charmed life♥

I am writing this as a tribute to my Tita Linda who has passed away last March.  Honestly, I still can't believe that she's gone.  On my mind, it's like that she is in her home... just chilling and watching her favorite videos, live streaming of mass on her iPad.  And I am not sure if I could finish this without being emotional. I did a eulogy on the last day of her wake.. But I felt it was too short... (" bitin" )  and I want to honor her more. Who is my Tita Linda? To her siblings and close relatives she's their "ATE Linda" (eldest sister) To my cousins she's Tita.. To her friends - Linda... To her PGH workmates she's Miss Santos... To me I call her Tita but definitely she's my second mom. ( I am her loyal PA - personal assistant, sidekick, "dakilang alalay".. hihi) For those who don't know, I grew up with her... I spent my school breaks, Christmas vacations, with her (and my grandparents).  She always take me with her at ...

source: iStock What is the true measure of friendship?  Remember the song "That's what friends are for"?   "Keep smiling, keep shining  Knowing you can always count on me, for sure...  That's what friends are for.. For good times and bad times  I'll be on your side forever more That's what friends are for..." It's easy to be a friend when things are good, but not all will stick with you when times become rough.  True friends are those individuals who will be with you when you are facing challenges, one that understands and supports you.  Consistency and loyalty is one of the measures of true friendship.  They should be your constant.. and will stand with you, be with you through thick and thin. Being there when your friend needs you, this does not mean that see each other but making an effort to stay connected goes a long way.  Friendship does not mean you have to be together always, but the string that connects you with each other shoul...

source: Google People still choose to bring their car because of safety, convenience, comfort, time saving.  Some say that public transport can be cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but based on my personal experience it's not applicable here in the Philippines. source: shutterstock.com SAFETY : Yes safety is number one for me, aside from convenience and personal comfort - I find it safer to bring my car to work and wherever I wanted to go.  Years ago, when I was commuting home via jeepney: (1) I saw a man snatched the bracelet of the student sitting in front of me in broad daylight.  (2) During my high school days I used to commute from school to home and I felt the man beside trying to touch me covering his hands with his backpack, I was so afraid.  Good thing someone got off the jeepney, I transferred seat right away.  From that time I had this trauma of riding a jeep without a companion.  That's why when I started working one of the things I w...

 Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent.  Catholics attend mass and ashes are applied on their foreheads and the priests says : "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." This is also the start of fasting and abstinence... which means people from 18 to 60 years old will not eat meat. As we begin this season of Lent, we should confess and turn away from sins...

source: Google.com Just like that I am celebrating my 30 years in Sta Lucia Realty & Dev., Inc.  Time really flies so fast.  I started working when I was 20 (even turned 21 few days after working).  As I look back, I never thought that I will be staying in the company this long.  Honestly, it's hard to work in a company when you are related with the owners. (well that is the other half of Sta. Lucia).  At first I did not want to work there because I am afraid that people may think that I got in because I am a relative.  I believe I am capable of finding a company where I can showcase my abilities.  Being a graduate from a reputable university - University of Santo Tomas I know I can make it.  I was already accepted in a well-known bank in Makati when my mother told me that my uncle talked to her - because they badly need an accounting graduate.  To make the long story short, being the "obedient" daughter - I said yes... but I gave myself ...

source: Google.com Life is a learning process.  Aside from home and school, life teaches us a lot of things through our experiences.  Experience is the best teacher.  We learn from our mistakes, it makes us strong and help us to be better. Here are some of lessons I have learned for more than forty years. 1.  You cannot "Please" everybody - We don't need everyone's acceptance or you don't need everybody to agree with you.  As long as you are not stepping on one's foot, and you think you are doing the right thing.  But remember you must stay true with your values. 2.  Health is our valuable asset - As the saying goes: "Health is Wealth".  We must take care of ourselves: love, nurture and protect it.  We should not abuse our bodies,  let's start young in taking care of our health so we will not regret it when we get old. 3.  You don't always get what you want - This is one of the lessons, my grandparents taught me.  Even if you h...