Femme Power

Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category

I’m a sleepyhead.   I’ve always been.   I sleep at any perfect opportunity I could find (except at work!) and honestly, I find it hard getting up early in the morning.   However since I got married, I’ve been curbing my sleeping fancy a little bit.   It even came to a point when I had to sleep as little as four hours a night when I had my home-based call center job last year.   I was a walking zombie!

And though I hate waking up early, I now have to get up by 5 am or earlier so I could fix breakfast for my gradeschooler and pack her lunch as well.  Hence, for me to get at least 7 or more hours of sleep, I need to be in bed early too.

I’m sure it’ll help big time if I sleep in one of those cozy metal beds!  (photos courtesy of http://www.time4sleep.co.uk)

Is having a good night’s sleep important?   Yes!  Let me count the ways:

1.  Sleep reduces stress-  In one of my readings, I learned that sleep deprivation causes our body to produce stress hormones.  Getting a good seven to eight hours of sleep gives us the opposite effect.

2.  Sleep improves your mood - Here in the Philippines, we have a popular saying that goes “Magbiro ka na sa lasing, wag lang sa bagong gising.”  It simply implies that people who had a bad, inadequate sleep are more cranky than those who are drunk.  So don’t mess with sleep-deprived people.

3.  Sleep makes you more energetic and alert - Having a good night’s sleep energizes you when you wake up in the morning.  It makes you feel refreshed and ready to face the world. Hence, it also makes you more productive.

4.  Sleep improves your memory - Whenever I get quality sleep, I notice that my brain works sharper.  I remember things more vividly and I learn new things better, unlike when I’m sleepy and feel like I’m floating in a limbo.

5.  Sleep prolongs lifespan -  Sleep is needed to regenerate certain body parts, especially the brain, so that it may continue to function optimally. Missed or reduced sleep will affect the brain cells or neurons and may begin to malfunction, visibly effecting a person’s behavior. One time there was an episode in the TV Series “House” where a patient couldn’t sleep for a couple of days.  The doctors were racing against time because according to them, if a person can’t sleep for seven days, he or she won’t be able to regenerate his or her neurons and that will cause death.

6. Lack of sleep makes you ugly - It gives you dry and scaly skin especially on the face where our skin is thin and sensitive.  Plus it gives you dark circles around the eyes.

You may add more to the list of these sleep benefits and the ill-effects of sleep deprivation.   For now, I need to catch some good sleep.   Zzzz…

Yay!  I barely noticed that it took me quite a few days to update this blog.   I’ve been too preoccupied with work and home responsibilities that I hardly had any spare time for my blogging pleasures.  Speaking of pleasure, let me share with you this pleasurable yet inexpensive activity we had as a family just recently.

This is my entry for this week’s Fun Friday in our Blogging For Fun Group.  If you want to join, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll introduce you to our group of supportive bloggers.

Have you ever seen a kalesa? A kalesa is a horse-driven carriage popular in the Philippines.  It was introduced by the Spaniards back in the 18th century as one of the modes of transportation here in the Philippines but only nobles and high ranked officials could afford it back then.  Rich Filipinos known as the ilustrados used the kalesa for business and personal travel.   Fortunately today, the kalesa still exists in some tourist spots and rural areas plus riding it is not that pricey anymore for ordinary people.  So last week, our family had the pleasure of touring the river park using the kalesa!

My hubby took us to Marikina Riverbanks where there were two kalesas waiting for patrons.   I didn’t expect to see any of them in our city so I was pleasantly surprised.   And since it was our first time to ride it, we had a blast.   And we only paid P50 each ($1.11).   It was awesome!  I hope more people will patronize the kalesa so that they’ll continue to exist for our children to see and experience.

As usual, I’m not in the picture because I was the frustrated photographer, lol!  But that’s my pleasure. *hugs*

Have you ever witnessed a costplay event in your place?  The term costplay is short for costume play, a performance art that’s becoming widely popular around the globe.  Costplayers don accessories and costumes of a certain character (usually anime) and they act like they’re the real characters, sometimes even imitating their character’s voice.

Here are some snapshot we got last month in SM City Marikina.  My daughter and hubby (and I, of course) had a blast hobnobbing with Darth Vader, Iron Man, and many others at the mall.

Yes, there’s no stopping Christmas and tonight is the big night!   All Christians all over the world are one in celebrating the birth of our dear Jesus Christ.  I wonder what’s cooking in your respective places tonight.   Do you have Noche Buena too like we have here in the Philippines?  Will your family be complete tonight for dinner?   Will you share or exchange Christmas presents with members of your family and friends?   Or will you be alone in some distant land for some reasons (work perhaps)?

Sad but unlike last year, I, my hubby and our daughter can’t go home to our province and spend Christmas there with our families.  Airfare rates are not a joke at this time of the year and even if we could get promotional discounts by booking flights earlier, our family budget would still be jeopardized since we have spent a great deal for our travel vacation last month.   Hence, we opted to stay here in Manila for the holidays and to our delight, my hubby’s family sent us a Christmas package containing bags, a cute Hello Kity utility box, a pretty Christmas card and some pictures, among others.   Thanks to my sisters-in-law, Pinky and Mel, for their generosity and thoughtfulness.

We also got lots of gifts from my hubby’s officemates.  I can’t believe how thoughtful some people are!  Thanks a hundred times, peeps!

Let me also share with you some pictures of the fireworks display initiated by SM Marikina a couple of nights ago.  We were so close to the source that we felt like the fireworks would land on our heads.

Well, that’s about it for now ‘coz I’m gonna get my hands full in the kitchen. I’m making Mango Float, fruit cocktail, and pasta. Yey!  However you celebrate Christmas, I pray that you and your family be blessed day after day and that you yourself will also be a blessing to others.    Spread the love this Christmas!

I was flipping over the pages of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today and this business headline caught my attention - “RP kids’ spending power now at P47B.”   Wow.  We hardly realize it but the kids are becoming a strong force in driving the local economy.   Not only are they influential in the family’s purchasing decisions but they also have spending powers themselves out of their pocket money and gift money.

According to the article written by Daxim Lucas, Filipino children from age seven to 14 have increased their economic power over the last two years, from P37 billion in 2007 to P42 billion in 2008 and 2009.   The figures, taken from a Cartoon Network survey results, revealed that “3.7 million kids in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao - the country’s three largest and most economically powerful cities - will hold a combined stash of pocket amounting to P34.7 billion for the entire year.”  The report further says that Filipino children “hold an estimated P47 billion in spending power.”

With all this money, what do these kids spend on?

My 8-year-old daughter, just like any other kids, receives cash gifts too as well as pocket money to school but we closely monitor her expenses.  As much as possible, we don’t let her touch her savings unless necessary. She keeps a Savings Account in Banco de Oro (BDO) and a few days ago, she was happy (but I was happier) that she received a BDO Rewards Card. *BDO individual clients with a Savings or Checking Account with a required minimum month-to-date average daily balance of P50,000 are automatically enrolled in the BDO Rewards Program.  With this, we can earn points on our purchases and online transactions, even when paying bills using Bianca’s BDO cards.  How’s that for both convenience and perks?

How do you teach your kids to save and spend wisely?

Not everyone has the luxury of space for gardening, especially those living in urban areas.  But it doesn’t mean we can’t have some greens in and around the house.  I have blogged about my indoor gardening before which was inspired (or forced?) by our lack of gardening space.  Unlike in my hometown where my parents’ property has a vast (okay, not so vast) front and backyard for some flower and vegetable gardens, our rented place here in Metro Manila doesn’t have that space.   But we have a rooftop where we can grow plants in pots.  Thing is, I would like it better to see my plants within or close to our unit instead of having to go to the rooftop everyday. I didn’t  know how to go about it until I saw these neat Window Box Planters which I think would look great on our windows.  They can be attached on patio railings too.

I uploaded some photos here from planterixchange.com to show you how we could all maximize our space at home for green living.  These Indoor Planters do not only maximize space, they also beautify our property. And since they are made from high quality polyethylene, they’re made to last, easy to clean, and are fade-proof.  They also don’t break apart because they are made in one piece, unlike other products that are just screwed together.

More importantly, a Garden Planter promotes better circulation of nutrients for the plants than traditional potting due to its sub-irrigation system.  Water is concentrated on the roots rather than the dirt on top so that molds and other plant diseases are prevented.  Cool, isn’t it?

A terrarium to bring life to your living room.

You may also consider having a nice terrarium to spruce up any room in your house.  They’re compact and easy to maintain.  I’ve had these in high school but they totally slipped my mind over the years until I saw some pictures at planterixchange.com.  I’m thinking of having one for the kitchen and for the living room.

If there’s anything that I’m not so good at as a homemaker, it’s cooking.  That’s why I love reading blogs that feature different recipes especially those that I haven’t tried yet.   Sometimes I envy those men and women who have that kitchen authority because they can serve anything to their loved ones as if they’re dining out.  How delightful it would be to be able to prepare good food by yourself like a chef in your own kitchen.

I love Italian dishes but I can’t magically create them in my kitchen so whenever I crave for pasta, pizza and even a great Italian seafood meal, I head over to a fine but inexpensive Italian restaurant.  Not only do I get satisfaction on the Italian flavor and ambiance but I also get a day off from my own disastrously battered kitchen at least once a month.  Lol!

While I continuously hunt for some real Italian goodness in our area, Italian foodies in San Francisco seek out this award winning Italian restaurant in La Jolla which serves delectable menu that’s Italian-Mediterranean inspired.  No need to fly to Italy to experience sumptuous Italian cuisine and ambiance.

Buon Appetito!