POV I A Better Life - 12.19.08

Going abroad to hunt for a job is not easy. Some may wait for days, weeks, months, and even years before getting a job. You might have heard some of your friends about their personal stories sharing their pains and winning moments.

Yes, I agree that it’s not easy to earn for a living abroad. However, if you will compare your salary abroad, there's a huge difference not unless you have a good paying job here in the Philippines. When you go abroad, remember to have enough confidence of yourself and be honest of what you can contribute to the post you are applying for.

Be 100% ready for whatever will happen. In the first place, you have decided to go abroad because it was your decision. It was not a decision made by a friend or someone else. Stand for what you have decided and have enough perseverance to continue the battle. I am just sharing this story, because I know, many of us would want to give it a shot---working abroad. Go!If you were not fortunate enough, at least you have tried. There might be something brighter waiting for you just around the corner. =0)

As the popular saying goes, “No matter how thinly you slice a thing, there are two sides.”

The same can be said about the challenges we encounter in our work and personal lives. There are always two sides. There is a darker side of defeat and frustration, and there is the brighter side of resiliency and growth. The good news is we always have a choice which side to take. And depending on the choice that we make, we end up either high spirits or low. – Anonymous.

Food Trip I Coffee Academy - 10.10.08

Coffee Academy offers great tasting frappes at affordable price. What I liked about CofiAcad - free wifi, Sony Bravia TV if you get the chance to seat on their couch, and music (house, rnb, jazz, etc.). The place is always busy because many coffee addicts get to hangout 24-7. I loved their Black Forest frappe! Coffee Academy is situated at Marlim Mansion in front of Saver's Mall Balibago, Angeles City.

With friends, James, and Jengzt. Hope to see you both soon! =0)

Food Trip l CIBO-licious! – 10.22.08

It was a rainy afternoon, after a walkathon in Greenhills, when we felt it's about time to have our lunch. We did not notice the time because we were enjoying the place. Since I’m with a health buff friend (Donz), we wanted to try something greenish, crispy and cheesy - something Italian! And so we went to CIBO. It's the only Italian resto in the mall and it was simply the BEST!

We ordered vegetable salad with pesto bread and pasta. I enjoyed the ambience and the service. The music was very entertaining, and the place was jam-packed with Chinese, Koreans, Americans, and Pinoys. Well, it just says one thing, it’s appetizing!

The vegetable salad was crispy and the dressing was so refreshing. Every bite feels like heaven. The price per order from their main dish ranges from PHP350.00 to PHP550.00. A must try Italian resto!

NOTE: They have branches in Metro Manila - Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 5, Gateway Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Glorietta 3, Power Plant Mall, and Greenhills Promenade.

POV I 10 Tips to Reduce Christmas Spending from Money Smarts by Salve

I learned a few more things while preparing for my interview at ANC’s Shoptalk, as well during the show and would like to share them with you:

1. Use a budget. Makes you consciously think of what you put in your shopping carts. Write a shopping list.

2. If you must shop, go for frugal shopping hot spots. The psychological rewards of saying yes is the same whether you do it at Zara’s or Divisoria. (Read my previous post to to find a list of frugal shopping hotspots.)

3. Set aside a Christmas fund. In government finance, a sinking fund allows the government to set aside every month some money for future payments. We can do the same in our personal finances. A 12,000 budget for gifts and noche Buena every year for example will not be as heavy when you prepare for it by seting aside 1,000 a month from January to December.

4. Don’t forget the “hidden costs” of Christmas holidays, like contributions for company/church Christmas parties, Kris Kringles for children, etc.

5. The law of supply and demand in economics indicate that if you buy in January, you will get lower prices because demand is bound to drop. Not so, says Pia Hontiveros-Pagkalinawan, who is a self-confessed Divisoria shopper. She says apparently shop-owners have realized that children who get cash gifts during Christmas time go shopping in January!

6. Be a bulk customer: contact your company’s suppliers

7. Recycle gifts

8. Keep Christmas parties simple, go potluck!

9. Think of giving the gift of experience instead of toys

10. Don’t go overboard when buying toys. Some of the most expensive toys these days kill children’s imagination

Food Trip l Doppio – 10.18.08

It has been a long and fruitful day for me. I’ll not discuss the details but it was all worth it. I should say work-life balance. My friends and I went to try the hottest talk of the town coffee hangout, Doppio.

What’s good about the place? I liked the ambience and how the place is setup. You can opt to stay at the lobby or upstairs wherein they have Japanese tables, and a couch. We ordered Antonio’s Choco Mocha Java (best-seller) and Taco Dip Grande (crispy dough sticks served with the special several-layered dip that includes chili beef and cheese). Their best-seller 16oz. frappe costs Php109.00 only plus friendly crews!

Out of curiosity, I saw Irene (owner of the resto) and asked what the meaning of Doppio is? She answered “double”. Meaning, Doppio in espresso is a double shot, extracted using a double filter basket in the portafilter. These results in 60ml of drink, double the amount of a single shot espresso. More commonly called a standard double; it is a standard in judging the espresso quality in barista competitions. Doppio is Italian, meaning "double". (wiki). To all coffee addicts, add Doppio on your next session. And now am dozing off! G'nyt!

POV l The Mug

I was cleaning my drawer in the office and found this mug from Nes Cabigting (former AOL Coach). He gave each one of us a mug in the SSM Team before he left for U.K. The mug has a printed passage from Christian D. Larson. The message is about committing to what is right and not to focus on the negative side of life. Never listen to people who have the bad habit of being negative. Why? Because they steal the best aspirations of your life. =0)

Promise Yourself by Christian D Larson

Promise yourself to be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Food Trip I @ Zen

Yeah... we just can't get enough of Japanese cuisine! Enjoy variety of Japanese food @ Zen. Just a tip, ensure you take light breakfast if you plan to have lunch at Zen because they have the eat-all-you-can for Php550.00!

What can I say… it’s おいしい…. =0)

Travel I Sagada, Mountain Province

Sagada is a 5th class municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines.

According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 10,575 people in 2,158 households.Sagada is famous for its "hanging coffins". This is a traditional way of burying people that is not in use anymore. Not anyone was qualified to be buried this way; you had to, among other things, be married and have grandchildren - from Wikpedia.

We trekked, explored caves and waterfalls, rappelled, food tripped (Yoghurt House - a must try!), and visited historical sites.

Thank to Joan for organizing this breathe taking journey!

Travel l Exploring the City of Makati

It was one of those nights where you just want to chill out. It was after our shift when we decided to walk around in the city. Busy city lights, cabs all over the place, buildings, and refreshing environment. Indeed at that moment it was refreshing - coz it just rained. I know what you guys are thinking!

We were looking for a place where we could relax and just simply enjoy LIFE. I was surprised what I witnessed - different walks of life in one massive place! It has greens, chapel, mini park, coffee shops, resto and bars, and most importantly a place where you can shop! Well it's quite expensive though but remember to splurge once in awhile as a reward for your hard work!

If you're lookin for a place to hangout in Makati - that would be Greenbelt 3! And yes.... you might just can't get enough!

Here’s a coffee for you!