What Michelle Does

     Whoa! Attalast!!! A breath of much needed fresh air to break the dreadful routine. This weekend was very much awaited as we planned to visit Cagayan de Oro not too long ago. Say, just three weeks earlier? lol This was my second time to visit but too bad I was just going to stay here for one day. Yes, ONE day. I had my return ticket and I so badly wanted to reschedule my flight for another week.  (sobs) Main agenda: Lawrence Niece's Christening.

     After the 3:00 bell I immediately shut my PC down and rushed out so I could get home before 4:00. I fed my dogs, changed, packed and headed out to Robinsons mall hoping that there would be a shuttle to Robinsons Galleria. And there was indeed one...free of charge! So I hopped on and waited, the traffic was starting to become like a monsoon and I arrived just in the nick of time. Lawrence and I had coffee at Bo's while waiting then we rode a taxi going to Pier 3 (Cebu to CDO). The ship departed at around 8:00 pm. It was actually my first time to go on board a ship and it was more pleasant than expected. We paid about Php 900.00 for tourist class and slept on a bunk bed. It was clean and cozy! There was also a restaurant on deck, you can enjoy the view of the beautiful night sky while eating. You can also check out the blissful view of the warm sunrise if you wake up early.

    The ship docked at 6:00 am and the driver was waiting for us. He then dropped us to the Marco Hotel in Alwana Business Park. The place was lovely and homey. The architecture was quite unique and it reminded me so much of our house in San Carlos City. We had some really good breakfast, showered and went off to the Chapel where the Christening was held. Then we had lunch back at Marco Hotel. I've never eaten so much food! Our bellies were stuffed! And that's not the end of it, for dinner we went to Steve's. They are famous for their chicken barbecue and without a doubt, we were satisfied customers. Back to the hotel it was for us and we just hung out and snoozed. In the morning Lawrence and I went for a dip in the pool which was just across the room we stayed in. Why does time have to fly so fast? I was in the dumps realizing I had to leave way to soon. Nonetheless, CDO is just flight away. They dropped me off at lunch time. It was an hour-long ride to the airport. It was very short but wonderful stay. Until next time Cagayan de Oro!















     Oh! Before I forget, it was my first time to commute going home. There's a bus from the airport to SM Cebu. You only need to pay P25.00 for the fare. From SM, I took a jeep going to Ayala, and Ayala to Ramos. I managed to go to church, too! Pretty good!

     Someone told me the other day that I have gotten a tad fat. Oh! Initially I thought, "It must be all the sodium from the food trip I had during the weekend." Another possible reason behind this must be my working out lesser than usual. Either way, I really could not care less.

     Gaining weight is a normal part of life and I know some women fuss about how heavy they are even though they are just a pound heavier than they were (what, yesterday?) I tell you, save yourself the fuss. I am not the kind of person who weighs herself every single day. I am way over that phase and the last time I stepped on a scale was more than a year ago.

     It's unfair to blame fat. I'd say there are many factors on why one gains weight. It could be stress, water weight, muscle growth and the like. Another point why I am not so conscious of this is because I am taking protein...and with protein comes more muscle...more muscle equals lesser to none, or sometimes only a little bit of weight loss (but more calorie and fat burn!). I don't want to explain the physiological function anymore. (It'd bore you!LOL)  Many people get so frustrated after exercising extra hard and not seeing the results they wished for. Either your diet's not right OR you are gaining muscle.

     Now I'm not an expert at this but if you know your body well enough, you would know what it feels like when it's at its best state because every person is different. From the physical to the core, up to your metabolism rate, we are all different. And so, comparison with others should be the last  thing on your list. Media often portrays the ideology of what healthy is. They often show that thin or skinny = healthy. Sorry to burst your bubble but I'd greatly object to that. I'm a size zero for US and people tell me I would look anorexic if I go there but skinny is in, right? Wrong. Remember, I'm Asian and this is the typical build for Asians, sometimes thinner. You see, it varies.

     Different body, different needs. If you think having a vegan diet suits you, go for it. If you feel you should take a break from working out, by all means, do so. Don't let social media mold your attitude towards your body. (-‿‿-)

     If you have body image issues, cultivate what's good in yourself and build confidence from within. Break the norms created by social media. Feel good, look good. (iringgg..Watsons ra ang peg! hahaha)

Be your best self and enjoy food!

Michelle

    

 Monday brings about an inevitable drag. My caffeine dosage comes to a peak at this time of the week and I have to hopelessly crawl out of bed. My eyes struggle to open and the cold air makes it more difficult to do so.

     After winning over the first day of the week. I get by the midweek like a breeze. Now I can tell that's becoming routine again. Time passes by quickly and before I know it, it's Friday once again. 

     Running breaks the chain and gives me a temporary escape from all these. I only hear myself...my breath, my thoughts and I teleport into a whole new dimension.

     Coffee is my ultimate liberator and makes up 60% of my energy supply. Without it I am dead. (∪｡∪)｡｡｡zzZ

     Even if this is the case, I can honestly say that my weekdays are productive! How do you feel on a weekday? Tell me your thoughts. ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪

Michelle

     People often get surprised whenever they see me eat a full meal, rice included! Hey! I eat small BUT frequent meals. I eat every two or three hours and my body has gotten so reliant on it that I get dizzy and cranky if I don't get to munch on something when the need arises.
     I'm not trying to shift to a vegetarian kind of diet. Maybe I'm just cautious of what I put in my mouth, generally speaking. I have halted my consumption of fizzy drinks and flavored juices many years ago. It just wasn't like me to do so. The acid was too strong for my belly anyway. Milk? I also stopped drinking it after I got a major LBM months back. I drink soy milk if it's available...and hoping that it would also do wonders for my chest. (heehee, fingers crossed!) Yes, I had failed many attempts of juicing, too. I grew tired of even trying and merely worked my way lessening my sugar intake. (✪ฺܫ✪ฺ)

     I'd like to share with you now what I usually have in a day. Mind you, I eat breakfast twice since I wake up pretty early in the morning.

     I always have 1/2 cup of rice and I do have my fair share of hormonal sweet cravings. The thing I need to change, I believe, is my coffee intake. There are certain days when I go overboard and it's just like plain water to me. NOT GOOD.




     Whatever I eat though, I see to it that I workout..whenever possible, because for most people, no matter how strict you are with your eating habits, it'd fall useless if you don't get moving! It would be like an imbalanced wheel. Our bodies were not designed to sit and lie around all day. Consequently, that goes hand in hand with your diet. You get the idea. So don't deprive yourself of life's goodness! Savor the taste of good food...but work it.

Michelle

     Hello all the way from the Queen City of the South! If you want to dive deep into history and immerse in diverse culture, Cebu is the place to be. It is home to Basilica del Sto. Niño (also known as Sto. Niño Church), the oldest chuch in the Philippines and dates back to 1565. Nature lover? Head down south to Oslob, you can see and swim with the majestic whaleshark (Butanding). Go on an exciting canyoneering adventure in Badian then trek and jump into Kawasan Falls. Drop by Malapascua or Bantayan, bask under the sun and witness the arresting and picturesque view. 

     It all sounds so wonderful, right? But what else should you really know before coming here? To save yourself from the unwanted hassle, read on. Here are some tips from a person who has lived here for 26 years (and counting)!

1. Cebu city has been booming. More buildings, more people and therefore, more cars. We rank number one in the worst places to drive in list, according to Waze. Why? Because the traffic situation has gone into overdrive! Good for you if you're, like me, the kind of person who likes walking. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are the worst days to commute because the cars hardly move and jeepneys are overloaded. So bring comfy footwear just incase...and walk if you must. You'll save yourself much more time. Traffic is most heavy at 7:00-9:00 am and at 4:00- 7:30 pm a.k.a rush hours. Taking a taxi will cost you because the meter keeps rolling while you're stuck in one area for minutes...even hours. Another option is to take a motorcycle (habal-habal), they take you to your destination faster than the other forms of transpo.

2. Generally, vehicles here are not so pedestrian-friendly. Cross quickly but cautiously and then they'll give way. I personally think these kinds of drivers should be re-oriented because they think they own the road. Oh, and take the overpass. It's there for a reason. Just saying!


3. Rainy season might not be the best time to come here. In the city, especially Mandaue and Talamban areas, floods are prevalent...and it's becoming really bad. They turn into rivers..in a jiff!:) Although this has been happening for a long time, people have managed to just find humor out of the most terrible situations and just smile their way through. I don't even know if the officials in these areas are doing anything about it.

4. We locate places by using landmarks and street names instead of building or house numbers. My Russian student asked me about this one time because among all the places he's been to, Cebu is the only one without such system. What should you do then? Get familiar with the landmarks, should you need to get to an unfamiliar place, ask someone who LOOKS reliable. (follow your gut. LOL) GPS is not commonly used either. Let me give you an idea. This happened to me before and to think, I'm from Cebu myself!

A.
Me (asking about the city pound): Maayong hapon, asa ni dapita ang cebu pound? (Good afternoon.  Where is the city pound?
Guy: Naa dapit sa katayan luyo anang mga balay. (It is near the abattoir, behind those houses.)

B. On the way to Badian
Lawrence: Asa ni ang Matutinao church? (Where is Matutinao Church?)
Guy: Didto unahan...duol na lang. (Just over there *pointing*. You are already very near.)

C. 
A: Where is Robinsons Mall?
B: It's in Fuente.
A: Where is Fuente?
B: Near Mango Ave. / Jones Ave.

Get the picture?

5. It might not be the best idea to give money to street children. They swarm around you and it tends to do more harm than good. If you want to help out a bit, give food instead of money.

6. Sport your jewelry at your own risk. Cebu is predominantly safe but spare yourself the trouble. Snatchers have eyes as sharp as that of an eagle's. They know when it's a fake!


7. If you must get drunk, don't bring a lot of money with you. Hang on to your keys or better yet, leave them in the front desk of your hotel. Bring enough money...or one secure credit card. I live in the heart of the night life here in Cebu, Mango Avenue. It's three minutes away from my place and seeing terribly wasted people in the streets isn't new to me. Remember, some people take advantage of the situation.

8. Lastly, *dum dum dum dummmmmmm!* If you're thinking about getting laid, leave your stuff in a safety deposit box. We have news going around about how hookers get your valuables while you are drunk in bed. Passports are not an exception.


     So that's about all of it! I hope I didn't keep you from visiting my city. Just a heads up for you guys! Set aside the worries for Cebu has captured the hearts of many and hopefully it be the same for you. It's never a bad idea to play it safe, though! Enjoy! :)

Here's what you gotta do:

3. Go to the cashier and pay the renewal fee. (P450.00)

4. After paying, go to Regulation Services and submit the paper. They are going to ask for two copies of your picture.

I'm still learning the other features of snapchat (sharing, downloading and etc.). That is, if I don't uninstall it again...for the nth time!

How was your snapchat experience?:)

     We had our first fun run after ages! The last run we did together was four years ago. Even since Lawrence got injured, we weren't able to do so anymore...until last week when we joined Wipro Run 2016. Let me just say how happy and proud I am that we crossed the finish line together! 5k done!