Gem Talks

One job that can be done at home is a virtual assistant. If you think that virtual assistants are only for women, you've got it all wrong. Even men can be virtual assistants too! I know a couple of dads who get to take care of their kids while working at home. Isn't that good news?

Gone are the days where a job is exclusive to a specific sex. Being a secretary isn't just for women anymore but also for men. In 2003, Men made 5% of the VA industry and in our country, it is continuously growing. The rule of this age is if you are qualified, why not?

Apart from the administrative tasks, VAs also do technical jobs like updating and fixing a website, creating and designing marketing images, creating videos and a lot more.

So I would like to greet all the "dad" virtual assistants I know a 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! 

Working remotely is now becoming the next best thing to employees and freelancers. People are now switching to working from home because of so many good reasons. The innovative technology has made it possible to do meetings via remote video calls and do the same quality of work while saving work space because you are working at your home.

If you are still wondering why you should start a career at home, let me give you 5 reasons.

1. No commute. 

No commute means less stress. The traffic in the country is a topic that is self explanatory in this item. I know a lot of workers who commute 3 hours going to their office and 3 hours going home. Don't you just love not having to drive or commute again?

2. You save more money.

When you work from home, you don't have to spend money for transportation. You also don't need to eat at fast food chains and restaurants every day. Just imagine how much are you paying for your lunch and numerous work breaks at 711 or Ministop.

3. You eat healthier

You get to cook your meal which I tell you is way healthier than eating something that somebody else prepared. You don't know how much salt, sugar, or msg is in your food. Have you ever dreamed of a successful diet? When you work from home, diet seems more possible and easier.

4. You get more sleep

Got a deadline? You can do those extra work hours and you will not feel bad about not getting enough sleep because once you are done, your bed is just a few steps away!

5. Last and most important of all is you get to spend QUALITY time with your family.

A lot of employees are missing their children's milestones because they spend a lot of time working in the office. Elderly parents are more sensitive and would need more care and attention. This is the most precious benefit working from home can give you. Anyway, aren't they the reason why we want to earn money?

I made the scariest decision in my life when I resigned from work and switched to become a freelancer and a work from home mom. Looking back, it was the best thing I have done for myself and for my family.

When I celebrated by birthday at Jump Yard last April, I learned these 5 things that people who would like to try the trampoline park must know.



Jump Yard is an indoor trampoline park located at Frontera Verde Complex, Ortigas Avenue Corner C5, Pasic City. 

1. I would advise not to bring kids under 6 years old.

Why? You are required to watch them all the time. If you have a nanny to look after them, sure why not. However, I still don't think you'll get the value of what you're paying since children under 6 only have a designated area to play. They can't go to the other parts of the park.



2. You need to buy grip socks

You can insist on wearing your own socks but using grip socks would give a better experience. Jump Yard sells grip socks. You can reuse it for your next jump or even use it as an ordinary socks.



3. You need to do a LOT OF STRETCHING and should know your limits

Jumping on trampolines is a form of exercise. And just like in doing any exercise, stretching is a must. Something that my Boy and I didn't do. So let's just say that I am still suffering from occasional knee pain whenever I squat.



4. Bring extra clothes

You will surely sweat buckets after trying all the activities such as the slam dunk area, dodgeball, wall climbing, monkey bars, and a lot more. It is best to bring an extra shirt so you can change afterwards.



5. Follow the RULES

They require the jumpers to watch a video regarding the safety rules. Follow it and you are sure to have a great time.

How many times have you tried planning an outing with your friends? We all want to have that summer outing with the barkada but oftentimes, it doesn't materialize. Here are some no-brainer tips on how we make our barkada outings happen.

My friends and I have been friends for almost 2 decades. If you think setting up a barkada outing is hard as a student, imagine how harder it is when all of you are working and when all of you have a family and kids! But friendship has to be nurtured in order for it to continue blossoming. This is why no matter how difficult it is to find time, it should be done.

#1. Use a social media platform where it is easier for everyone to communicate.

Back in the days, we created  Yahoo Groups. We forgot about it and switched to Facebook group. But since some of our friends decided to stay away from FB, the fastest way for us to communicate is through Viber.

#2. Make use of a poll to decide on the DATE

Someone has to initiate. Give different dates and have your friends VOTE. If you belong to a big friendship group like ours, you have to accept that it might be impossible to have every single one join. What's important is that you pick a date where majority of your friends can attend.

#3. Decide on a budget

Ask how much is each one willing to spend. If you have a friend who is financially challenged, see if the rest of the group would agree to a contribution. But if all of you are working, please don't be a pain! Learn how to save money.

#4. Agree on the location

Tagaytay? Batangas? Subic? Boracay? The highest vote wins.

#5 Start researching and reserve the venue.

If your outing requires a plane ride, assign everyone to buy their own ticket. Research on different resorts. Call to ask for rates and availability. Communicate the rates and once everyone has agreed, call to make the reservation. 50% downpayment is usually required. We assigned a point of contact who will either collect the payment or shell out the downpayment for collection later.

#6. BE THERE

Show up and have fun! This is the last step.

God talks to us in different ways, different mediums. Yesterday, Good Friday, I happen to cross with this movie again which made me reflect on my purpose here on earth and the legacy that I am destined for.

I want to share it to everyone so it can help you just as it has enlightened me.

So you easily make friends? How long do you get to keep them? Dunbar, based on statistics say we only get to keep 150 significant friends, even if Facebook says we have thousands. Sometimes, there are people who will realize they are alone because they weren't able to keep their friends. Just like in any romantic relationship, we also need to have a few trusted friends to keep.

Here are some tips to be able to have stronger friendships.




1. Keep in contact

There are some friends that you easily connect to though you haven't seen each other in months, or even years. However, if you are really a true friend, you would try your very best to keep in contact no matter how busy you are. A short text, a short personal chat message to ask them how they are doing is a good start.

2. Initiate a get-together

If you are not good at scheduling get-togethers, then assign it to someone in the group who is good at it. Me and my high school friends started as 14 people in the group. We doubled when we got married and had kids. It's really a challenge to schedule gatherings so we usually give it to the one who is good at it. What is important is that we get to see each other, the least, every Christmas.



3. Share more deeply with a friend

Don't just talk about what's happening at work but talk about what's happening with each other's lives. Me and my CEC friends bonded strongly because we openly talk about life, our relationships, our views about current topics, about law of attraction, about horoscopes, about things that we have interest in.


4. Share the bad and the good times

There should be a balance between the two. What would you feel when you have a friend who only shares problems all the time? Negativity drains everyone. So make sure you celebrate successes and you listen and emphatize when someone is feeling down.

5. Respect each other's views.

We talk about the Presidential candidates, the recent LGBT equality concerns to name a few. Though we got so deep in the discussion, we still respect each other's views about it.

Here is a personal video with me and my friends because we celebrated my friend, Francis' birthday!

I think the most important of all is that you and your circle of friends share the same values. Interest, hobbies and work may change or may be different but I believe that if you do not share the same values, it would be very difficult to keep the group solid.

Friendships are made by God so we can have a support group to turn to (to add to our families) whenever we need them.

#gemtalks - Eve of VDay from gemtalks on Vimeo.

This was how my Valentine's day eve was spent. We checked in at The Exchange Regency Residence hotel, dined at PBA Cafe and had a tiring but eventful weekend.




I really don't believe that single people should dread or disregard Valentine's day when this day should be all about "love". It is about your love for your parents, for your craft, your pet, your siblings, your sport, etc. Personally, celebrations for me are just terms created to remind people to take a break from their work and celebrate life.


















Aside from the delicious but affordable food in PBA Cafe, you can also watch PBA games because there are flat screen TVs everywhere. They have basketball recreations for kids and you can even play basketball on a half court with a maximum of 4 players by paying 50 pesos for 12 minutes.