My Daily Log

  • Dealing With My Own “Addiction”

    Everyone or most of us surely deals with “addiction” – doesn’t necessarily have to lie solely on drugs or illegal substances but other things such as social media and stuff. Even I had my own fair share of dealing with an addiction and nope, I didn’t take an illegal drug or substance but it’s more…

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    Death Eaters And Volturri’s : How Similar Or Identical Are They?

    Death Eaters

    Two villlains from two different novels but with almost the same concept… How similar are Death Eaters and The Volturri to each other? Let’s take a look at them

    Death Eaters (From JK Rowling’s Harry Potter)

    In the Harry Potter movie, Voldemort leads a group of followers collectively known as: Death Eaters. Their goal? To rid the world of Muggleborns – they perceive of these people as unworthy to be alllowed entry or be given education at Hogwarts.

    They kill Muggleborns and other people they perceive as threat or if not that, they perform the Unforgivable Curse – Crucio to name one of them. Failure , to Voldemort , is not an option.

    (Source: “15 Similarities Between Twilight And Harry Potter We Never Noticed Before” by Stephanie Harper; https://www.thethings.com/twilight-and-harry-potter-similarities/)

    Volturri

    In Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight , we have the Volturri as our scary villain here. What makes them scary? They work together and are ruthless towards humans, werewolves, and even newborn vampires they consider as threat.

    Almost similar to the Death Eaters in the Harry Potter movie, the Volturri’s have some rules that have to be observed or obeyed – The Cullens (comprised of Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper and Edward) aren’t allowed near the Quileute (a pack of werewolves) territory. Revealing their existence to humankind is also a no-no (which the Cullens didn’t follow or cared about following when they welcomed Bella into their lives).

    The Volturri simply comprises of : Aro, Caius, Marcus, Sulpicia and Athenodora. Their purpose? To keep vampires hidden from the human world, mostly for their safety. But while their intentions and purpose is right, their methods weren’t as good as you thought them to be. Other rules that have to be followed were that: hunting must be inconspicuous, creating imortal children is a taboo or another big NO, vampires are not allowed to deal with werewolves , false witnesses are punished by death and so much more. And have you noticed? Jane , one of the Volturri, can perform a nonverbal Cruciatus Curse on anyone.

    Just like the Death Eaters, the Volturri’s aren’t possibly the best leaders as they won’t hesitate killing humans, werewolves or even someone of their own kind. (Source: “Twilight: Why The Volturi Were Actually Right” by Adrienne Tyler from The Screen Rant; https://screenrant.com/twilight-volturi-actually-right-laws-explained/)

    Source:

    “15 Similarities Between Twilight And Harry Potter We Never Noticed Before” by Stephanie Harper; https://www.thethings.com/twilight-and-harry-potter-similarities/

    Twilight: Why The Volturi Were Actually Right” by Adrienne Tyler from The Screen Rant; https://screenrant.com/twilight-volturi-actually-right-laws-explained/

  • Basilisk: Mythical Or Real?

    Basilisk

    If you have been or have watched the movie: Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, you may have seen this creature in the later part. But is the basilisk snake real or just a mythical creature?

    Sometimes referred to as the Cockatrice, the basilisk is known to be a mythical creature (reptilian) and reputed to be the king of serpents. It’s also considered to be one of the most feared of all mythological beasts as it can kill its prey through a single glance. This creature bears similarity to the Gorgons of Greek mythology. (Source: “Basilisk” from New World Encyclopedia; https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Basilisk)

    The basilisk, just like the Gorgons (three vicious female mythical creatures), can also possess the ability to turn a person into stone by looking at them (as also seen in the Harry Potter movie where students are petrified by this creature). People speculate that basilisk is being originated from a cobra as it can kill from a distance. (Source: “Gorgon” from New World Encyclopedia; https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Gorgon)

    A basilisk is a reptile-chicken hybrid creature (hence the term “cockatrice”) and a poisonous snake at the same time. (Source: “Basilisk or Cockatrice? The Mysterious King of Serpents” from PBS; https://www.pbs.org/video/basilisk-or-cockatrice-the-mysterious-king-of-serpents-rqozd1/) . They are actually born from an egg laid by a rooster.

    The basilisk got its name from the Greek word “basilikos” which translates to “kinglet” which is a kind of serpent. It can be described as either of the three: a huge lizard, a giant snake (again as seen in the Harry Potter movie) and as a hybrid of rooster and reptile. Legend says that this creature can be killed by hearing a rooster’s crow (mentioned in the Harry Potter movie where Harry and Ron finds a scrap of paper in Hermione’s hand and pulls it, revealing what she just read about the basilisk and Ginny , being possessed by Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort to kill the roosters by strangling them) or staring at itself in the mirror (take note that the basilisk kills its prey through its glance).

    Trivia: The natural enemy of a basilisk is a weasel who’s immune to its deadly gaze and can survive its venom.

    In real life, basilisks exist as merely a lizard instead of a deadly giant snake.

    Source:

    * “Basilisk” from New World Encyclopedia; https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Basilisk
    * “Gorgon” from New World Encyclopedia; https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Gorgon
    * “Basilisk or Cockatrice? The Mysterious King of Serpents” from PBS; https://www.pbs.org/video/basilisk-or-cockatrice-the-mysterious-king-of-serpents-rqozd1/

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    Death Eaters: Real Or Just Fictional?

    Death Eaters from Harry Potter movie Credits to: https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Eaters

    If you’ve watched all the Harry Potter movies, you might probably be familiar with Death Eaters

    Death Eaters, as seen in the movies, are collectively known to be passionate followers of Voldemort (aka You Know Who or He Who Must Not Be Named and they consist of wizards and witches who were radical pureblood supremacists practicing Dark Arts. These followers are described to often wearing black hoods and masks with snake-like slits to cover their faces and sporting a Dark Mark burned on their left forearm, which they use to summon Voldemort. (Source: “Death Eaters” from Harry Potter Wiki Fandom; https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Eaters)

    Aside from the black robes and masks, Death Eaters are also seen to be wearing tall , pointed hats which are approximately half the length of the wearer’s height. (Source: “Death Eaters” from Villains Wiki; https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Eaters). They are often spies who keep their loyalty to Voldemort as a secret as many of them are involved in British wizarding politics and various bureaucratic organizations.

    Dark Mark - a symbol worn by Death Eaters credits to: https://www.quora.com/What-was-the-effect-the-Dark-mark-had-on-the-death-eaters-Did-it-make-the-death-eater-do-things-Snape-turned-and-became-a-spy-so-you-can-ignore-Voldemort-a-little-It-burned-though-when-the-Dark-Lord-summoned-his

    Some or few of the notable Death Eaters are namely: Bellatrix Lestrange, Barty Crouch Jr, Peter Pettigrew, Corban Yaxley, Alecto and Amycus Carrow… and a few more to name such as Lucius Malfoy and his son Draco (in the 6th movie).

    Are there also Death Eaters in real life? Or are they just mere ficitional characters?

    Now, as to whether there are really Death Eaters in non magical world or in real life, Death Eaters can be based on any number of racists, bigoted or supremacy groups. In terms of history, Voldemort and his supporters can be likened to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis where a few similarities include oppression of those whom they believe don’t fit to their ideals (Voldemort = oppression of Muggle borns/Muggles as Hitler: oppression of Jews, gypsies, disabled people, etc), the lists and registration of Jewish people compared to lists and registration of Muggle borns/Muggles.

    You can find more detailed similarities of Death Eaters and KKK (Ku Klux Klan) here – https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-KKK-so-much-like-Death-Eaters

    Source:

    * “Death Eaters” from Harry Potter Wiki Fandom; https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Eaters
    * “Death Eaters” from Villains Wiki; https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Eaters

  • A Sad Letter To My Girlfriend

    heart with chocolate

    Laura baby,

    Words aren’t enough to express the pain I felt when you suddenly left me without notice.

    You chose to hurt the person who only wanted to protect you from people trying to steal you…. you chose to hurt the person who love you and stayed by your side. You failed to see those people as a threat to our relationship the way I see them. I chose to still want to get married to you and be there with you in Australia but you chose to break my heart instead by blocking me on Twitter and leaving me on all your IG rp accounts when you promised youll stay.

    I just hope that one day you’ll realize how you’ve hurt me badly… maybe that time will come when im really gone here.  the sooner the better .. so youll feel the pain of losing someone who really loved you and whom you just kept taking for granted lately. …You’ll realize you shouldnt have blocked me on FB and Twitter and shouldnt have left me on all your IG rp accounts. 

    You chose to hurt the person who love you and chose to have you over her family.. I chose you over them but what did you do instead? You took me for granted.. You chose to be with the people who are being a huge threat to your relationship with her instead. It’s like you really want me gone already and lose me for their sake.. You chose to break my heart to pieces the moment you blocked me on FB and Twitter when the thing I only wanted was to protect you from others. You chose to be ungrateful for all the things I’ve done for you on my Draco accounts . I helped your Marcus account get over that other Draco account who cheated on you. What did you give back in return? Your lack of gratitude and time for me. 

    It’s you here who chose to throw away our 2 years of relationship, not me After all the help I gave you to get over that other Draco account who hurt your Marcus account and forget about him, this is what I get back from you in return. Who was it that stayed by your side when you got your heart broken? Who was it that was with you when you lost Poppy? Wasn’t it me? How could you choose to be with other people instead of me then? How could you choose to block me on FB and Twitter when you said you’ll get rid of those people who were trying to steal you? You even said on your Marcus account that you will not let them try stealing you away from me? So much for choosing you over my family and for wanting to be there with you right where  you are. You even promised your IG rp accounts won’t leave mine as long as I keep those , especially my Draco account. But it turns out you’ll be the first one breaking your own promises. I thought you understood my reasons well why I hate it when you talk to other people, why I get too jealous and possessive. That is because I see them as a threat and expected that youll see them the same way. 

    Didnt you even tell me that your Marcus account understands how my Draco account feels? Especially when you see a Harry account being all over him? Why is then that you are letting other people steal you? You even said you’ll do anything I want you to do for me to keep fighting to stay alive. But now you’re giving me reasons to give up fighting against my illness. How could you?

    Did you remember just 3 years ago, you asked me on my Draco account if we could try being in a relationship as well in real life? And I said yes. Because I wanted as well for us to have a serious relationship .. not just in our rp accounts but in real life as well. I never wanted to be in a serious relationship with anyone else just you. But now you threw it away. I was even planning to propose to you.. but then you blocked me on FB. and even on Twitter. 

    You just wasted everything.. you all threw away everything we had . it’s you here who wasted everything we had.. not me.. it’s you guys as well who gave up on this relationship and on me.. .. it was you who failed to fight for this relationship not me. You chose to give up on our relationship , baby. you chose to give me up. You chose to hurt me and leave me on all my IG rp accounts..

    I thought loving a person comes with accepting both his/her bests and worsts? … . why did you leave me then when you saw me at my worst? you expect me to keep my promise here.. and I did the best I could to keep that.. that Ill change for the better .. but it turns out you’re the first one here to break your own promise. 

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    Dealing With A Heartbreak….

    Quote about heartbreak

    Nothing can be far worse than dealing with breakups without closures. You don’t know what it was you have said or done that made that person leave you without even any notice and worst of it all? He or she starts blocking you on all social media accounts.

    It hurts a lot when someone decides to just leave you for another person without having any closure at all. That person just suddenly disappears. That person even promised beforehand that he or she will stay no matter what happens.

    That happened between my and my Australian girlfriend just a few days ago. I dont know what it was that I have said and done that made her decide to leave me and block me on all social media accounts.. Or if I have said something that offended her, she could have at least talked to me rather than blocked me – so I would know how to fix it. Nothing. just nothing. .. she just chose to disappear and leave me. I thought we were just fine the other night… we even laughed it off… then the next day? She blocked me. … on FB and Twitter.. she even left me on IG without saying why which is one thing I don’t get or understand at all.

  • Can People Die From Anxiety Attacks?

    About Anxiety attacks Credits to: Creator from Pinterest

    Is it possible for people to die of a terrible anxiety? Or is it just the long term untreated effects of it that could possibly kill a person suffering from this kind of mental health problem?

    Anxiety can be quite a distressing feeling – it can include intense feelings like fear, doom, a sense of foreboding, and even gloom. Anxiety itself doesn’t kill but just can be stressful and scary – it’s only the effects of long-term, untreated anxiety that can. (Source: “Can Anxiety Kill You?” by Brittany Loggins from VeryWell Mind; https://www.verywellmind.com/can-anxiety-really-kill-you-5204411#:~:text=The%20good%20news%20is%20that,increase%20the%20risk%20of%20suicide.)

    Girl suffering from anxiety

    Anxiety, when left untreated for a long time, can put your health and life at risk by increasing blood pressure, worsen cardiovascular health, weaken immune system and worse, even increase the risk of suicide. It has been linked to heart diseaseas well as other possible symptoms that can pose severe threats to one’s health. It has been defined by the American Psychiatric Association as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like an increased blood pressure.

    Overreacting, constantly worrying, and living in a state of perpetual anxiety can reduce your life expectancy, as shown by research studies. (Source: “How Anxiety Affects Health and Longevity” by Mark Stibich; https://www.verywellmind.com/worry-and-anxiety-impact-longevity-2223983#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20overreacting%2C%20constantly,lighten%20up%20and%20lower%20stress.)

    Can We Worry Ourselves To Death?

    There are many studies that link anxiety-prone personality and shortened lifespan. An example of this is from a 2009 article published in American Psychology which states that there is a growing evidence neuroticism is a psychological trait of profound health significance.

    Symptoms of Anxiety

    • * Restlessness
      * Increased heart rate
      * Shortness of breath
    • * Dry mouth
    • * Chest pain
    • * Nausea
    • * Headache
    • * Trembling or shakiness
    • * Sudden sweating/chills

    According to researchers at the Anxiety Disorders Program at John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, there are ties between long term anxiety and development of heart disease. This interferes with a lot of things such as regular exercise and eating well. In addition to this, it can also lead to rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and decreased heart rate variability.

    Aside from its impact on the heart, anxiety can also damage the brain and increase risk of developing dementia in later life as well as put people at a risk for developing depression.

    Managing Stress/Anxiety To Extend Longevity

    There are few ways of managing anxiety and stress to prolong your life:

    • * Include yoga/meditation
    • * Learn about anxiety
      * Jot down on your journal or diary
      * Listen to music
    • * Engage in a regular physical activity

    (Source: “How Anxiety Affects Health and Longevity” by Mark Stibich from Verywell Mind; https://www.verywellmind.com/worry-and-anxiety-impact-longevity-2223983#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20overreacting%2C%20constantly,lighten%20up%20and%20lower%20stress.)

    Other possible ways of managing stress and anxiety are as follows:

    * relaxation techniques
    * observing correct breathing techniques
    * dietary adjustments
    * exercise
    * Learning to be assertive
    * Building self esteem.. etc.

    Sources:

    * “Can Anxiety Kill You?” by Brittany Loggins from VeryWell Mind; https://www.verywellmind.com/can-anxiety-really-kill-you-5204411#:~:text=The%20good%20news%20is%20that,increase%20the%20risk%20of%20suicide.

    * How Anxiety Affects Health and Longevity” by Mark Stibich from Verywell Mind; https://www.verywellmind.com/worry-and-anxiety-impact-longevity-2223983#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20overreacting%2C%20constantly,lighten%20up%20and%20lower%20stress

    * “Managing And Treating Anxiety from Better Health; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-treatment-options

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    Product Review: Banish Serum – Dark Spot Corrector Vitamin C Serum

    Banish Oil/Serum

    An oil or serum for a skincare product? Why not?

    For my second blog post this year, I’ve decided to write a review about another skincare product from Banish which is the Banish Serum – Dark Spot Corrector Vitamin C Serum.

    First of all, what is Banish Serum? What are its benefits to the skin? Can anyone use this product? When is it no longer safe to use this product?

    What Banish Serum Is?

    Formerly known as the Banish Oil, this product is a glycerin based Vitamin C Serum. This product is made fresh daily. This serum’s no longer effective once it has turned yellow/orange or has oxidized. The Vitamin C Serum has a PH level of 3 to 4 and can penetrate into the skin without disrupting its barrier.

    Benefits Of Banish Serum

    This serum has several benefits to the skin such as: collagen boost, works as a dark spot corrector, adds a natural dewy glow to skin and a lot more. The Banish Serum is stabilized with ferulic acid.

    Ingredients found in this serum

    The Banish Serum contains key ingredients such as vegetable glycerin, aqua, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, 100% L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid , natural rose extract and many more.

    How To Use The Banish Serum

    Apply 2 to 3 drops daily to a freshly cleansed skin (can be applied after using the Banisher) . This is mostly recommended for evening use. Store in a dark place.

  • What I Want For 2024

    Year 2024

    This would definitely be my first post for the year 2024 …

    What I wanted for this year:

    A New/Spare Phone (preferably RedMi 10A or 10C)

    I just wanted or rather need to have a new or spare phone in case my current phone doesn’t work anymore…

    A Trip To Adelaide, South Australia

    Adelaide SA

    I want to be with my girlfriend personally there already ….

    Birthday Celebration At A Cat Cafe

    Cat cafe in the Philippines

    I’ve been wanting to celebrate my birthday at a cat cafe since last year.

    Slyherin-themed Birthday Cake

    Slytherin themed birthday cake

    Just a simple one is fine. No need for layered cake

    A Visit To Wizarding World of Harry Potter (either USJ or Universal Studios in Florida)

    Wizarding World of Harry Potter

    Definitely one of my go to place…

    Meet Tom Felton In Person

    Tom Felton

    Yeah. he’s the one who portrayed my favorite Harry Potter movie character Draco Malfoy

    Dye My Hair Blonde

    Dye my hair blonde

    I’m seriously sick and tired of my hair color already…

  • Reasons Why I Don’t Join My Family For Dinner Anymore..

    dinner

    Here are a few or several reasons why I don’t join my family for dinner anymore…

    • I’m sick and tired of hearing them talking about war and Leyte. I really don’t like to stay in that cursed province at all for good. I don’t even call that a “home” and NEVER will. Living in that place is just stressful to me and it’s sickening hearing my father talk so proudly of that place all the time.
    • I’m sick and tired of them playing favorites then deny exercising it. They also have this habit of comparing which they don’t even realize is making me or other people lose confidence in themselves and have lower self-esteem.
    • They don’t respect my privacy at all and always keep reading my messages to my girlfriend. This is one reason why I wanted to be there with my girlfriend already. I can’t stand living under one roof with the people who lie to me.
    • All my family ever gives me lately is a lot of stress..

  • My Christmas Wishlist…

    Christmas...

    He’s making a list.. checking it twice… Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice..

    What’s up , my fellow bloggers? Christmas is just a few days away.. have you ever made a wishlist during Christmas season? Have you made up what would be in your list this year?

    Let me share with you the top items on my Christmas wishlist for this year

    • Visa grant for visiting Australia (Adelaide – south Australia)
    • A cat tree for my fur baby
    • Harry Potter DVD set
    • Harry Potter journal (Slytherin design)

    Visa Grant For Visiting Australia (Adelaide SA to be exact)

    Australian visa

    Okay.. I’ll be 100% honest with you. One of the main reasons why I wanted and have been wishing for a tourist visa grant for Australia is to see my girlfriend of 2 years. I have really been wanting to see and meet her personally and tour the whole of Adelaide South Australia with her.

    I’m half scared and worried though about my visa application getting rejected.. of course it would hurt me if ever that happens.

    A Cat tree For My Fur Baby

    Cat tree display sample

    Being a cat mom, I want to give my fur baby a comfortable space for him to sleep on and have fun with… I just happened to see a display of this cat tree while I was on a grocery errand.

    Harry Potter DVD Set

    HP complete films DVD set

    If you’re like me who’s much of a Potterhead, you’d definitely know by now that my Christmas wishlist won’t be complete without this item.

    Harry Potter journal (Slytherin cover)

    Yes.. I’m proudly Slytherin… which is why I picked out this design for a Harry Potter journal.

  • Reasons Why I Want To Move Out And Start Living Independently

    Dealing with toxic relationships, not necessarily between boyfriend-girlfriend or girlfriend-girlfriend, can really be stressful- especially if it’s within your household – whether with your parents or siblings. (Source: “Do You Have a Toxic Family Member?” by Stacey Colino from Psycom; https://www.psycom.net/relationships/toxic-family)

    Signs you are in a toxic family:

    • Your perception of you doesn’t go along or jibe with the way you see yourself.
    • You are being accused of things you feel are not true.
    • You feel emotionally destabilized (“not good enough”)
    • Your family members don’t take responsibility for their own harmful actions
    • They manipulate you to make you feel guilty
    • They humiliate you or put you down
    • They lie about things to make you feel bad
    • Your family members bully or harass you
    • They are nasty, mean or contemptuous
    • Your family members gaslight ( a form of emotional and psychological abuse wherein a person uses verbal and behavioral tricks to convince another person you are losing your mind) you or blame you for the things they did.

    Toxic relationships within the family can take a toll on your mood, self esteem and sense of confidence as well as the ability to make decisions or think clearly.

    Source: “Gaslighting: What Is It and Why Do People Do It?” from Psycom; https://www.psycom.net/gaslighting-what-is-it

    Reasons why I wanted to move out and start living independently:

    • I feel really suffocated too much with my mom’s nagging and demanding attitude
    • I can’t be myself anymore and do whatever it is I wanted to do with my life. It’s always them that makes decisions for me when I’m already adult enough
    • Relationship with my parents are getting too toxic and unhealthy for me. Lots of stress and pressure.
    • They can’t stop talking about wars and moving to their province for good (which I really hate a lot). Full of negative vibes and stress.
    • I just don’t see my future here in the Philippines anymore. I want to be with my girlfriend already in South Australia.
    • I can’t stand my mom’s nagging behavior where she insists of getting things done her way and being too unappreciative of the help given. She always seems to expect everyone in the family to be like her and that’s what gets me feel suffocated a lot.

  • Veganism

    Veganism

    Ever came across the term “Veganism” ? What thought first comes into your mind when you hear that word?

    What Veganism Is

    Veganism is defined as the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products – particularly in someone’s diet – as well as an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals (Source: “Veganism” from Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism )

    It’s a lifestyle that avoids all animal foods such as meat, dairy, eggs and honey as well as other animal derived products like leather and products being tested on animals. (Source: “What Is Veganism?” from The Vegan Society; https://www.vegansociety.com/)

    Veganism is being distinguished into different categories: Dietary veganism, ethical veganism and environmental veganism.

    Also known as “vegan diet” , it is a way of living in which people exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. Veganism was coined back in the year 1944 by a small group of vegetarians who left the Leicester Vegan Society in England to form a society of their own. The definition of veganism now extends beyond eating a plant-based diet. (Source: “What Is Veganism, and What Do Vegans Eat? by Alina Petre from Healthline; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-a-vegan)

    Veganism Pros And Cons

    Like any other things, veganism has its pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages). Veganism doesnt always work for all people , especially for those who have certain health conditions. It’s not a one size fits all kind of thing. Going vegan doesnt necessarily mean it would make you less cruel to animal nor does it mean you’re healthier than other people who aren’t on that certain type of diet.

    Here’s another article about pros and cons of veganism: “The Vegan Diet: Advantages and Disadvantages” from Cook x Unity

    Source: “Veganism: Pros and Cons” from Healthy Living; https://www.healthylivingdirect.com/blog/post/veganism-pros-and-cons

    Pros of veganism:

    • Reduced risk of illness
    • Weight loss
    • Better for animal welfare

    Cons of veganism

    • Lack of essential nutrients
    • Not recommended for people with certain health conditions
    • Difficult to eat out at restaurants and events

    Sources:

    * “Veganism” from Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism

    * “What Is Veganism?” from The Vegan Society; https://www.vegansociety.com/

    * “What Is Veganism, and What Do Vegans Eat? by Alina Petre from Healthline; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-a-vegan

    *”Veganism: Pros and Cons” from Healthy Living; https://www.healthylivingdirect.com/blog/post/veganism-pros-and-cons

    *”The Vegan Diet: Advantages and Disadvantages” from Cook x Unity; https://www.cookunity.com/blog/vegan-diet-advantages-and-disadvantages

  • Would You Rather….?

    It’s been a while I haven’t written anything on my blog.. and I’ve thought of writing something different from all the posts I’ve written.

    For this blog post, I’ve thought about doing some random “Would You Rather” questions and answering a bit of them. The “Would You Rather” game is one of the ways of getting to know people better – whether they are acquaintance friends or someone closest to you.

    So.. without further ado… I’d be answering a few “Would You Rather questions” I found quite interesting ..

    1. Would you rather have telekinesis (the ability to move things with your mind) or telepathy (the ability to read minds)? – I’d rather have both of them.. I wanted to be able to move things with my mind and read through people’s minds as well and see how they really perceive me to be meaning what kind of a person they think I am).

    2. Would you rather find true love today or win the lottery next year? – I’d rather find true love…. I don’t like lottery or any form of gambling to be honest.. so I’m choosing the first option.

    3. Would you rather give up air conditioning and heating for the rest of your life or give up the Internet for the rest of your life? – Hell to the no with giving up Internet for the rest of my life so I’d definitely go for giving up air conditioning than giving up Internet, especially that it’s my only source or means of communication with my girlfriend who lives worlds away from me.

    4. Would you rather be an extra in an Oscar-winning movie or the lead in a box office bomb? – I’d rather be an extra in an Oscar-winning move than the lead.. At least then I won’t have to go through memorization of lines which is something I am not good at or something I struggle with.

    5. Would you rather have unlimited battery life on all of your devices or have free WiFi wherever you go? – I’d rather have both to be honest… What’s the use of having unlimited battery life but no WiFi and vice versa?

    6. Would you rather travel the world for free for a year or have $50,000 to spend however you please? – I’d rather travel the world for free for a year..

    7. Would you rather detect every lie you hear or get away with every lie you tell? – I’d rather detect every lie I hear..

    8. Would you rather have fortune or fame? – Fortune..

    9. Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly? – I’d rather be invisible.. …

    10. Would you rather be an unknown superhero or an infamous villain? – I’d rather be an infamous villain.. sometimes being a superhero or a protagonist all the time can be boring .. and I’m having a hunch that might be the role I’m most likely to snag if I were to still be back to acting and appearing on TV shows.

    .


  • A Few Random Thoughts…

    Man thinking...

    These past few days, my mind has been juggled with a few random thoughts – from wanting to go to Australia to traveling and being with my girlfriend… to some different things.

    Sometimes I don’t even know anymore what I want in life, except for the fact that I wanted to stay permanently in Adelaide Australia and be with my girlfriend of 2 years there.. I just really wanted to be with her already….. just for the sake of not having to worry about being separated from her anymore or being worlds away from each other. A lot of what if’s and anxious thoughts kept entering my mind while I’m away from her… “What if something happens?” , “What if I don’t make it there to her anymore..?” and those thoughts alone scare me enough to even rush things up even more. I don’t want to be worlds away anymore from her as the thought of separation gets me even more anxious and agitated.

    I hate it here already in my home country.. it’s not that I’m being ungrateful .. I just don’t see a better future if I stay here in the Philippines for long. .. I see a better future elsewhere and definitely it’s not within this country or in a provincial life that my parents forcing and insisting on me. I see it somewhere and definitely that’s in Australia – where my girlfriend is..

  • ,

    Product Review: Breville Barista Express

    Be your own barista with Breville Barista Express..

    Say no more to frequent coffee shop visits and say hello to being your barista at the comforts of your own home with Breville Barista Express!

    Tired of having frequent trips to coffee shops and spending bucks for it? Why not try being your very own barista at the comforts of your own home? It’s free and it saves you a lot of trips going to coffee shops. Say no more to un-necessary frequent visits to local coffee shops …

    About Breville Barista Express

    Breville Barista Express is an integrated coffee machine .. and it has all you ever need to make that quality coffee you experience at different cofee shops. With Breville Barista Express, you can create a third-wave specialty coffee without having to step outside your own home and spend a lot of bucks.

    Features & Specs

    ✓ Dose control grinding
    ✓ Precise espresso extraction
    ✓ Microfoam milk texturing
    ✓ Grand size dial
    ✓ Hands free operation

    Breville Barista Express has 1 year repair guarantee for household use and 3 months repair guarantee for commercial use. It comes with:

    ✓ Razor dose trimming tool
    ✓ 54 mm stainless steel portafilter
    ✓ 1 cup & 2 cup dual wall filter baskets
    ✓ Coffee scoop
    ✓ Integrated tamper
    ✓ Stainless steel milk jug
    ✓ Cleaning disc and tablets
    ✓ Cleaning brush, tool and Allen Key
    ✓ Water Filter Holder and Water Filter

    Price wise, I find this equipment quite costly but it’s definitely worth the purchase.

  • What’s In My Bucket List?

    Photo credits to: "62 Inspiring And Exciting Bucket List Ideas For Cancer Patients" https://omnicarehospice.com/bucket-list-ideas-for-cancer-patients/

    What’s on my bucket list? What are the things or dreams I want to accomplish or reach if I were to pass on too soon from a cancer or when I reach end of life care?

    A bucket list is a list of things you want to do passing on or “kicking the bucket” and each one has his or her own unique bucket list.

    Creating a bucket list is one activity a cancer patient undertakes to enhance his or her quality of life he or she hopes to do before “kicking the bucket”.

    Sharing a few or several items on my bucket list that I hope to accomplish (I know afew of them might be impossible but I’m still praying I could).

    • Go and visit Australia (be with my Australian girlfriend in Adelaide)
    • Dye my hair platinum blonde
    • Attend a modeling workshop
    • Try shooting range or archery
    • Adopt another kitten
    • Visit my alma mater
    • Catch up with my best friend and bond with her
    • Make a fanfic
    • Visit Wizarding World Of Harry Potter (Universal Studio – Japan)
    • Own an Instax camera
    • Watch a live musical play (e.g. Les Miserables)
    • Give more gifts to Whisky or take him to a trip abroad (especially Australia).
    • Engage in cosplay events (and dress up like my favorite HP character – Draco Malfoy)


    Source:

    * “62 Inspiring and Exciting Bucket List Ideas For Cancer Patients” from Omni Hospice Care” ; https://omnicarehospice.com/bucket-list-ideas-for-cancer-patients/

    * “Writing A Bucket List For The Terminally Ill” from Crossroads Hospice & Pallative Care” ; https://www.crossroadshospice.com/hospice-palliative-care-blog/2019/october/02/writing-a-bucket-list-for-the-terminally-ill/



  • ,

    Debit Card vs. Credit Card

    So you’re thinking of holding a debit or credit card? But do you know the difference between the two? Or which one you should get?

    Typically, debit and credit cards, even though they may have a lot of differences – have the same function. (Source: “Difference Between Credit Card And Debit Card” from Bank Bazaar; https://www.bankbazaar.com/credit-card/difference-between-debit-and-credit-card.html)

    Both cards work nearly identical when paying for things like grocery items , but they differ in some aspects. A debit card is linked to your checking account and PIN and your money is being deducted from your account balance. This card can be used for withdrawing from an ATM or getting cashback at certain stores. (Source: “Credit Cards vs Debit Cards: What Should I Use?” by Casey Bond from U.S. News; https://money.usnews.com/credit-cards/articles/credit-cards-vs-debit-cards-what-should-i-use)

    Credit cards, on the other hand, are linked to a revolving line of credit a card holder can draw as needed. They offer better cash rewards as compared to debit cards. They also provide incentives for balance transfers.

    Debit and credit cards are arguably the popular options to cash in.. The question needed to be answered here isn’t “which one is better?” but rather “When should I use debit or credit card” ? (Source: “Debit Card vs. Credit Card: When To Use Each Type?” from Maya.ph ; https://www.maya.ph/stories/debit-card-vs.-credit-card-when-to-use-each-type-of-payment-card)

    When To Use Debit Card

    • Controlling your spending habits
    • Buying from small businesses

    When To Use Credit Card

    • Earning points
    • Establising good credit history
    • Buying from foreign shops
    • Traveling abroad

    Getting both cards have their own pros and cons. Let’s start with debit cards first pros and cons first (Source: “Debit vs. Credit Cards: Pros and Cons of Each” from Cadence Bank; https://cadencebank.com/insights-and-articles/personal/difference-between-debit-and-credit-cards)

    Debit Cards

    Pros

    • Help control spending
    • Save money on interest
    • Get cash
    • Highly convenient
    • Don’t charge interest

    Cons

    • Limited fraud protection
    • Spending limit depends on checking account balance
    • Can cause overdraft fees
    • Have no credit score

    Credit Card

    Pros

    • Offer short term financing
    • Builds credit history
    • Offer cashback or reward programs
    • Offer better fraud protection




  • Mary Cherry Chua: A Film Worth Watching

    Mary Cherry Chua photo credit to: https://tempo.com.ph/2023/07/06/urban-legend-comes-alive-in-mary-cherry-chua/

    Speak of her name.. she’ll follow you…

    This film is based on an urban legend about a student way back in the 1960s . Mary Cherry Chua (or known as Mary Chua) is described to be a cheerful young girl with long black hair – beautiful, rich and smart. She’s also considered to be popular and envied by many. Unfortunately, she met her untimely demise as she was found lifeless on campus grounds. The school janitor was said to have raped and murdered her.

    Photo credit to: https://www.lionheartv.net/2023/07/help-solve-the-mystery-and-go-deep-within-the-story-of-mary-cherry-chua-2/

    The movie centralizes on Karen (played by Ashley Diaz), a student with a passion reading horror stories and urban legends. Intrigued by the life and tragic fate of Mary Cherry Chua (Abby Bautista) , she decides to bring up the case again and start her own investigation – leading her to discover clues about the crime with the help of her friends. Unbeknownst to her, Karen’s curiosity seems to be putting her own life at risk as she delves deeper into the mystery of Mary Cherry Chua’s death.

    Verdict on the movie:

    • Film is definitely worth watching. I could say it really gave me a lot of goosebumps and jumpscare starting from the intro or opening. Kudos to the whole cast for a job well done, especially Elia Ilano.
    • I like the plot twist of the story. (Not going to tell what it is. Watch to find out).

  • Breakout PH: Why You Should Try This

    Looking for a new way to bond with your family members, friends and other loved ones? Why not try out Breakout? It’s a new and fun way of hanging out while being away from gadgets and social media and detoxifying from all the stress.

    What Is Breakout?

    Breakout is a thrilling activity that lets guests live in different scenarios they don’t encounter on a daily basis. The goal of this game is for them to escape the room within 45 minutes, work and strategize as a team and solve puzzles together before the time is up. (Source: “Breakout Philippines” ; https://breakout.com.ph/escaperooms.php)

    How Does This Work?

    There are at least 4 steps to playing this game: Context, Plan, Solve and Escape

    You can book either through bank deposit or online. You can also visit their website or go through their social media:

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/breakoutph/
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/breakoutphilippines

  • , ,

    Mobile Banking Apps: Pros And Cons

    Mobile app

    You may or may not be new to this thing known as mobile banking app as you might have seen a lot of people using this nowadays. But what are mobile banking apps? What are their pros and cons?

    What Mobile Banking Apps Are:

    Ever since the pandemic began, a lot of people have resorted to use mobile banking apps especially during the period of lockdown where people can’t go out. Mobile banking became increasingly popular in the recent years and has grown to be essential to most people as they find it convenient to manage funds such as their income. But just like anything else, mobile banking has both its pros and cons (Source: “What Is Mobile Banking? Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Banking” by Nazar Kvartalnyi; https://inoxoft.com/blog/what-is-mobile-banking-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-mobile-banking/#:~:text=through%20an%20app.-,Monitoring%20transactions,to%20your%20mobile%20banking%20app.)

    Mobile banking apps serve as an individual’s pocket bank and operate without people stepping out of their house and waiting in queues – here they can deposit checks, keep track of bank balance as well as stay updated on the latest news, updates and offers. Its features include a 24-hour access to their account balances, history, transactions and other services.

    Without further ado, let’s head to the pros and cons of mobile banking apps, starting with the pros first:

    Pros

    • Improved customer experience
    • Time efficiency
    • Workload capacity
    • Monitoring transactions
    • Added services
    • Catching fraud
    • Managing funds

    Cons

    • Security
    • Tech issues (e.g. downtime, maintenance, bugs, etc.)
    • Extra charges for internet services

    I’ll just share with you a mobile banking app I just recently discovered and tried – GoTyme Bank , a joint venture of Tyme and Gokongwei Group. Its aim is to unlock Filipinos’ financial potential with the convenience and security of digital banking. They can open an account hassle free by downloading their app (available on Google Play Store) and get a free personalized Visa ATM debit card via kiosks.

    GoTyme Bank is fully licensed and regulated by BSP. You can learn more of their benefits by visiting their site:

    (Source: https://www.gotyme.com.ph/about-us/)

  • ,

    Huguardo’s Cafe: A Food Review

    Sick and tired of going to and fro the usual cafes or coffee shops you would often pass by and wanted to try a different one? Why not visit Huguardo’s Cafe?

    Why this cafe is a must visit is that it’s not your typical coffee shop – it seems to appear like a house but when you step foot on it, you’ll see that it’s a 2 storey building cafe.

    I love the interior design of this place – it would really make you feel at home with its cozy seats and serene mood.

    That’s their cafe space…

    The foods they serve (pastries)

    Here’s what I tried from the cafe:

    I fell in love with their iced biscoffee drink (Just think of the Biscoff biscuit).

    One can never go wrong in visiting this cafe. It’s really unique.

    FB: https://www.facebook.com/huguardoscafe

  • Mitral Valve Prolapse: What To Know About It

    heart in hand

    One of the things I would often ask about mitral valve prolapse is: Is it congenital or acquired? How come symptoms of this comes late in adulthood?

    What Mitral Valve Prolapse Is

    Also known as Barlowe’s syndrome, mitral valve prolapse is a type of heart valve disease in which the flaps of the mitral valve becomes enlarged or stretched and these flaps bulge into the left atrium as the heart contracts with each heartbeat. (Source: “Mitral Valve Prolapse” from Penn Medicine; https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/mitral-valve-prolapse#:~:text=Mitral%20valve%20prolapse%2C%20also%20known,heart%20contracts%20with%20each%20heartbeat.)

    When a mitral valve becomes prolapsed, it means that the valve’s flaps doesn’t always fit and close properly, between each heartbeat, causing it to leak blood backward through the valve back to the left atrium.

    Mitral valve prolapse is said to be present at birth and its prevalence is studied in 1734 consecutive new borns without any congenital structural heart disease. (Source: “Is Mitral Valve Prolapse A Congenital Or Acquired Disease?” by R Nascimento, A Freitas, F Teixeira, … from National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9193034/)

    Other names of mitral valve prolapse are: click-murmur syndrome, Barlowe syndrome, balloon mitral valve, or flappy valve syndrome. Mitral valve prolapse is also said to occur in around 3% of the population. (Source: “Mitral Valve Prolapse” from John Hopkins Medicine; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mitral-valve-prolapse).

    Though the cause of mitral valve is unknown, this condition is thought to be linked to heredity. Mitral valve prolapse is known to be asymptomatic (showing little or no symptoms at all) , however, here are common symptoms of MVP:

    • Palpitations
    • Chest pain
    • Racing heartbeat (arrhythmia)
    • Light-headedness
    • Fatigue

  • A Letter To My Laura

    My Australian girlfriend

    Laura my baby,

    I know we’ve both been hurting each other a lot and fighting because of IG or other things…. but can we please give this another chance? You know I’m trying my hardest here to keep my promise to really change for the better as I want to make our relationship work and last longer – I want this to be a healthy relationship and not always have to end up fighting with each other.

    To tell you the truth, I don’t want to love another one anymore – I only want you this time and I want to get married to you. Maybe if we’ve been together personally now, I wouldn’t have to feel the need to yell at you anymore and help you with the chores so that you no longer would have to do them all by yourself.

    All I just need now while we’re still worlds away from each other is for you to be back to spending more time with me the same way I want to spend more time with you. I miss your company a lot….. I really do. I’m sorry if I have always been too angry and upset , it’s just that I really feel too sad knowing that I’m missing a lot of time with you lately ever since you moved out of your parents place. I need your full time and attention….

    It’s not that I don’t trust you at all that you’d be coming back for me – I’ve just had too much worrying and anxiety attacks and you know that triggers me to yell a lot. I wanted to avoid yelling at you so much and be back to being in love with you – not like this where we always fight a lot. If I may be honest, I got hurt when I saw you changed your relationship status back to being single and worried that you might want to break up with me already and find someone else. I’m hurt because I love you and I don’t want to ever lose you again the second time.

    Believe me, I really want to make our relationship work well and last longer and be married to you that’s why I’m trying the hardest I could here to change for the better…. I just can’t bear losing you again..

    Losing you… is already like losing my own life

  • Why Suicidal Thoughts Occur

    No one is ever exempted from having bouts of suicidal thoughts ….. especially not those who are experiencing anxiety and mental health problems… I admit that I’m no exemption to this as well…

    Suicidal feelings can be very confronting and difficult to understand why people have reached this point where they consider ending their life.

    (“Why Do People Become Suicidal” from Suicide Callback Service; https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/worried-about-someone/why-do-people-become-suicidal/)

    Anyone can be affected by suicidal feelings regardless of age , gender or background.

    What Causes People To Become Suicidal?

    People who struggle to cope with certain difficulties in life are prone to having suicidal feelings or thoughts. Common causes are:

    • Mental health problems
    • Bullying , prejuice or stigma,
    • Bereavement
    • Physical , domestic or sexual abuse
    • Breakups or end of relationships
    • Long term physical pain or illness
    • Adjustment to big change
    • Financial problems
    • Housing problems
    • Isolation or loneliness
    • Being in prison
    • Feeling inadequate or a failure
    • Doubts about sexual gender or identity
    • Cultural pressure
    • Society’s expectations
    • Others

    Source: “Suicidal Feelings” from Mind; https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/causes-of-suicidal-feelings

    My Own Thoughts:

    I admit I have had my fair share of having suicidal thoughts and even attempted on slashing my wrists (twice) – from feeling too lonely …and having my feelings ignored a lot.

  • Holy Week Adventure

    A few weeks ago, I visited three places in Tanay Rizal for a Holy Week Adventure: Pililla Windmill Farm, Regina Rica and Ten Cents To Heaven Leisure Camp. It’s been a while I haven’t traveled much so I felt it would be good to visit these places for detoxing from social media for a bit.

    Pililla Windmill Farms

    Also known as Rizal Wind Farm, Pililla farm is located in Brgy Halayhayin in Pililla Rizal and known to be the first Luzon-based windfarm outside Ilocos Norte (yes, it may make one think that he or she is in Ilocos Norte for the wind turbines. DYKT there are 27 wind turbines in that farm and each windmill generates 2 megawatts of power which produces 54 megawatts of energy in all.)

    What I loved about this place is the wonderful scenic view which is perfect for shooting a film for vlogs.

    Regina Rica

    Regina Rica aka Regina Rosarii Institute For Contemplation in Asia is located at Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. It’s a 13.5 hectare pilgrimage site being visited by most devotees from different locations. Guests can see the 71 foot tall statue of Our lady Of Regina Rica designed by Jose Barcena Jr.

    10 Cents To Heaven Leisure Camp

    Last, but definitely not the least, is the 10 Cents To Heaven Leisure Camp. This place is located in Sitio Mayagay II, Brgy Cuyambay Tanay Rizal. Guests can book a room if they plan on staying there for a vacation.

    They can also enjoy some activities like shooting range, team building, rockwall climbing, hanging bridge, ziplining and a lot more. Unfortunately though, I wasn’t able to try the shooting range which I really wanted to.

    To sum it up, the trip was quite a tiring but meaningful one – definitely an adventure!

  • Aries: Best and Worse Traits

    Since this month is my birth month, I thought of writing about my zodiac sign (Aries) and what its traits are , both positive and negative.

    People born under this zodiac sign are known to be fearless and strong when it comes to facing challenges and they are very competent and stick to their commitments. Aries people are also known to be very passionate about everything and they hold a very positive approach towards everything. (Source: “Aries Personality Traits: Positive Vs Negative You Should Be Aware Of” by TOI Astrology from The Times Of India”

    Here are the following traits of an Aries, both positive and negative:

    Positive traits:

    • ambitious
    • honest
    • self-assertive
    • brave
    • creative
    • organized
    • optimistic

    Negative:

    • Reckless
    • Impatient
    • Intolerant about so many things
    • Short-tempered
    • Selfish
    • Need validation/Attention-seeker
    • Too competitive

    Other Source: “8 Negative Traits Of An Aries You Should Be Aware Of” by Aditi Balsaver from Pink Villa; https://www.pinkvilla.com/lifestyle/people/8-negative-traits-of-an-aries-you-should-be-aware-of-1196435

  • My Birthday Plans and Wishlist

    Since my birth month is only a few weeks away from now, I thought of sharing or writing about my plans and my wishlist – like how I’m going to celebrate it, what foods or dishes I want to be prepared on the day of my birthday and where I want to spend it and so on.

    I’ll start with my birthday plan first:

    • Visit a cat cafe – Being a cat lover or a cat person, I am including visiting a cat cafe in my list of what I wanted to do on my birthday. Since it’s been a long while I haven’t visited a cat cafe, I thought it might or would be a good idea to have this one on top of my list.
    • Travel Abroad – If I were to travel abroad, I want to visit Australia (The Land Down Under) and be with my girlfriend whom I have been keeping in touch with through social media. I’ve been really longing to see her in person.
    • Have Spicy Tuna Carbonara In My Birthday Menu – Yes, you’ve read it right! I love spicy tuna carbonara and I am planning to have it in my menu.
    • Slytherin Themed Birthday Cake – Need I say more?

    Now let’s go to my birthday wishlist:

    • Vlogging Kit
    • Trip to South Australia (Adelaide in particular) – my long awaited wish since year 2021
    • Be Allowed To Have A Credit Card or ATM card – A must when I want to travel abroad (solo flight)
    • An Apartment Unit – yeah it’s time I learn to live an independent life and I want to try living on my own.
    • Customized Slytherin birthday cake – it’s been a while I haven’t had a Slytherin or Harry Potter themed birthday

    That would be all for this blog post.

  • Content Planning

    One of the things I need to learn about as a novice vlogger is how to do content planning. Content planning is basically defined as how a person determines or plans what content he/she is going to publish as well as when and where he will publish it. (Source: “Content Planning: How To Create A Content Plan, Step by Step” by Ana Camarena from Semrush; https://www.semrush.com/blog/content-planning/)

    An effective content plan helps you prioritize tasks as well as helps you organize your creation process and keep track of your progress.

    But how does one create an effective content plan or content strategy?

    • Outline Your Objectives
    • Understand Your Target Audience
    • Focus On Your Core Message
    • Plan The Specifics
    • Write A Video Production Brief
    1. Outline Your Objectives – Before working on your content plan, know first what you want to achieve with your video content and this means identifying your objectives. It’s also important to make sure that it aligns with your business aims.
    2. Understand Your Target Audience – Another important thing is knowing who your target audience is or who you will be speaking to through your video content. Using personas to help describe a standard person in your target audience helps.
    3. Focus On Your Core Message – Now that you’ve determined your target audience, consider what you want them to think, feel and do after watching your content – which is where the core message gets in the picture. It helps to narrow down the messages in your video to just one content and focus on that one thing your target audience really needs.
    4. Plan The Specifics – It’s time to decide on whether you’ll produce your video content alone or hire a video production agency as well as where and how you’ll be using your video to maximize your ROI, budget and timescale.
    5. Write A Video Production Brief – Last but not the least , write a video production brief – this helps you condense all your planning into a single document or content.

    (Source: “5 Things For Successful Video Content Planning” from Skeleton; https://www.skeletonproductions.com/insights/5-things-for-successful-video-content-planning)

  • ,

    Vlogging For Beginners

    So you want to start a vlog, just like me? But don’t know where to start? Run out of ideas or have no idea at all with what kind of vlog content you want to do ?

    Vlogging is no easy task or thing to do – it requires knowing your audience target, what they want to see and how you’ll maintain your vlog. Vlogging is typically like blogging but in a video format and they are one of the most popular forms of entertainment (Source: “Vlogging 101 – All You Need to Know to Get Started in 2023” by Regina Dörflinger from Wedio; https://academy.wedio.com/vlogging/)

    Vlogs are often shared on different video sharing platforms such as Youtube – they can either be for fun, for informative or educational purposes or even emotional. There are actually two types of vlogs: talking head (or stationary) and follow me around or in-motion (e.g travel vlog)

    Vlogging can either become fun or tedious for a beginner, especially if one does not know where to start, runs out of ideas or can’t come up with anything new and that’s just normal for any beginner or pro.

    Vlog Ideas

    There are actually dozens of vlog types ranging from common to “how to” niche ones.

    Here’s a list of few blog ideas or topics for your vlog content:

    • Self introduction
    • Daily routine
    • Review
    • Lifestyle advice
    • Help for couples
    • Bloopers/blunders
    • Challenges
    • F.A.Q
    • Guest episode
    • Do’s & Dont’s

    Source: “10 Best Vlog Ideas For Beginners” by Julia Chukhvicheva from Clideo; https://clideo.com/resources/10-best-vlog-ideas-for-beginners)

    Equipments For Vlogging

    • Camera
    • Tripod
    • Microphone
    • Lighting

    How To Vlog

    No one wants to start filming in front of a camera looking haggard or tired so freshen up yourself and take time to develop a ritual like having a nice cup of coffee and run through the outline of the vlog you have already prepared. It’s also important to stay true to yourself when talking to your audience.

    While having a logo and channel banner is a great thing to start your vlog, branding yourself while recording helps with it as well. You may either have a catchphrase or create unique segments or returning characters that will be a part of your persona.

    Editing your vlog content

    Like any other skills, editing takes a lot of time and patience. There are a lot of editing softwares you can use for your vlog such as iMovie if you’re a Mac user , Adobe Premiere Elements/Pinnacle Studio and so on.

    Getting Views And Building An Audience

    So I’ve started my vlog.. what’s next?

    Building a sizable channel takes time , effort and consistency as well but there are practices you can use to speed up its process.

    • Create an awesome thumbnail
    • Tell Youtube what you or your vlog is all about
    • Ask viewers to watch more and subscribe
    • Interact with your audience
    • Monitor your performance

    I won’t be going deeper into monetizing vlog at first as I’m only just a beginner.

    Sources:

    “Vlogging 101 – All You Need to Know to Get Started in 2023” by Regina Dörflinger from Wedio; https://academy.wedio.com/vlogging/

    “10 Best Vlog Ideas For Beginners” by Julia Chukhvicheva from Clideo; https://clideo.com/resources/10-best-vlog-ideas-for-beginners

  • ,

    Adopting A Kitten: Pros and Cons

    So you’re thinking of adopting a kitten already have adopted one. Just like with adopting other pets, there are pros and cons to consider when it comes to adopting a feline companion. Cats are considered to be the second most popular pets being adopted (US) with fish being the first.

    Considering whether a cat is the best pet for you to adopt depends on a variety of factors as well, especially the lifestyle and personality. (Source: “Should You Adopt A Cat: A List Of Pros and Cons” from The Purring Journal)

    Let’s tackle the pros first:

    1. Cats Are Independent Animals – Unlike other pets, cats are known to be independent animals and not as “needy” as other animals but that doesnt mean that they don’t need plenty of love and attention to be happy.
    2. They Can Relieve Stress – The soothing purrs of cats make humans feel relaxed and accoring to research, stress levels and blood pressure drop in people who cuddle with them.
    3. Cats Don’t Need To Be Potty Trained – Unlike dogs, cats or kittens don’t need to be taught to use litter box as it’s within their instinct when to relieve themselves in dirt or sand. Human parents just need to show them where their litter box is placed as well as how to get in and out.
    4. They Don’t Need Bathing – Cats are known to be self-grooming animals so they don’t need bathing at all (except when they rolled into something they can’t get off their bodies or when they have a certain health condition). However, they should be brushed at least once a week so as to prevent hairballs and shedding.
    5. They Can Be Affectionate – Now there’s this misconception about cats being less affectionate than dogs. Cats do love their owners and just show it in different ways.
    6. Cats Don’t Require A Lot Of Space – Cats don’t really require much of a bigger space , just as long as there are windows so they can watch the view. Cats make ideal pets for people who live in apartments.
    7. They May Help Manage Pests – Hate the sight of mice or any other pests? Cats make a good household pet when getting rid of them as they love hunting mice and insects.
    8. Cats Make Great Pets For Introverts – If you’re an introvert person like me who only loves to stay indoors, then keeping a cat may be a great idea. There are psychological studies that show how people who only have cats are more introverted than people who only have dogs.
    9. They Make Great Companions – We can’t deny the fact that felines make great companions, regardless of whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, not only because they are adorable lap buddies, but they follow you around the house. If you’re someone who lives alone in an apartment unit or house, keeping a feline as a companion may be a great idea.
    10. Cats Are Cheaper To Take Care Of Than Dogs – Believe it or not, cats are more affordable to take care of than dogs. Aside from the fact that they don’t eat as much as medium to large sized dogs, they don’t need or require grooming services.

    With that said, let’s now proceed to the cons:

    1. They Can Be Skittish – We can’t deny the fact that some cats can be very skittish, especially those who weren’t around people enough.
    2. Your Cleaning Schedule May Need Adjustment – Keeping a cat as a pet may mean an adjustment to cleaning schedule, especially if they vomit from time to time (either a hairball or if they ate something they shouldn’t have).
    3. Litter Boxes Require Regular Upkeep – While cleaning a litter box is one of the things we don’t enjoy when it comes to keeping a cat, it requires cleaning at least once a day as cats don’t use dirty litter boxes.
    4. Cats Might Damage Furniture – Cats have this nature of scratching into things such as pieces of furniture which might possibly damage them. To avoid or prevent this, it’s best to provide them with scratch boards.
    5. Cat Allergies Are Fairly Common – While you think you may not be allergic to cats, your friends and relatives or guests might be.
    6. Veterinary Bills Can Be Expensive – Just like with dogs, regular checkups are important to make sure your cat is healthy. Regardless of whether or not they have health conditions, it is recommended they have all year round flea prevention which can be costly as well.
    7. They Rarely Obey Commands
    8. Cats Might Need Their Nails Trimmed
    9. Cats Might Not Be Ideal For Extroverts
    10. They Might Wake You Up At Night

    With these in mind, do you consider a cat as an ideal pet or companion for you?

  • ,

    Why Not Coffee? A Food Review:

    For my next blog post about food reviews, I visited this coffee shop in E. Rodriguez : Why Not Coffee.

    Why not Coffee serves cozy and good quality food aside from coffee drinks. Guests like employees and students would often stay here to chill and relax from their stressful day to day activities due to their cozy ambiance – makes it a perfect place to unwind while you enjoy your favorite coffee.

    Why Not Coffee also serves pastries like cakes and other yummy goodies.

    Do I recommend this cafe? Yes. Aside from their quality coffee , their service crew members are also friendly.

  • Work Resignation?

    Often at times, it’s normal for people to start having thoughts of resigning from work, especially when the task already seems too burdensome or overhwelming, no matter how easy it maybe.

    People may start to feel like they no longer find fulfillment in every task they try to accomplish , which is exactly the same with my case. It’s not just the task at times, but the feeling that you’re no longer satisifed or happy with the work you currently have – it’s not the salary either , not even the boss or co-workers.

    What Maybe The Reason People Are Unhappy At Work?

    1. Boredom – It’s normal for people to feel unmotivated and seek out diversions to real work (i.e updating social media , shopping, chatting with friends). They may even find themselves bored as they have been doing the same thing for too long.
    2. The Feeling Of Being Overloaded With Responsibilities – When you feel like you’re being overloaded with more tasks and responsibilities but are too shy or afraid to say “No” to your boss is something that can really be overwhelming.

      To be honest, I have this fear of having to tell my boss the reason why I want to quit my job already and why I’m no longer happy with it , as much as I want to be honest with her about the reason why I don’t feel too happy with it anymore.
    3. A Feeling Of Being Stifled And Unfulfilled – Another reason why I’m unhappy at work is that I no longer find fulfillment with the work I do – it’s just like I’m just dragging myself to do it even though I know in myself I don’t like the tasks anymore or no longer find it enjoying and fulfilling.
    4. Bored/Unchallenged (Also feeling trapped in the job) – I’ve felt this a lot of times already – the feeling that there’s just no way of quitting a job – even though I already want to. There are a lot of things I have to consider once I quit the job (Where do I get money for paying my phone bills or leisures like buy the things I want when I quit my work? , What happens next?)
    5. Giving Up On Your Dreams – I know the feeling. You chose the career your parents wanted you to have rather than the one you really wanted for yourself – and that feeling alone is already discouraging. The pressure of having to please your parents and make them proud of you for choosing the career they wanted you to pursue but you don’t find them fulfilling on your part can be frustrating. Same goes with going for the job you really wanted to have.
    6. Feeling Powerless Over Your Career – Another frustrating feeling is that when you know you don’t have any say over your work or career or giving up control of your career to someone else.

    Source: “8 Resons You’re Unhappy At Work” by Cynthia Ramnarace from Her Money; https://hermoney.com/earn/work-life-balance/unhappy-at-work/)

    I’ll end with a few of these reasons in mind.

    What makes you feel unhappy at work? Is it the boredom? the feeling of being overloaded? You’re feeling stifled and unfulfilled?

  • Thoughts Of Resignation

    Lately, I no longer feel happy and satisifed with my work anymore.. I just wanted to quit already from it and just focus on my blogging and spend the day with my girlfriend.

    I no longer feel happy with the work or job I have right now – I don’t even think it makes me enjoy every single bit of it already. I wanted to really quit now and take a break from work. It’s just pointless to report for work when I know I already feel disengaged from it. I’m starting to really lose the passion to work.

    I don’t feel passionate about the work I’m having right now anymore – I feel burnt out no matter how easy the task is for me . I just really don’t enjoy it anymore.

  • Valentine’s Day

    Why do people celebrate Valentine’s Day? What’s the catch? And did you know that Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian feast day to honor one or two early Christian martyrs (St. Valentine) and became a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love? (Source: “Valentine’s Day” from Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day#:~:text=It%20originated%20as%20a%20Christian,many%20regions%20of%20the%20world.)

    The day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 CE by an emperor named Claudius II Gothicus. According to legend, this priest signed a letter “from your Valentine” addressed to the jailer’s daughter whom he befriened and healed from blindness. (Source: “Valentine’s Day” from Britannica)

    Back then, Valentine’s Day wasn’t celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century. This day is so popular in countries like USA, Britain, Canada and Australia and is also being celebrated in countries including Argentina, France, Mexico and South Korea.

    Nowadays, people celebrate this occasion by giving gifts as well as roses and chocolates, going on dates and romantic dinners (Source: “The True History Of Valentine’s Day And Why We Celebrate It” by Micaela Bahn from The Pioneer Woman” ; https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/a42348778/valentines-day-history/

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    Stress Eating/Emotional Eating

    Have you ever come across a point where you turn to food when you’re stressed or overwhelmed with something? Do you turn to eating junk foods or just feel like eating too much as a way of overcoming stress? That’s called stress eating or rather known as emotional eating

    What Stress Eating/Emotional Eating Is

    Stress eating, or rather known as emotional eating, is defined as a way of suppressing or soothing negative emotions like stress, anger, fear , boredom, sadness and even loneliness – most of them being triggered by major life events and they can trigger these negative emotions and disrupt your weight loss efforts. (Source: “Weight Loss: Gain Control Of Emotional Eating” from Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047342#:~:text=Emotional%20eating%20is%20eating%20as,disrupt%20your%20weight%2Dloss%20efforts.)

    It is also defined as a pattern of eating where people use food to help them deal wih stressful situations.

    What triggers emotional eating:

    • Relationship conflicts
    • Work/other stressors
    • Fatigue
    • Financial pressures
    • Health problems

    Stress can sometimes push people to overeat, most of them being unhealthy foods like high-fat sugary foods. According to a study published in American Psychological Association survey, about one-fourth of Americans rate their stress level on a scale of 8. (Source: “Why Stress Causes People To Overeat” from Harvard Health Publishing; https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-stress-causes-people-to-overeat)

    Why people stress eat or overeat?

    There are some research that suggests gender difference in stress-coping behavior wherein women turn to food and men turn to alcohol or smoking. Research shows that work related stress and other sort of problems correlate with weight gain, but only in those who were overweight fom the beginning.

    Emotions, though, are not the only triggers that lead people to emotional eating. Other factors include:

    • Boredom
    • Habits
    • Fatigue
    • Social influences

    (Source: “How Do I Stop Stress Eating?” by Nicole Galan from Medical News Today; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320935#triggers)

    Ways To Manage Stress Eating

    1. Practice mindful eating
    2. Find healthier options
    3. Watch portion size

    (Source: “Tips To Manage Stress Eating” from John Hopkins Medicine; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/tips-to-manage-stress-eating)

  • My Top Favorite Cat Youtube Channels

    Being a kitty lover and a first timer in being a cat mom, I’ve started looking up for some channels or videos on Youtube that create contents like how to take care or look after a cat or kitten, what foods you can give or cannot and the likes.

    I’ll share at least a few of my favorite cat Youtube channels:

    1. Kitten Lady – Aside from being a professional kitten rescuer, Hannah Shaw is also a best-selling author and humane educator who’s on a mission to change the world for the tiniest felines. Her project strives to create global change in the way we perceive and treat kittens.

    She also founded Orphan Kitten Club which is a charitable organization that provides lifesaving programs including neonatal kitten nursery, a TNR program, and world’s first grant program that specifically funds innovation in kitten welfare.

    Her project, the Kitten Lady, provides educational media, training resources and instructional workshops that help both individuals and animal shelters learn how to save kitten lives in a fun and engaging way.

    Shaw’s literary works include Tiny But Mighty, Kitten Lady’s Big Book Of Little Kittens, Kitten Lady’s CATivity Book and Adventures of Fosterland.

    Her YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KittenLady

    Website: http://www.kittenlady.org/

    2. Cole and Marmalade – Chris, the man behind the YT channel, is a self-confessed crazy cat guy who grew up with cats since he was a child. Chris worked as a media producer at Big Cat Rescue for 7 years in Tampa, FL where he closely worked with tigers, lions and other exotic cats.

    Jess, on the other hand, is a devoted mom and servant to Cole, Marmalade, Jug and Zigzag. She’s also the primary writer/editor for the website and helps with the video ideas and pics. She’s also responsible for the kitty props in the videos including costumes and cat castles.

    YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coleandmarmalade

    3. Relax My Cat – This channel specializes in relaxing music and TV designed to help cats with variety of problems like separation anxiety, sleep problems, loneliness, boredom and depression. Its music and TV is produced to help as many cats as possible in reducing their anxiety and sleep issues.

    They helped over 42 million cats worldwide with anxiety problems, sleep problems, depression and even loneliness.

    YT channel : https://www.youtube.com/@relaxmycat

    4. Kitten Academy – This YT channel combines education and fun and often does livestream instead of publishing a content and leave it up for a day or two for those to catch up with what they have missed out in the previous livestream. Kitten Academy also offers quality advice regarding training concerns and collection of videos featuring kittens.

    These are a few I have in mind. What cat Youtube channels are your favorite (if you’re a kitty lover like me) ?

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    Top Human Foods That Are Safe For Kittens/Cats

    In my previous blog post, I did a research and blog post about certain foods to avoid for kittens or are unsafe to feed them with. Now I am taking you through top human foods which are safe for them. (Source: “12 Human Foods That Are Safe For Your Cat To Eat” by Tricia Goss from WKBW News; https://www.wkbw.com/news/12-human-foods-that-are-safe-for-your-cat-to-eat).

    Imagine this scenario where you’re in your living room enjoying your favorite TV show and munching on something then suddenly your fur baby starts sitting beside you , begging for a share of food. We’re tempted at times to give in or say no with a guilty or sorrowful face or even have second thoughts: “Should I give or should I not?”

    Here’s a list with some or top human foods you can safely feed your feline fur baby:

    1. Fish – Feeding our fur baby oily fish like tuna or mackerel can help his eyesight, joints and brain.

    2. Meat – Poultry (chicken) and other meat products such as beef and pork make a safe option for your furry little friend. Just make sure that it’s cooked well and free of any additives like sodium. Steer clear as well of any meats high in sodium like cold cuts or ham.

    3. Cheese – wanting to share a piece of this food with your kitty? A slice or wedge of this would do as it is high in calcium and protein.

    4. Bananas – Who says that only people or kids can benefit from eating this food staple? Even furry friends can enjoy them as they are healthy. Take note that these should only be given as a special treat due to their high sugar content.

    5. Berries – Aside from bananas, blueberries and strawberries make a good pair of fruits to share with your fur baby (please , just don’t put them in a pie). Blueberries and strawberries are high in antioxidant but lower in sugar.

    6. Melon – Also known as cantaloupe, kitties enjoy this fruit in small pieces, especially the honeydew and seedless ones.

    7. Carrots – Although veggies are not really that required veggies in their diet, carrots can be a safe and healthy treat. Don’t forget to avoid the raw ones as they can cause or become a choking hazard.

    8. Rice – Just like carrots, rice isn’t necessarily considered part of cats diet but a little bit of it won’t hurt.

    9. Pumpkin – Pureed or oisterized pumpkin contains fiber and nutrients that can possibly help from constipation to hairballs.

    10. Oatmeal – Oats can be very beneficial to your cat’s oveall health as they contain fiber, iron and protein.

    11. Eggs- Eggs that are rich in protein are another healthy alternative to feed to your feline companion. Just make sure they are well cooked as raw ones can lead to salmonella or E. coli.

    12. Spinach – Nope! It’s not Popeye the sailor man we’re talking about but your cute feline friend. The reason why spinach is safe or may be safe is that it is high in vitamins, only with the exception to those who have kidney or urinary problems.

    So there goes your list of top 12 human foods that are safe to feed your kittens. Which of these foods listed above is your favorite?

    If you want to know more which human foods can be safely fed to kittens, here’s a link of a video:

    Source:

    “12 Human Foods That Are Safe For Your Cat To Eat” by Tricia Goss from WKBW News; https://www.wkbw.com/news/12-human-foods-that-are-safe-for-your-cat-to-eat).

  • Deleter: A Movie Review

    Don’t delete the dead

    The movie revolves around the life of Lyra (Nadine Lustre) , an online content moderator whose job is to remove posts or contents from social media. Her job involves a huge risk of watching graphic videos she has to filter from the Internet – videos that shows disturbing images of murders, holdups and suicide on a daily basis.

    Lyra remains undisturbed despite seeing many violent imageries until such time that a dark presence , who turns out to be the spirit of her deceased co-worker Aileen (Louise Delos Reyes) starts stalking her after being questioned by her “bosses” about Aileen’s mysterious death.

    “Deleter” centralizes on the dark truth or sides of being a “content moderator” and the possible trauma they face on a daily basis as they had to filter video contents depicting disturbing images like murder, terrorism, suicide and the likes.

    What I Liked About The Movie

    I must say that the director did a marvelous job in making this movie as it lets the viewers learn the pros and cons of being a content moderator on social media.

    What I also liked is the part where the movie showed Lyra during her younger years (played by Elia Ilano).

    What I Didn’t Like About The Movie

    There are also parts that I didn’t like about the movie such as seeing disturbing or gory images of death, suicide, crimes, terrorism and the things we would often see on social media on a daily basis. That was why I would cover my face whenever disturbing or horrifying images would be shown.

    Insights

    Just right after watching the movie, I’ve learned and seen how content moderators in real life struggle on a daily basis as they go on their work and how it takes a toll on their mental health (as seen in Nadine Lustre’s character in the movie).

    Sometimes, or most of the times, content moderators don’t receive the support they need for their mental health which is another ugly truth (which is a must as they are susceptible or prone to mental health disorders, given what their job description is).

    Source:

  • The Dangers Of Love Potion

    Love month is just fleeting around in a corner and of course it’s Valentine’s Day again in a month so I thought of doing a research about love potion and the dangers of it- particularly Amortentia which is mentioned in the 6th Harry Potter movie.

    Amortentia is known to be the most powerful love potion and characterized by a distinctive mother of pearl sheen and its steam rises in characteristic spirals. Amortentia also smells differently to the drinker according to what attracts them. (Source: “Amortentia” from The Harry Potter Lexicon; https://www.hp-lexicon.org/magic/amortentia/)

    “Powerful infatuations can be induced by the skillful potioneer, but never yet has anyone managed to create the truly unbreakable, eternal, unconditional attachment that alone can be called Love.” – Hector Dagworth Granger

    Amortentia causes a powerful infatuation or obsession on the drinker.

    “Amortentia doesn’t create actual love, of course. That’s impossible. But it does cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. For that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room.” – Professor Horace Slughorn from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Source: “Amortentia” from The Harry Potter Compendium; https://harry-potter-compendium.fandom.com/wiki/Amortentia#:~:text=Amortentia%20doesn’t%20create%20actual,dangerous%20potion%20in%20this%20room.)

    This potion’s drinker is described to appear “pale” and “sickly” and becomes obsessed with the object of their affection.

    Amortentia got its name from “Amor” which means love (Amor is known to be the Roman god of love) and “Tentia” which means held.

    Source:

    “Amortentia” from The Harry Potter Lexicon; https://www.hp-lexicon.org/magic/amortentia/

    “Amortentia” from The Harry Potter Compendium; https://harry-potter-compendium.fandom.com/wiki/Amortentia#:~:text=Amortentia%20doesn’t%20create%20actual,dangerous%20potion%20in%20this%20room

  • Foods To Avoid For Kittens/Cats

    When it comes to taking care of our fur babies, most especially cats/kittens, there are certain foods we should avoid feeding them (same thing applies with dogs/pups).

    Yes, we can’t help it at times to give them leftover foods or treats, but we have to keep in mind that there are certain foods that may be or are poisonous to them.

    Here are at least top foods to avoid (for our kittens) :

    1. Onions and Garlic – These foods are numero uno on the list of foods to avoid feeding your kittens or cats with as they can damage their red blood cells and possibly cause anemia and they are poisonous to them when eaten in large quantities.
    2. Raw eggs/Raw Meat & Bones – Similar to human beings, consuming raw eggs or raw meat can lead to salmonella or E. coli poisoning. Be careful to properly wash hands after cooking and keep your fur babies away from these types of foods.
    3. Chocolate Or Caffeinated Drinks – Just as how fatal chocolates are to dogs, they are also deadly to cats as they contain substances like methylxanthines (causes vomiting and diarrhea, high body temperature, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, etc)

      Source: “Can Cats Eat Chocolate?” by Christine O’Brien from Hills; https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/nutrition-feeding/is-chocolate-bad-for-cats#:~:text=Why%20Is%20Chocolate%20Bad%20for,that%20occurs%20naturally%20in%20cacao.)
    4. Alcohol and Raw Dough – Ingestion of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors , disorientation, trouble breathing, coma and worse, even death. Raw dough, on the other hand, causes expansion in his/her stomach and creates alcohol in it.
    5. Milk And Dairy Products – Surprisingly , while cats may enjoy drinking milk, it’s not necessarily good for them.
    6. Grapes and Raisins – Avoid feeding your kittens these types of foods, even in small amounts as they can cause them to become ill and lead to rapid development of kidney failure.
    7. Dog Food – Of course, it’s already common sense not to feed these types of foods to your cats and they absolutely need a different set of nutrients.

    How To Prevent Your Cats From Eating Dangerous Foods

    As human parents to our fur babies, their life and well being depends on the type of food they eat.

    Here are few tips on how to keep them safe from eating dangerous foods.

    There are other certain foods that may be toxic to your kittens but let me end with a few of them in mind.

  • ,

    How To Litter Train Your Kitten

    One of the challenges of raising a kitten and being a furrent is training a kitten how to use a litter box, especially if they’ve never used one yet.

    Good thing is, this kind of training is very easy for most kittens, which provides every human parent the benefit of cleaning the litter up easily as well as give cats a pre-determined quiet, sandy place to eliminate, which is both physicallya and mentally beneficial to them.

    So, here are a few tips from Hill’s on how to litter train your kitten:

    1. Assemble supplies – Choose a fine, unscented clumping litter. For kittens with mobility issues, go for a box with low sides and place it in a quiet, warm low traffic area.
    2. Show your kitten – Set your kitten in the box and allow him/her to explore and sniff. Avoid interacting with distracting your kitten while they’re in it and don’t move the box somewhere else.
    3. Be positive and patient – Be patient with your kitten . Don’t scold or punish them and just clean up the mess with an enzymatic cleaner and keep reinforcing the training.

      (Source: “Training Your Kitten To Use The Litter Box” by Amy Shojai ; https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/training/how-to-litter-box-train-a-kitten)

    Here’s a video from Kitten Lady on how to litter train your kitten

    Source:

    “Training Your Kitten To Use The Litter Box” by Amy Shojai ; https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/training/how-to-litter-box-train-a-kitten

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    Caring For Your Kitten

    Looking after a kitten after adopting it takes a lot of responsibilities aside from the joys of having one for a fur baby. Physical health and all.

    And one of these responsibilities include making sure that your kitten is free of any fleas. Kittens are susceptible to flea anemia (which can be deadly) due to loss of blood from fleas feeding. (Source: “How To Naturally De-Flea A Kitten” by Susan Paretts; https://animals.mom.com/how-to-naturally-de-flea-a-kitten-12531883.html)

    Fleas are known as small, parasitic bugs seeking a host animal and can possibly cause severe itching, discomfort and anemia. They can be seen as fast-moving, small dark, brown bugs that quickly dart through their fur. (Source: “Fleas” from Kitten Lady; http://www.kittenlady.org/fleas)

    One should never use topical treatment on a newborn kitten as this may be toxic to them.

    How To Get Rid Of Fleas

    Treat them with dish soap bath

    Giving your kitten a gentle bath with a dish soap helps kill the live fleas as well as wash away the larva and flea dirt, but with caution as baths, when done incorrectly can cause trauma to them.

    Here’s a video from Kitten Lady showing few tips on how to de-flea your kitten

    Source:

  • Being A “Furrent”

    Adopting a kitty as a “fur baby” has always been one of my dreams or goals this year 2022. And as a “fur-rent” to be, there are things I still need to learn or know about when looking after a kitten or cat.

    I just recently got this kitten from one of our family friends and named him “Whisky”

    Things I Need To Know :

    1. Preparing for kitty’s arrival – One of the things I need to learn is what to expect or do when my kitten arrives like preparing a litter box, cat carrier, kitten food, food and water bowls, etc.

    2. Should kittens be staying indoors or outdoors? – Vets would normally suggest having cat stay indoors as they would live longer, healthier lives.

    3. Do I really need a kitten food? – Kittens would need up to three times the calories as adult cats do. It’s best to look for food that’s specially made for kittens and feed them the recommended amount as indicated in the label.

    4. Stock up on water

    5. Keeping a litter box

    6. Choosing a cat bed

    7. Playing with your kitten

    8. Keeping your kitten safe

    9. Teaching your kitten the rules

    10. Declawing

    11. How to manage scratching

    12. Foods to avoid (or not allowed for kittens). – Kittens are to be kept away from drinks like alcohol, coffee and tea as they are dangerous for them, same goes with onion and garlic (they cause anemia in cats).

    13. Plants to avoid or keep away from kittens – Just like with foods to avoid, kittens are also to be kept away from certain plants that would be harmful to them such as chrysanthemum, azalea, tulip bulbs and oleander.

    And the list goes on….

    Source:

    “Taking Care Of Kitten” from Fetch by Web MD; https://pets.webmd.com/cats/ss/slideshow-taking-care-of-kitten

  • A Well-Spent Bonding

    Last Saturday was a well-spent bonding with my Elianatics family. We had fun eating lunch together as one family and played Uno cards as our way of bonding with each other.

    After what seemed like years of not seeing each other face to face , we finally had the chance to bond again physically.

  • All I Want For Christmas Is….

    It’s that time of the year again where people are making a wishlist of the things they want for Christmas. Here in this blog, I’m sharing a few top items of what I wanted for Christmas and wishful thinking, some of them would be granted.

    So here are a few items I’ve wanted

    1. A Plane Ticket/Trip to Adelaide Australia

    I’ve been wanting to head off to Adelaide SA since I’ve been really wanting to migrate there for so long already and explore the whole of Adelaide with my girlfriend who lives right there as well as be able to do a lot of things with her there like walking along the beach.

    2. Ring light (for vlogging purposes)

    Another item on my wish list is a ring light that I could use for my vlogging. I’ve been searching for some that are within my budget and unfortunately I could not find one as most of them are expensive.

    3. A new camera (preferably a DSLR or a new digital one).

    Before the ring light, one of my goal is to have a DSLR or a new digital camera I could use, most especially for Youtube vlogging.

    4. Slytherin scarf

    Since it’s already December and weather’s starting to be cold, one of the things I wanted for Christmas is a Slytherin scarf (Potterhead here, of course).

    5. A credit card of my own

    Since last year, I’ve really been wanting to have a credit card of my own as it’s one of the requirements (corect me if I’m wrong) an immigrant should have when traveling or wanting to migrate to another country that has quite a high cost of living, most especially Australia and New Zealand.

    That’s all for my top things on my Christmas wishlist. What’s yours?

  • Caffeine Overdose

    What happens when a person goes overdose on coffee or any form of caffeine? Just how much caffeine should a person consume on a regular basis? They say that adults shouldn’t consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to 4 cups).

    Caffeine is usually a substance existing naturally in certain plants and it stimulates the CNS. This can be harmful when taken in large amounts and is mostly found in:

    • sodas or soft drinks (Pepsi, Coke, Mountain Dew)
    • certain teas
    • Chocolate (e.g hot chocolate drinks)
    • Coffee
    • OTC stimulants (NoDoz, Vivarin)
    • Workout supplements (i.e energy drinks)

    Now a caffeine overdose occurs when someone consumes more than a normal or recommended amount, whether accidentally or purposely. (Source: “Caffeine Overdose Information” from Mt Sinai)

    Symtpoms of caffeine overdose:

    • Restlessness
    • Anxiety
    • Dizziness
    • Upset stomach
    • Irritability
    • Insomnia
    • Palpitations
    • Tremors

    (Source: “Coffee and Caffeine” by Kris Gunnars from Healthline; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-coffee-should-you-drink)

    My take on this:

    There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a cup of Joe, but like what most people say, drink in moderation. This is something I am most guilty of as I would go overboard at times with coffee just to keep me awake while working or doing something else.

  • ,

    Dylan Patisserie: A Pastry Shop You Must Visit

    Photo credit from Stock.ph

    Looking for an Instagram worthy pastry shop you could visit with your friends? Try out Dylan Patisserie – Not only is this pastry shop worth taking a snap shot of for your IG post, it’s also something you could write about on your next blog post – especially if you’re someone who is a foodie like me.

    Dylan Patisserie takes pride in crafting delightful delicacies made from the finest ingredients available and with artisan techniques to show their authentic style.

    They offer a range of exquisite delicacies that are broadly catered towards celebrations, gifting and even self-indulgence. Curious enough? Visit their page or physical stores.

    Actually, this is my first time to visit the pastisserie and I tried the Salted Caramel Eclair (see photo below).

    Salted Caramel Peanut Eclair

    Have you tried their Dalgona Frap yet? It’s yummy!

    Dalgona Frap – a drink you shouldn’t miss out!

    You can reach out to them through their social media page:

    FB: https://www.facebook.com/dylanpastisserie.ph
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/dylanpatisserie.ph/

  • Mental Breakdown

    Mental breakdown is referred to or often used when a person has a mental health crisis that overcomes their emotions. This can stem from other conditions like depression and anxiety but tends to be a severe case. (Source: “What Causes A Mental Breakdown? Signs Symptoms & Recovery” from Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital)

    A mental breakdown is also commonly known as nervous breakdown but are not generally considered to have a medical diagnosis.

    Here are at least 8 signs of a mental breakdown:

    • Not enough or too much sleep
    • Depression or anxiety
    • Brain fog
    • Withdrawal from social events or friends
    • Physical pain
    • Loss of appetite/Too much appetite

    I myself can identify with a few symptoms I experience such as insomnia, depression/anxiety , withdrawal from social events and loss of appetite and I’ve been experiencing this a lot lately.

    Source:

    What Causes A Mental Breakdown? Signs Symptoms & Recovery” from Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital

  • Self Harm & Suicide Attempts

    Self-harm and suicide attempts are two alarming things or signs that a person or individual is too depressed or has their mental health spiraling downwards.

    Self-harm is defined as an act of someone hurting themselves intentionally – but this doesnt have to automatically mean someone is suicidal as self harm is also referred to as non-suicidal self injury (“Self-harm” from Health Direct; https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/self-harm#what) . You can recognise this from or on someone who has unusual injuries, avoids exposing their body or has drastic mood swings.

    SH behaviors are as such:

    • Cutting, burning or hitting yourself
    • Binge eating or starvation
    • Putting oneself in a risky situation
    • Alcohol or drug abuse
    • Overdosing on prescription medications

    Self-harm describes the behaviour where someone causes harm to themselves simply as a way to cope up with difficult or distressing feelings or thoughts (“The Truth About Self-Harm” from Mental Health Foundation ; https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/truth-about-self-harm)

    Suicide , on the other hand, is defined as death that’s caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. It is when someone harms themselves with the intention to really end their life. It is considered as a public health problem (“Facts About Suicide” from Centers For Disease Control And Prevention” ; https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html)

    It is known to be the 12th leading cause of death in the US. (“Suicide and Suicide Prevention” from American Psychological Association ; https://www.apa.org/topics/suicide)

    My Thoughts On This/My Own Experience

    I’m not gonna lie.. I myself went through this phase especially during my school years after receiving death threats from my schoolmates, those who hated me for no reason at all… I’ve suffered from mental health issues too.

    I’ve gone through this point where I lost all hope of wanting to live and started cutting myself. I’ve isolated myself from people and prefered being all alone.

  • Struggling With Anger Issues

    Have you been struggling with anger issues lately? Feel like you’re just going to suddenly have anger outbursts or explode out of nowhere?

    Anger is perceived as a person’s natural instinctive response to threats and they may be necessary for survival. However, it may also become a problem when one has trouble controlling it as it can possibly make someone say or do things they would regret later on.

    There’s a study published in the year 2010 stating that uncontrolled anger is bad for both one’s physical and mental health and can quickly escalate to verbal or physical violence.

    What Causes Anger Issues?

    A lot of factors can trigger anger such as stress, family problems and even financial issues.

    However for some, it is caused by an underlying disorder like alcoholism or depression.

    Here’s a list of possible causes of anger issues:

    • Depression
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • Alcohol abuse
    • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
    • Oppositional defiant disorder
    • Bipolar disorder
    • Intermittent explosive disorder
    • Grief

    How Do I Know If I Have Anger Issues?

    • You feel angry often
    • You feel that your anger seems out of control
    • Your anger is impacting your relationships
    • Your anger is hurting others
    • Your anger causes you to do or say things you regret
    • You are verbally or physically abusive

About Me

A simple writer who also dreams of travelling and doing filming. I’m also a cancer warrior.

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