Different Meanings of a Sigh

I have been sighing a lot the past days and with that frequency, the sighs meant different things. After my work at the restaurant the other night, my body felt really tired and so I let out a sigh of exhaustion. When I had finished a report I was working on in the office for days, I sighed in relief. When I got very interested in a restaurant deal being sold over at Deal Grocer (one of the more popular groupon sites in Manila) and found out it was sold-out already after checking out the site, I felt the need to let out a sigh of sorrow. Not really sorrow but sadness in its shallow form.

This one tops it all off. When my brother D confessed to me that he’s not happy with his job anymore and wanted to quit, I sighed in disbelief (and with a bit of disappointment) because he was being reckless with his decisions again. He said he’d just concentrate on the board exams (he’s taking the LET). I tried to give him my sisterly advice but he seemed too determined to push thru his plan. But I guess he realized I had a point so he said a moment after he’d just wait for his contract to finish. That’s roughly three weeks from now.

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Mall of Asia on a Friday

Going to Mall of Asia (MOA) on a Friday isn’t always a bright idea. We just came back from the place and it was filled with people dining out and prolly doing some last minute shopping before going home and spending another fun weekend. Traffic was pretty bad on our way home especially as we passed thru CCP Complex. And to think the much-hyped pyromusical wasn’t starting in the next 12 hours.

Heavy traffic and big crowd aside, our trip to MOA was still fun. I was with the boyfriend and his family. We had dinner at Kenny Rogers and I immensely enjoyed my huge Cheeseburger meal. I know, I shouldn’t be eating big time during dinner to avoid gaining more weight, but what could I do? The burger was juicy and flavorful and somehow I felt compelled to finish it. I know I’ve been taking more meat than fiber and that’s the reason my bowel movement has been acting up the past days. I’ll just make it up with my tummy by trying out colonetix or drinking more water than usual. Hehe.

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On Acne, Nuts and Pistacchio Ice Cream

Health benefits aside, I love how a wide variety of nuts is readily available in Manila. I practically grew up munching on peanuts and was glad my face didn’t suffer from acne. I just get to have a few pimples from time to time, but nothing too serious as to have me reading therapores review one after another to get help. You know how some people associate acne with a high-fat diet. Nuts are naturally rich in fatty acids, yes, but it doesn’t mean they cause acne. There are a lot of factors that trigger acne such as puberty or simply poor hygiene. That’s why I continue to enjoy nuts until now. My favorites are peanuts, walnuts, almonds and pistachio. Right now I’m craving for some pistachio ice cream. Yum!

pistachio ice cream
Photo taken from here

Getting rid of acne is a different case altogether. Good thing we now have advance technology in skin care to treat it. I have friends who have suffered from acne in their youth and swear by the wonders of technology in helping them become acne-free. The treatments available today work like magic. I could hardly see the traces of acne on their faces. And just like me, they continue to eat nuts as part of a healthy diet.

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Breast Cancer Scare

I just learned from my aunt that a distant female relative had died of breast cancer. I find her death quite tragic and untimely because she was only in her late 30s. From what I gathered, she’d been married but with no children. Actually, her brother was my classmate and buddy from elementary to high school. I immediately sent my condolences to their bereaved family.

If I’m not mistaken, breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women. While fibrosystic breast condition (or the presence of breast lumps and breast pain before and during menstruation) is common among women in their childbearing years, it is still very important that we get rid of this. A breast lump that’s benign at first can eventually develop into a malignant tumor.

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Health Benefits of Lemon Grass or Tanglad

My three siblings and I spent the long weekend with my parents in our Cavite home. It was one of the best weekends I’ve ever had. On Saturday evening, we chatted the night away while lying in bed. We took a trip down memory lane. Our room got filled with laughter and loud voices. Before we knew it, it was already 4:00 a.m. But I digress. What I really want to share are the health benefits of lemon grass or tanglad.

Photo from mdidea.com

Aside from the distinct flavor it gives to Asian dishes, tanglad has many health benefits that only a few people know or cared to know. I only read about them online, and so when my mom complained of hip and back pains last weekend (which seemed to be a case of UTI to me), I did not hesitate to advise her to drink some fresh lemon grass tea. The next morning, the pains stopped.

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Battling Cough and Cold

I don’t feel good today. Actually, it’s ever since last week. My cough and cold remains active with no hint of disappearing anytime soon. I fight with them by drinking lots and lots of fluids and taking a daily dose of Vitamin C.

As much as possible, I try not to depend on medicines to get better. I think the last over-the-counter drug I bought was Ascof Lagundi and it was like, months ago? The poor cough syrup was not effective on me, though. I ended up producing more phlegm than usual which led to longer recovery.

Battling with cough and cold is hard. But at least I only get sick once or twice a year and they’re just simple ones like fever, cough and cold. In my seven years of stay in the city, I have not been hospitalized yet. God knows I never want this to happen, not even once. I absolutely dread hospitals. I know most people do.

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