plastic face

When you're OLD, you're OLD. Not even the best wrinkle cream can hide that fact. Some people mature gracefully, welcoming each line and wrinkle as it tells the story of what they've been through in life. Some people will do anything in their mortal power to stop time. Surgery after surgery, they long to restore their youth. The cosmetic surgery industry is booming. Nothing wrong with trying to take care of your body and trying to look good, but if it makes you look more like a plastic puppet, you're only making a fool out of yourself.

continuation....

Speaking of my resolve to lose the extra pounds I've gained, I've been thinking about some diet aids that are available in the market today. A lot of these over the counter drugs promise great results in just a few weeks. But ever cautious that I am, I believe that when it sounds too good to be true, it is indeed too good to be true! There is no such thing as a wonder drug to turn you from blab to fab without putting a lot of your own effort. I'm not naive and I know that what I really need is a lifestyle check. I need to quit eating junk and I need to get off my butt pronto!

Weight loss

I'm going to be perfectly honest. I've gained 20 lbs since moving here in the US 2 1/2 years ago. It's probably mostly my fault because I've let myself be complacent and I quit exercising. I've also indulged in the fastfood craze that best defines America. And though I still don't look obese, I'm not too comfortable anymore. I get frustrated when my clothes don't fit right, and yet I refuse to buy new clothes one size bigger. I'm determined to go back to my old size. It's harder for me to lose weight now that I'm older. I think I will have to learn how to build muscles to burn more fat. It can be done. I just need to FOCUS.

Skin care

I'm sure glad winter is almost over. Then I can start taking better care of my skin. For some reason, I get really dry, ashy, almost scaly looking skin in the winter time. It got so bad a couple of winters ago that I even consulted a dermatologist because I suspected eczema. Thank God it's not. I tried cocoa butter once but I can't get past the very strong smell. I used Aveeno but I didn't like it too much either. The one that really works for me is the Smooth Sensation by Nivea Body. I discovered Nivea in Germany and we've been inseparable since. ;-)

Stationery

The best baby shower invitations, as I found out are those made from scratch. Sure you can buy them ready-made, you can find them online or in the stores, but there's nothing like the ones made by hand. I got invited recently to a baby shower and I was at awe at how beautiful the invite was. The details, the design, the creativity, everything was just perfect! I wish I was artsy-crafty like that. But I'm not. So I guess I'll have to rely on other people aka Hallmark store for my stationery needs.

Body image

If I could, I would ban teen magazines in my house. I have a pre-teen at home and I don't want her getting the wrong body image from anorexic looking people in the pages of these so called magazines. Don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking care of your body and staying healthy. And sure, we can read cool tips like using hemorrhoid treatment cream for puffy eyes, but these women promote unrealistic body image. Remember the model who got fired from a well known fashion label because she was "fat" at 5'10" and 120 lbs? Ain't that stupid? And what does it teach our kids? That they're not perfect when they don't look like the women in the magazines? BS!

And since I can't really ban teen magazines at home, I think I'll just focus on what's more important. I'll teach my children to be happy in their own skin. I'll teach them the difference between real life and "glossy" life. And then I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Snow day

So we finally got hammered. Winter's been really mild until yesterday. Now we are deep in snow. I couldn't even get out of our subdivision this morning to go to work. I had to turn around because it was really hard to control my car, which was already on a 4-wheel drive mode. I was slipping and sliding on the sea of snow. I almost hit my neighbors' mailbox, and that was the final straw. I wasn't going to risk my life nor my car so I could play hero at work. So here I am at home, spending time with my kids. I can let them play in the snow later on. I might as well join in. Then we'll probably huddle by the outdoor fireplace drinking our hot cocoa. Perfect!!!!

Bee

Alexis has done it again! She won the Junior High School Spelling Bee and we couldn't be prouder. The runner up gave her a good fight as they went back and forth with spelling words. Everyone was smiling as the two girls battle it out. I'm glad Alexis came prepared. I was getting a little worried because she was spelling her words too fast and with no hesitation. I was afraid she'd buckle and miss a letter. But she didn't.

I'm a bit upset with myself though. We have several digital cameras but I forgot to bring one to the competition so I didn't have any picture. Darn it!