31Jul2012 (Tuesday)... Yet Another Sleepless Night!

31Jul2012 (Tuesday)

Yet Another Sleepless Night: Finding Peace in the Midst of Noise

It's another sleepless night, and I can't help but feel frustrated. The noise from my next door neighbor is just too loud to ignore, and it's preventing me from getting the rest that I need. I've tried earplugs, white noise machines, and even moving my bed to a different room, but nothing seems to work. It's enough to make me want to bang on the walls and scream in frustration.

But then, I realize that getting angry won't solve anything. Instead, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I can find peace in the midst of this difficult situation. Here are some tips that have helped me cope with sleepless nights caused by noisy neighbors:

1. Practice mindfulness. Instead of focusing on the noise, I try to focus on my breathing and the present moment. I close my eyes and take deep breaths, imagining that I'm in a peaceful place like the beach or a quiet forest. This helps me relax and let go of the frustration.

2. Use noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones can be a lifesaver when you're dealing with noisy neighbors. They cancel out the noise and allow you to listen to calming music or white noise instead.

3. Talk to your neighbor. If the noise is really getting to you, it might be worth talking to your neighbor and politely asking them to keep it down. They may not even realize that they're being loud, and a simple conversation could solve the problem.

4. Try to create a peaceful environment. Even if you can't block out the noise completely, you can still create a peaceful environment in your bedroom. I like to use soft lighting, calming scents like lavender, and comfortable bedding to create a cozy atmosphere that helps me relax.

5. Remember that this is temporary. It's important to keep in mind that this situation won't last forever. Eventually, your neighbor might move out, or you might find a new place to live. In the meantime, try to stay positive and focus on the things that you can control.

Getting a good night's sleep is essential for our physical and mental health, but sometimes it's just not possible. When you're dealing with noisy neighbors, it can be tempting to give in to frustration and anger. But by practicing mindfulness, using noise-cancelling headphones, talking to your neighbor, creating a peaceful environment, and remembering that this is temporary, you can find peace in the midst of the noise and get the rest that you need.

Loved Month-end Sales!

Sales are hard to resist. The thrill of finding a good deal can be quite addictive, and there's something satisfying about being able to purchase an item at a discounted price. For some, it's a way of life, a habit of waiting for the next big sale and scouring through piles of clothing just to find that one item that's priced lower than usual.

But why do we love sales so much? Is it the joy of being able to save money or the satisfaction of getting something for less than its usual price? Maybe it's a combination of both. For some, it's about being able to buy something they couldn't afford before, while for others, it's about getting the most out of their hard-earned money.

And who doesn't love freebies? Whether it's a free taste or a free item, we all enjoy getting something for nothing. It's the small pleasures in life that make it worth living, and being able to snag a free item can definitely make your day.

But let's not forget about the importance of budgeting. It's easy to get carried away with sales and discounts, but it's important to remember to stay within our means. While it's great to save money, it's also important to make sure that we're not overspending or buying things we don't need.

In the end, it's all about balance. Enjoying sales and discounts can be a fun and rewarding experience, but we should also remember to be responsible with our spending habits. So the next time you're tempted to splurge on a sale, take a moment to think about whether it's worth it, and remember to stick to your budget.

I am marycel and i dont just throw away money or trash!

"It's wet and cold now... thanks to the rain, my living room is no longer an oven, and can stand staying here without the electric fans. whew... i think i might be able to reduce my electric bill to almost 50% or more... I did turn off my ref too. Was forced to used it last summer, because it seemed more economical at that time, what with a daily P30 consumption on ice alone! Plus, I was able to stock up on meat and poultry. I am thinking, was I really able to save? Taking P20 as daily average ice purchase x 30days would total to P600.00. My usual electric bill ranges from P900 to P1,200. For the 3 months of summer, i was paying an average of P2,000/month. So that makes it P800 for the ref consumption alone. Which means, opening my ref was likely an advantage. I adopted this kind of thinking in almost everything. I try to analyze whether I have to buy a big package of powder soap costing 49.00 weighing 480g (P49/480gm=0.1020per gm), compared to buying 6 sachets at 45gms each plus 1 free, costing to P26 (P26/6sachets/45gm=0.0962; note: computation does not include yet the 7th sachet which is free). A 375gm of Corned beef costing P42 compared to 275gm selling at P36. I always compute the price per gram to see which is better and that which can save me more. This also started the "I must buy everything I need at the Grocery!" kind of thinking. Filipinos, especially those from the C and D Social Bracket usually buy their everyday needs from the sari-sari store (SS Store). Conveniently of course, they buy what they needed at a certain time. What they need to note is that each item they buy at the SS Store cost them 20% more than when they buy for their weekly or bi-monthly consumption at the grocery store. Let's take into account for example a sachet of seasoning. P28 for 12 sachets (P25/12=2.33) It is sold at P4 at SS Stores. 6sachets of shampoo cost around P22. Computing for the price a piece would then give P3.66. Each sachet is sold at P5 at sari-sari stores. Nescafe 3-in-1 coffee sells also at P5. 10sachets costs P42.85. Pancit Canton cost only P7.45 at the grocery and it is sold at P10 at SS Stores. Let's just say that for every P5 you may have saved P1(20%), then, if in a day, you buy something worth around P50 from the sari-sari store, you would have already saved P10. Computing again, P10 x 30days is already P300.00! I started my going to the grocery for just my basic needs. Shampoo, soap, laundry soap, seasonings, Nescafe 3-in-1, Milo. Those that we usually buy every morning. Milo for my mom and ixi (my daughter), Energen for Noel (my hubby) and Nescafe for me. That's already P20 for breakfast. My mom and ixi shares 1 sachet of shampoo and conditioner. Noel and I share the other sachet. So that's another P10. Now in a way, I save P6 every morning. What about the chichiria's? Biscuits? I buy those now at the grocery. We're not much into canned goods, but i stock up once in a while. A Can of sardines is only P13 at the grocery and it sells at P16 on SS Stores. In a way I was able to earn back something like P500 for us in a month. And also, I am now able to track our bi-monthly budget. The only thing now that we buy outside on a daily basis are the veggies. It's fresh and bought as needed, there's no wastage! All these I thank the book "Frugal Zealot". I don't throw away trash that easy. I segregate. Bottles, cans and PET bottles goes in one container plastic(easier to give to kids that collects trash). I keep all papers as scratch, I don't just throw boxes, I try to recycle. And those that I have kept for a year that was untouched and never put to use, I simply give out to kids that collects from trash. In a way, I am able to help and put a smile on their faces each time they collect my trash! i am marycel... well, i don't just throw away money or trash..."

Name this dish... please?!?

I was planning to cook Steamed Tilapia. But I had all these vegetables available so I put them all instead!

(Left Image) The Dish to be named. (Right Image) Fried Tilapia

Cropped up this dish out of nowhere... Don't even have a name for it....

Ingredients:
1pc medium Tilapia
1pc medium carrots (shaped in a flower)
1pc medium saba (sliced)
1pc red bell pepper (strips)
1pc medium ginger (strips)
2pcs onions (chopped)
5pcs onion leeks (chopped)
1pc medium tomato (whole)
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 cup water
1 tbsp. vegetable oil (optional)
salt and seasoning (season to taste)

Total Amount: P75.00

How to cook:
Put the fish in the center of the casserole. Add in all the ingredients but segregate per ingredient. Simmer until cooked. Serves 2-3.



28 July 2012 (Saturday)

Happiness is a choice. I choose to be happy!!!

Happiness is a choice. I choose to be happy. I will not let circumstances dampen my spirit... No matter how hard life is, there is always a reason to be happy!


A few days ago I received a very sad news regarding work, and I felt a bit sad 'bout it! But heck! I still have work, I still find time for my family and friends... And it's what matters most. 


So I wake up today, and choose to be happy. And I am... 


Was it possible? Of course, yes! I just ignore whatever it is that hinders my being happy. I focus on the good things life brings me! I listen to music, sing it out! (What with the ear banging loudness of my hubby's radio playing good old rock and pop music....)


I cooked champorado for breakfast... hmmmmmnnn.... reason enough? oh yeah... loved it... with a hot Nescafe Chocolatte... very filling, huh!  


I am planning to cook Steamed Tilapia for lunch. Arrgghhh... Can't wait to see the result. First time to try this menu. 


Off to market now! byeeeei!!


i am marycel... I am cooking....






27 July 2012 (Friday)

Just a Thought on a Very Rushing Day!

Today i woke up feeling a little odd. I did have a good night's sleep (even with all the hammering from our neighbor, which by the way, fyi, does the handcrafting of baseball gloves) after an hour or so of thug...thug... thug-thug...

Breakfast is already served, thanks to my loving husband! Sopas (macaroni soup) and scrambled egg with tea and bananas on the side. Oh, I love bananas... i do also love tea... i buy sorts. We have one in Banaba leaves that they say is good for diabetics(noel, my husband was diagnosed pre-diabetic), i also bought Steuarts Premium Ceylon Black Tea, which i love plain. A few other variant of this brand that i loved also is the  And just recently, got us Twinings Classics Earl Grey Tea. A light and aromatic blend of fine black tea scented with a citrus bergamot flavour. This one i love to mix with Calamansi and a little sugar. It has a very distinct smell. It's citrusy fragrance uplifts the spirit and gives a lasting impression on me throughout the day. 

I gotta rush though! I have to go to the bank to encash my salary, then deposit it to my checking account. Have to pay the bills. I have almost drained our account this week, what with the bills piling up. So as my work load... it's now piling up and am not in any way in the mood to do the works. Really, it sucks! A third cut on my salary is gonna hurt really... And to think that I am already foreseeing this... four paydays ago?!? 

The other night, while praying, my tears just fell and it's because i knew in my heart it was my fault. I knew I cannot bargain with God over tithing! But I still did, hoping He'll understand that I give to dad, my mom, my hubby's family and sorts. So I did ask Him for the 10%. Said that this same amount and maybe more i would share with those that are in need. Well the 10% i kept... now i lost 35% of my salary and whoa!!! the bills are still piling up, i still have to give support to my dad, my hubby's family are asking for a little help on their finances, and now i know that i have to give to God what's due Him.... 

There are times I wanted to be a SOMEBODY... not just for the sake of being a SOMEBODY but because being a SOMEBODY has its, shall we say, advantages. If I am a SOMEBODY, more or less I have an account in the bank that does matter; a job that not only pays the bill but also gives excess for anything and everything i might want to spend on or save, depends on the need;  power to shift the tide... you know what i mean! It's just that I wanted to help, but then how can I help others when I can barely help myself, my family, my friends... 

There was a time when I thought of putting up a foundation to help the street children. Not exactly take them away from the streets as DSWD does. They would run away again and long before you knew it they are on the streets again!

What I really wanted was a shelter for them. A shelter they can go to get a good night's sleep. A shelter where they can find food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A decent bath and basic hygiene... To just be able to fit in again in society. Bring back respect and decency in their lives. But I know that is too far-fetched. I have nothing. 

So back to reality, I tried to give as much as I can. I love to see smiles in people, elderlies and children when I give to them. They have so much joy. There are times that I know that what I gave is not enough, for I felt that they needed much more than food for this moment. They needed care. 

Oh well, I may become SOMEBODY one of these days. And who knows? It might be in the near future!

i am marycel.... simply... marycel....

And this is who I am.... This is who I want to be!



25 July 2012 (Thursday)

i am marycel... simply.... marycel!

i am marycel. Simply, all i wanted was to put in writing my thoughts, my dreams, my realities. And i am starting it today. Right now. 

Realities... i am starting to feel on the edge, sort of wanting to stick to something but at the same time wanting to break free and try something new. One of the realities of me, being me, is that i cannot say no. I always go with the flow, a silent receiver. Maybe that's one of the reasons i wanted to write. I wanna hear my own thoughts. Be heard, in a way. Oh, but i don't really care whether any one's reading this. There are a lot of blogs out there, and for all i care, if someone accidentally catch a sight of this and read!!! 

I wanna be a writer. I dream to be a writer. But I also dream of travel and eating. I envy those hosts of travel shows and stuff... They get to travel for free, eat for free... although there are times that i don't really like much of what they are being served! But I'd like to try that. I would. In the near future. And I am gonna blog it! 

I also love to cook! But i don't cook the basics... i am bad at basics. I cant seem to get the ingredients right or the process. I cook with my own style. Put a little of this and that, add some of this and whoalla!!! Savory Chicken ala Mariz! Well maybe, I can blog about my cooking style. A few dishes that I cropped up lately, perhaps?

i am marycel.... simply... marycel...

nayt..... till tomorrow....




25 July 2012 (Wednesday)