Speaking of a gift

Okay, recently I have been obssessing on taking photos with my camera. No, I don't have new lens, or some other new thing (not counting that my boyfriend bought us matching camera necklaces/straps). Must just be the increasingly better weather. Slowly we are saying goodbye to winter, and in a week's time we would be entering Spring time! How exciting!

I have been posting my photos on my other sites, and am encouraged by the number of people commenting and viewing them. I am now thinking of coming up with gifts for Christmas and considering putting all my really nice photos (favorite ones) in a digital picture frame to give to my parents and my boyfriends' parents. His dad absolutely loves photos as much as we do, so I am sure he will like this. We may even think of giving them these ones on our wedding day as our personal souvenir to them. It is amazing whoever came up with this thing!

Cuban taekwondo athlete kicks referee

Oh my goodness! When we saw this, I thought we were watching some Hollywood movie where tempers flare everywhere. This Cuban taekwondo athlete would be banned permanently in all World Taekwondo Federation competition. Angel Valodia Matos, together with his coach would be banned, that is. I've read here that all details/records of this athlete will be deleted from the Beijing Olympics! Imagine all his hard work lost because of him and his inability to cope with his temper.

Another perspective of the city I love

Last week when I was feeling a bit better, hubby bf and I went to the park and took a few photos. It was a lovely, lovely day! It's a prelude to spring, which I am so excited about! The photo's not the best one coz of the glare, against the sun. But I think it turned out better than expected.

I can't imagine how seemingly quick winter's gone by. And by next week we would be officially in Spring! Expect more photos from Spring onwards. And then, go back to hibernating again next winter!

To study or To study

I’ve never really talked about me opting to pursue distance learning courses on tourism. Initially, I wanted to be able to continue with my then work and study at the same time. I did not really get the chance to pursue that option because something else was presented to me thereafter. A friend and colleague is actually currently doing an online intensive course and she is just raving about it. She says that she still has time to do other things on the side, while pursuing her studies. It is very practical and convenient, especially since a single mother this method is very preferred by her.

There are a number of advantages in pursuing distance learning. One of the main concerns of student wannabes is the lack of time to physically go to a regular lecture. With distance learning, courses are available to everyone. Age or time constraint is not a limitation for as long as one can complete requirements of the course. It is quite a good opportunity that technology has brought forward to modern society. Interesting if I may say so. Ages ago learning outside the classroom was unthinkable!

The break of dawn

I have always wanted to wake up early every day to catch a glimpse of the new day before it gets too busy. I have tried a couple of times, but when I am in my usual daily life I can't seem to. I find that I can wake up to see sunrise when I am on holidays. I think it is because I know that it's not everyday that I will be waking to that city (wherever that is). Here is a photo taken one morning (sunrise) in Mauritius. Land of the smiling sun. (I made that up). :)

Weighing Scale Options

Okay, it's not always about dieting and finding the most effective diet pills around. Sometimes the things that you weigh are unseen. This is harder as the facts are unclear. It's not in your face how much kilos one's gained, but really it's about weighing advantages and disadvantages.

Life can sometimes give us too many doors to choose from. And one door is so similar to the next one that it can get confusing and complicated. No matter how simple we try to approach decision making. They say go with your gut feel, but then one shouldn't be impulsive. Of course, it depends on how important the decision is. That's the thing. How long are you supposed to think about it before you say to yourself, time is up, I have to decide.

I guess if either decision will not paralyse you then whichever you choose can only make you a better person. Okay, okay, I should be saying this to myself.

Baby dreams

Okay, my parents have been pushing me to get married soon, as they are wanting to have grandchildren from me as soon as possible. They think I am getting too old, but really they are just itching to be grandparents wanting to spoil my babies with cute baby dresses, baby pushchairs, little toys, etc. I have told them I’m giving myself about maximum two years to prepare for a child. I also have dreams of being a mum and pushing my baby in a pram (or playing with baby in a pushchair). Really nowadays though, having a baby, in the Western world requires one parent to fully take care of the baby. There are no household helpers here, no grandparents to leave with (I am working to hopefully get my parents to live here). I know of couples who work in shifts, just so that someone will be left at home with the kids. The wife works during the day, while the husband works the graveyard shift at night. Tough times really call for these situations, and although it is not ideal, it works for some. I am hoping to be a stay at home wife and mum one of these days, after we get married. It is just going to be so much better I am hoping. Imagining that I will get to attend to things that matter, be able to put more attention to home details, etc, will hopefully be the way to go. As early as now I am doing my research about working from home. A big step it will be, but I am just praying that it would be the right decision.

Rising costs

Today I am finding it difficult to put my thoughts into words, for some reason. Whatever I am thinking just does not come out in words the way I want it to. It could very well be my current state. I guess it must be because of the many things running through my mind. That can happen to one person, when thinking about cash advance payday loan for example and the current rising market prices. I think I am still a bit quite lucky though, as I’ve spoken to a friend in Manila, and she’s mentioned about the rising prices of general commodities back home, such as oil, rice and other things. Everything is just getting to be too expensive. Expensive enough that even high income earners are feeling this big slump in the economy. It is a worldwide thing, but it is even more of a concern for the less fortunate from third world countries. Times are getting to be really hard. It is hitting even the first world countries, and careful measures about planning, forecasting, and the like should be thoroughly studied. This is what globalization means, that whatever is happening to the other side of the world, one is rest assured that the other side feels the effects as well (good or bad)

Conquer the fear of flying

Today I read about this course to overcome fear of flying. Imagine they say that about 1 in 4 persons are afraid of flying. My boyfriend had this as well, so I immediately told him about this course. He's not as scared of flying anymore though. I told him that the more you fly the less scared one gets.

I guess in a way taking courses from experts can make one more excited about flying, and make flying a comfortable experience. I know a lot out there love going to new places. But, sometimes the actual travel method can be a bit too much. Imagine 15 hours straight flight. It can wear out one's body, it can drain the mind. Having a positive outlook to flying can help alleviate all these travel-related stress. (I guess flying business or first class would help as well!).

Knowing the ins and outs of the aviation industry could possibly help. Sometimes it's all in the mind. And, that is a pretty big thing to conquer.

Photo from: http://flickr.com/photos/georgedthompson/