I was engaged in an SMS conversation with my love while I was in the office. We were discussing what movie should we watch today since there are a number of good flicks that have just opened. We were contemplating whether to watch The Man with the Iron Fist or Chinese Zodiac. My love works in Alabang, Muntinlupa while I work at BGC, Taguig. Anyway in our conversation around 4PM:
Martin: Just left the store.
Me: Okay baby, just take your time. :)
Martin: No. I don't want. I miss you na. Let's leave agad when I get there. What time can you leave there?
Hahaha! I know it may sound mababaw pero kinilig to the bones ako sa message na yan, hahaha! Wala lang. It feels so good when you know that someone you love is rushing and is impatient to see you already. Haha. Sorry it's so cheeeeeesy but it made my day. :)
30 January 2013
29 January 2013
27
January 20, 1986. 27 years ago. I was born. And this is how I look now. I meant for the photo be like this. :)
27 January 2013
This music CD is just the bomb!
I've been listening to it OVER and OVER and I don't get tired of it!
The Essential EARTH, WIND, & FIRE Limited Edition 3.0 CD! It's amazing how beautiful the sound is; how the music was crafted and expertly put together. All the percussion can be heard- the wind instruments, the kalimba, the timpani, congas, drums, etc. Grabe galing! All these melodious and harmonious sounds put together in one band! Let's not forget the powerful and engaging vocals! Galing!!! :) :) :) Sadly, no bad nowadays can create music like EWF. Perhaps the closest I can compare is Jamiroquai.
HAIL EWF!!!
The Essential EARTH, WIND, & FIRE Limited Edition 3.0 CD! It's amazing how beautiful the sound is; how the music was crafted and expertly put together. All the percussion can be heard- the wind instruments, the kalimba, the timpani, congas, drums, etc. Grabe galing! All these melodious and harmonious sounds put together in one band! Let's not forget the powerful and engaging vocals! Galing!!! :) :) :) Sadly, no bad nowadays can create music like EWF. Perhaps the closest I can compare is Jamiroquai.
HAIL EWF!!!
Are you with the right partner?
This was posted in Facebook by a friend and I decided to post it here in my blog:
Are you with the right partner?
During an open forum, a woman asked," How do I know if I am with the right person?"
The speaker then noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so he said, "It depends. Is that your partner?" In all seriousness, she answered "How do you know?" Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind replied the speaker.
Here's the answer.
Every relationship has a cycle… In the beginning; you fall in love with your partner. You anticipate their calls, want their touch, and like their individual or unique characteristics . Falling in love wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love.
People in love sometimes say, "I was swept off my feet."Picture the expression. It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something happened TO YOU.
Falling in love is a passive and spontaneous experience. But after a few months or years of being together, the euphoria of love fades. It's a natural cycle of EVERY relationship.
Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's individual or unique characteristics , instead of being cute, it'll drive you nuts. The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship; you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.
At this point, you and/or your partner might start asking, "Am I with the right person?" And as you reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when relationships breakdown.
The key to succeeding in a relationship is not finding the right person; it's learning to love the person you found.
People blame their partners for their unhappiness and look outside for fulfillment. Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes.
Infidelity is the most common. But sometimes people turn to work, a hobby, friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances. But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your relationship. It lies within it.
I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could. And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later.
Because (listen carefully to this):
The key to succeeding in a relationship is not finding the right person; it's learning to love the person you found.
SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. You have to work on it day in and day out. It takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it demands WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make it work. Make no mistake about it.
Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your partner). Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. If you know how to apply these laws, the results are predictable.
Love is therefore a "decision". Not just a feeling.
Remember this always: It's not pre-determined who walks into your life. It is up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let GO.
Are you with the right partner?
During an open forum, a woman asked," How do I know if I am with the right person?"
The speaker then noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so he said, "It depends. Is that your partner?" In all seriousness, she answered "How do you know?" Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind replied the speaker.
Here's the answer.
Every relationship has a cycle… In the beginning; you fall in love with your partner. You anticipate their calls, want their touch, and like their individual or unique characteristics . Falling in love wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love.
People in love sometimes say, "I was swept off my feet."Picture the expression. It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something happened TO YOU.
Falling in love is a passive and spontaneous experience. But after a few months or years of being together, the euphoria of love fades. It's a natural cycle of EVERY relationship.
Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's individual or unique characteristics , instead of being cute, it'll drive you nuts. The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship; you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.
At this point, you and/or your partner might start asking, "Am I with the right person?" And as you reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when relationships breakdown.
The key to succeeding in a relationship is not finding the right person; it's learning to love the person you found.
People blame their partners for their unhappiness and look outside for fulfillment. Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes.
Infidelity is the most common. But sometimes people turn to work, a hobby, friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances. But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your relationship. It lies within it.
I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could. And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later.
Because (listen carefully to this):
The key to succeeding in a relationship is not finding the right person; it's learning to love the person you found.
SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. You have to work on it day in and day out. It takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it demands WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make it work. Make no mistake about it.
Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your partner). Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. If you know how to apply these laws, the results are predictable.
Love is therefore a "decision". Not just a feeling.
Remember this always: It's not pre-determined who walks into your life. It is up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let GO.
09 January 2013
Family
I am very blessed and luck to have such a wonderful and loving family. :)
I thank God for giving me a family that is loving, supportive, cohesive, God-fearing, conscientious, and a family who can afford not really a lot luxuries, but some. I am blessed to have parents who are bright and smart, full of wisdom, classy but down-to-earth, industrious, responsible, generous, and loving.
Our family had its ups and downs. There were times that our family was awash with comfort and luxury however, there were also times that we were not on the greener side of the pasture. But you know what, the hard times are the best times. We become more cohesive when our family struggles. We become united and in combating whatever crises come our way. And I love that about us. Hindi kami yung naghihiwalay kapag may problema na. Mas lalo pa kaming nagsasama-sama. Pero siyempre kapag malaki rin ang kaban namin, masaya rin kami. And what happens is that we tend to focus on our own goals as individuals and this makes us grow as individuals.
But as I've said, the hard times are the best times. Because after every hardship, simple luxuries seem to be big achievements. And I love that. :)
I love my family. :)
By the way, just recently, our family had a drinking night session at Mulligan's Irish Gastro Pub in BF. Haha laugh trip! And also recently, we had a videoke night at Platinum KTV Bar also in BF. Hahaha Family Affairs FTW!
I thank God for giving me a family that is loving, supportive, cohesive, God-fearing, conscientious, and a family who can afford not really a lot luxuries, but some. I am blessed to have parents who are bright and smart, full of wisdom, classy but down-to-earth, industrious, responsible, generous, and loving.
Our family had its ups and downs. There were times that our family was awash with comfort and luxury however, there were also times that we were not on the greener side of the pasture. But you know what, the hard times are the best times. We become more cohesive when our family struggles. We become united and in combating whatever crises come our way. And I love that about us. Hindi kami yung naghihiwalay kapag may problema na. Mas lalo pa kaming nagsasama-sama. Pero siyempre kapag malaki rin ang kaban namin, masaya rin kami. And what happens is that we tend to focus on our own goals as individuals and this makes us grow as individuals.
But as I've said, the hard times are the best times. Because after every hardship, simple luxuries seem to be big achievements. And I love that. :)
I love my family. :)
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| Our family during Mama and Papa's 34th Wedding Anniversary in 2012. L-R: Kuya, Me, Mama, Papa, Diko. Front row: Audrina |
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| Our family spending dinner after hearing mass at Bhoying's in January 2013. L-R: Laurice, Angelo, Kuya, Audrina, Mama, Diko, Me, and Papa |
06 January 2013
5/365
Start Drinking... for the Environment.
This is one action that most of you will definitely enjoy and will probably use as an excuse to your parents when going out with friends to drink alcohol.
Here are a few tips from Norton's (2007) book:
1. Reduce your beer miles. Support your local beer brewer and local gin/vodka distiller. Drink local and home-grown drinks.
2. Choose bottles of wine that have natural cork stoppers. Oak corks biodegrade. The oak cork woodlands in Portugal and Spain produce over 80% of natural cork, These woodlands support a huge population of wildlife and they are at risk of being felled to create even more intensively farmed field when they no longer fulfill an economic purpose.
3. Recycle all your bottles and cans.
4. Buy organic beer and wine.
5. Drink real ale, and keep traditional breweries in business. And why not brew your own?
Here's a website that can help you get your own beer brewing: Brew Your Own
HAPPY BREWING in 2013 and make a difference to the world! :)
This is one action that most of you will definitely enjoy and will probably use as an excuse to your parents when going out with friends to drink alcohol.
Here are a few tips from Norton's (2007) book:
1. Reduce your beer miles. Support your local beer brewer and local gin/vodka distiller. Drink local and home-grown drinks.
2. Choose bottles of wine that have natural cork stoppers. Oak corks biodegrade. The oak cork woodlands in Portugal and Spain produce over 80% of natural cork, These woodlands support a huge population of wildlife and they are at risk of being felled to create even more intensively farmed field when they no longer fulfill an economic purpose.
3. Recycle all your bottles and cans.
4. Buy organic beer and wine.
5. Drink real ale, and keep traditional breweries in business. And why not brew your own?
Here's a website that can help you get your own beer brewing: Brew Your Own
HAPPY BREWING in 2013 and make a difference to the world! :)
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| Yeah-uh! Ahoy you beer drinkers! (image from http://bokeesler.com/theredsalamander/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/organic_beer.jpg) |
4/365
Coffee at a Fair Price.
Enjoy the taste of doing good. Fair-trade coffee provides a higher income and greater security for small producers than is offered by the vagaries of the world market (Norton, 2007).
Remember, when going to coffee shops, ask if their coffee is a fair-trade coffee. I know that Starbucks coffee promote this endeavor.
Enjoy the taste of doing good. Fair-trade coffee provides a higher income and greater security for small producers than is offered by the vagaries of the world market (Norton, 2007).
Remember, when going to coffee shops, ask if their coffee is a fair-trade coffee. I know that Starbucks coffee promote this endeavor.
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| Support Starbucks for its Fairtrade Coffee campaign. (image from http://ecoswitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/774x434_starbucks-brand-film.jpg) |
3/365
Climate Change Needs to Be Stopped.
Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth showed us the shocking trends of a recent global issue: Climate Change. Gore's presentation created an educated awareness to all peoples across the globe to take preventive measures in combating the accumulation of green house gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. While the data presented by Gore may be factual, it can also be skewed. Many scientists opposed this controversial issue on Climate Change, stating that Gore was not able to present all relevant data to safely conclude that indeed there is a change in the world's climate. Debates have ensued until the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been created to verify and address scientific investigations related to Climate Change issues. Yet, many skeptics and scientists still do not believe what the IPCC is saying, despite the fact that the panel is composed of the best scientists and experts all over the world.
During the course of my studies in graduate school, I have come across numerous literature about Climate Change issues and I even read the IPCC's report. Data do not lie. Numbers do not lie. A 10 is a 10. A 0.3216264 is a 0.3216264. There is no ambiguity in numbers. My point? If the earth's temperature, denoted by a number, showed an increase today compared to the values in the 1500s or even thousands and millions of years ago, that is a fact.
Statistics on the increase of GHGs due to anthropogenic activity have been thoroughly discussed and a lot of movements have surfaced to fight such increase. Hence, part of Michael Norton's ways on how to change the world is to stop Climate Change. Here are a few tips on how I can contribute to this action:
1. Taking public transportation.
Yes, it is more comfortable to ride in your private vehicle, but if you're the only passenger riding in your car, that's a waste of gas, money, and effort. You gain comfort but the rest is a loss.
2. Walking to nearby points of destinations.
In the village where I lived before, the church is just walking distance. But sometimes I am guilty of taking the car going there. Then I eventually stopped taking the car because it is such a waste of resources--- the gas, the effort, the emissions created by the car--- Sayang e. Pwede ko naman lakarin lang. It's pointless to take the car anyway. Plus, walking is healthy!
3. Replacing old fluorescent bulbs with CFL and LED lights.
4. Turning off and removing from plugs all gadgets and appliances when leaving the house.
5. Recycling your clothes by making them last longer in the closet instead of discarding them after wearing three times or so.
6. Reusing plastic food containers.
Don't just throw them away. Take them home, wash them, and use them as container for leftovers.
7. Reducing the use of non-biodegradable material.
Hence eco-bags have become a fad. And a necessity nowadays.
8. HAVING A CONSCIENCE PARTIAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
Before doing anything, always weigh the trade-offs and be partial towards the protection of the environment.
These are just a few tips. But item #8 says it all. In addition, I may not be an entrepreneur, but check out this website: Entrepreneurs with conscience
Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth showed us the shocking trends of a recent global issue: Climate Change. Gore's presentation created an educated awareness to all peoples across the globe to take preventive measures in combating the accumulation of green house gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. While the data presented by Gore may be factual, it can also be skewed. Many scientists opposed this controversial issue on Climate Change, stating that Gore was not able to present all relevant data to safely conclude that indeed there is a change in the world's climate. Debates have ensued until the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been created to verify and address scientific investigations related to Climate Change issues. Yet, many skeptics and scientists still do not believe what the IPCC is saying, despite the fact that the panel is composed of the best scientists and experts all over the world.
During the course of my studies in graduate school, I have come across numerous literature about Climate Change issues and I even read the IPCC's report. Data do not lie. Numbers do not lie. A 10 is a 10. A 0.3216264 is a 0.3216264. There is no ambiguity in numbers. My point? If the earth's temperature, denoted by a number, showed an increase today compared to the values in the 1500s or even thousands and millions of years ago, that is a fact.
Statistics on the increase of GHGs due to anthropogenic activity have been thoroughly discussed and a lot of movements have surfaced to fight such increase. Hence, part of Michael Norton's ways on how to change the world is to stop Climate Change. Here are a few tips on how I can contribute to this action:
1. Taking public transportation.
Yes, it is more comfortable to ride in your private vehicle, but if you're the only passenger riding in your car, that's a waste of gas, money, and effort. You gain comfort but the rest is a loss.
2. Walking to nearby points of destinations.
In the village where I lived before, the church is just walking distance. But sometimes I am guilty of taking the car going there. Then I eventually stopped taking the car because it is such a waste of resources--- the gas, the effort, the emissions created by the car--- Sayang e. Pwede ko naman lakarin lang. It's pointless to take the car anyway. Plus, walking is healthy!
3. Replacing old fluorescent bulbs with CFL and LED lights.
4. Turning off and removing from plugs all gadgets and appliances when leaving the house.
5. Recycling your clothes by making them last longer in the closet instead of discarding them after wearing three times or so.
6. Reusing plastic food containers.
Don't just throw them away. Take them home, wash them, and use them as container for leftovers.
7. Reducing the use of non-biodegradable material.
Hence eco-bags have become a fad. And a necessity nowadays.
8. HAVING A CONSCIENCE PARTIAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
Before doing anything, always weigh the trade-offs and be partial towards the protection of the environment.
These are just a few tips. But item #8 says it all. In addition, I may not be an entrepreneur, but check out this website: Entrepreneurs with conscience
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| YOU are important. YOU can make a difference. YOU can help save the earth. (image from http://www.kennett.co.nz/rameka/uploaded_images/You-Control-Climate-Change-773583.jpg) |
03 January 2013
2/365
Make amends.
The second task for this year.
You may have a friend whom you fought or had a misunderstanding with for quite a long time. Animosity did not disappear over the years until finally you both became estranged to one another. However on the back of your mind, you thought about this friend of yours more times than you can count and realized how important s/he to you and that what you fought about is something petty that can be forgotten with just a simple sorry.
Perhaps today is the perfect day to acquire her/his number or email address or whatever contact detail that can get you through your friend and just make amends. As what the book of Michael Norton said:
What you need: a little humility
Time invested: about ten minutes
The pay-off: a clean conscience
Make amends. Today's the day to do it!
The second task for this year.
You may have a friend whom you fought or had a misunderstanding with for quite a long time. Animosity did not disappear over the years until finally you both became estranged to one another. However on the back of your mind, you thought about this friend of yours more times than you can count and realized how important s/he to you and that what you fought about is something petty that can be forgotten with just a simple sorry.
Perhaps today is the perfect day to acquire her/his number or email address or whatever contact detail that can get you through your friend and just make amends. As what the book of Michael Norton said:
What you need: a little humility
Time invested: about ten minutes
The pay-off: a clean conscience
Make amends. Today's the day to do it!
1/365
Formulate an action plan for the year.
This is the first task. I have already done it by accomplishing my New Year's Resolution Revolution for 2013. Both for myself and the one Martin and I drafted. Next perhaps will be our Couple's New Year Revolution. Yey!
Can hardly wait for Martin's arrival. :) But alas, a day before he arrives, I will be on field. Huhu. I miss him terribly. I guess this is the feeling when you've gotten so used to someone being around, always talking to that person and sharing your everyday happenings, no matter how mundane they are. And suddenly you have no one to share your happiness and frustrations. I miss him. :(
Mahal uwi ka na please. :(
This is the first task. I have already done it by accomplishing my New Year's Resolution Revolution for 2013. Both for myself and the one Martin and I drafted. Next perhaps will be our Couple's New Year Revolution. Yey!
Can hardly wait for Martin's arrival. :) But alas, a day before he arrives, I will be on field. Huhu. I miss him terribly. I guess this is the feeling when you've gotten so used to someone being around, always talking to that person and sharing your everyday happenings, no matter how mundane they are. And suddenly you have no one to share your happiness and frustrations. I miss him. :(
Mahal uwi ka na please. :(
02 January 2013
Me and Martin's Partial New Year's Resolution Revolution
On the first day of January 2013, Martin and I decided to put together a list of our resolutions for the year. Well, actually it was my idea and I just COERCED him to follow suit, haha just kidding. I didn't coerce him, he agreed to do this list with me, right Mahal? :)
Anyway, since we both have different needs, different areas for improvement, we've created a partial resolutions list that aims to address individual concerns. Here's what we've enumerated:
1. Edz and Martin: To not be late for work for at least a month. Failure to comply means the losing party is forced to treat the winner a FREE FAST FOOD DINNER (kailangan talaga fast food para cheap lang, haha!). Edz to start on January 2 - February 2 and Martin on January 9 - February 9. This agreement can be carried on for the succeeding months until it becomes a habit. :)
2. Edz: To start finishing what I have begun (i.e., master's thesis, extra-curricular activities, reports, courses at coursera.org, etc.)
Martin: To diet and lose 20 lbs. in a month, starting on January 9 - February 9.
3. Edz: To stop procrastinating! (i.e., cleaning my room and the bathroom, doing extra-curricular work like meetings/activities, thesis writing, doing things in general.
Martin: To do at least fifty sit-ups and twenty push-ups using our own gym equipment in the band room.
4. Edz and Martin: To be organized in everything that we do EVERY SINGLE DAY (i.e., activity planning, scheduling of meetings, data gathering and report writing, cleaning and fixing stuff, cooking in the kitchen etc.)
5. Edz (given by Martin): To learn how to execute household chores, specifically doing the laundry, ironing clothes, and cooking adobo, tinola, and sinigang. Omigad I remember getting into a row with Martin about this. I violently objected to this idea of his until I finally gave in. Aaaaargh I really don't want to do this but anyway, I have to be a good partner so I agreed... after much hesitation and violent reaction.
Martin (given by Edz): To wear slippers at all times inside the house, except perhaps in the bedroom in the absence of bedroom slippers, and to dress properly and neatly at all times, especially when going out. Avoid wearing shirts with holes, tattered-collared shirts, faded shirts, shorts or pants that look tattered. Also, always find time to brush hair before facing the public. Spray on perfume at least twice a day (that's why I gave you one).
So far this is a partial list and a pretty simple one too. Martin and I vowed that we'll help each other attain our individual resolutions for this year. Next up will be the Couple Resolution Revolution, the list that will help address our couple concerns.
Anyway, since we both have different needs, different areas for improvement, we've created a partial resolutions list that aims to address individual concerns. Here's what we've enumerated:
1. Edz and Martin: To not be late for work for at least a month. Failure to comply means the losing party is forced to treat the winner a FREE FAST FOOD DINNER (kailangan talaga fast food para cheap lang, haha!). Edz to start on January 2 - February 2 and Martin on January 9 - February 9. This agreement can be carried on for the succeeding months until it becomes a habit. :)
2. Edz: To start finishing what I have begun (i.e., master's thesis, extra-curricular activities, reports, courses at coursera.org, etc.)
Martin: To diet and lose 20 lbs. in a month, starting on January 9 - February 9.
3. Edz: To stop procrastinating! (i.e., cleaning my room and the bathroom, doing extra-curricular work like meetings/activities, thesis writing, doing things in general.
Martin: To do at least fifty sit-ups and twenty push-ups using our own gym equipment in the band room.
4. Edz and Martin: To be organized in everything that we do EVERY SINGLE DAY (i.e., activity planning, scheduling of meetings, data gathering and report writing, cleaning and fixing stuff, cooking in the kitchen etc.)
5. Edz (given by Martin): To learn how to execute household chores, specifically doing the laundry, ironing clothes, and cooking adobo, tinola, and sinigang. Omigad I remember getting into a row with Martin about this. I violently objected to this idea of his until I finally gave in. Aaaaargh I really don't want to do this but anyway, I have to be a good partner so I agreed... after much hesitation and violent reaction.
Martin (given by Edz): To wear slippers at all times inside the house, except perhaps in the bedroom in the absence of bedroom slippers, and to dress properly and neatly at all times, especially when going out. Avoid wearing shirts with holes, tattered-collared shirts, faded shirts, shorts or pants that look tattered. Also, always find time to brush hair before facing the public. Spray on perfume at least twice a day (that's why I gave you one).
So far this is a partial list and a pretty simple one too. Martin and I vowed that we'll help each other attain our individual resolutions for this year. Next up will be the Couple Resolution Revolution, the list that will help address our couple concerns.
AHOY 2013!
my key resolution for 2013: FRUGALITY
It's 2013.
New year, new resolutions. Better yet, new REVOLUTIONS.
I bet a bajillion bloggers are posting about their 2013 resolutions. And why not, writing helps a person remember and execute what s/he has written down. So I might as well join the bandwagon. :)
I shall start my resolutions with, THIS YEAR...
1. I shall write EVERY SINGLE DAY in my blog. Though I don't have much loyal readers, actually I really don't have any, I will still write in here in the hopes that I might inspire a wandering and bored-to-death internet surfer to adhere to my plan of starting a NEW YEAR REVOLUTION.
2. I WILL CHANGE MY LIFE BY RESOLVING TO CHANGE THE WORLD. I will be basing my actions on the book written by Michael Norton, 365 Ways to Change the World. I bought this paperback in 2010 and as I was cleaning out my shelf I spotted this and decided to finally execute it. I shall start changing the world by doing 365 actions in the year, one certain activity per day.
3. I will be more focused on what I do, be it in my work, studies, or extra-curricular activities. Finish things that I have begun. Stay focused and not stray or deviate from the task at hand. Often times, I find myself lost and distracted while doing a project or activity that requires great concentration. So this has to stop. How? By being CONSCIOUS of what I'm doing. By engaging my attention at the present undertaking.
4. I shall be more HARD-WORKING and INDUSTRIOUS, acknowledging my duties and responsibilities as a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a friend, a worker in the Lord's vineyard, a leader, a server, an activist. We all have a lot of roles to fill and fulfill. I will let people judge me by my output, by my own works. And not because I brag of my achievements, no. I shall let my work speak for myself.
5. I SHALL BE FRUGAL. Frugality is defined as the quality of being frugal, sparing, thrifty, prudent, or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time, or money, and avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance. In behavioral science, frugality has been defined as the tendency to acquire goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourceful use of already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a longer term goal. (taken verbatim from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugality)
Strategies for frugality
Common strategies of frugality include the reduction of waste, curbing costly habits, suppressing instant gratification by means of fiscal self-restraint, seeking efficiency, avoiding traps, defying expensive social norms, embracing cost-free options, using barter, and staying well-informed about local circumstances and both market and product/service realities. Frugality may contribute to health by leading people to avoid products that are both expensive and unhealthy when used to excess.Frugal living is mainly practiced by those who aim to cut expenses, have more money, and get the most they possibly can from their money.
Not to be confused with cheap, being stingy or a miser, frugality, in my own definition, is the efficient and creative use of resources. Maximizing what you already have and finding ways on how to make it work or look brand new. It is also the discernment between things you need versus things you like. I think this image will convey what I mean:
We are blinded by what we WANT that we tend to acquire things more than what we need. My graduate studies professor told us in his lecture that the earth can satisfy what man needs but not what man wants.
Perhaps if we just try to make our lives simple by being frugal, then the earth will be able to give us much of its treasured resources in great abundance and that everyone will be able to have access to it. The earth is not biased to the poor nor to the rich. It is there to provide for everyone.
And so as I draw this entry to a close, I hope and pray to God that I will be able to adhere to my New Year's Revolution until the end of 2013. And hoping some more, I wish this entry could inspire someone to include FRUGALITY in their resolutions.
AHOY 2013! Full speed ahead!
New year, new resolutions. Better yet, new REVOLUTIONS.
I bet a bajillion bloggers are posting about their 2013 resolutions. And why not, writing helps a person remember and execute what s/he has written down. So I might as well join the bandwagon. :)
I shall start my resolutions with, THIS YEAR...
1. I shall write EVERY SINGLE DAY in my blog. Though I don't have much loyal readers, actually I really don't have any, I will still write in here in the hopes that I might inspire a wandering and bored-to-death internet surfer to adhere to my plan of starting a NEW YEAR REVOLUTION.
2. I WILL CHANGE MY LIFE BY RESOLVING TO CHANGE THE WORLD. I will be basing my actions on the book written by Michael Norton, 365 Ways to Change the World. I bought this paperback in 2010 and as I was cleaning out my shelf I spotted this and decided to finally execute it. I shall start changing the world by doing 365 actions in the year, one certain activity per day.
3. I will be more focused on what I do, be it in my work, studies, or extra-curricular activities. Finish things that I have begun. Stay focused and not stray or deviate from the task at hand. Often times, I find myself lost and distracted while doing a project or activity that requires great concentration. So this has to stop. How? By being CONSCIOUS of what I'm doing. By engaging my attention at the present undertaking.
4. I shall be more HARD-WORKING and INDUSTRIOUS, acknowledging my duties and responsibilities as a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a friend, a worker in the Lord's vineyard, a leader, a server, an activist. We all have a lot of roles to fill and fulfill. I will let people judge me by my output, by my own works. And not because I brag of my achievements, no. I shall let my work speak for myself.
5. I SHALL BE FRUGAL. Frugality is defined as the quality of being frugal, sparing, thrifty, prudent, or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time, or money, and avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance. In behavioral science, frugality has been defined as the tendency to acquire goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourceful use of already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a longer term goal. (taken verbatim from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugality)
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| image from http://farm4.static.flickr.com /3577/3692149756_ca17fc8325_m.jpg |
Wikipedia also gave tips on how to be frugal:
Strategies for frugality
Common strategies of frugality include the reduction of waste, curbing costly habits, suppressing instant gratification by means of fiscal self-restraint, seeking efficiency, avoiding traps, defying expensive social norms, embracing cost-free options, using barter, and staying well-informed about local circumstances and both market and product/service realities. Frugality may contribute to health by leading people to avoid products that are both expensive and unhealthy when used to excess.Frugal living is mainly practiced by those who aim to cut expenses, have more money, and get the most they possibly can from their money.
Not to be confused with cheap, being stingy or a miser, frugality, in my own definition, is the efficient and creative use of resources. Maximizing what you already have and finding ways on how to make it work or look brand new. It is also the discernment between things you need versus things you like. I think this image will convey what I mean:
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| image taken from http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/define-necessity-starving-african-children-vs-north-american-greed-shopping.jpeg |
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| image taken from http://eatwithjoy.files.wordpress.com/2012/ 02/define-necessity.jpg |
We are blinded by what we WANT that we tend to acquire things more than what we need. My graduate studies professor told us in his lecture that the earth can satisfy what man needs but not what man wants.
Perhaps if we just try to make our lives simple by being frugal, then the earth will be able to give us much of its treasured resources in great abundance and that everyone will be able to have access to it. The earth is not biased to the poor nor to the rich. It is there to provide for everyone.
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| image from http://sonnetsstudios.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/frugality.jpg |
AHOY 2013! Full speed ahead!
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