Oh July, you fly by so fast

1. After having a cough for three weeks, finally I'm free. Ever since I got sick, I've been religiously taking multivitamins and iron supplement to boot. I have changed meds twice before i finally went to the doctor. Tough times, baby, tough times. I just had the courage to go to Medical City because there was this one time, my cough was so unending that everybody was already asking me if I needed water which is unnecessary because I have been hydrating every two minutes or so. I hurriedly went to the bathroom because i realized i was making a scene already. I tried hard to cough out the phlegm but I couldn't get it out and I end up vomiting what I ate. sorry for the yuckiness. But after that day, I just said, what the heck I have medicard anyway. What is it to be scared about? So the next day, I bravely went to the doctor. The doctor said he couldn't hear any obstruction from my lungs. I had chest xray which turned out to be normal. He advised me to take anti-histamine instead of my usual cough meds. Surprisingly, after two days, my cough is gone. I can breathe clearly now. It was just an allergy. I couldn't be any happier now. 

After several weeks of that tormenting cough, honestly I got to a point where it was so frustrating already because I know I have been living a healthier lifestyle unlike before. An officemate advised me weeks ago to ask the doctor about it because  I had the cough even after a week of taking antibiotics. And she told me about her former officemate who just learned about his illness during their APE because he was not minding his cough and lost of weight. Well, thanks for the pep talk my friend. That got me more scared than ever. I swear I was convinced, I have a serious illness and that I would die soon.  So I got scared of going to the doctor because I don't know how I could act and live normally knowing the fact that I'm dying. I told myself, if I were really dying, I would like to live as normal as possible. I'd rather die not knowing the truth. I was scared because I know I would be really really sad and my loved ones would be sad too. So I'd rather have the unknown than having people get pity about my condition. Well, what was i thinking right? Soooooo dramatic. Too much of being a literature major. Blah! 
Lesson: It's better to know the truth. 

2. I'm juggling things as of the moment. I have classes for my MA and another for learning Spanish. It feels nice knowing you're being productive and making use of your youth wisely. Last weekend, Rommel was asking me what do I really want in life because it seems like I am tiring myself too much. Sweet baby, don't worry because I am really having the time of my life. I'm happy learning! He said something like, (in translation) Yeah, if you weren't enjoying it I know you'd be complaining right now. But I'm not hearing any complains and I can see you working really hard for it. *wink* True, I'm a bit whiny sometimes. 
Lesson: Do something you enjoy. Enjoy what you do. 

Pototoy. In the name of good vibes and cuteness overload. Can't help but smile. 

Why We Love Biking

I wish I could express eloquently the bliss brought by biking to my lifestyle and to my beloved. At first, we just wanted to have some recreational activity where we can bond. We have tried mixed martial arts which only lasted for several weeks. I even bought my own boxing gloves. It was a bit expensive for me. My budget cannot give me the luxurious lifestyle i wanted. So after that, we tried doing fun run. But it was also a failure because I really suck at it and my beau cannot enjoy it because he had to wait for me all the time.

Finally, we found the love of our lives (aside from coco, of course); the activity that would suit our personality.

Here are the top reasons why we love it so much as a couple:
1. It's a good exercise;
2. We get to reach farther distance;
3. We get to talk, laugh and sing while biking;
4. We get to be on the same pace;
5. We learn new things (i.e. changing the tire);
6. We meet a lot of new people;
7. We don't feel haggard or pressured;
8. We're always excited to get new things for our bike;
9. We just couldn't help ourselves but be happy;
10. Great endorphin booster that's why we're happy all the time.

At Moa Complex near Solaire. 

Luneta Park at around 5am-6am. 

Manila Cathedral. Intramuros, Manila. 

Mall of Asia Parking Lot.

Visita Iglesia

The view. This is the church near Mall of Asia after the procession. 

Yesterday, I officially turned 24. Yay! Nothing spectacular just love and serenity. 

Since this year, my birthday falls on a Holy Friday, we decided to do Visita Iglesia by biking. Last year, I was at home with my family. Rommel and I went to underground subterranean park. This is the second time we are observing this tradition. 

Literally, Visita Iglesia means church visit. It is a custom of the Roman Catholics to visit seven churches because seven as they say is a significant number to the church. I know that Visita Iglesia is traditionally observed on a Maundy Thursday but since I have work, we chose to do it on a Friday night instead. 

Parked Bikes. We just stayed outside the church. 

I hope we could make this our yearly tradition. Traditions are nice. Somehow it creates a special bond with your partner and it makes the custom itself more meaningful. 

Paco Park. Feeling so brave being able to cross a crowded street. 

Just three weeks ago, I would really panic whenever I hear a car coming. Now, I can can really feel that I am in control of my bike. I can maneuver sporadically. I feel like I'm such a bad-ass. *queue electric guitar* 

Adamson Church. This is sentimental to me because i used to go to this church to hear the mass when I was in college. So, after N years, here I am. 

This is actually an achievement for us both because this route has been the longest we've driven since the bikes were bought. I am so happy and fulfilled. Of course, I have Rommel to thank for that. We had to rush back home because he still has to work afterwards. 

Tired smile. love.love.love. 

Overdrive

Yay to our new hobby/extra-curricular activity/bonding/love. 

Along Macapagal Ave. 

Saturday

Rommel just came from a graveyard shift and I also didn't have enough sleep for waking up too early because i wanted to show off the new skill i learned which is curling my hair (it didn't last long enough though). We went straight to their home because we wanted to save up our energy for the most awaited bicycle we wanted. 

2 pm: at robinsons place manila 

We couldn't sleep (as in kating-kati na mga paa namin). Stan (from Bicycle World) texted us that our bikes would be ready at around 4pm so we strolled around first and took some picture with the cosplayers. We were both hyper and super excited that having coffee wasn't enough so we eventually decided to watch Jack the Giant Slayer to pass time. 

After the film, we went straight ahead to Pasay. As soon as we procured the bike, I realized how scary it would be to ride the bike home considering the number and types of vehicle (i.e. jeepneys, cars, bus) that pass through Gil Puyat Ave. I haven't ridden a bike in a loooooong time and i'm not even an expert to begin with. I am the biggest coward of the cowards. Everytime I would hear a vehicle coming, I automatically panic. I almost crashed on a brand new car. It was really scary! The owner kept on checking for scratches around it. Arrrrgghhh! I was so afraid. 

(Top right-Bottom Left) 1.Rommel with a Cosplay Artists 2.i don't know her 3.Me at Coffee Bean 4.The giant catching another giant. 

Up close and personal with our bikes. 

Sunday

3 am: at CCP Complex 

Again, we couldn't get it our of heads. I kept on dreaming about bicycles. Haha! I remember blurting out to Rommel with my eyes half open...

me: puro mga bike panaginip ko. 

estong: ako din e. tara bike na tayo.

So after eating in a nearby Tapsilogan, we drove off to CCP at 3 in the morning. And since there were very few vehicles, i became a little braver. 

They see me rollin', i hate 'em... 

Upon arriving, we laid on the grass just for fun. The camera's flash killed our moment so I edited our picture with me as grumpy cat.

We actually wanted to go to Mall of Asia but there was an ongoing Fun Run and we were not allowed to go through. 

Two heads are better than none. hehe. 

We had a stop over at Petron Station because i had to pee and it has started drizzling. Given the weather, i took a little nap while waiting for the rain to stop. Yes, I was that exhausted and my butt really hurts already. 

Just some parked bike getting gasoline??? hehe... 

Had some quick panini and tea latte at starbucks. 

When the rain finally stopped and I got to restore my energy, we decided to go home. 

Pumo-pose para kunyari professional biker. 

Sya din daw bida. 

***

Thanks for the early birthday gift babe! <3 data-blogger-escaped-i=""> 

On running

This one is mine.

As an effort to stay fit and healthy, Project 2013 includes activities for the heart. I already enrolled in Mixed Martial Arts last December and this year I promise myself to join Fun Runs. For the past couple of weeks, I've been jogging around CCP Complex at 4am during Sundays depending on the weather. 

It's extra effort because it's really cold and it's difficult to get up in the morning. It's advisable to have company so you have someone to push you to your limits. Especially for someone like me who's very lazy plus the fact that I easily get tired.