3 February 2009 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Busy as Bee

What happened to January?  Does anyone feel like January was a fly by? It really felt like it was just several weeks ago when we celebrated Christmas and few  more days from now, it will be Valentine's Day again. How time flies!

I know it's been quiet here lately that's because I have been inundated with so much things to do in the past few weeks.

Here goes a few random updates and what’s keeping me busy nowadays:

Trainings and Certifications

       I did a fast-track 3 day weekend training to get re-certified for the AARP/IRS Tax Aid Program. That was tough considering I didn’t get a chance to read the whole materials ahead of time but thanks to my online tax buddy, Kuya D for helping me brainstorm some of the cases included in the test.

      I also took the training and got certified for CPR and First Aid course.  The North Florida Safety Council, Inc., who provides the requisite instruction, certifies the training. DH, of course, is more proud of me for taking the plunge. The course was designed to train and teach participants with basic life saving skills and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of injuries and sudden illness in addition to shock, burns, strains, strokes and seizures. Corollary instruction was also offered on how to recognize a life threatening emergency, how to provide basic life support to adult, child or infant and what to do in the case of an airway obstruction or choking.
OSHA, DOT, CDC and the State Department of Health and Child Care Licensing recognize this program.

Learning a New Language

I have been meaning to learn the so called "language of love" for a while now but I keep putting it off...however, when DH and I started talking seriously about possibly going to Europe in the next year or so, I figured it would be a good idea to take the formal class in school to twist my brain to study/learn the language properly. Actually, I have all the materials to learn the language (books, audio's and video's and I even stored them in my iPod and listen to it everywhere I go but I can't seem to learn it by myself... so the idea of going to school comes to mind and I signed up for the class three weeks ago. My goal is just to learn to speak both basic French and Italian languages... enough for us to get by when we go to Europe someday.

Working-out Regularly

I make exercise a priority first thing in the morning and I try to vary my work-out to keep my body surprised--I usually change up my exercises (both cardio and strength) every week, if not more often. The change allows me to progress from easier to more advanced work-out as I become stronger. I can't even begin to describe how sore my body is every time I switch to a new DVD workout.

The trouble, of course, comes with sticking with it. All too often, our initial enthusiasm and energy wanes, we get so discouraged especially when we don’t see results quickly enough -- and then we stop. Well, now I try to tell and condition myself with positive results even though I didn't really shed some pounds in the last two months but guess what? I can actually, well, still a little snag, fit into a Le Suit size 4 Petite now.  But then again how can I lose weight if I keep kissing this cook?

Labels:  Blazer: Le Suit - Size 4P; Shoe: Gianni Bini - Size 6.5

We know it has been proven over and over again that the mind and body work closely together. When your mind is saying exercise is a pain-in-the-ass and is a miserable thing to do, that's most likely what it will feel like every time you work-out. So the best thing to do is to stay focused and think positive. It's like when I finally swayed myself to believe with DH that I am indeed beautiful and appealing, men even those strangers I only met in the street start to notice me and even make the effort to tell me how beautiful I am ;-) And the more I believe in those flattering remarks, the more I become confident with myself and feeling even more fabulous :-)   I know you--> full-blooded Pinoy and Pinay out there may not agree that I am beautiful but all I can say is, I’ve got bunch of admirers at work and the sidewalk vendors and workers as proofs (DOM nga lang ang karamihan LOL)

In retrospect, when I was growing up, my very own father used to tell me how ugly of a girl I am (short, thick lips, dark-brown skin and muscled legs and (ang laki ng bagtak ko ah... here's the proof) and I used to wear boy-cut hair too all the way from grade school to college. Some of the people I know actually thought I am a tomboy. I can still vividly recall how my very own father really felt sorry for me and told me he wouldn't be surprised if I end up just like some of my petulant old-maid aunts someday. Little did he know my beauty is more saleable for International Men ;-)

Hey PI guys, did you know that muscled legs and arms, tanned skin, a little thicker lips are considered sexy and beautiful here in America? :-)   You better believe it!

This is my first pair of shoes with 4 inch heel...love it and I walk like Ms. America.  DH says I look hot and sexy although he's a little nervous I might break an ankle one of these days. Hope NOT!

 

Label:  Twill Trench Coat: Ann Taylor Loft - Size Small
More pictures here