5 Unrelated Tidbits About What's Up With My Life

(1) We took my three year old niece, MJ, to the Carson Park last Friday. While Jojo went to shoot some hoops, MJ and I strolled over to the playground. It was a nice day - cool but sunny. Since I have an aversion to sunlight, I convinced MJ to play in the shaded areas. I told her that we shouldn't stay under the sun since that would make our skin dark while playing in the shade would make us more fair. So we happily played in the shaded section. A few minutes later wan African American woman and her two kids came into the playground. They were a few feet away from us. All of a sudden, without warning, MJ says quite loudly "Ninang Joanne, is their skin dark cause they are staying under the sun? They should play here (in the shade) so they'll turn white again". I was mortified! I couldn't cover MJ's mouth fast enough. I am pretty sure the lady heard my niece but luckily she just smiled at us as we walked away.

(2) I've just completed my yoga classes last Thursday. They were okay. Although I still don't get why people rave about it. I did learn a couple of things about myself. First, I am very uncoordinated (I was equally awkward and inflexible on the 1st class as I was on the last class). Second, I am unable to "clear my mind" (every time the instructor says that, I find my mind wandering and thinking random thought). Third, I can not "hold a pose". I always wobble. I was one of the worst students in the class (the instructor would always wander to my mat and help me with a pose). It got embarrassing because there were a couple of senior citizens and very large women in the class who were a lot more flexible than I was! So, I guess yoga is not for me. I've now signed up for Core Muscle Training classes (let's see how that goes!).

(3) I was in Kohls yesterday shopping with my mother-in-law and we were both surprised to see that Xmas decorations were already up. Xmas decors in September is hardly surprising in Manila - but here they usually make their appearance after Halloween. This year, they are up early so I am now officially starting on my holiday shopping! Yay! How exciting! I LOVE XMAS and one of my favorite things to do is to go Xmas shopping =)

(4) My friend, Jo, sent me an invitation to a "cash for your gold" party. Sounds interesting right? It is sponsored by a company called USA Gold Traders and my friend, Jo, is hosting it at her place. You basically bring your precious metal (gold, silver, etc.) jewelry that you no longer use/wear and you get to swap with others. And at the end of the party, any precious metal that is left over will be bought by USA Gold Traders. So you get to sell your old jewelry that you no longer like or can no longer use (Like my gold earrings - I lost one and have only one side left. Or my old charm bracelet that has a broken clasp. Or a locket given by an ex. All pieces I will never wear again. Haha!). Anyway, the company is very reputable and will buy your precious metals by weight. I think it will be a lot of fun just to go and check everything out.

(5) It's been over a month since we've gone on our low cholesterol, low sugar and low fat diet. A month since we've been going to the gym regularly. A month of pure torture. But it's been paying off. Although very SLOWLY. I've lost 9 pounds. And Jojo has lost 15 pounds. I am glad to have lost the weight but I find it somewhat unfair that Jojo has lost so much more. Come to think of it, I go to the gym more than he does and I eat much less than he does. It is one of the tragedies of life that guys gain weight slower and lose weight faster than women. That and the fact that they never have to deal with PMS!