Flu Season is On

Another bout with the pesky cold is dampening my spirit. I usually love the colder months here and I just like the way winter season makes my skin glow, my pores tight, my hair manageable and my complexion lighter than usual. However, this is also the season where I battle the fight to ward coughs and colds.

Just few weeks ago, I had my sinusitis attack again. It's coming back too! I have been sneezing with matching watery eyes and awfully painful joints. I hope I am not coming down with a flu because I cannot afford another sick leave especially when I just used few days 2 weeks ago.

So, this season is a bit tricky. The weather is either cool and cold. The breeze is inviting but it dips around the afternoon towards early morning the next day. It will get colder as the days pass and we should all be ready to brace ourselves with the weather changes.

Follow this tips to ward off the flu this season:

1. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices.

2. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Get proper nutrition and take your multi-vitamins too.

3. Have enough rest and sleep.

4. Wear proper clothing. If your office area is like a freezer then change the temperature control accordingly.

5. Wear woolen socks at night to keep your feet warm.

6. Have an inoculation for Influenza.

7. Control stress because it is one of the biggest factor which weakens your immune defenses.

Keep those tissues and flu virus at bay and strive to be healthy throughout the colder months.

New York Deals

Visiting New York is one of the best experience a traveler can have in his or her lifetime. It is really a great opportunity to see the place up close and personal and to observe the normal happenings in the city as opposed to what is being represented in the movies and TV shows.

New York has so such to offer in terms of tourism, economy, entertainment and in fashion due to its strategic location in the world. There are numerous new york city daily deal you can find in the internet if you are planning to visit the place or stay there for a certain period of time. These deals can give you access to arts gallery and museums or in the observatory decks of The Rock or Empire State Building. You may also find great offers on city tours, sight seeing, passes and even discounts on shopping outlets and groceries.

A short stay in New York is still worth it if you just want to see the famous places in the city. However, a longer stay like a month or so can give you the feel of being a New Yorker by sitting on the sideline and absorbing the culture and local scene of the place and even enjoy what the city offers in the night scene.

Check the internet now and plan your travel ahead to bag those great daily New York deals. Being in New York is a great deal in itself.

Halloween's Cute Costumes

Halloween is coming and kids (and adults alike) are running helter skelter to get the best and cutest costumes available in the market.

There are so many kinds of costumes to choose from. There is the scary outfits like zombies, ghosts, goblins, monsters, werewolves, vampires and witches. Then there is the funny costumes like clowns, cartoon characters, flowers and plants. There is fairy and enchanted like costumes and royal costumes for those yearning to be princess and princess or king or queen for a day. There is the animal costumes and occupation costumes and couple costumes.

Here are some cute pictures I have taken from the internet which I find cute:

Babies...

Add caption

Photo credits for both pics above: halloween-best-costumes.blogspot.com

Photo credit: anniescostumes.com

Toddlers...

Photo credit: anniescostumes.com

Getting the Halloween costumes as early as now is the best thing to do so one can wear his or her preferred outfit.

So, if you have already chosen and purchased yours then all you have to do is wait for the big day for the Halloween trick or treat or bash.

Back to Zumba

I was 4 minutes shy of completing the Beto's Zumba dance exercise my husband downloaded for me. I had to stop because my left knee was starting to feel a bit painful.

I did Zumba sometime back but went back to jogging and walking as my mode of exercise. I just incorporated Zumba again back in my regimen so I don't get bored doing the same exercise over and over again.

The movements really make me jiggle my body and I am working my core muscles as well with the arms and legs movement. I like this dance exercise a lot. It's not so hard to follow as long as you know the basic steps. Zumba also incorporates other latin dance movements like merengue and salsa and the one I am following has hip-hop added as well. So you can imagine how tiring it is to complete the half and hour routine. But I think it's really worth it.

Visiting Relatives in San Diego

I am still thinking whether I will come with my husband to visit our relatives in San Diego this November. My daughter is not really keen about traveling to the US this time because she has been to San Diego and it's hard to keep up with a finicky teenager now. I am considering to stay here because I can't leave my daughter. I will come to a decision by the end of the month. 80% of my decision is leaning towards to "stay" here and just relax.

My husband is already thinking of the gifts he will bring to our relatives there. I told him that there's another special occasion to look forward to in April 2012. His nephew will graduate from high school. It's the right time to consider high school graduation gift ideas since there are still some sale going on after the GITEX 2011 event few days ago. A growing teenager will definitely love gadgets. We already gave him a rock star guitar which you plug on those game consoles last 2009. I think, something funky like the new MPs now or a smart phone. Well, I just let my husband decide.

Walk for Good Health

I was supposed to do the Zumba today but decided to walk to the nearest supermarket with my trolley in tow. I would always drive to the supermarket under normal circumstances but ever since I got my lab result, I am taking every opportunity I have now to exercise. So, I walked for a mile and did my shopping so walk back home was more challenging because of the extra weight I carried.

I perspired a lot and was a bit happy that I walked to the market. I have given my body a chance to build up strength and endurance, my heart was revved and my muscles toned. Although my ankles hurt a bit because of my weight and uric acid problem, I will continue to do this. Not only that I am saving precious petrol, contributing to a lesser carbon footprint, I am doing my own body and health a big favor.

Electronic Database

If you are handling a bulk amount of paper files that require electronic filing because of the voluminous paperwork and space they occupy, then consider the service of docuware. Docuware is a document management software which helps store large amount of electronic data. It also has a function to allow the users to manage and share documents regardless of format.

Companies handling a large amount of paper files can benefit from Docuware because it will help in retrieving files fast, release space consumed by the filing cabinets and reduce paper work and costs. It is also beneficial to small and medium enterprise because of its many functions aside from document management. It also functions as web content management and electronic archiving. .

GITEX 2011

GITEX is known worldwide as one of the most important electronics event in Dubai. It is a week-long event with other major shopping outlets participating through various drop-down mega-sales of electronics and gadgets for consumers to feast their eyes on. For some with the budget to spare, this is the right time to purchase their dream item.

A lot of gadgets and electronics are being sold on low prices during the GITEX. There are nikon cameras  being sold for DHS 3199 with actual price of around DHS 5000. You actually saved more than a thousand. The package also includes other freebies like lens, SD card and even an LCD TV. Other high ticket items are selling like hot pancakes are the laptops and personal computers, Apple products especially the iPad, smart phones, routers and modems, navigational equipment and the big plasmas, LCDs and LEDs and other medical equipment.

People really save up for this event because of the great sale packages the distributors have during the GITEX. There are even raffles of major prices like cars and large amount of vouchers to be used in major shopping outlets. Who would not be enticed in GITEX?

Taking Care of Your Kidneys

Having a renal function result that indicated very high uric level is not a thing I can brush off easily. If I don't take care of my kidneys then I will have undesirable complications which may lead to diabetes, kidney diseases and kidney stones.

I scoured the internet for ways to take care of the kidneys. Here are some tips:

1. Watch your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
2. Live an active life by exercising regularly.
3. Drink plenty of water. What our parents told us when we were young about drinking at least 8 glasses of water is very true.
4. Avoid consumption of refined and processed food like breads, cakes, canned goods.
5. Reduce red meant consumption.
6. Decrease salt intake.
7. Avoid alcohol.
8. Reduce caffeine.
9. Manage stress.
10. Have a kidney cleanse by detoxifying. Consult your physician when you are going to do this.

Do not take for granted these important organs in your body. They help filter impurities in our blood, remove toxins in the system, help regulate the calcium and water levels in our body and monitor blood composition.

My Lab Results

I got my lab results last night and went to see my doctor again for a reading. My cholesterol is high but my blood sugar is normal. However, I can't believe my uric level is so high. It's not even just above the meridian. It's high!

So, that could be the reason why my ankles ache in the morning before I get up. Although, my ankles don't swell, I do feel pain there and on my knees. I thought, the pain was brought about by the 2.7 km walk I did so I didn't give much thought.

Well, I may go vegan for a while. I have no idea how it will go and how my taste buds will receive the new idea and food group. I don't have a problem taking red meat and some seafood out of my eating equation but  not eat my favorite wheat breads and oatmeal cookies? That's just plain torture!

I am barely on my 40s and yet I have these conditions normally felt by middle-aged people. The doctor advised me to really lose weight and strict diet on low purines because purines found on most food I love to eat are one of the culprits of my rising uric acid. 

I just wonder why I was predisposition to have these kinds of conditions. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I get my 8 hours of sleep. I eat healthy foods and not much of a meat eater. I exercise and I try my best to think of positive thoughts. And yet, I still have these conditions which can affect my heart if I don't do something about them. I am really bummed right now.

Anyway, no use crying over spilled milk. I just have to follow my doctor's advise to the letter. I may experience some withdrawal symptoms while I wean away from breads and other delicious food I love to eat. Let this be a warning... Grumpy alert!

Bed Rest

I am on a 3-day bed rest while I recuperate from acute sinusitis and hypertension. I went to the doctor (finally!) yesterday because I couldn't stand the pressure on my nasal cavity and I was feeling feverish already. That could only mean one thing, I needed my antibiotics whether I liked it or not.

I waited for 45 minutes before being called in the doctor's office. Both myself and the doctor were surprised to see my blood pressure to read as 143/100. That was way too high.

So, I am back to my antibiotics, anti-allergy and hypertension meds again. I also have to wait for the result of my blood test for everything that could possibly causing my hypertension and inability to lose weight inspite of the exercise regimen and low-sodium diet.

Am I going through menopause?!? I am praying that my renal test is also okay. I drink a lot of water and certainly not a salty food junkie but I'm really scared.

Sinusitis

Sleeping with a blocked nasal passage is like a fish out of water. I find it hard to breathe and I have been having this sinusitis again lately.

I haven't seen the doctor yet because I don't like taking medications. The last time I had this chronic sinusitis was 3 years ago and I was given mega-doses of anti-biotic which cured it but altered my taste buds for several months. I don't want to go through that again.

It's hard to have sinusitis. I feel like there's a small saucer right in front of me all the time. Visually, it does not change anything but that pressure and feeling like there is a lump on the nose bridge makes it really a bit painful and cumbersome especially during sleeping time.

My sinusitis has not given me any relief yet so I am really hoping for all hopes that weekend is much longer than two days so I can just relax and catch up on my sleep while I feel awful.

Rest In Peace Mr. Steve Jobs

Photo credit: telegraph.co.uk

A lot can be said about the man who revolutionized the computer world with his innovation and creativity. This man had changed the way we view and use the personal computer through the Mac, enjoy music through the chic iPod and have plenty of versatile activities to do with iPad.

Steve Jobs, born on February 24, 1955, had finally joined our Creator on October 5, 2011. His battle with pancreatic illness had finally ended. And his job is done.

Rest in peace Mr. Jobs. May you find solace and comfort in the arms of our Almighty.

Re-Painting The House

We have been living in our current flat for the last 4 years and this is the only time we have been given free cans of paint. The painting is normally carried out by the contractors for free as part of the service the landlord is giving to his tenants.

We decided to do the painting ourselves so we can choose a different color aside from the normal cream tone. My husband picked a nice pastel green hued paint to cover the 2 opposite walls and the other 2 with the free cream paint.

A lot of work has to be done. We had to move the furniture aside and had to buy wire cover to protect the wiring of our appliances and other electronic gadgets.

I took the opportunity to do some cleaning and chucking of unused stuff at home. I managed to free several space inside the linen closet and another free shelves inside the kitchen cupboard. I feel and think that more stuff can be thrown or donated because the house still looks very cluttered. I can do more cleaning if I have to.

Painting the house can be very tedious. It takes so much time and effort to get it done but when the paint is all dry, you have that satisfied feeling of living in a new place.

Words Escape Me

There are times when I want to say things but the words just float inside my head. I know the exact words I want to utter but when my mouth opens, words escape me.

I am not like this. I am very articulate and I don't have problems speaking my mind which is also the cause why I get into trouble sometimes. However, I noticed lately that I am at a loss for words. Although it only happens in the office and never at home.

It is a different scenario at home. I can spit 100 words per second without a rest and yet, I get tongue-tied at work. I was not like that before. I just noticed that when the power-grabbing people started sprouting like mushrooms around me, things changed. I am having speech impediments all of a sudden. 

It has nothing to do with fear because I am not afraid of them but I am so conscious of my performance review and I still want my job. I am afraid that I may snap one day and I will greatly regret it. The power-play at work is becoming very unbearable but I have no escape. Only words escape me right now but I can't.

Household Chores

Sometimes I wish my weekend is longer than the usual 2 days. There are days when I just want to rest and not do anything at all. However, part of an expat's life abroad is to accommodate all these chores without spending exorbitantly to a maid service or cleaner jobs.

It is very expensive to have a maid in this place. The amount I will pay for a maid is good enough to send home to my family. So, I just do things on my own with my husband's help.

Natural Bad Breath Busters

Avoid using chemically formulated breath-fresheners by chewing or drinking these herbs and concoction to beat bad breath.

Parsley

Basil

Cilantro

Dill

Cardamom

Anise

All these herbs contain the green plant pigment called chlorophyll which is a natural breath freshener. You can chew the dill and cardamom while you can boil the leaves of parsley, basil, cilantro and strain the leaves afterwards. Drink the tea or use as a mouthwash.