Live More

A much needed morning run reminded me that life is indeed, very good.

So far, this summer has been one filled with many transitions not the least of which is my transition into the for-profit business world. Long hours and an upcoming busy travel schedule has stumped my ability to squeeze in some physical activity but when I do, I am GRATEFUL.

The Ann Arbor hills were reminiscent of life's many ups and downs. With each painful hill, I enjoyed the thrill of the climb and the satisfaction of reaching the top. The downhills restful though, ephemeral. And in between the two, the flats forced notice to my breathing and the crunching of the trail beneath me.

Blue skies, rich, green trees and I noted yet another existential run...

My Endless Love

Day two in the Philippines and I decide to drag myself out of bed at 5:45am and squeeze in a quick run before it got too hot. At 82 degrees Fahrenheit, it was balmy, to say the least.

Prepared for another appeal to my spiritual side, I sank deep into thought about theism and its possible role in my life. My airplane reading material was a dense book on Tibetan Buddhism. Determined to explore more ways to temper my penchant for anxiety and seemingly endless quest for staying centered, I figured, apart from running what the hell else can I do to relax my racing mind?!? ;)

This morning, I was reminded of the power of comedy.

Along the Marikina riverbank, I came across a father and his two sons. Slim and fit, Dad ran along side one son and pushed the other along. Each was 'healthy' and the older son was NOT so thrilled about the forced outing. He kept falling behind and I decided to run with him (see below, the boy in the blue shirt)



To be sure, the sight of this father and his two sons was comedy in and of itself. But instead of sharing a private laugh and moving along, I asked the father where they planned on meeting ending their run and that I would just meet him there with his son. It probably wasn't the best idea to leave his son alone with the likes of someone like me, but ever the trusting Filipino man, he did.

Me: So, let's just jog, ok? And feel free to walk whenever you're tired. Sound ok?
Boy: I hate running.
Me: I don't blame you, I didn't like it too much either when I was your age. Do you play any sports?
Boy: No.
Me: Hmm, wanna switch iPods? Either that or we can just chat if you'd like...
Boy: My god, you're so white. Why are you out running?? You'll get dark!
Me: *rolls eyes*

Before I hand over my iPod, I switch it up to one of my favorite playlists...an old school Rocky and other random hip hop playlist that gets the heart pumping. Here kid, I think to myself, if this doesn't get your ass movin' I don't know what will!

Meanwhile, when I throw on his headphones, I discover a dark truth: this kid has been hanging out with too many Karaoke crazed, middle aged Filipinos. He was listening to non other than MY ENDLESS LOVE! When I look at him, he eeks out a grin and asks, "what"?

All I could do was laugh at the audacity of trying to run with such a song. So, I asked the inevitable - Are you listening to My Endless Love because of your girlfriend?!

He responds, "I'm listening to My Endless Love because I don't have a girlfriend...the girl I like doesn't even know I'm alive."

I thought, buck up, kid, you should stay away from us until you're about thirty. Thanks for the good time, though!

By the time I dropped him off, his Dad appeared pretty hell bent on taking me home and introducing me to his eldest son...although I declined the possibility of meeting my endless love, I definitely achieved some semblance of "center" hanging out with my boy in blue!

Leg One

I am happily on my first international trip of 2008...despite the madness of this past weekend and my sleepy droopy eyes, I'm sitting in the O'Hare airport sipping coffee and reveling in my upcoming 5 week vacation. That's right, kids: 5 weeks.

This blog has been empty of entries for the past four months and the fact that I have taken a job in the private sector starting on June 2nd should basically say it all. I am in a wonderful phase of transition and I am embracing the change.

Stay tuned for updates...even running ones! I'm planning on running the Dexter Ann Arbor again on June 1st, hopefully injury free :)


Cheers to sass and cocktails :)

The New Year

2007 has come and gone quickly, as usual. It's been a year that I can sum up, however, with many learning moments on career choices, academics, parenthood and love -- all of which I hope to build on in the new year.

In 2007 Anna started pre-school, visited the Philippines for the first time and is growing into a loving, affectionate and clever (albeit very feisty) toddler. Her dream in 2008 is to begin pursuing her dream to be a 'ballereeeeeeeena.'

We have cherished the opportunity this year has given us to be near family; Anna has grown to adore her Tito, Tita and Lolo among many others including my close friends here in Ann Arbor and afar. I continue to be thankful for the loving community of people that surround us - a community, without which, I am sure life would be less enjoyable and definitely, more difficult.

I started running again in 2007 - I ran in a few 5Ks, ran the Ann Arbor Dexter 10K for the first time, and then of course, the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. The fall term, and other issues interfered with the consistency my training, but I'm learning to be ok with these dry spells. Such is life, and there is nothing stopping me from picking up and running again.

Now, of course, after the holidays I've got a little extra junk in my trunk but do not regret for one second, the 2.5 week vacation / lazy-ing around with Anna and eating YUMMY food, catching up on movies missed and a few nights out with my brother and old friends as a reward (as well as a much needed recuperation) from a difficult fall season.

I have much to look forward to in 2008. I'm going to diligently plan vacations, start a very exciting career in the private sector (whoooaaaa), run a few more races and spend more time with family and friends. I am most thankful for Anna of course, and the love that continues to grow exponentially, just when I think I couldn't love her any more.

Happy New Year to all!!

Radio Silence

I have been a weekend runner for the past 2 to 3 weeks (it pains me to type it). Unfortunately, the reasons for this are also the reasons why I don't have much time to update this blog and revel in my fitness level.

My last run was over a week ago on an early and cold Monday morning around my neighborhood. A nice 3-miler at an 8:40 minute mile. Not too shabby. Since I've been sick all week, however, I'm pretty sure my next run will be painful.

Meanwhile, I'm in the throws of life in the ivory tower. I'm looking forward to the upcoming holiday when I get to meet up with some very dear old friends AND host Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever. Wish me luck! And of course, I will be squeezing in the requisite Turkey Trot in there.

Happy running to all of you out there!

Peace and hair grease.

A Moment of Respite

It's been hard to get those miles in, but the good news is that when I do, I'm loving my runs. I'm loving those moments when I can sink into a rhythm with mind and body working in tandem. Lately, it's been difficult for me to remain undisturbed by the tumult of life's events...at least this is not so when I run.

This long Fall Break weekend has been a much needed mental break and opportunity to treat my body to food (bad, I know) and some physical activity. I'm sitting in a coffee shop and using a second morning in a row to get ahead on some work and mentally erase the trauma of last week's exams.

I went to a display of homes in the area called Homerama and I was unrelenting in my critiques of the suburban, borderline pretentious homes that I have little desire to live in. But I suppose this is not the place to bash on the Desperate Housewives culture...though maybe it is; sign this petition if you haven't already.

I watched Michael Clayton, played tennis and ran the trails. It's been heavenly. But ohhh the trails. Went out on a quick three miler on the trails in First Landing State Park and it was so incredibly refreshing. I felt like a care-free child kid hoping over roots and bounding up and over the hills...

It's a Tall Order...

Logging a big fat ZERO miles last week explains much of my misery.

But no more.

It's a tall order, but I'm back on track and ran my scheduled 5-miler today at an easy 9:30 pace. It was overcast, cool and drizzly and it felt so good to let my mind wander and sweat away the day to day anxieties of a young woman unable to stay zen about Financial Mathematics. Seriously, what the eff am I doing?

Worried about jobs, staying sane for Anna, and possibly more school, it is imperative that I get those miles in. It's amazing how an investment of less than 60 minutes can yield such calm...hell, things don't seem so hectic right now. *sip coffee*

And you know what else I did? Pilates (pronounced PIE-LATES in my world ;). And that felt great too. I think this is the greatest fitness video (right).

Hangin' in there until October 13th.

Until I complete three midterms.

And vacation for 4 WHOLE DAYS!!! Thanks for the fall break UofM!! You're the greatest school EVER.

GO BLUE!