It's now or never

I'm off to the Philippines tomorrow morning for a 2-week vacation. It has been six months since the last time I was home. First stop would be Manila to see my sister and her family and to meet my high school friends. I can't wait to see my 8-month old nephew who has grown so big since the last time I saw him.




Then from Manila, I will be going to Cebu to attend a dear friend's wedding. I am really looking forward to it (not only because I'll be one of the secondary sponsors) 'coz it would be the first time for us to be together again after more than a year.




From the island of Cebu, next stop would be Bohol. I will be going there with my Japanese friends (who will also be attending Chary's wedding). It will be my second time in Bohol but my first time in Panglao island. I heard it's like Boracay years ago. Hope and pray we will have a nice weather for sight-seeing and snorkling.

After all the lakwatsa, I will be going home to Iligan - my hometown. A small party will be waiting for me since the day of arrival would also be my birthday (yhey!). It has been quite a while since the last time I celebrated my birthday at home. I am really, really looking forward to seeing my family. I miss them so much.

It would be a busy two weeks for me ... but I'm sure it would be an enjoyable and fun-filled one. (Watch out for pics after I get back!)

Aside from our lovelife, food has been a favorite topic of conversation among us friends. Filipino food you miss the most (AA's bangus belly, Cheaver's pork belly, KFC's hot & crispy chicken, etc.). Food you can never say NO to no matter how full you are (Mama's pork humba, Leona's chocolate cake, Krishie's chahan rice, Drew's biko, etc.). Food that you do not like ... hhmmm, this I can't think of one. Yep, from okra to sushi to indian curry, I can eat anything (except those things that are not normally eaten ... I think you know what I mean). In fact, some of my friends are pretty amazed how I can easily adapt to a new place when it comes to food. Like for instance, since I came to Japan, I have learned to love sushi, sashimi, unagi, miso soup and even nato (which really makes me more Nihonjin than most Japanese).

Blame it to my love of food and to slow metabolism, I have been in a constant battle with my weight for as long as I can remember. At the early age of 9, I discovered the joys of food ... and experienced the effects of loving it too much. And I tell you, it's not easy. I was expected to do almost all of the household chores (while my siblings just sat around and watched tv) because my mom said it would be a good exercise for me. Shopping for clothes (which is actually another love of mine) makes me wanna cry due to frustration. Nice clothes are just not made in my size. Why is that? We healthy girls love to shop for nice stuff too.

Mid-last year, I had another go at losing weight. I followed a strict diet for a couple of months which totally changed my eating habits. It's now fish and veggies for me (since then, there's not a week that goes by without my fave broccoli and carrots). I seldom eat rice now. I still have my dose of chocolates but not as often as before. I also started doing some exercises. It has been a little over a year now, and people have started noticing the difference. They should be ... losing 40lbs is no joke. :D I am still far from my ideal weight but I know it's not impossible to achieve it ... in 6 months or a year perhaps.

I still love and enjoy food ... but this time around, my love is expressed in a more subdued and controlled manner.

... kung makaiwas ka parang ang laki ng kasalanan ko sa 'yo. Did you really have to make a dash and leave like that? You would stay and talk a bit longer with someone you barely know; but you could not stand being around me for more than a minute.

You've made your point loud and clear. Don't worry ... any form of contact would no longer send wrong signals and make me assume that you want me back in your life. It's just sad that we've become like strangers ... and to think we were such good friends before.

I have never thought of myself as a blogger. I do love to read (books, mags, blogs, etc.). I talk a lot (it's hard to stop me from talking once I start). But writing has not always been my cup of tea. I had a diary when I was still in grade school; that thing only lasted a year. Collecting my thoughts and constructing them into interesting and comprehendible phrases/sentences do not come easy for me. It usually takes me hours to write one sensible material.

So what made me decide to start my own blog? Maybe because it's the in thing right now.:) Or maybe through this I will know if I have a future in writing (which I really doubt I have). Or maybe I have reached a point in my life where pouring out and writing down the stuff inside my head is the only way that will keep me sane ... naahhh, my life is not that dramatic. I guess keeping a journal will make me see, from time to time, how I've been living my life; and hopefully in the future, it will remind me of the things that have molded me into the kind of person I will become. But who knows ... this post can probably be my last (well, I certainly hope not).

(One more thing ... I heard blogging is a great way to meet new friends.:D )