My bedroom, which also serves as my work/reading room, looks like a garage. Things are scattered all over: books, shoes, clothes, art materials, fabrics, bags, etc. I hate to see the mess but I have no time to clean it up. Actually, I have the time, but I don’t have the initiative. I am just a lazy cat nowadays.

The summer season is ending soon. I still haven’t completed the requirements for my Australian visa application. I heard that NL went back to Perth recently—for good—I regained inspiration.

I have so many “have nots” in life. Pull me up, please. I need to get up and collect myself.

I was rushed to the hospital yesterday. I suffered from intolerable stomach pain and LBM since morning; I was near to fainting in the LRT, with excessive cold perspiration and blurry vision. Lab test showed that there’s nothing more serious than that, but if this condition persists until today, I must be confined for some dextrose-ing (I don’t know what it’s medical term).

Actually, while I am drafting this post, stomach ache still attacks, but not as frequently as yesterday. I was given prescriptions to alleviate the pain and the LBM occurrence; the medications last for 5 days. First time to be brought to the hospital for such an illness. I don’t know its cause: I only had a cup of coffee, 3 pandesals filled with Dairy Creme, and a glass of mineral water for breakfast—and that’s all. I started to feel unusual tummy aches since then.

Now I am on a BRAT diet. At first, I substituted crackers for rice since I am under no-rice policy for two months now. But I was easily hungered by the LBM attacks so I decided to eat rice instead. Unfortunately, I begin to feel bloated again. Also, I feel that there is something strange inside (Oh no, not a baby!!!) but some inflammations or something. If this pain continues until tomorrow, I think I have to go back to my doctor and asked her to perform an ultrasound testing.

I’m praying that everything will be all right. No serious cases. Lord, please bless me with good health.

Also, thanks to my officemates for your concern. To my boss RST for allowing me to file an under time out yesterday and SL today, and to my Mom and Dad for always taking good care of me. I love you all.

This was my first 10-kilometer run, and I am proud that I have finished the line—even without training; even when I had an injured ankle; even when I started 45 minutes after the gun start; even when I ended up second to the last finisher in my category. Every step and every drop of sweat is worth it. My discovery for today was that you should run at your own risk, at your own pace, because nobody knows your strengths and weaknesses better than you.

Also, running is like a box of chocolate; you never know what you’re gonna get. I almost gave up on the 4th kilometer; I was about to lose hope since everyone was on their way back to the finish line. There was no runners behind me anymore, but I went on, walking. Then, a handsome, smooth-skinned 16k runner was approaching my direction; he looked at me and we stared at each other, eye-to-eye. I was stunned, and suddenly stopped, my eyes wide open. I was about to flaunt my sweetest smile, but he looked away and passed by me. I was too late to gather myself and realize that it was Joem Bascon, my favorite lead actor in the movie Batanes, and most hated villain named Tomas in the teleserye Walang Hanggan. I promised myself that if ever I would see him after the run, I won’t hesitate asking him for our picture together. So here goes… Tsaraaaaaaaan!

With Joem Bascon

Of course, Mommy wouldn't waste any chance, too. I heard her greet Joem saying, "Hi, Tomas!" accompanied by a few taps on the shoulder. And Joem happily responded, "Salamat po, Nay.

This was also my parents’ first time to join a race, and I am happy they finished 3k with smiles on their face. Dad even told us, “Bitin ako. Sana 5k na lang, Anak.” Okay, fine.

Well, of course, our participation in the recent Race Against Raze 2 wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors. It’s thank you time, yey!

Special thanks to:

Running Atom for my 10k race kit (complimentary)
Write, Breathe, Live for Daddy’s 3k race kit (contest won)
The Intersections and Beyond for Mommy’s 3k race kit (contest won)

Also to Jhay of Pep Squad Events for the kind assistance from the date of registration up to the very last minute of the activity.

With Jhay of Pep Squad Events

As usual, Mom and Dad drove for me. I am so lucky to have supportive parents.

We left home early because I still had to get my race kit from my officemate, Ate Neris. She, too, and her husband also joined, but in the 3k category. They were running as a group with other employees of the Land Management Bureau. I hope OP will also get involved in running events such as this.

One thing I realized today: Well, it’s not that bad to run alone—I mean, without your running buddies. You can just jog or walk without pressure; you can look around and observe, and you can run like hell to release negative energies. Most importantly, you can make reflections and think about what you really want to do with your life. Today, I came up with a firm plan: I will visit Australia before the year ends, so I will start completing my requirements for the visa application now.

I took this photo in honor of this police officer, for his determination to be "fit to work."

After reaching the finish line, I saw a co-blogger who is also into running. His phone was dead, so he asked me to take his finisher photo, for documentary and blogging purposes. I also met a friend/classmate in high school with her mom and sister going to the breakwater for Sunday picnic. Small world, indeed.

with Carl Valenzona of http://veggiecircle.com/

With Marjory Ocampo, a high school barkada

Then, we—Dad, Mom, and me—headed to Binondo to celebrate Chinese New Year. We ate lunch at Estero and ordered Sinigang na Hipon and Fried Pork Spareribs. Officemate Ate Neris and her husband Kuya Reggie also dropped by to say hello since they were at the vicinity. It was a sumptuous meal and my parents enjoyed it so much! What a great bonding moment to start the Year of the Water Snake!

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!

Vinaigrette Ala Nicely

Hi, guys. This is my very first homemade vinaigrette. And because I am so happy for myself, I am sharing my recipe with you and the rest of the world. I hope you like it.

VINAIGRETTE ALA NICELY

Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup of olive oil
- 2 tbsp. of calamansi extract
- 3 tbsp. of honey
- 2 tbsp. of minced/ground fresh parsley leaves

Procedure: Mix all the ingredients, and that’s it. You may add 3 tbsp. of water if you want to lighten the taste. But for me, this is already good.

Lookit, I had it tonight for dinner!

My Veggies and Shrimps Salad for tonight!

Happy eating, guys!

The photos below are some of the foods I will eat in the next months, so expect a flood of vegan photos on this blog.

Good luck to me!

“It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your weight loss; 8 weeks for your family and friends to appreciate; and 12 weeks for the whole world to see.” See you in April, folks!

I am glad that I started the year with some good friends from elementary school, including my best friend whom I have never seen in the past seven years. She came back from Canada for Christmas so I urged her to meet us. Last January 4, 2013, we ate sumptuously, drank merrily, and chatted unlimitedly. It’s really fun to be with the people I love.

L-R: Sam, Anna B, Dave, Lally, Aldwin, Me, Bestfriend Rhoda, and her hubby, Papa Vher

With Bestfriend Rhoda

Starting today, I will find time to be with friends. I remember a college friend telling me, “Ang boyfriend, napapalitan yan, pero ang mga kaibigan, hindi. (Boyfriends are replaceable, but friends are not.),” which is really, really true.

And with BANGS!!!

Last time I cut my hair short like this was in college, and had bangs like this was way back in second year high school. Since I started working, I never reconsidered the thought of getting a haircut this length because my hair is less manageable—it has a life of its own! I always wanted long, straight hair (Thanks to my hairstylist, Madame AR!) because it is classier and easier to wear.

Time for a cool change. Aside from the a song’s lyrics, of course.

Last year was a roller coaster ride. Because of it, I plan to make 2013 a more stable one, in terms of career and love. This is not a New Year’s resolution, but a guide. You might say, it’s too late to plan ahead—at my age, but it’s better late than never. I’ll plan ahead, yes. And this time, I will not just go with the flow; I will direct the flow to where it should go.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

It was my first time to run 6K, and my first “serious run” with officemate runners. Thanks to my friend Donna for inviting me to register, although she didn’t make it due to some medical conditions that restrict her from doing strenuous physical activities.

It was fun (and tiring!). I am looking forward to more races like this with them! Thanks, Ate Lucille for the extra singlet, and to Ate Marijo, Kuya Marlon, Ate Mabeth, Ate Emma, Hanna, Don, and Sandy for today’s sweaty adventure!

Year 2013, here we come!!!

Celebrating my 31st birthday out of the country ♥