Archive for October, 2010

Sometimes reading the newspapers can be hazardous for health, mental health that is. Everyday we are bombarded with bad news. About murders, rapes, robberies, global warming, accidents etc. I guess those news are “sensational” so we have more of those. Why can’t we have more good news?

I would like to read more compelling, positive news for a change. I would like to read more insipiring news on a daily basis. I would like to read about happy news, about happy people, new begginnings, new drugs that work, new lease of life, about people overcoming obstacles and achieving their dreams. I would like funny stories, about love and living.

I would like to view beautiful pictures of happy people, young and old, of beautiful nature photos etc. Tell me something happy. Not something dreadful. Day in and Day out.

Maybe that is why I prefer to read blogs. I get more happy news on blogs. Seriously. Oh, I am still updated with news because bloggers are fast with the news but at least on blogs, I get to see smiles and new begginings and love, laughter and joy. The joy of a newborn, a new union between two, a birthday or anniversary celebration etc. There is tragic news too but I think on blogs there is more positive than negative whereas in a newspaper the negatives outweighs the positive.

Here is my step by step weight loss program:

Step 1: Go Shopping
Step 2: Pick up several clothes that you like
Step 3: Proceed to fitting room
Step 4: Imagine or visualise how lovely you will look in each of the outfit of your choice
Step 5: Try the clothing on
Step 6: Try not to cry whey what you visualised is not what you get and you can’t zip up or button down
Step 7: Leave the store empty handed
Step 8: Go home
Step 9: You will automatically cut down on your food and increase your workouts each time you think about Step 1 to Step 8 especially Step 6.
Step 10: Repeat Step 1 to Step 8 as and when necessary.

To me, the best motivator for a weight loss program is shopping. Yes, shopping or retail therapy will send me to my workouts faster than anything else and it will also stop me from reaching out for that sinful dessert.

So if you will excuse me, I have got to do my workouts now….. because I went shopping yesterday. Try it. It works everytime. This program only works for overweight women. If what you see is what you visualise when you try on the outfits, you don’t need this program.

One Sunday morning as I was out buying breakfast, I was walking behind a couple with their toddler. The toddler was being carried by the father. I thought she looked rather adorable.

All of a sudden, “pop” a little shoe fell right before me. The couple had not realised it. They kept on walking ahead. I picked up the shoe, ran after them and passed it to the embarrassed but amused couple. They thanked me and laughed. I can see that they adored their little girl. Such a happy moment in their lives…. being young parents to a sweet little girl.

It brings me back to a nostalgic moment in the not too distant past. My little girl is 8 now and my little boy is 6, long past toddlerhood but oh how I remember those “shoe dropping” moments. We certainly had our fair share of those! We even lost some lovely looking baby shoes that way because we only realised it when we got home.

Those shoes were nice to look at but poorly fitted. We would have benefited from watching the following video on how to fit girl’s shoes. I am sure other parents would too.

What about you? Have you had any unforgetable “shoe dropping” moments?

I do not have a Facebook Account. Confused?

I meant the real me does not have a Facebook Account. However the blogger in me has a Facebook Account. Since I have several blogs, I thought it would be a good idea to sort of consolidate them all in one place and Facebook gives me a way of doing so. Each time I update any of my few blogs, I update my Facebook.

That is the only reason why I have a Facebook Account. It is to connect with my blogger and other online friends. Which explains why I have friends I sometimes do not really know. When you have a blog, you sometimes have friends you don’t really know. In fact, sometimes you don’t even know that you have friends that you don’t really know (as in silent readers.)

Apart from this reason, the other reason is, I find it very useful as a networking tool with other parents as in “Where can I buy this book?” “I am having kid exam stress” etc. Networking in this manner makes the burden lighter when shared. Sharing with like minded people in the same situation helps a lot. It is much easier than calling up a dozen friends to complain about the same issue. After awhile, even I feel tired of listening to myself. However, a quick status update on Facebook, along with its encouraging, positive and helpful comments is a big relief. I love Facebook in that sense.

However, what I share with other parents on my parents networking list may not be what I would like to share with other friends or relatives etc who may be on my Facebook friends list too. That is why they are not in my Facebook Friends List.

Sounds ridiculous? My closest friends are not on my Facebook Friend’s List but strangers and acquiantances are. Well, that is just me. I personally do not enjoy this social networking thingy (with the above exception) but there is no escaping it is there. We are in that era and I must somehow understand it because my children will be caught up in that world, in time. That is why I have Facebook and Twitter and blogs.

I do not feel very comfortable giving up to the minute details to the world about what I am currently doing, have recently done or about to do. I do not like to post photos of myself or my family. I am just not at all used to the idea of posting pictures of myself and my family along with updates for all my friends as a new form of keeping in touch and catching up with each other. It just feels so strange to me. That is why I have a Facebook account without a Face. Rather silly isn’t it? That is what kept me from opening a Facebook Account till recently. It is the fact that I could not post a Face.

I am a rather private person. But then I have 3-4 blogs? How is that so? Well, I like to write, that is why I have my blogs to express myself. I have a blog but I find that one can be personal without being too personal on a blog and I realise now, even on Facebook (after braving myself to open an account without a Face). So yes, a private person can still have several blogs and a Facebook account.

Anyone who knows the real me and who knows that I do not have a Facebook Account will say “What? You mean you do not have a Facebook Account?” It does not bother me at all because they do not know that I have several blogs and a Facebook Account to consolidate them all in.

I really prefer it this way. I have real friends whom I prefer to keep in touch with in person and then I have my online friends whom I can only keep in touch with online. This way, I get to enjoy the best of both worlds and yet still maintain my desire to remain private. Having a public life is not for me but who knows, maybe one day, I may open a Facebook account for the real me and then the real me can be friends with the online me and no one would be any the wiser and that is exactly how I like it.

The ladies at my child’s school are fond of wearing Fedora Hats. I think they wear it as a protection from the sun rather than for style because at the same time they also wear long sleeved shirts, plus extra pull-up sleeves and gloves!

Actually, I think Fedora Hats can be stylish if worn at the beach with a bikini and wide sunnies for example. Not many can carry off that look. You have to have a certain self assuredness and confidence. Self confidence is the best style any woman can have. With self confidence, you can carry off almost any look with style, even a Fedora Hat with a bikini!

A Fedora Hat also looks nice and cool with a white tee and the latest skinny jeans. This is just nice for hot summer days and almost everyone can have this look.

I personally prefer the Fedora Hat compared to Panama Hats. I think Panama Hats are more manly and masculine because of its straight rim. The rim of a Fedora Hat usually curls up lending it that more feminine curvious look. However, depending on the style and accessories that decorate the hat, it can still look nice.

A hat can perk up any outfit. You just have to know how to pick the right one.