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Friday, March 27, 2009

Preoccupied



like my "to do" list
you are always on my mind
just letting you know...



Please don't forget to visit other people's wonderful haiku at A Mommy Story!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Art of Being Thankful

How often do we show gratitude? On Thanksgiving? On Memorial Day? On Christmas? Birthdays? When we get good news? But what about for ordinary days like this? What about for the rest of year? Are we not grateful on a daily basis?

I have mentioned before that gratitude for me is an art. Yes, the art of being thankful everyday! And this feeling of gratitude towards everything helps enormously in changing one's mindset and well-being. They say gratitude bridge the gap between what we have and what we do not have. It is only when we appreciate the things we have that we can make ourselves ready to receive more blessings!

So today, I am so happy to share to you random things that I have been grateful for the past days...they are but not limited to the following --

♥ I am thankful for the challenge I had at work early this week, the ruminations allowed me to see different perspectives and have made me grow professionally somehow. As I have always said, my work has been and is a humbling experience for me. It made me strong as a person. It showed me how people's trust can be broken and how one can be taken advantaged of, yet it is always our choice not to be like them at the end of it. Whatever ideals I have at the workplace, I am trying to be that ideals and the change I want them to be. Everything is made possible with God's grace...

♥ I have flu and colds is really making me uncomfortable. But I am grateful that despite all, I am still able to go to work and do all the things which I need to attend.

♥ I am thankful for being invited by CIE as one of the members of their panel for their students defense. This is something I am honored to do...and I would love to talk more about this over the weekend.

♥ I am grateful to have finally started the materials I need for conducting trainings. With that is the gratefulness of meeting wonderful people whom I can work with on this project.

♥ I am thankful for having my best friend Pia again! LOL We have not met for a very long time and to have her around brings so much joy in my heart. It is like I have found a missing part of me... Truly friends are God's wonderful gifts!

♥ I am thankful for my Mom's fast recovery. She had asthma attack last weekend and for her age and with her health history, it is just scary...yet she responded well with the medication and is getting better each day.

♥ I am thankful for the gift of friends I found here...

♥ I am thankful for the life I have...

♥ I am thankful to have found Christ in my life...

And let me end my Thankful Thursday post with a favorite passage from the Bible -

    1 Chronicles 29:11-13(KJV)

    "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
    Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.

    Wealth and honor come from you;
    you are the ruler of all things.
    In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.

    Now, our God, we give you thanks,
    and praise your glorious name."

Everyday is the best time
to give thanks!

Please check Thankful Thursday
an
d together let us celebrate
all the
things we should
be grateful for!




Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I Wear Too Many Rings...


For Word Filled Wednesday, please scroll down...Thanks!

Remember that SNAKE?


Happy Wordless Wednesday!





Finding Life's Meaning...





I came so that everyone would have life,
and have it in its fullest.


- John 10:10



My Word Filled Wednesday entry this week has been inspired by Susan the Wellness Writer. She started writing another wonderful series of post last Monday on Thinking About Life's Meaning. Her brief discussion on the book written by Bruce Grierson, U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living The Wrong Life? got me into the topic once again...though I admit, it's the first time this happened!

Every now and then I always go back to this question...what am I living for? What is my life's meaning? And then, there is that one dreaded question, what if I am living the wrong life? Scary isn't it?!

I have not read the book yet but Susan did mention in her part 2 post that the book is about people who dramatically made a U Turn in their lives...I however, like her, is more interested in knowing and understanding what prompted them to make those changes rather than the different turns which they took.

So many times in our lives we are unsure if we are living the life we want...the life we deserve. Most often than not, this happens when we are faced with so many issues in our lives...for it is during those moments that we are more likely to shift gears before stepping on the gas. This reminds me to my WFW entry last week on Deliverance. And ask myself that question again, do I really need to struggle to live the life I've been wanting to live...and the life I deserve?! Then, what is that life that I want and I deserve?

My dear friends, John 10:10 summarizes all the answer to my questions in my search for the meaning of life. Many years ago I have decided to lift it all up to him. I have stopped trying to live the lives which people thinks I need to have. I have stopped living the life which I believe I need to have simply because my family background, my friends and the society I am living in tells me that it is the life I am inclined to and should have.

Today, I am renewing that resolution and covenant I have made to myself many years ago...that turning point in my life when I decided to be happy. The day I commit to live my life according to His will. To live the life I ought to have. The life which He wanted me to live to its fullest. A life that is pleasing to His eyes.

It is not easy. The journey is long...tough...and there are so many bumps along the way, but I know in the end it will be all worth it. Life's challenges will simply delay my trip...but it will never derail me from my destination.

This week, I am so happy to share with you all the wonderful life I found in Him.

Celebrate with us as we share inspiring Bible verses at Word Filled Wednesday...

Wish you all a blessed and meaningful Wednesday!


P.S. I hope to write more on this topic this Sunday for my Sacred Life Sunday.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

99 Things

I got this from She She...and well, this is my version of TMI Tuesday...

Anyone...feel free to grab this!

Here are the rules: Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (I was a kickass lead guitar! LOL)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld/Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (Will never do it again!)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (I think so!)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (Love this!)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Monday, March 23, 2009

My Corporate Ruminations

If you are here for FUN Monday, please scroll down!

I rarely blog more than once in a day...but looks like I need to!

It's one of those days at work...

I am just overwhelmed with so many things right now...and how I want to smack somebody in the face...okay, maybe a kicking pad will do!

I really thought I was starting my week right!

And why not?!

My best friend, whom I have not seen for the past 3 years is here! And IT Guy shared my excitement that he opted to take a half day off from work...

IT Guy and I had lunch at Rai-Rai Japanese restaurant, then we met Pia after that...spent the entire afternoon chatting and had dinner...then I go to work.

Well I am at work...now...and just one email I had to go through and it pi$$ed the hell out of me!

Apparently we have a potential client coming. The main office sent the presentation which they wanted us to use.

Wow...impressive...35 effing slides of bluffs and lies!

Typical of a sales you might say...

Well this is the part that is pi$$sing me off --

One of the highlight in the presentation is the management system which I created for the company...and they specifically brag the training course which I also made when I propose to train people and to have them align with it. So what is wrong with that you might ask. Well, it is wrong when they refused to make any comment on that training modules which I made like a year ago! Made it look like it was not important, not needed and all...so there was no training! And now, they are making it as a selling point?! WTF!

Later, we will have a meeting with the main office and I will ask them exactly just what they mean by that specific slide...and how they wanted us to do the presentation...and hopefully they hang themselves with their answers as they always do!

I have colds...and I so want to go home on time but, some people just want to schedule meetings an hour after end of business hours...amazing!

So WHY?!

Okay...I'm done ranting.

Hope things get better tomorrow!

Whose Panties Are These?!

A Fun Monday Underwear Tale...

It's a beautiful Monday and cool Margaret is this week's Fun Monday host and thus the culprit why I have a titillating (NOT!) title for today's post...LOL

She said -
For the March 23rd Fun Monday, What type of tale would you create as to why you had to ditch your underwear in the parking garage at work?

Use your best creative-ness - or, better yet, if this HAS happened to you...please share!

Ha!

Now...why?!

Umm...let me make it brief...and well, this is the most creative and honest reason I can find...

Because...

'tis the season to be without underwear?!

Yes...toss it away!

Because 'tis the season to be without underwear!

Okay, enough of this...for more worthwhile postings...please visit Margaret!

And speaking of underwear let me share you this one...ENJOY!


Dirty Underwear - Funny Commercial
This is why Mom always tell you to wear clean underwear. :)

Happy Fun Monday everyone!

Friday, March 20, 2009

My First Friday Fill-Ins!

It's finally Friday, and I'm in love! LOL

I have been really struggling in trying to catch up with people's blogs and all...and I most of the time fail half way...so for some whom I have not visited yet, will flutter around this weekend!

I got into Dolce Bellza's lovely site, and found this nice fun thing to do...not that I can't have anything else on a Friday, just that, my mind seems not to be in proper tune to do some haiku.

So, below is my first Friday Fill-Ins!


ffi

1. Why do we have to get sick?

2. Oil Pulling and Yoga are now habits.

3. I have been so blessed.

4. I had never heard the phrase "thrown under the bus" and it is not nice at all.

5. If you find someone you love in your life, then hang on to that love, the way I always do.

6. How am I to know what's in your mind and heart all this time.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finish my review on the COPC Standard version 4.3, tomorrow my plans include getting a haircut and Sunday, I want to jog!

For other fun and wonderful fill-ins, please visit Friday Fill-Ins!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A Call For Vigilance...

For Wordless Wednesday entry, please scroll down!




Do not be misled.
Bad associations spoil useful habits.
1 Corinthians 15:33



Wish everyone a blessed and a Word Filled Wednesday!

I invite you to celebrate with us as we share inspiring Bible verses at Word Filled Wednesday!


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Like A Rose





“You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.
You are responsible for your rose.”
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Happy Wordless Wednesday!



Monday, March 16, 2009

Kids Say the Darnedest Things!

Hello folks!

It's a beautiful Monday once again...yes, my Monday is way earlier than the rest... ;)

So today will be about kids wit and just just how they say the darnedest things!

I'm not married yet, and have no kids yet...I love children and have interaction with them always...so here goes my Fun Monday this week --

I have a younger cousin...and well, this happened like 10 years ago...yet I still laugh and smile the same way I did every time I remember it! We call her Aloh, and you can check HERE why and how she has grown!

Aloh is very close to me that every time I go to the library on weekends, I bring her with me...and one Saturday we passed by the Fine Arts department...had some chit chat with friends...and when we were leaving, she asked my friend, who had several tattoos on his arm this, "Don't you have a paper and a wall to write on?" (Obviously, in the absence of a paper, she writes on their walls!)

That is one of the many reasons why I don't have a tattoo!

I'd like to thank the following people who signed up for Fun Monday today, please visit each other as I'm sure to visit all of you!

Fun Monday Participants

1. Sayre
2. hulagirlatheart
3. Margaret, Brand New Mama (Fun Monday host next week!)
4. Patience
5. chrisb
6. brocasarea
7. Karmyn R
8. Hootin\' Anni
9. jill
10. Jan
11. Church Lady
12. Grace
13. Gattina
14. Tracey
15. SwampAngel65
16. faye
17. Karisma
18. Peter
19. min

Those who are signing up late, just enter your link below so I can update the link above! And also, just in case you miss it above, our host for next week is Margaret, Brand New Mama...


Sunday, March 15, 2009

Fun Monday for March 16, 2009


For the third time, I'm hosting FUN Monday!!!

Oh...what a joy...

First off, to those who are quite unfamiliar with this weekly fun activity...FUN Monday is exactly that! It is a weekly blog activity which has been going on since January of 2007. What separates this from other weekly fun activity is the fact that it has to fix host...yup, yup, FUN Monday is weekly caravan of fun...

So every week, one blogger would volunteer to host and will pick a theme/topic/challenge for that week (usually done the week before!), interested bloggers then sign up...and comes the next Monday...people post their entries and visit each other.

And the fun...goes on! If you want to check how much fun we've had, you may want to visit Robin the Pensieve to check old themes and hosts!

I'm inviting everyone...like EVERYONE to try this fun blogging activity...and also, you may try hosting FUN Monday...I'm telling you, it is just an exciting way of meeting wonderful people.

Now...for next week...it will be something very easy!

It will be...Kids Say the Darnedest Things!

Yes, they can be your children...your nephew...niece....siblings...just any experience which makes you say...indeed, Kids Say the Darnedest Things! They need not be a lot...but no limit to how many you can share...more means more fun!

Again, rules are so simple --

1. Sign up here that you are joining.
2. Put up your list on Monday, March 16. (You can also do it as early as Sunday evening.) And please link to my site.
3. Visit as many participants as you can. (I will be posting links of participants on my site as early as Sunday evening for you to visit!)

To those who are new and is joining the first time, please let me know it is your first time so I can 'pimp' you up to the whole Fun Monday community.

I hope to see many participants...see you Monday!


Friday, March 13, 2009

Butterflies All Around!

It's such a nice feeling to be back, as in for real...like being able to make several posts within the week!

Blessings and graces keeps pouring, and I am grateful for;

- The gift of health. Though the past weeks has been quite draining for me, I'm so glad that despite that and the not so nice weather here, I am still good...I'm usually sensitive to those two!

- Gift of family and friends.

- As I have mentioned in my Fun Monday post, I downgraded my cellphone plan...and since I've been a good customer to them, valuable I mean!, ahem, they still opt to give me a handy phone. Nothing fancy...a Nokia Supernova 7210...cute...and it serves my need!



So I'm able to save several cash because I'm not getting an iPhone anymore...and that is because,


- I'm getting a Lenovo S10!



Thanks to IT Guy for this! This is his gift...well, I told him I prefer this over iPhone...because,

- I can use it to do my other 'ventures', such as doing trainings and studies. Yes, I'm so blessed to meet wonderful people whom I can partner with in making my dream (which is to go into projects base and consulting ventures) a reality!

I have more for sure...as blessings come in so many forms every single moment of our lives! They are like butterflies which flutters around...adding colors to our world...all we need to do is stop whatever it is we are doing and enjoy their fluttering around us.


With that, let me share with you 13 amazing facts about nature...Mariposa's fascination...the BUTTERFLY!


Do you know that...

♥ The word butterfly came from the English word Buttorfleoge. Perhaps because, in mediaeval times, butterflies could be seen hovering around butterchurns or that their excrement is yellowish in colour.

♥ There are approximately 28,000 butterfly species in the world.

♥ Butterflies are the second largest group of pollinators.....next to bees.

♥ Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge almost 12 inches.

♥ Female butterflies usually are bigger and live longer than male butterflies.

♥ Butterflies don't have lungs.

♥ Butterflies taste with their feet.

♥ A butterfly has compound eyes: each eye is made up of about 6,000 tiny parts called lenses, which let in light.

♥ Butterflies can see red, green, and yellow.

♥ Butterflies can see ultraviolet light (light invisible to the human eye) which makes the markings on flowers very vivid to them and guides them to the nectar tubes. Some butterflies have ultraviolet reflectants or markings on their own wings which are visible only to other butterflies.

♥ Butterflies are cold blooded; they do not produce metabolic heat like humans, so they must rely on the sun to raise their body temperature so they can move about. Some bask with their wings open, others with wings shut.

♥ Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.

♥ Butterflies have their skeletons on the outside of their bodies, called the exoskeleton. This protects them and keeps water inside their bodies so they don’t dry out.


There you go...


Everyday is the best time
to give thanks!

Please check Thankful Thursday
an
d together let us celebrate
all the
things we should
be grateful for!




For other 13 wonderful things....please visit Thursday Thirteen!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Deliverance...




The Lord your God is with you;
His power gives you victory.
The Lord will take delight in you,
and in His love He will give you new life.

~ Zephaniah 3:17 TEV


The past weeks was a training course for me and my faith...and I'm so blessed to make it this far! God had renewed my heart, and had fortified my spirit! Truly God's power make us victorious over everything...we just have to give it all up to him!

I remember one beautiful story that was related to me by SJI's father many years...we were talking about careers...ambitions...and life then. I was blubbering a lot...when he started telling the following story --

One day, a mother brought her son to the beach. The son was enjoying the water was so much, that before they knew it, he had gone to the deep and was drowning. On the shoreline was a strong young man. The mother seeing her son drowning went to the young man and asked for help. The young looked at the mother and then the struggling child, but he did not do anything. At such time when the child had stopped struggling and was slowly drowning down, the young man ran to the child and grabbed him...and brought him to the shore safely.

The mother was so thankful, yet couldn't resist asking the young man, what took him so long to help her son. The young man said, it will be easier for me to save him the moment he stopped struggling.

Then, he asked me, Mariposa, at what point are you now in your life? Are you still struggling or have you given it all up?

Since then, for every trials that come my way, I always reflect on that story...and give it all up to God.

Happy (not so) WORDless FILLED Wednesday!


To see more wonderful captures, please check Wordless Wednesday!


Celebrate with us as we share inspiring Bible verses at Word Filled Wednesday!

My IT Guy...

First off, I'd like to mention here a friend of mine, who sent me assistance for the children. Bless you heart!

And also, I'd like to congratulate you and your wife, cheers for a wonderful life ahead. I hope you informed me in advance about it, not like I learned it from her, 7 months after...that was like, embarrassing for me to have her email me through your email to tell me that and to show me your photos.

I could have passed by for both you then...but, maybe next time!

Anyways...

I have mentioned it many times here in my blog that I am a sucker for MEME, and well, I took another nice meme from her royal highness, Little Pea!

It was originally labeled My Husband Meme, and since I'm not married yet, let me just call it, My BF (Special Someone) Meme... :)


1.He’s sitting in front of the TV: what is on the screen?

Hmm...interesting...most likely it's Discovery Channel, or any shows which features gadgets...ah, news too! LOL

2. You’re out to eat. What kind of dressing does he get on his salad?

Not sure...but well, most restaurants here offers thousand island dressing...so we go for that!

3. What is one food he doesn’t like?

Not really sure...on this, I most of the time think on what he likes and orders/prepares it for him...I don't think of what he does not like...LOL

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order?

We rarely go out drinking...he is cool with anything...but he gets tipsy too soon, too fast! It's usually me who is a bar fan...but I think he is fine with vodka...beer...tequila!

5. Where did he go to high school?

University of San Carlos...an all boys catholic school!

6. What size shoe does he wear?

I think he is between 8 and 9!

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?

Cars? (Toys and real ones...)

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?

That should be Tomato, Lettuce and Cheese sandwich...easy to prepare and healthy!

9. What would your Husband (bf) eat every day if he could?

Ah, we agree on this...sushi and sashimi! LOL

10. What is his favorite cereal?

He is not into cereal...

11. What would he never wear?

Anything floral? Well, I can talk him into it sometimes...he just trust my fashion taste to let me let him wear stuff...

12. What is his favorite sports team?

Now, this one I'm not sure! LOL

13. Who is his best friend?

That would be ME!

14. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do?

I do too much RCA (root cause analyses!) and tend to extrapolate on things based on that! LOL

15. How many states has he lived in?

Um...none?! LOL

16. What is his heritage?

Malayan race (as Filipino race is from that!), then a little of Chinese and Spanish!

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind?

I do chocolate cakes...but if it's something for him, I'd rather make him sushi and sashimi...

18. Did he play sports in high school?

Yeah, I think so...

19. What could he spend hours doing?

Playing computer games...surfing the net...watching movies...driving!

And since I took this from Little Pea, let me also add here her modification, that part which is her fave about her hubby, bf, for me!

What I love about IT Guy are the following --

He always keeps his promise! If he says he will find me and will make ways to contact me, it happens! :)

He is a very humble guy...very frugal and is very fair to people.

He is hard working...and takes his job seriously.

He is thoughtful and sweet. With that said, he always surprises me with little something...like buy small stuff for me...like that candy he remembers I mentioned about weeks back...charging and updating songs in my iPod...going shopping with me...etc!

He does not care much about people's opinion on him as long as he knows he is not stepping on people's toes, he is good!

Finally, when he forgives, he really forgets and is not the type who brings up the issue again...

So there, that is why I love this guy...and despite all the bumps we had...having...I'm still marrying him, because I love him too much and there was never a time I doubted his love for me.

Since I just got back, I don't want to throw havoc by tagging people...but just in case, any one here gets to read this...and think of their special someone, be it a hubby, wife, bf, gf...please feel free to do this one and let me know so I can visit and read your post! Yeah, I can be nosy...LOL

Happy Tuesday people...

P.S.

To that someone whose PayPal transfer I'm still waiting, please do let me know what happened. :)

Monday, March 09, 2009

Happy Monday Everyone!

First of all...I'm fluttering by once again! LOL

Life has been on the edge...should I say extremes once again...

Work is killing me...making me spend so many hours...two Mondays ago I was forced to be at the office for 22 hours! So...do the math, and think how long do you think will it let me to recover the sleep I'm missing...when the days after that...were like 10-12 hours at work! Pffft!

Add to that other personal issues that need some sorting...and well, on a happy note, everything is going well now. I do get some minor bumps once in awhile but things are getting way better!

This post will really be a mixed nuts...with 2 posts dedicated to Fun Monday...yup, I signed up for last week and well, did not make it to hit publish button because of some urgent things at work...which asked me to get there like 3-4 hours earlier than usual!

Jo, my apologies, but well, better late than never!

Jo of Chocolate and Other Things was so sweet to host last week's Fun Monday! And guess what, her topic for this week? It's ALL about our Mom and/or Grandma! Isn't it nice to make one post for that great woman whom we all look up to?!

Okay, this one was supposed to be posted last week, but something came while I was making this post...so it took me another week to open my blog. /SIGH

Below is a photo of me and my Mom...this was take 2007, and was posted originally HERE. That's the photo I can grab last minute... ;)

Though unmotivated to blog for weeks now, Jo, made my fingers type today...because if anything that is about Mom, I'm on it! ALWAYS!



And since this post is quite late, yes, a week late, i'm just linking up to this POST. Because that is what my Mom to me, my super hero!

Now, for this week.s Fun Monday, our host is no other than the lovely Sayre Smiles! And her challenge this week is --

What are you and your family doing to deal with the current economic situation on a personal level? Obama's got a plan for the nation, but how do you/will you deal with your own economic stress?

This is quite interesting! I'm not from the US, but no one is immune from economic downturns...and well, my country? We are always on the downturn...ok, make that most of the time!

Though most people look at me and would say on of the many things I'm good at it spending...on the other hand, I deserve an award for holding off my spending since last quarter of 2008.

I, and IT Guy (since we share most of our finances...and yes, we're getting married!) have done the following;

We have successfully lowered our communication expense. For example, I used to spend Php 5-6k minimum on my cellphone bills...so that is excluding my land line bills. I have lowered it drastically...and it is giving me so much savings!

So how? Well, if there is a land line I use the land line...and I opt to text him now than do an out right call to ask if he gets my texts! I know I'm crazy...LOL

Less shopping for me. I am now planning more my purchase of shoes and clothes...so rather than shopping by impulse, it is now shopping by needs...and to be honest, I don't need much because I don't even get to wear some of the newly purchased clothes.

We have also saved on fuel since we are using the old car most of the time...and it is run by diesel...which is way cheaper!

We have slowly cut our spending on dining out...though I have to admit the past 2 weeks were just different..yet, we needed to spend more time together...because our work has been burning us out!

IT Guy installed a financial manager software and I have to tell you, it is really helping us a lot! It allows us to put in all income versus expenditures...the fixed, the recurring and the variables. I have to say...it is unplanned spending that always kill our budgets...because before we know it, money is gone...and we can't really trace it back. We started using the software December last year and I would say, it is really giving us more savings now.

Ah, also, most of our other incomes and allowances at work that are given to us through checks...automatically goes to our checking accounts...and once the money is there, it stays there...to cover recurring bills and become savings ultimately...because if we encash it, it does not get to stay long in our wallets!

We are also forcing ourselves to go into long term investment. So our other savings we put into that...plus, we allocate a certain percentage of our earnings to go into that. So in case, we screwed up our savings today...we still have something in the years to come.

Lastly, we take good care of ourselves! Because we can't afford to be sick in times like this...

* Not really an option to all, but I'm getting extra sources of income. :)

Please visit Sayre Smiles for more meaningful tips! ;)

There...hope I did not kill with you my 2 posts up there...and if you are still alive to this part, I hope you find the time to scroll down and read below.

I got it from an email....

If you’re mad with someone , and nobody’s there to fix the situation… You fix it .

Maybe today, that person still wants to be your friend . And if u don’t, tomorrow can be too late .
If you’re in love with somebody , but that person doesn’t know tell her/him.

Maybe today, that person is also in love with you .

And if you don’t say it, tomorrow can be too late .
If you really want to kiss somebody kiss her/him.

Maybe that person wants a kiss from you, too . And if you don’t kiss her/him today, tomorrow can be too late
.

If you still love a person that you think has forgotten you…. tell her/him.
Maybe that person have always loved you. And if you don’t tell her/him today , tomorrow can be too late.
If you need a hug of a friend… ask her/him for it.

Maybe they need it more than you do. And if you don’t ask for it today
, tomorrow can be too late.
If you really have friends who you appreciate…. tell them.

Maybe they appreciate you as well. That if you don’t and they leave or go far away today , tomorrow can be too late.
If you love your parents, and never had the chance to show them… do it .

Maybe you have them there to show them how you feel. That if you don’t and they leave today , then tomorrow can be too late.


I'd like to thank anyone who emailed and wish me well! I'm fine...and I have temporarily put down my HNT...so no invite for people because the site is like dead for now...I hope to be back with HNT by next month!

Thanks to Sage and Autumn for all...and also to Vixen!

I wish everyone a FUN Monday!!!