Marathon is much like L.I.F.E.

Ready. 

Set. 

Go!!!

Gun start.

Not that I have ran a marathon already, or even dared a half marathon; But really, marathon is like your life and mine.

I realized this when I was in the middle of my run last May, for the Sundown Marathon here in Singapore. Although it was just a 10k run, I have given my best effort that night. I clearly remember that I'm not even past 2km when suddenly I felt a pang of abdominal pain. It was on the lower left side of my tummy. I got scared. And I even told myself, why now dear Lord. I have started quite good, in my constant pace when that pain came. I don't want to stop running because I know it won't relieve also that fast. So what I did was just slowed my pace, in a brisk walk momentum, as the 11,000 more runners were sprinting past over me. I cannot do anymore but brisk walk. I guess, for quite more than 1km, I was like that. And little by little, the pain became tolerable. To add with the sacrifice, it was damn hot night, maybe not that hot, but because of so many people running, the humidity at Nicholl Highway area shoot up. I was sweaty all over, literally, my sweat is dripping down off my dri-fit running shorts. I could have chosen to stop, to let not finish my first ever night run, but I managed to continue and finish it.

Life is just like that. You were born here on earth. And through the years, difficulties will haunt you from day in and out. But it shouldn't make you surrender and give up on life. Learn to endure. All those pains, those hardships. Try to focus on your goal. With each step you take, with each run, in whatever pace you choose to have, sooner you'll realize that you have made it. 

And before midnight, we finished our race. Got our finishers' medal. And we are happy.

Next week, I'll be running again,

Excited for The Jurong Lake Run. :)

Aaarrgghhh

I'm so feeling this today. God help me.

MINT: Museum of Toys

Since I have been granted already alternate Saturday offs, 

I think I need to plan out where should I spend my precious coming Saturdays... 

And after browsing Google, I stumbled upon the website of museums here in Singapore and found MINT: Museum of Toys. So, I think I need to pay it a visit... hmm. 

How about next saturday?
Brilliant idea! :D

So where's my next stop?? :D

Given the chance that you need not worry TIME and MONEY, 

where would you want to go? hehehe :D

Pilipinas kong Mahal (My Beloved Philippines)

(credits to whoever owns the photo)

Amidst all the controversy she's facing, 

Despite all the natural calamities she's braving,

Government leadership she's battling,

 Hungry and impoverished people she's nurturing...

Never a day will I be ashamed of the Filipino blood 

that runs through my veins.

I am loud and proud to come from a brown race.

Mabuhay ang mga Filipino. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

(Long live the Filipinos! Long live the Philippines)

Today, 12th of June 2012

 My motherland, Philippines, is celebrating her 114th Independence Day. 

Life sometimes can be a JOKE

I hope life isn't a big JOKE, because I don't get it.

So what's inside my Belkin Bag???

There was never a day I didn't bring my bag to work. Before I was using a sling bag; but since I got my Belkin Bag sometime last Aug 2011, I am carrying it religiously thereafter. Actually Belkin bags are designed to carry your laptops, notebooks & netbooks. But what the hell. I can put inside whatever I want aside from my lappy. So what do I usually bring... everyday? See below.

My humble Belkin Bag

What's inside? Here they are...

I have 

a) Work ID with UST lace (yes, I'm a proud Thomasian) ,

b) Starbucks planner (given by a doctor-friend) , 

c) Shokubutsu facial wash (for me to always look fresh! Aha!) , 

d) Darlie toothpaste & brush, 

e) MaryKay Oil mattifier to fight that oily-ness! (given by my bestfriend), 

f) Hayden's Ocean Breeze & Sandalwood fragrance (before I was carrying Burberry Weekend kaso ubos na...), 

g) Passport 

('coz who knows if I might encounter an unexpected Amazing Race-like moment? Right?)

 Better be ready ALL the time!, 

h) Gola wallet (here is where I puy my little treasures! Lol!),

i) Chocos! (I have them always) ,

j) House keys,

 k) Thumbdrive/s,

 l) pen,

 m) Burt's Bees lipbalm (given by my workmate) ,

n) and lastly, but not the least! EZ-link card! I can go anywhere with this!

Matapang ang may EZ-link card! :)

Of course, aside from the above items, I also have them with me. My BFFs. Lol.

So, what have you?

** You might fancy to own a Belkin Bag, click here for their site.

Call Me Maybe ~ Jalan Mariam Peeps Version :)

Yes, it's viral. And even us were infected! Lol.

Below is our version of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe"

be extra careful what you wish for...

Recently, I had had my musings again. More frequently I find asking myself if I do things right, and if I have decided on the right things. I'm not sure if it's just normal to feel this way every now and then, given that I'm suffering from some emotional set back and homesickness. I might now show it (you can argue) from my daily raves and rants, but I tell you now, there's been quite a few instances already that I just want to turn my life around, go home, and live my used to be life in the Philippines. :(

Action Packed Weekend in Bintan

Dinala namin ang Jalan Mariam sa Bintan noong nakaraang Sabado. So happy to spend some bonding and quality time with housemates! NO work to worry about but pure fun  in mind. And we sure did filled our bellies too! Magastos sa Bintan kahit parte na ito ng Indonesia. Pero dahil sa ilang minuto lang ang kanyang layo mula sa Singapore, Sg dollar na din ang ginagamit nilang currency. Salamat at nakakakuha kami ng promo sa Groupon.com, kaya naging posible din ang lakad na ito. All I can say is, a weekend well spent! Bitin pa nga eh. :)

 We stayed at Nirwana Beach Club

 At Bintan beach (super pino ang sand)

 Make way for Jalan Mariam Archers!

 Infront the main hotel of Nirwana Gardens

@ the lobby waiting for the coaster, just right after our international buffet dinner

2nd day

Sa pool side naman

Water sports are included in the package like kayak and body boarding

We love Bintan!

Elephant Ride

Must Try!!! Flying Fox! :)

Bowl that ball moments :)

Ulirang Empleyado

Sabi ko sa sarili ko, magiging masipag na akong magblog. Pero epic fail pa din. Andami ko na sanang entry. Lahat nasa "draft" section. Kaya eto. Kahit nasa kalagitnaan ako ng work e eto ako at nagsusulat. Ang lakas ng loob ko no? Hindi naman. Actually, syempre bawal to, ginagawa ko na lang e nililipat ko ang screen page pag may lumalapit sa desk ko. Ayus!

Going back...

Naglagay na nga ako ng mini diary/notebook sa daladalahan kong bag araw araw, para kapag may bigla akong maisip na topic o kahit ano, e isusulat ko. Madalas kasi kung minsan, kapag nasa MRT ako, naglalakad, nasa grocery, nasa trabaho, may kausap, nanonood ng tv, doon sa mga oras na yun ako biglang may gusto sanang isulat. Pero pag sa oras na ng nakaharap ako sa aking laptop, Parang nag evaporate na lahat. Short term memory pa man din ako. Kaya laging fail.

Sa kabilang banda....

Gusto ko lang ishare na nung nakaraang month, naganap na ang taunang appraisal sa aming ospital. Ang nakuha kong grado? Ok naman. Much better ika nga nung naconfirm ako (naregular). Natuwa lang ako sa mga katagang, "you are very hardworking" at "work well with colleagues". Masipag naman talaga ako, lalo na pag hindi tinopak at sinumpong ng "katam". Hahaha! Kaya sana magtranslate ang mga positibong remarks na yan sa cash! haha! ako na ang mukhang $$$. Lol. 

That's all. Balik trabaho na muna.