The First Million

As I was browsing the Cosmopolitan Magazine (a pasalubong from a friend who went home for vacation), an article caught my attention.

It was about how young people were able to earn their very first million.

Whew, who doesn’t want to have a million pesos especially in these hard times?

These people did not get it in an instant: it was worth sleepless nights, hardwork, prayers, talent, risks and whole lot more.

In the article, they had mentioned some investment ideas.

I had immediately checked the website for Online Stocks Trading and confirmed the requirements.

It was just in time as I have a bank account and I would want to earn more out of the little money that I have there.

I had checked on the risks: yeah, it’s a bit risky but I will never know until I try.

If I will be careful enough, I will get more from the dividends and stocks sales than the interest from the bank so I had transferred my funds and had started trading.

I have to learn and read a lot.

I’ve downloaded “Stocks for Dummies” and read articles from different websites to help me get into the game.

Since I am working on evening shift, I needed to wake up early to do the trades as it should be on Philippine Time then get back to sleep.

So far, I am doing well and I am hoping that it’ll continue still.

I am waiting for my dividends by the mid of June.

An online shop seems to be a good investment too.

Since I moved here, the web has become one of my best friends.

I had checked with a friend if she would like to be my partner for an online shop and she did say yes!

I was thinking of buying stuffs from here, take photos and place them on the site for people to see and choose from.

I am very positive that it will be worth the try and am praying hard to the Lord to guide me in my investment ventures.

Who knows maybe I will get my first million anytime soon?

Brittani!

And it is Brittani who won America's Next Top Model Cycle 16!

Even if she tripped on the runway!

She is very high fashion and I love her shots.

Raised by a single mom and living in a trailler truck, she had dreamed of being on of the top models.

And I hope her dreams will come true.

Goodluck Brittani!

Brittani or Molly?

I am very excited!

America's Next Top Model will soon announce the winner of Cycle 16.

I love Brittani!

They are still in Morocco for the Final Two: Brittani and Molly are both aiming for the top spot.

Here are their photos and they are wearing Designs by Issa:

Brittani

Molly

A Fishy Day

A friend and I had gone to the Fish Market here in Doha last Saturday.

We have to leave early so that it will not be too hot when we travel.

It’s about 20 mins away from where I stay.

The place was huge.

There are many trucks outside the market and there are stalls selling different kinds of fishes, vegetables and fruits.

We had a great time haggling with the vendors.

The goods there are really cheaper compared to the grocery inside the mall so I bought stuffs that I think will last us for 2 weeks.

I tried different recipes.

You may try on the below.

“Sinaing na Isda”

It is simply cooking the fish in vinegar and fish sauce.

Just put the fish inside a pot.

Put in sliced garlic and ginger.

Pour in proportioned amount of vinegar and fish sauce.

Add a little pepper and let it simmer for around 15 to 30 minutes.

Do not stir once the vinegar is in.

Remove from heat once you have the desired amount of the “sauce”.

Ginataang Tilapia

Fry the tilapia first then set it aside.

Saute onions and garlic then add the coconut milk.

I had used the instant coconut milk powder and dissolved it in hot water.

Let it simmer then add in the fried fish.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

You may also add pechay (green leafy vegetable) and remove from fire once the leaves are cooked.

Cheese Sticks

Since I need to be snacking in, I had prepared my own cheese sticks.

I had seen pastry sheets and got some cheddar cheese.

I simply sliced the cheese thinly then wrapped it.

It just needs to be fried at very low heat so that the cheese will not be burned.

Motivation is what gets you started; Habit is what keeps you going.

What a catchy phrase and it really makes sense!

This is written at the back of my gym pass.

Yes, I am going to the gym.

Bugsy gave it as an anniversary present.

We both enrolled as we want to be fit.

He needs to loose weight and I have to gain some.

My fitness coach said that I should take in more calories and eat snacks in between the meals.

She said I will need to do weights on my upper body as it is lighter compared to my lower body.

I had gained a kilo last week!

I got myself dumb bells and a yoga mat so that I can still do some weights and stretching at home.

Hopefully, I will achieve my target of getting 11 more kilos and stay lean still.

Way to go!

Mid-Year Resolution

I was meaning to write a New Year’s resolution but I never got the chance to do one.

Now, in the middle of the night, my mind had kept on wondering what would this year be for me.

Last year was a good one as I would like to put it.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I would give it a 3.5.

I was home for my first-ever vacation and caught up with the stories of my family whom I dearly missed.

I met some old friends and made new ones.

I had shots of “Squeeze Me” and “Bad Trip”.

I had a shopping spree in Divisoria.

I wandered the air-conditioned malls and department stores.

Me and a friend joined a bazaar and learned a valuable lesson – never do business whenever Manny Pacquiao has a fight.

Then came the New Year.

The start of the year wasn’t good.

I had some issues regarding my personal life and Thanks God as I had the courage and positivism to go through them all, of course with prayers and the support of family and friends.

I was sad and stressed out and had relied on the positivism that I still have.

My Dad had a heart attack last Valentine’s Day and stayed in the Intensive Care Unit for sometime.

God is good as I had applied and was approved for a loan in a bank thus I was able to clear up the hospital bills and support my Dad’s medication.

My Grandmother passed away and I had decided not to go as I am thinking of the expenses and had chosen to be practical.

I had really been tested this year and I know that I can pass them all through God’s help.

I would like to achieve my specific goals this year.

Be Healthy and Gain a Little Weight

My boyfriend would normally tell me how I am scary thin and I wish to gain a little weight.

I will need to eat a lot and build some muscles – Yes! Muscles, that’s why I am doing these weights stuffs.

Invest and Save

I had been looking for something wherein I can invest my little money as my expenses are growing – 2 of my brothers are in college, my Dad has continuous medication, my younger brother is also in school and my Mom cannot leave my Dad alone anymore because of his condition.

Yes, I am a proud breadwinner of the family.

I was thinking of franchising but it would require a lot of work and since I am away it would be a little harder then I came across Cosmo Magazine.

There was an article on how some people and celebrities had acquired their first million.

There were suggestions on how to invest your money and I had immediately prepared the requirements and applied as an online stock broker – I shall write a separate entry on this one later on.

I had started packing my lunch or bringing food to the office religiously so that I don’t have to order food.

Hopefully, I can earn and save enough this year.

Travel.

It has always been one of my dreams: spending your hard-earned money on something that you would treasure your whole life.

I wish to see other countries.

I want to go to Hongkong Disneyland maybe or Brazil for the World Cup if God permits.

Inspire.

Sometimes, envy, though it is a bad thing, comes and challenges me.

I envy those people who were able to bring change and affect other people’s lives.

I shall do my best to be a very good example to my siblings and hopefully I could lead them to a good path.

Way back in college, my professors would usually ask us to write down our expected grades for the courses during the start of the semester and there was one professor who was different.

She said; write down the grade that you would like to work for; the same thing for my Mid-Year’s Resolution.

I had opted to write down things that I would like to work on really hard – of sweat, sleepless nights, and early mornings and long working hours, instead of writing things that I wish, just wish to achieve.

I shall get the better of 2011!

Of Fancy Hats, Designer Clothes and Above All the Modern Day Cinderella

It was April 29 when one of my dreams came true!

I had witnessed a wedding of a true Princess and her Prince Charming even on TV.

It was all over the world – on the news, TV, prints.

Imagine the channels who had covered the said Royal Wedding.

I know many girls cried when they had learned that Prince William got engaged and will tie the knot soon, but we should be very happy for him.

Looking at Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, you’ll realize that she is a simple girl with manners, poise and posture that really fits a Princess and can really soften and capture a Prince’s heart.

The Royal Wedding was really like a fairy tale- a Commoner who shall marry one from the Royal Family.

The place was more than perfect – the Red Carpet, the flowers – exquisite; the guests – exudes elegance.

The venue itself was as they said truly dressed for a royalty.

Crowd control was good.

Spectators were satisfied.

Media was given their spot perfect enough to see what’s happening.

The guests started coming in batches.

And oh, I love the hats – from simple, to high fashion, to unique and costly.

I had learned that it is an insult to the family or to the host if the guest will not wear a hat during formal occasions or gatherings.

Family, friends, colleagues and other royalties were present and they had worn no other than designer clothes – Alexander McQueen, Victoria Beckham wore her own, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Louboutin and a whole lot more.

Prince William arrived with his brother, Prince Harry.

The Groom looked stunning in his military uniform and his younger brother, still looking dashing and naughty.

Everybody was waiting for the bride to come out on her wedding dress and the sight of her with the veil being flown by the wind was breath-taking.

The whole world cheered when they had kissed and even asked for a second one.

Ooohhh.

They look so in love.

I wish they will live happily ever after!

Sale at Nine West

After almost more than a month, I was able to visit the mall and shop, window shop, I mean.

Since I had worked on evening shift, I had just stayed home and spent time on the net or watch tv than go out.

Maybe because of the weather too as the temperature had started to come up.

Last Saturday, my friends and I hit the mall – we had watched a horror movie, yes, horror movie and checked some shops and there was a sale at Nine West!

I got myself a new wallet and so love it: the chic design, card holders inside and the color.

Actually, I got another one on 50% discount which I shall include in my products for sale for a bazaar at home on my vacation.

I am waiting for the mid-year sale to get more stuffs for the bazaar.

Wish me luck!

Tokens

These are the tokens that we had given to our staff during our First Quarter Awarding Activity.

Aren’t they cute?

And take note, they cost only almost USD 2!

Master Chef!

Our company recently had a cooking competition.

The staff need to prepare a food – be it a main course, side dish or dessert and bring it to the office.

There were 4 judges who will taste the food and gauge which are the good ones based on complexity, plating and taste.

I had prepared a desert, a Refrigerated Cake made from Tea Biscuits, cream, Oreo’s and Chips Ahoy.

Congratulations to my team mate, Ala’a who had won.

She had prepared a Jordanian food which consists of rice, fish, labneh (yougurt) and some vegetables too.

Unfortunately, I was not able to take a photo of her dish but I have the photos below to tease you.

It was like a feast – great food, nice chit chats with colleagues and a good time!