Boys do cry, so do men!

When it comes to mental health, women tend to be more vocal than men.   Maybe because of the expectations of masculinity.  Men are expected to be the stronger gender, physically and mentally.  We have grown up with our father as the superman or superhero of our family.  He can fix everything and he is so strong that they cannot be seen as weak.  There was also one stage in my life that i thought my father was invincible that he does not even get sick or get old.  That is what I thought.  That is what men show the world.  Men tend to keep their problems on their own.  But keeping these problems has a dangerous effect to the mental health.  

We have grown up with our father as the superman or superhero of our family.

Men can cry too like boys or women do.  It is okay to be vulnerable and show the world how he feels.  It does not make less of a "man" should he show his true feelings.  A true man is not afraid to show and not hide his how he really feels .  A true man can take care of his mental health.  

Here are ways to take care of your mental health.

1. One true and loyal friend.  Like us women, men should have someone to confide to. Like a close friend or a best friend.  To verbalize somehow can make your feelings lighter.

2. Two kinds of names.  Create a name for your fears and create a name for your tears. Practically talking to your sadness by saying "begone, (name of fears) and let (name of tears) flow and go away".  It is a made up practice which is effective after crying out loud, then it is easier to let go.  Try it.

3. Three minutes of breathing exercises. Three minutes of inhale and exhale every day can make a big difference.  Just inhale deeply and exhale all the negative thoughts. 

4. Four people that you have not been in touch with.  Try messaging via social media or snail mail four people you have not seen or talk to for awhile.  Reconnect with old friends, better yet go out with them.

5. Five minutes of journaling a day.  If you do not want to talk, then write it.  Journaling can help release what is in your mind and heart.  

These are just five to try.  There are a lot more.  Do not be afraid to explore.  Just go and be vulnerable.  It is okay to be sad.  It is okay to cry.

Today is 10 October 2022 and we are celebrating World Mental Health Day! 

It is okay to be vulnerable, it is okay to cry..  Boys do cry and so do men.  

Happy world mental health day!

Liveloud UAE 2022

What is Liveloud Band? (Liveloud UAE)

• Established in 2008
• Non-profit initiative by CFC YFC (Couples for Christ - Youth for Christ
• Born out of desire to share God’s given talents of the members of the CFC community
• The movement has evolved as one of the catholic worship concert worldwide
• Psalm 33:11-12 – You have turned my morning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.  Oh Lord my God I will give you thanks forever
• Biggest Catholic worship in the Philippines
• Last liveloud concert in UAE was in 2019 
• Declaring Christ through Catholic music
• Ablaze Music is a record label of liveloud band, operates under Couples for Christ by Ablaze Communications as the subsidiary of the organization

Going bald during chemotherapy

It's not a deliberate fashion statement, it's alopecia.

Alopecia or hair loss during chemotherapy is one of the most common side effects. I started losing hair after my second session of chemotherapy. No matter how much I have prepared myself - cutting my hair short - for this dramatic event during chemotherapy, i still got the shock of my life one morning when my hair started falling off, not just one strand but clumps of hair on my pillow, floor and shower. I even shouted when I was showering and saw my hair fall off in really massive amount. And with it was a painful scalp.

So, shaving my hair was the best option to lessen the “pain of losing my hair”.
It’s alopecia or hair loss in chemotherapy and not a fashion statement but why not coz bald is beautiful!

- SHAVE DAY -

- ALOPECIA -

Another year over, welcome the new one

 The year 2020 is over!  A lot of us had been relieved from the thought that 2020 was a "bad luck", well guess what? it's a blessing after all.  The world may have been bombarded by calamities after calamities, sickness after sickness, unemployment, companies closing down and of course the infamous Covid-19, but we all came to a realization that everything here on earth is temporary.  Looking at the brighter side, a lot of us have discovered few good things out of the miseries of 2020.  Here are the top five things that most if not all human beings have realized and discovered in 2020.

1.  Online Life is here to stay. 

2.  Experts in all, master of none.  

3.  Kitchen masters.  Honing 

4 . Vloggers.

5. Dance experts. 

Happy and blessed new year 2021 to all!!

Staycation 2020: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Since we have been locked down, isolated and quarantined in 2020, traveling to another country is not really a good idea at the moment.  It's a good thing hotels in the United Arab Emirates have started opening once again and accepting guests with lots of discounts.  This is Staycation 2020 and beyond.  For my first hotel staycation review, let us go to Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.

Just last weekend, me and my best friend celebrated her birthday in Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.  This is a five-star hotel resort located in Vienna street, Ras Al Khaimah.  The hotel is simply majestic.  The structure is Arabic heritage inspired.  There are two pools, one family pool and one lap pool.  In front of that is a private beach access exclusive for Waldorf Astoria guests.  The rooms are huge.  The facade is grandiose.  The safety and security? well, it's cleanstay as indicated on the seal of every door of the hotel.   I can list more of the best things in Waldorf but let me summarize it in my top 5.  And since the world  it is still  the pandemic state, the water activities have been limited or none at all but you will never ran out of things to do in this hotel.

Here's my top five favorites about Waldorf Astoria Hotel RAK. 

5.  Staff.  From the security guard, to concierge, to room service and bell boy's, all of them are courteous, welcoming and joyful and that warms my heart as a guest (an average person) being welcomed whatever your race is or color or economic status, no feeling of discrimination at all.  

4.  Safety, hygiene and security.  The security guard is very careful of who to let in and out of the hotel and making sure everyone is checked of their temperature.  Reaching the entrance, the bell boys are all well uniformed and wearing masks. There are a lot of sanitizers around the hotel.  Even the ball pen used for signing in the reception has been sanitized.  

3.  Amenities and vanity kit.  Salvatorre Ferragamo body cream, body wash, hair wash, hair moisturizer and soap, what else can you ask for?

2. Sea view room.  When you feel highly favored, the Lord moves in surprising ways.  Since it's my best friend's birthday, i requested for a sea view room and voila, they gave in to my request not mentioning the welcome room arrangement and free surprise birthday cake at 3:00 p.m.  What's included in the room? Your own nespresso, a huge HDTV (2 of them) and unlimited water supply.  There is a separate princess closet as if you are Belle, combing your hair while staring at the huge mirror.  My favorite is the cleopatra seat and a mini office setup and small coffee table setup.  Outside the balcony, you get to admire the sunset (not able to see the sunrise, we woke up late) while sitting in a huge rattan chair.

1.  Food.  If there is more superlative than superb, then that is how I would describe the food in Waldorf Astoria.  Breakfast is the best but Risotto and octopus tentacle in Azure Restaurant are a must try.

So, those are my top five favorites in Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah.  Our staycation in Waldorf Astoria RAK is indeed a five star experience.  But if there is a higher star rating, I would definitely give this hotel an 8 star.  

Single but not ready to mingle

I can still quite recall how my last relationship ended.  Seeing myself crying and begging him to stay but to no avail.  Bargaining for anything just to extend the relationship.  Hoping that he will change his mind and choose me over the other woman.  It had been a nightmare for quite some time.  I can't recall how much it hurts but it did hurt like hell.  I thank God with time my wounds healed not because i had another relationship, but because i chose to be single and to concentrate more on myself.  I am actually a single parent, but that's another story and that is a big factor why I have chosen to be single and not ready to mingle. 

Don't get me wrong.  I am not bitter or anything but let me share five points of why it is better to be single and why is staying single a blessing and should not be a stigma.

1.  Strength in being alone.  

one cup? no problem

Ideally, your romantic partner brings out the best in you.  Have you heard of, "you complete me?"  Well, yeah it's true but only if you as an individual had been made whole before  entering into a relationship.  Being solo or single gives more time for self-awareness, self-mindfulness and self-reflection. Focusing on oneself is not possible with a partner as your attention is divided.   This gives the individual more time on building one's self in every aspect and with  this it builds and creates a stronger person, someone who is strong even alone.  

2. Bring it on

Self sufficiency is the key.  When you are single, there is no other way to go but be independent.  This means, a single person can at any time, anywhere or anyhow accept challenges as they come without considering anybody else.  There is no one to regard every time you needed to take a step towards your dream.  There is no one to hinder the things that you love to do.   Being single means journeying through adventures and taking that risk.  This means, more risk, more chances of achieving more dreams and more ambition.   You can just tell life, bring it on and take that challenge and be carefree.

Take that challenge

3. Friends more than romance

Friends more than romance

If you are single, you can have more friends and enjoy more moments with different people.  And because you are not attached romantically to anybody, you can practically go out with a lot of friends or know and meet more people.  Also, single people tend to stick more with good friends and even with family.

4. Creative experts

washi tape for crafting

Since a single person has more time to be alone and more time to be mindful,  this gives room to exercising the brain's ability to be creative, and best is if a single person devotes time to craft and art or musical instruments, more time to practice and more time for mastery.   When I ended my last relationship, i soaked myself with crafting, post card collection, bead making, even studying guitar which I did not fully prosper, maybe again soon.

5. I, me and myself

Alone but not lonely

Single but not ready to mingle.  Being single and not having a romantic relationship is a blessing.  You may not be ready to jump in a relationship now but do not worry.  Give yourself time to love you.  Enjoy the alone moment.  Make yourself whole again.  Give all that broken pieces to the divine creator, our God, our true lover.

Single but not ready to mingle?  No problem!

God bless everyone reading this.

Faith, hope and love