Getting sleep was never my problem. I get to sleep as soon as I hit the bed or any alternative such as couch, passenger seat, etc. Contrary, my mom and several relatives suffer insomnia or sleep deprivation. Thus I wonder if I will also experience those symptoms as I grow old.

Sometimes when my mom really need some sleep, her doctor prescribes her some sleeping pills. Lunesta is safe and effective with little side effects if any. I had problems getting the pill since it is usually out of stock. Then I found that buy lunesta online is a lot easier. Just a click and it’s on the way to your home, after a day or two. You can also be guaranteed of a genuine lunesta product.

Why do people suffer insomnia or sleep deprivation? I search and most of the reason was stress or anxiety. Also to be accounted for is the daily lifestyle. So if you suffer from sleep deprivation you need to change your lifestyle. But that’s easier said than done.

Sleep is important so don’t settle for just a few winks. It prepares both the mind and body for the next day’s activities. Seek medical help if you can’t sleep.

I was a little depressed the other day, I guess you can call it more of a homesickness since it was my second week coming from a month long vacation. I missed my family and friends, the comfort of home. But this is my choice, I prefer to work abroad and spread my wings, not to mention the financial aspect of it.

Exercising
It’s good for the body and clears your mind. Since it was my first time to work out again after a month of absence, all my body parts were aching. That too would relieve the depression as your mind will focus more on the body pains.

Shopping
After hitting the gym for 2 hours, I headed to the mall and started my bargain hunting. I love sales and found several stores having one. But I guess my mind was dark as I got 2 blouses with black on it. I also bought a book, a pair of shoes and some groceries.

Food
Comfort foods like coffee and a slice of cheese cake. I also cheated with junk food and cola, I’m depressed remember.

Internet and Games
When I got home, I spent some time browsing the net and played some games. I prefer simple arcade type games like Sega and the like. Its fun and you don’t have to use much of your brain to go about it. I especially enjoy the games at sonicgames365.com. I also chatted with friends and checked my Facebook account.

Phone Call
I called my mom and talked to her for a while. She updated me of what she did for the week and did the same. But it was a mixed feeling as I missed her more.

Television
I spent the rest of the day watching a new Korean drama, about a modern day King from the south and an officer from the north falling in love.

After all that was said and done, the day passed and I was able to win my battle over depression. The next day, I was okay and back to my usual self.

It’s the time to the year to honor our mothers. I really think one day isn’t really enough for all the love and sacrifices she has given us. That’s why I also had hard time thinking of gifts to show my love and appreciation.

I remember as a kid, I used to make greeting cards and my mom love it. I remember I even used our wall instead of paper. She was mad but still appreciated my art work, but made me promise not to do it again. As I grow older I try to buy something special. Cakes, flowers, chocolates, bags and now I am running out of ideas.

And it’s especially difficult now that I am far from her, I wanted to have dinner together and shop with her but I could only look for online gifts. When I send her money for shopping she would put it on my bank account instead. She’s very practical mind you. So cash in not an option, I’ve been sending her flowers for years now so I want something different. What about Moroccan oil or Argan oil? I heard they are pretty famous and quite effective for hair, skin and even nails.

I guess I’ll opt for that and give her a call to say I love her. She always told me that is enough.

If you’re an Expat or an OFW, you’ll be needing this on your next vacation.

If not, you might know someone who will be needing this.

Balik Mangagawa is OWWA’s derivative for all returning OFWs. I personally just comply with the requirements but I don’t know where they put all the collected dues from thousands of OFWs leaving the country daily. Come to think of it, why do we have to pay when OFWs remittances are one of the key sources of the Philippines’ budget? Shouldn’t we be exempted from all of these?

3. Present the Exit Pass on the OWWA booth/ corner on NAIA Terminal 1 (right side) before getting your Boarding Pass.

I already wrote about this on my other blog but for the sake of more viewership, I’m writing about a not so good experience with black henna tattoo I got in Boracay.

Okay to be fair, I haven’t got the name of the henna tattoo booth but it is located at Station 2 between Deparis Hotel (where we stayed) and Boracay Regency. And several people also got henna tattoos and didn’t got this allergic reaction. I am posting this as a warning, to think twice about getting one.

I tried henna tattoo several times, the brown one and didn’t get any allergic reaction at all. The one I got in Boracay was a black henna and it was like an ink (the brown one is like a paste). I was quite happy with the design and got a really nice bargain for 150 pesos.

black henna tattoo

After several days, it got itchy and had some rashes but since the henna tattoo was black the rashes wasn’t visible. Only after almost two weeks did I saw the hedious rashes and it got really itchy.

it’s red and itchy!

I asked my nephew who had henna tattoo if he experience the same and saw his dragon henna tattoo became dragon rashes, read here.

see the butterfly design?

We went to a skin clinic and was given some cream to apply on the affected areas. After a few days it became dry and the itchiness subsides but it still looks awful as to date. I am hoping it will not scar, really really hoping here.

all dried up now, hope it will not scar

I was curious as to where we got the allergy and found that black henna tattoo is already banned in several countries. It contains PPD, or para-phenylenediamine which is a snythetic coal tar dye, and causes severe reactions in some people. Continued research made me more afraid since it can cause permanent damage not just skin deep but to your bloodstream too. This is called sensitization to hair dyes and other chemicals. It will lead to life threatening reactions if you got contact with those chemicals.

So even if you didn’t get skin allergy it is still possible to affect you internally. That is totally scary!

I need to do some blood test just in case since I work in the chemical industry. I better call my doctor as in now!

If you think I am just getting paranoid or over reacting, read this sites

Hennapage

Hennabyholly

Wiki Henna

We’re back! This time it’s twitter follow!

Thanks to the 25 wonderful bloggers below who sponsored this event, it’s time for Hump Day Giveaway once again. This week’s task is for Twitter follow which is super easy to do. Feel free to visit all the wonderful blogs below once you’re done entering the giveaway. You can log on to Rafflecopter via your Facebook account, or your name and email (just make sure your Twitter is opened so you can easily follow the profiles).

Once you’ve followed ALL the profiles (separate page to be opened through the Rafflecopter form), leave your Twitter username on the space provided for Extra Info after doing the task so we can verify your entry.

A note: Please join only on one blog. A maximum of 33 entries will be considered. If you have more than 33 entries, the host reserves the right to delete duplicate or fraudulent entries. Also, please use only one name, email address, or Twitter account for quicker validation of entries.

On the first mandatory entry, please write It’s Not Always About Me referred you. You must complete the mandatory tasks before the other entries are enabled.

Thank you very much and good luck. By joining this giveaway, you agree to the Terms and Conditions on the bottom of the form. Contest is open all-day Wednesday, from April 18th, 12:01am EST to April 18th, 11:59pm EST (April 18th, 12:01pm Philippine time to April 19th, 11:59am Philippine time).

Make sure to come back to this page after liking all the pages to enter your credentials.

Write It’s Not Always About Me on entry #1

I have a part time job while vacationing in the Philippines, that is babysitting my fave nephew. I don’t get paid and he’s not really a baby anymore, this is more like teen-sitting (he’s 13 but he’ll always be our baby). When my nephew texted me saying I should stay at their place because his mom will be away for the week (a seminar) I couldn’t refuse his plea.

And so I went to their place 2 days ago, I don’t need to do anything because they have a house help. I was just there to have an adult figure and to ensure he eats on time, sleeps on time, study his summer lessons, don’t play much PC and do some bonding time.

I so love our bonding and bantering time. I don’t know if I have any motherly instincts but I guess I have the aunt/ god-motherly instincts.

I’ve hibernated inside the house for 3 days, didn’t get out even to see the garden. I guess I had enough for the last 11 days that I was travelling. It was totally consuming both energy and finances but it’s worth it.

So what did I do during those 3 days? I got back online, sleep every time I got sleepy, eat every time I got hungry or saw food, watch local tv shows and dramas and others. It’s nice to be lazy sometimes. Never thinking about anything like household chores, where to eat, what to cook, etc. Everything is readily available. When I wake up, breakfast is prepared by my mom and other household chores are done by maid Austin. It’s a different feeling unlike when you work abroad where you do every little thing by yourself. I sometimes require commercial cleaning Austin when I’m really busy.

So now I’m already planning for our next activities. Starting tomorrow I’ll be babysitting my nephew for one week and have to process some legal papers during the next week too. It will be hectic again but I’m already fully recharged and up to anything. I’ll be here in the Philippines for just 11 more days so I have to maximize every remaining time.

Been away for 11 days but I’m definitely back!

Been here and there, so I’ll have a lot to share on the coming days, will just prioritize my pending responsibilities.

Hong Kong Disneyland

 Star City

Boracay

As I’ve claimed 2012 as my year I also plan to check out my career options. I plan it after I returned from vacation or after I renew my contract on July. That depends on how soon I can update my resume. I haven’t revised it for 6 years!  I guess I’ll be needing help with resume writers for executive resume writing.

One of my negative traits is complacency, I want to be on the safer side (not that it’s bad) but I want to live a little differently or challenge myself. I don’t want to disrupt my life or a complete 180 degree change. Even a little bit change here and there one at a time is good enough.

I guess I really need to start with my work, though I still enjoy it. But there are times I want more exposure, responsibility and salary! Six years is my longest job tenure so far, with the recent recession I kept putting off looking for new opportunities. Let’s see if I can get something more of what I have now.

What do I look for job? First would be environment, good working relationship between employees and open communication. Second would be job function and others. I want where I can work freely and be given opportunities for growth. Then third is the salary and other benefits.

I can say with my current job, I am still satisfied with the first 2 and the third is still above average but I know I can still get more. My worry is it that the first 2 would be compromised. But that’s the risk I have to take.