How to Enjoy Your Summer

34°C as today's temperature is just way too hot! Talk about heat stroke! I am just inside my room, yet I can feel the heat go through my veins. It seems that my room, which is normally cool, now has turned into a sauna room, or even worse, a huge oven! The air coming from my fan is like fire coming out from a dragon's mouth. If only I can put ice cubes, ice cubes that will stay ice cubes forever if possible, on my bed or inside my shirt to keep me cool and last this afternoon feeling fresh.

I wish summer is over. I can't help but complain. That's how we are. If it's freezing cold, we'd wish that climate is a bit warmer. If it's raining, we'd wish it's still summer. Blame it to our lack of contentment.

To make the best out of this uber hot time of the year, here's a list of what you can do.

1. Go to the beach - This is the best time of the year that you can get a good tan and wear your skimpiest swimsuits. There are so many beaches in the Philippines that you can go to, without having to stretch your budget. If you can splurge, book a flight going to Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, Cebu, Davao, Siargao, or Batanes. Those are only few of the most sought after places with great beaches in the country. If beaches are way out of your league, then try to go to swimming pools nearby. Every village now has clubhouse pool. Swimming helps boost immune system. Lounge by the pool with friends. Take pictures and have fun!

2. Hit the Mall - Most of the shopping malls in the Philippines are airconditioned. So, instead of turning your AC on 24/7 at home and pay a huge electricity bill, why not take advantage of the mall's airconditioning system and hang out until dinner time? You don't necessarily need to binge on expensive food and drinks, nor go shopping 'til you drop. You can buy a regular sized frap or cold drink (to make you feel kinda colder) and stay in a coffee shop, bring your mobile phone, tablet, or lap top, and take advantage of free wireless connection. You can also stay on one of the benches inside the malls, bring your favorite book, read until you feel you can head back home, ideally after sunset.

3. Plan a trip to famous summer places - There are places you can go to which are not as hot as it gets in the urban areas. Plan a trip with your love ones, or friends to Baguio, Sagada, or Tagaytay. These places are known to have cold temperature all-year long. You don't need to spend much. There are do-it-yourself cheaper ways that you can do in planning trips to these famous places.

4. Make Halo Halo/Iced beverages or desserts - If you're a certified homebuddy, or you're not in the mood to go out, then this is perfect for you! You can make any iced beverages or desserts in the comforts of your home. There are tons of recipes you can find on the net. You can make iced coffee, bake ice cream cakes, or just make a typical Filipino Halohalo.


Just a tip to avoid dehydration and heat stroke: Please drink more than 10 glasses of water everyday. :)

posted from Bloggeroid

Be Better and Not Bitter

I've been hearing a lot of sad stories about being left alone and being taken advantage of. I know a lot of depressed individuals who long to have someone in their lives for keeps, or the so-called living happily ever after. The truth is, we can't have fairytale-like endings all the time. Something is always bound to happen. Story needs to come to its end. Someone has to eventually leave because of indifferences, the famous "third party", or even death. It's a matter of how you deal with the situation. It is how you turn the table around.

I am also a product of a cataclysmic relationship. Just like in the movies, I played the martyr's role for God knows how long. I have tried to save the matrimony countless times for my own liking and for the sake of my son. I forgave innumerably hoping that it's going to be better. But I guessed wrong. I was treated like shit. I was left for someone else after being in that shoddy relationship for quite a long time. I knew all along that it's inevitably going to happen but I still gambled anyway.

And just like any typical human being who was left alone, I also cried to death. I stooped and begged. I did everything to get the person back, ofcourse, to no avail. Depression stage was the worse I've been to. After a month of two of being too emotional about it, I started to get back on track. As they say, if you can't help yourself, then who will?

With the help of my supportive parents, my son, my real friends who are always there, and new found friends I met along the way, who are also part of my journey, I began to think of life differently. I constantly reminded myself that nothing good will happen if I continue to go on with life feeling inferior and wishing that it can go back the way it was.

I started going out, I worked out, I busied myself at work and I did things that I never dare do before. I closed a chapter of my life and began working on a new one. Now, as I look back, I realized how pathetic I was, how funny my reactions were. I do not regret what has been done and said. My past molded me to who I am now.

I believe that happiness is a choice. If you continue to pursue happiness in the arms of someone who doesn't want you to be in theirs anymore, then you will end up being hurt more. You can find happiness everywhere, whether career-wise, in friendship, and even in being given a chance to rediscover what life has to offer. Try to think of your life in a different perspective. If you fail at one point, it is not the end of the world. Be optimistic. Be free. Live life one step at a time. Let go of your emotional baggage. There is not one person on earth who is problem-free. It is how you deal with it that makes you who you are.

If you keep dwelling on what-must-have-beens, then you will not get over that phase at all. You will be stuck in that situation forever. If you continue to hope that your partner will change for the better, then you are only waiting for nothing. It's about time you think of yourself. Shape up, be better, and not bitter. :)

posted from Bloggeroid

Love Thyself :)

Like what the tattoo on my arm says: Do not forget to love yourself. This serves as my mantra, my constant reminder because I love too much that I have the tendency to care more for the people around me, most especially the ones who are very dear to me before myself. I display such overflowing affection that in the end I get hurt for doing so. I love unconditionally. I love without any "buts". I can easily learn to accept someone's flaws. Cheating is not in my dictionary if I have grown to love a person deeply. For others, I can be the best partner. But why is it that I am always left miserable? I can't help but think how life is unfair sometimes.
Do you love as much as I do? If so, better start thinking of yourself now before it's too late. Do not EVER be somebody's rebound, past time, nor friend with benefits. Do not chase the person you love for that will just make things worse. Pretend to look strong beneath your weak persona. Do not ever make people feel that you are inferior. You have to always be on top of yourself. I know it's easy for me to say but it's a long process, but I can guarantee you, loving yourself first is what made me survive and what made me who I am now.

posted from Bloggeroid