Of Blog Contests, Events and Sulitizen

I am blogging as it is cathartic - it gives me a feeling of peace and freedom. It brings me joy everytime the article I am typing gets to the stage wherein I actually hit the publish button -- oftentimes though, laziness is getting the best of me.. or could it be what they call writer's block?? Personally, I'm not sure, all I know is an idea will hit me and then I find my fingers caressing the keyboard and pffft! Before I knew it, I deleted everything I typed in because I am not sure what angle to write, what to include, how to end it, (insert my long list of excuses. LOL) . And then I would remember, I write as it is better to have an emotional outburst in my uncomplaining notebook and my sturdy keyboard than stab others with sharp nabbing words!

Oh well, enough about it. Let's talk about other blogs.

Whenever I read blogs I always see contests left and right (I know it's a way to maintain readers/audience) and I always wonder why they buy all those pretty stuff just to give away to strangers readers, I must have been hiding under a rock! Now, I learned that they have sponsors (ohh lucky them!) that sends them those cute li'l give-aways (not before hand-picking what items to keep for themselves, I know. *wink*) I am never lucky at raffle draws before and I don't know why that will change, but I have tried to enter a few of those contests - I lose more, than I win. Oh well, but I will still try my luck one last time.. oh! but before I do, I almost forgot.. I wasn't able to attend the Blogger's Fiesta last night at The Fort! (boo!) I heard it was fun and engaging.

Moving on, though I wasn't able to personally meet & greet those bloggers, I was still able to meet a few friends through friends of friends and through the social networks (how else?!). One of them is Mhel , and I am trying to support her on her entry in one of Sulit.com's contests that has something to do with a definition of a Sulitizen (a term coined from Sulit and citizen, to mean a certified member of their website). Details after the jump.







Please vote for:
http://www.justanotherpixel.net/2010/08/sulitizen-frugality-epitomized.html
Sulitizen : The Epitome of Frugality
by blankPixels of Just Another Pixel










Sign Up at Sulit.com.ph
Buy and Sell Philippines
And with this, I am crossing my fingers and ankles, hopefully I will bag something when the raffle draws near.

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My Silver Anniversary on Earth

Hello, I just turned 25..

Unlike all those who jotted down a list of to do things since they turned 25, I will list down things I have accomplished before I reached my silver year.. and hopefully I will be able to enumerate 25 things (otherwise, I will just have to add to my list before I reach my golden years.. heehee)

So, on to the list..

1. Graduated from college (this is really included!)

2. Was able to find a job (2 at that!)

3. Earned my own money (but doesn't necessarily mean I was able to save much. BOO!)

4. Had an article published in our corporate newsletter in I**. ;o)

5. Became a C.R.I.B.S volunteer for a day

6. Started an online blog

7. Kept a planner and religiously jot down my usually chaotic schedule and other stuff in my everyday life.

8. Changed my hair color.

9. Pampered my feet and hands every 2weeks (to a month, if I'm kinda lazy)

10. Experienced the painful art of waxing and got hooked! (I'm no masochist, but I like being free from shaving-induced cuts and nicks)

11. Cried while having my brows threaded.

12. Cried over sappy love stories (yep I used to have a heart of stone - unmoved, unfeeling and apathetic)

13. Vacation with my BFFs (Baguio, Zambales, is Antipolo included? hehe)

14. Team buildings and company parties (ah, I feel like a grown up!)

15. Falling in love (and having someone to catch me.. ♥)

16. Discovering who are real and who are pretentious hypocrites.

17. Theme parks (just to have fun and feel like a kid..again)

18. Visited museums to discover our heritage, reconnect with the past in order to appreciate the present.

19. Visited science centers/exhibits to be awed by the 'new world' and other wonders.

20. Visited old churches (in NCR, Cavite, and the really old ones in Ilocos Norte)

21. Went on road trips with zee boyfie (Subic, Baguio, Antipolo, Taytay Rizal, Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud and hoping to cover more so we can discover more from each other as we discover more of our beautiful country).

22. Bought my Red Canon Ixus 100is (from my own earnings.. no more pestering my mom for new 'toys').

23. Bought my new baby, the Pink ASUS Eee PC Seashell (1005P).

24. Read financial books (and other self-help books, like 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad, 'The Money Diet', and Camilla Morton's 'A Year in High Heels)

  

25. Attended and will attend more, events (such as the events from Belle de Jour.. and hopefully, events sponsored by others too! *wink*)

Geez, I've hit my numbers already.. and I have more things to write such as 'bought shake for officemate/s', rode a Calesa/Caritella', 'played at arcades (I used to hate it when I was a kid, because of the noise)','started my online scrapbook/photobook', 'went inside the horror house in a theme park (and drove me crazy!)', 'attended a non-Catholic Bible study (which I enjoyed and learned a lot from)' and oh, 'I RESIGNED!' and tons of other fun and not-so-fun stuff that happened the past 20something years in my life.

I am ever grateful to God for giving me this wonderful gift of life and granting me an opportunity to enjoy it and learn from it's experiences.. to my Mom, who at times might not feel that I appreciate her enough (but believe me, I do, and I think I will include 'be vocal about my feelings' in my personal To-do list, so I can include it in my 30 accomplished lists someday).. to my craziest and wackiest, but ever loyal friends whom I can just be me, say things I want and who kicks my ass when I do something wrong but will comfort me when I am so feeling down.. to my brother, with whom I always fight with but whom I can share anything about.. to my bestest and loving friend & boyfriend, G, who is supportive and understanding - with you, I don't need to pretend I am an ideal and a superwoman girl - I can just be my bitchy, arte but sweet self! LOL

..and to others - who stayed or maybe, just passed by in my life.. you all made my 25 years of existence colorful and is a part of who I am today. Cheers! ♥


*Images are owned by respective owners. No copyright infringement intended. 

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Social Networking Sites Makes Our World Smaller

Seems like high school days are so long ago.  We already went to different colleges and universities. Some graduated, others still pursuing their degrees, there are those who's working away from home and a few who migrated to different countries.

I'm grateful for social networking sites like Facebook®, it connects each and everyone of us. It helps make our world smaller. It became witness to the different events in our lives , it cheer with us on our success and comforts us in times of sadness- but most of all it became a tool to share those events to friends and families even if we are miles and oceans apart. In this day and age, distance is no longer a hindrance and never would be an excuse to not be updated on the whats, whos and wheres of people dear to us (even those who are not so dear to us! Hihi)

This being the case, I have stumbled upon this upcoming event of one of my highschool classmates' life. Her exhibit - featuring a collection of her creations. 

Poster after the jump.

 opens this coming Friday, 16 July 2010 at Penguin Cafe & Gallery


*Poster/image are owned by Katrina Pallon. No copyright infringement intended. 

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Masquerade at Ace Water Spa

One of my fave no-brainer R&R spot in the metro is the Ace Water Spa located in Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City.

I first learned of the Hydrotherapy Massage they offer in one of the coupons of the Belle De Jour Planner. What is Ace Water Spa? According to their website:

"ACE Water Spa traces back its concept to word SPA- derived from the Latin Phrase “Salus per Aquam” or “Sanitus per Aquam” meaning Health through Water. Since then, Water has been a vital element in cleansing, relaxing and healing because its curative properties. In England, back in the 16th century, the Romans came up with an idea to undergo “medicinal bathing” to soothe and treat body illnesses by the roman soldiers, thus hydrotherapy was born."

This place have been my solace for two years now whenever I want to get away from the hustle bustle in the city and hear the rustling of waters. But alas, with popularity comes the crowd. I felt the increasing crowd have robbed me off my peace and quiet. Thus now, I only visit the place during weekdays so as to avoid the crowd. Don't get me wrong, the place is still fantastic and well maintained, but I just want my alone time!

Anyhoo, when I checked my mail last week, I found this.

click image to enlarge*

So if you want to experience a masquerade party, just head off to Ace Water Spa on August 20 & 21 (Friday & Saturday), 7pm onwards with (or without) your party masks and experience an 'unforgettable night of music and magic" **

**P795/head

Includes the following:

• Spa Ticket
• 4-course meal buffet
• goodie bag
• a chance to win in the raffle and a lot more

*Images are owned by respective owners. No copyright infringement intended. 

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Anti-Stress Foods

Feeling stressed? Does your day night job drains the life out of you?

Personally, whenever I feel stressed or emotional I tend to overeat (lucky me, it doesn't just show, yet). Methinks, this is common to men women as we turn towards food to comfort us in times of depression, sadness or what-have-yous.  It is not bad to forego our diet once in a while, however, stress-eating and calorie-bingeing is another story. It can take it's toll on our bodies - without relieving stress.

Fret not and learn a healthier alternative to common comfort foods such as ice cream, pizza, pasta, bag of junk chips and all those calorie-packed buddies that helps us cope.

Read on to a healthier and stress-free you.

APPLES 

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away—but did you know it can help with stress, too? Apples arerich in phosphorous and iron, which help boost cell regeneration that is negatively affected in times of stress. This means that if your skin breaks out when you’re stressed, eating an apple can help repair the damage by building new healthy skin tissue.


AVOCADOS

Some people shy away from avocados because they are high in fat—they’ve even been nicknamed the “butter pear”—but what most folks don’t realize is that this kind of fat is good for you. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, as well as potassium, which both help decrease blood pressure levels. Next time, slice some avocado into your salad—it’s delicious and nutritious!


BANANAS 

Bananas are a good source of potassium, which fights fatigue, insomnia, and low blood sugar, as well as carbohydrates, which produce the natural sedative serotonin. Carbohydrates are most commonly associated with fare like pasta and potatoes, but since these are both comfort foods which fall under the easily-abused-when-stressed category, it would probably be wiser to eat a banana instead.


DARK CHOCOLATE

We've told you before that dark chocolate lessens emotional stress, so yes, that chocolate craving that hits you whenever you’re stressed is actually a good thing (as long as you practice moderation). Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which helps tranquilize tension. It’s also rich in theo bromine, which is a natural mood elevator. However, theo bromine is also known to stimulate the brain, and will probably aggravate a person who is already stressed to begin with—so take care not to ingest too much chocolatey goodness.


DRIED APRICOTS

Why not exchange your stash of sweet treats for a pack of dried apricots? They’re good for you, are pretty tasty, and best of all, contain magnesium, which is a natural stress-reliever and muscle relaxant


GREEN VEGETABLES

Green vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard contain potassium and B vitamins like folic acid which soothe the nerves and alleviate stress. Experiment with your meals by slipping verde veggies into soups, pastas, and even sandwiches—the possibilities are endless.


HERBS

Herbs like chamomile, passion flower, and dandelion are effective stress relievers because they relax your mind and the muscles in your body. Steep them into fragrant teas to savor the full calming experience. This article by TheTimesOfIndia.com shares that chamomile tea, in particular, has been found to relieve cramps, spasms, and digestive problems caused by nervousness.


NUTS

The next time you see a movie after a stress-packed workweek, munch on some mixed nuts—particularlypistachios, walnuts and almonds. Pistachios and walnuts bring down blood pressure, while almonds help boost the immune system.


ORANGES

Pack a bottle of OJ or a few orange wedges with your daily baon. Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, whichboosts your immune system and reduces its susceptibility to virus. A German study inPsychopharmacology has also proven that Vitamin C helps reduce anxiety by bringing down blood pressure after a stressful situation, according to this MSN Health & Fitness article.


SALMON

Incorporate salmon into your workweek fare to help curb stress. According to this Delish.com article, aDiabetes & Metabolism study discovered that the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, tuna, and other fish prevent stress hormones from escalating.


SPINACH 

Make like Popeye and have some spinach! Like apricots, spinach is rich in magnesium—so much so, in fact, that one cup of the green stuff contains 40 percent of the magnesium you need in a day. Spinach alsohelps fight fatigue and migraines—two bothersome effects of stress.


SWEET POTATOES 

Substitute your craving for fries with some sweet potato slivers. Sweet potatoes will give you the same soothing sensation that you get from eating chips or candy bars—plus, they’re packed with fiber, beta-carotene, and other immunity-boosting vitamins. 


TURKEY 

If you’re sick of the same old chicken breast, give turkey a taste. Turkey is full of tryptophan, which is a“feel-good” amino acid. Tryptophan helps trigger serotonin, a chemical that produces a calming effect on the body, and melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep and relaxation. In other words, you’ll be stress-free and bed-ready in no time!


WHOLE GRAINS

Have a bowl of brown rice instead of white, or an oatmeal cookie in lieu of a chocolate chip one. Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole wheat are chock full of B Vitamins and the chemicalserotonin, which calm the nerves and put your body in a state of relaxation.


YOGURT 

Everyone’s favorite (Mine too!) cold treat just got even sweeter! Yogurt is full of calcium, which helps regulate our nerves. Also, this creamy snack is a great acid neutralizer for those of you who are hyperacidic or have ulcers due to stress.


article source: femalenetwork.com

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