I ran the Nature Valley 5k race!

When I was in grade school I loved to run. In fact, I kinda prided myself on being quite fast too. I used to race my friend around the parking circle in our school and win even if she cheated (she pretended to be injured so that I would go back to her position then she took off). That sort of stopped once I reached high school since I joined the Taekwondo club.

I sort of lost the interest I had in running and only started in it again because first, my hubby is really into it right now and two I desperately want to lose weight. I decided to read up and check all those internet articles of couch to 5k and stuff like that. I did in fact run a 3k race and was really tired from it. I didn’t think I wanted to even try a 5k. However, I wanted to set  a goal for myself and this seemed like a really good thing to aspire to.

So I promised myself to start a running/training regimen. I was steadily increasing my mileage in every week. Then I got sick and couldn’t run for a week. I was scared that if I tried to push myself I’d relapse so decided to start a bit less than what I had originally targeted for that week.  I had to fast track my increased mileage and was taking really good care of myself so that  I wouldn’t get sick.

The weekend of the race I found myself with my monthly guest. This happened on my 3k race as well and I wondered when I could finally get a break and not have to race with my abdomen feeling swollen from water weight gain. The morning of the race I actually had a cramp attack as we were parking. However the pain passed and I did a bit of a warm up.

This is actually the best race I’ve attended. Yeah it is the second race but still. Before we ran there were a bunch of warm up exercises! There were a lot of water stations and a lot of people manning these water stations. You would not get confused at all with your race route since there was a person with a megaphone telling you to turn left or go straight.

My legs took a pounding since I run on a treadmill not the road. My right leg was complaining the whole time and the arch of my left foot was painful. Still I trudged on mostly walking and running when I could find the energy to do so. I didn’t have any music with me since hubby had co-opted my IPod Nano. I just tried to motivate myself by chanting “I will not let the little kid beat me!”

I finished with a chip time of 45:15 which is much better than what I anticipated. I had hoped at the very least to do under 50 minutes and this is quite good for my first 5k. At least that’s what hubby says.

It is truly fantastic for me to at least say that I was able to run a 5k. I think I’ll work on improving my endurance so that I can run more than I walk and maybe finish with a faster pace in my next race.

Wait, did I say next race? Hmm…

Family lunch with Father’s side

While my mom and other relatives on the mom’s side are in Tokyo, we got an opportunity to visit my Dad’s side of the family. They of course had a wonderful spread ready for us and our hungry bellies. So with no further ado; here are the food pictures!

Cream of broccoli soup with truffle oil and almond flakes -> super delicious!

Bulalo

Jambalaya rice -> kinda spicy but in a nice way!

Barbeque ribs

Lettuce and Salsa for the “Make your own Burrito”

Sour cream, salsa and nachos -> part two of the make-your-own-burrito

I forgot to take pictures of the chili con carne and pulled chicken for the make-your-own-burrito. All I can say is that I was super stuffed. I didn’t even eat all the food that was on the table! That cream of broccoli soup was just to die for.

The Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field

Here’s a little backgrounder on my job – I’m a production manager for a company that is visible in the online advertising space. While I do not do advertising per se, I am tasked with the development of applications that our company will use. Thus, I’ve been reading a lot of articles and news pieces on the big movers in technology and advertising like Google and Apple.

I’ve been quite intrigued with the evolution of the mobile phone in the hands of those two giants – Apple with their IPhone and Google with their Android OS and Nexus One. I’ve also been going to tweetups (twitter meet-ups) where I meet some of the funniest and nicest people around. I notice that a lot of them carry IPhones. At first I couldn’t care less about a brick that couldn’t even manage its wireless connectivity well but with all the write-ups about how we are moving to an App (application) economy I was quite intrigued. So intrigued that even though an IPhone is way out of my budget, I managed to convince the hubby to splurge on an IPod Touch.

Now why the IPod Touch? Because it is practically the IPhone without the phone and camera. So I could download almost all the applications I wanted and really see what all the fuss was about. I’ve been mostly a Sony Ericsson and Nokia phone user. However at my company I have been assigned a blackberry. After using the IPod Touch I was blown away by how easy it is to use. Yes it is a virtual keyboard but using the mentality of a natural user interface has allowed it to become almost idiot proof. My 1 1/2 year old son has learned to swipe through photos. My 60 yr old plus Father has managed to navigate with Google maps. I may sound like a friggin TV commercial but “its just so easy!”

Now I want a Macbook pro. I want the next IPhone. Gah, I’m trying to resist the Steve Jobs reality distortion field but it is just so strong. When Mr. Jobs says that there’s no flash on the IPad because it is a resource hog, I agree with him instinctively first, then logically. I never thought I could totally reverse myself but I have. I know I have fallen when I don’t even remember there is an alternate reality… If anyone needs me I’ll be reading on the top 10 apps to get for the IPhone

1st post for 2010

So much has happened in the past few months. I was able to get a job plus keep on managing the household with a yaya and maid. Baby J’s 1st birthday was quite a smash with my relatives and hubby’s relatives dropping in to celebrate at the Big Red Barn.

I think I want to start blogging again because sometimes twitter is not enough since it is restricted to only 140 characters. Not sure if I should continue with this site or create a totally new one. Somehow I feel like every stage in my life should have a different blog site. It is like having a different version of me in time. I’m not the same person I was when I last made my entries in this site.

I’m scared that other people will read my past entries and judge me. However, I know deep inside some of those entries were made because I needed to say something to the universe. Sometimes, the universe said something back. The support I’ve received from my blog post about a new challenge really invigorated me at a time when I needed it most.

Yes, perhaps I will continue with this site. I’ve got a lot of ideas and a lot of new things to post about.

Typhoon Ondoy Emergency Hotlines and Relief Operations

Reposted from: http://sourpolitics.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/typhoon-ondoy-emergency-hotlines-and-relief-operations/

It has been raining the whole day. Tropical Storm Ondoy has wreak havoc across Metro Manila, and provinces around. Here are the key numbers to contact for information, rescue operations, relief services, donations. Thank you very much.

Rescue Operations

1. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061)
2. Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)
3. MMDA (136)
4. Coast Guard (+632-5276136)
5. Senator Dick Gordon (+639178997898, +63938-444BOYS, +632-9342118, +632-4338528)
6. Senator Manny Villar (+639174226800. +639172414864, +639276751981)

Rubber Boat Requests

1. NCRPO (+632-8383203, +632-8383354)

Power Supply

• Meralco (+63917-5592824) If you want service cut off to your area to prevent fires and electrocution.

Relief Aid and Donations

1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.
2. Clare Amador (+63928-5205508) or Jana Vicente at +63928-5205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.
3. Drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.
4. Donations for Ondoy Victims to be distributed at the Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo starting now.

People Tracker (using your phones, get your friends and family to turn on their finderservice for you)

• FINDERSERVICE. For Smart, text “wis <your name> <your mobile>” to 386.
• FINDERSERVICE. For Globe, text “find <your name> <your mobile> to 7000.

MRT and LRT are open 24 hours today.

SemCon 2009

This blog has barely been updated because I’ve been engaging in micro-blogging or the popular application known as Twitter. You can follow me there and hear me express my mind in 140 characters or less but this post is about something else.

This post is about SemCon 2009 or more specifically the contest to win free tickets to it. SemCon 2009 is the Search Engine Marketing Conference and will take place during Oct 1 &2. The official website of SemCon 2009 offers more juicy details about what the conference will be about with topics like SEO ranking factors and Twisted Twitter Tactics.

Now, why do I want to attend SemCon 2009? Reinvention. I’m a project manager for IT systems. I am however very interested in SEO and Social Media Marketing. The first few people that I followed in Twitter aside from my friends were Mashable, Guy Kawasaki and Dan Schwabel. We are entering a new era in communications. People are broadcasting their entire lives on the Internet and we are bombarded with information. Social networking is everywhere where even my 63 year old mother has a Facebook account.

My belief is that in order to deliver a great product, you need to understand it. I always wanted to look at everything from 360 degrees. There are so many opportunities for social media and search engine marketing for Philippine companies to take advantage of. However, things are moving so fast that new trends and techniques are created every day.  I want to attend SemCon 2009 and get up to date information on the latest practices for SEO. I also have a love of Twitter and would like to see how I can translate that love into an integral part of a Social Media strategy.

I sincerely hope that I can win the free tickets to attend SemCon 2009 so that I can reinvent myself and expand my repertoire as a project manager. Choose me. Pick me!

Day trip to Macau

On our second day in Hong Kong we decided to go on a day trip to Macau. The round trip ticket cost us each HK$321 which is via the 1 hr ferry. Riding the ferry is like riding a bus and is quite comfortable. There are people eating and talking so bring your own music player to drown out the noise.

Our first stop was the Grand Lisboa hotel. It featured many statues and carvings of jade and gold. It also had the largest emerald in the world! Once we were satisfied ogling the artifacts we left the hotel to walk to St Paul’s church. The pictures below were taken with my Nokia 5800 phone.

We didn’t do much at the Church. I was a bit disturbed by all the tourists taking pictures in the aisle. They were too noisy. I tried to be a bit more subdued and just sat down to take my pictures.

Our next stop was St. Paul’s ruins where we had to take this alley which was teaming with shops and bakeries. Turns out the favorite pasalubong or souvenir from Macau is the almond cookies. Bakeries seem to churn these out all the time and free cookies for tasting where being promoted right on the street. Tourists would swoop in and grab these free cookies. We munched on a few and decided that we definitely had to buy some to bring back.

It seems St. Pauls’ ruins lay elevated on a hill where you had to climb up the stairs to get to it.

Unfortunately, we were trudging uphill on the hottest part of the day which is noontime! The sun was beating down on us and I was thankful that I packed my umbrella and sunglasses with me. The place was flooded with tourists and we realized that it was Sunday so it must be doubly packed.

I went up on that hill while my mom rested a bit in the shade. My sisters had wandered off somewhere else for more photo opportunities. Due to the heat I couldn’t wait to get back down despite the lovely view and just went back to my mom and sat down beside her. When my sisters were done, we decided to go buy some foodstuffs from the bakeries. I got a batch of the almond cookies and some fried tofu snack. I then decided to pick up some pork floss for my MIL since my sister reminded me.

We decided that we needed to have lunch already since it was past 2:30 in the afternoon! So off we headed to the Venetian hotel. I always wondered why people would want to visit a hotel and stay there but it turns out the Venetian is huge! It is in fact like a hotel with a mall inside! I even took a picture of the ceiling. It was painted to look like the sky.

We ate at the food court and I had a bit of a difficult time since the food attendants didn’t speak a word of English and I do not speak Chinese. The attendant was calling out orders and I had no idea if she was calling out my order. An inquisitive girl beside me helped as she glanced at my receipt and would point to me when my order was called.

I was dead tired and famished when I sat down to eat my beef noodle soup. I don’t know if hunger is the best sauce but that beef noodle soup was good! The noodles were still firm and springy while the beef gyudon strips were tender and flavorful. The soup could have used a bit more chili but I had no idea how to ask for it.

We took turns going to the restroom and then decided to go around the mall portion of the Venetian. I saw a lot of stuff on sale but even at sale prices they were still a bit pricey. Although I think I did pick up a blouse from Bossini. After going around I was too tired to go anywhere else so we decided to head back to Hong Kong. My feet were aching and even my lower back was screaming for help. On the ferry back I noticed that almost everyone had the same packages we did. They probably bought a lot of almond cookies too.

I don’t know if I’d really want to go visit there again. Maybe if we didn’t have to always walk all over the place and could take a taxi. I’m not the gambling type so casinos don’t attract me. In fact, I was repulsed by the way people smoked everywhere including inside buildings! Ugh, not for me. So it was back to Hong Kong for me and more shopping ha ha!

Using the Nokia 5800

I’ve had my new phone for a little over a week and even got to test drive the wi-fi capability in Hong Kong. So far it is a step up from my previous Palm Centro in that the phone functions are not wonky. My Palm Centro would not let me answer phone calls at times and it became really frustration for me when the OS would hang. Not so with the Nokia 5800. The only slowdown I notice is if it is changing from portrait to landscape mode.

Texting on a full touchscreen phone is quite a challenge. Although there is haptic feedback, sometimes your thumb will miss the designated key spot and end up touching a different key spot. But using the numerical keypad for texting like a normal phone allows quite a bit of area for your finger to touch. The full screen qwerty in landscape mode is also surprisingly easy to use. Just be a bit careful with how you text and you’ll end up composing messages quite fast.

Using the phone on wi-fi with the built in web browser can be frustrating at times when I try to navigate to buttons that are too small. You will need to use the guitar pick or increase the zoom so that the buttons are bigger.  Going up or down the page was at first difficult because I was so used to the scroll bar on the right side of the screen but it turns out you can can just slide your finger anywhere on the screen.  The bigger screen also makes it easier to read what you are viewing on the internet.

Pictures aren’t quite as nice as my old Sony Ericsson k750i. It may have auto-focus and flash but it isn’t that great a camera. I have yet to take video footage on this phone since my Flip HD does so quite nicely.

Playing music on my phone was quite enjoyable as it comes bundled with an 8 gig micro SD card. I haven’t even filled this up totally since my last IPod was the Mini and it only had a 4 gig capacity. The shuffle song function however seems a bit iffy.

Overall I am quite pleased with the phone especially since I got it as my retention phone with less cash out than usual.

Shopping in Hong Kong

My mother recently had her birthday and to celebrate it the girls in our family went to Hong Kong. My dad and Lloyd stayed behind since they both have work. My sister on the other hand was going to start on her new job in a few days and wanted to take a vacation. I was a bit hesitant to leave baby J alone with hubby and the yaya but turns out he was fine all the time I was gone. In fact, I think he barely registered that I wasn’t around.

Anyway going to Hong Kong became a good opportunity for me to test out my new Nokia 5800. Our hotel had free wifi at the business center so I would pop in there in the mornings or evenings to check my Twitter and my Facebook accounts.

Arriving at the new HK airport I was taken aback. I haven’t been in HK for several years and the airport I last used was the old one where you were scared at the high-rise buildings whizzing past you as the plane landed. The new one is very modern and is huge. It is however a bit far from our hotel and the ride took around 30 to 45 minutes.

Upon arrival at immigration I was experiencing some allergies and indicated as much on my health form. Little did I know that the HK immigration officials would panic and take me to a medical section to check my temperature. My mom got a bit worried when I disappeared from her view for a few minutes and was excitedly talking with an immigration person when I made my return to the immigration section. I do not have AH1N1! Mom was relieved at my return and told me that I shouldn’t have indicated my nasal congestion on the health declaration. Sigh.

Anyway, I was suitably delighted staying at the Marco Polo because once you go down from your room it is the mall already! A lot of shops were on sale. However I wanted to make sure I squeezed every last dollar from my shopping budget so I followed several rules.

1. If you can buy the same thing in Manila for around the same price then do not buy it!

2. Check if it is on sale. July to September is the Hong Kong summer sale season and there are a lot of bargains if you look around.

3. In relation to rule no. 1, try to visit stores that aren’t in Manila. The best example of this is H&M. My gosh, I could spend half a day there.

4. If you bought something but once in your hotel you didn’t like it anymore, check the returns policy of the store. I got carried away at H&M but since they have a generous 30 day policy I was able to exchange a  blouse for some toddler sleep suits. I always fit the stuff I buy but sometimes you change your mind. He he.

5. Again in relation to rule no. 1, I noticed that beauty products like skincare stuff and make-up was cheaper in Hong Kong than in Manila. So if you need to restock some beauty supplies you can do it in Hong Kong.

6. Try to buy in bulk. I went with my family so we pretty much like going to the same shops and buying similar clothes. Cotton On became a big favorite with their buy 2 for HK$99 deals. Unfortunately my mom ended up buying some of the same stuff I got.

7. Eat in the food court! The more money you save on food, the more money you can spend on clothes!

8. Check out all the shops, there may be cheaper versions of that cover up or blouse you’ve been thinking about purchasing  in a different store.

It was quite exhausting walking all over the place and our feet ached so much. I even got to go to Macau for the first time. However I was thinking if maybe I should have just used my ferry money for more clothes ha ha!

My next post will be on Macau.

Win a Bumkins Bib

This is for all those people who have babies or even toddlers who still drool like anything. My friend Jane is having a contest over at her shopping blog Fab Finds where you can win a Bumkins Bib! All you have to do is write about the contest and link to her shopping blog and to Terra Babies Boutique which is the sponsor of the contest.

Terra Babies is an online shop where you can buy your baby essentials like cloth diapers, swim diapers and even ring slings.

So go check them out now!