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.

Bazaar Business

Yes, I have ventured into another business, the bazaar business! Together with my sis-in-law, we decided to take the risk knowing that everybody will be rushing to buy stuff for Christmas gift-giving. This is the business I was talking about in my other blog.  I couldn’t hush up because of the excitement and finally we are operational. So far, so good! We are expecting sales to peak up some more come December.

As I observe the saleable items, I am amazed. I refuse to think that I am not a trendsetter, it’s just that I have my own fashion statement. But I guess as entrepreneurs, we need to adjust to what the market dictates and not be stubborn about what we thing will sell — that is the first lesson we have learned.

Going around, I am surprised to see items that sell like the trend now are “Angry Birds”, anything about it. I have also funny shirts that spoof brands, couple shirts, and of course, accessories. However, people who have been in the bazaar business tells me that come December, everything sells. Since people love to give during Christmas.

I am praying that this venture will prosper and that even if it’s not Christmas, we will still find the right location to sell our goods.

Overcoming Stress

It’s been a hectic 2 weeks for me and I guess it took its toll on my health. I was bed-ridden the last weekend and it was the first time I have felt the kind of pain in which my muscles ached so badly, I literally cannot move.

Hubby said I was stressed! Yeah, but it was a different kind of stress. I am comparing the stress I had when I was in the corporate world. This “stress” gave me fulfillment .. which make me feel the need to still get up and do more. I believe it is when you love what you are doing that you overcome stress. Not to say that I did not find satisfaction when I was working as an employee, I did! In fact, I loved how I was able to deal with different people but at some point, when you can no longer enjoy the time and you’re all tied up at work… it will get you thinking. Is it all worth it?

Now, I added a little zest into my life, taking some risks and after all the setbacks, I am back on my feet. Life would be so boring if you don’t take chances once in awhile. Your body will always look for that adrenaline rush, and so just like some people who add flavor on their swisher cigars, I had to venture into something new.

My physical body has always been weak, but when your spirits are high nothing can put you down. I enjoy what I am doing now, I have my own time which enables me to spend more time with my kids.

And so, I move on! Even when I still have a funny voice (due to colds) and coughs every once in a while, I still got up Monday and did the work that had to be done. I couldn’t say that stress is no longer there…. but I can easily overcome it. It’s all about managing it!

My roller coaster ride

Ever since I got married, my ultimate dream was to have my our own house… a house and or a town house perhaps. Being married to an architect, every one probably thinks that would be an easy job but I guess, everything isn’t really easy for me and my hubs.

Hubby and I both grew up from a location that is quite far from the school we go to. At a young age, high school that is, I have to endure the rigors of commuting from Laguna to Manila, where my school is. My routine, obviously was house and school and vice versa. No time to do much lakwatsa, much to the content of my mom With that in mind, we promised not to give that kind of experience to our kids. So even if we can buy those affordable houses in the south or far north of Manila, we are maintaining a rented house here in the Metro so the kids can enjoy more time with their school activities rather than deal with the stress of going through traffic each and everyday of their lives. I guess when you are a parent, you have to really look after what’s good for your children rather than satisfy your own personal dream.

However….

As the years go by, I thing it’s about time to revisit that grand dream of mine and think of being more practical. Nothing bad with that. With the property boom, there are a lot of condominiums around our vicinity and even if I am not really a “condo girl”, I have to adjust a bit. It’s just a matter of mindset, dontchathink Hubby keeps telling me that I am the only who refuses to take a look a condominiums. Okay fine, I shall open my mind and prepare myself. That wouldn’t be hard. It’s not like their stealing my dreams away…. It’s more of tweaking it a bit.

This would probably end my emotional roller coaster ride. The stress of trying to find the perfect house, that fits our budget has really given me a lot anxiety like casters attached to my computer chair, I feel like I can swivel, go forward, sideward but in the end I go back to where I started. House hunting can be draining at times.

So if my family is happy with a condo, then condo it shall be Good luck to us!

My Fitness Journal

It’s been a month since I started my yoga practice and I have been practicing three to five times a week. This is the start of my journey to a fitter and a healthier me!

One month into the practice and I feel that I am already reaping some of its benefits. For one, I feel the happy hormones are always present, I am more energized every day, the grumpiness has lessened, much to the content of my kids and of course, my hubby

Fitter by the day! As I deepen myself into the practice, I am discovering that my body can do a lot of stuff that I have not tried before. It’s liberating to undergo such thrilling poses that I never thought I can do, especially with my age now. I have felt the change when I go up and down the stairs and even just walking a mile… I am pleased that I don’t grasp for breathe or even if I do at times, it will take a lot of time to do so.

Weight management was my ultimate goal when I enrolled and I have been quite successful in doing so. Thus, it is in the maintenance that will pose quite a challenge but with discipline, I know I’ll be able to do so.

No more diet. My metabolism is faster now and I can eat whatever I want as long as it is in moderation. The exercise makes me eat less and I can even live with only yogurt for dinner… Can you imagine that?

More “Me Time”. Yoga practice is about creating your own space and every time I go to shavasana (corpse pose), I find time to relax and free my ever worrying mind. If there’s one thing I find it difficult to do is just to let go. Yoga has introduced calmness in my mind. Just by practicing Yoga is enough “me time” for me. I don’t even look for a great massage at the end of each session Even though I feel some sore in my muscles every now and then, I don’t really dwell on it.

I look forward to practicing yoga every day and even if I still cannot perfect the pose, I don’t get intimidated. Besides, I have only been practicing for a month. Yoga has taken all my anxieties away, given me a clearer mind to think of what is NOW and let go of what the future has in store.

The old me would probably still be anxious about my ultimate dream (of having our own house) but now I just let go… Now, I would look at the elegant tubs at bathsofdistinction or the furniture and fixtures in the mall with much content for I know that I am blessed. And as long as hubs and I are working hard and giving it our best, we will soon reap the fruits of our labor

Personal Touch

I was overwhelmed when my home got home and excitedly handed me a pink handmade card. Awwwww! With all the technology available nowadays, I appreciate it  more when my kids present with something they made on their own. It reminds me of my growing up years, when there were no computers and colored printers, my brother and I would make cards, be it birthday, valentine or Christmas, out of bond paper. We’ll try all sorts of stuff that we learned from art class. Cut papers, melting colors, etc. It was so much fun

My kids would often tell me that they don’t give me gifts because they do not have money but the thing is, I do not need expensive gifts. I tell them that you do not need money to make me happy. This year perhaps the most valuable gift I received is the handmade birthday card from my son. The though that he spent the time (in school –take note!) to make one birthday card for me is very much appreciated.

The advancement of technology can sometimes bring a lot of disadvantages when our children are not properly guided. I love that mobile phones can make communication faster, that social networking can bridge the distance between people who are million miles away, that there is now a lot of gadgets like tablets, golf gps finder that make our lives easier. However, we need to guide our children in the proper use of technology, with all the news of crimes resulting from its use.

Likewise, we need to reiterate that we still need to have the “personal touch” when it comes to nurturing relationships with our family especially with our children and of course, our parents, who are mostly not adept with technology. Somehow having the “real presence” and “personal touch” still spells a lot of difference.

Finding your own space

I just came home from a fruitful but tiring tripping with hubby and my boy — who wanted tag along,  in search for an office space. Yup, an office space for my hubby. It’s been ten months since he started his own architectural practice and now it’s about  time to expand a little, so finding his own office is already a must. It’s exciting but at the same time there’s a hint of fret of what the future has in store for this new business venture.  But we are very much optimistic with all the prospects  at hand and with God’s grace, I know hubby will be a success.

Finding your own space be it your office or your home, is always an exciting experience. After our tripping, both of us sat down and did a brainstorming session for the office look.  The decor, lighting, fixture and furniture, everything should have a hint of the owner’s character.  Like in your own home, the receiving room or living room is the space where guests can see the owner’s distinctive characteristics.

As to your own space and sanctuary, it is always essential to find a space where you can feel tranquil and lets you express your creativity or your personal ideas. The place you live and work should be something that you look forward to go to everyday, that is why your personal touch is a requirement.

Like in my home, my personal sanctuary is my bedroom. No matter how cluttered the kids are in the other areas of the house, as long as my bedroom is quiet and free of clutter … I always look forward to lying on my bed every single night. Oh, I know the gentlemen have a different perspective… others look forward to spending time inside their entertainment room, or the den or even the garage. I know of some men who loves to hang out at the garage with their male friends. That’s why they make sure that they have their beer fridge there and wants every detail of this space perfect up to the material used as their garage floor coating.

Whether it is your workplace or your home, always find an area where you can have your personal touch, a space you can relax, be creative and will make you feel good

Discovering Yoga at Urban Ashram Manila

I was doing my grocery when I stumbled upon a poster of what seems to be a newly opened Yoga studio. The advertisement was quite small that I didn’t take the time to really stare at it, all I know is that they are offering Free Trial classes and what I did was just memorize the contact number… 377-YOGA. It was not after a couple of days later that I decided to call and inquire. Apparently, they are already fully booked with the free classes and they instructed me to book online, so they can squeeze me in with the other classes that they are organizing. It seems that a lot of people have shown quite an interest in Yoga Classes that they needed to add some more class schedules for their “Open House’.

And so through an email confirmation, I was finally scheduled for two free classes.

Last night, was my first class and it was under Ms. Maricar Holopainen. As Maricar explained, the class I attended was an FNR class (Flexibility not Required) with more of the Vinyasa poses, which means “breath-synchronized movement. Hmmmm…. that’s why she instructs us to move from one pose to another with an inhale and exhale . I find the FNR class fit for beginners like me. Honestly, I though it will be quite difficult but I was actually surprised at how I can follow the instructions and the poses, although I have to rest a couple of times and do the “Child’s pose”, especially during the planks. Planks are my least favorite even when I had my fitness trainer years back . The morning after was not even a problem for me, no muscle pains at all. It was probably because I prepared myself for the worst that’s why I didn’t feel it.

At any rate, I am so glad that my search is over… I finally found a Yoga Studio that is so strategically located and very much accessible to Moi. I have been itching to try out Yoga ever since I felt the strain on my knee, in which the doctor said that I had nothing to worry about that the best cure is to go back to having a fitness regimen, although not hi-impact especially on the knee like the treadmill or running. Yikes! So Yoga it is.. I have read the many benefits of yoga and it’s not only one of the best fat burners but what I like about it is the “serenity” — wherein you can focus and have peace of mind. For someone who is a worry wart like me, this is probably the best thing I can do for myself.

Urban Ashram Manila is located Level 3, Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig. It’s very near Pioneer Center Supermarket and along the street of the new opened Ace Water Spa in Kapitolyo. Their building does not even have a name yet. If I remember it right, it used to be an old warehouse and now the owners have converted it to commercial spaces for lease. Urban Ashram is the first tenant to open in that building, so expect some works on-going as you go up to the studio.  It has 3 generous studios that can fit in 20 students each and can be combined for larger classes of 60 students.

Now, I am discovering Yoga at Urban Ashram Manila. You too can join the Yoga Revolution, you can visit their website at www.urbanashrammanila.com to book your classes and check out their well-trained Yoga instructors.

Namaste.

It’s all about your talent

One of my mentors in photography once shared this interesting story in facebook:

“A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door, the host said ‘I love your pictures – they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.’ He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: ‘That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.’”
— Sam Haskins

It’s quite fascinating how people tend to regard the advancement of their skill by the gadgets that they have. Like in photography, most people who are starting with the hobby, especially those who can afford, would likely to buy the most expensive lenses and other accessories believing that it will improve their craft. However, most professional photographers would tell you that you need to improve your skill first before you engage yourself in investing on those costly accessories. You can begin with basic DSLR camera or any point and shoot camera for that matter such as Sony Cybershot, Lumix or fuji digital cameras and once you have mastered the skill, then you start to upgrade slowly.

The pros explain, that when you start upgrading your accessories without perfecting your skill, the tendency is to shove them off the shelves once you get frustrated. Remember we are talking of beginners, so you are just starting to feel the passion. It goes true for everything new that you want to start with such as golf, biking, cooking/culinary arts, you need to get the “feel” first. Are you really passionate about it? Give your self a year or two before indulging on any gadget upgrade, make sure that the fire has not “dwindled”.

Remember it’s not about the gadget, it’s all about your talent.