Life Lessons: On Enduring and Pushing For A Goal

During lunch a few weeks ago, a Japanese colleague popped this question while on the discussion of health and fitness: Does any of you take up running as a form of exercise? I always am curious what long distance runners are thinking every time they run that far. Because me, after 2 kilometers, I usually end up asking myself: WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?

That solicited a hearty laugh from the group. And most of them expressed that they can relate to our colleague. And then someone asked: Has anyone here ever tried running a marathon?

*Blush* I cleared my throat and say: I HAVE! (Then all eyes are suddenly transfixed on me. On this tiny little woman, seated quietly in the corner)

'REALLY???', a colleague blurted (to clear the silence most probably), ALL 26 MILES?

'Yes. I did. But I finished it for more than 6 hours. And it was really agonizing'

'BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER HOW LONG YOU FINISHED. WHAT MATTERS IS YOU FINISHED IT. WOW, I'M BLOWN AWAY'

(that last statement wasn't really verbatim. i honestly cannot remember what the exact words were. but at this point, i was really blushing from head to toe. i am not used to that kind of attention. but i thought, now is the time for me to inspire more people to get fit)

After that rather embarrassing exchange, I went on to tell them that yes, despite months and months of training I still get to the point where I start asking myself that same question. But when you've ran 30 kilometers already, there's no point in stopping and turning back. Push a little harder to finish the remaining 12 kilometers. And that's what really makes it all the more special. That point where you start doubting if you can finish. And yet, still find the energy to finish despite of.

Or you  can also turn it all around.

Yes, the experience is agonizing. Terribly agonizing. Hunger creeps in, your muscles start to twitch and a cramp attack seems pretty imminent. Dehydration, a side stitch, lead legs, a tiny throbbing pain starts in your head signalling a developing migraine. The list can be endless.

BUT YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE OPTION TO:

- look up and see how blue the sky is. (oh it's looks like a fine day to play outdoors)
- be fascinated by how white the clouds are and how beautifully shaped they are
- look sideways, and see trees beautifully lined
- look to the other side and smile at the person running next to you (you're both healthy enough to run a race, isn't that awesome)
- pause and take a sip of your water or energy drink and acknowledge how good that actually feels

The list can be endless too.

As with life, finishing an agonizing full marathon is also a matter of perspective. Of course, the contribution of training cannot be undermined. Training  will help decide in what condition you will finish a race. But it is the heart that will give you the strength to endure the pain and exhaustion when everything else tells you it's impossible to do so.

Friday Musings.

Photo from Pinterest

It's a Friday. Yehey!

In my head there's festive music playing, colorful and bright pompoms up in the air, cheerdance. You get my point. There's a party happening in my head already.

BUT.

I've got a million things to do before I actually call it a happy weekend. NO make it a TRILLION.

I hope your Friday is rocking. As early as Monday, I was already looking forward to this Friday and envisioning a date night with the husband. I've been bugging him to take me out drinking. I miss those one for the roads that we used to do before when we were younger and still dating.

photo from Pinterest

BUT. There are more important things to attend to now than drink. I didn't say that to make you feel guilty, if you're a working mom like me and is planning to go out drinking tonight. GO! You deserve it! You earned it! I really meant that for me. This morning while discussing plans for the day with my husband, I already decided to do what I deem is best for me. I'm lacing up for another 4-miler date run tonight.

But I might cap the night off with an episode of Grey's Anatomy and a glass of wine with the hubs (well, I know I'll end up drinking 2 glasses since he's really not fond of wine) to finally make that imaginary celebration in my head happen.

However your day turning out to be I am sincerely wishing you Happy Friday, friend!

Slow Day, Friday! (And thank God, it is indeed FRIDAY!)

Finally! A work day that doesn't spell T.O.X.I.C.

By Wednesday, I thought I'd be like this come Friday:

But yesterday, I thought best to just be this way:

But I'm happy to report, it turned out to be even better. I came to work feeling like this.

I'm just really happy this week is over. I'm positive next week and the weeks after than are going to be way, way better. (No more business trips for now, please? Yes I hope so!) It's not going to be a laid back weekend for us yet. Especially with the school season officially opening next week BUT I plan to just have total, unadulterated fun weekend with my family in one way or the other.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!!

Slowly Easing Back To Reality

But I can't get this sight off my mind:

Since we had Maia, this was the longest time (almost a year, whew!) that we haven't gone out of Luzon and that trip we took over the weekend definitely provided us with the breather that we needed. We left with no yaya but this was the first trip we took when the kid was itching to prove that she can do A LOT of things on her own now so it was a welcomed break for me. I had the chance to just lie on the sand and soak in blank thoughts. I didn't have margaritas or mojitos for company but still that felt really good, I'm telling 'ya. Just to close your eyes and think of nothing. Good, good, good! Especially for a chronic worrier like me.

Today, I came back to work. And to a huge pile of paper. But of course, I'm still hungover. And I can almost still smell the salty breeze.

I should probably fix myself a cup of coffee to shake this off. Have a great week everyone!

I was able to take a photo of the family feet but had to fight tooth and nail to get the kid to stay still for 5 seconds. She was just so enamored by the sight of the beach she was dancing and running like crazy the entire time we are at the beach. not beach-loving mom + dad = CRAZY BEACH LOVING KID (just doesn't add up, don't you think?)

Seasons Of Love

Like our previous New Year's celebrations, we are welcoming 2013 quietly as a family. I was never fond of fireworks and firecrackers so it's always just been torotots for our little miss and watching fireworks from afar for us. Luckily, we live within an area where firework-loving people reside so the kid isn't really deprived of the fun of watching the dance of lights in the sky when the New Year strikes.

The previous years, the husband and I would always wait for 12 midnight before partaking the food that I've prepared for Media Noche but this year, well probably due travel fatigue (as we came from the long commute from Pampanga), we decided to forego midnight eating and decided to devour everything at breakfast instead. It still felt like media noche, sans the wine since we had to replace that with strong coffee.

As we were waiting to be lulled to sleep just right after midnight, I asked the husband how he would assess 2012 to have been for our family. And the response was simple. 2012 was GOOD year for us. I paused and thought. 

Well, despite this year still having it's share of Ups and Downs, it's been mostly Ups for us. And I think that makes it safe for us to say that YES 2012 has been a GOOD year indeed. Since we got married, I can say that every year we do see some growth in our family. That should be good enough. There is after all no exact measure for things like this. I mean, what is the standard anyways? I am reminded of this song every time I ask myself that question. 

And it only echoes back one answer for me. Happiness is the gauge. And with happiness being of the intagible kind, so how do you measure really? Whatever, however you measure your happiness is entirely up to you, I say. In my book, happiness comes with peace of mind and a heart full of contentment. I couldn't claim it's always that everyday, but most days, surprisingly it is. And again, that is enough for me.

I wish you a wonderful 2013. May it always be a year of love and happiness for you!

Welcome 2012!

We have so much to be thankful for the past year. It may not be the best year for us but Tibs and I both agree that every year since we've been married just gets better and better. So for 2012, we remain optimistic. Things will be better. Our plans (one-by-one) will eventually fall into its proper place. 

For now, let me just post this greeting before the first day of the new year comes to a close. 2011 was riddled with so much tragedies our fervent hope is for everyone affected to finally be able to get back on their feet and move on. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

MAY 2012 BRING US PROSPERITY, LOVE, PEACE, LAUGHTER AND GOOD  HEALTH. ALL THINGS WONDERFUL FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS.

L-R (clockwise): my handmade ornament, souvenir shot from MOA Snow Village,
another photo from the MOA Snow Village and a recent project I made with the kids.

Sweet Rabbit – My Ode To You :*

At home nursing a jetlag that is expected to stretch for a month based on a colleague’s experience, I have been thinking for days…why not document these random thoughts down. At least, the memories are kept somewhere. When time comes for my husband to shout for hugs and kisses I have these ready for him…

Husband — wow. Years ago, I never thought I’d be able to refer to somebody as my husband. In fact, months before Tibs came into the picture I was totally resolved to remove this word from my vocabulary. But whew…I dunno. Things did take a turnaround. A major one at that. Now, I do not only have a real husband to call…I have a bestfriend at my side as well…really cliched…but well…this is what 14 hours of turbulence and 3 plane changes can do to your brain. It’s close to getting high actually. Not that I ever experienced one…he he.

But really, love is the best antidote. For a sick heart, a troubled mind and an exhausted body. I feel reformed. Like it’s a new life. I almost forgot how it felt like to be in love. But I would have really regretted forgetting it if I allowed my anger and temper to set in.

To my husband – you are now my life. And I hope I am yours. As I promised God, I will stay with you and will love you for richer for poorer for sickness and in health till death do us part…these words I will forever take in to the deepest part of my heart. Will carve it to rest down at the deepest part of my soul…to stay for eternity.

For the past 3 years, we’ve never been apart for more than 48 hours. Now that we will be…I promise to think of you every minute of the day. To send kisses and hugs every minute I can. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself till I come back into your arms. Can’t wait to reclaim my place beside that cozy bed of ours…!

and now...the waiting part...

I am done with my pre emp medicals. Now, all I need to do is wait for 2 to 3 days and its either bad or good news for me.

Sometimes, anticipation can kill. That's what's happening to me right now. But I will just keep praying. And will heartfully accept whatever is the outcome of this gamble I took.

Six months of wedding preps might be lost soon. But I still hope God hears my prayers and award me with a win-win answer.