2018

As I officially say goodbye to 2017, I would like to recount some of the things that happened in this wonderful year. 

2018...Oh man, that's quite surreal! 

I am always grateful to be here, working, living a healthy life, was able to travel and know a whole lot of people and these are amongst the best and most memorable of them all (not in a particular order): 

1) Do Volunteer Work 

I have always been passionate about doing volunteer works (it is good for the soul). 

I was a volunteer tutor in an institute here in Doha and was helping my fellow kababayans to review for the IELTS Exam. 

After almost 4 batches, I met a lot of Filipinos who would like to have better lives and move to countries that would benefit their families. 

It is quite inspiring as they have come from different walks of life and have one goal: to move somewhere (some in Canada, New Zealand, the US, Australia, New Zealand). 

Mere "Thank Yous" are quite heart-warming! 

2) Death and everything that comes with it. 

It may not be the best experience that I had, however, it is one of the most memorable. 

We had celebrated my Dad's first death anniversary and remembering his death always makes me teary-eyed. 

We have come together as a family and am always proud and thankful to have him as my Dad. 

I have always wondered what it feels like on losing someone, yes, you may have seen it in movies but it is indeed different if it is one of your own. 

I could clearly remember taking that flight home all alone and praying that I make it just in time; cannot feel my tummy, was feeling cold all over and was relieved that I made it to the hospital. 

My Dad was in Coma and never woke up. 

Signing that waiver, removing the life support and waiting for him to breathe his last are the most painful, heart-wrenching experiences that I have ever had. 

Seeing the flat line and hearing that beeping sound is still echoing inside my head up until now. 

We had said our final words of love to him and I promised him that being the eldest, I will take care of the family, as always. 

3) Work, Work, Work 

Yes, I still belong to the elite group of people called "employed" Alhamdullilah. 

It is almost 10 years since I move to Qatar and am lucky to have my job still. 

I know that living and working in this country is just temporary and I know that if the time comes that I will have to leave - it only means that I have done my part and there is another mountain to climb, other opportunities to explore and other world to rule.

4) Finished a short course.  

My friend and I are always talking about having a small business. 

I enrolled in New Enterprise Planning Course in the UP Open University and was so happy to finish it with distinction. 

Am planning to take the Project Management Course in a few months time and I hope I can pass the exam certification exam too. 

5) Travel. 

We were lucky enough to travel to Africa this year! 

It was great as it's the first time for my husband and I to travel alone. 

We are now looking for our next itinerary. 

6) Save.

Thanks to my Hubby for keeping our finances in check. 

Being married and having to deal with all the aspects of life that comes with it is not easy-peasy. 

We are blessed enough to be in the same pace and like what I told him before, we are always a team no matter what. 

We are working towards our target or goal and are hoping that we can achieve that. 

We are always finding ways to save more - talk about the vouchers and the discounts and those points-earning things! 

The goal is to be rich and not look rich. 

7) Shop Less. 

By shopping less, I meant clothes and shoes and things that we don't really need. 

If it's on sale, it does not mean you have to buy. 

I was quite happy that we are not having a lot of trips to the malls except when grocery shopping and when we do, we only but the things that we only need or those that we are to cook. 

This 2018, I am not to write a New Year's Resolution - am not really a big fan of that. 

Instead, I plan to list down the things that I want to do without the pressure of doing them within the year. 

1 - Invest in Mutual Funds or Stocks religiously. 

2 - Enjoy more chill, relaxed time. 

3 - Travel. 

4 - Live minimally. 

5 - Do that Peso-Savings Challenge 

Wheew, that's not a lot but I hope I can commit to them. 

What's on your list? 

Less Bitter...More Glitter..

Whoa! 

I've been on hiatus! Where was I? 

The past months were quite busy and am trying to gain my traction back. 

Here are just some of the things that I was occupied about: 

1 - Work as always is challenging. 

2 - I have managed to finish my New Enterprise Planning course from University of the Philippines Open University with Distinction! 

3 - I had finished another batch of IELTS Review class in a Social Enterprise school, however, I will be sitting the next one out. 

4 - Housework and Wife Duties of course! 

Well, to be honest, I was feeling a bit lost these past few days - was feeling out of direction and believe that I have to recalibrate my compass. 

There are days when I feel so down and days when I am extremely happy - talk about a rollercoaster ride of emotions. 

Things are just simply overwhelming earlier - final paper was due, a new project had started and then the review class is there too - and I was exhausted. Freakin' exhausted! 

Alhamdullilah, we got two days off because of the National Day. 

I got to "chillax" today: I was just lying on the couch, watching series on Netflix (so far I have watched Victoria and two Dragon Ball Z Movie, and some Phryne Fisher), devouring Dandy's Chocolate Ice Cream Bites and some potato chips. 

It is a well-deserved break indeed! 

Tomorrow, I will have to go to the office for couple of hours maybe and head back home again. 

Well, I was able to think and contemplate too in the morning and I am just relieved that I can do the same in the next coming Friday mornings since I won't have classes. 

Oh, how I miss my mornings - just sipping my coffee and enjoying breakfast; the quietness and empty streets! 

After much thought, I have found ways to relieve my stress: 

1 - Deleted social media apps on my phone. 

Yes, I had formed a habit of waking up and browsing directly on Facebook or Instagram. 

It is not healthy nor productive for me at all so I have decided to remove my apps and have just installed them today until tomorrow. 

I had also unfollowed a lot of people, pages that are just distractions. 

If it is not a source of happiness or inspiration then it is not worth having. 

2 - Exercise 

A simple stretching exercise will do. I hope I can keep up. 

3 - Added a Motivation Playlist and New RNB Songs on my YouTube playlist. 

I am listening to the motivation videos everyday. 

The RNB Songs keep my blood pumping especially that I have to start working before 6AM and did I mention that the weather is brrrrr cold here now? 

4 - Do not compare yourself to others. 

This was a great source of my depression previously. And I am thankful to online articles that I was able to read mentioning that one should not compare one's situation to that of others. Instead, compare it to yourself - you should be better than that of your old self. 

Having accepted that, I started to feel relieved and positive. 

5 - Develop a healthy habit. 

One article I've read said that one can stick to one thing and keep on doing that over and over again. 

Am just proud to say that I had developed the habit of sleeping and waking up early every single day, even if it is my day off. 

Waking up early actually gives me a head start - I can plan my activities for the day without being overwhelmed. 

6 - Live the moment. 

At times, we are always preoccupied of what are the things that has to be done, about future plans etc.  and we normally forget living and enjoying the moment! 

So I am learning to live slowly and enjoy every moment - my cup of coffee, my travel going to the office, the quick office breaks and small stuffs. 

7 - Be Positive. Be Grateful. 

I am guilty of having emotional outbursts. 

There was a time when I did not let a somewhat complaining team mate pass. 

I know work can sometimes be tedious and a lot however, it is not a reason for someone to be a chronic complainer. 

I told her that if she has any complaints tell me directly and not her seat mate. 

Well, not everyone is grateful - especially with the current situation, I am constantly reminding myself to be thankful for each and every opportunity that comes. 

I am always telling myself that I am way farther from where I used to be and I know I can go further - Inshallah. 

8 - Minimize Physical Things 

Have you read about Minimalism? 

I had given it a try with the Project 333 and I am liking it. 

The main idea of getting rid of stuffs that do not serve their purpose anymore is already de-stressing in itself. 

I would write more about it soon. 

To wrap up, I want to add more glam, glitter in my daily life - discover more about things and experience a whole lot more. 

Like what my new mantra says, "Life is too short to be mad or sad or feel bad. Live life with less bitter and more glitter".