Better Me (Blessed and Thankful at 35)

Ohh, I'm in my mid 30's soon…nothing much has really changed except for an increased in my clothes size (working hard on this now) and these little self-realizations that made me a BETTER ME.

♥I’m grateful for learning to be more reflective because it makes complicated stuff a whole lot easier to handle.

♥For understanding what is actually important instead of what seemed just essential at that moment.... priorities, in short.

♥I've never been more comfortable in my own skin… life is a lot happier when you worry less about what other people think or when you make your own way even if it’s against their tide.

♥Wisdom and beauty comes with age – simple secret is the good moisturizer, smile and confidence with a bit of positive outlook.

♥That I still have same level of energy like 10 years ago but became wiser on how and where to use it – like, attending party because I love to not because I’m afraid I’d miss something. Hmmm…I guess setting right boundaries is the key.

I’m pretty sure my list can go on because LIFE truly is GRAND. But, LIFE too, is a PROCESS so I’ll keep learning, keep doing and keep going.

And for the mean time, let me express my utmost gratitude to all who made my life even more meaningful.

♥Thank you God for everything, I am turning 35 soon and my life just keeps getting better. I couldn't be any happier knowing that You're always there loving me, filling in my gaps and just being there helping me find tranquility and confidence- I love you.
♥Thank you Mom for the gift of life and for your unconditional love.
♥Thank you Tatay (he's up there now) for everything you taught me - I became stronger, wiser and better person because of your guidance.
♥Thank you my sweetie, hubby Junvie for putting up with me, for your great understanding with my "topak" and shortcomings, for the respect to me being a person, your wife and your partner (that’s so important esp. in keeping good marriage), for being so sweet and thoughtful (you're not ashamed to buy my monthly pads or bring my bag), for being a great husband - you're my favorite drinking partner, my favorite travel buddy and most of all which I'm so thankful, you're my bestest friend of all... I love you and I truly mean it beyond words.
♥Thank you Calveen, Jack, Anne, May and the rest of my families, my cousins and relatives – you guys complete me.
♥Thank you my dear friends (you guys know who you are) for the unconditional friendships.... you guys are the cherries on the top of my cake.
♥Thank you to all my equally great friends who never ceases to inspire me.
♥But of course, Thank you also to all the haters, I know and I understand - I sometimes hate myself too for being too fabulous and complicated...hehehe! If you take this seriously, then you don't really know me.

♥♥They say, LIFE is too short, it’s TRUE so let's drink, let's party, live and let live, enjoy life and be free, laugh more and worry less, give love and love some more.... next thing you know, you too, are Fabulous (but Complicated in the eyes of the people who don't understand)! *wink^wink*

scrapNshare

I've been longing for summer to come. It's still nippy outside...right now, all I want is some perfect kiss from the sun.

Earth Hour

An hour lights off will likely not make a big difference, but it’s important that we participate because in that one hour, we will have the opportunity to think better ways to commit ourselves in doing our part which we can start inside our own home like dropping our dependence from fuel and electricity. We can start by unplugging unused appliances, organizing our appointments if driving to reduce gas emission, by saying NO to plastic bags and by participating in global campaign for recycling things around our households.

At exactly 8:30 tonight, people of various races around the world will participate to yet another symbolic event – Lights Off to Save Mother Earth which started in Australia 2 years ago. This project promotes the global climate change awareness and organizers are expecting over a billion people around the world to cast their votes by switching off their lights at home and business for an hour.

So, if you’ve been wondering what you’ll do with tonight’s dark hour… here are some fun things you can do with your friends and love ones.

1. Take a long walk. If the weather permits at your area, take a walk around the park or around your city central with your sweetie or friends! Not only you’ll have good bonding moment, it will also help you burn some calories.

2. Outdoor candlelight party. In the city where I’m currently living, the view of Hong Kong Skyline is one of the best views in the world. We joined the campaign by turning off lights at home earlier, attended Saturday mass and prayed for the success of this momentous event then we grabbed sushi platter, nachos, chocolate bars and red wine and had our own moment under the foggy and cloudy sky of Hong Kong, Tsimshatsiu side. I forgot to fire up candles I brought along though, would have enhanced the mood even more.


3. Dance to the beat of the drum. If you and your buddies have talent with music like playing drums and guitar or whatever instrument you can play… grab it and have some fun!

4. Dial the phone. Have you been missing love ones and friends lately? This is the best time do some catching up. It’s always nice to hear new stories from someone we care about.

5. Paper and Pen. If you’re feeling romantic, write a poem or letter for your love ones in candlelight, one of the surest ways to touch someone’s heart.

Enjoy and continue to make a difference, remember Earth is our only HOME.

Borrowed Quotation

One should not hold a grudge against another because to harbour grudges was to disturb the social peace, the bond between people. - Blue Shoes and Happiness

Valentine's Surprises

Hubby woke up in his usual get up time.... fixed himself and kissed me with greetings Happy Valentine's Day... I said same greetings and gave him a big hug while lying in bed. He left our room..locked the main door outside and left for work while I tucked myself back in bed again since it seemed like nothing ridiculous was about to happen.

I fell asleep, very deep. Later on, I felt a strange disturbance...something's on top of my nose. I was half awake when I tried scratching it...Hubby bursted laughing while I found myself suddenly awake -fully, but disoriented (he said I've asked him 2 times with these same questions - why did you come back? did you forget anything? did they send you home early?) and very surprised! He immediately handed me the roses and start kissing and hugging me...proudly saying "Surprised ka no, I got you this time." Then he held my hand and dragged me out to find the breakfast.. perfectly arranged.

Did he surprise me?

YES, he did! (And I was so "kileg"....hihihi)

Prior to that day, I kept asking him, i think that's more than 3 times if he's off on Valentine's Day and he repeatedly said no, because there's a big group coming in.... so I thought, I'll just pick him up after work then we'll have dinner. But he made it all up! He was actually off! He picked up the flowers and grabbed b-fast from Jollibee which I've been crabbing about everytime we passes by Jollibee -how i missed eating the b-fast meal.

It's just so amazing how he silently sneaked back into our pad...and that's not the usual me, I'm telling you. I have a very strong instinct with my surroundings when I'm alone...sleeping or not. But that time, I think I was hypnotized! Hahaha!

Anyways...

Truly, LIFE IS A WONDER... just always be thankful for what you have and God will actually give you more than you expect :) That's how HE loves us...that's the true meaning of this celebration.

Say Yes!

I really like this new commercial of Western Union - the first ever comprehensive global brand initiative. Translated to more than 30 languages and behind this commercial include world-renowned film director Antoine Bardou-Jacquet, celebrated photojournalist Steve McCurry and famed typographer David Carson. Featured music by Moroccan musician Hindi Zahra :)

Enjoy and feel great!

What have you done?

I thought this is fun little exercise....
You are to "bold" or highlight the things that you have done.

So let's see what I can "bold" ...
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawai

i5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain 
9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie .. no but been on TV!
56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper, in Magazine
85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

If you think this is fun, then you should give it a try.

Keeping The Flab At Bay

2009 has arrived and I'm sure everyone welcomed the New Year with the most festive cheer! I'm pretty sure also that one of your New Year's resolutions was to shed some pounds accumulated from the recent celebrations and from the past unattained resolution. Well, whether we like to admit it or not, our common worry is the thought that, can we really keep this resolution up?

First off, I know it's not easy. The secret is to make a concrete plan on the things we want to achieve this year. For example - where do you want to go this year? Or, what kind of investment you want to get? Setting up a goal sounds more achievable rather than putting it as just another resolution. Say, my goal is to loose 10 pounds this year... question is how will I do that?

1. Gym, Gym and Gym - I'm sure many of us have gym membership. But not all of us have strong motivation to keep things going. I am, for one, the good example. There are times that I just don't feel like going. To keep myself motivated, I run to sporting shop to buy new accessories or gym suits. I also read fitness magazines because when I learn new method, my reaction is to try it. It's also helpful to take a good hike or walk because it will help your body build a new speed and resistance from your fitness routine hiatus. Experts suggest that people who want to stay fit should exercise twice a week for 45 minutes to and hour each time and for those people who want fitter body should work out three to four times a week.

2. Stretch, Bend and Breath - If you hate running in the treadmill and lifting weights, this program is for you. I'm talking about Yoga and Pilates. Common benefits are well toned body, sound sleep at night, flexibility and the build up of core strength. Here in Hong Kong, people are always busy and the number one suggested exercise to loosen their tight neck and lower back muscle from whole day office work is to do yoga. Expert suggests practicing Yoga at least 3 times a week and 2 times a week for Pilates will give your body and soul great rewards.

3. Move It and Groove It - The most enjoyable way to fitness - Dancing. One will achieve the body they desire without really realizing that they are working out. Talking about the younger years, this has been my way of keeping my self very fit. I didn't need to go to gym anymore and my hubby was so crazy about it :) I am telling you, I can groove with you all night long. Going back, dancing is very ideal for people who hates running in the treadmill but like to keep their body moving. Examples are Ballroom Dancing, Jazz and Hip-hop Dance, Pole and Belly Dancing. What I love to try one of these days is the Pole Dancing – imagine you’re exercising in stilettos...hahaha, fabulous! This fitness program (Dancing) also is highly sociable - means you can easily make friends. You get to learn new skills too :) Strut that bootie, baby!

4. Play It - If you tell me that you can't do it anymore because you're getting old, I will not buy it! Only cow gets old. Be open for opportunity to learn new sports and hobbies. I've been very active during my high school and college years - played basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, bowling and I am still playing them until now. I am hoping hubby and I could go back to mountain-biking around Shatin again. If you love swimming, that will definitely keep those flab away. There are various organizations here in Hong Kong staging series of Marathon Race. When weather gets better, I'm going to check it out because aside from it is a fun thing to do, it will give me opportunity to impart in environmental awareness program.

5. Extreme Fit - This is for people who want to release pent-up tension and feeling like their style of keeping fit is of extremity...hehehe. I'm talking about joining in Martial-Arts classes. Well, the benefits are more appealing - not only you will stay very fit and healthy; you will also learn self-defense skills. I've once tried kicking and punching some bags until I realized that's not for me. Experts consider Martial-Arts a gift to people who want to live a very healthy life. Well, look at those Kung Fu practitioners... they always lived strong and long :)

5. Desperate Acts - This is the measure I'm not going to recommend to you all. But since we are in the era of nip/tuck, might as well include it for your awareness. This is for people who need fast results. Some people take slimming pills, some go liposuctions, some go for gastric bypass... whatever their choices are – I’m against it.

To achieve our objective to keep ourselves fit requires great discipline - there should always be a balance in doing our daily habits and the food we eat. Most importantly, always go for natural ways in loosing weight and toning your body to your desired shape.