Musings Archives | Page 2 of 8

Category: Musings

07
May
2017

Holiday plans

I am bored this past few days at work and although I am totally fine with it (means I am not stressed out), my mind wanders a lot.

Planning activities for our Hong Kong trip in July seems to be too tasking that I don’t know how to start.

Imagine doing an itinerary for 19 people that consists of 5 seniors, 4 kids, few millennials and a number of Gen X and Y – it’s complicated.

I need to plan the following:
– How to go from one place to another
– Activities
– Cost
– Where to dine
– How not to lose each other

Good thing that I already booked the hotel and flights. One less headache.

Since thinking of Hong Kong doesn’t excite me yet, I am checking hotel rates in UAE for some good staycation.

Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa has good Ramadan offer and I almost booked until I remember how far it is.

Don’t get me wrong. I like Fujairah and I love staying in hotels but staying just for 1 night is tiring. And right now, I only have weekends to spare.

Then I thought why not check Anantara in Abu Dhabi and do some desert and nature activities, I excitedly went to the website, enter my preferred dates and the price for 1 villa is AED 6k++!!
I had a migraine.
Immediately closed the tab.

Ok, let me go somewhere near. Let’s try Ajman Saray. Beautiful hotel, good reviews, close proximity from Dubai and Sharjah.
But strange that there’s no availability on all weekends from Ramadan until August.

Is it just a system glitch? Are they full? Under renovation? Or they don’t like me?
Whatever it is, I am not very keen to call and make some personal interaction. I prefer the anonymity of online browsing. It’s their loss not mine. Choz.

Then, I really want to go to Georgia this December or January to experience snow! But I want our family to travel with group of friends. When playing in snow, the more the merrier. Do you want to go?

As if that’s not enough, my siblings and I are planning to go to Paris next spring break. This is totally an upgrade to our usual travel plans. Although we’ve been travelling together to several cities and countries, this is the first time that we will go to a place where visa is required.
Hope all of us can get a visa otherwise it won’t be that fun.
All the best to us.

I have such a big problem, right? Right! 🙂

Enjoy the day friends 🙂

Share the news!

30
Apr
2017

Random thoughts 2

categories: Musings

I’m into some kind of a diet and this is how it goes

Drink 1 glass of water early morning, just before you take anything
Have coffee or juice for breakfast
Drinks lots of water (think 2-3 liters per day)
For lunch, either don’t eat, have soup or something filling but low calorie like watermelon
Take a handful of assorted nuts and that’s your snack. Coffee and tea again or another glass of juice
1 cup of brown rice for dinner plus whatever dish prepared by the nanny
Another cup of green tea to end the day

That’s how my meal plan every weekdays.
For weekends, I’m like a bear preparing for hibernation. I eat everything and anything served to me. (more…)

Share the news!

19
Apr
2017

Biel’s 5th birthday

categories: Family, Musings

I’m not very fond of arranging parties. I prefer sit-down dinners and just chat with handful of guests.
So I never really had big birthday celebrations for my kids (bad mum!)

But of course I want to make sure they will feel special on their day.
We usually dine on their fave restaurant, we prepare party bags for their class, and they can choose their own gift.

For Biel’s 5th birthday, we started the celebration 1 day before her birthday.
We picked her up from school and went straight to Dubai Festival City.
Had lunch at Cheesecake Factory (no photos).
Followed by the much-anticipated trip at Build-A-Bear. (more…)

Share the news!

17
Apr
2017

It’s all about the mindset

categories: Musings, OFW

I’ve been following Peso Sense’s Facebook page for a few months now.

And I find the comments very amusing. You get to know how most Filipinos think about money.

Today, there’s a post about their First Million Challenge, read on…

(more…)

Share the news!

15
Apr
2017

Novena to St. Expeditus

categories: Musings, Positivity

I saw Chuvaness’ post about this novena and I thought let me try. I want one thing to happen within a few hours and I’m so worried it will never materialize (I’m losing hope actually).
After a few hours, I received a message that my wish was granted. And just want Chuvaness did, I’m sharing this post as a promise.

St. Expeditus is the saint to pray to

For a financial crisis
For house and home problems
For quick help
When you are in urgent need
For quick action
To end procrastination
For desperate causes
For intercession and protection

“Just call out to Saint Expedite, to get his attention, and ask for what you need. Be sure to offer something in return for his efforts. Most importantly make sure you live up to your end of the bargain, with no regrets or complaints (there is nothing worse than a sore winner). If things did not go as anticipated than either you did not make yourself clear or you did not think your needs through. You can’t expect Saint Expedite to tailor everything to wishes he had no knowledge of. Always offer him a reward for helping you.” – from this website

LET US PRAY:
My Saint Expeditus, saint of fair and urgent causes,
Help me in this time of affliction and despair.
Intercede for me with Our Lord Jesus Christ!
You who are a warrior saint
You who are the saint of the afflicted
You who are the saint of the desperate
You who are the saint of urgent causes,
Protect me, help me, give me strength, courage and serenity.
Hear my plea … (say your plea here)
Help me through these difficult hours
Protect me from all those who want to hurt me
Protect my family
Respond to my plea with haste
Bring me peace and tranquility.
I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life
and speak your name to all those who have faith.
Many thanks, my Saint Exeditus.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and make the sign of the cross.
This prayer was approved by the Church.
Pray especially on the feast of St. Expeditus on April 19.

Wishing everyone a blessed holy week!

Share the news!

04
Apr
2017

How to be you po?

categories: Musings

I always like Anne Curtis. She’s confident, pretty and seems down to earth.
She saves a big chunk of her income that even Kris Aquino was inspired.

And the hairstyle she’s sporting now is to die for!

* * *

Edgar “Injap” Sia II is one of my business idol. He made me believe that I can be a billionaire too.

Imagine, he only started Mang Inasal in 2003 and within 7 years he was able to grow the business that he got the interest of Jollibee to buy 70% of his company for 3 billion in 2010 and the remaining 30% for another 2 billion in early 2016.

Being a Bulakena, I am so inspired by his statement.

“I am a very proud provinciano. What will be a difficult endeavor for a non-promdi is I think three or five times difficult for a provinciano. I want to inspire. I want to tell people not to be afraid to go out of their comfort zone. Most of their fears are just totally unfounded. It’s not difficult,”
* * *

I’ve been reading her blog since forever. Cecile Van Straten aka Chuvaness is witty, funny and totally entertaining.
I’m fan-girling whenever she replies to my tweets. And she earns a lot as a blogger – one of the top earners in Philippines blogosphere. Not bad eh!

* * *

I love Oprah. Who doesn’t, right? She always encourages people to be positive and live life to the fullest. Even though she’s extremely rich, she uses her money to inspire others.

* * *

She calls herself as Money Mindset Advisor. I just chance upon her blog probably more than a year ago but I’m totally hooked.
I bought some of her products, downloaded her books and been devouring every blog posts weekly. I’d like to think I am part of her ‘bee’ community.

Denise Duffield-Thomas of luckybitch.com is very transparent. She likes to share what she knows (like me), very practical (like me) and a Virgo (like me!).

Go to her blog and thank me later, ok?

Let me add more to this list later… Good evening!

Share the news!

29
Mar
2017

Hello! Hello!

categories: Musings

Hello guys. Just checking in. It’s been a while but unlike before when I feel guilty of not being consistent on writing, I forgive myself and realize that there’s only 24 hours in a day and some things need to be prioritized first.

__________________

My current mood: GRATEFUL.

I don’t know, I am always in this state of gratefulness since I came back from the Philippines in February. Nowadays, my first word when I pray is ‘Thanks”. I’m not saying that everything is rosy but I just feel grateful for life.

___________________

Anyways, I received an invite to attend the launch of Cuccio in the Middle East. I got excited when I received this.
Note that I don’t attend fashion invites as I don’t consider myself as fashion blogger. It’s not my interest.
But if it’s about nails, I am in!

And there is chance to meet THE Tony Cuccio

What a bummer, though. I thought it’s today and even asked my boss that I’m taking half-day in the office. When I re-read the invite it actually says 28th of March. Well, sorry Mr. Cuccio, you didn’t get the chance to meet THE Filipina Expat. Next time though.

________

I super love my Kate Spade Caution to the Wind crossbody bag. It’s a gift from the hubby last Valentine’s day. I shopped for it and he paid (That’s love!)
He said it’s difficult to buy me a gift not because I’m brand or price conscious but he can’t figure out my taste.

He never thought I will like this bag. What? It’s a monkey! How can I not fall in love with this? All those born in year of the monkey, please stand up!

During our March date night at Toshi

____________

It’s spring break and the kids are in 2-weeks school holiday. My husband has imposed a no-gadget rule in the household and you can’t imagine how worried I am. I am definitely sure the kids will kill each other because of boredom.

The first few days was difficult. Lots of arguing, tears and threatening. I think the children is going through some withdrawal stage.
But they quickly find ways to entertain themselves like going through their books, lots of colouring and drawing involved and they unearthed their old toys. They will watch cartoon most of the time but after a few hours they will get bored and start being creative again.

I really love how my husband can be so consistent on disciplining kids. He doesn’t bulge and give-in which I hate sometimes but I let him be. It works for kids.

______________________

It’s 8:30am and I need to be in the office at 9:00. How can it happen when the commute time is more than 1 hour? No, it will not happen. I will be 200% late for sure. Don’t be like me. Don’t be like Lyn Joy. Ciao!

Share the news!

07
Mar
2017

I want to create a community

categories: Musings, Positivity

Do you feel like talking to someone about money and success and business and wealth without being judged? You know, just share with him/her your thoughts and they would just listen and advise if required. Or you will talk about money and success and how to get lots of them and they won’t judge you as greedy?

A community of like-minded individuals who share the same aspirations and goals, who dreams of the same things and want to just get-together to talk and be inspired. We will share our achievements and everybody will be genuinely happy. Sure, maybe we will feel a little jealous but we will use that jealousy as fire to create own own success.

No crab-mentality, no pulling each other down, no bitching. Just plain brotherhood/sisterhood with one goal in mind – being successful in our own personal definition.

I want to create that community. I know it’s not for everyone as not everybody will want the same things that we do. Being financially aware is a state-of-mind that either you are currently in or not. It would be nice to be with people who dreams (or probably already achieved) financial independence. As I said on my previous post, entrepreneurship is kind of a lonely journey. But I realized it doesn’t have to be. We can actively find a mentor or join a community. It’s our task to find the right people we are comfortable with.

Are you up to it? We don’t need to meet up personally (although that would be a good idea). We can build a private Facebook page and just share our experiences, goals and give advice to each other on how to be freaking wealthy and yet still grounded, fabulous, simple, beautiful, giving – whatever kind of rich you want to be.

Do you know that I bought a domain in 2015? It’s called firstmillionclub.com. I haven’t activated it yet because I don’t want to start something that I won’t be able to maintain. From the website name, it’s obvious what it’s all about, right? I want to build a community of people who aspires their first million in whatever currency.

When I bought that domain, I intend to post articles on how to pay off debts, how to save money, how to invest. Apart from practical things, I want to share some manifestation exercises that I do to maintain my positive and abundant mindset.
And since it’s a community, I want everyone to share their experiences as well. Their saving tips, financials things that they did wrong, financial advise, and so on.

If you’re up to it, drop me a message at lyn(at)filipinaexpat(dot)com or PM me on my Facebook page or leave a comment below. If you want to ask me detailed info on how I set-up my nail salon, I am more than happy to share it with the community. It could be just you and me in our group but who knows, we can be a tribe someday.

Share the news!

06
Mar
2017

The Story of SLIAN NAILS (Part 2)

categories: Musings, OFW, Positivity

Here’s PART 1.

It has been almost 2 weeks since our nail salon opened last February 22 and it’s quite a ride. The board of directors – Gibson as Chairman, me as CEO and Jholen as General Manager – are constantly in-touch and discussing the day-to-day operations, staff performance and issues, advertising ideas, financial aspects and everything you can think of. Thanks God to Facebook Messenger. (And if you’re wondering if that’s our official titles, NO. I’m just kidding but isn’t it fun? And who knows, we can be incorporated one day and the dream will again turn into reality) (more…)

Share the news!

03
Mar
2017

Upgrade to Emirates Business Class

categories: Musings, Positivity

A few days before our flight, Gibson and I received a mail from Emirates notifying us that we can check-in. Mentioned on the same mail is an offer to be upgraded for AED 1800 per person for one way. I haven’t seen this kind of offer before. Either because it’s really not offered to us or it’s not in our consciousness hence we haven’t noticed.
You see, it’s our first time to travel without the kids and it could be a factor why we have received this mail.

Anyways, I initially thought that this is a very very good offer. We only paid AED 2040 each for our return tickets and paying additional AED 1800 (3600 for both of us) is not bad. We once paid for my MIL’s EK flight to Dubai for more than 5k dhs. (more…)

Share the news!