~~ Still~~

STILL
by Rachelle Arlin Credo

Maybe I'm screwed up
Or maybe just a bit confused
About what's going on inside me
That I can't seem to muse

Maybe I'm surprised
Or maybe just not used to
But I know this eerie feeling
Has got something to do with you

I can't seem to forget you
No matter what I do
And the more I attempt to
My heart keeps coming back to you

Sometimes the feeling just hurts so bad
That all I can do is sit and sigh
And at times when the pain just seems so much
I can't stop myself from starting to cry

I know I can't possibly do anything
To bring back our past
But still I wish that someday
We'll be one in heart at last

Now, I have to forget you
I have to say goodbye
I know I must move on
And leave the past behind

But though we part our ways
Though we should say goodbye
I will and still love you the same
Because my heart just cannot lie

~~Way back into Love~~

~~ I Hate You~~

I HATE YOU
by Rachelle Arlin Credo

I hate you since the first time we met
For it marked our inadvertent fate
For coming into my life so suddenly
And invading my thoughts since that fateful day

I hate you for smiling at me time and again
For it made my heart smile back deep within
For the way you stare at me in deliberation
Driving my thoughts crazy with anticipation

I hate you for sending me SMS from time to time
For it made me remember you for a lifetime
For giving me countless missed calls everyday
Reminding me of your presence needlessly

I hate you for always spending your time with me
For it made me appreciate your company
For always being there when I need consolation
Helping me realize you're someone I can lean on

But most of all, I hate you so much
For loving me forcibly without a hunch
For making me say I hate you, with charms all pure
Because the truth is...I'm just learning to love you more and more


BIOGRAPHY: Rachelle Arlin Credo is a writer/poet from the Philippines. She writes on a variety of topics for print and online publications. Feel free to check her website at http://www.rachelle.co.nr

~~Realizations~~

1. When you lose someone you love the hardest thing is not losing that person but starting a new life again.
2. I thought dying was the scariest, I never thought living would scare me more.
3. The most sincere place on earth are cemeteries.
4. The strongest people on earth are mothers.
5. Crying is the most noble act of manhood.
6. Your worth is not measured by time.
7. You can only do so much.
8. No one will stay, they will all go away, even those who you think will not.

~~Sweet Escape~~

~~~~~~

~~POEM FROM 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU..~~

I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair.
I hate the way you drive my car,
I hate it when you stare.
I hate your big dumb combat boots and the way you read my mind.
I hate you so much it makes me sick, it even makes me rhyme.
I hate the way youre always right,
I hate it when you lie.
I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry.
I hate it when youre not around, and the fact that you didnt call.
But mostly I hate the way I dont hate you,
not even close
not even a little bit
not even at all.

~~The Best things in Life are Free~~

The Best Things in Life

1. Falling in love.
   
2. Laughing so hard your face and tummy hurts.
   
3. A hot shower.
   
4. No lines at the SuperMart.
   
5. A special glance.
   
6. Getting mail.
   
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
   
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
   
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
   
10. Hot towels out of the dryer.
    
11. Finding the shoes you want is on sale for half price.
    
12. Chocolate milkshake.
    
13. A long distance phone call.
    
14. A bubble bath.
    
15. Giggling.
    
16. A good conversation.
    
17. The beach.
    
18. Finding a $20 bill in your coat.
    
19. Laughing at yourself.
    
20. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
    
21. Running through sprinklers.
    
22. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
    
23. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
    
24. Laughing at an inside joke.
    
25. Friends.
    
26. Falling in love for the first time.
    
27. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
    
28. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
    
29. Your first kiss.
    
30. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
    
31. Playing with a new puppy.
    
32. Late night talks with your roommate that keep you from sleeping.
    
33. Having someone play with your hair.
    
34. Sweet dreams.
    
35. Hot chocolate.
    
36. Road trips with friends.
    
37. Swinging on swings.
    
38. Watching a good movie cuddled up on a couch with someone you love.
    
39. Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking eggnog.
    
40. Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.
    
41. Going to a really good concert.
    
42. Getting butterflies in your stomach every time you see that one person.
    
43. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
    
44. Winning a really competitive game.
    
45. Making chocolate chip cookies!
    
46. Having your friends send you homemade cookies!
    
47. Spending time with close friends!
    
48. Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends.
    
49. Holding hands with someone you care about.
    
50. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
    
51. Discovering that love is unconditional and stronger than time.
    
52. Riding the best roller coasters over and over.
    
53. Hugging the person you love.
    
54. Watching the expression someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.
    
55. Watching the sunrise.
    
56. Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.
    
57. Having friends you know you can cry on or talk to about your deepest problems

Today, is not my day... so to get over the stress and depression... i went shopping.... and of course as they say "the best things in life are free..." so my freebie for today is a pair of purple peep toe shoes... weeeeeee!!!!! very nice eh!? thanks to my sponsor... hehe...

~~yes its a new day...~~

question.... how many names can you come up with from the nickname "val"?
answer.... Valerie? Valhelsing? Valmon? Valvon!!!! hihi...

question..... are the best things in life really free?
answer... hell yeah!

question.... do aliens exist?
answer... yes! have you ever seen Mr. Barsana? he is living proof... hehehe...

question..... all is fair in love and war?
answer... hmmmm...

question.... why am i doing this?
answer... i'm bored

question.... how's life ivy?
answer... better

question... are we happy?
answer.... not quite...

question.... does the new James Bond look hot?
answer... argh! that's a definite NO!!!!

question... u bored...?
answer... ahuh...

~~Bananas~~

I know its odd and weird to be talking about bananas but I just read this article and want to share it with you all...

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression "going bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!

This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

~~Lips of an Angel~~

"Lips Of An Angel"

Honey why you calling me so late?
It's kinda hard to talk right now.
Honey why are you crying? Is everything okay?
I gotta whisper 'cause I can't be too loud

Well, my girl's in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on
It's really good to hear your voice say my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

It's funny that you're calling me tonight
And, yes, I've dreamt of you too
And does he know you're talking to me
Will it start a fight
No I don't think she has a clue

Well my girl's in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on
It's really good to hear your voice say my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

It's really good to hear your voice say my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

Honey why you calling me so late?

The lyrics deal with a singer describing his feelings when his assumed ex-girlfriend calls him late at night. They are both in terrible relationships at the time, however the singer tells of how his feelings are still predominantly with her, and it seems hers are also still with him. More than once, a reference to the call being secret is made, and the singer expresses concern of a fight ensuing as a result. The song concludes just as it began, with the singer questioning to why she is calling so late. Austin Winkler from Hinder said on American Top 40 that the song is not about cheating and also that it is based on a past experience. According to American Top 40 this song wasn't even supposed to be on the album but on a b-side.

~~10 Biggest Brain Damaging Habits~~

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar
level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain
causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental
power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients
causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air
decreases the supply of  oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in
brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will
accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration  of carbon
dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain
damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness.
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in
effectiveness of the brain as  well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation
thoughts may cause brain  shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

~~Screen Cleaners~~

Have your noticed that you computer monitor, after a few years of use is not as clear as it was when new? Well, that's because electrostatic charges cause micro-etching on the interior surface of the glass which can degrade the picture quality.

As a result you end up straining your vision and visual acuity can suffer... BUT... GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to MICROSOFT this process is REVERSIBLE thanks to a brand new JUST INTRODUCED PROGRAM that "cleans" the inside of the screen!!!!!!

The process takes LESS THAN 30 SECONDS, and the difference is IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE!!!!!

Well here are cleaners you would want to have…

~~7 don'ts after a meal~~

* Don't smoke- Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

* Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.

* Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

* Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted & blocked.

* Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

* Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause t! he digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

* Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.

~~does your name tell about the real you???~~

I: Loves everyone.
V: Not judgmental.
Y: One of the best damn bf/gf any1 cud ask 4.

KEY:
> A: Likes to drink.
> B: Likes people
> C: Is wild and crazy.
> D: Has one of the best personalities ever.
> E: A GOD DAMN GOOD KISSER
> F: People adore you.
> G: Never let people tell you what to do.
> H: Have a very good personality and looks.
> I: Loves everyone.
> J: Lives life for fun.
> K: Really silly.
> L: Loved by everyone
> M: Makes dating fun
> N: Dead sexy.
>O: Best in bed.
> P: Popular with all types of people.
> Q: A hypocrite.
> R: Fuckin crazy
> S: Easy to fall in love with
> T: loyal to their LOVE one

> U: Really like to chill.
> V: Not judgmental.
> W: Very broad minded.
> X: Never let people tell you what to do.
> Y: One of the best damn bf/gf any1 cud ask 4.
> Z: Always ready.

~~2 Beautiful Stories~~

There was once this guy who is very much in love with his girl. This
romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of paper cranes as a gift to his
girl.

Although, at that time he was just a small fry in his company, his
future didn't seem too bright, they were very happy together. Until
one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris and will never come
back. She also told him that she cannot visualize any future for the
both of them, so they went their own ways there and then...

Heartbroken, the guy agreed. But when he regained his confidence, he
worked hard day and night, slogging his body and mind just to make
something out of himself.

Finally with all the hard work and the help of friends, this guy had
set up his own company ..

You never fail until you stop trying. One rainy day, while this guy
was driving, he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain
walk ing to some destination. Even with the umbrella, they were still
drenched. It didn't take him long to realize they were his girl's
parents.

With a heart in getting back at them, he drove slowly beside the
couple, wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan. He wanted them
to know that he wasn't the same! any more; he had his own company, car,
condo, etc. He made it! What he saw next confused him, the couple was
walking towards a cemetery, and so he got out of his car and
followed...and he saw his girl, a photograph of her smiling sweetly as
ever at him from her tombstone and he saw his paper cranes right
beside her...

Her parents saw him. He asked them why this had happened. They
explained, she did not leave for France at all. She was ill with
cancer. She had believed that he will make it someday, but she did not
want to be his obstacle... therefore she had chosen to leave him.
Just because someone doesn't love you the way you wa nt them to,
doesn't mean t! hey don't love you with all they have. She had wanted
her parents to put his paper cranes beside her, because, if the day
comes when fate brings him to her again...he can take some of those
back with him...

Once you have loved, you will always love. For what's in your mind may
escape but what's in your heart will remain forever.

The guy just wept...The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting
right beside her knowing you can't have her, see her or be with her
ever again.........hope you understand.

Find time to realize that there is one person who means so much to
you, for you might wake up one morning losing that person who you
thought meant nothing to you.

KINDNESS Pays !

One day, a ! poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his
way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was
hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost
his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal
he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought
him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How
much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied "Mother has taught us never
to accept payment for a kindness." He said... "Then I thank you from
my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt; stronger
physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been
ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors
were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called
in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard! Kelly was called
in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came
from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he we nt in to see her. He recognized her
at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his
best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the
case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the
business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked
at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her
room.
She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her
life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught ;
her attention on the side as She read these words.....

"Paid in full with one glass of milk." (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You,
GOD, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."

~~44 Facts about ME~~

1. Are u photogenic?
= whatcha think?
2. What time do you go to bed ?
= depends on what day it is :P
3. What was the last thing you did before this ?
= checked work emails...
4. Who do you call if you need help ?
= depends: emotional help/life issues-nea and some friends...
shopping-mom, lorie and or mai...
financial-alok...
5. What's on your mind right now ?
= shoes... hayzzz....
6. With whom do you wanna be with ?
= when?
7. What movie do u wanna watch now ?
= 300-just did... music and lyrics, dream girls, wild hogs, F4 silver surfer... :P
8. When was the last time you went out ?
= earlier
where?
= mall
with who?
= tita
9. What do you hate the most for now ?
= uhm...
10. What do you do everyday besides eat & sleep ?
= work, blog and watch TV...
11. Colors that make you happy ?
= fink!
12. Most fave thing in your room
= shoes and TV...
13. Miss someone ?
= definitely....
14. Plan to buy something ?
= a lot
15. Are you satisfied with your life now ?
= yes...
16. Do you like seafood?
= yup...
17. Breakfast or dinner ?
= diNNer
18. Like chocolates ?
= luv em...
19. favorite fruits?
= strawberries, mangoes and pears...
20. What's your favorite fast food ?
= MCDONALDS... luv ko toh!!!
21. Cats or dogs ?
= dog lover
22. Salty or sweet ?
=both...
23. City or country ?
= city
24. Is kissing normal for your age ?
= aysus!!!
25. Are you athletic ?
= in some ways... yes!!
26. Favorite band/singer for now ?
= none..
27. Do you have your own cell phone ?
= yest!
28. What do you wear to bed?
= depending on what state i was last in before deciding to "go to bed "
29. Ever had a crush on a teacher in highschool ?
= ngee!!!
30. Coke or pepsi ?
= cOke and or pepsi
31. sugar or spice ?
= sugar...
32. Can you use chopsticks ?
= yah!
33. Do you care about getting good grades ?
= yEs
34. Have you ever fallen asleep in class ?
= yes... hehehe
35. Get a job or ask your parents for money ?
= get a job...
36. Is your dad strict ?
= sweet... super!!!
37. Do your parents give you enough privacy ?
= ahuh!
38. Do your parents trust you ?
= yes
39. Do you make friends quickly ?
= depends...
40. Do you tell your mom everything ?
= nope... generation and religious ideologies limit the depth of our conversations, but i love her...
42. If u love someone & he/she rejected u, what will u do to him/her ?
= who hasnt been rejected...
43. Can u sing or rap ?
= sing...
44. Wut do u think about this survey ?
= fun to read somebody else's answer...

~~How to Cure Hiccups~~

---

What about Hiccups!? I had it the whole day... I had to swallow a teaspoon of sugar twice just to get rid of it... it works!

Hiccups. We all get them. They can be uncomfortable, annoying and sometimes embarrassing but thankfully they are usually short-lived. However for some people hiccups can be a MAJOR problem. Take Charles Osbourne for example. He was an American pig farmer who began hiccupping in 1922 and didn’t stop until 1990! He hiccupped every one-and-a-half seconds for over 68 years! If only he had read this article…

What is a hiccup?

A hiccup starts way down in your diaphragm, the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. When nerves near the diaphragm are irritated, they cause the diaphragm to contract. When that happens, the diaphragm sucks air down your windpipe to your lungs. While the air is whooshing down, it is stopped suddenly by the sudden closing of your vocal cords. The result is a hiccup.

What causes hiccups?

Most hiccups occur for no apparent reason; that’s why they’re so hard to cure. Factors that may trigger hiccups are: overeating, drinking too quickly, smoking, anxiety, exercising soon after eating, and many others.

How to cure hiccups…

Eat sugar! A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that one teaspoon of ordinary table sugar swallowed dry cured hiccups immediately in 19 out of 20 people. Repeat it three times at 2 minutes intervals if the hiccups do not stop immediately.

If that doesn’t work you could try some of these home remedies…

- Hold your breath. The oldest remedy of all and, for that reason, probably one of the most successful.
- Drink from the opposite edge of a glass. Just try not to make a mess!
- Eat crushed ice.
- Think of what you had for dinner last Sunday.
- Put your fingers in your ears, and get a friend to slowly feed you a glass of water.
- Eat bread slowly.

There are loads of methods for curing hiccups, although not all of them work for everybody; some people can be cured every time they have an attack using a particular method, while that method may never work on others. Just keep trying to find a cure that works for you, because you don’t want to end up like poor old Charles!

~~How to De Stress~~

Picture it… you’re basking in the sun, pina colada in one hand, a gripping book in the other, the sound of waves lapping touch your ears, a coconut palm sways gently in the breeze. Now pinch your arm and bring yourself back to reality!

I bet you were starting to feel more relaxed already.

We all have those moments where we’re about ready to tear out our hair (or someone else’s) and it feels like everything is just getting on top of us. Now, take a deep breath because we’ve got some ideas on how to de-stress and keep you at the top of your game.

Have sex! NGEEE!!
Not only is it fun and a great way to work off extra calories but if you’re focusing on personal pleasures for you and your partner, guaranteed you won’t be thinking about any stresses of the day. Well, you shouldn’t be anyway!!

Movies
Sit yourself down in front of a DVD or head off to the movies. There’s nothing better than totally losing yourself in the big screen no matter what the genre.

Walk along the beach
The ocean has such a calming effect whether you choose to go for a walk along the beach, take a dip or just sit and take in the view. Soak in the salt air and it will seem that everything falls into perspective.

Blast your stereo
Put on some good vibe songs, sing at the top of your lungs and feel the release. For a bit of a retro vibe try 'Don’t Worry Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. It’s gotta make you smile.

Massage
What can I say - always my personal favourite. I wouldn’t believe anyone who says they don’t feel completely de-stressed after a body massage. Aaaah, the sweet smell of aromatherapy oils as the weight of the world drifts away from you with each touch.

Hit the shops-YES!!!
Retail therapy – truly a girl’s best friend. Experience the thrill of successful shopping; it will put you on a high for hours.

Hug an animal
It’s a proven fact that hugging an animal will bring your blood pressure down and is very therapeutic. Plus who can resist snuggling up to a cute, furry face?

Bubble bath
Light some candles, add bubble bath, immerse yourself in the warm water and then to top it all off, moisturise your skin afterwards with rich body butter from the The Body Shop (hmmm brazil nut is sure to get you thinking of summer).

Break out a sweat
Hit the gym or do some exercise – it might be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re stressed out, and instead all you want to do is hit the choccies and wine, but exercising pumps up the endorphins (your happy hormones).

Write a list
Make a note of what’s on your mind, maybe you’re freaking out about something that will never in reality happen… or write down solutions you have, even just writing it all down can help you to
clear your mind

And if none of the above has you feeling calmer, grab your credit card, jump online and book yourself a ticket to a tropical paradise!!

~~Charles Schultz Philosophy~~

CHARLES SCHULTZ, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, once published this interesting

philosophy, that I wanted to share. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read
straight through, and you'll get the point...

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor andactress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But theapplause dies.
Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their
owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier? The lesson is: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones
with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Some people try so hard to achieve an award, thinking that will be their legacy.
When in fact, they can leave an impact and make a lasting impression in their own backyard.
Like the COKE commercial says, "You're going to remembered, for the things you say and do!"

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia " (Charles Schultz)

~~Man or Woman~~

Do you see the man or woman? Or do you see both? Or are there THREE people in this picture. If you are missing it, the man is the brown moustache. The woman is looking to the left and you can see here eye and nose protrude from the left part of the image. There is also another face - the woman's chin is the nose for this third face, and the wrinkle in the womans neck is the mouth.

Now the next time you are at your local shopping mall, and you see a person that you just aren't sure if it is a man or woman, just remember this fun drawing and as you are trying to figure it out, remember that at least it's not as ambigious as this picture is!

~~Perfect Squares~~

Move your head close to the screen. Do the perfect blue squares appear to be distorted? Absolutely... this is due to the black lines in the back moving and twisting it in your mind. What an eye trick!

~~Change~~

here's a quote I would want to share to all... its from a boss...

“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. “

true and inspiring, isn't it!?

What is Change?

Change Is.....

Change is something that presses us out of our comfort zone. It is destiny-filtered, heart grown, faith built. Change is inequitable; not a respecter of persons. Change is for the better or for the worst, depending on where you view it. Change has an adjustment period which varies on the individual. It is uncomfortable, for changing from one state to the next upsets our control over outcomes. Change has a ripping effect on those who won’t let go. Flex is the key. Even a roller coaster ride can be fun if you know when to lean and create new balance within the change. Change is needed when all the props and practices of the past no longer work. Change is not comforted by the statement ‘just hang in there’ but with the statement ‘you can make it’. We don’t grow in retreat, but through endurance. Change isn’t fixed by crying, worrying, or mental treadmilling. Change is won by victors not victims; and that choice is ours.

Change is awkward -- at first. Change is a muscle that develops to abundantly enjoy the dynamics of the life set before us. Change calls own strength beyond anyone of us. Change pushes you to do your personal best. Change draws out those poised for a new way. Change isn’t for chickens. Change does have casualties of those defeated. Change will cause us to churn or to learn. Change changes the speed of time. Time is so slow for the reluctant, and yet it is a whirlwind for those who embrace it. Change is more fun to do than to be done to. Change seeks a better place at the end and is complete when you realize you are different.

Change is measured by its impact on all who are connected to it. Change is charged when you are dissatisfied with where you are. Change doesn’t look for a resting-place; just the next launching point. Change is only a waste to those who don’t learn from it. Change happens in the heart before it is proclaimed by our works. Change chaps those moving slower than the change itself. If you can change before you have to change, there will be less pain. Change can flow or jerk, depending on our resistance to it. Change uses the power invested in the unseen to reinvent what is seen. Change is like driving in a fog – you can’t see very far, but you can make the whole trip that way.

Change is here to stay.

heres another quote from my friend Steph...

People change for two reasons:
Either they learn enough that they want to..
or they've been hurt enough that they have to...

~~7 Keys to Happiness from the Inside~~

happiness...

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

emotions experienced when in a state of well-being

Happiness, pleasure or joy is the emotional state of being happy. The definition of happiness is one of the greatest philosophical quandaries. Proposed definitions include freedom from want and distress, consciousness of the good order of things, assurance of one's place in the universe or society, inner peace, and so forth. ...

The following are 7 main areas that contribute to our level of happiness:

1. Focus on the Good in the World
2. Do What You Love
3. Create Positivity
4. Celebrate Who You Are
5. Put Yourself in Charge
6. Accept Your Own Perfection
7. Treat Yourself and Others Well

These are all areas that we have control over. Make your life work for you in these 7 ways, and you will increase your happiness.

~~A Carrot, an Egg and a Cup of Coffee~~

I came across this story today and I was moved to share it with you. Hope that you find the wonderful lessons in it that I did.

A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee… You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed as one problem was solved! , a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.
Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter
to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity … boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.
However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. ! After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Author - Unknown

~~Finding Your Passion~~

True happiness comes when you "do" what you're most passionate about.

When you lack passion, you are at a disadvantage. You cannot focus or enjoy who you really are.

Without the energy and vitality passion provides, you fall into what is called “passion deficit,” the symptoms of which are all too common for a lot of people.

The Symptoms of Passion Deficit

Blaming — Blaming your unhappiness on others is the first and most glaring symptom of passion deficit. When passion is part of your life, you create your own happiness. Don’t look to others; energy and fulfillment come from within.

Longing — Even if you do not feel unhappy, you may think something is missing in your life. You might not know what you desire, but you know something is absent, that somehow and somewhere you should be doing more.

Discomfort — Sometimes a passion deficit surfaces not as a sense that something is missing but as a sense that something is wrong. You probably have experienced this at least once: something is out of sync — some element in your life is uncomfortable. Maybe you work in a field you dislike or for an organization that stifles you. Perhaps you are in a bad relationship.

PASSION is something that moves you in a very powerful way. Passion is an internal experience not an external event. Finding your passion means connecting your head with your heart, engaging that part of yourself that "feels" in a big, bold, spiritual way. For many of us, this is a challenge. Our busy, chaotic lives disconnect us from our feelings. And, when we act from this "numbed out" place, it's impossible to connect with our passions. Lifestyle Makeover Expert Cheryl Richardson offered at step-by-step plan on Oprah's website. Marianne Williamson says that when you find your passion at work, the financial freedom follows! “Passion is energy,” says Oprah Winfrey. “Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

For Oprah, passion did not necessarily mean she always knew what she was doing. Reflecting on her early days as a broadcaster, Oprah claims, “I said I knew how to edit when I didn’t. I said I knew how to report on stories. When I went to my first city council meeting, I wasn’t quite sure of what to do, but I told the news director that I did.” Her passion and willingness to learn were what enabled Oprah to stick her foot in the door. “What I know is, is that if you do work that you love, and work that fulfills you, the rest will come,” she says. “And, I truly believe, that the reason I’ve been able to be so financially successful is because my focus has never, ever for one minute been money.”

~~Pucca Baby~~

me baby look alike :P

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

~~Chicken, Garlic, and Sundried Tomato Pasta~~

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (16 ounce) package farfalle pasta
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrated in water
• 2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot with boiling salted water cook farfalle pasta until al dente. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan. Add garlic cloves and cook until garlic browns. Add the cream of chicken soup and milk, stirring until smooth. Stir in the dried parsley, salt, and ground fresh pepper. Let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Add bite size chicken pieces and hydrated sun dried tomatoes. Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes. Mix in grated Romano cheese.
3. Toss cooked and drained pasta with chicken sauce. Serve warm.

~~True Values~~

"Love is like a rhino, short-sighted and hasty. If it does not have a way it would make one."

In today's fast moving world with all the many distractions - many of us forget easily their true values - waste time on wrong paths of life and suddenly life is over before it really started.

Take some time to think and feel what really matters to you - write down the first several points that appear truly of value to you in your life. Is it to have ...

1. a family - at home - being there for you, sharing all spare time with you ?
2. having a partner in life to hug you, to love you, to accept your love ?
3. friends that are there for you whenever you fall in life, when ever you need company or someone to talk to or help ?
4. job or money ?
5. career and recognition from other as a substitute of true love in our own relationship ?
6. freedom ? freedom to travel, freedom of doing business, freedom to select your job, education and home town ?
7. ... or do you have other values in your life ? If yes - which ones ?

Find the true eternal values of your life

The only efficient and most powerful way to actually support a true value is by:

• Living it as a living example without imposing it on anyone else
• Admitting such inner values to the outside world, to your family members, friends, colleagues at work or customers
• Improving your own way of living and realizing these - your very own - values of life
• Investing in the improvements, maintenance, free distribution and free peaceful and loving expansion of your values among all those who are interested in or want to follow your own living example as a result of seeing you more happy in your family and with your partner, more happy in business or job, more successful in all you do and of course more healthy than the average human being.

If your true values of life are in real harmony with your innermost divine being, your soul and heart, then of course you will be more happy than others, more successful than others and far more healthy - inner and outer health - than others. True spiritual values practiced in full harmony with God and hence with your own innermost spiritual being always result in excellent well being and happiness in all situations of your eternal life.

Posted by tEtAy at 5:05 AM 0 comments

Sunday, February 25, 2007

~~How Do You Communicate?~~

You Communicate With Your Ears

You love conversations, both as a listener and a talker. What people say is important to you, and you're often most affected by words, not actions. You love to hear complements from others. And when you're upset, you often talk to yourself. Music is very important to you. It's difficult to find you without your iPod.

How Do You Communicate?