Helpful Natural Tips For Healthy Hair

Believe it or not, this is the fist time in my life that I have been extra conscious of my hair.

Before, I just couldn’t care less how my hair looked as long as it was clean, smelled good, and tolerable (not horrible!), then that was it! . Businesses involve in beauty salons and hair care products may have gone into insolvency if all of the women have followed my footsteps. I am just the type of person wherein beauty salons and parlors were not part of weekly agenda .

When I was in my teens, I wore a real long straight soft manageable hair – the length went down to even below my waist, then started to gradually cut it short after my college graduation. My hair’s evolution for the past decade r anges from a slightly below shoulder length to a shorty-shorty “twiggy” style of hair, which is what I have now. In the past, I used to wash my hair with all the kinds of shampoos being advertised in the tri-media. However, there were also times that I would use some natural products which I have seen from other people and used by my mother like the coconut milk and aloe vera leaves (“sabila”) which I simply picked from one of our plants.

But I have to face the reality that the ticking of my biological clock is not going backwards and as previously mentioned in my first statement , it is about time to take a look at my hair, to give it a special TLC (tender loving care) treatment, so to speak! Even when I was young, I was quite aware already that the hair is a very vital aspect of looking good. We have come across this old saying that the “Woman’s Hair is Her Crowning Glory”. This is one of the maxims in life that I quite believe in. For most women, having and craving for good hair is universal. This desire is beyond boundaries and as much as possible, women want to have a soft, shiny and manageable hair, that begs to be touched —-like one that we see in the ads! And, why not?

Okay, call it vain or superficial, but when our hair is beautiful , you feel a wee bit better above the rest, you feel well and your confidence and prestige become high —there’s a sort of a WOW factor that oozes in your personality! This may also be the reason why some men are attracted to women with beautiful hair! Hmmmn….

I’m all thumbs up with what technology and “beauty magicians” can do for women’s hair especially those who are in showbiz and entertainment world. They frequent their hair stylists who are apt to using state-of-the-art hair tools (e.g. hair dyers, flat irons ,waxes, hairsprays, mouses, extenders, steam something and other products) which may have adverse effects on their hair health.

As I am not an advocate of the said artificial hair paraphernalias, my helpful tips will focus on the natural ways and means on how to maintain a healthy hair regardless of age and stature in life.

USEFUL NATURAL HEALTHY HAIR TIPS:

1. Brush/Comb your hair before washing/shampooing – Most of us are quite familiar with this – this is a very basic step. This is to wash away the accumulated dirt especially if you don’t shampoo your hair everyday. In my case, I prefer to use comb since I have thin fine strands of hair. In my younger days, I used to comb my hair with my head upside down with the belief that the nutrients I get from the food I ate during the day will go to my head and eventually to my hair. Funny yes, but it’s tested and proven by many!

2. If you have dry hair, you may opt to give an oil massage to your hair once a month or often depending on the need and nature of your hair. However, instead of putting oil, you may simply massage the scalp of your hair for healthy growth and better circulation.

3. Shampoo/Condition/Moisturize your hair – Wash your hair with cool or warm (never hot) water! Dry your hair naturally by blotting your hair with a towel. In my case, I use a small towel (like a face towel) to take away the water from my hair) and then I wrap it with a bath towel. Thereafter I comb my hair and I let it dry, either with a fan or electric fan when in a hurry. Avoid using hair dryers as it emits heat which can dry out and/or damage your hair and skin. As much as possible, stay away from hair styling products but you may wish to to have your hair snipped by your hairstylist at least every three months to get rid of split ends and “dead” hairs.

4. Eat right – A well-balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits, dark green vegetables and other vegetables (beans, legumes, carrots), low fat dairy products, nuts, and lean growth promoting proteins such as fish (e.g. salmon, oysters, etc) can make your hair in the pink! These are the nutrients that you need to put into your body which help keep your hair healthy. Remember, if you take your health for granted by following an unhealthy diet, for sure it would affect the quality of your hair.

5. Regular Exercise and Adequate Sleep- I am amazed how exercise and sleep can do so much to make hair healthy. Some experts say that indulging in exercise for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day will help get enough blood for hair follicles , thus giving a healthy hair. Avoid stress and get enough sleep so your hair will grow faster and fuller. So, chill out, relax and shut that eye of yours!

In summary, it appears it only takes a little discipline and the right attitude of your lifestyle in order to acquire and maintain a healthy hair. Therefore, have a healthy life and you’ll have a healthy hair too!

Helpful Tips For Parents To Improve Their Children’s Study Habits

I would have wanted to give out survey questionnaires to the kids at school about their study habits but I decided to put it off . I found out that there are various studies and researches already conducted on the subject with both parents and students as respondents using random sampling. The result of said research suggested various ways and means on how parents handle and manage the learning habits of their children. What I did was to compile and select the more doable and feasible strategies especially for working mothers who have very limited time or who have to divide their responsibilities in the work place and their time as a mom and wife at home.

I recall when I was a child, our parents were more or less lucky to have us because they have not encountered maybe the pressures of the parents of today especially the mothers who easily get frustrated and stressed out whenever their children fail in class. I would say most of my siblings were studious despite the lack of the comforts in life. I would not consider myself as a straight “A” student, but modesty aside, I belong to the top 10 in the class which was maintained up to my college days. This can be attributed to my willingness and dedication to study hard so as to achieve what I wanted to be when I grow up.

Similarly, I am also amazed at the students in the rural and remote areas wherein they are obliged to wake up very early in the morning, still groggy and in a hurry in order to reach their school on time. I remember this one true story wherein a young boy had to cross a river and a plateau using a stick as his companion, patiently carrying his old worn school bag and wearing just a rubber slipper (Yes, no shoes man!) just to earn the so-called education in school. Living in an area with scarce or no electricity at all, the little boy had to rely on the gas lamp while doing his homework and lessons at home. And mind you this little boy turned out to be the top student in his class! What an irony of ironies!

The above story is just one of the true stories happening in all corners of the globe especially in countries struggling in their economy, where education system is not as advanced and student-friendly as those in developed countries like that in the US, so to speak. I am giving these as examples so as to remind the parents and to impart to their children the value and importance of education in their lives whatever it takes. And to show to the kids of today especially those in the urbanized areas that they are more fortunate to have the necessities in life, e.g. computers to enhance their learning skills, books they needed as far as research activities is concerned, and all the possible high tech gadgets (calculators, etc.) that are available today to aid them in doing their lessons.

Thus, the helpful tips that I will be sharing with you is based on the assumption that the child is a regular student and that the parents can provide all the things he needs for his studies.

It has been proven that those successful students turned out to have better study habits at a young age. Involvement of the parents is essential, i.e., it is the duty of the parents to instill the love and relevance of education to their children from the time they start learning their ABC’s.

Be that as it may, below are suggested effective tips on how to improve your child’s study habits which may lead to greater success in school:

1. Understand and manage their priorities

Parents should clarify to their children that their primary duty as students is to study their lessons and do their school assignments and that it shoud be pointed out to them that it is an integral part of their lives. This forms part of disciplining your children but at the same not forcing them to do something which may appear like as if their lives are so scheduled or can be switched on and off like a robot. Explain to them that they can actually play after their lessons are done and that if they will only cooperate, studying their lessons may even take lesser time than play time. There are instances that when children come home from school, they feel tired and hungry. They either tend to lie down and rest, or they go straight to the fridge and grab snacks and watch tv or play their favorite video game or game console and the like. Giving that space and a break of probably 30-45 minutes may be appropriate. But after that, parents should exercise their power and authority to instruct their children to do their homework.

2. Formulate a study plan/specific goals for their study time

It is appropriate to set a specific time for each day or for a week for study time. Studying at the same time each day establishes a routine for studying just like sleeping, playing and eating. At first, it may be difficult to sticking to the plan but most of the times daily routines works at the end of the day. It will psychologically and mentally prepare them to undertake this chore, and as such may pave the way for their good daily study habit until they reach the higher years. Likewise, it should be made clear to them what they want to accomplish for the day and to focus on it, otherwise just sitting down idly will only defeat the purpose.

3. Provide a study corner

Make sure that the children has a clean, quiet, comfortable, well-lit place to study and that it is free from or with minimal distractions. There are parents who would tolerate their children and allow them to study in front of a tv set while the rest of the members of the family are watching. This is a no-no. Computers should be turned off while studying the lessons so as they wont be tempted to surf the internet. Listening to soft music may be of help to some students but it can be distraction to others.

4. Organize study materials

Parents should see to it that children maintain an organized notes and materials.

This is to ensure that everything is in place and that the necessary information are readily available. It should be noted that these notes help in completing their assignments. School supplies such as clips, highlighters, pens and papers may be needed and should be accessible.

5. Implement the study plan

Once the learning environment is set up, allow the children to study and do their assignments on their own. At this stage, reviewing their notes will help in doing their assignments correctly. If deemed necessary, you may help your kids to do their assignment but the rule of thumb is don’t do it for them. When you help your kids, be very patient and don’t be frustrated when they can’t understand easily. Don’t show it to them that you’re tired even if you are, instead make it fun and interesting. As much as possible, parents should encourage their children to do the most difficult assignments and lessons first as they require more mental energy and thereafter they could tackle the easier ones.

Sure, there are children who don’t need guidance, but there are some who at times face difficulty in doing their assignments, in which case, they may be allowed to call their classmates or their teachers for help, if necessary. Remember the saying “Two heads may be better than one”.

6. Tell siblings and friends not to disturb or call the child while he is studying.

This is self-explanatory. Reminder: As much as possible turn off cell phones and don’t entertain phone calls during study time to avoid distractions.

7. Supervise, monitor and keep track of assignments.

Be knowledgeable about the child’s progress. It is suggested that parents should check once in a while their children's notebooks and talk to their teachers about their school's performance. iIt is also a good idea to review the assignments and this can be done during weekends after going to Sunday church and after having fun and relaxation, in preparation for the first school day of the week.

8. Offer incentives/rewards

Offering rewards or taking away privileges, whichever is the case, may be done either to encourage or motivate them or to recognize and praise them for their accomplishments, for their good grades and efforts.

9. Have enough sleep and proper nutrition

Nutrition and sleep are very basic aspects in our lives especially to children. They should get enough sleep everyday and they should take well balanced diet to feed their stomach and the brain as well! As they say, the key success is a well-fed tummy!

10. Ask for Divine Intervention

Teaching your children to pray before and after studying is the best thing you can do for your children. Tell them that even in studying, they can talk to God and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit for enlightenment or they can even ask their guardian angels to help them do their assignments. Have you tried it before? It really helps!

Implementing these study habits for your children will make him go a long way! Come on, try these tips and I am sure you parents and working Moms out there will surely reap great rewards because of your efforts, patience, dedication and love to your children. Truly, knowledge is power. Kudos to all!

My Useful Do-It Yourself Tips For Springtime: Low Cost, High Class Flower Arrangement

Springtime has officially begun two days ago. While the cool crisp air is still hovering around, the smiling sun has powerfully come out from the horizon making my days warm, brighter and cheerful .

Before, I dreaded the scorching heat and the humid climate in the eastern part of the globe that I would usually pine for cold spring and fall season days. It is only now that I realize the importance of sunlight, after long months of winter hibernation. Nevertheless, I am still grateful that my body has naturally and easily adapted to the 4 seasons that West has. Before I get carried away by my emotions, let’s go back to what I wanted to share with you. As you may know, one of the major benefits of sunlight is that it helps plants especially the flowers to bloom and be healthy. I am sure majority of the women will agree with me that flowers say so many things and mean so much to us, however and whatever form it may be. Flowers express everything: friendship, love and romance, appreciation, or even to merely show or let a special someone know that she is in his thoughts for a particular day. What is $5 to $10 bucks anyway for your loved one, right?

As the old adage says: “It is the thought that counts” behind the flowers, not the awesome looks (packaging and the price attached to it) and not the fragrant smell! However, it would even be meaningful if the flower come from your garden itself because you'll be able to reap the benefits of the labor of love which you have invested in there.

Here in the US, flowers start to emerge and bloom during springtime until end of summer days. Candidly speaking, I marvel at the sights of the lovely flowers that grows in the front yards of our nr rrrr

nearby neighbors. I simply love their colors and I am impressed by their fragrance. Since childhood, one of my dreams was to have a “greenhouse” so I could plant my favorites. My wish was granted but not a greenhouse but just clay pots and unused leather tires planted with tropical flowers, maintenance of which as far as I can remember was not good mainly due to climate condition. Flowers can actually be grown outside the window sills of your apartment, or harvested/picked up from your garden (if you have one) or from a neighbor’s garden (with their permission of course), or from a flower store at a flea market or a supermarket for a song!

These colorful living things can add a fresh feeling to yourself and beauty to the surroundings and it is one way of welcoming spring and summer time to your home.

Just like what I said before about shopping, flower arrangement is likewise both a science and an art. If you have the knack of putting together things such as mixing and blending colors and matching stuffs, then it would be easy for you to display things in its proper perspective. There are times that we see flower arrangements in plush hotels and first class condominiums displayed in eye-catching crystal and bronze carved (with semi precious stones) vases. We all know that this kind of arrangement uses a lot of gorgeous flowers and vases which can cost us a lot. Let’s not even go to that far, just the bouquet of flowers sold in commercialized flower shops can be costly. So, what I’m going to provide you now are alternative helpful low cost tips on how to bring in these flowers to the interior of your homes in a fashionable and distinctive way. (Note: These tips are applicable regardless of your location):

1. Instead of using expensive vases for you daily or weekly requirements, you can use tea tin cans which make a beautiful display as vases in your home. I used to have empty tea tin cans at home (after consuming the tea inside of course) which I bought in London and Taipei.

Chinese tea tin cans specifically have this intricate decorative art work which could already pose as décor in your side, coffee , dining or kitchen tables. If you add garden fresh flowers into it, it will make your room interesting or your table as unique as it appears. Pastel linens, napkins and colored candles will complement the fresh look of the table. If you have several of them, you can group them together to serve as a centerpiece of the table. If you also have an unused tea pot, that will serve as an additional attraction.

2. Assuming you’re not a tea drinker and you don’t have tea tin cans, empty cans of milk, drinks or sauces or retro-looking cans will make as a substitute. Old glasses, jars and antique containers which can be purchased at flea markets are cute alternatives. You just have to use your vision and instinct on how you want to decorate your home with flowers.

3. Another option is the inexpensive ceramic monochromatic white vases which you can find at discount stores , trade shows and flea markets as well.

4. For fillers, you may want to put small cup or container with water inside the tins to hold the flowers and to avoid formation of rust in the tins. Other things which can be seen from craft stores are colored marbles, white sand, seashells or dried leaves and fruits which can serve as fillers as well. You may also want to bundle the flowers together with a rubber band and place them at the center of the makeshift vase.

5. Never use your hands and fingers to cut the stem of the flowers. Use a sharp scissor or knife to cut and trim the flower to have a sharp even cut for proper water absorption.

6. Place your improvised flower vase in a cool place and away from direct sunlight, gas/electric stoves or some objects that emit heat as it destroys the vitamins present in the fresh leaves, thus causing the flower to dehydrate.

7. Last but not least, check and monitor if your vase has still enough water or in worst case scenario has already been infested by bacteria. There are flower preservatives available in the market that can eradicate bacteria in the water.

With all these in mind, I hope your spring time is already in bloom! I also hope to see your version of your improvised flower vase soonest, hopefully using the aforementioned helpful tips !

Useful and Tested Dine Out Tips For New York City’s Visitors And Diners Everywhere

Three days ago, I had an intelligent excuse to sneak out freely …..a precious gift for that particular day so to speak. It was a dine out in one of the fine dining restaurants along 42^nd St. in Manhattan! But lo and behold, the restaurant seemed to have disappeared and when found, there was a very long queue which was quite impossible to get in there before closing time! I'll reserve my privacy rights on why I was given the said privilege, rather I wish to share with you the lessons learned and some useful tips on how to foil a failed night out!

1. Plan ahead – Planning ahead of time has a myriad of advantages. Try to avoid spur of the moment decisions especially when you go fine dining in the bustling street and tourist-infested area of the Big Apple and more so when you’re not so familiar with the place.

On this, I would say “mea culpa”, the gut feeling worked to my disadvantage!

2. Use search engines – There are several ways to get directions to your destination either thru search applications of Google, Yahoo, Bing and other sources which provide access to a range of information. Some of the means to find directions is by using the “Directions” tab, right clicking an icon or search result and using the “To/From Here” buttons. There are options on how you can reach the place, either thru private vehicle, public transits, buses and the like.

Believe me, I searched the place thru the "Google" search engine but perhaps I was not so meticulous of the details ….it was a lapse in judgment on my part! I was overconfident that I thought I would be able to get in there, at the right place and at the right time, as I often passed by the area for a couple of times. However, there are situations where salient information are overlooked or perhaps the place has moved to another location which was actually what happened.

3. Visit the Webpage – It is likewise advisable to go to the website of the particular restaurant or the place where y ou want to go to so you would have more or less a glimpse of what the restaurant can offer. If it’s indispensable, possible and accessible, make a reservation in advance to avoid falling in line when the restaurant is jampacked. Likewise, grab a phone and call them to confirm on the location, closing time, and other salient information.

In all honesty, I visited the webpage but sorry to say, I must have focused my attention to other less relevant information and not on the exact location of the place. I did not attempt to dial my phone and call them up!

So, having said all these things, I hope next time when you come to New York City or anywhere you go , do plan ahead and consider formulating fall back plans in the event something goes wrong in order to make your day less stressful.

Having a positive outlook in mind, I changed my gears and made use instead of my time (oh yes, for my blog!) by taking some few photos for you guys who have not been here in NY, particularly the 42^nd Street in Manhattan , i.e., only those found from 8^th avenue to Broadway. Briefly, the 42^nd St. is a major crosstown street in Manhattan, which runs from east to west, and known for its theatres and famous landmarks such as Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, among others.

Since it was sort of a brief peek of the place at night, I will be showing not even a slice of a cake, but probably just a taste of the icing of the cake of NYC, meaning only a few of familiar attractions along the stretch of 42nd St.

Enjoy and feel free to express your emotions after looking at the photos:

1. NYC entrepreneurs (road sketch/portrait artists), showcasing their talents for a measly $5 bucks per sketch. Not bad! Hmmnn, this is a very good income generating opportunity for talented guys …maybe a tax free business and requires no business license permit from the City Mayor's office, why not?

2. The Hilton Times Square Building

3. The interior facade of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum – I wasn't so excited to explore what's inside because I have already seen Madame Tussaud's museum in London anyway. Probably, in the future!

4. One of the Imax Theatres in NYC and the Liberty Theatre

5. Others – A horse made of cut glass inside the lobby of Ripley's Believe It or Not!

the bearded lady, also at the Ripley's

outside of the Ripley's odditorium!

and the busy night life, neon lights, video walls, whatever!

some of the buildings!

and look what I got for my very late dinner! I ended up with this….

jaraannnnnnn…………………!

jaraaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

jannn, jannn!

a take out pizza (pepperoni and mushrooms), caesar salad with grilled chicken and buffalo wings! (phew). I have to gorge on this to refuel the foregone energy! At least it's still within my blog's rule ….a well balanced diet! Hey, you might think I ate it all…nope I just took a slice and the salad! …and the pizza place was located nearby the New York Times!

What a night! What an adventure! That's one of me….a very flexible person!

A Poem By E. Browning – My Useful Treat Tip for Women Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries This Month

In recognition of the women celebrating their paper, tin/aluminum, ivory, china or silver wedding anniversaries for the month of March, I would like to salute you for the dedication, faithfulness and commitment to your vows. With the lures and temptations around us, it seems like fidelity and commitment are fast losing their place in this world. So, hats off to all of you and keep it up!!!

Marriage is an open-ended commitment. No one knows if one or the other would be faithful to the end. But it is possible – only it requires more than strength of a Superman – a strength of a Divine Nature who will give you the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness and self-control . As time passes by, there may be arguments among couples, they may grow tired, and sometimes be overwhelmed but they will never be bored with marriage or with each other.

This long forgotten wonderful poem written in 1849 by a woman named Elizabeth B. Browning only reflects that faithfulness is indeed possible despite the trials and tribulations in life. It is about their lives which primarily have been lived out in the strength of their love. The poem goes like this:

How Do I Love Thee? – By Elizabeth B. Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the end of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, –

I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! – and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after …..

Once again, I trust this gives you inspiration and encouragement as you travail the paths of marriage life. Just like the photo of a senior couple below. A job well done! Just

(photo property of myusefultips.com, not for repreduction please)

Freshly Pearly Smile Treat Tip – The Baking Soda Phenomenon

Speaking about baking soda! Didn’t I just mention about it earlier as one of the main ingredients for the Irish soda bread? Oh yes! But for now it is for something you’ve probably heard for years from your grandparents or Mom and Dad or even recently from your buddies. I myself have heard it too. What I’m talking about is……

The Baking Soda: As an eco-friendly alternative to toothpaste we’ve been used to since time immemorial.

Yep it can be used as an agent to whiten our teeth and freshen our mouth! We’ve heard it right but have we tried it yet? This cheap and accessible product in any household and supermarkets or grocery is indeed a multi-taskin performer. In fact I for one just bought another box today for the fridge (another use for soda) and for how much? Only for a dollar vis-à-vis the whitening strips ($25-$30) and other whitening treatments (e.g. cosmetic teeth procedure) which may cost you a thousand bucks or even more!

For us who will use it for the first time, the following modified steps can be undertaken. ( Note that these steps have already been adopted and published in the web apparently for public consumption).

1. Place (probably 1/5 or1/4 tsp) baking soda in a small container, probably in a glass or bowl.

2. Dissolve/Mix it with water and the latter will help create a paste

3. Dip toothbrush into the mixture and take a portion of it just enough for your brushing requirements

4. Brush your teeth a s you would normally do (but brush gently around your gums so it wont irritate them)

5. Rinse it out well with water after brushing ..

Caution: As much as possible or it depends on your prerogative, you may wish to consult your dentist before trying it, particularly for those wearing retainers and braces and the like. It is well advised that it may be best to use this method once every two weeks as the soda itself has a rather rough feeling in your mouth. It may hurt sensitive gums but once you get the hang of it….it is nothing! What is important however is that , the product is tested, proven, safe, organic, economical and most of all an effective medium of boasting a whiter and cleaner teeth and a fresher breath!

Now having said this, may I see your smile ?

Whooah ! Amazingly freshly pearly beautiful smile!

Seriously, you wont get the results (whitening factor) overnight….it may take a while. But you will get the fresh clean feeling immediately!

First Week of Spring – Tip For Big Apple’s Visitors (St. Patrick’s Day)

There are compelling reasons why I would like to write about St. Patrick’s Day as exception to the rule and a slight deviation from the primary objective of my blog site, particularly for the month of March . Nevertheless, for those who have been following my site, you will still find more or less useful tips for women in this article as you read along the way.

Here are the rationale:

1. In recognition of and with due respect to St. Patrick whom I do admire for his courage and endurance. At a very young adolescent age he already faced such challenges, trials, and great achievements in life.

2. The Gothic Cathedral of St. Patrick in Manhattan always makes me feel at home and the memories will always be there as far as my love of music and spirituality is concerned.

3. In appreciation to my colleagues in the local community where I belong, specifically to the amazing and beautiful Irish ladies who are always there to lend a hand and be a friend and they all know who they are! Every 17^th of March, the feast of St. Patrick is celebrated worldwide in a variety of ways. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland as he was responsible for the conversion of Irish people to Christianity. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is both a national holiday and a holyday of obligations. Here in New York City, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is considered as one of the major tourist attractions - it is a great experience if you are visiting the Big Apple on a crisp spring day break! The St. Patrick’s Day parade is the main highlight of this event where hundreds of thousands of marchers participating and a vast crowd of spectators along the fabulous street of 5^th Avenue. What is exciting in this event is the unique color green overshadowing the entire gathering.

Regardless of nationality and creed, you will see people wearing something green and silver or gold glittered green hats and accessories in a festive atmosphere. I had the privilege to witness how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated at the local level. In our community, the event was started with a mass in the morning by the Irish-descent parishioners and friends and it ended with a dance in the evening.

Apart from the Irish food (corned beef with cabbage, among others) and drinks, there was a program with Irish music being played and the traditional Irish dance by the pretty young ladies with their elegant traditional costumes. It was just so unfortunate my cam was not at its best at that time…..as I bravely went to the auditorium on a rainy, windy and stormy night ….for St. Patrick’s sake!

It is also during this year that the 1^st Annual Soda Bread Contest was held. Entries were displayed on the table but since I have to go ahead for another occasion I didn’t get the chance to witness who had the most yummy and mouth-watering soda bread. Incidentally, I had this really funny experience about what soda bread is- I thought all along that probably the main ingredient is soda (drinks), hence the name soda bread until my friend corrected me that it’s soda because it uses baking soda as a rising agent instead of yeast! Honestly, I would have wanted to try on how a traditional soda bread tastes like. Maybe someday, once I got a sample of it, I will definitely write an article about it with the ingredients and the preparations as well! You see, I got a tip for you – about the “soda” thing!

Sure, the color green and the “shamrock” symbol were visible but what was important was the camaraderie among themselves, the fun and the pride of their culture and heritage.

This kind of mood is contagious that even the non-Irish New Yorkers consider themselves as one of them on St. Patrick’s Day!

To all of you, Beannachtai na Feile Padraig agat! Blessings of the Feast of Patrick to you!

Camera Conscious – My Useful Treat Tip

Almost all of the latest state-of- the- art cellular phones have decent built-in camera but I am still a buff of a real one. While I do admit that I can still be picture conscious or camera shy especially if it is someone I don’t know who is clicking it, my being an aficionado of designing photo galleries still makes me pose my best shot just for the heck of it! Indeed, a picture can paint a thousand words and that what makes a camera so priceless to all of us.

To hit the market pretty soon, the most recently announced Panasonic Lumix DMC G-2 (Micro Four Thirds cameras) is supercool – it has an intuitive touch control capability for easy snapping of photos. It’s considered as the world’s first digital interchangeable lens camera with a movable LCD. Another nifty plus, just like its predecessor (G1), G2 has a display that can flip and swivel. It has also a 720-quality video recording function and captures AVCHD LIte compression which allow users to record for longer durations, which is just appropriate for bloggers like me.

Other features include a 12.1 megapixel LIVE MOS sensor, the high speed , high performance Venus engine as well as various softwares to assist the user to edit videos. It will be available in red, blue and black. The price? That we have to wait and see!

Here, take a glimpse of the G2! For more information go to panasonic.com.

Cool Useful Tips For A Nice Read – Nine Rooms of Happiness

This new released book jointly authored by Lucy Danziger and Catherine Birndorf may be more or less interrelated with my earlier write up about tips for staying young, living longer and aging happily. The suggested tips which were spelled out in the said particular blog could very well echo the approaches mentioned in the book on how to make every woman’s life and dreams a reality – despite the blotches, weaknesses, trials and tribulations encountered in every room in the house.

The said book is a short story, a metaphor which basically describes all about women’s dreams, complications, frustrations and successes in life represented by the different rooms in a typical house. The bottom line is, it suggested certain strategies for every room in your life, particularly on how to be happy , something that is not easy thing to do as it requires a lot of patience and perseverance – the core values crucial to getting there -to the road of joy and happiness.

The book describes each room in the house, as follows:

Basement – this part of the house is considered as the most spacious part and it serves as foundation of the house. Memorable moments of the family since childhood happen in this room, that is why some of the family’s memorabilia are stored in this place.

Family Room – this is where members of the family gather around to discuss on family related matters and issues, whether happy or sad events in life.

Office Room – this is where the financial transactions (e.g. payment for bills, daily expenses, number of hours spent at home and work) are taken into account.

Kitchen – this is where food is prepared for nourishment and domestic chores are divided and assigned.

Living Room – this is where social life is mostly spent with friends, with officemates, neighbors, and other social related activities are being held.

Bath Room – this is where major issues of women such as beauty, vanity, weight, fashion and the like are discovered.

Children’s Room – this is where the issues about the kids (their school needs, personal necessities, peer pressures, ) are discussed, including the decision on whether or not to have and nurture kids, among others.

Bed Room – this is where intimacy, romance, sex and personal relationships between husband and wife or between partners are explored and shared.

Attic- this is where the expectations of the family have for each other from childhood to adulthood.

My comments on the book:

Comment No. 1

Of the 9 rooms described above, I noticed that the authors excluded a Prayer Room, so to speak. They may have their reasons why, probably it was overlooked or it was intentionally not considered at all as a major place of a house. Considering however, that the subject being discussed is about happiness, it may be imperative that a space or a small room in a decent average home should have been allotted for the family’s spiritual growth. If one is spiritually mature, it could have been easy to lessen the stresses and resolve the problems encountered in the other rooms.

The Prayer Room is like a war room where the key members of the family, especially the mother or even all the members could visit the room each day or at times to discuss with God and formulate strategies on how to battle the said stresses and problems. We should be reminded that mortals as we all are, we should make God as the ce nter of our lives—-after all, our purpose here on earth is to know, to love and to serve God.

As the saying goes, the family that prays together, stays together. If I may quote Mother Teresa’s words…”Be sure to teach the families to pray all together , for the family that prays together stays together, and if they stay together, they will love one another…”. I strongly believe with the said proverb because our parents (especially my Mom), taught us when we were still kids to be prayerful. We pray all together and I would say that it was this time that our spiritual journey began.

I often tell the kids in my class that when we lift up our problems and open our hearts to God through prayers, we are in effect strengthening our relationship with and faith in Him. And when there is someone more powerful to help, there is that sense of comfort and the feeling of inner peace and security enveloping on one’s self. As indicated in my other blog, talking to God through prayers or meditation, regardless of one’s religion, is the most peaceful and inexpensive way of releasing the daily burdens and stresses in life. When we have inner peace in ourselves, we become detach to self-centeredness, materialism, worldly desires, and greed (which are at times the roots of troubles in the house), and in the end we become happier, healthier and loving creatures of God .

Comment No.2

Obviously, the book is applicable and is being addressed and compared to the life of an average to upper working class woman who has a house of her own (either thru sale or lease) and could relate to what the authors would like to imply.

As such, this book is not meant for majority of the people in the world living under the poverty line (80% of humanity lives on less than $10/day), who can still afford to smile, especially the women, even in the midst of problems and difficulties. These poor women have no rooms to spare, they do not live in an impeccably clean houses – sometimes they live in a shack with no dividers and everything are done in a tiny square room- which is even way far from the situation of a problematic working woman living in a cramped, messy and fully packed studio room in NYC. So, how on earth can these people do it? How are they able to survive? These are amazingly beautiful people!

What I would like to impart here, is that regardless of one’s stature, a person can still be happy, can still smile, even with sadness and pain , if armed with the right attitude, their being able to adapt to thorny situations and how they perceived and dealt with it. If I may quote again what I said in my earlier article, a positive outlook in life is essential for a happy contented life. The less privilege people, the women in particular, do not fret and lament of what ever hardships they're experiencing in life. I can say these things in view of my actual dealings with people in the rural areas or even in metro slums or the so-called informal dwellers, specifically in developing economies. These are the women who are the true heroines, who have mastered the art of coping with sad realities of life, who have accepted that it is part of the system, that their happiness does not come in the form of material possessions or the things that can be bought in the consumer market place. Rather, their pleasures and wants are simple: they are happy that they are alive and intact, that they can eat together even with just one serving of fish and rice on the table, and that they can still afford to love one another. These are the people who are happy and grateful for all the things being provided to them, and that this kind of attitude has a trickle down effect to their neighbors, and ult imately to the community, so to speak!

Finally, I would like to say that LOVE is the key to all the doors and rooms in the house, to all things. This is the probably the joy that we would want to see in a house to make it a home. Peace and happiness are in our HEARTS and in our HEARTS is where LOVE is. Without LOVE, then everything will turn awry. LOVE IS BEAUTIFUL!

Comment No. 3

Nevertheless, I would still recommend this book especially to the young urban professionals or “yuppies” to consider this book as a guide or framework in deciphering their successes, failures and emotional issues, and eventually reaching happiness at the end of the day for as long as they seek Divine guidance..

About the Book and the Authors:

Launched/published early this March 2010, the book has a hard cover and with 288 pages. Danziger, L – is the Editor-in-chief of Self magazine. Birndorf, C. – is a psychiatrist, especially for women’s health and the founding director of Payne Whitney Women’s Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

A Multi-Millionaire After A Year – My Treat Tip For the Awesome Nurses Out There

Did you know that……

Based on an annual survey of physician’s salaries, medical centers last year offered higher salaries and incentives to specialist nurses than to primary care doctors?
According to Meritt Hawkins and Associates (MHA), primary care doctors were offered an average base salary of $173,000 in 2009 vis-à-vis the average base salary of $189,000 for certified nurse anesthetist or CRNAs?
MHA’s projections for 2010 showed that CRNAs average base salary ($186,000) will still be higher compared to family physicians ($178,000) ?

*CRNAs are advanced practice nurses who administer anesthesia to patients. A salient difference between CRNAs and anesthesiologist is that “when anesthesia is administered by a nurse anesthetist , it is still recognized as a practice of nursing rather than a practice of medicine”.

So, nurses out there, my relatives and friends ….I guess this is a good investment. It appears that there is a pot of gold after undergoing a training for and being certified as CRNA. A paradigm shift in your current field of expertise may be worth considering!

My Useful Tips

Monthly Archives: March 2010