Me time in Hawaii recap (late post)

08.03.15

this time last week i was wrapping up my week in hawaii.  i'm totally having withdrawls.  but i couldn't have asked for a better vacation.

my only real planned event while i was out there was mayjah rayjah.  and after island reggae fest i totally couldn't wait.

i arrived late wednesday night.  shay invited me to go to his rehearsal.  so, i dropped off my luggage freshened up a bit and got dropped off at his rehearsal.  i got to meet spawnbreezie, and btw got to witness some of his musicality at work.  amazing to be in that environment.  and as i panned the room and smiled and waved to the band. i haven't seen any of them since april.  i noticed behind spawn was kaipo.  eeeee.... omg hi! keep your fan girl inside.  totally have a lightweight crush on him.

so, i got to speak with spawn for a little bit after his rehearsal time ended.  there was a little break and i got introduced to kaipo.  and i of course got to chat it up with the band.  and then i got to sit on kaipo's rehearsal.  it was quick but i was blessed enough to witness him singing first hand in a little room.  so basically my own little concert.  lol don't laugh that's how it was playing out in my head. lmao

the next day, shay picked me up, we had breakfast and chilled for a little.  i got to watch one of his gigs, which i loved btw.  i love watching him work.  it's like i can see the gears moving in his head and then the smile on his face when he figures out how he's gonna add on with his musical influence.  and then it was off to rehearsal with sammy j!  YEAY!!! omg, so sammy j, is my FAVORITE.  he was at island reggae and i thought for some reason i would get the chance to meet him there.  nope didn't happen.  so i told everyone that my goal was to meet him in hawaii.  ummm hi!!! wish granted.  not only did i get to shake his hand and say hi, i was sitting in his rehearsal.  an up close and personal interaction with him.  we also chatted and we found out that we would be hiking up koko head the next morning.  and what do you know, we saw each other there too!  anyway, i digress.  i got to witness this man at work.  his runs....OMG!  so effortless and can go for days.  WOW!

and then of course who am i sitting next to?  kaipo is singing back up for sammy.  along with josh tatofi who is also an amazing singer.  so kaipo and i chatted a little between songs.  we laughed and he got me in trouble with sammy.  lol definitely a story i will remember forever.  ask me about it when you see me.

after sammy's set, kaipo rehearsed again.  and i got to see his gears tick too.  i love watching music develop and see how things all come together.  damn maybe i need to be back in the music scene for a living.  lol and can i say, the way that they all just switched instruments and were GOOD on everything they touched.  i couldn't help but feel a tad bit inadequate and unworthy of sharing the room with these guys.  lol  but glad i was there to soak it all in.

i don't know if you can read it in my words.  but WOW!  the musical talent that i was surrounded by in the first 2 days i was on the island.  i could have left completely satisfied if i only had those 2 days there.  luckily for me, that was only the beginning.

friday morning, my girl kristina from college picked me up and we went for a hike up the kokohead stairs.  it was a pretty challenging incline.  and the stairs are not consistent so you are definitely working and skillfully planning out each step be fore you take it.  oh and i know i mentioned it earlier, but while we were there, sammy j and messaged me on ig telling me that they were there.  and we actually got to see him and his friends on the trail.  that's were i took my second picture with him.  and i actually took some of their pictures at the top. anyway, it was great to catch up with my friend during the hike and over breakfast.  sooo glad i was able to spend some time with her while i was there.

later that day was mayjah rayjah!  candy and mana picked me up, and then we all enjoyed a night of good vibes and even better music.  so everyone asked me how it was.  and i can't even begin to describe it.  all i can say was it was soooo good.  and if you've been to irf, it's that times 10!  i loved every minute of it.  after the concert mana had to head to bed b/c he had work the next day, but candy and i decided to go to the after party and play a little while longer.  the line was sooo long.  luckily for us we ran into kaipo and i mustered up enough courage to ask him to help us get in.  i told him that we would pay, we just didn't want to wait in that disneyland line.  lol  well well... lucky us, he got us in and we didn't have to pay. 

so candy and i had a few drinks we and we got to enjoy the sounds of nesian nine!  whoa the music vibe is just not stopping.  woo hoo for me.  but, the night was getting long and candy and i decided we would call it a night.  butttt...as we were standing in front of the hotel deciding on if we were going to go back to the hotel or hit another bar, kaipo came down and convinced us to join him.  honestly it didn't take to much convincing. lol so the rest of the night was spent with him.  definitely, an eventful night to say the least. lol

the next day, candy and i spent on the beach for the most part.  and that night i met up with my roomies for the week at a club.  and the next day we spent on the beach again.  definitely a smile on my face.  and that night kaipo took me out and we danced and i drank the night away.  lol i do not know who i thought i was that night drinking that much.  lol 

the next day was my last day in hawaii.  i met up with a close friend from childhood.  and we had lunch at his hotel.  i wasn't feeling the best but i was glad i got to spend time with him.  and then i spent the day with my roomies at lanikai.  such a beautiful last day.  

the next morning, i finally got to pig out and boots and kimos and it was off to the airport. 

needless to say i had an amazing time! i'll post pics and maybe even video's later.

Nike NTC Tour LA

This past weekend, I went to one of thee dopest events that I've been to in a long time. I kept telling everyone that it was a Nike event and they automatically assumed it's another marathon or run. It's been lengthy and tedious to try to explain every time. So to my blog I go...

It's been 3 years since I first posted about the NTC app that I came across. Check out my first post here: Make Yourself!

Well I tried it and actually got hooked for awhile.  You can pick the type of workout you want, lean, toned, strong, or even focus on a certain area of your body.  You get awards and badges for doing so many hours and such.  I really liked it, and honestly I'm a sucker for those badges.  lol Hey, whatever motivates you!  When I'm not hitting up Muay Thai and I want to get a workout in, this is my default.

Anyway, Niketown started hosted NTC trainings on Tuesday nights.  I have yet to go on a Tuesday, it's a bit hard for me to get to the city in time, but next week I'm going to try.  I did however go to an NTC event they held on a Saturday, and I loved it.  So, when Nike announced they were doing an NTC Tour in LA, I was all about it!  Gotta thank the fellow Running Divas Arlynn and Jess for staying up on the events.

So, what did we actually do at this event.  WORKOUT!  ALL DAY!  And that's fun to me, you ask?  Why yes it is!!!

The day started off with everyone in the main tent doing a workout session together.  I guess you can kind of describe the workout like a boot camp work out.  And then there were 3 sessions afterward of your choosing.  There was a barre class, yoga, Barry's Bootcamp, flywheel...and we got to learn a couple of 8 counts from Derek Hough (a dancer on Dancing with the Stars). 

Oh and how could I forget that this all took place on the Santa Monica pier!  Annnnd that we all got the rose gold Fuelbands!!

Here are some pictures!

UFC 167 - 20th Anniversary

The gym that I go to for Muay Thai, Evolve Training Center, had a contest called "Refer and You Shall Receive." The basic premise was, if you brought in people and they signed up, you got points. At the end of the contest, who ever had the most points would win. 

 
I didn't really think anything of the contest at first b/c no matter how many people asked me about the gym, or who I brought in, in the past, no one ever signed up. BUT, it just so happened that my cousin finally brought in my nephew for Muay Thai and Ju-jitsu and she happened to also take part in the boxing for fitness class. I say FINALLY b/c I had been telling her for months already to just come in and check it out. And then, she decided to sign both of them up. At this time, I wasn't even thinking of the contest. I was just happy that someone that asked me about the gym, finally came through and would be sharing in my joy. But, lucky me, it just so happened that it was double points week. I wasn't even in the running and all of a sudden, I was a contender. WOO HOO! 

 
In the end, I WON!!! Yesss! The grand prize? A trip to Vegas for UFC 167, the 20th Anniversary of the UFC. That's right, my flight, my hotel, and my ticket for the fights were all paid for. 

I flew out Friday morning, with Mark and Audrey. And we tried for an early check in at the MGM (yes I did stay at the hotel venue!), unfortunately, it couldn't happen. So, we checked our bags in with the concierge and did a little eating and shopping. Later that night, we went to Light at Mandalay Bay and partied it up a little. 

 
Saturday, John flew in and we met with Mark and Audrey for brunch. And later we got to enjoy the fights! The first fight started at 330pm and I must say they didn't disappoint. And, so it had begun. None of the fights were disappointing, even the fights that were not even broadcast on TV were good. And, the main event, GSP vs Hendricks, even with all the controversy following the results, the fight was a great one. Every minute was exciting. The atmosphere in the arena, Bruce Buffer's introductions, the crowd's energy … I'm so glad I was able to experience that. This very well could be the only time that I will ever be able to experience this, I'm so glad that I was able to. It was an amazing weekend.

Thank you ETC for giving me the opportunity to enjoy this in person. So, much better than my big screen. lol 

Oh and I did stand only a few feet from Nick Diaz. No I didn't get a picture with him. I was too shy. I was just shocked that he was right there. And really he and his friends were in their own world, I didn't want to bother him, he was out for a night of fun. 

Here are the few photos that were taken this weekend.

My Prayers to Everyone Affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings

I was on my way home from a weekend vacation when I first heard about the bombings.  Immediately, I was saddened.  But, when I saw the footage and was following the coverage on the plane I was on the verge of tears.  I don't know if it's b/c I'm a runner myself, or that I'm older and I seems like I have a heavier heart.  But, my prayers go out to everyone that has been affected by this.

To be a part of any marathon is such an exciting event, for everyone, the spectators, the runners...really EVERYONE!  The runners train like crazy and race day is the day where you see where your training gets you.  The supporters and volunteers are as much a part of your day as you and the course.  Everyone works together and the camaraderie that everyone has for each other is just beautiful.  As you run, you can hear, "GOOD JOB," "KEEP IT UP," claps, bells, yelling and hooting from everywhere...the spectators, the volunteers, and the runners.  You read motivational sayings, on signs and the backs of shirts and sometimes you just yell it to yourself.  Anything to keep you moving.

And the runner's high you get from crossing the finish line and being adorned by your medal.  It's a high that you won't ever forget.  And really I think that's what gets people hooked.  You're never gonna do just one marathon.

But, to think that was all taken away along the finish shoot.  And seeing the runner go down as the explosion happened just broke my heart.  I will say though, I was elated to hear that, that older gentleman you see go down in the footage got right back up and finished.  Now, that's a runner for you! 

And, I am truly thankful for everyone that didn't hesitate to assist.  Letting people into their homes and using their phones, jumping in and helping anyone they could.  Thank you!

My prayers go out to you Boston.  I think I'll have to wear a Boston shirt during my next run as a tribute to everyone that ran.  Maybe one day I'll be good enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  One can only hope!

Finally the last part of my Philippines trip

I know it's been too long, but here is the last portion of my trip to the Phillipines.


On our last night in Boracay, we ate at the tree top restaurant in our hotel.

Bye bye Boracay.

me and Auntie Cynthia on the boat coming back

 

in the lobby at Shangri-La, Edsa

Mmmmm Coconut Republic.  Check out my YouTube video, you can see them getting the juice and coconut shavings out of a real coconut.

Back to Shangri-La, Makati

Check out this guy's umbrella.  The handle looks like a samurai sword.

We ate here with my uncle's family.

 

Of course I had to get fresh coconut juice

Green tea raspberry cheesecake from Starbucks.  Sooooo, good!

 
I got to get a couple of workouts in while on vacation.

The guy next to me spent most of the time on the treadmill like this.  Hahaha.  You're not burning any calories bud!

Pinkberry fix.

Last time at The Spa.

Fresh bibingka for the last time.  I sure do miss this.

Fresh babingka and Starbucks, mmmmm!

last breakfast.  fresh mango, petchi petchi, cucumber

Bye bye Shangri-La!

Tiny ice cream cones.

Tiny bibingkas.  Cute but not that good

Look what I found

Tupac and Michael

Last meal in PI

Smoothie is called Ice Scramble

They give you a cup of sabow, in English soup or broth

and unlimited rice

halo-halo

Going home!!!

Finally, my new passport is baptized.

Dad got search b/c he had duct tape in his bag.

Look who was waiting for me at home.

Londyn enjoying his polvoron.

Here's some footage: