S-tress? Not a problem.

Recently, i gave a talk to graduating students of Accountancy at University of Mindanao. I was invited by my cousin Jane to talk about "Stress Management". I am in the spa industry and that's one of our main thing in the industry.

It was a great experience and it's quiet challenging to get their attention. One, i'm not far their age.. so it could be just like a case of... "we know what you know." and they could be rolling their eyes. I stammered during the first few minutes and I was laughing about it because I was currently under stress. Haha.

But, with a few humor here and there I got their attention and I was at ease. It was my first time to come up with a "Stress Management" module. I got an outline online and added a few things here and there from my experience.

Psychologists would say we all need stress.... but, my spiritual gurus say... we can always choose not to create stress in our life. So, I just gave the college students the basics... it's hard enough to manage stress what more eliminating it in your life?

Although, its not exactly THAT hard to eliminate stress.. but with the programs we have... it's gonna be mighty challenging. :)

The following are my steps to managing stress..... although I know everyone knows about this.... but we might all be needing a lil review noh? :)

1.) Find a Support - a friend, mentor, minister, councilor.... to talk to. :)

2.) Get organized - arrange the clutter in your room or work area to think clearly.

3.) Take breaks, give yourself "me" time - get at least 10-15 minute break to power nap, or listen to soothing songs in your mp3 players or ipod, take a walk, anything to give you a break mentally..

4.) Take good care of yourself - eat properly, get a good rest... allow yourself to do something you enjoy each day... :) sometimes, when we feel stressed we tend to do the opposite. Hydrate yourself... :)

5.) Get regular exercise - blow off the steam and release it through excercise. This will relieve some symptoms of depression and stress. But, don't overdo it! Too much of something is bad... 45 mins. to an hour a day would be great! :)

6.) Get a hobby, do something different - add some spice in your life and do something you haven't done yet that you sure would enjoy. sign up for dance lessons, or voice lessons. Go to that film making class or photography class...

7.) Slow Down - the journey is the destination.. relax.... don't live in a hurry, curry life.... enjoy the moment. stop, and smell the coffee....

8.) Laugh, use humor - watch funny movies, be with your friends who makes you laugh, surround yourself with laughter... but a bit of advice... don't laugh at anybody's expense. if you must, laugh about yourself... it is strength beyond measure.

9.) Keeping a Diary - or a BLOG! hehe. I'm sure to some.. blogging is part of their stress management program (its part of mine!). :) Veryyy effective. It keeps me sane.. and it helps me live in the moment and cherish what happened in the past... :)

10.) Learn to relax - Get a massage!!! Go to our spa (Angel of Water Wellness Center) haha. or the nearest spa near you.... :) Do visualization techniques... deep breathing.... relax.. relax... use your different sense: touch, taste, smell, sight and sound.

for touch: get a massage, get a warm bath, go for a swim, change into comfy clothes...

for taste: eat a comforting meal, eat healthy food, sip your choice of herbal tea, drink fine wine with friends not Red Horse , ok ?? :)

for smell: smell lavender or chamomile, don on your favorite perfume or scent, shop for flowers, breathe the fresh air, light a scented candle..

for sight: watch a funny movie, read a good book, watch the clouds, watch the horizon...

for sound: listen to calm, classical music or something instrumental (it's good for your brain waves), sing to yourself, say positive affirmations for yourself, play your favorite musical instrument... if you know how to. hehe. or ask someone to play it for you. Ji Hoo from BOF would come in handy.. haha. :)

I guess that's about it. I'm sure... there are lots and lots of ways to manage stress...

You? What do you do when you are stressed? I'd love to hear from you.... :)

Dragons and Castles

last year it was one of the best years i've had...

i got what i always longed for... gaining a heart's desire is what i've always wanted...

to immerse myself to someone

but then just before the year ended...

I ended something i wished would last forever... but sometimes you just gotta go with the flow. he once told me: "only dead fishes swim with the currents"...

i was kind of taken aback when he said that. meaning, if i go with the flow... would that mean, i am dead?

only in the worldly mundane view could it be true...

about dead fishes swimming with the currents...

but, maybe he is not seeing the big picture...

because, if you see the big picture... there's no use resisting the flow if it goes from East to West right?

"the only time you feel alive is when you go against the flow.. trust me." his words.. resounded in my head. though it sounds so exciting, the prospect of being alive - i mean.. it just does not add up to what i believe in.

i frowned. trying to understand. and then it hit me.

and then i realized we came from two different programs, two different worlds...

he is somewhat so accustomed to his ways, his own rules that he doesn't fit mine.

then i realized we don't share the same values, ideals and aspirations...

there is love... but sometimes... the light of your love is painful for someone who wants to remain in darkness...

and so just like oil and water.... we will separate....

and i know..

this year... is going to be one of the best...

this year... is going to reap a million or more...

this year... i am devoting myself to LOVE more than ever before...

this year... i delight myself in the eyes of my one lover who never abandoned me... who stayed through it all... His Spirit Lives.

this year... i am spending more time with the people who supported me... who saw through me... who gave me courage..... Mom, Dad, Darlene, Paolo, Ate Ariane, Yhe, Abigail, Nay Judith, Doc Andre.. for all those mini sessions we had separately...

and for the couples who inspire me with their love... and never lacked the support...

Kuya Jong and Ate Pat, Kuya Jundi and Ate Mar, Sol and Ate Kai, Cris and Ate Jill, Kuya Carlo and Ate Ivy,

though the prince i hoped who could save me never really made it.(he did not make it through the dragon's initiation. Remember, only the initiated can go through the castle gates and make his way to the tower, if he is armed with the sword of truth and the shield of courage. the other prince dropped his along the way).. i know another one is on his way.... because i heard.. when love is not there.. it may be on it's way.

and so if you are expecting a visitor.. what do you do?

you prepare....



May your 2010 be the best you could ever wish for! :)

May LOVE rule and reign... because really... what the world needs now is just that: LOVE. :)

and that it still conquers ALL. :)

Sisterhood of The Travelling Pants

Category: Movies

Genre: Chick Flick

Director: Ken Kwapis

Tagline: Laugh. Cry. Share the pants.

Casts: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bedel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna Boyd, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Mike Vogel and more.

Overview and Review of the movie Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants directed by Ken Kwapis

This movie is based on a book written by Anne Brashares. Four best friends(Lena, Brash, Tibby and Carmen) spends their summer for the first time, away from each other. Before they part ways to different places for the summer, they found a magical pair of jeans that fits all of them perfectly event though they have various shapes and size. They made an agreement to share the pants the whole summer with each other and to keep in touch and write something wonderful that happened along with it because they believe it's magic.

What the four best friends had - is one DREAM FRIENDSHIP for every girl out there. Their bond is sooo good and you can see they accept each other unconditionally. Like sisters born in different families. This movie is all about their one summer where they are apart for the first time. It's a heartwarming coming of age story (and it can make you cry and laugh).... and the chemistry of the four young actresses were good and that's what makes this movie pretty special.

I also like the lines they came up with... because there's truth in it.

a repost from my review blog Espresso Break.