Early mornings, new beginnings

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I have always been a morning person, my mind retains information better when I get them in the morning, I’m more productive, my energy level is high, I simply love my mornings. Even when I was studying, each time that we have a major exam, I would set the alarm at three in the morning or so to start studying. Waking up at an ungodly hour has been a part of my routine during my preparation for the CPA board exams, I would normally sleep at around 10 pm and wake up at three in the morning. In my memory bank those days were some of the toughest but ironically the most memorable days of my life. Looking back, I still can feel the struggle of trying to open your eyes when the bed seems to have a stronger pull of gravity in your body, forcing you to go back and cuddle the soft sheets and silky pillows. I dread and miss those mornings all at the same time.

For quite sometime now, I’ve been fiddling with the idea of taking another certification exam. I just thought that it would sharpen my skills, refresh me of knowledge long forgotten and help me advance in my career. So finally, a couple of weeks back I’ve finally decided to apply for the Certified Management Accountant exam given by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA). While flipping through the review materials, the memories of my CPA board exam review days came rushing back to me and surprisingly, I got this chill of excitement running down my spine, I felt giddy. For the past days, I’ve been trying to wake up earlier to squeeze in an hour of study in the morning and an hour of exercise (oh well, I said I try!), I’ve been doing good in some days while on others I fail to get out of bed miserably. However as the exam (1st) date nears, I have to improve and stick to my schedule more religiously. I’m really looking forward to it.

I really am keeping my fingers crossed on this. Wish me luck and pray that I at least gain knowledge in this challenge that I’m about to embark on.

Weee! We’ve got WII

Last Christmas, I created my very first wish list and although honey wanted to buy the things in the list I didn’t receive from anybody else, I told him not to because I’m really trying to limit myself to the things that we need and not overly indulge in the things that we want.

Over the weekend, one of our friends asked us to go with them while they try to look for the best sofa set to replace the one they currently have. Shopping, (window or otherwise) is a trip I couldn’t bring myself to decline so off we went. Right beside the furniture shop that our friends visited was our favourite electronics shop and saw that they have really great deals on offer. I tagged honey along and entered the shop marvelling at all the wonderful things on sale clenching my fist as I try to use every ounce of self control that I have to keep me from buying those items that I long to have. However, honey got the better of me, pointing out that he received a pleasant surprise from work last week and that there was a storewide offer, which includes one of the items in my wish list, he insisted that he wanted to buy me a present, who am I to argue, so I caved. There inside the Mediamarkt, we finally became owners of this marvellous WII sport pack.



I’m really enthused about this game, I read a lot of wonderful things about it and as I try to explore it, I can say that this will definitely be a part of me and honey’s bonding moment. We already started last Saturday night, we played tennis. Egads, my arms and shoulder were aching after four games with honey and everything was a tie. I also tried the WII fit board and the WII fit program yesterday and I must say that its really good.

If at first I have my doubts about this purchase, now I can truly say that it was a really great buy, this WII. We’re looking forward to fun times ahead.

From Squeaky to Healthy

Since honey and I decided to work out at home so we can do it together, we have been doing so well. We wake up earlier and take turns on using the lateral step machine (our cardio exercise) then do some weights, I also do some Pilates work out using my fabulous DVD and Pilates circle that I bought from home TV shopping…. (Don’t judge me please, hehe). Honey and I also manage to work out before we eat dinner when we manage to arrive early from work. However, last week, I got pissed off with the lateral step machine, it came to a point when it squeaked so loudly each time honey and I use it. It’s not very motivating to work out at 6 am, when you have just opened your eyes and there goes the loud squeaking sound from your machine.

I finally hit my limits and last weekend, I hauled honey to the sports shop just a block away from our place and told him that I saw a cross-trainer on sale in the catalogue. I convinced honey that it’s a good investment, anyway we’ll be using the machine for years (it has a 3 year warranty so I’m quite convinced that it’s a good investment). Without much fuss, honey and I decided to buy the machine to replace the squeaky one that we’ve been using.

So far, I couldn’t be any happier, I enjoy a smooth and rejuvenating workout without my ears getting irritated the entire time. This cross-trainer is also a breeze to use, it gives good support to the ankles and doesn’t strain the knee as I work out plus, on the monitor, I get my pulse count, calorie count, time, distance and speed. It also allows me to select a program (from several levels of workout that it has) for my workout.



I am looking forward to more work out sessions with honey and our new workout buddy. I hope we spend years of healthy living together.