[143] Root Beer Craving!

Oh man, went on a midnight Wal-mart trip with Jason, then hung out at Jason's for a while. For some reason,  I had a really random craving for root beer at Wal-mart. It was strong too...

Why is this day's post about me wanting root beer? Because I was craving it THAT much. 

[142] Happy 21st to Henry

I don't really believe birthdays are thhattt important. I enjoy celebrating others and even mine with others but if I have nothing, it's no biggie. Sincerely. And it's good that I feel this way too because on my actual birthday (today), I ran errands for most of my day until like 5pm. Afterwards though, my cousins Darren and I tried out this new buffet called Japan Hibachi & Grill for like $9 per person. Awesome! Loved it!! Though the hangout was only coincidental, that's enough of a celebration for me. 

 

[141] Urbana Birthday Weekend - Day 2

Sadly, my Urbana weekend had to come to an end. I have no clue where those two days went; it went by so fast! Shared a meal with Jeff, Venus, and Hiep before leaving with Hiep at night.

Bro-bonding. Can't wait till I'm rooming with this guy next year!

[140] Urbana Birthday Weekend - Day 1

Well, after the last day of CFC, I caught the Greyhound to Urbana for the weekend. Started my first day here with a really great workout with my buddies, Hiep (my future roommate and good friend) and Venus (this blog has enough occurrences of her for y'all to know who she is). 

• Woke up at 8am
• Ran 4.5 miles
• Circuit Training around the Quad




• Station 1 - Oblique Push-ups (¿20? on each side)

  

  Without the board

• Station 2 - Squats (20-30)
  
• Station 3 - Upward Dog-to-Downward Dog Sequence (20 reps) 
  
• Station 4 - Agility Jumps (30 sec on facing forward then backward)
• alternate jumping to either side of any line on the ground as fast as you can
  
• Station 5 - Lunges (30 sec for each leg)
  
• Station 6 - Crunch to Reverse Crunch (as long as I felt like)
  
• Yoga
• Sunset Salutations A series - 2 reps
• Sunset Salutations B series - 2 reps
• Various Standing Poses
  
• Various Stretching 
• Hiep, Venus, and I took turns leading different stretches

Doing all this was actually really perfect following CFC. It was like a "post-final-assessment" assessment. Again, remember that day where I ONLY ran 0.8 miles? Well, today, I ran 4.5 miles! Then I did so many other exercises, and it felt great. This young man even led some yoga. 

I'm not tooting my own horn, but I'm pretty proud of myself. :]

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Oh yEah! And then at night, I celebrated my birthday with my twin, Vivian...AGAIN!!! I'm so lucky! I get to celebrate it twice in one year. We played this aweomely fun game called Boom Chicka Boom-Boom Boom Boom. I'm definitely bringing this back home and playing with my little cousins!! 

[139] CFC - Day 14 (The Last Day)

We started off CFC 2012 with an initial fitness assessment so of course, we have to end the program with a final assessment! It's been 3 short weeks and a total of 14 days of challenging ourselves. Let's see how far we've come.

Fitness Assessment (First Day / Last Day)

40 Yard Dash

Trial 1 - 7.34 / 6.70 sec 

Trial 2 - 6.91 / 6.40 sec

Trial 3 - 7.10 / 6.90 sec

Sit-ups

1 min = 60 / 56 sit-ups

Push-ups

1 min = 36 / 39 push-ups

Okay, okay... A few improvements here and there :D

After our final assessment, we rushed over to UIC where we went bowling! One of the kids did this MAD trick shot--360 degree arm wind-up and between the legs!

After bowling, we biked back to Ping Tom Park for a last game of Ultimate and Soccer together, and a few concluding "speeches" and whatnot. 

Reflection

It's been a short and fast month of working with Chicago Fitness Challenge, and I can't believe it's over. A whole year of anticipatory energy fueled us for that challenging month, but it's all over in a snap. Thinking back on it, I can't say I was super excited to go every morning, but I CAN say that I was super grateful. It's not every day that one gets a job opportunity like this one. In fact, last summer, I couldn't even get a job. But without that season of unemployment, I wouldn't have been able to participate in CFC 2011 leading to my employment in CFC 2012. 

Even to this day, I am so happy that I was able to work alongside Mr. Navas and Ms. Chung. They're great mentors and friends. Without them, I wouldn't be able to say that my job was  to help motivate a group of kids to exercise 5 days a week for a month--and along the way, work out myself. I get paid to get fit! 

 On the very last day, we asked the participants what they learned from CFC. It'll be pretty dumb of me if I didn't reflect on this question myself. I learned that the more you try, the more you have to gain. There were plenty of days where it was killer just getting up in the morning...then biking to Ping Tom and working out for another 5 hrs. But through that discipline, I also learned that the body is a beautiful thing. I continue each day biking, jogging, jumping, stretching, bending, pushing, pulling, and I give all that I have for that day and somehow, my body heals and adapts and gets harder, better, faster, stronger.

I loved the program! Especially the yoga. You know, I sometimes talk about yoga and in all honesty, it's not even like I practice yoga every day. Then what gives me the right to encourage others to do yoga? Even if I'm a hypocrite and don't do yoga every day, I REALLY, REALLY believe in the power of yoga. I read a lot about it, I think a lot about it...the only thing I'm missing is doing it. But for that great month, yoga really helped me control my body, mind, and spirit. Through the discipline of yoga, you find inner peace. Spring is fleeting. It's not as easy to be happy when there's so much going on but for that month, I was happy. Nothing around me changed, but I changed. I was happy. All those complicated shit that stirs around in your head sometimes at night became simple. Yoga helps you examine your breath, your balance, your movements and at the same time, it helps you examine your insecurities, your high hopes, your fears -- and it helps you let go. 

In the words of Mr. Navas,

BE HAPPY.

[138] - CFC Day 13 (Squash)

Since my introduction to this sport last summer during CFC 2011, I've just been waiting and waiting until we play again this year for CFC 2012. Well, guess what. WE PLAYED! TODAY!!!

It is so fun! You're always alert and active and ... it's just so fun! Also, since you're just in a room, you don't have to worry about the ball getting hit really far away from you like in tennis, volleyball, and basketball. I hate fetching the ball!

Anyways, here are some pictures! Enjoi!

[137] CFC - Day 12 (Basketball)

Played some streetball on 18th and State St. CFC vs. Local streetballers.

We lost...clearly, but dang was it a lot of fun. I think we all gave it our best shot and tried to keep up. I didn't have anything going for me besides running around a lot and passing the ball, but our boy Shi Yu got mad props by scoring a half-court shot.

This definitely made me want to play basketball again though. I'll have to brush up on some streetballin' basics first though.

[136] CFC Cancelled (Again)

Another long night with big, big storms -- thunder and lightning in the forecast for the whole day. Shi Yu, Jerry, and I are the only ones who showed up to CFC regardless. However, it had to be cancelled because no one was here and parents were really concerned about the weather.

 Whole night: /STORMS! RAIN! THUNDER! LIGHTNING!

9:30am : Forecast predicts storms throughout the whole day. CFC cancelled.

10:30am: Forecast changes and says cloudy throughout the whole day.

Whole day: Cloudy. And sunny. 


I hate the weather...so fickle and unpredictable.

[135] CFC - Day 11

A regular day of CFC with the usual. Maan, how many times have I said that already? I'm not sure, but it was really good getting back into the old routine of walking, jogging, abs, yoga, jump-roping, ultimate frisbee, and soccer. We've been really busy being away from the park where we usually work out, so I think it was important to get back to all the things we've been doing. What's a better way to start our last week of CFC by practicing skills we've been honing since day 1.

I especially enjoyed today's ab and yoga practice. All the students got an opportunity to lead the sets of ab work and yoga sunset salutations a & b series.This challenged all of us to do more sets and also gave us a little taste of how it feels to lead a big group. Even leading for a few minutes, I think, provides an excellent education experience. Plus, I just have a thing where I just loooove to observe teaching styles. 

[134] Maxwell Street Market - ¿Bombasso?

Oh wow! I'm surprised this is my first post about the Maxwell St. Market. Well...for those who don't know...this is a big outdoor flea market that happens every Sunday somewhere by Roosevelt + Hasted, even on snowy and rainy days. Of course once the weather really turns bad, vendors start packing up.

Anyways, I love coming here every Sunday (if I can) for many reasons:

• nice Sunday morning bike ride
• cheap everything!
• awesome food vendors
• people watching
• and just to chill

The last time I was here, two Sundays ago, I was entranced watching these food vendors prepare ..

THISSS!! I think I heard "bombasso" for what this was called, but I can't find it.

I finally approached the vendor, talked to her for a bit, and ordered this. I don't know why I didn't do it earlier. I was so nervous trying to get myself to order something that I didn't even know the name of.

My professional food critique : This shit cray. I want another. A+

[133] CFC - Day 10 (Dragonboat Race)

Big day, big day, big day! Woke up at 6am, ate breakfast, biked to Ping Tom, and arrived by 730am. It was early, I didn't get much sleep, but man oh man was I pumped to paddle my ass off today!! 

We were one of the first teams to compete. And we did really well. During that first race, we had a good start, lost rhythm somewhere, and then picked it back up. Either way, it was good enough to get a faster time than the team next to us. 

On our second race, I don't know what happened, but our rhythm was really off. I blame myself. However, regardless of that flaw, we did super awesome! The team put their heart and soul into each stroke and really put 100% into it. We dug our paddles deep and pushed the water behind us....dig, push, dig, push, dig, push! Unfortunately, we lost to our competing team. Despite losing to the other team, we one of the fastest times out of all the teams in the second heat.

Let's analyze this! These are our accomplishments...

• We improved by 7 seconds 
• We had the 5th fastest time out of the 20 teams that competed in the second heat.

A key element in Dragonboat racing is that the whole team has to row at the same time. When everyone's in sync with each other, you can feel the giant thrust of the boat plowing forward. It's beautiful! We felt that great wave of power a few times, but we couldn't keep it consistent. I admit that I was part of the problem. Being one of the leads, it's really important that I keep in pace with my partner, Mr. Navas. This was a difficult challenge. Firstly, I have trouble rowing with the proper technique (my technique was very improper), I couldn't row as fast as Mr. Navas, and my glasses flew off at one point. 

Individual blame aside, we as a team worked really hard. We were the youngest team (most of us with zero experience), and we really kicked butt out there. I'm so proud of everyone! *cliché warning* I know we didn't place but in the end, we are ALL winners.

[132] CFC - Day 9 (Dragonboat Practice)

Phew, after yesterday's hectic day, we were finally cleared and ready for practice! Extra rowers were informed to come to practice, we had practice, and it was great fun!

Loading the Dragonboat

Team Chicago Fitness Challenge... aka. Team King Louie aka Team Dragon Tales

Haha...this was a lazy post. TOO BAD! :]

[131] CFC Cancelled

In the morning, the rain was falling HARD on the city, and the hourly forecast predicted severe thunderstorms throughout the day. So, we had to cancel CFC but by the time it was like 10am, the weather was beautiful. This just goes to show you how unreliable weather forecasts can be (or usually are).

It was a much needed day off though. We were registered to compete in the Chinatown Dragonboat Race 2012, but we only received information about it yesterday! Everything was supposed to be settled a week ago!! The race was two days away!!! You can understand the sense of urgency Mr. Navas and I had this day, right? Even though we were signed up and received sponsorship, we had nothing else done--no team application, rower applications, liability forms, roster information, and we didn't attend any informational meetings yet either. Heck! We didn't even have a team name.

So anyways, like I said, it was a much needed day off. We wouldn't have been able to get everything ready had we held CFC that day.

[130] CFC - Day 8 (The Usual)

At this point, whenever we got to jog and do yoga, I'm continuing to try my best but also gauging my improvement. Mr. Navas always said, "If you try once, you have one thing to gain. If you try twice, you have two things to gain. If you don't try at all, you have zero things to gain." Or something along those lines. It's very simple, but it's the truth! You get out what you put in. For me, it's a great motivator. I had a lot of goals coming into CFC, and I could come closer to reaching them if  I put in my 100%.

Last year, I started CFC not being able to touch my toes. I was far from it! Within a week, I think I was able to touch them and after three weeks, I was able to place my palms on the soles of my feet. My flexibility isn't as poor this year, but I can still improve and maintain my hamstring/hip flexibility. Ooh ooh! I can definitely work on my inner thigh flexibility. Those knees will NOT go down when I sit Indian-style.

[129] CFC - Day 7 (Southside LSD Biking)

First and foremost, I want to clarify that I did not participate in any aerobic cycling activities while using a pschadelic drug. LSD, in this case, stands for Lake Shore Drive. This is an acronym all you Chicagoans should be familiar with because I maay use it again. And while you're at it, remember "dt", which is "downtown". I use that too! Oh! Last one, last one. Whenever I say "pos" or "p.o.s.", it means "piece of .." so anyways, this day we biked south on Lake Shore after our normal run, jog, yoga, abs, and jump rope stuff.

Let me tell you, folks! This. Is. The. Best. Discover. of. CFC. 2012. We were so used to biking north where there's a lot of people, bad roads, and tricky turns---needless to say, I really hated it. That's why whenever my cousin Darren would want to go biking, I'm always a little hesitant. Biking on the southside is nothing like that at all. You practically have the bike lanes to yourself, it's nicely paved, they have a whole 31st street beach, and you get to enjoy the beautiful Lake on the eastside at all times. Trust me, a clear blue Lake is much better than the murky green and boat-infested water you'll see if you bike north.

A follow-up to a great discovery of the path is a great discovery of a diving spot.

It makes a great pit stop to jump in and cool off after a hot day of biking. Wait!! Did I say "jump in"? I meant FLIP IN!

Can  you say.. "partial face flop"?

[128] CFC - Day 6 (Golf)

This CFC field trip reminded me that since the P.E golf days of high school, I have not gotten any better. Even with professional instruction, my putts were putt-ing me down. If I wanted to get the ball close to the green, I can FORE!-get it.

Okay, I wasn't as bad as I'm driving myself to be, but I'm not going to be a golfer any one would be greeen with envy of. Golf takes a ridiculous amount of coordination. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think me an uncoordinated guy but between stand a hip's width apart, keep your elbows straight, thumb over thumb, slowly swing back, keep your eyes on the ball, rotate from the shoulders, don't lean with your trunk, keep your forward arm straight but you can slowly bend the back arm's elbow, eyes on the ball, now swing your club, follow through, again-rotate from the shoulders only, bend the wrists, over your shoulder, and NOW look at the ball--- I just can't do it. It's soo much coordination. It's a darn-tootin' hard sport.

CFC with the two instructors at far left and far right. 

 After golfing, we headed home but not before JUMPING INTO LAKE MICHIGAN AGAIN!!

Backflip!

CFC all jumping in together!

[126] [127] California

I used to go to California very often. Since I was a little boy, I think my family and I used to go every year (sometimes twice a year), but this is our first time back since 2008 when my grandpa was sick and later passed.

This time, we went because my grandma just recovered from an accident. We visited our grandma throughout the trip, and we also got to visit our grandpa's grave.

We had a little moment of silence during which I wasn't really sure what to do. Was I supposed to talk to him? I don't really believe in that. So, I just kind of talked to myself about what my grandpa meant to me. My grandpa was (as they all say) a really great man. All his daughters, sons, granddaughters, grandsons, and my mom truly loved him. And he truly loved them too. Love, love, love, love, love. We have so many definitions for love. We use this word a lot for our boyfriends and girlfriends, and it's tossed around like a garden salad; however, I believe that when someone says it, they really feel it at that time--they do mean it. But as things happen and time passes, it's a different story. Ahh...but family. Above friends and partners of any sort, love for family is undying. Love for family is unlike any other, because family is always there for you. I don't think this is true. Because as things happen and time passes, again, it's a different story.

No, my grandpa was a different story. Nothing affected his love. Regardless of what happened and how much time has gone by, I think he really loved all those around him. He never stopped loving his family and my family, and we never stopped loving him. Rest in peace.

[125] CFC - Day 5 (Tennis)

Just a few pictures of some CFC-ers hitting some fuzzy ones. 

That's my boy Alex with the serve. And my cousin Jerry. He's just standing there, but he's cool too :Þ

Tennis instructor in the white, leading the lessons.

After all the kids were done playing and stuff, the big guys (Mr. Navas-CFC instructor, Wing, Shi Yu, and I) all played with the tennis instructor. Super fun!! Yeah...the tennis instructor is like super pro. Can't touch him.

[124] CFC - Day 4 (Bike Conditioning)

[I fell way behind on blogging. I am desperately trying to recount my days and catch up - Aug 8, 2012]   


Finally! I remember what we did today (only because there's an album for it on Facebook), but we all went biking for the first time in CFC (after the usual jogging and yoga at Ping Tom). We bike A LOT in CFC. Of the three weeks of CFC, we probably bike for two of the weeks. 

This is Thursday, right? Yes. It is Thursday. On Friday, we'll all be biking to Grant Park for tennis lessons, so we, as a group, needed at least one day of bike conditioning and to familiarize ourselves with our route to the tennis courts. 

We rollin', rollin',  rollin'!! (almost)

Okay.. biked out, went to the tennis courts, continued biking north. When we got to North Avenue Beach, we jumped into Lake Michigan. Woo!!

Eli hopping over Shi Yu and into the Lake

[123] CFC - Day 3

[I fell way behind on blogging. I am desperately trying to recount my days and catch up - Aug 8, 2012]



Yeah...just like  the day before, I can't remember this day for the life of me. But I'm sure it was Chicago-y. And Fitness-y. And Challenging. 

You mean like..

.. THHISSS!!!

[122] CFC - Day 2

[I fell way behind on blogging. I am desperately trying to recount my days and catch up - Aug 8, 2012]  

As I mentioned above, I am desperately trying to remember a whole previous month. For the life of me, I can't personally remember anything about this day. Being that it was the second day of CFC, I can probably rightfully assume that it's because I was soooo sore that ... uh .... darn it. I don't have any close-to-logical ideas of how soreness may affect memory. Oh well! I was probably super duper sore this day, but still went to CFC. OH YEAH! I didn't mention this before, but I'm an Assistant Instructor for CFC. So, I can't really back out just from being sore. I wouldn't anyways even if I wasn't working with CFC. 

Ooh! Something really interesting I learned from CFC. Even though in the mornings, I felt so sore and tired that I could barely get out of bed, still biking and running and yoga-ing and playing with CFC actually helped my body heal. I don't know how, and I don't know why....but the body is amazing and exercise is amazing. 

YOU MEAN LIKE ..

..  THISS!!!

[121] CFC - Day 1 (Initial Fitness Assessment)

[I fell way behind on blogging. I am desperately trying to recount my days and catch up - Aug 8, 2012] 

FINALLY!! I've been anticipating the start of Chicago Fitness Challenge all summer! 

We started the first day with a nice walk around Ping Tom Park and then a jog. Remember not too long ago, when I  had a mini-workout day, I was only able to jog a measly 0.8 miles? We probably didn't jog that much on the first day, but I was determined that by the last day, I would be able to jog MUCH MORE THAN 0.8!

Chicago Fitness Challenge is a really program to really push yourself physically. We're working out 5 hrs a day, 5 days a week, for a 3 short weeks. In those three short weeks, we gain as much as we push ourselves. I was determined to increase my endurance, strength, and flexibility. 

Of course, I would gauge my improvement myself throughout the program, but CFC also wanted to give us a fitness assessment of its own. 

After our brisk walk and jog, we hydrated a bit, then dove right into our fitness assessments. Here are my scores:

Fitness Assessment (First Day of CFC)

40 Yard Dash

Trial 1 - 7.34 sec

Trial 2 - 6.91 sec

Trial 3 - 7.10 sec

Sit-ups

1 min = 60 sit-ups

Push-ups

1 min = 36 push-ups

The assessments were tough. I think really pushing your body to do its max is a grueling task. All that anaerobic metabolism naw what I'm sayyin'? 

Yoga

Following the assessments, we did yoga. which is a regular thing in the program. Everyday, there will be running and yoga. Heck to the yes! I really love yoga, because it's got flexibility, it's got strength, it's got balance, it's got breathing, it's got concentration, focus, proprioception, mindfulness...etc, etc, etc, etc!! LEH'GO!!

First downward dog

And after an intense (but nice) hour or hour-and-a-half of yoga, shavasana. 

Shavasana / Corpse Pose

[120] *SKIP*

[I fell way behind on blogging. I am desperately trying to recount my days and catch up - Aug 8, 2012]

Yeah... I was really upset this day too...

SKIP!

[119] *SKIP*

[I fell way behind on blogging. I am desperately trying to recount my days and catch up - Aug 8, 2012]

I can't remember what was going on with me then (well, actually, I do), but I wasn't very happy this day.

So....SKIP!

[118] Swimming Swimming

Of the 40 minutes I was at the pool, I was probably only actively swimming for 15. It's an hour later, and I am soooo out of breath. There is either something wrong with my heart, or there is something terribly inefficient with how I swim.

I am sooo tired and winded. Awful...just awful.

[117] Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

Probably the best part of the day.

Well...no... the best part was waking up in the morning. My mom, sister, and I were soo exhausted from Indiana Beach Amusement Park that we just lay in the living room lifelessly after waking up. It was so funny.

[116] Indiana Beach Vacation

My many cousins, family friends, and I made a mini-road trip vacation to Indiana Beach Amusement Park for July 4th. It was a total of 22 people all split up among 4 vehicles. Dare I name out all twenty-two? Nah...forget it. It doesn't matter.

Anyways, about the amusement park! Although Indiana Beach had all of thiss....

...all I really cared about was this....

BUMP BUMP! ZIP ZAP! I swear, I could have rode the bumper cars for the whole ~7 hours we were there. You get to experience an aspect of driving you don't get to normally--crashing, drifting, and disobeying all rules. They said to only go in one direction....oh well. No head on collisions....whoops. Plus, this is a great family affair! Families bashing bumpers--awesome family fun!! No hard feelings!   

When I wasn't on the bumper cars, I was exploring the park's many rides with the cousins & Steven (a family friend and my former student.... :O!!! HOW EXCITING!!!) The rollercoasters were fun, but my favorite rides were the more interactive ones. *cough cough* bumper cars *cough cough*. I can't really interact too much on a rollercoaster while we're diving down a two-story slope. 

Top 3 Rides

1. Bumper Cars (duh)
2. The Den of Lost Thieves (a two-person cart ride into a dark cave where you compete against partner for a point showdown shooting various targets)
3. The Himalaya (an undulating ride that goes super fast in a circle forwards and backwards). 

Why?

1. Bumper Cars - (read above)
2. Den of Lost Thieves - It's like a real-life, 2-player shooter. That's awesome!! Plus, I get to shoot stuff with my cousins while screaming my head off for my own amusement while carting through the cave.
3. The Himalaya - The Himalaya has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine in all amusement parks and street carnivals. Since the ride naturally tilts a bit toward the outer edge, the inside rider usually ends up smushed into the center because it goes so fast. It was hilarious to get smushed, struggle against the centripetal force, and watch my cousins in front of me trying their best not to succumb to it as well. HAHAHAHA!! Laughing right now just thinking about it. 

We had to wake up at 5:30am to drive out. It was hot and humid all day--it was at least 100 degrees and we outdoors all day. With a big group, there will be complainers, party poopers, yellers, and the impatient angry people who would rather ditch everyone and do things their way. Lastly, being one of the guardians, it was definitely hard keeping track of a handful of kids all at once. However, against all odds, I sincerely had the greatest time!! Once I get past the stickiness from the sunscreen and sweat mixture, the symptoms of heat syncope and utter dehydration, it was awesome! Hopefully, it wasn't the heat and dehydration making me loopy and happy, but I will swear on my grave I thoroughly loved the day. 

Reminiscing back, it's ironic how I almost didn't even go. Admit it--Being outside all day in 100 degree weather doesn't necessary seem worth it in foresight. 

It was worth it. 

As I mentioned in my cousin's day entry , spending some quality family time makes me sincerely happy. And above everything else, this alone is enough to make the trip worth it. Of course, I don't want to leave Steven and his mom (our family friends) out of this. I was with Steven for all if not most of the trip, and I really enjoyed having time with that kid. He's shy at first, but he's really fun and interesting once you talk to him a little more. AND HE WAS MY FORMER STUDENT!!! HOW CRAZY!!! Anyways, yeah....back to family. This trip reminded me that there really isn't anything better than family. Family is always there, even when others in your life aren't. Cherish and love them.     

[115] Swimming

Just keep swimming....just keep swimming

[114] Massage

As birthday presents from Becky, my mom and I each got an hour-long massage at this fancy spa place. I chose to have a Deep Tissue massage while my mom got a Swedish Massage for relaxation. All the work done on my lower back and shoulders worked wonders. It was great!

[113] Chicago #2

Haha... I'm going to link you to my previous post. If you haven't read that post...you should....read the whole thing. It's very interesting. It'll be worth your while. ;P

I'm not going to continue this title format. I'll just do it once more for today's post...and I'll go back to regular titles with the start of the new week. Shut up for those who want to tell me the week starts on Sundays; mine start on Mondays.

Picture of the Day: JIBAS!

Borinquen Lounge - Home of the Jibaritos. These beautiful sandwiches whose meat and veggies are ....well.... sandwiched between two fried plantains with garlic butter smeared atop. So delicious!! But what's better, the Borinquen Lounge Jibarito or the Courier Reuben Sandwich? Well....still the Courier Reuben Sandwich but DAMN this Jibarito is good! Worth a try!

For my many followers (*cough* cough*...yeah right), I recommend trying these....holla at me when you do. 
For my little cousins who wanna try this, hit me up... I'll take y'all there. 
For myself, you're so cool giving yourself a shout-out in your own blog. Keep it up!