Here's to your health...

nine days into the new year, its been interesting to say the least. I've made commitments to myself and happy to report that I've been following through. since my last blog, there have been many many MANY events that have occurred. one very key event in 2008 was my dad's stroke.

my parents retired quite a few years back, and have moved back to the philippines. although it has been quite a few years, im still very very close with my parents and I always have them on my mind and in my heart. during the summer of 2008, i got a text from my mom saying that my "dad has been taken and admitted into the hospital because he had a stroke the night before. no news yet from the doctor, but we'll let u kno. just pray!" this wasn't something the family didn't expect...but even when you expect it, doesn't make the worry and fear go away. my dad was a very tall, lean man during his prime. i still remember pictures of dad and mom, in their bell bottom jeans and polyester pants, levis and their first car bought here in the states...FORD MUSTANG! but after he left the navy, dad's health habits weren't as disciplined. for most of my life, i remember him having presence in a room. not only due to his stature, but his voice commanded an audience. in the family, he's called "uncle moo moo" (moo moo meaning "monster") cuz he loved to scare and play with the kids. so to hear that my dad may not talk again, walk again, or even be able to recognize me any longer...it broke my heart.

did i lose the opportunity to tell my dad how much i loved him? was it too late to tell him im sorry for the dumb things i did in the past, but those dumb things were overcome by the foundation he and my family laid in me? i didn't know...

THEN, i thought about my kids. i thought about what would happen if i followed in my dad's footsteps? continuously working hard to provide for his family, so busy with work that your kids grew up so fast in front of you that one day you were asking yourself, "who is this kid?", consuming yourself with soo many other life responsibilities that you forgot to take care of the most important thing... your health! i took a hard look in the mirror the last day of 2008. i can't keep grinding and grinding and grinding without taking care of my health. i can't keep putting off exercising cuz i just didn't have time. not fair for my kiddies!

so here i am...the ninth day of january ~ happy to say, NINE successful days of working out and getting active!! ive got some goals this year...good goals. attainable goals. yah. it's gonna be a good year !