because am in a happy place!

I wished Chuck and Chy experienced this weather!

View from the hotel. Rm.813.

make me go nuts………

Just over this weekend, she told me these, my gosh..my daughter doesn’t seemed to be a 5 year old.

i know what a butler is- a person who massage your butt

bwahahhaha….LOL!

ma, you are full right? yep, sweetheart ( while trying to start a slice of cream cake), then why are you still eating?

TOINKS…hULI ang katakawan ni mama!

Chy, can you pls press that button please? ( at the traffic light stop), oh, i can’t, that might be too hot!

Ang arte arte…hmmmppp!!!

Thanks to all who took the time to watch the long vid from Chy on her “decorator dream”. Am just in awe that it would be a waste not to share such an accomplishment. Chuck is not very expressive but I can certainly do that part!

One last thing–she wanted to have a movie entitled “Chy-chy in the fab lane!”

whaaaaaat????sabi nya bonggang bongga daw yun! bwahhahahhaha

The blessings flooded all over!

Had a very simple, family, quality, quiet birthday dinner.

It is the way I imagined it except that I wasn’t expecting such overwhelming greetings from Facebook that kept me busy. I wanted to personally respond to each of them as a sign of my gratitude. I hope I didn’t missed out anyone.

I am so away from home , yet I am just at the perfect spot. At 32, I am happiest!

I had my way to make it unforgettable somehow. My First day at Tera is actually the last day of the month of May.

And here’s the organizational announcement.

I am pleased to announce that Karen Baquial has joined Teradata in the position of Financial Planning Manager - South East Asia, effective today.

Karen brings great experience from similar roles in HP and other large multi-nationals.

Karen’s main focus will be on supporting the growth of the SEA countries and using her experience to improve the efficiency and accuracy of our finance function.

Please join me in welcoming Karen to the Teradata team and wish her well in her new role.

Nakakawindang naman pakinggan ang aking job role. Wala lang..kakatakot.

God, ikaw na bahala sa akin. Lam mo na nilalaman ng puso ko- na wag naman sana akong magmukhang mangmang sa trabaho na ito. Na araw araw po ay bigyan mo po ako ng lakas at wisdom na maipahayag sa aking mga ka trabaho ang nilalaman ng aking utak, maka suporta sa kanila ng buong buo at naway, tumagal naman ako sa trabaho na ito.

Thanks po , Lord sa opportunity na ito. Better than what I hoped for. I will do my part, promise. Remind me to wake up at 6:15am everyday though.

Today is the last day of my quarter end in HP.
I thank God for the wisdom He continued to shower on me. I say it is amazing. It is not my wits, it is God’s will that I survived this quarter. An accountant’s life isn’t easy at month or quarter end. The new job am going- I don’t say a breeze, it is a new role, new culture, I don’t say it is greener—but definitely a new wave to sail on.

I am proud of my positive 1.6% deviation from forecast. I was allowed at 5% . Cheers to teamwork!

This is also my last quarter end @ HP , 26th is my last day.
What I feel?

I felt that I had a rewarding career in HP, starting off my stint at HP Philippines plus the once in a lifetime break to HP Singapore. The chance to visit US and the opportunity to work with one of the world’s finest people. I can’t stop to get so astounded with the experience, I have so much to share. A once in a lifetime. The dream to work with HP came about with my uncle’s inspiration. I accomplished it. It afforded me to peek the comforts of life, the career I could grow on , the attitudes, characteristics I needed.

I will be continuously polished and may not shine as a gem —–I will have my own light to shine on. I am unique and I celebrate my inconsistencies and unpredictability!

SURPRISE..KAPAL NG MUKHA KO MAG 2- piece..DAPIT HAPON NAMAN NA ITO EH…PAGBIGYAN NYO NA.

something I have realized last night few minutes before I doze off.
It is about a poison that makes my body weak. No, I don’t deal with real poison but it is in a form of ill unusual feelings, uneasiness and obscured freedom.
I know we are not meant to live perfect lives, only great lives. And with the limited time I have on earth, I would have to live this the way I want it. No to POISON, more to JOY and MOMENTS to take my breath away!

Presenting my newly renovated Cavite dwelling ……hahahha….can’t wait to see this new project.

For the second time, we watched the film at home and this time—Chy had so many unfathomable questions. I thank God that HE gave me such a wonderful , smart kid. But sometimes, it demands much of my brain. Hhahahhahha…Katakot takot na tanong and never ending. That she had to beg for one last one before I could finally close my eyes. Chuck and I were laughing at her last night when she said, ” One last Please??”. OMG! she has grown so fast, I couldn’t catch up to all the information she had put forth on her brain.
Hahhahaha…am stressed…And to the Mother Award goes to——Me!
Wala syang choice—ako ang nanay nya….

” When I see you smile, I can face the world! ”

are appreciated. My dad is home now and is cleared from the suspected pneumonia. My lola on the other hand had a successful leg operation. Oh, I thank God for good health!

Note to my pader : Pls, take care of your body, you are not as fit when you were in your 40’s, hence, pls be mindful of your food intake.

Good wishes- I send to my friend Don2. Just keep it going there, it is a long journey and you are on the right track. May God enlighten and provide you wisdom on that day.

I am intrigued with how the future unfolds in front of me. Remember, last month- I had my own set of confusion until I gave up and got tired and now, I don’t have a slightest idea how one bit of development can connect to the bigger picture. I am trying to be STILL for I know there is a GOD that guides me. Whatever happens now is part of the bigger plan destined for me. Can’t stop the giggle to get excited over it.

I am happy to look forward to - my family reunion in SG, my sisters to try their luck here, my 32nd bday, HK trip, Chy’s 6th. I look back and really constantly believe that the GIFT of family is so FAR the best I ever have over these years. Of course, we are not perfect, there bad been tough times but I prefer on dwelling to my blessings.

Few funny, odd stuffs are going on with my LIFE. You will know in the coming days. I am keeping it to myself for now until I find 100% visibility.

And good wishes go to my bro in law- good developments in his job hunting.

My Lord, you are so wonderful!!!

Finally! It had been terribly hot in Singapore these past days. And by God’s grace, it rained today.
The good heavens showered blessings to the people on earth. While the buzz goes on water scarcity, I am empowered to contribute to earth’s call.

Like;

1. Collating a good number of soiled clothes when doing laundry, you can’t wash like 5pcs leh. Just a waste of water!!! ( hot flashes)
2. Recycle jeans or thick cardigans when its not obviously smelly anyway.
3. Be very aware of the amount of water spilled over when I wash the dishes.

The key is AWARENESS- that water is scarce.

For others, rain shoots a gloomy mood but not on me this time.

I am dancing in the RAIN!

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9 (MSG)

Aidah posted on her FB profile that she looks forward to have breakfast with me today to listen to my stories of Sydney. I thanked her for the favor. Seemed to me that “listening” is the hardest you can get from people nowadays.

It reminded me of some convo that I excitedly share and I was shoved away —which leads me to a very bad impression of which I am trying to get over with. I can always give people the benefit of the doubt and will have to be satisfied that Life is full of sweet surprises like what I got from Aidah this morning.

Btw—–this sort of a warning to us. We normally dry up our pants outside our flat and yesterday, it was stolen. Goodbye Dada’s Levi’s.

PRIMARILY of the things that happened to my LIFE that I don’t PLAN nor DREAM of.

Like;
1. working abroad
After having a boyfriend who pursued a seaman course and having had to experience with my seaman cousin’s wife , I told myself , I will never marry someone who will work far from where I am. I can’t stand to see my daughter grow with a virtual dad.

But I ended up marrying someone who works abroad and that’s an irony of life because you cannot tell your heart whom to marry, it comes and there is no escape and no amount of reasoning can comprehend the irony. I took that leap and face the consequences.

And one of those is to settle in a country away from my comfort zone. I had to say, change is good. I did compromised my ideals but not the principle behind it. It my case, it was “everywhere Lord basta magkasama kami”. Every decision we made—was geared towards that end in mind. We will never be living separately from each other. I don’t say what is ideal to me is ideal to others- so I don’t mean to offend , we have separate journeys , different paths to take.

2. Financially fit
I don’t say I am rich. Or maybe I am–am richly blessed with the non-monetary terms in life of which I am forever grateful. It comes mostly with the people factor –my family, friends, my not so friends ( challenges i mean) and they made this life extra colorful.

In monetary terms, we have never been financially fit. I remembered back when Chuck and I are still starting, I had to pawn my precious necklace to Cebuana to survive the next payday. How tough was that. Our dates were spent on some mcdo counters for a P5 ice cream cones. I got so broke that my credit card bill was enormous. I only survived the minimum payment which made me even poorer. I refused to marry Chuck back then as I was indebted but he readily paid all my debts and I promised to pay him back, although he really didn’t bother—it is impt for him to marry me. But now, I think I can pay him back—-and he would give me his frowned face.
Hahhahah.

Now–credit card companies is unhappy of my payment behavior as I have been paying in full and they couldn’t charge me finance charges, interests, etc. I learned it the hard way and resolved to be debt free!

3. To be a PR of 2 countries!
Becoming a Permanent Resident of 2 countries is beyond my imagination. Although we are still not in the verge of giving up one, but just being is such a fortune minus the confusion of course. See, the reason why I was confused in the first place because I mix up my drive with my comfort zone until it gets un-pure. It boils down to wanting to be at one place as a family and both countries can satisfy that. But there seemed to be an audacious plan out there outlined for me and my family and if we don’t give it a try—I will never know. I am clear–I am not going to Australia to pursue money and the material stuffs. I will be there for the purpose the Lord is in store for me. And because it is unknown , I will be forever excited looking forward to it! You must be frowning now—am a risk taker.

But that’s me. I am yet to know Chuck and Chy’s thoughts over the matter—I will respect whatever it is.

But as for me, I am really ASTOUNDED but can’t afford to be wordless now as I am filled with THANKSGIVING!

To my bro in law, congratulations.
Cheers!

Thank you God for the very beautiful gifts in life. My mom in law was crying last night when we called her to share the good news. I can imagine her joy—-she is now a mom of an architect!

At sweet naman ni Pem to send us his message over sms-
” Noy, ate Karen..salamat kaau sa inspiration ug sa suporta ninyo, kamo man usa sa ako inspirasyon sa ako pag exam unya kamo pa jud nagpahibalo nako nga nakapasar ko”. Regards ko bb Chy”

I never had a brother—and it is very touching to receive such kind, nice words from a bro. I am actually very lucky to have ” all boys “in-laws . Now, I understand my mom-in -law’ s joys!

Beautiful life. always astounded of God’s surprises!

I am waiting for my chance to visit one here as I need to delve some stuffs to bring to Australia for our upcoming trip.
We thought of buying the stuffs we might need in winter. Gracy graciously agreed that we leave the stuffs in their home temporarily. Thanks much , Gracy!

I can’t help—-so I fumbled into ebay and found ebay stuffs I won —– w/c are made possible by my hasty decision making.

And the most pricey so far is this…..I am looking forward to these stuffs…am not even sure if it fits Goodluck to me

See, these are not winter clothing. How hasty I can be!

note: I suppose to publish this last year, i kept it left hanging in my drafts.
Anyway, this is still worth for posting.

Day 5 - AWARDS

Need I say more? I wanted an iTouch so much and I had it for free! I had the chance to went up to Mainstage- happy and proud to be a mom, married and Filipino! Yey! We can do it too!

The bar was open till twelve midnight but I wasn’t drinking —–I went to bed early that night as I need to attend another session in the next day specific for APJ region. My dream is on shopping again.

I am dreaming of another Coach Bag.
My daughter’s dress.
Our move to Disney Hotel!

Day 6- SESSION

Boring. Technical stuffs and hey Anand- the worldwide boss came and put everyone on hotseat! Gosh…he is damn scary. Glad he doesn’t know me since am only one year in this org. Starbucks coffee was all over the place again—I needed it to keep me awake! I am not engaged in this session.
Hahhaha….. I am thinking of my career path…and my wish to go back to Financial Analysis in the coming days. I know am good at it and not the Operational part which is eating up 70% of my time!

Day 7 - Disney Century Pop

Is our new hotel.
We need to pack our bags move to a new hotel , then hit the Premium Outlet. Do you feel happy when you shop for other people? I certainly believe that you can’t give what you don’t have—-meaning to say….if you are done shopping for yourself, you need to shop for others…No further stuffs for yourself. Hehhehehhe…Swear! Giving is fun! Shop while your credit card is aching.

This month, I will be paying SGD5k for my credit card- half of that bill is the plane fare for Australia! And that huge bill is giving me 7 free spa certificates next year. So, dada and I will have free trips to the spa next year!

Day 8 - To the DisneyWorld!

It would be more fun if my daughter was around. Yes, I felt like a child again. The castle is magnificent. And I could imagine my daughter feeling like a princess here.

Day 9 - Long trip

I wish I could shortcut the long hours in the plane and so I see my family again. I dread the 30 hours but I thank I was safe. I missed my mom’s bday in Singapore but so glad that my sis is there to keep her entertained. My hubby was at the airport to meet me. Thank you, dear.

PS. Photos to follow……………

was the first day at work - back from a long holiday. It isn’t easy. Mailbox is full, goodluck to me. But I survived! Thanks God! Today is another series of meeting—- another month end and next month is quarter end, will do a lot of preparations again.

Another day in my job. Thanks God for my job.
Thanks for the bonus, better than last year–yeah, much better