Just another boredom rant…

Surrounded daily by women who bring their complete sets of make-up, then proficiently apply them while on the train… I’m impressed! But the “lady” (??) in me sometimes can’t help but wonder… how plain do I look compared to these “decorated” ones? Often wearing just a t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sneakers… what cosmetics can one expect from me other than a lip gloss?

Why shouldn’t I try it? What? Wear make-up… daily? Nah… I’m too lazy to add this to my daily physical maintainance. I don’t even know how to correctly apply blush-on and eye-shadow. Let’s just say, I’m not up to it yet…

And guess when was the last time I wore makeup? It was during my college graduation – more than 6 years ago!

My first blog was about my daytime sleepiness and it became worse over the past few months due to my inability to sleep early. I usually fall asleep at around 3:00AM even if I’m already in bed at 11PM. Hot shower, milk and hot tea did nothing to ease this predicament. But then I recalled the time when I drank wine, it made me really sleepy. Wine might help me get back my beauty sleep!

But it’s not that easy. You see, due to family history, I have developed this strong resolve not to meddle with any alcoholic drink. But I could no longer battle my insomnia so I gave in and bought this wine (in the picture). Indeed it was really effective! I already consumed everything but when I went to the supermarket to buy another bottle, the anti-alcohol me won. I ended up not buying anything… and here I am again, trying to fall asleep.

I came across this article from Kerygma Magazine and I am posting it here perhaps to convince my self that it is OK to moderately drink wine…

Drink for More Brain Power
Research reveals that there are many ways of how we can improve our brain performance. In the advent of Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain diseases, that’s welcome news indeed.
According to Time magazine (January 23, 2006 issue), physical exercise, daily meditation, a regular dose of caffeine, more fish in the diet, ample sleep and doing mental workout keep us mentally sharp.

But did you know that drinking alcohol can also help keep your brain healthy? In a study that involved 12,000 elderly women, researchers discovered that those who daily imbibed one-half to one drink of wine, beer or even spirits tended to have the mental agility of someone about a year and a half younger than those who didn’t drink at all. They were also found to have fewer chances of memory loss and fading mental powers as they aged compared to teetotalers.
“We know it is beneficial to have a drink a day for your heart. This says there is an additional reason to follow that guideline — it can protect against cognitive decline,” said Marilyn S. Albert
of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The study didn’t find any additional benefit among women who took more than a drink a day.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s drink to that!
(Source: washingtonpost.com, Time magazine)

There are a lot of things I have been doing back at home that I still do here in Japan but for different reasons…

• At home, I would chain my bike to something stationary, or else I wouldn’t see my bike again. In here, I chain my bike to something stationary for fear that the city government will take it for illegal parking
• I always made sure that I don’t leave my bag open and guard it with my life or else I would walk my way home. In here, I make sure that I keep my bag closed for fear that others would have a glimpse of the chaos inside. I just dump everything inside my bag.
• At times, I had to walk because of traffic jam. In here, if I don’t have my bike, I just walk because there’s no jeepney and the taxi fare is so expensive!
• At home, I don’t just leave place my things in an extra chair at a restaurant or somebody else would claim it. In here, I don’t leave my things in an empty chair so that others could use it.
• At times, especially when in a hurry, I just leave the counter without waiting my change of 0.25 centavo. In here, I have to wait for my change even if it is 1 yen or else the cashier would call your attention… it’s embarrassing!

In just a few days, I finished watching all episodes of Hello! Miss and Attic Cat. The effect on me: this short test reveals all ^-^

Your Love Life Secrets Are

Looking back on your life, you will only have one true love. Although you may have been hurt before, you tend to bring very little scars into new relationships. You expect a lot from your lover – you want the full package. You tend to be very picky. In fights, you love to debate and defend yourself. You logic prevails – or at least you’d like to think so. Getting over a break-up doesn’t take long. Easy come, easy go.

The result is somewhat accurate except for the last one. I definitely don’t get over a break-up easily… no siree…

This photo was taken from Wikipedia
I was still in Cebu when the Amagasaki Rail Crash occurred more than 2 years ago. I felt sorry for the casualties, their families, and those injured… but I never felt fear because there were no trains in Cebu! (Of course, I hadn’t forgotten that jeepneys are a lot more dangerous than taking the trains.)

But now that I am already here, I can’t help but fret every time I board the train to work. Plus, I always pass by Amagasaki! Most of the casualties were from the first 3 cars, so I always avoid cars 1-3, 4 included!

I agree that no matter what we do, if it’s our time to leave this life, there’s no avoiding it. But still… I just can’t be at peace when I’m in the first 4 cars. ^-^

I admit, some of the things mentioned here are true and I really want my future to be calm, relaxing, and how I want it to be:)

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are a wanderer. You constantly long for a new adventure, challenge, or even a completely different life.You are a very grounded, responsible, and realistic person. People may not want to hear the truth from you, but they’re going to get it. You see yourself with pretty objective eyes. How you view yourself is almost exactly how other people view you. Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it’s something you’ve been anticipating for a while now. For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn’t fall in love with someone you didn’t trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

When I was about 10 years old, the professions I knew were limited to: teacher, lawyer, nurse, doctor, dentist, and engineer. I thought mathematics, science and every other school subject wouldn’t get more complicated. However, I was already aware that there’s electrical and mechanical engineering.

When asked at that time what I’d like to become, I’d immediately answer “mechanical engineer… just like my father”. I would have pursued this dream if my father hadn’t dissuaded me. He said it would be very difficult for a female mechanical engineer to find a job. So, I took up Computer Engineering, instead and I’m glad I heeded his advise.

How about you? What did you want to become? Still chasing that dream or are you already living it?

How would you know what you’re doing is weird when for you it is normal?

I was “forced” by Florence (hello Flo!) to expose at least 6 evidences that I am abnormal. But since I am in an alien nation, this is way too easy ‘coz ever since I’ve arrived here in Japan, I always have the impression that I am well, different. Obvious bah? Plus, I couldn’t sleep… so might as well try to “meditate”.

1. Becoming Miss Kargador
I have mentioned in my previous blogs that I am getting the habit of carrying heavy things (tables, chairs, and cabinets!) from the station to the apartment, or from a second hand shop passing through a tunnel to our apartment. Taxi rate here is very expensive so for now, I am choosing pain over losing Yens ^-^. It’s very embarrassing but I am holding on to a valid excuse: let me be… I’m a foreigner!

2. Using rubbing alcohol
They say that Japanese don’t like the smell of alcohol but as a Pinoy, I can’t live without rubbing alcohol. It’s not only useful as a disinfectant, but, it’s as effective as a desk cleaner.

3. Using loose powder
I mean… just using Johnson’s baby (loose) powder on my face. Japanese women don’t go out without wearing complete makeup. So at times, I think I am the only “plain-looking” in the train. But it’s ok. I don’t want to go through all the troubles to blend in anyways. This even makes me more unique. Gandang totoo… gandang Pinay! he he

4. Just wearing a two-piece set of clothes (a pair of Jeans & T-shirt)
Especially to those who have seen Japan fashion… you know what I mean. ^-^

Okay… the real weird me. For these last two, I’m not using Japan as a reference:
5. Sleeping with a pillow on top of my head
Now, especially at night, I can’t sleep without putting my extra, heavy, Japanese-style pillow on my head. At first, I use it to block any noise so that I could sleep, but now, I don’t have the ability to doze off without its weight on my head!

6. I have never shaved my legs!
Oh, just let me get away with this one because so far, I haven’t met anyone (of my age and even older) who hadn’t shaved her legs! But mine is not that thick and I don’t wear skirts and shorts so there’s no need for me to do this. Above all, I’m really terrified of using razors!

I need to force 6 people to admit that they’re also weird like me. But I’m also a rule-breaker like Florence, so here goes…

• Idel
• Rose
• Meema