Heyyy :)

My mom texted me last Monday and told me to invite Alex's family for NYE. But "no pressure as they may have their own", she said. We weren't sure if it was going to happen until Alex's mom gave us an okay by Wednesday afternoon. My girlfriends were teasing me, telling me he will propose. I've been waiting (I'm sure we all were LOL) and I didn't want to get disappointed on New Year's Eve, so I pushed the thought away. I told myself, "its so last minute, he won't do it. He'll definitely won't do it in front of our family". We ate dinner and was watching the countdown. 30 seconds left and I couldn't find him. I kept yelling "WHERE'S BATCH?!?!" Then I saw him enter from our front door holding a cake, I thought to myself "another cake?", I then turned my back on him and started taking pictures of everyone. Everyone was yelling "HAPPY NEW YEAR!". Then I heard him say "Babe! Open this! Open it!" So I gave the camera to my youngest brother (and boo you for not taking pictures btw!), turned around and opened the cake, "Will you marry me?" was written on it and saw the ring. He quickly kneeled down and uttered the words "Will you marry me?". I was in shock and blurted out "ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!". I gave him the cake, ugly cried, and after 30 seconds, I finally said "YES! YES!" Thank you to our family for planning this amazing surprise. You all made me think that this was a last minute thing, when all this time you guys have been planning! And of course, thank you Batch for involving our family to one of the most important event of our life. I love youuu and I cannot wait to marry you! ♥

It has never been easy to lose weight for me and it will never be. I’ve always been the fat kid/friend. When I was growing up, I was always teased with either my weight or the colour of my skin. 

“Maganda sana, kaso lang medyo chubby” (You could have been pretty but you’re chubby).

“Napabayaan ka ata sa kusina ah?” (Rough translation: Looks like you’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen).

“Maganda ka sana, kaso lang ang itim mo” (You could have been pretty but your skin is too dark).

You can’t blame me if I grew up with low self esteem. I never believed I was pretty. I’ve come to the point where I would buy products to bleach my skin. Because to me (or the Philippines), having fair skin was considered pretty.

When I moved to Canada, things changed. I wasn’t teased with my weight and/or the colour of my skin. A lot of people actually like my natural colour. 

My self esteem was slowly growing. 

When I started nursing school, food was my comfort. I eat when I’m happy, sad, and especially when I’m stressed out. Until 1 summer day, I decided to eat healthier and be more active. I started with not eating rice for a week and walking for at least 30 mins/day. I immediately lost 10 lbs which led me to keep going and signing up to the gym. I’m not going to lie, it was hard. But when I keep seeing results, I kept going. It gotten easier when my younger brother started eating healthier and going to the gym. We would always go to the gym together and he would always help me out.

This weight loss journey was never about to look better or to be accepted by the society. It has always been for me. I’ve always wanted to feel better and stronger.

So here’s to a stronger me.

Varadero, Cuba

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

First blog entry using my macbook. LOL 

So yea..