Gem Talks

Today, I turn 35. I remember 5 years ago, I said to myself that I will be at my fittest body (complete with abs) when I turn 35. Here I am, at my healthiest state of mind and heart with no abs! Who am I to complain? God blesses us with what we need and what we deserve. With all the sweets and salts, I have no heavy heart but just a stronger determination to make the lifestyle change today.

Looking back at the past 34 years, I have come to appreciate more of the experiences I got and the people I have met.

My students and co-teachers gave me one of the wacky memories of my early working years. I wish I could still spend a lot more time with them but life is full of roads that each of us have to be in. I just hope that someday, those roads would meet again so we can laugh about the craziness of their youth and my youth as well (I was young then too!).

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.

It will be the Chinese Lunar New Year this Monday, February 8, 2016. If you are entertained with horoscopes and Chinese astrology, it is a good thing to see what this year could bring us.




Based from Susan Levitt's astrology website, this year is ideal for a quantum leap our life. It is the time to shake things up, create change, and innovate a new path.

Aside from what I know that monkeys have a characteristic to be extravagant, Susan also said that monkeys have enthusiastic energy. Taking risks are rewarded and anything can happen. This is the year for us to grab opportunities for there will be plenty.

Every lunar new year, I always look for the animals friends because they most likely will have an easier year compared to those who are considered "enemies" of the animal year. For monkeys, it is said that it is friends with the rat, dragon, and snake. This year however, could be problematic for the tiger.

On the eve of the lunar Chinese new year, it is best to wear something red and gold for these colors will be lucky this 2016.

I always believe though that astrology is just a guide. We still make our own fate. Success can be achieved when you take action everyday towards your goal.

(You can find out more about the Fire Monkey from Susan Levitt's website)

And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

My kids taught me how simple it is to be happy. Any kind of gift, whether it be big or small, my daughter appreciates. Today I am happy because we have a loving family who remembers my kids all the time.

I couldn't believe it is almost the end of the year again. It is always a good thing to look back at the things that happened so we can be thankful of all the blessings that we have received.

1. High school reunion.

It was a happy experience for me to be a part of the organizing committee of our mini reunion. This was long overdue but hey, it's better than not having one at all. 

2. A hanging garden spa experience with the family in Antipolo

For parents without a house helper, they would understand how challenging it is to go out with a 2 year old around. Though we didn't get to swim that much because we were always watching the kids, seeing them happy is our happiness too!

3. Proposal writing training with PNGOC.

Teaching will always be my first love. I was given the chance to train non-government organizations on how to write effective proposals. It was one happy class!

  4. Boracay Post-Summer

For a change, it was not a party for two in Boracay this year but a party with friends. I get to spend another vacation in the ever beautiful Boracay (although it has changed a lot from the paradise it has been when I first saw it in 2004). Thank you to my ESP family for the unforgettable experience.

 

5. My client visit to Cagayan De Oro

Now this was my first time to officially travel to a place I know no one. However, it turned out to be a unique experience because our partner and the team in CDO were very accommodating. Plus, they know how to have fun! I never felt I was in a province at all! CDO is a place I will surely go back to!

 

6. Back to Disneyland!

"A whole new world for you and me!" A spur of the moment trip to Hong Kong with my sister lead us back to Disneyland. This place never gets old. You will always  feel young whenever you are in Disney. 

7. LLDA Training on Root Cause Analysis and Facilitation Workshop

Studying a material for less than 3 days was just out of this world! It brought out the best in me. Before I began the training, I really prayed that I would become an instrument for the participants to learn. I never expected it but God blessed me with great participants who made the two workshops a success.

8. Get together with other work-from-home peeps.

I finally got to see the faces behind the chats that I get every day. Seeing them gave me a sense of accomplishment that we were able to give these people a job where they can earn but stay with their family at the same time. 



I never really saw much challenges that I was not prepared by God to handle in 2015. It was a year of extensive work for me but it was balanced with some local and international travels which are the things I really enjoy having.

I am ready for 2016! 

Let me go back to the things that happened this week and be thankful for the blessings!
1. My son said "I'm sorry, mommy."
My son is in his terrific two. My husband and I are trying our best to understand him specially during his whims. A day this week, he went crying for 30 minutes. I had so much work to do that day that I couldn't do because he was having tantrums. I lost it. I am just human. I cried and buried myself to bed while he was still throwing a fit. He noticed and suddenly stopped. A few minutes more, he went to me and said "sorry mommy" in the cutest way possible!
My heart melted. From that day on, communicating with him has gotten a little easier. Now I know that he understands me. 
2. Megan's honor card
When I realized last year that I was so hard with my expectations with Megan, I loosened up. We teach her ourselves every day. This week after school, she went to me and showed us a surprise. She was holding a SECOND HONOR's certificate! How can a parent not be happy and proud about these things? 
I think what made it more memorable is because we did not expect it so we appreciated it more! It was like winning a contest!
3. Meeting HIGH SCHOOL friends at Don Hen!
This week is all about love teams. Because of ALDUB, me and my friends reminisced and went back to our love teams when we were teens! #AlSiang , #Geritz, #Rjem (ipinilit), #Jerigem, JMkaye and so on... And since we rarely get to go out like when we were in high school, our dinner's rule is that we are not to bring our significant other and our kids. Just us- 
We really had a lot of laughs. I am really thankful for the friendships I have with these people. 
4. SWEETNESS by coffee
Again, because ALDUB is making people "kilig" to the bones by making us remember feelings when we were just getting to know each other, my husband gave me my requested Starbucks coffee with the note "Happy Day, I love you Gem." 
5. Chicken Little!
I have watched it in cinema years ago. When my husband downloaded it this week, it has become my kids' favorite. We make it our bonding time.
6. Finally got it right!
A client's satisfaction should always be in mind. I am happy that I finally understood the client's idea and has worked to the level I am being expected to perform. 
7. Chocolate!
Valor swiss chocolate is just love! yum!
8. My period!
Not for anything else- I am happy I got my period this week so I don't have to feel uneasy on vacation travel next week!
9. Family expense contribution
I was able to give my share to my husband this week. We all should share in family expenses if we are working. 
10. Wisdom
I am thankful for the knowledge and wisdom I get from reading entrepreneurial books. 
There you have it. My Top 10 things I am grateful for this week. How about everyone? What are the things you are thankful of? 
xoxo!

As the week ends, I want to list down 10 things I am grateful that happened this week. If we want to live a positive life, this is something that we can all do. We must keep our eyes open to the blessings that we are receiving from God so we can see how truly blessed we are.

1. Entrepreneurship Ideas

     I have been reading up and writing modules on entrepreneurship. I am grateful that I get to understand these things that I am learning now. It makes me want to become an entrepreneur as well!

2. A lecture about sitting properly

     Sometime this week, my daughter was asked to stay after class so her adviser could talk to her. I asked her why and she cried telling me that her two boy classmates saw her underwear. One of them went to the tell the teacher. We were not really bothered by this because we saw this as an opportunity for us to further stress the importance of sitting properly, most specially when wearing a skirt. I know this incident will be a lesson for her.

3. Rains

     Though some people don't like it when it rains, I totally love it because the temperature changes. I also get to have more creative thoughts when I hear raindrops.

4. Working at Home

     This week, my newsfeed was filled with photos of EDSA traffic. I am grateful that I never have to experience them anymore because I work from home. I remember back then, if you don't want to be hassled in commuting, you buy a car. Now that buying a car has been very cheap for most employees, it is not hassle free anymore to drive one.

5. Home cooked meals

     We do not have a nanny for almost 6 months now. Cooking meals have been challenging for me because I have to squeeze them in during my morning working hours. I am grateful that my aunt gets to cook and deliver food for us during lunch time because it saves me the effort of thinking about what to cook, and the actual process of cooking it.

6. Our Bookshelf

     We recently had a bookshelf made so I can put my books, my daughters' books and my husband's collectible toys!

7. Octoboy Date night!

     When I found out that my husband has free time one night, I asked him to go on a date. We found a spot at Octoboy in a busy Banawe, Quezon City road. The key to a happy marriage is to continuously have dates even if you already have kids.

8. Fish Filler Chinese Style

     I cooked Fish Fillet Chinese Style today. I am an expert in frying but not in cooking. Every time I get to cook a meal, it's like an achievement for me.

9. Saved enough money for my upcoming Trip

     I am grateful that I get to save enough pocket money for my upcoming trip this end of September.

10. Paid my Bills

     Though this is a routine for most of us, the thought that we have money to pay our bills should make us grateful. I am glad I don't owe anyone big money and I am slowly taking charge of my finances.