Confessions of a Fabulous Pinay

Insecurity Vs. Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:09:00 PDT

I realize that even if you already are the most beautiful, sexiest, wealthiest, smartest, most famous, most successful person…. You could still be the most insecure about yourself. I do envy those people who may not have all the opportunities or all the talents, but they are free of any insecurity. I also realize that the most insecure people are ungrateful, needy and very hard to please. They think and speak highly of themselves during the day or in front of many, but at the end of the day, they look at the mirror and they criticize themselves and they feel this insecurity in all levels of their being.

Okay, I admit... I'm guilty of this sometimes and eating breakfast food at dinner time, watching too much of “Keeping Up With The Kardashian” and listening to my life changing audio books on my drive to work everyday...

This is just my general observation as I have been watching myself closely on my own daily reality check on building a strong character for myself in becoming more grateful and less needy... to be more appreciative of myself than critical. I believe that if I develop this grateful attitude towards myself, that I will have better attitude towards others around me. Though this is something that I have been doing amazingly for the past few years, I found that this has become my most powerful daily habit and now a part of me and my conscious inner being.

Everyday or every time I exchange conversation with people, especially those who are close to me, I try to find this unique gift of humility and gratitude in their hearts. I feel blessed whenever I hear them say, "I'm so thankful" or "I'm so grateful" or "I'm so blessed"... not only in their happiest moments, but most especially in their most trying times. I always feel grateful whenever I can see even a small spark of gratitude in a person.

As I've read many books on achieving personal success and happiness, having the attitude of gratitude has been the most valuable lesson I have learned from these great preachers. Here's a short video I found today how gratitude can lead to abundant life. It is not beauty, not wealth, not talent nor intelligence, but a practical attitude of gratitude.

Facebook Face Off (Identity Crisis of Sorts)

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:04:00 PDT

Yesterday, I was having one of those moments thinking clueless and having an identity crisis of sorts in my Facebook. And I wrote, "I have 1,320 Friends in FB.... It's overwhelming! If I can scam you all for a dollar each, I'll be $1,320 richer! And all I post now are QUOTES... Am I missing something here? Where's the goofball behind this profile?" And seriously, where's the hyper and theatrical character owner of this..... Confessions of a Fabulous Pinay blog???

First, let's talk about the status of your face..... I've picked this one up from a friend's FB status few weeks ago and I loved it because it's so true!

"Welcome to FB! Where love stories are perfect. Where shit-talkers tell the truth. Where everyone brags they have the perfect life and claim to be in love with their partners. Where your enemies are the ones that visit your profile the most. Where your ex-friends block you. Where your ex-love 'unfriends' you. Where you post something and people interpret whatever the hell they want." (Shout out to Roldan Din's FB, woo-hoo!) OK, I'm guilty and I'm sure many of you can relate to this awful truth. But that's the beauty of Facebook... you can be vulnerable and sensitive, frank and annoying, or inspiring and simply making people smile - just to get some sort of attention. Don't we all need attention?

Lately, I have estranged myself from FB, and to fill in some gag of life on my wall, I would feed it with my Twitter quotes.... I can not keep up with my FB population anymore and I don't know what else to offer them except something that I'm passionate about through positive quotes.

To confess to whoever enjoys reading my FB wall and this personal blog, here's some real-life status updates I can openly share in this post, and I'm not holding back.... (Imagine me holding a mega-phone.... but who cares!)

"If I'm responsible for giving a person a smile, that's the greatest feeling in the world!"

"When I'm offered a halo-halo, a turon, or a banana-que, I light up like a little girl on a Christmas morning!"

"If we don't make love, it'll be just fine."

"I like girls who celebrate their beauty in their own uniqueness and passion, who didn't have to go with the flow to be cool."

"I sometimes feel that I have emasculated everything around me."

"When you hear that song, will you think of me?"

"Make me happy, beautiful, and rich, and I will pay you attention."

If you're sick of FB like me, here's a cool youtube video about controlling your Facebook Fever!

The Case Study of My Intuition

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:30:00 PDT

Today, my intuition says it's time to speak the truth about my special "intuitive" gift. Intuition is this ability to understand something immediately, without the need of conscious reasoning.... the ability to see any event or any object from a viewpoint of the cosmic whole... the ability to get a sense, vision or feeling about someone or something.

A year ago, I met this intuition expert in one of the networking events in Salt Lake City and when she told me she was writing a book on intuition, came this strong rush of feeling inside me and I was bursting out like a drag queen, and I said "I've been hiding in my intuition closet. I know it's there and it wanted to come out so strongly and so undeniably that they startle me.... It is like every cell of my body is screaming at me to do something, to take a certain course, even though logically it may make no sense..." That confession to this woman I just met had led me to open my mind and heart to study it and learn how to tap in its power, listen to it, trust it and teach it to guide me. It was not an overnight makeover but many months of practicing my awareness of this amazing gift. Once I came out of my closet and awakened my inner guide by unlocking the wisdom of my subconscious mind, I already know what to do - no questions asked.

I've written a little bit about it in my last year's blogs but not with huge compliment. For example, I wrote something like.... "I feel that there is something big and significant that will happen to me this year. I don't know what or why or how, but I feel that I need to prepare for it." And so I followed this instinct and took the actions without questions... and so I was right!

The interesting thing about intuition is that it doesn't necessarily coordinate with our current reality or current life. Sometimes, our intuition serves as a protector, preventor or guide. Sometimes, you may not know why you took the action you took until more time passes... One thing I know for sure is when I don't follow those intuitive hints, I usually pay a price down the line.

Call it gut-feelings, instinct, inner guide, little voice inside my head, internal GPS, higher self, wizard within..... I have learned to trust this gift to always lead me in the direction of my dreams. I have learned to train that part of me so I have an overview of my life that has my best interest at heart. It can provide me an oasis of peace in the midst of chaos, bring me to harmony, help me release negativity, and give me confidence to take action and prepare for change in my life. It also can be a valuable guide as I take steps to create my dreams and know how to turn them to reality.

Here's a video that I found that talks a little bit about How to Tap into Your Intuition (and not to over think all the time...).

The Fabulous Pinay Finally Speaks The Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:41:00 PDT

The truth is I wondered why I don't write blogs as much as before. (What's new pussycat?) The truth is I felt that so many good things has happened in my life already this year that it will make me sound so full of my self if I highlight them one by one. The truth is I feel humbled in many of those milestone moments. And the truth is I just kept it to myself... when I should have spoken the truth.

This past weekend I took the liberty to be with a group of like-minded women in Salt Lake City called the "Ignite Your Spark 2011, Speak Your Truth." I knew without a doubt that this is my event. Not only do I want to ignite my spark but I need lots of fuel to set my ground of fire.... well, that's too graphic, what I'm trying to say is, I needed more courage to step out of my box because I feel like I'm going to breakthrough this year.... I don't know how, I don't know why, but I feel it coming...

The "Speak Your Truth" tag line also inspired me. This personal blog has been my way of speaking my truth for the past several years. I have written humorous tales from my childhood "promdi prabins" days up to my humbling experiences here in the states... All of those served me well to be the strong and independent woman that I am now.

I had many unforgettable memories from this conference, but there was one moment that I will forever cherish. It was when I shared to a few women a personal testimony as they shared to me their own dreams and what they hope to gain from this conference... Last year, I once felt fear and had gone through some adversity. Those days I so-called my "Ramen Noodle days" really tested me, my bank account and most especially, my attitude. As an advocate of self-empowerment tools like books, magazines and audio CDs on positive thinking, visualization, attitude of gratitude, law of attraction, etc. I knew those moments were the perfect opportunity for me to put these wisdom to action. I even highlighted them in a few blogs, like the New About Me, and the Four Fearless Steps that Made a Difference in my Life. There was only one thing for sure that I did. I MADE A DECISION. And I act upon it, and the rest was history.

Lastly, I wanted to share this inspiration that I got from the conference: "How does one become a butterfly? someone asked.... It is when you want to fly so much that you're willing to give up being a caterpillar." The truth is, without focus and action, your dream remains just that.

2011 The Year of the Fierce Pinay

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:39:00 PST

Every beginning of the year is the time when I would sit at a corner and think and envision what my new year would be like... This is also the time when I review my past year's blogs and see what I highlighted in my life. My last year's over all mission is CHANGE. Attitude change, check! Career change, check! Fabulous to Fierce, check!

Today I declare for myself that 2011 is the Year of the Fierce Pinay. The past year I have followed women celebrities who inspired me to find my fierce self - Tyra, Oprah, Ellen, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, to name the famous ones. These are women who celebrated self-empowerment in their talk shows and songs, who values self-acceptance of our own uniqueness - of ethnicity, color, body, face, and attitude! I also follow a few extraordinary people with good inspiring teachings and stories of their journey, their struggles in order to succeed in their career and businesses. Now that I have laid my foundation for my fierceness, I can not wait for what 2011 will bring me!

If there is one fierce Bible verse that I will live by in 2011, it is to live the Ephesians 3:20 life: "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us..." To put it simply in my own phrase - "what I ask or think about is powerful within me and that GOD is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond for me..."

If there is one song that would empower me to start this new year with some bang, that would be Katy Perry's FIREWORK! This is my New Year's song. Here's to all the fierce men and women of the world who decided to work the power within them to realize all their dreams this 2011, "You just gotta ignite the light, And let it shine, Just own the night, Like the Fourth of July..." Remember, "Baby, you're a Firework!!"

2010 My Year of Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:44:00 PST

Today, I appreciate being able to write. I lost my voice, literally, and it's frustrating to even answer my phone because I just whisper.... Good that there's texting, Facebook, and of course, blogging - at least I can still communicate and reach out to the world. How I lost my voice? Long story at our friend's New Year's Eve party!

2010 has brought me so many lessons learned, faced many fears and endured different challenges... But in return, I became wiser and I have discovered so many of my strengths, and most especially, I have received many countless blessings with my new found life lived with the power of gratitude. As a result of this life-changing decision, so many of my dreams were fulfilled in 2010.

If there's one powerful thing I can share to anybody who's reading this: STOP COMPLAINING AND BE GRATEFUL in everything you do and don't do, in everything you have and don't have - everyday. Things and situation suddenly turns into positive when you are grateful. This is one major ATTITUDE makeover I did for 2010 - I do not complain anymore. Continuing to 2011, I choose to stay positive, be happy and be grateful everyday, and continue to expect abundance in my life. God is good, always.

A year-ender homemade video is here to cheer you on! Our super kulit na Christmas Day video opening gifts and surprises with our Chipmunk voices and music by Black Eyed Peas!

Memorable Night at the North Pole Express at the Heber Valley Railroad, Utah

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 11:59:00 PST

What else would be a unique and most memorable fun get-away with my new nephew, Robertson (his first trip to Utah!) - than a magical ride to The North Pole Express at the Heber Valley Railroad in our small hometown of Heber on Monday, November 22nd! So many families from all over came to experience this exciting 90-minute fun of singing Christmas carols, story reading, enjoying hot cocoa and cookie treat, never ending photo ops and meeting Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in a historic train ride found only in our beautiful Wasatch Valley. This traditional Christmas theme ride is limited only for this season so take your families now to the North Pole Express. I highly recommend this to anyone with children as this is an experience they will cherish for a long time, just like we did!

My sister's (Diana) family Thanksgiving vacation in Heber turned out to be the most exciting when a friend of mine texted me on Wednesday morning and that she saw my picture in our local newspaper, The Wasatch Wave.... Clueless of me, I mentioned this to my sister and she remembered that it must be our train ride! We then rushed to our grocery store, and there my sister was - buying a stock of the newspaper to bring back home to Houston as their priceless memory of Heber, Utah!

Here's our Official Family Photo from the North Pole Express! See baby Robertson's Santa outfit - he prepared for this ride (nice job, mom Diana!)

Short video of us singing "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" on our way to North Pole! Priceless Family Fun!

Confession of a Father's Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:17:00 PST

"One day I will be free from this bad eyesight that I inherited from my father..." I told myself this Monday morning as I get ready to go to work and spend the next five days in my perky eyeglasses as a requirement to prepare for my Lasik consultation this Friday. As I looked consciously in the mirror before I go public at work in my four eyes, I can not deny that I saw a resemblance of my father in me.

So my father's birthday was this week (he's in the Philippines) and I thought of him a lot. I don't even remember the last time I was with him on his birthday. But I tried to remember all the times that he impacted me with strong core values such as, achieving academic and career success, creating a loving and trusting relationship, dealing well with people in authority, and a lot more. But the one that stood up in my mind was what he told me about beauty... that my beauty is power and a privilege.. that it is God's natural gift to me, and that I should use it to influence people in good ways.

Now that I'm more mature and I don't get to spend much time with my dad anymore, I have observed him a lot and understood why I am the way I am... Like my dad, I like strong over-flowing coffee with lots of sugar and cream. I love anything sweet, and anything greasy, like greasy peanuts, sisig, and Chinese food, especially pancit canton. I also inherited my dad's sense of humor and his charisma around people. I also got from my father his love of classic and country music, and his deep appreciation to simple life like nature trips and scenic views.

So I was listening to the music of my favorite country singer, Taylor Swift, and as I listened carefully to the lyrics of her new song "Never Grow Up"... a strong rush of emotion just overwhelmed me as I drove home that night. It was already getting dark fast and snowing lightly, and suddenly my tears were almost blinding me... I, then, remembered the scent of my dad's pomade, the gassy smell of his Renegade when he comes home from work, and when both him and my mom told me how fond they were of me when I was a baby and that they wished I "never grow up" and just stay pure and little... So as this song says...

Your Facebook is Your Reputation

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:25:00 PST

Today, I posted a "heavy" remark on my Facebook (as I was so turned off to see lots of potty mouths when I checked my home page today,) and it goes:

Careless Teens on Facebook... Think before you post your stinky emotions. You may not be aware that what you communicate online is who you are to all who reads them. Google never forgets, so is your friends and your classmates, and your parents' and relatives' friends... so is your college admissions counselor and future employers...

When someone sees your Facebook statuses and you are BS-ing, F-ing, flirting, suggesting sexual acts, sharing racy photos and comments to others.... Remember that you have the whole world as your audience. Whether people know you or not, you are very susceptible to judgment because you and your thoughts are virtually exposed, unprotected, unguarded - whether you are just 9 or 99 years old.

If I could share with you all my perspective... It is a privilege to share something to the world but it comes with huge responsibility whether through blogging or posting on Facebook and other websites... I understand kids today goes through a lot of anxiety growing up, but if I'm smart, why would I share something that will ruin me later, affect my relationships and friendships, destroy my reputation, sabotage my dream career or dream college... And as a parent, why will I not do anything to correct this distasteful and regretful attitude?

My Teenage Gleek Memory

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:39:00 PDT

So millions of you GLEE fans have watched the season premiere this week, with Charice as a guest! I like Glee not only because it's a musical high school comedy-drama but because I can relate to their theme of celebrating being unique, and expressing one's self in an artful and theatrical way.

When I was in high school, I remember I was very theatrical as well. I'm not known for dating boys and provocative behavior, but I was popular for my passion of performing on stage. I was very comfortable on spot light and it was my way of expressing my individuality. I'd not only sing and dance and act in our school's talent shows and town fiestas, but I'd compete in declamation contests, choir singing contests, group dance contests, and even one time in a science quiz bee! So I was very Gleek, indeed! I was never the cheer leader type, but I was a volleyball varsity player. I was not the valedictorian type either, but I was focused on pursuing my college dreams and ambitions in life.

I have always dreamt to be a stage or TV actress when I was young, but it was not my destiny. So, everytime I'd watch a musical or stage play, or even a live concert, I'd imagine myself that I was on stage... Oh, well. Dreams are free and so is imagination!

One of my favorite stage performances in Glee is this "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. The song is kind of real for me as I was a small town girl and I never really stopped believing and I'm still holding on to that feeling...

My Infamous Miss Universe Q&A Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:36:00 PDT

Earlier today, I posted in my Facebook status: What's the biggest mistake you've ever done in your life, and what did you do to make it right? (From Q&A in Miss Universe, controversial question to our Ms. Philippines). Then someone asked me how I would answer it, and I commented:

If I would be asked this tough question, here's my tough and honest answer.... The biggest mistake I've ever done in my life is foolishly trying to be perfect to please everyone. I've been tough on myself trying to compete all the time and comparing myself with others - believing that I am better or not better than everybody else.... What I did to make it right is simply appreciate myself for what I am blessed with and what I have to share to others and the world even if I can't be nearly perfect and can't please everybody - that I can be myself, love myself, laugh at myself and believe in myself to be simply the best that I can be in everything that I do... Trust me, life is so much easier to live when you're just yourself and not trying to be someone you're not. Thank you.

I posted this just for fun as our country's bet, Ms. Philippines - Venus Raj, has received massive criticism over her English and her non-winning answer... Sadly, she was feasted and judged by rude, arrogant and shameless Filipinos and other international critics all over the internet... most of them can't even write their criticism in English well online.

I wanted to defend Venus Raj somehow here in my blog as I am also a Filipina woman and I had my share of experiences in beauty pageants in my younger days. That question was a tough one for a 22 year old. What kind of "major, major mistake or problem" in life could a 22 year old girl like her ever have? I mean, she didn't drop out of college or did stupid things like eloped with some handsome loser? But instead, she fought her way to this Miss Universe pageant, from the bukid to Las Vegas, and just laughed at herself after realizing her answer on stage... For me, that's true bravery, and how many girls like her can ever do that?

She's obviously a "promdi" like me. I can relate to her being still naive at 22, and obviously being raised in a very well-sheltered family. Unfortunately, that gave her a disadvantage in winning the crown, but she's still the winner in many people's hearts, including mine.

For me, even though she's not a typical Filipina beauty - in my opinion, Venus Raj is a true Fabulous Pinay. At the end of the day, we all know that she represented our country very well and she made us proud being in the Top 5!

I found this video interview of Venus Raj that you all should see!

Another video interview of Venus Raj, just being herself and being funny. For me, the sexiest thing in any woman is that she can make fun of herself!

My Old Face

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:03:00 PDT

Two decades ago, before today's Facebook generation.... my old face emerged! How refreshing to remember how natural I looked back then.

Three old photos topped my favorites from my old friends tagging me in their Facebook albums!!

My Four Fearless Steps That Made A Difference In My Life

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:40:00 PDT

Going back to both my personal and career blogs early this year, I had this intuition that I am going to go through "something" this year. I was clueless but I was prepared. In January, I started taking short business classes that opened my mind to a lot more possibilities for me, and these personal and professional development workshops dared me to change in this unlikely time during the US recession. In April, I let go of my hotel sales career and with it, I let go of my greatest fears and inhibitions. I decided to follow my intuition (God) and somehow it led me to CLIMB a different mountain… In May, I decided to go public in my pursuit of my new dream career in computer software and technology sales.

Here, I wanted to share and inspire you all the four Fearless Steps that I had to take and made a difference in my life to following this dream, or any dream that I want to achieve in life:

STEP 1: Killing my “Mind-Evils”
It’s my ultimate battle. These mind-evils are doubts, fears, shame, distrust, guilt, pride, pressure, stress, weakness, criticisms, depression, loneliness, rejection, discouragement, failure, worry…. I could go on and on. I call it “mind-evils,” because these only existed in my mind and they are destructive… Flushing these out of my mind is the most important step, and the hardest first step that I took… If I can do it, you can, too.

STEP 2: Unleash my “Mind-Powers”
It’s my ultimate win. These “mind-powers” are achievement, success, positive attitude, quadruple self-belief, gratitude, confidence, contentment, courage, hope, love, faith, goals, happiness, peace, trust, responsibility, God’s will, and BIG, BIG PRAYERS…. If you read my daily Facebook status, you see that I feed my mind only with positive quotes and surround myself only with positive people. If I can do it, you can, too.

STEP 3: Empower my “Mind-Visions”
It’s my ultimate prize. Many times, I said to myself: If I know where I’m going, I know I’m gonna get there…. If you tell me to shoot the apple, I’ll shoot the apple... If I want to race, I want to race to win…. I call these my “mind-visions” and they are powerful so I practice this all the time. When I had to go through some adversity or challenge in my life, or even if I just set myself to reach a personal goal, I focused on the end-result that is favorable for me. If I can do it, you can, too.

STEP 4: Look what I have become…
It’s my ultimate pleasure…. To look back and see what I have become in the process. These are the moments that I remember most of… the learning experiences that I cherish the most. In my career change and job search during the peak of the US recession, for example, I had to do amazing things that I’ve never done before (that I thought I could never do)…. I pushed myself to my limits until I had unleashed my most daring and most powerful version of my self. If I can do it, you can, too.

Here’s my song to remember my journey, (THE CLIMB by Miley Cyrus) and I dedicate this to all men and women who are ready to push themselves to their limits and find their most daring, and their most powerful self inside of them, and cherish the climb.....

The Most Important 433 Words to Read This Month

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:41:00 PDT

No matter how sophisticated and grown-up we become, everyone has her insecure days. In this excerpt from her new book, Eve Ensler celebrates the true power of a woman (you guys know I'm all about that, right?). I got this from an editorial at Glamour magazine, and wanted to share to all emotional men and women, so read on.

Dear Emotional Creature:

I believe in you. I believe in your authenticity, your uniqueness, your intensity, your wildness. I love the way you dye your hair purple, or hike up your short skirt, or blare your music while you lip-synch every single memorized lyric (now, that's more like me!). I love your restlessness and your hunger. You possess the energy that, if unleashed, could transform, inspire and heal the world.

Everyone seems to have a certain way they want you to be - your mother, father, teachers, religious leaders, politicians, boyfriends, fashion gurus, celebrities, girlfriends. In reporting my new book, I learned a very disturbing statistic: 74 percent of young women say they are under pressure to please everyone. (You and I included...)

I have done a lot of thinking about what it means to please; to be the wish or will of somebody other than yourself. To please the fashion setters, we starve ourselves. To please men, we push ourselves when we aren't ready. To please our parents, we become insane over-achievers. If you are trying to please, how do you take responsibility for your own needs? How do you even know what your needs are? The act of pleasing makes everything murky (murky means dark or gloomy). We lose track of ourselves. We stop uttering declaratory sentences. We stop directing our lives. We forget what we know. We make everything OK rather than real.

I have had the good fortune to travel around the world. Everywhere I meet teenage girls and women giggling, laughing as they walk country roads or hang out on city streets. Electric girls. I see how their lives get hijacked, how their opinions and desires get denied and undone. So many of the women I have met are still struggling late into their lives to know their desires, to find their way.

Instead of trying to please, this is a challenge to provoke, to dare, to satisfy your own imagination and appetite. To take responsibility for who you are, to engage. Listen to the voice inside you that might want something different. It's a call to your original self, to move at your own speed, to walk with your step, to wear your color.

When I was your age, I didn't know how to live as an emotional creature. I felt like an alien. I still do a lot of the time. I am older now. I finally know the difference between pleasing and loving, obeying and respecting. It has taken me so many years to be OK with being different, with being this alive, this intense. I just don't want to have to wait that long.

Love,
Eve Ensler

(Eve Ensler's new book is I am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World.)

Story of a Blind Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:48:00 PDT

A close friend of mine sent this via email to me last week and I have shared this with few of my friends as well. I thought this was worthy of a blog post. This story means different things to me.... one is, if you position your message well and positively, you can get better results in life. So, cheer on and the world will cheer back to you!

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."
I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling. And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it. If you like, share.

Memoirs of a Long Distance Aunt

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:36:00 PDT

My life is always joyous and meaningful in a lot of simplier ways, and I had a glimpse of this joy and meaningfulness when I visited my family in Houston back in April, saw my dad and my mom again after a loooong time... and met the "other man" who gave new sparkles in my eyes... He is my nephew, Robertson, and my dad called him "Betsoy"... ha-ha-ha!! I knew then that when I came back home to Utah, my life will never be the same again. I was right so!

New "About Me"

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sun, 02 May 2010 19:07:00 PDT

This past month of April passed by too fast and too furious for me, and shame on me that I had no single post! When I get all my pictures in my Houston visit loaded here in my laptop, I'd like to share with you all here in my blog why my recent birthday (yes, I'm older again!) was the most fun of all!

Today, I have updated my Blogger Profile "About Me" as it was inspired by a verse that was discussed in the church I attended today. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7"

Here's my blog-worthy "About Me"... I am a self-taught and self-empowered motivator, and I believe in the power of my personal written words. I use my blogs as an extension of my being, my doing, my thoughts, my creation, my power, my discovery of my destiny… I am ambitious and I set myself to achieve success and to realize all my dreams. I believe that God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7). This is why I believe I can do amazing things and can manifest all my personal potentials and greatness that God gifted me. Although this makes me feel like I’m not humble enough, but when you believe that your potentials and greatness are your gift back to the world, you can be astounded when you can touch someone’s life with it… contribute to make the world a better place, make life more meaningful and God’s grace a delight to experience.

I hope that inspired you today.

To your power and greatness,
Czarina

Be Frank With Purpose

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:48:00 PDT

Hello friends! How's April Fool's day treating you? Recently, I was challenged to handle a very awkward situation. When I want to make a big change in my life and when I want to move forward with clear conscience, it is important for me to make sure that I am not carrying a "baggage" inside me.

I knew that I had to do this at one point, and that right time came when I need to finally make this call to this person and deal with some senseless issues (that are just time-wasters for me). You are now probably wondering, "what the heck am I talking about?" Well, I wanted to blog about this experience because I want to teach others "how to be frank with purpose" to someone close to them and how to leave the conversation without feeling guilty or having to regret that you were able to say what you need to say to that person.

So... how can you be frank to some one with purpose? I said, "with purpose." What an AHA moment! This is so interesting and I'm laughing at myself now, as this topic is so cliche to me! I feel like I'm Oprah here! Ha-ha!

Being frank "purposely" is like beating someone in the head but hoping he didn't end up mentally retarded. That's a joke! But seriously, it is saying an awful truth to some one's face even if it hurts to say it but that's the only way to say it so it sticks to some one's head.... No sugar coating, but just saying the plain and ugly truth (be frank), and telling this person that you are sorry for his circumstances... But this is not your problem and none of your business (with purpose). Then move on.

This is not my first time to be frank purposely with someone. I've done this a number of times and it may feel bad at first, because I may be perceived as "not nice" but eventually, I will thank myself for saving me some frustration or grief at some point. Now, when you have the guts to be frank, don't be rude and don't let emotions rule you, but speak humbly and do it with class and then move on with poise!

Got Busy on Facebook + Image Makeover in my Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:21:00 PDT

Hello to all my fabulous friends out there! I wanted to change to a friendly tone from now on here in my blog. I want to sound like how I would talk to you, if you ever met me in real life. I'm always bubbly and fun, and I thought that's how this fabulous blog should be... like me for real.

I have updated the look of my confessions blog today, because it needed a new face and a new spirit. It's been soooo long and it has begged me for a makeover and a face lift and two shots of botox! So did you like my new updated fresh look? I'm sure you won't miss the old cowgirl here.... ha-ha-ha!

It's been a couple of weeks since I blogged and let me tell you, I've been busy! I've been busy in FACEBOOK, seriously! It has been my outlet to find and share my joy and inspiration to my friends. I was micro-blogging there almost daily and it was sooo fun, especially to interact with new and old friends and my kababayans.

So I liked posting quotes that emphasizes on the things that I wanted to attract to come to me... like success, love, patience, relationship, friendship, overcoming fear, even reading! Whatever I felt passionate about that day. Until one day, I got a comment that I should post my own quotes... after some few blah moments, I finally found my own keys to my own wisdom box! Here's what I quoted:

"It's not the perfect hair, make-up, teeth, outfit, or figure that makes a woman truly beautiful. It is what she believes and feels inside.... It is her value and wisdom. It is her power and humility. It is her grace and kindness." By Czarina Trinidad 3/18/2010

I thought that was pretty good for my first original one! I want to discuss this further in my next post so keep checking me here if you want to hear what I have to say about a topic that I'm passionate about.

Keep believing in "you,"
Czarina

What I Really Wanted To Be When I Grow Up...

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:40:00 PST

Didn't you have to come down to your knees at one point in your life, and ask yourself "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

Back in January, one of my clients had asked me this and I had a brain-freeze because of too much Cheetos, I was seeing lots of orange. I thought I knew myself too well... but sadly, I had no clue at that moment.

When I was a kid, I thought, "I wanted to become a nurse, or a lawyer." Then when I was in college, I thought, "I wanted to become a flight attendant." The reality after college, I chose to go a different path, and worked in a prestigious 5-star hotel in Manila and aimed for a sales manager position, which had been the case as I had planned. I migrated to the US, married my best friend and made some of our dreams come true. So, I thought I already have a pretty good success story, but I was not convinced... It's not even close.

Let's go back to answering this cliche question of what I wanted to be when I grow up... This is almost like a very spiritual moment for me. I prayed really hard.

I remember my favorite Bible verse. If ever there was a case that every Christian should "own" a verse, here's mine: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13. I have this engraved in my heart since 1999.

It was truly an AHA moment when I looked back in my blogs and in almost all of my public profiles, as I found the answers there. Part of what I wanted to be when I grow up, aside from becoming a professional career woman that I am now, is to become a model, an actor, and a writer.

In my biggest leap of faith this year, I have planned to set myself to success, to empower myself to create opportunities to achieve all these lost childhood dreams, and mentally picture this happening in my mind and affirm every day that "with God, nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37). To start living and breathing this affirmation, I have started creating a "Memoir" of my self, and bought my own domain, http://www.czarinatrinidad.com/. In this personal website, I will write my life's purpose and dreams... my own mission and vision... and it will be out there in the world to see on how God faithfully declared His plans for me.

Johnny Weir: My Favorite American Skater

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:47:00 PST

Johnny Weir is my favorite American Figure Skater. I've been a big fan for a long time. I've been looking for Johnny Weir's video of his short program performance in Vancouver this week and no luck on that. This video that I just embedded here (from the US Championship back in January where he qualified to compete in the Olympics) is the same performance and costume of his "I love you I hate you" performance this week in Vancouver.

I wanted to share here his video performance because he's so graceful and his fun and free spirited personality really shines... I can see myself in him! Even if he only ended in the 6th place in the Olympics, he differentiated himself and he stood out above the rest... He's earned more fans than the others. I can see in all his performances that he is realizing all his dreams on ice, whether he wins a medal or not. His passion and belief in himself affirms "I'm beautiful, I'm smart, I'm strong, I'm fabulous, I can do it!" That's exactly what the Fabulous Pinay affirms to herself every day.

Winter Olympics Opening Night, Intimate and Emotional

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:46:00 PST

I was just a newbie here in Utah when Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. I lived then in Park City where most events happened. I have become a huge fan since then having seen some of these live competitions where I almost froze to death. I have enjoyed the women's moguls and ski racing, the half-pipe snowboarding, figure skating, and even the most absurd ones like the ski jumping, luge, skeleton and bobsled.

Last night, my husband and I, and the kids, welcomed in our living room the Canadians' opening night celebration and the first day of the 17-day 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It was awesome yet intimate, and I was once again proud of my US and Canadian Teams!

But sadness still glooms the room because of the death of this young luger from Georgia. Knowing few olympians here in Park City, I knew how much you have to go through to be even qualified to race in the olympics, and to be the best of the best to represent your country.

In 2002, when I was at the Utah Olympic Park, where the ski jumping, luge, skeleton and bobsled events was held... I only have one thought of these althletes. They are CRAZY and out of their minds! The ski jumpers jumps up 120 meters high and lands on their skis, must be paper thin and short like 5 feet, and the luge, skeleton and bobled (should be tall like 5'10" and heavy) races more than 90 miles an hour. I can't even imagine driving my car that fast at 90 mph!

I'm sure I'll have more fun stories of this winter Olympics later on. But for now, I mourn with some fans.

No Inspirational Stories But These...

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:40:00 PST

My mind hurts for just thinking of what could be so inspirational about me to talk about here. When I just wanted to be silly and goofy and a little mean sometimes (because I really don't get to do that in real life!) Let's see if these recent situations can count...

Last night I was in Walgreens to get a few items, and all of a sudden, I felt the ground shaking around me when I heard this little girl screaming at the top of her lungs! I went around the other aisle to check what was that about, and saw this toddler throwing everything out of her mom's cart while crying her soul out from her potty mouth (telling her mom to shut up!). What I saw was this little wrathful villain child giving her poor mother some bloodbath in the baby aisle. Alright, I love to have a kid, but no, thanks. I thought that was inspiring for me to just keep a simple life.

In the news this evening is about this mom in Salt Lake who blogged about her encouter in saving her baby from drowning. She got 200,000+ hits in her blog. I thought that was inspiring on how to popularize my blog. Maybe I can share here that early this week, I panicked in tears when I gave a small grilled pork chop with small bone to my boy Shih Tzu, Shilo, and he just swallowed the whole thing! I screamed and cried like a mad woman while I was rubbing my dog and I was worried that it will get stucked in his throat, or intestines, or that it will puncture his internal organs, and cause him to bleed to death, so I was ready to call 911! My husband came running down and saw me shaking the poor dog upside down and he tried to calm me down! How can I calm down when Shilo could die because he swallowed this bone that I gave him? My husband comforted me and told me, "It's just a little bone, honey. It will come out so just watch out for it." I've been watching it to come out for 3 days now, and there's nothing... Shilo is alive and well and still begging me for some more pork chop. So, was that drama inspirational enough?

Sorry, I'll try again next time.

Fierce Versus Fabulous: Challenge to Change

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:05:00 PST

I had called an interview with my alter-ego, Fabulous Pinay, today to straighten out both our identities here. My goal is to pick her brain and see if I could convince her to take on a challenge for me.

ME: Hello, Fabulous Pinay. I wanted to comment about your earlier blog as you were sort of mocking me, and you were trying to make fun of my new career blog.

FP: First of all, I wanted to say hello to all my fans out there! And thank you for meeting with me today, Miss Sasha Fierce.

ME: My name is Czarina Trinidad, and not Miss Sasha Fierce. Fierce is the word that I used a while back to define my self reinvention. As you know, I have started my new blog about my personal branding project and I am just concerned that your identity may be hurting what I'm trying to do.

FP: I know what you're trying to do. You wanted to be more FAMOUS than me. You are just jealous because I'm cuter and funner!

ME: I am not jealous at all. But I do wanted to be just as FAMOUS as you. I just wanted to ask you if you could stop mocking me.

FP: Did you get offended when I said you could eat men for lunch? Then spit them out? Whip and kick them? Not let them rule and walk all over you?

ME: Let's be serious here. I wanted to ask you if you could reinvent yourself as well. Like be an expert of something and write about it. Maybe you could gain more readers. For example, are you an expert in fashion? Do you have an opinion?

FP: OMG! I want to tell those women wearing these horrible looking shoes. Those boots called UGG for ugly. And those called Crocs for crocheads! Why do women think they're cute in it? I don't care if they're comfy... it looks retarded to me. I'm sorry. I can never be caught dead on those shoes.

ME: I appreciate your opinion, although a little outrageous there with some risky words. That is something that I was hoping you could change to something positive about the way you say things in this blog. Can you take that challenge? Like to sound inspirational? For example, can you say something "nice" about ambitious women?

FP: Hmmm... I want to say something nice about the men in the lives of these ambitious women, like their husbands for example.

ME: Okay, go on. If I'm your reader, I want to hear something positive.

FP: There is nothing hotter than a man who cheers his wife to succeed and achieve her dreams, and there is nothing sexier than a man who is not intimidated by her ambitions and her shoes.

ME: That's fantastic. Can you take my challenge to be the new inspirational Fabulous Pinay in this blog? As they say, keep writing something nice and nice readers will come. And you can still be cute and fun!

FP: Oh, thank you, Miss Sasha Fierce! I can take that anytime.

Who's this "What's Your Fierce Face?"

noreply@blogger.com (Czarina Trinidad) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:17:00 PST

Wait a minute. Who is this new chic trying to face me out here in my own fabulous vlog? Who is this "what's your fierce face" talking about changing "what's your fierce tone" here in my vlog? No, no, no. The Promdi gal may have left but the Fabulous Pinay still rules this blog and remains the queen. I am fun and I am cute, and there ain't no changing me.... There is no intervention happening in this place. Sorry to my audience if I'm ruining your expectations.

So, here's my word to you, Miss I Am Sasha Fierce Your Face.... You can get your own blog and write about what you do, and what you are fierce about. You can talk about what you're good at like empowering yourself and becoming some high powered career woman in teased hair, dark lips, black suit and pointy stilettos eating men for lunch and then spitting them out.... But aren't you that already? So what else is there to talk about....

Okay, stop this alter-ego now.

What I'm trying to say here really is that I have created a new blog that you all should be aware of and this is my new URL, http://czarinatrinidadatwork.blogspot.com/. Since I can't be the real me here in the Confessions of a Fabulous Pinay blog anymore (never, ever)... I thought it will be nice if I can be just a normal human being like everyone else with unique passions, career goals, talents to share and dreams to fulfill... and write about it (of course!). So if you know me and wanted to watch out what I'm doing to become a better person and a dynamic professional in 365 days... Please cheer me if you believe in me...you have to subscribe and follow my new blog that I call "My Personal Branding Project."

Ok, Fabulous Pinay, you can have your own lights, camera, action, now.