Start of something new

Sharing of interests, stories of where I've been and what I did. Insights, thoughts, learning that may be applicable and helpful to anybody in this world!

Saturday 29 November 2014

Yes to December: What is my top 3?






Hmmmm.. 26 days to go and it's Christmas. Don't want to say that I'm excited about the season because you will get so umay na! Hahaha! 

Christmas happens every year. 
Then year on year we experience the same amount of stress that we've experienced the previous years. What's the cure? Here are my top three:

1. Make sure that you have a well planned calendar - you don't want to miss any get together or reunions. You also don't want to break your promises when you say you can attend then suddenly you can't. The secret is to plan (really) ahead of time.  Don't say I'm OC but as early as September, we already plan our December meet ups.  I would suggest weekday lunch or dinner meet ups.. Its less stressful because weekend meet up will also give you the traffic that you want to avoid.

2. Make sure that you have planned your gifts - Yes! I said it before and I will say it once more.  As much as possible, do not do last minute shopping because that's super stressful.  Plus you will not get the bargain that you are looking for. If you really lack the time then try bulk gifts.. This will save a lot of time in thinking of what gift to give.
Example: socks for males / kikay kit for females. You can also give out goodies like cookies and chocolates. 

Of course it would always be best to give a personalized gift but if you lack the time then this is the way to go.

3. Make sure to anticipate the worst - do not expect that everything will flow smoothly the way you planned it. Something / someone along the way will just ruin your perfect plan -- best way to beat this stress is to carry on. Just adapt to what's happening and be thankful that your plans are going well (or not).

There.. Just my three major thoughts on how to beat the stress this Christmas.

Oh and by the way; to have a stress free and positive holiday festivity, make sure that you spend it with the people you love and love you back.  Nothing is more joyous than having the best company in town during the most wonderful time of the year!

See u all!! 

Xoxo

Friday 28 November 2014

Happy Friday: I am Beautiful no matter what they say!



"Maganda daw Ako, yan ang sabi ng nanay ko!"

Everyone used this line one way or another in their lifetime and I'm one of them!  Do we really believe in that? Or do we just force ourselves in believing that statement because nobody ever told us we are beautiful? 

I was looking outside the train window and saw some students busily combing and dong their make up -- then I asked myself "do they really need to do that?".

I was an HR Representative for five years and I have to look presentable (or should I say "I have to look beautiful")  -- thus I put a bit of blush on, lipstick and eye shadow.. I am always on high heels, dress and I had nice hair. But when i moved to HR Service desk, where I don't do "client facing" anymore, it all changed.  Makeup was not part of my purse anymore, my high heels went into a sabattical leave and my skirts unworn.  Was I still beautiful? I'd say yes!! 

My point: even if we wore the nicest clothes or just an ordinary top and pair of pants -- beauty is beauty! 

Beauty is (yes!) In the eyes of the beholder and beauty without character is nothing! 

You can wear an expensive dress, use a signature bag and spray on a nice expensive perfume but if your character is not beautiful then everything is just crap!

Beauty for me is: 

1. Having a sincere personality - someone who can say good things about people / friends even when their friends are not looking. In short - not backstabbers.

2. Having a good set of friends - meaning someone can validate your character and personality.  You are a good person to be with and people would love to join your company.

3. Having a healthy relationship - not only with friends (stated in #2) but also having a healthy relationship with your colleagues / neighbors / org mates / school mates. Someone who plays fair in the playing field, someone who knows how to admit mistakes and correct them, someone who you can reach out to in times of doubt.

4. Having the best support system, Family - beauty is reflected on how you treat your family.  Thus if you treat them with a lot of care and love then that's beauty in its finest!  

5. Love for oneself - beauty is nothing if you don't believe in it.  People said I am beautiful because I said so and so should you!  

People will choose to believe what they want to believe..
People will choose to see what they want to see..

At the end of the day it is "US" who determines it! 
Not them.. And so if we believe in our heart of hearts that we are beautiful then that's true -- it is especially most uplifting if you have your friends and family who can validate that fact!

Are you?

Xoxo

Tuesday 25 November 2014

How do you treat others?

It's nearing Christmas and I know each one of us is getting more and more excited about the season (or is it just me?).

Anyways, before we get all excited, I hope that we can have a quick sanity check and see how are we doing as a person -- yes a person who lives with other people!


Am I the type of who loves to give help?
Or am I the type who loves to receive?
Am I the type who loves to give back?
Or am I the type who takes advantage?
Am I the type who gives 100% effort in what I do?
Or am I the type who gets credit from others?
Am I the type of who speaks my mind?
Or am I the type who just listens?

No matter how we play this life, let's always make sure that we play fair. Why? Because everything that we do will definitely go back to us!  If we do good, good will come knocking!  If we do bad then bad will also come punching our face! 

This is what you call Karma! 

How about you?
How are you treating others? Will you be at peace knowing that you did not do any good? 
If not, think again because nothing is too late! ^_^

Xoxo

Sunday 23 November 2014

Our "You and Me Day 2014" in Boracay

A lot has been said about Boracay, a lot of posts have been shared and I am pretty sure that they were all helpful.

I wanted to share some of the things that we did while we were in Boracay. Where we ate, where we went and how much we spent.



Let me start off with the air fare -- we are used to having Cebu Pacific for our travels but this time we used Air Asia. We departed and arrived in Terminal 4 and although we lost an hour because our flight was delayed (due to air traffic) it was still a good travel with Air Asia.

We chose Kalibo Airport because:
1. It is a lot cheaper than Caticlan Airport
2. Not so much prone to delays (because Caticlan Airport is smaller)

Upon arriving to Kalibo -- 

- we rode a bus (for 1+ hours) to reach the port.
- then on a fast jet (for 15-20 mins) to reach Boracay Island
- then on a van to our hotel.

We booked Southwest Tours Boracay Inc for our Airport to Hotel transfer (back and forth) and I must say that these transfers were very well organized!  They also have a lot of partner hotels that will make your accommodation a lot cheaper.

We stayed in La Carmela de Boracay (where Boy Abunda was a co-owner).  You will see a lot of photos of celebrities at their lobby and it was a good (not to mention cheap) place to stay!



We stayed at the East Wing of the Premium Suites. They offer free breakfast buffet from 5am to 9am and if you like to go pool dipping then you can enjoy that in La Carmela! The staff and crew were all very friendly! 

As early as 5:30am, we were already out in the sea. Simply because there were less people and the heat of the sun is not that intense.  Not to mention the cold beach!! 



Yes this was at 5:30 in the morning where Sweets was trying to do a "jump shot".

Another thing that we enjoyed was eating! 
Most of the time we had buffets and let me share with you where we ate. 

We had our first dinner buffet in La Carmela.
Their buffet costs Php300.00 per pax.

We had one lunch at Astoria Boracay.
Their buffet costs Php420.00 per pax.

Then we had dinner buffet at La Soleil.
Their buffet costs around Php400.00 per pax.

We had another dinner buffet in Boracay Peninsula Resort.
Their buffet costs Php395.00 per pax.

If you ask me where I enjoyed the most.. 
I would rate them as follows:

1. Boracay Peninsula Resort - they had seafood and this is what Sweets and I was looking for at the onset! Oysters, Clam, Crab, fish and other viands! Their pork BBQ was also a winner - naka 10 sticks kami ni Sweets!



2. La Soleil - they also had sea food minus the clam and crab but they had baked mussels!  Their chicken wings were also nice as well as their chocolate balls. 



3. Astoria Boracay - they didnt have any seafood but the taste of the food was a winner! The ambiance was also nice since the tables were located inside their hotel. Can I just say that their New York Cheesecake was the bomb!!


4. La Carmela - the food was not extravagant but can still satisfy a hungry tummy! I loved their chiffon cake and I'm hands up with their butter icing! 

Another thing that we did was to go shopping! 
Yes! We went to "D Mall" and "D Talipapa".  There is definitely no way that we will miss anything! 


If you are not fond of buffets -- then you can go to "D Talipapa" and make "paluto".  They have fresh seefood choices and you have a say on what you want to eat! Plus not to mention it's going to be a bit cheaper than buffets. 

There are a lot to do in this island! 
People will approach you if you would like to do some activities and it's up to you to haggle!  Don't forget though that these people would like to earn a living and thus don't be so much " kuripot"!




The only activity that we did was Paraw Sailing over sunset! ^_^




On average this is what we spent: 

Php 1,000.00 - Transport from Angono to Airport (bac k and forth)
Php 2,000.00 - Air Fare for 2 (back and forth)
Php 8,900.00 - 4 days, 3 night stay in La Carmela + Airport Transfer (back and forth)
Php 3,500.00 - Food 
Php 5,000.00 - Pasalubong

One motto that Sweets and I share every time we travel is that we do not want to be stingy!
"Hindi namin titipirin ang sarili namin!" 

Simply because each vacation that we do is a well deserved one! That it's our reward to ourselves! 

Xoxo

Thursday 20 November 2014

Interesting finds in Boracay

There are many summer destinations here in the Philippines and one of the top ones would be in Boracay. With all those buzz going around Boracay, sometimes I feel that this place is overrated.  That a lot of people are always there that it became overcrowded.


When I was there -- all of those judgements vanished.  It was really a great place to relax -- "great" is not even the right word to describe the place (for me) because staying there for four days really energized me! 

Though the crowd did not help with the "relaxing" part because its just noisy... Well if you stay inside your hotel then it will definitely be quiet (but that defeats your purpose in going to Boracay.. He he)

There are different reasons why you will go to Boracay: 

1. It's summer and you want to wear your bikini
2. You are broken hearted and you want to mend it
3. You are a travel junkie who loves the beach and its activities
4. You don't know where you want to spend your money
5. Your family or friends wanted company and you are available!

And a lot more...

But when we went there we only had one purpose.. 
To really just enjoy the beach and relax (and do a lot of eating).

I feel accomplished because we did just that it was like so refreshing! Ang sarap pala talaga ng walang ginagawa!! 

I will definitely go back and here are my three reasons! 

1. I love eating - buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner all over the place!
2. I love nature - it gives me peace and it makes me realize more how powerful He is!
3. The people!! I met a lot of people and they are:

   - Honest

           KL: Ate may CR po ba?
           Ate: Meron po, pero may bayad.
                      ~ at least na manage ang expectations ko

           KL: Kuya what time kami balik for Sailing Boat
           Kuya: Mga 5pm.. Kase 5:20pm ang sunset 
                      ~ it was one of the best sunset watching while at the sail boat because we never missed the sunset!

            Bata: Kuya bigay mo na yung bayad mo pls
            Noel: bakit ba nagmamadali ka?
            Bata: anjan na kase ung nag sisira ng sand eh
                      ~ wala ng paligoy ligoy pa!


    - Sincere 

            Every time they do things for their visitors, you can always feel their heartfelt welcome and love!  Simply because they value their visitors and for me it gives the warmth needed for a well deserved vacation.

    - Don't Care (in a good way) 

           ~ People can do what they wanna do and wear what they wanna wear without the fear of being judged.  That was definitely the thing there which made me happy!  No, I did not wear a two piece nor I walked wearing just my swimsuit but people did and nobody cared!  Just do your thing (of course without compromising anyone) and no one will point fingers at you!  It was an absolute freedom!

     - Inspiring

             ~ I was watching this person while he was sweeping the wet floor by the pool and I suddenly cried.  It was really tears of joy because he looked like he was enjoying what he was doing.

            KL: Naiiyak Ako..
            Noel: Bakit?
            KL: nakita mo ung nag ma-map?
            Noel:Uu
            KL: Parang gustong gusto niya ginagawa nya! 
            Noel: Uu! Kumakanta pa siya ng "Raining Rain is falling down, falling down"...

            ~ It's their work (I know) but seeing someone sincerely doing his/her job and still has the energy to say "Good Morning" is an energy that you just want to spread!  It was inspiring!   I feel guilty because sometimes I complain about little things that I can control, I feel tired every time I go to work and sometime hate just what I am doing (I am not referring to my work right now).  Then here I am seeing this very engaged fellow and I felt stupid about myself!  Life is so good to be cranky -- we have to enjoy it and be happy!

There you go.. 
Overall our stay there was worth it -- if there were less people then I would have appreciated the beach and the sand even more!  Nevertheless, it was really a place that we shouldn't all miss!! 

Xoxo


Friday 7 November 2014

Happy Friday: You know it's Christmas when?

First week of November -- gone just like that!
I'm getting more and more excited about Christmas as I start to share my DIYs and mini Busyness!! 

You know it's Christmas when -- let me share with you the obvious: 

1. Christmas carols and lanterns are all over the place
2. Christmas and clearance sales are in the malls
3. Divisoria is getting crowded by the minute
4. Malamig na ang simoy ng hangin
5. It easily gets dark (5:30pm looks like 6:00pm)

Personally, I know its Christmas when:

1. I am starting my Christmas Game Plan
2. Christmas tree in our house
3. Christmas carols in our street
4. Bigla Kong naiisip ang dami ko ng inaanak
5. Weekends are getting busy with meet ups and catch ups and eating a lot!



Oh boy! How about you? How can you tell it's Christmas??

Xoxo

Monday 3 November 2014

Oh my November: Starting my Christmas gifts!


Look at that! It felt like just two minutes and October was just gone just like that!  Puff!

Yes! If you are still in shock it is already November and we all have 51 days to go until Christmas! 

Have you written down your to do list for Christmas?
Don't ask me because I already did my assignment and am  still in the process of finalizing things for Christmas but I still have a long way to go. How about you??

I have some DIY gifts in mind and probably you've seen my first post about it! 

My very own purse!

Please don't be surprised if you will get this for Christmas, it may look cheap but it's actually priceless because I made it from the bottom of my heart! 

I have other DIYs to post but let me find time to do them first.
I also posted some gift ideas (Yes my mini busyness) and it's quite interesting that people look at them as really a potential gift for Christmas! Thanks for the support guys!  

Here are some quick snap shots! 





If you are interested please feel free to let me know!  
It's always good to help people think about what to give for Christmas! 

Till my next DIY and Busyness! He he

Xoxo