10 Commandments Minus 10 Kilos

Truth be told, I have gained another 3kg in 2010. (Additional 3kg to the 15kg I gained in 3years while I was working for San Miguel).

Likewise, my Manila vacation last week proved to be detrimental, not only in keeping the weight off but also in not gaining unnecessary calories. So, in one beautiful evening in Cafe Breton, West Gate, Alabang, 5 friends and I signed a ‘formal contract’ to signify our fitness commitment. Drafted by Atty. J (yeah, that’s how serious we are!!), the contract stipulates the following clauses:

      - That I, Atty. J, and R commit to lose 10Kg. By May 2011 (2lbs a week is healthy)

     - That if Atty. J loses the necessary inches to fit into a Hugo Boss suit, he will be entitled to the aforementioned suit to be purchased by the other 5 signatories

     - That if I and R lose the same amount of weight, Atty. J shall fly all 8 of us to Vietnam and Cambodia

     - **Legal and healthy method only

In my commitment to pursue a lifestyle change, I have drafted the personal commandments I intend to follow to a) Shed off the 18Kg I gained in the last 4 years and b) Keep them off for as long as I live. Hence, my 10 minus 10kg commandments:

1. I shall learn to unlove dairy-based desserts. (This is number one because this is the most painful of them all. I literally stalled after typing this to convince myself that this is the right thing to do).

2. I shall run and swim at least 4 hours a week.

3. I shall keep the ratio of fruits and veggies to meat to 3:1

4. I shall only consume rice and pasta on days I am going to do heavy workout.

5. I shall take the public transport, instead of hailing a cab (unless it’s midnight).

6. I shall ditch any mode of transport if travel is within 'reasonable' walking distance.

7. Following rule 6#, I shall wear, or bring comfortable shoes wherever I go. No excuses.

8. I shall make a conscious effort to drink plenty of water (and avoid milkshakes, milk tea, and coffee in plastic packet).

9. I shall only consume a maximum of 2 glasses of wine per week (only if I have to).

10. I shall not go clothes shopping unless I reach my ideal weight.

I have also been doing research on accupuncture treatment for weightloss. (Yes, that’s how desperate I am to bring back the beach-bod silhouette I donned some time ago.) But in doing so, I have to shell out some funds amounting to these:

Yes, indeed. That's how pricey the treatment would be.

Sigh. Looks like you babies would have to wait looooonger.

.

Margarita's: Mexican Food Trip

Location: Dempsey Hill

Nachos

Quesadillas

Beef Fajitas

(really good!!!)

Enchiladas De Pollo Con Mole

(with chocolate!!!)

We really enjoyed our Christmas Day dinner..

with this, our 'appetizer'

I shall return. 

____________

I need a better camera..

Wee Nam Kee: Best Chicken Rice in Singapore (?)

They say it's the best Chicken Rice in Singapore..

So off we went..

..and savored a double-dose of oily, ginger-y, chicken-y goodness.

I must say that this Hainanese Chicken is worth every calorie. And worth every cheap dollar spent.

I wonder if Wee Nam Kee in Manila is as good..?

__________________________________

Wee Nam Kee

275 Thomson Road #01-05 Novena Ville Singapore

...

Baby Boom

Hola!

I haven’t been updating recently because I have been busy vacationing, getting well, and preparing for another vacation. Well, what else would you do with 21.5 days of VL?? =)

While all of these happen in my life, Singapore is busy campaigning for increased “unguarded” intimacy among married couples. Apparently, they need to boost their population (with the hopes of displacing foreigners, eventually *sad*) by 1M in the next 20 years.

Weekends in Singapore: Saturday BBQ

Date: 08 January 2011

Location: Heart of Tampines and Pasir Ris

Photos (with permission): Lean Tibia 

It was a simple fellowship activity set for the married couples of LOJ Singapore. But since I happen to live where it was held (and they probably needed another person to gorge on the yummy leche flan), I was invited anyway.

The guests-of-honor were the Pasir Risians, Senkangites, Tampiners and Bedosians (originally Bedokers, until its 'locals' protested).

 

January marks the beginning of Diet Season—or so I thought..

We were hoping to take a photo of the caldereta but for some reason, it disappeared into oblivion. I just remembered someone yelling “Wag na kayo umasa, patatas nalang ang natira!”

Guess what happened next?

The potatoes followed suit,

with not even a trace of the sauce left.

So with only the bee-hon left for ta-pao, we decided to play the classic pinoy game: Pinoy Henyo (in Singlish: Yes, No-Lah, Can!!). The kids outscored the adults.

 Some of the basic questions were,

"Am I scared of it?"

"Is it found in school?"

"Do I hate it?"

"What is 'bawang' ?"

The 'aunties' then taught the fledglings another classic, Dr. Quack-Quack.

The kids had so much fun that everyone wanted to be Dr. Quack-Quack.

'Twas a lovely evening indeed.

(Tito Lean, this is a really good photo of the place.. gujab!)

Welcoming 2011

Moments from the SILOSO BEACH PARTY. 31.12.10

Arriving early in Sentosa to avoid the influx of party people.          

    

               

Hoping for a greater 2011.

       

       

Waiting for the countdown..

     

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 ..

The 12 Lessons of 2010. The Year that Was.. (Part 3 of 3)

New country, new life, new job, new industry. It has been a dithyrambic journey. I have discovered skills I never thought I had and new opportunities I never thought were available. I have met a few Pinoy clients who were very supportive of me, a technical newbie. I have a boss and teammate who are experts in the field yet always willing to share their knowledge and expertise.

While I terribly miss seeing colors, creative copies, and photoshoots, I am trying to enjoy this newfound career while the scent of flowers still linger.

I thank the Lord for the gift of new friends. I have only known them for a while yet I already consider them my family. Both SE and LOJ played a major role in my decision to take that big leap of faith. Together with my family, they were the key people who prayed for me (and my survival). They also taught me the value of community, of sharing yourself, of being each other’s reinforcement. I believe we have already formed a bond that will last us a few hundred years more.

 

I was once a contrabida and I seriously regret being one. It has been 2 glorious years since sanity took over. The wounds have been healed already and fondest acceptance has been extended to that part of me I used to hate. In an unexplainable way, that experience has molded into someone I will always be proud of. I am that someone whose spirit remained unscathed, no matter how torn I became emotionally.

I am now living my life the way I should have had (sans the unexpected turn). I am happy. Mistakes can be corrected and one can be restored, indeed.

I believe I have transitioned to a different person and this is because, over the course of this year, I have experienced love in so many ways. Divine love, parental love, sibling love, platonic love, and romantic love—I have experienced them all this year (and still experiencing them right this very moment). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: My love tank is full.

And I intend to continue spreading the grace of love.. because I can give.. because I have.

Year 2010 had been a series of love-hate relationships with people, career, and my own self. I have discovered new strengths, and weaknesses. I thank God for the wisdom to have been able to discern the right path and for the flexibility of being able to journey through it. To end this note, let me post the top seven blessings I am thankful for this year:

1. Family

2. Nikki, Joni, Mia, Cli

3. SE family – sheps and best friends (you guys are too many)

4. LOJ family – Alde family and best friends

5. Arvin and Candy

6. GFS Family – bosses and teammates

7. My current boss and teammate

Looking forward to more blessings this coming year. Love you guys!