Hot weekend

Went to visit my family this weekend in OC, freakin hot as hell but at least the ladies of OC dressed appropriately. Reason for visiting was my sister’s graduation from FIDM.For those of you that don’t know, Lauren from “The Hills” attends this school. Rumor was that she was graduating too, but nope, wasn’t on the list – she was my sister’s yr but kinda took breaks so that’s probably why. Anyways, graduation was at Staples Center (thats where the Lakers play) and it was pretty impressive. I thought I was seriously at a Fashion show – huge crowd, beats playing through the speakers, tons of lights and screens displaying their school stuff and a video being played showcasing their students and projects. What made it even crazier was that all the vendors were open so people could buy hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, etc. I mean, sure that would be normal if this were a game or show, but this was a graduation haha.

I slept through the boring parts (calling all 700 names one at a time) but one thing I thought was pretty cool that no other school would do was that a ton of students (obviously mostly girls) altered their black robes into some type of dress. I’m not talking about cutting off the sleeves or cutting the bottom into a skirt, I’m saying “dresses.” Guess you cant really expect less from fashion students.

Got to see my friends this weekend too – all the ones I’ve kept in touch with from High School. Can’t believe we went to SD to eat, but damn that place was good. Its called Tony’s Jacal in El Segundo, probably the best mexican food i’ve had in socal. I’d have to compare that to my place here in sf (Celia’s). Its always good catching up with them coz its never really awkward. We catch up quick and continue along just as we hung out in hs. I think its because our personalities haven’t changed much so we still know each other pretty well. I’m glad i still have them, otherwise i’d probably be stuck at home playing games, which isn’t really a bad thing except i can do that when i get back, which i did haha.

Playing WOW again. Yup, the worst time sink I’ve ever encountered in my life that doesn’t exactly benefit me except to say, “Yup, I’m a level 70.” Still, can’t complain really. Why? Because I love the MMO genre, the whole group interaction while playing the same game and doing the same stuff. People do this all the time in Facebook and its addicting. Of course, my career goal is to work at a game industry as well, and even more precisely, an MMO company. Or Lucasarts or Nintendo -  I’m totally game for those companies too.

I read my google reader daily and so I’m always updated with news articles from gaming websites I visit and thats what kind of got me back into the game really. SO much stuff will be happening with the new expansion that I decided to take my shaman to 70. No more of ‘oh i’ll try him out,’ or ‘i dont know who to level.’ I saw some alpha leaks, read the forums, play tested almost every class and finally decided that my main character from now on will be him. A shaman represents a hybrid or the “Jack of all trades” class. Which appeals to me since that has been the way I’m portrayed in real life. I wanted to do a lot of stuff and be wanted for groups and yet be fun and different. Can’t do that on the rogue so I finally made the switch and I’m lovin every bit of it. I play a couple of hours each nite when i’m done dancing or working out or back from chillin at lyn’s place and I’m really experiencing more now what the game is offering than before. I think I’m starting to look at things differently because of all the research I’ve been doing the past month. Anywhoo, enough talk about wow. I’ll just post a pic once Joeywheeler is 70.

Things you notice when you’re at the gym

There’s this huge russian dude that works out same days as me and he doesn’t really speak english. So sometimes when I need a weight that he’s using or just finished using, I’ll ask him if he’s done and he’ll just grunt at me (no words, just a noise) guess that means yes.

Also there’s tons of filipinos at the gym, obviously its Daly City. Some actually work out, the rest just stare at you. Dont’ know why but its that look when you’re lifting something and you notice them looking at you, you look away doing more lifts, then you look back and they’re still looking at you. Gross. I’d rather a girl come in the weight room so everyone can just check her out while i finish up.

oh yea, I decided 2 weeks ago to really do something about my abs diet plan. I’ve been lifting more weights but whats really getting the results now is cutting a bit back on the food intake. I’ve been eating healthy yes, but if I want to lose more fat i’ve got to cut down on the amount – simple, yet effective. Now i just need a tan

Diet plan update

So i’ve gotten pretty far with my whole diet plan but i started reaching a pleateu. I’m not seeing crazy results like I was earlier although i haven’t gained anything too so thats good. I decided I could either work out more or cut back on what i eat to get better results and I decided to just do both haha.

So now I make sure to run every day but switch it up every other with interval running and slow paced jogs. Also I’m trying to pack more weights on my dumbells while i wait for my friend’s discount at 24hour. And, I took a look at what I eat every day to see what I can cut down on and its my smoothies. I love em but I know I got off track with what i added each morning. I’m taking out the granola, its healthy but man there’s way too much sugar, and i have to cut down on the protein powder since there’s calories in there too (its chocolate flavored), and use more ice to get my 8-12 ounces.  As far as my weekly cheat meal goes, I need to be more strict about making it a one time thing and try really hard to find alternatives when i go eat out with friends. Its going to be a rough weekend since I’ll be at home =P Hopefully I’ll get the results i want in the next few weeks to come.

My new Jamba flavor

My diet plan (eating healthier, working out, running) has been going on for a bout 3 weeks now and while doing research on the web, I found this little thing about healthy alternatives to food we usually eat.

In this case, I love going to Jamba Juice – Orange Dream Machine 16 ounce no boost for me.

However, most of what that is, is really the orange sherbet and frozen yogurt, there isnt even any fruit in this!! hahaha

But, if you check out their “All Fruit” section, all they use is fruit, juice, and ice, no yogurt or sherbet at all.
Although the juice can be questionable (added sugar?) its definitely a great snack item or meal replacement (get the 16 ounce please, the original size is way too much unless you’re starving).

I’ve tried several and finally settled down to my new favorite drink:
Pomegranate Paradise =) Its definitely different from my usual but the tangy taste it brings is pretty satisfying. The sweetness comes from the juice and fruit themselves which is great plus you’re getting a good variety of different fruits.

I haven’t tried their breakfast smoothies yet but its so similar to the ones I make myself that I won’t go out of my way right now.

Time for the workout plan

Lyn and I have a bet going: Whoever loses the most inches around the waist in just 1 month wins something like $50 toward a dance item (clothing, shoes, pants, hat, etc). Reason being? Motivation.

I’ve never been overweight, but never had a six-pack ever. I look at my uncles and they all look like their in 3,6, even 9th month of pregnancy. Its pretty bad honestly, someone slap me in the face if I ever go down that path. But yea, its been pretty tough to work out the belly region, and now I know why. My approach the whole time was never the right way. Just doing ab work isnt it, neither is cardio. Its everything combined really.

AB workouts to get my abs stronger (and look better), lifting to gain stronger muscles, maintain a good physique and to burn fat faster, Cardio to obviously burn fat, and Eating healthy to avoid all those bad foods in the first place, and of course- motivation. I’ve done a lot of research into the foods I should be eating to lose weight and its pretty crazy what nutrition facts mean. I never bothered to care about what they said because as long as I ate just enough food, I thought it was ok. And it is, but not if I wanted to lose weight, a lot of weight.

I think the time’s I’ve done something like this before have failed too because I would restrict myself all of a sudden that after a week or two I would go back to normal. However, over the past few months I’ve really tried to eat a lot less, stay away from red meat and share my meals/desserts with Lyn. I’m just taking this a bit further now.

Its a fun challenge, especially finding new foods to make or which ones are fine to eat at restaurants. With all this time spent on working out now, I have less time for games. Not really a bad thing since I pretty much burned myself out with all those I was playing. Cancelled my wow account for the time being, stopped playing Smash every free hour, and playing only for fun, not to complete the game. I think its best to stick to one game while casually playing something on the side once in a while. Plus I have more time for reading and sleeping – Already good news =)

Good times

Had me some awesome sushi today, my secret spot in the Bay. Mmm B.S.C.R and some crunch rolls after a long wait is still worth it.

Having Thai Iced Tea with whole milk instead of condensed is not. Can you believe it? My favorite drink ruined by a college student who was recently hired at a local coffee shop conveniently located next to my sushi place.  Ruvi recommended it, said it was the best she’s had and so Lyn and I trust her. The thai iced tea connoisseurs that we are gave in, after all, she’s probably had every thai iced tea we’ve had too. The guy freakin used whole milk and said “yup, thats how they make it here, i dont know why. ” wow, just wow…he knew it was going to be bad yet still made it for us and wouldnt do anything about it. Mannn, Ruvi even said it didnt taste like that before so obviously he made it wrong. He must be failing his class or something coz any other place would replace or at least apologize. weak…

Oh well, we needed to replace our crappy drink so whats on the way home? Seattle’s best coffee baby. MMmm javanilla shake. Its so bad its good, but bad, but so good…and so on. I always tell people about this drink but i give them fair warning: Never have this more than once a month. trust me. Its basically 90% vanilla ice cream, 10% coffee, and i bet that coffee was flavored hahaha.  Now to do something uber nerdy, playing video games and watching anime, ahh the weekend..

Visiting Fam

Got a little caught off guard a week ago when my mom called telling me to visit home. Basically my cousin’s grandma just passed and my grandma’s cousin is in the hospital. It was a little shocking especially since i haven’t been to a funeral in a looong time. But i was able to hang out w/ mama and sis

And i got to go to pinkberry finally =)

It does live up to the hype. Its expensive and trendy but you really can’t find that taste anywhere up here. Its basically frozen yogurt but very tangy and sour tasting w/ fruit mixed in to balance it out. I’ll definitely go again, too bad its all the way in LA. Here’s what i got:

Mmm food

Mmm food

Originally uploaded by mikebristol

Food i bought at the Kwik-E-Mart