Margaret Flores-Cadag
MY 30 DAY CHALLENGE
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Day 1: Share Something Your Proud Of
My son has made me so proud in many ways, from not letting
ADHD affect his way of living all the way up to earning academic achievements and graduating to the 6th grade. My son gave me the motivation to pursue my education and never give up.
ADHD affect his way of living all the way up to earning academic achievements and graduating to the 6th grade. My son gave me the motivation to pursue my education and never give up.
Day 2: Call a friend not text
Today I called a friend whom i haven't seen or heard for eighteen (18) years, we met while attending classes here at NMC (back when i was young and irresponsible). We are so alike and we actually think the same, she is who I consider my soul sister.
When we chatted, we kept talking about life and all the changes we have been through.Becoming mothers and our kids, especially our significant others. Hopefully, i will one day visit her in California.
When we chatted, we kept talking about life and all the changes we have been through.Becoming mothers and our kids, especially our significant others. Hopefully, i will one day visit her in California.
Day 3: Learn Something New
Today in English class I learned how to activate my Cengage program. The program is an app that works with your English book, it is made up of quizzes or activities that strengthen your weaknesses in reading or writing.
Today in English class I learned how to activate my Cengage program. The program is an app that works with your English book, it is made up of quizzes or activities that strengthen your weaknesses in reading or writing.
Day 4: Do 15 minute Exercise
Since it's almost been seven months since i've attended gym, its kinda hard to do my
routine without a treadmill or weights but still that doesn't stop me from doing my normal floor
routine. After doing stretches, i would start with three (3) sets for five (5) minutes doing bird dogs.
Since it's almost been seven months since i've attended gym, its kinda hard to do my
routine without a treadmill or weights but still that doesn't stop me from doing my normal floor
routine. After doing stretches, i would start with three (3) sets for five (5) minutes doing bird dogs.
once that is done i give myself a minute to rest, then i continue with my next workout which is three (3) sets of flutter kicks for five (5) minutes.
and repeat to take a minute rest, then i begin with my third routine which are dive bombers. this time i do three (3) - five (5) sets for five(5) minutes.
after I've take minute for myself, i begin my last work out which is planks. Again three (3) Sets for five (5) minutes. and then i'm done. Normally, I would move into weights after but its best to work at your own pace.
Day 5: Listen to your Favorite Music
Today I listened to music that remind me of happier times in my life, Mostly music during the 90's when i use to live in Tacoma, Washington. it was one of the best times in my adolescence, i was free from responsibilities and i didn't feel as much stress as i do as an adult. I miss watching Snow falling on the ground and smelling the air of Douglas fir's. Listening to music like TLC, Tupac and Bone Thugs & Harmony just makes reminisce about life back then.
Today I listened to music that remind me of happier times in my life, Mostly music during the 90's when i use to live in Tacoma, Washington. it was one of the best times in my adolescence, i was free from responsibilities and i didn't feel as much stress as i do as an adult. I miss watching Snow falling on the ground and smelling the air of Douglas fir's. Listening to music like TLC, Tupac and Bone Thugs & Harmony just makes reminisce about life back then.
Day 6: Hug Someone You Love
Personally I'm not a big hugger, but my son is especially around me,. My son loves to cuddle even when i'm so tired from a busy day he would come and hug every chance he gets. No matter what age he grows into i can always rely on him for a hug even when i don't ask for it. my little cuddle monster.
Personally I'm not a big hugger, but my son is especially around me,. My son loves to cuddle even when i'm so tired from a busy day he would come and hug every chance he gets. No matter what age he grows into i can always rely on him for a hug even when i don't ask for it. my little cuddle monster.
Day 7: Do Nothing Day
On this day, all i did was lay in bed trying to catch up in my sleep. I have been so busy with my classes and homework, this was a just a perfect day to just bum it out. I must admit though I often caught myself wanting to get up and do something productive, i just couldn't stay in one place for five minutes. I guess i am my mother's daughter.
Day 8: Do a Random Act of Kindness
For this challenge, my act of kindness came during my working hours. I was dropping Docomo cards, to my vendor who ordered earlier that day. the clerk had just finished counting the cards, as she took out her money to make payment. Little did she know, she had over counted her money and gave an extra twenty dollars. I could have easily have said nothing and let the clerk come up short on her change fund, Instead, i just gave it back to her and let her know about her error, the clerk was extremely grateful. I felt completely accomplished that I could do an act of kindness for some one else.
Day 9: Watch a Funny Movie
on this day, I had watched a funny movie that was based on a true story. It was about a group of friends brought together by a love for a childhood game. The movie was called "TAG". The movie continues with the group (now adults) still playing game of tag while attending a friend's wedding. In the end of the movies we see the real people the movie was based upon now in their golden age, still playing. I guess in my opnion, the love of their childhood game brought them closer as they grew older.
on this day, I had watched a funny movie that was based on a true story. It was about a group of friends brought together by a love for a childhood game. The movie was called "TAG". The movie continues with the group (now adults) still playing game of tag while attending a friend's wedding. In the end of the movies we see the real people the movie was based upon now in their golden age, still playing. I guess in my opnion, the love of their childhood game brought them closer as they grew older.
Day 10: Make a List of Accomplishments
1. Raising a son who is accomplishing more then i can dream of
2. Going back to college
3. After 22 years, I have gotten over my fear of driving
4. Becoming an independent single mom
5. Accomplishing my Penn foster 2 week challenge (by completing 2 chapters in 2 weeks) and earning a certificate
6. I got to be a Beach Road Magazine in 2003
7. i lost 20 lbs.
8. Getting over my fear of aichmophobia (fear of needles)
1. Raising a son who is accomplishing more then i can dream of
2. Going back to college
3. After 22 years, I have gotten over my fear of driving
4. Becoming an independent single mom
5. Accomplishing my Penn foster 2 week challenge (by completing 2 chapters in 2 weeks) and earning a certificate
6. I got to be a Beach Road Magazine in 2003
7. i lost 20 lbs.
8. Getting over my fear of aichmophobia (fear of needles)
Day 11: Dance to Happy Music
This challenge was a little difficult because I haven't dance in years. So instead of dancing alone, I danced with my son. He is such an energetic little person, we would do funny dances like the jitterbug or a funny tango. we would laugh because the whole experience was too funny.
Day 12: Drink More Water
This activity was a little difficult because trying to drink eight glasses of water or more was not so easy. the closest I got was five glasses but the more I drank, the more i wanted a soda pop. I tried so hard to but I cracked after the sixth glass, what's funny was that i wasn't sorry that soda was heavenly.
Day 13: No Complaining Day
This a very unpredictable day, my always says i complain too much about anything, so when he heard that i couldn't complain for one whole day. My son was in complete disbelief that I could complete this activity without complaining about something, he tried so hard to get on my nerves but I just relaxed and shook it off. The funny thing about this was that my son was the one who complained most of the day, but i will admit I almost broke my no complaining rule. Luckily I didn't.
An example would be when i almost cursed in traffic, I bit my tongue and held out every bad word I wanted to say at that moment.
This a very unpredictable day, my always says i complain too much about anything, so when he heard that i couldn't complain for one whole day. My son was in complete disbelief that I could complete this activity without complaining about something, he tried so hard to get on my nerves but I just relaxed and shook it off. The funny thing about this was that my son was the one who complained most of the day, but i will admit I almost broke my no complaining rule. Luckily I didn't.
An example would be when i almost cursed in traffic, I bit my tongue and held out every bad word I wanted to say at that moment.
Day 14: Tell Yourself What You Like About Yourself
1. I have a big heart
2. I have a lot of inner strength
3. I am kind
4. I am sweet
5. I am able to get through anything if I am driven with ambition or determination
6. I am funny
7. I am very observant
8. I am open minded
9. I am eccentric or have eccentric taste
10. I am loyal to those I love
1. I have a big heart
2. I have a lot of inner strength
3. I am kind
4. I am sweet
5. I am able to get through anything if I am driven with ambition or determination
6. I am funny
7. I am very observant
8. I am open minded
9. I am eccentric or have eccentric taste
10. I am loyal to those I love
Day 15: Treat Yourself
On This day I treated myself to things I haven't had for quite awhile, I have been cutting out all things I loved since I have been going to gym. So today the first thing I wanted was ice cream, I must have eaten half a pint of Cookie Dough ice cream. I swear the first bite tasted so heavenly but I was even prouder that I didn't over indulge myself with that ice cream, for lunch I i was craving for an order of potato skins from Tony Roma's. I so missed drowning that potato in sour cream and tobasco. Yummers!!!
Lastly, for dinner I had a spicy pork salad from Spicy Thai Noodle House. Ending the day I felt very fulfilled but a little guilty for splurging the way I did, at least this sort of thing happens once every month.
On This day I treated myself to things I haven't had for quite awhile, I have been cutting out all things I loved since I have been going to gym. So today the first thing I wanted was ice cream, I must have eaten half a pint of Cookie Dough ice cream. I swear the first bite tasted so heavenly but I was even prouder that I didn't over indulge myself with that ice cream, for lunch I i was craving for an order of potato skins from Tony Roma's. I so missed drowning that potato in sour cream and tobasco. Yummers!!!
Lastly, for dinner I had a spicy pork salad from Spicy Thai Noodle House. Ending the day I felt very fulfilled but a little guilty for splurging the way I did, at least this sort of thing happens once every month.
Day 16: Color a Picture
This was probably my favorite activity, I found that coloring a picture is a way of relieving stress. When I first began this picture, I was so focused and eager to finish what I started, I didn't realize that I lost track of the time while completing it. But as you can see it was a labor of love.
Day 17: Turn Off Your Cell
This was probably the most difficult task to do since it involved my cellphone, the day started when i was heading to class, I realized there were no clocks in my English class. My cellphone was what i depended on when I needed to know what time it was, This activity came at the worse time considering I had to be at work ten minutes before class was over. By the time I got to work the timer where we checked in was ten minutes late, FML. The whole day at work was a breeze, considering my job kept me busy by driving around and dropping of telecommunication cards for Docomo. I didn't even realize how time flew by so quickly, before I knew it was time to go and pick up my son from school, By the end of the day, I had time to relax. I finally got the time to turn on my cell and see what I had missed, sure enough I got blasted by my mom about why I wasn't turning on my cellor anwer her messages. But that's another story.
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Day 18: Buy a Stranger a Cup of Coffee
This was my Idea for this activity, I figured
instead of me asking someone if they wanted
a cup of coffee. I decided, to go to Java Joe's
and ask the clerk if i could pay for a cup of
coffee to the next person who came in?
I didn't need to know who it was, and they didn't
need to know who paid for there cup. I told
them to say it was from a good Samaritan.
This was my Idea for this activity, I figured
instead of me asking someone if they wanted
a cup of coffee. I decided, to go to Java Joe's
and ask the clerk if i could pay for a cup of
coffee to the next person who came in?
I didn't need to know who it was, and they didn't
need to know who paid for there cup. I told
them to say it was from a good Samaritan.
Day !9: Watch an Old Movie Today I watched an old called "Imitation Of life." set in the 1940's, the story is about an aspiring actress Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) who meets Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), a homeless black woman at Coney Island and soon they share a tiny apartment. Each woman has an intolerable daughter, though, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane, is by far the worse. She is both neurotic and obnoxious, Sarah Jane doesn't not like being identified as a black woman; since she's light-skinned (her father was Caucasian), she spends the rest of the film passing a female Caucasian, much to her mother's heartache and shame. Meanwhile, Lora, virtually ignores her daughter in a single- minded quest for stardom. |
Day 20: Go For a Walk I made a stop at American Memorial Park we took a walk along Micro Beach to the fishing docks. This beautiful place holds very dear memories for both of us, my son remembers his grandpa taking him to the docks, where he and his grandpa would eat pizza as they watched the boats coming in to dock. I myself have my own memories, I remember, when i was young my dad would take the whole family on his boat and sail around the island. Whenever I tell this story to my son, he would often cry or feel sad because he wasn't born yet to see or enjoy those memories. |
Day 21: Start a New Book Today I read a book which was based on Greek mythology and was written by the playwrite named Homer. it was called "The Illiad." It based upon the Trojan War, The book has different parts which tells stories of the major players who had fought in the war itself. My favorite part of the book was the epic poem called "The Odyssey." which is about a king named Odysseus, who leaves his family to fight in the Trojan War. for 10 years the war would last until finally Odysseus and his regiment would claim victory, Odysseus believing that he had conquered Troy alone without the help of the gods. While hearing this, the gods cursed Odysseus to never see or set foot on his home again. To make a long story short, it would take another 10 years for Odysseus his home and take back his kingdom. |
Day 22: Write Down Your 5 Year Dream Plan
In 5 years I hope to have achieved my A.A. Degree in
Criminal Law. Hopefully, I will get an internship within
the family court either private or non-private sector. At
the same time I will still continue with education in hopes
to achieve another A.A. Degree in psychology. If by
any chance I do not succeed, I plan to take up any other
job in which my expertise and experiences can be put to
good use.
Day 23: Write Down 5 Things that Make Me Happy
1. My Family
2. A very good day ( when everything goes right)
3. Friends
4. Anything that makes me laugh
5. Ice Cream
Day 24: Play With Your Family Pet
Today i played with my Rottweiler named Rocco,
my son and I raised him since he was a baby. He
is such a good dog, whenever my son and I would go
for long walks Rocco would follow just so he can protect
us. if we were in a store Rocco go home. But sadly, I had
to cut this activity short due to the storm that was on it's
way to Saipan.
Day 25: Be Creative
Today was all about being creative, so I figured to barricade my windows with pillows
and blankets. All the floor rugs I just rolled up and placed them on the couches so they
wouldn't get wet. I keep my fingers crossed that the roof doesn't fly off and rain from the
inside makes a flood.
Day 26: Plan Your Dream Vacation
My dream vacation would bring my son and I to the states
to visit my family, with whom he hasn't met yet. Then we
would proceed to New Orleans and try the local food, as
well, as sight see. The lastly, we would fly to Paris, France
and sight see some more while trying out some French
cuisine. That's my dream, and hopefully the dream will come
true.
Day 27: Doll Yourself Up
Today is my birthday, but due to the storm it was the saddest
day for me. Instead, I returned to my home to see how much damage
was done to my house and property. I was relieved that my house was
still standing but the roof had been bent one-sided. I was even distraught
for my neighbor's who lost practically almost everything, for this reason I
didn't not feel like making myself over or celebrating, but I firmly believed
that through all this pain there was always something better that comes out
of it.
Today is my birthday, but due to the storm it was the saddest
day for me. Instead, I returned to my home to see how much damage
was done to my house and property. I was relieved that my house was
still standing but the roof had been bent one-sided. I was even distraught
for my neighbor's who lost practically almost everything, for this reason I
didn't not feel like making myself over or celebrating, but I firmly believed
that through all this pain there was always something better that comes out
of it.
My Home!! My Neighbor's Home
Day 28: Declutter
Today's activity came at a perfect timing, I returned
back to my home the next day. As i entered, I was sad
to see that the kitchen and living room were flooded in
ankle high water. The bedroom was still okay, it wasn't flood
but there was a big hole in the wal where the air conditioner once
stood, So I began to declutter whatever I could to make the house
more presentable. I began with the bedrom, I removed the blankets
and bed spreads that were left on the bed. Placed all the dirty clothes
within the hamper, and I ended the day by removing all the water that
flooded the kitchen and living room.
Day 29: No Social Media
Another perfect activity for today, considering their was no power anyway.
so today I just occupied my time by doing laundry and getting in line
to gas up my car, Since the ATM's were down as well it was hard to
acces any cash . Luckily, Shell gas station had generator and could run
my card. Everywhere I went the lines were so congested whether it was
for money, gas, water or even ice. It was like living back in the 1980's when
the internet or any electronic devices were obsolete.
Another perfect activity for today, considering their was no power anyway.
so today I just occupied my time by doing laundry and getting in line
to gas up my car, Since the ATM's were down as well it was hard to
acces any cash . Luckily, Shell gas station had generator and could run
my card. Everywhere I went the lines were so congested whether it was
for money, gas, water or even ice. It was like living back in the 1980's when
the internet or any electronic devices were obsolete.
Day 30: Finish a Puzzle
It is almost Halloween, it's the saddest day for my favorite time of the year.
today I was suppose to finish a puzzle, but due to the storm I had more important
things like moving back into my house to take care of. Even though my house was
semi-destroyed, I felt like it was a puzzle putting everything back into order and
moving furniture to different areas. In the end, due to the mold that had been growing
in the ceiling my son and I could not stay in the house. Instead, we had to stay in my
brother's house a little longer.
It is almost Halloween, it's the saddest day for my favorite time of the year.
today I was suppose to finish a puzzle, but due to the storm I had more important
things like moving back into my house to take care of. Even though my house was
semi-destroyed, I felt like it was a puzzle putting everything back into order and
moving furniture to different areas. In the end, due to the mold that had been growing
in the ceiling my son and I could not stay in the house. Instead, we had to stay in my
brother's house a little longer.
Reflection is on video!!