Cotesensing

3 things for your to-do list before leaving earth

Death is inevitable. This is how our life cycle moves. You cannot predict your exact time of death because no one could. In fact, even if a person was staying at their respective comfort zones like at home, death is still imminent when the right time the Grim Reaper is destined to pay you a visit. Have you done everything you need to do here on earth? Here are the top things you should do.

1. You must do good deeds at all times. I know this will sound like a Boy Scout’s honor, but it’s not. God does forgive people but, what if at the time of your death, you still didn’t ask for forgiveness? You’re doomed…forever! Watch your deeds. Besides, it all comes back to you.
2. Sex is also a must do because this is one of the most unexplainable pleasures we have here as human beings. Of course, most of us want to try it at least once in our life. Just make sure it is true love and not for a one night thing only. You might get doomed earlier if your real partner finds out.
3. The bucket list of bucket lists. If you’ve watched the movie, you would understand this. If not, a bucket list is a list that contains the “tasks” that you want to achieve before you die. These lists will contain real life accomplishments that will push you to the limits, let you feel heaven on earth or doing somebody else have not done in their entire lifetime.

Examples from the movie are, Bungee jumping, skydiving, helping other people and traveling around the world. This is like living your life to the fullest. This might also include the number two in this list but, I’d rather have it separated because it really is something special. The bucket list also includes laughing until you cry. That is what I’ve never done in a long time now.
Last year at a year-ender party, I heard this funny message:

John and his wife’s family went to Jerusalem for a vacation and her mother in law, died there. With the proper documentations and papers, he went to the American consul to ask for assistance so the body can be sent back to the United States properly. The consul told John that sending back body to the United States would be very expensive. It would cost him around $10,000 US Dollars.

After awhile, the consul suggested that John can have his mother in law buried in Jerusalem. It would only cost him a little more than $150 US Dollars. John answered back and said, “I do not care how expensive it is to send the body back to the United States. That is what I want to happen!”

The consul and his wife were shocked because John showed much love and compassion to the mother in law. The consul then told John that, his mother in law was so blessed to have John as son in law. John answered back and said, “It’s not that. You see, years ago, somebody died here and rose up again after three days! I just couldn’t take that chance!”

Young or old, we should all be ready since we do not know the time we will be goners. Have you made your bucket list and achieved some of it already? It is not yet too late since you can still read this.

Wacky day,wacky mind

What we didn’t know about cellulite revealed

Cellulite, the eternally talked about body issue that all of us seem to just discuss in the shadows. It’s like an open secret we, women especially, don’t talk about yet we always dread every time we take a bath and look at ourselves in the mirror.

I won’t deny I have the big C and damn proud of it.  Realized it’s existence when I was in college when I was in a department store fitting room putting on a dress for a debut ball I was going to be a part of.  Being a freshman that I was, I kind of cried and yet I didn’t let anyone know. I thought I had a skin disease looking at the marks made me oozy and ashamed. But, thanks to my coolest aunt, I was enlightened.

And here’s what I learned about cellulite that I bet would take debunk all those misconceptions.

Drinking soda contributes to the production of cellulite
Thank goodness, soda has nothing to do in the production of cellulite.

It only occurs to women over 40.
Duh, I am living proof that it occurs at almost any age, starting from the tender age of 14.

The thighs and buttocks are the only parts of the body in which cellulite occurs.
Cellulite actually appears most commonly in the hips, thighs, and buttocks but it can also develop in the arms, abdomen, chest and upper back as well.

Thin people cannot have cellulite.
Cellulite can occur to ALL body types.

Cellulite can be removed by liposuction procedures.
Cellulite isn’t an indication for liposuction.  It can remove excess fat cells, but it cannot affect how they organize themselves or their general structure.

Hopefully, we will all be enlightened. All of us have it and it’s natural health phenomenon.  So, wear it a little proud.

An easier way to understand things

Sometimes, we know what the word means, but we do not fully understand them. We may grasp the meaning but, not the essence. Here are some tips on how to understand things the easier way.

What is fear?
Ask a student what Fear is and he will answer that, it is the Deep, Wrenching feeling in your stomach
When pages of your book still smell new and Just few hours left for your exams

What is a second?
Ask a racer what a second means. He will answer you that, a second is the difference from winning a championship and losing it.

What is disgusting food?
Try asking that to a beggar. The answer would simply be, a blessing from God.

Sometimes, we think about too much stuffs. We love to complicate things, we do not know the answer is just lying around there, somewhere.

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Bottles of Cold Beer

Read this in the Baltimore Sun and would just like to share to everyone.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 bottles of cold beer.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He asked the students again if the jar was now full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. ‘Yes’ was the reply.

The professor then produced two bottles of cold beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the grains of sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things: your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions. And if everything else was lost and only they remained; your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff.’

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is noroom for the pebbles or the golf balls.  The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never haveroom for the things that are important to you.

‘Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the shower. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the cold beer represented. The professor smiled. ‘I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s  always room for a bottle of cold beer with a friend.’

Why I’m thinking twice about drinking coke

Why love maybe all about laughter

We all think that love is all about the deep things in life - and that the strong bonds of love might be about the sacrifices that people make for each other. Well, love can be a little simpler than that.

A recent research conducted with 52 couples found that laughing strenghtens the relationship. When people laugh at the same thing, they validate each other’s opinions. Private jokes and pet names, things that others just don’t get,stengthen ties betweek couples.

One of main reasons why people who laugh together find that they grow to have each other is because laughter is a pleasurable experience. The more positive memories you have, the more you love the other person.

If you have ever ate something and got sick and then decided from that time on not to eat the food again? Same thing applies to relationships that have a lot of negative images. Negative images add up to pull the relationship apart.

The second component of love is those secret little pet names and private jokes that no one else know about. These little secrets help the couples feel that they are in a tight bond. It seems that they are likely in their own little world with their own language that no one else understands.

So, may I suggest that go ahead, create endearing yet funny and unusual pet names. Even “klunkhead” may evoke such giggling-inducing and warm associations with the moniker that only the two of you will hold dear.

A quieter week

This week was a little mellow than the last one. My boss who was my previous highschool teacher turned out to be one of those bosses who are occassionally-heard-never-seen ones.  In another life that would have bothered me but then this is a good thing.

I won’t come home this weekend nor do I feel the need to go.  It feels relieving. Though I am going to work on a Saturday, I still feel  a little better.  I hope this continues.  Happy weekend everyone!

More deaths in Myanmar is not caused by the cyclone,but by their government that should protect them

The tragedy in Myanmar is more saddening not mainly because of the further rain, but because of the government who has refused foreign aid inspite of  thousands dying.

It’s military junta has denied aid from the United Nations and other foreign organizations who just want to five water,food, and medicine to the now-homeless, hopeless citizens because of the cyclones.  The military junta stressed that they should be the ones who will be solely responsible to give basic aid to the victims especially in the far-flung areas.

CNN reported that the citizens of Myanmar who fortunately survived better than the other millions, have taken the initiative to distribute the most needed items for the victims.  But the weird and sad thing was, they have to hide their faces so as to avoid military junta retribution.  It appears that the government would punish their own people just because they are joining the move to help those who are in dire need.  What kind of government is that? What do they get by refusing foreign or even internal aid?  What’s it for them? The glory?  Sole acknowledgement of assistance? I don’t get it.  People, especially in the small and hidden communities are literally turning turning rain water to drinking water just to survive. New-born babies are freezing to death and the government refuses to receive milk from outside sources.  I really don’t get it.  Now isn’t the time to think of policy differences, but to think of precious lives waiting for aid.

6 pack rules to remember for jetsetters

There is never,ever a bad time to travel.  Yes, the weather maybe the number one enemy, but then, it really isn’t. As they say, you’ll make a lot of excuses if you don’t want to do things, but you’ll move heaven and earth to the thing you want to do.  So, when you’re the type that needs to get out of town on a monthly or even a regular basis,  there are a couple of tips to take note as to avoid a stressful travel.  Here are a few that even th best travel channel shows wont’ feature:

1.  Bring a pashmina or a sarong -  these are versatile pieces that can take you from the beach to the streets.  Also, pack a silk animal-print or Pucci-esque scarf to add glamour to an other-wise simple outfit, and a black dress for your evening escapades.

2.  Mark your suitcases with a colorful ribbon or sticker - This way, you can easily locate them at the luggage belt upon arrival at the airport.

3.  Pack an extra set of underwear and clothing in your hand-carry - Just in case, ( well, this is most likely to happen but I hope not) you will have an additional outfit on hand.

4.  Roll your clothes instead of folding them - This is to avoid excess creasing or wrinkling.

5.  Stack your clothes in piles in your bed -  After assessing your inventory remove half of what you think you need.  Keep your wardrobe casual, simple, and versatile.

6.  Stick with one carry-on and one piece of check-in luggage -  I know this is the one that’s the hardest to  follow or even consider.  It’s like there’s always something we HAVE TO bring, But then, it all comes to functionality first then there goes the fashion part.

I remember when my friend from work was endlessly convincing me last December to go on a  trip to  Berlin in Germany.  I wasn’t really up for long trips but the main lure for me was this cafe which has no name.  It’s in the heart of Zion street (Zionstrasse).

I was having second thoughts for a week even though my visa was ok  and at the night  before the flight I decided not to go mainly because of work.  But the next morning I just woke up so early and I thought that was the sign that I should go. Good thing my friend had already bought our tickets.  And all that I was able to follow in the rules above was number 6, mainly because I have 2 hours to pack.  It was all worth it, it was so difficult to find because it has no names or signages, you have to ask the locals for directions. Its warm, yellow wooden floor planks, and mahogany table sets and stools lent an inviting cozy ambience, while cheeky art murals and the stark red bar gave it a quirky twist. The menu was just on a sheet of paper listing the day’s fare. When it comes to paying, there’s a bowl on the counter where you can drop the amount you think is fair.  Really cool place.

I have learned that making things simpler either for short or long travels is the key to a stres-free journey. I go out of town not only I want to see something new, but just to take my mind off the hustle and bustle of work, which I can only escape temporarily but not forever.