Fighting Insomnia

Sleeping has always been my problem. I would do everything just to make me fall asleep; from reading, counting, praying, and all do all sorts of things but none of them really worked. When I worked on a night shift schedule, things went really worst. It has become a real problem. Lack of sleep not only makes me tired to go to work but also hinders me from doing my tasks well. I feel my brain was not functioning as its best. I also noticed I gained weight so easily. Well, I was justifying my appetite as I have to gain back my energy because of the stress at work and the different work schedule.Furthermore, noticed that I did not looked my best as I was always tired and my skin looked dry. When I stopped working night shift, things went a lot better but I was still having problems with sleeping. It's amazing that my husband has the same problem too! So when I got married and came to Australia, fighting insomnia was one task we really had to deal with.

Nature's Way Rest & Restore MultiVitamin

We came across one natural night vitamin that helps fight insomnia. Nature's Way Rest & Restore MutiVitamin. I found it very effective and I feel refreshed and ready for the day in the morning. My husband also finds it very helpful. It is a multivitamin that works while you sleep. We have been taking it for two months and it really did help us fight insomnia. Nature's Way Rest & Restore MultiVitamin works at night by calming the nervous system so you rest better, it aids in restoration for your body and mind. It is said to recharge your body, restore your energy, repair your cells and replenish your nutrients. It works with your body while you sleep to help the body’s natural recharging and repairing that happens while you sleep, to help you feel renewed and restored every day- so that you can wake up feeling brighter, fresher and more energetic the whole day! Fighting insomnia was a task done for us.

If you opt not to take vitamins, here are other helpful tips to fight insomnia.

1. Relax your mind. Try staying away from technology or gadgets before bed. Limit using the TV, computer, cellphones, tablets, etc. before going to bed.
2. Prepare your room. The bed is for sleeping so make sure it is comforting enough to sleep. Leave all worries outside of it. If possible, stick to a routine of getting to sleep and getting up. This really helps.
3. Try warm milk and banana. I tried this and it also worked. They have certain properties that help fight insomnia.
4. Don't take anything that keeps you awake before bedtime or close to bedtime. Coffee and some soda drinks make me awake so I really try to keep away from them.
5. Try having a warm bath. It lowers your body temperature and relaxes you.

Sweet dreams!

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

In the Philippines, we have a  tradition of visiting the church or the chapel whenever we travel to a new place. Beliefs have it that it is good to make a prayer intention in a church/chapel that you visit for the first time, because that prayer would be granted.  So, when I first came to Melbourne, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was on top of the list places to visit. Not so much for praying for an intention to be granted but more so of gratitude for blessings received. The cathedral is so massive and I was just overwhelmed by its architecture.As they put it, it is a place where through prayer, praise and creative liturgical celebrations, the elements of stone and glass, artistry, craftsmanship, colour and sound, coalesce to filter the divine presence of our Creator God. I could spend hours in St. Patrick's Cathedral saying my prayers or simply just basking in silence, nature and God's presence.  Of course, I also enjoy taking photos of this wonderful place. Sharing with you a few of the pictures I have taken.

For schedules:

Weekday Mass

Mondays: 7.00am, 1.00pm

Tuesdays: 7.00am, 8.00am, 1.00pm

Wednesdays: 7.00am, 8.00am, 1.00pm

Thursdays: 7.00am, 8.00am, 1.00pm

Fridays: 7.00am, 8.00am, 1.00pm

Saturdays: 8.00am, 6.00pm

Public Holidays -9.00am

Note:  St Patrick's Cathedral closes at 10am on public holidays    

The Schedule board

St. Patrick's Cathedral is located at Cnr Gisborne St & Cathedral Place East Melbourne. It is easily accessible as it is near train (Parliament Station) and tram station (Cathedral). Google Map directions also comes in very handy. If travelling by public transport, the Journey Planner is a welcome help while travelling in Melbourne. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and one of the architectural glories of Melbourne. It is designed by William Wardell, St Patrick’s is regarded internationally as the finest ecclesiastical building in Australia and a pre-eminent example of the Gothic Revival style. 

The highly regarded Organ at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Lectern

Upper portion of the main altar

Altar view of St. Patrick's Cathedral from the main entrance

Side exit towards the Pilgrim Path

The main fountain at the Pilgrim Path

Flowing waters from the main fountain

St. Patrick's Pilgrim Path 

Rules to follow

 Birds love to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral too

Statue of St. Catherine of Sienna

Statue of St. Francis of Assisi

St. Patrick's Cathedral has a history so rich as  its architecture and the activities held inside it. For more information, you may visit the official website of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

American Idol 2012 Top 13

American Idol has been one of my favorite talent programs way back in the Philippines. I would cheer for my favorite contestant. I remembered cheering for David Cook then as well as supporting other Filipinos who made it to the finals. I also used to join singing contests way back then but just did not really pursue it. Competing was not my stuff. I am just content with the joy that singing brings to me.  I used to be part of UP Youth Chorus was back in High School and was a member of several choirs way back home. Now that I am in far away Australia, shows like American Idol brings me closer to home. American Idol 2012 has given me more reasons for me watch it as the American Idol 2012 Top 13 includes another Filipina!

Yes!Jessica Sanchez has had very good reviews from the judges and other celebrity mentors. Her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I will Always Love You" was just so effortless! I just really hope she really makes it all the way. Another Filipina, Thia Megia finished Top 11 in American Idol 2011. She is also plays the piano and guitar but did not show off this part on American

Jessica Sanchez during the
American Idol 2012 Top 13 
Announcement











Here is a complete list of the  American Idol 2012 Top 13

Girls
Jessica Sanchez

Hollie Cavanagh

Shannon Magrane

Skylar Laine

Elise Testone

Erika Van Pelt

Boys

Phillip Phillips

Joshua Ledet

Heejun Han

Colton Dixon

Jermaine Jones

Deandre Brackensick

Jeremy Rosado

Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a sweet alternative to have kids and adults eat vegetable. Like the brilliant colours of autumn bringing good emotions, the carrot cake is a healthier option as carrots are known for its antioxidants and antiseptic properties. I used a recipe from frame>by>frame baking Cookbook of Parragon Books Ltd. and added some personal touches.  To add a healthier twist, I added crushed pineapple to make it more moist, used less fat cream cheese and gluten free icing sugar for the cream icing. Once you get used to doing this recipe, you can make your own version as well, as it is quite flexible.

It is an easy cake if you have already prepared all the ingredients especially the carrots and the walnuts. All the rest is just basically a dump, mix and pour process. Take this carrot cake, a sweet treat adventure you can also try, as I welcome my first Autumn experience in Melbourne, Australia.

You can also make cupcakes of this recipe.Bake it for 20 minutes.

Ingredients

¾ cup sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing

Generous ¾ cup light brown sugar

3 eggs beaten

1 ½ cups grated carrots

½ cup golden raisins

½ cup walnut pieces (roughly crushed), plus extra for decorate

½ cup crushed pineapple

 Grated rind of 1 orange

1 ¼ cups self raising flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Candied carrot strips to decorate

Frosting

 Scant 1 cup cream cheese

Generous ¾ cup confectioners’/icing sugar

2 teaspoon orange juice

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 350^oF/180^oC. Grease and line a 9-inch/23-cm square cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the oil, sugar and eggs. Stir in the grated carrots, raisin, walnut pieces, pineapple, and orange rind.
3. Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a bowl, and then mix evenly into the carrot mixture.
4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until well risen and firm to touch.
5. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, and then turn out onto a wire to cool completely.
6. For the frosting, mix the cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and orange juice in a bowl and beat until smooth. Spread over the top of the cake and swirl with a palette knife.
7. Decorate with candied carrot strips and chopped walnuts