Realizations

The new phone i got from my smart post paid line gave up on me last weekend. that after 4 months of service it died, just when i was so busy calling people that day and a reliable phone is what i ultimately needed. and just like that, i cannot call a new number, nor reply to text messages. then, realizations came:

1. Everything has a price. If you know me too well, you know how much of a frugal person i am. i settle myself with what i really need. in the case of a mobile phone, i don't go for apple or samsung. i content myself with low end phones that can give me the functionality of a smart phone --can call, text, check emails, connect to the internet and such things. and this happened! then it dawned on me. texting took longer than usual because the touch technology was not very sensitive. in an instant i cannot make a call because apparently the hardware was f*cked up.

2.  Good brands suggest durability and reliability. I am not really a brand-conscious type of person, well except for jeans, watches and make-up maybe. as long as it's comfortable and functional, i don't mind wearing or using the generics. not even with cellphone where it has become a necessity in today's life, especially for me who still vows at my old nokia phone for my globe line. for one, i don't like the complexities of apple or any smart phone brand for that matter. so, i was not really particular to choose which phone should i have for my smart line, and yes,  i opted for the lesser brand. which turned out, just after 4 months, it failed me! Which brings me to my consciousness, brands would not have lasted through the years for nothing.

3. Choose which items to scrimp on. Sometimes we have to realize that we cannot just economize everything. as much as we'd like to be thrifty on things to be able to save more, there are essentials in this material world that we have to indulge ourselves with. weigh things. there are those which you do not need to sacrifice because the value that comes back to you is greater than what you have let go.

4. Invest wisely. You may want to just stick to the necessities for survival, but do invest in basic and quality products. you do not need to have more when you have the must-haves.

5. Enjoy and have fun. It's okay once in a while to indulge on things. what are we striving for in the end if it's not meant to be savored?

Happy Mother's Day!

why do we celebrate this day? why do we still wait for the 2nd sunday of May to honor our mothers when we can do that everyday? the answer is easy. this day, once every year, we get to officially celebrate the greatness of mothers. 

you and I realize how much sacrifice they endure to provide us with the best of everything. they go through pain of labor and those hurt that comes along with parenting. they have nurtured us and took care of us, patiently guiding us from the first baby steps we took to the decisions we make as mature. there may be a number of times we argue with them, get in conflict with them, yet they remain to be just beside us, ready to embrace us with open arms should rejection and hurt come our way. truly, a mother's love is unconditional. 

and now that i have become a mother myself to sofia, i shall uphold this manifesto and do all these things and more. as i have said in my instagram post this morning, there is no greater joy in this world than to be a mom. my passion, love and dedication for sof and the family will never falter. 

summing up 2013

challenges and taking risks -- words that perfectly describe how crazy my 2013 went. it was a year spent far from what i normally do, and made decisions i never thought i'd engage in. a year of highs and super down lows, i almost lost my sanity. hahaha and that's less any vacation nor retail purchases squeezed in. it felt like bigla akong nagmature with everything i did. so yeah, the year that was should make it in my books...errr this blog rather.

1. started a business

         mid part of 2013 when i started to engage in the wholesale and retail of eggs. i rented a space at a newly-renovated and now a lot bigger grocery shop in the city. the daughter of the owner happens to be my friend so it was easier for me to get the spot. it was a great challenge for me to start from scratch, with getting licenses and business registrations to looking for a farm where i should get my goods. i contacted friends from other key cities in mindanao if they could refer a layer farm and also got to interview a relative who sells the same in the local market. without much on my plate, i decided to proceed with the plan. but i think it's really God's provision and faithfulness that i was able to sustain what i had started. months after my initial operation, He introduced me to one dealer in the city who referred me to a good farm and partnered with me in the regular purchase of eggs to davao.

still a lot more challenges, so much more to learn, and getting all the dynamics of it, but i know im on the right track. i felt that i should celebrate this milestone because it is what i have been praying for in years. indeed, good things come to those who patiently wait.

2. had the very first bank loan

           i told you i did mature things last year. well, this was actually in connection with number 1. because logistics and transportation is very important in any business endeavor. and so, husband and i made the decision to just loan from the bank the vehicle that we will be using for the business. signing those long and thick documents gave me the feeling that i was a legit businessperson. hahaha as if the tables were turned, when before i used to process applications of clients and let them sign papers, this time i was on the client side. 

3. big investment crashed

           october of 2013 when we found out the investment we engaged into crashed. it was unthinkable to happen, yet it did. we were at our lowest. it was so painful because it was the probably the biggest chunk of our savings placed in there, and in an instant everything was wiped out. i shall not go into detail about this, talking about it here took a lot of courage for me. 

but one thing, i thank God that this happened early on with our lives, we still have the strength and the youth to regain whatever was lost from us. lessons had to be learned the hard way, sometimes. 

4. acquired a big property

            this for me is a bold move for us. despite the loss when the investment did not succeed and financial condition was poor, we still proceeded to enter into this transaction. as they say, only the one who quits lose. this entailed a lot of sleepless nights if we actually can still afford to have it despite the loss. this is where our discipline and determination came in, because in our minds we cannot allow another opportunity to slip off on us just because the unfortunate thing happened. 

so much for 2013, i see a beam of light shining its way for our family this new year. this will be a different year for us. i promise myself to make it fruitful and fun for us. it takes a lot of budgetting, sacrifice and realigning of priorities to make it happen. and i am claiming it to be our banner year. cheers to the bright 2014!!!!