Your life is your choice

I woke up today and decided to do thirty minutes of hoola-hoop (as part of my daily exercise) and while doing so, I decided to turn on the TV and watch HBO. The featured film was Mona Lisa Smile starring one of my favorite actresses, Julia Roberts. She plays a free-thinking art professor who teaches conservative 50′s Wellesley girls to question their traditional societal roles. She encourages her students strive for a more enlightened future and not be stuck with the stereo-type stay-at-home housewives. Not that I have anything against being a SAHM, cause I am a SAHM myself. But during those days, it was okay for female college students to get married while in school as if their only role is to get a husband to take care of.

I am so glad not to be part of that era. It will be very hard for a free-spirited, fun-loving person like me to conform with the norms during those days.

But the movie inspired me some more to look beyond just like the book that I just finished. It’s by Bo Sanchez, it’s called 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich which I find very moving… encourages me to achieve more.

“Don’t limit yourself. You’re bigger than you think you are. I believe that love is limitless. It has no boundaries. I do what I do because I want to love people…. Wake up each morning and ask, “How can I bless the world more?”– Bo Sanchez, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich

The thing is ever since I became a stay-at-home mom, I have limited myself to what I can do, depending on my husband so much. Good thing the Lord has blessed me with a very supportive husband. (Thank you Lord!)

Your life is your choice, whatever you want to become, you can achieve and you should not be afraid to fail. Most people blame others — their parents, their poverty, their lack of college education for their failure to be successful. Wrong! Bill Gates was a college drop out, and most of the Chinese tycoons here in the Philippines were not born with a silver spoon, they had to work hard for the empire they own right now.

All I am saying is if your stuck with your eight to five job, Pediatrician Jobs, clerical jobs, you can succeed if you want to.

As for me, this year is a milestone in my entrepreneurial life — I am going to start anew. And as long as I put my best foot forward and the Lord is there to guide me, I know I will succeed.

New Year in Boracay

It has been my family’s tradition to go out of town for the New Year. First we just booked ourselves in any hotel in the Metro and watch the City’s Fireworks display. (We are totally anti-firecrackers, that’s why we prefer to watch.) Last year, we went out to Subic and this year, we welcomed 2012 in Boracay with the whole family.

It was indeed a different experience for me and the kids. For me especially, because I am not a sun-worshipper — I am totally afraid of the sun. However, I told myself last year that I should try getting out of my comfort zone and I have been doing a lot of those last year. Basking in the sun was not a fun experience but when I am in the water, it’s a different experience.

I guess I am more of a water person, I could probably stay in an indoor pool the whole day. Hmmmm, I might as well look for water spas like those powered by pentair pool — there’s actually one near our place.

Going back… the memories we’ve made especially with kids, are priceless. My daughter wants to go back. I just love how adventurous my kids are, even though I couldn’t catch up, I try my best! We stayed at Epic Bar Boracay for the New Year’s countdown. With my siblings and the kids we partied the night away. Yes, with my kids! Where else will they go??

The New Year experienvce in Boracay was indeed different. The beach front was literally jampacked. Filled with people, young and old, locals and foreigners alike, were all having a good time anticipating the Fireworks display provided by different hotel establishments along the beachfront. Even my mom stayed up to watch them.

My children enjoyed the breeze and the music — dancing the night away. A lot of moms might say, huuuuuwaatt??? Yeah, I start them young. At least they get to feel and experience it as early as now, and they won’t be ignoramus like me. Better with us first, in a controlled environment than whoever it will be that I do not even know. They’ll come to that stage and when they do, they know what to expect.

The makings of a party peep is what I can see from my kids Funny, cause I never experience that with my Mom and now my Mom sees me doing it to them… and with the blessing of my siblings at that… LOL!  Oh well, they have to start somewhere.

I hope you all had all had a fun-filled New Yearr’s celebration with your loved ones. Here’s to a year filled with prosperity, happiness, peace and love. Happy New year everyone!

The bonds of matrimony

It’s sad to hear that nowadays it’s a common thing for husband and wives to be separated. In a country like the Philippines, where there is no divorce and with a very traditional and conservative outlook on marriage, being separated is a hard process, most especially if there are children involved.

Recently, we attended a talk regarding parenting at my son’s school. I was happy that hubby blocked his calendar to attend this very important activity for his son. The talk was conducted by Arun Gogna, who is a sought-after national and international lay preacher. I have attended one of his talks during my younger days and I have been impressed.

During the talk, Arun injected a lot of humor which made it more interesting for parents like us. A lot of what he talked about, are things that we all knew but needs to be reiterated. Although one important thing that really stuck me is his last statement about parenting..

“Parenting is how you treat your spouse.”

He reminded us that our children will mirror the way we treat our partner. If we show love and affection, they will feel loved and be confident about themselves. On the other hand, if we show hatred and disrespect to each other, our children will tend to reflect on these negative behavior.

I am glad and grateful, that despite our humble beginnings as husband and wife, we have learned to love and respect each other and have constantly shown this to our children. Even though I sometimes look at diamond wedding rings and wish that I have one of those, my present relationship with my husband is priceless and I cannot ask for anything more but to give us the much needed strength to endure whatever life has to offer.

For both us, having kids have strengthened the bonds of our marriage. I am truly blessed and I thank the Lord for that.

Photo by Emery Co on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

Reminiscing the past

Just recently, I was tasked to make a video for my son’s graduating class during their recollection. Each parent was tasked to submit a baby photo, a recent photo and a family photo.

It was quite an arduous task putting together the video, but it was a labor love. Good thing there are a lot of scanner software in the market nowadays which makes it easy for parents, like me, to turn hard copies of photos into digital copies.

Doing the video, it was a trip down memory lane seeing these boys grow up right before my own eyes. These boys were together since Grade 1, being part of the honors class. All their activities I have compiled for the video showing.

While the video was showing, all the hard work was worth it when I saw the reaction of my co-parents. They appreciated my work I would gladly do it, given a chance.

Christmas Break

It’s official! School is out for both my kids. Yippeee!

Well, my boy was out since Thursday and today is my daughter’s last day of school. Two weeks of long undisturbed sleep which I am so looking forward to. I am also eagerly awaiting our annual family get-together which will be in a beach resort this time. I just pray that the weather will cooperate. Crossing my fingers!

Busy as a bee

My schedule is so crazy nowadays that I do not even have time to take a pause and indulge in some relaxing massage or a facial. I remember the last time I was this busy was when I was working and started selling baked goodies on the side. I go to work feeling like a zombie, because I need to finish my baking at 2am. Now, I feel like I look like a zombie, My hair color is starting to fade, my face is starting to break and my nails…arrrgh! But no worries, I shall have my “ME” after the Holidays and de-stress myself. Good thing, I still find time to squeeze in my exercise regimen, which I feel is the most important of all.

Even with all the toxicity, of course, I still don’t forget to look Fab I try to put on make up even just a hint of blush, a lipstick and of course, my mascara. Good thing I am blessed with a good skin type and naturally long lashes, teeheehee. Once I was asked by an office mate if I was putting on fake lashes and even inquired about the best eyelash growth product I was using. “Oh, this is my natural lash. I just placed mascara,” I replied with a smile.

Working in front of people has taught me to dress and look good even when I am busy, it gives me no excuse to look hideous. Oh that’s not me at all. Others tell me that when you are a SAHM (stay at home mom) that gives you a good reason not to dress up. I say No! I probably wouldn’t be wearing my usual office attire but I certainly wouldn’t wear anything crappy. You always need to look good, whether you are working or not.

Let it go and make room for the new

I came home one day from my yoga practice and saw my eldest crying and whining. My first instinct was of course, to ask what happened. Then she blurted out the events of the day that led her to cry. One thing good though, she didn’t cry in school.

My daughter even when she was a kid, was such a “cry baby” just like her mom but I have learned through time that crying does not solve anything. And so while she was growing up, we have taught her how to be strong and not be hypersensitive about things. Thanks to her dad, she has slowly outgrown the cry-baby stage … until now.

I tried not to show pity but I really feel for her. She’s the captain of her batch cheering squad and it’s a very big responsibility. When things don’t go her way, it can sometimes make her fall to the ground. My advise is simple. “If things don’t go your way, your tears will not help solve any of your problems. You can cry to release those emotions, but only for awhile. Let go and pick yourself up and try to be objective about things, it will let you focus more on the problem at hand.” It took while for her to stop sobbing but after all the pep talk, I know that she’ll be alright.

Sometimes the reason, why we cry and drown ourselves with sadness is because we keep looking back at the mistakes or the misfortunes that took place. LET IT GO! I am reminded of the quote I saw in Facebook…

When life’s strong winds come blowing, bend with them and let go. By bending, you become stronger in new places. By letting go, you will be making room for the new and the better.

Nowadays, you need to be more flexible. Get out of your comfort zones and try out new things. I used to see myself as an office type of person, where I have a fixed workstation. But lo and behold!  I am now an entrepreneur. If I need to work, I do not need a workstation. I can work anywhere just like those hospital computer carts, my mobility does not affect my efficiency.

It took me awhile to find my niche and now I tell myself, “I should have done this a long time ago.” Oh well, it’s never too late …

The Holidays Bazaar @ Valle Verde 5

Another bazaar weekend for us. This is what’s keeping me busy me busy as a bee nowadays. On November 26-27, we will be joining the Holidays Bazaar @ Valle Verde 5. Find us at booth D12. Hope you can join us there!

Business is peaking

It’s our third exhibit for our bazaar business and we can already feel the Christmas rush… sales are peaking up and I am so happy. As we countdown the days towards Christmas, more and more shoppers will look for Christmas gifts and of course, to buy things for themselves that means more sales for our bazaar.

We have learned a lot from this experience, and now we are confident about our market and the items that we need to sell as well as the items that are saleable. It was a trial and error thing for us to know what the market wants, but we have learned.

Joining bazaars is a preparation for us to have our own store. I hope that this Christmas season, we will be able to save enough money to fund our rent for own store, that is our ultimate goal. Soon, we’ll have our POS and well be using thermal printers like Epson TM-T88V. I can only dream

When it rains

It’s raining again! and I can’t help but feel gloomy. Yes, it has that effect on me. I try to fight it off by keeping myself busy and active. Just like today, it was raining the whole day and despite my hectic morning sked, the gloominess caught up with me in the afternoon, I gave in with a nap. I thought I will be energized afterwards, but it failed! So I ended up the day with a Yoga practice. That’s when I felt the energy, perfect for wrapping up the day. Now, I still have a lot of energy and after doing some reports and still have time to blog

Although I love the cold weather, I guess the rains just affect me. I love the cold weather cause it’s to be a fashionista when it’s cold. You can layer your clothes and not worry about having to sweat  I remember when we visited Europe, I had a grand time wearing different stylish clothing, winter jackets and even the north face jackets, which I never even bothered to look in the malls.

This is just me thinking out loud…. After all, I did not let the rainy weather affect me that much. I guess what I am saying is … You can do something about every negative feeling you are experiencing.