Stuff I'm Thankful for this Year 2007

The year 2007 is about to end. Before it does, I wanna make sure I kick this list in. It's a list of things I'm thankful for that are mostly swimming-related.

I've been pursuing my interest in swimming the past few years and this year has seen some milestones. The milestones are not without their downsides and so I'm listing adding an unfortunate incident as well.

So the list of stuff I'm thankful for in 2007 are:

Tips on the Fly

Here are some tips from Terry on the fly.

1. Land as softly as possible with hands just outside shoulders. Try to minimize splash on landing. Arms wide enough for chest to sink easily between them after landing.

2. Remain streamlined - arms extended but relaxed, head between shoulders, legs engaged but relaxed, even feet streamlined within the line of the lower leg - for just a moment longer than usual while you sink after landing. Feel a distinct sensation of restfulness. (We'd previously tuned up this "restful-streamline sensation" with Breast repeats. The moment of restfulness will be briefer in Fly, but it should be there nonetheless. Experiencing it first in Breast makes it easier to access in Fly.)

3. Feel the moment when the influence of buoyancy overcomes that of gravity and begins to return you to the surface. Time the catch to the moment when your head is just about to break the surface.

4. Focus on making the catch - the moment when the arm muscles "turn on" - as brief and as light as possible. That brief moment of catch, combined with the lift from buoyancy, should be sufficient to clear your mouth for the breath.

5. Keep chin in the water and nose pointing down during the breath.

6. Keep legs streamlined as you sink and lift again, but "soften" knees as you catch. Keep kick as compact and light as possible.

7. Use toe-flick to propel you forward on landing and to propel body back into streamline.



Exchange Gift 2007

Well, we finally had our first ever exchange gift at home. Renz was all up and excited that he didn't want anymore interruptions. He didn't even want to go to church for mass.

Our gifts were all worth Php50. I gave Karen an LED flashlight clippable to a baseball cap, and I got a mini whiteboard style drawing board from DH.

My Christmas Card

Here's a collection of Family Christmas pictures taken by the Christmas Tree. Sorry if the video isn't as good. Originally, I had a much bigger-sized video file which has a higher resolution. But then I had to save the video file into a smaller size so I can send it as a video "Christmas Card" via email.

If I could find the bigger and clearer version, I'll be putting it here. To view my Christmas card for 2007, click on the play button on the video below:

Christmas Parlor Games

There was heavy traffic going to Makati on the 25th and so we treated ourselves to the Skyway. Renz claimed it was his first and was excited! We brought Amber Palabok and Pichi-pichi to the party. This time it was lunch.

There were parlor games. Here's egging Renz to dance the "Papaya"

Nayong Pilipino at Clark

As we were getting ready to go to Pampanga this morning for the annual Christmas visit, I heard over the radio about the new Nayong Pilipino site recently inaugurated by GMA and Charito Planas.

The old Nayong Pilipino near NAIA has been closed. So we decided to go there after lunch.

The place wasn't as big as the old site and I had the impression that there were lots more to do including expansion. I suppose it was a soft opening and the staff weren't charging a cent. Here are some pics:

Here's a nice tree veranda of a house on stilts.

Simbang Gabi 2007

We wanted to complete the Simbang Gabi series but Sandra had exams so we went starting on the 20th only when all the school parties were done.

The church really looks good. The good mayor Aldrin San Pedro lent the St. Peregrine Shrine some parols which were really nice.

Here's the inside of the church with the mass ready to start. I was at the choir loft when I took this pic. Karen turned her head to see where I was.


Djok Taym
We were very early at the Church. We thought the mass starts at 7pm. Turns out coz it was Sunday, mass started at 7:30pm. Renz noticed that the mass materials weren't ready yet: the chalice, the wine and water dispensers.

Renz: Papa, bakit wala pa yung lalagyan?
Me: Anong lalagyan?
Renz: Yung inumin?
Me: Inumin ng?
Renz: Yung inumin ng pari... Yung... Trophy niya?

I suppose he was referring to the priest's chalice which looks like a Trophy Cup!



Happy Biking

One of the best expressions I've seen: Renz enjoying a bike ride with Ate Che. Happy guy indeed!





Bilateral Breathing is Difficult!

After the resolve to learn bilateral breathing, well, I (again!) found how difficult it is to breath on my left. In my first post-therapy swim at the Filinvest pool today, I just drank pool water on some lengths.

In some attempts, my neck would seem to just crane out to breath. Breathing on the right is so much relaxed. But I'm not giving up so easily.

Christmas Rush Queuing at the Cashier

I don't know why the office calls it a party, because I'd just call it a dinner. The company still expects you to come in to work early the next morning. So for me, it's really a non-event.

Right after the serving of the Christmas dinner, I went to Festival to buy that remaining dark blue swim trunks for Php339. It's got the same thick fabric in the black trunks I bought last Sunday.

Renz's Christmas Cantata 2007

I drove back to the house today at lunch for 2 reasons: to get the earphone to listen to a training video at the office and to watch Renz's Christmas Cantata number - I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus.

When I got there, I heard that either they will be in the middle or last in the program. That means the older years/ grades go first. And the reason? There won't be any audience left for the HS students if the little ones all go first.

Well tough! I then decided to leave without waiting for the program to start. Besides, DH was there (who went to Binan in the morning for the biz permit) with the camera. Here's Renz right after the number.

New Swim Shorts

At Festival today the gang bought shirts and some gifts. I bought myself a Christmas gift for me - a pair of new swim shorts at SnS Robinsons.

The thing I liked about this pair is the nice thick fabric that I've been looking for some time already. Priced at Php349.75, it was 10% off. Imagine my dismay upon seeing the super long queues at the cashier counters!

So I searched for other counters. Ugh, same. I was ready to give up and just leave the trunks when I saw DH in line! Oh, bless her soul! She was already 3rd from the cashier!

My Right-handedness

While I was using the hacksaw to prepare firewood today, it became clear to me how so much stronger my right arm is compared to my left arm.

I'm right-handed, yes, but when my right shoulder gets much stronger, the left shoulder gets compromised in a sport like swimming.

This results in muscle imbalance and the left-shoulder overworks and overstretches without the needed strength. And I'm thinking that's the reason it got injured from overuse.

Timing Lights Test Run

Tonight's TM meeting was one of those session where I gave no speech. Ahhhh... Finally, just to listen and relax. Or so I thought.

Actually, there was Table Topics segment and I spoke there. It's been a long time since we had Table Topics and I'm getting rusty.

I thought I was early when I got there. Apparently Doc Larry brought some guests and so THEY started early (actually, right on time).

Strange KimChi

We were at Southmall to splurge on my remaining Sodexho passes. DH bought rubber shoes for Renz. The girls bought their exchange gift items for schools' Christmas parties.

And me, I bought another rat trap. Don't know if it's effective though. I also bought to try some briquette fire starters. At foodcourt DH treated me with this.


It's rather strange and new to my taste. One thing though, I got an upset tummy afterwards. Wow, see that nice, yummy, pork barbeque jutting out of the plate? That's Karen's.

Traffic was so bad upon heading home that I told them it is likely the next time we'll be back would probly after the holidays.



Fluoride at the Clinic

Today we went to the office in the afternoon for the company's free checkup (and fluoride treatment) for kids. Only Renz and Sandra managed to join us.

Here's the 2 with a Zen pose.

On the Road to my Shoulder Recovery

With my physical therapy sessions over, I've resumed my road to recovery using stretch cords I bought several years ago.

It is so ironic that the reason I bought these stretch cords was to strengthen and increase the flexibility of my shoulders to make me a better swimmer, only to reuse them now to rehabilitate the weak and injured left shoulder.

The stretch cords will replace the therabands that I used for therapy. And I like these cords better. They have big handles that are comfortable.

They also allow you to focus and rely on the shoulder muscles contracting rather than on the hand's grip. I'm glad I bought them because I don't see them sold in sports stores anymore (at least not with the big handles).

Writing My Sponsored World Vision Kids

Finally, I took (nay, snatched) some time to write a couple of letters to my sponsored kids in World Vision. For those who have no idea what it is, check their site at www.worldvision.org.ph. It is an organization that I contribute to. I even wrote and delivered a speech about it entitled "In the Eyes of Child, A Vision of Hope". Check it out.

Anyway, the reason I've procrastinated for long was not so much so I could write the "perfect" letters complete with graphics and all. No. I didn't even have an enclosed picture.

Renz's 6th Birthday - 2007

I took under-time to catch up on Renz's birthday at school. Mama, Beng and Sam were also there. Food was already being served when I got there. Of course, I was still introduced by Teacher Beth to everybody as Renz's dad.

Here's a part of the class with Renz.