Archive for the ‘Musings’ Category:
For a control freak like me, having anxieties every now and then are very common. However, I have learned to master the art of controlling this emotion but then when some major events happen in my life and I cannot seem to have control of anything, I find it very difficult to handle anxiety.
Just yesterday, I have felt some of the major symptoms of anxiety and it scared the hell out of me. My heart was pounding, my body was sweating, excruciating headache and nausea. When I try to vomit, I felt as if my jaws are about to lock like my whole body was crumbling. It was then I realized that my body was talking to me and I had to succumb to it. I turned on the air conditioning unit, lied down on my bed and emptied myself out – tried not to think of anything.
Men, did it scare me! I am fine now but the feeling has left a scar. I promised myself I had to let go. Anxiety for me is more than just emotions, it is my body’s defense mechanism against stress.
I guess I have to learn more on controlling these emotions. Now, I understand why a person who goes through these attacks end up in depression. I have felt it and if you do not recognize the symptoms, the fear can be paralyzing which may turn into a serious medical condition or a mental disorder.
The following day, I heard mass and asked for guidance and of course, forgiveness. Forgiveness because I have failed once again to let go and let GOD. I am only human and I cannot control everything that comes my way and I admit that. Accepting your weaknesses may seem very hard but it’s the first step to realizing there is something wrong and find a way to fight and turn these weaknesses into a strength. This way you let it work for you and not against you
On the other hand, nothing can beat retail therapy to fight any amount of stress 
. I just can’t help but visit my favourite department store and check out the latest in their women’s apparel section.
As my children grow, I have realized that our household expenses actually grow with them. As parents, hubs and I make an effort to give our children a better life than what we have experienced. So far, so good and we are very proud of this achievement. Although this is a daily struggle, our rewards come from the fact that our children are growing to be smart, healthy and active kids.
Life is a bliss and that is what I want to believe. Keeping a positive attitude helps me carry out the arduous but noble job of being a mother. Probably, the most important learning I have learned (and is continuously learning) is being a practical mom. Let’s face it, times are not that easy compared to the days when we were growing up. The practical side of me always go for things which can give the best value for whatever purchase I will make be it goods or services. Stingy? Kinda. However, I make sure that quality will never be sacrificed.
For instance, in giving proper nourishment to your kids, although one may find processed foods to be very affordable, this is one thing you cannot sacrifice. Because it is a fact that in the long run, eating processed foods will give you more problems.
I apply my being practical mom by looking at bargains, sale items, buying wholesale rather than the smaller packages. I believe these things give me more value for my money. Plus I refrain from being brand conscious, I get quality clothes and try to do investment dressing, where you can mix and match different clothing that can give you a different look each time.
In choosing household furniture and appliances, I try to buy them at a zero percent interest wherein I can pay monthly without being charged extra. Oh yes, how I wish I can buy design furniture but this is not feasible at this point in time. Maybe soon… trying to be positive at all times.
“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” – Mark Victor Hansen
No matter what I buy I always try to compare prices and have managed to avail of lower prices whenever I can. Petty as it may seem, disappointment sets in if I realized that I have been buying my stuff at a higher price while I can avail of a much discounted price.
Just this morning, I dropped by Robinson’s Pioneer to buy dog food and do some errands. I find the dog food at Handyman a lot cheaper than the ones sold in the regular supermarket. And since I’m already there, I decided to go to the supermarket and do some purchase.
During this time, I realized that the brand of imported coffee which I use for my brewed coffee is a lot cheaper than the one I purchase at the grocery which I go to. I immediately shared it with my daughter and told her that I feel deceived. “Hahahaha…”, my daughter started laughing. She told me I’m so babaw (shallow).
I actually laughed at myself for being the way I am. What can I do I am just a sucker for bargain?
I frequent three grocery stores and I know which items are cheaper than the other. Even the way I prepare my day, it’s carefully planned so I get fuel efficiency. Gasoline prices are so high nowadays and I feel the need to save whenever I can plus it’s also Earth friendly.
In buying big ticket items, I carefully canvass all the stores available so I can get the cheapest price available. Can you just imagine me looking for a discount auto insurance? Oh, yes! Even that, I just want to have the best value for my money.
We often hear the old adage, “Life is not a bed of roses.” True. As much as we want to celebrate life to the fullest, a person has to face the fact that with it comes life’s misfortune.
Just last night, I was awed when I heard the news about a dentist falling off from the 6th floor of Shangri-la Plaza Mall. The dentist, Dr. Mary Anne Magtoto, landed on the second floor of the said mall face down and was rushed to the Medical City but was apparently declared dead on arrival. A lot of speculations are growing regarding the death of this lady but I could only pray for her soul. Visions of her relatives and friends are entering my mind; I can only imagine how this tragic, sudden death would affect the whole family.
Confronted with life’s adversity especially the loss of a loved one can truly be devastating. It is during these times that we really need to strengthen our faith and call on to our different support groups such as friends and family.
Every day we are confronted with different tragedies, as we scan the newspaper, listen to the radio and watch the television. This is a reality. These adversities are attached to our very existence; it’s a matter of how a person would deal with. I personally believe that in our lives, these adversities produce a more resilient person.
Of course, no one could ever wish for any misfortune to happen in his life but we need to understand that no matter what, life will continue its course. Even as we grieve, it will not pause. We may never fully understand the rationale behind our own personal hardships, even as we try to make sense out of it, we can never be prepared once it hits us.
I can only pray for strength…
Dear Lord, You are my refuge and my strength. Give me the grace to always fight all temptations and do your Holy Will. Help me to find strength in the midst of trials and comfort that that you have carried the cross for all my sins. Accept my weakness, O Lord and give me the strength to trust You and put my life in Your Hands. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Funeral planning is a very unpleasant endeavour especially if it’s for a loved one. However, we need to brace ourselves for life’s uncertainties, even funeral cost is not going anywhere but up. It’s better to be prepared.
I first saw an iPad from a friend who came from the US. At first, I thought buying one would be a luxury already since I already have my own laptop and it’s just 6 months old. My second encounter with this hi-tech gadget was with my photography teacher. He gave me a quick tour of its functionalities. After seeing what it can do, now I can say, iWant an iPad!
I always believed that the usefulness of these new gadgets always depends on a person’s lifestyle. For a blogger like me, I bring my laptop almost everywhere I go. No matter how heavy it is, I feel it’s a necessity especially if I am running after a deadline. Plus the fact that I regularly check my emails every so often, and when I am not at home, I use my phone to read them but then I tend to browse through those long emails since it really puts a strain to my eye reading those small fonts. Now, with its browsing and wi-fi capability, I can read emails anywhere even those lengthy ones.
Although it will never replace my laptop, the iPad for me will definitely be a handy tool. And since I would be saving up for this gadget, I want to secure my investment by making sure I have an ipad warranty.
Photo: Apple iPad by John.Karakatsanis on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Last weekend we were chatting with new found friends who lived in the US and have now decided to settle here in the Philippines. The discussion went around with how the economic crisis affected the lives of so many Americans and how they are dealing with it. We cannot help but compare how we, Filipinos would have done it … we’ll just laugh our way through life.
Even as I watch US TV series, I seem to notice how Americans deal with problems. How common do they go to a “shrink” every time they have a hard time coping with some setbacks? Or have medications for depression? In the Phils., no matter how hard life may be, you can still see people relaxing specially during the weekends. Maybe because being a Third World country, we’re used to it or perhaps because we have strong faith and support system.
Faith is a big aspect in our lives, whatever religion you belong to – the belief that there is a higher power you can call on to, is enough to keep you going. Plus, the strong bonds of our family and friends, that whatever we are dealing, we know that we have friends and family to lean on. Even in other countries, Filipinos manifest this quality. You can see how Filipino communities abroad gather up and stay in touch with each other. It’s amazing how this trait can help you go along way, most especially when you’re abroad.
I can speak for me and my hubby who have gone through the ups and downs of life and we have managed to stay together and be strong. Laughter is a big factor in our marriage — Hubs has a very good sense of humor and that’s one thing I love about him.
Laughter has a lot of benefits. It’s a therapeutic, relieves us of stress and even healthy for our skin. At least you won’t have to waste your money on adult acne treatments, just have a dose of laughter everyday.
Getting pregnant again?
Yes, I have thought of it a lot of times. But after three miscarriages, I think the chance of a safe delivery is very slim for me. I don’t want to dwell on the details, it only makes me sad. However my ob-gyn has suggested that if we really want to try and have another baby, we need to have a work-up –both of us.
Yet, we still have not done so… why? Mostly because it entails a lot of expense without a guarantee, and we both have agreed that it’s God’s will besides we have two beautiful children already.
But yes, that thought is still at the back of my mind.
That every time I see a baby, I want to cuddle them and imagine the child to be my own. That every time I see a pregnant woman, I remember how it used to feel carrying a baby in your womb, being careful about what you eat and reminding yourself to take those prenatal vitamins even though you can’t seem to swallow them. Pregnancy was never easy for me but the thought of having your newborn baby afterwards is enough to erase all those pains away.
If and when, I’ll be able to conceive again… God only knows. Another bundle of joy in the house is a welcome idea.
Photo: “8 Months” by marabuchi on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Every day I wake up and wish that I could stay longer in bed. Who wouldn’t want to? The idea of just lazily lying around and relax instead of getting up and doing the things that you have to do. But that’s not what we are designed for besides I could not live like that my whole life. I have always believed that everyone has a purpose in life and one has to work for it.
What motivates me to get up?
The driving force behind my will to pull myself up and get things done would be my family, most especially my kids. To achieve the goal of giving them a better future is reason enough to push me to work and achieve this goal. Simply put, to go after the life you want cannot be achieved by just lazily lying around your house. Even though, I am a stay at home mom, I find opportunities to earn. Right now, aside from my online earning opportunities, I am taking care of our small business that will hopefully expand soon.
Opportunities do not come easy, so sometimes you need to create them. Staying inside the house will definitely not give you opportunity, so I try to expand my network and together with my hubby we try to make the best out of the resources laid upon us. My husband and I are firm believers that nothing happens by accident, everything has its reason. So if you meet someone, maybe the Lord is trying to tell you something. Open your heart and mind, so you can hear the message.
I wouldn’t want to sound preachy but it’s my personal relationship with the Lord motivates me to become a better person and achieve the goals that I have set in life.
Have faith, believe in yourself and you can do everything that you mind has set out to do. You may stumble upon a lot of obstacles along the way but if you are focused, you will succeed. Wouldn’t victory be sweeter if you know that you have worked hard for it?
Just like losing weight…. No pain, no gain!
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Check out www.bestdietpillsforwomen.net for the best diet pills in the market. But be sure to couple it with proper diet and an exercise regimen for a sweeter success!
Photo: “Jah’s Rays” by C-Ali on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Three days and four nights in a hotel? I guess it sound fabulous! However, it does not really work for me. Don’t get me wrong I am not a couch potato, I love going out and mingling with people but at the end of the day, I want to go home to my own comfy bed and eating home cooked food.
If not for the kids, I would not have given in besides it’s a complimentary stay courtesy of my brother, who could ever resist that? I want my kids to enjoy the last days of summer since we didn’t have much travel during the summer break.
I was like this since I can I was young. I remember my mom placed me in a dormitory when I was in first year college only to find myself going home every other day. The owner of the dorm would call my mom and check if I am with her and she’ll reassure the owner. My mom decided to discontinue the dorm life after a month. My reason was the food, it’s bland, it’s cold and it does not look appealing at all. It’s the Foodie in me.
Maybe if it’s a serviced residence where you have a kitchen and provisions for you to cook, it would probably work for me. But hotel food? Aside from the fact, that it’s expensive I cannot seem to appreciate it on a daily basis. Maybe once in a while, I can indulge. Good thing our hotel is connected to a mall so we can choose from the different restaurants there but still, it’s not home-cooked.
Now with all the pigging out we did for the last three days and the rest of the summer, I really need to exercise and look for diets that work.
Being a stay-at-home mom, I have discovered that you can have a lot of earning opportunities online which is definitely a great way to help augment our single income family.
I know a lot of bloggers like me are faced with the problem of staying focus online. There are a lot of distractions that facing online people such as social networking sites, online games, chat rooms and a lot of other things at home. These are the things that hinder one’s productivity.
Allot a time to work. It’s easier said than done especially if you’re a mom. Kids will keep bugging for questions and it’s difficult to shoo them away. What I do is to let them know that I am on “work mode” so the kids will stop bugging you, if not lessen it a bit. I remember my son branding this as “DNDM” or “Do Not Disturb Mom”, it’s a cute term and at least I know that he understands what mom has to do.
Stay focus is the key. Most people while working have the habit of checking their emails, instant messaging and social networking sites before they do their online tasks and by the time they know it, they have wasted valuable time checking out updates and chatting with friends. It may be hard but you need to avoid doing so. While working, “stay offline” or “Be invisible” to your online friends in order to avoid those instant messaging that keeps popping out.
Focus on the task on hand and perhaps when you’re all done, you can do your updates and chatting. Slowly, I am teaching myself to do the same. Although I am not so much into instant messaging but I easily fall into the trap of surfing other unimportant stuff online. Like if I am tasked to look at an insurance quote, I would find myself searching for camera gadgets or anything that interests me, which totally wastes so much of my time which will lead up to cramming.
Avoid procrastination. Do your assignments way ahead of your deadline. Avoid cramming especially when writing an article that needs lots of research. It pays to do it ahead of time so you’ll have time to proof read your work and edit, if necessary.
In all the things that we need to accomplish in life, focusing on your goal will always keep you on track and regain perspective. So control those unnecessary distractions to have a more productive life online.
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