A Marriage Proposal

Someone told me he'll marry me today! Again. Hahaha.

My favorite 3 year old student, Chikara, came to my room again today. I was organizing my HS/College pictures in my room and he came to give me his usual hug and kiss.

He saw one picture of me and an ex boyfriend hugging each other. This is how the conversation went...

Chikara: (frowning) Who is this?
Me: Oh, That's an old friend.
C: (Still frowning) Is he your boyfriend?
Me: Oh, hmm... well, He used to be my boyfriend but not anymore.
C: (feeling relieved) Are you going to marry him?
Me: No, no. no. of course not!
C: (Looking at me seriously)Don't marry him.
Me: Huh? (Surpirsed) Why Not?
C: Coz Im going to marry you!

Hahaha! He is such an angel. So sweet!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Shopping with Yuko, John and Becky in Toki Premium Outlet


shopping with Kaori and Kei in Jazz Dream



Too tired after 6 hours of shopping!



It is Official. i have a shopping sickness...for the past 2 months...Let me explain.
When i was fat....ooops.....Im writing as iF Im REALLY thin now.hahaha. let me rephrase that... when I was 25 kilos FATTER...I always used the excuse that I couldnt buy clothes in Japan whenever I shop in other countries. You know how Japanese women are incredibly thin so i couldnt buy clothes in the women's section. All the shirts that i bought here are from the Men's section. Thus, i AWAYS had to deal with excess luggage problems on my trip back to Japan. Friends who have seen me shop abroad all say that I am crazy. I liked the fact that I was a Size M in Western countries compared to being a SIZE LLL or 4L in Japan! Ouch. As I mentioned in my previous blogs, when i like a certain type of clothing and It fits me, I but it in all colors available. So you would often see me wearing the same style of clothes but in different colors! haha. Sometimes, I buy clothes even when they dont fit me. Hoping they would fit me someday (That someday is now! Yey!) Well, Ive had this habit even when I was still in the Philippines, before coming to Japan.

This is whay my living room looks like now after a week of shopping....




With a lot of work and perseverance and self-discipline and prayer, I started losing weight last year. Praise God for that! Thus, I was able to shop for clothes here already. And clothes here are EXPENSIVE. But, I liked the feeling of not just looking at women's clothes but actually trying them on! And when they fit, how can I resist not buying them? I am only human....hahaha. I felt very good that I wasnt "deprived" anymore. I could actually walk in women's clothes shops and be confident that something will fit me there.

I liked going to shops...which i know have clothes that are size 0-6 only(That's usually the case in Japan....most shops dont have size 8 up). shops like Morgan,Mango,Sara, Diesel etc. even when i know that nothing will fit me there, I still go because I might find something cute for my bestfriend Joyce who's got a lovely body, my good friend Gold who is always appreciative of what i give her, and my other thin friends.I love buying cute stuff for them and seeing how nice they look on it.

When I was in Taiwan a few years ago, I went to Taipei 101 mall and was about to enter the store Morgan when the ugly, thin saleslady(hahaha) told me off. She said even before me and my ex bf was about to enter the store...."WE DONT HAVE YOUR SIZE HERE!" What a Bitch! My ex bf knew me so well that i was about to make a scene, so he just grabbed my arm and we walked off. I cannot forget this experience. i felt really bad at that time. My ex, who liked me being voluptuous....hahaha...i mean, fat....cheered me up so i felt better.

There's another shopping incident I couldnt forget up to this day. I met the kindest sales clerk while shopping in Amsterdam. You see, Ive always wanted to have those knee high boots. Besides the fact that they seem warm for winter, they look very fashionable too. esp when I see the Japanese ladies here wearing them. I tried several boots here in Japan but besides the fact that I have big feet, (25cm or 8.5-9 inches depending on the shoes)I have big calves. So, naturally, I cannot buy boots here in Japan. Not with the small sizes and the small girth of the boots. They are meant for Japanese women with nice, thin legs and small sizes. Damn It! So, I entered a shoe store in a mall in Amsterdam. i was looking enviously at several pairs of nice boots. A clerk came up to me and asked me If i wanted to try them. I said, "OH NO, THEY WONT FIT ME". i was scared of being "rejected" by any pair of boots again. Hahaha. Ive been "rejected" so many times in the past. She then kindly looked at my legs and my feet, asked me what size I was, and when i told her, she said "OH, We Have Your size. Why dont you try one? "...I was very hesitant but then she went and got the boots and kindly helped me fit it. They didnt fit.Naturally. because my legs were big. I felt so bad again. I told her "I CAN NEVER FIT INTO ANY KIND OF BOOTS. MY CALVES ARE TOO BIG". And she said......"OH,NO. DONT SAY THAT. YOU JUST HAVENT FOUND THE RIGHT PAIR OF BOOTS!" Ohhhhhh. i love her! I said "Thank You. That's very kind of you". And I asked her If i could take a picture with her coz she was the kindest clerk Ive ever met.


So, back to my "sickness"....ive been depressed since January so Ive been shopping every week. I dont have a car here so whenever any of my friends would tell me that they are going to a shopping mall or an outlet store next weekend, I usually cancel my classes and go shopping! hahaha! Seriously. I stopped shopping 6 weeks ago. That's the time i got out of my depression. I was already okay. i didnt need the "high" i'd usually have after shopping to feel better. BUT This week.....3 groups of friends invited me to go shopping. My American friend Aiko, invited me on Sunday, March 16, to go shopping in Toki Outlet store in Gifu Prefecture...a 40 minute drive away from my place. On Thursday, March 20, My Japanese friend Kaori, invited me to go shopping in Jazz Dream in Mie Prefecture, a 2 hour drive away from I live. and today, Yuko and I went on a tour to Gamagori in Aichi prefecture...again a 2-hour drive away. I went shopping to 3 BIG Outlet stores in 3 different prefectures in less than a week! Oh god! i havent even unpacked the things i bought since January. My living room is a big mess right now! hahaha.And I think I just permanently damaged my credit card!

Well, I promise myself that i will not shop until April 24! That's until I go home to the Philippines! The Shopping BAN is lifted as soon as I land in Manila! Hahahaha! Cant wait!

By the way, FYI. I have a nice pair of knee high boots now! And I bought them in Japan! Yey! And I'm a size M now too! Size M in Japan! YEY!!!!! Praise God!

My Pet Peeves

These days Ive been trying to be nicer and more patient in general. So, it's very difficult to annoy me. But there are some things that are really so annoying.....

1. Wrong grammar...and seeing mispelled words...especially if I'm the one making the mistake or some hot guy i really,really like.

2. When Im downwind of someone with bad odor.....Please.....buy a mouthwash or a deodorant! Puhleeaseee.

3. Unfaithful husbands/boyfriends/wives/girlfriends. There is no excuse for unfaithfulness. No excuse.

4. Taxi drivers who demand a tip when they dont deserve it (esp in NY) and taxi drivers who choose customers(esp in Manila!) and overcharge tourists(mostly in SouthEast Asia)!

5. People who are free loaders and total parasites. Come on! How about you work, and stop depending on others for you to survive?!!

6. Vina Morales. ewwww.

7. Men who dont put the toilet seat down.

8. People who dont keep promises.

9. Unprofessionalism. Absolutely irritating!

10. Customer Service centers with very bad service.

11. Northwest Airlines (Nagoya-Manila flight) The staff is the rudest, worst service staff in the whole world.

12. Waiting and having someone wait for me.

13. Missing the train by a few seconds. Especially If it's the last train and I'd need to spend a lot of money for cab fare or hotel in the area.So annoying.

14.Not being able to find my things easily. Esp when i badly need them. and then, a few days after buying a new one, it turns up.

15. Buying a gadget or a new expensive toy like a Camera or Computer and then a few days later, it goes on sale coz a new model has come up. ohh. it sucks big time.

16. People asking why Im not married yet, how I got my visa, how much I weigh, or how much I earn. Mind Your Own Business.

17. Men I go out on dates with who volunteer information about how much they earn.....to impress me.... oh, well. so you earn that much.....SO WHAT?!!? Dont tell me about your earnings...Brag to me about your savings!

18. Men who are planning to get married soon but who have no savings and have bad spending habits. Seriously.

19. Men who play hard to get. And who play dumb. And who wont make the first move. Ano Ba!

20. People who name-drop. You dont need to rat off famous people you know to impress me. You should be impressive enough by yourself.

21. Ungrateful people.

22. People who complain too much and who criticize others too much. I just dont want to be surrounded by negative energy.

He's Just Not That Into You 2

Some more items for us girls to ALWAYS remember! Saves us a lot of heartaches! Believe me!


***THE MINUTE YOU STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM,HE WILL COMPLETELY DISAPPEAR FROM YOUR LIFE.

***PEOPLE ARE INSPIRED TO DO REMARKABLE THINGS TO FIND AND BE WITH THE ONE THEY LOVE.

***IF THEY WANT US, THEY WILL FIND US.

*** SEXUAL HARASSMENT RULES AND WORKPLACE MEMOS NOTWITHSTANDING, A GUY WILL ASK A WOMAN OF HIGHER STATUS IF HE'S INTO HER.

***IF A GUY TRULY LIKES YOU BUT FOR PERSONAL REASONS HE NEEDS TO TAKE THINGS SLOW, HE WILL LET U KNOW THAT IMMEDIATELY

Why I Love My Friends

I went on a blind group date last Saturday, in Sakae, Nagoya. It's been awhile that Ive been on a group blind date. Since Yuko, my co worker, realized I was quite not myself after I got back from my holiday in the Philippines this year, she organized this date for us. Knowing me, of course, i told/emailed almost all my friends about it. Hahaha. And they were all excited for me. Hoping that i could finally meet my "prince" this time. i think they were actually more excited than me. haha. 2 days before, 1 day before and on the date itself.... these are what they did.

1. Farida mailed me to tell me I have to wear that pink stoned necklace she gave me for my birthday as a lucky charm! and since she's a die hard believer of Feng Shui, she insisted that i clean my house before i go on the date! for good vibes! Haha.

2. Kaori came over to tell me I should use the Lush body butter she gave me last year for luck and to smell irresistible.

3. Joyce called me to wish me luck and to tell to contain my excitement.

4. I got a call from a good friend in Europe to remind me to just be myself coz i tend to talk too much when i get too excited.hahaha.

5. Another Japanese friend came over to tell me to read the "love book" she gave me for Christmas to "set the mood".

6. My two Japanese bosses eagerly drove me to the station to make sure i won't be late for the date.

7. One of my adult students and some new friends here were mailing me a few hours before the date for encouragement and to cheer me!

8. Yuko asked me to send her a picture of what I'll wear so she can give comments about it. Then she boosted my confidence after she saw what i wore.

9. Gold and Ricky were so supportive. Again telling me to be myself and to just have fun regardless of whether I like my date/s or not.

10. Another friend texted to tell me it's okay to make the first move! Coz some men could be really shy. hahaha! sorry, Im not following this advice. Im sticking with my principles,baby. No first move coming from me. I always believe that WHEN MEN WANT YOU,THEY DO THE WORK.IT SOUNDS OLD SCHOOL, BUT WHEN MEN LIKE WOMEN, THEY ASK THEM OUT. hahaha.

As expected, I got a lot of emails and text messages after my date. Everyone--friends, colleagues,neighbors,bosses,students....... from all over the world.....asking how the date went. hahaha.

The date was okay. it's too early to tell. i had fun! met a lot of interesting people. i didnt give my number to anyone. But 2 guys and some whom I quite fancied gave me their numbers. let's see.....

Im back in the game, baby. Hahaha.:)

10 Things I Will NOT Apologize For.

1. I will not apologize for all my "drama". when i was younger, i needed drama commensurate to my hormonal level. Now, Im older, and I'd like to believe Im wiser and not easily influenced by my hormones anymore...... i need it coz i wouldnt be Me without all my drama!haha.
That's me, i cry a lot and i laugh a lot. I laugh at simple things. i cry at simple things. Take it or leave it.

2.I will not apologize for answering the phone when my bestfriend Joyce calls. Unless Im working or Im in a theater, i will answer her call. regardless of who Im with. Do not argue with me or act irritated coz I will not trade 18 years of good, quality friendship to please mere acquaintances.

3. I will not apologize for taking brief naps during the day. I know how my body works and I need to recharge every few hours coz Im always hyperactive.At work and at play.

4.I will not apologize for pampering myself and indulging in some luxuries every now and then. I work hard. I deserve it.

5.I will not apologize for not replying immediately to some emails unless it's a life and death situation kind of email. I am a very busy person.

6.I will not apologize for apologizing too much most of the time. hahaha. I have been living in Japan for 7 years now. That's part of the culture i have adapted.

7.I will not apologize for not being tech-savvy. I have good friends who spoil me and will do the work for me anytime. Do not take it against me that I have weaknesses. And technology is definitely one of them!

8.I will not apologize for making someone wait if they come to my place without calling.

9.I will not apologize for not answering the phone or the door when Im sleeping.

10.I will not apologize if i dont have presents for everyone after a trip. i have learned that It's much better to give to gracious people than people who wouldnt even consider the time, effort and energy it took you to bring that thing,no matter how small. Any backpacker knows how tough it is to try to squeeze your stuff in a 120L backpack!Hahaha!


What are some of the things you won't apologize for?

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's Valentine's Day! I have been going through a lot for the past 6 weeks. Painful stuff.Confusing stuff.

Im not in a romantic relationship right now. But 10 things made me very happy today.

1. My boss agreed to all the conditions ive asked before I renew my contract.

2.Im going home again in 70 days' time! yey!

3.I received emails from people I havent been in touch with recently.

4.My bestfriend Joyce called me and planned our summer escapades in the Philippines!

5.Someone I thought Ive hurt/disappointed called me and told me he totally understands my situation.

6.Gold, Ricky and i had a great valentine's dinner and drink

7. Kaori and Kei visited me and had a very interesting talk.

8. Had a good talk with Dada about our life plans.

9. Someone gave me a nice, sweet gift.

10. Someone i really like called me and greeted me! yey!

Life is great! Even without a man! Especially without a man --with issues! Haha!
Happy Valentine's Day, you all! Cheers!

Happy New Year!

Im back in Japan! i came back 2 weeks ago after being in the Philippines for almost a month!

I had a lot of different experiences in the Philippines. some good. some bad. For some reason, I was so looking forward to coming back to Japan. This is the first time i have felt like this.ever. Im glad im back. I have a lot of time here to think and reflect about my life and everything that happened during my trip.

I have been talking to my bestfriend Joyce almost everyday since i got back. That helps a lot. (We'll worry about our phone bills later.uh-oh.) Plus, my new friend, John, is here in Japan for a visit. he's staying at my place and Im loving the good, quality talk we have every night until 2 am over sake. haha.

These are the highlights of my trip to the Philippines last Dec 2007.

1. Went scuba diving with Joyce in batangas and got our license. we're certified Padi Open Water Divers now! yey! Looking forward to diving in Maldives and Galapagos Islands! yey!


2.Visited 8 provinces and 10 cities in Mindanao, one of the 3 main islands in the Philippines.
(Camiguin,Cagayan de oro, Malaybalay/Valencia Bukidnon, Ozamis, Iligan, Oroquieta, Dapitan, Dipolog, Dakak). Had a great time in camiguin with Je and in Bukidnon with Choi and his family.
I climbed a mountain in Dipolog and water rafted in Cagayan de Oro!






3.Met new interesting people. Richard Poon and Caress's friends in Victory, Choi and his lovely family from Bukidnon, Jenny from Meralco, Ina from UP, a very nice Austrian Couple, Pamela and Gunther in Dipolog, a lovely Swede family in Dakak, John from Toronto, Nelia's family in CDO and Oroquieta, Apples in Tagaytay, Doc. Bong, Allan and Joel during diving, Keith in Batangas, Doc John and Lawrence from QC.





4.Met old friends and teachers. Had a great time in Timog with my barkada. and a great time at my farewell party in Vista.



5.Had a good facial treatment, hair treatments and several body massages.

6.Made my family happy by bonding with them.

7.Realized I didnt want to marry someone I thought I wanted to marry.

8.Realized that i am so loved by my friends and family.

9.Ate everything I wanted to eat (I made a list before I left! haha!)

10.Went to Victory fellowship and worship services.






I will not mention the challenges during this trip. Im glad i am back in japan now. Moving on with my life. letting go of everything I have to let go of and looking forward to a great year ahead!
I will be living in the NOW. Glorious things are bound to come!

Happy New Year everyone! Cheers!

Thank God for all This Mess!

I woke up at 3pm today, Sunday, December 16. I woke up with a cold, a bad hangover, and a very messy house. I spent the whole week last week cleaning the house. i spent 3 hours every day scrubbing the floors,tidying the living room,making the kitchen spotless. One reason is Im leaving in 3 days time for my Winter holiday and I always make it a point to clean the house before every major trip. Another reason was I was having a Year-End Home party Saturday night, dec 15.

Ive been so tired from all the cleaning. But when i woke up and saw all the mess from the previous night's party....I couldnt help but smile. And i dont know why, but I said, "Thank you, dear God. For all this mess". Coz it was one hell of a party. My house got messy coz i had a bloody good time with good friends.Nothing beats that. I wouldnt trade that messy state with a clean house with no friends to mess it up. Thank you Lord, for good friends and for all that mess! :)

Cheers everyone! Happy holidays!

Letting Go

Letting Go
By T. D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone................... When people can walk away from you, let them walk.................. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go! ..............................And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person. It just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over................................... Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift; I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give to me. And if it takes too much sweat, I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go! ..............................If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to...... Let it go! If you are holding on to past hurts and pains...... Let them go! If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth..... Let him go! If someone has angered you........ Let them go! If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge...... Let them go! If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... Let them go! If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents Let it go! If you! You have a bad attitude... Let it go! If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better... Let it go! If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him... Let the past go! If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship... Let it go! If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves... Let them go! If you're feeling depressed and stressed... Let it go! If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to… Let it go! Let the past be the past............................... Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2008!!! Let them go! Get Right or Get Left... think about it, and then... Let them go!
"The Battle is the Lord's.”

10 xmas gifts for me ideas

It's Dec 12 and about 20 people has already asked me what i would want for Christmas. I always say the same thing...anything...well,Someone pointed out that "anything" is difficult. well, Yes, sure.
You see, unlike some people I know, im not very hard to please when it comes to gifts.i appreciate everything.Seriously. I always think that it's the thought that counts.
But since a lot of people are asking...here's a list of gifts i would like to receive...

1.A good,nice waterproof mascara
2.A Spa/massage/facial gift certificate
3.Anything I can use when traveling (nail care travel set,document organizers,compact bags,compact umbrellas, anything portable, etc.)
4.Any book by Dave Barry/Robert Kiyosaki
5.A Western/Eastern Europe and Morocco/Tunisia/Egypt Lonely Planet
6.Any thing I can use while doing sports(except socks..ive a superstitious belief against sock giving) towels,shirts,caps,money and water belt
7.Anything good for dieting(tea,vinegar,cellulite removers/rollers)
8.Anything good for the skin(lotion/toner/sunscreen)
9.Vegetarian Recipe book
10.hair accessories

Im not expecting any gifts.but since you really wanted to know, well, that's my wish list! :)

Cute Little Angel

There's a 3 year old boy in my class this year that i adore so much and who adores me back! His name is Chikara and he is the sweetest,cutest boy in the world for me! Since he only has a lesson with me once a week, he often comes to my room to get a hug or a kiss from me.His mom tells me that sometimes he doesnt want to go to school but when his mom says, "Then you wont be able to see Tara Sensei...", he changes his mind and eagerly prepares for school!

Since Ive been studying a lot during my free time at work,I havent had time to play with him.Im always in my room, studying. 2 months ago, he came to my room and saw me doing my Kanji exercises. He asked me what i was doing and I replied that Im studying for an important test in December. 2 weeks later, his mom came to my room and gave Chikara a cellphone strap which Chikara asked her to make.Chikara gave it to me and with his ever cute,smiling face, told me " Tara Sensei, this is a goodluck charm for you.I hope you do well in your exams!!" I was trying to fight the tears in my eyes.I hugged him tightly,gave him a big kiss and said "Thank you, Chikara! I'll do my best!"

There's always a kid like this every year who warms my heart and inspires me to do better in my job everytime.Im happy because they get motivated to come to school and learn.Im happy because they give me a reason to wake up in the morning and go to work even when Im sick or when it's too cold outside.

Already?!?!

Wow.Today is the last day of November! I didnt even realize it! The days went by so fast. I haven't had usual, proper 8-10 hour sleep since September.Ive been busy with work, sports, and my Japanese test studies.

Im not complaining.As I always say, I'd rather be busy than bored.

After Dec 2 though, Im making sure I will make up on lost sleep,missed TV programs,unanswered emails,unreturned phone calls,unattended meetings,missed beauty treatments,un uploaded pictures,un updated sites, unpacked bags,uncleaned things...so many things to do.Im glad all the studying is almost over.2 more days and Im free! Yey!Cant wait to start my Christmas holiday plans!

Change

I have realized that one of my biggest fears in life is CHANGE. Im not good with change.i fear change.That's why letting go isnt an easy thing for me.It takes me YEARS to let go of something, or someone for that matter.

Im glad I realized this.That's why, Ive decided to start making changes in my life.The first thing I decided to do was change my hairstyle of 10 years! Imagine that, 10 years and Ive had the same hairstyle the whole time!

Last Saturday, I went to have a straight perm! This was a big deal for me.Ive always wanted to have straight hair but one EX-Bf didnt like me having my hair straightened in the past. I guess his opinion still matters in my life that's why even after years of having broken up,I was never bold enough to go to the beauty parlor and had what I wanted the whole time. But,I did this time! Coz im a changed girl now!hahaha! And it is liberating! To do what you want to do without thinking of others' opinion! To do something and tell the world to "F*** off" (when they harshly criticise you)coz you dont need their approval anymore! wow!

So....I am going to make small changes from now on. Others may not approve of it...But honestly, I dont care.Im only here to please myself now. Only me.

He's Just Not That Into You 1

Since this year, Ive had a relationship "Bible". This is the only book I consult now whenever I get confused.I recommend this book to all gullible,stupid girls out there...Like me...Or Like I was....:p This book is beside my night table.And everytime i read it, I get enlightened.I will share some items Ive higlighted in my book every now and then. a good friend whom i love so much needs to be slapped in both cheeks right now, and since It's physically impossible to slap her, I will post this blog entry. Wake up dear! Wake up! As I always say, Dont Waste The Pretty!

*** IF A (SANE) GUY REALLY LIKES YOU,THERE AIN'T NOTHING THAT'S GOING TO GET IN HIS WAY.AND IF HE'S NOT SANE,WHY WOULD YOU WANT HIM?

***WE'RE TAUGHT THAT IN LIFE, WE SHOULD TRY TO LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, TO BE OPTIMISTIC.NOT IN THIS CASE. IN THIS CASE, LOOK ON THE DARK SIDE.ASSUME REJECTION FIRST.ASSUME YOU'RE THE RULE, NOT THE EXCEPTION.IT'S INTOXICATINGLY LIBERATING.

***WASTING TIME WITH THE WRONG PERSON IS JUST TIME WASTED.

***WHEN A GUY IS INTO YOU, HE LETS YOU KNOW IT.HE CALLS, HE SHOWS UP, HE WANTS TO MEET YOUR FRIENDS,HE CANT KEEP HIS EYES OR HANDS OFF OF YOU, AND WHEN IT'S TIME TO HAVE SEX,HE'S MORE THAN OVERJOYED TO OBLIGE.

Marathon and a Knee Injury

Oh well, my last marathon Marathon for the year took place last Friday, November 23 in Nagoya. This was my first City Marathon.All the marathons i joined took place in the country and had about 500-900 participants. I didnt expect the Nagoya City marathon was going to be that big! There were at least 6,000 people in Mizuho Undujo! Wow!





Since Ive always been sick in my previous marathons, I was very careful this time. i made sure I ate well, i rested well and took all vitamins and supplements i could take to make by body stronger against colds and flu.And 3 days before the marathon, I was confident everything will be okay in relation to my health.

On Thursday, i had to go to Chubu International airport to say goodbye to Jeremie's niece who was visiting Japan for 9 days. It was very cold in the morning when i was leaving the house so i wore a long black trench coat. I was in a hurry to go back to work from the airport so when I was in the station, making my train transfer, i tripped because of my coat and fell down the stairs. Forget the embarrassment, I was concerned about my knee! The moment I fell, I thought, " Oh god! Please! My knee! I have a marathon tomorrow!" i managed to get up and catch my train but the moment I sat down, i felt the pain in my right knee (The "healthy" knee. the left one is the one injured from Mt. Fuji last year).

I didnt have time to see my chiropractor coz Thursday was just so busy. From the airport, i had to go back to work, then had to finish some reports, then went to Nagoya for my Japanese class and some other work. When I came back home at 10:30 pm Thursday night, I just took a long hot bath, made a lot of calls back home and then fell asleep at 2 am.

When i woke up at 5:30 am to prepare for my marathon, i felt the pain and I thought, maybe I should cancel this time. But something in me told me, it's okay. just go. And I went.

When Yuko and I got to Nagoya and I saw the thousands of people in the field, i panicked and felt so stressed.Maybe it's psychological, but i felt more pain in my knee. And then I started praying. "God please.This is my last marathon this year. please let me join this.Please God, do something." And Voila! God did something! when I looked ahead, there was a tent of some sports wear. There was a lady there so I asked what the things were for. She replied that Wacoal (the famous and expensive underwear/lingerie brand) was advertising their new sports tights. The tights is made especially to protect the knee as it has some bandage like thing in it. Here's the link


Lining up to get my number and to register



This was the Wacoal tights


With our new "MaraTomo"(Marathon Friend), Mika (She's been running in numerous FULL marathons for the last 5 years!)

Dreaming I could run in the Olympics someday!haha!

The free knee massage and treatment i got



too tired but Very Happy

My Marathon buddies Yuko and Mika


They were offering a few athletes to use it during the marathon and try it for free if they would answer some questionnaires. I thought, "God! That was a fast reply! Thank you!" and i signed up!

As soon as I wore it, the pain totally lessened i wasnt even sure If it was still there! i could run! Yey! Praise God!

After the marathon, I gave back the tights but then i felt pain in my knee again. i wore my knee protector and started walking to get some food. I was already thinking that I will definitely get a massage when i go back home, which was in another 3 or 4 hours. i didnt have to wait that long!To add more icing to the cake, there was free massage and a treatment booth near the field! So I got my free knee and neck massage! Talk about being very blessed!

I always tell my friends I believe I am God's favorite! hahaha! But so are you! Im sharing that "favorite feeling" with everyone! God is great!ALL THE TIME! Cheers to all the marathons I did in 2007! Cheers to God for making it all possible!

Perfect Size of a Woman

My good friend, Aileen, sent me an offline message in YM today. She forwarded a quote that a friend sent her. I forget the exact quote but It goes something like this...

Q: "What is the perfect size of a woman?"
A: "The size of the woman he loves"

Youre right Aileen! I gotta find a man who thinks like this! :) Soon, I hope! haha!

10 Strange Things About Me/10 Strange Habits I Have

Some people who know me have commented that i sometimes have strange habits. I never realized they were strange until they were pointed out to me.So, i decided to make a list.Here are some things i can think of now. i will add more next time.

1.Whenever I read any book,magazine or pamphlet, I have to read it cover to cover.literally. I cannot skip acknowledgments, note to the reader, table of contents etc. If I do, I wouldnt feel comfortable.

2. I always wear something orange when I fly.

3.I buy a new bag/suitcase/backpack AND at least 2 sunglasses whenever I travel.

4.When Im at home, I cannot sleep without my emergency bag beside me. When I travel,I cannot sleep without my passport next to me.

5.I have kept all letters/notes/receipts,etc I got since kindergarten.

6.When im on holiday, I take an average of 100 pictures a day. and 80% of the time, I have to be in it.

7.All manuals of gadgets i have bought are unopened. If they are, I didnt open them, someone else read it and explained how the thing works.

8.When i really like a piece of clothing or shoes, I buy it in all colors available.When there's only 1 color, I buy 2 or 3 pieces of the same thing.

9. I know most of my friends' cars' plate numbers.Those friends in the Philippines and in Japan. Speaking of plate numbers.....when Im on the road, especially on the highway, I like reading the Chinese characters of different plate numbers. Even when Im in a conversation with someone, If I see a new Chinese character, i have the compulsion to read it aloud at once. haha.

10.Friends who've shopped with me all say I seem to be in a trance when I shop. Unless you stop me, grab my arm, and tell me that we've got to go, I wont stop.I never noticed that about me.Speaking of shopping, I cannot enter a store without buying anything no matter how little. I dont think this is too strange. And from experience, I never go shopping with a boyfriend.


What are your strange habits?

Second Best

Just when I was quite ready to settle for the second best, I woke up and realized this was a great disservice to myself. A big injustice. Thank God, I realized that today.

I have decided to keep on waiting. Waiting is not bad. Waiting gives me a lot of time to rethink my values and priorities. Waiting gives me time to prepare for the future. Prepare myself to be much better. Waiting gives me time to enjoy all the adventures coming my way. Waiting allows me to make a space in my life for all the glorious things I deserve. That's what I am going to do from now on. Wait. For many new things to come. The Him. The Where. The When. The How.

Sorry, dear. I am faithful the BEST will come.Because I deserve the best BEST. haha. I am not settling for the second best.

Marathon,Dysmenorrhea,and Fever

I did it! I did it! I did it! Yey! I finished the Oogaki Marathon I joined today!

This marathon is the second marathon I joined this year but more than the first one(in April, Enakyo marathon), I had a more challenging experience. Again, my health was trying to stop me.

1.I had a bad cold since Thursday night.
2.I was overworked this past weeks because of our school's Halloween party and make up classes because Gold was in Osaka for her seminar so i had to do some extra classes and Kate is leaving for Australia, so again, extra classes.
3.I am very tired from my studying every night for the past 2 months.
4.That very painful day of the month came.

I had to work the whole day yesterday, Saturday, in Nagoya. This added to all the stress and fatigue I was feeling.

I tried to be in bed around 9 pm Saturday night but I had a difficult time sleeping.I was finally able to sleep around 10:30 only to be woken up at 1:30am because of terrible period pains. i couldnt sleep until 5 am. When i woke up at 7, i had fever and the pain was still there. But i had to get up and get ready to leave for Oogaki (1.5 hours away from where I live). Why? Because I asked for a sign from God.There was a typhoon on Saturday and it was raining the whole day. Before I slept at 5 am, I told God that If it still rains the next day,then i will not join the marathon.It was the same sign I asked when I was struggling to climb Mt. Fuji last year. As soon as I woke up, i opened my curtains and saw that the sun was shine brightly and beautifully outside. Fine. i'll join the marathon.

And I did! Im so happy! I didnt finish first, as I expected and i was dizzy the whole time, but I made it! I felt pain in my legs again,which surprised me because I havent felt that kind of pain in a long time.Again, just like in Ena Marathon, there were some members of the marathon's medical team who offered to give me a ride when they saw I was in pain.Again, i told them, I will finish the marathon. i dont care If Im last.I will finish it. they asked me several times If i was sure,I said "Yes,definitely".Then they shut up after I said,"If I do not finish this marathon, i cannot live with myself.Please, let me finish this."

And I did! Yey! Yey! God is great! He was with me the whole time!

Im so tired now.I will take a long bath, rest, and then sign up for my next marathon in Nagoya next month! I love my life! :)


Stretching... in Gifu Station, while waiting for my train to Oogaki.






a very tired and sick but happy me. In the train on my way home.