The Days of My Life

Financial Wake Up Call

2008-10-25T03:22:00.008+08:00

My husband resigned from his job last August with a replacement job whose start date was unclear at that time. We had no worries since we knew we could get by with my salary and would just make some adjustments in our lifestyle and make some sacrifices. By sacrifice I mean no eating in pricey restaurants, no watching movies in expensive theaters (good thing there weren't any great movies lined up during those times) and no unnecessary purchases.

But the actual experience made me realize that I need to look into my financial health, or the lack of it, and wake up from my financial slumber. The wake up call became even louder when while I was reading my yahoo email, I stumbled upon a very interesting article entitled "10(more) Reasons Why you are not Rich" http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/105934/10-Reasons-You. Although some of the reasons stated there are not applicable to me, but a few reasons really hit home.

The first reason that hit me was Reason # 2: You Feel Entitlement. My version of this reason is my addiction for Starbucks coffee. I soooo loved a cup of Starbucks Mocha Frap, Coffee Jelly or Iced Caramel Machiatto that I never end a work day without consuming a cup. I felt I was entitled to the over priced designer coffee because I was working hard and I deserved it. Don't get me wrong, I still love a good cup of Starbucks coffee but I stopped buying it everyday. Now I just visit the nearest Starbuck whenever I meet up with my best friends every now and then. I save an average of 140 pesos a day since I started abstaining from the designer drink.

The second reason that struck home was Reason # 7: You Buy Things You Don't Use. The first thing I did the night I got home after I read the article was look into my closet and drawers. I saw all the bags I bought but I rarely use. Then I checked my shoe racks and saw all those shoes that I also rarely use. I found out that some of them just needs a trip to the shoe repair shop before I could use them. I also threw out a large bag of old shoes that were already unusable. The article made me Clean House so to speak. It was that compelling. It was also the day I found out I had 6 pairs of flip-flops. I never knew I would own so many. So what I did the next day was use the bags I rarely use to feel that they are not wasted money. Haha!

This experience made me remember a famous quotation in the book Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki which is "Pay Yourself First". This made me think. How could I pay myself first? What are the steps I should take to make me pay myself first? I was in the right direction with applying reason # 2. In order to pay myself first, I stopped buying expensive coffee everyday. Then the next step is to set aside a certain percentage of my salary every month and then be disciplined enough to not "dip into this savings" as the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad put it. I just wish I prove to myself that I am disciplined enough to do this. We'll see in next year if I manage to discipline myself. I just pray that no major illness or financial problem befall my family because this will totally change everything.

I was encouraging my financially challenged co-workers to do the same. I have managed to inspire one and I hope together we remind each other to pay ourselves first every pay day so we can successfully increase our savings. I told her, pay yourself first and don't procrastinate any longer. Because the more you delay it the harder it will be to start. Pay yourself first even if it is just small for now because it is what you can only afford right now. The amount actually doesn't matter at the start. What matters is to learn the discipline to pay yourself first. To help me carry this out, I set out a target amount of what I want to reach. Then I gave myself a time table. Within one year I plan to save X amount of money in my savings account. With this in mind, at least I have finally set a financial goal so it will help me focus and not stray and give in to my shopaholic and impulse buying spree.

It is also important to have a very strong sense of purpose why you want to be financially healthy. Mine as I realize it now is because I do not want to be working as an employee until I get old. I also want to get out of the so called "Rat Race" while I'm still able to enjoy the fruits of my labor so to speak. But don't get me wrong, I don't see the rat race as something disgusting or utterly evil like some extreme minded person. I see the rat race and being in the rat race as a means to get out of it. This is by applying the "Pay Yourself First" principle and by making small sacrifices now then reaping the benefits later.

If you who are reading this post is also in the rat race as I am, I would like to encourage you to use this situation and start your journey with me to get out of the rat race. In the near future I will make another post and will update you on the status of my financial health. But if you ask me, how will I measure my financial health? There is a simplified answer to this question although there are more complicated answers as well but I believe in simplicity. You can measure your financial health by simply counting the number of months you can survive without your current job. If your answer is I cannot survive at all or I can survive for 1 month, you are financially sick. Surviving for 2 - 3 months, you are slightly sick. An acceptable figure is if you can survive for 6 months. As of now I can only survive for 2 - 3 months without my current job so as per my simplified measurement version, I am slightly financially sick. I hope to heal my finances in the next year so help me God.

Undesirable First Time Experience with Pink Pepper

2008-08-30T22:58:00.000+08:00

Robinson's Place Ermita is my favorite mall to visit every weekend. Since the Midtown Wing of this mall opened, me and my husband have been trying out each new restaurant that opens. Pink Pepper opened around early July or August this year. Since it opened, I have been planning to try it out but for the longest time, I have not been feeling adventurous up until tonight. But after our experience with Pink Pepper, my husband and I decided never to come back to this restaurant again.

Normally when we try a new restaurant, we always order their house specialty. So we ordered their Pink Pepper Steak (Php 480.00) as per their staff's suggestion. The staff also assured us that this meal is good for two (2). When the food came, I was a little disappointed because it was not really enough for two. I would appreciate it if their staff was more honest in telling their customers the reality of their food portions. I wouldn't mind ordering additional food if they told us otherwise.

I could forgive the deception of their staff (I can always justify that she was just desperate to attract customers to try their restaurant), what made me decide never to go back to this restaurant again was the BLAND TASTE OF THEIR FOOD!!!. Don't get me wrong, I generally have a bland taste in food because I was raised in a family of diabetics and high blood pressure. You could just imagine how bland their steak taste like! Even when I poured a ton of the steak sauce that came with the steak, the taste was still bland. Given the taste of their food versus their price, this was a total rip off!!!

On a positive note, I was very satisfied with the mix of their drinks. Their mango iced tea (Php 98.00) was great and also their watermelon shake (Php 90.00). Now I know why this restaurant is never full during dinner rush in spite of the existence of a band. If in case I would change my mind and go back to this restaurant again, I will just order their drinks and not their food. I'm not sure if their MOA branch has a better chef, but I'll think twice in trying it out after this experience.

For additional reviews of this restaurant, please visit this site:
http://guides.clickthecity.com/metro/?p=1178&disqus_reply=1928685#dsq-alerts.

A Personal Experience on the Effects of Fast Food

2008-08-18T17:27:00.000+08:00

For the last few months I have been eating dinner at Jollibee or Mc Donald's because it was the only open restaurant near my office area that is more or less better than the cafeteria food we have at the 4th floor (READ: Dell's).

During those months I noticed some changes in me that reminded me of the documentary "Super-size Me". I started to notice that all my clothes were "shrinking". Its so hard to pick clothes that will not show my tummy nor make me look like a native delicacy (READ: suman!!!). What made it all worst was when I experienced burning pains in both my legs whenever I touch them or it bumps into objects. I asked my doctor friend (she's a doctor at PGH) and showed her my legs. She said that my varicose veins were inflamed that is why it was painful. She advised me to take on a diet to loose weight and stop eating fast food. She also advised me to buy the over the counter drug Hirudoid to help with the swelling.

I did all she told me. First I bought the medicine to ease my pain. Then I stopped eating at any fast food joint. Lastly, I went on a diet. My diet was eat less food frequently. I was lucky because during that week I also got sick (sinusitis) so I was just eating soups and had no appetite. Amazingly, after only 1 week, the pain in my legs were gone (although I only used the medicine for 3 nights). I also lost some weight. Although I never measured my weight loss progress, but I'm certain I lost some weight because I can now wear my shirts and blouses that did not fit me a week ago.

Its amazing how one week can make a difference in ones body. This experience made the bad effects of fast food in the body as solid as a rock to me. I know I cannot totally remove this in my diet but I will try to limit it as much as possible if I don't want my varicose veins to act up again.

My New Phone!

2008-08-03T23:06:00.002+08:00

I finally got myself a new phone last Sunday (August 3, 2008) after 2 years of using my not so expensive Nokia phone (bought it for 3k after I lost my 20k phone which I only got to use for a year. Ouch!). Today I bought a Nokia 5310 XpressMusic (red) at Wellcom for a 12-month deferred payment arrangement (889.16 pesos per month).

My husband also got a new phone (Alcatel TCL A288) because his ASUS V80 had a hardware malfunction. The phone's keyboard got misaligned. The entire keyboard pins needs to be replaced. Apparently this is the weakness of the ASUS phones. Although he has been using his phone for 1 year and 4 months now, so I guess it was high time to replace it. It was actually for this reason why I got a new phone. My Nokia 1600 has served me well and its time for me to say goodbye to it. I sold it to my officemate for 1k. That's not a bad price considering its original price.

Now I'm enjoying some of my new phone's cool features which are the following:
1. FM Radio
2. 2.0 Megapixel Camera
3. 1 Gig Memory
4. MP3/MP4 Player
5. Cool Games
6. Organiser

But most importantly I can use my new phone to call and text my friends and family. :P

The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

2008-08-02T15:31:00.003+08:00

I have been planning to watch the latest "The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" movie since last week. Today we finally got the chance to watch it.

Overall, the movie was entertaining but it fails in comparison with its 2 previous predecessors. Personally, I found the movie's story too simple and less exciting.

The first thing that I really didn't like in the movie was the actress that played Evelyn O'Connell. I could not remove Rachel Weisz's great portrayal of Eve as compared to that of Maria Bello. Then top it with the visual contrast of Brendan Fraser versus Maria Bello. She just looks too old for Brendan. I get that the director was aiming to show the timeline between the last mummy movie and this one was around a decade or so. . . but you can't argue with me when I say that Brendan and Rachel really looked much better together.

Another part of the movie that I felt was short changed was the character of the evil Emperor, played by Jet Li. Don't get me wrong, Jet Li is one of my favorite Chinese actors (second to Jackie Chan). But his character as the evil antagonist who loved Zi Juan, played by Michelle Yeoh, was not totally relayed completely. In my opinion, his evil powers to control the 5 elements of nature was not powerfully displayed after he has gained his immortality. His shape shifting powers was highlighted more compared to his power to control the elements even if it was never mentioned in the beginning of the movie. I didn't even get where he got that power in the first place.

Which brings me to another point. Living for more than 2000 years as an immortal with the most powerful book in the realm of magic would make one think that Zi Juan would have gained or shown some magical powers, being a sorceress and all. If I, a normal movie goer, got that impression, you would think that the writer of the plot would have thought about that as well. In this sense, the director failed to explore the immortality and sorcery of Zi Juan and her daughter Lin, played by Isabella Leong. Being able to summon and talk to 3 abominable snowmen does not count.

Lastly, the location of the mythical place that was Shangrila, pointed by the big blue diamond to be just a few meters away from the Himalayas temple was somewhat silly if you ask me. What makes it silly is that you don't even need the diamond to get there. It was just a total waste of jewelry.

On a positive note, I really loved the comic relief that Jonathan Carnahan, played by John Hannah, brought to the movie. It was very refreshing and entertaining to say the least. The character of the rebellious son (Alex O'Connell, portrayed by Luke Ford) that wanted to gain his father's approval was a common family twist in any adventure movie. And as usual, Branden Fraser has once again portrayed his best as Rick O'Connell as he had in the past "The Mummy" movies.

I would give this movie a rating of 6 out of 10 for story and 8 out 10 for effects and cinematography. But don't take my word for it. Go and watch it and find out for yourselves. Enjoy! :)

Eyes. . . Scarlet

2008-08-02T03:56:00.000+08:00

Black. . . is the color of my day. . . it envelops me like the waters cover the sea. Like the overcast sky in an evening so stormy.

Black is the color of his eyes. . . scarlet black. Dark, deep and heavy. Eyes that look down upon me, seeing nothing but a stranger's identity. His icy stare leaves nothing but shivers down my spine. Nothing. . . but the discomfort of his look.

Yet, it was not long ago, when those eyes emitted the warmth of love every time our eyes met. The look of familiarity and knowledge of the person in me. The comfort it brought in my heart so tenderly.

How ironic life can be.

Black. . . is the color of my day. . . pitch black. . . as I mourn for your death. Until my love for you and your memories are buried. . . black. . . is the color of my day.

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Author's Notes:

I wrote this article on May 17, 1996 a day after my then boyfriend broke up with me. This article made its way in the Features Column of the Engineering Newsletter of PLM.

A Death. . . of Goodbye

2008-08-02T03:28:00.000+08:00

My heart allows no sleep in my eyes. I do not know how to basically react after our last conversation. You were so cold. You left me out in the your life like a parentless child. The hurt creates a numbness in me that I found myself overwhelmed with pain, yet caused not my eyes to shed tears, but moved my pen to write again.

Looking back at our past, I could not believe we have come this far. . . and have reached the end of our togetherness. It seems as though I spent two years with you, instead of just two months. Up to now, I'm still searching for the answer. . . for the reason that caused our separation. And I found nothing but the mere fact that I have loved you. . . unselfishly. But that love never grew to you. I thought that my love for you was enough for the two of us. . . I guess I was wrong. . . utterly wrong. And I am now left with a shattered heart. Maybe, we were not really meant for each other. And maybe, I was not meant to love you, and maybe yet, you were not meant to love me. For whatever reason there may be, I know that no amount of effort in my part would bring you back to me. And no amount of tears would make you love me the way I do.

I am left with nothing to hold but the comfort of my pen and paper, and the assurance that I could capture my entire emotions this very hour into words. And there is nothing more to do but, let you go. . . free you from my love. . . live and let live. . . I guess, this is goodbye for good. And as I say goodbye, a part of me has died. . . and that is. . . the death of my love.

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Author's Notes:

This was written on May 16, 1996 at 1:16 - 1:55 AM right after my brake up with my boyfriend back then.

Great Rejection

2008-08-02T03:05:00.000+08:00

My morning started with the thought of you. . . and it made me ask myself why you seem so far away. I feel that my heart is losing you.

My mind battled against myself to call you for. . . God knows how many times. . . and tell you my plans and whereabouts for fear that my effort would turn out futile. It seems like ages ago since we last talked and I am not sure of what to expect anymore.

The sensitivity of my heart compels my hand to write as my mind thinks and my emotion feels. It has grasp nothing but the mere past if the romance we've shared. Could it be that the magic of our romance have started to desist and we are now left with the reality of the truth that surrounds us? This truth poses a great question. As the magic fades, would we still find ourselves in love with each other, or would we be aghast by the overwhelming fact of separation?

Right now, I let not my heart answer that question for fear of its answer. Because I know that I would cease to love you. . . only when I come to the realization that you no longer love me. . . only when my heart experience great rejection. . . only when. . . you ask me to.

Memories would never be forgotten. Pictures of the past would be kept, as I go find my way. Survive and fight, in the game of life I play.

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Author's Notes:

I wrote this article on May 15, 1996 at 8:25 - 9:35 AM. This was never published in any school news paper I was involved with.

Still Haunted

2008-08-02T01:59:00.000+08:00

Alone. . .
Without someone to hold

Sad. . .
But wears a happy mask.

Bitter. . .
And still full of laughter.

Hurt. . .
But still unseen.

Dull. . .
Yet gives others color.

Free. . .
But still haunted by our mem'ries.

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Author's Notes:

I composed this poem on September 20, 1992. This was published at Engineering Newsletter the same year. This poem was dedicated to a special friend who, back then, broke my heart. He actually broke my heart twice 8 years later. You'd think a girl would learn after 8 years. Now, looking back, I thank him for breaking my heart, because I wouldn't be this happily married if he hadn't. Thanks for visiting this dark memory with me.

How to say "Hello" when your Heart says "I Love You"

2008-08-02T00:51:00.000+08:00

Women are bound to respond only when men tell them the three magic words, "I love you". It's quite unfair! Why can't we say that first without sounding too liberated and cheap? I guess that's the way it should be, (READ: double standard in society) but don't lose hope. I've craftily devised some ways to solve that problem.

What to Say:

"Hello!" Read that aloud several times for practice until it sounds very natural. We usually say that over the phone to signify that we are on the opposite line. So why not say it in person? But just make sure it won't sound pathetic or you're bound to make the man you love to get turned off with you. "Hi" is a more naturally sounding substitute. But whatever you say first, the sincerity of your spoken words counts most. And girls, don't forget to flash him your one million Watts smile.

Okay, so you've given your best shot with matching tantalizing eyes, but it was just received by nonchalant arms. So plan A failed... don't get dismayed, just switch to plan B... the next line. It would depend on the occasion and on the mood of the person. A sweet "Happy birthday" if it is his birthday (just research on that), or a simple "How are you?" won't hurt. You're in luck if he invites you to his birthday party or better yet treat you out. Then say something like, "Hey, you look great today, or is it just my imagination?" Humor, yes, add some humor to what you say for him to enjoy your small talks and top it all with a little flattery. Don't worry, it'll pay off 'coz you'll satisfy his ego, you'll see.

When to Speak:

Mastering the art of good timing is a key to successfully transmit to a man how you feel without making him know what hit him. Words dripping with honey should only be cast upon him when he's at a state that is very susceptible for romance. Walking side by side under a star studded night or watching the sunset together are good examples because they give good chances for conversation. Full moon nights have a mysterious touch of romance suitable for that mood. So if you don't have a calendar indicating the day and time of a full moon's occurance, it's high time you get one.

Conversing in a car is also very conducive. But if you can't afford one, any moving vehicle would do, just as long as it would keep you together for quite some time. Remember, timing should be perfect, never too early and never too late.

Other Tips:

Simple notes, cards and letters wouldn't hurt, just as long as it's a friendly one. Never, ever write things that would give your feelings away because if he nails you down about it, and you try to deny it, you'll lose (?) 'coz he has evidence. When you give him notes or letters, make sure it looks like it was the very natural thing to do under the circumstances. And if you find out in the process that the guy is also fond of writing, you're in luck. If not, better luck next time.

Every love saga has it's own unique cases depending on the characters playing its parts. But ladies, if all of these things still won't work out, and if your man is as stiff as a rock, by all means, say what's in your heart.

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Author's Notes:

I wrote this article on April 13, 1995 at 10:20 PM at my maiden home in Malate. This article was published in the "Ang Pamantasan" (features column), the official school paper of PLM, the same year. Posting this article in my blog made me realize how times changed since then. If I was writing this article now, text messages, email and friendster would have been mentioned as well. This also made me realize that I was a hopeless romantic when I was much younger. (haha!) Please drop by soon to see more of my early works and join me down my memory lane.

Blast from my Past

2008-08-02T00:13:00.000+08:00

Since I started this blog, what better way of jump starting it with me digging up old articles I made when I was a writer at the "Ang Pamantasan" and a Features Editor in the Engineering News Letter of my dear Alma Matter "Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila".

So this weekend I will be posting some of my published and unpublished works. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them. But keep in mind that they were written by a teenager who doesn't really know better. My topics and inspiration back then were mostly of friendship, love and love lost. The most common topics that a teenager likes to write about.

Without much a do... please read on... and have a blast from my past!

Starting a Blog

2008-08-01T18:07:00.000+08:00

An ex-coworker encouraged me to start my own blog space at Google. She's a professional blogger. She inspired me to start a blog of my own that I've been telling myself to do for the last year. In fact I started one at friendster (http://leanilia.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/) but I've never gotten around updating it after the new year.

I chose "The Days of my Life" as my initial blog title because I want to start my blogging spree with events in my life and my views, no matter how big or small. I want the cyber world to see it in the hopes that I may be able to touch somebody's life or inspire someone like how I've been inspired by a friend.

To those who are starting this career like I am, let's start this journey together. According to my friend, the first step is to create an account and start writing your blogs. I did and so now I'm done with step 1. Step 2 is to post and create blogs for the next three (3) months or so and hope that your blog gets viewed by people. Step 3 is actually joining paid blog sites and writing a blog topic they assign you. I think there are other steps along the way. But I still have a long time before that comes. For now, I'm content with just telling the world how I feel. I'll tell you all about it when I reach each step.

Thanks mEldita (http://technorati.com/people/technorati/mEldita) for the inspiration. I hope to become a pro blogger like you in the future. Enjoy my blog space everyone!