Breather Schedule

Time, indeed flies. The first month of 2013 is almost through, and I'm starting to feel that there are A LOT to be organized - my thoughts, ideas, plans, schedules, financials, everything! Work eats up my day- upon calculation, I spend approximately 12-13 hours working, including travelling time and lunch break, so I'm left with what - 11-12 hours for myself? But of course I have to sleep, and they say getting 8 hours of sleep a day is best, so subtract that from my 11-12 hours, and I get only 3-4 hours for ME time. Let's say, I've got only 3 hours. The remaining 3 hours of my life each weekday, would be between 7:30 pm (time I usually arrive at home) and 10:30 pm (usual sleeping time). So what to do during this time? Instead of mindlessly surfing the net daydreaming about my next vacation, I decided to come up with my BREATHER SCHEDULE that I expect will guide me in accomplishing the tasks that I have in mind: MONDAY MADNESS - Since it's the start of the work week, I feel sluggish during this day most of the time. So I prefer not to do anything productive on Monday nights hehe. This is my time to just laze around in bed, be a couch potato, or just binge eat. I just wanna recharge this day, so there, Monday would be my cheat day. If I can manage to be a bit productive on this day, I would rather read a book/magazine, and surf the net for the best travel/dining deals in town! THINKING TUESDAY - School and/or business. These would be the main themes of this day. Our compre exam is fast approaching and I haven't read a single page in my reviewers. Hopefully I pass the compre to finish my Graduate Studies, so as early as now I must dedicate at least one night for review or at least scanning of notes. I also intend to make Tuesday my business day. I'm into my Royale side line that I can't get enough of it! It's fun to have extra income and talk to people regarding this opportunity to grow and earn more. Tuesdays would be also Royale Day, so I can update my sales records, view my account online, and talk to prospective clients/members. Tuesday would indeed require me to think... and anticipate two accomplishments - graduation and more moooolah hehe. :) WEDDING PLANNING WEDNESDAY - It's less than a year to go before our church wedding! ;) I know what I want during our big day, we've booked the church and the reception venue... but I still can't figure out the other tiny details of this special event. I don't wanna wake up one day unprepared and realize that it would be a couple of months left before THE day. So now that there is still a lot of time, I wanna make the most out of my Wednesdays and devote this day to wedding planning! :) TIDY THURSDAY- This would be de-cluttering day - tidying up my files, cabinets, drawers, boxes, etc. One at a ime I really want to get rid of unnecessary documents so I can free up space in my room. I also want to delete old files from my laptop -- it's getiing slower because of the low memory! Hopefully I would be able to buy an external drive for my gazzilllion photos and songs! I caould also sort out my clothes and dispose those that I don't really need. I guess slow de-cluttering would be more effective and less tiring as compared to one time big time rehabilitation of my room and storage units. FUN FRIDAY - Anything fun would be on a Friday - dinner/night out with friends, parties, and of course..... this is my chat date night with Mascot my love. :) As for my weekends, anything goes! :) But here are the activities that I want to be staple during Saturdays and Sundays: SATURDAY SERENITY - Exercise, cooking, watching movie - that is, if I don't have a Royale meeting or any major event. I'd really rather stay at home on a Saturday; if it's inevitable, of course I'll go out... but if I can, I'll just stay in my pajamas and exercise, cook, or watch movie. :) SUNDAY SWEETNESS - Time for the Lord and family, nothing else. :) So there! I hope I could follow this breather schedule that I have set for my one and only SELF. I've been overwhelmed with my to-do list that I badly needed this kind of strategy to become more productive. Good luck to me! ;)

Eat in 30 restaurants

1. Ilustrado Restaurant Address: 744 Calle Real del Palacio, Intramuros, Manila

I've visited this resto years ago when I was still with DTI. We did an ocular inspection because we were considering it as one of the venues for an international event. Its ambiance appealed to me then, as I have always loved places with SpaniSh era theme. I got the chance to finally eat in this resto just two weeks ago, during the 114th anniversary of The Manila Times. With me were Ms. Judy and John, my colleagues at LANDBANK. What I liked most about Ilustrado: The food was great, but nothing extra special. But I really loved their wine- sweet with that tangy tase. And again, I really like the feel of the place - old, historical... transforms me into a Maria Clara! About Ilustrado: "Today, Ilustrado, the restaurant, caters to clientele of enlightened tastes. Clients whose palates are conversant in savoring the exotic, cosmopolitan and neo-classic flavors of international and Filipino cuisine. For over 19 years, it has established a name for itself as a fine dining restaurant and favorite wedding venue. It has hosted visiting heads of state such as King and Queen of Spain, President of Peru, President of Czeckoslovakia, King and Queen of Malaysia, Princess of Thailand, a Miss Universe, performing artists and celebrities, and a cardinal’s silver jubilee celebration with over a thousand guests!" -www.ilustradorestaurant.com.ph 2. Mr. Choi Kitchen Address: Level 1, Robinson's Place, Manila

My good friend Alan was in Manila one lazy morning at work. He invited me to have lunch outside. Longing for a breather from our toxic work place, I agreed. I wanted to dine at some place new - so there, Mr. Choi Kitchen. What I liked most about Mr. Choi Kitchen: I liked their yang chow rice and dimsum of course, my favorite. I noticed that they have very very large servings, one order is good for two already. About Mr. Choi Kitchen: Mr.-Choi-Logo.jpg "Mr. Choi's Kitchen is a traditional Chinese Restaurant with but a few compromises to Philippine culture. Its authentic way of cooking has won the hearts of many foodies in the metro. The dishes offered here would definitely satisfy one’s Chinese food cravings. Patrons can’t get enough of its dimsum selections, congees, soups, supreme baked rice and noodles. Contrary to popular belief that Chinese food is unhleahty, health-conscious customers rejoice as they’ll be glad to learn that Mr. Choi’s Kitchen claims that its foods do not have MSG! Get the best of both worlds --enjoy feasting on meals and lessen guilt feelings with every bite!" -www.citydelivery.ph/browse/mr-choi-kitchen

Watch 30 movies

So far, I've watched two new movies! :) 1. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Wikipedia gist: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is a 2008 romantic comedy film directed by Peter Sollett and starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings. Written by Lorene Scafaria and based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the story tells of teenagers Nick (Cera) and Norah (Dennings), who meet when Norah asks Nick to pretend to be her boyfriend for five minutes. Over the course of the night, together they try to find their favorite band's secret show and search for Norah's drunken best friend. What I love about it: I like the musical score of the movie - it was sort of casual romantic. Reminds you of young, crazy love - midnight escapades, drunken nights, etc.

2. Vanity Fair Wikipedia gist: Vanity Fair is a 2004 British-American costume drama film directed by Mira Nair and adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray's novel of the same name. The novel has been the subject of numerous television and film adaptations, and Nair's version made notable changes in the development of main character Becky Sharp. The film was nominated for "Golden Lion" Award in 2004 Venice Film Festival. What I love about it: I have always loved period films like this, it transforms me into another world. I like Reese Witherspoon's character - feisty, ambitious, talented, and gorgeous. The story was intriguing and interesting even though there were boring scenes.

Check list before hitting 3-0!

Last week, it dawned on me... I'm nearing the big 3-0! Honestly I have mixed motions- excited, anxious, afraid, happy, sad, etc! I'm looking forward to a new chapter of my life, but I'm also hesitant to let go of my 20s- it was so much fun that I'm wondering whether my third decade of existence in this world would be the same. We can't stop time from rolling, that's why I just chose to enjoy my last months as a 20-something young woman who is set to conquer wider horizons, especially now that I'm married already. So last week at the office, Jen (my BSB) and I thought of doing this "30 before 30" list - it's like a bucket list of the things we wanna do, we wanna go to, we wanna achieve before turning 30 next year. I guess this is also our way for us to easily learn to love being in our 30s! It took me some time before I finalize this list, because I tried to be ambitious yet realistic, given that I have only about 7 months to go before hitting 30. Some of the items in this list are shared with Jen, while some are just my very own: 1. Perfect 30 recipes. 2. Read and collect 30 books. 3 Visit 30 places you've never been to. 4. Donate to charity / foundation. 5. Try a new hair style of treatment. 6. Watch 30 movies. 7. Enroll in a class and learn something new. 8. Grow a plant. 9. Go on one local and one international trip. 10. Write a 30-page story. 11. Post 30 blog entries. 12. Go on a 30-day fast of something you can't live without. 13. Place a lottery bet 30 times. 14. Write a letter to yourself before your 30th birthday and read it only after 5-10 years. 15. Buy a piece of furniture for your future home. 16. Send an email to 30 long-lost friends or relatives. 17. Buy 30 grocery items you haven't tried before. 18. Eat in 30 new restaurants. 19. Throw or give away 30 items you no longer need or use. 20. Learn how to drive. 21. Buy an expensive jewelry. 22. Pay out all debts. 23. Treat your family to an expensive dinner or outing. 24. Buy a toy you used to play when you were young. 25. Compile albums of all yoour photos in Facebook. 26. Organize a cousins' reunion - mother side. 27. Do a follow-up consultation with your OB. 28. Organize your files in your laptop and delete unnecessary files. 29. Treat to lunch or dinner 3 important people that you've lost touch with. 30. Have P50,000 in your coop savings account.

Hibernation Over - New chapter in my life up next!

It has been six months since I last blogged. For the past months I swear I tried my darn best to write anything under the sun, but I just can't. For the first two months I'm excused, because my then boyfriend (now husband) Lito, Mascot my love arrived and of course... I've zoned out as we did a lot of catching up (at long last back in each other's arms!) Most importantly, I just got married! ***Hooray!!*** And I know you would probably say, that I should have written a blog about this important milestone in my life! ;) But yes, sad to say, I still don't have any new entry in my blog. I guess i was too busy being happy that I didn't find time to write anymore. Hahaha :D Many things happened recently, the most meaningful and memorable of all is that I'm now a Mrs...so now I'm thinking of getting back to this therapeutic hobby of sharing my thoughts about anything that is close to my heart. And to begin with, I'm in the process of completing my 30 before 30 list, which my BSB Jen and I thought of. We're both 29 years old, and we are doing a list of 30 things we would like to do before hitting 3-0 next year! That would be UP NEXT! :)

Worth the Wait

I was a girl who believed in fairy tales. I dreamt of having a prince to sweep me off my feet, and I always looked for happy endings. When I was a kid, it was easy for me to feel what love is all about. I was sheltered, with all the comforts in life. I was pampered by loving parents- whose love story I’ve idolized through the years. I told myself, I wanted to grow up like my mom- taken care of by my dad.; and I wished I would marry a guy like my dad who was a responsible and loving husband to my mom. I thought all love stories were like that, smooth sailing. I also thought it would be easy for me to find my own happy ending. But as you know, we have different fates, we make different choices. As for me, it took me almost three decades to find that person that I know is destined to be with me.

When I was 15, I said I was madly in love. You know how first love feels- starry eyes, dreamy glances, and restless thoughts. I felt that nothing can come in between us, and I was willing to risk anything just to be with him. I was on a high, it was a great feeling that I will always remember. He adored me, and loved me. I knew he was sincere, and I thought he was the one. But I guess I was too young then to really learn how to handle a relationship. I was impulsive and immature, although I thought during that time I was the most mature person in the world. Things just didn’t work out, and I had to let go. My first heartache made me fell hard. It pained me, but it didn’t stop me from loving again.

When I entered college, we were having financial problems in the family. During my freshman year, my dad has passed away for three years already. We were saddled with loans and unpaid bills. It was one of the most challenging phases of my life; I had to adjust and live less comfortably. I knew I had to work hard to finish my studies and get back the life we had before when my dad was still alive.
Someone helped me made it through the darkest days. I was optimistic that our relationship would be something for real. I felt secured with him that I can tell anything to him. He stood by me during my trying times. For a long time, I was emotionally attached to him. I became dependent on him for love and affection because I was so depressed, not knowing what to do. I loved him, but I knew from the start that our relationship was not going anywhere. I thought I was ready to give up everything to settle down with him. But when I graduated from college, all the more that I wanted to pursue my dreams, ambitions, illusions, everything I wanted. I wanted to soar high and fly, but he didn’t want any of that. I broke up with him with a heavy heart, but now I realize that it was one of the decisions I had to make to be completely happy.

After that relationship which lasted for several years, I was more driven to find true love- that love that will last for a lifetime, something that’s forever. I told you, I never gave up on love no matter what. I tried something different, I began searching for love. I defied that old saying: “don’t find love, let love find you.” I was all the more eager to find happiness even it meant looking at the wrong places.

“Collect and select” – this was what I did, hoping that it would lead me to my happy ending. I entertained almost all men who seemed to be attracted to me, even if I knew that some of them were not really my type. I dated and flirted all I wanted, and it gave me temporary thrill. I played along, tried to enjoy the rollercoaster ride.

I thought I was already shielded from heartaches. After all, I wasn’t in a relationship; I was just having fun with the attention that I was receiving. But still, I got hurt even with these supposed to be “for fun” experiences. It was then that I realized that I was not the type of girl who can go through casual encounters and flings or so-called relationships without love and a guarantee of forever. I can’t stand it, I don’t like it, and I won’t have any of it.

I decided to have a break. It was the first time in my life that I felt tired of loving. I was a believer in love, yes. But I didn’t know that there will come a point in my life that I will almost give up on true love. I got tired of expecting, hoping that my prince will come. I felt bruised and scarred, as if I was a solider who came from a long battle. I asked myself, is there really someone out there for me?

I didn’t want to say “yes” to someone just because I want to be in a relationship. I promised myself that the next person I’d give my heart to must be the one with whom I’ll share the rest of my life with. As one of my friends told me, all girls want to be a “home” and not just an “apartment.” I don’t want men to just come and go in my life- that’s how an apartment is. I also don’t want to settle for anything less, just for the sake of having someone. I was unhappy not having a love life, but I was not desperate to have anyone just to tell other people that I have a relationship. I longed for that someone who will mean everything to me, someone who will stay for good, and treat my heart as his “home.”

I turned to Our Mother of Perpetual Help for guidance. Before, I used to pray that I find the one for me. But when I started praying the novena, I began asking for patience and acceptance. And so I waited patiently for the right person to come at right time, and accepted things as they are. I also asked Our Mother to strengthen my faith in the Lord, and never to give up on love

“Ask and you shall receive.” It didn’t take long before my prayer for true love was answered. He came during the time when I least expected for a miracle. Until now, I am still amazed with this blessing that I have received. I will be forever thankful that God gave him to me.

This one’s for YOU:

“I have fallen many times, I almost gave up on love. I thought I would never find my own happy ending. But you came along, you are an answered prayer. God must have seen that I needed a person like you, someone who has the patience to bear with my stubbornness. Thank you for the happiness that you’ve brought into my life. Thank you for understanding me, and standing by me all the time. Thank you for your sincere and unconditional love. I know that we will encounter many challenges ahead, but I promise to be there with you all the time. Our love is so strong that together we can make anything possible. I promise to take care of you for the rest of my life, and love you until my last breath.”

Bucket List No. 4: Go on a cruise-Check!

Las September 2011, I went on a cruise with my mom, bro, and sis. We went on board Sun Cruises MV/Manila which was docked at the Manila Bay near the CCP Complex side. Too bad we weren't able to get the 5:30 schedule, just in time for the sunset; but nevertheless we had a fun time riding a cruise with free food and romantic music. :)