#90DaysOfGratitude Day 1

"Oh! Give thanks to the LORD; Call upon HIS name; Make known his deeds among the people."-- Psalm 105:1

Day 1/90 (10/01/2016): “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” — Hebrew 12:28

Two months from now, 2016 will over and 2017 will be entering the frame with promises of big hopes and new adventures.

While the past months of 2016 got me feeling like my life was a movie directed by Quentin Tarantino, I am still hopeful that the remaining months of this year will be good.

So to kickoff this optimist side of me, I decided to start a 90 Days of Gratitude before the year ends Personally, I have tons of “life changing events” to look forward for the next few months. I am humbled that I am given the opportunity for a brand new start in life.

#GratefulFor –> being able to wine & dine w/ a sunset view For me watching a sunset is somehow like GOD giving me a sign that no matter how bad my day was, I have the choice to end it beautifully. Truly, being a grateful & happy is not a feeling, but a choice

#90DaysOfGratitude4Evah2016
#jems4evahRandomPost

HELLO WORLD!

"What I am doing, you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand"-- John 13:7

After 7 years, I finally re-opened my blog again! Finally, an outlet once more of my feelings and opinions in life LOL I actually read my previous posts and I can't believe how different my outlook was in life then. ' years may have passed but it seems like 7 centuries ago. As I read my posts, I can't help but feel proud that I have turned my life around. I have to praise and give glory to GOD because change is possible only with HIS grace.

Next month, I will temporarily reside in Japan. To say that “I am excited!” is an understatement!

I AM SO FREAKIN’ ECSTATIC. Just the though of living in another country with a totally different culture & language is enough to make me faint So excited I am for this new chapter in my life, that I decided to re-open my blog site.

I am planning to document my life in Japan. I’ll be recording every possible thing there is to record … from packing up my stuff, saying goodbye to Pinas & a lot more

So, countdown to migration begins today

Whispers In My Mind

When you are not earning, just living off someone's money... maybe you are a desperate person! But if that someone is your spouse, sworn to be with during better or worse moments in life... are you still desperate?

My husband's salary is a hundred folds more than all my salary combined from 2 different companies.  he is the provider, but is that not normal for married couple? Is it not normal for the husband to earn while the wife takes care of the house? So why then do I feel I'm so low???

Maybe it's because I don't have a job now. Probably  it's because I don't have the looks. Possibly, it's because I don't have the confidence. "Blame it on the rain, blame it on the stars... but whatever you do, don't put the blame on you."

Being ignored, insulted and taken for granted, these are actually factors that can cause one to question their self worth. Honestly, my confidence is so low right now that I can actually hear the whispers of the devils from hell. I can feel them slowly luring me to depression. Slowly, I am soaking in the insults. Slowly, I am believing that life is worth ending.

But then,  I hear the laughter of my daughter.  I hear the voice of a true friend. I hear the voice of the one who gave me life. HIS voice is encouraging me to hang on because life is worth living.

Quickly, I rise. Quickly, I stand to battle the depression inside me. As I take and live each day as step for a new life, I still sometimes hear the alluring whispers of being unworthy, but HIS voice is much louder than the whisper. HIS voice leads me to a new path with HIS light.

New Year+ New Resolution = New Life > Old One!!!

Another year... another chance given by GOD to correct the mistakes done in the past.
Last year was hell for me, obviously my previous blog entries proved that! I swear, I was a bum (no need for sugar coating) for almost 6 months. When asked why I was not working, I gave all positive reasons I can positively (wink wink) think of: “I'm taking time off from work” or “I want to focus on my family this time” or "Getting some much needed time to focus on myself". But the truth is: I am just scared!

If there was one huge mistake in my career life that I regret, it was leaving my previous company (JOB A) for another that I did not completely researched about (JOB B). As you all have read by now, I  am working, or worked for, a call center company (JOB A) for 8 years! Realizing it just a little too late, I was blessed to be working for JOB A. Salary was more than I have demanded for, hours were flexible, environment was nice. and most importantly, I had a smart and compassionate boss. But fool that I am, I didn't appreciate that blessing. I wanted more for my career, so I thought.

I applied and got another job (JOB B). I was deceived by the position title and believed it to  be higher than my current position. It was later I realized, the position title didn't exactly match with the job responsibilities.  Working hours, office environment, assigned tasks, and most especially my new supervisor were a huge disappointment. I could create another blog just for what i experienced working with my new boss. To say that the job stinks would have been a compliment. Less than 3 months, it was no surprised, I resigned. After this, I never took the time nor effort to find another job... even until now.

Honestly, I'm scared! I feel that I am longer qualified for another job within my experience. I could get another job easily in a call center, but that would take me back to square one: agent position.

This year I am setting goals for myself.
*To enter a law school: I longed to become a lawyer. Its a hidden dream that I was always to scared to pursue. But this year, I promise myself that I would study and take up law. I will not let my age intimidate me as well. Tomorrow, I will be taking the Ateneo entrance exams. I have not polished my Mathematical skills nor studied for this test... but I am confident that I will pass the exams! How? Why? What? I don't know! I just know I will.
*To get a part time job: This is actually tricky! My pride will  not allow me to accept any position that may take me back to square one.But I am well aware that I need an income to support my personal expenses!
*To finish my clearance: This has been long over due!
*To take up Japanese and Korean language: My husband is Japanese and I need to learn the language. I love Korean TV Dramas.
*To take up photography and video course: My GOD! I have so long wanted this! I certainly hope I can do this!

Lets see how many goals I'll be achieving this year!

what is it?

i want freedom... but too scared to have it
i want respect... but too weak to get it


it happens all the time...my husband and will get into fights...  fights that are becoming more confusing, consistent, and constant.

i have been working in a call center for 6 almost 7 years! my husband & i just celebrated our 8th year anniversary! this year, i decided to take a break from work and focus more on my family.  when i was working, i often heard my husband mumble "an office worker is way better than me". im guessing its because, unlike call center's infamous graveyard shifts, a normal office worker has a normal work shift. i've been working for 7 years, been promoted twice, never missed PTA's or any school events my kid had, and also been cooking meals for my family. sadly, none of those seem to matter, at least not to the one who matters to me, my husband!

i took a work break (read: resigned) because i wanted to focus more on my family. fortunately, not having to work is possible for me since my husband's salary is enough to support our daily living expenses. i have been "jobless" for less than 5 months now. ideally, at least in my dreams, i thought that by serving and taking care of my husband's every need, he would be happy and our fights would just magically disappear. but i was wrong! to my surprise, our fights even got worst!we argued like there was no tomorrow. worst, almost everything and anything can be a topic for long arguments.what is extremely scary, most especially to our daughter, is that our fights would often times become physical. there would be bruises and scars, but sadly no apology or even regrets would be given.

but at least, he is financially supporting the family, right?!? uuhhmm, yeah! right! no denying, my husband is really a good provider. without him, i fear that my daughter and i would be living in the streets! sadly too, my husband values the maid more than me, despite constantly cooking and being at his service 24/7. our fights have become so bad that my husband refuses to acknowledge my presence. in short, we are now ignoring one another.

honestly, i can't bear it anymore. i long to for my husband and i to fix our relationship!

im depressed... i need help! i need someone to talk to...

Puerto Gallera 11/13/2007

Last year, for my husband's birthday, we decided to celebrate it in Puerto Gallera. It would be our first time then to go in visit the place, so we were super excited. Since my husband is super busy with his work, we only had an overnight stay.

ADVICE: Do a research on the place you are going to Actually, I would say its a mandatory thing to do prior to going to any place you are not familiar with. Internet researches and close friends' opinions had me having a pretty high expectation about the place.

Puerto Gallera, in case you have not yet been there (and I believe you are the only 1 na lang! LOL), is a small paradise beach here in the Philippines... paradise talaga! hehehe It is so beautiful that I believe its Boracay's "more affordable" version LOL. I live in the southern area of Metro Manila, so its much closer to be here than in Boracay LOL.


GOING THERE:  Batangas City Pier Port is the terminal place for Puerto Gallera. I'm not quite sure how to go via public transportation to Batangas City Pier Port since we just drove there. Based on google research, some say there are buses in Buendia or Taft that will bring you to the port. Please just google for prices and bus schedules.

Going to Batangas City Port via car: Just drive until the end of SLEX, which is Calamba, Laguna. Exit to Batangas City, this exit is the 2nd to the last exit. Then go straight ahead until you reach Batangas Star toll, which would be on your right side. Once you have payed for the toll, you just go until you have reached the end of the highway again, Batangas City exit.

During our time, Batangas Star toll has not yet been completed, so we had to go thru some other cities inside Batangas, like Lipa and Ibaan. But now, a year after we went, Batangas highway has been fixed and the travel time is a lot faster pa.

Once you are in Batangas City Pier Port, dapat masanay na kayo sa stalkers! Vendors will stalk you like leeches sucking the blood out of your body! We went to park our car in the port itself, P10/hr is the basic rate, they said.

Once inside, I made a first timer mistake which is to ride any boat that promises to bring you to White Beach. We arrived 8am, and since we were so excited to be in Puerto Gallera, I agreed to ride the first boat that will be leaving that time, Golden Falcon. Though I asked the guy in charged three times if they will bring us directly to White Beach, and each time, I got an astounding & sworn to the gods answer of yes! So trustful and ignorant then, we bought tickets from them. P160/person for a 1 way trip.We were in the middle of the sea when we were old that we will be dropped off in another location and must ride a jeep to get to White Beach.

ADVICE: Unless its a holiday or peak season, except for Brian Shipping Lines and Villa Natividad, no other boats will bring you directly to White Beach.

WHITE BEACH RESORT: A reasonable and practical place to stay in White Beach. We got a room for P1000/night, it has 2 double beds, tv, ref, and most importantly (for me anyway), the aircon is working! Bathroom was too small for comfort, but at least, it was clean. Im pretty sure there are other cheap places to stay in PG.Kindly again, be Google's friend and search for those.

PLACE: As I have mentioned, Puerto Gallera is a paradise! During the time we went, there were only a handful of tourists. I felt like we had the island all to ourselves. Local residents are very friendly, thugh have the tendency to stick to you like glue when selling some items to you.

There are a lot to do in this place. Snorkeling (P1000/1-6 person), Island Hopping (P2500), Banana boat, kayaking, etc. They offered parasailing too but didn't see anyone doing it . We decided to do snorkel and some island hopping. Some boat people offered us this service for P1800, but my husband, the haggler, was able to lower the price to P1000. We rode a bangka by "3 Brothers" which had staff that are very friendly, informative and do not expect a high tip. They took us to another island and we rented another smaller boat that will "pull" us while we snorkel. P1000 is good for 3 hours and maximum of 6 persons.


FOOD: There are several restaurants located around PG. Some cheap, some not. One of  my husband's greatest pet peeve about eating out with me is my tendency to be, uhm, a frustrated food critic (cough cough) at times. Majority of the time, I am particularly choosy about where we dine. I care a lot about ambiance and food preparation. We normally find ourselves dining more in fancier restaurants before of my "particularly choosy" attitude. Anyhow going to back meals in Puerto Gallera, food in the area normally cost about P100- 200 per person. There are plenty of restaurant options in White Beach.

ADVICE: Try  Mindoro Sling drink here in the island. Its basically  a punch (rum & juice) with some apple tidbits. It is the best way to drink and be merry here LOL!


I enjoyed my stay Puerto Gallera! Normally, when long weekends and holidays approach, because of its distance and cost, Puerto Gallera has become my first option for a quick get-away from the city spot.

ADVICE: If you have not been in Puerto Gallera... GO!

Self Proclaim Travel Critic!!!

Im no travel expert, but since my idea of creating this blog is to talk about my life, including places I have been,  I might as well give some real advice and commentsabout my trips.

In every journey, there are several factors that add up whether a trip is OK or not...

TRAVELING TIME: going and coming back, getting there, transpo

PLACE: environment... does the place live up to their name or not

SERVICE: this is a factor that most Filipino business lack... I feel na lahat ng mga sales lady and kahit na lang ang nag bebenta ng fisballs sa kanto sa Pinas... they all feel na utang na loob mo pang bumili sa kanila... Kakainis most of the time... pero there are several places that super service to the next level ang binibigay nila...

STAFF: is there a need to explain? most of the time when travelling, you dont remember the place, pero you remember how a certain person treated you, diba? sometimes, even if super duper ganda ng place, ka-aburido naman yung mga staff... nevermind na lang diba? or the opposite din... super swangit ng place... pero dahil mabait si manong guard... ang ganda bigla ng surrounding... hehehe

I'll check my pictures and try to remember well... lets see na lang if ano ang mga malalagay ko here...


NOTE: All pictures posted in this site are taken by me. If you wish to use them for any purpose, please give me credit.