Surviving BJJ

DIET = DIE +T

2011-07-26T12:17:00.003+08:00

I don’t believe in DIETS. Cutting carbs, restricting yourself to vegetables (if you’re not vegetarian), skipping meals .. in the end, your body will give up and you’ll inevitably resort to bingeing.

Eating Rules to Live By:

1. Your plate should be colorful (greens, reds, oranges, etc)

2. Breakfast like a KING, lunch like a PRINCE, dinner like a PAUPER

3. Atonement - If you eat a lot of junk during lunch, eat healthy for dinner.

4. Portion Control - Eat whatever you want, but cut your usual portion size in half.

5. Cheat Day- Allow yourself at least one cheat day! On my cheat days, I eat gelato :)

6. Never skip BREAKFAST!

Of course, healthy eating habits should be paired with regular exercise e.g. BJJ :)

in hiding

2011-07-25T15:30:00.000+08:00

With all the craziness that has been going on in my life, I took a self-imposed hiatus from BJJ. Ok, its only been two weeks, but it feels like forever. My last training session was hell for me..I was still recovering from the flu and my cardio was next to non-existent. After a horrible sparring session, I felt demoralized. To top it off, I received the worst news ever.. which I won't bother to mention here. I've got all my ducks in order and I'm ready to get back into the game. Sometimes, all you need is a little break from everything.

Can't wait to train tonight!

Cross Training

2011-07-07T01:45:00.000+08:00

Here are some pictures from a cross-training session we had two weeks ago :

(In this picture : Marc "Benignose" Benigno, Toffy "The Destroyer" Ilagan and Myself "Chipmunk BJJ")

(In this picture: Alvin "The Alvinator" Lee and Raymond "Lalake Ako" Varilla)

Cross training sessions are the best. Not only do you get to check out other games, but you get a whole new lesson and of course, taught in a different style. Training with the same people all the time is fine and dandy, but mixing it up makes it so much more interesting. You also get to hang out with your other teammates and eat in yummy places like Lugang (OH SO GOOD) and try ginormous desserts as seen below:

Red Beans with Shaved Ice

Peanut Smoothie

Thank you to Toffy, Raymond and Sam! We'll be back soon!

GEN ASS

2011-07-07T01:28:00.000+08:00

General Assemblies never cease to amaze me. The DEFTAC family is huge, with over 8 branches nationwide! We're getting stronger and stronger thanks to our new colored belts.

Pictured above are our two new blue belts, Joel and Alvin. Not only do they look sweet, but they actually are. Contrary to popular belief, these two are some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet! Both of them have worked hard for their belts : training regularly, cross training, never giving up. They also serve as an inspiration to the newer white belts who just watch them in awe. First to defend the weaker, spazzy guys and last to leave the mats.. I'm proud to have them as my teammates! Congrats Joel and Alvin! May you stay sweet forever!

Other promotions:

PURPLE

Karl Rodriguez

Myron Mangubat

BLUE

Mike Luna

Rover Lustana

Ali Reza

Patrick Lubaton

Taking down notes

2011-07-05T23:46:00.000+08:00

The BJJ Notebook- do you have one? If you don't, get one. How could you possibly keep track of all the techniques you've learned in class? Nobody's memory is that good.

I love taking notes. My BJJ notebook is filled with techniques, drawings of techniques, flowcharts.. BJJ can get pretty nerdy if you get into it.

Here are a few tips for keeping a BJJ notebook:

1. Details, details, details. Mention all the details that go into executing the technique. Which hand do you use? Which leg do you kick? Where do you put your head? Write it all down!

2. Videos I've divided my notes into techniques I've learned from videos and techniques I've learned in class. I make sure to mention which DVD I got the technique from and of course,I include detailed information about the moves I learned.

3.Spars Ideally, you should be logging all your spars, especially the ones you've lost. You have to figure out how that guy got your back or why you ended up in someone's triangle. Once you find the answer, the likelihood of you ending in that position again would be next to impossible.

Good luck!

Running

2011-07-04T09:01:00.000+08:00

For the past few ~~days~~ ~~weeks~~ , I've been promising myself that I'd start running. For some reason, I just can't bring myself to do it. I have no problem going to BJJ training after work, but running just seems so tiring to me. I know, I know.. it really shouldn't be that hard. I keep on making excuses for myself, about how I'm going to start once I get a new pair of running shoes how I need a new running playlist, etc.
After reading what I just wrote, I'm feeling more lame by the minute. Today is a new day and today I start running.

Running program for the week:
55411
5 minutes brisk walking
5 minutes brisk walking with longer strides
4 minutes jogging
1 minute sprint
1 minute sprint

A promise

2011-07-02T02:08:00.000+08:00

I promise myself…

I promise myself to be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind
I promise myself to talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet
I promise myself to make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them
I promise myself to look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true
I promise myself to think only the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best
I promise myself to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own
I promise myself to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future
I promise myself to wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet
I promise myself to give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others
I promise myself to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble
I promise myself to think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, bun in great deeds
I promise myself to live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me

Christian Larson

So many promises, yet which ones will you actually keep? There's no harm in trying and thinking positive. If we don't have that, what else is left?

Who is your BJJspiration?

2011-06-27T02:17:00.000+08:00

My number one BJJspiration, obviously, is my boyfriend, Carlo. He was promoted to blue belt in less than 8 months (the fastest promotion to date) and is considered to be one of the most technical practitioners on our team. The key to Carlo's success? Attention to detail. Carlo makes sure he knows every single detail of every single move. He's a walking, talking BJJ dictionary. This is how he's able to beat guys twice his size. Did I mention his nice arms and super manly chin? :)

Marcelo "Marcelinho" Garcia. Ah-mazing. I love how he wins practically all his matches via submission and how he makes guys who outweigh and outpower (is there such a word?) him look like pansies. Quick as lightning and super deadly, Marcelinho's instructionals and matches are number 1 on my youtube viewing list.

Alvin Aguilar, our head instructor. How could he not be one of my BJJspirations? Number one, he's the first Filipino BJJ black belt. Secondly, he's almost completely self taught, at a time where instructionals weren't available. Even if his sparring partners are blue belts, purple belts and one brown belt, he was able to stand his ground at the Mundials last year. Unbelievable, right?

Who's your BJJspiration?

gi review #2

2011-06-27T01:54:00.000+08:00

(image courtesy of btfightgear.com)

Say hello to the Bullterrier Kids BJJ Gi (White, Lightweight)!

I bought this gi last December and I absolutely love it. So do the other girls. In fact, two of my teammates have the exact same gi. What I love most about it is how soft it feels - baby soft. Just like wearing a bathrobe and pyjama pants. Not only does it feel great, but it looks great too. Fits me like a glove in all the right areas.

Although Atama has a special place in my heart (I have two), I've grown quite fond of my Bullterrier and will definitely get the black version as well.

Size wise, I recommend this gi for petite girls like myself. I'm 5'1.5, around 97-99 lbs and the M3 fit me perfectly.

The gi hasn't shrunk much after numerous washings though I find it hard to take off the yellow stains on the knees (our mats are yellow).

Love love love this gi!

An update!

2011-06-27T01:41:00.000+08:00

According to my blog, the last time I've written in here was September 2010. Nine months ago! I could've had a baby by now! I may not be pregnant, but here are some other things that have happened to me (BJJ wise) in the last 9 months :

1) I got MY BLUE BELT!

I know right. Long time coming. But I'm glad I got it when I did. When I got my fourth stripe, my guard game was virtually non-existent. I swallowed my pride and worked on my guard. Got passed like crazy (still do.. sometimes.. hehe), got squashed.. but eventually I figured it out and ended up with a more well-rounded game. Yay!

2) We have LOTS OF NEW GIRLS!

From two became three and the numbers just kept on multiplying! What I love the most about these girls is that they're all really feisty. They either train hard or harder!

I promise to start updating my blog again. Promise, promise, promise!

transitioning from gi to no gi

2010-09-28T16:24:00.000+08:00

Most Jiujitsu masters argue that once a person trains with a gi, there will be an almost seamless transition to no gi. After watching people train with no gi for the past week, it is apparent that not everyone is transitioning as smoothly as they should. A friend of mine narrowed down his no gi experience to a single quote - "No gi, no skills."
Grips? Gone. Sneaky gi chokes? Gone. You're left with your hands, a pair of shorts and a rashguard.
I've only trained no gi several times and I truly enjoy it. I love how everything goes so fast. Because of this, you learn how to be more explosive which is something you could definitely use in training with the gi. I can see how training wrestling could be an advantage in no gi since wrestling is based on strength and explosiveness. Another plus would be good cardio because it seems easier to gas out with all the moves you do. I'm definitely looking forward to training more without the gi- something else you can add to your BJJ resume!

post training eating habit

2010-09-15T11:42:00.000+08:00

Training for us usually ends at about 11 pm. I'm usually ravenous after training but recently, I decided to change up my eating habits- eating more before training and a healthy (and sometimes, not so healthy) snack after. I used to feel sluggish in the morning, especially after drowning myself in carbs and whatever fast food I could find. Mind you, I'm not on any kind of diet but I did pack on a few pounds back then.

I think I'll stick to my new routine, thank you very much!

For all you pervs, stop it. Peanut butter and bananas after training are the best snack ever!

Sometimes, I'll have this

with this

And this

My teammate Joel swears by Chuckie chocolate milk :

What do you eat after training?

Gi Review - Atama Mundial #9

2010-08-24T10:55:00.000+08:00

After trying on my teammate's Atama (thanks, Laisa), I decided that I HAD to get one. The gi top fit me perfectly for once, and the length and width of the pants were just right.
I'm 5'1.5 , 100 lbs with a puny upper body. Naturally, I chose the white F1 (4'9"-5'0"/ 85-100 lbs) thinking that it wouldn't be true to size. Sure enough, it is the best fitting gi I have ever had. The pants fall to just above the ankle and aren't baggy at all. The ripstop material on the pants felt weird at first, but now I think that I actually prefer them to cotton! They are kind of see-through though so make sure you wear a pair of black cycling shorts /yoga shorts.
I've washed my gi about 5x already, and so far, there has been very minimal shrinkage (though some claim that Atama gis shrink like crazy).

Despite the hefty price tag, I will most definitely stick to this brand. Thank you, Atama for making a gi that finally fits me! <3

swingy!

2010-08-24T10:28:00.001+08:00

I am probably one of the clumsiest, uncoordinated people you'll ever meet. There are some techniques that take me forever to learn (sorry Marc and Mig) and some that I just choose not to learn because my brain can't seem to coordinate properly with my limbs. However, there are certain techniques that come naturally to me. I call them the swingy techniques. They require swinging hip movement, hence the name.
Some examples are:
1. Sweeps from spider guard
2. Sweeps from seated half guard

Which technique comes naturally to you?

Preventive Maintenance

2010-08-23T11:24:00.000+08:00

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?!"
When I started jiujitsu, my girlfriends would always gasp and point at my bruises in disgust. They've gotten used to it, but that doesn't mean that they think its ok. They shriek when they hear about my matburns and cringe when I talk about cauliflower ear.
Jiujitsu is not a pretty sport, and I think it takes a certain kind of girl to be OK with all these... atrocities. So here are a few things I do to keep the ugly side of jiujitsu at bay:

1. TAPE

Mueller/LPL tape is a godsend for your fingers. I like to tape my fingers right below the nail, to protect them from getting calloused and dark from grips.

The best way to do it is to cut the tape into small, long strips. This provides more mobility for the fingers.

Just wrap it around your finger, like so. I usually wrap three fingers, although it looks like I need to start wrapping my pinkie as well.

2. ARNICA

I use Arnica ointment on all my bruises. Its most effective when applied immediately after training.
3. KNEE PADS

I used to wear knee pads all the time, but I've gotten lazy since they hurt the backs of my knees. I'll try to look into a different brand next time.

4. MOUTHGUARD

Mouthguards protect your teeth and gums from impact injuries. In the event of a serious blow, it could also prevent concussion and reverberation damage.

5. DEEP CONDITION!

I shampoo my hair almost everyday because of jiujitsu (as opposed to every other day) . Even if I keep my hair in a ponytail/bun, I still find strands here and there- BJJ is murdering my hair! To keep it healthy and manageable, I only use sulfate free shampoos and conditioners, and make sure I deep condition at least once a week.

With regards to cleanliness, I always keep a bar of antibacterial soap and facial wash, betadine/neosporin and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol in my gym bag. After training, I make sure I wash all exposed limbs with soap, then put alcohol, then shower. I know it might seem a bit much, but you never know what kind of diseases those mats are harboring.

What do you do?

war wounds

2010-08-17T17:16:00.001+08:00

Here is my latest war wound (the biggest I've had so far), located on my right knee. Luckily, it is just a bruise and will go away in a matter of days. In the meantime, I am forced to wear pants instead of the dresses I usually wear to work.

Since starting BJJ , I have grown accustomed to the following (much to the dismay of my boyfriend) :
1. Calloused appendages (fingers, toes, knuckles)
2. Mild cauliflower ear
3. Mat burn
4. Busted lips
5. Random scratches

Gross?
Well, BJJ is a contact sport that comes hand in hand with all these injuries. Remember, if you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!
xoxo!

position vs submission

2010-08-17T16:49:00.000+08:00

As of late, I've been attacking more than I should. Instead of holding the position before going to my submission, I attack right away and end up vulnerable to passes, eventually turning into a better position over me. Lesson learned. Securing a position sure beats .. being beat!
One of the reasons for attacking so much is my lack of cardio. I feel like I should finish the fight as soon as I can, before gassing out. Obviously, this is wrong. What I should be doing is working on my cardio and learning how to secure positions.
You definitely learn something new everyday!

The Path to the Black Belt

2010-08-12T10:00:00.002+08:00

According to my extensive research (hi, google), all the champions train at least three times a day, everyday. So how does one get to black belt with training three times a week (that's all my gym offers) with a regular 8-5 job?
Here's my path/long winding road to the black belt:
1. Train 4x a week (one cross training session)
2. Weights 2x a week
And eventually... 3. Jogging/Swimming/Some kind of cardio/Yoga every morning

I'll get there someday, some way, somehow.

whats going on..

2010-08-11T09:59:00.002+08:00

A lot has happened since I last updated my BJJ blog. Its been an eventful 8 months and my love affair with BJJ is still going strong!

1. We finally have a girl in our gym!

After a year and a half of training, God decided to send us a tough, pint sized, 17 year old "angel". The best part is that she loves BJJ as much as I do and is willing to train whenever, wherever! Though still a newbie, she already has become a force to be reckoned with. She is stronger than some of the guys in our gym (sorry, guys) and it seems that BJJ is a sport that comes naturally to her. We've already named her "the beast" and "the prodigy", so you can just imagine what she's like!

2. I finally competed!

I joined my first major tournament in May, losing both in my weight division and absolute. Instead of dwelling on my losses and quitting, I decided to work on what went wrong (with the help of my loving instructor/boyfriend). Since then, I have learned how to master breaking the closed guard and escaping from the triangle choke. Also how to hold my breath longer.. haha!

3. I got promoted!

Just last month, our black belt made a visit to our gym to do promotions. As usual, he made us spar in order to gauge whether we deserved a promotion or not. When it was my turn, I found out that I would be going against a guy who I had yet to beat. I don't really know what happened, but I remember that at one point, I had his leg and I didn't let go for what seemed like ages.I could hear Carlo screaming and hooting in the background, which gave me strength (haha) so I swept, mounted and then ended up armbarring him. I surprised even myself. After that, I had to go against someone almost twice my size, ordered to tap me out in 20 secs. He didn't and I was so happy. In the end, when Alvin, our blackbelt, asked me to finish out my stripes, I almost cried (again) from sheer joy and all the emotions that were built up inside me. Luckily, I didn't even shed a tear.

4. Competing again!

I'm going to try and compete again this September. Hopefully it will go better than my first tournament. I'm so grateful to have such great instructors/friends who are willing to answer all my questions and teach me stuff that I supposedly already know to cover all bases. Thanks guys!

5. Long distance :(

Carlo finally moved to Singapore (only for a year and a half) for his MBA and it sucks. But I know that this will only strengthen our relationship and ultimately, make us stronger people. I don't think I've ever been this excited to talk to someone on skype, or felt this anxious because someone hasn't texted.. but when I see that red flashing light, I have the biggest, cheesiest smile on my face and everyone knows why :) Here's to more adventures in love and BJJ! Cheers!

trapik

2009-12-18T10:56:00.002+08:00

Traffic in Manila is horrendous this time of year. It takes approximately 30 minutes to get from my house to anywhere else in Makati (OK, maybe I'm exaggerating.. 20 minutes then) and I can't even imagine how long it will take for me to go down South tonight. Friday night + Christmas season = MAJOR DISASTER. However, I will be bringing some goodies in the car to keep Carlo and myself busy. Goodies such as:

A deck of cards
Granola bars
Chocolate chip cookies
PSP
Pillow and blanket

Wish me luck!

there is still some good left in this world!

2009-12-15T15:52:00.004+08:00

I was running late to meet my friends for lunch and quickly signaled for a cab to take me to my destination. Told the driver where I was headed, and made sure everyone knew I was on my way. When I got there, I dug around my bag for my wallet.. and to my horror, it was nowhere to be found! Embarrassed, I had no idea what to do. I told the driver to meet me at my office as I scribbled down my address on a piece of paper. Instead of getting angry and pissy (like most cab drivers), he waved his hand and said, "Ok lang yan". I apologized over and over again and he just smiled at me. "Sige na," was all he said. I told him thank you and closed the cab door quietly. I felt horrible. Here I was, going to a mall to have lunch with my friends which would probably cost as much as his allowance for the whole day, if not more.. and him off to work to make up for what he lost. I said a little prayer of thanks and wished that lots of good karma would come his way. Good deeds seem to be completely unheard of nowadays, especially from strangers- and I consider myself extremely lucky today.. I shall do a good deed today as well :)

It's beginning to smell a lot like Xmas!

2009-12-11T10:24:00.004+08:00

I just finished rewriting my Christmas list and it looks like I still have a long way to go. Yech. Oh well, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that I'll be done by this weekend! Since Monday, productivity in my office has reached an all time low. Quite a few people have been calling in "sick" this week and of course I am not included because I am a responsible employee. So, I'm thinking of going shopping during my lunch break. Whaddaya think? Hahaha

Yoga for BJJ and Grappling

2009-12-10T10:42:00.003+08:00

taken from grapplearts.com

Yoga for BJJ- A Personal Challenge

An individual seeking to become a complete martial athlete cannot afford to leave the ancient practice of yoga out of his/her training regimen. No other exercise addresses and develops as many physical AND mental attributes as yoga does. If you think that yoga is only for new age hippies or human pretzels, think again!! If BJJ black belts such as Rickson Gracie and Wallid Ismail train in yoga, you owe it to yourself to rethink what yoga is all about. For BJJ practitioners, the most crucial physical link between yoga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is their emphasis on ground work. ALL yoga poses (handstands, seated poses, standing poses) emphasize the body's relationship to the ground. All strength related exercises in yoga put the practitioner in direct resistance to the pull of gravity. Sound easy? Sure, if you're just standing around on both legs, gravity is a piece of cake. Now try standing on the balls of your feet, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the ground, and hold that pose for 10 controlled breaths. That's yoga! More importantly, the mechanics for most of the poses found in yoga almost directly resemble the physical movements found in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I've found, from personal experience, that yoga's "crow" pose (hands on the floor, with your knees planted behind your triceps for support) has helped my transition from side-mount to knee-on-belly tremendously. Next time you bench press 250 lb., ask yourself how that's going to help your mount escape. If you're not sure, I'm willing to bet that there's a pose in yoga that will. Finally, yoga prepares you mentally for the rigors of BJJ sparring and competition because it teaches you how to mentally relax while holding physically compromising positions. There are poses in yoga that are meant to arouse specific emotional responses, be it anger, fear, or frustration. Regardless of what you might feel, and how intensely you feel it, the practice of yoga teaches you not only to endure such emotions, but also encourages you to EXPERIENCE them. When you experience your physical and mental limits at their extremes, yet respond with a calm and clear attitude... getting mounted by a 260 lb. sparring partner or competitor won't be as fearsome as it used to be. That is the true benefit of yoga. Each pose, each practice session, is an opportunity to face your internal, resisting opponent. Each breath and each moment is a personal challenge that we can experience and overcome. It's quite unfortunate that, for the majority of the population, when the word "yoga" comes up in conversation, one immediately envisions a half-naked Indian man, dressed only in a loin cloth, with his feet behind his head, chanting "ohm", smiling the widest, most masochistic grin imaginable. Or, even worse, one envisions a group of individuals, seated in full-lotus position, trying to get in touch with their inner dolphin. But there is more to this art. Much more. Drop the weights, leave the running shoes, the gloves, and the gi at home for just one hour every Saturday, and open yourself... to yourself. Empty your cup. This is the first challenge of the path to yoga.

Ever since I started yoga classes, my base has improved... drastically! Instead of rapid, heaving breaths during sparring, my breaths have become more controlled already. Only after a few sessions! Imagine what 3 months worth of yoga will do for your game. Amazing. I wish I had gone back to yoga earlier. Maybe my game would be so much better than what it is now.. but like they say, its better now than never, right? Can't wait for my next yoga class! Namaste!

Escaping from Sidemount/ Side Control

2009-12-09T11:57:00.003+08:00

As someone much smaller than my opponents, I find it very difficult to escape from side mount or side control. I feel completely powerless when I'm trapped in side mount, and my bridging or "upa's" don't make any difference. Even shrimping and turning seems impossible to do, especially when the guy makes his side mount really heavy. I know what the escapes are - pulling guard or getting on my knees, I even know how to use the "paw grip" to avoid getting cross-faced. Does anyone have any other tips or suggestions.. I need to stop getting TRAPPED!

xmas

2009-12-08T10:46:00.003+08:00

Christmas is here and I haven't started shopping yet. I'm so dead.

what i'm thinking about

2009-12-07T10:31:00.003+08:00

Bacon.... need I say more?

Bacon wrapped filet mignon

Singaporean Chili Crab

Chicken and Pork Adobo Goode Co. Barbeque

Amongst my friends, I'm known as the girl with the voracious appetite. I'm constantly chewing or stealing people's food or talking about food. I have never gone on a diet, ever. And I don't plan on going on one either. I guess I'm lucky I enjoy working out so much. I think its because instead of just running on the treadmill and lifting weights, I'm actually doing a sport that I've grown to love. I tried doing the gym thing for awhile and it really wasn't for me. I even hired a personal trainer but it just wasn't enough. This week, I'm planning to add another yoga session to my routine. However, I'll need to be awake by 6 AM. I wonder if I can do it. I've heard people say that how working out first thing in the morning could be quite invigorating. I'll try it this week and we'll see :)

Saturday Blahs

2009-12-05T23:43:00.003+08:00

Had a very interesting day today. Actually, I'm feeling quite sad at the moment. However, I was able to purchase a couple of "ears" this afternoon at my favorite Japanese store.

Reindeer Antlers

Bear Ears

Now, you might be wondering- why waste my money on "ears". When I figure out the answer to that one, I'll let you know.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better :)

Some old "ears":

Devil Horns

Martian Fluffy Antennae

Yoga Friday

2009-12-05T01:11:00.003+08:00

Just got home from dinner and beers with the girls, Maui and Fort. Such a great way to end a night. Today was the perfect Friday! Lunch with a friend (Olivia) I hadn't seen in awhile, window shopping, finishing a project for work and then yoga with Jenn. I love the challenge each yoga class brings, I keep on pushing and pushing to finish the pose perfectly and also opting for the more advanced version of the pose. I know my core is strong but my flexibility needs a lot of work. After class, Isabel, our instructor, challenged me to do a yoga headstand. I explained to her that we do the same headstand in jiu jitsu and that I was never really able to do it. With her guidance, I was able to do it and hold it for awhile when usually, I just end up falling over. I know I'll be sore tomorrow, but at least I'll be very satisfied. I'll try attending the early morning yoga class next week. I haven't gotten up at six in the morning in a very long time, so let's keep our fingers crossed. I also have to stop myself from buying too much yoga gear. Its all just too pretty :) Namaste!

Random quote of the day

2009-12-04T09:58:00.000+08:00

Who matters, Who never did, Who won't anymore... And who always will. So, don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

TGIF

2009-12-04T09:47:00.004+08:00

I'm so glad its finally Friday! Tonight, I'm attending yoga class with my friend Jenn. I've been practicing in order to get ready for tonight's class and hopefully it will make some sort of difference. I'm even considering doing yoga 2x a week, but it might be a bit too much considering the amount of days I train BJJ. Tonight will be fun! I'm also trying to convince the rest of my BJJ team mates to go. I'm sure they'd do really well! After yoga, we're meeting up with some other friends at my neighborhood bar for dinner and some drinks.. there's nothing like ending your week with some good friends and a couple of glasses of scotch!

I'm definitely looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday and having lunch at the park. I'm also going to start on my secret mini-project tomorrow and hopefully finish by the end of the day. Will post pictures as soon as my project is done :)

is it vacation time yet?

2009-12-03T16:41:00.004+08:00

It feels like forever since I've been to the beach, when in reality its only been 2 or 3 months. For awhile, Carlo and I would go to the beach almost every weekend, whether it be for scuba diving or surfing. I miss the beach so much that I wouldn't mind having salt in my eyes or getting sand in my bikini. My skin is almost pale (well, not really.. ) and my hair is becoming darker and darker. I'm so used to having a deep tan with my hair two shades lighter than it is now.

The sun gods must have been listening because in just two weeks (or maybe a bit more), I will be heading to this place:

Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu!

I finally got my plane ticket today and it feels thismuch closer to D-Day. Its going to be awesome. I have a couple of friends who'll be in the area as well so there :) A little Christmas gift to myself. I can't wait!

All I want for Christmas....

2009-12-02T16:16:00.002+08:00

a trip to Coron, Palawan

gaiam yoga mat

black atama women's gi, size f1

stardust graphic novel by neil gaiman

hello kitty wallet

Panasonic Lumix LX 3

Moleskine 2010 Planner

Today is Wednesday and it is nice and breezy outside

2009-12-02T14:33:00.007+08:00

I've been quite the busy bee these past few days. I attended my last wedding of the year (I think.. unless there's one that I'm missing) and I must say, I've been to quite a few. Around seven to be exact. Maybe even 8. Who knows, its all a blur.

This long weekend was all I needed. Carlo and I were able to hang out after almost one week of being apart. Call me cheesy, but this girl misses her boyfriend whenever he's away :(

I was finally able to train yesterday and I really enjoyed it! We learned the dela riva again and reviewed the spider guard, both sweeps and submissions from that position. When we did the drills, I was able to do two dela riva sweeps. I still find it quite difficult to do the spider guard when my partner is in a standing position. I sparred twice, with Marc and with Jay. Of course, I didn't get far with Marc and I actually tapped out because his sidemount was so heavy. Sometimes I think these guys forget that I am built differently (e.g. boobs) so heavy sidemounts are... a PAIN! Hehe! I'm really enjoying playing guard.. definitely keeps me on my toes. Must keep on reading "Path to the Blackbelt". I've been reading Saulo's "Jiu-jitsu University" and Rodrigo Gracie's "Path to the Blackbelt". I also started practicing yoga again. I miss it a lot and I'm really hoping it will help me with my flexibility :)

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Marcus wins the HEAVYWEIGHT Title fight! Dinner date with Carlo at Little Tokyo Frou frou dog at the AKC Dog ShowMy baby Nacho gets a haircut

Drills instead of sparring

2009-11-27T09:46:00.002+08:00

I had a great time at training last night! We went through the spider guard sweeps again and instead of doing drills, the guys went straight to sparring. I waited it out first and did drills with Mig and Marc. I'm really enjoying playing guard- its such a challenge! You're always on your toes (or on your back/side, haha) and have to be 2-3 moves ahead of your opponent. I practiced my dela riva, seated half and spider on Mig and then with Marc, I did passing. I feel like I'm learning so much more doing drills rather than sparring. However, I'm going to need to start sparring again soon to practice for the competition. I'll need to work on my takedowns too! Hopefully the gym will be available this Saturday so we can have an open mat session. Must work on my BJJ!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T14:49:00.003+08:00

And that, my friends, is a roast pig, aka Lechon. I'd take Lechon over turkey any day :) What I am thankful for (in no particular order):

1. My wonderful, funny and understanding family. Thank you for putting up with me for 26 years!

2. My crazy friends who make everything better, even when I'm having the worst day.

3. My sexy ass boyfriend who patiently deals with my mess and puts up with my annoying, hyper side.

4. My dog, Nacho, for always being excited to see me and for letting me cuddle him for a few minutes.

5. My co-workers, for putting up with my constant questions.

6. My Deftac/Gracie Barra teammates, who have taught me the meaning of "brotherhood" and "survival".

7. Being able to enjoy good food whenever, wherever.

8. That my family and friends are alive and safe, despite all the tragedies and calamities of 2009.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!

New Moon

2009-11-26T09:26:00.003+08:00

I've been feeling kinda down about BJJ lately, and yesterday's break did the trick! On a whim, my friends and I decided to meet up and watch the much awaited "New Moon". The plan was to get trashed before watching, but we ended up pigging out on greasy Filipino food and just having a few beers. Oh.. and shots. Sisig : Pig ears, cheeks and god knows what else, cooked with onions, garlic and pepper. Just as crunchy as bacon, and extra delicious with Knorr seasoning and lots of hot sauce! San Miguel Beer: The best tasting beer in the world!

After dinner, we headed to the theaters, excited to relive our high school days. After seeing this guy, we were more than excited.

Some of us actually "oooooh-ed" when he took off his shirt for the first time.. haha! Despite the bad acting, the horrible script and the weak story line, we found the movie very much worth it, thanks to the body of Taylor Lautner aka Jacob Black.

When the movie finished,we ended up having a few more beers at a nearby bar. Of course, we kept on raving about Jacob and how we didn't mind unleashing the "cougar" within us. We ended leaving at almost 2 AM, way past our bedtime! I guess time really flies when you're having fun :) Can't wait for Thanksgiving on Friday!

Death by Knee on the Belly

2009-11-24T09:17:00.005+08:00

There are some days where training feels like one big massacre. Especially when I'm going up against the big guys (which is practically everybody in my case). Last night, Anjo kept on trying to choke me as I assumed the turtle guard and I was able to defend it. However, being stronger and heavier and whatnot, he kept on squeezing, trying.. and then finally, I got him off my back and unfortunately, let him have my arm. After that spar, my eyes were bloodshot. Bulging, even. I walked around the mat in a daze and plopped down to explain to Anjo why that choke would not work and then showed him how to do the Bow and Arrow choke, which for me, is quite effective.

I still wasn't feeling all that great but I decided to spar with Marc, one of the new purples. I started off trying to play guard but it wasn't working, so I tried to pass him. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful (hence Marc = purple belt, me= 2 stripe white belt). In fact, I was so unsuccessful that Marc was able to keep the knee on the belly position for about 4 mins (Marc weighs almost 160 lbs). Mig was just waiting for me to tap but I didn't. In fact, I was able to get him off by doing the basic escape from knee on the belly but to no avail. Marc got me again. At that point, I just gave up and then let him have my arm. Again, I gave up. I was surprised that I didn't burst into tears from the knee on the belly. It hurt so much, but I was able to withstand the pain. I went home, feeling quite useless and injured. I couldn't sleep much, kept on tossing and turning. Kept on thinking about my spars and the intense pain in my ribs and back. And yet, I'm going back to training tonight. I just hope the lighter guys will be there today.

The Tortoise Loves Wheat Grass

2009-11-23T12:46:00.002+08:00

Our new discovery!

Jay the tortoise loves wheatgrass! For the longest time, we've been feeding him pellets and lettuce. He didn't seem to enjoy it quite as much as the grass at the park (yes, we're the crazy people that walk our tortoise). Thank god we found a solution. I've never seen him so happy!

Phat

2009-11-23T12:32:00.004+08:00

As I got ready to go to work today, I pulled my pants on and actually grunted while doing so. I then realized that my pants have become too tight and that my butt has almost gone back to its powerlifting size. So here's what the plan is:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: BJJ

Monday and Thursday: Run

Wednesday: Wrestling

Friday: Yoga

I'm also cutting down on carbs and exercising portion control. Call me vain, but my cheeks are getting puffier by the buffalo wing and I just can't have that. Granted, I've been slacking off quite a bit and our warmups during training haven't been exactly all that physical so, yeah. Time to get back to business!

Sundaze

2009-11-22T21:47:00.004+08:00

Of all the days in the week, I would have to say that Sunday is my absolute favorite days. Here are some reasons why: (in no particular order)

1. Sleeping in - I wake up at 7:15 (or I try to, at least) from Monday to Friday and at 8 am on Saturdays. On Sunday, I sleep till my eyes are swollen, which is usually till 11 am.

2. Brunch - Since we wake up quite late, Carlo and I always end up having brunch. And its usually something delightfully unhealthy. Like this for example:

Magoo's Pizza (my favorite square pizza)

3.Quality time with the animals- I get to spend extra time with Nacho and Kitty (when she wants to. Nacho gets so tired sometimes though.

4. Massage day- I've made it a tradition to get a massage on Sunday. It's the best tradition I've ever come up with!

5.Family day- Its also my day to hang out with my family and catch up on some girl talk with my mom and sister. Since my mom wasn't at home today, I ended up baking Mango Napoleon (my first attempt ever!) which turned out quite yummy but very messy. Filo pastry is definitely not my friend!

I'll post more pictures tomorrow! xoxo

URCC XV

2009-11-20T10:17:00.003+08:00

I'm so excited for tomorrow! Three DEFTAC teammates will be fighting (and winning): Marcus (his URCC debut), Ali and Sabah. Good luck, guys! BAKBAKAN NA!!!

My Thursday

2009-11-20T09:35:00.005+08:00

Made like a ninja yesterday and spent the day in Chinatown with Therese and Corrina. Had lunch at Yin Ying (fried spring rolls, duck, hakaw and Japanese siomai), shopped around for office supplies, got feng-shui'd. Was told that next year was going to be a Poor Year, therefore must buy all kinds of feng-shui trinkets to ward off the bad luck. Rode the ferry back to Makati and was told not to take pictures of the presidential palace. Played guard with a security guard at practice yesterday. 98 lbs vs 180 lbs- nuts! Did guard drills instead of sparring. Must not revert to top game at all costs! And now, here is a random doggie pic for your viewing pleasure!

hmm

2009-11-13T14:13:00.002+08:00

When you finally realize who your true friends are, you can't help but smack yourself on the forehead and say "Well, duh!". You should have known from the start. But that's how you learn, right?

pains

2009-11-13T09:58:00.003+08:00

I'm missing the GA assembly this Saturday because of a wedding. They're doing promotions for sure. I hope the Makati guys get theirs- they really deserve it! Last night, we reviewed the dela riva sweeps and I'm finding it hard to grab my partner's belt. Its so frustrating! When we were doing the drills, I felt like I couldn't do anything. After the lessons and drills, I sparred with Martin and told him that I wanted to play guard. As you can guess, I lost, but I was able to transition into half guard with ease after getting passed. I'm looking forward to my next training day so I can really work on my guard! * For the past few days, I've been feeling these weird pains in my ankles, especially in the morning. Carlo gets them too apparently. It was so hard for me to walk to work today, I practically limped my way down the street. Carlo says that it might be because of the spider guard or because of running on the mats. What could it be, I wonder... * I'm so excited for today.. can't say why just in case.

perfect mornings are made of these

2009-11-13T09:42:00.002+08:00

Carlo Nacho

great dreamers cannot be tamed

2009-11-12T09:43:00.003+08:00

I'm wishing and hoping I get my blue belt this time next year. I'm done with playing top. Its about time I worked on my guard. I know I keep on talking about it and god knows I try. I've asked the blue belts to teach me more sweeps, etc...but every time I spar, my partner automatically sits down and waits for me to pass. This time, I'll sit down first! Playing guard will be such a great advantage to be, esp with my size and everything. I'm so looking forward to training later! I've also decided to get back into boxing to help with my cardio. I noticed that I've been short of breath as of late, and I really need to get back into it. If not boxing, I'll try running again. I really hate running (sorry running friends) because I find it so boring. I have to try to love it! (New mantra: I love running, I love running, I love running....) Anyway, back to work!

Updates

2009-11-11T17:02:00.002+08:00

Training with Royce- an experience I will never forget! (Its a bad picture of me, but hell, its ROYCE!)

Last night

2009-11-04T10:31:00.004+08:00

There's no feeling like going to bed all beat up and sore. Its probably the best sleep you could possibly get. Top it off with a Tempur pillow, and you're all set! During training last night, we had 2 new visitors- one from Gracie Barra Cebu, and the other guy, a Judo black belt. The guy from Cebu was awesome. He just started training in January and he's already a four stripe white belt. The guy has incredible resistance.. he just kept on going on and on. He beat Mig, a two stripe blue belt and got Marc (3 stripe blue belt) and Franz (3 stripe blue belt) into several triangle chokes. Relentless is the word that comes to mind. The guy has excellent game! Sparred against Paul last night and got his back a couple of times. I really need to fix my chokes! I was also able to sweep and pass him several times. Wasn't easy though since Paul is quite heavy. He kept on giving me the triple attack but I just couldn't finish the armbar! Arggggh! Drills! After Paul, I sparred with Marc and then practiced my seated half guard, which I am really enjoying! Mig and Marc sparring I had to sit out most of the lessons last night, because we were practicing submissions from North South. It makes me kind of uncomfortable, and I'm guessing its uncomfortable for a guy too. Ended up just doing it 3x per move. This is one of the reasons why I wish there was another girl training :( Oh well, what can you do.. right?

!

2009-11-03T10:00:00.004+08:00

1. Spending quality time with Mom is always good. - Took my mom out to dinner on Friday evening after work. I asked her to choose a nice restaurant, but out of starvation, she ended up choosing Cibo, which is always fine by me. Shared a plate of pasta and pate. We scarfed down the whole thing in a matter of minutes! Of course, we also did some light shopping. By light, I mean I only bought one pair of shoes. Why is it that when I'm saving up for something big, everything in the mall looks great and when I'm not saving up for anything, there's nothing I want? Annoying, right? After dinner, we window shopped some more and then headed over to M Cafe for a few martinis and chocolate cake. I should try and do this more often. Maybe once a month? 2. My first Halloween without dressing up - Ever since I was a kid, I've always taken pride in my halloween costumes. I remember how one time, I was Ms. Piggy- complete with the pearls, pig nose and silk gown. Nobody got it. Everyone was like, "Are you the pig princess?". Since the group I went out with on Halloween was not the dressing up type, I didn't dress up but had fuzzy antennae in my purse just in case. The upside to that night was that scotch was cheap @ 89.00 Php (almost 3 dollars) per glass. Whether it was Johnny Walker Black as I requested.. that I will never know. 3. My boyfriend is the best! - (warning: may cause vomiting and/or a slight hacking cough) He didn't do anything cool like buy me jewelry, a pomeranian or a new gi, but watching True Blood, making corny jokes, doing silly dance moves, teaching me new passes and sweeps, downloading new games for me, feeding me Filipino comfort food, cuddling (hehe) = the best boyfriend ever! 4. I heart open mat sessions - Instead of our regular BJJ class, we had an open mat session yesterday. I'm in the process of improving my non-existent guard game so I practiced my spider guard sweeps and seated half. Instead of sparring 3x per session, I will drill my sweeps instead. Must reach my goal by next year!!!

On being little

2009-10-30T10:08:00.000+08:00

I know that BJJ is all about leverage, about the smaller guy being able to beat the bigger guy.. but we all know that strength plays a big factor in BJJ. When the guys use their strength against me, I feel completely and utterly useless. Like a rag doll being tossed around. I weigh a little over 95 lbs and the other guys average about 140 lbs, except for 2. Yes, not all moves are strength based, I have to agree with that. But escapes, especially the escapes from sidemount, I find very difficult to do. Even more so with the guy being a lot heavier than me. I guess I'll have to figure it out eventually.. till then, I'm going to have to get used to being squashed!

On being lazy

2009-10-29T16:29:00.000+08:00

After training BJJ for one year, I can count with my fingers the number of times I've been lazy to go to practice. I can also tell you the number of times I've skipped practice in order to attend an event, birthday or a get together. I train four to five days a week and I still manage a pretty decent social life and an 8-5 job. I don't understand how some people would rather slack off and NOT go to training, their only reason being: "I'm lazy". BJJ is a way of life. This is something I learned after my first month of training. You can't just drop in every once in awhile.. BJJ is practically a lifetime commitment. Kind of like being in a relationship. Once you're in, you're in. You have to train at least twice a week, watch videos every once in awhile, take notes, work out to supplement it, etc. Now, if you choose to fuck it up, you're... how do I put this lightly.. fucked! Everyone, even the little 90 lb girl, will most definitely kick your ass :)

What's on my shopping list for this month!

2009-10-29T11:23:00.000+08:00

shopping list by janamaia featuring Miu Miu accessories

Items in this set:
Preen Line Shrunken leather biker jacket, $645
MiH Stormy Dark Denim Shorts, $108
DOLCE & GABBANA C09116 BLACK VERNI 1819801, 374 GBP
Black Peeptoe Platform Patent Shoe by Katia Lombardo, 220 GBP
DOUBLE LEATHER BELT, 261 GBP

Coffee vs Green Tea

2009-10-28T14:32:00.000+08:00

In a conscious effort to have a healthier lifestyle, I am quitting coffee. I actually stopped drinking coffee about a week ago (does coffee jelly count?) and I've never felt better. Perhaps its all the creamer and brown sugar that I add to the coffee, but after switching to green tea, I haven't experienced that heavy feeling I usually have after drinking coffee. Plus, check out all the benefits of drinking green tea! (taken from http://www.relaxsipenjoy.com/health_benefits_of_tea.aspx) “Current research shows tea contains specific antioxidants and health promoting ingredients, lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer….” (American Health Foundation) It’s no surprise that the health benefits of tea have been scientifically and medically upheld by independent research in several countries. Even before modern science formalized its findings, the rest of the tea–drinking world already knew it. Tea is good food. The properties contained in tea have played a significant role in benefiting patients with heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer. We know that antioxidants destroy free radicals, which wreak havoc to the human body, and tea is rich in antioxidants. Tea also contains vitamins including carotenoids and vitamin K, and mineral components including potassium, aluminum, manganese and fluoride. As if this weren’t enough, the antibiotic effects of tea have proven helpful to oral and bone health and have also been used as a treatment for anemia. A recent study in Britain found that tea may inhibit certain brain enzymes linked to Alzheimer’s disease. A serving of tea contains less than half the caffeine of coffee. For those who are caffeine sensitive, our line of naturally caffeine-free Rooibos is an excellent alternative. In addition to the health properties of tea, Rooibos increases iron absorption and relieves stomach and digestive discomfort. In an effort to loose a few extra pounds, tone up, and feel better about yourself, why not make tea your beverage of choice? Hot or over ice, tea tastes great—and most importantly it’s good for your health. So, come to the lighter side and switch to green tea with me! :)

Updates!

2009-10-28T11:08:00.001+08:00

I'm still not writing in here as often as I'd like to. On Monday, I attended OJ aka Alodia Cecillia's fashion show for Philippine Fashion Week 09. I can't believe she was able to pull off all of that in just a matter of weeks. Because of Typhoon Ondoy, all her clothes were ruined meaning she had to do everything all over again. Everything turned out great! Her clothes were very wearable and unique. Can't wait to order! Wearing an Alodia Cecilia original!

After the show, we all had dinner at Tokyo Cafe, a place that served almost everything except Japanese food. Not that I'm complaining. I practically ate a whole pizza, all of Burg's fries, and half a smoogie (some frothy, milky thing with coffee jelly. Took home a burger for Carlo and he inhaled the whole thing. I guess I know where we're going to eat if ever we go to Mall of Asia! Went to training last night, sparred from standing again. I've been doing this for the past 3 sessions and I'm going to make this a routine in order to prepare for the competition. It seems so far away but I need to be on top of my game at all times. Did pretty well last night, but can't get too cocky.. there are still a few things I need to work on for sure. Here's a funny story.. a few months ago, our head instructor, Alvin, caught me taping my fingers. Carlo taught me to tape my fingers so they wouldn't develop any calluses.. basically, to keep my hands looking pretty. Anyway, here's what happened: A: What the hell are you doing? J: Ummm.. putting tape? A: Only fags put tape on their fingers! J: (small voice) But I'm a girl.... Needless to say, before training with Alvin, I make sure to put on tape before he notices :) Ooooooh... I'm finally going to watch 500 days of summer! I've been waiting for this movie for a very, very long time.

Zooey Deschanel is too cute for words.. I love her! Looking forward to getting kilig with all the girls later! <3>

Updates!

2009-10-20T12:34:00.000+08:00

I should really start writing in here more often. 1) Tournament is postponed till the 16th of January! (sighs of relief all around) 2) Margaux's Birthday Celebration last Saturday was a blast! Ran into people that I haven't seen in months! Should definitely make an effort to socialize some more. 3) Carlo turned purple! Carlo finally got his purple belt about two weeks ago, AND on his birthday. I'm so so proud of him. Carlo getting whipped! 4) Discovered a new spa in Salcedo Village! Last Sunday, I decided to get a massage and tried out The Lotus. For only Php 495, you get a deluxe massage of your choice for one hour. I'll shall be back this Sunday. 5) There's a new girl in class! She started training yesterday and I was so happy to hear that she enjoyed it. There aren't that many women who can say that :) Hope she continues. What I'm Looking Forward to: 1) Jenny's Supahvillain party on Friday- I'm going as Velma Kelly from Chicago. Must shop for a wig and fishnet stockings! 2) Going to Tagaytay- Carlo and I are attending a wedding on Saturday in Tagaytay and spending the night. Can't wait to get out of the city! 3) OJ's Fashion Show- The girls and I are attending OJ's fashion show for Phil Fashion Week. Should be fun! 4) Building a fort- When I was a kid, my cousins Genie and Andrew and I would construct these forts in my Lola's house in her music room. We'd use cushions, bedsheets and chairs and play house.Lets see what we can do!

Make the most out of it!

2009-10-06T13:27:00.000+08:00

For the past few weeks, I’ve been saying the same thing over and over again- “….that’s why you have to live life to the fullest.” People have been murdered, severely injured, hundreds killed and thousands lost their homes. And just today, I found out that one of my students died in a motorcycle accident last night. Indeed, life is precious. We should live each day like its our last.

Girls in BJJ

2009-10-05T15:55:00.000+08:00

I know that my friends are by no means "maarte" or girly girls but I wonder what is it about BJJ that they don't find appealing? Maybe if I told them this guy did it, they'd join...

He really does do BJJ! Look, he won a competition!

"It’s said that 95% of all fights go to the ground and BJJ is the only martial art I’ve found that teaches you how to get a larger, stronger, and potentially faster attacker off of you. I believe that all women and girls should train BJJ; it’s important to be able to protect yourself!" (Taken from http://www.88bjj.com/) Let's go, GIRLS!

Ondoy

2009-09-29T17:07:00.001+08:00

Typhoon Ondoy, the biggest motherfucker of them all, came and went, ravishing and wrecking lives in its path. And yet, the people are still smiling and waving. The resilience of the Filipino people never ceases to amaze me. Right after the storm, people started cleaning their muddy homes and picking through what is left of their belongings.

When Hurricane Katrina happened, I was still living in Texas. Since Texas is right next to Louisiana, about 35,000 victims sought refuge in the Lone Star state.Through FEMA, Hurricane Katrina survivors were given housing and an allowance to buy food, etc. There was even one case of a woman who used her FEMA money to buy a Louis Vuitton bag. If you must suffer, suffer in style, right?

I wonder what our government will do to help the Ondoy victims. Build a crappy housing facility and hope it can withstand the next major calamity? I guess all there is left to do is pray and hope nothing bad happens.

Yay!

2009-09-23T15:46:00.000+08:00

I’ve never been much of an athletic person. Active, yes. Sporty, no. That is, until I started boxing and wanted to get good enough to beat up a guy. And when that wasn’t working, I moved on to Bikram Yoga so I could look like Jennifer Aniston or Madonna (yuck). So when Bikram Yoga started getting expensive, I joined a gym. That started getting boring, so I went back to boxing, then eventually powerlifting (!!) and finally, jiu jitsu. Sometimes,I feel like I’ve finally found my soul mate. I’ve stuck to Jiu jitsu for a year now and I have no intention of leaving (him)- can’t even bear the thought of not having jiu jitsu in my life! Just when I thought I couldn’t love Jiu jitsu as much as I did already, something happened. It was like a dream come true. I finally got promoted! Wahoo!

When I found out that Alvin (our black belt) was coming yesterday, I was nervous. He’s never exactly praised me for my sparring skills, and I know that he uses that as a gauge for promoting people. I knew he was going to promote students, I just didn’t know if I would be one of them.

After teaching us techniques, he asked us to spar. I started off with Jay, a two stripe blue belt. Needless to say, I got my ass kicked. While we were still sparring, Alvin asked me to spar with Chris, a fresh white belt like me who’s been around for awhile and a pretty damn strong guy at that. As usual, Alvin told him to submit me in 20 seconds (that’s what he tells most guys). In my mind, I was already thinking, I’m going to get submitted again… f*ck. After 20 seconds of being roughed around, he didn’t even get close to submitting me. In fact, after two to three minutes, I TAPPED HIM OUT! Everyone was cheering for me (they’re such great guys, they really are) and I couldn’t stop smiling. YAY!

When everyone finished sparring, Alvin called out the promotions, one by one. All the guys who got promoted had these cheesy smiles on their faces and everyone was clapping for them. Then, he congratulated everyone and started to leave. My face immediately fell, and I almost burst into tears. To save face, I began to walk away. Alvin called us back immediately, “remembering” something- my two stripes! Everyone was clapping and telling me not to cry. I couldn’t believe it! I thought that I would get one stripe, but two! Even better! I stopped myself from crying again and hugging Alvin. Words cannot describe how I felt at that moment. I’ve never been acknowledged for anything except being on the Dean’s list and a few awards here and there in school- but never something like jiu jitsu! I shook Alvin’s hand instead, and thanked God that I didn’t cry.

Wow, I feel like I’m finally going somewhere. I must not suck so bad after all! J

Here’s to November!

Hola!

2009-09-22T12:46:00.000+08:00

Today, I woke up feeling quite refreshed despite having only six hours of sleep. Perhaps it was a result of my relaxing weekend which consisted of naps, shopping, indulging in food and napping again. Usually, Carlo and I take advantage of the extra day and head to the beach, but this weekend we stayed in. And my body is so happy that we did.

On Friday, I met up with Olivia and Franco at High Street to kick off my new Friday night habit- running. For someone who barely runs, I was able to complete 3 rounds nonstop (3.6k) in about 20 something minutes (I’ll have to time myself on the next run). My goal this Friday is 5.6k. I’ll keep on increasing each week to see how far I can push myself cardio-wise. After running, we met up with my cousin Genie and her boyfriend, Dino for dinner at Cyma. Two thumbs up for the lamb chops with bell pepper rice!

During practice last night, I landed on my injured arm during warm up and I am so so happy that it doesn’t hurt right now. Apparently, instead of December, the competition has been moved to the 21^st of November. This means that I have exactly 2 months to train. The clock is ticking. Time to get very, very serious.

TGI freakin F

2009-09-18T11:17:00.000+08:00

First of all, I would like to thank God that it is indeed Friday. I'm so ready for the weekend already, counting the hours till I can go home.. and run with Jenn, Olivia, Jenny and maybe Franco. Went to practice yesterday and sucked big time when it came to sparring. Why? 1) Because I have no guard. 2) Because I didn't continue my armbar the right way. 3) Because my escapes suck. 4) Couldn't sweep my partner. But, on the bright side, my partner was a blue belt and if I did sweep him eh di mag mumukha siyang tanga :) I really need to work on my guard! Today is day 2 of extra cardio. I'm going to run 5k today without stopping and then reward myself with crispy pata after. But before I go, look at some pictures! Look guys, that's Garrick and Martin aka Boks. I never call him Boks though. Apparently, no one else except the Deftac people call him Martin. Anyhoo, Garrick was my sparring partner last night. In the picture, he's showing me how to transition from an armbar to rear naked (I love BJJ terms, don't you?!) This guy smiling here is Ron (single and ready to mingle, ladies!). He was out for a few months but now he's back with a vengeance. Can't you see the fire in his eyes? Don't let his ma-angas look faze you. Under this rugged, macho exterior lies a teddy bear ready to be cuddled. Marben is one difficult guy to beat. Watch out, people! That hot guy teaching Ron the X guard is Carlo, my instructor, boyfriend and the reason I always wake up with a smile. And yes, we practice moves on each other. And this is me, sweaty and red from all that Jiu jitsuing! You may be wondering why I started BJJ in the first place. Its quite simple really. I got bored of boxing. Jab, straight, hook, upper.. blah blah. It got so monotonous! So one day, at the gym, I spotted some guys rolling around in these thick robes. Sweaty guys in thick robes? I thought to myself. I'm game! But seriously, to me, it looked really interesting. And they looked like they were really hurting each other. So there. I asked my friend Mig if I could join, and then I did. I joined, not knowing what an armbar or sidemount was. A few months later, I was doing it, even if I was spelling things wrong- I thought kesa was quesa.. you get my drift. Oh, and I thought that whizzer was wizard. After a year of training, I've finally learned how to spell things properly, what the hell they talk about in UFC, how to make a guy tap out and the importance of being dedicated to a sport. I've never, ever had that. But the best plus is that I've met some pretty great people in the process :) Let's all say yay for BJJ!! :)

First Entry

2009-09-17T11:52:00.000+08:00

Wow! If you're reading this, it must mean that you're either: a) really bored b) really interested c) a stalker d) Josh I kid, I kid. So, here's the story. Around a month ago, I came up with this crazy idea that I should join my first BJJ competition this October. As luck would have it, after I registered, I got an e-mail back saying that there wouldn't be a women's division this October. Yay, right? Wrong. I got so pumped up about finally competing that I decided to join the big one this December. See, the October competition was only for white belts, two stripes below. Come December, I'll be going against four stripe white belts, three stripe.. you get the picture. Ok, I'm terrified. Scared shitless. I've been watching tournaments on youtube instead of working (sorry) and the girls seem really big and rough. Not that my team mates (who are all macho men.. well most of them, anyway) aren't. They go a little bit easier on me since I weigh less than a 100 lbs. Sometimes, they even refuse to do techniques on me because they're afraid that they might hurt me. Or maybe they're scared of Carlo. Whatever the case may be, I'm not really used to being roughed up. Backtrack to a few weeks ago. I go to the main gym in Sucat and go against this Judo guy. He goes sorta rough on me. I hyperextend my arm, I cry. In front of everybody! What a lame-o, right? But anyway, I keep on standing up, trying to spar with the guy even if he continually beat me. If I'm going to cry in front of everyone, it might as well be for a good reason, right? So, there. In order to win this goddammed motherF897ckng tournament, I have to suck it up and take it like a man. There's no glory without pain, right? So what have I been doing so far, in order to train for the tournament? 1) I've been doing more cardio, before, after and between BJJ training. 2) I've been sort of watching BJJ videos with Carlo. 3) I read my notes every now and then. 4) I ask Carlo how to do certain moves, etc. Obviously, I am documenting my progress. Hell, I've been training for almost a year now and what do I have to show for it, right? Here we go! Stay tuned :) Practice tonight!