London

I made it safely to London in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Thanks to my willingness to experiment with sleeping pills - I actually got some sleep on the flight and managed to be ok from the journey to the airport to my apartment.

After checking in, I took a quickie one hour nap and met up with a colleague on the south bank. I got there a little bit early and decided to check out the Dali exhibit and managed to stay awake until the evening. Too bad I woke up at midnight, didn't fall asleep until 4am and missed my alarm for a quick run before I headed to the office. But let's not dwell on that stuff...here are some pics:

My apartment in Mayfair - steps away from hide park :)

Curzon Street

South Bank

Break dancing street show...

Running: Resuscitated

As some of you may have already gathered, I imported posts from my old training blog as a shameless move of false-advertising. We started this blog as a family diary and way to keep in touch with family across the globe. It saves me the time of emailing and updating each friend and family member individually, as much as I would really love to if I had the time.

Along with running, writing has become practice in which I take great pleasure. (I guess this is my way of justifying the vanity project into which blogging can quickly evolve!)

So, for fear of turning this into another training blog, the last race that I ran was the 2007 Virginia Beach Half-Marathon and since then, I haven't really run much at all.

I've thought about listing my excuses here but have decided to spare you all.

I'm almost afraid to say it (for fear of jinxing the progress), but I'm happy to say that I'm on my 6th straight week of running. The goal markers have been conservative and I'd like to keep it that way.

• 4-5 Days of Running / Week
• 3-4 Days of 30 to 45 minutes Runs
• 0-1 Day 45-60 minute Runs

Let's not venture into pace at this point. I'm slow. But that's ok. The benefits outweigh pride on this - Among other things, I'm much more energetic and willing to endure a long work day on my butt. Finally, I'm thrilled that I'm hardly ever too drained to hang out with the biscuits at the end of a long day.

Finally, I guess I should get to the crux of why I've rehashed my running habit with you all (the little pic above probably gave it away though:

I entered the 2009 ING NYC Marathon lottery. We'll find out in June if I screwed myself by having to run it :)

The Boys

We have to give a shout out to AFJ's beloved 'boys.' Last week, my family joined us for a fun mid-week dinner of pizza and beer (for the adults only, of course). Here are the pictures highlights:

Group shot in the den - the first of our projects around the house.

MJ gets a little slap happy with the beer.

Group shot part II

AFJ sports the valentines outfit from Great Grandma and Grandpa W :)

Road Trippin'

We're back from another FUN-FILLED whirlind weekend adventure chalk full of classic mishaps by yours truly!

ZMW's company, hooked us up with some Redwings tickets on Friday night. For all you hockey fans out there, I'm sure you can appreciate how exciting it was to watch our very esteemed Detroit hockey team. They are one of the very few things that Detroit has going for itself right now as this city works towards re-defining itself.

Tourist shot!

AFJW and ZMW took the bus -- arranged by ZMW's company -- and I met them in Detroit. The ride was an adventure in and of itself for the little one and ZMW made sure I was privy to all of the details with pictures and cute little videos he diligently sent to my phone throughout the ride.

After doing everything I could to get out of the office early, I flew down the highway to make it to the game only to find a bit of a parking nightmare because I had Sasa in the car with me - apparently, dogs are not allowed in parking garages. The little pup came to work with me because OF COURSE he was to join us on our little weekend road trip!

Tired, hungry, and mildly cranky I dramatically suggested to ZMW that he and AFJW just enjoy the game without me, and that I'd head to the hotel to rest. Like the darling that he is, he had me pick him up and together - all 4 or us! - we found a parking garage (after a few miles of circling) that kindly let us in.

The game was so fun. Especially after I downed a 24oz Molson ice with ZMW ;) AFJW loves watching sports and this game was no exception. She cheered with the crowds and very politely asked, before the end of the third period (while we were up 3-1), if we could go because she was tired. We made our way to the hotel, which for Anna was probably the most exciting prospect of the entire trip! We snuck Sasa into the hotel room with us and we slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, we woke up before the crack of dawn to head down to Pittsburgh. The weather reports were all doom and gloom with a big snow storm in the area and we were pleased to have beat the storm out. After a quick 3.5 hours, we made it to our fancy Sheraton hotel room, which impressed the socks out of our little wonder. So much so in fact, that by the end of our trip she was pining to head back. Who could blame her? Lovely sheets, somebody who cleans up after you, room service - heck! I would love for us to move in.

After a few hours of spending time with family, the three of us re-grouped for a lovely sushi dinner together. To be sure, it was a heck of a time tearing Anna away from her precious, posh hotel room. After a few bites of her favorite sushi however - Ikura - the trip seemed worth it.

Sushi time!

Love boat action :)

The atrium of the Four Points Sheraton

ZMW and I caught up on LOST episodes, much needed sleep and we even mangaged to squeeze in a workout and pool time. After a few happy hour drinks at the hotel bar and an early dinner snack - we took off for home and I...left my computer bag at the hotel. It is on its way via overnight shipping but WOW - all that rest and relaxation definitely didn't fix my forgetfullness.

We made it home safely and not without Sasa succeeding in a few attempts to escape from his little hatch in the back of the car - which mixed up the ride a bit for sure. Home sweet home and we're ready for our next adventure :)

Valentines Weekend

Our Valentines weekend was a great excuse to celebrate one another and spend some time with family. In light of Phifa's recent passing, we have been spending more time than usual with my Mom and Dad to help fill the incredible void of Phifa's departure. Not that we shouldn't be spending a lot of time with them anyway, right?! HA!

We kicked off the weekend on Friday evening with Anna's ballet class and then to the movie theatre to watch Caroline. It was...interesting, to say the least (read: I took a little nap). Anna liked it which is what matters :) During the work day, ZMW surprised me with a dozen roses sent to my office. It's funny that my colleagues are starting to get used to the fact that he sends me something every few weeks - clearly, I am spoiled.com

My lovely bouquet of roses.

This is an old pic, but I love it AND I couldn't find the shot these two sent me while Anna was at ballet. Look how little Sasa was!!!

In the morning, I surprised the biscuits with some Valentines treats. AFJ is at an age where she can show appreciation for things and boy, was she excited to get some Hello Kitty stationary to practice writing her letters and numbers - it never hurts to bribe and I'm not ashamed to admit it. In the afternoon, ZMW surprised me with a couples massage, a late lunch (Korean), an afternoon nap(!!) and tickets to the local symphony orchestra with a valentines theme.

Stationary, bubble gum and a TUTU! What else can a 4-year-old ask for?! (Don't worry, I'm not asking)

AFJ's card to me

Her card to ZMW.

Me squeezing Sasa after our massage :) He needed a little Valentines lovin'

AFJ spent the afternoon with her Lolo and Lola and on Sunday, we took them to Troy for lunch and paseo at the mall, where I tried on a few dresses at BCBG Maxazaria. All in all, another great weekened to round out another tough work week!

AFJ and her newest Bunny Buddy, Emily - she 'made' her at build-a-bear.

Eyes popping out at the price probably...

Picking out the animal...

Lola fixes the hairdo.

I can't believe how much these two look alike!

New York City

Just returned from an action-packed, super whirlwind trip to NYC. While originally planned for business I - of course - skillfully turned it into an amazing NYC evening of catching up with old friends and gown fitting at Vera Wang.

To be fair, the business part of the trip was really exciting. In town for a meeting at the New York Stock Exchange, it turned out that just entering the building would be an event in and of itself. This place was seriously secured like a fortress - crowds of tourists snapping shots of the ailing environment on Wall Street only added to the drama. Luckily, my name was on the list of scheduled NYSE guests and I was kindly (probably reluctantly - hahah) let it - but not after they searched and scanned my bags, of course :)


At the end of the work day, I was treated to a personal tour of the trading floor by one of the VPs of Listings. Wow. What a sight. While I couldn't actually help all of the plummeting stocks, it was still incredible to be down on the floor looking at the varied colored smocks and frenzied traders still looking weary from the current market conditions. I noted Fox News' booth and reporter stationed not too far from the CNBC team and was star struck by the industry I happen to be a player in. Needless to say, the day ended off with a bang - especially when I noted a camera-toter snapping shots of myself and a college as we exited the fortress/building. Clearly, this person had NO IDEA who was shooting at!

The famous trading floor.

Despite having been awake since 4am, I mustered up the energy to make it to my very exciting gown fitting at Vera Wang in the upper East Side. As you can imagine, I fell in love with a dress and was thrilled to have my older brother of sorts, and Anna's godfather, ENY there to lend a helping, stylish hand (: Fun, fun, fun.

We then went up to Carlyle's to meet up with yet another close friend and sister of sorts from my other life when I lived in Rome, VDL. An Armani employee, I guess I should have asked her to make an appointment for me at HIS boutique ;) hahaha. The feel at the Carlyle embodies so much of what I imagine about my wedding and the feel and glam that I would dare call my style. Why fight what you like?? Hell - who would have thought that I love old 1940s New York, live, big band music and most importantly, excellent dirty martinis!! Turns out that while I love the outdoors, I'm not the camp ground kind of bride, or evening foray-er! ::Shrug::

The Carlyle

The RedHead in the East Village

Note: I didn't take a SINGLE one of the above pictures. Below are the crappier, phone versions that I managed to pull off:

The board room where our meeting took place.

ENY probably will kill me for this one, but this was a tipsy shot I took at the Carlyle - I can't BELIEVE I didn't take a pic with VDL!

Shot I sent to ZMW and AFJW per their request on the flight home :) (I love that I have something in my teeth!!)

Detroit Art Institute & Sommerset Mall

For ACT's last hoorah, we went to the Detroit Art Institute. The contemporary art collection was pretty impressive and I particularly enjoyed learning more about Andy Warhol's philosophy on 'what is art'. AFJW could possibly have cared less until we discovered the 'eye spy' games in certain galleries after which, her interest perked. Her ambivalence about the whole escapade was marked by her incessant "ok, let's get outta here" remarks.

AFJW looks interested!

Taking the Asian fan to a whole new level!

Butts!!

Taking a 'viewing' break.

ZMW super excited about his mosaic (a nice little activity at the end of our visit).

Squeezed in a family shot!

After dropping ACT off at the airport, we hiked up to the Troy area where we enjoyed an early dinner at Royal Kubo. We thought of my Dad as we chomped on classic Filipino food and enjoyed an ice cold beer - on a decidedly ice cold DAY. The dinner outing was particularly marked by our 'special' waitress whose behavior begged to question her sobreity. I'll leave it at that.

Rockin' a cold one!

AFJW & ZMW

Muchas smooches!

My little comedian.

She's SO sweet. YUM!

For their first time, I then took AFJW and ZMW to Sommerset mall. The concentration of wealth in the state of Michigan couldn't have been more apparent with the size, contents (in terms of stores) and demographic (read: really rich people). It was tons of fun though making 'paseo,' like the true Filipinos that we are. The only difference is that we seek shelter in the mall for HEAT rather than AIR CONDITIONING!

The sky walk walking-belt at Sommerset.