Firework in 2011

How time flies. The first month of 2011 is just about over.  How did it go for you? On my end, all I can say is that it went by quickly since I was busy with many activities. Though I wish it had been activities that I really wanted to do if that makes any sense.

But that's alright. At least I am taking some time to look back in what I have done and making sure that I have an action plan for the rest of the year that I would like to achieve.

What is an action plan? In my own words, it is like having a road map to the destination that you would like to reach to make sure you get there.

Do you have your own action plan for 2011?

In my next post, I will share with you how to make an action plan if you haven't started yet.

I will leave you with a song from Katy Perry "Firework" that will get your blood pumping and make you get off your seat and make things happen. Enjoy! Make things happen!

Why Do Women Cut Their Hair?

I just got back from the salon a mere two hours ago. I asked my favorite hair stylist to give me a new look. I wanted to try having some fringes or better known as bangs. I also wanted something slightly shorter since my hair grows quickly anyways. With the instructions that I gave my beloved hairstylist, Jo gave me a medium cut layered hairstyle with some side swept fringes. More than four inches was chopped off my long hair to achieve this but I like my new look! =)

Yes, drastic as it may seem to cut so much all at once but I felt I had to. Don't get me wrong, I love wearing my hair long. But I thought I just needed a change. I have been wearing the same hairstyle for over six months already. Aside from my roots showing since I have not colored my hair yet, I just found the length of my hair quite unmanageable as well since it was already up to my waist. It felt very warm and "heavy" wearing so much hair.

I know for women that their mane is their pride just like with the lion. But there are just some reasons that us women have that with a blink of an eye we decide to chop off our long hair and catch the people around us by surprise.

Here are just some of the reasons why I decided to cut my hair:

1. It was too long and reached up to my waist already.
2. It had no more "style".
3. It was unmanageable.
4. My roots were showing so I had to cut the colored-faded part off.
5. I was preventing splint ends so that my hair would be healthy looking.
6. It was too "hot" or "warm" to wear being so long.
7. I wanted a new look.
8. I wanted a change to compliment my life.

Have you had a haircut lately? What are the usual reasons why you decide to change your hairstyle?

I Miss You Cleo

You are my beloved dog of 8 years

You were always there to make me smile

You would comfort me when I was down

You never failed to be there for me

You brought so many happy memories

You were my first baby

You grew up with Roberta

You were more than a dog to me

You will always be part of the family

I could not imagine not having you around

No one can ever take your place

You mean more to me than anything

How I miss you right now

I wish you did not have to go so soon

I love you very much Cleo....

Children Grow Up Fast

Tomorrow, our daughter will be starting her regular school schedule. Her classes will be finished by three o'clock in the afternoon. Since she takes the school bus, she will be home in an hour or two after her dismissal time. She will be gone for nearly eleven to twelve hours everyday, five days a week.

It only dawned on me earlier that my husband and I will hardly get to spend time with our baby. She will be spending most of her awake time in school. We were both starting ftofeel sad especially me. I was so attached to my daughter since she was our unica hija.

I have always been hands on with Roberta. When I was pregnant with her, I decided that I would breasfeed her exclusively for as long as I can so that she will always be close to me, and that happened. I also changed my lifestyle and career path so that I could be home more often, and I was able to do that too. But I guess there are just some things that are beyond our control. Children grow up so quickly no matter how much time you spend with them.

This was exactly what I was feeling with Roberta . Though I did not like it I just had to accept the reality of life. I just told myself, make every moment count with my baby, make it memorable since there was no turning back time.This holds true for every relationship and everything we do in life.

"Carpe Diem"...Seize the day...

Personal Priority Setting

Doesn't it feel good when you accomplish so many things in the limited hours that we have in a day? That's how I felt today. And it felt good! =)

I have actually had this feeling since Monday of this week. Last Friday, I made an important decision and gave up one of my work commitments so that I can free up more time in the day. It's not like I won the Lotto and instantly became a multi-millionaire and did not need the extra income. I still need the extra income but I needed more time as well so I can do other more important things in my life aside from earning money - that's being with my family.

I decided to set my priorities in the important areas of my life properly before entering the last month of the first quarter of the year. I guess I have always been the type of person whose decisions in life are based on my personal priorities.

These are presently my personal important areas in my life:

1. Family (Vince and Roberta)
   
2. Relationships (with extended family and friends)
   
3. Finance (encompasses business and career)
   
4. Health and well-being (I'm not exactly getting younger..hehe)
   
5. Spiritual (for inner peace)
   
6. Self-improvement (unlearn bad habits and attitudes)
   
7. Education (learning something new and constantly feeding my mind with new information)
   

Personally, I think this is a good practice to do from time to time so that I can review the things I am presently doing and see if I am on the right track of living my life fully and being happy at the same time. Usually, when I start to feel a little less positive about a particular area, it just means that I need to do a raincheck and see how I can fix things.

I know it may sound a little O.C. (obsessive compulsive) or something to do something like this. But it helps me stay in the right direction. Without properly setting my personal priorities, it's like I am taking my car out for a drive without a specific destination to go to. Now, that does not make sense right?

Do you do something like this in your own life from time to time?

Voice-less

Every weekday, I would get up early to wake my daughter up and prepare her for school. This was my regular routine. But yesterday was totally different. When I woke up, I had no voice! As in zero! Waaaa!

What I was dreading and avoiding happened, I lost my voice!

The whole day yesterday, I was in mute or silent mode. I think this was the first time this has happened to me. Before I would just get a really hoarse voice to the point that you can hardly hear me. But yesterday, everytime I would open my mouth. No sound would come out. It was awful.

I never realized that having no voice was this hard. It was so hard to communicate with the people around you. They either had to watch your lips and try to guess what you are saying or watch your hand movements or gestures. Now, I know how it feels to be mute.

I am just thankful that this was just a temporary setback for me. With a few more days of rest, drinking liters of ginger tea and gargling cups of warm water with salt, I would have my voice back.

After that, I would need to take better care of my voice and no longer take it for granted. I know I may not be a singer or anything but I just realized how valuable my voice was in my everyday life not to mention the profession I am in. I do not want and can't afford to loose it again.

But this does not mean I would be neglecting all my other senses. This was just a reminder to me and maybe to you as well that we should all take good care of ourselves and what we have because we are very lucky compared to other people.

As the saying goes: "Health is wealth."

Down with a Fever

My unica hija, Roberta is down with a high fever right now.

I'm staying up watching her sleep and checking on her temperature from time to time. If she starts to feel a little warm, I apply a cool damp folded face towel over her forehead to try and keep the fever down. She will be taking her medicine again in a couple of hours.

She's sleeping soundly now. I hope she gets better quick. I do not like it at all when my Roberta gets sick.

I don't think any mom likes to see any of her children in this situation. It's heartbreaking and you feel helpless. If there was only a way to trade places and let me be the one to get sick instead of my baby girl, I wouldn't even think twice.

But I have faith. Things will be better tomorrow. Roberta will be okay. She will no longer have fever. She will be back to her jolly, lovable, and playful self.

I know she will because I will make sure that it happens.

(I wrote this post a few hours earlier using my PDA while keeping myself awake watching my daughter.)

Morning Meditation

I got up from bed a little over an hour ago. The whole house is quite. Everyone is still asleep including the dogs. Even the neighbors are still in dreamland. The only noise I can hear are the birds chirping away outside.

I got out the room and walked around the house. It's nice to have some quiet time before all the jungle starts doesn't it? I was enjoying the serenity of it all. I was starting to meditate about the things to come, my plans, my goals and the things I need to get done.

I started to feel recharged, inspired and motivated to start another busy week.

This is how my day should start every day. This is how everyone especially busy moms like us should start the day to prepare us for our hectic and crazy schedules.

I think this is something I will be doing regularly. It helps prepare my mind for the challenges and stress I will be facing thoughout the day.

I came across these informative resources about how to effectively meditate in the morning that you might be interested in: Morning Meditation and Open Mind, Open Body.

Do you have your own way of meditating in the morning? What do you do?

Have You's

Thank you Fhaye for thinking of me when you sent out this tag. This has got some interesting questions. Hope you'll enjoy my answers.

Here it goes:

1. Have you ever been on TV? Yes, I joined two game shows before for fun - Wheel of Fortune and Weakest Link. It was worth it coz I won some.
   
2. Have you ever sung in public? Yes, I was part of a musical back in Junior High.
   
3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond? No, I have not tried blond because I don't think it will suit me. But I do dye my hair at least once to twice a year.
   
4. Have you ever eaten frogs' legs? Yes, by accident. My cousin tricked me when I was six and told me it was chicken.
   
5. Have you ever recieved a present that you really hated? No, none that I remember. Or maybe the gift was more of forgettable.
   
6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post? No, but my car did by accident.
   
7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people? Yes, for my dad's birthday two years ago.
   
8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others? Yes, usually during a volleyball game when I try to save the ball.
   
9. Have you ever done volunteer work? Yes, at my daughter's fun day.

I want to share this tag with: Jet, Jetty, JK/Nancy, Nancy, and Mentari

Honest Scrap

I got this tag award from Marie a week ago. Thank you!

At first, I did not know what this award meant though I was excited to receive it. Then when I read thru the instructions it made more sense to me. It always helps to read doesn't it? ;)

When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real.

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!

Here goes 10 Honest Things about me:

1. I am married.
2. I am the eldest of three children in our family.
   
3. I love volleyball!
4. My favorite fruit is watermelon. I can eat the whole thing by myself in one sitting.
5. I am from Cebu even if I grew up and live in Manila.
6. I have been driving for the past 15 years.
7. I am scared of heights.
8. I exclusively breastfed my unica hija for a year and three months.
9. I am not fond of ketchup.
10. I love my veggies.

These are my choice of blogs that I would like to give this tag award to: Rose, Ask Ms. Recipe, Dhemz, Dodong, Christine Perkett, Sarah, Trisha, blogomama, TidyMom, and Eleesha

I know the rule said 7 but I couldn't help it. These are just some of the many interesting blogs I have come across lately. Enjoy!

Rest and Relaxation

Yeah!! Two more days to go and it's the weekend again!!!

Is it just me or did this week just seem to fly by? We all know the saying, "Time flies when you are having fun" but I don't think having so many things to do at work and being pressured at the same time can be categorized as fun. Nonetheless, I am going to make sure I will get my R&R (rest & relaxation) this weekend and have fun while doing so.

I already have plans for the weekend. I will be taking my daughter to ballet class and we'll have a little mother-daughter bonding while we are at it. After that, I will be playing my favorite sport, volleyball, with my former teammates and maybe hangout a little with them. Of course, there is family day Sunday where we will be hearing mass together and then have a nice lunch or dinner and maybe watch a nice movie.

I know it may seem that I will be having a busy weekend but it's my way of getting my much needed R&R and that is spending some quality time with my family, my friends and myself. So that I will be fresh and recharged for another busy week.

How about you? What is your idea of an R&R after a busy week?

Bon Voyage

As I am writing this post, my parents are on the way to the airport for their flight back to Saudi. My Mama and Papa were here for a month long vacation which they do every year or sometimes twice a year. This vacation was a little different. My Papa just recovered nearly two months ago from what we call a "close call". We were all relieved that he was able to get well. Now we're hoping and praying that it will continue.

So far so good during their one month stay here. If you see Papa now compared to when he first arrived he looks well and strong and you wouldn't think he went through such an ordeal.

I just wish that things will be okay now that my parents will be far away from us again and we will see them after a year or less...

Take care always Mama and Papa...Have a safe trip...

A Birthday Wish

Rose passed this birthday wish award to me early last week. I had a hectic week and only had time to repost this now. Sorry about that. I was actually surprised to receive this since my blog was only three weeks old as of yesterday. But many thanks though I really appreciate it. As for my birthday, it's celebrated a day before one of the most popular and important holidays in the world. Ever since I was a kid I would only get one gift for my birthday and this special holiday. It's not that I'm complaining..or am I? =)

The rules are...

1. Make a list of what you want on your birthday...
2. The list should be 15 numbers
3. Post the image of this award in your posting
4. Give it to 10 friends of yours.

Here is my wish:

1. To have a fun and memorable 7th birthday celebration for our daughter Roberta
   
2. Good health to my family, relatives and friends.
3. To get back in shape and stay in shape
4. To have my vision back to 20/20 via LASIK
5. To regularly be able to go on a vacation with my daughter Roberta and husband Vince
6. To be able to do what I want, when I want, with who I want and not worry about money
7. To be able to help my parents and titas retire gracefully
   
8. To have a closer relationship with God
9. To pay off all debts and have a clean slate
10. To own and operate a transportation as well as online business
    
11. To pursue further studies like a Culinary Course
12. To purchase my all-in-one scanner, printer & fax
13. To own a "power" mobile phone such as Sony Ericsson Xperia or Samsung Omnia
    
14. To get an AUV or SUV
15. To build our modest but dream house

I am passing this tag to Beauty Marie2, Girlie, Sarah, Bingkee, Leonore, VhingF, Noeqiah, Nancy, Imelda and Francine.

Please feel free to grab this tag and let me know. I would love to see what you wished for on your birthday =)

Five Minute Management Course

I received in this in my Inbox early this morning from my dear friend Sarah. I thought of sharing this all to you because we might learn a thing or two from these short excerpts and apply them in our daily lives. You are probably thinking how will a management course apply to you when you are not even a manager!

Technically, you are right but at the same time you are wrong. We are all managers in our own right. We manage a lot of things everyday. We manage our many different roles in life with regards to our family, our work and ourselves.

Here are some lessons that we can learn from:

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor. Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.' After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?' 'It was Bob the next door neighbor,' she repliess. 'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'

Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?' The priest removed his hand.

But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?' The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'

'Me first! Me first!' says the admin. clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.' Puff! She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.' Puff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'

Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing . A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?' The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull. 'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.' 'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.' The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree..He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree..

Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

Okay, okay..I know you may have heard these excerpts and they may seem like just a joke at first but when you take a closer look at the morals of the story they make sense right?

I just wanted to make you laugh, smile, maybe brighten and lighten up your day after a busy and tiring work week..so that you can relax and enjoy your weekend..

I hope my plan worked...Happy Weekend!!! =)

Are you a CMT?...

...a Certified Multi-Tasker =) hehe..got you there didn't I?

I'm sure all your eyebrows were raised trying to figure out what that acronym stands for. It's just my own term for us busy mommies or should I say SAHMies and WAHMies...

People think that staying at home to work is a piece of cake but reality says otherwise. We all know very well that there are a lot of distractions when you have a home office. It's not just about accomplishing your work duties but trying to juggle it with mommy duties too such as watching your kids, preparing lunch and dinner, answering the door, attending to calls, doing the laundry, doing homework, naptime and the list goes on and on.

It's so easy to get caught up with all the activities that you need to do at that moment. And by the end of the day, you realize you really did not end up accomplishing the important tasks you set out to do for the day. This has happened to me often.

That's why I try my best to keep track of all the important things I need to do in my planner. Yes, it's still the old school way that I got used to doing ever since I was a kid in spite of having gadgets that can also do the job.

Here are things I do to manage my time and organize my day:

1. Make a list. - I list down all the things I need to do for the week. These would include appointments, things to do, reminders etc.
2. Prioritize. - I take note of which things in my list are urgent, have deadlines and needs my immediate action.
3. Plan it out. - I plan out my week. I write out in my planner the things I need to do according to the day it should be done. This way I will not feel so overwhelmed that I have a lot to do since it has been spread out through the week.
4. Color code. - I like to color code the things I need to do so that it will make the tasks seem lighter when I look at the colorful page in my planner as well as making it easy to spot.
   
5. Check it off. - This is my favorite part - checking out from my list what I have finished doing already. It gives me a sense of accomplishment especially when all I have set out to do for the day are done.
6. Be flexible. - There are some things that you just can't plan like a surprise visit from your in-laws or having to run to the grocery coz you ran out of oil for cooking. No need to panic or get all flustered since things did not go as planned. Just try to get back on track.
7. Be positive. - If at times it seems things are not going as planned, just always look on the bright side and keep trying. You will get it done - eventually. =)

Do you have any tips that you can share with me?