'I was having this awful nightmare that I was 32. And then I woke up and I was 23. So relieved. And then I woke up for real, and I was 32.' - Celine, Before Sunset

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Mental Break


One of the downsides of living in today's interconnected world is never really being able to switch off. You are constantly reminded of your unfortunate and miserable life by means of texts from your boss asking you to come in on a Saturday, tweets from your ex sharing how she's so happy in her current relationship and Four Square check-ins by your frenemy currently touring Europe.

Sometimes, we just would like to get away from it all. A bullet through the head might seem like the best solution at times. But most days, we can only afford a mental break.


A weekend - An Overnight Stay in some Relaxing Hotel / Resort

DealGrocer.com & CashCashPinoy.com has made thousands last year selling deals online for these. Grab your special someone or a special someone just for a weekend and head off to the beach or the hills. Roll around comfortable sheets. Wear that nice bikini you never had the chance to wear. For a more relaxing experience, have that special someone plan everything and do the driving. It will just be an eat, sleep, be happy weekend.

A day - The Day Spa

A lot of these have been popping up around the metro. All of them cater their own special formula for body relaxation and detoxification. Get yourself scrubbed, oiled and manhandled by seasoned professionals who just know the right places to knead and scour. You will be a renewed man when you exit their doors - ready for a good night sleep.

4 hours - Movie / Concert / Play

Looking forward to a nice movie, concert or play can occupy your afternoon like news of a popular teenage heartthrob in a sex scandal. It will be best to plan around it. Have lunch before and maybe coffee after. Empty your mind and, for an afternoon, let someone else perform instead of you.

2 hours - Gym / Sports

Focus for two hours by lifting weights, attending a dance class, hitting balls or running. Sweat out stress and negativity. Raising your heart rate for 20 minutes a day makes your body release endorphins. And endorphins make your happy. So say Legally Blonde.

1 hour - Drive to a Happy Place

One should never be too far from a happy place. For most people, it is their bed. Some, a quiet bench in the park. For me, Hooters. When I feel like doing some carefree, mind numbing binge eating.. Hooters is where I go. But lately, with traffic, I end up just stopping by the nearest Serenitea.

30 minutes - Episodic TV

Not necessarily watching through the standard means. Studies say, most young adults now watch more TV on their PCs than standard television units. Who can blame them, it is more convenient to do so now with fast internet connection allowing them to stream episodes directly from the web. For the purposes of relaxation, I suggest comedies. For escapism, fantasy or sci-fi drama.

15 minutes - Cigarette Break

Tag along a buddy. Chit chat. Blow off steam (or smoke).

5 minutes - 9gag.com

A must in everyone's alt-tab.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Things I picked up from being away from home...


Being away from home has some advantages. It gets you away from your usual comforts and it breaks your regular routine. I found a few interesting things during my stay here in KL. Let me share you some...

1) 1 month of listening to Florence + The Machine made me wanna watch them live now.



2) Yup, you will grow to like Soya Milk when in Malaysia. I gulp per 3 tablespoons of spicy curry.





3) There is no quick way to Melt Away Stress but... this was close enough for me.



4) Lipo 6 is not legal in KL. Had to use Hydroxycut.



5) WhatsApp. Install it. Got me connected to a good number of people.