My Beach Weekend
My family and I will hit the beach this weekend for a much needed vacation. I so love going to the beach and it is my favorite spot if I need to relax and stay away from the city. So, since I’ll go on a vacation anytime soon, I am already packing the things I need for the whole trip.
Spacious bag- as much as possible, I don’t want to carry multiple bags. Only one huge bag with all the things I need in it and my laptop bag.
Sun block lotion- Even if it’s rainy or sunny I need to make sure that my skin is protected. I’m crossing my fingers that it will not rain this weekend though. I’d like to get a tan.
Eyewear- I love the heat of the sun touching my skin but not my eyes. A shade is a must!
Good book- I will bring my “Today Matters” by John Maxwell with me. It’s a very good book and I highly recommend it to everybody.
Reliable flip-flops- I should protect my feet from shells, stones and sand.
Camera- I’d die not taking pictures of the whole trip. Hahaha!
Music- I am preparing my playlist to help me relax while getting a nice tan.
Laptop- Unfortunately, it’s not just all about vacation. I have to carry my work with me.
Dresses- and lots of ‘em! It’s the most comfortable thing to wear. Plus accessories to complete my look.
And the list goes on. Well, I plan not to carry a lot of things with me. Or else my brother will tease me again because I look like I will be away for months. It’s hard for me to travel light. I list down the things I need and end up carrying a heavy bag. I don’t want my shoulder to suffer. So, how about you? what have you got planned this weekend?
Tags: beach, beach weekend, ideal vacation, summer getaway, summer must haves, travel must haves, weekend, weekend getaway
Friendship Issues
I have around 500 friends in Facebook but if I’ll start counting I think I only have around 10 close friends. I have lost friends before because of jealousy, gossips and disagreements. I have a different view about friendship. For me, it’s like building a relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend. And probably some of my friends don’t think the way I do. I don’t believe in saying that your friends say a lot about you as a person. Why? First, we were raised differently by our parents. Second, we are all unique and we have different mindsets. I make friends with people no matter how bad or good they are, rich or poor, stupid or intelligent. Sometimes, no matter how long you’ve been friends with this person, and then you had an argument, friendship ends just like that! And to tell you honestly, it gets tiring. I’ve had failed relationships but I think I have twice as much in failed friendships. So I began to question myself, “What have I done wrong?” I am a chameleon. I blend with people around me. I’m not saying that I am not being myself when I’m with different people. But since I don’t like the spotlight, I prefer to blend in. Today, I will choose my friends wisely. I will learn from my past friendships. From now on I will assess the common reason of my failed friendships to know what went wrong. I will choose friends with solid character. I would rather be surrounded with people with positive attitude in life. If ever I will meet new set of friends, I will be more observant most especially how they react to other people. It will tell a lot about the person I am with. Lastly, I will continue to respect the people around me. It is the most valuable thing in any relationship.
Tags: choose friends wisely, choose your friends, choosing friends, finding the right friend, friend, friendship, friendship issues, problems with friends
Rough Times In My Life
Last year wasn’t really a good year for me. I’ve been through a lot, made a lot of tough decisions and only finished half of my “to-do-list” for the whole year. And this year, I have to say I’m doing fine. Or things are going smoothly although it’s been slow. Sometimes, we need to take a break while we re-arrange our priorities in life and to keep our hopes high despite the obstacles getting in the way.
If we lost hope, we become lost and no sense of direction. Sometimes we need a boost of hope to keep us going. Here are some helpful ideas that can help you out and hopefully make them a part of your daily life.
Whenever I have a dilemma, I always tell myself that “I can find a way or I can do this!”. Problems we encounter are just trials we need to solve on our own or with the help of family and in the end it makes us a better person.
Create your “to-do” list you want to accomplish for the whole year and put a check mark on those you have accomplish already. Being aware that you need to get everything done before the year ends gives you positive view and right attitude. Why? It is because once you’ve done everything, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. You feel great about yourself and you already know how to manage positive thinking no matter how critical the situation is. Laugh and be grateful for all the blessings.
Sometimes problems come along the way and we cannot solve it on our own. And if you have trust issues with your friends, your family is always there willing to lend you a hand. If not, don’t lose hope. You can seek help from your church or support group. We don’t need someone to solve our problems for us, but we need someone willing to listen and enlighten our clouded mind during this dark event of our lives.
Regardless of your religion, praying and meditating helps you think clearly. I go to church every Sunday and my faith keeps me stronger and mentally alert. I feel good for the rest of the week. It is the only place where I have a peace of mind and I feel safe.
Tags: dealing with problems, dilemmas, how to deal with your dilemmas, problems, rough times in my life, trials in life
Stop Spending and Start Investing
“She works hard for the money. So hard for it, honey. She works hard for the money. So you better treat her right.” This has been playing inside my head since yesterday. I am trying motivating myself to hard word and align myself to reach my goals. Anyway, I am not going to talk about goals here. It’s about saving money. Yes, it’s easier said than done because I myself am having a hard time doing so. But, here are few tips for us to follow. Yes, I will start doing this too!
The fastest way to save money is killing debt first. Once you are debt free, you can easily put your money in a bank. The sooner you pay your debt, the lesser interest you have to pay. The interest you’re paying could have been your savings. Ouch!
List down your goal and establish a time frame. Think about investments like buying a house, car, or a gadget and start saving up for it. Make sure that the time frame you have set is attainable within that period of time.
Start keeping a record of your expenses. I started doing this last month. My mom has been doing this for 18 years now. Whenever she has money, she always have a paper with her and whenever we go shopping and eat out, she’s listing down how much money she spent and keep track of the money she have left. When I was a kid, I find it annoying but now I realized how important it is to keep track of your expenses. Mom told me not to spend more than what you earn.
Stop using credit cards. Super hard? Yes, I know! Or maybe you can start buying things that you can afford to pay. This will help you not to overspend because of the thought that you can defer the payment.
Start thinking how much money you can save in a week, or in a month. Little by little you will get used to it. I think for me, I should cut down my shopping habit. I am addicted to clothes and I barely use them right away. Today, I will start saving and start investing!
Tags: do not overspend, how to spend money, how to start saving money, investing your money, money, saving money, start investing, stop spending and start investing
You and Your First Job
Are you a recent graduate and looking for a job? Or did you apply for a position and getting ready for your first interview? Job interviews can be stressful. You don’t know what to wear and how to answer the interviewer’s questions. Relax, because you are not alone. Here are some effective strategies that work to a lot of people, it worked for me and I hope it could help you.
Prior to your first job interview, research the company you will be working for. Most of this information can be found online. Know the company’s background, how it operates and who the man behind the company is.
Learn about the job you’re applying for. Assess yourself if you are the man for the job and why they should hire you. If you know someone who works for them, you can ask him/her about the interview process.
Getting ready for the interview is a must. You should practice the interview. Based on my experience, most of the questions will be based on your resume. So take time to review your resume and write down the possible questions. Position yourself in front of the mirror and practice those answers.
Now, you are ready to face the interviewer. Dress appropriately for the event. For women, avoid flashing colors and too much make-up. Wear the most comfortable clothes. You can even do some research and get tips online on how to dress up for a specific job.
Bring out the best resume as it creates a big impression and impact to the interviewer. What I did is I went to the nearest bookstore and bought about how to create the best resume depending on the position you are applying for. You will see that it is very effective. But if you cannot afford to buy one, there are free format available online.
Above all these, don’t forget to be ON TIME. Be punctual as it creates a first impression to the interviewer. Wear that smile and show off your confidence. I know you will ace it!
Tags: first job, getting your first job, how to prepare for your interview, interview preparations, what to do to get your first job, you and your first job
You and Your Friend’s Ex-Boyrfriend
I have this random thought in my head when I woke up this morning. And thought it would be interesting to discuss about it. The question is, “would you date your friend’s ex?”
We all have friends with failed relationships. Some people are highly possessive with their ex. Been there done that. But sometimes, that ex is just too tasty to resist. There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. If your answer is YES, then your problem is how to keep your friend and how to let her know. Well, lay down your hair and let your friend know right away. Your friend will react negatively about it, of course and that’s a consequence. If you think he’s worth the trouble then sure, you can date your friend’s ex. You should be aware that you will be in a messy situation. Why? Because it depends how they broke up. And part of breaking up involves another person in their relationship then you need to assess the situation. If your friend is still browsing over old photos, talking about their relationship then you should think twice. Friend or boyfriend?
If your answer is NO, then it means that you want to remain loyal to your friend. After all, there are plenty of guys out there so why share the same guy? Put yourself in your friend’s shoes. I am sure you wouldn’t want to share your ex to your friend. It will be awkward for her to see you with her ex. If you’re not ready to face a complicated situation then might as well let this guy go and save the friendship. Consider what your friend would feel seeing both of you together and happy with your relationship. But then again, the decision depends on the situation. Remain honest and loyal to your friend. Always think the consequences before you do anything or utter the words. Remember, friendship is also a relationship. You invest on it.
Tags: dating, dating your friend's ex, ex-boyfriends, friend and ex-bf, friendship and relationship
You and Your Motivation
After reading my self-esteem post, I hope by now you are able to make a life changing step for yourself. Today, I’d like to share my thought about motivation. If you think your job is causing you too much stress, then look for a different career path. If you’re not comfortable with your current environment, then you need a change of environment. I know it’s easier said than done. But for me, part of increasing your self-esteem is to motivate yourself to do something big for yourself. It’s time for you to step-up!
Start with yourself. Make a list of things you want to do this week, or for the whole month. Do what you really like to do. But make sure they’re achievable. Then start to motivate yourself to achieve what you desire. Also, write down the benefits you will get from achieving them. If your self-esteem sinks, your motivation to get going dies too.
Walk your talk. This is not always easy. Take the responsibility for your own motivation and when you do, you will most often find a way to get yourself to start moving towards what you want. If you align yourself with your goals then your self-esteem goes up. Walking your talk creates a big impact both outside and inside.
At the end of the week or month, review the things you’ve done or accomplished. Were you able to do all of them? Or you’re just half way done? Don’t get frustrated. Just keep going and do the same step. I remember when I was in college, we have a swimming subject. Since I don’t know how to swim and I don’t want to fail, in my free time I go to the nearest resort and practice. At first I can only swim 10m out of 50m that we need to reach for our practical exam. I never gave up, I keep on trying. To my surprise, I made it to 25m until I reached 50m. Yes, it’s already a big thing for me. From, not able to swim, learning how to swim, I made it from the start going to the finish line and even 100m. What I’m trying to say is that, “nothing is impossible”.
Tags: how to motivate yourself, motivating yourself, motivation, walk the talk, you and your motivation
You and Your Self-esteem
Sometimes, we don’t feel good about our self most especially if we were treated badly by other people. And because of this, we lose the value of ourselves and shows a great impact to one’s self confidence and often feel insecure. Other factors include pressure at work, or you are having a difficult time dealing with family issues. Then you will start talking about negative things and start hurting people around you and yourself. To avoid this, there are things you can do to feel better about yourself and increase your self esteem.
Today, start taking good care of yourself then you will find that you feel better about yourself. Here are some ways to do it. First is to listen to what your body, heart and mind is telling you. stop thinking bad thoughts about yourself. Listen to your favorite music to keep your mind off from negative things.
Eat healthy foods and exercise. Take a walk, climb up and down the stairs, go for a run, and dance to the music. Do anything that makes you feel good about yourself. Keeping yourself fit helps you feel better and improves your self-esteem. Of course, eating the right food helps you lose weight.
Make a list of things you enjoy. No matter how busy you are, you have to find time to do something from that list every day. Things like doing a craft, listening to good music, or playing your favorite instrument. Make use of your special talents.
What other people do when they feel low is they go retail shopping. However, if you don’t have enough money, you can still go to thrift stores. But be careful not to spend more than what you need because too much of something is bad for you as well.
I think what matters most is that you start earning the courage in making your first step. Determine what you would like to change in your life and what you want to achieve. Setting a goal helps you look forward and work for it. In the end, you will feel good about yourself.
Tags: building self-esteem, building your self-esteem again, increasing your self-esteem, self-esteem, you and your self-esteem
Social Networking Sites and Cyber Bullies
Facebook is by far the most popular social networking website and it has millions of users. Incidents of cyber bullying have also gone up. I have to say, it is a good medium to connect with your long lost friends and family however we cannot deny that it is used by some people to bully a person. According to survey, 42 percent of kids reported that they are being bullied online. And for me, this is very alarming.
What is cyber bullying? Intimidating, threatening, harassing a person with the use of technology or networking site like Facebook and Twitter to destroy someone’s reputation, dignity and lastly his/her LIFE. Yes, there were reports that some victims who were not able to tolerate or handle the harassment hang themselves. Helpless, destroyed, depressed and lost. They managed to end their lives just like that.
Phoebe Prince and Ryan Halligan are victims of cyber bullies. Ryan’s parents created a website and described their son Ryan and how it happened. Prince, was harassed by older girls and was verbally abused. She’s only 15 years old when she hanged herself in her home. Her death shook her town and prompted the Massachusetts legislature to pass a law introducing an anti-bullying curriculum in the state’s public schools.
If you don’t want to be a victim of this kind of people, do not share your photos online. Be vigilant whatever information you are posting on your account. Know your friends and most of all know your enemies. Why am I saying this? Because I am a victim too. Just like Ryan, I am bullied by this girl since I was in high school. From Friendster, Multiply and now, Facebook. I am not pleased; I can feel Ryan and Phoebe’s pain-what they’re going through. It’s hard to walk around with my head up high when people are lurking around staring at you like you’re the ugliest person in the world. But I will never give up my life. I’ve done nothing wrong, they just want to make fun of me, and let everyone know how dirty I am. For as long as I am not hurting anybody, I am doing what I think is right I will continue living. Sticks and stones may break my bones but their words will never hurt me.
Tags: cyber bullies, Facebook, harassing people online, harassing people using social media sites, how social network sites affect your life, how social network sites affect your privacy, social networking sites, social networking sites and cyber bullies
Difference Between Online Shopping and In Store Shopping
We all know that in store shopping requires us to go to malls or department stores in buying supplies and spend our money. We now live in the age of internet and buying things can now be done by clicking a mouse. But which one gives you the best benefit?
Some people prefers online shopping because they say, they get bigger deals. They can get latest gadgets at a very affordable price. Everyone has their own reasons why they prefer online shopping. A single mom admits that she is enjoying the convenience she’s experiencing online. No need for her to bring her son along with her to the mall and join the crowd. She likes the fact that she need not have to leave her home and online stores are open 24/7.
Online shopping has its own disadvantage too. For instance, you feel like buying clothes, despite the description and size information still there is no guarantee if it suits you well because you cannot see the actual product. Unlike going to department stores, you can fit the product and you can touch the merchandise to check if the material is good. Unless, of course if you’re buying an Ipod. Whether you buy it in store or online you already know the item.
One of the advantages of online shopping is that you don’t have to wait in long lines at a cash register. Most online stores require the use of credit card as method of payment. The downfall however, sometimes it’s not safe to use your confidential information online. But you have range of options like using PayPal if you’re worried about security. You also have to pay for the shipping cost which is an additional expense. Unless the store offers free shipping.
For me, both method are beneficial to people. Convenience is one factor that people consider why they prefer online or in store shopping.
Tags: buying things online, department stores, difference between in store shopping and online shopping, good deals online, in store shopping, online shopping, shopping, why people prefer in store shopping, why people prefer online shopping