I'll Fight it Anyday!

Stress has become the norm for me these past few years, especially when it came to course projects, group projects, major assignments, tests, presentations, and the list goes on. Not only is there academic stress, but there's stress in all other areas of my life- from work, to internships, to relationships, to my social life, and again the list continues... Stress is a monster I tell you and it comes in many forms, but how you deal with it is key. The reason I'm blogging about stress on this beautiful Friday morning is because just a few days ago I was so overwhelmed I caught a slight fever that eventually turned into a minor cold. I basically let the stress consume my body, where I forgot to take care of own well being- FYI, that's never good! I lacked sleep, ate little, and when I did eat it was all the bad foods.

Yesterday was much better and went smoother than I expected. I think with the Senior Project Presentation approaching and demand for a quality/finished business proposal its become quite strenuous, especially if you have a lot of other things on your plate. Anyway, the business proposal is close to complete, ready for revisions to be made my Faculty and Staff. The formation of our PowerPoint presentation has already begun, and that includes all the practicing we have to do! And speaking of other things on my plate, two weeks ago I began my Web Design course : ) I'll be building a website out of scratch, and I'll be sure to share it with you once I'm done with it! I'm not sure if it was wise to take it along with Senior Project, but I'll deal.

Anyway, about this thing called stress… In the moment I despise it, but ultimately I appreciate that it exists. Again, it's one of those drivers that push people to their greatest potential. I personally think that stress can either make you or break you depending on how you handle it. Two days ago I didn't handle it so well, and I'm not suggesting that every time you come face to face with stress you'll know what to do, but just remember this:

Let it happen. It's happening because further action needs to be taken on your part to reduce the amount of stress your in at that moment. Once it passes the feeling is indescribable! It's like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders: "The more difficult something [becomes] the more rewarding it [is] in the end," (Big Fish).

Re-direct your emotions to help control it. Like what my friend once told me, "A bad day is only bad because you think and feel that way," (DB). This is probably one of the hardest things for me to do especially when I'm so consumed in all the emotion. One thing that has worked for me is to have positive and supportive people around, and are more than willing to listen. They may not know what you're going through, but they're there to help balance you out. Emotionally letting them in helps you shift gears (your emotional stress) to get you to think on the brighter side, when at that moment you feel otherwise. By the way, I'm so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world," (Buddha).

Learn from this experience. From every situation dealing with stress, I always learn something new. For example, know what not to do to avoid/minimize the situation from occurring again or how to handle it the next time it happens. Like the saying goes, "everything happens for a reason" so absorb it! Everything good and bad is ultimately a learning experience. It's okay to be frustrated, to be angry, and to be sad as long as you don't let it control your life. Although we have some control, some things are just not meant to be tampered with. I like to look at it as a very awful, but minor stepping stone. I'm pretty sure that down the line there'll be more treacherous mountains to climb… Experience accommodated with learning is a great way to prepare yourself, so the worse doesn't always seem like the end of the world.

Ahhhh, stress! I hate it and I love it. What an odd relationship I have with my stress. I never seem to fail in falling into it, but conquering it is always the best feeling. Take what I have to say into consideration so save your sanity! Please, if you have any advice feel free to comment! I'd love to hear how you handle your stress. I may even to try it, after all I'm in battle it with more often than you think



Enjoy,

Marlen H. D.

P.S. Always look forward to something! In my case (1) business proposal/presentation over with; (2) Vegas w/ my closest friends; and (3) Graduation!

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Closing this Chapter...

It's about that time, approximately three years ago I started DeVry University as a Business- Marketing & Sales student; and as I near Grad Day (June 20th), I'm consumed in thinking about what I'll be doing afterwards. I learned that nothing is ever certain and plans aren't always engraved in stone, so it's always important to keep schedules flexible- especially mine! For everyone that knows me, I think that's the most difficult thing for me to do, is to actually have time for ME or anyone else. I'm thankful to have such wonderful and understanding people in my life though : ) I have not forgotten about you, thank you for still being me friend LOL

Anyway, back to my majorly busy schedule. So I've been thinking about what's next, but all I can seem to think about is what's coming up. So I've decided to share:

MAY
May 1- Start of Session B & Web Development Course
May 10- Julius' Christening
May 11- Happy Mother's Day!
May 19- Flying out to Missouri for onsite interview
May 20- Flying back from Missouri!
May 20- May's Birthday!
May 28- Senior Project Presentation
May 29- Vegas! Happy 21st Birthday Carina!

JUNE
June 6- Sky Diving!
June 15- Happy Father's Day!
June 18- Happy Birthday Edward & Birthday BBQ
June 20- Graduation : )
June 21- Grad Party


Every thing seems to be planned out, but I'm sure things will change; I'll have more or less to add to this list when the time comes. Major things to do on my To Do List is to definitely visit Europe! How I've been wanting to go so bad : ( I think the best thing to do for now is to pay off all the debt I'll be in when I'm done... Blaaaah! Seriously, shool is ridiculously expensive. I may just even go back for my MBA, which is what I orgininally had planned but that is still up in the air. Btw, I still maintained that 4.0 I was ranting on and on about on my lasy MySpace Profile HAHA. Almost over... new chapter to begin. Thank goodness for life : ) I love it! FYI, I am still unbelievably stressed out! LOL

Lesson #1: It's okay to be busy, but always have time for yourself. It's a great way to keep your sanity :) For most people busyness is a great past time because I know that I honestly would lose my mind if I had NOTHING to do, hence the reason why I'm have a million and one things to do. Like a similar saying goes, "slow down and smell the roses."

Carpe Diem,


Marlen H. Dimayacyac