ticket to Grande Prairie

Who would think we aren’t nuts when we dare want to spend winter holidays in much cooler place? Haven’t we had enough cold in here?

Lucky are we, as some say, got free weeks and tickets in our hand and we traveled to Grand Prairie, Alberta. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, located northwest of Edmonton. Has a large trading zone of people that includes Filipino contract workers.

Staying in Grande Prairie for a short time let me take note about weather comparison between this city and some cities near lake. Grand Prairie is really a home of snow and freezing temperature. Yet you could feel solemnity within the environment. It is so calm and peaceful. Most of the people just simply wore running shoes and jacket as winter stuff. Unlike here in Toronto area which is by the lake, the weather seems wild. Aside from snowstorm and rain, there’s a destructive gusting wind. So then people have to wear completely from hat, mittens, and scarf down to snow boots to survive winter time.

Another interesting thing to note is there’s no sales tax in this city, province wide. And it would be savvy I think to spend some time in there at this point of recession.

Though we didn’t see much of the whole place, because we’ve been there at a wrong time (as they quoted it), I would still say the visit worth everything. Aside from pleasure, I experienced what to be like living in that place. Most of all, to see old friends and kabayans really paid off especially when the plane ticket is fortuitously a gift.

Go along to an Ox year

The wonderful holidays have been long overdue and so with this little place of mine have been in slumber too.
It feels like yester years were just an inch back away. The entrance of the new year was a numb to my senses. It doesn't bell any enthusiasm although I have things in mind what to eradicate and set goals to work for.
In spite of that, I found the sight of these chirping birds in a freezing-midmorning new year invigorating to the nerves. It really was an inspiring view to capture. More so when you are trying to mend an anatomy like of a jigsaw puzzle in broken pieces.
Thence let the year of the Ox roll-over. May it brings out the best in us and blow our way with enough fortune and good health.

away from home

Freezing weather, chilly atmosphere, cold breeze name it. Colorful lights can now be seen almost everywhere. The presence of Christmas tree, Santa Claus figure in malls, hung bright decorations, and joyous songs that lingers around significantly speaks of the big celebration that is just few days ahead of us.

Christmas time is here again. And being away from home for the second time make me wish am home. Yes, how I wish I would be home. I miss the mami at Plaza Burgos, the smell of freshly bake pandesal, and waking up early for the nine mornings. Likewise I cherished the choir singing, the activities with the youth, laughter’s, chatting and hanging out with family and friends.

I may be far away from home yet the festivity of this holiday season continues in my thought and in my heart.
***
May each and every one of us fall unto a wonderful Christmas!

Berry fruity

Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and cranberries: take your pick. They’re all full of disease-fighting phytochemicals, which can help to reduce the risk of several types of cancers. Buy extras – organic is best, because non-organic berries are heavily sprayed with pesticides – and freeze them: Berries frozen at peak ripeness have higher nutritional value than the ones shipped north in the winter.

They may look pretty small but have a huge purpose to be in our weekly grocery bag. You might want to have them as well in juice blend or in flavored yogurt.

Prisoner

I wanted to run the miles as fast as I could
Feel the pushy-embrace of the wind
I might fall on my knees on a hindered way
But at least it will shake-off unnecessary things in mind I hope
However, every time I set to try
Something is pulling me back out of the track

I wanted to fly and be with the birds up in the sky
Spread wings wide as an eagle does
Flap it and soar high
Fly freely, unoccupied and undisturbed
And if angels truly exist, I’d plea take all my sorrow away
Then bring me back down in a sweet lullaby

Yet I don’t want to get my eyes off to the emitted light getting in
An intense and reflected one
It emerges hope, vibrantly inspiring
I wanted to reach for it
I started crawling towards and hardly grasped, hurriedly escaping out of the detention
To my dismay in stupor, I was out guarded from an enormous come-back blow of emotions
Now I am back to the gloomy cornered cellar, dungeon, and jail of the past where I am a PRISONER.

solitude..

If letting go would be as easy just like the leaves of the trees that fell off naturally during autumn..

then there would be no more holding on just as the bare trees hardly hold the first touch-down of snow as early as November.

(photos originally uploaded by chico river)

Tracing stress and depression

I am the type of person that can fall asleep even though a snoring cousin would slept with us for an overnight stay, a loud sound of music in the background or there’s people chatting around.

I could sleep on buses, trains, more in a passenger jeep that is less comfortable.
All I want to do is to sleep, sleep and sleep. Most of the morning is a hard time to deal with. I always fight with laziness to get up on the bed. However I could stay awaked several nights working overtime to meet deadline of works.

It has been said that sleeplessness may associate with depression, fatigue, anxiety and so on. With that, I elevated some confidence and strongly believed I am not into depression or anxiety. All is well with me although tiny part within would like to declare I’m dead-smashed inside.

Lately I’ve read that according to David N. Neubauer, M.D, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center, at least 80 percent of depressed people experience some form of insomnia - whether it’s difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It raises my eyebrows with much disbelief. Well then if that would be the case, I told myself I may belong to the remaining 20 %.

Also a latest study from Taipei Veterans General Hospital found out that woman who suffered dysfunctional voiding like frequent urinating is having a high level of depression and anxiety. Compare to other women without this kind of symptoms.

I started to experience frequent urinating two years ago at home. In and out of the washroom especially at night until I could feel my tummy hardened. I could say I am a water freak and this probably the reason of my frequent urinating. Yet I think the situation is getting worst this time. I had my consecutive medical check-up last year before leaving the country and had too early this year. The results were all blaze of glory over unexpected outcome. I am physically well. (Emotionally??)

Stressful environment and modern life style are perhaps contributing factor to high incidents of dysfunctional voiding. And dysfunctional voiding is more commonly seen in recent years, with an average age of 48 says Dr. Alex T.L. Lin of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.

Given the above review it gives me goose-bumps. Under some circumstances, yes, I think it’s not too far to be in state of stress or depression.