First-Timer

Early this morning, I had to experience something new. Something I have been preparing for a bit in the past two weeks. I'm not really a health buff or a "runner" so to speak. Last year, my boyfriend joined a lot of "fun runs". He'd usually ask me to join but I begged off since I really hate waking up very early and I do not like to jog/run alone. I know we'll be going together to the event but his pacing is much faster than mine so I'd still be left out.

A few weeks ago, my office-mate encouraged us to join this local fun run by LGUs (Philhealth and DOH). I signed up for it because most of my workmates were signing up so I thought It'd be fun if all of us went. Since I do not really know what to expect, I had to train myself to run long distance few weeks before the event. I used to practice jog/run but I usually have problems in keeping up with everyone else's pace and I do not really push myself harder. If I felt like I was a little tired, I'd give up. I had to train my endurance and strength for this event. I actually had no plans of winning, all I wanted to do was to finish it.

My race bib which I instagrammed. 

Everyday or thrice a week, our site engineer and I would practice running/jogging after work. The construction site is a good place to practice since there are slopes and your limits would be tested in terms of body strength and endurance. We'd usually go for a few rounds. I'd complete from 1,500km to 3, 500km, depending on my condition, as well as the weather. Last week, I had to inject a few body conditioning just so I know until when I can push myself. I added skipping rope, crunches, and a few stretching here and there as well as weights exercises. I get to sweat so much more and feel great after.

Come race time, I still do not feel 100% ready but I just told myself that I'm there for the experience and nothing else. I had fun. Maybe that's why it's called a "fun run" because you get to have a lot of fun along the way. You get to see older men and women with their friends, a group of college students, little kids, couples and their kids, some professional runners, etc.

Me and my workmate Rose (Treasury Dept) before take off

3k crowd

Going back to the finish line

After completing the 3k leg, I was so proud of myself after getting that finisher's certificate! It was my first, and I finished it! I conquered not exactly a fear but doubts I had for myself. We plan on doing it again but for the mean time, we'd just practice on site. :)

We made it! With my boyfriend PJ and our site engineer, Lowie 

They both ran 5k!

Holding my finisher's certificate! ;)

Happy Sunday, loves!

xoxo,
L

Se7en

Today is my 7th year anniversary with my boyfriend/fiancé, PJ. Since I have work and he has a business to take care of, we wanted to just have a quiet time. We wanted to just do the usual dinner and movie date.

We decided to have dinner at my recent favorite Chinese restaurant, Mandarin Tea Garden. My boyfriend is Chinese but doesn't really eat Chinese food but I'm so happy that he liked the food there, plus food is affordable too so double Yay! :)

I know he wanted to somehow watch a movie but I was hesitant and I had desserts instead at Maridel's and we get to talk about things, mostly random things. We took a stroll on Plazuela before going back to the mall.

Our "date" as I will call it went actually pretty well and I can somehow see how we are growing up. However, we chanced upon an almost empty arcade since the mall was 30 minutes away from closing. We both played "Rambo" and I surprisingly enjoyed it! It was a little tiring because the gun was a little too heavy for me. I think he was even surprised that I actually agreed on playing! It was super fun!

I love how random we are together. It's what makes our relationship so interesting and we never get bored with each other! Of course, like normal couples, we have arguments or misunderstandings but we resolve them right away.

Cheers to seven years and to even more! ❤

Here are photos from today.

Xx,
L

Fruit of your Passion

I am close to working for 10 months in my current company. I have not stayed this long in any other job, except the one I got when I was working three times a week for a Church as their bookkeeper. There have been offers for me lately but I do not seem to be interested in them, even if they're offering me a higher salary and a regular post. You see, I am only a project hire employee which means that when this project ends so does my employment. I have had a renewal of four months and that contract is expiring by the end of next month.

I know I will be given another contract since I was the one who started or piloted  under the VisMin operation. I don't know if that will earn merit in terms of changing my status into a "regular" employee and that remains to be seen. I was just confident that I will be renewed for an extension/ another contract since I have fared well, based on my KRA.

Today, I was not expecting any good news at all. We had a meeting at around 10AM and ended up at around 2PM. We were not able to have lunch up until we finished with the meeting. Meetings are draining but the upside is that you learn and things get resolved. After lunch I was back to my laptop, checking e-mails and updating my monitoring list when my boss called me up. I was thinking "Oh great! There might be a problem..." since we just parted after meeting and lunch now she's calling!

To my surprise, she just called me to inform me that she has all the materials I need, my payslips, and I have a letter. I realized then that I was not able to inform her about my expiring contract. I then told her about my status and she assured me that a new contract is on it's way. I was so happy to hear that! I love working for this company and I have not had major problems since I started. And I love my boss. I have developed a closer relationship with her that she really looks out for me and takes good care of me. She's a great boss- encouraging, helpful and insightful. I wish I could be like her if in case I stay for even longer.

I am just ecstatic that I'm still here and I have a job to keep me happy. It truly is great if you do things with passion because it becomes fruitful. It makes sense to you, and does not make you feel like you are burdened or bombarded with senseless information and work. Construction, operation and customer relations may not have been my strengths but I acquired a certain respect for it and for people who make things/systems work. Passion fuels us to become better and in return we reap rewards. I have learned that whatever you may be doing, be it your strength or not, as long as you have passion, you will excel.

How about you, what's your passion?

xx,
L