Weekly Wrapup #39: Pain

In the past week, have you been in any pain?
Yes.

If so, what was the cause?
I have been traveling with my husband and last week was our last leg from our three-week vacation. We have been moving from one city to the next and we want to explore all the possible sight seeing sights that we can visit per country so we are always on the go. The result, aching muscle.

Do you handle pain well or not so well?
I think I have high tolerance for pain but if I can no longer take the pain, I usually take pain relievers.

Which do you dislike more: acute pain like a paper cut or general pain like a sore muscle?
A general pain since I can always take pain relievers to help reduce the pain.

His Coin Collection

During our last trip, hubby bought souvenir coins from all the countries we have visited. Actually, this is just an addition to his coin collection as he already has a coin collection of all the states in the United States and the oval souvenir coin collection that he got from Disneyland.

But when he inspected his new collection, he realized that he was not able to buy the coin of Pope John Paul II from the Vatican Museum. He only got the coin of Pope Benedict. Pope John Paul has been really an inspiration for us so hubby is quite upset that he was not able to buy his souvenir coin to add to his collection.

Good thing I discovered the site of Webstore, a free online auctions site. The site does not require any buying and selling fees and they don’t even require signup so hubby can easily look for his coin collection from this site.

I am sure he will be the happiest person on earth once he finds the missing piece to his coin collection.

The Wonders of Acai Berries

There is a new wonder fruit these days and it is the acai berry. Before it was pomegranate and who it has proven effective for weight loss. Now it is the acai berries, only grown on trees of the Amazon forest. Acai Berry Energy Supplements can be quite expensive because they go quite bad fast and as I’ve said before, they grow only in the Amazon forest so harvesting them can pose a problem. Because of the craze, supplements, teas, vitamins and all sorts of derivatives from the fruit has come out. Is it really effective? Scientific studies show that they possess a great deal of antioxidants, surpassing almost all fruits – and that is all.

Value vs. Worth

This is such a good read. I highly recommend you read it thoroughly and pass it to your friends.

Taking all this into consideration the conclusion is that your value, your worth is not tied in any form or manner to your income, your monetary worth. You are not worth less because you earn less than someone else of comparable skill (or in extreme ‘worthless’ if you earn nothing at this point). We may “know” this, claiming it to be common sense, but we often don’t actually consciously accept it because of lack of acknowledgment. I often see very artistic, creative and skilled people struggling to make ends meet as they desperately try to gain any considerable recognition. I have several artist friends who are very talented yet work low paying day jobs (for intrinsic psychological reasons), are therefore hardly able to pay their bills and often end up neglecting what’s so important to them, their art. This can turn into a vicious cycle, especially if they are soft spoken and timid. Self doubt and dwindling self esteem (self worth) are often the result.

Why Most Japanese Aren’t Fat

I read it from Leo Babauta of ZenHabits that he observed that most Japanese aren’t fat. On hindsight, I think it is true!

Here are his observations:

1. They eat a lot of seafood and veggies. It’s true that they eat red meat, and sometimes it’s fried. But red meat or poultry doesn’t seem to be the main staple of their diet as much as seafood, rice and veggies are. Not everyone in Japan eats the same way.

2. They eat smaller portions. This is very striking, actually. While in American (and Guam) restaurants, the food is piled high in huge portions, or supersized in fast food restaurants, in Japanese restaurants the portions are … sensible. Not tiny, but definitely not large. You might get a bowl full of soup with some noodles and seafood (or meat), but if you take just the solid part it’s not a huge amount. Or you might get some seafood with rice and pickled veggies and miso soup — small amounts for each of those foods. The smaller portions is probably more important than the type of food they eat, in my opinion.

3. They walk and bike more than we do. This was pretty striking as well. It seems like everyone uses the subway stations and walks, every day. Their kids walk a good part of the way to school, instead of being dropped off by parents. And a LOT of people ride bicycles, everywhere. Usually not the kind you ride for exercise or training for races, but everyday, riding-around-the-city type of bicycles with baskets for a bag or two of groceries. This is all in contrast to us Americans, who ride cars everywhere, even to the corner store. (This is a generalization, of course — you my lovely readers are exceptions.)

It’s a combination of the walking, biking, eating smaller portions, and eating more seafood and veggies, that leads to the Japanese being pretty darn healthy in general. Any one of these changes would be a big improvement for most of us in America.

Maybe I should take a cue from the Japanese

Beauty Schools.

I never learned how to apply make-up and style my hair. I knew I needed to learn to at least apply make-up because it would have saved me a great deal of money when my friends and relatives started getting married. I have a former officemate who took up classes for make-up lessons and now she is a professional. There is a beauty school indianapolis called Regency which is known for their world-class education on cosmetology. Founded more than 50 years ago in Minneapolis, Regency is the fastest growing beauty school in the country. Regency has expanded from two Minnesota schools in 2002 to almost 30 campuses across nine states.

Taking Pictures While On Vacation

I have a husband who is so into photography so I should not worry about this anymore but here are some tips that can help the mommies who are in charge of the camera while on vacation:

1.This is hard to deal with, so get ready because the first step is to leave your laptop, card readers and non-vacation paraphernalia at home. Take your cameras, cell phone and lots of film or memory cards, but leave the computer at home.

2. By all means, take pictures of the family. Know when to stop, however. One happy photo like this is worth a thousand forced smiles in front of monuments. The next vital rule you need to break is to NOT take your camera everywhere. You are not covering your vacation for “Newsweek” and you don’t need to lug your camera to every dinner and night out.

3. Plan your photography junkets.

4. Make sure you get some images the family will like when you are out on your junkets. This will make them like your photography more when you make them look at the pictures. Take photographs that “describe” your location. Take pictures that will help you recall the fun you had on your vacation

5. Take the postcard pictures. Every location has some key sites that you must take just to remind yourself that you were there. These key sites will help you remember your trip, and if you go a lot of places you will have your own “postcard” pictures from around the world. It’s your vacation, so enjoy it. They are your memories, so record them carefully. Most of all, they are your family–so be kind and considerate.

House Maintenance

A friend of ours recently just had their house built and she told me that it costs a lot more to maintain it. They have had their house for only a year but they need to shell out money again for termite inspection and pest control. They weren’t able to invest on wood that is anti-termite (they are sprayed with a solution for them to be termite-free supposedly) because it costs double the amount so every year they need to do the inspection. We all know termites can really destroy a house so better spend and be safe than sorry.

Terminix can solve pest, termite and moisture problems. They can cover three problems with just their services!

Accounting Woes

A friend of mine needs help in the accounting of his business’ profits and losses. His small business has been under fire lately because their former accountant was not able to report their net profits to the BIR correctly. Because of that, they are in danger of being fined a large sum of money from the government. A Las Vegas Quickbooks Accounting Firm might help with their problem.

I have never been good at numbers. But I would like to think I am good at keeping tabs with our budget and making sure we still save even if we spend from time to time.

For Our Next Vacation

Last month, before we planned our trip in Europe, hubby was asking me if we can visit their province at Bicol when we get back from our Europe trip. He wants Bela to see the environment there as well as their farm including the animals and the ponds at their backyard.

He wants Bela to experience fishing again which therefore includes buying pond supplies if we go there. I know Bela will enjoy it since she’s obviously an animal lover. But then again, I don’t think Bela can handle and deal with the long drive of going there that’s why I don’t think that this is actually the right time.

You see, my daughter easily gets bored at times so I think that it is still not a good idea for her to travel by land. Maybe if we can go there through plane, I might change my mind since I also want to visit their province because their place is so relaxing.

Shoe Shopping

The online world is a place of temptation for shopaholics like me. It is very tempting when there are sales almost everyday and coupons are everywhere. Add to that is the fact that online shopping is very easy and virtually painless, except to our pockets.

I don’t know whether I love shoes or bags more. I am very tempted to shop for bags that were being offered by online friends because they were such a steal but I was saving for our Europe trip then. Now that it is over, maybe I can go shopping again? There are ShoeBuy coupons I can use and I can buy new Crocs for Bela too. I love ShoeBuy.com because they offer free shipping all the time.

There are a pair of Steve Madden flats that I am eyeing too. I stumbled upon Steve Madden coupons and have been very tempted to use it as I can save a lot – the flats I’m eyeing is currently on sale.

Decisions. Decisions.

If only I have a truckload of money for shopping!

Child’s Nutrition

I have a friend who has been having trouble getting her kid to gain weight. Her kid doesn’t have a voracious appetite to begin with, even with milk, so it really is a big problem for her. Their latest check-up with the kid’s pediatrician showed she was underweight so her doctor changed her milk to pediasure to help her gain weight. It a bit more expensive than the regular children’s formula but it is richer and more packed with protein so hopefully it will help her gain weight. It can be ordered in bulk at AllegroMedical.com too. She ordered it there and had the delivery scheduled every 3 weeks.

Teen Hollywood Celebrities Going Nude

It seems nude pictures of teen Hollywood celebrities are coming out one after another. Vanessa Hudgens (of High School Musical 3) apparently did not learn from her first nude photos leaking on the web because there is another set leaked into the internet and into gossip sites earlier this week. It took the threat of her lawyers that the pictures were taken when she was a minor therefore letting site owners liable for a possible lawsuit to take them down. But you know the web – once you post it there, it is there forever.

Dane Cook singled out Vanessa Hudgens in the audience from the Teen Choice Awards last night, flashed a mischievous grin and said, "Girl, you gots to keep your clothes on! Phones are for phone calls, girl!" Vanessa's reaction was just as funny as Dane's joke.

And then the day after Twilight’s Ashley Green came out with her version!

Twilight Saga: New Moon

Count me in as one of the many girls who are going to line up in theaters when November 20 comes. I hope the movie gives justice to the second book and will be way better than the first movie.

I have been following Twilight fan sites and have been pleasantly surprised how much Taylor Lautner beefed up for his role. Now I can really imagine him as a werewolf.

I need to skim through the book again before watching it. What better way than to relive those moments when Bella hears Edward in her head.

Caribbean Next?

We love to travel. Who doesn’t? If only my heart won’t break when we go on a trip without my daughter every time (and of course, if money is not an issue), we would travel every quarter of the year. Our trip to Europe, also known as our second honeymoon, might be our last trip for a while since we are actively planning and trying to go for baby number 2. If all else fails (which I hope won’t happen!), I might just be tempted to look for beach trips overseas. I have always been interested in the beaches along the Caribbean, which are popular choices for destination weddings. I wonder if they are better than the pristine beaches of Boracay and Palawan.

I have kept the option open for a Caribbean trip particularly because the Karisma line of hotels recently opened a family beach resort called Azul Beach Hotel Resort. I know we can bring our daughter with us there if it happens.

Maala-Ala mo Kaya: Filipino War Veterans

It is the 18th anniversary of Maala-Ala mo Kaya show. I am really not a “Kapamilya” fan and most of the local shows that I watch (if I ever got the chance to watch local channels) are all from Channel 7. But if ever I have time on a Saturday evening, I always see to it that I catch the “Maala-Ala mo Kaya” show.

I am always moved by the stories that their viewers share in the show. I always end up crying every time I watch that show because their stories are really so touching and it really has a moral story.

This week as part of their anniversary special, they will feature the story of Filipino War veterans in San Francisco. My uncle said that there are some Filipino Veterans that were allowed to go to the US after the war but some of them ended with no job when they arrived in the US. So they are so far from their family with no job and with old age catching up with them. If only they have Allsup behind their back, maybe they will not have problems claiming their disability insurance.

They have been showing previews of this episode already since last week and some of the actors playing the role of the veteran are Filipino actors who are now residing in the US. I am sure this will be another tear jerker episode so I will really watch it this weekend.

Election 2010

If only all our politicians will hold the values that our late President Cory Aquino holds dearly, like the value of honesty, integrity and fear of God, then maybe we might have a better country.

Next year will be another national election where we will vote for the next President of our country (that is of Gloria will not succeed with her plan to push charter charge). I can’t believe that as early as now, politicians who declared that they will seek for Presidency has already started doing campaigns on TV and radio. Mar Roxas even used the noon time show Wowowee to propose to Korina Sanchez which I think is their strategy to get the attention of the masses (which I think is so pathetic and lame. Just like how my friend puts it, “Marriage won’t bring you Presidency"). I used to consider him as one my bets for presidency but now I am thinking otherwise.

The problem with our politicians is they have no speech anxiety and they are really sweet talkers. You can hear them babble about reform, about change, about their love for the Filipino people but unless they have the tenets that President Aquino holds dear, then maybe we will have no chance to recover again.

To Pay our Last Respect

My sibling and I together with my cousin and uncle went to Manila Cathedral today with the hope that we will be able go inside Manila Cathedral to pay our last respect for the late president Cory Aquino. The line is already long and they are saying that waiting time is form 3-4 hours. We bravely searched for the end of the line but then it started to rain really hard. Then we got a text message from my aunt and she is saying that the Necrological service just finished (6:30 PM) and they will open the door again for public viewing at 9 PM. We wanted to follow the line and try our luck and hopefully we can enter the cathedral before they close the public viewing at 4 AM of August 6 but then thought that this is an impossible mission and our efforts might just go to waste so we all just decided to go home.

Sayang, we even have Tshirts that was personally made by my uncle. We will just pay our respect for her and pray for the repose of her soul.

I know thousands of Filipinos will be bringing her to her final resting place tomorrow. How I wish I will be able to go too but sad to say, I still have to work tomorrow

Paalam

President Cory Aquino will be brought to Manila Memorial tomorrow where she will be finally laid to rest. She died of colon cancer. (Now I am reading about colon cleanse review and it made me realize that there are a lot of medicines that does colon cleansing. At least this will help us detoxify our body and live a healthier life). I can still remember that it was just a few months ago when the Aquino family announced that the former President Cory Aquino was diagnosed to have stage 4 colon cancer. A lot of Filipinos really felt sad for the news and prayer petitions and mass offerings have been offered to pray for her recovery.

She endured the pain that this sickness has brought to her because she loves her family so much. But just like what I heard from one of her friends during her Necrological Services this afternoon, she too deserves to rest and be with our creator.

I will always remember Cory to be the president who brought us democracy and freedom. The only president that I can think of who has honesty, integrity, sincere love for the Filipinos and a strong faith in God.

We will forever be grateful for all the good things that you have done for all the Filipino people and you will always be in our hearts and in our minds. Salamat President Cory Aquino!

Sexy

FHM’s Top 10 Sexiest Woman of 2009

1. Megan Fox
2. Jessica Alba
3. Scarlett Johansson
4. Jessica Beil
5. Madeline Zima
6. Adriana Lima
7. Elisha Cuthbert
8. Heidi Montag
9. Anne Hathaway
10. Katy Perry

If you are like me who loves to eat and doesn’t even do exercise, then click here for weight loss pills. I envy those women for their sexy bodies. LOL. I am sure that there is no way I will be able to get that figure. Even when I still single, I don’t remember being as sexy as Megan Fox. LOL. Especially now that we are seriously considering baby # 2 this year.

When I got pregnant with my first baby, I gained 30 pounds and it took me more than 6 months to go back to my pre-pregnancy weight. That is why I envy those women who can easily loosed weight right after giving birth. Oh well, this time I will surely consider taking diet pills to shed those pregnancy fats after I give birth.

Saturday 9: Rain

1. What do you typically like to do on a rainy day? Sleep, eat chocolate porridge.

2. Tell us about the last time you did something you later regretted, that you can share with us. I said something really that I know I shouldn’t have said because I know it will hurt his feelings. He was even a thousand miles away from me so I even have to make a long distance call to say sorry since I really regretted what I said.

3. I recently got an email from a lover from a very long time ago. I was asked "Have all your dreams come true?" If it were you and it was from someone you remember fondly, how would you answer the question? Yes, I have found my soul mate. I am happily married and we have been blessed with a very sweet, smart and pretty princess, our daughter who is now three years old.

4. If you had a job interview and was asked, "If you were an animal, what kind would you be (other than human?)" How would you answer that question. A dog maybe because he is a man’s best friend (sorry for the cliché. I can’t think of any other answer. LOL).

5. Do you think it is a good idea to share with a new lover stories of your past lovers? I think so, as long as he is comfortable with it so we won’t have anything to hide from each other.

6. When do you think it is permissible or even important to lie? When you will hurt someone’s feeling, or if it a life and death situation.

7. What was the last thing you did that you never thought you would? That I would go on a shopping spree with my mother.

8. What is one important lesson that you learned from your mother? That family is very important.

9. What is one important lesson that you learned from your father? That it is important to enjoy life.

All my Bags are Packed...

I am almost ready for my trip this month. I am leaving this Thursday to meet with my hubby in Frankfurt. All my bags are packed and I am ready to go (as the song says). I am just bringing a small trolley bag as per husband’s request (actually he demands as he wants us to travel light). I have to asked my dad to help me pack (he is an expert when it comes to packing as he use to travel often when he was still working) since I don’t know how to squeeze my 4 pants, 3 leggings, 2 shorts, and 20 blouses and dresses in one small luggage. Add to that my toiletries, shoes, etc…I think I won’t be able to follow hubby’s instructions as I am really tempted to bring one backpack.

Though I am ready for this trip, I am still not feeling that excited though. First reason is I will be leaving my daughter and this is the first time that I will be away from her for a long time. Then I still have a lot of assignments and tasks to finish for school. That is why I think I will be sleeping late almost everyday from now till Wednesday (and so I will not really forget to bring Proactiv acne treatment as I am sure my acne will start to act up again).

Oh well maybe when I am on the plane and I can sleep the entire time during the flight and I will finally be able to see hubby again, then that is the time that I will feel really excited for this trip. But right now, I have to continue working so I will not have any pending tasks before I go on vacation.

Christmas Party Planning once again

Every year, the local staff’s organization hosts a Christmas Party for all employees and all their families and kids. This time, they want to make it special as one of the officers will host a Tree Trimming Party at their house.

She already started to check for party invitations holiday from http://www.invitations-shoppe.com and I am sure in no time we will be receiving a Christmas Party invitation from her. This is where we order our invitations holiday every year since we really like their unique designs and they really process our order fast. Imagine they can print and ship our Party Holiday Invitations the same day we approve our design. Talk about good and fast service.

I am sure all the employees will be looking forward to this year’s Christmas party as this is again one special event we can share with our colleagues and families.

Paalam at Salamat: Pres. Cory Aquino

We were on our way to the wake of the wife of my Lolo Bayani (the eldest brother of my lola). On our way there, we were watching The Buzz’s tribute and special coverage of the wake of our late President Cory Aquino.

Kris was sharing how her family has faced this difficult time in their life. I got a bit emotional as I clearly remember when my aunt died of cancer too a few years ago. We were like Kris’s family and we kept on holding on and we don’t want to give up our aunt. But just like Cory Aquino, our aunt has helped us accept her fate.

I admire Cory Aquino’s courage. Just like what Kris shared, her mom endured the pain because she wanted to hold on for her family.

I can still remember, I was still young when the first People Power Revolution happened. Cory Aquino has given so much for this country…If only our leaders will be like her, then maybe we will have a better country…

Paalam Tita Cory at Maraming Salamat....

Video grabbed from Youtube: pilipinasmabuhay100