Mini rant

As a single person, one of the most annoying comments I get about my status is, "Why don't you have a boyfriend?" Well, why the heck not? Boyfriends, especially the good kind, don't grow on trees after all. And it's not like I'm not trying to meet new people and do new things.

Whatever God's plans are for me and my son, I know it will be for my good. He knows what He's doing.

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Exploring crossfit

Soon after I discovered running, I learned the value of cross-training. I learned that a strong core is essential to becoming a strong runner. One thing led to another and after some research, I came across some tumblr blogs talking about crossfit and how it helps them run strong. At that time I knew we didn't have anything like that in the country but eventually, some months ago, I heard that a box had just opened somewhere in Libis. Then I found out that it's just walking distance from the office... what are the chances, right? It must be a sign.

However, it took a long time before I finally signed up for a trial because I was just too chicken. I used to go to a regular gym years ago, and I knew that crossfit is anything but regular. Anyway, when I finally signed up, I managed to convince my brother-in-law to have a trial as well. So last Saturday afternoon we went and spent the most intense 15 minutes of our lives.

After a quick warmup, the trainer walked us through the workout: 7 reps each of wall balls, pull-ups, box jumps, and burpees for as many rounds as we can in 15 minutes. Sounds simple enough, right? Simple, yes. Easy? No. And man was it tough. I almost gave up after just 2 rounds. But somehow, thanks to one of the guys there who never stopped pushing and motivating me, I managed to do 4 rounds. During those 15 minutes, all I was focused on was getting it done. There was no room in my brain to think of anything else... and THAT's the kind of workout I love. They don't have mirrors there so I didn't waste time checking how I looked and if my hair was ok (I'm a girl like that). And in the end I didn't care anymore what I looked like. Didn't matter that my face was probably red and my tongue was hanging out and I was panting from the exertion. I was just happy to be done.

And so I'll definitely be signing up after I use up those vouchers I bought on dealgrocer. Meanwhile, here's an inspiring video of the recently concluded CrossFit Games 2011.

Confidence

By Patrick Cummings

I am a lifeguard on an ocean of potential

I rescue success from the depths of fatigue,

breathe life back into lungs like arrows from muted tongues

I am both singular and in unison

I can be ignored like cloud cover, sold like medicine

I can be spit out like oil spills and cleaned up like apologies

I am a stray tornado at the bulkhead of your basement breath

and I am wondering if you will let me in

You can tell them later how the radio of your mind came clear

like a car exiting a tunnel,

how standing back up felt like drowning in reverse

When the jackhammer in your chest settles,

tell them how you were pulled back into the boat of possibility,

how you took the oars and you found the shore,

how you listened to the voice inside when I whispered,

"more, more, more"

until I was quiet like satisfaction and still like pride

Celebrating life

I hear it being said so often that it's become one of the most overused cliches about life. But if there's anything that Tin's death has taught me, it's exactly this cliche: Life is short. We blow off invitations to parties and gatherings because we always think that there will be time for all that when our schedules are not too full anymore. But our schedules never do clear up. Our work load never does lighten. And we never get to go to parties, lunches, coffee dates, and reunions. I used to be guilty of this, but since I realized how finite we all are, I've made a conscious effort to not let moments just pass me by without appreciating them.

Today is my son's 6th birthday. Sixth! It doesn't seem like such a long time ago when I was sipping a tall coffee jelly in the recovery room as a reward after having given birth to an 8 lbs 12 oz baby through lamaze (whew!). And now, here he is, little Mr. Marunong. In a few more years he won't let me hug and kiss him in public anymore, so I'm taking advantage of this time to do all that. There are times when I just want to take a mental snapshot of a moment we're having together and store it in my album of memories. I never want to forget.

The Angry Birds cookie pops from Shoppersville were much appreciated

Be free, bestie

Last Monday, Tin went to sleep and never woke up again. She died peacefully, quietly, and I felt that's the way she wanted it. She hated to worry the people around her, especially her family. Rest in peace now, Tin. I will never forget everything you've done for me, and everything you were to me.

From left to right: me, Tin, Pebbles, Net, and Joe

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. - Revelation 21:4

Waging war against breast cancer

This one's for my best friend who has stage 4 breast cancer.

The last time I visited her was sometime in June, and she looked great -- nice skin color, pink lips, healthy-looking hair -- she even had the energy to make little jokes. Her mom told me that they were about to start radiation and chemo therapy and I'd had such high hopes that she'd be able to pull through.

I hadn't been able to visit her until today and I was shocked at the change during that one month that I hadn't seen her. She looked shrunken and tired, and her beautiful, shiny long hair was gone. She had on a breathing apparatus and she couldn't talk but she would nod or speak with her eyes when she responded. I had to stop myself from crying when I approached her, and now that I'm writing about it I have to stop the tears again.

There are moments during certain days when I remember her and I feel like giving in and bursting into tears. I'm having such a hard time dealing with it, accepting it. It doesn't seem real. It doesn't seem possible that someone as young as her could suffer from something so horrible. She just got married barely two years ago and they were trying to have a baby. It's unfair. She's such a good person - one of the best people I know.

Despite everything though, her spirit remains intact. There's been an outpouring of prayers, love and support for her and her family. That won't stop until she gets stronger and better. I'm hopeful. God is faithful and nothing is impossible with Him.

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