My Thai Kitchen

During the Christmas season, Hubby and I get together for dinner with our Ninong and Ninang. For the past two dinners, it was only me who had dinner with them but this year, Hubby was able to come, too! A friend and his wife also joined us that night.

We had our annual Christmas dinner at My Thai Kitchen in Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. Located at the third floor, My Thai Kitchen shares its kitchen and dining area with Pho Hoa, a Vietnamese restaurant. You can order from both restaurants. Superb! Another plus point is that Thai and Vietnamese cuisines have lots of veggies in its dishes. In this season of food indulgence, it's good to eat healthy greens to combat the fatty and sweet foods served during the holidays. 

Pomelo and shrimp salad (P235)

Grilled beef salad (P200)

We loved this salad!

Beef Stew (P295)

Bagoong Rice (P230)

Fried chicken garlic shallots (P260)

Each dish can serve 3-4 persons. We shared stories, and our TTC experience was also talked about. Ninong said a very important message to us, "God is always on time. He is never late. He is never early." He added that the time waiting for a baby meant that God was preparing us for it. We should never lose hope. 

We enjoyed the night and Hubby and I were grateful that Ninong and Ninang prayed over us before we went home.

Prayer for Healing

From the flyer I got from Cardinal Santos Hospital.


Lord, touch the part of my body that needs healing especially my _________ (mention that part). Lord, thank you. I am already healed. Lord, I trust in you.

IUI 1 - Fail

Yeah sad.

Now I feel composed enough to write about what happened after my first IUI. Every TTC couples were given hope in every stage of assisted reproduction. Hubby and I were no different. After the IUI, I was careful not to move in haste. As much as possible, I stayed at home and avoided going out. I relaxed my mind and hoped that we would reach the date when I would have a pregnancy test. As always, we had high hopes that the IUI would be successful. It was not. It was devastating.

When my period came, I cried. I lost confidence in my capacity to become a parent. I was depressed. I cried whenever I was alone in the room. I lost hope. This infertility placed a strain in my relationship with Hubby.

Whenever I felt sad, I prayed. I wanted to surrender my suffering to the Lord. I asked for acceptance and strength to move on. I have read stories of other women who experienced way more hearthaches than me and it gave me solace.

After the IUI

For my IUI experience, check out here.

After 30 minutes laying on the exam table, the secretary told me that I could get home. I could not get up! Don't know if it was because of the pain in my mid section or my nerves slept since I was not moving on the table for a long time. Hubby assisted me to get up and I carefully changed to my clothes.

The secretary gave me my IUI report. She told me to do a pregnancy test on cd30. With or without period, I should text Dra. Aguilar on that day.

We left the office and sat outside to get composure. There was still pain and I felt that I should rest more. We walked again but I felt nauseous. We sat on one of the benches and I tried to eat crackers and drink water. I felt I would pass out anytime soon. There was cold sweat and my ears rang. I felt queasy and I wanted to lay down. The pain of the procedure and empty stomach did me. I was able to get back my strength after a few minutes and we hailed a taxi to get home.

I rested the whole the day after the procedure.

Hopefully, the IUI will be successful.

My Intrauterine insemination (IUI) Experience

This is a delayed post.


I didn't think that we would reach the stafe of IUI. But we did.

After five cycles of Clomiphene citrate (Clomid and Ova-mit brands) and no pregnancy, we decided that we should now do an IUI.

Cycle day 3-7. I took 50mg of Ova-mit for five consecutive days.

Cycle day 7. I went to Dra. Aguilar for follicle monitoring. The TVS showed a maturing follicles (size: 11mm) in my left ovary.

Cycle day 11. My maturing follicle was 18mm. Dra. Aguilar prescribed Ovidrel, a drug that "stimulates the release of the egg during ovulation," to be injected between 7-9 that night. Good thing my Hubby has a cousin who is a nurse at a the town's hospital. We went there and had my injection of Ovidrel at the left side of my tummy.

IUI Experience
Cycle day 13. IUI day. Hubby and I said our little prayer at the EDSA Shrine before we went to Cardinal Santos Hospital. We arrived at the hospital at 6:45 am. After 30 minutes, the secretary told Hubby to collect semen sample. Good thing the comfort room was beside Dra. Aguilar's room. Hubby was able to produce 2.6ml. The secretary placed the specimen bottle in Dra.'s room.

Around 8 am, Dra. Aguilar arrived. She let us see the sperms under a microscope. Under the microscope, was a grid and inside, we saw miniscule transparent-looking sperms. The sperms were actively moving, flicking under the microscope.

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As per Dra. Aguilar's count, Hubby was able to produce a good amount of sperms. We were told to wait after 40 minutes before the IUI procedure. I prayed the rosary to calm my nerves. We haven't eaten breakfast yet so I asked Hubby to buy food at the canteen. Tip: Bring your own food. Hospital food is expensive. A small bottle of mineral water costs P50.

The time came for the IUI. Dra. Aguilar called me back in her room. After "washing" the sperms, she showed me the post-washed sperms under the microscope. I changed into a hospital gown and Dra. advised me not to pee in the comfort room.

I laid down the exam table and put my feet in the stirrups, just like when having a pap smear test. She put some gel on my tummy and using an ultrasound, Dra. showed me my uterus in the small monitor. Sadly, I wasn't able to distinguish it in the black and white display in the monitor. She let me hold the hand-held device (transducer) the she started with the IUI procedure.

I felt pelvic pain and discomfort during and after the IUI. Dra. positioned the transducer at the left side of my tummy and pointed at the ultrasound monitor. She said the white spot (less than an inch in size) in the monitor represents the injected sperms. She removed the IUI apparatus and told me to lay down and not move for 30 minutes.

My pelvic area felt like there was a big and heavy rock inside me. My body jerked as response to the pain I was experiencing. I tried to meditate and prayed Hail Marys to take my mind off the pain. I kept thinking that the pain was way less and cannot be compared to the pangs in giving birth. I believed in mind over matter. I was able to feel minimal pain during my HSG, I could do it again for my IUI. As I was praying, the pain ebbed. But when I though about what I went through, I felt intense pain. Seriously. The mind is a very powerful tool.

Healing of Body, Mind, (Emotions) and Spirit*

I got this prayer from a flyer in Cardinal Santos Hospital.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(An effective prayer for healing. Pray this prayer with faith and trust in your heart. If you are praying over someone, add the name of the person.)

Dear Lord, I know that there is no sickness You cannot heal. You know all things. You can do all things and I know You love me very much. With faith in Your promise that whatever we ask in prayer, You will grant us if it will be good for our soul. I come before You to ask for the healing of my body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Touch me now where I am hurting most. Only You know what kind of healing I need most right now. Let the grace of Your divine love flow and spread to the different parts of my body reaching the inner recesses of my being. Comfort me in my pain and anguish. Correct any malfunctioning of my body organs. Melt with Your healing love any abnormal growths. Arrest all further spreading of all sick cells and replace them with healthy cells. Root out all unresolved hurts, resentments, fears and feelings of despair and frustration. Heal all painful memories and repercussions of traumatic experiences. Grant me the grace to accept this trial and suffering as a share in Your own sufferings and offer this for the salvation of my soul and those of my family and loved ones. Forgive me for all my sins and fill me with Your love, peace, joy and kindness and generosity. Let me realize the deeper meaning of my sickness and trial and lead me closer to You as I find comfort in Your loving heart. Let me find joy and peace amidst my suffering, and with eyes of faith, see the blessing and victory that await me. And then, dear Father, after I have been healed, may I be a witness of your healing power and bring glory, honor and praise to you. This I pray in Jeses' name through Mary and all the saints. Amen.


(*cf Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia, Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult, pp. 267-268; in italics are my addition).

Shrine of Padre Pio

Here are the pictures I captured when Hubby and I heard mass the the Padre Pio Shrine in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

A schedule of activities during the 23rd of each month

Votive candles are available for different petitions. Cost: P10 per candle.

How to Get an NBI Clearance

One Tuesday, Hubby and I went to the NBI Clearance Center in Manila. We arrived at around 10:30 am.

We filled out the forms carefully using a black pen. Letters must be capitalized. Tip: Go inside the Center where there are chairs and with good ventilation. Use the sample forms printed on tarps as guide in filling out your form.

We went to the Data Check area. Several counters were provided to check our forms. Prepare to show two valid government IDs, birth certificate, or any of the requirements listed here. Tip: In your form, write the ID number which you will be presenting.

After data checking, we went inside the first floor for payment. Tip: Prepare the exact amount for the NBI clearance. For Travel Abroad or Local Employment purposes, the fee is P115.

We went to the second floor, Encoding. Females were separated from the males. An NBI staff "herd" the applicants. That day, there seemed to be more male applicants than female. If the queue for females became shorter, males were allowed to queue there. The wait was not long since there were many encoders available.

Next, we went to the third floor, Biometrics. Again, the males had a different queue. When it was my turn, I gave my form and official receipt (from the first floor) to the staff. Photo was taked via web cam and each of my fingertips were placed on a biometric machine. The staff stamped the back of my OR and wrote the date when I can get my clearance. Note: If there is no problem (you have no namesake or criminal records), you can get your NBI clearance after 5 working days.

I finished my clearance application in one hour. Hubby finished after two hours.


NBI Clearance Center
NBI Clearance Building
United Nations Avenue, Ermita
Manila, Philippines 1000
www.nbi.gov.ph

UP Los Baños Flower and Garden Show

We try to attend the annual garden show at UPLB. There are lots of plants and flowers displayed and for sale. Different plant and garden shops come together in this event. If you love gardening or making your surroundings beautiful, you've got to visit UPLB for the show.

Here are the pictures I've captured during our visit:

IUI video

Now that we are pushing through with IUI, I want to learn more about the procedure. I saw a 3D animation on YouTube. We decided to have IUI in PGH where the cost is cheaper.

I hope to be prepared in all aspects when "The" day comes. We hope that we will be successful now.

Thank you for your prayers.

Not pregnant

Sigh.

The two-week wait ended in a red flow. On the dot. I had very high hopes that the past cycle would be "THE CYCLE" when I would get pregnant. On my first cycle day, I proclaimed that I would conceive. I left my career in the city to prioritize starting our own family. My days were less stressful in the province. I sorta felt like pregnant in the past days.

Tears start to build around my eyes as I write this. Another frustration. I can't help but ask why not this time?

Sigh.

Two-week wait

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What is the two-week wait?
The two-week wait (2ww) is the time that makes TTC couples crazy. You wait and pray, hoping that by the end of two weeks, you will miss your period and there will be two lines in the pregnancy test. Hehe.

Hubby and I are now in this crazy time (actually, he has no idea about the 2ww). I haven't told him yet the date when I should have a pregnancy test. I don't want him to be excited waiting for that date and then bursting his excitement with the red day.

During the 2ww, I force myself to think about things other than conception. But, I fail all the time. I always count the calendar days even if I know it by heart!

To my TTC friends, how do you spend your 2ww?

Thank you TTC friends!

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Trying to conceive can be an exciting, stressful, and lonesome journey. Sometimes, I feel I'm alone dealing with infertility. Don't get me wrong. My Hubby is always there for me, encouraging me, and telling me to be positive but sometimes, I need some girl friend who experiences or had experienced what I'm experiencing right now.

I'm thankful for you readers, commenters, and those TTC women who spared time to write me. Knowing that there are other women out there who are also in this journey make it not so lonesome anymore. Mwah!

Career can Wait

I've resigned from my company where I've been employed for six years. I was contemplating about a sabbatical for a few months and now, I finally went out of my comfort zone.

I'm lucky and very thankful that I have the choice to do so. Not all employees, especially those who are trying to get pregnant, have the choice or opportunity to leave the security of employment for a chance to create a family of their own.

Hubby and I are now staying in the province. We enjoy breathing the fresh and cool air and seeing more greens than gray. We now go to the grocery and wet market to buy healthy and nutritious food on a daily basis. Traffic jam is non existent (praise the Lord!) and stress levels are lessened.

Hopefully, God-willing, this change of environment will do us some good and help us in getting pregnant.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is the way to go to optimize fertility. Include more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, folic acid, and vitamin supplement in your diet. To know more, check out the website of The National Infertility Association.

Math and Becoming Pregnant

Here's an interesting article from Yahoo! 

Couples should wait six months of actively trying to get pregnant before consulting a doctor.

Clomid and Vitamin C

I read that the effect of Clomid, the ovulation inducing drug, is increased when taken with Vitamin C. You can take the supplement or you can eat fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C.

Here is a list of produce rich in Vitamin C which we can include in our meals.

1. Guava
2. Red sweet pepper
3. Kiwi
4. Orange
5. Green sweet pepper
6. Grapefruit juice
7. Vegetable juice cocktail
8. Strawberries
9. Brussels sprouts
10. Cantaloupe

Source: She Yahoo!

Bottoms Up!

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For those of us who want to increase our chances of conception, let's make water our staple beverage every day.

6 Reasons Hydrating is Important for Fertility and Pregnancy

Insemination?

I went to Friendly Care for follicle monitoring with Dra. Aguilar. Good thing I stayed and waited in the hospital instead of coming back later that afternoon. She was leaving early and she only faced her patients who were in the waiting area.

Thank God that the TVS showed I have a 19mm follicle about to mature in my right ovary (20mm is the mature size). I have two smaller ones in my left ovary. I'm only at cycle day 11, and I have a maturing follicle. Woohoo!!!

She asked me how I felt about insemination. Insemination?!? She explained that the insemination she was talking about was not a test tube baby, but Intrauterine insemination (IUI). It would cost P10,000 when done at Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and P15,000 at St. Luke's Global. I told her not this cycle yet. 

I have to talk with Hubby about it. As much as I wanted to get pregnant, I hope to conceive naturally, if possible. Oh God, I hope to get pregnant this cycle.

Productive Living

Marc and Angel Hack Life

Here is a website worth reading for those of us who sometimes "forget" how beautiful life is. Between the stress I have at work and dealing with infertility, it's good to have something to read that enlightens me.

Enjoy!

Not this time (again)

Many say chances of conception rise after an HSG procedure. Since the liquid dye from the procedure "cleans" the fallopian tubes, it's much easier for the sperm and egg to meet.

We were very hopeful after I had the HSG and learned that there was no blockage in my tubes. I thought we would be able to conceive that cycle. But, Aunt Flo came on the dot. :(

The first time I took Clomid two years ago, we were very excited, learning that couples get pregnant after taking the ovulation inducing drug. After Clomid, having a shot of Pregnyl helps the egg to rupture and be released to the fallopian tubes. We were more hopeful that time. Then the HSG. We were looking forward to getting pregnant. Even Dra. Aguilar prescribed 100 tablets of folic acid since she said I would get pregnant. Still, we weren't able to conceive.

What's the problem? It just frustrates me sometimes.

I can't help but think that maybe we are experiencing difficulty getting pregnant because we are busy with several things. We weren't able to sit down, relax and just enjoy the journey towards conception.

After the HSG

We were happy with the result of the HSG. Knowing that my fallopian tubes are patent felt like a burden was lifted off my chest. I immediately texted my friend, L, and my mother about the result. They were happy as well.

Five days after the HSG, I had a bleeding. It started as red spotting in the morning. My heart raced as the spotting turned to bleeding. I put on a sanitary pad just in case the bleeding would continue for the rest of the day. It did. It was like a first day of menstruation bleeding. What's happening?!?!

I searched on the Internet about bleeding after the HSG. Most talked about the spotting, which was expected after having the procedure. None said about bleeding. I was scared. Maybe I had an infection? I did not have a fever. Good thing, the bleeding stopped the next day.

I visited Dra. Aguilar and told her about the bleeding. She said it was normal. Sometimes it happens to those who had HSG. The body wasn't able to expel all of the liquid dye and it would only be expelled a few days after the procedure. Whew!

My HSG Experience

My period was four days late. Just when I was waiting for it so I could text Dra. Aguilar. On the second cycle day, I texted Dra. so she could reply when I would have my HSG. She scheduled my HSG on cycle day 8.

Day of HSG
I was nervous and anxious. I got mixed reviews from other women who underwent the same procedure. Some say HSG was very painful, some had mild discomfort, etc.  I just wanted to have the HSG and end my mixed feelings of having the procedure. My friend who had an HSG last year told me to relax. There would be pain, but not unbearable. I told myself, if the simple procedure would put make me a nervous wreck just because of the pain it would elicit, I have no business getting pregnant since giving birth is way more painful than having the HSG.

We weren't able to arrive 30 minutes before the procedure, as Dra. instructed, but luckily, Dra. Aguilar was still attending to several patients so we were able to rest and freshen up first.

I quickly signed two forms before the procedure and off we went to the Radiology room. Hubby was left in the waiting room.

I changed to a hospital gown (open section at the back) and removed clothing from the waist down. Dra. Aguilar and two medical interns prepared for the procedure. At that time, I was calming myself and kept reminding myself that this procedure is way less painful than giving birth. Articles on the internet say an HSG lasts for 15 minutes. I can handle it.

I laid down on the X-ray table while Dra. Aguilar positioned the X-ray machine above my pelvic area. There was a red cross mark light from the machine so my pelvic area could be positioned perfectly. Hands under the head to prevent covering my private parts in case the procedure becomes painful. I breathed in. I breathed out.

I could hear the sounds of speculum, cannula and other medical stuff for the HSG as they were prepared for the procedure. Clink-clink-clink! I tried to think about things other than the HSG so I wouldn't get nervous.

Dra. Aguilar told me to put my feet in the stirrups, as if I'm having a pap smear. 

The HSG procedure lasted for about 5 minutes or so. It was quick! The preparation for the HSG took longer than the procedure itself. There were four x-ray pictures taken. Like my friend said, the pain was bearable. For me, it was just like having a pap smear in five minutes. For those who would be having an HSG, don't worry about the pain. You can handle it!

HSG Result: Both tubes are patent (no blockages)!!!

Before my HSG

A few days before my period, I visited Dra. Aguilar in her clinic at Friendlycare. I wanted to inform her that I want to have the HSG procedure. It is the next step in my infertility treatment. HSG or hysterosalpingogram is not a treatment but a procedure to test if a woman's fallopian tubes are patent (without blockage) or blocked.

Dra. Aguilar gave me two prescriptions, one was for the text format to inform her that I had my period and would be having an HSG. She has this text format so texting would be easier for her and the patient. No beating around the bush. Below the text format were the following reminders:

1. Bring companion
2. Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled appointment
3. Bring sanitary napkin

Number 1 made me anxious.

Another prescription was for the medicines to take before, on the day, and after the procedure. She prescribed and antibiotics for 10 days and some pain relievers.

I bought the meds (costs P1,326) and waited for my period.

Twin news

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Nope, I'm not pregnant with twins. Tho, it would be a great news if I am.

I have two news, a happy one and a sad one.

The first news, a happy one. My husband arrived recently. He asked his company that he would not finish his 9-month contract due to my supposed-to-be "health problem." We were ecstatic when he told me that he would be coming home earlier than expected. We planned the things we would do, places where we would go, restaurants where we would dine, etc. He told me that he would take a longer vacation and would not leave until I'm pregnant. Talk about pressure!

The second news, a sad one. Two days before my Hubby's arrival, his father passed away. As with death, it was unexpected and everything went so fast that until now we still cannot believe it. I prayed for strength to be able to break this devastating news to Hubby.

Twins. Yin yang. Black and white. Happy and sad.

My Habagat experience

Monsoon rains (habagat) ravaged the country for several days. The National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces where under a state of calamity due to flood. Reports say almost 60% of the metro was flooded.

Me and my sister were not spared of that calamity. In 2009, typhoon Ondoy flooded (chest-deep) our previous apartment and we were scared the same thing would happen to us again. We watched our front door for the looming flood. Flood water already entered some of our neighbors' units and a few more hours of incessant rains and our unit would be next. We already raised some of our things and even asked our neighbors to put the ref on the sofa to give it some elevation. There was a brownout and we had nothing else to do but watch the flood and pray that it would not get reach our apartment. It was like a horror movie as we waited for an expected tragedy.

The next day, we decided to spend the night in my colleague's house. The sky was still pouring rain on us. It's true that people wait until the last minute before evacuating. We packed our bags, brought food that would spoil, and left our apartment. It was still raining and we waded to the knee-deep flood outside. The highway was flooded and people were braving the rain and flood. Thank God for a good Samaritan who hitched a ride for me and my sister. The helpful truck guys dropped us off where we could ride a jeep to my colleague's house.

People riding a payloader

We were so happy to step on unflooded roads. We were soaking and we were never so thankful to have a hot bath!

That night, I had difficulty sleeping. The rain kept me awake. I was worried that our apartment would succumb to the flood. I was afraid our things would be damaged when we get back. I was even scared that my colleague's house would be flooded also, 'tho unlikely.

Saving vs Investing

Here is a good article why investing is better than saving. Read the article here.

After the Money Expo

It was a rainy morning when I went to SMX for the Money Summit and Wealth Expo. It was my first time to go to SMX. I was unsure where the Expo was held since I saw a Travel Madness expo in the first floor. Thought I was in the wrong place. Good thing I saw a tarp near the escalator indicating that the Money Expo was held in the second floor.

After freshening up, I went to the room where free talks where held. I was able to attend the talk about Investing 101 Parts A and B.

Part A was given by finance blogger Fitz Villafuerte. He started the talk by commenting on the cold, rainy weather that day. Wouldn't it be nice to stay at home and sleep? But since we are employees, we don't have that kind of luxury. By that opening remarks, I was hooked! Mr. Villafuerte talked about the difference between saving and investing. He also discussed the important things before you invest. You can read his blog here.


After Mr. Villafuerte's talk, there was a speaker from an insurance company. The speaker held a P100 bill and asked who among us wanted money? An audience member immediately grabbed the P100 from the speaker's hand. The speaker said that was a test. All of us wants money but we don't grab it even if it's in front of us.


Investing 101 Part B was by My. Rienzie Biolena, a Registed Financial Planner (RFP). He talked about Objectives, Risks, Returns, and Diversification. He advised us to put our eggs (investments) in different baskets, and put different sizes of eggs in those baskets. I will always remember what he said, time is the only thing in life that you cannot recover. You can recover lost money, failed relationships, etc. but not time. So, it's better to invest early on.

After the talks, I went to the expo to see the different booths of companies offering investments products from mutual funds to real estate. I got some freebies and lots of brochures. I even bought a book by Robert Kiyosaki, "Guide to Investing".

Money Summit & Wealth Expo

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I'm excited to attend the "Money Summit & Wealth Expo" on July 20-21, 2012, at the SMX Convention Center. I saw its flyer when I went to COL Financial office a few days ago.


The entrance fee is P100 but you can get a free pass. Just go to this website: http://conference.money-summit.com.


There are paid seminars and free talks during the expo. Of course, I'll be joining the free talks. :)


My goals for attending the expo:
1. Learn more about investing
2. Know other investing vehicles
3. Meet other financial savvy Pinoys


I don't want you to think I have lots and lots of money to invest. I just want the savings that I have to work hard for me. As the expo's website says: You can invest in stocks , government securities, and mutual funds for as little as P5,000!

While eating at a fastfood restaurant

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I saw a dad sitting, holding his son about a year-old. The child has a curly mop of hair, fair complexion. When his mom arrived with a tray with drinks, the child's face lit up and smiled at her.


Sigh. I can't help but imagine. When God blesses us with a son, he most probably will look similar to that kid. With a head full of curly black hair.

Garage Sale

"A garage sale, also known as a yard sale, rummage sale, tag sale, lawn sale, attic sale, moving sale, garbage sale, or junk sale, is an informal, irregularly scheduled event for the sale of used goods by private individuals." - Wikipedia


Last Saturday, I joined a garage sale in my colleague's house. That was my first time seeing and joining a sale.


Two days before, I hauled my unused clothes and bags, and my sister's Reader's Digests. I also included brand new fashion accessories, which is a teensy sideline business I just opened recently. I sorted my items and put prices. In my mind, the price should be low but with allowance for discounts. Even if the buyer haggles at half the price, I can still sell the item.


The morning of the garage sale, as I was preparing to leave the apartment, my Hubby called. Talk about perfect timing! I assured him that his call is more important than the garage sale and I can be late for the sale if it means talking to him. :)

I arrived at my colleague's house two hours after the opening. She was already able to sell some of her items. I hanged the shirts I brought and put the accessories in a plastic basket.

At the end of the garage sale, I sold 7 out of 9 accessories, including the dangling earrings I wore that day, and 2 out of 5 shirts.


I compared having a garage sale with managing a store. It's fun to see your products being sold and the art of selling and haggling is enjoyable. Also, I learned that it is not all rosy. Waiting for customers can be tiring. Someone should always be in the "store" to oversee customers and you have to be alert for thieves.


The garage sale was an activity, an exercise, which can teach you lessons as you dip your toes in the entrepreneurial world.

No Junk June a SUCCESS!

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Yes!


Congratulations are in order. I survived the month of June without eating any junk food. I tamed my salty cravings with popcorn and unsalted nuts. I feel happy, proud and healthy.


Yey for challenges which make life a little bit interesting!

Sabbatical

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In a few months, Hubby will be coming home. I'm excited to see him after 9 months of geographical separation.


I'm thinking of taking time off from work (and maybe resign soon?) to spend quality time with Hubby. We're only together for 2-3 months a year so I want to make the most out of it.


In one of my insane moments over the phone, I asked him if he could take a sabbatical also. No overseas contracts. No talks of vessels. Just him and me bonding, getting to know each other as husband and wife. We could start a small business. We could plan our future house. We could just be as a normal couple as could be.


I can hear my clock ticking. I want to deny it and throw it under a rug but I can't anymore. Conceiving is difficult for us and if we continue living this kind of life wherein we are only together for a quarter of a year, we are not helping our chances of conception.


I reasoned, this is the right time to do it. We have savings. We only have to support each other financially. We have no kids (yet) whom we are responsible for. If we have to take a risk, now is the time.


I know he's hesitant. I am, too. But, family comes first.

Crossroads

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I'm at crossroads right now. For a few months, actually. I've been feeling uneasy, feeling that there's something out there which I have to do but I'm not doing. Something which will bring spark into my life. A purpose. A passion. I think most people experience such a phase wherein you question whether you're living your life to the fullest. Am I living to my fullest potential?


I envy those who are able to do what they're passionate about and still maintain healthy, happy relationships. I want to be one of those people. I want to wake every morning feeling energized, excited about what the day could bring.


"If you want something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done."


I'm thinking whether to take a chance and see if it could bring me what I've been looking for. Should I take a leap of faith?

Hips don't lie

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An article at Yoga Journal says that our hips serve as our bodies' junk drawer. All the stress and negative emotions are stored in our pelvic area.


To clean our "junk" drawer, there are yoga poses (asanas) which we can do. These poses can help us release stress and remove negative energy from our pelvic area.


I tried doing these poses at home. I like the Warrior Pose II and Frog Pose. I'm having a hard time doing the Cow Face and Lizard Poses so I just skip them. :)

Land Title Update

I realized it takes forever to get a land title in our country.

Last March 2011, I hired a surveyor/engineer to process our land title for the lot that we bought. Until now, there is no land title. We need the title since it is a requirement for applying a housing loan at Pag-ibig.

Hubby is returning home in a few months (weee!). Even if we get the title by the time he arrives, I'm not sure if we can still apply for the loan. Another requirement for that, aside from the title, is a valid employee contract. His contract expires when he returns. Bummer.

No Junk June

I'm starting a new challenge for myself this June. For the whole month, I will not eat junk food (e.g. chips, chicharon, cheese curls, salty nuts, fish crackers, etc.). Junk food is part of my diet, sad to say. I want something salty after meals, while watching TV, while reading. When I can't pinpoint what I want to eat, by default, it's junk food.


This challenge is inspired by an article in Get Rich Slowly. For a month, you will refrain yourself from doing one thing with expense such as buying from the coffee shop, eating out, etc. It may look like you are depriving yourself but think of it as being a one month deal for the year. You have the rest of 11 months to do things as usual.


The money that you will save from this "challenge" can be saved or invested. Spending it might not be good since it defeats the purpose of the challenge.


Now, I'm starting my self-imposed challenge. Hopefully, I can NOT eat junk this month and be a bit healthier by the end of it.

National Book store Cubao

For book lovers out there you know that the Cubao branch of National Book store is the biggest among its family of stores. Taking up four floors filled with books, it is every book lover's Disneyland.


It was 2004 when I last stepped into NBS Cubao. I got a chance to go back one weekend. I went straight to the 4th floor where there were books on sale. Half of the floor was home to books on sale! Prices ranged from P15-75. I was not familiar with the titles but still spent 1 1/2 hours scouring the shelves and tables for interesting books. Yeah, it was like looking a needle in a haystack.


Finally, I was able to grab these two:

At P30 each, they were a steal!

Leveling Up

I attended GoNegosyo's 2nd Negosem last May 11 at RFM Bldg. in Mandaluyong City. The seminar had two parts -- testimonials from successful entrepreneurs and basics in starting a business.


I was excited going to this business seminar, though short (half-day only). That was one of my steps in fulfilling my dream of getting out of the rat race and having my own sustainable business.

The on-site registration was bit unorganized. Attendees were lining up to get registration forms, pay, show payments made, ask questions about registration, etc. There were only two staff in a small table attending to these myriad of needs.


In the Testimonials part, the speakers where owners of a tutorial center, spa, and a food cart. They shared how they got the idea for their business, their failures, how they saved for the capital, etc. Inspiration. Check!


Mr. Paulo Tibig, an Entrepchamp (champion entrepreneur), talked about the basics in starting a business. He introduced to us the checklist of knowing whether or not an individual can start and manage a business. I admit, that checklist made me review my intentions. :)

Next to speak was marketing expert Mr. Carlo. He discussed Marketing 101. I learned alot since he gave tons of samples on how marketing a product works. I was very eager to absorb the information he was imparting us.

I went home happy and satisfied. I gained knowledge about entrepreneurship and marketing, a book on starting a business, a certificate and a complimentary BusinessWorld newspaper. The P550 I paid for registration was so worth it!

Teambuilding at Caliraya Resort

Our annual company outing/teambuilding was held at Caliraya Resort in Caliraya, Laguna. It was a three-hour drive from the city, which extended to four after several unplanned stopovers. Traffic was heavy in Pansol due to other vacationers who wanted to swim and relax in the different hot spring resorts in the area.

We arrived at the resort at 2pm, the check-in time, but the rooms were not yet ready to accommodate us. To compensate for our inconvenience, they served us free merienda consisting of a tasteless hamburger and cough-syrupy juice. Good thing the lobby had several sofas and chairs where we were able to relax a bit.

After a change of clothes and rest time, we went out to enjoy the fresh air and take in the view. The resort was expansive with lots of green grass and horses (some were untied) happily munching on the grass.

Earth ball

Our group was divided into two teams and we were excited to play the "Amazing Race". Puzzle game, wall climbing, swimming, canoeing, basketball shooting, obstacle course, and mud slide were the activities each team must go through. It was a lot of fun but very exhausting! I even tried to wall climb but just reached half the wall before quitting. My fear of heights got the best of me. Good thing there was no picture of me in that activity. :)

Food
We were served dinner, breakfast, and lunch, buffet-style. Some of the food items were good, some not so.

The next day, we tried the other facilities in the resort such as the Zip line, swimming pool, and the man-made exercise equipment. We could have done alot more if we were not pressed for time.

Images are taken by my office mates


Caliraya Resort Club

Brgy. Lewin, Lumban, Laguna, Philippines
HOTLINE Numbers:
+63 2 637 7027
+63 2 638 0515
http://www.caliraya.net/