The first thing that I did in the morning: Working out. The thing that most people find it weird and silly if they find you addicted to it. Why? I have no idea! They may sometimes ask you about the sense of being passionate about it, which I would response about them being passionate at smoking or drinking… If they couldn’t understand me, I would respond back the same. Nuff said.
Filed under Days of our lives
The year 2011 is over and now coming to another stage. Two thousand twelve. Thank you for the support that you have given me friends!
Report from wordpress below:
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,800 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Filed under Days of our lives
Small yet beautiful…
Qatara Beach
It’s Christmas day and there’s nothing to do but yet to discover Doha once again; and so it happened. It was a good thing that one of my colleagues who is likewise celebrating holidays alone hook me up for a quick ride. First location we went is Katara. A combination of enjoying the the beauty of sealine and at the same time its architeture. I am not that sure though if those were originally arabic; however, the place is undeniably awesome for an amateur photographer like me. Only bad thing about the place is there’s not much food option as there are a little variety of restaurants. You may do a tea party if you like for there are tea stalls around the area. The resort? Oh I’m not sure a s I didn’t bother much to go into it.
Part of Doha from the top
The Pearl; Who will never knew how and why it get the name until you see it from the top. You may ask Mr Google about it or yeah take a quick look at the snap I got from the plane once. Haha! I never thought it is ”The Pearl” at the time I took it.
The Pearl at night
I should say that the I like it better at night time if I’m taking photos because there’s too much light. I could play with long exposure shots. The place is also perfect if you’re running (not sure how long it’s circumference though). So, there, that’s where I celebrated my Chirstmas; had dinner at Noodle house (I think there’s a limited option too at the area so we went for the more oriental one) walk more after that until we call it a day.
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Filed under Other Country, Photography
Is a desert a place without expectation? Not!
Something to expect at the country's sea line
After a couple of visits to Villagio, City Center Doha, Souqs, The Pearl and some places in Doha, I have thought of doing something better. At least try other parts of the state of Qatar; their Desert Safari. For 250 Riyals (Appox 3000 Php) per person, Our gang had managed to book a trip down south of Qatar to appreciate its desert. It ‘was a long drive from Doha going to the boarder of Saudi Arabia, probably 50Km (take or give).
SUVs were all gathered at first and then convoyed for safety purposes and then drove through the desert. Hah, it was a little humid at that time for Ramadan has just ended, anyway, it was not really that bas though… We passed a couple of sand dunes, high stteped ones! It was exhilarating ! How can I describe? Well, say, between a roller coaster and a caterpillar maybe. We were cathing our breath (hope I’m not exaggerating) and even my friends screamed at the top of their lungs (I swear it wasn’t me!).
The camp where we stayed at. Play volleyball, sandboard, ride a camel, swim at the beach or simply relax.
After that somewhat topsy turvy ride, we went at a camp that is situated along the shore. You can have a swim, sandboard, play volleyball, ride a camel or just simply rest and relax. Refreshments are on the house and good thing we’ve brought some snacks before dinner is served. We call it a day at the after 9PM which is just in time to leave. Others who decided to stay overnight slpet on an airconditioned tent.
Photos of the adventure:
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Glad to have experienced this one. Catch a video of my camel ride as well
Filed under Other Country
Square One
Singlet and Race Bib
At last, I was able to join a running event here in Kuwait. A couple of weeks back, A running clinic named We Run Kuwait (Nike Sponsored) was held by AYMSTRONG (an event management enterprises dedicated to delivering events and activities in the fields of health, fitness, and empowerment). Today, a 5K race materialized and attended by running enthusiasts (and that includes me!).
Team CB Shirt after the race
I decided to have a 2.5K warm up to loosen up. In my own opinion, it was cold, maybe less than 10 degreess Celcius, making it my first race to join in a cold climate. Race started at 8:30 AM, at the gunshot, I tried my best on making a good pace and I hit 4:36 min/km. Unfortunately, that good start faded away as I started to breathe hard, I was puffing, and tried to run still until I told myself I need to stop and my throat started to sore. Run and walk until I finish the race.
Below are my laps.
Lap 1 4:36 min
Lap 2 5:56 min (10:32)
Lap 3 6:12 min (16:45)
Lap 4 6:21 min (23:06)
Lap 5 5:55 min (29:00)
Lap 6 1:10 min – extra 230m (30:05)
Attendees (Grabbed from AYMSTRONG site)
Still hit a sub 30 though a 5K but I think I still lack something. it’s obvious as well that my extra baggage of weight added to my burden of not hitting at least a sub 25 min mark. Anyway, that’s still a good opportunity giving me a window that I should strive for more.
Dont talk about my rank ok?! 
Race Result and Hightlight can be seen HERE
Filed under Running
November 11, 2011. 11-11-11. Al-Hamra tower, the highest skyscraper in Kuwait at 412.6 m (1,354 ft) is innagurated by having a light show itself. Choreographed lights like as if they are dancing. Too bad my skill in long-exposure shot is still in progress and for most of my shot I feel unacceptable. Ok, so much for fishing sourgraping.
Aside for being the highest in the country, Al Hamra will also be the tallest sculpted tower in the world. Why? This is because the construction of it turned out to be assymetrical having fin-like structure in the front and not just one but two! My bad again for not capturing this (because it’s night time when I get there and we stood at the back to see the lights). Oh well, I’ll try again next time…
Another try in different White Balance
Filed under Other Country, Photography
City Buildings on the other side
Last night I thought of going out to get some good ambiance since winter here in Middle East is already in the air. I grabbed my tripod and my good old but ever reliable Nikon D40 DSLR, called a friend to accompany me, (told her I’ll teach her something new) and had dinner in a Filipino Restaurant (Eat-all-you-can-food-fest) and then off to Corniche.
Cascading man-made fountain with the city backgorund
As we were walking along the sea-side, I’ve noticed some people having a good walk while others are running. I felt a little pang of envy to them that night. Oh well, I really intend to take photos anyway. We took couple of shots; check what’s good and what’s not and what could be improved on ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed and White balance. We called it a day at 10. Hah! Great weather, Arabian nights are now enjoying!
Ooops! I notice some dirt on my sensor lens! Hush, I need to have it edited to remove it now. Anyway, good thing I still salvage some photos that I can share. Time to clean the cam.
Filed under Photography
You’ll never be lonely if you know how befriend yourself – David Archuleta
Maybe, I am claustrophobic (photo by Cyril Conrad)
It has been almost two months since I arrived Kuwait. As I previously mentioned on one of my posts, I quickly searched for something to look forward to on the country. Oh boy! There’s definitely has a lot of stuff to do. Who’s getting homesick eh?
Ok, I just don’t want to stay home. All my weekends are now jam-packed with activities here. May it just be going to a mall or joining a photo-walk, it doesn’t matter, as long as I make my stay in an environment I am trying to call home a better place to to live in. Maybe, just maybe, it would workout, again it’s all about choice and what attitude you’ll have each day! Yeah!
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Oh btw, I still run. I just don’t have someone to take a photo of me while running for I run only on treadmills at a local hardcore Arab Gym with a name that’s not so Arab (Swiss Gym). 
Filed under Days of our lives
In the heart of Mountain Province, lies one of the best places in the country I think I’ve ever been. Sagada; 275Km North of Manila and 140 Km from Baguio; the town famous for their tradition of burying people by putting thier coffins on the mointain walls, tagging it as the hanging coffin.
We have been here two years ago. Hush, it was really a long trip from Baguio to Sagada. I bet it took us not more than six hours because it was like going to the mountain top; however, every view of the place is scenic and worth watching. the cold weather gave additional zest (Better bring your jacket)! The food is not that expensive either. We have been to the eco-valley and the cave connection of Sumaguing and Lumian caves, the rice terraces, saw the hangging coffins, look in depth about their culture at Ganduyan Museum. We have missed some areas due to some time constraints but it’s giving us more reason to go back.
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I am looking forward to go back to this place. Did I mentioned how awesome the food in The Yogurt House?
A part of Kuwait history visited…
Failaka Island Location (source: Wikipedia)
Failaka, an island part of Kuwait located east of the country in the Persian Gulf. I have been excited upon learning from the Pindot Group that we will be going to the island. Great! It would be another chance for me to add more on my photo stash.
Salmiya Port
Three dinars is all it took for us to have a two way journey to and from this island which is 20KM from the port of Salmiya. Some us brought cars (they pay more for that), for us to maximize the trip as the bus may just take you to designated areas only not to mention we can manage our own time and the places to visit.
Ruins
There’s really not much on the place, everything is history in there. From the ruins of the past Iraq-Kuwait wars where bullet marks are all visible, to empty canisters all lying on the ground, standing light posts though I suspect they are not operating at night, to tank relics, etc… There’s not really much to see if you’re not really into these kinds of things, but I guess for me, these are all candies for my camera to feed.
We have not worked on going all over the place as we do not have much time. They’ve mentioned that there’s more to see on the place, they have a hotel where you could stay overnight and a restaurant which I didn’t see either, hehe!
Have a look on all the photos I took.
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Filed under Other Country
I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day. ~Vincent Van Gogh
Sunset at Salmiya
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Filed under Other Country
One Sunday afternoon I was invited by my coleague to visit a christian church in Kuwait City. I was a little bit hesitant at first for I am a neophyte and going back to my place would be a long ride since I live in some suburb locale called Fahaheel. I agreed to go with him to feed my soul. 
I got a glance of the city and made a few snaps. We didn’t go anywhere but just go around the area before the mass started.
The Catholic Church
T’was dark when the mass ended, another snap just to see the beauty of the place at night time.
Some Establishments in Kuwait City
Arriving at the KPTC bus station, I saw this huge tower which I have seen before in some photos when I look for some stuffs in the country. The Kuwait Telecommunications Tower or the Liberation Tower, the second highers tower in Kuwait.
Kuwait Telecommunications Tower
Hush, It was passed 10 PM when I got back to the hotel. More than an hour of commuting could sometimes be tiring.
Filed under Other Country
‘Cause you know I’d walk a thousand miles… - Vanessa Carlton
Thanks Team CB for remembering we care. . This made my day.
It’s been almost two months now since I left the country, with this short period of time, as I look at the Facebook updates of my friends, looks like everyone(or at least many of them) is having a good time in running. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t envy them… (Pause)
…
…
Ok just a little… just a little like 1%; but I am 100% happy for them, to my friends doing Ultra-marathon, friends making it to podium finish, into triathlons. Wow! I am truly impressed and overwhelmed on how much they have become. People who I least expected but handled to get through it. Without a doubt, the power of mind is greater than anything else; the power of believing that you can do better. When I look at their success I become more inspired to do more, to do better; not just on running but on life itself.
Hah, I am just glad.
To all my friends who run and continuously running congratulations! I am a proud friend.
Oh by the way, I just ran 18K today. Thanks again for the motivation.
Filed under Days of our lives
It’s been two weeks since I got back to Kuwait. The first thought that I have is to look for a Filipino community so that at least staying here wouldn’t be to much away from home. I look for a running group of course, but considering the weather here, it looks like running here is not much that of a hobby so I look for a photography group.
Harajz First View (Overexposed shot but I like it, )
The last photography group that I joined is in Sykes Photo Club but my schedule can’t fit there, so it was a failed epic for me; however, this time, now that I have a normal work schedule, I strongly believe that I can now attend to PINDOT ; A Pinoy photography club here in Kuwait.
The group organized a photowalk in a dry market. Lots of items were there. Leather bags shoes, pots, antique materials, carpets , perfumes, jewelries; all good stuff to take photos and be a subject; too bad taking snaps of the locals is a risk. We were forbidden not to take shots of those people; Oh well, better to be safe though. Anyway, below are some of the shots I took.
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Looking forward for more on this group. Hee-hah!
Filed under Photography
You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. ~Wayne Gretzky
Gel-Kayano 17
I have been an Adidas user the time I started running. As I have mentioned on one of my old posts, Supernova Sequence I is my first running shoe and it didn’t actually gave me a hard time. I had 1 of each generation of the shoe as well as three adizero models. All works fine for me except the F050 because I think it’s just to light for my body weight.
It’s time again to purchase a running shoe. I would’ve chosen Adidas again but for a change and to at least have a comparison, I chose a different model. Gel-Kayano-17 (Click the link for the product review) from Asics which I’ve been hearing a lot of good things on the brand back when I started running. As mentioned in the product review, the shoe is good for people who overpronate, just right for a runner like me. I just can’t say much on this pair yet; It’s a bit costly though but hopefully, this one would worth is cost.
Time to hit the road again…
Filed under Shoes
Just More of Doha…
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I looked forward to get more of Doha the moment I returned. Although I just tried taking photos of the city from the car I am in, I was glad enough to get some of the buildings in Doha and it’s sunset. I was able to go back once again to Aspire Park and Villagio and took more photos. This time with some friends. At least I can now have a subject.
Filed under Other Country, Photography
Eat Today, Wear Tomorrow… – unknown
See Food? See Food?
Thailand! We have just arrived. The first thought was food and and nothing but food because we came famished. Right after putting our stuff in our rooms in Shang-rila in Chang Mai, we found ourselves sitting in a big dining table in one of the restaurants there. Haha! We ordered as much as we can and we don’t even care what it was or how good it tastes. Lobster, shrimp, Dumplings, Fish, Chicken, Phad thai, Pyomyam. Attack! We all dig in for it!
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See Food Diet! That’s what we all cared about. Even in the hotel, I tried how strong the spice of their curry was and I should say that they are awesome, just like the way I wanted. They get too spicy though sometimes so prepare yourself with water, maybe a liter or more. Anyway, below are the some of the photos I took. This may not represent the whole of Thailand though… Dig in!
Filed under Food
July is my favorite month! It is because I celebrate my youth and at the same time my maturity this time of the year! I look back on what I have done the previous year and rechecking if i’ll be getting better the next time. There are actually lots of surprising events that occured this year, and almost all of them are fulfilling!
This time of the year, there are also two other events that I have celebrated. First, the Takbo.ph anniversary; second the Milo Marathon.
On my previous posts, I have informed that I was in middle east for work. I even celebrated my birthday there which is my first time, but despite of that, I still have enjoyed it in my own right of satisfaction. There was a so-called “inner peace” on my 28th birthday. haha! Going back, July 24 was the Takbo.ph RunFest which of course I want to be a part with again just like last year! Again, I voluntered myself to be with DJ Chloe which is of course an honor for me!
Here is my one year old post on Takbo.ph Runfest 2010
I could almost quit running Milo Marathon because of my extremely poor mileage for the past few weeks; probably 10K per week or less, although better than not running at all. I did not register for the event because I was afraid that I won’t be meeting the 6 hour cut off. I would blame Wesley for bugging me to run it (or maybe I should thank him for believing in me). I got a bib on the day itself from a friend’s friend. During the whole race, I have no intentions of hitting a sub 5. I was conservatively trying but I gave up on the thought at Km 30. I didn’t happen.
This was my worst marathon time after my first marathon in Subic in 2009. It didnt matter though, I was happy I finished that race under cut off (5:24). I could try again next time.
Filed under Marathons
If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit
One shot in Kuwait. It's 48C that day. Ouch!
I’ve been through a lot of changes, not just a minor change but totally a big change. What I do in the past might totally be different to what I will be doing tomorrow. I have just changed my career and that would be on a different place. I’ve been through a series of stress lately that made my training sessions hard to cope out; say, I am still trying to acclimate to the place where I will be working and living. I tried working out almost 4 times a week in middle east for the past six weeks but I must say, that the workout that I am doing was not actually inclinded for a runner. I ran 3-5K on a treadmill and that it. I hate treadmills because it’s stationary and I feel it’s boring. I try going outside for a run but it’s just terrible. Middle East is extremely arid place. They even say that it’s already a good weather if it’s 45-47C which is just normal for them. Okay, so I just usually stay in the gym to run 3 -5K and work out. I swim as well sometimes.
Guilty of putting everything in my tummy. burp
Of course, I wouldn’t blame anyone but myself. Buffet meal is so inviting you would check most of the stuff not realiazing you’re already full. Lobster, Shrimps, Fish, Lamb! It was already a good thing that I sometimes skip the taking the sweets. I gained weight! Yes, I have to admit. Haha! What else would I need to do but to accept and act upon it soon.
See-food diet or Sea-food diet?
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I have to avoid these but maybe look up to what’s needs attention; 0n to what my priorities will be. Of course, if I want to beat myself in future races then I have to at least put it in moderation. There might not be any weekly races in Kuwait but perhaps I can attempt to joing nearby races like aiming for Dubai Marathon in January. Who knows, I might be able to give it a shot. We’ll see…
Filed under Days of our lives
It’s awesome. It’s like an amusement park! -
Aaron Lewis
Not another I must be here photo
When we were bound to Abu Dhabi, It really didn’t came into my mind the Ferrari World, until one of my friends told me so that leads me to checking about it in the internet. Hmmm, this is definitely a place to visit, I thought!
A portion of the world's largest amusement park
For those who don’t know, Ferrari World is a Ferrari themed amusement park in Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE and noted as the world’s largest indoor amusement park in the world. I bet it wouldn’t be that fun to hang out in this park if it’s not indoor due to the arid weather in middle east. So If you are visiting Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World should be one in your list.
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So what can you expect in the Ferrari World? There are 19 attractions there classified for Kids, Family and for Adult. You wouldn’t definitely expect too much thrill on the Kids and Family part of course but you could be after for the Adult rides. One of my favorites is the G-Force, a spaceshot tower that let the rider go up and down. Unfortunately, I didn’t capture that moment.
Then it has a double launched roller coaster, the Fiorano GT Challenge which I consider just another roller coaster ride, not that scary though but it was a good ride; then they have this Ferrari Simulation where you could pretend as if you’re Michael Schumacher or Fernando Alonso battling against known F1 Racers. Pay extra if you want to move to advanced simulation called Scuderia Challenge, where you can ride on an authentic F1 race car or sports car; but I daresay, F1 cars are so fast that the challenge you wouldnt enjoy so much if your not really into racing. I had to rest for an hour or more to lessen my dizziness that I got from all the bumping. Good thing I didn’t throw up. Hehe!
Among their rides, Formula Rossa is the ride I think they are most proud of for it is the fastest roller coaster in the world. It was unfortunate that I was not able to ride on this because of some technical problem it had. I left for the advanced simulation but I was so dizzy to go back. (REASONS!) It was really a damn feeling!
Aside from these Ferrari Rides, another important attraction here is it’s Ferrari History, how much they have grown, what do they made and how do they made their cars. They have some galleries and videos of it.
Overall, if you have plans of going to display, you definitely need to spend your whole day. better to start early have some rides, rest, eat, and go back to some rides over and over again. It’s tiring, but worth going.
Tired but had fun
References:
Filed under Other Country
______________________
Argonaut is a Chemical Engineer turned self-proclaimed runner, an amateur photographer and a certified lakwatsero.
Host-o Raw
Photog(rapist) raw
Pa-swim-swim (Takot naman sa malalim)
Nag-bike rin raw (Past tense)
Certified Ultra Runner (Adik lang!)
Minsan Exibitionist
Road Race
5K - Adination Alabang Aquathlon - 25:56 (Split)
10K - Resort's World Grand Fiesta Run - 00:52:21
15K - Neutrogena Race the Sun 2010 - 1:29:00
10Mi - Conquer Corregidor 2009 - 1:45:29
21K - Celebrity Run 2009 - 2:09:53
42K - Condura Run 2011 - 4:49:01
50K - Mayon 360 (81K) - 6:20:00 (Split)
Ultra - BDM 2011 (160K) - 27:41:48
