Gaining weight

Because of the weather, I haven’t been able to go on my regular weekly runs with my brother and friends.

My mom is recommending natural weight loss pills, which have worked for her, but I don’t want to risk anything with my thyroid condition. I would rather not have any complications with my thyroid.

I hope we resume our weekly runs next week, since I want to lose a bit of the weight I put on when I was in Davao.

Coin collecting

A few weeks ago, I had an encounter with a friend who is into collecting gold coins. It’s an interesting hobby, albeit somewhat expensive.

But we make sacrifices for things we are passionate about.

To be honest, my eyes just about glazed over when he talked about gold coin, coins made from gold, and other coins made from precious metals such as bullion.

It was a little disconcerting, seeing his love for such a hobby, but I appreciate his passion for gold and gold bullion coins.

Sometimes, I wish I were that passionate about something.

I used to…

have Math tutors when I was a freshman and sophomore in high school.

Math has never been my strongest suit. I was great in my English and Lit classes since I frequently conversed in English. So I always needed Algebra help. I also needed a lot of Algebra 2 help. I know Algebra is simple, but I was just so not interested in it that I had to be helped. :D

I had a tutor to help me get the Math answers that I needed. She constantly gave me Math problems to answer, so I could get the solutions drilled into my mind.

Algebra word problems, and Math word problems were my biggest weaknesses.

I got through my freshman and sophomore years, though. :D

Flooring

Yesterday, my mom and I were at the dining table, poring over our plans for the house (the one we’re building very very soon). We were discussing the type of flooring that we wanted for our house. Personally, I would like polished hardwood floors, similar to my current bedroom, but that might be expensive, so we’re considering glass tiles.

I still want hardwood floors for the bedrooms, though. Mom and I are still discussing it.

Fixing the house

We’re slowly but surely recovering from the flood that destroyed a few parts of our first floor during the storm.

We’ve been rebuilding – our car still isn’t fixed – and I’ve gotten used to seeing to many wrenches, hammers, ladders, pliers, and clamps that I’m sure I can identify everything at first glance (well, no not really – but you get my drift).

We’re waiting for the computer box for our car to arrive and we’ll be all set. I’m very much looking forward to getting the car back, since commuting is a pain.

New athletic shoes

new shoes

A few days ago, my dad bought me a new pair of tennis shoes. It’s the Adidas Ambition STR IV. Upon choosing that pair, it hit me that all the my athletic shoes have – so far – been from Adidas. And all my sneakers are from Converse. :D

Speaking of fitness equipment, I just found out that my little brother has taken the exercise mat from my room and has been using it for his crunches. I think he plans to get his six-pack before the year ends.

Back to school?

A friend and I were talking about me possibly going back to school in the near future. I sort of want a computer science or information technology degree. My friend suggested pursuing an online degree.

She is also considering pursuing an online business degree. She filled me in on some information about online schools, and I have to say it’s pretty interesting.

My usual perception of online learning is when someone gives you tasks and leaves you alone to learn on your own. I guess this is true for some online learning institutions. But there are some, which actually gives you mentors and actually lets you connect with fellow students, like Western Governors University. And these schools are fully accredited.

I’m still weighing the pros and cons, but this just gives me one more option.

Gonzaga University

For as long as I remember, I’ve been in favor of online degree offerings. Bit by bit, e-classrooms are becoming more popular in the world.

I was pulled into a dicussion regarding Online master degree a few days ago. They were talking about Gonzaga University, which is ranked number 3 in the West by US News and World Report.

I readily expressed my opinion that online master degrees are pretty good, especially since some of the people getting master degrees are professionals who really don’t have time to go back and forth from workplaces to classrooms. It allows them to pursue advanced education without having to compromise their professional commitments. Equal opportunity for everyone.

No car :(

It’s been almost three weeks since the storm and our car still isn’t working. It make me feel rather lazy to get out of the house since I’ve gotten used to having the car.

I’ve gotten used to talking about cars too. A friend of mine has been looking forward to coming to Manila. He wants to buy cars – preferable pick-up trucks – that were destroyed by the flood. He wants to overhaul the trucks and sell them to farmers for use when they transfer fresh harvests from the farms to the cities. So I’ve been enduring his monologues about truck accessories.

I really hope our car gets fixed soon.

Christmas in Davao

Christmas in Davao seems like such a faraway plan now. I think my parents are going to be busy with work during the holidays, so if I want to spend Christmas and New Year’s Day with them. I’ll have to stay.

It’s a slight disappointment, but I would rather go to Davao with the whole family than go alone. So I guess it will happen in the future, but not this Christmas. That’s fine with me. I won’t have to worry about travel insurance. I guess I can wish my cousins a merry Christmas through SMS or something.