Why I've been busy lately...

November and December are usually the busiest months for me, but this time around, their even busier than ever! So, please excuse me for not posting for so long... I've been busy as busy can be!


Anyway, here's an update of what I've been up to the past months. My family were recently in Singapore for a family visit. It was so much fun! And it was C's first trip abroad. She was so excited for this trip. Surprisingly, too, she was well-behaved on her first airplane ride. =D The highlight of our trip was our visit to Universal Studios. C enjoyed the 3D Shrek show so much that until now she keeps talking about how she got wet from Donkey's sneezing! *hachoo!* =)


Just wanna share some nice scenery shots from our recent trip:

Christmas display of lights along Esplanade Dr.

Aboard the Sentosa Express on the way to Universal Studios

Universal Studios Singapore!

Meeting the Merlion

Christmas along Orchard Rd.

C at the Holiday Inn lobby

The famous Fountain of Wealth

(Unfortunately, it was closed at the time we visited, due to the downpour. We still made a wish, though. :) )

A scene from Songs of the Sea

The Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands

A view of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino across the river

Now that we're back, I'm still busy! hehe... busy organizing Christmas parties and get-togethers for High School and College friends, as well as cousins and other relatives. Christmas break this year is a bit short because December 25 falls on a Saturday. Good thing Dec 27 is declared a holiday, too. That's why the get-togethers will fall on days one after the other, so it'll surely be a busy Christmas. Nonetheless, I look forward to lovely get-togethers and wonderful times with family and friends.


Just in case I get too busy again the next days and weeks, I'm wishing each of you an advanced Christmas greeting. May you and your family enjoy the Christmas season and may bountiful blessings come your way!

SM's 3-day sale

I took advantage of SM's 3-day sale here in Dasmarinas. I thought of grabbing this opportunity to do our early Christmas shopping and get clothes and gift items at discounted prices. Although I love a bargain, I am not a usual fan of mall sales, mainly because I don't enjoy shopping when there's so many people around haggling over stuffs I'd also want to look at, and spend so many hours waiting in line at the cashier. But this time around, I set my mind that I would get the best of what this sale has to offer. And so, with my shopping list on hand, I braved the hoards of people rushing to the mall. With my little girl in tow and a yaya to assist me, I was determined to find the things I wanted to buy, and maybe still try to enjoy the shopping process. :) At the end of the day, I was one tired but happy shopper, as I got most of the items on my list at mostly half their original prices, plus another 10% off just for being an SM Advantage member! =) I feel like a little girl enjoying her loot bag after attending a children's party! hehehe =)

Here's my loot: =)

dresses for C

assorted gifts for our godchildren

shirts and blouses for us and gifts for relatives

bags for my girl friends

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Lately I've been feeling some numbness on my right hand, wrist, and arm. Sometimes, I can't use my hand completely the whole day when it feels really painful. So I had it checked by an ortho at the Asian hospital. He diagnosed it as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The probable cause: long hours of using my laptop everyday. Oh, no! So, I'd have to lessen my Facebook addiction, and try not to use the laptop somedays. And I am also now starting on my Physical Therapy (PT) sessions to help ease the pain and hopefully fix the problem. So, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this condition, here are a few facts about the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Photo source: http://www.richmondchiro.net/health-conditions/carpal-tunnel/

What it is:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The capal tunnel houses the median nerve, which controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers.

Symptoms:

- pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm

- frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers

- decreased grip strength

Causes:

- factors that increase pressure on the median nerve

- trauma/injury to the wrist

- rheumatoid arthritis

- repeated use of vibrating hand tools

- repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist at work

- development of a cyst or tumor in the canal

- in some cases, no cause can be identified

Treatment:

- resting the affected hand and wrist

- avoiding strenous activities of the hand and wrist

- stretching exercises

- surgery if symptoms last for 6 months

info source: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm