Just the way I am

I had a bad dream last night that woke me earlier than I used to. On my feet and in the bathroom! I rarely stop and stare at myself in the mirror at the wee hours  just to notice how my hair have grown. I must admit I give very poor attention towards my hair. I’m even too lazy to brush them regularly. I could spend time looking for a student alto saxophone at wwbw than mind how my hair look. Now isn’t that a shame?

The first and the last time I cut my hair so short was when I was like 16 or 17 and promised never to cut it  beyond shoulder length again. Not like I’m good at taking care of it… I just simply want to keep it long even if all I do is to tie if not clasp them up all day long. If I need to look better than while staying at home there’s always a handy hair straightener to save my day.

Somehow men are right. Women are expensive. That’s right. But I’ve been trying to be less and thanks God for the gift of wisdom. I was able to learn some of those DIY (do-it-yourself) woman’s fancy tasks because truth is, I really don’t have a man to pay it all for me when I need them.

student alto saxophone at wwbw

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Missing Billy Blank's TaeBo Workout

Boredom usually takes me to the malls where I can unwind and do what I want without noticing how time flies. While making my way to the nearest mall from where I lived before, I spotted Billy Blanks' Tae Bo from one of the CD/DVD vendors along the sidewalk. Anywhere you go during those times, people are talking about it. I got interested, bought a copy and as soon as I got home I turned the video on and watch it myself. From then on, it became my morning ritual. It was a bit tough but I love the way it challenged me till I get myself used to it and do it the right way.

One good form of cardiovascular workout I have found and proved myself was Billy Blanks' motivating, butt-kicking and heart-pounding TaeBo. It is a high-energy combination of karate, aerobics, boxing and dance, complete with pulsating music and a repeating eight-count. There are some downsides, however as with any high impact aerobics exercise, TaeBo places stress on the body. If done incorrectly, it also can do extensive damage to your muscles. By starting out slowly and progressing gradually, though, you can help reduce these negative effects. Just like using thule ski racks I wish there’s a way to do it easier but as an old adage goes, “nothing worthwhile is ever easy”.

I miss TaeBo. I haven’t been doing it since I made way for running months ago but I should find time to fit in to my timetable one of these days.

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How Well Can You Handle Frustrations?

Being healthy is one of the things that I am trying to be good at. To me, it is not just about having a well-shaped and toned body but having a good attitude and a sense of importance towards one’s self as well.

However, staying happy doesn’t always come as easy as we know it. When we feel something is not going right or whenever we fail to make things happen, it is but usual to get emotionally bothered. But how well can you handle frustrations? That could mean packs of honey cigars to some or perhaps a bunch of beer bottles. While we know those aren’t smart ways to address disappointment, we can’t blame people for doing so as we don’t share the same mind.

I personally don’t do well with drinking myself to death when in a frustrating situation. I, however, can weep my emotions out and it should make me feel better after.

They say, life is what and how we make it. Therefore, to live a healthy, happy life is a choice.

What about you? How well can you handle frustrations? Let us know at the comment section. :)

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How Well Can You Handle Frustrations?

Being healthy is one of the things that I am trying to be good at. To me, it is not just about having a well-shaped and toned body but having a good attitude and a sense of importance towards one’s self as well.

However, staying happy doesn’t always come as easy as we know it. When we feel something is not going right or whenever we fail to make things happen, it is but usual to get emotionally bothered. But how well can you handle frustrations? That could mean packs of honey cigars to some or perhaps a bunch of beer bottles. While we know those aren’t smart ways to address disappointment, we can’t blame people for doing so as we don’t share the same mind.

I personally don’t do well with drinking myself to death when in a frustrating situation. I, however, can weep my emotions out and it should make me feel better after.

They say, life is what and how we make it. Therefore, to live a healthy, happy life is a choice.

What about you? How well can you handle frustrations? Let us know at the comment section. :)

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Calling the Hiatus Over

It’s still summer and I have been literally having a break, disengaging myself from the blogosphere for a while and now I’m starting to feel bad about it and so before guilt consume me whole I am here by declaring my hiatus over. The month is ending in hours and I’d be very sorry for myself if I had to let any more chances to have become productive slip away.

Well I’m not saying I have been wasting so much of my time because I don’t think spending time with important people in your life is such a waste. Another thing I find so great about spending this year’s summer is the fact that I am able to run with buddies. That could mean my sister, my sister-in-law and even the girls. I have never been this motivated to do intensive running until these days. I wish to keep t up. But what I badly need for now is the motivation to write. I hate when there are so many things to write about but I get less motivation to do it. That shouldn’t be the case now. Unless I decide to find another way to make a living which I don’t think is happening by the way. :)

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I Love You So March!

The past few weeks have been very stressful for me with all the trips made to the hospital with my sister but the other side of me says I need to stay positive regardless. And yes somehow I couldn’t help but think of how this month of March is going to be as great with lots of good news and exciting plans to look forward to.

My brother along with his soon-to-be bride is coming home on Friday to formally announce to the family their plans of getting married. Hmm, I could hear the music instruments playing on the background while imagining my brother’s wedding which is soon to take place. They’re still yet to pick the date but it’s going to be next month (April) to be exact. My girls will play as little brides, by the way while I am going to play as one of the matrons of honor.

Another highlight of the month is me welcoming a guest from a foreign land in two weeks time. That’s going to be a week-long, well deserved break for the both of us and I can’t wait.

There’s also my niece’s birthday and a thanksgiving/family reunion that we are to attend to this month and finally there’s my girls’ summer school break. Whew! And for that, I love you so March!

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High Energy Biscuits - Food For Emergencies

If you we’re once (though I hope you’re not) a victim of typhoon or maybe incident of flooding and other types of natural disaster, you probably have come across of High Energy Biscuits provided by the World Food Programme (WFP).

High Energy Biscuits are wheat biscuits containing high-protein cereals and vegetable fat. Procured by the World Food Programme (the food-aid branch for the United Nations) these no-cooking required biscuits provide immediate meal solution to natural disaster victims like we were once was.

As typhoon and flood victims, we’ve been receiving all sorts of assistance and supplies from different government agencies and private sectors the whole time, even until now. For a month we’ve collected over hundred packs of this strength booster biscuits. The kids love it and so are we, adults.

Its composition according to Wikipedia’s data reads:

Per 100 g, HEBs have a minimum of 450 kcal of energy, 4.5% maximum moisture, a minimum of 10-15 g of protein, a minimum of 15 g fat, and 10-15 g sugar at a maximum.

HEBs have the following micronutrients at a minimum per 100 g:
Calcium: 250 mg
Magnesium: 150 mg
Iron: 11 mg
Iodine: 75 mcg
Folic acid: 80 mcg
Pantothenic acid: 3 mg
Vitamin B1: 0.5 mg
Vitamin B2: 0.7 mg
Vitamin B6: 1.0 mg
Vitamin B12: 0.5 mcg
Niacin: 6 mg
Vitamin C: 20 mg
Vitamin A-retinol: 250 mcg
Vitamin D: 1.9 mcg
Vitamin E: 5.0 mg

(SOURCE)

HEB has been provided to Georgia after the 2008 South Ossetia War; also airlifted to Kenya, distributed in aid in the 2010 Haiti Earthquake and recently afforded to the Tunisian border in response to the Libyan crisis.

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Still Glad to be Back

Hello blogland! I'm glad I finally found my way back here. The past two weeks has been very traumatic for me and to many families around my region with the disastrous visit of the super typhoon "Pablo" with an International name Typhoon Bopha particularly in our municipality, Compostela in Compostela Valley Province.

The power is still not available and right now I am just pressing from one of the generator set - operated Internet Cafe's around here. We're expecting to have our power back hopefully before Christmas and I should be telling more about our ever first Typhoon experience by then. I sure have tons of stories to tell. But until then...

 

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Torn

Tomorrow is a friend’s birthday. I am invited to a party and I am so torn what gift to bring. Is it always this difficult to think of what gift to give to a male friend? Or is it just me who is making the idea complicated? He and his wife are into a motor business. I wonder if buying him related gift item would be a good idea or would it just spoil the element of surprise? Not unless it’s Discount Motorcycle Tires for his bike which I sure can’t afford by the way, ha-ha-ha! That’s a really nice idea, though.

Well maybe I should start finding that “something” now before I run out of time. See you! ;)

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Cabochons

I am a practical type of person. I normally go for what’s needed over what’s wanted and so far I can say I have managed my finances well. But being practical doesn’t separates me from being a typical woman. A typical woman in me means giving in to my spontaneity just every once in a while. To me, it’s part of feeling good about yourself. Anything beautiful we see makes us feel good, right?

Tell me, would seeing these beautifully handcrafted precious cabochons make you feel good?

image from cherrytreabeads.comOh good heavens, I would want them all should I have the luxury of money to spend right now! I know I have mentioned rings are my most preferred type of jewelry but boy if necklaces goes with pendants as gorgeous as these, I won’t mind getting a piece or two. Wouldn’t you?

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A Newly Assumed Responsibility

No ray of sunshine still but it’s already a big thing that the rain is out of sight this morning. It just goes to say that a moderation of everything is all we need. Just a little more cooperation of the weather and I’m ready to pull the old Christmas decors out and start putting them on. It is going to be my first to install the outdoor lights. It used to be my little brother’s responsibility each year but around mid this year he decided to move with her soon-to-be wife to the other city and all his responsibilities – including this one now – has since been passed on to me now. Well, I’ve seen how he did it before. It shouldn’t be that hard with the proper hand tools.

This time around though, I’d be in need of more sets to light two trees on our front yard. I’ve been meaning to do that but too bad, I ran out of budget for decors last time. I may have it this time but I still need to figure out how to do it (and I better know how to do it right) before making a trip to the store to buy the additional sets. I just simply need the weather to cooperate and all these plans shall be realized – and soon hopefully.

So have you got your decors up yet?

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Knocking on Wood for the Rainy Days to Stop

I normally prefer penny loafers over sneakers and other type of shoes. However, my decision to do the morning jog necessitates me to buy a pair of running shoes so I got myself one early last month.

But rainy days took place just shortly after I started and decided to stay for only God knows how long. Now my paws are so dying to run back again but only time can really tell when as I still see no ray of sunshine up until today. Now here’s knocking on wood for a shower break even just for a few days.

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C is for?

Sometimes wonders do happen when you least expect it.

This was my morning coffee (first cup that is). Not that I’m making a big deal out of it. I just simply find it cool seeing how it shaped up the way it did. Don't you?

Hope you guys have a great day. Cheers! ;-)

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Looking to Date My Little Sis

Going through a lot in life being a single mom and a college student at the same time, I think my sister deserves a break and a little pampering. Big or small, whatever the size of our responsibilities are, we all deserve a break, don’t we? I believe I do… we both do so I’m thinking of setting a date for just the two of us to get ourselves some pampering at the salon and perhaps do a little shopping after. She likes sterling silver jewelry a lot so maybe it won’t hurt if I get her a piece. Also, as I have previously mentioned here, I have running /morning jog recently added to my daily routine. I believe wearing proper active wear would make a difference so it is what I am getting for myself. I really hope to catch some great deals for that so I can at least take home a few pairs.

Anyway, the date should not be until my sister is off from school and that is going to be in less than a week.

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Shortlived Obsession

Just like how I want my body shape to be I also like my watches to be slim – as slim as all these.

I remember when I was in college, I have this shortlived obsession of wearing slim watches. I can go without having a snack once in a while just to save up so I can buy not a bulova watch but rather something similar to their slim watches. Shortlived because I thought I was just trying to be in but over time, I realized it wasn’t just brough about by a trend because even until now I would still prefer wearing the same regardless of its brand.

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When I know I Should Have Rested

Wow, July is here! How quick time flies these days. I was hoping my swollen gums brought about by a molar ache would just be as quick too in shrinking down and pain would just leave me alone. But unfortunately that’s not the case. I am on my 3rd and last day now of taking those pills that my aunt gave me the other day. It somehow made the condition a bit better but at some point and especially at night pain still strikes and will literally keep me awake for hours. Err… I wish it’ll just go!

But I also came to realize maybe the reason why the pain won’t stop is because I don’t allow myself to rest. Even when in pain I can’t seem to refuse writing jobs that are sent my way - that somehow stressed me out mentally and might have been the reason why the pain can’t just go away despite the rigid medication that I am going through.

Well for one, I can’t just sit or lay while letting an opportunity slip off my hand. I have a limited source of income online and every single cent counts. I know it sounds a bit irrational but it’s the only way I know I could keep up with my bills each month – doing what I can and as long as I can… would be a whole lot better though without all sorts of distractions like a stupid toothache!

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The longest sleep after the longest time

So I had it last – eleven long hours - the longest sleep I ever had after the longest years. It could be something I would have never imagined if things didn’t have to change the way it did.

So I lost the man I care about and that dramatically changes pretty much everything of course including my daily time table. With the existing changes first, I no longer have to get interrupted sleep when ex rings my phone at the wee hours of the night telling he’s home from work and that I had to turn the computer on to let him see me even while sleeping. (I miss those times however; I am also starting to like the feeling of being free.)

Imagine the scenario…

On a daily basis we used to spend an “us” time together catching up – that’s from morning down to mid-day my time. Then he goes to bed and from that time on, I get to do my thing (and that is while watching him sleep). I had to wake him up again in his morning so he can get to work on time. And then on some occasions, I wait till his lunch time (that’s midnight my time) to catch up some. That’s how close we feel we are to each other despite the distance.

Again, I miss that part of being with him but like what they say, time heals. And the moment I was over with all the drama and felt I was adjusted, I realized how much productive I’ve had actually become. With the duly accomplished tasks for the day, I can therefore make myself comfortable now sleeping on my bed and not just on couch and at a much earlier time than I used to.

Of course my system has to also adapt to that changes so it’s nothing like an instant thing. It took time before I got finally adjusted. Admittedly though, there are still times I wish things are the way they were but then again, thinking of how things are going and with the way I am moving on now, I just simply have to wear a grin and tell myself “you’re a big girl… you will be fine.” :)

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Dropping a few pounds in a week… is it possible?

magically did it for me! The two seems to go hand-in-hand together. Yes, I was in a very depressing state in the last few weeks and that explains the absence of updates here.

Just let me not dig down to cause but I was really surprised that after tearfully trying to manage myself I began to drop few pounds in just less than a week. I don’t know exactly how I got the idea of checking my weight all of the sudden. All I can remember was I stood up before my bathroom mirror, sizing up while trying to convince myself that everything happens for a reason and that I should be okay. Then I noticed my eyes turned dark and my tummy seems a bit flatter as if I haven’t eaten for days even if I did. Then I found myself recollecting what took place in the past few days.

Five pounds to be exact – that’s how much I have lost in just a little over a week and that’s over constantly sobbing for days and for being less motivated on almost all aspects in life. Doing the hard work-out at home, it’ll probably take me a month to lose that much but with depression it’s like magic… instant and all natural!

Wish everything works just as fast but who would want to go through depression? No one would! Not me if I only had the way to avoid it. But as they say, everything in life, good or bad happened for a reason and whatever happens is going to happen regardless of your effort to change it.

I am just glad I have people in my life that cared enough to lift my spirit and helped me understand that there is still so much to life than dwelling in the past. I absolutely don’t need depression to help me lose weight. Do you?

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Daily Grind Now on its New Home!

Hi everyone, welcome back to the new Daily Grind – the same old familiar look but now on its new home – Wordpress! It took me quite a while to decide which theme out of the hundreds of free ones to use and obviously I ended up with this - Techozoic 2.0.3 by Jeremy Clark. I like how the pre-defined features of this theme does magic – made me deal less with the html codes. Obviously that means less pressure.

I also prefer to use the blog’s old header so I didn’t have to create a new one in which I don’t really have time to, by the way. Glad it fits perfectly without me cutting down its original size.

Searching for a free theme to use is still the hardest part as ever. I see nice ones… lots of them but some are just too difficult to customize while others are maybe nice but are having too many footer links. One feature I like most about this theme is the availability of social network icons. It means I no longer have to find codes by myself. I simply just have to pick which ones from the list I need to use, provide my profile links for each and voila!

I am still yet to enhance the fonts a bit more though and as I can. I am happy for now that I finally have it settled. Migrating this blog to Wordpress has been so overly due and now it’s finally done. I can’t be any happier for it. ;)

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A Not So Funny Morning

2:00 am. I woke up from my sleep, went to pee and back. I was going to lie back down but before that I checked to see if there’s something interesting in my inbox. Indeed there is! It’s an order for two guest posts on two of my blogs.

I didn’t want the advert to wait so even if still tired and half-asleep I tried to work on it.

To keep me awake, I unpack a sachet of 3 n 1 coffee into a coffee mug. Mindless of whether I have hot water or not, I turn to my water dispenser to fill my cup and alas! A warm coffee sure did wake me up! (LMAO)

Looking at undissolved coffee powder made me realize that I didn’t turn it on so no; I haven’t had a single sip of a warm coffee. I then let the coffee mug sit while waiting for the hot water.

Good thing I have this to save my morning...

I dumped the warm coffee out and about half of the undissolved coffee powder in the bottom of the cup I mixed with a spoonful of this Cappuccino drink mix.

That's about it… my not so funny Tuesday morning.

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