Let's Get Physical

Talk about excellent timing. For the past two weeks, I've been buying new exercise clothes/shoes in hopes of getting my fitness act together (those Olympians sure made me feel like I should be doing something more with my body). I'm proud to say that I've been consistently attending my twice-a-week, painful Step & Sculpt fitness class (having a nice and fit instructor is awesome). Yesterday, I bought a digital scale for measuring my sexiness accurately (it ain't reality until you see it in LED). Today, by the power of the fitness gods, there happened to be a wellness fair at work.

At lunchtime, I got my blood pressure, glucose level, cholesterol level, and BMI checked...for free. Surprisingly, my blood pressure is "Normal" (that's one level up from "Optimal" and four levels down from "Severe"), my glucose level is way below the recommended level (112, baby!), and my cholesterol level is "Desirable." I guess those fudge brownies I've been eating have gone undetected! Or maybe not because my body fat percentage is plain horrible (which I knew from my last BMI check some years ago).

As a results-oriented person, losing weight should be achievable because I'm working with numbers and results can easily be measured ("bling bling like LED" according to CL of 2NE1). Instead of wasting my money on things that collect dust, I should invest thy spare change towards fitness-related expenses. Starting this weekend, I'm going to write a target weight goal and shall work towards it. Thy will be done!

Praise You

This is what I found in my inbox when I came in to work today:

I wanted to take a moment to let you know what a fantastic addition Mina has been to [this department]. In the very short time that she has been here, she has helped us to solve some very embarrassing issues that we have needed assistance with since I arrived two years ago.

The technical expertise and consultation is fantastic… but there’s more. I am most impressed with her ability inherit less than optimal work products and to establish a plan to move things forward. Although I know that we may represent her easiest customers because of our shared perspective on “branding” and the importance of the collective [department] image, I am confident that she will ultimately win the entire department over.

She never makes us feel stupid, while providing solid industry standard direction. I am so excited about what adding her to the communication team will bring for all of [the department] and very specifically, to our effort in HR.

“Way to hire UP!” Your very small Communications team is likely one of the strongest in the department. Thanks for raising the bar!

The HR Manager for our department sent this to my supervisor and also to our director yesterday. Thank you, God, for allowing me to finally find a supportive work environment. Surely, I'm forgetting all the trauma I endured a whole year ago from my previous employer.

Sa mga taong may mga buwisit na katrabaho, know that there is indeed a rainbow after the rain (basta marunong kang mabasa para makalipat ka ng bagong sisilungan. Naks!).

Oh, the very Filipino and very local JR

Today was WA Olympians Day in Seattle with a "rally" at our signature rally place, Westlake Center in Downtown. My monthly $130 cable and high-speed internet bill seems justified now: thank you, Comcast.

Move over youngins, this veteran is coming through. Been there, and definitely done that (2002: Apolo Ohno Day at Westlake). This event was simply a reminder of how quickly time flies by and how I'm getting old (should I be grateful?). While groupies (who should be at school, by the way) screamed and giggled around me, I was just there looking on and glad to witness a day in honor of a Pinoy Winter Olympic medalist. I still can't get over that little fact. And yes, I even wore my Adidas Philippines shirt to this event because my Pinoy Pride was just oozing out of me. LoL.

I spotted Nanay Celski and Tita Virginia in the crowd, but I was holding my front-row spot for when the Olympians came out of the mall (which became a not-so-nice front-row spot within seconds because of a huge security guard who had his own camera out). By the time I was ready to put down my camera and make chika, KING5's Lori beat me to the family members. Eventually, Daddy Celski joined them. I found it amusing that I knew who they were, thanks to those signature parents shots during the Olympics.

While people filed in line to get an autograph, I decided to go into the mall to see if *ahem a certain family member was around. I didn't know that the food court at Westlake is packed during lunchtime (duh, Mina). While walking towards the escalators, I noticed a few people turn around and looked at me. I was like, "Oh hell no, did I not wipe my nose?" Then I quickly realized that I was sporting red, navy blue, and white; people probably thought I was one of the Olympians. Sorry folks, I'm Queen Mina and not an ice princess. LoL.

I eventually went back to the parking garage to make sure that I only had to pay for one hour's worth and drove myself back to work. Again, I'm getting old, because back in 2002, I devoted a whole day for Apolo festivities (rally, Nike store to get the lowdown of his whereabouts, picked up Sonics tickets, attended the Sonics game because Apolo was there). Today, I had work. Blech!

Since I never had a younger brother, I'm claiming this boy as a family member. Ate Mina is proud of you, JR. Hopefully, in four years, the City will be devoting a whole day in honor of your continued success. I just hope that when I attend that rally, I'll be married and toting a kid around. ;P

Going Cold Turkey

I'm participating in The Great American Apparel Diet today: no buying of new clothes for a year. Since goals are supposed to be reachable, let's start with six months and if we can reach a whole year, then so be it.

I had bought this very cheap khaki mini skirt a couple of weeks ago and when I finally decided to put it in my drawer today, I found out that I had a similar skirt that I had totally forgotten about. That's when I knew that it's time to make some changes with my buying habits.

Red

I had totally forgotten about today being Valentine's Day! I was too caught up with cheering for JR Celski last night and subsequently celebrating the first Pinoy to have won a Winter Olympics (bronze) medal that I completely forgot that I was supposed to be bitter today. ;P