Why wouldn't you make a New Year's Resolution?

Reading time: 5-7 minutes

First of all, Merry Christmas everyone! I was actually thinking of writing about Christmas, but I ended up not writing any special post about it. So now, I'm gonna talk about what most people make in the end of the year, and abandon 2 or 3 months after (or even earlier than that). 
Yes, it's the so-called "New Year's Resolution".
I find New Year's Resolution kinda amusing, because it gives so much sparks and spirit to everyone who makes it (at first), before it turns into a "burden" and makes you go "nyeh" and "mehh".

I'm not gonna lie, I can still remember how I made several new year's resolutions and didn't really achieve any of them, like learning how to cook and learning how to drive a car-- I did learn a few times but didn't have the time to really commit to it. 

I reviewed as many resolutions that I could remember and read several articles about why we fail our new year's resolutions. Here are three reasons for failing to achieve one's stated goals (Baumeister and Heatherton 1996, as cited by Koestner, 2008, p. 61):

1. Unclear and vague goals.

It's better to state  "I'm gonna lose 20 kg this year" rather than "I'm gonna lose some weight".

2. Failure to follow up and measure our progress

It's better to weigh yourself every Monday rather than feeling your pants to know if it has loosened like you want it to.

3. Weak self-control and self-regulation when facing challenges

And this is probably the root of all failures when we're holding onto our New Year's Resolution. We tend to compromise our goals and add a lot of excuses to support it. 

Now that I know why I (almost) always failed in my New Year's Resolutions, I am planning not to fail in my 2014's Resolutions. After a week of sleepless nights, thinking of what should be my 2014's resolutions (nah, just kidding, it didn't take that long) I came up with a set of New Year's Resolutions, or what I call "My impulsive New Year's Resolutions".

1. Read books.

I used to love reading books, then the era of comic books came. Then movies. Then internet has ruled my world (I bet it rules your world too). I have friends who read books, and seeing them made me realize that I am missing so much things by not reading books.
If you ever heard someone said "Why read books? Everything is on the internet now, idiot" and you are buying that, you are on the wrong track. E-books are surely nice, but can you stand reading a 300-paged-book on your computer screen? I honestly can't. So starting next year, I'm planning to start reading a book for each month. Wait for me, my intelligent-full-of-knowledge friends.

2. Run.

As much as I want to run from reality (And you know you want to do that as well, folks) What I mean by "run" is I want to literally start running as a part of my routines. As you know, running has become a trend, and from that trend, I say "Why don't I turn it into a healthy habit?". I used to play basketball back when I was in high school but now running really seems like an easier sport with no-less health advantages than basketball. By easier I mean I don't have to arrange time with friends who play basketball. Running? There are more fellows you can just ask to run with you.
I did my first 5K run last week. It was exhausting, but so refreshing that it feels like you've washed your brain when you're done with the running. So I'd like to start running every week.

3. Blog.

Yes. Blog. I know my relationship with blog has been on and off (really). The first time I started blogging, I was so expressive that I never really filtered what I was writing. Then I thought that I should make a brand new blog to not only showcase my ideas, but to also give helpful information for the readers in some ways. It turned out that becoming too concerned about what I post on my blog only made me a worse blogger. The second blog stopped, and I just started a new one. This blog. 
In 2014 (and so on) I want to just share. I'm learning to take the phrase "Sharing is Caring" seriously, and therefore that's what I'm gonna do consistently from now on.


I would love to add a lot of other resolutions, and I do know there are things I want to fix or achieve (something that goes like "I want to ace my final exams, I want to finish my ultimate thesis--there I said it, and graduate, and get a job or a master's degree scholarship overseas", and so on).

But to me, those are part of my life goals. (I. should. get. them. done. I really should).
While New Year's Resolutions to me are simple and measurable things that I wanna get to improve my quality as a human being.

New year's resolutions are there not to become your burdens, not to change you and push you to become what you are not. So pick your own new year's resolutions that you think would make you feel good, look good, or get more out of life. :3

Let's start!

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Quick facts:

Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2014 according to University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology

Published: 12.13.2013

Rank	Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2014
1	Lose Weight
2	Getting Organized
3	Spend Less, Save More
4	Enjoy Life to the Fullest
5	Staying Fit and Healthy
6	Learn Something Exciting
7	Quit Smoking
8	Help Others in Their Dreams
9	Fall in Love
10	Spend More Time with Family

Type of Resolutions (Percent above 100% because of multiple resolutions)	Data
Self Improvement or education related resolutions	47%
Weight related resolutions	38%
Money related resolutions	34%
Relationship related resolutions	31%

Full statistics? Click here.

Different dates of Mother's Day: What does it really mean?

Reading Time: 3-5 minutes

Happy mother's day to all of moms all around the world!

I noticed how a lot of my friends posted their photos to declare their love to their moms. Such a sweet atmosphere today. What did I do on this year's mother's day? I went shopping with my mom and my younger sis after a long long while, and left my dad and younger bro at home. (No, they were actually shopping in a place separated with where we shopped).  
So.. the holiday atmosphere was really there. I mean, holiday shopping atmosphere.

Still in the Mother's Day atmosphere,
instead of wondering what everyone was doing with their mom for the whole day, I was struck by a random question.
Why is Mother's day celebrated on different dates, all around the world?

December 22 is Indonesian's mother's day, while in another countries, they have their own Mother's day on different dates. 
For example, in Norway, mother's day is celebrated on the second Sunday of each year's February.
In Bulgaria, Mother's day is always celebrated on March 8, which is also International Women's day (hmm, that makes sense).
For countries like Australia, Japan, USA, Germany, and Netherlands (also several other countries) Mother's day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

Looking at all of the dates, Mother's days apparently range from February to December. Feeling like celebrating all those Mother's day? Then you can celebrate Mother's day almost every month.

The first modern Mother's Day term was used and celebrated back in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in West Virginia, United States. She then started a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in United States.
The holiday was adopted by other countries and is now celebrated all around the world.

But what's with the various dates?
After my quick "research", I found an interesting fact. It turns out that each country has different perspective on Mother's day in their own country.

Some of the countries selected date based on historical significance, like Bolivia's Mother's Day which is the date of a battle in which Bolivian women participated. In some countries the date was changed  to a date that was significant to the majority religion, such as Virgin Mary Day in Catholic countries. In some ex-communist countries they prefer to celebrate International Women's Day.
Conclusion: There are various origins of Mother's day, therefore Mother's Day are celebrated in various dates. 

After reading all those historical stuff about Mother's Day, I was expecting to feel content with the findings. There are lots of interesting stories on the Mother's Day Celebration traditions, the origins and history of Mother's Day. You can google them all. I was not feeling content.

Then I remembered my mom, my super mom (I'm sure some of you can relate to "my super mom" phrase. Our moms can be so super and M.O.M could be an abbreviation of Mother.Of.Multitasking, too).

She has done tons of amazing things. She has raised me, and has taught me to become a better person, by showing me how to become so. Sure she makes mistakes, because she's a human being. But what she has given to me---blood, sweat, and tears, are what made me believe that I can never repay her, no matter how much gratitude and appreciation I want to give to her.

Then I remembered myself. How bad I was acting as a kid, how much of a rebel as a teenager, and finally, how ignorant I am as a daughter right now, how I still don't listen to her words sometimes, how I don't pick up her calls or never really tell her I love her back.

The puzzle pieces are now coming together for me. I finally have my own interpretation and how I can relate to the fact that Mother's Days are celebrated on different dates all across the world.

"Mother's day is supposed to be celebrated, everyday."

If I celebrate Mother's Day every year, while I haven't started to appreciate and thank my mom for everything that she has done for me everyday, does it really mean anything?

While we can, let's tell and show our moms how much we love them. Don't hesitate.

Feeling nostalgic?

In every state of our lives, there will always be a song or several songs which give a mark to it. Don't you agree? There are times when we're probably shopping in malls or just hanging out in a cafe, the music starts playing and you're like "Oh HEY. This song reminds me of when I was 14 and very rebel back then. Wow, time flies." And once you get home you start finding the songs which have those certain memories, and sing along to each and every single song. You just can't help it.

And yes.. you would probably feel old after that. 


So anyways, I came across songs that made me feel nostalgic today and I wanna share them with you.
I can't embed the YouTube videos here because the thing is not working so I'll just put the links here and give the snippets of each song's lyrics. Enjoy!

1. Travis - Closer (2007)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2hYn_4yuhc
I've had enough, of this parade.
I'm thinking of, the words to say.
We open up, unfinished parts,
Broken up, its so mellow.

And when I see you then I know it will be next to me
And when I need you then I know you will be there with me
Ill never leave you...

Just need to get closer, closer,
Lean on me now,Lean on me now,
closer, closer,
Lean on me now, Lean on me now.

2. Daniel Bedingfield - If You're not The One (2002)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3bFOT1e-AU

I never know what the future brings
But I know you're here with me now
We'll make it through and I hope
You are the one I share my life with

I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there anyway that I can stay in your arms?

3. Hoobastank - The Reason (2003)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV4DiAyExN0

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

4. The Corrs - Summer Sunshine (2004)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNWo83LD7JQ

In the heat of summer sunshine 
I miss you like nobody else 
In the heat of summer sunshine 
I'll kiss you, and nobody needs to know 

Now that you've left me, there's no retur-ning 
I keep comparing, you're always win-ning 
I try to be strong but you'll never be more wanted 
Will you make me at home? 

5. Dido - White Flag (2003)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pwT2wiZsg0

I know you think that I shouldn't still love you, 
Or tell you that.
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it 
where's the sense in that? 

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder 
Or return to where we were 

I will go down with this ship 
And I won't put my hands up and surrender 
There will be no white flag above my door 
I'm in love and always will be 

6. All American Rejects - Move Along (2005)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_6aVrxEtw0

Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking
When you fall everyone stands
Another day and you've had your fill of sinking
With the life held in your
Hands are shaking cold
These hands are meant to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
Move along

7. Sarah McLachlan - When She Loved Me (2000)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3qBbLyRixg

When somebody loved me, everything was beautiful
Every hour we spent together, lives within my heart
And when she was sad, I was there to dry her tears
And when she was happy, so was I, when she loved me.

Through the summer and the fall, we had each other, that was all
Just she and I together, like it was meant to be
And when she was lonely, I was there to comfort her
And I knew that she loved me.

8. Jojo - Never Say Goodbye (2004)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9jL62ck_Ww

No more lonely, no more just me
I've been there before
Ain't going no more
And now that you're here I
Never wanna say goodbye love
Never wanna be without you
No more crying, no denyin'
I'm in love with you
And now that you're here I
I never wanna say goodbye love

Is there any song which makes you feel nostalgic whenever it's played?

Share right in the comments below :D

Mahasiswa dan Pola Makannya yang Menakjubkan

DISCLAIMER: Post ini adalah post yang saya copy dari blog saya yang terdahulu di tahun 2011 (masih mahasiswa labil). But I still find it true and amusing, so I'd like to share this with you guys :)

Baru saja gw keki karena gw lupa hari ini offclass, buat yang ga tau offclass itu apa, itu sejenis makanan ringan.

Becanda. Off class itu artinya kuliah tapi nggak hadir di kampus. Biasanya dikasih tugas sama dosen, atau ngerjain soal dan diskusi di forum. Interesting? Iya, cuma bagian liburnya aja. #namanyajugamahasiswa

Anyways, gw baru inget kalo akhir-akhir ini gw jadi sarapan setiap pagi. Entah kesambet setan atau gimana, gw jadi suka beli roti (dan makan, tentunya) sebelum gw berangkat beraktivitas, baik pas gw ada kelas, maupun nggak. Fyi, gw ini orangnya hampir ga pernah sarapan. Kalau kuliah, nggak sarapan. Kalau nggak kuliah/libur, tidurnya bangun siang. Jadi sama aja nggak sarapan.

Seberapa penting sih sarapan? Gw pernah denger pepatah seperti ini:

"Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a beggar"

Kalau based on saying yang ada di atas tersebut, artinya breakfastlah yang "value" nya paling besar di antara semua waktu makan setiap hari. Dan memang benar, karena sarapan adalah sumber tenaga kita untuk memulai aktivitas.

Tapi guys, yang membuat gw kaget adalah kalimat "dinner like a beggar"

Omaigat. Kalau kebiasaan gw dijadikan sebuah pepatah, bisa jadi kalimatnya begini:

"Breakfast? No, wait until lunch. Lunch? YES,very much YES. Dinner, at any hour."

*facepalm*

Rasanya jadwal makan gw sangat hancur. Penelitian mengatakan, bahwa sarapan lah yang paling penting dan harus ada setiap hari. Selama kuliah, gw meninggalkan pola hidup sehat tersebut.

Sekarang gw ingin membandingkan pola makan gw saat gw masih sekolah (berasa tua) dan pola makan gw saat kuliah.

SMA:

1. Sarapan (Nasi goreng/nasi pakai telor ceplok/nasi pakai nugget/french fries -> sok elit, ga sekalian burger aja apa sekalian)

2. Makan pas istirahat pertama jam stgh 10 pagi (Nasi kuning/nasi campur)

3. Makan pas istirahat kedua 11.15(berbagai macam snack yang jumlahnya nggak kira2)

4. Makan siang di rumah (Nasi dan lauk yang lebih banyak daripada yang dimakan di kantin)

5. Optional: Makan lebih cepat, bisa berupa mie instan dan sebagainya

6. Makan malem

7. #ngemillagikalolaper

Sekarang bandingkanlah dengan pola makan gw saat kuliah.

Kuliah:

1. #sarapangakyaa

2. Makan siang (yang jelas bukan di rumah) -> nasi warteg setengah, lauk 2-3 biji/ nasi di tempat2 makan lainnya

3. Makan malem -> bisa berupa nasi warteg atau nasi dan lauk yg dipesan dan diantar ke kos.

Gimana? Beda jauh?

Let me tell you, pas gw SMA, berat badan gw SELALU KURANG DARI 50 kg. Terakhir gw nimbang berat badan, (setelah UAN SMA) berat badan gw 46 kg.

Pas kuliah, *drum rolls*

Berat badan gw SELALU LEBIH DARI 50 kg.

*guling-guling di tanah*

*teriak "Hidup ini gak adil!" sambil mengepalkan tangan di udara*

Oke. Jadi itulah kenyataan yang pahit. Kenapa pas makan gw banyak, gw kurus, dan pas gw jarang makan, gw malah lebih berat? Gw juga ga tau jawabannya. Mungkin udah kebanyakan dosa juga jadi berat. *nunduk*

Selain itu, yang gw sadari adalah sewaktu SMA, gw rajin olahraga, dan ketika kuliah, gw udah ga pernah olahraga lagi. Mungkin hal ini juga salah satu sebabnya *geleng-geleng kepala*

*TIPS KESEHATAN SPESIAL DARI  MBAK JANET*

1. Sarapan sebelum memulai aktivitas. Kalau anak kos, usahakan yang murah dan tidak menguras dompet terlalu awal.

2. Makan siang jangan terlalu brutal. Secukupnya aja, jangan kaya orang baru pernah liat makanan.

3. Makan malem jangan kecepetan, jangan kemaleman, jangan kebanyakan. Biasanya ada orang yang makan malem eh tiba-tiba plus roti bakar coklat keju, plus martabak, dan plus lain-lainnya.

4. Usahakan untuk nggak makan atau jajan-jajan lagi di atas jam 9 malem. Sangat tidak sehat, trust me.

5. Sisihkan waktu untuk berolahraga.

6. Tidur yg cukup. Kalau suka begadang, paling nggak siangnya udah tidur 1-2 jam.

Jadi, kesimpulannya adalah, mari melestarikan hewan-hewan langka yang sudah punah.

Salah,

maksudnya, marilah kita memulai hidup sehat dengan makan secara teratur dan kebiasaan hidup yang baik, karena sehat itu mahal harganya.

Jangan terlalu banyak makan junkfood...