At long last! I was able to purchase a planner for myself for 2013. It took me 4 National Bookstore branch to find this because all seems to be out of stock. Well why not? To incorporate positivism in your organizer may just be the little help you need to push yourself to achieve what you want. And that is what this planner is all about. I posted on my previous entry Christmas Wishlist that I would like to have a Belle de Jour planner. Well, if you really want it, you're gonna get it:



The Belle de Jour planner comes in different types to suit every female's preference. This one I chose because its simple and it conveys my perspective for 2013 and that is ... everything is possible! There are little notes and quotes inside the planner to somehow give you boost when you're starting to feel down. There's also a page for you to create a mood or visual board of what you want to achieve this year. A page for listing down your short term and long term goals is also provided. Then from that list you can pick what are your top priorities and how can you achieve them. Each month also comes with a page dedicated to encourage you if you want to develop a new habit.

Just a trivia, this is the first time I am going to use a planner all my life hahaha! I know I should have used a planner a long time ago but did not. I was really unorganized person and never do planning at all. I have lots of dreams and goals but never list them down. But for 2013, let's see how this planner could change my lifestyle. After all, my 2013 planner says it all, everything is possible.

The Belle de Jour planners are available at selected National Book Store, selected Powerbooks Store, selected Fullybooked branches of course, and Belle de Jour Power Planner website where you could order online.

“This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”




Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

September from now on not only marks the official start of the Christmas season but also, for our family, celebration of my dearest son's birthday. Oh yes, Swoosh would be 1 year old on September 26. How time really flies! Isn't it just yesterday when I first embraced him gently with my arms?

One year almost passed and there's just too much realizations about myself being a parent that made me understand my parents now more than ever. For me, the biggest realization is that being a parent makes you feel your mortality. What a deep thought, you might say. But its the truth. And just what do I mean by that?

Being a parent makes you feel how mortal you are. Surely, our children growing up is inevitable. They will get hurt, fail, cry, succeed, get lonely, be happy, love and be loved in return. Those are life's gifts to us and we will all have almost the same experience, just different situations. But when you are a parent, the thing that mostly would concern you is how to protect your child. What if you are no longer there to protect him during the bad times? Who would take care of them until age 61? Who could they lean on if times would go bad and you are out of reach?

About a month ago, there was an not-so-good experience I've encountered that made me realize this. I was on a bus heading to main avenue in Cubao because that's where I will be taking another bus going Bulacan. I loaded the bus in Santolan and immediately positioned myself to stand, since all seats are taken and a lot of people are all already standing, just at the front of the bus, near the driver and the door since main ave. is only 2-3minutes away from Santolan. The bus driver drove smoothly until intersection at P.Tuazon and we were stopped by the red traffic light. Just when the lights went on green, and our bus started moving straight ahead, another bus came cutting us off going to the left! Our bus driver immediately pushed the breaks and I was almost thrown onto the front mirror of the bus had I not grabbed the pole tightly I am holding on to. People on the bus got frightened by the incident. Most cursing the other bus. Thank God none got hurt. As for myself, I think I just had a little ankle sprain because I was caught off guard and I had to keep myself from falling by standing firmly even if my ankle got a little twisted because of the shake. It was a tolerable hurt that lasted for 2days, maybe.

Why am I sharing this? This is one of those situations I fear might happen. Can you imagine what might have happened if our bus driver was a second late from pushing that break? That was when the realization of my mortality immediately emerged from the back of my mind. What if the unfortunate happened and I was on very front of the bus? I don't want to think about it anymore but when I got home that night and saw Swoosh happily seeing me arrived at last, I cried. No, I can't bear the thought of leaving my little baby too soon. My son needs me.

Being a parent is a very tough responsibility. Your parents may not be the best parents in the world, but always remember, their existence, is not just for themselves. Their main purpose since they became a parent is to be there for you. They strive to exist for you.

 I know I can never be the best mother in the whole world, but I will try to be one for my son. But if I fail to be the best parent for my child, I hope he would realize that I may not be the best but surely, I will always be the one person who would always be there for him. Watching him grow, taking care of him. And if God permits the longevity of my mortality, yes, I will take care of you... till you're 61.

Dahil medyo nammiss ko na ang Amerika, naisipan kong i-post muli ang isang artikulong ginawa ko habang naho-homesick ako noon. At para maiba naman dahil nagno-nosebleed din ako paminsan minsan sa mga Ingles kong blog, naisipan kong magpahinga muna sa wikang banyaga at gamitin ang wikang Tagalog. Sana magustuhan nyo ang mga mumunting obserbasyon sa maliit na panahon ng aking paglalagi sa Amerika.

buhay amerika vs buhay pinas:


1. maluwag ang daan. parang wlang eskinita dito. parang laging nlex ang daanan kahit ordinaryong kalsada lang. maayos lahat ng traffic lights, hindi naggigitgitan ang mga sasakyan, walang msyadong traffic ( maliban kung weekends), malinis ang daan walang basura halos at wla ring kanal na amoy imburnal. hindi din gamitin ang train nila dito dahil lahat halos may sasakyan. bigla ko tuloy naaalala ang mga kalunos lunos pero nakakatawang experience ko sa mrt.

California

2. disiplinado ang mga tao sa daan. pag may tmtawid bawal tutukan at dapat talagang huminto ang mga sasakyan. ang mga sasakyan hindi pedeng sumakop ng 2 lanes. may pangalan ang bawat street kaya din madaling malaman ang mga daan. kaya lang bawal huminto basta basta sa gilid ng daan. di kagaya sa pinas parang kahit saan pwedeng pwedeng mag-park. kaya kahit naliligaw ka na sa US diretso lang ng drive.

3. hindi ko alam kung tamad lang ba sila sa bahay o mahilig talaga cla mgimbento. napakdaming bagay na napakadaling gawin ng kamay pero ginagawan pa din nila ng imbensyon para hndi na kailangan pang gamitin ang kamay. halimbawa, de kuryenteng peeler ng patatas, cucumber etc. may pambukas din kami ng delata na de kuryente. nammiss tuloy namin yung pambukas ng delata na manual. panu na pag mgbabaon kmi ng delata sa pamamasyal? wla kaming can openner kasi nga de kuryente yung nasa bahay hindi pedeng baunin. demanding?!

4. mahal ang bigas! OMG! sa isang pinoy OFW (ofw talaga?!) hindi ito makatarungan. $17 para sa 20lbs ng bigas. kaya cguro ndi sila mahilig sa rice. hindi ko maintindihan ang mga amerikano kung pano naging substitute ng bigas ang mashed potato at bread sa kanila. nakakalungkot naman kumain ng tinapay at sinigang di ba.

5. ilang beses na ko nakatanggap ng compliments sa kulay ko. pero sa pinas nilalait nila ko. parang araw araw daw ako ngbbeach. buti naman dito ngustuhan nila kulay ko. kung hindi eh san pa ko lulugar.

6.  andaming pagkain n less fat, less sugar, less than 200 calories, less na lahat parang halos wala ka ng nakain. pero ang tataba pa din at ang lalaki pa din ng tao dito. baka dito ng aapply ang sabi nila na "less is more".

7. madali lang para sa kanila makabili ng mga bagay bagay na napakahirap bilhin sa atin. halimbawa, TV. makakabili sila sa isang buwang sweldo nila ng de-kalibre at makabagong teknolohiyang telebisyon at may matitira pa din sa sweldo nila, samantalang sa atin, 2 taon mo huhulugan sa credit card ang ganoong klaseng TV.

8. sa amerika napakalayo ng mga bahay. hindi uso ang tsismisan tuloy sa kapitbahay. nakakalungkot di ba? na-miss ko tuloy ang kapitbahay naming walang humpay sa pakikipagtsismisan sa umaga habang nagwawalis ng bakuran. kahit di na ko manood ng tv o makinig ng radyo, mas madami pa syang alam na impormasyon tungkol sa mga artista at sa mga tao sa barangay namin.

9. SNOW! umuulan ng nyebe!!! para sa isang taong namumuhay sa init ng araw 365 days a year, ang makaranas ng pag-ulang ng yelo ay tunay na pruweba na talagang nakatapak na ako sa lupang banyaga! isa din ito sa pinakahihintay kong pagkakataon para makapasuot ng "boots". oh yes, boots! pangarap kong magsuot ng boots pero di ko magawa sa pinas, napakainit ng panahon at kahit nakatsinelas ka ay nakapakainit pa din. hindi ko maintindihan ang ibang kabataan sa pinas pano nila natitiis magsuot ng boots sa gitna ng sikat ng araw. baka may aircon sa loob ang boots nila o baka lamigin talaga ang paa nila. ewan.

isnow!

pacman vs clottey fight in TexasT

10. ang tanging bagay na na-miss ko sa Amerika -- mag-shopping. mura ang bilihin. ang mga "branded clothes" ika nga ay halos "bagsak-presyo". marahil ay nasanay ako sa kakarampot na sweldo sa Pilipinas kung kaya't pagdating sa ibang bansa talaga naman "shopping galore" tayo, sa Amerika, ang sweldong pinaghirapan mo ay marami ng mabibili. ang bawat sentimo ng dolyar ay may saysay. sa pinas, ang tawag natin sa singko, singkong duling. at kapag nakakuha tayo nito, kalimitan inihuhulog na lamang natin sa mga lata ng red cross. nakakalungkot isipin.

marami pang ibang gusto kong ilahad pero sa susunod n lang. masaya ang buhay sa amerika. pero yun ay kung ndi mo naranasan mabuhay sa pinas. 

A lot of ideas has been said about happiness. But I think the truest of them all is that "Happiness is a Choice." Do you agree? For me, its a solid YES. While it is a fact of life that bad things can  and do happen even to good people, most of the time due to misfortunes they have no control of,  we must always remember that there's always someone who would want to be where we are right now. Think of the people who have heavier burdens than you do. And then be thankful you are not on their shoes. Do you feel a little lighter? A little happier now?

For a happier mindset, I have some tips to share. When you are feeling blue, I hope these things would somehow give a you a boost of some bliss:

1. Discipline your thoughts. Always think positively. Pass on positive energy. When you feel down, think happy thoughts instead of focusing on the annoying circumstance you are into. After all, it will not stay that way forever. So focus on the things that would make you feel bright and light and soon enough you'll have a solution to the problem you are facing without even you knowing it.

2. Do good, feel good. When was the last time you actually helped out others? Doing good not only makes you feel good about yourself but also makes other people think good about you. Nothing is more joyous than being able to help people in need.

3. Release that energy. Do some physical activities that would require you to sweat. Do you know that exercise lets our body produce endorphins? Endorphins also called "happy cells",  has been explained by wikipedia as cells "produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being." So go ahead and move that body!

4. Get out of that comfort zone. Do something that you've always wanted to do but had always been delaying to do because of too much excuses you've been reasoning out but the truth is you're just too lazy to make it happen. Why? Because you don't want to get out of your comfort zone and face that challenge. Why not start by devoting a day or two in a month to do something you've never done before. You will be amazed at what you can discover about yourself.

5. If you can't adjust the wind, adjust your sails. As I have said, not all the time you can get your luck. Unfortunate things may happen but there will always be ways to change how things can go around you. The external factors that affects our life are just little compared to what we can actually do to get out of that detour. You completely have the power to make changes in your life and make things really happen.

6. Be thankful. Count your blessings and thank the Lord for it everyday. Enough said.

I can enumerate hundreds of ways to improve our perspective about happiness but at the end of the day, the only way to make one happy depends on ourselves. How we think, how we act, how we feel is our free choice. So if you want to be happy , think, act, and feel happy. Aren't you glad you have that choice?

A lot of ideas has been said about happiness. But I think the truest of them all is that "Happiness is a Choice." Do you agree? For me, its a solid YES. While it is a fact of life that bad things can  and do happen even to good people, most of the time due to misfortunes they have no control of,  we must always remember that there's always someone who would want to be where we are right now. Think of the people who have heavier burdens than you do. And then be thankful you are not on their shoes. Do you feel a little lighter? A little happier now?

For a happier mindset, I have some tips to share. When you are feeling blue, I hope these things would somehow give a you a boost of some bliss:

1. Discipline your thoughts. Always think positively. Pass on positive energy. When you feel down, think happy thoughts instead of focusing on the annoying circumstance you are into. After all, it will not stay that way forever. So focus on the things that would make you feel bright and light and soon enough you'll have a solution to the problem you are facing without even you knowing it.

2. Do good, feel good. When was the last time you actually helped out others? Doing good not only makes you feel good about yourself but also makes other people think good about you. Nothing is more joyous than being able to help people in need.

3. Release that energy. Do some physical activities that would require you to sweat. Do you know that exercise lets our body produce endorphins? Endorphins also called "happy cells",  has been explained by wikipedia as cells "produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being." So go ahead and move that body!

4. Get out of that comfort zone. Do something that you've always wanted to do but had always been delaying to do because of too much excuses you've been reasoning out but the truth is you're just too lazy to make it happen. Why? Because you don't want to get out of your comfort zone and face that challenge. Why not start by devoting a day or two in a month to do something you've never done before. You will be amazed at what you can discover about yourself.

5. If you can't adjust the wind, adjust your sails. As I have said, not all the time you can get your luck. Unfortunate things may happen but there will always be ways to change how things can go around you. The external factors that affects our life are just little compared to what we can actually do to get out of that detour. You completely have the power to make changes in your life and make things really happen.

6. Be thankful. Count your blessings and thank the Lord for it everyday. Enough said.

I can enumerate hundreds of ways to improve our perspective about happiness but at the end of the day, the only way to make one happy depends on ourselves. How we think, how we act, how we feel is our free choice. So if you want to be happy , think, act, and feel happy. Aren't you glad you have that choice?

A lot of ideas has been said about happiness. But I think the truest of them all is that "Happiness is a Choice." Do you agree? For me, its a solid YES. While it is a fact of life that bad things can  and do happen even to good people, most of the time due to misfortunes they have no control of,  we must always remember that there's always someone who would want to be where we are right now. Think of the people who have heavier burdens than you do. And then be thankful you are not on their shoes. Do you feel a little lighter? A little happier now?

For a happier mindset, I have some tips to share. When you are feeling blue, I hope these things would somehow give a you a boost of some bliss:

1. Discipline your thoughts. Always think positively. Pass on positive energy. When you feel down, think happy thoughts instead of focusing on the annoying circumstance you are into. After all, it will not stay that way forever. So focus on the things that would make you feel bright and light and soon enough you'll have a solution to the problem you are facing without even you knowing it.

2. Do good, feel good. When was the last time you actually helped out others? Doing good not only makes you feel good about yourself but also makes other people think good about you. Nothing is more joyous than being able to help people in need.

3. Release that energy. Do some physical activities that would require you to sweat. Do you know that exercise lets our body produce endorphins? Endorphins also called "happy cells",  has been explained by wikipedia as cells "produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being." So go ahead and move that body!

4. Get out of that comfort zone. Do something that you've always wanted to do but had always been delaying to do because of too much excuses you've been reasoning out but the truth is you're just too lazy to make it happen. Why? Because you don't want to get out of your comfort zone and face that challenge. Why not start by devoting a day or two in a month to do something you've never done before. You will be amazed at what you can discover about yourself.

5. If you can't adjust the wind, adjust your sails. As I have said, not all the time you can get your luck. Unfortunate things may happen but there will always be ways to change how things can go around you. The external factors that affects our life are just little compared to what we can actually do to get out of that detour. You completely have the power to make changes in your life and make things really happen.

6. Be thankful. Count your blessings and thank the Lord for it everyday. Enough said.

I can enumerate hundreds of ways to improve our perspective about happiness but at the end of the day, the only way to make one happy depends on ourselves. How we think, how we act, how we feel is our free choice. So if you want to be happy , think, act, and feel happy. Aren't you glad you have that choice?

Yesterday, my 2 year old nephew Miguel visited us at home together with his mother and brother. While at home, Mig and his mother kept on showcasing to me his new learning. One of the questions Mig was supposed to answer correctly was: "Miguel, what do you want to be when you grow up?" To which the kiddo answered, "Pilot". Which led me to thinking the topic for today's post. How many of us were rally able to achieve our dream job when we were still a child? When we were asked during childhood days, "What do you want to be when you grow up?," what was then your answer? Do you still have the same dream as of today?

As for me, I had so many dream careers when I was a child. But none of them was ever materialized! Haha! But no bitterness, I believe that God has His own purpose for not giving us everything we want. After all, I don't think I would be living the life I'm loving right now if I had taken a different path.

I remember when I was in kindergarten, I had always wanted to be a nun.



A nun! Maybe God was saying then, "For God's sake! Please leave the convention alone!" HAHAHA! I studied in a Catholic school then and I really admired the nuns. I think that they are all beautiful and kind and neat and is very much close to the Lord. And I wanna be just like that. Unfortunately, my growing up years made me realized I may not be a good candidate to enter the abbey. I might just end up like "Maria" in the "Sound of Music" movie wherein she was every nun's despair.


Then, my elementary years were spent dreaming about becoming a flight stewardess.


I think I'm qualified with the smile. :D
So I started passing my resume to some airline companies, both local and abroad when I was 24 years of age. I was hoping maybe I can fulfill this dream.








Only then I realized that they had some physical requirement. Firstly, you've got to have long legs because they have a height requirement (at least 5'3"). Secondly, you've got to be an anorexic of some sort because there's also a weight requirement. Thirdly, thin legs and small waistline for that perfect proportional body. Whoaa! now that just pissed me off. Seriously. Because I've got big legs (not long) and I eat 6 times a day but I believe I still always fall on the normal weight category. I think I can still pull off that uniform. Why the discrimination with girls with big legs? Duh.

Highschool came and I just had another dream career. I want to be a travel show host or a journalist of some kind.

You know that travel show hosted by Angel Aquino and other fab girls? That's what you call "Dream Job". I get to travel for free, see myself on tv, showcase the beauty of each places I get to, try out new foods, discover new hobby, try out that new spa, dress the way I like etc. Angel, why can't I have your job? We do have the same color right? Again, maybe this job isn't for me just because I always get a migraine after long hours of travel. Aaawww!

So, here I am. I ended up battling my way to the top in the IT industry. Do I love this job? Somehow. I still love the fact that I'm working in an Anti-Virus company with all the nerds (joke!) challenging me. But definitely not all the time. And you know what I just figured out all these years? Now I want to be an entrepreneur. I want to own a cafe. I just love coffee and I think I could have Starbucks cafe as my home. Its the perfect home aroma for me. I also want to be a make up artist! Then own a store full of cosmetics. I want to beautify everyone!

This is where the challenge begins. Whichever comes first, a make up artist or a cafe owner, what matters is that I was able to achieve it. What I need now is the motivation and the action. So help me Lord, and you guys reading this too, please help me get motivated. If this is what my heart wants, then surely God will guide me. Again stay positive and I know next few years, I'm gonna have that cafe and cosmetics store. Just like these pictures below. These will be my inspirations.;)

My Future Coffee Shop

My Own Sephora

How in the world would I own these? I'm still clueless but I know God will help me to achieve the desires of my heart.

"Believe you can, and you're halfway there."

Yesterday, my 2 year old nephew Miguel visited us at home together with his mother and brother. While at home, Mig and his mother kept on showcasing to me his new learning. One of the questions Mig was supposed to answer correctly was: "Miguel, what do you want to be when you grow up?" To which the kiddo answered, "Pilot". Which led me to thinking the topic for today's post. How many of us were rally able to achieve our dream job when we were still a child? When we were asked during childhood days, "What do you want to be when you grow up?," what was then your answer? Do you still have the same dream as of today?

As for me, I had so many dream careers when I was a child. But none of them was ever materialized! Haha! But no bitterness, I believe that God has His own purpose for not giving us everything we want. After all, I don't think I would be living the life I'm loving right now if I had taken a different path.

I remember when I was in kindergarten, I had always wanted to be a nun.



A nun! Maybe God was saying then, "For God's sake! Please leave the convention alone!" HAHAHA! I studied in a Catholic school then and I really admired the nuns. I think that they are all beautiful and kind and neat and is very much close to the Lord. And I wanna be just like that. Unfortunately, my growing up years made me realized I may not be a good candidate to enter the abbey. I might just end up like "Maria" in the "Sound of Music" movie wherein she was every nun's despair.


Then, my elementary years were spent dreaming about becoming a flight stewardess.


I think I'm qualified with the smile. :D
So I started passing my resume to some airline companies, both local and abroad when I was 24 years of age. I was hoping maybe I can fulfill this dream.








Only then I realized that they had some physical requirement. Firstly, you've got to have long legs because they have a height requirement (at least 5'3"). Secondly, you've got to be an anorexic of some sort because there's also a weight requirement. Thirdly, thin legs and small waistline for that perfect proportional body. Whoaa! now that just pissed me off. Seriously. Because I've got big legs (not long) and I eat 6 times a day but I believe I still always fall on the normal weight category. I think I can still pull off that uniform. Why the discrimination with girls with big legs? Duh.

Highschool came and I just had another dream career. I want to be a travel show host or a journalist of some kind.

You know that travel show hosted by Angel Aquino and other fab girls? That's what you call "Dream Job". I get to travel for free, see myself on tv, showcase the beauty of each places I get to, try out new foods, discover new hobby, try out that new spa, dress the way I like etc. Angel, why can't I have your job? We do have the same color right? Again, maybe this job isn't for me just because I always get a migraine after long hours of travel. Aaawww!

So, here I am. I ended up battling my way to the top in the IT industry. Do I love this job? Somehow. I still love the fact that I'm working in an Anti-Virus company with all the nerds (joke!) challenging me. But definitely not all the time. And you know what I just figured out all these years? Now I want to be an entrepreneur. I want to own a cafe. I just love coffee and I think I could have Starbucks cafe as my home. Its the perfect home aroma for me. I also want to be a make up artist! Then own a store full of cosmetics. I want to beautify everyone!

This is where the challenge begins. Whichever comes first, a make up artist or a cafe owner, what matters is that I was able to achieve it. What I need now is the motivation and the action. So help me Lord, and you guys reading this too, please help me get motivated. If this is what my heart wants, then surely God will guide me. Again stay positive and I know next few years, I'm gonna have that cafe and cosmetics store. Just like these pictures below. These will be my inspirations.;)

My Future Coffee Shop

My Own Sephora

How in the world would I own these? I'm still clueless but I know God will help me to achieve the desires of my heart.

"Believe you can, and you're halfway there."

"You have to believe in yourself, that's the secret. Even when I was in the orphanage, when I was roaming the street trying to find enough to eat, even then I thought of myself as the greatest actor in the world." - Charlie Chaplin

 

 

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love – for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment is it perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you from misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”