Giving is Glorious

The ber month ushered in yesterday and many Filipinos are already excited!  Did you know that one third of the year is Christmas in the Philippines?  As early as yesterday, September 1, the spirit of Filipinos are lifted up knowing that holiday season of giving and receiving is just around the corner.  Christmas tunes are a welcome break just like this morning when a neighbor had ” Winter Wonderland and Frosty the Snowman” blurting out of his sound system while the temperature outside was hovering at around 40 deg. C.   Well, maybe in a way you can feel the chill with thoughts that Christmas is near and that made you forget that it is hot outside.

I am in the thick of things completing personalized photobooks which I have carefully thought of to give as Christmas presents to to friends. Actually,  early this year, I started to stock up pictures of that particular friend or family whom I intend to give the photobooks for.  I made it a point to socialize often to have more pictures taken to complete the photobook.    Best to give something different this year instead of the usual frames,  candle holders, figurines which I believe they too are tired of receiving duplicate gifts each year and I am one hopeful to be a wise giver by presenting something unique in the sense that they were made only for the recipient.

Who doesn’t want to receive a personalized gift anyway?   Giving photobooks which I had personally and lovingly designed would project an afterthought that they are special.  Actually, my friends are special that is why I have to brave the sleepiness everytime I stayed till the wee hours just to finish a book.  Well, the eyebags too are already getting prominent but never mind… I will soon finish my projects which I’ve been doing without let-up especially this week that we are on 7 days Eid holiday in celebration of the end of Ramadan for our Muslim brothers around the world.  I took the opportunity to make myself productive and so I was glad I had accomplished 4-5 photobooks so far.

Hmmm.. I wonder what my friend have prepared for me?   Hubby reminded me it is better to give than to receive… I know!  But it would be a bonus to receive, isn’t it and why not!

1st batch of  finished photobooks – product of staying up late

7 am-5pm, 5 days a week is my normal work routine.  I will leave home before the sun shines and arrives home after sun set.  My job as hospital assistant (or medical secretary) in a multi  racial environment allowed me to grow professionally and  I am exposed to different people at work especially to cardiac surgeons of different personalities. Well, I am aware that stress is attributed to how I work in the office and the fact that I spend most of my time infront of my work station I had overlooked on some safety rules to follow that will increase comfort and avoid strains.   I am having back pains that persists for sometime now which I believe due to wrong posture at work and extended computer use resulted to what I am feeling right now.  An Occupational Health Nurse in the hospital’s Family Medicine where I had my check up reminded me that while it is true that our office has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment to the staff, we also have a responsibility to work safely.

Nurse Jane pulled out an information leaflet for me to review and I found it worth sharing it here. I know that a lot of people also regularly use computers in extended sessions and way beyond working hours just like me who still works infront of my computer till midnight.  It is mostly “computer socialization” like chatting, browsing, blogging…

This is only a reminder because sometimes we are so engrossed in what we are doing that we tend to forget to check on our posture, how our work station is set up and used.  Then in the end we will find ourselves having back pains and wrist strain, eye fatigue and discomfort.

So, remember to work safely by:

1. Prioritize the layout of items on your desk.  Position things that you use most often closest to you.  Organize your work so that you will continually reach and bend to find items you regularly need.
2. Use a document holder to minimize eye and head movement if inputting large amounts of data from paper.
3. Reduce glare and reflections on the screen by adjusting blinds or curtains.
4. Adjust the contrast and brightness of your screen to suit the lighting conditions in the room
5. Use keyboard short cuts to keep keystrokes and mouse clicks to a minimum particularly if your work is of a repetitive nature.
6. Do use a light touch when holding and depressing the mouse button.
7. Keep your elbows close to your body at all times when keying or using the mouse- don’t extend your arms.
8. Keep your feet flat on the floor or footrest- don’t sit with your legs crossed or with your feet hooked around the chair base for long periods as they will reduce your circulation.
9. Take short breaks if sitting for long periods.
10. Do gentle exercises to relieve aches and pains caused by tension in shoulders, arms, wrists and hands.

I hope this will be of help to you too in a way.

The family bonded last month in an out of town trip and one activity on the itinerary list is to Zipline.  I decided not to join hubby and my 3 children since I had tried that last year when my High School batchmates meet up.  I remember now how I gave in to persistent public (my HSb batchmates) pressures and bravely tried the zipline craze at my age of 50!   Well, though I was really nervous and almost backing out of the activity, reluctantly I tried it hoping taking such bold move will help me conquer my fear of heights.  Side by side with my classmate, we were strapped and secured by harness and was pushed through a 15o meters long zipline and 250 feet off the ground.  It was  two way trip so we have to pass through the same fear again when we were pushed back to where we came from.  My friend all along thought I had already calmed down but she didn’t know that I had my eyes closed all throughout.   Cheating huh!  Others find this activity fun but not me now.

scared but tried it anyway!

At least I had tried it and the experience will be etched forever on my mind and there will be stories about zipline that I can share with my grandchildren if someday I would become a grandma.   Whoah!  But it was just a thought.. my children are still bent in finishing their studies.

It’s been a while since my last post… hubby need my TLC (tender loving care) as he is suffering from back pains.  Initial findings revealed that his back problems stemmed from spaces in his spinal chord already had built up flesh and bones that resulted to decreased mobility.  Sometimes, he will experience numbness on his left arm which we thought to be an impending stroke but lately we found out that it is  isn’t so.  The spinal chord is the main problem and he needs weekly therapy to loosen up his stiff and tight muscles around the neck and back area.   That is why,  he is having difficulty moving his head from left to right and and even bending it.   His driving is affected so side and rear mirrors are his best guide all throughout.   Or he should always drive with me besides him so I can guide him, warn him…. of vehicles left and right….

Last time, I went with him for his therapy, I was able to see how the session was.   He was subjected to electric wave shocks with cold compress using a machine ( the therapist forgot to give me how the procedure is called… I will ask next time) next, the ultrasound.. and the exercise therapy to wrap up the session for the day.

Really, it is painful to see a loved experiencing pain but I know that my mere presence will boost his morale.  And his pain will be lessened by my sight alone… yey… I am forever beautiful in his eyes.. don’t you know that?   (just kidding!)

ultrasound something…

head and neck exercise

Will find out the procedure this afternoon as he will come back for the therapy…. will post it soon…

I was off line last Holy Week doing my my penance as a true Christian.   I stayed away from Facebook and chatting and temporarily shut off my connection to the networking sites.  I believe though others may consider this vague or too shallow but well, turning away from things you like doing most is in itself a form of self sacrifice.

I was able to reflect on things… thought of many things that I should have done and failed to do…Today,  I am resurrected and back to the wonderful world of blogging!

Hello world!

Our mall visits won’t be complete without my husband going to a camera store.  He is eyeing a D90 camera for quite sometime that we hop from one camera store to another to canvass his choice..  I tried to dissuade him since, I believe that  it is not necessary and hoping that he will realize that my point and shoot camera would be enough if we only want to take pictures.  But for some reasons, he is really bent to buy high end camera.   He is intrigued with it’s different functionalities and explore it’s use.  He got the idea from friends that there is some kind of  high feeling and pride achieved everytime they shoot subjects which turned out really well.

hubby can’ help but drool to buy a D90 camera

It was 2 weeks ago when he joyously announced that he was given a Performance bonus out of his good work in the office and I know that  bonus is the perfect answer to his dream of buying that DSLR camera.   Alright… who am I now to oppose?  He can go ahead and buy one…

As long as I will be his first photoshoot subject….. very much willing!

I am clueless actually on what to buy for my husband whose birthday will be tomorrow, April 2.  For almost 25 years that we’ve been married, I think I bought him all the gifts that I could think of… the price range of every gift became expensive every year.  During our first year together, I think he received a t-shirt, then second year.. perfume, third… perfume again and so on.  He received a Rayban 2 years ago and the latest model of cellphone last year.  He is not materialistic but of course receiving gifts is an added bonus and he really liked it too – the idea that I am really thinking of him….

Last night, he was asking me what I am to going to give him and I was quick to reply ” my love”…. I was saying that because actually I have not shopped yet for a gift.  The cellphone that I gave last year was the most expensive one I had ever given him and surely, I can’t really surpass that price.   Maybe this year, I will teach him not to expect gifts anymore…lol.  I will relate to him the story of a little girl who only blew kisses in a box and gave it as presents.   And hopefully, he will see the wisdom in it.

Well, since I still don’t have any gift yet, we might dine out with friends tomorrow.  And hope that will suffice…. Besides what can he ask for, the good Lord has blessed him with a stable job, good family, good health,… and the most important thing… a pretty wife! (hey.. just kidding)…. Dream on!

forgetting what lies behind….

Obviously, I feel much better now… because I am back to blogging which I’ve missed for a day!   Anyhow, I was glad to have relaxed in our hammock ( with relaxed feet) and I have done a lot of things mentally. .. thinking of my children…checking on my life… weaving plans for the family… thinking about work … lots of it!  I avoided my computer for a while  to rest my eyes because I guess, I am almost in  thin line of getting  addicted to social networking sites.   Blogging of course is different…

Well, so glad to be back!

Will be off for a while… due to the changing weather, I think I have to rest for a day to recharge my body and mind.   Don’t miss me…lol…

God Bless everyone…