26 Random Things About Me

Let's begin...

1. I just LOVE chocolates. All my family and really close friends know this.
2. Whilst I love chocolates, I don't care too much for chocolates with peanuts (yellow M&M's, for instance), plus chocolates and mint combinations.
3. I miss playing the violin. I used to play it well when I was young. My professor even offered to come to our house once a week for private lessons just so I won't stop playing.
4. As cliche as it sounds, I know I am meant for something good.
5. I have been involved in publications since high school, and I even have this blog, but sometimes I am scared of writing. I feel my thoughts run too far ahead of my typing skills at times, and I end up rambling.
6. I haven't been in a relationship in over five years.
7. I drink copious amounts of water everyday - I haven't really measure it, but I would think maybe at least 3-4 litres daily? And that's on a workout-free day.
8. I love sports, but not all sports. Swimming, tennis, badminton, volleyball are among my favorites.
9. I have a strong feeling being a yoga instructor will be in my CV within the next five years.
10. I love my nose, I hate my tummy.
11. Patience has never been one of my strongest suits. I am working on improving it, though.
12. I hate it when people do things a certain way just because it's always been done that way (without knowing why).
13. I am left-handed when it comes to playing racket sports - I discovered this in sixth grade.
14. I am fascinated with languages, and I want to learn maybe 4-5 more!
15. When walking down the street (especially in our village), I used to have this obsessive-compulsive habit of making sure I have six steps in each concrete block.
16. Music has always been a source of happiness in my life.
17. I really want to try bungee jumping at least once.
18. Traveling opened my eyes to a much bigger, beautiful world.
19. I have been nicotine-free since Christmas 2008.
20. I will be starting a business with a couple of friends. We're still in the discovery stage.
21. I have at least 30 books at home, waiting to be read. *gasp*
22. I absolutely love the TV show F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
23. I have not read any Harry Potter book by choice. Same goes for not buying an iPhone.
24. I am a foodie - good food with good friends = bliss.
25. I really should get going as I have a consultation with a trainer in ten minutes.
26. I thought of 26 because it's supposed to be random, right?  25/30/50 seemed too obvious.

How's everybody doing? I've been so out of it these past several weeks. Been working at least 10 hours EVERYDAY. No kidding. My team roster has DOUBLED in February. From 8 FTEs to sixteen. That's right, sixteen. Been conducting training for the past two weeks. At the same time, making sure we meet all the "normal" deliverables. On top of it all, I am working on 3 different projects which all involve the upcoming integration/re-organization. It's tough, I have to admit. But enough of work for now.


One of the plus sides is I've been slowly working my way back to hitting the gym (note the word "slowly"). Been doing it once a week for the past couple of weeks now. This week, I will increase the frequency to three times - two times purely cardio (treadmill, bike), once for lifting. The running part, I am thinking of doing it outdoors instead. Legazpi Park is nearby, plus there's always the village park too. Running indoors can be so boring for me. Plus, I realized that I run longer when I do it outdoors. Guess a change in environment can really work wonders. So, for this week, I'll do cardio on Monday (that's today), then cardio/weights on Wednesday, and cardio again on Friday. Sounds like a plan! Let me put that in my planner as well. Okay, done!  :-)



My goal, which I've written down in my other blog, is to go back to 175 lbs by May 2012. I think I have to tweak it a bit - move it up to April 2012, plus achieve a specific body fat percentage (maybe a range to be more realistic). I have to measure my current body fat percentage first. I'm wondering if a 10-12% goal is feasible in less than three months. That means I would really have to go on a virtually fat-free diet, increase my caloric expenditure, and get lots of rest. Wish me luck! I would have to check by visiting my nearest drugstore which has a computerized height/weight/measurement scanner, which includes body fat percentage. After which, I would have to review my goals and re-sharpen my goals if necessary.


That's all for now! Time to tune in to the Grammys.

Something to think about

“Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable.”

- Dr. Joyce Brothers (click here for the source)

Monday thoughts

"Happiness comes through taming the mind; without taming the mind there is no way to be happy."

- His Holiness The Dalai Lama (www.twitter.com/DalaiLama)

Sent from my BlackBerry®

Something to think about

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do and damned if you don't.”

 - Eleanor Roosevelt (from http://goo.gl/DOOoy)

Let's put Habit 1 to the test this week, shall we?

This week will be very challenging for me. Why? Because aside from the usual tons of stuff I got to do, I have to prove to myself that I CHOOSE to be proactive. Proactive in the 7 Habits sense. I would not let things which are beyond my Circle of Influence get to me. I'd focus on the things I can control, no matter how small or little they are. I'll start with my chosen response to stimuli.

First, what are the things I need to complete this week anyway?

Finish scorecard coaching for 3Q
Start coaching for first week of October stats
Passport renewal
Bill payments
Drivers License Renewal
Change oil, tune up of suzie
Watch more flicks at the Spanish Film Fest
Watch Phantom of the Opera at Greenbelt
Pray! Especially come Wednesday - Perpetual Help
Fellowship plans with the team
Hear Mass on Friday
Consultation with pulmonologist
Training of team


Also some of the things I hope to do as well:

Get Postal ID
Join weekday choir practice
Swim at Ace Water Spa
Hit the gym

Whew! I'm no super human. It's not going to be easy to accomplish all these. But with careful and strategic planning, plus proper delegation, communication and follow-ups, I reckon it can be done.

So, back to Habit 1. What's up with that, you ask? Well, last week was a real test for me. I was made to feel like I was very incompetent at what  I do. I was questioned as to why I am here (position-wise) in the first place, given that I had myriads of issues, especially when it comes to dealing with people. No matter how strong a person you are, you can't say that hearing something like that won't hurt you. I admit, it did. Whilst in retrospect, I know I could've chosen a better response, I'm just glad I didn't do anything worse. I don't wanna disclose what happened - that woudn't be part of me being proactive now, would it? But I am allowing myself to talk about it just one last time here. I choose to focus on the things I can control and influence. It wouldn't be easy, but with JC's help, I can do this.

Oh, did I mention my birthday's also coming up this week? :)

Just a few thoughts before I sign off

Watching Russell Peters now while here at work (still). He's so funny! He does accents so well, plus his facial expressions are a treat. There's truth to what he says at times, you have to admit. I like how he portrays Filipinos, especially the ones living in America. "Junjun, show Tito Ray how you play the piano. Show Tito Ray!" Classic!

I just realized, Pelicula has started and I have not seen a single flick! Boo. I have been so caught up with work this week. I have to promise myself to come home on time. I end up staying so long in the office, it's starting to take a toll on my health.

Speaking of work, I stumbled across an article in the internet -  10 Signs You're Unhappy At Work (click here for the article). A lot of the things resonated with me. Sigh. Especially the part with the physical symptoms. I haven't been this sickly since I was in grade school, it's crazy. I get stressed thinking about my health at times, which doesn't help. And what's funny (in a way) is that my health deteriorated because of stress in the first place! Hahaha.

Looking forward to this weekend - watch at the Spanish Film Fest with friends, having a nightcap with my childhood friends. The latter I am excited about more - we haven't hung out for the longest time. To be honest, I don't expect anything exciting to happen. But at least we get to hang out.

My birthday's coming up in a week. Aargh! Hehehe.

Talk about busy!

For some reason, my entry about how crazy this week will be was not saved. #boo Oh well. I now need to get ready to officially start my week, so wish me luck! Remember: circle of influence.