Updates 3

Yeah, this is my 3rd Updates post. The first one was about physical pain (caused by my impacted tooth), and the second one tackled my emotional pain (my year-end drama). Now don't worry, this isn't under that topic anymore. Err, actually, I've got a lot of things to cover, so I'll stop linking my previous posts now...

• My Nokia E63 is confined in the hospital! LOL no, it's in the hands of the Nokia Care Center at Glorietta 3. Here's the story: I was going home from work when I noticed that the battery of my phone was warm (it was turned off). So I took it off and let it cool. After a few minutes, I put the battery back and turned the phone on, but to no avail. I thought that the battery simply had no charge, so when I got home, I plugged the charger in. But the battery just got hot again, and that's when I decided to take it to the Nokia Care Center. They replaced the battery free of charge! However, after a few minutes of using the phone and turning it off, it all happened again. And so, I went back to the center and explained my brother's theory: the problem must be in the motherboard of the phone. Now, I'm just waiting for the center's diagnosis and solution. Thank God for warranties! But hey, this is no simple matter. I got depressed for a couple of days, you know. Perhaps due to separation anxiety or something. I only bought that phone last April, and the money was worked hard for. Ooh, I miss it so much!

• My normal schedule is back! After a month of experiencing the night shift and not liking it, finally, they let me go back to the day (9AM to 6PM). I have a new position, of course, and it's a much more challenging one. Before, I was just doing one aspect of SEO, but now, it's like everything is taken care of by my team. Well, not really everything, but it's enough to make our job very sensitive. I got a lot of upgrades, though. Hihi! Anyway, I can't give any more details, so just be happy for me. LOL!

• Have you ever heard of the term mood-cooking? It's self-explanatory, but I'm gonna share this thing that I read from Food-ology:

Mood-cooking takes meal success and recipe organization to a whole new level: recipes paired by mood!

If you are feeling indulgent, withdrawn, adventurous or fickle – use that self awareness to enhance, support or lift your mood through food!

With a gloomy mood (because I'm down with fever and it's been raining since yesterday), I decided to make two pasta dishes: Kung Pao and Cheesy Pesto. No, I didn't make them from scratch. I used the ready-made sauces from Clara Ole. And I'm telling you, they're delicious! They don't taste store-bought at all.

Kung Pao

Cheesy Pesto

Cheesy Pesto with Parmesan Cheese

• My Nutella Review is coming very soon! Actually, my mind was already set to doing it today, but I had to postpone it again because of my stupidity. This weekend, perhaps? I hope I find the drive. Anyway, this is what happened:

Notice the layer of frozen grease on top?

I put it in the refrigerator! Ugh, stupid me, I know. Too bad I didn't see this first:

"DO NOT KEEP IN FRIDGE" -- Oops.

That's what happens when people don't read labels.

So, that's it! Four updates in a post. Gosh, I hope I still get to keep this up. My work doesn't have anything to do with blogs anymore, and I'm afraid I might grow tired of this again. I really hope not! I swear, my next post will be about my review of Nutella... and others.

Nutella vs. Finetti vs. Nusica vs. Goya

Building My Own Emergency Fund

At last!!!

Money money money money! Moooooney!

Okay, here's the thing. For the past five months, I've been saving my 5 and 10-peso coins by keeping them in this cylindrical coin bank thingy (I don't know what it's called in English, but in Tagalog it's alkansya). I even have my paper money exchanged for coins sometimes just to fill it up quickly. Well, that didn't work since it still took me five months, but hey, it got filled up anyway. Look!

God knows how many times I got tempted to open it

Actually, it got so heavy that it already passed as a dumbbell for me. I used it to "lift weights" in the morning. LOL! Anyway, all that hard work pushing myself to commit to this personal project has definitely paid off. And now, I'm P2,500 richer! Can you believe it? I can't! I mean, those who know me well are aware that I find it hard to finish things that I start, so this is quite an achievement for me.

A nearby convenience store was more than happy to exchange all my coins with paper money. Did I use the cash right away and bought something from the store to reward myself? Hell no! Haha, I surprised myself yet again. So, what am I planning to do with the money? I'm keeping it as a start-up for my emergency fund.

Where the hell did I get the idea of putting up one? It's these blogs about saving money and budgeting that I've been reading lately at work. They've influenced me and made me see why everyone should have a fund for emergency cases. And I mean that -- everyone should.

I realized that the term "job security" doesn't make sense anymore these days. Also, age doesn't guarantee you good health. So I thought that I have to have some back-up in case of a mishap that would require me to shell out money. Some think it's just paranoia, but I think it's being smart.

How much am I planning to save? Experts say that a good emergency fund consists of three to six months worth of your expenses. In that case, I still have a looooong way to go. I'm using my salary as a basis, so I'm not gonna stop until my fund amounts to a month's pay. Well, that's my goal for now, for the second leg of this project. Once I achieve that, I'm going to set the bar higher and higher

Financial security is extremely important to me

The thing is, I really hate financial insecurity. It makes me uncomfortable when I'm cognizant that I've used up all my money and I don't have any spare at all. It eats me up like the way conscience haunts you when you did something terrible. But I don't have to worry about that anymore, do I? Woohoo! P2,500 is not that much, but it's still money. Heck, some people can't even save a thousand bucks, let alone twice of that.

As I bid goodbye to bankruptcy, I welcome a whole new challenge. This time, I have to work twice as hard. I have to maintain my habit of saving coins, and at the same time, prevent myself from spending my savings. Who knows, I might even take it up a notch and save more than just coins. Whew, wish me luck on that!

And to end this post, let me tell you this. I know that many of you feel the same way about financial security. So I insist, start planning your own emergency fund now! There are many ways to do that. You can engage in something similar to what I do, or open a savings account, or whatever. But I suggest that you start small. Making big leaps can make you lose interest right away, so do baby steps first. Remember: little things matter!

Happy saving, everyone. :)

My Year-End Blog Post

The second half. The first one's here.

Hello, friends and fiends! I guess you've probably read like a million year-end blog posts by now, and you think that this is a tad too late. But hey, we still have that New Year vibe going on, right? There's still time before it completely subsides, so let's get into it.

Instead of torturing myself with a recall of how a whole year went, I'm gonna give you something more useful: the top 5 lessons that I learned in 2010.

#5 - The things that we see on film and TV can actually happen in real life, so you better ready your ass for it.

It's not like I'm saying that people these days are deluded with dreams of living perfect lives. My point is, whether we admit it or not, we always have a hard time accepting. But you gotta trust that there's always a good reason why shitty things happen. We might not know it right away, but we will once we dig through the shit and discover the lessons to be learned. It's a grueling internal process, but it's worth it.

I have my share of wrongdoings last year, and some them even caused people to do really bad things to me. And the funny thing is, I used to only see those "bad things" on screen and laugh at them, thinking that they're too absurd to happen to me. I didn't know that they're actually gonna crush my balls someday. But I've realized that I made those bad choices, nobody else. So whatever consequences they've brought, I have to learn to forgive myself first, and then forgive those who have hurt me for making those choices. I know some of my friends will say that I'm too much of a saint to blame myself. Well, that's how life really works, I guess. You don't get peace by committing revenge or coming clean of blame. You find peace by forgiving and forgetting. And that's what I'm doing now.

That lesson made me realize #4 - You're not going through it alone.

Those film and TV scenes might have happened to you unexpectedly, but that doesn't mean that your case is a special one and that there's no possible ending yet to what you're going through. Guess what kiddo, other people have already experienced that, and I bet that they made it out alive. So don't drench yourself in misery!

That's what I did. I got cheated on and lied to for the first time, and it was done by someone whom I didn't expect would do such things, so I got really blown away by it. But I eventually snapped out of the shock, realizing that a gazillion other people have been cheated on and lied to. And they all have moved on, so why can't I? Tell yourself that you can move on. It might take a while, but you'll get through.

See what I did there? I made a choice. I didn't just let time do it's healing of wounds. Why? Because I learned #3 - Choice overpowers time when moving on, but choices wear off and time doesn't.

What do I mean by that? It's simple: moving on is a two-step process. First, you gotta firmly decide that you want to move on. Don't let time decide for you! Once you're on track, stay on it and then allow time to do its magic.

I see life as this train that runs through the track of time, and every choice we make makes us switch tracks. So when you want to move on, switch to a different track by making the choice that you do want to, and then continue running through time's tracks. Does it make sense? I hope it does! I may make it sound easy when it's not, but at least there's a warning that personal choices should come first. It's all in your hands.

Top 2 Lesson - Honesty is no longer the best policy.

Hmm, how am I going to explain something that seems like a wrong advice? Let's just say that the truth shouldn't always be told. Sometimes, it's better to just let it come out naturally. Not all people, even the ones that love you genuinely, can take the truth. Moreover, if your relationship with that person is breakable, like you're friends or romantically involved, then there's a big risk that your relationship will get cut.

So, are you willing to take that risk just so you could release the steam inside you? What's more important to you, then? Again, it's a matter of choice and knowing which outcome can you put up with better. But keep in mind that there's a difference between not telling the truth and lying. Whatever your intentions may be, just prepare yourself for what's gonna come. And please, no regrets. Every consequence is an opportunity to learn!

So, what's the number 1 lesson that I learned in 2010? Don't give all of your self in a relationship.

This should be a no-brainer, but a lot of people out there are easily blinded by love that they look past all flaws and doubts and do everything for their significant other. That shouldn't be the case! Remember this: if you partner is not trying hard enough to reciprocate your affection and efforts, it's not worth it. It takes two to tango, so to speak.

Why is it the top 1 lesson? Because the experience that made me realize that changed me. I don't look at love and relationships the same way anymore. The change is kind of a mixture of both good and bad, but at least things were altered, and those alterations made me braver. I can now say that I'm ready to face whatever 2011 has in store for me and my heart.

Well, you know what they say. You gotta learn life's lessons the hard way, or else it won't stick to you. Because of that, I thank all the ones who came into my life last year. I thank everyone who loved me and kept me whole, and the ones who hurt me and made me learn. That's a sign that forgiveness is on its way, right? Yey!

Anyway, if you were wondering how my year ended, let me tell you that it ended how it was supposed to. We didn't try to break away from our family's tradition this time. We did the usual lighting of fireworks before we had Media Noche while the lights of the house were on and music was playing in the background. And you know what? It felt so right. =)

So! My year-end blog post ends here. I'm wishing you all a better 2011. Happy new year, everyone!

The Sims 2 House Designs (Part 2) + Updates

First half of My Year-End Blog Post.

First of all, I'd like to apologize to the few people who read this blog for not being able to update it for more than 3 weeks. I got really busy for the first few days following my last post, and then it got really emotionally crazy after that. Actually, up till now, I got tons of personal drama in my pocket. I'm gonna spill out some of them later, but first...

Super THANK YOU! =) To everyone who made it possible for my blog to reach more than 1,600 pageviews. I know it's not a big deal for most bloggers, but for me, it is. I just started this thing last month, and I can't believe that every single day someone out there reads at least a post of mine. I was expecting I would get some because I do some SEO tricks, but I wasn't expecting this much. So, super thanks to my readers! =)

Anyway, let's get to the main subject of this post: The Sims 2 house designs. Like what I said before, I play The Sims primarily because I get to build and redesign houses. I also promised you that I will show you the interiors of the house I was working on when it's already done. Well, I'm sorry, but that's not gonna happen anymore. I had to delete the whole game because I messed up the installation, so all my work there got flushed. After re-installing the game right, I tried redesigning the same house, but I eventually got bored with it. Well, with the "baggage" that I had, I really couldn't have functioned well.

Only yesterday was I able to temporarily pause all the negativity around me and decide to play the game again. I redesigned a much smaller house and made it really big. I forgot to take a "before" picture, so all that you're gonna see next is the aftermath. Enjoy!

overview

back

at night

front

1st floor, cut

2nd floor, cut

 

inside, the stairs

hallway

way to the living room

still Christmas here

back door

study room

"green" room

living room

"red" room

door to the kitchen & dining

"white" room

my favorite room

2nd floor

for guests

door to bedrooms, bar

where guests may hang out

bedroom 1

i love the colors

bathroom for bed 1

my dream bathroom

bedroom 2

"yellow" room

bath for bed 2

love the tiles!

There ya go! Sorry for the lack of photos, hehe. I hope you all like my Sims 2 house. It's not much, but it's a good start. There's much more to come in the future! So, any thoughts? Please post a comment! =)

Now, for the 2nd half of the 1st half of my year-end post. Let me tell you some bits about my current personal drama...

The day I wrote my previous post was the day someone broke my heart. I was left hanging for a couple of weeks without proper closure, and I suffered so much inside. The torture finally ended a week ago when I found out that everything was a lie and that I got cheated on for months. Yes, the waiting did stop, but a bigger blow came right after. It was a really big blow, but at least it was just one time, and from then on I was able to officially move on. Until now, the wounds are still fresh because every now and then the clot is scratched off, but I know I'm moving forward. Painful and slow, but certain.

I gotta give credit to all my friends who stood by me, picked up the pieces of my shattered heart and ego, and tried to put them back together. I can't name you all here, but you guys know who you are, so thank you! And an extra special thanks to the one who rescued me. *wink* =)

Next drama: family. You know those moments where you and your family are in this happy car ride or something and then minutes later you're all lashing out at one another? Well, that happened to me on our way to an outreach program/Christmas party/family reunion a couple of weeks ago. And I swear, it was like this scene in a soap opera where the people are pouring out the things that they've been keeping in their head one minute, and then they're all pretending nothing happened the next because they're in a social gathering. Hahaha! It was funny and heartbreaking at the same time. Well, all is well now. Feelings have been heard and lessons have been learned. And so, we're moving on together.

Drama number 3: Christmas weekend. The original plan was to spend Christmas Eve at Nasugbu, Batangas, and then tour Tagaytay City up to the 26th. However, things went horribly wrong. The place at Nasugbu turned out to be outrageously crappy, so nobody had fun. The next day, Kuya got so sick that we had to rush him to the hospital and cancel the whole trip. It was the 2nd time that we spent Christmas in a hospital. =( Then, just yesterday, we found out that an uncle of mine died. Sigh... All these things happened in just one month! Imagine how jam-packed my baggage is! =(

Looking back at how 2010 generally went, it's only right for me to consider this year as by far the best and the worst. But, as what I've said, lessons have been learned, and there's no other thing to do but to keep moving forward. In fact, I'm really excited about God's plans for me next year. My capacity to love and trust may have all been drained, but not my love and trust for Him. =)

Note: All The Sims 2-related photos are mine.

Breaking Up With My Braided Anklet

I wore this braided anklet for 7 straight years without ever taking it off. EVER.

It was only last night that I accidentally ripped it off when I scratched my right ankle. I was talking to a friend of mine over the phone when it happened, so the sadness didn't kick in yet.

Well, it has now.

Isn't it amazing how you can actually hold on to wear something without ever taking it off? That anklet hung on to me with every fiber of its being, not letting anything come between us. Not jeans, not socks, not sandy beaches, not typhoons, not soap, nothing.

But, I don't know, it just gave up last night. It came off easily with just a scratch of an itch I couldn't ignore. For 7 years, it stayed there, wrapped around my ankle, but it only took one unpremeditated act to throw all that out. I guess it just had to happen.

My braided anklet had several siblings, but they didn't last long. It doesn't have a name, and I don't think it needs one. The moments, the secrets, those are the things I'll remember it by. But I'm sure, it won't be forgotten right away. For the next few weeks or so, it will be like having a phantom leg: I'll feel it's there but it's not.

Okay fine, yes. I do have a choice, and it's not too late. I can tie it back up and pretend that nothing happened. But now, I'm having second thoughts. Realizing that it has so much meaning to me, it all suddenly seemed so tough.

But, I think it's about time to finally let it go, let things go. I don't think we should hold on to our past that long, anyway. It can mess up our present and future, and when that happens it's excruciatingly hard to iron things out.

I guess this is goodbye, then. I hope you become fashionable again.

Note: The photo is mine.