Alternative headache therapies

I was actually reading up some medical articles and I chanced on this article on Prevention and Treatment of Migraines in Adolescents. I took down a few interesting non-pharmacological treatments that the author suggested. Mind you, this is from a reliable medical source! :D

TigerBalm Ointment (Haw Par Healthcare Limited, Singapore).

"This fragrant ointment is typically used to treat sore muscles. In a randomized trial of adult headache sufferers, applying the ointment to neck muscles helped relieve headache more effectively than placebo ointment; it worked about as well as acetaminophen to relieve tension headache pain. It is very safe but should not be used in or near the eyes (it stings). "

Not bad, our Tiger Balm made its way to the Western countries and is recommended! :D Maybe can really try applying Tiger Balm on our necks when we have headaches eh?

Guided Imagery and Self-hypnosis.

"Learning self-hypnosis or guided imagery relaxation skills is very effective in preventing migraine headaches. In fact, one study suggested that hypnosis is more effective than taking beta-blocking medications in preventing migraine headaches. Healthcare providers can learn to provide hypnosis training themselves through workshops sponsored by the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis or the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Clinicians may also refer patients to psychologists, social workers, or other health professionals skilled in teaching these techniques. "

I wonder if I can call this "self-delusion" Brings me to the next treatment intervention recommended:

Autogenic Training.

"Autogenic training is a self-hypnosis technique developed by the German psychiatrist Johannes Schultz in 1932. The training consists of learning to repeat a set series of phrases such as: "My arms and hands are heavy and warm; my legs are heavy and warm; my heartbeat is calm and regular; my forehead is cool; my breathing is easy." Typically, each phrase is slowly repeated 3 times before going to the next phrase. Deceptively simple, this practice has proven effective in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Ancillary benefits include improvements in mood, cognitive function, and quality of life. "

This is super funny can!!! :D Goodness.

Interesting :D. If you tried any of these and it works, pls tell me :D

Night duties..

As you can tell from my previous posts, my job is one that requires shift work. So obviously I'll need to work night shift.

PTL, I've completed yet another round of 3 night duties!! Phew :D.

As my workplace is undergoing renovation, its really very taxing for the past 3 nights. Every night the layout of my workplace is different. My last night I had to walk up and down as the middle section is undergoing renovation -_-. Grrr.

Thank God, it's been quite an uneventful night shift :). Its, in fact, very free. Due to the renovation works, we're rather limited, so can't do much. Basically, I finished most of my routine 1hour before time. We were so bored that we kept eating. Even ordered Macs :D. Hehe :). Really gotta munch to keep ourselves awake man.

Oh wells.

Enough of boring work happenings.

-----

I'm rather appalled by how man (alright, I shall not generalise, but if u think u fit into this category, please do something about it) works. Have been having enough of men intriguing me like that. Hahaha.

Example 1: "Lets meet up soon alright?"

Then when I initiated the meetup.....

"Not free."
"Girlfriend."
"Family."
"Gotta work early tmr."
"Tired from work."

I never realised how much of a pest that is. I was once like that. I shall never be someone like that anymore.

If you can't meet me, just say you're busy for now. Don't try to make me happy by saying, "we gotta meet up soon!" so excitedly and the soon never come.

Example 2: When something happens, he wants to appease the person (alright, I'm THAT person -_-).

Told another friend.
Another friend have to come and tell me that he wants to meet.
Waited, no calls, no sms, no apologies.
Suddenly morning, my friend told me that he told me to join them for breakfast.
Tagged along.
Sat at back seat like a complete stranger.
By then I was too angry to enjoy breakfast even. Sulked the entire breakfast, went home and slept.

HOW TO APPEASE LIKE THAT?!

Example 3: The Girlfriend Law.

Previously lots of fun hanging out.
Then suddenly with the addition of girlfriend, things change.

I've got no qualms about that. I wouldn't like my boyfriend to hang out with other girls all the time also (no, I'm not possessive.).

BUT. You don't SUDDENLY:
Disappear into thin air
Act very coldly with no rhyme or reason
or keep pushing me away without telling me why.

If your girlfriend is not happy with you hanging out with me, just tell me. I'm not an unreasonable person please.

Anyways I'm not the type of person who will want ur undivided attention when I know you're attached. But in my opinion, it doesn't mean that being attached means u gotta cut off ties with other people of opposite gender. Can't we meet up for a cuppa coffee to catch up?!

That's but only part one of the GF law.

Part 2 --> When girlfriend got angry and nasty, or things are on the verge of turning ugly, you SUDDENLY resurface after some time of magical disappearing act. Excuse me, I'm not some counselling machine that you can find anywhere along the streets.

Part 3 --> I was nice to want to help, so I did. And there was a happy ending to your relationship. THEN here comes the magical disappearing act again.


*Shakes head in disbelief*

I wonder what's in the mind of MAN. Anyways the above mentioned examples are all on different people. Not just one okay!

Alright, enough of venting frustrations. I think I can have a good sleep tonight :)

LA LEH LOR HOR.

I was finally given my appraisal yesterday :).

Actually I was called into supervisors' room. I thought I'll get scolded as something bad happened the night before. Thank God it was just my appraisal.

And after my appraisal, I've decided, I MUST CUT DOWN ON MY SINGLISH!! >_<..!

The minus point of staying in Singapore, you tend to la, leh, lor, hor etc alot.

I should have learnt from BREASTFRIEND long ago to cut down. Now I must wait for a C grade appraisal before I decide. Like a bit late la. (Oh crap! I just la-ed!)

So, I permit everyone of you to give me a tight slap (please be gentle..) if you hear me using any of those. I gotta cut down! At least cut down enough that people will not comment to my supervisor that I'm not professional. Sighs.

(:

I think the Lord is really great.

Seriously last night I couldn't sleep the entire night cuz of everything that happened (not just the feedbacks). Hardly caught a wink, and before I knew it, it was time to get up for work.

So on my way to work I kept praying for strength and joy, that I'll be less demoralised by everything that happened. The Lord showed my Psalm 71. I mean many parts apply to me alot, (except the gray-headed part! :D), and I felt so encouraged :)

And I was all ready to work (though I was still physically sleepy)!

So the day went on well, and it was almost time for handover when my supervisor came and said that she wants to speak to all of us, and will be asking questions regarding the audit (again!). She even asked me to stay back to do cleaning despite telling her I had to go church. Grrr..

But anw, she started asking questions. Then I realised she's asking from a set of notes that one of my seniors emailed to me 2 days ago and I read everything through so I know the answers ;). So when she asked, I could answer everything properly. She was quite pleased with me eventually, so she let me go off without doing cleaning! :). Ptl :)

So yepps, managed to rush in time for svc. Then fellowship at MS Xin Wang, then home.

I'm seriously tired now, but testimonies are meant to be shared, so I came online to tell about God's goodness! Hehe :).


Lord pls pass me pass me PASS MY PROBATION!! :S

Demoralized...

Today is a demoralizing day.

Was being asked into my supervisor's office for a talk. I was given my feedback regarding my probation as its coming to an end. She said:

• My probation may be extended.
• The feedback abt me from the ground is not good.
• I didn't help around and I was only doing my own work.
• I'm defensive, the way I speak portray the image of me being defensive.
• I'm only "okay." when asked around about my performance.
• I'm too giggly and not professional.

I tell you, apart from the last feedback which was quite true, I was very taken aback by the comment. So taken aback, that when she asked, "do you have anything to say?", I couldn't answer her at all. I was flabbergasted by that surge of bad feedbacks..

Eventually I mustered my strength and told her how I felt and all, I couldn't take it and I cried. I guess (I hope) she realised I've been trying really hard alr cuz its not the first time I'm being called in to talk. She just patted me on my shoulder and asked me don't cry, that she was just kidding abt the extending of probation and asked me to go back to work.

Sighs.

Firstly, nobody has ever feedback to me that I never helped. In fact, I DO help, for nuts! When my side is lighter, I do junior work also! Unless I'm really busy, if not I'll help one lor... I feel that if u think I don't help you, u come and tell me straight. Why must u escalate to the supervisor level? And the best part, when my probation is coming to an end.. Why must u jeopardize my probation like that?

Secondly, I've already toned down on my defensive nature. Learnt it the hard way, very very hard way. People who knew me would have known how many moments I cried just because of the kind of trouble I get from being defensive. Seems like ytd I accidentally said something that upset my another supervisor, plus another day when I tried to clarify a certain issue to a senior staff and she got upset, and now I'm being deemed, "defensive".

Thirdly, I didn't know "okay" is a bad feedback. Sighs...

I tell you, for the whole shift I couldn't work. Somemore I was being turned down by a colleague (whom I've been trying to get to know as a friend) when I asked him out to visit a client. First an outright embarrassment, then an outright disappointment...

God, why did such thing happen to me? Am I THAT lousy? I know I'm not there yet, but is my interpersonal skills THAT bad? I really couldn't believe it.

I'm only glad that somehow somewhat I've got people around to hear me out. My seniors were there to assure me that I'm not that bad. I guess that's enough. Now most importantly is that I want to pass my probation.... I really don't want to fail. Sighs...

Gather my strength and return to work.

I really wish I could remove that mask of mine and display who I really am. Why must I be the someone whom I'm not? I love to smile. But now my smiles are getting more and more fake by the day...

Lucky.

Lucky
Jason Mraz ft' Colbie Caillat

Do you hear me,
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair
Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Hooked on this song. Though everyone who knows me will know I don't believe in luck (but sometimes I can be a bit "over" when it comes to workplace superstitions :D), but still, I love this song. And I felt a teeny weeny bit of "lucky", to know that I have good friends in my workplace despite the ugliness of them all :).

I love all of you!!

Photos from ytd. :)Kbox will not find someone with bigger mouth than mine.

To protect the identity of Mantoonmee, here goes. HAHA :D.


Sister after her haircut. Hehe :)

That's all for today!

December babies

Today, upon reaching my workplace (I'm not gonna talk about the impromptu audit that took place at the middle of the staircase while walking to work.), one of the girls, EL, a student who's doing her internship came and told me something rather interesting and cute :).

She asked, "hey Cincinnati, are u a December baby?"

I was, of cuz, surprised. I don't know her really well at all, how did she know my birthday? But I replied, "yepps! How did u know?"

So she went, "Oh cuz E (her instructor) commented that I'm very vocal, just like you. So I told her, 'of cuz! December babies are all vocal!', so I thought I'll ask u."

And the best part, we compared how we used to be like and how we are now, I spotted much resemblence!! :).

Due to our outspoken nature, we were very loud and noisy, especially when we were younger. But we mellowed down when we became older. And also because of that nature in us, we tend to force people to do things that we like so that we can be happy. I was like that in the past, just like her! But we both mellowed down when we grew up.

I find it quite interesting. I never quite knew that of December babies!

Then I thought through, its quite true. Like so far most of the December babies I know are quite vocal to a certain extent. Is it really true? Sets me thinking.. :).

Anw. Today I took some left over laxatives (don't ask me why I took them). And I realise it didn't work on me. Hmm. My tummy is gone case alr la.

I'm supposed to post photos of what I did ytd during my day off with my beloved Mantoonmee, but I'm quite lazy to do that now. Maybe another day. But the jeeze of it all:

- Lunch from 1.30pm to 2.30pm
- KBox from 2.30pm to 6.15pm.
- KFC from 6.25pm to 6.40pm.
- "Money Not Enough II" from 6.45pm to 9pm.
- Camwhoring on the train till home :).

I love my Mantoonmee. Hehe. And I worked with her today! So fun :D. Laugh and laugh. Gossip about S, gossip about LY. HAHAHA. So fun :).

To be a WOMAN.

Just something random since nothing special went on today except some cuteness explosion in my workplace between 2 clients. Hehe :).

Few days ago I was peeing in my house toilet bowl (like duh). As usual I just put down the toilet seat. Actually I didn't have that habit until recent years. I can't quite understand why I need a toilet seat now despite the fact that obviously, my butt has definitely grew bigger over the years. Must be the influence of my sis la.

But ANYWAYS, that's besides the point.

So I was peeing and I came out without putting the lid back up. Mom went in, saw it and she screamed....

"Use finish also nv put up toilet seat. Next time how to live with your husband?!"

Sighs. What on earth is that man!?

Stupid la. Next time my house I'll put a URINAL. Bleah. No toilet seats issues.

Physically drained, mentally joyful

I slept less than 3 hours and have been on the go for the past 36hours (and still counting!)

Was working afternoon shift ytd, and was told that audit will be today! My gosh. I thought audit was Friday!

I panicked like mad. So last night, after a LONG afternoon shift (and got into a whole lot of laughter running in the rain and running after the bus that I nv get on, eventually..), I stayed up till 2am to study my policies and woke up early at 4.30am to prep for a new morning shift today..

And thankfully, THE AUDIT DIDN'T COME AGAIN :D!!!

Don't know to thank God or not, but somehow, I nv quite get to be audited! :D. They kept saying that the auditors are coming coming, even had a time (1pm), but eventually they didn't come during my shift :). Hehe. Thank God :D.

But that also meant that I wasted my energy last night! Grrr.

And after work today I still met up with the boys to settle some stuffs for cg. I just got home not long ago after settling the things + shopping. HAHA. I nv knew the boys are so nice to shop with, esp T :D. Not bad not bad :).

So, I'm gonna turn in early tonight! My body is giving way alr. I don't want to get myself into unnecessary health problems caused by fatigue!

The only thing I'm happy about is that at least I know I'm spending my time productively, doing important things :). That's why I say, physically drained, but mentally joyful :).

Truly, the spirit is always willing but the flesh will always be weak. God, give me strength! :)

Making the wrong move..

Went for svc today. Powerful sermon! I never thought of having faith in myself in this manner before.

Pst was sharing about Peter walking on water and sank, and Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Very often we perceive that statement as Peter not having enough faith in Jesus tt's why he sank. But after Pst shared about the educational status of the Jews in the past, we finally realised that Jesus was asking Peter, why didn't he have faith in HIMSELF.

Jesus chose the 12 disciples cuz he had faith in them that these people will be the ones who will spread his yolk. Peter knows! Its more of him in a state of unbelief. "Am I up to it?"

That sounded so familiar. I realised I've been saying this to my superiors many times when they asked me to do things. "Huh! Cannot la.." I will often blurt that out without thinking.

Even for the presentation that ended on Wed. I've been whining and say, "Huh, cannot la. Please..." But still, thank God for His strength, I went ahead, and in fact, I shared about "why and why not?" (quite an irony eh?), and many said I did very well for my presentation. In fact my superior had wanted me to head for yet another presentation but due to time constraint, it was called off.

I realise very often we deem ourselves as inadequate even before we do anything. Like what I shared during our presentation, cuz we are afraid that we will make the wrong move. "What if I make a blunder?" "What if I can't do it?" "I'm not up to it.."

Today I managed to catch up with a friend whom I haven't met for months. He was telling me about friends of his batch getting married. And he was apprehensive about marriage cuz his relationship seems stagnant. Turns out that he felt that its kinda a standstill, he wanted to let go, but the girl didn't want to cuz they've been together for too long (7yrs!). So they've been carrying on this whole thing.

So I just told him, since he wants to carry on then get married la. Both are of age, both are together for 7 yrs, what's the problem now? He said, "I don't want to make the wrong move la. Its a big decision you know."

So, if being afraid to make the wrong move is hindering you from moving on, then u should really consider ur move isn't it? Are u not having enough faith in this relationship that's why u're worried that u'll make the wrong move?

It sets me thinking the entire day about this this fear of "making the wrong move".

After today's message, now, to me, I thank God for God, I know that God has all his plans ready for me (Jer 29:11). Everything that could happen will have a reason, whether good or bad. I know ultimately its for a better future :) He has all the faith in me! So I hand everything to Daddy to settle. For my part, I will make a decision to CHIONG AR! Gotta learn to have more faith in myself man. Its a weak point that I need to overcome. My own sense of inadequacy.


My chains are gone, I've been set free!
My Lord my saviour has ransomed me.
And like a flood, His mercy reigns.
Unending love, amazing grace! (AMEN!)

No food and drink!

Its been so long since I last packed dinner to work and bring home the same pack of dinner -_-.

Today was so busy!

I didn't quite expect a Saturday afternoon shift to be this busy. Seriously I have no idea what I was really busy with. I guess on a Sat where everyone is not around, I spend more time looking for people on the phone to inform and running up and down, executing orders caused by all the abnormalities.

Ever since I really started working after my training, I've already learnt how to work better. Every afternoon shift, no matter how busy, I'll some how have time to eat. I guess timing wise all the work came at the wrong time today. Grr..

The sudden surge of workload left me running around, panicking like a headless chicken.

I hope this will not happen again! And mind you, its a Saturday! I expected more rest on a Sat okay. This reflects badly on me la :(.

I speculate at this rate I carry on, I may just develop some gastrointestinal disorders. I should go see a doctor and get a steady supply of Omeprazoles or Famotidine as a preventive measure to protect my stomach eh?

The best preventive measure right now, SLEEP. :)

Beee Baaa Booo

What a name..... -_-

Anw, if you can't read, its be3 ba1 pu2. HAHA :D

Its actually Big Bubble (the English name for this gum) :D

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen...."

MY PRESENTATION IS FINALLY OVER!!! Phew! :).

Best part: CEO didn't turn up. Hehe :D.

The who's whos were still around, but at least the CEO wasn't there to bombard us with a whole load of questions.

So without the CEO, there was like only 2 questions! And a very nice, encouraging comment :)

Honestly speaking, my legs were trembling when I speak though I sounded machiam I'm very well prepared. My gosh. The crowd was much bigger than I expected, but really thanks to the girls who came down to show their support. I was looking at them throughout my whole presentation can. Just for "visual" support :D.

Thank God, at the very end of the presentation, the director of a certain department came forward and congratulated us for the good presentation. She said that we, even though we are still very new, took the guts and presented well. And man, I really felt good about it! :).

Alright, minus the part that my legs were really trembling like mad behind the stand, but all in all I was still quite pleased with my own performance (though I know I could do better). I sound odd in the mic la :S.

And yes, girls, we all did well!! Our hard work is paid off :)! Yayy!! :):):)

Oh, did I mention, I was down with a bad tummyache after the whole presentation. I wonder was it due to the fact that I actually forgot to go for break for the entire shift, or was it a PTSD (drama la! :D).

Loss.

Just one day alone, I experienced 2 deaths. Both were uncalled for, very asymptomatic and rather sudden. Nobody quite expected it, and sighs, it was such a loss.

I can't say, "life is short" as both are people who lived a long ripe life. But I have to say, life can be so fragile. One moment I still see her sitting on the chair, next moment.....

Things always happen when you least expected them to, isn't it?

Sighs. God bless both of them. I said a short prayer for them when I left. Both families are prepared, but still, sudden. May all things be okay for them..

Alright, on a lighter note, my big presentation is on Wednesday, whereby all the bigbig shots and the who's whos will sit in. I'm NOT really prepared, but what to do right? :S. Haha. I'm only thankful its not an individual presentation.

So at 2am, I'm up to finish up the final touches of my presentation and do my "script" on handheld cards for that day. Pls pray for me!!