Thank You on Thanksgiving

Early today when I opened my Twitter  and Google Plus accounts been seeing Thankgiving greetings and messages especially from my friends from the US, its Thanksgiving today though here in the Philippines we do not have such celebration but today getting those thank you messages made me realize about the blessings that I have received and been receiving. It reminded me to also take some time to be thankful to the people who have been with me, my family, my friends and people at work and even those people that we usually take for granted such as the jeepney drivers that take me to work, or places I want to go ensuring the safety of every passenger. But much that I am thankful is though the typhoon Haiyan- the strongest typhoon on record that hit Iloilo which is our province. I am so grateful that our place wasn't terribly affected unlike the northern part and that everyone is safe down here. Maybe God really meant that we won't be terribly affected so that we can extend our hands for help to people at the northern Iloilo and in Tacloban. I am just grateful of all the things that has been happening to me. I always feel blessed. And one way to give back what I have received is by sharing what I have and be a blessing to others. THANK YOU ! 

Tips on How To Be Mentally Strong

It's been a while since my last post in here. Got so glued on work and everything else around me. Lately, I have been catching up things with myself making things a little bit slower than the usual and having more time for myself. Making time for books and fitness. It has been really tough with work on all the updates on the search industry, even thought of making a career change one time coz it seems that I couldn't catch up on things especially when my hands were full.

My work being a Search Engine Marketing Strategist requires a lot of mental skills and I have been reading lately stuffs on how to improve my  mental skills and I came across with a blog from Amy Morin at Lifehack entitled "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do". After reading the blog I realized that everything she wrote there is not just improving your mental health but somewhat those are ways also on how to be successful.

Read More:  13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin

Summer 2013: Boracay

Summer Sunset at Boracay 

I can feel the heat of summer. Basking under sun at the beach is one of my favorite thing to do. Just looking into the sea especially during the sunset is one thing that  I believe every person should experience. Last weekend I had a chance to go to one of the best beaches in the Philippines, well not just in the Philippines but in the world - Boracay. Being known for its powdery white sand and hospitality of the people Boracay has been a number tourist destination in the Philippines. I guess not one of tourist from other countries missed visiting Boracay. Had my swimsuit, shades and sunscreen ready, its all that I need for my beach- weekend. This is my second official beach-weekend for this summer. 

One Sunny Morning at Boracay 

Me and my friends stayed at LSM Square Residence, well its not on the beach front but it was a nice place and the place is very clean and affordable. Its located in front of Crown Regency Prince at Station 1 and its like a 5- minute walk to the beach. 

September 30- Day Challenge: 1- 2 Cups of Coffee A Day

I started loving coffee when I was in college where in you needed something to perk you up in the morning, in the middle of the day during boring classes or even at night when studying for exams. Since then, coffee was a regular drink for me especially when I went on a night shift job. 

As far as I remembered the maximum coffee intake that I had in a day was 5 cups and that was like when I was working home-based. But on the average today I get to have like 3-4 cups in a day. Yeah, I know its too much that's why I'm having this 30-day challenge of 1- 2 cups of coffee only in a day. 

There are health benefits of regular coffee intake. However, for most of all things too much of something may not be good so as with drinking coffee too much. 

• Women who has at least 3 cups of coffee intake daily may have live longer compared to those who does not drink coffee at all. 
• Studies shows that drinking coffee may reduce the risk and more likely to have Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Parkinson's Disease.  
• Coffee can ease pain of headaches and migraine. Yes, I can surely attest to this one since I do have severe migraine. And every time I got attacks I just grab a cup of brewed coffee. 
• Study shows that drinking coffee may lower the risk of certain cancer such as oral, esophageal, pharyngeal and prostate cancer.
• Coffee prevents constipation since it has a laxative- properties. 
• Coffee is an antioxidant. It contains polyphenols that has antixodant effects that reduces cell oxidative damage. 
• Coffee decreases the risk of gout. 

There are certainly numerous benefits of taking coffee regularly. However, aside from these benefits drinking too much coffee may also cause some not sooo good effects on our health. 

I have survived my first day of challenge yesterday, and I only had 1 cup yesterday morning. Upon writing this blog I only had 1 cup for breakfast. Wish me luck on this! 

Reference: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_coffee

Inspiring Words for Today

"When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with.  You may consider yourself fortunate."

                                   ~ Ann Landers ~

Siraan Hot Spring & Nogas Island Antique

Friends and I have been planning to have our next weekend getaway at Nogas Island in Ani-niiy Antique. And we have decided to have it last July 13-15, 2012.

Everyone was so excited for the trip. We have heard a lot of nice things about the island and that is one of the reason we were there, to see it for ourselves the beauty that it boasts. Indeed, we weren't failed.

We left Iloilo at around 4:30pm of July 13 and we arrived at Siraan Hot Spring like around 6:00pm. That is like an hour and half travel, thanks to Raymund for offering the transportation. We were seven, Dave, Linds, JM, Che, Stephen and Raymund.

We stayed at Siraan Hot Spring and upon our arrival there we checked out the available accommodations. They got this AC rooms for 1500.00php I think that was good for 6-10 persons. And there was also a   600.00php room good for 4 persons, which what we had. We got two rooms. And the room is spacious for 2 beds and it can even accommodate another 2 extra beds for 100.00php/pax. We packed a lot of food for we thought that food their at Siraan Hot Spring will be expensive. But the resort itself has its own restaurant that serves very affordable food. 

Pathway to the Watch Tower

The next morning we are ecstatic to go to Nogas Island, its a 15-20mins pumpboat ride from Siraan Hot Spring. We only paid 500.00php for the seven of us and the boat can accommodate up to ten persons. And 500.00php is for our two-way trip already. Isn't that cheap? We just spent like 71.50php/ pax for it. And we negotiated the boatman to fetch us in the afternoon.

With Steph and Mon @ the Shoreline

There was no infrastructure such as nipa huts there in Nogas Island. However, the trees there served as our shed and good thing that JM brought his hammock. And also, you need to bring food on the island. Of course you don't want to starve there.

After we had our lunch we headed to the watch tower. Too bad I didn't have the picture of the tower itself. 

My first "real" snorkeling experience

Nogas Island is a memorable place for me since I have spent my first snorkeling experience there. Thanks to Dave for guiding me. Indeed, he is really a good teacher.  I was soo anxious. I know how to swim but I'm not that confident, I got a fear on deep waters. But when Dave took me on the part of the sea where there were corals and fishes, I was in awe and my fear of deep waters suddenly gone. Hahahaha I was literally swimming with the fishes. And its a once in a lifetime experience for me.

The next day, we still have time to roam around some parts of Anini-y and its nearby town Dao.

Anini-y Church 

Bird Sanctuary at  Hacienda Feliza, Dao Antique

Hacienda Feliza, Dao Antique
Hacienda Feliza also has a mini-zoo and they also provide accommodation.

Puntahagdan Beach Resort

A view of the mountain at Puntahagdan Beach Resort

Siraan Hot Spring
+63 929 295 0879 or
+63 947 315 6766 look for Miss Enriquita Policar 

Hacienda Feliza 
+63 917 363 0631 or +63 393 957 4044

Tuna Salad on Honey Mustard Sandwich for Dinner

Been trying to lose some weight and one of the "efforts" that I am doing is not eating rice at night or during dinner. Yeah, no rice and I have been doing it for quite some time now.... Well, except during cheat days and dinner with my buddies.  I have been just eating fruits or make my own sandwich. And tonight I want to share my "dinner" my Tuna Salad on Honey Mustard dressing.  I like the combination of mustard and honey- sweet and sour.. hmm  yum! And plus its healthy too, because it got some v cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce.  

Tuna Salad  on Honey Mustard Sandwich 

• tuna in vegetable oil 
• celery
• onions 
• lettuce
• tomato
• cucumber
• honey 
• mustard 

You also can create your own tuna sandwich you may also add some veggies  or instead of tuna you may also have chicken. Enjoy!