Public Spark

Hope all of my readers are enjoying the last day of 2007. As I countdown to 2008, there are several things that I do to welcome the new year.

1. Refection

   New Year’s Eve is a good time for me to reflect upon the past year. If I were to sum up 2007 in one word, it would be “transition.” The transitional events included my graduation, Hawaiian traveling adventure, attending several friends’ weddings and starting Public Spark. If you were to sum up your year, what has it been like?

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Inspired by recent events and holidays, here’s a list of traditional Japanese remedies that I have learned about from my parents and my own experience. These are not a safe proof way, but mere suggestions.

• ume (Japanese plum) and risotto

  tiny bit of the ume and risotto are said to do the trick. This has been passed down in my family, as well as the rest of the Japanese community.

• water to keep hydrated

  dehydration is one of the consequences of drinking too much so it is important to rehydrate your body.

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It is Christmas time again, which holds different meanings for everyone. Some may not even celebrate Christmas, while for others it may be one of the most exciting holidays of the year. Whatever it may be, hope you are enjoying a nice day.

For me, I fall into the latter category. Christmas is one of the most exciting holidays, since it has always been big for my family and friends. It occurs in many preparatory phases.

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1. Cute and cuddly

   Sense of touch can stimulate a positive response. I feel happy when I touch soft pets like dogs and animals. It also feels comforting.

2. Funny

   Pets can keep you on your toes. They can tort their bodies funny, watch TV, etc. Laughing can help keep the wrinkles away.

3. Companionship

   Just as human friendships can be rewarding, so can having pets. True, they cannot speak, but it is nice to see them wag their tails when you are home. You can also build a relationship with them through training and doing activities together.

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Some of the typical questions that children ask about death were as follows:

• What does “dead” mean?

  It is better to reply to children with a simple and brief answer. The idea or the concept of death is hard to grasp so any way that can be simple is best. For example, you can describe the physical aspects like they can no longer talk, eat, or walk.

• Does it hurt when you die?

  Children may feel comforted to know that the person is not in pain or no longer suffering.

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The mickey waffle at the Carnation Cafe on Main Street

As winter break approaches, many are planning to go visit family, go on vacations, etc. For those of you who live in California or are planning to visit Anaheim with children this is a blog to help you!

BEFORE THE TRIP:

1. Check the hours to the park beforehand, as times can vary depending on special events or day of the week.

2. Pack up

   • sunscreen

   • hats

   • sunglasses

   • walking shoes

   • Backpack to carry essentials

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• Emergency

  First and foremost, if there are any injuries 911 needs to be called.

• Staying calm

  Easier said then done. No matter how small of a car accident, it usually rattles people up. It is a scary thing. If it is a large accident or traumatic in any way, it is important to seek help from a social worker, counselor, or psychologist.

• Exchanging information

  Some key information to get include: the other driver’s vehicle description (color, model, maker, license plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)), the name of the Driver, the Driver’s reachable phone number, Driver’s license number, license expiration date, home address, driver’s birth date, Insurance name and policy number.

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This is a list that I came up with from my experience of the stigmas that surround the therapeutic community. It is merely my experience and I believe these aspects exist with clients, but does not describe all clients as therapy may seem to imply.

• Must be the clients fault

  No way! Actually it’s the opposite. Everyone has their weaknesses and it is rather admirable for someone to know it and want to enhance their life.

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There comes a time in everyone’s life when we make a transition from being a young student into being an employee. This can be one of the most stressful transition periods of your life. During your job search period, you may have rejections, parents and friends adding pressure, having your own pressures, etc. Here are 10 ways to combat those stressors:

1. Balance job search with something fun to reduce stress

   Job searching can be stressful and when you are, it can be difficult to think. Balancing your search times with something fun, can help rejuvenate you and also motivate you.

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First and foremost before I begin the list, I want to stress the importance of having personal space. In my own experience, the mere fact of not having physical and/or mental space (as in no psychological stress) can have a paralyzing affect. There are times when you feel stuck, unsure, stressed out, depressed, and it can be attributed to not having enough space. Here are some suggestions that have worked for me.

1. Meditation

   This is an invaluable technique that I use not only for relaxation, but to free my mind, without the clutters and thoughts of everyday life. I can make more effective decisions and feel more confident.

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