28 Things For My Future 28 Self

So here I am again making my "annual" to-do list! I actually revised my previous list to prioritize the more important stuffs which are in nos. 1 to 5. I'm actually more optimistic that I'll do better for my 28th. Yup I am. I am more confident that I will!!!

1. Attend mass regularly. Pray daily.

2. Stash negativities (anger, hatred, pride, insecurities, sadness, pessimism) but keep the positives (joy, peace, optimism, faith, kindness, humility).

3. Be the good daughter & sister that i should be.

4. Be the loving & right girlfriend to Ian.

5. Be an amazing friend. 

6. Go out more often. Stop isolating myself.

7. Pass the compre.

8. Be efficient & effective in the workplace. Be a teamplayer as well.

9. Increase cashflow by saving more, cutting down on unnecessary expenses, & looking for additional source of income. Go for a six figures current asset!

10. Invest on a monthly basis.

11. Pay off credit card debt. 

12. Have an emergency fund.

13. Read a book.

14. Travel somewhere i haven't been to before.

15. Cook something new and challenging.

16. Bake a cake or cupcake.

17. Exercise, or run, at least once a week. Finish a 21K run! Do yoga.

18. Limit intake of soda and junkfoods. Once a week perhaps?

19. Weigh 100 lbs.

20. Learn how to do my own make up.

21. Be put together (almost always). Dress appropriately and amazingly.

22. Watch the sunrise and sunset at the beach.

23. Have my hair permed - again!

24. Roadtrip!

25. Learn to drive a car.

26. Go to Simala for some soul searching.

27. Buy the must haves - white long sleeved polo, lbd, black & nude pumps, sexy jeans, tote bag, go to blazer/cardigan, and wacoal corset.

28. Choose to live happier always. Always.

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RECAP: 27 Things

Last year, I made a commitment to finally accomplish my long overdue to-do list in this entry. It's actually still two days from now before I turn 27 but I want to do the checking now on how far or good I did. So how did I go? #nervous

1. Finish my Masters - I still need to pass my compre this September! (Lord bless me)
2. Save a six figures (or higher if possible, hahaha!!!) in my bank account - Haha! Still far from reality! But I'm on my way there!
3. Pay off all my credit card debt - Also getting there.
4. Get promoted - Can I say the same thing with no. 3?
5. Buy a lot - Not even close!
6. Bake a cake or cupcake - Does baked spaghetti counts?
7. Cook a real food - Yes!!! More than once!
8. Learn to drive - Haist! Haven't find the time yet!
9. Finish reading a book - Same with no. 8.
10. Run in a marathon - This I'm proud of! 5 times!!!
11. Lose 5-10 lbs - Gain pwde?!?!? :(
12. Go to Boracay - Not yet!!! But I had my share of local travels this year!
13. Travel overseas - A dream come true!!! Went to HK last June with my siblings!
14. Stroll Lyka (our dog) in the park - I did! * pat on the back*
15. Donate to a charity - Yes! Last December with my Einstein family.
16. Finish a 9-day mass (a novena or simbang gabi) - The first one to be scrapped on my list!
17. Walk across San Juanico Bridge -Soooooon!
18. Never be late again for work! - Another pat on the back for me!!! :)
19. Wear a boots in an ordinary day - But of course!!!!
20. Purchase a jewelry - Finally purchased a simple bangle at HK. Yey!!!
21. Visit an old friend I haven't seen for a long time - Hmmmm....
22. Attend mass every Sunday - Guilty and not proud.
23. Have a confession - Have I??
24. Go to beach early morning - Naaaahhhh..
25. NO to RICE for dinner - How I wish!
26. Continue blogging - But not as often as before!
27. Get married - Still far, far from happening :)

So how bad I did? 9 out of 27!!! That's not even 50%!!! What went wrong? I want to say that the reason is the stressful year I’m having right now. But I don’t want to make any excuses coz pag gusto may paraan, pag ayaw maraming dahilan. Tsk! Well it’s really time management. Self management. Commitment.  It’s ok. I still have another year to do it. Please God.                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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Halfway Through The Year

2013 hasn't been that nice to me. One of my toughest years next to 2002. I'm experiencing a love-hate relationship with my career. I love my job but there are times that the "stress" that comes with it overwhelm me. There are times that I wonder on how long I can stand my career situation. But then I just think how lucky I am to have a job in the first place. To work in one of the biggest bank in the country - not just any bank but a State bank that contributes to the country's progress (I'm that proud!).  I also put in my mind that my job right now is just a stepping stone to a more wonderful career.

Another challenge I need to hurdle is failing the compre exam. What a heartbreak! I admit that I lacked preparation. I became overconfident. My only consolation is I still have another chance, last one at that, to do the exam. I only need to retake three subjects. Thankfully. Honestly, I haven't opened my books up to now. What am I waiting for??? I should be reading by now. I promise to it this week! (God help! Equip me  PLEASE with focus and motivation.)

The biggest heartbreak this year (hopefully the last) is my siblings are in two different places right now. My brother is somewhere fixing his life. I'm sad that he's temporarily gone but I'm positive that he will come back as a better person. I'm praying for that. As for my sister who's now in US with our mother, I really cried to the max when she left! My bebegurl will be away for 10 months :( She has always been there for me. But it comforts me knowing she's with mama who we haven't seen for 11 years. I'm happy though that they will get to bond. I know in God's time He will allow me and my brother to be with mama also. 

Coming home to Tacloban is now a challenge as our house feels empty without my siblings. The only one waiting for me is our dog, Lyka. I'm glad she's here in the house as I have companion. I should not also forget my nephew, Yohance, who I see every weekend. This boy is so talkative already that he never fails to amuse me. Just thinking about him now makes me smile. 

Haist. What a tough year but there are still many things to be grateful for. My life isn't that bad as I wrote here. Besides I still got 5 months to make my year memorable and happier :)

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The Journey Starts NOW!

Just this week, I decided to compute my SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth) because I wanna know my "worth." As I was listing down my savings, investments (chos! as if marami!), and debts (this make me cringe and so not proud)... the sad reality kick in :( My net worth is negative :( Not my proudest moment! Again, what a TOUGH year!

But the optimistic in me is saying that it's not yet too late! I still have chance to restructure this. Yes, money is not everything but it makes our life easier and it makes our dreams more possible to attain. Right? I'm thankful that my boyfriend is supportive and guides me towards FINANCIAL FREEDOM. 

Thus, the journey begins...baby steps for now... EXCITED!!! :)

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Maricard & Richard Poon: The Secret Wedding

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Felt Like A Kid Again at HK Disneyland!!

Visiting the "Happiest Place on Earth" can definitely make you feel like a kid again! This place is so magical that you suddenly forget you're an adult...everywhere you look you'll be captivated by the beauty of the place and meeting Mickey and Friends will certainly make you giggle! :) I will definitely visit again since our time there was not enough...we have not been able to enjoy majority of the rides...but gladly we toured the whole place!!! Yes it was tiring but it was worth it especially after watching the fireworks display...which brought tears to my eyes...really! That was so amazing!!! :)

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Hong Kong Photo Diary

May 30, 2013 - June 2, 2013

I finally had to scrap number 13 in my 27 Things To Do Before I Turn 27 - to travel overseas!!! Last May 30, the chance to go abroad came true!!! :) Just when I thought that I was having a tough year...this trip happened...and this is a special one 'coz I got to spend the vacation with my siblings. It was the first time that the three of us travel together. It was a memorable and FUN experience and I hope that this would happen again :)

Let me share with you our experience in Hong Kong through the pictures we took...

Hong Kong has one of the best international airports in the world... I was in awe on how different it was from ours... I hope that we could keep up!

I gave their restroom two thumbs up... First time to see a toilet cleaner in a public CR (excuse the probinsyana..hehe..)

No traffic... I was amazed by their road and transportation facility... Very efficient! But then again you can see only few cars...

 Our hotel room was quite small which is normal in Hong Kong as space is so pricey there. You wouldn't believe me, perhaps, when I say that I did not see a single "house" there with matching gate and garden... Houses there are located in a building. Parang condo/apartment style which is convenient for the locals.

Our hotel was located in a mountain top (I think) and it was windy when we got out in the afternoon.

I was most impressed by their MTR (Mass Transit Railway aka train which is one of the busiest urban subway network in the world)! The train can take you almost anywhere in HK.. From airport to Disneyland! You can use a reloadable Octopus card to ride this or use the machine below... You just click on the spot of the location where you want to go, drop some coins, then a card will come out which will be used in entering the station... Amazing!

 At the Night Market (yes it's already night time... even at 7 pm..HK is still sunny..)

On our last day we went to Causeway Bay which is a shopping area in HK... Indeed you can find good (and sometimes expensive) items there... If only I had enough budget... tsk...tsk...

There is so much to learn from Hong Kong that we Filipinos should adapt. Everything there is so efficient! But I wouldn't trade my country pa rin... It's still more fun in  the Philippines especially that Filipinos are such warm and fun people :) Till my next trip overseas... :) yahooooooo!!!!!

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