Eat My Dust – An Amateur Runner’s Quest for Speed, Endurance and Fun on the Track

Sometime January of this year, at a time when a “cold war” set in between me and my husband, he woke up at 4ish in the morning, changed to a comfy tee and jogging pants then wore his rubber shoes. I knew he was darting out the door in a few minutes. Suspicion set in… I managed to ask, “Where are you going?”, while my thought bubble nagged “Where the heck do you think you’re off to at 4:00 in the morning!”. He kept it short and replied “Jogging”. I rose from bed and blurted without thinking… “Sama ako” (I’ll go with you). It was a cold, quiet morning at The Mall of Asia bay area, we initially jogged together but managed to let loose and just do our own jog without pacing together. Ahh, time alone. No need to talk. It’s just me, the cold morning air, and the sound of my running shoes as it hits the pavement with small, easy steps.

What a peculiar way to remember a first run, but heck, I never looked back. Succeeding weekends made may for early morning run in preparation for the Condura Run 2010 my husband, sister, and I signed up for. We all ran for the 5Km category and it had been a remarkable first run experience for 3 major reasons:

First, I made it to the finish line despite my apprehensions since I skipped the usual newbie 3Km runs and braved the second shortest race category. It was actually bitin, I would have wanted to run some more! Second, I got a finisher medal – it was a big esteem booster since finisher medals were usually given from half mary category up. Third, we had a nice, relaxed, after-run breakfast at McDonald’s – a great way to replenish used up calories. Wait, it’s not about the meal… we were waiting for our turn at the counter when I caught sight of Jeffrey Hidalgo. No big deal, except in my case since he’s my biggest local celebrity crush. He was sporting the Condura Race shirt too – sweet! When the race results went out, I naturally looked for my run time, as well as that of my husband and sister. Surprisingly, I found Jeffrey’s run time under the 21K results. He’s a serious runner!

O well, those were the initial motivation points for me until we joined more races. It came to a point when I had been obsessed with running – talked about it a lot, invited friends and family members for runs, researched here and there on running strategies and trends, and monitored my P.R. (personal record) for races I joined. I couldn’t get enough of it… I had to try harder next time… run faster and longer distances, eventually, i hope my the hard work pays off in my figure, it would be a nice treat to look at the mirror and see my frame with all the curves in the right places and of course, step on a weighing scale without wanting to stomp on it while screaming… “See! See! It’s not accurate, it’s broken!”

Keep an eye on my next posts for my running chronicles. I just leveled up and did a 12.5KM run the other day… Target: half mary for Condura Run 2011!

That's me at the Run Rio Leg 2 Nature Valley Race in May 2010

Scam or Goodwill?

Right after the heights of typhoon Ondoy, a fixed-assignment through oDesk with the heading, “Go Help People Affected By The Flood in the Philippines” (Job opening ID #4529263) caught my attention. It was a program from Nanoaid.org. The job required the successful oDesk provider to provide help to the typhoon victims for a week… since I was already into volunteer work at that time, I submitted a bid and had a number of email exchanges with the client.

The client required me to create a blog in their website, indicate my project proposal, then follow-through with documentation for the job, in the event that I was hired for the role… After a day or two of uploading my proposal through Nanoaid’s blogsite, my webpage already had a “Donate for this Project” link, with several payment gateway options for the donor’s convenience… I asked myself, “Hmmm… am I falling pray as an kindhearted volunteer who ends up being used by others to solicit funds?” I hope not.

When I was midway into pulling out my blog, I received a fundings for $25 from a donor in Europe. I used the funds to purchase project supplies and updated my blog, duly acknowledging this kind donor and requesting other donors to leave a comment when they make a donation so I may know if funds are coming in and of course, so I may personally thank the donor. No comment came in, but another $50 donation was deposited to my paypal account.

After receiving the donation, I was able to gather children and donors for the activity then partnered with a NGO for the distribution of the relief goods, toys and cards. Of course, photo-documentation were provided as well.

Weeks passed and there was silence from Nanoaid. I check on the blog and noticed it’s still up, still with the “Donate” link available. It was thus a surprise to me that I received an oDesk update that I my candidacy for the said oDesk assignment has ended since according to Nanoaid, they “started managing nanoaid outside oDesk”.

Honestly, this is where I seriously hit the crossroad… is this a scam? or an act of goodwill? At this point, I can proudly declare that I’ve done my part and some typhoon victims were able to benefit from my project… there goes the goodwill part for me, but I’m still not so sure about the scam flavor in all these turnout of events. Just the same, I’m pulling out my blog from Nanoaid and sharing my project blog posts in my personal blog since the project is close to my heart.

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Here’s the blog I pulled out, dated Oct 19, 2009

A Special Day

Toys found their new friends in children from Bakawan, Makati City

October 17 marked the special day when my husband and I went to Reach Youth Foundation’s office and later joined two of their volunteer workers, Jennifer and James for an outreach program at Bakawan St., San Antonio Village, Makati City.

While Jen and James were armed with their powerful and unique weapon – a Bible, and a soup ladle (for the street bible study and feeding program), my husband Al & I came with our yellow plastic bag filled with used toys, handmade cards and goodies from the children in our own community in Western Bicutan, Taguig City.

We visited a small community at Bakawan Street, particularly near the humble homes of several families residing in close proximity to a creek; hence they too were swiped with floods from the Ondoy typhoon. The floods have subsided now and some of the children are actually at school for a series of Saturday make-up classes due to the week-long suspension of classes during the heights of flooding in the metropolis. Just the same, we continued with the toy donation and had a bit of fellowship, singing and dancing with the children.

Thanks heaps to the toy donors, children volunteers, benefactors, Reach Youth Foundation, and Nanoaid!

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posted October 14, 2009

Sprinkled with Love: Children’s Handmade Cards

Following through on my last blog, we had a card making session with some children from Western Bicutan, Taguig. Some of the children I invited were unavailable but their parents generously sent some toys for the activity.

It was an amazing sight to see the children making the cards… there were no templates for them to follow, just art materials laid in front of them and a brief orientation that their cards will land on the hands of children in flood-striken communities. While the the children are busy with the cards, I overheard two of the girls chatting. One child asked in tagalog, “Bakit heart ang drinowing mo sa card” (”Why are you drawing a heart on the card?”). With a smile, 10 year old Kyla replied, “Kasi kawawa naman sila, nawalan na sila ng bahay – kaya kailangan nila ng love” (”Because I feel for them. They have already lost their homes — that’s why they need some love”). This just shows us that children are never too young to know what’s going on around them, especially if they can actually do something to help out the other kids.

The volunteer children were not just creative in their card making. They also imparted encouraging words and simple yet sincere messages.

As the children finished their projects, they posed with their donated toys and handmade cards. I then, went to the groceries to toss in some noodles, sardines and cereal drinks and packed these with the toys.

Since there were only approximately 25 packages available, the first set of toy, cards & relief goods will be given to a poor flooded community in Makati City, through the NGO, Reach Youth Foundation. Watch out for more photos next week.

By the way, thanks to Ellie of Arizona, USA for your kind donation. May your seed come back to you a hundred fold. God Bless!

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posted October 5, 1009

Charity Begins at Home

First of all, thanks to Vincent for your kind donation – funds you sent were used for art supplies. For other donors who wish to pitch in, kindly leave a comment on this page so I may recognize you for your generosity and send you constant feedback on the project updates.

My children were excited to make their cards and it did not take them too long to select a toy they’d be willing to part with, considering they have seen photos of children in flooded communities.

I’m also excited that a preschool in the Western Bicutan, Taguig area has expressed willingness to collaborate on this project… keeping fingers crossed we may be able to invite their 40+ students for the toy donation and card making session this coming Saturday.

United Nations Celebration… Aldrich Takes Center Stage

Wow… it’s that time of the year again when my children participates in their school’s United Nations Program. My son, Aldrich represented South Korea, along with 2 of his equally adorable classmates. I felt as though I was more excited about the program than he was, after all, I choreographed their dance number, went through so much treasure hunting for their costumes, etc., etc.

Even a Child can Make a Difference

Sprinkled with Love: Children’s Handmade Cards

We had a card making session with some children from Western Bicutan, Taguig last October 10. Some of the children I invited were unavailable but their parents generously sent some toys for the activity.

It was an amazing sight to see the children making the cards… there were no templates for them to follow, just art materials laid in front of them and a brief orientation that their cards will land on the hands of children in flood-striken communities. While the the children are busy with the cards, I overheard two of the girls chatting. One child asked in tagalog, “Bakit heart ang drinowing mo sa card” (”Why are you drawing a heart on the card?”). With a smile, 10 year old Kyla replied, “Kasi kawawa naman sila, nawalan na sila ng bahay – kaya kailangan nila ng love” (”Because I feel for them. They have already lost their homes — that’s why they need some love”). This just shows us that children are never too young to know what’s going on around them, especially if they can actually do something to help out the other kids.

The volunteer children were not just creative in their card making. They also imparted encouraging words and simple yet sincere messages.

As the children finished their projects, they posed with their donated toys and handmade cards. I then, went to the groceries to toss in some noodles, sardines and cereal drinks and packed these with the toys.

Since there were only approximately 25 packages available, the first set of toy, cards & relief goods will be given to a poor flooded community in Makati City, through the NGO, Reach Youth Foundation. Watch out for more photos next week.

By the way, thanks to Ellie of Arizona, USA for your kind donation. May your seed come back to you a hundred fold. God Bless!

Charity Begins at Home

First of all, thanks to Vincent for your kind donation – funds you sent were used for art supplies. For other donors who wish to pitch in, kindly leave a comment on this page so I may recognize you for your generosity and send you constant feedback on the project updates.

My children were excited to make their cards and it did not take them too long to select a toy they’d be willing to part with, considering they have seen photos of children in flooded communities.

I’m also excited that a preschool in the Western Bicutan, Taguig area has expressed willingness to collaborate on this project… keeping fingers crossed we may be able to invite their 40+ students for the toy donation and card making session this coming Saturday.

Grown ups can help with their time & resources. How can children reach out?

Kudos to NanoAid Disaster Relief for opening opportunities for people to unite and help in simple yet direct ways.

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I am a mother to 3 blessed children ages 10, 7 and 4. Our family is very fortunate that we have been spared by Typhoon Ondoy which hit most areas of Metro Manila, Philippines last September 26. My heart goes out to those who were were afflicted by the storm, specially the children.

My sister and I have personally volunteered our time to assist in relief operations but I hope to involve my children and other fortunate children in giving their share to uplift the spirits of Filipino children affected by the storm. Here’s my project proposal -

Project Name: My Toy for Your Smile

Rationale: The project hopes to bring awareness to the power of sharing and social awareness among children. This will give fortunate children an active part of sowing into the lives of children afflicted by the typhoon by sharing their used/new toys and creating a card they personally made along with the toy to be given to the needy children. Essentially, this is a means to show the world that Even A Child Can Make A Difference.

Logistics, supplies needed:

arts and crafts for card making.
electronic recording/talk-back chips may be used to allow kids to record their personal message to the toy recipient (if available).
gold seal with Nanoaid.org logo (to be posted at the back of each card)

Manpower:

Facilitators
Children
Even babies (they can leave imprints of their hand/foot for personal touch, since they are unable yet to write)

Execution:

Announcement will be made through SMS brigade, posters, bulletin boards and social networking sites.
Sunday schools will be tapped as well in conduct of this project.
Every toy donor, preferably children themselves, will be asked to create a card which will then be posted/tied along with the card.
Local Government Units/District officials will be tapped for distribution of the gifts.
Full documentation will be conducted.
Open to suggestions, of course.

Mom’s Heartfelt Thanks to Facebook

It has always been a challenge to start the day right and motivate my kids to quickly prepare for school. I don’t know if its just me but I believe my 3 kids can nail the grand prize, first runner up and second runner up spot in any dawdling contest on the face of the earth.

I tried everything from beating the clock game, walking them up an hour earlier, even used some nagging tactics (not something I recommend – bad for your vocal chords and terrible in bringing out premature wrinkles!) … none worked… until this morning!

Before hitting the pillows last night, I made a deal with my daughter – If she gets to finish her school prep routine with enough spare time, I’d allow her to check her facebook before going to school. Surprisingly, my daughter hurried through her school preparation rituals and had a full 30 minutes to spare! Of course, I kept my word and allowed her a good 30-minute to tend her farm

Wow, thanks to Facebook, I found the best way to motivate my kids!

Goodbye rat race… Hello virtual world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. Yup, i resigned! If I get a penny for every person who DOES NOT ask why I resigned, I’d be rich now. Why is it such a surprise?

I’m in my early 30′s… worked for the past 11 years as an HR practitioner/events coordinator/educator… married to a wonderful man… blessed with 3 adorable kids ages 10, 7 and 4. Still doesn’t add up, right?

Yes, I bravely stepped out from the corporate world. Don’t ask me why — just join me in my journey to a virtual work and play. Read through my world of big surprises, small wonders, funny encounters and learning experiences as a virtual independent contractor, wife, mother, daughter, friend, and child of God.