tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56760915529725263612013-09-01T09:00:11.624-07:00Miss Independent MindAn Independent Filipina Girl's Take On The World.Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-58115598961144510372013-02-04T10:20:00.003-08:002013-02-04T10:20:21.991-08:002013-02-04T10:20:21.991-08:00Bangkok for Dummies <div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bangkok's a pretty straight forward place, and it looks a lot like the Philippines (Manila-ish). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a shopping mecca and a foodie heaven. *enough said* </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything is insanely affordable (especially food). </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><b>Trip Happiness: </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px; text-align: justify;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px; text-align: justify;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px; text-align: justify;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px; text-align: justify;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px; text-align: justify;">★</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Verdict: </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Booking Site: Hotels2Thailand </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.765625px;">Site: http://www.hotels2thailand.com/</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.765625px;"><span style="color: #222222;">Good hotel prices, you can customize your tours and airport transfers, plus they have online chat support (that really supports you), so yeah, </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I love Hotels2Thailand. They were </span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">accommodating, clear, and precise. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Accommodations: </b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Grand Diamond Hotel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">We loved Grand Diamond Hotel for 3 major reason:(3) It's a mall + hotel (2) It's walking distance from another mall and (1) it's right across the street from another mall. SO YEAH, pretty much it was mall central. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The rooms are all fully equipped suites very roomy, clean, and cozy. The breakfast buffet was awesome. Crispy fatty bacon, croissants, churros, smoked salmon, sushi, and a selection of thai/asian food. Also, there's a fast food in the mall area of the hotel, where you can eat really affordable (and good) thai food. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Personally, If i go back to bangkok, i'll probably book a room here again. Love the location, and the convenience of the mall below the hotel.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Shopping:</b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Obviously we went there to shop. So before going there we already had a list of malls to go to and food to try (see below image). Most of the must-go-to malls are there complete with mall hours and Thai translations. I'll have a next post detailing ok Bangkok Malls. #StayTuned </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Warning: </b>there are some taxi drivers that cannot speak english (from experience) so it's very helpful to know where exactly you're going (ie: street name / popular name place) and thai-translation of the places you're going to. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #fafafa; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Tour: ???</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 17.765625px;"> </span></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Okay. So I forgot where we got our tour but I think it was just near the Hotel Lobby-- we canvassed from tour to tour, I think-- the prices in the hotel lobby was already fair, so that's where we got it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The tour was just so-so since the tour guide really didn't explain much of the cultural and historical significance of each temple and site. I was expecting a lot more discussion regarding Bangkok but with our tour guide it was an ask and answer type of thing. It was a day of rushing and taking pictures in different temples. It made for a good photo-opp since the temples were really beautiful. But again, I was hoping for more in-depth information about Thailand, the temples, Budha and I didn't really get it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I got a nice PDF book after so, that solved that. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Other Tips:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">1. Plan out your trip - "Google before you Go"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It's a lot better to know the places you want to hit before you actually get there. Not only do you save time in THINKING, DECIDING, but also you save time and effort in GETTING LOST. : )) </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Given that Control Freak is too harsh a work, I like to coin myself as an 'in-control-traveler.' Because, yes, I will always try to plan-out 'controllable' factors. I hate feeling like a lost tourist. I'm already a tourist, worst is if I get myself naively lost. hahahaha. And by doing so, it's always been smooth sailing, no bad trip on my rap sheet and no trip-mishap or whatnots to account for. :)) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">2. Get a good hotel </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">the hotel prices in BK are insane (good type of crazy). You can get a 4-5 star hotel for USD 100 a night. Pretty fair since you can't even see those prices here in Manila. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">3. Know what you want to buy</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I know it's hard but when you get there if you know what you're going to buy (ie: clothes, shoes, gadgets, etc) you'll have a good direction of where you'll go. There's A LOT of things to buy there so it's always nice coming out of a trip with things you WANTED and things you could use rather that a lot of random things that you neither wanted or could use but you just thought "ooh cool" and throw away. : ))</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">4. HAGGLE </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Of course you can't haggle in the malls but street vendors negotiate very well. I got a good pair of shades, bags, and pouches at 20-40% off the posted price. Usually closing time folks are a lot more forgiving in giving good prices. ;-) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">5. Know the Mall Hours</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Night markets are the latests, some malls are only up to 8PM while some are up to 10 PM -- so note the mall hours so you call go-mall-crazy efficiently, hitting the earlier closing places first and staying late at places that close late.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is my guide from google maps and customized by (moi). It's supposed to be lost-proof / dumb-proof. Ideally it's going to be printed back to back. The Roaming thing is for non-Tech folks who can't config their phone to save their lives (ahem parents). Hope it's of some use. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*enjoy*</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdhJrKBZNww/UQ_rg1xtf9I/AAAAAAAABMI/NMfl_lmjOwI/s1600/BK+Map+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdhJrKBZNww/UQ_rg1xtf9I/AAAAAAAABMI/NMfl_lmjOwI/s640/BK+Map+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46DtsYGiqps/UQ_2QxGkR_I/AAAAAAAABMg/T5mru9KyOyQ/s1600/BK+Map+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46DtsYGiqps/UQ_2QxGkR_I/AAAAAAAABMg/T5mru9KyOyQ/s640/BK+Map+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yum Yum Pad Thai </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSi5bw7y5Kg/UQ_4IJCSAyI/AAAAAAAABMo/60fvMiuBiwk/s1600/1-bk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSi5bw7y5Kg/UQ_4IJCSAyI/AAAAAAAABMo/60fvMiuBiwk/s640/1-bk.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b style="text-align: center;">Floating Market Finds </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">note: prices aren't the best in the floating market you can find some stuff in the mall for a lesser price BUT it's nice to support the folks from the market. :) </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90i6SPUq-nM/UQ_4JHXZjjI/AAAAAAAABM4/bac1P6qSlPE/s1600/1-bk1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90i6SPUq-nM/UQ_4JHXZjjI/AAAAAAAABM4/bac1P6qSlPE/s640/1-bk1232.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Floating Market Finds </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">note: so my sister loved the pad thai there. I think we tried 14 different types of padthai and she claims that <b>this was the best. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RrscOAyoSE/UQ_4InkpFoI/AAAAAAAABMw/SzWnsnqDWg0/s1600/1-bk123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RrscOAyoSE/UQ_4InkpFoI/AAAAAAAABMw/SzWnsnqDWg0/s640/1-bk123.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other pix below. :) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GpmzoRZrXk/UQ_4Kf1os8I/AAAAAAAABNA/Kdqt3QwUPEk/s1600/1-bk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GpmzoRZrXk/UQ_4Kf1os8I/AAAAAAAABNA/Kdqt3QwUPEk/s640/1-bk3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0AwefPFpFCw/UQ_4LAjHMGI/AAAAAAAABNI/JjN2dM0HhAQ/s1600/1-bk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0AwefPFpFCw/UQ_4LAjHMGI/AAAAAAAABNI/JjN2dM0HhAQ/s640/1-bk2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_75U0rs8C2U/UQ_4Lf4VYaI/AAAAAAAABNM/NQJkDxt0r1w/s1600/1-bk1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_75U0rs8C2U/UQ_4Lf4VYaI/AAAAAAAABNM/NQJkDxt0r1w/s640/1-bk1233.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoKbfEwAtLc/UQ_4L6Ko2rI/AAAAAAAABNY/oBDhDtAiy1k/s1600/1-bk4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoKbfEwAtLc/UQ_4L6Ko2rI/AAAAAAAABNY/oBDhDtAiy1k/s640/1-bk4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-paGIfK76QH8/UQ_4Mtq-j2I/AAAAAAAABNg/CfZLAk0SQLs/s1600/1-bk44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-paGIfK76QH8/UQ_4Mtq-j2I/AAAAAAAABNg/CfZLAk0SQLs/s640/1-bk44.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6FP7l95zXA/UQ_4M5-mVWI/AAAAAAAABNk/nI-QAFvrqdo/s1600/1-bk44444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6FP7l95zXA/UQ_4M5-mVWI/AAAAAAAABNk/nI-QAFvrqdo/s640/1-bk44444.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkg8QXb8Up0/UQ_4N82z4dI/AAAAAAAABNw/VsM9joHUP5k/s1600/1-bkmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkg8QXb8Up0/UQ_4N82z4dI/AAAAAAAABNw/VsM9joHUP5k/s640/1-bkmom.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNTaAJ886eY/UQ_4OJ64nKI/AAAAAAAABN0/EyegjLz_jk8/s1600/1-bk44444444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNTaAJ886eY/UQ_4OJ64nKI/AAAAAAAABN0/EyegjLz_jk8/s640/1-bk44444444.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-76224608857122971572013-01-04T12:01:00.001-08:002013-01-06T08:19:00.526-08:002013-01-06T08:19:00.526-08:00Coron: Chillin' Cruisin' and Crazy fun<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was <b>6 months</b> in the making for <b>16</b> people and NO they didn't all confirm at the same time regardless of the ultimatums and deadlines we made. haha. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My good friend and I were the ones coordinating the trip for the entire group. And let me tell you, planning a trip for 16 ain't a laughing matter. But thanks to online collaboration tools ( I love you google ) everything was smooth sailing from booking to billing to packing and reminders. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the tour, meals, and transfers: we got a good coupon from<b> MetroDeal</b> and booked with <b>shore2shore Travel. </b>For Airfare, some one us flew Cebu Pacific and some Zest Air to Busuanga. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Trip Happiness: </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rating: </b>2 Thumbs Up for Divelink and Shore2Shore Travel!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Verdict: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Coupon:</b> MetroDeal </span><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;">☹</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">☹</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">☹</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a big fan of MetroDeal not of their interface and feedback response time when you have an issue. I'm just grateful that we go this great deal there but this is probably the last deal i'll get from them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Agency: </b>Shore2Shore Travel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love Shore2Shore and how accommodating and fast they were to responding to us. We had a lot of requests and specifications and follow ups but they didn't fail to deliver and response on time, always. I'll definitely book with them again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got to Coron, Divelink, and tours without a hitch. Considering that my group of friends are a very vocal and blunt sort of group, I didn't hear a bad feedback during our stay. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Accommodations:</b> DiveLink Resort </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">★</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>General:</b> Divelink is a small island resort off the coast of busuanga main island. It's your own island overlooking the coron horizon. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not the Shangri-La but for provincial accommodations, it's good, clean, and deadly-bugs and insects free. Also, the view was very serene since it had a hill-ish deck that you can see the ocean and island. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>People</b>:<b> WE LOVE THE STAFF. </b>Everyone was so nice, friendly and most importantly: honest. They'll give you tips in getting pasalubong minus the tourist price and they'll go the extra effort in making sure your stay is enjoyable. They were also really very polite and kind, so that was appreciated.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Food:</b> The Resort had Good food, generous serving too. I think most of my guy friends splurged for food. For me, and the girls, most of us just shared rice and food and we were already full. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>X-Factor: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I love that they granted us our room requests and they were very generous about it. We were a group of 16 and my concern was that I didn't want us to be cramped up in small rooms. So, we ended up having almost a floor and the accommodations booked for us were good for 20. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. We also appreciated the UNLI-boat transfers (form morning to 6PM) from Divelink to Busuanga main island that was part of the package. I think, any traveler hates those hassle hidden charges-- so that 'convenience' perk was really nice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <b>They had a bar with karaoke in the middle of the sea</b>. You had to cross a small bridge to get there. It was a small rock formation that they made into a bar, so that was cool. Our group pretty much had that 'rock' to ourselves so that was fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. They had their own hill. We were already too lazy to go hiking in mainland busuanga but since the resort was its own mountain-ish island, my friends got to hike without having to go to the mainland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Resort Activities were part of the package. Aside from going island hopping, if we wanted to go snorkeling there were already corals in front of our doorstep. We also borrowed the resort's Kayak to get to the next island (not me though). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/36741418" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/36741418">2012 Coron Getaway: Our Awesome Coron Trip in 4 minutes</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/moochie">Moochie</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7OUQtTfmJ0/UOcwxOXthiI/AAAAAAAABJE/LM75kV9Nc0o/s1600/335227_10151277764905483_1407439613_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7OUQtTfmJ0/UOcwxOXthiI/AAAAAAAABJE/LM75kV9Nc0o/s640/335227_10151277764905483_1407439613_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-44lZDbwvrE4/UOcw4teeKsI/AAAAAAAABJg/p6HmYJsyx-M/s1600/411607_10151277450030483_91370258_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-44lZDbwvrE4/UOcw4teeKsI/AAAAAAAABJg/p6HmYJsyx-M/s640/411607_10151277450030483_91370258_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dp9qc-ARco/UOcwiXoVUOI/AAAAAAAABII/368t0XhM9rI/s1600/322986_10151277591910483_869345617_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dp9qc-ARco/UOcwiXoVUOI/AAAAAAAABII/368t0XhM9rI/s640/322986_10151277591910483_869345617_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jm-mZTQh-28/UOcwkYCKMaI/AAAAAAAABIQ/jkN3hjyGh4U/s1600/325895_10151277515495483_1779851156_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jm-mZTQh-28/UOcwkYCKMaI/AAAAAAAABIQ/jkN3hjyGh4U/s640/325895_10151277515495483_1779851156_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6guUz0iqDb8/UOcwmxAt9wI/AAAAAAAABIc/PQguuw-DTC8/s1600/327614_10151277766985483_1665638545_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6guUz0iqDb8/UOcwmxAt9wI/AAAAAAAABIc/PQguuw-DTC8/s640/327614_10151277766985483_1665638545_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlkE8Nk6zSc/UOcwphV5RhI/AAAAAAAABIo/-VLkeCzHARM/s1600/329569_10151277776580483_1633678143_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlkE8Nk6zSc/UOcwphV5RhI/AAAAAAAABIo/-VLkeCzHARM/s640/329569_10151277776580483_1633678143_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nc8HKNw5b00/UOcwsFrOfbI/AAAAAAAABIw/IjqICKqR56I/s1600/329197_10151277463330483_784808404_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nc8HKNw5b00/UOcwsFrOfbI/AAAAAAAABIw/IjqICKqR56I/s640/329197_10151277463330483_784808404_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zuWbLnWerjA/UOcwuQKf5AI/AAAAAAAABI0/1yTwuOVALSk/s1600/333573_10151277527595483_61850594_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zuWbLnWerjA/UOcwuQKf5AI/AAAAAAAABI0/1yTwuOVALSk/s640/333573_10151277527595483_61850594_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tHD854dUgk/UOcwk5B0a7I/AAAAAAAABIU/HEuFt2FF5nQ/s1600/324599_10151277092035483_1073675657_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tHD854dUgk/UOcwk5B0a7I/AAAAAAAABIU/HEuFt2FF5nQ/s640/324599_10151277092035483_1073675657_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWPat7DWe5U/UOcwxWEJaII/AAAAAAAABJI/Rfc9-6tItpk/s1600/338099_10151277105600483_527220068_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWPat7DWe5U/UOcwxWEJaII/AAAAAAAABJI/Rfc9-6tItpk/s640/338099_10151277105600483_527220068_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKGf0fNfwX0/UOcw0VKpFtI/AAAAAAAABJU/c47oYfsc5ew/s1600/339198_10151277523495483_1175134462_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKGf0fNfwX0/UOcw0VKpFtI/AAAAAAAABJU/c47oYfsc5ew/s640/339198_10151277523495483_1175134462_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGpUh1pK4Cw/UOcw3xrOVGI/AAAAAAAABJc/UJhozQ3hZMg/s1600/411149_10151277662760483_1369515499_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGpUh1pK4Cw/UOcw3xrOVGI/AAAAAAAABJc/UJhozQ3hZMg/s640/411149_10151277662760483_1369515499_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5UUxsdQ210/UOcw5mb5WWI/AAAAAAAABJo/tD4rTJ6Isi4/s1600/416428_10151276867025483_1791432943_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5UUxsdQ210/UOcw5mb5WWI/AAAAAAAABJo/tD4rTJ6Isi4/s640/416428_10151276867025483_1791432943_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlrksQnYYzg/UOcw6fQix9I/AAAAAAAABJs/ZxAOsG0unlE/s1600/424316_10151277262770483_1855307853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlrksQnYYzg/UOcw6fQix9I/AAAAAAAABJs/ZxAOsG0unlE/s640/424316_10151277262770483_1855307853_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CBmCf_fAKc/UOcw7WG4xyI/AAAAAAAABJ0/OYPhe-hN6wA/s1600/615388_10152269061155483_1525228563_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CBmCf_fAKc/UOcw7WG4xyI/AAAAAAAABJ0/OYPhe-hN6wA/s640/615388_10152269061155483_1525228563_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9_0yzeqZSU/UOcw-holNoI/AAAAAAAABKE/vNspw0OANl8/s1600/679868_10152269262435483_1866612235_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9_0yzeqZSU/UOcw-holNoI/AAAAAAAABKE/vNspw0OANl8/s640/679868_10152269262435483_1866612235_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6WNX7utatQ/UOc0fj-FlAI/AAAAAAAABKk/En4XjGmyxxM/s1600/328592_10151277658265483_1918091957_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6WNX7utatQ/UOc0fj-FlAI/AAAAAAAABKk/En4XjGmyxxM/s640/328592_10151277658265483_1918091957_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HJ67Yjep8w/UOc0f8zsweI/AAAAAAAABKo/j6-PLnuRwqU/s1600/398437_10151276780325483_378211112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HJ67Yjep8w/UOc0f8zsweI/AAAAAAAABKo/j6-PLnuRwqU/s640/398437_10151276780325483_378211112_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgE0xVbamh8/UOc0g9Z8Q-I/AAAAAAAABKs/u7X9XWLWcXM/s1600/329876_10151278399565483_74009385_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgE0xVbamh8/UOc0g9Z8Q-I/AAAAAAAABKs/u7X9XWLWcXM/s640/329876_10151278399565483_74009385_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhQica207hY/UOc0kCg80pI/AAAAAAAABK8/d-vQZIVJors/s1600/415944_10151277639930483_969067982_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhQica207hY/UOc0kCg80pI/AAAAAAAABK8/d-vQZIVJors/s640/415944_10151277639930483_969067982_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-44181626200915568462013-01-04T11:44:00.000-08:002013-01-04T12:07:39.444-08:002013-01-04T12:07:39.444-08:00Two Takeaways from Hemingway <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Randomly bumped into Hemingway this week and we had a short chat about the last days of his life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But seriously, I stumbled upon reading a short article about Ernest Hemingway's life and became deeply intrigued about his last days and work. So I googled for a copy of <b>A Moveable Feast </b>where he narrates the story of his life in Paris. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I guess, my two key take-aways from it are:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>2. I have to experience living in Paris. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to live in Paris, eat good food, walk, talk, write, and bask in the beauty of that fair city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's one thing to remember a place fondly but another to keep taking that experience with you throughout your life. Hemingway's depiction of Paris was that it was the best time and part of his life, for one reason or another. He loved his life and experience in Paris enough to keep that image (a moveable feast) with him until the end of his days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>1. Forgive & Let Go</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To me, most heart-wrenching things I find about Hemingway's story is his lost but lingered fondness and love for his first wife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some biographers believe that it was because his first love rejected him that caused him to leave wife, after wife, after wife. While some other biographers believe that when Hemingway's first wife lost his briefcase of works, he just never really forgave her for it. But which ever reason could be the cause, one thing, I know is for sure to live a good life you have to: <b>Forgive and Let Go. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So one day, when we become old men and women, we won't look a the life we lived with regret and remorse but instead we'll cherish every memory with fondness and joy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Online readable copy of A Moveable Feast can be found here: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.scribd.com/doc/6765457/A-Moveable-Feast-by-Earnest-Hemingway</span><br />
<img height="640" src="http://images.popmatters.com/news_art/a/a_moveable_feast.jpg" width="580" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-78839072611403938632013-01-04T11:01:00.001-08:002013-01-04T11:01:43.184-08:002013-01-04T11:01:43.184-08:00DiCapac is a Beach Bum's Best Friend<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re a DSLR Owner and you like to beach bum, then definitely you need to invest in a good water-proof case. ` Buying mine, was the best investment I made.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Three simple reasons: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. AVOID WATER DAMAGE: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DSLRs are prone to water damage, when water gets into the SLRs nooks and crannies. Worst water damage I saw was my old SLR’s when it got drizzled with salt water from the boat-splashes when I was in Bohol. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I get to bring my DLSR in the boat w/o worrying it sinking, getting wet, and getting water damage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. ENSURE SAND PROTECTION:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if I’m just in the beach, and not really going boating or island hopping, having the DLSR Case is pretty useful since it protects your precious DLSR from getting sand in sensitive areas and water damage, since when you go to the beach everything pretty much gets damp and wet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. GET UNDERWATER SHOTS: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find the most peace when I'm underwater. Whether it's just a pool or sea or even just the tub, I love just being silently submersed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yea, I pretty much, I love the ocean, more so, I love snorkeling and seeing corals, fishes, ships and other underwater things, and when I got my DLSR Case-- that was really a good buy, since (of course) I get to take the experience of being underwater with me even if I'm in dry land. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Picture of my case is below, and some sample shots too: </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="613" src="http://www.photoanswers.co.uk/upload/7882/images/DiCAPac%20DSLR%20waterproof%20case.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LpURlQF7FsI/UOclSCmfg4I/AAAAAAAABG8/lc2_JsLOmlc/s1600/208385_10152018728775483_1398394600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LpURlQF7FsI/UOclSCmfg4I/AAAAAAAABG8/lc2_JsLOmlc/s640/208385_10152018728775483_1398394600_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ2C0P_i4kI/UOclT-caPWI/AAAAAAAABHE/S-DjoUf9P9A/s1600/338099_10151277105600483_527220068_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ2C0P_i4kI/UOclT-caPWI/AAAAAAAABHE/S-DjoUf9P9A/s640/338099_10151277105600483_527220068_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4kPMm4bS7U/UOclUL9LU2I/AAAAAAAABHI/R_L4m8PEKjs/s1600/324599_10151277092035483_1073675657_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4kPMm4bS7U/UOclUL9LU2I/AAAAAAAABHI/R_L4m8PEKjs/s640/324599_10151277092035483_1073675657_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9a4inbuhbA/UOclVt7-QdI/AAAAAAAABHM/XS__UsbkhrA/s1600/416428_10151276867025483_1791432943_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9a4inbuhbA/UOclVt7-QdI/AAAAAAAABHM/XS__UsbkhrA/s640/416428_10151276867025483_1791432943_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dU7Guo61f3E/UOclWHiNFmI/AAAAAAAABHQ/SJeLJ7c1CeE/s1600/424316_10151277262770483_1855307853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dU7Guo61f3E/UOclWHiNFmI/AAAAAAAABHQ/SJeLJ7c1CeE/s640/424316_10151277262770483_1855307853_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NI6ocVQ4o4w/UOclXvbtS0I/AAAAAAAABHg/nocJ4oqz6Y8/s1600/615388_10152269061155483_1525228563_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NI6ocVQ4o4w/UOclXvbtS0I/AAAAAAAABHg/nocJ4oqz6Y8/s640/615388_10152269061155483_1525228563_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_3zbTvO0EY/UOclanvABmI/AAAAAAAABHs/k2e5SE2c3Z8/s1600/679868_10152269262435483_1866612235_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_3zbTvO0EY/UOclanvABmI/AAAAAAAABHs/k2e5SE2c3Z8/s640/679868_10152269262435483_1866612235_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hrXnPcyNZIY/UOclbJXHIWI/AAAAAAAABHw/atshnnyKZJs/s1600/665033_10152269052385483_1038551439_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hrXnPcyNZIY/UOclbJXHIWI/AAAAAAAABHw/atshnnyKZJs/s640/665033_10152269052385483_1038551439_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-82152337193674684392013-01-04T10:11:00.003-08:002013-01-04T12:18:24.819-08:002013-01-04T12:18:24.819-08:00Bora Break: Short, Sweet, & Sulit!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my first time trip in Boracay, Philippines-- I went with my good friends. It was last-minute so we really didn't get the best out of any piso-fare or discounts we booked 2 weeks before we planned to go so we had to get a Travel Agency's help. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early on, this trip was near the<b> verge of failure</b>. Aside from deciding <b>late </b>whether we were going to book or not we also booked with vendors that were less than recommended since we needed to stay within budget.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We booked late, didn't have an itinerary, and needed to work within a budget. But surprisingly: everything went without a hitch. Lucky us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our <b>ZestAir </b>flight was just 45 minutes delayed but was understandable since, there was bad weather during our trip. Note that there was a storm in the Visayas 1 day after we left. Also, we got a Executive Deluxe room, a lot bigger than the Standard that we expected. And! the vendor we booked with for our trip to Ariel's Point, gave us a good price and hooked us up with the main Ariel's Point Folks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>AGENCY</b>: We booked <b>with TravelOnline.ph</b> and they gave us a pretty good deal since I already produced a couple of personal quotes to canvas the trip cost-- and TravelOnline's price offer was within the price range. They also had a bunch of freebies that came with the booking so-- that was great. AND-- they had guides along the commute from Kalibo to Caticlan to Boracay that guided you across those 'fees' you have to pay through out-- so that's one less trip hassle you have to worry about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ACCOMMODATIONS:</b> We stayed in <b>La Carmela De Boracay,</b> which is a budget traveler friendly beach front hotel. Fun thing was that-- we luckily got booked in an <b>Executive Deluxe </b>which is a lot bigger than the standard rooms people usually rant about when talking about La Carmela. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways, for the budget, the timing, the spur-of-the-moment, and no planning whatsoever of the trip-- It was a project planning nightmare but I'm surprised and proud to say that it's one of my <b>best trip for the year. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a short trip, and we just stayed for 3 days and 2 nights-- but my top three best picks of the trip would be: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. FOOD: to your heart's content </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Good:</b> we ate in this Mexican resto in D'Mall, which I wasn't able to note since I was ow so sleepy but-- it was good. I love their make of Chimichanga. Just note, the servers may be as sleepy as me, so be patient with them, the mexican food was great just don't try the pastas. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Bad:</b> I didn't become a fan of the raved about food in boracay like: Jonah's Milkshake and Chori Burger-- but the other bloggers are right, you can't go to Boracay and not have them. It wasn't bad-- but it wasn't as good as it was raved to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. RIDE: ATV via Zetro ATV</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Good: </b>instead of ATV-ing in the roads of Bora and getting stuck in traffic, we went with Zetro. They had their own ATV fleet, terrain and track-- which made it a lot more fun (if you're the type who craves for rough roads). The best thing about Zetro was we didn't get stuck in traffic and there was no need to stop for cars or pedestrians. So it was just ATVing all the way which was fun. :) </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Bad: </b>this won't be your thing if you want to sight see the province or if you're not into driving in rough roads. You will get tired and your hands will get some cramps from holding the gas and breaks of the ATV, but it's way fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. JUMP: Go Cliff Diving in Ariel's Point. <i>I'll blog separately about Ariel's Point. (yep. it's that awesome)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Good:</b> Let me just say that <b>I LOVE ARIEL'S POINT.</b> I have nothing but LOVE for Ariel's Point. Funny story is that some competitor bad mouthed Ariel's Point saying that-- the trip was cancelled but we found another vendor saying that the trip wasn't cancelled. So yeah, good thing WE FOUND HIM (kuya Norman) and he seemed kinda shady at first, but he gave us a good price and ensured that we got to the REAL Ariel's Point Place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Bad: </b>Nothing's bad in Ariel's Point. It's was the highlight of our trip. The only bad thing could be if you go to Bora and not visit Ariel's Point. haha </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Photos below, enjoy! :) </div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/53886620" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/53886620">2012 Boracay: Good Fun, Good Friends, Awesome Trip</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/moochie">Moochie</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W9u0Ur1ujms/UOcWzIbmUoI/AAAAAAAABGI/JTtfx0fFLBA/s1600/665453_10152269305825483_1726895027_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W9u0Ur1ujms/UOcWzIbmUoI/AAAAAAAABGI/JTtfx0fFLBA/s640/665453_10152269305825483_1726895027_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm_zLZIwRlc/UOcWxZMB33I/AAAAAAAABF8/OUATxQ16M8U/s1600/665451_10152269062470483_324220410_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm_zLZIwRlc/UOcWxZMB33I/AAAAAAAABF8/OUATxQ16M8U/s640/665451_10152269062470483_324220410_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C68mI5QimZs/UOcWbqM_lSI/AAAAAAAABFA/d1_1sskYtLQ/s1600/53253_10152269037835483_1359736514_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C68mI5QimZs/UOcWbqM_lSI/AAAAAAAABFA/d1_1sskYtLQ/s640/53253_10152269037835483_1359736514_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EH4NpWrm-uo/UOcWX-6oQMI/AAAAAAAABEw/G4qSAXOcic4/s1600/177334_10152269498440483_1597481487_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EH4NpWrm-uo/UOcWX-6oQMI/AAAAAAAABEw/G4qSAXOcic4/s640/177334_10152269498440483_1597481487_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkFzibkfano/UOcWR_6K60I/AAAAAAAABEg/N0HRu8kTE8k/s1600/135973_10152269497210483_25248912_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkFzibkfano/UOcWR_6K60I/AAAAAAAABEg/N0HRu8kTE8k/s640/135973_10152269497210483_25248912_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeywulaHVZ4/UOcWZp_zkkI/AAAAAAAABE4/kFLPumJ-Mgk/s1600/175580_10152269003410483_43781298_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeywulaHVZ4/UOcWZp_zkkI/AAAAAAAABE4/kFLPumJ-Mgk/s640/175580_10152269003410483_43781298_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGzDf1qgFC8/UOcWdxeHcPI/AAAAAAAABFI/w2x7CVoPiD0/s1600/54540_10152269465065483_2032943391_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGzDf1qgFC8/UOcWdxeHcPI/AAAAAAAABFI/w2x7CVoPiD0/s640/54540_10152269465065483_2032943391_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWgP0mtaeIU/UOcWpTgPXFI/AAAAAAAABFk/rCCNbGRnux4/s1600/621324_10152269060615483_1731105306_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWgP0mtaeIU/UOcWpTgPXFI/AAAAAAAABFk/rCCNbGRnux4/s640/621324_10152269060615483_1731105306_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KycrIRtlTwc/UOcW2R1zeQI/AAAAAAAABGQ/moJR-Bt5Eps/s1600/665489_10152268974605483_175672412_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KycrIRtlTwc/UOcW2R1zeQI/AAAAAAAABGQ/moJR-Bt5Eps/s640/665489_10152268974605483_175672412_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kuya Norman "we found him" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6aaScVLtgU/UOcW8pOVwjI/AAAAAAAABGo/SOUfG2CQ-9o/s1600/we+found+him.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6aaScVLtgU/UOcW8pOVwjI/AAAAAAAABGo/SOUfG2CQ-9o/s640/we+found+him.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_W7qKedXiY/UOcW43S2TGI/AAAAAAAABGg/v2AZePA3g74/s1600/680341_10152269469025483_1780097992_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_W7qKedXiY/UOcW43S2TGI/AAAAAAAABGg/v2AZePA3g74/s640/680341_10152269469025483_1780097992_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnQW76gX5cA/UOcW3cxFjdI/AAAAAAAABGU/YB6WzyoBu6g/s1600/665458_10152268978840483_782904741_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnQW76gX5cA/UOcW3cxFjdI/AAAAAAAABGU/YB6WzyoBu6g/s640/665458_10152268978840483_782904741_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbqgwxtOfy8/UOcWxL0yfRI/AAAAAAAABF4/x_ihIg33vys/s1600/621363_10152268987485483_1560457065_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbqgwxtOfy8/UOcWxL0yfRI/AAAAAAAABF4/x_ihIg33vys/s640/621363_10152268987485483_1560457065_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1E_pjegPLE4/UOcWnz-EJ-I/AAAAAAAABFg/hbQt2EFCo34/s1600/615422_10152269475075483_1596521632_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1E_pjegPLE4/UOcWnz-EJ-I/AAAAAAAABFg/hbQt2EFCo34/s640/615422_10152269475075483_1596521632_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-57445506600382721802013-01-04T03:06:00.002-08:002013-01-04T03:06:21.799-08:002013-01-04T03:06:21.799-08:00First Pre-Nup Shoot Ever with Loka Photography<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">let's start this off with Thank You's: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for the great weather, since the week after and the weeks before was storm, after storm after storm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks, Diana and Adrian! for Trusting us with the pre-nup for your wedding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks, Loka Photography! Of course, this is, nonetheless a team success! (for our first time) :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Babe Ruth </span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Team: </b>Lōkä</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Photography </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Theme:</b> Simple, Garden, Blooming, Natural</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scope/Limitations: </b>This was a short shoot that took one day with just one look within one location. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team: </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photographers: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manny Pineda, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moochie De Guzman, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tin Tin Perez</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Logistics/Creatives/Production:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Denise Que, Krissie Crisostomo, Paolo Suarez, James Maningo, Peter Francisco</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hair Style </b>by Anjelica Ayo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Make up </b>by Moochie De Guzman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Mixed Photos below-- no logo, no watermark (yet), full credits to the team . :))</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Pw3n1Bq5I4/UOaoxMQhY3I/AAAAAAAABCI/3ZE3rxWe69I/s1600/615402_10152208224815483_567502779_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Pw3n1Bq5I4/UOaoxMQhY3I/AAAAAAAABCI/3ZE3rxWe69I/s640/615402_10152208224815483_567502779_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9avMCTCwCw/UOapPJgw-QI/AAAAAAAABCQ/F_LQkkNy7vE/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9avMCTCwCw/UOapPJgw-QI/AAAAAAAABCQ/F_LQkkNy7vE/s640/IMG_0023.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sN303JiXHg/UOatk25r9oI/AAAAAAAABDw/efqXQW-UJjA/s1600/20121026_prenup_ad_022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sN303JiXHg/UOatk25r9oI/AAAAAAAABDw/efqXQW-UJjA/s1600/20121026_prenup_ad_022.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKt1k_IBhTc/UOatoAMkOxI/AAAAAAAABD4/tDQq3k_ST88/s1600/20121026_prenup_ad_114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKt1k_IBhTc/UOatoAMkOxI/AAAAAAAABD4/tDQq3k_ST88/s640/20121026_prenup_ad_114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-a99zy0S_k/UOatqQ1CUdI/AAAAAAAABEA/ZO1BVoNPjpQ/s1600/20121026_prenup_ad_172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-a99zy0S_k/UOatqQ1CUdI/AAAAAAAABEA/ZO1BVoNPjpQ/s640/20121026_prenup_ad_172.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ISZ-4-FNE4/UOapXNPV22I/AAAAAAAABCY/DmW8zWjN394/s1600/IMG_9662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ISZ-4-FNE4/UOapXNPV22I/AAAAAAAABCY/DmW8zWjN394/s1600/IMG_9662.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kAgsRzB1NNY/UOapXTb1QvI/AAAAAAAABCc/4SGRzqUY2dk/s1600/IMG_9664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kAgsRzB1NNY/UOapXTb1QvI/AAAAAAAABCc/4SGRzqUY2dk/s1600/IMG_9664.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4JgbA6SLSg/UOapaTR_A2I/AAAAAAAABCo/DbVm4CRxtFs/s1600/IMG_9724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4JgbA6SLSg/UOapaTR_A2I/AAAAAAAABCo/DbVm4CRxtFs/s640/IMG_9724.jpg" width="358" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5IUPHk0u7w/UOapdhvkfFI/AAAAAAAABCw/4vvk9dTH9qs/s1600/IMG_9763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5IUPHk0u7w/UOapdhvkfFI/AAAAAAAABCw/4vvk9dTH9qs/s640/IMG_9763.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adgLJrH7ry8/UOapds1IgVI/AAAAAAAABC0/DXaTF-VR4-g/s1600/IMG_9742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adgLJrH7ry8/UOapds1IgVI/AAAAAAAABC0/DXaTF-VR4-g/s640/IMG_9742.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpXmyoT3yXA/UOappg5QU_I/AAAAAAAABDI/yUqPMbBn_k8/s1600/IMG_9828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpXmyoT3yXA/UOappg5QU_I/AAAAAAAABDI/yUqPMbBn_k8/s640/IMG_9828.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzSL8-ONfwI/UOapsFLqbcI/AAAAAAAABDQ/Sr2L0EN0RWg/s1600/IMG_9819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzSL8-ONfwI/UOapsFLqbcI/AAAAAAAABDQ/Sr2L0EN0RWg/s1600/IMG_9819.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXhFmrQPdgs/UOapv5YD9rI/AAAAAAAABDY/4NwIkqHcxY0/s1600/IMG_9888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXhFmrQPdgs/UOapv5YD9rI/AAAAAAAABDY/4NwIkqHcxY0/s1600/IMG_9888.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZrw3Z2t2AQ/UOapwgsDoTI/AAAAAAAABDc/WPDzNzhbPvU/s1600/IMG_9993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZrw3Z2t2AQ/UOapwgsDoTI/AAAAAAAABDc/WPDzNzhbPvU/s640/IMG_9993.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWG30frHZdg/UOaphiTRIyI/AAAAAAAABDA/z6LD422WDuk/s1600/IMG_9797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWG30frHZdg/UOaphiTRIyI/AAAAAAAABDA/z6LD422WDuk/s1600/IMG_9797.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<br />Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-82422158834912580862012-12-30T12:21:00.001-08:002012-12-31T08:01:04.617-08:002012-12-31T08:01:04.617-08:00My Best 12 for 20122012 has been, to date, one of the most awesome years ever. And here's my top 12 picks of things I'm ow so very much grateful for last 2012. :)<br />
<br />
<b>12. Got everything I wanted, and more.</b><br />
I began the year in asking for: Youth, Wings, and Purpose without actually thinking what that meant. It was just a random thought that I tweeted. Funny thing is, I ended it having it all and that makes me a very grateful child.<br />
<br />
<b>11. All my trips, all 12 of them. </b><br />
Small and Big, Short and sweet-- 2012 is my most travelled year. 12 in a year is my personal number to beat, but I'm not aiming to top that anytime soon. I'm just grateful for all those amazing trips.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Old Man Fetish</b><br />
Not what you're thinking-- this year, I met a lot of old men in the form of the works that they left in this world, books! Plato's Symposium, Blaise Pascal's minor works on the Passions of Love, pretty makes the top of my list for top reads this year. And will probably make it to my 'need-to-read-again' list this coming 2013.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Silence and Balance</b><br />
To live a good life, there are some things in life that we have to let go in order to move on. 2012 was about letting go of a lot of things that in a small/big way keeping me from living my life and I'm glad I did. :)<br />
<br />
<b>8. New Best friend</b><br />
I love dogs. Dad got a dog. Life is awesome. Of course, I'm hugely grateful for my family's new addition champagne or "shempeng" as we lovingly call him, my lab-shepherd dog.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Rekindled Passions </b><br />
Okay. it's not what you think. haha. This year has been generous enough in giving me time and courage to rekindle a few old flames in the past. Art! I'm no artist but I do love sketching, painting, photography, editing and a couple of more things and this year, I was able to do those again.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Awesome Opportunities </b><br />
Learning new things that would benefit my career is always good and so is being able to listen to the greats. This year, I'm just so grateful to be in the company of a lot of experienced people.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Giving back</b><br />
To be able to share is the undoubtedly greatest blessing in the world. And this year, I'm just so grateful to, in my small ways, be able to share love and good back to the world. I'm a big fan of filipino-bayanihan and I'm just so thankful that with the help of a lot of people, we were able to even just "wipe-the-sweat-off-of" those people who are really carrying the burden in unconditionally helping people.<br />
<br />
<b>4. New Friends</b><br />
I met a lot of awesome people this 2012. People who I smell are <b>keepers</b>. People who, I intend, (as creepy as it sounds) keep for quite some time. (haha) :)<br />
<br />
<b>3. Lovely Old Aging Faces</b><br />
Keeping good friends and having good company are one of the most precious things in the life of a man. From Plato to the Bible, they define friendship and love as gifts that as old men and women we will look back at our lives and remember all the wonderful people that shared their lives and loves with us, even just for a little while, that made our stay here a little bit more meaningful. :) Good friends are hard to find, and an effort to keep-- but an investment I'll gladly prioritize til' the end of my days. :) And this 2012, I'm just glad to just keep adding faces in my life's facebook and to keep growing old with such good people. Aging never looked as great as when you spend it with amazing company.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Family</b><br />
It's been a great year for my family, a lot of lessons but a ton load more of love & fun. Just us four + fur (shempeng) forevermore. :)<br />
<br />
1. <b>God's Grace </b>that enables me to live such a wonderfully imperfect life. :)<br />
during 2011, I never really imagined such an awesome year and I'm just grateful for all the blessings, the people, the things, the trip, the good health, and the life well lived that year. :) I think, that's the thing about keeping faith is that-- we get greater things beyond what we can even imagine hihi<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I don't have a theme yet for 2013 and I have no idea how it's going to go but I know it is going to be awesome. :)<br />
<br />
Thank God, still for an awesome 2012.Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-35758655569676713342012-12-30T10:40:00.002-08:002012-12-30T10:40:34.885-08:002012-12-30T10:40:34.885-08:00Keepers, Passers By and Destroyers Whenever I'm asked why I have 2 social media accounts, I always find it so hard to answer and a little embarrassing. I mean, it's not significant and i'm no celebrity to be maintaing more than one account but I do and it's no secret (haha).<br />
<br />
So whenever I'm asked about, I ask myself why did I do it? and review if I should have.<br />
<br />
And I guess the answer is always: <b>I have no regrets and I'm okay with it. </b><br />
<br />
Since whenever i'm asked, I the <b>recall why:</b><br />
and I remember how shocked i was to find grown people behaving in such an unnecessary and wastefully destructive way that affected people that I cared about. I used to always expect the best out of people and good from everyone until I realized that in reality, that's not always the case and I can't always afford to be naive about it.<br />
<br />
Personally, gossiper and bullies are just sticks and stones to me. It affects me as much as a scratch or a paper-cut. But it's a different story to witness a friend go thru such unnecessary turmoil. So, to what I can control, I prefer not to have to witness that again. I mean, who likes their friends getting hurt? I know I don't.<br />
<br />
And if there's one thing I learned about it is: before sharing your life completely and transparently with people remember that acquaintances are strangers, it's always best to know who they are first: are they keepers? or passers-by? or ( i hope not) destroyers?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Just to note: From what they eye can see, they all look the same, but Keepers takes time to know and are usually worth the investment to.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
And I don't have regrets in how I approached it since, in doing so: <b>I've been blessed enough to find keeper after keeper after keeper. Ya'll know who you are.</b> :) But it was not without having a few bumps and bruises first.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
But life is what it is and we do what we can to avoid casualties and spare ourselves in taking on battles. :)<br />
<br />
<b>To my dear friends</b> that find it confusing: my apologies but I know you know why haha.<br />
<br />
<b>To parents with kids-- </b>who keep sharing everything publicly in social media please, please, please fix and teach them about 'privacy' settings before even starting.<br />
<br />
<b>To everyone else, e</b>njoy social media (like I do) and let's all avoid "<b>destroyers</b>". *wink*<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-30712427681715429782012-12-21T19:38:00.003-08:002012-12-21T19:38:50.061-08:002012-12-21T19:38:50.061-08:00Weekday Escape: Music & Books<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While looking for something to read, I recently (and weirdly) stumbled upon the Harvard Classics. It's a collection of classic works compiled in 1909 by then Harvard President Charles W. Eliot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That day I was listening to Instrumental Music ( i think it was baroque themed) on my iTunes, and well, got to reading the works of Blaise Pascal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Half done in reading his first discourse, <b>I got chills and felt a 5-second soul-shake-</b>- it was the music going well with the words. It was as in (in my head) I jumped into one of those Jane-Austen flicks where they live in the country and there's always instrumental music in the background. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways, this was a weekday, and I just remembered feeling so refreshed, reading something (completely and utterly) unconnected to the dullness of corporate life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't have vacation plans anytime soon, but you want a temporary '<b>escape</b>' from your, possibly, dulled-out everyday routine life -- go grab a good book and find music (preferably instrumental) that could go with it. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tell you, It's like jumping into a whole different world. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notes:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harvard Classics are available online via: http://www.bartleby.com/hc/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Harvard_Classics_(Bookshelf)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-54989533915878528172012-12-21T19:23:00.001-08:002012-12-21T19:23:09.885-08:002012-12-21T19:23:09.885-08:00Fear & Cliff Diving <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month, my friends and I went to Boracay for a short vacay (review to follow).We went to Ariel's Point (which is beautiful, by the way). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to <b>Ariel's Point to</b> go cliff diving. So we got there, and went around the area first, before mustering the courage to jump.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 minutes later, some people were already jumping so we went on ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been swimming since I was a kid, so you could say I have a good relationship with the water, less than 10 YO I was already jumping off the diving board in polo club. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So casually, without hesitation, I went for the first jump. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First jump</b>: SUCCESS. Easy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Second jump: </b>SUCCESS. More Fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First two jumps, <b>success</b> and easy as pie. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was just a 28 ft drop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then, we went for a little <b>snack-break </b>near the bar (yes there is an open bar in Ariel's Point) and my friends started a conversation with the bartender. The bar tender then begun talking about Arien's Point, how the boards were installed (diving boards), how some guests got drunk, and then (dun dun dun) the accidents that have transpired in there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And okay, I was cool at first, I was just listening. But then they began talking about: folks getting <b>paralyzed and vomiting blood</b> because of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. wrong posture when diving</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. wrong strategy when diving</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. and generally <b>stupid human diving error t</b>hings</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really didn't think that I was affected by the conversation much since we've already been jumping and everything seems to be fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I called my friends to start jumping again. Walked to the diving board and then... <b>just when I was about to jump, my whole body shook with fear like never before. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some weird, weird, weird reason I <b>doubted </b>I could jump, even though I've already done it a couple of minutes before. I hesitated. And when I finally, mustered the courage to go for my next jump, I jumped. But I was already 'fearful' and 'hesitant' my body instinctively curve (because we're you're afraid our body usually curls inward as if protecting our body). So I curved up like a "C" shape and instead of falling with straight posture (which was the case for my jumps before), my back, ass, and thigh hit the water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recall physics. hitting the water at terminal velocity. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My weight + Drop Height + The water's surface tension + Gravity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">yep. ouch. haha it was painful. but <b>all is well</b>. I'm good, alive and itching to do it again. hahaha </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came home from boracay bringing not Real Coffee's calamansi cupcakes but a big lesson in life that </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hesitation will kill you. </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">True for cliff diving, true for life. : ))</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Follow your gut. Kill the doubt. Keep faith. NEVER HESITATE-- if you hesitate better not do it at all. </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>IT's all or nothing, the best or nothing at all (</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gottlieb Daimler).</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And! all this bullsh*t quotable things I just said, are all easier said than done. haha</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>so if you're going to JUMP-- decide on it and as nike says it: JUST do it. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm definitely coming back and this time, I know better than to hesitate or doubt just before a jump. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3uP1ZCle8cI/UNUgks7F3lI/AAAAAAAABA0/1lzW_MndExo/s1600/53253_10152269037835483_1359736514_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3uP1ZCle8cI/UNUgks7F3lI/AAAAAAAABA0/1lzW_MndExo/s640/53253_10152269037835483_1359736514_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg_N7G23qjQ/UNUgpYONN5I/AAAAAAAABA8/Va8erffeD2c/s1600/680299_10152269049590483_1537341742_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg_N7G23qjQ/UNUgpYONN5I/AAAAAAAABA8/Va8erffeD2c/s640/680299_10152269049590483_1537341742_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Moochie De Guzmanhttps://plus.google.com/101998200016479093308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-31512266149684985412012-12-21T18:28:00.004-08:002012-12-21T18:28:56.801-08:002012-12-21T18:28:56.801-08:00Food For Thought: The Old Lady In Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Whenever I have my quiet time, I always see myself as an <b>old lady </b>looking back at her life. I imagine myself with wrinkles and gray hair, dry lips and flabby skin, sitting in a rocking chair looking while looking at the sunset as I'm holding a good book.<br />
<br />
And it's always that vision of me as an old that keeps me young.<br />
<br />
Fact is, I will be an old lady one day so the way I live my life is I want to make sure that, that old lady has no regrets in her life.<br />
<br />
Whatever self-help book you choose to read, may it be corporate or inspiration-- it always says to begin with the end in mind, start with a goal, have a vision, so in my life that's always the goal. :)<br />
<br />
Live a good life. so when you get old and gray which we all will, call you can say is:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"wow, that was a good run!" </div>
</div>
Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-45084354316841060752012-12-21T18:22:00.002-08:002013-01-04T05:07:03.134-08:002013-01-04T05:07:03.134-08:00Back to Blogging? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't really decided if I'd like to or how i'd like to continue blogging. But in the mean time, i'll just go with the cliche and 'follow my heart' and write. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing is for sure (for now), i'll possible quit the commentaries and personal opinion columns and focus more on <b>lifestyle/travel/photography/review blogging. </b></span></div>
Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-60199125957879933422012-12-21T18:20:00.001-08:002012-12-21T18:20:25.465-08:002012-12-21T18:20:25.465-08:00Congrats to the winners! :) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi Guys! :)<br />
<br />
thanks for helping out for my sister's project. :)<br />
<br />
with that i'd like to congratulate the winners ( likers & sharers) of my baby sis' social media project. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
1. Denise Que<br />
2. Patty Tan<br />
3. Julia Geronimo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9EsfXmmKgE/UNUYzPBucXI/AAAAAAAAArI/-qHk7AGu1L4/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9EsfXmmKgE/UNUYzPBucXI/AAAAAAAAArI/-qHk7AGu1L4/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGEP5w5-Pzc/UNUY0J1OGvI/AAAAAAAAArM/aX7c3ZWVkJA/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGEP5w5-Pzc/UNUY0J1OGvI/AAAAAAAAArM/aX7c3ZWVkJA/s400/2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVCWJ6sxh8A/UNUY1ICzY0I/AAAAAAAAArU/Ypqksnh6YpM/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVCWJ6sxh8A/UNUY1ICzY0I/AAAAAAAAArU/Ypqksnh6YpM/s400/3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-74295618825778945132012-11-21T21:19:00.001-08:002012-11-21T21:28:16.430-08:002012-11-21T21:28:16.430-08:00Win BB Creams: Help My Baby Sister Win! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello there, beautiful. Hi there, handsome! :) </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Help my sister get as much likes as possible and you can stand a chance to win some easy-to-win prizes. (yes, i'm a little bit competitive, so let's make this a win win. Baby sis gets like, you get a token) *wink*</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mechanics:</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. CLICK the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=466021500117085&set=a.280752241977346.79695.100001277161030&type=1&theater"> PHOTO</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. LIKE THE <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=466021500117085&set=a.280752241977346.79695.100001277161030&type=1&theater">PHOTO </a>(make sure it's the photo that <b>liked </b>and not just the link) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. SHARE THE<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=466021500117085&set=a.280752241977346.79695.100001277161030&type=1&theater"> PHOTO</a> (make sure it's <b>public </b>so i can see it)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Winner Selection:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We'll randomize the likes gotten and get the winner from there. This means anyone who likes the photo has an equal footing in winning. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">you can get any one of these prizes if you like <b>CARMELA'S CHRISTMAS GREETING PROJECT </b>for her Social Media Marketing Class.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>First Prize</b> - Mistine Oil Control BB Cream<b> from Korea</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Second Prize </b>- Flash Wonder BB Cream<b> from Hong Kong</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Third Prize </b>- a choice of Liquid Eye Liner or Sivanna Colors four palette blusher<b> from Korea</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Prize - Mistine Oil Control BB Cream</span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tq7fs_P_QBU/UK20fPicG8I/AAAAAAAAAqA/7ihR8bjNhKc/s1600/$(KGrHqN,!jkE4n6K5b52BOKGg2y(7w~~0_35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tq7fs_P_QBU/UK20fPicG8I/AAAAAAAAAqA/7ihR8bjNhKc/s1600/$(KGrHqN,!jkE4n6K5b52BOKGg2y(7w~~0_35.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Prize - Flash Wonder BB Cream</span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0-3nti-S14/UK20hGT4k8I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/MFKhvXFRI1k/s1600/KF046006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0-3nti-S14/UK20hGT4k8I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/MFKhvXFRI1k/s1600/KF046006.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Third Prize - a choice of Liquid Eye Liner or Sivanna Colors four palette blusher </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PX0o0eNBJR4/UK20gZMA5mI/AAAAAAAAAqE/bQ0BiTVb-vw/s1600/Jill+stuart+blush+makeup+real+vs+fake.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PX0o0eNBJR4/UK20gZMA5mI/AAAAAAAAAqE/bQ0BiTVb-vw/s1600/Jill+stuart+blush+makeup+real+vs+fake.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-43078357611739901292012-10-17T12:45:00.001-07:002012-10-17T12:45:42.405-07:002012-10-17T12:45:42.405-07:00Coming Back. 10.30.12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0rVaRaNDUc/UH8Ki0Vk8nI/AAAAAAAAApA/T15uBR2WmLA/s1600/Coming+Back.001.001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0rVaRaNDUc/UH8Ki0Vk8nI/AAAAAAAAApA/T15uBR2WmLA/s640/Coming+Back.001.001.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-86368729860994722492012-08-02T12:20:00.004-07:002012-08-02T21:45:53.677-07:002012-08-02T21:45:53.677-07:003 Reasons Why Good Bosses Matter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disclaimer: this could possibly have utterly no relation to my life (if you know me) or whatsoever or it could. Don't know. couldn't really know for sure. *angel face*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a ton of bosses. I have bosses whom I report to administratively, functionally, career-wise, I have customers who act like my boss (but are not) but they're the reason why I have a job and get paid (so they kinda are). Now, I don't even know who's not my boss. and when I get home I still have a boss (my mom, my dad, and my sister-- not within topic just ranting).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it just ran through my thoughts the other day-- why having good bosses matter.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. It makes me want to go to work.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. It makes me want to be a good/better worker.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. It makes me want to stay. </b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't say it lightly but, now is the only time that I can see myself growing in a company. And I think-- that's because I see good leadership and character from my bosses. </span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I didn't see value in the company and the leadership, then I would have left a long time ago (like how a lot of my colleagues did) But I stayed and that's because when I see my bosses, I see people who get me, and discipline me-- and well, I see people who i'm okay to report to, I see people who I either might wanna be like or be in the future. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and no, i'm not writing this for my bosses to read it. I'm still kinda hoping that no one in the office knows i'm miss independent mind coz, well. haha I write really honest things here. *angel face* </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm writing this because if you're a bad boss and reading this, then, i'm telling you everyone would want to leave you, so go and look at yourself in the mirror, swallow that ego of yours and go change, else-- all your subordinates will probably just be chatting bad things about you when you're not monitoring them. #HarshButTrue</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yeah. Check your attrition rate. Coz it could speak a lot louder than any employee survey. Leaving, for an employee, i think, is the worst because it doesn't only mean that they've given up on their growth in that company but also (possibly) they could have also lost faith in their leaders for progress for both themselves and the company. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">being a good boss and having a good boss is a win-win situation. Happy employees = productive employees, of course there are those outliers that become spoiled and lazy, but that's really not me, so we're not talking about those (save it for another topic)... and well, bosses with sad demotivated unproductive unmotivated employees aren't really good bosses to begin with. haha</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember, the people are a reflection of its leaders (the apple really doesnt fall far from the tree). </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-75807033949909710662012-08-02T11:48:00.002-07:002012-08-02T12:29:12.131-07:002012-08-02T12:29:12.131-07:00Don't Read Leadership Books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you're really interested in leadership, don't be lazy and read the summarized version.<br />
<br />
Books like: 21 Laws, 7 habits, or what not -- are just a reiteration of historical concepts and historical wisdom.<br />
<br />
If you're really into leadership and want to be a great one-- go get a a biography, a book written before capitalism, (the best is) the bible, the art of war, or something by Confucius.<br />
<br />
Generally whatever suits you. But don't get a book published recently- why? because in the olden days <b>people used to write to handover wisdom but now some do it to help their wallets.</b> Writers used to be poor, used to do it in secret, or after school, or only get published after they die and never get credit for their writing when they were alive. But authors? nowadays? they get paid more than they should which would question motive. Authors nowadays get a movie, an interview, a signing-- Authors nowadays are celebrities, applauded by society, and paid very handsomely.<br />
<br />
Self-help books are like steroids for the pressured athlete-- it can make you look great, sound great, be well-read but it wouldn't make you Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, or manny pacquiao.<br />
<br />
Fact is, nowadays, the people who really benefit from SELF-HELP BOOKS are the authors and publishers? Why, well because-- everyone wants the summarized version of wisdom. The book that would tell you: step 1, 2, 3, the laws, the rules, the process, and what nots. People are getting lazy because looking at history takes time, and time is something the modern man always seems to never have.<br />
<br />
But, c'mon-- take it from a self-help book addict. It never really added value to my life because you can't get a summarize version of wisdom-- NO. Gaining wisdom is letting knowledge appreciate.<br />
<br />
It's like wine-- you don't get wine overnight? No. that's just weird tasting grape juice. And if you're ever going to be a wine of value, then well, you better be made out of a vineyard who values the craft than a factory in china that values the cash. :)<br />
<br />
So yeah, if you really want to be a good leader-- read a biography of someone you really want to be like or read the art of war-- and when you're sick of a ll those, go and read the bible. Because contrary to modern belief, the bible is not about religion-- it's about gaining the greatest wisdom beyond our comprehension.<br />
<br />
And No, this post is not getting people to read the bible. This post is getting people to stop being the lazy as*es that they are and go grab a book that says more than: STEP 1, 2, 3 OR.. follow this LAW 1 2, 3,4... Don't you want a brain challenge?<br />
<br />
Don't insult your intelligence by reading something so easy to understand, you're not stupid- you're not an idiot, you can comprehend vague concepts, you can comprehend historical references, you can connect figures of speech, and decipher differences of books based on language translation. :) Or maybe not. I don't really know. Up to you. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-77259851081879245122012-07-31T06:07:00.001-07:002012-08-02T12:26:37.254-07:002012-08-02T12:26:37.254-07:00Barkada Trip Advisory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.27612138143740594" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3 Things I value when Planning A trip with my Friends</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like planning trips with my friends. Planning and investing time to plan is not an issue for me. Project management is my line of work, and as the type 3 that I am, I tend to apply the core concepts with every aspect of my life ( i cannot help it). CONFLICT, however is an issue for me. I do not like conflict, and I do not like having it with my good friends. I operate under the notion that the friends I have are the friends I want to keep for the rest of my life, hence whatever I can plan for that will reduce the possibility of conflict, I’ll do. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These are just 3 things that (as of date) I see effective in planning big trips. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Everyone gets paid.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. The Majority Agrees</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Everyone is Aligned.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Everyone is Aligned about Everything </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether it’s regarding the: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">udget, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ates, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tinerary, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ccommodation, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ransportation or what not, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">everyone must be aligned </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and (2) the majority must agree</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why? </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, simply because of the notion that obtaining alignment / agreement shares accountability of the result of the trip. If we’re all agreed, and everyone is informed, then it lessens the possibility of someone getting “surprised” during the trip. Surprised in the sense that they had different “expectations” and these expectations were not met. Getting alignment and seeking feedback creates an open line of communication to ensure that everyone feels and knows that they have a say on the trip. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we’re trying to avoid: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">setting wrong expectations with people, getting disappointments, and fault-finding at the end of the trip. No one likes conflict and of all people, I hate complications hence at the extent that I can mitigate risk and control the situation then I shall. : )) </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But getting alignment is challenging, a little bit annoying, and time-consuming. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. It is. But it’s a step that is effective to take to plan a good trip without the inconvenience of conflict. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is time-consuming though. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hence, ensure to a lot more than enough time in planning a trip. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How long does it take?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It usually depends on the SIZE of the trip. If it’s a long trip, that’s a little more expensive than the usual beach or overnight outing, then </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4-6 months of planning </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is good. Given that, you and your friends don’t meet on a regular basis and all planning is done via Mobile, Facebook, and Google Docs. (haha)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. The Majority Agrees.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay, so this is related to the item above. Aside from everyone being aligned, the majority must agree on the trip details. Like the item above, getting everyone to agree ensure that we operate under a democracy and not a dictatorship. It also ensure that the accountability of the result and outcome of the trip is shared. This means, that if the trip is a bust, everyone is to blame, and if the trip is perfect then, everyone is to blame. : ))</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What if the majority does not agree? </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">well, there will always be a minority, and you won’t always please everyone. What we usually do is just summarize the decision after wants and inform everyone what the majority vote is. Anyhooz, no one is really forced to book or go to an event where they’re not comfortable so... harsh at it may seem if the majority wins, they win.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about when someone can’t go? </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There will never come a time that everyone in a big group will get to go, but the important thing is giving people the assurance that </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there will be a next trip.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> haha Hence if you’re unable to go this time then surely there’s gonna be a next time :)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. EVERYONE GETS PAID.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love my friends and my group of friends, so much that not one point in our lives should we ever have an </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">argument or any form of conflict about money. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And in order to ensure this, it starts with: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ransparency, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">larity, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ntegrity. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How do we become transparent? </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I usually use </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">google docs</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and share all imaginable details with the entire group. This includes: costing, itinerary, and other financial and non-financial related matters. of course, i don’t require everyone to audit it BUT </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it’s there if they’re curious, it’s there for them to question, and it’s there for them to know. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clarity? What do you mean by this?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think, of all things, I value </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">integrity, clarity, and honesty the most</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Hence I set expectations with my friends that</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> YES will never equate to MAYBE</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In tagalog: ayaw ko ng malabo kausap. And as much as the planners try to be clear, the attendees must be clear alos.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hence, the value of your word when you </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">agree and say yes</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-- is definite. There are always three options in agreeing: YES, NO, and MAYBE neither of these three words can be used to mean the other. To simply put: YES is YES, and will never be MAYBE. If you’re not sure they say MAYBE. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Integrity? huh? nose-bleed mo naman.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Integrity just to ensure that throughout the process the values I said, I valued are practiced, visible, and felt.</span></b>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And well, at the end of the day-- doing anything to nothing with your friends in worthwhile. :) </i></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I think, that's the most important part. :) </i></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-36904264850261262502012-05-01T09:32:00.000-07:002012-05-01T21:19:48.732-07:002012-05-01T21:19:48.732-07:00A Book A Day Project (May 2012)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In an attempt to save any other non-work, non-career living part of me, I dared myself to read and finish a book a day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Mechanics are simple, I get a short book a day and read it. Trick is-- not to disrupt any part of my usual routine. It must fall in the nooks and crannies within my day where i'm either falling prey to facebook, twitter, or worst: NOTHINGNESS.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I must strive to read, and read again.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I said: never let yourself drown in work. grab a book, get a philosophy, have a life, share the love. Coz if you drown in work and starve your spirit, you'll die with some cash, a little property, a poor soul and no love. :))</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6_LlsWNRl8/T6AOUN6YtrI/AAAAAAAAAn4/fC2B16m0W4w/s1600/A+BOOK+A+DAY+PROJECT+MISS+INDEPENDENT+MIND.001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6_LlsWNRl8/T6AOUN6YtrI/AAAAAAAAAn4/fC2B16m0W4w/s400/A+BOOK+A+DAY+PROJECT+MISS+INDEPENDENT+MIND.001.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br /></div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-5528897134029301102012-04-25T07:06:00.004-07:002012-04-25T09:50:04.259-07:002012-04-25T09:50:04.259-07:003 Main Reasons Why I can’t convince myself to buy an iPhone.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Main Reasons Why I
can’t convince myself to buy an iPhone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve had a slew of arguments with my friends regarding this.
And I think, they’ve all given up on me (haha), as they should (#TrueFriends).
They often say: “GO. GET ONE.” Or “WHY DON’T YOU JUST GET ONE” or “JUST GET
THIS.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But fact is I can’t just go and spend without putting
thought to an expense. That’s like going against all the things I forced in
every freakin’ nook and cranny of my brain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Marketing we’re taught how to
make consumers “think” that they can’t live without a product. In Project
Managent we’re taught to control cost. In economics, we’re educated with the
difference between needs and wants. In accounting, there is such a thing as
depreciating asset. In IT we’re trained to ensure that solutions are
cost-efficient and effective. I could go on, and on, but point is—what good
does having an education do if it is not used? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Okay. So tell me if I’m crazy,
but here are the 5 Main reasons why I always lose at myself when debating on getting
an iPhone or not. :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>BTW-- Just a disclaimer.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(1) I have nothing against iPhones. I freakin' love the product. I'm an apple-holic. And if you ask me... what i'd buy or drown myself in when I win the US Lotto-- it's Apple Products. <3 It's just that. This year, I posed the challenge to myself to start thinking of every decision I make as something, I might take with me as I grow old. (habit of decision making). Hence. Based on my personal economic statistics (what I make, what I need, what I want.. etc) I have to ensure that I make decisions that would keep me safe in the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(2) The analysis below is totally based on <b>my </b>lifestyle and needs. I can't convince myself, for the sole reason that IN MY LIFE, the <b>cost</b> <b><u>out weighs</u></b> the <b>utility. </b>Things would be totally </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">different </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and my decision would vastly be affected if I was to be placed ON-SITE/ON-CALL, and ON-THE-MOVE all the time. Frankly, I'm mostly in the office, at home, or in a place with good wifi. haha. I'm barely out of town, and my out-of-thecountry events are usually for vacations (where I usually want to be offline -- most of the time) haha. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some people wonder where all their hard earned cash goes, some even don't know if they're making or losing money. This year, I simply just want to make sure that every spending is rational, thought of, needed-- and if it's not need, <b>well at least it should be worth it based on my own personal priorities. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. The Cost.</b> It’s
been a 2 year thought process, this thing about the iPhone. And sure, I can
just go and get one. I’ve applied, been approved, and abruptly cancelled so
many times in Globe and Smart, that I think—if there was an <b>“applicant blacklist” </b>or <b>indecisive customer list</b>—I’ll probably be Number 1 there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Frankly, I’m not rich enough that
I can blindly throw away money on an expenditure <b>I might not even actually <u>need</u></b>. <i>Basic economics: wants are different from needs.</i> I always keep in
mind that money I spend in Telco (communications) is money I can no longer
spend on something else (ie: family, charity, education, books). <i>Basic Concept: Allocation.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>More so, having the money to
spend is one thing, deciding on what to spend on is another</b>. Anyone can blindly
allocate money for different things, everyone can empty out a bank account, and
it wouldn’t even take a genius to get buried in debt. But it takes an educated
man to grow P1.00 to something more. I mean, the only difference between a poor
man and a rich man is education. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. The Need.</b> Fact
is, I don’t need it. I’m not that of an important person to be connected all
the time. More so, usually during the times I’m offline (I usually want it that
way). Hence, when I tried to analyze why I need it – It just boiled down to the
fact that I <b><u>want</u></b>ed to stay
connected all the time (twitter, facebook, chat, etc) but honestly—I don’t
really have the <b>need </b>for it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I mean, I’m no celebrity, executive—or anything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. The Attention.</b> Call me old fashion, call me selfish, but when
I’m with someone I want their full attention on me. Ever had those dinners
where no one’s even talking anymore? Or there exists that awkward silence
because everyone’s checking their phones, their emails, making noise in social
media rather than in person. Ever get annoyed that someone’s working during
quality time? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Call me crazy but I actually like
being SOCIAL, “sociable” in face to face conversation and instances and not
just in social media. Some people live their whole lives in social media, and
leave their real social life to die. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hence, by not joining the band wagon --<b> I hope an additional 3 things for myself</b>:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Cost Savings</b>. Obviously, by not purchasing an additional gadget-- I'll save myself the on going cost of maintaining said gadget and obtaining a depreciating asset. I'll have the freedom to put my money else where, ie: investments or travel! haha</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. More time to be alone </b>with myself and be disconnected with society. Ever had that feeling, where you feel -- there's really just too much social noise? Well, I do. And sometimes.. I really just want to shut-my-self from everything when it's not needed. Weekdays, sure, I drown in social noise... but the weekends-- ah. there's a time to go MIA.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. More focused attention.</b> When I'm with my Family and Friends, I literally want to "BE" in the moment with them... and not tweeting about it or posting it somewhere. When I'm with people I want to ensure that I make conversation (no matter how awkward it is) or how painful it could be. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One thing I
learned—in all of this is: <b>the world can
wait.</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>And, sometimes-- we have to appreciate social silence and the disconnect.</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Appreciate the moment,
and the moments you have—don’t get too caught up in recording moments, people,
and places.. You might risk skipping the living-the-moment part. </span></div>
</div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-88038279289551009562012-04-10T16:16:00.004-07:002012-04-10T16:18:36.770-07:002012-04-10T16:18:36.770-07:00Rome wasn't built in a day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Rome wasn't built in a day. </b></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>+And the people who built it, really wanted to build rome by the end of their days.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just a random thought that went through my head the other day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't you find it funny how nowadays, <b>we're always in a rush.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Always in a rush for some <b>vague type of success</b> that we <b>can't </b>really define.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We're all sure that we just want to be<b> "successful"</b> but the "what" "why" and "how" part sometimes eludes us. <i>Successful, yes, but in what field? hmm.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's the thing I find troubling with my generation. Everyone's sure they want to be "successful." But lack the passion in a field and concreteness of idea. <i>Successful, doing what? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>"I don't know yet"</i></b> is an answer I often hear.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hence, at the age of 20, just after graduating college. We grow more fearful instead of confident. Now, we're afraid of, flunking behind our age. <b>Fearing that we're not reaching our "goals" fast enough. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"I want to be a super business woman by 25" -</i>- selling what?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"I want to be a super successful by 30"</i> -- doing what?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"I want to retire by 40" </i>-- having established what?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All those vague wants that doesn't really come with a "HOW" doing "WHAT" by "WHEN." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See, the way my grandfather did was, <b>he started with a vocation</b> that he loved and built it from then on out. He was a carpenter, that wanted to make a living for his family. From that point, his business grew from simple wood works, to furniture, to full on, head on construction and thus history. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>See the difference?</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">we go and say: "Rome wasn't built in a day" for comfort, as if saying: "Success can't be built in a day". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess, rather than building <b>"Rome"</b> we're more concerned with building and having the grandeur that came with <b>Rome.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Grandfather's <i>Rome</i> was carpentry.What's your <i>Rome</i>? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-45881840082019492992012-04-03T11:42:00.004-07:002012-04-03T11:44:37.182-07:002012-04-03T11:44:37.182-07:00How a Spoiled Brat Learned to Earn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess one of the most disappointing things is to entrust things that you value to people that you trust and not have that returned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's an even <b>greater disappointment</b> when things like this are repeated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what do you do? It's not as if you can just get mad, every single time. Frankly, I don't get mad-- it's frustrating. Rather, I ask: How do you teach "the value of_____" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you teach people to put value on objects? to put value on other people's value on those items?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I guess, you can't.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have to learn the value of <b>"earning"</b> first. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something hard, when everything is simply provide for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forgive me if I sound preachy but I grew up a spoiled brat. So I understand the feeling of taking things for granted. Believe me, it's easy to do. Take things for granted because everything is provided for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When everything is automatically given, without you having to ask-- valuation/worth goes down. Economy even follows this law. ie: when demand is low, supply is high, price goes down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was only when my parents suddenly implemented a: "get your grades up otherwise you get no toys" rule that I learned the <b>process of "earning"</b> and <b>learned to put "value"</b> on the toys that I used to regard as simple commodity. <i>In this situation, my demand was the same BUT the market suddenly imposed supply control. Same or increasing demand, decreasing supply, price goes up. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When my parents told me, I had to "earn" my toys-- Let me tell you I was freakin pissed off. This was a change, and of course I was resistant to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"why do I have to work for it now? when you use to just give it to me?!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- My 6- YO Self Frustratingly Asking my parents </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, they never really gave me a decent explanation and if they did, I must have didn't listen. All i knew, at the time was: WHY THE HELL DID I HAVE TO WORK FOR IT NOW? YOU USE TO JUST GIVE IT TO ME. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried all in my power to resist this change. Getting people, my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandfolks, to get my toys for me, in place of my parents. Well, this didn't really work for long since: Mom & Dad soon explained what they were up to these people (whom we can refer to as my investors). Imagine my frustration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a time being, I resisted this. "Rebelled" in a way. I just pretended that, it didn't bother me. I mean: WHAT SIX-YO kid needs toys anyways??! (said in a bitter manner)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Fine. If you guys are going to be difficult, then I don't care"</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;">- My 6- YO Self Learning Apathy</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But It wasn't long until I gave in to this GRADE THING. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOW, I thank my parents for letting me go through that for the sole reason that now, I have a good sense of earning and value. I know that if I work smart, a little hard and be patient enough to "earn" my grades that I can "trade" it for the "toys" I want. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A trait that I wouldn't have learned if everything was simply provided for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess, as parents, it wasn't easy to say "No" or "you have to wait" to your kid. Especially if that kid is pathetically crying as if it was the end of the world. But, now I realized that it's something you have to do (as parents). Else, a child will grow up not knowing how to earn, they'll grow old naively in a capitalistic world not knowing that money doesn't grow on trees. And that doesn't really help anyone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your folks will die, finite material/financial inheritance will probably fade a way, but what cannot be lost is man's drive and ability to work, earn, and provide for himself and others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">want to teach someone how to value things? you can't, they have to learn how to EARN first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">want we want to avoid? having people lose things in life you can't earn back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Only when you lose something, do you realize the value of it"</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-14125177799348790842012-03-22T13:00:00.001-07:002012-03-22T13:00:55.585-07:002012-03-22T13:00:55.585-07:00We're All Going To Die<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Death is the only thing I fear (aside from cockroaches which I just find annoyingly irritating).<br />
<br />
Death, because death is something I cannot control. Death is something I cannot decide on. It is, and always will be, out of my control.<br />
<br />
But death is a state, I'll eventually be in.<br />
<br />
That's why fear is not an option. So I asked myself why-- why did I fear something I could be in tomorrow?<br />
<br />
The answer was simple: "I might not be ready."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Today might not have been be enough.</b> <i>Enough for what?</i> Enough for me to say that I am content.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But then, I cannot go on fearing it. I cannot die afraid.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So what needs to be done? <b>Be ready.</b> Be ready, everyday of your life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't do things you'll regret. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Live your life in your own terms.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Say "I love you" when you feel it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And let yourself be at peace when you sleep.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And have faith, that the Lord with be with you to welcome you to his Kingdom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have faith </span><span style="font-size: large;">that tomorrow will be better no matter where you spend it. </span></div>
</div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-30405667542902640312012-03-22T12:45:00.001-07:002012-03-22T12:45:13.694-07:002012-03-22T12:45:13.694-07:00When you should have said NO.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEfMJAAwqeA/T2t9vJy-nxI/AAAAAAAAAno/HupsJgZYvlg/s1600/When+You+Should+Have+Said+NO+-+Miss+Independent+Mind.001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEfMJAAwqeA/T2t9vJy-nxI/AAAAAAAAAno/HupsJgZYvlg/s640/When+You+Should+Have+Said+NO+-+Miss+Independent+Mind.001.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (no) is not the easiest answer to give, especially for people pleasers. I find that Filipi<b>nos</b> (no pun intended), including myself, sometimes find it hard (actually very difficult) to say <b>no. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We find it hard to say <b>no </b>to people who are superior (or we think are) and even people equal or of lesser stature than us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why? Well, maybe mostly because it connotes a negative emotion. "No." as if you're closing a door or cutting a tie. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I'm betting that-- almost all of us have that moment when:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOyYSCEUMeM/T2t9wRcWryI/AAAAAAAAAnw/xr0KZiD-XEs/s1600/When+You+Should+Have+Said+NO+-+Miss+Independent+Mind.002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOyYSCEUMeM/T2t9wRcWryI/AAAAAAAAAnw/xr0KZiD-XEs/s640/When+You+Should+Have+Said+NO+-+Miss+Independent+Mind.002.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">C'mon. Admit it or not.. we say YES to a lot things. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Why? because sometimes... </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Yes" makes annoying buggy people shut up. It's like: "sure, I'll do this.. just shut up, please."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Yes" because we're avoiding an argument that will come with a NO.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Yes" because sometimes, it takes a little more guts and courage to say "No." (especially to someone higher in rank, than you.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But sometimes, we have to realize that NO will save us from a life of depression of being a victim to our own YESes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Time and again, I, myself have made the mistake of being a blind-yes-er. And, time and again, it really doesn't end well.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess it's because, during the times when I was just "pressured" (pushed into a corner) to say yes, i know that my heart was never into it. And when your heart's not into it, the rest would not follow. You'll end up becoming a slave to your own answers (and that is not a happy life).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So? What do we do? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Say NO, when we don't want to-- and say YES only if we mean it. </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But if somewhere in the middle of a decision already made, we revert back and think:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"what if I said: Yes?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"what if I said: No?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go back and ask yourself:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"what made me say: yes/no?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"why did I say yes?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"why didn't I said no?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and then remember, that we cannot change the decisions we made in the past but we can control the decisions we'll make after that.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5676091552972526361.post-27817134082184914222012-03-22T12:17:00.002-07:002012-03-22T12:25:04.035-07:002012-03-22T12:25:04.035-07:00when life is in your control<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">when you know that <b>your life</b> is in <b>your control;</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">when you <b>acknowledge </b>that things external to you can only be influenced and not fully controlled;</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">when you realize that what happens to you is directly related to the things <b>you decide on </b>but be humble enough to know that there are <b>somethings out of your control.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The inevitable happens. And now,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NF0JAjVhfZ4/T2t5ou8pkKI/AAAAAAAAAng/g5XDZqqltIE/s1600/I+have+a+Boring+Life+BUT+Miss+Independent+Mind+Moochie+De+Guzman.002+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NF0JAjVhfZ4/T2t5ou8pkKI/AAAAAAAAAng/g5XDZqqltIE/s640/I+have+a+Boring+Life+BUT+Miss+Independent+Mind+Moochie+De+Guzman.002+2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because, <b>my life</b>-- is in <b>my control.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And what happens to me will be the fault of my own stupidity, not anyone else's.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's boring, mainly because-- I know, what's going to happen next might not be visible to me, at first, but <b>how i deal with it </b>will inevitably be decided by, no one else but me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How's your life?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>Miss Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12552235269451393481noreply@blogger.com0