Yesterday, I arrived home finding Poncy still awake and watching Toy Story 3. As soon as he found my presence, he smiled beamly, hugged me and showed me what he was watching. I so love my Poncy. He is one special sweet little guy.
I skipped dinner since I had a late big snack in the afternoon. I took Poncy with me in the bathroom and we brushed our teeth. We played, read and sang. Then, as I was watching the news, I feel saddened of what was happening in Queensland. Three quarters of the state is flooded because of heavy rains since few weeks ago.There are about 200 000 of people and 6000 homes affected. This ill-stricken event is truly horrifying.
What is really going on in our world? Some parts of Europe are flooded, especially Germany. In Brazil, many died because of flooding. In US, all States have snow except Florida... La Niña... El Niño.. Global warming it is..
I have experienced the same scenario in 2009 when Typhoon Ondon hit Manila. Heavy rains brought enormous flood to different cities. Poncy, only 5 months then, had to be evacuated to the neighborhood with higher grounds. Many people have lost their homes. Many businesses affected. Many died.
I know how it feels and I know that this kind of event unites people to love, to care, to share, to help and to give. Prayer and courage with optimism areimportant attributes in facing this kind of disaster.
Have you experienced the urge to say or write something that you cannot do for the moment and after sometime you'd forgot about it?
I was going to write about what happened to Dubai…
I was going to write about September and Christmas…
I was going to write about my son….
I was going to write about my travel plans…
I was about to but I was under the gun of deadlines. And, when I had the spare minutes, I’d stare at the white monitor and my hands couldn’t do the typing.
Here goes the supposed words to say but had no time to let them write.
Hubby - Two weeks after the Dubai offer, hubby declined the offer thinking about how far the place is and what he'd say to his clients with ongoing projects. Well, hubby had to really weigh things out. A week after he informed the design company, the company contacted hubby and realized that it is cost-efficient to outsource the task to Philippines. In the end, it was a win-win decision. We get to spend together here and hubby got a new client from Middle East. He just needs to spend a month in Dubai to know more about the company.
Son – My son is growing really fast. He comes up with something new almost every day. Like the other day, he shouted “No! no! no! Noooooo!” when I left the shirt above his chest while I was putting it on. He doesn’t want his stomach exposed. Another thing is that, he could copy the words I say. When I say “laptop,” he could say it correctly. He calls his dad “Bong” and me “Nel.” When I am done reading a story, he would grab the book and (read) speak his own language then flips the page then read. Oh, how I love him so much.
Travel – I have initially planned on spending Christmas in Hongkong with my son and hubby. With new clients and hectic schedule, we will be spending two weeks in Singapore in January instead. So, what would I do in Singapore for two weeks?!!! I’ve been thinking of job hunting. If I get a finance job there, hubby and son could join me in Singapore since hubby’s work is home-based. Also, I am thinking of spending a couple of days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia through train and a couple of days in Batam, Indonesia through a 45-minute ferry ride. Well, I still have more than two months to carefully plan on this.
I wish I could update this blog everyday. I have so many personal writing projects to do, so little time. I just wish I could everything I have in mind. :)
I have been busy these past two weeks and here's why:
My father, whose work is based in Middle East, arrived on the 9th. My sister (next to me) is getting married last week of this month. There has been a lot of preparation going on in our house (parent's house). I will be singing "The Prayer" but haven't had any practice yet!
There are so many things to do in the office right now. My boss went to UK for some training and will be out for two months. There are just so many reports that need to accomplish each and every day. But, I am happy and I love being busy.
Aside from the wedding, my husband got an offer to work in Dubai. The offer is irresistable but family status is not included. Meaning, husband will get a resident/working visa except me and his son. Therefore, since our priority is the family, we will go where husband is. My son and I will follow to Dubai maybe after two months. Hubby has to settle first and find a good flat for us, and then he can sponsor us to live in Dubai.
So, ladies and gentlemen, to all my readers, I confess, I have been busy researching and asking around about living, working and raising a child in Dubai. This is honestly a big decision and a big move for us. There will be no immediate family there whom I could ask with for suggestion. Unlike here, I have my mom and my mom-in-law plus sisters and close girl-friends. I have been medidating and thinking so damn hard about this thing and there are factors that made me decide to move to Dubai.
A. My family is my priority. I don't want my son to be away from any of his parent. Thus, we have to be close together and should sharingly guide our son growing up.
B. Good opportunity to be independent and away from in-laws. Well, since I live with my in-laws, I know my experience in Dubai will be perfectly different from what I am currently in. I am just thinking, this time, it will just be me and my husband. All decisions will be decided by us. No interventions from anyone.
C. Good work offer. My husband has a great offer and I know I can find a job there because I am an Accountant. There is no tax in Dubai. Meaning, if monthly rate is AED 15,000, that whole amount is yours and no deductions! Every employee will get to experience a diversified environment since almost everyone is an expat.
D. Start as a new life. I could say life in Dubai will be a new beginning in our marriage life. New environment, new people, new employers, new investments, new learnings.
Now above are the things I have in mind but, I am still unsure whether to find a job right away. I just have two options, find work and send my son to daycare everyday while me and my husband are both working or; stay at home and be a work-at-home mom and I'll personally take care of my son. I have been dreaming to write full-time. The last option I think is better but still, things may change and I might end up in Australia!
J
 Last year, I wrote an article in an online directory about freelance writing as a passion and a part-time gig for a working mom. Today, I would like to share this article and may this serve as an inspiration to all mothers out there who like to take a dive in a world of freelance jobs.
Freelance Writing As a Part-Time Gig For a Working Mom
Being a working mom is not easy. One has to consistently monitor the cash inflows of the family. Raising kids means increasing expenses and increasing your investments. It is important to always expand the passive income.
A couple of months ago, I found a really good paying part-time job suitable for working moms who are looking for additional income. I came across a forum and the poster was looking for a part-time article writer. So, instead of spending hours browsing on the internet, I took the job and wrote five articles. After five articles, another five came. This just happened in a matter of days. After more than a week, another twenty articles were requested. I was just so happy! My PayPal account balance suddenly moves.
My writing interests increased again when I started to have writing projects. Researching, writing and reading. These three are the tasks that give free flowing ideas. I'd say writing stimulates my mind. Actually, it is very addicting. After each project, I wanted more and more. I want to have a continuous project. Honestly, I have stopped writing after I graduated college. Stepping the real corporate world and facing my profession stopped me from writing. Writing became less demanding since my work required me to be more analytical and reports are repetitive periodically.
My search for additional income as a working mother helped me realized that aside from reading, I love freelance writing. My very first client is very supportive up to now. I actually had a foreign client and requested my writing services and I was just referred.
There is no harm in trying for any job. As long as it pays and credible then, it's good to start. Any moms looking for part-time work is easy. As long as there is a will of finding one, there is always a way of landing the right one.
 I totally envy couples who both share their passion in planning for their future.
My husband is an Architect and I am an Accountant. When it comes to saving plans, I do all the planning. When baby arrived, I shopped for the best Term Insurance. My reason is to protect our child. Whatever happens to any of us, we are both insured and our child will be supported until he finishes his college.
Well, since hubby doesn’t know anything about insurance, I took the liberty of choosing the right plan for him because boys will always be boys. Men prefer to talk and read about their collection toys instead of reading about investments and passive incomes! So, I have been thinking maybe we are really made for each other. Shortcomings of any one of us will be delivered by the other one. Well, honestly, I don’t know anything about pets or sports but hubby does. I don’t know anything about cars, but he does. I don’t have any leisure, expensive hobbies (except buying books!) but hubby shares his hobbies and ideas to me. He brings me to places to relax. Therefore, everything is in balance.
To show you how different our minds work, here is an example:
ME HIM
Plan to get term insurance for both of us at low cost He plans to buy Jordan Nike or Lacoste shoes
I plan to invest in Variable Life Insurance He plans to buy a brand new car
I want open another new savings for child He plans to upgrade his computer
The good thing really is that my husband is a good provider. He supports me with all my investing /savings plan and gives his share of income. He trusts me with this task J On the other side, whenever he wants to buy another toy for himself, I just couldn’t take it! I always ask, “Do you really really need that? How much will that give to you in return?”
Above is just a sample of men vs. women ways of doing things but in the end wives take the work that husbands forget to include in their itineraries in life.
 Nothing is simple in this world. We are in a world full of competitiveness. If you lack information, it could significantly change the way of your life. I am so inspired of the people who live in a well-balanced life without so much fuss.
Living a simple life means living a balanced life. How do most people do this? Here's my own components of living a simple balanced life.
Avoid multi-tasking
Take down notes. Singles, mommies and daddies are all full of daily tasks. Multi-tasking is one common thing at the moment and also the reason for stress. Try to write down all those tasks on a paper. Try to free your mind of all the chores and write them all down. Isn’t the feeling wonderful having a free mind? You may then prioritize your list based on what’s important and what’s urgent. This will help in the meantime to relieve stress of so many things to do.
Start Your Day With A Focus
Notice that there are many people wake up and jump out of the bed without thinking what they really want to accomplish for the day. Well, personally, I am guilty of this but trying to be more organized in thought and action make things light and easy. Starting the day happy and with the sense of direction will definitely make the day productive.
Socialize Outside Your Work
To achieve a fulfilling life also means meeting other people outside of work. Expanding your exposure to people you don’t work with is a healthy way of balancing life. For a start, you may try signing up for a photography class, joining the gym or doing a volunteer work. Meeting other group of people enhances one’s social skills and abilities.
Assess Your List in #1
In your list, how many hours do you spend in work? Family? Self? Friends? God? Do you a lot time for each area of focus in your life? Living a simple life means you have a time allotted to every part of yourself.
 Actually, I have a lot of things to write about and really thinking very hard what topic should be my first blog post. But, since I mentioned about me being happily married, might as well good to write about marriage.
I am no expert when it comes to a successful marriage because I am only married for two years. For these two years, I never had any issues with my husband. We never quarreled (and we both don’t want to). We discuss petty things, yes, but never end up to “not talking to each other for a day” type. I would like to share what I think are the best ways to do to stay happily married.
Think of Reasons of Being Together
So, what are the reasons to be together? I married my husband not only because I love him, but because I commit my self to him and I trust him. The word commitment will always make me stay in this relationship. Whatever happens, I will uphold that commitment and my promise for him. I will stand by his side in all our endevours. I chose him to trust me also with this relationship.
Simple as that! Being happily married is staying to the commitment and trusting your partner.
Married but Independent
I mentioned independent because I meant about finding your own self. Being married is not about being dependent to your husband or wife. Remember that marriage is composed of two individuals. Each individual has its own existence. One cannot live as someone like his or her partner.
For me, it is important to have a so called “separation.” Too much dependence is not healthy in marriage. In my case, I get to go out with my friends. I have my own job and passive incomes. He, too, has his job and own ways of earning extra. He’s into the sports or activity he likes. But, in the end, we share our earnings, pay things that need to be paid, save and budget. I am good in money, thus, I take charge of the family’s finance. (Besides, I am the Accountant anyways!)
Continue Dating
Having a baby is a remarkable thing that happened to us. The experience is extraordinary but I still think that it is good for the relationship to spend time alone with your partner. Dating once a week or bi-monthly maintains a healthy marriage. You get to know more about your partner. You get to spend time alone and reminisce the past when you were both singles and dating.
The reward of having a scheduled date nights is priceless. Eating out give us time to share from simple things to major improvements we need in our lives. Dating gives me a feeling of being excited and dressing up for him and enjoying his company alone again.
Communicate Everyday
Whenever I read online or from magazines and books about having a perfect marriage, communication is always one of them. Talking to your spouse about how your day was is a good way to start a good communication. I work in a traditional 8-5 job. When I get home, I have a son to attend to. In order for me to chat with my husband is to wait for him for dinner. Thus, I play with my son first while waiting for my husband to arrive from work for about 2 hours. When baby sleeps, we eat dinner together and talk about the day. A simple touch and kiss are forms of communication. Touching communicates something that just a couple would understand. For me, the best form of communication is making love more often. J
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