Intramurous etc.

Last Friday I visited a part of town called Intramuros; it is what's leftover from WWII (aka not much). Ever since I've been here locals have been telling me to go to Intromuros and take the tour from a certain Carlos Celdran a filipino man who is known for his passion for filipino history and telling the country's story. SO, I took their advice and brought along 2 clients from b3 who wanted to go as well (locals). The tour started at the Manila Cathedral and proceeded (via horse and carriage) to St. Augustine Church. It was beautiful. I was so excited to see buildings that actually told stories about the city's history rather than new skyscrapers which I am constantly surrounded by. Seeing old stones and stairwells reminded slightly (and I do mean slightly) of Italy. It actually made me miss Florence and it's stone streets and cathedrals and bridges and green shutters. Ah, italy; can you open a barre3 please like now? I'll meet you there!

Here are the pics from that day with Marie and Enggay;

(Carlos!)

(Manila Cathedral)

(My transpo to St Augustine Church, which made me feel guilty)

(I had to)

(St Augustine Church!)

(Breathe Carlos, breathe!)

Later that night I went out to dinner with 2 other clients that I love (Alabang favorites); we went to McKinnley Hill where they just finished their italian piazza replica (failed attempt in the eyes of a critic but love the idea). After dinner we headed to greenbelt for some gelato. I like these girls. I had Coconut and Coffee; pretty damn good! Afterwards we walked around and did a little bit of accidental window shopping. Somehow I wound up in Tory Burtch (eeeek!) and wanted to buy the whole store. We ended up having coffee outside in the courtyard while we did some serious tranny investigating. Apparently the working girls (?) here have no shame in picking up their clients outside coffee bean on a Saturday night. And it was working! Fun night. They're taking me to some black market on Monday to do some serious shopping. Holler! Here's Michelle and Tin;

Old moon fades into the new

Here's last week's playlist (some of the tracks) I taught to;

"Shove it"-Santagold; Arms
"Higher"-D'Angelo-barre stretch
"Ooh Wee"-Nate Dogg/Ghostface Killah/Mark Ronson-Leg work
"All night long"-Alexandra Burke; seat work (this is my JAM this week, serious repeat)
"In my heart"-Moby; Core
"Destiny"-Zero 7; final stretch
"Nothing even matters"-Lauryn Hill; final stretch

"Brazil beat 3"-Koushik; exit

PLEASE SEND SONGS FOR NEXT WEEK'S PLAYLIST THX XOXO!

Father's Day 10k Trail Run in Nuvali

The 10k run on Sunday was a blast, except that the trail was only big enough for 1 runner at a time in soooo many places which equals Filipino sandwich! Look out! I think the mud and river crossing freaked a lot of the runner's out so they kept stopping and stepping around rocks like they were nails. At one point 3 women running in front of me stopped and took 3 separate pictures of themselves. You've got to be kidding me, right? This is the moment some guy a few runners behind me yelled, "You signed up for a trail run you know!" Holla.

There were a lot of stops and starts for the first 5k, after that I could finally turn up my T.I. and get my pace back. So I'll subtract 30 minutes from my time for those boneheads and I finished in 1 hour. But who's counting. I sprinted the last 100 meters as usual and was DESPERATELY looking for a water station but only found a line to stand in where we got t-shirts and warm gatorade. Philippines. All of a sudden a saw a familiar Filipino afro.....is that....Rio de la Cruz? Famous local running coach who looks like my future husband????? Who was on the cover of runner's magazine that is posted in my kitchen at home? Who I saw in front of Nike a month ago but was too afraid to approach? DAMN RIGHT IT WAS;

Dripping in sweat, mascara running down my face...I walked up to him; "How is it I've only lived here for 2 months and I already know who you are....?" He laughed, we posed, and he asked me to run in his next race on Sunday the 27th. Oh Rio....

Turtle City

 (Table #7 on the beach, in front of our cottage)

I had a blast last weekend when I flew into Dumaguete City with Ryan and his friend Luna. After a short delay in Manila which I passed by reading and drinking cold cantaloupe juice, we landed and were thrown into a super super busted old van which said "Monarch Sands" on the side (the resort we were staying at). The owner of the resort is a war-vet named Ron. What a character. Ron seemed like he had teleported from Miami beach to meet some young Filipino women and gamble (I was dead on), he was from Florida, married a young Filipino and holds Texas hold em tournaments. He never stops talking, or drinking rum and cokes. On the way to the resort we picked up our dive master for the weekend, Gary and proceeded on. Gary turned out to be an ex-marine from Texas...married a Filipino woman and likes to drink beer. These 2 were quite the pair; old, odd and inappropriate but harmless. Just happy to have a new set of travelers there to hear their stories.

(boats and Nipa huts along the beach at Monarch)

The resort kind of resembles the website :) there are beach cottages and a beach and palm trees and shells but you could tell there was a reason we were the only guests staying there all weekend (it was either the geckos that would show up the shower every night or Ron's stories about the titty bar he used to run). After getting settled into our cottages and having lunch (with the odd couple) Gary took Luna and Ryan on an afternoon dive while I escaped into my book and the hammock tied up in between two coconut trees. This was exactly what I had been waiting for...The beach was filled with shells, nipa huts, fallen coconuts and all you could hear was the    distant sound of roosters crowing. Barefoot heaven.

That night, somewhere in between dinner and a couple San Miguel lights Gary had convinced me that I would come diving with them tomorrow off of Apo Island. He said he'd give me the run down the next morning and yadda yadda yadda. I asked about sharks but he shrugged it off as if there was no such species. So I agreed. We would go diving. Remember my rule; say no to nothing.

Saturday morning after a breakfast sandwich that made me miss Cup and Saucer real bad, we got a bootleg boat from some locals (passenger max was 4, we brought 6 and hella diving gear) and putted across the sea very very loudly to Apo island. The engine was right underneath my seat, which was a piece of wood about 1/2 inch thick. When we arrived on the beautiful island I seriously thought I had lost my hearing. We were all yelling at each other as we jumped into the water and got suited up for dive #1. Gary gave me my crash course of diving 101 next to the beach telling me things like what to do if I ran out of air and how to signal that my ears were about to explode. Among our sign language lesson was: sea turtle and water snake. I retained most of the information and before I knew it I was in my wet suit carrying a gigantic tank of air on my back to provide life under water.

(Apo Island, Diving)

We did 3 dives that day; what an amazing experience. It is difficult to describe the quiet beauty of underwater life. I swam with huge sea turtles, electric blue star fish and a million other fish that were kind enough to let us visit their home that day. Once I got past the pressure equalizing and BCD tanks and my face mask filling up with water every 3 minutes I was able to just become a spectator and float along the ocean floor. After my first dive Gary and Ryan told me how surprised they were that I was so good at diving on my first try. Duh, I thought. In between dives we ate lunch (the most basic ham and cheese sandwich you can imagine, courtesy of Chef Ron and some much needed Gatorade) Luna and I jumped off the boat over and over swimming around the boat as many times as we could before Gary would tell us it was time to slide back into our wet suits for another dive. Gary would yell "Hey Divers!" at any boat we passed channeling his Filipino accent; "many turt-tuls here my friends, TURT-TUL CIT-TEE" he would yell to their boats passengers as if he were captain of the open sea. It was a really special day ended with my tote bag full of Apo shells and one more loud but silent bumpy boat ride back to land where we caught the beginning of the sun setting over the most beautiful blue water I have ever swam in.

Saturday night we drank more San Miguel lights after our fish feast and listened to more Ron and Gary stories while trying to stream the world cup on Ryan's laptop. That night there was a lightening storm across the water we watched for about an hour while we looked up at the most stars I have seen in years. All new constellations I had never seen before.

Sunday Luna and I decided to stay back at Monarch and just relax while Ryan went on a couple more dives with Gary solo mission (later regretted). We slept in, ate a slow breakfast with coffee and mango shakes, laid by the beach all day reading until it was time for a beer and some kayaking. The staff working at monarch was a small young group of local Filipinos who didn't speak much english. 3 of the boys were around more than others which we became closer with; Bert, James and Marlin the chef. They gave me basketball scores when I needed, helped us carry the kayak in/out of the water and on the last night threw us on the backs of their motorcycles and took us to "Fiesta" which was a huge local dance party at an outdoor basketball court in the small town of Siaton. Can you say, my dream? Dance party, basketball court, local Filipino boys, motorcycles, beer? This night is the most epic I've had yet. Luna and I were quite a hit right off the bat. Attracting way too much attention and starting way too many dance circles. So much fun. The night was coming to an end when the rain started, Jai Ho was playing and most of the locals ran under cover....me? Yeah right. The after party was the best part.

Now I am back, my hearing has finally returned and I managed to pump put another 12 classes this week as well as attending my 1st baby shower for fellow instructor Bam and 7 hour workshop yesterday that almost got canceled due to an infestation of horse flies. Ew.

Tomorrow I am running in a Father's Day 10k race with Joie and some of the other instructors (Marie, Dess, Pen). I am excited to do another run but am not quite prepared for the 3:30am wake up call, yeeeeesh!

What up beach cottage!

I am happy to report that I'm leaving the city for the weekend! Thank god! The sound of sand, water, beach cottages and fresh air outside of the city sounds perfect right now. The rainy season has begun here in Manila. Super random sheets of rain come down unannounced really putting a kink in my pool time. Hello? Rude!

I met a Vancouver, WA naitive through Rebecca named Ryan. Seems like a cool guy, still just getting to know him but when he mentioned he was going on a diving trip off the island I asked if I could tag along and do non-diving things (like lay on the beach, read and pick up seashells....seriously that's all i want to do..) Since I am not certified to dive they probs won't let me unless I do some serious winking. But das coo, I'll....snorkel....and float?

We're staying at this place called Monarch Sands which looks more than charming, check out their bootleg website and click on accomodations. You'll get a good idea of what my "beach cottage" will look like :)

http://www.monarchsands.com/

So I fly out tomorrow on a sketchy airline and will return on Philippine's independence day; June 12th. Here is what google image is promising Dumaguete looks like;

In other news the episode of US girls I filmed two weeks ago is airing on tv here tonight! So after I teach my evening classes at the Fort and have a quick dinner in Serendra with Tanya I am rushing home to watch it!!!!! They normally post the episodes online after they air, fingers crossed maybe I'll post it if my interview isn't tooooooo awful.

Well, I have to step to it; there's underwear draped over every doorknob here, the fan is on high. Ahh the joys of air-drying your laundry....

Here's (some) the playlist I am teaching to this week;

"Your love"-Kesha; Push ups (don't judge me)
"1983"- John Mayer; barre stretch
"Wonderful"-India.Aire; barre stretch
"Somebody to love"-that little 13 yr old kid who has a bowl cut; leg work
"Turn me away (get munny)-Erykah Badu; leg stretch
"Looking through patient eyes"-PM Dawn; Core work
"Porcelain"-Moby; Core work
"Let it be me"-Ray LaMontague; Final Stretch
"Gone baby, don't be long"-Erykah Badu; Exit

I'm obvi in a big Erykah Badu phase right now as her newest album has been on repeat in my apartment so that means that the jam of MY week has to be my exit song; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78FZdyM5-PI

xoxoxo

Do you play center or forward?

Friday night I felt obligated to go dancing after Aileen bailed, her tiny friend Aimee insisted I come with her anyways. After using some San Miguel to convince myself I go spend another night in heels as I put my face on at 11pm, she picked me up and took me to a bar called Saffron for a pre-Encore drink. We sat down at a table full of people I didn't know. 10 minutes, 1 cranberry vodka later, Aimee said it was time to dance. Alright, here we go.

Encore, we were on the list again and found our table near the dj. Bottle service check, major slammers check, Filipino basketball players.....check????? Rewind. I was talking to this one guy who mentioned something about basketball, I assumed he played? He said no, he retired but that these guys all play as he pointed to the group of men standing in my blind spot. Double take. Right place right time, thank you Filipino gods for delievering Power Forward Rich Alvarez to me just for those 30 minutes.

If you could get past the cocky professional basketball player swagger he was kind of charming. The next morning I did some research and found out that he plays forward on some team in the PBA (yes, the Philippine Basketball Association) called Air 21 express (sponsor) is/was in a public relationship with some famous singer named Kyla. Hmmmm.

Thumbs up/Thumbs down

Ok Ok, I have been here for a month and half already; nuts. I think I have earned the right to complain a little, right? But to keep it balanced we'll split it up.

Likes and Dislikes of The Philippines;

-Cheap public transportation (taxi from here to Makati is PHP 60=$1.29); LIKE

-How every security guard, starbucks employee, supermarket attendant and window washer mutters "Afternoon Ma'am" when you enter/walk-by. At first it was kind of charming. I have always hated being called "Ma'am" but when I arrived here understood it was a cultural thing. Until every person you pass, encounter or ask for an iced latte from calls you "Ma'am". Even the girls who work the front desk who see me every day call me "Ma'am". It is at the end of every sentence and I am really beginning to despise it; DISLIKE

-Jeepney art. Every Jeepney driver has the freedom to name and decorate his Jeepney as he desires. Most of them pic some pop culture icon like Spiderman or Jesus (not all pop culture I guess). But many of them name it after an astrological sign. I have no clue why and don't normally associate catholics following their daily horoscopes much but who knows. I finally saw my first Gemini Jeepney yesterday, painting of two blonde white Ken-looking men. Haha!; LIKE

-Smells; woosh. Damn. I mean, I'm not that sensitive to smells but it can get pretty bad here. Certain parts of  certain streets are just really bad (garbage+sewer+construction worker kick it spot). Or the lobby of my apartment; what is that god damn smell? The worst is the supermarket at Market Market. Somewhere in between the LIVE fish aquarium aisle and dried animal in plastic bag aisle I start to give up on shopping at dart to the checkout aisle. I stay super clear of the deli there....DISLIKE.

-Buko/Coconuts; Most everywhere you go you can find fresh coconuts to buy which can be cracked open on the spot to drink the water. This might be my favorite pastime. After you're done re hydrating, you can eat the coconut meat inside. Double whammy! And there are mangos in/on everything; Sushi, Frozen Yogurt, Margaritas etc. So far I still can't get enough of either of these! LIKE

-Live animals on the freeways; I used to enjoy my time in the car on the way to the Alabang studio. A time to rest, reflect, window gaze and plan out my class for the evening. But lately my day-dreaming has been disturbed by trucks of live pigs on their way to the bacon factory and chicken in route to McChicken sandwiches. Breaks my freaking heart. And HONESTLY makes me consider being a vegetarian every time they pass. Oh and that's the worst part. Normally on a freeway you'd expect the truck full of pigs to just pass by, out of sight out of mind. Oh hell nah. Manila's got traffic; so whoever you're rolling with on the on ramp is your traffic buddy for the next ...mmmm.....45 minutes. Sigh. DISLIKE.

-Advertisements; Manila is HUGE on advertising things in the largest most eye catching format they can think of. There are vertical billboards next to the roads about every 30 feet. Most ads are for new condos, Halo Halo and tuna. So many tuna billboards with a couple in bathing suits.....???? But they are super entertaining in the car and they change every 3 weeks so they get a LIKE

-Traffic guards; god these men are worthless. They stand a corner and watch the traffic go by making sure no one goes the wrong way on the street which if they do it's cool, but the dude will wave him the other way for next time. Other than hand signals and chatting it up at 7-eleven these guys do NOT help a sister out. Trying to cross the street here is a battle since there are no crosswalks. You would think that when someone was trying to cross that would be his cue to use that bright neon yellow vest and get me across the street? But nah, he leans up against the street post and stares at me seeing how fast I can run across without getting hit. Thanks brah. DISLIKE.

-Movie theaters; I couldn't find time to see very many flicks in Portland but here in Manila I am ahead of the times. Iron Man2, Miley, Robin Hood, Sex and the City2....seen it. People love their movies here. So much that instead of regular movie seats they have lazy-boy reclining chairs! I finally got to experience this for the SATC2 premiere on Wednesday along with unlimited popcorn? Are you sure? Ok. The best part of all is that they have popcorn flavors to chose from; normally it's just BBQ or cheese which on any normal day in Ptown would probs make me sick just thinking about it but here in Asia it just feels right. Oh yeah and they have assigned seating. Pimp.LIKE

-Publc urinals on the side of the road; men only. DISLIKE (no explanation required)

-Emoticons; it took me a while to realize why some of the texts I was receiving from people here had so many uppercase U's with 2 dots on top. I figured my broke ass Nokia was just struggling but then I realized they were smiley faces. Lots and lots of smiley faces. Since calling is more expensive than texting here EVERYONE texts. Restaurants, museums, friends, schools etc. I have to admit there was a time when I really couldn't stand when people used emoticons probably because it gave me AIM nightmares from middle school but I kind of like them now. And yes, I use them :)  LIKE

-Recycling; there isn't anywhere to recycle anything anywhere. Except for 1 mall. No pick up/drop off service at my apartment which has 18 floors and 5 towers=so many residents and only garbage chutes. Depressing. I have saved every piece of recyclable material and bagged them in my laundry room. I saw a receptacle at Greenbelt next to the Ayala museum so I guess I'll have to take a taxi with all my cans and bottles and make a drop one of these days....I just can't throw plastic, glass or aluminum away. Blame those damn yellow Portland bins and my mom...DISLIKE
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