I went to a Nike store with my husband a few weeks ago to check out how much this Sportband cost.

It’s priced at around 3,200 pesos (can’t remember the exact amount though).

Nike + Sportband

Not bad for a sports watch that can keep track of your pace, distance, time, and calories burned. It’s water resistant too, so it can be worn in the rain or in the shower. Thus, perfect for running!

My dear husband told me to buy it, which made my heart skipped a beat. Haha! I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard knowing that we didn’t have extra money for it.

I was all perked up! I felt like a kid all over again.

Anyway, since we were getting ready to buy it, I started asking the saleslady how the Sportband works, how it tracks the pace and distance while running. Then, she told me the Sportband comes with a sensor (see the image below) that needs to be inserted in the sole of a Nike Plus-ready running shoe.

I was taken aback when I realized what it meant.

What?! I need to use it with Nike Plus running shoes in order for it to track accurately?! I’d rather buy new Steve Madden shoes than get another pair of running shoes!

I told the saleslady I already have a good pair of running shoes and they’re pretty new. But they’re not Nike. She said there’s a big possibility that the Sportband won’t work properly if used in a Non-Nike Plus shoe.

As we were leaving the store, I thanked the nice lady for her assistance.

I felt so heartbroken that day… I just couldn’t help it.

Then I realized that no matter how mature we think we are, little things such as this can still be so upsetting. Hehe.

I am not good at any sports, but I love doing them anyway.

Sure, I can play volleyball and badminton. I love running too! But guess what — I am not good at any of them. I just enjoy doing them to stay fit and strong, so I can do many things.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re good or not, just do it anyway — with all your heart.

Sometimes I wish I could ride a horse ala equestrian. But this sport is only for elite people, I guess. Unfortunately, I can’t afford a horse and I don’t own an Hacienda (a farm estate).

To top it all off, equestrian clothing is pricey. I’m pretty sure a nice pair of riding boots would cost an arm and a leg!

I recently started auditing our budget again. With an additional helper and 4 dogs at home, I noticed that we’ve been spending too much money on groceries and daily budget for ulam.

We do grocery shopping twice a month. And for the longest time, pushing an overloaded shopping cart all the way to the cash register and the long lines during paydays didn’t really bother me. (Thanks to the laser barcode scanner being used at most grocery stores! It makes each transaction much faster now). Because I had this mindset that if I buy all the items we need from the grocery store, I would be able to save more since most of the nearby sari-sari stores in our neighborhood sell overpriced items.

Photo Credit: Google Images

We used to save money on groceries, but not anymore. I noticed that the more I stock items (fabric conditioner, detergents, coffee, creamer, etc.), the more they don’t last until next payday.

To top it all off, our monthly electricity bill has started going up.

As well as our water bill.

Everything has gone up!

It’s harder to save now. Especially when I found out that a large portion of money we earn goes to FOOD alone. Thus, making ends meet becomes a struggle now. How can that be when I know how much we’re earning?

After seriously doing a root-cause analysis, I am now finding ways to save money on groceries. I realized I’ve been very lenient with our helpers because I never set rules on how to manage our daily consumption. Obviously, it needs to be controlled.

God, please bless me with a skill on budgeting!

Here’s a great way to bond with your child. Join us at the Alaska Family Run on May 7, 2011 at SM Mall of Asia.

My son and I signed up for the 3K category at Runnr, Bonifacio High Street last Saturday. Registration is FREE. The race kit only comes with bibs and a map. Finisher singlets will be given after the race.

Click on the poster for the complete details. See you!

Photo Credit: Takbo.ph

I am not a movie buff.

But once I see something that tickles my fancy, I would definitely watch it over and over again! Haha! And mind you, I even go to the extent of memorizing the characters’ dialogues. That’s how engrossed I can be.

Just like this movie, Tangled. I’ve probably seen it more than ten times. Yet each time I see it, it still gives me the same brand-new feeling I felt when I saw it the first time.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie

When baby Rapunzel was stolen by Mother Gothel, I cry.

Each time Rapunzel sings, I feel happy.

When Rapunzel and Flynn have kilig moments together, I feel like a high school girl all over again. LOL.

When Flynn Rider takes her to see the floating lanterns in person, I shed tears of joy knowing that her dream has been fulfilled. (What a great outdoor lighting! )

When Rapunzel finally reunites with her parents, I cry.

And oh! Has anyone noticed that remarkably emotional reaction of the palace guard when he showed up at the King and Queen’s door to inform them that the lost princess has returned after 18 long years?

Oh my! He didn’t say a word, but the expression on his face says it all. This scene makes me cry buckets of tears — and take note, each time I see this movie. Haha.

I am blown away by my husband’s intelligence, eloquence and perseverance; place him anywhere and he shines! His dedication in everything he does reminds me of a mustard seed that thrives beautifully despite being sown in a very bad soil – an empty spot where sunlight and rain are scarce.

In Colossians 3:23, Apostle Paul reminded us to do our work with all our hearts as if working for the Lord and not for men. I’m glad that my dear husband not only knows this verse, he actually lives by it. To this very day, I am in awe at how he manages to stand strong despite the odds. Amazing!

Let me tell you a little secret though.

The past few weeks have been the toughest for me — yes, for me! It was tough seeing him carrying the heavy cross on his own.

How can a person’s life be of more importance than money? Why is he being “forced” to bite off more than he can chew? Why is he expected to do so much, yet was given nothing in return?!

Not even kind words when he called in sick…Talk about APATHY!

But through it all, I find solace in knowing that our Big Boss up there sees everything that men fail to see, and hears the cries that men refuse to hear.

I guess it’s more than enough to know that the Big Boss we serve is always fair and just; He doesn’t play favorites.

I know one day, He’ll step in and fight for what is right. For sure, He has better plans.