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As promised, Im writing about my latest work-out discovery, the Zumba.  I first heard this from friends abroad.  They say that doing the zumba aside from being so much fun, it also really works up a ton of sweat.

Sweat and fun…two magic words that sold me out.  Bingo!  Exactly what I need.  Immediately my fingers got busy. What is this new program that’s creating such a buzz in the fitness world?

Zumba is a Latin inspired fitness program created by choreographer Beto Perez during the 90′s.  It involves dance and aerobic elements.  Its routine includes hip hop, salsa, samba, merengue, mambo and some bollywood moves.  The music used is also an ecclectic mix of Latin rythms like regaeton, soca, flamenco, tango, cha-cha, and cumbia.  They say zumba help a person loose about 500-1000 calories.  Not bad, isn’t it?

Im sure Zumba classes are so happenning already in diffrent gyms.  But if you’re a busy working mom like me who haven’t got the time for gym, dvd’s are available.  I got mine from ebay (not sure if video shops has it).  The entire Zumba fitness collection has 10 videos included.  Routines varies from beginners, cardio party, zumba power, zumba abs, tighs etc.  Choose your level.

Had my first taste of Zumba 3 days ago.  Today is my 2nd day in “class”.  Yeah, I really did work up a sweat.   I tell you, its not that easy.  But it’s fun.  The music is really funky and upbeat.  I still have to pump up my footwork, though.

I held my breathe several times during the games.  There were definitely several close-calls.  The Azkals fought a good fight.  But, their best wasn’t good enough.  I can feel my heart stop everytime the opponents ball nears the goal.  What a tremendous pressure for Neil Etheridge.  I really feel for this guy.  Suddenly I have a new found respect and admiration for goalkeepers.

Another brilliant player is Chiffy Caligdong. He was an obvious threat to the Kuwaiti team.  I think, given a much stronger support Chiffy’s  presence will strongly be felt.  Of course, striker Phil Younghusband  was a powerhouse as well.  He too, has several close calls.  His last ditch attempt to save the goal was something.  But, I think it worked for the other team’s advantage.  Too bad.  No wonder one can see the exasperated look in his face towards the final minutes.

What I think was glaring was when Kuwait made a second goal.  It seems the Azkals already lost the edge to play.  Quite understandable, time really was literally ticking away.  You can feel their hopes draining away.

But as mentioned, the Azkals fought a good fight.  Their efforts cannot be downplayed.  Sure we did not qualify for the World Cup.  But hey, I think just being to play against several countries is already an honor.  Let’s face it, the Philippines is relatively new to this sport.  We still have a long way to go.

Kobe with Azkal Chiffy Caligdong during RIFA games @ British School

Marist Football Team with Chiffy

My son  who is an avid football fan and player himself told me last night: “too bad we didn’t win, mama.  To think, the other team were down to only 9 players.  We were good, but Kuwait was better.  Maybe in the next four years some new Azkals will play the field”

Good job, team Azkals:).  Now that soccer is taking flight in our country, I’m sure the dream of the World Cup will soon be a reality.

it’s time to work it!  i know i should’ve started sooner but knowing at the back of my mind that i’ve grown all the flab again made me fear the scales.  i would literally dread stepping on it.  many years of “struggling” made me realize that i am an emotional eater.   To know is one thing, to admit and do something about it is a diffrent ball game.  being forever but just like (almost) all relationships, my honeymoon with food & all its excesses must come to an end.

i have to take control again.  i have to get my shape in shape…gotta get moving!  i’ll have to admit, though this will be quite a challenge this time.  but commitment is key.  i just hope i won’t fall off the wagon that easy.  my target is to loose the lbs i gained plus some more.

i don’t really aspire to be skinny or anything.  i just want to be active and healthy.  i already did a few steps.  these past weeks, my blood pressure is steadily ‘very good’ says my doctor.  i also have gone back to the market and started buying healthy stuff.  last night, i got to pump it up with my latest discovery–latin dancercise.  this is another story, though.

let’s see where all these takes me.  i will try to keep tabs of my progress (if any) here.

speaking of closet,  i am making room for my recent acquisition.  actually, this is (supposedly) my birthday gift to myself until hubby decided to pick up the tab.  i got this the day after i officially turned 39.

let me tell you about how my gift came to be.  it all happened when  hubby  forgot about my birthday!  impossible, you might think.. but it really happened.  no text, no fb message, no anything from him that day.

folks who know me would definitely say that this sort of neglect wont go down without a fight. the thing is, i actually let it go.  just like that. no fights, no angry words. all i said was “you forgot”.  i ate dinner and retired early that night.

blame it on the exhaustion (work has been hell), or maybe being almost 40 changes a lot of things inside.  i  didn’t mind.  i’m just glad that hub said that he’d make it up.

oh louis, my louis

speedy 25

in red epi leather, this time

and he did…with my new red arm candy.   i brought this home and thanked him for my gift (lol).  That’s why girls, before allowing all hell to break loose, stop awhile and remember: choose your battles (*wink*)

yep. as of yesterday, i am now 39 years old.  officially, just a year away from the big 4-o.  just as last year, the day went on with the usual chaos–work & household matters taking the daily lot.

not that it matters, on the contrary, in the past years, i kinda welcome the thought of being actually working.  somehow, the funfare of being reminded of one’s age has taken its toll on me.  being 39, i realize, comes with a certain confidence, acceptance and wisdom.

if you ask me, just out of the blue, what my birthday wish is…i would tell you that i’d wish for good health.  once when i was little (w/c was a million years ago!), i’d often tell myself i don’t wanna see myself grow old.  now, with the kids and hubby around, my goal is be able stick around longer to see the children grow.  to spend more time with them.  to be able to reach out a wrinkled hand and touch hubby’s.  i don’t mind the gray hairs.  age is just a number, anyways:)

this year, the universe taught me how to appreciate.  there is so much to be thankful for, so much to pray for.

happy  birthday to me (*wink*)

I’ve been hearing about the alleged rape case of some of the members of the Azkals team but haven’t gave it much thought.  Yesterday, I had the chance to watch the interview of the alleged “victim”, Amanda Coling in Showbiz Central.

I told myself that I will not judge, and that I will try to keep an open mind but I find it quite difficult.  I still have yet to understand where she’s coming from.  No offense, but Ms. Coling seem confused herself.  She says that she wants justice to be served but she also claimed that she also hopes for love, compassion, and forgiveness.

So which is it?  Things are as vague as ever.  I am sure this won’t be the last we hear of  Amanda Coling…

as expected, we were not disappointed.  the deathly hallows (part 2) is a huge hit!  the film was everything and then some. a perfect mix of action, drama, comic, adventure, and of course magic.  after 8 films in ten years,the most successful movie franchise came to a satisfying conclusion.  i have to say the lead casts delivered quite a gripping performance.  hats off to neville longbottom!  im sure this film will go down as one of the best screen adaptations in history.

but, as once again proven, the book is still better than the film.  there are several scenes from the book than never made it in the big screen.   what the heck!  i still love the movie

Related articles

• Five Reasons You Need To See ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2′ (moviesblog.mtv.com)
• Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (thetravellingfilmjunkie.wordpress.com)

In my line of work, scenarios like these is typical, but somehow, I never get used to the stress and the rush. It’s always like the first time. …

Then why (you might ask), in the world am I blogging if I am in  a deep  s**t of a workload?!  Hmmm good question.  That is because folks, I am already in panic! My brain is  running a hundred miles and I need to do something (other than work) to help me think, re-organize.

If happy thoughts is to Peter Pan, then writing is definitely be my fairy dust.  Bear with my aimless doodle.  Oh, no I can feel my boss’ dagger looks on me already.  The clock is ticking.. gotta get back to work.

ciao, people.  TGIF

today is the day.  after months and months of restless waiting, the much-anticipated conclusion to the harry potter series is here.  deathly hallows (part 2) officially opens today.

we can’t wait to see it!   harry potter and the deathly hallows (part 2)  movie version is said to be a powerful mix of thrill, adventure, and of course magic.  the fight against the dark lord voldermort will surely keep potter fans in total awe.

im just curious on how the film will squeeze in everything the book narrates.  will this film finally prove that, for once the movie version is better than the book?  only one way to find out…

see you at the movies:)

in case your wondering, cake pops are the latest craze in the cupcake world.  they are little cakes with a stick on it.  they come in diffrent shapes, sizes, colors and flavors.  like i mentioned in a previous post, i got my “cakes” from the lollicake factory.  i first saw this featured in a tv show a few months ago.  i did a little research about cake pops.  my search led me to the factory, which, i found later, is owned by the actor lj moreno-alapag.

lollies ready for assembly. "j" for julia and "6" for six years old:)

me and julia trying out her birthday candles

kobe and julia, my handy helpers making the cake

yey! for the cake...good job handy helpers:)

i ordered 40 pcs of cute, colorful, and tasty confection for the entire class to enjoy:).  on julia’s birthday itself (july 11th), i went to the lollicake factory to pick-up my goodies.  i was so excited to see how they looked and even more excited to fit them into the “cake” we made.  but lo! there was some misunderstanding of some sort.  i don’t know if its the weather, or the fact that i don’t want anything to ruin my day,or was i starstruck (lj was the one who attended to me!), i seem to be unfazed when i was informed about the minor glitch.  good thing they got ironed out.  hahahaha, guess what? as a bonus, lj herself brought the cakes to the house (yep! she drove all the way to marikina) and she gave me additional pops for good measure.  the thing is, i was too SHY to ask her for a picture. hubby even did not believe my story. lol.  but als! i have a witness… the village guard and yaya jo.  they both saw lj pullover and hand me the cakes:)  i remember even the guard say “ma’am yung bisita nyo…artista! si lj moreno po” (ma’am your visitor is a celebrity, it’s lj moreno!)

julia and her cake

take two!

cake pops for everyone!

say cheese:)

anyways,  julia had a blast distributing her cake to everyone.  we even made a special cake stand for it over the weekend.  im so proud of kobe and julia for their creative ideas.   two thumbs up for my handy helpers !

what a day it was.  this will definitely be my top memories.  fun, fun, fun!

happy birthday julia!