Well then. It's been quite a while since I've last posed. I will get back to this soon. I promise.
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Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Personal Care: Skin
Everyone has noticed how my acne is decreasing and how soft my skin is at times. It's just taking care of your skin. That's all. Some products will react badly with your skin, some wont do anything and some are a miracle. One thing I know for a fact is that you should change the product based on the season/weather.
For the Face:
I use Biore' (Pore Unclogging Scrub) as my face wash. It really works. It doesn't use Benzoyl Peroxide, as many washes do. It uses salyciclic acid. It also has these little beads in the mixture that exfoliate as you scrub. You can actually feel it working as it has this menthol effect on your skin - but it doesnt smell like menthol at all! It's really good. You start off by splashing steamy water on your face, to remove any on surface dirt and to open up the pores on your face. I have oily skin so I really want to unclog my pores. This stuff does the trick! After you wash with hot water, you scrub this stuff on. A little goes a long way. You can feel it working. Once you feel the coolness on your face, you wash off with some warm-hot water. And once you feel all of the sudsiness is gone, spash some cold water to close up those pores! This will ensure that acne will not form as easily, and possibly avoiding them. I've been doing this for a few weeks and I have never seen my face so smooth like this for a long time!
For the Body:
In the summer/spring, use water based and light lotion, such as Olay, Eucerin, EOS, or Lubiderm. I used to use EOS before during the summer, but I couldn't find it at my local Rite Aid or Walmart at all. It had to be ordered and shipped. No thanks! If your skin is still dry in the spring/summer, use Jergens. It's pretty heavy but not that heavy. For winter, I used to oil my legs with Vaseline Body Gel. It really helps. And I'd use Jergens on the rest of my body. My legs get REALLY dry in the winter. And still some in the summer. so it helps. To be more specific, now that it's summer and I couldn't find my EOS Nourish lotion, I use Olay Quench. It's really light, dries instantly on your skin and leaves it feeling cool and smooth. As for my legs, they still get dry at times. Probably because of the hot showers. I use Jergens Ultra Healing lotion. It's creamy but not that heavy. Perfect for spring/summer dry skin.
As for the winter, that's when the problem kicks in. I have dry skin on my arms and my legs get even drier. I end up using the Jergen's lotion all over. Upper and lower body. But my legs still need some more support to lock in that moisture, which is why I oil them. Now, you can use regular baby oil as many people do. But I tend to use Vaseline Coco Radiant Body Gel, which is thick and oil based. It does wonders!
That's all for the body. I'm still working on my hair. It get's itchy sometimes, and I tap it as if I wear a weave. Sending mixed messages. Hair-apy coming soon!
For the Face:
I use Biore' (Pore Unclogging Scrub) as my face wash. It really works. It doesn't use Benzoyl Peroxide, as many washes do. It uses salyciclic acid. It also has these little beads in the mixture that exfoliate as you scrub. You can actually feel it working as it has this menthol effect on your skin - but it doesnt smell like menthol at all! It's really good. You start off by splashing steamy water on your face, to remove any on surface dirt and to open up the pores on your face. I have oily skin so I really want to unclog my pores. This stuff does the trick! After you wash with hot water, you scrub this stuff on. A little goes a long way. You can feel it working. Once you feel the coolness on your face, you wash off with some warm-hot water. And once you feel all of the sudsiness is gone, spash some cold water to close up those pores! This will ensure that acne will not form as easily, and possibly avoiding them. I've been doing this for a few weeks and I have never seen my face so smooth like this for a long time!
For the Body:
In the summer/spring, use water based and light lotion, such as Olay, Eucerin, EOS, or Lubiderm. I used to use EOS before during the summer, but I couldn't find it at my local Rite Aid or Walmart at all. It had to be ordered and shipped. No thanks! If your skin is still dry in the spring/summer, use Jergens. It's pretty heavy but not that heavy. For winter, I used to oil my legs with Vaseline Body Gel. It really helps. And I'd use Jergens on the rest of my body. My legs get REALLY dry in the winter. And still some in the summer. so it helps. To be more specific, now that it's summer and I couldn't find my EOS Nourish lotion, I use Olay Quench. It's really light, dries instantly on your skin and leaves it feeling cool and smooth. As for my legs, they still get dry at times. Probably because of the hot showers. I use Jergens Ultra Healing lotion. It's creamy but not that heavy. Perfect for spring/summer dry skin.
As for the winter, that's when the problem kicks in. I have dry skin on my arms and my legs get even drier. I end up using the Jergen's lotion all over. Upper and lower body. But my legs still need some more support to lock in that moisture, which is why I oil them. Now, you can use regular baby oil as many people do. But I tend to use Vaseline Coco Radiant Body Gel, which is thick and oil based. It does wonders!
That's all for the body. I'm still working on my hair. It get's itchy sometimes, and I tap it as if I wear a weave. Sending mixed messages. Hair-apy coming soon!
Missing in Action
Well then. It's been a while. I've been missing in action and am a barer of bad news. I have been off-track for a while. So many programs and events with dinners, my mother's cooking, the Biryani and Bhuna, and all of that good ish. I've been telling myself for so long and I try - I last all morning but once it becomes afternoon, there is something so good on the kitchen table or I just see my guilty obsession... hot Cheetos. *Sigh*
But then today, a friend and I decided to go swimming as we had planned a week ago. The weather had reached it's hot peak (I hope!) and summer is in full blast. We were going to go to the Warren Community Center indoor pool with another friend, but he had something come up, and I really did not want to drive all the way to 14 Mile if it's just me and my friend. We could have our own fun locally. And so we did. We went swimming at a nearby beach, the water was okay - not as clean as Stony Creek, but it will do.
We swam for an hour after taking a few pictures of the nearby attractions at the park (statues, giant water fountain, marble stairs, Canadian geese and that kind of stuff). It was the most exercise I've gotten ever since college classes had ended for me. Sad. It was tiring but enjoyable. My kind of exercise. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to make it a regular thing. Swimming is enjoyable, it's a stress reliever, an osteoporosis aid, calorie burner and stretches muscles. It's the perfect "movement" for me. So I decided that I would come back in the weekend, and try to go for a brisk swim 3 times a week. My friend, being supportive and there, also agreed. It should definitely tone some of this luggage down, especially with the food habit changes.
Nonetheless, was tired the rest of the evening. Came home and took a shower! Had a Hummus Wrap for dinner! :) Another day awaits!
But then today, a friend and I decided to go swimming as we had planned a week ago. The weather had reached it's hot peak (I hope!) and summer is in full blast. We were going to go to the Warren Community Center indoor pool with another friend, but he had something come up, and I really did not want to drive all the way to 14 Mile if it's just me and my friend. We could have our own fun locally. And so we did. We went swimming at a nearby beach, the water was okay - not as clean as Stony Creek, but it will do.
We swam for an hour after taking a few pictures of the nearby attractions at the park (statues, giant water fountain, marble stairs, Canadian geese and that kind of stuff). It was the most exercise I've gotten ever since college classes had ended for me. Sad. It was tiring but enjoyable. My kind of exercise. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to make it a regular thing. Swimming is enjoyable, it's a stress reliever, an osteoporosis aid, calorie burner and stretches muscles. It's the perfect "movement" for me. So I decided that I would come back in the weekend, and try to go for a brisk swim 3 times a week. My friend, being supportive and there, also agreed. It should definitely tone some of this luggage down, especially with the food habit changes.
Nonetheless, was tired the rest of the evening. Came home and took a shower! Had a Hummus Wrap for dinner! :) Another day awaits!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Since June 13. (D13-17)
Wow, has it really been that long since a post? Hmm. Damn, must have been pretty busy with all of this stuff. But praise be to God, the hectic part is over. I'm back to my regular schedule now. And I start my diet again tomorrow. These past few days havent been healthy at all because of all the curry and carbs that I have been eating. It's fancy home food. That stuff that your mother makes only when you have special guests come over. Not even regular relatives. It's the kind of food that comes after many months. Lol. So many kinds of Bhunas, Lentils, Basmati, Pilaf, Biryani and all of that south-Asian good ishh.
As delicious as it was, the binge has come to an end. I'm glad it did. Anything that I lost back when I was dieting has for surely come back. As for the even worse news, someone broke my DSLR's lens this morning. No one is confessing and now I'm starting to think that one of the guests have probably broken it. JUST when I was about to send it back to Sony for a repair, it breaks even more and looks neglected - which is deffo not covered by the warranty.
I was planning on spending my money on furniture and paying off half of my credit card but damn. I still haven't been paid yet from work. Argh. Let's see. I just need to pay $185 this month and I'm set. So, God willing, I'll be just fine once I get my check, lol. My older brother also uses my credit card, so he has some to pay as well, which is a whole 'nother amount.
I think I can still buy the lens - the replacement for $50. I also wanted to buy a pair of shelves for $47 on Walmart. One for me and another for the sibling. I think it's an awesome deal. I also have to save a hundred or two every month for my car. My parents paid for most of it, so I want to take responsibility and pay them back, little by little.
Anyways, no financial worries. I'm 18, for God's sake. I just need to make sure I pay my part of the credit card bill and my phone bill. That's about it.
Anywho, another day awaits. Nighty night.
As delicious as it was, the binge has come to an end. I'm glad it did. Anything that I lost back when I was dieting has for surely come back. As for the even worse news, someone broke my DSLR's lens this morning. No one is confessing and now I'm starting to think that one of the guests have probably broken it. JUST when I was about to send it back to Sony for a repair, it breaks even more and looks neglected - which is deffo not covered by the warranty.
I was planning on spending my money on furniture and paying off half of my credit card but damn. I still haven't been paid yet from work. Argh. Let's see. I just need to pay $185 this month and I'm set. So, God willing, I'll be just fine once I get my check, lol. My older brother also uses my credit card, so he has some to pay as well, which is a whole 'nother amount.
I think I can still buy the lens - the replacement for $50. I also wanted to buy a pair of shelves for $47 on Walmart. One for me and another for the sibling. I think it's an awesome deal. I also have to save a hundred or two every month for my car. My parents paid for most of it, so I want to take responsibility and pay them back, little by little.
Anyways, no financial worries. I'm 18, for God's sake. I just need to make sure I pay my part of the credit card bill and my phone bill. That's about it.
Anywho, another day awaits. Nighty night.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Another Busy Day (D12)
As soon as I walked out of my house at 10:00am today, I never got a chance to rest through the rest of the day. I skipped breakfast as usual (I know, it's bad of me but I have no appetite at all) and drove to the office. Instead having a usual day of doing paperwork and whatnot, I ended up doing some cleaning work with some of the kids that study at the place. I had a skinny can of guava juice to keep myself (stomach) calm. I also had some chips that I got - which I really shouldnt have.We ended up cleaning the entire building. Basement and all. I rented out a carpet cleaning machine to clean the carpet as it had been a while for a public building.
It took hours for us to clean the building. So much carpet. Oh God, the carpet. I hate carpet. I... spit on it! Joke. But all things aside, I dislike carpet. It was about 5pm when we finished half of the building's carpet. I had a small can of Red Bull (it has been months since I had a can and I missed that Taurine/Tonic flavor, and I then had to go to Meijer's to pick up a cake and then do some shopping at Krogers. That took about 2 hours. I came back to Hamtramck at 8pm, and went straight back to the office. That's right, skipped lunch accidentally. Lol.
I then set up the RF modulator so that I can broadcast the event in the other rooms of the facility on televisions and online on our website. That ish took forever as we couldn't find the charger to any of the video cameras. By the time I finished, it was 10:30pm. I finally called it a day and drove home for dinner. I ended up eating 2 pieces of Naan. BAD mistake. And some Bhuna, again, BAD mistake. Sigh. Oh well. I'm tired as hell. I just want some sleep. But I still have to wake up at the same time tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
I Screwed Up Today. Again. (D11)
Luckily, I got up at 9:30 and then went to the office. Created 2 documents (HR document and a CV for someone), created 8 invoices, sent out a mass email (115 recipients, LOL), filled out a business license renewal app and that security system app they sent with it and went to the city to drop it off. Then they wanted the 50c3 papers with it so I went back to the office and printed out a copy, went back to the city and turned it in. Came home, ate lunch, went out on an errand and then dropped off the invoices at various locations. Still have to drop off the ones at the two doctor offices, but it was already closing time for them (well, close to it). I then called it quits and finally came home. After that I just wanted to take a nap. (Who wouldn't) I recuperated with a nap for an hour and got back up. I had a snack and was about to head out to Meijer's for some groceries. But then my brother tells me that my father already had it covered.
My evening was a completely different story. Or the opposite, I should say. I did not do anything except sit on the front porch enjoying the calm before a storm. The skies turned a pale grey, and the tears from the clouds fell. A calm rumble of thunder and the distant lightning in the horizon. I sat there in peace, as the calm of the storm was palpable. As the last few drops of the heavy rain poured, I went back in. I prayed. I then went to my room and logged on to Facebook and browsed around for a while. It was then when I realized that I haven't been doing so well these past few days... foodwise of course!
Sigh, the past few diet days haven't been going very well. I'll start fresh again tomorrow. Today (D11), I had tea for breakfast, accompanied with some blueberries. Then for lunch, I had 2 and 1/2 Chapattis (Indian Wheat Tortilla) with two curries: Veal Bhuna and Kaddhai Chicken =\ It's really hard to resist good Desi food. The rich flavors of the curried meat, the exotic star anis, cumin and coriander. Ahh. Nonetheless, I'm a a TOTAL sucker for Bhuna. Even though it was veal, it was so good. I'm not a big fan of veal as I find it too tender and jelly like sometimes - especially when there is a high fat content. So much fat is rendered out into it's own gravy. At around 6, I had an omelette with a whole wheat pita. It was too good to resist, as well. Ahh. I hate myself. I also had guava juice later that evening. I loves me some guava.
I feel like slapping myself for eating all of that. Especially the veal, chapattis and pita. Damn it. For dinner, I don't even know what to eat. Looks like it's going to be cauliflower and chicken.
My evening was a completely different story. Or the opposite, I should say. I did not do anything except sit on the front porch enjoying the calm before a storm. The skies turned a pale grey, and the tears from the clouds fell. A calm rumble of thunder and the distant lightning in the horizon. I sat there in peace, as the calm of the storm was palpable. As the last few drops of the heavy rain poured, I went back in. I prayed. I then went to my room and logged on to Facebook and browsed around for a while. It was then when I realized that I haven't been doing so well these past few days... foodwise of course!
Sigh, the past few diet days haven't been going very well. I'll start fresh again tomorrow. Today (D11), I had tea for breakfast, accompanied with some blueberries. Then for lunch, I had 2 and 1/2 Chapattis (Indian Wheat Tortilla) with two curries: Veal Bhuna and Kaddhai Chicken =\ It's really hard to resist good Desi food. The rich flavors of the curried meat, the exotic star anis, cumin and coriander. Ahh. Nonetheless, I'm a a TOTAL sucker for Bhuna. Even though it was veal, it was so good. I'm not a big fan of veal as I find it too tender and jelly like sometimes - especially when there is a high fat content. So much fat is rendered out into it's own gravy. At around 6, I had an omelette with a whole wheat pita. It was too good to resist, as well. Ahh. I hate myself. I also had guava juice later that evening. I loves me some guava.
I feel like slapping myself for eating all of that. Especially the veal, chapattis and pita. Damn it. For dinner, I don't even know what to eat. Looks like it's going to be cauliflower and chicken.
Monday, June 10, 2013
A Mess of a Person (D8-10)
Alrighty. So thing's have finally calmed down and I'm not as busy anymore. For now! Another event awaits this weekend and I feel the PR and Media work coming. I guess it's time to brace myself in a few days. I told myself that I would fix my websites: the photography, the culinary, and my personal (this) blogspot. I started on the photography site in the afternoon during my shift at our store, but then I just didn't feel comfortable doing it there. I said I'd do it when I get home.
I got home at around 3:15pm - it was time for lunch. I ended up having Beef Bhuna with a Cilantro Chili Lime sauce and a Whole Wheat Pita slice. I couldn't help myself. My friends all know that it's my weakness. Oh it's saucy goodness. I wasn't supposed to eat the pita. Oh the delicious carbs. The problem with eating Bhuna is that is has loads of pureed onions in the original curry base. Onions = carbs. But it's acceptable because they're complex and natural carbs in it's raw form. But then comes the oil and beef. My mom never uses olive oil for cooking as she finds using soy bean or canola oil much more economic. Bhunas require a lot of oil as it helps coat the meat very well with the spices. Another thing is that I'm not supposed to have red meat. *sigh*. Especially beef.
After serving up a bowl of bhuna and grabbing a slice of pita, I head on over to the living room and loaded a movie on the flix. We ended up watching this one horror movie. I watch movies on my own terms. I don't let others judge or rate the movie for me. I give them a chance, lol. Nonetheless, it was one of those movies that leave you thinking WTF at the end. After the movie, I got took a 30 minute rest. I uploaded some pictures on Flickr and got a little work done. I then get a call from a cousin to help shop for her graduation party.
We ended up going to Meijer. They barely know their way out of Hamtramck, so I drove them around. We placed an order on a butter-cream frosting marble half sheet marble cake for $35. It was a novelty one too, so I guess it was decently priced. We also got some decor for the party, which was pretty fun. I then took them to Dollar Tree to shop for party plates and cups. After half an hour of trying to decide, we checked out and ended up going to Burlingtons. We spent a while there as they looked for gifts to bring to their other friend's grad parties. All I could say is that they got good deals and I did some eye shopping, if you know what I mean.
We got back around 9:45pm, and I got hungry. I ended up eating a few florets of cauliflower with a small piece of chicken breast and tossed in a little bit of oil with spices. It was great and all but not satisfying. I ended up eating two pieces of small chicken wings with that cilantro chili sauce from before. As soon as I get to my room to start editing, I get called downstairs and my parents start having a talk with the older one and I. My father is saying that people tell him that he has such good kids and stuff and how he wants us to stay like that and not get into any kind of trouble, especially one that can affect one's family reputation. I'm almost in my 20s. I got better things to worry about - like finding a job. He's turning 21 in 10 days and he's busy with school. We're better than that. Or at least, I hope.
After all that, I went to take a shower and by the time I got out, it was already 1am. So here I am now. Writing this. I did something horrible today. I ate. I ate chocolate. And caramel. And peanuts. Sugar. I hate myself. That and that bag of Cheetos was the mistake I made today.
Here is my food diary today (D10):
Brunch: Chicken (1 thigh) with Cilantro Sauce
Late Lunch: Beef Bhuna with Whole Wheat Pita & Cilantro Sauce
Misc (My mistakes): A few Chocolate & Peanut clusters, salted caramel with milk chocolate, two chocolate covered pretzels, and a bag of cheetos.
Dinner: 1/3 cup of chopped cauliflower with piece of Chicken Breast. 2 Small chicken wings with Cilantro sauce.
As for yesterday (D9), it too was a mess. I had 4 mini samosas for breakfast, some Dhal with a little bit of light basmati pilaf for lunch, 3 more mini samosas throughout the day, and a low fat chicken naan pizza made with naan (as crust), fat free cheese, shredded chicken (left over fried chicken), cauliflower and mushrooms.
As for the day before that (D8), we had a program. I don't even want to discuss about the crap that I ate. I screwed up BIG TIME that day, food wise of course.
Sigh. I screwed up today. Hopefully, tomorrow, I'll do better. Another day awaits.
I got home at around 3:15pm - it was time for lunch. I ended up having Beef Bhuna with a Cilantro Chili Lime sauce and a Whole Wheat Pita slice. I couldn't help myself. My friends all know that it's my weakness. Oh it's saucy goodness. I wasn't supposed to eat the pita. Oh the delicious carbs. The problem with eating Bhuna is that is has loads of pureed onions in the original curry base. Onions = carbs. But it's acceptable because they're complex and natural carbs in it's raw form. But then comes the oil and beef. My mom never uses olive oil for cooking as she finds using soy bean or canola oil much more economic. Bhunas require a lot of oil as it helps coat the meat very well with the spices. Another thing is that I'm not supposed to have red meat. *sigh*. Especially beef.
After serving up a bowl of bhuna and grabbing a slice of pita, I head on over to the living room and loaded a movie on the flix. We ended up watching this one horror movie. I watch movies on my own terms. I don't let others judge or rate the movie for me. I give them a chance, lol. Nonetheless, it was one of those movies that leave you thinking WTF at the end. After the movie, I got took a 30 minute rest. I uploaded some pictures on Flickr and got a little work done. I then get a call from a cousin to help shop for her graduation party.
We ended up going to Meijer. They barely know their way out of Hamtramck, so I drove them around. We placed an order on a butter-cream frosting marble half sheet marble cake for $35. It was a novelty one too, so I guess it was decently priced. We also got some decor for the party, which was pretty fun. I then took them to Dollar Tree to shop for party plates and cups. After half an hour of trying to decide, we checked out and ended up going to Burlingtons. We spent a while there as they looked for gifts to bring to their other friend's grad parties. All I could say is that they got good deals and I did some eye shopping, if you know what I mean.
We got back around 9:45pm, and I got hungry. I ended up eating a few florets of cauliflower with a small piece of chicken breast and tossed in a little bit of oil with spices. It was great and all but not satisfying. I ended up eating two pieces of small chicken wings with that cilantro chili sauce from before. As soon as I get to my room to start editing, I get called downstairs and my parents start having a talk with the older one and I. My father is saying that people tell him that he has such good kids and stuff and how he wants us to stay like that and not get into any kind of trouble, especially one that can affect one's family reputation. I'm almost in my 20s. I got better things to worry about - like finding a job. He's turning 21 in 10 days and he's busy with school. We're better than that. Or at least, I hope.
After all that, I went to take a shower and by the time I got out, it was already 1am. So here I am now. Writing this. I did something horrible today. I ate. I ate chocolate. And caramel. And peanuts. Sugar. I hate myself. That and that bag of Cheetos was the mistake I made today.
Here is my food diary today (D10):
Brunch: Chicken (1 thigh) with Cilantro Sauce
Late Lunch: Beef Bhuna with Whole Wheat Pita & Cilantro Sauce
Misc (My mistakes): A few Chocolate & Peanut clusters, salted caramel with milk chocolate, two chocolate covered pretzels, and a bag of cheetos.
Dinner: 1/3 cup of chopped cauliflower with piece of Chicken Breast. 2 Small chicken wings with Cilantro sauce.
As for yesterday (D9), it too was a mess. I had 4 mini samosas for breakfast, some Dhal with a little bit of light basmati pilaf for lunch, 3 more mini samosas throughout the day, and a low fat chicken naan pizza made with naan (as crust), fat free cheese, shredded chicken (left over fried chicken), cauliflower and mushrooms.
As for the day before that (D8), we had a program. I don't even want to discuss about the crap that I ate. I screwed up BIG TIME that day, food wise of course.
Sigh. I screwed up today. Hopefully, tomorrow, I'll do better. Another day awaits.
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