Manila

I just realized that I never blogged about visiting Manila for a quick vacation. Well, I did! For roughly 2 weeks, I spent some down time back home and reconnected with friends and family. I tried not to work and just really did some relaxing (shopping and eating). It was an exciting time because it was the first visit since I arrived in the US last July 30. Some of my friends were even surprised that I went home already just after 6 months. Actually, I already planned on going home in the first half of 2012 because it was just too expensive to go home during the holidays. Ticket prices are doubled during December! It’s just not economical at this point. Also, my friends Steph and Carlo set their wedding date on Feb 4, so it all just worked out together.

For this trip, I was fortunate that the weather was not bad both in the US and the Philippines. I’ve heard that we’ve been experiencing a very warm winter in Cincinnati. I am not really complaining since I felt a bubbling hate inside of me when I scraped the ice off my car.  Then, it was not too warm in the Philippines but it was warm and humid enough for me to bitch like crazy when I was in Manila. I don’t know which I dislike more: iced cars or sweat-inducing walks due to humidity.

Even with the stressful weather, I enjoyed myself with scrumptious food and amazing company. I had my share of Jollibee, ripe mangoes and even Good Shepherd’s ube! My mom has been the perfect accomplice as well preparing or buying all the food that I’ve craved for in the last 6 months! Almost all of the food that I missed have been properly documented in my Facebook account. When I returned, a lot of people asked me if I spent time in the beach. I wish I did, but knowing myself, having 10 days in my urban jungle was enough! I spent a ton of time going through various malls around the Metro to look for nice finds and of course, eat food.

Passed Out

I never experienced passing out in my life. Actually, I thought that they were overrated before. I mean, how can you just pass out and not catch yourself, right? It’s overly dramatic!

Fast-forward to yesterday at Urban Active in Hyde Park. After around 7 months of not going to a group class, I decided to join the Step class here. First of all, it’s not what I was accustomed. It’s very different than what I used to attend in Manila. It was more choreography-driven! It’s like hi-lo on step! But, I can’t bring the class here so I have to suck it up and adjust to what’s being offered here. Being confident about myself, I tried keeping pace with the whole group. I was able to follow with the motions, but it was really intense. A lot of jumping and other plyometrics! We even had push ups!

I was seriously out of shape. It was too ambitious for me I think. So after around 20 minutes in the class, I stopped and went to back because I was having a hard time catching my breath. Black spots starting to appear in my vision until I blacked out. I did not fall down, and fainted, but more of I just blacked out standing. A nice guy helped me out and that’s when everything started to go back to reality. I was walking out of the room. Everything between leaning on the wall and walking was a complete blank. I think it’s overexertion and perhaps, lack of fluids in my system. It was scary and humbling.

They gave me some Gatorade to replenish my system and a wet towel to cool off my body. The guy (Sean) said that I was cold and clammy. I was just out of it. I just waited out the dizzy spell and once the class was over, I got my stuff and left. I’ll probably skip that class for now. I really need to keep it easy first and be more in tune with how my body is working. Signs of aging. Bah.