Jamba Juice now in Manila!

Jamba Juice now blending in Manila!

Jamba Juice famed for refreshing delicious drinks and better-for-you- snacks which synonymous in California.

Better-for-everyone? Why? Jamba Juice uses real fruit and processed fruit juice only. From smoothies to juices, from yogurt to oatmeal. Jamba Juice is bringing the same products and technology to the country so that Filipinos can have the Jamba juice experience and find out firsthand why it has been a runaway favorite among American celebs and urbanites alike since its inception in 1990.

Jamba Juice can be a good recovery drink after your active activities. For runners, gym buff and multisport enthusiast like me, they offer "Protein Berry Workout", a combination of strawberries-bananas-soymilk-soy or whey protein boost. All their smoothies have natural ingredients, every smoothie gives you energy, immunity, daily vitamin and protein.

Bringing Jamba Juice in the Philippines is made possible by The Max's Group of Companies. Jamba Juice also committed to support promoting Philippine mangoes to the rest of the world by planting a Guimaras mango tree at the Guimaras mango park.

Jamba Juice is located at 7th Ave. cor 29th Ave. South, Bonifacio Global City across R.O.X.

Jamba Juice will be the new craze in town! Check it out and have a smoothies life!

End Year Travel and Run!

Where will you be on the week of December 3-4? What road races have you registered? There will be ten (10) local races and two (2) international races on this week. Early this year, a group of friends who loves to run and travel made their minds to do the Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon (Macau Marathon). When Cebu Pacific released their early book sale, eleven (11) soles never had a second thought on booking. =)

Macau, I've never been in this part of China. Macau was the first and last European colony in Asia. They said, when walking through the old city of Macau you could induce yourself you were in Europe, at least for those who have already been to Europe. I've been to some part of Europe and I will tell you if it's true ;)

What will I expect in Macau? When I travel, I'll make sure that research have been done to know about the place and make an itinerary to maximise the travel especially if you only have a limited of time. These 11 soles are excited to explore the was once an overseas city of Portugal.

Macau's World Heritage

Local food: Macanese Cuisine

Hotels and Casino

and a lot more to explore!

Riovana: the Sole of Running

Another running specialty store to serve you at Bonifacio High Street, the RIOVANA.

What Riovana has to offer?

The store is owned by Rio dela Cruz or "Coach Rio" to many. The store aim to deliver new running experience to the running community. It's a one-stop-shop for your running needs and for your active lifestyle necessities. The store has shower rooms for runners to use, lockers for your things (first come first serve) and lounge for the registration area. And when running during your training around BHS, you can put your hydration bottles at the window sill of the store.

Address:

9th Ave. cor. 28th St. (near Honda)

Bonifacio Global City

Taguig City

Save the Date! Nov. 27 for Run BGC with Flag Football!

New Challenge!

adidas KOTR Race Results and Discussions

I ran the 16.8km distance even I haven't got enough mileage. KOTR 16.8km was my first long run after the Cebu Marathon last January 2011. It didn't matter to me what time I may finish the distance as long I'll see my friends along the road. I've been leading one of the running groups in BHS and I would like to know how they performed during the race.

I am so excited opening my computer checking if the results are available already and when you search it, you will see "adidas KOTR Race Results and Discussions" of this site and when you "click" it, there's nothing available information for you to see. I've been fooled and deceived! Did it happen to you also? Have you ever been fooled of this site. Actually, these has been a practice of this site, first to post the "Race Results and Discussions" just to get hits. The site doesn't care if you are being fooled and deceived. This site only care is the "HITS" as if this is their bread and butter.

Speak with integrity.

I believe what you say reflects of who you are.

Be a responsible cyber user. Be a responsible blogger. Feed only the truth.

So, to my fellow runners, if you want to see your official race results, go to the owner of the race. Go to the site of the official organizer or to the site with integrity. Think before you click.

The Ruins

This is the reason why we missed our flight back to Manila. Blame it on EZ Map! hahaha! Don't be deceived by EZ Map said. We've lost a lot of time finding how we can get there only to find out that we were so close when we were in Bacolod City. It says, it was located in Talisay City, yeah technically, but the best way of going there is to take Brgy. Bata jeep from Bacolod City and drop off at Pepsi Cola Bldg. at the corner of circumferential rd. (flyover). From there, you will see the Ruins tricycle terminal. Fare is Php20.00 or US$0.44, one way per person.

Anyway, The Ruins is the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. It was built in memory of his wife Maria Braga, who died in 1911. Don Mariano sought the services of the best architects and builders by flying in an architect and sourcing materials from Europe. The mansion is an Italian architecture inspired, designed for Don Mariano's devotion and love to her wife. It was the largest and one of the grandest structures in 19th century.

If you want to catch the best vista of the mansion, better come out at four in the afternoon. At this hour, everything turns golden.

More photos of the Ruins.

How to get there: Take a Brgy. Bata jeep from Bacolod City. Drop off at Pepsi Cola, Carlos Hilado Highway (circumferential Rd.) where the Ruins tricycle terminal is located. Take a tricycle. Fare is Php20.00 or US$0.44, one way per person.

Address: Talisay City, Negros Occidental

Entrance Fee: Php60.00 (US$1.36)

Open Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm daily

Related article - Negros Occidental - the Journey (part 1) , Negros Occidental - Silay City (part 2)

Who's Running at the Adobo Run on Oct. 29?

Seemingly the stars will align on October 29 at the adobo Run After Dark at Aseana City (near Mall of Asia). Big names from the entertainment industry, business sector, and the running scene are all taking part in the 2nd edition of the novel night run, which promises to have a lot of spectacles. Major corporations such as Meralco, McDonald's, St. Luke's Medical Center, Pocari Sweat, Manila Beer, Toby's, Runnr, R.O.X., Video Sonic, Studio 58 Lab 10, Soleus, MyPhone, print media giants The Philippine Star, The Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Mirror, Business World, Inquirer.net, sports magazines thebullrunner, Multisport, Frontrunner, sports cable channel Balls TV, and top FM station Mellow 94.7 have banded together for this distinctive footrace event in support of its main beneficiary Isang Litrong Liwanag project headed by notable social entrepreneur Illac Diaz. Asia Brewery big boss Bong Tan himself has confirmed his participation in the race.

For the post-race activities, Ebe Dancel, noted former vocalist of Sugarfree, will be jamming with the race participants who are in for some wholesome rock party. Also provide rocking beats at the race are top band Stonefree and rising indie band Blue Boy Bites. Other standout bands from the music scene will sustain the live performances at the adobo Run.

Ebe Dancel

Blue Boy Bites

Stone Free

On the serious side of running, top Filipina marathoners Mercedita Manipol and Joan Banayag are all set to claim the spotlight in the 5k and 15k categories, respectively. This will be the first time Manipol and Banayag will compete in a night run. Providing, however, top-class competition to our home-grown running heroines are the formidable slew of Kenyan runners.

Mercedita Manipol

Joan Banayag

Possibly going to elicit shrieks and provide celebrity appeal to the event are the sure participation of GMA Artist Center's rising jewel Gwen Zamora. Gwen will don her erstwhile Cinderella costume of the telefantasya fame Grazilda as she joins the 3k category. Illac Diaz himself will be in a general's costume as he runs with a whole platoon of real-life soldiers in the 5k category. Noted sports host and personality Rovilson Fernandez and ace comedian Bearwin Meily would prefer to keep their costumes under wraps even as they set their sights in setting their respective personal bests in the virtually flat course of the 15k category. Several more celebrities are reportedly going to make surprise participation in their chosen race categories in the adobo Run, undoubtedly the biggest night race of the year.

And to further provide excitement to male participants, the Playboy Playmates will be donning their titilating bunny outfits as they strut it out throughout the 3k course.

Registration for the adobo Run After Dark is extended until October 28, Friday. Visit now R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street, Toby's EDSA Shangri-La Mall, and Runnr Trinoma to catch the remaining race slots. Satellite registration outlets are the adobo Magazine office at Unit C2-A Bldg., Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo ext) and Crush Communications office at the Ground Flr of Jupiter 1 Bldg, 56 Jupiter St., Bel-air, Makati. On-line registration facility is also an alternative via www.adoborun.runningmate.ph. On-site registration will also be available on race day Saturday, October 29 at the Aseana City Business Center lobby (just beside McDonald’s in Macapagal Blvd cor Bradco Ave) from 10am till 6pm.

Negros Occidental - Silay City (Part 2)

Since we have a limited time to visit Negros, we maximize our time. Our itinerary brought us straight from the airport to Silay's downtown.

Silay City is located 16km North from Bacolod. The City is where life is sweeter. In Silay, the past comes alive in the architecture and fine craftsmanship of its ancestral homes. It is sugar that made Silay one of the richest towns in the country and the sugar barons or hacienderos spared no expense in the construction and furnishing of their homes. Silay earned the title as "the Seat of Arts, Culture and Eco-trourism in Western Visayas".

Silay City was founded in 1760 and was at the forefront of sugar production at the turn of 20th century. Built between the late 19th century and the pre-war years, 29 surviving ancestral houses were identified by the National Historical Commission as national treasure. Silay is a living Museum. It is my favorite amongst other town in Negros Occidental.

The Balay Negrense (Don Victor Gaston Ancestral House)

Since no one explained to us the history of the house, I just mirrored a brief history of the house from wikipedia.

The Balay Negrense was originally the ancestral house of Victor F. Gaston, a son of Yves Leopold Germain Gaston and Prudencia Fernandez. The elder Gaston is credited as one of the pioneers of sugarcane cultivation in this portion of the Philippine archipelago. A native of Normandy in France, he married Filipina from Batangas where he initially began experimenting with sugar production before relocating to Negros.

The house is of the type called bahay na bato, literally "house of stone", however, reflecting American colonial influences, the lower storey is not constructed of stone but of concrete. The foundation posts are made out of trunks of the balayong tree, a local hardwood; the floorboards are of the same material. The house's upper storey is constructed of wood topped with a roof of galvanized iron instead of tile.

How to get there: From Silay City Public Plaza, ride a tricycle or walk to Cinco de Noviembre St. cor. Zuelueta St.

Address: Cinco de Noviembre, Silay City

Museum Hours: Tuesdays to Sunday, closed on Monday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

Entrance Fee: Php40 (US$0.90)

Photos of Balay Negrense

Hofileña Ancestral House

The Hofileña house was the first ancestral house opened to the public in 1962. Located a few meters from Balay Negrese on a nondescript neigborhood on Cinco de Noviembre St. Let Mr. Ramon Hofileña, the son of the original owner and the unofficial first Filipino bikini model, fascinates you to the story behind in every pieces you can find the house. He is the untiring and the most passionate preserver of Negros Occidental's cultural heritage. The house is a massive depository of artworks. When you entered the house, you can see the 200-year-old piano belonging to Sir Mon great-grandmother sits innocently on the living room. Also on the first floor, potteries, authentic period pieces,furniture,miniature dolls, and photographs of the first owner of Negros Navigation and so other original pieces.

When you go upstairs, you can see one of the Philippine's finest and rarest art collections. Works of Manansala, which I am proud of carrying the same surname :), Juan Luna, Amorsolo, Hidaldo and Jose Rizal are displayed on the wall. If Mr. Mon said he talked to much and consuming your time and ask you if you wanted him to stop, don't stop him because he has so much interesting stories to tell about the life of those artists. One particular interest among the featured painters is the unknown artist to many, Conrado Judith. Even in google you can not find any article about this artist but Mr. Hofileña can tell you more about him. Conrado Judith died of tuberculosis at 34, befitting the life of the starving artist. His abstract impresionist pieces made the cover of international publications and won prizes overseas.

The house's gem is over 70, once he is no longer around to provide these great tours and share these interesting stories, he says he is adamant in training a successor like the one who toured us at the first part of the tour in the house. However, finding like Mr. Hofileña of such caliber to tell its stories from generation to generation is a challenge.

Trivia:

Did you know that Rey PJ Abellana, the father of Carla Abellana, is a grandson of Mr. Ramon Hofileña? His mother is a sister of Mr. Mon who's also an artist, a singer.

Mr. Ramon Hofileña is conducting an Annual Cultural tour of Negros Occidental (ACTNO), the longest-running cultural tour in the world, all Saturdays of December except holidays.

How to get there: From Balay Negrense, walk towards North of Cinco de Noviembre St. It's only a few meters away from Negrense

Address: Cinco de Noviembre, Silay City

For appointment please call 034 4954561

Entrance Fee: Php40 (US$0.90)

Photos of Hofilena Heritage House

Don Bernardino Jalandoni Ancestral House (Pink House)

The house was first owned by Don Bernardino and Doña Ysabel Jalandoni. It was completed in the year 1908. Although grand scale and strong in its construction, its design follows the typical Philippine Nipa Hut. The exisiting wooden structures are the same hardwood that the couple had originally shipped from faraway Mindoro. Most of the embosed tin ceiling trays on the second floor are the very ones imported then from even more remote Hamburg, Germany. Its wooden transoms done in "callado" or cut out style, using elaborated visual aesthetics and function. The creative use of glass, "capiz" shells, steel grills, wooden louvers and panels foe windows continues to maximize light, ventilation and security today as it has since it was designed a century ago.

In 1993, the National Historical Institute recognized it as the first museum and heritage house in Silay City. The heirs, Mr. & Mrs. Antonio J. Montinola ahve entrusted its care to the Silay Heritage Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization.

How to get there: From Hofileña House, Cinco de Noviembre St., walk towards East of Burgos St. until you get to the National Rd., Rizal St. across the street you can already see the Jalandoni house also known as the "Pink House"

Address: Rizal St., Silay City 6116

Museum Hours: Tuesdays to Sunday, closed on Monday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

Entrance Fee: Php25 (US$0.56)

Photos of Bernardino Jalandoni House Museum "Pink House"

The Cathedral of San Diego de Alcala

The Cathedral of San Diego de Alcala lies in the center of Silay City. Designed by Italian architect Lucio Bermasconi in 1920, the cathedral's silver-colored Byzantium dome was inspired by that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Its architectural grandeur and treasury of religions art is testament to the people of Silay's deep faith and religiosity. The ruins of the old church whose foundations date back of the present church and is now an adoration chapel.

Silay is a small town that you can go around by foot. Silay's surviving ancestral houses and old buildings.

Related articles - Negros Occidental - the Journey (part 1),

the Ruins

Born to Run: FUNd Racing for Tuloy Foundation

Who wouldn't know Michelle Estuar in the running community? For those who don't know her, Michelle is a Professor at the DLSU-Manila, Cycling Instructor at Fitness First Philippines, a contributor writer of FrontRunner Magazine, a Running Ambassador of AKTV on IBC 13, an accomplished Ultramarathoner and Triathlete.

Her passion to run led her to create a team of volunteer runners to help her organize a thanksgiving birthday run and raise funds for Tuloy Foundation called “Born to Run 2011: A FUNd-RACING Event”

Tuloy Foundation, Inc. is a non-government, not-for-profit organization registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission in 1996 and licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to “provide residential care services for children and youth”. It was founded in 1993 by Fr. Marciano “Rocky” G. Evangelista of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Their mission is to provide a center of excellence in the rehabilitation of street children though a comprehensive program of caring, healing and teaching (http://www.tuloyfoundation.org).

Born to Run 2011: A FUNd-RACING Event that will be held on November 30, Wednesday (Holiday), from 5:00-10:00am, at the ULTRA Oval. The race events include 10KM, 5KM, and a 400meter dash for the kids. A minimum of Php100 donation/registration fee but runners can also donate any amount they are willing to give.

Let's support the cause. Save the date! For more details e-mail Michelle Estuar at michelle.ironmitch@gmail.com

Negros Occidental - The Journey (Part 1)

When Unilab Active Health and Run Rio had a press launch last June for the Run United Provincial Leg series, Bacolod City is one of the venues for Running for love goes regional on October 16 which fall also for the weekend of Masskara Festival. We were so excited that six (6) bloggers/runners including me registered for Bacolod. Right after the launch, Dennis (Runningpinoy), Roselle (Running Diva) and Me booked our flights to Bacolod. Unfortunately a week before the event, the organizer announced that RunUnited Bacolod has been cancelled and move it on Nov. 26, 2011. Some registered bloggers pulled out their plans. Roselle cancelled her reservation for her return ticket and re-booked her departure ticket to another date. On my part, I wanted to proceed with my original plan even the run was cancelled given that it is also a Masskara festival . I asked Dennis what was his plans. He told me that if I would agree, we just move our flight on the next day, first flight, so he could run the Nike We Run Manila 10k last Saturday, Oct. 15. I agreed thinking that at least our return ticket will not be put on a trash bin b'coz we were booked at Cebu Pacific Air availing their best rate fare and cannot be re-booked unless we pay additional amount but our return ticket eventually put into waste. This is another story to tell, hahaha!

The Departure -

Our aircraft going to Bacolod is PAL which usually leaves in Terminal 2 but since PAL has their labor problem we were advised that our departure will be in Terminal 3. Once we were inside the plane I seat comfortably. I still preferred to fly in Phil. Airline compare to Cebu Pacific in terms of service and FA personality. PAL personnel still wore formal uniforms =) Our flight was 30 mins. delayed due to some cargo loading problems.

The Arrival -

9:30am, our journey starts in Silay City, where the new airport is located. The new airport is 2km away from the Silay City and 20km away to Bacolod City. If you don't have anyone to pick you up, there are a lot of shuttle private cars/vans that will bring you to Bacolod City for a fare of 100Php per pax or alternatively take a metered taxi who will take you to your destination that will cost you more.

Negros Occidental is the sugar capital of the Philippines. Negros has a lot to offer not only for their sweet produce from its cosmic plantations but remnants of a rich history from the Spanish era are reflected in the old structures and ancestral houses in the country.

Local Fare -

Shuttle Van to Bacolod - Php100 (US$2.30)

Metered Taxi to Silay City (2km) - Php120 (US$2.80)

Tricycle, Silay - Php16 (US$0.37)

Ceres Bus to Bacolod from Silay - Php15 (US$0.34)

Next...I will tour you to the City of Silay where the life is sweeter.

I want to stay at Sofitel Phillipine Plaza!

ooooh.... Who wouldn't want to stay an overnight in the luxurious hotel at the heart Manila. I've been in this hotel many times. I saw one of their rooms but never been experience to stay overnight, lol! From the room, you can see the beautiful sunset of Manila bay. The skyline of bayside hotels. Their rooms are very hommy.

Spiral is the favorite dining when in comes to buffet.

and if you want a romantic dinner by the bay, Sunset Bar has nightly cultural shows.

Sofitel Philippines Plaza is committed to active lifestyle.

Don't pass the opportunity to swim in their lovely lagoon swimming pool. Enjoy the scenic of their 12-acres tropical garden, play the mini golf or aqua golf, or try their jogging trail.

You can also leave your kids at the playground and indoor kids club for splendid recreation and sports activities.

Don't end the day without visiting the hotel's club 7Pecados and LeBar. 7Pecados has been in the hotel for many years now. It features live bands whereas LeBar offers bistro lounge patisserie service.

So, if you want to stay in the resort within the city, Sofitel Philippine Plaza-Manila is the best place there is.

Blogapalooza! Meeting Business to Bloggers!

I was present at the 1st Blogapalooza held last September 17, 2011 at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street. It was by invitation only and 150 bloggers were given an invite. Yours truly was one of the lucky bloggers who was given an invitation. Fifty (50) businesses signed in to talked about their respective businesses. The idea of the Blogapalooza was to introduce to the public/readers what was their product is all about.

The presentors were only given 5 minutes each to talk about their products.

I am proud to say that I'm a member of the Blogapalooza community!

The door open at 12:00 o'clock noon. The first 50 bloggers arrived get additional freebies and guess what?! I am one of them!

first 50 bloggers get these, aside from the freebies below

I am an athlete. My first thought was, as an athlete, not all the products presented will be related to what I am doing but I was wrong.

As an athlete, I need to established to have a good core and strong body. Even if its off peak season, you have to maintain your fitness level.

Can you only commit 30 mins of your time in busy schedules? A 30 minute 360 Circuit Training can be equivalent to combined 30 minutes of a typical gym workout and 30 minutes of aerobic workout.

7 free visits and Php1,000.00 GC at 360˚ Complete the circuit

Also, one of the good core workout is the Pole dancing. As you can see in the picture below, the "Polecat" has a perfect toned body muscle. She has a good flexibility of the whole body. Perfect flex of the feet, good for swimming =) For sometime, pole dancing is associated with gentlemen's clubs and strip joints but today pole dancing is a form of arts and crafts. I got 1 free class of my choice between striptease or sensual groove at Polecatsmanila .

Sexy pole cat

In every workout we do, body aches and pain is inevitable. Perhaps you want to try wearing Phiten, I have two. It helps the human body maintain a balanced and relaxed state by influencing, restoring and balancing the flow of bio-electricity in the body.

Phiten necklace

Carboloading is very important for runners and triathletes. You need to have enough energy before the big day. Pizza and pasta are the common food that runners/triathletes eat before the race. I cannot wait to try Papa John's Pizza for my next carboloading.

And how can you recover from the calories and energy you lost during the race? Your muscles need some protein and energy to recover them fast.

Jap-ok!

SIZE-Matters-Sausage-Burgers

I stopped drinking coffee for more than three years now. For my pre race breakfast, I only drink tea or water.

Oh, the stress ball give away was perfect for my therapy. I recently had a bike accident. (from-south-to-north-my-first-taste)

Post race drink

Pre race drink

Did you know that some men and women triathletes and cyclist wax their hair? The reason behind it are (1) you are more aerodynamics (2) when you crash or fall and get bruised, it helps the healing process. no hair to contribute to infection and band-aids peel off much easier (3) keeps you cooler

For your waxing needs go visit Lay Bare.

Travel is unavoidable in the life of runners and triathletes. I myself, traveled abroad just to join marathons and going out of town for our team trainings. A good travel bag or luggage is a must to keep you organize.

SCSM

Tripologie

When travelling, it is easy to have a checklist for your travel needs. If you want to contribute of helping our environment use eco friendly ballpens and pencils like treehugger has. For a pack, you contributes to the restoration of our country's indigement trees through Haribon Foundation.

Eco Friendly give pack

Track your time with baller wrist watch by Freestyle Ballers.

Tri United Matabungkay Triathlon 2011 was held in Lian, Batangas. Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel was the host hotel. It's a 2 hours drive from Manila. Hopefully next Tri United, MBR will sposor my team Endure multisport when they read this, hehehe! =)

50% off

How will you get to your destinations? You need a good spacious vehicle to fit all your things including your equipment, for triathletes, bike.

For Chana, great things comes in small packages. They believe for value for money. Size maybe deceiving but their van is multi-purpose, fuel efficient, environmental friendly, and cargo space and load capacity.

Chana: Great things comes in small packages

Great travel companion

You had a great race day. You want a comfortable changing clothes. Regatta offers casual apparel. Memo and For Me on the other hand has a good find for the post race awarding night.

Colors by Regatta

for me Body spray to smell fresh

Fashion and Art (Happy Fart) where you can also find good clothing. You can also use their facility for photoshoot.

Women have sexy body. The Boudoir Dolls is an all women group of photographers catering specifically to women. They bring out a bit of yourself into each shoot. In every shoot there is a story to tell. It maybe sexy but classy.

(photo credit to BD. model DJ Dianne)

Big K Imaging for your party and event photography services.

Triathlon in our country started to go green. In fact, last Subic Interantional Triathlon last May, 2011 the organizer used all eco friendly materials from loot bags to paper cups.

Treat yourself a good massage with this eco friendly oil treatments and products.

Oryspa products are made from rice bran

Human heart nature

Good Spa after the race

Blue water day spa

For a week break on training, play at Lazer Xtreme! surely you will enjoy it.

I have GCs!

Reward yourself. Treat yourself. Go Shopping! Shopinas is here for your easy, secure shopping.

Who hates Math or English subject?! Bring your child to Galileo learning center to enhance their Math and English.

Who among you still listen to AM drama radio? Seeing tv commercials with voice over? Or watching animation? Creative voices is an audio produstion house established in 2005. To provides recording services at an unparalleled level of quality, technical excellence, maximum convenience, and extremely fast turnaround.

Now, you love what you do. The experience in every event and you want to write about it but your personal computer or your laptop crashed because of the virus. Put avira anti virus to protect your pc, netbook, or laptop so that you have a worry free while working with your blog.

There you go friends! Looking forward to the next Blogapalooza!