3 Cool Ways to Bring At-the-Gym Workouts to YOU

I love learning about the newest ways of working out--whether the methods are crazy-good or just plain crazy. Do you? But there are days I'd just as rather stay home from the gym.

There are obviously tons of creative ways you can work out at home--DVDs, running around your house, standing on one leg. Here are a few others to add to the list:

1: Trampolining
I've wanted to try a trampolining class for just about ever. The problem? No classes near me, boo. Besides the insane fun that comes with boinging around for an hour, it's also an amazing workout choice: a study in the Journal of Applied Psychology has shown that just 10 minutes of trampoline jumping is equal to the health benefits of running for than 30 minutes. Also, trampolining is also supposed to be low-impact and gentler on your knees. Experts say that you can get a great workout at home on your own, performing simple muscle-strengthening moves like jumping jacks or tucks, where you pull your legs into your chest during the jump.

2: ElliptiGO
Is it an elliptical trainer? Is it a bike? It's both, kind of! If the at-gym ellipticals have one big fault, it's that they don't actually go anywhere. This little machine does--while seriously engaging your core muscles (which you have to do to keep from falling over), burning calories, and going easy on your joints at the same time. 

3: Juggling
It's not exactly a standard-issue class at every gym, but JuggleFit is a real workout that's all about--you guessed it--juggling. Why? Well, check out these health benefits: it helps improve coordination, strengthens your core, aids in warding off stress, and a study in Nature magazine even found that learning how to juggle could help build brain matter. Oh, and it also burns 280 calories an hour. Neat.

What's your favorite at-home workout? Is there a class at your gym that you'd like to replicate--in some fashion--at home?

Inexpensive and Thoughtful Presents for Graduates

Graduation is a definite milestone in a person's life. Whether it's kindergarten, elementary, high school, college, or graduate school, graduation means not only a diploma, but a life change as well. Thinking of what to get for a recent grad this year but don't have much money? Some terrific ideas for affordable, yet tasteful gifts. Here is a list of some things that you could make yourself:

• Photo album with lots of lovely memorable pictures
• Photo CD capturing the special moments of the graduate's life
• Painted coffee mug, just make a design the graduate will love
• Homemade card, a very personal note to the graduate
• Jewelry made out of beads
• Decorated jewelry box
• Creative hand bags
• Embroidered handkerchief
• Make up a scrapbook with all the great photos, stories, clips, and comments from friends all about the graduate. This is one that takes quite a bit of effort but it is a cheap graduation gift and will be one treasured for the rest of the graduate's life
• Flower bouquet made with flowers from your garden wrapped with cellophane and curling ribbon. Make it extra special with a painted vase
• A beautiful plant which you have nurtured specially for the graduate
• Why not bake Graduation Cakes
• Pen stands
• A neat graduation gift is a set of say 6 postcards with prepaid postage. Each card is addressed to home and has a note saying please send me more, and then the graduate can tick for money, phone cards, food, clothing or write down what they need in the other section. This is just a fun way of keeping in touch and getting help.
• Create a memory blanket with lots of embroidered squares which represent key areas in the graduate's life so far, including the graduation.
• If you are a good photographer you could take photographs of the graduate, their family, their friends and their favorite places. Create a photo album or a photo frame with these photos.
• Use craft kits to create a cheap graduation gift. There are great craft kits available to make picture frames, photo frames, decorate mugs, homemade jewelry, decorate sunglasses and even a kite.

Nothing is more appreciated than a custom-made, one-of-a-kind gift. Even when craftiness is not a strong-suite, arts and crafts stores sell kits that even novices can tackle. It shows a great deal of thought and effort has gone into the present.

Still don't know the best gift to give a special graduate? Simple words of wisdom. After just graduating from high school or college, so many changes are in store. Offering encouragement and support will give a person the confidence he/she needs to embark on the next phase of life.


Congrats Batch 2011!

Just feeling the SUMMER vibes..

2011: Bida Best Sa Tag-Araw

2010: Summer Ang Simula

2009: Galaw Galaw Sa Tag-Araw

2008: One Team One Summer

2007: Araw Natin 'To

2005: Ka-Summer Mo, Kapamilya Mo

2004: Sabay Summer Tayo Kapamilya!

2002: Saya Ng Summer

Videos courtesy of youtube.com

Mc Donald's is FUN

                                                                        Eto sila noon..

 

       Ganito na sila ngayon..      

  

            Check out some of McDo's most hilarious commercials  :) 

                                                          

Videos Courtesy of youtube.com                                                                                                         

In the land of the Sleeping Squammy Giant..

Beijing is one of the most heavily toured cities in China, yet many don’t realize that amidst the hustle and bustle of the city lies one of the greatest cultural and historical sites in the world. Here are some things we've seen in our recent trip to Beijing  which show how squammy their country is hehe :P Bicycle City Beijing  probably still has more bicycles in general daily use than any city in the world.  However, this is changing rapidly.  Beijing people think nothing of riding for an hour and a half to work each day and all around you can notice huge parking lots just for bikes.  As appose to most places in the world Beijing people actually have to pay to park their bike in these lots. Di ba matipid sila? Pants slit If you're lucky, or unlucky, depending on how you look at it, you will notice certain children wandering the streets of Beijing with a slit of varying sizes in the back of their pants.  Ang orig na taong LABAS At first, you probably think its some really poor child who's trousers have come apart and the seams and whose family are too poor to fix them.  Actually these pants with the built-in slit can be bought new from the store. The reason is due to the age-old custom/practice of being able to stop at will and take a bathroom break, kind of like a dog would do on the street.  This practice is still widely evident but as the city continues modernization, the government pleads with the public to be ever more polite and civilized using advertising campaigns.   Apartment living One of the first things you will probably notice when visiting Beijing is the abundance of large house blocks within the city center and beyond.  These places look as if they were constructed in the 1970's and are home to the majority of Beijing residents.  Most are not built to good standard and look like drab and dirty places from the outside.  Squat toilet This kind of toilet is still in abundance in Beijing and there is no sign of it going away very quickly.  This is partly due to  some Beijing/Chinese people thinking that it is more hygienic than a western-style "sit down" toilet.  The theory goes that if your naked flesh is in contact with something that other people's naked flesh has also come into contact with, you could catch some disease.  Well, their may indeed be a shred of truth in that.  The other truth, however, is that with a western-style toilet, a lot more of a person's "output" has more of a chance of hitting the "target".  This being the case, squat toilet's surroundings are often both wet and dirty, which is not great for your trousers or anything you may want to place on the floor whilst you "work".  The toilet pictured is one of the best and cleanest  squat-style toilets to be seen in Beijing.  If you're really unlucky, you can catch really terrible examples.  Unless you're insanely curious.  I would recommend you give this style of toilet a miss.  It requires a great amount of effort and leg muscle to use.  Hold it till you get back to your hotel! Sleepers One of the more amusing things to be seen in Beijing, at least for most ivsitors, is to see Beijing residents happily sleeping whenever they get a chance.  One of the more popular places if there is no bed available is at the lunch / dinner table / work desk. Sweet Dreams This habit is formed and encouraged in early school years where pupils are told to rest for an hour or so in their lunch break.  However, Beijing residents as they got older seemed reluctant to let this habit go.  As a result its now perfectly socially acceptable to sleep wherever you want. Look for this site in quiet restaurants at lunch time, breakfast, or late evening. Crazy English Unfortunately I am not referring to the popular Chinese book and TV series about learning spoken English.  I am talking about the many, many examples of incorrect English words and phrases printed around Beijing.     These sights are for me,  "the Real Beijing"  experience which redefine my impressions of the country and sometimes China in general. See how many you can see on your future visit :)

Ang SLUMBOOK ng mga SQUAMMY

Have you heard or read something about Witty Will Save the World?. Well, definitely you’re missing something really cool eh. They are a small group of ordinary people who has an amazing talent of making something unique.

So what am I talking about?…

In short the maker of “Relaks, puso lang yan, malayo sa bituka” planner and “The Slumbook“. Now they are going to release another cool notebook/slumbook called “Akala mo lang wala nang slumbook, pero meron, meron, meron!”  Tanso Edition. 


Kaloka ang mga tanong sa slumbook.. Squammy to the next level talaga :D
Kudos sa mga creators, naaliw kame talaga. Haha

Credit to Witty Will Save the World Facebook Page:)

ms. squam-maica!

funnnone other than ms. jamaica turned the 2010 ms. earth pageant opening into a party, music video shoot, concert performance and baklaang rampa in one!

kung sabagay, i would do anything to outshine my opponents. and in a pageant like this--when most girls can't even sway their hips the right way--imma shake mah booteh til you drop, guuurrrrlll!!!

(can't figure out what i'm talkin' 'bout? see 00:40-01:20)

*video grabbed from YouTube. credit goes to owner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_allHUZ03As

Spell "Brekker" sa Callcenter

Just for laughs :)

Sana may ganito sa ASAP..

Justin Bieber Fake?

Justin Bieber Found to be Cleverly Disguised 51-Year Old Pedophile :P

Are you brave enough to let me see your Peacock?

Watch Katy Perry's Peacock Take Flight!

Valentine's Weekend at Tomas Morato: Food Fiesta Non Stop Dance Music

My (unintentional) walking trip along Tomas Morato last Saturday (Feb 12) led me to the street food fiesta that is Banchetto. Sorry if the pictures came out a bit dark, it is a night food fair after all :)

A large portion of the road got closed off as early as 1 pm in preparation for what they called "Banchetto Food Fiesta Non Stop Dance Music" scheduled from 5pm to 12 midnight. Three intersections were impassable to all vehicles - Scout Madrinan, Scout Borromeo and Scout Bayoran. As it was, it's already 1:30 am of February 13, and the crowd were still having a ball.

Banchetto is the Italian word for feast

The smell alone was enough to fill up my big appetite

Yum Yum

There were lots of food and drinks sold in makeshifts, complete with barbecue grille and different dishes. It was a Valentine's weekend mixed with Fiesta celebration with those performers throwing out popular songs from the 80's. Three bands gave their best to make this event memorable with their performances - Flintstones and The Gang, Route 70 and Rockin' Revival.

Party like a Rockstar :)

Check out this video of a dancing baked tahong vendor..

Kudos to the organizers! Sana maulet :)

Weekender Guide: February 11-13, 2011

Source: clickthecity.com

Single this Valentines weekend? Don't fret. You have three speed dating events to choose from.

The Perfect Events group has prepared a Speed Dating event. How to join? Simply email them at weareperfectevents@yahoo.com, and wait for them to send you an application form for the event. P900 will be charged and this is inclusive of dinner. The event that will be held at Focaccia Fort, is open for ages 22-35 years old.

Meet 'n Match is a speed-dating event sponsored by the newest, most authentic Japanese restaurant in its side of Mandaluyong City. The event will be on the 11th. Registration for Meet 'n Match is ongoing but better hurry for the seats are going fast. Check out Kodomo Restobar's Facebook page for more information about the event.

A-List Events is inviting all single ladies and gents to be part of their Speed Dating Event, Checkmate, as well. This is open for men and women of ages 21 - 30 years old. Visit this link to pre-register.

If you're in the mood to party with your friends or your significant other, put on your best party outfit because these events might just be the ones for you.

For the third year in a row, Busted Crew brings you a BIGGER and BETTER night that will shake sense into your tired and wishful hearts this Friday night at Decagon - Silver City.

Saturday night, the Ateneo Management Economics Organization (MEcO) proudly brings you Tryst' 11: Give Me the Green Light its annual Pre-Valentine's Party - a one-of-a-kind event considered as one of the biggest celebrations of the year. It will be at Fiamma, Jupiter St. Tickets are priced at P150.

Celebrate love this Valentine's at Restaurant 101. Enderun Colleges' team of world-renowned chefs has worked to prepare a Valentine's menu, available for lunch and dinner on 11th, 12th and 14th of February 2011. For only PhP 1,990 per person, celebrate Valentine's Day with a 7-course dinner with your loved one. For reservations, please call (63 2) 856-5000 local 101, or (63 2) 403-7831.

Three special bazaars, conveniently situated in different areas in the metro, are simultaneously happening this weekend.

Come to What Women Want Valentine Bazaar, a great lifestyle bazaar event happening at the heart of Quezon City. It's a shopping prelude to Valentine escapades where they'll have what women love to shop for themselves and their loved ones.

Be entertained and shop in comfort and style at the Plaza Ibarra along Timog Avenue from 10:00am to 6:00pm in an elegant air-conditioned setting.

If you're in the Ortigas area, maybe Mi Amor: A Valentine's Bazaar , presented by the Ateneo Management Engineering Association and Tiendesitas, is for you. Find the perfect Valentine's gift for your loved ones in one of the stalls participating in the event.

Although it may not be Valentines themed, you can still take your special someone to this bazaar if you're at the Fort. Karl Edward International's Shop @ The Fort Bazaar is still ongoing at The NBC Tent.

You and your partner into music? Check out the following events in store for you this weekend.

By attending Hymns of the Heart concert series, you will not miss out a unique romantic musical fusion in an intimate setting at the Eastwood Mall Open Park and Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill. Gino Padilla, Rachel Alejandro and John Ford Coley will be performing at different dates and times this weekend.

Pop Diva Kuh and the Hitmakers'composed of balladeers Rey Valera, Rico J. Puno, Nonoy Zuniga and Marco Sison will share the stage at the PICC Plenary Hall on February 12 and 13, 2011. This marks the first time both acts will be performing together in one concert, which means this show is definitely something to watch out for. Entitled The Greatest Love Songs of Our Time: The Diva and Hitmakers , this event will see them tackle those songs that tug at people's heartstrings the most.

Happening at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, is Viva Concerts' "What Love Is" featuring Martin Nievera and Sarah Geronimo.

If it is mellow music that you crave, young Filipino violinist Diomedes B. Saraza Jr. will be the guest soloist for the 6th concert series of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO). Saraza replaces Chinese violinist Tianwa Yang, who is unable to perform in Manila. For more details, please call CCP Box Office at (63 2) 832-3704 or Ticketworld at (63 2) 891-9999.

Also this Saturday, the Defttones will hit Manila with their Diamond Eyes Tour featuring Urbandub.

Enjoy love's many surprises at TriNoma this Sunday. Join La Diva in a heart thumping performance and be swept off your feet with today's most sought after leading man in Philippine television and cinema.

There'll also be a Helicopter Flower Drop slated to happen at around 4PM at Trinoma's 4th level park. Witness thousands of petals fall from the sky for a memorable Valentine's Day experience.
But don't leave yet after that because hearts will collide with the sweetest renditions from Nyoy Volante and Sabrina in Smooth Serenade, an acoustic concert happening also at the same venue.

In the mood for art? DesignTalks is a lecture series that brings prominent and pioneering Filipino creative professionals to the center stage. For his numerous contributions and awards in set design, Ayala Museum has invited New York-based designer Loy Arcenas. The lecture will be on February 11, Saturday at the Ayala Museum. Admission is Php150 for students, senior citizens and Ayala Museum members and Php300 for adults, inclusive of admission to all the galleries.

Still in doubt where to take your partner on Monday? Why don't you try hopping on board a Valentine's Cruise this February 14. Avail of Real Ship Yatch's Valentine promo for only P3000 per head, inclusive of a 5-course dinner, postcard photo, and musicians on board. Boarding is at 5:30pm; departure at 6:00pm. Assembly is at the Realship Corporation CCP Complex Bay Area Terminal B Unit 14 (Beside Harbour Square). For booking and reservation please call 8325424 / 9940429 or visit www.realshipyachts.multiply.com.

Soaring up to the sky via an air balloon also sounds like such a fun date idea, doesn't it? Drive to Angeles City with your equally adventurous date and watch (or even ride) some colorful air balloons rise up to the sky. The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) is an annual event featuring balloons from all over the world. Over the years, it has become a convention of sorts including aero-sports and other aviation-related pursuits. Click this link for the schedule of events.

Totally unrelated to Valentines, yet is too cool not to miss is Chefs on Parade - the Philippines' longest running culinary competition happening from February 10 to 12 at the SMX. Professional and amateur chefs from the Philippines and all over Asia will be busy whipping up recipes and concocting delicious creations, and you would not want to miss it.

Condura Skyway Marathon 2011Experience

Last Sunday, woke up early to hit the road for my first Condura Skyway Marathon: A Run for the Dolphins.
I and my friends joined the 10K category. I have to be absolutely truth­ful, I don’t, for one sec­ond con­sider myself a run­ner of more than 500 meters. How­ever I gave myself a goal and I was going to accom­plish that and  I'm proud to say that  I did it! Ooh Yeah:)

At the start of the race, a 10-minute group warm up were executed amongst all participant. We had jumping jacks and stretching exercises to prevent cramps and maintain our stamina  Here are some pictures I've taken (while running of course) during the Condura event.

Happy Feet

Bhoy Runners Runner was there!

 

Ready..Set..Go!

Passed by this Coffee Shop with an interesting name while running

The view from Skyway

I heart this picture:)

Breaking Dawn

the only way to get bet­ter at some­thing is to do it all the time;)

To become a bet­ter runner is to just go out there and expe­ri­ence run­ning

Condura runners

excuse me :P

a view to a kill

one sexy runner

almost there..

Strike a pose

FTW!

 

 

 

 

 

presenting the condura cheerios

Finish Line!!

Congrats finishers :)

What I took away from this experience is that I have to give run­ners a lot more credit than what I have given them in the past. It's easy to push your­self when you are with a team of peo­ple. I also learned how to pace myself, breath prop­erly, and put myself in a bet­ter mindset.  Over­all, It was truly a per­sonal accom­plish­ment and an inter­est­ing expe­ri­ence. Looking forward for my next race:)