When I discovered Lorrie's blog The Token Fat Girl, I got to read about Resound 11. Clicking on its source - Resound 11 - Reflect & Reinvent, I found it very interesting, so for me to post at least one article everyday here on my blog, I decided to go for it. This meme was supposed to be done last December, but it was (I think) mid December when I found it and I wasn't able to do it last January, so let me go for it this month.

Supposedly, I was to post this yesterday, but because of many reasons, I wasn't able to. Allow me now to start my Resound 11 journey now.

Prompt #1:
What is one word to describe your 2011?
Why does that word sum up your year?

For 2011, my word is ACCEPTANCE.

For the first half of the year, I think in a way I have accepted that I am obese - that I filled myself with lots of thoughts revolving around "I am good the way I am, and if people don't accept me, it's their problem." It was a good 2011...

...until July came. Earlier that month, I went to the Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain in Antipolo with mom and when I saw pictures of myself, I wasn't impressed at all, and for the first time I felt quite ashamed of sharing any of my pictures. Mid-July, I attended an event with my sister and cousin (left image), and our picture became an eye opener. It dawned on me that I am already way too big, and that I needed to do something about it.

At that point, I accepted that even if I am good the way I am, I needed to change for the better. Partly because of aesthetic reasons, but more on the healthy aspects of things. I am a person who's born in a family with a bad health track (hypertension and diabetes run in the family - both on mom and dad's sides), and if I don't do something, I might die anytime soon.

An out of town trip became my gauge to start losing weight and was able to lose 6lbs for the month of August. However, I wasn't much into it that I quickly gained back all the weight I lost come September. October, I told myself I needed to accept that I am a superwoman - that I can do things as long as I put my heart into it, and it didn't fail me. By the end of 2011, I lost 24lbs. I still have a lot to lose, but since I already accepted the new me - I know I can push forward 'til I reach my goals.

Also, 2011 was also the year that I met Mr. Pipoy, my fitness buddy who accepted me the way I am. Yes, I know, I have people around me who accept me just as I am, but I am just blown away at how this man accepted me. I can most certainly be myself - good and bad sides - and he is still there to accept me because I am worth it (he said so himself). Despite being 200+ lbs that time, he carried me (literally) - something nobody did to me.

Yesterday, the whole family went to Quezon Memorial Circle to walk and be together. It was a bit sad that the museum and the theme park "Circle of Fun" was closed because it was a holiday (in celebration of the Chinese New Year), but we were still able to do things... like shopping.

At one part of the park were rows of stores selling clothes, shoes, home items, and food. It wasn't my plan to buy some stuff, but there were items that I found really affordable, so I still bought some:




The fabric shoes I bought at only p150. The brown closed shoes I bought a few months ago blistered my feet, so I really wanted to buy another pair of closed shoes I could wear during certain events (as I own mostly pair of flip flops). p150 is way too cheap for a pair of shoes, and I agree, to some degree that people get what they pay for... but I also believe that it's up to me to take care of my things if I want to use it for long. Come to think of it, my brown sandals I bought in 2008 at only p120 pesos, yet I can still wear it 'til now if I wanted to. This green fabric shoes are so comfortable... something I surely wear when I travel to Baguio, La Union and Vigan next month.

Clothes... I initially bought the light brown top and the floral summer dress, and the dark brown one was something mom bought for herself (which is why the label has been taken off - my mom dislike having tags on her clothes - she says it irritates her), but later gave it to me when she saw me fit it. Yes, I still am not over the summer dress - that when I saw a stall selling some, I quickly went over to buy one. I wasn't disappointed with this - it looked way much better than the one I wore on Christmas day!

The light brown top is size XL. That made me happy. I know that is still "big," but for a woman who would often wear 2XL, sometimes 3XL (especially if clothes are Philippine-made), having to buy a top at just XL is already an awesome gift I can give to myself.

I am slowly building my closet. Almost all of my old clothes are now big on me, so I really need to start buying new clothes. However, I still have 50lbs to lose, so I take it easy on buying... I sure don't want to say goodbye to clothes that quick as I lose more weight. Well, the clothes aren't that expensive anyway (just less than p200), so even if I can only use it for a short time, I feel I still got my money's worth.

Sharing the last part of questions from Tense Teacher of Tense for a Reason for Sunday Stealing.

36. Have you watched American Horror Story?
> Nope.

37. Baseball hat or toque?
> I'd go for a toque... I'm more of a foodie than a sportsperson.

38. Do you shampoo or soap up first in the shower?
> I shampoo my hair first.

39. Wet the toothbrush or brush dry with the toothpaste?
> Dry toothbrush with the toothpaste, then I run water on it before putting it in my mouth.

40. Pen or pencil?
> Pen.

41. Have you ever gambled at a casino?
> Not yet... come to think of it, I haven't entered a casino yet.

42. Have you thrown up on a plane?
> Not yet.

43. Have you thrown up in a car?
> Yep.

44. Have you thrown up at work?
> Just one time - I was so sick that time, but I had to report for work.

45. Do you scream on roller coasters?
> Oh yes.

46. How many shoes do you have?
> One pair of running shoes, two pairs of sandals, three pairs of flip flops.

47. Who was your first roommate?
> Technically, it was my nanny. Hahaha.

48. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk for the first time?
> Oh... drunk is a word I haven't felt/experienced yet. I can drink a lot, but I don't get drunk.

49. What was your first job?
> I was part of the production team for a comedy/gag show on TV.

50. What was your first car?
> I haven't bought one yet.

51. When did you go to your first funeral?
> My paternal grandmother's funeral - I was only 1 year old that time.

52. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown?
> 19.

53. Who was your first grade teacher?
> Mrs. Vita. Her first name I can't recall anymore.


54. Where did you go on your first airplane ride?
> I went to Bohol with K - November 2008.

55. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?
> I didn't do this.

56. Who was your first best friend and are you still friends with them?
> My best friend is Ahdz, and yes we are still very great friends.

57. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents’ house?
> La Union.

58. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
> Now, it's Mr. Pipoy.

59. Whose wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsmen?
> My parents' 25th wedding anniversary - they renewed their vows, and mom chose me as her bridesmaid.

60. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
> Thank God for a brand new day.

61. What was the first concert you attended?
> Hanson's "Underneath World Tour" circa 2004. I hope to watch their upcoming concert here in Manila this coming March - I still don't have a ticket for it.

62. First tattoo or piercing?
> I only have the typical ear piercing. Tattoo, I have yet to have.

63. First celebrity crush?
> Tom Hanks.

Cheers to us thieves!