busy girl thoughts

The first test challenges your ability to spot a fake smile. There are similar tests out there but this one has video playbacks, so you can see the smiles in action.
BBC Smile Test

This one is difficult. You guess the person’s mood by looking at his/her eyes only.
Mind in the Eyes

I get asked a lot what skin product I use. Here’s a list of prescription-only drugs that I’ve tried thru my dermatologists. They all work wonder, and are cheaper than expensive name-brands. Well, of course they work better, and that’s why they’re not available over the counter.

WATCH OUT, sunscreen HAS TO BE USED and reapplied daily when using any of the products below. And they shouldn’t be used during the day. Otherwise you’ll end up with more brown spots or other sun damages. Also, do not store them in the bathroom (too warm and too moist).

Bleach brown spots / freckles

Brand: Epiquin Micro 4% Cream
Ingredient: HYDROQUINONE

Anti-aging: reducing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing roughness and improving coloration; treat acne

Brand: Renova 0.02%
Ingredient: TRETINOIN (Vitamin A derivative, or retinoic acid)

Notes: Vitamin A family products work by increasing skin cell turnover rates. In other words, skin cells die faster, new cells are generated, and collagen is produced. Hence skin looks younger and firmer, skin-tone is more even, and all that good stuff.

Treat acne problems

Brand: Differin
Ingredient: ADAPALENE
Notes: Differin has gel and cream types. For my skin, gel is too harsh and drying, so I opt for cream.

Treat acne and psoriasis, anti-aging

Brand: Tazorac
Ingredient: TAZAROTENE (Vitamin A derivative)

Notes: Tazorac is very similar to Renova. Both are Vit. A derivatives, and work by increasing skin cell turnover rates. See notes above for Renova. Tazorac causes more irritation than Renova, and cannot be used by pregnant women. My personal preference is Renova, because of irritation problems.

Found this great article that explains different Vitamins’ roles in skincare.

My mind is always racing with ideas, and thus my attention span is getting shorter and shorter. During the day I usually have at least 5 tabs open in firefox, while running 3 things in the background, and listening music at the same time.

So I’ve been meditating, or trying to meditate lately. I downloaded a bunch of short meditation Podcast on iTunes. They range from 7 to 15 minutes, and I can do quick ones while at work. I just sit at my desk and close my eyes for a few minutes to slow myself down.

But even 7 minutes is hard. My thoughts are always flooding and my heart rate speeds up whenever an exciting thought or idea comes in.

Today at the 6th minute, I opened one eye to check how many minutes I have left. Then I noticed the tree outside my office window was swaying slowly with the mild wind.

The tree is deciduous. Right now it’s completely leafless and full of tree nuts hanging from the bald branches like Christmas tree ornaments.

On the tips of branches, I saw tiny baby green buds showing their faces for the coming spring.

The scene was so beautiful and it calmed me down instantaneously.

I kept my eyes open for the remainder of the podcast. For a few minutes I became the tree. I swayed with the fluctuating floods of thoughts. I just let them come and go without resisting. Underneath the busy brainwaves, my true and calm self, is slowly emerging. It’s growing so slow that you may not see it at all. But oh it is there.