Fun & Pretty Games!

I wish I can provide in-depth analyses and geek-critiques about these games. Unfortunately, all I have are my personal preferences and predispositions. So if you're looking for Plusses and Minuses, Pro's and Con's -- don't expect them here. All you'll read about are why I grew to love these games, and reached points of productivity trade-offs.

Clash of Clans
According to creator Supercell: "Clash of Clans is an epic combat strategy game. Build and defend your village; Dominate the Realm; Battle with thousands of players across the world!" I guess that's the game-marketer's way of putting it, but I love this game for its super-cute depiction of what is usually dark, edgy, and, violent. The background music is light and whimsical, the sound effects enchanting (coin- and elixir-collecting galore!), and there's almost always something to tinker with at any time of day (build walls, train troops, upgrade artillery, clean-out plants and bushes!) And what's a game without a goal? Clash of Clans offers loads of mini-achievements for a player to chase after...But really, the cute graphics win it for me. I could watch those Giants exercising in their Army Camps the whole day.

Isn't he a friendly-looking giant?
Click on him while he's in the Army Camp and he'll do some calisthenics!

Candy Crush
I've always fallen prey to puzzle and arcade games. In particular, I've spent more-than-forgivable-time playing Zuma, Insaniquarium, and Diner Dash, even reaching their "ends" at a certain point. (I think I finished Zuma more than 3x over, and had no trouble repeating the special final "space level"). So when I met Candy Crush, I knew right away that it was the addictive-type -- and addicted I got. I really don't know how to explain these games' addictive nature, except that they always seem to push me to outdo and outperform myself. They provide the precise balance of being challenging enough but not demoralizing, while giving some form of passive amusement with their adorable graphics. For me, the addiction ends when I either finish all the stages, or the game gets too tough and frustrating. At least, that's how Candy Crush ended for me. Damn those candy-eating chocolates!!!Fc&Xp8eu$!sf#!!

I can totally relate to whoever edited this image.
These chocolates made me give up on Candy Crush. :(

2Fuse
Did I mention I love arcade games? Here's another. "2FUSE is a fast and furious arcade-styled game which pits players against the clock to match and fuse as many similar icons as they possibly can within 60 seconds." I love 2Fuse because beating your record is a matter of practice. There are no levels and no surprise elements (damn those candy-eating chocolates!!!) Just one stage to challenge your quick-thinking and reflexes. Sure, the boosters can boost those points, but I'm stubborn and like to push for best times without the "help" of any special features. Plus, each run lasts just around 60-seconds, which makes it a good excuse to play in between whatever other important things I am doing. Tutal, 60 seconds lang naman, diba?

Frustrating at first, but addicting later!
Just fuse the similar tiles together...and do it FAST!

Dots
I'd put Dots in the same family sa 2Fuse in that it's also a 60-second game with just one stage and the concept of "boosters". But Dots requires even less mind work (I hope I didn't offend anyone with that statement) because the rules are so simple -- you just connect the dots! And they're SUCH pretty-colored dots! I learned about this game from my graphic designer/illustrator-sister, and if you look at Dots' interface, you'll understand why she got addicted to it too. With Dots and 2Fuse, 60 seconds feel like 10, and before you know it, you've spent 30 minutes straight trying to beat your high score. Or just trying to get out of a looooong series of bad runs.

Such a minimalist, whoever designed Dots. So visually delightful.
Even the "how-to" part only takes like 3 swipes.

It's Times Like These...

One of 'em songs that get me emotional! Especially on days (or even just moments!) when I feel like I'm on the verge of something huge...and huge isn't necessarily good, or bad. And that's what makes me so antsy, how the future is so unknown...

NO MATTER...It's for these emotions that we live. The fears, the anxieties, the excitements...the nerves and butterflies-in-the-stomach....If every result or ending was known to us, what a boring life it would be! Don't you think?

The last time I've felt this much apprehension was over 13 years ago, when I was a 3rd year high school student, and a friend invited me to be part of the school's "team" for a climbing competition. I was flattered by the invite, but at the same time freaking out inside, because (A) I'm not accustomed to being with people other than my own circle of friends, and (B) I've only climbed maybe twice in my life before that, which gives me a smaller-than-nil chance of NOT embarrassing myself on competition day.

But amidst all my jitters, I also knew the value of stretching myself. Despite the initial discomforts brought on by my terrible shyness, I also sensed how being involved in the sport of climbing would lead me to something different, something I've never experienced before in my life, even if I didn't know what that something was. So, armed with nothing but faith, out of my comfort zone I stepped.

I climbed. I trained. I attempted the different walls at Power Up, and cried when I didn't finish Into the Woods. I met people that weren't my batchmates. I met people who weren't from my school, and older/younger than me. (Take note that those meant a LOT to me as a timid high schooler, haha!) And yes, I joined that inter-school climbing competition, where I surprised myself by managing a 2nd place finish. Just goes to show how little I knew about my own capability!

And the rest? It would take a lot more time and words to describe how "the rest" changed my life. Not all changes were easy to swallow; in fact, even as I tried to manage my expectations, I would find myself caught off guard many times.

But ultimately, all changes had been for the better. Everything was automatically charged to experience, and shaped how I live and the person that I am now.

it's times like these you learn to live again /
it's times like these you give and give again /
it's times like these you learn to love again /
it's times like these time and time again

On repeat, until this emo-ness goes away.

Oh, Yoga

Sometimes, yoga makes me feel like I have the weakest body in the world. I guess that IS one purpose of being introduced to it -- to be humbled, to have patience, and to never stop trying.

In the meantime, I will have to keep myself motivated with these photos. Not that it's difficult to be inspired by these girls -- quite the opposite, in fact -- not only because of the lovely poses they can do, but because of what they've gone through individually in their own practices to get to where they are now.

My fellow climber and ashtanga teacher KQ in her firefly pose. Lower photo taken at one of the studios where she teaches, Yogiyoga Greenhills (http://www.yogiyogamanila.com/)

Another fellow climber turned yogi. Isla is with Certified Calm Store and teaches private yoga classes when not taking care of her favorite niece.

You can check out both ladies' Instagram accounts if you want to see just how far you can push yourself if you put your mind, body and heart into it. :)

Hmmm...I wonder of getting a funky attire, body tats, and my own Instagram account will help improve my practice? Haha!

Music From My Past: Part 1

Last weekend, I was lucky to find time to go out of town, and spend the weekend at Tali Beach. Aside from reliving the sweetness of college weekender getaways, one of the things I got reacquainted with was roadtrip music.

This roadtrip music was different though, because Miel and I carpooled with his Ninong's family, and the playlist wasn't are own selection. I was amused, however, to find myself singing to many of the songs, realizing that they were music I grew up hearing my sister listen to. Take note that Ate is ten years my senior, so if it wasn't for her ultimate reign over the cassette player during her high school days (panganay siya, okey?), I might not have EVER known this music existed, much less have lyrics tucked deep in my memory to this very day!

So as I sang along while our Ninong drove, visualizing the mixed tapes she used to pop into the car radio while I read the handwritten song titles on the jacket, I pressed my brain for song titles, band names and lyrics, and managed to come up with a list of artists and songs that I learned to love:

1. Robbie Dupree - Hot Rod Hearts, Steal Away
2. Kalapana - The Hurt, Nightbird, Naturally
3. Toto - Africa, Rosanna, I'll Be Over You, I Won't Hold You Back
4. Hall & Oates - Private Eyes, Kiss On My List, One On One, Rich Girl
5. Little River Band - Cool Change, Reminiscing
6. Gary V - Eto Na Naman, Narito, Each Passing Night, Letting Go
7. Neocolours - Tuloy Pa Rin, Say You'll Never Go, Hold On
8. Ambrosia - How Much I Feel, You're The Only Woman

Saving for last one my favorites. Sing with me if you know "Biggest Part of Me" by Ambrosia! Here's a link to a live version I found on YouTube.

Yeah
(Sunrise)

There's a new sun arisin'
(In your eyes) I can see a new horizon
(Realize) That will keep me realizin'
You're the biggest part of me

(Stay the night) Need your lovin' here beside me
(Shine the light) Need you close enough to guide me
(For all my life) I've been hopin' you would find me
You're the biggest part of me

Well, Make a wish, baby
Well, and I will make it come true
Make a list, baby
Of the things I'll do for you
Ain't no risk, now,
In lettin' my love rain down on you,
So we could wash away the past,
So that we may start anew

(Rainbow) Risin' over my shoulder;
(Love flows) Gettin' better as we're older
(All I know) All I want to do is hold her
She's the life that breathes in me
(Forever) Got a feelin' that forever
(Together) We are gonna stay together
(For better) For me, there's nothin' better
You're biggest part of me

Well, Make a wish, baby
Well, and I will make it come true
Make a list, baby
Of the things I'll do for you
Ain't no risk, now,
In lettin' my love rain down on you,
So we could wash away the past,
So that we may start anew

Oh, More than an easy feelin',
She brings joy to me
How can I tell you
What it means to me?
Flow like a lazy river
For an eternity
I've finally found someone
Who believes in me,
And I'll never leave

Oh, Oh, not to doubt now
Mmmm, make life grand

Well, Make a wish, baby
Well, and I will make it come true
Make a list, baby
Of the things I'll do for you
Ain't no risk, now,
In lettin' my love rain down on you,
So we could wash away the past,
So that we may start anew

(Beside me) Need your lovin' here beside me
(To guide me) Keep it close enough to guide me
(Inside of me) From the fears that are inside of me
You're the biggest part of me

(Forever) Got a feelin' that forever
(Together) We are gonna stay together
(Forever) From now until forever
You're the biggest part of me
You're the life that breathes in me
You're the biggest part of me

Mmmmm, You changed my life
You made it right
And I'll be a servant to you
For the rest of my life
You're the biggest part of me....

***
Phew, ang haba pala ng lyrics nito!

Destiny

Do you believe in destiny?

In the idea that nothing happens by chance; that every interaction is part of some colossal but minutely-calculated plan on how each person's life will pan out?

In the idea that you were born here, grew up there, studied in this school, took that first job, and met all those people, because Someone out there knows that's exactly the kind of background and experience you need for the kind of future you will live?

In the idea that people -- me, you, ALL of us -- in all our glorious complexity, intricacy, and uniqueness -- were individually designed, and custom-made in the way we are, to perfectly complement (or conflict with) another hand-crafted person on this earth?

In the idea that I'm right here, right now, the person that I am, because that's just how it is meant to be?

There's truly something tingly, romantic, and awesome in the idea of fate. Yet it can also sound dead-end and tragic, like navigating a car with no control of the steering wheel.

Just Do It

That's what Nike said. And maybe I should follow Nike's tagline more often. Exactly because I have this tendency to over-reflect, over-plan, and just over-procrastinate (redundancy intended). Not just in the stuff I write -- take blogging, for example! -- but even in the stuff I do.

So I'm trying to do it.

I'm trying to get back into climbing. Once a week, twice a week, any day/s of the week. Just staying focused on the mini-goals of (a) thickening the finger callouses, and (b) bringing back my forearm muscles' endurance. Yes, (a) trumps (b) by a long-shot. Been traversing on jugs, just to get back those extra layers of skin on any part of my hand, for Lord knows extra protection comes in handy. Been re-doing easy problems, just to log in more climbing time and more forearm-pumping action.

I'm trying to get back to yoga. Not that I was ever a committed yogi in the past, but I've re-acquainted myself with several poses that I've never been able to do, and would still like to achieve in this lifetime. So I say to myself: There's no other time to start working on them but now. Especially since these poses aren't natural for me, and will require a gazillion thousand breaths before I get deep into them. (Alam mo yung downward-facing dog? Lintek, ang sakit sa hamstrings.)

They say discipline is key. I believe that. SO much discipline is needed to keep doing these things. So I'm starting a ticklist of poses/super-human tricks I want to do before I die, which should give me enough drive to regularly hit the gym, and my brand-new mat:

1. Front Levers

Image depicts a gymnast on rings, but a similar challenge is presented to climbers. The only difference is climbers hold on to hangboards instead of gymnastic rings.

2. One-Arm Pull-up

It's as the name says. And again, practiced by both gymnasts and climbers. Requires ridiculous back and arm strength!

3. Straddle Press Handstand

This one is really a gymnastic move, done on the floor and balance beam as part of a routine. Tougher than a regular handstand, it requires the person to lift the legs up, slowly, using the body's core, instead of kicking off the floor and therefore "cheating" with the use of momentum. The core, man, it's in the core.

4. Full Boat Pose

I'm praying and wishing and hoping it won't take me 10 years before I get to do this full pose. I'm being positive, even if I'm only working on the half boat pose and constantly end up with embarrassing, spasmic spasmodic movements in my legs when I hold it for more than 5 breaths. My hip flexors are horribly weak like that.

5. Jump Back to Chaturanga Dandasana

I can't find a photo 'cause this is more of a movement than a pose. But basically it requires one to jump back from a sitting position (cross-legged or "indian-sit" style) into a plank position. That means you have to curl yourself into a ball (abs+hip flexor work), lift yourself up (back+shoulders+arm work), make your balled-up self squeeze into that space between your arms and swing your legs back (core work). Doing Step 1 already makes me depressed.

I therefore conclude...I should've been a gymnast.

*****
Photo credits: 
Images 1 & 2 - http://www128.pair.com/r3d4k7/Climbing&Gymnastics1.0.html
Full Boat Pose - http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/489
Jump Back - http://www.kinoyoga.com/how-to-jump-back/

I Am Grateful

How aptly branded, this Manduka mat is. But yes, it makes one feel grateful indeed.

Especially since it came in my favorite color. ;)

Manduka Pro-Lite, available in Certified Calm stores
(Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Two Parkade, Bonifacio Global City)