Getting Inked

I'm not sure if I mentioned it here and probably somewhere that one of the items in my bucket list is getting a tattoo. I know there'll be eyebrows raised whenever I mentioned this especially to the older folks, my parents included. But getting a tattoo is really something I want to do for myself before I get old and wrinkled. I am also in no competition with my husband who has several tattoos in most parts of his body. He also didn't prod me to get one or go against having one. It was more of a personal desire. 

So, last Saturday, I finally used all the courage I have and got myself inked at my back just below my nape. I chose a Lotus design after considering probably about 20 designs from Pinterest. I've researched further and found a deeper meaning of a lotus tattoo which is a symbol of strength and truth. The Lotus is also associated with Yoga and there's even a yoga pose named "lotus". I have been practicing yoga for almost one year now and I felt that the lotus is something meaningful to me and to my yoga practice. 

the stencil

I think it's true that when you've experienced giving birth, all the other pain in the world is nothing compared to it. I never really experienced intense pain which I often heard from those who already have their tattoos done. Or probably I have high tolerance to pain. The session only lasted for an hour and 30 minutes. If not for the tattoo artist taking his sweet time and cigarette break, we will probably be done in less than an hour.  But I have to give credit to the tattoo artist as well, Philippe of House of Shredding Art (HOSA) Tattoos for doing a great job and making this dream possible. 

the artist behind the tattoo

almost done

They say that once you have a tattoo, it will be a vicious cycle and your body will continue to crave for more. I think I would have to agree to that coz even now, I am already planning to getting one or add an extension to my current tattoo. 

my beautiful lotus tattoo

Keeping Things Positive

Sorry for the blogging absence. It's been ages since my last blog post. A lot of things happened. I mean, a lot that I really don't know exactly where to start.

Probably, I will have to start by looking back. I've had a really tough year last year. 2013 brought nothing but goodbyes, challenges, heartaches, stress, difficult people, relationships gone sour and the calamities. My emotional strength and patience were tested to the maximum. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying this considering what has happened to the country battered by calamities left and right. I'm not one to really complain because my challenges may be little compared to those who have lost their loved ones, livelihood or worst, lost their lives. I'm just glad that I am still here and that me and my family survived such a tough year. I think in some way, there is still something that we are grateful about the year that was. There are the lessons we learned along the way and the chance we are given to correct our mistakes. 

I promise myself to keep things positive in 2014. I still maintain a list of what to achieve this year and that includes keeping things positive. If there's one thing I also learned in the past year, that would be to PRAY not only because I needed some miracle but also to be grateful of life's little miracles everyday. 

And maybe, I will strive to maintain this BLOG by posting positive thoughts, feelings and experiences. This I can't promise though but I will try. In fact, this post is a start.

I still have a lot of things to say but I will reserve some for the next post.

Life Lately...According to Instagram

I am one of those who was bitten by the Instagram bug since I purchased my first ever Apple gadget - the ever cute and reliable Ipad Mini. I'm enjoying it very much.

I now look forward to #throwbackthursdays.
Zumba and Yoga would be boring without the obligatory #photo-op.
Then there's my #foodporn and #patheticlunchsaga.
Dressing up has been very exciting because of #OOTD.
Basically, life has become more colorful and less stressful because of Instagram.
Here's a peak of my Instagram lately...

I just have to let it out once and for all...

I know this isn't my battle as this concerns mainly my husband, the founder of the group but for someone who is instrumental in the creation of this baby, I feel a pang of pain. What have we done wrong? It feels like everyone is against us and we're the villain in this teleserye. I've been telling myself over and over again not to be affected and just rise above this little drama. But you can't help feeling frustrated and furious especially if some of the rumors being spread about your husband aren't really true and just pure speculations and a product of someone's negative thoughts and emotions. Our patience has been tested and this backstabbing son-of-b*tch who claims himself "founder" has been challenging us non-stop with his nasty facebook posts, tweets and talks behind our backs. 

We want to keep our distance from the group and just keep mum about the issue BUT it doesn't mean that the other party is right. We just want PEACE and just let time take its course and heal all wounds. This isn't worth our time and energy. We have more important and larger than life issues to deal with. And besides, there's really no point defending as we have been judged already. But someday, the truth shall come out. For now, we will move on with our lives. We are just contented to know that there are a few people out there (two or three perhaps) who believed in us. 

We continue to PRAY for YOU that God may touch your heart and that you will STOP with whatever evil deeds you've been doing just to destroy my husband. You can keep the group if that's the ONLY way for you to SHINE. But you can never change nor twist history...that you were NEVER there on March 18, 2011 at exactly 1:03am when the group was created. You and the rest of the founding members were just added to the group. Yes, you may have contributed to the growth of the group and you were given credit for that BUT it doesn't mean that you own the group, that you can poison the minds of the members just to feed your swollen ego. 

THAT'S IT....I just have to stop now because this isn't really worth my wrinkles and high blood pressure! And I also need to be reminded about this....

"Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace"

Robert J. Sawyer

Hello Summer

Summer 2013 has come in full swing what with the scorching heat of the sun. But I'm not complaining. I love summer and everything that goes with it...the beach, tan lines, summer breeze, island hopping, pool parties and summer outfits to match. 

So far, we've been having a blast since the end of March. We've enjoyed spur of the moment summer escape to Borbon last Holy Thursday. It was a long drive up northern Cebu and though we reached the place when the tides are low, the kids still enjoyed seeing fishes of different colors. 

new discovery... white sand beach in Borbon

Then we stayed overnight at Cordova Nature Park Resort for a very affordable rate courtesy of a friend who manages the resort. We had the enormous swimming pool all to ourselves. The kids swam to their heart's content and until their skin turned dark because of the summer heat. Hubby also did some lapping to prep up for his next race. We checked out on Easter Sunday really contented and happy after that short family bonding. 

enormous pool in Cordova Nature Park Resort

The following weekend, some friends in the company also planned out an adventure for a day at Sumilon Bluewaters. Since the husband has a triathlon race the following day, he booted himself out so it was just me and Alex. We left the city as early as 4am and traveled down south for almost 3 hours. We then took a 15-minute cruise via motorized boat in reaching the island. Sumilon has its own charm although it's not really as impressive as I thought it to be. We still had a blast snorkeling and saying hello to beautiful underwater creatures. I loved that part when we explored the sand bar on the other side of the island. Aaaahhh, it was like paradise! Of course, the camwhoring was endless. 

the sand bar --- my favorite part of the island...that's me and my daughter by the way!

went kayaking at the Sumilon's famous lagoon

We left the island ahead of the pack as I still have to travel again up north to support my husband's race in Alegre. I have to drop off Alex in SM for her yaya to pick her up and bring her home. I arrived at our pension house in Catmon almost 11pm and was too beat-up from our Sumilon adventure and more than 5 hours of bus ride from Oslob. It was still worth it as I was again worshipping the sun, sea and sand in Alegre Beach Resort who made us use their facilities after the race. 

I know my summer adventures doesn't end here as we're planning up again another adventure to Camotes Island. Well, if I have lots of moolah, I would definitely go all out exploring the country's best beaches and resorts. I am still eyeing big time on Kalanggaman Island. 

Bye Joe

Hi there!

I'm still alive you know...just living the real life! It's been ages since I last lingered in this site and a lot of changes have happened most especially at work.

In attendance, Author Solutions - Cebu management team

In March, we bid goodbye to a wonderful boss, our General Manager, Joe. I can't help but really feel sad about him leaving Cebu and going back to his home in Nebraska, USA. He's such a darling for a boss. I couldn't even remember him getting mad or really freaking out over things. He just turns red whenever he's upset. I never really had major issues with him for almost four years of being under his turn except when he appointed me and Ms. O to represent the company in small claims cases filed against our former employees. It was such a scary and stressful task however, I learned a lot and it helped build up my confidence in many ways.

goofing around with the CEO (in white), no less...coolness!

So, we cooked up a surprise farewell party for him at the Loft. Preparations were made for more than a month. The party was attended by mostly the management team. Our CEO was also around as well as the new GM. There were video presentations with messages from random employees expressing wishes and goodbyes to the good GM. There was also a "guessing game" about the things that Joe loves. Of course, there were non-stop food, booze and photo-op.

the Admin team with the "man of the hour"

 To those who really got the chance to know Joe, it was really heartbreaking to see him leave. Although he just took on another role in our principal company in the US, our Cebu office will never be the same without the "Man in high-waist pants" and his presence will be sorely missed.

Bye Joe

Photo Source: Official Company Photographers Earl and Gerry

The BUSY WEEK That Was...

It has been a really busy week for me. I've been everywhere swamped with a lot of deliverables for everyone. First, there's the Golden Anniversary Kick-off Activities of the Philippine Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals - Cebu where I am part of the committee. We had multiple activities for this particular event: Opening Ceremony with Exhibit and Zumba, 24K Sparkle & Shine Executive's Night, Entrepreneurial Workshop, Success Trilogy Workshop and the Sparty/Closing Ceremony. 

I almost forgot that it was my 34th birthday last Wednesday (January 30). 

Then, we're off to Manila to run in the Condura Skyway Marathon with some IGAT Runners during the weekend. With body beaten up after running 10k, I am glad that the week was finally over. I'm now set to face with more challenges that the coming week has to offer. 

In the mean time, allow me to brag about my weekend conquest. I dedicate this run to myself - the birthday girl!