Now I Heart Manila

I've always loved the simplicity of living in a small city like Cebu.  So for the longest time I could never imagine loving or even liking Manila.  Although I go there almost every year for our company Annual Awards and every so often for my trips abroad (that don't have direct flights), I've always somehow looked at it as just a place in a map.  A very CROWDED place in the map, in fact.  But let me share with you how I've seen the light.  Haha

Back in August, Lloyed and I decided to spend his birthday weekend in Manila.  On his actual birthday, he participated in an event called the Bride and Breakfast Editorial Fest 2014 at the Privato Hotel.  When I arrived the day after, he was beaming with so much excitement and I heard nothing but beautiful stories.  He would talk non-stop and for the first time in many months, he was ecstatic! 

Two days after the Ed fest, we participated in a Photoshoot Marathon with the N@Wies or Newlyweds@Work.  We were both a bit scared and apprehensive not really knowing what to expect. It was a big gathering of all members of the N@wie community and they would queue up to have their photos taken by different photographers.  It was a production of all sorts!  While other photographers had styled setups, Lloyed had nothing but his camera and of course his beautiful wife. wahahahaha  But we were so blessed because Mimma Benz found a great spot for us that became 'patok na patok' we were even one of the last few to leave.  <3  The N@Wies and Mimma were so great I'd love to do it all over again.

 

 
On our last day, we had lunch with Ian, Janna and Marian of Bride and Breakfast.  Again, we were a bit scared.  Haha (Although looking back, it's funny thinking that because the Simpao couple turned out to be the nicest friends we'd love to talk about anything under the sun with!)  In the meeting, they gave us very helpful insights that eventually helped Lloyed define his brand.  So that day capped off my husband's great and eventful birthday weekend. 

For a backgrounder, Lloyed has gone through a roller coaster ride since he quit his day job last year to focus on his business (LVP).  Coming from a family of employees and OFWs, venturing into business full-time is very challenging especially with three kids to take care of. On top of that, with Lloyed's shy personality that comes out 'suplado' at times (LOL), it was quite a struggle for him when he started.  Let me correct myself, he comes out 'suplado' ALL THE TIME if you don't know him yet.
 

So seeing him with so much excitement (like a giddy teenager) warmed my heart.  He was this bright-eyed boy again who wanted to live his dreams!  Somehow, Manila leaves that kind of impression on him.  And the traffic jam, the taxi drivers that have no concept of 'sukli', my hands getting tired of pulling the luggage on the streets, the time away from the kids and every peso we spent for the trip, made everything worth it.  I wouldn't mind going back to Manila as often as I would just to see Mr. LVP incredibly happy. <3

The other half say this. The other says that.

I think one of the hardest things in life is not being able to eat what you want.  Really.  I am at a point in my life where I want to tear my hair apart and want to either sleep all day or get mad at somebody for no reason just so I can distract myself from looking at all things delectably appetizing.  It’s the holiday season for crying out loud!

yum yum YUM

Yet, it’s the first ever in my life when I see a red velvet cake, a chewy brownie, a freshly baked piece of bread but have to look away.  It’s so depressing.  I’ve lost 36 lbs in my first two months and hopefully I lose another 10-15 more on my weigh-in this coming Tuesday (3 days from now).  It’s obvious I look much younger, feel lighter and all my old clothes don’t fit anymore.  But I just feel so miserably jealous of all the pastries I don’t get to eat.  Huhuhuhuhu. 

I feel the need to rant every so often even when my supportive Cohenite group remind me of the reason why I enrolled in the program in the first place.  I just really want to eat cake but I  won’t.  You get what I mean? 

 

Isn't this so Christmas-y? It says come to me!

Then again, my hubby always tells me that it’s always so annoying when people complain but don’t do anything about it.  So when I ask myself: “Would I succumb to all these temptations?”  My answer is still a resounding NO.  So what the heck is this blog post for then?  LOL.

Random thoughts. Random self-contradicting thoughts that hopefully will help me get through this whole process.  In the meantime, I hope this video would perk us all up in whatever shallow or major turmoil each of us might be in right now. Hahaha 

I love this song <3

I guess I just have to remind myself that with whatever choice I make, I just have to suck it up and stick to it.  When I decided to do this, it's because I wanted to live a longer life for my loved ones.  I wanted to lose weight not to look good but to be healthy.

Lloyed my labs, I've been chunky for so long I know you wouldn't mind it a little bit longer because:

"If you got beauty beauty just raise 'em up
'Cause every inch of you is perfect
From the bottom to the top

Yeah, my momma she told me don't worry about your size
She says, boys they like a little more booty to hold at night."