Inspired by Michelle Obama

As I was waiting for H at the dentist's office, I read through the Time
Magazine article on Michelle Obama. It was a good read; something
that left me inspired and eager to face anew life's challenges.

I must say I am a fan of the Obamas. No, I do not necessarily share ALL
their religious, ethical, political, etc views. But I do admire what they
have achieved thus far in their lives. They, to me, are the epitome of the
American Dream; one can be all one can be if one really works hard.

I'm sure Michelle Obama has a lot on her plate. But somehow, she has
managed to do a very good balancing act. She is doing a great job of
being a role model to men and women of this generation and the next.
I hope that she and President Obama get to accomplish all that they had
set out to do when they aspired for the White House. And that they leave
the political arena in the same high note that they entered it.

Here are some excerpts from the online version of the Time Magazine
article...

On being Michelle Obama:

The great-great-granddaughter of slaves now occupies a house built
by them, one of the most professionally accomplished First Ladies ever
cheerfully chooses to call herself Mom in Chief, and the South Side girl
whose motivation often came from defying people who tried to stop
her now gets to write her own set of rules.

Michelle O on making choices:

The one thing that I said in one of the interviews, which is one of my
personal philosophies... is that in life you've got to make choices
that make sense for you, because there's always going to be
somebody who'll think you should do something differently.

So you might as well start with what you like and what you
care about, what your passions are, what makes sense. That's
my message to women, if anything, over the course of this, is, find your
space. Find your spot. Wear what you love. Choose the careers that may
have meaning to you, because there's always somebody who will say,
"I wouldn't have worn that color, or why didn't you work at that job."

But if you're comfortable in the choice and it resonates with
you, then all that other stuff ... it's just conversation. People
have the right to have conversations. But I think that's one thing we
as women sometimes do; we don't make choices that have meaning to
us. And then when those things fall apart, you have to have yourself
to fall back on. You have to own the choices that you make,
and hopefully they're yours to begin with.

Michelle O on counting one's blessings:

So when you grow up in communities where you see, where you're
surrounded by, and you grow up with really bright, talented kids
and you slowly see people slipping through the cracks, you know
that there but for the grace of God.

What is TED?

I had a few interesting reactions to the TED talk "Don't Eat the
Marshmallow Yet" by Joachim de Posada...

Some people were wondering if the Marshmallow Experiment
were some urban legend created for a feel good effect. Just to
clear the air, one such experiment was conducted in the 1960s
by Stanford University Psychology professors. The test subjects
were then tracked through the years to validate the initial results.
You can read more on that here.

I thus realized that I should give a proper introduction on TED.
You see, I feel privileged that I can easily access the TED talks.
It is not everyday that one gets the opportunity to listen to the
great minds of our time. My current life, though eventful in its
own way, does not merit an invitation to a TED Conference.
No problem! I am quite content with watching the talks in the
comforts of my home.

"TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design -- three
broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future.
And in fact, the event is broader still, showcasing ideas that
matter in any discipline. The format is fast paced: 50+ talks
over the course of four days (to say nothing of the morning
and evening events)...

Attendance at TED is by invitation only, and the attendees --
CEOs, scientists, designers, intellectuals -- are as extraordinary
as the speakers, who in 2007 included former US Pres Bill
Clinton, author Isabel Allende, legendary biologist EO Wilson,
designer Phillipe Starck, and Virgin CEO Richard Branson;
in 2008, speakers included brain expert Jill Bolte Taylor,
physicist Stephen Hawking and undersea explorer Robert
Ballard. Indeed, TED's success is based on the extraordinary
effect of bringing together 1,000 of the world's most remarkable
people. The result? Unexpected connections. Extraordinary
insights. Powerful inspiration.

TED was first held in 1984, and featured early demos of the
Macintosh computer and the Sony compact disc.... No longer
just an annual event, TED now encompasses a sister conference,
TEDGlobal, held biannually in different cities around the world,
and a simulcast event, which allows even more people to enjoy
the TED Conference's content and connections."

Don't Eat the Marshmallow Yet

Here's a little food for thought I picked up from TED... Patience is a virtue!
Happy Viewing =D

Be a Superstar!

One of the things I look forward to is my weekly newsletter from Bo Sanchez.
For those who don't know him, Bo Sanchez is a Filipino Catholic Lay Preacher.
He is a gifted writer and speaker. His approach has always been simple and
pragmatic. His articles just never fail to inspire me!

This week, Bo encourages us to BE A SUPERSTAR!

"Friends, the world needs Superstars.
You owe it to the universe to become one.
No one benefits if you play small."
Click here to read the entire article...

This week's article was a refreshing read! You see, Filipinos are usually NOT
the type to want to shine out. The average Filipino is content with just blending
in with the background. I believe this is part of the "damaged culture" we've
acquired due to hundreds of years of colonization.

But that happened ages ago! How much longer are we going to live with this
excuse?!?

No, I do not mean for us to be mayabang (boastful). What I mean is that
we, as a people, should stop settling for mediocrity. I do believe our country
would not be in the sorry state that it were in if we took a little more pride in ourselves.

We, as a people, need to improve our skills. We, as a people, need to strengthen
our spirits. We, as a people, need to be superstars. And we need to do these in
all aspects of our lives - in our homes, in our workplace, in our organizations
and in our communities.

The task at hand is not easy. We may be met with fear and criticism by those
who are not ready for change. We may be misunderstood. We may make
mistakes. I believe it is not about being perfect. I believe it is about trying
until one succeeds. I believe the Lord has many blessings in store for us WHEN
we are ready to receive them.

Let me end with this affirming quotation:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."
~ Marianne Williamson

101 Things to Do in 1001 Days

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the Day Zero Project. Back then, it was
"something nice to do". Nothing I needed to take seriously. Boy, did I change
my mind when I got around to making my list.

I have been on bed rest for about a month now. Today is my first official
"normal day". However, my ob-gyn has advised me to take things easy.
The last thing we'd want is for me to end up doing bed rest again. After
six months, H and I are expecting the arrival of the baby.

I have to emphasize now that this is our first baby. As such, we have to
prepare everything from scratch. We will have to clear out tons of our own
stuff to make room for the baby. We will have to buy the baby's things. And
of course, we will have to learn how to have a baby-friendly life.

All these we have to accomplish before the six months. As I see it, I need
to get most of the baby preparation part done by November. Otherwise, we
will be overwhelmed by the Christmas activities we usually attend.

Some realizations:
- Some ideas were inspirations I got from others. I hope my list will inspire
others as well.
- I left a just in case portion. I don't know what life will be like in the next
six months. I think I deserve an allowance hehehe...
- I have to finish H and my "first year together" scrapbooks/albums. I'm sure
these will take a back seat to the baby projects. Better to get them done now
while I still have the time.
- Cooking is something I really do. In fact, I tend to "make a career" out of
it. Sooo, I consciously want to follow the weekly menu instead of doing something
creative or different.
- How I wish I had a decent oven. Then I could have listed some baking projects.
- Traveling is something H and I enjoy doing together. However, I had to put
less of this. I highly doubt we will be traveling much while the baby is this
young.
- I always had the baby in mind. Some activities will have to wait until the baby
is older. I guess that's part and parcel of being a parent.

My 101 List

Start date: August 1, 2009
End date: April 28, 2012

Solo flight
1. Fix my personal files
2. Fix our common files
3. Make the directory
4. Finish the birthday list
5. Get rid of clothes I no longer wear
6. Make an emergency kit
7. Read 5 classics (0/5)
8. Learn Morse Code
9. Brush up on Philippine History
10. Practice Mandarin 30minutes daily for 1 month straight (0/31)
11. Watch 30 TED talks (0/30)
12. Take a class
13. Master 5 skills from 75 Things Every Woman should Master (0/5)
14. Have a reunion with the old gang
15. Have someone else cut/style my hair
16. Have a "fabulous" day - mani + pedi + outfit
17. Wear a "look for less" outfit
18. Wear a dress
19. Buy new clothes (post-pregnancy)
20. Sleep by 11:30pm for 7days straight (0/7)
21. Be aware of and have good posture for 3 weeks straight (0/21)
22. Do a 5K
23. Do a 10K
24. Make a will
25. Do Assignment 51 of Learning to Love You More
26. Write a letter to myself to be opened in 1 year
27. Write a letter to myself to be opened in 5 years

H and I
1. Do an annual review of our goals
2. Learn a new language (French?? or Spanish??)
3. Experience the Manila Bay Sunset
4. Repair the wedding ring
5. Buy a jumper cable
6. Take a first aid course
7. Finish Verdana1 GK Project
8. Finish Verdana2 GK Project
9. Give away the good stuff we dont use/dont have space for
10. Have a fantastic all white theme for the bed (think Martha Stewart)

Artsy Fartsy
1. Wedding Scrapbook
2. Honeymoon Scrapbook
3. Hong Kong Scrapbook
4. Make 10 homemade gifts (0/10)
5. Read the camera manual
6. Do 5 projects from Keri Smith's 100 ideas (0/5)
7. Do 1 A Day in the Life project
8. Do 1 Q & A : The Photographic Interview project
9. Take head shots/portraits of family members
10. Do a photo series on the color red
11. Make a 2010 Christmas Journal
(inspired by Ali Edwards and Molly Irwin)
12. Document 09/09/09, 10/10/10, 11/11/11 (0/3)
13. Calendar Project
14. Make a collage
15. Make a beautiful floral arrangement
16. Make 30 entries in my food blog (0/30)
17. Dress up for Halloween
18. Do 1 sewing project for myself

Yummy
1. Faithfully follow a 1 week menu (0/7)
2. Faithfully follow a 2 week menu (0/14)
3. Make a bento meal
4. Make an okonomiyaki
5. Make a scallion pancake aka cong you bing
6. Make bread from scratch
7. Make pizza from scratch
8. Make sangria
9. Make a gingerbread house
10. Make bread pudding
11. Make a romantic meal for H
12. Buy Kulinarya and make something
13. Make a fantastic Filipino meal
14. Make a fantastic Filipino dessert/merienda
15. Make a soft copy of my recipe notebooks (important recipes only)
16. Try 10 new desserts (0/10)
17. Try 10 new tea flavors (0/10)
19. Try 10 new ice cream flavors (0/10)
20. Try 10 new coffee blends (0/10)

Moolah
1. Discuss with H our year end financial report
2. Read 5 new finance books (0/5)
3. Complete Jomar's Internet assignments
4. Get an online project/work
5. Finish 1 ebook

Our Baby
1. Do a 365 Project (0/365)
2. Do a The Year I was Born project
3. Teach baby "Baby Signs"
4. Get baby at least 10 Dr. Seuss / Berenstain Bears books (0/10)
5. Make reading flashcards for baby
6. Make something wearable for baby
7. Make something edible for baby's 1st birthday

I heart God
1. Read the bible from cover to cover
2. Go on a retreat
3. Pray the Rosary for 30 days straight (0/30)
4. Distribute 1000 copies of religious booklets/prayers/etc (0/1000)
5. Forgive
6. Let go
7. Have a thanksgiving mass and party for THE answered prayer

Where in the world is...
1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. *Secret*
4. Beach
5. Food trip

Just in case
1. TBD
2. TBD
3. TBD

Wish me luck!


I love lists... There have been so many that I can't
recall them all...

This is my ode to the humble list...

Happy Independence Day

Today, June 12, 2009, is the 111th Independence Day of the Philippines.

As I am no expert in history, I did some research and discovered an
interesting tidbit about the Philippine Independence Day. My apologies
to my past history teachers for not paying attention in class hehehe...

"The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898
in the Philippines, where Filipino revolutionary forces under Gen Emilio
Aguinaldo (later to become the Philippines' first Republican President)
proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands
from the colonial rule of Spain...

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or
Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United
States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris...

The United States recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946
in the Treaty of Manila. Independence Day was observed in the Philippines
on the July 4 anniversary of this event until, upon the advice of
historians and at the urging of nationalist politicians, Pres. Diosdado
Macapagal signed Republic Act No. 4166 into law on August 4, 1964,
designating June 12, which had previously been observed as Flag Day,
as the country's Independence Day." - Wikipedia

Here are some simple ways to celebrate Independence Day with your family:
1. Display the Philippine Flag outside your home.
2. Join the Independence Day activities in your village, baranggay or
municipality.
3. Proudly wear a Filipiniana attire.
4. Invite family and friends over for an Independence Day breakfast/lunch/
merienda/dinner. Remember to serve only Filipino food!
5. Skip the Frap. Instead, have a cup of Batangas barako or tsokolate.
6. Play sungka, piko, patintero, tumbang preso, or other Filipino games
with your kids.
7. Read a book by a local author.
8. Watch a local movie.
9. Stay in town and visit a local destination.
10. Buy local.
11. Say a prayer for the country.

Happy Independence Day to everyone!


I love lists... There have been so many that I can't
recall them all...

This is my ode to the humble list...

The Family Budget

In my last two posts, I included some Tips on Preparing the Family Budget.

I hope I was able to impart the message that budgeting is not just a matter
of zeroes and ones.

Here you will find a Family Budget Sample. It is meant to serve as a mere
guide. I am not a guru nor do I have a PhD in business. As I have mentioned,
there are many systems out there. I cannot emphasize enough the need for
you to research and research until you find a system that works for you.
Always, always, always, use your better judgment when making financial
decisions.

The Zero-based Budget

One system used for budgeting is known as the “Zero-based Budget”.
It uses the basic principle that: income – expenses = zero.

“Income” refers to all money coming in.
“Expenses” refers to all money going out.

No, it does not mean that you will spend it all.

What it does mean is that every peso, dollar, euro, yen, etc that comes
in is allocated and accounted for.

Income (Php net)
Salary - 15,000
Bonus
Gift from abroad (in Php)
Total - 15,000

Expenses (Php, net)
Tithe - 1,500
Savings - 1,500
Savings – Retirement Plan - 1,500
Amortization – House - 2,000
Utilities - 1,000
Food - 2,500
Transportation - 2,500
Sports and Vitamins - 1,000
Clothing - 1,000
Emergency Fund - 500
Total - 15,000

Although this is a monthly budget, H and I have a spreadsheet for the
entire year. It has a monthly budget vs monthly actual set-up. I prefer
to update the file weekly. We TRY to discuss the status every 15th and
31st of the month. Again, we too are a work in progress.

Tips on Preparing the Family Budget continuation

As I mentioned in my previous post, H and I are helping out with the
Singles Engagement Retreat. In the last retreat, we got a request for
tips on budgeting.

This is the continuation of List #2 - Tips on Preparing the Family Budget

6. Decide to tithe. Tithing means allotting the first 10% of your earnings
to your church and/or religious community. It serves as a reminder that
the family’s wealth is first and foremost a gift. Everything is just “icing on
the cake”.
7. Decide to set aside 20% or more of your earnings for savings
and investments. Yes, you have a right to enjoy the fruits of your hard
work. However, you must remember that additions to the family, the
education of children, sickness, retirement and emergencies are all facts
of life. It would be wise for your family to prepare for all these. Banks,
insurance companies, mutual fund companies, the stock market,
entrepreneurship, franchising, etc are some of the ways you can maximize
your savings. How much do you expect to earn? How soon can you expect
your earnings? What are the risks involved? How long will your money be
“tied” to the investment? What are your options if you need the money
sooner? Are you comfortable with the terms and conditions? Etc etc etc.
Again, do your research. A friendly warning, if it seems too good to be true,
it usually is.
8. Eliminate bad debts. Credit cards are okay but be sure to pay for
the entire bill on or before the due date. The interest can put you in a
serious debt hole. If you must borrow, do so because it is for an investment,
you are happy with the potential returns and more importantly, you’re sure
you can pay for the loan if things don’t work out. Avoid borrowing for a
“splurge item.” Save up for it. Or better yet, allocate earnings from an
investment. In this way, you can be sure that the “splurge item” is something
you can afford.
9. Avoid lending money to others. It has been said that when you lend
money to a friend, you risk losing both your money and your friend. If you
must lend, consider the possibility that you will never get your money back.
Instead of lending money, others have chosen to donate instead. This is with
the consideration that there is an emergency and you have money to spare.
What to do with people who’ve developed an unnecessary financial dependency
on you? “Tough love” is needed when a person is capable of earning but has
just chosen not to do so. You are doing yourself, your family and the other
person a favor by encouraging them to be financially independent.
10. Last but not the least, trust each other and make all financial
decisions together. No secret bank accounts please. It says a lot when you
cannot trust your spouse with your money. Bear in mind that more important
decisions might need to be made in the future. If you are not yet at that level,
now would be a good time to start working things out.

There are no guarantees in life. The probability of success is simply greater
when God, the husband and the wife work together.

I'm putting the sample budget in my next post. See you there!

Tips on Preparing the Family Budget

We are currently preparing for the SFC Singles Engagement Retreat.
This is actually an enjoyable service for H and I. It's a chance to give
back to others, the gift which we had once received.

Most couples will prepare for the perfect wedding day. Sadly, some
are ill-prepared for the marriage that happens after. The Singles
Engagement Retreat is an opportunuty for engaged couples to get
to know each other better. It is a chance to discuss likes, dislikes and
non-negotiables. The retreat's main goal is to better prepare couples
for the challenges and joys of married life.

We got a request from a participant of the last Singles Engagement
Retreat; could we provide tips on budgeting? Hmm, this is a tricky
subject. There are no hard and fast rules. Different couples use
different systems. Also, you may be using a system now but you
may decide to just replace it in the future. H and I can attest to this.

H and I are still a work in progress. In the meantime, this is what
we're working on...

Let me start off with List #2 - Tips on Preparing the Family Budget

Here are some things to consider when preparing the family budget:
1. Have an abundance mentality. Focus on your blessings.
Trust that God has already provided for all your needs.
2. Pray for guidance and the right mindset. Some couples
consider budgeting as a burdensome task. Instead, think of it as
a tool in managing your family’s finances. A positive outlook will
make budgeting a more enjoyable task.
3. Research on the different systems that are out there.
Read books. Attend seminars. Check the internet. Ask tips from
trusted family and friends. Will you use a software or will you use
old fashioned pen and paper? Try and try until you find a system
that works for you.
4. Decide on who will manage the family finances. This
includes making the budget, tracking the expenses, paying the
bills, filing the receipts, and ensuring that matters, related to the
family’s finances, are in order.
5. Include in your schedules time to discuss the family’s
budget and financial goals. Anything important is worth
setting aside time for. Don’t just compute. Use the time to discuss
your reality, your fears, your hopes and your aspirations. Goals
may vary according to the family’s needs, lifestyle, stage in life,
etc. Remember that it is okay to dream for your family. Whatever
the outcome, agree to head towards the same direction.

Hmm, that may already be a lot to chew on. I'll continue this in
my next post.


I love lists... There have been so many that I can't
recall them all...

This is my ode to the humble list...