best of 2010: getting pregnant

The best thing that happened to us in 2010 was getting pregnant! After trying for two years, God finally blessed us with our little bundle of joy. 


We discovered we were on the way last July. I was on the last leg of my training for the Shape Run, was sprinting and all, and I fell sick. On the morning of July 21, I woke up, my gut telling me to use that spare home pregnancy test in my closet. I wasn't expecting for two lines to show (because there has always been just one line), but to my surprise, there were two lines! I checked the box and surely, two lines meant positive! I rushed out of the bathroom and woke Reden up. "B! It's positive!!!" He was groggy and was only able to mutter, "ha?" I said, "Positive!" And we just hugged and I almost cried. It was the best moment of my life (well, until I heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time). We just couldn't believe it we had to do the test again the following morning and the morning after that. All tests showed positive!


Our baby boy's due to come out in 78 days and we're just so excited. But before he arrives, we still got plenty to take care of. We have three sessions of childbirth education classes to attend, a hospital bag to pack, a crib to look for and buy and clothes to wash. These on top of us looking for a new flat and packing and moving and unpacking. Whew!


But we're happy. And we can't wait!


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Scrapbook page credits: Background paper, knot with eyelets and journal mat from Baby Got the Blues kit by Tracy Scherrer at Digital Freebies. Polaroid frames created using Photoshop.

best of 2010: reunion with SYG

Another highlight of 2010 would have to be my reunion with my closest friends from high school. We've been friends since 1994 and the last time our barkada was complete was in 2005, I think.

Madz, Thet, Cecile, Eden, Grace and I called ourselves Six Young Girls aka SYG back when we were students in Canossa, and I'm glad to say that up to now, even when we're not so young anymore, we're still very good friends.

Life pulled us to different directions (and provinces and countries!). Madz migrated to Ontario, Canada in 2005, while I moved to Singapore in 2007. Thet lives in Batangas City while Cecile stays in Quezon City. Grace is still in San Pablo City while Eden, after working briefly in Taiwan, is now back in Alaminos, Laguna. 

When we were kids, we talked about our crushes, gossiped about the popular girls, got entangled in teenage dramas, fought and made up. Now, we mainly talk about our families and how we're coping with life. We've grown up.

My friends are all raising their own kids now and I think they're all doing a great job at it. Taking care of the children plus work and/or keeping our homes in order keep us busy and don't allow us to get in touch as often as we should. But, thanks to Facebook, we're doing a better job at updating each other about what's up in our lives.

I'm really so proud of these girls women. I love them and I'll always be grateful I have them in my life.

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Scrapbook page credits: Poppy and Cream dots background papers, blue, green and orange flowers and butterfly from Princess kit, and alpha from Promise kit, both by Shabby Princess. Template by Tanya Riley.

best of 2010: a new job for Reden

Reden landing a job in Apple is really a blessing and miracle from God and is certainly a highlight of the last year. It just came at the perfect time! We were pregnant, I wasn't working, we needed to boost our income and suddenly this opportunity came knocking on our door. 

My husband wasn't actively looking for a new job but a head hunter got in touch with him and recruited him for this new role in Apple. Since it was a well-known multinational company, Reden decided to go for it. After several interviews, he was finally offered the job. His first day was last November.

This just shows that God always gives us what we need. As long as we remain faithful to Him and believe He knows what He's doing, everything will fall into place. :)

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Scrapbook page credits: Green net paper, blue paper, yellow lined paper and patterned paper, and buttons all from Graphic Pop kit from scrapbooks etc.

the best of 2010: visiting Siem Reap, Cambodia

Our trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia last May was truly a trip of a lifetime. I've always wanted to see Angkor Wat and all the other temples there ever since I watched Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider. I knew it would be so fascinating to see the centuries-old structures and indeed, the many wats we saw didn't disappoint. 

Aside from visiting the many ancient sites, Reden and I had a grand time meeting the locals. Our driver, Mr. Han and tour guide, Mr. Kunthea, were both very accommodating. We also enjoyed trying Cambodian cuisine served at the restaurants along Pub Street, the market and the streets. Shopping was also fun because the goods were cheap at the Old Market and made for really nice and sulit pasalubongs.

Our vacation wouldn't have gone half as smoothly if we didn't stay at The Villa. We just availed one of their packages, which included accommodations and tours, and they made sure we enjoyed every single second of our Siem Reap adventure.

We would definitely visit Cambodia again. 

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Scrapbook page credits: Red solid background paper and red floral paper (used as ribbon), flower stickers from Echoes of Asia kit by Jessica Sprague. Bronze frame created using Photoshop.

the best of 2010: picking up running

I must say that one of the best things Reden and I did for ourselves this year was to get serious about running. We picked up the sport in line with our goal to get fit but I was surprised when I ended up liking it and wanting to do it regularly. 


I personally find it relaxing and meditative and each time I finish a kilometre or two, I feel empowered; I feel I can do anything. Running and pushing my mental and physical limits also became like a prayer to me. I did it to give thanks to the God who created me and put me on this Earth.


Reden and I signed up for several races in 2010. Last April, we ran the Dow Live Earth Run for Water 6 kilometre event together, then on May, Reden ran his first 10K event at the PAssion Run. In July, I was supposed to join the 5K Shape Run but I was already pregnant, but Reden got to run 7.5K in the Race Against Cancer, raising S$225 for the Singapore Cancer Society.


Last September, Reden joined the 10K men's open at the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon, and in October 10, at the Mizuno Wave Run. To culminate a year of running, Reden ran 10K at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, which I also signed up for before I knew I had this little one inside me. I was supposed to run my first 10K at this race!


I'm still quite surprised at myself for saying this, but I miss running! I'm looking forward to running again and I just know it will help me get back in shape after I've delivered our baby. Gotta start looking for jogger strollers soon!


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Scrapbook page credits: Circles background paper from Moody Blues kit by Shabby Princess, sunshine paper (used in title) by Liv Esteban at Jessica Sprague.com.

the best of 2010: losing weight

This is the first of The Best of 2010 series, which will cover the highlights of my 2010.

One of the goals I set for myself at the start of 2010 was to lose weight. We really wanted to start a family and one of the doctors I saw told me maybe it would help if I lose the excess kilos. She referred me to a dietitian and that's when I decided to get serious about getting fit.

In 2009, I hit my heaviest at 75 kilos or 165 pounds. I had a body mass index of 30.2, which classified me as obese. The first time I talked to my dietitian, she gave me a meal plan where I only needed to consume 1,500 kcal a day. Aside from that, she told me I have to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes.

I started my fitness regimen in January, right after the holidays. I became mindful of my meal portions and made sure to eat lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy protein. I needed to watch my intake of hawker fare because most of them were too oily. We switched to plain brewed coffee instead of instant three-in-ones and started using Splenda instead of regular sugar.

I also began walking 30 minutes every other day. At first they were just slow walks but when I felt I already could, I started brisk walking and increased the duration. By March, I felt I was strong enough to start running. I began inserting 10-minute slow runs in between brisk walks, and the next thing I knew, I could run for 20 minutes straight. I also bought a Polar FT4 so I'll know if I'm working hard enough. 

By July, I already lost 10 kilos or 22 pounds. My clothes fit better and I felt healthier and more energetic. I would have been on my way to reaching my goal weight of 55 kilos by the end of the year but God had other plans.

I think this is the first time when I actually stuck to a diet and fitness regimen. I guess I really needed the help and guidance I got from my dietitian. It also helped that Reden went on the journey with me, eating what I ate and exercising too.

Achieving a weight loss of 10 kilos made me realize that I can do anything I put my heart and mind into. I just had to be willing and determined to put in the work necessary so I can reach my goals. Now I am confident that when it's time to do this all over again, I can and will succeed.

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Scrapbook page credits: Striped paper, stapled tabs and alpha from Two Soon kit by Shabby Princess. 

Photo credits: Fruit salad by nkzs, veggies by bigevil600, running track by dlritter and bread are all from stock.xchng.