Month: March 2014

Lifestyle

Selflessness

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Selflessness

March 21, 2014

This picture was taken when my cousins decided to take me out for drinks. We ended up enjoying one another’s company and the beautiful view at Dencio’s (a restau and bar overlooking a gorgeous golf course).

I almost felt bad for enjoying myself so much since I know that these amazing people took time out of their insanely busy lives to be with me. If it were once out of the whole week that we spent together then it would be ok … but they’ve done it over and over again. So selfless.
My focus for this trip would be to learn how to be more selfless with my own life. Doing for others always and not having to think twice about what I would get in return. My thought process would be to trust in the natural flow of energy and you will find yourself practicing generosity with no strings attached. This is the purest form of giving. Remember that what you send out will always come back to you. While giving conditionally creates stress, giving unconditionally creates abundance. We give freely because we know that there will always be an unlimited supply.

Being aware of how much we are always supported by the universe is one of the keys to abundance and generosity. Consciously remember the times you have received support from expected and unexpected sources. Remember anyone who has helped you when you have needed it the most and bless every situation that comes into your life for the lessons and gifts it brings you. Remember that all things given and received emanate from generosity. Giving is an act of gratitude. Plant the seeds of generosity through your acts of giving, and you will grow the fruits of abundance for yourself and those around you.

Be well loves …

Lifestyle

Shine from Within

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Shine from Within

March 20, 2014

Today was absolutely amazing. Ate Doyet picks me up to meet up with KitKat and Walby. We have a quick lunch then head over to the studio where KitKat will tape SHOWTIME, a filipino variety show fave. It was great to hang out in the stars’ dressing room and meet everyone. You come to realize that they are just normal people with really cool jobs. Dinner at a stars’ new restau and closing the evening off at a bougie little coffee and pika-pika bar.

What I learned about myself today: I’m a titch pretentious and somewhat self-absorbed (an admission, maybe?!). I worry too much about the perception of others when I should be more focused on what a wonderful life I can live. Free from judgement of myself.

Off to dreamland…

Lifestyle

Guilty Consumption – YUM!

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Guilty Consumption – YUM!

March 19, 2014

As we all know, what we eat and drink can have a powerful effect on our ability to focus, mental clarity, mood and stress levels.

I’ve touched on this subject before. At its simplest, food is fuel. Though our preferences regarding taste and texture can vary widely, we all rely on the foods we eat for energy. Most people are aware that it is vital that we consume a diverse assortment of foods if we aspire to maintain a state of physical well-being. However, the intimate connection between diet and our mental well-being is less understood. Just as the nutritional components in food power the body, so too do they power the mind. Some foods can impair cognitive functioning and zap our energy while others heighten our intellectual prowess and make us feel vigorous.

With that being said, this insert may be my personal confession of failure to adhere to a positive diet or a justification of “eating whatever I want regardless of the health benefits or harms, simply makes me happy”. Everything in moderation. Splurge once in a while, but don’t let gluttony become a habit. Enjoy every bite, but be conscious of how you react to the action of eating.

~ Bon Appetite ~

Lifestyle, Wellness

Namaste

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Namaste

March 19, 2014

I slept so well. I forced myself to stay awake for as long as I could yesterday to make sure that my inner clock is acclimated to this time zone. I’m doing well with the schedule. It was nice for everyone to make time for me to just be during this 1st week of being here. I’ve eaten well, stayed home and am well rested. I woke up this morning and set up my yoga studio on the top patio of the house. Pranayama breathing and warrior three while watching the sun come up was my wake up call. A memory that I will forever hold dear. Spending time with my niece during my yoga practice was just an added bonus. She stayed home from school to be with me. I love it. There is something that is a little unsettling with having nothing penciled into my schedule, but very liberating at the same time. I may not have been working since January, but my time has been more consumed than ever. A little quiet time for me is much needed. My health seems to be at its peak at this very moment. I feel a sense of stillness. My purpose here was to “find myself”. I may have not attained that quiet yet, but I’m definitely open to whatever comes. You know when one goes through a traumatic experience: a move, a change in work schedule, a change with ones lifestyle .. they say, change the environment. I’m a firm believer of doing just that. Along with a backdrop change, you also have to change your attitude. Look your nemesis~ weight/heartache/change in the face and say: Say thank you, say you’re sorry and say goodbye. You are not responsible for whatever you leave behind after that. You can only be responsible for you now. What is truly valuable for your heart to thrive. This is what you are now supposed to find. The rest of my journey within begins here. I’m off to search for what will lighten my heart & soul so that I can be a better person to the world.

~ NAMASTE ~

Lifestyle

Home Sweet Home

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Home Sweet Home

March 18, 2014

A day lost but a sense of excitement gained once again. Finally reached Manila and absolutely love it. Ate Doyet and Ate Vicky were kind enough to pick me up and endure the 2 hour drive home with me. I become nostalgic. Although I left the Philippines 31 years ago, I still feel a tremendous closeness and attachment to this place. I feel like I’m “home”. The bustle of the streets are different from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco/New York. Maybe it’s the excitement that I feel when thinking about seeing my family and meeting new additions to the clan. Or eating the missed foods of my culture. Iba talaga pag lutong Pinas. I have to admit though that I’m most excited to be in an environment that will help me reconnect with myself. Come back to the States anew. There is a sense of longing to be rejuvenated by the subconscious familiarity that I have been craving. The sweetness of my family and the loving feeling that I have already experienced here has been unmatched. A sense of pride of my culture of caring and amazing heritage. I’m going to put the electronics away for a bit and take this time to reconnect with my wonderful family and my city.

Lifestyle

Taking Flight …

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Taking Flight …

March 16, 2014

I’m off. Today has been a bit interesting to say the least. I woke up feeling anxious and overwhelmed with the tasks that lay ahead of me and the people that I had set out to please. Put others before thyself … ?! Maybe not. I’m devoting only an hour here; 15 minutes there; and maybe I’ll have time for a quick yoga session before I take off. UGH, no! Nothing ever goes my way. Well, I take it back … I never see His way clearly LOL. I can’t believe how every minute of the day was spoken for, but now I see that all was supposed to happen the way it was planned.

I’m now sitting on the plane; at the very beginning of the journey and I’ve had a crying toddler, a very angry man, a snoring seat mate and a medical emergency. Let’s rewind. After having to remove 25 lbs from my luggage, I was a bit frazzled. So, all I wanted to do was have a stiff drink and watch a couple of movies. My strategy for cheating jet lag was to trick my body into the schedule that I was flying into …. so yes, I was a titch worried about how I was going to stay up for the first 7 hours of the flight when my mind and body wanted it to be nytnyt time ….
ah, no worries. God was going to help me through it. I fastened my seat belt, said a little prayer and plugged myself into my tunes. As I felt my eyes drifting into sleepytime mode, the plane dipped! Yes, dipped. Holy smokes: seat belts on and fastened crazy tight. In all of my years of flying quite frequently, I was proud of not being the silly woman freaked out on the plane with every little jolt …. ah no, keeping calm was out the window (no pun intended). I was officially freaked out. The plane shook terribly for about the 10 longest minutes of my life. We finally got out of the air pockets that were jolting us, so they started serving dinner. I am usually always very thankful for any food, but I passed on cleaning my plate with this one. That was the blandest chicken kaldareta I have ever had. No worries though… it was just enough to drive me to the edge of consuming boxed wine – YAY! Feeling a bit lighter now about my experience thus far … I witness the toddler playing peekaboo with the short tempered man in front of him and grandma. hahaha .. apparently, the man didn’t volunteer to be the kids sidekick for any part of the flight. I believe that about 40 to 50 minutes have now passed and he hasn’t stopped sobbing and yelping …. finally Shags catches his attention .. I smile and wave. He hushes. ahhhhhh thank The Lord. W
AHHHHHH no …. kid continues to cry.. I lean forward to ask Lola if I may sit next to them for a second … I know what you’re thinking … and yes, I was thinking the same thing: WTH???????? what do I know about consoling a waling child. Hour 3: Sammy, is still asleep somewhat on me with his head on Shag’s and his baby bottle dangling from his loosening death grip. It was kinda sweet, but yes, now I smell like rotten milk … ha! I shift and finally make my way back to my seat. ah yes, I liked occupying my time, but Sammy sleeping was making me sleepy and I still had 4 hours to go. ok ok … movie time. hmmmm, wedding singer or the island. eh, conspiricy of course. DANG, my movie is interrupted by an announcement. WHAT???! OMG!!! They just asked for any doctor to be available to assist another passenger. The Ob/Gyn seated next to me volunteers her and I to go. What?! ?Just because I clean teeth, wear scrubs and walk around with a mouth condom, doesn’t make me quite qualified to attempt to save a life. It’s been about an hour now with half the plane in the back tending to this new attraction. Nothing like an older woman having a slight panic attack to help refresh my meek American Heart Assoc. Training. Back to our seats we go with cheers and pats on the back for checking vitals and offering a cold compress …. I’m slightly delirious so I have to do something else to occupy myself. Au revoir for now. It’s time to take my periodic stroll through the plane.

This first flight has gotten better and better with every hour …. facetious much?! Maybe just a titch … so, Captain Lou gets on the horn to advise that we are being diverted to Honolulu so that the passenger can get off and have a full medical evaluation at an actual hospital. Who knows how long we’ll be here. and no i’m not being insensitive … she was smiling when they wheeled her off lol …

OMG so I actually got some really good sleep. I can’t believe though how long this flight has been. I felt as if everytime someone asked how much longer we had only a minutes passed by. I was really happy with everyone adapting though. I was really trying to be a bit more receptive to my culture than allow the snooty Kat to come out. Breakfast was just served and I had an opportunity to watch a travel snippet. It was on Bali. UGHHHHH I’m so excited. I hope everything works out better than I had hoped. In all honesty, I’m not really sure what it is that I am expecting. Anyways … I believe that we are about to land so I should prepare. It’s so difficult to try and guess what time it is; when my clock refreshed; or how much time has lapsed between time zones. I’m excited to see Ate Doyet and for some reason have a cigarette. I’ll finish up the day as I settle into my life for the next month at Tita Baby’s. The sun is shining brightly though the selected few windows that have been raised. Can’t wait for a cocktail.

Lifestyle

My Beginning …

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on My Beginning …

This blog has morphed along with my life. It was meant to be fulfilling for others in regards to love, life and food when I realized that it was more for myself to learn from and take something away from every experience. It finally hit me that the path to happiness is not a straight one. I wasted so much time and energy crying to myself with every curve in the road when I should have embraced every bump along the way to truly appreciate and be present in every moment.

The following is a daily journal of my life. Come walk with me as I traverse the path of finding myself. My hope is that you are open to finding what truly makes your heart happy through my shifts in direction.

Lifestyle

Balancing Act

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Balancing Act

Ok, Ok .. so I know that I’ve been a bit distant. This past year has been filled with obligations. Things from spending time with family and friends to being present at important functions in the lives of the people who fills my heart and forms my community. Most of the time the obligations are fun and fulfilling and I definitely want to be there. At the same time, I find myself resisting trying to meet these obligations. I started feeling exhausted, longing for nothing so much as a quiet evening at home. Of course, along with this want for myself .. comes the feeling of guilt for not meeting the expectations of others.

There’s a skill to balancing our obligations and it starts with simply becoming aware of our schedule and ourselves. My battle was really being able to listen to what my body and heart knew it was capable of fulfilling. The events in my life that occurred this past year were life changing. From the diagnosis of my illnesses to a change in my work environment; from moving out of my home into the arms of my family to watching my goddaughter grow up. Every piece of the past year changed me forever.

I learned the following: meeting our obligations to others is an important part of being human and not one to take lightly. At the same time, we cannot meet every obligation without neglecting our primary duty to take care of ourselves. We can navigate this quandary by being conscious of what we choose to do and not do and also by finding concrete ways to extend our caring when we are not able to be there in person.

Here are a couple of snapshots of my past year. To those that impacted me in every way possible, thank you for the love, thank you for the hard lessons, thank you for your understanding and thank you for playing such an important role in my life at that time.
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