♥ Princessa's Royal Diary ♥ - Royalty has never been so PINK!

I thought my days of schooling had ended when I started working (as in actual work that requires me to go to the office). Who would have thought that my work would lead me back in school?

I'm a writer, but apart from blogging, I don't have writing experience that would look good on a resume. My blogger profile landed me the job; unfortunately, it didn't equip me with the knowledge.

After working for half a year with the publication, I found the need to upgrade myself. And there's when my torture began.

Initially, on Mondays to Fridays I worked from 9am to 6.30pm. Usually I don't go back until 8pm but it's still just 8pm (there was a week that I went back from 10pm to midnight, but it was just that week). Nowadays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and sometimes Saturdays I have classes. Because of my classes, sometimes I've had to leave work earlier. Therefore to compensate I have to stay back later on other days.

What I'm trying to say is that, I lack time. And with the lack of time, I incurred a lack of SLEEP!

The lack of sleep causes a lot of problems for me:

1. I might die on the road from falling asleep while driving.

I drive to work, I drive to school, and I drive home.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but I have the tendency of falling asleep while driving. The only couple of times that I got into accidents (minor ones of course, otherwise I'd be DEAD) was because of my sleep driving habits.

The first time it happened I was stuck in a jam on my way to work. The second time it happened I was leaving work, heading back home. The third time it happened I was picking someone up from clubbing in the middle of the night.

See the link?

I've tried blasting loud music to keep me awake. Problem is, I can sleep at clubs, so basically that doesn't work one bit.

I've tried talking on the phone to keep me awake. Problem is, my friends are starting to find me a bother for calling them at night. Plus it's killing my phone bills.

I've tried eating to keep me awake. That worked, but... I might turn into a hippopotamus.

I've tried drinking energy drinks to keep me awake. So far Red Bull has worked pretty well. But it's mainly because its sooo damn sweet! It's like water mixed in sugar (not even sugar mixed in water). Drinking it too often would probably lead to diabetes or something.

And no, I refuse to take public transport. It defeats the purpose of owning a car. I paid too much to not use it.

2. I can't think at work while writing my articles.
3. I can't think at school while writing my assignments (last lesson we had to do a mock up press conference and write a column piece) – every piece is graded.

Writing requires thinking. I mean, duh, isn't it obvious. If you can't think, how the hell can you write/type? Even if you manage to write/type without thinking, chances are the phrases won't make much sense, or worse, the words might not even form a phrase.

For this, the only think that works is jumping up and down, or walking in and out of the office. Fortunately, I do these with grace, otherwise people might think I'm insane or something.

4. I can't keep awake therefore I spend more time doing stuff, which leads to even less sleep - it's like this circle of life thingie.

Reason why I'm suffering from lack of sleep is the lack of time. By extending the amount of time I take to do stuff, wouldn't it naturally mean I have even less time?

A year has 365 days, a month has only 28 to 31 days, a week has 7 days, a day has 24 hours, an hour has 60 minutes, and a minute has 60 seconds.

If everyday (on average), from:

7am to 8am - getting ready for work
8am to 9am - making my way to work
9am to 6.30pm - at work
6.30pm to 7.30pm – making my way to school
7.30pm to 10.30pm - at school
10.30pm to 11pm - making my way home
11pm to 1am - reading, studying and etc.
1am to 7am - sleep

Is there any possible way of stretching the time?

So, what's the solution here?

Clearly, I cannot resolve the lack of time problem. What I can do is increase efficiency so as not to waste more time.

Eating helps keep me awake while driving. That's because there's an action when eating. However, after eating it makes me sleepy. So basically eating helps, but the kind of food intake makes a hell of a difference. And that is why I always keep a pack of sweets with me at all times (there is more than one reason why really).

I picked this up from Teddybear (my boyfriend) really. He says that when he's at work and feels sleepy, he'll pop a mint - sucking on a sweet is an action and mint has a strong taste therefore it keeps him awake.

I've tried many types of mints before but most just didn't make the mark. The one I pretty much dislike the most has gotta be Fishermans Friend. I CANNOT STAND THE TASTE OF IT! I don't know why really, most of my friends love it or are fine with it. I, on the other hand, can't bring myself to embrace it. It's probably just me. Everyone has a preferred taste, no?

And I present to you my saviour, Wrigley's *NEW* Extra Professional Mints!

Here's a YouTube clip of the mint:

Totally kewl, not forgetting epic cuteness!

Anyway, get this! The mints are sugar-free, it reduces potentially harmful bacteria and it gives you a noticeable clean feeling tongue and mouth.

The part about reducing potentially harmful bacteria lies in the unique ridged surface made from a special formula with dissolving micro-granules. It helps to gently clean your tongue to give a fresh, clean mouth feeling and reduce germs.

Kinda reminds me of my toothbrush thingie - Colgate 360 Sensitive. One side is the brush; the other is a unique cheek that allows you to scrub your tongue.

Personally I've tried both flavours and I'm sticking with the Forest Berries instead of the Peppermint - me like sweet stuff!

Unlike other mints, it doesn't burn my tongue. It's like Mentos, it's totally sweet! The difference is that it's sugar-less! Who says good things don't come in small packages (or for this case tins).

From now on, I'll probably have a tiny tin of Forest Berries flavoured Wrigley's *NEW* Extra Professional Mints with me 24/7. It not only keeps me awake, it's like a toothbrush in a tin - allows me to clean my mouth and tongue anywhere, anytime.

Side note: I'm very worried about breath issues, and decaying of my teeth. That's kinda the reason why I keep a set of toothbrush and toothpaste in my car. Now, I'll probably not need them so often anymore.

Step 1: Feeling sleepy

Step 2: Take out my tiny tin of Forest Berries flavoured Wrigley's *NEW* Extra Professional Mints and "pop one in my mouth!"

Step 3: Continue sulking cause it's time to face the music again - work!

Oh damn!

I ran out of my sugar-less delight! Better get more before I feel sleepy again!