Otterbox Reflex Series for iPhone 4s

I've had my iPhone 4s for about a year and a half and one of the reasons why I love it is its durability and wear and tear.  Prior to this, I had an iPhone 3gs which lasted a little over 2 years.  Although the iPhone 5 seems quite tempting, I have decided I will be using my 4s until it actually dies.  Hence, I went out and bought an Otterbox (only now!).  For the longest time, I've just been using relatively cheap and cutesy cases which only go as far as making it look pretty.  This time, I decided to do away with those cases and go for durable and stable.  According to this, the case is drop and scratch proof - which are my common problems now that Liam also uses the phone (for his Elmo videos, haha).  I like how compared to the Defender and Commuter series, this is less bulky.  It may not offer as much protection but it's just right for my needs.  

I got it for P2, 150 - quite steep for a phone case (considering my old ones were just about P1,000 max) but I gladly paid for it, knowing it will keep my phone protected for a loooong, long time (until iPhone 10, perhaps? Haha).  I researched before heading to the Otterbox kiosk and really wanted a Reflex, sakto lang because all other models were already out of stock for the 4s.

Here's to hoping this is money well spent! ;)

Running Indoors

When I run outdoors (in the Greenhills area), I prefer to run early in the mornings.  Since I find it quite challenging to get up as early (4-5 AM), I have gotten used to running indoors, in the gym.  Today I used the Nike Running app.  You can set it to indoors so it measures distance and pace based on movement, I think.  The weird thing is, the pace/distance the treadmill records is WAYYY different from the app! How different? According to the app, I finished 10kms in about 55 minutes, with an average pace of 5 minutes something per kilometer.  Although I'd love to believe that, it is simply too impossible.  I've never ran a 10km faster than 1:06, I think! At the same time, I don't think I ran as little as 6km, as recorded on the treadmill.  Hmmm, so maybe I ran about...8?

Which to follow? I highly doubt I ran just 6kms in 55mins! My longest 5km was 42mins! Maybe I should really just run outside for a more accurate workout? :| Nevertheless, I'm happy I was able to run non-stop for close to an hour!

If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that I've been trying to workout as much as 5x a week while also eating healthy.  So far, this has been the plan:

Monday - Run
Tuesday - Spinning Class
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Spinning Class then Boot Camp/Circuit Training Class
Friday - REST
Saturday - Run
Sunday - Elliptical here at home and some weights, leg work (squats, lunges)

In reality, I don't always get to follow that schedule (though I have been consistent with the classes), but it's not so bad.  I try to keep it at a maximum of 3 rest days in a week.  Not bad, just enough to still be able to check papers.

Tomorrow's a holiday for San Juan, so no work! IFFF I get up early I might just head over to UP but otherwise, it's the gym.  I have a feeling it will be the latter, hehe.  We'll see.

PS If any of you students are reading this blog, read THIS! Why students should run ;)

Say What?

In my first year of being a mommy, I've heard pieces of advice left and right from experienced moms - many I wish I never heard.  Why? I think most of them made me worried and paranoid for no reason at all! Some examples..

1) "Hah? Lagi mo karga? Wag ganyan! Sinasanay mo!!" 
- Hello, I realized that babies really do want to be carried all the time! What's the point in wanting a baby kung ayaw mo mahirapan? Hahaha.  I mean, now that Liam is 13 months old, he hardly wants to be carried and always wants to explore on his own.  My point is, the I-want-to-be-carried stage does not last forever and I'm glad I cherished those days because I actually miss it now!

2) "He doesn't sleep in a nursery? Naku, you'll have a hard time once you go back to work!" 
- There is an extra room in the house, which will be his room in a few years but from Day 1 until this very day, he still sleeps in our room.  Yes, nahirapan talaga ako, having to deal with a baby who still did not sleep through the night and then having to wake up at 5AM every morning for work.  But like #1, hindi siya forever, so konting tiis lang naman.  Plus, I thought to myself, when my baby cries in the middle of the night, I'd much rather he have my arms to go to rather than yaya's.

3) "Breast milk is the ONLY way to go."
- Those who have tried probably know that breast feeding is not as easy as 1, 2, 3.  I had such a horrible time breastfeeding that I gave up so easily (as early as 3 months).  To begin with, I was already mix feeding Liam as early as 1 month so my supply never really came in.  I believe that breast milk is the best, but I don't think I'm any less of a mother for giving my son formula milk early on.  If anything, I feel like I did not have enough knowledge about breastfeeding as well as support for it - something I will make sure I have if given a chance to have Baby #2.  Everyday, I am thankful to the Lord that my mostly-formula-fed baby is healthy and has never had any sickness (save for colds that lasted for a couple of days).  To breastfeeding moms, I salute you 100%!

Anyway, my point is, to each his own.  I learned that comparing will not get me anywhere.  People can give you advice but each baby is different and whatever works for one may not necessarily work for another.  Now that I'm more knowledgeable about pregnancy, babies and breastfeeding, I feel like I can do much better next time (but not anytime soon, hehe).

Seven

Today is independence day and ironically, for me it marks my last free day! Free from papers to check, classes to teach and lessons to plan.  I can't really complain because I have been in this profession for almost 7 years, right? Must be something I like to do, if not, love.

I guess I'm pretty much prepared for Day 1: my lesson plan is ready, my Keynote presentation is all set... ;) I hope my students are likewise looking forward to meeting me!

So how did I spend the last day of 'freedom'?

1) Errands: went to the mall to pay bills (thank God for payment centers), buy some groceries and went on a side trip to Payless! Good thing I did since they were having a one-day-only sale: buy 2, get 1 free.  Not bad, huh? So mom, Liam and I got one pair each. Elmo sandals for Liam, black Comfort Plus flats for me and sandals for mom, also from Comfort Plus.  I loveeee Comfort Plus! So comfortable (duh) and affordable (ie My flats only cost Php 645).

2) Home-cooked Lunch: since our cook was away for close to 3 weeks, I missed having real home-cooked meals! Our labandera did the best she could while the cook was away, but it was simply no match.  Hehe.  I had a huge lunch since I've been trying my best to avoid dinner since last week.

3) Gym with the boys: I killed myself at Spinning Class last night so I didn't work out today anymore.  Instead, I took Liam to the play in the studio area of the gym while daddy did his thing.  He loved the huge space and the floor to ceiling mirror! :p

4) Jollibee ;) Took Liam to Jollibee so he could have some fries.  Unhealthy, I know.  But so far it's one of the few things he eats and doesn't end up throwing up :( I have yet to consult the pedia regarding this.  Oh, he also had some ice cream ;)

So, I suppose it's a pretty productive day.  Now downloading the Beta version of ios7 for iPhone 4s.  Because I'm impatient like that!

One Week To Go!

I'm a week a way from my 7th first day of school as a teacher.  I suppose that explains the silence, hehe.  But my silence does mean productivity! I've been going to the gym 3-4x a week (save for last week when I wasn't feeling well), working hard on lesson plans and school-related documents and of course, making each day count with the little boy.

This year, I will be handling seven sections of about 40 students each (that's a whopping 280 students, woot) and also a co-curricular club.  I'm not too sure how I feel about not being a class adviser, since I have always been one for the last 6 years.  While it may be sad not to have a section to call 'home' this school year, I am also welcoming all the extra time I will have in the mornings (no need to be in the classroom everyday from 7:20 to 7:40, woohoo).

Sadly, I haven't been running much (what's new).  I ran 2 weeks ago, 5kms for 42minutes, HAHA.  And last Monday, 3kms of interval training.  In the gym, I usually join the spinning class with which I am able to burn 500-550 calories/class (50 minutes/class).  Not bad, right? Then there's also the Boot Camp class which I joined last week (it's on Thursdays) - it's like a lighter, more purposeful version of the Insanity workout.  Can't wait for the spinning+boot camp classes tomorrow! As for running, although I did sign up for the Run United 2 last Sunday (just 10km), I did not get to go! :( Sorry, RFB.  Someone else end up running the race bib though so at least hindi nasayang.  Buti nalang 'teacherontherun' ang pangalan ng blog na ito.  Motivates me to run AND teach well.

As for the mommy part, I can say it comes naturally so no deliberate motivation needed :)