Suspend-It

Summer is fast approaching so my friends and I are planning to have an exciting retreat. We do this every year to relieve us of the stresses we have at work. Last year we had a four day trip to the Caribbean and now we are planning to go to the Live Music Capital of the World – Branson Missouri.

I found the best site that can help us plan for the best vacation in Branson. Branson is a popular spot for tourists from here and abroad. It houses spectacular natural sites like magnificent lakes, caves, wild rivers, and twelve PGA worthy golf courses. It is also a home for Historical Landmarks, Museums, huge river dams, and theaters. Other attractions include theme parks, novelty retail shops, malls, restaurants, hotels, and convention centers where live music shows are always presented. All these and more can be availed in an inexpensive price, around 400 dollars for a group staying for 4 days.

There is a vacation package suitable for every group of visitors whether lovers, group of friends, even for the whole family. We are planning to stay in a hotel, have a very filling breakfast and have some nature tripping the whole day. And in the evening we’ll watch several live shows and dance all night with the country music. We’re also interested in the American presidents Museum (nerdy ei). We’re also planning to see the Titanic museum that houses relics from the popular historic ship. I myself am excited to go to the Hollywood wax museum to take pictures of my favorite actors (even if they’re just made of lard).  I hope everything turns out as planned!

To all you soon to be moms out there who are conscious about your figure, here’s something for you. Since all women gain weight during pregnancy, many worry that they might never have their old slim figure again. A friend of mine became so fat when she was pregnant, she doubled in weight in her sixth month. When the baby came out, her doctor suggested that she feed her baby the natural way - breastfeeding. In three weeks she lost so much weight and her body returned to its slim figure. The doctor explained that breastfeeding has effects similar to a weight loss pill. Breastfeeding also releases the hormone Oxytocin (the love hormone) which has a “feel good” effect to the mother. The same hormone said to be released when having sex. Amazing huh! So don’t worry about your figure! It will only take a while and you’ll get your sexy body again.

I was supposed to buy memory for my laptop when I was called to go back to the office due to some pest infestation (I was in charge of the fumigation stuff just so you know). The guys responsible for the pest control sort of skipped a part of the office. My boss saw an army of ants ready to invade our pantry. My boss, OC as he is, “requested” that I immediately call back the pest control guys to complete their unfinished work. Sigh.

Office pests are typical especially if you have a pantry with lots of milk and Ovaltine. Ants are not much of a problem but rats and roaches might jam with them if you get too careless. So we have monthly fumigation to rid the office of the pests. Anyway, I learned a lesson from this experience… never trust people who kill rats for a living (haha just kidding!)

As I was saying in my previous post, I had an interesting chat with my friend’s doctor about risks in childbirth. I had a chance to ask about congenital defects and the doctor gladly gave me an overview. She said that during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, the nervous system is developed. The first trimester is the most crucial in the baby’s development. Most congenital defects arise in these months if the mother does not take care of herself well.

I asked about cerebral palsy and she gladly explained. Cerebral palsy is not a disease but a disorder in the nervous system. It affects a person’s movement and even sense of balance. Children with cerebral palsy have poor to no control over their muscles causing tremors and involuntary movements in hands, legs, or even neck. Cerebral palsy doesn’t only arise from defects from pregnancy; it can also be caused my malpractice by the doctors during the birthing process. This was quite a shock for me because it’s my first time to hear that. At least now I’m aware of the risks of pregnancy and choosing a good doctor is as important as taking care of the baby’s health.

I was out yesterday to help my friend have her monthly prenatal checkup in the hospital. She is on her sixth month of pregnancy. As we went in the clinic, I saw a group of men in silk ties and white lab gowns staring at each patient. It turned out that these men are interns and are having an on site lecture about a particular subject. I can’t believe so many men are interested in this field of medicine – OB gynecology.

Anyhow, at least my friend’s doctor, who was giving the lecture, was a female. We had a nice educational chat and I really learned a lot, especially about birth defects, hazards, and risks in pregnancy. Next time I’ll post some of the topics we talked about. For now, I’m off to work!

Yep. I really should’ve stayed away from cold drinks.

Just when I thought my cough is almost nonexistent, I had to forget about it and buy a strawberry shake. *faint* I cannot believe I was too busy thinking about how healthy a strawberry shake is that I forgot that about one important detail that should be included in some performance parts list on how to stay away from cough – it’s ice cold.

Now I’m back to coughing embarrassingly. I ought to put a post it on my wallet saying “Stay away from anything cold.” to serve as my reminder. *sigh* I just hope I won’t go back to my almost speechless condition.

Did I mention that my sick leave pushed through last Friday thanks to my intolerable cough and colds? Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to watch “Nodame Cantabile” at that time because I was too sick to read subtitles from the screen. Even using one of the tv stands currently piled up in the garage to propel our TV near my bed or cocooning myself in a bean bag near it wouldn’t have helped in encouraging me to watch it at my condition.

In any case, after resting for an entire day, I felt way better the next day. In fact, my sister and I finished the 12 episodes of Nodame over the weekend. I did make sure I get enough rest so I won’t undergo the horrific “Don’t talk to me, just skype please?” phase again. Ever.

True enough, the rest and swearing off cold drinking water helped me regain my normal voice. I think my vow to stay away from cold water will be permanent to ensure my healthy speech. *curtsy*

Browsing mindlessly on a magazine while waiting for my turn for a haircut, an equestrian riding apparel caught my eye. It got me into thinking, “Does horseback riding actually have fitness benefits?” I did some research and here’s what I found out:

Horseback riding aside from being recreational sport, is also considered a beneficial form of therapy and exercise for people of all ages. According to one article, “The trotting and galloping action of a horse helps strengthen the rider’s spine and pelvic muscles, improves posture and stimulates seldom-used core muscles, in the dorsal and abdominal regions.” To cap it off, this activity burns approximately 278 calories per hour for an average, 145-pound person (thedailyplate.com). Imagine that!

It is for those reasons and more that there are horseback riding machines in the market today such as Giddyup Fitness Exerciser Machine - Horseback Riding Simulator.

Quite interesting, don’t you think? ^^;

I have been near speechless since Monday due to colds and sore throat. In fact, my speaking capacity is almost incomprehensible and requires too much effort that I’ve requested my colleagues to speak to me only via skype.

My doctor advised me to rest, drink tea, and wear a scarf to ensure that my neck/throat is well protected. Speaking of rest, I’ll most likely be resting on my leather home theater seating, watching the Jdrama series “Nodame Cantabile” by tomorrow if my condition does not improve. Come to think of it, I’m half-wishing my condition won’t improve just so I can watch it. Ahahaha!

Bored while waiting for my brother to pick me up from work, I decided to sms my college friends to see how they’re doing. One of them mentioned that she’s been dying to arrange a batch reunion but was ashamed because she gained a lot of weight. I was like, “Duh?!” In the name of keeping touch with friends, I’ve never really given much thought about weight problems becoming a hindrance to it.

It’s quite funny and frustrating: ditching the opportunity to bond with old friends just because of weight insecurities. I mean, if they’re really your friends, they definitely wouldn’t mind and you ought to know that! They might even recommend a good diet pill for all you know. Oh well… to each his own.