A farewell to Fitness First

It has been more than a year since I've been a member of Fitness First and come May 31st, the final day of my stay at this fitness establishment. The time that I have given to this goal has finally come to an end but the question is, "am I successful?"... no... I did fail... but in spite of this , a was able to know myself and my body even more.

Going to the gym has always been my outlet. It is Something I look forward to after a very stressful or boring experience at work, or if there's no water at home at 12noon, I would go there and take a bath and be refreshed. Fitness First has provided me with so many, from comfort to a source of confidence.

I would definitely miss the classes. The BodyJAM and Hip hop Grind both are dance classes which specializes in different dance genre. From hard core hip hop moves to sexy Latin dance steps all in which I find very inspiring. And my favorite, the Body Combat.... you know why. XD


I feel nostalgic about those early days at the gym. The Body Combat marathon and the Contender. I remember when it was my first time during body combat, my punches and my kicks are all wrong, my flexibility was poor and I get easily tired in just a few minutes of the class. Now, I can go up to 2 hours straight without drinking, I guess that was the biggest progress I had.

I know I'm no longer a member but I have learned a lot and met a handful of good people. My progress was not all mine but with the help of friends. May 24, Saturday, I treated some of my chosen few friends to dinner at Kenny Rogers. At first they thought that it was my birthday but I told them the reason why. Like they said, this is not the end. They could still invite me to be their invited guest and workout together with them.

As a Shepherd

I know, this post is long past the deadline, and I have not written anything since the first week of May. I'm always putting myself into thinking weather I should push through to writing a book or the other goals that I'm planning to do. I guess I'm not that confident yet...

Last April 4, 5 and 6 were the dates for the eleventh Singles Encounter Weekend. It is more like a recollection or a retreat to closely describe it but it's more than just that. The weekend is the best venue for those who wishes to exercise their spirituality and to deepen the faith. Together with the rest of the Young Adults Ministry (YAM), we embark on this journey with the candidates.

Never will I spoil the activities during the encounter, for it is best for those who haven't attended not to know anything about it. It is better when your clueless, this is were the excitement is great.

For most of the graduates, just like myself, it is perhaps one of the most memorable experience. Every morning, during the encounter the entire YAM gather together to pray and sing praise songs. I always prefer to stay at the back and witness the most inspiring view I have ever seen. We were like the angels along the shore facing the sunrise, standing with our eyes closed, singing songs that inspire and just feeling the comfort of good morning. This is just one of those days when you say to yourself that it feels so good to be alive.

Every Singles Encounter, shepherds (a male and a female), as what they call it, are given to the graduates of the encounter. They say that choosing a shepherd, is done through discerning. Before the SE weekend, the servant leaders and the rest of the shepherds of each batch gather together to pray and ask God's guidance for the new appointed shepherds. If they already have the two candidates, they will find the time to talk to the two and tell them about it. The new shepherds were informed and is given the time to think about it whether to accept or reject the responsibility.

It was She-Anne Calulo and myself as the new shepherds for the Singles Encounter Batch number 11. Yes, we both said yes.


I'm afraid with my partner because she's an attorney. So, I better not piss her off. Hehe just kidding.

A proud friend of mine told me of the task and responsibility of a shepherd. She said that you must have this big amount of patience and understanding for your lambs. Even if you don't like them, you must find it in your heart to accept them for who they are. There are also rules to follow and many things to remember.

Now I'm in this job for almost a month and during this time, I got the chance to know some of my lambs, the problems and concerns that they have and the kind of person each has. It is a very diverse group.

She-Anne and I went on a date last May 17, just for us to get to know more of each other, and so that we can grow more as a team and like parents for our lambs. We talked both silly and personal topics, and in the end all we can say is that it was a very fruitful conversation between us.