Happy to know you're okay now, Bud! So okay... time to do Sunday Stealing (which is Monday for me, haha) again. This week, it's all about the Seven Deadly Sins, and here are my answers:

1 - Pride. Seven great things about yourself.
> I know how to empathize.
> I know I have good looking hands (and soft, too).
> I am very resilient.
> I can get by on simple things.
> I know I can cook good food.
> I do believe I am good with photography.
> I love with all my heart - and that I am very faithful, too.



2 - Envy. Seven things you lack and covet.
> A DSLR camera.
> A good body figure.
> Big, fat bank account that will allow me to travel anywhere in my country.
> A boyfriend.
> Skills in editing pictures.
> My own blog domains.
> A scrapbook room.

3 - Wrath. Seven things that piss you off.
> People who treats you good when you're with them, yet stabs you in the back when you're not around.
> People who ride the coattails of other people - those who can't make their own mark and do their own ways. In a way, I could include copycats to this, too.
> People who had the nerves to point out bad things about people yet can't see they were the same as well.
> People who gets angry when I can't help them with something... what's the point of them getting angry when they were just asking for help?
> Negative people. Oh geez... this sucks up all my energy.
> People who uses the name of other people to appear cool.
> People who loves their names to be recognized after giving a donation.

4 - Sloth. Seven things you neglect to do.
> Cleaning my room.
> Right now... my nails. I didn't bring my manicure kit, and my Aunt doesn't have any.
> Taking care of myself.
> Recognizing my talents.
> Recognizing how good of a person I am.
> Read my books.
> Edit the pictures I took.

5 - Greed. Seven worldly material desires.
> Money!
> Home entertainment system.
> DSLR Camera with all the lenses and accessories.
> Car.
> Gym equipments.
> Oven.
> Scrapbook materials I can't get ahold of.

6 - Gluttony. Seven guilty pleasures.
> Corn chips with mayo dip.
> Cakes.
> Spaghetti in Cream Sauce with a cup of hot coffee latte.
> Bacon.
> Chicken.
> Chicharon (pork rind cracklings)
> Mountain Dew.

7 - Lust. Seven love secrets.
> I guess I will just keep it a secret. I don't like to divulge much about my love life.



Cheers to us thieves!

*** Jenn ***

This week has been hectic for me... I am so thankful I was able to take this picture after dinner. :)




08|52. Nourish.

I was born into a poor family, and growing up I have experienced asking my parents if they could buy some foods, but end up so sad because they would tell me they couldn't afford it, or that we should buy something much important. Quite hard to believe because I have always been fat, but the thing is that, even if the family couldn't afford certain things back then, I have always been the person who never loses her appetite.

My late father said he never liked skinny kids. He would try his best to feed us good foods so we would be healthy. When we were still young, my brother was actually so skinny, my dad said he felt guilty seeing his son that skinny. On the other hand, I was the one who would eat whatever was on the table - except okra and liver. My parents could feed me dried fish, and I would eat it with gusto. When daddy cooked, he would ask us to eat as much as we could, because if we don't he would feel bad and would take it on him thinking he didn't serve good dish.

Up until now, I still have the appetite. I still take pleasure in everything I eat... that I even called my food blog, "I Live to Eat!" I am not a glutton... I just love food! :)

Of course, now I am reaping the bad effects of my appetite. Weighing more than 200lbs., I really should take focus on losing weight. Well, I am jogging most days in a week... but as difficult it is to admit, I still cannot give up food. Food is something that nourishes us, but it is also something that can poison us. I realize, too much nourishment is turning into a poison for me.

I already gave it up to the Lord. I already sought His help, asking Him to give me more encouragement to lose weight. Of course, all work is on me...and as soon as I let go of the "Fatty Jenn," that's when the transformation begins.

*** Jenn ***

Sharing something before I go write about something that made me happy:


Last weekend was the Singles for Christ ICon (International Conference), which was held in Camarines Sur. Brother and I weren't able to attend because of financial reasons, but anyway, one of the brothers shared this video in his Facebook wall saying it was something shared at the conference... and watching it I was really touched knowing messages are just around out, we just have to have keen eyes and understanding to learn about it.

Anyway, on with my post...


20 February 2011

It was a Sunday, and time to jog with sis again. Ria had already talked to me the previous day saying she would join us, but Sunday morning, sister said she couldn't come because she was having a mild asthma attack. It was actually a good thing that she didn't come because it was so cold that morning, the wind was actually burning our skins as we walked.

Ria and I jogged whenever we pleased, stopping every now and then to catch our breath. I wasn't able to jog that much, though, because I brought my camera, and my focus seemed to be what to take pictures of. That was Ria walking... I took this picture after I took a picture of some grass. She said she will just continue walking, and when I walked to catch up, I noticed the wonderful cloud formation that looked like fireworks, so I decided to take a picture of it. This, I think, is my favorite picture from last week.


Last Friday, while I was jogging here with my sister, I saw a Passiflora (Passion Vine Flower), and back then I told myself I'd take a picture of the flower again the next time I bring my camera, and I did. :)




Rewind to a few minutes ago... when we entered the bare subdivision, real estate agents handed us some fliers about the place and told us the clubhouse is now looking beautiful, and while walking, Ria saw a building from afar and asked if we could walk and find it. We were already near the clubhouse when somebody shouted my name. When I looked to the other lane, I saw one of my high school classmates... well, he wasn't just a classmate, he was actually my biggest high school crush, and it was just amazing to see that he still remembered me even if the last time we saw each other was during high school graduation. Well, he is not a crush anymore, and there was no spark when I saw him, but of course, it just feels great to see an old crush.

Biggest happiness I guess would have to be the jogging sessions I have made. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you may have probably notice I have been talking about the morning jog with sister and Ria. I am happy that I have found a great reason to get fit again. I did gain a lot of weight after my holiday with K last November, and I really, really have to get slim because my mom gifted me with a swimsuit for Christmas, and it would be such a shame if I won't use it. I hope by October this year I could fit into it.

*** Jenn ***

ps - My sister and I went to the market this afternoon, and as usual, we had a cone each of soft ice cream. I felt a little guilty saying I may be jogging and walking, but I think I still am gaining weight because I couldn't control my food intake. My appetite is just overwhelming, but sister told me "at least you're jogging and walking." I realized it really is much better to jog and walk and eat... rather than eat without jogging and walking.

Also, when we got home, the nannies working in our neighbors said I am already losing weight. At first I don't know if they just said that to uplift my spirit, or to spark a conversation... but one of them did tell me "just continue doing what you're doing, you'll reach your goal." It was very touching to hear comforting, uplifting words from people around, and yes, I do grab the compliment with both hands and keep it in my heart.

Aja!

My sister and I are already excited about our upcoming trip. As always, it would be a budget trip for us, but we will try to visit as much places as our pocket money would allow. She is very excited about attending her first Panagbenga Festival, so we would be traveling to Baguio City first before we head to La Union, where we will stay until the 5th of March, then we would travel to the province of Abra before heading home. Traditionally, I would travel to Vigan City, but I also have a Bucket List to work on, so I decided to visit a new place for this vacation.

I am also excited about this trip, because aside from the chance of setting foot in a new province, my cousin Mhai also told me we would check out the sights in the town of San Gabriel in La Union... another first for me. I am already claiming victory. :)

Like what I always do whenever I embark on a trip, I list down places I plan to visit, to give myself a sense of direction. Doing so also allows me to search about the places online, giving me some knowledge what sights to take pictures of. Here is what I have written in my little notebook:

Baguio / Benguet:

• Panagbenga 2011 Grand Street Parade
  
• Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
• Bell Tower
• Food Trip: Oh Mai Khan or PNKY Cafe
• Strawberry Fields - La Trinidad, Benguet
• Baguio City Public Market

Sister and I hoped to eat at Cafe by the Ruins, but seeing their menu online we found out it was a bit expensive, so checking the others, we found out the foods at Oh Mai Khan and PNKY Cafe are a bit right on the pocket, so we will go there. I so hope to visit Camp John Hay, too, but given the time frame, I don't think we can anymore.

La Union

• Burgos Church (Burgos)
  
• Lon-Oy Falls (San Gabriel)
• Tangadan Falls (San Gabriel)
• Luna Church (Luna)
• Pebble Beach / Baluarte (Luna)
• La Union Electric Parade (San Fernando)
• Trade Fair (San Fernando)
• Thunderbird Resorts (San Fernando)
• Food Trip - Midway Grill (San Fernando), Happy Tummy (San Fernando)
• Paratong Beach (Bacnotan)
• Bee Farm (Bacnotan)
  

I still have to update this as my sister and I are still trying to find more places to see.

Abra:

• St. James the Elder Cathedral
• San Lorenzo Ruiz Shrine
• Agtangao Church
• Abra Capitol or the Capitolio
• Ancestral Houses
• Partuat ti Abra
• Calaba River Beach/Calaba Riverside
• Sinalang River
• Beaches along Palao

All of these were located in Bangued. Since we will travel here from La Union and will stay the whole day and taking the night trip back to Manila, we plan to leave our luggage in the Viron Transit terminal, like what I always do when I am in Vigan City. Their terminal is in Bangued, so might as well just stay within the city limits.

Of course, I know there is a risk that sister and I might not even see one or two of these places, but at least we have a guide. It's much better for us to know where to go to than be lost in the big world.

A little problem I have, though... while eating last Sunday, mom talked to sis and I about her recent day out with friends. She mentioned about walking around the Quezon Memorial Circle and she told us there is now a weekend market there, too. She encouraged us to go there this coming weekend, but I told her we will be in Baguio City this weekend. Mom knew daddy's death anniversary is on the March 5th, so she suggested we travel to her hometown in Bolinao, Pangasinan right after the Panagbenga Festival and stay with our Aunt Jo even for two days because they have been asking us to come there and do a vacation, too.

Personally, I think it would be just fine... I am always up for traveling (it's something I don't get tired doing), but I do find it difficult to do. Traveling from Baguio to Tarlac then Tarlac to Pangasinan seemed something my sister is not up to do... then traveling from Pangasinan to La Union seemed to be wallet straining. I told my sister it would be okay for me to go to Pangasinan - this seemed to be a good chance for her to see the Lighthouse and the Patar Beach (and a good chance for me to see the Rock Formations and a re-visit to Enchanted Cave), but somehow I still don't know if we could fit it in the schedule.

I told mom I would think about it, but if we can't fit it into our schedule, we might travel there after dad's death anniversary, we will just then go back to La Union from Abra then travel to Pangasinan the next day.

*** Jenn ***

First up, I would like to wish Bud Weiser a speedy recovery. I hope everything will be alright in the days to come.




1. Make a list of 5 things that you can see without getting up:
> Our television, electric fan, my camera, my cell phone, and my netbook of course.

2. How do you style your hair?
> I just comb it. I don't really style my hair.

3. What are you wearing now?
> My rosy pink colored spaghetti strapless blouse, red colored pedal shorts, and my black flip flops. Obviously, I am also wearing underwear. Hahaha.

4. What's your occupation?
> I am a freelance writer.

5. What do you hear right now?
> Korean actors talking to each other... my sister's watching a Korean soap opera DVD entitles, "Temptation of Wife."

6. Who was the last person you hugged?
> My sister.

7. What is/was for dinner?
> For dinner tonight we will cook Milkfish in Sour Broth... last night we had Yard-Long Beans Adobo.

8. What did you do today?
> Helped sister with preparing her Siomai, also went to the market to buy some things for dinner tonight.


9. Dog person or cat person?
> Very much a cat person.

10. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?
> I have come to love my full name now, so I don't think I would like to change my name... but since you asked "If I HAVE to," then I guess I'd like to go for "Jeneane."

11. What was the last thing that you bought?
> Veggies (squash, onions, swamp cabbage) and pork.

12. If you could afford to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
> India. I want to see to experience their culture.

13. Where do you see yourself in five years?
> At home with my future husband.

14. Where's your birthmark?
> I have one near my right jaw

15. What are you doing this weekend?
> Watch the grand street parade of the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City.

16. Which book are you reading at the moment?
> "The Best Life Diet" by Bob Greene


17. The last movie you've seen?
> "Julie and Julia" on VCD.

18. What are you doing tomorrow?
> Jog with sister in the morning.

*** Jenn ***

While reading Cynthia's post about this prompt, I started thinking if I have my own "orange chair." I have none, so I just took a picture using one of the (big) chairs in the house.



07|52. Chair.

I was 11 years old when my parents decided to expand the house. Soon after, they started changing the furniture in the house, and since one of their friends from work (who lives in the same neighborhood) had a furniture business, they decided to buy from them. This Cleopatra chair was one of the last they bought - they bought the sofa set first (all made from narra wood) - but when mom saw this on the catalog, she immediately loved it and bought two. Well, just two because it was actually big, and our living room can only accommodate two. Growing up, I love to watch TV shows sitting on this chair, trying to recline as much as I could (using the chair as a very small bed - haha). Back breaking, but somehow it made TV watching more pleasurable.

Now that I am over 200lbs., watching TV in that position was way too difficult to do. Also, since I have my futon in the living room, I can just lie while watching TV, so somehow I don't get to sit in that chair anymore.

*** Jenn ***

If you happen to follow my posts for Nostalgia, you have already read that I quit college right after third year. It actually took me five long semesters before I went back to school... reason being: I fell in love and had my very first boyfriend in 2001, and I realized I wanted to go back to school. We met in May 2001... too late for me to process my papers, so I went back second semester of that school year.

I learned from the past that it was better to enroll in the same class as much as possible, but because it was the second semester and that not all subjects are the same based on my own curriculum (there were changes with the subjects offered), I ended up getting subjects from different classes. It was difficult to be the "outsider," but I was lucky to have made friends from different classes.

For my Comm Educ class, I enrolled in the 4th year, section one. The only "friend" I had there was Robert, also an irregular student. Early 2002, the class went on a field trip to then Philippine High School for the Arts, and while waiting for the bus to arrive, I got to talk to Juvy and Gay, two close friends who were irregular students, too. They sat at the back row of the class, and since I seated on the second row, it was the first time I interacted with them. They have another friend - Adeli, and since us four were irregular students, we decided to sit next to each other at the bus.

It was amazing how I got to bond with them almost instantly. I only got to "meet" them that time, yet it felt as if I have been friends with them for a long time. The school was located atop Mt. Makiling, so we had to hike up. At first it was just fine, but 15 minutes of hiking uphill mixed with altitude is making me sweat cold. Good thing the school's service passed by and asked us to ride. Such a life saver! :)

Gay was the only one who had a camera, and since Robert called himself "the Director," he took our pictures in different locations. It was really fun.

The picture in this post is the scanned copy of a scrapbook layout I created in 2007 (click HERE if you want to see the bigger version). It was a 2-page 12x12 spread using papers and embellishments given to me by an ex-boyfriend and some friends in the scrapbooking circle.

Yes, it was really nice to be back in school again.

*** Jenn ***