Decisions

Vince and I are moving to Indianapolis in June. What made this a very difficult decision to make was that as soon as he signed up for a job in Indy, Rush offered him his dream job. He wants to teach and be able to do manual medicine. He'll be working with residents, thus staying in the academics. Plus, the Rush Rehab is planning to put up an alternative medicine clinic, wherein he can practice manipulations. On the other hand, he'll be in a private practice in Indy, which means he'll have to work long hours to meet the productivity demands. He would easily choose Rush over this. But the problem is that he has already signed a contract in Indy. So he was torn between honoring his contract and going after his dream job. With much reluctance, he chose to honor his word. In a way, I am glad that he did because this showed his integrity. I don't know if I could live with a man who cannot stand by his words. But I also feel sorry for him because I know how much he'd love to stay at Rush.

Happy Easter

Yesterday, Vince and I went to the Chinese Bible Church at Oak Park. Vince's friend and former co-worker, Julie goes to church there. The service took two hours because it was both in English and Cantonese. According to Julie, the English and Cantonese services are usually separated. But since yesterday was Easter they combined the two services. There was a translator who was translating whatever was being said into Cantonese. At first, I felt a little lost because I could not understand the pastor because his voice was so low and was mumbling in his Chinese-accented English. Thankfully, there was another pastor who spoke louder. Pastor Raj gave a good sermon. At the end of the service, Julie and her husband Paul, together with their little girl Alana met up with us. Julie was starving and was craving for dimsum. Eventhough we just had dimsum last Wednesday, Vince and I decided to go with them.

At the restaurant, I had the grandest time watching Alana. She was so adorable. At two, she wanted to do everything on her own. "Ms. Independent," Paul called her. Vince and I had a great time talking to Julie and Paul, and watched this family interact. While we were eating, one of the waitresses was passing out the "taho" (I don't know what it's called in English or in Chinese, but it's the tofu drink that peddlers sell in the Philippines.) Paul asked what it was, and I said that it was taho. He seemed confused, so I asked if he spoke Tagalog. Paul didn't realize that I was Filipina. (Ngek. If you'd see me, you would say that I look like a typical Filipina --brown skin, dark eyes, black hair) So anyway, Julie(who is Chinese) said, "Yeah, she's Filipina. They are the opposite of us." Then she turned to Vince and me, "if you wonder what your kids are gonna look like, just look at Alana." That was so funny.

After lunch, Paul invited Vince and me to see the condo that he and Julie recently purchased in downtown. They live in the suburbs, and spend the weekends in the city. Their condo unit has a nice view of downtown buildings and is situated about two blocks away from the John Hancock tower. Restaurants and shops are at a walking distance. How I'd love to live there.

Today, the temperature dropped down to the high 50's and low 60's. Vince got home early, so I asked him to play tennis with me. I am still learning, so Vince ended up running after the ball. He did say I am getting better with my forehand. Now if I can just remember how to do the backhand while we're at play. I took beginner's lessons last year and I did well when we were learning the strokes, but once we started playing, I just couldn't remember how to execute those strokes. :)

I don't know why I totally suck at tennis. I just don't have the hand and eye coordination that is so important when playing this sport. I was an active child when I was a kid. In the afternoons after classes and after finishing my homeworks, I used to play tags, hide and seek, patintero and tinikling with my cousins(all boys) who lived in the same compound. I even played badminton. So I thought it would be easy to learn tennis. Boy, am I wrong! But, I won't give up. Someday, I'll just be whacking that ball like a real pro. Watch out, Lindsay Davenport! Hehehe.

Happy Birthday, My Love

Today is Vince's birthday. I picked him up from the hospital and we went to Chinatown for dimsum.(Yeah, how romantic!) I told him I didn't have a gift for him. But I have a surprise for him that he will receive by the end of this year. I can't say any more details because he probably reads my blog.

I thank God for bringing Vince into this world and into my life. And I thank his parents for bringing him up the way they did. He loves his family and is very close with this siblings. Not a day will go by without him talking to his brothers, his sister or his nephews and nieces.

He has an appetite for learning. Sometimes I complain that he is always reading his medical books, but I do admire him for wanting to know more, for wanting to be the best doctor that he can be. He is dedicated not just to his own career, but to the whole residency program in which he is a chief resident. He worries about his co-residents' learning and always aims to improve the program for future residents.

I have never seen a more patient, more gentle and kinder man than him (well, maybe my dad and my brother, but they don't count 'cause they're my family). Sometimes I get so amazed by what he could put up with (me, included.) His job can be so frustrating, but I seldom hear him complain about it. He sincerely cares about his patients.

He is intelligent and funny. I love being able to talk to him about movies, books, and current events. And he can talk my ear off when he starts discussing X-files and Star Wars. He always makes me laugh with his antics. He is not afraid to make fun of himself. During his internship, his friends used to tease him for being so pale and for having long hair that they called him "Michael Jackson." So, when one of our friends had a party and broke out her karaoke mic, Vince sang "Thriller" with much gusto, complete with MJ trademark, high-pitch voice. It was hilarious.

These are only few of the qualities my loveable boyfriend has. He is no saint, and sometimes he drives me nuts, but I will always feel like I don't deserve him. He is much too good for me. :)

Lists

Accomplishments for today:
1. Breakfast of oatmeal, skim milk and raisins.
2. 45 mins of Tae-Bo
3. 45 mins of strength training- abs and lower body
4. Cooked chillibeans for lunch.
5. Finished Tax

To Do for today:
1. Grocery shop
2. Sort out reading materials and throw away stuff.
3. Clean out desk
4. Get a car wash
5. Call Lea

Now let's see how much will be actually done today.

My Dream Abs

I've been dreaming of nicely sculpted abs, not the six-pack kind that Janet Jackson has, but a flat, bulge-free set that I once had...uhmm maybe ten or so years ago. "5'3" tall and 100 pounds, what more do you ask? " some of my friends say. I am skinny, yes. But I am skinny fat. I don't know what my body fat percentage now, and I am afraid to find out. I know that I am not fit.

When I was in San Diego, I used to exercise consistently and work with a trainer. I didn't watch what I eat, but I didn't really pig out or stuff food in my face like there was no tomorrow. Since I moved here to Chicago, my lifestyle has become dormant. Don't get me wrong, I am not inherently lazy. My job entails me to walk, stand on my feet, and move around all day. I don't get short of breath doing all these through the entire 13 hours that I am at work, but at the end of the day the exhaustion consumes me. I always feel like I have no energy left to exercise during my days off.

The climate here in Chicago didn't help either. This past summer, I was able to haul my butt out of my apartment to walk by the lake or play tennis with Vince or Lea. But when winter came, I just hibernated, afraid to brave the snow. Ok, the gym is only five blocks away, but are you going to make me walk five blocks of snow just to get there? That's a lot of work!!! Uhmm, ok, maybe I am lazy. :)

I had a wake up call when I read Star's entry on being losyang (a woman with unkempt appearance). She hit the nail on that first paragraph that said "I don't want to be losyang in body." And to make matters worse, the other night, I tried to slip into one of my favorite jeans (the pair that made me look tall and slim) and realized that I had to suck my tummy in just so I could zip them. And when the zipper finally closed, I couldn't breathe comfortably. I felt like my circulation was getting cut off and I was starting to get lightheaded. Can you imagine if I passed out because of the tight pair of jeans? That would have been an embarrassment in the ED. Hehehe, dx: syncopal episode secondary to tight jeans.

Because of this, my dream of flat abs started to form. And how will I make this dream a reality? First I'll take baby steps: I'll pop in my trusted Tae-Bo video in my DVD player and start working out. I'll also make use of my dusty dumbbells for strength training. At least once a week, I'll unfurl my old yoga mat and do either yoga poses or Pilates mat. And when I gather enough strength, I'll dig out that forgotten Bally's membership card and walk those five blocks to the gym. I don't know how long it will take, but my dream abs will be mine. And I will once again fit into my favorite pair of jeans.

Spring, where are you?

It snowed again yesterday. I can't wait to go out without donning a jacket or a coat. I miss my tank tops and my sandals. I yearn for the warm breeze, the ray of sunshine, and the smell of the ocean. Is it time to take my next vacation?