actimes-blog

[actimes-blog]

Show Some Love, Your Skin Deserves It!

by Sofia Diawan

Let’s admit it, we all dread the times in where we get up in the morning, only to see another zit or pimple pop up in our face. It’s annoying, I know! Whether it be from the dirt from all the commuting to insufficient sleep, zits and pimples, are pretty much inevitable, especially when you are undergoing puberty. The skin in our face is much thinner than the skin in our body, and it deserves some extra TLC.

A clear skin has been a trend lately, and why not join the fun? From Western beauty products to the famous, 10-step Korean skincare routine. We all want to have clear skin without breaking the bank, right? There are simple ways and cost-friendly products that will help you achieve clear skin.

As college students, we lack sleep, we drink coffee, we go from one place to another, and many activities and this might cause all the pimples on your face. We are continuously rushing to meet deadlines, and sometimes we all need a break, just to relax and catch up on what’s happening.

Here are some tips for showing your skin some love and care it deserves and needs:

PICK A GENTLE CLEANSER

After a long day at school, you basically accumulated dirt in your face from all the activities you did and from the environment. It is important to choose a cleanser mild for your skin, to not damage it. When cleansing your face, do not use too hot nor too cold water as it can damage the skin can cause redness and can irritate and prolong the stay of pimples or zits.

SUNSCREEN

Many people skip this step and sometimes just think it would be just best to use it at the beach. Nope! Before leaving the house, put a layer of sunblock in your face, because your skin is constantly exposed from the heat, from walking and transferring from one building to another, you are exposed in the sun, and it can damage your skin causing disease like skin cancer. It is better to use sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. Plus, sunscreen also includes different benefits that can help with anti-aging.

MOISTURIZE

Whether you have an oily, dry, or combination skin, it is still important to hydrate your face, since it has been exposed to the heat for a whole day. Moisturizing helps your skin relax and will help in smoothening your face.

SHEET MASKS OR EXFOLIATING MASK EVERY NOW AND THEN

Sheet masks became a thing last year with K-Beauty, it became a hit for the different benefits it provides and you basically packed it on your face and wait for a few minutes before removing it. Alternatively, exfoliating is good to remove extra dirt in your face. It is best to use a gentle and mild exfoliator, to not damage your skin. You pretty much do this 2x a week, you do not want to over scrub since the skin in our face is thin. This depends whether you have a sensitive skin.

LESS IS MORE

‘The more, the merrier’ doesn’t always means it good. Sometimes, the cause of acne can be with the number of products you put in your face. If you are experiencing pimples popping up, it best to limit your skincare to just the basics; cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Remember, simplicity is key!

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT

As college students, you lack sleep and it can be hard to balance things out and may think you’ll just stay out all night until the morning to finish a task due. Despite all the things keeping you busy lately, it is important to entail in some sleep. This will help you keep going and will help your skin relax, even for just a few hours.

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE

There are many products available in the market, but we all go back to the basic and simplest step, drinking water. Staying hydrated is a key, it helps the fluids in your body help and will help remove the toxins from your body. Drinking at least eight (8) glasses of water or more is worth the try and will probably won’t hurt. By increasing your water intake, your skin will give you its radiant glow.

With all the new trends and new products in the market, we are all itching to try. It's best that if you find something that works, you should stick with it, as to not trigger your skin anymore! Beauty shouldn’t hurt, that’s why look for products that will do its job, without harming your skin. You won’t regret taking care of your skin in the long run. Of course, seeking and consulting a professional is also important.

Make 2018 your year and we shall, say yes to clearer skin!

[actimes-blog]

Archery: Your Next Favorite Thing

by Noelle Angco

Katniss Everdeen wasn’t the first person to make shooting an arrow look cool. Disney fans would think of their favorite Scottish princess, Merida from Brave. And of course, superhero fanatics have Hawkeye and the Green Arrow. Archery is a sport where the archer uses a bow to shoot arrows. The first thought people may have are the Hunger Games because the film made this sport and famous recreational activity. Today, many businesses offer archery as a recreational activity where people could pretend to be Katniss or maybe Hawkeye.

Though it has been a long time since this activity was available to the public and it might have even died down slightly over the years. But that does not mean that no one is interested in trying this historical sport. After asking several people what they thought and how they felt about this, most of them mentioned how it relaxes them. The release of the arrow from the bow might symbolize one’s letting go of stress or problems and the thought of that helps them get through their day. But this is no easy sport; it requires a certain amount of strength, focus, and stability to successfully hit the target. Don’t be disheartened! Many who go to archery centers don’t even have these. It’s the thought of having fun or maybe trying something new that encourages them to “grip it and rip it” as some of them might say.

If you want to pay a visit to your closest archery range, check out the links below for more information:

Gandiva Archery Range

http://gandiva.com.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/gandiva.ph/

https://www.instagram.com/gandivaph/

Kondada Archery Range

http://kodandaarchery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KodandaArchery/

[actimes-blog]

5 Unique Activities To Try This Summer

by Maia Alyssa Guadalupe

Summer vacation is fast approaching! Do you have a list of activities you want to do yet? Summer is the chance where you get to try all sorts of fun and cool activities. Lucky for us Assumptionists, Makati is full of them!

Try Fencing!

According to the Fencing Academy of Boston, Fencing is a recreational sport of swordplay that can be enjoyed by people in any age. It requires focus and strength, making it a complete workout! According to the Academy of Fencing Masters (2014), fencing can teach you the value of discipline, strategic thinking, and confidence. Apart from it also gives you the chance to make new friends! What a treat right? So if you want to try something unique then check this out!

Where: Republic Fencing and Sports Club, Basement 1 Makati Square Don Chino Roces Ave. Legazpi Village, Makati City

Play Board Games!

Are you a big fan of board games? Or just want a place to catch up or hang out with your friends! If so then head on over to OnBoard Game + Gastropub! This place is the first board game and pub that serves comfort food, specialty cocktails, and craft beers. Aside from that, they have over 400 board games to choose from! New and popular games like Betrayal at House on the Hill, Exploding Kittens, are up for grabs! But if you’re a fan of the classics, they have good old Snake and Ladders, Monopoly, and Clue! There so many games to choose from that you and your friends will surely get bored!

Where: Circuit Lane Makati, Riverfront Drive, AP Reyes St., Carmona, Makati City

Solve a Mystery!

Release the inner Sherlock Holmes in you and solve mysteries at Mystery Manila! Mystery Manila is an activity where people can try all sort of different mysteries, depending on the room they have chosen. Here the players are given all the materials and clues they need to solve everything. The goal? Solve the mystery in less than 60 minutes! Lucky for us Mystery Manila has two branches in Makati, and both have different rooms!

Their Century City Mall branch has “Sinister Sensorium”, “Pym Particle”, “Debby’s Doll”, “Crime of the Century”, “Virtual Voyage”, “Mutants’ Mission”, and “Alien Assault”. Alternatively, their Jupiter branch has “Rebecca’s Room”, “Murder in the Mafia”, and “World of Wizardry”. It seems easy, but I assure you it’s not! Also, a heads up, some rooms are not for the faint of heart!

Where: Century City Mall Branch, Unit L305 3rd Floor Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave. cor. Salamanca St, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City

Jupiter Branch, 2nd floor, G. A. Yupangco Building, Jupiter St. and Gil Puyat Avenue corner Reposo St., Brgy. Bel Air, Makati City

Check out: http://www.mysterymanila.com/

Visit a Hidden Bar!

You know how in the movies, the main character would just pull a book from a shelf then it opens up to a secret room? Well, surprisingly there is something like that along the streets of Makati. Exit Bar is located within Lazy Bastard along Jupiter street where visitors need to push a few panels to enter the secret room. Compared to other bars, this one is more mellow and dim, giving the best atmosphere for when you just want to relax and chill out with your friends.

Where: Exit Bar, Ground Floor Corinthian Plaza, 121, Paseo De Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati

Eat out at the Jolly Jeep!

What’s summer without food trips right? Good thing that Makati offers a wide variety food, but we all know it sometimes can get pricey. If you want good food at a cheaper price, then look no further because it can be found along the back streets of Makati. Introducing the Jolly Jeep!

Jolly Jeep in simpler terms is a “karinderia on wheels”! Try their sisig which cost around 80 pesos! What steal right?! If you want some light snacks, don’t worry! They also sell kakanin and of course our favorite snack, turon!

Where: Along the back streets of Makati

Now that you have more or less an idea of unique activities to try, will Makati be on your list?

[actimes-blog]

Get In Shape: 5 Sports and Activities that will Help You Stay Fit while Having Fun

by Andrea Lomibao

Got no time to work-out? Too busy to look for healthy alternatives? If your body can react, what do you think will it say to you? If you're not too confident with your answers, then, you should probably start to re-think the way you treat your body now BUT don't lose hope because, the good news is, it's never too late.

Thanks to these sports that make staying fit much fun:

Cycling

This activity is best for people who like to have an "alone-time" occasionally for it doesn't require significant people to be fulfilled. Apart from that, cycling also helps in reducing stress and can satisfy people who crave for adventure and likes to wander around.

Swimming

Somehow like cycling, swimming doesn't require many props as well. All you need is a pool, yourself and your bathing suit (of course). What makes this sport great is it involves using your whole body. Thus, swimming is equivalent to a full-body workout without you even realizing it!

Badminton

This sport requires significant energy in order for you to return the shuttlecock back to the opponent without it touching the ground. With that being said, it's one of the fun ways to practice alertness and develop athleticism while being able to stay in shape! Badminton is said to be equivalent to a cardiovascular workout therefore, it is an awesome alternative for a cross-training exercise.

Hiking

Living in the city can be stressful especially if you're stuck in traffic more or less than an hour daily doing nothing. Good thing there's hiking! This activity helps you reduce stress and anxiety while re-connecting and creating a bond with your family, friends or even perfect strangers!

Ultimate Frisbee

This activity is best for people who seek excitement yet doesn't want to be in contact with another person. This sport may also develop your sportsmanship while being socially interactive.

These various sports and activities are proof that you can always welcome that awesome dream body you've been wishing for with a capital U on your face instead of a growling tummy simply because working out doesn't always have to be a painful burden.

Let us stay fit, Assumptionists!

[actimes-blog]

Somehow, Someday, Somewhere!

by Marielle Mikhaela M. Hidalgo

West Side Story is your classic, semi-bloody, semi-brutal Romeo and Juliet story where two lovers can’t be together for their families and respective gangs who won’t stop stepping on each other’s throats for dominance in the neighborhood.

The stage is set on a bright afternoon in a blue-collar neighborhood located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan during the summer of 1957. The entire show spans two days’ worth of events leading up to midnight. The story opens up with dancers with either Puerto Rican or American descent as the Sharks and the Jets respectively. The dancers show how much tension there is between the Jets and the Sharks. They have an entire dance montage entirely dedicated to the gangs fighting. Finally, Riff, the leader of the Jets decides to challenge Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks to a fight.  

It gets more exciting here as Riff visits his best friend, Tony, at Doc’s drugstore and convinces him to attend the dance and to help him out for the fight afterward. Meanwhile, in a bridal shop, an excited Maria fresh from Puerto Rico, is fawning over her dress for the dance because it is her first night as a woman of America.

At the gym dance, the racial discrimination is extremely evident as there are two groups formed and dancing their own way, and they refuse to dance after a sad futile attempt by Glad Hand. Tony and Maria meet amidst all the colorful dresses, loud music, and flamboyant dancing. An entire dance number is dedicated to their meeting to emphasize how the world stops in the scenario of love-at-first-sight. As soon as people realize the two are together, they are immediately torn apart and another brawl ensues. Tony goes in the cover of darkness to find Maria and they sang on more of the well-known songs in the show “Tonight”. After which, they promised to love each other and to meet each other in the bridal shop the next day.

While Maria and Tony got lovey-dovey, Anita and her amigas exchange their conflicting views about their lives in New York which gives viewers an in-depth look into the minds of the fiery Puerto Rican women in “America”. At midnight, the two gangs meet and negotiate terms of the fight.  

The following day, Maria finds out about the fight. Fearing the worst and wanting better, she convinces Tony to make the fight between Bernardo and Riff a fair one. The two have a little imaginary wedding and Tony runs off to the fight to fulfill his promise to Maria. He arrives at the fight and after a futile attempt, the fist fight between Bernardo and Riff turns into a full-blown brawl with everyone else present. In the heat of the battle, Bernardo stabs Riff with a switchblade. In his anger for the death of his fallen friend, Tony kills Bernardo. The police arrive at the scene but both gangs barely escape.

Chino, Bernardo’s friend, races to Maria and tells her about what happened, but she refuses to listen as she believes Tony made the fight fair. Once she’s left alone, she prays for the better outcome of the fight. Tony suddenly bursts in through her windows and delivers the bad news and asks for her forgiveness. She forgives him and asks him to spend the night with her and dream up a place where they can be truly together. Tony steals away into the night before Anita comes in Maria’s room, but they agreed they would meet up at Doc’s drugstore and escape their plight. Anita comes in, finds out that Tony was there and warns Maria about Chino’s plan to kill Tony. Maria sends Anita out to warn Tony because Schrank arrives to question Maria. Anita never gets to warn Tony as she is swarmed by the Jets. She gives the wrong news to them in her shame and anger. Doc overhears the wrong news that Maria is dead and tells Tony that Chino has killed Maria. A heartbroken Tony roams the streets looking for Chino then he suddenly sees Maria. Tony rushes to her then he is suddenly shot by Chino from behind. Tony dies in Maria’s arms overcome with grief, she tries to kill herself with Chino’s weapon but doesn’t. She instead makes please to both gangs about their behavior. The show ends with members from both gangs carrying Tony’s dead body off the stage as a form of resolve.

West Side Story is an exceedingly eye-catching show with its flamboyant costumes, upbeat dance numbers, and memorable songs. The costumes were reflective of the 1950s era. The dance numbers were the perfect fusion of American and Puerto Rican dances. The songs were written in a catchy manner and are still widely known today. But, it is not all about the glitz and glamor of it all, the message conveyed is one of the most important factors in a good show. This show speaks volumes about how racism is a central problem in society. The touring of the show is timely as racism rears its ugly head into society once again. It felt like a wakeup call in some manner of speaking. It’s a creative way on how to get messages ahead to an audience and raise awareness.      

[actimes-blog]

Failure? Get Back Up! You Got This!

by Sofia Diawan

We dwell in a world wherein society expects us to do things perfectly, be on top of the list, get good grades, and excel in everything, but it just doesn’t work that way. There are times we are at the highest point in our life, everything is on our side and everything is just in its perfect place. However, next thing we know, we are at are the deepest point in life and it's like all the luck in the world has left us and when we realize failures have struck us.

Failures are heartbreaking especially if we fail from such an important event in our lives. Is it possible to be on the top after such a horrific act?

Failures? We all experience it, we tend to get stuck up in the situation and sometimes we might think the world would end for that mistake, but guess what? That’s just the beginning! And what you need to do is overcome it! If you look at the bright side, failure is not a bad thing, but it actually brings us benefits; we learn from it, we become stronger individuals, and the list goes on and on. Some people succeed after failure because not everyone gets it in just one shot. Failure is like a trail towards success.

After every failure, we ask ourselves “how do we get back up?” or “how do we start again?” Well, if you think there is no way up, you’re the wrong cause, I got you! Here are seven steps to overcome failure:

First, you should accept the mistake you made and the consequences you have to face. In everything in life, acceptance is always the key. Were all just humans in this challenging world that commit mistakes. Let’s scratch the idea that society is expecting us to be perfect people because it will just raise a wall and is definitely going to be extra difficult to get back if we still have that idea. You need to accept that what happened in the past cannot be unchanged, however, what you can do is do better in the future. Through this, a fresh start will welcome you, right?

Second, breathe and compose yourself. How would you feel that positive energy if you are still trapped in your past mistakes, let go of the things that are hindering you from being able to do things that you love again? Past events happen for you to learn and not to stop you from getting to that goal. Always think of positive things and look at life in a different way, a life that brings you different opportunities and let you experience the beauty of it.

Third, reflect. Talk to your family, friends, or even yourself. Talking to yourself isn’t bad, look at all the things that you did wrong to completely avoid them next time. The world is chaotic and it can sometimes be ridiculously deafening from all the things that are happening. That’s why it’s important for you to stop, forget about the world, forget about what’s bothering you, and just enjoy the beauty of this world. We sometimes get so caught up in this world that we forget problems can be tiring and we want to push hard, but sometimes you end up disappointing yourself. Taking a break won’t hurt anybody; you’ll benefit from it.

Fourth, focus, look for inspirations and set a goal. After letting go and having this renewed feeling, write down the things that you want to do next and focus on that on how to achieve it. A focus and fresh mind are what will drive you towards success. Remind yourself that if you failed today, doesn’t mean that in everything you do will also fail. You are in charge of yourself and you should initiate and do action on how to move on and do better in the next tasks. Also, have inspirations because they are what keep us going, whether it is your family, your pet, your loved ones, or your dreams, they are the people and things to remember in your dark days. Think of the promises you made towards these inspirations and look forward to the days in where you fulfilled it for yourself and for them,

Fifth, be optimistic. Now, this might be a little hard if you fill yourself with negativity after what had happened, however, what leads us to good outcomes are positive thoughts and a positive attitude, right? You need to look at what that failure taught you, what it tells you and where will it lead you. Being optimistic not only helps you with your responsibilities, but it allows you to see and hope for a better future. Keep in mind that anyone who wants to do great things will fail first.

Sixth, self-care. Failing in life can cause depression and can lead to series of unfortunate measures. Failing doesn’t mean you will forever be one for the rest of your life, it solely means, life is giving you another chance to do better in the upcoming happenings in your life. Ending your life will never be the solution with just that one mistake. Love yourself, there is always room for improvement, room for new lessons in life, room for opportunities, and just imagine all the beautiful things you can do in the future. All the possibilities that life would bring, and think of the people whom you could help and inspire in the future. You need to keep going!

Last, but not the least is prayer. A little prayer won’t hurt anyone right? Talk to Him, always remember He cares, He listens, and He will provide, you just got to believe. Prayer is so powerful; it can certainly change many things. Read a passage from the Bible, whether it’s just a word or phrase, it would make a difference. You are not a failure; it might just be that God is preparing you for something better and bigger just have faith in Him because He will never put you in a situation that you can’t surpass.

These steps are easy peasy, slowly do them and in no time, you will be at your best again doing everything that you love and with a happy heart, mind, and soul. There is no easy way out, is going to be a difficult ride, but hey you’ll never know if you never try!

You might think it’s difficult but if you are determined to succeed, it would be a walk in the park. Always keep in mind the quote “fall down seven times, stand up eight”. Your mindset should always be on the good and you shall keep moving forward. No matter how hard we avoid failure, there will come a point in where it will hit us, and again that’s no reason to stay on the ground and get caught in the situation.  

The world is a tough place, you can get overwhelmed by the number of your responsibilities and might think ��I can’t do this?! I’m just going to fail!” but there is no situation in where there is no answer, you just have to try and do your best, if it fails, then you try again, it’s not the end of everything if it all doesn’t work out! By the time everything works out, you’ll just smile at the times in where everything is in chaos because those were the days in where you thought you would not make it, but will happily say now that “I made it” and will just thank those times you fail, as those were a stepping stone towards your goal.

After all, you made it this far, you went through a lot to be in this position of your life today, would you give up now because you failed? Failure doesn’t matter, what’s important is the burning passion and the love that you put into everything that you do. You got yourself at the end of the day, what you need is faith, to keep going and doing. Remind yourself every day that it’s okay to fail and what you need to do is think of a better way to turn these failures into something that you can cherish and turn them into a beautiful story about how you started from the bottom and work your way up. Yes, it’ll take time, but it will be all worth it.

Listen, failing is okay. We all fail at one point or another. You are not alone in this battle you are going through, we all go through times that are just not a “happily ever after”, but those are just “once upon a time” that will lead to creating a beautiful story.

You are a strong person and no failure would get in your way in reaching for your goals and aspirations in life. How about changing the quote “you are greater than your fears” to “you are stronger than and much more than your failures”.

Chin up! A new chapter awaits you.

[actimes-blog]

Thes-Is It!: Survival Guide

by Marielle Mikhaela M. Hidalgo

A thesis is a time-honored rite of passage for a graduating college student. It can be a daunting and an intimidating task for anyone. Graduates will often tell “horror” stories of what happened to them during their time to scare the younger batches. It’s no joke a multitude of things will happen and the worst-case scenario can happen. It is horrifying to think about it at times but it does not have to be that way. It can be a pleasing, and rewarding experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Have Faith

One must first have faith in oneself and in their partner (if there is someone). One needs to have the belief that they can do this and come out stronger, or have the belief that God is always there to guide them. A little faith goes a long way. Take some along on your thesis journey.

Have Trust

Trust is, as Sarah Geronimo says, a “big word”. It is a big word for the profound meaning it holds in its five letters. One will have to put their trust in people like their thesis partner, thesis adviser, and thesis panelists. It is essential to have trust, to have good relationships with your thesis partner, thesis adviser, and thesis panelists to ensure optimum performance.

Have Courage

Fear is something that keeps all of us from doing certain things. Fear is rooted in some abstract concepts like failure, and pressure. Do not let those things get to you, they are a natural part of life and everyone experiences them. It is also rooted in people like the adviser, panelists, and validators. Do not be afraid of those people, keep in mind that they are there to help you better your paper not make life worse for you.

Have Kindness

Kindness with a sprinkling of respect is essential in your thesis journey. Be kind to everyone you will be asking for help with your thesis. Things can go south if you are demanding, and pushy towards other people. Remember, you’re the one asking them a favor. They’re sacrificing their time for you, so be nice, and get them a token if you can as common courtesy.  

Have Foresight

It cannot be stressed enough that anything can happen during your thesis journey. You could end up fighting and leave your partner or your adviser. You could lose your respondents. There will be crunch times for instances of a class or work suspension, natural calamities, and the like. You could get a virus in your computer and lose all your data. Be prepared for things like this, have a contingency plan and save your work in different places.  

[actimes-blog]

5 Must-Have Makeup Products That Every Collegiate Needs to Have

by Maia Alyssa Guadalupe

Admit it, college has our schedules jam-packed most of the time. Between running to your next class and finishing up a shoot, we don’t have much time to put on makeup since it takes a long time. Good thing there are new products out in the market that cater to the life of a busy bee. The next time that you’re in a rush, make sure to use these 5 makeup products in your makeup routine.

1. BB Cream

As much as we love foundations for giving us a full coverage, you have to admit it is unsuitable for an easy everyday look. Good thing BB Creams are created! BB Creams are lightweight and easy to apply. Some come in a cream formula, while others come in a compact powder form.

Aside from being lightweight and easy to apply, BB creams offer light to medium coverage perfect for an everyday look. Not to mention they also have SPF! I recommend Maybelline’s BB Cushion for its matte finish and medium coverage!

2. Eyebrow Gel Tint

We all know doing our eyebrows takes most of our time. It’s not easy getting that perfect arch. If you are not an expert in the brow game just like me, then I definitely recommend trying an Eyebrow Gel.

Eyebrow gel tints are becoming popular nowadays, brands like Maybelline, Nyx, Etude House are coming up with their own versions of it. It is perfect for busy girls because one swipe of the gel can last up to 3 days! They also look natural after you peel off the gel, amazing right?! But I do recommend practicing and trying the product out first because it can be a little tricky to apply on your first try, but trust me that once you got the hang of it, it works like a dream!

3. Cheek and Lip Tint

Want an easy way to brighten up your look? Go for a cheek and lip tint! This product is a staple in every busy girl’s makeup routine. This 2-in-1 product is a lifesaver for every girl that needs a quick pick-me-up. Highly pigmented, a tint is a product designed to coat your lips while maintaining their natural look. Since most tints come in a liquid form, it’s easy to apply on the apples of your cheeks as well for an instant pop of color! Aside from that Tints have more long-lasting color compared to regular old lipsticks, they are more affordable! It’s a win-win situation right?!

4. Face Powder

Most women are afraid of putting on face powders because they believe it will make their makeup look heavy and cakey. But in fact, powder reduces shine and it is used to set the foundation, gets rid of blemishes, and evens out your skin tone.

There are 2 kinds of powder that are popular nowadays, which are loose powders and pressed powders. Loose powders are perfect for day makeup! It has light and an air consistency, making it a must-have for people with oily skin.

The other ones are pressed powders, which gives you a natural look without making your skin dry or dull. It also prevents your foundation or BB cream from slipping. Aside from it is easy to apply and last longer!

5. Mascara

If you want to perk up your peepers instantly, then swiping a coat of mascara is the way to do it! But be wary, there are various kinds of mascaras out there! First off, mascaras are used to lengthen, thicken, darken and volumes your natural lashes, drawing more attention to your eyes. Second, there are two types of mascaras: washable and waterproof.

Washable mascaras, as the name suggest, are made with higher water content and therefore easier to remove. They are also less clumpy than the waterproof mascaras because they have more formulas in them. The only downside with this is it is easy to remove using only water, so when it suddenly rains down then you better get your makeup wipes ready.

The other type is the waterproof mascara which has lower water content or sometimes none at all. This makes them last through rain, sweat, and even tears! As much as I love waterproof mascaras, they could be hard to remove. You should use a makeup remover or an oil cleanser to make sure that no residue would be left!

Now that you have these 5 items on your stash, you’ll never have to worry about consuming too much time in the morning!

[actimes-blog]

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Made Me Feel All Sorts of Sadness

by Helenea So

An excerpt from a book called The Namesake by American author Jhumpa Lahiri said, “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” Ever get those feelings wherein you are reading a part of a book and you just hear the characters talking in your head or imagine you are in the setting and you see that what you are reading is happening around you? Does your imagination of the events from the book take you someplace else? If not, then it is either you are not feeling the book or the book is not making you feel it. On experience, I put the blame on how badly some books were written. But we are not here to talk about The Namesake, I am not taking you to Massachusetts (FYI, Massachusetts is the main setting of Lahiri’s book). Also, I won’t spoil anything to you. I am writing this article to tell you about my journey with the author of the book The Kite Runner (and by the way, the book is available at the LRC. You’re welcome!)

Khaled Hosseini, and his main character Amir to the mean streets of Kabul, Afghanistan. Dreary, melancholic and sorrowful are a few words hardly describe how miserable life was during the time of Amir. But hope never left the innocent mind of the young boy. He had witnessed so many things that a child should not have seen at an early age, these kinds of things that would exploit a child’s mind – death, profanity, obscenity, and filthiness. Amir is a young boy who lived during the time of the Soviet-Afghan War. He is the narrator of his own story dating from 1975. As the young boy Amir narrated to me his story, I felt deep in my skin all his experiences – the violent events and the joyous ones that occurred. Betrayal and redemption – this book made me curl up in one corner of my room with the book near my feet, I just stared at the title of the book and I realized it looks like it was written with blood, I was thanking God that I had a beautiful childhood and I am not as scarred, mentally and physically, as the characters in the book were. The book is not just about the war in the country but the war within oneself – it is mainly about how Amir felt the need to redeem himself and right the wrongs he once did. You have those books wherein you just cannot put down, but Khaled had a different approach on how he hooked readers into reading his novel. He did not want me to continue turning pages, but he compelled me into finishing reading every chapter, even had me discerning, made me aware of other’s miserable disposition and just think deeply about life. He taught me about war, about survival, about having the right type of mentality, taught me how not to lose hope, made me realize I am blessed and that life is not easy.

The war in Afghanistan started 1978 up to the present time, yes up to now. While I write this article, children are out there in Afghanistan – homeless and hopeless. News about the war in the country ended in August 2017, but did the war stop? Or are both sides cooking up new plans and weapons that will finally destroy their enemy? This was sparked by the Taliban in Afghanistan is no different from the issues we have in the Philippines; the CPP-NPA-NDF rebellion and the Moro insurgency in Mindanao or commonly known as the MILFs. The story of Amir is nothing new to our society today, it is apparent and it is happening to children right now in Afghanistan.

The best takeaway lesson in the book is no matter how immoral we did other people or ourselves, there is always redemption. It is ultimately up to us if we want to make a 180-degree spin to a different and hopefully a better track and it is our choice if we want to stay evil or do we want to make up for the evils we did. The best thing about The Kite Runner is there is hope. Good overcomes evil. Sacrifices are made to become better. I mentioned a quote by Lahiri at the start of this article, but let me repeat it to you again, “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” Amir took me miles away from my room to see the mean streets of Kabul, Afghanistan and I will never forget the pang of remorse I felt when I first read the book – something I felt again while writing this article.

[actimes-blog]

by Maia Alyssa Guadalupe

The collegiate life is never easy. Between classes, extracurricular activities, and internships, it’s easy to forget to take care and prioritize ourselves. If we don’t give ourselves some TLC every once in a while, it can cause our physical and mental health to suffer, making us less productive. Self-care can help us get back in track of our priorities and give us more energy throughout the day. If you don’t know where to start, then I got 5 ideas you can try!

Make Sure You Take Care of Your Needs

This is the most basic yet greatly forgotten self-care habit of students. Admit it, most often than not, you would rather skip meals just so you can study or finish an assignment. You would also forgo sleeping for the sake of doing your project. Taking care of basic needs should always be the forefront of every student’s self-care routine.

Get Enough Sleep

In a study created by William Dement (2017), a professor at Stanford University said that the average sleep requirement for college students should be well over 8 hours. If they weren’t able to get 8 hours, then that would cause “sleep debt”. Sleep debt is the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep. It’s that feeling of wanting to “catch up” on your sleep because you weren’t able to get 8 hours.

Some benefits of getting enough sleep include getting sick less often, staying at a healthy weight, lowering your risk for serious health problems such as diabetes, and heart diseases. It also reduces stress and improves your mood!

Never Skip Meals

It is a known fact that Filipinos love to eat, so it is a no-brainer right? Well, one becomes busy and stressed out; there will be tendencies of skipping meals. Nowadays, it has been a college trend, more and more students have opted to skip meals to study for an exam or do a project. If you weren’t able to eat 2 to 3 times a day, then it might cause fatigue, dizziness or fainting. In the long run, it might result in anemia or decreased immunity.

If you’re planning to skip a meal, make sure to at least have some snacks or biscuits with you so that you won't totally be empty. Aside from that, water is also important! Make sure drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water over the course of the day.

Take Time For Yourself

With all the many things that we do every day, we often forget to take time for ourselves. When you live with roommates, privacy can be hard to come by. During your stay in college, make it a mission for you to find a quiet place to call your own. It might be that nearby coffee shop at your college, a cozy corner in the library, or a shady spot in your local park.

This is the perfect time for you to unwind and just relax. Take this opportunity to finish a book that is collecting dust on your nightstand, or maybe you can finally finish that series you have been putting on hold. Whatever you do during this time, make sure it relaxes you. You can also take this time to unplug for few hours!

Surround Yourself With People Who Support You

Now that you have taken care of yourself physically, it’s time to do it mentally as well. It’s easy to become a negative Netty when you are constantly surrounded by people who only drag you down. Hence the quote, “We can’t choose our family, but we could choose our friends.”

Surround yourself with people, who support you with everything you do, who is proud of you for every achievement you gain no matter how small it might be. Surround yourself with people who spread positivity to others. You’ll be surprised how your own outlook would suddenly change for the better. Always remember that you deserve to have people in your life that will bring you up and not pull you down.

Write Out Your Thoughts

I think everyone has the tendency to keep their thoughts and feelings bottled up because we know how sad it feels to be vulnerable. So for people who are also like me having the tendency to bottle everything up, I recommend that you write your thoughts down. If you write down your thoughts, especially the negative ones, it helps you release some of your pent-up stress. This forces you to slow down and release your negative thoughts, making you focus easily on other things.

Learn A New Hobby

One of the best things in life is that we never stop learning. There are always new skills and techniques for us to adopt, whether it’s learning a new language or a new instrument to play. Your hobby should offer you a chance to decompress. Another benefit of hobbies is that it gives us a sense of purpose in life outside of our school life. As we get good at doing a hobby, we gain self-confidence.

Lucky for us nowadays, there so many various kinds of workshops available! Why not try doing Calligraphy, or Watercolor painting to release your creative side. You can also take this chance to learn a new sport such as badminton, swimming or taekwondo! The possibilities are endless! Go out there and try different things! You might be surprised at what you can do!

We have to always remember that college is not all about academics. It is also about going out there and getting experience that will help us prepare for the real world. Not only that, college is also the time where we get to know ourselves a little deeper.

By taking care of ourselves, we learn to love ourselves, which is a common problem today. You should always remember that you are doing the best that you can and that every accomplishment is something you can be proud of.

[actimes-blog]

What If You Don’t Get That “One True Calling”?

by Sofia Diawan

The idea of being someone in the future can be quite tricky and scary. It expects us to be in an ideal profession and all, but what if we just don’t have that calling for one specific career or you are in a state in where the only thing you are sure about is today and not the future. Society pressures individuals, it makes one feel the need for him/her to excel and have particular plan to follow in order to succeed, but hey, many successful people didn’t have a plan and things ended up well, even much more than they were expecting.

In our lives, we wait for that one true calling, to where our paths will lead us, however, some people are still confused on what course to take, what to do after college, what field to be engaged in, and all sorts of possible questions about our future. Some already know what to do and have their whole lives planned out, while some are still trying to figure out what to do and how to do the things they want to do. We may actually believe the thought that we all have that one true calling, but does every single person in this world actually have it? And will it matter if you don’t get that one true calling?

We were often asked as kids on what do we want to be when we grow up, this question was mostly the FAQ or the frequently asked questions when we were kids in family gatherings and in school. Most of us dreamt of becoming teachers, doctors, lawyers, an architect just like when you were building Legos when you were a kid, or maybe even a Hollywood star like Hannah Montana, or a model like your Barbie dolls whom you used to dress up with all sorts of trendy clothes, these were our interests when we were kids that somehow became a way to give you an idea on what you could possibly be when you grow up, however throughout the years we learn and experience new things and it somehow changes our perspective in life.

Today, when asked about what you want to do, you may actually don’t know what you really want, that’s when you get anxious and scared on what the future holds, now that you realize that you are at the point of figuring what you really want to do, and it is okay. As you grow older, different things in life influence us such as your friends, family, role models, and mentors. Thus, the fact that there are many aspects in this world that could influence you, it all boils down to what your heart and mind are saying, for this decision would serve as the breaking point on what path you are going and choosing.

Is destined the right word for people who already have that one true calling? How about for others who are in doubt of where they really should be? You may be in a field now, but do you really want to be in this field or are you just being forced to do so. You may be unhappy with what you’re doing now, but it is okay. We all go through phases in our lives wherein we try different roads until we finally take the path that fits your interests and personality.

At some point in your life, you start to doubt yourself on where you really are going. You may start questioning yourself as you see others having a clear vision on what their life would be, and you’re like “they already figured it out?” as if they planned it already, and you? You wonder what’s next for you, which is absolutely okay. Patience is a virtue, right? You will never know the meaning and importance of life if you stop at one point in your life, just because of that lost and unsure feeling about yourself. Are you just 18? 19? Maybe 20? And it’s fine to have a change of heart on whether you want to pursue being a doctor or to direct your own play in New York maybe?

Change is inevitable; we are young and confused kids who aim to achieve our goal without the feeling of being pressured and judge by society who constantly expects us to do well. If only instead of being judged for having a vague plan, why don’t we help build people up? In order for this to work, we should bring people up, cliché as it may sound, but that is what would make everything possible. Teenagers are afraid to show what they truly want because of the idea that they should walk on the path towards fields like doctors and lawyers, but the world is big and there are so many beautiful professions.

These are the different reasons why you are confused on choosing one path to pursue:

You have a lot of interests in life and you probably can’t choose one since you enjoy doing every single one of them;

Maybe you haven’t found that one thing that you really want to do;

You are pressured by the people around you and so much more;

You may have not just one calling, maybe two? Three? It really depends on your interests in life and;

Something or someone’s hindering you from doing what you love

Even if you clearly have no idea on what to chose, it doesn’t matter, as long as you are happy with what you’re doing having that one true calling won’t bother that much. You just have to enjoy life and how it brings you different opportunities in life. Your life doesn’t necessarily need to be planned, your life is meant to be enjoyed, every single detail of it. If you’re feeling lost, it’s okay, don’t forget about others’ opinion, what matters most is what you are feeling and as long as you are contented on what you’re doing and that you keep on learning new things.

Just like what Emilie Wapnick, a founder and creative director of puttylike and a resident multipotentialite, an influencer who had several talks such as the popular “why some of us don’t have that one true calling”, said that we should “Embrace your many passions. Follow your curiosity down those rabbit holes. Explore your intersection.”

Emilie Wapnick coined the term “multipotentialite”, it means people are more complex and your interests in life are more varied than a single occupation can contain.

This is what reality is, people are more than what they think they are. We are all beautiful, creative, and talented human, that one path is just not enough. We tend to go on different paths because we don’t settle for anything less, we are competitive and have higher dreams than one could ever think of. That is why you need not worry about having that one true calling.

Don’t be afraid to take new chances and don’t be afraid to explore because only then will you know what your true calling might be. Don’t cage yourself in the thought that if you don’t have that one true calling everything is already a mess, but embrace the thought that you will succeed, just like how other people do, your time will come and by then you just have to keep on reminding yourself to be brave enough take risk and have the attitude that is prepared to conquer the world.

You all should keep in mind that we are all different individuals, with different passions, different goals, different ideologies, and different ways and time on how to achieve those goals we have set in our mind. In time, you will find that perfect path for you, it will come on the time you least expect it, you’ll probably be shocked to see you are enjoying something you did not plan on pursuing at all.

Just like a seed when first planted, it takes time before it fully blooms into a beautiful flower; it takes time, patience, and effort to see that career for you. You may want to pursue something, but due to some circumstances, there is only a small percent of putting those dreams into actions, and it is okay because you will for sure work it out at the end.

“Your one true calling is to not have one true calling.” —Emilie Wapnick

You will get there, even if it takes a long time.  You may not have that one true calling just yet! And even if you don’t have that one true calling, everything will be fine and will fall into its perfect place, trust yourself, it will work out in the end with that call or without it. You decide for yourself and it's up to you on how you want things to go and look like.