2012 is a Year of Challenge!

I cannot resist but to blog today. But why not? It’s PAYDAY! – the first one of the year FOR ME!

Until now, I can’t believe (and cannot contain my bliss for it) that I have finally returned to my old office, old friends, old home that I’ll cherish for a lifetime I know, cheesy  I have come to terms with the fact that success is very personal and subjective. It differs from person to person. And how I define it should be my guiding perspective, regardless of how the world pushes its own image of it. After getting that much needed break, I realized that success for me simply means the fulfillment of my potentials – just like how Maslow figured it out since 1943.

So! Today is another one of those “list” blog posts Whenever I watch TV interviews and hear speeches about “taking on challenges”, it rings a big bell inside. I guess, my theme for 2012 stems from the word CHALLENGE. Yes! 2012 is the Year of Dragon Challenge for me!

Let’s start off with:

> Waking up early - 7-7.30 should be in front of the computer office

> CONSISTENT Daily Devotional reading

> Everyday SEO Challenge – I get “advanced” SEO questions both from the boss and their clients. You cannot underestimate the gravity of these surprises every morning. Napapa-heavy breakfast ako!

> Challenge my writing speed and quality – Working on a new “online travel raket”. It’s demanding/challenging: but all good

> Double my savings – Tall order, I know! But I can only imagine the huge sense of accomplishment once I am able to conquer this  one.

> Learn to Bake – check! But I guess, won’t help my next item below

> DIET – every year na lang, ano?

> Blog 3x/mo. – good luck to me!

> HK with aunts and uncles – hopefully by August

> Eat, Pray, Love with my dearies

> DIY Projects to finish

> Spend more time at home with the family – baka kse mag-asaw na’ko next year. Chos!

They say, a 30-day challenge is more feasible. I’d like to start from there. On a monthly basis, will try to accomplish a challenge.

How about you? What’s your list of challenges and goals this year?

For some inspiration, read:

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.

-Isa 40:31

20 Things to do While Jobless

So I am hitting my 30th-day of being officially unemployed. I must say that it’s a combination of relief and at times a bit of boredom despite the crazy holiday events. Upon my third week, I’m workaholic quite itching to start doing office work already. But then again, I know there are people who would like to trade places with me even for a whole month. So I guess, I should just get on and enjoy this other side of the fence.

Here are 20 things you can do while jobless. I’ve ticked the box beside some of these items, while others are waiting to be… ready, set, go!

1. Blog, and do it often! Hence, my 20-things-to-do-while-jobless. Riz, actually was the one who encouraged me to blog more.

2. Bake! This one hobby I promise to fulfill this year. Brownies are the specialty this month

3. Watch your favorite shows (full season). I like Raising Hope and The New Girl. I just need to find the complete season for these two loves

4. Read the books you meant to read. I like trips to book sales and old book stores. My most prized books come from paperback sales, really.

5. Movie-marathon. Bride Wars = all time favorite (much to the scare of the boyfriend, hihi!)

6. Exercise: Jog, Cycle, Yoga.

7. Go scrap-booking!!! I like the non-digital version – it warms the heart so.

8. Sleep. Take on all the needed zzz’s you lost during those high-powered afternoon meetings.

9. Email all your friends whom you lost touch with. It’s still more personal than Facebook.

10. Help mom with the house chores. She’ll thank you so.

11. Pick up your dream DIY project that has been lying around the corner – this one I have yet to accomplish!

12. Water the plants, and see them grow in 30 days!

13. Set up your own online business. Sell everything from clothes, to trinkets, to food stuff, etc. Market them on your social network sites.

14. Book a vacation! Yes, go and pick the lowest air-fare that you can afford and fly! Remember, it’s more fun in the Philippines!

15. Go caffeine-free. You have all the license in the world to do this since you do not have too much work to keep you alert every moment of the day. Try tea.

16. Craft your next online marketing plan. I know this sounds like work. But you know, it can help you big time in saving a lot of time and effort once you start your job again (in my case, imma SEO).

17. Offer to baby-sit your nephew or niece. Really nice hanging around kids. They can put some sunshine on a dull day.

18. Cook for your sweetie! I know of busy urbanites who’d prefer a take-out meal or delivery instead of producing a home-cooked meal to serve for a dinner date. It’s really EFFORT to cook on weekdays. So now is the perfect time to impress your guy with your foodie skills.

19. Start a daily devotional. If you haven’t yet, this is a good time to get that rhythm of grace before hitting the day. You can even go on a spiritual retreat if you feel the need to do it – ala “Eat,Pray,Love”

20. Do nothing. Yep, you read it right! This is what vacations are for, right? So be an official bum!

Getting your own self back in shape – physically, emotionally, and spiritually can help you carve a better perspective on life once you rejoin the rat race. I must say this extended vacation (a.k.a. unemployment) is a welcome break. Although I am eager to start work already, I am happy to say I can make delicious brownies

LBC Express Delivers to Sendong Victims

Much time in my hands has permitted me and my siblings to ransack our respective closets to pick out some old clothes we no longer wear. This is part of our mission to donate relief items to our brothers in the South – the Sendong victims.

Packs of relief Items at the Manggahan, Gen. Trias, Cavite, LBC Express branch

I am very glad that LBC Express comes in handy during calamities like this. They are not just kind-hearted to offer free shipping of relief goods to the typhoon victims, but most importantly LBC Express branches are so accessible and scattered conveniently all over the country. Good job, you guys. And Merry Christmas!

Here’s my youngest sib doing her non-sponsored LBC Express camera shot

Unemployed, Unchained

For the first time in my life (not even after graduation), I am officially unemployed

Sad to say the new job I just got into last September went with a bitter ending I learned a few lessons there, and one is to be ready when one has realized that things aren’t what she expected to be. Change is good, but what will you do if it turned out for the worst? The answer is to endure first, obey first. Then do all you can to get that graceful exit. Life is short, let’s not spend some more time on things that simply make us unhappy. But there is always a better way to get out of any situation. Good thing, DOLE is always pro-employee! Haha!

Anyway, so I decided to quit even when there is no sure employment to jump into yet. I’m choosing not to mind it for now. However, I cannot hide my excitement to make a comeback and handle new online projects with my old friends. I guess God is asking me to trust Him more – even if my usual comfort pillows of a stable career and financial capacity are lacking at the moment.

This unemployment thing is really doing more good than bad. I have learned to take hold of myself and control my spending. And shall I say, it has lead me to surrender my life plans to the Lord. That is already a blessing in disguise.

Unchained

Enough with the jobless talk, let’s go to the fun part

Needless to say, the best thing about not having work this time of the year is that fact that I can get some vacay time while everybody is harassed doing their holiday preparations. My mom is relieved to have me handy at home while she and dad are extremely busy with business. Also, my extended (and unexpected) holiday has allowed me to spend more time for things that matter – a.k.a. (1)bridal showers, (2)Christmas outreach and parties, and of course (3)romance!

<insert picture here; next time don’t forget your digicam!>

I wish I have not forgotten my digicam, but I did. Sorry. I feel blessed to have done our simple feather-and-marshmallow-themed bridal shower with my long-time girlfriends in SFC. One of my bff is already 3-years married, one is still waiting like me, and the soon to be bride is happily leaving singlehood in favor of being someone’s wife We recalled the fun and unforgettable old times, especially the out of town conferences we attended. I heard a lot of marital advice, as well. I’m genuinely happy for my friend who has finally overcome her waiting and is now more equipped to start married life.

GK Kids Christmas Party - SFC

Every year, lots of good-hearted people of our SFC community reach out to the kids of GK-Ancop. We call the pre-schoolers “Sibol”, the grade-schoolers as “Sagip”, and the youth/teens as “Siga”… On this 11th of December, the kids definitely had a blast with our games, prizes, and spaghetting pababa at pataas! Nothing compares to the joy of sharing to these young souls.

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of quality-Christmasy time with the sweetie. From group dinners to exclusive one-on-one conversations with this guy, it surely is making my holiday ever so warm. It’s our second Christmas together. You may now close your browser as what you’ll be reading next is a string of too much mush… hehe! It’s not everyday that you meet someone who connects with you on an emotional and spiritual level. Nowadays, it’s pretty difficult to catch someone who is loyal and supportive. I have found in him a man who is the most loving and understanding guy I have ever met. Christmas is indeed a celebration of love.

So as long as I can keep my finances on check, keep my faith grounded on Him, plus loads of lurrrrrrve to share to family and friends – there isn’t really anything wrong with being unemployed in December

I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. - (John 10:10)

Best Christmas Gift of the Year

As Christ is humanity’s best Christmas gift for all eternity, I wanted to mention a “second-best-almost-number-one” gift for this year’s Christmas season. It’s the gift of community.

I’ve been serving in the Singles For Christ community for the past 6 years already. I’m not the ideal Christian single to begin with, but this community has subjected me to be that “work in progress”. Learning to love one another despite of differences is already a manifestation of Christ’s transforming love. I wish I could say the same to my boss, hehe!

We won best chapter in South, Manila!

Anyway back to the gift, this year we won the Best Chapter Award in the South (of Manila). It may be nothing for some in terms of fame or prestige. But we truly value it because of all the hard work, sacrifices, and of course God’s faithfulness to His plan and mission for us.

The problems we had in the beginning are now non-existent as we close the year. The issues we had are now things of the past. We have more single men and women joining and serving the poor. Most especially, we are blessed to have better, and more loving relationships as brothers and sisters.

Personally, the recognition impacts me tremendously. Sure, it was a reward for all the effort but more than anything else, winning it for our group is like the brightest light in my Christmas tree. Despite my frustrations at work or in some other areas of my life, God has been so grand in delivering His promise of a fulfilled mission.

This is more than enough. God is truly more than enough for me

Anger Management for Managers

There is nothing more challenging for a manager to manage than his own anger tendencies. I should know, I’m caught in this job situation right now. Sure, a manager has less execution work but has more decision-making responsibilities to handle. It kinda sounds easy at first… not until you get questioned for every decision you make. Add to that is the fact that you know what you’re doing but your boss thinks, otherwise. You deal with micro-management and macro-expectations.

That’s what really kills me. Work is doable, fine. But the constant encounters with bosses and egos get into my nerves everyday – without fail. Consequently, my spoiled enthusiasm and furious mood have affected my productivity and ability to focus on what’s more important.

How to Control your Temper: Management 101

And so I have made the deliberate decision to choose not to react negatively in times when my SEO nature is being challenged. I cannot change how my boss thinks. He’s got the last say. I can only voice out my side.

If you’re caught in a similar situation, take heed in some of my temper-control tips for managers.

1. Smile. Greet your boss as he enters the meeting room, or when you see him down the office hall. Smiling steps you on the ground of good vibes immediately.
2. Pause and breathe before reacting to a negative comment. If you sense a less-than-sunny feedback from your superior, hold yourself before responding – especially if you will be on the defensive side. Remember that your body language says a lot more than your speech. So it’s essential to keep your cool.
3. Try taking criticisms constructively. I know this is better said than done. But just the same, give your boss the benefit of the doubt. Believe that he wants only the best for the project, for the company.
4. If you think you know better, but your boss insists his own strategy – let it go! Yes, go ahead and let him have his way no matter how ridiculous the idea is. Just make sure you voice out politely and clearly why you think otherwise.
5. Noted. Happy to serve! I always say this joke after an irate email from the boss or after coming out of a gruelling 2-hour meeting. Sounds like one of those SM Hypermarket merchandisers, isn’t it? But yes, it lightens up my mood easily.

I hope these tips will help some of you who are still in the adjustment period. Management is really more than what it is. There are a lot of crucial decisions to be made, and a lot of explanations to do to your boss or to your client. Nevertheless, I must say this position is slowly shaping my character as a mature person, and refining my ability to manage anger outbursts.

Disclaimer: By the way, I would like to thank a dear friend for opening my eyes to the ugly, and at the same time, amazing side of management. You certainly know the science of keeping your boss happy

If you can think it, you can make it!

We all know by now about this film called, “The Secret“. I wasn’t able to finish the whole thing but somehow I got the message. And most of my friends would tell me about the theory behind it  - positive thinking.

Now, my mom is the type of mother who keeps all her child’s mementos and what-nots. I’m sure all moms are. One day, she handed me this (see below) – yep, that’s right. It’s a rough untalented sketch of how I once perceived my future would be. I think I was still a college student when I drew this. I know, it looks more like it belonged to a grade one pupil – pardon my stick people.

Exhibit 1

Upon closer look, you will find that I once dreamed of my life ahead of me. And that “life ahead” included:

> Helping Filipino kids - I’m happy to be serving Ancop/Gawad Kalinga kids today

> A permanent family home – we once rented an apartment, but now we have our own home sweet home!

> A financially-rewarding career – pagtutulak ba ito ng droga? SEO, it is.

> Travel – had a chance to grab a few tickets for domestic, Asian, and Australian travel!

> Finding true love – I’d like to believe, this has come true

> My own house – this one is still in the drawing board, hehe

Well despite the lackluster illustration, I feel blessed to claim that I gave justice to my life-dream drawing Most of what I wrote there have already come true in my 20′s! I think that’s a feat, and an awesome evidence of how great God is!

Because of this sketch, my conviction became stronger that if I can think it, I can make it!

And so, I have created another “This is my life ahead of me” proclamation version 27 (yep, that’s my age). This time, it’s in digital format. You gotta believe me, I swear. I did try to draw but it was a disaster, so never mind.

Thank you, Photoshop!

Exhibit 2

Now you see I picked out a white house with a white picket fence, a family car (yes I’m specific: 2 kids – 1 boy, 1 girl), a colorful kids’ room that I plan to design for my children, and of course… a honeymoon in Rome! (read: Romerla in Rome) hehe!

It’s free to dream so I guess, why not? I’m sure most ladies my age would have similar pegs. I remember this morning while I was on my way to the office, I happen to see a young married couple (maybe 28-29ish). The wife is beautifully preggy while holding hands with his hunk husband.

It makes me think – should I be doing that instead of preparing another boring PowerPoint Presentation for a SEO client?

But as they say, the key to happiness is contentment. Never compare your life with others. You do not know what they’re going through. So I guess, fine! I am happy. I am blessed! *no sarcasm, promise*

Back to my “Exhibit 1″ – I noted down this particular area that looks like a bend in the road. It’s actually that. What I wrote there is a handy reminder when you come to a point of  quarter-life anxiety.

“This is where I am right now. It’s just a bend… a difficult turn – yet not the right path to take. But I can always get out of it!!!”

Funny how the past can bring answers to your future.

Moved into a new job

So I’m in to a new company. I feel old.

Well, it kinda feels like I’m too old to be changing jobs. Yeah, I know this is an important step up the career ladder and finally, I’m making a milestone in this life aspect. But when I think about it, I just realize that I’ve been doing the same things for the last 6 six years. Although the change in the job title is significant, I can’t help but think of the many years I’ve spent running after the same stuffs in my self-built comfort zone.

But generally, I’m fine

Note to self: This is part of growing up.

Plus factor is the fact that every one has been nice to me, really. A few weeks before my move I was scared to death that no one will believe in me. I don’t know why I thought of that, maybe I’ve set myself such high expectations just to end up feeling insecure about myself. Haha. But I’m very thankful, my new team is nice to me.

So moving to a new work place isn’t all that bad.

Yeah, let us see. *Fingers Crossed*

 

test 4,5,6

test 4,5,6

HootSuite

I am on a HootSuite test mode.