A State of Ignorance

Back in gradeschool (over at St. Paul College of Pasig), I truly enjoyed the United Nations Day parades and those field day performances we used to labor through dancing either regional dances of the Philippines or some foreign folk dance.  It helped me to appreciate the cultural distinctions between our regions and more importantly of the bigger world beyond the Philippine shores.

I don’t know if the Philippine penchant for beauty pageants and our never-ending love affair for international beauty contests reinforced this concept in my brain, but I never paid attention to the little things I learned from these seemingly frivolous activities.  I guess you can say I never really appreciated all this beyond the utopian concept that WORLD PEACE is to us today and that it’s “A Small World after all.”   Dressing up in different national native costumes didn’t really make much of an impression on me even if we did it year in and year out in elementary.  (I wonder if they still do this back in St. Paul where my niece is in kindergarten now.)

Until I learned of a conversation where a 16-year-old talking to a friend on the phone made this comment about this year’s World Cup where France and Italy fought neck and neck for victory.  ”Yo, I never even thought that Italy was not a part of France until today when I watched them at the World Cup.”  My jaw dropped upon hearing that.

We take so many things forgranted.  We think that what we know is something that everyone knows.  Call it stock knowledge or what have you, but we fail to appreciate that we are fortunate to know what we know.  We do not have to be geniuses, we should just try to steer clear of being labeled as stupid.  

And even if only because of Ms. Universe, at least I’m sure the little kids back home know that yes, Italy is not a part of France.

Heatwave

Mainit.  Sobrang init.

Although I grew up in the hottest of hot weathers back in Manila, the heatwave that is hitting the East Coast right now is just overwhelming me.  I worry about the two Lolas in the house, I worry about Angel.  He has a bad rash in his behind which I am supposing was caused by the extreme heat.  Even in an airconditioned room, constant diaper wear can take a toll on his skin.  So we’re back to using petroleum jelly just to help moisturize it back to health.

The commute is bearable in the mornings but can be complete torture at the end of the day.  Fortunately, Alan chose to drove to work this morning after taking his Mom to see her opthalmologist.  At least I get a break today.

No matter how bothersome the heat may be, I still find myself thinking about hot Manila those times I reminisce about my days back home.  I heard it has been raining a lot there.  Give us some rain, please!

I’m going to stock up on water in the fridge so that the Lola’s don’t have to resort to ice.  I need the cold water, too.  I just chugged down a tumbler of iced coffee the size of a Starbucks venti drink this morning and forgot about breakfast altogether.  At night, I down at least 2 full glasses of water before sleeping.  Water, water, water.. that’s all I can think of.  

Dieting again

Unbelievable but true.. I’m going to start my real diet today.  (Read:  I’m beginning my self torture to whip myself into shape.  I can already see the hubby clapping his hands with glee when he reads this.)

(1) I’m just too fat.  (2)  It’s also a health issue because at 40, I need to take extra care of my body. (3)  Besides, I don’t like the thought that $25 is being deducted from my account for a gym membership I haven’t been using.  (4) Also, I know that with both my parents having a history of diabetes, I need to makea  conscious effort to avoid falling victim to the same condition.  (5) I hate the fact that I see something I would love to wear but end up hating the way it looks on me when I try it on because I have too many bulges in places where I shouldn’t be too chunky.

Alan and I have a formal Sweet 16 party to attend in September, and I don’t want to spend on a dress if I won’t look good in it.  End of story.

I have always been on the chubby side for most of my adult life.  I managed to lose weight for period of time (like dropping from a size 12 when I arrived in NYC in June 2000 to a size 8, 12 months later), but I also tend to hang on to the pounds when I gain them.

My excuse for the past 2 years was breastfeeding.  I refused to diet to keep myself “healthy” — the only problem was I ended up being “too healthy”… LOL.  So I’m back to a chunky 12 and my love handles have been “hanging on” as a result of my half-hearted attempts at trying to shed the pounds.  So it’s time to let go and try to regain the healthier me that has been sleeping underneath the flabs.

I’m going back to “no rice”.  I had actually stopped eating rice altogether sometime 10 years ago.  My carb intake, though, is still a little generous because I still take bread and pasta.  Thanks to my resolution to give “Somersizing” a try, I’m switching from regular pasta to whole wheat (we just consumed my stash in the pantry) and I’m limiting my carb intake from hereon.

Counting down…