamares- and we were all but 8 person nyahahaha).

Running with peers' really cool. There was macho (dave) on the leading pace, eric, al and myself. We started infront of BDO, Wilkins, Unilever, JAE, Metrolab, then we felt that its really gonna rain so we decided a right turn passing Wilkins back to BDO then ADGT SRC. That was a whooping 10 minutes for 1.5K, that is approximately 6:46 pace.

After the run we headed back to the gym, I really felt the run wasn't enough...I needed mileage....I was muteering my prayers....asking God to help me with the weather....I have to commune with the earth by running. After 2 sets of abs crunching I ask my peers if still willing to have a practice run outside- seems the rain ebbed away...they gladly agreed. Well who wouldn't, It's like our "Takbo para kay Flor" that didn't materialize few weeks back. So everyone is just game about the idea. Hmmmm besides Al is with us.

We took the ADGT SRC gate as the starting point, then ADGT front, WDC, turn left to Maxim, turn left again to EPSON then we were suppose to turn left back to SRC but the guys decided to proceed with the Metrolab direction, JAE then back to SRC....approximately that is 2.5K....we totalled approximately 4K practice run vs my 8-10K target. Well that's good enough than not running at all. We lost track of the time- we didn't know how well we did it or what is our pace. But we ended fine. I did some leg work out, leg curl, leg extension, ham string extension etc. for my cool down...and some silly discussion with the usual crowd of ADGT SRC gym...my work out ended by 18:45H. It was great! My total time investment, 1 hr & 45 min- enough to suck out all my stress.

Running Blog#1

Why do I run thee?
(Adapting the fave romantic line "why do I love thee?", translating this poem is like saying "why do I run you"....yah...why do i run over pavement, grass, asphalt etc etc....)


Let me count the ways.

When I run- I feel free.
Freedom from stress, freedom from everyday cares.

When I run- I feel like I am a child again...carefree.
Happy, strong and healthy.

When I run I can see everything with awe....
I thank God I am part of His universe.
I can see the beauty of His hands painted in every hue.

I can run as much and gasp for air till the next uphill.
When I run- I feel the burning desire, anger ebbs away.....




5/19/08

Today was a revelation.I ran another 6km jog-run phase. It was exhilirating, I have beaten my previous record.
While running the trail of JAE I can smell the aroma of the grass. It was very refreshing for my soul. For the past 2 days we were disturbed by the storm that hit the northern part of luzon. The environment today was very clean, as if nature took its bathe denouncing all that is unnecessary.

I looked up the sky- it was a blue horizon, clear and sunny. The birds were chirping flying across the electric lines. I feel so happy, God allowed me to see this wonderful scene. The simplicity of this moment feeds my soul. I felt close to nature, felt close to God.
As I run, striding through the uphill road to PEZA, I continue to pray saying my grace to the Almighty. In between my course, my mind is playing on a scene - visualizing my sin, seeing the things I need to improve upon myself, and feeling grateful for all the good things that happened to me. I try to run fast- God gave me speed....there were no lumps in my throat, which I usually had in the past as I approached the SANYO plant that houses Telford. God has given me more strength today.

I thank God, I realized how much He loved me.
I looked back I realized that there were many chance that the devil had the opportunity to snatch my soul- yet God stand in the way, He didn't let me go astray. Then it dawned upon me- God have never lost touch of me. In the many facets of life- God has been the center of my life be it at work, finance, fitness, friendship,and family life. I just knew He provides everything just as He gave me safety today. I continued to run and had before me a vision of how I became conscious of the decision to offer everything to God. I was reminded that it was a pact, it happened when He had given me my heart's desire, my children were the manifestation of His love for me.
I will forever be grateful for the Lord has asked me to be the caregiver of these children. Their names are my dedication and description of my faith to Him. I have surrender myself completely when I had TJ as if it was not enough He blessed me his two angels- the just one and the gift. I can feel the earth before my feet- I realized running is some kind of penance. It is my way of appreciating the body that the Lord has given me. Allowing to function every muscle, vein, and nerve. I am awed by the strength that I have gained since I started running. Now I had a much better appreciation of how powerful my creator is....in my mind I have composed the most beautiful poem.....just as I jot down this feelings I couldn't remember much of my prayer details.But my mind aches for the pleasantness of sleep, I gazed unto the bed how comforting is it to lay down and havea my much needed sleep after a long day.
I guess those prayers won't get written....I know God knows i'll utter a much better prayer everytime I run. He will continue to bless me with good weather, so I can commune with Him.
I say my final prayer today. Thank you my Lord for this revelation, You have revealed to me a wonderful insight. Thank you. Amen!

JAM~

P.S. The content of this blog was originally written last Apr 2008, the write again additional thoughts May 2008. For some reason I wasn't able to hit the publish button.
By the way, the photo was taken Oct 2008- told you the "publish post" button was hit only recently. :-)

Attending a wake

The most difficult part of attending a wake is observing the grieving family. How can a person that used to be strong, feared, loved is now so near yet lifeless. Death is inevitable it's one event in a person's life that one cannot suspend.


Who can predict the end of life's journey? No one.
That is why it is important experience the best life has to offer. The man have so much plan but it is the Almighty that paves the way.

Sometimes I can't help thinking- why did I outlive this person. Why do I stay alive- why did God choose me stay alive.

Everytime I learned someone die- I feel so mortal. I feel like life is like a snapshot, how is it like to feel the end. Is living a life a lucky thing? Or dying and not knowing what its like in the future a much better option?

I dunno I am so morbid maybe. My mind ravels on the strength of the person that died. A very amusing person who worked so hard and achieved a great deal of financial stability to alleviate his family from the average lifestyle.

How can his life be taken away at an instant.

At this time of my life- I have felt the true meaning of the saying "Life is short."

Confused

There are times when you feel like you know you can depend on someone.....that you have the same wavelength and that this person will be there for you.

There is so much anticipation that something magical will happen.

But it's all imagination.

Nothing's gonna happen.....the conversation, the look in the eyes....the promising company isn't really there it fades away in oblivion....in a snap, and you read the quote from Bob Ong :-)

“Hindi porke’t madalas mong ka-chat, kausap sa telepono, kasama sa mga lakad o ka-text ng wantusawa eh may gusto sayo at may chance kayo. Meron lang talagang mga taong sadyang friendly, sweet, flirt, malandi, pa-fall o paasa.” :-) :-) :-)

Continuous improvement as a way of life!

As a quality engineer- I am an advocate of continuous improvement. I have been working now for 11 years and this has been my credo at work.

Lately, I realize this same credo is applicable in my personal life- including fitness, the mindset for continuous improvement is very important.


For the past year - everyone is just telling me how much I have gained weight, its unbearable to hear constant question if I am pregnant- because I have fatty belly. I know I am not obese and its not supposed to be a problem because my BMI is still within the normal range. But I realized that the bulk of my fat goes to my tummy and that makes me look like I am pregnant. Aside from the fact that I have already 2 kids- well I'd like to think that some of this fats are post pregnancy.


Whew! and honestly its quite difficult finding the right clothes in my closet. Every morning its a battle of finding the right clothes and being on time to our shuttle bus. Getting dressed for work is just time consuming. I have to fit everything and see myself in the mirror and wonder "I really look like 3 months pregnant!". This repetitive chaos- made me realize getting big isn't really advantageous. Then on my 30th birthday, something hit me- I decided to apply my working credo in my personal life. I realize I have to improve myself, I know its not a big deal because I am not obese- but getting off the fatty stuff off my tummy would surely improve my self-esteem. In my mind, people will stop asking if I am pregnant.

I tried going to gym, I read a book about yoga and I started to select real healthy food.


The first four months pave no significant impact. But I know I was underway to losing weight and celebrate.


Well I guess I was right about it - after 7 months I lost 10 pounds. I feel great, my size used to be large now I am on the medium size fit. I feel happy about it.


So now I'm on my way to shed off 10 pounds more- to allow me do the full headstand. I guess I can only claim myself as yogic once I am able to perform headstand.

Ciao!