“With great power, comes great responsibility.”

This is what Uncle Ben said in the Spiderman movie.

The quote makes me think of my **Auntie Elle, who passed away from cancer last year.

In 2011, my auntie was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. I was at school at the time studying photojournalism. A newbie storyteller – I knew it was my responsibility to take photos of her.

But I didn’t realize how much of a struggle it would be to share these photos after I was done. It’s been almost a year since she has been gone.

My auntie asked me one thing after I took pictures of her, “please share this with my sisters.”

I already knew what she had in mind. With any family, there is always disagreements and fighting.

My auntie grew to love a different practice of worship. Which made many family members uncomfortable from my observation over the years.

I don't know how much of a family struggle she had. I believe she wanted her sisters to truly understand her. I probably will never know the truth.

Her request for me to share her story grew larger in time. I really abounded my responsibility. I felt guilty and I was struggling on how to approach her story.

It could be perfection. It could because I was emotional. 

This year is a New Year and I’m out to complete my mission.

The final push came from my aunt’s pastor who contacted me a few days ago. He wanted a print of her flagging at church. The one action she was known by her church members.

He said the photo gives him hope. He also said, “you can feel the emotion that resonates from it.”

I cried when he said this to me. Even though Auntie is gone; I can hear her through his voice.

I honestly miss her calling me and blessing me over the phone. After that she would sing her heart out.

Now, she is a frozen memory in my photo collection.

View the God's Warrior photo story. 

UPDATE Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

As an added bonus: I am running the Scope It Out 5K in D.C. in March. The run is a colon cancer awareness in memory of my Aunt. 

What is colon caner?  

"Colon cancer refers to the condition where cells of the large intestine multiply uncontrollably. The disease causes problems because tumors interfere with the normal function of the colon. In advanced cases, the disease spreads (metastasizes) beyond the colon and affects the function of other organs.

Unfortunately colon cancer is not a rare disease in the United States. In fact, 1 in 19 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetimes. However, if the disease is caught early, about 90% of cases are curable. "

- Source: http://www.scopeitout5k.com/about_colon_cancer

*Footnote: Auntie is the same as aunt in American culture. Auntie is usually used in the Filipino culture which means out of respect. Someone can be auntie if closely related and not always by blood.  The word uncle is the same.  

Catholics go to church because they want to be closer to God.

Well, that is not true for me.

I'm not the best Catholic in world. 

I admit it. I don't go to church every week. I don't always donate money. Every time the collection basket comes around, I scramble in my wallet. Pulling out 49 cents in change.

I guess God would be cool with that. 

However, going to church brings me closer to my mom. Yes, it's another sappy story about my Mom. I would rather be sappy, than not have these stories of my life untold. 

Church is not the establishment, but the foundation she has built around herself and I.

Thanksgiving weekend was a time to honor her faith and her new home. 

I went home for Thanksgiving weekend after my shift from work. I spent five hours on the road and I came home to a half eaten fish. That is my Turkey. 

Thanksgiving night was shared with a few family and friends. 

It didn't matter. Thanksgiving is not a big deal. 

The big deal is my mom's house warming party. And my mom threw one heavenly party with every Filipino food imaginable.

But before a big feast, she has to bless her house with her church entourage.  

I can really rest easy knowing my mom is taken care of when I'm away. 

I have always surrounded myself in the Catholic religion. I choose to be around it because of mom. Because I can see how much joy it brings her. Also how much she gives each day to God. 

She also gives my bringing out the baddest (meaning good) looking pig for her guests. 

Strangely enough, this is my turkey as well. One hot steaming, crunchy pig. Steam was coming inside of the pig's body from being cooked a few hours before the party. The church priest was the first to cut into the gift. 

The festivities ended with a joyful sound of a birthday song for my mom.

She told me a few days ago, "You know I can't believe I'm turning 60."

Crap. I can't believe I forgot.

I bought a mango cake at Red Ribbon just for safe measures the day of her housewarming party.  

She didn't know I would do this. 

(This time I'm not taking the pictures. The boyfriend handled my moments)

She didn't know I would be holding a birthday cake. 

What a wonderful moment for my Mom and I share.

To be honest I was scared to get smoke in my face. 

It's a moment I'll never forget.

Because to me, this moment feels like what God must be all about. 

I conquered my 10-day water detox like a BOSS.

Easy right? Wrong!

Why? Because changing your diet dramatically will make you feel – excuse my language – shitty. Water detox releases toxins which will affect your body and mind.

Before thinking about water detoxing: here are some tips and insights into my experience.

Warning: I’m not a certified nutritionist or fitness instructor. Just your curious multimedia journalist putting her life on the line for my lovely readers.

Gather ingredients for the detox. Pictured: mint leaves, ginger, lime and lemon.

Water detoxing is a cleansing method where it breaks fats and toxins in your body. The method will make you feel recharged and rejuvenated according to WebMD.

This method is different from water fasting, where you only drink water. This is not a water fasting. I ate regularly and took my water detox three times a day for 10 days.

This is not a cure all method to lose weight… Regular exercising and eating right is what you need to lose the extra fat.

Lastly, do some research on your own. I developed my method from reading some articles about water detoxing.

Ready for the challenge? Here are ingredients you need to gather:

- 2 limes
- 2 lemons
- ginger
- 2 cucumbers
- mint leaves
-30 mason jars 16 oz.
- water

Cutting lime for the prep.

Majority of my ingredients came from the York Central Market House. Support your local community! The pack of 12 mason jars can be found at Target.

For other flavor alternatives, check out Bembu - 8 Detox Water to Flush Your Liver

Step 1: Clean your mason jars with soap and water.
Step 2: Cut your lemons and limes in half. Cut cucumbers into cubes. Cut smaller cubes of ginger (add a little if you are not familiar with the root).  Add 2-4 leaves of mint. Distribute evenly in mason jars.
Step 3: Add water and tighten the lid. Place into fridge.

The prep process takes about 1-2 hours. If you are cheap like me, you can clean out your 12 pack and reuse them again. Drink the water detox three times a day before meals.

Expect this while on a water detox:
- Large appetite for sugars and sweets
- Headaches (toxins leaving your body)
- Water taste bitter later in your days.
- Frequent stops to the bathroom for number 1 & 2.

Day 3. Getting headaches at work. 

Clothing fit so well. Happy I can fit a size medium. Volunteering at a letter press museum in Lancaster.  

Headaches started around day 2. The headaches lingered throughout my day. The worst would usually be around lunch time. By day 5, it was better because I alter my food intake. I added more proteins and carbohydrates.

The bitter taste is caused by the lemon and lime. These fruits are acidic, it is a health benefit, but everything in moderation. It can bleach your skin and erode your teeth if done for too long.

Being on a water detox is not a quick cure all diet. It’s a lifestyle change to a better healthier you. Start eating a healthier diet first before being on the detox. Consult your doctor or nutritionist.

I didn't feel sluggish in the morning. As each day goes by, I have an easier time in drinking the detox.

The fats that gathered in my arms and my inner thighs felt more squishy. It felt like the fats were breaking up in my body and going you know where. Thus my clothes feeling more fitted and loose.

Have fun with the water detox. And remember, do this for yourself and love what you do. Good luck. :3

Let me know your results by emailing sonyapaclob@gmail.com or comment in this post. Love to hear what you like or didn’t like about the process.

Background about my weight:

My battle with the fat inside of me. These words haunt me since I was 12-years-old – rollie-pollie-ollie, big bone, and ayo fat girl.

I rocked Large or X-Large through high school and into college. Never been the person to share my clothes with friends. I battled trying to find clothes between plus-size and junior sections, especially the store Forever 21.

This year at the age of 25, I took over my life back and embrace my curvy self. I set-up my fitness & health goals one step at a time. I’m already seeing results.

Two years ago I was 160 lbs. in a size 12-14. Now - Still 160 lb. surprisingly in a size 9-10. Seriously, these hips don’t lie. I’ve never been so healthy in my life.

I couldn't’ even run a mile last year. I would be out of breathe within 5 minutes. This year, I ran 3.1 miles without stopping at the 5K Freedom Marathon for the Wounded Warrior project.

My next goal is to at least do one pull-up. Eventually work myself to parkour.

Finished with my 5K in Norfolk with my boyfriend on my side. Finished in 41 minutes without stopping.