A Tangible Goal

It would be a little presumptuous for someone to claim to have no goals. Obviously, everyone has an ambition. Now whether that be aiming to cure cancer, getting a 2400 on the SAT, or simply getting a minimum of 8 hours a sleep a night, is not the point of this post. It's how you approach your goal.

Most of us make a mental goal. That's great, but unfortunately, not quite sufficient. With experience I can say that physically writing down a goal, whether it be on a piece of paper or your computer, is a lot more conducive to success. Understandably, mental goals tend to be overshadowed by other, more pressing and imminent things. Writing it down and keeping it in a location that you frequently visit will not only remind you, but instill drive and motivation.

So the next time you're dying of acedia, try writing down your goals. Comment back to share whether this method works!

A tip: set your goals a little higher than what you think is possible. you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

That's it for now, folks.

The Chicken / Brain Yoga

My mom recently forwarded me this chain email she had going on with her friends that linked her to the following video: Superbrain Yoga.
Captivating, no? Well, get this: apparently, my mom and her friends are so excited about this discovery because this exercise was a form of punishment when they were in school in India. Except instead of calling it "brain yoga", they called it moorgi (the chicken pose.)

Accustomed to detentions and Saturday 5's, our generation probably finds it difficult to fathom that physical exercise was used to castigate students for inappropriate behavior or for negligence towards their schoolwork. Humiliating as it must have been back then, this practice has clearly engendered interest and has provided amazing results. Fascinating.

This segues nicely to what I would like to share today. In our youth, we often take not only our body but our mind for granted. Yet nevertheless, diseases such as Alzheimer's show that our brain is also subject to atrophy. I am not attempting to sound wise; I find myself carelessly devouring junk food quite frequently, and it has only come to my attention today that I should make sure that my brain stays healthy as well. We should take action now to ensure that our bodies and our minds stay healthy and active in the future.

Regardless of how silly this Superbrain Yoga may seem (I could not restrain from laughing at the video), I hope to incorporate it into my weekly, if not daily, routine. I invite you to join me on this endeavor. A fit body and an acute mind are wonderful incentives, don't you think?

That's it for now, folks.

Dihydrogen Monoxide

I came upon this website recently, http://www.dhmo.org/. It explained all the reasons why dhmo is harmful. Seeing that it was a .org website, I instinctively trusted the information and read on: "dhmo is linked to gun violence"; "some call dhmo the invisible killer"; "dihydrogen monoxide can be deadly." What is this stuff?


It took me about 15 minutes to realize that dhmo, was none other than our very own, H2O. Being an AP Chemistry student, I was naturally embarrased to not have realized this at the outset. I heartily congratulate anyone who was not fooled by the scientific-aura of the website. (If you guessed by recognizing that the beautiful bottle to the left is a water bottle, then I dont.)

Back to the point. After realizing that dhmo was water, I reflected back on one of the warnings: "some people think that dhmo should be banned." I honestly think that some of my friends and family agree with this statement and think that water is toxic; these people probably drink a glass of water a week, and it irks me. Here begins my rant/reasons why water is necessary for a body to function well physically and mentally :

The Importance of Dihydrogen Monoxide

• Water washes away all the gunk stuck to the lining of our intestines (this is especially important if you tend to eat a less fibrous diet).


• Water makes your skin glow. It's not a myth that drinking water helps prevent acne. It washes away toxins that lead to pimples and helps our kidneys filter those toxins out.


• Water keeps your skin and lips moist. Drinkng enough water may help you relieve your chapstick addiction. (I have a severe addiction, so I understand.)


• Water prevents you from consuming unnecessary calories. I'm not saying that water supresses hunger, or it'll make you lose weight. But it will prevent you from reaching for snacks when you're not even hungry.


• Water is good for digestion. In fact, drinking a cup of water as soon as you wake up in the morning is probably the best way to start your day.

• Water helps to replenish the water you've lost through perspiration. If you have a very active lifestyle, drinking water is a must. Many people recommend drinking beverages with electrolytes; however, many of these sport drinks are loaded with sugar and do not hydrate you nor replenish your energy. Stick to drinking water, and if electrolytes are needed, at a pinch of salt and lemon and sugar: lemonade!

• Water helps you concentrate in class. Sugary drinks may provide you a burst of energy, but you'll crash sooner or later and won't be able to function. Water keeps you going throughout the day. Invest in a reusable water bottle for convenience! I just got a new Sigg water bottle (pictured to the left) that I'm currently obsessed with. :) visit http://www.mysigg.com/
  

That's it for now, folks.