Eat, Pray, Love, Lather, Rinse, Repeat

 What I learned from watching Eat, Pray, Love:

1. Eating a plate of pasta with wine by yourself is OK.
2. If your jeans don't fit because of too much of #1, buy bigger jeans.
3. Lounging in lingerie by yourself is great.
4. Don't get into a relationship with an actor.

...wait, I already knew all that!

I really wanted to like this movie. Pizza, pasta, gelato, James Franco, Javier Bardem, and beaches. What was not to like?

In a way, Elizabeth Gilbert was going through this "WTF is my life?" period the same way I kind of am. She wanted change and to experience things she had always put off. But after eating lots of pasta, pizza and Indian food and praying, what exactly has changed? Besides a bigger waistline and a hotter man, NADA.

She decides to take a 1-year vacation because she felt lost -- lost in her marriage and lost in the relationship she jumps into after that marriage failed. She learns Italian, how to not live like a workaholic American, gets spiritual help from some ethnic people, and that it's OK to get into another relationship. And the movie ends with just that. Liz throws herself into Javier Bardem's sexy arms. 

Did I just spend an hour drooling over pizza for a story without a climax or resolution? Great.

I'm 25. Aaaack!

Happy birthday to me!

Today I no longer fit in to the 18-24 years old age bracket. From now on, any survey I fill out will have the 25-29 box checked. That is, until I turn 30 (oh my god.). And so because I figured out months ago that there was no way I would complete this 25 before 25 list , I am turning it into a 30 before 30 list. Tada!

Am I setting myself up for another impossible to-do list? Maybe. But I've got 5 years to figure it out. Here are the new additions:


26. Learn to ride a bike.
I never learned. I owned a tricycle and after I outgrew that, I had no desire to transition to a 2-wheeler. I mean, it's not like I would have been allowed to ride it anywhere outside our house. Blame my overprotective parents and my natural clumsiness. So why now? Because I'm sick of hearing people's gasps when I tell them I don't know how to ride a bike. Yeah, you heard that right.

27. Get my driver's license.
I got started on this when I was 18. Got my learner's permit, paid for driving lessons, drove on a parkway and notorious Queens streets without hitting anyone (phew!), then dropped it because I had bigger priorities, namely, getting a magazine job. But after tackling that on my to-do list and realizing that I may not always live in New York City (I love you NYC, but you're a high-maintenance lover, and it's about time I got the upperhand in this relationship.), I'm accepting that being able to drive is pretty important. So watch out, pedestrians!

28. Explore the Philippines.
I grew up in the Philippines. I've spent 4 (or 5?)  vacations there. Next month, I leave for another trip to the motherland. But it's a shame that I've never really explored the country beyond the cities where my family live. I think I've spent more time going to malls than doing anything cultural. Not to knock the awesome shopping experience -- malls with ice skating rinks and concierge service? Hell freakin yeah! But it's time I got to know my country a little better. For starters, here's a nice list with things to do in the Philippines.

29. Lead a volunteer project.
In the past year I've been a proud member of New York Cares, a non-profit dedicated in providing needed services through volunteer work. I figured I needed to do something better with my life besides work, eat, shop and sleep. Last summer I became a Team Leader, who is a volunteer in charge of specific projects. Partly because of my schedule and partly because I haven't found the perfect project, I haven't put that "Team Leader" badge to use, but that will change. (BTW, I strongly suggest becoming a member. These projects are some of the most fulfilling work I've done and you get a reminder that there are people who are willing to work for something other than personal gain.)

30. ____________________
I'm not really sure what to put for this one. Should I learn a new skill, like sewing or pottery? Take up swimming as I originally planned? Go on vacation by myself? Run a marathon (even though I'm still recovering from injury. Maybe we can alter that to a HALF marathon)? Buy my own place? (I can already hear NYC real estate laughing at me.) What do you think?

#23: Cook a Filipino Meal Well: CHECK!

Let me just start by saying that I'm not completely new to cooking. Though serving up steak or a Thanksgiving turkey is out of the question for now (or probably for ever re: turkey), I've made my own alfredo sauce from scratch. I can make a mean veggie lasagna. And recently, I decided to make pies.

My  very first creation -- a lumpy apple pie. But a delicious lumpy apple pie.

My second pie was more aesthetically pleasing:  a sweet potato -- hand mashed, not the canned stuff -- pecan pie.

My cell phone camera doesn't do this justice.

Though for these pumpkin muffins I turned to the canned stuff.

But, aside from Italian food and seasonal baked goods, I haven't done anything ethnic. Sadly, the closest thing I've made that's Filipino is a cheesecake flan. (I'll take up a challenge if it means dessert.)

So that's why I needed to put #23 on this list. And finally...

It may look like it's swimming in oil, but there was 0 oil in this.

Filipino Cooking 101: Chicken Adobo -- recipe courtesy of the Food Network. (Their recipe was much simpler than Filipino cookbooks. Figures.) My very Filipino family loved it, so it passes the test. Next time I'll add those peppercorns because for an ethnic dish this wasn't at all spicy. But now, onto more complicated Filipino dishes!

Ballet Flats: So Pretty, So Bad for Your Feet

Poop.

I already knew that I wasn't supposed to be walking around in ballet flats. But I keep a pair at my desk at work anyway in case my outfit that day does not go with heels. The last time I wore them, my plantar fascia hurt. Like I had to take time off from running, hurt.

Two weeks ago (when I took a  kickboxing class) I got a terrible charley horse in my sleep and my calf was SORE. So I thought I'd give my calves a break and wear the flats for a day. How bad could it be? Well lets just say that while I was recounting this to my podiatrist he made the "Ooh, you shouldn't have done that" face. 

Safe to say I will be spending the rest of this fall not running. Bye-bye, 5K PR. For now.

When I tell my coworkers (who are well-versed in foot injuries from running) about having plantar fasciitis I get the same "That's awful!" reaction. But to tell the truth, I'm a little relieved. I honestly thought I may have had a fracture. But x-rays showed otherwise, so PHEW. I just need lots of rest, ice, stretching, and staying away from damned flats.

I'm consoling myself by taking cabs (doctor-recommended) instead of trekking all over Manhattan when I have errands and buying a new pair of heels (on sale, at like 80% off baby!).

Talk to pro-athletes and they'll most likely tell you to "Listen to your body" as a key piece of advice. My body's definitely yelling at me. I'm listening now!

I Punch Like a Girl

Today I finally got myself to take a kickboxing class at the gym. I figure it would act as a stepping stone towards an actual boxing class. But kickboxing is definitely not a substitute for a boxing. Proof? The lone male who wanted to take the class this morning because he missed the regular boxing class during the week walked out during the warmup. (What, do they not play Britney Spears while sparring? They should.)

While this class was more cardio-focused, that didn't mean that it was easy. The instructor yelled out a combination of moves as if we were all supposed to know what we were doing. I have a hard time remembering my left from my right. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who spent a good chunk of the class looking at other people to figure out what to do with myself. But it was a GREAT workout. I spent the entire hour moving and sweating and now my lower body is SORE. More sore than after going for a long run.

I should probably take on the self-defense class before taking a boxing class. And inject more testosterone in my system. Kidding about the 2nd part.

Updates Galore

Let's get right to it:

1. Last weekend was the FITNESS Mind, Body, Spirit Games 4-mile race and the Susan G. Komen's 5K. I ran the latter and walked the former with a friend. Though I had to take walking breaks during the 4-miler (running uphill is hard!) I beat my last 5k's pace by a few seconds, finishing in a little over 43 minutes. Yay. The walk wasn't timed, but I'm just glad I didn't need to crawl because I was still exhausted from the day before. Since last weekend I've been trying to get rid of a cold and catching up on work, so no running for me. The next 5K race is in a couple of weeks so I should probably start again, eh?

2. I am making another change to the list. Let's face it -- I will probably never have time to swim. For one thing, the nearest pool I have free access to is uptown. And another thing, public pools = yuck (and might cause cancer? But then again what doesn't cause cancer). SO! I am changing #12 to... trying a new hair color! Since my last hair disaster 4 years ago when I fried my hair from too much chemical straightening, I have vowed to lay off any treatments until I was 25. I think I've been good to my hair since then, keeping it au naturale. But I've always had redhead envy and I'm getting bored with my hairstyle, so we'll see how this turns out. My skintone probably won't go well with a shade like Julianne Moore's or Marcia Cross' (sigh) but a brighter tone will look nice against all the black clothes I tend to wear in the colder months.

Forget blondes, red heads should get all the attention.

You Can Do It Put Your Back Into It

For anyone who's ever doubted their capabilities, The New York Times has a profile of 69-year-old Cha Sa-soon from Korea who just got her driver's license after 960 attempts. Congrats, lady! She grew up in poverty, entered formal schooling late and never finished because a little thing called life got in the way, but still studied at dawn and late at night to pass the exam. Proof that if you put your mind and effort to something, it's going to get done.

I thought about putting "Get my driver's license" on this list, but I got realistic. I have to put everything on my calendar -- from dinner with friends to renewing library books -- just so I'd actually have time to do them. This isn't going to happen in the next 3 months (crap!). Cha had more trouble passing the written exam because of her literacy level, but I passed that part with flying colors (I'm a nerd, what can I say). It's the not-hitting-anything-with-a-vehicle part that I have trouble with. But it's good to know that, like this other stubborn Asian lady, with enough practice and determination, I can do it.

Also, I really hope a non-shooting related post would get rid of those Google ads that make it seem like I'm an NRA  member.

Giving Up on #1... Or Not?

Getting something published in print was the first thing that came to mind when putting together this list because it was part of my original career goals. When I went to school for journalism, the plan was to be an on-staff writer at a magazine. But in media, technology shapes the business, and I found myself going down a road to be a web editor/writer -- which isn't a bad thing. It's the future. Or the present, really.

So putting this on the list was a way to get back to that original goal (without losing my full-time job, heh). But I'm going to be honest with myself and say I don't have the time or heart to do it anymore. Pitching and writing freelance work is another full-time job on its own -- it's not as easy as Carrie Bradshaw and other TV frauds make it seem. And I'd like to be able to have a life outside of work. Spending time in front of a screen is just not how one should spend life. There.

Or...for a non-quitter's version, after some shuffling at work I've found myself contributing to the print pages a little more. Because I want to keep this blog separate from my job (it's that whole I-want-to-keep-my-job reason again), I won't mention names, but if you know me, like know me, you know where I work, so pick up a copy and scan the front pages for my bylines. No 2,000 in-depth articles (yet?), but it's my name in print.

I like to think of this as a mature decision because I don't like giving up on anything. Seriously. (I'm still working on being a Sudoku master.) But you have to realize when you have too much on your plate and decide what's more important in your life.

Peace.

"Each step is one less step you have to take."

That's what an old-ish man told his running partner as she (and I) made the halfway mark at the Sgt. Keith A. Ferguson 5k this morning. Technically this wasn't my first 5k, but it was the first one I ran through its entirety -- no walking breaks!

Total time: 33:51 seconds. Bizarre, considering I ran/walked this one in about 31 minutes but I'm just glad I fought every urge to stop running and walk instead and finished it. One step at a time. Thanks for the advice, old runner man.

Speaking of old people, there were runners of all ages this morning. The female overall winner was a 16-year-old (ah, to be an energetic youth), while there were 70-79 year-olds who finished in less time than I did. To be honest, one of the things that kept me going was seeing kids as young as 6 and old people run past me. If they can do it, why can't I? (Also, kudos for being ridiculously fit.)

Week Without Coffee - DONE!

I don't know why I chose to give up coffee as part of my to-do list. Yes, I like a challenge, and yes, a part of me likes to inflict pain on myself, but I also like to think that I wanted to test myself in case I ever got addicted to something and needed rehab. I know now that rehab and withdrawal from serious substances must be AWFUL. (I'm rooting for you Lindsay Lohan!)

I started my Week Without Coffee on a Saturday. I figured with two days of the weekend under my belt, I'd be more capable of facing the work week sans cafe. Did it really make a difference? Meh.

Because I knew I would forget about this whole blogging on a regular basis thing, I kind of live-blogged (does Google Buzz count as blogging? Sure.) the entire week.

Monday, Day 3 of Week Without Coffee. I want to cry. I want chocolate. (Honestly, I don't think Monday was the hardest day. I was just half asleep most of the time.)
Day 4 of Week Without Coffee. 1 cup of black tea at 7:30, 1 withdrawal headache at 10. Nice.

Day 5. Woke up with a headache, first thought: iced coffee, mmmm. I'm not caving! (I lay in bed ready to give up on this, I swear. But as much as I love coffee, I am also hard-headed. I did not cave.)

Day 6. At the elevator on my way to my desk, I want to cry. Upon opening my inbox, I want to cry. Cofffeeeeeeeee. (Did I mention I wanted to cry? But at the end of that day, I surprisingly got a lot done. Random burst of productivity or was I actually getting by without my preferred caffeine dose?)

Day 7. I'm pretty sure I'm craving comfort food as a substitute for coffee. I can't stand tea right now. (I remember having a cup of black tea - my 2nd - on my desk and wanting to fling it against the wall. But I didn't. I also didn't finish it. I also skipped a new workout I really wanted to try because I was exhausted, hungry and had no patience for hoity-toity men who do yoga without their shirts on. I want to workout, not have a fashion show, damnit. Be flamboyant in your own space. I considered getting an iced coffee because technically the last time I had coffee was the Friday morning the week before, but I didn't. Instead I had some Chipotle. No regrets.)

You'd think after all this the first thing I'd do on Saturday morning was have a cup of coffee. But nope. I had a banana and black tea and went for a morning run. AND THEN, I had coffee with my pancakes. Aaand then I passed out on my couch having barely finished my cup. Ah, gotta love having a high caffeine tolerance. 

What did I get out of all this? I learned that if I ever need to go to rehab, I would cry. But I might also make it. And that if I didn't have coffee, I'd compensate with chocolate, cake and other junk food. I'll stick to coffee.

Week Without Coffee - Day 2

Yesterday was the day I started my week-long torture. Honestly, if I had more time and money, going a week without coffee would probably not have been on this list. But, it goes with the theme of challenging oneself, so I'll do it. Begrudgingly.

I started the day with a cup of black tea and cereal - blech. That combination is probably the saddest excuse for a breakfast. I figured, I plan to be indoors and catching up on old episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 (oh the 90s!), so why do I need the extra caffeine? The cereal was just because I was lazy. I don't know whether it was the cup of green tea later in the afternoon and a 2-hour nap after (or the fact that I was kind of hungover), but I never really felt awake until after dinnertime.

Today is Day 2. I plan to get some work and errands done, do a short run, and have a laidback dinner. It's 9 AM and I've had one cup of black tea. How many more to go? We'll see.

Midday Update: I've been up since 7:45AM, went to bed at 1AM last night and had 2 cups of black tea this morning. I ran one errand outside and I could use a nap right now. Dear god. A whole week of this. Time for some green tea?

#15: Shooting Range - DONE!

When I told people I wanted to go to a shooting range the responses were either along the lines of "Awesome!" or "Um, why?". I'm not a violent person (I swear), and I don't have any intention of becoming an NRA member, but I always wanted to shoot a gun and see how well I'd do. Those water shooting games just don't compare.

A couple of weeks ago I went with my friend Judy to Westside Pistol & Rifle Range in the Flatiron district. It's the only one in New York City and it's very easy to miss if you're not looking for it.

We went to the basement of a building where all the magic happens. First was an introductory class where a 60-something balding man covered in tattoos demonstrated what to do with a rifle (IE don't point it at someone, always have the safety on, etc). He also showed us how to put bullets in a magazine (I snickered in my head because this is such a completely different use of the term "magazine" from how I use it in my 9-5 day job).

Now, if you were to imagine a shooting range, you'd probably imagine the location dominated by men. The instructors and staff were mostly male, but the class we were in had 5 women and 2 men, boyfriends of 2 women in the class. Those two women made me look like a genius. Who wears heels to go to a shooting range? But any class where I'm not the most confused one is a great class by me.

It took some getting used to and my rifle-holding form was probably poor because holy crap those things are heavy, but it was FUN! I mean, how many opportunities do you have to fire a weapon without worrying about, you know, getting arrested for something?

Here's one of my targets:

Not bad for a beginner, eh?

After shooting a few rounds (I believe we got 50 bullets), we walked over to the Shake Shack for some burgers and milkshakes. If we had beer instead of milkshakes we might as well have grown testicles.

They gave us a card for 50% off our next visit, so who knows? Maybe I'll aim (ha! Sorry, it's been a while since I used a pun, right?) to get everything in the bulls eye next time. The expectations for this visit were really more like "Don't shoot yourself or someone accidentally." Mission accomplished!

Perdoname, discuplame, lo siento

I've been MIA from the blogosphere, and I'm sorry. I don't like giving excuses, so I'll honestly just say that it's because I don't like blogging. There. I said it. I'm a web editor, and I hate the internet.

But I started this blog and this list, which is now looking impossible to accomplish in less than 6 months, and I will follow through with it.

To continue from the last post, I did go to the Spanish conversation class at the New York Public Library. Turns out, compared to complete beginners, mi espanol no es tan malo. We did short skits, and I played a nurse. Ha. Too bad I don't think there are any more classes anytime soon, because it really does help to speak in the language rather than just read and write it. I haven't picked up any of my Spanish books since then. Maybe I'll download an iPhone app to help. Know any?

What else have I been doing since June? I went on a short trip to Rhode Island...where the uneven streets made me twist my ankle. It's been a week and it's still slightly swollen. I'm giving it till Wednesday to try getting back to my 5K training plan again. You're messing up my timeline, injuries.

Pretty!

Deep fried balls of seafood? Yes, please!

That's it for now, but stay tuned for a post about #15. Fun!

No Es Bueno

I've put off going to a Spanish conversation class at the New York Public Library twice now. I can't remember the last time I read a full chapter from any of my language books. In fact, I now owe the library $4 from overdue charges. (Guess that's my way of supporting our public services.)

But tomorrow, I will go! Yo voy a... attender?... la clase de espanol en la biblioteca. No excuses!

30-Minute 5k - Almost There!

I wasn't supposed to run this 5K. I signed up several months ago expecting the pain in my left ankle to be gone by June and here we are in June and it still isn't fully healed. I even got to the race course late (thanks to MTA's weekend service and my need to pee) and decided to skip walking the 5K altogether and do the 3K walk later that day.

But turns out the 5K race just started when I got there and the lady at the booth said I could walk the entire thing.

Maybe it's the New Yorker in me, maybe I'm just impatient, but when I got to that race course the thought of walking while everyone else was running became ridiculous. 3 miles is a long freaking walk.

So I started running. I think I ran for 10 minutes before I started feeling some pain so I decided to walk the rest. I walked to the finish line where the clock read 30 minutes and something seconds.

I'm still not sure how that's possible, but hey, that's a pretty damn good time for someone who hasn't run since January.

I am icing leg as I'm typing this and hoping everything's OK tomorrow. If it is, then I'll be signing up for another 5K in July or August and maybe actually show up on time.

Oh, and if you have the funds, please donate to the YAI Network who hosted this race. They're a non-profit who hold several programs for people with disabilities and their families. Picking this race wasn't a random decision for me -- it's for an organization that truly deserves support for all the great things they do.

#25 in Progress

Ever since high school I tried joining Filipino-American organizations at school. I'd attend a couple of meetings and then bail. Why? It seemed like the organizations' purpose was solely for partying. I don't need to join a club to get drunk, thankyouverymuch.

Now as an adult and with slightly more leadership experience, I have more options (and lower standards when it comes to who I drink with. Kidding!). I've joined CORE, a non-profit organization for empowering Filipino-Americans. I have a couple of ideas for new programs I want to launch, so fingers crossed that they don't fall through. This is very vague only because it's not even in planning stages yet.

This Friday I had dinner with other Filipinos and Gawad Kalinga, a Philippine-based organization whose goal is to eradicate poverty in the Philippines through community building. It was refreshing to hear from the founder who's passionate about making his country a better place, someone whose motives weren't to gain political power or fame. I'm glad that there are people, even if it's just a handful, with the vision and integrity to create organizations like GK.

Enough of this. I ran out of things to say.

Doot doo doot...

Keeping up with this is proving harder than I thought. I should keep a printed copy of this list so I can be reminded of what I set out to do and actually do it.

This weekend I finally got my gait analyzed at Jack Rabbit Sports. I started running a year ago and instead of getting a gait analysis, I assumed I needed motion control shoes for my foot type. All the running magazines said so. Turns out, I don't even need any kind of motion control/stability shoe. I am a neutral runner! (I thought so, I didn't feeel like I was overpronating.)

Say hello to my new babies...

 I haven't run in them yet; I've learned my lesson. Apparently one can't just go running 1-2 miles like it's super easy after a long period of being immobile. (But those runners make it look so easyyyy!)  Fingers crossed that wearing the right shoes will fix my tendonitis pain and I can run again soon!

So if you're thinking about starting a running regimen, follow these 2 pieces of advice: Get your gait analyzed -- wearing the wrong shoes will hurt you. Start SLOWLY -- running too much too soon will hurt you.

No, no soy mexicana, sino filipina.

Pero me gustan las margaritas.

(Translation: No, I'm not Mexican; I'm Filipina. But I do like margaritas.)

Some updates: #19 Learn CPR -- check! I now know what to do if you're choking or if your heart stops working. Though I hope I never have to use it because a) did you know you have to take off every piece of clothing on the person's upper body before performing CPR? Invasive, much? And b) well it's always nice when people stay healthy.

In all seriousness, I learned a lot of very useful information. I recommend taking a class.

I'm still working on mi espanol, trying to do at least a chapter a day, but honestly it doesn't feel like enough. I missed a free Spanish conversation class at the public library today because of a work event. Though in my defense, I had a margarita, which is Spanish, si?

#22: Donate Blood - Check!

I've been wanting to donate blood since high school. Why did it take this long for me to do it? It's not a fear of needles or blood -- I just never weighed enough.

I remember doing nothing but eat one weekend in high school in a desperate attempt to gain weight. I gained 2 pounds in 2 days, but lost those 2 pounds the following week. The adult, health-aware me now is disgusted.

So now, thanks to a desk job that keeps my butt glued to my seat 8 hours a day and a couple of hectic weeks that have sucked away most of my gym time, gaining weight isn't as hard as it used to be. (If I knew this when I was 16 I wouldn't have complained so much.)

Perfect timing for crossing off goal #22!

The process itself didn't hurt (I have no problem taking needles or shots - growing up with nurses in your family does that to you). But the puncture site gets sore after. And holy crap does it take away a lot of your energy. But I saved a life! The sticker says so.

Thank goodness for the free Oreos after. I would have smiled, but clearly I had cookies in my mouth. Priorities, people.

Me gustan mucho los burritos y free stuff

I took the first step to relearning Spanish by taking out some books from the public library. The last time I was in the New York Public Library was last summer. What exactly have I been reading for the past year? Oh right, women's magazines and the internet. Ah my brain.

Turns out they have Spanish conversation classes too! (Suck it, Rosetta Stone.) My broke self will forever be grateful to free public services like libraries and health clinics (Suck it, Tea Party).

Next class is in May, and EVERYTHING will be in Spanish, so I guess time to hit the books, and maybe tune in to Telemundo?

#9: Happy Hour - No, This Isn't Just an Excuse to Drink

Earlier tonight I attended Ed2010's Happy Hour/Networking event. Ed2010 is a non-profit organization started by magazine editors to help out other magazine editors and editor-to-bes. I wouldn't have a job without this site, so bless them.

I put off attending one of their happy hours because I thought, "What could I possibly get out of it?" Plenty, actually. You meet awesome people who share the same interests as you, get industry contacts and cheap booze!

But another reason was that I didn't know anyone there. Well I'm glad I went alone.

One of the things I liked about doing reporting is that you get placed in situations outside your comfort zone (kind of the point of this blog too, actually). It's terrifying at first, but there's a thrill to it. Like that time I covered a photo exhibit about Hurricane Katrina and needed some quotes. I could have not approached a woman who was crying looking at the photos, but her story (she lived in the neighborhood captured by the photographer) added so much to my story, that it was worth putting myself into an awkward situation. Trust me, I'm more likely to roll my eyes at you than offer you a tissue if you get emotional in public.

While I didn't meet my new BFFs at this happy hour, I did meet people who were in similar situations as I, career-wise. Good to know I'm not that girl standing against the wall sipping her drink. Next happy hour on my calendar is with NYC Women in Publishing.

Cheers!

#17: Spa Day - Ahhh...Ow!

Why was this on my list? Because it's my list and I figured the only way I would get myself some quality pampering time was if I put it on an actual to-do list.

So Spa Week (it ends today, but some spas extend it until the end of the month - call now if you're interested!) was the perfect opportunity to book a facial and massage at La Peau Day Spa.

The first time I got a professional massage was while trying out a new gym/spa for work (yeah, I know, my life is so harsh). You know those pictures of calm, peaceful women in white towels lying on a table? They lie. I was in pain most of the time. That's probably my fault because I have the body of an old lady, but I didn't expect massages to hurt! Today's experience was a little less painful, but still not the serene scene those pictures portray. So that, plus the fact that my body was creaking in a morning Pilates class, reminded me that I should probably do yoga again.

They're squirming under those towels, I know it.

Step 2: facial. I have never had a facial. I'm a big believer in the right drugstore cleansers + healthy lifestyle = good skin. Ok, add good genes in there too. But for the sake of trying new things and self-indulgence, I got one. Everything was fine until the extraction part. You know, where your harmless aesthetician turns serial zit/pore killer. Right now my face is a little red in some spots.

I'll stick to getting pedicures and sitting in the gym steam room.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

If you know me you know that I cannot function without being properly caffeinated. I get headaches and I get cranky. And so this change will hurt.

Instead of going to a TV show taping for my #20, I've decided to go a week without coffee.

BUT. I will still allow myself tea. A girl's gotta work, you know, and I would be miserable at work without any bit of caffeine. Let's see how many cups of black/green tea I end up drinking that week.

Am I a masochist? Maybe. But I do enjoy a challenge.

I will know how to save your life by the end of April

#19: Learn CPR.

Could it have been a mere case of serendipity that this week's work newsletter mentioned FREE CPR training for all employees? I don't really care (I hated the entire premise of that movie, despite my love for John Cusack. I mean who the fuck almost marries someone else while still pining for a stranger? This is romantic??) but it works in my favor because a 5-hour class from the Red Cross costs at least $75. Before the end of this month I'll be a slightly more useful human being -- for $0.

Yay!

Another coincidence? A friend posted a link to Filipino dance performances on Facebook today. Years ago I wouldn't have been interested in this, but hey, if I'm going to learn a dance it might as well be a Filipino one. We'll see if this takes care of #21. It's funny how opportunities show up when you keep your mind a little more open.

Also, welcome, Prek, to the 25 before 25 bandwagon!

I'm turning 25 this year. Whaa?

While searching for reviews for a new Filipino restaurant in the East Village, I came across this woman's blog about accomplishing 30 things before she turns 30 (in a little over a year). So, since I am turning 25 at the end of this year (dun dun DUN!), I decided to make a 25 before 25 list.

It took more than a day because 1) my funds are limited and 2) it's less than a year away- holy crap!

I really didn't want to blog about it because frankly, I've gotten tired of the internet, but my boyfriend Dean thought it was important to document it, even if in a notebook/pen-on-paper form. So because it has been years since I've written a coherent sentence on an actual piece of paper, here goes my attempt at blogging.

And here is my 25 before 25 list:
1. Get a freelance article published in a print publication.
2. Go indoor rock climbing.
3. Relearn how to speak, read and write Spanish.
4. Take trapeze lessons.
5. Run a 5K in under 30 minutes.
6. Write a book pitch.
7. Kayak in NYC.
8. Try Bikram yoga.
9. Attend an industry happy hour/networking event.
10.Take a self-defense class.
11. Leg press twice my weight.
12. Swim a complete lap without stopping.
13. Go to winetasting/vineyard.
14. Relearn to read and write Tagalog.
15. Go to a shooting range.
16. Gamble at a casino.
17. Spa day.
18. Visit all major museums in NYC.
19. Learn CPR.
20. Sit in the audience of a TV show.
21. Take a dance class.
22. Donate blood.
23. Cook a Filipino meal well.
24. Take a boxing class.
25. Join and be active in a Filipino-American organization.

If you'd like to join me in any one of these activities, please let me know :)

Now your turn: What would you put on your 30 before 30, 25 before 25, or general bucket list?