I passed!

I am proud that I am now a Licensed Real Estate Broker! Yippeee! After 120 hours of studying another 16 hours of review and my own personal review time (which took out most of my social life for almost 3 months) — I passed! The hard work paid off.

I took the REBLEX (Real Estate Brokers Licensure Exam) last March 17. The exam took one day with 400 items to answer. It was exhausting. And after finishing the third exam, I really thought I would not make it to the cut. Good thing the questions in the first and second exams were mostly what we have taken up. I think that pulled my scores.

I thank the good Lord above for guiding me….. I offer this to you!

Limited space in the city

Hubby’s office is finally habitable! Although we still need to complete the finishing touches, for now, this will do.

In the photo is the view from his office which I will often use since he is not around much. It’s the first time today that I held office in that room, and much to my surprise I was so productive. I am enjoying the view and the quietness of the room, away from disturbances at home.

I am proud that hubby has already established this office and it’s so near our residence and far from the traffic of the CBD — but as you can see, I have the view of most of the CBDs in the Metro. And most importantly parking is not a problem! In Makati, pay like a P150 per day for whole day parking. Honestly, why would I look for an office where even my guests won’t have parking.

Frankly speaking, the CBDs have very limited space even for a parking, that is why most parking tenants are coming up with ideas to double up their parking spaces like the garage car lift, which is becoming popular nowadays especially in Manila.

Best of luck to my hubby in all his business endeavors.

Being a full time parent

When I hear about stories like teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and even too much partying among teenagers nowadays, I thank the LORD for guiding me through my decision of being a full-time Mom.

The bond between me and my kids are so strong that even though their Dad now takes them to school and I am back to working, they still come to me for everything. Admittedly, I get irritated at times when they have spent the whole trip to school with their father and still not say a word but when I think about it, I feel really guilty! That’s when I realize that it’s easier for my kids to approach me anytime cause we have spent more time together when they were growing up. How can I not understand that?

The other night Hubby and I were already at the brink of argument because my daughter comes home from school very late because of her PEP Squad training and her being part of a production in the school play. I had to remind my hubby that it is better that our kids are involved in school activities rather than in some other unproductive and life-destructing habits.

“Ninety percent of American high school students report that some of their classmates are using illicit drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, during the school day, a new survey found.

When asked to estimate how many were involved, these teens reported that about 17 percent of students — roughly 2.8 million — are abusing drugs during the school day, according to the survey.” – US News Health

Alarming indeed. That’s why there are a lot of facilities that cater to Drug Alcohol Detox Rehab, but what if you cannot afford one? I am sure those facilities like drug rehab los angeles can cost a fortune.

That’s why the responsibility falls on parents like me to keep these children away from the harmful vices and from peers who can influence them. Prevention is still better than cure.

Hello Winter!

For the first time, I’ll be spending the cold months of November and December in the US. I am so looking forward to visiting family and friends. If there’s one thing, I would have to adjust will be the cold climate. I am now gearing up for the cold weather looking at patagonia womens jacket which I know would surely give me the comfort I need. I have invested in thermal wears since I do not want to experience the same coldness I felt when we were in Germany. It was March when we went there and I thought it wasn’t that cold but it was.

Well I guess, coming from a tropical country, I am not really used to the cold weather. Now, I have to be prepared. I wouldn’t let the cold weather spoil the fun I will have. Good thing there is no snow in California

My love for music passed on

In my past posts, I have mentioned about my love for music — singing at that. Although, I cannot read musical notes that much, I can say that I can carry a tune and belt out high notes. Teeheeeheee. In my younger days, which is not that long ago , me and my friends would hang out in Karaoke bars and sing to our hearts content. It’s one way of releasing stress after a hard week at the office.

Last week as I got home from the office, I heard my son playing the piano. With his tablet in front of him. (Notice that he no longer uses musical sheets of paper but uses modern technology.) It was nice to hear him try his best to play the piano even without much formal training. Then my daughter would download chords of the same song and play it on the guitar. They are actually doing something together. Ahhhh… what a sight to behold.

I just sat on the couch and listen to them play. With a smile on my face, I am glad that my love for music has been passed on. Well, I do not only take the credit for that, hubby also plays the piano. No wonder the kids got it.

Now, to save up and let them have formal lessons for that and may be buy those epiphone guitars

Dreaming of our own home theater

One of our family bonding moments include watching movies in DVD together. Nowadays, since I went back to working again, we do it during weekends or whenever I take my day-off and everyone is home.

Now, I can’t help but dream of our own home theater. Although, we have a LED high – definition and TV and some speakers attached to it. I want an upgrade! (wink) Complete with projector screens and some screen accessories with matching state-of-the-art surround sound speakers. This way we can not only view movies, but photos and videos we have taken of our trips and other activities.

Soon, I will have that. With a lot of hard work and perseverance, I know nothing is impossible.

Responsible Spending

As early as grade school, I have opened an account for my kids so they can start saving up and teach how to spend their money wisely. What goes in their account are savings from their allowances, gifts during their birthdays and Christmas, and me and my mom deposits extra cash whenever we have.

Next year, my daughter will enter college and now I am thinking of opening some sort of rechargeable credit cards or a debit card, so she won’t have to bring cash anywhere she goes. Especially if she’s riding the public transportation.

I am sure there is one bank instrument that can provide this where I am able to track my kid’s spending and remain connected even if she decides to live in a boarding house.

Oh well… time flies so fast! My eldest will soon be on her own while she studies college. Although I want to be at her side at all times, but I have too let her wing spread so she can find her own destiny.

Back to wearing heals

Now that I am back to working, I am also back to wearing heels, which is strains my knees after a long period of time –that’s because of my knee injury. Although, I’d love to wear flats, but heels is a must in our office.

Now, I need to choose the perfect height and the kid of heels to wear… and Wedges are the most comfortable of them all. I can stand all day with my wedges. That’s I just choose and shop for  fashionable wedges nowadays.

The other day, I was manning the mall and I saw an old man roaming around the mall with a knee scooter — probably from the knee scooters at andrew street – and I kept picturing myself doing that when I grow old. I had to stop the thought. I don’t want and refuse to grow old with a scooter in tow. I just pray that I’ll grow old without having to depend much on anything or anyone.

Photo Credit

Jamming with live bands

People who have known me would be familiar wit  how much I love to sing. In my previous blog posts, I would share how, as a kid, I would lock myself up in my room and sing with my heart’s content.

Oh how I miss those days! I miss my friends who can jam with me. I miss the karaoke nights. Nowadays, I look forward to jamming with live bands. It’s much more challenging to sing with live accompaniment especially when guitarists use quality guitars like joe bonamassa guitars.

My birthday wish is this year is to have my closest friends with me celebrating a lovely night with a live band playing and anyone can jam to their fave songs, including me! That would be sooo exciting!

Another journey

Just recently, I made another major decision which I hope will not fulfill me personally but help my husband in our finances. I am now part of Alveo Land (an Ayala Land Company) sales force.

Sales??? Yes, it’s a new environment for me. Being a trainer, they tell me I have the edge in which I reply, “Yes, probably in terms of presenting the product but to convince people to buy is another thing.” I am very positive in this new venture of mine. I believe that as ling as work hard, I shall soon reap the fruits of my hard work… and that is what I am doing right now… Planting seeds.

Selling real estate property is not only all about commissions, I believe that I am here to help people find their home and make good use of their money through a very good investment.

I have seen people beautify their houses by placing all kinds of lovely stuff, nice paintings, lovely decor and even buyinghunter outdoor ceiling fans, but at the end of the day, if it’s not yours and you are just throwing away money. Let’s not look far, I am guilty of that. That’s why I am working hard to help in the finances so we can soon fulfill our dream of owning a property. With God’s grace, everything will fall into place.