Craving For Attention

Hi everyone. It's been ages since the my last post here. I am now pregnant (my second child), and everytime I looked a t the monitor of my computer, I always get so dizzy. But as I am now feel stronger, I can look at the monitor of the computer a bit linger. So now I am able to make posting =) I hope you are all doing fine. 

I was wondering is it just me or any other pregnant mom always craving for more attention? I don't mean attention from all the people surrounding you but most of all from your loved one (husband). What do you think? Maybe it's the hormonal side of my pregnancy, maybe it could be the emotional side of being pregnant. I don't know for sure. So, here are tips for you who are just like me...craving for attention (via examiner.com). It's just a way of communication I guess. Oh by the way, it is so good to be back here again =) 

5 Ways To Get The Attention You're Craving From Your Man 

by Kimberly Steele

1. Be the change you want to see. It’s not just for Presidential campaigns. You will find that if you lead by example and focus more on your partner’s needsinstead of your own, you’ll not only feel better about yourself and your relationship, but you are teaching your partner a lesson in love.
2. Tell him exactly what you want. He’s not a psychic. Yes, you believe that he should know you well enough by now to know exactly what you need from him, and while you may be right, he may need a friendly reminder that keeps him on his toes and doesn’t allow him to start taking you for granted.
3.  Don’t nag. Men and women alike are turned off by nagging and will usually end up tuning it out. Make sure it’s the right time and place to have that conversation about your needs. And the conversation doesn’t need to be a big, heavy, ‘We need to talk,’ affair. Just tell him in a loving way exactly what it is that you crave.
4. Create a loving environment. You’re stressed about work, the kids are getting on your nerves, and you are just generally in a nasty mood. It’s easy to have an expectation that he will notice all of this and step in to make it right. (Well, as right as he can) But, it may not necessarily happen that way. Make sure you check yourself before you place demands on him. You know what they say about flies and honey.
5. Get away. Take advantage of one and plan a getaway. You’d be surprised at just how much it can recharge your relationship when you remove yourself from your environment. Even if it’s just an hour away for a night or two, doing something different together creates memories and makes you feel closer to each other. 

(article via examiner.com - image via weheartit)

Country Home..

There's no such thing happier than a getaway to a country side. Don't you think so? I love being away from the busy city where I live once a while. It feels so refreshing to be able to hear nothing surrounding you. Just the sound of the nature that can be so relaxing. Below is an example of a heavenly country side retreat. It looks so good it's like a fairy tale for me. This one is located in Catabria, Spain (via)

(images via onekindesign.com)

Benefits Of Reading

I used to read book everyday. That's why I always keep up with those new books people are reading. But then I have a baby daughter now, it seems impossible to read books anymore though I really really want to read again. Anyway, I force myself yesterday on our family's day out to buy a new book for myself to read. I bought Fifty Shades Of Grey (which people talk about a lot). And this morning I started to read it. I feel so happy. Reading is like having a food to my soul. Really brighten up my whole soul. I can't read the book all day though. I try to read a chapter when I can and so on. So, here are the benefit of reading for you via Lifehack, written by Lana Winter-Hebert . Who knows there are many people like me who would love to start to read again in their spare time =) 

10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day

1. Mental Stimulation
Studies have shown that staying mentally stimulated can slow the progress of (or possibly even prevent) Alzheimer’s and Dementia, since keeping your brain active and engaged prevents it from losing power. Just like any other muscle in the body, the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy, so the phrase “use it or lose it” is particularly apt when it comes to your mind. Doing puzzles and playing games such as chess have also been found to be helpful with cognitive stimulation.

2. Stress Reduction
No matter how much stress you have at work, in your personal relationships, or countless other issues faced in daily life, it all just slips away when you lose yourself in a great story. A well-written novel can transport you to other realms, while an engaging article will distract you and keep you in the present moment, letting tensions drain away and allowing you to relax.

3. Knowledge
Everything you read fills your head with new bits of information, and you never know when it might come in handy. The more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are to tackle any challenge you’ll ever face.
Additionally, here’s a bit of food for thought: should you ever find yourself in dire circumstances, remember that although you might lose everything else—your job, your possessions, your money, even your health—knowledge can never be taken from you.

4.Vocabulary Expansion
This goes with the above topic: the more you read, the more words you gain exposure to, and they’ll inevitably make their way into your everyday vocabulary. Being articulate and well-spoken is of great help in any profession, and knowing that you can speak to higher-ups with self-confidence can be an enormous boost to your self-esteem. It could even aid in your career, as those who are well-read, well-spoken, and knowledgeable on a variety of topics tend to get promotions more quickly (and more often) than those with smaller vocabularies and lack of awareness of literature, scientific breakthroughs, and global events.

Reading books is also vital for learning new languages, as non-native speakers gain exposure to words used in context, which will ameliorate their own speaking and writing fluency.

5. Memory Improvement
When you read a book, you have to remember an assortment of characters, their backgrounds, ambitions, history, and nuances, as well as the various arcs and sub-plots that weave their way through every story. That’s a fair bit to remember, but brains are marvellous things and can remember these things with relative ease. Amazingly enough, every new memory you create forges new synapses (brain pathways)and strengthens existing ones, which assists in short-term memory recall as well as stabilizing moods. How cool is that?

6. Stronger Analytical Thinking Skills
Have you ever read an amazing mystery novel, and solved the mystery yourself before finishing the book? If so, you were able to put critical and analytical thinking to work by taking note of all the details provided and sorting them out to determine “whodunnit”.

That same ability to analyze details also comes in handy when it comes to critiquing the plot; determining whether it was a well-written piece, if the characters were properly developed, if the storyline ran smoothly, etc. Should you ever have an opportunity to discuss the book with others, you’ll be able to state your opinions clearly, as you’ve taken the time to really consider all the aspects involved.

7. Improved Focus and Concentration
In our internet-crazed world, attention is drawn in a million different directions at once as we multi-task through every day. In a single 5-minute span, the average person will divide their time between working on a task, checking email, chatting with a couple of people (via gchat, skype, etc.), keeping an eye on twitter, monitoring their smartphone, and interacting with co-workers. This type of ADD-like behaviour causes stress levels to rise, and lowers our productivity.

When you read a book, all of your attention is focused on the story—the rest of the world just falls away, and you can immerse yourself in every fine detail you’re absorbing. Try reading for 15-20 minutes before work (i.e. on your morning commute, if you take public transit), and you’ll be surprised at how much more focused you are once you get to the office.

8. Better Writing Skills
This goes hand-in-hand with the expansion of your vocabulary: exposure to published, well-written work has a noted effect on one’s own writing, as observing the cadence, fluidity, and writing styles of other authors will invariably influence your own work. In the same way that musicians influence one another, and painters use techniques established by previous masters, so do writers learn how to craft prose by reading the works of others.

9. Tranquility
In addition to the relaxation that accompanies reading a good book, it’s possible that the subject you read about can bring about immense inner peace and tranquility. Reading spiritual texts can lower blood pressure and bring about an immense sense of calm, while reading self-help books has been shown to help people suffering from certain mood disorders and mild mental illnesses.

10. Free Entertainment
Though many of us like to buy books so we can annotate them and dog-ear pages for future reference, they can be quite pricey. For low-budget entertainment, you can visit your local library and bask in the glory of the countless tomes available there for free. Libraries have books on every subject imaginable, and since they rotate their stock and constantly get new books, you’ll never run out of reading materials.

(article via lifehack.org - image via weheartit)

Your Hobby And You..

Do you have any hobbies that you often do on your spare time? It is said that your hobby can actually tells about what kind of person you are. I took a short quiz on Awakening Potentials Inc. The quiz is to find out about my hobby that can reflect the true me. Here are the questions, or you can click here to go straight to the website. My score is 9 which means that I am a task-focused individual. How about you?

Take this quiz and learn what sort of success style your hobbies reveal about you:

1. If you go to the park, you more likely to spend your time:

A) Sharing a picnic with others.

B) Going for a run.

C) Reading a book.

D) Flying a kite.

2. When walking down the street, you normally:

A) Talk on your cell phone to a friend.

B) Speed walk to reach the next place faster.

C) Reflect on a conversation you had earlier.

D) Look at everything you pass and then stumble over the curb.

3. When stuck inside on a rainy day, you often:

A) Watch the television or a play a game.

B) Get unstuck with the ultimate hobby: laundry.

C) Find a cozy spot and work on your craft project.

D) Stare out the window and watch the rain drops falling.

4. While at work on your break, you can often be found:

A) At the water cooler, laughing with co-workers.

B) In front of your computer screen writing emails/checking facebook.

C) Sitting at your desk and doodling, playing Sudoku, or reading.

D) Outside on the lawn, watching the clouds.

5. On a day off you’d plan to:

A) Spend time with family or go to a party.

B) Work on your projects, then maybe hit the gym.

C) Have a cup of tea and sit on your front porch.

D) Plans? Who makes plans on their day off?

Next : add up your points.  A = 1, B =2, C = 3, D = 4

If you scored between  4 and 7, then you are probably a very people-oriented person. Mixing, sharing, and being with others is your hobby  – it’s where you feel most comfortable and relaxed.  Your success style engages easily with others and finds its strength through the relationships it builds. Your ability to sympathize and share with others is a real gift.

If you scored between 8 and 12, then you are probably a more task-focused individual. Your hobbies are typically constructive activities where you achieve an end result before moving to the next challenge. Your success style is goal oriented and you’re willing to take steps needed to reach your aims.  Others look to you to organize and maintain momentum. You are a vital member of your team; people depend on your strength and guidance.

If you scored between 13 and 16, then you’re probably an introspective learner.  Your hobbies reflect your ability to think critically and deeply about the lives of yourself and others.  Your success style is likely to be more emotion based – you feel most satisfied when your inner emotions are in tune with your outer world.

If you scored between 17 and 20 then you are probably a dreamer. Your hobbies are spontaneous activities that grab your interest, and you can move freely from one project to another regardless of completion.  Your success style revolves around flexibility and can stretch into all aspect of life. Because you ‘go with the flow’ you can adapt to handle any situation that occurs with a fresh mind and an open attitude.

(quiz via awakeningpotentialsblog.com - image via favim)

Love Rules..

A new week will be better if we can start it with a good heart. Here I am posting something that can be a reminder for us to always keep something good in our heart and in our mind. Often, small things can bring the best of many moments. Have a great Monday. 

(image via pinterest)

Re-Inventing Yourself

How important is it to reinvent yourself? For those who already know where they are heading maybe be it is now important. But for those who need to start over, it is important to reinvent themselves. Reinventing yourself can do you good. This means that you now know what you want to do, where are you going in your life and knowing exactly the goal of your life. Below is the steps to reinvent yourself, written by Melissa Kirk on Tinny Budha. 

These are 5 steps I’ve identified to reinvent yourself:

1. Create a vision for your future.

Sit quietly, close your eyes, and imagine the people, places, or situations that you need to leave behind.  Now imagine the future that you want, whether it’s simply a feeling, a group of people, or a situation such as a wonderful new job.

Imagine how it will feel to be in that new place. Picture the sun coming up behind your future, the warm glow of the light on your face.

Stand for a moment and silently voice your appreciation of everything that came before. Once you’ve thanked the past, turn toward the sun, and with compassion and gratitude, imagine yourself walking away from the past and into the future.

2. Write about your reinvention.

Imagine a scene from it or write about how you’d like it to play out. Where are you living? What do you do in the mornings, afternoon, evenings? Who are your friends? What do you spend your days doing?

Continue writing for as long as this exercise feels invigorating and exciting. Write scenes, dialogues, lists, plans. Make the future come alive. Write about how it will feel to be there. Keep your writing somewhere where you will look at it occasionally. Feel free to add to it.

3. Surround yourself with visual reminders of the life you’d like to create.

If it’s a new job in a particular field, put objects or images from that field someplace where you’ll see them every day. If it’s a home, find a picture of a house that you love and put it near your front door. It can be anything that reminds you of what you’re moving toward.

4. Now that you have a vision of your future, break it up into workable tasks.

What do you need to do—every day—to create that vision? Look for work? Meet new people? Search for a place to live in your chosen town? Make it specific. Make a list of everything you need to do and a schedule for when you’ll do it. Then do it and commit to keep doing it, one day at a time.

5. Every day, go back to that vision of you walking towards your future.

Every morning or evening, close your eyes, and see yourself walking into the rising sun, toward your dreams, and reconnect with why you’re moving toward this new possibility.

Reinvention is neither easy nor always smooth. Often we encounter resistance. We don’t want to let go, even of things that cause us pain or that are obviously already out of our grasp. We often struggle with limiting beliefs or stories about ourselves that hold us back from trying new things.

But there is one way to keep your compass pointed to this new life, even in the midst of any resistance or struggles you may encounter on your path.

Each time you find yourself slipping into old habits—isolating yourself, making excuses not to look for work, procrastinating on a task that might help you advance in your career—don’t bother wondering why you’re doing it or beating yourself up.

Just ask yourself this: “What can I do in this moment to keep moving forward?”

Then, no matter what you feel in the moment—lonely, self-critical, tired, lazy, or disappointed—do something to maintain momentum, even if it’s one small thing. There’s an old adage that says that true courage isn’t about not feeling fear; it’s about feeling fear and acting anyway.

Choose courage instead of letting your fear choose your future for you.

(article via tinnybudha.com - image via weheartit)

Stain Removal

Don't you just hate it when you see stain on your fabrics like clothes, sheets, pillow cover and so on? I hate it so much. But I do know that there are different stain removal for different stains. Below is an image that you can always look up to for future reminder in case you need to remove any unwanted stain. Have a great Monday =)

(image via http://lifehacker.com)

Meat Craving

I'm craving meat lately, until today actually. I browsed about it that when we are craving for meat, it means:

Red Meat

Not surprisingly, cravings for red meat usually indicate an iron deficiency. Often people crave burgers or steaks. Women of menstruation age are especially vulnerable to iron deficiencies. Eat more iron-rich beans and legumes, unsulphured prunes, figs, and other dried fruits. If you eat meat you can also choose lean, organic red meat like beef or bison as a source of iron. Just remember to keep meat consumption to within 15 percent of your total daily diet. Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, so take vitamin C alongside your iron-rich foods. Alternatively, eat citrus, red peppers, tomatoes, or berries which are high in vitamin C with your iron-rich foods. (via care2.com)

Here's a little something that I would love to cook to satisfy my craving for meat. It's a simple recipe of Skirt Steak With Smoked Cumin by Behind The Bites.

Skirt Steak With Smoked Cumi

Serves 4; 45 minutes

• 1 1/2 lbs Skirt steak
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 2 tsp Smoked cumin

Season, grill and rest steak 

1. Preheat and prepare a grill to medium high. 
2. Season steak with salt, pepper and smoked cumin on both sides and let steak rest for 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Place steak on grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes for medium doneness, turning once during cooking. Remove steak from grill and let rest for 10 minutes to redistribute juices. 
4. Slice across the grain, then serve.

(recipe via behindthebites.com)

Pattern On Pattern

Pattern can really bring out the spot in your living room, bedroom or maybe your kitchen. But how about when pattern meet pattern? Can it be good or can it be awful? The right pattern for another right pattern can be perfect. Those different pattern can add harmony to one another. Below are the example of pattern on pattern. 

(image source: one, two, three, four, five)

How To Have A Lovely Day

How to have a lovely day? Below are the simple things you can do to add loveliness into your day. Have a lovely day =)

(image via pinterest)

Starting Over

Hi everyone, I'm back. It's been over a week since I posted something here. I was on a holiday and of course it was the right thing to do to stay away from the computer on a holiday. So now that the holiday is over, I think it's the right time to start all over. This doesn't mean that we have to re-new everything. But for some people starting over something new can be difficult. Although for other people it can be easy. There are many ways we can do for starting over. I found an easy-to-read article about ways to start over on Psychology Today. Below is the complete article. 

10 Ways and Reasons You Can Start Over

Once you honestly commit to changes, you've started the process.

Published on January 17, 2010 by Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D. in Emotional Fitness

Starting Over

Instead of making a resolution, which most of us aren't all that great at keeping, why not look for some areas in your life where you'd like to begin anew? Here are some tools to make starting over a little easier and your new year a little more emotionally fit.

1. Starting over is not the same as recouping from a failure. It is a new beginning. This mindset is helpful because it keeps you from wasting your time being too hard on yourself.
2. Moving through life is like climbing stairs. You go up a level and then you level off. Nothing is ever a straight shot. Have some patience with yourself and with your newfound direction.
3. This new year is also a new decade. It could also be a new life if you approach it in the right way. Sometimes little ideas can turn into big things. Try writing that letter to the editor or, if you need to, make the choice to drink a little less alcohol.
4. Endings are not necessarily bad things. Even if the past year was your best so far, the one ahead might just leave it in the dust. This is also true if it's been your worst year so far, and you've suddenly found yourself unemployed or unattached.
5. Starting over may feel scary, but it's really a cause for celebration. Think of it as exciting, and many of your anxious feelings will begin to fade.
6. Remember that your future is not governed by your past. No matter what has happened in your life, you can find a way to make things a little better for yourself, and hopefully for those around you as well.
7. Having to start over is different from choosing to start over. For those whose lives are still in chaos because of manmade and natural disasters, starting over is not a choice. Giving support to those in need and being able to accept it when necessary are great qualities.
8. Healthy alternatives to negative lifestyle patterns abound. Take baby steps if you don't feel comfortable making all your changes on January 1. If you can't stop a bad habit, start by cutting back. It's okay to give yourself a little time to moderate or stop something that's hurting you.
9. It's not all about joining a gym to get fit. What about taking a dance class to get in shape and have fun at the same time? Starting over can mean chasing your dreams. We're happiest when we're moving toward a goal.
10. Starting over is about giving yourself a chance at realhappiness. You will have to be brave and get good at learning new things, but how bad can that be? At the very worst, you will acquire the skills you need to start on the next project.

(article via psychologytoday.com - image via favim)

Weekend Recipe..

Are you in the mood to cook something on the weekend? Cooking can be the right thing to do when you have a free time. This time I am posting a recipe of "chicken escalopes with olive, caper & tomato dressing" by Simply Delicious. At first I was fall in love with the image of the chicken but then I fall in love more when I read the method of cooking. Easy and simple of course. So, here's the recipe. Have a great weekend. 

Chicken Escalopes With Olive, Caper & Tomato Dressing

Serves 4 

Ingredients:

• 4 large skinless chicken breasts, de-boned 
• 1 cup flour, seasoned with salt & pepper for the dressing 
• 1 cup Mediterranean Delicacies Calamata Style Olives, pitted and roughly chopped 
• 2 tbsp capers (if the capers you buy are packaged in salt, rinse and drain them before using) 
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped 
• 1/2 cup olive oil 
• juice of 1 lemon 
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped 
• salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Start by pounding the chicken between two layers of cling film until approximately 1cm (0.39 inches) thick.
2. Coat the chicken in the seasoned flour and fry in a hot pan until browned on either side and cooked through (approximately 1-2 minutes per side).
3. In the meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
4. When the chicken is cooked, remove from the pan and serve topped with the dressing.

(image and recipe by simply-delicious.co.za)

Dessert Personality Test

I found this personality test on Piffe, it's one of those test you can take just for fun =) It's a personality test based on your type of dessert. Mine is Chocolate cake with chocolate icing which means that I'm sexy, always ready to give and receive, very creative, adventurous, ambitious, and passionate. Haha those are really fun answers =) Somehow those personalites can be true and applied to my real personality. How about you? Choose yours...

If all of the eight desserts listed below were sitting in front of you, which would you choose (sorry, you can only pick one)! Pick your dessert, and then look to see what psychiatrists think about you.

Here are your choices:


1. Angel food cake

2. Brownies

3. Lemon meringue pie

4. Vanilla cake with chocolate icing

5. Strawberry short cake

6. Chocolate cake with chocolate icing

7. Ice cream

8. Carrot cake

No, you can't change your mind once you scroll down, so think carefully what your choice will be.

OK - Now that you've made your choice, this is what the researchers say about you... SCROLL DOWN---No cheating !!!

1. ANGEL FOOD CAKE -- Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzy items. A little nutty at times. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and immature at times.
2. BROWNIES -- You are adventurous, love new ideas, and are a champion of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up you whip out your saber. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor and direction. You tend to be very loyal.
3. LEMON MERINGUE -- Smooth, sexy, & articulate with your hands, you are an excellent care giver and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times, you set your own style because you do your own thing. You shine when it comes to helping others and have many friends.
4. VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING -- Fun-loving, sassy, humorous, not very grounded in life; very indecisive and lacking motivation. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker. Others should be cautious in making you mad. However, you are a friend for life.
5. STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE -- Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people, can be counted on in a pinch and expect the same in return. Intuitively keen. You can be very emotional at times but a true person in every way. You like to do things for yourself and help others learn about themselves.
6. CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING -- Sexy; always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous, ambitious, and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside. Not afraid to take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to laugh.
7. ICE CREAM -- You like sports, whether it be baseball, football, basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but you enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote control.
8. CARROT CAKE -- You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal friends. You were meant to lead and teach others. A wonderful role model.

(Test via piffe.com - image via favim.com)

Yin-Yang

Here's a small guide for all the lovers of "yin & yang" concept. I am one of those lovers. I do believe that there's always good and bad about everything, I believe that life is all about balance in which the good and the bad somehow complete the dynamic of life. 

(image via greatist.com)

Bruschetta

I love eating bruschetta. The good thing about bruschetta is that it's easy to make, it can make your tummy full and of course it's delicious. I can eat bruschetta both for an appetizer and main course =) Here's one simple bruschetta recipe for you by Apron and Sneakers. Who knows you might want to try to make it for the weekend. 

Bruschetta al Pomodoro & Asparagi 

Ingredients:

Serves 4

• 4 slices of sourdough bread 
• 250 g. tomatoes (the sweetest variety that you can find), finely chopped
• Fresh basil, minced
• Salt
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 4 - 6 asparagus spears, grilled & chopped

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the tomatoes, asparagus, basil, salt and extra virgin oil. 
2. Grill both sides of the bread on the barbecue grill (the best), in the oven, on a griddle or even in a bread toaster.  
3. Rub one side of the bread with halved garlic, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil then spoon the tomato and asparagus mixture on it.  
4. Serve while hot.  

(image and recipe by apronandsneakers.com)

Self Expressions

We often find ourselves in a difficult situation to express our feelings. I often be in that kind of situation. I sometimes find it hard to really express my feelings, although I really want to let people know how I really feel at that time. How about you? Have you ever felt that way too? I think in an appropriate situation, it is important to be able to express what we're feeling inside just to let other people know our feelings. I found an article on Life Is Now about the importance and the benefits of self expression. Below are some part of the article. 

Self Expression – The Benefits

• You learn more about yourself.  You might think you know yourself well but the more you find and express the further you can go.
• You build your self esteem and confidence.  There is nothing more attractive than someone who knows themselves well and isn’t afraid to share it.
• You face difficult emotions.  Having a way to express yourself means that you are more likely to face and work through challenges in your life.  Not having a way to express difficult emotions means that you are more likely resist and suppress them.
• You feel more joy.  Joy is a more substantial emotion than happiness.  Happiness is fleeting, it comes and goes.  The joy of self expression is something only those who have experienced can know.  There is no comparison.

(article via life-is-now.co.uk - image via weheartit)

Quote of the day

Clouds come floating into my life, 
no longer to carry rain or usher storm, 
but to add color to my sunset sky.

Rabindranath Tagore 

(image via weheartit)