Stingy

My family would always tell me before that I seem to have learned the value of money very early on in life.

They could be right!?!

I remember saving up my allowance in college and would bring my own baon (snack) so that I can either buy my books or notebooks.

 When I went to work, my salary is kept in a stainless piggy bank where no one knows (and to be honest, I sometimes forget where I've put it myself!) and save what was left of my previous salary.

My family, knowing I have saved some pesos would ask me to lend them this much or that much. I was very strict. As long as they pay on time, they can lend money from me again but if they failed, no lending of money for two months! :P

I don't know why but I always try to get deals or avail vouchers on websites that I see... Sometimes, I'd join contests online to win freebies. When these deals like Cobone or Groupon launched themselves about two to three years ago, I was sooo happy I think I noticed one or two tears fell because finally, I get to have something I want at a much cheaper price! How is that for a bargain!!! :)

Slowly, I realise some bargains are not that healthy. I had this mantra of being stingy on clothes, accessories, etc... this I learned the hard way.

Bought stuff I don't need... and the main reason I bought it was because it was cheap... that's all.

Now, when it comes to clothes and other stuff that you intend to use for a long time, I go for the reliable brand.

Cheap treats are still not that bad... but I guess you just need to choose where to be stingy and where not to be.

(from http://nostingyact.com/blog)

Me and My Dad

I am a certified Daddy's girl... and I think I still am! :)

When I was a little girl, my dad is everything to me. I always want to be next to him, when we walk, we eat, we shop and I think almost everything! I always wanted to hold my dad's hand. It's as if his hand was my sense of security that time.

When I was about 6 to 8 years old, Sundays are the best! My parents will always take us to the mall and let us stroll. I was never fond of going to the arcade (like what kids do these days) and tell my parents that I'd just meet them when they get tired.

I was always with them. I always want to see when they laugh about something, criticise a passerby or just discuss about us, their children.

As I grew older, my dad and I would still be together but our "going out sessions" were lessened. We had to tightened up our budget because I was up for college and my brother was already a graduating high school student.

Instead of going out, we'd spend our weekends glued in front of the TV, watching cable. At times, I do my siesta and he will still be beside me when I wake up, with merienda (or snacks)! During the days when I have to cram for an exam or finish a project and needed a lift home. My dad would patiently wait for my call or text to let him know that I am ready to go. No hassle of always asking, "where are you?"... "are you about to be finished?"... Instead he would patiently wait for me (isn't he the sweetest?).

Though I had 'special friends', my time with my dad is something I cannot trade.

It was non-negotiable.

My dad was always with me... When I had to get my passport to come to Dubai, he helped me processed my college credentials to take to Dubai with me, he and my mom would always pick me up from work most especially if they have heard on the radio that floods starting near my work place. He would always check up on me, my school, if I still have allowance, etc.

There's a long list of things that my dad and I loved doing.

I will never forget those moments... and even if we had a bit of a struggle for the past few years, I still see my dad as what he was to me before.

My sense of security.

So... to my Daddy and the other fathers out there, here's to all of you for being our pillar of strength and just being there.

Happy Father's Day! 

I love you Daddy... always...

Change

I have been married since 2007 so that makes it 6 years this coming November.

Till this day, I still use my maiden name in the office and in most of my identification cards. I did attempt to change my last name on my passport but the hassle of changing visas (which can take up to 6 months!!) is something I am not prepared to do.

So every time I fill in forms, I still use my last name. I did ask my husband about his opinion about it and he does not mind. R even joked that maybe he can have my last name because of it being unique! :P

Mr. and Mrs. Alarcon 

I was browsing through blogs and chance upon Patty's. She has announced her new email address.

That made me think.

I have 3 email addresses (Yahoo, Hotmail and Gmail). I have been contemplating whether to close down some of my accounts (in particular my Yahoo account).

So I guess the whole idea of this blog post is ---

Should I sign up for a new email account with my kind of new last name?

 

 

Writing Hoax?

For the longest time, I have been looking for possible ways to earn money via online writing stints.

I had some recommendations from friends on which online writing sites should I join (like oDesk and Elance) however from time to time, I have been receiving emails from promotional sites saying that I can earn BIG bucks by joining their website!!

Imagine that, BIG BUCKS! Who wouldn't want that right?

Of course, since I was already lured to this... I would immediately click on the site and would skim read what are their requirements.

On the initial page, they will have this page stating that there are no requirements needed to join their site just as long as you know how to write, they will take care of the rest. It encourages you to sign in and join the pool of writers!

The next page loads and there is the truth:-

Only for a minimal amount of .... $XXX.XX

This stuns me. There is a voice in my head to give it a try but I have been scammed before and it is hard when you try to spend hard earned money on someone or something that promises you with better earnings only to find out that you have been conned!

I just needed to let this out because I have again received this kind of scam message!! Grrr!!!

(photo courtesy of http://lessthanfat.blogspot.ae)

Breathe in.... Breathe out... (50x) 

I have just closed the site and I know I will eventually I will find another website or writing stint that will make me earn extra! :) 

Recovering... Tornadoes...

I'm back!

Yes, R and I braved the feisty streets of Manila so that we can see our family during our almost three weeks stay there (hopefully, I can blog about tidbits of our trip in another time).

We have just been here for about a week and a half. A lot of things have been happening around.

Taiwanese people being mad with the Pinoys (I am still in the dark about this news... I know Google is there but I am still trying to avoid knowing about it), Philippine elections happened and Senators were already proclaimed and now, on the other side of the universe, US is again facing a natural disaster.

Oklahoma is / has experiencing the tornadoes in their area. I have seen tweets about this and some even tried posting pictures of what is happening there now but this video clip from KSN TV caught my attention and I just had to post it...

(courtesy of Youtube)

I have not experienced tornadoes but watching the movie Twister and seeing this scene 

(photo courtesy of the buttonsmash.com)

It did scared me! I don't think I'd ever want to see a cow flying in front of me!! So with this video and image, I hope that we all join hands and pray for Oklahoma. For them to be protected and shielded by God. 

Shopping

I just got back from a post birthday celebration cum shopping spree with my friends today.

We went to Mirdiff City Centre for some shopping catch up and also to scout for the gadgets that we can buy for the upcoming Gitex Shoppers.

A first in the UAE as usually Gitex happens during the month of October.

This event will be held for a few days (April 3 to 6).

Now going back to shopping, I am just impressed with girls who do not need to fit the clothes they buy because they are soooo sure that it will fit them.

As for me, I always, always need to fit. It is because my size varies from different stores. I can be a medium in some stores and a large (ack!) in others.

I just had this thought because I had to wait for a very long queue to fit tank tops! Imagine that!! I sooo wanted to fit them in one of the corners of Forever 21 but I hesitated because well, it is not appropriate.

In the end, I waited and fitted the tops. They were perfect so I ended up buying four! :)

Pics? Cannot do so .... a bit revealing this should probably do it.

Photo from footziesonline.com

Innovative Cities in the Asia Pacific

As I have mentioned before, twitter has been my go-to in terms of picking up news and stuff.

While browsing through my favorite social button, I chance upon this tweet from @EntrepreneurPH about the Top 10 Innovative Cities in the Asia Pacific.

Opening the link, I was hopeful that the Manila, Philippines was at least being considered. According to the article, the categories were:- 

• human talent -- check! we have that!
• knowledge creation -- hmmm... tough! 
• technology -- okay, we are I think a bit far behind on that one 
• society -- this is a bit of a concern at the moment most especially since we still have a lot of families that are under the poverty line 
• government -- never mind 

Overall, I think we are still far off to be considered as one of the innovative cities in the Asia Pacific though I still hope that it won't be long when we can be proud of ourselves for turning one of our cities to fit their criteria. 

I think Makati is slowly moving up the pace but we need to strive more. 

I am positive that the Philippines will be part of the "one of the" countries very soon. Just watch this space...

If you want to read more about the article and who were the top 10 cities, here's the link.  

Mabuhay! 

Positive me!