245: Just a Few More Practice - On Playing Golf

In one of my posts here I have written about being a goal-nut. It was one of my goals to learn a new sport (learned how to swim last year) and I have chosen to learn about playing golf.

To say, I have started playing golf (but only puttering) when I was a kid. My father brought home some golf clubs from Japan. I started playing putter at home with a plastic cup as the hole. I wanted to be a golf player then, but time went by and this dream was forgotten.

So, I thought about playing golf (among other sports I have thought) and you cannot imagine how far I've gone out of my comfort zone right after. You see, my family are non golf playing people (yeah despite the fact that my father brought home some clubs!) So if I'll play golf I'll have to do it on my own.

First thing that I did: was to purchase some golf clubs. To tell you, golf clubs are incredibly EXPENSIVE. But with the help of some online searching I was able to find some second hand golf clubs. Then, I contacted the South Point Driving Range at Alabang and got myself trained by a pro.

The time arrangement that I have with the pro was 9:00AM. I went there wearing my loafers, a polo shirt, and my handbag. Went I got there man, the line in the driving range were full of men. All of them looking professionals or businessman. There was some kids but they were with their business-looking-fathers. I totally looked so out of place.

But I already have signed the deal so even if I look so out of place, so different from my skin I -- pursued. Even now I still feel out of place whenever I go to a driving range. First, I don't drive (still going to enroll myself on a driving school) so I basically have to walk there with my 1 or 2 irons on my backpack (because obviously I do not want to walk around dragging a humongous golf bag with me).

But I keep on remembering Eleanor Roosevelt's quote: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." And I think that quote had continue to push me to do something whenever I feel small. :)

  Here I am playing golf

By the way, if you want to play golf send me an email, so I can finally play with other golf-ladies too!

230: My life in Instagram: On Jars of Opportunity

First, horray, yeah? Finally I have updated. I had been wanting to update but due to endless raining last few weekends ago it reduced me to a state of lethargy. I had been - literally - wasting my weekends watching movies. But hey, my watching of movies didn't turn out to be just 'pointless'. I realized that I am into action films. So you see there's a self realization there. I'm getting to know myself better. hahaha. Okay, I'm just justifying my being lethargic for the past few weekends. *wink* *wink*. If you ask what I particularly enjoyed last weekend you might want to check out my getglue account { shamelessly plugging }. And yes, let's be friends. Shall we?

Since I am desperate to get this updated because I realized that I had gone MIA for a little while, I'll just post an entries based on my instagram photo-entries: 

1. September Reads { John Maxwell's How to Influence People, Entrepreneur } - One of my goals is to read as many personal development books/magazines. I make it a point that I spend some time reading these kinds of readings. Besides, they say that what we should only expose ourselves to things that we want to happen in our life. So yeah, anything that could add to make myself better. But please don't get me wrong, I still read fictions. In fact I'm currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (GoodReads). 
2. Nikka and I's post birthday Celebration - My good friend Nikka and I celebrated her post birthday by going to the Book Fair. You might wonder where's a picture of that event? Forget it. Who went there? We went there last Sept 15, 2013. It's basically the last day of the event. It's Sunday and it was raining hard. Bad choice of date to visit it. It was pandemonium. I was not able to buy anything save for Jane Eyre. Seriously, I envisioned book fair so differently. I was hoping for magic, not thrashed, sold-books-without-dignity type of setup. So yeah, it was poor. We both didn't enjoy it. 
3. Rachel-Effin-Weisz - She's my girl crush (along with Cate Blanchett, and Julianne Moore). I watched the Bourne Legacy (again) and Oz the Great and Powerful last weekend, and I cannot help but fall a little deeply in love with her. Man, her beauty is eternal. She's eternal. I hope she gets more movies coming up. I just checked her IMDB and the Oz was the last one written there. I hope she's not taking a long break just because she's already married to sir. Hot Guy James Bond, Daniel Craig. But I forgive her. lol. I LOVE YOU! <3 And if you're going to ask me if I stalked her during her shooting days here in Philippines, you know the answer to that. HAHAHA. 
4. My WorldVentures Mastercard - Mannnn, my WorldVentures mastercard finally arrived. It means more money and more travel. Whatelse? If you want to know more about WorldVentures watch here. 
5. T H A I L AN D | S O O N - And since I'm on WorldVentures the privilege to travel and learn is endless. Therefore, this December I got myself booked to go to Thailand. Actually, I got three trips coming Boracay ✈ Thailand ✈ Palawan. I'm not really a travel enthusiast but when I got to explore more about travelling when I joined WorldVentures, I realized that there's more to travelling than just burning cash (as others might look at it). There are a lot of reasons why you should travel but this video is suffice to summarize it all.  
6. Preserving the Old Roses - I got this roses somewhere in the house and I thought about preserving them by putting them on a small vial. I thought it was cute, so I placed and used it as an ornament on my working table. Some of the people who gets into my room takes a peek on it. They thought that I was preserving the rose because it was given by someone significant, little they did know that it was just 'some rose around the corner'. lol. 

It's amazing how in a small span of time a lot of things had happened and is continue to happen. Some people think that maybe I am just lucky, but you know, things happen because we make them happen. I mean, you simply cannot just wait for an opportunity to fall into your lap. We need to chase it - look for it. Just as how writing is. We do not wait for an inspiration to struck us, we just write.

So you know in opportunity to become a better version of ourselves, we have to start somewhere, anywhere. Learn how to speak French, learn how to dance, compliment someone. Anything that you think could make you a better person. Don't hesitate, don't be hopeless. Don't turn our back to an opportunity even how small it is, because we do not know what that opportunity will lead us to. Just believe that what we do in life (as long as it's good) it will get us somewhere good. Besides, we certainly do not want to live our life wondering 'what could have been', right?

To Good More Days to Come!

219: Live a Life that You Deserve

For the span of 5 months, I went to different countries. I cannot believe that I have been in and out off the country for a short time period. Tell you what, don't think that I'm rich. It's God's way of showering me with his blessings, and of the opportunities given to me. Opportunities presents itself, but it's up to us to take (calculated) risk and fight for it.

Last Friday: August 2, I went back to Singapore to attend the Bootcamp. No words. I just can't explain the incredible feeling of what I attended in Singapore last Friday - Sunday. I have never attended a personal development/business event that could turn my whole world upside down. The people, the energy is just too overwhelming. The added bonus there is that: I have met new friends that I know could lift me higher.

They said that we should surround ourselves with people who will do good to us, and in that moment, when I was in that event ,I just found those people. It's not that I'm turning my back to my friends, they are my still my best buddies anyhow. I just found the people who are going to be my anchor.

A piece of advice, Tom Hanks' famous character Forrest Gump said that "Life is a box of chocolate, you'll never know what you'd gonna get". I found myself in the same situation, but instead of box, I was facing a six pieces of donuts all incredibly looking good. We only had a chance to pick one, and I know I've got to choose the one that I think I truly deserve. So you know, don't settle for less. Demand a better life because we deserve it. It's not going to be easy, but man it's going to be worth it.

I have never been so grateful for people who told me to attend. It was worth every penny.

Meeting Johnny Wimbrey. If you havent heard of him, he's a hollywood life coach, and a successful entrepreneur (http://goo.gl/CDIw5U). He is someone like Anthony Robbins. Being able to hear him talk about life inspires me to live life to the fullest. He's such a powerful speaker, motivator, and inspiration. It was like as if he was talking to me personally. When the bootcamp ended I left the auditorium with such optimism because of the wisdom and philosophy he had shared. Thanks for being such an eye opener,

And he responded! This is just the start of fulfilled and wonderful days.

One day, I'll live my life - FULL TIME - just like these people. Fun, Freedom, Fulfillment.

217: Lombok, Indonesia: Day 2+

First, I apologize I do not mean to bombard this with my updates. But, I try to be detailed as I can so I can remember exactly what happened on my trips. I hope FB will stay long enough to keep these pictures for the next few years.

Anyway, second day. As much as I can, I try to savor time when I am in abroad. I wake up early and stay late at night hoping I could pro-long the moment. I guess each of us has that "I hope this moment never end" sentiments while on vacation, hoping in vain that time would slowdown. Relativity, yes, Einstein you were right.

On our second day, we went to the local community, visited the place where the locals work doing pottery, and weaving. It's amazing that the women are hired to do this kind of work simply due to the attitude needed to get the job done right. The tour guide even said that the reason why it's the women who do these kind of jobs is because of their patience, and their attention to detail. The dichotomy of work category based on gender is observed on this place. But what was amazing though is the patience and imagination that these people needed in order to get the job done. Weaving, for example, is not an ordinary job. It requires a technical understanding as to how to put a design by knowing where to place a certain thread. It's just beyond me on how they do it.

Next, we went to Kuta beach. The Kuta beach is popular place for surfers. Although unfortunately we were far where the surfers surf. We were on the low-tide part. But man, the view is extraordinary. Kinda makes you think about paradise. lol.

Last, we went on the Sasak village. Sasak village is the place where the indigenous lives. Like certain indigenous tribes, it's normal for them to marry their cousins. There are also certain tradition observed when they marry: men paying a number of goats or cows to the family. Weaving and farming is what they also do for living.

We ended the day by having a red themed party (w/ costumes!). We got to interact with people who are in World Ventures too. It made me feel like we were a one big family. Since, it was my first Dreamtrip, I made sure that I am going to win the most creative costume, and I did. I brought my CAT hat, but I sure looked like I belong in the airforce. lol.

All in all the trip was amazing. It taught me a lot about life in general. Also, it's a bonus that the people I am with are business minded, optimistic, and fun loving people. It was so easy to get along with them. This Dreamtrip would not certainly be my last one as the experience was totally a bliss.


You should be here!

The beautiful Kuta Beach

Jon's legs, and my sister walking ...

The Sasak indigenous granma weaving out of cotton 

Painting collection in the weaving house we went

Look! I got to try weaving too :)

The local women weaving

The party after the visit on the locals :)

The awards, the music, the party!

See the rest here

214: Travel - Day 2: Singapore - Back to Being a Kid

Singapore - Sentosa particularly is known as Asia's biggest playground. Sentosa offers quite a numerous things to do - for fun. They have themed parks, shows, rides, games, etc., basically things that one with child at heart would certainly enjoy. That's where we headed on our second day.

People who go to Singapore would not want to miss going to Universal Studios, because come on USS  offers A LOT of fun things to do. The only problem there is that since it's a tourist attraction expect a huge line. I am glad that my sister was able to get an exclusive pass that we were able to enjoy ALL the rides in USS in express.

Our badass pass

Here we go

I'm really impressed with these people! They literally live up to their characters.
Plus, they are beautiful! :)

Someone's just hanging out

Oh the crew people!

Love this Egyptians lol

Man, you should try their thick milkshake! It's unbelievably the best milkshake I ever had

If you're going to USS I'd recommend you to try each and every ride there is and watch all the show possible because I'm telling you it's worth it. It might make you feel a kid -- or even silly, but being silly for a moment is what you should be. Enjoy. Savor. 

Going to theme parks such as this and extremely having a great time makes me realize how much I miss being a kid, where we became so mindless of the time passing by and just savoring every moment we are at bliss. 

So many things had happened from trying to save every penny (oh man, Singapore is a little expensive, mind you), learning to know the directions, enjoying the heat, the wonderful people,., everything is just priceless. 

I'm glad for the opportunity that I have for making travelling possible for us because we just cannot live in this life by merely existing we need to live it. Experience and create memories. 

Next stop: BALI. WOOOT WOOT.

211: Travel - Day 1: Lost in Singapore, Night Walk

Gad, so many pictures. I have too many pictures on our vacation that I couldn't find time to edit everything. So my apologies for posting raw pictures. But on my first entry, I'd be talking about how our 1st day in Singapore was. I love Singapore. I love it because the country was so organized and traveller friendly. I really think that their government puts tourism on top of their priority because they make the traveller's life easier.

Anyway my friend and I arrived on Singapore last June 13 around 4:30PM and since we are short in our travel period it was necessary that we start touring right after arriving.

The first place we went to was the night safari.

Look at how happy I am and how everyone looks tired!

My good friend looking excited too!

These flame spitting dancers!

More bad-assery

These signs that gives a real illusion of an approaching tiger.

The friendly deers!

My favorite animal: Elephant with a tusk no less!

My other favorite: Tiger

My apologies on a bad photography because my camera was having a hard time taking pictures at night. I'm glad that I was able to take a photo of my favorite animals: Elephant and tiger. I wish I could have taken a picture of the giraffe as it's also my favorite but the giraffe was too far and it's a little too dark for my camera to take a decent one. 

What I love about the night safari is the chance to really see the animals without the cage. They were out on the field! The dangerous ones (tiger, wild dogs, lions) were not caged but they were in these wired places instead. Also, aside from taking the tram to take an educational tour inside the visitors has the chance to take a walk in the trails. 

Taking the trail was really thrilling because the fact that the animals were not caged, it made us feel that it's likely that we'd come across some animals along the way! lol. Plus, the fact that it's dark made us feel like we were in the amazon! You cannot take the fear that we felt because if we take the wrong trail we might end up on the back of the Tiger's place. hahaha. My friend and I were fooling around to the point we ended up scaring ourselves!

I've got to tell you that going to the night safari despite not taking a rest was worth it. I enjoyed seeing the animals just as I did when I was a kid. I appreciate it more though considering that I am conscious enough of how beautiful and fragile they are.

If you go to Singapore, I'd recommend this one. Although it's a little pricey but it's worth it. I'd like to try the River Zoo in Singapore one day when it's already complete. I bet it's a wonderful place too.

209: On Travelling. WOOHOO!! ✈

©

I had been attempting to create a mini-video clip of nothingness, just random clips and probably have Bon Iver's Skinny Love play in the background or Colin Hay's Overkill. But I'd probably end up using Colin Hay's Overkill as it reflects more of myself. I have taken that .gif by the way. So hipster right? lol

For the past few days, I had been into music, running, traveling, and cooking. I realized that these things that I have mentioned are the things that I am obsessing at the moment. It's kind'a like the Eat, Pray, Love thing just missing the important role of Music. I just realized how these things really lift up my soul. With regards to travelling, I have attended this short travel presentation at Relik Bar and one of the speakers there said, 'Travelling is a priceless, you cannot remember the money you have saved but the memory of the happiness and of experience lasts a lifetime". I agree, and I totally have a different opinion now with travelling. It might have been expensive but the memories, the experience, the happiness gained/felt in that moment is just too priceless not to give - in.

With other things that I have mentioned such as running, music, and cooking is something that I'll be discussing later on. For now, for me travelling is bliss.

If you wonder where I am going, these are the places that I have booked so far:

Singapore ✈ Boracay ✈ Bali

They are quite costly, but dang it's priceless. I'll get back my expenses but I cannot miss the fun in going at these places. It's exciting, it's thrilling. I have pending places to visit yet. I never have plotted the places that I wanted to see, but now I will. How exciting, right?

I never knew how much travelling is important, I just realized when I took one. hihihi.

I can't get to sleep

I think about the implications

Of diving in too deep

And possibly the complications

Especially at night

I worry over situations

I know will be alright

Perhaps it's just imagination

Day after day it reappears

Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear

Ghosts appear and fade away

At least there's pretty lights

And though there's little variation

It nullifies the night from overkill

207: Life is Amazing

Most of my post here had been me telling how my life had been, how much I wanted to know my purpose, and I know I've spent so much time asking myself what role I'm playing in this world while I existed. While, I still believe that I have a mission to do something essential in this world, I just discovered that I have stop trying very hard.

Crazy as it may seem, I think the problem with my finding an answer is that I let it beat me to frustration. Though, I must say that it brought me to discovering myself more, I must admit that I have somehow let life pass me by. Thinking about it makes me realize how much have I really spent trying to matter to the world, and be the next heroine. 

But you know I wouldn't say that it didn't do me good, because I'm telling you it did better things to me. I think for the past few years that I was trying to make sense of what's happening to me made me a better person. I started to appreciate more, and have fun more.

I think all of us -- or maybe some of us -- has that thinking of wanting to save the world. To matter. To follow the footsteps of people who had revolutionized, who had changed the world. And I wanted to. I desperately wanted to be part of this elite group. But then I realized just lately that maybe I really should stop trying to save the world, to find a cure for cancer, revolutionize the technology because maybe it's not my role. I realized that I should stop playing someone's role. 

So for now, I would stop trying hard. I'll let life happen. If I'm not meant to be the next Steve Jobs, then it's okay. I realized that I may not be able to change the world, but I can start small. And that's what I am going to do from now on.

200: Singapore Trip (Part 2): a Realization

Have you really prayed on something, thought hard about it over and over again then one day the dream itself had just landed on your lap? Call it law of attraction, but I believe really believe that I am on my way to my goal.

You see, for the rest of my life I felt like I was drifting. I didn't know what I really want to do, but I've always known what I love and it's to encourage.

This is the reason why I put up my blog because I had committed myself to encourage because I had a little of encouragement and a lot of discouragement in my life. I thought why not start a blog talking about encouragement and encouraging people to let them know that they are not alone in their journey; that they have someone who would not hesitate to push them?

I often wondered about people who tend to discourage people from achieving their potentials. I wondered why they do it. I had my fair share of experience and I wanted to pluck myself and others away from it. I really believe that we have so much potential in our life but because we get so much distraction in our life that we eventually drift away from it. 

I believe God lead me to this realizations when I took the vacation, because going there did not just allow me to have fun but to recognize what I have been praying for. Also, I was able to recondition my mind and set my attitude right. After the vacation I felt like my soul had gone through cleansing. 

I know I have often turn down vacations because it gives me an impression of unnecessary expenses but taking the trip was worth it. If I did not take the trip I would never realized what I want to do in life and be the person to achieve it. 

Now what I want in life is to encourage, inspire, motivate, and be a living example of success. I haven't reached the 'success' part yet, but I know in my heart that God will lead me there with the right set of attitude and and unwavering focus. 

The future had never been look so promising.

To Wonderful and Amazing Future,

199: Singapore Trip (Part 1): a Renewed Hope and the Power of Decision

Do you ever believe about the "connecting the dots"? Steve Jobs talked about it, and even though I haven't heard it from Steve Jobs, I have experienced it. There was a certain event in my life during college that suddenly made me realize that the reason I got into that situation is because it prepared me for a wonderful ending. 

I strongly believe that what's happening in our life has a value eventually. Even the smallest thing that we've decided on, the reason why we are where we are right now is because it means something eventually. Yes, we can't understand it yet but I believe we just need to believe that God has a plan for us. And we just need to believe that it has a reason why it happened, why it's happening. 

One of the things that I hold dear in my life is what God said: 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jer 29:11

and yes, whenever I feel something bad happened to me, or why I am where I am right now is because God has an ultimate plan. 

And this is what I have experienced when I went to Singapore. My trip there was certainly not just to have fun. But to renew the hope that I have in my life. 

I am not exactly a travel enthusiast. I am stingy (and so I have declared many times) and going out of town was certainly not something of an essential. Maybe I'd do it if I have extra few cash, but due to my wonderful, persistent sister she told me to take the trip. And I did, I thought why not [?] maybe it's just the right time to indulge myself despite the expenses. 

Going in Singapore was not just a trip but it had taught me a few valuable wisdoms, and one of which is the power of decision. I was doing a high intensity interval training (watch the sample: here) and despite my doubt that I can finish the whole training without cheating, I told myself that I'll do it. No matter what the cost. No matter how long, I'll finish it.

And I did. It was tough, but since from the beginning that I took the workout I have decided that I will finish it. The push up + superman push up (part) was tough and my muscles were tired. I wanted to quit but because of my decision that I will finish the damn work out, I pushed forward. Also, I kept shouting "PUSHHHHH!!!!", "No Quitting!", "I can do this" every time I feel like quitting. It sounded silly, but if I didn't chant those things I would have relent on my emotions. Plus, the fact that my sister had been very supportive, helped me not to quit.

During that time, during on my trainings I kept conditioning my mind that I can finish the workout, and I kept reminding myself about the decision that I made. It helped and taught me that I can do things if I just put my mind on it. 

So my dear readers, I wish the same thing for you. If you wanted to change your life do it. Make that change. Decide that THIS IS WHAT you want to happen!

Before I signed this entry, I'm leaving you this song: Titanium by Sia (feat. David Guetta) just because the lyrics inspires the hell out of me during my training.

You shout it out, 

But I can't hear a word you say 

I'm talking loud not saying much 

I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet 

You shoot me down, but I get up 

 I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose 

Fire away, fire away 

Ricochet, you take your aim 

Fire away, fire away 

You shoot me down 

but I won't fall I am titanium

Next: Singapore Trip (Part 2): a Realization

198: It's a Celebration!

I have an amazing birthday celebrations. CELEBRATIONS. You can't imagine how incredibly happy I was during those moment, and by those moment I wished that the day never ended.

I know I have ranted that I have a hate/love relationship with my birth month because I feel obligated treating everyone I know. I have to say, this month may have been quite taxing when it comes to budgeting (considering that I have to throw 3 different celebration and a foreign trip), but I have no regrets. The happiness that it had brought me was priceless.

In my life, I have never celebrated my birthday and I'm glad that I did this time. Besides, the feeling of utter bliss, I feel loved.
                                                                               

♥

On my 1st celebration, I celebrated my "birthday salubong" with my college best buddies. We've hanged out on my friend's condo, watched a movie, and ate at Mercato (Boni high). The laughter we've shared never gets old. How many times have we talked about our college memories, and yet we always end up laughing at it? - Always. We had a good time together, and it's just then that I realized how much we missed each other's company. I can't wait for another get-together. :)

Second, was a date with my good friend, Ruby. Ruby is one of my wonderful friends, she always has a story to tell. I never get bored when I am with her. And she makes it a point that we meet before I take my vacation. hehe! For two hours, we never stop blabbing. hahaha.

Third, was a celebration that was held in the office. A Hat themed party! It was fun. But it could have been more fun if we were able to push through with parlor games (I think!) but it was fun nonetheless. My amazing friends: Oskie, Tin Tin, and Issa and the rest of my teammates were kind and amazing enough to help me throw a memorable party. 

And you know I don't want to sound trite, but indeed: happiness is priceless. I have - no doubt - would go back paying and celebrating my birthday over and over again. Thanks to my wonderful friends because it would have never been that amazing without them.

BTW, first mission accomplished: I wore and started wearing dress. I wore a dress on my birthday celebration hahaha! :)

196: the 24 Lists of Curious Improvement

HORRAY!  I'm twenty four! I just celebrated my twenty fourth birthday yesterday. And as much as I was eager to start celebrating my 24th birthday, I am excited to commit myself with my 24 Lists of Curious Improvement.

To say, I've been wanting to do something of an essential -- an improvement on myself. I thought why not give myself a year to track all the improvements that I wanted to do to myself? Hence, my 24 lists. I am crossing my fingers that I will be able to do them all, since 24 seems like a huge number. But I'm taking this as a commitment and I am going to do all my best get to get it completed (darn, I hope I don't sound like I am convincing myself *laughs*).

So here are the things that I want to accomplish before my 25th.

1. Improve fashion style (wear more dress?) - done
2. Learn how to do make up 
3. Paint 24 portraits
4. Get my hair styled
5. Make my own accessories
6. Learn how to do lettering
7. Make 1 font out of lettering
8. Learn how to improve blog design and create (share it to people).
9. Learn how to silk screen print
10. Make my own t-shirt design
11. Make my own shorts
12. Get my passport some stamp - done
13. Read 100 books on Personality Development (marketing, sales, relationship, leadership, wealth, communication skills, etc,.)
• The Unemployed Millionaire - Matt Morris 
• Screw it, Let's Do It - Richard Branson
• Questions are the Answers - Allan Pease
• Awaken the Giant Within - Anthony Robbins (Currently Reading)
14. Write on my journal every week.
15. Blog twice a week
16. Decrease CC debt to 100%
17. Increase savings to 50%
18. Make and Sell something online
19. Learn how to speak french
20. Learn how to walk with 3 inch heels
21. Lose 10lbs
22. Surprise my parents with a treat
23. More Photography
24. Have a DIY project

*phew* quite a list, eh?! I'm excited to start and accomplish them. Cross your fingers for me my friend.

So you, have you ever planned something and tracked it and see it accomplished? Share your story! :)