I recently had a conversation with a friend. She was thinking about retirement. She asked how I was able to manage without a regular job. The advantage about working from home is that I own the time. The disadvantage is that I own the time. I tend to accept projects left and right because there are times when there are no projects at all. There is that temptation to drop everything and just be a full-time blogger. I enjoy what I do but I still have other interests like cooking and crafts that take a backseat because there are bills to pay.

Interestingly, there are many online payday loans and it is quite easy to get one but there are also disadvantages in getting one. It is always advised not to venture into something you do not understand first. Payday loans often have high interest. It is a good option for those who need cash immediately. It pays to read the fine print. There are different websites that can help you decide whether to take on that loan or not. Personally, I try to avoid any kind of loan. However, I do not discount the possibility of applying for one someday. It pays to read about payday loans while you do not still need one because desperate times cloud one’s judgment.

When I get drowned with work, I try to remember why I work. I still have dreams I want to fulfill and they require working hard.

]]> http://theunstressed.com/2013/05/10/work-life-balancing-act/feed/ 15 http://theunstressed.com/2013/04/30/new-at-mcdonalds-the-perks-of-being-iron-man-and-a-trip-to-boracay/ http://theunstressed.com/2013/04/30/new-at-mcdonalds-the-perks-of-being-iron-man-and-a-trip-to-boracay/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:43:10 +0000 Kat http://theunstressed.com/?p=3350 Continue reading →]]> Have you seen Iron Man 3? I haven’t so no spoilers please! Are you one of those people who collect movie posters? They make quite a nice “artwork” in the home like this.

This is your chance to get an Iron Man 3 poster by getting McDonald’s Iron Man 3 Power Meals!

Enjoy Iron Man 3 Power Meal for only P199 via Dine-In, Drive Thru or McDelivery 86-2-36.

Googly Gooeys has a funny illustration about Iron Man.

But wait, there’s more!

Join the McFloat Happiness contest and get a chance to win a trip to Boracay with  3 of your friends. Take a fun photo with a McFloat for  a chance to win that exciting trip.  Click on this link or the image below for more details.  Good luck to us!

Interestingly, Googly Gooeys also went to Boracay!

Summer is about to end in a month and I still have not done something remotely close to enjoying the sun.  Instead, I indulge in simple activities that I enjoy.

1. Cuddling.  This little fellow belongs to my cousin. I looked after him while my cousin was at work. His wife was on a trip so there was no one to look after the little one.  Most of the time, he loves sleeping so we take our naps together. He is the type who sleeps so close to a person that I alwaya feel that the bed is too small for us. On several ocassions, I worked on my computer while he slept beside me with his head resting on my lap. I guess we have became friends because he sat still for a photoshoot with me.  :D

 2. Cooking food. Eating out can be expensive. Chicken Inasal costs at least P80 per meal. Since there are 4 of us in the house, a trip to the restaurant would set us back at least P320. We got  marinated chicken legs from Monterey at a discounted price. I think four pieces of chicken parts (legs and wings) cost less than P150. We’d have grilled chicken over charcoal before and we always burn the skin. This time, I decided to use a broiler.

Why haven’t we thought about this before? Look, perfect chicken skin!

3. Restful sleep. I admit that I sleep later that I used to. I used to sleep at 10PM when I had a regular job.  Nowadays, sleeping at 12AM is pretty normal for me. It does not matter how late I sleep as long as I get at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, then I am fine.  The best kind of sleep is when I change my sheets.

4. Enjoying the blessings. I got gifts from my cousin’s wife who went on a vacation to Ilocos. We got more than a month’s supply of garlic and onion! The fan is perfect for the brownouts. I’d like to think I already have toned arms after all the fanning I have to do during power interruptions.  On the lower right photo is not from Ilocos but from Manila. It is a J.Co donut. When I was in Manila last November, people were lining up for these donuts. It is already April and my cousin said that there are still long lines for these donuts.

5. Getting a shower. It is a must in this heat and all the power interruptions. I take my time at the shower, exfoliating and working up a lather. When it comes to cosmetics, I rarely put anything on my face but I am pretty indulgent when it comes to bathing. I use soaps one after another.

My friends have different ways of pampering themselves. I know a few who get their hair and nails done. Another friend goes on spa dates with  her husband.  Here’s the deal: I have not tried getting a massage. I feel that I might be ticklish. I saw this feature on a facial massage in Prague and it looks relaxing. It makes sense. Massage is a form of relaxation where tired muscles are given respite.   Facial muscles need relaxation, too.

How about you? How do you pamper yourself?

I have learned not to compare myself with others. That successful person you envy has his/her own personal struggles. I learned not to wish I am someone else because I do not know that someone’s life too well to actually declare that that is the life I wanted. Instead, I pick what makes that person’s life beautiful and try to do the same thing about my own life. I believe that we write our own destiny.

I try not to indulge too much on material things. Gadgets get replaced with  newer versions in a month or two. Cars depreciate. Jewelry is a bait for snatchers. I can name more. This is just me. Yeah, this is just the poor me who cannot afford those things! What a sourgrape! Ha! Anyhow, there are 3 things that can immediately change my outlook and how I feel about myself.

1. Laughter. My father had a great sense of humor. It is hard to go through the day without laughter. I am the kind of person who does not take myself seriously. I have a self-deprecating humor and I am not afraid to look silly in the name of fun. I feel a tad happier around people with a good sense of humor. I always feel that laughter enriches my life.

2. Love. When you’re 35 and single, one of the difficult question to answer is ‘Why?’ When my wit works, I spurt our creative retorts. There are times that a smile is enough reply. I recently realized one thing. I will not settle for anything less than true love. I won’t mind letting my biological clock run out. No child should be borne out of my womb just because I worry that no one will take care of me when I grow old. God will take care of me. My cousin just recently lost his 3-year-battle against the complications of a lung transplant. He and his wife were a young couple starting their lives together. The love and devotion of his wife amazed me. This made me declare that it’s true love or nothing for me. I can derive love from a lot of things. I give it out freely everyday. It is that warm hug, simple hello or that pat in the back. True love will be given to ‘the one’. Naks!

3. Learning. I love reading. I can be a nerd sometimes. When my father was alive, I discussed nerd stuff with him. My father was the analog version of Google. He seems to have an answer even to my silliest of questions. (Oh, I miss him!) I do not believe in being an expert, it will end learning. Sometimes, I wonder about the things I might learn had I pursued graduate studies. Well, it is never too late to get one. If you are looking for a business school, check it out here. In preparation for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), you might want to consider Veritasprep reviews.

I tend to find the positive side of things. I can be the annoying and cheery girl who tries to inject humor in conversations. ( Sige na nga, minsan corny.)

Here are the ten things that made my life better the past month:

1. Skype. My aunt in Canada just recently learned how to Skype. It took awhile for us to use this means of communication because I do not have a decent webcam. Early this year, I bought a laptop because when my computer broke down on Christmas day, I realized how my work depends a lot on having a computer. I also get to talk to my cousin in Cagayan de Oro through Skype. We goofed around. When she tried to show me the neck pillow she uses, I showed her mine. Yes, we were like our crazy ten-year-old selves.

2. Little surprises. This was a creative pay-it-forward meme circulating on Facebook early this year.

I got my creative pay-it-forward gift. Thanks, Alma!

3. Random visits. My cousin came for a visit. She is my first friend in this world. Yes, she is the same person on Skype.

4. New desserts. We forgot to try this cake store in one of the subdivisions here because it is quite far from our place. Good thing that another cousin who dropped by to visit us gave us this cake. Yummy!

5. The new pope. For some reason, I am drawn to the simplicity of the new pope. I am a Catholic but I was never religious. I go to church, pray and try to be good person but I do not like joining religious organizations. I always feel like a sinner around these people. Pope Francis looks like a regular grandpa and it makes me hopeful. If you are on twitter, you can follow him here.

6. Rekindling traditions. We have not joined dawn Easter mass in years because we could not wake up that early. This time around we made an effort to wake up and I never regretted joining the mass. It was held near the park. There were a lot of people already but we found a spot where we can sit down.

Two days before Easter, there was an incident in a mountainous part of the city where pilgrims observe the Station of the Cross. I wanted to join that activity because I have not yet been to that part of the city. Good thing I did not go because I was not able to find a companion or I could have been one of those who got caught in the crossfire.

7. Friends. One classmate had a vacation here from overseas so my classmates and I were invited to his house. It was a fun afternoon of reminiscing high school memories for which, ironically, I was not a part of. When I say classmates, they were my classmates in grade school. I was the outsider but I never felt like one. We arrange another get together for another classmate and he did not show up. (Sa madaling salita, he stood us up!) He was apologetic and we understood. He had to look after his son that night. Since friends already brought food, we spent the night chatting and taking the 5 languages of love quiz. It is based on a book by Gary Chapman. It was meant to determine the method for which you show or accept love from another person. I found out that I want quality time. One friend wants physical touch and another loves receiving gifts.

8. Zumba. I felt the need to really lose weight. I already quit drinking coke and other beverages regularly. I only drink water. (Full disclosure: I drank coke three times since April 1.) I also don’t eat for 12 hours. I still have not observe changes in my body so I thought of engaging in an exercise activity. I thought of Zumba because it is fun. I try to exercise three times a week and I schedule it during brownouts. Mindanao has been experiencing rotational brownouts. To maximize my time, I exercise during brownouts because I cannot work without an internet connection. I still have not achieved my desired weight and I have not gained back my graceful moves (ha!) but the fun dancing is worth the trouble especially when I have nothing to do during the brownouts.

9. Free food. McDonalds gave away McMuffins on March 18 and my aunt got a free coupon for it when she came out from church that morning. She forgot to ask for extra coupons for us so we all shared this one piece of McMuffin. Ha!

10. Game of Thrones is back. I have to rub that in. I have read the book and I think the series is better than the book only because I had a hard time reading it. A friend shared this photo which made me laugh.

How about you? What are the things that make your life better?

Here are some productive activities you  and/or  your kids can do:

1. Art. Give a kid paper and crayons and let their imagination develop. For those who want to teach their kids the basics in art, there are many resources in the library and on the internet where you can develop the drawing skills of the kids. Here is a simple instruction on how to draw a lion .

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Those are in for a challenge can sketch something as elaborate as this one.

2. Snail mail. With the advent of email, sending out birthday cards became a novelty. It is nice to surprise a friend by sending a card through the mail.  Homemade cards are easy to make. How about this one for starters?

3. Plant something.  You can plant a tree.

Those who live in small spaces can start with an herb garden. The herbs can be used for cooking.

4. Discover new recipes. Tired of frying food all the time.  You can experiment on new recipes and  involved you kids in the preparation. It does not have to be complicated. How about this?

5. Summer classes. There are different summer classes available. Some are on crafts and some are of the academics type. A child can enjoy some play time and some advanced lessons or two. It does not hurt to engage them in advance Science or Math lessons. If that is too cerebral, how about learning a new language? A new language expands their world and it can get pretty handy when traveling. The world has become smaller with the advances in telecommunications and transportation. They can learn at their own pace by hiring a tutor. If you live in the United States, you can hire tutors at tutorspree.com where they have a meticulous method of screening their tutors to make sure your child gets the best learning experience possible.

 

Summer is here and everyone is ready to experience the most fun summer! Summer is exciting but we need protection from the harmful UV rays especially our eyes. Sunglasses have conventionally been the ideal tool to prevent the fatal and life threatening UV radiation and annoying glare. This summer, there are fashion trends that you might want to watch out. Wraparound sunglasses are not only fashionable but they also give a better protection from UV rays. For the people who have vision problems, a pair of sunglasses is not enough. In this case, prescription sunglasses can provide an excellent defense against the sun.

Sunglasses can be expensive but they do not have to be. Where will you get sunglasses? Firmoo is  a great resource for sunglasses  because they are offering sunglasses with high quality but at a wholesale price. They have excellent designs  that are stylish and trendy that will make you stand out in public.

How about a rocker chic and bold sunglasses for summer?  These pair can easily match any type of outfit. Here are more of their stylish sunglasses:

All the photos above are from Firmoo+, the World’s NO.1 Eyewear Styling Community which focuses on the styling of eyewear and clothes, accessories, etc.  All fashionistas are welcomed to join in!

Firmoo is inviting bloggers to review their products for free, go to this link page to apply for Firmoo free eyewear free trial. Last year, I got my prescription sunglasses from them which I use outdoors to protect my eyes from the harsh sun rays. I cannot wear just any sunglasses. I need the ones with corrective lenses because I have astigmatism. All I did is to input my prescription into their system to get the right pair .

I know I do not look like those Firmoo models but can you see how I love my prescription sunglasses?

Here are some of the most popular forensic shows that have helped to increase the number of potential students who are looking into online criminal justice schools.

CSI
CSI, or Criminal Investigation Service, has been so popular that it has several related shows by similar names, such as CSI: Miami and NCSI. These shows are favorites because they draw you into the lives of a close-knit group of crime fighters. They are seen as humans with real lives who are just doing their jobs. While the shows are very engaging and entertaining, when it started in 2000 you would not have found very many forensic scientists who had lives even remotely similar to these stylish characters.

Law & Order
While the original Law & Order is no longer making new shows, the franchise is very much alive and thriving through shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The shows focus on the legal aspects of crime, relying heavily on what the scientists can determine from the scenes and patterns. There is very little cross over between the different forensic areas. You specialize in a field and you won’t be out pounding the streets looking for answer. Unfortunately, the lab is where you will get most of your work done. Much less glamorous, but far safer.

Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds takes a much closer look at criminal psychology and the forensic field that deals with thinking like a perpetrator. The show is thrilling and often leaves you feeling anxious for the characters. In reality, anyone is this field will be more like a typical psychologist, not an “out on the streets” crime fighter.

Sherlock
Even though it only produces three shows a year, Sherlock has brought modern forensic science into an entirely new light. From the first episode where Sherlock took two minutes to fully analyze a woman and determine nearly all of the important facts needed for the case, you feel absolutely captivated by this remarkably intelligent character. In reality, science takes more than just a quick mind; it takes analysis and testing, scientific requirements that take time and patience.

These shows have helped bring attention to a once obscure field. Thanks to the popularity, more students are considering getting a degree from online criminal justice schools. The shows are very entertaining, but in reality, what you can expect as a forensic scientist will be much tamer and you stand nearly no chance of encountering a life-threatening situation at work, and certainly not one every week.

1.  Accounting knowledge. Little knowledge, they say, is dangerous. I believe zero knowledge is fatal. Ha! I have a lovely mathematics degree tucked under my belt. Ask me about quadratic equations, limits and double integration, I will might be able to explain them (with the help of a textbook because calculus was 18 years ago. hehehe)  Ask me to input an amount on a columnar book and immediately emailed my cousin on how to do it. Ha!

2. Proof of income.  If you need a loan from banks and other financial institutions,  the income tax return is commonly required to show that you are earning something.  For those who apply for visas to travel, embassies require the income tax return to show that you are earning and you will return to the country because you have a lucrative job or business here.  While I do not think I will need a loan anytime soon, I have an itchy feet and I want to travel the world. I am not yet sure with the lucrative income  but I am single with no parents, no siblings and no child (how sad no? ), I can definitely fend for myself and travel a little. I am slowly trying to reach my dream of travel.

3. Budgeting tool. Paying taxes allows me to track how much I earn for the month. Sometimes, I wonder where my money went and realize I used a chunk of it on snacks. (Ha! I know I need to lose weight soon.)  By knowing how much I earn per month, I can anticipate future expenses and plan personal projects.

4. Complaints leverage. Because I pay taxes, I believe it gives me the right to complain about inefficient government services. It is quite tedious for freelancers like me because we pay taxes monthly and file returns quarterly and annually. I slowly become aware of the procedures and learn what works and what does not. Dealing with government bureaucracy is a test in patience. In the US, there are online tools that help taxpayers fill up forms like the tax preparation software here. Different income brackets have different tax rates and there is an income guide available online.

5. Peace of mind.  In the US,  a vice president resigned due to tax evasion chargers. A mafia leader was jailed due to tax evasion. In the Philippines, several prominent personalities are pursued by BIR for tax evasion.  When my aunt asked why I bother to pay taxes, I replied, “Ayokong guluhin nila ako pag Judy Ann Santos level na ako.” (I don’t want them to bother when I am as rich as Judy Ann Santos.) I know it is quite a long shot and quite improbable.  However, the law excuses no one.

This type of acid works in two vague fields – medicine and cosmetology. In medicine, it works greatly in the prevention and alleviation of arthritis and other joint problems. In cosmetology and dermatology, it works to reveal youthful skin by preventing wrinkles and fine lines from appearing.

It is apparent that as a person ages, some of the bodily functions are reduced. One of the most noted problems especially to aging people is the occurrence of joint problems. This happens as a result of the reduction of the supply of lubrication on the area of the joints leading to problems like bursitis and arthritis. As you might well know, these areas need enough lubrication as it works with friction to facilitate movement. Pain only happens when there is not enough lubricant to maintain its movement. Since hyaluronic acid helps lubricate the areas of the body that are not actually reached by blood supply, it acts to give out lubrication.

Hyaluronic acid fairly helps in the achievement of youthful skin too. It has been noted to fight the signs of aging that are exhibited on face. Problems such as wrinkles, acne and blemishes can be addressed by this kind of acid. In fact, there is an injectable type of HA called the Restylane working to correct skin problems. Injectable HA comes to be expensive though and you will have to spend an amount for maintenance.

For those who are on a tight belt when it comes to budget, there are cheaper choices available. Lotions and creams containing HA can be a substitute to expensive treatments. These are proven effective but you need to be patient and wait for the results to finally take place. Results do not just happen overnight so your patience is requested.

Before trying the use of products with hyaluronic acid, you need to be mindful that there are side effects linked with its use. Though these rarely occur, you have to be knowledgeable about the signs to save you from rattling when it comes. For those applying topical creams, rashes and bruising may come as a side effect. Sometimes, these rashes would also bring pain in the affected area. For those taking it to treat conditions like arthritis, side effects such as sneezing, dizziness and swelling of lips and face may exist. Generally, the effects are more on allergic reactions. To avoid possible problems, check out wikitalks, it may be helpful http://wikitalks.com/2013/02/how-to-choose-the-ideal-face-cream/

When taking hyaluronic acid, you should be mindful that there are drugs and products that should not be taken with it. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Vitamin E are examples. While on the medication regime, make it a point not to use these drugs together to avoid unpleasant effects like bruising and the development of allergies too.

Hyaluronic acid may sound like not the usual supplement popularized in the market. However, it stands to correct a lot of medical conditions and even conditions related to aging. Surely, it comes with a lot of benefits. But before jumping in the conclusion of using HA, it is a must to check on your physician first. Surely, it serves to be beneficial but not all can enjoy the advantages it brings. There are people who are just allergic with it that it will bring harm rather than good. So to be able to fully enjoy its benefits, check its compatibility with your condition first.