201, 202/365 - The Benefits of Walking

Let sleeping dogs lie.

I let the noodles cook for over ten minutes to absorb the soup.

The biggest benefit I get from walking to work and back to my wife's office is not the health benefit. It's the me-time I get.

I have all the  time to think whatever I want. As long as I still maintain a certain awareness of my surroundings so I don't get run over or something.

But I do love the time I take to walk briskly. It gives me time to think about whatever randomness I want. Usually I daydream about where I want my life to go. Usually that ends up with me coming up with plans on how to achieve my goals. Or I just use it as time to see if I have any opportunities I can take advantage of.

Out.

200/365 - A Good Day

8 - 10 days, they said. I think they meant ONE MONTH plus 8 - 10 days.

Today was a relatively good day, not just for me but for my wife. I'm glad things are happening the way they are, and I can only hope to be a catalyst for positive change not only for my wife but also for my daughter.

I'm still one and a half steps forward and one step back, but I do honestly believe I am progressing. Part of it is probably being surrounded by new people with different perspectives in life. I am thankful I have the opportunity to meet different people with different mindsets. I can learn from anyone and anything, I just have to keep an open mind and an empty stomach.

Out.

197, 198, 199/365 - Weekend Roundup

Watching food shows on Food Network Asia...

... leads me to ordering the hamburger set at Pancake House the next day...

... and thouroughly enjoying this short, but busy weekend.

The six-day work week is still a big adjustment for me. Nowadays I'm yearning for that extra free day to rest, hang out, or do whatever I please. Still, I can't really complain yet. Sacrifices have to be made in order to get one step closer to the goals I am setting for myself.

I also keep repeating that in order to keep my focus. This is the new path I have chosen, and I am taking all the necessary steps to prevent myself from getting to impatient and frustrated.

Alas, other things are starting to take motion. I have no idea what will happen, but I will be doing my best to make sure myself and whoever needs my help will succeed.

Out.

195, 196/365 - Opportunities

Our flower horn fish.

About to eat this. And extremely worried.

Forgive me for feeling very introspective right now. I'm here to discuss opportunities.

Do not let the opportunities you wasted or let go drag you down. Learn from the opportunities you missed, but always keep an eye open for opportunities you will encounter. The whole world is one big opportunity, you just have to seize it.

And never think that you are alone in this world, someone will always, always help you.

Out.

194/365 - Cars

Not a bad tasting cupcake.

I've been daydreaming a lot about cars as usual. But I realized most of my wish lists were a bit unrealistic. So I decided to scour the internet and find out five cars for under Php1 million that would also be good family cars. Here they are in order of preference.

1. Toyota Avanza 1.5E A/T - The Toyota Avanza takes the top spot because it has the biggest size of the cars I chose. It can seat up to seven, or five adults comfortably with enough room in the rear for a lot of luggage or groceries. My biggest concern is fuel consumption. I read somewhere the Avanza gets around 6km/L in the city, which is basically what my current ride (2001 Toyota Rav4) is getting. I'd rather keep my Rav4 than replace it with an Avanza.
2. Ford New Fiesta Hatchback 1.0L Sport+ PS - Yup. I've been curious about the EcoBoost engine for the longest time, and it's available on the Ford Fiesta. A 1.0L engine that has the performance of a 1.6L? I want to try it out. Despite the lack of size, I do think the Fiesta is a decent small family vehicle. Looks good, and as an added bonus I can actually upgrade the front disc brakes on it and use it as a mobile platform to advertise the product of the company I currently work for.
3. Kia Rio Hatchback 1.4L A/T - On looks alone the Kia Rio takes the third spot. That's basically it. Same hatchback argument - decent family ride for a small size family. Plus the smaller displacement engine means I hopefully will have better fuel consumption than my Rav4. Did I say I think it looks nice? Yes, yes I did.
4. Honda Jazz 1.3L A/T - Yes, not the top-of-the-line version. Why? I honestly don't know. My logic here is, do I really need all the power of a 1.5L engine when I usually drive in moderate to heavy traffic? Besides, the current 1.3L engine is now VTEC also. What I love about the Jazz is the practicality it has. You can configure the rear seats to carry almost any size cargo that can fit. It could be long, it could be tall. As long as you are patient, it can fit.
5. Suzuki SX4 1.6L A/T - Surprise! Yes, I like the SX4. It looks nice, it has decent size, and it is, in my opinion, the second biggest ride in this list of mine. I could have gone for the Suzuki APV, but I just really don't like that car that much. I think it's too underpowered for such a big ride. Sorta like the Avanza, except I like the Avanza. So it's the SX4 in fifth place for me.

That's it. Five rides for under Php1 million that I wouldn't mind owning. Again, this list is subject to change depending on my mood and depending on what car comes out in the Philippine market.

Out.

193/365 - Lucky to Get One

The promo ended yesterday but we were lucky they let me have one.

I had no plans of getting the planners being offered by the coffee places. To be honest, it was too expensive to buy different kinds of coffee for a planner. True, the quality is nice. But still. Besides, I had gotten a really cheap but useful planner from National Bookstore.

Then when my former colleagues and I met up last January 11 we decided to have coffe in one of the coffee places. They gave me the booklet to get stamps for the planner, and said since the promo was almost over they were giving double stamps. That night I just needed three more stamps and I could have gotten a planner. But I just left the booklet in my bag and forgot about it.

Tonight my wife and I met up in a different branch of the coffee place. She decided to treat me to dinner, and I told her to bring the booklet along when she paid. I wasn't expecting anything, but when she returned lo and behold, a new planner.

I do feel sort of guilty giving up my cheap planner, but this one has more space to write on, so there.

Out.

Career Advice for a Younger Me

They say hindsight is always 20/20. So true. If I could go back in time and give my high school self some career advice, I would recommend three jobs to him that he should choose.

Yes, this would technically mean my current self would disappear forever. Also, I'm not saying I'm unhappy with how things turned out for myself. I just know I could have done more had I found the proper motivation years ago. So without further ado, here are three career paths I would recommend to my younger, arrogant, clueless self.

Airline Pilot

I know two airline pilots. One is happily married, has three kids, is paying for a nice house and lot in a nice village somewhere in Laguna, has a family car, has gotten his wife her own car, and owns his own "toy car." The toy car being a car he bought and restored with his own money. They have the latest gadgets and him and his wife travel to nice places once in a while.

The other pilot, as far as I know, is single. He owns two amazing cars, and has had upgraded big brake kits placed on one of them. I think you can see where I am going with this.

Being a pilot will satisfy two cravings I have. The first, obviously, is money. Pilots earn a lot of money that they can use for whatever wants or needs they have. The second craving that will be satisfied is my desire to travel.

Doctor of Medicine

Doctors also satisfy two of my cravings. Again, money is the first. The second is fulfillment. Helping others, saving lives, making others well again. Those are things that make one feel good at the end of the day. Plus I'd also be continuing a Nañagas legacy. My paternal grandfather was a doctor. Two of my dad's siblings are doctors. Unfortunately, none of my cousins has decided to take up medicine, so it probably ends there. I should have continued the tradition, but I was too much of a p*ssy in high school. Scared of blood and too stuck in my comfort zone.

Chef

I love food, either eating it or cooking it. I thought about becoming a chef in high school, but again my comfort zone prevented me from being open-minded about studying abroad. Dumb-ass that I was.

Being a chef doesn't exactly guarantee the amount of money a pilot or a doctor could get. But it would satisfy my love of food.

Again, I'm not saying I'm unhappy with where I am now. I just like to look back and think what could have been. Like that famous line says, "I coulda been a contender."

I'm just thankful now that despite my age my vision and focus are a lot clearer than when I was younger. And I am now taking serious steps to achieve my goals in life.

Out.

190, 191, 192/365 - Triple Post

Cheesecakes my wife got for dessert, Jan. 17, 2014.

Fooling around with the G16's fisheye feature.

Semi-cleaned my Metal Gear gashapon.

It was a roller coaster end of the week. I had ups and downs. The downs won the battle, but the war is far from over.

I was happy to right things yesterday, ending my work week on a positive note. I used the positive momentum to give my car a nice clean yesterday, and today I decided to give some of my really dirty toys a once over.

My Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty gashapon had been collecting years of dust on a shelf in my old room. I dunked them one by one in a small basin of water mixed with dishwashing liquid. Then I rinsed them off in another basin of plain water. I admit it got the dust off, but the sticky residue is still there. Still, it was an achievement that I got them that clean.

Aside from that, I have to give special thanks to a high school classmate of mine who was a big help getting me out of my negative funk. All he did was leave a cryptic comment in one of my negative status messages in facebook. When I first read it I was annoyed, but it also made me stop and think. I realized I was once again spiraling down.

I was so grateful to him I sent him a private message thanking him. Those small things that seem trivial to some people are actually very special to me. It shows me I have a long way to go, but that there are people out there who do want to help me move towards the right direction.

Out.

189/365 - It All Comes Crumbling Down

More street food - Tuknene and Chicken Meatballs

I apparently am not a beacon of optimism. Whatever positive vibes I have, apparently only I share it. I thought I could be an agent of change for others, but I guess not.

I'm in this alone. Whatever heights I reach is because I worked hard for it. And it's because of whoever helps me. I cannot, and I WILL NOT pull other people up if they do not want to be pulled up.

Out.

188/365 - Perspective

This is how we tag our mouse.

There are so many things, big or small, that you can be very, very grateful for everyday. And yet for some strange reason I tend to focus on the things I hate. It's not really very nice, and it's not very healthy.

A little change in perspective never hurt anybody. I just have to be vigilant at it.

Out.

187/365 - Street Food, Filipino Style

Php20.00 Cup of Taho

I love street food. I only wish I was more adventurous eating it not only here in the Philippines, but also abroad.

The best Filipino street food, for me, is taho. The best way I can describe it is firm tofu with sago and a thick sugar syrup. Best eaten either hot right after you buy it, I learned from my Dad that you can also leave it to cool inside the ref before eating it. Either way, very delicious.

Out.

186/365 - First Pair of Driving Shoes

Sabelt Karting Shoes

Today I got my first ever pair of driving shoes. It's also my first ever dominantly red pair of shoes (like Pope Benedict XVI's red shoes) and it's also my first ever pair of karting shoes.

I tried them out driving home. I do sort of feel a little difference. I can now apply pressure better on the pedals. Not that it meant much - traffic was a bitch going home.

Overall, they are very comfortable. They look nice. And I do like them.

Out.

183, 184, 185/365 - Weekend Updates

Chashu Ramen from Kenji Tei Ramen House

Chicken Burrito from Chihuahua Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar

Upgraded the TV in the kitchen from our old CRT to the LCD from the living room.

Haven't posted anything the past few days since I'd been coming home late.

Friday I had dinner with my Mom at Kenji Tei. The ramen was decent for the price. I don't want to sound like a snob, but after having ramen in Japan everything else is just good substitute. But it won't come close to the real thing.

Saturday I had dinner with a few former colleagues at Chihuahua Mexican Grill. We did some catching up on what's going on in our lives, and it made me miss the world of game development a bit. But like I told my friends, it would take an offer I couldn't refuse to get me to go back to game dev.

Today was a relatively busy day. We had to do some extra work this morning. Not that long, but still. Again, I feel very tired in a good way. Changing perspectives really helps a lot. I just hope that eventually I can be a positive influence to others as well.

On a side note, I forgot who recommended it to me, but I did have to pick the type of people I surround myself. The group of people I usually am with now are greatly influencing me on a more positive way of life. And for that, I thank them.

Out.

182/365 - Halfway There!

Does this creep you out?

I cannot believe I am at the halfway point of my Project 365. I am quite proud of myself for managing to keep up this little promise I made to myself.

I am hoping to keep up my Project 365 even after I finish it. I have no idea if I will still blog everyday, but I do like having this as a hobby.

Out.

181/365 - Random Stuff

Travis, bored.

The past few days I have been feeling under the weather. It started last week when I felt I had flu-like symptoms. Now it's my throat. I'm literally losing my voice.

I've been having throat problems since the flu-like symptoms came and went. I guess this is it's peak? Or I hope this is the peak. I don't want it to get any worse.

* * * * *

I've been thinking a lot about the top five hatches I wrote down. To be honest, I think the Toyota Yaris just got bumped off the list. Who replaces it? The Mazda 3 hatchback.

Specifically the BK or BL chassis Mazda 3. It's because of my new job. Out of the top five hatches I listed (with the 3 replacing the Yaris), three can get big brake upgrades. So what better way to help promote the company I work for than to drive a car that has brake upgrades right?

Only the Kia Rio and the Honda Jazz don't have big brake kits available. By available I mean those specific models aren't on the list of cars that have big brake kits tailor made for them. I could still probably install them but it would cost more.

Of course I honestly doubt I can afford to buy a new car, let alone the big brake kits. But it's not wrong to daydream, yes?

Out.

180/365 - Comfort

Mmm, towels...

I have no idea why, but lately I've been feeling very accomplished with the things I've been doing at work. Whenever I go home I feel like I earned my day's pay.

Maybe it's because I'm still fairly new at my job. Or maybe it's because the tasks I complete are more concrete now. I have no idea.

I just hope this feeling lasts a long, long time.

I'm not saying I've never felt this before. I felt like this also with my first job. Whenever I would see one of the TV advertisements I helped make airing, I'd get a similar feeling.

I also sort of felt this in my second job. But it being gaming, and most project lasting six months or more, it was few and far between. Add to that the fact that in my later years most of the projects I worked on were not released, and you get why I rarely felt as accomplished.

Out.

179/365 - Four Years!

I still can't take a decent selfie using my new camera.

Today my wife and I celebrate our four years of being wed.

It's been a thrilling roller-coaster ride full of ups and downs. Through everything we've been through I hope I've learned and improved myself.

I'm looking forward to more adventures with my wife.

Out.

178/365 - Self-Control

One of my uncle's Golden Chicken Ferns (Cibotium barometz).

I'm on the losing side of my battle with self-control. Lately I seem to be getting more angry and frustrated. I can't stop myself from reaching the boiling point that fast. One good thing is I am conscious of this fact so once I do reach the boiling point, I try to calm myself down as fast as possible.

Still, it's not something I like experiencing. I'd rather not have my temper flare up and maintaining my composure than having it flare up and cooling down just as quick.

Out.

176, 177/365 - First Sick Day, Friday

This is me when I got home from work.

Martina and Chula inside a tent in the living room.

Got my first sick day of 2014 yesterday, January 3. I think the aircon at work was too cold and the aircon in the van going home was also too cold.

Going home I had what I will honestly call "flu-like symptoms." I honestly thought I was going to get the flu. I was getting chills, my throat felt like it was going to be swollen, my joints were aching, and I was suddenly drained of all energy.

Thankfully I was able to beat it by drinking some medicine, taking a nice, hot bath, and sleeping earlier than usual.

Actually this morning I was still not sure if I could get up and go to work, but as the morning went on I felt better. And it's a great thing I did. I managed to accomplish a lot of things in the office, and when I got home I was treated to the second photo you see above.

Seeing my daughter smile just washes away all tired feelings in my body.

Out.

175/365 - Last Day of Vacation

I need to buy some rechargeable batteries for my old flash.

I'll be honest. I had fun during my two weeks vacation. But to be honest, I also miss work. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'd spent two months being on vacation when I was still jobless.

There is something that is a bit concerning for me. I haven't practiced 3D full time since a few weeks after I left work. Sure I finally modeled a head, but it was still unfinished. I just conquered my weakness of modeling noses and ears.

Once again I have to force myself to find time to practice. I ought to try the Pomodoro Technique my friend Felix shared via Facebook.

I know it will take time to get myself to practice. I accept that. I just have to force myself so I won't be as rusty as I'm expecting myself in 3D.

Out.

174/365 - A New Year

Someone's using the miniature camera feature a lot...

First post of 2014. All I can say is, bring it on.

I am looking forward to a new year. A clean slate, and new opportunities to grow as a person. I just hope that now I am more prepared to handle whatever challenges are thrown my way.

Out.