Candon City Beach Resort, Ilocos Sur.

So there. Spent Christmas officially as a sabit. First with Kris and her family, and then with Reg and her family. I was at Reg’s place as early as 5:30 am and we headed out in a very short bit. It was just the two of us in the car, so we pretty much made it a girl’s adventure blabbered about anything and everything, made pitstops to get stuff to eat, and made mental pictures of the wonderful sights.

Mental pictures. That’s as much as we could do since neither of us had a cam. (Above pic taken from my handy dandy SE phone). So much for making it a photo journey. Oh, but I did have a point and shoot. Unfortunately I didn’t have any memory card. Crap! So I decided to bring my laptop so that I could keep on downloading the pics when they got full. Guess what. I forgot the laptop! Double crap!

On the brighter note, I was able to focus my attention to the company I was with and have a real vacation. No worries, no thinking, really low key. If I had the laptop with me, I’d be tempted to create my blog posts, do scrap pages from the pics I took, play games or what nots.

On a second brighter note, now I have other reasons to go back to Ilocos. Need to complete my photo journey. I heard form Joan that she had a Vigan photo adventure that I can go to. Sweet. More on that to follow.

I haven’t had time to surf because of the holidays (unless it’s a quick email/blog check) – most of the previous posts are scheduled as this one is as well. But it’s almost Christmas and I did say I wanted a meaningful Christmas. Normally I would have probably just stayed at home or sleep it out (it is after all, just any regular day). But since that wishlist post, I have expressed to the world that I wanted something different. And the world happily responded with different suggestions and offers.

Noche Buena will be as ampon with housemates Kris, Harv and Kris’ relatives. Initially, thought of NB hopping, but most of those who invited, also backed out last minute. Which was fine, because I needed the energy for the next day anyway.

Now for Christmas day got me many exciting offers and ideas. But I’ve decided to take on the soul searching-photo adventure-nature trip route which is a long drive to Ilocos Sur with good friend Reg. She’s my schoolmate friend from Ireland/Canada, and is here for the holidays. I’ll be the sabit here since it’s with her relatives. I only know her immediate family, and we’re not that close, but I do remember them to be very nice people, so I’m hoping that the relatives are just as nice.

I’ve never ever gone on this long of a drive. Ever. The farthest I’ve driven of too was to Quezon down south or Bataan up north (approx. 4 hours each). This, I hear, is a whopping 8-10 hour ride! But, as I heard, this is going to be well worth getaway.

So there. That’s where I’ll be spending Christmas. Partly on the road. Partly on a resort. It’s times like these that I wish that I already had a cam. Might as well make use of my point and shoot.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Imagine this. You have a goal. Whatever it is. But for sure it’s not an easy goal. It’s a stretch goal. It’s a big goal. It’s a milestone to your life purpose. And it’s greater than you can ever imagine. And it’s scary. But yet you set out for it. There’s no guarantee that you’ll reach it. There are road blocks. Obstacles. Circumstances. Now imagine that you’re not going after just one goal. You’re going after three. All with equal stretches. And not to stop there. You are also assisting, supporting, white lighting a bunch of other people, say 60, get their set of 3 goals. You’re activities will likely triple, maybe more. Your days don’t change. Nor the amount of time that you get in a day. What is the possibility that all of you, all reach your goals 100%? Not likely?

Well, in OCCI and Leap, with the help of the facilitators, coaches, the program itself, team 34 set out for the impossible. And in the first time in its history, the World’s Greatest Team graduated with flying colors. I am impressed, inspired and much proud for the team, especially to their head coach who made it possible. I assisted this team only as an outside support, and yet can’t help but be amazed at how much they grew, how much the’ve proven that the bar can be raised from great to excellent.

Congratulations! You guys did an awesome job! Now go and live world excellent lives!

So do you have a goal that you want to be almost sure you will reach? Contact OCCI for program details and be prepared for the greatest journey in your life!

My Lakbayan grade is D! That’s practically a failing grade.

This year, I was able to travel to Davao and Cebu, and was extremely happy with the plane rides. But aside from that, I’m not much of a traveler, which is a total waste, if you ask me. I mean, I’ve been living in the Philippines for 12 years already, and yet my Indian and Chinese clients have seen more of the place than me. Not good. Not good at all.So I need a resolution that I should go visit at least one or two more Philippine island before the end of the year.

PAL and Cebu Pacific, what’ve you got for me?

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How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan! Created by Eugene Villar.

**Traffic for sure.**

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Just a quick blog for the month end.

Today I:

• Chose to move forward
• Became excited for new beginnings
• Started saying “good” farewells
• Discovered my blind spots
• Learned to be different
• Showed my loyalty
• Accepted feedback
• Was constructive
• Shared my dreams
• Looked for answers
• Was amazed how things fall into place
• Acknowledged the fear
• Laughed hysterically
• Apologized sincerely
• Showed humility
• Appreciated the gratitude

Can it be in the new blog header? I’m shouting to the world, proclaiming, saying that I’m looking for my dreams.

This is definitely a good start to my journey.

Anyway, she’s such a character. She has loads of stories to tell, about showbiz, people in showbiz, about work as a trainer, about her past love, and current life as a mom and wife. Oh, and here’s the clincher. To top it off, she also told stories about her as a fortune teller / psychic. Apparently, she can read auras, energies, and whatnots. It’s stronger when she’s drunk. (Isaac Mendez, less the painting, i-statue?)

Now my logical brain doesn’t believe her. (I told her that, and she says that she understands and almost nobody ever believes her at first anyway, including Kris). But that when she sees pictures in her head sooner or later it comes true. As an example, she predicted Kris and Harv breaking up, getting back together, getting married and having 2 boys. Now the two boys are hard to “predict”, right? And if that happens, maybe I could believe that she does have a gift.

But just to humor her, and myself, I let her read my energy. (I’m blogging about this, para if it comes true, I will remember hehehe). Here’s what she told me:

“You are not yet living your true self. You are living upto other people’s expectations. You tend to contradict yourself because you over-analyze. In fact, you are contradicting yourself right now. You already know your truth when you were a child, but a “maternal figure” told you that you are to make other people happy. This belief stuck, and as a result you tend to live for others and not yourself. You don’t show the real you because that contradicts with what others expect of you or see in you.”

At this point, I told her, I don’t know half of what she’s telling me. I don’t understand how to uncover my calling, and the real me. In fairness to her, I also told her, I can also believe that, but I don’t know what to do about it.

So she goes on to tell me that it’s because I analyze. I come from my head all the time. That’s why I’m always confused. (That makes sense).

I proceeded to ask her about my work. She said:

“Your work right now is not your calling; it’s just something that gets you by. Your calling has something to do with traveling and making a difference. It has nothing to do with what you are doing right now. When you realize what that is, people will contradict you, and say that it’s not going to work. This will cause conflict because you have a tendency to do what people tell you. But eventually you will do that thing that is your calling and you will succeed in it. It’s a noble calling.

(Sounds like a missionary job).

It’s not a missionary job, and it doesn’t seem to be teaching either. But it’s noble.

(So it’s outside Pinas? When do I leave Pinas?)

You will leave permanently by end of 2008. This will come after an epiphany. You will leave when it becomes your decision to leave and not someone else. You are doing it for you. Otherwise, something will always come up.”

She proceeded to hold my hand. And told me about a picture in her head.

“You’re inside a restaurant with a group of people. It’s a small restaurant, and there’s tuna pasta. You’re wearing a ponytail, and you’ve got long hair that’s dry. There’s a guy with blue eyes, wearing a blue shirt and with a crew cut hairstyle. This guy likes you. And you know it. There are also some other blonde people inside the restaurant/table with you.

You’re sharing a polaroid picture with the people around you. In the picture is you wearing some sort of a headrest. The headrest is yellow, red and white with beads. You’re also wearing a bracelet. You look very happy in the picture, as if you have just accomplished something important. There is a black bald kid next to you. You look your happiest in this polaroid.”

At this point it started getting eerie. Maybe because Ian looked so intent. She didn’t seem as if she was pulling my leg. And maybe because it was such a distinct picture that she was telling me.

“I seem to be getting a Romanoff or Romanio in my head. Also Anastasia.”

(Movie? Vodka? Russia?)

We ended up with that. We were to call it a night, till next time.

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My verdict? Well, maybe some part of this is true. Maybe I am bound to travel, search for my calling outside. Meet a guy who is into me, with blue eyes and a crew cut hairstyle. If that’s the case, I look forward to it. Who knows, the polaroid is true, and I’m happiest once I’ve lived it.

But in the meantime, I’ll choose to live in the now. My work may be a question mark, my love life non existent, and my purpose yet to be discovered. I’ll take the “live for myself” to heart though, because that I can control, although not understand yet. I intend to spend a few minutes of silence to meditate about it. And let’s see what comes up for me.

This weekend, I experienced his shining moment. As a mother I was proud. So damn proud, I cried. Who would’ve thought I was coaching the world’s greatest?

So to Marco Abadesco, my win for the week, Congratulations!

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My life learning for the week:

When you can’t seem to get the answers, be of service to others. And know that by being of service to others, and by assisting them in their growth, you too shall grow.

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I had a fantabulous week last week. Silent blogging but so much stories, lessons, learnings and new found friends. Will update soon.

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For the past few weeks and months, I have felt “unexcellent”. I was always complaining. Rant, rant, rant. Sometimes, I have something to blog about, but don’t simply because I didn’t want it to be another negative thought put into words, and worse, put into public knowledge. Most of this negativity resulted to poor work ethics. I’m totally guilty of it. And no, I am not proud of it.

One day, sometime after my Cebu trip, I made a conscious decision to stop the drama.

My colleagues, most especially my boss saw and felt the change and commented on it. The self motivation was my driving force, but for sure the affirmations helped. Now, though, they are more sanay to the “positive” attitude that the affirmations have stopped. Yesterday I was 15 minutes late to get to work.

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In an effort to stay positive, I have decided to go to back. Back to the point in my life where everything was always forward moving. That had to be during my life-coaching days 2 or 3 years ago.

Last night was step one. And what a step. Here’s some things I’ve missed to hear.

Take a deep breath. Be grounded. What are your wins? What do you commit to be? What do you choose now? What’s the lesson? What have you learned? Choose your higher self. What’s the value? Just trust. Accept and be open to the process. Love yourself.

And finally, the killer phrase that caught me off guard because I haven’t heard it for such a long long time – “Let’s white light Yev ka.”

It feels surreal to be back. It’s like I’m new and old at the same time. Like meeting a best friend I’ve lost touch with, for the first time. It’s being excited, but scared; sure, but doubtful. Insecure and challenged. But seeing opportunities everywhere.

So here’s to new experiences, possibly new friends, new inspirations and new lessons.

I drink to that.

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Anyway, still laying low at work, so have time to do these. For sure September is going to be a bit more packed. I need to —
- Market CUL property and hopefully get an LOI by October at latest;
- Sell TCC property and hopefully seal a deal by October also;
- Finish off leasing remaining properties in TPT, SIA and AC; and
- Hopefully if we get the NSB account, start marketing that as well and close a lease for a floor.

(Lay low just for the sake of it, not because I have nothing to do.)

And of course, hindi lang puro work ang iisipin. Siyempre there’s —
- Kris’ hen party
- Kris and Harv wedding
- Kuya coming home (kill “Emile”)
- And getting ready for October… ooh I can’t wait!

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Saw this in an “about me” section while bloghopping, but lost the site. Dang. I liked it. I want to copy it. And to say… hear, hear.

THE BLOGGER WANNABEE… I am not a writer. I am not an intelligent person. My english isn’t that good. I don’t know the ins and outs of blogging. I’m not aware of guidelines and rules that should be followed, but hey.. so what? Do I really care? I was never good at following guidelines anyway. I only believe in one thing.. I am a human being, and I have a say. And when I feel like saying something, I will. If i can’t say it in english, i will in tagalog, and vice-versa. If you find some of my posts funny, informative, and worthy of your time, THANKS. If you don’t like them, or do not approve of my views and opinions, you are always free to click the “x” mark on the top right of your browser.

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Just when I thought that end of August means that I have cash because of the numerous closed deals last June and July, when I got my payslip and found out that 2 accounts didn’t come in! Argh. Our commission only comes out every end of the month’s pay. So now, I have to wait for end of September pa! Haay! Ay eto pala number 1 reason why I haven’t been motivated to work for 2 days. Another reason is because ang laki ng tax and ng deduction! Siyet!

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I just realized I haven’t finished making kwento about Davao trip! Sheesh. That’s so long overdue na! July pa yun eh! Hehehe! So gist na lang — GO TO PEARL FARM! Hahaha! Para move on na ako to Cebu trip…

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Looking forward to the weekend!!!