"OKKK TO" Seat Sale From Cebu Pacific

If you're planning to have a trip early next year whether local or international, Cebu Pacific is offering "Okkk To! Seat Sale" until December 01 or until seats last for international flights for travels on January 1 to March 31, 2012. Great destinations await you. Flights available are Clark to Hongkong or Macau, Manila to Hongkong or Macau, Clark to Bangkok, Cebu to Hongkong and Manila to Bangkok or Taipei. 

Local flights are also available and on sale until December 07, 2011 for travels on January 1 to March 31, 2012. Avail of the promo fares for as low as P88. Flights available are Manila to Roxas, Davao to Cagayan De Oro, Zamboanga to Tawi Tawi, Manila to Cauayan Isabela and Manila to Tuguegarao.

It's a huge savings so if you really have plans to take a vacation or visit your families in the provinces, don't miss this chance.

You can visit Cebu Pacific site for more details. 

Preparing For My Vacation!

I've been reading some comments from my blogpals on how is my preparations going for my forthcoming vacation next month. Some of them were expressing their excitement that I would finally be home this coming holiday season. Like them, of course I am equally excited too. But thinking about it, it's not really been that long since the last time I visited home. My last vacation was last week of April until 3rd week of May this year, so it's just about 6 months ago. It's actually not too long compared to other OFW's that's why I feel a bit luckier coz there are even times that they get to see me three times a year. Yes, that's how often I go back to visit home. But, I'm just not so sure about the coming year. Sometimes, schedule changes and it's not within my control. Well....I just hope that everything will be fine then.

I've mentioned to a blog pal Algene that so far there's nothing much to prepare for my forthcoming vacation except for some few things that I normally do like buying the "bilins" of my kids, packing my things and fixing all my other stuff that would be left in my room. Normally I secured everything here first prior to taking my vacation. Since I would be away for almost a month, I make sure that I wrap all my clothes in tight plastic bags to protect from dusts and molds. Then I would normally buy some moth balls to place everywhere in the cabinet. Then my dining utensils are also secured the same way. I also use to secure my books, magazines and other documents in a safe container and sealed accordingly. Of course, the more important things, I bring all with me. I normally leave my fridge empty and clean before I go coz I need to unplug it.

For the past few days, I've been trying to figure out what are the things that needed my attention back home and as early as now, I'm starting to list them down one by one including all my other planned activities with the family. Of course, I just jot down things freely...everything that comes to my mind. Later, I would sort out my list and check on my priorities. Them from the list of my priorities, I would number them according to what's the most important down to the least. This way, I make sure that I'm setting my priorities accordingly. Right now, I'm still on the process of doing things and hopefully, I can share some on my future posts.

Well.....I guess, the past few weeks had been a grand vacation time for my blog pals who are all busy catching up with themselves, friends and loved ones. How I wish I could do the same thing too very soon.

For now, I still have to work on some important things that need to be done for the rest of the day. I will blog walk later.

Ciao!

Featured Animal Show At Dam Sen

It's Christmas season once again and same like the previous years, Dam Sen Theme Park at Hoh Chi Min City will be crowded again. This huge theme park which features a lot of interesting attractions is one favorite destination at HCM by both locals and foreigners.

One of the nice things to see inside the theme park is the "Animal Circus show". This is one spectacular show that will surely delight every members of the family. We've seen it already one time last summer and all of us truly enjoyed watching those clowns and animals doing their acrobats and magic tricks. Both my son and daughter enjoyed the show and the many attractions that the theme park has to offer.

This is one destination that shouldn't be missed every time you visit Saigon.

What Makes Women Stand Out

Recently, I've seen so many articles featuring some great women who became popular in their respective fields. Some are successful business owners, some are those who excelled in the field of arts, politics, theater and movie industry. I was just thinking, how about those ordinary women who do not have a successful career but are just plain people, housewives or simply mothers. Don't they deserve some kind of recognition too?

In this modern times, women are no longer regarded as the weaker sex. They play a vital role in politics, business and the arts. Gone are those days when women were just regarded as ordinary people of lesser importance in our society.

However, on a personal note, women need not excel in any field to stand out. Women have so many inner qualities that were not present in men and yet brings out the uniqueness in them. The power and strenght that resides in women during motherhood is an attribute beyond compare.

The following is an excerpt from a literary piece written in honor of women. I'm sorry but I lost track of the name of the author. I just wanted to share this to inspire all women out there.

Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk and run to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY OFTEN FORGET THEIR WORTH.

I'll Be Home Soon!

Following my two blog pals, KM who is still currently enjoying her much awaited vacation in the Philippines and Rovie who is currently having a grand vacation at Cagayan De Oro for the much anticipated reunion with her college friends, next one will be ME.

Today, after much dilly dally, I finally booked my flight back to the Philippines. I'll finally be home two weeks from now. This is actually my scheduled home leave but because I was waiting for another opportunity, I purposely did not book my flight earlier. As a result, I got my return tickets on a much higher price compared to a "promo fare" which should had been a lot cheaper should I had booked earlier. But anyway, I knew that we are not in total control of the situation. Sometimes, things never happened according to how we planned. But on a side note, I think it's a blessing in disguise because my daughter is currently sick and she badly needed me to be at her side. I was just thinking that if my "other plan" pushed through according to how it was originally scheduled, then I wouldn't have the chance to be with my daughter during the time that she needed me most. I believe that God always "sets time" according to what would be best for us. At least now, after I have booked my flight, my mind is now only focused on one thing....my forthcoming vacation.

Now, I have two more weeks to prepare for everything. I usually plan ahead of time so I could maximize my stay in the Philippines and attend to every bit of detail that needed my attention. But more importantly, I am planning on how would I be able to spend a quality time with the family.

Now, I feel a bit happier because I will get to see everybody again including our house helper who was hired in my absence.

I just hope that my daughter will get better each day until that I set foot in the Philippines so I could see her again in her usual "playful ways".

Until then.... Ciao!

Worries.......

Today, I had the chance to chat with my daughter and I can't help but to worry about her deteriorating health condition. She is currently very sick and during moments like this, I can't help but to feel very sad knowing that I am not around to take care of her. I remembered the last time I was with her was during the summer vacation. I went back home then and I brought them over when I came back here.

I still can very well recall those smiles in her face when we visited various attractions at Hoh Chi Minh City. She's full of life.

Posing with a Monk

Now she's sick and weak. Because of this, I lost my mood. Maybe I cannot blog walk tonight. I'm sure my friends will understand me.

I have to see her very soon.

One Fine Day!

Alas! After few days of dilly dally, I was finally able to have my humble abode tidied. After work, I delivered my bed sheets, comforter and towels at the nearby laundry shop. I would admit that I haven't been out lately thus I was not really comfortable walking on a dusty road. Nevertheless, I took advantage of having some time out so I've decided to buy some canned juice, fruits and breads on my way back to the building where I am staying. After reaching my room, I just felt the urge to have it cleaned. However, after seeing my bathroom, I felt that I wouldn't be able to do it all alone. There's quite a few things that need to be done and it would probably take me long hours to finish it. I finally found a solution to my "little problem" by asking one housekeeping staff to help me with the cleaning.

I also find the time to change my bed sheet and blanket.

I was very pleased after the housekeeping staff managed to have everything in the bathroom looks clean and sparkling white.

After I fixed my cabinet, I felt a little bit tired and sleepy and this stopped me from preparing my dinner as originally planned. I just content myself with a bottle of juice and some breads. I just managed to get online for more than an hour and doze off after I hit the publish button on my previous post (lol).

At any rate, I was feeling totally energized when I woke up the following morning for work. It was a great feeling to have enough rest and have pending things done. Just like my blog pals, I hate procrastinating but sometimes, it can't be avoided.

Now, I can move on to other more important things. I have a scheduled chat session with my daughter later. I have to check on her as she is currently sick. I hope she'll be fine soon.

Ciao!

LIfe Is The Coffee

photo credit : honnebun3

I'd been a coffee drinker for so many years now. I don't know but there's something in coffee that I love. In fact, my day won't pass without indulging myself into a cup or two. Cappuccino is my all time favorite. Coffee has been my faithful companion during the times that I feel sad, feel weak, or feel alone. Sometimes, coffee can also symbolized friendship.....or perhaps, life!

Have you ever thought that your life is not perfect? There are still so many things in life that you want to get but you feel that you were already left behind. I guess most of you could relate to this story here....

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups -porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, and some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

After all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups & and then began eyeing each other's cups."

"Now consider this, Life is the coffee. The jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just used to hold and contain life. The type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups . . . enjoy your coffee. "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections"

Rest In Style

Oh well....I'm happy that I was able to get a good sleep last night. It helps a lot when I was able to finish all the things that I have to do at once. I think, getting yourself to sleep without having your mind preoccupied with some thoughts can help a lot. After I was able to get more than 8 hrs of sleep, I just felt that I have enough energy to get through with the whole day. In fact, I was able to accomplish much. There were lots of things that I'm supposed to do with the past few days which were left undone. It really pays to get a restful sleep. We just can't imagine the great things it can do to our body. Getting enough sleep helps us to keep our mind focused. It improves our memory, we feel energized and our stress reduced. We could focus more on our work and we can think ahead. It's also a great way to rejuvenate our body, mind and spirit.

They say that prior to going to bed, we could do some relaxation techniques in order to calm and relax our body. Some of the techniques used which I think is already known to many are yoga, meditation, massage and listening to a relaxing music. We can actually choose what's best for us.

Reading the comments from my post yesterday, I've realized that sleeping problem is most common to people who are having a "busy life style". I was surprised to know that many are actually suffering from this problem. Well...I guess, what works best at this stage is prioritizing our tasks for the day. Major ones should be dealt with at once and those that are of minor importance can be attended to the following day. This way, we could avoid thinking before we go to bed which actually make us unable to sleep.

So...I guess I have to continue working on my sleeping schedule. I really have to set a sleep and wake up time.

Hmmm...the week has just started and I don't want to spoil the rest of my week so I should really have a good start. Oh by the way, please don't get confused with the title of this post...."Rest In Style". You see that lovely dog on the above photo? That's a good example of "rest in style". :)

So before I call it a night, let me give you some stress relievers:


Stress Reliever # 1

Wife: You always carry my photo in your handbag to the office. Why?

Hubby: When there is a problem, no matter how impossible, I look at your
picture and the problem disappears.

Wife: You see, how miraculous and powerful I am for you?

Hubby: Yes, I see your picture and say to myself, "What other problem can
there be greater than this one?"


Stress Reliever # 2

Interviewer to Milionaire: To whom do you owe your success as a
millionaire? "

Millionaire: "I owe everything to my wife."

Interviewer: "Wow, she must be some woman. What were you before you married her?"

Millionaire: " Billionaire"


Stress Reliever # 3

A wife asked her husband: "What do you like most in me my pretty face
or my sexy body?"

He looked at her from head to toe and replied: "I like your sense of humor !!! "


Have a restful sleep everyone!

A Good Sleep

Recently, I am having an irregular sleep pattern. I think it can be attributed to my daily activities. I think I have to start working on my daily journal again. Listing down my daily tasks would help me to plan ahead and avoid backlogs.

Sleep deprivation is one thing that we should avoid. This normally results to head ache, nausea and irritability. This also affects our concentration at work or on whatever we are doing. Good thing that over the past years that I've been working, I was already used to having different sleeping time. I can easily shift my sleeping time based on my working schedule. I would like to go back to the last time where I can sleep for about 10 to 12 hrs straight. Most of my colleagues at work would always comment that I am a person who doesn't have any problem in sleeping. I can sleep with lights on and with TV audio on. Once I'm already asleep, I'm same like in comatose (lol). I think it's time for me to go back to the last time. I'm lacking of sleep lately because of too much thinking and because of not being able to budget my time wisely.

For those who are also having sleep problems, here are some tips:

Don't take big meals at night time especially two hours before your sleeping time.

If possible, have a regular bed time and have a regular wake up time.

Avoid excessive caffeine intake and liquid intake at nigh time to avoid frequent trips to bathroom which disturbs your sleep.

Make sure that your room is comfortable. Well, this depends on your preference. But generally, most people would prefer lights off and completely noise down. So turn off TV and computer.

Postpone your worries until the following day. Stay calm and relaxed.

Set your room temperature to your desired level.

Don't go to bed when you're hungry. Hunger pangs will wake you up for sure.

Maintain a healthful balance of nutrition and exercise.


Lastly, and I would say I am guilty of this.....
Avoid worrying on things left undone.... for things do happen even when you're asleep.

Ciao!

Scars Of Life

Do you keep any scar from the past? How do you handle your scar?

Scars can be physical...as a result of being wounded from any unforeseen situation or activity. This type of scar can vanish with the passing years. How soon depends on how we take extra efforts to get rid of them. Some light scars can be removed by ordinary creams or ointments, some fades naturally and some require laser treatments or cosmetic surgery. Nobody likes to keep a scar as it is very unsightly to have one.

But how about those scars brought about by our painful experiences, broken relationships and unexpected failures in life? How do we handle them? Do we normally lament over them in the passing years, do we keep ourselves slaves of the past and let those people who hurt us remained victorious, or do we allow our life to stop from spinning round the clock and stop dreaming and living because of the past?

But do you ever realized that having scar connotes a positive meaning? Before you disagree, let me share you the following story.....

Some years ago on a hot summer day in South Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his
effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my dad wouldn't let go."

Now....pause and reflect!

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. Not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

WHAT DOES THIS TEACHES US?

The Scripture teaches that God loves US. We are children of God. He wants to protect us every step of the way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with perils and we forget that the enemy is often waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if we have the scars of His love on our arms, this is something to be happy about.

For God will never let you go.....

The next time you get a scar...... think again!


That happens because God loves you!


HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!

Sell Online - Jump Starting E-Business

With the wide acceptance of virtual shops, lots and lots of people are going crazy with online selling as well as online shopping. With it's many advantages, there's no doubt that online business is currently the "in thing". I was also fancied in putting up an online shop. For one, I was attracted because of the low operating expenses. You don't need to hire employees, pay rental fees and pay operational expenses such as utility bills and other incidentals. It's easier to manage and only requires you to have a computer, an adequate knowledge of the products you are selling and a reliable internet connection. However, most people are thinking that getting to sell online is a time consuming endeavor that only the tech savy people can handle. I understand this dilemma as I myself is not tech savy. To be able to have a successful venture online, you must have a well designed website, a reliable payment system and establish a well defined shipping policies.

Getting started is often stressful. More so if you don't have the basic know how. However with the emergence of ecommerce solutions, getting started with that online business is nearly achievable. These companies are making sure that start up entrepreneurs would be able to bring their business to cyberspace with much ease.

Normally opening an online business can be done in few steps:

Choosing a name for your store.
Choosing a design for your website.
Adding product catalogue and descriptions
Setting up payment systems and shipping policies

Then it's all done. However, going through this process requires some skills. This is precisely the reason why there's that old perception that putting up virtual stores are only for tech savy. However the good news is, it's no longer applicable today.

As an overseas worker, I am also thinking of having my online business someday. I cannot be working overseas all my life. Thus, as early as now, I'm looking for possible options and ways to enrich my knowledge on ebusiness concepts.

Given the opportunity in the future and in consideration that I don't have much of the needed technical skills, perhaps I would just resort to hiring a professional who could do the things for me. This way, I could concentrate on my products and marketing my business.




Disclaimer:

I am participating in a blog campaign for Bucks2Blog for an ecommerce solution company and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Why Would You Go For Cosmetic Dentistry?

It's quite funny but I have two entirely different experiences with my son and daughter as regards to caring for their teeth. When I had my son the first time, I was not quite mindful in caring for his teeth, thus when he celebrated his first birthday, he already had some cavities. He got this from eating too much sweets which we were unable to put a stop right away. I took note of this experience with my son so when when my daughter came, I was conscious enough to look after her teeth making sure that she won't get that same experience as what his brother did. Everything went alright until her permanent teeth were all trying to show up at the age of 8. Since she is having a perfect set of temporary teeth that time, she had a problem with the coming of her permanent teeth making his teeth totally misaligned. Believe me, her teeth really look so awful! Realizing the importance of having a good set of teeth especially for girls prompted me to inquire for a possibility of her getting a cosmetic dentistry. You see, I don't want her to suffer from being bullied by her classmates because of her unsightly teeth.

When we brought her to the dentist for assessment, the dentist has recommended using a dental brace to help align and straighten her teeth while working to improve on her dental health. Without much thinking, I had her wear her dental brace though that time it's quite pricey to have one.

Now, it's relatively easier to scout for cosmetic dentistry online as there are some sites where you can actually have a glimpse of various dental treatments to improve the appearance of the person's teeth, gums, and/or bite. One example of this is the nashville cosmetic dentistry where you can find a full range of dental make over options.

I think it was a right move for me to have my daughter get her brace on since I personally believe that having a good set of teeth and improving one's dental health increases our self esteem and gives us that confidence to get along with people and do our daily tasks.

As the saying goes, "first impression is lasting" so we have to take an extra effort to look presentable at all times.




Disclaimer:
I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions presented in this post are my own.

Encouraging Your Kids To Save Money

One of my favorite accomplishments when it comes to parenting is having taught my children the importance of saving money. I remembered those days when they were still in the pre school and that time, I was still working in the Philippines. I would always buy them a piggy bank or anything that could practically be used to save money. Of course that time, they just started saving for some coins which they saved from what was left from their school allowance. That time, it's quite small because we normally don't give pre school aged kids tons of money to bring to school. Normally, they would bring a lunch box to school containing their sandwiches, drinks and fruits.

I remembered so well how my son would invent ways to earn money for himself at such a young age. He would normally hand me a list of tasks which he is able to perform within his limit and he would charged me a small amount for that. His favorite and my favorite too is the soothing head massage. During those times, I'm always attacked by migraine due to the pressures from the job perhaps. So going home getting a massage from those "tiny hands" while lying on the sofa at the living room watching my favorite "teleserye" from the "kapamilya" network would always bring me to a "relaxed mood". Of course, that's not the best massage to get as it's being performed by a kid who doesn't know anything about what he is doing actually. But, the "touch therapy" and the sweet thoughts of getting it from a small kid compensated for all those "imperfections". I'm happy and pleased even if I need to pay him for the amount he charged me which is included on his list of tasks (lol). That's his way of earning extra money and I support him for that. At least, he is making an effort to earn and would not simply ask from me just like the other kids. Happy as he is, he would keep his earnings on his piggy bank and watch his money grows day by day.

A year after I began to work abroad, I managed to open a bank account for each of them from which I started by depositing the start up savings amount, actually far more than what the bank requires as an initial deposit. After I opened the account for each of them, I explained to them that I will be depositing their monthly allowances on their bank account which I told them was computed with a little bit extra from what they actually needed to sustain their daily expenses in school. I explained further that I intentionally did it that way so they would be inspired to save money and see their savings grow month by month. Also, another contribution to their growing savings is when they are able to get a scholarship for doing good in class. Their Dad is the one providing their school fees every year and when they able to get discounts or free tuition in school because of the scholarship, we still give them the same amount of the tuition fee which they would deposit in their savings account. It's cool! Everytime I go back for my vacation, I would check on their pass book and I'm happy to see that their savings keeps on growing.

For me, it only means three things:

They have already mastered the skills of saving money.

They became financially literate and able to control their spending habits at such a young age.

They are disciplined and they never overdo or abuse the fact they they are on their own and that nobody controls them on a day to day basis.

For me, this is great. It's not easy to discipline children especially when you are not with them physically especially so when it comes to "money matters". This is the reason why I said that this is one of my favorite accomplishments as a parent.

Again, I am sharing how I managed to do this for years and how I become successful at it. To sum up, I have summarized those tips in few simple steps:

First, don't be scared to give your kids some cash. Kids won't learn to manage their money if they don't have it in their possession.

Second, Show them how to budget. By being an expert in managing your home finances and involving them or giving them a lesson or two, would help your kids to successfully master how to budget and prioritize.

Third, Make it a condition to save from their allowance. In my case, I let them know that I gave them extra with a condition that it would be put on their savings and that they would add up to that amount from what they saved from their day to day expenses.

Fourth, Offer to match their funds. I've done this with my daughter. I challenged her to save a specific amount and commit to her that I will match up what she has saved so her savings would be doubled. She was happy with my proposal and tried to save as much as she could. Believe me but it works!

Laying down these simple steps will give you an idea on what money lessons to teach your kids. If you don't show them, no one will do. So I guess, it's an obligation for us, parents, to teach them the value of saving money and prepare them to become responsible people as they grow up.

That's for now friends, I'm still going to prepare my home budget for next month. Christmas season is now in the air so I have to work on my budget now.

See you around!

Ciao!!

Tips To Staying Young And Healthy

I'm pretty sure that most of us wanted to stay young and healthy! We are in constant struggle to bring that pleasant and youthful look. Most of us would would take regular trips to salons to have our hair, nails and face done. Some even to the extent of going to cosmetic surgery clinics. We buy beauty and skin care products to take care of our looks and it's totally alright. Taking care of ourselves is a must! Feeling good and looking great increases our self confidence. It adds zest to the performance of our daily activities. When we feel good and look great, we have the mood to do things, we are inspired to continue with what we are doing and we always have that energy to keep us "on the go". How to achieve this state of feeling young and healthy requires discipline and inspiration. While we are conscious about our external appearance, we should also be wary of our health and feelings. When we speak of personality, it comes in a package. It doesn't only pertains to good looks, but a healthy physique, a happy feeling, well rounded mind and a proper disposition. Apart from simply being vain , we also have to eat the right kinds of foods, engage in a physical activity that would boost our energy, get enough sleep and get away from unhealthy lifestyle, the following are additional tips that I got from a friend from way way back that we can do on a daily basis. I want to share these with you:

Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain get idle.

Enjoy the simple things.

Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and Lots of time with HIM/HER.

The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you your entire life, is yourself. LIVE while you are alive.

Surround yourself with what you love whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.

Cherish your health. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

We all wanted to look good....feel healthy and happy and I guess there's no better time than to start now.

Have a great day!

Thoughts On Happiness....

For the past few days, I've been feeling down and lazy with everything, and been constantly chatting with my blog pal Lainy almost everyday and we discovered that we are sharing the same feelings and sentiments for no apparent reason at all. Then later, we just tried to figure out ourselves what might be the reason for feeling that way. That night after I've written my post for this blog, I slept quite late and was contemplating on what had caused me to feel "down" and "low". The next day, I got a text message which is just actually a forwarded message which reads:

"People get lost when they think of happiness as a destination. We are always thinking that someday we'll be happy...that we'll going to get that car or that job or that person in our lives who'll going to fix everything for us. But happiness is a mood, not a destination. It's like being tired or hungry. It's not permanent. It comes and goes and that's okay. And if people thought of it that way, they'd find happiness more often."

I paused for a while and made some self reflection,

Why is it always hard for some of us to be happy? I also feel that way most of the times. It's quite hard to be futuristic or "goal oriented". I think this is my case. Unable to fulfill what I think needs to be done according to my set schedule always frustrates me. I know it's wrong but sometimes, I simply can't get away with it. Maybe because I am a person who never support the "Que Sera Sera" thing. I always try to do my best to make things happen. Have I known it earlier that this shouldn't be the right thing, I should have mastered the art of accepting things as they are. Now, it's kind of difficult for me as I was already accustomed to this way of thinking.

Happiness, therefore is a choice. You are happy when you choose to be happy and you are sad when you choose to be sad. Can happiness be equated with contentment? Well, I guess so. You can have that grand mansion, that luxury car and fat check in your pay envelope and yet you are still unhappy. Probably because, you want more. Therefore, the moment you get contented in life, that's the time you'll be happy. Some people experienced happiness when they get things or people they like. When they have already visited the place they like, eat the food they want or when they earn the fame and admiration from others. Some find happiness in simple things like watching the sunset, picking their favorite flowers from the garden, reading a favorite book under a tree on a bright sunny day or simply having a stroll with friends.

As of this stage, I haven't mastered yet the secret to total happiness. There are a hundred questions in my mind on what real happiness is all about. Sometimes, I feel happy and contented, sometimes, I don't.

Well...if you feel the same way that I do, perhaps this story below can help us understand better. We can all learn a lesson from this great old woman!

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.

As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window.

"I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room .... just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged... it's how I arrange my mind.

I already decided to love it! It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice, I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away ...just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account ...you withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

Happy Sunday everyone!!

Hats On!

Feeling bored after work, I browsed on my photo archive and tried to entertain myself looking through my past photos since 2 years ago when I had just started working here and travel quite often. Then I just realized that I had actually bought a lot of caps/hats for both myself and my son. My daughter is not much into caps but I also bought few for her over the past years. For one, wearing a cap or a hat protects me from the heat of the sun and protects my hair from dusts. It also helps to keep my hair in place. Not to mention that caps and hats are quite cheap here. :) My son, on the other hand adores caps a lot. He had been collecting caps and even had a cap organizer fabricated and installed in his room.

After looking at my photos, I just recalled how I get crazy over caps and hats (lol). During the early times, hats were an indicator of social status but now these are more of a protective covering or a fashion accessory. In Vietnam, most of the women are wearing hats of various designs and colors. This explains why you would find numerous shops here selling colorful hats and caps with all those cute designs.

Last May, when I had a vacation with the family, I bought another one with this design since I cannot stand the heat of the sun and the theme park is quite huge to explore.

My daughter can't resist to have a pose wearing my hat (lol).

Here are some of my pics with caps/hats on.

At Notre Dame Cathedral, Hoh Chi Min City Vietnam

At Ocean Adventure, Subic Bay Philippines

At Victory Beach, Sihanoukville Cambodia

At Ocean Adventure, Subic Bay Philippines

At Sihanoukville Cambodia

At Anne Raquel's Resort

Here's a good way to organize your caps:

How about you? Do you like caps/hats, too?

By the way, it's weekend...go get that cap and have a stroll at the park.
See you around!

Ciao!


My share for :

Book For A Cause

OMF Lit Inc. in partnership with Jollibee is offering a 30% OFF on all it's Hiyas Books that will be donated to "Jollibee Maagang Pamasko" project. What's more? For every Hiyas Book Donation, OMF Lit will be donating PowerMark Comic Book.

What would be a better way to celebrate Christmas than giving some smiles and cheers to those kids who will benefit from this project.

You can also check out on their other books on sale from November 14 to November 20, 2011.

Go and be a part of this project and experience the joys of giving this Christmas. Drop your Hiyas books, other books and toys at the designated drop boxes on all Jollibee outlets nationwide.

My Sunshine Award

Sorry for the late post on this Sunshine Award given to me by no less than my dear blogging friends, Rovie of Anything About Bella and the super sweet Algene of The Coffee Chic.

This is the fourth award I received so far since I started blogging a year ago. I am so grateful for those newly found blog pals that I have now who are keeping me busy and entertained with our daily "kwentuhan".

Now, here's the rules for the recipient of Sunshine Award:

1.) Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
2.) Answer the questions below.
3.) Pass it to 10 fabulous bloggers and send them message to let them know.

For the Question And Answer Portion :)

* Favorite color? Pink and Orange!
* Favorite animal? puppies and birds!
* Favorite number? 9 and 4
* Favorite drink? Pineapple juice, Orange Juice, Herbal Teas and my all time favorite... Coffee!
*Facebook or Twitter? None. I just feel lazy attending to these.
* Your Passion? Gardening and decorating my house and traveling with family
* Giving or getting presents? Giving!
* Favorite Day? Everyday!
* Favorite flowers? Roses and Orchids! I want the pink and orange!

And now in no particular order, the Sunshine Award goes to ...

Lainy of Lainy's Musings
KM of More Than Sexy
Mumay of Mauskie's Den
Simurgh of Palalagaw
Chano of Sayantifico
Ronadelle of Women's Choice
Sam D. of Snap Shots and Tips
GbSb of GbSb Tech Blog
Ron and Yvette of Ronsilvosa.com
Embam of My Good Life


Congrats guys! You all deserved it as all of you are giving me "sunshine" everyday!

Why Use Business Envelopes For Branding

Don't you wish sometimes just for a moment that you were an envelope? It's the best keeper of secrets, agreements, contract and some vital information that wouldn't be disclosed to many.

It carries a heavy responsibility, that of a messenger and a mediator between two or more parties. With such responsibility bestowed upon a piece of folded paper, it can only be fair to adorn it and give it the desired personality. Matters regarding business are very sensitive but even more when it comes to branding. Common question is why using business envelopes for branding? What's the relation between the two?

For those in business they'll agree that, it represents who they are or they are engaging in what they are passionate about. It is the first contact with a company and therefore it characterizes your attributes as a company. The need to brand your business then becomes essential as it should identify your core values, goals, aspirations and objectives. It communicates with your customers and markets your business too. What choice to use is a question that leaves many stranded? The widely used in business are the C5 envelopes. It holds an A4 sheet when folded or an A5 sheet. Many use them in letters and stationery.

Envelopes can be custom made for you. That way it gives you an opportunity to be part of creating a brand and customize it to suite your image, they widely come into contact with almost every one you may not know. These important papers come in handy as they are of a reasonable size and one may not find it bulky or too inconveniencing to carry. Have you ever carried a protruding parcel and feel uneasy when people tend to stare at you? I know the feeling and the good thing with them is that they have a capacity of up to 200 sheets without bulging.

These significant papers are good for branding in that they take identity to the target market. A unique, well-articulated and neatly done envelope is worth a thousand words. They portray absolute devotion, seriousness and dedication key qualities in every business. Creativity is also an important aspect in branding. It should be moderately done so as not to communicate any mixed signals that will attract the wrong clientele or give bonus points to competitors.

Creativity in branding a large piece of paper may include a combination of colours related to the company's theme, a little design in shapes of the envelopes. They do stand out when perfectly shaped. Most importantly remember to include your business logo and image for an easier and hustle free branding.

Whether you are in a small sole proprietorship, a large partnership or even a larger domain, it's important to use what works well in branding. You never know where it may land you. In a world full of opportunities and diversities it's always good to stay on guard, with outstanding, beautiful and attractive papers that convey important messages to all.

Disclaimer : 

This is a sponsored post brought to you by Ace Envelopes.

How Do You Manage Your Time?

Oh well...over the past few days, I've been juggling on a lot of things. I did procrastinate on some tasks and focus more on the other things which I truly enjoy. But what should really be the idea behind managing your time? Did we ever thought of doing it or do we simply get contented with how things are going?

I am not an expert with time management as there were also times I considered 24 hrs a day is not enough for me to accomplish everything. But I would say that over the years that I've been a working Mom, I had managed quite well. I never stopped working even for a year. I was continuously working even before I got married. The first few years were crucial especially when you had a little one in the house. This really requires a lot of attention. I understand why some women had chosen to stay home after giving birth. To manage a household and take care of a baby requires full time. Well...I guess, it has been the preference of most and I respect and admire every Mom who had chosen to be a full time Mom. That was really a tough decision especially if you have a career to consider.

As for my case, I used to juggle with my time more often doing multi tasking. I don't know but I enjoyed it most when I'm busy. If I have nothing to do, I feel like a lot of time is wasted. At least I should have to do something even if it's a small thing like clearing my closet or cleaning the pantry area. To be able to see the passing of years having had accomplished something while successfully maintaining a family is really a blessing and something great that I can really look up to.

When I had my son, I was working in an office. I used to have a day time job working from 9AM to 6PM. During Wednesday night and afternoon of Saturdays, I'm attending to my masteral classes. My son would be at my MIL house day time and will be brought back home to my house after dinner. I spend full day with him on Sundays and read books or play with him before we sleep every night. That was the arrangement until I managed to complete all my masteral units. However, due to the changing times and needs, I have to work double time and aspire for higher positions and so my daily routine had to change. When I had my daughter next, I still do the same routine.

Needless to say, I'm happy with the outcome. I was able to attend to my kids and my work with ease. Thanks to the help and assistance of my Mom and a house helper. My journey continues as my husband decided to work abroad. I accepted his decision gracefully. So my tasks then became even more as I no longer have someone to share the responsibilities with. To my surprise, I was able to make it and with flying colors...(lol). I get promoted at work numerous times, actively participates in my kids school activities ensuring that I am always present on every important event in school. My two kids were consistent honor students and I am very visible in the school thus most of their teachers and classmates knew me. How I managed to do it? Prioritizing is the key.

I always maintain a daily planner and I schedule my loads for the day. I jot down meetings on school that I have to attend, contests or programs that I have to watch ahead of time and I applied my leave right away for those days. I always leave a note at home before I go to work asking my kids to work on their home works after school and anything that's not settled shall be left on my desk for me to go through after work. Everytime I arrived home, no matter how sleepy and tired I am, I would always open their school bags and open their notes one by one. Yes...you read it right, literally one by one. During examination week, I usually file a vacation leave to help them to review their lessons. Mind you, I never hired any private tutor for my kids. I was their lifetime tutor. Whenever they bring home their test papers having high scores, I would straight away go to the nearest shop after work the following day to buy them a "reward". When my day off for the week comes, I will treat them out. Actually, we always go out once a week during my off day. This is my bonding time with them. We do their school projects together and have the conversation daily during meal time. That's how it was during those years that I was with them. They both grew up very very close to me.

Household management comes easy when you have a house helper although sometimes it's a pain in the neck when they do commit serious mistakes. All through the years, I have mastered the art of delegating tasks to reduce my work load. Maybe the countless seminars I have attended on time management, work productivity and management enhancement programs helped me a lot to gain the basics on how to apply the secrets of effective management both at work and at home.

Now...as I look back, I feel blessed. I didn't need to give up my work and at the same time, I never neglected my duty as a parent. We're all doing fine. They are responsible, obedient and loving and should I say, very disciplined children. I'm happy how it turned out to be. I'm loving every thought of it.

Do you have your own way of managing your time too?

Hope you can share it here.

Ciao!

It Pays To Be Healthy

As a working Mom, health and wellness has always been my top priority. I used to tell my friends that I wont mind shedding extra cash if it concerns my health and wellness. Well...the reason is quite obvious, how could I work and deliver the needs of my family if I'm always sick and weak.

Taking care of our body requires discipline. To achieve a healthy life style, we must have the basic knowledge and a sheer determination to succeed. Apart from regular work outs to keep our body going, working on a healthy diet is a must. However, getting all the nutrients that our body needs on a daily basis is not that easy. Our lifestyle sometimes prevents us from following a strict healthy diet especially if we are working and always on the go. We have the tendency to eat any food that is available on our company cafeterias, fast food chains and restaurants which served quick meals. Our busy lifestyle normally deprives us of healthy eating habits. I am guilty of this somehow. Due to the nature of my job, I cannot be consistent with my goal of eating the right kinds of foods daily. During working hours, I partake my meal from the office and I just normally take what is being served to employees. That's why I decided to take some health supplements like Vitamin D. Vitamin D is naturally present in very few foods. Vitamin D are best found in fatty fish and fish liver oils but very small amounts can be found on beef, cheese and eggs. The latter, however are the normally readily available foods that we used to indulge with daily, thus I just felt the need for Vitamin D supplements as it aids in calcium absorption in the body.

Apart from this, part of my healthy regimen is to take regular relaxation and therapheutic massage at least once or twice a month. This, I believe helps to release toxins from my body, promotes blood circulation and eases muscle pains. Also, since my family has a history of scoliosis, I am very particular when it comes to picking the foods that will boost bone health. Luckily, there are lots of readily available food products rich in calcium such as low fat milk, yogurt, cheese, cereals and there's also orange juice, sardines, almond and broccoli among others. But to be safe, I opted to take some calcium supplements daily to ensure that I'm getting enough amount of calcium for my daily requirements. Unless, I can very well monitor my daily food intake could I only ensure myself that I'm getting the right amount of calcium.

As we get old, we tend to be conscious with our body and with our health. Everybody wants to look great and everybody wants to be healthy. Who don't? But wanting to be healthy doesn't stop there, we have to do something to make it possible. Women usually undergo transformation from the teen years to adolescent years. We must know what we need best at a particular stage in our lives. Like when you are just beginning to enter motherhood from the time that you are conceiving, our body is already in need of certain nutrients to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. Folic acid for pregnancy is a must. This is an important B vitamin that combats neural tube defects on babies (NTD's) and other birth defects. After giving birth, we suffer from fatigue, insomnia and depression. Nursing a baby is not an easy task and we need to take care of ourselves more. Taking care of our body and maintaining our health to it's optimum level is a never ending journey.

Despite of the many hassles brought about by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being deprived enjoying certain foods, and habits like drinking and smoking, I still believe that it pays to be healthy. As it was said a thousand times, "Health Is Wealth". Getting away from sickness and the expenses associated with it is such a relief. When you are healthy, you don't need to spend much on hospital bills and expensive medical treatments. Extra money can then be used for more rewarding activities like occasional trips with your families, buying a house of your dream, spending for your children education and indulging yourselves on total relaxation. Oh...and the last but not the least, I believe it's every parent's goal to stay and live long, to see their children grow, mature and have families of their own.

It really pays to be healthy!


Disclaimer:

This post is sponsored by Pure Matters. All opinions are one hundred per cent mine.

Mayonnaise Jar And Coffee

It's Sunday once again, but instead of feeling relaxed, I feel the other way around. I'm having a lot of stress lately which made me feeling sad and low. I'm trying to combat my feeling by keeping myself busy so I won't have much time to think and worry. I have a lot of things on pending status both here and at home and I cannot plan ahead. I cannot simply move in one direction. I am trying to joke around as much as I could but when I'm alone, I'm simply being attacked by depression.

Whenever I'm being attacked by this kind of feeling, I would normally get a book and read. Afterwhich, I would stop reading and reflect for a while then I would suddenly recall some things in the past. What causes me the stress and worries. Then I would let some good thoughts flow into my mind.

Just like a good story that I would like to share again this time. It's a reflection of our life and the things that matter most to us.

The story is entitled, THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND COFFEE.

Here it goes....

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions and things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse or kids out for dinner.

Maybe even play another 18. There's always time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

When things in our lives seem too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, when our worries are more than the glories, when friends are very hard to find, when the solutions to our problems are seemingly far.....

Remember the story of the mayonnaise jar and coffee.

Have a great day!

Ciao!

An Addition To My Growing Stuff

Just recently, I got the following stuff as "pasalubong" from my husband. He went home to spend his months long vacation. These are all my favorites!

Lacoste perfume, lotion, deodorants and my all time favorite.....Oil of Olay facial moisturizing cream.

I never requested for a shoe actually coz I prefer to wear comfy flats and sandals but I changed my mind after seeing this. Hmmm.....in fairness, it's cute!

There's no need to talk much about the last two items, I love bags! These two Guess Bags are awesome! I love the design and the color. Perfect for a frequent traveler like me. *winks*

Thanks God after several attempts, he already mastered my style! (lol)

Thanks a bunch Mr. E! More to come! (lol)


Linking to:

Where's Your Favorite Hang Out?

One of my favorite past time whenever I'm free from work is to watch a movie with my family. Whenever I go back to the Philippines, this will always be a part of my planned activities. I don't know but I find this very relaxing. Whenever time permits, I would always try to bring my Mom. Normally she wouldn't succumb to the idea of going out of the house. She's quite old already although she's still very much capable of joining family eat outs and strolls. My kids are always happy when we bring her with us. I'm lucky that they are so loving and caring to their grandma whom they fondly called "nanay". To make it even more lively, I would also tag along our house helper. This is my way to give her a treat for her hard work and for faithfully serving the family. :)

On our last trip to Hoh Chi Min City, I definitely included a trip to Megastar Cineplex located on the 10th floor of Parksons Department Store.

Me while choosing what movie to watch. :)

My daughter in her usual playful ways....

After choosing our seats and buying the movie tickets, we just hang around at the cinema lounge while waiting for the scheduled screening. At the cinema lounge, they have Highlands Coffee shop selling your favorite coffee frappe and choices of delectable cakes. This is located just infront of the long counter selling pop corns, sodas and other snacks.

My daughter Miks looked like she never had enough of the movie while others already leave the place. (lol) Well...the truth is, she just wanted to hang around a bit for some picture taking. :)

On our way out of the Parkson's building.

We're not from Manila that's why we rarely had the chance to watch a movie from a high end cinema especially those movies in 3D. That's why, I really find the way to bring them to Megastar Cineplex in Vietnam so they would have a chance to watch a movie from a different place. Megastar Cineplex is the best cinema in Vietnam. I think, I brought them there twice during the duration of our vacation.

It always gives me a great pleasure to have a break from work and have fun or simply hang out on places where I could truly relax away from the stress and pressures. But...spending it with the family makes it even more special.

Happy week end everyone!

Believe In Yourself!

Photo Credit : National Geographic

If you frequent my blog, then probably you already know that I love to share stories on some of my posts. Probably because, stories motivate, inspire me and keeps me going. It is also my objective to inspire others by sharing the stories here. I got this story below from my sister through email and I find it so nice that I can't help but to share it here. It's all about believing in yourself, being positive and never being discouraged by criticisms. The power of words is very important and it lies to us whether we want to be be affected by others.

Here it goes....

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs.... who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....

The race began....

Honestly, no one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top." "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!" The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one....Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.... The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up....

But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....This one wouldn't give up!

At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

Then all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?

A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal?

It turned out that the winner was DEAF!!!!

The wisdom of this story is:

Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have.

Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Therefore: ALWAYS BE POSITIVE!

And above all:

Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dream!

There are times when we encounter people who would put us down. This is what they say as "crab mentality" which is especially true if you are in a corporate world. People will step on you when they see that you are moving up. Some people cannot be simply happy for the success of other people and even this is very hard to bear, we are living in a world that's full of trickery and competition is very stiff, a thing which we have to accept and face. So, we have to be tough at all times. While getting positive criticisms helps us to improve our weaknesses, we should also learn to filter those which are constructive and those which are destructive.

I hope that you enjoyed this story. I did!


Linking to :

My Daughter's Wish!

photo credit : www.dogbreedinfo.com

My daughter's fervent wish is to own a shih tzu puppy. She's been urging me to get one for her since two years ago but until now, I haven't got one for her. Well...the reason is obvious, it's expensive! (lol)

But honestly, this is not my main concern. This is only one time pain in my wallet. What stops me from buying one is the thought of the expenses and the difficulties looking after a shih tzu pup. As I was told, this cannot eat just any kind of food. There are only few varieties that they could eat. They have to be fed with milk, veggies and OMG beef! They should have their own place to sleep perhaps a fabricated bed, own set of toiletries and they have to be groomed to maintain their "good looks". Thinking about these things makes me think twice. Do I really have to get one for her considering all those additional expenses that we will incur as a result?

But in Vietnam and Cambodia, shih tzu puppies are far cheaper compared to the Philippines. Sometimes, I keep wondering why everything in the Philippines is expensive and why everything here is cheap. A shih tzu puppy here only cost about $30 each which is only equivalent to Php1,200++ as compared to the price in the Philippines which is normally around Php10K to Php12K.

Out of my utmost desire to bring happiness to my daughter, I always think of bringing one back home. But after I learned about the process that I have to undergo just to bring back one like the papers, quarantine period for the puppy both in Vietnam and in the Philippines....oh my! I told myself, "Why do I have to go through those difficulties and inconveniences?" (lol)

So perhaps, if I'm already emotionally and financially ready to buy one for her, I think it's better to just get it in the Philippines to get away from all those hassles.

Hmmm...thinking about it, I also find shih tzu pups to be really cute and adorable same like those on the above photos.

Oh well....I hope one day I can finally buy one for her.

Reminiscing All Saints Day...

Photo Credit : wikepedia

Philippines is celebrating All Saints Day every 1st of November and all Souls Day every 2nd of November every year. This is one of the most important festivities in the Philippines where people observe strict adherence to Filipino culture and religious traditions that had been on for so many years.

Looking back…I can still recall so many good memories of All Saints Day. Since my father died, I can very well remember how the loss of this very important figure in our family had brought us closer together. All Saints Day had been considered an important day in our family as all my siblings together with their respective families gather together at the memorial park where my father had laid to rest. This allows us to reunite and see each other amidst our busy schedule to offer our prayers, light our candles and share the scrumptious dishes that each family brings. We used to do “pot luck” and this caused excitement for each and everyone. Thinking what to bring, preparing our “baon” and squeezing ourselves in the very crowded market just to take a pick of the specially arranged flowers that we will bring and offer to our father has been a practice for years. When we all get there to the place, we are very excited to share stories, play games, or simply crack jokes to everybody’s delight. It’s very nice to remember how precious this day to each and every one of us.

Years passed and everything had changed including our routines, our jobs, our wants, our needs and sad to say, our family tradition.

Now, I know that my father feels very sad because the All Saints Day which he had probably been waiting for every year to get that opportunity to see his big family gathered around him had vanished. The All Saints Day is still there and will continue to be celebrated each year but our family gathering and practices will never be the same again….not again. Our family grew apart. The closeness was gone. The tradition has long been forgotten. No more “pot lucks”, no more scrumptious foods to share, no more jokes to hear, no more games to play. That’s how it is now.

Could it be that each member of the family had been taken away by their ambitions? By their desire to grow? Or is it because each and everyone had been taken away by pride, by misunderstanding or misconception of their renewed beliefs and aspirations?

“I am deeply sorry father! I know how this pains you. I know that you did not want this to happen nor you did expect that your death will keep us apart. Whatever it is, I will always be your faithful daughter and you will always be in my heart forever”.

I am hoping and praying that time will come that each and everyone of us will realize our own mistakes, learn to forgive and forget and break that wall that was unconsciously built between us. Every year, All Saints day will be celebrated and every year will be a new hope for a new beginning.

One fine All Saints Day, you will see us all again…praying together, laughing together, eating together….gathered together.

That’s a promise!