Condura Run 2009: The Half-Marathon Challenge

I just survived my longest run to date - all 21KM of it under an expected time of 2 hours 25 mins. It's not an impressive time, but I was never a fast runner. The route was challenging and momentous - start is at the NBC Tent in Fort, then you go out heading towards the Kalayaan/ Buendia flyover, and from Buendia, you reach Osmena and you go up the Skyway and go back same route. Halfway distance is the around 150meters after the Magallanes ramp northbound.

Pre-Work
Up until a month ago, I had no intentions of joining a 21km race. Despite my weekly routine, running has never been my forte, and I am quite slow for someone who has been running for years. But the past 4 weeks had me running daily distances that I've never ran before (average 40-50km/week, 3-4x/ week). Also I could not pass up the opportunity to run in the Skyway, I knew it would be a glorious moment to be running alongside buildings. The hype of this run was simply amazing, and it was all we could talk about with fellow runners for the past few weeks.

I was on a no-meat diet, but the week before the run, I shifted to eating meat again, just so I could have enough protein. I still avoided carbs but began loading on it the day before. I also tried to regulate my water intake during races. I am a spoiled runner because I always run on the treadmill, and hydration during road runs has always been a problem. I was scared for this run in particular because it wasn't the right time of the month for me. I was bloated, I kept cramping up, and I knew I'd get dehydrated pretty fast.

Race Day
We knew there would be 6000+ runners so we arrived pretty early. The crowd was so alive and excited and it felt like all the usual faces were there. We started at 530AM sharp, and with my usual pace, i did 2KM of moderate running. The Kalayaan flyover came as a surprise to me because I never noticed how long it was. It was definitely challenging ground - no water stations in sight and I couldn't see the end of it!

Once I got down Buendia, i had a better time, but I was running really fast in some parts to avoid getting affected by the stoplights in the major intersections. Turns out I had little to worry about, the race organizers had a lot of the roads closed, and to the ire of car passengers, police were all over the intersections, allowing all runners to pass by first before allowing cars to pass.

The skyway at KM 8 to 12 was the really fun and euphoric part. They closed down the north bound lane so I took my time to run through the evenly lined road looking at buildings and things I don't notice when I'm driving across it. There were also adequate water stations at this point, with water tank sprinkling across the place! I also love the sponges they gave out with cold water, that was a first for me. Surprisingly, it wasn't too hot yet in the skyway, so I enjoyed my time there. Defnitely the right venue to do my first 21KM :)

I ran a really slow first half, so I got my second wind at km 10-17. The road back to the Kalayaan flyover was manageable, but I was really dehydrated at some points. I had to drink Gu gel because I could feel the onset of cramps. And I was soooo bloated, my fats were just all over the place! :( Upon reaching the Kalayaan flyover, I had to walk almost the whole way and that really slowed me down. The sun was already scorching by that time, and no water station in sight.

I could have cried upon reaching Fort again, but the last clincher was running another round of BHS, which I didn't expect. Oh well, it ended just the same.

Post-Analysis
I finished in a time that I expected, but I didn't have an easy time running, no upsides this time. I was extremely bloated; I was retaining water like crazy, and I couldn't sweat it out and I can't figure why though. Theories are - I might have eaten too much sodium the last 2 days, or my time of the month, or because I put on too much sunblock, two layers of it, to avoid getting burned. Either way, I knew I was carrying extra pounds of water.

Second was the fact that I didn't have hydration with me, no thanks to a hydration belt that did not arrive on time. :( Sad. Nonetheless, I look forward to actually getting it (along with my new shoes!) and using it in future races. Lastly, I need to plan my diet better. What happened in the past week was I surrendered to sugar cravings. I dont think it did me any good, and I feel like a heavyweight now.

As for the race, I have to say, it was impressive to see most of the roads closed! I don't know if that route will ever be used again, but I doubt. It was extremely well-organized as well, complete with pacers. One thing though is that I think it lacked water stations and KM markings. I'm just glad to have run across the skyway and back. :)

with training buddies :)

Mt Pinatubo: Lessons Learned in Hiking

Mt Pinatubo seems to be the rage lately, and I wasn't spared from it upon seeing other friends' pictures. Armed with no hiking experience, but with a desire to see the crater of Pinatubo, I decided to join a trek up one extra-sunny Saturday. There are so much lessons to be learned in hiking, and unfortunately, I learned the hard way.

Lesson # 1 - Arrive, start, and end early.

Pinatubo is going to be popular destination this summer, so make sure to leave Manila early. It will take 3 hours to go to Capas, Tarlac, which marks the start of the tour, so best to be there by 7AM or before. Then from there you ride on a 4x4 for an hour, and then the official hike begins. The trail is narrow and steep, so it will take more than the hour, even on the short-cut trail. The long-cut trail probably takes 3 hours. You will probably spend an hour on the crater, and same route going back.

It's best to start early so it will not be so sunny. Also, the crater looks so much more serene if there were not so much people around, so you get to take fabulous pictures. More importantly, you get to mark your territory by the trees. In our case, we had to make do with a small bush, so all of us we just crouched under it, trying to be spared from the harsh rays of the sun.


10 people, trying to fit in a small bush


Lesson #2 - Wear a gas mask or a surgical mask during the 4x4 ride.

The 4x4 is actually an owner type jeep with big wheels. Read - open air and no air con. During the course of an hour, you will be basically trekking up a lahar-laden area, so avoid opening your mouth.


4x4 ride - this wasn't during the hilly part, I was so scared to use my camera with so much debris flying around!

Also, be prepared to look and feel like espasol afterwards. Once you get back to the base, take a shower in the spa before heading back to Manila.


Lesson #3 - Do not wear gym attire to a hiking trip because the nature of the activity is different.

For the hike trip, I wanted to be cool and comfy, so I settled for some casual gym wear. Unfortunately, a racerback top and capri pants weren't the best choice; its shape is now permanently etched on to my body in the form of sunburn. Lesson learned, on a hiking trip, and when it is goingg to be sunny, really sunny, wear a long sleeved top and a cap to keep you protected from harsh elements. Sunblock is not enough!
For the shoes, wear hiking shoes and not rubber shoes because the sole of rubber shoes will just tear apart from the rocks and streams.




The road to Pinatubo is full of rocks and streams. Be prepared to navigate your way through it.

Lesson # 4 - Do not use a giant waterproof bag when it is going to be sunny the whole day.

My choice of bag was a giant waterproof bag that took up my whole back. I don't know what I was thinking - was it going to rain in the midst of the desert-like heat? Nah! Was i going to sweat profusely from lugging around the the giant bag the whole day while balancing on rocks and streams and narrow trails? Hell, yes.


With the big backpack that held only 1 gatorade bottle and lots of Archie comics. Waterproof naman!

Lesson #5 - When backpacking, bring only the essential stuff like water, NOT magazines and extra clothes


Ok for the hike up, I stuffed the following into my giant bag - extra change in clothes complete with flip flops, my whole day bag including house keys, wallet, makeup, some Archie comics, crakcers, and 1 small bottle of Gatorade.


Word of advise to future trekkers - when you get to the top of the crater, there is no Coke vendo machine, no restos, nothing. Bring all the water and food you need, and although a tour guide will be carrying the packed lunch, the water that comes along with it will not be enough. In my case, i was dying from the thirst with less than 1 liter of liquid from 8AM - 3PM.




Packed lunch that the tour guides carried for us. Too bad I wasn't eating meat, but I ate the chicken because i was so hungry!

Also, no need to bring extra clothes and other stuff because there are no changing roomsnor rest rooms, and you can't hide from the crowd. If you wanna swim in the crater, make sure you are wearing your bathing wear underneath your clothes.

Other than that, the Pinatubo crater is indeed beautiful, and it looks exactly same as the pictures. The waters are blue-green, pristine, and surprisingly freezing cold. This even makes it more fun to take a dip as a respite from the tiring hike up.



Pinatubo, beautiful from all angles.

On a personal note, it's very thrilling and exhilarating to go up to a mountain that was once so scary and destructive. It's hard to imagine that the serene crater, majestic rocks, and breathtaking view were once part of a disaster that killed countless lives and buried towns. It also feels good to support the livelihood of the locals there; the tour and the trek up is basically taps on natural resources to help spur the once-dead area. Just be warned, the trek up is not easy, so make sure you're well-prepared.

Pescetarianism

It's a bit embarrassing to say how much I gained over my vacation and the holidays. I'm usually weight-conscious and I weigh myself every day (and night), but everything seemed to have happened so quickly that it feels like I got whammed with fat in an instant! :( In a post-fat analysis, I kinda realized that I was consuming more food and becoming more dependent on sweets. No use to maintain my normal exercise routine, I think I was just eating way too much.

I decided to do something extreme - go pesco-vegetarian! You know, two weeks ago, I always thought that a meal isn't a meal without meat! As you can imagine, and for those who know me, it's pretty extreme for me to cut back on beef, chicken, and pork. I decided not to cut back on the seafood, eggs, and dairy simply because I cannot do it, hence the pescetarianism. On top of that, no carbs except for 3 pieces whole wheat crackers a day, no to fried food, and no to junk food or sweets. Instead, I tried to eat more fruits, seafood, and veggies (lots of it).

It was a semi-nightmare at the start to function and do exercise without any food. I got dizzy so often that I had to stop working early and stop running, or was I just using that as an excuse haha. It was more difficult to eat a meal, honestly because I don't know what I was supposed to eat and very few places satisfy my dietary needs! I had to isolate myself for a bit, I was so crabby from the hunger and I didn't think I could stand to see people eating normal food. My body got used ot it after a few days though, and at one point, I could finally see my some people go vegan - it really feels healthy and it's as if eating pork or beef would clog my arteries.

For two weeks, my meals revolved around bananas for breakfast, saladveggies/fish for dinner. I had eggs/bananas/crackers for snacks. I didn't think I'd make it, but today, I reach my goal of two meat-less weeks, and it feels great. :) I developed a new-found appreciation for fish - I liked it before, but now I love it, as in I can and I will choose fish over steak! The only time I cheated was yesterday in Pinatubo, where there was simply no choice but to eat chicken fillets (at least it was white meat) and the hike exhaustion got to me. Aside from that, I maintained and intensified my running routine by susbsisting on bananas. More on the running next time!

The grand question - did I lose weight? I lost a bit, but not back to original weight yet, which is really getting frustrating. But was it worth it? Yes it was because it helped me reduce my food intake and it made me independent from being a slave of food (hehe, gosh this is so dramatic). Even if I didn't lose all the weight, I kind of feel like I got healthier, or maybe it's just a perception, I don't know.

I plan to probably continue this diet - maybe modify it a bit like eat chicken white (because it's widely available) but avoid high fat food - no to fried food, no to peanuts (this is gonna be hard). No to carbs, I lost my craving and need for rice and bread. Chocolates, I am still thinking about it because I don't think I can live without it, i've craved for chocolates like 1,000 times in 2 weeks. As I'm writing this, I happily dream about opening a box of Meiji Pucca (all-time fave), but I don't want it to become a habit again.

So while everything is going well, I honestly dread the thought of facing life without Lechon Kawali, Pork Adobo, steak, KFC, pizza, pasta, and porkchops? I don't know. Probably not, though I hope my willpower can stop me from going back to my old ways. ;)

Terrace at the 5th

I'm sure you all know that Terrace at the Fifth is owned by a group of high profile women, and these women have contributed their best homemade recipes to make the menu of Terrace at the 5th special. This makes it all the more compelling to try because a showcase of the best homecooked meal is a recipe for success - without the homecooked prices though :)





I went to eat there on its soft opening, and I must say, the service, from the owner to the manager down to the server, is impeccable and delightful. I immediately loved the interiors, which makes me feel like I am in a terrace of a mansion. Lush greens everywhere, hanging birdcages, straw and rattan chairs.

Their cuisine is mixed because it's a collection of the ladies' best recipes, and they have a few choices of pasta and entrees. Their specialty is the steak, which I haven't tried yet. I tried -

Spinach Artichoke dip (Php 300) - this was just OK, would've been better if served with crispy or toasted chips



Laing Pasta (Php 360) - This sounded like a very interesting dish, so we just had to try it. It lives up to its promise and really tastes like laing with pasta mixed in it. Not bad.



Confit of Pork Belly (Php 500) - This was definitely a winner, with matching falling-off-the-bone experience, with brown rice at that! It goes together so well :)



I liked my experience in Terrace at the 5th, and I'd want to go back there again for the steak, and the crepe cake for dessert. Another nice thing about Terrrace is it's at the end of Greenbelt 5, somewhat secluded and isolated, which makes it perfect to relax and chill out here.

New Greenbelt 5 Restos

The past few months have seen me frequenting GB5 at least once a week, mainly because of two reasons: restaurants and shopping. I love the new stores that have opened up in GB5, I love the brands, I love the merchandising, I love it that Greenbelt is actually a shop-worthy place now. Well., I'm sure it was fabulous before, it just wasn't in my income bracket, hehe.

But I digress. The other reason why I've been going to Greenbelt 5 every Saturday night and sometimes in between are their restaurants. Topping the fan list are the following places:

• Fely Js -a mix of traditional Filipino food and Asian favorites. Brought lotsa visitors here over the holidays, but too bad I always forgot the camera. This place is always consistently full, so my advice is to reserve or arrive early. Oh yeah, their Fish with Plum Sauce is an absolute winner.
  
• Madison Grill - this is an old fave resto that recently moved from Trinoma to Greenbelt. I noticed that their menu changed a bit, no more high end steaks and more entrees. The pizza here is a must try, along with their high-fashion colored drinks.
  
• Felix - I have to admit I'm not a fan of Chef Florabel's restaurants (sorry!), because it can get a bit too rich for my taste. In my opinion, Felix is her best one so far as it merges Chinese and Filipino cusine, and somehow reminds me of my mom's cooking. I also love the fact that she is so concentious about low-carb eating, and this place is no exception. You can request for brown rice here with no extra charge.
  
• Terrace at the 5th - This has got to be the most prestigious restaurant, thanks to the cast of powerhouse owners. I'll save my comments on this resto in a real blog post.
  
• Chilis - You cannot imagine how happy I am that Chilis has moved to a better location (read: walking distance from the office). I have been a fan of Chilis eversince, and I'm happy there is a mid-tier resto here that does not hurt my wallet as much. The only problem is the queue to get a table. :(
• John and Yoko - Almost the same menu for Sumo Sam, but I can't remember the difference in price points. I'd go here if I want to eat cosmopolitan Japanese food.
  

Other places that I've tried but was just so-so for me are:

• Myrons - actually the food is good, but there's a secret ingredient that's missing to make this a blockbuster resto for me. Perhaps it's just the competition that trumps this place. On the downside, the service takes a loooong time.
  
• Zuni - This is actually a family favorite, so probably the reason why it's so-so for me is because I've eaten here a number of times. Again, the food is very good, and the service is also impeccable. I'd still encourage you to try this resto though (although I hear that dessert is quite a disppointment).
  

What I love about Greenbelt is the fact that now, I have a wide range of choices to choose from, all types and kinds of restaurants. Just the other day, I took some guests to eat at Fely J's, and then Razon's halo-halo for dessert! And I can still do (window) shopping in between! ;)

BBQ Chicken

Take note, BBQ Chicken doesn't stand for barbequed chicken; it actually stands for Best of the Best Quality Chicken.

The most amazing thing about BBQ Chicken is that it's actually a global chain - it's present in 30+ countries with 3000+ locations, which started in Korea. I think it recently opened in PH, and I think it's in several branches. The one that I went to is in Jupiter St in Makati, behind the big Petron gas station. You wouldn't notice all these things because of it's sort of plain red logo, and lack of marketing (maybe there is some marketing, but I have yet to see it).

My interest to eat here got really piqued when I found out that they call themselves Best of the Best because they fry their chicken in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). I've been on health alert ever since i gained a gazillion pounds, so I knew I'd like this place. I'm really just surprised that they don't do enough marketing about this uniqueness. I only got to find out about the EVOO from a friend abroad.

It's nota a fast food format, so you have to sit down and wait for them to take your order. What's really funny and cute at the same time are the interiors - they used to much color and too much motifs. The upholstery has a black and white rooster design, the place is bright red, and the waiters' uniforms are leopard print. hihi :)


I love the menu because it's in full color and the choices are quite simple. I settled for the chicken soup as a soup appetizer (Php 80). I was kind of disappointed that it turned out to be a chicken lugaw (congee) as it was a soup of chicken and rice bits.



As for the chicken, I was surprised to find out that there are several varieties of chicken. There's the fried chicken, grilled chicken, and spiced chicken. I settled for the fried chicken (php 290) and the spicy grilled chicken (php 300). Each dish has 4 pieces, so the price is more or less OK, but I guess i was really hungry, I was able to eat all 4 pieces!!!

The Fried Chicken was super yummy; you could taste the olive oil right away. What's really fun is the dip. They don't have gravy or ketchup, what they have is a clear dipping sauce which tastes like picked cucumber. In fairness, the sauce really matches the fried chicken! :)



The Spicy Grilled Chicken tastes like a traditional Korean spiced dish. It's actually chicken thigh fillets, which makes it easier to devour. I loved the spicy taste!



I'm already planning my next trip back here because I still want to try their other chicken varieties. I just don't find it the cheapest of chickens, but I guess it's because they're the Best of the Best! Just not the best of interiors, hihi. :)

P&P Tattoo Studio

My friend wanted to get a tattoo, and I jumped at the chance of going with her. She insisted on going to P&P Tattoo Studio, reputed to be one of the best in Manila. I never thought that I would be able to watch a tattoo in action, so it was such a cool experience for me. Here's a simplified version of what we went through, just in case you're interested in getting one.



Step 1: Getting the Artwork Right.
I think that the most important part of getting a tattoo is the artwork. You kinda need to know what design you really like. In our case, we fixed the design on the spot. Ron was kind enough to guide us through a lot of magazines and internet pics to help us get what we wanted. He then translated it on paper, got the size right, and made a few modifications. I have to commend Ron for being super patient about it because it is really hard to come up with something that you'll want to see for the rest of your life.



You also need to know what colors to play with and what inks to use. In my friend's case, we just opted for black ink. According to them, Japanese ink has the highest quality, so there wasn't much of a decision to make.

Step 2: Where to Put the Tattoo.
Location is also critical. You also need to know where exactly you want your skin to be colored. The skin was prepped by shaving the baby hairs off, and deodorant to keep the skin dry(?!). After that, he stenciled the design to the skin to use a guide when applying the ink, and also so you will get a good idea how it will exactly look like. In my friend's case, we kept on re-doing the stenciling on the skin until we got the right angle.


Step 3: Let the Puncturing Begin!
As you know, tattoos are actually formed by poking a needle with ink so that it gets permanently grafted to your skin. The equipment looks like a giant electric ballpen that's really noisy. It was a bit frightening at the start, but I guess it gets kinda numb at some point. If you have a bit of low tolerance to pain, drink lots so you won't feel a thing, or put the tat in some fatty spot so the flesh won't hurt as much.



It's obvious that I'm no tat expert, but I do recommend P&P Tattoo for the super clean place and great service. They're at Polaris Street, Bel-Air, Makati, 8908037. My friend was pretty happy with her tattoo. As for me, maybe next time, with a big and hesitant MAYBE. :)

Back for More

I've been thinking a lot about this blog lately, and I decided it was high time to come back. The joy of writing is a simple pleasure, but its satisfaction can be quite irreplaceable at times.

Before I start, a Happy New Year to everyone! 2009 has all the makings of bad year, thanks to bad economics and finances, but I stay optimistic that we will all rise above to the challenges that the future brings. A lot has happened since I last wrote, let me enumerate quickly:

• Tried some wonderful restos that I hope to blog about in the near future, among them Fely Js, Terrace at the 5th, Barcino, Vieux Chalet.
• Shortly after one of my best birthdays ever, an infection took me down big time, and took me quite a while to recover. It finally went away as quickly as it has set, but that incident made me realize that good health is most important.
  
• My weight loss battle has been fought, won, fought, and lost in the last three months. I was at my thinnest ever, thanks to the infection (I must admit, I was pretty happy about it, hehe). Sadly, I gained it all back during my vacation and during the holidays.
  
• My vacation - the highlight of my year! :) I finally went to LA, SFO, Vegas, and stopovers in between. I met great people, went to nice places, took lots of great pictures, and had doses of retail therapy. Everything I wanted in a vacation!
  
• Managed to do 2 runs this Jan - 10km with a time of 1hr5mins, and 15km with a time of 1hr40mins. The 15km is memorable because it took me a year to finally do it.
  
• Had a bit of a rough patch, but great to know who my real friends are

All in all, 2008 was a great year, especially on a personal level. I feel like I'm more in control of my future and of the things that I want to happen. I've been out of the loop for a while, so let me know what restos are up and coming! I hope your year has also been wonderful; and if not, there's always this year to make up for it! Cheers :)

Dine at Dinelli's Gourmet Deli

There's a new deli in town, and it's pretty close to home! What I love most about Dinelli is that it's so bright and easy on the eyes, that when you see it along Timog, you cannot resist stopping by to see what it's all about.

Dinelli is just like your typical deli; they have a wide variety of meat, cheese, and wine as basics. What makes it special is that they have a pantry full of imported and hard to find goods - from spices, to chocolates (lots of it), to repacked nuts and fancy kitchen ware. To top it off, they have a two-floor dining area that's really cozy and cool, so it's fun to also dine in.

I don't know if it's because they're on soft opening, but their menu choices are quite limited. For my first visit, I tried their Chicken Sandwich (Php 200+), which did not fail me as it tasted like a gourmet sandwich. I also loved the fries, labelled as Duck Fat Fry or something like that, and it worked for me as I thought it was somewhat special.

I also tried the steak - not in the menu, but it was an already marinated Tenderloin, which looked yummy. With some cooking charges and sidings, it came to about Php 500. It tasted fine, except that the meat wasn't tenderl perhaps it lacked a little TLC in the form of meat massage.


Overall, the place is pretty refreshing to see around an area where almost all the restaurants are so casual. The place is not exactly cheap though, but I hope it finds its niche in the QC area. I also feel that while the food is great, it lacks a homey-sort of feel to it, so I don't know.

For more details, visit their website. They're at 5 Timog Ave QC.

Birthday Wishlist, 2008 Edition

I've been contemplating if I should post this in public domain, available for viewing by the whole world. In the end, I decided to do it, for the primary purpose of amusing myself and partly to orgnize my purchases as I list down all my material desires.

In fairness to me, I have really toned down my purchases, and I have begun saving for bigger, and better things to come in the future (I hope!). But here it is, a list of stuff that i will eventually buy for myself, and I know that I will eventually get it, but for now, I'm lusting for:

1. Pilates/ Yoga Lessons
The one thing that fueled my zest for life is because I started attending Yoga/ Pilates classes. To my surprise, it seems to be the missing link in my fitness regimen and I found that I really have the passion and energy for it. I take classes on top of my gym schedule, but I have always been motivated to attend every class I can.

Small problem- classes are offered in only a few studios in Manila, the schedules and locations are always too awkward and don't have a good fit vs my schedule, and classes are truly expensive. So my gift to myself is to treat these classes as an investment and not look at the price tag. Who knows, it might become a career in the future!

2. Pilates/ Yoga Workout Tops
In the gym, Nike/ Adidas is king. In my Yoga/ Pilates classes, I'm the most baduy of them all :( I haven't had the chance to buy some yoga tops, which should be more comfortable thtan normal gym wear as I try to move around and do the strangest poses. I've been drooling for Lululemon Athletica (found in Aura Athletica in Rockwell) or Stella McCartney for Adidas, both of which can really burn the pocket.



3. Pilates/ Yoga Books
OK, this is going to be the last item under this topic, promise! Since classes are kinda expensive, my determined little self has begun DIY-ing at home, with the help of a few books and DVDs. But, I am still looking for that perfect book/DVD that will help me improve more. It's kind of hard to find it in Manila, but i'm looking for the following titles:

Pilates Body - Brooke Siler
Ultimate Pilates Body Challenge - Brooke Siler
Pilates Body in Motion - Alycea Ungaro
Ashtanga Yoga - Definitive Step by Step Guide - John C Scott
Ashtanga Yoga Practice Manual - David Swensen

4. A Trip to the US!
Well, I'm not expecting anyone to pay for it, I just want someone to go with me as I might get too lonely on my own. :( But if not, I think I'm still going before the year ends. Crossing my fingers really hard that plans push thru or else i'll be very sad and unaccomplished!

5. Powershot G10
Canon just announced its newest Powershot G10, available starting October. It's a camera to die for, with 28mm lens, 15.4MP, 5x zoom, and face recognition! Fopr this, I'm already willing to sell my beautiful IXUS 860 (which by the way i think is the best camera in its category), so I can upgrade to G10. Any takers?

I originally wanted an EOS 450D, but I think that's not gonna happen anytime soon. A Powershot G10 at the very least will send me flying through the roof with happiness.

6. Water Bottle for the Gym
Ok, this is really sad. I used to have this big Nalgene 1-liter bottle for the gym, which was so great because it was unbreakable so I thought I'd be using it my whole life! Unfortunately, it got lost 2 weeks ago, and I can't find it! Waaah! Now I'm looking for a worthy replacement, something smaller, maybe a half-liter bottle.

7. Make-up and Skin Care Line
When you're getting older, the fine lines are starting to show and the skin loses its normal elasticity. Gosh, I am so scared! I need the works - from moisturizers to emulsifiers to SPF lotions to serums to make-up. I'm gonna need a face overhaul!

8. Angel's Kitchen's Banana Cream Pie

My only choice for a birthday cake. That's one good reason to buy a whole BCP for myself, something that I've never done before. Yumyum.

9. All Things Topshop
This year, I really developed a lust for all things Topshop. I'm in love with 75% of their clothes. I just came from that store awhile ago, and I swear, I wanna buy it out!

There it is, a higly personalized and strange list of things that will burn my wallet in the next few months to come. The other things not metioned here like clothes, bags, shoes, books, are in my perpetual wishlist, and that should go without saying, haha.

But the biggest gift of all would still be the things that don't come with a price tag - friendship and love, and that alone would make an extremely happy birthday :)