Weight-loss Insanity

I read somewhere that a symptom of insanity is doing something over and
over the same way but sincerely hoping to get a different result. Yes,
it's the story of my life.

I often refer to my college days as the good 'ole days. Sure, I had the
most fun with my friends at that time plus I did so well in school. But
these are not the reasons why I loved that era. I loved it for the
simple reason that when I graduated from college, I weighed exactly the
same way as I weighed on my first year there. I was thin! My cheekbones
were visible even with my face at rest, (no sucking in the cheeks just
to check if I still HAVE cheekbones) My collar bones were ever present!
I was a medium and I can buy clothes in free size.

After I graduated, I took on an office job that I didn't really like,
but many approved of. Being the "good girl" that I am, I stayed on,
thinking I'd eventually like it...

This must've had an effect on my psyche. Depression set in and pounds
started to pile on. Slowly but surely, 20 pounds crept in. After I got
married, my excess pounds welcomed their friends who invited other
friends and soon they have a party on my thighs and midsection. I nearly
had a panic attack when I realized one day that I tipped the scales at
almost 200 pounds!

To say that I've had trouble keeping the pounds off is an
understatement. I have tried various ways of losing weight, from going
vegetarian, going to the gym, trying fad diets, drinking protein shakes
etc. If I weren't budget-constrained, I'd probably gone off already for
a liposuction.

I'd binge, I'd gain weight, I'd be remorseful, I'd try to lose weight.
I'd lose SOME weight, I'd binge, I'd gain MORE weight than I initially
lost, then I'd feel remorseful and the vicious, frustrating cycle begins
again! What's pathetic is I start my latest diet/exercise regimen with
the pure intentions and strong determination... until I fall again into
the temptation that comes in the forms of pizza/chocolates/chips etc.

Hopefully someday I find the determination to permanently choose to be
healthy... then probably the insanity will end... probably.

Bea Vs Parties

Last November, my husband and I started a photography business, BK
Pixels Photography. We offer photography services for birthdays, debut,
weddings and corporate affairs. We also have a photobooth for rent.
Since we are both working, most of our gigs happen on weekends, the only
time we also get to spend with our daughter. Recently, when my daughter
sees me in front of the laptop, with my brows furrowed (I'm working on a
layout) she'd ask me whether we had a party later? When I'd say yes,
she'd literally wilt in front of me and slowly slink away.

This would crush my heart yet what can I do. How can I explain to a 5
year old that I am doing this as part of a plan so that in the long run,
I'd be able to spend so much more time with her? That the hope is we'll
be able to run this business full time, from home so that we won't miss
her growing up? It's sad how she now dreads the word "party" instead of
being all happy and excited when she hears it. For her party means mommy
and daddy will be away again...oh well.

Parenthood can be tough sometimes, but it can be even tougher when the
children have to sacrifice too...

Stork Studios and the Inspiring Woman Behind It

Yesterday, I met a woman who, along with a partner, set up a very
lucrative business, the Stork Studio. Her specialization: new born
photography. This niche is pretty popular in the States but here in the
Philippines, she is the pioneer. Although Sofia Genato took on a
partner, she basically she runs the whole photography business, from the
marketing to the accounting to the actual taking of pictures. Her
background in advertising sure helps her a lot.

One thing that is quite obvious when one speaks with her it is her
passion for photography! And she's got it all figured out, she wants to
specialize in baby photography. She even invested in further training in
the states, and according to her, it is well worth the expensive
trainings!

I wish I can also have her passion for her craft. I love how she is so
definite about her goals and dreams. She has concrete dreams from their
business and is actually taking steps to achieve those aspirations.

I also hope for the laser-like focus that she has.

Now I understand why financial gurus promote staying within successful
people's radius. Her joy and enthusiasm for success is simply
infectious.

I would love to grow our business. Leaving the concrete rat-race has
always been my dream almost from the time I started running in it. Now I
finally have a chance to actually do it. Running a business is
definitely frightening, but hanging on to a job you're miserable in just
because of the fear on the unknown (unemployment) is no way to live.

Writing, Venting and Me

I had put my blogs on hold for some time. Not intentionally, mind you. I
just felt I had nothing to say. I was really trying to stick to the idea
of The Secret. I veered away from writing anything but positive
things... until I slowly realized that I didn't have any drive or
interest to write at all. Writing has always been my way of venting.
Some drink, some punch walls, I write.

Lacking in verbal skills to effectively communicate my thoughts and
feelings, I write my best when I'm mad or sad. Even extreme happiness is
sometimes not enough motivation for me to write a blog post.

So now I have to decide... write only positive stuff... and wait for the
writing mojo to strike (which sometimes never comes) or write whatever I
feel.

I guess right now, I have to compromise. In order to practice my
writing, I will write whatever I feel. I will try to edit as much as
possible, keep it less negative... hahaha... but I give no guarantees.
=)

Fall In Love with Your Husband Over and Over Again

It has been years since you got married and somehow you’ve fallen into a rut. You feel you know everything there is to know about your husband. You know how he takes his coffee, you know what ice cream flavor he’ll order, you’re sure how he likes his steak, you know what mood he’s in on a particular time of the day… in other words, years of being married to him has made you so familiar with him. Here are some tips to rekindle your romance and help you fall in love with your life partner over and over again.

 

• Remind yourself how it was during the courtship days. You can not control your present situation, much less the person he’s become, but you can control yourself. So take hold of your reality. Instead of simply existing in your partner’s life, remind him and yourself that you are alive, and you are also the same girl he eagerly pursued years ago.
• Physically and emotionally reconnect with your husband. Go out on dates, Even a romantic stroll around the neighborhood will do, as long as you leave the kids at home.
• Think about the people you were when you met each other. When you were together then, what did you like about him? About yourself? Did you laugh a lot? Did you sing a lot? Do you remember the little things he did then that made your tummy flutter and your heart skip a beat?
• Look for something you used to find so endearing, or still do. Peel off the layers, look hard, believe me, it’s there.
• Everyday when wake up, be grateful for something about your husband and your marriage.
• So your prince charming is now a little heavier in the middle and a little thinner on top, but remember that he is still the same prince charming who used to do silly things just to get your attention.

 

Married life may not at rosy as you once thought it would be, but you can make it a lot easier and more exciting by choosing to be happy and in love with the one you promised to love and cherish till the day you die…even if he forgets to put his socks in the hamper.

 

2010 ELECTION CUPS

With only a few more days to go before the May 10, 2010 elections, surveys are conducted left and right. A few weeks ago, the primetime news featured 2 stores that joined the band wagon. Taking advantage of the summer’s searing heat, Frutas, a company that sells fresh fruit juice and shakes, and 7-11, a convenience store located at almost every corner decided to launch their own version of a mock election. When a customer orders a fruit shake or a big Gulp, the customers are asked to choose which cup bearing a presidentiable’s face they want. Each cup is considered as a vote for the favored presidential bet.  The stores will tally these “votes” and will release the results of their mock election just before the actual May 2010 election.

The Good:

• This allows the common person to easily show support for their chosen candidate, while enjoying a cold tumbler of fruit shakes and soft drinks.
• This can reflect the political trend for a certain area.
• This can create an environment of healthy competition among supporters within the same area.
• This is a smart marketing ploy for the companies.

The Not-So-Good:

• Question of credibility and reliability. People don’t really know their system of counting the votes.
• Not everybody buy from these stores, whether it be a question of taste, budget or proximity to a store.
• There is no buying limit. A customer can come back several times a day and order a round of drinks, and these “votes” will be counted in favor of his or her candidate.

Personally, I really like the idea of the Presidential Cups. Although there is much debate about the use and reliability of surveys, I think there is nothing wrong with showing your support for your candidate in whatever way you can especially if all is done in the spirit of fun. Kudos to Frutas and 7-11 for coming up with this gimmick.

So, are you feeling thirsty? Why not order a tall Noynoy Aquino, a chilled Manny Villar shake or an Iced Gibo Teodoro?

Try Not to Get Mad in a Child's Presence

Last night, I got really mad at our nanny. She did something that’s extremely disappointing. Anyway, it was already late and my daughter is already sleeping. I was so mad that I sat on the bed ranting at my husband about the incident. I kept at it for almost an hour. Poor sleepy hubby, but almost 10 years of married life has taught him that asking an upset, riled up woman to stop talking is like having a death wish. I didn’t even notice that I woke my daughter up. I’m not even sure if she opened her eyes but I’m sure she didn’t stir, because I would’ve stopped talking (or at least lowered the volume of my voice by a few decibels). I really thought that she was in deep slumber. I was so surprised when Bea woke up this morning and the first thing she asked me was “Mommy bakit ka nagagalit kagabi?” (Mommy why were you angry last night?”)

Note to self: Just because a child is sleeping, it doesn’t mean she can’t absorb the feelings and words surrounding her, good or bad. Try not to get mad in her presence, she is like a sponge whether she’s awake or asleep.