Targets

Instead of listing down lofty yet vague long-term goals, I've decided to set very specific, somewhat challenging (to me, at least) yet achievable short-term targets.

1. Perform 90 push-ups in one minute (by January 21, 2009)
   I read about this timed physical self-test in a fitness book and decided to give it a try. On my first attempt, I only managed to do 49 in a minute. With my skinny frame (note: not much weight to push up), there's plenty of room for improvement!


2. Write 3 blog posts per week (by January 7, 2009).
   Evidently, this is a chore for me, as I prefer to talk than type. I'll start with 1 post per week for the rest of November, 2 per week in December, and 3 per week by January.


3. Learn 1 new Mandarin word/phrase per day. (101 new words/phrases by March 1, 2009)
   I've been putting this off for years. Now's the time to actually do it.

Thanks to the following sponsors for forcing, er, encouraging me to do this...
The Moleskine Notebook is courtesy of Avalon.PH
http://www.viloria.com/go/go.php/avalonph

For the Viloria.net contest rules, please see
Viloria.net

Favorite Books

I like books that inspire me to do things I've never done before. The following books fit that description...

1) "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki
The subtitle reads: "What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money-- that the Poor and Middle Class Do Not". The author presented the obvious (according so-called experts) in such a clear, simple manner that woke me up and got me started in entrepreneurship.

2) "Pour Your Heart Into It" by Howard Schultz
The story of Starbucks' humble beginnings, phenomenal growth, and eventual dominance. I rarely buy anything from Starbucks, but after finishing the book, I appreciated the establishment so much that I hopped over to the nearest branch and bought myself a cup of coffee (note: I don't even like coffee).

3) "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
Brilliant character and story development. Excluding all required readings in school, this is the only fiction novel I read from cover to cover. What's amazing is that I read it in one sitting! It's rather noteworthy if you consider the fact that I don't like reading fiction, I get bored easily, and I'm a terribly slow reader.

One Sentence Is Enough

I’m joining this interesting contest… http://anothermiyaw.livejournal.com/146627.html

“I found a notebook on my escritoire… and started reading about her.”

“Diary” by Bread. Get it? =)

I know. The only thing worse than forcing a rhyme is forcing a semi-rhyme.


Other entries...

I thought snow in midsummer was inconceivable until I met a guy who badly needed anti-dandruff shampoo.

After five months of eating oatmeal, my ecstatic sister can fit into her old jeans again.

If my notebook can respond, it would probably shriek from shock.

I'm just agreeing to what you're saying because I'm tired.

I should have paid attention to the signs that read: "Watch Out For Falling Debris" and "Park At Your Own Risk".