Wishing I lived during this time...
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Little Taste of Korea in L.A
I love visiting Chinatown, Koreatown and Little Tokyo whenever I go to Los Angeles. The reason? Aside from being Asian and experiencing the different cultures in one city, the prices are cheaper than the city I live in (Ventura).
My friend, Kaye (who else?), asked me to take pictures of Koreatown when I go there. Hmmm... I said to myself, I should probably just write a blog about it, so she can read it. So here's my latest adventure:
Introduced by Mrs. Koh, I usually go to the grocery store above because of the variety of Korean grocery items that they have, aside from their low prices compared to other Korean stores I've been to. They also have a little bit of Japanese items in this place which I like. Guess what's my latest find? A small kitchen cleaner from the Philippines! Did I buy it? Of course, I did. Not just because I am being nationalistic, but because I needed it to clean the deep areas (like the innermost part of the vase) that I can't reach.
You can find foods, canned goods, kitchen items and beauty products imported from Korea in this grocery.
I have included the prices for your information. Is it cheaper or pricier than your place?
I wanted to try their products above as they have been recommended. However, I thought a hundred times about it. Since I still have a facial cleaner, I do not think I need to buy one. Two, I look at the ingredients. Being a more organic and natural ingredient user, their ingredients are not what I want. Next please...
Next to the grocery is a beauty supply store with lots of imported products from Korea and Japan to local items like CSI and other perfumes made in the USA. What's more? There is a salon inside.
And two hair stylists (only one showed here) who did a wonderful transformation with my hair. One made the highlights and the other person cut it. Superb job at a good dollar price.
My friend, Kaye (who else?), asked me to take pictures of Koreatown when I go there. Hmmm... I said to myself, I should probably just write a blog about it, so she can read it. So here's my latest adventure:
Introduced by Mrs. Koh, I usually go to the grocery store above because of the variety of Korean grocery items that they have, aside from their low prices compared to other Korean stores I've been to. They also have a little bit of Japanese items in this place which I like. Guess what's my latest find? A small kitchen cleaner from the Philippines! Did I buy it? Of course, I did. Not just because I am being nationalistic, but because I needed it to clean the deep areas (like the innermost part of the vase) that I can't reach.
You can find foods, canned goods, kitchen items and beauty products imported from Korea in this grocery.
I have included the prices for your information. Is it cheaper or pricier than your place?
I wanted to try their products above as they have been recommended. However, I thought a hundred times about it. Since I still have a facial cleaner, I do not think I need to buy one. Two, I look at the ingredients. Being a more organic and natural ingredient user, their ingredients are not what I want. Next please...
Next to the grocery is a beauty supply store with lots of imported products from Korea and Japan to local items like CSI and other perfumes made in the USA. What's more? There is a salon inside.
And two hair stylists (only one showed here) who did a wonderful transformation with my hair. One made the highlights and the other person cut it. Superb job at a good dollar price.
Friday, December 31, 2010
A Crash Course - Korea 101
This article is dedicated to my friend, Kaye, who got hooked up into Korean shows, actors, singers, bands, and now make-up and skin care from Korea. She was one of the two people who insisted and persuaded me to blog, so I dedicate this one to her.
I lived in Busan, Korea for almost two years. Had been to a few of the places there such as Incheon, Daegu, Cheongju (I think) and the big city Seoul.
When I was there, these are some of the things I found out about Korea:
I. FOOD - totally and absulutely different from what we Filipinos eat. They always have kimchi with whatever meal they have. I like the taste of freshly made kimchi or the one that has not been fermented for more than three days. They have lots of side dishes (fried fish, anchovies and Korean veggies - usually fermented). I learned how to use chopsticks because there are times that restaurants (usually if not always, is like Japanese style dining - no chairs, just mats on the floor) do not have forks and spoons. If you're like most people, I would suggest their gal-bi tang (rib soup), bul-go-gi (beef meat that is cooked like steak) , and my favorite bi-bim-bop (rice mixed with veggies and the Korean red paste).
If you are like me, who would like to try something different, you can try eating the live octopus (yes, I tried that, and though cut into tiny pieces, still moved in my mouth) and fried insect (choose from their variety of grasshopper, bugs and other flying and crawling insects). Well, with the insects...I was able to chew them, but could not swallow. They would not go past my throat. Guess my mouth isn't used to any of that.
BREAD
What can I say but exceptionally good! Their birthday cakes are amazing. Not too sweet. Inside the birthday box, you can find : candles, confetti, and a small paper horn. You're ready to go and just greet the celebrant with a Korean birthday song:
saeng il chuk ha ham ni da
saeng il chuk ha ham ni da
sarang ha neun --(name) shi
saeng il chuk ha ham ni da
RICE CAKES
If you are like me who likes puto, they have a lot over there. Just stickier and more choices to choose from.
DRINKING MANNER
Whoever is the youngest among you in your table , usuall a man, serves the older men. He holds the pitcher and puts his other hand under the pitcher before pouring into the other man's cup.
SOJU
I thought at first that this was a soda, so I drank it all the way down. Flashback: my stomach began to turn acid, and I want to throw up.
Beware: This is a gin comparable to ours in the Phils.
II. LANGUAGE
Learn how to say a few phrases. Only two percent of their population can understand and speak English when I was there. Probably, it has increased for the past seven years as everybody was trying to learn it then. Be ready to communicate using sign language. Pointing to where you want to go, acting out what you want them to understand might help.
When talking to an older person, you add words like "yo" . In comparison, this is like "po" for the Tagalog people.
Example #1 : Hello
Younger person: An-yong Ha-se-yo
Older person: An-yhong
Phone : Yu-bo se-yo
Example #2 : Sorry, I can only understand a little bit of Korean.
Mi-al ham-ni-da, hang-guk mal cho-kum ar-yo.
Hook on to the link below if you want to learn more phrases
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/korean.php
Their alphabet characters are different. Do not look for English signs because there is rare to none at all. It is simple to learn by practice, if somebody will teach you.
III. MONEY
During the time when I was there, I usually spend 36,000 won for a week of groceries (mostly food). 100 USD is equivalent to 119-126,000 won depending on how much the exchange rate was. That was way back then. Please refer to the index of money exchange for that.
SHOPPING
Learn where to shop. Most of their malls (LOTTE) like SM, have bigger price tags. Ask around where you can shop for cheaper price. I usually shop in the subway area where there are stalls and small shops. It is comparable to Quiapo and/or Divisoria. If you can explore other places above the subway area (I was afraid sometimes as I easily get lost), go there too. Check out what they have.
IV. BEAUTY PRODUCTS
MAKE-UP
This is where I learned how to use make-up everday. All women in Korea use some sort of a powder on their face. They usually have a facial routine: cleanser, toner, lotion (which I think is a moisturizer) and a lot of other things to put into your face. The local Korean brands that I used were: Mamonde, Laneige, Isa Knox, and Etude in no particular order.
Isa Knox is the most expensive one, but it doesn't assure (and I won't assure you either) that expensive ones are better than cheap products.
As far as I can remember, I like a few of Isa Knox skin care products (toner, face cream/lotion which is eqivalent to a moisturizer); the make-up foundation of Mamonde because it is not cakey and has the closest color to my skin, and a few ones from Laneige, and Etude. I just can't remember what particular products I like the most from each brand.
All the stores that I've been to do not have testers, so if you want to try it, buy it. After buying from them, they give you samples in sachets or small containers.
FOUNDATION
I cannot remember what brand I like the most, but none of them has my foundation shade. I think it is because I am "morena" (golden brown skin tone), and Koreans have yellow fair skin. So I usually end up with having an ashy look. If you have the same skin color like me, Korea isn't the place where you can buy foundation. I found my right color here in the States. However, Korea has a good selection of skin care. Their masks are cheap, too.
SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS
I like all of them! They all smell good to me.
V. KOREAN CULTURE
Sorry to say, but they are not friendly like Filipinos. You smile at them, and they do not smile back at you. They stare at you.
When they cough or sneeeze, there is no etiquette. No covering. Nothing. Sorry and no harm meant to my Korean friends, but I am just telling you (readers) of what I have experienced. So move away or better yet ... run, if you don't want to have their saliva on you.
And before you leave Korea, if you really want to experience not just their food but want to immerse yourself into what is common to Koreans but something different to Western people, try their public bath. I think that only Japan and Korea have "jim-jil-bang" (Korean public bath) where men with other men, and women with other women, can take a bath naked together.
Credits: Lovely blog
At first, I was hesitant to go there, but it is the only place I can go to during winter time where I can sweat. The basics that you can see in a public bath is a TV room where people , young and old alike, of different genders, gather, and can talk. The floor is heated, and people can sleep. After passing through that area, I go to my locker to put my stuff away, and/or go to the bathroom (of the same gender) to take a shower. You do not need to worry if you have forgotten your soap, shampoo and conditioner as these things are usually supplied. After that, you can stay in the "spa" where the temperature is hot enough for you to sweat. Believe me, you'll love the hot temperature inside the spa especially during winter time.
(locker room)
(Big sauna)
Bigger public baths are more expensive because there are more facilities that you can go to in one building (restaurant, movie area, jacuzzi, pool, massage rooms, more choices of spa rooms, more sleeping areas), more things to go around to check, and more things for you to do.
(smaller individualized sauna)
(sleeping area)
If you are from the West, or from the tropics like me, taking a bath naked with a stranger is very unusual. But this is an experience that is uniquely different that you might want to venture in.
Well, that's all that I can remember. Forward to the next blog about Korea town in L.A.
I lived in Busan, Korea for almost two years. Had been to a few of the places there such as Incheon, Daegu, Cheongju (I think) and the big city Seoul.
When I was there, these are some of the things I found out about Korea:
I. FOOD - totally and absulutely different from what we Filipinos eat. They always have kimchi with whatever meal they have. I like the taste of freshly made kimchi or the one that has not been fermented for more than three days. They have lots of side dishes (fried fish, anchovies and Korean veggies - usually fermented). I learned how to use chopsticks because there are times that restaurants (usually if not always, is like Japanese style dining - no chairs, just mats on the floor) do not have forks and spoons. If you're like most people, I would suggest their gal-bi tang (rib soup), bul-go-gi (beef meat that is cooked like steak) , and my favorite bi-bim-bop (rice mixed with veggies and the Korean red paste).
If you are like me, who would like to try something different, you can try eating the live octopus (yes, I tried that, and though cut into tiny pieces, still moved in my mouth) and fried insect (choose from their variety of grasshopper, bugs and other flying and crawling insects). Well, with the insects...I was able to chew them, but could not swallow. They would not go past my throat. Guess my mouth isn't used to any of that.
BREAD
What can I say but exceptionally good! Their birthday cakes are amazing. Not too sweet. Inside the birthday box, you can find : candles, confetti, and a small paper horn. You're ready to go and just greet the celebrant with a Korean birthday song:
saeng il chuk ha ham ni da
saeng il chuk ha ham ni da
sarang ha neun --(name) shi
saeng il chuk ha ham ni da
RICE CAKES
If you are like me who likes puto, they have a lot over there. Just stickier and more choices to choose from.
DRINKING MANNER
Whoever is the youngest among you in your table , usuall a man, serves the older men. He holds the pitcher and puts his other hand under the pitcher before pouring into the other man's cup.
SOJU
I thought at first that this was a soda, so I drank it all the way down. Flashback: my stomach began to turn acid, and I want to throw up.
Beware: This is a gin comparable to ours in the Phils.
II. LANGUAGE
Learn how to say a few phrases. Only two percent of their population can understand and speak English when I was there. Probably, it has increased for the past seven years as everybody was trying to learn it then. Be ready to communicate using sign language. Pointing to where you want to go, acting out what you want them to understand might help.
When talking to an older person, you add words like "yo" . In comparison, this is like "po" for the Tagalog people.
Example #1 : Hello
Younger person: An-yong Ha-se-yo
Older person: An-yhong
Phone : Yu-bo se-yo
Example #2 : Sorry, I can only understand a little bit of Korean.
Mi-al ham-ni-da, hang-guk mal cho-kum ar-yo.
Hook on to the link below if you want to learn more phrases
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/korean.php
Their alphabet characters are different. Do not look for English signs because there is rare to none at all. It is simple to learn by practice, if somebody will teach you.
III. MONEY
During the time when I was there, I usually spend 36,000 won for a week of groceries (mostly food). 100 USD is equivalent to 119-126,000 won depending on how much the exchange rate was. That was way back then. Please refer to the index of money exchange for that.
SHOPPING
Learn where to shop. Most of their malls (LOTTE) like SM, have bigger price tags. Ask around where you can shop for cheaper price. I usually shop in the subway area where there are stalls and small shops. It is comparable to Quiapo and/or Divisoria. If you can explore other places above the subway area (I was afraid sometimes as I easily get lost), go there too. Check out what they have.
IV. BEAUTY PRODUCTS
MAKE-UP
This is where I learned how to use make-up everday. All women in Korea use some sort of a powder on their face. They usually have a facial routine: cleanser, toner, lotion (which I think is a moisturizer) and a lot of other things to put into your face. The local Korean brands that I used were: Mamonde, Laneige, Isa Knox, and Etude in no particular order.
Isa Knox is the most expensive one, but it doesn't assure (and I won't assure you either) that expensive ones are better than cheap products.
As far as I can remember, I like a few of Isa Knox skin care products (toner, face cream/lotion which is eqivalent to a moisturizer); the make-up foundation of Mamonde because it is not cakey and has the closest color to my skin, and a few ones from Laneige, and Etude. I just can't remember what particular products I like the most from each brand.
All the stores that I've been to do not have testers, so if you want to try it, buy it. After buying from them, they give you samples in sachets or small containers.
FOUNDATION
I cannot remember what brand I like the most, but none of them has my foundation shade. I think it is because I am "morena" (golden brown skin tone), and Koreans have yellow fair skin. So I usually end up with having an ashy look. If you have the same skin color like me, Korea isn't the place where you can buy foundation. I found my right color here in the States. However, Korea has a good selection of skin care. Their masks are cheap, too.
SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS
I like all of them! They all smell good to me.
V. KOREAN CULTURE
Sorry to say, but they are not friendly like Filipinos. You smile at them, and they do not smile back at you. They stare at you.
When they cough or sneeeze, there is no etiquette. No covering. Nothing. Sorry and no harm meant to my Korean friends, but I am just telling you (readers) of what I have experienced. So move away or better yet ... run, if you don't want to have their saliva on you.
And before you leave Korea, if you really want to experience not just their food but want to immerse yourself into what is common to Koreans but something different to Western people, try their public bath. I think that only Japan and Korea have "jim-jil-bang" (Korean public bath) where men with other men, and women with other women, can take a bath naked together.
Credits: Lovely blog
At first, I was hesitant to go there, but it is the only place I can go to during winter time where I can sweat. The basics that you can see in a public bath is a TV room where people , young and old alike, of different genders, gather, and can talk. The floor is heated, and people can sleep. After passing through that area, I go to my locker to put my stuff away, and/or go to the bathroom (of the same gender) to take a shower. You do not need to worry if you have forgotten your soap, shampoo and conditioner as these things are usually supplied. After that, you can stay in the "spa" where the temperature is hot enough for you to sweat. Believe me, you'll love the hot temperature inside the spa especially during winter time.
Bigger public baths are more expensive because there are more facilities that you can go to in one building (restaurant, movie area, jacuzzi, pool, massage rooms, more choices of spa rooms, more sleeping areas), more things to go around to check, and more things for you to do.
If you are from the West, or from the tropics like me, taking a bath naked with a stranger is very unusual. But this is an experience that is uniquely different that you might want to venture in.
Well, that's all that I can remember. Forward to the next blog about Korea town in L.A.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
What are you thankful of this Thanksgiving?
It's been a while since I have written a blog. My new job as a program aide working with kindergarteners after school requires me to be at work Mondays to Fridays. Although I only work part-time , I feel like I work full-time because of the energy that it takes away from me everyday.
Now, I have a few days off and I have to squeeze all the things that I have to catch up on, plus the things that I usually do during the short break that we have in school. Hmmm... (thinking and pondering) what do I have to write first?
Since it is almost Thanksgiving here in the States, I think I should write about Thanksgiving.
We do not celebrate Thanksgiving in my home country (The Philippines) because there were no pilgrims who went to the land of the Orient Seas. Only Spaniards who conquered and ruled for 300 plus years. Even if we do not have a Thanksgiving holiday, my mom believes that thanksgiving should be everyday. We thank the Lord for the food that we eat every meal. We thank the people who have given us something - whether something that is tangible or not - the very moment that we receive them. Those people who have blessed us one way or another. We thank God for them.
Despite the difficulties in life, let us not think about them. I try not to look at the negative things but look at the brighter side of life. I usually ask God whether He is teaching me something or molding me into what He wants me to be. I tend to be optimistic and see the light at the end of the tunnel even if it just a spark and so far away. So what are you thankful of? Here are mine:
1. Even though I do not have the job that I like, got lesser hours than what I've been told, got lesser pay than what I used to get, I THANK GOD 'cause I have a job. 21% of the population is unemployed so I am still blessed to have something.
2. I thank God for my friends and family. For Angel, a half maltese and yorkie, who is part of our family. He always brings us joy and makes us smile even if he did something bad especially eating something he is not supposed to eat from the galley.
3. For the air that we breathe. I could still smell sea water and some fresh air even if sewerage that is near us is stinky.
4. Although we live in a boat and not in a house, I still feel blessed for having a place of our own. Thank you, Lord , for that.
5. For our good health even though I need to see a specialist next month for something. Overall, I still feel good. Thank you, Lord, again.
I will end my post for tonight with this song (too bad you can't hear me), Count your blessings , name them one by one.
Now, I have a few days off and I have to squeeze all the things that I have to catch up on, plus the things that I usually do during the short break that we have in school. Hmmm... (thinking and pondering) what do I have to write first?
Since it is almost Thanksgiving here in the States, I think I should write about Thanksgiving.
We do not celebrate Thanksgiving in my home country (The Philippines) because there were no pilgrims who went to the land of the Orient Seas. Only Spaniards who conquered and ruled for 300 plus years. Even if we do not have a Thanksgiving holiday, my mom believes that thanksgiving should be everyday. We thank the Lord for the food that we eat every meal. We thank the people who have given us something - whether something that is tangible or not - the very moment that we receive them. Those people who have blessed us one way or another. We thank God for them.
Despite the difficulties in life, let us not think about them. I try not to look at the negative things but look at the brighter side of life. I usually ask God whether He is teaching me something or molding me into what He wants me to be. I tend to be optimistic and see the light at the end of the tunnel even if it just a spark and so far away. So what are you thankful of? Here are mine:
1. Even though I do not have the job that I like, got lesser hours than what I've been told, got lesser pay than what I used to get, I THANK GOD 'cause I have a job. 21% of the population is unemployed so I am still blessed to have something.
2. I thank God for my friends and family. For Angel, a half maltese and yorkie, who is part of our family. He always brings us joy and makes us smile even if he did something bad especially eating something he is not supposed to eat from the galley.
3. For the air that we breathe. I could still smell sea water and some fresh air even if sewerage that is near us is stinky.
4. Although we live in a boat and not in a house, I still feel blessed for having a place of our own. Thank you, Lord , for that.
5. For our good health even though I need to see a specialist next month for something. Overall, I still feel good. Thank you, Lord, again.
I will end my post for tonight with this song (too bad you can't hear me), Count your blessings , name them one by one.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Living Simply
In this modernized and complex world we live in, it is getting harder and harder for people to live simply. Perhaps, it may be because of choice. We just do not want to live a simpler lifestyle because we enjoy the modern gadgets that we have. For others, it is just hard to give up their lifestyle. The way they live. The way they were accustomed to live. Or perhaps, it is because they just can't, although they want to.
When I was still a kid, some thirty something years ago, I wanted to live in a hut. We didn't have a big house where I was growing up, but I just didn't like the responsibilities of keeping it. Though we have maids who helped us around the house doing household chores, I do not want to order them to do big stuff like gardening. I love plants and taking care of them especially when I start harvesting fruits and veggies. Seeing blossoming flowers around the house and smelling them outside during summer time. Ahhhh.....what a relaxing sight. With this beautiful sight comes the responsibilities of weeding out the grass, mowing the lawn, watering the plants, fertilizing and arranging or repotting them if needed . Those things account a lot of time during my free hours and weekends which I do not really like to do because I would rather enjoy them , and not do so much work.
Fast forward to this year, I am now living in a boat and not in a hut. The difference is that the other one is stable because it is on the land, while the other one moves.
So how should people live simply?
1. Organize your stuff in the house. Although we still have a lot of things in the house, we only have the basic things in the boat. I couldn't have done that if I didn't start organizing my stuff in the house before we moved out. The things that were used often like clothing and the things that are really needed (like food) are the ones that went to the boat. So what are the things that you use on a daily basis? Keep them within your reach, and put away the stuff that you do not regularly use in the garage. If you'll use any of the stuff in the future, one of the things or a few of them that you have put away, put it with the stuff that you regularly use. Now, you know what are the things that you really use and not use. Those things that you do not use can stay in the garage or be given away.
If you still having a hard time organizing, do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Friends and families may want to volunteer if you will only ask them. If you are ashamed to do so, or want someone who doesn't know you personally, you can go online and seek the help you want.
2. Declutter. Throw the things that are not needed and give away the things that can still be used by other people. How do you know whether you will still need them or not? If you haven't used them for the past two years, you don't need them. You can pass them on to others or give them to charity. You will have a good feeling knowing that you have helped someone by giving. However, if you want to make money, have a garage or a yard sale.
3. Don't hang on to things. Let go. Sometimes, this is hard to do especially if a particular thing has sentimental value. I learned about letting my sentiments go with my things when my mother threw out the things that I've been keeping since I was in pre-school. Should I get angry at my mom and hold on to it? Are my things more important than my mom? A friend of mine once shared with me that during a big storm, most of her valuable things got rained out. There was a big flood that came in a lot of areas, and her area was one of those. Her house got flooded inside. After the rain, she has to throw her things out because there were mud of piles that stucked on them. Sometimes, when a tragedy strikes, that's the time that we realize that even the valuable things that we hold on to don't last. We realize what is more important to us - our lives, friends, families and loved-ones.
4. Don't buy what you don't need. There is a big difference between need and want. Do you need another pair of shoes whereas you still have a pair of shoes that you're using? And there is another one in the closet that you haven't used yet. Oooopppss, is there another pair of different color of the same kind of shoes over there in your closet or somewhere in your house? Same thing goes with your purse, bags and clothings. So, do you think you still need to buy one? Men don't get off on this easily as I know a few men who have 62 pairs of pants in their closet which only 1/3 of them are used on a daily basis.
Living simply doesn't just end there. We should also declutter our mind with a lot of worries and everything negative and not true, of good value and immoral things that are there and give it all to the Lord. Think good about other people, about other things and about life. After all, we do not hold our future nor can we see it. It is all in the Lord's hands so we shouldn't worry.
Therefore, if we want to live a simplier life, we have to organize, declutter, let go and just buy what we need. Think happy and positive thoughts and be content with what you have.
When I was still a kid, some thirty something years ago, I wanted to live in a hut. We didn't have a big house where I was growing up, but I just didn't like the responsibilities of keeping it. Though we have maids who helped us around the house doing household chores, I do not want to order them to do big stuff like gardening. I love plants and taking care of them especially when I start harvesting fruits and veggies. Seeing blossoming flowers around the house and smelling them outside during summer time. Ahhhh.....what a relaxing sight. With this beautiful sight comes the responsibilities of weeding out the grass, mowing the lawn, watering the plants, fertilizing and arranging or repotting them if needed . Those things account a lot of time during my free hours and weekends which I do not really like to do because I would rather enjoy them , and not do so much work.
Fast forward to this year, I am now living in a boat and not in a hut. The difference is that the other one is stable because it is on the land, while the other one moves.
So how should people live simply?
1. Organize your stuff in the house. Although we still have a lot of things in the house, we only have the basic things in the boat. I couldn't have done that if I didn't start organizing my stuff in the house before we moved out. The things that were used often like clothing and the things that are really needed (like food) are the ones that went to the boat. So what are the things that you use on a daily basis? Keep them within your reach, and put away the stuff that you do not regularly use in the garage. If you'll use any of the stuff in the future, one of the things or a few of them that you have put away, put it with the stuff that you regularly use. Now, you know what are the things that you really use and not use. Those things that you do not use can stay in the garage or be given away.
If you still having a hard time organizing, do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Friends and families may want to volunteer if you will only ask them. If you are ashamed to do so, or want someone who doesn't know you personally, you can go online and seek the help you want.
2. Declutter. Throw the things that are not needed and give away the things that can still be used by other people. How do you know whether you will still need them or not? If you haven't used them for the past two years, you don't need them. You can pass them on to others or give them to charity. You will have a good feeling knowing that you have helped someone by giving. However, if you want to make money, have a garage or a yard sale.
3. Don't hang on to things. Let go. Sometimes, this is hard to do especially if a particular thing has sentimental value. I learned about letting my sentiments go with my things when my mother threw out the things that I've been keeping since I was in pre-school. Should I get angry at my mom and hold on to it? Are my things more important than my mom? A friend of mine once shared with me that during a big storm, most of her valuable things got rained out. There was a big flood that came in a lot of areas, and her area was one of those. Her house got flooded inside. After the rain, she has to throw her things out because there were mud of piles that stucked on them. Sometimes, when a tragedy strikes, that's the time that we realize that even the valuable things that we hold on to don't last. We realize what is more important to us - our lives, friends, families and loved-ones.
4. Don't buy what you don't need. There is a big difference between need and want. Do you need another pair of shoes whereas you still have a pair of shoes that you're using? And there is another one in the closet that you haven't used yet. Oooopppss, is there another pair of different color of the same kind of shoes over there in your closet or somewhere in your house? Same thing goes with your purse, bags and clothings. So, do you think you still need to buy one? Men don't get off on this easily as I know a few men who have 62 pairs of pants in their closet which only 1/3 of them are used on a daily basis.
Living simply doesn't just end there. We should also declutter our mind with a lot of worries and everything negative and not true, of good value and immoral things that are there and give it all to the Lord. Think good about other people, about other things and about life. After all, we do not hold our future nor can we see it. It is all in the Lord's hands so we shouldn't worry.
Therefore, if we want to live a simplier life, we have to organize, declutter, let go and just buy what we need. Think happy and positive thoughts and be content with what you have.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Another blog promoting Health and Wellnes in Ventura
Recently, I found out about wordpress. Thanks to Dr. Jean, a very friendly and knowledgeable doctor, who is into blogging. My sister and I met her at a wellness resort center in Batangas called "The Farm". She is such a blessing as she is one of my inspirations in blogging.
I opened up an account and started to write some stuff under the name Ventura County (VC) Wellness and Rejuvenation Center because it is intended for people living in Ventura County who are interested in health, beauty and wellness. My blog link is: vcwellnessandrejuvenationcenter.wordpress.com. if you want to check it out.
So, for those people who are living in this beautiful ocean and mountainside of Ventura county who are interested to invest in a wellness center, please feel free to contact me for more detailed information.
Wishing everyone a good and healthy well-being.
I opened up an account and started to write some stuff under the name Ventura County (VC) Wellness and Rejuvenation Center because it is intended for people living in Ventura County who are interested in health, beauty and wellness. My blog link is: vcwellnessandrejuvenationcenter.wordpress.com. if you want to check it out.
So, for those people who are living in this beautiful ocean and mountainside of Ventura county who are interested to invest in a wellness center, please feel free to contact me for more detailed information.
Wishing everyone a good and healthy well-being.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Basics of Skin Care
No matter what type of skin you have, we all need to do the basics of taking care of our skin.
What are the Basics of skin care?
1. Cleansing
Make sure that you clean your skin before you sleep (even if you just stayed at home), and in the morning (even if you just stayed in bed) by washing with soap and water. It doesn't mean to say that our skin does not get dirty when we stay at home or just stayed in bed overnight. Our skin just gets more dirt when we are outside our house because we are more exposed to chemicals and pollution. So the more you stay outside your lovely and homey abode, the more likely your skin becomes dirty especially if you live in the urban area.
2. Moisturize
If you live in a hot, humid or tropical area, you may feel oily and thus, you may think you do not need to moisturize. However, you still do. If you feel like you don't or you think that all you need to do is just wash your face and use a toner or just do either of the two, think again. Use a moisturizer especially if your skin feels dry or tight. You can use a light moisturizer if you have oily or problem prone skin. Otherwise, an ordinary moisturizer will be sufficient.
We will discuss the different kinds of moisturizer and the best brand available for your skin in future blogs.
3. Eat Lots of Fruits and Veggies
What we eat affects our skin. I will talk more about what to eat and what to avoid when you have problematic skin in my future blogs, too. In the meantime, and as a general rule, we all need to eat more of the fiber and less red meat. If you eat meat, whether red or white, make sure that you wash it off by eating fiber after that. Thereby, lessening the effect of having too much oil and whatever kind of bad by-product that came in our digestive system.
4. Plenty of water
I think most people have been told to drink eight full glasses of water everyday. Not colas. Not tinted nor colored nor flavored water. Just plain water with one hydrogen and two oxygen. Lucky me, I could drink it plain 'cause I am used to it. But for those people who can't, you can probably start mixing your favorite beverage with more water. Pour your favorite drink in a glass almost halfway full. Then, mix it with water til it gets to almost the top. Stir and enjoy!
It might taste weird or unusual at first but you'll get used to it. Train your tongue (taste buds) and it will accept the taste eventually.
Drinking more water gets the toxins out of our system more easily and flushes it out of our body by urination. Imagine if you do not drink plenty of fluid a day, your urine gets darker and smelly. That's because it is so concentrated. That just means to say that you haven't been drinking lots of water. So drink, drink, drink water. Don't drown yourself though. Your body can tell when you need more and when you had enough.
5. Sleep
In this time and age, a person is lucky if s/he can have a full eight hour sleep. I think this is the amount of time that we can feel rested and rejuvenated. Although I have read sometime ago on the web. that people do not have to have a full eight hour sleep, but five to six is good enough. I do not know whether they did a research on it or not, but there are times, that my sleep is enough when I have six hours of sleep. That is without interruption in going to the bathroom, or my dog always moving on the bed, or turning whenever I do.
Those are the five simple things that we can do in taking care of our skin. In future blogs, I will be discussing more about taking care of our ageing and problematic skin ; branding and others.
What are the Basics of skin care?
1. Cleansing
Make sure that you clean your skin before you sleep (even if you just stayed at home), and in the morning (even if you just stayed in bed) by washing with soap and water. It doesn't mean to say that our skin does not get dirty when we stay at home or just stayed in bed overnight. Our skin just gets more dirt when we are outside our house because we are more exposed to chemicals and pollution. So the more you stay outside your lovely and homey abode, the more likely your skin becomes dirty especially if you live in the urban area.
2. Moisturize
If you live in a hot, humid or tropical area, you may feel oily and thus, you may think you do not need to moisturize. However, you still do. If you feel like you don't or you think that all you need to do is just wash your face and use a toner or just do either of the two, think again. Use a moisturizer especially if your skin feels dry or tight. You can use a light moisturizer if you have oily or problem prone skin. Otherwise, an ordinary moisturizer will be sufficient.
We will discuss the different kinds of moisturizer and the best brand available for your skin in future blogs.
3. Eat Lots of Fruits and Veggies
What we eat affects our skin. I will talk more about what to eat and what to avoid when you have problematic skin in my future blogs, too. In the meantime, and as a general rule, we all need to eat more of the fiber and less red meat. If you eat meat, whether red or white, make sure that you wash it off by eating fiber after that. Thereby, lessening the effect of having too much oil and whatever kind of bad by-product that came in our digestive system.
4. Plenty of water
I think most people have been told to drink eight full glasses of water everyday. Not colas. Not tinted nor colored nor flavored water. Just plain water with one hydrogen and two oxygen. Lucky me, I could drink it plain 'cause I am used to it. But for those people who can't, you can probably start mixing your favorite beverage with more water. Pour your favorite drink in a glass almost halfway full. Then, mix it with water til it gets to almost the top. Stir and enjoy!
It might taste weird or unusual at first but you'll get used to it. Train your tongue (taste buds) and it will accept the taste eventually.
Drinking more water gets the toxins out of our system more easily and flushes it out of our body by urination. Imagine if you do not drink plenty of fluid a day, your urine gets darker and smelly. That's because it is so concentrated. That just means to say that you haven't been drinking lots of water. So drink, drink, drink water. Don't drown yourself though. Your body can tell when you need more and when you had enough.
5. Sleep
In this time and age, a person is lucky if s/he can have a full eight hour sleep. I think this is the amount of time that we can feel rested and rejuvenated. Although I have read sometime ago on the web. that people do not have to have a full eight hour sleep, but five to six is good enough. I do not know whether they did a research on it or not, but there are times, that my sleep is enough when I have six hours of sleep. That is without interruption in going to the bathroom, or my dog always moving on the bed, or turning whenever I do.
Those are the five simple things that we can do in taking care of our skin. In future blogs, I will be discussing more about taking care of our ageing and problematic skin ; branding and others.
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