A Stress & An Escapism

During my Phd class last week, we were discussing about the stress level among us during our period of study. Kak F who is a Bank Negara officer and was seconded to MAMPU claimed that to handle stress she likes to sleep more than before she started her Phd. While Kak Z, one of the 5 members in the class admitted that now she loves to do the housework compare to when she was working, So, my lecturer jokingly said that he should asked her wife to study too, so her wife will love to the housework. We burst into laughter when one of the students interjected that he was afraid that Prof’s wife will like to do shopping rather than housework if she trying to avoid from having stress in her study. My lecturer gave a comment if we like to do something other than usual it is some sort of escapism of studying or meet the challenges in our study. Escapism is actually a way of refocusing one’s attention on things pleasant or enjoyable, as opposed to the hard realities of our study life. Sure escapism helps us to unwind by focusing mind away from stress and anxiety factors, but that sense of relaxation is only temporal escape because at the end of the day we still have to meet the challenges.

I didn’t give any comment about the discussion since I am a new student comparing with others that have been here for few semesters (Got a paper exempted and has to join this class). However, it would be a bit of an understatement if I didn't say I am a bit stressed at the moment like other members of the class. Classes are keeping me in a constant state of work and I will have my exam in the next 1 week. There just seems to be no escape from it all.

Last night, I discovered few problems in my study. Feeling stress, I started to be bored with the unsolved problems. Then, I went to sleep and promised myself I woke up early in the morning and will solve it early in the morning. However, in the morning I was not really in the good mood, instead of finding the solution to the problems, I washed my car ( washing my car is not my favorite thing to do and felt like my neighbours looking at me because they were busy to go to work and was steadily washing my car in the morning). Then I cleaned the house until 10 a.m which I always do during weekend and not weekdays. Usually I will go to my university at 8 a.m. but at 11. a.m I still didn’t do anything to solve the problems. I felt like buang tabiat but couldn’t help to stop from doing it. In the afternoon, I felt more “susah hati” and stressful with all the unsolved problems. The matter of fact was my escapism in the morning neglected my problem solving, foolish time consumption (not really foolish lah coz I cleaned the house) and escape from my duties and responsibilities.

My escapism actually can reduce the stress and anxiety but sometimes can also suppresses it. Escapists forget real problems and challenges by escaping it by doing something else. What escapists leave undealt behind, they will have to face sooner than later. The stress is still there.

My advice is that don’t procrastinate to solve our problems or stress. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Handling our stress and problem becomes more difficult when we procrastinate. At the end of the day we still have to solve our problems.

21 Things To Remember!

1. No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.
2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be.
3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.
4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have
5. Success stops when you do.
6. When your ship comes in.... make sure you are willing to unload it.
7. You will never have it all together.
8. Life is a journey...not a destination. Enjoy the trip!
9. The biggest lie on the planet When I get what I want I will be happy.
10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
11. I've learned that ultimately , 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.
12. Life's precious moments don't have value, unless they are shared.
13. If you don't start, it's certain you won't arrive.
14. We often fear the thing we want the most.
15. He or she who laughs......lasts.
16. Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.
17. Look for opportunities...not guarantees.
18. Life is what's coming....not what was.
19. Success is getting up one more time.
20. Now is the most interesting time of all.
21. When things go wrong.....don't go with them

Be Grateful II

I received this poem through my email, thank you to the sender who reminds mind me how lucky I am.....

I Wish...

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman.
And wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs; the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes; the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play,
but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join them dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
I forgot, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears; the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

A Boring Day & A Relief

It was Sunday. I got a free gift from Lancome a week before and it was a facial treatment in Mid Valley( always like free gift.). They made a promotion and I was the lucky one who passing by the promotion counter after buying a book from MPH Mid Valley. The appointment was on that day however feeling guilty of leaving my abundance of assignment I cancelled the appointment. I started to do my assignment but during noon it started to rain. For the couple of weeks it always rain especially in the afternoon . Sometimes type of rain that comes together with dark cloudy weather, strong stormy winds, lightning and thunder and sometimes it is the type of rain that we call 'raining cats and dogs.' (Wonder how cats and dogs got the credit here!) . This 'cats and dogs' rain is merely 'heavy rainfalls' and thats all. No lightning. No thunder. No storms.

Then I felt bored with unhappy mood. I cannot do my assignment or read anything. I was at home and the solitude in my room made me so bored. After an exhaustive week with few works that didn’t turn out as expected. I really can’t find something to do (eventhough I have a lot assignment) and I really want to go out. I was dead bored.

I couldn’t do my assignment without my internet, no computer, no television since all the electrical appliances were already switched off because of lightning. I just follow what my father taught me when I was a little girl. My dad is an ardent believer that the television could easily be faulty if it is switched on during heavy rain, especially when there's lightning. I did some sms with my friend and one of them dedicated me a lemon tree song. Ha3x.

The rain only stopped at 8.00 p.m, I took my car and went to the nearest PETRONAS station. Actually I didn’t know why I went there, my car’s tank was full, I didn’t want to withdraw my money or do something I always do in PETRONAS. I had nothing specific to do there. After a few minutes in the PETRONAS station I decided to buy a can of Nescaffe and went back home with a happy mood. What a relief after a boring day!