So… alam na! Basta pag chikahan kolehiyala mode ako ha.

As I’ve mentioned on my previous blog, I don’t have a house helper for two weeks. So imagine, bitbit ko 3 kids wherever I go! And when we’re home, di maubos-ubos ang chores! Kahit ang favorite ko na paghuhugas ng pinggan, naumay ako. Sakit din pala sa kamay pag hugas ng hugas. And I realized ang bigat pala ng mga plates namin. Pag di bumalik helper ko mag paper plates na lang kami. lol. Actually, one problem with me is that, because I want to do and finish EVERYTHING (Superwoman ang peg) and efficiency is part of my system, may ginagawa pa ako, iniisip ko na ang susunod ko na gagawin, at ang susunod dun at ang susunod pa dot dot dot. Nakakaloka diba? Pinapagod ko ang sarili ko. I have to remind myself over and over that there is no need to hurry. And that I don’t have to do everything. First few days were manageable, but after a week, sakit na ng kamay at braso ko. Just today, I was dragging myself to prepare breakfast, aba pag tingin ko sa kitchen, Gary is already preparing it. Parang gusto ko lumuhod at sumigaw ng… May Himala! I mean, he helps me around naman especially during weekends pero not breakfast especially on a week day. In fairness to my hubby, he doesn’t have planning skills (for surprises) but he surprises me once in a while with those unexpected acts.

How I really wish and PRAY that my helper would go back. I bought her round trip ticket to and from her hometown, Bacolod, because she said she really wants to go back. If she does, magpapa-bonggang Spa talaga ako. Hindi pa nya naibababa ang bag nya galing airport lalayas na ako. hehe. If she does not, patay! I can’t work with my children in the office and I can’t work at home because chores are endless. Sumabay pa ang events sa coffeeshop that I have to oversee.

Another chika, we were supposed to be in Cagayan de Oro by this time, sabay side trip to Camiguin. I’ve been wanting to go there for years. When we were still small, we have regular reunions there. Kaso sunod-sunod ang events ko sa coffeeshop. Ngayun iniisip ko bakit di ko na lang tinanggihan yung reservations. But blessing in disguise na rin siguro kasi sobrang busy si Gary and I think it would be unfair to drag him these days. Besides, additional income din yung sa events so maybe not the right time talaga. Nakaka-inggit lang yung relatives ko enjoying at CDO. At nakaka-miss silang lahat… yun lang.

I’ve read an article about 40 Things Every Woman Should Do Before Turning 40 and one of the things I found amusing was to write a letter to yourself to be read after 10 years.

So here I am writing a letter to myself…

Dear Mitch,

By the time you read this again, you’re 45. Uhm, tanda mo na! lol Kidding aside, time may have aged your looks but it surely made you richer, in terms of wisdom and experience. I really hope by this time you’re reading this, you’re having another vacation with your husband and kids. At this point, that is what I look forward to each year. I am not sure though if you still have the same passion now.

I am writing to you because whoever and wherever you are now, I would like to remind you your thoughts 10 years ago. 10 years ago, you were hoping that you have migrated with your family to the US. So, nakakaintindi ka pa ba ng tagalog? hehe. Or at least you were able to visit USA already. Also, your goal is to have financial freedom by this time, so afford mo na ba si belo? lol. Seriously, did I underestimate God again because you are now enjoying things far more than I can imagine? Honestly, I think so.

10 years ago, you were already contented with your life. You may still have dreams and you may still want a lot of things but deep in your heart you think you are so blessed already far beyond what you deserve. Your kids are still dependent on you. Even Marcus, who’s already a teenager, still shows signs that he still needs your presence, hug and kisses when no one’s looking. I bet you miss the noise inside the house because Marcus is 24, Zach is 18 and Lia 14. I’m sorry but thinking of it now makes me sad. BUT, now you can finally have a lot of “me” time and “Gary” time. Have you tried pole dancing? Are you doing yoga? Please do. I’ve been wanting to do those things but 10 years ago, the growing business and my kids are my priority.

Some of the things you were hoping for was to build your own house. As of writing, what you have is a lot/land, that you need to pay for for a couple of years, and you still don’t have any idea where to get money to build the house. You dream of a house with big masters bedroom where everything you need is there (tv, sound system, fridge, bar area, mini library if I can’t have another room for library, big bathroom with jacuzzi etc). I also want each of my kids to have their own bedrooms, so even if they’re all grown-up, they can still go back to their rooms for vacation. Maybe Lia can finally have her Hello Kitty room, if she still wants it. Gary wants to have a veranda/porch where we can relax and have our coffee every morning/night.

10 years ago, you were dreaming of Japan. So is it beautiful as you thought it was. Did you come back? Is it worthy going back? Have you seen Brazil, Spain, Amsterdam and Greece as well. Were you able to go back to London and Scotland? I really hope your answer is yes to all of my questions.

How’s the business? A decade ago, we were working so hard to maintain the business, especially Gary. Our goal is to have enough income so that we can go through each day, have enough savings to invest and employ as many employees as we can and give them good compensation… slowly but surely. Our employees were like our children. We treat them as a family.

How’s your relationship with Gary? Are you still madly in love with each other? Meaning, one day you’re inseparable, the next day you want to hold him really tight, around his neck. lol Always remember that it was God who held your marriage and family together so keep on asking for His help, especially when you’re having problems. You chose to be there for each other for decades, too late to change your mind now.

Are you teary-eyed already... because my letter is too long. hehe. Guess what? This exercise made me realize that I should be writing to you (myself) more often. It made me realize my worth without the need for assurance (which I normally ask from people close to me). So, expect more letters ok?

Lastly, I love you. I am proud of what you made of yourself. Continue, even improve, your good relationship with God. Ta-ta for now!

Mitch 10 years ago

Our helper will have a two week vacation and will leave on the 10th of May. The thought of it both scares and excites me. I know I can handle it, my kids are big enough. Only thing I don’t like is waking up earlier than usual so that I can prepare food. I have no problem washing and ironing the clothes because I’ll pay someone to do it. Washing dishes is one of my favorite chores so again, no worries. This is all about spending the whole day with the kids and attending to their needs. My kids love my attention and most of the time they ask for it AT THE SAME time. Waaahhh! Also, I cannot go out for two weeks because nobody will look after them.

What excites me is the idea that I am staying at home for two weeks. I’ve been wanting to work from home but all my documents are at the office, our employees might need something from me and I want to be hands-on at the coffeeshop. So maybe I’ll drop by once in a while for a couple of hours only (with 3 kids in tow!). I am also excited to spend the last vacation month with the kids. We’ll do activities together, I’ll make sure they eat right and I’ll make them do some chores.

When Marcus learned that his Ate won’t be around for two weeks, he said, “Two weeks si Mama lang kasama namin, ang tagal naman!” (Lokong bata ito! Haha) He knows he won’t get away with a lot of things when I’m around and that he’ll be doing chores. Seriously, I know the kids and I will have a grand 2-weeks, hopefully!

Forgive me for my kolehiyala accent today, or something hehe. Feel ko makipag-chismisan and there are words I need to write either in Filipino or English just to emphasize. So, sorry for the taglish blog

First, my son is in Hong Kong today. I miss him already and believe me, if I have to document all the bilin I told him, it would look like a company’s procedure manual hehe. I am really scared that he would get lost at the airport, train station, Disneyland or Oceanpark. Oh btw, he’s 14 years old. haha! Can you really blame me? I am not used to NOT being with my kids. And guess what? I just read my mother’s fb status that they are going to Macau! Ang daya! I mean, teka di yun kasama sa pinaalam nila. Hmp!

Regarding the application for Parental Consent at DSWD, I am just thankful that it was my mom who did it. Yun lang ang masasabi ko.

Second, I celebrated my birthday a couple of days ago. I realized that I love birthdays not because I have an excuse to get what I want but because it reminded me of people who truly cares. These people reminded me that I am beautiful (inside out). Sinabi talaga nila yun promise! A month before my birthday, Gary’s been asking bugging me about what I want for my birthday. I told him, alam mo nman. Sabi nya, bukod sa Japan. haha! I had a hard time thinking what I want for myself kasi di ko talaga hilig mag shopping. But then I realized I am running out of clothes to wear especially sa office, as in kupas na. So I said, I’ll buy clothes. Awa ng Diyos hanggang ngayun di pa ako bumibili except for one Mango jeans. Wala ako magustuhan.

What I love about my husband is that he’s SO generous. As in he’s pushing me to spend. Yun lang, he doesn’t have planning skills to make surprises. To be honest, gusto ko rin nman ng surprise party. Yung tipong few months from my actual birthday pinag-hahandaan na nya yung party ko. I’ve done that several times on his birthday. Unfortunately, its just not him. Again, he’s not into planning. Trabaho ko yun. He usually provides the budget at ako bahala sa implementation. Well, I can’t have everything. At least he provides. Mahirap nman he makes surprises that he cannot afford. Di bale na. But in fairness to him nag-effort din naman sya nung birthday ko. When we went to the car (from the office) I was expecting that we’re still going to pick-up the kids at home before we head for dinner. Aba nagulat ako nasa car na mga kids and they’re well dressed. Then he bought us to a Japanese restaurant we haven’t tried before. clap clap clap! Again, effort na yun sa kanya so na-touch din naman ako. haha!

Speaking of which, I think I need a pat on the back. Gary is making money with what he does because in fairness to me, I handle the REST. I mean, I unload him of admin, financial, family and all the other concerns so that he can concentrate more on work. In short, I do the dirty work. I am the planner, budgeter and implementer. Plus hindi ako sakit sa ulo, low maintenance lang talaga. Uhm except for a little nagging when he’s not following the schedule and plan. hehe. At home especially when he’s tired and stressed, he would embrace me tight and kiss me. Then he’s ok after. So feeling ko in-absorb nya lahat ng positive vibes ko kaya ako nman ang stressed wehehe. So I hope people would realize that successful (married) men have GREAT wives behind them. Buhat bangko kung buhat bangko hehe.

Lastly, hinga muna… may budget na kami sa Japan! And yes may go signal na kay papa Gary! (palagay ko malaki ang kinalaman ni Rolex watch dito kaya hayaan nyo lang din hubby nyo sa mga hilig nila… basta within budget!) Kidding aside, God (as always) provided us more than we asked for. Last December when I wrote my blog about going to Japan, wala talaga kami budget for that. We were not even expecting any client to sign-up. Talagang Faith ito and openness to the idea that if it didn’t push through, it’s not the right time. I even thought maybe we can just go to China because there’s cebu pacific promo fares naman. May snow sa December dun (which the kids would love) and I can cross-out Great Wall of China. Pero akalain mo, from 0-10% possibility of seeing Japan, 60-80% na sya ngayun. Syempre pa-planuhin ko muna diba. Plus the fact that we cannot just leave the business and our employees. Palagay ko Christmas season para may snow maraming holidays. Saya-saya!

To end my chika, I take this time to thank God for everything.

As I celebrate my 35th birthday, I thought of enumerating 10 things from my past and 10 of my future goals. I did this before, sadly I posted it on friendster and I was not able to retrieve it. I remembered some of my goals that I was able to fulfill, like learn how to drive, go out of the country as tourist, have our own business and live in a condominium.

Without further ado, here’s the list.

10 years ago (2003)

1. I only have one child

2. We were renting an apartment in Cubao

3. I was a Systems Specialist (and struggling to make ends meet)

4. I lost my second child (miscarriage)

5. I was attending MS Industrial Eng’g at UP Diliman

5 years ago (2008)

1. I passed the Internal Audit Certification (CIA)

2. Left the corporate world, for good.

3. Learned that we were having our 3rd child

4. Realized my dream of living in a condominium and learned how to drive

5. Started blogging

————————————————–fast forward.

5 years from now (2018)

1. (What else?!) See Japan (and hopefully 4 more countries if we’re going to travel every year)

2. Learn about stocks

3. Condominium is fully paid

4. I’ll be healthier than I am now

5. Hire more people and get a bigger office

10 years from now (2023)

1. We’ve migrated to the US.

2. Built our own house.

3. We have a college graduate (whoa!)

4. We have a business that could stand on its own

5. We’re earning from passive income (and enjoy financial freedom)

Gary emailed me this article and I found it amusing. So just in case you haven’t read this before, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

(Excerpted from Vic and Avelynn Garcia’s book entitled Kontento Ka Na Ba Sa KaPERAhan Mo?)

Kurot Principle

Ano ‘yung Kurot Principle? Ay, ang ganda nitong Kurot Principle na ito. To better understand this, I will tell you a story of a person na balak bumili ng cellphone worth P1,000. Nagkataong mayroon siyang P100,000 na savings. Puwede ba siyang bumili ng cellphone? Puwede, kasi yung P1,000, kurot lang ‘yon sa kanyang savings.

May pangalawang taong balak bumili ng cellphone. Ang bibilhin niya ay worth P1,000 din. Mayroon siyang savings sa bangko na P1,000. Bumili siya ng cellphone. Anong tawag dun? Dakot na ‘yun! Dinakot lahat ang pera niya!

May pangatlong tao, balak bumili ng cellphone, pero walang savings. P1,000 lang naman ‘yung bibilhin niya. Bumili siya. Anong tawag ‘dun? Utang na ‘yun!

Ang tanong: ano’ng prinsipyo ang ginagamit mo sa buhay mo? Kurot, dakot, o utang?

Magtataka pa ba tayo kung bakit tayo naghihirap o baon sa utang? Ang gagaling nating dumakot! Ang gagaling nating umutang! Gusto mong yumaman? Starting today, matutong kumurot. Kapag may bibilhin, dapat kinukurot lang! Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo? Kapag ginawa mo ito, pangako, yayaman ka.

Pag-aralan nating muli ang mga pinakamayayaman sa Pilipinas, ang Chinoy. Again, bakit sila mayayaman? Ang gagaling nilang… kumurot! Tayo ang gagaling nating… dumakot! Sasampolan kita…

Pinoy vs. Chinoy Businessman 

May dalawang negosyanteng nagsimula ng kanilang negosyo, isang Pinoy at isang Chinoy. Ang capital nila pareho ay P100,000.

Sa unang buwan, si Pinoy, kumita ng P10,000. Ano ang iniisip bilhin? Cellphone. Si Chinoy, kumita rin ng P10,000. Ano ang gagawin niya? Idadagdag niya sa puhunan.

So magkano na ngayon ang puhunan ni Chinoy? P110,000! Si Pinoy, P100,000 pa rin, pero may bago siyang cellphone. Ang ganda!

Ituloy natin. After a few months, maganda ang takbo ng negosyo. Si Pinoy kumita ng P50,000. Ang Pilipinong may P50,000, ano ang balak bilhin? Bibili siya ng home theater, DVD, at LCD TV! Si Chinoy, kumita rin ng P50,000. Anong gagawin niya? Idadagdag uli sa puhunan niya. Magkano na ang puhunan niya? P160,000 na!

A few months later pa, ang Pinoy kumita ng P150,000! Ang Pilipinong mayroong P150,000, ano ang balak bilhin? Second-hand na kotse o pang-downpayment sa bagong kotse. Ang Chinoy, may P150,000. Ano’ng gagawin niya? Idadagdag sa puhunan! Magkano na ang puhunan niya? P310,000!

Buwan-buwan, si Pinoy kumikita. Dagdag siya ng dagdag ng gamit. Magkano ang puhunan niya? P100,000! Si Chinoy, buwan-buwan kumikita. Ano ang ginagawa niya? Dagdag ng dagdag sa puhunan niya. One day, Chinoy was able to save P1 million! So ginawa niya, he approached one supplier and said, “Supplier, kung bibili ako sa‘yo ng worth P1 million, bibigyan mo ba ako ng discount?” Hulaan mo kung ano ang sasabihin ng supplier. “Of course, ang dami mong bibilhin, kaya bibigyan kita ng additional 5% discount!”

Ngunit naisip ni Chinoy, “Hindi naman yata maganda na sa akin lahat ang 5%. Ang gagawin ko, bibigyan ko ang customers ko ng 3% discount at sa akin na lang ‘yung 2%.” Ibig sabihin, bababa ang presyo ng kanyang mga ibinebentang produkto.

It just so happened na magkatabi ang tindahan ni Chinoy at ni Pinoy. Pareho sila ng mga produktong ibinebenta. Given the situation, kanino kayo bibili? Kay Chinoy, because it’s cheaper. Ano ang mangyayari sa negosyo ni Pinoy? Malulugi na. Kasi mas mahal ang kaniyang produkto. Ano ang gagawin niya? Ibebenta niya ‘yung kotseng nabili niya ng P150,000. Sino ang bibili? Siyempre, ang maraming pera, si Chinoy. Tatawaran pa ni Chinoy ang kotse ng P80,000. Dahil gipit na si Pinoy, kahit palugi ay ibebenta na rin niya. Si Chinoy ngayon ay nagkaroon ng kotse na murang-mura lang!

After a few months, mauubos din ang P80,000 ni Pinoy. Ano ang susunod na gagawin ni Pinoy? Ang home entertainment niya ay ibebenta na rin. Magkano? P20,000 na lang. Sino ang bibili? Si Chinoy. Darating ang araw na pati ang cellphone ni Pinoy ay ibebenta na niya. Magkano niya ibebenta? P2,000 na lang! Isang araw, magsasara na ang negosyo ni Pinoy. Ano ang gagawin niya? Malamang, magtatrabaho na lang siya kay Chinoy. Ito ang kuwento ng bansang Pilipinas!

Naalala mo pa ba noong araw, mas mayayaman ang mga Pinoy kaysa sa mga Chinese. Bakit nagbago? Ano ba ang problema natin? Dakot kasi tayo ng dakot! Sila, kurot lang ng kurot!

Mayroon kaming naging participant before na nagsabi, “Sir, hindi naman totoo ‘yan! I know a Chinoy, he drives a BMW. That’s a P5 million car! Kurot ba ‘yun?” Malamang kurot ‘yun! Noong binili niya ‘yun, mayroon na siyang P100 million na savings! So kurot lang ‘yun! Nandiyan ka pa ba?

Isang Kahig, Isang Tuka 

Saan ka makakakita ng mga taong isang kahig, isang tuka? Saan? Sa squatters area? Magtigil ka! Gusto mo’ng makakita ng mga taong isang kahig, isang-tuka? Sa Ortigas, sa Makati, may makikita ka.

What do I mean? Kapag hindi ka sumuweldo ng isang buwan, mabubuhay ba ang pamilya mo? Kung wala kang credit card, kung mawalan ka ng trabaho ngayon, ilang araw ang aabutin para mabuhay ng matino ang pamilya mo? Kapag nawalan ka ng suweldo, patay ka!

Ang mga Chinoy, kahit hindi muna kumita o magnegosyo, mabubuhay ng maganda. Bakit po? Kasi many years ago, kumahig sila ng kumahig at tumuka lang konti. Kaya marami sa kanila ngayon, tuka na lang ng tuka. Maraming Pinoy, kapag hindi tayo kumahig, wala tayong tutukain.

Ito ang masakit–sometimes, kahit matanda na tayo, kahig pa rin tayo ng kahig. Gaano karaming Pilipino ang 60 years old na ay trabaho pa rin ng trabaho? Puwede ba, simula ngayon, kumahig ka nang kumahig at iwasan munang tumuka. I-deprive ang sarili ng kaunti.

Ang pinakamasakit sa lahat ay ito–one day, you want to work, but you cannot work. You are already old. Why? Nagpakasasa ka kasi noong bata ka pa. Inubos mo na lahat ng lakas at kalusugan mo sa bisyo.

Tanong: Masama ba’ng bumili ng mahal? Sagot: Hindi! Basta kinukurot lang! Kapag nakakita ka ng kasamahan mong naka-Nike shoes, huwag mong husgahan kaagad iyong tao! Malay mo, kinurot lang niya iyon. At the end of the day, what is happening to other people is not important. What’s more important is what is happening to you.

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.”

Thanks to Divisoria, I was introduced to this brand. It was there that I first saw its logo and I fell in love with it right away. I didn’t buy an imitation but I told myself I’d own an original soon someday. Forgive me for my ignorance but I am not really into fashion and very few branded items catch my attention, plus kuripot kasi ako!

So, what are the Tory Burch products that I wanted to buy:

FLOWER DOUBLE WRAP BRACELET

iphone5 HARD CASE

BALLET FLATS

ROBINSON CONTINENTAL TRI-FOLD WALLET

Aren’t they LOVEly?!

Dear Diary,

Today I had a very nice dream. It took me back years ago when Gary and I were still bf/gf. The mixed feeling of fear, excitement, love and pure joy all came back to me. It went like this:

I woke up because someone was calling me. I realized it was Gary fetching me already. But take note, it was still dawn when everyone (my parents and siblings) were still sleeping. I slowly went out. I saw my sister woke up and she asked me where I was going. I told her not to worry because I’ll be back and for her to turn-off the lights. So I felt so free having a date with my boyfriend, without the knowledge of my parents because they were so strict. Being with him is the only happiness I know. When the sun started to rise, I told Gary I had to go home. We kissed one last time and I went home with a wide smile.

That’s what you call young love, sweet love. Uy naka-relate!

#artearte,

Mitch

(Almost) As important as my wallet and iphone, these are three of the things I can’t leave without;

1. Lotion

Usual scenario after bath: either I feel too lazy to put on lotion or I am always in a hurry that I usually skip the lotion part. So what happens when I’m inside the car on my way to wherever I’m going, I realize that either my arms, hands, usually my feet, are too dry. This moisture therapy lotion saves me EVERY time.

2. Hand Sanitizer

I always have this feeling that my hands are dirty. And because I cannot possibly wash my hands anytime I want, this saves me from my oc-tendencies. Plus having kids with me most of the time, I can easily clean their hands even without available toilets where they could wash their hands.

3. Wipes

Life saver in many ways!