Running Tips By Coach Jim Saret For The 36th National Milo Marathon

I find these running tips from the leaflet in the Milo Marathon registration kit very helpful. I think they're not only applicable to this particular event but to all other runs and marathons we may be participating in the future. So I'm sharing them to you.

But before that, who is Coach Jim Saret? Honestly, I do not know him, so again, from the leaflet:

Coach Jim Saret

Performance Enhancement Specialist/Speed and Conditioning Coach

MSAT, PES, SAQ, CAPT, M.S. Athletic Training/ Sports Medicine Brigham Young University, USA

I think this is his website. And this is how he looks like.

Image Source

Now, the running tips.

Taste Buds At Work: Chowking's Chunky Beef Chow Pao

Eleven days ago (or was it just ten), I was beaming with joy when Muder brought me a new yaya. Yesterday, she already left. Today, I officially have no yaya again. Hindi ko na ii-stress ang sarili ko sa issue na 'yan. But lemme make that clear, hindi ako ang may problema. Sure na sure ako diyan. ^_^

After work, in the middle of Dindo's super heavy rain and strong winds, I had to drag Nikki and Calli with me to bring the ex-yaya to the van terminal. (Ayan. I'm starting to feel a li'l inis again. Ha!)

It was raining animals yesterday.  Before going back home, my kids and I sought warmth and found it right next to the van terminal along Chanum Street...Chowking!

Police station right across

There were only very, very few customers inside. 

Nikki and her PJ

36th National Milo Marathon: Baguio Leg

Today, Elmer came home late and with these. 

Two kits of the Milo Marathon 5K run

He was telling me about this Milo Marathon weeks ago and that he would definitely join this event. I never thought that he was serious. More than that, I never thought that he would like to run with me because he never asked me to join him. That's why I was surprised when he came home with two kits and one of them has my name on it.

One for him and one for me.

Apps And Games Installed In My Samsung Galaxy Mini 2

I never planned to buy a smartphone even after Elmer has acquired his iPhone. Okay na ako sa pahiram hiram sa iPhone niya. But he got overprotective of it. He would let Nikki, but not Calli, play with it. At first he did naman. Then eventually, ayaw na niya ipahawak kay Calli. As expected, that's C.H.A.O.S. Naturally, Calli would like to play with it. Whenever I let Calli play with his iPhone, he would get mad at me. Very mad. And because I hate loud cries in our small house, ginawan ko 'yan ng paraan. I bought a new Android phone. Hindi ko kayang ipikit ang P20,000+ para sa isang iPhone. 

I bought a Samsung Galaxy Pocket. Mura kasi. Cheap lang naman ako. It was just the first day but I was already having so much trouble with it. It would shut off even without me doing anything with it. Even if it was just in my bag or on a desk. The technical support in me started troubleshooting it. I eliminated all possible cause - I took out the SD card, I uninstalled the apps and games, I restored its factory settings, I tried another battery pack and I read forums about it.  It was still shutting off on its own. It was really frustrating, but it was a relief to know from the forums that it was not just me who was having that problem. To make this long intro even longer, err, short, I returned it to the store where I bought it from (it can be replaced/returned within 7 days from date of purchase) and instead of getting the same kind as replacement (baka kasi it would have the same problem, ayoko nang ma-frustrate ulit), I chose na lang Samsung Galaxy Mini 2. Mas mahal konti so I had to pay more. Nikki, Calli and I are still enjoying it until now. So far so good. No complaint at all. 

I didn't install anything in it until the second day of it in my possession. I wanted to make sure that it would work just fine with the default apps installed in it. And it did, so I started installing apps and games. I now have a few too many installed. 

Happy Birthday

...to me!

I am now,

*drum rolls*


29 years old today! Yay!!!

Before, I would feel miserable about the fact that I was already almost 30. My friend Golden would tell me that age was just a number. I contemplated on that...seriously. Then I thought, I don't feel like I'm 29. (I feel like I'm 30! Kidding!) I realized she was right. Age really is nothing but a number. One is only as old as he feels. I feel young, therefore, I am young. ^_^

The truth now is, I look forward to my turning 30 next year. I wonder how it's like to be one. Again Golden told me that an average person's life daw is at its happiest at 33. Yay!!! I'm 4 years away from the happiest year of my life. But that thought makes me wonder, will my life eventually start to become less happy or unhappy when I turn 34? Whatcha think guys? Me thinks not so.

How did I spend my birthday? I'm so sorry to disappoint you, my dearies, but it was just an ordinary day for me. I worked. I didn't file for a leave. I was not in the mood for a celebration. Ilang araw nang bumabagyo dito sa Baguio. And you see, I never had a yaya  since this past Sunday. I was feeling really tired - physically, mentally, emotionally. In fact, during those days when I couldn't go to work because I didn't have a yaya, I forgot that it was my birthday in a few days. Yesterday, Elmer said, "Ang init ng ulo mo Mahal. Birthday mo pa naman bukas." I was so stunned by what he said. I stopped for a quick moment and gathered myself. Hala, oo nga! June 19 nga pala ngayon! Ganun ako sobrang nawala sa tamang wisyo ng panahon na 'yun. Well, I survived those days. Having no yaya for a few days didn't kill me. ♫ What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! ♪ I love that song. ^_^

My Muder gave me the most wonderful gift - a new yaya! Yay!!! She arrived last night bitbit ang new yaya. Mothers really know best. Da best ka Muder! 

I started my day today very early (as usual) to work. It was raining really hard with strong winds all day dahil sa bagyo. After shift, I went to PRC to have my Sisterful's board exam result certificate authenticated. Whatever that means. 

We went straight to SM which is near PRC. Basa na ang mga shoes namin and since my friends Karen, Golden and Apol are so much into water shoes these days, opkors kasi nga tag-ulan na, I felt like I wanted to have a pair too. May inggit factor. ^_^ So I bought myself a pair of water shoes and my Muder pairs of slippers.

Spaghetti Bolognese on Father's Day and Some Yaya Rants

I am again starting to feel that the nature of my and Elmer's jobs are making our lives and our kids' young lives abnormal. Sunday is family day. But Elmer and I work during Sundays. Holidays mean vacations or travels. But Elmer and I work during holidays. I feel that our kids are missing a lot because of our jobs. Yes, we work for our kids but... Oh well. Don't mind me. Just me...ranting.

Yesterday was Fathers' Day. It was one simple, ordinary day for my family. Elmer left for work because, uhm, he had to. I had to not go to work because our effin' house help slash nanny didn't come back from her supposed dayoff. When Elmer came home at around 4:30PM and the rain was pouring really hard, my kids and I had just waken up from siesta. We had brunch in the morning and never ate lunch that day. We agreed to have spaghetti bolognese that afternoon for our early dinner and in celebration na din of Fathers' Day.

Let me just get this out of the way. As I became mature and started to work, I unconsciously developed commitment and love for my job. I learned the value of work and time, and became accountable and more responsible. I'm not saying I am a perfect employee, because I absolutely am not. It's just that, my job (and of course Elmer's) is what keeps my family live everyday and, sometimes, buy things that we want and not just those that we need. Pero again, sometimes lang 'yung mga ganun.

I don't get people, like that effin' girl that I hired as our house help slash nanny, na walang isang salita. Walang kwentang kausap. Walang utang na loob. Nakakainis ang mga taong walang kwentang kausap. Wala siyang kwentang kausap! Pakshet siya!

A Special Shout-out To Our Captain America

Elmer and I became parents to Nikki at a very young age. I have to admit, at that age, I doubted his ability to become a good father and provider for his family. Or even just for his daughter alone (We had only Nikki then.) 'Wag na ako, I knew I would be alright because I could take care of myself. As I look back to those years of our young lives, I can safely say now that his attitude before was relative to his age. I kept telling myself that his maturity level would surely develop eventually sooner or later. 

And I was damn right! Lumevel up na talaga his maturity, responsibility and accountability. Although it happened later than sooner. Whenever I look at him now - how he takes care of Nikki and Calli (and myself), and how he tries his best to provide for Nikki and Calli (and sometimes myself) - I cannot help that li'l smile from painting on my face. He's just the perfect imperfect partner for me and daddy for Nikki and Calli.

To Nikki and Calli, their daddy is simply their protector, their superhero, their Captain America.

La Trinidad's Strawberry Farm...Again

Don't get me wrong peeps. I don't hate the strawberry farm in La Trinidad. It's just that I was only there in April  (Read story here) then again this June.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had some unexpected guests, or shall I say an unplanned visit from guests. My Muder and Fuder and sister brought here to Baguio my titas and tito and cousins who are having vacation here in the Philippines. The last time they were here in the Philippines, that was also during the rainy months in 2010, and got to visit Baguio, they never had the chance to visit the strawberry farm in La Trinidad.

I even discouraged them to go. Because, first, really, there's nothing to see there during these days. Strawberries are no longer in season. All of them have already been harvested and brought to the market. Second, it is raining a lot in the afternoon. E bet pa naman nila lumakad sa hapon. No amount of discouraging stopped them from going. Gow pa din daw kami. Mga turista kasi. E di gow!

So, there we went and visited the almost strawberry-less strawberry fields of La Trinidad. I consider ourselves lucky to still have spotted few strawberries. At least my tourists still experienced how it was to pick strawberries...for free. Kasi normally, may bayad ang stawberry-picking especially 'pag peak season. They were so nakakaaliw panoorin picking strawberries. Dahil nga very, very, very few strawberries na lang ang meron, para silang nakakita ng piece of gold whenever they found one, kahit super liit pa niyang strawberry.

Some photos up next.

Philippine Independence Day 2012

 

Today is the celebration of Kalayaan 2012 (Philippine Independence Day 2012).

Is the essence of our country's independence really present in each one of us Filipinos? I wonder if the youth today even know how this country had come to its independence. And if they do, do they even care? That made me think, do I care?

I know some who wish that this country had stayed under America's government. They think that our country would have been more progressive and "independent" that way than how we are today under our own government. I would like to think the same.

Today, some people greet some others, "Happy Independence Day!" Yes, this country may be independent in a sense but to me, it is a slave of most. So, just for the heck of it, "Happy Independence Day, People of the Philippines!" 

Okay, talk about patriotism and nationalism and all. Please do not judge me. Just saying.

Ciao! ♥

Back-To-Back: Miami Heat-Boston Celtics Game 7 and Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Boxing Fight

This year's NBA East Conference has ended with Miami Heat and Boston Celtics exciting "court battle". Heat won with 101 points against Celtics with only 88 points. Nakahabol din pala ang Heat. I was watching the game during my lunch break and only finished until the third quarter when scores were still tied at 73 points.

After Heat's victorious Game 7, the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley boxing match came next. Everybody had been waiting for it. Couple of great individuals in the office found a link for a live video stream of the fight. (Oooh, one of the perks of being in a technical account). Those who were on the phone, not on the phone, tambay sa office, guard, maintenance, including myself,  closely watched every single one of the twelve rounds. And all of us got disappointed and freaked out by the decision. Manny Pacquiao lost. But honestly, on the latter rounds of the fight, I wasn't really feeling very confident anymore that Pacquiao would win. 

This is not Coach Alfred. Trust me. ^_^

One Helluva Busy Week: With Imangi Studios Temple Run + Star Papers Balikbayan Boxes + Nikki's First Day In Grade 3 + Unexpected Guests

My friend Apol asked, "Mina, bakit ang tahimik ng blog mo?" to which I responded, "Tinatamad kasi ako." Please forgive me, dearies. I know. Laziness hit me last week and then again this week...sort of. But I will not blame it all on my laziness. I was so busy. I thought I would need another me. Let me tell you what I had been busy with. 

Work and Temple Run

First and foremost, work. Then second, Temple Run. I was so hooked with it...again. I challenged myself that I would never write a new post until I collected 2,500 coins in Temple Run on my phone. (Ahuh! You guessed right. I made it!) I have already done that on Elmer's phone. It was easy doing that on his. But I wanted that record on mine and it was hard. The game keeps on lagging on my phone. Argh! When I thought that I already jumped or made a turn on time, I didn't pala. Eksaherada lang sa pag-lag! But I never gave up. Competetive ako e. Charot! 

My proof. Yihee! ^_^

My Love-Hate For June

The very next day after I've written on the sixth paragraph here that although "summer has unofficially ended here in Baguio, we were already getting a lot of rains every afternoon", I heard Kuya Kim (Atienza) announced in TV Patrol that PAGASA already declared that summer has officially ended here in the Philippines. Sweet!

I was kinda hatin' the summer heat and now that summer's over, I'm feeling sad. Just a li'l bit of feeling of sadness. Spell arte. First, my family hasn't set foot to the beach yet and it's already over? Sad. Golden told me I shouldn't be sad. "Hindi naman aalis ang beach Miss Mina." May point siya. At hindi naman uulan everyday for the entire duration of the rainy season. My family can always visit a nearby beach resort whenever there's a chance (and budget for it).

Second, I hate rains. So. Much. I don't like bringing umbrella to work or whenever I go out, and at the same time, I don't like getting wet. I don't seem to have a very strong immune system. I don't like the feeling of too much moisture all over the house - the walls, the floor, almost everything. I don't like the washed clothes taking a long time, like two days or more, to dry. I'm not a rain-lover at all. This is one of the few things that Elmer and I are so much opposite in. I don't understand his love for rains. There was even a time when a storm was hitting us, he asked that we go out. "Mag-lakad lakad" lang daw kami sa Session Road. 'Musta naman ang trip niya? Stroll lang sa bagyo?

That's why I don't like the coming of June. June always marks the start of the rainy season. If we could only skip the rainy months. Who's with me on that?

On the contrary, I also like June. It is my birth month. Yipee! Every year, I get excited for my birthday (but not the increment to my age). Although, not as much as when I was still younger.

I hope you lovelies had a great kick-off for June. So far, I'm good.

Ciao! ♥

My Project 365+1: May Update

A li'l recap here.

It's already June. I have thirty-one new photos. This is what I had for May.

My Project 365+1: May

My Project 365+1 In Progress

My Project 365+1 as of May 31

I now have a total of 152 photos out of 366. This project is almost halfway through.

Check out the kwento behind each of these photos at My Project 365+1.

Ciao! ♥