Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Typhoon Frank and M/V Princess of the Stars

Thousands of people were affected by super typhoon "Frank" (international code name: Fensheng) in Panay Island including; Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz,and Antique.
According to National Disaster Coordinating Council, 338,544 persons or 68,888 families in the region were distressed by the typhoon. Over 241,000 persons come from Iloilo province alone...., my place. I was worried I couldn't contact my parents since Sunday because of network problem......
I'm praying fervently that they are all in good condition although Iloilo province was announced under the state of calamities. Billion of houses, agricultural crops and infrastructure were totally destroyed.

Aftermath of typhoon Frank, there were many people dead and still missing in Aklan province.

Shortage of relief goods, drinking water, sanitation and lack of power are the main problems.
Hoping that all officials are exerting their efforts to help victims devastated by the calamity.
Region VI in the Visayas region is the hardest-hit area by typhoon "Frank".

On the other side, 293 people have been reported dead, 175 injured, and 48 missing.
The tally does not include casualties from the ill-fitted M/V Princess of the Stars.
This passenger vessel was sank in Sibuyan Island in Romblon province over the weekend.

Let us pray for the fast recovery of all survivors and for the soul who past away in this tragedy.
May their soul may rest in peace.


Hear you on the next post...

Monday, June 23, 2008

Reading for today !


Proverbs 29:20-23


"Do you see someone who is hasty in speech? There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.
A slave pampered from childhood will come to the end.
One given to anger stirs up strife, and the hothead causes much transgression.
A person's pride will bring humiliation, but one who lowly in spirit will obtain honor".

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Managing emotions !

Today I have touched upon a hot topic!

I don't think I am an expert in managing my own emotions. Now I am thinking why should I then write about this topic first of all. I researched www.google.com, my favorite search engine, about the management of emotions and read some articles written by so many experts. Also I have in the back of my mind some tips read from many glossy magazines I have gone through in the past.

I have observed some people how they manage their emotions successfully. Some I noticed thoroughly mismanaged their emotions with disastrous results. My own experiences of successful and unsuccessful management of emotions also contributed to this post. So all my readers are welcome to add their opinions about this post as comments.

The topic is very important in the present day fast pace of life. There are lot external factors that might positively or negatively influence our emotions and what might play in a successful outcome for us is a big question which only the particular individual can answer. Some people are able to control their emotional reactions to these external events and stay in a balanced state. Some will succumb negatively and this become the result of own negative emotions. It's all in the mind ! Mind's play !
  • Relax, breathe deep in and out and re...lax...Just relax ! Don't think of the events that led into this agitated state. Just relax ! This will help in clearing the mind to see the reality crystal clear and formulating a solution to the problem bringing a sigh of relief !
  • See the reality clearly....accept it ! Very important ! with a mind impartial and with no prejudice just accept the reality.
  • Positive affirmations, inner talk and self talk of positive affirmations will help. Trust your instincts. Trust in your confidence. A firm belief in your own confidence will boost your power to solve the crises.
  • Don't allow unpleasant situation to spoil your day. By allowing so you are initiating a chain of unpleasant events. Break it.
  • Get professional / personal advice, who to approach is the question ! But there will be someone for sure ! Pray God always !
  • Take rest Rest....Avoid complicated and important job matters till your mood becomes better. Never drive your vehicle in an agitated state of mind ! OK....Never be moody....Enjoy life....SMILE !

Friday, June 13, 2008

Weight loss

1. A positive mindset

Avoid negative thinking that you will never achieve your goal of losing weight and obtain the figure that you crave for. Why some self - hypnosis strategies work is very simple; it gives rise to positive thinking state. Hopelessness is replaced by hopefulness.

"Yes....my efforts to reduce the bodyweight and obtain a good figure is progressing well and I am happy about it. Well....I still have to improve myself and I am trying my best!"

Positive reaffirmations like this are very much essential.
In this regard, support from family members, friends and colleagues also wold be very much appreciated but most of the time it won't be so. The reasons for this is very simple. We tend to party wherever there is a happy occasion. "Party ....let's celebrate"....Celebration means going to an eatery to indulge in whatever you can...would be chitchat...crack the jokes...eat, drink and again eat...Sit there longtime...eat and eat...

In this scenario how can friends be supportive about weight loss?
The problem is 99% of the time celebrations or arty means "EATING". Food has become an integral part of any celebrations.
It has become synonymous with JOY, HAPPINESS. Sharing of joy during a celebration by partying results in consumption of huge quantities of fat-laden foods and drinks adding kilos to the already existing pounds of bodyweight waistline in particular.
Friends, family members and colleagues cannot be supportive in weight - loss programs most of the time particularly in the long run.
When people are sad, they consume less. There is no feasting or partying and thats it.
But some people with anxiety may eat more. They eat, chew hard, wolf the dishes, eat fast....all the result of anxiety. Food become their solace. They drown their problems in food.

2. Eat less carbohydrates, include more proteins, consume less fat and eat more fruits and vegetables.
Every time when there is a craving for food the hand automatically reach for a carbohydrate rich food stuff.
If it is unavoidable eat whole grain bread, oatmeal, brownbread, whole wheat pasta, brownrice / basmati rice etc!
  • Use less oil while cooking
  • Go for fresh whole fruits than juices
  • Drink lot of water
  • Avoid fizzy drinks
  • Use low fat items
  • Eat 5 main meals instead of 3
  • Consume less sugar and dried sweety fruits
  • Use more of steamed / baked / grilled items instead of fried ones
  • Include beans, lentils, peas, soya, Tufu in the diet
  • Use Olive oil, take walnuts everyday
  • Drink green tea.
3. Exercise

EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE

You have to sweat a little to burn the calories.

4. Read the labels

Go through the saturated fat content additives, calories etc clearly depicted on the pack of foodstuffs.
Decide about using it then and there in the store itself.

5. Keep a weighing machine !

Weigh often.......It will remind you about your goal always !

6. Think about the feeling of wellbeing

Having a wonderful figure makes you feel good!

7. Read inspiring stories


8. Enjoy your weight loss plan !

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Be in good mood always !

Bad mood is very bad !

It spoils not only our day and possibly night as well but also others' day and night sometimes.
It is quite normal to be in a bad mood but not doing anything about it is not good.
Bad mood can result because of a bad event, a bad dream, unpleasant news, media etc etc...It's part and parcel of a person's personality to be moody.
But if you experience mood fluctuations frequently for no reason...well...it's time to look seriously into it, you may need professional help.

What can be done to improve the mood ?

Social activities

A party...a happy social gathering...etc will stimulate people. The fun and festivities will elevate the mood.
And people tend to be in a better mood the coming day most of the times...if the person didn't feel bad during the party. Well sometimes, things can go wrong during a part.. hehehe..then it can bring on bad mood...

Physical activity

This is the most important thing which can fight a bad mood.
This can elevate spirits and the person becomes cheerful.

Pleasant circumstances

A beautiful place stimulates all our senses positively. Indoor plants, beautiful interior designs, clean surroundings...well...we all know about these things, we have experienced it. It has been proven that aromatic oils elevate mood.

Health

If we are suffering from some diseases mood fluctuation may result. Thyroid problems are notorious to cause mood fluctuations. Needless to mention about menstrual problems, it's quite common.

Music

There are mood elevating songs but some makes people depressed.

Books and other hobbies

Diversions of the thought processes into something pleasant like reading a book and indulging in hobbies are also some methods to improve mood.

Well, thats it for today...Don't be moody....

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Rain, Rain don't go away.....

I like Rain very much. It is beautiful !

Just observing the drops falling from the sky;
the haziness that covers the sky;
the greenery all over getting soaked;
everything is beautiful !

Only thing that scares me a little is the lightening and thunder !
So Rain, Rain don't go away !
Come again and again everyday !

Monday, June 9, 2008

Chinchilla - a pet !


Hello all......I started one more blog. I heard the very first time in my life about Chinchillas from Josie, my blogger friend !

http://www.thewillingwanderer.blogspot.com/2008/05/chinchilla.html

I don't have a picture of Chinchilla to post here but I hope Josie will send one to me of her pet so that I can post it here with due acknowledgments to her and her Chinchilla pet !!! hehehe

They are actually Rodents but looks like in between a squirrel and rabbit, wonderful ! I researched the google about these species and got some interesting facts...and I would like to share these with you all as well....

Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Rodentia
Family - Chinchillidae
Genus - Chinchilla
Species - Chinchilla lanigera
and Chinchilla brevicaudata

Because of their fur these animals were on the verge of extinction and Mr Mathias F Chapman in 1918 is credited to bringing them from S America into the USA. There they became popular house pets.

They are active at night and it is not unusual that they become noisy during the early morning hours ..hehehehehe.. a perfect companion if you are working on night shift..... They are very inquisitive in nature and explore the environment actively. They are playful too.

True....pets make you happy !

Well....you can read more about these wonderful pets and their care by browsing these links...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinchilla
http://www.cheekychinchillas.com
http://www.valleyviewchinchillas.com

Thank you so much Josie, as requested Josie sent me picture of her pet. As you can see I posted it already. Due acknowledgements to Josie and her pet, Thanks once again !