On being a Mom

Let me tell you on how I became a mother. No I didn't get pregnant. I was given an angel by a family friend.
She was pregnant of her 5th child that time and I jokingly told her that if its a boy, she will give it to me. All the while I thinking that the baby in her womb was a girl then Surprise! it wasn't. I was caught off guard when she asked me one morning if I was sure of taking the baby.Was I?


Having a baby requires plenty of adjustments. You need to give up a couple of things such as time, money and attention. You are no longer just responsible for yourself. Was I willing to give this? Yes.

When Kalen came I was hesitant. Am I ready for this responsibility? Nothing can really prepare you for motherhood. You may read it in books, watch documentaries but you forget it all after you have held the baby. It took a lot of adjustment on our part but the journey has been great.

Kalen grew up well, he is turng 3 in May. I am thankful that he is a healthy baby. I am very blessed in so many ways. These days, he is just so hard headed and kulit that sometimes it just test your patience. But then that is just part of being a mom and appreciate all mothers out there. Motherhood is not defined by blood but by the relationship you have with your child.

Since Mother's day is just a month away, I would like to greet all moms out there. Let us give ourselves a pat on the back. To Mama, salamat. I may have not grown up with you but it does not lessen the love I have.

Are you a mom too? How has the journey been?

A certain kind of "Tadhana"

For the past couple of months, Filipino films have been in decline. Most movies are made for teenagers about love struck ka churvaness and it is really disappointing. No wonder that the film industry is suffering. However, one film made me appreciate Filipino film again, and that is the movie That thing called Tadhana. 

The story is really simple and that is what I appreciate the most. It is about destiny not only about love but about life and about moving on. I believe that out destiny is paved by how we face and overcome challenges that comes our way.

 Here are some hugot lines for you: 

“Pano ba makalimot?”

“Pwede kang uminom gabi gabi, pwede kang umiyak gabi gabi, pwede kang makipagdate kung kani-kanino, o pwede ka ring makahanap ng new love.” We all have different ways of coping and moving on. Me, I became active. I ran, cycled and kept myself busy with things. I realized that what I am going through is not that a big deal. There are a lot of problems greater than heartbreak.

“Kung mahal mo, habulin mo, ipaglaban mo. ‘Wag mong hintaying may magtulak sa kanya pabalik sa’yo. Hilahin mo. Hanggang kaya mo, wag kang bibitaw. Sorry, mahal ko eh.” True, destiny is a choice. We get to choose our destiny. Simple. 

 "Gaano katagal bago mo siya makalimutan?" 

 "Matagal" 

 "Gaano nga katagal? One year? 2? 3? 4? 5?" 

"Importante pa ba 'yun? Ang mahalaga, nakalimutan." - Again, tama si Anthony. Give yourself a time to mourn, cry until you have no more tears. There is no need to rush. Moving on is not a race. 

“Alam mo ‘yung love na 8 years na kayo? Sa ganong love ka pa ba magdududa? Pero wala pala sa tagal ng relasyon yun. Ke eight months kayo o eight years, kung gusto ka niyang lokohin, lolokohin ka niya. Pag hindi ka na niya mahal, hindi ka na niya mahal.” - Love is not measured by how long you have been together. If there is no more love, wag mu nang pilitin. You will only end up hurting yourself 

And lastly, my favorite: “Alam mo ‘yung sinabi ni F. Scott Fitzgerald? There are all kinds of love in this world, but never the same love twice.” -One should never give up on love. Do not get discouraged by just one failed relationship. 

I commend Angelica for playing her role well. It feels like you are really watching the real Angelica not the character Mace. Same with JM, they do not try to be all lovey dovey, they are simply them and it makes it easier to relate to the character. 

I recommend this movie for all. Not only for the sawi, or singles but for everybody.

Here is some trivia for you: http://8list.ph/that-thing-called-tadhana-trivia/

Fed Up

It really pisses me off when someone asks you for something and then put it to waste. For example, you are asked to fill out so many reports and they don't really use it for analysis. Hay, I have been with Callbox for the last 7 years and I think I'm getting fed up. I am tired. It is so hard to give your 100% when you do not believe in what you are doing.

The success of the team can also be gauge by the person who manages them. The problem with managers is that they only follow production, reports and everything that is being ask of them. They do not listen and understand where and why things happen. They just MANAGE, they do not LEAD.

I have worked with several leaders and I can distinguish a manager and a leader. So far, who I'm working for is a manager. No more no less.

#SAVE2015

Welcome 2015!


#SAVE2015 was inspired by Bianca Gonzalez. I read on one of her tweets that every year she creates a theme and this year her theme is #BUILD2015. This is way better than a resolution where we tend to break anyways. Setting a theme is easier to achieve and there is no time pressure. I have a year to achieve it.

Why SAVE? Well, I spend a lot and savings is really not really one of my virtues. I am 32 but with no savings account. If I am single, that would be kinda acceptable but I have a son and a future to plan. He is turning 3 and will be going to school this year. The best treasure that I can leave him is a good education. I don't want to wait 'til he's old before I start saving. So, where do I start?

I came across this article from Yahoo, "Save over P13,000 with this 52-week money challenge". I know that 13K is not enough that big but come on it's a start especially for someone like me.

"The reverse 52-week money challenge is a variation on the popular “52-week money challenge,” where people save increasing amounts throughout the year. They start by saving $1 in the first week of the year, $2 the next, $3 after that, and so on, until they save $52 in the last week of the year and end up with $1,378 total. (Of course, we’re in the Philippines, so we’re changing that to P10 in the first week, P20 the second, until you’re saving P520 in the last week, for a total of P13,780 after 52 weeks.) "

So instead of doing it weekly, I will do it monthly. So for January I need to deposit 520 on my account before the end of the month. Then starting Feb, every first week of the month. My target is 20K. This is quite achievable. I think I can be able to do this. Will keep you updated.

What about you? Will you try this challenge with me? What is your theme for this year?

Good luck,

Kat


P.S. I said on my last post that I will share an update on the birthday party of my niece. Most of my ideas were not implemented so I am kind of pissed off and don't feel like sharing it. But, overall it was an amazing party. Luckily, the rain only came after the program, thank God. I can say the party was a success.