Alice: You know how to surprise us!

Yesterday, Sweets and I got up early to start the week with full of enthusiasm and energy! We were both happy because driving going to work has never been that swift (because there was no traffic). 


Arrived CG2 at around 5:45am which meant we will not cram in eating our breakfast nor starting our work day. Then suddenly, after alighting Alice (this is our car's name) I noticed that Kuya guard was approaching Sweets. I thought that we were unloading inappropriately (which i doubt and I have a ready spiel in case Kuya guard will make sermon) but then we learned that we had a flat tire. 


This was our first time (at least for me and Sweets together) to have a flat tire on the road (luckily we were already in CG2).


With what happened, there can be many reasons why it can ruin our Monday -- but both Sweets and I have the ability to stay calm amidst the storm and thus we both acted the way we were expected to act.  Stay calm and fix the tire!

Of course, Sweets did everything because I didn't know how to change the tire but seeing him do the thing made me think that I can also do that! Haha!


For situations like this -- it's so easy to get angry or upset!
Like I can blame Sweets for not feeling a thing (on the tire) or not checking before we hit the road etc.  However, it will not help at all -- it will just ruin the moment and the energy spent in being angry might as well be used to fix the thing!


What happened is a reminder that we are blessed for three reasons:


1. We have a car to drive to and from the office
2. There are still concerned people to tell us that something was wrong
3. We have each other (Sweets and I) to support and cheer one another!


A situation may be negative but it is always up to us on how to look at it!
Waste our energy from negative vibes or heightened the positivity!
We have the capability to choose and so choose wisely! It's good for our health!


Xoxo

Featuring Mr and Mrs Spice!

 They say that the best way to start a relationship is look for someone who shares the same interest, someone who mirrors you in terms of what you like and does not like -- i cannot agree more BUT this is not the end of the equation!

I was in our kitchen and saw our spice bottles.. I called them Mr and Mrs Spice -- they are a couple but they have their own names. Mr Salty Spice and Mrs Pepper Spice.  What I am driving at is that both of them have their own qualities but they blend well together!

Like in a real couple, like me and my husband -- we have our unique selves, we are SMEs in our own fields but we blend well together.  They say we complement --  .  There are situations that we have consensus because we know that we will both benefit in our informed decision.  There's give and take because we do not want to take each other for granted.

We bring the best out of each other because we are not up for competition and we want to grow together as a couple and as an individual.



I am not saying that we are perfect but I know we are doing our best to grow our imperfect and crazy relationship!  We are an ordinary couple who shares struggles and laugh at simple things!


What's important is that we stick together!

If you are in search of your Mr Salty or Ms Pepper -- i would suggest to do self check and know yourselves more before sharing your gift to another! 


Xoxo

Listen to your Spouse!

By now you should know that my husband and I got married 7 years ago, but its only three months ago when we moved into our own place..


Feeling like newly weds is another story all together but this time i would like to share something about Listening and Trusting!


I know these are two "Big Words" and they are very easy to utter but equally hard to do. Why? Let's face it girls -- we just don't listen eh??!!


When we moved in, of course we have to do everything on our own.. Chores and stuff that lazy people (sometimes this is me) doesn't want to do. Like cleaning windows!


All my life -- i didn't clean any window because our windows ain't glass but now we are faced with a window glass and I know sooner rather than later I have to face this!


I have an intention in mind! I will clean the windows and I was so excited to do it. 


My first step was to go to Pinterest and search how to clean glass windows. I was delighted to see how easy it was..  I just need some soap, vinegar, alcohol, chamois and water! I was browsing and browsing and i didn't notice I was browsing for two weeks now and still haven't started to clean the windows!


Sweets said "clean the windows"
my response was "alright, I know how to clean it, i just need blah blah blah".


Another weekend passed:
 
Sweets:  clean the windows 
KL:         need to mix blah blah blah
Sweets:  Gamitin mo yang Sabong panlaba, gamitin mo ang sponge, then tuyuin mo ng dyaryo"
KL"         oh okay, kaso ung particles ng dyaryo dumidikit sa window
Sweets:   It means basa na ung dyaryo, need mo na siya palitan
KL:          Oh okie


Truth: i did everything sweets mentioned and this happened!
This was the glass window -- see how clear it was --
Btw, that's our small garden down there :)

As simple as this scenario I can say that I had to listen to Sweets and trust that what he is saying is true! It was indeed the easiest thing to do rather than procrastinate because what I saw in Pinterest was way too complicated than what i did!


My lesson is that: I may know things that will work but there are far more things less complicated that may work as well! The results are the same but the effort is less! Not only sometimes, most of the time, we have to listen to our spouse because we can definitely learn a lot from them!


Xoxo

A Wonderful 2016!

2016 was WONDERFUL!
This place described everything about what happened this year and let me tell you how.


1. Fresh Air - this is HIS love for us. To always keep us safe and keep us warm.  Reminding us that without HIM, we will be nothing.


2. Big Trees - these trees were behind us -- this signified our family, our parents.  Whom all throughout the year was with us no matter what.  They were our support system and they continued to guide us.


3. Clear Blue Sky - this is how we (Sweets and I) look at our everyday lives.  That ultimately, after everything that happened, there will always be a clear day to remove all our worries and fear.


4. Decorative Plants - this year, we met a lot of people and we've realized how they played a part in our lives.  Some were thorny, some were flowery and some were plain people riding along the way.


5. Small Nipa Hut - this year was all about building our own home and this year was significant in making it all happen.


6. Couple Shirt - (which by the way was given by Mama Inday) means that we (Sweets and I) were together and we will be there for each other -- that our decisions will always be one same as our love for each other.


7. Healthy Soil - That no matter how far we've grown in our careers and in our lives, we continued to be grounded.  This coming year will be no less than the same and will continue to bring joy most especially to those in need.


8. Rocks - most of the time they were stumbling blocks but we made it a point to make it as decorative as possible and see the beauty in it.


9. Lamp Posts - one way or another, we both became a light to someone and we are proud of it.  It's as simple as sharing our time and effort to those who need them the most


10. Straight Path - saying that this year we knew where we were going and that the coming year we will continue to follow that path, TOGETHER!


How about you, what's the story of your 2016?
Was it exciting? I'm sure it is!
My two cents: What happened this year was a done deal -- it's either we learn from it or we continue to live the PAST!


Happy New Year Everyone!!

Tips to Keep Calm this Season!

Two weekends to go and it's Christmas. Are you prepared? What if not? Because you are so pre-occupied with work, school or at home.  Don't fret - i have here a list of what to do if you only have a few days left.

1. List them down - list every Christmas activity that you will be attending.  You have to consider your budget and your time.  We want to attend in every activity there is but in this time of year where we only have 4 weekends, you have to learn to PRIORITIZE.  Also, there is an entire year to meet with all your friends and family -- think of those who are only available during Christmas (like Balikbayans).

2. Prepare another list - list of people that you want to share your blessings with.  Christmas is the time of sharing and there is always gift giving but REMEMBER it doesn't need to be expensive.  Because of our busy schedule it is likely that you will go to the mall (to buy your gifts) only once, therefore, it is imperative that you have this list at hand.  It would help to categorize your post into 6 segments. 
See sample below:

Male - Kids / Female - Kids
Male - Adults / Female - Adults
Couples / Titas and Titos


3. Personalize it - i really find it hard to think of a gift to give. I always go for personalized gifts. I feel that it's closer to my heart.  Also, there are vendors who can create personalized gifts all in one (no need to go different areas in the mall).

Lastly, SMILE, SIT BACK and RELAX! It's the time for cheers and joy so we should not stress ourselves!

I'm ready for Christmas! How about you? 

Xoxo

Happy Friday: Everybody Wins! 3 points how I did it!

Before we ended FY16, our team had our annual year-end activity and it was none other than a sport called "Bowling".  If you are aware, it's Sweets who loved this sport and I am a mere cheerleader -- had some problems at my back and thus was not able to even play.

Anyways, I think it's a great game choice because we all do not want to get sweaty under the heat of the sun -- Bowling Alley are air conditioned :)


We all can play but we were not experts and thus everything that happened was all about having fun, building relationship and TRYING (yes trying!) to even hit one PIN.


Lucky for me -- we were all normal  (mediocre) players -- not being able to hit a single PIN was like a norm -- haha! 





Come awarding day -- I was surprised that I was one of the top scorers! I
 even had an award for the "MOST NUMBER OF STRIKES" --- yes MOST NUMBER na ako ha :) If you would ask how many? I had two strikes!!

When I was telling Sweets -- i think what's going on at the back of his mind was:
"2 LANG?" --- "Well Sweets, hindi ako expert na kagaya mo!"


Learn more here --> Sweets Played Bowling!







ANYWAYS -- this is just my introductory story for the main story!
My realization is that -- in everything that we do, if we put our hearts in it, it will result to good things!


Like for this particular event that I was not even competitive because I really do not know how to play but only to find out that I indeed played well! ^_^


Simple things that I would like to share so that "WE ALL WIN".


1. Do not expect -- Do your best but do not expect for something in return.  Then if you will be rewarded because of what you did -- it will feel GREAT!


2. Communicate -- Tell something! Tell the people around you what you want.  How you want things to go and you will definitely get what you want -- Side note: you have to be patient of course!


3. Do not compare -- This is the greatest mistake one can make!  You will never be happy if you will compare yourself to others! Look at what you have achieved, what you have and BE HAPPY!  Remember, whatever it is that you have now that you are taking for granted, someone is praying for it!


Xoxo

Happy Friday: CF and OG HR and CMT Year-End Event!

This is my team!
We work hard but we also play hard!
Have you ever been in love with so many people? I would assume yes!
I am proud to say that "I love this Team" -- in lowlights and in highlights-- we all stick together and I hope we will continue to be like this in the coming years!


Also in teams, communication is key to a healthy working (personal) relationship.  When it's work then we all work but when it's time to have fun (and eat) we really play it hard! :)


Good job guys!


To also recognize our team -- our leads have prepared a simple program for all of us!


Clap! Clap! Clap! Everyone!
Continue to deliver and help the team!

Recognizing performance is really an engagement driver and I hope that it contributed to your engagement :)


What's best way to celebrate a great FY16 is to feast and eat!

I told you before that we really LOVE to eat!

Looking forward to another fruitful year with all of you!


PS: A separate entry shall be created to highlight the bowling event + awarding!


Xoxo

Baler Adventure: A Quick One!

Last two weeks ago was the first out of town adventure of the Hernandez Sisters (in their 50s and 60s)! Their first one was at Baler.

They say that one of the best deals in travelling is to travel in groups. That time they were around more than 10 pax and they got a great deal for their van and accommodation (spent more or less 2k).

Baler is approximately 8 hours travel time from Laguna. They left Laguna at 4am and them arrived there at around 12 noon. I could only imagine how hard it is for them to sit for 8 hours but they did it and I am proud of it!

While in Baler, they would not miss stopping by and taking some pictures along the way. This was the famous Diguisit Rock Formations.

Baler is known to be the famous for their waves and people (who loved to surf) really makes their way up to Baler to try their waves.

These sisters are not your typical surf buddies but are sure very fond of taking a lot of selfies and enjoying themselves.

The place where they stayed was just near the beach and so they have easy access to swim, rest, take pictures and then rest again.

As they are already in Baler, they would definitely not miss the famous Old Balete Tree.

Now on to the main attraction of this park!

This Balete Tree is a 600 years old tree -- they also call it the "Millenium Tree" mainly because of its age. They say that it would take 60 men to encircle the entire trunk of the tree -- that's a very huge trunk to imagine!

They also went to the famous Hanging Bridge in Baler.

I wonder if they crossed the entire hanging bridge. Hmmm..

Going back to the hotel and beach, there they did a lot of fun in the sand and a lot of resting. Come take a look!

I think that was an exciting 2 days, 1 night in Baler!

Then for their dinner -- they went and had a dinner blast in Ambula Kapampangan Cuisine in NLEX

I know the sisterakas enjoyed their adventure.

I hope there would be more!

Xoxo

Art in Island: You can make them move!

As mentioned in the introductory blog about Art in Island: A Happy Place you can use a lot of imagination once you are there.  Make your mind wonder and see yourself in that particular situation and place and you will definitely see a lot.


Wow this was a wonderful place Mama, is this in Venice?
Nope this is in Art in Island.

Where else can we be? let's see:

What a wonderful falls and YES hanging garden.

Louise and Gboy balancing act!

Louise going in and out of prison.


Love this place :)


Xoxo

Happy Friday: Art in Island -- A Happy Place

Art in Island -- you will never go wrong with it!  It is an interactive 3D art museum here in the Philippines and was launched last 2014.


We decided to spend the wedding anniversary of our parents in this simple and yet wonderful place!


This is not your ordinary museum because even if you are not a museum enthusiast, you will enjoy it because of the wonderful art created in it.  You just have to let you imagination play and you will be in different places in less than one day.


We had a lot of photos (thank goodness we don't need films anymore).  Let me share with you some of best shots and how we let our imagination guide us.

You know what, in real life this looks real :) I mean the image!
Mama always scares Papa! Hehe (love you both!)

Ooops!  Looks real as well! C'mon Paps open the volt!
Papa giving all his money to Mama and Mama enjoying a lot!

Be careful Mama and Papa, he will come and eat you both!

Louise look out, someone is trying to find you!

Now who is bigger? the bunso or the kuya?
"Kuya Gboy I am coming to get you!"

Oh the Diaz ladies were trapped in a bottle!

Oh Mama and Papa as well! But looks like they are enjoying!

Oh wow! Now all of us are in the bottle!!
Good thing we all fit in there!

Louise enjoying the company of the three little chicks!
But wait, the mother chicken is looking at them!

What are you laughing at Mika? Hehe

Is this one more bagay? hmmm

Gboy getting ready to deliver his Christmas Gifts? Excited lang?

Gboy causing traffic here!


It was very interesting to note that the palettes that were used to paint these wonderful paintings were preserved.

The cans of paints used -- interesting!

Table stand? cool!


I would like you to come over, it is really fun there!


Some guide that we took note:
1. If you can go on a weekday, please do so.  It's better to take pictures when there are lesser people around.  You have the liberty to do different poses and don't wait for people to finish their turn.
2. Bring socks, so you won't go barefoot
3. There will really be a lot of walking, so be prepared!


Nice to have tips but not must have:
1. If you can bring a powerbank so that your phone will not lose battery.  It happened to me, I had too much video and pictures taken and my battery went empty -- boo me!
2. If you can bring some extra clothes so that you will have different get up in each of the photos.  It gets boring when you have the same set of clothes for the entire museums.  Washrooms are accessible so you will not have trouble changing clothes (or even peeing).
3. it's best to give at least 3 hours for the entire museum -- so that you will not be in a hurry to take pictures and do your poses.


Details of the museum:
1. Entrance is Php500 for adult, Php400 for Senior Citizen and Student
2. There is a baggage counter where you can leave you things, food and drinks are not allowed inside
3. As mentioned, washrooms are accessible
4. There are ramps for wheelchair
5. There is a cafeteria -- at the end of the museum


So, what else can I say!
I say you visit them now!


Xoxo