i am woman, hear me rawr!

I will be the first to admit that I may not be the most fearless person out there, especially when it comes to addressing change or opening myself up to people I meet, but when it comes to taking charge or control of situations, I generally am able to stare down fear in the face and come out on top. I can, for example, be the most calm person in an emergency. I don’t buckle in fear when faced with danger, and in fact, can be the one to solve the problem. I’d prolly be the first to sky dive off of a plane too, if given the opportunity. That kind of challenges that many people fear, I love.

I guess my point is that for the most part, I can be level headed and in control, boxing up my feelings at least during tense situations, even if I feel somewhat anxious or antsy about things. While people panic, I am able to allow the fear to pass before dealing with my feelings about the situation bursting out in tears. So when people would describe how they felt frozen with fear during a tense situation, whether or not there was a clear or imminent threat, I could never understand it.

Well, until today, that is.

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Just last night, a friend of mine (who incidentally happens to be my yoga teacher as well haha) posted a link to my wall for this groupon to a vegan restaurant in Makati. Her comment: this will be a good alternative to your Chili’s [lunches]….teeeheehee..

It was funny because as I have made so many changes in my lifestyle with regards to my weight loss, there are a few things I still have trouble giving up: peanut butter m&m’s and pink fuzzy drinks from Chili’s to be precise Granted I know they are so unhealthy, I think that having this in moderation isn’t so bad anyway Teehee. Rationalize, Ri, rationalize.

Seriously though, I have come to realize that the reason for which I have always struggled with weight is because I have made weight loss only a temporary fix and not a long-term lifestyle goal.

I have not kept it a secret that I have struggled with weight throughout my life, right? I have tried all sorts of diets, did all sorts of exercises but I have never managed to keep my weight down. It occurred to me this past year that the reason why I keep yo-yoing up and down with weight is because I have always made weight loss just a goal, but not a lifestyle. What needs to be done, I realized, it to make changes not just for the meantime, but to make positive changes in my lifestyle. I realized I shouldn’t just work on reducing the amount of food I eat, but I must go the healthy way and make more positive changes that are long term and permanent.

I may not be ready to give going completely vegan or raw or what not a shot, I am willing to change my food choices. Granted that going organic or healthy tends to be a little more expensive (sadly so), I will still try my best. One big step forward I have taken is drinking more water. Another is introducing more healthy stuff to my body, such as green teas (and no, not just the bottled ones) and much as I dislike it, I have started taking wheatgrass juice. I still don’t like the way it tastes much, but it’s slowly starting to grow (pardon the pun!) on me.

Besides wheatgrass, I am also trying to eat more oatmeal and lessen my consumption of red meat, rice, and yes, those pink fuzzy yummy stuff in Chilis. The wheatgrass and oats are supposedly very good to detoxify the body and can be like a colon cleanser as the fiber it contains help sweeps away the bad stuff from the body.

Of course another thing I have added to my healthy lifestyle is regular yoga sessions and I have made a conscious decision to lessen my exposure to stressful situations, avoiding negative emotions (especially through chismis or gossiping in Facebook and Plurk!) and to learn to just relax.

Wish me luck.

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Samsung 2View Cameras

One of my most impulsive purchases (well, next to the iPad I should say haha) was Sammy, my Samsung dual LCD camera. I was just out in Eastwood to meet up with a friend when I strolled into the Samsung store and fell in love with the unit. Without really contemplating the decision much, I whipped out my credit card and became Sammy’s proud new owner. While I may have some regrets about the way I casually spent a huge chunk of my savings, I have truly enjoyed all the fun memories the 2View camera has helped me capture, especially since I love doing selfies with my dog, Bubba

The front LCD that these cameras feature allows  anyone to take not just great self/couples portraits, but it also has a child mode feature that makes taking pictures of kids (which was very helpful in my former preschool teaching job!) and even my pets so much easier. When set on child mode, a cartoon video appears on the screen which the child can watch so you can capture them looking directly at the lens. Anyone who’s tried to shoot a baby will attest to how difficult it is! The Samsung2View camera, lessens this difficulty.

Another great feature in the various Samsung 2View camera models, specifically the ST700, PL170, PL120, is what is called the Jump Shot mode.

When set on this, one can see through the front LCD when exactly to time their jump shots so as to capture the moment at it’s finest. After all, jump shots are soooo hard to capture, right?

I’ve written several posts in the past about why I love this camera so much so I guess I can say that despite it having been an impulsive buy on my part, it was well worth the investment. 

Recently, however, I came across this Facebook contest where two of these Samsung 2View cameras are at stake!

Oooh….I would love to upgrade to one of these newer models!!!  The mechanics are quite simple, all you need to do are the following:

1. Like and Share the Samsung Camera fan page to your friends.

click the like button to join!!!

2. Update your status by posting the following message:  “Win Samsung 2View Cameras by liking and sharing @Samsung Cameras PH” in your status message box.  Be sure to note though if the Samsung Camera fan page is tagged correctly.

3. Promo is from May 15, 2011 to May 30, 2011 only, so tag away now!!!

That’s it! All tagged entries will qualify for the raffle where two winners will get a chance to win a Samsung 2View Camera.

Good luck to us all!!! Promise, these cameras are so much fun…and yes, the dual LCD makes it twice the fun as it captures not just precious memories, you definitely will have that extra moment of fun WHILE capturing the photo through the 2View screens!!!

Do check out this video to learn more about these awesome cameras

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Today, just for today, I wish I can sail away to some far, far away place where I can just be. Where I can start over and not feel all frustrated and caught up in this whirlwind of thoughts and ideas that don’t make sense at all.  A place where doubts and insecurities and feeling all invisible don’t exist.

I need an out.

I need a jump start.

I need ….

well maybe I just need to get back to work. Haha.

I’m so bored and tired.

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Egaaad…..

Like many of my internet friends, I have been bitten by the group coupon bug. What with so many upcoming groupon sites (such as Beeconomic/Groupon Philippines, Cash Cash Pinoy, Pakyaw, and Deal Grocer just to name a few), the temptation to shop is endless. From spa packages to overnight stays in hotels and even vacation deals, all of these are made so easy to purchase. What makes it worse is when you subscribe to the email notifications…all you need to do is hover to the button that says “click here to buy“and viola…you are taken into a whole new world of online shopping. Most of these group sites even take Paypal payments…talk about EASY PEASY shopping!!!

The danger, however, is that because it’s so easy, you can get so caught up in coupon-ing and before you know it, you’ve soooo overspent! And yes, this is me speaking from experience. Teehee.

Save me from this bug. Bow.

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What is sexy?

A friend of mine recently told me that when he saw my profile picture on Facebook, it was such a far cry from the Ria he used to know.  He went on to say that he remembered how whenever we’d go around on trips and he’d try to shoot me, it was very difficult because I’d always get self-conscious. At that time, there was no way on earth you’d make me do a jump shot or something like this!

You see, much as many do not believe it, I am such a shy and insecure individual, someone who never was comfortable in her own skin and never trusted in her own abilities. For the longest time, I was content being in the background, hiding behind the shadows of what was familiar. Earlier this year, however, I discovered the practice of yoga and it has changed my life immensely, not just on the physical aspect.

This picture for me captures what sexy is…

Being sexy goes beyond the exterior…it’s being able to find that bit of confidence in you that allows you to let go of fear and to believe in yourself, to trust in your own abilities and potentials, and to know that you have the power in you to be the best you possible. It goes beyond fitting into a size 0-2 but comes with being able to love yourself inside and out, no matter what size, shape or condition you may be in.

Okay, you might wonder where this post is coming from..teehee. Let me back track a bit. A few weeks ago I wrote about the Samsung Notebook Series 9, which is touted as the sexiest netbook in the market nowadays. With a sleek and sexy design and specs that is sure to wow you, it is definitely one drool-worthy gadget.

Samsung Netbook Series 9

What makes this such a great netbook is that it definitely  makes PC sexy as this small yet powerful gadget boasts of PC worthy specs. Just look:

• Ultra Slim Profile at 0.64”
• Lightweight Body at 2.86lbs.
• Stunning display at 400NIT
• Intel Core i5-2537M Processor
• (1.40GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 3MB cache memory)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 4GB DDR3 Memory
• 128GB Solid State Drive
• 13.3-inch LED Hi-Definition (400NIT, Non-Gloss) Screen with SuperBrightPlus Technology
• Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Hi-Definition Webcam
• Built-in Bluetooth Version 3.0 Hi-Speed
• Chargeable 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, MicroSD Card Slot
• Surround Sound 3D Sound Effect
• Arch Flow Design, Black Chassis, Made from Duralumin (2x Stronger than Aluminum)
• 3 Years Warranty (1 Year International, 2 Years Local)

During it’s April 28 launch, guests were asked to  define sexy. Check out this video and see what they had to say:

The Samsung Notebook Series 9 is said to retail for about Php 79,000 (wowza!) but if you’d like to take a chance and try to win one for yourself, simply click on the app and  register on Samsung Notebook Series 9: Sexy Street Style Facebook fanpage and follow these easy-peasy steps:

• Upload a stylish photo in of yourself that defines what sexy for you is.
• Write about your personal definition of sexy.
• Ask your friends to vote for your sexy photo entry.
• Make it your profile picture in Facebook

Sexiest photos get a chance to win either a Samsung Notebook Series 9 or a Rajo Laurel, Rhette Eala, or Randy Ortiz designer wear. Check out my entry in their gallery…I hope you can support me by liking it!!! I so would love to win that super sexy lappy!!!

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Sigh.

Yes, it’s one of those days where nothing makes sense at all and I feel so stuck in a darned rut that I don’t know how to get out of. Seriously. Today was tilled with talks of the apocalypse and rapture and to be honest, I wouldn’t have cared less if it were true. That’s how stuck in a rut I am right about now. Frustrating, right?

What’s weird is that there is technically no reason for me to feel this stuck…after all…so many things are falling into place for me. Well, yeah, I suppose that my career change (stop me before I decide to shift to something new again…like…errr…plumbing…or motorhome repairs…or apple picking anywhere but in the land down under ) has really caused a major shift in my understanding of my world can be a trigger for all of this. But but but…enough already. I don’t wanna be stuck in this rut anymore. I’m so tired of everything, so tired of my routine (but heck, I don’t wanna do anything new naman), so tired of complaining about being tired….sigh.

The doubts, the insecurities, the feeling of being lost…it’s getting to me. I want an out. Like now.

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Meet my new love…

This is Tequila Jones, Joe for short, my newest little boy I initially wanted to name him just Tequila but my friend Char said it sounded a wee bit girly and that I would be emasculating this little man and so I decided to add the Jones part. And Joe seemed a fitting name to match his big brother Bubba’s name…yes, my boys are Bubba and Joe! Haha.

Bubba is a little upset at the fact that I brought home a puppy but he’s adjusting quite nicely, or so I’d like to believe. I’m kinda adjusting to it all and errr…my things….well, they’re suffering, after all, I don’t live in a metal building where he can’t chew on stuff right? And the toilet training…well…it’s driving me nuts!!!

But look at that face…so worth it right? Wish me luck with this little boy!!!

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