Kung Hei Fat Choi

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Chinese have their own calendar (based on the Gregorian Calendar) which has been in used for centuries. Unlike the calendar that we use, Chinese New Year don't have an exact specific date each year. The Chinese calendar is based on astronomical observations and in their calendar the New Year falls on the second New Moon after the winter solstice. For 2012, today marks the New Year on the Chinese calendar - The Year of the Dragon. Chinese use the lunar calendar to reckon the months and every month starts on the darkest day. The first day of the month is the traditional and usual beginning of the New Year festivities and it continues until the moon is brightest. In China, New Year is the longest and most important celebration of the year in which people takes weeks off from work in preparation and celebration of the New Year. Why are animals used in Chinese New Year Legend has it that Buddha required all animals to meet him and only twelve came on Chinese New Year. With this, Buddha named a year for every animal that met him. He also said that all those who will be born in each animal's year will acquire the traits and personality of the animal hence the Chinese horoscope. Those who were born in the dragon years are said to be passionate, innovative, and brave. New Year Festivities Chinese New Year is celebrated with fireworks, lantern festival, and dancing dragons. Red is the color of the Chinese New Year since the color red symbolizes fire. All the mentioned activities have the fire element which is believed to drive away bad luck and evil.

Medifast's "5 and 1" diet plan

I was writing an article about Medifast

and found it really interesting when I was making a research on it. They have this diet plan which is called "5 and 1". Basically, one eats 6 times a day as opposed to other diet programs where you would have to starve yourself just to burn those fats away. The plan is designed to have 5 meal replacements generally with shakes, cereals, fruits and other several options from Medifast pre-packaged food products. Some of them earned credits for having a superb taste which people enjoyed. The additional 1 meal is for a lean and green meal. Not bad I think. I have read a lot of testimonies from those who have taken the diet program but of course the true test is by taking it. It is clinically proven and recommended by doctors. Of course, like any other weight loss program, this diet plan should still be coupled with an exercise. No one can really lose weight fast without having to work out. For those who are getting interested and already curious about it, you should know that as of the moment Medifast only ships their products for US customers only. There are coupons and codes that you can avail of to get discounts on the food products which you would like to order. I can only say so much and can share what other people have to say about it but the final decision is still up to yours. As one client would say, it will work if you stick to the diet plan. I must agree with him. No diet plan will ever work right for you if you do not complete the process. As for those who may jump on the bandwagon, hope you do achieve your desired weight!

Life is too short...

I have always liked all Coca-Cola commercials. They always have a soulful and touching message to their audience. Thumps up to the marketing team who have always touched the hearts of every Filipino audience. The latest Coca-Cola commercial celebrates its 100th year with a grandfather sharing the secret to happiness to his new-born granddaughter. The grandfather narrates "Life is too short to waste it on non-sense things and that she should find what would make her happy the most." I have heard the cliche oftentimes and I know that I have finally found what would make me happy the most. Ironic but I had to get through a great ordeal of pain and hurt but I have appreciated things after the storm. I know and feel that I could be most happy with the BEST and patience is all I need. Even with the potholes, road bumps, and other shattering things, the happiness I feel whenever we are together can erase all the hurt and pain. I don't think that it is even within the line of masochism because there is greater happiness filling me and outpouring inside of me. Indeed, life is short and I do not have to look further just to search for that happiness because I already found it and will definitely hold on to it.

Word for the day: Agoraphobia

Even in my TV series, I get to learn something new. For today, its Agoraphobia. People who suffer from this anxiety disorder experiences morbid fear and of having a panic attack in situations that include wide-open spaces, crowds, or uncontrolled social conditions. These people tend to lock up themselves in their safe havens like their home. Studies indicate that it is very common for women to have this type of disorder and starts to manifest between ages 20 and 40 years.

Haven't really met someone who is Agoraphobic. This girl that I have watched in the TV series has not left her house for nearly 2 years already. How does she live? For one, she is a writer so she can spend work at home. She has an assistant who takes care of running errands for her. Everything is delivered. Even just to step outside the door gives her the panic attack. Feel bad for her. I wouldn't want to be in that situation.

Friday the 13th

Who says Friday the 13th is bad luck? Well, for me it's not! It's quite the opposite I should say. But hey don't count on having a perfect night but I should say it still ended pretty well. At least I gotta say what I have had repressed for such a long time. The truth hurts but it really sets you free. I guess I wanted to be hardened by the callous of everything that is happening so one day I can muster that enough courage to simply walk away.

Parenting

My 2nd daughter just stubbornly lay on the sofa, looked at me while I begged for her to go to school. She is 4 and almost 5 next month. It's hard balancing everything. I know I have to be firm so I grounded and acted a little tough. It's a tough love but at the end of the day I gave her a hug and explained why I had to do it. I guess she understood.

Sigh

All I can do is sigh...Well, that's right after I made a well of tears because I couldn't take it anymore. I just have to cry and sigh. Good thing, my kids were playing outside.

Waiting

Got a schedule for work and I'd say this is probably the longest time that I've spent waiting ... I am bored. Can hear the clock says tick tock...

In or Out?

Just came from an interview. Learned not to count on things that much so when things let you down, you can easily pick up on your feet and move forward.

Chit chat with some good old friends and learned about a massive lost of people and money...Karma's a real bitch. In or out? I don't know. Let us just wait and see.

My bucketlist

It was one of my fave movies. For me, I could smell the crisp and fresh air of Europe. Want to visit Prague, Poland (Krakow and Austwitch), Germany, France, Rome, and Spain. Although a far-fetch from reality, I want to run the Amazing Race of Phil or Allan. Aside from the fact that it would be a great escape goat for me, I know that these adventures would satisfy my passion for 1st-hand knowledge and quench my thirst for freedom.

Saturday Night Fever

Take me back in time when Greece and disco days are hitting the dance floors. Got to have some feel good and vibe music as I try to finish my job before I get to be a whacko like these users who complaints about nonsense things. But thanks to those weirdos because I get paid for their ignorance. True to the cliche, if you think education is expensive, try ignorance! Definitely will be spending the night with the Bee Gees, John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, and others to accompany me before I clock out.

Check Your Head

First Friday of the year. Gotta check my head if it is still sane. Not really functioning properly. Still dysfunctional from the aftermath of the ruins. Barely hanging on but still clinging to that small silver lining.

Without a Trace

Missing persons. This is the main focus of the FBI unit that handles cases of persons who have been reported being gone Without A Trace. Have already watched the series before but since I can no longer remember them and I have watched all other TV series, I have begun downloading all the seasons again. So it's gonna be a series of Without A Trace for the following nights for me.

The TV series stars 6 FBI agents in the characters of Jack Malone(Anthony LaPaglia), Sam Spade(Poppy Montgomery), Martin Fitzgerald(Eric Close), Viv Johnson(Marian Jean-Baptiste) , Danny Taylor (Enrique Marciano Jr.), and Elena Delgado (Roselyn Sanchez). Produced by the same group responsible for the popular CSI TV series and was first shown on air via NBC channel last September 2002.

Not getting used to it

It was like things happened all over again but this time it was with my kids. Felt sorry for them. They thought that their "patsie" and "matsie" just went out to meet some friends yesterday. They went inside their room and were looking for them. could never get used to being left...

It's a rainy and gloomy day

My brother and I drove our parents to the airport. Had to rush back inside the car so as not to break down. I can't talk and I felt the tears already falling when I hugged them because I know I won't be able to see them again for a year. The rain and gloominess of that afternoon just filled my heart with melancholy as I looked out through the window with the raindrops covering my line of sight. When I went back home and I opened the door of their room, I thought they were still there but found an empty room. I felt like I am alone again...

Holding back the tears

I am left only one day to spend the short vacation of my parents and tomorrow, they will be heading back to Qatar. Was not that emotional before but just knowing that they are around uplifts my descending mood. Hope I will get enough strength to pretend that I am tough when I drive them to the airport tomorrow.

Just another New Year

Yes, it's just another New Year. As a family tradition, we went to our Mother's family side. We spent the afternoon catching up with each other's dramas and adventures. It has always been the same thing. Same old stuff but just another year. We grow older but the issues never stay away. So for me, it's just another New Year.