Grow Where You are Planted

Filipino Community Abroad:
My flatmate and I moved to a new apartment when we got back from our holiday from the Philippines last month. (The move was due to housing regulations here in Jersey). We got friends who visited and invited themselves at our new place during lunch since ours is convenient to most of our work places. Earlier today, we also volunteer to host our choir practice for this Sunday's mass. We also took this time for the "house warming". I am glad that our new place became a venue to provide shelter and bless our friends.

In the middle of singing and catching up with my "new family" here since I started working abroad, I am grateful that the Filipino choir members became instruments for me to stay rooted in service for the Great Guy above.

Reflection: Show what gifts the Great Guy above has showered upon you and used these gifts to bless others, anywhere you maybe in the world. Grow where you are planted.

Work/Career:
I am given a new project at work involving non-audit related stuffs. I have done this for 3 years in a row now during my slack/non-audit season months, just like during this time. I remembered that I used to complain about this kind of projects because I feel being deprived of technical learnings which I could have learned if the company has given me other projects. But I realised that this became blessing in disguise - because I was able to enhance my network, build client rapports and able to "diversify" my learnings on other field of expertise.

Earlier today, I manage to submit the reports using the client's new system, eventhough I was only on this project for a week. The superior was happy with the work - and I am glad too that I have no overload work to think of for the weekend. Fresh start on Monday!

Reflection: Instead of complaining about working so hard, why not be thankful for the blessing of having a work and earning an income? Work is an oppprtunity for us to show our expertise/God-given talents to our colleagues and subordinates. Grow where you are planted.

Relationships:
I had a two-year old relationship when I went abroad and the long-distance relationship tore me apart because it was difficult to manage given the time difference, change in priorities and different environments that  surround us. The LDR continued for another 2 years and eventually, we both decided to put an end to it.

I was heart-broken. All my dreams and hopes for our almost 4-year old relationship came crashing down. At that time, all I ever wanted was to go back home to the Philippines to start anew and find for the "right Filipino guy" for me. During that time, I never ever ever eveeeer consider having a relationship with a different race/culture other than a Filipino. I was firm on this decision, and ready to pack my bags and go home for good... until "the honey" came. And he showed me that love accepts different culture/race - it is the decision of a couple to make the relationship work out despite the differences.

And since Day 1 until as of this writing, he continues to pursue and court me. Every single day, I feel so special. He has never missed a day of showing his love (may it be through a call, text, flowers, or sending me a cartoon image). I love cartoons!:) Nad he cooks! (Yahoooo!) He knew that my love language is quality time and affirmation - and he makes sure he achieves them no matter how busy he is at work (on a side note: we are thankful for the answered prayer for his promotion!). For the more than 365 days we have been together, I have learned that he is happy and feels more loved whenever we spend time talking and laughing together (I never thought that speaking English can be this spontaneous.) We are blessed to celebrate our anniversary just last month.

Reflection: Finding the Mr. Right takes awhile - you have to work on to being the Miss Right first.

Grow wherever you are planted.

Love Lots,
Lyn-Lyn \(",)/
03 Oct 2014

PS: The photo was taken during our house warming.

The Anchor of My Life

Whenever I am too lazy to write a blog post (which I always am) or just take privately the things that are happening to my life (and write them on my notebook journal of gratefulness, instead), I spend some quiet time re-reading on some of my previous posts, and reflect on how situations have changed…for the better.  It’s amazing at how at most times that we plan every single bit of detail for our lives, even up to the single centavo that we would allocate or budget to certain wants or needs, but then there will be situations that will happen that will either break or make us – and everything just changes.

I saw a Facebook post of one of my friends earlier that said, “If material things are what you refer to when you say I AM BLESSED, then you have no idea what a blessing is!”

Since I have started to become a financial advocate and enhance my knowledge on financial literacy, I have been reading posts on basic finances and how to properly prepare for future needs. Somehow along those anxiety, fear, excitement and joy of either disrupting the finances or achieving financial goals, we have mislooked the present situation and should have been grateful instead of what we currently have that simply never really take much money to bring us joy and much gratitude for life.

What is My Purpose of Being Abroad?

During one of my catch-up meetings with my client recently, we had gotten “out of focus” from work and ended chatting more about our personal lives – especially relating to life’s choices, retirement decisions and plans for the future. He was married to a co-Asian and recently had their first child, a bouncing baby boy, last month.  It was a great opportunity for me to listen to thoughts of someone who grew up in a first world country and to learn from his elderly thoughts of setting out plans for the future.

He told me that our resident place is surrounded by materialism – I agree! Our place is called “tax-haven” and all professions here are mostly related to finance, managing wealth of the wealthy! Most people have forgotten about family values – parents usually send their children to nursery day care centers, while they keep themselves busy with work to earn.  On another hand, this man had made a choice to be the sole provider for his family, with his wife tending to their son, and had a mortgage for a house near the beach. His thoughts were as simple as ABC – nurture his family with one parent looking after their kid/s (he plans to have another baby soon!), he balances out his work so he can be home early to play and see his son goes to sleep, stays at his house over the weekend to spend time with his wife and son, buy a house to serve as a capital asset which he plans to sell 15-20 years from now, and use the money to retire in Asia! Wow….! He told me that Asia has been growing and with its low cost of living, he can have a comfortable, simple retirement life there with his family.

One word: ACT! (My 2014 Goals)

What was it again that, generally, us, women always wish for our men to do?

To fulfill their promises. Because:

"ACTIONS speak louder than words."

I strongly agree. Why the infamous "promises-are-just-meant to be broken" statement? Because many of us lack action.

It's time for a change. And taking action and fulfilling our promises apply to everybody!

Hence, to start my action plans, I wrote down here my goals and passions for 2014 (& onwards):

- Be fit and healthy. To develop my endurance (needed when I take short cuts to climb hilly roads), achieve a waistline of not more than 30 inches and weigh 60-70 kilos. I commit to eat healthy food, do 30-minute walk each day and an hour of jogging/zumba dance/swimming on weekends.

- Minimum of 10 blog posts per month. To develop my writing skills (goal of publishing an inspirational book), enhance my communication with blogosphere, network with people online and best of all, to share and learn ideas with everyone. Result: at least 120 blog posts for a year!

- Develop a hobby for cooking. FYI: I am a "parasite" for people who loves to cook ('coz I love to eat!). I am well-surrounded by friends and a boyfriend who enjoy cooking, and I enjoy tasting their food. Somehow, I want a change and be the one to make special meal for them. I will master two special recipes (or bake one cake, or make a dessert) per month. This recipe must be other than ordinary daily food.

- I want to get married and have twins. (This goal will require a decision of another party though.)

- Last Monday, I plotted my 2014 financial plans and I commit myself to it. I made some changes and renamed "emergency fund" to "peace of mind fund"; "weekend dates and travels" to "happy fund"; and all the rest remain, as is.

- Attend a seminar/enroll to a class (like IT information, online marketing, gardening, etc) and get a certification/qualification to enhance my self-education. Life is always a continuous learning.

Putting our goals and dreams on paper provide us a clearer view of what we want to fulfill. I wrote down mine above and it's time for some action! =D

Cheers to a fulfilling 2014!

The 2013 Milestones: A Look Back

I am sooooo back! And I would begin my first entry of 2014 by completing on the months that I made this blog blank on the remainder of the year 2013. (Ooooops!)

And as for every year that comes and goes, it is always nice to reflect and look on what had been the blessings that I am thankful for, as well as the trials that molded my strength. The year 2013 was a year that tested my capacity on major decision-making skills, taking big steps toward personal finances and investments, and best of all, the bloom of a LOVE LIFE! =D

So, here are the milestones of the 12 months in my Year 2013:

January 2013 – As most of my readers here know, I always take December as my holidays to spend Christmas and New Year with family in the Philippines. And returning to the cold winter January in the UK after a month of vacation at my warm tropical Philippines always gives me a heavy heart.  The beginning of this year was also “supposed” to be the last year of my 3-year working permit visa in the UK. I am just SO EXCITED to finally be back in the Philippines FOR GOOD come December 2013!!! (And as you may now know as of this writing, this did not happen. You will know the major reason in the coming months to follow). And this reason was also briefly introduced to me during this month of January. I was assigned for 4 months (from January to April) to our affiliate office to work on a client. This was the longest I was ever away from my 2nd home! And my adventurous self did not like being away for such a long time – but I tried and managed to enjoy whatever life has thrown on me at the onset of the year 2013. Picture was the sunrise at 8am in Guernsey Island from the penthouse apartment provided by our office.

February 2013 – Since I started receiving my very first salary, I made a budget (which most often is not being followed.) My spendings are over the variance and I admit that I do not have the proper money management skills, plus a really low personal finance and investment knowledge.  I took budgeting a little bit seriously when I started working abroad in 2011, equipped myself through learnings via the internet and get myself involved into investments. Two years passed and I became thirsty of finding a community who share the same enthusiasm that I have towards financial literacy.  I found them via The Global Filipino Investors (TGFI). Join our Facebook group of now more than 22,500 members!  I also became one of the group’s administrators during this month.  Read my full interview at MoneyGurado’s blog here.

March 2013 – Too late for winter, ei? Who would not get excited to tick off one of the looooongest pending adventures on my bucket list – an experience which I had been dreaming of since I was in high school? Finally, I experienced being under the rain of snow and felt them melt under my bare hands. Freezing cold!!! Definitely worth it. And FYI, I never want to experience snow again, though. The road was wet and slippery, plus it was sooooo cold!!! Brrrrr….. One of my weekly work flights was also cancelled for 2 days due to snow – and I was able to take much from my travel insurance for the delayed flight. Yey!

Welcome Back, Stranger!

"Hello, stranger!"

I was teased at the office on a Monday morning after I was back from the looong 4-months of weekly flights. It was tough, crucial, and tiring months for me. It was mentally stressful, not considering the emotional effects brought by the "winter depression". The months of January to April are among the coldest in a year, and travelling during such months (and work related for that matter) seems to be not a good idea to go places.

Yet, these months of trying times were also a test of my character and perspective in life. Along these four months, I befriended the cab drivers who fetch me every Monday morning and Friday night to/fro the airport. I flunked on my client assignment during the first weeks I dealt with it, and it felt like everything is sooo wrong. But in the process, it developed my skills to learn more, to deal with people of different levels, to understand the client industry I'm working on, time management and best, to determine which matters most: that is, our relationships with people. :)

Keep learning and keep on moving forward! _(",)/

Cheers,
Lyn-Lyn _(",)/

Be Vision-oriented

Be VISION-oriented, rather than problem-oriented. _(",)/

In Numbers 13: There were 12 spies sent to the Promised Land (Canaan).  The ten spies focused on the difficulty of the task, but only two, Joshua & Caleb, hang on that God fulfills His promise. :)

For every problem, there's a promise attached to it. It's a matter of perspectives if which of the two you want to spend more time with. :)

Keep learning and and keep on moving forward!

Cheers,
Lyn-Lyn _(",)/

Be in Control

"You are in control, ei?" Those are the words from my director/boss when he was checking about the status of my work (and every member of our audit team) for finalisation of reports for him to sign-off.

The past eight weeks were always a "weekly rush" for me. I scattered. I failed. I cried. Demotivated. Got frustrated. I stood up. I learned from my mistakes. I succedeed -  getting better compared to previous weeks. ;)

"Be in control". These words may refer to stepping into someone else's rights, but what I meant here is about being able to handle of circumstances that we know we can still do something about.

Let us be in control of the choices we make. When we dealt with external forces which we are not in control of, we may either complain and end up rocking ourselves or going in circles without doing any step forward, or we may choose to find solutions and take necessary steps to put them into actions.

We can not control the situations that come our way, but we can control how we deal with them. ;-)

Keep learning and keep on moving forward!

Cheers,
Lyn-Lyn \(",)/

When Someone Does You a Big Favor, just… Pay It Forward.

Pay it Forward…. it was a movie I watched for five times (already!) since it was introduced to us in our Values Education class during my sophomore year in high school.  I took the movie at heart (I watched it again and again few years after) and took the assignment from the movie seriously, which was: Think of something to change the world and put it into action.

During my reunion with my high school classmates last December, one of my high school friends (“J”) told me that another classmate of ours (“C”) had helped her with the transportation and hotel reservation when the former went to Manila.  For people who had heard about the bad stuffs for victims who are usually new in the capital city of our country and never grew up there, we are very cautious and feel safer if someone we know would fetch us from the airport or would help us tour around the big city.

I Embrace Success This Winter Season

I am a summer person - I love sunshine. I am amazed by the sunset. I prefer a warm weather rather than the cold. I do lots more outdoor activities like surfing, kayaking and biking when it's summer time!

But now on the 3rd week of October, winter season finally takes place. As compared to summertime wherein it's already sunrise at 4:30am and sunset at 9:30pm, the winter season on the other hand provides a dark sky even if it's already 8am (w/c explains why I'm often 2 minutes late at work) and already dark & windy at 4:30pm. Winter is sad, gloomy and cold. It's my least favorite season - though it's also a good time to show-off our taste in fashion through wearing coats, gloves, scarfy feathers and boots! :D

I Learned How to Bake on My Birthday

It's my birthday today!! :)

The picture below is just a slice of a whole cake I (uhm 30%) helped to bake last night. It is a homemade strawberry and blueberry filled chocolate cake. I also bought a squirty cream for those who wants to add the white creamy style on their cakes! :)

Most of the Brits at the office loved the cake and even asked for the recipe!!!

My Ex-Boyfriend Gets Married Next Week

The blog title seems surprising, but it's a mixture of it and excitement!

The other day, my ex-bf's pre-nuptial photo with his fiancee appeared on my Facebook news feed (yes, we are FB friends) and I automatically heart-felt commented congratulations on the picture. 

For some who has undergone a "relationship-that-I-though-this-was-it-but-realized-it-was-never-meant-to-be", all ties with our previous partner are also cut once break-ups happen. . Sad, but this is usually happens for some relationships. It seems like both of the parties are total strangers or worst, others even had years of grudges and unsettled issues that they carry with them even if they have their own families later on.

My Bucket List Page – Now Activated

I got inspired to do a bucket list after my friend and I talked about things we would do (I’m going to be back composing poems and hopefully, to songs!).  One even mentioned that bucket list is only done when you are old (like you’re in your 60s up..) But errr…. I decided to do this bucket list to see them online and really, DO SOMETHING to achieve them. =) It ranges from simple joys of life to extreme sports that I want to do! (haha)

I created another page for this, and I will update it as often as something pops in my beautiful mind. ^_^ Feel free to share yours. :)

 

Cheers,
Lyn-Lyn _(“,)/

I Fully Surrender.

To the past that I could no longer do something about but only carry the lessons learned,
To the present that I have to live, enjoy and do my share of being a blessing,
To the future full of uncertainty, plans and promises, I fully surrender them unto You.

For the hurts I have felt, for the words that were said and could no longer be taken back,
for the heartaches, the anger and frustrations, I provide forgiveness and seek for one.

It’s Officially Autumn

I walked downtown going to the office this morning, amidst the busy hours of the day (When I say busy, it is not as “busy” as Manila during the rush hours).  There was traffic, but no honking and car beeping nor irritated drivers.  I was glad that everything in this island paradise where I am now is just walking-distance, the drivers let you cross the street when they see you waiting at the pedestrian lane, and workers, though walk fast in order to catch the last minute before the clock strikes 9:00am, walk without bumping other “walkers”.  This is such a peaceful place, indeed.

Life at Mid-20’s, as We Call It

I have yet to make another mushy blogpost today. (He he) Taking some breather from all the financial technicalities of my blog, and letting out part of my human emotional side.

Last night, I re-visited my 12-year old online diary website (Yes, I kept it since I was in sophomore in high school) – only a few of my high school and college friends know about it – but I guess, their accounts on that website has already “extinguished” due to years of inactivity.  It’s a good thing mine is still working. (smiles)  It was quite an irony as I clicked each entry dated back 5 to 8 years ago and re-learn lessons from my younger self. 

List of Philippines Holiday for Year 2013

I have known earlier that one of the local airlines in the Philippines has again offered a piso-fare for domestic and international flights on 2013.  So, for all the folks out there who is an avid traveler and jetsetter like me, we surely want to make the most out of it and plan things ahead of time! Aren't we? :)  

A Day to be Grateful For

Just got back from my almost 2 weeks of vacation leave and I miss updating my blog!! =D

Recently, I realized that life is a series of choices – and we can see a certain situation as something to either make or break us.

Today, I choose to be grateful.  There are those downfalls that’s happening in my life, and I acknowledge them and I am working my way to stand up again.

I make businesses. I am a miracle-worker.

“I am a business-creator.
I am a miracle-worker.
I am blessed to be a blessing to others.”

 

I went home today with a smile of gratitude and a peaceful feeling after making into reality the lifelong dream of a very cool and loving 61-year old Filipina nurse – (I just revealed her age, but don’t be deceived – she’s as strong, as talented, as active as a 45-year old woman) – and she looks more than a decade younger than her true age. As she always tells me, “Age is just a number.” =)

Always Have a Grateful Heart – Be Thankful _(“,)/

I miss writing – but I don’t know why I am recently out of words. All I wanted was to let pictures speak for themselves.

I took this photo last 23 June 2012, when I attended
the boys’ stag party outdoor adventure. =)

Over the last couple of weeks, I have so much to be thankful for our Lord. I always have been a person with a thankful & happy heart – I say thank you when I eat food.  =) I smile at the sight and touch of sunrise.  I would have a “joyful teardrop” with a hug from a friend.  I laugh hard at the simplest of thing that is “laughable”.  I giggle with joy to hear a touching and successful love story.  I would cry with gratefulness seeing people helping each other (like the Facebook group I am into who is helping out streetkids and making a boat for the kids in northern part of Negros so these kids can get to their school to study).  I am amazed and awed at the beauty of nature – especially with the changing colors of the horizon during sunset.  I would run to the seashore and let the waves come run after me. =D