7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol (shook also other parts of Visayas and Mindanao)

I woke up today and found in my FB newsfeed full of posts about them being awakened by some earthquake. I on the other hand, can't relate to such because I just had my first good morn's sleep after weeks of sleepless nights...Philippines has been having occasional earthquake (compared to the 'rare' that we had before)..and I was like ''ok,another earthquake'' until I've learned more about the earthquake. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol Philippines, morning of Tuesday,October 15,2013. I saw pictures of toppled houses and cracked pavements together with damaged display products of some stores , but what saddened me more was when I saw pictures of old churches ruined by the quake. 

I was able to go there, and Bohol is full of old houses and old churches (my kind of interests). For a person who is so sentimental, seeing these heritage sites in a not so good state is just so heartbreaking. 

Loboc church is the second oldest Church in Bohol.

Loboc church after the quake photo  via

the separate belfry tower BEFORE (photo not mine)

Bell Tower AFTER the quake photo via

 Loon Church is the biggest church in Bohol...

photo via

I've  been to Bohol (only once), but wasn't able to get to know these churches closely. All the more reasons for me  to be sad.  ' Guess this is one of the many reasons to travel more...not just to explore but to witness and make yourself part of a bigger common world.

Sentimental things serve as constant reminder of where we were...now that,these visible reminders are slowly fading from the scenes...it is indeed a great challenge for us to recollect,retain the faith and live a life that will serve as our legacy for those in the future with these legacy of our ancestors preserved in our hearts.

coping..when there's no prevention and cure

We cannot fully avoid stress...so when it comes...here are some of my tried and tested busters for stress. I've read a full
article of this on Yahoo (a long list of busters I say...some were not applicable to me), so here's the list of what worked for me and I added some of my own.


1.For 5 minutes each day, forget your plans and worries and live in the present, enjoying what's around you

2.Get it off your chest. Bottled-up feelings increase stress. If someone disappoints or upsets you, let them know..or let someone know.

3.Just say no. It's not being selfish-it's a great prevention against stress.

4.Take sleep seriously.

5. Nurture your friendships. Kindred souls will help you stay sane

6.Whatever you enjoy doing, give it a regular place in your life.

7.Make the morning rush less crazed by embracing an easy hair and makeup routine. (or the no make up routine)

8.Know your stress signals (e.g., tummy troubles or neck pain), so you can recognize them right away and take care of yourself

9.Give yourself credit. Under stress, we often focus on failure instead of moving forward to complete what needs to be done.

10.Give yourself a pat on the back…not to console yourself but to acknowledge that you may did not so fine but you’ll do better next time.

11.When you need a time-out, go out somewhere ( a place in the town or a place in your head) and listen to music

12.Walk whenever you can. Walk because you can.

13.Try retail therapy (only if the other busters won’t work…make it your last option if you don’t want to go broke!)..though retail therapy for me is some sort of an indication that I’m stressed…when I realized later that I just spent some money for some useless or not so necessary things…that’s when I try the other busters.

14.Ask for help. Remember that you don't have to do everything by yourself

15.   Keep a stress diary. You’ll realize patterns and you get to understand yourself more. (I call it mood mapping)

16.   Get enough sleep. When you're tired, even small problems seem so large. (Did I mention already to take sleep seriously?)

17.   Don't hurry out of the water…enjoy the shower. (this  is not applicable when you’re running late for work…on some weekends perhaps)

18.   Go for a brisk walk. Vigorous exercise burns nervous energy and pumps you full of feel-good endorphins

19.   Clean out your cabinet, purse, bag or desk drawer. This will boost your sense of control

20.   Try thinking worst-case-scenario to see how unrealistic overreacting is. If you're stuck on traffic, take the thought, "I'm going to be late," to a ludicrous point, "I'm going to be fired," to an even more ludicrous point, "I'm going to have to sell pencils on the street!" Feel your anxiety deflate.

21.   Fold laundry or do the laundry -productivity combats stress

22.   Plan a vacation. You don't really have to travel-the idea is to move your thoughts somewhere else. (though pursuing the idea of really traveling somewhere would excite you and would definitely give you good vibes) ;)

23.   Count your blessings. Focusing on what's going well in your life will give you perspective and make you feel better

24.   Search online for a short funny video to watch-laughter reduces stress hormones (Youtubing I say!)

25.   Think about the person who is stressing you out. Is she/he under pressure herself? Empathy helps defuse tension

26.   Call a friend who will listen without judgment. Not only will it help you to vent, but your friend's calmer state will rub off on you. ( a no-fail buster…works all the time. I’m very grateful to have my BBFF)

27.   If your heart is pounding, do not fight the symptom…ride it like a wave.

28.   Breathe slowly through your nose (with your mouth closed). Visualize your breath going to the center of your head, then going out. Do this 5 to 15 times

29.   Peel an orange. Breathe in the aroma as you tear away the skin. .. and enjoy eating the orange.

30.   Try scream therapy: Let out a shout in your head (I’d like to try screaming out in the field or  beach..might work out faster). You'll feel better afterward

31.   Say a prayer-it's one of the most potent antidote to stress. Connecting with a higher power helps you gain strength and clear your mind

32.   At work, walk over to someone's desk to talk, go to the watercooler, force yourself to move. It will relieve physical tension

33.    Sit up straight.

34.   Take three deep breaths-5 seconds in, 5 seconds out-to slow your heart rate and the pace of your stress hormones.

35.   Sit up straight.

36.   Read a new book or try a new ice cream flavor.

37.   Look around…you’ll realize you’re not just the one who’s on breaking point…and if you see happy people, then It’s an assurance that even if we’re having troubles right now, these too shall pass and better days are definitely coming.

.

...stress is one big pimple grower...we can't handle another stress due to pimple breakouts..(right?).p

Welcome to the chambers of my heart.

---no edits...I normally write my thoughts on paper...but I found out these thoughts were in soft copy (might as well post it...to give you a glimpse of some untold stories) :) ...they serve as mood map...reminding me of the thoughts i had which led me to the present thoughts i'm havin' (huh?)..I happen to have thought these in the past three months. They say, when you can talk about something freely and publicly,that means you've already accepted the fact and already moved on. ('s that true?)..

July 4,2013

This was one of days wherein the day started not so right but definitely ended with a surprise. I woke up late today and my morning routine was delayed. At work,my new PC wasn’t set upped yet and so I have a new bunch of files on my pending task collection. To make it more worst, yahoo mail won’t accept my password and maybe thought I’m a captcha decoder. I just had coffee for breakfast and took my lunch at one in the afternoon. We have a chapter quiz on the last period of class and I’m sort of stressed.  Then,there was that activity in the auditorium for the election of officers, bad: haven’t eaten yet and I’m starving already,good: classes were moved to Saturday,that means were free after the election activity.

Yay!We decided to eat dinner at a local grill.

Twas a free flowing conversation and time flew past. It’s good to know more about your new found friends. Truly there are no strangers,just friends we haven’t met yet. We talked,ate and laughed. Tonight is a night full of learning and it’s been a long time since I laughed so much that my jaw ached and I felt like I’m growing some abs. I am thankful and grateful for such company and conversation. Since I don’t usually have the chance to sit down with friends, I say, what happened was a rare and special thing.

We ended with a milk shake treat and another set of conversation…so it didn’t ended yet. Nyaha!

Is it possible that you are intolerant only with fresh milk? How does really fresh milk tastes like? Would you answer a call from an unknown number? Does Ma’am Econ really look like Mr. Bean? What is the proper way of laughing?

My thought for tonight: Communication is a key ingredient to understanding thus will lead to the much dreamed of peace.

July 11,2013

A friend of mine posted  a status in facebook asking what wedding gift would be right for the wedding of someone you once loved. I almost wrote on the comment section “what gift would you give for the wedding of a person you’ve  always loved?”  I’m pretty sure we are talking of the same person. She must’ve been happy for him and I’m here sulking over the thought that he’s near to being a husband and I’m still zipped mouth on my feelings.  The more he talks about the girl, the more I knew about her; and the more I knew about her, the more that I seem to like her. Seriously, I cannot doubt his preference with the girl (he told me, she’s not that kind of a beauty but he chose her because he saw in her  what she saw in me)----ya’ll out there ,can you tell me what’s that supposed to mean? Does he meant, he would’ve wanted me in the first place? Or he just meant, I’m his standard for benchmarking?

 I was invited of course to the wedding, and personally I’d really like to attend such big special day for him. Unfortunately, I have activities outside work and I’m still not sure whether I can compromise which for which. The big day is part of the examination days at school. Jokingly, I’d just say I can’t attend because I’m afraid I’d might ‘speak now’ like Taylor Swift’s song. With more humor in mind, maybe I can just say I’d attend the wedding if and only if someone can assure that the wedding won’t push through. I know the last one’s sort of not so good. It is never good to think of barricading someone else’s happiness especially if that person is so special to you. You would always want to see them happy and nurse your own bruises in the comforts of your room.

Setting my emotions aside , let’s go back to the perfect wedding gift. I have many ideas for wedding gifts but I wanted this one to be special. Something that will last and make me well remembered and won’t leave my finances broke.  Any ideas for this panic stricken gal? Wedding bells will be ringing on the third Saturday of this month.

July 18,2013

I had caffeine boost for the day from coffee to colas but to no effect I’m still sleepy.Does yawning mean you are sleepy or just bored?

July 24,2013

Got missed calls from an unknown number at early morn. Turned out it’s him saying thank you for the gift and expressing his feelings of “mahay” on me for not coming to his wedding. ‘Tis good to hear the same familiar comforting voice…I guess he will always be that someone who wasn’t mine but will always be there when needed. Unlike some people,who expressed and assured to be always there and they end up the one  leaving. (tsk!)

Things are way better when promises aren’t made….and when assuming is out of the scene.

My performance at work and in school is pivoting down and it’s making me dizzy. I am always distracted and my mind is always wandering off. I seem to procrastinate more than the normal procrastination acceptable and I know It’s not good. My score on quizzes are below the passing score and sometimes if lucky, I’m just on the passing mark. I need to get a grip of myself and get back to life.! So may God help me.  I wouldn’t want to let people to fully affect the way I live my life, I’ve already been through that and I’d like to do away with it because it ain’t healthy.

replays... (photonotmine)

..an abundance of Katherines and Ice creams.

..healthy treat it is.

I’m not an ice cream freak but my moods  were swirling down that  I need some good ol’ pick-me-upper. Normally a good book does the trick but I needed another booster… this is the part where the ice cream crept in.

FIC (Fruits in Ice Cream) in Cagayan de Oro City is located at 2^nd Floor Ayala Centrio Mall.  The attendant is friendly and patiently attends to your queries regarding the array of choices, explains options thus leading you to come up with a more personal choice. You can opt for an ice cream on a cup or on a cone.

If you’re someone like me who loves savoring moments, this is the place where you get to enjoy your ice cream in contented silence. By silence, I meant free from unnecessary noise. Plus they play Boyce Avenue on air (my fave…yay!)…in a matter of one song, I know I’ve just found a special place that I can keep coming back to.

Didn't had any hard time finishing it.

I ordered a scoop of pistachio and another for raspberry rapture.. 

Color is natural. Flavor taste is natural plus there are actual pistachio nuts in it! Generously, I say! What more can I say? Perhaps just a hmmm and two thumbs up!

You can like their FB page Fruits in Ice cream or visit their site by clicking this link.

P.S. I just bought myself a new book! Abundance of Katherines by John Green…(retail therapy)

Journal Entry: Birth

Birth

I don’t have a heart that’s cold

Just refused the love of a dozen

And now that I’m growing old

I think it’s already frozen

Trapped inside a heavy shell

Small percent to the unknown I’d fell

Confronted with decisions I hate

Made some and left the rest to fate

He said he’ll wait

To that promise I hung my future

Banging close my heart’s gate

I’m dead, back off now vultures!

A promise that took me to greater heights

Death is peace, no love life, no fights

But he gave up, another gal he seek

He found my best friend, those two made me sick

Like crystal ice, I was shattered

Never dared pick the pieces scattered

I was happy despite of being sad

My shell’s fin’lly broken and that’s not bad

The past already happened

The present I cannot hastened

The future’s all I have

There, I trust I’ll meet a dove

If ever in the future

I’ll have to choose between life and love again

I’d go for love

For without love, there’s just no life

As for now, I may be dead

But if that future would be tomorrow

Tomorrow I’ll live

I’m gonna breathe

At last…

...from meltdowns to spring at last!

Ever had mood swings? I have them almost all of the time. Life is all sunshiny! Question is, are we benefiting from it? A frozen something wouldn't want too much sunshine as how plants rejoice in it's existence. Melting down is a horrible feeling..you just seem to have dropped an identity you are maintaining and reveal just how much water content you have.

10 days is way too long to suffer but tadah! I am so hopeful like the springtime. I think I've always known that I'd be catching a happy virus on the 27th and will be developing a negative one on 17s (seventeens). Looking back at those ten days, I realized I was over acting too much (over+too= OA to the nth power). 

I am laughing at myself and embarrassed at the same time and so I have to look for other things to blame it on to so that I can gain back my stance.

My main culprits are:

Boredomsphere-  holidays meant more time to do nothing. Few activities or none at all makes you more aware of your surroundings,say, you realize how much dust your room was able to accumulate, a chip on your nail polish or the nail cutter that is missing or hiding. You know you got to do something but then you won't because boredom is a byproduct of laziness. (here goes laziness again)

Too much sunlight/light- Exposing myself to too much light all of a sudden flicks my grumpy switch on (like a witch afraid of the sun eh?) . When there's too much light, you squint, then your eyebrows meet like that of an annoyed person and poof! you're grumpy all of a sudden. Might be that our moods go with our facial expressions and not the other way round. Next time, let's try to smile while looking at bright lights (like those we see on movies) and see if we can fake it 'till we make it.

Facebook photos- Facebook is my hangout. Yes! Yes! So much for browsing and refreshing my FB newsfeed (or in my most honest case- FB STALKING) every now and always. From posts of Friends and almost lovers to lovers of almost lovers (how come they're all happy while you can't find some for your own?).When you see photos of your friends on vacay or just plain happy with their careers, you'll start wishing you had the same.

Fact is: Pictures say a thousand things.

More fact: There are millions of things behind those pictures. (which we do not usually know). We think they are having a good life ever and us always having the worst times ever when in truth we are only seeing a chunk of a bigger story. Why so? Would people upload pictures of them on their worst times? A selfie with stuffy red nose and bloody red eyes from excessive crying? I don't think so. So let's think thrice before lashing at life for its alleged unfairness. There is more to what our eyes can see. Afterall the world they say is not two dimensional....it has a third dimension.

Starvation and/or Dehydration- Studies show that grumpiness can also be associated with hunger or thirst. So once you become aware you are feeling less than your normal good mood, try gulping on lotsa drinking water or ask yourself what you had for breakfast. If your answer is : "I haven't broke my fast yet", then it's high time you start loving yourself by feeding it with good stuffs. No one loves someone who isn't able to love him/herself first. (Where in science did I get that?). I wonder why Grumpy (dwarf in Snow White) is grumpy, maybe he gets a smaller share on meals eh?

Hormones- If we can't seem to pinpoint the reason of our grumpiness, we can all blame it on our hormones. PMS anyone? Be it Pre-Menstrual Syndrome or Pre-Menopausal Syndrome (which are the same..hehehe) we all say PMSiiiinggg together with our hissing!

A mild rant version,though I’m seething on the insides

The right side of my hip hurts and it is the main culprit why I tossed and turned all night trying to find the most comfortable sleeping position I can manage. (and no, I wasn’t able to get a decent sleep all night to morn). I swear, I noted all the passing vehicles on the road just outside and even the footsteps of passersby that any attempt of burglary will be disappointed by me.  

Early morning came and the hustle and bustle grew with my irritated mood. Just when you managed to lull yourself to sleep, here comes a visitor with a very cheerful greeting of good mornings. Good vibes are in, and so was she. Of course ,Filipino tradition, it is rude not to offer something…coffee? Breakfast? Oh, and she opted for the coffee.. that means the person will be staying for more than five minutes.  People went in and out all throughout the day… and on ordinary days, that would be fine with me. But today wasn’t an ordinary one. I was having the triple H-aches and you wouldn’t really want to witness how that feels or how would that look like. 

I know visitors are good for a house…they brighten the aura of the house and makes it less haunty (if there’s such a word as haunty). Thank you for considering the house worthy of your presence and the people in it as worthy of your company. I just have one main concern though…please consider the other people in the house. Have they woken up yet? If not, then please lower down your voice.  Whether the person you are visiting is noisy all along, that is not permission for you to do the same.

Dawn to dusk to late evening, and people came and go.  I’ve heard every conversation that went outside. That is because (FYI), there’s only a thin division of plywood that separated my room from your conversation nook. Yes, yes…I heard every advice, facts and gossips conversed.  That is also because, I stayed in the room all day, waiting for the perfect moment to take my much deserved sleep, which to my own disappointment, never came.

I know, I could have aired my concern in your faces…but I know too, that you know I don’t do such thing. Confrontation is not my thing and I just don’t want to drag your happy atmosphere into my gloomy temper for the day.

My bottom line really is, may we be able to decipher when to lower down the volume of our voices. And if we don’t have volume adjustments on our voices, then it’s high time to have one.

  

Just so you’ll know,people with headaches are very sensitive/irritated to bright lights and loud noise. Those with hip aches don’t want to move much and would opt to stay put instead of coming out of their rooms and show you how irritated they are. Lastly, people with heartaches don’t know what they really feel…and they also don’t know how to express it. Some cry while laughing and some write a rant blog that looks like this.

Don’t get me wrong…I appreciate visitors (those with manners of course).

So here’s to hoping that I get a good night’s sleep tonight… (Please let me have one).