I am Me

I am Me. In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it -- I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself. 

I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears. I own my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes. Because I own all of me, I can become intimately acquainted with me. By so doing, I can love me and be friendly with all my parts. 

I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other aspects that I do not know -- but as long as I am friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously and hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles and ways to find out more about me. However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically me.

If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought, and felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that which I discarded. I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do. I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me. I own me, and therefore, I can engineer me.

I am me, and I am Okay. Thanks God for creating ME. :)

Wedding Checklist ~~ He he he ~~

Thinking of starting to gather comprehensive and ideal information for WEDDING... ^.^

6-10 Months

1. Set the date
2. Determine the type of wedding you want.  If you intend to have your wedding solemnized by your religious leaders, consult them on this.
3. Check with the Civil Registry that grants marriage licenses and follow their instructions.
4. Discuss the budget with your fiance as well as with both families.
5. Telephone the Catering Sales Manager to discuss the wedding packages available.  Make early reservations to avoid disappointment.
6. Choose the bridesmaid and bestman.
7. Meet with florist and photographer to discuss budgets and options.
8. Select your dress, veil, formal wear gown and going away dress.
9. Choose the bridesmaid's gown and the groomsmen's attire.
10. Decide on the number of guests and make a list.
11. Decide where you will be living after the wedding. If you are moving into your own home, you will also have to plan to furnish and decorate your new home so that it will be ready in time.
    
    

4-6 Months

1. Mail the invitations and announcements.
2. Write thank you notes as gifts arrive.
3. Prepare the wedding thanksgiving speech.
4. arrange for a second fitting of your wedding gown and formal wear.
5. Put finishing touches to your new home home or your matrimonial room if you live with either parents.
   

3-6 Months

1. Meet with your religious officials to discuss the service and premarital counseling which many places of worship require.
2. Order the invitations, announcements and personal stationery.
3. Make honeymoon plans and reservations.
4. Make accommodation arrangements for out-of-town guests.
5. Choose and order your wedding rings.
6. See your doctor for a complete physical.
7. Help both mothers select their dresses for the wedding.
8. Ensure Civil Registry's instructions on marriage registration are carried out.
9. If immunisations are necessary for the honeymoon abroad, arrange for them.
10. Check on validity of passports.
11. Compile a list of wedding presents.
12. Confirm wedding ceremony arrangements.
13. Appoint a master-of-ceremony.
14. Co-ordinate colours of dress, flowers, cakes, etc. 

2-4 Months

1. Arrange a display of wedding gifts.
2. Confirm accommodation arrangements for out-of-town guests.
3. Submit wedding announcements to the newspapers.
4. Schedule a pre-wedding appointment with your hairstylist and make-up artist.
5. Come to the hotel and review all the final details with the Catering Sales Manager.  Confirm the number of guests expected.  Place seating arrangements.
6. Do a final check with the photographer, car-hire company and cake-maker to make sure the bookings are in order.  If it's a church wedding, time the journey to the church.
7. Make sure you have assembled any new or special outfits for your honeymoon and check swimsuit and suitcase.
8. Groom, bestman, fathers and ushers should make arrangements for the hire of the clothes, or double check that their own are in good order.
9. Arrange rehearsals for the wedding party. 

7 Days

1. Notify the Catering Sales Manager of the final number of guests and check on reception/dinner plans.
2. Go over the final details with the florist, photographer and musicians.
3. Confirm honeymoon and travel arrangements and begin packing.
4. Make certain rehearsals are carried out and that any hitches are taken care of immediately.  Give gifts at rehearsals.
5. Make certain your guests have directions and know accommodation arrangements. 

1 Day

1. Greet out-of-town guests as they arrive or arrange for them to be met directed to their accommodation.
2. Pack everything you will need at the wedding venue. 
3. Make sure you have all bridal accessories, spare pantyhose, safety pins and other emergency items.
4. Find a quiet moment to exchange gifts between you and your husband-to be.
5. Take going-away clothes the night before the wedding and make arrangements for the bestman to pick up your honeymoon luggage.

 The Big Day

1. See you hairstylist and make-up artist for the final beauty preparations.
2. Have a good breakfast so you won't have butterflies in your stomach.
3. Relax, smile and thank everyone for his/her help.
4. Most of all, enjoy the celebrations you have worked so long and hard to plan for. 

After The Wedding

1. It's easy to forget that life does not stop after the ceremony.  Someone will have to tie up the loose ends of the arrangements while you are away on your honeymoon.
   

Ask Family and Friends

1. Check your wedding clothes after you have changed into going-away clothes and return them to your home or hire company.
2. Send wedding cake to those who could not attend the wedding.
3. Pack the wedding presents if on display or given to you at the reception and have them delivered as possible.
4. Send the wedding pictures for development. 

Sources:

http://www.surfwedding.com/wedchecklist.html

http://www.spreadsheet123.com/ExcelTemplates/wedding-checklist.html

http://www.spreadsheet123.com/ExcelTemplates/Wedding-budget.pdf

Being Alone for the Holidays

For a wide variety of reasons, many of us find ourselves alone for the holidays. With the emphasis on families and being with others, the holidays can be an especially lonely and trying time, even for those of us who are usually okay being on our own. But don’t worry, there are many things you can do to make the holidays a little less lonely when you’re alone.

1. Pick up the phone. Call friends and ask to be included in whatever they’re doing. It works for everyone.
2. Be proactive. Create an “alternative family” made up of people whose company you enjoy. Plan and prepare a potluck feast if you like. Remember that you are not alone in being alone during the holidays. Get together with others and have some fun.
3. Plan an outing. Go on a hike, or go to the movies, a park or a museum. Enjoy the outing with your group or by yourself.
4. Pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a day of beauty at a spa, get a massage or find some other special way to luxuriate. Do whatever you enjoy doing.
5. Reach out. “Build bridges the rest of the year, and cross them during the holidays.” If you can’t be with family or loved ones during this time of the year, send them letters or e-mails or call them — in other words, reach out to them.
6. Remember your bonds and blessings. Pull out photo albums and read old letters. If possible, get on the phone and talk with loved ones who are still living.
7. Help others. Volunteering at a mission or shelter for the homeless will help you feel connected. Participate in activities with this organization at other times of the year, not just on one day of the year. This will make the experience more fulfilling. 
8. Travel. If you have the finances, get away for a few days. Go skiing or take a tropical holiday. Singles groups often have tour groups during the holidays. 
9. Get through the day. If you’re unable to do any of these things, just get through it. Read. Sleep. Rent a video. And remember, tomorrow it’ll all be over.

The holidays can be a lonely time, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel alone. Stay focused on acknowledging and meeting your needs, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly the holidays are over!! :)

The Benefits of Napping

Increases alertness. 

When your eyelids are almost too heavy to keep open, you’re not doing your best work. Make time for a nap and then go back at it. A NASA study found that a 40 minute nap increases alertness by 100%. Other studies have found that a 20 minute nap is more effective than either 200 mg of caffeine or a bout of exercise. Studies have shown that if you break up your day with a nap, you will be as alert and energetic for the second part of your day as you were for the first. So if you’ve got an event planned for after work, take a nap before going out on the town.

Improves learning and working memory.

Naps improve your working memory. This type of memory is involved in working on complex tasks where you have to pay attention to one thing while holding a bunch of other things in your memory. Napping also improves your memory retention; during sleep, recent memories are transferred to the neocortex, where long-term memories are solidified and stored.

Prevents burnout and reverses information overload. 
While we often refuse to take a nap because we feel like we have too much to do, studies have shown that putting in extra hours without rest dramatically reduces your productivity. It would be better to take a 30 minute nap and return to your work refreshed. 

Heightens your senses and creativity. 

Napping can improve your sensory perception as effectively as a night of sleep. This means that steak tastes better, the sunset looks more exciting, and musics even better after a good nap. Napping also improves your creativity by both loosening up the web of ideas in your head and fusing disparate insights together.


Improves health. 
When you sleep, you release growth hormone, the antidote to cortisol which which boosts your immune system, primes your sexual function, reduces stress and anxiety, and aids in muscle repair and weight loss. Napping gives your brain a chance to rest and your body a chance to heal.


Improves mood. 
The neurotransmitter serotonin regulates our mood, sleep, and appetites. It produces feeling of contentment and well-being. But when our bodies are stressed, higher levels of serotonin are used and the production of more is blocked. As a result, we can become anxious, irritable, depressed, overwhelmed, and easily distracted. 

Saves money.

Instead spending your money for coffee/nescafe + sugar, take a nap and boost your energy the natural and more effective way! 

It’s awesome. 

Seriously, napping. It’s awesome.!!

The Power of Laughter, Humor, and Play

Laughter has a powerful effect on your health and well-being. A good laugh relieves tension and stress, elevates mood, enhances creativity and problem-solving ability, and provides a quick energy boost. But even more importantly, laughter brings people together. Mutual laughter and play are an essential component of strong, healthy relationships. By making a conscious effort to incorporate more humor and play into your daily interactions, you can improve the quality of your love relationships—as well as your connections with co-workers, family members, and friends.

The power of laughter and play

Playful communication is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships exciting, fresh, and vital. Laughter and play enrich your interactions and give your relationships that extra zing that keeps them interesting, light, and enjoyable. This shared pleasure creates a sense of intimacy and connection—qualities that define solid, lasting relationships.

People are attracted to happy, funny individuals. Laughter draws others to you and keeps them by your side. When you laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong buffer against stress, disagreements, and disappointment. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain to smile and join in on the fun.

Playful communication helps you:

• Connect to others. Your health and happiness depend, to a large degree, on the quality of your relationships—and laughter binds people together.
• Smooth over differences. Using gentle humor often helps you broach sensitive subjects, resolve disagreements, and reframe problems.
• Feel relaxed and energized at the same time. Laughter relieves fatigue and relaxes your body, while also recharging your batteries and helping you accomplish more.
• Overcome problems and setbacks. A sense of humor is the key to resilience. It helps you take hardships in stride, weather disappointment, and bounce back from adversity and loss.
• Put things into perspective. Most situations are not as bleak as they appear to be when looked at from a playful and humorous point of view.
• Be more creative. Humor and playfulness loosen you up, energizing thinking and inspiring creative problem solving.

Mental health benefits of laughter and humor

The mental health benefits of laughter are tied to the physical benefits. When your body is relaxed and energized, you are better able to think and communicate clearly. This helps you keep your own emotions in check, relate in a positive way to others, and resolve conflict.

Laughter is a particularly powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. Having a sense of humor offsets depression and anxiety by:

• Releasing endorphins. When you laugh, your brain releases endorphins, powerful chemicals that boost mood and override sadness and negative thoughts.
• Putting things into perspective. Most situations are not as bleak as they appear to be when looked at from a playful and humorous point of view.
• Connecting us to others. Our mental health depends, to a large degree, on the quality of our relationships—and laughter binds people together.

How to Live a Good Life

How to live a good life will vary from person to person. People have different expectations and also other interests. Happiness is essential to live a good life; you don’t need to live in luxury and you also don’t need to be rich but you need to be satisfied with the things which make you happy.

It is not always easy to live a good life because everyone has to deal with some problems in their life. It is often a matter of accepting certain circumstances which makes your life difficult and you may even be happier than the richest person in the world.

Here are some tips which may help you to live a good life:

*Be yourself

Everyone has a different character and it is best you don’t listen to persons who want to influence your life and try to make you a different person. People may want to push you to marry, to make career, to build a house and even to live according their religion. Advice may be useful but you need always to be yourself and live like you want to live. It may be possible you want to marry and have children but it is perfect possible you want to stay single and have some other priorities in life. Be always yourself and live like you want to live, as long you live according respectful values in life.

*Live healthy

A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone and will protect you more against several diseases. However, good health can never be guaranteed; it is important you eat a well balanced diet with all the necessary vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and you need to limit the intake of sugar and fats. Drinking plenty of water is necessary to clean your body and to strengthen your immune system.

*Having friends

Having friends is a necessity to live a good life. Friends are valuable in our life and can help us in good and bad times. Everyone needs friends to make fun, to share their problems, to ask advice, to accept us like we are and even just for a listening ear. A friend is always there for you, no matter what the reason may be.

*To enjoy your job

Some may want to make career but it is perfect possible you want an office job or another job with fewer responsibilities. To live a good life, you need to choose a job you like because it is impossible to live a good life if you don’t like your job. Money may be important but is perfect possible you feel better with a lower paid job which satisfies you. A good work/family balance is important to live a good life. Everyone knows the popular saying: we work to live but we don’t live to work which means your work may not dictate your life. You have to enjoy some other things in life; everyone needs entertainment and this will vary from person to person.

*Financial planning

Everyone needs money to survive and financial planning will help you to live a good life. You don’t need to be rich; you can perfectly life a good life with a low income. It is often a matter of setting priorities, making a budget, creating a savings plan and emergency fund and setting money aside for entertainment and to enjoy your life.

*A positive attitude

Everyone has to deal with some problems in their life. Some may struggle with financial problems, others relationship problems or health problems. It is not always easy to deal with these problems but with a positive attitude you will survive most of these problems and make you stronger against the difficulties which you may experience during your life. Being optimistic will also strengthen your immune system and will help you to live a good life.

*Limit stress

Everyone has to deal with stress in their life. You may experience this in your job but also in your daily tasks or family life. It is best you take time every day for some exercise which helps to relieve your stress and provides a better sleep. You don’t need to choose intensive exercises; even walking, jogging, yoga may help you to relieve your stress and will help you to maintain good health. It is important you choose an exercise you like and you will enjoy health benefits and relieve your stress.

How to live a good life is often a matter of setting some priorities but you need always to be yourself. Be a friend for other people and help them if they have problems. Living a good life is creating all these things to be happy. You may be millionaire and still don’t live a good life; It is better you take care for your health, accept some difficulties in life, be a true friend for your friends and you will live a good life. You can’t have everything but you may enjoy the things which your life offers.

Friendship and love are more important than power and essential to be happy. Living a good life is often easier than you may think; you need to try to reach these goals which make you happy and according respectful values.

Engagement : Strengthening the Love

Wikipedia~ An engagement is a promise to marry, and also the period of time between proposal and marriage – which may be lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to be affianced, betrothed, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and grooms are often referred to as fiancées or fiancés respectively (from the French word fiancé). The duration of the courtship varies vastly.

12th June 2011 (Sunday) :~

For the sake of our precious love, my bf (currently~ FIANCÉE :) ) and I decided to get engaged on that day at my house @ Kg Bundu Tuhan, Ranau. With the presence of our parents, siblings,relatives, friends and most importantly the Catechist, "Ketua Kampung" and 6 witnesses to sign our engagement details, the simple occasion done accordingly and very well. Thanks God! We took a 2 years courtship duration as the time for us to be well-prepared for the marriage.

Love is precious and an engagement is an exciting step towards a marriage that is hopefully filled with passion, love, and happiness.

The arms of love encompass you with your present, your past, your future, the arms of love gather you together.

           Thank you for your presence & supports!

God is Good All the Time

"God is good all the time… for God so love the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

It's been 8+ months for me to not posting anything here.. getting busy and paying more attention in other things caused me to almost forget that I have this blog.. haha

As for today, gratefully, I'd like to note down the 2 most important things God had given to me since the day I shared the last post here. These 2 God's gifts would really be the biggest impact of my current & future life ~OCCUPATION & FAMILY~

1. 24th Jan 2011 (Sun) ~ The beginning of KPLI Course @ IPG Kampus Temenggong Ibrahim, JB. I am a primary school English Language teacher to be! :)

2.12th June 2011 (Sun)~ Getting engaged with my boyfriend ~ Mr. Andy Arin

As the Almighty God is good all the time! Praise and worship to Him for always showing me the paths and giving me the hope that I am secured, safe and stable living in Him.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Don’t tell GOD how big your STORM is….tell the STORM how big your GOD is!!!