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! ^_^

November Rain

I'm not entirely sure why I entitled my post "November Rain". Perhaps, it's the fickle weather we're experiencing these days or maybe it's just me. I feel dark and gloomy about the fact that I only have two months to go before 2010 ends and it seems like nothing has changed with my list of unaccomplished projects... they still remain unaccomplished. My hectic hours at work are to be blamed, as well as the fact that I seem to be attending more blog events now. The rest of my so-called free hours are left to do house chores, watch my favorite DVDs and read some books. I don't even get to sleep a lot anymore. So what's new?! Sigh.

However, I am happy about the fact that my days last month have been filled with meaningful work and a lot of fun blogging events. And now that Halloween has just been over, which means that Christmas is almost here, that's a whole new reason to be excited about! ^_^

Anyway, gloominess aside, I still have hope. If only I can discipline myself to only take care of things that really matter, I know I can still accomplish my personal projects, even if not all of them. So let me rack my brain for a little while and think of a good schedule that I must keep (by hook or by crook). Hihi.

Nuninuninuninuninunu.....thinking....


Okay, here is my basic plan:

1. If I'm invited to events, attend only one-two events per week as much as possible. Choose the ones that I am passionate about and ones that I'd really enjoy. Like, later, I'll be at Resorts World for some food tasting and on Nov. 6, I'll be at Nido Discovery Center with my parents.
2. On Nov. 8, Monday, I should take the time to take care of my DTI application and business permits.
3. Do general cleaning and laundry once a week, preferably middle of the week, after work, so my weekends can be allotted for more important projects.
4. Avoid doing more than 10 hours of work per day from Mon.-Fri. unless really, really necessary.
5. Every work week, after work, I should allot 1 hour each day for beading, 1 hour each day for spa making, 1 hour each day for drums/guitar & keyboards, 20 minutes for biking, 20 minutes for Wii workout, 20 minutes for tarot.
6. On Nov. 11, I shouldn't stay so late at the Brownman Revival Gig. I should also avoid getting so drunk so I can still work once I get home.
7. On Nov. 13, I should accomplish all the things on my errands list (like buying my own mannequin, a couple of photo frames, baking ingredients, soap making ingredients, candle making ingredients, some potted plants and a wall mirror; have my nails done; buy new DVDs; check out Citibank promo --- I want a simple digicam with video recorder coz our Olympus digicam has been having problems for a while now).
8. On Nov. 14, Peter and I should continue with our windsurfing lesson plus camping & picnic.
9. On Nov. 15, I should start uploading my new supply of clothes.
10. On Nov. 16-19, I should urge Peter to finish processing papers for the Bulacan house, have the Yaris aircon fixed and schedule our Boracay trips c/o Panoly.
11. On Nov. 19, I should allot a few hours for HARRY POTTER screening. *Excited!*
    
12. Nov. 20 will be for baking, soap making & candle making, plus a few blog posts about my Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur trips if possible.
    
13. On Nov. 21, I should start packing for our Dumaguete trip.
14. Nov. 22-25 will be devoted to work and the scheduled personal projects.
15. Nov. 26-30 will be for fun, fun, fun!

Okay, it's settled then. Wish me luck!

Early Christmas this October

The month of October started out perfectly when I went to SM Cubao and experience their Oct.1-3 3-day sale. I got tons of lovely items for the kitchen and the bedroom for only Php1000.00! I got a taste of Impressca and I also got a free beach chair! The day before that, I got interviewed by Go Negosyo Kaya Mo which will air on October 17!

I hope this serves as a good sign from the universe of what else is to come this month.

Aside from work, occasional blogging and VTR activities, plus dates with Peter, I also plan to start decorating for Halloween this month. I should brush up on my Wiccan skills like tarot card reading, palm reading, quija board and the likes.

I still have more to tell. But for now, let's leave it first with the universe.

P.S.

It's now October 9. My German tenant already found a suitable place for him near his place of work in Sta. Rosa Laguna and did not anymore renew his rent with us. He left on October 7. Fortunately, the universe is kind enough to have given me a lady tenant this time who came all the way from Davao. She will be staying with us for at least three months. She moved in yesterday, October 8. Yay! Thank you God for this blessing. And thank you AyosDito.ph for being such a huge help. ^_^

"Everyday and in every way, I am getting better, better and better. All great things are coming to me. Money is easy and comes frequently and abundantly."
- one of my mantras

P.S. (Oct. 31, 2010)

Here are the rest of the things that happened this month:

A Happy Month to Remember... September

It's the middle of September and I am having a blast! As soon as the first day of the first BER month came in, it already felt like Christmas! The universe has just been showering me with little blessings here and there. Seems like I never sleep and I am just seizing the good stuff that comes in almost every time - job opportunities, parties, events, friends, etc. I know I only have 24 hours in a day and I can only do so much. So I chose to do the things that I love the most... things that make me happy.

For the most part, these things include:

- another VA job which I love (so now I again have 2... at least the 2nd one is just part time which I insisted so I can still have a life.)

- parties with friends, (which happens pretty often since the start of this month):

• Cash Cash Pinoy Launch at Lancaster Hotel
• Brownman Revival Gig last Sept. 2, 2010 at 70's Bistro
• Grade 6 Class Reunion
• Ballet Philippines and a whole day date with the hubby
• Resident Evil movie date with my best friend
• Carelle's Birthday Bash at Maruve Bar
• Brownman Revival's Gig last night at 70's Bistro

- series of mini dates with my hubby, time with my books, shopping, and my many rituals for personal development

- and for the rest of the month, there are other events lined up:

• date with my best friend and her daughter tomorrow
• some VTRs I promise to go to
• movie dates with Peter (I got to use those Citibank receipts I have)
• spa & skin treatment sessions I should go to (I already have the free gift vouchers)
• a trip to Baguio on Sept. 23-24
• another Brownman Revival gig on Sept. 30

And who knows what are still bound to come before this month ends?

On the other hand, I no longer try to do everything that comes my way. I let go of a couple of opportunities this month and I don't regret them one bit. I've learned to accept that it's the quality of life that matters and not the quantity of things you do in a given day.

I still haven't forgotten the projects I set out to do at the beginning of this year though, and should I fail to do them all, I know that I am the owner of my life and that I could design it whatever way I want to.

For now, I'm just happy to be feeling joyful most of the time. I thank God every day for all the blessings that keep coming our way, and I know that things will just get better and better as the most joyous of seasons approaches.

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!

Rasta Bead Necklace

I made another necklace. It is inspired by my love for Brownman Revival, thus, is rasta-inspired, exuding a fresh reggae vibe. I used glass beads and various semi-precious stones. This will go well with my old rasta earrings and bracelet. I hope you like it.

The Limit is in the Sky this July

My goal starting this month is simple: Invest my time, effort and money in profitable and productive things BUT should be enjoyable and fun to do. In the event that it's just purely investment in fun, it should be an activity that will build my strength and character.

Having these rules in mind, I have made my new schedule:

TUESDAYS - SATURDAYS



12 midnight - wake up
12:00 - 12:15 - daily tarot reading, spells & meditation



12:15 - 12:30 - finish 1 chapter of Jack Canfield's book on success
12:30 - 1:00 - exercise



1:00 - 1:30 - brew coffee, cook food
1:30 - 2:00 - shower & prepare for work
2:00am - 12:00nn - work
12:00 nn - 1:00 pm - lunch, rest, watch DVD
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Do other projects, blog posts, etc.



3:00 - 4:00 pm - Play with my music (keyboards, guitar, drums)
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - clean the house, do other chores
5:00 - 6:00 pm - shower, read novel/comics
6:00 pm - 12 mn - SLEEP!


SATURDAY PM - SUNDAYS - MONDAYS

Saturday
AM - do laundry/general cleaning
1PM - 6 PM - Attend business seminars
6PM - 12 MN - groceries/parties/nightlife/date with Peter



12MN - 5AM - sleep

Sunday
5AM - 6AM - run or bike with Peter
6AM - 7AM - shower, breakfast, prepare for out of town wind surfing
7AM - 9AM - trip to Surf Kamp, Caliraya



9AM - 1PM - windsurfing
1PM - 3PM - Late Lunch
3PM - 5 PM - head back home
5PM - onwards - relax at home / beading time / make spa products


*above is the beaded necklace I made last weekend. I can't wait to do some more beaded accessories!