My Simple Killer Diet

I’m so back with the summary of my killer diet.

Don’t get me wrong. Killer Diet doesn’t mean I’m starving myself to death, rather, I just want to emphasize the term for its effectiveness. When I got pregnant on February  2010 until 2 months ago, I have gained and maintained my weight at 59 kg. Now on July 2012, I’m down to 52 kg. I know I still have a lot of losing to do since I’m targeting my pre-pregnant weight of 48 kg, but hey, I’m not in a hurry. Besides, I prefer my thinning process at a gradual pace.

This is not your usual diet-and-work out combination. I don’t exercise. I hate sweat. I don’t have time. But I’m hoping that this super simple diet will help you lose those extra pounds.

First off is the hardest to give up. It took a lot of discipline for me to stay away from sodas. My mother stocks soft drinks in the fridge everyday and imagine those almost icy temptations, especially when you have a sumptuous meal consisting of fried “silet”, dinuguan, paksiw na bangus, crabs and shrimps, and grilled squid and tuna plus grated “green mango with bagoong”  and siling labuyo as your side dish (I’m drooling now). To combine these with water is boring but I had to, considering the soda’s sugar contents and the possibility of a Diabetic risk (both my family sides have history of the disease). So, first tip, people. Cut down on your soda intake if you can’t totally give it up.

Second. You may eat a lot more of the meals served in the table but your rice intake should only be limited to one cup. And when you do, do not compensate your carb deprivation with bread.

Third. Eradicate the fat and skin part of pork and chicken before you chuck them inside your mouth. This is also one of the many sacrifices of dieting because the fatty parts of meat are the tastiest.

Fourth. Exercise if you must. I used to jog every morning with my husband, but stopped when he went “sailing” again. That was 6 months ago. Oh, boy. Do I love waking up in the morning without an exercise alarm!

Fifth. Do not drink cold water or beverage especially when you have to eat fatty food. I found this weird when I first read it on Facebook, but I tried it when I read the “tested and proven” label. It worked for me!

Last. If your glutton self overcomes your self-discipline, eat all you can but don’t forget to drink CarbTrim 30 minutes before meal time to block the absorption of fats. I was not paid to advertise, but I really am recommending this product because it really works for me. I get to enjoy food without having to worry about getting super fat again.

So that’s it. No sweat! Super simple, eh? 

NOTE: This is experience-based. If you engage your self to this diet and it doesn’t work for you, don’t blame me. :p

A Happy Life According To Me

How you live your life is a matter of choice. So is happiness.

 For the lucky ones who were born with silver spoon ( and fork and plates), a happy life consists mostly of hefty bank accounts, regular travels, high end shopping, luxury cars and gigantic houses. For the unlucky ones like me, it consists mostly of "ALL of the above"…ONLY  in our dreams.

If you must… DO everything you can to reach your goals and get all the riches in the world if that would make you happy. I don’t have a problem with that. After all, life and happiness are matters of choices (and luck and hard work).

I chose a life of simplicity and happiness even with a little of scarcity.

And here, my friends, are my thoughts of a happy life.

Kert. Engrossed with Barney one minute and steal kisses from me all of a sudden.

Louie. Wake up with him, hands and feet intertwined, while exchanging sweet nothings and future plans, with little kisses on my cheeks, early in the morning every day. I miss him much.

Family. Share sumptuous meals with my family. Complete (We have not done this for a long time now).

Eat my favorite food and drinks without having to worry about carbs! (Thank you, Carbtrim!)

Build a small, white picket-fenced house, with a lot of flowers blooming around.

Enjoy simple pleasures like watching the rain with a cup of coffee and a mellow music playing in the background or walk on beach sands barefooted.

Travel…not necessarily extravagant. Just an out of town travel for a weekend of fun and relaxation. I am so always ready for this.

Friends. Find time to meet up with friends and catch up on our lives every once in a while.

Quiet neighborhood. Period.

A good-paying job or a small business.

Above all, a God-centered life. Need I say more? J

My Davao Experience. Part 1

To tell you that Davao is a wonderful place will be an understatement. It isn't just about the place alone. It's about great food, nice people and genuine friendships.

I and my good friend, Eileen, were early at NAIA Terminal 3 for our departure time. I was kind of excited that day because of two reasons. First off, it was the first time I've ridden a plane after almost a decade (Oh, how I missed that distinct aircraft smell! Haha!).  Second, I can't wait to be reunited with friends whom I haven't seen for 8 years!

Guess who was with us on the plane, June 22, 2012. Cebu Pacific Flight 5J-963?

None other than Ms. Isabel Granada.

No, I didn't stare at her in awe. In fact, I never stared at all. I didn't even know she was there. If not for the old woman who first took a photo of her, I wouldn't have known that we have a celebrity in the house. She blended well with the crowd, in a simple little black dress and a leather backpack. This was the second time I saw her. The first time was when we shared an Iloilo-bound flight, date forgotten. She looked exactly the same, now and years ago, like she never aged at all (I'm dying to know her age-defying secret). I, on the other hand, look even worse than her PA!

I am not a show business fanatic and you will not expect me to join and scream with a crowd while they mob the "artista", but Eileen insisted that she takes a picture of me and Isabel. I am glad I consented for this particular purpose- documentation. Haha! Anyway, let me mention that Ms. Granada was, if I may quote Len, "nice kaayo lagi". She was so nice and approachable, even said Thank You after the shot!

Anyway, as I was saying, I was so excited to see my friends in Davao. But Eileen and I detoured instead of meeting up with the rest of them in Eden Nature Park. Off we went to this dress shop called "Needle Eye" to have my dress cut short (Sheila Marie, the bride, insisted that we wear short dresses on her wedding day.Siya lang daw ang may karapatang mag-long gown. Haha!). It was just a small shop in Davao but the dressmaker, based on the numerous fabrics and clients alike, seemed so in demand we had to beg and bribe her to cut my dress right away as we were already running late to see Sheila. Haha!

Came Sheila Marie. Some people never changed. She was still as simple and as soft-spoken (Eileen says, ngongo) as she was back in college. She is a doctor by the way, specializing in Pediatrics at Davao Medical Center. I missed her so. Unfortunately, we have not bonded with her long because she was busy in her wedding preparations, going to and fro, personally fetching wedding guests at the airport and attending to her patients in the hospital. How about that? Tomorrow comes Big Day and she still hadn't taken her leave from work. But Sheila was Sheila. And work was work. So she went on.

We met up with the rest of our girlfriends later that day and dropped by The Crocodile Park to see...monkeys. Just kidding. :)

Kaye Jie's and Raynelly's sons, Josef and Joshua, were literally jumping with excitement, and roamed around to see the crocodiles. On the other hand, we, the adults who have outgrown the 'zoological zest' a long time ago, contented our selves with, well..talking. We had a lot of catching up to do. So we just talked and talked until our feet brought us to this village called Tribu K'Mindanawan. Luckily, we learned that there was a group of teens, with colorful costumes and props on,  that would present cultural dances and spectacular fire show.

And yes, the fire show was spectacular. I like the drum roll accompaniment, loud and fast, so in a festive mode. Here are some of the best photos (best means clear) I took at the show.

Waves and Turns. The ladies were also shouting
their cheers here...enjoying what they do.

Rings of fire. I love these.

Anime-inspired? Look at the costumes.

I see Dragon Ball Z's Goku do a
 Kame-hame Wave. :)

The Dennis Valdez Photography Series: Part II

On my previous blog, I mentioned to feature only two DV photos with the Marie Antoinette theme but it would be a regret not to include this third photo. For someone like me whose interests include fashion and arts (only appreciates. no artworks whatsoever), this photo is worth mentioning.

This is like one of America's Next Top Model photo shoots. Only there is no Tyra Banks who, after each shoot, commends improving models and gives subtle comments to unimproving ones. I like how Dennis blurred the background to create a paint-like effect and emphasize his subject. The hair and makeup seem appriopriate. This is undoubtedly perfect if you only judge the photo per se. However, this model lacks extravagance as compared to the original queen.

I know less about Marie Antoinette (let's use MA to cut it short) when I first made my blog on Dennis's photography. But now that I have read a few trivia on her, I think it wouldn't hurt to make one suggestion. Since I know now that Queen MA was an epitome of women extravagance, and that she was beheaded amidst her people's impoverishment and starvation because of this, this model should have donned gaudier clothes perfected by jewelries, fascinators or ascot hats, and other accessories. This should have been done IF AND ONLY IF this photo shoot intended to copy the real queen herself. Of course, Dennis is not at fault here. However, I should remind him to select an inspiration for photography (also applicable to painting and plays) with the best match up accessories and paraphernalia next time. Again, I am not in authority to give comments because, as I always reiterate,  I am not an expert, but I hope Dennis takes this as a constructive (although I don't regard this as) criticism. Nevertheless, this is yet again another two thumbs up for Dennis Valdez.

What I like about Dennis’s photos is the feeling they generate while I’m looking at them. For instance, this photo of two girls trying to escape from (what looks to be) a parental prison or a casa reminds me of my college days when I had to climb the gates and fire exits just to be where the party was (giggles)! Look at these girls. Is the grit to escape evident here? Maybe not much, but they’re escaping the slow way just the same.

It looks like the two of them are up to something vicious. But before they do, they had to pose for the camera first (But I remember Dennis telling me this was a stolen shot?). This is really good. (And if in case I have to escape again at dire circumstances in future, I wouldn't want to be caught dead wearing those undergarments. Haha!). Again, I love this photo!

Here are contact informations should you need a talented photographer in tow.

• sprakenyte@yahoo.com
• http://purpleport.com/portfolio/Dennis/?referrer=Dennis
• on Facebook, search Dennis Valdez

Thank you for visiting. You may leave comments for Dennis as a photographer (because he claims to be a newbie and he's willing to learn and improve his craft more), or me as a writer (because i'm a newbie here, too). Constructive criticisms are preferred more. :)

Dennis Valdez Photography: The Marie Antoinette Series

Yesterday, I made a promise to blog a friend’s art pieces. Although he told me to do it with pay, I insisted to do it for free. “What are friends for?”, I told him. Besides, I am not a professional writer. Just like our former dean always told us during lectures (Dennis used to mimic this), “I just would like to UNDERSCORE…”

So I just would like to underscore that I am not a professional writer (or a connoisseur for that matter). But I cannot keep myself from commenting positively on the photos I have seen posted on the page of my friend, Dennis Valdez.

To tell you the truth, I never would have known that he has talents at photography. For one, he never mentioned it before. Most of our conversations centered on our common friends, the movies we saw, the instructors we didn’t like (hahaha!), and everything else trivial and mundane. So imagine my surprise when I saw his shots.

Enough of my prelude…Let’s get down to the reason why this blog was created in the first place.

This is for Dennis Valdez.

He is a London-based photographer, by the way. Initially, photography for him was just a hobby and now, inevitably, is becoming a moneymaker (laughs). He got talents, that’s why!

His style of shoots includes a long stretch of adult, alternative, beauty, body paint, bondage, commercial, erotic, fashion, fetish, fitness, glamour, landscape, lifestyle, lingerie, nude, pinup, portrait, promotional, sheer, swimwear, topless and wedding. He works with pay or trade, whatever he means by that (You just have to ask him about this when you do business with him). How convenient it is to work with him as he is willing to travel per request just so you could have that important moment of your life be immortalized by his camera. Furthermore, he also has this talent in photo editing which you will find advantageous if you want something omitted or enhanced in your photos.

So here is a glimpse of the four photos I put two thumbs up upon seeing.  Two of which I got from the theme, Marie Antoinette (will post the other two later on a separate blog).

Marie Antoinette was a former Queen of France. I'm sure Wikipedia has a lot to say about what happened during her era but let’s just leave History be history for now, alright? We don’t wanna doze off here (assuming you also hate History). My concern is this photo.

I like how the lush greens were captured in this photo (Trust Dennis to select a venue that jibes with the theme, and his ability to zoom in and out for highlights). This model Marie Antoinette, although her gown is simpler as compared to the flash-and-panache clothing common to the 18^th century, still looks so regal you could imagine men offering promises to her feet. The tilt of her head, the innocence of her eyes, and the lusciousness of her lips are all perfect. (Was every move of the model done according to your instruction, Mr. Photographer? This photo is just so, so nice!) Her beauty is so ethereal it made me envious.

Was Marie Antoinette sad or regretful of something here? It looks like she was in this photo. A long lost love maybe? Or was she just burdened by duties/obligations demanded of her as a queen? Whatever she was feeling or thinking at this moment, we could only guess. It’s just so amazing how one could capture numerous emotions in just a single shot. A picture could paint a thousand words, indeed (Good job, Dennis! I like how you played with lighting here to create this serene effect). Looking at this photo, I feel like I want to time-travel back to this era. It would have been really great to be sharing a cup of tea while I and Queen Marie are having a tête-a-tête. Interestingly, I have read on Dennis's page that this queen was stripped of her riches and finery, imprisoned, and beheaded during the 18th century French Revolution. With such an interesting fact, I might read history later, after all. :)

For more photos of beauty and wonder, feel free to visit http://purpleport.com/portfolio/Dennis/?referrer=Dennis. Thank you for viewing. :)

A Wife's Story

This blog was originally posted as a note on my Facebook account some two years back. Here goes...

My name is Kristin, married but unhappy.
Our first year wedding anniversary is coming but I don't have reasons to celebrate. I feel like my husband doesn’t love me anymore. He always gets easily irritated, and he always has reasons to snap at me. Lately, we’ve always been arguing over trivial things. Small things become big issues.


We are married for only 11 months and look what we are now; not two persons loving each other, but two clashing souls fighting to make a point. It feels so pathetic.


I wish that we could go back a year ago, when we celebrated Valentine’s Day. We were “lovey-dovey” then and aback; we can’t take our hands off each other. Even in public places, we were affectionate and intimate, oblivious to the works of the world. We just didn’t care! We held hands. We kissed and hugged. Now, we don’t. We’ve grown apart.


I remember a time when people commented that I have a “winner” love-life. They always tell me “You may not have the best career, but you have the best love-life”. They were envious.Now, where is my best love-life?


He insists that I am always at fault. What he wants is that I DO WHAT HE WANTS ALL THE TIME. I know I am not perfect. Physically, I turned into an ugly duckling since we wedded. I’ve gained extra pounds, blemished my face, and worsened my stretch marks. But I really didn’t think he was that shallow to take my physical appearance as a fault. But he can take my attitude, instead, because I can be the most stubborn person. So can he. And I am neither the most industrious, the sanest, nor the nicest creature on earth. I know that. But then again, NEITHER HE.


The problem with me is that I AM NOT BORN A FOLLOWER. When I make a point, I stand firm and want others to at least listen and reconsider. I just don't always follow. And when I don’t agree with people, I tell them so. The problem with Louie is that HE NEVER LISTENS AND HE NEVER RECONSIDERS. He is very opinionated, and nothing could ever skew his beliefs. He’s too bossy, too demanding, and too much of a control freak. He wants everything to be very clean, very orderly, and very oh-so-perfect. He wants the dishes to be cleaned right away; doesn’t want to see used clothes on the hamper for too long. It’s okay if I am not doing anything in my life, but I’m a mother and I cannot do all the things that need to be done right away. I have Kert, my top priority. Most of my time is spent breastfeeding and cradling my baby. Can’t anyone see how ugly I am right now? That’s because I hardly find time for myself lately. Even my toenails are already screaming of pedicure!


One more thing, he never apologizes. Even when he knew he did me wrong, he never apologizes. It was always I who say sorry after a fight, be it my fault or not.


I have mistakes, too. I have demands. I complain. I am not perfect. And I’m still learning to be a good mother and a good wife. All I want is a give-and-take relationship. If one commits mistake, the other should just be patient. If one is angry, the other should be cool. What happens most of the time is that we fight and throw hateful verbal retorts to one another. It's just too difficult to pretend to be okay when in reality, you're screaming with irritation inside. And it is more too difficult NOT to feel inadequacy and insecurity after each fight. It seems hopeless.


But I am hoping that we’re only going through what they call “the adjustment period” of the newly-weds, because if not, then I am really, really, really in big trouble now. I wouldn’t know what to do if Louie totally loses his love for me. He’s been my world for 5 years now and I can’t imagine my life without him. I’d be lost.


I know there is still a chance to revive everything. For one thing, we don’t have third parties. Louie is everything but a womanizer. I’m not bragging about it but so far, we still have not argued over doubtful texts and calls from any girl of present or past. And I hope we remain that way; no arguments over any girl in future.


Meanwhile, what I want to do right now is cry because Louie is going away. But I hope distance and time will not separate us further but rather, will give us space to think things over and make us miss one another. I really miss us.


So much for my hedonistic doctrine on my profile, huh? Oh, well. Even the happiest person on earth goes through sh*t moments sometimes. :) In this case, it's just funny that I have felt unhappiness early on my marriage with Louie.And to think we were 4 years on before we finally got married. Things like this happen often, even to those who have known each other since infancy (If you watch ABS CBN's Kung Ako'y Iiwan MO, you could relate to me). Previously happy couples grow apart. Seemingly trivial things accumulate into a big pile of reasons to ignite a war. Relationships made in heaven break.


This is the ugly truth. But hey, the make-or-break of a relationship is up to couples.If one person gives up, the hope for reconciliation inevitably disappears. 


Lesson number one in marriage: Don't let your self be consumed of pride and depression. Any marital misunderstanding should be dealt with promptly before it gets too late. It's better to voice  it out if you are pissed because your husband is not  a "manghuhula". Trust me, I have known a lot of men (uncles, friends, cousins) and most of them are just so dense.If you won't tell them, they won't know what pisses you off. So you want to kick him to know you're pissed? Do it. Bang the door. Throw a pillow (Spare the breakables. They're messy). It doesn't matter how you do it. But let him know what you think. There is never a better way than an open communication with your partner.


So what happened to us?


We're better now. I practiced humility to heart. I am not a doormat kind of wife but I learned to just shut up when I should.I let my husband have his way, and he lets me get mine from time to time. Give and take. That's it.