Goodbye Auntie Norvelle

This year's new year's eve has been unusual so far. We spent the entire morning until lunchtime at the church and cemetery, where my aunt's body was eternally laid down to rest. A few days ago, right after Christmas, our dear aunt, Auntie Norvelle, lost her battle against cancer. She had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a few months ago and her health deteriorated from then on. It was difficult seeing her struggling against her disease, getting weaker every time we saw her. She's the closest aunt I have, and she's the sibling my mom is closest to. They only live right across our house and we would normally spend special occasions (including new year's celebration) together. She's very kind-hearted, humble and selfless and it pains us to know that we won't be spending another new year's celebration with her while here on earth. 

Sunpiology Run

What: Sunpiology 

When: Nov. 24, 2012
Where: McKinley
Category: 12k
Time: Never mind. Ehe. Ok fine - 1:39:48

I was driving along EDSA once when I saw this poster lording over the highway. While Piolo's inviting eyes could lure any woman (and man) to join the Sunpiology run, I was motivated to join because it was organized by Sun Life, which I'm a client of (chos). Plus the fact that I've never experienced running with celebrities yet in the few races I've joined in the past, and I thought it would be fun to run alongside and/or literally chase after TV personalities. The run was also scheduled to be in the afternoon, so I didn't have to wake up so early to be at the starting line on time. I thought afternoon runs would be easier. I thought.

Next Race: Rescue Run on December 23, 2012

I read about the Rescue Run yesterday. Since I haven't ran since the Milo Race, I was looking for a race I could join soon, although I didn't think there would be one a day before Christmas eve. Apparently, a run had been organized at the last-minute for the typhoon Pablo victims in Mindanao, scheduled on December 23, 2012 (this Sunday):

12.12.12 and Other Random Thoughts

And I'm posting this just because. Taken at a recent wedding shoot in Boracay

Days of doing due diligence is seriously making me rethink my existence. Srsly.

One of the highlights of my "career" (career!) as a photographer is getting encouraging messages from complete strangers every once in a while, telling me that they admire my work. That doesn't happen to me very often (because by "a while", I mean 9-12 months), but when it does, I am reminded of why I do photography and why I should continue doing it no matter how busy it gets in other areas of my life. A few months ago, a random girl outside my network commended my work and told me that she wants to be like me someday. I still get warm and fuzzy every time I remember that message, but a part of me wants to warn her, that if she finds herself at age 30, unsettled, single, having an insatiable appetite for cupcakes, and having frequent bouts of financial impulsiveness, she might regret what she said years ago about me :)) 

Honestly, I'm ok where I am right now - with a steady job, photography, great friends, a loving family. I doubt I can consider this as being at my best though. But I'm ok. Everything's steady. like calm before a storm But sometimes I can't help but wonder if I'm still on the right track to where God wants me to be in five or even two years.

Tetra Pak - RFR Run

What: Tetra Pak RFR
Where: Bonifacio Global City
Category: 10k
Time: 1:05:10

Last sunday was the Milo Run Finals. But before I blog about that, I'll be posting about my previous runs (because I'm OC like that) I had two 10k races prior to the Milo Run - the Tetra Pak Recycle.Feed.Run and Sunpiology (hihi) which is the subject of my next entry. 

When I signed up for RFR, I was prepared to run alone. I was hoping one of the TSW ladies or at least someone from the Milo Apex group was going to run (and I was almost sure someone will, I just didn't know who), but I decided to sign up anyway since I needed the training. 

Running in SG - Botanic Gardens

Last Sunday, some of our coaches and friends from the Milo Apex Running Clinic ran half and full marathons at the Standard Chartered Marathon in Singapore. This post has little to do with that. :)) In as much as I wanted to participate in that run, I severely lacked preparation and funds. I'm including an SG marathon (or half-marathon at least) in my bucket list.