One Big Ateneo Survey (courtesy of Ailee)

1. What's your ID number? --- Unlike Ailee and Yang, I can’t remember this anymore. Obvious na I almost always requested for proxy reg =p

2. Passed or wait-listed? --- Passed, of course!

3. How did you know about the ACET results? --- My uncle, whose son was also in Ateneo, called me up and told me I passed, for the course Legal Management. I asked him ‘What’s that?” and he said, “Ewan ko sa’yo, ikaw yung nag-take ng exam!” Haha.

4. Was Ateneo your first choice? --- Not really, UPD was my first choice.

5. Do you know what your ACET score is? --- Nope.

6. What course was your first choice? --- LM. But as mentioned above I vaguely remember why I chose it. My theory is, I was looking for a Management course and my parents wanted me to become a laywer, thus the Legal Management course.

7. Second choice? --- AB Communications, which was what I really wanted to take. But practicality made me choose LM.

8. Anong course mo ngayon? (for alumni, course dati) --- LM, and happy about it.

9. Did you have any plans of shifting? --- Nope.

10. Chinito/chinita ka ba? --- Uh, I don’t think so

11. Taga-Ateneo High? --- Nope

12. Did you have fun in your OrSem? --- Hell yeah! I met my super best friends Awee, Yang and Cheeky during OrSem.

13. Saang gate ka pumasok nung first day? --- Gate 3.

14. Are you staying/did you stay in a dorm? --- Nope, stayed with my uncle’s family in UP Village

15. Ever had an F in your grade report? --- None, buti na lang

16. How about an A? --- Yup

17. Highest grade? --- A

18. Lowest grade? --- D for accounting and finance, I think. Haha!

19. Worst experience in ADMU? --- Nothing comes to mind.

20. Do you always attend class? --- Hahaha, nope! I’ve cut class a few times just because I felt like doing so.

21. What are/were your orgs? --- LEX and Enta (the best!) Also joined CADs before, but wasn’t that active.

22. How many units have/did you pass/ed? --- All required units lang.

23. Nangangarap/nangarap ka bang maglaude? --- No way! Took having fun seriously.

24. When will/did you graduate? --- 2001

25. Fave subject? --- CHEM!!! Philo subjects (except for 103, because of the teacher), Filipino subjects, JSP 101, and of course, Marketing. Had the best group mates!

26. Worst subject/s? --- Math and Accounting, definitely. Talk about bitter pill.

27. Fave landmark sa ADMU? --- Bel Field, especially at night when all the lights are turned on.

28. Fave kainan? --- MANANG’S! The best!

29. How do/did you get to school? --- Was able to use all means of transpo possible—jeepney, trike, car, taxicab, my feet.

30. Are/were you always at the lib? --- Yuck, no. I only go the lib when necessary, like when I need to review for an exam, do homework, and when I’m sleepy. Hehe.

31. Ever gone to the infirmary when you were sick? --- Yup, had to go there one early morning because of a tummy ache. Turns out it’s appendicitis, and I had to undergo surgery that night.

32. Do/did you have a crush in campus? --- Oh yeah. About a handful, hehe.

33. May balak kang mag-MS, PhD? --- Not really. But would like to study something related to the arts.

34. Have you ever watched a graduation ceremony? --- Yup, ushered for batches ’98, ’99 and ’00.

35. Do you know the "Song for Mary" by heart? --- Yeah, baby.

36. Memorize mo ba ang Fabilioh? ---Yes.

37. ...ang Halikinu? -- Yes.

38. ...ang Blue Eagle Spelling? --- You’re not an Atenean if you don’t memorize these cheers.

39. Are you part of Team Ateneo? --- Nope.

40. Who's your fave UAAP basketball player? --- None.

41. Ever had a perfect score in an exam? --- I can’t remember.

42. Ano ang ayaw mo sa Hell Week? --- The praning people.

43. Dito ka ba natuto uminom ng beer? --- Nope. Not into beer now.

44. What do you like about our school? --- Everything about it, good or bad.

45. Ano ang ayaw mo? --- Seriously, wala.

46. Have you ever bought anything at the A-shop? --- Yup, t-shirt and car sticker, I think.

47. maganda ba ID pic mo? --- Not my first one! We all had our pics taken in the afternoon of OrSem Day 1, when all of us had sweaty and pasty skin. Nice. The second one was ok. The third one, I looked like the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka.

48. Done anything illegal on campus? --- None naman.

49. Bought anything at National Katips? --- Of course, it’s my second home!

50. Ever gone to Starbucks Katips? --- Yup, but only a few times.

51. May nakaaway ka na ba sa school? --- Can’t remember.

52. QPI? --- 3 something. Don’t remember stuff like grades. ;) Yabang, hehe.

Frankenstein Look-Alike

Inasmuch as I don't want to scare everyone away, I'm posting here pics of what I looked like right after the accident mentioned in my previous post. Just in case you don't recognize me anymore, sniff sniff. (Drama!)


The bandages and stitches are all gone now, but I'm still left with with horrendous scars. Parang cosmetic surgery gone wrong. Hay.

The (St)itchy and Scratchy Show

Who could've known that what's supposed to be a fun & relaxing weekend would turn into a "woundfest" for me.

Last Saturday, we had our company summer outing at Plantation Bay. We had fun biking around the resort, taking lots of pictures, and swimming in the beach. Mel, Denise, Anj and I decided to try out the water slide. It would be a first for me so I was kind of psyched to try it out.

My turn on the slide-- I was lying down with my arms crossed, sliding down real fast, bumping hard against the sides, then my bottom hit the pool floor with a big thump swallowing lots of sea water. That was Bad Idea #1.

After recovering from the somewhat bad dismount, we all decided to play water polo, guys (5) versus girls (10). I was positioned right beside the guys' goal, which was some sort of roofed wooden structure on top of a rocky semi-hill. Yep, definitely Bad Idea #2-in-the-making.

After scoring a couple of goals, I felt a sting on my right leg. I earned myself two 3-inch scratches that sat side by side in the middle of my leg. I initially brushed them off as mere scratches, but then when I got out of the water it started bleeding somewhat profusely. So I had someone perform first aid, and wrap it up nicely.

So you'd think I would just lay off any physical activity until I get home safely. But the next morning (Mother's Day), four of us decided to go biking before breakfast. I thought this would be ok as I was able to finish an hour of biking without any mishap. (Now that I think of it, I actually fell down the bike on one of our stops the day before. I should've taken this as a sign.) This wasn't Bad Idea #3. This was the WORST IDEA EVER.

We were riding along a narrow, curved, somewhat downward sloping road. As I turned to the left, I was caught off guard because there were 2 people, 1 on each side of the road. I managed to avoid them, but there was another person (or persons, I remember vaguely now.) as I turned to the right, and the road was already sloping at this point. I avoided bumping into the person, so in turn I fell to my left and hit the pavement. I felt my head hit something hard, but I thought it was just a bump, so I stood up and started an embarassed laugh. But then I felt hot liquid drip down my face. Apparently, I hit a corner of a cement slab (the one used to cover sewage canals) or according to my companions, with some kind of iron thing.

For this accident alone, I got my left big toe skinned (good thing I didn't lose my toenail!), my knee also skinned and my leg suffered lots of scratches, the biggest one with a 5"x3" area. Don't forget 2 sutured wounds on my forehead -- one above the eyebrow and one below -- both needing 2 stitches each.

I've never really considered myself a klutz before (except for that one incident on my way to Bellarmine), but rest assured, I won't be doing any physical activity until I find out what's wrong with me. However, I won't be going near any bicycles in my lifetime.

My Soundtrack

RULES:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, Winamp etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to the next question, press the next button.
6. Don’t lie and pretend you’re cool.
7. When you’re finished, tag some other people to do it!

Opening credits:
I Don’t Wanna Be – Gavin De Graw
cool...

Waking up:
Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman
yep, give me one good reason to wake up early in the morning...

First Day of School:
Shiver – Natalie Imbruglia
shivering from the early morning cold shower

Falling in love:
Soothing Waterfalls – Sounds of Nature/Instrumental
haha, perfect music to my non-love life

First song:
Follow Me – Uncle Kracker

Breaking up:
The Aaliyah Song- Boyz II Men
by golly, how depressing

Prom:
She’s Only Happy in the Sun – Ben Harper
yeah, summer outing na!

Life:
Let Me Love You - Mario
weird.

Mental breakdown:
I Finally Found Someone – Bryan Adams/Barbara Streissand
hahaha, busted!

Driving:
Head Over Feet – Alanis Morissette
um, i'd probably get into a car crash if i take the song title to heart...

Flashback:
Wordplay – Jason Mraz
yeah...

Getting back together:
Back to You – John Mayer
whoa, talk about apt...

Wedding:
Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
hahaha, definitely an insanity when that happens!

Birth of a child:
She’s the One – Robbie Williams

Final battle:
Fragile - Sting
cool!

Death scene:
I Want You Back – Jackson Five
something those who are left behind would sing

Funeral song:
So Young – The Corrs
haha, funny...

End credits:
White Flag – Dido
whoa, creepy...

tickling my fancy

i just took a "career interest inventory" test to find out if i'm where i'm supposed to be. i wasn't surprised with the test result. i was told:

"Daisy, based on your responses, your top career area is Fine Arts

Careers in this field often demand that you be a naturally creative person who possesses a unique perspective on the world, and ultimately you want to share that vision with others. Most likely, you have a deep and rich inner world that needs an outlet. Whether you're into music, drama, painting or another artistic field, you probably possess a heightened appreciation for experiencing the world on a sensory level."

i'm doomed.

wishing for wishing wells

hmm, bad day... sing happy thoughts...

"i wish, i could go back to those fairy book tales
forget the real world a while and seek the seas of the talking whales
a place called wishing wells and magic spells;
where everything starts at once upon a time, long long ago
ends happily ever after..."

lalalalala...

reality bites

just for this week, my mom has been riding with me all the way to citi and during that time, 2 of my officemates saw her with me. both exclaimed later at how young my mom looked that they initially thought she was my older sister. one even suggested that i get tips from my mom, seeing as how well made-up and more "kikay" she is than me. ouch.

mind you, this is not the first time this has happened. from the time my sis and i were in high school, there've been instances where my ma's colleagues would say that the three of us look just like sisters. you could brush these comments off as mere flattery, but there've also been countless times when strangers mistook us kids, as her siblings.

considering she's 27 years older than me, this could only mean either of two things: she looks really young, or i look really old. or it could mean both.

27 Things I'm Thankful For

No point denying it, I’m now 27 years old. So instead of whining, (which I noticed, I frequently do) I’m listing down 27 things I’m grateful for. (This is also in celebration of the Holy Week) Warning: for everyone who know me as contra-sentimental, this piece may shock you a bit. =p

1. Life. Although at times I may feel down and wish that I could just sleep the whole day away, I’m still grateful for being alive. He has blessed me with 27 years of life, which I should’ve used more wisely. But today’s a new day, and I’m set to do more positive things from now on.
2. Parents. I’m really lucky to have such patient, understanding, and loving parents as I have. Any parent, who’d have me as a kid, surely deserves to be canonized as a saint. Without them, my siblings and I wouldn’t be the persons we are today. Love ya, and I promise to make you prouder of me.
3. Siblings. I probably couldn’t have gone through childhood and puberty as sanely as I did, without my younger sibs. I’m thankful for my one and only sis, Belle, for being my partner and acting like the older one through most of my misadventures. Thanks, Jong, for being tolerant of me, during times of misunderstanding. Carlo, thanks for being my voice of reason and for being not afraid to point out my flaws. Love ya, guys.
4. Best Friends. Awee, Cheeky, Yang and Angelo: you are the greatest friends a person could have. Though we’re miles apart, my heart will always be next to yours. I’m lucky to have met you and I couldn’t imagine the last 10 years of my life, without you guys in it. Here’s to more years of laughter and happy tears =)
5. Good Friends. Living away from my best friends, would’ve been utterly unbearable without my other friends. I’m thankful for the support they give me day-to-day, and I’m sorry for not realizing that sometimes. Pining over friends who are far away, usually stops me from seeing how wonderful they truly are. Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.
6. Househelp. Thanks to Maning and Mely, they make our lives a lot easier and more comfortable.
7. Pets. Our dogs, Bullet and Chiqui never fail to uplift my sagging spirits. Thanks to them, I’m still able to re-connect with the child in me.
8. Work. I’m lucky to have work, when millions are still jobless. I may often complain of the workload, but bottom line is, I’m still thankful I have work. Thank God also for the people I work with, they make the long work hours bearable.
9. Money. Some say that ‘money is the root of all evil.’ But I think it’s how you use it that makes it evil. I’m thankful for money because it provides for me, and allows me to enjoy what I’ve worked for.
10. Talents. Thank God for giving me talents, (used or seldom-used) as I’m hopefully able to give joy to others with it.
11. Books, TV and Movies. These things helped me go to places I’ve never been, and live a life other than my own. Thank God for the talents behind every book, TV show and movie.
12. Eye sight. I can never imagine my life without being able to see things: sunsets, sunrise, movies, books, people.
13. Manila. ‘Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila. Simply no place like Manila. Manila. I’m coming home.” My best childhood and my best coming of age years have all happened in Manila. ‘Nuff said.
14. Cebu. It took me a long time to appreciate where I’m living. Now, it would always be home to me. Where else can you live in a bustling city, that’s a few minutes away from the beach or from the mountains? Heaven!
15. Fine Weather. What’s Cebu without great weather, all-year round? A sunshiny day always puts me in a good mood.
16. Nature. ‘Stop and smell the roses’ I’ve never actually done it, nor will I ever do it, but I thank God for all the good things He’s created. I’m thankful for the beach, mountains, trees, animals, the sun, etc.
17. My Body. It’s far from being the ultimate body of my dreams, but it’s mine and it’s the only body I have. I’m thankful for not having any disabilities or any sickness.
18. Good Food. It has never been absent in any aspect of my life—be it celebrating a happy moment, or nursing a sad heart. I thank all those who had a hand in preparing those delectable dishes. Yummy!
19. Coffee. What’s a good meal without a fine cup of coffee to follow it? Never would’ve survived those late-night studying and early morning trudging to work, without my brew.
20. Warm Bed. I thank God for having a warm bed to sleep in, when others have no choice but to lie on the streets.
21. Sense of Humor. This has gotten me through some bizarre and trying moments. Thank God for sarcasm.
22. Music. Each memorable part of my life has a theme song. Without songs and music, life would be deafeningly boring.
23. The Internet. Through the Internet, I’m able to do a lot of things, have new discoveries, and most of all be connected with loved ones.
24. Budget Airlines. Thanks to those who are constantly trying to make airfare cheaper. Now, everybody can travel.
25. Mobile Phones. Texting has made all of our lives much more convenient. It’s much easier now to look for people by typing “WRU?” than dropping ‘tatlong beinte sinco’ down the nearest payphone.
26. Spas and Beauty Salons. A woman’s life would never be complete without a monthly trip to the salon/spa for a much-needed R&R.
27. Weekends. Time to take a break and catch some ZZZZs.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD LIFE? - Jim Rohn

The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The ultimate expression of life is not a Mercedes. The ultimate expression of life is not a million dollars or a bank account or a home. Here's the ultimate expression of life in my opinion, and that is living a good life. Here's what we must ask constantly, "What for me would be a good life?" And you have to keep going over and over the list. A list including areas such as spirituality, economics, health, relationships and recreation. What would constitute a good life? I've got a short list.

1) Number one, productivity. You won't be happy if you don't produce. The game of life is not rest. We must rest, but only long enough to gather strength to get back to productivity. What's the reason for the seasons and the seeds, the soil and the sunshine, the rain and the miracle of life? It's to see what you can do with it.
To try your hand, other people have tried their hand; here's what they did. You try your hand to see what you can do. So part of life is productivity.

2) Next are good friends. Friendship is probably the greatest support system in the world. Don't deny yourself the time to develop this support system. Nothing can match it. It's extraordinary in its benefit. Friends are those wonderful people who know all about you and still like you.
A few years ago I lost one of my dearest friends. He died at age 53 - heart attack. David is gone, but he was one of my very special friends. I used to say of David that if I was stuck in a foreign jail somewhere accused unduly and if they would allow me one phone call, I would call David. Why? He would come and get me. That's a friend, somebody who would come and get you. Now we've all got casual friends. And if you called them they would say, "Hey, if you get back, call me we'll have a party." So you've got to have both, real friends and casual friends.

3) Next on the list of a good life is your culture. Your language, your music, the ceremonies, the traditions, the dress. All of that is so vitally important that you must keep it alive. In fact it is the uniqueness of all of us that when blended together brings vitality, energy, power, influence, uniqueness and rightness to the world.

4) Next is your spirituality. It helps to form the foundation of the family that builds the nation. And make sure you study, practice and teach. Don't be careless about the spiritual part of your nature, it's what makes us who we are, different from animal, dogs, cats, birds and mice. Spirituality.

5) Next - here's what my parents taught me. Don't miss anything. Don't miss the game. Don't miss the performance, don't miss the movie, don't miss the show, don't miss the dance. Go to everything you possible can. Buy a ticket to everything you possibly can. Go see everything and experience all you possible can. This has served me so well to this day. Just before my father died at age 93 if you were to call him at 10:30 or 11:00 at night, he wouldn't be home. He was at the rodeo, he was watching the kids play softball, he was listening to the concert, he was at church, he was somewhere every night.

Live a vital life. Here's one of the reasons why. If you live well, you will earn well. If you live well it will show in your face, it will show in the texture of your voice. There will be something unique and magical about you if you live well. It will infuse not only your personal life but also your business life. And it will give you a vitality nothing else can give.

6) Next are your family and the inner circle. Invest in them and they'll invest in you. Inspire them and they'll inspire you. With your inner circle take care of the details. When my father was still alive, I used to call him when I traveled. He'd have breakfast most every morning with the farmers. Little place called The Decoy Inn out in the country where we lived in Southwest Idaho.

So Papa would go there and have breakfast and I'd call him just to give him a special day. Now if I was in Israel, I'd have to get up in the middle of the night, but it only took five minutes, ten minutes. So I'd call Papa and they'd bring him the phone. I'd say, "Papa I'm in Israel." He'd say, "Israel! Son, how are things in Israel?" He'd talk real loud so everybody could hear - my son's calling me from Israel. I'd say, "Papa last night they gave me a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean." He'd say, "Son, a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean." Now everybody knows the story. It only took 5 - 10 minutes, but what a special day for my father, age 93.

If a father walks out of the house and he can still feel his daughter's kiss on his face all day, he's a powerful man. If a husband walks out of the house and he can still feel the imprint of his wife's arms around his body he's invincible all day. It's the special stuff with the inner circle that makes you strong and powerful and influential. So don't miss that opportunity. Here's the greatest value. The prophet said, "There are many virtues and values, but here's the greatest, one person caring for another." There is no greater value than love. Better to live in a tent on the beach with someone you love than to live in a mansion by yourself. One person caring for another, that's one of life's greatest expressions.

So make sure in your busy day to remember the true purpose and the reasons you do what you do. May you truly live the kind of life that will bring the fruit and rewards that you desire.

Keane's "Everybody's Changing"

You say you wander your own land
But when I think about it
I don't see how you can

You're aching, you're breaking
And I can see the pain in your eyes
Says everybody's changing
And I don't know why

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same

You're gone from here
And soon you will disappear
Cause everybody's changing
And I don't feel right

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same

stumped

got stuck with the question: "What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?"

can't think of any... so depressing...

one fine day

ahhh, it's great to be off from work, even for just one day.

it started with a very good dream, which i'll keep to myself. woke up late, had brunch while watching TV. went to istore to download more music and movies for my ipod. went to a carwash for my car's much-needed bath, while eating a jollibee value meal. went home and had a grey's anatomy marathon.

this is the life...

p.s. as of writing, symptoms of an anxiety attack have already been detected... i don't want to go back to work yet!!!! argh.

The Secret

This came at an unexpected time and from someone I’m meeting for the first time.

It was supposed to be another work day, it’s 2pm and I'm eagerly preparing for lunch. Then I was informed that a client was looking for me. I thought, she only has to sign one document so this will be quick. We talked about work for a few minutes, she signed, then we were walking out the office door.

Then she turned to me and asked, “Did Wootie tell you about the secret?”

It really wasn't a secret. She was talking about the video entitled "The Secret", which conveyed messages of hope, something that really inspired me. Inspiration and positivity, things I badly needed, haha.

She said that the universe is a mirror of ourselves; if are thoughts/actions are all negative, then we'll be experiencing negative things. The universe is very obedient, it gives us what we want. That's why if we want to get or achieve something, we should want it deeply and think/act as if that thing is already in our hands.

She also said that we shouldn't be afraid to pray for things, thinking we don't deserve it. The fact that we think we don't deserve it, then it won't probably be given to us. God didn't create us to suffer, He wants us to live life in abundance.

We talked about a whole lot more (including an answer to my not being single =p), but those were the main things we talked about. I totally agree with everything she shared with me. They even affirmed the things I heard in a Bo Sanchez talk a couple of months ago. Suffice to say, everything they told me really hit home. Let's just say that for this year, a positive and cheerful me, will be a work in progress

Desperada

Gosh, just sounded a teeny bit desperate there.

Those boxing classes may have caused my vital organs to shift a little, which led to my temporary insanity.

Money Matters

Ugh. It's so disappointing when you don't get something that you've been expecting for a long time. Been daydreaming about the day I'll get it, what I'll be doing with it, who I'm sharing it with--- quite sad, actually.

Contrary to the news being spread by naughty rumor-mongers (you know who you are!) , I'm finding myself to be in quite a bind, definitely not feeling donyatic right now. Although knocking on passing cars' windows, singing desperately with a corned beef can in front of me, or buying used bottles and newspapers, are still in my faraway future, I'm still wishing I got that extra moolah! Just thinking about what could've been... huhuhu.

When that singer said "Mo' money, mo' problems", I'm thinking he was never really in a "no money, more problems" situation.

I have just got to start practising what I preach and start saving MORE. Argh.

100 Rules of Wealth

Somebody just shared this with us, which I REALLY feel is applicable to my present dire state. Huhu. So now I'm sharing these rules to everyone (forgive me if it's too long). They're theorized by Richard Templar in his book of the same title.

Thinking Wealthy
1. Anybody can make money - it isn't selective or discriminatory
2. Decide on your definition of wealth
3. Set your objectives
4. Keep it under your hat
5. Most people are too lazy to be wealthy --- (ako yata, 'to)
6. Understand your money beliefs and where they come from
7. Understand that wealth is a consequence, not a reward
8. See wealth as a friend, not the enemy
9. Decide what you want money for
10. Understand that money begets money
11. If you see money as the solution you'll find it becomes the problem
12. You can make lots of money, you can enjoy your job, and you can sleep nights
13. Don't make money by being bad
14. Money and happiness - understand their relationship
15. Know the difference between price and value
16. Know how the wealthy think
17. Don't envy what others have
18. It's harder to manage yourself than it is to manage your money

Getting Wealthy
19. You've got to know where you are before you start
20. You've got to have a plan
21. Get your finances under control
22. Only by looking wealthy can you become wealthy
23. Speculate to accumulate (no, this isn't gambling)
24. Decide your attitude to risk
25. If you don't trust someone, don't do business with them
26. It's never too late to start getting wealthy
27. Start saving young (or teach your kids this one if it's too late for you)
28. Understand that your financial needs change at different stages of your life
29. You have to work hard to get rich enough not to have to work hard
30. Learn the art of deal making
31. Learn the art of negotiating
32. Small economies won't make you wealthy but they will make you miserable
33. Understand that working for others won't necessarily make you rich - but it might
34. Don't waste time procrastinating - make money decisions quickly
35. Work as if you didn't need the money
36. Spend less than you earn
37. Don't borrow money - unless you really, really have to
38. Consider consolidating debts
39. Cultivate a skill and it'll repay you over and over again
40. Pay off your loans and debts as a priority
41. Don't be too busy earning a living to make some money
42. Save in big chunks - or should you?
43. Don't rent, buy
44. Understand what investing really means
45. Build a bit of capital then invest it wisely
46. Understand that property, in the long run, will not outpace shares
47. Master the art of selling
48. Don't believe you can always win
49. Understand how the stock market really works
50. Only buy shares (or anything) you can understand
51. By all means, use the investment professionals
52. If you're going to get financial advice, pay for it
53. Don't fiddle
54. Think long term
55. Have a set time of day to work on your wealth strategy
56. Pay attention to detail
57. Create new income streams
58. Learn to play 'What if?'
59. Control spending impulses
60. Don't answer ads that promise get-rich-quick-schemes - it won't be you who gets rich quick 61. There are no secrets
62. Don't just read this - do something

Get Even Wealthier
63. Carry out a finance health check regularly
64. Get some money mentors
65. Play your hunches
66. Don't sit back
67. Get someone to do the stuff you can't
68. Know yourself - solo, duet or team player
69. Look for the hidden asset/opportunity
70. Don't try to get rich too quickly
71. Always ask what's in it for them
72. Make your money work for you
73. Know when to let go of investments
74. Don't chase bad luck runs
75. Know why you should be able to read a balance sheet - and how
76. Be one step ahead of your tax collector
77. Learn how to make your assets work for you
78. Don't ever believe you're only worth what you are being paid ---- (yes!!!)
79. Don't follow the same route as everyone else

Staying Wealthy
80. Shop for quality
81. Check the small print
82. Don't spend it before you've got it
83. Put something aside for your old age - no, more than that!
84. Put something aside for emergencies/rainy days - the contingency fund
85. You paid what for it? How to shop around
86. Never borrow money from friends or family (but you can allow them to invest)
87. Don't surrender equity
88. Know when to stop

Sharing Your Wealth
89. Use your wealth wisely
90. Never lend money to friends or family unless you are prepared to write it off
91. Don't lend, take equities
92. You really, really can't take it with you
93. Know when/how to say no - and yes
94. Find ways to give people money without them feeling they are in your debt
95. Don't over-protect your children from the valuable experience of poverty
96. Know how to choose charities/good causes
97. Spend your own money because no one will spend it as wisely as you
98. Take responsibility before you take advice
99. Once you've got it, don't flaunt it
100. Realize the giving is really better than receiving

Blush Blush

Was mildly shocked to know that there are actually people out there reading my blog. Two people to be exact, haha!

Guess should be more careful now of what I write here... Always thought that this was more for my personal consumption, hehe.

Two Firsts

Experienced 2 "firsts" today:

One- I was able to visit the MV Doulos, which they say is the oldest active ship in the world and that it's even older than the Titanic (or was that a bit younger?). Missionaries and volunteers of different nationalities live on the ship and they go around the world to spread God's word. It also boasts of a wide selection of books, from Children's Lit to Dictionaries to the Classics. It docks here in the Philippines every few years only, so when I heard that it's here in Cebu, I had to check it out.

There were indeed lots of books, but there were also lots of people on board. The ship was jam-packed with visitors, that it was hard to browse through the bookshelves. We ended up leaving after a few minutes of looking around, because it was so hot and suffocating inside.

Anyway, that short taste of history was enough for me.

Two- On the way to the pier where MV Doulos was docked, we missed a turn and we ended up going through the SRP. It's the new road that makes it faster and easier to reach Talisay City. It was my first time to drive down that road and I found it really beautiful. The road was smooth, there's virtually no traffic, and you have an amazing view of the ocean. It reminded me of Hong Kong and intensified my recently awakened wanderlust.

So despite the impending doom of Monday hovering above my head, I'd say today was a good day.

P.S. I was able to share my Princess Hours obsession with Pia, which added to the "goodness" of this day

Ode to Ailee

I'm so proud of my college friend, Ailee, who now has 3 published Oscar pieces for BBC! She's one of the few select people who were given the chance to give their views on Oscar-noteworthy films this year. She's even the only Asian among the group! Congrats, Aileesa! =)

Check out her articles through this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6364487.stm

wanderlust

my wanderlust is acting up again...

i'm feeling kinda trapped and aching to be travelling.

i'm missing the noisy buzz of people going about in the airport, heaving luggages, eating plane food, smelling strange smells...

haaaayyyy....