June Challenge | Read One Chapter Daily

The 2014 monthly challenge resumes! I understand that reading one chapter of a book seems hardly a challenge at all but it has been for me in the past years. Back in high school, I will gladly devour a book especially fiction or any Jane Austen-y type things. However, I've stopped reading regularly for a while now. Instead of blaming my job and other duties, I will admit that I just haven't made time for it. In any case, here's my update:

The book I chose to read this month is Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. I find that it is most relevant to what I am doing, trying to keep a resolution for the entire year. Through this book, I learned:

1. To stop being apologetic about who I am. This means feeling okay about loving romantic Korean TV series or not having to pretend to enjoy beer. This also means not having to worry about enjoying the same music as some friends enjoy.

2. That it is my duty to myself and to others to pursue happiness. I knew this subconsciously even then. I knew that if I was cranky and full of self-loathing that I wouldn't be able to be as kind to others as I ought to be.

3. My productivity greatly matters to me and my self-esteem. I know I start this downward spiral if I feel that I haven't done anything during the day. I feel irritated and annoyed at myself for not working enough. Knowing that, I should strive each and every day not to be busy but to be productive.

4. I should set a time to withdraw and when to spend time with others. Being alone makes me happy. I love spending time with myself eating or cooking at home, reading a book, writing. Yet I'm aware that I should make more time to connect with friends. I've been planning to send them postcards for over a year now and I've never done it. To think, dropping of the mail is so easy here.

5. Voice my appreciation more. I'd like to be less critical and less worried about what people think of me. In the book, the author did mention that critical and negative people appear more intellectual but I am past that phase of wanting to be viewed as intellectual. I never was but I know I'm smart. I don't think I've ever praised myself for that. To voice out my appreciation to myself and to other people, that will be a refreshing change.

This month's challenge was greatly beneficial to me. I can't wait for next month where I have to force myself to read one blog in Italian daily but I'm sure it will make my upcoming trip so much worth it. Til the next challenge!

March Challenge | Of Jabs and Kicks

First of all, I made this my March challenge because I  knew it wouldn't be that hard to accomplish (cheater!). Or so I thought. With my erratic work and travel schedule, I barely made time for one class a week. 

I had been attending Muay Thai sessions since January. It all started as an accident. I signed up for a Poi class (as an attempt to lose a few pounds) and somehow, I ended up in a wrong schedule. Too ashamed to walk out of the session hall, I just went on and gave it a try. At first, all I did felt really awkward. My form was poor and my punches were an embarrassment. But gradually, I got a bit better with it, day after day. After 3 sessions, I got hooked. Who would have thought that this girly-girl would go for something so "macho"? I surprise myself, as well. Personally, I think Muay Thai is for everyone, male or female. It improves physical strength, speed, agility and discipline. In fact, I don't find myself panting after walking up five flights of stairs. I can carry around heavy weights for longer periods of time, as well. And for a girl who always appears to be a weakling , I can throw a straight or a jab like a mean b*tch. (haha.)

I plan to continue with Muay Thai for a few months more. Perhaps, I will throw in yoga a couple times per month, as well. IJ has just talked about it in the previous post and it got me missing yoga once again. :)

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Next Challenge: No fastfood for a month (Oh no!!)

Current situation: I LIVE FOR FASTFOOD. 

Update: I can reach my toes!

March Challenge | Practice Yoga at least 5 times a week.

Results: 

The honest update? I could not consistently practice yoga 5 times a week. How do I feel? Definitely not bad! I had no regular exercise before taking this challenge on except a once-a-week dance rehearsal. Now, I practice yoga 2x per week minimum. There have been times when I did it every other day or three days in a row. Seeing good changes in my body, being more aware of my breathing and posture and waking up better are the few things that have made me look forward to continuing this challenge. And for a girl who has never been flexible, I had a life altering revelation a few days ago that I can finally reach my toes! I was never able to reach my toes.

What's next?

Yoga classes in a studio might take a back seat for now as I am saving for a vacation. I will be continuing my practice with the help of amazing yogis on YouTube. If you have any favourite yoga videos, please share them with us! You can throw in a cardio workout suggestion too!

IJ

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Upcoming April Challenge: Wake up at 6 am

Baseline: Current wake up times are between 6:40-7:10 am

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

WARNING: This place is not recommended for cheapskates just like myself. 'kidding. :)

The last day in Thailand was probably the most expensive one. My sister and I went shopping at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. To get to the docking area (where the boats to the said market were found), we rented a car (THB 5,000.00 all-in for one day). It was an hour and half ride from Bangkok. When we got there, we hopped on a speedboat. The boat ride supposedly cost THB500.00 per head, but we got it as a freebie from our pricey car rental.

We bought some herbal teas and spices. The prices were quite steep and our expert haggling skills were not working well on Thai vendors. We also shelled out for a painting for a price I had never imagined paying for. I thought it was a painful purchase but it was all worthwhile after I met the painter myself.

The ride (and shopping) lasted for an hour. What made us really curious was not the merchandise sold around, but the water we were cruising on. It was definitely murky and questionably sanitary yet it didn't smell stenchy. It made us think how incredible the water/disposal/sewage system was.

If you plan to go Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and if you are a frugal traveler like me, always remember that you're going - not for the unwise shopping spree but - for the experience. Believe me, you won't regret splurging every cent on this one.

First Blog Challenge Accepted.

Funny how I confidently accepted IJ's blog challenge in a heartbeat then suddenly finding myself cowardly thinking twice about it right after. As much as I love tackling challenges like a boss, I have an innate aversion to change. The feeling somehow sprouts from the fact that I learn frustratingly slow and with that, breaking old habits and incorporating new ones are impossible pursuits. Yet almost every wise man (and woman just like IJ) I've met in my life has always reminded me that to become a better version of myself, changes must be made. I'm glad IJ just forced me into doing this by announcing it online. I don't have a choice but to comply, do I? (haha.)

and now that I have come to terms with the need of some changes, I would like to share to you my list. The items may not be considered as "habits". They are important and not-really-important tasks I've been putting off for a very long time. As to why I have chosen to do them, I will explain in my monthly posts. :)

March: Take Muay Thai classes at least twice a week.

April: No fastfood for a month (Oh no!!)

May: Be in the office 10 minutes before the time.

June: Declutter closet and reduce clothes by 15% per week.

July: Social Media Blackout for a month.

August: (fluently) speak 10 Spanish sentences/expressions.

September: Make an investment plan. Implement.

October: Finish a book or two.

November: Make someone happy each week.

December: Travel solo.

Let the challenge begin.

(PS. Yen, I've checked out zenhabits.net and now, I'm hooked! Thanks for sharing this.)

Our First Blog Challenge

Hola everyone! I'm excited to share a blog challenge that I will be asking Honey to do with me. I actually haven't asked so she will know once she reads this post (Hi Hon! Lol). Lately, I have been reading a lot from Leo Babauta's blog, zenhabits.net. Every end of the year, he shares his list of 12 habits that he wants to develop in the coming year. It's like New Year's resolutions only that you focus on one habit every month for "maximum effectiveness" or so he claims. This isn't exactly a new idea but I am greatly inspired by Leo and will certainly be glad to try it nonetheless. I know it's too late for New Year's resolutions but it's never too late for change! Since there is nothing like online bragging to get a kick in the a**, I am sharing my list starting March until December of this year and would like to invite Honey to make and share her own list. We'd be perfect accountability buddies! And just to be really accountable, we should post at least one entry each month about how we are doing (or how we did) with each item on our list. And it can be ANYTHING we want that will help us in any way. What do you think Hon? I know you like challenges so I'm assuming it's a yes. Haha! Here's my list:

1. March:  Practice Yoga at least 5 days a week

2. April: Wake up at 6am on weekdays

3. May: Mindfully listen to someone when conversing

4. June: Read one chapter of a good book daily

5. July: Read one blog entry in Italian daily

6. August: Write one paragraph (10lines) daily

7. September: Eat 1 vegetarian meal daily 

(Okay, seafood and dairy products allowed but no red meat.)

8. October: Declutter for 15 minutes daily

9. November: Meditate 10 minutes daily

10. December: Know one Japanese character daily

The Grand Palace+Wat Pho

Fascinating architecture at the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It was undeniably amazing, no kidding, even bordering on flashy (haha!). But then, I could not help but feel alienated with all the grandeur. I guess I was looking for a familiar sight or something, anything I could relate to. There was none.

Strolling along the majestic structure, with swarms of tourists, did not stop me from being lonely and homesick. Bangkok was a festive and exciting spectacle. I know I said it was love at first serving of pad thai, but the Philippines - with its raw beauty and warm, funny people - would always be my first great love. #itsmorefuninthephilippines pa rin!