Runner's High

Was able to squeeze in a nice run today despite having to do some work stuff in the AM. Went to UP (without poor Sofy!) so that I could once and for all start what I promised to do. Weather was nice, cool, and fresh given the rains earlier in the day. There were quite a few people there as well trying to make the most of the holiday.

I've never been much of a cardio guy...I can only last 3 mins in a treadmill even with sounds and a TV. But there's something different about running in the REAL world...with real views, real obstacles and real weather.

What did it for me more than anything though, is the Podrunner podcast I downloaded. It's freakin' fantastic! Basically, it plays an hour long mix of house and techno music set at different beats per second (bps). You base your run pace with the beat which makes it a very helpful guide in terms of maintaining a certain pace or even speeding up and down, depending on your workout. The music also helps push yourself further especially with the thought that you shouldn't stop until the music ends.

I was able to do 2 loops around the UP sunken garden area which is roughly 6++km in around 30 mins. Not bad for a first timer with no cardio back-up.

However, my legs and feet are now sore as hell. My expensive Nike running shoes suck!

Late

I'm stressing out cause I'm late for my Sunday yoga class which I take to de-stress.

Saturday Night Beer

Spent all of today (and up to 1 AM last night) working on my powder TVC. Not too happy about the acting--too contrived--but not much I can do. That's the problem with having a Thai director and actors...they don't get the nuances of genuine emotion that are so common among us Pinoys. Plus I need to pay P6M++ for a very basic production. This regional production mandate sucks!

Was able to rush to the gym after everything was done though! Good for me!

Forgot my mom's birthday yesterday!!!! My bad!!!!!!!! So will have to drive up to Tagaytay tom for dinner since family is all there. Not really looking forward to it but duty calls. And the loner in me really enjoys the solitary long drive.

Why am I home on a Saturday night? Bff is back with lovie as predicted so I've been abandoned yet again.

Will not get lonely and depressed. Will drink my ice cold beer and eat salty peanuts and watch TV!

Work, Work, Self-Assessment

Pretty OK day today work-wise. Had to start a bit early for this weird senior management level strat plan session. In essence, they presented to us commoners their recommended growth initiatives for the next 5 years (which is ironic as we were the ones who actually did the legwork). I was not really very involved cause I pretty much knew what they would be presenting. But I found it quite funny that they got worried when people did not getting excited by their plans. This just shows how much they're just like us ordinary folks needing emotional affirmation...just with better cars and higher salaries.


Also had my "how are you" session with boss. Net net, lots of good traits but have to improve on the ff:
1. Collaboration and Teaming--coming from the Agency. My response-the feeling is mutual. Still got depressed though at the fact that some people (even people I couldn't care less about) don't like me. Hay, need to really have better self esteem and not be dependent on others' perceptions of me

2. Manage emotions/mood swings better. Really have to put all the yoga and meditation learnings into practice. Need to be calm and centered and unmoved by emotional waves of life. Easier said than done but will definitely be a sign of maturity.

Didn't get to go to the gym anymore as stayed a bit late to chat with Juni. Wish her all the best as she leaves for Singapore next next week. Not as happy about the additional work I will have to take on. Just have to think of it as opportunity to show Gods I can handle anything without whining or killing self.

Meanwhile, discovered someone's blog which I enjoyed reading tremendously. Stayed up until 2 AM last night to go through all the entries. Made me realize I'm not as emotionally honest and open in my blog and that I don't have much of a life beyond work.

8 AM meeting tom. Drats!

4 Day Holiday

Today is the tail end of a 4 day holiday. Went on leave Friday and today's a national holiday. Keep thinking about all the exciting things I could have done in 4 days but didn't. Just spent the whole time watching DVDs and going to the gym. Really do need to have more gimmick friends or start to enjoy family activities more.

Going to Sonya's now with bff. Need to console him from his nth break-up. How I wish he'd have the balls to just quit it once and for all...but I guess that's not how love works.

Long Term Commitment

I finally did it! I have just made a long term commitment by buying a condo. I really wasn't planning to give my go signal til I went to work, but they did reverse psychology on me by saying that I couldn't get the unit I wanted as it was being reserved for roadshows in the States (OCW's are the biggest condo investors, fyi). This spurred me to argue and fight my way to make sure I got the unit--with matching waiting for approval from the President! (Come to think of it, this is also how I got signed up for Jnj again...)

As a consequence, I had to prove that I was a serious buyer, ergo, needed to give my reservation fee already. This means that I will have to pay the horrendously large down payment by next month, April 1. Horror, need to divest all my investments. Anyone want to lend me money?

The true test will be in writing 48 post dated checks, with the last one having millions as balance payment. I feel nauseated. TJ/Lynette--did you go through this too?

Anyway, here's my unit:



Note the cool unit number--24K! Note also that I'm planning to tear down the wall for the 1st floor bedroom and convert it to a glass sliding panel to make the place less constricted. No idea yet what to do with the room though...probably a study cum library. Problem is, where do I now put the TV?

Oooh...I feel so adult all of a sudden!

Guys--please block off your scheds for a house warming party in 2012!

And the Rat Race is On

I'm about to send my official acceptance for the Jnj job. I'm not sure it's the right thing to do but at this point, I do feel very excited about it (plus the fact that I have only 2k left in the bank). Wish me luck!

Condo hunting is fun...it's nice to obsess about something with so many details to look at. It's just like gadget shopping only 100x more expensive and will commit about 10 years of your working life to paying for it (TJ should be able to relate). I'm pretty much clear as to my condo--it will be The Fort Residences by Robinsons. Main reason is that because it will be turned over 2011 pa, I actually have 48 months to pay which definitely helps a lot. Also, it's relatively cheap per square at P75k.

Now my big problem is, I have 2 unit options:

1. 12th Floor 2 BR Flat, 77 sq--corner views of a park and relatively open space (coz the open air pool is directly below)
2. 24th Floor 2 BR Flat, 78 sq--single view of condos across the street. but since it's high, it'll probably see across their rooftops

Will be spending the weekend in Tagaytay, yey! It's JC and Sarah's wedding tom!

I have a f***ing headache from caffeine withdrawal :(