This Christmas I Give You My Heart

I now have come to a point that I am giving up the rest of my goals on my list... for this year at least. I still have no concrete plans on how I am going to accomplish all the things that I want but at least, little by little, I believe I am getting there. Baby steps, Jen... baby steps.

My personal accomplishments for this year may not be a lot in terms of the projects I originally had in mind, but to the destinations my fate brought me to, I loved each one of them.

To wit, in 2010 (in no particular order):

• I traveled a bit around Asia and the Philippines (Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Caramoan, Bicol, Donsol in Sorsogon, Cebu, Malapascua, Moalboal, Dumaguete, Sibulan & Valencia in Negros Oriental, Padre Burgos islands in Quezon, Subic, Baguio, Batangas, Potipot Island in Zambales, San Pablo, Caliraya and Sta. Rosa Laguna.)
  
• I spent a considerable amount of time with some amazing people
• I bonded and got to know some of my friends better
  
• I accomplished a lot of work related tasks
• I attended a lot of fun blog events and received a ton of freebies
• I was able to register my Sexy Nomad Enterprise with DTI
• I was able to cash in one of my insurance policies
• I finished reading a couple of my books despite my hectic schedule at work
  
• I bought more books about culture, civilizations, how-tos, self-help, comics and fiction novels
• I spent most of my party nights with my fave band, Brownman Revival
  
• I became more religious in my spiritual practices; I meditate more; my spell-casting has been more effective and I read my Tarot almost everyday.
• And, from time to time, I was able to do the things on my original list.
  

So this holiday season, Peter and I won't be celebrating like we usually do. I've already used up all of my vacation leaves and I need all the hours I can devote to work so I can encash my full salary at the end of the month. So instead, I will be giving my heart to my virtual assistant job. Work and travel have always been my top priorities so it's no wonder I wasn't able to take up driving lessons; why I never really memorized two songs each month on my keyboards and guitar; why I never got to bake anything else except brownies; why I wasn't able to manufacture as many spa products as I want, nor create as many bead designs as I would love to; why I say no to many blog events; why I never get to visit my family and friends as much as I ought to.

But I never lose hope. In fact, I've added a new hobby to my list --- drawing, which I am also excited about. But before I fully delve into that, I want to finish all my VA tasks first, including those I personally choose to do (like personal blog posts) before 2010 finally ends so I can start fresh in 2011.

By starting fresh, I mean practicing one of the things I relearned (from Carelle and RR) this month --- that in order for me to get to my destination much faster, I have to be able to say NO to things that don't help me get there. It could be as simple as not watching Harry Potter on DVD over and over again, or not sleeping more than 8 hours a day even if my body craves it, or not saying yes to every exciting party invitations or not spending too much time deciding what clothes to wear. I want my 2011 to be more focused, streamlined, spiritually enriching and more profitable as well. I want my 2011 to be different... A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT. I only want to say YES to things that help me achieve my goals.

And with this kind of anticipation in my heart, I wish all of us a joyful Christmas this month and a prosperous New Year ahead! Ho! Ho! Ho! ^_^

Lots of MUSTs this August

Wow, we're now on the 8th month of 2010. I don't even wanna think about the things I haven't even done yet (like learn how to drive, read all my books, make spa products, learn how to surf and windsurf again, make homemade soap, regularly play with my guitar, drums and keyboards, etc...). Honestly, 24 hours in a given day is just not enough. I tried, Oh God, did I try. But it felt like I was killing myself and my marriage. Who really has the time to do all these things?! I'm no wonder woman. I try to be but... Anyway, I still have four months to attempt doing everything that's on my 2010 list. Maybe, just maybe, I can still hack it.

For this month, I intend to continue with my VA work. On Thursday nights, I have the Brownman Revival gigs to look forward to at 70's Bistro. On weekends, I hope to be more productive by hiring part time help to do house cleaning so I can make some more beaded accessories, concoct my own spa products, make my own soap and read my books ( I just recently bought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Eat Pray Love, and 4 new double digest Archie comics. But of course, there are still tons of other books on my bookshelf which I haven't even touched yet. Talk about "takaw mata sa libro"), go surfing at the end of the month and windsurf in between all these activities. I think I need a miracle to be able to do all of these activities. LOL!

On August 10, I'll be claiming one of my policies with Prudential Life and invest it further in a small but manageable business. The amount is not that breathtaking but it will have to suffice. I hope I can make it grow for Popsy's sake. I just dunno how long it will take before I receive the cash. I hope it's not one of those irritating things in insurance companies --- When you need your money, it takes forever to get it, but if they wanna sell you some sort of insurance, mabilis pa sila sa alas kwatro. *Keeping my fingers crossed*

On August 14, Peter and I will be celebrating our 11th anniversary as a romantic couple. We're married 8 years now but those 3 years of just being boyfriend-girlfriend prior to our marriage marked the real foundation of our solid relationship. I have nothing planned and I doubt Peter has either. We'll just see how our days go and just do something at the spur of the moment.

I'm hopeful that August will bring us a lot of blessings and wonderful surprises. It's the month before the BER months begin. I really hope we can make the most of it.

Til my next post. Ciao!

Wishing for the Moon this June

Wow, I've already reached half of this year and yet, I still haven't done a lot of the things that I have placed on my resolution list when 2010 started. Let's see what I wrote on my list last January:

• 1. Soap Making
• 2. Level 2 of Drums
• 3. Baking
• 4. Guitar playing (must memorize 4 songs)
• 5. Painting
• 6. Candle Making
• 7. Spa Making
• 8. Scuba Diving
• 9. Wind Surfing
• 10. Surfing
• 11. Making Beaded Accessories
• 12. Driving
• 13. Biking
• 14. Play Keyboards (must memorize 2 songs)
• 15. Tarot Card Reading
• 16. Cooking My Own Dishes
• 17. Reading My Books
  

It's all been about work, work and more work since last month but I'm not complaining much. I am happy that somehow, I am compensated for a job that I enjoy doing... that somehow, despite the many financial obligations Peter and I have been facing as of late, we're still able to manage them all.

Like Peter said, it just so happened that these obligations came in one big wave (house and car mortgages, MRI & Fire insurance, registration of 2 cars, sky high electricity bills, unexpected Nikon D40 repair, life/health/personal accident insurances plus the usual credit card and utility bills). That's more than Php100k down the drain in one go. I guess this is what being a mature adult is all about --- the fact that we can make some simple sacrifices in the hopes of big returns in the future (Yup, 2.5 more years for the car and 7 more years for the house! And come August, I shall be getting one of my insurance claims. Yes!)

And even if we haven't been traveling much these days, even if we haven't been spending on simple luxuries, even if we're just always at home watching DVDs, cooking our own food, spending quality time together... we're still happy, healthy and content most of the time. I think these are the things that matter the most.

On another note, I have been more active on blogging these days. To wit:

• I overhauled my fashion site and included Hollywood celebrity news and gossips in it.
• I am a very much active baby wiccan as of late. I always do tarot card readings, spells, and further enhance my psychic development which I share to my readers.
• I manage to update my travel blog almost everyday.
• I manage to also update my food blog more regularly than before (at least once a week).

And because I am back to my meditation practices, and regularly read my self-help books, I also plan to squeeze into my busy schedule a little time to update my self-help and bookwoorm blogs as well.

What else did I miss?


The only time we got out of the house last month was when we went to Enchanted Kingdom Biki Water World to cover the Crocs event. I had fun watching the fashion show and I was so awed by the magic tricks performed by a magician afterward.


What else...

Oh, Peter and I will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary on June 8! We didn't plan anything special. Both of us will be working on that day. And I'm still not sure if we will go ahead with our Dumaguete trip scheduled for June 10-15 coz Peter may not have enough vacation leaves to cover the trip plus we're a bit reluctant to spend money. The plane tickets have already been paid for last March. It's the hotel and other travel expenses that I'm really worried about. Hopefully, after I do some financial check-up, some funds will be left for that trip. If not, well, it's not the end of the world. And hopefully, the weather will cooperate too. It's been raining hard these days. Though I very much welcome the cold and rainy weather, it is not conducive for traveling.

I guess that's pretty much it for now. I'll try to do some beaded jewelry today plus play with my drums and guitar. And maybe try to do a jar of body scrub too! ^_^

Ciao for now! Update you again next month. Or perhaps sooner. ^_^

Work Hard, Play Harder, Love the Hardest

Growing up as the eldest of three siblings, and with responsibilities beyond my age, I learned how to be efficient so I can still devote some time with activities that make me happy. I remember, when I  was just a kid, making stationery and origami during the rainy season made me feel so happy. When the sun  was out, I played tex, or football, or tumbang preso, or taguan, or shato with my friends. I was such a boyish little girl. I had more guy friends than girl friends. Go figure. Anyway, I digress. I just thought of these memories coz I'm still trying to make sense of the way I am currently living my life.

The second week of February was quite challenging for me. Like I told you before, I accepted another full time job. Now, why the heck did I do that when I was already living a beautiful life?  I work hard, I play harder and I love the hardest. I guess it has something to do with my being efficient and more productive. You see, if I'm not busy with my job or tinkering with my personal projects, I spend hours just checking my social networks, emails, blogging and watching DVDs. Sure they bring me joy but then again, I'd rather exploit all my resources making a living out of something I love rather than doing what I love but wasting my energy, time and not earning money from it. Besides, I want to fund my new water sports activity, which is windsurfing,  without using our savings. Plus, I still have plans of conquering my trauma in surfing and my fear of scuba diving so I might as well earn as much as I can so I can use my additional income to fund my new and old hobbies. ^_^ Then all my hard work won't be for nothing. Like what Peter's boss told him once, "I'll rest when I'm dead." Hehehe.

Windsurfing at Lake Caliraya

That being said, I am thankful for my jobs, the sleepless days and nights when I also  try to squeeze in my other projects, and our wonderful weekends full of fun and adventure! (We got a couple of trips planned this summer. See my travel blog) And despite everything, I was still able to accomplish the following last week:

Practice, perseverance, and visualization... these are the keys to perfecting any craft.

• I started with my windsurfing lessons last Saturday, yay!
• I got to play with my guitar and drums (see videos I placed on my sidebar). I'm such an amateur but I don't care. I just studied on my own and look, I can play some tunes!
• I continued reading my books.
• I consulted with my Tarot cards and I was able to make readings for some friends.
• My hubby helped me with the laundry
• I was still able to clean the house.
• I was able to blog.

The things that were taken from my schedule were:

• about 30 minutes of meditation
• about an hour of workout.... no more time to bike and exercise
• no more time to cook
• therefore, no more time for the other things I said I'd do!

Hmmmm...

Let me just get the hang of my new working schedule and I promise myself to make time even when there seems to be none.

This is my plan:

• Meditate while stretching and exercising after I wake up each morning. Kahit 10 minutes lang.
• Consult with my Tarot cards after breakfast.
• Read a few pages of my books for  5 minutes each hour.  
• Prepare easy dishes during my lunch break and while waiting for the food, I can play some tunes. I should start tinkering with our keyboards soon!
• Ask Peter to water the plants before he leaves the house in the morning and to fix our bed every morning too.
• Simple cleaning of the house in the morning and in the afternoon.
• Bike ride for only  a few minutes after 6 pm.
• Watch videos while I do my 2nd and 3rd jobs late at night and at dawn to keep me awake.
• Play  a bit of Wii boxing and/or Soulcalibur and No More Heroes for a few minutes to jolt me from slumber in case I feel very sleepy. 
• And on those weekends when we are not traveling, I will start making spa products and beaded accessories. 

Ok, that's it for now. I think I'm quite happy with what I came up with. Carpe diem, folks!

The Month of Love

Every time February comes around, people either dread it or love it. As for me, I've learned to be neutral about it. I've found out that for me, it is the best possible way to treat this month of hearts... with no expectations... coz that's when all blessings of love and prosperity come in.


Speaking of blessings, the month of February has started out flawlessly. During my first week, I was able to attend to several of my personal projects despite my hectic schedule and I felt quite satisfied and happy about it. To wit:

• Consistent bike rides in the morning.
• Tarot card reading for me and my friends. I've actually done several readings for myself since my last post but I just haven't published them yet. Plus, I am glad to be of help to friends and strangers who were in need of enlightenment. See my Wiccan Blog for an update.
• I memorized two songs using my guitar. They're two of my all-time favorite songs --- Alone by Heart and This is Me by Demi Lovato. Yipee!
• I read several of my books, a few pages at a time. I even managed to finish one (Earth Then and Now). See my Bookworm Blog for an update.

This week, I plan to accomplish the following:

• Basic Lessons on Windsurfing which I will do this weekend with my hubby as we go to Caliraya, Batangas to celebrate our Valentine's Day together, braving the waves and the wind. If you need suggestions on what to do on Valentine's, see my Travel Blog and you might just be able to pick an activity you want.
• Play the two songs I memorized using the keyboard this time.
• Memorize at least three advanced drum beats in level 2.
• Make at least one beaded accessory.
• Play with Wii boxing which will serve as my workout too.

It all seems so easy when I see my plan written down. But when reality kicks in, it can be a bit challenging, especially now that I have let go of one of my freelance jobs and replaced it with a more stable one... one that needs me to follow a regular log-in and log-out time. I feel blessed though and I believe I can do everything that I set out to do. Like I said before, it's just a matter of proper time management, commitment to work and proper focus. And of course, I will never forget what I learned from Oprah... that when the going gets tough and the tough gets going, I need to stop, refuel and recharge.  It also helps to eat the right kinds of food. Check-out my Self-Help blog for the whole article on this. and my Food Blog for the right kinds of food to eat to enhance your brain power and overall health. What Oprah shared on her book really enlightened me and gave me more will power and energy to go on.

And lastly, I believe all the mantras I've been reciting in my head during my meditations are really paying off.

" I am beautiful gorgeous, flawless, happy, healthy, smart, sexy and wealthy. I have financial and time freedom and I am enjoying wonderful new horizons of opportunities and I love my life!"

" Every day and in every way, I am getting better, better and better. All good things are coming to me. Money is easy and comes frequently and abundantly."

" My body is perfect and it knows what to do. I am my perfect weight and my perfect size."


Chat soon!

Carpe diem!

Facing My Fears in 2010

Hi! I'm back!

Since I am doing these little personal projects which I have been putting on hold for the longest time (some of which for even a decade now), I figured, why not try to face my fears too and include them on this blog? There are three major things which I have always wanted to do but due to freaky past experiences, traumatized me and stopped me from bringing them to the next level. Here they are:

DRIVING LESSONS - Peter and I took A-1 driving lessons after we got married in 2002. It all went pretty well then... bam! After I cruised the whole of Edsa and some parts of Manila, I ended up crashing one of the curbed pavements of the subdivision where we lived before in Meycauayan. tsk, tsk, tsk.  Our Revo ended up with a broken steering wheel and I was of course traumatized. I tried getting over it. I even bought an A-1 Driver's Manual to help myself get back on track again.

Since the book wasn't enough, I tried harder getting over my trauma. In 2007, I bought a car that I love (Toyata Yaris) thinking that it will give me the motivation to drive. Well, as you can see, my plan backfired. My sister said that the motivation should come first before buying the actual car. In my case, the opposite happened. Whatever the case is, I am looking forward to learning how to drive this coming new year.

~~~oOo~~~

SURFING - It all started out pretty well. I first surfed in 2006 and continued to do so every chance I got.  I even bought a book to further enhance my skills. Then come December 2007, I almost drowned while surfing because of a strong underwater current.

Since then, I was never the same in wavy waters.  I want to get over this fear coz I had so much fun prior to the drowning experience. Plus, we need to use Didi (our yellow surfboard). It's just gathering dust now in the lanai.

~~~oOo~~~

SCUBA DIVING - Peter and I first had our fun dive in 2006. I had a hard time using the mask but eventually I got over it. I also had problems with the pressure... it hurt my ear.

Hopefully, this coming year, I'll be able to enroll in full scuba diving lessons, get over my fear of the water pressure and enjoy the beauty underwater.

Regarding the schedule which I am supposed to follow, I haven't figured that out yet. I'll be travelling to Singapore, Saigon and Kuala Lumpur first week of January (Jan.1-8, 2010). At least, I am facing my fear of flying head on. I'll be in a total of 6 flights. I hope I don't freak out as much since I won't be with my hubby, just my girlfriend.

Ciao for now. See you next year and have a prosperous and merry one!

Prepping For My 2010 Projects

I want to let you all know that I am serious about this project of mine. Like I told my new author friend --- Dennis Hambright --- I know I'm not getting any younger and I'd like to make a new set of goals come 2011 (like going to Brazil or even Paris!) but I won't be able to do that if I can't finish these little projects of mine. They always pop up in my new year's resolution list every year but I never seem to follow through. So... like what my  late idol, Michael Jackson, said: "THIS IS IT!" It's now or never.

So in preparation for these projects of mine, I made sure that I have all the materials/knowledge that I will need. This will reinforce the fact that I have no more excuses for not finishing them all next year.

 Let's go back to my list earlier and see what I have so far:

Soap Making

I bought this book in 2003 right after I took a soapmaking seminar in U.P. Soaps were supposed to be one of those things that I will make and sell together with my other spa products I called N.I.B.s / Nature in Bottles (which were even published in the lifestyle section of Philippine Daily Inquirer that same year). Well, guess what? I got very busy supplying tons of people with my spa products that I never got to commercialize my learning in the soapmaking seminar. I hope to study it again next year... not really to sell but for my own personal satisfaction. The selling part will just have to follow much, much later... depending on circumstances. ;-)

Level 2 of Drums

I got the drums, I got the books... what else could I ask for, right? The purple book on the left taught me the basic rock beat. I studied that early this year and it was cathartic. Never mind that my neighbors probably detested me for harrassing their peaceful sleep at night. Lol! Anyways, the book came with a DVD so it was very easy to learn. The white book on the other hand, the one on the right, is for my level 2. It will teach me more difficult drum beats. Gosh! I'm so anxious just thinking about it. The book comes with an audio CD so it will be harder. I'm more of a visual person, you know. But I gotta do it. So good luck to me!

Baking and Cooking

When I was in high school, during our Home Economics class, I was usually the dish washer rather than the cook. I preferred the lull of the flowing water in the sink than the heat of the oven or the stove. I even tried baking a cake for my boyfriend back then. I just didn't know if he ate it. It was so hard! Literally, the cake was like a rock.  So I fully understand if he never ate it. But now, cooking and baking are starting to grow on me. We don't have a real oven (YET) but maybe I can start with an oven toaster instead and try to make cakes that don't really require an oven. Hmmm. I got all the recipe books I will ever need, one of which (The Joy of Cooking, the one on the right) was even used in the movie Julie and Julia which inspired me to do all this in the first place.

Guitar Playing (must memorize 4 songs)

I started learning the guitar in grade school. My mom hired a teacher who  taught me how to play Hotel California. But for some reason (maybe financial reason, I don't really remember), the lessons suddenly stopped. I self-studied back in high school and even saved up my allowance so I can buy my very first Lumanog guitar. It was huge! As in literally huge. In 2006, I fell in love with this cool pink Krizzia guitar in Mega Mall so I bought it. It is smaller than what I was used to, so,  playing it became a lot easier.But the thing is, I only played when I felt like it. I lacked (and I still do) the discipline to at least memorize one song and be good at it. Next year, I'll have my chance.

Painting

I started drawing at a very young age. I had a favorite... For some reason, I loved drawing the beach... with the coconut tree, the white sand, the sea and the mountains from afar. It's always the same thing. Maybe it's my subconscious telling me that someday I'll be the Sexy Nomad that I am today. Hihihi... Anyway, back in grade school, I drew my own stationery and sold them to my classmates so I can have extra allowance. Yeah...I was kind of entrepreneurial even at a young age. I had to be or else I'd have nothing to eat (which happened quite often actually). I also remember being asked by my teachers to draw stuff. I even won in school drawing and painting competitions. They even sent me to an interschool drawing competition over at Midtown Hotel in Manila. See, I still remember! But then again, for some reason, it just all suddenly stopped when I went to high school. I got busy with academics and acting. I just started painting again in college. But I painted dark stuff portraying rage, anger and despair. I didn't throw my paintings but I kept them hidden all these years coz I don't wanna attract those emotions anymore. The Secret said that if I want to attract good things then  I must paint good things. I just miss drawing /painting. It proved to be cathartic and I was sort of good at it too. Sort of... now I actually don't know if I still know how to draw... We'll see... If you must know, I bought these painting materials in 1999-2000. I was still single then! And look, they're still as good as new. I better use them soon.

Candle Making

I did this in 2003 coz I  was curious as to how candles are made. Hopefully, I still remember how. If not, I recently learned how to make one with just oil and a wick. Then I'll just glamour it up with a nice candle holder and other accessories. I shall show you soon...

Spa Making

Like I told you earlier, I already did this in 2003-2006. I wanna make my own again. It's fun, exciting and I might even sell some to those who are interested in using all-natural spa products.

Making Beaded Accessories

I used to make my own before. Then life happened, I just didn't have the time. Most of my beaded accessories are made by moi and I still have a lot of raw materials left. I don't want them to go to waste so... Plus, making my own beaded accessories can be a lot of fun! It's just so kikay and so vain... so me!!! ^_^

Play Keyboards (must memorize 2 songs)

The keyboard you see here is my hubby's. He's had it since he was a child but he never really got to play with it. I had one too when I was still a student but it's not as big and high-tech as this. Lucky me I married him, I don't have to buy one for myself anymore. Those books you see on top, I've had them since college. This means that I've been really meaning to learn how to play. Just like with my guitar skills, they're very basic. I was just never disciplined enough to really memorize a song and be good at it. Hopefully next year I will be.

Palm Reading, Casting Spells and Tarot Reading

I actually have a separate blog for these wicked things. But I notice that it only gets updated when Halloween is near coz that's when I practice with my Wiccan skills more often than usual. Hopefully, I'll be able to spend more focused time with these shenanigans and be able to cast my own spell, do my own enchantments, read palms and do tarot readings without looking at my cheat sheet. I'm crossing my fingers!

So that's it for now. Be back when I have more ideas.

Oh,  hold on a sec... I'm pretty sure a time will come when I'll get bored doing the same project for a period of a month at a time. So just in case I won't be able to overcome my boredom and my being impulsive, I have my other toys to play with to kind of destress and regroup. That's why I am keeping my Wii and PSP handy. ^_^

Chat soon!