OBJECTIVE:  To promote a healthy lifestyle and to have a Bora body by Holy Week

GUIDELINES:
1.) Individual Entry only
2.) Initial and Final Weigh-in
- Initial Weigh-in will be done in the clinic on February 1 at 6pm
- Challenge will run for 2 mos
- Final Weigh-in will be on April 2 at 6pm
- To compute for weight loss (initial weight – current weight)
3.) Each participating contestant will contribute 10 pesos daily (pot money).
4.) Weekly winner will receive half of the pot money.
5.) The other half of the pot money will be saved for the Grand Winner.
6.) There are no rules in losing weight. You can do whatever you want in losing weight.

For those who have been asking me why Urgello is temporarily closed, below are the pictures.

This drainage project started late last year from that street in front of Elizabeth Mall to Urgello.  As you can see from the pictures below, the sewerage pipes (which are actually taller than me) and the backhoe occupy most of the street.

Since this project started, I have been walking at least 350m before I could get my transportation to and from work/mall/etc.  That’s 700m of exercise daily!

If you have been to my area, you can tell how congested the place is.  These days, you can see children play on the streets after school.

With the ongoing construction, the place gets muddy when it rains but I’m willing to go through if it means better drainage system in my area.

I don’t know when this project gets done but I’m hoping (hopeful) of getting positive results.

I must admit, I don’t have a hold on my discipline but this time, I am determined to push through with my resolutions.

So twilight of  January 22, I was ready with my shoes, singlet and fuel belt.  I ate at 2am with the food I bought the night before.  My heart beat faster than usual – it must have been excitement mixed with fear.

I was there before 4:30am but I realized that I left my race bib at home.  And there I was – running even before the race began, using the energy saved for the run.

This was a simultaneous run, it started 10minutes late.  We started first.  Halfway through, I was gasping for air.  I haven’t run any farther than 7km.  Nevertheless, this was make or break for me.

It was good that I had an acquaintance ran with me.  We didn’t stop running – except for occasional stops for water and when I felt like I was coming with cramps.  But we never walked beyond 50meters and ran again.

It was daybreak when I crossed the finish line.  I finished the run in 1hr, 24minutes.

I must say that I was a little bit disappointed because there wasn’t a refreshment at the finish line.  There were vendors on the sides, however.

It doesn’t matter.  I shall run farther.

Let’s join the others in this crusade against internet censorship.  Here are some of what I use on a daily basis.
Facebook

Google

Wikipedia

Mozilla

Heck, it can’t make me less of a person if I do this now just in case the world does really end anytime this year(crossing fingers).  This post will be my living intention of what I should be doing throughout the  year and shall be kept in check from time to time.

It’s about time that I put old habits (hopefully) to death.

Here are a few things I have in mind:

Finance

1.) Close 2 loan accounts (what a shame) by July.
2.) Pay at least half of my credit card bill (shame)
3.) Invest in stock market
4.) Insurance

Health and Wellness

1.) Less sugar intake
2.) Goal weight: 110lbs.  I am currently 118lbs.
3.) Read at least 4 good books.  On my list are: Born to Run, The Godfather (3)
4.) Go back to running at least 4 times a week
5.) Use my Starbucks planner (the first planner I’ll ever use among all the planners I have ever owned) to keep me reminded of things that need to be done

Travel

1.) As much as I love travelling, I’ll do my best to refrain from travelling.  If it’s too hard to resist along the way, I would limit my indulgence to one local and one international travel. (See Finance part above)
2.) Visit my hometown (Bohol) as often as possible.

Last thing on my list but equally important – take pictures of every moment and share them with everyone regardless of the setting and mood.   Never forget to ponder on things as you continue to be showered with  blessings along the way.  The best way of showing gratitude is giving back what you owe from your community.

February
My first time in Boracay with one of my favorite friends, Tita Jasmine.

Late February to April
Marriott Residence Inn, my home for two months in Lexington, Kentucky when I was there on a work-related trip.

Chicago, Illinois with Lalay, Ivan and Jan.  We walked the entire day from the Navy Pier to the City and back.  Thank God, the weather was great!!!

Chicago, Illinois with Sue, Alphie, Balor, Tita, Pie and Lalay.  It was Saint Patrick’s Day and it was icy and windy; I couldn’t describe it more than it being soooooo cold!  Aside from the Millennium Park, we also visited the Harpo Studios and the Wicker Park (because of the influence of the movie, The Wicker Park starring Josh Hartnett and Diane Kruger.  :p)

We drove all the way to Ohio to get a sweet treat from The Cheesecake Factory with Pie, Alphie, Lalay and Rey (not in picture).

Niagara Falls.  Needless to say, I was very excited with just the thought of being able to see one of the World’s Wonders. For those who do not know, you can actually see Toronto, Canada just across the icy river. Unfortunately, we went there during winter so as expected, it was super cold!

New York City – the city that never sleeps.  I can’t say anything more but my heart screams, “I love New York!”.  I shall be back!

Excuse the blurry photo.  We were stuck in traffic from New Jersey and I just had to take a snap of New York’s skyline during supermoon, the biggest full moon in 18 years!

I had lots of memories during my entire US trip including, Detroit, San Francisco, Ohio, and New Jersey.  It was fun.

Holy Week, April
Who could resist the beautiful Boracay?  Except for the number of people who were there, Boracay’s beauty scored a second visit.

May 
Our team outing @ Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa
Photo by: Khailo Rogado

August
Sumilon Island – because of its beauty, I have dubbed it my own.

Here’s ch4dwick enjoying my island, too.
Read my Sumilon post here.

November
Hong Kong and Macau.
See related post here, here, here and here.

December
Harold’s Hotel Rooftop for our Department Christmas Party
Photo by: Aura Mae Alturas 

Teambuilding
Danao Coco Palms
Photo by: Aura Mae Alturas

Marco Polo Plaza (including Blu Grill)

And finally spent the rest of December with my family in Bohol, my home sweet home.

The other months, like any other month , were mostly eat outs and photoshoots from different corners of Cebu.

My favorite, Katsudon

Beef Yudon

I forgot the name of this dish

Las Vegas Maki

The Las Vegas Maki isn’t really my type.  It’s a little dry and that it’s a little bit spicy for my taste.

I have not tried their other dishes but so far, that one’s I’ve tried range from Php 200 to Php 350.  Their drinks start from Php70 up.  I love their bottomless green iced tea which is sold for Php98.

You should try them out some time.  Your money will be worth the visit.

-all photos were taken using iPhone 4-

I took advantage of this offer and here’s what I got for 15 stickers.  I wanted the lightest color, but it’s out of stock.  I got the Cherry 2012 Starbucks Planner instead.  Cheers! Enjoy your coffee!

Happy Anniversary!

We got to the City of Dreams from the Macau Ferry Terminal through their free bus shuttle.  If it’s your first time in Macau, you’ll be surprised at the number of agents and free shuttle buses waiting outside the ferry terminal.

Macau is relatively a small city.  Getting to and from one point isn’t a hassle.  It took us around 15 minutes to get to the City of Dreams.

After taking a couple of shots at the lobby, we purchased our tickets to the Dragon’s Treasure show.  It’s a 360-degree multimedia experience inside a dome with a lot of special effects.

Admission: $30 MOP
Duration: ~10minutes

PROs: a lot of special effects, new experience
CON: stiff neck :p

You can visit Hard Rock Hotel since it’s just right beside City of Dreams.  If you opt not to, you can walk across  the street to reach The Venetian.

Shot using nikon d40, 12-24mm (except for the first photo which was shot using 35mm)

A forest-themed exhibit experience

See, feel, and hear them alive!

See you all @SM Cebu Trade Hall from January 12-31, 2011.

Ticket prices:
Php 250 – Kids (1-11yo)
Php 350 – Teens (12-17yo)
Php 450 – Adults (18 and above)