Suspend-It

Do you know what’s worse than getting hormonal acne before or during “that time of the month”? The fact that your normal everyday stress is escalated preposterously!

I mean really, this week is already crazy-stressful enough as it is. But to have my period at the same time, it’s horrendous. Good thing my friend Mark sent me a link on stress management to help me deal with it. The article states that, “Stress affects our bodies and thoughts and can eventually kill us.” I agree. I also discovered that there’s actually a term for the method we use when we displace negative stresses into positive and useful actions – Sublimation. Amazing isn’t it?

Anyway, given my escalated crazy-stressful condition, I think I deserve a satisfying massage tonight and a day off tomorrow.

I just found out that the highest position and salary level I can attain in my company is my current one. Consequently, I have decided that it’s high time for me to invest in another level-up for better career opportunity.

Unfortunately, for those with busy schedule or are currently employed, it’s really quite hard to find time to level-up and upgrade yourself; which is why I’m very happy there’s such a thing as online bachelor degree and short training courses which makes leveling up possible. The only problem is, I’m not quite sure which area or skills I should be enhancing.

Thanks to the two-day internet marketing event I attended last March 4-5, I met high-profile internet marketers which are willing to train fellow SEM enthusiasts for a discounted price! I unhesitatingly enrolled myself in three short online trainings to level up and increase my market value (and find a more appropriate company for my skills and talents).

Can’t wait to start upgrading with the trainings!

I ran again as promised. I decided to run around the park this time. It felt good hitting the grass and tile flooring at the park. I even saw a few familiar faces. Most of them remembered me. Said my hi’s and hello’s and even hanged out with Audric after by a bench.

I met Audric at a Christmas party 4 years ago. He was a sweet charming man. He got divorced a few years before. His wife cheated on him and didn’t want him back. He was heartbroken and his wife was never seen again leaving him with 2 children to take care of. In his depression he knew he needed an outlet, he has after all two kids whom he has to love and care for. This was when he found out about running. It first started out as a way to tire himself to sleep instead of crying all night. After a few weeks of running, he started feeling better, he started feeling light and he was more energetic and concentrated. You can say that he got hooked. It is definitely a better choice to get hooked on running than alcohol.

When I met him again he seems more happy and contented. Apparently he met a woman a year ago and he’s planning on proposing this month. I was so happy for him it is definitely good to hear about stories like this.

Saw Audric and his fiancé last night, Yes they are engaged! Congratulations mister! I’ll be there at your wedding!

21 days left to train for the Condura Run.
Memories of cramming for exams are flashing through my mind.

Think positive.
Remember what Lance Armstrong said in the Nike+ training mp3. “Pain is temporary. Quitting is forever”.
If Tessa Prieto can finish the 21k then so can you.

Think back at what you’ve accomplished so far.
You’ve completed 7 2-minute aerobic intervals on the nordictrac at high inclines and speeds, run circles around other runners in the olympic track, and conquered the Heartbreak Hill in the university.

YOU are almost ready.

Think ahead. Don’t be lazy.
Imagine the flyover and Skyway. They will try to stop you and they will succeed if you even think of slacking off at training.

Breathe. Relax.
Don’t be too competitive. Pace yourself. You are doing this for yourself and ofcourse for the dolphins.

Imagine the that the finish line is near.
The sound of people cheering you on is the sound of success.
That is the moment. The moment that makes everything worthwhile.

Now go. Train. Enough of this psyching-out-yourself thing.

Angela, one of my close friends in high school who works in a prestigious world class hotel, won two accommodation tickets in one of their Jamaica Hotels valid for this year 2010. Guess who she asked to join her get some fun, sun, and tan? Moi! ^_^

It’d be suicidal if I say no to such an offer. After all, Jamaica is by far one of the most alluring of the Caribbean islands. Its idyllic beaches, mountains and sunsets provide a spectacular vacation destination. Cap that with a wonderful variety of attractions, things to do, and year round events – Jamaica is simply irresistible! I’m actually singing Beach Boys’ Kokomo right now, “Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take ya”

While having coffee with my friend Skye yesterday, we got into talking about how people easily change their names in the US. You see, in some countries, you have to go through court to change even a single letter in your name.

Then again, in the US, my friend Skye enlightened me that they have a Social Security number (SSN) which is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. Its primary purpose is to track individuals for taxation purposes. In recent years however, the SSN has become a de facto national identification number. Losing your SSN won’t be a social security disability because you can easily retrieve that.

The SSN being their national ID generally means that if you already have that 9-digit number, you pretty much can change your name to anything like what Susan Caraway did in the book StarGirl by Jerry Spinelli. She changed her name to “Pocket Mouse”, then “Mudpie”, then “Hullygully”, then “Stargirl” and it was okay with the teachers and everyone else. To Stargirl, her name was like a shirt- something she wore rather than something she was.

This is quite true actually. And I quote from Juliet (Shakespeare), “”What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.”

I’ve often wondered what I really want in life. I mean, what’s the use of having a great house and car, a fully covered health and life insurance, a huge savings account if I’m not happy. Then again, what would make me happy?

There was one point where I thought I knew. I still think that’s the source of my happiness every now and then… Anyway, at the moment, I intend to fulfill all my dreams in my “must do” list and just enjoy each moment while it last. Come to think of it, instead of worrying about what would make me happy, I should be living my life and choosing to be happy! Worrying is a waste.

After all, the timing is never right. And I quote from one of the best books I’ve read,

“The stars will never align and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. The universe doesn’t conspire against you. But it doesn’t go out of its way to line up all the pins either. Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually’, just do it and correct course along the way.”

So, carpe diem my dear friends! Go make your dreams into reality! Only you can do it. 0;)

Nowadays, time management, skill, and knowledge update are very essential to having an edge over others and being successful. As Robert Kiyosaki (author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”), aptly wrote, “The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind.” and “The person who has the most timely information owns the wealth.” Agree?

Considering that it’s now a fast-paced world, what do you do? It’s simple, enroll in an online university. But don’t just enroll somewhere that just enables you to study anytime and anywhere, think of the cost as well! After all, if you can get your bachelors degree online at a lower rate while maintaining the high-quality standards with all the credentials, you’d grab that opportunity, right?

So far, I’d recommend Western Governors Online University or WGU – a non-profit and Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities accredited university. Aside from the fact that you pay for the time, not the credit hours, since they charge tuition at a flat rate every six months; compared to the reputable ones, their tuition is just typically half the cost! Now that’s what I call getting your money’s worth.

Hope this information helps you get to have all the tools you need to be on your way to the wonderful world of success!

It’s my birthmonth!!! Guess what I got from my Nth level friend? Nope, he did not buy me diamonds. And no, it cannot be found on a list of “unique gifts for her“. My Nth level friend agreed to go on leave for two days to join me in my island tour in the Philippines this coming November! Considering that he already used up all of his vacation leaves and he’s going to be “sick” just so he could join me, I don’t think anyone could beat that. ^_^

It’s the best birthmonth present ever – to be with your bestest friend on a 3-day relaxing island tour. I can’t wait ‘til November. *jumps up and down with glee*

I was chatting via skype with my friend in the Philippines asking how they are doing. As you know, the Philippines was recently hit by Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) and two more Typhoons are arriving (Typhoon Parma over the weekend). I was surprised to find out that while everyone else in their building was being sent home to prevent casualties, their office are firm about not letting them go home until 5:30 p.m.

Being a manager, I understand the company’s side of that. However, and in general, safety of the people should always come first. There’s no use in keeping an entire floor of panicking people on hold in the office. They’re pretty much unproductive by that time so it’s quite useless already. Besides, no amount of insurances, like the cheap term life insurance that they provide for their employees, could compensate for the life and/or safety of a person.

Anyway, my friend just skyped me from home informing me that she had a hard time finding transportation but is now safe. I hope everyone in their office gets home safely and stays safe.