Tribute to the Supporters

I really missed this space. There are days when you feel that facebook and instagram have become too mainstream and you feel the need to go back to your roots, to your original sounding board, to that space where only quite a few really take a peek. Today is one of those days and I never felt so guilty to have foresaken this space.

So now, I am making a comeback with a vengeance haha. I've been keeping promises I couldn't really keep like writing in this journal from time to time. I always fail miserably. This is my humble attempt to keep that fire burning. Here we go...

The Cobra Ironman 70.3 happened more than a week ago and it still feels surreal that finally my husband conquered it and had it off his bucket list. The stage wife that I am couldn't be more proud of this achievement. The road to ironman is not an easy feat not only for the triathletes but also to their so-called supporters - wives, partners, girlfriends, children or probably the next door neighbor. In this post, I will not be speaking on the triathlete's perspective but on a supporter's point of view. It may look easy to just cheer on the sidelines but I tell you, we also had our share of "laspag" moments.

We have to endure extreme weather conditions - staying under the heat of the sun or under a drizzle during races just to take good photos of our triathlete. We also get our share of dehydration, tan lines and sunburn (yes, in that order). Our muscles also ache when we are made to carry stuff, a sportsbag perhaps with the triathlete's essentials - water, extra clothes, running shoes, cleats, helmet, bike pump or extra tires. We also get those jitters at the start of the race. We mentally recite the Holy Rosary and call on all the saints to give our triathlete a safe race. Our sigh of relief may not be as loud as our cheer but yes, everytime our triathlete gets out of those rough waters or arrive at the transition area, we give out a huge sigh of relief and thank the heavens above. At the end of every race, we are often the designated driver as our triathlete is way too beat up to even hold that steering wheel. These and more are the many sacrifices that supporters do.

We do this out of sheer love and dedication to our triathlete. We do this because we want them to have a good race and to finish strong. Afterall, they've worked their muscles out just to finish their race of a lifetime. We don't really mind the lost family time during practice and simulations. We can't complain about the heat or how heavy (and expensive) your stuff is on our shoulders. We're not even close to freaking out everytime you get grumpy or stressed prior to race day.

To our dear triathletes, we are your unsung heroes, your staunch supporters, your PA, your prayer warriors, your benefactors (your expensive gears are taking a toll in our grocery budget), your no. 1 fan and WE'RE LOVING EVERY BIT OF IT. We will be behind you every race because accept it, no one else will. Someday, please learn to also return the favor as what Sen. Pia Cayetano once said. We really don't mind a quiet dinner at some fancy resto or a shopping spree if we get lucky or as simple as a kiss and hug after every race. We're not really that hard to please. Cheerio!!! 😃

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